The First Christmas of Syrian Christians Without Al-Assad

"We were busy all Thursday discussing the situation in Syria and, at the end of the meeting, we issued a written statement about what is happening in the country," Archbishop Joseph Bali explained to El Espanol on Friday morning, who is also responsible jacobitafor the media and the secretary of the Siro-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Mor Ignario Efren II, head of a self-cephaly church once known with the eponym of Jacobo Baradai o Baradea 6th century monk whom the faithful of that Christian sect venerate as saints.

The baradai is an Aramaic term meaning beggar. They added that nickname to the bishop of Edesa for the disheveled aspect with which he toured his land more than a thousand five hundred years ago ordaining priests and capturing followers for the monophysite cause.

Under the generic name of Christians from Syria, a plethora of sects separated by history and certain minor theological discrepancies is grouped together. In total, before the war, there were more than a million, but no one agrees on how many are left now. Probably a few hundred thousand.

Some - like the Chaldeans, Maronites or Melkites are of Vatican or Catholic obedience. Others belong to self-warcory churches and are accountable only to their own patriarchs. That is the case of the Assyrians and the Syrian-Orthodox whose archbishops organized an online meeting on Thursday with Ignatius Ephre II to agree on a position on what is happening in Syria.

The manifesto has a brave tone, in a way. Not only does it urge the faithful to persevere in prayer and fasting, but they demand that the new owners of the country "fix in a new constitution the rights of the different ethnic groups that constitute the fabric of Syrian society so that they can preserve their identity and their different languages, which would increase the strength and stability of the country in the face of the challenges and present to the world a civilized image."

The patriarch and his archbishops also have words for Israel. "The unity and integrity of the Syrian territories as well as the security of its residents must be preserved, stressing that the beloved Syrian Yazira and the precious Golan are an integral part of Syria. We also condemn the repeated Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty," they say.

Throughout the week, ErdoganErdogan's planes, like the Israelis, have not stopped hitting targets on Syrian soil, only that Jews have essentially concentrated on weapons depots, while Ankara has not only prevented the Kurds from seizing the arsenal left behind after their flight by the Assad army, but has provided air support to the NHS Salafists whom it has used for years as a proxy force in its war against the Kurds, whom they call a Syrian franchise of the PKK.

Thanks to Ankara's interference, Islamists from the Syrian National Army (SNA) have seized Manbij, a city governed so far by DAANES (English acronym for the Northern and Eastern Democratic Administration of Syria), which becomes a coalition of Kurdish-led Kurdish Kurds in Syria.

Upon his return to the headquarters of the Patriarchate in Damascus, after interrupting his apostolic visit to India, Patriarch Mor Ignacio Efren II Karim held a meeting in line with the archbishops of the Syrian-Orthodox Archdiocese of Syria and the patriarchal departments, on the afternoon of Thursday, December 12, 2024, to discuss the latest developments and changes that the country is currently experiencing. After the meeting, the patriarchy issued a statement.

Those of the clerics have not explicitly mentioned is the Turks, despite, or perhaps above all, because it is a well-documented fact that one of the two militias of Islamist mercenaries that have taken the country - the Syrian National Army or SNA, according to their English acronyms - have not hit a single shot at the forces of the dictatorship and have concentrated on occupying the territories of northern and eastern Syria administered by the Kurds in common accord with the Turkish president.

The NHS had a different agenda than Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), although they share a jihadist past and ties to Turkey, which left thousands of Islamist mercenaries from more than sixty countries to pass over the past decade to weaken their Kurdish enemies.

While the old Jabhat al-Nusra The HTS led by Abu Mohammad al Jolani advanced from his Idlib fiefdoms to Damascus, the Salafists of the NHS were deployed from their Afrin barracks to the eastern territories administered by the Kurds. Manbij fell in midweek. At the close of the edition, it was very obvious that the next target of Erdogan's Salafists had set the sights on Raqqa, also administered by the Kurds, and besieged from within already by riots and Arab algaradas.

Meeting in the territory of DAANES of members of the Christian political party Assyrian Democratic Organization.

At the moment, it is still impossible to travel from the areas controlled by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and the Kurdish-administered territories east of the Euphrates. The issue is relevant to understand the situation because that is, in essence, the scenario in which Christians and the rest of the inhabitants of the country are currently taking place.

Some of them live in the area conquered by the HTS Islamists to the government and part of the area administered by the Kurdish "reds" that the NHS is biting with Turkey's support. Only a few people live in the area dominated by Erdogan's mercenaries. Once again, in the north of the country, Christians have fallen in the midst of an alien conflict that threatens to unleash a new civil war and the Balkanization of Syria.

If anything describes the atmosphere of that community, it is the suspicion to which it is being lavated. Christians do not ignore the jihadist and terrorist past of the country's new owners, which has again spread fears between them despite the fact that al-Jolani and his men have continued to repeat that minorities have nothing to fear.

Far less measured than the HTS warlord have been the SNA Salafists in the area they manage. As in the old days, in their advance to Manjib and Raqqa, the jihadists have committed savage murders and forced tens of thousands of displaced Kurds who had been relocated years ago in cities like Tal Rifaat.

Throughout the week, social media has cenhered with videos of the executions of two wounded Kurdish militiamen in a hospital in Manbij and the cold and extrajudicial killing of two alleged Assad army officers.

From the Syrian monastery of Moses the Abyss, 80 kilometres north of Damascus in the area occupied by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, a monk named Fray Jihad Yusef also celebrated the fall of the Assad regime earlier this week. The Islamists had not yet visited him the cenobio, although they had met with the Christian community of a nearby population to assure them, in reassuring terms, that they had nothing to fear and that they were determined to guarantee their rights of worship.

What happened was initially striking because his arrival in Damascus ignited social media with hysterical and malicious messages (often from Protestant Christian organizations) warning of the imminence of a persecution similar to the one that occurred during the time of Daesh.

One day before traveling to Rome, Fray Jihad told this newspaper in a tone of almost joy that "the revolution is treating everyone very civilized and in very good shape. They're reassuring everyone and repeating that they're not going to allow any form of revenge.'

Already from day one in Aleppo, HTS Salafists took it upon themselves to make it clear that Christians were not their target and sent several trucks with food and bread at the doors of the churches, while two television stations from their orbit based in Idlib and Istanbul broadcast interviews with smiling Christians of the city next to the Christmas-hunger trees Navidadthey then used on the nets to wash their image to wash their image with forced marches.

"What Syria needs now is the collaboration of all citizens in an open and dialogue spirit," says Fray Jihad. "At the same time, the Church needs to be present in the future Syrian society and to convey to the Islamic community that we want to occupy a place in the country according to our capabilities. A common state project based on citizenship must be built with Muslims, but also respect for religion and diversity of culture, languages and ethnicities."

Does controlling contemporizer Mohamed al-Yolani, leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, all factions that coalesced with his own to overthrow the Assads? Everything points to the fact that no, especially some NHS militias that were not directly under their influence, which are precisely attributed to some of the brutalities committed these days in the north of the country. In fact, in the previous years, the departures of Islamists were busy fighting each other in a war of power that would, if continued, to balkanize Syria.

"Both the NHS and HTS have the same ideological principles when it comes to implementing Sharia or Islamic Law, but in fact they have different agendas, aligned with the countries that sponsor them," says Malek Garzhani, a Christian living in Kamisli. If you allow yourself to speak with that freedom, it is precisely because the city in which it lives is the capital of the Kurdish-administered territories. In the rest of the country, Syrians and Assyrians (alternative ethnic names of Christians) continue to beat by fear.

"If you ask me about HTS, I'm almost convinced it will implement Sharia," Gharzani continues. There are statements by the Minister of Justice in front of the Damascus Palace of Justice in which he states that they will be responsible for establishing the law of God, which is nothing but Shariah. It's his only known statement and he's run around in a very short video.'

Malek is 44 years old, married and is the father of two children. He studied economics in Aleppo and currently runs a bookstore in Kamisli. "You know?" he says. "It is true that HTS has ensured the safety of all, including of course Christians. But ensuring security is one thing and ensuring compliance with human rights and the implementation of civil laws is another very different. We Christians cannot live in a country governed by Islamic law, but only in secular states of law."

One of the greatest fears of Assyrians, Armeans and siriacosSyrians is that they are reproached for their old support for the regime, which always used to present itself to the world as the guarantor of minority security. "There is no doubt that there was some collaboration between Christian clerics and dictatorship," Melek says. "But it was entirely natural and, moreover, it occurred in a way that served the interests of the people."

Ghazali does not live in that new Syria without Assad to the new jihadists, but in the managed area that Kurds often sell to the world as a democracy. Are the Syrians and the Assyrians happy with the model of government implanted by the Kurds in the north and east of the country? "Some Christians have complained about the treatment they receive from the Kurdish administration in certain aspects of life," Ghazali explains.

"For example, some influential individuals stole property and land from them either by force or by falsifying documents. The Kurdish administration tries to present itself as a democracy but there are many mistakes and it is not because strategic economic, military and political decisions remain exclusively in the hands of the Kurds."

Can the ongoing conflict between the SDF (English acronym for a Kurdish-led military coalition known as the Syrian Democratic Forces) drag the Christians into war in the north and east of the country? In fact, he already has. As many as DAANES citizens, they are also part of the SDF through the Syrian Military Council. Earlier this week, four of their own were buried in Hasake during two Turkish bombings of Kurdish positions in Tel Tamer.

Dozens of Christians have also had to leave the area conquered by the NHS, joining thousands of Arab displaced and, above all, Kurds, who are now in a humanitarian emergency.

In the Kurdish-run area, the Syrian curia has asked its faithful to refrain from showing Christmas cheers on the streets and restrict celebrations to their homes and religious offices. There are no Salafists there, but there is a budding war that has already claimed several lives.

In the opinion of Gaby Moshe, secretary general of one of the most important Assyrian political parties based in Kamisli (the Assyrian Democratic Organization or ADO), "it is clear that the joy at the fall of the regime was mixed among many Christians with some anxiety and fear of the new authority because of the extremist religious tendencies of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. But at the same time they realize that the main obstacle to the process of change has been removed and no party can impose its program on the diverse Syrian society. During the operation to get rid of Assad, some positive indicators emerged, as no civilians and minorities were attacked; no blood was spilled and property and infrastructure were preserved."

"On the other hand, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham is not alone in the sand," says the secretary general of the Assyrian Democratic Organization. "Militarly, there are other factions and politically, there are many political movements and parties that differ from him in his political vision. I believe that the model with which HTS ruled the city of Idlib, which has a religiously conservative society, cannot be imposed throughout Syria, since even in Idlib there were widespread protests."

In Moshe's view, "Christians look to the future cautiously and will not accept being considered non-Muslim in any way because they not only want protection, but be citizens equal to the rest and enjoy full constitutional rights under a decentralized, secular and democratic state based on the rule of law and institutions. That includes the constitutional recognition of the existence and national identity of the Syrian Assyrians."

The truth is that the Christians of Syria are afraid and the proof is how complicated it has been for us to find someone willing to give their opinions without hiding their name and face. Hanna Asaad Issa has the first Assyrian to be in Spain. He's going to turn 78 and he came to our country in '68 to study Pharmacy.

He has two Madrid sons, which is the city where he has resided since his arrival and also the place where he created a thriving jewelry business and semi-precious stones. Not only do his two children speak a Perfect Aramaic, but also his wife, a Walloon. Like Melek and Gabriel Moshe, he's from Kamisli.

"It is very normal for them to be afraid after living in a dictatorship for 54 years and eleven years of a war in which they have gone through everything," Hanna tells us. "As much as you explain it here, no one will understand. We don't know anything yet, but we think what's coming will be better, because the worse it can't go. The economy is a disaster. A dollar worth thirtysomethings now costs 15,000. Officials charge about thirty or forty dollars a month and with that they don't even have to live two days because some things are more expensive than in Spain."

"Food, for example, is very expensive for what they earn," he continues. "They live from the aids that come to them from outside. Anyone who has relatives abroad receives something and the one who does not, then he will have to endure or steal. The situation there is terrible."

"It is true that the bearded of Idlib have been brought in to form their first government," the Syrian acknowledges. "And they have promised that they will implement Sharia. The West should intervene in that. What I hope is that there will be justice, whether or not they are bearded. What Syria needs is a secular country. Whoever is religious, let him go to church or mosque, but Syria is for everyone.

This article was translated from Spanish by Google.
Chinese, Egyptian foreign ministers hold strategic dialogue in Beijing

Xinhua) 09:52, December 14, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty co-chair the China-Egypt foreign ministers' strategic dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the China-Egypt foreign ministers' strategic dialogue with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Egypt had carried forward the traditional friendship and deepened mutually beneficial cooperation.

China supports Egypt in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and opposes interference in Egypt's internal affairs by any force under any pretext, Wang said.

China is ready to work with Egypt to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and push bilateral relations toward the higher goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era, Wang said.

Abdelatty said Egypt firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China's reunification, values the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and opposes interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

He expressed appreciation for China's support to and assistance in Egypt's economic and social development and welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Egypt.

The two sides agreed to give full play to the role of the intergovernmental cooperation committee mechanism, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and create new growth poles of cooperation in new energy, aerospace, electric vehicles, 5G construction, agricultural technology, artificial intelligence, digital economy and other emerging fields.

The two sides stressed that they would deepen strategic communication, push the greater BRICS cooperation to a new level, and strengthen communication and coordination under multilateral frameworks.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
December 14, 2024: In Poland civilian military police and intelligence services have been hunting down Russian operatives based in Belarus responsible for trying to organize a sabotage campaign in NATO nations in Eastern Europe, notably Poland. This is an ongoing Russian effort that is part of a larger intelligence, subversion and assignation effort throughout Europe. Closer to Russia and Ukraine the situation was different.

Nations bordering Russia or Ukraine made an extraordinary, in terms of financial cost, effort to assist Ukraine during the first six weeks of the war. For example, tiny Estonia with a population 1.3 million spent about .8 percent of its annual GDP to support Ukraine during those six weeks. Most of the aid went to processing and hosting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian attacks on their homes. Estonia also contributed some weapons. Estonia has only 6,000 active-duty troops but can mobilize trained reserves for a wartime strength of 60,000. The other two Baltic States, especially southern neighbor Latvia and below that Lithuania, which borders Poland and Belarus, have similar defense policies. Estonia and Latvia border Russia. Poland shares long borders, and history, with Ukraine and Belarus. Poland has a population six times larger than all three Baltic states and spent five times more during those six weeks on Ukrainian aid than all three Baltic states. Poland and the Baltic States know they are next if Russia succeeds in Ukraine. All four of these nations share a distrust of Russia and a long history of Russian aggression and occupation. Before Russia began attacking Ukraine in 2014 Russia had a per capita GDP half that of the Baltic states and Poland, whose economic success after 1991 inspired Ukraine to look to the EU/European Union and NATO rather than domination by Russia. Since the 2022 Russian invasion, the unprecedented economic sanctions have reduced Russian per-capita GDP even further. Ukraine has also suffered economically but knows that if they survive the war with Russia, they can rebuild and achieve a GDP similar to their neighbor Poland, which has about the same population.

Every NATO member has somewhat different defense plans but the one thing all have in common is the ancient threat from the Russian Empire. While the larger NATO members, U.S. Britain and France, have nuclear weapons, the smaller ones have to be more creative in dealing with the Russian threat. The smallest and most exposed members of NATO are the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Together these three nations have a combined population of only six million. Russia has over 140 million and an increasingly open desire to regain its valuable Baltic territories and other lost, in 1991, portions of the Soviet Union.

The Baltic States have long been fought over because, like most coastal areas, the Baltic States were always more prosperous than inland areas because of seaborne trade and fishing, in addition to farms inland. Poland, Sweden and Germany were a threat to what is now the Baltic States over the last thousand years, but since the 1700s another threat has been Russia, and still is.

After the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, many Russian neighbors feared a revival of the traditional Russian aggression and empire building. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and in 2004 Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia did the same, putting parts of the former Soviet Union like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania within NATO and on Russias border. Many Russians did not like this, for Russian policy since 1945 has been to establish a buffer of subservient and preferably Russian occupied countries between Russia itself and the rest of Western Europe. This attitude is obsolete in a practical sense but old habits die hard.

In the 1990s the new post-communist Russian government said it was willing to work with NATO in areas of mutual benefit but that did not work out. Now there is a state of undeclared war between Russia and NATO. These new NATO members are more worried about renewed Russian aggression than the original NATO members like the U.S. and Western Europe. The nations of eastern NATO are asking for more presence by troops from western NATO. Some of the eastern members, especially Poland and the Baltic States, have called for the permanent basing of U.S. troops on their territory. The smaller states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania believe Russia could overrun them in two days and senior NATO military commanders openly agree. Russia considers such talk more evidence of NATO aggression against Russia. The Baltic States have heard this kind of talk from Russia before and want to avoid the usual outcome.

All three Baltic States have adopted similar defense plans based on those long used by Switzerland and later Sweden and Israel. This total war mobilization system expects every citizen to be prepared to resist an invader. In the last century this has meant conscription of all able males and even some females for a year or so of training followed by decades of service in a reserve. The Baltic States have eliminated conscription and depend on fear of the Russians to obtain enough volunteers for their active-duty forces and much larger reserve. Beyond that all citizens are constantly reminded of how they can all resist an invader. Russia is the only likely attacker as the Germans, Poles and Swedes have abandoned imperial ambitions.

Initially Russia thought they could exploit the Russian minorities in the Baltic State. After independence in 1991 many nations formerly part of the Soviet Union found they had large Russian minorities that they had accumulated during years of Russian occupation. In many of those nations the Russians were not welcome and many went back to Russia. In the Baltic States, Belarus and Ukraine these Russian minorities noted the chaos in Russia and most adapted to their new homeland by learning the local language. This was difficult in Estonia, which was ethnically related to Finland and natives, like those in Hungary, spoke a distinct Central Asian language. Many Russians in Estonia, Finland and Hungary never bothered to do that when Russia was in charge.

After 1991 most Russian speakers in these new nations realized learning this difficult language was worth the effort, and Russia found they could not rely on these Russian minorities to support Russian efforts during another attack and occupation. Russia tried to use this angle in Ukraine, but most of the Ukrainian Russians resisted and still do. This often meant leaving Russian occupied portions of Ukraine and later taking up arms to fight the 2022 invasion. A similar thing happened in Belarus, which prevented Russia from persuading Belarus to send troops in Ukraine. Worse, many Belarussians supported Ukraine and sabotaged the Russian war effort. Meanwhile, Poland had become a rear area support base for the Ukrainian military.

Before deciding to invade and annex all or portions of these former Soviet territories, Russia tried Cyber War against the more prosperous and affluent former Soviet territories. At the top of this list was Estonia, which was hit by a massive Russian Cyber War attack in 2007. The Estonians withstood the attack despite the temporary damage it did to their economy. This was something a NATO member had never faced before and Estonia pointed out that if there was no NATO response to the Russian attack on Estonia, the Russians would be tempted to try it on other new NATO members in East Europe.

This led to a 2010 agreement with NATO to facilitate cooperation between NATO and Estonia if Estonia is hit by another Internet based attack. In 2008, NATO established a Cyber Defense Center in Estonia. This, and the 2010 agreement, was a result of being called on by Estonia, in 2007, to declare Cyber War on Russia. That was because Russia was accused of causing great financial harm to Estonia via Cyber War attacks, and Estonia wanted this sort of thing declared terrorism, and dealt with. NATO agreed to discuss the issue, but never took any action against Russia. The new agreement creates a legal framework for striking back, or at least to defend Estonia more vigorously if there is another attack. Since the 2010 agreement the internet war between NATO and Russia continues quietly, in the shadows. Its mainly about espionage and intelligence collection. Unless someone carries out a spectacular operation, like the ones Estonia endured, the general public never notices. Besides, since 2007 their have been substantial improvements in internet security.

Most NATO members, especially the ones farther away from Russia, did not believe Russia would risk invading a NATO member. The attitude began to change in 2014 when Russia suddenly seized and annexed Crimea, which was part of Ukraine but contained many non-Ukrainians. Months later Russia tried to do the same to two provinces in eastern Ukraine called the Donbas, but that was only partially successful because of a prompt and unexpected Ukrainian response. Russia justified these actions to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and the EU/European Union. The new NATO members pointed out Russia was not quitting and their military threat was going to escalate. The original NATO members were not convinced and thought Russia would be deterred by some economic sanctions. That was proved wrong in 2022 when Russia attempted to take all of Ukraine by force. Suddenly the fears of the new NATO members were recognized as prophetic rather than alarmist. The Baltic States prepared for war and former neutral nations Finland and Sweden, applied for NATO membership. Ukraine became an informal NATO member and received substantial military, economic and diplomatic support in their fight against Russia.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), artificial general intelligence (AGI), which refers to the point where machines are super intelligent in most areas and outperform humans, remains a speculation.

Tech leaders Sam Altman and Elon Musk predict that AGI might arrive by 2025-2028, but the facts differ. The real risk in 2025 is that humans might misuse current AI tools instead of having superintelligent machines.

Unintentional Misuse of AI Tools

The AI adoption in several fields has caused some unforeseen impacts, especially in the law field. Lawyers who excessively relied on AI have been sanctioned for presenting wrongful documents prepared by chatbots. Here are a few examples that WIRED included in its report:

Attorneys Steven Schwartz and Peter LoDuca were sanctioned for submitting false citations from ChatGPT in New York for a penalty of $5,000.

Chong Ke was penalized for adding a series of fabricated cases in legal submissions in British Columbia.

Colorado attorney Zachariah Crabill was sanctioned for attributing mistakes in several court cases to an AI-generated intern.

The cases remind one of the dangers of blind trust in AI without verification which may bring about reputational damage or legal penalties. This is why we need to be careful about AI-produced information.

Intentional Misuse: The Deepfake Dilemma

AI tools have also been weaponized for ill-faith purposes. Unwanted deepfakes like those of sexually explicit images of Taylor Swift created using Microsoft's Designer AI tool have become rampant.

Despite protection mechanisms, loopholes, such as misspelling names, can bypass the restrictions.

Open-source deepfake tools make it even worse. Such misuse affects the individual but also creates societal distrust, thereby making it difficult to regulate and combat fake content.

The 'Liar's Dividend': Manipulating Perception

AI-generated content blurs the line between reality and fiction, thus enabling a phenomenon called the "liar's dividend." This allows people to dismiss actual evidence as being fake, thus undermining accountability. Examples include:

Tesla argues that a 2016 video of Elon Musk exaggerating Tesla Autopilot's safety could be a deepfake.

An Indian politician claimed doctored audio clips despite verification of authenticity.

January 6 riot defendants falsely claimed that incriminating videos were AI-generated deepfakes.

As AI-generated audio, video, and text become more realistic, the ability to distinguish truth from fabrication will become increasingly difficult.

Dubious AI Products as Means of Exploitation

Companies exploiting AI hype usually sell broken products that make critical decisions about people's lives. The hiring platform, Retorio, claims it can determine a candidate's job suitability by interviewing them via video.

Research, however, showed the system is prone to manipulation, including changes in backgrounds or glasses.

In the Netherlands, the Dutch tax authority used AI in a way that resulted in thousands of parents wrongly accused of welfare fraud, demanding exorbitant repayments. The scandal was so egregious that it caused the Prime Minister and his cabinet to resign.

Mitigating AI Risks in 2025

The most significant risks in 2025 arise from human misuse of AI, not from rogue superintelligence. They include:

Over-reliance on AI where it fails (for example, legal errors).

Intentional misuse (such as deepfakes and misinformation).

Poorly designed AI systems that cause harm to people.

Governments, companies, and society have to focus on these immediate concerns first. As long as the possibility of AGI remains distant, focusing on today's concrete AI risks will be a protection against real-world harm.
When Kirandeep Saggar first met Ranjit Bath she was smitten.

The mother-of-two had recently separated from her husband when she connected with the Canadian-Punjabi rap star on TikTok in June 2023.

They quickly struck up a rapport and, after a year of chatting online, he showed up at her home, in Sydney, Australia and the pair fell in love.

But after just a couple of months, the relationship turned sour. Ranjit became 'obsessed' with Kirandeep who, not yet divorced, said she didn't want to marry him.

Rather than deter Ranjit, this led to even more obsessive behaviour on his part including threats to her family. Kirandeep eventually lodged a complaint to Australian police and Ranjit was deported.

However, soon after, Kirandeep's father Ravinderpal Singh, 78, was murdered in Punajb, India, with his body dumped in a bush.

Ranjit is alleged to have text Kirandeep, apologising for killing her father, before berating her with daily texts threatening to kill her too.

Four months on, police in the country are still searching for Ranjit. Kirandeep says she lives in fear of him killing her, or another family member.

'He is not human, he is a monster. I just sit on the sofa all night looking at the door because I don't want anything to happen to my kids,' she said.

Kirandeep Saggar, from Western Sydney, revealed the nightmare when her former boyfriend murdered her father and now she fears he is coming for her

Speaking to Australia's 7NEWS Spotlight Kirandeep revealed she split from her husband in February 2023, but the pair remained living together in the same home.

She revealed around this time, Ranjit, who was living in Canada, messaged her on TikTok and they started speaking frequently.

The mother revealed the rapper became more flirtatious when they started talking on the phone.

As the relationship progressed Kirandeep wanted her new boyfriend to meet her 78-year-old semi-retired father Ravinda Paul.

Her father travelled from his hometown in India's Northern Punjab region and visited friends in Vancouver in Canada.

While he was there Kirandeep suggested he should meet Ranjit to get his blessing.

She said: 'This meeting is so important for him to impress my dad because he knows whatever my dad will say I will go for that.'

Speaking to 7NEWS Spotlight Kirandeep revealed that she is now at the centre of a chilling cross-border murder case as the horror escalated in August 2024 when Ranjit, allegedly murdered Kirandeeps father, Ravinderpal Singh,(pictured) in Punjab, India

In March 2024, Ranjit flew from Canada to Australia and showed up unannounced on her doorstep, the pair spent weeks together.

Kirandeep tried to take things slow as she didn't want to rush into another marriage straight after ending her previous relationship, however she claimed Ranjit had other plans and tried to pressure her into signing his Visa to stay in Australia.

Ranjit allegedly pressured her to divorce her husband and he demanded that she leave the house they shared and stay somewhere else.

She said: 'I said I can't do that, I have kids, I can't just leave my kids home and I can come and stay with you, it's not possible.

'I tried to explain everything nicely but he don't want to understand, so the pressure was too much.'

Two months after arriving in Australia, Ranjit started sending Kirandeep's former husband death threats.

Seeking protection, Kirandeep reported him to Australian authorities, leading to his deportation in June 2024.

She said: 'Even if I block his number he sent me messages from like 50 new numbers from Canada. Like every day it's new numbers, I have everything in my phone, he keeps on sending me videos crying.'

Kirandeep reported the harassment to the Australian police but they said there was nothing they could do because he wasn't in the country.

A subsequent attempt to re-enter Australia two months later saw him swiftly deported again and barred from the country for three years.

In an attempt to get Kirandeep back for ignoring him and ending their relationship he threatened to do 'something which will make her cry for her whole life'.

She said: 'He said I know how much you love your daughter and if you don't talk to me I will come and I will kill her slowly in front of your eyes.

'I would sit on the sofa all night and just look at the door, because I didn't want anything to happen to my kids.

'I always he feel, he won't come back but he will send someone, that's always in my mind, I can't cope because of all these messages I feel scared, I worried what if I sleep for one second something will happen.'

On August 2, this year Kirandeep received a strange text message from her father, she tried to call him repeatedly throughout the day but he didn't answer.

She called her brother, who lived near her father in Punjab, and asked him to search for their father.

After hours of searching and finding his father's car abandoned at the side of the road Vikram was told by the local mortuary that a body had been found, it was their father.

Ravinderpal was reportedly strangled, his body left on the side of the road.

Kirandeep said: 'That will always stay in my mind, I can never bring my dad back.'

Ravinderpal was reportedly lured to the town by Ranjit under the pretext of buying life insurance from him, then Ranjit and he and his nephew Baljinder Singh somehow convinced Ravinderpal to get into their car.

As his nephew drove the car, Ranjit got into the back seat, sitting behind Ravinderpal, who was in the passenger seat, he took out a rope and wrapped it around the 78-year-old's neck and strangled him.

Kirandeep said: 'Then they threw him in the bushes, that what I heard from the police and from his nephew.'

Ranjit coldly informed Kirandeep of her fathers death through a WhatsApp message, even disclosing where the body could be found.

While Baljinder Singh has been arrested and the vehicle used in the crime seized, Ranjit remains a fugitive.

Authorities in India have intensified efforts to capture him, but his evasion has exposed glaring shortcomings in global police cooperation.

CMD. Gurvinder Singh, from the Dhaka police, spoke to 7News saying: 'We are trying to find out how he did escape and who were involved.'

However the family are deeply suspicious about how Ranjit escaped, many believe he bribed his way to freedom.

Punjabi Journalist living in Canada Gurpreet Sahot said: 'It's not about solving the murder, it's about making money out of this. What will happen is they will take money off Ranjit and then present the case very weakly in front of a judge. It happens like this, often.'

However Gurvinder Singh from Dhaka police denied the allegations saying: 'It is nothing like that.. nor has anyone sent a formal complaint to us regarding this.'

Two weeks after the murder Ranjit flew to Canada were he still remains a free man.

Kirandeep continues to endure daily threats from Ranjit, who allegedly vows to kill her and her family.

She said: 'He sent me a text message saying if he can kill ne person from my family he can kill my whole family.'

Former West Vancouver Police Chief Kash Heed has criticised the lack of action from both Indian and Canadian law enforcement, warning that this inaction places Kirandeeps life in grave danger.

Despite providing evidence of Ranjits criminal acts, she feels abandoned by the system.
The murder of a kindhearted father-of-one who was killed in his bookshop in 1982 is still baffling police 42 years on.

Edmund Simpson, from Manchester, was 58 when he was beaten to death with a blunt instrument in Burns' bookshop, where he worked for 36 years.

Known locally as 'Mr Kindheart', Edmund was beloved by locals, with his murder - which happened in daylight - shocking the community.

His book shop business partner, Eric Burns, found Edmund on the floor with serious head wounds in a pool of blood and he was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital.

Edmund clung onto life for two days on a life support machine, but he died from his injuries, leaving behind his wife of 30 years Norma and his daughter.

Four decades on, Edmund's family are still fighting for justice, with police still without leads as to who killed the family man.

While Edmund's passion lied in selling railway and military books, he and his business partner released there was more profit to be had in selling soft porn 'girlie mags' from the top shelf.

Staff grew used to 'weird men' coming into the shop to buy the magazines - and believe one of the costumer's bludgeoned Edmund to death for his wallet.

Despite the appeal for witnesses and information from the police, one detective described the response from the public as 'appalling'

Eric told the Manchester Evening News at the time: 'He was a Good Samaritan - one of nature's gentlemen.

'He never deserved an end like this. He would do anything for anybody. If you were in trouble he would be there in a minute.

'If you had seen his wounds you would never forget. It will haunt me forever.'

Police later found that Edmund died for the sake of 65 - the equivalent of 289 today - and a driving licence in a folding wallet which was stolen from him.

Amazingly, two years before his murder, he was robbed in the shop by a man armed with a razor.

Chief Supt Jack Ridgway said at the time: 'I am particularly anxious to trace any person who may have been in the vicinity of the shop between 1.30pm and 3.30pm yesterday afternoon.

'I can assure them they will be completely anonymous if they have anything to tell us.'

Edmund Simpson, from Prestwich, Manchester, was 58 when he was beaten to death with a blunt instrument in Burns' bookshop, which he worked in for 36 years, in broad daylight on August 9, 1982

Despite the appeal for witnesses and information from the police, one detective described the response from the public as 'appalling'.

Police suspected the shop's 'girlie mag' customers knew far more about Edmund's death but no one was willing to come forward.

Edmunds business partner Eric, who was 70 at the time of the murder and who founded the shop with his brother, Dennis, then 67, said they got used to the odd 'weird' customer looking for the magazines.

Eric had planned to close the book shop years earlier, the lease on the premises was due to end and the building was under a council demolition order.

However he resisted shutting it, partly because of Edmund's anxiety about being out of work after he was released from the RAF years earlier.

Such was his dedication to the business Edmund had become a co-director of the book shop.

Eric offered a reward of 500 - the equivalent of 2,200 today - in a bid to catch the killer, however he was never caught.

One witness described a man in his late 20s to early 30s, in a 'distressed state' fleeing the scene with dark hair, wearing jeans and around 5ft 9in to 6ft.

In 2015 detectives from Greater Manchester Police's cold case unit re-opened their inquiries into the brutal killing.

It is still hoped that improvements in forensic technology, together with new information, could help police finally unmask the killer.

Det Chief Supt Jack Ridgway who led the inquiry at one point criticised girlie magazine readers for not helping to solve the murder.

It was revealed minutes before Edmunds attacker entered his shop he rang up two 5 sales on the till, but that customer has never come forward.

In 2015, police reopened the case.

Detective Sergeant Julie Adams, from the unit, said in a press statement in 2015, that the case was 'not closed' and they were 'considering any new forensic opportunities'.

Edmund's daughter is obviously still very distressed about his murder and for the sake of her and for Edmund's grandchildren to find some answers and justice, I would ask that anyone who may have information on what happened, or who may know the identity of the killer, to contact the police as soon as possible on 0161 856 5961 or
She's become a beloved - if not slightly eccentric - member of the royal family, often sharing insights into the Firm on her social media.

And while she's now seen as a doting granny - a resurfaced clip of Sarah Ferguson storming out of a TV interview 13 years ago has gone viral - shocking royal fans.

The Duchess of York, who was married to Prince Andrew from 1986 to 1996, stormed out of a TV interview after being quizzed about the 'cash-for-access' scandal.

Princess Beatrice and Eugenie's mother sat down for a trainwreck interview with 60 Minutes Australia host Michael Usher in 2011.

During the car crash interview, the Duchess walked off mid-interview, because she didn't like the line of questioning, before returning to speak to Michael.

It appeared the interview started to go south when the Duchess was forced to watch recorded footage of her offering 'cash-for-access' services to her former husband Prince Andrew.

In May 2010, Sarah was filmed by the now-closed News of the World newspaper, offering access to Prince Andrew for 500,000 to an undercover reporter posing as an Indian businessman.

She is clearly heard on the footage saying: '500,000 when you can, to me, open doors.'

Sarah Ferguson stormed out of a 60 Minutes Australia TV interview after being quizzed about her 'cash-for-access' scandal in resurfaced footage

In the clip Michael asked Sarah: 'Did you take the money? At one point you had $4,000 cash sitting in front of you, did you take that.'

Sarah replied: 'Absolutely yes, it was given to me and I got it in the car and then returned it straight away.'

Michael added: 'Once the scandal broke?' Looking frustrated Sarah added: 'As soon as I knew it was a scandal not once it broke Michael.

'Don't try and trick me now because I am not going to play this game. Delete that bit. I don't to go down this route.'

The duchess then turned around to her Australian agent John, who was off screen, and she expressed she didn't want to continue with that line of questioning.

After being pressed by Michael to continue the interview, Sarah said 'ok thanks moving onto the next question.'

The Duchess of York sat down for a trainwreck interview with 60 Minutes Australia host Michael Usher in 2011, and it appears the awkward clip has resurfaced on the channels YouTube

'We walked outside, and the Duchess came running up behind me. She chucked her heels off and she's in her stockings on the lawn. Going "Michael, how was that?"' he related

After being asked if the scandal helped her 'review her life' Sarah said: 'I was very grateful for being in that position in a way, because when I hit rock bottom it woke me up.'

Sarah then looked off camera again at her agent and said 'remember, remember, Cindy, yeah.. I am going to take five minutes.'

The duchess then stood up and walked out of the interview, before returning later but she still appeared frosty with the interviewer.

During a radio interview Michael opened up about his awkward interaction with Sarah.

The Channel Seven reporter joined Nova 96.9s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie on Thursday to talk through the big news stories of 2024.

During the chat, Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli recalled Michael's interview with 2011 Sarah.

'Wasn't that a hot mess!' said Wippa, before co-host Kate Ritchie added: 'I've never seen it, I want to hear you guys chat about it.'

'I had to call her Duchess. She wouldn't let me call her Sarah, lots and lots of airs and graces,' said the veteran journalist.

Michael Usher (pictured) has opened up about his awkward interactions with Sarah Ferguson

'But she was fine, and she was relatively sweet. But then there was just this momentshe turned and getting her back into the chair, was crazy.

'She came back and she continued the interview, and then it was like a different personality again,' he added.

The reporter then said that after the awkward interview, him and his crew walked outside when the Duchess of York came running after them.

'We walked outside, and the Duchess came running up behind me. She chucked her heels off and she's in her stockings on the lawn. Going "Michael, how was that?"' he related.

'By that stage, I just said, "Sarah, if I were you, I'd be asking to go back into the room and do that interview all over again, because I don't know what happened."

'Then she goes, "Oh, well, anyway, who wants to sign some books? I'll sign your book for you. And now, what are your kids names?" And off she went from there.

The Duchess's representation in Australia, John Scott, claimed at the time that the footage was cynically taken out of context and demanded that the network withdraw its advertising of the programme and delete scenes from the interview.

He told Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper: 'We had gone through all the questions and subject matter beforehand and filmed all the walking in the park footage before we sat down.

'She did walk out when she was ambushed - no, it was entrapment - but after cooling down she said to me, "F*** them, let's do this", and she did, but it was a banal interview and her demeanour reflected that.'

John said the Duchess was shocked when asked to watch the News of the World footage again during the 60 Minutes interview.

He said making the Duchess sit through the footage again was unnecessary, because she had obviously already seen it and had agreed to answer questions about it.

But 60 Minutes producer Mr Thomson said: 'She agreed to talk about the issue, as she has already extensively done, so it certainly wasn't entrapment.'
Bull riders competed in the National Finals Rodeo with supporters by their side

The National Finals Rodeo, or NFR, hit Las Vegas, Nevada, for the much-anticipated finals - and the cowboys' glamorous WAGS took over the city while showing off their designer outfits and Birkin bags.

The NFR is held annually the first full week of December at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is aired live on The Cowboy Channel.

Cowboy Christmas, the official gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, is held at the same time and features more than 500,000 square feet of merchandise, including custom jewelry, western wear, boots, and more.

The wives, girlfriends, and in some cases, sisters, of the professional bull riders aren't all picking up their outfits at Cowboy Christmas - although they do choose pieces to accessorize with.

Many are obsessed with showing off their designer wares on Instagram, which are then showcased on The Bull Rider Wives account.

They buy up outfits far in advance, making sure to pick up custom pieces on Etsy and look for vintage items that no one else will have.

From black leather to blue jean Birkins, FEMAIL is rounding up the most glamorous women in Las Vegas for the rodeo finals.

Influencer Kaitlyn Davis, who has 249,000 Instagram followers, is famous for her high fashion looks (and collection of Hermes bags) much to the delight of her followers.

Shelby Mayfield, who grew up in a rodeo family, has also gone viral on social media for her stylish Vegas ensembles

The digital creator, based in Dallas, Texas, has been partnering with Kendra Scott to accessorize her outfits

Kaitlyn is married to Cooper Davis, the 2016 PBR World Champion, and is the owner of a hard to get blue jean Birkin and matching belt.

On TikTok, she has amassed more than 400,000 followers, who go wild for her chic outfits, even if they're not fan of the rodeos - in fact, many have no idea what NFR means.

On her first night in Vegas, Kaitlyn showed off a vintage fringed blazer with an animal print, turquoise bolo tie, brown leather Revolve shorts, Wolford tights, black Louis Vuitton boots, and an Hermes bag.

Shelby Mayfield, who grew up in a rodeo family, has also gone wildly viral on social media for her stylish Vegas ensembles, which aren't traditional western wear - although she incorporates cowboy boots and turquoise jewelry.

The digital creator, based in Dallas, Texas, has been partnering with Kendra Scott to accessorize her outfits, which include skintight leather leggings and Yellowstone-inspired outerwear.

Shelby, whose brother is 2020 world champion Shad Mayfield, even opted for an edgy black outfit, pairing a low-cut vest with furry capris, telling her Instagram followers, 'the ones that get it, get it.'

Shelby shows off all of her outfits in GRWM videos, and said this is the first year she's at the rode finals just for herself.

The western influencer, who has been coming to the NFR for eight years, said on TikTok its gotten 'way too commercial' and that she used to go to Forever 21 to pick out outfits.

Shelby shows off all of her outfits in GRWM videos, and said this is the first year she's at the rode finals just for herself

The western influencer, who has been coming to the NFR for eight years, said on TikTok its gotten 'way too commercial' and that she used to go to Forever 21 to pick out outfits

Shelby shared a video in a high-waisted skirt, a white top, and an oversized blazer, and wrote, 'When everyone hates your outfit but at least it doesn't look like a Halloween costume'

Shelby shared a video in a high-waisted skirt, white top, and oversized blazer, and wrote, 'When everyone hates your outfit but at least it doesn't look like a Halloween costume,' which some followers thought could be throwing shade at her fellow attendees.

The influencer, who calls herself 'the real life Hannah Montana,' also shared a video in a zebra outfit and captioned the TikTok, 'the people that say this isn't western literally can't even swing a rope.'

After posting all her cowboycore OOTDS, the stylist thanked critics for her social media engagement spike and said, 'If you don't like the way I dress, I have so much confidence in myself, I literally don't care.'

'To everyone who did hate on me... if I was an outside party, I'd hate me bad,' Shelby continued, cementing her place as rodeo royalty.

Texas-based Janzen Tew is married to roper Cody Tew and creates content as Rodeo Vogue, where she shows off ultra-feminine, preppy outfits paired with white cowboy boots

Texas Tech alum Tessa Berend, located in Fort Worth, Texas, is with Australian bull rider Luke Parkinson, 23

Texas-based Janzen Tew is married to roper Cody Tew and creates content as Rodeo Vogue, where she shows off ultra-feminine, preppy outfits paired with white cowboy boots.

Janzen owns the marketing and design agency Denim + Velvet and puts on western fashion shows.

Texas Tech alum Tessa Berend, located in Fort Worth, Texas, is with Australian bull rider Luke Parkinson, 23, and is another WAG to watch.

'If you're not already, you're gonna be sick of me posting during the NFR,' the teacher joked to her Instagram followers.

Throughout the week in Las Vegas, she's worn multiple outfits paired with designer bags.

Tessa has posted pictures in a silver sequined backless gown, a brown leather jumpsuit, a green leather dress paired with a white Dior saddle bag, a leopard off-the-shoulder formfitting number, and a silk mini paired with a denim Louis Vuitton bag.
Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania has revealed how Teresa Giudice really feels about her friendship with estranged sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga - and how it affects their relationship.

Catania, 53, spoke about their rift in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com on Thursday, as she remains friends with both of the ladies.

Over the years, Giudice and Gorga have always been at odds, sometimes going years without speaking, as documented on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

However, it looks like things are finally done for good between the two families, as Giudice and her brother, Joe, got in a mega feud around the time of her wedding to Luis Ruelas in August 2022.

The feud was documented during the RHONJ season 13 finale, as Giudice told her brother about a rumor that Melissa Gorga was cheating on him with another man.

This caused Gorga and her husband to skip out on the wedding, and the two haven't communicated since, besides having to film occasionally for season 14 of the reality show.

However, Catania is staying friends with both of the ladies amid their estrangement, including Giudice, who she has known since she was a child.

'Listen, does she love it? Im sure she doesnt love it,' Catania admitted of Giudice's feelings on her friendship with Gorga to DailyMail.com.

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania has revealed how Teresa Giuidce really feels about her friendship with estranged sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga - and how it affects their relationship

'Listen, does she love it? Im sure she doesnt love it,' Catania admitted of Giudice's feelings on her friendship with Gorga to DailyMail.com

Catania is staying friends with both of the ladies amidst their estrangement, including Giudice, who she has known since she was a child

'But she doesnt hate it either, because theres no reason not for me to be friends with Melissa,' Catania continued.

'I was there from the beginning and Ive been friends with them through their ins and outs so Teresas not really one to tell people who they can be friends with.'

She even suggested that there could be a world in which the two mend their relationship.

'Because what happens when they get close again if they get close again?' Catania wondered to DailyMail.com.

'And Im not just saying them, but other friends in groups. When they get into fights you pick a side and then they make up, then where do you stand?'

During the interview, the New Jersey native also shared that she hasn't seen Joe and Melissa Gorga in person recently, but talked to them.

'I keep in touch with everyone,' Catania shared with DailyMail.com.

'The other day I was with Teresa, Jen Aydin and Kim D on her podcast,' she continued, adding that she was going to see other cast members Margaret Josephs and Jen Fessler later in the day.

During the interview, the New Jersey native also shared that she hasn't seen Joe and Melissa Gorga in person recently, but talked to them

Catania's comments come just a few weeks before season three of the hit show Traitors is set to premiere in January

It looks like things are finally done for good between the two families, as Giudice and her brother, Joe, got in a mega feud around the time of her wedding to Luis Ruelas in August 2022

Catania's comments come just a few weeks before season three of the hit show Traitors is set to premiere in January.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star participated in the US version of the show, which is filmed in Scotland, and will air on Peacock.

The show, which features 21 contestants, follows them all as they compete in teams for a cash prize up to $250,000.

However, there's a catch, as three of the contestants are declared as 'traitors,' as they try to sabotage everyone else in order to win themselves.

The viewers of the show know who the 'traitors' are, but not the fellow contestants.

On the upcoming season, Catania will be joined by fellow Real Housewives of New York star Dorinda Medley, former Real Housewives of Potomac member Robyn Dixon and Real Housewives of Dubai's Chanel Ayan.
Call Her Daddy viewers have shared a theory behind Alex Cooper's latest look after fans and critics alike noticed a sudden change in her appearance.

The podcast host has built a massive following amid the success of her show which ranked as Spotifys second-biggest podcast of 2023.

But despite the popularity, her eagle-eyed audience doesn't hold back when discussing their views, with speculation brewing on a Reddit thread over how her face looked in a recent episode featuring Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton.

Amid concern over the texture of her skin, many claimed Alex might have undergone a PDO thread lift.

The minimally-invasive procedure uses dissolvable threads to tighten and lift the skin.

'Yeah maybe threads that broke, creating this rippling like effect,' suggested one viewer.

'This looks very much like the other thread mishaps Ive seen. Yikes,' added a second.

'Im not opposed to cosmetic procedures, but something about the concept of a thread lift makes me viscerally disgusted like no other procedure,' said another.

Eagle-eyed viewers to the Call Her Daddy podcast have been sharing theories as to what may have happened to the face of popular host Alex Cooper

Fans began pointing out what they perceived to be changes in Cooper's facial features during its most recent episode

'The whole concept of it is very disturbing. Idk how women get those,' wrote one online.

A series of other comments flooded the post, many agreeing Cooper's face looked 'different' compared to earlier photos and videos.

'The makeup or filter makes her look like a wax candle,' wrote one commenter.

'She looks very Madame Tussaudsesque lol,' agreed another.

Observers noted specific areas, such as her cheeks, jawline, lips, and forehead, as had a more refined or exaggerated appearance leading to some widespread theories ranging from bad makeup techniques to cosmetic procedures.

'She's literally wearing more makeup here than on her wedding day,' quipped one user while providing a theory for the 'weird lines'.

'Maybe it's lumpy/migrated filler that was supposed to smooth out the nasolabial folds?'

While Cooper herself has not publicly addressed the rumors, fans continued to offer several potential explanations.

'I have listened to so many horror stories about how they actually feel in your face when they pop. And they can leave terrible scarring that prevents you from getting a face lift eventually.'

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie appeared on the most recent Call Her Daddy podcast

Many fans speculated that Alex might have undergone a PDO thread lift, a minimally invasive procedure that uses dissolvable threads to tighten and lift the skin

The two reality stars, both 43, are celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Simple Life - appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper

What is a 'thread lift' and how are they different from a facelift? Thread lifts - or suspension face lifts - are often referred to as the 'lunchtime facelifts' due to their speedy completion and lack of lengthy recovery time. They've been around for more than a decade but have recently gained popularity. The first thread lifts were pioneered in Europe using threads made from tendons, nylon and gold in the 1970s, this was then followed by the use of prolene and the creation of the 'anti-ptosis' or APTOS (barbed) threads in the late 1990s. APTOS threads offer a less invasive alternative to a surgery without the risks and downtime associated with going under the knife. Thread lifting is a procedure which involves lifting tissues that have started to sag due to age and the downward force of gravity. Threads are inserted using needles or cannulas and may need to be anchored, pulled taut or simply placed in meshworks. Unlike dermal fillers, which can migrate away from the treatment area causing unintentional lumps, the threads are not able to move from their original position, which also reduces the risk of the blood vessels becoming disturbed or damaged. The threads dissolve completely and safely, meaning the procedure is non-permanent. The results are significantly longer lasting than dermal fillers with the effects expected to last two years and the thread encourages natural collagen production, which adds further structure, firmness and contour to the area. A thread lift can be more suited to men and women between the ages of 35 and 70, as the procedure is most effective on skin that has minimal sagging and laxity and offers the best results for cheeks, jowls, brows and the neck area. Advertisement

Some suggested that the marks may have been caused by professional makeup techniques, combined with some strategically played lighting.

Contouring, highlighter, and expertly applied foundation can enhance certain features, making them appear more pronounced.

'Its a bad mixture of heavy makeup, lots of work done on her face and probably just her lifestyle in general? Idk but it does NOT look good huh,' comments another.

During the episode, guests Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie revealed the real reason behind their feud nearly two decades ago but fans are not so convinced they are telling the truth.

The two reality stars, both now 43, are celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Simple Life and touched on several different topics including the fracturing of their friendship in 2005.

At the time the two had actually filmed season 4 of their reality show separately and the 30-year-old podcast host pulled no punches as she asked about it.

Nicole first prefaced it by saying that the real reason wouldn't 'be good enough' as 'nothing really happened.'

Paris then went on to blame the way they were covered as she cited that it was a way for publications to sell magazines.

She said: 'Back then, the media was just so toxic and they loved starting feuds between people.'

The mother-of-two went on to explain: 'So it was mostly the media just spinning things and creating drama that didnt exist, which was normal in the 2000s. They did it with everyone.'

Nicole added that the fact that they were in their early 20s was also to blame as they 'didnt know how to communicate with each other, which meant that if [they] were hearing something, [they] would assume [it was true].

'We didnt have the communication skills we have right now to have check-ins, which is so important.'

The daughter of Lionel Richie went on to say that the time away from each other makes her 'sad to think about a time without [her] friend.

'I think it has really helped me [with] communicating at this stage in my life.

'And I think just with all relationships, its so important to have check-ins and to be honest and real and, you know, tender with the people that you love the most.'
TikTok, the Chinese-owned, short-form video-sharing application, has become entwined with a legal issue after a federal appeals court's decision. Even more recently, the court declined the app's motion for a temporary postponement of the ban order that will preclude the app in the States if ByteDance, its parent company, does not divest the app by January 19.

In the last couple of years, TikTok's existence currently remains rather uncertain.

Appeals Court Dismisses TikTok's Application for Staying

As CNN reported, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected TikTok's appeals to postpone. The court noted that the new law is constitutional under the First Amendment as the court applies the heightened scrutiny test.

Adding to this, with the flight of prominent brands, this only poses a challenge to the survival of TikTok in the US under a new owner it is still struggling to define itself, as is ByteDance.

Supreme Court Showdown Possible

TikTok will likely appeal the case to the Supreme Court. Yet, it is still not clear whether the court will take up the case or decide the matter before the January 19 deadline.

Effect of the Law and Executive Discretion

The law, signed into effect by President Joe Biden in April, requires TikTok to end its relationship with ByteDance or face removal from the app stores and hosting services in the U.S.

Furthermore, the law does contain an exception for a one-time, 90-day extension if a sale is pending, but the Chinese government has promised to thwart any divestiture involving TikTok's proprietary algorithm.

National Security Concerns Drive the Legislation

This makes it appear that US lawmakers and agencies have grave concerns regarding how the Chinese government could exploit TikTok as an espionage tool and influencer.

The appeals court seems to strengthen the fears with the use of the words "compelling" and "well-founded."

Its US operations would suffer severe losses as a result of the imposition of the ban, in the legal filings of the company. The platform asserts that it will lose out on one-third of the daily active users within one month.

With around 170 million users in its land, the stakes are enormously high for both TikTok and its enormous user count.

TikTok Updates Might Stop, But Access Will Still Work

The Justice Department has countered the claims of immediate harm by TikTok, arguing that existing users would still have access to the app, though updates and new downloads would be unavailable.

Earlier, ByteDance said that it will not sell TikTok.

"This Court's holding that the Act satisfies strict scrutiny is sure to attract the Supreme Court's attention," they wrote in court filings. "It is, at the very least, a close question whether the Act is the rare law that would survive strict scrutiny."

Meanwhile, tech giants Apple and Google have received formal warnings to prepare for TikTok's removal from their app stores by the January deadline.

Political Pressure Mounts

Other members of the House China Committee include the Republican Chairman John Moolenaar and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi. They have requested that TikTok comply with the requirement of divestiture. They have also demanded that Apple and Google carry out the ban as is expected.

The TikTok ban in one of the largest markets in the world could mean disaster for businesses. Entrepreneurs relying on TikTok Shop, as well as content creators, will be affected by this nationwide block.
READ MORE: Queen Mathilde of Belgium battles the elements as she visits an art exhibition

Queen Mathilde of Belgium was pictured attending a ceremony commemorating the Battle of the Bulge today in Luxembourg.

She joined her husband King Philippe for as well as other prominent figures, including Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden for the event at the American Military Cemetery in Hamm.

The royal, 51, donned a green and grey ensemble as the couple marked the 80th anniversary of the event, also known as the Ardennes Counteroffensive, in Bastogne, Belgium.

Today's ceremony honoured the memories of US soldiers who were wounded or killed during the battle, which took place from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945.

The Queen looked stylish as she paid her tributes at the event, donning a green dress, with a matching hat and gloves, topped with a grey cape.

Meanwhile, King Philippe donned a black suit, featuring a double breasted blazer, and paired with a white shirt, and black tie.

Among the other attendees were Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and others.

The US Ambassador to Luxembourg Thomas M. Barrett and Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Konstantino were also present.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is pictured while attending an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II, and is known to be one of WWII's turning points.

It saw 200,000 German troops counter-attack across the front line in Belgium and Luxembourg.

They smashed into battle-weary US soldiers positioned in terrain as foreign to them as it was familiar to the Germans.

Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had hoped the advance would change the course of World War II by forcing US and British troops to sue for peace, thus freeing Germany to focus on the rapidly advancing Soviet armies in the east.

Lasting for more than a month, the battle saw the Allied Forces achieve the upper hand in the end, and invade Germany.

It left many experienced German units left severely depleted of men and equipment, as survivors retreated to the defences of the Siegfried Line. The war in Europe ended less than five months later.

Germany is now an ally of the United States and its wartime partners, united in the NATO alliance.

The Battle of the Bulge gained fame not so much for the commanders' tactics but for the resilience of small units hampered by poor communications that stood shoulder to shoulder to deny Hitler the quick breakthrough he so desperately needed.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium (pictured, centre) is seen talking with Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden (pictured, left)

During the commemorative service today, held at the American Military Cemetery in Hamm, there was a cannon salute (pictured)

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are pictured while attending today's ceremony in Luxembourg

Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Maria Teresa (pictured, left) also attended the event (seen with Queen Mathilde of Belgium)

Even though the Americans were often pushed back, they were able to delay the German advance in its crucial initial stages.

When the fortunes of the war turned, it was most visible in the southern Ardennes town of Bastogne, where surrounded US troops were cut off for days with little ammunition or food.

When Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, of the 101st Airborne, received an ultimatum on December 22 to surrender or face total destruction, he offered one of the most famous - and brief - replies in military history.

He simply responded by saying: 'Nuts.'

Four days later, US troops broke the Nazi encirclement.
Courtney Mangan 29 when she was given a deadly stage four cancer diagnosis and an 18 per cent chance of survival.

The business owner, from the Gold Coast, had been to the GP twice about a 'concerning' mole on her back, but they insisted she was fine. It wasn't until she went to a skin specialist that the worrying truth was revealed.

'I had my first skin check at 29, which was already too late,' Courtney, now 38, told FEMAIL.

'I had a mole on my back that I never really saw - but my family told me it started to change and urged me to see a doctor.

'The specialist checked my whole body and said everything looked normal but I expressed my concern about the mole on my back so he took a cutting and sent it to pathology.'

Courtney recalled the doctor asking her to call back on Monday and said the receptionist would give her the all clear - but alarm bells went off when she received an urgent call from her doctor on Friday morning.

'I was at work at my family business with my father and brother mere metres away from me. My doctor said that unfortunately, my mole had come back as level four melanoma and that he had to refer me to a specialist in Brisbane,' she said.

'I immediately went numb - my uncle had died from melanoma just a few years prior. My whole world changed in that moment. I couldn't think of it as anything other than a death sentence.'

Courtney Mangan was given a deadly stage 4 cancer diagnosis with an 18 per cent chance of survival - but the young Gold Coast woman has beat cancer four times in the past decade

'I had my first skin check at 29, which was already too late,' the now-38-year-old told FEMAIL

She hadn't been given a stage four diagnosis at this point. 'Level four' refers to the depth of the melanoma's invasion in the skin. There are five levels. The 'stage' is whether the melanoma has advanced beyond the skin.

Courtney felt isolated in the wake of her diagnosis.

'All my friends were looking for spare bedrooms for their children when they buy houses, or they had to-go bags in case they went into labour at night,' she said.

'But I had a hospital bag in case my body started to shut down from my cancer treatment. I was looking at apartments with extra rooms in case my mum had to come stay with me.

'We had very different realities.'

Courtney went for check ups every three months after doctors removed the mole from her shoulder.

One day over a year later, she suddenly felt a lump on her arm and suspected it was a boil yet to come to the surface.

Courtney also suddenly experienced pain when she ate - and described the feeling as an 'uncomfortable blockage' in her gut.

'I also have irritable bowel syndrome so I wasn't sure if that was it,' she said.

Courtney relied on her loved ones for support

Courtney went for check ups every three months after doctors removed the mole from her shoulder

A PET scan revealed suspicious activity in her bowel - but a colonoscopy came back all clear.

Doctors then performed an endoscopy where they found a concerning mass.

'I woke up after surgery and saw a huge scar down my abdomen,' she recalled.

'I was alone, all night, in my hospital room, and then at 5:30 the next morning the doctor came in and told me the cancer had spread to my internal organs and was now at a stage four.'

The exited left soon after informing Courtney about her diagnosis and was left alone with her thoughts.

'It was pretty scary to be in your mid-thirties and hear that. I knew I'd have to undergo more surgeries, more invasive treatments, and the survival rate is not high,' she said.

The fourth time, doctors found a mass on Courtney's thigh and decided they couldn't cut it out.

'I had to get treatment for it because they wanted to know if it was actually working. If they just cut it out, the cancer could've popped up somewhere else three months later,' she said.

Courtney's mental health has suffered greatly because of her diagnosis - but she always tries to look on the bright side

Courtney said having to get scans every three months made her feel like she was living on borrowed time

'It was so weird to know that I was just going about my day but there was cancer in my thigh, festering and spreading.'

Courtney's mental health has suffered greatly because of her diagnosis - but she always tries to look on the bright side.

'I've been living with cancer for nine years now and it's been difficult. I've read a lot of books on the subject and tried yoga and meditation. I wanted to keep myself in a positive head space.

'Nobody coddles you, there's no sugarcoating cancer. The doctors just give you the facts.'

She shared that having to get scans every three months made her feel like she was living on borrowed time.

'It was just an endless cycle of going to the doctor and waiting to go to the doctor the next time.

'I overthought every ache and pain I had, I was so hyper-aware of every symptom I had. I was so aware of my body and thinking about it constantly.

'Then, there's this horrible pit in your stomach while you're waiting for the results to come back.

Courtney said she overthought every ache and pain while she was going through treatment

Courtney felt a 'pit' in her stomach while waiting for her results

'I've never been to the emergency room as often as I have when I was in treatment because you never know how the cancer will present itself.

'If there's some inflammation, you get a biopsy. Then a PET scan. Then an ultrasound. And then there are so many other follow up tests.'

She said that she felt like she could 'only breathe for three months at a time'.

'I was never happy or free of it. Melanoma is so aggressive - it can just keep coming back.'

Courtney relied a lot on her loved ones for support.

'As a single woman, having a close relationship with my friends and family was so important. They really helped me through my darkest days.'

Her oncologist spoke to her about her fertility options and they decided to freeze her eggs before she underwent treatment.

'I was about to start something that would hopefully save my life - but I had to put it on hold to protect my fertility. I was single at the time and not really thinking about kids. I was just thinking about how to stay alive.

Courtney's oncologist spoke to her about her fertility options and they decided to freeze her eggs before she underwent treatment

'I wasn't even sure if I wanted to delay the process of immunotherapy to freeze my eggs.'

Despite being cancer-free for three years now, Courtney still feels the weight of her health journey on her shoulders.

'You can never really shake it, there's a dark cloud hanging over you all the time.'

What are the causes of melanoma?

According to Cancer Council Australia, melanoma risk increases with exposure to UV radiation from the sun or other sources such as solariums, particularly with episodes of sunburn (especially during childhood).

Melanoma risk is increased for people who have:
Doctors have warned that a popular dating trend could leave singletons exposed to a range of sexually transmitted infections  such as gonorrhea and syphilis.

So-called 'snowmanning' involves the interests of a new sexual partner 'melting away' within 24 hours.

And according to a recent survey, one in five Brits have been victims of it.

The prevalence of the trend, coupled with the fact 80 per cent of Brits admit to having unprotected sex, could spark a rise in nasty infections, doctors have warned.

Dr Crystal Wyllie, GP at Asda Online Doctor, warned those who commit 'snowmanning' often disappear without exchanging contact details with their sexual partner.

This could mean previous flings who they may have passed an STI on to would be none-the-wiser, and potentially continue to spread it.

That's why she is urging people to use contraception or test for sexually transmitted infections to stay safe this festive season.

A poll of 2,000 Brits over the age of 18 revealed just over a third (33 per cent) often have casual sex over Christmas week.

The trend has been dubbed 'snowmanning', with their festive fling 'melting away' the next day, mirroring the iconic Christmas tale

Your browser does not support iframes.

And 21 per cent said they are commonly ignored the following day by their fling.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) of those surveyed said they've previously reignited an old flame from their hometown, while 26 per cent plan to find a holiday hookup at work, or during a night out at a bar or club.

The survey revealed 24 per cent of people often meet their festive fling at a Christmas or New Years Eve party.

More than one in ten (15 per cent) admit to making impulsive decisions about sex when drinking alcohol at festive gatherings, while 11 per cent feel lonely and enjoy the company of someone else by having a holiday hookup.

However, many Brits are unprepared for these spontaneous sexual encounters and have unprotected sex, putting them at risk of unplanned pregnancies and STIs.

'December is a time of celebration and connection, but its important to stay informed about sexual health,' Dr Wyllie said.

'Planning ahead with contraception, or accessing support after unplanned sexual activity, is key to enjoying the festive season while staying safe.'

It comes as condom use continues to decline  with only a fifth of Brits saying they use them  and the UK is gripped by a massive surge in STIs.

Official data shows 401,800 STI cases were diagnosed  including in children as young as 13  in England last year, up almost a third on 2020.

Specifically, cases of gonorrhoea increased by 7.5 per cent to 85,223 and syphilis by 9.4 per cent to 9,513 cases.

Some experts have pinned surging rates on a post-lockdown boom in people having condomless sex with new partners.

STIs are an umbrella term for pathogens spread by sexual contact.

They include chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, are while often treatable can lead to serious health complications if left to develop.

These include pelvic inflammatory disease or chronic pain.

In extreme cases, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can even lead to infertility while syphilis can cause serious neurological and cardiovascular issues.

The NHS advises waiting 14 days after risky sexual contact before testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and four weeks for syphilis and HIV.

This is because it can take this long for levels of the pathogens to reach detectable levels in tests.

Most STIs can be easily treated, but it's important to not ignore symptoms and get yourself tested.

Some common symptoms of an STI include discharge from your vagina, penis or anus, itching in the genital area, a burning sensation when you pee and bleeding between periods and after sex.

The NHS stresses that wearing a condom is the best way to prevent getting an STI.
Like so many women my age, I have a few inches round my waist which I'd rather I didn't. But at 42, and with two young children, I take some comfort from knowing that, at a size 12  I'm just over 10st and 5ft 4in tall  any excess weight is just a little extra padding rather than anything more concerning.

Indeed, I have a BMI of 24, which, according to NHS guidelines, puts me very much at a 'healthy' weight range.

So I certainly didn't consider myself to be eligible for the revolutionary weight-loss drugs the whole world is talking about.

Designed for the seriously overweight and those with type 2 diabetes, these powerful drugs include Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy.

Acting by curbing hunger, stimulating weight loss and stabilising blood-sugar levels, they're intended for those with a BMI of more than 35, or 30 if you have another obesity-related condition such as high blood pressure.

It was with some amazement, then, that as I sat at home last week I received four separate deliveries of weight-loss jabs in the space of a couple of days. This, despite it being totally unsuitable for me to have been prescribed them.

Worryingly, the whole process of getting my hands on these jabs was incredibly simple  a few clicks (and a couple of white lies), and in some cases uploading a quick selfie, was all it took to get them delivered from seemingly eager private online pharmacies.

My first package contained a one-month supply of the weight-loss jab Wegovy  famously taken by tech billionaire Elon Musk, among others.

It was with some amazement that as I sat at home last week I received four separate deliveries of weight-loss jabs in the space of a couple of days, writes Kate Pickles

Costing 156.97 including postage, it arrived packed in wool swaddling with an icepack for temperature regulation. There was even a 'Thank You' card attached, which offers 10 off my next order if I spend 50 or more.

The Oxford Online Pharmacy has every reason to believe there will be a next order  and many more after that. For Wegovy is the 'big sister' of Ozempic.

The main component of both drugs is the 'miracle' ingredient semaglutide. Initially developed to treat diabetes, its ability to suppress appetite and thus shrink waistlines has earned it a diverse legion of fans including former prime minister Boris Johnson, who extolled the 'magic potion' in his first column for this newspaper.

Whereas Ozempic is designed to be used only by diabetics, Wegovy is composed of the same drug  semaglutide  but at a different, higher dose. It is specifically intended for weight loss.

The second consignment of slimming jabs to arrive at my home later that day was a shipment of the more potent drug tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro and soon to be issued on the NHS to treat obesity.

Made by Eli Lilly, new trial data issued by the company last week shows those taking it typically lose 20 per cent of their body weight after 72 weeks, compared with 14 per cent on semaglutide.

Such is the anticipated demand, the NHS announced this week it will only be able to afford to give Mounjaro to one in ten of those who need it.

My first package contained a one-month supply of the weight-loss jab Wegovy  famously taken by tech billionaire Elon Musk, among others

And yet here I am receiving a month's supply after applying for it online just two days earlier from the private Mayfair Weight Loss Clinic, and paying 168.90.

I also received two further packages containing Wegovy from two other registered online pharmacies  one from Simple Online Pharmacy costing 143, the other from Online Pharmacy 4U costing 204.90.

The process of obtaining them was simple: I used my own medical details, and tweaked my weight to raise my BMI to above 30  a practice which is an open secret on online forums such as Reddit, where there is an entire thread titled 'Getting Wegovy in the UK if under 30 BMI'.

Of course, these drugs certainly have their place in a doctor's arsenal, and it's claimed they will transform the health of obese people.

While there is no suggestion that the online pharmacies named in this piece have broken any laws or regulations, our investigation reveals the shocking ease with which these powerful medications  that have significant potential side-effects including heart palpitations, kidney problems, severe stomach pain and intense constipation  can be obtained by those who simply don't have the medical need for them.

Such is the anticipated demand, the NHS announced this week it will only be able to afford to give Mounjaro to one in ten of those who need it

These potential dangers were recently brought into sharp focus with the news of the first UK death linked to slimming jabs.

Susan McGowan, a 58-year-old nurse from Airdrie in Scotland, died in September this year after taking just two low doses of Mounjaro.

After researching the drug and seeking medical advice, she purchased a prescription via a registered online pharmacy.

Her death certificate lists multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis as immediate causes of death, with the jab cited as a 'contributing' factor.

Doctors say she was desperately unlucky, suggesting pre-existing gallstones may have lead to pancreatitis. Extreme side-effects like these are, apparently, very rare.

But doctors also warn that these jabs are causing growing A&E admissions  often by young women who have used the drugs without medical need or supervision.

Indeed, as our investigation has uncovered, it's all too easy to exploit the woefully inadequate safeguards around these drugs.

We twice ordered from ten online pharmacies, choosing authorised websites which appear in common search engines after using simple terms like 'weight-loss jabs', or names of the products.

Boots, Superdrug, Asda, and the pharmacies Numan, MedExpress and Dr Frank's refused our orders. But each time we were successful with the same four online pharmacies: Mayfair Weight Loss Clinic, Oxford Online Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy 4U and Simple Online Pharmacy.

They all have an initial consultation, which some boast 'takes less than five minutes'.

As I discovered, the consultation consists of a series of tick-box questions about my health, including if I have ever suffered any of a list of conditions such as pancreatitis  as developed by the late Susan McGowan  or if there is a family history of thyroid cancer (semaglutide is also known to increase the risk of thyroid tumours).

There are also questions over whether I have ever made myself sick or taken laxative medication to lose weight, a nod to the significant threat this poses to those with eating disorders.

I tick 'no' to all. But there's no way of checking whether I'm telling the truth. Unlike a GP or NHS weight-loss service, these private pharmacies have no direct access to medical records.

All but one ask for GP contact details, presumably so they can attempt to conduct checks or at least inform my doctor of the prescription.

But the speed at which some prescriptions were approved  some within minutes and often within 24 hours  raises serious doubts over whether the GP was actually consulted.

The next stage is to 'visually assess weight against BMI and other medical history'.

All but two pharmacies say they require photographic evidence  either a headshot, a 'waist-up' selfie or a full body shot, depending on the website, before the order is reviewed by one of their doctors.

Some now request dated, body-length photos and ID to verify weight claims and to prove a customer is who they say they are.

The photographs I uploaded, which were in no way amended, are enough to cause six of the ten pharmacies to conclude 'it would not be appropriate' for me to be treated remotely.

'Unfortunately as a remote provider we were not able to verify you fit the criteria and required BMI to ensure safe prescribing and follow-up care and have therefore cancelled your order,' is the response from Asda, for example.

But worryingly, pharmacy teams at two providers  Mayfair Weight Loss Clinic and Oxford Online Pharmacy almost immediately conclude

I pass the checks without requesting photographic evidence, dispensing the medication within 24 hours.

Mayfair Weight Loss Clinic boasts it is a 'highly reputable weight management clinic in London' and its slick website features a glamorous, slim young woman measuring her abdomen with tape.

The team, it boasts, 'have combined the latest clinical evidence and years of knowledge in weight management to design a bespoke online consultation process' to provide patients with 'appropriate and effective' treatments.

But in reality, it was astonishingly easy to buy Mounjaro  potentially deadly if prescribed without proper medical supervision  from the clinic in a matter of minutes.

No ID or photos were needed. Prospective customers are required only to submit their height, weight and answer nine 'yes' or 'no' questions on their medical history.

Even more concerningly, Mayfair allows patients to deny consent for the pharmacy to contact their GP.

Instead, you tick a box promising to speak to your doctor, but no proof of contact is required.

Mayfair was asked to comment, but there was no response at the time of writing.

The company's website says orders are reviewed by GMC- registered Dr John Lekkas, adding that it's registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. It also insists 'when prescribing any treatment, our healthcare professionals follow and adhere to the healthcare authorities' guidelines'.

Meanwhile, Simple Online Pharmacy requests 'additional confirmation' of my weight in the form of a 'full body selfie' or a photograph of scales while I am standing on them 'with the weight clearly on display'.

I opt for the latter. While the Mail is choosing not to reveal how we got around this request for proof, suffice to say the picture is easily manipulated to show my weight as 12st 5lb.

Again, my order sails through.

Not one of the online pharmacies we approach require a face-to-face, online or even phone consultation to talk through why I might want the appetite-suppressing medication, or to outline potential risks.

My colleague Miles Dilworth also tries the same ten pharmacies. His real height is 5ft 11in and he weighs in at 11st 4lb, making his BMI around 22  way below the threshold. He enters an adjusted height of 5ft 9in and weight of 14st 8lb to give him a BMI of more than 30.

Simple Online Pharmacy asked for a photograph from the waist up and within minutes of the photo being submitted, his order was approved, suggesting any checks were cursory at best.

A company spokesman told the Mail: 'We have checks and protocols in place for prescribing (including ID checks, real-time images and notifying a patient's GP), all of which happened with these patients.

'We are carrying out a full review into this particular case as we seek to enhance our ability to identify falsified patient information.'

Online Pharmacy 4U was another of the four pharmacies to send us jabs. Its website states it has a 'permanent full- time dedicated on-site superintendent pharmacist, as well as extremely efficient highly qualified online prescribers giving you peace of mind'.

Yet our investigation would suggest verification checks in place were minimal, as our order met with no obstructions.

After we contacted the clinic, a company spokesman said the firm was 'refining' its procedures and had added 'extra verification measures', including 'torso and full-body photographs to verify physical measurements more accurately'.

A company spokesman added: 'We also conduct comprehensive checks on each patient's medical background, including accessing Summary Care Records, to confirm eligibility and safety as part of our standard protocol.'

Although Oxford Online Pharmacy, which claims to be 'one of the UK's leading online pharmacies', did ask for our GP contact details, the clinic did not ask for ID or photographs to verify our claim that we had BMIs of above 30.

Its owner Stuart Gale told the Mail his company has 'robust checks and balances in place to minimise the chances of those who are not eligible for certain medication accessing them', including 'an ID check, NHS records check and screening by doctors and pharmacists'.

Mr Gale added that 'in light of this recent development, we have updated our processes to further strengthen the existing robust checks and balances we have in place, which will now include recent photo ID checks and weight verification, as well as an NHS records check and screening by doctors and pharmacists'.

Oksana Pyzik, a lecturer at the UCL school of pharmacy, says there's no doubt online clinics are 'putting patient safety at risk'.

'Regulatory bodies still have not caught up to the realities of how online health providers find loopholes to sell blockbuster weight-loss jabs,' she says.

I certainly didn't consider myself to be eligible for the revolutionary weight-loss drugs the whole world is talking about, writes Kate Pickles

'It is deeply concerning how easy it is for patients to 'fake' criteria or manipulate photographs to access weight-loss jabs online.'

Mandatory ID checks, cross-referencing of medical records and live video consultations should be the bare minimum, she says.

A spokesperson for the General Pharmaceutical Council said: 'We require all pharmacies, including those operating online, to ensure that the way in which pharmacy services are delivered safeguards the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.

'We expect pharmacies to follow this guidance, and we are issuing an updated version in the New Year which will set out additional safeguards around high-risk medicines, including medicines used for weight management.'

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has previously admitted he 'lives in fear that one day someone will die because of misusing these drugs in the search to look good for social media'.

He admits much closer clinical oversight and regulation is needed but has yet to reveal plans on how the Government intends to achieve this.

Commenting on the Mail's investigation, Mr Streeting said: 'I am deeply concerned by these alarming findings. Retailers have a responsibility to make sure serious medicines like these are never sold without the proper checks taking place first.

'We know weight-loss drugs can be a game-changer in the fight against obesity, but they should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision  not for the Instagram-perfect body.'

There's no doubt 'fat jabs' will become a major part of the fight to tackle obesity-related issues in the years to come, but it's vital they are dispensed with safety uppermost.

And the jabs I received? They went in the bin. With such drugs, the message should be, if you don't really need them, don't take them.
Do we like Hugh Grant at the moment? Im never sure.

We do!

Because of his prowess as a nuanced character actor, evidenced in the recent film Heretic?

No. Because he hates backpacks.

Sorry?

And frontpacks.

Whats a fr

And water bottles.

The snappy sourpuss appears to have dropped his former foppishness. Or is it all just an act?

It sounds as though hes got a few pet peeves.

A few? Hes got hundreds. I am one enormous pet peeve, he said in a TikTok for Absolute Radio. Thats all I do. I walk around the streets peeving.

Is his ire reserved exclusively for outdoor equipment?

No. In fact the 64-year-old actor told Vanity Fair that the historical figure he most identified with was Scott of the Antarctic.

And how does he view the great explorer?

As an angry, disappointed little man.

Who is Grant angry and disappointed with, then?

Anyone who works in private equity, tech or London traffic planning, apparently, alongside slow walkers.

So if I really want to annoy Hugh Grant I should amble about with a backpack (on my front), brandishing a water bottle and a copy of The Private Equity Playbook.

But why would you want to annoy Hugh?

Im upset that hes morphed from leading man into Victor Meldrew-meets-Larry David.

Thats why we love him! Thinly veiled fury is, he says, his most marked characteristic.

What happened to the floppy-fringed guy who said bugger a lot?

Dead to us. Comments under his pet-peeves interview include I didnt know I had so much in common with Hugh Grant and I think Hugh Grant just doesnt like people and I respect that.

Is there anything Grant does like?

Heat-resistant barbecue gloves.

Because

He likes barbecuing, obviously.

Well, thats nice isnt it?

I love to undercook chicken and give my family worms, the father of five (the youngest of whom is six) told Vanity Fairs reporter.

Wont the family turn on him?

Hes not worried. When questioned on how he would like to die, the actor replied, My wife [TV producer Anna Eberstein, 41] has kindly agreed to... shoot me in the back of the head.

She might just do that when she discovers hes been snogging a cast member of The Real Housewives of New York.

Steady on!

Pardon?

Steady on is what Hugh Grant himself tweeted in response to the allegation.

That doesnt sound like thinly veiled fury to me. The mask has slipped!

Are you suggesting that Badass Hugh is just an act?

I refuse to give up on the guy who once said, It seems to me that love is everywhere.

You do know Love Actually wasn't a documentary, right?

Anyway, what else did he say about snogging the real housewife?

I do remember meeting a charming RHNY in a restaurant, but Id like to stress it was about 15 years ago. I dont recall kissing but her memory might be better than mine.a restaurant, but Id like to stress it was about 15 years ago. I dont recall kissing but her memory might be better than mine.

Speaking of Love Actually, I heard that recently HG presented an award to writer/director Richard Curtis. Did he manage to capture the cinema legends work as a whole?

The words a and hole were both encompassed in Grants description of Curtis.

Shocking! And when will we be treated to the next instalment of Grants Gripes?

Just before the Valentines Day release of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, in which he reprises the role of Daniel Cleaver.

The grumpy-old-git act isnt hurting his box-office returns, then.

Far from it, but then you know what they say about the secret to a successful movie, dont you?

Enlighten me.

A Huge Grant.
Nic guessed I had seen him, though I had lied and said Id been staying with my friend Sue.

I told her I didnt want the inevitable telling off, followed by I told you so.

Ive worked for you for over 15 years, she replied. I just dont want you to get hurt.

I told her what transpired: that he left our room after sex at 1am. She was outraged: Asking you to live with him when you have only met four times? He cant even last the night! And saying he should have taken you to his flat? Why would you leave a five-star hotel room in the middle of the night? It makes no sense. He is having a lovely time but has to leave?

I broke the habit of a lifetime and sent him my column about the night he left my hotel post-sex to make sure he was OK with it.

The whole column was complimentary. I said he looked like Daniel Craig. I didnt write he (again) failed to pay for dinner. Or that he opened a bottle of red wine in my room and slurped clumsily from a glass while straddling me. I had nursed a secret hope that he had settled the dinner bill as he scuttled away, but when the hotel emailed the bill to me the next morning, nope: it still stood at over 200. Just for dinner and drinks.

Having had no response and wanting to go to press with last weeks missive, I asked if he was OK with it. Not so sure, will look more tomorrow. Just give me some time.

I am afraid I ran out of patience. I left a lot out. Its hard dating the UKs most-read writer, so I understand if you want to bow out gracefully. But the first thing I said when we met was google me. I havent identified you. I have offered to stop writing about you and to say we split up. I didnt write that you again failed to pay for dinner. This is mad. Im apologising for being a writer and having a job. You left at 1am when I made a 500-mile trip to see you, booked a 540 room and you left despite saying you want me to give up everything and move to London to be with you. Saying you dont like checkout doesnt ring true. It seems you cant spend five minutes in my company. Im not a desperate little woman. I deserve respect.

I take a big slurp of wine and send another one.

Just settle the bill as you leave! What is wrong with you? I told you everyone takes money off me. I bought you a 450 sweater for your birthday. You havent bought me a daffodil. No, I am not materialistic, but I cannot be with a man who isnt thoughtful and generous. Good luck with the Russian bimbos: you have lost the best thing that ever happened to you.

He replies: So wrong.

Me: So you did pay for dinner? You not only cancel me on my birthday, you ghost me for four weeks. How old are you, 12?

Him: I think you know how much I respect you. I thought it was on expenses. Dont blame me. I am more than happy to pay my share. I would have booked somewhere. In the morning, we are in silence. I find it uncomfortable. I should have suggested we stay at my place.

Me: We were not silent over breakfast last time. We had morning sex. You could have stayed and we could have hugged and talked all night. You have behaved very oddly. The rushing off; even when you came for the weekend you left before lunch on the Sunday. And I would never put a 200 dinner or 52 half-bottle of champagne on expenses. I paid for the hotel. I even packed my own Pellegrino from home. A bunch of tulips for cancelling a weekend away would at least have been something.

Him: I know Ive been useless. Please dont be mad.

Me: Will you come with me to my work party on 16th December?

Him: I would love that.

Jones Moans... What Liz loathes this week

People who say, We are where we are.

Had the chimney swept. Someone has blocked the stacks to stop draughts. To fix them I would need a roofer, plus a builder to dismantle the chimney breast. And Id already bought little kindling baskets lined with linen from Middleton Lodge
With Christmas around the corner there will be no doubt be countless people unwrapping the usual: socks, gift cards and chocolates.

While many gifts will have a rather more personal touch, some of these will also have the potential to grow in value in 2025 and offer attractive returns for future sellers in future years.

It might be time to ditch the 50 Amazon vouchers and instead take the path less trodden - your gift receipient could end up better off for it.

Whether you are planning to give a festive gift, or are in the market as a collector, there are a number of attractive so-called 'passion assets' that could add to your collection and also boost your portfolio at the same time.

With as many as one in ten adults snapping up collectible items in the hopes of turning a profit, according to Investec Wealth and Investment, choosing collectibles in becoming increasingly common.

Passion assets are essentially any collectible or investments that comes with a personal connection.

While most people won't resonate with the semiconductor sector, many more are interested in classic cars, coins, wine and art.

Ditch the socks and gift cards: Vintage furniture can fetch a pretty penny from collectors

Andy Sagar, managing director UK at Auctionet, said: 'Whether it's art, rare coins, vintage furniture, or memorabilia, these items are as emotionally rewarding as they are financially appealing, bringing long-term value growth over time.'

'Investing in passion assets and collectibles has never been more accessible or rewarding.'

The market for these collectibles already stands at $372billion, Sagar said, and is expected to grow to $522billion by 2028.

More than 16million people in the UK are already buying Christmas presents from second-hand marketplaces, according to Yodel.

While most people are heading to second hand sites in a bid to save money, some 21 per cent said they were looking to buy products that are no longer being produced.

On top of this, with around a quarter of people are looking to cash in on their pre-loved items this Christmas, there could be an opportunity to net a bargain that you could make a profit on in the new year.

But what assets are expected to prove valuable as we roll into the new year?

Become an armchair collector

Quite literally - vintage furniture can fetch serious money from online buyers.

Among the popular pieces are those from Ikea, Auctionet said, but its not Kallax or Ivar units that are commanding high prices.

In September, a 1970s Ikea Impala sofa sold for more than 2,000 on the site, more than 200 per cent its estimated value.

Hidden treasure: A series of posters discovered in the walls of a cottage sold for 100,000 in total

Ikea's new Oxford Street branch, opening next year, is set to cement the brand's longevity, Sagar said, and subsequently resale prices could also see a boost.

While Ikea might be further towards the budget tend of the furniture sector, the popularity of Scandi furniture also applies to higher value items.

According to Sagar, demand for these mid-century products consistently outstrips supply.

Earlier this year, a 1960s Svenskt Tenn sideboard was flogged on Auctionet for more than 38,000, compared to its reserve price of just over 9,000.

He said: 'The timeless appeal of Scandinavian furniture and decor remains strong. Collectors are drawn to the clean lines and enduring craftsmanship'

Channel your inner magpie

Gold has had a huge take-off in recent years, with the price of the yellow metal having risen by a third in the last year alone.

The metal generally rallies during periods of volatile geopolitics or economic uncertainty, as we have experienced recently with the war in Ukraine and conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Gold is often viewed as an 'insurance policy' asset that will perform well in times of market stress.

As a result, gold has become an increasingly attractive investment for those looking to reduce their exposure to the fortunes of the market.

Silver, similarly, has also risen more than a third over the last year.

With the value of the metals rising, gold and silver jewellery is increasing in value, and people sitting on pieces made from these materials could find that they are worth considerably more what they paid for them.

'The price of gold soared to an all-time high in 2024, hitting a record of $2,790 per ounce in October, and its appeal lies in storing value that can't be printed or created at will,' Sagar said.

Celeb status: Items linked to famous names, like Ed Sheeran's Pokemon guitar, are popular among collectors

Buyers want backstories

Scarlett Johannson's used tissue, John Lennon's tooth or Elvis Presley's hair certainly make slightly unhinged additions to a Christmas list, but if you list them at auction they're all certain to sell, because they already have.

Most people might not have said used tissue to hand (which sold for $5,300), but any celebrity memorabilia is likely to fetch a reasonable payout from the right buyer.

In September, Ed Sheeran's limited edition Pokemon guitar sold for 11,000 on Auctionet, more than ten times its estimated value.

Similarly, historical items are also highly prized by collectors, who favour them for the story they can tell.

A series of Casanova posters sold in April for 100,000 in total. While they were hand painted in the 1920s and 30s, it was the fact that these posters had been used as insulation in the walls of a cottage and only discovered during renovation that drove up their value.
My boyfriend and I are looking to leave our tenancy agreement early as we just find the flat too small. After a bit of back and forth with our landlord, they have agreed to let us leave the tenancy contract early.

We have given our two months notice and found somewhere we want to move to and have paid a deposit to reserve it.

The problem is, while our landlord has agreed to let us leave the tenancy early, the letting agent who he uses to let the property is now saying they will charge us a 400 remarketing fee.

We were under the impression these types of fees between agents and tenants were banned. Can they charge us this? It seems a total farce - wont the landlord need to pay them a re-letting fee anyway for finding a new tenant?

What should we do? Should we ignore the letting agent and just move out on the agreed date with the landlord? Or should we pay the 400 remarketing the charge?

We never paid a deposit when we first moved in as it was a zero deposit agreement.

Unreasonable? The letting agent is charging our reader 400 for remarketing the property even though they have agreed with the landlord to end the tenancy early

Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: At first glance, this seems like an odd fee for a letting agent to charge you.

Based on the fact you are in direct contact with your landlord, I am assuming they are managing the property themselves, rather than the letting agent.

Even so, the landlord will also likely be asked to pay the letting agent a fee for finding a new tenant. They will also likely face costs for referencing and arranging the new inventory, for example.

If the landlord is expected to pay for finding a new tenant, then it is difficult to see how the letting agent can justify charging you an additional fee for remarketing.

It may be that they are taking advantage of the situation and making more than they might otherwise during a normal tenancy changeover.

It would be worth speaking with your landlord as it may be that the letting agent is passing some of their costs over to you, given that you are exiting the contract early.

You are also right to point out that letting agents should no longer be charging additional fees to tenants except from the obvious ones - namely the upfront deposit and the rent.

The ban on tenant fees applied to new or renewed tenancy agreements signed on or after 1 June 2019.

Instead, it is now the landlord who is generally responsible for paying the additional costs associated with re-letting a property and finding new tenants.

However, the new rules also say letting agents (or landlords) can charge for extra costs associated with the early termination of a tenancy, when this is requested by the tenant.

Since you have made this request, it means they could be within their rights to charge you, albeit with certain restrictions.

Generally, the costs charged for early termination must not exceed the costs to the letting agent for things such as referencing and marketing costs. But these costs must be reasonable.

Letting agents can also charge for sorting late rent payments or bills The current rules state the other payments that landlords or letting agents can charge to tenants in relation to new contracts should be capped at 50 - or reasonably incurred costs, if higher - for the variation or reassignment of a tenancy. This can also relate to administration fees relating to late payments for utilities, tv licence and Council Tax, or for late payment of rent or replacement of a lost key, where required under a tenancy agreement.

The guidance states that where agreed to, the agent should consider on a case-by-case basis whether it is appropriate to charge an early termination fee, for example, whether there are any exceptional circumstances which require you to leave early.

It also suggests that a letting agent can charge a fee to cover any referencing and advertising costs they have incurred as a result of you leaving early, but they should be able to provide evidence to demonstrate these costs.

In terms of the landlord, it's also worth pointing out that If they have agreed to let you leave early, they can ask you to pay rent as required under their tenancy agreement until a new tenant is found.

However, given your landlord has agreed to let you go, I am assuming they may not be holding you to this beyond the two months of rent due following your notice. Worth getting that in writing though.

For expert advice, we spoke to Jacqui Walton, a senior paralegal for property disputes at RWK Goodman solicitors, Olivia Egdell-Page a partner and head of the property department at Joseph A Jones & Co solicitors, Oli Sherlock, managing director of insurance at Goodlord.

Can letting agents charge renters extra fees?

Olivia Egdell-Page replies: For tenancies which commenced after 1 June 2019, which I am assuming yours did, additional controls were introduced which significantly limited the fees that landlords and letting agents can charge tenants on the commencement of, during or at the end of their tenancy.

Since that date, landlords and letting agents cannot no longer charge for references, administrative tasks, credit and immigration checks or renewing your tenancy at the end of a fixed term contract, amongst other tasks.

Olivia Egdell-Page a partner and head of the property department at Joseph A Jones & Co solicitors

Can the letting agent charge a tenant for remarketing?

Jacqui Walton replies: If your landlord allows you to end your tenancy early, he is entitled to request a payment from you in exchange for allowing you to do so.

However, if the payment he is asking for exceeds the loss which will be suffered by him then that excess will be a prohibited payment under the TFA2019.

Likewise, the landlords letting agent is permitted to request payment from you for arranging the early termination of your tenancy but this must not exceed the letting agents reasonable costs, otherwise again the excess will be deemed a prohibited payment under the TFA2019.

Olivia Egdell-Page replies: In the event that you agree with the landlord or agent to leave your tenancy early, there are limited circumstances in which they can impose charges, but these are only permitted where they cover loss of money or the reasonable costs incurred by the agent.

They could also charge you a fee of up to 50.00 where you transfer your tenancy to someone else, for example if you found a replacement tenant to take over the property.

The charges can only exceed 50.00 if the landlord can evidence that their costs exceeded that sum.

Jacqui Walton , a senior paralegal for property disputes at RWK Goodman solicitors

Query the 400 charge?

Jacqui Walton replies: In your case the letting agent is permitted to ask you to make a payment to them for dealing with the early termination of your tenancy.

It can be difficult to establish what the letting agents reasonable costs in arranging the early termination of a tenancy may be, however, so it would be worth checking with the letting agent what the 400 charge specifically relates to.

Establish whether this is their standard charge for dealing with arrangements for an early termination of a tenancy.

You can then be more certain you are being charged a reasonable amount by them.

Don't pay?

Olivia Egdell-Page replies: Having considered your position, it doesnt seem likely that the agent would be able to justify charging this fee for remarketing the property, and if they do, this would need to be borne by the landlord.

What if they have already paid?

Olivia Egdell-Page replies: That does make it more difficult.

I would suggest that in the first instance, they ask that this be refunded as it is likely to be considered a prohibited fee.

If this request is declined, they can report the agent to Trading Standards. I understand that where an agent breaks the rules more than once, the council can take legal action and can prohibit the agent from renting out properties in the future.

They also could complain to the letting agent redress scheme, which the agents are required to be members of, or as a last resort, they can apply to the First Tier Tribunal, however given the fee that has been paid, this may not be cost effective, on balance.

Oli Sherlock , managing director of insurance at Goodlord

The charge seems reasonable given the circumstances

Oli Sherlock replies: Given you are choosing to mutually end the agreement early your landlord or letting agent can impose an early termination fee.

Such fees cannot exceed the amount of rent that would have been applicable for the duration left of the fixed term.

They can also pass on reasonable costs incurred as a result of the tenancy ending early.

As such, it sounds like the suggested charge of 400 seems reasonable against an average rental value.

This charge should not be conflated with any monies owed via a deposit or deposit alternative solution.

Via both, you remain liable for any rent not paid within the agreed period along with any dilapidations above and beyond fair wear and tear.

What else would you advise in this situation?

Oli Sherlock replies: Im assuming that you have a fixed term agreement, therefore you were right to seek mutual agreement to terminate your contract early.

As with any agreement its important you have such terms agreed in writing to ensure clarity for both parties.
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

C.G. writes: My wife's BMW was struck outside my daughter's home by an Uber Eats delivery rider on a motorbike.

He caused an estimated 1,000 of damage but merely shouted, 'Sorry Boss,' and sped off.

I wrote to the chief executive of Uber Eats but the only response I received has been a phone call to say the company had five delivery people in the area at the time, but could do nothing to help me due to 'privacy' issues.

Tony Hetherington replies: You wrote to Uber Eats boss Matthew Price, giving him the date, time and exact location of the hit and run. You actually saw the collision, and recognised that it was an Uber Eats biker.

Price did not reply, but Uber Eats called you to explain that its delivery riders were entitled to their privacy. This was followed by a further call when you were told that the company could not give you the details of which of its personnel were in your daughter's road for privacy reasons, which implied that the individual had been identified.

Uber Eats failed to trace rider who damaged a BMW car

I put all this to Uber Eats, and the company contacted you, saying it would co-operate with the police if you supplied a crime number.

But, of course, the police could not even open an inquiry as you did not have a vehicle registration number for the biker, who had vanished into the distance.

Getting any comment from Uber Eats was close to impossible. A spokesman said they would call me, but didn't, and emails went unanswered.

Finally, despite telling you that there were five of its delivery people in the area when your wife's car was hit, the company issued this statement: 'Uber Eats' specialist team has thoroughly investigated this incident and there is no evidence to suggest that a courier was operating on the Uber Eats platform at the time of the incident.'

So there you have it. Five couriers in the area, one courier in that road, and now none.

Uber Eats, this leaves a very bad taste in the mouth.

Centurion beats a retreat to Dubai

Mrs V.K. writes: Early this year I contacted Centurion Estate Planning Group Ltd to take out a lasting power of attorney.

Their representative came to my home, explained everything to me and my partner, and we paid 900.

However, I received nothing. I am a pensioner, so I cannot afford to lose 900.

Vanishing act: CEPG director Daniel Grant seems to have dropped out of sight, with one of his contacts suggesting he was in Dubai

Tony Hetherington replies: Centurion Estate Planning Group (CEPG) advertised its services as including preparing wills, trust deeds, power of attorney documents and home protection plans.

What do all these have in common? Anyone can do this work  no qualifications needed.

You may have been deceived by Chichester-based CEPG's use of the Society of Will Writers' logo, with its reassuring motto: 'Safe to do business with.' Except CEPG was not entitled to use the logo and I found a county court judgment against it in August followed by a High Court order to have the firm wound up.

CEPG had two directors. The man in control in Chichester was Daniel Grant. He has been behind no fewer than 33 businesses, of which at least three have court judgments against them. I would have liked to have had a chat, but he seems to have dropped out of sight, with one of his contacts suggesting he was in Dubai.

CEPG's website is still live, and still displaying the logo of the Society of Will Writers, which sets standards for the industry. It told me that its members used to include the other director of CEPG, Peter Maughan. Society managing director Anthony Belcher said: 'Peter was registered with us for the company, and he was due to renew in April. However, he didn't, so the membership ceased with him.'

Maughan quit as a director of CEPG in May, and I was surprised to find that he is a solicitor as well as a Lib Dem member of Gateshead Council. What on earth was a solicitor doing, lending his name to a dodgy business like CEPG?

He told me he did it 'as a favour to a friend' who was involved in CEPG. He added: 'I went down as a non-exec director. I had no shares in it.'

Maughan said that he had forgotten he was a director until his professional indemnity insurance came up for renewal. He explained: 'The premium was massively inflated, and this was due to me being down as a director of Centurion.'

In short, the insurance firm smelled a rat in Chichester.

Maughan added: 'I had no idea as to the state of the company  I'm shocked and appalled my name is associated with this.'

Where does this leave you? CEPG is in liquidation, and I think there is as much chance of there being 900 left in its account as there is of it being a white Christmas in Dubai.

But there is a silver lining  I have found someone who will finish the work that CEPG started, with no charges. Do let me know how it works out.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
Record passenger numbers at Heathrow indicate that wanderlust has been rekindled, with multitudes expected to take to the skies during the Christmas break.

The results are more evidence that we continue to prioritise holidays over other spending.

For many, a getaway is not an indulgence, but an essential. Does this proof that the post-pandemic passion for travel is here to stay mean that you should consider a flutter on airline stocks?

Yes, but it is important to sort companies that are thriving from those whose predicament illustrates why this sector can be 'a difficult investment destination', as Richard Hunter of broker Interactive Investor puts it. But Jack Barrat, portfolio manager at investment manager Man Group, contends that there are some 'rare opportunities' available.

The airline industry is frequently a source of irritation, with flight delays and poor customer service.

But the things that may most annoy you as a customer, like extra costs for bags, can be a useful source of income for airlines, boosting their key metric, the RASK (revenue per available seat kilometre).

Flying high: IAG, or International Airlines Group, is the 14.2billion group that owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling

Some in the sector are finding fresh ways to turn their planes into what have been called 'shops with wings'.

Earlier this year WizzAir launched a 534 All You Can Fly Netflix-like subscription scheme. The 100,000 members enjoy unlimited flights for 8.90 each  but they must pay for all luggage, except one small personal item.

Although we can expect more innovation, investors should be aware that all airlines are vulnerable to severe turbulence from external factors outside their control.

In 2010, they suffered after the eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull, which caused thousands of flights to be cancelled. The pandemic also played extreme havoc with the industry.

So which shares are ready for take-off and which will continue to be left behind?

IAG

IAG, or International Airlines Group, is the 14.2billion group that owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. In June, when its share price stood at 167p, this column reported that several analysts considered the stock to be undervalued. This was a reasonable assessment since the price has subsequently climbed to 293.2p, although it remains 50 per cent down over five years, revealing the extent of the damage wrecked by the pandemic.

However, third-quarter results indicated that IAG is continuing to leave this unhappy era behind.

Operating profits rose by 15 per cent to 1.7billion, boosted by improved demand for seats on transatlantic routes, a share buyback scheme, the restoration of the dividend and some reduction in debts.

Despite this year's rise, some analysts argue the shares are still headed upwards. The average target price is 342p. One analyst evidently believes that the sky is the limit, however, setting a target of 599p.

EASYJET

The shares in this 4.4billion airline have risen by 16 per cent to 586.6p since January, propelled by a 34 per cent rise in full-year pre-tax profits to 610m  and the outlook for 2025 is positive.

EasyJet has been helped by a successful foray into higher-margin package holidays, a venture pioneered by boss Johan Lundgren who last month stepped down. His successor, Kenton Jarvis, plans to attract '25 per cent more customers' on such vacations, which suit value-conscious families.

Most analysts think that the only way for easyJet shares is up from here, rating the shares a 'buy'. JP Morgan analyst Harry Gower earlier this month set a target price of 750p. Jarrod Castle of UBS has opted for 800p.

WIZZAIR

Despite the popularity of its All You Can Fly loyalty programme, shares have fallen by 33 per cent since January  and by 63 per cent since the onset of the pandemic.

This is partly due to a string of crises at the London-listed Hungarian airline. These include problems with its Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) engines that left about 40 planes temporarily grounded, leading to a 20 per cent drop in half-year profits.

Boss and founder Jozsef Varadi has said the engine issue may not be fully solved until 2027. But analysts think that anyone already holding the shares should stay put.

RYANAIR

Controversial: Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary

Shares in Dublin-listed Ryanair have rebounded in recent months, amid the perception the low-cost carrier may be casting off some of its woes. Last month Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's perennially controversial and disputatious boss, said the airline was 'over-scheduled, over-crewed and over-costed' during the summer. He also revealed that it was trimming passenger growth numbers for 2025 in response to delays in the delivery of its Boeing 737 Max planes.

But Ryanair has settled its dispute with online travel agents such as Booking.com which had refused to sell its tickets after a period of conflict.

This week Alexander Irving of the brokers Bernstein advised clients to buy Ryanair, setting a target price of 22.50. JP Morgan's Alexia Dogani is also a fan and has set a price of 25.

Since O'Leary owns a 3.9 per cent stake in the company, he will be hoping that these predictions come true.

JET 2

The woes of Ryanair and Wizz Air have been something of a boon to AIM-listed Jet 2. Last month, the Leeds-based airline reported record revenues, profits and passenger numbers for the half-year.

The company seems to please its customers, while also rewarding its investors. The shares have leapt by 30 per cent this year to 1620p. You might not think that further progress was possible, but analysts rate Jet 2 a 'buy', with an average target price of 1,996p. Investors will be hoping that the ascent to this level will be smooth.
US fast food giant Chick-fil-A is aiming to avoid another backlash over the anti-gay views of its billionaire owners when it opens in the UK next year.

Chick-fil-A scrapped its Reading pop-up site after just six months when gay rights campaigners targeted it in 2019.

But the Atlanta-based restaurant chain has been in talks with LGBT group Stonewall and other charities in a bid to distance itself from accusations of homophobia.

The company was founded in 1946 by devout Christian S Truett Cathy and is the third largest fast-food chain in the US by sales.

It has more than 3,000 sites in America and has launched in Canada  where it also faced backlash from LGBT campaigners  and Puerto Rico in the last five years.

Despite the popularity of its chicken sandwiches, comments and donations made by the Cathy family, who still own and run the business, have triggered controversy.

Protests: Chick-fil-A scrapped its Reading pop-up site after just six months when gay rights campaigners targeted it in 2019

They have historically donated to various organisations that have been linked to anti-LGBT beliefs.

And chairman Dan Cathy, father of chief executive Andrew Cathy, revealed his opposition to gay marriage in 2012.

But the business has been in talks with Stonewall about how to be 'a more inclusive workplace' ahead of another bid to conquer the competitive British market.

A Stonewall spokesman said: 'We frequently have conversations with companies and organisations at various stages on their journey to becoming more inclusive workplaces for their employees.

Outspoken: Chairman Dan Cathy

'We have had some recent conversations with Chick-Fil-A about the training and services we could provide to support the company on this journey.'

When asked about the controversy ahead of the UK launch, Chick-fil-A international vice president Paul Trotti told the Mail that the firm's 'desire is to be inclusive to all people and to treat all people with honour, dignity and respect'.

Launching in the UK comes with other challenges including tough competition from the likes of KFC and Nando's, and recent American imports Popeyes and Wingstop.

Chick-fil-A believes its 'unique' owner-operator franchise model, its focus on fresh ingredients and its trademark Southern hospitality will set it apart.

Trotti said: 'The UK place in the world market is something that we absolutely can't ignore as we think about wanting to be a global business.'
Rachel Reeves yesterday hailed the impending listing of a French TV and film giant on the London Stock Exchange as a 'vote of confidence' in the UK.

Ahead of the LSE debut of Canal+ shares on Monday, the Chancellor met the Paris-based firm's chief executive Maxime Saada and chief financial officer Amandine Ferre at Number 11 Downing Street, to discuss the UK's attractiveness as a destination for foreign companies to list and do business.

Reeves said: 'Economic growth is my number one mission and attracting more investment to the UK is key.

'Canal+'s decision is a vote of confidence in the UK's capital markets, the stability we are delivering and our plan for change.' Aside from boosting the UK's standing as a global financial centre, she said Canal+'s arrival would boost the 125billion creative sector.

Vote of confidence: Canal+, which created films including Love Actually, has been expanding into new markets

Canal+, which created films including Love Actually, has been expanding into new markets particularly in Africa. It is being listed in London as part of the break-up of owner Vivendi, the media conglomerate controlled by billionaire Vincent Bollore.

But as a demerger rather than an initial public offering, it will not be raising new cash from shareholders. And trading is likely to prove rocky to start with as funds that track France's Cac 40, where Vivendi is listed, automatically dump the shares while others subject to a French demerger tax also weigh selling up.

It may mean that the company trades some way below a valuation of 6billion that has previously been placed on it. Nevertheless, the listing will provide the LSE with a welcome boost, after seeing scores of companies defect to rival exchanges.

This week, equipment rental firm Ashtead became the latest to shun London announcing plans to switch its primary listing to New York.
Labour has been warned this weekend not to wave through the debt-fuelled 3.6 billion bid for Royal Mail, by former Business Secretary Vince Cable, the architect of the privatisation of the postal service a decade ago.

Cable said Ministers should be cautious about the bid from Czech tycoon Daniel Kretinsky because of the high level of debt and his links to the Kremlin.

The intervention by the former Lib Dem Minister carries weight because Cable was in charge of privatising Royal Mail in 2013 under the Coalition Government. He sold it for 3.3 billion, or 3.30 a share, in a deal that saw it listed on London's stock market.

'It is very sensible to be concerned about Kretinsky's bid,' Cable told The Mail on Sunday. 'The debt-fuelled offer and his Russian connections should give Ministers pause for thought.'

Cable, 81, faced fierce criticism 11 years ago when he was accused of agreeing to a flotation price that undervalued the business. Shares climbed in the wake of privatisation, reaching a record high of nearly 6.07.

Chuka Umunna, then Shadow Business Secretary, said the group had been sold 'on the cheap'. The former Labour MP has since acted as an adviser to Kretinsky.

Criticism: Vince Cable

The shares closed this weekend at 3.59, valuing the business at 3.43 billion, a fraction above the original sale price Cable arranged more than a decade ago.

Cable indicated that he did not think Kretinsky's 3.6 billion swoop on the firm was too low, saying: 'This offer is fractionally up on the original sale price of 3.3 billion. If it's undervalued where are the other bids?'

However, when asked if he had expected a takeover like Kretinsky's when he sold Royal Mail, Cable said: 'We envisaged long-term institutional shareholders.'

Cable has repeatedly defended the sale price of Royal Mail, which has mounting problems. It posted a loss of 138 million for the six months to September 29.

In January last year, the former Minister said the decision to sell the shares at 3.30 had been 'long since vindicated', and that the coalition Government 'got as good a deal as we could get'.

Kretinsky, who is dubbed the Czech Sphinx for his inscrutability, made his fortune in the energy sector. He is the largest investor in Royal Mail's parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) with a 28 per cent stake.

He made an audacious swoop on Royal Mail earlier this year with a 3.6 billion offer.

If he succeeds, the firm will fall into foreign hands for the first time in its 508-year history.

But the bid has been highly controversial, with Kretinsky having already made concessions to the Labour Government.

He has agreed to maintain the firm's universal service obligation, which requires it to deliver letters six days a week.

Other commitments include not touching the surplus in Royal Mail's staff pension scheme.

While the bid still needs to pass a Government investigation under the National Security and Investment Act, Ministers are expected to wave through the takeover in the coming weeks.

Last month, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds appeared to shrug off concerns about the tycoon's impending takeover, saying Kretinsky was a 'legitimate business figure'.

But worries about the billionaire's plans and his international business ties persist.

In 2021, EP Group, the holding company for Kretinsky's business empire, signed an 823 million financing deal with a syndicate of banks that included Beijing-owned Bank of China.

Accounts for EP also revealed that one of his commodity trading firms is in a 174 million dispute with a Russian firm after it did not fulfil a coal contract when the war in Ukraine began.

EP Resources refused to buy coal from the Russian firm in line with international sanctions.

The dispute is in arbitration, and EP has warned that the outcome is impossible to predict.
The haunting final weeks of a woman who was found 'pulverized' in her husband's luxury Chicago condo have been detailed by devastated friends and neighbors.

Caitlin Walch Tracey, 36, known to her friends as 'CT', was found dead in the stairwell of her tax attorney husband Adam P Beckerink's condo in South Loop on October 27.

DailyMail.com previously revealed that her parents accused Beckerink, 46, of wreaking a secret 'campaign and abuse of terror' against her in her final months.

Beckerink had been facing domestic abuse allegations from Tracey, but he has not been charged in connection with her death. Her autopsy is pending.

Though they had a fraught relationship, Tracey split her time between Beckerink's flat and her home in New Buffalo, on the banks of Lake Michigan.

Neighbors in the leafy Michigan town have now opened up about disturbing events which unfolded during her final months, while remembering their beloved friend.

Joyce Lantz and Bunny Coyner lived on Tracey's street, and they recalled how scared she was of Beckerink. 'She said, "I felt like he was going to kill me,"',' Lantz told Fox News.

Lantz also told the Chicago Tribune that Tracey's house, close to the lake, was 'like something that you'd see in a design magazine'.

Caitlin Walch Tracey, 36, known to her friends as 'CT', was found dead in the stairwell of her tax attorney husband Adam P Beckerink's condo in South Loop on October 27

Joyce Lantz and Bunny Coyner lived on Tracey's street, and they recalled how scared she was of Beckerink. 'She said, "I felt like he was going to kill me,"',' Lantz said

Tracey fell down 24 flights of stairs in Beckerink's high rise (pictured) on the 1200 block of Prairie Street in South Loop, severing her foot during the descent

'As another woman, you just want to cheer her on, because she's on her own, and built this amazing life,' Lantz said.

'It's just amazing to me how one person can come into your life and change the trajectory in such a major way. It's deeply sad, right? That she's not with us anymore.'

Coyner said she met Tracey in the fall of 2023, after Tracey offered to help with DIY around her house. She said Tracey told her, 'I know my way around a drill and some drywall.'

Pictured: Adam P Beckerink

Coyner said Tracey invited her for a tour of her home, and mentioned she had taken a temporary restraining order out against an ex-boyfriend.

She even described his car and asked Coyner to let her know if she saw it on their street.

'She was a beautiful, intelligent young woman and had a wonderful life ahead of her,' Coyner told the Chicago Tribune.

'I think she was looking forward to maybe getting out of this and searching out a new life, and I wished only the best for her, and she just couldn't do it.'

Lantz said that earlier this year, something changed and Tracey seemed to abruptly disappear from their neighborhood.

She said she began sending 'cryptic' texts, and they witnessed police cars pull up to her home while she was inside on August 19.

This matches with court records seen by DailyMail.com, which outline how Beckerink was charged with two counts of resisting and obstruction, interference with electronic communications and more counts of domestic violence against Tracey on that date.

Adam P Beckerink (pictured in his mugshot) was detained under felony arrest the day after his wife Caitlin Walch Tracey, 36, was found dead, records obtained by a DailyMail.com FOIA request reveal. He has not been charged over her death. The investigation is ongoing

Lantz and Coyner said when they saw Beckerink being taken away from the home in handcuffs that day, they text Tracey to ask if she wanted her to come over.

'She said yes, which surprised me, honestly, because you know, I felt like she was a pretty independent woman that just handled things on her own,' Lantz told the Chicago Tribune.

'And when I got down there, I walked up the steps to her home, to her front door, I went to hug her  she felt so small and tiny, and honestly, frail. Almost like a shell of what she used to be.'

'We told her she had to get out of it, this was the time to get out of it. You're better than this, you're a wonderful woman, you're beautiful,' Coyner added.

In the following days, Tracey told the women she wanted to 'start her life over again here in Michigan' and 'turn that corner', Lantz said.

'I thought she was getting to a point finally where she was going to get back on track, and that makes me feel incredibly sad,' Lantz added. 'I felt like she was hopeful.'

She also sent them a text days later - on August 29 - saying: Bunny and Joyce - Thank you for being fabulous neighbors. Your support (and space) has meant the world to me.

'Ive been to court twice since you were last over and yesterday was tough but moving forward and have a great advocate in the prosecutors office.

'Now its time for me to rebuild and move forward with a calmer and healthier life and future relationships.'

The women remembered Tracey for her love of travel, dancing, fine wine, fashion, and hosting dinner parties.

Caitlin Tracey (pictured) died after falling down 24 flights of stairs on October 27

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

Lantz also described her as 'such a shining star' who was fashionable, with an 'intelligence that's (also) a humor'.

Beckerink's lawyer Todd Pugh said he denies the domestic violence claims. 'There was no physical violence that Adam had directed towards CT,' he told the Chicago Tribune.

'There is no corroboration to any of her claims. There was a layer of emotional volatility to the relationship, but CT enjoyed an incredibly close relationship with Adam's parents and Adam.'

Beckerink's disheveled mugshot was unearthed by a DailyMail.com FOIA request in November, following from his arrest the day she was found dead.

Chicago PD officers initially charged the attorney with disorderly conduct and accused him of making a false report of an offense on October 28, but he was released without charge after questioning.

Beckerink appeared with stubble and his hair skewed to one side in the mugshot pictured in his police report.

Since Tracey's autopsy results are pending and the investigation into her death is ongoing, police declined to give any further information.

The report came after Tracey's parents won custody of her body from Beckerink amid an acrimonious court battle.

Beckerink hit back by filing an emergency motion to prevent them from proceeding with her funeral and give him the opportunity to challenge the decision.

However, a Cook County judge denied his motion, according to the Chicago Tribune, which allowed them to proceed with the Catholic burial they had planned for their daughter on November 23.

Pictured: the Traceys speaking with their lawyers in court last week

Pictured: Caitlin Tracey's father, retired real estate developer Andrew Tracey (second left), 69, holding hands with his wife and her mother, college professor Dr Monica Tracey, 65

Tracey's body was found 'pulverized' and missing a foot in the stairwell of Beckerink's luxury South Loop condo on October 27, according to court documents seen by DailyMail.com.

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 on November 6, her family filed documents accusing him of wreaking a 'campaign of abuse and terror' against their daughter, including allegedly throwing a glass pickle jar at her head and pouring vodka on her wounds.

According to the Traceys, their daughter had been in a relationship with Beckerink from October 2022 until September 2023, but the couple never lived together or had children.

At some point after September, they got back together, and married in a private ceremony on April 8, 2024, which did not involve any of Traceys relatives.

Amid the 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.

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 3 pm, 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.

Tracey's body was at the center of a dispute between her family against her husband

Tracey's family said her husband filed a police report on October 26 to make a missing person report, and the next day her body was found 'directly below' his apartment (pictured)

Beckerink has been removed from his role as partner at law firm Duane Morris

(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'.

In a second alleged incident on August 21, 2023, Tracey once again only narrowly escaped a brutal attack by her husband, this time at his plush apartment in Chicago's Grand Luxury Condos where she was later found dead.

At around 8am, they had an argument, and Beckerink began launching a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse against his partner, according to her filing.

Tracey alleges he 'verbally abused' her by calling her a 'cheater', a 'wh***', a 'piece of s***, 'liar' and a 'b****' before escalating to a physical assault.

'(He) physically abused me by dragging me by my ankle, strangling me, suffocating me, slamming my head against a cabinet, slapping me, punching me, putting my head in a headlock, and dragging me away from the door to prevent me from leaving' Tracey wrote in her petition.

Pictured: Tracey's funeral on November 23 after her parents won custody of her body

He then allegedly stole her 'keys, wallet, iPad and phone' to prevent her from leaving or seeking help. Tracey said she escaped again by 'fleeing on foot', this time to the nearest police station.

Cops went to Beckerink's apartment, but he refused to open the door.

Tracey detailed an alleged third incident which unfolded in the room where she was staying at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Chicagos Magnificent Mile neighborhood on September 20, 2023.

She said her husband stormed into her room around 5:30 pm before hurling abuse at her and this time attempting sexually abuse her.

Tracey did not give context about why she was at the hotel or go into detail about the sexual abuse, but said she filed a police report for domestic battery.

Her parents said it was around this time that Tracey temporarily ended her relationship with Beckerink and opened up to them about the alleged violence.

In their petition for control of her body, the Traceys said she told them Beckerink had been emotionally, psychologically and physically abusive to her including holding her hostage and brutalizing her so badly she needed medical treatment.

She also said he had been trying to contact her approximately 20 times a day either demanding to see her, or to verbally abuse her over the phone.

I believe if Beckerink knew I was here trying to get an Emergency Order of Protection, he would try and stop me, or I would be at risk of further abuse, Tracey wrote in her bid for the restraining order.

But Traceys parents said Beckerink found out and threatened to sue her for defamation and libel - so she withdrew her petition based on fear.

Though Tracey never secured the restraint, Berrien County Prosecutors Office charged him on January 13, 2024, with four counts of larceny, interference with electronic communications and domestic violence against Tracey.

On August 19, 2024, they added two counts of resisting and obstruction, interference with electronic communications and more counts of domestic violence against Tracey, according to her parents.

But the charges came too late for Tracey. Her body was discovered by Beckerinks condo building manager, after a traumatized resident reported finding a severed foot in the stairwell.

Cops attended the grisly scene at 7:20 pm on October 27, and told the family that based on the condition of the remains they determined that Traceys body fell approximately 24 floors.

Her devastated parents said they were told that based on the height of the fall, their daughters body was pulverized and her foot was severed from her body.

According to a police report, Beckerink was detained and questioned but later released.

Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is conducting an autopsy on Traceys remains. Officials told DailyMail.com this week that the results are pending.
Worried his freedom will be stripped in an Australian jail

As the final agreement of the Bali Nine transfer edges closer to completion, one notorious member of the drug smuggling syndicate won't let himself celebrate the bittersweet news.

Resigned to dying behind bars, Martin Stephens, 48, has spent nearly 20 years creating an unconventional life for himself and is now a husband and stepfather.

But the former Wollongong bar tender is now facing the possibility of being locked up in an Australian jail cell, something he knows won't allow him the perks he currently enjoys at Lowokwaru jail in Malang, East Java.

With regular visits from his wife Christine Puspayanti and his stepdaughter Laura, Stephens previously said that he would 'reject' a prisoner exchange.

'I'm much freer here than I would be in an Australian jail, though logically it would be better for my parents,' Stephens said in his last interview in 2020.

'I teach English and play the seruling (traditional bamboo flute) but I haven't learned Indonesian. I want to keep my Australian identity and avoid getting involved in faction fighting,' he told Indonesia Expat.

Rumours have always been rife that Stephens, along with fellow Bali Nine member Tan Nguyen, were moved to the remote town of Malang, nine hours from Bali, because of behavioural issues at Kerobokan jail.

But Stephens insists he requested the transfer in the hope of moving closer to his wife and to distance himself from the other members of the drug smuggling gang.

Martin Stephens married Christine Puspayanti in 2011 five years after they first met

Stephens worried he won't get the same freedoms in an Australian jail

Stephens claims he is the 'black sheep' of the Bali Nine and requested a prison transfer to distance himself

'I asked to be moved to be closer to my wife and apart from the others. I don't want to know them. I wasn't in their syndicate which made earlier drug runs. I've always been known as the Bali Nine "black sheep".'

In 2005, the same year he was caught smuggling heroin out of the resort island, Stephens met Puspayanti when she visited Kerobokan jail with a friend.

The pair fell in love, eventually tying the knot behind bars in April 2011 in front of 100 guests that included both their families and the eight other Bali Nine members Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Renae Lawrence.

The jail's governor Siswanto granted a post-wedding celebartion and a conjugal visit on the same night in a specially prepared room.

Of the other Bali Nine members arrested in the original bust, ringleaders Chan and Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in April of 2015. Stephen's former cellmate Nguyen died from cancer in 2018, while Lawrence was released that year after her life sentence was reduced to 20 years on appeal.

Stephens wants to look after his mum Michele Stephens who has been a constant support throughout his incarceration

Stephens was relocated to an East Java jail with fellow inmate Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen

Pictured Top L-R: Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Renae Lawrence, and Bottom: Si Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephen and Andrew Chan

How the inmates will be returned, and whether or not they will have to serve the remainder of their time in Australia, remains unclear.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke jetting off to Jakata next week to negotiate the final details.

If they are released on Australian soil then Stephens says he would dedicate his life to helping others.

'My wife and daughter are struggling. My parents in Australia are doing it hard because of me. I want to care for them. Why should they keep paying for my first fault? What's served by keeping me behind bars? I want to be a good citizen and contribute.'
Tigers are the almost always the apex predators of whatever environment they find themselves in.

Whether it be the lush jungles of India, or the bitterly cold heights of Russia's Sikhote-Alin Mountains, tigers, like almost all animals, were born to roam free.

This makes zoos exceedingly difficult places to safely keep them. No matter how much room they are given, an enclosure is an enclosure - they are forced to take on behaviours entirely unnatural to them, including being active during the day and waiting for their food to be delivered to them.

It's no wonder that so many tigers kept in zoos lash out at their keepers, as this Russian zookeeper was unlucky enough to learn.

The unnamed female keeper at the zoo, in the heart of Kaliningrad Zoo, Kaliningrad, was horrifically mauled by the big cat, Typhoon, after it sprang on her when the opportunity, an accidentally unlatched gate, presented itself.

As the keeper fetched the predator's food, Typhoon pounced on her.

The savage animal was described by sources at the time of the attack in 2017 as 'aggressive and 'bad-tempered', though a source said: 'Typhoon has never before shown any aggression to zoo staff.'

This brought little comfort to the zookeeper, with alarming pictures show the woman on her back on the ground with the tiger on top of her, seemingly about to go in for the kill.

A female zookeeper in Russia is lucky to be alive after she was badly mauled by a male tiger while taking it food. Part of the animal's cage was accidentally left open, allowing it to attack

Horrified visitors watched as Typhoon dragged the woman to the ground and began attacking her

Guests managed to distract the big cat by throwing stones, stick, and a table and bench from a nearby cafe into the enclosure, allowing the keeper to escape

But the keeper wasn't alone. With her, though much further away, were a set of visitors who upon seeing the distressing situation began throwing stones and screaming at Typhoon, distracting it.

The commotion also alerted other visitors, who joined the onlookers and began helping the zookeeper by distracting it even more.

Bloodied and battered, the keeper still had enough strength to escape.

As soon as Typhoon left, the keeper was able to run to a secure part of the compound.

'The girl's face face was bleeding,' said one account based on the accounts of witnesses.

'She screamed and tried to fight off the animal.'.

The Siberian tiger - the largest cat in the world - was supposed to be contained in another part of its compound when the woman brought its food.

But there was clearly a problem and the cat - described as 'elderly' - was able to attack.

Typhoon (pictured) was described as 'aggressive and 'bad-tempered'

The zoos have warnings in place not to lean over the barriers

A spokesman praised the visitors following the near-fatal incident.

'The animal entered the enclosure when the keeper was there,' said a statement. 'The tiger attacked the human.'

'Visitors with their shouting, stones and other improvisation managed to distract the animal. This allowed the zoo employee to hide in a back room.'

It was even visitors who called an ambulance.

Later zoo staff arrived at the scene and shot a sedative into the tiger.

A local health ministry spokesman said at the time: 'The patient was delivered to the hospital with multiple wounds to the body and limbs.

'She is conscious, her condition is assessed as stable but critical. There is no threat to her life.'

The woman was taken to an intensive care unit at a hospital in Kaliningrad, a Russian region wedged between Poland and Lithuania, and a criminal investigation was opened.

The tiger was reported to be 'stressed' after the attack, but would not be destroyed despite tasting human blood, said Russian zoo officials.

'The animal, which also suffered a lot of stress, is in its enclosure,' said a zoo statement.

A spokesman said: 'The Siberian tiger is a territorial animal. Protecting its territory is its natural instinct.

'This animal acted in full accordance with its instinct. It was not aggression. It was the defence of its territory.'

The Siberian tiger was born on 1 July 2001 in Chelyabinsk Zoo and was later moved to Kaliningrad Zoo.

In the wild such tigers - a critically endangered species - have a life expectancy of 15 years.
Warring Democratic factions are in a 'knife fight' for control of the Party after Kamala Harris's humiliating election loss, say political insiders.

The battle lines are now drawn between West Coast liberals, Bernie Sanders-socialists and moderate technocrats in the Midwest, who insist the party has completely lost touch with the average American voter.

But first, there is one thing that all sides seemingly agree on: The current political establishment must be chased out of national politics for good.

A reckoning is coming.

'The people that are responsible for this s**tshow are the Obama people. They're just grifters,' a well-connected Democratic donor exclusively told Daily Mail.

He singled out Jen O'Malley Dillon, who went from Biden 2024 campaign chair to serve in the same role for Harris's camp, and David Plouffe, an ex-Obama 2008 campaign manager turned top Kamala adviser.

Deep-pocketed lefty patrons are enraged by Plouffe's post-election admission that Harris never led Trump in their internal campaign polling, despite public surveys showing her ahead.

'[Polls] came out in late September, early October, showing us with leads that we never saw,' Plouffe revealed late last month on the Democrat-friendly podcast 'Pod Save America.'

Warring Democratic factions are in a 'knife fight' for control of the Party after Kamala Harris 's humiliating election loss, say political insiders.

Lefty patrons are enraged by Plouffe's (above) post-election admission that Harris never led Trump in their internal campaign polling, despite public surveys showing her ahead.

'They lied to us. It's just a circus of lies,' the donor erupted, complaining that Harris' team regularly painted a much rosier picture when speaking to supporters who were signing big checks.

Particularly appalling to these critics is that Harris' campaign also managed to blow through an unprecedented $1.5 billion in donor cash over the course of 15 weeks  and with barely anything to show for it, losing control of the White House, Senate and failing to flip the House of Representatives.

The campaign, for instance, spent nearly $1 million to light up the 366-foot-high, 516-foot-wide LED screen wrapping around The Sphere arena in Las Vegas.

The strip landmark played a 90-second Harris campaign ad for a week.

'$900,000 to put her face on The Sphere in Las Vegas! The ego!' griped Democrat mega-donor and trial attorney John Morgan last month. He describes himself as a 'Joe Biden Democrat.'

Other examples of alleged profligate spending included $2.5 million on the production costs for an Oprah Winfrey town hall event in September.

And there were purported donations totaling $500,000 paid to the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network charity (Harris was later treated to a softball interview on Sharpton's MSNBC show).

'People are pissed, and they are rightfully pissed,' fumed Democratic strategist Mike Nellis, a former senior advisor to Harris, to the Mail.

Kamala Harris has come under fire for allegedly profligate spending, including $2.5 million on an Oprah Winfrey-produced town hall and a reported $900,000 for a running weeklong ad on the Las Vegas Sphere (top)

Donors like John Morgan are seriously suspicious.

'There's a lot of whispers. There's a lot of names about who got paid this, who got paid that, and a lot of people got rich on the back of donors trying to stop Trump,' he said.

Of Harris, he concluded, 'I think this disqualifies her forever. Forever.'

'If you can't run a campaign, you can't run America... The same thing is going to follow Harris for the rest of her career. She cannot be trusted with the money.'

Certainly, those vying to be the next boss of the Democratic National Committee are determined to get to the bottom of all of this.

Ken Martin, the Minnesota Party chair and frontrunner for the top DNC job, has called for a third-party audit of the entire Democratic party infrastructure.

'I think you're looking at everything. It's not just contracts and consultants, it's not just ad spends and media buys, it's A through Z,' he told MSNBC this week.

Another DNC chair hopeful, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler agrees: 'There needs to be a full review, a full and formal evaluation of this last cycle  the good, the bad and the ugly.'

Regardless, Harris insists she is not going anywhere and has, according to reports, been 'instructing advisers and allies to keep her options open.'

The VP still has supporters, even among those vying to be the next chair of the DNC.

Consultants speaking to the Mail described her four-month race as 'near perfect' and 'nearly flawless,' despite the result. If given more time, they say, Harris could bounce back in a future bid.

'Kamala Harris, whether she knows it or not, is the face of the party, if she wants to be,' said Democratic strategist Michael Trujillo. 'The day after Trump is sworn in she could announce her run for president in 2028.'

They blame Biden for staying in the race too long and not giving Harris enough time to get a campaign off the ground.

Indeed, relations between the Harrises and Bidens has appeared to turn downright frigid.

At a Kennedy Center award ceremony in Washington DC on Sunday, the president and first lady were seated next to the second couple, yet they didn't acknowledge their presence or even look in their direction.

Things are getting ugly.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly working behind the scenes to sabotage on Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez bid to become ranking member of the powerful House Oversight Committee.

Former Chicago mayor and outgoing ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has in recent weeks been vocal in slamming his party for its elitism, focusing too much on woke notions and special interests instead of the average American.

'Here's what I would say to the Democrats: You have a YETI cup? Sit down and shut up,' said Emmanuel this month.

'Here's what I would say to the Democrats: You have a YETI cup? Sit down and shut up,' said Emmanuel (above).

California Governor Gavin Newsom threw a shovelful of dirt on Biden's political grave after the president's pardon of his son Hunter despite vowing that he would not.

'I took the president at his word,' Newsom said last week. 'So by definition, I'm disappointed and can't support the decision.'

And even Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has gotten in on the action.

He triggered an angry response from establishment Democrats almost immediately after the election, when he lamented Harris's 'disastrous campaign' for 'abandoning' the working class.

To some, all this bloodletting is welcome.

'Stare into the abyss and see what comes of it because I think that the Democratic Party does a poor job of having tough internal conversations about what went right and what went wrong,' said former Harris adviser Nellis.

But it's what comes next that's most critical  and there already early signs of the skirmish.

'There's a reckoning inside the Democratic Party,' said CNN commentator and left-wing activists Van Jones. 'Kamala Harris promised us freedom well, she delivered it to us, because now we're free from having to run anything in Washington, DC.'
Elite rock climber Tommy Caldwell was near breaking point.

The 21-year-old and his three friends were living a nightmare in the unforgiving Kyrgyzstan mountains after being captured by armed rebels.

With dwindling supplies, they had endured brutal marches over perilous hillsides, relentless gunfire and the traumatic execution of a fellow captive in front of them.

By the sixth day, they were feeling desperate. Their kidnappers showed no sign of releasing them and the climbers increasingly feared they would not make it out alive.

Suddenly, an opportunity for escape presented itself and Caldwell made a split-second decision that would change his life forever.

Seizing the chance to save himself and his companions, he grabbed the gun strap of their lone captor and hurled him off a cliff.

Stunned, he watched as the rebels body plummeted 30 feet, ricocheted off a ledge and disappeared into the dark abyss below.

In that haunting moment, the young climber truly believed he had killed a man - something he never thought possible.

Fast forward to the present day and Caldwell has now revealed how he is surprised the harrowing experience in 2000 has not left him more traumatized.

Pictured: Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden, Jason Smith, and John Dickey speaking to reporters aboard a helicopter in Kyrgyzstan after their escape

Pictured: The Pamir-Alai mountain range of Kyrgyzstan where Caldwell and his friends were captured

Caldwell was held hostage by members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan during a 2000 trip to Kyrgyzstan

Caldwell is currently promoting his National Geographic documentary, The Devil's Climb, which chronicles his latest adventure with Alex Honnold of Free Solo fame.

The duo were seeking to break a world record by climbing the five massive, icy granite towers of Alaska's Devil's Thumb in one day - after a grueling 2,600 mile month-long bike ride across North America.

The mountain is notoriously dangerous, known for avalanches and brutal storms, with few successful summits in history.

Caldwell viewed the journey as a test of human endurance, embracing the challenge of relying solely on their own strength to reach such a remote location.

During the film he spoke about how past adversity and personal setbacks had helped him take on the new high-stakes adventure after suffering an Achilles injury that had required multiple surgeries.

He compared training resilience to building muscle, explaining that it requires consistent practice.

'You just expose yourself to minorly traumatizing things at a slightly increased dosage over time,' he told Business Insider. 'That gets you used to it'.

Caldwell also recalled making the difficult decision to push his captor off a cliff which he believed 'psychologically added power' and bolstered his belief in himself.

The ordeal had occurred in 2000 when he and his then girlfriend Beth Rodden had embarked on an expedition to Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous region bordering China.

While camped on a cliffside early one morning, gunfire shattered the dawn, and the climbers found themselves taken hostage by armed rebels from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, who were at war with the Kyrgyz government.

For six days, Rodden, Caldwell, and their companions, John Dickey and Jason Smith, were forced to cope with both the physical hardships of their captivity and the psychological toll of being held by violent militants.

Pictured: Tommy Caldwell with his wife, Rebecca Pietsch, and their son and daughter

Seizing the chance to save himself and his companions, Caldwell grabbed the gun strap of their lone captor and hurled the man 20 feet off the cliff

Recalling the moment of their capture, Caldwell, then 21, told National Geographic in a 2003 interview that the group had been awakened by three gunshots very close to where they were sleeping.

Caldwell said: 'We were looking through our camera lenses, and we could see them waving to us and they kept shooting at us. And they were getting pretty close.'

John volunteered to investigate and quickly radioed back, urging the group to come down from the cliffs where three rebels were waiting at the base of the mountain.

Rodden recalled the men had full beards, were dressed in army fatigues and armed with rifles, grenades, handguns, and knives.

Though the rebels appeared friendly at first, the climbers understood that their captors were dangerous and that compliance was the only option for survival.

The rebels forced the climbers to lead them to their main camp, where they looted their belongings and ate their food.

At the camp, they encountered another prisoner, a Kyrgyz soldier, who communicated to them, through gestures, that the rebels had killed many soldiers and had no intention of releasing their captives.

As they moved through the wilderness, they had to evade government helicopters searching for the rebels.

Caldwell recalled: 'When a helicopter would fly over, they would point their guns at us and tell us to hide in the bushes. And at one point, in the bushes one of the rebels pointed the gun directly at John's head and said, 'If you move, you're dead.''

The situation took a darker turn when a firefight erupted between the rebels and Kyrgyz soldiers. Hiding in the bushes as bullets flew past, the group witnessed the rebels execute the captured soldier.

'We were just hiding in bushes, and there was bullets going through the bushes, so our captors told us to run up to this rock. But first they told the Kyrgyz soldier that was with us to run up there and after he got behind the rock, we heard two pops and they had executed him,' said Caldwell.

With food running low and their situation growing more desperate, the climbers resorted to rationing power bars. Caldwell and Jason frequently discussed escape plans, but Rodden feared it would result in certain death.

The opportunity came unexpectedly when three of the rebels moved on, leaving just one man behind to guard the climbers as they ascended a steep ridge.

As they neared the top, Caldwell seized the chance. 'I ran up behind him, grabbed him by his gun strap, and pulled him over the edge,' he said.

'We were probably about 2,000 feet (610 meters) above the river, but it's a cliff that is pretty sheer. We saw him fall 20 feet (6 meters), bounce off this ledge, and then fall basically into the black abyss below.'

Caldwell, overwhelmed by what he had just done, broke down.

'I totally panicked. I broke down. I couldn't believe I'd just done that, because it's something that I never morally thought I could do and I never wanted to do,' he said.

The climbers fled and eventually stumbled into a Kyrgyz Army camp hours later.

To Caldwell's surprise, the man he believed he had killed survived the fall. However, the rebel was later captured by Kyrgyz soldiers and sentenced to death.

'I totally panicked. I broke down. I couldn't believe I'd just done that, because it's something that I never morally thought I could do and I never wanted to do,' he said

When discussing why the traumatic kidnapping experience has not impacted him more in his National Geographic documentary, he came up with one possible theory from reading a book by psychotherapist Peter Levine called 'Waking the Tiger'.

The book suggests that people who cope best with trauma are those who find ways to regain control in dangerous situations, Business Insider reported.

'In Kyrgyzstan, I was the one who made the hard decision,' he said. 'I was the one that decided to get us out of there by pushing this guy off a cliff.'

'Now I know if I'm in a hard situation, I can do the right things to get out of it.'

After surviving the kidnapping, a freak accident led to the amputation of his left index finger during a home renovation.

Doctors predicted this would end his climbing career, but Caldwell refused to accept that fate, instead using it as motivation to surpass expectations - including free-climbing the 3,000 foot vertical face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, which later became a film called The Dawn Wall.
The owner of a Notting Hill house made famous by the film Love Actually has revealed that Christmas brings hordes of annoying selfie-taking tourists to her home who kiss right in front of her door.

The house sits on a mew in the wealthy West London neighbourhood, and features in one of the most iconic scenes of the beloved Christmas movie.

It is the moment when Mark (Andrew Lincoln) arrives at the flat of his best friend's wife Juliet (Keira Knightly) to declare his love for her.

He holds up placards and asks Juliet to 'say it is Christmas carolers' at the door before the two share a kiss down the street.

Residents of the plush neighbourhood, where houses can sell for millions, said although they mostly love living there, some said the regular attention from fans of the film can grate.

The woman who lives in the 1m pink property used for the cue card scene did not want to give her name and told the MailOnline that she considered the tourists are now a regular annoyance.

She explained: 'It is worse at Christmas, especially last year as it was the 20th anniversary of the film.

'I used to ask them to put money in a box for charity but now I just shout at them.

The owner of the Notting Hill Love Actually house Christmas brings hordes of annoying selfie-taking tourists to her home

The street was featured in one of the 2003 movie's most iconic scenes, with Andrew Lincoln revealing his undying live for Keira Knightley's character using a series of placards

Keira Knightley pictured smiling from the front door of the pink house in Notting Hill

'I say to people as long as you donate to a charity of your choice it's fine. They come every day and every night, some people even propose to each other outside.'

When MailOnline visited the quiet West London neighbourhood this week it was thronged with tourists seeking to create their own magical moments in front of the iconic door.

Some stood at a respectful distance from the house but others got as close as they could to take the perfect shot.

Another resident who recently moved into the area said the attention was something she had noticed but that was it was expected.

She explained: 'I've only just moved in but I have noticed it. I was aware that people did this before I moved here - it wasn't a factor in me doing it.'

The woman's neighbour, who has spent countless Christmases on the mews, still doesn't understand the fad.

When MailOnline visited the quiet West London neighbourhood this week it was thronged with tourists

Some stood at a respectful distance from the house but others got as close as they could to take the perfect shot.

She said: 'It's like this all year around. You never get used to it. I can't understand it. We lived here before the film and its got worse.

'They all do the same thing. On a Saturday it's particularly bad. It's nice when people like your street I suppose.'

Understandably peak times for the fad are the weekends when hundreds of tourists at a time can descend on the cobbles.

Another resident complained: 'They're there all the time, at weekends there can be hundreds of them, particularly when the weather is nice.

'I have no idea why they are so obsessed with it, it's just a door. Spanish tours love it, we hear the tour guides from inside our houses. They do lots of sights from films around here, I suppose it's quite extraordinary in the end, but it is annoying. Sometimes they eat picnics on my bench.

'They don't care. When the owner bought the house Instagram didn't exist - that's what caused it.'
EXCLUSIVE

Dentist Maged Farag, his wife Neven and their three children appear the picture of a quintessential wealthy, thriving family from Sydney's lush southern suburbs.

They own a manicured $4million waterfront mansion, two luxury vehicles, and - until recently - ran a successful dental clinic which had operated in nearby Rockdale for more than six years.

But the family are embroiled in a legal battle as the 60-year-old dad-of-three stands accused of breaching his position of trust by drugging a woman and sexually assaulting her at their dental clinic.

Police will allege the woman had applied for a role at the business when Farag asked her to come in for after-hours training shifts.

But once there, he allegedly convinced her to get naked for a 'skin check', plying her with laughing gas, then rubbing up her body and sucking her nipple.

After the woman reported the alleged incident to police, detectives allegedly found naked images of her on his phone - as well as intimate pictures of several other women, which are now the subject of further investigation.

But despite the accusations against her husband, Ms Farag - who did reception and admin work for their family business - is loyally standing by him.

Dentist Maged Fouad Farag and his wife Neven (pictured together) ran a successful family clinic in Rockdale

Together, the couple have carved out a wealthy life for themselves in Sydney's south, where they own the above $4million waterfront property

Their family-run business has been shut down in the wake of the allegations

In his bid for bail last month, she volunteered to supervise the very limited activities he is permitted under strict 'home detention' while his matter remains before court.

During the NSW Supreme Court hearing, prosecutors had opposed bail.

'If the [fresh] facts are accepted, they suggest the applicant pressured young women, or at the very least, took advantage of a young woman within the ambit of his professional life,' their written submissions read.

However, his application was ultimately successful and the couple found a $1million surety to secure his release - a sum which will be forfeited if Farag, an Australian-Egyptian dual national, fails to turn up to court.

On Thursday, the couple were spotted leaving their palatial home to attend Miranda Police Station as part of Farag's strict bail conditions - which require him to report to officers seven days a week.

Under the terms, he is also only allowed to leave the house to report to police, meet with his lawyers, attend court, or obtain medical treatment - all of which, by order of the court, must be done in the company of his wife.

During an outing earlier this week, the couple went to great lengths to shield him from media and the public eye as they headed out to an appointment in their Mercedes.

As Ms Farag drove, her husband - rather than sitting in the front passenger's seat - shrunk down in the back, sunglasses on his face and clothes hung up on the inside of the vehicle to conceal the rear windows.

In another show of support, Ms Farag has maintained a united front on social media.

Her Facebook profile remains a picture of her standing next to her husband, wrapped in his embrace, as he loving holds her under his right arm.

Farag was arrested on September 19 after a 21-year-old woman made a complaint to police that she was allegedly sexually assaulted at his Rockdale clinic.

The couple stepped out in their Mercedes earlier this week to comply with his bail conditions

Farag must abide by strict conditions, including reporting to police at Miranda Police Station once every day

Police will allege her ordeal began when she applied for a part-time job at the practice and was told two positions - a dental assistant/receptionist, and a medical staffer role - were available as part of a new cosmetic venture Farag planned to run.

According to the police allegations tendered in court last month, the woman went to the clinic three times after hours to meet Farag to undergo training sessions, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The woman told police that Farag allegedly made her sign a non-disclosure agreement during the first session before asking her to remove all of her clothes so he could 'inspect her skin'.

He then allegedly took photos of her and moved her legs apart during the examination.

Police will allege during their third session he again asked her to get naked for more photographs before drugging her with nitrous oxide.

Farag then allegedly proceeded to touch her breasts, move his fingers around her vagina and inner thighs, then laid next to her on the bed and began sucking her right nipple, according to the court documents.

Police will allege the woman 'panicked' and jumped away, causing Farag to fall on the floor - at which point she noticed he had taken off his shirt too.

Farag allegedly repeatedly apologised and left the room, with the woman then putting her clothes on and leaving the clinic.

Ms Farag is pictured pottering about the couple's multi-million dollar home earlier this week

She reported the alleged incident to police the following day.

He also allegedly told her during one of the sessions that he would give her payments and free dental work if she wrote good Google reviews about his business, according to the court documents.

The family's Rockdale dentist clinic is now listed online as permanently closed, with Farag barred from practising dentistry - operating any other business service - as part of his bail conditions.

He is also banned from being involved in hiring, training or interviewing staff.

The Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has also formally suspended Farag's medical registration.

Since Farag's arrest, the Bay Street business has shut down its website, which was once full of glowing reviews.

On the page, the Farags wrote that they were 'most passionate' about their patients' wellbeing and 'pay special attention to your needs with the desire to create the best fitted solution for you'.

'Establishing a trusting relationship with you is important to us,' their 'About Us' page read.

'We are committed to exceeding your expectations by providing unparalleled service, paying attention to detail and demonstrating a passion for excellence.'

Farag has been charged with cause to take intoxicating substance to commit indictable offence and aggravated sexual touching.

He is next due to appear before Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on December 17.
A heartwarming carbonara is a dish loved by Brits far and wide across the UK and is seen by many as the ultimate example of Italian comfort food as a result.

After all, the combination of salty, piggy chunks of cured pork, a silky smooth egg and cheese sauce, garlic and enough black pepper to make your eyes water is a difficult proposition to turn down.

The very composition of this satisfying but easy-to-execute dish may come as a shock to home cooks though - after an official recipe from Italy's Academy of Cuisine revealed the commonly misused ingredient that should not be included in an authentic version of the classic meal.

According to the recipe on the body's website, a carbonara is only really considered to be Italian if guanciale - cured pig's cheek - is used.

While it is not as readily available in shops and supermarkets across the UK as ham, bacon and pancetta, guanciale is used by Italians for its higher fat content to boost flavour in the finished dish.

Another non-negotiable for the recipe is the use of pecorino cheese instead of other hard cheeses such as parmesan or Grana Padano, owing to its higher salt content from being made with sheep's milk.

As for the method when it comes to making the carbonara itself, advice on the website reads: 'Cut the guanciale into half-centimetre thick strips. Place the guanciale in a pan with the olive oil, the crushed garlic and brown it until just right.

Once you have removed the pan and the garlic off the heat, beat the eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and the grated pecorino cheese.

A heartwarming carbonara is a dish loved by Brits far and wide across the UK and is seen by many as the ultimate example of Italian comfort food as a result (File image)

After all, the combination of salty, piggy chunks of cured pork, a silky smooth egg and cheese sauce, garlic and enough black pepper to make your eyes water is a difficult proposition to turn down (File image)

According to the recipe on the body's website, a carbonara is only really considered to be Italian if guanciale - cured pig's cheek - is used

Then, bring plenty of salted water to the boil in a large pot, lower the spaghetti and cook until the pasta is al dente.

Once the pasta is ready, pour it into the pan with the guanciale, add the beaten egg and grated pecorino cheese mixture - resisting any evil impulse inside your head to add cream - and mix all the ingredients well.

Finally, to serve, sprinkle the dish with plenty of freshly ground black pepper - it does not translate as 'coal burner' into English for nothing.

The recipe from the Italian Academy of Cuisine will come as a welcome to carbonara fans who were previously angered by Gordon Ramsay putting peas in his version of the dish.

The TV chef, 57, added the quintessentially British vegetable into his version, much to the chagrin of diners.

The extra ingredient of peas left Italians and carbonara fans fuming, with some begging Gordon to never cook pasta again.

The 15 dish is being served at his Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza restaurants across the UK.

Italian Juline Marconi fumed: 'For fudge sake. Guanciale, egg and pecorino, it's not that hard.'

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has angered Italians by putting peas in a spaghetti carbonara dish

The TV chef, 57, added the quintessentially British vegetable into his version of the Italian classic carbonara

Fellow compatriot Sandro Luc added: 'I love Gordon but this is not carbonara.' Amedeo Emmolo said: 'Please, delete this and never cook pasta again.'

Briton Chris Bane said: 'That's not a carbonara on any level.' Connor Musson said: 'What is this abomination of Italian food. For shame Gordon.'

Another person joked: 'I'm not even Italian and I'm offended.' While someone else added: 'People have to pay for that?'

Another said: 'RIP carbonara.' Meanwhile someone else quipped: 'Gordon is not scared of Italians.'
Small, child-like fingers had been spotted poking out of an enclosed wooden trailer being towed in Arizona.

When police pulled over the driver, they found three girls aged between 11 and 14 hidden in the back amid squalid conditions.

There was no ventilation, and pictures released by the Coconino County Superior Court later revealed a toilet in the corner made of a bucket, trash bag and plastic seat.

There was also a dingy brown couch, camping chairs, stroller and other junk crammed inside.

The driver was Samuel Bateman - a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints (FDLS) and self-professed polygamist 'prophet' who claimed to have 20 wives, including child brides as young as nine.

Chilling bodycam footage from August 2022 showed the moment he was handcuffed in Flagstaff, looking miserable and with his belly hanging over his pants.

He was later charged with a sickening array of child sex crimes.

Now more than two years later, the former cult leader, 48, has finally been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Samuel Rappylee Bateman, 48, was sentenced in federal court for coercing girls as young as nine to submit to criminal sex acts with him and other adults

Along with the three 11 to 14-year-old girls, inside the dragging trailer was a plastic toilet made up of a bucket, trash bag and toilet seat

Bateman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit transportation of a minor for sexual activity and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

He was sentenced to 50 years on each count, to be served concurrently.

Bateman had four other people inside his vehicle at the time of the August 2022 stop, two of which were girls. Troopers also discovered an ammo box inside the car.

Following his 2022 arrest, Bateman posted bond, but was soon arrested again and accused of obstructing justice in a federal investigation into whether children were being transported across state lines for his sex crimes.

The authorities later took nine children from Batemans home in Colorado City into protective custody as part of their investigation.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Brnovich sentenced Bateman after hearing statements in court by three teenage girls about the trauma they suffered.

'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.

'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.'

Bateman began taking female adults and children from his male followers and proclaiming them to be his 'wives,' in 2019, court records stated.

He insisted that polygamy brings exaltation in heaven and that he was acting on orders from the 'Heavenly Father'.

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.

Seven of Batemans adult 'wives' have also been convicted of crimes related to coercing children into sexual activity or impeding the investigation.

Bateman, whose small group was an offshoot of the sect once led by Warren Jeffs, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit transportation of a minor for sexual activity and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Pictured: Scenes from the summer 2022 stop

Charges were first brought before Bateman in 2022 when he was pulled over and later arrested in Flagstaff, Arizona, after police noticed small, child-like fingers poking out of a wooden trailer

Pictures released by the Coconino County Superior Court showed the trailer packed with folding chairs, backpacks, a dingy couch, stroller and other miscellaneous items

Troopers also discovered an ammo box inside the car during the August 2022 traffic stop

Some acknowledged they also coerced girls to become Batemans spiritual 'wives,' witnessed him engaging in 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 on January 14 on charges related to the kidnappings.

Bateman tried to start the small offshoot group of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - previously headed by convicted felon Warren Jeffs - based in the neighboring communities of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hilldale, Utah, in 2019.

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 - yet Bateman's group remained practicing plural marriage, authorities said.
Katherine Ryan has claimed audiences are 'revolting' and turning their backs on the 'woke movement' and grown tried of the 'peoplekind' mentality. The outspoken Canadian comedian, 41, has also hit out at her country's former PM Justin Trudeau who popularised the phrase, which is a gender-neutral alternative to 'mankind' and said her fans were now gagging for more 'edgy' comedy. Speaking on Times Radio she said: 'I think that audiences have really turned on the woke movement, and is really nice to be awakened to issues in society and to be motivated towards social justice and you don't want to hurt anyones feelings,'
The shriek of the emergency alert on every mobile phone in the country is nerve-shredding.

Across Britain, tens of millions of people stare at the message on their screens in disbelief.

'Urgent security alert. The UK is coming under missile attack. Get to a place of shelter and remain there until you are told it is safe to leave. Do not stop to collect possessions or pets. More information to follow.'

Chaos and confusion erupt instantly. TV news stations are repeating the warning, without any explanation of what is happening.

In cities all over the country, people outdoors rush to any building that will let them in: offices, churches, even strangers' houses. In London, many stampede into Tube stations, heading underground.

Others crowd into pubs, as the grim hashtag 'LastOrders' trends online. Speculation on social media is rampant, with any genuine information drowned out by fake news claiming that Britain is under nuclear attack from China, from Russia, even from the US. Phone networks are massively overloaded as 50 million people try to call loved ones, saying hysterical goodbyes.

After 18 minutes, a massive explosion over the North Sea shakes the east coast. Another follows, three minutes later. Less than 10 seconds after that, a fireball incinerates Westminster.

The Houses of Parliament, the Ministry of Defence and the entire machinery of British government are obliterated in a single explosion  not a nuclear blast but from a thermobaric warhead, equivalent to more than 40 tons of TNT, that detonates in mid-air and sends a shockwave of furnace-like heat across the city centre.

And that is just the start of the attack.

After 18 minutes, a massive explosion over the North Sea shakes the east coast. Another follows, three minutes later. Less than 10 seconds after that, a fireball incinerates Westminster

It will be days before the basic facts are confirmed. An onslaught of rockets was unleashed from Russia, with an opening salvo of three hypersonic Oreshnik missiles launched from the Kapustin Yar testing range in the Astrakhan region, on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Two of these missiles, travelling at 11 times the speed of sound, were shot down by London's sole defender, a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer moored in the Thames. The third evaded the ship's Sea Viper anti-air guided weapon system, and hit its target with devastating effect.

This is the nightmare scenario. You might regard it as scaremongering. But with Ukraine and Russia about to see an enforced ceasefire imposed by President Donald Trump as he returns to the White House next month  a ceasefire that favours only the Kremlin  Britain and Western Europe have never been more at risk of an attack from Russia.

We have to prepare, if we are not to suffer a swift and catastrophic defeat... and a war lost before it is barely begun.

I have imagined the all-too-plausible destruction of Westminster because it is imperative that our politicians listen to me. Eight years ago, when I issued a similar warning, those politicians ridiculed me.

Sir Richard Shirreff is former Nato Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe

My book, War With Russia, forecast that Vladimir Putin would order the invasion of Ukraine. That prediction was met with mocking incredulity. Philip Hammond, then the Foreign Secretary, was asked to comment on it by John Humphrys on Radio 4's Today programme. 'I don't know anyone who thinks like that,' he scoffed. But in February 2022, my prediction proved horribly accurate.

Ukraine, with dogged support from Britain and belated backing by the US, has defended itself with extraordinary tenacity. All Europe should be deeply grateful to that sovereign nation, for buying us time  but it is time we have squandered, by failing to ramp up our own defences.

If Nato had responded with the same courage and commitment as the Ukrainians, Russia would now be a neutered threat. Putin's gangster state could have been overthrown and the largest country on Earth might now be taking tentative steps towards democracy.

Instead, Russia is a wounded bear. Its economy is wholly reliant on war: without arms production and mass conscription, it would collapse. And even as it has ground down Ukraine's defenders in endless 'meatwave' attacks, sacrificing thousands of troops daily, it has suffered a serious setback with the loss of its naval base in Syria now Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown.

The Kremlin has everything to gain from a ceasefire. It will be able to replenish its arsenals, reorganise its army leadership, rebuild its alliances with other pariah states such as North Korea and Belarus, and prepare to revive its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Be under no illusion. Putin will not abandon his goal of rebuilding a Russian empire within the borders of the old USSR. He cannot conceive of Ukraine as an independent nation, not least because he regards it as Russia's natural buffer zone against Europe.

Do not expect Trump's ceasefire to bring lasting peace either. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, knows his country will die the moment it stops fighting for survival. The terms imposed by Washington in January will be heavily advantageous to Putin, meaning Ukrainians will also regard the peace treaty to be a temporary measure.

Kyiv's goal will be to re-arm faster and better than Russia. I fear this means they will redouble their efforts to build a nuclear device. This will be an atomic weapon, like the one that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945, and not a hydrogen bomb, but it will bring a credible doomsday threat  and it will play directly into Putin's hands.

Russia will launch an all-out attack on Ukraine, possibly using tactical nuclear weapons, and justify this as necessary to prevent Ukraine from triggering an international atomic holocaust.

Once Putin has dominance over the ruins of Ukraine, he will look north-west, to the Baltic. With his Syrian ports gone, it is a matter of urgency for Russia's navy to secure a base that is not ice-bound throughout winter, as is the Arctic port of Murmansk.

But the trio of former USSR states  Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  are all Nato members. And the moment Putin crosses that border, he is effectively declaring war on all of Europe and the US.

To conventional thinking, this would be suicide. Since 1949, when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded, the West's all-for-one philosophy has made us effectively unassailable. But it has also made us deeply complacent, and reliant on American largesse.

Trump has been making it clear for months that he will withdraw much of the US financial support for Nato. He means it. America will no longer be the world's guardian. If Europe is to survive, we must do it alone.

But the bleak reality is that, when the US pulls out, Nato will probably collapse. France is in political chaos, Germany is paralysed, and other smaller countries such as Hungary and Slovakia are following America's nationalist, isolationist lead. Even with a supreme unified effort from all allies, it would take a decade or longer to replace American capabilities underpinning the alliance.

When Russia invades one of the Baltic countries, it's unlikely to be met with a united European response. Putin will calculate that Nato is a busted flush, and he will gamble.

My profound hope is that allies such as Sweden, Finland and Poland will stand up to the Russian bully tactics. The one country that is guaranteed to resist, I believe, is Britain.

But we are in no fit state to fight. Labour's minister for veterans' affairs, Alistair Carns  a former Royal Marines colonel, who is also a reservist  said last week that the British Army could be wiped out in as little as six months. The bitter truth is he was wildly optimistic.

Our military is so truncated, underfunded, undermanned and undersupplied that it could be overwhelmed by a concerted Russian assault within days. This is no reflection on the training or the discipline of our soldiers. Their fighting skills are the best in the world. But they haven't a hope against the colossal number of troops Russia is able to field.

Putin's gangster state could have been overthrown and the largest country on Earth might now be taking tentative steps towards democracy

The British lead the Enhanced Forward Presence Battle group in Estonia, essentially a tripwire force deployed to respond to an invasion. It has just over 1,000 soldiers, of which maybe 900 are British, with the rest from other nations.

We've seen in Ukraine that Russia is able to absorb 1,500 casualties or more every day. It's unimaginable that the UK could withstand an assault on such a scale. In this scenario, the battle group is cut to pieces, and our attempt to reinforce the line by sea will meet with an even greater disaster.

Russia's autonomous drones and submarines will sink several British ships in the Baltic. Chief among these is likely to be the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, which lacks the necessary escorts to protect it.

We are utterly unprepared for modern drone warfare, which has evolved beyond imagination in the past three years. The most chilling use I can picture for them is also the simplest.

Around RAF bases in Britain, weeks before the Russian attack, small drones begin buzzing. Available online for 100 or less, they can be piloted by anyone with half an hour's practice... such as Russian sleeper agents in the UK.

These drones can map the living quarters of RAF and US Air Force pilots. They might be spotted, they might be quickly jammed by electronic defences on the bases, but they are merely reconnaissance devices.

Only this week, we learned that drone incursions were reported at three US airbases  RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk  between November 20 and 22. These sightings coincided with reports of drones flying over 'water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments, and military installations' in the US state of New Jersey.

Within a few minutes of the Oreshnik strike on London, a barrage of missiles with a shorter range will follow, fired from the Baltic states or Kaliningrad on the Polish border. These weapons, such as the Geran-2 rocket drone, are fired in clusters and travel much more slowly than the hypersonics, at about 115mph.

The Type 45 destroyer will be able to zap these out of the sky  but only as long as its ammunition lasts. The ship will also be vulnerable to aerial attack by Russian fighter bombers armed with supersonic missiles such as the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal or 'Dagger'.

These have a range of more than 300 miles, and can reach speeds of 7,000mph. Even if the destroyer is not sunk, it will have to return to port to re-arm, leaving Britain effectively defenceless.

Many people assume we must have an 'iron dome' defence system, similar to Israel's. We do not.

Once the Russian drones start getting through, they will pick their targets with ruthless effectiveness. Any pilots and air crew not on duty could be killed in their quarters, for example, along with their families  their precise locations relayed to the enemy by those innocuous recon drones.

The same is true for all sorts of people in crucial roles: not only military officers but GCHQ staff, politicians, business leaders, senior police, doctors and anyone else whose job makes them essential to the smooth running of the country. They can be targeted and killed where they live or work.

Unthinkable? We have already seen something similar happen, with the complete decapitation of Hezbollah's leadership and middle-ranking officers in Lebanon, by Israeli security forces who turned their pagers into bombs.

The drones will also pulverise UK cities, destroying ports, communications, the National Grid and all the other unprotected infrastructure. Meanwhile, repeated cyber attacks will cripple critical utilities such as electricity and water, banks and all communications.

We will not be able to call on our allies. If they are not already under attack, they will be fully occupied in trying to shore up their defences.

Without electricity, fuel, mobile phones or political leadership, with food supplies already running low and with no way of fighting back as successive relays of missiles hammer home, how long will Britain last?

I give it a week.

Moscow's terms will be simple. In return for peace, our Army will be reduced to a couple of ceremonial regiments, our Air Force will be the Red Arrows, and a puppet government will be installed. There will be no need for an occupying army, but Britain will serve as Putin's Atlantic naval base. Portsmouth is the most likely candidate to become a Russian outpost.

Can we prevent this? Only by a supreme effort of government and an acceptance of sacrifice on the part of the British people. We need to be investing five  or even ten  per cent of our GDP in our Armed Forces, and in industry  churning out munitions, tanks, aircraft and so much more vital equipment.

We can't build up our forces with volunteers. We have no option but to introduce conscription if we are to have a chance of survival, just as we did in the months before the Second World War in 1939.

Defence must be our only priority, taking precedence over everything: over the NHS, the welfare system, education, every aspect of the British way of life.

Because without defence, there won't be any such thing as a British way of life.

Sir Richard Shirreff is former Nato Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
Authorities who tracked down a missing Wisconsin father who faked his own death to be with his mistress are 'concerned' for the welfare of his mystery lover, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

Ryan Borgwardt, 45, is thought to have carried out the elaborate stunt to be with his mistress in Eastern Europe  spending four months in the former Soviet republic of Georgia with the woman from Uzbekistan  before returning to America .

Officials from Green Lake County Sheriff's department initially probed his disappearance as a missing person, before tracking him down overseas.

Borgwardt handed himself in at Green Lake County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday evening, after going missing on August 12.

The following day his wife Emily, 44, filed for legal separation saying their marriage had 'irretrievably broken'.

But now the case has taken yet another shocking turn, with the Sheriff's department expressing fears for the wellbeing of Borgwardt's foreign mistress - whose photo helped put officials in contact with the father-of-three.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Matthew Vande Kolk told DailyMail.com that his department could offer no help to the Uzbek woman whose identity has not been revealed.

'Because we are unable to provide any service to her whatsoever, I am concerned for her wellbeing,' he said.

Ryan Borgwardt, 45, appeared in a Green Lake County courtroom on December 11 after he returned to the United States from Georgia to turn himself over to police. He was charged with obstruction related to the massive $35,000 manhunt after he went missing on August 12

Borgwardt posing with his wife of 22-years Emily and their three children. She filed for legal separation the day after he returned to US soil

Chief Deputy Sheriff Matthew Vande Kolk told DailyMail.com he was 'concerned' for Borgwardt's Uzbeki mistress's wellbeing

'When somebody is in a foreign country, and they're involved in something international of this scale, I just have no ability to protect, have no ability to inform  I have no ability to really do anything.

'So that is very difficult,' he added.

'I don't want to read on the web, some day that she was the victim of something.'

Vande Kolk declined to go into more detail surrounding the mystery woman, adding that she had not indicated either way if she wanted to speak publicly about the case.

It is unclear exactly why authorities are worried about the woman, who Borgwardt met online.

The self-employed carpenter elaborately faked his death by staging his kayak to make it appear that he had fallen out and drowned on Green Lake, Wisconsin's deepest.

He had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy with his immediate family, as beneficiaries.

Vande Kolke's comments come after DailyMail.com revealed that Emily, the mother of his three teenaged children, had had enough with their 22-year marriage.

The large manhunt took place immediately after the green kayak, that Borgwardt used to fake his own death, was discovered  leading authorities to fear he had drowned

Documents filed in Dodge County Circuit Court state that the marriage is 'irretrievably broken', with Borgwardt's wife requesting full custody of their three children

The criminal complaint against Borgwardt was filed by Green Lake County on December 11. It states that Ryan inflated a raft to safely get off the green kayak that he had filed with items such as fishing gear, before returning to shore

Documents filed in Dodge County Circuit Court show she wants full custody of the teens, two sons aged 17 and 15 and a 13-year-old daughter

The couple, who married in 2002, have not yet entered a written agreement about financial support or custody of the children.

Borgwardt is listed as having an unknown address in his wife's petition, despite telling Green Lake County Court his address was the property in Watertown which he owns with his wife.

Emily is listed as working at Trinity St. Luke's Lutheran School, with Borgwardt as 'self-employed'. He set up his own carpentry business in Watertown and previously worked as a school janitor.

She is requesting that the children remain in her care, and that her estranged husband pay child support.

The documents also show that she is asking for property and debt division, as well as Borgwardt to contribute to her costs and attorney fees.

Each party is banned from harassing the other and removing the children from Wisconsin for more than 90 days without the consent of the other parent or court.

A court hearing in the case has been scheduled for April 2025.

Chief Deputy Vande Kolk added: 'We feel like we've been able to play a part in an opportunity for him to repair some things.

'Certainly not everything will be fixed, but he has an opportunity now to do something he otherwise wouldn't have had. So I think we're proud of that.'

Borgwardt also told police that he wanted to make his 'death' as believable as possible - even going as far as tossing his phone in the middle of the lake

Borgwardt took a Greyhound bus across the border with Canada and then flew to Paris before boarding another flight that took him to Georgia via a layover in an Asian country.

When Chief Deputy Vande Kolk sent Borgwardt an email, he told police his 'heart hit the floor' and knew that the deputy saw the lone photo on his laptop of his mistress he faked his death to meet

Authorities spent 54 days looking for Borgwardt before announcing on November 8 that they didn't believe he had drowned in the lake but rather had faked his own death.

A probable cause affidavit shows that he has been planning to disappear for 'some time', with Borgwardt travelling to Canada on a Greyhound bus after dumping his kayak in the lake with his belongings.

He then boarded a flight to Paris from Toronto Airport, before traveling to Georgia via a layover in an Asian country.

Once he arrived, he emailed his lover who came to pick him up, and the pair stayed in a hotel for a few days.

The complaint goes on to say that authorities were able to recover from his laptop a photo of the woman he went to Europe to meet, and 'knew that he made a mistake, the one mistake that he couldn't make.'

Borgwardt admitted that his 'heart hit the floor' after he received an email from Vande Kolk on November 8.

He sent a video to the Sheriff's Office November 11 to prove his was alive and safe and wasn't being held against his will  but had not contacted his family since he vanished.

After establishing contact with him on a 'near daily basis', authorities confirmed that they convinced Borgwardt to come back to the United States, saying he had voluntarily returned 'for his family', but would not give additional details about the communication.

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll addressing reporters during a news conference on December 11. He said Borgwardt faked his death because of 'personal matters'

Borgwardt's mystery lover is from Uzbekistan, home to the Unesco World Heritage site Shah i Zinda mausoleum in Samarkand.

The former couple are banned from harassing each other and removing the children from Wisconsin for more than 90 days without the consent of the other parent or court

Vande Kolk confirmed that the department is planning to release the communications and other evidence once the criminal case is over.

He added: 'I can't really talk to the content of that at this point. But it's something that's probably going to make for a potential story.

'I think a lot of people are going to see that communication, and again, they're going to see the people side of our business.

'And I think there maybe even some people are going to probably see a different side of parties that are involved in this case that they may have not otherwise seen.

'So when that time comes, you all will be much more informed as to the details that are probably very interesting on the story side, but not necessarily part of the criminal side.'

Borgwardt told authorities that he faked his death due to 'personal matters,' Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said.

He also told them that he picked Green Lake specifically due to its 237 ft. depth

The scheme was elaborately planned, with Borgwardt leaving his original passport at home when he vanished.

Podoll told the media in a press conference that Borgwardt picked Green Lake for his master plan because it's the deepest in Wisconsin

Borgwardt said nothing during the hearing except to tell the court he would represent himself. The judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf and set his bond at $500 which he only has to pay if he violates the conditions of his release from jail

Police said he tried to cover his tracks by removing his laptop's hard drive and wiping his search history clean.

Before his disappearance, he changed all the email addresses linked to his bank accounts and moved money to a foreign bank account.

Borgwardt was led handcuffed into the Green Lake County Court sporting an orange prison jumpsuit on Wednesday, four months after he initially vanished.

He was charged with obstruction related to the massive $35,000 manhunt which was launched following his disappearance on August 11. Green Lake County is seeking restitution of $35,000 to $40,000.

Borgwardt said nothing during the hearing, except to tell the court he would represent himself.

A judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf and set bond at $500 for the misdemeanor obstruction charge, which Borgwardt only has to pay if he violates the conditions of his release from jail.
A mother accused of falsely claiming her son had cancer to collect donations from kind-hearted Aussies scoffed at prosecutors who asked she not be bailed.

Michelle Bodzar and her husband Stephen Miller, both 44, fronted Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday via video-link from their adjacent police cells.

The couple allegedly shaved their six-year-old's hair and eyebrows then wrapped his head in bandages and fundraised $60,000 between November 18 and December 12.

When police prosecutors expressed concerns at the hearing that Ms Bodzar might interfere with the investigation by attempting to access her bank or social media accounts, she audibly scoffed, as reported by The Advertiser.

Ms Bodzar's lawyer said she 'strongly contested' the allegations while Mr Miller's lawyer said he also denied them.

Mr Miller, a former truck driver who switched to an office job after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, asked that he receive home detention bail with his parents in Adelaide's north and not have contact with his wife or two children.

Magistrate Alison Adair said she would consider the request based on the result of a home detention bail inquiry report to be completed next week.

'Having read the allegations, it appears that this defendant is less involved than the other defendant in this offending,' she said.

Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar (pictured), both 44, were charged with criminal neglect and deception offences on Friday and appeared before Port Adelaide Magistrates Court

Police allege the pair, from Adelaide's western suburbs, raised $60,000 in two weeks for the six-year-old's ongoing 'cancer treatments' before they were arrested. Pictured is the fundraising page which included a phot of their six-year-old son

The magistrate also ordered the same report be done for Ms Bodzar.

However, the mother-of-two is set to spend Christmas behind bars with Ms Adair adding that she would not consider giving her bail until January so detectives could proceed with their investigation unhindered.

Police documents allege the couple represented that their son 'had cancer, knowing that engaging in such acts was likely to cause harm' to him or were 'recklessly indifferent as to whether such harm was caused'.

'The safety of the complainant (child) is paramount... it's likely he might believe he has cancer, which will have caused him psychological damage,' prosecutors said.

The couple were each charged with committing an act likely to cause harm, and one count each of deception, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in jail.

An online fundraising post, seen by Daily Mail Australia, said the couple had suffered 'every parent's nightmare'.

'Young [boy's name], 6 years old was diagnosed with eye cancer. It is stage 1,' the fundraising page said.

Lawyers acting for Ms Bodzsar and Mr Miller (pictured together) said they 'strongly contested' the allegations

Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said their 'investigation confirmed the child is not seeking medical treatment'.

'We believe this (allegedly) farce illness is causing significant and serious psychological harm to the child and their sibling,' he added.

Both the boy and his sister, who is aged between six and 12-years-old, have been removed from their parents' care and are living with a relative.

Mr Miller's case was adjourned until December 20 and Ms Bodzsar will return to court on January 6.
An international student who flew between China and Australia for 11 weeks straight has revealed the airfares were cheaper than paying rent in Melbourne.

Xu Guangli, 28, travelled from his home in Dezhou, in China's Shandong province, to Melbourne for 11 weeks between August and October this year.

Mr Xu took the gruelling 8,800km journey each week in order to complete his master's degree in arts management at RMIT University.

Each round trip from Dezhou from Melbourne took three days and cost him $1,500.

'A round trip takes about 72 hours. One way is about 10 to 13 hours on the plane,' Mr Xu told SBS Mandarin.

Shockingly, the 28-year-old discovered the cost of the airfares turned out to be cheaper than having to pay for living expenses in Melbourne.

'The overall cost is not much different. But I think the money is better spent [in China] because the overall cost here is lower,' he said.

Mr Xu slept on a friend's couch for the one night he was in Melbourne during the week before catching a flight to China the next day.

Mr Xu took the gruelling 8,800km journey each week for 11 weeks to complete his master's degree in arts management at Melbourne's RMIT University (stock image)

He said he did the trips 'for love' so he could visit his girlfriend who moved back to Dezhou after she finished her university studies in Australia.

'Life in Melbourne on my own is too lonely,' Mr Xu told local outlet Dazhong Daily.

Mr Xu said he wanted to spend more time with his loved ones after he came to Australia eight years ago to pursue further studies.

He completed an undergraduate degree in game design and a management course.

Before he embarked on his three-month solo journey to and from China, Mr Xu researched whether his degree would be recognised in China.

He also considered whether he could afford the cost of completing the required course work from China and recruitment timelines.

Mr Xu said flights flew frequently between China and Australia and that he never had any issues travelling between the two countries.

His journey started at 7am on a Monday when he would leave his home for the airport in Jinan, around 126km south-east of Dezhou, before flying on to Melbourne.

Mr Xu took the gruelling 8,800km journey each week for 11 weeks to complete his master's degree in arts management at RMIT University (stock image)

After spending the night in the city, Mr Xu would fly back to China on Wednesday evenings.

Mr Xu, who graduated in October, is currently taking a break from his gruelling travel schedule.

He became popular on Chinese social media app Douyin where he posted videos of his solo trips and amassed around 10,000 followers.

Dozens of viewers were shocked by his commitment to the travel schedule.

'I have never seen anyone so devoted to love before,' one person wrote.

'I would not travel such a long distance every week for anything. It is simply too tiring,' another person wrote.

Chinese students made up the largest proportion of new international student enrollments in Australia as of August 2024.

International students from China accounted for 22 per cent of the 969,230 new enrollments.

Student visa holders require around $29,710 a year per person for living expenses, according to figures by the Australian government.
Kimberly Guilfoyle's alleged sexual misconduct resurfaced last night following her nomination to become the United States Ambassador to Greece.

The historic claims come as Donald Trump's cabinet-building process is mired in scandal with Defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth and the now-dumped Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz each coming under scrutiny.

Guilfoyle, whose engagement with Trump's son Don Jr was broken off this week as she landed the plum job in Greece, now faces the spotlight over claims she was let go by Fox in 2018 over alleged sexual harassment of her female assistant.

The former Fox host vehemently denied the allegations which were first reported by the New Yorker in 2020.

The assistant, who was not named, said she was forced to stay over at Guilfoyle's apartment where her boss would undress and ask her to 'critique her naked body'. She further alleged that Guilfoyle showed her photos of men's genitals with whom she was sleeping.

Those claims were reported again this week by the liberal-leaning Daily Beast website. All nominations to become ambassador of the United States to a foreign country require Senate confirmation.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Trump-Vance transition team for a statement. Fox News declined to comment.

The resurfaced allegations come at a strained time in Guilfoyle's personal life as it was revealed exclusively by the Daily Mail this week that her engagement to Don Jr. is off. Meanwhile the president's eldest son has moved on with a glamorous Palm Beach socialite, Bettina Anderson.

The media has responded to Kimberly Guilfoyle's nomination to be the United States Ambassador to Greece by dredging up allegations of sexual misconduct against the ex-Fox News anchor

The media is picking up years-old allegations of sexual misconduct by the former star of The Five that led to her removal from the network

Reports this week suggested that Don Jr. had grown impatient with Guilfoyle over the way she dresses and believed that Anderson's more Waspy credentials would appeal more to his father.

The allegations follow those against Hegseth, still fighting to earn a spot running the Pentagon, and Gaetz, who had to drop out of the AG confirmation process.

Hegseth, a veteran has faced resurfaced allegations of sexual assault and claims he was drunk at work, both of which he has denied.

In meetings with senators on Capitol Hill he has vowed to stay sober if his nomination to be the Pentagon chief succeeds.

Gaetz's stunning exit from consideration came as he was facing new allegations of a threesome involving a minor.

At the same time, the House Ethics Committee was deadlocked over whether to release a report on his alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

Guilfoyle abruptly left her role as the host of The Five in July 2018, several years before her contract expired, after 12 years at the network.

At the time, not much was said on her sudden departure except Guilfoyle maintained she chose to leave on her own terms to begin a new job at America First, a Trump super PAC.

The New Yorker in 2020 reported Guilfoyle was quietly pushed out after network executives received complaints accusing the host of sexually in appropriate behavior.

According to the report, Guilfoyle's female assistant had submitted a 42-page draft claiming her boss had frequently exhibited 'degrading' and 'abusive' behavior and at one point offered to buy her silence when she realized her job could be in jeopardy.

The woman, who was not named, had been hired as an assistant to Guilfoyle and former Fox News host Eric Bolling as a recent college graduate in 2015.

Trump adviser Kimberly Guilfoyle (pictured far left in 2017) abruptly left Fox News' The Five in 2018 after 12 years at the network

Guilfoyle officially acknowledged her nomination Wednesday as the U.S. Ambassador to Greece as it's learned she and fiance Donald Trump Jr. have called it quits

The complaint was kept out of court and ultimately resulted in Fox reaching a settlement 'upward of $4million' with the assistant after Guilfoyle's departure, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

According to the bombshell complaint, Guilfoyle had constantly spoken openly with her assistant about her sex life and would share photos of genitals of the men of with whom she was sleeping.

She also reportedly made the woman share hotel rooms with her while traveling and in New York, would require her to sleepover her apartment, which she described made her feel uncomfortable.

There, Guilfoyle would often undress herself in front of her employee and even asked her to 'critique her naked body', the report claims.

Those allegations were corroborated by a witness who told the magazine, Guilfoyle was 'provocative in a way that made you want to get away from this person.'

Another source confirmed claims that the former news presenter had shared photos of naked men, and one former Fox staff member told the magazine she had allegedly shown pornographic videos in the office.

The complaint further alleged that Guilfoyle, who was once married to California Governor Gavin Newsom, encouraged her assistant to sleep with rich and powerful men.

Earlier on Tuesday, exclusive DailyMail.com photos confirmed Don Jr.'s romance with Bettina Anderson after they were seen celebrating her 38th birthday in Palm Beach the previous night

The former Fox News host was trolled in 2020 following her appearance at the RNC where she delivered a cheerleading speech that concluded with her shout of 'the best is yet to come' to an empty theater

A former Fox colleague, who was not named, said her behavior had fostered an environment 'that was detrimental to young women.'

'It was worse than gross  it put other women at Fox in such a terrible position,' the source said.

Sources also repeated claims that Guilfoyle would speak graphically on sexual matters, which 'upset hair-and-makeup artists' at the studio who later filed a complaint against her.

The report states Guilfoyle's assistant had been working at Fox News at the time the network was being investigated for sexual misconduct amid allegations against former chairman Roger Ailes.

Guilfoyle had allegedly grown nervous that she would also be investigated over her behavior if her assistant spoke out against her to Paul, Weiss attorneys, who were conducting the probe.

The complaint alleges Guilfoyle had asked her what she would say if she was quizzed about sexual misconduct at the workplace and offered her hush money in exchange for her 'loyalty'.

She allegedly offered her payments as high as a million dollars, which would include money from Bolling, who had also been facing sexual misconduct allegations.

The woman was also offered trips to Rome on a private jet, a cut of Guilfoyle's pay from public speaking events and on-air roles, according to the report.

Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor, was married for four years to California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom before their divorce in 2006

The assistant ultimately turned down the offer and went on to accuse both Guilfoyle and Bolling of sexual misconduct.

The New Yorker reported it spoke to multiple sources familiar with the complaint, as well as Guilfoyle's assistant herself, who declined to comment.

Meanwhile, sources close to Guilfoyle told the magazine the allegations were 'false' and 'inconsistent' with the Trump adviser's behavior.

'She always puts others ahead of herself and is unfailingly generous and ethical,' Trump Victory finance committee chief of staff Sergio Gor said.

Rumors about Guilfoyle's alleged termination from Fox first began to swirl after Huff Post reported three sources claimed she did not leave the cable news network 'voluntarily,' and that her team was busy working out the details of her separation package.

Sources close to both Guilfoyle and then-boyfriend Donald Trump Jr denied those claims at the time, saying it was her choice to exit Fox News and begin a new job at America First.

Fox News had announced in a blunt and concise statement that Guilfoyle was no longer working for the network.

'Fox News has parted ways with Kimberly Guilfoyle,' the spokesperson said.

She did not appear on The Five the day her departure was announced and was not given the chance to say goodbye after 12 years with the network. She was replaced by Katie Pavlich.
When Kimberly Guilfoyle's shock nomination as Ambassador to Greece was announced this week, the rush to congratulate her was led, as might seem appropriate, by her fiance Donald Trump Jr.

'I am so proud of Kimberly,' he gushed on social media. 'She will be an amazing leader for America First.'

Yet if Mr Trump, son of President-elect Donald, is suitably delighted, might he also be a touch relieved to hear that his girlfriend of the past six years is scheduled to spend the foreseeable future in a foreign capital several time zones distant?

Trump and Guilfoyle's relationship is no longer what it was, certainly not since this week's very public displays of 'moving on'.

First Don Jr, 46, was photographed taking a glamorous Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson to celebrate her birthday at a restaurant. He reportedly then 'hard-launched' his new girlfriend at dinner at his father's Mar-a-Lago club on Wednesday night.

After months of speculation about the state of their relationship  not to mention the Mail's pictures of Don Jr smooching the new woman in September  even twice-married Guilfoyle must surely concede it's over. A formal announcement is awaited.

A 55-year-old Maga-loyalist and former Fox News panelist famous for big hair and tight clothing, Guilfoyle claims to have been 'blindsided' by Don Jr's new romance.

Others say the relationship has been in crisis for some considerable time.

When Kimberly Guilfoyle's shock nomination as Ambassador to Greece was announced this week, the rush to congratulate her was led, as might seem appropriate, by her fiance Donald Trump Jr.

Yet if Mr Trump, son of President-elect Donald, is suitably delighted, might he also be a touch relieved to hear that his girlfriend of the past six years is scheduled to spend the foreseeable future in a foreign capital several time zones distant? (Guilfoyle is pictured at NYFW in 2019).

First Don Jr, 46, was photographed taking a glamorous Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson (left) to celebrate her birthday at a restaurant. He reportedly then 'hard-launched' his new girlfriend at his father's Mar-a-Lago club on Wednesday night.

There were already signs of tension back in March, say insiders, when Guilfoyle invited hundreds of guests to her 55th birthday party at their home in Jupiter, Florida. Don Jr, it's been claimed, was nowhere to be seen for parts of the evening, apparently retreating to his bedroom.

Others suggest Don Jr has found himself increasingly embarrassed by Guilfoyle's little-left-to-the-imagination wardrobe, colorful public displays and her taste for a party lifestyle that might sit awkwardly with a Trump family increasingly mindful of its presidential legacy.

According to one former colleague at Fox News, the lawyer-turned-activist was known as 'the Margarita girl' thanks to her love of the popular cocktail and party lifestyle associated with it.

While there is no suggestion that Guilfoyle routinely drinks to excess, alcohol is certainly a touchstone for the Trumps.

Don Jr, having drunk his way through college earlier in life, is known to take his sobriety very seriously. His sister, Ivanka, avoids alcohol.

Their father, Donald, is famously a teetotaler  a reaction to the alcoholism which claimed the life of his older brother, Fred Jr, at the age of just 42.

Many will recall a scene first broadcast in a 2010 Larry King show in which Trump is shown instructing his son, Barron, then aged four, to avoid drugs, alcohol, cigarettes  and tattoos!

There's no sign that she's inked, but Guilfoyle is certainly sociable.

One highly placed Trump source told the Mail that life as an ambassador  meeting, greeting and hosting functions - would suit her well.

Yet Guilfoyle's flamboyance might not entirely suit the Trumps.

According to People magazine, a source close to the family believes Don Jr's new lover, 38-year-old Bettina, will be a 'better fit'.

'Don Jr has always wanted to look good in his father's eyes,' said the source.

'Someone like Bettina, who is and has been a model, and is in Waspy circles of Palm Beach is something that would impress him.'

Another source reportedly confirmed that Don Jr dislikes Guilfoyle's wardrobe: 'The tight dresses need to go, and she has been told that.'

Others suggest their problems might extend beyond short skirts and party etiquette.

For Guilfoyle's undoubted drive and ability, insiders suggest that her approach to relationships might seem overwhelming  and that her younger partner occasionally found this 'suffocating'.

'Don Jr came to find her a little controlling,' said one source. 'She started taking over  his arrangements and so on.

'She even described herself as his Mamacita  little Mama  which gives you an idea. At first, he might have liked the fact that someone was taking care of him. But it didn't last.

'She's also amazingly ambitious. Don Jr is a smart guy and very right wing, but he's not so bothered about power. He needs some freedom.

'He wants to spend his time hunting and fishing. But for Kimberly, it's about power, power, power!

'Kimberly said early on that she would try to be exactly the girl that Don wanted and seemed happy to tell people that she was the next Mrs Trump even when they'd just started dating.

'She even went hunting with him  in full make-up, of course. But the idea that she was really into all that outdoorsy stuff faded.'

A 55-year-old Maga-loyalist and former Fox News panelist famous for big hair and tight clothing, Guilfoyle claims to have been 'blindsided' by Don Jr's new romance.

'She even described herself as his Mamacita, little Mama, which gives you an idea. At first, he might have liked the fact that someone was taking care of him. But it didn't last,' sources revealed. (Guilfoyle is pictured with rapper Lil Pump').

Has there been a problem with Guilfoyle's spending habits, also?

One Republican insider reports that  always meticulously presented  Guilfoyle had been laying out money for hair and makeup artists at their home in Jupiter.

But that, whenever Don Jr appeared, the beauticians she'd hired were ordered to pretend they were Guilfoyle's friends and therefore working for free.

A lawyer by training, Guilfoyle first rose to prominence as a public prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

From 2001-6, despite her later switch to the Republican cause, she was married to Democratic politician Gavin Newsom, now governor of California.

In 2011, she joined Fox's primetime panel show 'The Five'. Washington Post has reported that she was assigned 'the leg chair' on the end of the row because it would allow the audience a full view of her lower half.

It is said that Fox chairman Roger Ailes saw an image of the set-up and commented 'there's Kimberley, doing her job'.

She became a loyal supporter of Trump after he declared his 2016 candidacy, and apparently caught the notice of Don Jr, who told the Post in 2018: 'When everyone else said that Hillary was unstoppable, Kimberly stood firmly with my father.'

Guilfoyle was successful at Fox but her reputation started to crumble in the summer of 2016 when she rallied women to defend Ailes's reputation after he was accused of sexual harassment.

Guilfoyle was introduced to Don Jr by mutual friends at a Manhattan party. Her 17-year-old son, Ronan, went to the same school as Don Jr's daughter Kai, also 17, and the two parents grew close.

In May 2018, Guilfoyle and Don Jr announced publicly that they were a couple.

She has always maintained it was her choice to leave Fox claiming that she wanted to be more involved in the first Trump campaign, but the New Yorker reported in 2020 that there were much more serious allegations at play.

It is thought Fox had to pay an assistant more than $4m dollars after she 'alleged that Guilfoyle, her direct supervisor, subjected her frequently to degrading, abusive, and sexually inappropriate behavior.'

The assistant claimed, 'she was frequently required to work at Guilfoyle's New York apartment while the Fox host displayed herself naked and [that] she was shown photographs of the genitalia of men with whom Guilfoyle had had sexual relations' and she once had to 'massage her bare thighs'.

Guilfoyle has denied the allegations.

After she left Fox, she threw herself into Trump's campaign and quickly became a darling of the Republican party. She attended conservative events and rallies and gave impassioned speeches praising Trump.

With her political star continuing to climb, she appeared as a surrogate for Trump at events across the country, making a name for herself as someone prepared to defend him at all costs.

Guilfoyle was appointed chair of the finance committee for the Trump Victory Committee in 2020 and gave a notorious speech at the Republican National Convention which was variously described as 'impassioned' or 'unhinged'.

She was on similar shouty form at this year's Republican Convention in Milwaukee.

Guilfoyle and Don Jr got engaged on December 31, 2020, although they didn't share the news with the public until 2022.

Meanwhile, they bought two houses together, one in the Hamptons, which they later sold, and one in Florida which they made their main home.

However, in September 2024, photos emerged of Don Jr canoodling with another woman over brunch in Palm Beach  the woman being Bettina Anderson.

One source familiar with the family told the Mail this week: 'There is no more Kimberly and Don  at least not romantically. Their engagement hasn't officially been called off yet. They were waiting until after the inauguration to announce.'

Speaking after Don Jr's affair was exposed, one source told the Mail: 'Kimberly either didn't know about Bettina  or didn't want to know. Did she hear whispers that Don Jr was fooling around with someone else? Probably.

'She's no fool but it's easy to deceive yourself when you're so committed to someone and believe he's committed to you.'

Guilfoyle has not been seen on Don Jr's arm since November 14 when she posted pictures from a party at Mar-a-Lago.

Guilfoyle was introduced to Don Jr by mutual friends at a Manhattan party. Her 17-year-old son, Ronan, went to the same school as Don Jr's daughter Kai, also 17, and the two parents grew close.

She became a loyal supporter of Trump after he declared his 2016 candidacy, and apparently caught the notice of Don Jr, who told the Washington Post in 2018: 'When everyone else said that Hillary was unstoppable, Kimberly stood firmly with my father.'

Despite  or perhaps because of  the disappointing end to her relationship with Don Jr, senior Republicans have been rallying to Guilfoyle.

As one pointed out, Guilfoyle will certainly 'know where the bodies are buried'.

A source close to the Trump transition team contacted the Mail to say the nomination could be a chance, 'to show her talents on the world stage. It's tremendous for her, tremendous for the country and tremendous for Greece.'

A leading Trump insider told the Mail that Guilfoyle was genuinely happy to have been proposed as Ambassador to Greece  although she is yet to be confirmed in the role by the Senate.

'She's pleased because she's a very sociable woman and this would suit her lifestyle, with plenty of hosting and socializing,' said the insider.

'President Trump has always been very keen on her. Was this her life-plan? Clearly not. But she's a strong and intelligent woman and she's excited for the new role.'

Besides, as Guilfoyle told The Post in 2018  explaining her remarkable transformation from Democratic wife to Republican loyalist  she's adaptable.

'I am always changing and doing stuff,' she said. 'Grass doesn't grow too long under my feet.

'I'm on the move.'
Old habits die hard. The feminist barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman  a woman so proud to have once been called a Feminazi that she had a coffee mug made with the word emblazoned on it  is telling me how she surprised herself by breaking down and crying during a disciplinary tribunal hearing this week  one that effectively put her in the dock and threatened to end her career.

Although she can't help but quibble with the language that was used. 'The papers reported that I 'wept',' she notes. 'Would anyone say that a man wept?'

Possibly not, but the facts are that she did cry, which is startling given the thick skin she is supposed to have.

'I'm human,' she says. 'The whole process felt overwhelming. The language in the tribunal process is similar to that used in a criminal court. I was the 'defendant'. If the decision went against me, I would be 'sentenced'. I am familiar with courtrooms, but I have never been in a situation where I felt on trial, and my steely mask slipped.

'I started to cry when the clerk read out the charge sheet. It went on for pages. I was accused of breaching this code and breaking that rule, lack of integrity, and recklessly misleading the public. It all sounded so terrible.

'I sat there thinking 'I am not this person'. I will say it gave me great insight into just how intimidating and terrifying this process must be for my clients.'

For a barrister to be hauled before a Bar Standards tribunal is a huge thing. 'Life-changing. Career-ending,' she agrees. What on earth had she done? What heinous 'crime' had she committed? As she says herself, 'the sanctions I was facing would have been the same had I committed sexual assault'.

Incredibly, the case against Dr Proudman  which hung over her for two and a half years  was brought after a series of online posts in 2022 in which she criticised a judge for his handling of a domestic abuse case.

The feminist barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman is telling me how she surprised herself by breaking down and crying during a disciplinary tribunal hearing this week

Had she been found guilty of the accusations, she would have lost her licence to practise for a year and her reputation would have been in tatters

A prolific tweeter, she made public her views about a 'boys' club' attitude  a reference to the fact that the judge involved was a member of the all-male Garrick Club.

And, in her words, the old boys' club 'came down hard to deal with me. They moved to silence the woman who spoke out.'

Had she been found guilty of the accusations, she would have lost her licence to practise for a year and her reputation would have been in tatters. She would have also faced a fine of up to 50,000, and been obliged to pay the other side's costs.

'Just a few days before the case started they sent me a cost schedule of almost 40,000,' she reveals, admitting she faced the tribunal panel knowing that she simply could not afford to lose.

'Most people do not have that sort of money, and without being able to work How? People go bankrupt over such things. I do not come from a background where it is normal for people to go into a career in the law. I was the second member of my family to go to university.

'I worked in the Co-op in my small town from 16 until 21. In my darkest hours, when I was lying awake worrying about this tribunal, I worried about ending up back there. There is nothing wrong with working in a supermarket, but I have spent years establishing my career.'

It all began in 2022 after a string of comments she made about Sir Jonathan Cohen's judgment in a case that she lost. 'I lost the case. I do not accept the judge's reasoning,' she wrote on X. 'This judgment has echoes of the 'boys' club' which still exists among men in powerful positions'.

Dr Proudman, now one of the most prominent women's rights lawyers in the country, has always been a divisive figure who has made enemies (of both sexes, she agrees) within the legal profession. But this move against her was extraordinary.

Dr Charlotte Proudman pictured speaking to the media in Grays Inn Square, London, after the dismissal of a professional misconduct case against her on Thursday

Ms Proudman hit out at Sir Jonathan Cohen for showing a 'boys' club' attitude in a family law case she lost

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) alleged Dr Proudman had 'failed to act with integrity' and that the posts amounted to professional misconduct. She was also accused of 'inaccurately reflecting the findings of the judge', which she vehemently denied.

More breathtaking still was the 'verdict', which came on Thursday at the disciplinary panel hearing in Gray's Inn Square, London.

The case was thrown out, with the panel ruling she had no case to answer, had not breached any code of conduct, and was within her right to express her opinion.

Judge Nicholas Ainley, chairman of the panel, said they found Dr Proudman's posts did not constitute professional misconduct.

'We do not consider she has lost the Article 10 protection [which protects freedom of expression] by reason as to what she wrote,' he told the tribunal. 'They would not have been pleasant for any judge to read. These remarks may be thought to be hurtful, but they are not gravely damaging to the judiciary.'

To translate: the panel found the complaints against Dr Proudman to be poppycock.

'I just felt numb when the decision came in,' she says. 'It had been this huge thing in my life for two and a half years. I hadn't been able to sleep, eat properly.

'I just turned to my partner and gave him a hug, and thanked him for putting up with me, because frankly it has been hellish.'

Dr Proudman speaks to me the day after the decision. She has a slightly sore head because the Champagne was flowing the night before. But her relief is palpable.

'I can have my life back now,' she says. The stress had descended immediately after she got wind that the BSB was 'after' her. She says she got the heads up from a mentor. 'I couldn't actually believe it at first, but he said 'They want to make an example of you. You are going to be a guinea pig'.

'What was bizarre was that, on that very same day, I got an email from a lovely woman who contacted me to say she'd had a tattoo done on her arm of the scales of justice, with my name underneath... My whole life was hanging in the balance and there was this woman with my name on her arm.'

The women's rights campaigner, 36, celebrated the victory and said she is 'relieved' it is over 'after more than two-and-a-half years of this hell'. Pictured: Proudman hugging supporter ahead of her misconduct hearing

Now, she is looking forward to getting on with her job. And taking her own legal action, presumably?

'I am considering my options,' she says carefully. 'But yes, I will be pursuing my costs. This whole thing has been a farce, an attempt to silence me. They wanted to say 'Shut up'. They wanted to stop me even using the term 'old boys' club'. I won't, because it still exists. Of course it does.'

And to her detractors who say she brought this on herself by being just too outspoken?

'That smacks of 'she deserves it' or 'she was asking for it', which is the sort of thing we see so often in rape trials,' she says.

Now free to let rip about the entire 'witch hunt', Dr Proudman seizes the opportunity.

'The case against me should never have been brought. The hell they put me through, and all because I expressed a perfectly valid opinion,' she says.

'At the same time, the BSB have not taken action against other, male, barristers who have critcised judges, calling them stupid. Nor have they stepped in to support me or impose sanctions on those fellow barristers who have attacked me online.

'I have been called a 'c***' and 'mentally ill'. And yet the full forces were marshalled against me when I dared to mention a boys' club? It's a clear case of sexism and double standards.'

She argues the BSB is 'unfit for purpose', and has offered to help it mend its ways, as long as a few heads roll. 'To do my job I need to be part of the Establishment. I need to work within it,' she says, though the irony of remaining in a legal system she believes to be sexist is not lost on her.

Nor is the fact that in the time it took for this case to be heard, it has been all-change at the Garrick Club, which in May voted to allow women to join for the first time in its 193-year existence.

In July, actresses Dame Judi Dench and Dame Sian Phillips became the first women members, their positions bestowed on them as 'honorary' members.

General membership is still by invitation, but Dr Proudman has made it clear she would be happy to join her learned colleagues at the bar (the one serving drinks).

Pushing the boundaries as ever, she cheekily posted a picture of herself on social media wearing a Garrick Club tie, saying she was ready when they were.She may yet have some wait.
A barrister who was cleared of misconduct over social media posts criticising a judge for showing a 'boys' club' attitude, has called on the head of the Bar Standards Board to resign  as she described his position as 'untenable'.

Dr Charlotte Proudman, 36, faced disciplinary action by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) over her posts in April 2022 about Sir Jonathan Cohen's judgement in a family law case she lost, saying it echoed a 'boys' club'.

But a three-person panel at the disciplinary tribunal in Gray's Inn Square, London, threw out the case after ruling her 14-part thread is protected speech under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act which upholds freedom of expression.

In an interview with The Times, Dr Proudman described the position of Mark Neale, the board's director-general, as 'untenable' and said its chairwoman, Kathryn Stone, should also stand down.

'They need a change, not just in those two individuals, though, because, of course, it seeps down to the rest of the organisation,' she said.

She told the paper she 'genuinely' wanted to work with the BSB in helping them to understand how misogyny and sexism have impacted women at the bar.

However, she said that 'under the current leadership, it's just not going to be possible'.

The charges alleged Dr Proudman had 'failed to act with integrity' in posting the tweets, that they amounted to professional misconduct, were 'misleading' and 'inaccurately reflected the findings of the judge' in the case.

Dr Charlotte Proudman, 36, (pictured) described the position of Mark Neale, the board's director-general, as 'untenable' and said its chairwoman, Kathryn Stone, should also stand down

A three-person panel at the disciplinary tribunal in Gray's Inn Square, London, threw out the case against Proudman after ruling her 14-part thread is protected speech under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act

The women's rights campaigner was also accused of behaving in a way 'which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public placed in her and in the profession', and that she 'knowingly or recklessly misled or attempted to mislead the public' by making the posts.

But panel chairman Nicholas Ainley found her tweets are protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right of freedom of expression.

He said her tweets did not 'gravely damage' the judiciary, which would 'put them outside' of Article 10 protection, even if they 'might not have been pleasant for any judge to read' or even 'hurtful'.

'We take the view that the judiciary of England and Wales is far more robust than that,' he said.

The panel also concluded that some of the tweets were only inaccurate 'to a minor degree' and not to the extent necessary for a charge of a lack of integrity.

Speaking after the hearing, Dr Proudman said: 'This ruling is a victory for women's rights and a right to freedom of speech.

Dr Charlotte Proudman pictured speaking to the media in Grays Inn Square, London, after the dismissal of a professional misconduct case against her on Thursday

Ms Proudman hit out at Sir Jonathan Cohen for showing a 'boys' club' attitude in a family law case she lost

'The prosecution against me brought by my regulatory body, the Bar Standards Board, should never have happened and I said that from day one.

'I criticised a domestic abuse judgment. Everyone should have the right to do that, whether you're a barrister or not.

'Our justice system, which I strongly believe in, is robust enough to withstand criticism from me.'

She believes her tweets help 'foster confidence' in the justice system, adding: 'Only that way can we go about building change and a better treatment for all victims, women and children and men who are affected by domestic abuse.'

Explaining that the BSB appears to have spent almost 40,000 'of barristers' money' on instructing counsel in her case, she added: 'I think it's shameful that they're using our money to pay for, in my view, malicious, vexatious prosecutions which I have no doubt was a personal attack against me as a woman and as a feminist, as an outspoken critic and advocate for women's rights.'

Dr Proudman called for 'systemic change' within the board.

'They don't understand gender, they don't understand diversity, I don't think they've ever heard of the concept misogyny and certainly not institutional misogyny,' she said.

Dr Proudman (pictured) has now called for 'systemic change' within the board

'Until they recognise the deeply rooted, entrenched issue of bullying, harassment, sexism at the bar, for which I have suffered relentlessly... and own up to it I don't think we're going to see any change and I have no confidence in them.'

She told of how male barristers have called her insulting names on social media and made derogatory comments about her.

In the posts on April 6 2022, Dr Proudman referenced a case in which her client alleged she had been subjected to coercive and controlling behaviour by her husband, a part-time judge, meaning she had been 'unable to freely enter' the couple's 'post-nuptial' financial agreement.

Commenting on the ruling by Family Court judge Sir Jonathan Cohen, Dr Proudman wrote: 'I represented Amanda Traharne.

'She said she was coerced into signing a post-nuptial agreement by her husband (who is a part-time judge). I lost the case.

'I do not accept the Judge's reasoning. I will never accept the minimisation of domestic abuse.'

She continued: 'Demeaning the significance of domestic abuse has the affect of silencing victims and rendering perpetrators invisible.

'This judgement has echoes of (t)he 'boys club' which still exists among men in powerful positions.'

The women's rights campaigner, 36, celebrated the victory and said she is 'relieved' it is over 'after more than two-and-a-half years of this hell'. Pictured: Proudman hugging supporter ahead of her misconduct hearing

In the thread, Dr Proudman wrote that the judge had described the relationship of the couple as 'tempestuous', which she argued was a 'trivialisation' of domestic abuse.

'Tempestuous? Lose his temper? Isn't this the trivialisation of domestic abuse & gendered language. This is not normal married life,' she wrote.

Dr Proudman was visibly emotional upon hearing the case had been dismissed and celebrated by sharing a warm embrace with her partner and defence team.

'The case against me brought by my regulatory body, the Bar Standards Board, should never have happened and I said that from day one,' she said.

'Daily Mail readers believe in free speech and there is a right to be able to criticise judges and judgments,' she said.

'What I said was not grossly offensive, gravely damaging to the judiciary at all. It was comments that I would make in an appeal court.

'Frankly, we should be talking about domestic abuse in this way and calling our systemic failures in the justice system.

'Everyone in our country believes in democracy so the establishment should be open to criticism.'

The Mail previously reported she is planning to take action against the BSB for discrimination and infringing on her human rights.

The feminist barrister faced a suspension of up to 12 months or a fine of as much as 50,000 if she was found guilty of professional misconduct.

It is not clear if the BSB is going to appeal the ruling.

The BSB has been approached by MailOnline for comment.
Former Australian Defence Minister Kevin Andrews has died aged 69.

The former politician and member of the Liberal Party of Australia died 'peacefully' overnight on Friday with his wife Margie by his side.

Mr Andrew's family announced his death in a statement shared by former prime minister Tony Abbott on social media on Saturday morning.

It revealed Mr Andrews had been battling cancer for the past year.

'We are deeply proud of his service to our country, our local community and his party, although shattered by his death after a year-long battle with cancer,' it read.

'Kevin was devoted to his country, his family, and his faith and lived a full life of service.

'Right up to his death, he was working on a number of projects, including his memoirs, which we will endeavour to have published posthumously.'

The father-of-five had represented the blue ribbon seat of Menzies in Melbourne's east for three decades.

Liberal member for Menzies Kevin Andrews died peacefully overnight. He is pictured during his valedictory speech in the House of Representatives in Canberra in March 2022

Mr Andrews (pictured) died after a year-long battle with cancer, his family said on Saturday

RIP Kevin Andrews. A true Parliamentarian always guided by his faith in his public career and private life. Condolences to Margie and family. https://t.co/xFAubi3Bq3  Brian Loughnane (@LoughnaneB) December 13, 2024

He held prominent cabinet positions in the Howard and Abbott coalition governments.

Mr Andrews was a senior figure in the Liberal party's right wing who championed conservative causes and served at various times as minister for defence, social services, immigration, ageing and workplace relations.

He was born in the Gippsland town of Sale in eastern Victoria and later moved to Melbourne to study law at both Monash University and the University of Melbourne.

He worked as an associate to Sir James Gobbo at the Supreme Court of Victoria before leaving to become a barrister.

After six years he moved into politics, winning Menzies in a 1991 by-election which he held for the next 31 years.

He rose to prominence while still a backbencher when he introduced the Andrews Bill in 1996, which restricted the rights of the ACT and Northern Territory to make euthanasia laws.

The legislation remained in place for the next 25 years before being repealed in 2023.

As a cabinet minister, he pushed for several controversial pieces of legislation, including a citizenship test and industrial relations package WorkChoices.

Mr Andrews (left) was a minister in both the John Howard and Tony Abbott (right) governments

He nominated the reforms among his achievements in his valedictory speech to parliament, although WorkChoices faced strong opposition and was a major factor in the coalition's defeat in the 2007 election.

He backed Mr Abbott when Malcolm Turnbull challenged him for the leadership in 2015, unsuccessfully standing for deputy leader against Julie Bishop on the same day.

A devoted Catholic, Mr Andrews advocated for traditional family values and opposed abortion, same-sex marriage and stem cell research.

He married his wife Margaret in 1979.

Mr Andrews retired in 2022 after losing a pre-selection battle for Menzies, the first time a sitting federal Liberal MP was unseated in a Victorian preselection battle in more than three decades.

Mr Andrews at Old Parliament House in Canberra for the Pollie Pedal charity launch in 2015

He was the longest-serving member of parliament at the time and in his final speech said he entered politics to make a difference.

'It was a concern that government was not acknowledging and responding adequately to the needs of families, particularly those with children, that motivated me to stand for election in the first place,' he said in March 2022.

Mr Andrews also worked as a sports reporter, race caller and authored multiple books on topics including marriage, Italian cycling and a biography of Australia's 10th prime minister Joseph Lyons.

Tributes have been shared for Mr Andrews including from former Health Minister Greg Hunt.

'Deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Kevin Andrews. He was always honest, honourable and decent to work with and as a colleague. And he loved his community, his country and above all else his family,' he said.

'With all best wishes and condolences to Margie and the family.'
The woman whose badly decomposed body was found wrapped in plastic and dumped near a bushland creek near Sydney Airport has been identified.

Police were called to Sir Joseph Banks Park off Foreshore Road, in Botany, at 7.30am on Monday after a local noticed something suspicious in some nearby shrubs.

NSW Police have now identified the woman as 33-year-old Zhuojun 'Sally' Li who was reported missing after her mother failed to get a hold of her.

Police are still searching for Ms Li's husband, Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen, also aged 33.

Mr Chen is described as being of Asian appearance and between 165-170cm tall with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes.

Police have also released CCTV footage of a silver Toyota Avensis after the vehicle was stopped on the northern side of Foreshore Road on November 30.

The vehicle was captured on CCTV just days before Ms Li's body was found.

Investigators have urged anyone with information about the vehicle or the driver of the car to contact police.

A member of the public discovered the body at Foreshore Road on Monday morning (pictured)

Police have released CCTV footage of a silver Toyota Avensis (pictured) after the vehicle stopped on the northern side of Foreshore Road on November 30

The woman whose badly decomposed body was found wrapped in plastic and dumped near a bushland creek near Sydney Airport has been identified as Zhuojun 'Sally' Li (pictured left)

It comes after Homicide Squad commander Danny Doherty said the body of the woman may have lain there for 'weeks, if not months' and was in a 'severe' state of decomposition.

'At this stage the theory would be that the person has stopped and disposed of the body just off the road,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

'The victim was only metres away from the side of the road a very busy thoroughfare. The length of time the body has been there is still unknown.

'This is a very tragic situation. A female has lost her life and been dumped on the side of the road. There's someone's loved one that doesn't know yet that their loved one has not only been killed, but most likely murdered.'

Several items including a pair of high heels was found at the scene on Monday.

The video also captured a pair of discarded boots, which may or may not have been part of the crime scene.

Investigators are yet to determine how long Ms Li's body was left in the area due to the decomposition of the remains.
Labour MPs who oppose a ban on puberty blockers have a misunderstanding of medical evidence, Baroness Cass has claimed.

The paediatrician penned a landmark report into NHS gender identity services for children and young people earlier this year, which said there was not enough evidence to support the drugs safety or effectiveness.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an indefinite ban the medication for under-18s with gender dysphoria on Wednesday.

Several Labour backbenchers and Green MPs criticised the move in Parliament, labelling it an attack on transgender children and a breach of young peoples human rights.

Baroness Cass, who took her seat in the House of Lords in October, told The Times: What is worrying is when people say that if children dont get these drugs, they will die, because clearly thats not true.

A licence to use puberty blockers in children who experience changes such as breast or facial hair growth before the age of eight due to a medical condition is unaffected by the Cass Review.

Labours Alex Sobel and Green MP Sian Berry suggested it was discriminatory to allow the drugs - called Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues - to be used for children with early-onset puberty, but not for children with gender dysphoria.

However, Baroness Cass said this was a misunderstanding... its not based on discrimination.

A trans rights activist takes part in a protest against the ban on hormone blockers on April 20, 2024 in London after Baroness Cass delivered her report on NHS gender identity services

Activists have campaigned for Mr Streeting's ban to be lifted (Pictured: A protest in April 2024)

Baroness Hilary Cass (pictured), who wrote the Cass Review into children's gender care and published her final report in April, described puberty blockers as 'powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks'

She added: Its very different to use a drug to treat an abnormal, premature hormonal surge, as opposed to stopping the normal hormonal surges that happen during puberty.

There isnt evidence that getting people onto puberty blockers is going to help with their dysphoria, their body image or their mood.

Critics of the ban, including Labour MP Nadia Whittome have said it may have consequences for children's mental health.

But a UK study into puberty blockers found the drugs had no impact on mental health and did not improve instances of self harm or psychological distress.

Activists have campaigned for Mr Streeting's ban to be lifted.

The Government said that it would ban puberty blockers indefinitely following official advice from medical experts.

The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) published expert advice that there is 'currently an unacceptable safety risk in the continued prescription of puberty blockers to children'.

The commission recommended indefinite restrictions while work is done to ensure the safety of children and young people.

Mr Streeting said there is a need to 'act with caution' and 'follow the expert advice' in caring for this 'vulnerable group of young people'.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an indefinite ban the medication for under-18s with gender dysphoria on Wednesday

Transgender people and their supporters marched through central London in April 2024

People have openly critiqued the ban, saying it could impact transgender children's mental health (Pictured: Trans rights activists take part in a protest against the ban on hormone blockers on April 20, 2024)

'Children's healthcare must always be evidence-led. The independent expert Commission on Human Medicines found that the current prescribing and care pathway for gender dysphoria and incongruence presents an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people,' he said.

'Dr Cass's review also raised safety concerns around the lack of evidence for these medical treatments. We need to act with caution and care when it comes to this vulnerable group of young people, and follow the expert advice.

'We are working with NHS England to open new gender identity services, so people can access holistic health and wellbeing support they need.

'We are setting up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers next year, to establish a clear evidence base for the use of this medicine.'
Ian Hislop has been hailed by social media users after he tore in to Sir Ed Davey on Have I Got News For You over the Post Office scandal.

On Friday night's episode, which featured guest appearances from Sir Ed and comedian Rachel Parris, team captain Hislop took a swipe at the Liberal Democrats leader after the topic of the civil service was raised.

More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts.

But in total there were potentially more than 3,000 victims in the scandal through Post Office criminal and private prosecutions, civil claims and contract withdrawals. Many are still awaiting compensation.

When asked by Paul Merton what his opinion was on the civil service, Sir Ed Davey said: 'I'm always very careful about talking about the civil service because half of them are Liberal Democrat party members.'

Hislop, 64, was quick to respond to Davey's comment, saying: 'Though you did blame your civil servants didn't you? Over the Post Office - I think you did. I hate to bring it up this early [in the programme].'

Sir Ed was left scrambling for a response, before pointing at Hislop saying: 'You worked out they were lying to everybody earlier than most.

'But you didn't,' Hislop retorted, before Sir Ed apologised and added: 'No, I didn't, no, and I'm really sorry that I didn't and that's why the inquiry is so important.'

Ian Hislop has been applauded by social media users after he tore in to Sir Ed Davey on Have I Got News For You over the Post Office scandal

Sir Ed Davey was left scrambling for a response to Hislop's comment

Earlier this year, Sir Ed accused civil servants and the Post Office of 'lying to him' about the Horizon scandal when he was postal affairs minister during the coalition government between 2010 and 2012.

In a TV interview Sir Ed insisted he had been misled by those around him when he backed the prosecutions.

'I wish I'd known then what we all know now - the Post Office was lying on an industrial scale to me and other ministers,' he told Sky News.

'When I met Alan Bates and listened to his concerns, I put those concerns to officials in my department, to the Post Office, to the National Federation of Postmasters. And it's clear they all were lying to me.

'My heart goes out to all those people, we need to make sure their convictions are overturned and we need to make sure they are fairly compensated and quickly.'

But Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA union for civil servants, branded Sir Ed's comments as 'outrageous' and claimed they were an 'act of desperation from a former minister trying to save his own skin'.

Taking to social media after Friday's episode, people praised Hislop for his jibe and for standing up for the postmasters and postmistresses.

One person said: 'Ian Hislop standing up for the post masters and mistresses that the Tory government never compensated in full like they said they would made my day.'

Taking to social media after Friday's episode, people praised Hislop for his jibe and for standing up for the postmasters and postmistresses

Another wrote: 'Well done Ian Hislop. It's time this ridiculous clown had his feet held to the fire over previous misdemeanors. His mishandling of the Post Office scandal as Minister responsible was disgraceful.'

Another added: 'Great to watch Davey squirm.'

It comes as Hislop was hit by an electric bike as he crossed the road earlier this week, leaving him needing medical treatment and a head bandage.

The Private Eye editor was spotted out with his wife in London wearing a smart black tuxedo with a bow tie - but on the back of the Have I Got News For You star's head was a large white bandage.

Commenting on the injury, a spokesperson for the magazine confirmed he was 'hit by an electric bike whilst crossing the road yesterday afternoon'.

Despite the collision, he was said to be 'okay' after receiving medical treatment for his injuries.

Meanwhile, dozens of people suspected of criminal offences in the Post Office Horizon scandal are being investigated in the largest police inquiry in history.

About 100 officers from forces across the country have been drafted in to investigate one of Britains most widespread miscarriages of justice.

Police are now investigating potential charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice linked to the wrongful prosecutions of sub-postmasters and the wider presentation of the Horizon IT system as robust.

Detectives are looking at dozens of persons of interest including those at senior levels within the Post Office and Fujitsu who were responsible for the software, as well as others in the legal profession involved in the wrongful prosecutions.

No charges will be made until after the ongoing public inquiry publishes its report.
Brussels will demand Labour surrender fishing rights and follow EU laws for the first time since Brexit, it was reported last night.

European leaders are said to want to make a new trade deal with Sir Keir Starmer dependent on Britain accepting European Court of Justice jurisdiction.

It would be the first time since Brexit in January 2020 that the UK has had to follow EU law as part of its trading relationship with the bloc. The hardline stance is set out in a document seen by The Times that will be presented to a council of European ministers next week.

It makes clear Brussels will demand key concessions on fishing, the European Court of Justice and youth mobility. Current fishing arrangements are seen by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations as a 'neo-colonial relationship with the EU' as the UK has given up post-Brexit control of fishery resources.

'The maintenance of the status quo is essential for member states,' the 19-page paper states.

'A reset between the Union and the UK is only credible if it is based on an early understanding on this.'

Charles Clover of the Blue Marine Foundation said the measures would leave British fishing waters at the mercy of 'French trawlers', adding that the demands are 'absolutely outrageous'.

The document said Britain would also be required to abide by rulings from the European Court of Justice on EU law.

European leaders are said to want to make a new trade deal with Sir Keir Starmer dependent on Britain accepting European Court of Justice jurisdiction

The Prime Minister met with European Council president Antonio Costa in Downing Street earlier this week, and used the opportunity to accept an invitation to take part in an EU defence summit in February

Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform said: 'It would set a precedent for much closer co-operation across a range of other areas, such as energy.'

He added that meeting the demands will be difficult for the Prime Minister as the reset could 'anger the Conservatives and Reform'.

The document also states the EU will do a deal on food exports if Starmer agrees to put current EU laws on food and agriculture, known as SPS, into British legislation.

The Government and House of Commons would also need to abide by rulings made by the European Court of Justice on matters of EU law.

It would force the Government to revoke laws brought in under the previous government, which allowed gene-edited food to be developed for commercial use in England.

It comes ahead of planned talks which will take place in the New Year.

The Prime Minister met with European Council president Antonio Costa in Downing Street earlier this week, and used the opportunity to accept an invitation to take part in an EU defence summit in February, the first time a British PM will have attended a leader's meeting the UK left.

His meeting with Mr Costa came just days after Chancellor Rachel Reeves joined European finance ministers in Brussels.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy also met his EU counterparts in recent weeks.

On Monday, Ms Reeves told her eurozone counterparts she wanted to 'rebuild those bonds of trust that have been fractured in the last few years under the previous government

Foreign Secretary David Lammy also met his EU counterparts in recent weeks

The Prime Minister had talks with European Council president Antonio Costa in Downing Street this afternoon as he seeks a new detente with the bloc.

On Monday, Ms Reeves told her eurozone counterparts she wanted 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'.

But she bluntly said there were no plans to rejoin EU institutions like the Single Market or Customs Union.

Earlier this week Ms Reeves was told Britain will have to cave into EU demands for greater fishing access and freedom of movement in exchange for closer trading ties.

During her visit to Brussels, the Chancellor was told that greater access to UK waters for EU trawlers and a youth mobility scheme will be on the table in future talks.

It came ahead of a summit with EU finance ministers, making Ms Reeves the first British Chancellor to attend such a meeting since the UK left the bloc almost five years ago.

Her attendance was designed to be a statement of intent, with the Chancellor among a group of Cabinet Ministers pushing the hardest for a reset in relations with the bloc.

She told them that breaking down barriers to trade would be a key goal in future talks to boost economic growth on both sides of the Channel.

In a speech to them, she added: In the long-run, Brexit is expected to cause UK trade intensity to fall by 15 per cent.

And with goods exports between both the UK and EU continuing to remain below 2018 levels, this is impacting UK and EU economies alike.

And so, the reset in relations is about doing what is in the best interests of our shared economies.
The Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle has billed taxpayers more than 250,000 for jetting around the globe in just two years.

The MPs expenses show he splashed out on 17 foreign jaunts in the 24 months to October this year  making him the most well-travelled Commons Speaker in history.

In comparison John Bercow, his predecessor, took ten years to rack up the same bill for non-regular foreign travel.

Critics say the extent of Sir Lindsays globe-trotting would be hard to swallow for taxpayers  given that his job is largely to sit in a chair and keep quiet.

They branded him long-haul Hoyle, saying he had been swanning around like hes the Foreign Secretary.

But Sir Lindsay defended the air-miles tally, insisting visiting parliaments in far-flung locations was an important part of his role.

A five-day trip in July and August to the Cayman Islands was among the more eye-catching of the bills, totalling 22,785, which included 15,806 on non-economy flights.

The journey to the British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean was for meetings with his counterpart there and to visit the Hazard Management Unit and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Services Training Centre.

The Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle has billed taxpayers more than 250,000 for jetting around the globe in just two years

The bill also included 6,436 for accommodation and 544 for meals and drinks. Sir Lindsay took two staff members with him.

A nine-day visit to South Africa and the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic cost 23,643, including 21,825 for flights.

The trip, in February, was to meet his St Helena counterpart and other officials. He also met British officials stationed in South Africa, according to official expenses details obtained under Freedom of Information laws.

Last December, Sir Lindsay billed taxpayers 5,000  including 2,000 for flights and 2,700 for accommodation  for a four-day jaunt to Gibraltar.

The visit was to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Gibraltar, where he is chancellor. He took three members of staff with him. Thousands of pounds was also spent on an official visit to Montserrat, another Caribbean British Overseas Territory, and a journey to give a speech at the University of Southern California.

John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Taxpayers will find these enormous expenses difficult to swallow. The Speakers role is a significant one  and cannot necessarily be done on the cheap  but that doesnt give anyone in the role a blank cheque.

A senior Tory MP, who wished to remain anonymous for fear he may not be picked for questions in the Commons in the future, said: Thats an awful lot of swanning around for someone who isnt the Foreign Secretary and whose job is largely to sit in a chair and keep quiet. But thats clearly who long-haul Hoyle thinks he is.

The reality is that some people earn less in a year than these flight bills and Hoyle probably needs to bear that in mind.

The cost breakdown of Sir Lindsay's trips abroad

Sir Lindsay spent almost 13,000 of taxpayer money on a trip to Qatar in September of this year

Sir Lindsay, who is the MP for Chorley in Lancashire, is entitled to a salary of more than 160,000. His predecessor Mr Bercow came under fire for some of his travel spending during his ten-year tenure chairing debates in the Commons. He flew almost 207,000 miles and his globe-trotting cost 250,000.

Sir Lindsay became Speaker in November 2019 but he has taken the vast majority of his foreign trips within the last two years or so because travel was barred during the Covid pandemic.

His spokesman said: Like many Speakers over the years and like his counterparts across the world, Mr Speaker is often invited to visit other parliaments for bilateral meetings, conferences and other significant events.

He has himself hosted 78 visiting Speakers to London since he came into office.

Inter-parliamentary engagement is an important part of his role and a key element in ensuring knowledge and best practice is shared by legislatures.

Value for money is sought at all times, and costs and staffing are proactively published.
If a man is judged by the company he keeps, Prince Andrew's record is damning.

His relationships over the years with foreign dictators, shadowy billionaires, a Libyan gunrunner and a ghastly paedophile have brought him, his family and this country into serious disrepute.

But the latest scandal, over his links with a Chinese businessman suspected of spying for Beijing, takes Andrew's sins and misdemeanours to a whole new level.

The association, exposed after the man was barred from re-entering this country following an MI5 probe and court hearing, poses a clear threat to national security - and the standing of the monarchy.

It also begs the question: Is there anyone this entitled, venal prince would not suck up to when the smell of money is in the air?

In a communication downloaded from his phone, the alleged spy (identified in court only as H6) was told the prince would 'grab on to anything'.

Another document authorised H6 to set up a financial initiative enabling the prince to engage with potential partners and investors in China.

A further letter from a 'senior adviser' emphasised the strength of their relationship. 'Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.'

he latest scandal, over his links with a Chinese businessman suspected of spying for Beijing , takes Andrew's sins and misdemeanours to a whole new level

The two were apparently so close that Andrew invited H6 to his 60th birthday party at Windsor

Known only as H6 for legal reasons, the 50-year-old businessman became a 'close confidant' to the eighth in line to the throne

Indeed, the two were apparently so close that Andrew invited H6 to his 60th birthday party at Windsor. None of this is proof that Andrew was soliciting cash for influence, but people will draw their own conclusions.

So, what might the Chinese have hoped to get from him? We know their tentacles spread widely across UK business, academia and politics.

Andrew may be damaged goods in reputational terms, but he is still brother to the Head of State and eighth in line to the throne.

Beijing may well believe he ticks boxes they haven't already filled in their long campaign to subvert the British establishment and steal our secrets.

There's no evidence the prince actually received money, but his outgoings have been huge in recent times.

He paid up to 12million to settle a legal action brought by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her  accusations he has always strenuously denied.

He also had to find considerable resources to continue living at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor after the King tried to move him out.

Where did that money come from? The prince is not an ordinary citizen. He belongs to a family which receives large sums from the taxpayer and needs to be seen as upright. The public has a right to know if he has been bankrolled by a foreign power.

The disgraced duke (pictured), 64, was urged to 'be clear and honest' amid calls for an inquiry into how the alleged Chinese agent had infiltrated the Royal Family

Then there is the wider question of what to do about the Chinese spies in our midst. Sir Keir Starmer has been cosying up to Beijing recently, despite warnings from the security services that the regime is not to be trusted.

Will he think again following revelations that one of its agents has apparently infiltrated the House of Windsor? Will he call in the ambassador for an explanation?

More likely, he'll sit on his hands and hope the problem goes away. This would be a mistake. It won't. As ex-MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove said: 'The Chinese do not give up.'

As for Andrew, it's time he was banished from Royal Lodge to a more modest property, preferably in some remote corner of the kingdom. The Shetland Islands perhaps?
The proportion of young couples getting married has dropped by almost a third since the 1960s amid a 'deeply troubling' fall-off in matrimony, campaigners say.

And trends indicate that fewer than six in ten of those born between 1997 and 2012 will ever tie the knot.

Projections from the Marriage Foundation suggest that 58 per cent of women and 56 per cent of men in that 'Generation Z' age bracket will say 'I do' at some point in their lives.

It compares with up to 67 per cent of millennials [born between 1981 and 1996], up to 82 per cent of Gen X [born between 1965 and 1980] and up to 96 per cent of the baby boom generation [born between 1946 and 1964].

Separate research suggests the decline of marriage among the young could be even more dramatic, with figures showing that only 15 per cent of men and 23 per cent of women have been married by the age of 30  compared with 64 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively, in 1960.

The Marriage Foundation  a charity set up 'in response to the epidemic levels of family breakdown'  says their figures reveal a 30 per cent in decrease in marriage among younger age groups since 1960.

The proportion of young couples getting married has dropped by almost a third since the 1960s. File image

Trends indicate that fewer than six in ten of those born between 1997 and 2012 will ever tie the knot. File image

Its report, part of a study called The Collapse Of Marriage Among Gen Z, also notes that the UK now has the highest rate of marital breakdown since records began, with almost half of all children not living with both of their biological parents.

It found that 80 per cent of couples stay together if they were married before their child was born, 68 per cent stay together if they married later on, and only 39 per cent remain together if they never marry.

Researchers said: 'The trend away from marriage has profound consequences for stability and children's outcomes.

'We already have the highest level of family breakdown in recorded UK history. Nearly half of all teenagers are not living with both natural parents.'

Sir Paul Coleridge, founder of the Marriage Foundation and a former High Court judge, said: 'If the current government really wants to improve the lot of 'working people' this is the area they should focus on. The effect would be very significant for individual couples, children and also on the Exchequer.'
A retired father-of-six who relocated from Argentina to Australia 30 years ago has been granted bail after allegedly performing a Nazi salute inside a busy pub.

Norberto Trimestra, 68, was arrested on Friday at the Criterion Hotel on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD after security guards flagged down police about 7.10pm when he refused to leave.

Trimestra, from Carlingford in Sydney's northwest, worked as an electronic engineer before retiring in 2023 and now describes himself on social media as an online journalist, the Daily Telegraph reports.

A Facebook account belonging to Treimestra is filled with posts talking about politics and history, particularly in relation to his native Argentina.

On another social media account he describes himself as 'a journalist inventing new forms of democratic governments'.

Treimestra has been charged with knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol without excuse in public, making a gesture in a public place that is a Nazi salute and failing to leave a premises when required.

He appeared in Parramatta Court on Saturday where he did not enter a plea and applied for bail - which was granted on the conditions he does not drink alcohol, reports to police twice a week and does not go within 1km of the CBD.

The court was told Mr Trimestra argued with officers before his arrest and police had concerns his behaviour could escalate, but his lawyer told the court his client had no history of violent incidents or non-compliance with court conditions.

Norberto Trimestra (pictured), 68, was arrested on Friday night at the Criterion Hotel on Pitt St in the Sydney CBD after security guards flagged down police about 7.10pm

The retired engineer allegedly performed a Nazi salute in the pub (pictured), refused to leave and then argued with police before he was arrested

The court heard Mr Trimestra had minor offences on his criminal history including traffic offences and previous infringements for not leaving licensed premises when asked.

His lawyer argued there was no evidence of those offences other than being mentioned in police documents.

Mr Trimestra, who has three adult children in Sydney and three others in Argentina, is due to return to court on January 8.

In November, two of the first people convicted under laws that outlawed shows of Nazi symbolism had their guilty verdicts overturned after a judge found their public salutes could not be definitively linked to the fascist German regime.

Three men were accused of performing the salute at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium in October, 2022 during the Australia Cup final match between Sydney United 58 and Macarthur FC.

Two convictions were overturned but a judge upheld the guilty finding against the third man, who performed the salute seven times.

Another man is set to face Newtown Local Court after he was charged with performing the salute after stepping in front of a protest march and allegedly making threatening comments.
A man has been charged for allegedly waving the flag of terrorist group Hezbollah at a protest attended by thousands in Melbourne.

The 36-year-old man is accused of displaying the designated terror organisation's flag at the event in the city's CBD on September 29.

The man from Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne's south-east, was charged on Friday with one count of publicly displaying a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.

The alleged offence carries a maximum sentence of 12 months behind bars.

Officers are also investigating other alleged incidents involving the display of prohibited symbols during the protests as part of a specialist AFP operation.

Thousands of people gathered at the rally in September as part of demonstrations in support of Palestine and Lebanon amid the conflict in the Middle East.

The demonstrations were held following the death of former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, in southern Beirut, on September 27.

AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said officers have been conducting a thorough investigation into those accused of displaying banned symbols.

The 36-year-old man is accused of displaying the designated terror organisation's flag at the event in the city's CBD, on September 29 (pictured: protesters in Melbourne on September 29)

Commander Read said the AFP would not tolerate crimes that espouse or incite violence based on race or religion.

'The AFP has been relentlessly pursuing evidence and gathering intelligence to ensure those accused of displaying prohibited symbols can be brought before the courts and face justice,' he said.

Commander Read said more than 1,100 hours have been spent investigating incidents that involved protesters, who allegedly displayed banned terrorist symbols.

More than 100 hours of CCTV evidence and police body worn camera footage has also been collected and reviewed in relation to the alleged incidents.

Commander Read said that 13 individuals are being investigated for allegedly displaying symbols of outlawed terrorist organisations.

'Three search warrants have been executed against three individuals, while a further three people have been spoken to by investigators,' he said.

Officers have also seized several mobile phones and an item of clothing that depicted a prohibited terrorist group.

'While it is important the AFP provides community reassurance and deterrence through education, action is the greatest deterrence,' Commander Read said.

Commander Read said that 13 individuals are being investigated for allegedly displaying symbols of outlawed terrorist organisations (pictured a police officer at a pro-Palestinian rally in Perth)

The Australian government designated Hezbollah a terrorist organisation in December 2021.

The government also enacted legislation in January this year to make the public display or trade of Nazi symbols illegal.

Performing the Nazi salute is also an unlawful act under the new laws and the rules have also ensured praising acts of terrorism are considered a criminal offence.

Commander Read said further charges are expected to be laid against other alleged offenders.

Images from the protests showed several Hezbollah flags being waved by small groups of young men.

Others, including both adults and children, held framed photos of Nasrallah.

Similar protests were also held in Sydney.
A Melbourne rabbi says his baby is lucky to be uninjured after a flaming projectile was allegedly thrown from a moving car on a suburban street.

The young father was walking on Hotham Street in St Kilda East about 8.50pm on November 27 when he saw the 'on fire' object fly onto the footpath near him.

The street he was pushing the pram on contains the Yeshivah College and the Sassoon Yehuda Sephardi Synagogue and Ripponlea's Adass Israel Synagogue, which was set alight on December 6 in a terrorist attack, is just around the corner.

'There was a lot of smoke,' the Jewish man told the Herald Sun.

'I just kept thinking, what if it landed inside the pram, it could have killed my baby.'

It is understood the projectile was not recovered, though arrests have been made.

'Police arrested two men following an alleged incident where an object was thrown out of a moving vehicle in Ripponlea on Wednesday, 27 November,' a police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'It's alleged the men were occupants inside a vehicle travelling along Hotham Street when the item was thrown onto the footpath causing a loud bang and smoke.

The Jewish father was pushing him pram on the sidewalk near the Sassoon Yehuda Sephardi Synagogue (pictured) in St Kilda East in Melbourne's south-east

The Jewish primary and secondary school Yeshivah College is also on the same street

'A man pushing an infant in a pram and a boy riding his scooter were walking in the area at the time, they were not physical injured.

'The driver a 24-year-old man from Hampton East was interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

'The front seat passenger a 23-year-old Hampton East man was interviewed and is expected to be charged on summons for discharge a missile.'

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Luigi Mangione has taken on a powerful New York attorney to represent him as he faces charges over Brian Thompson's death.

The murder suspect, who is accused of shooting the top brass dead in the streets of New York City, has captivated the country after he was captured by authorities following a five-day run from police.

It appears now he is replacing his initial representation Thomas Dickey with Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former assistant district attorney who helped prosecute the Harvey Weinstein case in New York.

She's considered a veteran of the New York state court system, with one source telling CNN Friedman Agnifilo 'knows every corridor, every judge, every clerk in the courthouse.'

'She's got as much experience as any human being, especially in the state court.'

CNN had previously employed Friedman Agnifilo as a legal analyst.

Friedman Agnifilo left Cyrus Vance Jr.'s Manhattan DA office after seven years in 2021 to go and work in private practice, including at Geragos & Geragos, the high-powered LA firm that currently represents the Menendez brothers.

She studied political science and government before getting her Law degree at Georgetown.

Luigi Mangione is hiring a powerful New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him as he faces murder charges for being the alleged assassin of the UnitedHealthcare CEO

The accused killer of top brass Brian Thompson, who was shot dead in the streets of New York City, captivated the country after he was captured by authorities following a five-day run from police

Friedman Agnifilo also co-hosts a podcast called MissTrial, with former New York Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and ex-federal prosecutor E. Danya Perry.

It comes as multiple crowdfunding attempts have been made to raise money for Mangione's defense, according to ABC News.

The suspect, 26, has been accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, outside of a New York City hotel on December 4.

He was arrested in Pennsylvania on firearms charges and had an actioned-packed day in court Tuesday fighting extradition to the Big Apple.

While Mangione is working to extend his stay in the Keystone State, New York officials are hoping to get him back with what is called a governor's warrant.

It's a warrant signed by the governor of a state where a fugitive flees after a crime. The governor in that state acts upon an official request from the governor of the state where the crime occurred.

In this case, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to seek a governor's warrant from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, but the process could take more than a month.

On Wednesday, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police have matched a gun found on Mangione with the shell casings recovered at the scene and his fingerprints with a water bottle and energy bar wrapper found nearby.

Friedman Agnifilo (pictured right) is a former assistant district attorney who helped prosecute the Harvey Weinstein case in New York

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside Manhattan's Hilton Hotel

Other evidence includes handwritten documents found in his possession casting his alleged crime as a legitimate response to what he viewed as corporate greed, some media outlets have reported.

Mangione lashed out on Tuesday as he was led into a courthouse, shouting in part, '...completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!'

The former Ivy League student had been apprehended with a 3D-printed pistol and black silencer, as well as a manifesto condemning the American healthcare system.

Mangione also had a spiral notebook in which he wrote a 'to-do list,' ahead of the grizzly shooting, CNN reported.

In it, he allegedly toyed with the idea of using a bomb to kill Thompson - but he decided against the prospect because it 'could kill innocents,' and determined a shooting would be more targeted.

He also reportedly mused that it couldn't get any better than 'to kill the CEO at his own bean-counting conference,' as Thompson was set to disclose the financial gains the company made this year.

Authorities have said Mangione's three-page manifesto is currently being investigated, which they have labeled a 'claim of responsibility.'

The document is a different piece of evidence from notebook - where he flirted with the idea of bombing Midtown to kill the millionaire healthcare boss.

Surveillance camera footage showed the gunman, suspected to be Mangione, shooting UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson at point blank range outside of a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan on December 4

In the manifesto, Mangione allegedly wrote about the grandiose size of UnitedHealthcare and how much profits it makes, and went on to condemn health insurance companies more broadly for placing profits over care.

Details about his writing come amid the backdrop of the UPenn graduate's own experience with the medical world, as he had been struggling after a spinal injury. His elaborate online presence also showed he'd read multiple books on back pain.

'To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn't working with anyone. This was fairly trivial: some elementary social engineering, basic CAD, [and] a lot of patience,' he allegedly wrote in the manifesto, according to the Daily Beast.

He went on to say he had 'respect' for federal investigators, and apologized for causing any 'traumas,' but seemed to defend his alleged actions.

'Frankly these parasites had it coming,' the manifesto read.

It claimed that the United States had the 'most expensive healthcare system in the world,' but blasted the system for making America only the 42nd in life expectancy.
A private school has sent a letter to parents after the mother and father of a pupil allegedly faked their son's cancer diagnosis to dupe wellwishers out of $60,000.

The school in Adelaide's western suburbs sent a letter to the parents after news of the alleged scam broke on Friday night.

Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar, both 44, of West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, were charged with criminal neglect and deception offences on Friday and appeared before Port Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Police allege the pair raised $60,000 between November 18 and December 12 after falsely portraying their six-year-old son had 'stage one eye cancer'.

The couple allegedly shaved their son's head and eyebrows, bandaged his head to look like he was receiving radiation treatment and made him travel in a wheelchair.

Ms Bodzar's lawyer said she 'strongly contested' the allegations while Mr Miller's lawyer said he also denied them.

The deputy principal and the AP learning and wellbeing officer at their son's school wrote a letter to other parents insisting that the 'care and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority'.

'We want to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously and are working closely with SAPOL and those directly impacted by the situation,' the Adelaide Advertiser reported.

Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar (pictured), both 44, were charged with criminal neglect and deception offences on Friday and appeared before Port Adelaide Magistrates Court

The couple allegedly shaved their son's head and eyebrows, bandaged his head to look like he was receiving radiation treatment and made him travel in a wheelchair

'The police are currently seeking any individuals who may have information related to the investigation or who believe they have contributed financially to the family involved.

'If you have any relevant information, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit your nearest police station.'

Contact details for a child helpline were also provided in case parents need support for their children after the incident.

The letter also confirmed 'the school has not endorsed or participated in any fundraising activities' in relation to the alleged cancer scam.

Bodzar and Miller, both 44, fronted Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday via video-link from their adjacent police cells.

When police prosecutors expressed concerns at the hearing that Ms Bodzar might interfere with the investigation by attempting to access her bank or social media accounts, she audibly scoffed, as reported by The Advertiser.

Miller, a former truck driver who switched to an office job after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, asked that he receive home detention bail with his parents in Adelaide's north and not have contact with his wife or two children.

Magistrate Alison Adair said she would consider the request based on the result of a home detention bail inquiry report to be completed next week.

Police allege the pair, from Adelaide's western suburbs, raised $60,000 in two weeks for the six-year-old's ongoing 'cancer treatments' before they were arrested. Pictured is the fundraising page which included a photo of their six-year-old son

'Having read the allegations, it appears that this defendant is less involved than the other defendant in this offending,' she said.

Both the boy and his sister, who is aged between six and 12-years-old, have been removed from their parents' care and are living with a relative.

Miller's case was adjourned until December 20 and Bodzsar will return to court on January 6.
Charlamagne Tha God has ripped into Joe Biden over reports he could offer pre-emptive pardons to political figures he believes may face the wrath of the incoming Trump administration.

Last week, rumors swirled that among those being discussed for blanket pardons are former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, Sen.-elect Adam Schiff and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

And Bill Clinton on Wednesday said he was willing to talk to Biden about a presumptive pardon for wife Hillary Clinton in case President-elect Donald Trump would finally try to make good on his promise to 'lock her up.'

Charlamagne, real name Lenard McKelvey, said that these potential pardons make everyone involved appear suspicious and criticized 'old a**' Biden.

He asked on The Breakfast Club Thursday: 'Why would I be pardoning you if you don't have any crimes connected to you? Doesn't that make you look guilty if I give you a preemptive pardon?'

Co-host DJ Envy played devil's advocate, suggesting that it 'means that we know who Trump is, and we know what Trump's probably going to do.'

Charlamagne pushed back, immediately, saying: 'Or it could mean Trump knows something that we don't know, and that's why he's going after these people.'

He had already suggested the kinds of people who should receive pardons, including non-violent drug offenders in federal prison, as well as former Maryland State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

Radio star Charlamagne tha God ripped Joe Biden over reports he may offer pre-emptive pardons to political figures he believes may face the wrath of the incoming Trump administration

Last week, rumors swirled that among those being discussed for blanket pardons by Biden are former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney , Sen.-elect Adam Schiff and Dr. Anthony Fauci

'I just don't understand why you would give somebody a preemptive pardon. Like, it just feels like you're saying, "Okay, I know this person is guilty of something, and Trump may go after them."'

Biden - who has been busy dealing with the fallout from his decision to pardon his son Hunter over gun and tax crimes - hasn't been brought into the discussions yet, the outlet said.

White House officials fear that doling out pardons to people who haven't been charged with a crime could suggest impropriety.

But there's also a worry that if Kash Patel is successfully elevated to head of the FBI, Trump could truly go after his critics, as Patel has suggested.

Politico reported that 'the beneficiaries know nothing' about being considered by the Biden administration for a preemptive pardon.

Schiff said that he wouldn't want to be a recipient.

'I would urge the president not to do that,' Schiff told Politico. 'I think it would seem defensive and unnecessary.'

On Thursday, Biden announced he was commuting the sentences of 1,500 people and pardoning 39 others in the biggest ever single-day act of clemency in the US.

Aides of President Joe Biden are discussing whether he should give blanket pardons to those deemed as enemies to President-elect Donald Trump including former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney (right) seen campaigning alongside Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris

Bill Clinton, appearing on The View, said he was willing to talk to President Joe Biden about a presumptive pardon for Hillary Clinton

The commutations were announced for those who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden said these people would have received shorter sentences if charged under today's laws, policies, and practices.

Officials said last week that the White House was listening to demands for Biden to extend the same grace to thousands of people wronged by the U.S. judicial system.

Sources had told Reuters that the pardons that were being discussed were said to include those convicted of nonviolent drug offenses and people identified by civil rights groups as unjustly incarcerated.

Biden said he would be taking more steps in the weeks ahead and would continue to review clemency petitions.

Republicans lambasted the pardons and commutations who say the Squad liberals must have influenced him.

'Well, whatever legacy he thought he was going to have, he trashed it,' Texas Republican Rep. Jake Ellzey told DailyMail.com.

He called it 'nonsense' that Biden would grant the largest act of clemency ever while giving his son Hunter his own pardon on a separate day. 'That's up to the folks on the other side of the aisle to explain,' he added.

Biden - who has been busy dealing with the fallout from his decision to pardon his son Hunter over gun and tax crimes - hasn't been brought into the discussions yet, the outlet said

'So this isn't a surprise, trust me,' another Texas Republican, Rep. Troy Nehls, told DailyMail.com, he said Biden likely has many more commutations in store for close allies.

'He's still going to do something for maybe some of the the the J6 committee and some of these others,' Nehls continued.

Democrats, however, were excited about Biden's historic action.

'I am heartened by what he did this morning,' Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said Thursday.

'The president demonstrated this morning that he is focused on issues around equity. He's focused on principle. And he showed up in a powerful way.'

Squad member Ayanna Pressley just days ago was pressuring Biden to provide commutations for criminals, saying: 'He must use that power before leaving office.'

'This is about saving lives and addressing the injustices of our legal system,' her post from Tuesday read.

On Thursday, she celebrated the president's choice.

President Joe Biden commuted the sentences for nearly 1,500 non-violent criminals on Thursday. Earlier this month he pardoned his son Hunter Biden. Now, some lawmakers are wondering if the Democrat's last-minute moves will hurt his reputation further

'Clemency changes and saves lives. And thanks to [Biden], 1,500 families will have their lives changed forever,' she wrote on X Thursday.

One Republican said that Biden's picks were unacceptable choices due to their alleged past history.

'In Joe Bidens mass clemency announcement were two CCP spies and a child predator. How on earth is this acceptable?' Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., posted on X.

'The Left is evil, and this regime must be held accountable for the havoc theyve wreaked on our country,' he continued.

Biggs was referring to Shanlin Jin, who actually was not included in Biden's latest clemency round up.

He had pleaded guilty to possession of child porn after 47,000 images were found on his computer as was included in a November prisoner swap to go back to China.

The second largest single-day act of clemency was by Barack Obama, with 330, shortly before leaving office in 2017.

Other presidents have issued controversial pardons - usually in the final days of their presidency.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned his predecessor Richard Nixon for any crimes he had 'committed or may have committed' in the Watergate scandal. This was the first pre-emptive pardon by a president.

In 2001, President Bill Clinton pardoned 140 people on his last day in office including billionaire Marc Rich, who had been a fugitive for decades for fraud related to making illegal oil deals and not paying more than $48 million in taxes.

Family pardons are also not unheard of in presidential history. Before he left office, Clinton granted brother Roger a controversial presidential pardon for a 1985 cocaine-trafficking conviction.

Trump himself pardoned Charles Kushner, father of son-in-law and ex-advisor Jared, before leaving office in 2020. Kushner was just yesterday named the US ambassador to France.

In the last 12 hours of his presidency, Donald Trump pardoned and commuted the sentences of 144 people, including former advisors Stephen Bannon and Roger Stone, as well as the rapper Lil Wayne.
Hundreds of asylum seekers have been placed into quarantine due to an outbreak of scabies at a town centre hotel controversially turned into migrant accommodation.

The arrival of almost 300 men at the Best Western Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham, Greater Manchester without any official announcement divided the prosperous town amid accusations locals were kept in the dark.

Claims that the men would be given private healthcare  later debunked  provoked uproar.

Now it has emerged that movement into and out of the hotel has been suspended after the microscopic mite infection was detected.

One of the migrants - many of them recent arrivals after illegally crossing the English Channel on small boats  had scabies when he moved in, passing the condition to fellow residents.

The asylum seekers  who are legally entitled to free NHS care  have been advised to speak to a GP at the hotel if they have symptoms, which include intensely itchy rashes.

According to Serco, the private contractor running the Cresta Court on behalf of the Home Office, there are currently a small number of cases at the former hotel.

A spokesman said: All of the necessary steps are being taken in line with NHS recommendations to stop the spread and anyone experiencing symptoms is being asked to see a GP who is at the hotel.

Refugees housed at the Cresta Court Hotel, where there has been an outbreak of scabies, wave and make a heart sign as participants in a Unity Rally outside express their solidarity

As the Unity Rally was in progress, other locals expressed their opposition to the presence of the migrants, calling for homeless people to be housed first, among other messages

Hundreds of asylum seekers have been placed into quarantine due to an outbreak of scabies at the hotel in Altrincham, Greater Manchester

Additionally all movement has been stopped in and out of the hotel during the outbreak to prevent the disease spreading further.

What is scabies? Scabies is a contagious skin disease that causes intense itching. It is caused by a tiny parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, that burrows under the skin and lays eggs. The symptoms are easily detected: aside from itching that gets worse at night, the disease causes a raised rash or spots. On white skin, the marks look red, while on brown or black skin they are darker; they usually consist of lines on the skin with a dot at one end. Anyone can get scabies, which spreads through close skin contact and requires prompt treatment to prevent spreading. Typically, the entire body is affected apart from the head and neck, with the rash visible between the fingers, under the arms, and around the wrists, waist, groin and bottom. Advertisement

In a statement to the Messenger newspaper  which first revealed the outbreak - local authority Trafford Council told: It is a common condition that our team often deal with in a range of settings.

Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites and is spread through close skin contact.

While symptoms are not usually serious it can take up to 8 weeks for the rash to appear, according to the NHS.

It advises treatment with a prescription cream or lotion and to wash clothing and bedding at 60C or above.

There was shock at the end of October when local businesses were informed the Cresta Court  a fixture of the towns hospitality scene since the 1970s and previously part of the Best Western franchise  was shutting its doors.

As word spread, a public meeting was held which 175 worried residents expressed concerns about whether the new arrivals had undergone background checks, pointing out that the hotel was close to several schools.

Locals also asked about the impact on stretched health services just three months after the permanent closure of the minor injuries unit at Altrincham Hospital was announced.

Addressing residents in footage that was widely shared online, Nathan Evans, Conservative group leader at Trafford Council, said it was his understanding that a private doctors system had been given a contract to provide healthcare for the asylum seekers.

The presence of the migrants at the Altrincham hotel left the town divided - even before the scabies outbreak came to light

It is understood that roughly 300 asylum seekers are being housed at the hotel. They are entitled to free NHS care while claims are assessed

Migrants are seen outside the hotel, the closure of which led to the cancellation of parties, weddings and functions - much to the annoyance of locals

Mail Online later revealed that health cover for the migrants at the Cresta Court - owned by a group led by former BBC Director General Greg Dyke - will in fact be provided by not-for-profit GTD Healthcare.

GTD stressed that it provides only NHS-commissioned services and not private services.

Asylum seekers are entitled to free NHS care while claims are assessed.

Labour-run Trafford council later revealed it was given almost three weeks notice of the plans, having been informed by the Home Office and contractors Serco on October 8 that they were considering using the Cresta Court as temporary migrant accommodation.

In a statement to a council meeting, leader Tom Ross, said his officials responded with serious concerns regarding the location and the potential pressures on local services it could create.

He said they were assured that should the Home Office be minded to proceed, there would be a meeting arranged with the council.

However with no further dialogue or information, they were deeply concerned on October 25 to receive less than three days notice that the hotel was being converted to asylum accommodation.

Since then, Mr Ross said the council had been working with the police, the NHS, the home office, Serco and community representatives seeking to ensure the smooth running of the operation and to minimize the impact on the community.

Migrants were spotted at the hotel earlier this month - understood to be from Syria, Yemen, Iran and Somalia

In response to the revelation that the local council knew about the plan three weeks in advance, local Tory councillors accused its leadership of having been at best asleep at the wheel.

More than 6,500 people have now signed a petition asking for the migrants to be housed elsewhere.

The conversion of the Cresta Court comes in spite of Labours manifesto pledge to end the use of hotels, barges and military sites as accommodation for asylum seekers.

Similar concerns to those expressed in Altrincham are being voiced 180 miles south in the similarly genteel Datchet, in Berkshire a village in the shadow of Windsor Castle.

Here, some residents are threatening to sell up and leave, after the local 200-bed hotel was turned into a holding centre for asylum seekers.

Last month a Home Office spokeswoman said: This Government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain, with thousands stuck in a backlog without their claims processed.

We are committed to working with local stakeholders and conduct mandatory identity and security checks on all small boat arrivals to ensure public safety is maintained.

Trafford Council said its public health team had been made aware of a small number of cases of scabies at the hotel.

In a statement it said: Council officers are working closely with the hotel management team to deal with the issue.

Scabies is a very mild illness that, once identified, is easily treated. It is a common condition that our team often deal with in a range of settings.
Russia has begun dismantling its military outposts in Syria amid uncertainty about its future in the region following Bashar al-Assad's abrupt fall last weekend.

Images captured by satellite observation companies Maxar and Planet Labs showed an increase in ground vehicles at the Khmeimim air base, where Russia was permanently storing air defence systems, warplanes, and other military equipment.

Imagery showed the apparent disassembly of the Russian air defences and the arrival of several large transport aircraft, believed to indicate forces gathering to depart in the wake of the rebel takeover of the country.

A Syrian security official stationed outside the base said that a Russian cargo plane had left this morning.

Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Financial Times: 'This drawdown may signal a complete Russian exit from Syria, but it is too early to tell.'

Russia was one of al-Assad's main backers throughout the Syrian Civil War, providing troops and vital air support from 2015 to push back advancing rebels and shore up support for the Ba'athist dictator.

But the fate of the country in Syria remains in the air. Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign affairs minister, assured earlier this week that they were having 'constructive' talks with the main rebel group.

Well-placed sources told Bloomberg that talks are already underway to ensure Russian forces can remain at the naval port in Tartus - Russia's only Mediterranean port - and the Khmeimim air base, although the volatile situation could still throw Moscow's plans off course.

Satellite imagery taken earlier this week nonetheless showed that Russia has, at least for now, abandoned its naval base in Tartus since the fall of Damascus on December 8. Five warships were pictured in the port last week but had left by Monday.

An An-124 heavy transport aircraft with its nose cone lifted, at Russian Khmeimim airbase, near Latakia, Syria, December 13

A satellite image shows an overview of Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria, December 13

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 24, 2024

A Russian soldier in a military convoy stands on a roadside because of an engine failure at one of the vehicles as they travel through the air base in Syria's coastal Latakia, December 14

A Russian military aircraft Antonov AH124-100 lands Hmeimim air base in Syria's coastal Latakia, Syria, December 14

Bogdanov assured that the bases had been established 'with the goal of fighting terrorists and ISIS', which remains an immediate threat in parts of eastern Syria.

'I am proceeding on the basis of the notion that everyone agrees that the fight against terrorism, and what remains of ISIS, is not over,' he added, according to Interfax.

Bogdanov stressed the importance of 'collective efforts' in tackling 'the broader struggle against global terrorism'.

Russia has hit hard against ISIS in the wake of a spate of terrorist attacks, including on Russian soil.

In its bid to remain in Syria, it could offer a favourable partnership to keep hold of its two key bases.

But Russia is also providing sanctuary to al-Assad and his family in Moscow, having fled Syria amid a 'peaceful transfer' of power on Sunday.

Syria's new prime minister, Mohamed al-Bashir, has hailed a 'new dawn of freedom and dignity' for the country as rebel leader Abu Mohammed al Jolani assured the West has nothing to fear from the new regime.

The head of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which led much of the blitzkrieg offensive against Assad, told Sky News in his first interview with a Western organisation: 'People are exhausted from war. So the country isn't ready for another one and it's not going to get into another one.

'The source of our fears was from the Iranian militias, Hezbollah and the regime which committed the massacres we are seeing today.

'So their removal is the solution for Syria. The current situation won't allow for a return to panic.'

He added that the West's unease is 'unnecessary, God willing'.

A Syrian man rides his bike as a Russian military convoy heads towards Hmeimim air base in Syria's coastal Latakia, Syria, December 14

A satellite image shows Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich offshore of Tartus, Syria, December 13

People sing songs and dance during victory celebrations in Umayyad Square on December 13

Syrian children in a trunk of car wave 'revolutionary' Syrian flags during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Aleppo

For their part, the US moved quickly to hit ISIS camps and operatives with 'dozens of precision airstrikes' in central Syria on December 8.

'The operation struck over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s. Battle damage assessments are underway, and there are no indications of civilian casualties.'

'There should be no doubt - we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,' said General Michael Erik Kurilla.

'All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.'

Video footage from December 3, before the fall of the regime, appeared to show the A-10 firing its iconic 30mm Gatling cannon at targets in eastern Syria.

Questions over the future role in upkeeping peace and security in Syria have been challenged by president-elect Trump, who has insisted that 'the United States should have nothing to do with [Syria]'.

'This is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved,' he wrote on his Truth Social network, adding 'Syria is a mess, but it is not our friend'.

The departure of US troops could pave the way for new influence from Russia and Iran. HTS is likely to stop the flow of Iranian weapons through to Hezbollah in Lebanon via Syria, after the Iranian proxy group backed Assad.

Syrians gathered in a central square in Damascus to celebrate their liberation from the Assad regime in Damascus Square on December 13

A band plays on top of a truck during victory celebrations in Umayyad Square on December 13

A file photo shows an American A-10 Warthog, as used in recent strikes over Syria

Video footage from December 3, before the fall of the regime, appeared to show the A-10 firing its iconic 30mm Gatling cannon at targets in eastern Syria

Israel has also targeted Iranian missile facilities in Damascus in the wake of the fall of the regime - although launching a 'temporary' military incursion into the buffer zone separating the two countries is unlikely to help relations.

Russia will hope to regain control of the Tartus naval facility, which houses elements of its Black Sea Fleet.

It is also Russia's only repair and replenishment hub in the Mediterranean, and received significant investment and upgrades in 2012.

The hub allows Russian ships to stay in the Mediterranean without having to return to Black Sea ports via the Bosporus.

Passing the strait relies on Turkey's goodwill, and Russia has reportedly already asked Turkey for help in withdrawing its troops from Syria.

GUR, Ukraine's military intelligence service, claims that Russia has also been airlifting military personnel and equipment back home.

While Turkey and Russia were able to work together to broker a truce in May 2020, Turkish forces have backed opposition groups in an effort to displace ISIS.

Turkey now emerges from the crisis in a stronger position. It already has an established line of communication - and a history of cooperation - with HTS, and is becoming less dependent on Russian energy.

Turkey was set to reopen its embassy in Damascus on Saturday, some 12 years after the diplomatic outpost was shuttered early into the war.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the new charge d'affaires, Burhan Koroglu, left for Syria on Friday, with the embassy expected to be 'operational' the following day.

Fidan also said Ankara had urged Assad backers Russia and Iran not to intervene as the Islamist-led rebels mounted their lightning advance last week.

'The most important thing was to talk to the Russians and Iranians to ensure that they didn't enter the equation militarily... They understood,' Fidan told private television network NTV.

The sudden fall of the Syrian regime, coinciding with Hezbollah's ceasefire after more than a year of war with Israel, highlighted the inability or unwillingness of Russia and Iran to come to Assad's aid despite propping up the dictator in the past.

Russia is preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and has fewer assets to spare to maintain its global interests.

Syria's new transitional prime minister Mohammad al-Bashir chairing a meeting of the new cabinet in Damascus on December 10

A Syrian fighter from rebel group, fires towards a poster at the entrance of the security detention centre called Palestine Branch, which pictures the late Syrian President Hafez Assad and his son the ouster Syrian president Bashar Assad, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Dec. 14

A Syrian fighter from rebel group removes a poster at the entrance to the notorious security detention centre called Palestine Branch, which shows the ouster Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Dec. 14

People stand on a destroyed military tank on the outskirts of Hama on December 11

A Syrian rebel fighter shows captagon pills, a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant, hidden in a fake fruit at a factory for manufacturing captagon pills prior to the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in the city of Douma, east of the capital Damascus, Syria, 14 December

The rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction, claim to have uncovered a large quantity of drugs after taking control of the country following the regime's collapse. They have vowed to destroy the confiscated drugs

Pills, which, according to fighters loyal to the new ruling Syrian body, are captagon, are placed inside an apple-shaped container, on the outskirts of Damascus, December 12

Questions remain over the fate of the hundreds of thousands of Syrians displaced by the war and until now taking refuge in Europe.

What is HTS?

HTS is a powerful Islamist organisation that has maintained de facto control of Idlib for several years. The group, led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, solidified in 2017 as a conglomeration of various Islamist faction, tracing its roots to al-Qaeda. HTS' core component arose from a group once known as Jabhat al-Nusra - al-Qaeda's Syrian branch - but later sought to reposition itself as a legitimate Syrian nationalist group. It officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and created a civilian arm known as the 'Salvation Government' through which it seeks to govern in Syria, insisting it has no ambition to expand beyond the nation's borders. Initial reports from civilians in Aleppo have appeared to suggest that HTS militants have treated inhabitants well after ousting Syrian government forces. But there are suspicions that HTS' jihadist origins remain and it is still designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US, UK and the EU, among others. Advertisement

Britain joined Western nations in a decision to pause asylum application decisions from Syrians following the collapse of the Assad regime.

The new Syrian government has urged its people to come home and help 'rebuild' the country.

But many are wary of returning to a country ravaged by 13 years of war, and headed by a rebel leadership.

Refugee charities have told the Home Secretary of their 'deep concern and opposition' to the decision to pause application decisions.

Urging Yvette Cooper to resume her department's processing of those claims, the organisations said they 'feel strongly that it is far from clear that Syria is safe for those who have or are seeking sanctuary'.

The Home Office confirmed the temporary suspension of decision-making on Monday, with Ms Cooper saying events in Syria led to a 'very fast-moving situation that we need to closely monitor'.

Ms Cooper also told Parliament 'many' claims had been made 'against the Assad regime for asylum, which is clearly not in place'.

She told MPs: 'It would therefore not be appropriate to be granting asylum decisions on those cases in the current circumstances.'

She added that the Government was continuing to monitor the 'evolving situation so that we can get new country guidance in place and so that we can take those decisions'.

In their plea to bring Syrian diaspora back home, the interim government has made assurances that minorities in Syria's diverse demographic makeup will be protected.

A fighter offers food to a woman as he sits outside Ummayad mosque at the old city of Damascus on December 11

An armed man walks down a street on December 11, 2024 in Madaya, Syria

Damage in the wake of an Israeli airstrike in northeastern Syria, on December 10, 2024

Al Jolani has consistently distanced himself from his affiliation from al-Qaeda, reinventing himself as a statesman concerned with the rebuilding of 'institutions'.

In the final days of the conflict, messages to troops published in English appeared to be looking to reassure an international audience of his intentions to rule in line with principles of rule of law.

Interim PM al-Bashir's allies have also highlighted their intentions to 'establish a nation built on principles of nationalism, justice, and the rule of law', aiming towards a 'technocratic state where institutions are respected, and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all'.

HTS emerged from Jabhat al Nusra, the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria and later fought ISIS during the war.

In 2017, they rebranded as HTS and publicly disavowed al-Qaeda.

The group is a designated terrorist organisation in the UK and the US, but this could change.

Sir Keir Starmer said this week no decision had yet been made on whether the government could remove HTS from the list as it was too early to tell.

'We have all seen in other parts of history where we think there is a turning point - it turns out not necessarily to be the better future that we hope for,' Sir Keir said.

'We've got to make sure this is different.'
Revellers were reportedly left 'covered in blood' after a pre-Christmas party descended into violence.

There were reports of 'multiple people covered in blood' in the early hours of this morning in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

Police were seen blocking off Stafford Street at about 4am as one person told local newspaper StokeonTrentLive it had been 'kicking off' in the early hours.

The reader told the paper: 'Yet again another weekend of a high police presence on Stafford Street where it was kicking off.

'Multiple people covered in blood. There were six police cars and one riot van and Stafford Street was closed at both ends for about 20 minutes.'

Police were seen blocking off Stafford Street at about 4am as one person told local newspaper StokeonTrentLive it had been 'kicking off' in the early hours

There were reports of 'multiple people covered in blood' in the early hours

Staffordshire Police was contacted for comment.

It comes as a huge brawl broke out outside a nightclub in the city involving 20 clubbers last week, in which people were punched, headbutted and stamped on.

Officers arrested two people, a man and a woman from 20, from Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme respectively.

The man was arrested on suspicion of common assault and displaying threatening and/or abusive behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress while the woman was detained on suspicion of assault by beating.

He was interviewed by officers and released on conditional bail while the woman was given an adult restorative disposal.

Police have since said they are keen to speak to anyone with any information about this.

A police spokesperson said: 'Were keen to speak to anyone with any information that can help with our investigation, particularly those who were in the area at the time. Call 101, quoting incident 118 of 7 December, or use Live Chat on our website.

'To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'
A businessman accused of being a Chinese spy was invited to Buckingham Palace by Prince Andrew twice, according to reports.

The man, known only as H6, was banned from Britain by the Government on national security grounds.

But a recent legal ruling suggested that he was an 'close confidant' of Prince Andrew - and last night it emerged that the shamed Duke of York may have invited him to several Royal residences.

H6, it has been suggested, visited Buckingham Palace twice and also entered St James's Palace and Windsor Castle - at the invitation of Prince Andrew, and may have known him for as long as a decade.

On Friday, the duke said he 'ceased all contact' with the businessman when concerns were first raised about him.

Andrew met the individual through 'official channels' with 'nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed', a statement from his office said.

The businessman brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after then-home secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK in March 2023.

Several newspapers have reported that the King has been briefed about his brother's links to the alleged spy.

Prince Andrew with the alleged Chinese spy who has been banned from the UK

Prince Andrew with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit by the premier to the UK in 2015

Prince Andrew with finalists at the Pitch@Palace competition he launched for young entrepreneurs in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, in 2019

But last night The Times reported H6 visited Buckingham Palace twice, as well as Windsor Castle and St James Palace.

And he also attended the Duke's 60th birthday party in 2020 at Royal Lodge within Windsor Great Park.

Legal papers show MI5 considered the businessman a 'risk to UK national securoty', while subsequent reports suggest the intelligence agency is investigating Chinese money given to Andrew's business ventures.

The Telegraph reported the donors may have links to the alleged spy.

Ms Braverman has called for the man - known only as H6 - to lose his anonymity, the Telegraph has reported, as a 'deterrent to others taking part in similar activities'.

Judges were told that in July 2023, officials claimed H6 had been in a position to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials 'that could be leveraged for political interference purposes'.

He was believed by UK authorities to be associated with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese Communist Party tasked with conducting influence operations.

H6 subsequently denied receiving any instructions from the UFWD - but intelligence briefings suggest that those in positions like his could be 'expected to understand UFWD and CCP objectives... without being tasked'.

They also said H6 had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Andrew, 64, represented a threat to national security.

The Duke of York reportedly invited the Chinese spy, named as H6, to Buckingham Palace twice

It comes following reports that King Charles has been briefed by British intelligence over a major security breach linking the Duke to the alleged Chinese spy

At a hearing in July, the specialist tribunal heard the businessman was told by an adviser to Andrew that he could act on the duke's behalf when dealing with potential investors in China, and that H6 had been invited to Andrew's birthday party in 2020.

A letter referencing the birthday party from the adviser, Dominic Hampshire, was discovered on H6's devices when he was stopped at a port in November 2021.

In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Bourne, Judge Stephen Smith and Sir Stewart Eldon, dismissed the challenge.

They suggested in their written judgement that Andrew could have been 'vulnerable' and needing additional support at the peak of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

'(H6) won a significant degree, one could say an unusual degree, of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him,' the ruling said.

'That occurred in a context where, as the contemporaneous documents record, the Duke was under considerable pressure and could be expected to value (H6's) loyal support.

'It is obvious that the pressures on the Duke could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence.'

The Home Secretary said today the government would 'always stand ready to take action' around 'any kind of challenge or threat' to UK national security.

Speaking to Sky News from Italy, Yvette Cooper said: 'Our security and intelligence agencies are continually vigilant for any threat to UK national security, whether that be around foreign influence, whether it be around espionage, whether it be around any security threat.

'We won't hesitate to take action in individual cases or more widely wherever any challenge arises.'

Asked whether the anonymity of a spy-accused Chinese businessman known as H6 should be lifted, Ms Cooper said: 'We always respect the decisions of the courts and also don't comment on individual cases.'

It comes after the royal family reportedly took further steps over the summer to distance themselves from the disgraced duke, with the King said to have axed his 1 million annual 'living allowance' and security privately funded for Andrew's home.

The specialist tribunal heard that the businessman was told by Dominic Hampshire (pictured), an adviser to Prince Andrew, that he could act on the duke's behalf when dealing with potential investors in China

Prince Andrew meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on May 29, 2018 in Beijing, China

Professor Rana Mitter, ST Lee Professor of US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School and an expert in Chinese politics, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that part of Chinese spying strategy is to look for people who might be 'influential over time' but are 'in a bit of a doldrums'.

He said the situation involving the Duke of York and H6 is 'not so much about spying in the sense of trying to find out secrets, it's about trying to influence'.

'Getting to know the elites of countries like Britain is a useful task not for immediate knowledge but maybe for long term development of links in society. It seems that's what has been going on here,' Prof Mitter said.

'One of the things that quite often will happen is looking out for who may be influential over time, but perhaps is in a bit of a down spot, a bit of a doldrums.

'One of the best examples from a generation ago would have been President Richard Nixon, after he had to resign in disgrace over Watergate he was frequently invited to China.'

Andrew Lownie, who is writing a biography of the Duke and Sarah, Duchess of York, said the latest revelations involving the King's younger brother would impact the wider family and the 'future of the monarchy', as he called for greater transparency around the the royals' finances.

He said: 'The real scandals surrounding him are financial more than sexual.

'Given he cannot police his own activities and understand where the moral boundaries lie, it is time for proper scrutiny of his finances and a public register of royal interests.

'Judging from online comments to newspaper articles, this episode is highly damaging for the whole of the royal family whose finances and business activities should now be more transparent.

'Time, too, for the exemption for them in the Freedom of Information Act be removed and their wills not sealed.

'After recent scandals, I think this is a very serious moment for the future of the monarchy.'

The Palace has previously declined to comment, saying they do not act for the prince, who is not a working royal.

Buckingham Palace and the Duke of York's office have been approached for comment.
This is the shocking moment a man set himself on fire in front of stunned onlookers on a busy London street yesterday morning.

Police officers frantically doused the man in fire extinguisher and covered him with a jacket as he quickly went up in flames.

Members of the public can be heard screaming in horror in the clip which has been widely shared on social media.

The man set himself on fire in front of police officers after they were called to a domestic row at an address on North Road in Islington, The Met has said.

He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening.

A police officer was also treated for minor burns but has since been discharged.

A referral has since been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as the incident unfolded when officers were already at the scene, The Met added.

A spokesperson for the Met police said: 'Police were called at approximately 09:25hrs on Friday, 13 December to reports of a domestic disturbance at an address in North Road, N7.

This is the shocking moment a man set himself on fire in front of stunned onlookers on a busy London street yesterday morning

Police officers frantically doused the man in fire extinguisher and covered him with a jacket as he quickly went up in flames

'Officers attended and found a man in the street who then set himself alight. Officers, along with members of the public put the flames out. The London Ambulance Service and London Fire brigade also attended the scene.

'The man was taken to hospital, his condition is not life threatening or life changing . His next of kin are aware.

'An officer was also treated at hospital for minor burns and has since been discharged.

'The Mets Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.

'Due to police being in attendance when the man sustained his injuries, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.'
Grave fears are held for the husband of the woman whose badly decomposed body was found dumped near Sydney Airport.

The body of Zhuojun 'Sally' Li, 33, was discovered by a jogger badly decomposed and wrapped in plastic in Sir Joseph Banks Park off Foreshore Road, in Botany in Sydney's south-east on Monday.

Police fear Ms Li's husband, Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen, 33, may have also been murdered.

A silver Toyota Avensis, which does not belong to either of them, was seized by Homicide Squad officers as they believe it was used to transport Ms Li's body.

On Saturday Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said police are 'trying to identify the third party'.

'A strong focus for us is mainly on Rex at the moment but we have to keep an open mind, we are looking at a strong possibility of a third party as well,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

Police said there was no link between the car and Ms Li or Mr Chen and have launched a massive hunt underway for a 'third person'.

'We are looking at associations and friends of Sally and Rex who may have been in a position to transport a body to Botany and then also to cover up the actual body at the crime scene,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

Grave fears are held for the husband of the woman whose badly decomposed body was found dumped near Sydney Airport

The body of Zhuojun 'Sally' Li, 33, was discovered wrapped in plastic in Sir Joseph Banks Park (pictured) off Foreshore Road, in Botany in Sydney's south-east on Monday

'There's a question mark as to whether Rex is a person of interest or a victim. We still don't know.'

Detective Superintendent Doherty said Mr Chen was last seen alive in November and there was a 'strong investigative theory' that a third party could be involved.

'Not only in the suspected murder of Sally, but we also have to look at a third party being involved in the disappearance of Rex as well,' Mr Doherty said.

He added: 'At this stage we believe he (Rex) is in Australia but whether he is alive or dead we don't know.'

Mr Doherty said they were a 'normal couple' who had no known links to organised crime.

The concerns for Mr Chen's safety come as The Australian revealed Mr Chen has a string of drug related convictions.

Mr Chen was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to an 18-month Community Corrections Order for supplying a prohibited drug.

The order expired in January this year.

A silver Toyota Avensis (pictured) was seized by Homicide Squad officer they believe was used to transport Ms Li's body

He was subject to additional conditions that he was required to be supervised by a Community Corrections officer and to continue treatment for his 'alcohol and drug issues'.

Mr Chen was also convicted of possessing stolen goods, however there was no further penalty.

Mr Chen was also found guilty in August 2020 of possessing a prohibited drug but entered into a Conditional Release Order and was not convicted.

His Conditional Release Order was revoked in November 2020 when he broke his conditions by committing further offences.

He was convicted of four charges of supplying a 'small quantity' of prohibited drugs and sentenced to a 12 month Community Corrections Order.

Mr Chen was also convicted of two charges of possessing a prohibited drug and received a further six-month Community Corrections Order.
Russian Intelligence had to persuade Bashar al-Assad to leave Syria in last moment drama as rebels advanced on Damascus last weekend.

Unable to help the Assad regime keep back the mounting rebel incursion, Russia advised their ally that he would lose the fight against the groups under HTS.

He was offered safe passage to Moscow with his family if he left immediately, Bloomberg reports.

It is understood Putin personally approved Assad's rescue but has no intention of meeting him now he is in exile.

Three sources told Bloomberg News that Moscow organised for Assad to escape via its air base on the Syrian coast, using a 'transponder trick'.

He was reportedly ordered to tell no-one, switch his transponder off and get on his private plane in the capital Damascus.

The aircraft then travelled to Russias Khmeimim air base on the Syrian coast, before Assad headed to Moscow, possibly on a military plane, the sources have claimed.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed a plane believed to be carrying Assad as he left the Syrian capital Damascus in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The plane headed towards the Mediterranean Sea, before making a U-turn and disappearing from the map.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 24, 2024

An An-124 heavy transport aircraft with its nose cone lifted, at Russian Khmeimim airbase, near Latakia, Syria, December 13

A woman takes a photograph with rebel fighters during victory celebrations in Umayyad Square on December 13, in Damascus

Assad with his British-born wife Asma and their children in 2022. Following the humiliating capitulation of his dictatorship over the weekend, Assad will now start a new life in Russia

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, claimed that Assad was transported out of Syria 'in the most secure way possible' over the weekend.

Speaking to NBC News, Mr Ryabkov said: 'He [Assad] is secured, and it shows that Russia acts as required in such an extraordinary situation.'

And when asked if Moscow would hand Assad over the International Criminal Court, he implied they would not, saying Russia 'is not party to the convention' that established it.

In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity - with the US rejecting the decision.

Human rights groups have also previously accused Assad of war crimes - such as using chemical weapons on civilians.

Explaining why Russia helped Assad escape, Mr Ryabkov said he 'was accused by the same group of countries and governments that continuously defeat attempts to live their own ways as it happened in Iraq, in Libya and in many more'.

Referring to Netanyahu's arrest warrant, Mr Ryabkov added it was 'amazing' that Washington 'configures its response' in relation to which people are being prosecuted by the court.

Vladimir Putin was Assad's key ally during Syria's long civil war with the Kremlin helping him maintain his family's brutal dynasty which had governed Syria for over 50 years.

Putin has also built up a massive military presence in Syria with an air base in Latakia and a naval facility in Tartus - which is Russia's only Mediterranean naval hub - and an estimated 7,000 military personal on the ground as recently as this summer.

Mr Ryabkov said that he had 'no idea what going on with him [Assad] right now' adding that it 'would be very wrong for me to elaborate on what happened and how it was resolved'.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, told the international press this morning that Russia was in contact with the rebels over its military bases.

He said: 'We, of course, maintain contacts with those who are currently controlling the situation in Syria,' Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

Syrians gathered in a central square in Damascus to celebrate their liberation from the Assad regime in Damascus Square on December 13

A Syrian fighter from rebel group, fires towards a poster at the entrance of the security detention centre called Palestine Branch, which pictures the late Syrian President Hafez Assad and his son the ouster Syrian president Bashar Assad, in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Dec. 14

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

Sergei Ryabkov (pictured), Russia's deputy foreign minister, claimed that Assad was transported to Moscow 'in the safest way possible' at the weekend

Putin embraces Assad during a meeting in 2017. Russia has built up a massive military presence in Syria with an air base in Latakia and a naval facility in Tartus - which is Russia's only Mediterranean naval hub

Rebel fighters set fire to the gravesite of Hafez al-Assad. Syrians for the first time in six decades look to a future without the Assad family

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

The Assad family's secret escape tunnels have been revealed after Syrian rebels were left stunned by the huge luxury underground network

'This is necessary because our bases are located there, our diplomatic mission is located there and, of course, the issue related to ensuring the security of these facilities is extremely important and of primary significance.'

Following the humiliating capitulation of his dictatorship over the weekend, Assad and his family will now start a new life in Russia.

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.

This included the purchase of at least 18 luxury apartments in the City of Capitals complex, located in Moscow's glittering skyscraper district.

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.

Back Assad's former residence in Damascus, 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.

A Syrian fighter from rebel group removes a poster at the entrance to the notorious security detention centre called Palestine Branch, which shows the ouster Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Dec. 14

Syrian children in a trunk of car wave 'revolutionary' Syrian flags during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Aleppo

People sing songs and dance during victory celebrations in Umayyad Square on December 13

A satellite image shows an overview of Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria, December 13

Meanwhile, in Syria its citizen look to rebuild their nation after 13 years of war and - for the first time in six decades - they look to a future without the Assad family's autocratic rule.

Away from the thousands of Syrians taking to the street to celebrate, the true horrors of the Assad regime are only just being uncovered.

Many have travelled into the infamous Sednaya Prison near Damascus, nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse' in hopes of finding long-lost family members.

The prison was the epicentre of this systematic terror where huge numbers of detainees were subjected to all manner of inhumane treatments and executed.

Dark footage and images published this week showed how horrified rescuers pulled out dozens upon dozens of body bags containing rotting corpses from the depths of the facility.

But there are dozens more facilities across the nation where victims of the Assad regime were left to suffer and die.

Now, as survivors of these hellhole jails emerge to reunite with their families and give chilling testimonies about life behind bars, those deemed responsible for orchestrating the horrors may soon face their comeuppance.

The leader of Syria's rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that played a leading role in the lightning offensive that ousted Assad has vowed to hunt down officials, security forces and army officers who 'tortured' the Syrian people.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani speaks at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

An aerial view of the Sednaya Military Prison after armed groups, opposing Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime take control in Damascus. The prison was the epicentre of this systematic terror where huge numbers of detainees were subjected to all manner of inhumane treatments and executed

Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has vowed to rebuild Syria and HTS has spent years trying to soften its image to reassure foreign nations and minority groups.

But he openly declared he would hold accountable those found to have been involved in 'war crimes' against Syrians.

The Assad regime's detention centres in Syria represented one of the most depraved systems of institutionalised torture in modern history.

The prison system under Assad was not merely punitive; it was a calculated mechanism to crush dissent and terrorise populations.

No one was safe from Assad's maniacal security forces.

Rebel fighters were cast into jails along with intellectuals, activists and regular civilians - all were subjected to heinous treatment, in many cases for several decades.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights claims that since the beginning of the Syrian revolution in March 2011, over 157,000 people remain under arrest or have been forcibly disappeared  including 5,274 children and 10,221 women.

More than 15,000 are said to have died under torture in that time.
The mother of a teenager who committed suicide after being sentenced by a judge who secretly received millions for sending children to for-profit prisons slammed President Biden's decision to commute his sentence.

Sandy Fonzo is the mother of star wrestler Eddie Kenzakoski, 17, who died by suicide in 2003 after disgraced judge Michael Conahan sent him to prison for his first minor drug offence.

It was later found that Conahan and fellow judge Mark Ciavarella accepted over $2.8 million in payments in exchange for handing teen minor offenders harsh prison sentences, and he was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2011.

Following Conahan's commutation on Thursday, resurfaced footage from after Conahan's conviction went viral, where Fonzo was seen berating the judge and blaming him for her son's death.

'Do you remember me?' she shouted at the shame-faced judge. 'You scumbag.'

Biden commuted Conahan's sentence this week as part of a staggering 1,500 cases Biden granted clemency for, the biggest single-day act of its kind in modern American history. He also issued 39 pardons.

After Conahan's commutation sparked widespread backlash, Fonzo released a statement to the Citizens Voice, saying Biden's decision was 'deeply painful.'

'This pardon feels like an injustice for all of us who still suffer,' Fonzo said. 'I am shocked and I am hurt. Conahans actions destroyed families, including mine, and my sons death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power.

'This pardon feels like an injustice for all of us who still suffer. Right now I am processing and doing the best I can to cope with the pain that this has brought back.'

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also slammed President Biden's decision to commute the detested 'cash-for-kids' judge's sentence, branding it 'absolutely wrong.'

Former judge Michael Conahan was convicted in 2011 over a heartless scheme to send children to for-profit prisons in exchange for millions in kickbacks. His sentence was commuted by President Biden on Thursday

Sandy Fonzo, the mother of a teenager who died by suicide in 2003 after Conahan sent him to prison on his first minor drug offence, was seen in 2011 footage that went viral again this week screaming at the judge and calling him a 'scumbag'

Fonzo's son Eddie Kenzakoski, 17, was a star wrestler who killed himself after Conahan sent him to prison in exchange for secret payments

The Democrat slammed Biden's commutation of former Luzerne County judge Michael Conahan's sentence, who was convicted in 2011 over a heartless scheme where he sent children to for-profit prisons in exchange for millions in kickbacks.

'Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart,' Shapiro said at a press conference Thursday.

'There was all kinds of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kids back.'

The commutations notably do not rise to the level of a pardon, as it reduces a sentence that is being served but does not rescind the individual's conviction or imply innocence.

Conahan's commutation sparked outrage in Pennsylvania, 14 years after he pleaded guilty along with judge Mark Ciavarella of accepting $2.8 million in payments to send children to for-profit prisons.

Biden was also condemned for granting clemency for two Chinese spies and a relative of a CCP leader caught with a cache of child pornography, and a former Illinois official who embezzled $53 million from her hometown.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned Biden's decision as 'absolutely wrong'

Biden's mass commutation spree comes weeks after he also broke his word to the American people and issued a blanket pardon to his son Hunter Biden over any crimes he may have committed since 2014.

At Shapiro's press conference on Thursday, the governor and anticipated 2028 presidential hopeful said he was left baffled by Biden's commutation of Conahan's sentence.

'Governors and presidents have unique power to grant pardons and clemency and commute sentences. It is an absolute power, and it is a power that should be used incredibly carefully,' Shapiro said.

'Ill offer these thoughts as an outsider, not privy to all the information he looked at, but I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania.'

He said Conahan's crimes are still a 'black eye on the community', and continue to affect many families 'in really deep and profound and sad ways.'

Although Conahan had eight years left on his sentence, he was released on house arrest in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which Shapiro said was another slap in the face for his victims.

'He should have been in prison for at least the 17 years that he was sentenced to by a jury of his peers. He deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man,' he said.

The mercy granted to Conahan was one of a staggering 1,500 cases Biden commuted on Thursday, the biggest single-day act of clemency in modern American history, along with pardons for 39 people

Shapiro said he was left reeling from Biden's huge commutation move, and implied that the thousands of cases all being decided at once may have been short-sighted.

'I study every single case that comes across my desk where theres a request for a pardon or clemency or a reduction of sentence, and I take it very seriously. I weigh the merits of the case,' he said.

'I weigh what occurred in the court proceedings. I think about public safety and victims and all of those issues factor into my decision.'

Conahan's case was far from the only one to face scrutiny in the last days of Biden's presidency, with pardons for two Chinese spies and the relative of a top CCP party member also sparking outrage.

Yanjun Xu and Ji Chaoqun, who were both convicted of espionage, were granted clemency last month, along with Shanlin Jin, a former doctoral student in Texas found to have more than 47,000 images of child pornography.

Three days after their sentences were commuted on November 22, three Americans serving sentences in China were released.

Biden's recent pardons list also includes Yanjun Xu (pictured) and Ji Chaoqun, who were both convicted of espionage, and Shanlin Jin, a former doctoral student in Texas found to have over 47,000 images of child pornography

The city of Dixon, Illinois was also up in arms this week as Biden commuted the sentence of Rita Crundwell, 71, (pictured) the city's former comptroller who was convicted of embezzling over $53 million from the town's coffers in 2013

The city of Dixon, Illinois was also up in arms this week as Biden commuted the sentence of Rita Crundwell, 71, the city's former comptroller who was convicted of embezzling over $53 million from the town's coffers.

Crundwell's case captured headlines in 2013 as her crimes marked the largest municipal theft in US history, and she served over eight years in prison before being released from federal prison in August 2021.

She had been in a halfway house and was not set to be fully released until October 2029.

Dixon City Manager Danny Langloss Jr. said the decision to commute Crundwell's sentence was 'a complete travesty of justice and a slap in the face for our entire community.'

Explaining his mass commutations on Thursday, Biden said: 'As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses.'
Harry Potter author and outspoken gender critic J.K. Rowling has thrown her support behind expelled Liberal MP Moira Deeming following her massive defamation win.

Ms Deeming won her high profile defamation case against Victorian Opposition leader John Pesutto and was awarded $300,000 in damages in the Federal Court on Thursday.

Federal Court Justice David O'Callaghan found Mr Pesutto defamed Ms Deeming by suggesting or implying that she was a Nazi or Nazi sympathiser last year when booting her out of the Liberal party after she attended a gender critical rally.

The Judge found that I was defamed in five separate publications and that each of those also caused serious harm to my reputation. Every single one of Mr Pesuttos defences, failed,' Ms Deeming wrote on X.

This judgment is a public acknowledgment that there was never any justification- legal, moral or political - for what the Opposition Leader did to me and to my family.

Ms Rowling reshared Ms Deemings post to her 14.2million followers, writing: The right side of history is racking up a hell of a lot of losses recently, isnt it? Congratulations @MoiraDeemingMP'.

Ms Rowling is an outspoken critic of certain aspects of transgender activism, which she perceives as potentially harmful to women's rights and safety.

Ms Deeming alleged Mr Pesutto defamed her following a Let Women Speak rally in Melbourne in March 2023, which was gatecrashed by a group of neo-Nazi protesters on the steps of Victoria's Parliament, a claim he denied.

Harry Potter author and outspoken gender critic J.K. Rowling (pictured) congratulated Ms Deeming following her defamation win over Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto

Expelled Liberal MP Moira Deeming (pictured) won her defamation case against Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto and was awarded $300,000 in damages

However, Justice O'Callaghan found Mr Pesutto defamed Mrs Deeming in a media release, two radio interviews, a press conference and in a party expulsion motion.

The judge ruled Mr Pesutto implied Ms Deeming was unfit to be in the parliamentary Liberal Party because of her associations with Nazis.

Mr Pesutto was not in court to hear the decision, while Ms Deeming was supported by her husband and a group of women.

The group cheered after the judge left the bench, while Ms Deeming's husband gave her a hug.

The total bill for Mr Pesutto could be up to $2million, according to the Herald Sun.

In his ruling, Justice O'Callaghan struck down Mr Pesutto's defences of public interest, honest opinion and common law qualified privilege.

He also said the defence of contextual truth was not relevant.

Outside court, Ms Deeming made a brief statement to waiting media.

J.K. Rowling reposted Ms Deeming's media statement to her 14.2million followers. The post is pictured

'Obviously I am just so delighted with today's result and I am very grateful to the court for their prompt consideration,' she said.

'I just want to say think you to everybody who stood by with me and we are just going to get out there and get sex-based rights for women and child safeguards for children.'

Justice O'Callaghan had some harsh words for Mr Pesutto's testimony during the trial, noting his cross examination took four days.

'The length of it was in due in considerable part to his inability or refusal to give a simple answer to simple enough questions,' Justice O'Callaghan wrote in his ruling.

The judge said he understood that when politicians 'are engaged in the cut and thrust of politics' and facing tough questions in press conferences 'their job can involve deflecting questions, pivoting to another topic or running out the clock'.

However, Justice O'Callaghan said such evasions were 'not the role of a witness in a court proceeding'.

Mr Pesutto (pictured with wife Betty Pesutto) was not in Federal Court to hear the ruling against him

Neo-Nazi protesters gatecrashed a women's rights protest in March 2023 leading to Mr Pesutto expelling Ms Deeming from the Liberal party

'Time and time again Mr Pesutto gave lengthy and non-responsive answers,' he wrote.

During the three-and-a-half-week trial in September, Ms Deeming, who is now an independent MP, told the court the black-clad men who were escorted into the women's rally area by police had nothing to do with her protest.

Mr Pesutto was also sued by British women's rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen and fellow Let Women speak rally organiser Angie Jones but settled those cases out of court in May.

As part of that settlement he was forced to issue a grovelling apology.
Syrian rebels have uncovered a vast haul of an addictive amphetamine-like stimulant dubbed the 'poor man's cocaine' in their reclamation of the country from the grips of Bashar al-Assad's Ba'athist regime.

HTS fighters unveiled Captagon pills concealed inside electrical components due for export in a raid on a warehouse at a quarry on the outskirts of Damascus this week, following their lightning offensive to take the capital last Sunday.

In a cavernous garage beneath the warehouse and loading bays, thousands of dusty beige captagon pills were packed into the copper coils of brand new household voltage stabilisers.

'We found a large number of devices that were stuffed with packages of captagon pills meant to be smuggled out of the country. It's a huge quantity. It's impossible to tell,' black-masked fighter Abu Malek al-Shami said.

Above, in the warehouse, crates of cardboard boxes stood ready to allow the traffickers to disguise their cargo as pallet-loads of standard goods, alongside sacks and sacks of caustic soda.

Alicia Kearns MP warned last year that the export of Captagon - worth a staggering 1.9bn to the deposed Assad regime - could reach the UK through 'significant trafficking networks', putting lives at risk.

An HTS fighter said that they had 'destroyed and burned' a huge quantity of the drug found on the grounds of the Mazzeh air base, and seen by journalists smouldering in a large bonfire.

'Khattab' insisted that HTS, which has formed a transitional government to replace the collapsed administration, does not want to harm its neighbours by exporting the drug, and vows to put an end to the trade.

A Syrian rebel fighter shows captagon pills hidden in a fake fruit at a factory for manufacturing in the city of Douma, east of the capital Damascus, Syria, 14 December

A Syrian rebel fighter handles raw materials at a factory for manufacturing captagon pills, Douma, December 14

A pile of drugs, identified as captagon, an illicit drug, hauled out of Mazzeh Airbase in Damascus, Syrian on December 12. Drugs and the equipment used for their production were destroyed by burning them

'After we entered and did a sweep, and we found that this is a factory for Maher al-Assad and his partner Amer Khiti,' said Shami as he led AFP journalists around the site near Damascus.

What are the risks associated with captagon? While there is no extended scientific research into fenethylline's pharmacology and toxicity, some early studies point to potentially fatal risks associated with the drug. A 2014 study into heart failure and captagon use concluded that users had 'higher risk of in-hospital death' (7 per cent versus 4 per cent for non-users) and recurrent admission with heart failure (35 per cent versus 24 per cent). Captagon use was 'found to be an independent risk factor of death and other morbidities' in patients facing cardiomyopathy and heart failure. While a small amount of the drug can improve mental and psychomotor performance, and is considered to have less potential for abuse than amphetamine, intravenous administration has caused seizures in animals. Long term use was also associated with depression, lethargy, insomnia, heart palpitations, blood vessel toxicity and malnutrition. Some regular users have suffered blurred vision, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat, muscle and joint pain, cramping, mood swings, confusion and irritability. Experts also warn of the consumption of counterfeit pills containing other stimulants - all with their own risks. Advertisement

Maher al-Assad was a military commander and the deposed strongman's brother, now presumed on the run. He is widely accused of being the power behind the lucrative captagon trade.

Syrian politician Khiti was placed under sanction in 2023 by the British government, which said he 'controls multiple businesses in Syria which facilitate the production and smuggling of drugs'.

In the dark, cavernous warehouses at the abandoned site in the city of Douma, fighters who ousted Assad said they found thousands of pills hidden in furniture, fruit, decorative pebbles and voltage stabilizers that Reuters reporters saw stacked on pallets, with a trailer waiting outside.

Many of the pills were stamped with the double crescent logo or the word 'Lexus' that identifies Captagon pills.

'These are ready for export,' said one of the fighters loyal to Syria's new rulers who took Reuters reporters inside and then cracked open one of the export-ready devices, revealing the pills hidden inside.

Bottles found inside contained hazardous chemicals produced in countries including Britain, China, India, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, according to the labels.

Suffolk-based lab equipment supplier SureChem told The Telegraph that they had supplied recovered brown jars containing chemicals in Douma in 2010.

They said it was 'part of our last shipment to the country as the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011 and embargoes were subsequently introduced'.

'With regard to the products themselves, they were supplied for general laboratory use and are fairly unremarkable,' they assured.

Syrian businessman Fares Al-Tout said his family had owned the factory before Syria's civil war, when it was built to produce potato chips branded Captain Korn.

He said it was seized in 2018 by Khiti.

'They flipped it from the production of food to the production of Captagon that killed Syria's children in support of the Fourth Division,' Tout told Reuters.

A Reuters reporter on the scene found electoral pamphlets for Syria's peoples assembly, its legislature, lying on the floor with Khiti listed as one of the candidates, as well as separate electoral cards with just his name on them.

In the days since Assad's fall, rebel fighters say they have found several sites across the country where the drug was produced and prepared for export.

They have sometimes set fire to the pills or poured them down drains, according to videos shared online by accounts affiliated with them.

Syrian rebel fighters inspect sacks marked to contain 'Saudi-made' flakes of caustic soda at a drug manufacturing facility in the city of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta region on the eastern outskirts of Damascus on December 12

A stash of pills burns on the grounds of the Mazzeh military air base on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus on December 11

Captagon prepared to be hidden inside electrical components, seen at the warehouse where the drug was manufactured in Douma city, outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Friday, December 13

Assad fell at the weekend to a lightning HTS offensive, but the revenue from selling Captagon propped up Assad's government throughout Syria's 13 years of civil war.

Caroline Rose, director of the New York-based New Lines Institute Captagon Trade Project, told Reuters the global trade in Captagon has an estimated value of $10 billion and put the ousted Syrian leadership's annual profit from it at around $2.4 billion (1.9bn).

Captagon turned Syria into the world's largest narco state. It became by far Syria's biggest export, dwarfing all its legal exports put together, according to estimates drawn from official data by AFP during a 2022 investigation.

President Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria was accused by Washington and others of profiteering from the production and sale of Captagon.

Experts - like the author of a July report from the Carnegie Middle East Center - also believe that Assad used the threat of drug-fuelled unrest to put pressure on Arab governments.

Captagon fuelled an epidemic of drug abuse in wealthy Gulf states, even as Assad sought ways to end his diplomatic isolation among his peers, wrote Carnegie scholar Hesham Alghannam.

Assad, he wrote, 'leveraged Captagon trafficking as a means of exerting pressure on the Gulf states, notably Saudi Arabia, to reintegrate Syria into the Arab world', which it did in 2023 when it rejoined the Arab League bloc.

The caustic soda at the warehouse, in the Damascus suburbs, was supplied from Saudi Arabia, according to labelling on the sacks.

The warehouse haul was massive, but smaller and still impressive stashes of Captagon have also turned up in military facilities associated with units under Maher Assad's command.

A Syrian rebel fighter holds a bag containing pills of Captagon found at Mazzeh Military Airport in the west of Damascus on December 12

Syrian rebel fighters inspect sacks marked to contain 'Saudi-made' flakes of caustic soda at a drug manufacturing facility in the city of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta region on the eastern outskirts of Damascus on December 12

The dramatic collapse of Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime has thrown light into many of the dark corners of his rule, including the industrial-scale export of the banned drug Captagon

Alicia Kearns, then-chairwoman of Britain's parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, told MailOnline last August that 'we should be very concerned' that Captagon could reach the UK unless an intervention was made.

The Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford said the drug was being used as 'a form of blackmail' by the Assad regime to 'leverage and secure their interests', with devastating consequences for local populations.

Selling for $3 to $25 per tablet, the pill was mainly produced and trafficked by groups tied to Bashar al-Assad and Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.

Dubbed the 'poor man's cocaine', Captagon causes bursts of energy, wakefulness and euphoria, and is also associated with delusions, depression, convulsions and breathing difficulties.

Both the UK and US imposed sanctions on those responsible for the illicit drug trade 'fuelling Assad's war machine'.

The Home Office acknowledged last February that police have made a seizure of Fenethylline [Captagon] in the UK within the last five years.

Concerns on the continent have primarily been accelerated by hauls of the drug in southern Europe in recent years.

In 2020, authorities in Italy seized more than 14 tons of the drug, and raids on warehouses in the north and centre of the country have continued to return results.

Pills, which, according to fighters loyal to the new ruling Syrian body, are captagon, are placed inside an apple-shaped container, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, December 12

A fighter, loyal to Syria's new ruling administration, holds a box containing captagon pills, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria December 12

Syrian rebel fighters search the warehouse of a drug manufacturing facility that was producing pills of Captagon, a brand name of the drug psychostimulant Fenethylline, in the city of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta region on the eastern outskirts of Damascus on December 12

Captagon was the brand name of a stimulant first produced in Germany in the 1960s to help treat attention conditions including deficit disorders and narcolepsy.

It was discontinued but an illicit version of the drug known as 'poor man's cocaine' continued to be produced in eastern Europe and later in the Arab world, becoming prominent in the conflict that erupted in Syria following anti-government protests in 2011.

It generates focus and staves off sleep and hunger. It has been banned in many countries including the U.S. and can have harmful side effects.

Its prevalence has led to growing drug abuse in Gulf Arab states.
Sir Ed Davey has opened up about the 'lonely experience' he endured as a youngster after his father died when he was four and his mother was later diagnosed with incurable cancer, leaving him orphaned by the time he reached 15.

The Liberal Democrat leader, 58, is perhaps better known for his wild publicity-attracting stunts, which have ranged from paddle boarding and swing dancing to tractor racing and even bungee jumping.

But away from the political limelight, few know of Davey's heart-rending background that includes him - while still just a young teenager - tenderly nursing his mother for three years until she died from secondary bone cancer.

Nor do they know much about the MP for Kingston and Surbiton risking his life to save a stranger from being struck by a train some 30 years ago.

Davey, who was born on Christmas Day, still recalls the pain of having lost his father, John, to Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1970.

Then, just after he turned 12, his mother Nina was diagnosed with cancer.

In a candid interview with The Telegraph he recalls: 'We had help from neighbours and a few family friends, but for me, as a young carer, I felt slightly isolated at school  I was at school thinking about my mum, while everyone else was thinking about what was in the charts or on TV.

'So it can be quite a lonely experience.'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, 58, has opened up about being orphaned by the age of 15, having cared for his terminally-ill mother for three years. He is pictured with his daughter, Ellie, and son John, who has an undiagnosed condition

He remembers having to give up playing rugby to avoid the risk of being injured and therefore not being able to help his mother - or pick up the many chores around the house.

'I was administering morphine, putting electric pads on her so she could give herself shocks to take away the pain Making food It was a crazy time,' he adds.

When his mother eventually died, it was his headmaster at Nottingham High School that uttered the word 'orphan' to him - a label he recalled not having 'identified' with until that moment.

Despite his loss, Davey still had his grandparents, with whom he was incredibly close.

He moved in with them, eventually securing a place at Oxford studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Speaking about that time in his life in 2022 on Loose Women, Davey explained: 'Previously I had worked to make my mum happy and I went through this rubicon where I thought 'I'm doing this for me now.

'It was like a lightbulb, it made me focus on what I wanted to do in life... there was that moment and I think it does focus young minds.'

The experience left an indelible impression on Davey, who revealed he empathises hugely with young carers - so much so that he recently teamed up with Bath Philharmonia's Young Carers' Choir to release a charity single to raise greater awareness.

Davey, with his wife Emily Gasson, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012

Their song, Love Is Enough, is in the running to become a Christmas number one.

He said he was sure the song would 'strike a chord' with carers and their families.

In a press interview after the single's launch, he said: 'When I sang In The Bleak Mid-Winter in my local church in 1978, neither I nor my brothers nor my mum fully appreciated how much our lives were all about to change.

'For mum's cancer was getting worse and I was becoming a young carer. The next two-and-a-half years before my mother eventually died were extremely tough, but they were also full of love.

'When I heard the opening lyrics to Love Is Enough  'Every second we have left is worth a thousand others'  they struck home and meant so much.'

Davey's caring and selfless side has come to the fore in other moments in his life.

Thirty years ago, he could have died trying to save a woman who had fallen onto the tracks at Clapham Junction.

It was around 1994, when he was waiting for a train after work and witnessed a couple having an argument.

Davey recently teamed up with Bath Philharmonia's Young Carers' Choir to release a charity single and raise greater awareness of young carers

While the man eventually made his way onto a train, the woman fell onto the rails and injured herself.

Davey looked around and saw people reacting, but doing little else.

He told The Telegraph: 'So I took my coat and bag off, got down onto the track, checked she was still breathing, picked her up to put her back on the platform, but then I saw the lights of a train coming.'

With just seconds to spare, Davey picked up the woman and ran across the live rails to the opposite platform, before clambering to safety.

His actions earned him a Royal Humane Society bravery award in 1994 and a commendation by the British Transport Police.

Davey's caring side is equally evident in the way he supports his wife, Emily, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, and helps care for their disabled son, John, 17 at the family home inSurbiton.

The teenager's condition, still undiagnosed, has rendered him unable to walk, with limited speech and learning disabilities.

When asked previously about John's diagnosis, Davey explained: 'We genuinely don't know....we felt when he was about four months and he wasn't developing well.

Davey has revealed that 30 years ago he saved a woman who had fallen onto the tracks at Clapham Junction

'We got to about nine months and we thought "Something is wrong here". He wasn't really sitting or engaging.

'They initially diagnosed him with cerebral palsy, but it wasn't cerebral palsy as it then transpired and Great Ormond Street Hospital were fantastic.'

The Daveys also have a daughter, Ellie, who is 10.

His experience as a carer drives much of his politics and he often campaigns for increased NHS investment and further government help for carers.

'I think caring roles should be valued far more', he said. 'Because I think they're quite tough actually.

'There's the emotional impact and actually caring is tough work, all hours and it's not glamorous.'
A wealthy Minnesota lake town has been branded with an unfortunate nickname after an uptick in metal buildings.

The tourist town of Crosslake, which is home to 2,500 residents, is being swamped with an influx of 'barndominiums', causing it be named 'Tin City'.

The giant metal paneled buildings are taking over the town, with the barns being built to store expensive toys in the off-season of rich homeowners and vacationers.

Some could also be mistaken for second homes, with bars, bathrooms, fireplaces, and even bedrooms in some.

According to the Star Tribune, ones in the area stretch to as large as 12,000 square feet and sell for over $500,000.

The city is attempting to step in and restrict or possibly even ban the units from further multiplying after it saw a massive growth in demand following the pandemic.

'That whole industry has just grown and grown and grown for the 50 years I've been here,' Dean Eggena, a business owner and developer told the outlet.

'And they come up with terms like "Tin City", you know, and that we're just going to be nothing but storage buildings. And that is so far from the truth.'

The giant metal paneled buildings are taking over the town, with the barns being built to store expensive toys in the off-season of rich homeowners and vacationers

The giant metal paneled buildings are taking over the town, with the barns being built to store expensive toys in the off-season of rich homeowners and vacationers

'Just get in a boat and travel the 13 lakes of the Whitefish Chain. You're going to see multimillion-dollar lake homes, you're going to see clean water, and you're going to see nice boats and Jet Skis and pontoons,' he added.

'It's a place where people come to relax, they come to enjoy themselves.'

'The area is always going to have more storage than most other communities. I mean, 40 percent of our land is water and the majority of our homes here are on the lake,' Paul Satterlund, the city's planning and zoning administrator, told the Star Tribune.

'And so there is naturally just going to be a higher demand for storage.'

Images from an Airbnb listing for one shows one property that more closely resembles a large garage.

Inside, one of the bedrooms which has bunkbeds is clearly seen with metal cladding on the walls .

The town of Crosslake had the hottest housing market in Minnesota this year and landed among the top ten in the nation, according to a study conducted by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.

Despite the area's history of being a logging community, tourism became the new 'in' once the industry faded.

Now, the average sale price for a home was more than $1 million in the third quarter of this year.

'All of a sudden, we had all these people in the past five years paying beaucoup bucks for property on the lake,' Patty Norgaard, the former mayor, told the outlet.

'We're a city that has to meet the needs both infrastructurally and economically for these wealthy people,' she added. 'Developers saw storage units as a way to do that.'

Images from an Airbnb listing for one shows one property that more closely resembles a large garage

The demand for the metal tin buildings have increased since the pandemic when buyers began moving to the wealthy town and started developing oversized, luxurious metal pole structures

The town of Crosslake had the hottest housing market in Minnesota this year and landed among the top ten in the nation

Sixty oversized barnominiums have already been built in recent years - and dozens more are in the queue for future development.

City officials have enacted several temporary bans on the buildings over the last decade with the most recent one being lifted this past October.

Other people around the town have objected to the buildings - claiming that the buildings are simply ugly.

'I don't know where that goes if we're going to legislate beauty,' Eggena added.

Eggena and other developers don't see the harm in it - the private-property buildings grow the tax base by millions without using the city's services like water, sewer or road maintenance.

Cynthia Holden, Eggena's partner of 35 years, owns a 20-acre property on the south end of town which was developed by the pair into nearly 30 lots of personal storage units that give off the feel of a neighborhood.

The property shockingly went from a $30,000 tax value to a value of $3.5 million in just four short years.

But further developments such as Holden's may not have a future in the tin-filled town.

As of this year, the city doesn't allow the personal metal buildings in commercial districts.

The city also now enforces ordinances and proper land use and is considering enacting further regulations - some of which include prohibiting water and septic to keep them from becoming overflowed guest quarters or rentable vacation homes.

Additionally, officials created a new zoning district prohibiting the use of commercial storage on main corridors - making it the third time they have stepped in to change the rules which typically happens when a new council comes into play.

They say it's meant to 'protect and enhance aesthetics... by encouraging sustainable development that respects the environment and upholds the community's Northwoods character', according to the ordinance.

The order also states that 'certain land uses are prohibited in this district along with greater regulations on architectural standards to ensure protecting the beauty of Crosslake long term'.

But a new mayor and brand new council are both taking over in 2025 - making the future of the luxurious 'barndominiums' unclear.
Sources in Donald Trump's inner circle said the president-elect often leaves late-night voicemails to aides and officials, opening with: 'This is your favorite president.'

Trump's nocturnal habits were revealed this week by insiders who dished on the 78-year-old's day-to-day routine at Mar-a-Lago as he prepares to re-enter the White House, which includes a dizzying array of lavish dinners and midnight meetings.

Insiders told the New York Times that Trump has been soaking up his post-election victory at his Florida estate, where he has made over 80 cabinet and personnel announcements in the 37 days since.

Of these 80 announcements, 45 have been made on social media after 6pm, and many after 10pm, highlighting Trump's tendency to work late into the night.

Mar-a-Lago has also hosted to a number of world leaders and business titans in the weeks since Trump's win, with his recent meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raising eyebrows.

Trudeau had dinner with Trump on November 29, in the wake of his threat to hit Canada and Mexico with a 25 percent tariff on imports.

Although both Trump and Trudeau said after their dinner that it was 'very productive', sources told the Times that Trump couldn't resist taking a jab at his counterpart by quipping that Canada 'could become a state.'

At the end of their evening, Trump then gave Trudeau a copy of Mar-a-Lago's magazine, which was filled with details about becoming a member and adverts for plastic surgery, an anonymous Canadian source told the outlet.

Sources in Donald Trump's inner circle revealed intimate details of his nocturnal working hours this week, including a jokey voicemail he often leaves for aides about being their 'favorite president'

Trump has been preparing to re-enter the White House from his Mar-a-Lago estate, where he recently held a dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

When Trump reportedly leaves voicemails for insiders describing himself as their 'favorite president', they say he often follows up the next day by suggesting they may want to share the audio with friends and family.

In response, Trump's incoming communications director Steven Cheung said the president-elect's late night habits are a good sign that 'important work is being done day and night.'

Cheung cited Trump's reputation in his first term for firing off inflammatory or geopolitically important tweets well into the night, hinting that Trump is not concerned with journalists needing to work around the clock to cover him.

'The only complaints Ive heard are from reporters who are angry their dinner plans at Le Dip and their cocktail parties are spoiled,' Cheung added.

In his day-to-day routine at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's team says he holds meetings all day from the estate's tearoom or in his private office.

Sources told the Times that while the transition team says Trump is in back-to-back meetings during the day, aides have come to expect the most activity after the sun sets.

This was evident after his meeting with Trudeau, as Trump made no secret of his quip that Canada should become a US state.

Taking to his social media site Truth Social, he called Trudeau the 'governor' of the 'Great State of Canada.'

Trudeau, seen leaving his meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on November 29, was jokingly branded the 'governor of the great state of Canada' by Trump

When the sun sets at Mar-a-Lago, Trump is known to pause his White House transition work to greet members and play music, seen at Thanksgiving this year

When the sun sets at Mar-a-Lago, Trump is known to pause his White House transition work to greet members and locals on the outdoor dining patio of his property.

He often commands an iPad to control the music, which in the past has seen him turn his hand as DJ at the estate's Halloween party last year.

The transition got off to a bumpy start as the Biden administration struggled to agree to a 'Memorandum of Understanding' over the changeover of power.

That standoff lasted for three weeks, and even when it was over at the end of November, Trump's team signaled that they would not be handling the transition in traditional fashion.

They will not sign a separate work agreement with the General Services Administration, which has office space and secure IT support at the ready.

They vowed at the time to abide by their own pre-existing 'Ethics Pledge' and will continue to use private funding for the transition efforts - but said they would disclose the names of donors to the American public - claiming 'we will not require additional government and bureaucratic oversight.'

'The Transition will not utilize taxpayer funding for costs related to the transition, which is consistent with President Trump's commitment to save taxpayers' hard-earned money,' the announcement said.

President-elect Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with President Joe Biden (right) during their Oval Office meeting on November 13. The transition had been held up because Trump's team refused to sign three MOUs with the federal government

It comes as Trump's transition team faces several bruising confirmation fights, including his pick for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who suffered a deluge of negative stories after he was announced

It comes as Trump's transition team faces several bruising confirmation fights, including his pick for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who suffered a deluge of negative stories after he was announced.

On Thursday, the embattled nominee told reporters that he spoke with Trump that morning, amid rumors that the president-elect may be cooling his interest in picking Hegseth.

Hegseth was back on Capitol Hill for more one-on-one meetings with senators after media reports that he would meet with Trump.

'I spoke to Trump this morning, just a few minutes ago. He supports us fully,' Hegseth said.

Asked if he'll meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago, he acknowledged that it was the president-elect calling the shots. 'If he wants a meeting we will have a meeting,' he said.
A gunman who opened fire in a public street with a deadly Skorpion machine gun before escaping the scene in a Rolls-Royce has been jailed for 15 years.

Mohammed Khan aimed the lethal weapon, which can fire up to 800 rounds a minute, in the direction of a man standing in a doorway on Melrose Place.

The 29-year-old was part of a group who descended on the Smethwick street at around 4am on September 6 last year following a dispute.

Investigators said Khan fled the scene with the group in a rented Rolls-Royce after firing the highly dangerous weapon.

But the force quickly traced the vehicle, where forensics were then carried out, identifying Khan as the prime suspect.

A week later, he was arrested and then charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

No one was injured during the incident, however a house door and window as well as a parked car were damaged by the Skorpion machine gun.

Following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Khan was sentenced to 15 and a half years behind bars.

Mohammed Khan, who opened fire in a public street with a deadly Skorpion machine gun before escaping the scene in a Rolls-Royce, has been jailed for 15 years

The gun man opened fire with the gun that can fire up to 800 rounds a minute - taking aim at a man in a doorway on the Smethwick street (File image of a Skorpion submachine gun)

Khan fled the scene with the group in a rented Rolls-Royce but was quickly traced by the police force (Stock image)

The conviction was a part of Operation Target, the police force's ongoing mission to target serious and organised crime across the West Midlands.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: '[Khan] was convicted following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court and was sentenced earlier this week to 15 years and six months in prison.

'Skorpion weapons are designed in Eastern Europe and are highly dangerous as they can fire up to 800 rounds a minute.

'Were continuing our work to take all guns off the streets and jail those who are prepared to use, supply or handle them.

'Over the last 12 months weve helped put many offenders behind bars and there is no hiding place, well continue to do this.

'The success is part of Operation Target, which sees us take a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences.

'Officers use local intelligence, seize goods, carry out warrants and target offenders as part the ongoing crackdown.'
Fans of a Swedish clothing brand have slammed its founder Matilda Djerf amid claims she viciously bullied her employees and would 'regularly' make them 'cry'.

The Scandinavian influencer first began her business Djerf Avenue with her boyfriend Rasmus Johansson in 2019, and quickly made their mark on the fashion industry.

Djerf Avenue's focus on inclusivity, sustainability and kindness saw Matilda land on the Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2023, as well as earning a revenue of around $34.5 million (27,329,978.85) in 2022 alone.

But now Ms Djerf, who boasts 3.1 million Instagram followers, has been hit with allegations she often 'belittled' staff following an investigation carried out by Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet.

Despite saying she was 'deeply sorry' to anyone who felt mistreated under her direction, many fans have already turned their back on the influencer as well as her fashion brand.

Some have declared they will 'never purchase anything' from Djerf Avenue again, whilst others are returning their items after staff claimed they had sleep problems and needed to see a psychologist during their time at the company.

Guilia Carrozzo, who lives in Germany, got her order a day after the controversial allegations emerged in relation to the fashion company - but she is adamant that she will be sending her items back.

The 20-year-old told the BBC she 'knew immediately' she could no longer support the brand amid claims of a toxic work environment.

Fans of a Swedish clothing brand have slammed its founder Matilda Djerf (Pictured) amid claims she viciously bullied her employees 'regularly' and would make them 'cry'

The Scandinavian influencer first began her business Djerf Avenue with her boyfriend Rasmus Johansson in 2019, and quickly made their mark on the fashion industry

According to its website, Djerf Avenue says its world is 'filled with kindness, inspiration, respect and the perfect wardrobe staples.'

Ms Carrozzo purchased items from Djerf Avenue because she believed it held body-positivity, empowerment, inclusivity among its core values.

Her decision to support the Scandinavian company was also bolstered by the fact it was woman-led.

But now she - as a consumer - feels the claims made by employees regarding Djerf's work culture 'directly contradicts those values'.

She told the BBC: 'I can't justify supporting a brand that doesn't practice the values it promotes.

'Until there's real accountability and change, I won't be purchasing from them.'

Sumi Mrkulic from London has pledged to 'never' support the Swedish brand again.

She found reports models were called fat while other comments were allegedly made about some not filling jeans particularly worrisome.

According to its website, Djerf Avenue says its world is 'filled with kindness, inspiration, respect and the perfect wardrobe staples.'

Despite its seemingly strong outward values of inclusivity, there have been accusations that Ms Djerf commented on models bodies

In an investigation with Aftonbladet, several Djerf employees claimed they had sleep problems and needed to see a psychologist during their time at the company

Regarding recent claims, Sumi said: 'It renders all of their efforts to be inclusive completely performative. I actually find it really spineless.'

It comes as Djerf Avenue employees alleged the company had a toxic work culture, which contradicted its public image of inclusivity and respect.

'The company's outward image is nothing like the reality of working here - it's the exact opposite,' one employee told Aftonbladet.

'There are times when she has lined up employees and yelled at them and said how bad they are at their job,' said another person.

'People feel terribly bad. I've never seen so many people so broken,' said a former employee.

'It finally became everyday life: How many people will cry today? How many cried yesterday? Will I cry today?'

Staff also claimed there was favoritism within the office, right down to who was allowed to use the bathroom.

Djerf had her own private bathroom, according to staff, with a handwritten sign stuck on the door which said, 'Please do not use!!' and a love heart underneath.

They also claimed Djerf was condescending, unpredictable and they felt 'constant stress'

'The company's outward image is nothing like the reality of working here - it's the exact opposite,' one employee told Aftonbladet who conducted the investigation

That bathroom was only allegedly used by Djerf and her 'favorites'.

A staff member claimed the sign fell one day, leading someone to mistakenly use it. The toilet then had to be scrubbed clean before Ms Djerf would use it again.

'She doesn't even want to go to the same toilet as us employees. We are not fellow human being or colleagues to her,' the employee said.

Ms Djerf claims models are not edited and range in size following her own experiences as a model as well as to benefit her customers.

'I was also doing modeling gigs when I started and was shocked at the way this world worked. One brand edited me three sizes smaller,' she told Forbes.

'I seriously questioned it, knowing what these companies were showing online wasnt what the customer was getting when they ordered the garments.'

But employees have claimed that her values were entirely different behind the scenes and in the office.

One staff member alleged Ms Djerf said they had to reshoot a photoshoot because a model looked 'so f***ing fat in' the clothes they were modelling.

'So, with those words, that's what we had to do,' the employee said.

Ms Djerf has since told the BBC in a statement that she was 'deeply sorry' to anyone who felt mistreated under her direction

Several customers have since slammed the brand saying they would 'never' support the fashion line again, with some saying they were returning their items (Pictured: Djerf Avenue model)

A staff member claimed the sign fell Ms Djerf's bathroom one day , leading someone to mistakenly use it. The toilet then had to be scrubbed clean before she would use it again

'Even though we all felt: "She makes it so clear that she doesn't stand for what she portrays outwardly."

Another employee claimed that Djerf herself often 'commented on people's bodies and appearance.'

'To one person, she said that her butt didn't fill out the jeans. And to another, she said that her butt filled up the jeans too much.'

The seemingly ingenuine inclusivity within the brand was also said to be performed to a higher extent on social media to keep up appearances.

'It felt like some staff members were exploited because they had an appearance that didn't fit the norm,' said one.

Another added: 'There were some employees who were "plus size" or who had a different ethnicity that were used a lot in the company's social media because it looked good. But it wasn't genuine.'

'Every day, there's a psychological terror in that office,' said one person.

They said they would be asked, 'Are you stupid?' and told they were bad at their jobs, called names and yelled at.

One person said they had never experienced a panic attack before the job at Djerf Avenue.

'After the first time she yelled at me. Afterwards I was just sat there shaking... I've probably never been so scared of a person in my life,' they added.

'I was scared of Matilda. I didn't like it when she was in the room,' another revealed.

Djerf Avenue wrote to Aftonbladet that they 'take the information that has emerged very seriously' and that they are 'aware that there are shortcomings' in their work environment

The interviewees claimed Djerf was condescending, unpredictable and they felt 'constant stress.'

In a statement shared with the BBC, Matilda Djerf said: 'If any team member has felt mistreated in their role because of my actions, I am deeply sorry, and I want to sincerely apologize.

'I don't recognize myself in all the claims that have been made, and I've chosen not to comment on individual cases.

'However, I do believe it's valuable that these concerns are being raised, as it gives both me and Djerf Avenue the opportunity to grow and improve.

'I want to emphasize that I take full responsibility and see this as a chance to reflect, grow, and contribute to a better culture for everyone at Djerf Avenue.'

Djerf Avenue's chief operating officer, Pernilla Bonny said the company was taking steps to better the workplace culture.

These steps included carrying out monthly anonymous employee surveys, putting in place a whistleblower function as well as bettering the management team.

MailOnline has approached Djerf Avenue for comment.
The family of a murdered 10-year-old girl in Oklahoma issued a stinging response to her killer's tears as he pleaded for his life.

Jamie Rose Bolin was brutally murdered in 2006 by her neighbor Kevin Underwood, who faces the death penalty for his heinous act.

As he pleaded for compassion through tears at a clemency hearing this week, Bolin's sister, Lori Pate, gave a scathing response to the convicted killer.

'How dare you, Kevin Underwood, ask for clemency. How dare you look at the courts, look at Jamie's family, then ask that of us,' she said.

'You, Kevin Underwood, expect us to forgive. You want us to forgive the fact that you intended on trying to consumer her.

'You beat her like an animal and raped her. You deserve the original sentence and all the things that have come upon you.'

Underwood, who appeared in court on Zoom, apologized to the heartbroken family through crocodile tears.

'I recognize that although I do not want to die, I recognize that I deserve to for what I did. If my death could change what I did, I would gladly die,' he told the court.

Underwood had been convicted of what prosecutors described as a 'pre-meditated sexual and cannibalistic fantasy.'

Jamie Rose Bolin, 10, was brutally murdered in 2006 by her neighbor, Kevin Underwood, who faces the death penalty for his heinous act

As he pleaded for his life through tears at a clemency hearing, Bolin's sister, Lori Pate, gave a scathing response to the convicted killer

The two-month plot involved Underwood purchasing meat tenderizer powder, barbecue skewers, and a plastic tub for the body.

The court listened to Underwood's gruesome confession, as the police tape was replayed.

'You know, I had pretty much planned all along probably just get a kid, mainly because they would be easier to grab and get rid of-smaller,' he said, reported KJRH.

Underwood, who was 26 at the time of the crime, had invited the young girl into his next-door Purcell apartment to play with his pet rat.

He described in the interview 'how he had recently developed a desire to abduct a person, sexually molest them, eat their flesh, and dispose of their remains,' the Court of Criminal Appeals wrote in 2011.

Underwood hit Bolin over the head several times with a wooden board and then suffocated her, while she had been watching SpongeBob SquarePants on his TV.

He said he tried to have sex with her body and remove her head with a dagger, before he became disgusted with himself and decided not to eat her, reported the Oklahoman.

Bolin was discovered two days later in Underwood's apartment, hidden in his closet in the plastic tub.

As he pleaded for his life through tears at a clemency hearing, Bolin's sister, Lori Pate, gave a scathing response to the convicted killer. Bolin's family are seen here in the same green shirts

Tennia Lieb (R) sister of Jamie's dad and Linda Chiles (L) an aunt talk to the media outside the McClain County Courthouse in Purcell, Oklahoma Monday, 17 April 2006

The Attorney General's Office said claims of abuse or mental illness leading to his violent acts were false, stating that 'he knew was he was doing'

'Go ahead and arrest me,' Underwood had said. 'She's in there. I hit her and chopped her up. I'm going to burn in hell.'

Pate wrote in an impact statement to Underwood: 'You showed me at the age of 14 that monsters are not just something made up from story books. They wear our same clothing and walk on our same streets.'

Underwood's attorneys told the parole board that he is severely mentally ill, not evil, and blamed abuse and his pornography addiction for his actions.

'After a lifetime of abuse, Kevin realized he was slipping away, but he could not find himself help,' they wrote. 'Kevin ultimately cracked, and he decided to act on his worst fantasies, which were developed by spending the bulk of his life on the worst parts of the internet.

'No one knows who Kevin could have been. But with a little help, we know he wouldn't be who he is today.'

His attorney's claimed Underwood was deeply remorseful. His mother, Connie Underwood, said: 'I am so sorry for what Kevin did. I can't tell you how sorry that I am for that.

'I think of her everyday... And I know what he took away. And Kevin knows what he took away. He's so very aware of it. It haunts him.'

Underwood, who was 26 at the time of the crime, had invited the young girl into his next-door Purcell apartment to play with his pet rat

Three board members voted against recommending clemency, and the final decision is left to Governor Kevin Stitt. He is seen here in 2008

Underwood, however, has expressed his hopes for what the afterlife will offer him.

Echoing the motivation behind his violent crimes, he hopes the afterlife will be where 'your every fantasy comes true.'

'If you want to torture your childhood bully, you can,' he wrote in 2022 to a female acquaintance. 'Basically, my hope is that there's sex in heaven and I can indulge my every sexual fantasy.'

State Attorney General Genter Drummond and his assistants included Underwood's remarks about the afterlife in the packet of information regarding the murder.

'The crimes committed by Kevin Ray Underwood remain some of the most depraved and notorious in Oklahoma history,' they told the board. 'No mercy is warranted here.'

Underwood's apology, however, did not prevent celebrations as his appeal for clemency was denied.

The Attorney General's Office said claims of abuse or mental illness leading to his violent acts were false, stating that 'he knew was he was doing.'

Johnny Tunstall (L) lays a bear at a memorial outside the apartment building were the crime took place in Purcell, Oklahoma Monday, 17 April 2006 after the arraignment hearing for Underwood

Three board members voted against recommending clemency, and the final decision is left to Govenor Kevin Stitt.

'I am pleased the board voted to deny clemency for this deeply evil monster and ensured that justice will be delivered for Jamie Rose Bolin,' Drummond said.

'Jamies family has waited 18 excruciating years for justice that finally will be carried out when this murderer is executed.'

'I remember watching officers from a window in Jamie's apartment escort you to your apartment without handcuffs and back out with handcuffs,' said Bolin's sister.

'You not only took her life, but you ended ours, as well. You, Kevin Underwood, single-handedly changed our family forever.'

Underwood's execution is set for December 19 at the state penitentiary in McAlester.
A Las Vegas woman has been awarded over $34 million after she was wrongly convicted twice over the brutal murder of a homeless man.

Kristin Lobato, 41, who now uses the name Blaise, was arrested at the age of 18 and charged with killing and mutilating homeless man Duran Bailey, 44, in Las Vegas in July 2001.

Despite Lobato being 150 miles away from the scene in Penaca, Nevada, and with no physical evidence tying her to the killing, she was charged because of a 'confession' she made.

The so-called confession was Lobato telling numerous friends in months before Bailey's murder that a black man had attempted to rape her in May 2001, claiming she fended the attacker off by slashing at his penis with a pocketknife.

After Duran's death captured headlines as he was found mutilated with a cracked skull and a severed penis, one of Lobato's friends informed the police of her story and she was brought in for questioning.

Although she admitted to stabbing a man in the groin, she denied police's insistence that this constituted a confession of Bailey's murder, and maintained she was not even in Las Vegas at the time, according to a Las Vegas Review Journal article from the time.

A jury found her guilty of murder based solely off the 'confession' when she was 19, until that verdict was thrown out in 2004, as it was found a judge limited key testimony and didn't allow Lobato's lawyers to cross-examine a witness.

Lobato was tried again in 2006 and convicted of manslaughter, mutilation and weapon charges, and sentenced to 13 to 45 years in prison, all while maintaining her innocence.

Kristin Lobato, 41, has been awarded over $34 million after she was wrongly convicted twice over the brutal murder of a homeless man in 2001

Despite no evidence tying her to the scene, Lobato was convicted over the brutal murder of homeless man Juran Bailey (pictured), who was found beaten and mutilated in a parking lot

Lobato was finally exonerated and freed from prison in late 2017 after the Innocence Project examined her case and took it to the Supreme Court.

The focus fell on two Las Vegas detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, who are now retired, and a civil trial jury found they fabricated evidence during their investigation.

The defense also cited bloody footprints at the crime scene that were three sizes larger than Lobato's, and a complete lack of DNA evidence proving she had ever even encountered Bailey.

Her conviction was overturned after it was found prosecutors relied on a jailhouse 'confession' that a witness claimed to have heard, but that Lobato's attorneys were not allowed to cross examine.

Even after her murder conviction was thrown out in 2004, Lobato was subsequently sentenced to 13 to 45 years in prison when she was retried.

Upon her release in 2017 aged 35, Lobato told reporters: 'I feel overwhelmed. I feel excited. I feel grateful. Im just so happy and Im ready to go.'

Prosecutors and the judge involved in her case were condemned when Lobato was freed, including claims the prosecutors ignored 'strong alibi evidence' that would have proved Lobato was not in Las Vegas at the time of the murder.

Lobato, seen testifying in her own defense at her trial in 2002, maintained that she was 150 miles away from Las Vegas at the time of the murder, and said alleged 'confessions' were actually her describing fending off a sex attack that happened months before

Asked if the $34 million award makes up for decades of wrongful conviction, Lobato responded: 'I have no idea what the rest of my life is doing to look like'

At the conclusion of Lobato's long legal saga this week, she was awarded the huge damages - $34 million in compensatory damages from the police department and $10,000 in punitive damages from each former detective - as it was found they 'intentionally inflicted distress' on her.

As she left the courthouse, Lobato told reporters: 'It's been an uphill battle with many, many obstacles, and Im happy that its all finally finished.'

Asked if becoming a multi-millionaire would make up for the decades she spent wrongfully convicted, Lobato said she didn't know, and had 'no idea what the rest of my life is doing to look like.'

The detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, and their attorney, Craig Anderson, declined to comment outside court.

Anderson told U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware he planned to file additional court documents following the verdict. Anderson said Friday an appeal was 'likely.'

The department previously agreed to pay damages if the jury ruled in Lobatos favor.

Last October, a state court judge in Las Vegas issued a certificate declaring Lobato innocent of Baileys killing.
Ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad should move to Mariupol and help rebuild Ukraine in return for Russian citizenship, a Russian MP has suggested.

Assad is believed to have been given asylum in Moscow with his family after surrendering to invading rebel forces in Syria and fleeing the country last weekend.

He has not appeared in public since the fall of Damascus and it remains unclear either where he is or what he intends to do next as politicians debate his status in Russia.

Dmitry Kuznetsov MP suggested Assad could join Russians in occupied Mariupol as authorities begin to rebuild the city.

'I believe Bashar Assad and his family could become benefactors of one of the areas of Donbass that was devastated by warfare, and could move into one of the newly built houses in Mariupol,' Kuznetsov told Moscow-based gazeta.ru this week.

'I am in favor of [Assad] proving himself in service to the Russian people, and after that  for his contribution to the recovery of Donbass  we could consider the issue of citizenship,' he added.

Assad is believed to have been given safe passage to Moscow as rebels closed in on Damascus last weekend. Russian intelligence reportedly had to persuade him to leave in last moment drama, advising him he would lose if he faced down their forces.

An explosion rocks an apartment building after Russian's army tank fires in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022

An aerial picture shows a view the destruction at the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees and its cemetery, in the south of Damascus, Syria on December 14

Bashar Al-Assad attends Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November, 11, 2023

Kuznetsov suggested putting Assad to work amid growing debate over his future in Russia.

'He could also support Emir Kusturica to film a movie in Donbass [sic] based on [19th century Russian writer, Fyodor] Dostoevsky,' he suggested.

According to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin made personal assurances to grant asylum to Assad.

But a permanent decision on his future in Russia is to be determined.

Alexey Zhuravlev, also an MP, urged on Telegram soon after that Assad should be granted citizenship, in spite of the mixed feelings he commands in Russia.

'Russia treats all its allies humanely, albeit defeated ones, and this, by the way, is a cardinal difference from the US, which is very quick to scrap former friends,' he wrote.

'If [ousted, pro-Russian Ukrainian former president] Viktor Yanukovych was able to obtain Russian citizenship, then why not give it to Assad as well?'

Assad's family reportedly owns at least 18 apartments in Moscow, worth some $40million, according to a 2019 investigation by the FT.

Russia had long supported Assad's regime against various rebel factions through the Syrian Civil War until its collapse.

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow, July 24, 2024

Syrians gathered in a central square in Damascus to celebrate their liberation from the Assad regime in Damascus Square on December 13

A Russian soldier in a military convoy stands on a roadside because of an engine failure as they travel through Hmeimim air base in Syria's coastal Latakia, Syria, December 14, amid reports Russia is now pulling its assets out of the country

Assad was ostensibly granted asylum on 'humanitarian grounds' in the culmination of a lighting offensive by rebel factions launched on November 28.

Ahead of the fall of the capital, it was reported his family had fled to Moscow, where his eldest son, Hafez, was already a PhD student working on a doctoral dissertation.

Assad's British-born wife, Asma, could in theory return to the UK, though it is believed her father, Dr Fawaz al-Akhras is also already in Russia.

It is unlikely Assad will be sent to Ukraine, per Kuznetsov's unusual comments.

Moscow has, however, been making efforts to rebuild and Russify Mariupol, which it captured months into the war after a brutal siege.

The UN estimates that as much as 90 per cent of the city's buildings were damaged or destroyed, and 350,000 people were forced to leave.

Ukrainian authorities say more than 20,000 people died in the city, from a pre-war population of some 430,000.

Some 100,000 remained after the siege. Russia claims more than 300,000 are now living there.

A woman reacts during the funeral of her son at a cemetery in Vinnytsia. Nazary Gryntsevych, a Ukrainian soldier of the Azov Brigade, was one of the youngest soldiers to hold the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol during the Russian siege

A residential building destroyed in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 14, 2022

A Russian soldier patrols at the Mariupol drama theatre in April 2022

Property developers have been among the beneficiaries of Russia's plan to rebuild the city in its own image, receiving 'lucrative' contracts as locals live in 'half built' homes and 'dangerous, leaky apartments', according to the FT.

Rights groups documented Russian war crimes throughout the brutal campaign on Mariupol in early 2022, including the bombing of a theatre sheltering civilians, which killed hundreds, and an attack on a maternity ward.

The Red Cross said in 2022 the situation in Mariupol was so harrowing that people were 'attacking each other for food' on a day in which not a single person was evacuated to safety.

Sasha Volkov, the delegation head of the Red Cross in the city, told the BBC there is 'some sort of a black market with vegetables' but other food is not available.
Vladimir Putin has freed a murderer three months into his sentence who strangled his girlfriend and kept her corpse inside a barrel on his balcony.

Alexander Golubev, 24, was only in jail for three months when he was released to fight in the war in Ukraine.

But he has boasted he is working as a military pen pusher 'having fun' and far from the action.

Footage shows Golubev at a crime reenactment demonstrating how he killed his long-term girlfriend Viktoria Kurman, 23, a computer graphics designer.

When she vanished, he pretended to be her, texting messages to her mother Olga Lishefay.

He partied at his flat with friends, informing them Viktoria had walked out on him.

But after more than a month, Golubev went missing and stopped messaging.

Olga became deeply worried and suspicious. She went to the flat in Veliky Novgorod along with Golubev's mother Marina, and a male friend of the couple.

Alexander Golubev (pictured) was only in jail for three months when he was released to fight in the war in Ukraine .

He has boasted he is working as a military pen pusher 'having fun' and far from the action

Golubev strangled his girlfriend and kept her corpse inside a barrel (pictured) on his balcony

They found it a mess - with an odour that made them wretch, coming from the green plastic barrel on the balcony which had been glazed to provide more living space as part of the flat.

Sickening footage shows Olga using a knife to open the barrel, cutting through many yards of sticky tape used to tightly seal the lid.

'I looked inside and I saw a black plastic bag covered with white [baking powder],' said Olga.

'I rang the police and explained that my daughter went missing and that a barrel was found on the balcony. Operatives arrived. They [removed] the lid completely, opened the first [plastic] bag.

'I was standing nearby and I saw hair.

'It was clear that it was Vika [Viktoria], because she had tips of her hair highlighted. It was her hair, I recognised it.'

Police took away the barrel, and the body was confirmed as hers.

Unemployed Golubev was found and arrested five days later, and at his trial in April was sentenced to nine and half years in a strict-regime penal colony after fully confessing to killing Viktoria.

Unemployed Golubev was found and arrested five days later

He admitted to strangling his girlfriend out of jealousy

Police took away the barrel, and the body was confirmed as hers

Charges of fraud - stealing cash from Viktoria's savings - have been dropped

If he remains alive, Golubev will be released after completing military service with his murder conviction expunged from the criminal record

He told investigators: 'I was afraid she would find out that I was cheating on her and at that moment I just didn't know what to do.'

He used the strap of her bag to strangle her, and wedged a sock in her mouth to 'get rid of the wheezing'.

Then he bound her with electrical tape to make her body a more 'convenient' shape to fit in a barrel used to store food or drink, he confessed.

Three months later, tragic Viktoria's mother was shocked to be told he was no longer in jail and his whereabouts were now a 'state secret'.

But it soon became clear that he had been sent to the war under a Putin scheme to release prisoners to fight.

He messaged Viktoria's friend Alexandra saying 'he was hoping he'd be killed by a missile, pretending to be sorry about [killing Viktoria]. Honestly, at first I almost felt sorry for him.

'And then he wrote to his friend saying how he doesn't care, how much fun he's having [in the army], how he was in a safe and quiet spot doing paperwork.'

If he remains alive, Golubev will be released after completing military service with his murder conviction expunged from the criminal record.

Charges of fraud - stealing cash from Viktoria's savings - have been dropped.
Hannah Kobayashi has told her family she does not wish to return to Hawaii, after she was found safe earlier this week.

Kobayashi, 31, made contact with relatives on Wednesday to tell them that she was fine after disappearing from Los Angeles International Airport in November.

Her sister Sydni has now broken her silence on her being found, releasing a statement that she hoped would clear up any confusion.

In it, she said: 'At this time, my mother and I have not physically seen Hannah. We do not have actual proof of where she is, other than that she is somewhere in Mexico.

'We have only spoken to her over the phone, and she was allegedly found safe with Larie [her aunt], but at this time, she does not wish to return to us.'

Her statement also detailed how hard it had been on the family to be thrust into the spotlight amid her disappearance.

The search for her sister proved trying for her family, as some members had differing ideas as how to approach the difficult time.

Her father Ryan also took his own life after looking for her for 13 days, he was found dead on November 25 after he jumped from a parking garage in Los Angeles

Sydni's aunt Larie Pidgeon and her sister also clashed over media interviews and disagreements over their GoFundMe to help find Hannah.

Hannah Kobayashi, 31, went missing in early November before she got in touch with her family last week to say she was okay

Kobayashi was seen at the Los Angeles International Airport on November 8, but she never got on her connecting flight to New York

'Larie, a self-proclaimed social media influencer, immediately began participating in multiple interviews and became the self-appointed point of contact for the media. Despite my mother and I not being in support of this, it still happened.

'There were many occasions when my mother and I requested that Larie respect our feelings and tone down her posts and interviews. Our priority was finding Hannah, not creating a media circus,' Hannah wrote.

During the search, Sydni hit out at Pidgeon for her comments to the press.

'It's really unfortunate when you have to question family,' she told NewsNation. 'The fact that she has gone rogue and wants to disconnect from [our effort], that's on her.'

'I will do whatever I can to protect our family at this point and do whatever I can to still find my sister,' Sydni continued.

'And I no longer want to have any connection with the confusion that I feel like she's caused since this case started with my sister.'

Family lawyer Sara Azari added that it is important to note that Hannah's family comprises Sydni, 'her mother and her uncle and that side' and not Pidgeon.

It was unclear what exactly Pidgeon may have said that the other family members disagree with.

But the worried aunt told the New York Post that her niece is 'throwing her under the bus' because she wants to be in the limelight.

Hannah Kobayashi's sister, Sydni, hit out at her aunt for comments she made to the press and now says she no longer considers her family

Kobayashi's father Ryan, 58, joined the search after the family believed she might have been kidnapped. He is seen here alongside her aunt

'They want to be the face,' Pidgeon said of her extended family. 'They want to be the whole thing... It's really sad.'

She went on to say she agreed that the LAPD's ruling that Kobayashi 'voluntarily' exited the airport and went to Mexico is probably true, but said she also planned to travel to Mexico to continue the search for her niece.

Sydni further claimed that she and her family had also dealt with 'relentless scrutiny' from public opinion.

'The past 31 days have been an absolute hell for us, and I feel they will continue to be for a while, even as we try to transition back to some semblance of normalcy,' she said.

'Each day brought the unbearable uncertainty of whether my sister was alive or dead. Losing my father to suicide during this ordeal was more than my soul and heart could bear. I am human. Despite the differences any family has- and we all do - my son, family, and I loved him immensely.'

However, the family has also come under fire for not being truthful about her sister's circumstances and profiting off of the GoFundMe set up to aid in the search for Hannah.

Sydni said: 'My mother and I have remained completely transparent and have not misled or taken advantage of anyone.

'While the GoFundMe lists my mother as the beneficiary, we have kept all the receipts to show where the funds have been used: for the search for my sister.

'When my father suddenly passed away, I added funeral expenses and arrangements to the campaign as next of kin.'

Sydni's Facebook post further explained that her family had not lied and further condemned her aunt for certain mistruths. 'There were times when we received information from the public or from Larie - to whom I no longer consider family - that turned out to be inaccurate or half-truths'

Kobayashi was initially reported missing on November 11 after she failed to board her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York.

After weeks of searching, the Los Angeles Police Department revealed on Monday that the 30-year-old had 'knowingly' crossed the border into Mexico on November 12.

DailyMail.com revealed that she had been on the flight alongside her new Green Card husband Argentinian Alan Cacace in a bid to hoodwink immigration officials into believing their marriage was genuine.

Her ex-boyfriend Amun Miranda joined them on the same flight with his own Green Card wife Marianne  who just happened to be Cacace's girlfriend.

Kobayashi and her ex boyfriend Miranda seen at a 2023 Christmas party

The love square was only possible after Cacace allegedly gave her $15,000 with the promise of another lump sum after appropriate immigration documents were issued.

The ruse of their sham marriage was already in the works after they tied the knot in October.

Cacace believed that pictures of him with Kobayashi sightseeing around The Big Apple would be enough to persuade officials that their marriage was for real.

Pictures of the ceremony were shown to Kobayashi's colleagues at Up 'N Smoke, the Maui smoke shop where she worked.

'There was no secret,' Desiree, a co-worker told DailyMail.com. 'She told us about her plans.'

'The Argentinian couple wanted to hop on the trip at the last minute because it presented an opportunity for photos of their "romantic vacation",' Desiree explained.

'I've been running my brain all day, every day for the past month,' Desiree told DailyMail.com just days before Kobayashi reached out to family declaring she was safe.

'Something freaked her out that she dumped her trip and went to freaking Mexico. I can't understand why she'd miss out on her bucket list trip.'

She and the Kobayashi family are now hoping they can now get those answers from Kobayashi in person.
BBC Scotland staff have been told they need to come into the office only two days a week if they can do their jobs from home.

Despite the Covid-19 legal restrictions ending more than two years ago, the broadcaster has admitted it still allows a significant amount of its staff to do their jobs from the comfort of their own homes.

It comes as the under-fire corporation announced that the licence fee will increase by 5 to 174.50 and as it deals with allegations of lewd comments by MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.

The working from home situation has been blasted by critics who said businesses around the BBC offices are being badly hit by lost trade as a result.

Scottish Tory business spokesman Murdo Fraser said: Taxpayers will question why an organisation they help to fund is not making more of an effort to get more employees back into BBC headquarters more regularly.

That is having a deeply damaging impact on nearby hospitality businesses in particular who are on their knees thanks to the failure of the SNP to support them.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that BBC staff  numbering 1,276 across Scotland  have been told they can spend most of the week working from home.

The FoI response stated: In terms of the BBC Scotland teams that have roles where the job functions can be performed at home or on-site, staff are required to work a minimum of two working days per week on site in BBC buildings. However, some teams require a higher minimum number of days on site.

The BBC headquarters in Glasgow only opened in 2007 but is said to be virtually empty

Hayley Valentine is the BBCs director in Scotland.

Among the locations covered by the policy is BBC Scotlands flagship HQ at Pacific Quay in Glasgow, which opened in 2007 at a cost of 188 million.

Insiders say its social spaces and state-of-the-art studios are now so deserted the only drama fit to be screened from there is an episode of The Marie Celeste.

One recent visitor to Pacific Quay said: Broadcasting TV from your home is nuts. I was in the ground-floor reception area and the only person I could see was the security man.

The situation means the spending power of hundreds of BBC staff is being denied to pubs, shops and restaurants on the South Side of Glasgow.

A worker at a bar on Paisley Road West, close to the BBC Scotland HQ, said: Look up the street and it is deathly quiet. Were even wondering if its worth heating the place.

Max Camerada, manager of nearby La Fiorentina restaurant, said: Friday lunchtime used to be the busiest day of the week. We used to see 50-60 covers but now were lucky if we see 25.

The BBCs Pacific Quay base was opened in 2007 by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, but only after a financial scandal which saw costs soar from 126 million to 188 million.

The project, along with others in London and Manchester, was heavily criticised by the National Audit Office (NAO), which said: The BBC is not well-placed to demonstrate value for money from the 2 billion it has committed on the three projects.

Pacific Quay was a digital-era replacement for the sandstone Broadcasting House in the citys Queen Margaret Drive.

Murdo Fraser said nearby businesses have lost trade due to staff not being in the office

On the contact us section of its website, the BBC lists locations in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dumfries, Dundee, Inverness, Portree, Selkirk, Shetland and Stornoway.

In 2022, an NAO report said the BBC was spending 273 million a year on its portfolio of 154 buildings. Not only was it paying more than other organisations were for similar buildings, but 12.7 per cent of its estate was vacant.

The BBC said: We try and offer flexibility with hybrid working and this is balanced with business needs and how we best deliver for our audiences.

Many roles require staff to be in full-time, while others can be carried out through a split of remote and office working.

Any return to normal working will be led by Hayley Valentine, recently appointed BBCs director in Scotland.
The founder of an iconic fashion chain has died suddenly in a tragic 'accident' after he 'plunged from a mountain range while hiking' despite his son's best efforts to save him.

Billionaire Isak Andic, mastermind behind the Spanish clothing retailer Mango - one of Europe's largest fashion groups - died on Saturday.

It is thought that Mr Andic's son Jonathan had tried to save him, alerting emergency services to the '100-metre' fall, but to no avail.

The Barcelona-based company, which has nearly 2,800 stores worldwide, said in a statement: 'It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and founder of Mango.'

Its CEO Toni Ruiz continued: 'Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company.'

The company did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding Mr Andic's death. This comes as Spanish media had said the 71-year-old died after falling while hiking with several members of his family near Barcelona.

Tributes have already come flooding in for the business mogul, with the country's politicians among those leading the condolences.

Catalan president Salvador Illa said: 'Devastated by the loss of Isak Andic, a committed businessman who with his leadership has contributed to making Catalonia great and projecting it to the world.

Billionaire Isak Andic, mastermind behind the Spanish clothing retailer Mango - one of Europe's largest fashion groups - died on Saturday

Pedestrians walk by the entrance of a Mango shop on Passeig de Gracia street in Barcelona on February 28, 2024 (file image)

Isak Andic, Chief Executive of Spanish fashion label Mango, stands next to Queen Letizia of Spain, during her visit to Mango's factory in Palau-Solita i Plegamans, near Barcelona, April 7, 2011

'He leaves an indelible mark on the Catalan and global fashion sector. My condolences and those of the entire Government to the family, friends, and the Mango team.'

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also weighed in on the tragedy, saying: 'All my love and recognition for your great work and business vision, which has turned this Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion.'

Spains opposition Peoples Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo added: 'I regret the death of Isak Andic, the founder of Mango which is a benchmark in the textile and fashion sector at an international level.

'My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all the company's employees.'

Mango traces its origins to 1984, when Andic, who is of Turkish origin, opened his first shop on the Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona's famous shopping street, with the help of his older brother Nahman.

It was met with huge success, coming to fruition after Spain had just emerged from a decades-long dictatorship that ended with the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975, with consumers hungry for more modern clothes.

Mango has since consolidated its position as one of the leading international fashion groups, with a major presence in more than 120 markets and 15,500 employees worldwide.

Mr Ruiz concluded: 'His (Mr Andic's) legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization.

Isak Andic and Kate Moss attend the 4th Mango Fashion Awards 2012 Gala at Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya on May 30

Isak Andic was friends with the likes of Kate Moss and Terry Richardson. Mango traces its origins to 1984, when Andic, who is of Turkish origin, opened his first shop on the Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona's famous shopping street

Isak Andic and Kate Moss attend the '4th Mango Fashion Awards' held at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in 2012

'His departure leaves a huge void but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements.

'It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud.

'In these extremely difficult times we share the pain of the family as if it were our own.'

Mr Andic, who was awarded the Kingdom of Spain Entrepreneurial Career Award in 2024, leaves behind three children who he shares with his divorced wife Neus Raig Tarrago.

Only this month, Forbes had estimated Mr Andic's net worth at 4.5 billion dollars (3.56 billion).

Kate Moss was the face of Mango in 2011, boosting the brand's popularity in the UK with it now having hundreds of stores in more than 100 countries.

And earlier this year Mango announced it was teaming up with former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham for a new collection to mark its 40th anniversary.

Son Jonathan Andic (born 1981) was named in 2012 as his father's successor.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul slammed the Biden administration's bumbling response to the done crisis sweeping the east coast, telling the White House the bizarre episode 'has gone too far.'

The Democrat spoke out after the drones forced Stewart Airfield to shut down its airspace for more than an hour on Friday, releasing a statement saying the feds 'must step in'.

Hochul's call comes after New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer and New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim sent a letter to the FBI, the FAA and Homeland Security requesting clarity on the situation.

The letter insisted on an urgent briefing as the lawmakers, all Democrats, called on Biden to step up in handling the situation and reveal the mysterious source of the drones.

They noted that 'since late November, communities in the New York City area and northern New Jersey have reported several incidents of unattributable drone sightings at night, alarming both residents and local law enforcement.'

'The potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites in and outside of the continental United States over the past year,' the letter read.

The Biden administration has maintained that the drones are not a public safety risk and pose no threat to the nation's security.

But many officials and members of the public have been left unsatisfied by that answer, with it still unclear where the drones came from or what they are doing in the East Coast skies.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul slammed the Biden administration's bumbling response to the done crisis sweeping the east coast, telling the White House the bizarre episode 'has gone too far'

The Democrat spoke out after the drones forced Stewart Airfield (pictured) to shut down its airspace for over an hour on Friday, releasing a statement saying the feds 'must step in.'

Over 3,000 reports of drones have been seen across the East Coast in recent weeks, with officials admitting they are unsure of their source. Pictured: Roughly nine of the drones flying in from the Atlantic Ocean on Dec 5

A wave of footage has emerged of the drones since they were first spotted last month, with some of the clearest video yet coming this week in Somerset County, New Jersey.

The video shows three 'mystery drones in the air' as two move extremely close as if they are interacting with each other and the third hovered for 'about 15 minutes.'

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said Monday night that the drones are 'very sophisticated, explaining: 'The minute we get eyes on them [the drones], they go dark.'

'I don't blame people for being frustrated,' Gov Murphy continued, adding that he had spent most of Sunday coordinating on the issue with both the White House and the US Department of Homeland Security in the hope of getting answers.

This call for urgent answers was echoed in Hochul's statement following the airport closure, as she said she is still in the dark despite asking for clarity a month ago.

'In mid-November, I directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue, and those efforts are ongoing,' she said.

'But in order to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act.

'This bill would reform legal authorities to counter-UAS and strengthen the FAAs oversight of drones, and would extend counter-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies.'

New Jersey Senator Andy Kim shared his own eerie account of the drones after he went out at night with local police to observe the phenomenon

A wave of footage has emerged of the drones since they were first spotted last month

The latest footage coming out of New Jersey has only added more questions to the bizarre UFO wave, showing three 'mystery drones in the air'

Observers have been left scratching their heads over the unexplained drones, with even Washington heavyweights saying they are searching for answers

New Jersey Senator Andy Kim took to X to share his own account of the drones after he went out at night with local police to observe the UFOs.

'We drove to Round Valley Reservoir and the officer pointed to lights moving low over the tree line. Sometimes they were solid white light, others flashed of red and green,' Kim wrote in a thread with multiple videos of the drones.

Although some have claimed the drones may likely be just airplanes and helicopters, Kim dismissed this theory as he said his group used a flight tracker to note where tracked aircraft was.

'We often saw about 5-7 lights at a time that were low and not associated with aircraft we could see on the tracker app,' he continued. 'Some hovered while others moved across the horizon.'

Kim said cops told him they have been seeing the drones every evening, and they only seem to emerge after dark and disappear before dawn.

Last night I went out with local police to spot drone flying over New Jersey, heres what I saw. We drove to Round Valley Reservoir and the officer pointed to lights moving low over the tree line. Sometimes they were solid white light, others flashed of red and green.THREAD pic.twitter.com/ly7kUUDWDn  Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) December 13, 2024

The fury on Capitol Hill reached fever pitch after White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby insisted that the public had nothing to fear, but admitted that officials were still struggling to corroborate some of the reports.

The FBI has received more than 3,000 tips since the first sighting on November 18, with reports of varying levels of credibility cropping up in at least 12 counties throughout New Jersey, as well as eastern Pennsylvania and Orange County, New York.

Amid the uncertainty, the president-elect called for answers from the US Government as he slammed the Biden administration and urged them to shoot down the UFOs.

But this was rejected by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas who said that the government does not have the authority to neutralize the drones.

Mayorkas echoed previous comments made by Kirby and suggested that some of the reports could be cases of mistaken identity related to manned aircraft.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has undergone a successful hip replacement after taking a fall down a marble staircase while on a European trip.

The 84-year-old was in Luxembourg with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge when she fell on Friday.

Her spokesperson Ian Krager has since described Pelosi as being 'well on the mend' following the procedure in Germany.

He said: 'Speaker Pelosi is grateful to U.S. military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and medical staff at Hospital Kirchberg for their excellent care and kindness.

'Speaker Pelosi is enjoying the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and well wishes and is ever determined to ensure access to quality health care for all Americans.'

Pelosi has had to cancel the rest of her engagements on the congressional delegation trip.

She was seen in a photo immediately before the fall gripping the hand of Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, on the grand marble staircase at the Grand Duke's palace.

Her spokesperson Ian Krager has since described Pelosi as being 'well on the mend' following the procedure in Germany

The group of lawmakers met with the Grand Duke on Friday before Pelosi was rushed to the hospital. She is seen here gripping the hand of Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas

Pelosi appeared unsteady and frail according to witnesses in the room during the meeting.

A source told DailyMail.com that she then fell down the marble staircase during the official visit in front of all the lawmakers and dignitaries.

Pelosi was heard from again on a call with several of the lawmakers that she took from the hospital, and she sounded normal and in good spirts, another source told DailyMail.com.

The visit to Luxembourg, hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was announced to commemorate the deadly battle with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 lawmakers.

Her incident comes days after outgoing GOP Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, fell during a Senate lunch this week. He suffered a sprained wrist and a scrape on his face.

Pelosi just successfully ran for reelection in California and signaled that she intends to run again in 2026.

And although she stepped down from an official Democratic leadership position in November 2022, she still holds much power.

Pelosi just successfully ran for reelection in California and signaled that she intends to run again in 2026

Pelosi appeared unsteady and frail according to witnesses in the room during the meeting

Just this week, it was reported that Pelosi is working behind the scenes to put the kibosh on Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez' dream of taking a powerful Democratic House position in the new Congress.

The 35-year-old progressive Squad member is looking to become the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, having served as vice ranking member.

But she would have to beat out Virginia Congressman Gerry Connelly, who also launched his own bid for the top committee job.

The lawmakers on the congressional delegation to Luxembourg are meeting with foreign leaders and dignitaries to mark 80 years since the famous battle, one of the deadliest of World War II.

Earlier Thursday, the Luxembourg Embassy posted a photo of the lawmakers to commemorate their trip.

'We welcome Bill Nelson and Members of Congress to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg and Belgium,' the account wrote on on X.

'The sacrifices of brave #WWII soldiers echo from the past, reminding us that each generation must continue the fight for freedom and democracy.'

Speaker Mike Johnson previewed the trip, saying it is an 'honor' to mark the occasion.
At least five people have been shot dead in Northern France as a gunman went on a horrific shooting rampage near a migrant camp.

Horror unfolded on Saturday afternoon near a beach at Loon-Plage, close to Dunkirk where small boats regularly set off to Britain.

Two security guards were among the victims and police say a 22-year-old French national, identified as Paul D., turned himself in on Saturday claiming to have killed five people in the Dunkirk area.

Police also confirmed the deaths of two migrants who had been planning to head to the UK, while reporting the fifth person was slain in Wormhout, not far from the Channel port city.

Officials have been left 'stunned' by the events with a local mayor saying he 'cannot understand how this could have happened'.

The suspect turned himself in to a police station in Ghyvelde just east of Dunkirk, claiming to be a 'former colleague' of the dead security guards and to have perpetrated all the killings.

A source familiar with the investigation added that all those killed received 'precise shots to the head, suggesting the killer had a lot of experience with firearms' and that he appeared to be 'involved in a long-running dispute with the security company'.

The local prefecture said an investigation had been opened into the deaths.

A blood bath unfolded near the beach at Loon Plage, close to Dunkirk, where small boats regularly set off to Britain (file image of migrants in the Loon-Plage area)





It comes after special forces police were first called to the camp on the Mardyck Road soon after 4pm following reports of a lone gunman killing people'.

The investigating source added that the gunman is first thought to have struck at around 4pm at Wormhout, some 15 miles inland from Dunkirk.

They continued: 'His car pulled up outside a farm house, and then he went inside and shot a 29-year-old public transport manager dead in front of his family.

'The suspect then made his way to Loon-Plage in his car, where he targetted two Iraqi Kurd migrants he saw by the side of the road.

'He is thought to have got out of his car, to shoot them both in their heads, leaving them no chance of survival.'

Two security guards working for Eamus Cork Security, a company that helps safeguard Dunkirk port, were then reportedly shot dead in the same way.

They had been travelling in their own vehicle, but he reportedly persuaded them to get out, before killing them.

The man then drove some eight miles to the coastal town Ghyvelde, and turned himself into gendarmes at around 5pm, before confessing to all five murders.

There are frequent reports of gun and knife violence around the migrant camps in northern France. They often involve people smugglers who control the illegal trade in people travelling to Britain to claim asylum (file image of migrants in the Loon-Plage area)

The area is popular with migrants due to being close to Dunkirk (file image of migrants in the Loon-Plage area)

The migrants are said to be of Kurdish origin and to have died of gunshot wounds near an oil refinery.

The first victim, who was 'killed in front of his relatives in what looked like a targeted assassination', was said to be in his 30s.

The gunman was described as being aged 22, and unknown to the authorities before today'.

When his car was searched, four weapons were found in Paul D.'s car, and he was the legal owner of a Smith and Wesson 44 Remington rifle, said a gendarmerie spokesman.

By 7pm, the area was flooded with police and emergency services vehicles, as roadblocks were set up.

Soldiers also arrived due to fears that the killer might be working with accomplices.

Identities of the gunman and his victims were not immediately released, said Eric Rommel, the Mayor of Loon-Plage.

The mayor added the two security guards were on duty and patrolling the port area when they were attacked after getting out of their car.

There was no immediate link established between the security guards and the dead transport manager or the migrants, he said.

David Calcoen, the Mayor of Wormhout, said: 'I am stunned by what has happened. 'I cannot understand how this could have happened.'

There are frequent reports of gun and knife violence around the migrant camps in northern France.

They often involve people smugglers who control the illegal trade in people travelling to Britain to claim asylum.

The Loon-Plage commune has a population of around 6300 while its refugee camp houses hundreds of migrants living in tents scattered among the groves.

A judicial enquiry into the murders has been opened by local prosecutors.
A terrified BMW owner was left in a state of shock after his car unexpectedly burst into flames outside his home.

Chris Jones from Cumbernauld, Scotland, was left 'counting his blessings' after his vehicle was engulfed in flames 'without warning'.

The incident occurred on December 1 along the Spruce Road in Cumbernauld, near the city of Glasgow.

The 41-year-old had been out enjoying a meal with his parents when he received a frightening text from his neighbour which showed his car on fire.

By the time Chris had arrived home, Scottish Fire Service personnel had extinguished the blaze and secured the area.

Initially he wondered if the fire had been a purposeful arson attack, but those fears will swiftly assuaged by the fire service who ruled out any signs of foul play within hours.

Speaking to the Record, Chris said that BMW is now investigating the incident to determine the initial cause of the blaze.

He has also reached out to car dealing franchise Leaseplan whom he purchased the car from originally.

41-year-old Chris Jones stands next to his burned out BMW car outside of his home in Cumbernauld, Scotland

The BMW car has been totally destroyed by the blaze, rendering it unusable

The car unexpectedly caught fire on the evening of December 1, as shocked neighbours watched on in astonishment

Describing the chaos of the blaze, the nutritionist spoke of what neighbours present for the fire experienced.

'Witnesses told me that it started with sparks underneath the car and then, within a few minutes, there was a fireball. It all happened very quickly', he said.

The 41-year-old also claimed that officers on the scene had told him that they had encountered similar problems with BMW cars over recent years.

'It's scary and unbelievably dangerous. To think what could have happened if me or my family were in there at the time, or if I'd switched on the ignition-it doesn't bear thinking about', a grateful Chris remarked.

He went on to add that with only 3,000 miles on the clock, the car was as good as new and that there had been no warning signs in the lead up to the blaze.

Speaking to the incident, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 6.45pm on Sunday, 1 December, 2024, officers received a report of a vehicle on fire on Spruce Road, Cumbernauld. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances'.

Police Scotland have been approached for further comment on the matter.

Both BMW and Leaseplan were also contacted by the MailOnline, with BMW unable to provide comment at this time and Leaseplan not yet responding to a request for comment.
Hezbollah's chief has admitted that the terror group has lost a key military supply line in the wake of the fall of murderous dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Assad's fall on December 8 has been celebrated across Syria, which has been deeply repressed by the now-ousted president's family since the 1970s.

But his allies are furious that their relationships cultivated with the regime were obliterated by the umbrella coalition, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in a lightning offensive that saw Assad's forces overwhelmed in uner two weeks.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, whose group supported Assad during more than a decade of conflict in that country, admitted in a televised address that his terror group 'lost a military supply line via Syria'.

He added: 'The resistance must adapt to the circumstances.'

Qassem said he hoped that whoever leads Syria next would assist them, adding: 'A new regime could come and this route could return to normal, and we could look for other ways.'

Hezbollah began intervention work in Syria in 2013 to help fight opposition forces who sought to topple him during the nation's bitter civil war.

As late as last week, as Assad's forces fled their posts, Hezbollah officers were sent to oversee a withdrawal of its own fighters from the country.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem (pictured) admitted in a televised address that his terror group 'lost a military supply line via Syria'

Bashar al-Assad (pictured) was deposed earlier this month by an umbrella coalition of militias

People walk past an Iranian domestically-built missile as they visit National Aerospace Park of the Revolutionary Guard, just outside Tehran in Iran, on November 15 this year

The terror group maintained a supply line through Syria from Iran, which passed weapons ranging from missiles to heavily subsidised fuel products for Hezbollah to use.

Analysts have said that while Assad's fall would be a major setback for Hezbollah, this was not necessarily the end for Iran's support of the terror group.

Michael Knights, an analyst at the Washington Institute, wrote in a blog post that Iran could still send support to Hezbollah through Iraq with help of pro-Iran militias in the country, before going through Central Syria, where few militias have stakes their claims, and then into Lebanon.

He added that Iran could still send maritime support to Syria's Mediterranean coast as well.

Despite this, other Arab nations, along with the US, the EU and Turkey, issued a joint statement calling for a peaceful transition to democracy, as well as the safe and secure destruction of chemical weapon stockpiles used by Assad against his own people.

It also expressed full support for Syria's territorial integrity.

A separate statement issued by Arab foreign ministers called for UN-supervised elections based on a new constitution approved by Syrians.

A man leans through the window frame of a ruined building on December 14 in Jobar, Syria

Children wave Syrian independence-era flag in the town of al-Dana, near Sarmada, in the northern Syrian province of Idlib on December 13

This aerial view shows a destroyed building in Maaret al-Numan, in the northwestern Syrian Idlib province, on December 14

That statement also condemned Israel's incursion into the buffer zone with Syria and adjacent sites over the past week as a 'heinous occupation' and demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

In a sign of warming relations to the transitional government, Turkey reopened its embassy in Syria on Saturday, becoming the first country to do so since the end of Bashar Assad's rule last weekend.

The Syrian insurgents who overthrew Assad had received vital help from Turkey.

The Turkish flag was raised above the compound in Damascus for the first time since diplomatic ties were cut in 2012. The embassy suspended operations 12 years ago due to insecurity during the Syrian civil war.

Several countries maintained diplomatic ties with Assad's government during the 13-year conflict, while others reopened their diplomatic missions in recent years as they sought to normalise relations.
A Georgia woman who was beaten, pistol-whipped, tied up and sexually assaulted early in the morning on New Year's Day in 2021 shared the chilling moment she realized her masked attacker was her ex-husband.

Morgan Metzer said her suspicions were raised immediately because her assailant appeared to be disguising his voice to sound gravelly, like Batman.

In new show 'The Batman Intruder' on CBS and Paramount +, Morgan revealed she knew the attacker was her ex-husband Rodney Metzer when he climbed on top of her and strangled her to within an inch of her life.

She recalled him telling her: 'You're gonna regret this, you've done really wrong now... You're going to be fine but we can't say that about your ex-husband. You're really going to miss him.'

Hearing the attacker randomly reference her ex-husband led Morgan to believe it was Rodney - who was later convicted of carrying out a warped attempt to win her back by saving her life.

In new details from the chilling episode, it was revealed that Rodney had previously faked having cancer to move back into Morgan's home, and only left the day before the New Year's attack.

When police obtained search warrants for Rodney's home and phone, they found zip ties that aligned with those used on Morgan and an incriminating search history including 'how to change the sound of your voice' and 'how to get sympathy from your ex.'

In an interview with CBS' 48 Hours for the show, Morgan admitted: 'I thought I was going to die.'

Morgan Metzer, who was beaten, pistol whipped, tied up and sexually assaulted on New Year's Day in 2021 has shared the chilling moment she realized her masked attacker was her ex-husband Rodney (pictured together)

Morgan after she was bashed with the butt of a pistol, choked to within an inch of her life, sexually assaulted and left tied up on her deck with a pillowcase over her head

Morgan recalled during the attack she was 'certain' she was going to die

Morgan said when the attack began, she was pistol-whipped in the face after she screamed to try and alert her neighbors.

After beating her almost to death, Rodney place a pillowcase over her head and carried he routside to her back porch.

Morgan's attacker told her not to move until she heard two car honks or he'd kill her, and she said she then lay there for over 45 minutes in terror.

The silence was broken when her ex-husband Rodney showed up, seemingly in an effort to save her as Morgan recalled him saying: 'Oh honey, what happened?'

Rodney called 911, but as soon as cops showed up they were immediately suspicious of how the victim's ex-husband happened to know she was attacked.

The couple had recently finalized a bitter divorce, but Morgan said Rodney was insistent on getting back together, despite her repeated rejections.

They had dated since Morgan was 14 and he was 17, and shared twins together, who were staying with Morgan's sister in Florida over New Year's when the attack took place.

Morgan and Rodney Metzer met when they were teenagers and had twins together before they broke up in 2020

They appeared to friends as a stable and loving couple, but underneath, Rodney was a 'master manipulator, prosecutors said, who gas-lighted Morgan for years

Rodney seen on surveillance sitting with Morgan at her home after the attack as police arrive

During the investigation, detectives learned that Rodney had wormed his way back into Morgan's home by faking a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

It came just a week after Morgan finalized the divorce, alleging years of emotional and physical abuse, as Rodney called his ex-wife and told her he had the disease.

'And so I rushed to go see him,' Morgan said, admitting she let him move back in. 'He showed me doctors' notes and whatnot. I needed to be supportive still because it's the father of my children.'

For a week before New Year's, Rodney pestered her about getting back together, but when she tried to get him to tell his parents he had cancer, Rodney refused.

'He said, "No, absolutely not. I'm not telling anybody." And that's when I was like, "OK, get out,"' Morgan recalled.

She told Rodney she was going to her parents' home for New Year's but actually spent it with her friend before she went back home before midnight.

When police questioned Rodney at the scene of his ex-wife's beating about how he arrived so soon after, he offered a bizarre story about a mystery suspect knocking on his apartment window and saying Morgan's name.

He said going to her home instead of her parents' home was out of habit, but investigators were immediately doubtful of his story.

At first, Rodney tried to convince police of his innocence. 'It's sickening to me that this happened to her and it's sickening to me that y'all think I would do this,' he told them during interrogation

Rodney was caught leaving Lowe's Home Improvement carrying a pack of zip ties

Zip ties were found at Rodney's home during a search warrant, which lined up with those used to tie up Morgan

Damning searches on Rodney's phone were also found, including 'how to change the sound of your voice' and 'how long does it take to choke someone unconscious?'

They obtained search warrants, which uncovered a damning search history on Rodney's phone, including 'How to get sympathy from your ex?' and 'How long it take to choke someone unconscious.'

Another that caught the investigators eyes: 'Cancer letter from hospital.'

It was found that Rodney had gone as far as to create a fake email account from a doctor to send himself the cancer diagnosis letter that he used to convince Morgan of his illness.

Rodney's phone also included copies of Morgan's messages and evidence that he had been secretly taking photos of her in the shower.

They arrested him for lying to police, and he spent a day in jail while they search his home and found more incriminating evidence.

'The investigation revealed a different story,' Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said when Rodney pleaded guilty in August 2021.

Wallace explained that detectives found a gun in his car and zip-ties in his apartment, both of which matched those used in the attack.

Even after police found overwhelming evidence, Morgan had been so badly gas-lit that she had moments of doubt

Security camera footage also gave him away. He was caught leaving Lowe's Home Improvement carrying a pack of zip ties, and coming home to his apartment and leaving a few minutes later wearing different clothing.

Only one thing was stolen - Morgan's phone, so he could erase the security cam footage of his arrival, attack and departure.

'This man is a master manipulator. In the days leading up to this attack he faked a cancer diagnosis in an attempt to gain sympathy from his ex-wife,' Wallace added.

Even after police found overwhelming evidence, Morgan had been so badly gas-lit that she had moments of doubt.

'There were quite a few times where I convinced myself even after that that maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it was someone else. I can't believe we're doing this to him,' she said.

'There's no way he would have done this to me. He wouldn't hurt me.'

Rodney was charged with a long list of crimes including sexual battery, kidnapping and aggravated family violence battery.

Rodney pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 70 years, with 25 to be served in prison and the rest on probation, as part of a plea deal

At first, Rodney tried to convince police of his innocence and manipulate them the same way he did to his wife.

'It's sickening to me that this happened to her and it's sickening to me that y'all think I would do this,' he told them during interrogation.

'I'm a very kind, gentle... like I don't have an angry bone in my body.'

Rodney pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 70 years, with 25 to be served in prison and the rest on probation, as part of a plea deal.

As well as the new Paramount+ show, the case has now been dramatized into the Lifetime film Gaslit by my Husband, with One Tree Hill stars Jana Kramer and Austin Nichols playing Morgan and Rodney.
The alleged Chinese spy exposed as a close confidant of Prince Andrew boasted about visiting Downing Street and met David Cameron and Theresa May.

On the desk of his plush office in central London, the man, who has been banned from Britain on national security grounds, proudly displayed pictures of himself with the two Tory Prime Ministers.

In an interview with Chinese state-controlled TV, the businessman, 50, whose identity is kept secret by a draconian court order, even bragged that he was invited to No 10 to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

This newspaper has also unearthed an extraordinary photograph of the alleged secret agent with Prince Andrew at a function at St Jamess Palace.

The man, said in bombshell court papers to have formed an unusual degree of trust with Andrew, also attended events at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. The revelations last night fuelled calls for an full inquiry into how the alleged agent, known only as H6, infiltrated the Royal Family and gained access to Britain s top politicians.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: I am appalled. What were our security services doing?

This man not only had access to the Duke, he has penetrated the heart of the British government, meeting prime ministers. He would have been sending information he picked up to his masters in Beijing. When will they take the China threat seriously?

The latest scandal involving Andrew erupted on Thursday when a ruling by a special immigration commission revealed H6 had been barred from entering the UK after MI5 deemed him to be an agent who had engaged in covert and deceptive activity on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

On the desk of his plush office in central London, the man proudly displayed pictures of himself with the two Tory Prime Ministers

In an interview with Chinese state-controlled TV, the businessman even bragged that he was invited to No 10 to celebrate the Chinese New Year

H6 was so close to Andrew he had been told he could act on the Dukes behalf when dealing with potential clients in China, according to court documents.

Now this newspaper can reveal:

A firm run by H6 helped pay for former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to visit China;

He bought a 1million suburban property which appears to have acted as an intelligence hub;

Neighbours said he and Chinese colleagues were driven aroundin a blacked-out, chauffeured car;

MI5 is reportedly investigating money given by Chinese donors to Prince Andrew.

The alleged spy is a former junior civil servant in China who is accused of working for the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese state used to gather intelligence, recruit agents and buy influence abroad.

Aged 31, he founded a company in London that initially provided travel services, but which later became a business consultancy.

Several years ago he was interviewed at his Mayfair office as part of a glowing profile by a state-controlled Chinese broadcaster.

He said that when Lord Cameron was Premier, he was invited to an event to celebrate Chinese New Year at 10 Downing Street. A photograph on his desk, revealed for the first time, above left, shows him talking to Lord Cameron in what appears to be No 10.

A second picture shows him in dinner jacket and bow tie with Theresa May and husband Sir Philip. It is unclear when the shot was taken and if Baroness May was Prime Minister at the time.

This newspaper can reveal his company has previously paid some of the costs incurred by former Labour Deputy Premier Lord Prescott, who died in November aged 86, during trips to China.

This newspaper has also unearthed an extraordinary photograph of the alleged secret agent with Prince Andrew at a function at St Jamess Palace

The man is believed to have met Andrew in 2012 but it was not until 2022, after he was rumbled by security services, that the Duke dropped him, it is claimed.

In the previous decade the man, who came to the UK to study in 2002, repeatedly visited Royal Palaces at the invitation of the Duke. He also attended the Dukes 60th birthday party in 2020 at Royal Lodge within Windsor Great Park.

The picture, left, shows the man watching as the Duke chats to Chinas then ambassador at a business event in St Jamess Palace.

Andrew was also a guest of honour at a major business conference in London organised by H6 where a message from President Xi was read out.

China expert Clive Hamilton, whose book Hidden Hand warned of the dangers posed by Chinese spy networks, said: Britains ruling elites, from prime ministers and princes down, have been deeply compromised by links to Chinese agents of influence. MI5 has a lot more work to do.

A source close to Lord Cameron said he met thousands of people at hundreds of functions, adding: We dont have any further information about this individual.

A spokesman for Lady May said: She is photographed at numerous events in any given year; as such, she doesnt remember when or where this particular photograph was taken or the man in question.

No 10 declined the comment.

The Daily Telegraph yesterday claimed security services are scrutinising money received by Andrew. Last week he said he ceased all contact with the alleged spy after concerns were raised, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever being discussed.

Additional reporting: Daisy Graham-Brown
Wes Streeting takes his networking seriously  to such a degree that the hard-partying Health Secretary has become known as 'all-night Wes'.

'He does have a slight tendency to be swept up with the bottles at the end of parties,' is how one wry Westminster observer puts it.

At Labour's party conference in Liverpool this year, the Health Secretary was still propping up hotel bars at 4am before reappearing  as bright-eyed and puppy-doggish as ever  on the breakfast circuit three hours later.

That was not an isolated occasion; a daily audit of party attendances run by the Westminster website Politico is very Wes-heavy, with the 41-year-old Cabinet Minister frequently recorded as being at multiple, simultaneous events. And all this with a crisis-hit NHS to run.

Streeting's conspicuous energy contrasts with the weary-looking Prime Minister  more than two decades older and in the throes of a steep decline in popularity.

The 'optics', as Westminster likes to term it, are that Streeting  long regarded as a future party leader  'smells blood'.

His public opposition to the assisted dying Bill last month did not exactly dispel this impression; nor did his intervention last week when he openly lamented the UK's failure in 2013 to take military action against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad  even though then Labour leader Ed Miliband had ordered his MPs to oppose it.

Streeting's allies dismiss any suggestion that he is 'on manoeuvres', pointing out the scale of the landslide achieved by Starmer just five months ago. They attribute his energy and high public profile to his brush with kidney cancer three years ago and a desire to carpe diem.

Streeting's conspicuous energy contrasts with the weary-looking Prime Minister (pictured)

Wes Streeting takes his networking seriously  to such a degree that the hard-partying Health Secretary has become known as 'all-night Wes'

His growing confidence comes in part from the calibre of his 'back team'  Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson are both long-standing supporters.

This might help to explain why he looks so comfortable in Tory circles, such as last week's Christmas drinks held by the Tory bible The Spectator  now edited by Michael Gove  where he was treated as the effective guest of honour.

At the magazine's parliamentary awards earlier this month, he prompted roars of laughter by joking about his 'Right-wing' beliefs before launching a barrage of barbs against his colleagues: 'The Deputy Prime Minister is here,' he said, in front of the official holder of that title, Angela Rayner, before adding: 'Good to see you, Pat.'

Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden is regarded by many as Starmer's real deputy.

And about Louise Haigh, who was forced to resign as Transport Secretary over a fraud conviction for a mobile phone she said was stolen, he said: 'For the record, I love Louise. She is a good friend. I genuinely want to see her back in the Government soon and I'm going to phone her tomorrow on one of her numbers.'

All this showmanship comes as members of the Cabinet are now unguardedly describing Sir Keir as a 'dud', with growing talk that he will not last until the next Election.

Ministers who complained that the PM was becoming 'never here Keir' as a result of his frequent globetrotting had been reassured that he would switch focus to tackle his mounting domestic problems, spinning out from a disastrous Budget which has united taxed farmers and freezing pensioners in fury.

However, he is off again tonight  this time heading to Norway and Estonia to talk tough about Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Streeting's allies dismiss any suggestion that he is 'on manoeuvres', pointing out the scale of the landslide achieved by Starmer (pictured) just five months ago

Insiders grumble about the lack of a 'vision' to sell to voters.

One Downing Street official said: 'Keir is like Rishi Sunak in this respect. He doesn't see the importance of telling a story. He thinks it should be enough to work hard and focus on doing a good job. But that's not how politics works. It may seem trivial, but you need to have a narrative. Blair got that.'

Few ministers are anywhere near the decision-making centre, which is being very tightly controlled by the Prime Minister, his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and a handful of confidants.

One downcast senior Labour MP said: 'I don't even know who is in the tent, never mind get to speak to them.'

Streeting's roots in the party are deeper than Sir Keir, who was parachuted in to Labour just before the 2015 Election as a pre-packed leader-in-waiting to take on the Left. 'The basic problem is that Starmer was never supposed to be PM in the first place,' said one Labour insider.

'He was supposed to be our Moses  to get us near as possible to the Promised Land but not actually into Government.

'That's what Morgan McSweeney and the modernisers thought. They saw him as the man to clean up the mess left by Jeremy Corbyn and the Hard Left.'

In that scenario, Streeting was scripted to take over and lead Labour back into power.

Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden (pictured) is regarded by many as Starmer's real deputy

According to one seasoned Labour backbencher: 'The modernisers are frustrated. Their dilemma is that they are responsible for parachuting a second-rate politician into the leadership but he won a big majority for Labour.

'They are now impotent whisperers and gossipers on the sidelines as our polling numbers collapse. The parliamentary party is already in a state of deep despondency.'

Another MP says it was obvious as soon as Sir Keir became an MP that he was 'not really a politician'. The MP said: 'Many of us worked that out straight away from his performance as Corbyn's Brexit spokesman. He just doesn't get the politics.'

Morale is low across the party, with many Labour staffers threatening to quit.

A Labour minister said: 'I wouldn't say this in public, but I have a new-found respect for the Tories. Government is hard.'

The minister said they recently saw their Shadow counterpart in the Commons and told them this. 'He replied  I have a new-found respect for you too,

'I hadn't realised you have to do it all yourself in opposition,' referring to the lack of staffing support. All of this has led to jitters among the huge intake of 'newbie' MPs elected for the first time in July.

A Labour MP says: 'We got 10 per cent less of the vote in 2024 than Blair did in 1997. It's a huge Commons majority, as in 1997, but built on very much less popular support.'

Despite the disillusionment, the split on the Right  the battle between the Tories and Nigel Farage's Reform  could still give Starmer a second term.

'There's a hell of a long way to before the next election but I wouldn't count on that,' says one Labour backbencher.

'If we lose the Muslim vote [over the Gaza war] and Farage takes our white working-class vote, what happens then?'
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

ABC News have agreed to pay $15 million to Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit over assertions made by top anchor George Stephanopoulos that he was found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.

The settlement, first reported by Fox News, was publicly filed on Saturday and revealed that the parties had come to an agreement in the suit.

It stipulates that the network will pay $15 million as a charitable contribution towards Trump's presidential library.

ABC will also post a note on its website expressing regret over the claim in a March 10 segment on "This Week" made by Stephanopoulos.

They will also pay his legal fees as part of the settlement, which have totaled $1 million.

A statement from the network said: 'ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABCs This Week on March 10, 2024.'

Trump had sued Stephanopoulos and the network for defamation soon after the segment aired.

His lawyers accused Stephanopoulos of making the statements with 'malice' and a disregard for the truth.

The segment involved him interviewing Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, with Stephanopoulos pressing her on why she endorsed Trump after he was found liable of sexual abuse.

The settlement was publicly filed on Saturday and revealed that the parties had come to an agreement in the suit

ABC will also post a note on its website expressing regret over the claim in a March 10 segment on "This Week" made by Stephanopoulos, seen here

Stephanopoulos said: 'I'm asking you a question about why you endorse someone who's been found liable for rape.'

The congresswoman went on: 'As a rape victim, who's been shamed for years now because of her rape. You're trying to shame me again.'

Mace was raped when she was 16 years old and says it is what drives her to be an advocate for women's issues.

'I have endorsed a man that I believe is best for our country. It's not Joe Biden. You looked at the dueling rallies yesterday, in Georgia.

Laken Riley's family was with Donald Trump. They weren't with Joe Biden the same guy yesterday, that apologized for calling her killer an illegal who was an illegal.

And here you are trying to shame a rape victim. I find it disgusting.'

'You keep saying I'm shaming you. How is a question about a presidential candidate' Stephanopoulos said. 'You're asking a rape victim,' Mace cut in.

A New York jury in May 2023 ordered Trump to pay $5 million in damages for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s.

He was then ordered to pay another $83.3 million for defamation after he publicly denied sexually abusing Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996.

'You're trying to shame me for my political choice,' Mace told Stephanopoulos. 'It was not a criminal court'

Mace was raped when she was 16 years old and says it is what drives her to be an advocate for women's issues

Jurors had deliberated for less than three hours following a two-week civil trial in which the former president testified for just three minutes.

Stephanopoulos was initially defiant of the lawsuit, telling Stephen Colbert that he wouldn't be 'cowed out of doing my job because of a threat'.

He added: 'Trump sued me because I used the word rape, even though a judge said thats in fact what did happen. We filed a motion to dismiss.'

Trump is also suing CBS News for $10 billion in damages alleging the network practiced 'deceptive conduct' when they interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris in October.

Lawyers for the president claimed numerous violations by the broadcaster including lying in a thoughtful and malevolent way, according to a lawsuit.

They wrote the complaint is because of 'CBS partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public.'

Trump and his team also allege that CBS News was trying to run cover for Democrats by making Kamala Harris' performance look better than it was.
Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of forming an EU surrender squad to reverse Brexit.

An all-powerful team of more than 100 civil servants is being assembled to run the UKs negotiations with Brussels  with insiders claiming its purpose is to negate the historic 2016 vote to leave the EU.

Last night, critics warned that the Prime Minister was on the brink of jettisoning the freedoms and opportunities of Brexit to permanently lash the UK to an EU superstate, and return us to the role of rule-taker rather than rule-maker.

Ahead of any talks for closer UK-EU trade ties, Brussels is expected to demand freedom of movement for young people, an acceptance of EU laws and the continued right for the European nations to fish in British waters beyond 2026.

Insiders say the new team, to be established in the heart of the Cabinet Office, will aim to ensure that any concessions yielded to Brussels will be almost impossible to undo by a future Tory government.

A source said: The officials are being drawn from every government department, and they have been told that they will have full powers to demand whatever they need from any corner of Whitehall to make the reset work.

Last night Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of taking us backwards.

She said: In every negotiation  from trade union pay deals to the Chagos islands  Keir Starmer has given away everything for nothing in return.

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) is planning to assemble a team of 100 civil servants to run negotiations with Brussels, as critics say the move jettison Brexit freedoms and opportunities

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch (pictured) accused the Prime Minister of 'taking us back to his EU comfort zone'

The question now is what price we all pay for the Prime Minister to take us back to his EU comfort zone?

The Mail on Sunday understands the new EU unit will be situated in plum seats in the Cabinet Office  close to the door to No 10  which are currently occupied by senior national security officials.

It will be run by a 200,000-a-year civil servant with the title of Second Permanent Secretary, European Union and International Economic Affairs who will report to Nick Thomas Symonds, the Minister for European Union Relations.

Lord Frost, Boris Johnsons former Brexit negotiator said Labour instinctively wanted to rejoin the EU.

He said: The plan has been blown by the fact that they cant hide the creation of this Surrender Squad in the Cabinet Office. This huge unit is getting ready for a major renegotiation  it will have more people than I had for the original deal with the EU in 2020.

Everyone in this Government really wants to rejoin the EU one day. Only public opinion is stopping them. So they are trying to act in secrecy and conceal their plans to align with EU rules, to bring back EU law and to give away our fishing grounds, by calling all this just a reset.

Unless we can stop them, the reset will end with this country once again in the EUs orbit, gradually losing our ability to set our own rules and make our own laws. Its time for those who support our national independence and democracy to wake up.

Meanwhile, the EU believes it has the right opportunity to press for concessions from Britain following the change in government.

Sir Keir shakes hands with the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen in Brussels in October

The Prime Minister will join European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and EU leaders in February, in what will be the first meeting between a British leader and the blocs 27 members since Brexit. It follows Chancellor Rachel Reevess trip last week to join a meeting of EU finance ministers.

EU negotiators have made clear that they would not remove trade barriers without dynamic alignment  Brussels jargon for British goods and services being subject to EU red tape, such as speed warnings in cars and compulsory tethers for bottle caps.

A source said: The key aim of this unit appears to make it easier to roll EU rules and demands into UK law without the need for primary legislation.

The aim is to dig the process so deep into Whitehall that a future Tory government would find it very difficult to unwind. This could be done by failing to include an exit clause in the deal, or including a long termination clause of five years or more.

The importance of the reset is clear from the fact that it is being run from the Cabinet Office not the Foreign Office. It is all being choreographed: the first stage will be a new security deal, which will be announced in February, then probably a surrender summit in the spring. Labour is desperate to get back in the club.

The Government is reluctant to strike a trade deal with Donald Trumps America which could lead to factory-farmed US products such as chlorinated chicken driving higher-quality British goods off the shelves.

The EUs blueprint, which will be presented to European ministers in the coming days, says the UK must agree to the maintenance of the status quo on access for European boats to UK waters before talks can even begin.

Fishermen have branded it a neo-colonial relationship. The document also makes clear that the EU will do a deal on food exports only if Sir Keir agrees to put all existing  and future  European laws on food and agriculture into British legislation.

Keir Starmer waits for the arrival of President of the European Council Antonio Costa at 10 Downing Street, in central London, on December 12

It would require the Government to abide by rulings from the European Court of Justice.

A central demand by the EU is for a youth experience scheme, which would grant visas to 18-30- year-olds to live and work in the UK, with free healthcare and subsidised education.

It comes as the Government is attempting to cut back the million legal migrants who enter the country each year.

A Government spokesman said: This Government is resetting its relationship with the EU and wants to strengthen cooperation, to make people safer and tackle barriers to trade, to help drive economic growth.

'There will be no return to the customs union, single market or freedom of movement. The UK Government will always work to protect the interests of our fishers.

A Cabinet Office source said: The team includes members of the Windsor Framework taskforce, which was established to try to fix the huge holes left in Lord Frosts botched deal when it came to Northern Ireland.

They added that Lord Frosts assertion that Labour wanted to rejoin the EU was completely untrue.
The British teenager convicted in Dubai after having sex with a 17-year-old girl faces having his jail sentence increased to up to 20 years this week, a leading human rights lawyer has warned.

Marcus Fakana, 18, could be hauled into court as early as tomorrow for a higher sentence to be rubber stamped.

The apprentice builder and his family are said to be 'freaking out' at the possibility prosecutors will seek to apply for an increase on the one-year term handed to him last week for consensual sex with the girl, who has since turned 18, during a family holiday in the UAE this summer.

Mr Fakana has not yet been imprisoned in the notorious al-Awir central prison, which houses death row inmates, murderers, terrorists and violent gangsters, as prosecutors ponder whether to demand he is handed a greater punishment.

He said he is facing a 'dark and uncertain time', as he launched a fresh plea to be pardoned by authorities and deported rather than locked up.

Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday, lawyer David Haigh, who is advising the Fakana family, said: 'The maximum sentence for a case like this is 20 years.

'It is always seen that the prosecutor really decides the sentence, but this was a low one for them. The worry is that they will not want to let this go and look weak. They may want to show they have fully upheld the law to everyone watching. Marcus will play almost no part in any prosecution appeal.

'He won't be allowed to talk or address the judge and everything will be in Arabic anyway. There won't be a translator. He'll probably be pushed into court for a minute and then pushed straight out again.'

Marcus Fakana (pictured), 18, who was convicted in Dubai after having sex with a 17-year-old girl faces having his jail sentence increased to up to 20 years this week

Marcus (pictured) could be hauled into court as early as tomorrow for a higher sentence to be rubber stamped

The British teenager was convicted after having a consensual holiday romance with a British girl, then 17, earlier this summer

He added: 'The days ahead are fraught with difficulty.'

Mr Haigh said the main hope was that the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, would respond to Fakana's plea for clemency.

'The horrors of jail are obvious. It will be terrible  particularly because he is so young and because there's a lot of racism in these jails,' Mr Haigh said.

'The family are very worried. They are hoping for a miracle.'

Fakana could yet launch an appeal of his own to try and get the sentence reduced or removed. Radha Stirling, who leads pressure group Detained in Dubai, said Fakana 'clearly didn't intend to break the law'.

She added: 'They [his family] are going to wait and see if the prosecution is going to apply for a harsher sentence. That real possibility is frankly freaking the family out.'

Fakana, of Tottenham, north London, began his secretive holiday romance in August with the girl who was then just a couple of weeks short of her 18th birthday. Having sex with anyone under the age of 18 is illegal in Dubai.

The girl's mother reportedly found birth control pills, photos and chats upon their return to the UK and informed the Dubai police, who arrested Fakana at his hotel.

Mr Haigh, who led a campaign to free Dubai's Princess Latifa after she posted videos in 2021 claiming her family was holding her hostage, said Fakana's imprisonment damages all involved.

'It doesn't make Dubai look good, it's not good for Marcus and it certainly isn't good for the girl,' he said.
China's mega water diversion project transforms lives, boosts development

Xinhua) 10:02, December 14, 2024

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 30, 2024 shows a view of the Danjiangkou Dam in central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Contrary to the Chinese adage, "distant water cannot quench present thirst," China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project has proven that delivering distant water is not only possible but also effective.

The largest of its kind in the world, this mega water diversion project transports water over long distances from the country's water-rich south to its northern regions, where hundreds of millions of people once faced "absolute water scarcity" as defined by United Nations standards.

The conceptual development of this project began in the 1950s, with the first phases of its middle and eastern routes becoming operational in late 2014.

During the past decade, it has diverted more than 76.7 billion cubic meters of water to the country's northern regions, providing a stable water supply to 45 major cities and more than 185 million people, according to data from the Ministry of Water Resources.

The project has improved China's water resource distribution, generating growing economic, social and ecological benefits, Vice Minister of Water Resources Wang Daoxi told a press conference on Thursday.

Designed with three routes, the project stretches across four of China's major river basins, namely, the Yangtze, Huaihe, Yellow and Haihe.

The middle route, the most prominent of the three as it supplies water to the Chinese capital Beijing, begins at the Danjiangkou Reservoir in central Hubei Province.

Most of Beijing's drinking water travels over 1,000 kilometers along the middle route from Danjiangkou. The water flows north via canals and pipelines, crossing beneath the Yellow River before reaching the city's water treatment plants. Today, nearly 80 percent of the water consumed in Beijing's urban areas has made this 15-day journey from Danjiangkou.

In parts of north China's Hebei Province, the water diversion project has transformed lives. Previously, drinking water was bitter and salty due to high fluoride levels, which caused dental fluorosis and affected local residents for generations.

"In the past, most people in the village had yellow-stained teeth, and we always felt embarrassed to speak with our mouths open," said Fu Shuming, a local from Hebei's Kushuiying Village, also known as "the town of bitter water" due to its high-fluoride groundwater.

Like Fu, more than five million people in Hebei, who once struggled with high-fluoride groundwater, now have reliable access to clean water. This is not just a water pipeline; it is a lifeline that drives economic growth and fosters ecological improvements along its path.

Li Yong, from the project management bureau under the Ministry of Water Resources, said the project has supported GDP growth of over 16 trillion yuan (about 2.23 trillion U.S. dollars) in China's northern regions, based on the premise that every 10,000 yuan of GDP in 2023 required a water input of 46.9 cubic meters.

The project bolsters the food supply by supporting agriculture in water-scarce provinces. In east China's Shandong Province, the steady water supply has boosted grain production, while in Baofeng County in central China's Henan Province, it has supported specialty industries like vinegar production.

Ecologically, the project has provided over 11.8 billion cubic meters of water for replenishing ecosystems, effectively halting the decline of groundwater levels in northern China, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Thanks to this replenishment, the Grand Canal, which had been severed in the first half of the 20th century, has seen water flowing through all 1,794 kilometers for the third consecutive year, enhancing connectivity and supporting modern industries. All of its dried-out sections were refilled with water in 2022 for the first time in almost 100 years.

The Grand Canal, connecting Beijing and Hangzhou with a history of over 2,500 years, is the world's longest artificial waterway. It served as a significant transportation artery in ancient China.

By adhering to the principles of "pollution control before water diversion" and "environmental protection first," local authorities and communities along the route have actively engaged in pollution control and water source protection efforts.

According to China South-to-North Water Diversion Co., Ltd., the water quality of the eastern route was rated Grade III on the country's five-tier water quality scale, while the middle route achieved a higher Grade II quality.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Brits face water bills soaring by at least a fifth - and far more in some areas - as Labour claims firms need cash to fix sewers

An eye-watering round of increases is set to be announced by regulator Ofwat later this week, despite fury at the performance of operators.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed admitted today that consumers will be 'angry' at the looming hikes, expected to add a minimum of 100 to average annual costs over the next five years.

Thames Water's chief executive last week defended bosses sharing 770,000 in bonuses despite the firm battling a huge debt mountain and pumping out even more sewage. It has been pushing for bills to go up more than 50 per cent by the end of the decade.

In an article for the Telegraph, Mr Reed argued that water rationing could be needed by the 2040s without drastic increases in investment.

Mr Reed pledged the additional money would go towards fixing leaky pipes and building reservoirs instead of paying executives their bonuses.

Ofwat has been engaged in intense negotiations with water companies over the scale of the rises.

The watchdog originally knocked back demands for hikes of more than 21 per cent over five years.

But extraordinarily companies responded by asking for even more. They wanted the average consumer bill in England and Wales rise by 40 per cent between now and 2030 - costing 615 per year.

Those proposals would have seen Southern Water customers hammered with an 84 per cent increase over the period.

Campaigners and politicians slammed the companies for 'greed', saying they were 'sucking the dregs' out of customers.

Steve Reed (pictured) admitted that British citizens will be 'angry' at the rise, which is expected to add an average of 100 to water bills over the next five years

Your browser does not support iframes.

Ofwat is due to announce the final figures on Thursday.

Earlier this year, companies asked Ofwat for bills averaging 585 by 2030, up about one-third from the current average of 439.

The regulator's draft price review in July pared back those requests to an average of 535.

However, 10 of the 11 water companies then hit back with even higher requests than before.

Mr Reed wrote: 'If you see cracks in the wall of your house and do nothing about it for years, the problem gets worse and you end up paying more,' he said.

'That's what's happened with our crumbling water and sewage system. Customers have been left to pay the price of Conservative failure.'

But shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins said: 'Labour spent years making promises to the public about improving waterways yet, six months after the election, all they do is talk about the Conservatives. Labour's lack of energy and action will not wash when bills rise on their watch.

'The Conservatives began the crucial reform to ensure that in the long-term Britain's water system is clean and sustainable  that requires billions of pounds of private of investment if bill-payers are to be protected.

'The Government must work out what it's doing and who will pay for this investment, or our water bills will keep rising under Labour.'

Labour is preparing to sweeten the increases with reforms ringfencing extra money so it must be spent on new infrastructure.

Mr Reed said he would also be pushing through new legislation that mandates reporting on sewage leaks.

The new law would meant that water bosses who refuse to cooperate with investigations into spillage face prison time.

'This is a once in a generation chance to reset our water sector and deliver the change we all want to see,' Mr Reed added.

'After years of pollution and decline it's time to invest in new opportunities and restore our clean rivers, lakes and seas.'

Earlier this year, brazen water bosses put in a request to increase bills by up to 84 per cent.

All 11 water and wastewater firms originally requested bill rises from the regulator in July, but these figures have now been revised by the companies.

Taken together, the companies want bills to rise 40 per cent on average and cost 615 a year by 2030, compared to the current average bill of 439 a year.

This is despite the fact that water bosses have been given eyewatering bonuses.

Thames Water's chief executive defended bosses sharing 770,000 in bonuses despite the firm battling a huge debt mountain and pumping out even more sewage.

The water firms provide supplies to England and Wales

Sewage is seen floating in the Thames near Windsor, Berkshire - environment secretary Steve Reed wrote: 'Our rivers, lakes and seas are choked by pollution'.

Chris Weston insisted 'competitive packages' were needed to attract 'talent' to work at his crisis-stricken company even though regulators said the payouts were unjustified.

Mr Weston took on the job in January and was awarded a 195,000 bonus for his first three months at the firm.

Ofwat revealed last month that Thames Water was planning to use customer cash to pay bosses' bonuses, but ruled that it was not 'justified'.

The firm is in about 16billion of debt and is trying to secure another 3billion to keep it running beyond mid-next year.
It's a grand red-brick home in an affluent suburb  but this 1 million property is said to have been used as an HQ by the alleged Chinese spy.

The businessman and an associate bought the house in 2017. Neighbours said Chinese men arrived and left frequently.

The building, the location of which can not be revealed due to a court order, was supposedly used by the alleged spooks consultancy business.

But it was actually an outpost of Chinas feared intelligence services, it now appears.

They were very private people, one neighbour said. They were chauffeured around in a S-Class Mercedes.'

Another said: I thought it was a strange location for a business, particularly a Chinese business.

The building was sold recently and the new owner moved in on December 4 unaware it was at the centre of an alleged spy circle.

It's a grand red-brick home in an affluent suburb  but this 1 million property is said to have been used as an HQ by the alleged Chinese spy

Prince Andrew with the alleged Chinese spy who has been banned from the UK

The sale had been delayed amid a dispute over the buildings use whether business or domestic.

The buyer told the MoS: They said they had clients from China coming over and staying here.

It is unclear whether the alleged spy ever lived at the property.

Publicly available documents also link him to a four-bedroom house nearby.
The royals have many things, including multiple residences, helpful butlers and beautiful jewels. But some male members of the family don't seem to have a lot of hair.

Prince William's hair has disappeared over the years and though Prince Harry held on to his locks for longer, he also hasn't avoided thinning.

Meanwhile their father, King Charles, started sporting the classic Windsor combover as he aged.

Their hair loss could be due to a range of reasons and according to expert Dr Aamer Khan, co-founder of the Harley Street Skin Clinic, 'it's a combination of ageing, hormonal factors and genetics'.

Dr Aamer told MailOnline: 'It [balding] can be passed down from either side of the family but for men it's usually the mother's side that is more influential in determining whether or not you'll experience baldness.'

A range of hair characteristics, including balding, can be inherited from family members, according to the doctor, as well 'hair colour, texture and thickness'.

The Royal Family tree could reveal where the possible baldness gene originates from.

Read on below as MailOnline looks back through the different generations of the monarchy and their hairlines.

A depiction of Queen Victoria's father, Prince Edward, sporting sideburns and no hair on the top of his head

Prince William, with his new beard and a combover, pictured last year

The Royal Family tree showing how balding may run through the monarchy

Across previous generations of royals, many have experienced some form of hair loss and the phenomenon has been previously described as the 'Windsor balding gene'.

Dr Khan said: 'When we look at King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, there are clear signs of balding present, with some experiencing it more aggressively than others.

'I think we can say that this is clearly influenced by genetics, as there's a consistent pattern of baldness among the generations that suggests a hereditary predisposition.'

More than 250 years ago Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, was born and, though he was never King, none of his three brothers produced a legitimate heir and his daughter, Queen Victoria, went on to rule.

He died shortly after Victoria was born aged 52 but pictures of the royal reveal he was balding.

Drawings and depictions show him sporting sideburns and hair on the side of his head, but completely bald on the top.

Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, passed away aged 42 but the monarch's keen interest in photography meant his appearance was well documented.

Images show his hair seemed to be receding in his final years and he would cover his crown with a section of hair combed over.

Prince Albert, wearing his hair in a combed-over fashion, photographed with his wife Queen Victoria

King Edward VII, who seemingly inherited his thinning hair from his father, Prince Albert, and styled it in a similar way

Queen Elizabeth's son, Prince Edward, at Royal Ascot in 2018

The couple were first-cousins and shared the same grandparents, meaning Albert may have inherited his hairline from their shared family.

They had four sons, but only one seemed to share the hairline of their father, Edward VII, who went on to be crowned King in 1901.

In his later years, the monarch's hair receded in a similar fashion to Prince Albert's and he sported the same combover style.

Edward's two sons, Prince Albert and George V, both had more hair than their father.

King George went on to have five sons - Edward VIII, George VI, Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, George, the Duke of Kent and Prince John.

Out of all of them, Henry would go on to lose the most hair - with his older brothers maintaining much of theirs.

George VI's eldest daughter would go on to become Queen Elizabeth II and marry her third-cousin, Prince Philip, who was also related to Queen Victoria.

Like some of his relatives, Philip's hair also thinned as he aged and he wore it swept over his head.

King George V's son, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, with his wife Princess Alice

Prince Philip, wearing his hair in combover style, attending the Christmas Day service in Sandringham in 2002

 Slide me  Prince Henry's hairline gradually receded over the years

 Slide me  Prince Edward began to lose his hair over the years but had thick, dark hair when he was younger

King Charles, Elizabeth and Philip's eldest son, has experienced some balding on the top of his head as he has aged, and combs it over like his father once did.

While his younger brother, Prince Edward, had long, dark hair in his younger years but is mostly bald on the top of his head nowadays.

Dr Khan, whose clinic offers platelet-rich plasma injections to help thicken hair, described the differences in Charles and Edward's hair loss.

He said: 'The Kings hair may be a result of diffuse thinning. This is a form of gradual hair loss and density on top of the scalp, which is a milder form of androgenetic alopecia usually associated with older age.

'Whereas Prince Edwards balding is more extreme and looks to me like a more advanced stage of androgenetic alopecia as characterised by the lack of hair on top of his scalp.'

Princes William and Harry seem to have inherited their father's family hair traits and are both thinning as they age.

William has been on a journey with his hair over the years - when he was younger he a thick mop of blondish hair and was seen as a heart-throb by many.

The Prince was even greeted by hordes of swooning girls during a royal visit to Canada in 1998.

The then-Prince Charles with a thick head of hair visiting Cheshire in 1995

Charles, wearing his thinning hair in a combover fashion, visiting Gray's Inn in 2022

 Slide me  Prince Harry's red locks have begun to thin on the top of his head as he ages

The Prince of Wales has gradually lost his blondish hair and has started to bald

As he aged, his hair began to thin and has changed drastically since the 'Wills-mania' days.

During the early years of fatherhood, William began to sport a combover as he lost hair.

His brother, Harry, recalled the moment he looked at William and noticed 'his alarming baldness', in his memoir, Spare.

Harry went on to describe how William's hair loss was 'more advanced than my own'.

The Prince of Wales has noticed his balding himself and occasionally mentions it light-heartedly.

During a speech at an Earthshot Prize event in Singapore in 2023, William joked how he 'had hair when it [the initiative] started'.

In an attempt to change his looks, the future King had a defining cut in 2018 when he reportedly paid 180 - though this was denied by Kensington Palace - to have a buzz cut.

William was said to have received advice from Kate's hairdresser, Richard Ward, and later decided to get the cut.

Prince William pictured with his long, blondish fringe back in 1997

The Prince of Wales sporting windswept hair at Duchy Home Farm in 2004

Joey Wheeler, who has worked with Mr Ward for 11 years, was understood to have trimmed the prince's hair at his royal residence.

The prince's hair loss seems to be working favourably for him however, as last year he was crowned the Sexiest Bald Man for the second year in a row.

In 2019, transplant surgeon Dr Asim Shahmalak discussed the rate of Harry's hair loss and said: 'He is losing his hair at the same sort of rate that Prince William lost his in his 20s. The baldness gene in the Windsor family is extremely aggressive.'

As for Harry, he also had a thick head of red hair when he was younger and even earned the nickname 'Spike' for his resemblance to an echidna, he recalled in Spare.

Back in 2010, Nicky Philipps unveiled a portrait of Princes Harry and William chatting before the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

However, Harry admitted afterwards that he was not impressed with how the artist - who was paid 11,000 by the National Portrait Gallery for the commission - captured his hair.

He said: 'I'm a little bit more ginger in there than I am in real life.'

Referring to Prince William, Harry added: 'He got given more hair so, apart from that, it could have been worse.'

In more recent years, Harry's hair seems to have thinned in a similar gradual fashion to his father's.

The Duke of Kent sporting a combover, similar to many of his family members, with his son George at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1974

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, pictured at the British F1 Grand Prix in 2008

Prince Michael of Kent has sported a thick beard for some time but his hair has gradually balded over the years

The son of Prince Michael of Kent, Lord Frederick of Windsor, also seems to have thinning hair

Princess Margaret went on to have two children and her son, David Armstrong-Jones, the second Earl of Snowdon, has experienced similar hair loss to his relatives.

When he was younger, the earl had thick, curly hair and would often style his tussles in a voluminous fashion.

David's hair has since thinned and he has a similar hairline to his cousin, Charles, now.

Like many of his family members, the late-Queen's cousin, Edward, Duke of Kent, has also experienced hair loss over the years.

He was often seen by Elizabeth's side and has sported a similar combover to the rest of the Windsors for several years.

Now 89-years-old, he is the oldest working royal and served in the British Army for 21 years.

Prince Michael of Kent, the grandson of George V, also seems to have inherited his relatives' balding looks.

Though he has sported a full beard for many years, his hair has thinned on the top and is now mostly only present at the sides.

The prince's son, Lord Frederick of Windsor, seems to have similar hair to his father - though he doesn't sport a beard.

In his younger years he had a full head of dark hair, but now it seems to be thinning on the top.
Tom Parker Bowles has made a name for himself as an acclaimed food critic and published author, while also being Queen Camilla's son.

It was only recently that he released a monarchy-related book, Cooking & The Crown, after '25 years of completely keeping away from the royals full stop,' he previously told the Independent.

Inside it, he shares recipes enjoyed by Queen Victoria, as well as favourite childhood dishes that his mother made for him - opening up the royal kitchens to the rest of the world.

Now, he plans to tuck into Christmas dinner at Sandringham with the Royal Family for the first time.

He revealed to The Telegraph: 'My mum said 'I'd love you to come, I haven't had Christmas with you for a long time'.

'It has been a hell of a two years for them. The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it.'

Previously, Mr Parker Bowles has spent the festive period with his two children Lola and Freddy, alongside his ex-wife Sara.

However, this year is set to be very different for the food critic, who could be the monarchy's hidden gem, as he prepares for the traditional church service and turkey feast.

Queen Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles at the food critic's book launch in September

Mr Parker Bowles (second right) walking behind Prince Charles and Camilla as they leave The Ritz Hotel in 1999

The food author at 15 years old attending an exclusive Feathers Charity Ball in 1989

Despite creating a career away from royalty, Mr Parker Bowles began his life as King Charles's godson and grew up fondly calling the monarch 'Uppa'. His father, Andrew Parker Bowles, was well acquainted with Charles. He has a younger sister, Laura.

Described as a 'prolific and entertaining food writer' by Penny Junor in Queen Consort: The Life of Queen Camilla, Mr Parker Bowles seems to share his mother's famous sense of humour.

The royal author wrote how 'the whole family made each other laugh' and the children were relatively shielded from any marital problems as Camilla's relationship with Charles was publicised.

When Andrew and Camilla's marriage ended and they divorced in 1995, the family experienced a barrage of media coverage over the scandal.

Mr Parker Bowles has often been very defensive of his mother, and is always quick to set rumours straight - proving to be a supportive asset to the Royal Family.

Back in 2006, a year after Camilla married Charles, the food writer revealed his feelings about his mother to The Telegraph.

He said: 'What p***** me off most of all is when someone who doesn't know her says she's been a bad mother. A couple of times I've read how she's put her children through this hell.

'She's been an exemplary mother. She never judges, she's very funny, she cooks the food I like and coming home is a joy.'

Andrew Parker Bowles and Camilla, with their son behind, attending a polo match in Windsor back in 1992

Laura and Tom Parker Bowles attending their mother's wedding to Prince Charles in 2005

The food author pictured at an awards event in London earlier this month

Tina Brown wrote in The Palace Papers how Mr Parker Bowles has recalled: 'It was entirely normal to be chased at high speed by these people on motorbikes or cars. They're bullies, half these people, and they made you very angry.'

More recently, he cleared up Camilla's reputation for drinking gin and smoking when he told The Times: 'Never drunk a glass of gin in her life. Doesn't smoke.'

When Mr Parker Bowles met the Royal Family more intimately as his mother's relationship with Charles became serious, he quickly got the approval of Prince William who was just a teenager at the time.

Camilla's children were introduced to Charles's during a weekend at Birkhall together in 1998.

Ms Junor wrote, 'The meeting could not have been more successful. William clearly thought Tom at 23 was pretty cool, and both Princes, but especially Harry, thought Laura at 19 was very beautiful.'

However, soon after in 1999 he received a few firm words from his godfather, Charles, when the media published reports claiming he had taken cocaine.

Overall, the merger of the two families was a success and Charles and Camilla went on to marry in 2005 - Mr Parker Bowles had a key role in the wedding as a witness alongside William.

Mr Parker Bowles married fashion editor Sara Buys at St Nicholas Church in the Chiltern Hills in September 2005. They have two children but divorced in 2018.

He went on to have a relationship with journalist and mother-of-three Alice Procope. However, after two years together she sadly passed away in 2021 from cancer.

Mr Parker Bowles on his wedding day to Sarah Buys at St Nicholas Church near Henley, Oxfordshire, in September 2005

The writer attending Queen Elizabeth's state funeral in 2022

Earlier this month, never-before-seen photographs were released of the food writer in his younger days.

The black-and-white images show a fresh-faced Mr Parker-Bowles at 15 years old wearing black tie, attending an exclusive Feathers Charity Ball in 1989.

They showed him with slicked back hair and socialising with other young socialites, who can be seen smoking, drinking and dancing the night away.

It was another layer to the King's godson's personality and life.
Are you down with the kids, or beginning to show your age?

The answer may lie in how many of these baffling slang words you know the meanings of.

Experts from Unscramblerer.com have analysed Google search data for 2024 to reveal the most searched for slang words in Britain.

'Gaslighting' - a type of manipulation that makes you doubt your memories and feelings - tops the list, with a whopping 170,000 searches.

Meanwhile, other confusing words including 'skibidi', 'pookie', and 'hawk tua' have also had Britons turning to Google.

'The English language is ever changing. Every year new slang words are created,' said a spokesperson for Unscramblerer.com.

'Many slang words are born through trending topics and viral videos on social media.

'However only few manage to stick around long enough to be added to the dictionary and remain in daily use.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Are you down with the kids, or beginning to show your age? The answer may lie in how many of these baffling slang words you know the meanings of

In the study, the team used Google Trends to discover the top trending slang terms, alongside Ahrefs to find the number of searches.

'UK most popular slang terms can be discovered in Google Trends through the keyword "meaning",' Unscramblerer.com explained.

'People will hear or read slang terms and search for the meaning of the term (example "demure meaning").

'Ahrefs shows many variations of meaning searches like "slang" or "trend" (example "demure slang") and similar keyword combinations (example "what does demure mean").

'We added up 150 search variations of top slang terms.'

The analysis revealed that 'gaslighting' was the most-searched slang word (170,000 searches), followed by 'skibidi' (125,000 searches).

Derived from the YouTube animated series Skibidi Toilet, this word is used in gaming to describe someone who is evil or bad.

'Pookie' - a word used to show endearment and affection - is third on the list with 47,000 searches, followed by 'hawk tuah' (40,000 searches).

TikTok user Jools Lebron made a series of viral videos using the phrase "very demure". This trend gave the word a playful slang meaning. She uses it to assess appropriate makeup and fashion choices in various settings

'Hawk tuah' is a catchphrase coined by Haliey Welch during a viral street interview in June 2024.

In the video, Welch stated that her signature move for making a man 'go crazy' in bed was to 'give him that hawk tuah and spit on that thang'.

'Sigma' - an independent person, often described as a 'lone wolf' - is fifth on the list (37,000 searches).

This is followed by 'SMH' (shaking my head), which was searched for 31,000 times.

The 'very demure, very mindful' TikTok trend had 26,000 people searching for 'demure', while 25,000 searches were for 'rizz' - a shortening of 'charisma', used to describe charm.

'Dei' (diversity, equity, inclusion) was ninth on the list (17,000 searches), while 'aura' rounded out the top 10, having been searched for 13,000 times.

An 'aura' is used to describe the vibe someone gives off, with 'aura points' making you cooler.

If you're not Gen-Alpha, you might feel embarrassed to incorporate these slang words into your vocabulary.

However, Unscramblerer.com is encouraging everyone to get involved.

'Slang words are a normal and fun evolution of language,' the spokesperson added.

'We encourage everyone to learn some new words and surprise their children by using them.'
If you're a fan of stargazing, make sure to keep your eyes on the skies tonight.

This weekend, the Geminid meteor show will reach its dazzling peak in the skies above Earth.

Also known as the 'king of meteor showers', the Geminids are the year's most spectacular display and definitely not one to be missed.

Up to 150 bright meteors will light up the sky every hour, many of them flashing yellow, green, red, or blue.

While you will still be able to catch the Geminids until December 20, they will be at their most active tonight and into the earlier hours of Sunday morning.

Professor Don Pollacco, of The University of Warwick, told MailOnline: 'This year, conditions are less than ideal as we have a near full moon which will obscure some of the fainter meteors.

'Still, this shower is always worth a look if the weather is favourable.'

Here's everything you need to know about the Geminid meteor shower including when and where to get the best view.

Tonight the incredible Geminid meteor shower will reach its peak, treating stargazers to up to 150 meteors per hour

The Geminids (pictured) are particularly thrilling to see since they can often flash red, green, blue, or yellow due to their metal content

How to watch the Geminids meteor shower tonight

Unlike some astronomical phenomena, watching a meteor shower doesn't require anything more technical than looking in the right direction at the right time.

Since annual meteor showers like the Geminids always appear from the same place in the sky, known as their radiant, this is exceptionally easy.

Dr Shyam Balaji, a researcher at Kings College London, told MailOnline: ' 'Look towards the constellation Gemini, which is where the meteors appear to originate. The radiant point is near the bright star Castor in Gemini.'

For stargazers in the UK that will appear in the South and high in the sky towards the early hours of Sunday morning.

If you're having trouble finding Castor you can try drawing an imaginary line through the handle of the plough and its bottom-right star and follow that until you see the two bright stars of Castor and Pollux sitting near each other.

However, if you're still struggling to spot Gemini don't worry too much.

Although this is where the meteors appear to emerge from, they will be visible all over the sky.

The Geminids appear to radiate from the bright star Castor in the constellation Gemini, but it's actually best not to look directly at this area of the night sky as this can limit the number you see

How to see the Geminid Meteor shower Look South and upwards from 9 pm GMT this evening. The meteor shower will be at its best around 2 am on Sunday morning but they will be visible from early evening tonight. Look for the bright star Castor in the constellation of Gemini, this is the origin point of the meteors. To see the most shooting stars look slightly to the side of this constellation. Find somewhere away from light pollution, dress warm, and give your eyes plenty of time to adjust to the darkness. Advertisement

Dr Balaj says: 'The best time to view the Geminid meteor shower is around 2 am local time when the radiant point is highest in the sky.'

'However, you can start watching from mid-evening onwards.'

To make matters easier, you won't even need any special equipment to get the best view of this yearly spectacle.

Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told MailOnline: 'Unlike most other astronomical events, a telescope or a pair of binoculars won't do you much good here.

'Instead, find a place with a wide-open sky, free of buildings and trees that get in the way and try to fill your view with as much of the sky as possible.'

Since even the best shooting stars can be quite dim it is still important to find an area away from light pollution and give your eyes as long as possible to adjust to the dark.

That might mean waiting for a while without using your torch or phone until you see something.

Dr Brown says: 'Lying on the ground or using a deckchair can make filling your view with the sky far more comfortable. And, of course, don't forget to wrap up warm.'

The best time to see the meteors will be after midnight when you will be on the side of the Earth facing directly into the oncoming meteors

The best places to watch the Geminid meteor shower Dr Shyam Balaji, a researcher at King's College London, has recommended the best places in the UK to watch the Geminid meteor shower. Northumberland National Park: Known for its dark skies Brecon Beacons National Park: Another excellent dark sky location Exmoor National Park: Offers great visibility with minimal light pollution Cairngorms National Park: A remote location with excellent dark skies Advertisement

Will the viewing conditions be good?

Unfortunately, the viewing conditions for the Geminid meteor shower won't be fantastic this evening.

The moon will be full on Sunday so the sky will not get as dark as usual which could make it difficult to see some of the fainter meteors.

According to the Met Office's forecast, it also looks likely that there will be fairly thick cloud over much of Britain from midnight onwards.

Greg Dewhurst, senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, told MailOnline: 'There will be quite a lot of cloud across the UK this weekend, with outbreaks of rain likely for northwest Scotland and some showers elsewhere.

'At this stage, it looks like perhaps southern and eastern parts of the UK may see the most cloud breaks over the weekend so these areas may get the best glimpses.'

However, if you don't manage to see any shooting stars tonight there's no need to lose hope entirely.

Big meteor showers like the Geminids are quite forgiving so there will still be plenty of opportunities to see some shooting stars for several days to come.

Unfortunately, the weather will not be ideal tonight with rain (right) forecast over Scotland and heavy cloud (left) over most of the country

Mr Dewhurst says: 'We would suggest to keep up to date with the weekend details over the coming days.'

What is the Geminid meteor shower?

The Geminids first appeared in the mid-1800s but they have not always been as spectacular as they are today.

When they first started showing up, the Geminids only produced between 10 to 20 meteors at a time.

However, since then they have grown into one of the year's most active and impressive displays.

Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through a cloud of debris left behind by a passing comet or asteroid.

Dr Brown says: 'These meteors don't so much fall onto the Earth but instead are swept up as the Earth collides with them, not dissimilar to bugs hitting a windshield.'

Since the cloud of debris doesn't move relative to the sun, this explains why meteor showers occur at the same time each year and emerge from the same point in the sky.

The Geminids, as pictured here by NASA, are caused by the debris field left in the wake of a passing asteroid

This is also the reason that meteor showers are best viewed after midnight since you are on the side of the planet pointing in the direction of Earth's movement, putting the oncoming debris cloud directly ahead.

Unlike most meteor showers which are caused by comet debris, the Geminids originate from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon.

The Geminid's rocky origins are the reason that they flash with colour as they burn up in the sky.

Dr Brown says: 'When meteors fall into the atmosphere, they heat up, usually to the point that they burn away before they hit the ground.

'When certain chemicals are exposed to extreme heat, the light they give off is based on the elements found within them,'

Just like you may have seen in chemistry class playing with the Bunsen burner, the presence of chemicals like sodium and calcium changes the colour of the meteor's flame.

However, Paethon's strange behaviour has led some scientists to suggest that it could be a new category of object called a rock comment.

Although Paethon has an extremely elliptical orbit like a comet, it doesn't produce a trail when it approaches the sun and the fragments it leaves behind appear to be much denser.

The Geminids originate from an asteroid called Paethon 3200 (pictured) which scientists believe broke off from a larger object at some point in the past

As the meteors burn up in the atmosphere between 63 and 25 miles above Earth, metals from Paethon combust and give the shooting stars their distinctive colour

The next meteor showers to look out for Meteor shower calendar 2024-25 Shower name Date range Peak Ursids 17-26 December 23 December Quadrantids 26 Dec-12 Jan 4 January Lyrids 16-25 April 22 April Eta Aquariids 19 Apr-28 May 5 May Alpha Capricornids 12 July-23 Aug 30 July Perseids 17 July-24 Aug 12 August Advertisement

Given that the asteroid doesn't melt into fragments like an icy comet, scientists have been confused as to why it would have left a debris field at all.

Last year, a NASA probe travelling to the sun was bombarded by tiny dust particles left behind by Phaeton.

This data suggested that Phaeton and the debris which forms the Geminid could have been formed in a devastating collision or explosion which broke apart a larger body.

When will the next meteor shower be?

Even if you don't manage to see any of the Geminids tonight and in the coming days, there are still plenty more chances to get your meteor fix.

The Ursid meteor shower will be visible from December 17 until December 26, with a peak just in time for Christmas on December 23.

With only 10 meteors per hour, they might not be quite as impressive as the Geminids but occurring near the winter solstice the long hours of darkness are an ideal time for stargazing.

Then, running all the way from December 26 until January 12, 2025, budding stargazers will be able to see the incredible Quadrantids meteor shower.

Once the Geminids are over, pictured here above Belarus, the next meteor shower to look out for will be the Ursid meteor shower which will be visible from December 17 until December 26

At its peak on January 4, you will be able to see up to 120 meteors per hour light up the sky.

This shower is also notable for its bright bluish or yellow meteors with long fine trains.

After that, it will be a few months until the next opportunity with the Lyrids shower not starting until mid-April.

The Lyrids shower will reach its peak on April 22, with viewers able to see up to 18 bright and fast meteors every hour.
Do the laws put you off visiting Dubai? Vote in our poll...

Here we reveal other seemingly innocent misdemeanors in the UAE

Dubai is renowned for its glitz and glamour, with holidaymakers flocking to enjoy its five-star hotels, swanky restaurants and infinity pools.

But there's a darker side - ultra-strict laws.

Something that 18-year-old Londoner Marcus Fakana discovered when he was jailed for one year for having a consensual sexual relationship with a 17-year-old fellow tourist.

Still keen on visiting Dubai? Here are rules tourists must follow in the UAE city - or face jail.

Photography

The UK Government explains on its UAE travel advice page that it's illegal to take photos of some government buildings and military installations as well as to photograph people without their permission in the UAE.

Simon Hood, Executive Director at shipping company John Mason International, tells MailOnline: 'Over there, snapping a quick photo of someone without their permission, is a serious no-go and can land you in trouble  even if its just in the background. Its not just about courtesy - its the law.'

Virtual private networks (VPNs)

Dubai is renowned for its glitz and glamour with holidaymakers flocking to enjoy its five-star hotels, swanky restaurants and infinity pools. But there's a darker side - ultra-strict laws

Swimwear should only be worn on beaches or at swimming pools in Dubai

Simon explains: 'Theres a big issue with VPNs. In the UK, plenty of people use them to access restricted sites or simply for security, but in Dubai, using a VPN to bypass blocks is illegal.

'Many travellers forget theyve got these running on their devices and inadvertently find themselves breaking the law.'

Social media

The UK Government explains: 'It is illegal to post material, including videos and photographs, online that is critical of the government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the UAE.'

Think you could get away with it? Think again. An Irish man, for example, is facing 'several years' in a Dubai jail for sending a ninja emoji to an acquaintance who is alleged to have stolen his belongings.

Simon adds: 'Sharing anything that could be seen as defamatory, offensive, or invasive - like posting photos of strangers or sharing videos of an accident - is not only frowned upon but can also lead to hefty fines or worse.'

Poppy seeds

Poppy seeds, even in bakery products, are on the UAE's list of 'controlled substances', warns the US Government. That's because they can be contaminated with opiates.

Some medication - including codeine

'Medication can be tricky,' explains Simon, adding: 'Common UK medications, like codeine, are controlled substances. If youre carrying them without a prescription or proper documentation, you could find yourself in hot water.'

Poppy seeds, even in bakery products, are on the UAE's list of 'controlled substances'

Sexual relationships

While a consensual relationship outside marriage, including extra-marital relationships, between a man and woman over the age of 18 is generally legal in Dubai, the UK Government warns that there are exceptions. In an extra-marital relationship, if the other person's spouse or parent files a complaint, both people involved in the relationship can get a prison sentence of six months or more.

If a person aged 18 has a relationship with someone 17 or under, they will be prosecuted for a sexual relationship with a minor. If both people are under 18, they will be prosecuted but punishment is unlikely to involve a prison sentence.

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the UAE and same-sex marriages are not recognised.

Showing affection in public

Showing affection in public, such as kissing, is frowned upon. Tourists could be arrested for doing so, warns the UK Government.

Banned items

Simon explains: 'Items like drones, e-cigarettes, or hoverboards often need special permits. And some things you wouldnt think twice about at home - like books with themes of magic or witchcraft (Harry Potter comes to mind) - can attract extra scrutiny at customs.

It is illegal to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in a public place in the UAE

'I remember one case where a client insisted on packing their own shipment and used UK red-top newspapers to wrap everything. Customs flagged the shipment because of the provocative images and headlines on the paper, which delayed everything by weeks and led to extra costs.'

Swearing

The UK Government explains: 'It is illegal to swear and make rude gestures, including online, as they are considered obscene acts. You could be jailed or deported.'

Alcohol

It is illegal to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in a public place in the UAE, warns the UK Government.

Tourists can buy and drink alcohol at licensed hotels, restaurants and bars but a licence is required to consume alcohol in a private residence.

Illegal drugs

The UK Government warns that there is 'zero tolerance' for drug-related offences in the UAE.

Possession of a small amount of illegal drugs can lead to a three-month prison sentence, while a drug trafficking offence could lead to the death penalty.

CBD products

'Herbal highs' and products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are illegal in the UAE. Even skincare products or e-cigarettes containing CBD oil could land someone with criminal charges, explains the UK Government.

Driving etiquette

'Offensive gestures and bad language directed at other drivers can lead to fines, a jail sentence and possibly deportation,' warns the UK Government.

Cross-dressing

The UK Government explains that cross-dressing is illegal in the UAE. It adds that 'women should cover shoulders and knees, and underwear should not be visible' - and swimwear should only be worn on beaches or at swimming pools.

Ramadan rules

World Nomads Insurance explains: 'During the holy month of Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking is forbidden between sunrise and sunset, and non-Muslims are expected to follow this principle in public as well.'

Simon adds: 'Even away from this this time of year, it is illegal to eat and drink on public transport.'
As restaurant locations go, few can match that of Le Jules Verne  it sits on the second level of the Eiffel Tower.

What's more, it has been awarded two Michelin stars.

On paper, then, it's the very definition of a bucket-list restaurant.

But in contrast to the Michelin inspector who described lunch there as 'an exceptional experience', some reviewers have criticised the restaurant for being 'a tourist trap' and one claims that the restaurant has 'an over-reliance on location'.

Indeed, on Tripadvisor, over 230 reviewers out of 995 have rated it average or below.

Foodie Alexander Varga, the co-owner of one-Michelin-starred restaurant '42' in Esztergom, Hungary, was keen to find out for himself what it's like to eat at Le Jules Verne and filmed a fascinating YouTube video of his 1,400-euro (1,160/$1,470) experience there.

As part of his 'mission to find inspiration in gastronomy', he visits other Michelin-starred restaurants  he's ticked off over 80 three-star venues to date - and creates spellbinding videos of his experiences at them.

They're uploaded to his YouTube channel, 'Alexander The Guest', with his Jules Verne video accumulating over 545,000 views so far.

Foodie Alexander Varga filmed a fascinating YouTube video of his 1,400-euro (1,160/$1,470) experience at Le Jules Verne, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the second level of the Eiffel Tower

The video begins with the ascent to the venue, with the view, unsurprisingly, bowling Alexander over. Above - the 'nice' appetiser, a tartlet of smoked eggplant caviar and roasted tomato

Alexander is largely impressed with the restaurant, but some aspects of his meal leave him underwhelmed.

He tells MailOnline Travel: 'It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience  but not from the perspective of fine dining.'

The video begins with the ascent to the venue, with the view, unsurprisingly, bowling Alexander over.

In the video, he remarks: 'That view. Paris is laid out beneath us like a work of art.'

Then the appetiser arrives  a tartlet of smoked eggplant caviar and roasted tomato. 'Nice flavours, but the texture was a bit watery,' says Alexander.

The bread, however, is 'superb' and passes the 'crunch test'. And it goes 'perfectly' with the 'delicious' amuse-bouche - Spanish cold tomato soup and cherry tomatoes preserved with a sabayon (light sauce) of smoked butter and wild garlic oil.

Next - lobster with a light foam of vanilla, together with a cup of crab soup and caviar on the side.

Alexander praises the 'intense flavours'.

Above - the 'superb' bread, which Alexander reveals on the video 'passes the crunch test'

The amuse-bouche: Spanish cold tomato soup (left) and cherry tomatoes preserved with a sabayon (light sauce) of smoked butter and wild garlic oil (right)

Your browser does not support iframes.

The second course is a galette with Comte cheese and girolle mushrooms, served with tortellini filled with mushrooms and hazelnut.

The galette is the 'clear winner', with the tortellini described merely as 'okay'.

Langoustine served two ways  a signature dish  follows.

Alexander is presented with langoustine tail roasted with a Parmesan cheese emulsion and langoustine ravioli.

'Intense flavours': Lobster with a light foam of vanilla, together with a cup of crab soup and caviar on the side

'Winner': The second course is a galette with Comte cheese and girolle mushrooms

Langoustine served two ways 'doesn't deliver'. The tail (left) was 'delicious', but the ravioli (right) 'had a disturbing ammonia-like smell'

The lamb confit. This is the dish that disappointed Alexander the most

After the disappointing lamb, Alexander is offered veal sweetbread (above). 'Nice save,' he concludes

'Unfortunately, it doesn't quite deliver,' says Alexander, who reveals that the 'ravioli had a weird almost ammonia-like smell'. He adds: 'The smell was disturbing and I didn't finish it.'

The tail, however, 'was delicious'.

The main course? Lamb confit inside pomme boulangere (baker's potatoes) with caramelised onion and covered in a stew with peas and juice from the lamb.

Alexander's thoughts? 'In terms of presentation, this is not a two-Michelin-star main dish, in my opinion.'

He tells MailOnline separately: 'This disappointed me the most. I had higher expectations for the main course.'

Alexander shares his feedback with the waiting staff and is offered veal sweetbread to make amends.

'Nice save,' he says.

Dessert is hot chocolate souffle in a bowl and a stick of cold cacao ice cream. 'I love the concept,' says Alexander

Alexander says the restaurant 'might not hit the two-star standard' if you pulled a curtain around it and blocked out the view

Dessert is hot and cold chocolate  hot chocolate souffle in a bowl and a stick of cold cacao ice cream.

'I love the concept,' says Alexander.

The verdict? Alexander understands that the restaurant faces logistical issues being on the second floor of the tower  kitchen space and storage is limited - but says: 'If you pulled a black curtain around the restaurant and blocked the view, then I would have to say it might not hit the two-star standard, even though the service was exceptional.'

MailOnline Travel asked Le Jules Verne if it would like to comment on the video, but it did not respond.

For more fascinating foodie videos from Alexander visit www.youtube.com/@alexandertheguest and follow him on Instagram at www.instagram.com/alexandertheguest and on TikTok at www.tiktok.com/@alexandertheguest. Follow his restaurant on Instagram at www.instagram.com/42restaurant.

For more on Le Jules Verne, visit www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/jules-verne-restaurant.html.
Mark Heap has completely transformed as he's set to star in the upcoming Christmas special of Beyond Paradise.

The actor, 67, will appear in the festive special which is set to air later this month, playing the role of recently widowed Bob Holland.

Fans will recognise Mark from Friday Night Dinner, but in Beyond Paradise, he looks worlds away from his beloved character, Jim.

The actor has ditched his signature glasses and dark brown moustache and his hair has grown considerably longer.

Also joining the star-studded guest cast is Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh.

Speaking about what it was like working with Mark in the festive instalment, Barbara Flynn, who plays Anne Lloyd, said: 'I really enjoyed working with Mark.

Mark Heap has completely transformed in the upcoming Christmas special of Beyond Paradise

Fans will recognise Mark from Friday Night Dinner (pictured), but in Beyond Paradise, he looks completely different from his beloved character, Jim

'The storyline was so much fun, and it was a great experience to explore Anne's world further alongside him.'

She added: 'I hope everyone enjoys watching the episode and that it gets viewers into the festive spiritmaybe even while wrapping presents!'

The synopsis for the episode reads: 'Bob Holland is ordered to leave his home by a vision of his late wife Linda (Rosalind Adler), he is thrown into emotional turmoil, a vivid reminder of his harrowing grief.

'Deeply disturbed by this series of troubling events, he turns to his friend Anne (Barbara Flynn) for comfort, who shares his encounters with the Shipton Abbott police team.

'Unsure whether Bob's ghostly visions are a manifestation of grief or something more sinister, Humphrey and Esther (Zahra Ahmadi) get to work unravelling the mystery.'

'Bob's daughter Fiona (Tamla Kari) and her husband, a maverick inventor Colin (Seann Walsh), appear stumped and concerned when deliberating who could be behind this ghostly apparition.

'Is Bob simply struggling with the pain of the first Christmas without his wife, or is there a darker force at play?'

Speaking about the plotline and his character Humphrey's perspective, Kris Marshall hinted: 'Humphrey doesn't rule anything out, but he's always up for a challenge. He loves unusual cases-anything out of the ordinary, whether it's ghosts, or just something strange.

Also joining the star-studded guest cast is Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh (pictured in March)

It comes after Kris Marshall has revealed new details about the BBC's upcoming Christmas special last Monday.

'He enjoys getting stuck into these mysteries and picking them apart. As a policeman, he's naturally skeptical and doesn't believe in coincidences.

'But for him, the thrill comes from unravelling the mystery, which is what gets him excited about the job.'

It comes after Kris Marshall has revealed new details about the BBC's upcoming Christmas special last Monday.

Appearing on This Morning, the Love Actually star, 51, revealed all about the new festive release and likened it to Scooby Doo.

Careful of not revealing too many spoilers, presenters Ben Shepard and Kat Deeley asked Kris to give viewers an insight on what to expect.

He said the special episode will have a Dickens-esque theme as it feature ghosts in a show first and be distinctly more 'wacky' than usual.

Kris revealed: 'You couldn't be any worse than me at spoilers, I'm the worst, so I'll just sit here and tell you what it's all about.'

'It's a ghost story really, a Christmas festive haunting, which is the kind of case that butters Humphrey Goodman's parsnips, if you know what I mean? His Christmas parsnips!

Appearing on This Morning, the Love Actually star, 51, revealed all about the new festive release and likened it to Scooby Doo

'Obviously, he's got until Christmas to solve the case, it's fun, it's got a bit of Dickens about it, it's very Christmassy and festive, it's also quite wacky as well!'

He added: 'We go back inside, unique to the show, we go inside his head to solve the crime.

'He knows what's going on but anyone who comes with him inside his head doesn't know what's going on.

'They go back into the crime, revisit the crime and the people doing the crime have no idea what's going on, so it's a little bit Scooby-Doo!

'I love it, it's very unique to the show and adds its own spiciness to it!'

Beyond Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
A new Netflix film inspired by Die Hard has arrived on the platform just in time for Christmas, and critics are thrilled.

Carry-On, is a new '10/10' thriller from The Shallows director Jaume Collet-Serra starring Taron Egerton, 35, and Jason Bateman, 55.

The film sees Taron play a transportation security agent (TSA), who is blackmailed by Jasons character into smuggling dangerous items onboard a flight on Christmas Eve.

Written by TJ Fixman, the film was originally planned to be the first release as part of Netflix's deal with Steven Spielberg's Amblin production company, however, it was delayed due to re-writes of the script.

Carry-On also stars Sofia Carson, 31, Danielle Deadwyler, 42, and Logan Marshall-Green, 48, and has already received strong reviews from critics.

In his review for The Wrap, William Bibbiani said: 'There are about two minutes in that are as exciting as any other action movie this year, and about 100 minutes that are pretty fun too.'

A new Netflix film inspired by Die Hard has arrived on the platform just in time for Christmas, and critics are thrilled (Taron Egerton pictured)

Carry-On, is a new '10/10' thriller from The Shallows director Jaume Collet-Serra starring Taron Egerton, 35, and Jason Bateman, 55 (Jason Bateman pictured)

Pramit Chatterjee in Digital Media Talkies wrote: 'Carry-On is the best Christmas movie of the year.'

Meanwhile, Nick Schager for The Daily Beast added: 'This breakneck Netflix offering confirms the enduring vitality of its chosen formulaand, in the process, proves an unexpected and welcome Yuletide streaming gift.'

Speaking to the BBC, Collet said that the Bruce Willis classic had inspired the movie, adding: 'Everyone wants to make the next Die Hard and the reality is that no one ever will - its a perfect movie that cant be replicated, and also a very specific product of its time.'

'But when I read the script for Carry-On, I felt like I had found a more grounded version of Die Hard - which was our North Star for the entire process - for a new generation.'

Over the years, there has been many debates as to whether Die Hard is a Christmas film.

And In 2020, director John McTiernan, 73, addressed the debate in a video for the American Film Institute.

He mentioned that he drew inspiration for the film from the moment in Frank Capras Christmas classic It's A Wonderful Life when Bedford Falls becomes Pottersville.

He said: 'We hadnt intended it to be a Christmas movie, but the joy that came from it is what turned it into a Christmas movie.'

The film sees Taron play a transportation security agent (TSA), who is blackmailed by Jasons character into smuggling dangerous items onboard a flight on Christmas Eve

Carry-On also stars Sofia Carson, 31, (pictured) Danielle Deadwyler, 42, and Logan Marshall-Green, 48, and has already received strong reviews from critics

It's been quite a busy year for Netflix as it was recently revealed that two British Netflix series were in the top 10 most searched terms in the UK in 2024.

One series is Fool Me Once, a thriller adapted by Danny Brocklehurst from Harlan Coben's 2016 novel of the same name.

It features a star-studded cast including Michelle Keegan, 37, Adeel Akhtar, 44, Dino Fetscher, 36, Richard Armitage, 53, and Joanna Lumley, 78.

The show premiered in January and as of March 31, it is the seventh most-viewed English Netflix series to date.

Meanwhile, another popular series is Baby Reindeeer, drama based on a struggling comedian who shows one act of kindness to a vulnerable woman. However, it sparks a suffocating obsession which threatens to wreck both their lives.

The miniseries was released on Netflix in April, and since its release, it has gone on to win six Primetime Emmy Awards.

Fool Me Once ranked second on the top 10 most searched terms in the UK while Baby Reindeer beat it to the punch by placing first.

Within its first week, Fool Me Once starring Coronation Street's Michelle was watched by over 37. 1 million Netflix accounts with over 238 million hours watched, one of the largest debuts of Netflix.

All eight episodes appeared in the BARB top 50 most-viewed programmes of the week, with the opening episode attracting 6.34 million viewers.

And during the National Television Awards, Michelle was nominated for Drama Performance while the show was nominated for New Drama.

The series follows Maya (Michelle) a mother trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of her husband Joe.

However, she gets quite the shock when she sees her husband on her new nanny cam which she installed to keep an eye on her daughter.

It's been quite a busy year for Netflix as it was recently revealed that two British Netflix series were in the top 10 most searched terms in the UK in 2024 (Michelle Keegan pictured in Fool Me Once)

Fool Me Once ranked second on the top 10 most searched terms in the UK while Baby Reindeer beat it to the punch by placing first (Richard and Jessica Gunning pictured)

Meanwhille, Baby Reindeer, which was created by Richard Gadd, 35, debuted at number five on Netflix's top 10 TV English titles at the beginning of April, with 10.4 million hours viewed.

Then on the following week, the series climbed to number one garnering 52.8 million viewing hours.

The series received critical acclaim on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with 98% of 58 critics giving the series a positive review.

The series follows Donny's warped relationship with a female stalker named Martha and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deep, dark buried trauma.

The show which was directed by Weronika Tofilska, 39, and Josephine Bornebusch, 43, features a star-studded cast including Jessica Gunning, 38, Nina Sosanya, 55, and Nava Mau, 32.
Dame Prue Leith's daughter Li-Da Kruger has shared an insight into the 'idyllic' childhood she shared with her Great British Bake Off star mother.

The TV personality, 80, adopted then 16-month-old Li-Da, now 48, from Cambodia, with late husband Rayne Kruger and raised her in the Cotswolds alongside their biological son Danny, 50, a Tory MP.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Li-Da, who has since adopted two sons of her own with husband Matt, recalled how her upbringing was 'really wonderful' as she grew up in the family's huge home with nannies and 'everything they wanted'.

But while her mother may have been a top restaurateur and cookery writer, Prue often served very normal dishes that would surely fail to win a Paul Hollywood handshake.

Li-Da said: 'People always ask "What did we eat?" I do remember we had like everyone else, fish fingers and baked beans, that disgusting frozen fish in parsley sauce'.

But when it came to discipline, She admitted it was her late father, a South African author who passed away in 2002 aged 80, who was the stricter parent.

Dame Prue Leith's daughter Li-Da Kruger has shared surprising insight into the 'idyllic' childhood she shared with her Great British Bake Off star mother (pictured together)

The TV personality, 80, adopted then 16-month-old Li-Da (pictured) rom Cambodia, with late husband Rayne Kruger and raised her in the Cotswolds alongside their biological son Danny

She laughed: 'My father was Edwardian, he was literally born in 1922 and so when I remember my childhood, it was quite strict.'

'Meal times were a certain time every day, we went to bed ridiculously early, we had to go have sleeps in the afternoon', something that she now jokes 'sounds like heaven'.

'We had rules my father was very regimented but that's not a bad thing, punctuality is important'.

Li-Da also explained how she was fiercely protective of her famous mother who was catapulted into the spotlight after joining the Great British Bake Off and replacing fellow Dame Mary Berry in 2017, after 11-years of hosting BBC's Great British Menu.

'It's upsetting, because if you are in the public eye and you get thousands of people saying horrible things, instead of one person saying horrible things'.

She went on: 'So it's upsetting and I want to protect her from that' before quipping that she often tells her mother not to say certain things in a bit to avoid controversy.

Prue, who went on to marry John Playfair in 2016, infamously sent a tweet congratulating the winner of Bake Off in 2017, Sophie Faldo, before the show had aired - which she later described as the 'worst day of her life'.

Li-Da also discussed growing up in the leafy Cotswolds as a Cambodian child and admitted that she 'thought she was white' before looking in the mirror.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Li-Da, who has since adopted two sons of her own with husband Matt, recalled how her childhood was 'really wonderful'

But while her mother may have been a top restaurateur and cookery writer, Prue (pictured 1991) often served very normal dishes that would surely fail to win a Paul Hollywood handshake

But when it came to discipline, she admitted it was her late father, a South African author who passed away in 2002 aged 80, who was the stricter parent (pictured as a family)

'It wasn't a problem but I wanted what everyone else wanted, which was blonde hair, I asked Father Christmas for a blonde wig I think one year. I just wanted to fit in, because I always looked so differently from my family'.

'I would be asked where do you come from and it wouldn't phase me - because depending on my mood - I would say "I'm from oxford" but then they'd ask "where are you really from?" and that's apparently really common with adoptees.'

Li-Da said that she recommends adoption to anyone, even those who are able to conceive naturally.

'Having done IVF and the adoption process, the wonderful thing about adoption is that the re is a child at the end of the process.'

She continued: 'It might take a while, but at the end there is a child. When IVF is soul destroying in every single way, unless you get a child'.

Asked whether she would be happy to let her own sons meet their biological parents in the future LI-Da said: 'Of course, I think it's so important, it's part of your identity'.

'There should be no secrets, there is a place for everyone'.

Speaking on Katie Piper's Extraordinary People podcast, Prue said: 'I have always been really close to Li-Da, oddly enough closer to Li-Da than I am I think to my son, although I adore him and love him just as much, but I don't see so much of him.

'Li-Da and I have always been very close, but yes certainly we are closer, and she is very good at making sure that everyday I FaceTime or she FaceTimes. So my grandson will not forget who his Nana is.'

Li-Da knew little about her biological family - her parents were thought to be victims of Cambodia's killing fields, in which more than a million people were killed by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979.

Prue Leith previously admitted she was closer to adopted daughter Li-Da than her biological son Daniel (pictured together in 2010)

Li-Da said that she recommends adoption to anyone, even those who are able to conceive naturally

Back in 2020 mother and daughter made a documentary Journey with my Daughter, about Li-Da's traumatic start in war-torn Cambodia as they searched for her biological family (picturerd)

Her mother had died in a rocket attack while her father, a soldier, had vanished, orphanage staff said.

In April 1975, the Khmer Rouge, whose Killing Fields took the lives of nearly two million Cambodians, marched on the capital Phnom Penh.

Just three days before the city fell, six-month-old Li-Da was flown out of the country in a bassinet beneath the feet of the pilot of a US helicopter on one of the last flights.

Li-Da traced her birth family, alongside her mother, in 2020 Channel 4 documentary Prue Leith: Journey with My Daughter.

During the film Prue said she gave her daughter a self-described 'very English' upbringing and rarely questioned if she could have helped Li-Da connect more with her Cambodian roots.

Viewers were impressed with Prue's honesty at admitting she had perhaps fallen short in not fostering a connection between Li-Da and her cultural roots, and praised the GBBO judge for her 'unconditional love'.

In April 1975, the Khmer Rouge, whose Killing Fields took the lives of nearly two million Cambodians, marched on the capital Phnom Penh.

Just three days before the city fell, six-month-old Li-Da was flown out of the country in a bassinet beneath the feet of the pilot of a US helicopter on one of the last flights.
Big Brother star David Graham has revealed his 'unconventional' family has expanded.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, David - or Farmer Dave as he became known after his stint on the reality show - dropped the bombshell that his brood has grown to five.

David, 45, who came out as gay on the 2006 season of Big Brother, served as donor father to the children that he shares with two women, both good friends of the reality star.

While he preferred to keep his children's details private, the TV personality revealed the joy that becoming a donor father had brought his life.

'It has been the greatest reward of anything that I've ever done,' he said.

'There is nothing that comes close to holding your child and being part of the story of humanity.

Big Brother star David Graham has revealed that his 'unconventional' family has expanded

'Knowing that you're not a failure. Knowing that it all ends with me, because that's one of the trials that you go through as a homosexual.'

He continued: 'My natural order is that I don't breed, and coming from a farming background, the only reason you exist is to pass the baton.'

David added that becoming a father had given him a sense of security and peace.

'To hold my five children, it just makes me feel secure, it makes me feel connected,' he said.

'It makes me feel peace, and it makes me feel part of something.

'It also makes me feel like, with the mums, that I contributed to their feeling of connection and their feeling of being part of the endless chain of humanity.'

He continued: 'When I look in their eyes, I tell you what, I just see endless possibility and pure peace and joy.'

During the candid chat, David also revealed he was hospitalised after suffering 'burnout' from an at-risk youth charity he started.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia David, or Farmer Dave as he became known after his stint on the reality show, revealed that his brood had expanded to five

'There is nothing that comes close to holding your child and being part of the story of humanity. 'Knowing that you're not a failure. Knowing that it all ends with me, because that's one of the trials that you go through as a homosexual,' David told Daily Mail Australia

The reality show fan-favourite started the charity RuffTrack in 2019, which aims to connect at-risk young people between the ages of 12 and 17, with dogs to help foster responsibility and trust.

However, David revealed to Daily Mail Australia that he has since walked away from the Sydney-based initiative he set-up.

He admitted that he became overwhelmed with the problem of at-risk youth across Australia.

'To be totally frank, I had a complete burnout situation and found myself in hospital for six weeks,' David revealed.

'I kind of gave everything to trying to save every f***ing kid.'

The passionate youth advocate and mentor continued admitting that he found himself working around the clock to address a problem that continued to grow.

'We were getting kids from all over Australia come to our program - we had kids from Alice Springs, we had kids from all up and down New South Wales and their problem was just huge,' he said.

'The problem was I was like: "well, I've got to do whatever it takes - working seven days a week and just burning the candle at both ends and, five years into it, I literally cracked.'

The reality show fan-favourite started the charity RuffTrack in 2019, which aims to connect at-risk young people between the ages of 12 and 17, with dogs to help foster responsibility and trust.

'To be totally frank, I had a complete burnout situation and found myself in hospital for six weeks,' David revealed. 'I kind of gave everything to trying to save every f***ing kid.'

David admitted that 12 months on from leaving RuffTrack, which is still in operation, he is in a much better place and is back mentoring young people, this time through the initiative the Cooee Crew.

'I'm doing absolutely great now and I'm back working with what we call the super high risk kids that live in complete care situations,' he said.

'The name of the organisation is the Cooee Crew and Cooee is this ancient and still used Australian way of saying: "I'm here, where are you?". That's what it's all about, saying: "I see you, I've got you, now, let's go and do stuff."'

David, who went into the Big Brother house twice - in 2016 and again in 2022, said that he was excited for the anticipated 2025 reboot of the seminal reality series.

'Too right, I'll be tuning in,' he said.

'I think that Big Brother is the greatest reflection on society there is, it's a look into the heart and soul of Australia.

'It's been a big gap between the last time that they had this version of the show, to now, and I am so interested because there's all this talk about the Gen X people, the Gen Z and it really is going to be like: "where are we now as a society."

'It really does represent a cross-section of Australia that really says, how are we tracking as a people?

David admitted that, 12 months on from leaving RuffTrack,which is still in operation, he is in a much better place and is back mentoring young people, this time through the initiative the Cooee Crew

David, who went into the Big Brother house twice - in 2016 and again in 2022, said that he was excited for the anticipated 2025 reboot of the seminal reality series

'Too right, I'll be tuning in,' he said. 'I think that Big Brother is the greatest reflection on society there is, it's a look into the heart and soul of Australia'

'And I always have looked at the show as the window into the living rooms of Australia which is why I did it originally, to really have a conversation and change people's opinions on the sexual minority that I am a part of.'

David's on-air coming out proved to be quite a watershed moment for Australian television, however he admitted he never thought his revelation would gain so much traction.

'I just wanted a bushy to say: "hey this is me", and no one was doing it and I'm like: "well f***, someone's got to do it, no one else is doing it, right? Ok, jump up there,' he said.

'I didn't think it was going to be as big as it was, that was going to be, you know, front page news for months and months and months.'

He added that 17 years after his original Big Brother turn, fans still thank him for his openness on the show.

'Still 17 years later. I'm being stopped daily in the street by people saying, "Hey you changed my life", be it a parent or better child, or a better sibling, by simply understanding that gay people are normal people.'
This Dutch actor famously played an iconic role in a '90s comedy blockbuster.

And on Tuesday, the 76-year-old entertainer was pictured on a rare outing in Los Angeles, as he stopped by Trader Joe's for groceries.

The seven-foot-tall star  who was diagnosed with acromegaly at age 20  opted for a casual look, sporting a grey zip-up hoodie, black sweatpants and sneakers.

The actor  who also starred in the television series Twin Peaks (19901991) and had a guest role in Star Trek: The Next Generation (19871992)  shielded his head with a green bucket hat, and wore a pair of dark sunglasses.

After returning his cart, he was pictured making his way back to the car with the help of a walking stick.

Can you guess who he is?

This Dutch actor, 76, famously played a spooky butler in an iconic 1991 comedy blockbuster. On Tuesday, he was pictured on a rare outing in Los Angeles, as he stopped by Trader Joe's

The seven-foot-tall star also starred in the television series Twin Peaks (19901991) and had a guest role in Star Trek: The Next Generation (19871992). Can you guess who he is?

That's right, it's Carel Struycken!

He famously starred as the spooky butler Lurch in the 1991 film The Addams Family.

Lurch was the family butler, known for his tall and imposing figure, and deep rumbling voice.

Struycken reprised his role in Addams Family Values (the 1993 sequel) and the 1998 TV film Addams Family Reunion.

The Addams Family is a fictional family, created by American cartoonist Charles Addams, and known for their eccentric and macabre lifestyle.

The Family consists of Gomez and Morticia Addams, their children, Wednesday and Pugsley, and close family members Uncle Fester and Grandmama, their butler Lurch, and Pugsley's pet octopus, Aristotle.

Struycken starred alongside Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams, Raul Julia as Gomez Addams, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester Addams / Gordon Craven, Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams, and Jimmy Workman as Pugsley Addams.

In October, he reunited with The Addams Family cast at Comic Con in Los Angeles, more than 30 years on from when the film was released.

That's right, it's Carel Struycken (center)! He famously starred as Lurch in the 1991 film The Addams Family; (L-R) Judith Malina, Christina Ricci, Raul Julia, Struycken, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, and Jimmy Workman seen in a still

The actor  who was diagnosed with acromegaly at age 20  opted for a casual look, sporting a grey zip-up hoodie, black sweatpants and sneakers

He shielded his head with a green bucket hat, and wore a pair of dark sunglasses

After returning his cart, he was pictured making his way back to the car with the help of a walking stick

Struycken was discovered in 1978 on Hollywood Boulevard and cast in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

In 1985, Struycken took on the role of Terak in the Star Wars spin-off film, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor

He also played The Giant in David Lynch and Mark Frost's 199091 television series Twin Peaks

He was joined by Workman, Lloyd, Huston and Ricci, with the group posing for a snap at the event.

Sharing the pics online, Christopher wrote: 'The family that haunts together, stays together.'

The Addams Family was originally a comic strip, but became a hit TV series before the movie was released in 1991.

There is also a Netflix spin-off, called Wednesday, which launched in 2022.

In May this year, Netflix announced that season 2 of Wednesday had begun production with a slew of British stars being added to the cast.

Struycken was discovered in 1978 on Hollywood Boulevard and cast in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

In 1985, Struycken took on the role of Terak in the Star Wars spin-off film, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.

He also played The Giant in David Lynch and Mark Frost's 199091 television series Twin Peaks.

He is most famous for playing Lurch, the family butler, known for his tall and imposing figure, and deep rumbling voice; (L) pictured October 5 in Los Angeles, (R) pictured in a 1993 still from Addams Family Values

Struycken reprised his role in Addams Family Values (the 1993 sequel) and the 1998 TV film Addams Family Reunion; seen in a 1991 still from the original film

In October, he reunited with The Addams Family cast at Comic Con in Los Angeles, more than 30 years on from when the film was released; (L-R) Struycken, Workman, Lloyd, Huston, and Ricci

There is also a Netflix spin-off, called Wednesday, which launched in 2022; (Jenna Ortega as Wednesday)

In 2017 he appeared in the sequel series, Twin Peaks: The Return.

He was diagnosed with acromegaly in his twenties.

Acromegaly is a rare condition caused by the overproduction of growth hormone, which leads to the enlargement of various parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, forehead, jaw, and nose.

Struycken and his wife live in Los Angeles with their two children.
He was known for playing the iconic Terry Sullivan in Brookside, famed for his trademark curly perm and moustache.

But after leaving the soap in 1997 - actor Brian Regan entered into a life of crime and drug addition.

Terry debuted on British screens in 1982 and was portrayed by Regan for 15 years - making him the soap's longest serving cast member.

The bright lights of stardom did not stay on for long for the 67-year-old, whose acting career ran dry after appearing on Brookside.

In 2012, he was handed a prison sentence of four years and 10 months for dealing drugs, as well as being untruthful to authorities about his part in the murder of doorman Bahman Faraji.

He admitted driving the gunman to and from the scene of the murder but denied that he knew that they were carrying a sawn-off shotgun or that they intended to kill Faraji. Regan was later convicted for perverting the course of justice.

He was known for playing the iconic Terry Sullivan in Brookside, famed for his trademark curly perm and moustache (Pictured in 1993)

But after leaving the soap in 1997 - actor Brian Regan entered into a life of crime and drug addition (Pictured in 2012)

Brookside character Terry became known as one of soap's most unlucky characters, with his storylines in the soap centring around trauma, loss and heart-break.

After several failed relationships, Terry found love with Sue Harper (Annie Miles) and the pair later married and welcomed a son, Danny (Keiran Poole).

But Terry's unlucky streak continued when it unravelled that the son was in fact not his own - before both Sue and Danny were killed in a whodunit storyline.

The character was eventually written out of the show in the late 90s in a storyline which saw him move to Spain to recover from brain damage.

The former actor was found not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court in March 2012 over his role in the killing of a nightclub doorman.

However, Regan was convicted of two counts of perverting the course of justice by lying to police in the early stages of the murder investigation and disposing of a pair of gloves he wore on the night.

Regan, who was on bail for supplying cocaine when the murder took place, was jailed on January 25 for a total of four years and 10 months.

Bahman Faraji, known by the nicknames Batman and Ben, was gunned down in a 'ruthlessly planned and callously carried out execution'.

Terry debuted on British screens in 1982 and was portrayed by Regan for 15 years - making him the soap's longest serving cast member (Pictured in 1984)

The bright lights of stardom did not stay on for long for the 67-year-old, whose acting career ran dry after appearing on Brookside (Pictured top right)

Prosecutors said it was the result of an argument between criminals.

Bahman had gone to the Belgrave public house in February 2011 following a series of phone calls he received from a pay-as-you-go mobile phone.

Actor Regan's unwitting involvement began when he delivered a 30 bag of cocaine to drug user Edward Heffey.

That night, '(Heffey) asked for a lift to go and get money so he could pay for the drugs', Regan said.

The pair then drove to Belgrave Road, around the corner from the pub, and Heffey left the vehicle as Regan snorted a line of cocaine.

The former soap star told the trial he would supply Heffey, a convicted armed robber, with drugs 'about three or four times a day'.

Following the shooting, detectives launched a murder investigation and began by hunting for the getaway car, a red Ford Escort estate, which had been spotted by witnesses and on CCTV.

The next day, police stop-checked the vehicle in Liverpool city centre and at the wheel was Regan alongside girlfriend Christine Line.

Brookside character Terry became known as one of soap's most unlucky characters, with his storylines in the soap centring around trauma, loss and heart-break (Pictured in 1986)

After several failed relationships, Terry found love with Sue Harper (Annie Miles) and the pair later married and welcomed a son, Danny (Keiran Poole) - Pictured left with Sue and Danny

Regan initially told police he had not been anywhere near the area where the murder took place.

But Christine's witness statement contained significant differences and detectives became suspicious.

The couple were arrested that night and Regan's efforts to distance himself from the shooting quickly unravelled.

Reportedly, a year later the former actor was fearing attacks in prison from those connected to the murderous gang he helped send to prison.

Eventually, the father-of-three was categorised as a vulnerable prisoner, being assigned to solitary confinement in HMP Liverpool for his own safety.
The Bachelor's Matty J and Laura Byrne have hit a huge roadblock in their extension renovation of their $2.2million beach house.

The former reality TV stars snapped up the 'rundown' coastal property back in August, but their renovation journey has been anything but smooth-sailing so far.

Podcaster Laura took to Instagram this week to detail the many issues they have faced since they started overhauling the home from termites to wood rot and mould.

She posted a behind-the-scenes video showing how they had stripped the rundown property to its bare bones and revealed the shocking discoveries they found.

'There was no way of really knowing what this Reno had in store for us, or how comprehensive the rebuild was going to have to be until we started pulling off walls and pulling up the carpet,' she shared.

'We've been met with termites, white ants, wood rot, mould and more than a couple of snakes along the way - but finally she is taking shape and we are slowly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.'

The Bachelor's Matty J and Laura Byrne (both pictured) have hit a huge roadblock in their extension renovation of their $2.2million beach house

The former reality TV stars snapped up the 'rundown' coastal property back in August, but Laura took to Instagram this week to detail the many renovation issues they have faced so far

Dubbing the house the Chante-Mer - which means 'Sing the Sea' in French - Laura also told how construction had to stop for a week so exterminators could rid the site of pests.

'We had to replace all of the walls and internal structures throughout the kitchen,' she continued.

Despite the challenges, Laura remained positive and told how they plan to transform the neglected beach house into a luxury three-bedroom, two-bathroom home.

Located on a clifftop in Ulladulla on the far south coast of NSW 226kms from Sydney, the old two-storey dwelling offers amazing water views.

The home last changed hands in 1984 for a mere $62,500 and Laura and Matty splashed out $2.19million on buying it in August.

The location holds special meaning for the happy couple, who tied the knot in 2022 at Cupitts Estate Winery, just down the road from their new holiday home.

The home is set on 746 sqm overlooking Racecourse Beach and previously belonged to United Nations simultaneous conference translator Valerie Barnes, who died in 2021 aged 94.

Last month, the couple caused quite a stir on social media after revealing a controversial design choice for their renovation.

She posted a behind-the-scenes video showing how they had stripped the rundown property to its bare bones and revealed the shocking discoveries they found - from termites to mould

The home is set on 746 sqm overlooking Racecourse Beach and previously belonged to United Nations simultaneous conference translator Valerie Barnes, who died in 2021 aged 94

The pair announced their bold decision to make their coastal retreat a 'bath-less' zone, igniting a heated debate among followers.

Matty took to Instagram to unveil the news, captioning a video of the ongoing bathroom work with, 'Don't come for us, but this will be a bath-less house.'

The short clip showcased the partially renovated bathroom, where walls were lined with a unique blend of beige and cream vertical striped tiles, adding an earthy feel to the space.

Despite the couple's excitement, their unique choice of tile and lack of a bathtub didn't sit well with everyone.

'Damn that's the most awful tile combination I've ever seen,' one user remarked bluntly, adding, 'but not my bathroom so good luck to you as long as you love it.'

Others voiced concerns over the practicality of going bath-less, especially with young children.

One parent commented, 'Kids can just sit in the shower. Mine do that most nights.'

However, one admitted they regretted installing a bathtub in their own home, saying it's now used more as a storage space than anything else.

Last month, the couple caused a stir on when they controversially revealed they had decided to make their bathroom 'bath-less' while they also divided fans with their choice of tiles

And another approvingly said of their bold tile choice: 'Arrrr the stripes are looking so good.'

Laura and Matt are understood to be working with several brands to 'sponsor' the major renovations of the property.

The couple plan to completely overhaul the 'old beauty' to its previous standard but, per the house's Instagram bio, will be 'resisting the millennial urge to paint everything white'.

Laura and Matt have already shared photos of their daughters Marlie-Mae, five, and Lola, three, visiting their future 'dream home'.

The reality television stars currently live in a four-bedroom semi in North Bondi, which they purchased for $5.2million in 2023.

They also boast a stunning $1.8million holiday home in Bangalow, near Byron Bay.

After getting engaged in Fiji in April 2018, Laura and Matty finally tied the knot on the south coast in November 2022, five years after meeting on The Bachelor.

They are one of the most successful couples to come out of the show and welcomed their daughter Marlie-Mae in 2019, followed by Lola in February 2021.
. Elsa Pataky has revealed how her husband Chris Hemsworth persuaded her to move to Australia





The Spanish actress, 48, lives in Byron Bay with her husband Chris, 41, and their three kids - daughter India, 12, and twins Sasha and Tristan, 10.

But Elsa, who is originally from Madrid, admitted she had one very specific condition before she agreed to uproot her life and move Down Under almost ten years ago.

Speaking to the Courier Mail, Elsa revealed how she told Chris she would only move to Australia if they lived on a sprawling farm where she could have horses.

'That was my deal with Chris,' she shared. 'I said I would move to Australia but I wanted to live on a property, a farm, and have horses and he knew that.'

Luckily for Elsa, her dream came true and they now live in a sprawling $30million eight-bedroom mansion that sits on a massive 4.2 hectares of land in Broken Head.

Elsa Pataky has revealed how her husband Chris Hemsworth persuaded her to move to Australia

Elsa also gave a candid insight into her relationship with Hollywood icon Chris and shared their secret to a happy marriage despite the many challenges they've faced.

'I think we all have the idea of this beautiful dream of a marriage and loving each other and it all being perfect but it's much more work than you think,' she said.

'It comes with so many challenges but it's beautiful to grow into those challenges and learn about each other and how we change with the years and how we adapt to each other.

'You can think from the outside that a marriage is perfect but they all have their things and they all need a lot of work.'

Elsa and Chris tied the knot just ten months after they first met and will celebrate 14 years of marriage on December 22, though she confessed they rarely remember their anniversary.

Even though it might seem like a relationship faux pas, Elsa insisted the date is easily forgotten because it's so close to Christmas and said they laugh it off every year.

Gushing over her husband, Elsa also admitted that she has always wanted a 'partner for life' as she told how she wants to grow old with Thor actor Chris.

Elsa and Chris got married in a spur-of-the-moment ceremony while in holiday in Australia in December 2010, just three months after they first made their relationship public.

But Elsa, who is originally from Madrid, said she had one specific condition before she agreed to uproot her life and move Down Under almost ten years ago - that she could own a horse

The Spanish actress, 48, now lives in Byron Bay with her husband Chris, 41, and their three kids - daughter India , 12 and twins Sasha and Tristan, 10

They moved to Byron Bay five years later after buying their forever home in the coastal paradise for $7.6million.

Now, they have been presented with a unique opportunity to expand their massive estate on Byron Bay's so-called 'Golden Grid'.

In October, the neighbouring nine-hectare property to their luxury Balinese-style pad has been listed for an undisclosed price.

Real estate insiders have estimated the luxury retreat could fetch as much as $34million.

Though it could be a lucrative purchase, the Daily Telegraph claimed the Hemsworths have made no attempt to declare their interests on the palatial spread.

The site last went under the hammer in 2011 for $6.3million and is currently owned by oil and gas multimillionaire Russell Staley and his wife, Jennifer.

Located at Broken Head in the Byron Bay hinterland the property, known as Ohana, sits between the Hemsworths' home and Seven Mile Beach.

Surrounded by bushland, the architect designed home opens out to 450 metres of beach frontage and boasts a series of pavilions that can host 28 guests.
Tammy Hembrow put on an eye-popping display as she shared some racy snaps from her recent Finland honeymoon with her new husband Matt Zukowski.

The fitness influencer, 30, jetted off to Lapland with Love Island Australia star Matt, 29, after they tied the knot in a romantic Byron Bay ceremony last month.

Tammy has since returned to Australia from her weeks-long honeymoon but has continued to share an array of stunning snaps from the epic trip to Instagram.

And on Saturday, Tammy once again pulled out all the stops as she shared some racy snaps of herself posing amid the snowy landscapes in the picturesque location.

Amid the freezing temperatures, the blonde bombshell put on a very busty display in a black jumpsuit with a plunging neckline that showed off her ample assets.

She completed her ensemble with a pair of black snow boots and a pair of faux-fur lined gloves as she posed up a storm for the outdoor photoshoot.

Tammy Hembrow put on an eye-popping display as she shared some racy snaps from her recent Finland honeymoon with her new husband Matt Zukowski

Tammy has returned to Australia from her weeks-long honeymoon but has continued to share an array of stunning snaps from the epic trip to Instagram

Tammy tucked her golden tresses beneath a fluffy black bucket hat and kept her essentials in a small handbag with a chic beaded cross-body strap.

Tammy has not shied away from sharing many posts from her luxury Finland honeymoon with Matt since returning to Australia.

Tammy and Matt stayed at the stunning Aurora Collection Lapland Resort in Saariselka, which is famed for views of the Northern Lights.

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.

The best time to see the phenomena in Finland is from mid-September to early April, with Finnish Lapland being a popular viewing location.

They spared no expense on their snowy retreat as the high-end resort where they stayed can cost as much as $1100-per-night.

Tammy shared a glimpse at their cosy room in an Instagram Stories post, panning around to show off her snow-covered view.

'This place doesn't feel real,' Tammy gushed in her caption, while tagging the luxury resort.

In snaps shared to Instagram on Saturday, the blonde bombshell put on a very busty display in a black jumpsuit with a plunging neckline that showed off her ample assets

She completed her ensemble with a pair of black snow boots and a pair of faux-fur lined gloves as she posed up a storm for the outdoor photoshoot

Tammy tucked her golden tresses beneath a fluffy black bucket hat and kept her essentials in a small handbag with a chic beaded cross-body strap

Tammy tied the knot with Matt in a beautiful ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay, surrounded by family and friends last month.

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 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.

Eagled-eyed fans noticed that Tammy also added to her tattoo collection with a poignant reminder of her wedding day.

While she covered up her other tattoos during her nuptials, her fresh ink on her wrist reading '23.11.24' - the date of her wedding to Matt - could be seen clearly.

Since tying the knot, Tammy has also been showing off her glitzy wedding ring on social media, which she spared no expense on.

Tammy has not shied away from sharing many posts from her luxury Finland honeymoon with Matt since returning to Australia

The couple splashed out and treated themselves to a stay in the stunning Aurora Collection Lapland Resort in Saariselka during their trip, which costs as much as $1100 a night

Since tying the knot, Tammy has also been showing off her glitzy wedding ring, which is worth a reported $23,000

An Australian jeweller has estimated that it would have set the star back a massive $23,000.

James Harris, Regional Sales Manager at Austen & Blake, exclusively told Daily Mail Australia: 'The beautiful wedding band is an eternity style band with what appears to be oval cut diamonds, most likely a full eternity style ring.

'I would say this band would be valued at around $23,000, if it was indeed a full eternity style band.

'Paired with Tammy's stunning engagement ring with a larger, bold diamond and delicate band, the set conveys sophistication and glamour, with stones from both rings complimenting each other perfectly.'

Her $46,000 engagement ring features an oval-cut diamond, estimated to be around two carats, which sits on a full diamond band.
During the course of more than 50 years of marriage, she was unwaveringly loyal to her husband, former Tory Party treasurer Lord Magan, as he carved out a fabulously lucrative financial career which yielded an estimated 200million fortune.

In addition, they enjoyed a unique portfolio of luxury property and priceless art, including a 6million town house in Kensington, a 25million estate in Shropshire, a 30million collection of Old Masters and what is, rightly, often described as the most beautiful house in Ireland, Castletown Cox in County Kilkenny.

But it has all turned to ashes.

Indeed, I can disclose that Lady Magan, 77, is in the throes of a protracted, painful divorce and is trying to come to terms with the fact that she could lose her home.

'[Magan] trustees have issued her with notices of eviction,' a family friend tells me.

Wendy Magan, who married in 1972 and had three children with her husband, George, from whom she is now estranged, declined to comment last night.

But I'm told that the desperate situation stems from a combination of alleged financial mismanagement by trustees and her husband's unwillingness to let her know how precarious their circumstances had become.

None of this seemed conceivable in 1999 when George, the son of Brigadier Bill Magan, a remarkable head of MI5, bought Castletown, which he lavishly and expertly restored, and dressed with matchless Old Masters.

Lord Mangan pictured with his estranged wife Wendy, who may be left homeless by the loss of his fortune

In 2019, Mangan sold Castletown Cox for 18million in a deal that allowed him to remain there as a tenant. The deal speedily unravelled, however. A subsequent High Court action heard that he owed 500,000 in rent

'It was extraordinary  quite unlike anywhere else,' one visitor, still awed by the memory, tells me.

But by 2019, Magan, 79, who made his first fortune with Hambro Magan, the private equity firm he founded with banker Rupert Hambro, had sold Castletown Cox for 18million in a deal that allowed him to remain there as a tenant.

The deal speedily unravelled, however. A subsequent High Court action heard that he owed 500,000 in rent. Months later, in 2020, Magan was declared bankrupt.

Wendy Magan could, at the time, at least console herself that they still had their delightful house in Kensington, long the family home in London, which they owned jointly. But she was mistaken.

'The property was so heavily mortgaged as to become unsustainable,' alleges a family friend.

Shocked when the truth emerged, Wendy separated from her husband after the house was sold.

'Her equity in the property got wiped out. She went to live in a flat nearby, owned by a family trust,' adds the friend, before explaining that the eviction notices, just issued, have now put even that sanctuary in jeopardy.

'George has to address his responsibilities  to acknowledge that he put everything into trust.
Dumped ABC presenter Sarah Macdonald surprised fans when she returned to the airwaves this week and revealed her future plans.

The popular 58-year-old presenter was dropped from her breakfast slot last month, but once again returned to air on Friday to discuss her new career path.

In a huge move away from radio, Sarah said she plans to shift her attention towards writing online and plans to use the Substack platform to publish articles.

Signing off from The Mornings show on Friday, Sarah promised fans will see her around again as she vowed to 'pop up in new and various ways'.

'I'm having a bit of rest and a bit of quiet but I'm also focusing on the future,' she said.

'It's not goodbye, it's see you later, chat to you in some way and be with people. I've got an Instagram account people can look up.'

Dumped ABC presenter Sarah Macdonald surprised fans when she returned to the airwaves this week and revealed her future plans as she will be moving away from radio

'I might do some writing, I'm going to do a Substack, but for now I just want to have a lovely Christmas with my family,' she added.

Sarah is already the author of several books including the 2002 non-fiction bestseller Holy Cow an Indian Adventure, which sold 70,000 copies.

Sarah also gave listeners an update about how she has been doing after her shock axing, saying: 'I am OK, it's been a big couple of weeks.

'When I said on air a few weeks ago that I wouldn't be back next year and that ABC management decided not to renew my contract, I did expect a bit of reaction but not what happened.

'It's been so utterly overwhelming, the love and the support since that announcement. It's been amazing. It's been a lot.'

The ABC 702 star's axing sparked an uproar from fans, with thousands signing a petition to demand her return.

Sarah, who has been on leave ever since her sacking three weeks, also addressed why she has been absent from air since learning that the ABC would not renew her contract.

'I just had to be silent. And I just had to not talk. And I had to retreat from the intensity of it all. I've been in almost silence,' she shared.

While her permanent replacement hasn't been revealed, Hamish Macdonald (pictured) has been tipped as the top contender to take over the breakfast show

'I've really felt the love, but I needed to find my peace and my strength. And I just didn't feel I could deliver a show that listeners deserve and expect.'

Sarah's spot has been covered by presenters Tim Webster and Emma Crowe during her absence.

While her permanent replacement hasn't been revealed, Hamish Macdonald has been tipped as the top contender to take over the breakfast show, according to news.com.au.

The rumour surfaced late last month soon after Sarah announced she had been let go from the Sydney program after more than three decades working with the national broadcaster.

Insiders claimed the broadcast journalist, 43, has the blessing of ABC boss Kim Williams, who succeeded Ita Buttrose as the national broadcaster's chair in March.

Hamish is arguably best known for being a presenter on Network 10's The Project and working on ABC Radio National's RN Breakfast show.

Despite Sarah's axing causing an uproar with fans, ABC boss Williams said he fully supported Sarah's exit as the ABC looks to revitalise its radio division under audio director Ben Latimer.

'Changes in media are part of life,' he recently told the National Press Club in Canberra. 'They are part of the programming fabric of all organisations.'

Hamish is arguably best known for being a presenter on Network 10's The Project and working on ABC Radio National's RN Breakfast show

ABC staffers were shocked by the move when it was announced alongside a raft of sweeping changes at the taxpayer-funded service, greeting the news with a round of boos in their Sydney headquarters.

However, Williams was adamant Sarah, who is well-liked and highly regarded throughout the industry, was not fired - just that her job has been given to someone else.

'It's inaccurate to say that Sarah Macdonald has been sacked,' he said. 'Her role has not been renewed. They are different conceptually.

'In a similar way, management has determined that it wishes to take that service in a different direction.

'That decision is a management decision, and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions as to the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides.

'So, yes, I do support that decision, I do support the notion of refreshment in the various services that the ABC offers.'

The ABC has reportedly been inundated with complaints since Sarah revealed she had been given the boot live on-air on her show last week.

'Well, here's the news from me in terms of disappointment,' she told her listeners.

'I'm not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings. I am proud of what I've done. The ratings are up..
Bella Hadid turned heads while enjoying an evening out in New York City on Friday night.

The 28-year-old supermodel looked ethereal in a white satin gown with a low-cut neckline and midi hemline for her outing.

For the chilly winter weather, she bundled up in a frilly boho-chic cardigan.

She made the streets of the Big Apple her personal runway as she strutted in brown knee-high boots with stiletto heels.

The brunette beauty  who celebrated her major win in a cutting competition and thanked her boyfriend Adan Banuelos for his support earlier this week  left her long hair down in soft, silky waves that cascaded across around shoulders.

For makeup, she put on a sultry display in a warm, smoky eyeshadow look, which she paired with bronzed, glowing skin and a glossy lip.

Bella Hadid turned heads while enjoying an evening out in New York City on Friday night. The 28-year-old supermodel looked ethereal in a white, satin gown with a low-cut neckline and midi hemline for her outing

As she walked down the street, she was seen carrying a wrapped present from her fragrance line Orebella in her hand.

During her recent outings in New York City, Hadid has been flaunting cowgirl chic fashion after her viral cameo on Yellowstone.

Earlier this month, the supermodel and her boyfriend appeared on the December 1 episode of the Western drama.

Just several days ago, she also celebrated being crowned the Rookie of the Year in a cutting competition win.

The model shared a number of photos and videos to her Instagram account after she earned the honor just a year into starting to compete in the Western-style equestrian sport.

She gushed over her boyfriend as well as his family for 'making me feel so loved, protected and encouraged.'

The Vogue-covergirl-turned-cowgirl went on to share another post with a video that showed her progress.

She also penned a second lengthy caption gushing about her boyfriend.

For the chilly winter weather, she bundled up in a frilly, boho-chic cardigan. She made the streets of the Big Apple her personal runway as she strutted in brown, knee-high boots with tall stiletto heels

The brunette beauty left her long hair down in soft, silky waves that cascaded across around shoulders. For makeup, she put on a sultry display in a warm, smoky eyeshadow look, which she paired with bronzed, glowing skin and a glossy lip

As she walked down the street, she was seen carrying a wrapped present from her fragrance line Orebella in her hand

During her recent outings in New York City, Hadid has been flaunting cowgirl chic fashion after her viral cameo on Yellowstone. Earlier this month, the supermodel and her boyfriend Adan Banuelos appeared on the December 1 episode of the Western drama; pictured September in Manhattan

Just several days ago, she also celebrated being crowned the Rookie of the Year in a cutting competition win. The model shared a number of photos and videos to her Instagram account after she earned the honor just a year into starting to compete in the Western-style equestrian sport

'Adan always had faith in me, from the first day we rode together, which gave me confidence and faith in myself again.'

'I couldn't have done it without him! With hard work, kindness, and passion, anything can happen,' she added.

'Thank you for supporting me in my dreams this year and never treating me any different. You, your heart, your talent, your family, and your team went above and beyond for us to get this done and I appreciate it more than any of you know!! Love you all so much it hurts!'

She added: 'The first video is the first time I ever rode a cutting horse (CHAPO) w Adan a year and 8 months ago, to my first time showing 8 months ago, to the day we officially got the buckle. :)'

She also gushed that 'being able to try new things and reach new goals, especially on horses again, has been the biggest joy of my life.'

'I thank God everyday for horses  for teaching and showing me unconditional love, happiness, connection, patience and hard work. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.'
Supermodel Megan Gale has revealed the real reason why she has not rushed to the altar to tie the knot with her fiance Shaun Hampson.

The long-term couple share two children and have already been engaged for seven years, but don't have any wedding plans on the horizon.

Megan, 49, has now revealed that she isn't in a rush to tie the knot with her partner of 14 years Shaun, 36, because the thought of planning a wedding is 'exhausting'.

The actress made the surprising comment during the latest episode of Stellar's Something to Talk About podcast.

'It has been the longest engagement ever,' she joked before going on to discuss why she hasn't walked down the aisle yet.

'Look, it was always something [] that we were in no rush to do.

Supermodel Megan Gale has revealed the real reason why she has not rushed to the altar to tie the knot with her fiance Shaun Hampson after 14 years together

'Traditionally everyone's like: get engaged, plan the wedding, have the kids.

'I've never been a really big wedding girl. The whole lot seems like a lot of work for me. I'm just exhausted thinking about it,' she added.

Megan said that for her, having a family was a much bigger priority than having a large wedding.

Megan and former AFL champion Shaun had welcomed their two children - a son River, 10, and daughter Rosie, seven - before he popped the question in 2017.

'[We] thought, the kids are here. Let's wait til they're old enough to be involved [in a wedding] and remember it,' she added.

However, Megan didn't rule out having a wedding altogether as she admitted it would be 'nice' to exchange vows with Shaun 'one day'.

The couple first started dating in 2010 and Megan has previously revealed the secret to their happy and healthy relationship.

'I think communication is key for any relationship and we do that so well,' Megan told Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur on Channel Seven's The Morning Show back in 2019.

The long-term couple share two children - a son River, 10, and daughter Rosie, seven - and have already been engaged for seven years, but don't have any wedding plans on the horizon

'He's awesome, he's just the best dad and we parent really well together.'

But it hasn't always been smooth-sailing for the couple as they initially struggled with the public perception of their relationship when they first started dating.

Megan previously revealed how she was labelled a 'cougar' because of her 12-year age gap with Shaun, something they both found difficult.

'It was being turned into something scandalous,' she confessed.

'I was being called a cougar, he was being called a toyboy.'

Shaun told how the attention as 'horrible' adding: 'You dont plan this stuff. I hadnt planned on falling for her the way I did. I just wanted to be with her all the time.'

Perth-born star Megan first rose to fame in 1999 after starring in advertisements for an Italian telecommunication company.

She then went on to become 'the face of Australia in Italy' for the Australian Tourist Commission in 2003.

Megan, 49, revealed that she isn't in a rush to tie the knot with her partner of 14 years Shaun, 36, because the thought of planning a wedding is 'exhausting'

Megan has also appeared in several Hollywood films, including Mad Max: Fury Road and The Water Diviner.

Last year, the model revealed she is open to return to modelling, 16 years after she retired from the industry.

And in a huge career move in September, Megan rekindled her partnership with David Jones, re-signing as an ambassador for the iconic department store.

Megan, who first signed with David Jones in 2001 and held the role until 2013, has rejoined the brand in a multi-year deal.

It came after Megan gushed over how much she enjoyed her one-off return to the catwalk for David Jones' 185th anniversary back in March 2023.
When the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man hits screens Down Under on December 26, fans will get a unique look at the rise of a superstar.

But even though the pop king's ascent to fame took place in Europe, most of the glossy production was actually filmed in Melbourne.

Robbie, 48, narrates fictionalised version of his life which traces the the UK- born hitmaker's epic journey to stardom from boy band heart-throb to stadium rocker.

Among the Brit locations recreated for the film was London's Royal Albert Hall.

The Docklands studio was used to fabricate the famed theatre for a scene depicting a milestone moment in Robbie's career.

Well known Melbourne locations used for filming included Rod Laver Arena and the Intercontinental Melbourne hotel, the Cruden Farm at Langwarrin and the Fawkner Bowls club, reported the Herald Sun on Saturday.

When the Robbie Williams (pictured) biopic Better Man hits screens Down Under on December 26 fans will get a unique look at the rise of a superstar

But even though the pop king's rise to fame took place in Europe and the UK most of the glossy $173million production was actually filmed in Melbourne. Pictured: A scene from the film

The $173 million production also used Crown Casino, the University of Melbourne, the Melbourne Town Hall and the Melbourne Pavilion and Stella Maris Seafarers Centre to stage scenes.

Filmed by Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey, who directed the box-office smash The Greatest Showman, Better Man has billed as a musical fantasy.

And in a bizarre move, the young Robbie is depicted in the film as a monkey using CGI.

Motion capture techniques were used to transform 31-year-old actor Jonno Davies into a life like creation of a humanoid 'ape'.

Other members of the cast include Australian actors Kate Mulvany (The Great Gatsby), Damon Herriman (Mr InBetween).

Additionally, filmmaker and actor Anthony Hayes, whose feature film Gold is currently streaming on Stan, also appears.

Robbie first rose to fame in the all boy band Take That, before launching a successful solo career in 1996. A string of UK hit singles and albums followed.

In 2006 Robbie made it into the Guinness Book of World Records after he sold 1.6million concert tickets in a single day.

Filmed by Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey, who directed the box-office smash The Greatest Showman, Better Man has billed as a musical fantasy. And in a bizarre move, the young Robbie is depicted in the film as a monkey using CGI (pictured)

Robbie narrates the imaginative epic himself

The filmmakers have been careful to avoid comparisons to recent musical biopics like the Queen film Bohemian Rhapsody, and the Elton John story, Rocketman.

In an official statement the production said the film was 'a satirical musical based on the life of a pop star'.

The film features 're-imaginings' of Robbie's hit songs, and stunning visual effects in order to explore the 'inner demons' the super star has had to battle both on stage and off.

While the production was based at Docklands Studios in Melbourne during filming back in 2022, some scenes were shot overseas.

In Serbia 2000 extras were recruited to recreated a Williams' performance at the 2003 Knebworth Festival.

'To tell Robbie William's beautiful, distinct story, back home, in my own city, is a dream come true,' Gracey said in a statement.

'There is a creative energy that burns across the Melbourne film industry, and I know this movie will thrive here.'

He went on to describe Robbie as an 'everyman' who has an 'incredibly relatable story' about following your dreams.

Meanwhile, Colin Brooks, Minister for Creative Industries Victoria told the Herald Sun that the film was a huge boost to the state's economy.

Claiming that he film was the biggest ever production mounted in Victoria he said that it created 2,920 jobs and pumped $142 million into the state's economy.
Delta Goodrem is getting into the festive spirit and recently shared an exciting sneak peek of her upcoming star-studded Channel Nine Christmas special.

The Australian pop star, 40, posted a trailer to Instagram for her TV special called Christmas with Delta in Hollywood, which provides a fresh spin on her annual program with Channel Nine.

The brunette bombshell showcased her youthful appearance and flawless skin in the trailer as she rocked her best angles in a figure-hugging red dress as she embraced Santa Claus in a huge hug.

The upcoming program is filmed in the exclusive Los Angeles suburb of Hollywood Hills and features a host of A-List guest stars, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Craig David and Paul Kelly.

Several other A-Listers, including Pat Monahan from Train and Howie D from the Backstreet Boys, are set to make appearances.

It looks to be must-see event TV as Delta and her A-List friends celebrate the festive season in style, with the songstress belting out some beloved Christmas carols.

Delta Goodrem (pictured) is getting into the festive spirit and recently shared an exciting sneak peek of her upcoming star-studded Channel Nine Christmas special

Delta captioned the post with some exciting words. 'Bringing the festive cheer and love to your homes for the fifth year running, but for the first time ever all the way from LA.'

'With the most gifted and gracious group of artists, talents and friends in the room' she continued.

'We will be celebrating the Aussie way being far away from home whilst bringing back some of our favourite performances from previous years. Im so proud of this show!'

The program will screen on Channel Nine and 9Now on Sunday, December 22 at 7:00pm.

This is the fifth year that Delta has hosted her own Christmas special for Nine, and the first to be filmed outside Australia.

In 2021, the program had to be rebranded from Christmas with Delta, to avoid confusion with the Covid-19 strain of the same name that was going around at the time.

Channel Nine renamed the program as Christmas with Delta Goodrem, to avoid any misunderstandings.

At the time, Delta indicated she was quietly thrilled the new Omicron variant was now the name on everyone's lips.

The Australian pop star, 40, posted a trailer to Instagram for her TV special called Christmas with Delta in Hollywood, which provides a fresh spin on her annual special with Channel Nine

The program will air on Channel Nine and 9Now on Sunday, December 22 at 7:00pm

The Born to Try star admitted she was relieved to no longer be synonymous with the virus.

Delta said on Sunrise while she's 'not glad' the pandemic was still going on, she was pleased to see fewer negative headlines featuring her name.

'Definitely, let's move on. I don't want to hear about this terrible Delta!' she told the hosts.

'Get rid of her, get rid of her,' she added. 'I was here first!'

Co-host Natalie Barr observed it 'must've been hard' hearing her name in the news every day when Delta was the most prevalent Covid strain.

'It was definitely confusing to watch you guys in the morning, when Im getting up I'd hear "Delta danger" or "Delta out of control" and Id be like, "What? What?"'

The former Neighbours star joked she'd sometimes react to breaking news bulletins with: 'What did I do? What happened?'

The confession comes after Delta revealed that her wedding plans with fiance Matthew, 37, have taken a back seat due to her hectic schedule.

She told WHO magazine that she has been so caught up in her bustling life that the couple have yet to sit down and plan their big day.

Delta and Matthew, who have been dating since 2017, got engaged during a romantic getaway to Malta last September.

She confessed: 'Don't ask about the wedding. Things have been very busy, but a great kind of busy - the kind where I've never been happier.'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs will remain in jail until his sex trafficking trial in May 2025 after he voluntarily dismissed his bail appeal on Friday.

The disgraced rapper  who was recently granted access to a laptop in prison - made the withdrawal after his latest bail appeal, per court documents obtained by People.

It comes just weeks after Combs, 55, was denied bail for the third time before the Thanksgiving holiday. His previous two requests made in September were also denied.

That same month, the music mogul was arrested in Manhattan and is currently being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center.

He has notably been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, but has pleaded not guilty to all charges ahead of the trial set for May 5.

Late last month, US District Judge Arun Subramanian made the decision to deny Diddy's request for bail following a hearing.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, will remain in jail until his sex trafficking trial in May 2025 after he voluntarily dismissed his bail appeal on Friday; seen in 2020 in Beverly Hills

At the time, lawyers for the rapper argued that a $50 million bail package they proposed would be sufficient to ensure Combs does not flee and does not try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses.

Subramanian cited direct evidence of Combs' violence  referring to Diddy beating ex Cassie in a 2016 hotel surveillance video  and a serious risk of witness tampering in the denial.

The ruling read: 'The Court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community.'

Prosecutors had previously said Combs had been 'witness tampering' from behind bars with Subramanian agreeing and saying: 'There is evidence supporting a serious risk of witness tampering.'

The judge also cited evidence that Diddy violated communication behind bars rules including paying for inmates' Phone Access Code numbers to make three way calls to people who are not on his approved contact list.

'Compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence' was also cited in the decision.

Combs had asked to be released on on $50 million bond and on 24/7 house arrest, even offering up his mother's house as collateral.

Two other judges previously had been persuaded by prosecutors' arguments that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he is not behind bars.

It comes just weeks after Combs was denied bail for the third time before the Thanksgiving holiday. His previous two requests made in September were also denied; seen in 2023 in Atlanta

That same month, the music mogul was arrested in Manhattan and is currently being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (seen above)

Diddy appeared before a federal judge in New York last month and was supported by his family in court.

He was not shackled after his lawyers claimed that doing so offended the 'dignity' of the court.

Diddy began smiling when he saw seven members of his family in the second row of the public gallery including his mother Janice, 83, who was wearing sunglasses, adopted son Quincy, 33, Justin, 30, King, Chance, 18 and his twin daughters D'Lila and Jessie, 17.

He blew them kisses, formed a prayer sign with his hands and tapped his heart.

After being denied bail once again, Combs was granted access to a laptop to assist in his defense earlier this week, court documents have revealed.

Currently behind bars for a litany of charges that include sex trafficking, the rapper will not be able to access the internet, officials said.

Judge Arun Subramanian made the allowance Thursday, in an order he issued himself in the Southern District of New York.

The demand for a laptop is only the latest from the disgraced producer's team, who have already asked the high-profile be allowed to appear unshackled for all future court appearances.

Subramanian cited direct evidence of Combs' violence - referring to Diddy beating ex Cassie in a 2016 hotel surveillance video - and a serious risk of witness tampering in the denial; Diddy depicted in court in September

That request was denied, unlike the recent plea for the in-cell laptop. An additional request for him to be freed ahead of his trial was tossed in November.

Subramanian's decision served as a small victory for Combs, allowing him to use the court-sanctioned computer some seven days a week, from the hours of 8am to 3:30pm.

During that time, he will only be allowed to use the device only to review both sides' discovery - the formal process of exchanging information between parties about the witnesses and evidence they plan to present at trial.

'The purpose of the Discovery Laptop is to review discovery, not to take or store notes,' Judge Subramanian wrote.

'It is the Court's understanding that the laptop has been pre-loaded with discovery materials but does not allow any functionality beyond reviewing those materials.

'If [the] defendant wished for roader access to the Discovery Laptop, his counsel should discuss the issue with the government.

'If there are further disputes, the Court will consider adjustments to this order,' Subramanian concluded, now set to oversee the high-profile case two years into his tenure in the Southern District.

The new development caused anger among people online, specifically pointed at the judge.

Diddy appeared before a federal judge in New York last month and was supported by his family in court; King Combs, D'Lila Combs, and Jessie Combs seen above in November at Manhattan federal court

After being denied bail once again, Combs was granted access to a laptop to assist in his defense earlier this week, court documents have revealed; seen in 2023 in London

One person wrote: 'Booo that judge is trippin' he does not need his d**n laptop,' and another added: 'WHY ON EARTH GIVE Diddy a laptop in jail.'

Comb's lawyer Marc Agnifilo recently penned a letter to the jurist to claim his client had not been receiving the same treatments as his prison-mates in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC).

As Diddy sits behind bars awaiting the trail next year, fellow music artist Jay-Z was recently accused of raping a 13-year-old girl with Combs back in 2000.

In the lawsuit, an anonymous victim claimed that she had been assaulted by Jay-Z and Diddy at a party after the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2020.

The rapper has since condemned and vehemently denied the accusations, breaking his silence in a lengthy statement over the past weekend on Sunday.

The lawsuit is one of many that was filed by attorney Tony Buzbee in October - who has also claimed more than 100 alleged victims were planning legal action against Combs.

However, Jay-Z slammed Buzbee, labeling the attorney as a 'deplorable human' and an 'ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

He added that the allegations are 'so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!'

Comb's lawyer Marc Agnifilo recently penned a letter to the jurist to claim his client had not been receiving the same treatments as his prison-mates in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center; seen in 2022 in L.A.

As Diddy sits behind bars awaiting the trail next year, fellow music artist Jay-Z was recently accused of raping a 13-year-old girl with Combs back in 2000; the pair seen in 2004 in L.A.

The rapper then expressed that his 'heartbreak' is with his loved ones and stated, '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 also later 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...'

In conclusion, he further slammed the claims and said, 'I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'
T.I. is countersuing his former friend Sabrina Peterson for defamation over three years after she made a series of serious allegations against him and sued him.

The 44-year-old rapper, whose real name is Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., claimed Peterson became 'obsessed' with him and his family when they ended their friendship with her.

He claimed that they cut ties with Peterson because she was not a 'positive' influence on them, which allegedly spurred her to begin posting 'false' and 'baseless' accusations against them on social media, per a new filing obtained by TMZ.

T.I. alleged Peterson's posts about him and his family are defamatory and were uploaded with the intention of 'harassing' his loved ones, according to the outlet.

The rapper also claimed that he is not the first person to be victimized by Peterson's social media behavior, alleging that there are unnamed people who have successfully sought and obtained legal protection from her over the years.

With the new suit, he claimed he suffered from her online behavior and is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

T.I. is countersuing former friend Sabrina Peterson for defamation over three years after she made a series of serious allegations against him and sued him; pictured October 2019 in Atlanta

The 44-year-old rapper, whose real name is Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., claimed Peterson became 'obsessed' with him and his family when they ended their friendship with her; pictured June 2023 in Beverly Hills

And their previous legal battle  in which she accused T.I. and his wife of defamation and invasion of privacy among five other since-dismissed claims  is still ongoing.

In her lawsuit filed in March 2021, Peterson previously claimed T.I. and his wife Tameka 'Tiny' Harris had drugged multiple women to sexually abuse them.

She also alleged that T.I. oncec held a gun to her head and threatened her with, 'B****, I'll kill you,' after she got into an argument with his assistant.

T.I. and Tiny denied the allegations, and the couple's lawyer slammed the accusations, likening them to a 'sordid shakedown campaign,' at the time.

This comes a week after a judge delayed the jury trial date for the original case, which was previously scheduled for Saturday, December 14, and postponed their court date to occur six months into 2025.

More than three years ago, Peterson accused T.I. and Tiny of defamation with social media posts calling her 'strange' in addition to threatening her with a gun and sexually assaulting multiple women.

She claimed the couple and another friend, Shekinah Jones Anderson, defamed her when they shared 'demonstrably false' statements on social media that people online 'reasonably' understood to be about her.

The social media post in question was shared by Tiny and included a photo of T.I. posing with Peterson's then-eight-year-old son.

In her lawsuit from March 2021, Peterson claimed T.I. and wife Tameka 'Tiny' Harris had drugged multiple women to sexually abuse them. She also alleged that T.I. held a gun to her head and threatened her with

T.I. and Tiny denied the allegations, with their lawyer calling them a 'sordid shakedown campaign.' This comes a week after a judge delayed the jury trial by six months into mid-2025; pictured September 2019 in Atlanta

Several months ago, T.I. and his wife Tiny accused Peterson of allegedly evading the $96,000 restitution she owes them after unsuccessfully suing them; pictured April 2015 in Hollywood

'Hold up,' Tiny wrote in her January 26, 2021 post. 'So you want your abuser to train your sons? He was just uncle 2 years ago now when did you say my husband assaulted you? Did you change your mind or change it back? What's up wit you today Pooh? You strange. Everybody know you been special.'

Three days later, T.I. and Tiny posted a joint statement denying Peterson's claims.

T.I. also posted a video to his Instagram that later went viral. 'Whatever we ever have done has been done with consensual adults who into what we into and like what we like,' he said.

'We want something, we know exactly where to go to get it. We ain't never forced nobody, we ain't never drugged nobody against their will. We ain't never held nobody against their will,' he continued. 'We never made nobody do anything. We never trafficked anything. Well, sexually traffic, anything. I ain't ever raped nobody.'

T.I. and Tiny fought the lawsuit up through California's 2nd Appellate District, and the appeals court ruling resulted in the judge striking down five of the seven causes of action in Peterson's lawsuit first filed in March 2021.

After the claims  which included trade libel, intentional and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress  were dismissed, Peterson was ordered to pay T.I. and Tiny's legal fees.

Just several months ago, T.I. and his wife Tiny accused Peterson of allegedly evading the $96,000 restitution she owes them after unsuccessfully suing them.

In September, the pair filed a court motion against Peterson and claimed she is intentionally refusing to pay the court-ordered sum, according to documents obtained by In Touch.

Earlier this month, a judge sided with T.I. and Tiny and agreed to sign an order 'charging' Peterson with contempt for not paying the five-figure sum in attorneys' fees. But the judge denied T.I. and Tiny's attempt to dismiss the remaining claims, and the trial is still set to occur

The former friends have a contempt hearing scheduled for March 6, 2025 as well as their jury trial date scheduled for June 9, 2025; pictured November 2023 in Inglewood

And just earlier this month, a judge sided with T.I. and Tiny when Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Shultz agreed to sign an order 'charging' Peterson with contempt for not paying the five-figure sum in attorneys' fees she was previously ordered to pay them, per Rolling Stone.

However, the judge denied T.I. and Tiny's attempt to dismiss the remaining claims, and the trial is still set to occur; the judge pushed the trial over Peterson's remaining claims of defamation and invasion of privacy out to June.

The judge set the contempt hearing for March 6 of next year and stated: 'If she doesn't appear, the presumption is I'm going to issue a warrant for her arrest.'

At the time, Peterson told the outlet that she was 'looking forward' to the hearing and is 'excited for justice to be served.'

'This has been a very long and very emotionally, mentally, and financially taxing road,' she said.

'I'm heartbroken I'm not able to go to court in five days, but I'm happy it's moving forward. I'm looking forward to my day in court. I'm excited for justice to be served.'

Their original trial date has been postponed to begin on June 9, 2025. A court date for T.I.'s latest lawsuit has not yet been scheduled.
Australian swimming star Stephanie Rice has revealed the controversial travel hack she and her pastor fiance Mark Lassey swear by when flying.

The Olympic gold medallist, 36, shared a shock clip to Instagram on Saturday in which she revealed the cheeky trick they use to make their flight in economy seats more comfortable.

Steph revealed they always booked the aisle and window seats in a row and hoped no one took the middle seat between them.

'Economy Business class. Mark loves the window, I'm all about the aisle, so we always risk it and hope no one chooses the middle so we get extra room,' Steph told fans.

'If they do, most people are happy to shift from the middle.'

Her travel hack has been used by flyers for years and is seen as unethical because it attempts to get the benefits of a flight seat without paying for it.

Australian swimming star Stephanie Rice has revealed the controversial travel hack she and her pastor fiance Mark Lassey swear by when flying. Both pictured

Further, people who do book the middle seat may not want to move from it for a variety of reasons and feel pressured to do so if caught in this situation.

Steph revealed in the caption her reason for flying this holiday season: 'Few days in Brisbane with the family before Christmas. Now back to Perth.'

In October, Steph revealed she is heading back to her home country for a life-changing reason  to get married.

The Olympic gold medallist, who has been living in Dubai for one year, confirmed her engagement to her pastor fiance in September.

She met Perth-based Mark not long after relocating to Dubai and he popped the question at The Atlantis Royal hotel in the city after seven months of dating.

However, Stephanie revealed she is moving back to Australia to finish her Master's degree and marry Mark, who she has been in a long-distance relationship with until now.

Stephanie, who went public with Mark in July, took to Instagram to share the exciting news as she kept her followers updated on her big life changes.

The athlete shared a mirror selfie from an elevator as she smiled alongside her packed suitcases as she headed off on her trip back to her native Australia.

The Olympic gold medallist, 36, shared a shock clip to Instagram on Saturday in which she revealed the cheeky trick they use to make their flight in economy seats more comfortable

Steph revealed they always booked the aisle and window seats in a row and hoped no one took the middle seat between them

She donned a comfortable white jumper paired with loose-fitting white pants, looking relaxed but excited for her new journey.

Steph shared in a caption: 'Packed up my stuff in Dubai, put it all in storage, packed 2 suitcases and headed for Australia to finish my Master's degree and get married so wild to think about!!'

Stephanie, who recently became a Christian, expressed her gratitude for the recent changes in her life, saying God has made a significant impact on her path this year.

'God has done a complete 180 on my life this year and I'm the happiest I've ever been,' she added.

Last month, Stephanie confirmed the jovial news of her engagement, mere weeks after first going public with her and Mark's romance in July.

She shared an array of sweet snaps of the moment pastor and Aussie father-of-three Mark popped the question at Dubai's luxury Atlantis The Royal hotel.

The couple looked overjoyed as they beamed from ear-to-ear and shared a kiss, while Stephanie flashed her diamond sparkler.

In a caption, Stephanie gushed: 'Here's to fresh starts and second chances Yes to a lifetime with you.'

She concluded the post with a Bible verse, writing: '''Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desire.'' Psalm 37:4.'

Their engagement came just weeks after Stephanie first went public with their romance in an Instagram post at the start of July.
Jay-Z's rape accuser has admitted to making 'mistakes' in the lawsuit alleging the rapper and disgraced music mogul, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, raped her in 2000.

Earlier this month, the accuser  who is going by the name of Jane Doe  accused Jay-Z and Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13-years-old at a party following the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

The Empire State Of Mind rapper, 55, has since condemned and vehemently denied the allegations while slamming her attorney Tony Buzbee as 'a deplorable human.'

The 38-year-old woman, who has so far remained anonymous,sat down with NBC News on Friday and acknowledged inconsistencies in the lawsuit that initially was filed a few months earlier in October.

In regard to remembering the night the alleged 'catastrophic event' occurred, she told the news outlet that she 'made some mistakes.'

Some of the inconsistencies include her claiming her father had picked her up after the alleged rape took place. However, he has since stated that he does not remember doing so.

The woman who accused Jay-Z, 55, of raping her when she was 13 with Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, has admitted to making 'mistakes' in her lawsuit; seen in January in L.A.

While also talking to NBC News on Thursday, he said that based on their address at the time, the drive to pick up his daughter would have been estimated to be around five hours.

'I feel like I would remember that, and I don't. I have a lot going on, but I mean, that's something that would definitely stick in my mind.'

However, he stated that he did pick her up in the middle of the night at one time, but told the outlet that it had been locally.

Based on her father's recollection of the night, the woman stood by her own claims that he had picked her up.

'There are a lot of things, and this is stuff that we argue about constantly, something he said or did back in New York around that time period he just doesn't remember. It actually causes a lot of fights sometimes in the household.'

She told the outlet of the night, 'I was upset, and the person at the gas station could tell that I was obviously upset, and she let me use the phone.

'I called my dad because he was the only person I trust at that time. I told him I messed up and I needed a ride home,' she explained. 'We rode home in silence. He didn't ask me what happened. He didn't ask me what I did or where I was.'

Attorney Tony Buzbee also commented on her father's memory of the night, and informed NBC, 'We agree he states he doesn't remember.'

Some of the inconsistencies include her claiming her father had picked her up after the alleged rape took place. However, he has since stated that he does not remember doing so; Jay-Z seen on Monday in Hollywood

The Empire State Of Mind rapper has since condemned and vehemently denied the allegations, slamming her attorney Tony Buzbee as 'a deplorable human'; seen with Diddy in 2004 in LA

'His daughter explains that he was in no state to remember during that point in time due to personal issues he was having then. We are talking about a time frame more than twenty years ago,' he said.

Another alleged inconsistency was her claim that she spoke to another celebrity at the party about the alleged sexual assault, but that celebrity has claimed they were not in the state of New York at the time.

The location the woman described where the alleged rape took place does not match where Jay-Z and Diddy were seen in images from the night.

However, it is not known the exact time the pictures were taken, nor is it known if the pair went to another location that night.

She also claimed to have talked to Benji Madden at the party, but a representative for the musician denies that Benji and his brother Joel were in attendance due to being on tour in the Midwest at the time.

The woman told NBC, 'Honestly, what is the clearest is what happened to me and [the] route that I took to what happened to me. Not all of the faces there are as clear.

'So I have made some mistakes,' she admitted. 'I may have made a mistake in identifying.'

The after-party for the 2000 VMAs was held at the Lotus nightclub in NYC, and does not match the description of the location the woman claimed the sexual assault occurred.

Some of the inconsistencies include her claiming her father had picked her up after the alleged rape took place. However, he has since stated that he does not remember doing so; Diddy and Jay-Z seen in 2000

'I didn't know exactly where we were going or even how long it took,' she previously recalled.

Buzbee also stated, 'We have attempted to confirm the correct location. We have never suggested the location was the Lotus club.'

'Our client has been very specific and detailed about the description of the venue she says she was taken to, and she has never stated it was the Lotus Club. We won't speculate on whether there was an after-after party, because again, she doesn't know that.'

In October, the woman filed the lawsuit with Combs named as the defendant. And then on Sunday, December 8, it was re-filed to name Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter) as the other defendant.

When asked why she decided to go public, the woman told NBC News, 'You should always fight for what happened to you.'

'You should always advocate for yourself and be a voice for yourself. You should never let what somebody else did ruin or run your life. I just hope I can give others the strength to come forward like I came forward.'

After revealing that she made some inconsistencies in the lawsuit, Carter issued a statement to DailyMail.com.

'Today's investigative report proves this "attorney" Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame.'

The woman told NBC, 'Honestly, what is the clearest is what happened to me and [the] route that I took to what happened to me. Not all of the faces there are as clear'; Jay-Z and Diddy seen in 2019 in LA

When asked why she decided to go public, the woman told NBC News, 'You should always fight for what happened to you'; Jay-Z seen in August in NYC

He added, 'This incident didn't happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True Justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesn't realize it yet, but, soon.'

And Diddy's own attorney, Alex Spiro, shared a statement to DailyMail.com that read: 'It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press.

'We are asking the Court to dismiss this frivolous case today, and will take up the matter of additional discipline for Mr. Buzbee and all the lawyers that filed the complaint,' he said.

Jay-Z's attorney slammed the allegations a 'sham' in documents obtained by DailyMail.com.

In a letter to Honorable Judge Torres, his attorney wrote that, 'Basic facts in her narrative  the who, what, when, and where  are wrong.

'She claims her father picked her up after the assault, her own father denies that ever happened,' he wrote.

'She claims she spoke with Benji Madden at the party that night, but he was on tour in the Midwest at the time, forcing her to admit "I have made some mistakes. I may have made a mistake in identifying."'

Jay-Z's attorney added, 'When pressed, the Plaintiff admitted she was "guessing" about key details, including the time it took to reach the venue. She admits she has no single corroborating witness over the last 24 years.'

After revealing that she made some inconsistencies in the lawsuit, Carter issued a statement to DailyMail.com; Tony Buzbee seen in October in Houston

Diddy's attorney, Alex Spiro, shared a statement to DailyMail.com that read: 'It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press'; seen in 2020

He stated that Buzbee has no 'factual basis whatsoever' and is 'walking back the complaint he put his name to  excusing these glaring inconsistencies by pointing the finger at the case being referred by another firm who allegedly vetted the story before sending to them.'

'The heinous allegations against Mr. Carter are patently false' the attorney said, later adding Buzbee 'failed to undertake a reasonable inquiry into the facts before filing the complaint.'

He asked that Buzbee 'withdraw' the claims  which are harming 'Mr. Carter, his family, his businesses, his employees, and his legacy.'

'It also impairs the integrity of the judicial system, thwarts the pursuit of justice, and silences the voices of true victims...'

The lawsuit alleged that the woman  then aged 13  took a drink at the VMAs 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 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.'

Jay-Z's attorney slammed the allegations a 'sham' in documents obtained by DailyMail.com; seen in February in LA

'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, 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,' Jane Doe claimed.

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 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.

Jay-Z notably broke silence in a lengthy statement where he slammed the allegations and expressed 'heartbreak' for his loved ones

The rapper joined his family only hours after he was named in the lawsuit at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King on Monday (seen above)

The filing marks the first time Buzbee has named a public figure apart from Combs in legal documents.

Combs, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all of the allegations against him.

Jay-Z notably broke silence in a lengthy statement where he slammed the allegations and expressed 'heartbreak' for his loved ones.

The rapper joined his family only hours after he was named in the lawsuit at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King on Monday, which his daughter Blue Ivy, 12, stars in.
Gogglebox star Sue Sheehan broke her silence on her Bell's palsy diagnosis during the Channel 4 show on Friday night.

Sue and her husband Steve, who are based in South London, appeared on the hit show after being absent from recent episodes.

Sue candidly opened up about the side effects of living with Bell's palsy, which causes temporary weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of the face.

She explained: 'I mean, I've had to relearn to do a couple of things since this Bell's palsy'.

'One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time.'

'I have offered to chew your food for you, but you declined,' Steve added. 'I've gotta say, you haven't lost the sharp side of your tongue though, have you?'

Gogglebox star Sue Sheehan has broken her silence on her Bell's palsy diagnosis during the Channel 4 show on Friday night

Sue and her husband Steve, who are based in South London, appeared on the hit show after being absent from recent episodes and candidly opened up about the side effects of living with Bell's palsy

'No, it's sharper than ever actually,' Sue jokingly responded.

Fans quickly rushed to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their well wishes to Sue with some thanking her for raising awareness.

'Best Wishes to Sue on #Gogglebox as she recovers from Bells Palsy x; Sending love to Sue; Poor Sue. Hope her Bell's palsy clears soon.'

'Fair play to Sue on #gogglebox for appearing with Bell's palsy. Raising awareness can only be good, speaking as someone who is (hopefully temporarily) suffering from the same after brain surgery. I can imagine how much courage that takes.'

'I didn't know Sue had bells palsy hope she's doing ok; Thoughts with Sue x one of my favourites on #gogglebox.'

During the episode of Gogglebox the cast reacted to Jamie Cooks Christmas, You Bet!, The 1% Club, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and Netflix's new spy thriller Black Doves.

The new eight-part Netflix series Black Doves, which was released last Thursday and scored a perfect 100 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes just one day after its launch, is a thriller starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw.

But despite featuring spies, murders and assassins, the show has been labelled a 'Christmas series' by delighted viewers, who claim the festive soundtrack and setting gave them the 'Christmas feels'.

She explained: 'I mean, I've had to relearn to do a couple of things since this Bell's palsy. One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time'

Fans quickly rushed to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their well wishes to Sue with some thanking her for raising awareness

During the episode of Gogglebox the cast reacted to Netflix's new spy thriller Black Doves. The new eight-part series is a thriller starring Keira Knightley (pictured) and Ben Whishaw

Set in London in December, ahead of the big day, the thriller follows Keira's character Helen Webb as an agent passing on secrets she's managed to uncover from her politician husband (Andrew Buchan) to the Black Doves organisation.

Helen has been giving the firm - headed up by the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire) - political information for 10 years, but her position is compromised after the mother-of-two's secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated.

Yet all the fighting and killing in the series isn't enough to stop fans from branding it a festive offering, thanks to the Christmas tunes played in the background and the timing of the drama.

Gogglebox airs Fridays on Channel 4, with all episodes available to stream on demand.
Fearne Cotton previously confessed the pandemic killed her and her husband's sex life in an unearthed podcast.

On Friday night, the presenter shocked fans by announcing she had split from Jesse Wood after 10 years of being wed.

She took to her Instagram stories to issue the statement and tell fans their priority is their children.

However back in 2021 Fearne admitted the pair were struggling to find time for each other as she confessed 'sexy time' was no longer a happening.

Speaking with Alan Carr on his podcast Life's A Beach, she said: 'Sexy time hasn't happened for so long in terms of me going anywhere.

'I think for me and my husband, booking into the local Travelodge would make us feel sexy at the moment.'

Fearne Cotton previously confessed the pandemic killed her and husband Jesse Wood's sex life as couple split after 10 years of marriage

Back in 2021 Fearne admitted the pair were struggling to find time for each other as she confessed 'sexy tie' was no longer a happening (pictured in 2016)

Asked where they would go for a romantic trip abroad, she confessed the couple were struggling for time alone just the two of them.

'We have had no time alone because of the ridiculous pandemic but before all this craziness, Paris was our go-to.

'Not every weekend, maybe once a year. But it felt well special because it's so chic and beautiful.'

'It just has an air of something gorgeous, doesn't it? I love it there.'

Taking to Instagram on Friday, Fearne told fans: 'It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage.

'Our priority has been and always will be our children. We please ask that you respect the privacy of our family at this time.'

The couple are parents to son Rex, 11, and eight-year-old daughter Honey, while Fearne is also step-mum to Jesse's children Arthur, 21, and Lola, 18, from his first marriage.

Fearne previously spoke of how a 'rough patch' with her Jesse left them desperately 'clinging onto their marriage' in an unearthed interview from 2019.

The presenter took to her Instagram stories on Friday to issue the statement and tell fans their priority is their children

She said on Alan Carr's podcast in 2021: 'I think for me and my husband, booking into the local Travelodge would make us feel sexy at the moment' (pictured at their wedding in 2014)

She admitted her marriage had got more difficult due to Jesse's packed schedule which led the pair to have a screaming row in the park.

The presenter candidly told readers in her column for Red Magazine: 'Love takes hard work - and no one wants to hear that'.

She continued: 'This year, Jesse and I hit a rough patch - he was away, touring relentlessly, [with his band, Reef].

'I was trying to keep my own career going while looking after our kids and we were both desperately clinging on to our marriage.'

The couple's problems eventually came to a head with a two-hour 'screaming match' where they worried their 'love had gone'.

After the lengthy row, which took place in a local park, the pair broke down crying but the former Top Of The Pops host credited her husband's emotional side for them being so honest with each other.

She added: 'In the midst of this gargantuan row, I think we both wondered where the love had gone and worried that it might not come back.'

The news of the split comes just three days after Jesse's band Reef announced they would be going on tour again in 2025 for their 30th anniversary.

She admitted her marriage had got more difficult in 2019 due to Jesse's packed schedule which led the pair to have a screaming row in the park

They will be touring the country beginning in Nottingham on October 16 and ending on November 8 in London.

Also in 2019, during an appearance on Lorraine, Fearne confessed that despite people thinking her relationship is 'perfect', she and her musician husband have in fact have had a fair few bumps along the way.

Speaking about the low times in her marriage, the broadcaster revealed: 'I adore and love more than anything. But of course we have arguments.

'People think because I live in the public eye, we have a perfect life. But I have two kids, and two step-kids, so it's a busy life. Of course, there's going to be arguments.'

Fearne's shock split announcement comes just after the Happy Place podcaster had surgery to remove two tumours on her jawline.

Jesse, who is the son of Rolling Stone rocker Ronnie Wood and model Krissy Findlay, is yet to speak out on their split.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Fearne and Jesse for comment.

Fearne tied the knot with the musician, 48, in 2014 in an intimate London ceremony, attended by the likes of Denise Van Outen, Holly Willoughby, McBusted and Keith Lemon.

Ahead of the surgery last week, the presenter gave no indication her marriage lay in tatters.

Also in 2019, during an appearance on Lorraine, Fearne confessed that despite people thinking her relationship is 'perfect', she and her husband have in fact have had a fair few bumps

The news of the split comes just three days after Jesse's band Reef announced they would be going on tour again in 2025 for their 30th anniversary

She said: 'Hey gang I'm going to be out of action for a bit due to a surgery. I felt a lump under my ear on my jawline a while ago now but this year noticed it was growing.

'Turns out it's a benign tumour and another small one above it on the saliva gland. I'm feeling positive about it all and will take the opportunity to rest and slow right down.

'If you feel a lump or bump or feel like something is a bit off, always go get it checked. I'm so glad I did as the longer you leave these things the more complicated things become.

'It's obviously so weird that only a couple of months ago Davina told me about her tumour and then weeks later I was calling her having discovered mine. I'm not only lucky she's a bloody good mate but also a beacon of light and positivity when it comes to this stuff.

'Sending you all loads of love and I'll see you soon.'

She later issued an update: 'Operation went really well. Recovering and resting. Thanks so much for all the kind messages.'

In July, Fearne marked their 10 year wedding anniversary on Instagram by re-wearing her wedding dress.

Fearne explained they had been inspired by Victoria and David Beckham, who marked their own wedding anniversary by slipping into their iconic purple outfits from the reception.

The presenter poked fun at the viral snap and wrote: 'If its good enough for the Beckhams.

'It's our wedding anniversary too. 10 years today. And we are back in our wedding outfits (not purple) and @jessejameswood can't locate the shoes'.

Fearne tied the knot with the musician, 48, who is the son of Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood, in 2014

In July, Fearne marked their 10 year wedding anniversary on Instagram by rewearing her wedding dress

She also shared many more snippets from their nuptials to her Stories, including a photo of her and Jesse kissing on the dancefloor.

She captioned the snap: 'Happy 10 years @jessejameswood. Wish we could do it all over again.'

Fearne and Jesse began dating in 2011 after meeting while partying in Ibiza, the year that the guitarist split from his first wife Tilly Wood following eight years of marriage.

According to Fearne their first date consisted of a meal of vodka and cigarettes, and said they 'did not eat a thing'.

However, their lifestyles have changed since and Jesse is now sober, while the pair turned vegan together in 2021.
Jane Seymour said she got out of her Malibu home 'just in time' with only the clothes on her back as the Californian wildfire came 'right up to my house'.

The James Bond star, 73, praised firefighters who did an 'astounding' job saving her home from the blaze - dubbed the Franklin Fire - which ignited on Monday evening.

Jane said her 'whole house smells of smoke' after returning on Thursday, having rushed to evacuate the property late on Monday evening.

'I just literally had jeans and a sweater, which I've been wearing for four days and sleeping at different people's houses,' Jane explained on the red carpet of the British American Business Council (BABC) annual Christmas luncheon.

'On Monday night, at 10.50pm, we got a call from my partner, John Zambetti's son Johnny, who was in Serra Retreat.

'(He) saw a glow behind the curtains, opened the windows, saw 10 foot flames, and called us immediately and said 'Get out. Get out'.

British actress Jane Seymour said she got out of her Malibu home 'just in time' with only the clothes on her back as the Californian wildfire came 'right up to my house'

The James Bond star, 73, praised firefighters who did an 'astounding' job saving her home from the blaze - dubbed the Franklin Fire - which ignited on Monday evening

'We all got out just in time because of that.

'The fire department were unbelievable and the fire came up to inches of the property and they have saved so many lives and I am eternally grateful and shaken. I ran out of the house with just the clothes I was wearing'.

Jane is currently dating musician John Zambetti, 75, and is the proud mother of six adult children: Jenni, 44, Katherine, 42, Sean, 39, Kalen, 56, and twins John and Kristopher, 29.

The latest update from the City of Malibu confirmed more than 4,000 acres burned during the wind-driven wildfire with 14 buildings destroyed and 13 damaged.

Hollywood star Dick Van Dyke, who turned 99 on Friday, and pop superstar Cher were among the stars forced to leave their homes.

Collecting the LA icon honour at the BABC event in Los Angeles, Jane said: 'This is a huge honour, and after the week that we've had with the fires coming right up to my house, I couldn't even conceive of putting clothes on, let alone being able to come and talk to anyone about anything.'

On the red carpet, Jane said the blaze 'did not attack the house' because 'the fire trucks just came right away, and we got saved'.

'The whole house smells of smoke, but we're just so grateful,' she said.

She said: 'We all got out just in time. The fire department were unbelievable and I am eternally grateful and shaken. I ran out of the house with just the clothes I was wearing'

The menacing wind-driven wildfires have forced a near 20,000 residents from their coastal homes as much of the city is under evacuation orders as of Wednesday morning (fire pictured on Tuesday)

'The job the fire brigade did is beyond belief. If you are where I live, and you look up the hill, and every house the fire came right up to one inch of the dwelling.

'It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that so few structures were burned.'

In her speech, Jane also added that she feels 'incredibly blessed' to still be working at the age of 73.

She added: 'I don't know how that works, because usually you turn 40 and you're a woman and you're too old. But when I was 40, I got a little thing called Dr Quinn, and that really saved my life - I've been very fortunate'.

Jane starred opposite the late Sir Roger Moore as James Bond in 1973's Live And Let Die - his first as the MI6 agent.

The two-time Golden Globe winner said being a Bond Girl is a 'moniker that will never leave me', describing it as 'probably the most important British export you can be a part of'.

Jane won the best actress Golden Globe in 1996 for her role as Michaela Quinn in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, 14 years after her win for East Of Eden.

It comes after Dick Van Dyke was forced to crawl to his car during the terrifying Malibu wildfire evacuation after 'exhausting himself' trying to fight the flames.

Dick Van Dyke was forced to crawl to his car during the terrifying Malibu wildfire evacuation after 'exhausting himself' trying to fight the flames

The screen legend fled his home with wife Arlene Silver, 53, and their animals this week. They have since returned and located their cat Bobo, who escaped during the blaze.

Speaking with a local news outlet in an interview aired on the Today show Thursday, Van Dyke said the fire 'was coming from the hill, you could see it.

'And oh my God, and we got out of here.'

He revealed he was forced to crawl to his car after exhausting himself trying to use a fire hose, saying: 'I had exhausted myself, I couldnt get up.

'Three neighbors came and carried me out and came back and put out a little fire in the guest house and saved me.'
Gogglebox George Gilbey's daughter has made a heartbreaking request from Santa following the death of her father earlier this year.

The reality star tragically fell to his death through the roof of a warehouse at aged 40 back in March.

The Celebrity Big Brother star left behind his eight-year-old daughter Amelie who has now made a heartbreaking request in her later to Santa a she asked 'for daddy to come back'.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, George's mum Linda McGarry confessed: 'She's done her Christmas list and it will break your heart. It says, "You can forget all of that if you bring my daddy back".'

She added: 'They had a Daddies Day [at school] and a girl was crying because her parents had broken up and Amelie said, "My daddy's always with me everywhere I go. He's in my heart".'

George shared Amelie with his former partner, Gemma Conway, 44, who described him as 'a devoted dad' following his sudden death.

Gogglebox star George Gilbey's daughter has made a heartbreaking plea to Santa as she prepares for first Christmas without her dad after his death in March

The reality star tragically fell to his death through the roof of a warehouse at aged 40 back in March

George was best known for appearing on Channel 4's Gogglebox alongside his mum Linda, 74, and step-dad Pete, who died aged 71 following bowel cancer in 2021.

And Linda also revealed she suffered a stroke six months after George's death and believes it was due to stress and heartbreak.

She said: 'I'm so lucky that my friends were here and they got me to the hospital. On the tests, they couldn't find where it had come from, but I think it's the shock of George. There's no bigger stress than what I went through.'

The grieving mother also admitted she has been watching old episodes of Gogglebox to help her remember her son.

Linda also took her granddaughter and Amelie's mum on holiday to Lanzarote this summer as she confessed George still loved Gemma and he would always praise her as being the best mum in the world.

Speaking a month after his death she confessed: 'I'm devastated - he was like my best friend.

'He had the best heart in the world  he was generous, funny and kind, with bundles of charm and buckets of personality.

'He did more in his 40 years than people do in 90  he's even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai.

George's mum Linda McGarry confessed: ' She's done her Christmas list and it will break your heart. It says, "You can forget all of that if you bring my daddy back"'

Linda also revealed she suffered a stroke six months after George's death and believes it was due to stress and heartbreak

George was best known for appearing on Channel 4's Gogglebox alongside his mum Linda, 74, and step-dad Pete, who died aged 71 following bowel cancer in 2021

'He was crazy, but after coming out of showbiz, he couldn't get his life back together. He just couldn't get over the death of Pete.

'I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and he took it worse than me. He was a mummy's boy. He came to celebrity overnight but didn't really want to be  he was just normal.

'But it allowed him to do charity work  anytime anyone contacted him about charity work, he prioritised it.'

The Essex family left the Gogglebox sofa in 2014 when George broke the show's rules by entering the Celebrity Big Brother house - then on rival Channel 5.

Just four days ago, George posted a beaming selfie on Facebook in which he shared that he had purchased a gym membership.

He captioned the photo of him sweating alongside another picture of a gym card: 'Done. Full membership.'

His tragic death comes less than three years after his stepfather Pete died at the age of 71.

Pete's beloved wife Linda revealed that he had been diagnosed with the disease earlier in the year but despite a recent operation to remove the tumour, was told he only had six months to live.

Tragically, he died just days after the prognosis, with Linda, also 71, telling The Sun at the time: 'Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years.

'I said to him, 'We've not only been 25 years, it's been day and night with each other'. He was my life.'

A statement issued on behalf of the family at the time said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox star Pete McGarry passed away at the age of 71 this weekend with his family by his side after a short illness.
Amanda Holden has admitted her daring outfit for the Royal Variety Performance could spark Ofcom complaints.

The actress, 53, co-hosted this year's event with comedian Alan Carr at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The annual fundraising event saw a string of famous faces including Sir Elton John, Ted Lasso's Ellie Taylor, and Britain's Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas perform in front of King Charles, with the show set to air on TV in December.

Amanda, known for her risque fashion choices, originally considered a Julien Macdonald dress with a plunging neckline and backless design for the glitzy evening, but ultimately opted for a metallic strapless gown with a winged neckline.

The strapless Lurex dress from Khaled and Marwin couture which retails at over 3,000 boasted a fitted bodice, a long column skirt and a huge embellishment front and centre.

Speaking to The Sun's TV Mag, Amanda poked fun at her outfit, saying: 'My outfit is definitely glamorous - hopefully nobody complains to Ofcom!'

Amanda Holden has admitted her daring outfit for the Royal Variety Performance could spark Ofcom complaints

Joking about her strapless Lurex dress, Amanda said that it was 'definitely glamorous' and she hoped nobody would complain

It wouldn't be the first time Amanda's bold style has sparked complaints, with one dress worn on Britain's Got Talent in 2017 leading to nearly 700 Ofcom reports.

Talking about their excitement of the evening and being in the same room as a Royal, Alan teased about Amanda's curtsying plans and quipped that she might not be able to bend low 'in that outfit'.

Amanda also shared an embarrassing wardrobe mishap from her theatre days, recalling a moment when her dress slipped during a conversation with former Conservative Party leader William Hague.

She joked: 'He was chatting away, looking me straight in the eye, and one of my boobs was hanging out!

But she reassured fans that: 'Nothing will be falling out at the Royal Variety!'

Despite Amanda's wardrobe leading to some controversial moments in the past, she has defended her racy fashion choices in the past saying: 'Fashion is about taking risks. I encourage everyone to have a little fun and be a little daring. I'd be bored playing it safe.'

She also admits that her 'sense of humour' helps her to deal with the backlash.

Four years ago, the star explained that she has her own 'committee' of people that come down to check on her outfits before a show.

Although being mindful of viewers' opinions, Amanda admitted that she 'can see what people think'.

Here's a look back at some of her most complained about outfit choices.

Julien MacDonald gown - 2017

A daring Julien Macdonald gown she wore during the semi-final of BGT in 2017 attracted a staggering 663 Ofcom complaints.

The plunging floor-length dress was slashed to the navel, with a cut-out panel that reached down to the small of her back - and came under fire when furious viewers deemed it 'inappropriate'.

But despite the 11,000 ensemble causing hundreds of viewers to complain to Ofcom, the media regulator decided not to investigate.

Ofcom said that while it recognised the dress 'had potential to offend some viewers during what is a family show' - the outfit 'would not have exceeded most viewers' expectations'.

A daring Julien Macdonald gown she wore during the semi-final of BGT in 2017 attracted a staggering 663 Ofcom complaints

The plunging floor-length dress was slashed to the navel, with a cut-out panel that reached down to the small of her back and despite the ensemble causing hundreds of viewer complaints, Ofcom, decided not to investigate

Sheer 'spiderweb' dress - 2019

In 2019 one of Amanda's dresses on the show sparked nine Ofcom complaints.

The judge, who was 48 at the time, opted for a sheer dress which showed off plenty of flesh and was branded 'inappropriate' by viewers.

In 2019 one of Amanda's sheer dresses which showed off plenty of flesh on the show sparked nine Ofcom complaints and was branded 'inappropriate' by viewers

Plunging blue gown - 2019

Amanda sparked more Ofcom complaints in a gown by Lebanese designer Saiid Kobeisy in 2019.

Featuring a plunging neckline, the regulator said the dress received 34 complaints.

Amanda sparked more Ofcom complaints in a gown by Lebanese designer Saiid Kobeisy

It featured a plunging neckline and the regulator said the dress received 34 complaints

Suzanne Neville dress - 2020

During an October 2020 episode, Amanda wore a plum Suzanne Neville dress with a lace corset top that flashed plenty of leg.

Of the 896 reported complaints made to Ofcom about the episode, 136 of these were about her dress.

Responding at the time on her Instagram she wrote: 'Surely there are more terrible and important things to write about...don't you agree? I'm baffled why it's still going on.'

During an October 2020 episode, Amanda wore a plum Suzanne Neville dress with a lace corset top that flashed plenty of leg and of the 896 reported complaints made to Ofcom about the episode, 136 of these were about her dress

Busty Celia Kritgarioti gown - 2020

Also in 2020, after wearing a navy Celia Kritharioti off-the-shoulder dress with a V-neckline - more Ofcom complaints were made.

Some fans thought they could see Holden's nipples out the top of her dress prompting 235 complaints.

Amanda has previously said that her daughters Hollie and Alexa 'encourage' her to look and feel her best when it comes to fashion and aren't embarrassed by her racy outfits.
Fearne Cotton had feared for her marriage for some time before announcing shock split from husband Jesse Wood after 10 years of marriage.

The TV and radio presenter, 43, shocked fans by sharing the announcement on Instagram on Friday - just days after she disclosed a health scare, sharing she had discovered two tumours on her jawline.

Friends of the couple have since told The Mail on Friday night that Fearne and Jesse had feared for their marriage for a while.

It has emerged that the couple had faced challenges for several years, with Fearne previously admitting that their marriage had been 'suffering' as far back as 2019.

Speaking at the time, Fearne said Jesse's demanding schedule with his band Reef had put a strain on their relationship which left them desperately 'clinging onto their marriage' in an unearthed interview.

The couple's problems eventually came to a head with a two-hour 'screaming match' where they worried their 'love had gone'.

Fearne Cotton had feared for her marriage for some time before announcing shock split from husband Jesse Wood after 10 years of marriage

The TV and radio presenter, 43, shocked fans by sharing the announcement on Instagram on Friday - just days after she disclosed a health scare , sharing she had discovered two tumours on her jawline

The presenter candidly told readers in her column for Red Magazine: 'Love takes hard work - and no one wants to hear that'.

She continued: 'This year, Jesse and I hit a rough patch - he was away, touring relentlessly, [with his band, Reef].

'I was trying to keep my own career going while looking after our kids and we were both desperately clinging on to our marriage.'

After the lengthy row, which took place in a local park, the pair broke down crying but the former Top Of The Pops host credited her husband's emotional side for them being so honest with each other.

She added: 'In the midst of this gargantuan row, I think we both wondered where the love had gone and worried that it might not come back.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Fearne and Jesse for comment.

The news comes just three days after Jesse's band Reef announced they would be going on tour again in 2025 for their 30th anniversary.

They will be touring the country beginning in Nottingham on October 16 and ending on November 8 in London.

Friends of the couple have since told The Mail on Friday night that Fearne and Jesse had feared for their marriage for a while

It has now emerged that the couple had faced challenges for several years , with Fearne previously admitting that their marriage had been 'suffering' as far back as 2019

Speaking at the time, Fearne said Jesse's demanding schedule with his band Reef had put a strain on their relationship which left them desperately 'clinging onto their marriage' in an unearthed interview; pictured 2018

After the lengthy row, which took place in a local park, the pair broke down crying but the former Top Of The Pops host credited her husband's emotional side for them being so honest with each other

The news of the split comes just three days after Jesse's band Reef announced they would be going on tour again in 2025 for their 30th anniversary

In the statement revealing the split Fearne told fans that their priority was their children.

She posted on Instagram: It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. Our priority has been and always will be our children.

We please ask that you respect the privacy of our family at this time.

The couple are parents to son Rex, 11, and eight-year-old daughter Honey, while Fearne is also stepmother to Jesse's children Arthur, 21, and Lola, 18, from his first marriage.

It comes after Fearne previously confessed the pandemic killed her and her husband's sex life in an unearthed podcast.

Back in 2021 Fearne admitted the pair were struggling to find time for each other as she confessed 'sexy time' was no longer a happening.

Speaking with Alan Carr on his podcast Life's A Beach, she said: 'Sexy time hasn't happened for so long in terms of me going anywhere.

'I think for me and my husband, booking into the local Travelodge would make us feel sexy at the moment.'

Asked where they would go for a romantic trip abroad, she confessed the couple were struggling for time alone just the two of them.

'We have had no time alone because of the ridiculous pandemic but before all this craziness, Paris was our go-to.

'Not every weekend, maybe once a year. But it felt well special because it's so chic and beautiful.'

Fearne tied the knot with the musician, 48, who is the son of Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood, in 2014

The presenter took to her Instagram stories on Friday to issue the statement and tell fans their priority is their children

'It just has an air of something gorgeous, doesn't it? I love it there.'

Fearne's shock split announcement comes just after the Happy Place podcaster had surgery to remove two tumours on her jawline.

Jesse, who is the son of Rolling Stone rocker Ronnie Wood and model Krissy Findlay, is yet to speak out on their split.

The couple, who tied the knot in a small London ceremony in 2014, celebrated their ten-year wedding anniversary in July.

The pair met in 2011 while in Ibiza, with Jesse having recently separated from his first wife, actress Tilly Wood.

Fearne previously said their first date consisted of vodka and cigarettes. But Jesse stopped drinking and both have been vegan since 2021.
Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan 'nearly froze to death' in their Range Rover on Friday 13th.

The TV couple - who have been married since 2008 - had been to a Christmas party at the onset of the weekend but took to social media in the hours that followed to reveal they had become stranded on the way back when their SatNav failed.

A joint post on Facebook read: 'How was your Friday the 13th? Let's just say ours wasnt great

'Okay, stop: so you know we hate thirst traps. And we loathe sympathy traps. Youre never gonna see us with our t*** out in our undercrackers.

'Of course we have dramas (just like other people) but we keep our stuff quiet. Normally.

'So please read this post assured that its here for one reason, and for one reason only: to profile - and show gratitude - to an army of people who (last night) came to our assistance in dire circumstances.

'So what happened? Well, we nearly froze to death. Literally.'

TV presenters Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan 'nearly froze to death' in their Range Rover on Friday 13th

The TV couple - who have been married since 2008 - had been to a Christmas party at the onset of the weekend but became stranded on the way back

The former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! contestants lost all signal and 'slid into a ditch' with no option that would allow them to call for help.

The post continued: 'Having attended a Christmas party at Nomi (in Harcourt) with our Kabin pals Amanda and Geoff, we set off into the night to drive back to Haliburton.

'It was 10.30pm. The weather, as we left Nomi, was totally okay, otherwise we wouldnt have left.

'But then - from nowhere - a storm landed. We lost phone signal about 10:45pm and then our GPS failed, into the bargain. We were totally lost, with no going back.

'Moments later, we slid into a ditch from which there was no escape. With no phone signal, we were gubbed. We couldnt call for help, and the temperature in our truck was collapsing.'

The interior designers tried and failed to activate the emergency SOS button on their vehicle several times and despite becoming 'like ice poles' they were careful about heating themselves with the engine.

The post continued: 'FYI - we have an emergency SOS button in the truck, but it just wouldnt activate. For several hours. By which point we were like ice poles and beginning to feel dizzy.

'We switched the engine on and off intermittently - to try and stay warm - but we were worried wed poison ourselves with carbon monoxide, even though we had cleared the exhaust. Were normally VERY practical. And not prone to drama. But OMG, this was very scary.'

In the end, the SOS button kicked in and they signalled for help before they fell asleep, only to be awoken by volunteer firefighters and a police officer in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The post added: 'Eventually, our vehicles SOS button finally triggered, and we were able to convey our distress. But then we fell asleep, our truck by this time almost completely buried in snow. At 5.30am, we were awakened by veritable angels.

They explained: 'From nowhere - a storm landed. We lost phone signal about 10:45pm and then our GPS failed, into the bargain. We were totally lost, with no going back

The interior designers tried and failed to activate the emergency SOS button on their vehicle several times became 'like ice poles' as the temperature continued to drop

The pair were keen to reiterate that they hadn't told the story for their own sake, and they wanted to express their 'extreme gratitude' to those who saved them

The former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! contestants lost all signal and 'slid into a ditch' with no option that would allow them to call for help

In the end, the SOS button kicked in and they signalled for help before they fell asleep, only to be awoken by volunteer firefighters and a police officer in the early hours of Saturday morning

'Three volunteer firefighters, two paramedics and an incredibly helpful cop called Josh had - thankfully - been alerted and dispatched by Range Rover to dig us out.

'After being checked by the paramedics, Josh got us home safely. By 7am the shit show was over. We were safe.'

But the pair were keen to reiterate that they hadn't told the story for their own sake, and they wanted to express their 'extreme gratitude' to those who saved them.

The post concluded: 'So, as we said at the top of this lengthy post, this isnt a sympathy trap - we are FINE. Totally.

'This isn't about us: it's a post designed to show our EXTREME gratitude to those that were involved in our rescue. The three volunteer firefighters. Both paramedics. And Josh, our incredibly helpful cop, who ensured we got home safely.'

Colin and Justin have been together as a couple since 1986, and first found fame when they hosted Million Pound Property Experiment for the BBC in 2003.

Throughout the 2000s, they presented a number of other property programmes including How Not to Decorate for Channel 5 and Colin and Justin's Home Show for the now-defunct UKTV Style.

They braved the jungle in 2009 when Gino D'Acampo emerged as winner of the series, and later hosted a number of programmes in Australia in Canada.

In late 2022, they returned to Channel 5 where they fronted Colin and Justin's Hotel Hell.
Jamie Foxx had a glass thrown at his face at his birthday party in Beverly Hills this Friday night and required stitches.

The incident occurred at the restaurant Mr. Chow, where Foxx, 57, was seen arriving for a celebratory dinner that included his daughters Corinne, 30, and Anelise, 16, as well as his ex Kristin Grannis, who is Anelise's mother.

'Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth,' a spokesperson for the actor told DailyMail.com.

'He had to get stitches and is recovering. The police were called and the matter is now in law enforcements hands,' the representative continued.

Police were called to Mr. Chow at around 10pm, but Foxx had left the premises by the time they reached the restaurant, law enforcement sources told TMZ.

Foxx is claimed to have been listed as one of the parties involved in the alleged incident, in an assault report that was taken by the authorities.

DailyMail.com has also reached out to Mr. Chow for comment.

Jamie Foxx had a glass thrown at his face at his birthday party in Beverly Hills this Friday night and required 'stitches.'; pictured last year

The claims come after Foxx finally revealed the reason behind his mystery hospitalization last year, explaining he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain.

The Django Unchained actor was rushed to the ER in April 2023 after suffering a mystery 'medical complication', which his family decided to keep private at the time.

Foxx has now revealed exactly what happened to him and admitted he lost 20 days' worth of memory and was unable to walk amid his terrifying health battle.

During an emotional scene on his Netflix special, What Had Happened Was... he recalled: 'On April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for Aspirin.

'I realized quickly that when you're in a medical emergency, your boys don't know what the f**k to do.'

Foxx then confessed: 'I don't remember 20 days.'

Becoming emotional, Foxx broke down in tears as he declared to the audience that he was 'back', adding: 'You don't know how good this feels.'

The Hollywood star went on to admit it's still 'a mystery' what led to his brain bleed, adding: 'We still don't know exactly what happened to me.'

'Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth,' a spokesperson for the actor told DailyMail.com; pictured in London in February 2023

Jamie Foxx has finally revealed the reason behind his mystery hospitalisation last year, sharing he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain

Becoming emotional, Jamie broke down in tears as he declared to the audience that he was 'back', adding: 'You don't know how good this feels'

After starting his sentence with 'What had happened was,' Jamie broke down in tears and was comforted by the applauding audience.

He continued: 'Your life doesn't flash before you. It was kind of oddly peaceful. I saw the tunnel, but I didn't see the light. It was hot in that tunnel.'

Jamie then quipped: 'S**t, am I going to the wrong place?'

The Oscar-winning actor credited his sister Deidra with 'saving his life' after she drove him to Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital, where he underwent a life-saving procedure.

Addressing why his family wanted to keep details of his health scare to themselves, he said: 'I was dizzy from the stroke, so my head would bob around, and my family thought everyone would "meme the f***" out of me."'

Jamie went on to reveal that he vividly remembers waking up from his coma on May 4, and being unable to walk.

He recalled: 'When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn't walk.'

Yet Jamie didn't want to believe he'd had a stroke and recounted his therapist telling him about his ego: 'You need to kill the old Jamie so the new Jamie can thrive.'

He also reflected: 'God blessed me with money and fame, but when I forgot about God, He blessed me with a stroke.'

Jamie went on to reveal that he vividly remembers waking up from his coma on May 4, and being unable to walk. He recalled: 'When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair'

The Netflix special marks Jamie's big return to the stage following his hospitalization.

'If I can stay funny, I can stay alive,' he quipped in the first look teaser.

'This comedy event is a celebration of resilience, humor, and the power of community, reminding us all of the healing power of laughter,' a synopsis previously revealed.

Taking to Instagram, Jamie revealed his heart and soul were 'filled with nothing but pure joy' after he 'had an opportunity to tell my side of the story' over three nights October 3-5 in Atlanta, GA.

'I haven't been on stage in 18 years but I needed the stage and I needed an audience that was made up of nothing but pure love and that's what you were,' Jamie gushed on October 13.

'When people ask me is this a stand-up comedy show I say, "No, it's an artistic explanation of something that went terribly wrong."'

In a separate post on Tuesday, he shared: 'Personal thank you are in order.

'Just want to jump on and say thank you to everybody that prayed and now you get a chance to hear what it really was its a blessing to be in the position that Im in to be able to tell you my story in my way, so please go to Netflix right now And check out my special  what had happened was.

'I hope the jokes make you laugh and I hope the story inspires you Its been a hell of a journey @netflix @netflixisajoke.'

The comedy event is one of a number of forthcoming projects the A-list actor has on slate, as he headlines the comedy movie Back in Action for the streaming service in a reunion with Any Given Sunday and Annie co-star Cameron Diaz.

The film is expected to begin streaming January 17, 2025.

Jamie shared a message, saying: 'Just want to jump on and say thank you to everybody that prayed and now you get a chance to hear what it really was its a blessing to be in the position'

Concerns about Jamie's health began on April 12, 2023 when his daughter announced in an Instagram post that he had a medical emergency while filming in Georgia but was 'already on his way to recovery'.

In a statement written on behalf of her family, she explained: 'We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday.

'Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time.'

Jamie was hospitalised just a few weeks after he returned to the set of the trouble-hit thriller Back in Action, amid reports he had a 'meltdown' that allegedly caused his co-star Cameron, 50, to want to quit acting again.

At the time of having to abort filming, Jamie was said by the LA Times to only have had eight days of shooting left. Days after his absence, Cameron was seen filming with his body double.

The spy thriller shows the Charlie's Angels star and the Ray actor as ex-CIA agents who are now married with kids.

They are drawn back into the spy business, however, but things get complicated because their children have no idea what they do for a living.

In June, a close friend of Cameron's admitted to DailyMail.com that even the actress 'wasn't sure' what was going on with the project, adding that the starlet 'wasn't very proud of it' because of all the on-set drama that had transpired in the lead-up to Jamie's hospitalisation.

'Cameron has not spoken to Jamie at all and does not know anything other than what she hears,' the insider revealed.

Jamie was hospitalised a few weeks after he returned to the set of thriller Back in Action, amid reports he had a 'meltdown' that allegedly caused co-star Cameron Diaz to want to quit acting

The actress was - according to her friend - ready to quit acting for a second time when problems started occurring behind the scenes of Back In Action.

The ongoing issues are said to have caused Cameron and Jamie to get into heated arguments on-set.

Their disagreements were reportedly never resolved prior to Jamie's hospitalization, and the friend said that Cameron was suffering from huge 'guilt' over the fact that she and her pal never 'made amends'.

Development on the movie commenced in June 2022, when it was revealed that Cameron would be coming out of retirement in order to appear in the feature.

Production started around December that year and was halted the following April when Jamie suffered his medical emergency.

The following month, Jamie took to social media to thank his fans for their support.

The Hollywood star wrote on Instagram: 'Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed [prayer and heart emojis] (sic).'

In July 2023, Jamie issued an emotional three-minute video about his health after concern from fans.

'I went through something I never thought I would go through. I know a lot of people [were] waiting or wanting to hear an update, but to be honest with you, I didn't want you to see me like that man,' he admitted with tears in his eyes.

The actor, who returned to work last month to film a commercial in Las Vegas, continued: 'I want you to see me laughing, having a good time, partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie, [or] a television show.'

'I didn't want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through.'

Stroke symptoms are commonly remembered under this four-letter acronym, FAST. Patients experiencing a stroke can often have their face drop on one side, struggle to lift both arms and have slurred speech, while time is essential, as immediate treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke can substantially slash the risk of a much deadlier major stroke

The father-of-one added that he went through 'hell and back' to survive and has experienced some 'potholes' on his 'road to recovery.'

Jamie also praised his sister and daughter for 'saving' his life and keeping the details around his hospitalization private.

'To them, to God, to a lot of great medical people, I'm able to leave you this video,' Jamie added.

'I cannot tell you how great it feels to have your family kick in in such a way, and y'all know they kept it airtight, they didn't let nothing out, they protected me, and that's what I hope that everyone could have in moments like these.'

He proceeded to show how his 'eyes are working just fine' by moving them from side to side, before making it clear that he is 'not paralyzed.'

Speaking to fans directly, he said: 'I just want to say I love everybody and I love all the love that I got.'

The actor got choked up as he warned: 'If you see me out from now on and every once in a while I just burst into tears, its just because its been tough, man. I was sick, man. But now I got my legs under me, so youre gonna see me out.'

'Man, I know they talk about people crying on videos... but I'm not going to do a take two, it is what is is,' he mused. 'Like I said, I want you to remember me for the jokes that I crack and the movies that I make  some of them good, some of them ain't (I think I've got a good one out), and songs that I sing.'

Foxx is pictured this September walking his daughter Corinne, 30, down the aisle for a wedding ceremony held at his hime

'I'm here on earth because of some great people. I'm here on Earth because of God, man,' the performer concluded. 'I'm on way back.'

Jamie captioned the video: 'Thank u a billion to everybody been a long road but all the prayers great people and God got me through.'

The comedian was supported through his recovery by girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp.

They were first romantically linked last year when they were spotted dining with a group of friends at Nobu in Malibu.

Their romance reportedly got more serious when he suffered a stroke.

Alyce'was totally there for him when he got sick, and they got very close after that,' a source told In Touch in March 2024.

However, at the same time, the insider suggested their romance was fizzling out. 'She's still in the picture, and they see each other occasionally  but to the same degree they were.'

The source said that Jamie was focusing on his work following his health issues.

'He's grateful to be alive, but he's preoccupied with getting his career on track,' the insider said.

'It's odd to see him so sedate when he used to be such a womanizer. There's a part of Jamie that's sad about that, but he just can't do it anymore.'

A month later, a source told People that their relationship is still strong and steady despite split rumors.

'Jamie still sees Alyce even though he is really busy working,' the insider claimed.

'Alyce is a sweetie, a great girl,' the source continued before adding that she 'couldn't be nicer or more perfect for' Jamie.
Advertisement

Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland and his pro partner Dianne Buswell have been crowned 2024's champions after the comedian made history as the show's first ever blind contestant.

Chris, 47, pipped fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill and Sarah Hadland to the post in the 'best ever' final on Saturday, with his cheeky wit and inspiring story helping to save the show following a year of scandals.

The final, which was the highest-scoring ever, saw all the couples each perform three dances for the judges before hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced Chris as the winner of the much sought after Glitterball trophy.

The funnyman broke down in tears as he was embraced by his fellow celebs before throwing Dianne triumphantly over his shoulder while the audience went wild.

Asked how the moment felt by Tess and Claudia, Chris said: 'It's astonishing, I don't know what to say. I honestly thought I was going to go out in the first week or two and I know nobody went out in the first week but I still thought I could.

'We've just lasted and lasted and [Dianne] has got so much out of me and she deserves [the trophy] so much' as he went on to gush over her 'positivity' and 'belief'.

Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland and pro partner Dianne Buswell have been crowned 2024's champions following Saturday's glitzy live final - after making history as show's first ever blind contestant

The comedian, 47, pipped fellow finalists Tasha Ghouri , JB Gill and Sarah Hadland to the post in the show's 'best ever' final as his cheeky whit and inspiring story was said to have saved the show following a year of scandals

The final, which gained the highest amount of votes from the public ever, saw all the couples each perform three dances for the judges, before hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced Chris as the winner

Chris and Dianne couldn't contain their excitement as they triumphantly raised the Glitterball trophy

He then joked: 'Unless she changes her number she's stuck with me. This is for [Dianne] and everyone out there, it just shows that with the opportunity and support anything is possible!'.

Chris gained his first perfect score of 40 points for a waltz to Youll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, which was his final dance of the series and left the judges and viewers in tears.

His second routine was a medley of dance styles to You Get What You Give by New Radicals and he recreated his viral blackout moment for the first dance.

Chris and Dianne also danced to their own choice of tune  Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon.

Speaking earlier in the show, Chris said: 'I hope [me being on Strictly] will make a difference in people's attitudes towards people who are blind and disabled people.

'When I started this my daughter was really nervous, she's eleven, and I think she fed off my fears and worries but she's been enjoying watching me and she's really proud.

'I've learned that I am more resilient, I think It will take a lot more to scare me in the future and something doesn't have to be perfect to be a success.

With a dark cloud hanging over it since January when 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington first came forward with her complaints about pro partner Giovanni Pernice, Chris has brought the embattled show's viewers bundles of joy.

Asked how the moment felt by Tess and Claudia he struggled for words, before replying: 'It's astonishing, I don't know what to say'

'I honestly thought I was going to go out in the first week or two, and I know nobody went out in the first week but I still thought I could'

'We've just lasted and lasted and [Dianne] has got so much out of me and she deserves [the trophy] so much' as he went on to gush over her 'positivity' and 'belief'

Chris said: 'This is for [Dianne] and everyone out there, it just shows that with the opportunity and support anything is possible!'

Fellow finalists (L-R) Aljaz Skorjanec, Tasha Ghouri, Lauren Oakley, JB Gill, Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola watched on as Chris was crowned champion

Chris and Dianne also danced to their own choice of tune  Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon

'When I started this my daughter was really nervous, she's eleven, and I think she fed off my fears and worries but she's been enjoying watching me and she's really proud', he said

His second routine was a medley of dance styles to You Get What You Give by New Radicals and he recreated his viral blackout moment for the first dance

Speaking about the new friendship he had formed with Dianne, Chris said: 'Unless she changes her number she's stuck with me'

All his fellow celebs celebrated together as they lifted the comedian and Dianne onto their shoulders while confetti fell onto the dance floor

Dianne's boyfriend and former Strictly contestant Joe Sugg proudly applauded her victory

Host Claudia Winkleman revealed the 2024 final was the highest scoring in the show's 20-year history

With a dark cloud hanging over it since January when 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington first came forward with her complaints about pro partner Giovanni Pernice, Chris has brought the embattled show's viewers bundles of joy

The show was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for 'kicking' his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott

Strictly Come Dancing scores for final dances Judge's Choice JB Gill and Lauren Oakley - 40

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 39

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 38

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 39 Showdance JB Gill and Lauren Oakley - 39

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 40

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 38

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 38 Favourite Routine JB Gill and Lauren Oakley - 40 Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 40 Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 40 Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 40 Total Scores JB Gill and Lauren Oakley - 119 Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 119 Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 118 Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 116 Advertisement

The show was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for 'kicking' his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.

Giovanni was cleared of ten out of Amanda's 16 allegations when the BBC probe concluded in September but remained absent for the current edition of the series.

Following his abrupt exit from the programme, Giovanni went on to appear on the Italian version of Strictly.

Despite bosses finding Giovanni was not threatening or physically abusive, it did uphold some of Amanda's complaints of verbal bullying and harassment.

The BBC also agreed with Amanda at times he appeared to be giving her overly negative feedback.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for Giovanni said: 'We are pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni.

'Giovanni is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations out to the BBC have not been upheld and looks forward to continuing his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season.'

Following Chris' speculator win, Steven Morris from disability charity Sense: 'Chris's historic Strictly Come Dancing win goes to show that given opportunities and support, disabled people can break down barriers many wrongly don't think are possible.

Kerry Bevan of Guide Dogs UK agreed: 'Chris and Dianne are worthy winners and it's even more poignant that this milestone occurred during Strictly's 20th anniversary series. Dianne has been a shining example of how we can all take steps to make the world a more inclusive and accessible place'.

The action packed show saw the judges hand out numerous tens and each celeb were left emotional as she they described how much they'd loved appearing on the BBC show.

During one tearful segment, Tasha struggled to contain her emotions after she was surprised by beloved brother Alex who had jetted in from Australia especially to see her perform one final time.

Following Chris' speculator win, Steven Morris from disability charity Sense said: 'Chris's historic win goes to show that given opportunities and support, disabled people can break down barriers many wrongly don't think are possible.

Kerry Bevan of Guide Dogs UK agreed: 'Chris and Dianne are worthy winners and it's even more poignant that this milestone occurred during Strictly's 20th anniversary series'

The action packed show saw the judges hand out numerous tens and each celeb were left emotional as she they described how much they'd loved appearing on the BBC show

During one tearful segment, Tasha struggled to contain her emotions after she was surprised by beloved brother Alex who had jetted in from Australia especially to see her perform one final time

Speaking about her sibling ahead of the reveal she said: 'He's in Australia right now, my brother is so supportive and I really miss him. He can't be here today'

Host Claudia Winkleman then announced Alex had the journey as he emerged, leaving Tasha overcome as she threw her arms around her brother as she choked back tears

Alex exclaimed that he couldn't be prouder of his little sister

Judge Anton Du Beke declared the Love Island star was 'the best ever' dancer that had ever competed on the show

Vito Coppola effortlessly lifted actress Sarah Hadland during one very tricky routine

The Miranda actress' dancing was branded flawless by the judges

Speaking about her sibling ahead of the reveal she said: 'He's in Australia right now, my brother is so supportive and I really miss him. He can't be here today.'

Host Claudia Winkleman then announced Alex had the journey as he emerged, leaving Tasha overcome as she threw her arms around her brother as she choked back tears.

Meanwhile fans were delighted to see Amy Dowden as she made a surprise return to the dancefloor for the grand final.

Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the Welsh pro, 34, make a dazzling appearance as the Strictly professionals kicked off the show with a performance to Dreamer by Livin' Joy.

Amy looked sensational in a sparkly gold dress as she danced next to pal and fellow dancer Kai Widdrington, 29.

She had originally been partnered with JLS star JB Gill, but was forced to withdraw from the series due to injury.

Professional dancer Lauren Oakley stepped in to partner JB, and together they made it all the way to the final.

Fans were overjoyed to see Amy back on stage, even if just for a moment, as they took to X to share their thoughts.

They said: 'Great to see Amy dancing': 'So amazing seeing Amy back on the dancefloor: 'Nice to see Amy dancing again with the professionals! But wow what an opening!: 'Nice to see Amy': Great to see Amy in the professional dance:' Yay Amy dancing at the final,'

Prior to the Saturday's night show, Amy showed her support for the pair as she said: 'Wishing these two all the luck in the world. Go dance your heart outs but most importantly enjoy every second and beat on that dance floor.

'I'm so proud of you @jbgill , I knew from day one you could go all the way! Your talent and kindness has shone through and I know how proud you've made your family! I'll be there cheering you on!.

Ahead of the result former pro Giovanni, 33, said he was backing JB and Lauren to win, after he stepped back from the series before this year's competition kicked off after bullying allegations from his former partner Amanda.

Meanwhile fans were delighted to see Amy Dowden as she made a surprise return to the dancefloor for the grand final (pictured with fellow pro Kai Widdrington)

Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the Welsh pro, 34, making a dazzling appearance as the Strictly professionals kicked off the show with a performance to Dreamer by Livin' Joy

Amy looked sensational in a sparkly gold dress as she danced next to pal and fellow dancer Kai Widdrington , 29

Amy made a triumphant return to the ballroom following her cancer battle, before an early exit as a result of a foot injury (pictured with JB in September)

Fans took to X to share their excitement at Amy's return

Pro dancer Lauren Oakley stepped in to partner JB, and together they made it all the way to the final

The duo didn't fail to impress with their incredible moves

They also recreated their Mary Poppins routine from Musicals Week

Giovanni took to social media amid the grand final of Strictly to share his support for JLS star JB Gill and his professional partner Lauren Oakley - after stepping back from the show following allegations of inappropriate behaviour

Since being axed from Strictly Come Dancing, Giovanni has gone on to appear on Dancing with the Stars in Italy (pictured with Bianca Guaccero in November 2024)

Elsewhere Vito, 32, suffered a very awkward wardrobe malfunction and was left desperately struggling to hold up his trousers during the American Smooth with Miranda star Sarah, 53

Following the dance Sarah was left in hysterics after realising the issue, while host Tess, 55, declared: 'We have a wardrobe issue! Are you able to maintain your decency?'

He said: 'Good luck to this fantastic duo tonight ! but especially to Our dancing queen @laurenmayoakley.'

Elsewhere on the show Vito Coppola, 32, suffered a very awkward wardrobe malfunction and was left desperately struggling to hold up his trousers during the American Smooth with Miranda star Sarah, 53.

While still giving the routine his all the former winner was still forced to quickly return his hand to his waist in a bid to avoid being left rather red faced.

Following the dance Sarah was left in hysterics after realising the issue, while host Tess, 55, declared: 'We have a wardrobe issue! Are you able to maintain your decency?'.

Giggling the dancer did everything he could to disguise the mishap before the judges scored the performance a very impressive 39 out of 40.

Meanwhile Nick Knowles, 62, took to his Instagram to explain his absence from the Strictly final and filmed himself watching the live show from the comfort of his fiancee Katie Dadzie's home in Berkshire.

The DIY SOS star revealed he wasn't appearing on the show or in the group dance after having a knee operation two days ago - an injury he sustained while competing in the competition.

The presenter told his followers: 'Hello everyone. So it's Saturday night, and the big final is on TV. I'm watching it, same as you, but from home rather than being in the studio because, unfortunately, I had a big arm operation, and I've now also had a big leg operation.

'As a result, I'm only two days out from surgery, so I can't be there.

'But I'm sat here watching the amazing show like you, wishing the best of luck to my buddies - JB, Sarah, Chris, and Tasha - who all deserve to be champions, so I hope they all do great.

'Thank you for all your lovely well-wishes and for wishing me a speedy recovery. I'm really sorry I can't be there with all the others too. It's been the most wonderful experience.

'Merry Christmas to all of you, happy New Year, and congratulations to whoever wins the final.'

Alongside the clip, he penned: 'So I can't be there at the final because I'm only two days out of surgery and it was quite a big operation on my knee - for those that want to know it was a full ACL reconstruction and two meniscus repairs which included harvesting a replacement tendon from my hamstring - and I'm still recovering from the operation to re attach my distal bicep which makes moving on crutches difficult too.

'I had to have the operation now to be mobile and ready to start filming on @BBCDIYSOS at the beginning of February.

'Lots of rehab and work with physios to come but I will go at it as hard as I did the dance training and success will be managed in stages.

'So as I lay on the sofa looking like half a Darth Vader with all the added robot attachments I wish you a happy Christmas and an adventurous and fun new year. See you in 2025.'

Nick wasn't the only star missing from Saturday's final, as Paul Merson was also absent from the show.

Meanwhile Nick Knowles , 62, took to his Instagram to explain his absence from the Strictly final and filmed himself watching the live show from the comfort of his fiancee Katie Dadzie's home in Berkshire

The DIY SOS star revealed he wasn't appearing on the show or in the group dance after having a knee operation two days ago - an injury he sustained while competing in the competition

Nick pictured on the show with partner Luba Mushtuk

Nick has kept his followers up to date with his operation

Nick said he will have to have lots of rehab and is on crutches following the operation two days ago

Nick wasn't the only star missing from Saturday's final, as Paul Merson was also absent from the show (pictured last week)

A Strictly spokeswoman said: 'Paul is unwell today unfortunately. He will be very much missed and is sad he couldn't make it' (pictured on the show with partner Katya Jones)

Former footballer-turned-pundit Paul, 56, who was partnered with Karen Hauer, did not turn up to show as he was unwell.

A Strictly spokeswoman told The Sun: 'Paul is unwell today unfortunately. He will be very much missed and is sad he couldn't make it.'

'First to be able to walk without crutches, climb stairs, walk safely on uneven ground by February and then dance too as I have to be able to do my first dance at my wedding in June and I'm assured if I work hard I will be back to 100% as good as new in about 8 months

'Best of luck to my buddies competing tonight and those who are back together in studio. I loved the dancing and the cameraderie - the injuries not so much.

'Merry Xmas to you all and thank you for your wonderful messages wishing me to get well soon.

'I've got some great work coming this year with more amazing DIY SOS shows - two of which we have filmed already and so many wonderful families to introduce you to - there's two amazing travel shows through Mongolia coming soon too which is epic and beautiful and full of amazing people.
Celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo was facing fresh harassment claims last night after former colleagues accused him of making lewd gestures and suggestive remarks while filming for ITV.

Sources on his foodie travel show Gordon, Gino & Fred: Road Trip allege he quizzed a producer about her sex life and thrust his crotch at another female staffer.

Insiders at Gordon Ramsay's company Studio Ramsay, which made the show, also claim the flamboyant Italian was 'super difficult' to work with and upset staff by 'jokingly flashing' them.

His alleged behaviour led several staff to complain to ITV, prompting channel chiefs to summon D'Acampo's then-manager to a meeting in 2021.

Despite this, D'Acampo, 48, was allowed to appear in a further series of the show with fellow chefs Ramsay and Fred Sirieix.

According to sources on the programme, 'several complaints' were lodged about D'Acampo who continued to work on the show until quietly dropped last year.

One source said: 'It looks more and more as if there has been a cover-up by ITV and the production company.

'ITV did step in and they had a meeting with Gino's former manager where allegations of inappropriate behaviour were discussed.'

Sources on Gino's foodie travel show Gordon, Gino & Fred: Road Trip allege he quizzed a producer about her sex life and thrust his crotch at another female staffer

Gino's (pictured) alleged behaviour led several staff to complain to ITV, prompting channel chiefs to summon D'Acampo's then-manager to a meeting in 2021

Despite complaints, D'Acampo, 48, was allowed to appear in a further series of the show with fellow chefs Ramsay and Fred Sirieix (pictured with Gino)

Despite a raft of lurid allegations The Mail on Sunday can reveal ITV still intends to screen a series of Family Fortunes which D'Acampo recorded earlier this year.

Meanwhile, another employee told this newspaper how they had witnessed staff struggle with D'Acampo's allegedly troubling behind-the-scenes manner. 'Endless crews, contributors and TV executives see how he behaves, grit their teeth and try to move on,' the staffer said.

'He is very touchy-feely, not in an appropriate way, and people did not like it. He's rude and difficult.' The source said he would sometimes expose himself as a joke.

'He thinks it's funny so you have to wonder whether he doesn't understand how wrong this is. He has that old-school Italian attitude where he thinks he's being funny, maybe even sexy? But he makes a lot of people feel uncomfortable.'

The Mail on Sunday revealed last year how D'Acampo's alleged behaviour left production staff feeling uncomfortable when he suddenly left Gordon, Gino & Fred: Road Trip in March 2023.

He claimed he quit because he did not want 'stressful' contract talks to ruin his friendship with his co-stars. It emerged last week, however, that he was edged out after allegedly refusing to sign a morality clause in his contract.

Separately, it has emerged that a woman lodged a complaint with ITV bosses earlier this month claiming she was a victim of D'Acampo's inappropriate behaviour over a five-year period.

The woman worked with him between 2006 and 2011 on the channel's daytime show This Morning, where he was resident chef, and on Saturday Cooks!

Gino D'Acampo (right) promoted his latest show with Fred Sirieix (left) amid claims he is being 'eased out' by ITV

Gino D'Acampo was seen playing the guitar naked in the new Gino and Fred: Emission Impossible trailer

Gino bared all in a recent visit to Texas with his friends Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix for their travel series

Also, ITV are believed to have ordered D'Acampo to complete a language and behavioural course after complaints about the way he treated female colleagues on his new show Emission Impossible.

Sources said filming was halted after crew complained he made inappropriate jokes behind the scenes. Some were allegedly offered counselling after filming of the show was complete.

Last night D'Acampo said: 'I have been completely shocked by, and deny utterly, these awful accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct against me, which are alleged to have taken place years ago during the shooting of Gordon, Gino & Fred.

'Let me be clear: This did not happen. I take such matters extremely seriously and in particular the suggestion that I have deliberately acted in this improper way against any female employees is deeply upsetting.'
Eamonn Holmes has sparked speculation he is engaged to Katie Alexander after she was spotted wearing a large ring on her engagement finger during a romantic getaway to Paris last week.

The TV star, 65, has been dating counsellor Katie, 43, since his split from Ruth Langsford, 64, and has reportedly spoken openly of his hopes to tie the knot.

Eamonn and Loose Women star Ruth announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together.

'Eamonn has been talking openly about his plans to marry Katie and has made it clear he wants to spend the rest of his life with her,' a source told The Sun.

'Theyre already living together and he knows it feels right. They have a very strong connection and get on very well.

'She has given him a real lust for life and she looks after him.'

Eamonn Holmes has sparked speculation he is engaged to Katie Alexander after she was spotted wearing a large ring on her engagement finger during a romantic getaway to Paris (pictured together last week)

The TV star, 64, has been dating counsellor Katie, 43, since his split from Ruth Langsford and has reportedly spoken openly of his hopes to tie the knot (Ruth and Eamonn 2006)

Katie was noticeably not wearing the ring earlier this month

In pictures obtained by the publication, the couple headed to the Louvre, with Katie wearing a gold diamond ring on her engagement finger.

The counsellor was not pictured wearing the band at a Christmas carol concert in West London on December 5.

MailOnline has contacted Eamonn's representatives for comment.

Katie has reportedly told friends she is in for 'the long haul' with the GB News host.

She has been helping Eamonn through the split from Ruth, with the couple heading on holiday together in recent months.

But her friends say she is at pains to point out that their friendship has only grown close once the marriage was over in May.

An onlooker said at the time: 'Katie certainly seems to be able to put a smile back on Eamonns face. They seem genuinely besotted with each other.'

The getaway reportedly left Eamonn's estranged wife Ruth shocked, with the Ibiza holiday occurring just four months after the former golden couple announced they were divorcing.

The counsellor was not pictured wearing the band at a Christmas carol concert in West London on December 5

Meanwhile, Katie, who enjoyed a romantic cruise with the TV star earlier this year (pictured) has told friends she is in for 'the long haul' with Eamonn

Eamonn and Loose Women star Ruth announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together

They then made their first public appearance as a couple at The Irish Post Awards last month, but the former GMB presenter requested that photographers not take pictures of them together.

Katie met Eamonn on X in 2015 after she commented on a post and it sparked a conversation.

Last October he attended a charity fundraising event in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and became a patron. Katie has worked for the charity as a therapist.

It was reported last month Ruth has hired a 'fierce' divorce lawyer amid the bitter split.

As reported by The Sun, Catherine Costley has been called up by Loose Women host Ruth who seeks to end her 14-year marriage to Eamonn with a financial settlement.

Ms Costley is known for her fierce approach to divorce settlements and has said all women should have a 'go bag' fund when exiting a relationship, according to The Sun.

The divorce lawyer was once an apprentice of 'Steel Magnolia' Baroness Fiona Shackleton, Britain's highest-profile divorce lawyer who famously represented Charles in his split from Diana in 1996.

Baroness Shackleton has also worked with A-list stars including Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Madonna, and was once doused with water in court by a furious Heather Mills while representing the Beatles legend during the couple's divorce in 2008.

Meanwhile Eamonn is said to have has 'no hard feelings' towards ex Ruth and is simply concentrating on 'living his life' despite reports that he was 'seething' over her recent trip to Australia.

A source told MailOnline that Eamonn was baffled by reports he was raging over her long-haul flight because he had always struggled to get Ruth to travel with him during their marriage.

They said: 'It's all nonsense. He's living his life and there are no hard feelings. He's never flown into a rage and it's just laughable that he would.'

Ruth has just returned from her quick trip to Australia, for her I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! appearance.

While a number of the former couple's friends were at the bash, Ruth, 64, was noticeably absent as she filmed ITV2 spin-off show I'm A Celebrity Unpacked.

Eamonn and Ruth split after 27-years together (pictured 2009) and they are parents to son Jack, 22

It had been reported that Eamonn was 'completely baffled and a bit hurt' by Ruth's appearance on the show Down Under as she always told him she hated flying.

Meanwhile Ruth caused Loose Women to suddenly cut to a break earlier this week when she mentioned her divorce from Eamonn

Making a rare comment on the situation, Ruth weighed on how 'selfish' some parents can be when it comes to making their children pick sides after a divorce.

During a conversation on Loose Women, she suggested that so far their divorce has not been going 'well'.

Ruth appeared on the daytime programme alongside her co-hosts Coleen Nolan, Kelly Holmes and Mariella Frostrup as they discussed making children choose between their parents and their potential partner.

Earlier this week Ruth caused Loose Women to suddenly cut to a break when she mentioned her divorce from Eamonn

Making a rare comment on the situation, Ruth weighed on how 'selfish' some parents can be when it comes to making their children pick sides after a divorce

Mariella started off by saying: 'I just think it's madness. You know for a fact, no matter what position you take in your child's life, if you entrench yourself too deeply they are going to do the opposite thing anyway.'

She continued: 'How on earth would the inclusion of someone in family life be worth the jeopardy of not talking to your child anymore, I just can't imagine it.'

Coleen also shared her opinion as she explained: 'I think it is important for parents to let their children find out for themselves and it might work out and they spend the rest of their lives together but it might be that they end up heartbroken and that's when as a parent you step in.'

Talk soon turned to how divorced parents handle those types of situations and Ruth went on to admit: 'I think it's very selfish when you hear parents say well if they are divorced then I'm not coming to your wedding if he's coming or if she is there and I just think it's so selfish isn't it because it is their day.'

Mariella jumped in and said: 'That's a whole other subject isn't it? How to divorce well.'

Ruth took aim at her recent split from Eamonn as she replied: 'Oh tell me about it.'

Everyone looked surprised before Ruth added: 'Anyway funnily it's now time for a break'.
An alleged stalker sent Myleene Klass a Catwoman and police officer fancy-dress outfits and tried to post her an air pistol during a nine-month campaign of harassment, a court heard.

Peter Windsor, 60, also sent the former pop star multiple letters and unwanted gifts including shoes and jewellery, prosecutors said.

His alleged stalking had a substantial adverse effect on Ms Klasss usual day-to-day activities, and which he knew or ought to have known would cause her serious alarm or distress, according to legal documents.

Windsor is also accused of stalking Ms Klasss colleague, Katie Breathwick, 53, a late-night presenter on Classic FM.

Prosecutors said that between 2020 and 2023 he sent Ms Breathwick some binoculars, a pair of running shoes, a bottle of champagne and a stamp collection.

Both Ms Breathwick and Ms Klass, 46, received a series of unwanted incoherent letters that had Windsors address on and appeared to be in his handwriting, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

After targeting Ms Breathwick for almost three years, Windsor diverted his attention to her Classic FM colleague, Ms Klass, prosecutors said.

The items were allegedly sent to the radio stations London office, though the air pistol was intercepted before it reached the mother-of-three, the court heard.

An alleged stalker sent Myleene Klass a Catwoman and police officer fancy-dress outfits and tried to post her an air pistol during a nine-month campaign of harassment

Windsor is also accused of stalking Ms Klasss colleague, Katie Breathwick, 53

Neither Ms Breathwick or Ms Klass  who found fame in the pop group HearSay, created through reality series Popstars in 2001  attended the brief hearing last month.

Windsor, of Stechford, Birmingham, appeared on a videolink from prison, where he is being held on remand.

Defence barrister Phil Brunt successfully applied for an adjournment. He is yet to enter a plea to two counts of causing serious alarm by stalking but a trial has been scheduled for March.

HearSay had one of the biggest-selling debut singles of all time with their 2001 hit Pure & Simple, which shifted 550,000 copies in the first week of release, becoming the first of two UK No 1s for the group.

But their success was short-lived and the group disbanded after 18 months.

Classically trained musician Ms Klass was runner-up on Im a Celebrity four years later, with scenes of the star showering in a white bikini becoming an enduring image for the series.

The bikini was later sold at a charity auction, raising 7,500.

Last year, Ms Klass won an all stars version of the show set in South Africa and became the first Im a Celebrity Legend. Besides her work at Classic FM she is a panellist on ITVs Loose Women.

Ms Klass is in a long-term relationship with Simon Motson with whom she has a son, who was born in 2019. Ms Breathwick, who is married to the creator of the

BBC series Death In Paradise, Robert Thorogood, has worked at Classic FM since 2008.
T.J. Maxx customers are just realizing how to tell if an item is a bargain through looking at the color of its price tag.

According to an anonymous employee, even the most seasoned shoppers could be missing out on the best deals by being unware of this detail.

While the colors of the stickered price tags may seem random, the employee told GOBankingRates, they in fact follow a very specific color code.

A stickerless white tag means the item still has its original non-sale price, so you may want to wait to see whether it goes down any further.

'Red stickers mean the item is marked down but could keep getting lower,' they said.

'A yellow sticker means it's hit the final, lowest price we'll offer on that product.

'If you ever see a red and yellow sticker on something, you're getting the best possible savings,' they added.

As well as spilling about the color code, the employee also revealed other shopping hacks to help Americans get the best deals at T.J. Maxx.

'Red stickers mean the item is marked down but could keep getting lower,' the anonymous employee said

'There are so many opportunities to save even more than most shoppers just don't know about,' the employee told the outlet.

'We're practically giving away merchandise sometimes, but only to customers who understand when and how to pounce.'

Shoppers should look out for any damage to an item - however minor - which means they could ask for an additional discount.

This could be chipped dishware, scuffed furniture or an item of clothing with a hole in it.

'We're authorized to give customers a nice percentage off at the register just for asking politely,' they said.

'We'd rather give you the extra discount than have those items collect dust forever.'

Weekday mornings are the best time to find bargains, they added.

'Weekends are crazy busy, so we put out new stuff weekdays. And if you have to choose a time, hit us in the late mornings and early afternoons for the freshest deals.'

According to an anonymous employee, even the most seasoned shoppers could be missing out on the best deals

Shoppers should look out for any damage to an item - however minor - which means they could ask for an additional discount at T.J. Maxx

When it comes to the best time of year to shop at the store, the employee advised to go right before major holidays.

Twice a year before Memorial Day and Christmas, workers clear out the existing merchandise to make way for the new season's products.

And when stores are trying to clear out unsold items, that is when shoppers may be able to find the biggest markdowns.

When products are put onto pallets or rolling racks, that is when staffers are trying to get the items out the door at any cost, they said.

'Those pieces are going for next to nothing - 80 percent off or more in some cases -before we donate what's left in just a few days,' they told GOBankingRates.

It is also best to visit your local T.J. Maxx store in person, the anonymous worker added, as lots of items never make it onto the website.
The three-day security expo and conference IFSEC India 2024, billed as the largest in South Asia, kicked off on Thursday at the Bharat Mandapam.

The event brought together over 300 leading security and fire safety brands, featuring more than 5,000 products from cutting-edge CCTV and video surveillance systems to biometrics, RFID and perimeter security technologies. Deputy High Commissioner, UK High Commission in India, Christina Scott said, Indias success in executing the worlds largest democratic process with minimal risks highlights the strength of its security infrastructure.

DCP, Delhi Traffic Police, HQ & Road Safety, SK Singh said, With 35 percent of critical assets still at risk of cyber threats, integrating robust digital defences alongside physical measures has become imperative.

IFSEC India 2024 has received strong support from prominent associations, including Asian Professional Security Association (APSA), American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai Chapters, Electronic Security Association of India (ESAI), Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Delhi and Chennai Chapters, International Institute of Security and Safety Management (IISSM), Central Association for Private Security Industry (CAPSI), Global Association for Corporate Services (GACS), and Mitkat Advisory. Indias security landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with cities increasingly adopting advanced solutions such as video analytics, facial recognition, and integrated CCTV systems, driving the shift toward smarter and safer urban environments.
The future environment for military leaders will be full of challenges due to the emergence of disruptive new technologies, said Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel as he reviewed the IMAs passing-out parade for the autumn course on Saturday. He called upon the gentlemen cadets passing out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) to be ready for such challenges and said they can embark on their exciting new journey with confidence, as they have received the best training available in the field. The job ahead is not easy. You will face a future environment that is invariably multi-domain, multi-theatre, and multi-sectoral. The challenges will be multi-pronged due to the emergence of disruptive technologies, but you can go forth with confidence because you have received the best training, General Sigdel said, addressing the cadets. A total of 491 cadets passed out of the IMA on Saturday, including 456 from India and 35 from friendly countries. Valour will carry you through difficult times, and wisdom will help you carve out the best path forward, General Sigdel said. As the cadets step into their new roles as military leaders, their endurance will be tested, as they will be required to perform their duties in extreme climatic conditions - ranging from the highest altitudes to the lowest depths, from the coldest glaciers to the hottest deserts, and from the loneliest jungles to the densest urban centers, he added.

Their skills and the values of valour and wisdom instilled in them at the IMA will stand them in good stead, General Sigdel said. He praised the cadets for their immaculate turnout and flawless drill, saying it reflected their high level of training. General Sigdel further congratulated the cadets and wished them the best on their exciting new journey. He said they should serve their respective nations with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity.

Describing military service as the most honourable career, he said it demands a lifelong pursuit of growth and excellence. General Sigdel also expressed his gratitude for being invited to the Passing Out Parade (POP) at the IMA, which has a global reputation for excellence as a military training academy. A colorful parade and drill were presented by the passing-out cadets at the IMAs drill square, set against the backdrop of the historic Chetwode Building.
A group of farmers, who made a fresh attempt to march towards Delhi from Shambhu border point of Haryana on Saturday at around 12 pm, faced tear gas and water cannons launched again by the Haryana police. After that, they suspended their march to Delhi and announced a tractor march on December 16 and rail roko protest in Punjab on December 18.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, On December 16, a tractor march will be organised outside Punjab, and on December 18th, we have called Rail Roko in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in Rail Roko in large numbers The Opposition should not run away from their role by just giving a statement. Ahead of the Dilli Chalo foot march, Pandher compared the ongoing farmers protest to the Parliaments Constitution debate.

The clash took place when a group of 101 farmers, who had resumed their march from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border around noon, reached the barricades set up by Haryana police. A few farmers were injured during the tear gas shelling and were taken to a nearby hospital by ambulances stationed at the site. Visuals from the Shambhu border showed police using tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers and stop them from marching towards the National Capital.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Bajrang Punia visited the Shambhu border and expressed his dismay over the farmers not being allowed to march towards Delhi. Punia, a wrestler who joined the Congress ahead of the October 5 Haryana Assembly polls, also criticised teargas shelling and use of water cannons against the protesting farmers by the Haryana security personnel. He also inquired about the health of the injured farmers at the civil hospital in Rajpura.

Earlier in the day, Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta and Superintendent of Police S S Bhoria tried to persuade the farmers to seek permission from Delhi authorities before continuing their march. However, the farmers stood firm on their decision to proceed, urging the security forces to let them pass.

This is the third time the farmers have attempted to march towards Delhi. Previous attempts on December 6 and December 8 were also blocked by Haryana police.

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast unto death entered the 19th day on Saturday, said the lives of those farmers, who are committing suicide because of the alleged wrong policies of governments, is more valuable than his. His remark came a day after the Supreme Court directed the Centre and Punjab government representatives to immediately meet him, provide him with medical help and persuade him to break his indefinite fast saying his life was precious. Dallewal (70), a cancer patient, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops.

Doctors have already recommended his hospitalisation, saying he has turned weak because of the prolonged fast. During his brief address to the media at Khanauri, Dallewal thanked the apex court for expressing concern over his health. The honourable Supreme Court says that my life is more valuable than the agitation. But I believe that the lives of those farmers, who are committing suicide due to the wrong policies of the government are more valuable than my life, said Dallewal.

Earlier, the agitating farmers had made two attempts, on December 6 and 8, which were thwarted by the Haryana security personnel who fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse them. A total of 22 farmers were then injured. The farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces.

Besides a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of being supporters of Manusmriti adding that their supreme leader Savarkar always blamed the Indian Constitution. Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, the Congress leader said that while talking of protecting the Constitution, the ruling party is ridiculing Savarkar.

Drawing a parallel with the story of Eklavya who had to chop off his thumb as Guru Dakshina to Dronacharya, Gandhi alleged that by creation of monopolies for the Adani Group in various sectors, bringing in the Agnipath scheme, firing teargas at protesting farmers, bringing in lateral entry and allowing paper leaks, the government was chopping off the thumb of the youth, tillers, backward class people and the poor.

Gandhi said that he wants to tell every poor person that the Constitution protects them, but the BJP keeps attacking it 24X7. He also reiterated his promise made on the floor of the House last session that a caste census will be conducted and the 50 per cent cap on reservation will be done away with to usher in a new type of development in the country.

I want to start my speech by quoting your supreme leader Savarkar and his ideas on the Constitution of India and how he thought India should be run. He says, The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is that scripture that is most worshippable after the Vedas, and which, from ancient times, had begun the basis of our culture, customs, thought, and practice. This book for centuries has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmriti is law, Gandhi said.

Savarkar has clearly stated in his writings that there is nothing Indian about the Constitution and that the book that India is run by should be superseded by the Manusmriti, Gandhi said, adding that this is what the fight is about. It is nice that all of you are so-called defending the Constitution. But I want to ask you, do you stand by your leaders words? Do you support your leaders words? But when you speak about defending the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar, Gandhi said.

Countering Rahul Gandhis criticism of Savarkar, the BJP and its ally, Shiv Sena, reminded the Congress leader that his grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had hailed the Hindutva ideologue as a remarkable son of India and issued a postage stamp in his honour. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde wondered whether Indira Gandhi was also anti-Constitution as she had praised Savarkar as a remarkable son of India.

He read out a letter written by Indira Gandhi to Pandit Bakhle of the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak on the occasion of the freedom fighters birth centenary celebrations. Was your grandmother also anti-Constitution? You have the habit of speaking nonsense about Savarkarji.... But we revere Savarkarji, we are proud of him, Shinde said.

The House witnessed tumultuous scenes when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought to respond to Shindes remarks, but was disallowed by the Chair.

I had asked this question to Indira Gandhi when I was younger. Indira Gandhi said Savarkarji compromised with the British, wrote a letter to the British and asked for forgiveness from the British, he said. Indira Gandhi said (Mahatma) Gandhiji went to jail, (Jawaharlal) Nehruji went to jail and Savarkarji sought forgiveness. This was the position of Indira Gandhi, he said.

He narrated the story of Eklavya from the epic Mahabharta and said that just like Dronacharya got Eklavyas thumb cut, this government is chopping off the thumb of the country. When this Government hands over the countrys assets to Adani, then the thumbs of small and big industries and businessmen of this country are cut, he said.

Referring to his visit to Uttar Pradeshs Hathras, Gandhi said he met the family of the woman who was allegedly gangraped and killed. He said the victims family is locked in the house, while the accused roam free. Where is this written in the Constitution that the family of the person raped be confined to a house. This would be written in your (BJP) book not in the Constitution, he said. The INDIA Bloc will facilitate the relocation of the family if the government does not do it, he added.

Gandhi also referred to the Sambhal violence, saying five innocent people lost their lives. He accused the BJP of spreading division in the society. The ideology of the INDIA bloc has brought the Constitution to the country and we all together protect the Constitution, he said. Quoting BR Ambedkar, Gandhi said, If there is political equality but no social and economic equality, political equality will be destroyed.

These are the words of Ambedkar ji and today it is clear that political equality has ended. There is no social equality and there is no economic equality either. That is why our next step will be caste census. We want to show the country whose thumbs have you cut? We want to show the Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, farmers, labourers whose thumbs have been cut off by the Government? he said.
The prestigious New Delhi Assembly seat is likely to witness a fierce electoral contest with incumbent legislator, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo, Arvind Kejriwal pitted against the sons of former Chief Ministers of Delhi, who have been fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and and Congress as their star candidates. The Congress party has fielded two-time former Member of Parliament (MP) and former Chief Minister (CM) Sheila Dikshits son Sandeep Dikshit.

Meanwhile, BJP senior leader and former MP, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, the son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, on Saturday also claimed that he has been asked to prepare for contesting from the New Delhi constituency. If this candidature materialises, the election will pit two scions of politician families against Kejriwal, making it a triangular battle of high-profile leaders. While the AAP and Congress have announced some candidates, BJP is still figuring out their list. The AAP has so far declared two lists with 31 names.

According to poll experts, this election is more than just a political contest for Sandeep Dikshit, it is a chance for him to reclaim his familys legacy and settle old scores in the New Delhi seat. Sources in the Congress said a team which worked with Sheila Dikshit is still active in New Delhi which may help him to counter Kejriwals narratives.

Even in 2020, when it drew a blank in the Assembly polls for the second time in a row, the Congress had banked on the late Congress stalwart to revive its fortunes in what was once its citadel. The partys campaign song in 2020 had a line, Ek Dilli thi vo jo Sheila ne khud se sawari tha. Fir se Congress wali Dilli

Some insiders say in the past 10, the Congress is out of power in Delhi and their leaders and workers have lost their connectivity with the people. Currently, the Congress has no face that connects with people. The New Delhi constituency is one of the smallest, numerically speaking, of the total 70 Assembly seats and is dominated by the government employees as voters.

On the other hand, AAP convener has an advantage as he has a connection with people. Speaking at an event earlier on Friday, Kejriwal rejected the rumours that he was going to shift from the New Delhi seat to some other constituency in the Assembly elections which are due in February next year. There will be no change. I will contest from the New Delhi seat and Chief Minister Atishi from Kalkaji, he said when asked about the possibility of changing seats by them.

Verma, a former West Delhi Lok Sabha MP, said, My party has asked me to prepare for this seat. The list of BJP candidates is yet to come out, he added.

The AAP supremo shot to fame in the political arena of the country by defeating then chief minister Sheila Dikshit from the New Delhi constituency in the 2013 Assembly polls by a margin of over 25,000 votes. He won the seat again in 2015 defeating BJPs Nupur Sharma by over 31,000 votes. In 2020, the last Assembly election, Kejriwal defeated BJPs Sunil Yadav by over 21,000 votes. Congress candidate Romesh Sabharwal got just 3,220 votes in the New Delhi seat in the 2020 Assembly elections.

In 1993, Kirti Azad won from the New Delhi Assembly seat on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. Sheila Dikshit won the seat as a Congress candidate in 1998, 2003 and 2008.

Interestingly, the Congress list has also drawn criticism for apparent nepotism, with tickets going to Mudit Agarwal and Shivank Singhal, sons of senior Congress leaders.

The Congress on Thursday announced its first list of 21 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections which include 12 first-time candidates, signalling the partys intent to inject fresh energy into its campaign. Key names among them are Mudit Aggarwal from Chandni Chowk, Aruna Kumar from Narela, and Shivank Singhal from Adarsh Nagar. Prominent party members Jai Kishan, Ragini Nayak, and Anil Bharadwaj will contest from Sultanpur Majra, Wazirpur, and Sadar Bazar, respectively.

The Congress and the AAP are partners in the INDIA Bloc but are rivals in Delhi and Punjab. Earlier this week, Kejriwal ruled out any possibility of alliance with the Congress in the upcoming Assembly polls in the National Capital.
Uttar Pradesh has experienced a tourism surge, breaking records with an impressive 47.61 crore tourists visiting the state between January and September 2024. Ayodhya, home to the under-construction Shri Ram Temple, has emerged as the states most visited destination, surpassing even the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, Ayodhya alone welcomed 13.55 crore domestic tourists and 3,153 international visitors during this period. The upcoming inauguration of the Ram Temple has played a pivotal role in drawing unprecedented crowds. The rise in Ayodhyas tourism is nothing short of phenomenal, said Rajesh Tiwari, a Lucknow-based travel agent. We have seen a 70% increase in bookings for Ayodhya tours compared to last year. Devotees and cultural enthusiasts from across the country want to be part of this historic transformation.

While the Taj Mahal remains a global icon, its tourist numbers have seen a slight decline in domestic visitors, though international arrivals rose from 26,84,825 in 2022-23 to 27,70,340 in 2023-24. The overall domestic tourist count to the Taj Mahal decreased by 1,93,298 compared to the previous year.

The Taj Mahal is still an essential stop for international tourists, remarked Suresh Gupta, a tour operator from Agra. However, domestic travelers now prefer spiritual and culturally significant sites like Ayodhya and Varanasi. People are looking for meaningful travel experiences that connect them to their heritage.

Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted the states broader tourism success. The tourism surge is not limited to Ayodhya, he stated. Varanasi attracted 6.2 crore domestic tourists and 1.84 lakh foreign visitors. Prayagraj drew 4.80 crore tourists, including 4,790 foreigners. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, saw 6.8 crore visitors, including 87,229 international tourists. Even Mirzapur recorded 1.18 crore visitors.

The states Buddhist circuit hub, Kushinagar, also saw substantial growth, welcoming 16.2 lakh visitors, including 1.53 lakh international tourists. Agra, despite competition from Ayodhya, received 1.25 crore tourists, including 9.24 lakh foreigners. Tour operators remain optimistic. We expect even higher numbers with the upcoming Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple, said Poonam Verma, a tourism consultant from Delhi. Religious tourism has become a defining factor in Uttar Pradeshs tourism industry. Events like the Kumbh Mela, along with better infrastructure and connectivity, have boosted travel significantly.

Industry experts believe that consistent marketing and improved facilities have helped Uttar Pradesh build a strong global tourism presence. The governments focus on religious tourism is commendable, noted Amit Sharma, a hospitality consultant. We now see better hotels, guided tours, and easier transport options, making the state an attractive destination for all types of travelers.

Other destinations like Siddharthnagar (86,215 visitors), Lakhimpur Kheri (46.5 lakh), Pilibhit (30.6 lakh), Bijnor (34.4 lakh), and Sonbhadra (19.4 lakh) also contributed to the states growing tourism footprint. With the Ram Temple nearing completion and major religious events on the horizon, Uttar Pradesh is poised to strengthen its position as Indias top cultural and religious tourism hub.
Special Judge POCSO Act Kumudini Patel found the accused Kamal Singh and Bhavna Patel guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl under Section 376 (2) L, F, 120-B IPC and Section 5L, N/6, 9N/10 POCSO Act and sentenced accused Kamal Singh to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1000 each under Section 376 (2) L and 376 (2) F IPC, 5L, N/6 and 9N/10 POCSO Act and sentenced accused Bhavna Patel to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1000 each under Section 376/120-B IPC and 5L, N/17 POCSO Act.

Special Public Prosecutors Divya Shukla and Jyoti Kujur presented the case on behalf of government.

On May 9 the victim lodged a complaint with Aishbagh police against her father's friend Kamal Singh whom she has known since childhood. Kamal Singh often visits her house. Kamal Singh is a resident of Gwalior, but whenever he came to Bhopal for his work, he used to stay at her house.

Kamal came to her house on November 4, 2017 and stayed at her house for about four months. On November 26, 2017 at around 7 in the evening, her father had gone to work and her brother was also not at home, then Kamal Singh started forcing himself on her and said, 'I like you and will marry you'.

At that time, the victim's mother, Bhawana, was sitting in front of her and when she tried to scream, Bhavana shut her mouth by putting her hands on the victim's mouth.

Fearing threats by the accused she never told this to anyone. Kamal sexually assaulted the victim many times in her own house and her mother, accused Bhavana, knew everything about this. She told her mother many times that she did not like it, then her mother said that nothing will happen, he will marry her.

On March 14, 2022, she came to her cousin's house and revealed the atrocity she faced and later a case was registered based on her complaint.

Agreeing with the evidence, arguments and documents of the prosecution, court sentenced accused Kamal Singh to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000 each under sections 376(2) L and 376 (2) F of the Indian Penal Code and 5L, N/6 and 9N/10 of the POCSO Act, and accused Bhavna Patel to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000 each under sections 376/120-B of the Indian Penal Code and 5L, N/17 of the POCSO Act.
The Faculty of Commerce at Karim City College successfully hosted a two-day Apprenticeship cum Job Fair in collaboration with the Board of Practical Training (Eastern Region), Kolkata, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from 46 leading establishments, including Tata Steel Ltd., Tata Motors, Timken India Ltd., RSB Transmission India Ltd., Tata BlueScope Steel Ltd., and many others. Over 1201 students registered, with 673 candidates from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bengal attending interviews with prospective employers.

Dr. Mohammad Reyaz, Principal of Karim City College, thanked the Board of Practical Training, Eastern Region, and all participating organizations for their support. He commended the Faculty of Commerce, especially Dr. M.M. Nazri, Head of the Department and Coordinator of the Job Mela, for their diligent efforts. Dr. Nazri highlighted the fair as an exceptional opportunity for students to gain career insights, network with industry professionals, and explore job prospects.

K. Chandra Mouli, Assistant Director, Department of Higher Education, emphasized the benefits of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) for students and companies. He expressed gratitude to Karim City College, the Government of Jharkhand, and other collaborators for their support in ensuring the event's success.

The fair marked a significant step in bridging the gap between academia and industry, empowering students for a promising future.
Dr Anand Kumar Maurya (Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology) and Dr Jitendra Singh (Assistant Professor, Department of Translational Medicine) of AIIMS Bhopal, presented their research at the 20th International Congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID) 2024, organized by the International Society of Infectious Diseases (USA), held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr Anand Kumar Maurya presented his research titled, "Clinical and Microbiological Insight into Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria: A Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Central India."

His research highlighted the significant presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) among patients initially presumed to have tuberculosis (TB), emphasizing the importance of differential diagnosis in clinical settings.

In addition, Dr Jitendra Singh presented his paper on "Evolutionary Pathways of Omicron: A Genomic Surveillance Study from Central India." This groundbreaking genomic surveillance study conducted by the team at AIIMS Bhopal offered critical insights into the evolution of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

The study highlighted the variant's transmission dynamics, mutations, and potential implications for public health.

Prof. Singh expressed his pride and support for the faculty members, saying, "The participation of Dr Maurya and Dr. Singh at the 20th ICID 2024 highlights AIIMS Bhopal's commitment to advance global knowledge in infectious diseases.

Their groundbreaking research not only contributes to the scientific community but also underscores the importance of integrating innovative diagnostic and genomic surveillance techniques into clinical practice." The esteemed event brought together over 2,500 infectious disease experts and covered a broad spectrum of topics, extending beyond clinical microbiology and communicable diseases to include all aspects of infections within the One Health framework.






Punjab Police on Friday said it has dismantled a Pakistan-ISI backed terror module operated by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) associates. The action resulted in the arrest of two individuals, including a juvenile, linked to the planting of an improvised explosive device (IED) at Ajnala Police Station last month.



Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the module was orchestrated by BKI operatives Harvinder Rinda and Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, with execution directed by foreign-based gangster Gurdev Singh, alias Jaisel. The arrested individuals, identified as Jashandeep Singh, alias Danny, of Jandiala Guru, and a 17-year-old juvenile, confessed to their involvement in the November 23 IED incident and other planned terror activities.



Police recovered two Chinese-made P86 hand grenades, a sophisticated Turkey-made 9MM Zigana pistol, ammunition, and a black Splendor motorcycle from their possession. This recovery underscores the depth of the module's plans, which included targeting government establishments across Punjab.



DGP Yadav highlighted the operatives dual role in terror activities and drug peddling. Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were lured by their handler, Gurdev Jaisel, with promises of money and drugs. They were tasked with planting IEDs and handling consignments of weapons and explosives, he stated.



The Ajnala IED incident was claimed by BKI via social media, raising alarms about the evolving nature of cross-border terrorism. Acting on intelligence, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Amritsar, led by AIG Sukhminder Singh Mann, launched a targeted operation resulting in the arrests.



The DGP reaffirmed Punjab Polices commitment to eliminate threats from cross-border terrorism and organized crime. Efforts are ongoing to unearth the complete network of Rinda, Happy Passia, and Jaisel. Our priority is to bring all associates of this module to justice and ensure Punjab remains safe and secure, he asserted.



The arrested individuals confessed to receiving multiple consignments of weapons and explosives. Investigations are underway to trace the logistics of these deliveries and their connection to anti-national plots targeting Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Batala.


Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the Ratapani Tiger Reserve of the state will be named after the world-famous archaeologist Dr. Vishnu Wakankar. World Heritage Bhimbetka located in Ratapani Tiger Reserve has received recognition as a result of the relentless efforts of Dr. Wakankar. Chief Minister Yadav, on behalf of the people of the state, has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for granting permission for Ratapani Tiger Reserve to further enrich the wildlife wealth of the state.

He said that among all the state capitals of the country, Bhopal is the only capital that houses a Tiger Reserve. The people of Bhopal and the state deserve congratulations for this honour. Yadav dedicated Ratapani Tiger Reserve from Jhiri Gate. The Chief Minister flagged off the unique bike rally of "Virasat Se Vikas" started for awareness regarding Tiger Reserve from Gol Jod located on Kolar Road. Yadav himself led the rally riding a bike.

The Chief Minister was welcomed by wearing Gajmala at Gol Jod. Yadav dedicated Ratapani Tiger Reserve at Jhiri Gate and flagged off the tourist safari vehicle. During this, film actor Randeep Hooda was specially present.

Yadav praised and welcomed actor Randeep Hooda and said that Hooda has brought glory to the country and has made today's generation aware about the contribution of Veer Savarkar in the country's independence through his role in the film.

Chief Minister Yadav said that on completion of one year of government, employment opportunities in the area will also increase with gifts like Ratapani Tiger Reserve. It is an occasion of joy and excitement. Expressing the excitement of this achievement, an innovation was made to spread awareness by taking out a bike rally on the dedication of Ratapani Tiger Reserve.

Tiger Reserve has created huge potential for tourism activities in Bhopal. Hotels, lodges, and other tourism facilities will provide employment, skill and entrepreneurship opportunities. The state government is also ready to provide all possible cooperation in this direction. Three districts of the state including Bhopal have received a unique gift through Ratapani Tiger Reserve.

Yadav said that the Ratapani Tiger Reserve has mystery, adventure, nature, history, culture and archeology. Bhopal is fortunate that 'Van-Vihar' is near the Upper Lake and Ratapani Tiger Reserve is also in its neighbourhood. The Tiger Reserve will also help employ residents through homestays and other activities along with the conservation of wild animals.

Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is a Tiger State with the highest number of tigers compared to all the states of the country. India has the highest number of tigers in the world. Chief Minister Yadav directed to carry out all the necessary development work in the Tiger Reserve, conduct employment activities, help the residents and provide them with necessary guidance. He said that we should work with team spirit to make Ratapani Tiger Reserve the best tiger reserve. Yadav said that the state government is committed to setting a new record of development.

Chief Minister Yadav dedicated the Ratapani Tiger Reserve and also interacted with the villagers. While welcoming and greeting Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, the villagers also presented mementos made of sagoun leaves.

Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Sarang, Micro and Small and Medium Minister Chaitanya Kumar Kashyap, Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare (Independent Charge) Krishna Gaur, Minister of State for Forest Dilip Ahirwar, MLA Surendra Patwa, Rameshwar Sharma, MLA Bhagwan Das Sabnani, Hitanand Sharma, public representatives and a large number of citizens were present.
In a tragic incident on Friday, a businessman, Manoj Parmar, and his wife committed suicide in Ashta town of Sehore district. The incident has ignited a political controversy between the opposition Congress and the ruling BJP.

The Congress alleged that the couple faced harassment by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) due to their political affiliations. Party leaders claimed that Parmar and his wife were Congress supporters and had been targeted because their children had gifted their piggy bank to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari described the deaths as a State murder and accused the BJP-led government of using central agencies to suppress opposition voices.

Patwari, who met the grieving family, said, The ED raided Parmars premises because he was a Congress supporter. This is not just a suicide; it is a state-engineered murder. Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh echoed similar sentiments, blaming the government for the tragedy.

The ruling BJP responded strongly, accusing the Congress of playing politics over death. Madhya Pradesh BJP media in-charge Ashish Agrawal condemned the Congress statements, saying, It is an old, vulture-like tactic of Congress to exploit personal tragedies for political gains. Suicide is a grave and unfortunate matter, but Congress leaders use such incidents for their selfish interests without understanding the facts of the case.

The police are investigating the case. Ashta Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Akash Amalkar confirmed that the cause of the couples suicide is yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, the ED issued a statement clarifying its actions in the case. According to the agency, search operations were conducted on December 5 at four locations in Sehore and Indore districts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). These searches targeted residential premises linked to Parmar and others alleged to have been involved in bank fraud.

The ED revealed that the searches were part of an investigation based on an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Parmar and a senior branch manager of Punjab National Bank (PNB). The agency stated that loans amounting to nearly ?6 crore were availed under government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana. The funds, however, were allegedly diverted to proprietorship firms and withdrawn in cash for property investments.

During the searches, the ED claimed to have recovered incriminating documents, frozen a bank balance of ?3.5 lakh, and identified four immovable properties linked to the accused. The agency has recorded statements of key individuals involved and stated that its investigation is ongoing.

The incident has deepened the divide between the Congress and BJP, with the opposition accusing the ruling party of using central agencies to target its supporters, while the BJP dismisses the claims as baseless political rhetoric. The tragic deaths of Parmar and his wife remain under scrutiny as authorities work to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the incident.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewals hunger strike at the Punjab-Haryana border on Friday reached a critical stage as it entered its 18th day. Dallewal, who has been spearheading the Delhi Chalo Andolan 2.0 at the Khanauri border to press for 13 key demands, including guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, is facing severe health complications.



Senior farmer leaders from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), including Bharatiya Kisan Unions (BKU) Rakesh Tikait, joined the protest on Friday, expressing solidarity with Dallewal and urging the Central Government to act swiftly to address farmers grievances. Dallewal's protest has become a symbol of resilience, but his supporters have now been urging him to prioritize his health.



Observing fast since November 26, Dallewals health has been declining alarmingly. Doctors, including specialists from the US  who has been monitoring his health since Day 1, have reported that he has lost 12 kilograms, his blood pressure and sugar levels are critically low, and his kidneys and liver are at risk of damage. As a cancer patient, his vulnerability is heightened, with the possibility of a heart attack looming. Despite these warnings, Dallewal remains steadfast in his resolve, insisting that he will not end his hunger strike until the demands are met.



SKM leaders, including prominent face Rakesh Tikait, BKU (Lakhowal) general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal, and BKU (Dakaunda) president Manjit Singh Dhaner, among others, visited Dallewal at the protest site.



Hailing Dallewals determination, Tikait said: Sikhism is rooted in sacrifice, and Dallewal is upholding that tradition. Its time for the Government to wake up to the plight of farmers. The leaders called for unity among farmers groups and hinted at the possibility of escalating the protest, including a plan to encircle Delhi via the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway if the demands remain unaddressed.



Lakhowal revealed that SKM has convened an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss Dallewals health and strategize the next steps. Our paths may differ, but our demands align, he said, underscoring the need for collective action.

The agitation has drawn support from various quarters, including AAP MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon and leaders from over 100 farmer unions affiliated with SKM (non-political), the forum led by Dallewal. Religious gatherings at the protest site have bolstered morale, while security has been tightened to ensure Dallewals safety. Farmers appeals for larger public participation have intensified, with calls for prayers and solidarity marches.



Concerns over Dallewals deteriorating health have intensified, drawing attention to the need for a unified front among farmer organizations. Leaders acknowledged that fragmented efforts by different groups may deter the Central Government from engaging in meaningful dialogue, while calling for a more unified effort. A key farmer leader Buta Singh Sadipur has mobilized his supporters from Samana to Khanauri, and joined the protestors at Shambhu border.



Sadipur, speaking about the pressing need for farmer solidarity, emphasized, Unity is the need of the hour. Only a united front can compel the Central Government to heed our demands. Also criticizing the Punjab Government for its inaction, he said: No concrete steps have been taken to address the farmers' concerns or to end Dallewal's hunger strike.



Amid mounting pressure, farmer organizations plan to convene at the Khanauri border soon to deliberate on future strategies. Many believed that a unified movement could strengthen their position, paving the way for negotiations with both state and central governments.



Govts Response

Efforts to mediate have gained urgency. Ambala Deputy Commissioner has written to his Sangrur counterpart urging immediate medical intervention for Dallewal to prevent any adverse impact on the ongoing protest and maintain law and order. A day before, Dallewal himself escalated his demands by sending a blood-signed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, declaring it his first and last appeal.



Dallewals protest is rooted in the larger struggle for farmers rights that gained momentum during the 2020-21 agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. Despite differences in strategy, his demands echo those of SKM, including debt waivers, pension schemes, and robust MSP guarantees. The rift between Dallewal and SKMs political arm has not diminished mutual respect, with leaders from both factions acknowledging his contributions to the farmers movement.



The hunger strike has reignited debates on farmers issues, with SKMs Tikait hinting at another mass mobilization to pressure the government. The battle is far from over, Tikait said, warning of renewed protests that could rival the scale of the previous Delhi border demonstrations.



SCs Intervention



Amid growing concerns over Dallewals health, the Supreme Court on Friday issued stern directions to the Punjab and Central Governments emphasizing that the farmer leaders life is of utmost importance. The Apex Court directed immediate medical assistance to be provided to Dallewal, while cautioning the authorities against using force to end his hunger strike, urging both the Central and Punjab Governments to ensure peace and avoid any escalation of the situation.


Ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly Election slated to be held early next year, an Inter-State Border Coordination Meeting was convened on Saturday by the Delhi Police aiming to strengthen cross-border coordination with the bordering districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to ensure seamless security and prevent any disruptions during the electoral process.

The meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Joint Commissioner of Police (Jt. CP)/ Southern Range S.K. Jain, witnessed the participation of senior police officers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The DCPs of South, South East, and South West Districts of Delhi Police were also present.During the meeting, Jain emphasized the importance of vigilance and collaboration, stating, Our collective efforts and steadfast coordination will be the cornerstone of a secure electoral process. By maintaining high levels of preparedness and cooperation, we can effectively prevent any unlawful activities that threaten peace and integrity during the elections.

The meeting focused on several critical areas to ensure a smooth and fair election process, including strengthening border security. To ensure this, the police decided on joint manning of inter-state border check-posts, installation of CCTV cameras at critical locations and conducting intensive vehicle checks to curb the smuggling of liquor, contraband, and other illegal items.

The police will also focus on cracking down on illicit activities including special focus on preventing the smuggling of liquor and tackling bootlegging operations, which are often rampant during elections and suppression of illegal firearms circulation and apprehension of individuals involved in their distribution.

In the coming months, police said that they will monitor criminal elements. We will identify and surveillance musclemen and other criminal elements to maintain peace during the elections. We will carry out swift execution of Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) and make concerted efforts to apprehend wanted criminals and proclaimed offenders, an officer said, adding that they will also work on enhancing intelligence sharing.
After a brief silence absconding, Prince Khan has once again started threatening and demanding extortion.

This time doctors of the coal capital are on his radar.. According to available reports he has demanded a heavy amount of extortion from at least six renowned doctors of Dhanbad operating private clinics .

This came to the fore when a delegation of Indian Medical Association (IMA) handed over a memorandum to the Chief minister at Ranchi recently. Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha, Tundi MLA Mathura Prasad Mahto too were with the IMA delegation that comprised prominent doctors as well IMA office bearers from Dhanbad and Ranchi. Dr AK Singh, Dr. Pranay Purva besides others were in delegation.

Now Prince Khan and his goons have not only called them but also have sent extortion messages.

After giving the memorandum to the Chief Minister the delegation pleaded for protection. The Chief Minister took the matter seriously and has assured immediate action.

Since receiving extortion demands mobile phones of many doctors of Dhanbad were found switched off.

Some have even changed their mobile numbers. It should be noted that Prince

Khan had earlier threatened businessmen of different districts including Dhanbad.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visit to Prayagraj and for inaugurating 167 development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore. He extended his thanks on behalf of Prayagraj, the state, and every devotee attending Maha Kumbh.

The chief minister highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Modis presence, particularly in the context of the rituals at the sacred confluence of Maa Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, and its profound importance for Maha Kumbh 2025.

He remarked, This occasion holds immense importance for all followers of Sanatan Dharma and devotees who cherish India, both within the country and across the world.

Yogi noted that projects worth thousands of crores are being inaugurated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Reflecting on the successful organisation of Kumbh 2019, he credited the prime ministers inspiration and expressed gratitude for his continued guidance in preparing for Maha Kumbh 2025.

While lauding the visionary leadership of PM Modi, Yogi acknowledged his efforts in upholding the values of Sanatan Dharma, safeguarding its traditions, and ensuring the highest standards for the Maha Kumbh are met.

In his address, CM Yogi recalled that for the first time during the 2019 Kumbh in Prayagraj, and under the inspiration, guidance, and directives of PM Modi, devotees were blessed with the darshan of the sacred Akshayvat after hundreds of years. He noted that this time, the Akshayavat Corridor would also be inaugurated.

The chief minister stated that the corridor of the Bade Hanuman Temple is also being inaugurated by PM Modi.

He further elaborated on Saraswati Koop, where Maa Saraswati is believed to reside invisibly and where her confluence with Ganga and Yamuna occurs at the Sangam.

For the first time in the 2019 Kumbh, devotees had darshan of this holy site, and now, with the Saraswati Corridors inauguration, this grand sacred space will be accessible to all, he said.

He also mentioned the historic significance of Shringaverpur, where Lord Ram first extended his hand of friendship to Nishadraj during his exile.

With the prime ministers inspiration, the 56-foot-high statue of Lord Ram and Nishadraj, along with the corridor, is being inaugurated, he added.

Yogi praised the inauguration of the corridor at Maharishi Bhardwajs ashramone of the worlds first Gurukulswhere Lord Ram once stayed, received blessings, and resolved to free the land from demons.

He reflected on PM Modis transformative vision for Kumbh, emphasising that the 2019 Kumbh was made grand, divine, clean, safe, and well-organised under his leadership.

This vision now extends to Maha Kumbh 2025, which is being shaped into a grand, divine, and digital celebration under the prime ministers inspiration, the chief minister stated.

He further remarked, Prayagraj, its surrounding districts, and Mahakumbh Nagar, emerging as the worlds largest temporary city, are a testament to the PMs visionary leadership. With projects worth thousands of crores being launched to prepare for Maha Kumbh 2025, I express gratitude on behalf of the entire state and every devotee visiting Prayagraj.

Calling upon the people of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and the volunteers working tirelessly for Maha Kumbh, CM Yogi expressed confidence in the events success.

He urged everyone to contribute to making Maha Kumbh 2025 a historic and unparalleled celebration starting in just one month.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary, Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Khadi and Village Industries Minister Rakesh Sachan, Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma, Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad, Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Prayagraj Mayor Ganesh Kesarwani, District Panchayat President VK Singh, MLA Siddharth Nath Singh and other public representatives were also present on the occasion.




As part of the ambitious 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative of the state government, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday visited the picturesque Tikkar village in Kupvi tehsil of Chopal subdivision in Shimla district. Despite the chill of the evening, the enthusiasm and hospitality of the villagers radiated their warmth and affection to see the Chief Minister at their doorstep reinforcing his commitment to connecting with the people at the grassroots level.



During the visit, Sukhu interacted with villagers' right from children to the elderly and women. The villagers seized the opportunity to inform the Chief Minister of the day-to-day challenges they faced. He gave on-the-spot directions to officers to ensure timely resolution of the issues raised by the people of the area.



Sukhu then visited the home of Hari Singh a resident of Tikkar where he was greeted with a warm welcome as per the local customs. After warming himself by the bonfire the Chief Minister enquired about the availability of health services and the state of education in the area.



Conversing in the local dialect with the villagers, Sukhu discussed with them the challenges they face, particularly the disruptions in public services during the harsh winter months. With a genuine interest in their well-being, he listened attentively as the villagers freely voiced their concerns. His patient and empathetic approach allowed him to gain a profound understanding of the issues at hand reinforcing his commitment to address the needs of the people residing in the remotest corner of Shimla district.



He informed the villagers about the schemes and initiatives started by the present state Government and also briefed about the special revenue Lok Adalats at the tehsil and sub-tehsil levels aimed to resolve long-pending revenue cases in a time-bound manner. He further told them about the recent amendments to the law, which have set clear timelines for the resolution of partition and correction cases (nine months), marking cases (three months) and transfer cases (one month). He also shared the state government's plans to strengthen the rural economy by introducing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk and the procurement of maize and wheat.



Throughout the visit, Sukhu took a keen interest in the local folk, culture, their customs and cuisine and savoured the local delicacies and enjoyed traditional folk music to further strengthen his connection with the people of the area.



Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandi, State Congress General Secretary Rajneesh Kimta and others were present on the occasion.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari chaired a review meeting of the department here on Friday. All the top officials of the department and all the civil surgeons of the state were present in this meeting, where the Health Minister reiterated his resolve to improve the health system and gave strict instructions.

Dr. Ansari said, "The state of Jharkhand has got a Health Minister in the form of a doctor. I will not tolerate any kind of negligence in health care. Officers who do good work will be rewarded, but strict action will be taken on mistakes. I have come to this department with a new thinking, and my aim is to improve the health services of Jharkhand. Need the cooperation of all of you."

He also said that at present the health department seems to be limited to papers only. "I am committed to change this system. This meeting is an important step in that direction," he said.

Giving important instructions and making announcements the Minister said that RIMS-2 will be constructed in Jharkhand at a cost of Rs 1000 crore. This hospital will not only be on the lines of Delhi but will also inspire hospitals in Delhi by becoming a model of Jharkhand.

He gave strict instructions to stop the practice of keeping the dead body after the death of the patients. The government will soon issue an order on this.

Dr Ansari said that 1000 Primary Health Centers (PHC) will be built across the state so that health facilities can reach rural and remote areas. All the current agencies will be canceled and new agencies will be selected within 10 days. About 200 hospital managers will be appointed in hospitals across the state.

All Sadar hospitals will be equipped with modern facilities and modular operation theaters (OT) will be built in each district. MRI and CT scan machines will be made available in all hospitals within a week.

OPD service will also be started in the evening for the convenience of the patients. Doctors will sit in two shifts. Private doctors will also be appointed if required so that adequate doctors are available in all hospitals.

The way has been cleared for the construction of medical college in Jamtara. Soon a team will go from Ranchi for site inspection. The government will ensure that health services are available in every corner of Jharkhand. Mohalla clinics will be replaced by modern ones as advised by the chief minister.

Dr Ansari said, "I want to bring Jharkhand's health system out of papers and onto the ground. This is possible only when officials work with full honesty and integrity."

At the end of the meeting, the minister instructed all officials that their responsibility towards the people of Jharkhand is paramount. "Together we will create a Jharkhand where healthcare becomes an example," he said.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting a meeting to discuss concerns related to law and order in Delhi. Kejriwal expressed his concerns, highlighting that despite Delhi's law and order being under the control of the central government, the city is increasingly being referred to as the "crime capital" both within India and abroad.

In a letter to Shah, the former Delhi chief minister claimed that the city was being called the country's "crime capital" as he cited the recent bomb threats to numerous schools as well as the IGI airport. The letter comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls scheduled to be held in February 2025.

"It's so shameful that under your watch, our grand capital due to failure of law and order is being called rape capital, gangster capital, drug capital," Kejriwal said. Crimes against women are rising, extortion gangs are active everywhere, drug mafia is spreading across the city and people are harassed by mobile phone and chain snatching incidents, he claimed.

In the past six months, more than 600 schools, more than 100 hospitals, malls and airport have received bomb threat messages, he said and questioned, "Why aren't the culprits being arrested?".

Due to these bomb threats, children and their parents in Delhi are living in constant fear. Have you ever thought about the children and their parents when the schools are vacated and the students are sent back home, he asked Shah.

He said Delhi's law and order was under the Centre and emphasised that Shah needed to act and cooperate to immediately rectify the situation.

Among the 19 metro cities, Delhi is the number one in terms of crimes against women and murders. Drug-related crimes registered a 350 per cent rise since 2019, an average of three women are raped every day and businesspersons regularly receive extortion calls, Kejriwal claimed. "These statistics are evidence of the dilapidated law and order situation," he said.

Kejriwal said he was going among the people and found "deep concern" among them towards law and order. "Now the biggest question of the people is if they don't deserve a better law and order condition in the national capital?" he said. The situation is very poor and law and order must be brought back on track by rising above politics, Kejriwal wrote to Shah seeking time for a meeting.

In a scathing attack on Kejriwal, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused him of neglecting critical issues in the national capital. Tiwari criticised the AAP government and alleged that 21,000 deaths in Delhi over the past decade were linked to water pollution.

He said Kejriwal had failed to address worsening pollution, halted pensions for the elderly and neglected the issuance of ration cards for the poor. He further accused Kejriwal of protecting "illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas" and blamed him for Delhi's deteriorating law and order.

Earlier this week, Kejriwal attacked Home Minister Amit Shah and said that the BJP is no longer able to handle the law and order situation in the national capital.

Amit Shah ji has ruined Delhi. He has turned Delhi into a jungle raj. People are living a life of terror everywhere. BJP is no longer able to handle the law and order situation in Delhi. The people of Delhi will have to unite and raise their voices, Arvind Kejriwal posted on X.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said that all crops of farmers in Haryana are being procured at Minimum Support Price and the Punjab government should also come forward and announce that the produce of farmers in the AAP-ruled state will be purchased at MSP.



Talking to reporters after inaugurating handicraft exhibition, Saini said the works done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the past ten years for farmers benefit are "historic".



He was asked a question about Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is sitting on fast-unto-death, and has also written an open letter to Prime Minister Modi in which he said that MSP to every farmer is like the fundamental right to live.



Saini said the AAP dispensation in Punjab and the states where Congress is in power should also take a decision to empower the farmers. "Punjab government should also take a decision to procure crops of farmers at MSP. They should not have a problem with this. When farmers of Punjab are facing problems, the Punjab government should come forward and announce that they will procure all crops of farmers at MSP," Saini said.



"In Haryana, we are procuring all crops of farmers at MSP and the state government is taking every such step which empowers farmers," he said. The Congress and other outfits which are part of the opposition's INDIA bloc do politics on everything, he charged.



Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops.



Saini also trained his guns at the Congress, saying it has been rejected by people of the country. The Congress "speaks lies" and people have realised this and they have been rejected in Maharashtra also, he said, referring to results of the assembly polls held recently.

Welcomes Centre's move to implement its key plank of one nation, one election

Saini also welcomed the Centre's move to implement its key plank of one nation, one election, as the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the constitutional amendment bill to roll out the concept of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. "We used to be stuck in one election after the other. Sometimes, it is panchayat polls, sometimes municipal polls, Vidhan Sabha or the Lok Sabha polls. It not only involves a lot of expenditure in holding elections, but there is involvement of time too. We were not able to undertake development at the pace at which we want as the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect and development works get impacted," he said. "I congratulate the prime minister and his entire team for the approval they have given to the One Nation One Election (initiative). The common people will get the benefit of this," he said.
The meeting of Official Language Implementation Committee was held on Friday in BHEL, Bhopal under the leadership of SM Ramanathan, Executive Director (BHEL, Bhopal) in the presence of all General Managers and Department Heads.

Manas Manjari Magazine Year-35, Issue-1 was released by Ramanathan in the meeting. On this occasion, Arif Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional General Manager (HR) welcomed everyone.

In his address, Ramanathan said that everyone in the unit should be encouraged and motivated for Hindi work and new activities should be done. Note sheets and letters should be written in Hindi as much as possible at the unit level and quarterly Hindi meetings should be organized at the General Manager level. He further said that your efforts should always be towards excellence. Earlier, Birendra Kumar Singh, General Manager (Human Resources) said that due to the combined and dedicated efforts of all of us, BHEL's Bhopal unit is playing a leading role in the field of official language, but according to the new circumstances, there is an expectation to increase the use of Hindi further.

In the meeting, after extensive discussion on various topics related to departmental action plans, meetings, training, competitions, etc. to make the implementation of official language more effective in Bhopal unit, the action plan for the next quarter was decided.

In the meeting, Smt. Poonam Sahu, Deputy Manager (Official Language) made a presentation on the activities of the past quarter and the upcoming action plan.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Saturday introduced two reforms in the factory licensing ecosystem, aimed at simplifying regulations and providing much-needed relief to factory owners across the capital.

These changes, approved by MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, are expected to benefit thousands of industrial operators, streamline the process, and unlock access to government schemes and financing opportunities, a statement by the police said.

It added, One of the key reforms involves the rationalization of the previously complex and confusing floor-wise factory license policy. Factory owners who operate manufacturing processes on multiple floors of a building will now be able to apply for a single factory license rather than multiple licenses for each floor.

The new guideline includes single ownership wherein factory owners with manufacturing operations across different floors in a single building will only need one factory license, provided the activities are integral to the same factory.

It also includes single GST number in which if the factory operates under a single GST number, the owner will be required to obtain only one industrial license, as long as the activities on different floors align with the declared factory activities in the GST.

Further, if the factory operates under multiple GST numbers across different floors, separate licenses will be required for each floor that corresponds to a distinct GST-related. Also, in cases where different owners run separate factories on various floors, each owner will be required to secure a factory license for their respective floor.

This reform is designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and provide clarity for factory owners, while ensuring compliance with safety and building regulations, including fire safety standards, environmental norms, and the Unified Building Bye-Laws 2016, he said.

In another landmark decision, the MCD will now grant factory licenses to the actual occupiers or tenants of industrial plots in relocation schemes, such as those in Narela, Bawana, and Badli. This decision addresses a long-standing demand from factory operators in these areas, who have previously faced obstacles in obtaining licenses due to restrictions on the transfer or subletting of plots.

Previously, factory operators in these relocation industrial plots, operating under sub-lease or GPA agreements, were unable to obtain factory licenses because the plots perpetual lease agreements did not allow for transfer or subletting without consent from the Delhi State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC).

Under the new policy, factory operators will be eligible for factory licenses if they meet environmental and safety requirements, including securing the necessary consent to operate from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and a Fire Safety Certificate from the Delhi Fire Service.

However, the license will be revoked if the factory is closed by the DSIIDC, Lease Executing Authority, or DPCC. Additionally, factory operators will need to submit an affidavit stating that no industry is operating at the old location from where the relocation took place. These reforms are expected to have a significant impact on more than 25,000 factory owners, particularly in relocation of industrial areas. The ability to obtain factory licenses will provide these operators with greater access to finance from banks and other financial institutions. It will also enable them to take advantage of various government schemes and programmes aimed at promoting industrial growth and business development.

By simplifying the factory licensing process, the MCD aims to foster a more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly environment in Delhi, contributing to the broader goal of improving the ease of doing business in the capital.

These changes mark an important step towards empowering factory operators, ensuring their compliance with safety standards, and enabling them to fully participate in economic growth initiatives.
Though welcomed by citizens, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to impose spot fines on air polluters triggers concerns about the potential misuse of the penalties in the absence of transparent mechanisms for enforcing them.

The spot fines, which will average over Rs 45 lakh per month, based on the recoveries over the past week, came into force after the civic body stepped up action against polluters in the city.

BMC attributes the move to a significant decline in the quality of air in the state capital; however, the timing of the intensified campaign remains suspect as it coincided with the release of performance data for 131 cities included in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

The data, released by the Government of India, noted that Bhopal had recorded a one per cent growth in the concentration of PM10 stagnation, despite fairly clear guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Even as BMC discontinued the practice of garbage burning, annulled the distribution of free firewood to the poor, initiated action against eateries that consume solid fuels, and stepped up its campaign for spot fines, the civic body has stopped short of formalising any of these moves by presenting them at the recent Mayor-in-Council meeting and the subsequent meeting of the city council.

The absence of ratifications for the campaign is a pointer towards the civic administration's desire to persist with discretionary action against polluters, a prospect that is almost certain to derail the anti-pollution drive in the near future.

Last year, too, the BMC had initiated action against eateries using tandoors during the peak pollution season of winter, but the campaign had dwindled within a few months.

Also missing is transparency in the spot fine mechanism, which currently ranges between Rs 500 and Rs 10,000, with no clear administrative or even scientific reasoning to explain the gap between the penalties.

The civic body's reluctance to lay out a clear framework for its moves places immense power in the hands of BMC staffersincluding contractual workerswho will be able to selectively impose these levies in a scenario reminiscent of the days of the Inspector Raj.
On the call of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE), all the power employees and engineers of the power utilities across the country observed Anti-

Privatisation Day on Friday and held meetings in all the districts and projects.

All India Power Engineers Federation chairman Shailendra Dubey accused the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation management of misleading the employees and creating an atmosphere of fear and industrial unrest in the energy corporations.

They warned that if the management releases the draft RFP document before starting the bidding process, the dangers of privatisation will automatically be revealed and the scam behind privatisation will be exposed.

NCCOEEE has warned that as soon as the bidding documents for privatisation in Uttar Pradesh are released, lakhs of power employees will be forced to take to the streets.

Dubey said that if any attempt is made to hand over the electricity department of Chandigarh to a private company, there would be a sharp reaction, and the power employees would take to the streets across the country.

Describing privatisation as a big scam, he said that assets worth billions of rupees were being sold at throwaway prices. The conspiracy to sell would not be allowed to succeed, he said, adding, Chandigarhs electricity assets worth Rs 22,000 crore are being given to a private company for just Rs 871 crore.

Protest meetings were held in all the districts and projects, including Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Dubey said that the power employees and engineers of Uttar Pradesh are continuously engaged in improving the electricity system and making the OTS scheme, starting from December 15, successful.

However, it is not known why the UP Power Corporation management has decided to privatise power distribution companies covering 42 districts of the state, he pointed out.

He asked on what basis the undoubtedly valuable land of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam, worth billions of rupees, would be handed over to private entities for just one rupee.

This is a public asset. Due to all these issues, power employees and consumers are very upset and agitated, Dubey said.






/



Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday called upon recently returned teachers from Finland to spearhead an educational revolution in the state, transforming government schools into vibrant hubs of quality learning. Addressing the teachers at his official residence, Mann lauded their successful training in Finland and emphasized the critical role they play in building a strong foundation for the nations future.



Its a historic day for Punjab as our teachers return equipped with world-class expertise, said the Chief Minister, urging the teachers to serve as role models, imparting skills and knowledge that would allow students to compete with their peers from private schools. The Chief Minister highlighted that the states initiative to send 72 primary teachers for advanced training in Finland was not just a trip but a mission to overhaul the education system.



Mann elaborated on why Finland was chosen for this program, citing its globally acclaimed education system. The training has provided our teachers with innovative techniques and best practices that will not only enhance their teaching abilities but also bring a much-needed boost to our education sector, he stated.



The program is aimed at broadening the professional skills of teachers, fostering leadership qualities, and equipping them with advanced pedagogical tools.



The Chief Minister emphasized that the enriched expertise of these educators would empower government school students to excel academically and socially. This initiative will enable the creation of an education system that nurtures every child's potential, Mann asserted.



Mann called the Finland training program a red-letter day in Punjabs history. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would help Punjab become a frontrunner in education. This training will act as a seed, growing into a tree of knowledge that benefits not just individuals but entire communities, he envisioned.



To further support these efforts, Mann announced plans for creating platforms where Finland-trained teachers could share their experiences and expertise with colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. He encouraged teachers to take pride in their transformative role, adding, Education is the most powerful tool for progress, and you hold the keys to unlocking our states potential.



The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of aligning students academic paths with their interests rather than societal pressures. He urged parents and teachers to nurture childrens individual strengths, allowing them to achieve their aspirations.



Adding an exciting dimension to the occasion, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced upcoming student visits to premier institutions like the Indian Institute of Science and Googles headquarters. This will provide students with valuable exposure to cutting-edge technologies and inspire them to dream big, he stated.



Teachers Laud Initiative, Share Experiences

Equipped with innovative methodologies, the delegation of 72 educators  including BPEOs, CHTs, HTs, and primary teachers  shared their transformative experiences.



Manmeet Singh, a teacher from Ludhiana, reflected on how Finlands playful learning techniques replaced their reliance on traditional methods. Weve started sharing these techniques with fellow educators, and the results are promising, he said.



Bathindas Daljit Singh recalled praise from Finnish trainer Cristina, who applauded Punjabs initiative. Her encouragement inspired us to share our experiences with local communities, bringing renewed energy to our teaching, he noted.



Meanwhile, Talwaras Amrinderpal Singh Dhillon emphasized how the training instilled a profound sense of responsibility among the participants. This visionary program will drive grassroots change in education, he said.



Baljit Kaur Parmar, a primary teacher from Fatehgarh Sahib, expressed how the experience boosted her confidence. I feel equipped to contribute more effectively, both inside and outside the classroom, she said.



Educators were especially impressed by Finlands emphasis on practical education. Anoop Singh Maini from Tarn Taran highlighted, The Finnish system focuses on practical learning alongside academics, a model we aspire to replicate in Punjab.



SCERT director Amaninder Kaur Brar emphasized the need for integrating practical tools into classrooms, such as carpentry workshops, to provide hands-on learning experiences. This approach will ensure students apply theoretical knowledge effectively, she added.



Several teachers acknowledged the psychological benefits of the training. Hoshiarpurs Vandana Heen said: It was a joyful learning experience that encouraged us to rethink our teaching practices.



Others, like Nirmaljeet Kaur of Tarn Taran, highlighted Finlands unique approach to time management and moral education. These lessons will prove invaluable as we apply them in our schools, she shared.


At least six Delhi schools received a bomb threat on Saturday, officials said, marking the third instance of threat emails being sent to schools in the national capital this week. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Special Cell has identified a private school student responsible for sending a bomb threat email to a school in Paschim Vihar. According to the Special Cell, this individual is not connected to the group bomb threat emails sent to many schools in Delhi on Friday.

"We received a call about a bomb threat at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, at 6:09 am," a Delhi Fire Services official said. The fire department, local police, dog squads and bomb detection teams reached the school and launched a search operation, the official said. Five more schools, including Ryan International School in Vasant Kunj and Gyan Bharati School in Saket, received the same email from the same sender, he further said.

A police official said nothing suspicious was found after search and inspection in any of the schools. The mails were sent from the "childrenofallah@outlook.Com" email id at 1:47 am.

According to a source, the email read, "Allah sees your efforts to resist his punishment. But they are futile. For no mortal being can escape the judgement of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad declares all who go against Allah enemies to the world. We see your attempt to stop us. It will not work. The Prophet Muhammad has allowed the children to burn in the sacred flame of Allah."

"On Saturday where students may not be there in your buildings is when the buildings shall be brought down. Our bomb vests are blessed by the Prophet Muhammad. They shall not fail their goal. Our children are brave servants of Allah. They shall complete their task," the source said quoting the email. On Friday, about 30 schools received bomb threats over email, triggering a multi-agency search of their premises. Prior to that, at least 44 schools received similar emails on Monday. The police had declared those threats as hoaxes after nothing suspicious was found during searches.

According to police, the student who had sent the threat email to his own school in Paschim Vihar, and after tracing the IP address, the police team traced his home. Upon questioning, the child admitted to the act and was later counselled. The boy told police that he sent the mail after seeing media reports about several schools in Delhi getting bomb threats. He believed that he would not get caught as none of the accused in the earlier cases had been caught yet, the source said. He was let off with a warning to his parents to keep a watch on his behaviour.

The threatening emails raised concerns among parents and staff, though the police assured that investigations are ongoing and safety remains their priority. No explosives or hazardous materials have been found in any of the schools so far.

Since the beginning of the year, around 300 bomb threats have been made to different schools, sending parents, children, cops and administrators into a tizzy. However, the Delhi police seem helpless in tracking down the perpetrators as most of these communications were made using tools like virtual private networks (VPNs) or the Onion Router, aka Tor, which helps mail users remain anonymous. On Friday, the person who sent bomb threat to six schools on Friday used a New Zealand-based email service.

Police used advanced tech and pressed into service specialized cybercrime units like CIU (Counter-Intelligence Unit) and IFSO (Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Ops), but the were far from making a breakthrough.
The Traffic Police successfully resolved 718 unpaid e-challans, while an estranged couple was reunited as 62 benches under various courts heard pending cases during the Lok Adalat on Saturday.

The traffic police recovered Rs 2.52 lakh in fines, issued for traffic violations through the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS).

The Lok Adalat gave violators the opportunity to clear their outstanding fines either online or offline, avoiding further legal action. This initiative is part of Bhopal Traffic Police's ongoing efforts to streamline traffic law enforcement and promote timely payment of fines. Authorities have urged the public to comply with road safety rules and clear any pending e-challans to avoid additional penalties.

In a separate case, a husband and wife, who had been living separately for over a year following a minor dispute, reconciled after mediation by the court. The wife had filed a case under Section 125 of the Indian Penal Code for maintenance.

The couple appeared before Additional Principal Judge Varsha Sharma, who facilitated the reconciliation. With the judges intervention, the wife agreed to return to her husband, and the couple left the courtroom together, with the wife wearing a garland, symbolising their reconciliation.

The National Lok Adalat, organised across various courts in Madhya Pradesh, saw the resolution of cases related to civil, criminal, family disputes, and traffic fines, among others.

In addition, parties involved in cases resolved through the Lok Adalat were refunded the court fees they had paid previously. The initiative is part of an effort to reduce the judicial backlog and resolve disputes amicably.

The National Lok Adalat was held in compliance with the Supreme Courts directives and saw the formation of 62 benches of judges and lawyers for the proceedings.

The National Lok Adalat facilitated the resolution of 21,388 cases. Of the 3,327 pending referred cases, 2,458 were resolved, while 18,930 of the 20,882 pre-litigation cases were also resolved.

The cases included 476 matters related to negotiable instruments or cheque bounce, 509 related to motor accident claims, 704 criminal settlement issues, 140 family-related matters, 174 bank recovery cases, 108 civil dispute cases, 239 cases under the Electricity Act, 14 cases related to the Labour Department, 718 e-traffic challans, and 15,370 cases related to water tax and property tax disputes. The 21,388 cases involved an award amount of Rs 50,74,36,663.
A former home guard personnel who was undertrial on murder charges in Bhopal Central jail died on Thursday, his son has alleged that his father's death has occurred under mysterious circumstances.

Lakshmi Prasad Dubey the undertrial prisoner died on Thursday, his son Sunil alleged that when he went to meet his father three days ago, two people brought him supporting him on their shoulders.

He said that when we asked the jailor to get him treated, he got angry and advised us to mind our own business.

Jailer MS Maravi said that the allegations are baseless, everything will be clear in the judicial investigation of deaths in jail. Initially, doctors have said that the death was due to a heart attack.

The deceased's son said that on Thursday, on the first call, he was informed about his father's illness and after sometime he was informed about his death. When we reached Bhopal, his body was found. If he had received timely treatment in jail, his life could have been saved.

Head constable Ashok Prajapati of Gandhi Nagar police station, who is investigating the case, said that the deceased Lakshmi Prasad Dubey was of Rewa. He has been posted as a constable in the Home Guard.

On February 23, 2023, he killed a youth in Harda after which Harda police arrested him on March 3 2023. He was in Harda jail for some time, and was lodged in Bhopal Central Jail for the last one year while his case is currently under trial.

Doctors have expressed the possibility of death due to heart attack. Due to the death in judicial custody, a judicial inquiry will be conducted into the case.

Sunil said that he had gone to meet his father on December 7, when his health was in very bad shape. He was not even fit to walk and his father had told that his condition was very bad. I talked to the jailor and told him that my father's condition is very critical. It would be good if he gets treatment, on which the jailor said that what to do with the prisoner is my job. You should mind your own business. Then I said that if you want, you can send my father out for a check up once.

After this we took our father's signature on the documents and left from there. On December 12, at 12 noon, I got a call that my father's condition has become very bad, come and see him, he is ill.

When the next call came, I was directly informed about his death. I want to say that the jail staff did not take him to the hospital in time, he was taken out only after his death.

Earlier on 23 February 2023, the body of Bunty alias Vijay Kajve, of village Gomgam of Sirali police station area, was found at Harda bus stand. After this, the police started an investigation by registering a case. In the post-mortem report, it was revealed that Vijay died due to head and lung injuries.

After this, the police searched the CCTV footage of the bus stand where a person was seen beating a youth with a stick near the night shelter. The accused was identified as Laxmi Prasad Dubey, resident of Chirhat district Rewa, who was formerly a Home Guard personnel.

Lakshmi Prasad was expelled and used to live with the deceased and make his living by selling tea at the shops at the bus stand.

After being taken into custody, Laxmi Prasad Dubey had told during interrogation that his belongings had been stolen, which were suspected to be with Bunty alias Vijay. Bunty was assaulted so that he could get his stolen goods but due to hitting Vijay severely Bunty alias Vijay died.
Freezing cold conditions prevailed in Bhopal as the mercury dipped by 4C, recording a low of 3.8C on Friday night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a severe cold wave warning for the state capital, cautioning of further deterioration in weather conditions.

The intense cold is expected to have a significant impact on both residents and agriculture, with frost and cold day conditions forecasted across several districts. Major regions likely to be severely affected include Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, and Shajapur. The lowest temperature in the state was recorded at Kalyanpur (Shahdol), where the mercury dropped to a freezing 1.5C. Other low temperatures included Pachmarhi (2.0C), Girvar in Shajapur (2.5C), Umaria (2.8C), and Mandla (3C).

In stark contrast, the warmest nights in the state were observed in Chitrakoot (13.2C), Kannod (11.2C), Seoni (9.0C), Indore (8.9C), and Sagar (8.5C). Many regions that previously recorded sub-10C temperatures have now dropped to sub-5C, making conditions unbearably cold.

Weather scientists predict that the cold wave will persist for the next three to four days, with temperatures taking longer to return to normal. Continuous snowfall in northern India has intensified the effects of icy winds sweeping through Madhya Pradesh, leaving the state in the grip of severe cold for the past five days. This phase is expected to last until December 16, after which some relief is anticipated.

Cold winds are likely to affect Neemuch, Mandsaur, Dhar, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Sagar, Seoni, Jabalpur, Katni, Shahdol, Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, and Niwari. Severe cold day conditions are expected in Sehore, Raisen, and Vidisha, while Narsinghpur will also remain under the influence of a cold day.

Friday night in Bhopal was reported as the second coldest night in a decade. The drop in temperature is attributed to the incursion of cold winds caused by heavy snowfall in northern India. Subtropical jet stream winds, blowing at a speed of 296 km/h at an altitude of 12.6 km in West-North India, have further exacerbated the chill. The IMD noted that the effect of cold will intensify further if these winds descend to lower altitudes.

A Western Disturbance active in northern India has also contributed to melting snow, which, in turn, has caused a dip in temperatures. Over the last 24 hours, the weather remained dry across all divisions of the state, with cold wave conditions prevailing in Rajgarh, Ratlam, Umaria, Mandla, Seoni, Guna, Narmadapuram, Badwani, Marukheda (Neemuch), Amarkantak (Anuppur), Piprasama (Shivpuri), and Singrauli.

Severe cold wave conditions were reported in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Girvar (Shajapur), Kalyanpur (Shahdol), and Jabalpur. Cold day conditions were observed in Rajgarh, Dhar, Indore, Sehore, Girvar (Shajapur), Ujjain, Sidhi, Narsinghpur, Betul, and Neemuch.

Day temperatures fell significantly below normal in districts of Bhopal, Narmadapuram, and Ujjain divisions and were slightly below normal in Indore, Gwalior, Rewa, Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions. Night temperatures also dropped significantly below normal in Bhopal, Indore, Narmadapuram, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions as the cold wave is likely to continue for the next few days, intensifying the already harsh weather conditions.
While India has given equal voting rights to all, some claim that minorities have no rights in the country, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday in an apparent jibe at the opposition.

Intervening in a debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, the parliamentary affairs minister also cautioned that "our words and actions should not diminish the image of the country in the world fora".

India not only provides legal protection to minorities, it also has a provision for affirmative action to protect their interests, the minister asserted.

Rijiju said successive governments worked for the welfare of minorities. "The Congress has also done that, I am not undermining its role."

Rijiju was the first speaker on the second day of the debate in the Lok Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution's ado
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
Profile: Brazilian sinologist hails Macao's role in promoting Chinese culture

Xinhua) 10:04, December 14, 2024

MACAO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Giorgio Sinedino, a Brazilian sinologist, has developed an interest in China since childhood when he read "The Adventures of Tintin" and was impressed by the Chinese cultural elements such as the traditional Chinese attire and delicate ceramics introduced in the famous comic series.

"I like Tintin because of his interest in different cultures across the globe," said Sinedino, an assistant professor at the University of Macao. "I find his introduction of cultures positive and appealing and want to visit these countries."

Following Tintin's footsteps, the Brazilian sinologist crossed oceans to pursue studies in China and has been living in the country for about 20 years, committing himself to introducing Chinese classics to Portuguese-speaking countries.

Starting in 2012, the scholar published Portuguese versions of several millennia-old Chinese classics, including "The Analects of Confucius," "Dao De Jing," and "Zhuangzi."

His passion for the Chinese language and ancient wisdom was sparked in 2004 when he began learning the language in Brazil with a visiting scholar from Peking University.

After years of studying and working in Beijing, Sinedino decided to settle in Macao, which returned to its motherland China in 1999 after a long history of Portuguese rule, to further his cause in promoting Chinese culture to audiences of Portuguese-speaking countries.

During the 17th century, Macao once played an important role in introducing Chinese learning to the West, according to Sinedino. "Early Western sinologists received basic training in Macao, working on dictionary compilations and translations of Chinese classics," he told Xinhua.

As a bridge linking China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has another appeal for the Brazilian sinologist who has traveled to numerous places worldwide and has always been fascinated by the encounter of various cultures. In his opinion, the SAR is an ideal place to live due to its embrace of cultural diversity.

He said that Brazilians not only focus on China's economic growth but also show an interest in the country's classical culture.

The ever-growing demand for Chinese culture inspired him to introduce more classics to Portuguese-speaking countries, including "The Art of War," a world-renowned book by the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu.

Sinedino believes that it is crucial to understand the historical background behind Sun Tzu's strategic thinking. "I hope to present the uniqueness of this work through supplementary materials, allowing readers to understand this classic from the perspective of Chinese culture and ancient thoughts," he said.

In addition to classics, the Brazilian also pays attention to the studies of modern Chinese literature. He plans to publish in Brazil next year the Portuguese version of "Na Han," or "Call to Arms," a representative work of Lu Xun, one of the most important Chinese writers of the 20th century.

Speaking of future cross-cultural exchanges, the sinologist looks forward to cooperating with experts from the Chinese mainland and Macao SAR to study and translate more Chinese works to better promote Chinese culture.

"As a new wave of introducing Chinese learning to the West unfolds, Macao will continue to contribute to the global promotion of Chinese culture," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Ireland stands with the family of Private Sean Rooney, the Tanaiste has said on the second anniversary of his death.

The 24-year-old, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14, 2022.

The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed while Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, from Co Cork, was badly wounded.

They had been serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) at the time of the attack, which left two others with minor injuries.

Pte Rooneys family has pressed the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldiers death available to his inquest, being conducted by the Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane.

The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report.

The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved.

However they were originally told there were issues around disclosing these reports.

The familys lawyer, Darragh Mackin, told RTE on Friday that the family had yet to receive anything from the UN.

It came after a spokesman for the UN secretary general told the broadcaster that there is more information forthcoming to Irish authorities.

Mr Mackin said the full report should be provided to the coroner, adding he believed it would dispel what he previously characterised as a noxious narrative that Pte Rooney had taken a wrong turn on the day.

In a statement on Saturday, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Government would continue to press for the release of the UN reports.

He said: No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, particularly under such shocking and unacceptable circumstances, but I and the country stand united with Seans family in their grief.

Ireland remains deeply grateful for Seans service, courage and the commitment he showed and the legacy he leaves behind.

Since the events of December 2022, I have consistently expressed both my and the Governments determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established. No stone should be left unturned to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Mr Martin, who is also minister for defence, said his Department is committed to doing everything it can to achieve justice for Pte Rooney.

He said uncertainty surrounding the progress of the various investigations compounds the grief of his family.

At every opportunity, I have stressed my unhappiness with the slow progress of the trial of those accused of Seans murder, and I have made that very clear to both Lebanese authorities, and to the UN.

I would also again urge the UN to cooperate with the Inquest being conducted by the Dublin City Coroner.

Mr Martin said the Board of Inquiry report had been shared with the Irish Government under strict criteria, with the UN insisting no part of it could be shared with any third party  adding that the final report will not be published.

Repeated requests to release the report to Pte Rooneys family have been made since June 2023.

Mr Martin added: The Government and I will continue to press the UN via diplomatic channels regarding the release of the UN reports to the family.

Michael Delaney SC was appointed to conduct an independent inquiry into the attack which began in November and could last nine months.

The inquiry, which is distinct from the inquest, will examine where changes may be required in the tactics, techniques and procedures adopted by the Defence Forces for overseas operations.

It will not investigate the criminal matters that led to the death of Pte Rooney and injuries to other personnel. This is the subject of a criminal investigation being carried out by the Lebanese authorities.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
A man in his 60s has been seriously injured following an assault at a property in Co Dublin.

Gardai said the incident occurred in the Kilmahuddrick area of Clondalkin on Friday between 3pm and 7.15pm.

The victims is being treated at Tallaght University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

An incident room has been set up at Clondalkin Garda Station.

Gardai are appealing to the public for information.

A spokesperson said: Anyone present in the Kilmahuddrick Crescent or St Cuthberts Road area of Clondalkin, Dublin 22, between 3pm and 8pm on Friday 13th December 2024, and who may have information regarding this incident, should make contact with the Gardai.

Persons with mobile phone or dash cam footage, who were in the area at the time, are asked to make this available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda Station on (01) 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111, or any Garda station.
Two graduates of Dundalk Institute of Technology (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 seven 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.

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.
Katelyn Collins, from Cloughduv, and Eoghan Hawkes, from Dounoughmore, first got together back in 2012 and were recently married.

The couple met as teens in secondary school.

We were on a school trip to the Gaeltacht in Dingle when we had our first kiss, and a few days later Eoghan asked me to be his girlfriend, recalled Katelyn.

Eoghan proposed during the pandemic at Mullinhassig Waterfall.

Katelyn pictured with her father Michael on her wedding day in August.

When Eoghan first got his car when he was 19, this is where we would go all the time, we just love it there so much. It was absolutely lashing so we were stood under a tree near the waterfall, and before I knew it Eoghan was down on one knee asking me to marry him. Of course it was a definite yes, said Katelyn.

The couple bought their forever home in Aherla in June, 2022, and added a new member to their family that Christmas- their dog, Harley.

They were married on August 2 at St Josephs Church, Cloughduv, by Fr Ben Hodnet, surrounded by friends and family including the brides parents and two sisters and the grooms parents, four sisters and three brothers.

We had the most amazing day. We were especially grateful to have my grandmother and grandfather with us on our big day, said Katelyn.

The bridal party included Katelyns sister Shauna as maid of honour, and her sister Clodagh, Eoghans sister Bronagh and Katelyns best friend Jade as bridesmaids.

Eoghans brother Kieran was his best man and his brothers Steven and Cian and his best friend Shane were groomsmen.

We had the most important people to help us as flower girl and page boy. Eoghans niece Mia was our beautiful flower girl and my cousin Ian was our handsome page boy, said Katelyn.

Eoghan pictured with his best man and groomsmen at the church before the ceremony.

The bride wore a gown from Brides of Eire in Clonakilty and the suits were from Suits Distributors. The bridesmaid dresses were from JJs House and the flower girl and page boy outfits were from Next.

The couple held a reception afterwards for their guests at the Trident Hotel in Kinsale.

The couple held their reception at The Trident Hotel in Kinsale. Picture: Arnis Photography

The band was Route 66 and the couple said they kept everyone on the dancefloor.

Our first dance song was Flaws by Callum Scott, said Katelyn.

The photographer was Arnis Photography and the videographer was Arclight.

Route 66 played at the reception and the couple said they had everyone up on the dance floor for the evening.

We had the best day and I think our favourite memory was officially becoming husband and wife after all these years, hearing the wonderful speeches from Eoghan, Kieran, my two sisters and both our fathers, said Katelyn.

Pictures: Arnis Photography
Hello Santa, Im from The Echo, said your reporter. How do you do, replied Mr Claus, Im from the North Pole.

With barely 10 days to Christmas, Santa took this morning off to spend time with some of the most important people in Ireland, the boys and girls who are being looked after by the staff at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

There was some confusion as to whether Santa actually arrived in Cork by helicopter or not, but maybe that was down to grown-ups not having enough imagination to know that Santa is magic and can do anything.

Caimin Haugh from Ennis was delighted to help Santa deliver gifts to children in the CUH where he is also a patient. Picture: Chani Anderson

He seemed to arrive in a Defence Forces MOWAG armoured patrol car, led in by a lone piper and two lions from the Kinsale and District Lions Club, followed by a cavalcade of garda outriders, garda cars, fire trucks, ambulances, coast guard vans, civil defence buses, and tractors.

The convoy had come from Bishopstown garda station, and had only arrived at CUH when a helicopter appeared in the sky overhead.

The noise from the sirens was crazy, and then that was drowned out by the thunderous sound of Rescue 117 coming into land on the CUH helipad, the rotors of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter whipping the air and throwing up every stray leaf on the damp winter ground.

Santas helicopter arrives in the CUH after the Kinsale Lions organised for the big man to visit the children's ward there, then travel by police convoy to the Mercy and SIVUH. Picture: Chani Anderson

Rescue 117 was decked out in red and white, not only the Cork colours, but also Santas favourite livery, and Santa definitely arrived on that, too.

It was all very confusing for the adults, but who are we to question a man of that size who can get down a chimney, even when your house doesnt have a chimney?

And if he can deliver toys to every good child in the whole wide world in a single night, then he can surely arrive in Cork by armoured car and at the exact same time also by helicopter.

Santa told The Echo that he is a big fan of the Irish Coast Guard and the lifesaving work they do, but he let slip that hes not crazy about the chopper.

Im delighted with the big turnout here at CUH, but Im not very impressed with the helicopter, its too noisy, he said.

I will have to go back to my sleigh and Rudolph and the lads on December 24.

Pawel Wireless and his son, Leo, 5 pictured with Santa who visited him in the childrens ward of the CUH accompanied by elves from the Kinsale Lions Club. Picture: Chani Anderson

He had words of praise for the volunteers of the Kinsale and District Lions Club, who, since 2020, have been running a toy appeal in partnership with CUH Charity.

They do such a great job gathering up all the toys donated by the lovely members of the public, and they package them up, and then the lovely people from the emergency services help to bring the toys here, where the CUH staff help to match the toys up with the boys and girls who are being cared for, he said.

This year, contracting firm MMD Construction also donated a large number of toys, as did investment bankers JP Morgan and the RTE Late Late Toy Show.

Kinsale and District Lions Club member, former garda chief superintendent Con Cadogan, said the appeal had grown year on year.

This year the amount of toys that came in has been absolutely tremendous, and its great for the children here in CUH, he said.

Former lord mayor of Cork, northside Fianna Fail councillor Tony Fitzgerald, said the morning was a tribute to all who helped to gather donated toys for the children in CUH, and served as a reminder of the great work of the emergency services.

They sacrifice so much to keep us all safe, and theyll be on duty all over the Christmas, while the rest of us are enjoying a break, he said.

Cork GAA star Micheal Aodh Martin was on hand, acting as one of Santas helpers, and he said it had been a very impressive turnout by the emergency services and volunteers.

Santa arrived by Coast Guard helicopter to Cork University Hospital to deliver presents to child patients. The annual toy drop, now in its fifth year, is a partnership between Kinsale & District Lions Club and CUH Charity, the hospitals fundraising arm. Pictured (L/R): Brian Hurley, Harry Bassel (7) and Micheal Aodh Martin, Picture: Colm Lougheed.

Its amazing to see everybody giving of their time to organise such a brilliant day, and were heading in to see the kids now and hopefully put a smile on a few faces in the hospital, he said.

Eight-year-old Odhran Barry met Santa and scored some decent toys, saying Santa had been very kind.

His mom, Angela, said Odhran had got a present even better than Santas  a Cork jersey signed by Micheal Aodh and Brian Hurley.

In the Puffin Ward, Santa chatted with everyone, and no small person went empty-handed.

At one point Micheal Aodh had to help a small boy carrying a bag of toys bigger than himself.

One young patient declined to get her photo taken with Santa (Shes 11, shes at that age, said her mother) but she didnt turn down the toys he gave her.

After CUH, Santa went across town to the Mercy University Hospital, and then on to South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, before heading home to the North Pole, where final preparations are well underway for the busiest night of his year.
Almost 2,000 volunteers from schools across Cork city and county will be coming together to help raise funds for the annual SHARE appeal.

Students from 22 schools across Cork will sport the familiar yellow jackets over the next two weeks, rallying troops for the Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly (SHARE) fundraising effort.

The blessing and switching on of the iconic SHARE crib lights took place this evening, and was officiated by the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, together with the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin, and the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Right Reverend Paul Colton.

Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Right Reverend Paul Colton, Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle and Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin pictured at the launch of Corks iconic SHARE Crib. Photo: Gerard McCarthy photography

The occasion was heralded by the Band 1 Brigade, under the baton of Captain Ben Jacobs, marking the beginning of a daily collection that will continue until Christmas Eve.

The collections have become an annual tradition that has been a cornerstone of Christmas in Cork for more than 50 years.

A number of students will also take part in the annual SHARE 24-hour fast, as they man the crib daily.

Every year, students from all over Cork come together for this worthy cause. Were asking people to remember the elderly in our community, chair of the executive, Zak OSullivan, said.

Corks iconic SHARE Crib on Patrick Street. Photo: Gerard McCarthy photography

This Christmas looks set to be bitterly cold, but that wont deter the students of Cork in their support of the elderly.

Christmas can be a lonely time of year, and together we make a difference.

Once the crib is up, and the annual SHARE collection begins, there is a real air of care, community and Christmas spirit in Cork.

Kayla Cronin, SHARE executive, added: 2024 marks the 55th year of the fast, [and] for those of us involved, SHARE holds a special place in our hearts.

Nina Avanka from Cork city pictured at the launch of Corks iconic SHARE crib on Patrick Street. Picture: Gerard McCarthy photography

For those that dont have cash to hand, there are tap and QR code options available to facilitate on-the-spot donations as shoppers take to the streets in the coming weeks.

Donations to the SHARE fundraiser can also be made online via https://sharecork.org/donations/.
A Cork TD has said it is clearly not good enough that Dublin has been awarded nearly nine times as many probationer gardai as Cork, with the Southern Region having received the smallest allocation of graduates.

Sinn Feins Donnchadh O Laoghaire said much more manpower is needed in Cork, particularly coming up to Christmas, and that Dublin is not large enough to justify getting more than half of the graduates.

Yesterday, 169 gardai were attested as sworn members of An Garda Siochana.

Of the new graduates, 96 will be stationed in Dublin, 31 in the Eastern Region, 24 in the North Western Region, and just 18 in the Southern Region.

Eleven of the 18 will be stationed in Cork, eight in the city, and three in the county.

Four have been assigned to Anglesea St, three to Togher, two to Mayfield, and one to Gurranabraher, as well as one each in Bandon, Clonakilty, and Mallow.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork South-Central Donnchadh O Laoghaire told The Echo: This has long been a source of concern for the people of Cork.

The fact is, we havent been getting a fair shake in terms of garda allocation.

These newest numbers are an improvement of previous times when we have gotten just one, two, or three, but they are still nowhere near good enough.

Id like to think theres been something of a recognition from garda management that weve been let down in Cork, and thats why theres a slight increase, but much more is needed, Mr O Laoghaire said.

Dublin is bigger than Cork, but its not nine times bigger, yet there have been disproportionate numbers going to Dublin every single time.

Two things are needed  a massive increase in garda recruitment and a fair allocation.

What we are getting at the moment is still clearly not good enough.

Mr O Laoghaire added that at this time of year, it is particularly important to have a strong garda presence in Cork city.

Garda presence is crucial around this time of year, to protect businesses and so that people feel confident to come in and enjoy being in the city centre, he said.

We want people to come in, spend money but also enjoy themselves  one of the things we need to make that happen is adequate garda numbers.

A further 277 garda recruits are currently undergoing training, and the next intake of garda recruits is scheduled to enter the garda college on Monday.

Speaking at the graduation, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: This is a very special day for each newly-attested garda and their families.

It is a celebration of the hard work and commitment that has taken them to this point.

We recognise the importance of a highly visible policing service and robust resourcing is at the heart of that.

The Government will continue to ensure the men and women of An Garda Siochana have the legislation, technology, and supports to perform your vital mission of keeping people safe.
Aer Lingus has announced that their Cork to Amsterdam service will cease from March 17, 2025, with a Cork person who travels the route regularly calling this super inconvenient.

Customers who have already booked Cork to Amsterdam flights after that time period have been contacted by the airline to inform them of the update, with Aer Lingus advising that customers will receive a follow up email with alternative travel options or a refund if they would prefer.

A spokesperson for Cork Airport confirmed Aer Lingus notified the airport of the decision and added:

We would like to thank Aer Lingus for their 26 years of continual service on this route.

Meanwhile, direct connectivity with Amsterdam Schiphol will be maintained with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offering twice-daily services to Amsterdam, with the ability to connect onwards to over 150 destinations.

Ryanair only flies to Amsterdam from Dublin.

Maya Sullivan, who is from Cork originally but has been living in Rotterdam for the last five years, told The Echo: I always fly Aer Lingus to Amsterdam, it is a lot cheaper than KLM.

Its been busy every time Ive flown, even though the flight from Cork to Amsterdam is always at 6am its normally still full or nearly full, so it seems weird they are cancelling it.

Ms Sullivan said this change will mean choosing from a considerably more expensive flight or flying from Dublin instead.

It will mean anyone who wants to visit me will have to get to Cork City, get the bus to Dublin then fly out and then fly back to Dublin and get the bus back to Cork and then back to West Cork which is super inconvenient. And also I will have to do that to get home!

A spokesperson for Aer Lingus said: Services between Cork and Amsterdam will be discontinued from March 17. This decision was made after a thorough review of our route network and in response to changing travel demands.

Aer Lingus remains deeply committed to Cork and our valued customers in the south of Ireland. In line with this commitment, we have launched two new summer routes from Cork Airport to Bilbao and Bordeaux.
The organisers of Cork citys Rotary Tree of Remembrance are inviting members of the public to remember their loved ones this Christmas by writing their message on a yellow ribbon and placing it on the tree.

This is the 22nd year of Corks Tree of Remembrance and, in that time, the initiative has raised close to 1.15m for local charities.

This years tree was officially launched by Tanaiste Micheal Martin, alongside the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Honore Kamegni, Rotary Ireland district governor Seamus Parle, and the presidents of the Cork and Bishopstown Rotary clubs, Donal Cashman and Willie Reville.

The tree will be available for ribbons right up to the evening of Christmas Eve, with volunteers on-site outside Brown Thomas to accept donations.

After Christmas, the ribbons will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church on Fr Mathew Quay, where they will be blessed at an ecumenical service on January 11 from 5pm.

Funds raised from this years donations will go towards several charities, including Marymount Hospital and Hospice, Westgate Senior Citizens Foundation, Tabor Lodge, and the Mercy Hospital Cancer Appeal.

Rotary Ireland assistant governor George Roche said the annual Tree of Remembrance has become an institution in Cork city after more than 20 years in operation.

Our volunteers see first-hand how much it means to people to remember and honour departed family or friends by placing a ribbon on the tree, said Mr Roche.

Some people who were brought here as children are now bringing their own children along  they say it has become part of their Christmas ritual to visit the tree and remember their loved ones.

It is really heartening to see that and to see people supporting the vital work which these charities do.

With growing numbers availing of their services, these charities need our support more than ever, so we regard the Tree of Remembrance as a symbol of hope and gratitude as well as an opportunity for the community to rally round and support these great causes.

The Rotary Tree of Remembrance, which is a registered charity, is a joint project between Rotary Club of Cork and the Rotary Club of Cork Bishopstown.

Each year, more than 200 volunteers give up their time to work on the project  accepting donations and hanging ribbons on behalf of the public.

Almost half of Irelands 67 rotary clubs organise a Tree of Remembrance in their local areas each year.
A judge challenged a young mans explanation that his shoplifting was carried out because there wasnt a stick of furniture in his flat as it turned out that he was stealing baby food formula from SuperValu in Carrigaline.

Judge Mary Dorgan said: I was told he was stealing because his flat was not furnished. Stealing baby milk is not going to put sticks of furniture into his house.

The judge joked that she was glad to see Gavin Reidy smiling about it when she pointed out to him that his excuse did not match up with the facts.

Sentencing the young man, Judge Dorgan urged him to put his life on a better footing: Will you think about that long and hard or you will just get into a cycle of crime?

She said that the next time he comes to a shop he should walk past the door.

He said that being on methadone treatment helped him to pass shops as suggested.

The 28-year-old, of Cul Na Cille, Church Hill, Carrigaline, was sentenced to eight months with the last three months suspended at Cork District Court.

On February 12 at Lidl, Cornmarket Street, he stole 276 worth of property and he was drunk and a danger to himself and others and he told gardai to f*** off.

On February 15 he stole 313 worth of items at Tesco, Paul Street On February 22 he stole 157 worth of property at Lidl, Cornmarket Street.

On March 15 at Marks and Spencer he stole nine bottles of vodka and four legs of lamb, valued 435.

On August 6 he had 100 Diamorphine (heroin) for his own use.

More recently on November 7 he was found in possession of stolen property and on November 22 he had 60 worth of cocaine.
A former Irish rugby international has been found guilty of the rape of a woman in France in 2017, while another former player has been convicted of failing to prevent a crime.

Former Irish U20 prop Denis Coulson has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a woman in Merignac, on the outskirts of Bordeaux.

Former Irish international Chris Farrell has received a four-year sentence with two years suspended for failure to prevent a crime.

He will not be sent to prison but will have to wear an electronic tag for two years and remain in France, RTE reports.

Three other men were also on trial in connection with the incident; New Zealanders Rory Grice, and Dylan Hayes, as well as Frenchman Loick Jammes.

All five men had denied the charges they faced.

The presiding judge had excluded media from proceedings, at the request of lawyers for the alleged victim.

It began last week at La Cour d'Assises, a criminal trial court in the region of Gironde.

In the small hours of March 12th 2017, the student, identified only as V., was in tears as she left a hotel on the outskirts of Bordeaux, where the Grenoble team spent the night after losing a Top 14 encounter against local side Bordeaux-Begles.

The three main defendants left Grenoble in 2017 after the accusations emerged, to pursue their careers at other clubs.

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.
The party season is upon us, but if its fashion fills you with more panic than pep, youre not alone.

If youre not one for sequins or bows, knowing what to reach for to feel festive can be tricky.

But whether its down to colour, tailoring or texture, theres a way to elevate your partywear no matter your personal style.

Celebrity stylists and fashion consultants share their rules for finding your party season style without compromising your wardrobe favourites.

Take note of whats in your wardrobe

The trick to finding any particular style is to look at what you gravitate towards. Take a look in your wardrobe, if you see a lot of long sleeves or V-necks, then you should incorporate those shapes into your partywear pieces.

When it comes to incorporating this seasons trends, the key is to vary the silhouette to best tailor your personal style.

This party season the key look is YSLs Le Smoking, explains celebrity and brand stylist Clare Chambers.

The beauty of this tuxedo-inspired style is that there is an iteration that suits everyone.

Whether you choose an oversized and longer tuxedo jacket or a shorter, more fitted one, you can pair this with trousers, a satin skirt, over a dress or even jeans, says Chambers.

Similarly with colour, if you gravitate to neutrals such as taupe, cream and navy, then opt for champagne sequins or bronzed metallics.

If you wear a lot of pattern, test out black watch tartan or a Fair Isle knit.

Have a Christmas toolkit

Once you know the styles, shapes and colours you gravitate toward, having a few festive favourites in your arsenal can help you throw together a great outfit at the last minute.

Accessories are the key to adding a festive touch to your outfit. Picture: Alamy/PA.

A Christmas toolkit is a festive essential and can easily transform a day to drinks outfit, says fashion expert and founder of Modes and More Vintage, Susie Nelson.

For accessories, opt for large earrings or a sparkly belt, bag or shoes. Velvet hair bows and embellished hairbands can also help, Nelson explains.

When it comes to clothes and patterns, Nelson suggests plaid or tartan for those not keen on the sequin route.

Play with textures

Festive prints such as sequins, plaid or tartan are more difficult to have in your all-year-round wardrobe.

Nelson therefore suggests experimenting more with texture to bring a touch of festive glamour.

Incorporating velvet, suede, corduroy or faux fur into your look can elevate an average winter outfit into some glamorous partywear.

Dont compromise on comfort

When someone says partywear uncomfortable heels and scratchy sequins may spring to mind  but this neednt be the case.

Focus on fabric and fit, says London-based fashion stylist Karine Laudort.

Look for stretchy materials like jersey or luxe knits for a chic yet comfortable feel.

Laudort emphasises the importance of silhouettes, ensuring you opt for those you feel comfortable (and confident) in.

For example, midi dresses with a bit of stretch or wide-leg trousers with a tailored top are great options.

When it comes to footwear, Chambers suggests opting for flats or block heels.

As a general room of thumb, a pair of black suede block mid-heeled ankle boots are the most comfortable, because the fabric isnt as restrictive as leather, and the block heel means that weight feels more evenly distributed.

Plus suede seamlessly blends with black tights and is more flattering on bare legs.

Never underestimate accessories

Most people have more outfits in their wardrobes and cupboards than they realise, says Nelson.

With a bit of thought and imagination, nearly all outfits can be partied up with the addition of the right accessories.

Its a universal truth that accessories are the quickest way to transform an outfit.

Think bold earrings, statement necklaces or a shimmering clutch to add instant glamour, says Laudort.

The key accessory for party season 2024 is the sculptural hoop, says Chambers.

Whether you choose gold or silver, this particular style of earring means that you do away with all other jewellery in order to let these be the impactful statement detail to your outfit.
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.

Scientists have, for the first time, observed the unleashing of an enormous glacial lake flooding event in East Greenland. The rare outburst involved 3,000-plus billion liters of meltwater bursting forth in a matter of weeks.

Witnessed by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, the natural phenomenon provides insight into the powerful and potentially dangerous forces that can be released by meltwater, a press release from University of Copenhagens Niels Bohr Institute said.

Imagine an enormous bathtub atop a mountain filled with water equivalent to three times Denmarks annual water consumption, and then suddenly bursting. This is essentially what happened when the massive Catalina Lake in East Greenland released 3.4 cubic kilometers of meltwater  3,000 billion liters  into the Scoresby Sound fjord, the press release said.

The enormous volume of water released by the lake made it one of the three largest events of its kind ever to be documented.

The meltwater outburst flood happened from September 23 to October 11, during which time the water level of Catalina Lake fell by 154 meters. The scientists were able to use satellite imagery to observe the spectacle in real time.

Satellite image of Catalina Lake in an undated photo. University of Copenhagen

We have previously found traces of similar outburst floods, but due to polar night and clouds obstructing the potential for satellite observations, this is the first time that researchers have been able to monitor an event and measure the water volumes in real time, explained Aslak Grinsted, a climate researcher with the Niels Bohr Institute, in the press release.

The outburst flood was caused by the accumulation of meltwater from Catalina Lake over the last two decades. The lake sits nestled in a valley obstructed by the Edward Bailey Glacier. As the lake filled up, the water started to lift the glacier, resulting in a 25-kilometer-long, carved-out tunnel underneath the ice. The pressure from the water building up finally caused it to burst into Scoresby Sound, the largest fjord on Earth.

The phenomenon of a glacial lake gradually filling and releasing its meltwater in a rush is known as a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).

Events such as this have been happening more often in the past 30 years due to global heating and climate change.

The danger from glacier-dammed lakes is increasing due to global warming. Its vital to improve our understanding of this phenomenon to issue timely warnings should there be an imminent risk, Grinsted warned.

The recent GLOF in East Greenland did not cause any harm due to the areas sparse population. However, floods like this can be catastrophic in more populated areas such as the Himalayas, where villages are frequently destroyed. A 2023 study found that 15 million people globally live under threat of dangerous glacial floods.

I expect that we will witness outbursts from even larger ice-dammed lakes as Greenlands ice sheet retreats in coming centuries. At the end of the last Ice Age, Lake Missoula had an outburst that was 2,500 times larger than the recent Catalina event. To understand these massive forces, we must study the largest outbursts when they occur, Grinsted said. In this case, the energy released by the glacier flood was equivalent to the output of the worlds largest nuclear power plant running at full capacity for 22 days.

Grinsted said it was worth considering how the incredible power of such natural phenomena could be harnessed as a green energy source. The energy produced by the event at Catalina Lake could theoretically have generated 50 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power a small town.

In this instance, however, the closest human settlement of 350 residents was 180 kilometers away, which would pose a major technological challenge for energy transmission and potential use.

As with many other natural resources in Greenland, infrastructure is a problem. But if a brilliant engineer could figure out how to harness these meltwater outbursts, theres enormous power and energy potential in them, Grinsted concluded.

The danger from glacier-dammed lakes is increasing due to global warming. Its vital to improve our understanding of this phenomenon to issue timely warnings should there be an imminent risk, says Grinsted.
Elizabeth City, N.C.  When Ezra Etzel graduated high school in 2012, he had one clear ambitionto fly. But like many young dreamers, financial hurdles stood in his way. He did not have the means to attend the schools with flight programs that his counselor recommended. So, he put his dream of flying on hold.

"I elected to forego chasing my dream, and I decided to get in touch with my heritage and Jewish roots," Etzel recalled.

Etzel, born in Brookville, Pa. and raised in Clarion, Pa, took the journey to study his heritage abroad. It was not until after returning to the United States in 2019 that fate intervened and around this same time, Etzels family relocated to Fayetteville, N.C.

"My mom came across an ad for ECSU, and we honestly had no idea a program like this even existed," Etzel said. "I was completely sold. An affordable education is hard to attain, and aviation is a highly coveted, hot field now. To be able to enter this beautiful world of flight so close to where it all started 120 years ago, and for only a fraction of the cost of overpriced big-name schools, was nothing short of miraculous."

Tomorrow, Etzel will walk across the stage with a degree in aviation science (professional aeronautics) and a minor in emergency management, ready to launch into a future he once thought unattainable.

Building Community

Initially, Etzel didn't know what to expect attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). But what he found was acceptance. "I have made some truly amazing lifelong friends in my time here, and I have always felt really appreciative of the inclusive and welcoming environment I experienced here," Etzel said. "I have learned so much outside of the classroom and have been able to experience a very different culture than what I grew up in or experienced anywhere else in my life."

Campus life for Etzel became more than what he'd imagined. Etzel's time at ECSU was about more than just flying. He immersed himself in campus life, taking on leadership roles and participating in diverse organizations like the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Women in Aviation International (WAI), the Dining Advisory Group, American Indian Programs, Order of the Sword and Shield, National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA), National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program (USCG AUP)the first such program at an HBCU.

But his leadership didn't stop there. One of his proudest accomplishments was creating the Annual Halloween Fly-In Trunk-or-Treat at Elizabeth City Regional Airport. "What started as an idea exploded into an event with over 500 attendees," he said with pride. "It's been amazing to introduce youth to aviation in such a fun way."

The Village Behind the Viking

Etzel credits his professors and mentors at ECSU for shaping his personal and professional growth. Kevin Kupietzdepartment chair and assistant professor of emergency managementinspired his passion for emergency management and connected him with an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) apprenticeship, leading to his emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. Meanwhile, Robin Manghamaviation program coordinator and lecturerfueled his interest in air traffic control (ATC), a field he plans to pursue after graduation.

"Her passion and love inspired me and are some of the major reasons I applied to ATC school," Etzel said. "She also does the best at keeping track of her students' progress in the program and has always made herself available for advising and assistance to keep me on track to graduate."

Etzel also acknowledges his flight instructor, Cory Castle, for helping him earn his instrument ratingthe qualification a pilot must have to fly under instrument flight rulesdespite significant challenges. "It was one of the toughest things I've ever done," he said. "But persistence and the support of my mentors got me through."

Etzel's support was plenteous, and there are many he credits as part of the mixture that's making him who he is.

Eyes on the Horizon

After graduation, Etzel plans to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment, a crucial step toward becoming an air traffic controller. He'll head to Oklahoma City for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) training if successful. In the meantime, he'll continue working in EMS and pursuing additional flight ratings.

"I see myself in air traffic control five years from now," he said. "But wherever I end upwhether in operations, dispatch or flyingI know I'll be doing something I love."

Advice for Future Vikings

Considering his journey, Etzel advises incoming ECSU students: "Stay focused. A lot of people get distracted in college with social life and fun and don't apply themselves. They throw away their academic career and waste their time and money. College is fun, but it's serious too," Etzel said.

For future aviation students, he advised, "Do not fall behind. The program is rigorous and demands your time and focus. Keep a good schedule, stay healthy and work hard."

As he prepares to leave ECSU, Etzel knows he's taking more than just a diploma with him. "I am a pilot today because of ECSU. I hope to become an air traffic controller because of ECSU. I am an EMT because of ECSU. I study French and Yiddish every day because of ECSU. I have had experiences I never dreamt of because of ECSU. I have new, incredible friends for life because of ECSU. And none of those are small things on their own, let alone altogether. I am a different person today, for the better, because of ECSU."

Etzel's story is a testament to the power of self-discovery, pursuing passions and overcoming uncertainty. Even the sky has no limits for Etzelit's just the beginning.
A federal court has denied TikToks request for a temporary pause of a law that could result in a ban of the app next month. The ruling, which came in response to an emergency injunction filed by TikTok earlier this week, is the latest legal setback for the company as it tries to avoid a total ban of its app in the United States.

In its request for a delay in the law taking effect, TikTok indicated that it planned to appeal to the Supreme Court. The companys lawyers also cited the possibility that President-elect Donald Trump may want to take a different approach given some of Trumps past comments about the app. But in a brief order, a panel of three judges denied that request, writing that such a pause was unwarranted.

TikToks future now depends on the Supreme Court, though theres no guarantee the court will agree to hear the case. "As we have previously stated, we plan on taking this case to the Supreme Court, which has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech, the company said in a statement. The voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world will be silenced on January 19th, 2025 unless the TikTok ban is halted."
Fans of 'Malcolm in the Middle' have reason to celebrate, as Disney+ has officially greenlit a revival of the beloved sitcom. The show's original creator, Linwood Boomer, is leading the project, with Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek returning to their iconic roles. Disney Branded Television has ordered four new episodes, although a release date has not yet been announced.

According to the official synopsis, "Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter are drawn into the family's chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party."

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, shared her enthusiasm for the revival: "'Malcolm in the Middle' is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart, and relatability. Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and we're so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again. With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved  along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless."

The series originally aired on Fox from 2000 to 2006, spanning seven seasons and 151 episodes. It became a cultural phenomenon, earning 33 Emmy nominations and seven wins, including two awards for Cloris Leachman as a guest actress. The show also helped popularize the single-camera comedy format and remains available for streaming on Hulu.

Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, highlighted the show's influence: "When Linwood Boomer suggested it might be time to bring everyone's favorite dysfunctional family back for a bit of a reunion, we couldn't think of a more iconic and influential series to revisit, along with a truly brilliant cast to reunite."

Boomer is returning as writer and executive producer, joined by Cranston, Tracy Katsky, Gail Berman, and New Regency's producing team. Ken Kwapis will direct all four episodes and serve as an executive producer.

The revival joins a wave of early 2000s reboots, including 'Scrubs' and 'Prison Break,' proving nostalgia is alive and well in television.

Muniz's return to Malcolm in the Middle comes as he embarks on a new chapter in his life: becoming a full-time NASCAR driver. After years of building his racing credentials, Muniz recently joined Reaume Brothers Racing for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, fulfilling a lifelong dream. "I don't want to say it's a long time coming, but this has been a dream of mine for forever," he shared in an interview, underscoring his passion and commitment to his racing career.

Additionally, Muniz has been reflecting on the sacrifices his family made to support his acting career. During a recent podcast appearance, he opened up about how his parents' divorce and his sister's separation from the family were directly tied to his pursuit of acting. "It actually makes me a little bit sad to realize that us following [...] my dream and the things that I got to do affected every single member of my family," he admitted.
From his prison cell, Tory Lanez has partnered with DDG on a newly released song, "HANDLING BUSINESS," sparking widespread conversation just hours after it dropped.

Read more: DDG Slammed for New Tory Lanez Collab the Convicted Felon Recorded Over the Phone from Prison

In the song, Lanez revisits the events of the infamous 2020 pool party that led to his incarceration. The gathering, which included Kylie Jenner, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kelsey Nicole, escalated into an argument that ended with Lanez allegedly shooting Megan in the foot. Reflecting on that night, Lanez raps, "The only thing I regret from that night is jumping out of the pool with Kylie [Jenner]." While some fans praised his continued commitment to music, others expressed outrage, questioning his decision to revisit a traumatic event for Megan Thee Stallion. One user on X commented, "How is he aggravating from prison? Send him to solitary," while another asked, "Can they make his sentence longer for this?"

Tory Lanez featured on DDG's song "HANDLING BUSINESS," talks being with Kylie Jenner the night Meg Thee Stallion was sh*t



"The only thing I regret from that night is jumping out of the pool with Kylie [Jenner]."



pic.twitter.com/YcJudGPErI  FearBuck (@FearedBuck) December 13, 2024

Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted of assault with a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, and negligent discharge of a weapon in connection to the shooting. Despite his imprisonment, Lanez has tried to maintain a connection with fans through his music, although his efforts have not been without controversy.

In September, Lanez announced the suspension of his 'Prison Tapes' series, alleging that his creative efforts were hindered by systemic opposition. "The rumors are true. The Prison Tapes will be discontinued until further notice," Lanez explained. "My cell was not raided and trashed because I learned how to record myself in prison... I was shut down because the 'HIGHER UPS' figured out what I was really doing with 'The Prison Tapes,' and how many inmates were being helped in a life-changing way because of them."

He revealed that proceeds from the recordings supported legal aid for fellow inmates. According to Lanez, "Since the month of July, I've afforded legal representation for 472 inmates and actively reopened 476 cases." He referred to this initiative as The Hands of God Project and emphasized his goal of challenging systemic injustice, stating, "I'm naming this 'The Hands of God Project.' Lastly, they know I'm a threat... just know I went out in the blaze of glory trying to revolutionize the end of a mass incarceration era on our people."
Oliver Dauert 

































? 

? 

? 

?  Wildya  LinkedIn Live 

 Nina Gualinga



P.S. 

?  Nina 

There is no generally accepted definition of Indigenous peoples,[a][1][2][3] although in the 21st century the focus has been on self-identification, cultural difference from other groups in a state, a special relationship with their traditional territory, and an experience of subjugation and discrimination under a dominant cultural model.

Estimates of the population of Indigenous peoples range from 250 million to 600 million.[5] There are some 5,000 distinct Indigenous peoples spread across every inhabited climate zone and inhabited continent of the world.[6][7] Most Indigenous peoples are in a minority in the state or traditional territory they inhabit and have experienced domination by other groups, especially non-Indigenous peoples.[9] Although many Indigenous peoples have experienced colonization by settlers from European nations,[10] Indigenous identity is not determined by Western colonization.

The rights of Indigenous peoples are outlined in national legislation, treaties and international law. The 1989 International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples protects Indigenous peoples from discrimination and specifies their rights to development, customary laws, lands, territories and resources, employment, education and health. In 2007, the United Nations (UN) adopted a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples including their rights to self-determination and to protect their cultures, identities, languages, ceremonies, and access to employment, health, education and natural resources.

Indigenous peoples continue to face threats to their sovereignty, economic well-being, languages, cultural heritage, and access to the resources on which their cultures depend. In the 21st century, Indigenous groups and advocates for Indigenous peoples have highlighted numerous apparent violations of the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Etymology

Indigenous is derived from the Latin word indigena, meaning "sprung from the land, native".[14] The Latin indigena is based on the Old Latin indu "in, within" + gignere "to beget, produce". Indu is an extended form of the Proto-Indo-European en or "in".[15][16]

Definitions

Colorized photograph of an Amis couple in traditional clothing. Taken in preWorld War II Japanese-ruled Taiwan.

There is no generally accepted definition of Indigenous peoples in the United Nations or international law.[17] Various national and international organizations, non-government organizations, governments, Indigenous groups and scholars have developed definitions or have declined to provide a definition.[3]

Historical

As a reference to a group of people, the term "indigenous" was first used by Europeans to differentiate the Indigenous peoples of the Americas from enslaved Africans. The first known use was by Sir Thomas Browne in 1646, who wrote "and although in many parts thereof there be at present swarms of Negroes serving under the Spaniard, yet were they all transported from Africa, since the discovery of Columbus; and are not indigenous or proper natives of America."[18][19]

In the 1970s, the term was used as a way of linking the experiences, issues, and struggles of groups of colonized people across international borders. At this time 'indigenous people(s)' also began to be used to describe a legal category in Indigenous law created in international and national legislation. The use of the plural 'peoples' recognizes the cultural differences between various Indigenous peoples.[20][21]

The first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) was on 9 August 1982 and this date is now celebrated as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.[22]

Recent

In the 21st century, the concept of Indigenous peoples is understood in a wider context than only the colonial experience. The focus has been on self-identification as indigenous peoples, cultural difference from other groups in a state, a special relationship with their traditional territory, and an experience of subjugation and discrimination under a dominant cultural model.

United Nations

No definition of Indigenous peoples has been adopted by a United Nations agency. The Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues states, "in the case of the concept of 'indigenous peoples', the prevailing view today is that no formal universal definition of the term is necessary, given that a single definition will inevitably be either over- or under-inclusive, making sense in some societies but not in others."[23]

However, a number of UN agencies have provided statements of coverage for particular international agreements concerning Indigenous peoples or "working definitions" for particular reports.[23]

The International Labour Organization's (ILO) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (ILO Convention No. 169), states that the convention covers:

peoples in independent countries who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations which inhabited the country, or a geographical region to which the country belongs, at the time of conquest or colonisation or the establishment of present state boundaries and who, irrespective of their legal status, retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political institutions.[24]

The convention also covers "tribal peoples" who are distinguished from Indigenous peoples and described as "tribal peoples in independent countries whose social, cultural and economic conditions distinguish them from other sections of the national community and whose status is regulated wholly or partially by their own customs or traditions or by special laws or regulations."

The convention states that self-identification as indigenous or tribal is a fundamental criterion for determining the groups to which the convention applies.[17] The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples does not define Indigenous peoples but affirms their right to self-determination including determining their own identity.

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights does not provide a definition of Indigenous peoples stating that, "such a definition is not necessary for purposes of protecting their human rights." In determining coverage of Indigenous peoples, the commission uses the criteria developed in documents such as ILO Convention No. 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The commission states that self-identification as indigenous is a fundamental criterion.[2]

World Bank

The World Bank states, "Indigenous Peoples are distinct social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced."[27]

Amnesty International

Amnesty International does not provide a definition of Indigenous peoples but states that they can be identified according to certain characteristics:[28]

Self identification as Indigenous peoples

A historical link with those who inhabited a country or region at the time when people of different cultures or ethnic origins arrived

A strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources

Distinct social, economic or political systems

A distinct language, culture and beliefs

Marginalized and discriminated against by the state

They maintain and develop their ancestral environments and systems as distinct peoples

Scholars

Academics and other scholars have developed various definitions of Indigenous peoples. In 198687, Jose Martinez Cobo, developed the following "working definition" :

Indigenous communities, peoples, and nations are those that, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop, and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems.[29]

Martinez Cobo states that the following factors are relevant to historical continuity: occupation of ancestral lands, or at least of part of them; common ancestry with the original occupants of these lands; cultural factors such as religion, tribalism, dress, etc.; language; residence in certain parts of the country, or in certain regions of the world; and other relevant factors.

Guatemalan girls in their traditional clothing from the town of Santa Catarina Palopo on Lake Atitlan

In 2004, James Anaya, defined Indigenous peoples as "living descendants of pre-invasion inhabitants of lands now dominated by others. They are culturally distinct groups that find themselves engulfed by other settler societies born of forces of empire and conquest".[31]

In 2012, Tuck and Yang propose a criterion based on accounts of origin: "Indigenous peoples are those who have creation stories, not colonization stories, about how we/they came to be in a particular place  indeed how we/they came to be a place. Our/their relationships to land comprise our/their epistemologies, ontologies, and cosmologies".[32] Indigenous peoples such as the Maasai and the Maori have oral traditional histories involving migration to their current location from somewhere else.[33]

Anthropologist Manvir Singh states that the term may lack coherence, pointing to inconsistencies in which ethnic groups are called Indigenous or not, and notes several scholars who suggest that it instead acts as a relabeling of discredited and colonial ideas about "primitive" people.[33] Singh states that some Indigenous people argue that the term and identity has resulted in pressure to appear "primordial" and "unchanging", and erases complex and modern identities.[33]

Other views

It is sometimes argued that all Africans are Indigenous to Africa, all Asians are Indigenous to parts of Asia, or that there can be no Indigenous peoples in countries which did not experience large-scale Western settler colonialism. Many countries have avoided the term Indigenous peoples or have denied that Indigenous peoples exist in their territory, and have classified minorities who identify as Indigenous in other ways, such as 'hill tribes' in Thailand, 'scheduled tribes' in India, 'national minorities' in China, 'cultural minorities' in the Philippines, 'isolated and alien peoples' in Indonesia, and various other terms.[3]

History

Classical antiquity

Greek sources of the Classical period acknowledge Indigenous people whom they referred to as "Pelasgians". Ancient writers saw these people either as the ancestors of the Greeks,[34] or as an earlier group of people who inhabited Greece before the Greeks.[35] The disposition and precise identity of this former group is elusive, and sources such as Homer, Hesiod and Herodotus give varying, partially mythological accounts. Dionysius of Halicarnassus in his book, Roman Antiquities, gives a synoptic interpretation of the Pelasgians based on the sources available to him then, concluding that Pelasgians were Greek.[36]

Africa

In European late antiquity, many Berbers, Copts and Nubians of north Africa converted to various forms of Christianity under Roman rule, although elements of traditional religious beliefs were retained.[37] Following the Arab invasions of North Africa in the 7th century, many Berbers were enslaved or recruited into the army. The majority of Berbers, however, remained nomadic pastoralists who also engaged in trade as far as sub-Saharan Africa.[38] Coptic Egyptians remained in possession of their lands and many preserved their language and Christian religion. By the 10th century, however, the majority of the population of north Africa spoke Arabic and practiced Islam.[39]

From 1402, the Guanche of the Canary Islands resisted Spanish attempts at colonization. The islands finally came under Spanish control in 1496. Mohamed Adhikari has called the conquest of the islands a genocide.[40][41]

Early 15th-century Portuguese exploration of the west coast of Africa was motivated by a quest for gold and crusading against Islam.[42] Portugal's first attempt at colonization in what is now Senegal ended in failure.[43] In the 1470s, the Portuguese established a fortified trading post on the West coast of Africa, south of the Akan goldfields. The Portuguese engaged in extensive trade of goods for gold and, in later years, slaves for their sugar plantations in the islands off West Africa and in the New World.[44] In 1488, Portuguese ships rounded the Cape of Good Hope[45] and by the 17th century, Portugal had established seaborn trading routes and fortified coastal trading posts from West Africa to India and Southern China, and a settler colony in Brazil.[46]

In 1532, the first African slaves were transported directly to the Americas. The trade in slaves expanded sharply in the 17th century, with the involvement of the French, Dutch and English, before declining in the 19th century. At least 12 million slaves were transported from Africa.[47] The slave trade increased inter-tribal warfare and stunted population growth and economic development in the west African interior.[48][49]

Americas

Indigenous encounters with Europeans increased during the age of discovery. The Europeans were motivated by a range of factors including trade,[40][50] the exploitation of natural resources,[40][51] spreading Christianity,[52] and establishing strategic military bases, colonies and settlements.[53]

From 1492, the Arawak peoples of the Caribbean islands encountered Spanish colonizers initially led by Christopher Columbus. The Spanish enslaved some of the native population and forced others to work on farms and gold mines in a system of labor called encomienda. Spanish settlements spread from Hispaniola to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Cuba, leading to a severe decline in the Indigenous populations from disease, malnutrition, settler violence and cultural disruption.[54][55]

In the 1520s, the peoples of Mesoamerica encountered the Spanish who entered their lands in search of gold and other resources. Some indigenous peoples chose to ally with the Spanish to end Aztec rule. The Spanish incursions led to the conquest of the Aztec Empire and its fall. The Cempoalans, Tlaxcalans and other allies of the Spanish were given some autonomy, but the Spanish were de facto rulers of Mexico. Smallpox devastated the indigenous population and aided the Spanish conquest.[56]

Map with the main travels of the Age of Discovery (which began in the 15th century)

In 1530, the Spanish sailed south from Panama to the lands of the Inca Empire in the west of South America. The Inca, weakened by a smallpox epidemic and civil war, were defeated by the Spanish at Cajamarca in 1532, and the emperor Atahualpa was captured and executed. The Spanish appointed a puppet emperor and captured the Inca capital of Cuzco with the support of a number of native peoples. The Spanish established a new capital in 1535 and defeated an Inca rebellion in 1537, thus consolidating the conquest of Peru.[57]

In the 1560s, the Spanish established colonies in Florida and in 1598 founded a colony in New Mexico.[58] However, the heartland of the Spanish colonies remained New Spain (including Mexico and most of Central America) and Peru (including most of South America).[59]

In the 17th century, French, English and Dutch trading posts multiplied in northern America to exploit whaling, fishing and fur trading. French settlements progressed up the St Lawrence river to the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi to Louisiana.[60] English and Dutch settlements multiplied down the Atlantic coast from modern Massachusetts to Georgia.[61] Native peoples formed alliances with the Europeans in order to promote trade, preserve their autonomy, and gain allies in conflicts with other native peoples.[60][62] However, horses and new weapons made inter-tribal conflicts more deadly and the native population was devastated by introduced diseases. Native peoples also experienced losses from violent conflict with the colonists and the progressive dispossession of their traditional lands.[63]

Depiction of a Spaniard entering Chalco with three Tlaxcalan soldiers and an Indigenous porter in the Lienzo de Tlaxcala (pre-1585)

In 1492, the population of the Americas as a whole was about 50 to 100 million. By 1700, introduced diseases had reduced the native population by 90%.[64] European migration and transfer of slaves from Africa reduced the native population to a minority. By 1800 the population of North America comprised about 5 million Europeans and their descendants, one million Africans and 600,000 indigenous Americans.[65]

Native populations also encountered new animals and plants introduced by Europeans. These included pigs, horses, mules, sheep and cattle; wheat, barley, rye, oats, grasses and grapevines. These exotic animals and plants radically transformed the local environment and disrupted traditional agriculture and hunting practices.[65]

Oceania

The indigenous populations of the Pacific had increasing contact with Europeans in the 18th century as British, French and Spanish expeditions explored the region. The natives of Tahiti had encounters with the expeditions of Wallis (1766), Bougainville (1768), Cook (1769) and many others before being colonized by the French.[66] The indigenous inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands first encountered Europeans in 1778 when Cook explored the region.[67] Following increasing contact with European missionaries, traders and scientific expeditions, the indigenous population fell before their lands were annexed by the United States in 1893.[68]

The Maori of New Zealand also had sporadic encounters with Europeans in the 17th and 18th centuries. Following encounters with Cook's exploration parties in 176970, New Zealand was visited by numerous European and North American whaling, sealing, and trading ships.[69] From the early 19th century, Christian missionaries began to settle New Zealand, eventually converting most of the Maori population.[70] The Maori population declined to around 40% of its pre-contact level during the 19th century; introduced diseases were the major factor.[71] New Zealand became a British Crown colony in 1841.[72][73]

The Aboriginal inhabitants of Australia, after brief encounters with European explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries, had extensive contact with Europeans when the continent was progressively colonized by the British from 1788. During colonization, the Aboriginal people experienced depopulation from disease and settler violence, dispossession of their land, and severe disruption of their traditional cultures. By 1850, indigenous peoples were a minority in Australia.[74]

European justifications for colonization

From the 15th to the 19th centuries, European powers used a number of rationales for the colonization of newly encountered lands populated by indigenous peoples. These included a duty to spread the Gospel to non-Christians, to bring civilization to barbarian peoples, a natural law right to explore and trade freely with other peoples, and a right to settle and cultivate uninhabited or uncultivated land which they considered terra nullius ("no one's land").[75]

Robert J. Miller, Jacinta Ruru, Larissa Behrendt and Tracey Lindberg argue that European powers rationalized their colonization of the New World by the discovery doctrine, which they trace back to papal decrees authorizing Spain and Portugal to conquer newly discovered non-Christian lands and convert their populations to Christianity.[76] Kent McNeil, however, states, "While Spain and Portugal favoured discovery and papal grants because it was generally in their interests to do so, France and Britain relied more on symbolic acts, colonial charters, and occupation."[77] Benton and Strauman argue that European powers often adopted multiple, sometimes contradictory, legal rationales for their acquisition of territory as a deliberate strategy in defending their claims against European rivals.[78]

Settler independence and continuing colonialism

Although the establishment of colonies throughout the world by various European powers aimed to expand those powers' wealth and influence, settler populations in some localities became anxious to assert their own autonomy. For example, settler independence movements in thirteen of the British American colonies were successful by 1783, following the American Revolutionary War. This resulted in the establishment of the United States of America as an entity separate from the British Empire. The United States continued and expanded European colonial doctrine through adopting a version of the discovery doctrine as law in 1823 with the US Supreme Court case Johnson v. McIntosh. Statements at the Johnson court case illuminated the United States' support for the principles of the discovery doctrine:[79]

The United States ... [and] its civilized inhabitants now hold this country. They hold, and assert in themselves, the title by which it was acquired. They maintain, as all others have maintained, that discovery gave an exclusive right to extinguish the Indian title of occupancy, either by purchase or by conquest; and gave also a right to such a degree of sovereignty, as the circumstances of the people would allow them to exercise. ... [This loss of native property and sovereignty rights was justified, the Court said, by] the character and religion of its inhabitants ... the superior genius of Europe ... [and] ample compensation to the [Indians] by bestowing on them civilization and Christianity, in exchange for unlimited independence.

Population and distribution

A map of uncontacted peoples, around the start of the 21st century

Estimates of the population of Indigenous peoples range from 250 million to 600 million.[5] The United Nations estimates that there are over 370 million Indigenous people living in over 90 countries worldwide. This would equate to just fewer than 6% of the total world population. This includes at least 5,000 distinct peoples.[80]

As there is no universally accepted definition of Indigenous Peoples, their classification as such varies between countries and organizations.[3] In the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, Indigenous status is often applied unproblematically to groups descended from the peoples who lived there prior to European settlement. However, In Asia and Africa, Indigenous status has sometimes been rejected by certain peoples, denied by governments or applied to peoples who may not be considered "Indigenous" in other contexts.[82] The concept of indigenous peoples is rarely used in Europe, where very few indigenous groups are recognized, with the exception of groups such as the Sami.[83]

Environmental and economic benefits of the Indigenous stewardship of land

may be unbalanced toward certain viewpoints. Please This article. Please improve the article by adding information on neglected viewpoints, or discuss the issue on the talk page . (January 2022)

A WRI report mentions that "tenure-secure" Indigenous lands generates billions and sometimes trillions of dollars' worth of benefits in the form of carbon sequestration, reduced pollution, clean water and more. It says that tenure-secure Indigenous lands have low deforestation rates,[84][85] they help to reduce GHG emissions, control erosion and flooding by anchoring soil, and provide a suite of other local, regional and global ecosystem services. However, many of these communities find themselves on the front lines of the deforestation crisis, and their lives and livelihoods threatened.[86][87][88]

Indigenous peoples and the environment

Misconceptions about the historical relationship between Indigenous populations and their landbase has informed some Westerners view of California's "wild Eden", which may influence policy decisions about the "wilderness". Some academics assumed that the only pre-Colonial human interactions with nature were as "hunter-gatherers". Others say that the relationship was one of "calculated tempered use of nature as active agents of environmental change and stewardship". They argue that a view of "wilderness" as uninhabited nature has resulted in removal of Indigenous inhabitants to preserve "the wild", and that depriving the land of traditional Indigenous practices such as controlled burns, harvesting, and seed scattering has yielded dense understory shrubbery or tickets of young trees which are inhospitable to life. Recent studies indicate that Indigenous peoples used land sustainably, without causing substantial losses of biodiversity, for thousands of years.[89]

A goal is to ascertain an unbiased view of Indigenous practices of resource management.[90][91][92][93] Historical literature, archaeological findings, ecological field studies, and Native Peoples' cultures show indications that Indigenous land management practices were largely successful in promoting habitat heterogeneity, increasing biodiversity, and maintaining certain vegetation types, sustaining human lives while conserving natural resources.[94]

Recently, it has come to light that the deforestation rate of Indonesian rainforests has been far greater than estimated. Such a rate could not have been the product of globalization as understood before; rather, it seemed that ordinary local people dependent on these forests for their livelihoods are in fact "joining distant corporations in creating uninhabitable landscapes."[95]

In eastern Penan, three categories of misrepresentation are noticeable: The Molong concept is purely a stewardship notion of resource management. Communities or individuals take ownership of specific trees, maintaining and harvesting from them sustainably over a long period of time. Some feel this practice has been romanticized in environmentalist writings. Landscape features and particularly their names in local languages provided geographical and historical information for Penan people; whereas in environmentalist accounts, it has turned into a spiritual practice where trees and rivers represent forest spirits that are sacred to the Penan people. A typical stereotype of some environmentalists' approach to ecological ethnography is to present Indigenous "knowledge" of nature as "valuable" to the outside world because of its hidden medicinal benefits. In reality, eastern Penan populations do not identify a medicinal stream of "knowledge". These misrepresentations in the "narrative" of Indigeneity and "value" of Indigenous knowledge might have been helpful for Penan's people in their struggle to protect their environment, but it might also have disastrous consequences. What happens if another case did not fit in this romantic narrative, or another Indigenous knowledge did not seem beneficial to the outside world. These people were being uprooted in the first place because their communities did not fit well with the state's system of values.[96]

At the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), Nations agreed to a new permanent body for Indigenous peoples, which will allow them to advise and offer their view at biodiversity COPs directly.[97]

Indigenous peoples by region

Indigenous populations are distributed in regions throughout the globe. The numbers, condition and experience of Indigenous groups may vary widely within a given region. A comprehensive survey is further complicated by sometimes contentious membership and identification.

Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Starting fire by hand, San people in Botswana

In the postcolonial period, the concept of specific Indigenous peoples within the African continent has gained wider acceptance, although not without controversy. The highly diverse and numerous ethnic groups that comprise most modern, independent African states contain within them various peoples whose situation, cultures and pastoralist or hunter-gatherer lifestyles are generally marginalized and set apart from the dominant political and economic structures of the nation. Since the late 20th century these peoples have increasingly sought recognition of their rights as distinct Indigenous peoples, in both national and international contexts.

Though the vast majority of African peoples are "indigenous" in the sense that they originate from that continent, in practice, identity as an Indigenous people per the modern definition is more restrictive, and certainly not every African ethnic group claims identification under these terms. Groups and communities who do claim this recognition are those who, by a variety of historical and environmental circumstances, have been placed outside of the dominant state systems, and whose traditional practices and land claims often come into conflict with the objectives and policies implemented by governments, companies and surrounding dominant societies.

North Africa

The indigenous peoples of North Africa predominantly comprise the Berbers in the Maghreb and the Copts and Nubians in the Nile Valley. The vast majority of them have been Arabized after the Islamic conquests under the Rashidun and Umayyad caliphates.

Americas

Inuit on a traditional qamutik (dog sled) in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada

A girl wears the traditional Nahua headdress in Yohualichan, Veracruz.

Indigenous peoples of the Americas are broadly recognized as being those groups and their descendants who inhabited the region before the arrival of European colonizers and settlers (i.e., pre-Columbian). Indigenous peoples who maintain, or seek to maintain, traditional ways of life are found from the high Arctic north to the southern extremities of Tierra del Fuego.

The impacts of historical and ongoing European colonization of the Americas on Indigenous communities have been in general quite severe, with many authorities estimating ranges of significant population decline primarily due to disease, land theft and violence. Several peoples have become extinct, or very nearly so. But there are and have been many thriving and resilient Indigenous nations and communities.

North America

North America is sometimes referred to by Indigenous peoples as Abya Yala or Turtle Island.

In Mexico, about 11 million people, or 9% of Mexico's total population, self-reported as Indigenous in 2015, making it the country with the highest Indigenous population in North America.[98][99] In the southern states of Oaxaca (65.73%) and Yucatan (65.40%), the majority of the population is Indigenous, as reported in 2015. Other states with high populations of Indigenous peoples include Campeche (44.54%), Quintana Roo, (44.44%), Hidalgo, (36.21%), Chiapas (36.15%), Puebla (35.28%), and Guerrero (33.92%).[100][101]

Indigenous peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations,[102] Inuit[103] and Metis.[104] The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada.[105][106] More currently, the term "Aboriginal" is being replaced with "Indigenous". Several national organizations in Canada changed their names from "Aboriginal" to "Indigenous". Most notable was the change of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in 2015, which then split into Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Development Canada in 2017.[107] According to the 2016 Census, there are around 1,670,000 Indigenous people in Canada.[108] There are currently over 600 recognized First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, such as the Cree, Mohawk, Mikmaq, Blackfoot, Coast Salish, Innu, Dene and more, with distinctive Indigenous cultures, languages, art, and music.[109][110] First Nations peoples signed 11 numbered treaties[111] across much of what is now known as Canada between 1871 and 1921, except in parts of British Columbia.

The Inuit have achieved a degree of administrative autonomy with the creation in 1999 of the territories of Nunavik (in Northern Quebec), Nunatsiavut (in Northern Labrador) and Nunavut, which was until 1999 a part of the Northwest Territories. The autonomous territory of Greenland within the Kingdom of Denmark is also home to a recognized Indigenous and majority population of Inuit (about 85%) who settled the area in the 13th century, displacing the Indigenous European Greenlandic Norse.[112][113][114][115]

In the United States, the combined populations of Native Americans, Inuit and other Indigenous designations totaled 2,786,652 (constituting about 1.5% of 2003 U.S. census figures). Some 563 scheduled tribes are recognized at the federal level, and a number of others recognized at the state level.

Central and South America

Quechua woman and child in the Sacred Valley, Andes, Peru

In some countries (particularly in Latin America), Indigenous peoples form a sizable component of the overall national population  in Bolivia, they account for an estimated 5670% of the total nation, and at least half of the population in Guatemala and the Andean and Amazonian nations of Peru. In English, Indigenous peoples are collectively referred to by different names that vary by region, age and ethnicity of speakers, with no one term being universally accepted. While still in use in-group, and in many names of organizations, "Indian" is less popular among younger people, who tend to prefer "Indigenous" or simply "Native, with most preferring to use the specific name of their tribe or Nation instead of generalities. In Spanish or Portuguese speaking countries, one finds the use of terms such as indios, pueblos indigenas, amerindios, povos nativos, povos indigenas, and, in Peru, Comunidades Nativas (Native Communities), particularly among Amazonian societies like the Urarina[116] and Matses. In Chile, there the most populous indigenous peoples are the Mapuche in the Center-South and the Aymaras in the North.[117] Rapa Nui of Easter Island, who are a Polynesian people, are the only non-Amerindian indigenous people in Chile.

Indigenous peoples make up 0.4% of all Brazilian population, or about 700,000 people.[118] Indigenous peoples are found in the entire territory of Brazil, although the majority of them live in Indian reservations in the North and Center-Western part of the country. On 18 January 2007, FUNAI reported that it had confirmed the presence of 67 different uncontacted peoples in Brazil, up from 40 in 2005. With this addition Brazil has now overtaken the island of New Guinea as the country having the largest number of uncontacted peoples.[119]

Asia

Kalash girls in Pakistan

West Asia

There are competing claims that Palestinian Arabs and Jews are indigenous to historic Palestine/the Land of Israel.[149][150][151] The argument entered the IsraeliPalestinian conflict in the 1990s, with Palestinians claiming Indigenous status as a pre-existing population displaced by Jewish settlement, and currently constituting a minority in the State of Israel.[152][153] Israeli Jews have also claimed indigeneity, citing religious and historical connections to the land as their ancient homeland; some have disputed the authenticity of Palestinian claims.[154][155][156] In 2007, the Negev Bedouin were officially recognized as Indigenous peoples of Israel by the United Nations.[157] This has been criticized both by scholars associated with the Israeli state, who dispute the Bedouin's claim to indigeneity,[158] and those who argue that recognizing just one group of Palestinians as indigenous risks undermining others' claims and "fetishizing" nomadic cultures.[159]

South Asia

India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean are also home to several Indigenous groups such as the Andamanese of Strait Island,[160] the Jarawas of Middle Andaman and South Andaman Islands,[160] the Onge of Little Andaman Island[160] and the uncontacted Sentinelese of North Sentinel Island.[160]

In Sri Lanka, the Indigenous Vedda people constitute a small minority of the population today.[161]

Marina A. Temina, a native speaker and teacher of the Nivkh language

Northeast Asia

Ainu man performing a traditional Ainu dance

Ainu people are an ethnic group indigenous to Hokkaido, the Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin. As Japanese settlement expanded, the Ainu were pushed northward and fought against the Japanese in Shakushain's Revolt and MenashiKunashir Rebellion, until by the Meiji period they were confined by the government to a reservation near Lake Akan in Hokkaido.[162] In a ground-breaking 1997 decision involving the Ainu people of Japan, the Japanese courts recognized their claim in law, stating that "If one minority group lived in an area prior to being ruled over by a majority group and preserved its distinct ethnic culture even after being ruled over by the majority group, while another came to live in an area ruled over by a majority after consenting to the majority rule, it must be recognized that it is only natural that the distinct ethnic culture of the former group requires greater consideration."[163]

The Dzungar Oirats are indigenous to the Dzungaria in Northern Xinjiang.

The Sarikoli Pamiris are indigenous to Tashkurgan in Xinjiang.

The Tibetans are indigenous to Tibet.

The Ryukyuan people are indigenous to the Ryukyu Islands.

The languages of Taiwanese aborigines have significance in historical linguistics, since in all likelihood Taiwan was the place of origin of the entire Austronesian language family, which spread across Oceania.[164][165][166]

In Hong Kong, the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories are defined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration as people descended through the male line from a person who was in 1898, before Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory.[167] There are several different groups that make up the indigenous inhabitants, the Punti, Hakka, Hoklo, and Tanka. All are nonetheless considered part of the Cantonese majority, although some like the Tanka have been shown to have genetic and anthropological roots in the Baiyue people, the pre-Han Chinese inhabitants of Southern China.

The Russians invaded Siberia and conquered the indigenous people in the 17th18th centuries.

Nivkh people are an ethnic group indigenous to Sakhalin, having a few speakers of the Nivkh language, but their fisher culture has been endangered due to the development of oil field of Sakhalin from 1990s.[168]

In Russia, definition of "Indigenous peoples" is contested largely referring to a number of population (less than 50,000 people), and neglecting self-identification, origin from indigenous populations who inhabited the country or region upon invasion, colonization or establishment of state frontiers, distinctive social, economic and cultural institutions.[169][170] Thus, indigenous peoples of Russia such as Sakha, Komi, Karelian and others are not considered as such due to the size of the population (more than 50,000 people), and consequently they "are not the subjects of the specific legal protections."[171] The Russian government recognizes only 40 ethnic groups as indigenous peoples, even though there are 30 other groups to be counted as such. The reason of nonrecognition is the size of the population and relatively late advent to their current regions, thus indigenous peoples in Russia should be numbered less than 50,000 people.[170][172][173]

Southeast Asia

The Malay Singaporeans are the Indigenous people of Singapore, inhabiting it since the Austronesian migration. They had established the Kingdom of Singapura back in the 13th century. The name "Singapore" is an anglicisation of the Malay name Singapura which is derived from the Sanskrit word for 'lion city'. The native Malay name for the main island of Singapore is Pulau Ujong.

Dayak People are one of the Indigenous groups of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic groups, located in Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory, and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable.

The Cham are the Indigenous people of the former state of Champa which was conquered by Vietnam in the ChamVietnamese wars during Nam ti?n. The Cham in Vietnam are only recognized as a minority, and not as an Indigenous people by the Vietnamese government despite being indigenous to the region.

The Degar (Montagnards) are indigenous to Central Highlands (Vietnam) and were conquered by the Vietnamese in the Nam ti?n.

The Khmer Krom are the Indigenous people of the Mekong Delta and Saigon which were acquired by Vietnam from Cambodian King Chey Chettha II in exchange for a Vietnamese princess.

In Indonesia, there are 50 to 70 million people who are classified as Indigenous peoples by the local Indigenous rights advocacy group Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara.[174] However, the Indonesian government does not recognize the existence of indigenous peoples, classifying every Native Indonesian ethnic group as "indigenous" despite the clear cultural distinctions of certain groups.[175] This problem is shared by many other countries in the ASEAN region.

In the Philippines, there are 135 ethno-linguistic groups, 110 of which are considered as Indigenous peoples by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.[176] The Indigenous people of Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley in the Philippines are the Igorot people. The Indigenous peoples of Mindanao are the Lumad peoples and the Moro (Tausug, Maguindanao Maranao and others) who also live in the Sulu archipelago. There are also others sets of Indigenous peoples in Palawan, Mindoro, Visayas, and the rest central and south Luzon. The country has one of the largest Indigenous peoples population in the world. The recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples was legally enshrined in 1997 with the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act.[176]

In Myanmar, indigenous peoples include the Shan, the Karen, the Rakhine, the Karenni, the Chin, the Kachin and the Mon. However, there are more ethnic groups that are considered indigenous, for example, the Akha, the Lisu, the Lahu or the Mru, among others.[177]

Europe

Various ethnic groups have lived in Europe for millennia. However, the concept of Indigenous peoples is rarely used in the European context.[why?][178]

Indigenous minority populations in Europe include the Sami peoples of northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland and northwestern Russia (in an area also referred to as Sapmi);[179][180] the Nenets of northern Russia,[180] and the Inuit of Greenland,[180][181] and the Irish travelers (also referred to as Pavees or Mincers) of Ireland.[182][183][184][185][b] Some sources describe the Sami as the only recognized Indigenous peoples in Europe,[186][187][188] with others describing them as the only Indigenous people in the European Union.[189][190][191][192]

Other groups, particularly in Central, Western and Southern Europe, that might be considered to fit the description of Indigenous peoples in the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989, such as the Sorbs, are generally categorized as national minorities instead.[178]

Oceania

Australia

In Australia, the Indigenous populations are the Aboriginal Australian peoples (comprising many different nations and language groups) and the Torres Strait Islander peoples (also with sub-groups). These two groups are often referred to as Indigenous Australians,[193] although terms such as First Nations[194] and First Peoples are also used.[195]

Pacific Islands

Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian peoples originally populated many of the present-day Pacific Island countries in the Oceania region over the course of thousands of years. European, American, Chilean and Japanese colonial expansion in the Pacific brought many of these areas under non-Indigenous administration, mainly during the 19th century. During the 20th century, several of these former colonies gained independence and nation-states formed under local control. However, various peoples have put forward claims for Indigenous recognition where their islands are still under external administration; examples include the Chamorros of Guam and the Northern Marianas, and the Marshallese of the Marshall Islands. Some islands remain under administration from Paris, Washington, London or Wellington.

The remains of at least 25 miniature humans, who lived between 1,000 and 3,000 years ago, were recently found on the islands of Palau in Micronesia.[196]

In most parts of Oceania, Indigenous peoples outnumber the descendants of colonists. Exceptions include Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. In New Zealand, based on various factors including census data and self-identification, the proportion of full or part Maori of the population on 30 June 2021 was estimated to be 17%.[197] Maori developed from Polynesian people who settled in New Zealand after migrations from other Pacific islands, probably in the 13th century.[198] Many leaders of Maori nations (iwi) signed a written agreement with the British Crown in 1840, known as the Treaty of Waitangi.[199][200][201]

A majority of the Papua New Guinea population is Indigenous, with more than 700 different nationalities recognized in a total population of 8 million.[202] The country's constitution and key statutes identify traditional or custom-based practices and land tenure, and explicitly set out to promote the viability of these traditional societies within the modern state. However, conflicts and disputes concerning land use and resource rights continue between indigenous groups, the government, and corporate entities.

Indigenous rights and other issues

The 1989 ILO Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples mainly concerns non-discrimination but also covers indigenous peoples' rights to development, customary laws, lands, territories and resources, employment, education and health. By 2013, the convention had been ratified by 22 countries, mainly in Latin America.

In 2007, the United Nations (UN) adopted a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) specifying the collective rights of Indigenous peoples, including their rights to self-determination and to protect their cultures, identities, languages, ceremonies, and access to employment, health, education and natural resources.[203] The declaration is not a formally binding treaty but some provisions might be considered customary international law. The declaration has been endorsed by at least 148 states but its provisions have not been consistently implemented.

Indigenous peoples confront a diverse range of concerns associated with their status and interaction with other cultural groups, as well as changes in their inhabited environment. Some challenges are specific to particular groups; however, other challenges are commonly experienced.[205]

Wherever Indigenous cultural identity is asserted, common societal issues and concerns arise. These concerns are often not unique to Indigenous groups. Despite the diversity of Indigenous peoples, they share common problems and issues in dealing with the prevailing, or invading, society. They are generally concerned that the cultures and lands of Indigenous peoples are being lost and that Indigenous peoples suffer both discrimination and pressure to assimilate into the surrounding or colonizing societies. This is borne out by the fact that the lands and cultures of nearly all of the peoples listed at the end of this article are under threat. Notable exceptions are the Sakha and Komi peoples (two northern Indigenous peoples of Russia), who now control their own autonomous republics within the Russian state, and the Canadian Inuit, who form a majority of the territory of Nunavut (created in 1999). Despite the control of their territories, many Sakha people have lost their lands as a result of the Russian Homestead Act, which allows any Russian citizen to own any land in the Far Eastern region of Russia.

In Australia, a landmark case, Mabo v Queensland (No 2),[206] saw the High Court of Australia reject the idea of terra nullius. This rejection ended up recognizing that there was a pre-existing system of law practiced by the Meriam people.[207]

A 2009 United Nations publication says:[208]

Although indigenous peoples are often portrayed as a hindrance to development, their cultures and traditional knowledge are also increasingly seen as assets. It is argued that it is important for the human species as a whole to preserve as wide a range of cultural diversity as possible, and that the protection of indigenous cultures is vital to this enterprise.

Human rights violations

Indigenous peoples march for their right to self-determination in Davao City (2008).

According to Samuel Totten, some governments do not respect the rights of Indigenous peoples.[209] In the latter part of the twentieth century the genocide of Indigenous peoples in Australia and Namibia attracted more attention from the international community including scholars and human rights organizations.[210]

The Bangladeshi government has stated that there are "no indigenous peoples in Bangladesh".[211] This statement has angered the Indigenous peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, collectively known as the Jumma.[212] Experts have protested against this move of the Bangladesh government and have questioned the government's definition of the term "indigenous peoples".[213][214] This move by the Bangladesh government is seen by the Indigenous peoples of Bangladesh as another step by the Government to further erode their already limited rights.[215]

Hindu Chams and Muslim Chams have both experienced religious and ethnic persecution and restrictions on their faith under the current Vietnamese government, with the Vietnamese state confiscating Cham property and forbidding Cham from observing their religious beliefs. Hindu temples were turned into tourist sites against the wishes of the Cham Hindus. In 2010 and 2013 several incidents occurred in Thanh Tin and Ph??c Nh?n villages where Cham were murdered by Vietnamese. In 2012, Vietnamese police in Chau Giang village stormed into a Cham Mosque, stole the electric generator, and also raped Cham girls.[216] Cham in the Mekong Delta have also been economically marginalized, with ethnic Vietnamese settling on land previously owned by Cham people with state support.[217]

The Indonesian government has outright denied the existence of Indigenous peoples within the countries' borders. In 2012, Indonesia stated that 'The Government of Indonesia supports the promotion and protection of indigenous people worldwide ... Indonesia, however, does not recognize the application of the indigenous peoples concept ... in the country'.[218] Along with the brutal treatment of the country's Papuan people (a conservative estimate places the violent deaths at 100,000 people in West New Guinea since Indonesian occupation in 1963, see Papua conflict) has led to Survival International condemning Indonesia for treating its Indigenous peoples as the worst in the world.[218]

The Vietnamese viewed and dealt with the Indigenous Montagnards from the Central Highlands of Vietnam as "savages", which caused a Montagnard uprising against the Vietnamese.[219] The Vietnamese were originally centered around the Red River Delta but engaged in conquest and seized new lands such as Champa, the Mekong Delta (from Cambodia) and the Central Highlands during Nam Tien. While the Vietnamese received strong Chinese influence in their culture and civilization and were Sinicized, and the Cambodians and Laotians were Indianized, the Montagnards in the Central Highlands maintained their own Indigenous culture without adopting external culture and were the true Indigenous of the region. To hinder encroachment on the Central Highlands by Vietnamese nationalists, the term Pays Montagnard du Sud-Indochinois (PMSI) emerged for the Central Highlands along with the indigenous being addressed by the name Montagnard.[220] The tremendous scale of Vietnamese Kinh colonists flooding into the Central Highlands has significantly altered the demographics of the region.[221] The anti-ethnic minority discriminatory policies by the Vietnamese, environmental degradation, deprivation of lands from the Indigenous people, and settlement of Indigenous lands by an overwhelming number of Vietnamese settlers led to massive protests and demonstrations by the Central Highland's indigenous ethnic minorities against the Vietnamese in JanuaryFebruary 2001. This event gave a tremendous blow to the claim often published by the Vietnamese government that in Vietnam "There has been no ethnic confrontation, no religious war, no ethnic conflict. And no elimination of one culture by another."[222]

Indigenous protesters from Vale do Javari, one of the largest indigenous territories in Brazil

In May 2016, the Fifteenth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) affirmed that Indigenous peoples are distinctive groups protected in international or national legislation as having a set of specific rights based on their linguistic and historical ties to a particular territory, prior to later settlement, development or occupation of a region.[223] The session affirms that, since Indigenous peoples are vulnerable to exploitation, marginalization, oppression, forced assimilation, and genocide by nation states formed from colonizing populations or by different, politically dominant ethnic groups, individuals and communities maintaining ways of life indigenous to their regions are entitled to special protection.

The Indigenous people from Tanzania's Maasai community were reportedly subjected to eviction from their ancestral land to make way for a luxury game reserve by Otterlo Business Corporation in June 2022. The game reserve was reportedly being set up for the royals of the United Arab Emirates also linked to OBC or the Otterlo Business Corporation. According to lawyers and human rights groups and activists, approximately 30 Maasai people were injured by security forces in the process of eviction and delimiting a land area of 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi). A 2019 UN report has described OBC as a 'UAE-based' luxury-game hunting company, granted a license to hunt by the Tanzanian government in 1992 for "the UAE royal family to organize private hunting trips", denying the Maasai people access to their own land.[224]

Health issues

In December 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, and requested UN specialized agencies to consider with governments and indigenous people how they can contribute to the success of the Decade of Indigenous People, commencing in December 1994. As a consequence, the World Health Organization (WHO), at its Forty-seventh World Health Assembly, established a core advisory group of Indigenous representatives with special knowledge of the health needs and resources of their communities, thus beginning a long-term commitment to the issue of the health of Indigenous peoples.[225]

The WHO noted in 2003 that "Statistical data on the health status of indigenous peoples is scarce. This is especially notable for indigenous peoples in Africa, Asia and eastern Europe", but snapshots from various countries (where such statistics are available) show that indigenous people are in worse health than the general population, in advanced and developing countries alike: higher incidence of diabetes in some regions of Australia;[226] higher prevalence of poor sanitation and lack of safe water among Twa households in Rwanda;[227] a greater prevalence of childbirths without prenatal care among ethnic minorities in Vietnam;[228] suicide rates among Inuit youth in Canada are eleven times higher than the national average;[229] infant mortality rates are higher for Indigenous peoples everywhere.[230]

The first UN publication on the State of the World's Indigenous Peoples revealed alarming statistics about indigenous peoples' health. Health disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous populations are evident in both developed and developing countries. Native Americans in the United States are 600 times more likely to acquire tuberculosis and 62% more likely to commit suicide than the non-Indian population. Tuberculosis, obesity, and type 2 diabetes are major health concerns for the indigenous in developed countries.[231] Globally, health disparities touch upon nearly every health issue, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, malaria, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, parasitic infections, and respiratory diseases, affecting indigenous peoples at much higher rates. Many causes of Indigenous children's mortality could be prevented. Poorer health conditions amongst indigenous peoples result from longstanding societal issues, such as extreme poverty and racism, but also the intentional marginalization and dispossession of Indigenous peoples by dominant, non-Indigenous populations and societal structures.[231]

Racism and discrimination

"Savages of Mokka and Their House in Formosa", pre-1945, Taiwan under Japanese rule

Indigenous peoples have frequently been subjected to various forms of racism and discrimination. Indigenous peoples have been denoted as being barbaric, primitive, savage[232] or uncivilized. These terms were commonly used during the heyday of European colonial expansion, and they are still being used by certain societies in modern times.[233]

During the 17th century, Europeans commonly labeled Indigenous peoples "uncivilized". Some philosophers, such as Thomas Hobbes (15881679), considered Indigenous people mere "savages". Others (especially literary figures in the 18th century) popularized the concept of "noble savages". Those who were close to the Hobbesian view tended to believe that they had a duty to "civilize" and "modernize" the Indigenous.

Survival International runs a campaign to stamp out media portrayals of Indigenous peoples as "primitives" or "savages".[234]

After World War I (19141918), many Europeans came to doubt the morality of the means which were used to "civilize" peoples. At the same time, the anti-colonial movement, and advocates for the rights of Indigenous peoples, argued that words such as "civilized" and "savage" were products and tools of colonialism, and they also argued that colonialism itself was savagely destructive. In the mid-20th century, European attitudes began to shift to the view that Indigenous and tribal peoples are the only peoples who should have the right to decide what should happen to their ancient cultures and their ancestral lands.[235]

Cultural appropriation

New Age and Neopagan adherents often look to the cultures of Indigenous peoples seeking to find ancient traditional truths and spiritual practices to appropriate into their lifestyles and worldviews.[236]

Environmental injustice

Helena Gualinga, an indigenous environmental and human rights activist[237]

At an international level, Indigenous peoples have received increased recognition of their environmental rights since 2002, but few countries respect these rights in reality. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007, established Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination, stating rights to manage natural resources, and cultural and intellectual property. In countries where these rights are recognized, land titling and demarcation procedures are often put on delay, or leased out by the state as concessions for extractive industries without consulting Indigenous communities.[231]

Many in the United States federal government are in favor of exploiting oil reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where the Gwich'in Indigenous people rely on herds of caribou. Oil drilling could destroy thousands of years of culture for the Gwich'in. On the other hand, some of the Inupiat people, from another Indigenous community in the region, favor oil drilling because they could benefit economically.[238]

The introduction of industrial agricultural technologies such as fertilizers, pesticides, and large plantation schemes have destroyed ecosystems that Indigenous communities formerly depended on, forcing resettlement. Development projects such as dam construction, pipelines and resource extraction have displaced large numbers of Indigenous peoples, often without providing compensation. Governments have forced Indigenous peoples off of their ancestral lands in the name of ecotourism and national park development. Indigenous women are especially affected by land dispossession because they must walk longer distances for water and fuel wood. These women also become economically dependent on men when they lose their livelihoods. Indigenous groups asserting their rights has most often resulted in torture, imprisonment, or death.[231]

The building of dams can hurt Indigenous peoples by hurting the ecosystems that provide them water, food. For example, the Munduruku people in the Amazon rainforest are opposing the building of Tapajos dam[239] with the help of Greenpeace.[240]

Most Indigenous populations are already subject to the deleterious effects of climate change. Climate change has not only environmental, but also human rights and socioeconomic implications for Indigenous communities. The World Bank acknowledges climate change as an obstacle to Millennium Development Goals, notably the fight against poverty, disease, and child mortality, in addition to environmental sustainability.[231]

Use of indigenous knowledge

Native American dancer of the Save Our Ancestors Remains and Resources Indigenous Network Group (SOARRING) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate people about Indigenous ways of life

Indigenous knowledge is considered as very important for issues linked with sustainability.[241][242] Indigenous peoples play an essential role in conserving biodiversity around the world. An oft-cited statistic is that Indigenous peoples steward lands which comprise 80% of the world's biodiversity. In 2024, Fernandez-Llamazares et al. investigated the origin of this claim in Nature and found that it is without basis, also stating that "biodiversity" is broad and not precisely defineable, and that the claim may do more harm than good. With a specific description, such as "natural lands" (that being lands with low levels of ecological disturbance), it can be said that at least 37% of remaining natural lands fall within the territories of Indigenous peoples. Fernandez-Llamazares et al. state that the 80% claim "could undermine these and other rigorous studies  as well as effective efforts to conserve biodiversity by Indigenous Peoples on the ground".[243]

The Western and Eastern Penan people are two major groups of Indigenous populations in Malaysia. The Eastern Penan are famous for their resistance to loggers threatening their natural resources, specifically Sago palms and various fruit bearing trees. Because of the Penan's international fame, environmentalists often visited the area to document such happenings and learn more about and from the people there, including their perspective on the land's invasion.[244]

Environmentalists such as Davis and Henley, who Brosius writes lumped all native groups of Malaysia into one homogeneous group with the same ideas and traditions, and lacked dialectical connections needed to deeply understand the Penan, lacked full knowledge of the situation's specific weight to the Indigenous peoples.[245] The two embarked on a mission, stating they wished to help with conservation of the Penan's land resources, but Brosious states they were among the many who repackaged traditional knowledge into something that fit a Western narrative and agenda, and that Davis and Henley romanticized and misconstrued the traditional Penan concept of molong (meaning: "to preserve"  the Penan marked trees for personal use and to preserve them for future harvesting of fruits or for materials).[245]

Another common occurrence is to extend Indigenous knowledge beyond its limits and into unrelated meanings that western consumers find spiritually profound. This tendency of journalists extends beyond Davis and Henley. It serves non-Natives to add a narrative and value beyond that which already exists within the knowledge base of Indigenous peoples. Not only do these fictionalized accounts of some Indigenous knowledge and traditions skew the beliefs of onlookers, but they also contribute to cultural genocide as the actual spiritual and religious beliefs of the Indigenous people are disappeared and replaced with the westernized fiction.[245]
The Office fans on Friday got a heartwarming reunion of four of the show's stars after Jenna Fischer's recent breast cancer announcement.

On Instagram, Mindy Kaling shared a smiling group photo of herself alongside Fischer, Ellie Kemper and Angela Kinsey  indeed, The Office's Kelly, Pam, Erin and Angela, respectively.

"It's been 20 years since I first met these beautiful women!" Kaling writes. "This year was a rollercoaster to say the least, and it's so nice to be able to unpack life's joys and challenges with people who knew me when I was a 24-year-old customer service rep in the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin. I love you guys!"

Kaling also quips, "I know this was too sincere so I will add my favorite Michael Scott quote about Christmas, which is: 'Guess who I am sitting here dressed as. I will give you a hint- his last name is Christ. He has the power of flight and he can heal leopards.'" (See the post below.)

The get-together comes just two months after Fischer revealed her breast cancer journey during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On October 8, the actor, 50, shared her diagnosis on social media, explaining that she underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation after doctors discovered an aggressive but treatable Stage 1 tumor during a routine mammogram last December.

Fischer encouraged others to prioritize their health and schedule annual mammograms, emphasizing how early detection saved her life.

Now cancer-free, Fischer says she feels "great" and hopes her story inspires support for women currently battling the disease.

Throughout her journey, Fischer credited her friends, family, and medical team for their unwavering support. Kinsey, her longtime friend and fellow Office star, was among those Fischer thanked for being part of her "amazing village."

This heartfelt reunion shows the enduring bond between the cast members of The Office and highlights their love and support for one another during life's highs and lows. Fans continue to celebrate their friendship both on and off-screen.
There has been increased activity at Russia's air base in the Syrian port city of Latakia amid reports that Russia is pulling back its military presence.
Several local councils across England have overwhelmingly voted to support farmers against the government's farm inheritance tax proposals.

The movement, dubbed the 'town hall rebellion', has just this week seen Suffolk, North Northamptonshire, Devon, Cambridgeshire and Harborough councils pass motions.

They now join Cornwall, Buckinghamshire and Staffordshire Moorlands in publicly opposing Chancellor Rachel Reeves's changes to inheritance tax rules for farms.

In Suffolk, a motion proposed by council leader Councillor Matthew Hicks argued that the tax risks threatening the viability of local farmers, as well as putting the UK's food security at risk.

After a lengthy debate on 12 December, councillors from the Conservatives, Lib Dems and the Greens, as well as local independents and a Reform councillor, supported the motion, but Labour councillors voted against.

And earlier this week, Devon County Council voted to give its full support to farmers and called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed 'family farm tax'.

Councillors there also confirmed their support for the countys own farms estate which aims to give people a start in agriculture.

On Tuesday (10 December), members of Harborough District Council in Leicestershire backed a motion demanding the decision is re-visited and the impact on individuals and the economy  both nationally and locally  is fully considered.

Elsewhere, in North Northamptonshire (NNC), a motion submitted by Conservative councillor Alex Evelyn was debated at a meeting of the full council on 5 December.

This asked council officers to scrutinise the government's new inheritance tax plans, saying the decision was "ideologically driven" and a direct threat to the rural communities of North Northamptonshire.

The authority was called upon to consider what support it could offer farmers affected by the new tax rates and investigate the wider impact it could have on food security, local businesses and employment.

Leader of NNC, 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.

"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?"

Opposition Labour Cllr Zoe McGhee argued : "It's a bit divisive, but I'm going to say it because I believe it - if this new Labour government, rather than hitting our most vulnerable residents, wants to tax the rich, I can live with that."

Following the heated discussion, 38 members voted to support the motion, while seven were against and three abstained.

The Countryside Alliance, which has dubbed the movement the 'town hall rebellion', has called on other councils to publicly oppose this 'awful' tax.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs for the rural body, said: "The town hall rebellion appears to be sweeping across England quickly and we thank all those councils who have made a stand already".

"The councils that have taken action add their weight to the growing list of bodies and experts who are demanding a rethink".

He added: "If the chancellor will not listen and work with the farming community to find a way forward, her battle with the countryside will simply become a long running sore.

"That isnt good for anyone and its a very bad look for the government.
Germanys exports fell by 2.8 per cent in October 2024 compared to both September 2024 and October 2023, reaching 124.6 billion (seasonally adjusted), while imports slightly dipped by 0.1 per cent from September but rose 1.7 per cent year-on-year to 111.2 billion. The adjusted trade surplus declined to 13.4 billion, down from 16.9 billion in September, according to the provisional data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

Exports to the EU dropped by 0.7 per cent to 68.9 billion in October 2024, with imports rising 0.4 per cent to 57.9 billion. Trade with non-EU countries showed steeper declines, with exports down 5.3 per cent to 55.7 billion.

The US remained the top export market but saw a sharp 14.2 per cent decline to 12.2 billion. Exports to China fell 3.8 per cent, while those to the UK rose 2.1 per cent. China continued as Germanys largest import partner, despite a 3.0 per cent fall to 13.7 billion. Imports from Russia grew 27.4 per cent month-on-month but remained down year-on-year.

In October 2024, Germany's calendar and seasonally adjusted exports of goods totalled 124.6 billion, reflecting a decline of 2.8 per cent compared to both the previous month and October 2023. Imports reached 111.2 billion, marking a slight dip of 0.1 per cent from the prior month but a 1.7 per cent increase YoY. The adjusted foreign trade balance showed a surplus of 13.4 billion for the month.

Unadjusted figures showed a trade surplus of 14.7 billion, lower than 19.0 billion in October 2023.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2024) - Quetzal Copper Corp. (TSXV: Q) ("Quetzal" or the "Company") announces a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000, from the sale of the following:

up to 6,666,666 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.15 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000 from the sale of Units; and

up to 11,764,705 flow through units of the Company (the "FT Units") at a price of C$0.17 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$2,000,000 from the sale of FT Units. Each FT Share will be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Each Unit and FT Unit issued under the Offering shall consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering (the "Closing").

The Offered Securities will be offered by way of the "accredited investor" exemption under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions in all the provinces of Canada.

The Offered Securities will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the closing date of the Offering.

The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities Act"), as amended.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of Units for exploration and development activities and general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's Princeton and Dot projects in British Columbia, Canada. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares effective December 31, 2024.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or around December 18, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). A cash commission and finder's warrants may be paid to arm's length finders on a portion of the Offering. The Unit Shares, FT Shares and Warrant Shares will be subject to a hold period ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the issue date of such securities under applicable Canadian securities laws.

In connection with the Offering, Quetzal Copper also announces that the Company has terminated the brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000 as announced on November 18, 2024.

About Quetzal Copper

Quetzal is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in British Columbia and Mexico. Quetzal currently has a portfolio of three properties located in British Columbia, Canada, and one in Mexico. The Company's principal project, Princeton Copper, is located adjacent to the producing Copper Mountain mine in southern British Columbia.

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.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained herein contains "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 securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, the anticipated closing date of the Offering, and statements relating to exploration and development of the Company's properties.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated, accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals.

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 or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233816

SOURCE: Quetzal Copper Limited
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2024) - Scope Technologies Corp. (CSE: SCPE) (OTCQB: SCPCF) (FSE: VN8) ("Scope Technologies" or the "Company") announces that it has been requested by OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") to issue this statement about promotional activity concerning its common shares (the "Shares") traded on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB") (operated by OTC Markets).

On December 9, 2024, OTC Markets informed the Company that it became aware of certain promotional activities concerning the Company and its Shares traded on the OTCQB, including an online editorial (the "Promotional Materials") published by Creative Direct Marketing Group Inc. ("CDMG") discussing the Company, its business, the economy, and the data security.

On June 13, 2024, the Company entered into a work order with CDMG whereby CDMG would provide investor relations and marketing services to raise public awareness of the company and increase brand awareness of its QSE platform. Accordingly, the Promotional Material was paid for by the Company.

The engagement of CDMG, the nature of the relationship between the Company and CDMG, as well as the compensation paid CDMG, was publicly disclosed in news releases on September 13, 2024, September 20, 2024 and November 14, 2024, which can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

The Company provided CDMG with publicly available sources of information for its marketing materials and management reviewed and approved the materials prepared by CDMG prior to their dissemination, including to ensure factual accuracy. The Company does not believe the statements in the Promotional Materials were materially false or misleading. However, the Company notes that investing in the Company's securities involves certain risks and uncertainties which investors should review prior to making any investment decision. The Company encourages all investors to undertake proper due diligence and carefully consider all investment decisions. The Company directs potential investors to rely solely on its filings and disclosures made with the Canadian Securities Administrators, available at www.sedarplus.ca.

After inquiry of management, other than CDMG and the third party service providers noted below, no directors, control persons, officers, or controlling shareholders have been involved with the creation, distribution, or payment of promotional materials related to the Company and its securities.

The Company understands this promotional activity coincided with increased trading activity in its Shares beginning on approximately November 25, 2024. However, the Company believes that the Promotional Materials are not the sole reasons for the increase in trading volume of its Shares.

After inquiry of management, its officers, directors, any controlling shareholders, or any third-party service providers, the Company is not aware of any purchases or sales of the Company's shares in the past 90 days except for (i) the exercise of 584,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.60 per share. Of the 584,000 stock options, a total of 234,000 stock options were exercised by directors and officers and were filed on the Canada's insider reporting platform www.sedi.ca, and (ii) Market IQ Media Group Inc. did not provide the Company with a response on whether it has purchased or sold securities of the Company over the last 90 days.

The Company has engaged the following third-party service providers to provide investor relations services, public relations services, marketing, or other related service within the last twelve months: Maynard Communication Limited (engaged in October 2022), Market IQ Media Group Inc. (which is a subcontractor by Maynard Communication Limited and not directly paid by the Company), Think In Marketing Data and Email Services (engaged in March 2024), CDMG (engaged in June 2024 and commenced in November 2024), Insight Capital Partners Inc. (engaged in September 2024) and Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH (engaged in October 2024).

Other than pursuant to financings and acquisition transactions in accordance with Canadian Securities Exchange policies, which the Company has publicly disclosed in news releases dated July 10, 2024, July 31, 2024 and August 7, 2024 (available at: www.sedarplus.ca), the Company has not issued shares, or convertible instruments allowing conversion to equity securities, at prices constituting, at the time of issuance of such shares or convertible instruments, a discount to the then current market price.

About Scope Technologies Corp.

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Scope Technologies Corp. is a pioneering technology company specializing in quantum security and machine learning. Through its primary brand, QSE Group, Scope provides next-generation solutions in data security, quantum encryption, and decentralized storage, empowering businesses with secure, scalable technologies that drive growth and operational efficiency.

LinkedIn: scope-technologies-corp

Facebook: Scope Technologies Corp

Twitter: @ScopeTechCorp

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical statements of fact are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, future, strategy, objectives, goals and targets, and more specifically, the use of proceeds of the Offering. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "aim", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including, but not limited to, those risks and assumptions described in the Company's prospectus dated August 10, 2022, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. While Scope considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions, continued satisfaction of Canadian Securities Exchange requirements, product safety and recalls, regulatory compliance and risks associated with the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the business of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233814

SOURCE: Scope Technologies Corp.
-TeraBox's TeraTransfer empowers both registered and non-registered users with an efficient and hassle-free way to share large files.

-Exclusive New Year's membership promotion available now.

TOKYO, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TeraBox ("TeraBox" or "the Company"), a globally trusted cloud storage service headquartered in Tokyo, has addressed global demand for seamless data transfer and sharing. Living up to its slogan, Store Big, Share Bigger, it offers 1024 gigabyte of free cloud storage and unlimited large file transfers for registered users, while allowing non-registered users to share files up to 5GB free-of-charge.

Its TeraTransfer feature generates a short-term or permanent quick sharing link with just one click, enabling effortless sharing of large files for both registered and non-registered users. For those registered users, TeraBox allows multi-channel access through the app or web version from any device for easy link generation and file sharing.

"We are proud to provide the world's leading free storage solution to meet users' needs for sharing large files," commented Yu Furuya, Product Lead at TeraBox. "We remain committed to enhancing the user experience through continuous technological innovation, enabling our vast user base to manage and share their important content with greater ease."

Meanwhile, TeraBox also upgraded its app interface design to streamline in-app navigation with a prominent homepage search, a simplified toolbar display, and clear and strong contrasted interface look to provide better user-friendly file sharing and storage experiences, solidifying its position as a leading platform for large file sharing.

With the year wrapping up, TeraBox sends heartfelt New Year greetings with joyful seasonal offerings. Users using iOS, Android, Linux, MAC, Windows, or the website, who need to store and share large files, are welcome to download TeraBox and use the code SOCIAL70OFF to purchase TeraBox premium services at the best price throughout the year. Anyone interested can trigger it by copying the code and then opening the app, or by searching for the code in the search bar. Up to 2048 GB (2 TB) of storage space for a more extreme usage experience will be guaranteed.

Additionally, users, partners, regulators, employees, investors, and the wider community are welcome to learn more about TeraBox on its official website, YouTube channel, and its popular Referral Program.

About TeraBox

TeraBox, developed by Flextech Inc., is a globally trusted cloud storage service headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The service proudly holds the ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701, and ISO/IEC 27018 certifications, demonstrating its commitment to top-tier standards of data safety. With a focus on intelligent, efficient, and secure cloud storage, TeraBox is dedicated to providing users with innovative and user-friendly solutions for their data storage needs. Download the TeraBox App on Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows devices, or visit www.terabox.com for online access.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/terabox-delivers-free-unlimited-large-file-sharing-for-registered-users-302331415.html
Mercedes-Benz is implementing substantial strategic changes, announcing an ambitious cost reduction initiative aimed at saving 5 billion by 2027, with half of these cuts targeted for completion by the end of 2025. This strategic shift comes in response to significant financial challenges, as evidenced by the luxury automaker's third-quarter performance in 2023. The company experienced a stark 50% decline in group earnings, which fell to 1.72 billion, while revenue decreased by 6.7% to 34.5 billion. Despite these challenges, the company maintains its commitment to job security in Germany through 2029, addressing concerns about potential workforce reductions.

Market Response Remains Resilient

Despite the challenging business environment, Mercedes-Benz's stock has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the market. The shares recently recorded a 1.4% increase, reaching 57.03, with analysts maintaining an optimistic outlook and setting an average price target of 69.05. This positive market response, coupled with an anticipated dividend of 4.40 per share for the upcoming fiscal year, suggests continued investor confidence in the company's strategic direction, despite ongoing challenges in key markets like China, where premium model sales have underperformed expectations.

Ad

Fresh Mercedes-Benz information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.

Read our updated Mercedes-Benz analysis...
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2024) - Carlyle Commodities Corp. (CSE: CCC) (FSE: BJ4) (OTC: CCCFF) ("Carlyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the news releases dated September 27, 2024, and December 6, 2024, it has completed the acquisition of Miramis Mining Corp. ("Miramis") pursuant to an amalgamation agreement dated September 27, 2024 (the "Amalgamation Agreement") among Carlyle, Miramis, and 1500285 B.C. Ltd. ("Subco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carlyle.

Miramis Mining Corp.

Incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)(the "BCBCA") in October of 2012, Miramis is an unlisted reporting issuer in British Columbia and Alberta with a focus on the exploration and development of mineral property interests. Miramis currently holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in certain mineral claims comprising the Nicola East property (subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty to be retained by the optionors), which is located 24 kilometers northeast of Merritt, British Columbia in an area of high geological potential known as the southern Quesnel Trough. The southern Quesnel Trough hosts numerous copper and gold occurrences associated with porphyry-type deposits including the Highland Valley Copper Complex, the New Afton Mine and the former producing Ajax Deposit, among others.

Transaction Summary

Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, Carlyle acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Miramis ("Miramis Shares") by way of a "three-cornered" amalgamation (the "Amalgamation") whereby Subco and Miramis amalgamated pursuant to the provisions of the BCBCA to form one corporation, which continued under the name "Miramis Mining Corp." ("Amalco"), as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Transaction"). In connection with the Transaction, each of the Miramis Shares were cancelled and, in consideration for such Miramis Shares, each Miramis shareholder (collectively, the "Miramis Shareholders") received one (1) common share in the capital of Carlyle (each, a "Carlyle Share") at a deemed price of $0.03 per Carlyle Share for every Miramis Share held by such Miramis Shareholders. An aggregate of 23,843,411 Carlyle Shares were issued to the Miramis Shareholders in exchange for their respective Miramis Shares, having a deemed aggregate value of $715,302.33.

Additionally, the holders of the issued and outstanding common share purchase warrants of Miramis (the "Miramis Warrants") will be entitled to receive, upon exercise thereof, Carlyle Shares, instead of Miramis Shares, on the basis of one Carlyle Share for every Miramis Warrant held immediately prior to the closing of the Amalgamation. Of the 460,800 Miramis Warrants that may be exercised to acquire Carlyle Shares (in accordance with the adjustment provisions of such Miramis Warrants), 144,000 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until July 17, 2025; 257,600 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until November 23, 2025; and 59,200 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until December 5, 2025.

Immediately following the closing of the Transaction, there are 91,180,089 Carlyle Shares issued and outstanding, of which Miramis Shareholders hold approximately 26.15% of the issued and outstanding Carlyle Shares. The Board of Directors and management of Carlyle will remain the same post Transaction closing. The Company relied on Section 2.11 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions for an exemption from the prospectus requirements for the issuance of the Carlyle Shares to the Miramis Shareholders. Additionally, the Carlyle Shares issued to the Miramis Shareholders on closing of the Transaction are subject to a 120-day escrow restriction, pursuant to which 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares were released from escrow on the closing date, 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares will be released from escrow on February 11, 2025, and 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares will be released from escrow on April 12, 2025.

In the coming days, the Company intends to apply for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws. All registered Miramis Shareholders are encouraged to complete, sign and return the letter of transmittal, which has been previously delivered and is available under Miramis' SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca, with accompanying Miramis share certificate(s) and/or DRS advice-statement(s) (if applicable) to Odyssey Trust Company as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. Non-registered Miramis Shareholders are encouraged to contact their broker or other intermediary for instructions and assistance in receiving the Carlyle Shares to which they are entitled.

Quesnel Gold Project Field Program

The Company is also pleased to provide an exploration update for its 100% owned Quesnel Gold Project located in the Cariboo Mining Division, 30 kilometers northeast of Quesnel in Central British Columbia covering 1,607.34 hectares. Field crews from Hardline Exploration Corp. completed a multi day bio-geochemical survey at the Quesnel Gold 1 Property. The program was designed to test for potential on strike extensions of the historic G-South mineralization. The program included 53 biogeochemical treebark samples.

Historic exploration has determined that gold and copper mineralization occur on the Property. This mineralization is hosted in veins, shears and stockworks occurring in the andesitic rocks in close proximity to the contact with intrusive rocks of the Naver intrusives and the Jurassic Polaris plutonic group. The mineralization has been outlined near surface via trenching and limited diamond drilling (Robb, 2024, please see the Technical Report on the Quesnel Gold 1 Property, dated October 30, 2024 and prepared by Warren Robb, P. Geo., available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+). Due to the late season snow cover, a biogeochemical survey was conducted to assess for extension of the known mineralization in areas of overburden.

The Quesnel Gold Project is proximal to main highways and power lines facilitating year-round access and workability. The Quesnel Gold Project is situated within the Quesnel Trough within a subdivision of the Intermountain Tectonic Belt, and on trend with the historic "G-South" historical gold resource.

Corporate Update

Carlyle has been busy since September when it announced its proposed amalgamation with Miramis and the completion of the Company's acquisition of an undivided 100% right, title and interest in the Quesnel Gold Project. Since September the Company has completed its acquisition of the Quesnel Gold Project and its first field exploration program at the property. Last week the shareholders of Miramis overwhelmingly voted in favor of the company's amalgamation with Carlyle. The amalgamation of the two companies has provided Carlyle with a more diversified asset portfolio in British Columbia, more shareholder distribution by way of the addition of 100 plus new shareholders via Miramis, and cash from the Miramis treasury. Additionally, the amalgamation is expected to lower operating and overhead costs, and increase shareholder liquidity, trading and capital markets exposure.

The Company is particularly pleased with its now 100% right, title, and interest in the 1,607.34 hectare Quesnel Gold Project where it has already completed its first field exploration program. Furthermore, the Company is thrilled with the approval of the amalgamation by Miramis Shareholders at the Miramis special meeting held last week December 6, 2024, to approve the amalgamation. With the completion of Carlyle's amalgamation with Miramis the Company now also holds the option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the prospective Nicola East Mining Project.

The Nicola East Mining Project

The Nicola East Mining Project is located approximately 25 km east of the mining town of Merritt, British Columbia, where field crews from Hardline Exploration Corp. recently completed a multi day prospecting program. The program was aimed to follow up on 2023 results which included a grab sample which returned 3.04 g/t Au in a previously untested area.

Field crews collected 35 samples which included samples from several quartz veins that contained up to 3% chalcopyrite and 1% chalcocite with copper oxide staining. Mineralization was hosted in quartz veins generally <5cm thick with chlorite - epidote alteration. Field crews returned to the location of a qtz-chl vein sampled during the 2023 field season that graded 3.04 g/t Au with the objective of locating and sampling more mineralized veins nearby. The new gold and copper showing highlighted from 2023 sample AA001906 is located at 687807 mE 5555494 mN 10N. The 2023 sample was sent to the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver (ISO 9001 certified) and a 5% QA/QC program was utilized which included field duplicates, certified references materials and certified blanks.

Highlights from the Recent Nicola East Field Program:

Samples AA002980, AA002983, AA002984, F00066262 and F00066263 all contained visible Cu mineralization.

Mineralization and quartz veins with euhedral crystal growth dissipated farther out from the 3.04 g/t Au sample.

Lithology consisted of grey/green andesitic volcanics often with medium grained hornblende phenocrysts.

Pervasive chlorite alteration was noted in the andesitic volcanics. Epidote alteration occurred primarily adjacent to qtz veins.

35 samples were taken in total.

QAQC samples included 2 certified reference material standards and 1 certified blank.

(Figure one: Nicola East Rock Samples Map)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6130/233831_8932d2003421b868_001full.jpg

Qualified Person

Jeremy Hanson, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein.

About Carlyle

Carlyle is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties. Carlyle owns 100% of the Newton Project in the Clinton Mining Division of B.C., the Quesnel Gold Project located in the Cariboo Mining Division, 30 kilometers northeast of Ques-nel in Central British Columbia, holds the option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the prospective Nicola East Mining Project, located approximately 25 km east of the mining town of Merritt, British Columbia, and is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CCC", on the OTC Market under the ticker "CCCFF" and the Frankfurt Exchange under the ticker "BJ4".

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

CARLYLE COMMODITIES CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Morgan Good

Chief Executive Officer

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, statements regarding the expected benefits of the Transaction including that it will lower operating and overhead costs and increase shareholder liquidity, trading and capital markets exposure; and that the Company intends to apply for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should" or "would" or occur.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by Carlyle and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including, without limitation, that the completion of the Transaction will result in the benefits anticipated, and that the Company will proceed with its plan to apply for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation: general business, economic and social uncertainties; the Transaction may not result in the expected benefits; the risk that the loss of key personnel, unanticipated costs, legislative or regulatory developments, and other risks outside of the control of the Company will impact the benefits of the Transaction; and the Company will not proceed with an application for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer. Although management of Carlyle have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, Carlyle assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233831

SOURCE: Carlyle Commodities Corp.
Meppen, Germany--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2024) - Steelwood Interior, a German furniture manufacturer, today released a comprehensive market analysis examining potential economic impacts of the 2024 US presidential election on German industries. The report highlights particular concerns for export-oriented sectors and small-to-medium enterprises in Germany. The report can be found here: https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/trump-us-zoelle-deutsche-wirtschaft-100.html

Potential Challenges for German Businesses The analysis indicates significant uncertainty for the global economy, which could particularly affect German companies. Sectors such as the automotive industry, which heavily rely on exports to the United States, are likely to feel the impact. Smaller, specialized businesses may also face significant challenges due to future trade restrictions and increased tariffs.

The report examines potential changes in trade policies, including possible increases in tariffs on products from the European Union. According to Germany's Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the U.S. was the largest importer of German goods in 2023, with an export volume of 157.9 billion-the highest share in 20 years.

German Furniture Manufacturing Market Analysis

German furniture exports to the U.S. rose by 5.6% to 158.4 million from January to July 2024, highlighting the sustained demand for German-made products in the American market. The analysis suggests larger companies already engaged in international trade may face significant challenges from stricter tariff policies, while smaller manufacturers like Steelwood Interior could encounter obstacles to future expansion plans.

Although Steelwood Interior does not currently export to the U.S., potential economic changes remain a critical consideration for strategic planning. Increased import costs for high-quality furniture could complicate international trade and intensify price pressures. Simultaneously, proposed tax cuts for U.S. businesses could enhance the competitiveness of American manufacturers. This shift may also influence market dynamics in Europe, posing long-term challenges for companies in the furniture industry.

About Steelwood Interior

Your table manufacturer from the beautiful Emsland in Germany: We specialize in handcrafted solid wood tables made from steel and solid wood, crafted in Meppen. Our team of carpenters and blacksmiths creates unique, custom-made, and exclusive furniture pieces for you with great attention to detail.

Press Inquiries

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233832

SOURCE: Steelwood Interior
The most invigorating cocktail there is, served here as a Bloody Massimo thanks to a new version courtesy of chef Massimo Riccioli, patron of Trattoria La Rosetta in Rome.

NAPLES, Italy, Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomato juice, vodka, spices, and a legendary 'splatter' name: the Bloody Mary is served in this reinterpretation by the "Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe" project, promoted by ANICAV (the Italian Association of Canned Vegetables Industries). The international project, co-funded by the European Union, which promotes and enhances the export and consumption of Italian organic preserved tomatoes to Sweden, presents the "Bloody Massimo", inspired by one of the most iconic and "bloody" drinks, on the official list of the IBA's (International Bartenders Association) international alcoholic cocktails.

The history of the Blood Mary. The origins of the cocktail date back to the early 1900s, when according to some, Fernand Petiot, bartender of the legendary Harry's Bar in Paris, was inspired by Ernest Hemingway, one of many Americans who frequented the bar. The first recipe was simple, but ingenious: half vodka, half tomato juice and spices. It seems that Petiot perfected it in New York, at the St. Regis Hotel bar, making it even spicier. In 1939 the cocktail became a success, thanks to Lucius Beebe, who praised the new drink in his gossip column in the New York Herald Tribune.

Petiot reiterated that he had developed the recipe as early as 1934: 6 cl of vodka, 6cl of tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish sauce, later replaced by Tabasco, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, a squeeze of lemon and crushed ice. And what about the origin of its name? One theory is it came from a famous admirer: the Hollywood star Mary Pickford, who already had a red drink named after her which was then "betrayed" with the Bloody Mary. Another is that it was a tribute to Mary I, Queen of England, nicknamed Bloody Mary because of the iron fist with which she tried to restore Catholicism in Protestant England, by executing traitors to the kingdom.

Now, to the bar to make this version, courtesy of the Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe project: the "Bloody Massimo".

Link: https://redgoldfromeurope.eu/recipes/bloody-massimo/

For more recipes: https://redgoldfromeurope.se/

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redgoldfromeuropese

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redgoldfromeuropese/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@redgoldfromeuropese

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2580949/RED_GOLD_From_EU_BloodyMassimo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2186814/Visual_ORG.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2186816/Footer_SE.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/with-the-project-red-gold-tomatoes-from-europe-swedes-can-sip-an-iconic-drink-the-bloody-mary-302331554.html
DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2024 / Recently, the Coinplex Poland team successfully hosted a large-scale conference themed "Innovation Driving the Future." The event featured in-depth discussions on Coinplex's expertise and future development, offering participants valuable industry insights.

Opening Highlights

At the beginning of the conference, Coinplex's core team members detailed the platform's core advantages and unique features. Key points of the presentations included data-driven quantitative trading strategies, intelligent risk management, and AI-powered market forecasting models. By delving deep into Coinplex's technology and applications, attendees gained a better understanding of quantitative trading and recognized Coinplex's leadership position in the global cryptocurrency market.

A spokesperson for the team stated:

"Coinplex's mission is to transform complex financial technology into simple and efficient investment tools that deliver stable returns. Through technological innovation, we continually enhance the user experience, empowering every investor to stand out in this competitive market."

Strategic Vision for the Next Four Years

A highlight of the conference was the unveiling of Coinplex's development strategy for the next four years. The company plans to achieve sustained growth and innovation through the following key directions:

Technology-Driven Growth : Continued investment in AI and blockchain technologies to launch smarter trading platforms and analytical tools, improving user returns.

Global Expansion : Further expansion into European and Asian markets to provide localized support and services for investors.

Education Empowerment : Hosting global lectures and training programs to enhance user knowledge of quantitative trading and cryptocurrencies.

Green Finance Development: Introducing ESG-compliant financial products, integrating sustainable development into investment strategies.

"The next four years are critical for Coinplex's transformational growth. With technology as our core driving force, we aim to create more value for users while advancing the cryptocurrency industry," a team representative emphasized.

Industry Trends and Challenges

The conference also featured an in-depth analysis of industry trends and challenges, including:

Growth of Institutional Investment : Increasing institutional investor participation is bringing greater liquidity and market stability to the cryptocurrency market.

Evolving Regulatory Frameworks : Governments worldwide are gradually establishing legal frameworks for crypto assets, providing clearer directions for the industry.

Technological Innovation: Blockchain applications in areas like payments and supply chain management are becoming significant drivers for cryptocurrency adoption.

A seasoned analyst remarked:

"Cryptocurrencies have surpassed their speculative nature and are becoming a vital part of mainstream financial systems. The integration of education and technology will be the next breakthrough in the industry."

Positive Feedback from Attendees

Participants widely praised the conference for its insightful and inspiring content. A young investor noted,

"This is the first time I've gained such a deep understanding of quantitative trading and Coinplex's strategy. It fills me with optimism about the future."

Another attendee shared:

"This conference gave me a clearer perspective on the potential of the cryptocurrency industry and inspired me to think more about how to apply technology to personal investments."

The Next Steps in Expanding Global Influence

The Coinplex team stated that the successful hosting of this conference marks an important step toward global development. In the future, the company plans to organize similar events in other European countries and Asian markets to further strengthen brand influence and provide users with superior service experiences.

Through this conference, Coinplex not only showcased its strengths in technology and market insights but also demonstrated its determination and capability to drive industry progress. On the path of advancing financial technology and cryptocurrency education, Coinplex will continue to explore new possibilities and bring greater opportunities to users worldwide.

Company Name: Coinplex

Contact Person Name: William Joshua Brown

Website: https://cplexpres.com/

Corporate Email: admin@cplexpres.com

SOURCE: Coinplex

View the original press release on accesswire.com
South Koreas parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree on December 3. For now, he is only suspended. The final decision on the ruling will be taken by the constitutional court read more

A caricature depicting an imprisoned South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is displayed before a rally to demand his impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul. AP

It has been 11 days of turmoil in South Korea. It all started with President Yoon Suk Yeol announcing martial law in the country, only to withdraw it hours later. That was the beginning of the end for him.

Calls grew for his ouster but Yoon remained defiant. He survived an impeachment vote last Saturday (December 7). However, as anger and protests against the president grew, the main opposition Democratic Party confirmed that it would try to impeach the president again on December 14.

Advertisement

However, he wasnt second time lucky. The South Korean parliament voted to impeach Yoon, as his own ruling party turned on him after he refused to resign. How did the country get here? And what happens now?

Why were there attempts to impeach Yoon?

On December 3, Yoon appeared on television and declared martial law following a budget tussle with the opposition. He said that he wanted to protect the country from threats posed by North Koreas Communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering peoples freedom and happiness.

Lawmakers rushed to the parliament to vote against the measure and an hour past midnight voted 190-0 to nullify the declaration. Yoons shocking move sparked protests with thousands thronging to the parliament.

At 4.49 am on December 4, Yoon appeared on television and said that he would lift martial law.

Hours later, the opposition vowed to push for impeachment and file an official motion.

A woman lies on a road to block a vehicle transporting an army unit, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, on December 4. Reuters

What happened in the first impeachment?

At first, the head of Yoons People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon said he would block the impeachment motion. However, on December 6, he warned that South Korea was in great danger if the president remained in office, implying Yoon could declare martial law again.

He also said that credible evidence suggested that Yoon ordered the arrest of key politicians. Special Forces Commander Kwak Jong-geun too said that he was ordered to drag out lawmakers from parliament.

However, despite Hans comments, the PPP decided late last Friday that it would still vote against the first impeachment.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address to the nation at the Presidential Office in Seoul, on December 12. He was impeached on December 14 as his own party turned on him. Reuters

On December 7, the day of the first impeachment, Yoon apologised for the anxiety and inconvenience and promised not to impose martial law for the second time.

Only eight of the partys 108 MPs need to break ranks for it to pass. However, Yoon survived an impeachment vote as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted it, denying the motion the required two-thirds majority.

Advertisement

The Democratic Party vowed to prepare a new impeachment motion. A day later, it confirmed they would try to impeach the president again on December 14.

What has changed in the week since?

Tens of thousands of anti-Yoon protesters rallied outside parliament ahead of the first impeachment. The demonstrations have only grown since.

Meanwhile, Han said that the party had effectively obtained Yoons promise to step down. However, the president remained defiant.

On December 12, Yoon defended his decision to declare martial law, blaming the opposition for pushing the country into a national crisis. He said he would fight with the people until the very last minute.

That was enough for PPP leader Han to change his stance to support the impeachment.

On Friday (December 13), a day before the impeachment, Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung urged ruling party lawmakers to side with the people and impeach Yoon. Seven lawmakers from Yoons ruling party pledged to back the impeachment, leaving one vote needed for the motion to pass.

Advertisement

What happened during the second impeachment?

Of 300 lawmakers, 204 voted to impeach President Yoon on allegations of insurrection while 85 voted against the motion. Three abstained with eight votes nullified.

Speaker Woo Won-shik announced the impeachment vote had passed and concluded the session.

To the people, we hope your end of year will be a little happier now, and all your cancelled year-end celebrations to be restored, he said. The future of the Republic of Korea and our hope is in the hands of the people, our hope is strong. Thank you very much.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, casts his vote during a plenary session of the impeachment vote of President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul, on December14. The main opposition Democratic Party submitted a second impeachment motion of Yoon, following his controversial declaration of martial law which sparked widespread public outrage and political turmoil. Reuters

What happens next?

The impeachment does not guarantee that Yoon will be permanently removed from office. While his presidential powers have been suspended, he retains his immunity for most charges except for insurrection or treason.

The constitutional court must decide within 180 days whether to remove Yoon from office or reject the impeachment and restore his powers. If the court removes Yoon or he resigns, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.

Advertisement

The court could hold its first hearings any time after it receives parliaments impeachment resolution.

Opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae, the head of parliaments Legislation and Judiciary Committee, will lead the case for removing Yoon.

Yoons legal team has not been announced, but his background as a prosecutor has sparked reports that he could turn to former colleagues or even represent himself, reports Reuters.

The constitutional court will convene on Monday morning (December 16) to discuss the schedule of Yoons impeachment trial, local media has reported. The court will also set a date for the public hearing, though its unclear if Yoon will be on the stand in person, reports the BBC.

Advertisement

A participant holds up a banner before a rally to demand Suk Yeols impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. Celebrations broke out after he was impeached. Reuters

However, there are some impediments to the court ruling.

Under South Koreas constitution, six justices must agree in order to oust an impeached president. The nine-member Constitutional Court now has three vacancies, so the current justices would have to vote unanimously to remove Yoon.

The three vacancies are allotted for parliament to fill, but the opposition and ruling parties in the legislature have yet to agree on judicial appointments, reports Reuters.

The main opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, is seeking to fill the vacancies, and acting president Han, despite being named prime minister by Yoon, is known for his work across multiple administrations and is not expected to block any opposition nominees.

Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae said on Wednesday that parliament is expected to name justices by the end of the year.

Who is in charge of South Korea now?

Yoon-appointed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will take over as acting president. He said that he would do his best to run the government as acting president. I will devote all my strength and effort to stable operation of state affairs, he said after the voting.

Han is expected to hold an ad hoc Cabinet meeting today (November 14), reports Yonhap news agency.

People celebrate after South Korean parliament passed a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law decree following a vote, during a rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul. Reuters

How has Yoon reacted to the impeachment?

Yoon on Saturday said he would step aside after parliament voted to remove him from office, urging an end to politics of excess and confrontation. Though I must now step aside for a while, the journey toward the future must never come to a stop, he said in a televised address.

With inputs from agencies
Suchir Balaji, the Indian-origin former OpenAI researcher has reportedly died by suicide in his San Francisco apartment. The 26-year-old blew the whistle on alleged ethical breaches by the AI giant and cited concerns of them illegally using copyrighted material to train their technologies, including ChatGPT read more

Balaji came into the spotlight after he raised worries over generative AI and its purported abuse of protected content, warning about the ethical complications in the industry he helped build. Image courtesy: LinkedIn/Suchir Balaji

In a chilling turn of events, Suchir Balaji, the former OpenAI researcher who blew the whistle on alleged ethical breaches by the AI giant, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment.

As per the latest update, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled that the 26-year-old Indian-American reportedly died by suicide and as per initial investigation, police found no foul play involved.

Balaji came into the spotlight after he raised worries over generative AI and its purported abuse of protected content, warning about the ethical complications in the industry he helped build.

Advertisement

Interestingly, on November 25, one day before police found Balajis body, a court filing named the former OpenAI employee in a copyright lawsuit brought against the startup. Later, OpenAI agreed to review Balajis custodial file which raised serious copyright concerns, reports TechCrunch.

But first, who was Suchir Balaji?

Suchir Balaji was among the key architects behind one of the most revolutionary technologies of the 21st century ChatGPT.

A news story about DeepMinda start-up that built AI capable of playing classic Atari games on its own, including Space Invaders, Pong and Breakoutcaptivated him.

I thought that AI was a thing that could be used to solve unsolvable problems, like curing diseases and stopping ageing, he told The New York Times in an interview. I thought we could invent some kind of scientist that could help solve them.

It was then as a computer science student at the University of California, Berkeley, Balaji began exploring the idea of developing a mathematical system called a neural network that could learn skills by analysing digital data.

He even interned with OpenAI in 2018 and later moved to officially join the AI company in 2020.

During his early days at OpenAI, Balaji worked on WebGPT, and went on to work on the pretraining team for GPT-4.

As per the outlet, Balaji put research behind developing a neural network that spent months analysing practically all the English language text on the internet.

Advertisement

With a research project, you can, generally speaking, train on any data, Balaji said. That was the mind-set at the time.

Then OpenAI released ChatGPT. Initially driven by a precursor to GPT-4 and later by GPT-4 itself, the chatbot made headlines and gained massive popularity. And soon enough, it became a moneymaker.

By August 2024, Balaji decided to leave OpenAI, driven by growing concerns that the technology he helped develop could ultimately do more harm than good.

If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company, he told the outlet.



What are the concerns he raised?

Balaji, a former OpenAI employee who worked with the company for over four years, left the company citing concerns about how the AI giant allegedly used copyrighted data without proper consent.

Speaking to The New York Times, he explained how systems like GPT-4 learn by making complete copies of the data they are trained on. Once that data is replicated, companies like OpenAI can train the system to either generate identical copies or entirely new outputs. The reality, he said, is that companies teach the systems to do something in between.

Advertisement

The outputs arent exact copies of the inputs, but they are also not fundamentally novel, Balaji said.

He warned that tools like ChatGPT and similar chatbots pose risks to content creators, businesses, and the internet services that initially produced the data used in training the AI bot.

Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee who worked with the company for over four years, left the company citing concerns about how the AI giant allegedly used copyrighted data without proper consent. Reuters

Balajis warning reflected a growing number of people who were suing various AI companies, including OpenAI, arguing that they illegally used copyrighted material to train their technologies. This included computer programmers, artists, record labels, book authors and news organisations.

Further, Balaji also pointed to a larger issue: he said as AI technologies increasingly replace existing internet services, they often generate false or sometimes even completely made-up information  a phenomenon researchers refer to as hallucinations. The internet, he said, is changing for the worse.

Advertisement

His claims, however, were denied by OpenAI. We build our AI models using publicly available data, in a manner protected by fair use and related principles, and supported by longstanding and widely accepted legal precedents. We view this principle as fair to creators, necessary for innovators, and critical for US competitiveness, the company said in a statement.

Push for regulation

In an X post from October, Balaji shared his concerns about the use of copyrighted material by generative AI companies.

I initially didnt know much about copyright, fair use, etc., but became curious after seeing all the lawsuits filed against GenAI companies, he wrote.

As he delved deeper into the issue, Balaji reached a troubling conclusion. Fair use seems like a pretty implausible defence for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data theyre trained on, he added.

Advertisement

I recently participated in a NYT story about fair use and generative AI, and why I'm skeptical "fair use" would be a plausible defense for a lot of generative AI products. I also wrote a blog post (https://t.co/xhiVyCk2Vk) about the nitty-gritty details of fair use and why I  Suchir Balaji (@suchirbalaji) October 23, 2024

While many former OpenAI employees have raised concerns about the startups safety culture, Balaji stood out as one of the few to directly challenge the data used to train its models.

His final tweet and accompanying blog post have gained renewed attention following his death, sparking calls for stronger regulation and greater transparency in the rapidly evolving AI industry.

With input from agencies
The death of a 34-year-old Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash has rocked the country after his 24-page suicide note came to light, levelling serious allegations of harassment and extortion against his wife and her family. Heres all this and more in our weekly roundup read more

It was a newsy week for India. The Centre has taken a step closer to making One Nation, One Election a reality, which will see the country holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections in the future.

India could boost its defence power soon as it eyes Russias advanced Voronezh long-range radar system. This would give a fillip to the nations missile detection and air defence capabilities.

The suicide of a Bengaluru-based techie due to alleged harassment from his wife and her family has gripped India. The tragic incident has brought the countrys marital laws to the limelight.

Advertisement

Heres all this and more in our weekly wrap from India.

1. At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved two bills to implement the One Nation, One Election proposal. While one bill proposes synchronising the tenures of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, the other calls for similar amendments for Delhi and other Union Territory Assemblies.

Election officials make preparations at a polling station on the day of the Maharashtra state elections, in Mumbai, November 20, 2024. File Photo/Reuters

The BJP has long supported the idea of one nation, one poll, but the opposition has raised questions about its feasibility. Now, the Parliament needs to pass the two bills for simultaneous elections to become a reality. Read our explainer on what will happen next.

2. New Delhi is reportedly in talks with Moscow to finalise a $4 billion defence deal for the advanced Voronezh long-range early warning radar system, which is part of the Voronezh series manufactured by Russias Almaz-Antey Corporation. The Voronezh radar system is capable of tracking ballistic missiles and even stealth aircraft.

The system will help India ward off air threats in the region, including from China. As New Delhi looks to boost its arsenal, we take a look at Voronezh in this report.

3. In a significant decision, the Supreme Court has barred all civil courts from registering fresh suits disputing the existing place of worship. It has also stopped courts from directing surveys of contested religious places until further orders.

A special three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna asserted in an interim order that in pending suits, the courts would not pass any effective interim orders or final orders including orders of survey till the next date of hearing.

Advertisement

From Sambhals Shahi Jama Masjid to the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the interim order is likely to impact several mosque-temple disputes. Read our story to know more.

4. Amid the ongoing stormy Winter Session of Parliament, the opposition moved a no-confidence against Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of engaging in partisan conduct.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar conducts proceedings in the House during the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 13, 2024. PTI

Despite knowing it did not have the requisite number to get the motion passed, the opposition brought it more of as a symbolic gesture. We explain in this report why the opposition moved the no-confidence motion against Dhankhar.

5. Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old Bengaluru-based techie died by suicide, blaming his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, her family and a family court judge for taking the extreme step. Subhash, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, tied the knot with Singhania in April 2019 and the duo had a son the following year.

Advertisement

After a rift in the marriage, the wife left their Bengaluru house in 2021, along with the son.

Singhania had levelled her own serious allegations against her husband, claiming she was harassed and assaulted for dowry when she filed a case against Subhash, his brother, and their parents in UPs Jaunpur in April 2022.

Subhashs brother has filed a case against his sister-in-law and her family for abetment to suicide. He has alleged relentless harassment and demands from his brothers in-laws that pushed him over the edge. The Bengaluru-based techie has left behind a 24-page note narrating his ordeal and criticising the justice system. Read our story on the case.

Advertisement

6. Telugu actor Allu Arjun was arrested by the Telangana Police in connection with a stampede at the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad earlier this month. The incident at Hyderabads Sandhya Theatre on December 4 left a 39-year-old woman dead and her son critical.

The police had registered a case against the Sandhya Theatre management, Allu Arjun and his security team. Officers said the police were not informed in advance that Pushpa 2s team would turn up for the movie screening. Heres our story on the case.

7. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has suspended an Indian-origin PhD student from its campus until January 2026. The action was taken against Prahlad Iyengar, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, after he wrote an article for a college magazine, which the institute interpreted as a call for violent protests.

Advertisement

But what did he write about? Read our report to find out.

8. Dubais stricter rules for tourist visa applications are hampering the plans of Indians. Due to the new rules, visa rejection rates have increased from one-two per cent to a concerning five-six per cent. Heres our explainer on how this is making Indians suffer.

This is all we have for you this week. If you like the way we explain things, you can bookmark this page to stay updated.
Following Syrian President Bashar al-Assads fall by a rebel-led coup last Sunday, the political situation in the country has taken a new turn. However, a response from the global superpower United States has largely remained uncertain read more

US involvement in Syria dates back to at least 2011, when the Arab Spring, a pro-democracy Middle East protest movement, broke out and spread to Syria. Image for Representation. Reuters

As a new government is set to form in Syria following a sudden coup earlier this week, the United States response to the political upheaval appears uncertain.

Rebel groups unexpectedly overthrew Syrias longtime leader, Bashar al-Assad, on Dec 8, 2024, sending the dictator into exile in Russia.

President Joe Biden has warned that the rebel groups have a  grim record of terrorism and said that the US will be watching the groups actions. But President-elect Donald Trump has said that the US should not intervene in the sudden takeover and its aftermath.

Advertisement

Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation US, spoke with Jordan Tama, a scholar of US foreign policy at American University, to better understand the role that the US has played in Syria  and what Assads sudden fall from power might mean for this relationship.

Bashar al-Assad escaped, while leaving his commanders and supporters in the dark, to fend for themselves. AP

How did the US enter the Syria conflict?

US involvement in Syria dates back to at least 2011, when the Arab Spring, a pro-democracy Middle East protest movement, broke out and spread to Syria.

This prompted a brutal crackdown by the Syrian government, led by Syrian leader al-Assad. Some of the protesters then became part of rebel groups in Syria and fought against the Assad government, resulting in civil war. The US immediately imposed heavy financial sanctions on the government of Syria.

In 2013, the US began providing arms to some of the rebel groups that were resisting the Assad government. That year, the Syrian military also crossed a  red line that had been set by then-President Barack Obama by using chemical weapons against civilians. Despite pressure to enforce the red line, Obama opted not to intervene once Assad agreed to destroy Syrias chemical weapons  a commitment that Assad did not fully live up to.

In 2013, the US began providing arms to some of the rebel groups that were resisting the Assad government. That year, the Syrian military also crossed a red line that had been set by then-President Barack Obama by using chemical weapons against civilians. Reuters

In 2014, the Islamic State group, often known as ISIS or IS, took over parts of Syria. The US deployed forces directly to fight IS in 2015. By 2019, the U.S. had severely weakened IS, and the U.S. scaled back its presence. The U.S. never accepted the Assad governments legitimacy, but it did become largely resigned to Assads rule.

How deeply is the US involved now?

The US has remained involved in Syria in several ways. First, it has about 900 troops deployed in some remote parts of Syria to prevent ISIS from regrouping.

Second, the US has given more than US$1 billion in military assistance to more moderate armed groups that resisted control by the Assad government. Much of this aid has gone to the Syrian Democratic Forces, a military force led by the Kurds, a minority ethnic group that controls northeast Syria and has worked closely with the US on fighting ISIS while maintaining its opposition to Assad.

Advertisement

The US has remained involved in Syria in several ways. First, it has about 900 troops deployed in some remote parts of Syria to prevent ISIS from regrouping. Reuters

Third, the US has kept heavy financial sanctions in place against the Syrian government dating back to 2011. And fourth, the US has been providing humanitarian aid for Syrians suffering from the countrys 13-year civil war.

The US did not play a direct role in the recent toppling of the Syrian government. The Syrian rebel groups that overthrew Assad are mainly backed by Turkey, which seeks to weaken the Syrian branch of another Kurdish group called the Kurdistan Workers Party. Turkey views this group as a threat to control over its own Kurdish population.

What does Assads fall mean for the US?

The US is not yet making any firm judgments about whether this change is going to be good for the US. Overall, Assads fall opens the possibility of improved relations between the US and Syria, but that will depend, in large part, on the new leadership in Syria.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the group that led the overthrow of Assad, has ruled in an authoritative manner in the area of Syria it has already been controlling.

Advertisement

ISIS also represents a continuing concern for the US. The US has carried out a series of strikes on ISIS targets in recent days in an effort to prevent ISIS from gaining ground following the collapse of the Assad government.

How will Trump impact US engagement in Syria?

Trump has taken the position that Syria is a mess and that it is not Americas problem. During his first term, Trump wanted to pull out all of the remaining US troops from Syria, and his advisers persuaded him to keep a small number of troops there. Whether Syrias new leaders act in an authoritarian manner likely wont matter to Trump.

But Trump is strongly pro-Israel, and he will likely not have any problem with Israel carrying out strikes in Syria.

Under Trump, the US will probably not be a major player shaping events in Syria, but I think it is in the nations interest to remain engaged, because what happens in Syria does affect the rest of the Middle East  and, by extension, the US.

Advertisement

Jordan Tama, Provost Associate Professor, American University School of International Service

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Switzerland has announced it will suspend the Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status granted to India under the double tax agreement treaty, effective January 1, 2025. The move is set to have far-reaching impact on Indian companies operating in Switzerland and Swiss investments in India read more

The Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status is a term commonly used in international trade agreements to ensure that a country extends the best possible treatment or tariff rates to one nation, which it offers to others under similar circumstances. Reuters

In a move set to have far-reaching impact on Indian companies operating in Switzerland and Swiss investments in India, Switzerland has announced it will suspend the Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status with India, effective January 1, 2025.

This unilateral action from the European country stems from a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) between the two countries.

On December 11, the Swiss finance department issued an official statement, pointing to a 2023 ruling by the Supreme Court of India in the Nestle case as the reason for this significant decision.

Advertisement

But what exactly does the Most-Favoured Nation status mean? Why has Switzerland decided to revoke it? And how will this impact Indian businesses? Lets take a closer look.

What is the MFN status between India and Switzerland?

The Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status is a term commonly used in international trade agreements to ensure that a country extends the best possible treatment or tariff rates to one nation, which it offers to others under similar circumstances.

In tax treaties, such as the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Switzerland, the MFN clause ensures that the lower tax rates applied to residents of other OECD countries are extended to the treaty partner as well.



The OECD, or Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, was established in 1961 in Paris. It serves as a forum and knowledge hub for data, analysis, and best practices in public policy, aiming to build stronger, fairer, and cleaner societies- helping to shape better policies for better lives.

The OECD collaborates closely with policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens to create evidence-based international standards and address social, economic, and environmental challenges.

India and Switzerland initially signed the DTAA in 1994, with amendments made in 2010.

Also read: $100 bn trade deal sees Swiss firm turn businesses to India long geared towards China

Background

India had previously signed tax agreements with Lithuania and Colombia, which set lower tax rates on certain types of income compared to those offered to OECD countries. Both of these countries later became members of the OECD.

In 2021, Switzerland interpreted that the accession of Colombia and Lithuania to the OECD meant that a 5 per cent tax rate on dividends would apply to the India-Switzerland tax treaty under the MFN clause, instead of the 10 per cent rate specified in the agreement.

However, a Supreme Court ruling during a long-standing case between AO v. Nestle SA over the interpretation of the MFN status ultimately resulted in a decision that went against Switzerlands expectations.

What was the Supreme Courts ruling?

According to the statement by Switzerlands finance department, in 2021, the Delhi High Court while hearing the case against Nestle, upheld the applicability of the residual tax rates after taking into account the MFN clause under the double tax avoidance treaty.

This was in line with how Switzerland had interpreted it and ensured that companies and individuals were not subject to double taxation while working in or for foreign entities.

Advertisement

a Supreme Court ruling during a long-standing case between AO v. Nestle SA over the interpretation of the MFN status ultimately resulted in Switzerland withdrawing the status. AFP File Photo

However, the Indian Supreme Court, in a decision dated October 19, 2023, reversed the lower courts decision and concluded that the MFN clause between two nations does not automatically apply when a country joins the OECD. It added that the prior tax treaty takes precedence in such cases unless the MFN clause is specifically mentioned in a notification in accordance with Section 90 of the Income Tax Act.

Switzerland opposes SC ruling, revokes MFN status

Switzerland has responded to the situation by unilaterally revoking Indias MFN status, explicitly citing the Indian Supreme Court as the reason for its decision.

This means that starting January 1, 2025, Switzerland will impose a 10 per cent tax (up from the current 5 per cent) on dividends payable to Indian tax residents and entities seeking refunds for Swiss withholding tax. The same will apply to Swiss tax residents claiming foreign tax credits.

Advertisement

In an official statement, the Swiss Finance Department cited the 2023 ruling by the Indian Supreme Court and announced the Suspension of the application of the MFN clause of the protocol to the agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of India for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income.

How will it impact businesses?

Switzerlands decision to revoke Indias MFN status is viewed by experts as a retaliatory step following the Supreme Court ruling, while others interpret it as a measure of reciprocity.

Nangia Andersen M&A Tax Partner, Sandeep Jhunjhunwala, described the unilateral suspension of the MFN clause as a significant shift in bilateral treaty dynamics.

This suspension may lead to increased tax liabilities for Indian entities operating in Switzerland, highlighting the complexities of navigating international tax treaties in an evolving global landscape," he told PTI.

Advertisement

He further emphasised the importance of treaty partners aligning on the interpretation and application of tax clauses to ensure predictability, equity, and stability in the international tax framework.

AKM Global Tax Partner, Amit Maheshwari, pointed out that reciprocity is the primary reason for Switzerlands decision.

Swiss authorities announced in August 2021 that based on the MFN clause between Switzerland and India, the tax rate on dividends from qualifying shareholdings would be reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, effective retroactively from July 5, 2018. However, the subsequent Supreme Court ruling in 2023 contradicted this, Maheshwari told PTI.

He added that this change could impact Swiss investments in India, as dividends will now face higher withholding tax rates. From January 1, 2025, income earned may be taxed at rates outlined in the original double taxation treaty, regardless of the MFN clause.

Advertisement

JSA Advocates & Solicitors Partner, Kumarmanglam Vijay, highlighted that this would particularly affect Indian companies with overseas direct investment (ODI) structures involving subsidiaries in Switzerland. The Swiss withholding tax on dividends will increase from 5 per cent to 10 per cent starting January 1, 2025.

With input from agencies
The two-day-long special session has been called to debate the Constitution, which has taken the central stage in recent times, as 26 November marked 75 years since it was adopted read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the Lok Sabha as he replied to the two-day-long Constitution debate. He said that the 75 years of the Indian Constitution is a matter of pride and celebration as he expressed gratitude to the makers and lawmakers.

#WATCH | Speaking during discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, PM Narendra Modi says, "For all of us, for all citizens and for all democracy-loving citizens across the world, this is a moment of great pride..." pic.twitter.com/eruvAXgE94  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Advertisement

This achievement of 75 years is not ordinary, it is extraordinary. Indias Constitution has brought us here by defeating the possibilities that were expressed for India at the time when the country attained independence, PM Modi said as he addressed the special session of Lok Sabha.

He added, I would like to respectfully bow before the crores of people of India - they lived this new system. Citizens of India deserve all the praise.

#WATCH | Constitution Debate | In Lok Sabha, PM Narendra Modi says, "This achievement of 75 years is not ordinary, it is extraordinary. India's Constitution has brought us here by defeating the possibiltiies that were expressed for India at the time when the counrty attained pic.twitter.com/pQPV7fAKDS  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

The two-day-long special session has been called to debate the Constitution, which has taken the central stage in recent times, as 26 November marked 75 years since it was adopted. The Opposition has brought up the Constitution regularly during debates in the Winter Session of the Parliament, accusing the BJP-led central government of flouting its clauses.

Advertisement

Talking about the abrogation of Article 370, PM Modi said, Article 370 was an obstacle to Indias unity, and thats why we removed it, adding that the provision was impeding Indias unity.

VIDEO | "We have worked continuously to strengthen the unity of India. Article 370 was, however, a roadblock in unity of the country, and therefore, we abrogated it. In a country as big as ours, if we want to move ahead and if we want the world to invest here, then we need to pic.twitter.com/Ga9MgJjM0W  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 14, 2024

Slams Congress

Coming down heavily on the Congress party, PM Modi said, One Congress family changed the Constitution to attack freedom of expression, it was an insult to the founders of the Constitution.

He added, One Congress family relentlessly pursuing wrong thoughts, wrong deeds and wrong policies.

Recalling how former Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru treated the Constitution, PM Modi said, Nehru ji once wrote a letter to chief ministers of the country saying that if the Constitution comes in our way, we will make all the amendments to it.

He said, It is 75 years of the Constitution. When the country was celebrating 25 years of the Constitution it was razed. Emergency was imposed, democratic systems were finished, the country was turned into a prison, citizenss rights were looted, and press freedom was locked up.

Advertisement

#WATCH | Constitution Debate | In Lok Sabha, PM Narendra Modi says, "It is 75 years of Constitution. But 25 years also has an importance, so do 50 years and 60 years...When the country was witnessing 25 years of Constitution, at the same time Constitution in our country was pic.twitter.com/0F30WU6wNs  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Earlier today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi invoked Eklavya mentioned in the Hindu scripture Mahabharat in the Lok Sabha.

When you implemented Agniveer, you cut off the thumb of the youth. When you have paper leaks - you had 70 paper leaks, you cut off the thumb of the youth of IndiaToday, you lobbed tear gas shells on farmers outside Delhi, you unleashed lathi charge on the farmers, he said.

The LoP was referring to the tale where Eklavya sacrificed his thumb for his Guru Dronacharya as a tribute.

In his speech, Gandhi also cited Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkars remarks that there was nothing Indian about the Constitution and took a jibe at the BJP, saying by talking of protecting the Constitution, the ruling party is ridiculing its supreme leader.
Some foreign media outlets claim that India is restricting visa access to Khalistan separatists; if that is true, it is a welcome step. Confiscating the property of Khalistan sympathisers and freezing their assets should be the next logical step read more

No matter how hard the global press may twist the issue to attack India or the Modi government, which was chosen with a wide electoral support for the third time in 2024, the reality is that the visa of any country, including India, is a privilege and not a right. Image: AFP.

This week a report by Canadian news outlet Global News has made very interesting claims that the Indian government has started restricting visa access to Khalistan sympathisers, making it difficult for them to visit India. Due to this, many such elements who had migrated from India in the past but still retain close ties of business or kinship in the country are going through a harrowing time.

As per the report, India is now either straightaway denying visas to those individuals who harbour sympathy for Khalistanis or it is asking them to write a letter professing respect for Indias territorial integrity as well as denounce support for Khalistan separatism. Interestingly, the report claims that those individuals who have furnished information related to the Khalistan menace have been even rewarded with a much-facilitated visa, showing that India has finally mastered a carrot-and-stick policy against Khalistanis in the interest of its national security.

Advertisement

The report, which was published on Wednesday, narrates the case of Bikramjit Singh Sandhar, former president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia. It claims that while Sandhar was first denied a visa in 2016 due to his support of the Khalistan movement, later he was asked to sign a letter declaring his renunciation from the K-project. In addition to Sandhar, certain other members of the Sikh diaspora have also been asked to sign similar letters in return for Indian visas.

As per the report, all the people who have been denied visas by India so far are influential leaders in Canada who have used their position of prominence to push forward the agenda of Khalistanis. In fact, Sandhar is also not new to the limelight, as he has often been projected by the Canadian media as an orthodox Sikh leader since he first rose to the powerful position of Guru Nanak Gurudwara head in 2009.

Even this Gurudwara, over which he has presided in the past, is a very controversial one, with some sources claiming that it was run by slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Just recently, four notorious Khalistanis were felicitated by the same Gurudwara, including the mastermind of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, Talwinder Singh Parmar, and his other associates. In fact, the whole premises is full of material glorifying terrorists pasted all over the walls, congratulating the mass murders of innocent people in the name of the Khalistan movement. Many a time, there have also been open calls to assassinate Indian officials with billboards put in the premises to incite people against Indias government.

Meanwhile, the revelations made by Global News regarding the denial of visas by the Modi government have led the usual anti-India lobby to accuse India of foreign interference. In a volley of OpEd pieces and social media posts, the coolies from the West have descended to attack India over not just harassing people of Indian origin on foreign soil but also spying on them and collecting relevant information. Some have even claimed that people whose visas have been denied by India are human rights activists, and they were simply exposing Modi governments governance record and hence have been targeted in the form of visa denial. So far, it has followed the usual script of settling scores with India by justifying the demands of Khalistanis and terming them as freedom activists while at the same time criticising the human rights record of India and claiming that the government is actively prosecuting Sikhs as a minority.

Advertisement

No matter how hard the global press may twist the issue to attack India or the Modi government, which was chosen with a wide electoral support for the third time in 2024, the reality is that the visa of any country, including India, is a privilege and not a right. Whether India, as a sovereign entity, decides to grant it to a visiting individual or not is completely the countrys call. Also, territorial integrity is one of the highly defended basic principles for any nation-state, and no state would allow people who call for its disintegration a right to visit. In fact, this is how it has always been in the case of other countries worldwide. You would never see China granting a visa to activists who support the independence of Tibet or the Uighur separatists.

Advertisement

Similarly, countries in the West that project themselves as the epitome of human civilisation also react in a similar way when separatists seek visas to visit them. There are instances of Spain denying visas to Catalonian separatists, Britain denying visas to supporters of Irish freedom, and Greece denying visas to Macedonian separatists. Even less-powerful and developing countries such as Sri Lanka have denied visas to Tamil separatists in the past. Hence, if the allegations in the report are true, then what India is doing is completely in line with whats a standard diplomatic practice globally.

As there has been no official reaction to the report published by Canadian media from the Indian government yet, one cannot vouch for the veracity of the claim that India has indeed asked Khalistanis to sign letters denouncing support for the movement, but if it is true, then it is a highly commendable action by the Modi government. This is because this action directly addresses the active nurturing of Khalistani elements by subsequent Canadian governments, making the country a safe sanctuary for anti-India activities.

Advertisement

One doesnt need to dig deeper to understand the strategic manner in which the official Canadian establishment has long weaponised access to Canadian soil as a tool to target countries such as India. What else can be the reason, if not an ulterior motive to hamper Indias national security, that Canada has systematically denied visas to military personnel who have served in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab? It has even demanded extensive information from them regarding their job postings and the nature of work when they sought Canadian visas in the past. The visa form specifically has a column for this where many ex-servicemen have opened up about cheap theatrics that the Canadian government has deployed to extract sensitive information from them or has outrightly denied visas to them due to their involvement in counter-terror operations.

Advertisement

In complete contrast to the way that Canada treats members of Indias defence establishment is the way that it lays out a red carpet for all kinds of shady elements that flock to Canada and conduct anti-India activities. It is a very old trend where, since the 1980s, a large number of Khalistanis have fled to Canada and have found a safe haven to raise their demands, sometimes in the most violent ways, which includes the Kanishka bombing, in which more than 300 people lost their lives. This trend has only accelerated in the recent years with Justin Trudeaus stint in power, who has benefitted immensely by giving patronage to Sikh separatists. In fact, so friendly and welcoming is the law and order machinery in Canada when it comes to Khalistanis that Nijjar, whose cause Trudeau has championed at every diplomatic forum, was a man who had fraudulently obtained Canadian citizenship by producing a fake passport with a different identity.

Nijjar is not alone, as despite the repeated warnings from the current Modi government, Canada has actively allowed Khalistanis an easy entry into the country. In fact, just this year in October, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ended up inadvertently accepting the presence of Khalistani elements in the country during a press conference. Canada has long backed the anti-India separatists in the garb of human rights and freedom of speech and expression. The Khalistanis have successfully penetrated the Canadian system to wage a war against India, a fact that even China admitted.

In an analysis posted on the Chinese app WeChat by the overseas influence operations arm of the Chinese Communist Party, it has been claimed that Sikh separatists wield an extraordinary influence over the Trudeau government. The analysis has held the model presented by Khalistanis as a successful one, asking Chinese diaspora community members to replicate the same. It is pertinent to note here that so intense was the pressure on Trudeaus government from Khalistani extremists that his government had to amend a report citing Khalistani terrorism as one of the top threats in 2018.

Canadian governments, especially Justin Trudeaus, appeasement of the Khalistanis has made things very difficult for India. The country is already spending precious diplomatic energy in addressing claims of targeted assassinations on foreign soil. But now the chickens have come home to roost as India has started its own campaign against the Khalistanis by weaponising their continued access to the country.

The message to them is clear: if they will not cease anti-India activities on foreign soil, then they will not be able to come back to India at will and take care of their personal or business matters. Not just this; things may become difficult for their family members as well. It is a great sign of Indias diplomatic coming of age, where it is ready to take tough measures for the sake of its national security. If the reports aforesaid some element of truth, then visa denial is a good start; confiscating the property of Khalistan sympathisers and freezing their assets in India should be the next logical step. Western capitals have taken Indian interests for a ride too long, but New Delhi knows how to fight back.

The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The year gone by had been more geopolitically charged than the year before. And going by the trends, we expect the upcoming year to see many of these geopolitical events evolve further for good or worse. Pertinent among these are the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the political-strategic change in US administration with Trump Presidency 2.0 and the shifts in policies and diplomacy it brings, and on the trade front, the geoeconomic confrontation with Trumps potential tariff war and its impact on global trade, as well as the rising technopolitical confrontation between countries leading to increased cyberattacks both in scale and scope and the consequent rising costs for states, industries, and corporations to build resilient and secure systems and networks to protect their assets.

Advertisement

The Russia-Ukraine conflict that is still raging has seen an even more grave intensity with the recent provocation of Russias use of hypersonic ballistic missiles and the bombing of a train in Ukraine that came from Romania with British Storm Shadow missiles and the US-made Army Tactical Missile System. The 34-month-old war seems nowhere near to subside in the next year and will continue to have wider geopolitical repercussions in the Eurasian region as well as in and across the Atlantic. If Ukraine sees several nations only offering lip service support, it may lead to territorial losses for the country and will see an emboldened Russia, which could renew its vision of the Soviet Unionkeeping its balance of power in the region intact. On the other side, if we see greater US and EU military and economic support through NATO to Ukraine, it might further escalate the conflict, spilling over to Europe.

The other ongoing war between Israel and Palestine has entered its second year and has spiralled to neighbouring regions of Lebanon and Iran. This has brought loss of life, destruction, as well as strained relations in the region. We also saw Iran and Saudi Arabia improving their relations, leading to reduced hostilities between them. This ongoing conflict can potentially disturb the geopolitical calculations, with Arab countries taking a hard stance against Israel and the US (the latter supporting the former) in the region where Iran is ardently backing the Palestinian cause. This can have serious consequences for the energy security and shipping routes in the regions that could see disruption. The recent developments in the Syrian civil war with the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, which, although it brings an end to the iron-fist regime, leave uncertainty looming large, giving radical Islamists a free run in the war-torn country.

The result of the US elections will have widespread political-strategic ramifications globally. President-elect Donald Trump coming to office in January 2025 will add another dimension to the ongoing conflicts. He would use all means possible to see an end to the wars quickly. This will validate his leadership and reassert US dominance on global issues. Under Trump we might see a more hawkish stance towards world affairs. Particularly revising its stance towards Chinaalbeit with a more aggressive approach. All signals suggest that Trumps presidency 2.0 will see a revision of its policies that he had during his first term and might signal hard posturing on various issues, be it on immigration, climate change, NATOs defence spending by EU partners, or a unilateral approach towards its stance on multilateral institutions, among others.

The year gone by and the year to come will see heightened trade tensions and their impact on trade facilitation across borders. Along with the rapid decline in EU-Russia trade, we will see a spike in US-China trade tensions. Tariffs on goods exchanged between the US and China have increased up to six times since 2017, and globally, trade interventions have surged 12-fold since 2010. With Trump expected to take a further hard stance towards China, it will have ramifications on global trade flows. While countries like Vietnam, India, and Mexico may likely benefit from this Sino-US rivalry on the trade front, increasing the cost of supply chain, sourcing, and transportation will ultimately have consequences for the consumers globally.

Advertisement

On the technology front, we can expect greater competition between China and the US. With the former decoupling its technological reliance on the US, while the latter vehemently protecting its tech companies (like GAFAM) from threats of knowledge spillover and cyberwarfare. We will continue to see greater malware attacks towards specific countries and entities that could disrupt cyber infrastructure. Hence, marketplaces for hacking tools and data are growing. In 2020, the economic cost of cybercrime, including direct, indirect, and upstream systemic costs, was estimated to be in the range of $4 to $6 trillion. In that context, the cybersecurity industry could become an arena where cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, complex, and costly. In fact, it can be predicted that the warfare between the two countries may not be a kinetic warfare but instead could take the form of a trade war or cyberwar. Hence, governments and companies need to be more alert when it comes to cybersecurity and protecting their critical and strategic assets from cyberattacks. The coming years will see greater investments in building more resilient and secure networks to weather these threats. Studies have also identified generative artificial intelligence as one of the most significant technology trends unfolding today. Specific focus will be on cybersecurity for the internet of things and operational technology, along with stress on two segments of data protection and network security.

Advertisement

To sum up, the year ahead will see geopolitical risks further intensifying before parties eventually and hopefully choosing diplomacy over war. We expect greater US-China rivalry over trade and technology that will further reshape the dynamics between these and other nations. Trumps presidency may also posit challenges even with its traditional allies (the EU and UK) over NATO funding, trade, as well as different visions towards multilateral forums. This will entail decoupling, derisking, and reshoring of trade and investment in a fragmented world order where trade reorients toward flowing between geopolitically aligned economies. Lastly, in the year ahead we expect a specific focus on technology-linked and -driven industries such as e-commerce, cloud services, electric vehicles, semiconductors, AI software and services, robotics, immersive reality, etc. This will drive greater investment and growth for the global economy.

Advertisement

Mohit Anand is a Professor of International Business and Strategy at EMLYON Business School, France. Rajesh Mehta is a leading consultant and columnist working on market entry, innovation and public policy. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Seeing the checks and balances of the various interest groups within and outside Syria, it can be concluded that these forces would not allow Syria to drift into the crisis in which Iraq was post-2003, and Libya drifted and never recovered after the forcible removal of Muammar Gaddafis rule in 2011 read more

The fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria and the swiftness with which its collapse took place recently have taken the world by storm. Assads Baath Party (it was also the name of Saddam Hussains political party in Iraq), which was supposed to be the most potent political formation in the Arab World, also came to an end. Its not only the demand for regime change and the ensuing civil war that followed it, which has lingered on since 2011; it was the swiftness with which the change was brought about with minimum bloodshed as compared to the toll that civil war took in 13 years in which more than 600,000 people were killed.

Advertisement

The importance of the fall of the regime in Syria is not only the end of that autocratic regime; it also ended the rule of the Assad family, which came to power in 1970. The regimes fall is bound to change West Asias political and strategic map, and the regions power politics will change in the years to come. The major players in the area, such as the US, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, would see a significant change in their level of influence, increasing or decreasing relative to their involvement and the new strategic configuration.

The military campaign was led under the joint operation led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist outfit; the Southern Operations Group, a coalition that was formed a few days before as a coalition of anti-regime militias; and the US-supported Syrian Free Army. This armed militia controls the area near the Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi trijunction. Two more groups compete over the northern and eastern regions of the country: the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by a left-wing Kurdish party with links to fellow Kurds in Turkey, and its opponent, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). Even as the armed groups and civilians were celebrating the fall of Damascus, the SDF and SNA were fighting for control of Manbij, the only central town the SDF held west of the Euphrates.

The world has cautiously welcomed the new developments in the region. Many experts keeping an eye on the developments in Syria do not rule out a protracted conflict in Syria in months and years to come with no definitive solution in mind.

Major Parties

The major parties/factions or militant groups in Syria have different and varied ideologies and beliefs. The most important of that group is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by its charismatic 40-year-old leader Ahmed al-Sharaabetter known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a former Al Qaeda operative who broke away from Al Qaeda years back but still retains his militant Islamic identity, with the United States putting a million-dollar bounty on his head and struggling hard to shrug off his militant Islamic past.

Advertisement

HTS and its leader, Jolani, take their inspiration from the Taliban, and the speed with which they entered Damascus is also reminiscent of the way the Taliban had taken control over Kabul. The Taliban leadership was quick to congratulate Jolani and his men. Seeing their initial reactions, they are unlikely to go the Taliban way. The other group, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), is supported by the US, much to the chagrin of Turkey, where they have an active secessionist movement of Kurds. The US also maintains approximately 900 troops around oil wells in northeastern Syria controlled by the Kurds. SDF has its roots in Kurdish feminism and is inspired by the late American socialist-anarchist thinker Murray Bookchin. It has supposed links with the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), a militant organisation banned in Turkey and the US.

Advertisement

The third major group, the Syrian National Army (SNA), supported by Turkey, is part of the northern borders with Turkey and is instrumental in curbing the cross-border movement of the Kurds from the Turkish and the Syrian side of the border. Besides these, ISIS remains active and controls limited parts of Syria and is under constant watch from various factions, all of which are opposed to it. The southern part of Syria is dominated by rebel forces on the Syrian-Jordanian border. They control this area and are now in a temporary alliance with HTS.

This razzmatazz of forces that operate in Syria with various powers and interests involved is a perfect background for another round of instability in Syria and West Asia. Israel has also stepped up its attack on the remnants of the Syrian Army, calling it a pre-emptive strike to finish the military hardware, preventing it from falling into the hands of Hezbollah, which Iran and Assads government supported.

Advertisement

Varied Power Interests

There are six major players in Syria that have interests here, namely Turkey, the US, Israel, Iran, Russia and the EU, all have their axes to grind. Turkey sees the developments in its favour and is likely to become the most essential player in the days to come at the cost of Iran and Russia. The way the HTS and others swiftly moved in with overt Turkish consent reminded me how it managed Russia to prevent its intervention in Nagorno-Karabakh, which forced Armenians into the Nagorno-Karabakh region in a matter of 24 hours on September 19, 2023. With active Kurdish insurgency in this region, the new Syrian regime, due to help received from Turkey, will be receptive to Turkeys interests in Syria.

Advertisement

The US and Israel had almost similar interests in curbing support to Hezbollah and checking Irans axis of resistance in the region. The practical land-based route from Iran to Syria via Iraq has now been closed, which will significantly curb Hezbollahs arms and ammunition supply, which also helped its cadres trained by the Assad regime with the help of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The European Union is also involved here as the refugees flow from Syria to different countries in Europe, mainly Germany, which hosts 1 million Syrian refugees. The EU and UK have also suspended taking in all refugees from Syria with immediate effect. Turkey, which hosts 3 million refugees, is also planning a similar move. The EU has programmes that support Turkey in hosting Syrian refugees in Turkey.

As reports suggest, Russia is in talks with HTS to allow hosting its naval and Air Force bases in Turkey. Russia was also suffering from war weariness in Ukraine, and it was challenging to maintain the tempo of support that it had been keeping since 2015.

Iran is the biggest loser in this game of one-upmanship in the region. It had consistently supported the Assad regime (both Hafez al Assad and Bashar al Assad) since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. It recognised the Alawite sect of Shia, which were not accepted as followers of Islam by hardcore Muslim Sunni theologians. The regime in Iran recognised the Alawite sect to which the Assads belonged as part of the mainstream Shia sect of Islam, thereby legitimising Assads regime in Syria inside and outside Syria.

Seeing the increasingly complex situation in Syria, it would be foolish to expect that democracy would suddenly start flourishing. Seeing the checks and balances of the various interest groups within and outside Syria, it can be concluded that these forces would not allow Syria to drift into the crisis in which Iraq was post-2003, and Libya drifted and never recovered after the forcible removal of Muammar Gaddafis rule in 2011.

Amitabh Singh teaches International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji was found dead at his San Franciso home, two months after he alleged that the company is infringing copyright laws to train ChatGPT read more

A former employee of the artificial intelligence giant OpenAI, who alleged that the companys programs violated copyright law, was found dead at his San Francisco apartment. San Francisco police found 26-year-old Suchir Balaji dead in his Lower Haight apartment on November 26, Huffington Post reported. In the latest update, the police on Friday said that the whistleblower died by suicide and there was no evidence of foul play.

The manner of death has been determined to be suicide, David Serrano Sewell, director of the office of the citys chief medical examiner, told The San Francisco Standard by email. Balaji was a former researcher for the company. In a New York Times article, he accused OpenAI of using copyrighted material to train ChatGPT. Balaji quit the company in August and his profile on NYT was published in October.

Advertisement

Multiple lawsuits against OpenAI are expected to present information unearthed by Balaji as key evidence. As per the report, officers went to Balajis house at 1:15 pm (local time) on November 26. The officers were visiting the apartment for a wellness check. Officers and medics arrived on scene and located a deceased adult male from what appeared to be a suicide, SFPD said. No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation, the officials furthered.

OpenAI reacts to Balajis death

While speaking to TechCrunch, an OpenAI spokesperson said that the company is devastated to hear the news. We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time. In the NYT article, Balaji emphasised that the way ChatGPT is operating, is not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole.

In his final post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Balaji plugged the article. I recently participated in an NYT story about fair use and generative AI, and why Im sceptical fair use would be a plausible defence for a lot of generative AI products, Balaji wrote.

I recently participated in a NYT story about fair use and generative AI, and why I'm skeptical "fair use" would be a plausible defense for a lot of generative AI products. I also wrote a blog post (https://t.co/xhiVyCk2Vk) about the nitty-gritty details of fair use and why I  Suchir Balaji (@suchirbalaji) October 23, 2024

I was at OpenAI for nearly 4 years and worked on ChatGPT for the last 1.5 of them. I initially didnt know much about copyright, fair use, etc. but became curious after seeing all the lawsuits filed against GenAI companies. When I tried to understand the issue better, I eventually came to the conclusion that fair use seems like a pretty implausible defence for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data theyre trained on, he added.

Advertisement

In the past, Balaji has emphasised that Machine Learning (ML) researchers should learn more about copyright laws.

With inputs from agencies.
The end of the Assad familys half-century rule has raised fears of further instability in the Middle East, a region already grappling with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon read more

Top diplomats from the United States, the Arab League, and Turkey met in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba on Saturday (December 14) to discuss how to support Syrias transition following the collapse of Bashar al-Assads government.

The gathering, which also included representatives from the European Union and the United Nations, focused on creating a unified approach to stabilising Syria and addressing the regions ongoing turmoil.

The meeting, attended by 12 foreign ministers and senior officials, did not include any Syrian representatives. Discussions centered on what priorities a new leadership in Syria should adopt, including inclusivity, minority rights, and the destruction of Assad-era chemical weapons stockpiles.

Advertisement

Concerns about regional instability

The end of the Assad familys half-century rule has raised fears of further instability in the Middle East, a region already grappling with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The US is simultaneously pressing for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply.

More than 44,800 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Israel claims over 17,000 of those killed were militants, though it has not provided evidence.

Meanwhile, the October 2023 Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people in Israel and left around 100 hostages still inside Gaza, with a third of them believed to have died.

Focus on Syrias future

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the need for Syrias future government to be inclusive and to respect the rights of minorities and women.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says broad consensus exists among regional partners that Syrias new government must be inclusive, must respect women and minority rights, reject terrorism and secure and destroy suspected Assad-era chemical weapons stockpiles.

Advertisement

Blinken also met with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to discuss the challenges ahead.

With inputs from agencies
Authorities allege that conspirators, including Braga Netto and other senior military officials, planned for Bolsonaro to issue a coup decree authorizing a military takeover read more

Brazils federal police on Saturday arrested the close ally of Jair Bolsanaro and the former defence minister Walter Braga Netto for plotting a coup to overturn the election results of 2022.

Netto, who also served as chief of staff for former President Jair Bolsonaro, has denied the accusations levelled against him and said he had no role to play in the events of 2022.

In a statement that did not name Braga Netto, federal police said it had served two search warrants, an arrest warrant and a precautionary measure other than arrest against people allegedly hindering investigations.

Advertisement

What has Netto been accused of?

Authorities allege that conspirators, including Braga Netto and other senior military officials, planned for Bolsonaro to issue a coup decree authorizing a military takeover. The following day, Braga Netto and former institutional security minister Gen Augusto Heleno were reportedly set to lead a crisis management cabinet.

Investigators believe the conspirators also intended to target perceived opponents of Bolsonaros far-right political movement, potentially through assassination or kidnapping. Among the alleged targets were Lula, his centrist vice-president Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Police say Bolsonaro planned 2022 coup

Meanwhile, last month, Brazils former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, an unsealed federal police report revealed.

The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup detat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire, the document said.

At another point, it says: Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

With inputs from agencies
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence that Luigi Mangione had prior knowledge UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference in New York City read more

Suspect Luigi Mangione is taken into the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa. AP

The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not a client of the medical insurer and may have targeted it because of its size and influence, a senior police official said Thursday.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence that Luigi Mangione had prior knowledge UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference in New York City.

Mangione also mentioned the company in a note found in his possession when he was detained by police in Pennsylvania.

Advertisement

We have no indication that he was ever a client of United Healthcare, but he does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America. So thats possibly why he targeted that company, said Kenny.

UnitedHealthcare is in the top 20 largest U.S. companies by market capitalization but is not the fifth largest. It is the largest U.S. health insurer.

Mangione remains jailed without bail in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday after being spotted at a McDonalds in the city of Altoona, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City. His lawyer there, Thomas Dickey, has said Mangione intends to plead not guilty. Dickey also said he has yet to see evidence decisively linking his client to the crime.

Mangiones arrest came five days after the caught-on-camera killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.

Police say the shooter waited outside the hotel, where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, early on the morning of Dec. 4. He approached Thompson from behind and shot him before fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park.

Mangione is fighting attempts to extradite him back to New York so that he can face a murder charge in Thompsons killing. A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 30.

The 26-year-old, who police say was found with a " ghost gun " matching shell casings found at the site of the shooting, is charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.

Advertisement

Mangione is an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family. In posts on social media, Mangione wrote about experiencing severe chronic back pain before undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in 2023. Afterward, he posted that the operation had been a success and that his pain had improved and mobility returned. He urged others to consider the same type of surgery.

On Wednesday, police said investigators are looking at his writings about his health problems and his criticism of corporate America and the U.S. health care system.

Kenny said in the NBC interview that Mangiones family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November.

Advertisement
Indian students in Canada were left shocked after they received emails from immigration, demanding resubmission of crucial documents such as study permits, visas and educational records, including marks and attendance read more

Indian students in Canada were left surprised after they reportedly received emails asking them to resubmit crucial documents such as study permits, visas and educational records, including marks and attendance. According to The Times of India, the request came from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a Canadian government department that deals with foreign students.

The mail caused widespread panic among international students, many of whom hold visas with up to two years validity. The request for the resubmission of the documents came after IRCC tightened its policies to regulate the influx of international students. The measures include stricter financial requirements and exploring potential caps on student admissions.

Advertisement

I was a bit shocked when I received the email. My visa is valid until 2026, yet I was asked to submit all my documents again, a postgraduate student from Hyderabad told TOI. They even want proof of attendance, marks, where we are working part-time, etc., he added.

Students left shocked by recent surge in emails

According to TOI, a similar surge in email was reported last week, especially among students from Punjab. Some of the students were also asked to visit IRCC offices in person to verify their credentials. Many students are confused and worried, an Indian student studying in Ontario told TOI.

In recent years, Canada has seen a major surge in international student enrollment, with Indian students taking up a substantial part. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Canada hosts the largest number of Indian students, with 4.2 lakh enrolled, followed by the US with 3.3 lakh Indian students.

After receiving the emails, many students urged IRCC to provide clear communication over the matter and address the concerns. Meanwhile, experts are asking students to act promptly on document submissions to avoid any issues in the future. This move appears to be part of Canadas broader strategy to control the number of international students, Mehbub Rajwani, an immigration consultant in Toronto told TOI.

Caps and financial requirements being introduced are a clear signal. This move could also be to filter out genuine students as many change their designated learning institution and shift to one where there is no restriction on attendance so they can work in Canada, he added. He warned that if students dont comply with these rules, it could lead to visa cancellation.

With inputs from agencies.
In his latest remark, Ontario premier reiterated his threat to halt electricity export to multiple US states, calling it a last resort for his province read more

The leader of Canadas most populous province, Ontario, proposed that Canada should stop importing US liquor to ward off the looming tariff war. Ontarios Premier Doug Ford suggested wielding the provinces liquor control board  the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The remarks from Ford came a day after he said that he could halt electricity exports to multiple American states in retaliation for high tariffs promised by US President-elect Donald Trump.

Advertisement

While speaking on the matter, Ford described the threat by Canadas closest ally as being like a family member stabbing you right in the heart. Ford noted that in a situation of tariff war, the board could halt buying American products, The Guardian reported. Ontarios liquor control board was established in 1927 and is touted as the main alcohol retailer in the province with revenues of more than Canadian $7 billion.

In his latest remark, Ford reiterated his threat to halt electricity export, calling it a last resort for his province. Were sending a message to the US  you come and attack Ontario, you attack the livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our toolbox to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Lets hope it never comes to that," the Ontario premier averred.

Ford keeps an aggressive stance

Not only this, the Ontario lawmaker also threatened to restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric vehicle batteries and supply chains. However, Fords plan puts him at odds with the premiers of other provinces, including Danielle Smith, the Alberta premier, whose province exports vast amounts of oil and natural gas to the United States.

Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports, she said, adding she preferred a strategy of diplomacy, not threats for the current standoff. Other premiers also kept a tight-lip over the matter. We hope it is just bluster, said Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey. Were preparing as if it is not.

Meanwhile, Trumps ambition did not die down because of this threat. Thats OK if [Ford] does that, thats fine, Trump told CNBC News. The United States is subsidizing Canada, its truly a subsidy and we shouldnt have to do that," he added. Trump insisted that he had so many friends in Canada but his country shouldnt have to subsidize Canada for more than US$ 100 billion a year, a figure he didnt elaborate on. Trump has maintained that if Canada does not deal with the issue of illegal migration and smuggling of drugs at the border, the US will have to impose higher tariffs on a longtime ally. Trump delivered the same threat to Mexico as well.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas has agreed to Israeli presence in Gaza after a ceasefire comes into motion. Arab mediators told the news outlet that Hamas, for the first time, has handed over a list of hostages it would release in the first phase of a new deal read more

A senior US official has said that President-elect Donald Trumps pressure led Hamas to concede to two Israeli demands during Gaza ceasefire talks with Israel earlier this week.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas has agreed to Israeli presence in Gaza after a ceasefire comes into motion. Arab mediators told the news outlet that Hamas, for the first time, has handed over a list of hostages it would release in the first phase of a new deal.

Advertisement

Talking to NBC on condition of anonymity, a senior Biden administration official said, There is a confidence we have not seen since May when the president [Joe Biden] presented his proposal. The official added that Trumps warning that a hostage deal should come into effect before he takes office in January also played a key role in Hamas concessions.

Hamas agreeing to two Israeli demands is a major breakthrough in the Gaza ceasefire efforts in months as it is the first time the terrorist group has given in to Israeli requests.

Earlier this month, Trump wrote on Truth Social, If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity.

Which demands have Hamas met?

The Journal quoted mediators as saying that Hamas has agreed to Israeli military controlling the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border and Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza essentially divides Gaza into two halves and allows for the monitoring of displaced Palestinians returning northward from the south where they have been sheltering.

The mediators further said that Hamas has accepted to give up the control of the Egypt-Gaza border crossing at Rafah.

Meanwhile, the list of hostages made by Hamas contains the names of US nationals, women, older hostages and those with medical conditions. It also carried the names of five dead hostages.

What does the truce deal look like?

The proposed agreement under negotiation involves the release of up to 30 hostages during a 60-day ceasefire, in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners and increasing the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Since the escalation of conflict on October 7, 2023, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in significant damage to UN facilities, particularly those operated by the UNRWA read more

Palestinian children walk at the site of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Gaza City. File image/Reuters

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed 17 people on Saturday (December 14), including seven at a United Nations-run school sheltering displaced civilians, Gazas civil defense agency said.

Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the agency, said Israeli warplanes targeted the Al-Majida Wasila school west of Gaza City, killing seven people, including women and children, and wounding at least 10 others. The school, operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, had been converted into a shelter for those fleeing the war.

Advertisement

The Israeli military said it was investigating the reports.

Targeted attacks on UN facilities?

Since the escalation of conflict on October 7, 2023, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in significant damage to United Nations (UN) facilities, particularly those operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

Between October 7, 2023, and March 15, 2024, UNRWA documented 349 incidents impacting its premises and the internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltering within them.

These incidents resulted in the deaths of at least 408 individuals. Additionally, as of September 6, 2024, approximately 161 UNRWA school buildingsrepresenting 86.1% of all such facilities in Gazahad suffered direct hits or damage.

The United Nations and various human rights organisations have condemned attacks on UN facilities, stressing their protected status under international law.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that their operations target militant infrastructure and personnel, asserting that groups like Hamas use civilian areas, including UN facilities, for military purposes.

War death toll mounts

The conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials. In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive on Gaza, which the Hamas-run health ministry says has killed at least 44,930 people, the majority of them civilians.

Advertisement

The United Nations has deemed the casualty figures provided by Gazas health ministry reliable, underscoring the devastating toll the conflict has taken on the densely populated territory.

With inputs from agencies
The attack, which occurred early Friday (December 13) morning, targeted the Saudi Hospital, a maternity facility in El-Fasher, with four drone-guided missiles read more

People walk past a destroyed vehicle, following shelling by the Rapid Support Forces, in Omdurman, Sudan, December 10, 2024. Source: Khartoum State Government/Handout via Reuters.

A drone attack on the main hospital in El-Fasher, a city in western Sudan, killed nine people and wounded 20 others, forcing the facility to cease operations, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Saturday (December 14).

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attack. Continued attacks on health across Sudan are deplorable, he wrote, calling for the protection of patients and health workers. All attacks on and around health facilities must stop, he added.

Advertisement

The attack, which occurred early Friday (December 13) morning, targeted the Saudi Hospital, a maternity facility in El-Fasher, with four drone-guided missiles, according to a statement by Sudans army-aligned Health Ministry. The missiles struck areas where patients companions had gathered and key sections of the hospital, including wards, pharmacies, and the operating room.

A doctor at the hospital, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on media engagement, confirmed the facility had completely ceased operations following the strike.

Fierce clashes in El-Fasher

El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has been under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since May. The city has witnessed some of the most intense fighting in the ongoing conflict between the RSF and Sudans army, which began in April 2023. Both factions are vying for control of Darfur and other strategic regions, including the capital, Khartoum, located 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) east of El-Fasher.

A local aid committee said the attack had destroyed critical hospital infrastructure, compounding the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

Worsening humanitarian crisis

The war between the RSF and the army has plunged Sudan into chaos, killing tens of thousands of people and displacing more than 11 million. The United Nations has described the situation as one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, a Sudanese military airstrike on a market in North Darfur killed more than 100 people, according to a pro-democracy lawyers group.

Nearly all of Darfur is now under RSF control, while the army retains hold over parts of northern and eastern Sudan. Both sides have been accused of indiscriminately targeting civilians and medical facilities, as well as bombing residential areas.

Advertisement

The attack on the Saudi Hospital underscores the growing toll on healthcare facilities in Sudan, as both warring factions continue to violate international humanitarian norms.
Israeli strikes destroyed a scientific institute and other related military facilities in Barzeh, in northern Damascus, and targeted a military airport in the capitals countryside, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said read more

A Syria war monitor said Israel launched strikes early Saturday targeting military sites in Damascus and its countryside, in the latest such raids since rebels brought down Bashar al-Assad almost a week ago.

Israeli strikes destroyed a scientific institute and other related military facilities in Barzeh, in northern Damascus, and targeted a military airport in the capitals countryside, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Strikes also targeted Scud ballistic missile warehouses and launchers in the Qalamun area, as well as rockets, depots and tunnels under the mountain, according to the Britain-based Observatory, which has a network of sources inside Syria.

Advertisement

The Observatory said several rounds of bombardment targeted military sites of the former regime forces, as part of destroying what is left of the future Syrian armys capabilities.

Israel air strikes on Friday targeted a missile base at the top of Damascuss Mount Qasyun, the group said, as well as an airport in southern Sweida province and defence and research labs in Masyaf, in Hama province.

Since Assads fall, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes against Syrian military sites, targeting everything from chemical weapons stores to air defences.

In a move that has drawn international condemnation, Israel also seized a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone on the Syrian Golan Heights just hours after the rebels, led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, took Damascus.

On Thursday, UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed concern over extensive violations of Syrian sovereignty and the Israeli strikes in the country, his spokesman said.
Hezbollah had long relied on Syria to transport weapons and military equipment from Iran, through Iraq and Syria, into Lebanon. However, the collapse of Assads government has disrupted that route read more

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem acknowledged the setback the group suffered due to the fall of the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. File Photo/Reuters

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem acknowledged Saturday (December 14) that the Lebanese armed group has lost its key supply route through Syria, following the fall of President Bashar al-Assads regime nearly a week ago in a sweeping rebel offensive.

The Iran-backed group had long relied on Syria to transport weapons and military equipment from Iran, through Iraq and Syria, into Lebanon. However, the collapse of Assads government has disrupted that route.

Yes, Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage, but this loss is a detail in the resistances work, Qassem said in a televised speech Saturday. He did not mention Assad by name.

Advertisement

A new regime could come and this route could return to normal, and we could look for other ways, he added.

On December 6, anti-Assad fighters seized the border with Iraq, and two days later, Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Hezbollahs role in Syria

Hezbollah began intervening in Syria in 2013 to support Assads fight against rebel forces. As the rebels closed in on Damascus last week, the group reportedly sent officers to oversee the withdrawal of its fighters from the city.

More than 50 years of Assad family rule has been replaced by a transitional caretaker government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that spearheaded the rebel offensive.

Qassem said Hezbollah would withhold judgment on the new rulers until their positions became clear. We also hope that this new ruling party will consider Israel an enemy and not normalize relations with it, he said. These are the headlines that will affect the nature of the relationship between us and Syria.

Regional Impact

The fall of Assads regime marks a significant shift in the region. Hezbollahs reliance on Syria for military supplies has been central to its operations against Israel. The disruption comes after months of escalating hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel along Lebanons southern border, triggered by the Gaza war.

The conflict saw cross-border exchanges of fire for nearly a year, culminating in a major Israeli offensive in September that decimated much of Hezbollahs top leadership.

Advertisement

Qassem expressed hope that cooperation between Lebanon and Syria could continue under the new government but emphasized the uncertainty surrounding Syrias future.
The incident occurred on December 6 when North Korean forces killed soldiers and seized the village in under 2 hours without taking any prisoners, the Russian Telegram channel Romanov Light said read more

North Korean troops fighting for Russia in the war have reportedly killed around 300 Ukrainian soldiers as they reclaimed a village in the Kursk region.

According to a report by NK News, the Russian Telegram channel Romanov Light claimed on Friday that North Korean soldiers launched an attack on the village of Plyokhovo in Kursk like a hurricane, leaving over 300 Kyivs soldiers dead.

How did the attack take place?

The incident occurred on December 6 when North Korean forces killed soldiers and seized the village in under 2 hours without taking any prisoners, the channel said.

Although the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the reported attack, former Ukrainian lawmaker and pro-Russian politician Oleg Tsaryov stated that he could confirm the news but provided no further details.

Advertisement

Relations between Russia and North Korea have reached new heights ever since South Korea revealed that Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to Russia to fight the war.

The presence of North Korean troops in Russia, which has been confirmed by Washington, has caused anxiety among leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who has called for their withdrawal.

North Korea-Russia defence pact

Meanwhile, a landmark defence pact between North Korea and Russia, signed by its leaders in June, went into effect after the two sides exchanged ratification documents earlier this week.

The formalization of the treaty comes as the United States and South Korea have accused the nuclear-armed North of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine.

Experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is keen to acquire advanced technology from Moscow and battle experience for his troops in return.

Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the strategic partnership deal during the Kremlin chiefs visit to Pyongyang.

It obligates both states to provide military assistance without delay in the case of an attack on the other and to oppose Western sanctions jointly.

With inputs from AFP
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has taken over as the acting president, said he would make his utmost efforts to ensure stability after Yoons impeachment read more

Moments after the South Korean Parliament voted to impeach him, Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday said that he would step aside for a while as he urged an end to to politics of excess and confrontation.

Though I must now step aside for a while, the journey toward the future must never come to a stop, he said in a televised address.

The impeached president added, Though I stop for now, the journey to the future Ive walked for the past two and half years must never stop. I will never give up. I will take your criticism, praise, and support to the heart and do my best for the country until the end.

Advertisement

Yoon was impeached in a second vote by the opposition-led parliament over his short-lived attempt last week to impose martial law, a move that had shocked the nation and split his party.

The impeachment motion was carried after at least 12 members of Yoons People Power Party joined the opposition parties, which control 192 seats in the 300-member national assembly, clearing the two-thirds threshold needed for impeachment.

PM vows for stability

Under the South Korean constitution, once a president is impeached, he will no longer be able to carry out his official duties. The countrys affairs are transferred to the prime minister who will be the head until either the president is reinstated or the next elections.

Therefore, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was appointed by Yoon, has become acting president.

Han said he would make his utmost efforts to ensure stability after Yoons impeachment. I will give all my strength and efforts to stabilise the government, he told reporters.

According to Yonhap Han is expected to hold an ad hoc meeting as soon as today.

Tougher mountain ahead of us

Talking to protestors who burst into celebrations after the announcement of Yoons impeachment outside the Parliament, South Koreas opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said, Today is proof that you are the owner of this country.

He, however, said that there is a bigger and tougher mountain ahead.
204 lawmakers voted in favour of the impeachment motion against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, which was floated in the South Korean National Assembly for the second time, after failing to garner support in the first round. read more

In a major turn of events South Korean National Assembly voted to impeach the countrys President Yoon Suk Yeol, after failing to do so in the first attempt. The second round of impeachment voting took place on Saturday, days after Yoons botched martial law bid rattled the country.

According to South Korean Agency Yonhap, 204 lawmakers voted in favour of the motion which was floated in the national assembly for the second time. In the first attempt, lawmakers from Yoons People Power Party staged a walkout in support of the president. However, in the latest attempt, more than eight lawmakers agreed to cross the aisle and support the oppositions bid.

Advertisement

While 204 lawmakers supported the motion, 85 lawmakers opposed it and three lawmakers abstained from voting. According to Yonhap, the parliament also saw eight invalid ballots. With the Saturday voting Yoons presidential powers and duties are now suspended.

What happens next?

Copies of a document on the impeachment were delivered to Yoon and to the Constitutional Court shortly after the voting. The court will now have up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers. If he is thrown out of office, the national election will be held within 60 days to choose his successor.

Until then, the country will be led by Prime Minister Han Dong-hoon. However, the court is facing its own share of challenges. The South Korean Constitutional Court has three vacancies, with just six judges in office. In usual circumstances, the court needs at least seven justices to make a decision on this matter. However, recently, one of the judges told the Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper on Thursday that a unanimous decision among the six might be held under a recent rule change. The whole matter is still subject to debate.

There are two ways the case might play out in the court:

1. The court finds no grounds to impeach the president

If the Constitutional Court decides that it will not impeach the president, Yoon will be reinstated in office.

2. If the court agrees with the lawmakers

In this situation, Yoon will be impeached and PM Han will take over as the countrys acting president. As soon as this happens, Han will once again have 60 days to call for fresh elections in the country.

The country welcomes the impeachment

Before the voting on the impeachment motion even began, thousands of people rallied outside the South Korean National Assembly demanding Yoons removal. According to BBC, protesters belted out a traditional, labour anthem March for Our Beloved. The tune was written back in 1981 to commemorate democratic activists who were killed during the Gwangju protests in 1980.

Protesters also sang Into the New World by K-pop girl band SNSD, which became a national protest anthem during the 2016 impeachment proceedings of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The moment the results were announced, cheers erupted within the National Assembly as the Democratic Party celebrated the success of the impeachment motion.

Advertisement

During the vote count, some ruling party lawmakers were seen clasping their hands in prayer, BBC reported. While declaring the results, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-Shik celebrated the move. To the people, we hope your end of year will be a little happier now, and all your cancelled year-end celebrations to be restored, he said.

The future of the Republic of Korea and our hope is in the hands of the people, our hope is strong. Thank you very much, he said as he ended the session.
The warehouse raided by the HTS fighters was located outskirts of Damascus, where Captagon pills were concealed inside electrical components for export read more

A Syrian rebel fighter holds a container of Captagon pills, a brand name of the psychostimulant Fenethylline, discovered at a drug manufacturing facility in the city of Douma on the eastern outskirts of Damascus on 12 December 2024. AFP

Weeks after the dramatic collapse of Syrian President Bashar Al Assads regime in Syria, the rebel groups unearthed the industrial-scale export of the banned drug called Captagon. After taking over the country, Islamist-led fighters have seized military bases and distribution hubs for the amphetamine-type stimulant, AFP reported. The drug has flooded the hidden market across the Middle East.

The search operation was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. The rebels said that they found a vast haul of drugs at the complex and vowed to destroy them. According to AFP, the warehouse raided by the HTS fighters was located outskirts of Damascus, where Captagon pills were concealed inside electrical components for export.

Advertisement

HTS fighters claimed that the factory was linked to Maher al-Assad and Amer Khiti. Maher al-Assad is the brother of the Syrian president and was a military commander and is now presumed on the run. He has been widely accused of being the power behind the lucrative Captagon trade.

Meanwhile, Khiti was placed under sanction by the UK government in 2023. At that time, the British authorities accused the Syrian politician of controlling multiple businesses in Syria which facilitate the production and smuggling of drugs.

The dark side of Assad regime

Beneath the warehouse and loading bays, thousands of dusty beige Captagon pills were packed into the copper coils of brand-new household voltage stabilizers. We found a large number of devices that were stuffed with packages of Captagon pills meant to be smuggled out of the country. Its a huge quantity. Its impossible to tell, HTS fighter Abu Malek al-Shami told AFP.

The rebel group claimed that the revenue from selling Captagon was the backbone of Assads government throughout Syrias 13 years of civil war. The banned drug turned Syria into the worlds largest narco-state and soon became Syrias biggest export, dwarfing all its legal exports put together, according to the estimates reported by AFP.

However, Captagon fueled an epidemic of drug abuse in wealthy Gulf states, threatening social peace in the region. Assad leveraged Captagon trafficking as a means of exerting pressure on the Gulf states, notably Saudi Arabia, to reintegrate Syria into the Arab world, wrote Carnegie scholar Hesham Alghannam. We destroyed and burned it because its harmful to people. It harms nature and people and humans, an HTS fighter said while talking about the complex.

After freeing prisoners from Sadayana, the Syrian rebel groups are unravelling the dark side of the Assad regime, one complex at a time.

With inputs from AFP.
Oleksandr Lutsenko was dismissed from services after Ukrainian forces operating under him failed to deter Russias offensive, which has covered large swaths of Ukrainian lands in just a month read more

Ukraines military on Saturday fired one of its commanders responsible for overseeing the operations in the eastern Donetsk region after Russia launched a barrage of attacks against Kyivs logistics hub.

Oleksandr Lutsenko was dismissed from services after Ukrainian forces operating under him failed to deter Russias offensive, which has covered large swaths of Ukrainian lands in just a month. An official told the Financial Times that Lutsenko will be posted to another post in the armys ground forces, while Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi has taken his place.

Advertisement

Ukraines topmost general Oleksandr Syrsky on Friday said, The battles are extremely tough. The Russians are throwing all available forces forward, trying to break through the defence of our troops.

How has Russia stopped logistics op in Ukraine?

Ukraines largest steelmaker, Metinvest, has announced the suspension of operations at the countrys sole coking coal mine. This decision comes as Russian forces advanced to within 2 kilometers of the site near Pokrovsk, according to a company memo.

The mine accounted for half of Ukraines coal needs and was an important source for producing coke, a type of coal required to manufacture steel.

Russian forces have recently made their fastest advances since 2022, concentrating on Pokrovsk and the key towns of Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka to the south. This area is strategically significant, as it lies near three major highways leading to the Dnipropetrovsk region and the city of Dnipro, a vital hub for Ukrainian military operations along the 1,000-kilometer frontline.

Ukraines energy sites attacked

Meanwhile, Ukraine said Friday that it was fending off a new missile attack on its energy system, the latest in Russias campaign targeting the war-torn countrys power grid during the winter season.

The enemy continues its terror. Once again, the energy sector across Ukraine is under massive attack, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.

With inputs from agencies
Top military commander of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham revealed that the rebel group began planning the military assault to topple Syrian President Bashar Al Assads regime a year ago. In his first interview with foreign media, Abu Hassan al-Hamwi, the head of the HTS military wing, said that the group conducted a highly disciplined operation in which a new drone unit was deployed and where there was close coordination between opposition groups around the country.

Advertisement

HTS led the operation from the countrys northwest and communicated with the rebel group operating in the south to encircle the countrys capital, Damascus. During his conversation with The Guardian, Hamwi said that the planning to topple the regime started a year ago, the groups were preparing for a coup like this for years.

Hamwi noted that since 2019, HTS has been developing a military doctrine that it used to turn fighters coming from disparate, disorganised opposition and jihadist groups into a disciplined fighting force. After the last campaign [August 2019], during which we lost significant territory, all revolutionary factions realised the critical danger  the fundamental problem was the absence of unified leadership and control over battle, the 40-year-old military commander said in an interview in Jableh.

We studied enemy thoroughly

In the interview, Hamwi maintained that the HTS and other rebel groups studied the enemy thoroughly. We studied the enemy thoroughly, analysing their tactics, both day and night and used these insights to develop our own forces, Hamwi told The Guardian. He mentioned how the rebel groups united with each other and how military branches, units, and security forces were created.

HTS soon began to produce its own weaponry, vehicles, and ammunition, which managed to outgun the Assad regimes airforce and the backing of Russia and Iran. We unified their knowledge and set clear objectives: we needed reconnaissance drones, attack drones, and suicide drones, with a focus on range and endurance, Hamwi averred, adding that drone production started in 2019.

The latest iteration of HTS drones was a new model of suicide drone, named Shahin, which is Arabic for falcon. The drones were first deployed against the regime forces this month, which disabled Assad forces military vehicle.

Hamwi said that the group sent out messages to rebels in the south a year ago and began to advise them on how to create a unified war room. An operation room was later founded, bringing together the commanders of around 25 rebel groups in the south. In late November, the group decided that the time was right to start the operation.

Advertisement

We had a conviction, supported by historical precedent, that Damascus cannot fall until Aleppo falls. The strength of the Syrian revolution was concentrated in the north, and we believed that once Aleppo was liberated, we could move southward toward Damascus, Hamwi said. After the fall of Aleppo, Assads regime toppled like a house of cards.

When asked about the process of nation re-building, Hamwi assured that Syrias religious minorities will not be discriminated against. We affirm that minorities in Syria are part of the nation and have the right to practice their rituals, education, and services like every other Syrian citizen. The regime planted division, and we are trying, as much as possible, to bridge these divides, he concluded.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies.
US President-elect Donald Trump suggested that the mysterious drone hovering over the state of New Jersey should be shot down as he cornered President Joe Bidens administration over the issue read more

US President-elect Donald Trump suggested that officials should shoot down the mysterious drone hovering over the state of New Jersey. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump slammed the Biden administration over the issue and urged authorities to act swiftly.

The mysterious drone hovering over the state has not only spooked New Jersey residents but also sparked an outcry among lawmakers. However, both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made it clear that the drone doesnt pose a security threat.

Advertisement

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge? I dont think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday. For days, residents have shared multiple grainy videos and images of the drone on social media.

FBI and DHS dismiss the drone as security threat

On Thursday, the FBI and DHS issued a joint statement suggesting that at least some sightings are probably regular aeroplanes. The agencies maintained that it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully adding that there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey.

Earlier this week, the Secret Service denied reports that the drone belonged to the agency. On Friday, John Kirby, the White House national security communications adviser, told Fox News, that the White House dont have enough conclusions to take down one of the craft. Were gonna share as much as we can. I understand its frustrating for folks, its frustrating for us, Kirby said.

States like New York and Maryland also reported drone sightings, sparking concerns among lawmakers. Senator Richard Blumenthal, chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committees investigations panel, said on Friday that he has requested a briefing from the FAA before Congress leaves for the holidays.

Lawmakers raise concerns

Democratic New Jersey Senator Andy Kim wrote on Friday that overnight, he and local police had gone out looking for drones  and they often saw five to seven lights at a time that were low and not associated with aircraft on a flight tracking app. This has gone on for weeks. Its hard to understand how with the technology we have we arent able to track these devices to determine origin and this makes me much more concerned about our capabilities more broadly when it comes to drone detection and countermeasures, he wrote in the post.

This has gone on for weeks. Its hard to understand how with the technology we have we arent able to track these devices to determine origin and this makes me much more concerned about our capabilities more broadly when it comes to drone detection and counter measures. 10/11  Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) December 13, 2024

Advertisement

I wrote to @POTUS to express my concerns about reports of unmanned aircraft systems in and around NJ airspace.



Since existing laws limit the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter UAS, more federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity. pic.twitter.com/mkeUeW7ury  Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 13, 2024

Advertisement

New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, mentioned that he has sent a letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to direct federal agencies to work together until they uncover answers as to what is behind the [unmanned aircraft systems] sightings. Meanwhile, New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul wrote on X that residents in her state had spotted drones this week: At this time, theres no evidence that these drones pose a public safety or national security threat. She noted that the state of New York is coordinating with the FBI and DHS.

Advertisement
Geir Pedersen, the UNs special envoy for Syria, also backed a credible and inclusive political process to form the next government as he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken read more

People chant in celebration while holding flags adopted by the Syrian new rulers after their fighters ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Syria, December 12, 2024. File Image/Reuters

A UN envoy on Saturday urged foreign powers to work to avoid a collapse of vital Syrian institutions following the downfall of leader Bashar al-Assad, as diplomats gathered in Jordan for a conference on the crisis.

Geir Pedersen, the UNs special envoy for Syria, also backed a credible and inclusive political process to form the next government as he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

We need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible, Pedersen said.

Advertisement

If we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people.

Top Arab, Turkish, EU and US diplomats are holding talks in the Jordanian Red Sea resort city of Aqaba less than a week after Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad.

Blinken, on a trip in which he has met the leaders of Jordan, Turkey and Iraq, has repeatedly called for an inclusive process that reflects all the diverse ethnic and religious communities in Syria.

Meeting Pedersen, Blinken said that the United Nations plays a critical role in humanitarian assistance and protecting minorities in Syria.
How does Nato expect to be trusted with deploying reliable peacekeeping forces while its chief exhorts members to prepare for extended warfare? Its a critical question that remains unanswered. read more

European leaders are planning to gather in Brussels to discuss peacekeeping in Ukraine on Wednesday (December 18).

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), however, finds itself caught between contradictory approaches to the ongoing war.

On the one hand, the alliance signals an intent to facilitate peace through diplomacy and potential peacekeeping deployments. On the other, it speaks a need to prepare for prolonged confrontation, advocating a dramatic escalation in defence spending and adopting a wartime mindset.

Advertisement

Wednesdays high-profile meeting, expected to feature Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Nato chief Mark Rutte, alongside leaders from Germany, France, Poland, and EU institutions, has peacekeeping at its core.

Politico reported that the idea of European troops monitoring a future Kyiv-Moscow peace deal reportedly pushed for by US President-elect Donald Trump places Nato and its European partners in a potential new role: enforcers of stability in a post-conflict Ukraine.

Yet, this narrative of peacekeeping is quite different from Ruttes recent remarks. Just days ago, the Nato Secretary-General sounded the alarm over Europes lack of preparedness for long-term Russian threats.

In a speech in Brussels, he urged member states to increase defence spending well beyond the current 2 per cent GDP target.

We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years, the Nato secretary-general said, adding: It is time to shift to a wartime mindset, and turbocharge our defence production and defence spending.

How does Nato expect to be trusted with deploying reliable peacekeeping forces while its chief exhorts members to prepare for extended warfare? Its a critical question that remains unanswered.

The alliance seems to be sending mixed signals to member states, adversaries, and even Ukraine itself.

The shifting rhetoric mirrors divisions within Nato.

A good example of that would be French President Emmanuel Macrons recent discussions in Warsaw about peacekeeping forces. While Western European nations like France seem somewhat aligned with a diplomatic approach, those closer to Russia, like Poland, have almost consistently advocated for tougher military measures to counter Moscow.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
Okinawas proximity to Taiwan less than 700 kilometers (435 miles) away makes it an important location for US military operations. It serves as a forward base for deterring potential threats, particularly from China read more

US MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft are parked at the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa prefecture. File image/AP

The United States has started relocating thousands of Marines stationed on Japans Okinawa island, marking the first phase of a plan announced more than a decade ago.

The move seeks to address long-standing grievances among local residents while maintaining the US strategic military presence in the Pacific amid rising tensions with China.

Why is Okinawa strategically important?

The US and Japan have maintained a military alliance since the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, allowing American troops to be stationed in Japan.

Advertisement

Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6 per cent of Japans land area, hosts over half of the 50,000 US troops in the country, including approximately 19,000 Marines.

Okinawas proximity to Taiwan less than 700 kilometers (435 miles) away makes it an important location for US military operations.

The island serves as a forward base for deterring potential threats, particularly from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to achieve unification.

Washington, a key ally of Taiwan, has long maintained strategic ambiguity over whether it would deploy troops to defend the island in the event of a Chinese invasion. The Marines stationed in Okinawa have been considered a critical part of US contingency planning for such scenarios.

Why are the Marines relocating?

The heavy military presence has fuelled local resentment for decades, with complaints ranging from noise pollution and environmental degradation to safety concerns, such as helicopter crashes near civilian areas.

The situation worsened following the 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US servicemen, sparking mass protests and calls for reducing the American footprint on the island.

Advertisement

In 2012, the US announced plans to redeploy 9,000 Marines from Okinawa to other locations in the Pacific to reduce the burden on Okinawan communities, while still maintaining its defence posture in the region.

Where are the Marines going?

The relocation began with around 100 logistics support Marines being transferred to Guam, a US island territory. According to the US Marine Corps and Japans defence ministry, this marks the first step in the broader redeployment effort.

The remaining Marines are expected to be relocated to Guam, Hawaii, or Australia.

With inputs from AFP
Assad originally held around 40 million in the HSBC account. Although the funds have been frozen under UK sanctions, interest has accrued, pushing the accounts balance to more than 55 million read more

Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (L) stands next to his wife Asma Akhras during a visit to Madrid's city hall, May 4, 2001. File Image/Reuters

Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has more than 55 million deposited in an HSBC bank account in London, despite sanctions freezing the funds over a decade ago.

The account is part of 163 million that Assad, his family, and allies are reported to have in UK banks, raising calls for the government to seize the money and redirect it to support victims of Syrias civil war, according to a report by The I Paper.

Advertisement

The disclosure comes after Assad fled to Moscow last weekend following the takeover of Damascus by rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Assad and his associates have been under Europe-wide sanctions since 2011, after his regime violently crushed anti-government protests, sparking the conflict that has devastated Syria.

According to court documents from 2011, Assad originally held around 40 million in the HSBC account. Although the funds have been frozen under UK sanctions, interest has accrued, pushing the accounts balance to more than 55 million.

The UK Government has also frozen 163 million in assets linked to Assad and his network and collected 150,000 in fines from British firms found in violation of Syria sanctions.

Calls to seize and repurpose the funds

Leading political figures and human rights groups are urging the government to act. They have called for the use of powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to seize the frozen funds and ensure they are eventually used for Syrias recovery under an internationally recognized government.

After more than a decade of conflict in Syria, it is high time that the UK Government takes decisive action to support victims of the Syrian conflict and the Assad regime, said former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.

He criticised the lack of action, adding, Since 2011, the Government has reportedly frozen over 163m in assets belonging to Syrian individuals and entities under the Syria sanctions regime  Yet, shamefully, not a single penny of these funds has been directed towards helping Syrian victims.

Advertisement

Priti Patel, the Conservative Partys shadow foreign secretary, echoed the sentiment. Assad and his cronies should not be able to benefit from these gains while living in exile in Russia, she said. The Government must use the full range of powers available to review the assets held in the UK and repurpose them for the good of the Syrian people.

With inputs from agencies
Senior CPC official meets Egyptian FM

Xinhua) 10:26, December 14, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Beijing on Friday.

The two sides exchanged views on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, stepping up inter-party exchanges, strengthening political dialogue, strengthening people-to-people exchanges, and promoting the building of a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
The past 12 months flew by way too quickly. Most of 2024 was good as we sit down to recap the top 10 outdoor stories for the past year (in no specific order). However, there were still a few downsides that we need to manage accordingly.

Record catches: Once again, there were several record fish catches that showed up on the angling radar in 2024.

It started June 21, when Chuck Zimmerman, of Hilton, caught a new state record longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County. The fish weighed 15 pounds, 14 ounces.

On July 11, a 12 pound, 6 ounce largemouth bass was caught out of Cayuga Lake by Jim Britenbaugh of Fairfield, Pa., while practicing for a tournament. At the time, Cayuga Lake also held the smallmouth bass record. However, Dante Piraino of Baldwinsville, fishing in a state B.A.S.S. Federation tournament out of Ogdensburg in the St. Lawrence River on Sept. 22, hauled in a 9-pound smallmouth bass to take over the lead in the battle for top smallmouth in the state.

Rifle hunting passes in Niagara County: Most counties in the state allow for rifle hunting (Monroe and Erie counties do not) and Niagara was added to the mix in 2024. Check out dec.ny.gov for details.

Briannas Law exemption ends: If you are a boater, take note that all ages will be required to take and pass a safe boating class. This was the final year of the phased-in requirement. As of Jan. 1, if you are going to operate a water vessel in the Empire State, you will need to pass a state-certified safe boating class.

Chronic wasting disease found: The states Department of Environmental Conservation had their worst big game fears surface this past year when chronic wasting disease (CWD) was found in a private facility in Herkimer County.

The agencies are implementing an interagency CWD response plan to investigate detection and surveillance of wild deer in the area. No other deer have been found with the disease since the most recent discovery.

DEC began CWD monitoring efforts in 2002 and intensified the effort in 2005 after the disease was confirmed in captive and wild deer in Oneida County  the first incidents in New York State.

Near-record salmon catch in Lake Ontario: It was announced earlier this month that 2024 was a great year for salmon fishing. The catch rate was second-best ever and there were plenty of happy anglers targeting Chinook salmon in the lake. In April, DEC also announced an increase in Chinook salmon stocking numbers due to a favorable outlook on the lakes forage base.

Big year for Lake Erie walleye and perch fishing: Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fishing quality was near record levels in 2024, boasting the third- and fourth-highest catch rates in the 37-year survey according to the DEC. Smallmouth bass-angling quality was above average, too, with most anglers focusing their efforts around Buffalo. To pay tribute to the outstanding bass opportunities, Bassmasters Magazine named the waters off Buffalo in eastern Lake Erie and the upper Niagara River the No. 7 spot in the country, up from No. 8 in 2023.

Sleeman shines in NWT: In the world of walleye, there was one local name that stood out among competitive fishermen  Craig Sleeman, of Victor. This past year, he placed fourth overall in the National Walleye Tour championships on Lake Huron. In 2022, he placed seventh overall in the championships held out of Dunkirk. He is hoping to improve his position yet again next year, Dunkirk has been named one of the qualifying destinations in 2025.

Deer Harvest down, quality up: The DEC announced that big game hunters harvested an estimated 209,781 whitetail deer during the 2023-24 season. The overall take included more than twice as many older bucks (those at least 2 years old) than were harvested in the early 1990s and nearly five times as many as were harvested in 1969 when wildlife biologists first began monitoring the age structure of the states deer herd. Nearly 70% of the bucks were at least 2. Of the estimated totals, there were 112,224 antlered bucks tagged  a 3.6% decrease from 2022-23. There were an estimated 97,557 antlerless deer taken last season, a 15.6% slide from 2022-23. This is also 15% below the five-year average.

Waterfowl updates: Some of the highlights for 2024 included mallard limits staying at four birds this year (with no more than two hens) per person. Canada goose season in several of the areas in the state were reduced to 30 days with a three-bird bag limit. The bag limits could be further reduced if there are no improvements in population levels.

Solar eclipse creates memorable experience: It was a where were you moment on April 8 when we witnessed a total solar eclipse in our region. Capt. Ryan Shea, of Brookdog Fishing Company, enjoyed an eclipse charter on the upper Niagara River and Lake Erie. It was a great day to be on the water overall as Steven and Ethan Mosher of Ossipee, N.H., enjoyed some fantastic smallmouth bass fishing. They figured they caught 40 smallmouth bass. Then the eclipse hit. Fishing shut down and they couldnt buy a bite. They ran back into the river but by that time the eclipse was over, and they started catching bass again. They ended up catching and releasing some 60 fish  a memorable day anyway you look at it.

Of course, these are just some of the highlights for 2024 and those can be completely different from person to person. You may have caught a personal best fish or tagged a personal best buck during the big game season. Maybe you helped facilitate a first fish or first deer for someone close to you.

On the flip side, we continued to lose some of the outdoor icons who have dedicated their lives to conservation, shooting sports, and viable sport fishery. People like the late Capt. Bob Cinelli, of Newfane, who passed away much too young. We cant replace these legends, but we can work hard to encourage the next generation of outdoor stewards to become more involved with protecting and enhancing our natural resources.

Happy New Year!
The Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Meta, CoPilot and Claude) can provide much useful and nearly instant information about subjects in a concise format, especially when they have been pre-trained on a large volume of information about the subjects.

I wondered if the FREE AI tools could provide me with information about myself based on my prompt history on the free AI tools. I wrote about it in Ask AI: "What's one thing you can tell me about myself that I may not know about myself?"





(digital image of my genealogy assistant Ai created on ChatGPT4)





1) In that chat, I took the opportunity to ask it another question: " What have I missed in my AI queries about genealogy research and story-telling? Are there glaring omissions?"





ChatGPT4 responded:





Your questions about genealogy research and storytelling have been thoughtful and detailed, but here are a few areas you might not have explored fully that could elevate your research and storytelling:
Tuesday Night

Chance of a shower or two during the evening, followed by partly cloudy skies late. Low near 30F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The City of Harare (CoH) Town Clerk's office is facing scrutiny following revelations that it oversees a parallel revenue collection unit responsible for funds from the municipality's special business purpose vehicles. This unit, previously part of the revenue collection department, was transferred to the Town Clerk's office under unclear circumstances, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.Tsitsi Samapundo, head of the CoH business department, is reported to be directly reporting to the Town Clerk on the municipality's business operations, which has resulted in the revenue collection department being left in the dark about the amounts of funds generated by the municipality's business unit.During a recent appearance before the Commission of Inquiry, Acting Revenue Collection Manager Albert Guni expressed his concern over the arrangement. He acknowledged that while the creation of the business development unit was meant to improve efficiency, his department was excluded from collecting the profits generated by the CoH's business entities."I am not aware of any resolution, but that does not mean it does not exist. The creation of the business development unit was meant to improve the efficiency of the business entities," said Guni.The CoH business unit oversees several income-generating ventures, including Harare Quarry, City Parking, and Sunshine Holdings. However, these business entities have reportedly failed to remit profits to the city council, despite generating significant funds. Town House officials are being implicated in the unclear operations of these entities, with accusations of mismanagement and a lack of transparency.Additionally, it has been revealed that a portion of land at Harare Quarry has been leased to a private company under questionable circumstances, further raising concerns about financial irregularities within the municipality.Compounding these issues, the municipality is being run by non-substantive executive officials, many of whom are serving in acting capacities. Guni, who has been in an acting role for more than four years, highlighted the impact of this situation on the efficiency and governance of the municipality."What I have heard is that you are aware the finance director position is vacant. We also have an acting finance director. There are also many acting appointments within the city. This situation is not unique to me, but affects almost everyone," said Guni.The CoH is facing increasing pressure to address these governance challenges and provide clarity on the management of its business units, as the public demands greater accountability and transparency in the municipality's operations.
The Glasgow City Council will meet in regular session, Monday, Dec. 16, 5 p.m., in the Council Chambers, located inside of the Glasgow Civic Center.

Click on the image above to view the full agenda.
Russo-Ukraine War - 14 December 2024 - Day 1025

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 276 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance into the depths of Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression.

Russian zagarbniki made on the territory of Ukraine one rocket and 51 aviation strikes, applied one rocket and dropped 70 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, more than a thousand kamikaze drones were involved in impressions and carried out more than four thousand shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian opponent once in vain stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the area of vovcans ka.

In the Kupiansky direction, the Russian aggressor carried out offensive actions in the area of Lozova, where Ukrainian defenders stopped three enemy attacks.

In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders 15 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces near the settlements of Pershotravneve, Green Grove, Kopanky, Novosergiyivka, Nadia, Makiyivka, Druzhelubivka and Terni. Four clashes are ongoing so far.

In the Sivers komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 55 assaults of occupation troops towards Verkhnyokamiansky, Bilogorivka, Spirnogo, Viimki and Brestovoye. So far, 39 clashes are ongoing. In addition, the opponent caused aviation strikes four controlled bombs across the areas of sivers ka and grigorivka.

In the direction of Kramators .komu, the Russian enemy attacked Ukrainian defenders near the time gap. The defense forces successfully repelled the attack of the Russian invaders.

Ten times Russians stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the Toretsky direction near the settlement of Toretsk. Three enemy attacks are currently underway. To the same, the Russian enemy launched air strikes by six KABs in the areas of settlements of Krimske and Petrivka.

In the Pokrovsky direction, from the beginning of this day, Russian forces attacked in the areas of populated areas Mirolyubivka, Rumin, Fox, Dachenske, Novoy Trud, Dry Yar, Zelene, Picnna, Petrivka, Shevchenko, Novotroitske, Ukrainka and Novoolenivka. Ukrainian defenders have stopped 41 offensive actions of the enemy, seven more clashes continue so far. In addition, Russian forces launched aerial strikes with two controlled bombs on the settlements of Stara Mykolaivka and Nova Poltavka. In the area of the Grodivka settlement, the enemy used assault aviation.

Today, according to preliminary data, more than 400 Russian occupants were defecated in this direction, 160 of them - irrevocably. Also destroyed one combat armored car, 7 units of car equipment and three motorcycles. In addition, one tank, one combat armored vehicle and one Russian car were damaged.

In the Kurakhiv direction, the Russian enemy does not abandon trying to break through Ukrainian defense near the settlements of Soncivka, Stari Terni, Zorya, Kurakhove, Lisivka, Elizavetivka, Hanivka and Uspenivka. Thirty-four clashes completed, eight are still going.

In this direction, according to preliminary data, the Russian casualties were irreversible and wounded were 33 invaders. One tank, one armored vehicle and one car were also destroyed. To the same significantly damaged two tanks and three combat armored vehicles of the enemy.

In the Time Direction, Russian forces tried 25 times to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements Trudove, Merry Gai, Konstantinopilsky, Rozdolne, Noviy Komar, Velika Novosilka, Storozheve, Makarivka and Novoandriivka. Along with that, dropping a controlled aviation bomb in the Temirivka district, the settlement Novopil suffered assault aviation hits.

In the direction of Gulyaipils komu, Russian forces launched aviation strikes with unguided missiles in the area of Gulyai Pol.

Mala tokmacka and robotine were hit by aviation controlled bombs in the orihivs .komu direction.

In the Pridnipro direction, the Russian enemy does not abandon trying to knock out Ukrainian units from occupied positions, just two unsuccessful attacks of the positions of Ukrainian soldiers were carried out by the Russian aggressor during the day. In addition, Russian forces caused aviation strikes unkekorovanim missiles in the area of Mykolaivka.

In the Kurs komu direction since the beginning of the day, there have been 55 boezitknen , 25 of which last until now. In addition, Russian forces launched ten air strikes, dropping 14 guided bombs and carrying out 348 artillery shells on settlements and positions of Ukrainian defenders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, the Sever Group of Forces hit formations of two territorial defence brigades and one border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Aleksandrovka and Volchansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 60 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, three motor vehicles, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one airborne brigade, and one jaeger brigade near Lozovaya, Zagryzovo (Kharkov region), Nadiya (Lugansk People's Republic), Olivovsky Yar, and Serebryansky forestry. Two AFU counter-attacks were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 540 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, four pickup trucks, a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, a U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, a U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, six 122-mm D-30 howitzers, an Italian-made 105-mm Melara Mod 56 howitzer. Two Zakhist-AF and Anklav electronic warfare stations were eliminated.

The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines. Russian units hit formations of two AFU mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade close to Kurakhovo, Novoyelizavetovka, Ostrovskoye, and Dalneye (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks of AFU units were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 225 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian units engaged manpower and materiel of two mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and two national guard brigades close to Dzerzhinsk, Dimitrov, Shevchenko, Novopustynka, Starye Terny, Novaya Poltavka, and Shcherbinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Four counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled.

The enemy lost up to 365 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, a 152-mm D-20 gun, three 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the AFU defences. Strikes were delivered on formations of two mechanised brigades of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade close to Vremevka and Sukhiye Yaly (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault detachment was repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 150 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, a Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, a 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

The Dnepr Group of Forces engaged manpower and hardware of two territorial defence brigades close to Antonovka (Kherson region) and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 35 troops and three motor vehicles.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged three depots of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as hit clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 153 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 60 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 649 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 37,693 unmanned aerial vehicles, 586 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,784 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,500 MLRS combat vehicles, 19,574 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,206 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

During offensive actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on formations of three mechanised brigades, one heavy mechanised brigade, two tank brigades, two air assault brigades, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Viktorovka, Guyevo, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Sverdlikovo.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware close to Aleksandriya, Gogolevka, Kruglenkoye, Mirny as well as Basovka, Belovody, Veselovka, Zhuravka, Ivolzhanskoye, Malaya Rybitsa, Miropolye, Sennoye, and Yunakovka in Sumy region.

Over the past 24 hours, the enemy losses amounted to more than 200 troops, a tank, a U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, an armoured fighting vehicle, seven motor vehicles, two artillery guns, a mortar, and an electronic warfare station. Three AFU servicemen surrendered.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 40,460 troops, 240 tanks, 178 infantry fighting vehicles, 125 armoured personnel carriers, 1,253 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,131 motor vehicles, 311 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, 74 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) between November 16, 2023 and September 23, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important January 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Visa securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Visa class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=29131 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 21, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm 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.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Visa was not in compliance with federal antitrust laws; (2) Visa did not have effective internal programs and policies to assess and control compliance with federal antitrust laws; and (3) as a result, defendants public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Visa class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=29131 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

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, 40 Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
VANCOUVER, Dec. 13, 2024 - Asante Gold Corp. (CSE:ASE | GSE:ASG | FRANKFURT:1A9 | U.S.OTC:ASGOF) ("Asante" or the "Company") announces the filing of its financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the three month and nine months ended October 31, 2024 ("Q3 2025").

Dave Anthony, President and CEO stated, "We are pleased to report another solid quarter with significant growth in adjusted EBITDA, reflecting the positive impact of ongoing business improvement initiatives at Bibiani and Chirano, combined with the substitutional leverage our operations have to higher gold prices. The relocation of the Bibiani-Goaso highway was a critical milestone for unlocking further growth at Bibiani, and development of the Russel Starter Pit underlines the district-scale opportunities we have in front of us. Both of these developments justify accelerated stripping in the near term, with a corresponding increase in all-in-sustaining costs to unlock their potential. Execution of the sulphide treatment plant project at Bibiani, which is expected to increase gold recovery to 92%, remains on track with commissioning planned for March 2025. And at Chirano, metallurgical and throughput projects are starting to pay off. We were also pleased to update the market on a comprehensive package of non-dilutive finance initiatives to fund the organic growth embedded in our operations, and we look forward to providing further updates on our progress in the near term."

All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated. A summary of the financial and operating results for fiscal Q3 2025 are presented in this news release. For a detailed discussion of results for the third quarter please refer to the MD&A filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Asante's website at www.asantegold.com.

Quarter ended October 31, 2024 Summary Financial Results

($000s USD) except as noted

Three months ended

October 31, Nine months ended

October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Financial Results Revenue 111,140 96,497 338,948 295,496 Total comprehensive loss1 (15,514) (28,255) (51,642) (126,921) Adjusted EBITDA2 17,553 1,968 50,423 (19,457) Operations Results Gold equivalent produced (oz) 45,273 46,535 145,632 155,532 Gold sold (oz) 43,551 50,573 145,778 154,995 Consolidated average gold price realized per ounce2 ($/oz) 2,552 1,908 2,325 1,906 AISC2 (USD) 2,347 1,859 2,032 2,131 Notes:



(1) Total comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of the Company.

(2) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures".



Asante's revenue for the three months ended October 31, 2024 was $111 million, a 15% increase from $96 million in the same period in 2023. The increase in revenue is attributable to an increase in average gold price realized per ounce of $2,347 for the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,859 in the same period in 2023. This was partially offset by a decrease in ounces sold of 43,273 for the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to 50,573 ounces sold in the same period in 2023. Asante's revenue for the nine months ended October 31, 2024, was $339 million, a 15% increase from $295 million for the same period in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2024 was $17,552 and $50,423, respectively, compared to $1,968 and negative $19,457 in the same periods of the prior year. The positive adjusted EBITDA and increase in revenue reflect the rise in gold prices to near all-time highs.

The Company produced 45,273 gold equivalent ounces for the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to 46,525 gold equivalent ounces in the same period in 2023. The decrease in gold production was primarily the result of lower feed grades, and lower recovery at Bibiani. Asante produced 145,632 gold equivalent ounces for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 compared to 155,532 in the same period in 2023.

Consolidated AISC increased by 26% for the three months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to additional costs at Bibiani resulting from the start of mining at the new Russell satellite pit, plus increased stripping in the Main Pit, lower grade ore and reduced recovery. Consolidated AISC decreased by 5% for the nine months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease was mainly attributed to lower sustaining capital and reduced mining costs per ounce sold at Bibiani, as a result of decreased waste mining earlier in the year.

Bibiani Mine - Summary of the quarter ended October 31, 2024 Results

Bibiani Gold Mine

Three months ended

October 31, Nine months ended

October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Waste mined (kt) 3,872 4,291 9,558 17,702 Ore mined (kt) 240 556 1,153 1,578 Total material mined (kt) 4,112 4,847 10,711 19,281 Strip ratio (waste:ore) 16.14 7.72 8.29 11.22 Ore processed (kt) 546 518 1,766 1,638 Grade (grams/tonne) 1.08 1.46 1.33 1.48 Gold recovery (%) 61% 68% 63% 69% Gold equivalent produced (oz) 12,309 16,459 47,945 53,811 Gold equivalent sold (oz) 12,695 16,574 48,399 53,124 Revenue ($ in thousands) 32,401 32,068 115,068 99,442 Average gold price realized per ounce1 (USD) 2,552 1,935 2,377 1,872 AISC1 (USD) 3,115 1,884 2,286 2,588 Notes:



(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures".



In the three and nine months ended October 31, 2024, ore mined decreased 57% and 27% compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to fleet availability issues caused by funding constraints. Gold equivalent ounces produced was 12,309 in the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to 16,459 in the same period of 2023, and decreased to 47,945 in the nine months ended October 31, 2024, from 53,811 in the same period of 2023. This decrease was mainly due to the lower feed grade of plant feed, including the low-grade stockpile draw, and a higher proportion of sulphide ore processed without the benefit of a sulphide treatment plant, which continues to limit gold recovery. Construction of the Company's sulphide treatment plant is underway, and is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2025, contingent on the availability of sufficient funding.

AISC increased to $3,115 per ounce in the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,884 per ounce in the same period of 2023, primarily due to elevated stripping requirements and lower grade ore processed. AISC decreased to $2,286 per ounce in the nine months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $2,588 per ounce in the same period of 2023, driven by lower sustaining capital resulting from decreased waste mining requirements earlier in the year.

Bibiani Outlook

For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025, the Company expects production of 52,500 to 57,500 gold equivalent ounces.

For fiscal year ending January 31, 2026, the Company plans to execute on its growth strategy which includes:

Expansion of the Bibiani main pit through acceleration of its waste stripping program, which is expected to significantly increase production through access to higher grade ore

Construction and commissioning of the sulphide treatment plant which is planned to significantly increase gold recovery

Plant throughput expansions including installation of a pebble crusher and secondary crusher during 2025 to achieve throughput increase from 3.0 Mt/y to 4.0 Mt/y

Plant upgrades to the carbon-in-leach circuit

Community relocation, to support main pit expansion through 2030

Road construction connecting Bibiani to Chirano

Emergency generator installation during 2025 to function as a secondary power source, ensuring uninterrupted operation and reduced plant downtime

Commencement of underground mining. The Underground Mining Feasibility Study was completed in September 2024 and this development program is planned to start for the quarter ended January 31, 2026. Full production from the underground mine is planned for 2028, with delivery of up to 2.6Mt/y at 3.0 g/t Au, through 2038.

External financing will be required in order to execute this growth strategy. Subject to the availability of sufficient financing in early calendar 2025, the Company expects to successfully complete the above initiatives and produce between 175,000 and 205,000 gold ounces at Bibiani in the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026, including a significant increase in monthly production in the second half of the fiscal year post advancement of the planned stripping program and completion of the sulphide treatment plant. There can be no certainty that the Company will be successful in securing sufficient financing on a timely basis.

Chirano Mine - Summary of the quarter ended October 31, 2024 Results

Chirano Gold Mine

Three months ended

October 31, Nine months ended

October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Open Pit Mining: Waste mined (kt) 2,492 2,267 7,724 7,333 Ore mined (kt) 424 170 1,597 1,399 Total material mined (kt) 2,916 2,437 9,321 8,733 Strip ratio (waste:ore) 5.88 13.36 4.84 5.24 Underground Mining: Waste mined (kt) 220 222 624 632 Ore mined (kt) 428 393 1,370 1,161 Total material mined (kt) 647 615 1,994 1,794 Ore processed (kt) 801 782 2,550 2,458 Grade (grams/tonne) 1.47 1.38 1.40 1.47 Gold recovery (%) 87% 86% 86% 88% Gold equivalent produced (oz) 32,964 30,076 97,687 101,721 Gold equivalent sold (oz) 30,856 33,999 97,379 101,871 Revenue ($ in thousands) 78,739 64,429 223,880 196,054 Average gold price realized per ounce1 (USD) 2,552 1,895 2,299 1,925 AISC1 (USD) 2,031 1,846 1,905 1,892 Notes:



(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures".



Ore mined increased by 51% in the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, and by 16% in the nine months ended October 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Ore mined increased due to increased mining activity at the Obra, Mamnao North, Mamnao Central, Sariehu and Sariehu/Mamnao gap open pits, which were in the stripping stage during the three months ended October 31, 2023, as well as increased operations at the Suraw and Obra underground mines.

Higher ore grades and increased ore processed contributed to increased gold equivalent ounces produced to 32,964 ounces in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from 30,076 ounces in the same period of 2023. Reduced grade during the nine months ended October 31, 2024 resulted in a decline in gold equivalent ounces produced to 97,687 ounces in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 from 101,721 ounces in the same period of 2023.

AISC increased to $2,031 per ounce in the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,846 per ounce in the same period of 2023, and to $1,905 per ounce in the nine months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,892 per ounce in the same period of 2023. This increase was primarily driven by lower gold equivalent ounces sold, higher maintenance costs and higher sustaining capital expenditures in the current reporting period.

Chirano Outlook

For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025, the Company expects production of 130,000 to 140,000 gold equivalent ounces.

The Company plans to undertake the following initiatives beyond January 31, 2025, which are expected to enhance production and reduce costs in future years:

Execution of process plant projects to improve performance and increase the annual mine production rate to 4Mt/annum. This includes CIL agitators and intertank screens upgrade, cyclone system upgrade to improve grinding size control, carbon regeneration system upgrade to improve carbon activity, mill discharge pumps upgrade, gold room electrowinning cells and rectifiers upgrade.

Underground development of Obra to the north and at depth (wide orebody) and Suraw underground mines to ensure consistent ore delivery.

Underground development of the Akwaaba, Tano and Akoti far south mines to supplement flexibility to ensure robust underground ore delivery.

Development of the exploration drifts towards the north to explore and reclassify the resource at Sariehu and Mamnao underground mines as the future underground mines at Chirano.

Finalization of the feasibility and bankable studies of the North mine with a conveyor system feeding directly to the process plant Run-of-Mine ("ROM") pad.

Start of Aboduabo open pit oxide mining.

Ongoing underground exploration projects at the Suraw, Obra and open pit mine life extension projects at the Sariehu/Mamnao area are progressing as planned.

3D litho-structural modelling at the Obra mine is ongoing to support mine life extension.

Based on preliminary budgetary estimates, the Company expects to produce between 155,000 and 175,000 gold ounces at Chirano for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026.

The Company requires external financing to execute planned capital projects and production targets for fiscal 2026, and meet other short-term obligations. The Company continues to pursue a number of financing initiatives, including those outlined in the Company's news release of October 30, 2024, which it is seeking to conclude by early calendar 2025. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain adequate financing in the future or that such financing will be on terms acceptable to the Company.

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by David Anthony, P.Eng., Mining and Mineral Processing, President and CEO of Asante, who is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.

Non-IFRS Measures

This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including "all-in sustaining costs" (or "AISC"), average gold price realized, adjusted EBITDA and working capital. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with Asante's consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to Asante's Management Discussion and Analysis under the heading "Non-IFRS Measures" for a more detailed discussion of how Asante calculates certain of such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to IFRS terms.

About Asante Gold Corporation

Asante is a gold exploration, development and operating company with a high-quality portfolio of projects and mines in Ghana. Asante is currently operating the Bibiani and Chirano Gold Mines and continues with detailed technical studies at its Kubi Gold Project. All mines and exploration projects are located on the prolific Bibiani and Ashanti Gold Belts. Asante has an experienced and skilled team of mine finders, builders and operators, with extensive experience in Ghana. The Company is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Ghana Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Asante is also exploring its Keyhole, Fahiakoba and Betenase projects for new discoveries, all adjoining or along strike of major gold mines near the centre of Ghana's Golden Triangle. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.asantegold.com.

About the Bibiani Gold Mine

Bibiani is an operating open pit gold mine situated in the Western North Region of Ghana, with previous gold production of more than 4.5 million ounces. It is fully permitted with available mining and processing infrastructure on-site consisting of a refurbished 3 million tonne per annum process plant and existing mining infrastructure. Asante commenced mining at Bibiani in late February 2022 with the first gold pour announced on July 7, 2022. Commercial production was announced November 10, 2022.

For additional information relating to the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for the Bibiani Gold Mine, please refer to the 2024 Bibiani Technical Report filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca).

About the Chirano Gold Mine

Chirano is an operating open pit and underground mine located in the Western Region of Ghana, immediately south of the Company's Bibiani Gold Mine. Chirano was first explored and developed in 1996 and began production in October 2005. The mine comprises the Akwaaba, Suraw, Akoti South, Akoti North, Akoti Extended, Paboase, Tano, Obra South, Obra, Sariehu and Mamnao open pits and the Akwaaba and Paboase underground mines.

For additional information relating to the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for the Chirano Gold Mine, please refer to the 2024 Chirano Technical Report filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca).

For further information please contact:

Dave Anthony, President & CEO

Frederick Attakumah, Executive Vice President and Country Director

info@asantegold.com

+1 604 661 9400 or +233 303 972 147

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, gold production and AISC forecasts for the Bibiani and Chirano Gold Mines, financing initiatives, estimated mineral resources, reserves, exploration results and potential, development programs, including construction of the Company's sulphide treatment plant, and the timing thereof, and increases in mine-life and gold recoveries, starter pit development and potential synergies between Chirano and Bibiani. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its planned activities, the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and the price of gold. The reader is referred to the Company's public disclosure record which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company 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 as required by securities laws and the policies of the securities exchanges on which the Company is listed, 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.

LEI Number: 529900F9PV1G9S5YD446. Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, Dec. 13, 2024 - District Metals Corp. (TSXV: DMX) (OTCQB: DMXCF) (FSE: DFPP) ("District" or the "Company") is pleased to report the voting results for the Company's annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held on December 12, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

A total of 11,885,478 common shares were voted at the meeting, representing 9.10% of the votes attached to all outstanding common shares. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the meeting, including the election of all director nominees as follows:

Director Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Garrett Ainsworth 11,838,481 99.605% 46,997 0.395% Joanna Cameron 11,610,466 97.686% 275,012 2.314% Jonathan Challis 11,838,466 99.604% 47,012 0.396% Doug Ramshaw 11,610,466 97.686% 275,012 2.314%

The shareholders also approved (1) the appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and authorized the Board of Directors to fix the remuneration of the auditor; and (2) the adoption of an omnibus incentive plan (the "Omnibus Plan"). Results of the shareholder votes on these items are set forth below:

Resolution Outcome of Vote Votes For %

For Votes Against Votes Withheld % Against or Withheld Appointment of Auditors Carried 11,881,978 99.971% n/a 3,500 0.029% Approval of Omnibus Incentive Plan Carried 11,812,392 99.385% 73,086 n/a 0.615%

The Omnibus Plan is a ten percent (10%) rolling plan, pursuant to which the Board of Directors may grant to eligible participants stock options, restricted share units, performance share units and deferred share units to acquire common shares of the Company (each, a "Share"). An aggregate of 13,056,587 Shares are issuable under the Omnibus Plan, representing ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares as of December 12, 2024. The Omnibus Plan replaces the previous ten percent (10%) rolling stock option plan. Please see the Circular for further information on the Omnibus Plan.

For further information regarding the matters considered at the Meeting, readers are encouraged to review the Circular, a copy of which is available under the profile for the Company on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and available on the Company's website.

Technical Information

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared by, or approved by Garrett Ainsworth, PGeo, President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Ainsworth is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The data disclosed in this news release is related to historical results. District has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. District considers these historical results relevant as the Company is using this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling.

Mr. Ainsworth has not verified any of the information regarding any of the properties or projects referred to herein other than District's properties. Mineralization on any other properties referred to herein is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on District's properties.

About District Metals Corp.

District is led by industry professionals with a track record of success in the mining industry. The Company's mandate is to seek out, explore, and develop prospective mineral properties through a disciplined science-based approach to create shareholder value and benefit other stakeholders.

District is a polymetallic exploration and development company focused on the Viken and Tomtebo Properties in Sweden. The Viken Property covers 100% of the uranium-vanadium Viken Deposit, which is an asset with substantial exploration and development expenditures that resulted in the definition of large historic polymetallic resource estimates in 2010 and 2014. The Viken Deposit is amongst the largest deposits by total historic mineral resources of uranium and vanadium in the world.

The advanced exploration stage Tomtebo Property is located in the Bergslagen Mining District of south-central Sweden and is situated between the historic Falun Mine and Boliden's Garpenberg Mine that are located 25 km to the northwest and southeast, respectively. Two historic polymetallic mines and numerous polymetallic showings are located on the Tomtebo Property along an approximate 17 km trend that exhibits similar geology, structure, alteration and VMS/SedEx style mineralization as other significant mines within the district.

For further information on the Tomtebo Property, please see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Update Technical Report on the Tomtebo Project, Bergslagen Region of Sweden" dated effective October 15, 2020 and amended and restated on February 26, 2021, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking Information"

This news release contains certain statements that may be considered "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" and any similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, predictions, indications, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking information in this news release relating to the Company include, among other things: statements relating to the Company's Swedish polymetallic properties; and the Company's interpretations and expectations about the results on the Swedish properties.

These statements and other forward-looking information are based on opinions, assumptions and estimates made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release, including, without limitation, assumptions about; the reliability of historical data and the accuracy of publicly reported information regarding past and historic mines in the Bergslagen district; in respect of the intention of the Swedish government to eventually lift or amend its moratorium on uranium exploration and mining in Sweden; the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund planned exploration activities, maintain corporate capacity; and stability in financial and capital markets.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks associated with the following: the reliability of historic data on District's properties; the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to finance planned exploration; that the Swedish government maintains its moratorium on uranium exploration and mining in Sweden for the foreseeable future; the Company's limited operating history; the Company's negative operating cash flow and dependence on third-party financing; the uncertainty of additional funding; the uncertainties associated with early stage exploration activities including general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process, failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals, technical issues, potential delays, unexpected events and management's capacity to execute and implement its future plans; the Company's ability to identify any mineral resources and mineral reserves; the substantial expenditures required to establish mineral reserves through drilling and the estimation of mineral reserves or mineral resources; the uncertainty of estimates used to calculated mineralization figures; changes in governmental regulations; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; competition for future resource acquisitions and skilled industry personnel; reliance on key personnel; title matters; conflicts of interest; environmental laws and regulations and associated risks, including climate change legislation; land reclamation requirements; changes in government policies; volatility of the Company's share price; the unlikelihood that shareholders will receive dividends from the Company; potential future acquisitions and joint ventures; risks related to existing earn-in and joint venture with Boliden; infrastructure risks; fluctuations in demand for, and prices of metals; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; legal proceedings and the enforceability of judgments; going concern risk; risks related to the Company's information technology systems and cyber-security risks; and risk related to the outbreak of epidemics or pandemics or other health crises. For additional information regarding these risks, please see the Company's Annual Information Form dated July 11, 2022, under the heading "Risk Factors", which is available at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company. These factors and assumptions, however, should be considered carefully. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking information or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of such factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.


News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's Senate has approved a bill to abolish the death penalty, a key step in scrapping a law last used in the southern African nation nearly 20 years ago.Zimbabwe's Parliament said Thursday that the bill was passed by senators the night before. The death penalty will be abolished if it is signed by the president, which is likely.The southern African country uses hanging, and last executed someone in 2005, partly because at one point no one was willing to take up the job of state executioner, or hangman.President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's leader since 2017, has publicly spoken of his opposition to capital punishment.He has cited his own experience of being sentenced to death  which was later changed to 10 years in prison  for blowing up a train during the country's war of independence in the 1960s. He has used presidential amnesties to commute death sentences to life in prison.Amnesty International, which campaigns against the death penalty, urged Mnangagwa to sign the bill into law "without delay" and commute death sentences. Zimbabwe has more than 60 prisoners currently on death row.According to Amnesty, about three-quarters of countries in the world no longer carry out the death penalty. Zimbabwe is one of more than a dozen in Africa and more than 50 across the world that have the death penalty enshrined in law without any official moratorium on it.Amnesty International said it recorded 1,153 known executions globally in 2023, up from 883 the previous year, although countries that carried out executions declined from 20 to 16. Due to a veil of secrecy, the figures do not include those from North Korea, Vietnam and China.China is the "world's lead executioner" where thousands of people are believed to have been executed, Amnesty said in a report released in October.Iran and Saudi Arabia accounted for almost 90% of all executions recorded by Amnesty in 2023.The United States recorded an increase from 18 executions in 2022 to 24 in 2023. Last year, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and the US recorded the most executions, in that order.Zimbabwe is among four African countries alongside Kenya, Liberia and Ghana that have recently taken "positive steps" towards abolishing the death penalty, Amnesty said.
Kelowna, December 13, 2024 - Enduro Metals Corp. (TSXV: ENDR) (OTCQB: ENDMF) (FSE: SOG0) ("Enduro" or the "Company") is pleased to report the voting results for the Company's annual general meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held on December 13, 2024, in Kelowna, British Columbia.

At the meeting, shareholders fixed the number of directors at five (5), as set forth in the Company's Management Information Circular dated November 5, 2024 (the "Circular"), and re-elect the following directors of the Company for the ensuing year; Cole Evans, Susanne Hermans, David Watkins, Lawrence Roulston and Maurizio Napoli.

Shareholders also approved: (1) the re-appointment of Manning Elliot LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorized the board of directors to fix the auditor's remuneration, and (2) the Company's 10% rolling Equity Incentive Plan as more particularly described in the management information circular.

For further information regarding the matters considered at the Meeting readers are encouraged to review the Information Circular, a copy of which is available under the profile for the Company on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

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, the Company'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.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

ENDURO METALS CORPORATION

"Cole Evans"

CEO

www.endurometals.com

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 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 Company's expected use of proceeds of the Offering and all other statements that are not historical in nature.

Although Enduro believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements 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 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. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider 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/233784
Vancouver, December 13, 2024 - Starcore International Mines Ltd. (TSX: SAM) ("Starcore" or the "Company") reports the results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2024 for the Company and its mining operations in Queretaro, Mexico. The full version of the Company's Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis can be viewed on the Company's website at www.starcore.com, or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS and all dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

"This quarter reflects the 2-month closure of mining operations due to the safety standards upgrades that were required by the Mexican Labor Department," stated Robert Eadie, Chief Executive Officer. "Since October 20th, we have returned to our previous robust mining and plant operations which will be reflected in the next quarter."

Financial Highlights for the three-month period ended October 31, 2024 (Unaudited):

Cash on hand is $3.7 million and working capital of $4.1 million at October 31, 2024;

Gold and silver sales of $4.9 million;

Loss from mining operations of $0.4 million;

Loss of $2.1 million, or ($0.03) per share; and

EBITDA(1) of $0.4 million.

The following table contains selected highlights from the Company's unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

(Unaudited)

Three Months ended October 31,



Six Months ended October 31,



2024



2023



2024



2023 Revenues $ 4,900

$ 5,975

$ 13,777

$ 12,208 Cost of Sales

(5,280 )

(5,776 )

(12,024 )

(12,760 ) Earnings (Loss) from mining operations and toll processing

(380 )

199



1,753



(552 ) Administrative expenses, interest and foreign exchange

(1,592 )

(966 )

(2,974 )

(1,801 ) Unrealized loss on investment

-



(58 )

(39 )

(271 ) Income tax - current and deferred expense

(115 )

(203 )

(431 )

(112 ) Net income (Loss) $ (2,087 ) $ (1,028 ) $ (1,691 ) $ (2,736 ) (i) Income (Loss) per share - basic $ (0.03 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.05 ) (ii) Income (Loss) per share - diluted $ (0.03 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.05 )

Reconciliation of Net income to EBITDA(1)









For the six months ended October 31,

2024



2023 Net Income (Loss) $ (1,691 ) $ (2,736 ) Unrealized loss on investment

39



271

Interest revenue, net of interest expense

(101 )

(118 ) Income tax expense

446



112

Depreciation and depletion

1,685



1,239 EBITDA $ 378

$ (1,210 ) EBITDA MARGIN(2)

2.7%



(9.9%)



(1) EBITDA ("Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization") is a non-GAAP financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS. It is therefore possible that this measure could not be comparable with a similar measure of another Corporation. The Corporation uses this non-GAAP measure which can also be helpful to investors as it provides a result which can be compared with the Corporation's market share price.

(2) EBITDA MARGIN is a measurement of a company's operating profitability calculated as EBITDA divided by total revenue. EBITDA MARGIN is a non-GAAP financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS. It is therefore possible that this measure could not be comparable with a similar measure of another Corporation. The Corporation uses this non-GAAP measure which can also be helpful to investors as it provides a result which can be compared with the Corporation's market share price.

Production Highlights for the three-month period ended October 31, 2024:

Equivalent gold production of 1,466 ounces;

Mine operating cash cost of US$2,743/EqOz; and

All-in sustaining costs of US$2,479/EqOz for the six months ended October 31, 2024.

The following table is a summary of mine production statistics for the San Martin mine for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and for the previous year ended April 30, 2024:

Actual Results for



Unit of measure 3 months ended

October 31, 2024 6 months ended

October 31, 2024 12 months ended

April 30, 2024 Mine Production of Gold in Dore thousand ounces 1.4 4.0 9.4 Mine Production of Silver in Dore thousand ounces 7.6 25.8 58.0 Gold equivalent ounces thousand ounces 1.5 4.3 10.1 Silver to Gold equivalency ratio

85.2 81.2 84.9 Mine Gold grade grams/tonne 1.10 1.52 1.50 Mine Silver grade grams/tonne 9.81 14.99 15.82 Mine Gold recovery percent 80.3% 83.5% 87.0% Mine Silver recovery percent 49.2% 54.4% 50.9% Milled thousands of tonnes 48.2 97.8 224.3 Mine operating cash cost per tonne milled US dollars 83 88 76 Mine operating cash cost per equivalent ounce US dollars 2,743 1,995 1,686

Salvador Garcia, B. Eng., a director of the Company and Chief Operating Officer, is the Company's qualified person on the project as required under NI 43-101and has prepared the technical information contained in this press release.

About Starcore

Starcore International Mines is engaged in precious metals production with focus and experience in Mexico. While this base of producing assets has been complemented by exploration and development projects throughout North America, Starcore has expanded its reach internationally with the project in Cote d'Ivoire. The Company is a leader in Corporate Social Responsibility and advocates value driven decisions that will increase long term shareholder value. You can find more information on the investor friendly website here: www.starcore.com.

ON BEHALF OF STARCORE INTERNATIONAL MINES LTD.

Signed "Gary Arca"

Gary Arca, Chief Financial Officer and Director

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed nor does it accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This news release contains "forward-looking" statements and information ("forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein, including, without limitation, management's expectations and the potential of the Company's projects, are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company's management and reflect the beliefs, opinions, and projections on the date the statements are made. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forwardlooking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections or other factors, except as required by law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233813
Vancouver, December 13, 2024 - Carlyle Commodities Corp. (CSE: CCC) (FSE: BJ4) (OTC: CCCFF) ("Carlyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the news releases dated September 27, 2024, and December 6, 2024, it has completed the acquisition of Miramis Mining Corp. ("Miramis") pursuant to an amalgamation agreement dated September 27, 2024 (the "Amalgamation Agreement") among Carlyle, Miramis, and 1500285 B.C. Ltd. ("Subco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carlyle.

Miramis Mining Corp.

Incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)(the "BCBCA") in October of 2012, Miramis is an unlisted reporting issuer in British Columbia and Alberta with a focus on the exploration and development of mineral property interests. Miramis currently holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in certain mineral claims comprising the Nicola East property (subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty to be retained by the optionors), which is located 24 kilometers northeast of Merritt, British Columbia in an area of high geological potential known as the southern Quesnel Trough. The southern Quesnel Trough hosts numerous copper and gold occurrences associated with porphyry-type deposits including the Highland Valley Copper Complex, the New Afton Mine and the former producing Ajax Deposit, among others.

Transaction Summary

Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, Carlyle acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Miramis ("Miramis Shares") by way of a "three-cornered" amalgamation (the "Amalgamation") whereby Subco and Miramis amalgamated pursuant to the provisions of the BCBCA to form one corporation, which continued under the name "Miramis Mining Corp." ("Amalco"), as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Transaction"). In connection with the Transaction, each of the Miramis Shares were cancelled and, in consideration for such Miramis Shares, each Miramis shareholder (collectively, the "Miramis Shareholders") received one (1) common share in the capital of Carlyle (each, a "Carlyle Share") at a deemed price of $0.03 per Carlyle Share for every Miramis Share held by such Miramis Shareholders. An aggregate of 23,843,411 Carlyle Shares were issued to the Miramis Shareholders in exchange for their respective Miramis Shares, having a deemed aggregate value of $715,302.33.

Additionally, the holders of the issued and outstanding common share purchase warrants of Miramis (the "Miramis Warrants") will be entitled to receive, upon exercise thereof, Carlyle Shares, instead of Miramis Shares, on the basis of one Carlyle Share for every Miramis Warrant held immediately prior to the closing of the Amalgamation. Of the 460,800 Miramis Warrants that may be exercised to acquire Carlyle Shares (in accordance with the adjustment provisions of such Miramis Warrants), 144,000 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until July 17, 2025; 257,600 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until November 23, 2025; and 59,200 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until December 5, 2025.

Immediately following the closing of the Transaction, there are 91,180,089 Carlyle Shares issued and outstanding, of which Miramis Shareholders hold approximately 26.15% of the issued and outstanding Carlyle Shares. The Board of Directors and management of Carlyle will remain the same post Transaction closing. The Company relied on Section 2.11 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions for an exemption from the prospectus requirements for the issuance of the Carlyle Shares to the Miramis Shareholders. Additionally, the Carlyle Shares issued to the Miramis Shareholders on closing of the Transaction are subject to a 120-day escrow restriction, pursuant to which 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares were released from escrow on the closing date, 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares will be released from escrow on February 11, 2025, and 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares will be released from escrow on April 12, 2025.

In the coming days, the Company intends to apply for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws. All registered Miramis Shareholders are encouraged to complete, sign and return the letter of transmittal, which has been previously delivered and is available under Miramis' SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca, with accompanying Miramis share certificate(s) and/or DRS advice-statement(s) (if applicable) to Odyssey Trust Company as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. Non-registered Miramis Shareholders are encouraged to contact their broker or other intermediary for instructions and assistance in receiving the Carlyle Shares to which they are entitled.

Quesnel Gold Project Field Program

The Company is also pleased to provide an exploration update for its 100% owned Quesnel Gold Project located in the Cariboo Mining Division, 30 kilometers northeast of Quesnel in Central British Columbia covering 1,607.34 hectares. Field crews from Hardline Exploration Corp. completed a multi day bio-geochemical survey at the Quesnel Gold 1 Property. The program was designed to test for potential on strike extensions of the historic G-South mineralization. The program included 53 biogeochemical treebark samples.

Historic exploration has determined that gold and copper mineralization occur on the Property. This mineralization is hosted in veins, shears and stockworks occurring in the andesitic rocks in close proximity to the contact with intrusive rocks of the Naver intrusives and the Jurassic Polaris plutonic group. The mineralization has been outlined near surface via trenching and limited diamond drilling (Robb, 2024, please see the Technical Report on the Quesnel Gold 1 Property, dated October 30, 2024 and prepared by Warren Robb, P. Geo., available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+). Due to the late season snow cover, a biogeochemical survey was conducted to assess for extension of the known mineralization in areas of overburden.

The Quesnel Gold Project is proximal to main highways and power lines facilitating year-round access and workability. The Quesnel Gold Project is situated within the Quesnel Trough within a subdivision of the Intermountain Tectonic Belt, and on trend with the historic "G-South" historical gold resource.

Corporate Update

Carlyle has been busy since September when it announced its proposed amalgamation with Miramis and the completion of the Company's acquisition of an undivided 100% right, title and interest in the Quesnel Gold Project. Since September the Company has completed its acquisition of the Quesnel Gold Project and its first field exploration program at the property. Last week the shareholders of Miramis overwhelmingly voted in favor of the company's amalgamation with Carlyle. The amalgamation of the two companies has provided Carlyle with a more diversified asset portfolio in British Columbia, more shareholder distribution by way of the addition of 100 plus new shareholders via Miramis, and cash from the Miramis treasury. Additionally, the amalgamation is expected to lower operating and overhead costs, and increase shareholder liquidity, trading and capital markets exposure.

The Company is particularly pleased with its now 100% right, title, and interest in the 1,607.34 hectare Quesnel Gold Project where it has already completed its first field exploration program. Furthermore, the Company is thrilled with the approval of the amalgamation by Miramis Shareholders at the Miramis special meeting held last week December 6, 2024, to approve the amalgamation. With the completion of Carlyle's amalgamation with Miramis the Company now also holds the option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the prospective Nicola East Mining Project.

The Nicola East Mining Project

The Nicola East Mining Project is located approximately 25 km east of the mining town of Merritt, British Columbia, where field crews from Hardline Exploration Corp. recently completed a multi day prospecting program. The program was aimed to follow up on 2023 results which included a grab sample which returned 3.04 g/t Au in a previously untested area.

Field crews collected 35 samples which included samples from several quartz veins that contained up to 3% chalcopyrite and 1% chalcocite with copper oxide staining. Mineralization was hosted in quartz veins generally <5cm thick with chlorite - epidote alteration. Field crews returned to the location of a qtz-chl vein sampled during the 2023 field season that graded 3.04 g/t Au with the objective of locating and sampling more mineralized veins nearby. The new gold and copper showing highlighted from 2023 sample AA001906 is located at 687807 mE 5555494 mN 10N. The 2023 sample was sent to the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver (ISO 9001 certified) and a 5% QA/QC program was utilized which included field duplicates, certified references materials and certified blanks.

Highlights from the Recent Nicola East Field Program:

Samples AA002980, AA002983, AA002984, F00066262 and F00066263 all contained visible Cu mineralization.

Mineralization and quartz veins with euhedral crystal growth dissipated farther out from the 3.04 g/t Au sample.

Lithology consisted of grey/green andesitic volcanics often with medium grained hornblende phenocrysts.

Pervasive chlorite alteration was noted in the andesitic volcanics. Epidote alteration occurred primarily adjacent to qtz veins.

35 samples were taken in total.

QAQC samples included 2 certified reference material standards and 1 certified blank.

(Figure one: Nicola East Rock Samples Map)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6130/233831_8932d2003421b868_001full.jpg

Qualified Person

Jeremy Hanson, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein.

About Carlyle

Carlyle is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties. Carlyle owns 100% of the Newton Project in the Clinton Mining Division of B.C., the Quesnel Gold Project located in the Cariboo Mining Division, 30 kilometers northeast of Ques-nel in Central British Columbia, holds the option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the prospective Nicola East Mining Project, located approximately 25 km east of the mining town of Merritt, British Columbia, and is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CCC", on the OTC Market under the ticker "CCCFF" and the Frankfurt Exchange under the ticker "BJ4".

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

CARLYLE COMMODITIES CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Morgan Good

Chief Executive Officer

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, statements regarding the expected benefits of the Transaction including that it will lower operating and overhead costs and increase shareholder liquidity, trading and capital markets exposure; and that the Company intends to apply for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should" or "would" or occur.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by Carlyle and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including, without limitation, that the completion of the Transaction will result in the benefits anticipated, and that the Company will proceed with its plan to apply for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation: general business, economic and social uncertainties; the Transaction may not result in the expected benefits; the risk that the loss of key personnel, unanticipated costs, legislative or regulatory developments, and other risks outside of the control of the Company will impact the benefits of the Transaction; and the Company will not proceed with an application for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer. Although management of Carlyle have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, Carlyle assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233831
On December 9, Chinese pastors and believers worldwide joined an annual online prayer meeting to commemorate the 12/9 Incident and pray for persecuted Chinese house churches. The event was co-sponsored by a number of overseas Chinese pastors, aiming to raise the global church's awareness of the plight of Christians in China, and to pray for the Lord's protection and guidance for them.

On December 9, 2018, the Early Rain Covenant Church () in Chengdu, China, was raided by local authorities. The arrest of Pastor Wang Yi (), along with over 100 other believers, drew international attention and concern. Wang was later sentenced to nine years in prison for inciting subversion of state power (he is now in his sixth year of imprisonment), while most of the other detained church members were gradually released.

Overseas Chinese pastors and believers concerned about religious freedom in China have regarded this event as a turning point in the Chinese governments escalating crackdown on religious activities. Referred to as the 12/9 Church Incident, it highlighted the increasing challenges faced by Chinese house churches. Pastors have noted that this incident served as a wake-up call for the global Christian community. Since then, similar cases have become more frequent, including government actions against Guizhous Pan Shi Presbyterian Church () and Living Stone Church (), where church leaders have also been arrested and sentenced.

To commemorate this pivotal event and stand in solidarity with persecuted Chinese Christians, several overseas pastors initiated an annual prayer meeting on December 9, or the closest following date. This gathering seeks to raise awareness and encourage global intercession, focusing on six key prayer points:

1. Pray for Imprisoned Church Leaders

Lift up Pastor Wang Yi, Elder Chunlei Zhang (), and other church leaders who remain in prison. Pray for their endurance, faithfulness, and unwavering strength in Christ.

2. Pray for Persecuted House Churches

Ask God to sustain house churches in their trials, enabling them to remain steadfast in their faith and glorify His name amid adversity.

3. Pray for Unity Among Believers

May house churches foster love and mutual support, exemplifying the unity of the Body of Christ even under persecution.

4. Pray for Global Support

Petition for Christians worldwide to actively care for and support the Chinese house church movement as a vital part of the global Body of Christ.

5. Pray for the People of China

Pray for spiritual renewal in China, that many would come to know the Gospel, and that house churches would continue to spread Gods salvation despite hardships.

6. Pray for Government Authorities

Seek Gods intervention in changing the hearts of those in power. Pray for the rise of just leaders and that righteousness would prevail in governance.

The 2024 12/9 Prayer Meeting was co-organized by pastors from the United States, Canada, and Australia. Key participants included Pastor Biao Chen (, U.S. counselor of Early Rain Covenant Church), Pastor Yujian Hong (, senior pastor of Faithful Friends Church in Canada, ), Pastor Boli Zhang (, senior pastor of China Harvest Church, ), Elder Henry Chiu (, U.S. president of the Evangelical Church of China, ), and Brother Tan Zhang (, founder of the Nicodemus Truth-seeking Society, ).

On this day, they shared an annual report on the state of persecuted house churches in China, calling for greater involvement from Chinese churches around the globe. They also declared December 9 as the Day of Prayer for Chinese House Churches, encouraging Christians worldwide to come together in prayer for the persecuted church in China.
For Mandarin readers, Chiung Yao is likely a familiar name. Even if one hasnt read her books or watched the TV adaptations of her works, theyve probably heard of her.

As someone born in the late 1980s, I grew up during a time when both Chiung Yao and Jin Yong left an indelible mark on my peers. Chiung Yaos My Fair Princess () and Romance in the Rain () were companions during several of my idle summers. Her romance novels and their adaptations influenced many but also, regrettably, misguided many. The distorted views on marriage and love she propagated have disrupted numerous families' happiness.

On December 4, Chiung Yao shocked many by committing suicide in her home in New Taipei City. Ironically, her farewell letter implored young people not to give up on life easily but to strive to become strong individuals.

Here we have someone who ended her own life, advising others not to give up on theirs; someone too fragile to endure her own struggles, yet encouraging others to live with strength.

In her final letter, posted on social media, Chiung Yao wrote:

Dear friends and confidants, please do not cry, grieve, or feel sorry for me. I have flown away lithefully! Lithe () is my favorite wordit represents an autonomous, carefree, and liberated flight, elegant and light. I have shed the shell that increasingly brought me suffering and have lithefully transformed into snowflakes to fly away!

What Chiung Yao sought was autonomy, carefreeness, and freedom. To her, suicide became a symbol of freedomsimilar to Sha Bai, who recently gained attention for traveling to Switzerland to undergo assisted suicide. But I am unsure where Chiung Yao believed she would fly to. Did she confirm that the destination she was heading toward would be better than her current state? How could she be certain that the world after death would be less painful than the one she left behind?

In her farewell letter, Chiung Yao also wrote:

This is my wish: Death is an inevitable journey for everyone and the final great event of life. I do not want to resign myself to fate, to wither and decay slowly. I want to take charge of this final great event.

The crucial question is: can she really take charge? Is she truly in control? She could choose to end her life, but could she dictate what happens afterward?

She further wrote:

The Creators design for the life process isnt very good. When people grow old, they all have to endure a period of painful weakness, degeneration, illness, hospital visits, treatment, and decline. This period can be long or short, but for those who are destined to die of old age, it is an enormous torment. Worse yet, one might end up as a bedridden elder relying on life-support machines. Ive witnessed such misery, and I do not want that kind of death.

Both Chiung Yao and Sha Bai faced the same issue: they didnt understand the meaning of life. They valued life only in its youth, beauty, and health but failed to grasp its worth in old age, frailty, or sickness. The root problem lies in their lack of relationship with their Creator. They didnt know the purpose of life, focusing only on what they wanted or liked.

The greatest human suffering is not physical decline, frailty, illness, or hardship. The greatest suffering is enduring these trials without understanding their meaning and value.

The cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death is not meaningless. Just as life in its youth and health has purpose, so does life in its sickness and frailty.

First, the Creators design is perfect. Genesis tells us that God saw all that He had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31). Everything He created is beautiful and good. Because He is the Creatornot just Heaven but God HimselfHe is wise, powerful, and loving. It is humanitys misunderstanding that leads people to think it isnt good enough.

Second, sin disrupted this goodness. Humanitys rebellion against God shattered the perfect design. The suffering, illness, and death we experience are the consequences of sin.

Yet even in this brokenness, there is meaning and value. Although humans sinned, God continues to love us. The value and meaning of life are not defined by humans or our desires but by the will and plan of our Creator.

Third, birth, aging, illness, and death are integral parts of life. They are essential to being human.

When God first created humanity, we were whole, free from the cycle of aging and death. However, due to sins curse, all humans now experience these realities, which constitute the completeness of our humanity.

We cannot reject lifes less desirable aspects by choosing to end it in the name of freedom or autonomy. That is not elegance or courage; it is escapism and a denial of lifes wholeness.

The crux of Chiung Yaos struggle was her ignorance of lifes origin and destination. She believed she could take charge of her life but overlooked that her existence ultimately rests in the hands of the Creator. While we may temporarily choose to end our lives, we cannot control what comes after.

True courage is not escaping lifes ugliness, imperfections, and hardships but facing them head-on. Real grace and bravery involve embracing the entirety of lifeits highs and lows.

This courage does not come from within ourselves. By relying on our own strength, we can only feel fear, panic, and despair. Our source of courage lies in the Creator, who gives life meaning and value even amid suffering.

The Bible tells us:

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees (Psalm 119:71).

Human beings fear suffering, failure, illness, and pain because they reveal our limitations, helplessness, and dependencetruths we are reluctant to accept. These realities confront the root of our sin, our rebellion against Gods law.

The Bible also promises:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12).

Chiung Yao, like Sha Bai, likely feared not only death but also the absence of meaning in their suffering, a fear even greater than their dread of death itself.

Yet God assures us that all these trials are meaningful. They teach patience, submission, humility, and dependence on Him.

True grace and courage are not about accepting youth and health while rejecting aging and sickness. Instead, they are about enduring lifes trials with strength, respecting its value and meaning.

Self-determined deathwhether framed as freedom or courageis escapism. It denies lifes inherent value and the reality of a Creator who governs all.

Ultimately, Jesus Christ provides the only path to understanding our true selves and lifes meaning. He accepts us completely, granting purpose to every stage of life, whether young or old, healthy or sick.

He loves us and died on the cross for our sins. As Matthew 11:28-30 says:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

In our hardships, we dont have to face them alone. In Christ, we find hope because He carries our burdens and walks with us.

More importantly, Christ has borne our greatest burdenour sin. By coming to Him, acknowledging our sins, and placing our trust in Him, we can face the trials of life with the hope of eternal life.

True courage and grace lie in surrendering our lives to the One who loves us, trusts us, and redeems us. Only then can we face suffering, death, and eternity with confidence and peace.

***

Original article posted on Pastor Calvin Qin's () personal blog, Defending the True Path in Courage () and is reposted with permission by the Gospel Herald. Edits for clarity and tone were made in the process of translating the original Chinese text into English.

Calvin Qin: Pastor Calvin Qin ha four young children with his wife. He is a visiting pastor at the Faith Chinese North America Baptist Church (), ministering mainly to young families and teens in the church. He had previously planted the Chinese Community Church of Indianapolis Northwest, and is currently pursuing a D.Min. at the Canadian Chinese School of Theology Vancouver.
Previous article: Is this the peace we prayed for?

Featured

A mandate for tourism: Mahamas opportunity to elevate Ghanas tourism sector

Francis Doku Features Dec - 14 - 2024 , 10:14 4 minutes read

Over the past two weeks, Ive emphasised the critical need for Ghanas leadership to focus on tourism as a driver of national development.

Now, with the elections concluded, the people have entrusted former President John Dramani Mahama with an overwhelming mandate.

With over 56 per cent of the votes and a commanding two-thirds majority in Parliament, Mahama is set to take office on January 7, 2025.

This decisive victory is a call for transformative action, offering him the chance to correct past missteps, build on existing foundations and position Ghana for sustainable growth.

Advertisement

Tourism, as a key pillar of economic development, offers unparalleled opportunities. By the end of Mahamas term, the goal should be clear: achieving at least 2.5 million tourist arrivals annually and fostering a tourism-orientated mindset among all Ghanaians. To achieve this, I propose six strategic priorities for the incoming administration.

Combat galamsey to revive eco-tourism

Illegal mining (galamsey) has left Ghanas natural landscapes scarred, rivers polluted and wildlife habitats endangered. Addressing this is essential for Ghana to establish itself as a premier ecotourism destination.

Mahamas administration must enforce stricter anti-galamsey regulations and rehabilitate degraded areas. Iconic natural attractions like the Mole National Park, Kakum Canopy Walkway and the waterfalls of the Volta Region must be protected to attract eco-conscious travellers and generate sustainable revenue for local communities.

Establish national carrier, aviation hub

Connectivity is fundamental to tourism. Ghana needs a competitive national airline to establish Kotoka International Airport as a leading aviation hub in West Africa, linking the country to key global markets.

The Mahama administration must resurrect the dream of a national carrier, complemented by investments in airport infrastructure and partnerships with regional airlines. Learning from the success of Togos Lome hub, Ghana can become a gateway for international and regional travellers.

Revolutionise Ghanas visa regime

Streamlining the visa process is a low-hanging fruit that can significantly enhance Ghanas appeal. The new administration should draw inspiration from Seychelles, Rwanda and Kenya, which have adopted electronic travel authorisation (ETA) systems.

I propose abolishing visa requirements for most countries and introducing a nominal ETA fee of up to $50 for non-ECOWAS travellers.

For those from visa-waiver nations, the ETA can be a free, mandatory online registration. This system will simplify travel, boost revenue and position Ghana as a welcoming destination.

Position Ghana as a MICE destination

The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector holds immense potential for economic diversification. To capitalise on this market, Ghana must develop world-class infrastructure.

To be taken seriously as a MICE destination, the Mahama administration should prioritise constructing at least one international convention centre with state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting global events.

Alongside infrastructure, a strategic marketing campaign targeting organisations like the African Union, United Nations and global event planners will establish Ghana as Africas preferred MICE destination.

Empower local communities to benefit from tourism

Tourisms sustainability depends on community participation. For Ghana to maximise its tourism potential, local communities must have a stake in the sector.

Mahamas administration must focus on initiatives like cooperative models for managing heritage sites, community-based tourism ventures and revenue-sharing mechanisms.

Empowered communities will actively preserve and promote their cultural and natural heritage, enhancing the overall tourism experience.

Leverage Year of Return legacy

The legacy of the Year of Return and initiatives like December in GH must be sustained and expanded. These programmes have successfully connected Ghana to the African diaspora, fostering cultural exchange and economic benefits.

The Mahama administration should invest in marketing Ghana as the ultimate destination for diaspora engagement, leveraging festivals, heritage sites and cultural experiences to deepen these ties and attract even more visitors.

Also, December should not only be the time to connect to the African diaspora, but it should also be all year round.

A tourism renaissance awaits

Tourism can transform Ghanas economy, creating jobs and boosting its international image. Achieving this requires decisive leadership, strategic investments and a collaborative approach.

By addressing galamsey, establishing a national carrier, reforming the visa regime, investing in MICE infrastructure, empowering local communities and leveraging the Year of Return legacy, Mahamas administration can set a new benchmark for tourism development in Ghana.

The next four years present an unprecedented opportunity to elevate Ghana into Africas tourism elite. The journey begins now.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman, Prince Dube, has been slapped with a hefty fine after being convicted of attempting to bribe investigators probing his identity document. Dube, the director of Intsukuzonke Motors, was found guilty of offering a bribe to halt an investigation that could have led to the termination of his contract with Wesbank, the company he was contracted by to repair government vehicles.According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd Ramovha, the bribery attempt occurred on April 3, 2024, when Dube approached a Wesbank forensic investigator with an offer of R60,000 (approximately US$3,353) in exchange for halting the investigation. The inquiry had uncovered that Dube's identity document was marked for deletion by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which would have resulted in the immediate termination of his contract."The forensic investigator promptly reported the bribery attempt to the Special Commercial Crime Investigations (SCCI) office in Johannesburg," Ramovha said.After a thorough investigation, a search and seizure operation was authorized by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and executed on April 5, 2024. Dube was arrested at the Wesbank offices in Fairlands while attempting to hand over the bribe money.Faced with irrefutable evidence, Dube pleaded guilty to corruption charges. On December 11, 2024, the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court sentenced him to a fine of R60,000 or six years' imprisonment. Half of the sentence was suspended for five years, contingent on Dube not committing a similar offence during this period.Major General Ebrahim Kadwa lauded the investigators and the prosecution team for their swift action in pursuing justice. "We are immensely proud to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of these dedicated individuals," he said.Dube's conviction highlights the seriousness with which South African authorities are treating corruption cases, especially those involving attempts to obstruct investigations.
Featured

Honour: Critical ingredient in Ghanas development trajectory

Dr Emmanuel Odame Features Dec - 14 - 2024 , 10:01 4 minutes read

The European Regional Director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the 2023 World Health Summit in Berlin said: The world has lost trust in each other  or even the benefits we will reap if we rebuilt trust.

Honour, respect

Respect is giving reverence to someone because he/she meets your standards while honour, on the other hand, is giving reverence to someone, whether he/she meets your standards or not; you continue to revere that person.

Honour is an abstract concept inseparable from human society and human civilisation. For most societies, we tend to believe that having good laws and an efficiently policed and efficient market is all we need to thrive.

In Edward Gibbons book, The Decline and Fall of the Romans, it is aptly captured that the gradual loss of civic virtues made the decline possible.

Advertisement

Chinese model

Taking a critical look at Chinese history, one will find that it was the Qin Dynasty, founded by Qin Shi Huang, that marked the end of the warring states, when various states used to battle for dominance over each other.

All the different states were somehow autonomous during that period. The Qin dynasty lasted for only 15 years, from 221 BCE to 206 BCE.

He managed to unify China and laid the foundation for Chinas future dynasty. He adopted legalism as the guiding philosophy, emphasising strict laws and harsh punishment to maintain order.

However, this period was short-lived and it collapsed in 206 BCE. The Han dynasty founded by Liu Bang (later Emperor Gaozu) followed the Qin dynasty.

Historians attribute this period as the golden age of Chinese civilisation. The Han dynasty was based on civic virtues (Confucius principles) combined with some elements of legalism.

This was the period when the Chinese territory expanded and the silk trade routes developed. These routes could go as far as India and the Roman Empire.

From the establishment in 206 BCE to the final collapse in 220 BCE, the Han Dynasty lasted approximately 426 years, excluding the brief Xin Dynasty interregnum. This period lasted far longer than the Qin Dynasty, which lasted 15 years. Today, the Chinese people refer to themselves as the Han ethnicity underscoring the dynastys lasting influence.

Clearly, in national development, history has shown that civic virtues are what can ensure the growth and sustainability of the nation. Where are we in Ghana?

According to the 2024 Afrobarometer report, trust in key state institutions and officials has seen a major drop.

It also indicates a troubling erosion of public trust in critical institutions including the judiciary, tax authorities, the presidency and parliament, with heightened scepticism towards officials perceived as corrupt.

Recently, I had a conversation with a group of tertiary students and posed the question: What is the Ghanaian dream? The whole class shouted, To leave the country!

Clearly, some of our young people are disillusioned with the current trajectory of our nation. We have placed a heavy emphasis on our constitution as our social contract.

We are all seeing the current happenings in Parliament. Despite the ruling of the Supreme Court, the parties involved still have reservations. Clearly, trust seems to have been broken somewhere.

Codification of national values

In China today, the law is subservient to the rules of proper behaviour (Confucius principles). Whenever they have issues in China with the law, the law gives way to the rules of proper behaviour.

What are our national values in Ghana? We have different ethnicities with values across the board. However, we have not codified our national values.

This is something the National House of Chiefs and the Council of State need to be concerned about. We need a codified national value that should guide us as a nation.

As I stated at the beginning of this write-up, the fall of the Roman Empire was due to a decline in civic virtues.

We need to prevent a fall in Ghana. We need conscious efforts to uphold our national values now or never.

An Honour movement will be critical to our national survival. As was said by Pope Francis: Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. We can all move on and become saints with time.

The writer is Chairman Honour Ghana.

E-mail: joeankra@yahoo.com
Featured

Political hot potatoes for new President

Professor Jeffery Haynes Features Dec - 14 - 2024 , 08:05 5 minutes read

Ghanaians have voted decisively for political change. Eight years of NPP rule is to be replaced by a new NDC administration headed by President-elect, John Dramani Mahama.

This is (another) new beginning for Ghana, an opportunity to forge a path which will put the interests of all Ghanaians first.

Two major political controversies inform the change of regime. The first is the putative national cathedral, first announced nearly eight years ago by the then newly elected President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as his pet project, in fulfilment of a personal promise to God to build a national Christian edifice to thank God for Akufo-Addo finally being elected President after two failed attempts.

President-elect Mahama has indicated that under his watch, the national cathedral will not be built, instead indicating his support for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. The outstanding 450 million dollars required to complete the national cathedral will not now be required.

Advertisement

Perhaps the domestic and foreign donors, who it was anticipated would come up with the money, will now devote the money to necessary welfare and infrastructure projects to help enable Ghana to fulfil its development potential.

Anti-gay bill

The second major political controversy is going to be more difficult to resolve, despite its crucial importance for Ghanas international position and its national sense of harmony, well-being and tolerance.

I am referring to Ghanas anti-LGBT bill (formally the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill), a proposed law that would introduce  further  wide-ranging restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights.

As will be recalled, the bill was approved by Parliament on February 28, 2024, with bipartisan support. The bill will only become law if agreed by the incumbent president. Given the result of last weeks presidential election, that person will now be John Dramani Mahama. At a stroke, President Akufo-Addo is off the hook, and the hot potato falls into the lap of the President-elect.

It is evident that the bill, a private members bill, is not favoured by either President Akufo-Addo or Mr Mahama. The former has skilfully avoided signing the bill, while Mr Mahama indicated in a recent BBC interview that, if elected President, he would sign the bill only if it was constitutional and in Ghanas interests to do so.

The Supreme Court is due to pronounce judgement on December 18, 2024, concerning two court cases brought by private individuals which question the constitutionality of the bill.

The bill is a private members bill which, according to the Constitution, would only be acceptable if its passing into law would not incur costs to the state. Implementing the bill as currently constituted would incur significant costs to the state and for that reason, the Supreme Court may well decide that it is unconstitutional.

The second court case focuses on the human rights issues in the bill and the 1992 Constitution gives clear guidelines regarding what citizens individually and collectively are allowed to do. The bill as presently constituted would go against these constitutional rules.

Despite the bill making its way through the Supreme Courts jurisdiction, it has not stopped the bills main proponent, Samuel Nartey George, the re-elected Member of Parliament NDC for Ningo-Prampam, from threatening the President-elect, Mr Mahama, with dire consequences if he does not immediately sign the bill into law when he becomes President.

Commitment

Ghana has just shown in an exemplary fashion that it is committed to democracy and democratic values. It is a pity that Mr George does not seem to be aware, or to care, that in a democracy, important political decisions are only made democratically, to arrive at constitutionally acceptable outcomes.

Trying to bully the President-elect  on the morning after the December 7 elections  was not acceptable. Mr George should await the verdict of the Supreme Court before he seeks to apply extra-democratic methods to ensure that his pet project is realised.

If the Supreme Court finds the anti-gay bill to be unconstitutional, then the President-elect is constitutionally bound not to sign the bill in its current form.

Democracy demands that if Ghana is determined to proceed with the bill, then parliament needs to go back to the drawing board to come up with a bill which is not only constitutional but also, crucially, would not threaten desperately needed funds from international sources.

They have indicated that such funds could be delayed or even curtailed should Ghana pass into law the current version of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

Countering this view, some believe that Ghana should not be intimidated by the threat of financial repercussions from the West if it chooses not to comply with its conditions. In other words, Ghana ought to reject such neo-colonial pressures to assert its sovereignty.

The economic travails of the NPP government, which almost certainly resulted in the partys ousting from power, were to some degree alleviated by the billions of dollars that the country has recently received from international lenders, including the International Monetary Fund.

Perhaps Mr George and other champions of the current version of the bill would like to explain where the crucial billions of dollars would come from if current international lenders decide not to supply them.

Way forward

Ghana is about to enter a new era. The country has shown exemplary fortitude in conducting democratically appropriate parliamentary and presidential elections.

Progress can be made. President-elect Mahama should stand back, take a deep breath and assess the damage to Ghanas national well-being and international standing if the current anti-gay bill is signed into law.

The writer is an Emeritus Professor of Politics, at London Metropolitan University, UK.
Featured

Weekend Talk: Voting for God

Lawrence Darmani Features Dec - 14 - 2024 , 09:28 4 minutes read

I went out last Saturday to cast my ballot, feeling good and patriotic that I didnt disenfranchise myself.

It was my civic duty to vote, and Im glad I fulfilled that mandate as an active rather than a passive citizen; a participant, not a spectator.

Another reason I went out to vote was that I knew that if I failed to cast my ballot for one candidate, I would have, indirectly, voted for another candidate involuntarily.

Self-enfranchised voters have now realised that refraining from voting is a vote in itself, which is an indirect proxy by which someone votes for you!

Advertisement

Eligible to vote

Since I became eligible to vote, I have been casting my ballot every time. Sometimes, the candidates I voted for won; other times they lost. It almost feels as if casting a ballot is like throwing a dice!

Prior to the elections, I was not swayed by any of the truckloads of promises I heard from the politicians, because I had heard them before. Yet, I cast my ballot for a president and an MP, and I feel fulfilled that I did.

Alone in the box as I thumb-printed, I looked at the candidates on the ballot papers and felt like the writer of Psalm 121:1: I lift up my eyes to the hills  where does my help come from? I too cast my eyes across the ballot papers  where would my help come from?

Gods help

The psalmist knew better than to expect help from the hills. Instead, he affirmed, My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Similarly, we Ghanaians can say our help comes from the Lord. In fact, we can all testify that God has helped us big time.

Before and during the elections, we prayed hard, appealing to God for peace and unity. God has answered our prayers, and all is calm.

The unfortunate incidents of violence reported to us can only be a storm in a cup compared to what could have happened without Gods help.

A ballot for God

So, yes, at the polls, I cast my ballot for two people: a president and an MP, but deep down in my heart, I was casting my ballot for God. I voted for God because he never fails humanity. Flesh and blood will always disappoint us, but God does not.

Dr Kwame Nkrumah said on the eve of Ghanas independence, On this great day, let us all remember that nothing can be done unless it has the support of God.

Indeed, we must always remember that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Whatever trouble Ghana is in currently, our ever-present help is God.

Rejecting God

This business of electing presidents reminds us of the sad story of the Israelites who asked the prophet Samuel for a king. They didnt like theocracy, where God was their supreme ruler.

Even when the prophet explained to them that a king would squander their resources (1 Samuel 8:10-20), they still went for a king. It is me they have rejected, not you, God told Samuel.

Israel got their kings, but not without the disasters that followed. Rejecting God is at the core of the moral, social and economic decay associated with ungodly living that affects governance.

Having experienced several presidents and their relatively long or brief rules, Im convinced that our true President is God Almighty!

While presidents come and go, God remains forever. Kingdoms, empires and unions fall with their leaders, but God lives forever.

Regimes that undermine Christianity wonder why Christians wouldnt bow to the state but abide by state constitutions.

It is because Christians are dual citizens of heaven and earth, and Scripture enjoins us to pray for and obey governing authorities while worshipping God only.

Footprints

The church in Ghana has a strong footprint in education, agriculture, governance, health delivery, employment and the provision of social interventions.

That is our Christian responsibility, like voting, and we undertake them for God and our country.

We pay our taxes faithfully not just because GRA tells us to do so but more so because Romans 13:1, 6 says so. And to me, the Romans passage is stronger than the voice of GRA.

Going forward

Now that the polls are behind us and both the outgoing and incoming administrations have hit the ground running, the way forward cannot be business as usual.

The way forward must be a change of behaviour and attitudes, revised work ethics, hard work and diligence. The months leading to rancour and bitterness must give way to decorum and mutual respect.

The nations resources are entrusted into the hands of leaders who must account for their stewardship. Likewise, we must all play our parts.

That way, we can rely on God to make our nation great and strong.

The writer is a publisher, author, writer-trainer and CEO of Step Publishers.

E-mail: lawrence.darmani@gmail.com
Next article: Born too soon! Pre-term awareness must be of concern

Featured

Ghanas victory is sweet: Congrats all lead actors

Vicky Wireko Reality Zone Dec - 14 - 2024 , 06:40 5 minutes read

Weeks and months of tense campaigns set an uncertain general election in some minds.

The atmosphere looked gloomy, making the actual day and days after, look worrying. Some foreign embassies even openly predicted uneasy calm, never experienced in any of the countrys general elections.

The churches, mosques and individuals prayed harder for a peaceful day and serenity after. The painted picture led the faint-hearted to start stocking their pantries and fridges. Those who could even afford to travel escaped for the unknown aftermath.

Nonetheless, Ghanaians stood firm with their hands lifted high. Ghana won and peace has been on our horizon.

Advertisement

Saluted by many Ghanaians and the international community, Ghanas performance at the 2024 General Election has taken centre stage and been the talk of the town. One wonders what those detractors who said or thought anarchy was going to descend on our nation are saying now.

Indeed, when Jesus says yes to Ghana, no one can say no and this has clearly manifested.

Drama

Last Saturday was like a stage set ready for a drama. The eyes of some 30 million Ghanaians were on the lead actors. Some of us as spectators or active participants, as well as cheerleaders, were geared up for the final scene.

Ghana was victorious. Ones fears of expected violence and confusion abated. One week on, Ghana is not in pieces.

One has had the opportunity to monitor local and international media extensively and follow various social media platforms since the noble act of conceding defeat was announced by the New Patriotic Partys (NPP)s Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

Concede

This thoughtful action to concede defeat pretty early during the waiting period for the verdict of the returning officer deserves commendation as has appropriately been expressed loud and clear in Ghana and abroad.

If my voice would go any far, I would even recommend Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for a Nobel Peace Prize.

I never watched or listened live to him last Sunday morning, but thanks to the power of the Internet, I had the opportunity to watch everything on YouTube, days later. My enchantment was the fact that this is someone who is not power-intoxicated.

He was humble enough to accept defeat, with the peace of Ghana on his heart.

Concise and straight to the point, the disarming and encouraging speech sought to inform the world that at the time of accepting defeat, he had watched, listened and analysed the results that were coming from his partys internal collation which indicated that former President John Mahama had won the presidential election decisively and the parliamentary results were in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party. His conclusion was to the point. To give way.

My excitement was his admission that waiting for the rest of the results to come in was not going to make any dramatic change. Even though this was coming very early in the collation of the results, he believed that Ghana was going to win and peace will reign in our land.

He recollected his promises at the signing of the Peace Pact just days before we went to the polls, reiterating the people had spoken on 7th December and the people had voted for change. Who was he to stand in the way?

In his heart of hearts and perhaps reflecting on how election disputes have created tensions and plunged nations into anarchy and chaos, Dr Bawumia believed Ghana was vital, saying, Ghana is more important than an individuals political ambitions.

As a true statesman and a mature politician would do, he tried to court affection for Ghana by urging investors to trust Ghanas stability.

He pledged his personal and his governments full support in the transition process so business of government will continue seamlessly.

Bringing his speech to a close, he thanked his hardworking party members who had given the assignment their all, not to be too disheartened but to look into the future with optimism, saying, We have lost the battle but not the war. He called on all to remain calm, positive and united, urging, We will regroup and come back stronger.

Analysing Dr Bawumias conceding speech reminds me of my observation of him in the political space since he assumed office as Vice-President in 2017. He has been like a case study for me observing his demeanour, commitment and hard work as a leader.

In February 2020, in my article published by the Daily Graphic in this column, entitled, Bawumia Factor, I touted his seeming commitment to duty and suggested that his attraction to following was an asset to his party.

Three years later, in November 2023, he was still on my radar when in another article entitled Bawumia factor I saw coming, he once again got my attention during a speech he gave at his partys stronghold in Kumasi.

Today, here we are with him readily conceding defeat in a keenly contested election whose results were still coming in and the electoral returning officer was still monitoring results.

He is no doubt a statesman and Ghana will thank him one day for the peace he upheld for his country.

He succeeded in defusing tension and calming nerves even in the face of a painful defeat.

Such political leadership is few and far between on this continent of Africa. Thank you Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Ghana is grateful for your maturity, calmness and levelheadedness in leadership.

Writers E-mail: vickywirekoandoh@yahoo.com
Next article: Ghana extradites Nigerian fraudster on FBI "most wanted list" to face charges in US

Featured

World leaders congratulate Mahama on 'historic' victory

Mary Mensah International News Dec - 14 - 2024 , 06:25 5 minutes read

Ghana's President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, made a historic comeback after winning the December 7 general election massively, thus, chalking up one of the most emphatic victories in the electoral history of the Fourth Republic.

His win marks a historic victory, making him the first president in the more than three decades of Ghanas Fourth Republic to have received such massive endorsement from the people of Ghana.

It is also the first time Ghana will have a female Vice-President. Immediately after his win, several world and African leaders sent messages congratulating him.

United States

The United States congratulates President-elect, John Mahama, on his successful election campaign, following the declaration of results by Ghanas Electoral Commission. We extend further congratulations to Vice-President-elect, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, on becoming Ghanas first female Vice-President.

Advertisement

It also commended the Electoral Commission, its hundreds of thousands of poll workers, civil society, and the countrys security forces, who helped ensure a peaceful and transparent process.

We also applaud Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia for his gracious acceptance of the results.

The United States is proud of our enduring partnership and friendship with the people and Government of Ghana. We look forward to working closely with President-elect Mahama to carry our historic relationship into the future.

China

The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, sent a congratulatory message to John Dramani Mahama on his election as President.

He noted that Ghana is one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic ties with China and was also an important strategic partner of China in Africa.

President Xi said the China-Ghana friendship had a long history and had been strengthened over time.

In recent years, bilateral relations have enjoyed a sound momentum of development, with fruitful practical cooperation in various fields, President Xi said.

Belarus

President Aleksandr Lukashenko has congratulated John Dramani Mahama on his election as President of Ghana. "The voting results testify to the high level of peoples trust in you and the National Democratic Congress party.

I am confident that your work as the leader of the state will contribute to the countrys prosperity, the well-being of citizens, and Ghana's standing in the international arena," the congratulatory message reads.

The Belarusian leader reaffirmed commitment to promoting long-term strong ties between the two countries for the benefit of their peoples and hoped for further enhancement of the traditionally friendly bilateral relations between Belarus and Ghana.

The African Union

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, warmly congratulates H.E. John Dramani Mahama and H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opuku-Agyemang, upon their election victory as President-Elect and Vice-President-Elect in the December 7, 2024 General Election in the Republic of Ghana.

The chairperson further commended all Ghanaians and national stakeholders for the largely peaceful conduct of the poll, attesting to the country's strong political maturity.

Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama on his victory in the December 7 general election in Ghana, following his opponents 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 was 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.

President Julius Maada Bio  Republic of Sierra Leone

Heartfelt congratulations to my friend, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, @JDMahama, on your impressive victory as President-Elect of Ghana.

Sierra Leone and Ghana have enjoyed a robust bilateral relationship over the years, and I look forward to collaborating with your administration to strengthen our cooperation across multiple areas.

Captain Ibrahim Traore  Burkina Faso

I extend my warmest congratulations to President John Dramani Mahama, for his resounding victory in the presidential election, this Saturday, December 7, 2024.

I express the hope that his mandate as the head of the sister Republic of Ghana will see the strengthening of the age-old relations of good neighbourliness between our two countries and that together we will build a stronger and better integrated sub-regional space for the happiness of our peoples.

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema  Gabon

My sincere congratulations to President John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) on his election as President of Ghana. This moment, marked by democratic maturity, inspires all of Africa. Gabon intends to strengthen its ties of friendship and cooperation with Ghana.

Samia Suluhu  Tanzania

On behalf of the government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, President-elect of the Republic of Ghana, on being entrusted by the Ghanaian people to lead them as their President.

I am looking forward to working together, to strengthen our bilateral relations for the benefit of the people of Tanzania and Ghana.

Paul Kagame  Rwanda

Congratulations to my friend President-elect John Mahama @JDMahama on your election victory. Rwanda and Ghana share a strong commitment to progress and we look forward to working together to strengthen our bilateral ties and advance the vision of a prosperous Africa.

President Boakai  Liberia

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has on behalf of the government and people of Liberia, and in his own name, sent a congratulatory message to His Excellency John Mahama on his victory as President-elect of the Republic of Ghana.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Boakai said that Mr Mahamas election was a clear indication of the trust and confidence of the people of Ghana in his vision for his country.

It also reflects Liberias admiration for Ghanas enduring commitment to democratic governance and peaceful political transition, the Liberian leader indicated.
Featured

British High Commissioner calls on President-elect Mahama

Kester Aburam Korankye Dec - 14 - 2024 , 11:18 2 minutes read

THE British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the President-elect, John Dramini Mahama, at his office in Accra.

During the meeting, High Commissioner Thompson congratulated the President-elect on his electoral victory and expressed her government's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ghana.

The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including trade, investment and development cooperation.

They also explored opportunities for deepening collaboration in areas such as education, healthcare and infrastructural development.

Advertisement

Assistance

Mr Mahama expressed appreciation for the United Kingdoms (UK's) support for Ghana's development and reiterated his government's commitment to democratic governance, human rights and the rule of law.

He said there were some emergencies that needed to be tackled immediately to ensure stability, including the looming power crisis.

If we dont do something about the energy sector it could crash everything that we are doing, so as quickly as possible we want to look at what assistance we could get looking at the entire energy sector value chain to ensure a more sustainable sector going forward, the President-elect said.

He called on the countrys development partners to provide assistance to the country in that regard.

Whatever our partners can do in terms of technical cooperation and resources mobilisation, he said.

Engagements

The meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana-UK relations, with both sides expressing their commitment to working together to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The two countries have a long history of cooperation, and the meeting marked a new chapter in their relationship.

High Commissioner Thompson's visit to Mr Mahama follows similar engagements that started yesterday after the election last Saturday.

Interests

She said the UK governments interests matched the President-elects 120 days agenda to reset the country.

Your 120 days plan and our interests coincide, talking about health, education and particularly economic growth and job creation, she said.

She said UK was committed to supporting Ghana's development and promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

President-elect Mahama's commitment to democratic governance, human rights and the rule of law was also welcomed by High Commissioner Thompson.
Featured

Catholic Church condemns attack on three Priests in post-election mob violence

Emmanuel Modey Dec - 14 - 2024 , 06:20 3 minutes read

Political parties in the country have been urged to put an end to the disgraceful mob actions that are increasingly becoming an unwritten norm following elections.

Such behavior, if not curbed, could lead to long-term tensions that may negatively impact both domestic and international relations.

This call was made in a statement released last Thursday and signed by the Catholic Bishop of the Jasikan Diocese, Most Reverend Gabriel A Mante.

The Jasikan Diocese of the Catholic Church was responding to the recent unjustified mob attack on three Indian Catholic priests in Nkwanta, Oti Region, that took place the previous Wednesday.

Advertisement

We take this opportunity to call on successive government and election-winning political parties to put effective mechanisms in place to check and bring an end to violence and needless attacks on citizens after elections. This canker seems to be unfortunately becoming a disgraceful unwritten law in Ghana the Church said.

These Priests had leased a bulldozer from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly to work on a piece of land they were preparing to construct a Formation House project for the seminarian at Chaiso in the Nkwanta-South Municipality.

They paid an amount of GHc 9,700 and were moving the equipment to the site at Chaiso when they were pounced upon by the mob who accused them of stealing the equipment.

The Catholic Church vehemently condemned such unjustified mob actions and called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent. According to the Church, the action was unwarranted since the Priests were on a mission that would be beneficial to the country at large.

Up till now, according to the Catholic Church they have not heard of the arrest of the perpetrators and therefore are demanding that the authorities should move fast to bring the perpetrators to face the law.

The Catholic Church also noted that it was important to allow the law to take it course and not the public to take the law into their own hands.

The three Catholic Priests are Father Robinson Melkis, Frank Henry Jacob and Fr Martin George all belonging to Capuchin Friars. They have been engaged in missionary activities in the country since 2005.

It would be recalled that they were beaten to such an extent that Father Henry Jacob cannot hear in one of his ears. He has been referred to the Yendi Hospital.

Two other officials of the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly who were accompanying them were also brutally assaulted by the mob. They are the Municipal Engineer and the Municipal Town and Country Planning Officer, Samuel Worlanyo Asugbey.

The mob went on to report to the Police that they were stealing one of the Assembly road equipment and were remanded to police custody and had the equipment impounded. Upon the intervention of the Vicar-General, they have been granted bail pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the National Democratic Congress branch of the Nkwanta-South Constituency has rendered an unqualified apology to the three Indian Catholic Priests and the Jasikan Diocese of the Catholic Church today.

In a release issued at Nkwanta and signed by the NDC Constituency Secretary, Prince Succeed Fiagadzi, said they were deeply appaulled and saddened by the attack on the Catholic Priests by some youth around 9:am last Wednesday .

They describe the heinous act as unacceptable and apologized for the harm, trauma, and distress inflicted on them.

 Your selfless dedication to serving humanity and preaching the message of love and compassion deserves utmost respect and gratitude, they added.
Next article: MFARI holds workshop for students on ECOWAS Protocol

Coalition Against Galamsey congratulates President-elect

Daily Graphic Dec - 14 - 2024 , 07:31 2 minutes read

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama following his decisive victory in the 2024 general election.

The coalition lauded his leadership and commitment to addressing critical national issues, particularly the pervasive problem of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

In a statement signed by GCAG Convenor, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, the group acknowledged Mahamas proactive stance on environmental conservation, as highlighted in his manifesto and public engagements.

The coalition expressed optimism about the President-elects promise to prioritize the restoration of Ghanas degraded forests, rivers, and communities.

Advertisement

Restore Ghana

The coalition called on the incoming administration to take immediate steps, including suspending mining activities in forest reserves and river bodies, a move aligned with Mahamas pledge to Restore Ghana by reversing the environmental degradation caused by galamsey.

It also emphasised the importance of holding illegal miners accountable, particularly addressing lawlessness linked to companies like Akonta Mining Ltd. The GCAG further recommended completing the repeal of LI 2462, which they see as a significant barrier to fighting illegal mining.

The group also encouraged the new government to expand social contract initiatives, including the 120-day pledge to combat galamsey.

The GCAG stressed the urgency of swift and decisive emergency measures to comprehensively tackle the crisis of illegal mining in Ghana.

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey remains optimistic that your leadership will mark a turning point in Ghana's environmental governance, the statement read. The coalition reiterated its readiness to partner with Mahamas administration to achieve a sustainable and healthy environment.
Featured

From GhanaLessons for Nigerias electoral umpire ahead of 2027 polls

The Guardian Dec - 14 - 2024 , 06:19 11 minutes read

On December 7, 2024, over 15 million Ghanaians went to the polls to elect a president and 276 members of parliament. The incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo, having completed his constitutional term limits, was ineligible for re-election.

While the collation of results was still ongoing, the countrys vice president and presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat to the opposition leader and candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former president John Mahama.

Many observer groups, including the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), the African Union (AU), the Commonwealth Election Observation Missions, Africa and World leaders described the election as largely peaceful and compliant with national and regional normative frameworks even though elections are not without flaws.

Perhaps against the backdrop of this endorsement, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, declared that the success of the 2024 presidential election in Ghana was inspired by Nigerias electoral mode.

Advertisement

Yakubu, who also monitored the election alongside some INEC officials, specifically stated that the Electoral Commission of Ghanas decision to decentralise its electoral system was inspired by Nigerias success in managing constituency election results.

While commending the smooth conduct of the election, Yakubu observed that until the last election in Ghana, all parliamentary and presidential results were sent to the headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Accra for announcement.



Although Ghana is not a federal system, they learnt from Nigeria where you have returning officers who announce results for parliamentary elections in the various constituencies around the country. Only the presidential election results come to Accra.

In Nigeria, this is what we have done and they borrowed a leave from us, and this is the second time they are implementing that. That is why, as you can see, the declaration of the presidential election result was a lot faster than it used to be in the past, Yakubu stated.



Yakubus comment has generated harsh reactions from some people who were disappointed with recent polls conducted in the country. Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigerias elections have been plagued by issues like ballot box snatching, vote buying, voter intimidation and suppression.

Some believe the February 2023 election was no different, arguing that despite the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) intended to enhance transparency, the process was marred by inconsistencies. INEC itself admitted the inherent challenges in the nations electoral system and has pledged to continue to improve the process.



Analysts believe that Yakubus claims notwithstanding, Nigeria has a lot to learn from Ghana with regard to conducting transparent elections that will lead to peaceful transfer of power as exemplified by Ghana last Saturday.

With the announcement on Thursday by INEC that it would be recommending reviewing the electoral law to allow early/special voting for millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections such as INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, among others, observers believe that the commission is already applying the lessons it learnt from Ghanas election.



At a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Yakubu said the proposal would form part of larger recommendations to be presented to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.



Voting by proxy and special voting are two crucial provisions in Ghanas electoral system. Voting by proxy allows a registered voter to appoint another person to cast his vote on his behalf, but this requires a valid reason such as illness, disability, employment, education or absence due to personal reasons.



On the other hand, special voting is designed for individuals who will be on election duty and cannot present themselves at their polling stations on election day like election officials, security, media personnel, among others. Independent Candidacy is allowed in Ghana, giving individuals the option to run for office outside of traditional party structure.

The 2024 Ghanaian elections were also powered by a relatively new piece of technology called the biometric verification device (BVD), which has been lauded for being responsible for the smooth electoral process.



Speaking on the takeaways for Nigeria from the elections, Regional Advocacy Officer and ECOWAS Liaison Lead, West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), Austin Aigbe, disagreed with Yakubus claim that Ghana copied Nigerias electoral model even as he also questioned the transparency of Nigerias collation process.



Aigbe noted that Ghanas adoption of Nigerias decentralised electoral result management system almost led to disaster but for Vice President Mahamudu Bawumias concession call.



He said the call prevented potential violence, as John D. Mahama had a comfortable lead. He said: The current collation process in Nigeria must be eradicated. It is our weakest link in our electoral system. You cant have polling at the polling units and results being manipulated at the collation points.



Look at all the elections we have had, even the off-cycle elections. What feedback is coming? The collation process is our worst process in the model that INEC Chairman has talked about. We must do something really quick with our collation system otherwise we will continue to have opacity in the system. And of course the trust deficit which has eroded all the gains of our electoral trajectory. I do not agree with the INEC chairman that the outing in Ghana was inspired by Nigerias electoral system. He stressed the need for INEC to be transparent; otherwise there would be a trust deficit.



According to him, the Electoral Commission of Ghana was going to slide into that trust disorder but for the commitment and the strength of the political party system that guided them.



Aigbe added: When you make statements as a commission, you must stick to that statement you made or when you release a procedure, a process, you must stick to it. You cant say for this election XYZ will be done and then you just switch over to ZYM without letting people know about the new trajectory. While people are waiting for you to take the left route, you left them at the centre of the road and you took the right route. How do you expect the citizens to feel, including the political parties? And that is why we continually go to court in Nigeria, because we see INEC as deviating or diverting attention in a way that is not mutually beneficial.



INEC can learn that transparent approach, including information dissemination. Ghana has shown that path. Even when the political parties, particularly NDC, were accusing the commission of wrongdoing, the commission came out and explained in detail.



When we visited Ghana during the pre-election phase, around October, we met with the commission chair and we asked him these smaller details and he explained everything.



And just to let you know, ahead of the 2023 elections, we had also met with INEC, who also explained in clear details the path to follow. When you see Ghana, the path to follow was maintained, but in Nigeria only God knows whether the path to follow was maintained and everybody knows. And that is what has led to this trust deficit that will impact future elections in Nigeria.



On INEC plans to introduce early voting to Nigerias electoral process, Aigbe said the policy might backfire due to the trust deficit in the system. Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Bukola Idowu, suggested that as in Ghana, the electoral law should be amended to ensure that all elections, including presidential, governorship and parliamentary elections are conducted on the same day.



This, according to him, would help to reduce cost and manipulation. Idowus suggestion was part of the proposal in a bill sponsored by a lawmaker representing the Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and 33 others, which has been rejected by the House of Representatives. Idowu, however, argued that if elections are conducted on the same day in Nigeria, there wont be match fixing.



With that, its going to save us money.We wont have to deploy police or logistics twice. You are not engaging the NURTW twice. Observers are not deploying twice. Media stations are not going to deploy personnel twice.



Only God knows how much you are going to spend in the 2027 general election in terms of budgets if you continue like this. Ghanas election was conducted with no lockdown. Everybody was going about his or her business. And this is me saying without exaggeration; I did not see any military patrol.



I did not see police or military patrol. You only have one police officer at a polling unit, mostly women. No baton. They were just there seated, very relaxed and well respected. So, the question is, should we even try it and conduct elections in Nigeria without locking down everywhere? Maybe that will increase the voters turnout, Idowu said.



Noting that the level of transparency of the Ghanaian poll was commendable, he disclosed that each of the party agents had a seal. And so each political party put their seal on the ballot box.



He added: So, all the party agents must be present when you want to count. And each person will remove their seal. So, if the seal is tampered with, then the ballot box is in question.



That level of transparency is very commendable. In order to just mention again, the trust we have seen in the institution is alarming and the readiness to accept the outcome of the election is alarming. Its amazing. So the people are not waiting to defend their votes. They trust the agents. That is number one. Number two; they trust their institution that if anything goes wrong, the institution will do the needful. Idowu questioned the use of PVC by INEC as the sole means of accreditation, saying there is no need to use PVC for elections in Nigeria as BVAS does not read it.



Another thing is they will say no PVC, no voting. We have seen people voting with no PVC and the BVAS was capturing them. So, why are you disenfranchising some people who did not have PVC from voting? Just take it away.



In fact, in Ghana, its just something laminated they have. Every detail was in that thing called the biometric verification, he noted. On his part, the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, attributed Nigerias history of contentious elections to a compromised electoral process.



According to him, in the case of Ghana, everything was done transparently to the satisfaction of all the parties involved. He said: So the Ghanaian election should teach us a lesson that it is about public service. It is about a system that is being done correctly and rightly with all parties involved, supporting a process that will be inclusive and transparent. And that definitely the outcome will be satisfactory to everyone without any contest .



So, INEC should learn to be independent. Government should allow INEC to be independent because the problem is that even if INEC wants to be independent, the process that controls and manipulates it is not allowing it to be independent.



The Nigerian political class should actually be ashamed of themselves.



The political parties in Nigeria are nothing but a group of people that gather to capture political power, not for service, not for anything. And this should be a big lesson to them that election is not a do or die affair in the real true sense of it. It is about public choice.



For the Research Analyst, WADEMOS and Elections Desk Lead, David Asante-Darko,

Ghanas election is a call to politicians and governments across the continent that elections are always going to be a statement not only on their performance but also on their legitimacy.



He noted that one issue Nigeria can identify with Ghanas election is that voter turnout could always be relied on as a good measure of public confidence in government performance and government efforts at upholding democracy.



That is something I believe all opposition parties across the continent can learn from; that apart from it being a duty they owe their political parties, it is also a duty they owe citizens to help keep government and state institutions on their toes.



So, I think this is a call to politicians and governments across the continent that elections are always going to be a statement not only on their performance but also on their legitimacy because when it becomes apparent that so much of the citizenry is not interested in who comes to power, its an indictment not only on the previous government but even the government thats also in power, he added.
Featured

Police intercept truckload of Agenda 111 project materials

Biiya Mukusah Ali Dec - 14 - 2024 , 08:19 3 minutes read

AN Astra DAF truck loaded with several tonnes of iron rods suspected to have been looted from the Agenda 111 project site at Odumase in the Sunyani West Municipality in the Bono Region has been intercepted.

The branded CONSAR LTD truck with registration number GN 7469- 17 was loading the building materials from the ongoing Agenda 111 project construction site without a permit when it was intercepted.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Regional Communication Officer of the NDC, Charles Akowuah Tuffour, explaining that some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led the police to intercept the truck.

It said the team also impounded another truck with registration number GC 9423-11 transporting about 160 state streetlight bulbs from the Bono Regional Minister's Residency.

Advertisement

It said they acted on a tip-off to confiscate the items belonging to the state.

Protect property

The release condemned the development and urged the police, to as a matter of urgency, protect all state property and government belongings to guarantee the peace and stability the country was currently enjoying.

It also encouraged the public to be watchdogs and informants of all state properties, to ensure a peaceful and smooth running of the country by the current government and the incoming NDC administration.

It said the act of looting by the public was not only worrying but also a deliberate attempt by the miscreants to deny people in the region essential resources.

It said the two vehicles were sent to the police station for further investigation.

"In 2017, it must be recalled that prior to the handing over of the administration to the then incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, the then Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Organiser of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, arrogated to himself arbitral powers to confiscate vehicles and personal belongings of former ministers and appointees within the region, the release said.

It accused appointees of the outgoing government and other officials of illegally looting state equipment and building materials at the construction site.

Caution

The release further cautioned the public, including government appointees in the region, to immediately halt any attempt to loot and misappropriate state property as the country prepares for a political transition.

It urged municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs) in the region to ensure the maximum protection of all state property.

It explained that they were still chairmen of the municipal and district security council and would be called to account for any missing state property.

It said they were mandated to hold in trust all state property in the districts for the good people of the region.

The NDC expressed concern about the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani West, Ignatius Baffuor-Awuah, having electricity extension poles, cables and transformers meant for the state in his private custody and not in government stores.

It said the release was to correct the erroneous impression that NDC members were involved in looting state property in the region.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh
News / National

by Staff reporter

Nkosinathi Ncube, the National Treasurer of the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), was abducted this evening, 13 December 2024, by a group of heavily armed officers from the CID Homicide department in Bulawayo.The abduction took place at approximately 8:45 PM at Ncube's business stand, located at the corner of Herbert Chitepo and Selborne Road. According to eyewitnesses, three unmarked twin-cab vehicles, driven by officers armed with AK47s, pulled up at the scene before the incident occurred. Despite the officers' efforts to act covertly, some members of the public managed to identify the kidnappers as members of the CID Homicide unit.Ncube, a prominent figure in the MRP, previously served a prison sentence of three years at Khami Maximum Prison, Chikurubhi Maximum Prison, and Harare Central Prison, and is known to be a key member of the MRP-9, a group of party members involved in political activities.Following the incident, MRP officials quickly gathered at the Bulawayo Central Police Station and the CID Homicide offices to search for Ncube. MRP President Mqondisi Moyo has contacted Mr. Nqobani Sithole to engage with the Homicide department in an effort to secure Ncube's release.The circumstances surrounding the abduction remain unclear, and this is a developing story. More details are expected to emerge as MRP officials continue their efforts to locate Ncube.This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available
Featured

Rehabilitated Pikworo Slave Camp inaugurated

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Dec - 14 - 2024 , 06:53 3 minutes read

The Rehabilitated Pikworo Slave Camp in Paga-Nania in the Kassena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region has been inaugurated.

The second phase of the rehabilitation works included the construction of a new imposing frontage, two summer huts to serve as a resting place for tourists who visit the facility, the mounting of signage and the provision of a place of convenience.

The first phase of the project, which has already been completed, involved the construction of a receptive centre where tourists and visitors to the facility would be received.

Transformation

At a ceremony to inaugurate the project, a Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of General Services, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Benjamin Anane, said the government, through the GTA, thought it wise to transform the camp to protect the heritage of the people in the area.

Advertisement

He said in the tourism competitive index published by the World Economic Forum, Ghana was ranked 8th in sub-Saharan Africa adding that our target is to be among the top five countries in the next five years.

To achieve this, he indicated that it required a lot of interventions, such as identifying tourist attractions, to develop them to promote local tourism. He said that similar facelifts were being given to tourist sites across the country.

The new imposing frontage

Mr Anane said tourism was a business venture that could catalyze economic activity in an area, adding, When tourists and visitors travel to communities, they lodge in hotels, patronise local food and other linkages that promote the well-being of residents in the communities.

He stated that every country saw tourism as a key sector that must be developed in a sustainable way towards national development, citing France as a country promoting tourism greatly due to its linkages and multiplier effects.

He implored the governing board of the camp to ensure that the facility was well-managed to stand the test of time and to serve its intended purposes.

One of the summer huts

On behalf of the five-member governing board of the camp, the Upper East Regional Director, GTA, Wisdom Ahadzi, welcomed the responsibility bestowed on them and pledged to do their best to reap the full benefit of the camp.

While assuring the gathering that the facility would henceforth not be handled as business as usual, he called for cooperation and support from all stakeholders towards sustaining the operations of the camp.

Camping facilities

The District Chief Executive for Kassena-Nankana West, Gerard Ataogye, said there was a need for camping facilities closer to the site, as some tourists would wish to stay longer in a bid to visit the camp.

The new place of convenience

Therefore, he announced that there was litigation-free land behind the camp and other places in the district to serve such purpose, adding:

The assembly has properly demarcated the site to house other essential facilities.

I hope that the private sector and other individuals will take advantage and invest now for greater returns tomorrow.

The Chief of Kazigu, Pe Thomas Aluah Asangchira, who chaired the event, commended GTA for giving a facelift to the camp, saying it would go a long way to preserve the cultural heritage of the people.

Background

The Pikworo Slave Camp was founded in 1704 as a transit point where slaves were auctioned and later sold in the Salaga Slave Market.

The camp was endowed with trees and rocks, where slaves were tethered.
Featured

Volta EPA urges proper waste disposal in hospitals

Alberto Mario Noretti Dec - 14 - 2024 , 16:20 2 minutes read

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expressed grave misgivings over the dumping of waste in the wrong bins at hospitals in the Volta Region.

For instance, it said, sharp objects and blood-soaked cotton were often dropped in bins meant for paper, medicines, and other non-infectious wastes.

Assistant Programmes Officers of the EPA, Wise Cosmos Dargbey, said this at a stakeholders meeting on the Take Back Unwanted Medicines (TBUM) project, last week Thursday.

The TBUM project is an initiative by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to retrieve unused and expired medicine from consumers and supervise their safe disposal per the Public Health Act.

Advertisement

The project, with support from pharmacies, is also to introduce sustainability into the product life cycle of pharmaceutical products in Ghana.

Mr Dargbey said the disposal of waste into the wrong bins was hazardous not only to those who emptied the bins but to the public in general.

For instance, he said, waste, including unused medicines, wrongfully disposed of often ended up in water bodies and the soil, posing danger to animals, plants, aquatic life and the public.

The EPA assistant programmes officer, therefore, urged the management of hospitals to make waste segregation a matter of priority in the broader public interest.

Project Lead

The TBUM Project Lead, Dr Cornelius Dodoo, said the project was being implemented jointly by the University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and Ho Teaching Hospital, with support from the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association and Global Health Partnerships in the UK.

He said the objective was to use a one-health approach to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), taking into consideration the environment, and human and animal health.

Dr Dodoo said 15 new bins had been acquired to be placed at vantage points in hospitals and some pharmacies in aid of the TBUM project.

The project lead said the initial focus of the project was to build the capacity of the Ho Teaching Hospital for the project.

After doing that for some time, we are now working with the Volta Regional Hospital in Hohoe, the Ho Municipal Hospital, Ketu South Municipal Hospital in Aflao, and Margaret Marquart Hospital in Kpando, he told the stakeholders.
Featured

5 NPP parliamentary candidates demand collation and re-collation of results, insisting they won

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Politics Dec - 14 - 2024 , 11:32 4 minutes read

Five parliamentary candidates in the 2024 elections from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to collate and re-collate the parliamentary results in their respective constituencies.

In their respective petitions dated Friday, December 13, 2024 and addressed to the Chairperson of the EC, the five parliamentary candidates insist that they were the rightful winners of the elections held in their constituencies.

While two of the candidates - Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah of Techiman South, and Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh of Ablekuma North are demanding the collation of the parliamentary results, which they say had unduly delayed, the three others want the EC to re-collate the results on the basis that the initial collations were unlawful and in flagrant violation of electoral laws.

The three who are seeking the re-collation of the results are Charles Forson - Tema Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah - Okaikwei Central and Mike Aaron Oquaye Jnr- Dome -Kwabenya.

Advertisement

Techiman South

With regard to Techiman South , Mr Korsah is demanding the collation of the elections results, which had not been done despite polls closing almost a week ago.

He has therefore called on the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, to immediately direct the returning officer for the constituency to collate the election results and declare the winner.

I am making a demand on you as the chair of the commission to direct the returning officer of the Techiman South Constituency to collate and declare the winner of the Techiman South parliamentary elections, he said in the petition.

Ablekuma North

For Ablekuma North, Nana Akua Afriyieh claim after the close of polls on December 7, her representatives were attacked by some people, while others also snatched the ECs copies of statement of results sheets (pink sheets).

The EC returning officer, she explained was also under duress to declare the results in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate.

I have attached the scanned copies of all 281 pink sheets, which show that I won the election with a margin of 411 votes. The results are as follows: Nana Akua Owusu Afriyich (NPP) - 34,610 votes, and Awurabena Aubunn (NDC) - 34,199 votes, she said

In view of the aforesaid, I am making a demand on your office to direct the Returning Officer for the Ablekuma North Constituency to collate and declare the Ablekuma North Constituency parliamentary election results within the provisions of the law, she added.

Tema Central

Mr Forson, his petition is demanding a re-collation of the results , or what he described as proper collation

According to him, the initial collation, which led to the declaration of the NDC candidate - Ebi Bright as the winner , was done without the pink sheets from two polling stations.

The votes from the two remaining polling stations when added will give me 18,870 votes as against the NDC 18,815 votes, he said

In view of the aforesaid, I am officially demading your good office to direct the Returning Officer for the Tema Central Constituency to properly collate and declare the Tema Central Constituency Parliamentary election results in accordance with law, he added.

Okaikwei Central

Mr Boamah is also calling on the EC- to re collate the results or conduct proper collation on the basis that the previous collation was done without the full complement of the all the pink sheets from the polling stations

According to him, the returning officer for the constituency when declaring the results, excluded 31 polling stations.

Based on the polling station results, pink sheets, and results as declared at the constituency collation center, I am the projected winner of the parliamentary election. The unlawful exclusion of the 31 polling stations at the regional collation center significantly impacted the outcome of the results, he said in the petition.

Dome - Kwabenya

For Dome - Kwabenya, Mr Oquaye Jnr said the collation that led to the declaration of Elikplim Akurugu of the NDC as the winner, was done in flagrant violation of the electoral laws of the country as it was not done in his presence of that of his representatives.

Such an act, he insisted, was a breach of Regulations 43 (1) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I 127).

He is therefore demanding that the EC conduct what he terms as a proper collation for the constituency.

Writers email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh
Featured

Elections expose charlatans

Michael Quaye Politics Dec - 14 - 2024 , 10:40 5 minutes read

Promises can fail, pledges may not be honoured, but the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections have exposed the different categories of polls and prophecies.

The emphatic victory of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the elections was an outcome that only Mussa Dankwah of Global InfoAnalytics, an independent opinion research company in the country, and some prophets could tell with precision.

While prophecy has no scientific basis, its realisation supposedly tells a prophet's relationship with God.

In effect, those whose prophecies came to pass are regarded as being genuine servants of God.

Advertisement

Prophecies and pastors

The heat of the elections had put the integrity and reputation of some academics and Men of God on the line as they stuck out their necks too long in the prediction game.

When the clergy in Accra responded to the call of Mr Mahama to a prayer session, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International prophesied that God had granted Mr Mahamas wish to make him President for a second time.

That prophecy had been preceded by similar pronouncements by Rev. Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom, aka Prophet 1, of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre in Kumasi, and Prophet Nigel Gaisie of the Prophetic Hill Church Worldwide.

But it was Rev. Owusu Bempah who appeared to have irked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) the most with the live broadcast of his prophecy, with less than four months to the polls.

Indeed, his genuineness had been called into question by some members of the public who posted videos of his engagement with other notable politicians that suggested he had given them his blessings too.

Other leaders of the Christian faith subsequently declared counter prophecies against a Mahama victory in December 2024, as they found the space wide open to explore the apparent lottery venture.

For the religious, prophets who foretell events and outcomes are a core part of the physical ecosystem where the words of the prophet are justified by time.

But the elections of December 2024 have left the integrity, image and credibility of some of those personalities in tatters and enhanced the credibility of those whose words appeared to be against the odds.

Polls, pollsters

Even the scientific exercise of polls suffered similar abuse, with Global InfoAnalytics standing out tall.

On November 29, 2024, eight days before the elections, Mr Dankwah predicted a first-round victory for the NDC, predicting further that the party would win a clear majority of at least 150 seats in Parliament.

His polls were referenced by the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Oxford Economics Africa, two respected international research bodies, with both also projecting comfortable victories for John Dramani Mahama and the NDC.

But Mr Dankwahs survey results were markedly different from similar works by Professor Smart Sarpong of the Kumasi Technical University, Dr Isaac Owusu Mensah of the Office of the President and the Governance Research Bureau.

In his widely referenced work, Prof. Sarpong predicted a second round for the presidential election, putting the governing NPP in the lead with at least 49 per cent of the expected votes.

That poll gave the NDC just above 45 per cent of the votes, and projected a clear majority of seats for the NPP in the next Parliament.

Other polls

Prof. Sarpong had suggested in an earlier survey that the NDC was more popular than its presidential candidate, Mr Mahama, while the NPPs candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, appeared more popular than his party.

Dr Owusu Mensahs survey had also suggested a likely second round outcome, also putting the NPP in the lead in the presidential race.

The Governance Research Bureau, using a formula that tabulates the previous elections results, also projected a second-round presidential race, and also put the NPP ahead of its competitors.

Criticism

All of the polls had attracted wild criticism from those they did not favour, with the NPP in particular taking Mr Dankwah and the Global InfoAnalytics to the cleaners.

His poll had suggested that the governing party was likely to be affected by voter apathy.

The poll had revealed that 16 per cent of voters who said they would not vote had pledged allegiance to the NPP, with three per cent of this group identifying with the NDC.

It said 38 per cent indicated floating status, four per cent belonged to the other parties, 39 per cent had declined to reveal their party affiliations, while 4.4 per cent of respondents said they would not vote in the election.

Crucial in winning the December elections will be which of the presidential candidates receives greater support in his base, as well as winning the votes of floating (independent) voters, Global InfoAnalytics said in the release of one of its poll results.

Ultimately, the executive summary of the poll suggested that "the race is unlikely to go into a run-off as the year average of the poll shows Mr Mahama on 53 per cent, Dr Bawumia on 36 per cent, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen on seven per cent, Nana Kwame Bediako on three per cent, and others on one per cent".

There is nothing better than reality and research, one based on scientific approach, are always bound to correctly predict the right trend, albeit with their own suggested margins of error.
Featured

NDC sues EC, seeks fresh Nsawam Adoagyiri election

Samuel Duodu & Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Politics Dec - 14 - 2024 , 06:32 5 minutes read

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Amenorpe Philbert Fummey, has sued the Electoral Commission (EC), seeking a fresh election in the constituency.

Consequently, the recollation of parliamentary results for the Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency in the Eastern Region which was being done by the EC at the Tesano Police Training School in Accra yesterday has been halted following a court injunction by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Plaintiffs case

In a writ which also has the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Frank Annoh Dompreh, as a defendant, the plaintiff accused the EC of using invalid statements of results (pink sheets) to collate the results of the constituency.

The suit was filed at the Accra High Court yesterday by Mr Fummeys lawyer, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, who is also the Director of Legal of the NDC.

Advertisement

Apart from the suit, the plaintiff has also filed a motion for interlocutory injunction seeking an injunction of the collation of the results for the constituency pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

It is the case of Mr Fummey that some people who he claimed to be NPP members, allegedly attacked the collation centre and destroyed some of the pink sheets.

At the time of the alleged attack, the plaintiff averred that he and his team had collated 118 out of the 203 pink sheets and as a result of the attack, he had only 137 of the pink sheets, while the EC, he said, also indicated to him that it had 80 per cent of the pink sheets in its custody.

However, the plaintiff averred that despite the destruction of some of the pink sheets, the EC decided to continue with the collation.

The plaintiff avers that in a shocking twist of events, he has been summoned by the Electoral Commission to continue and finish up with the collation of the results for the constituency with the Electoral Commission, contrary to its earlier position, insisting that it had all the pink sheets available, the plaintiff submitted.

Reliefs

Given the above claims, the plaintiff is urging the court to declare that the integrity of the election in Nsawam Adoagyiri had been undermined due to the absence, incomplete and/or questionable nature of the pink sheets.

He is also seeking a declaration that as a result of the incomplete or questionable nature of the pink sheets, the EC cannot declare a winner for the parliamentary election for the constituency.

The plaintiff further wants the court to organise a fresh election for the constituency.

The Tesano recollation centre was set up following insecurity at some constituency collation centres that were put on hold by the EC after the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

As a result, the recollation for the Suhum and Akwatia constituencies were completed at the centre and declared in favour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) last Thursday.

NDCs position

However, the NDC Deputy Director of Elections and Information Technology (IT), Dr Tanko Rashid Computer, said his party would not accept the results declared for Suhum and Akwatia.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Dr Computer said the NDC was opposed to the EC's recollation process, describing it as "weird" and "illegal".

He said the party would not accept the EC's attempt to recollate votes in the nine outstanding constituencies because five of those constituencies parliamentary election results had already been declared by the Returning Officers of those constituencies.

"We are totally against any recollation whatsoever," Dr Computer emphasised.

"When a returning officer declares results and you're not satisfied you go to court. But when a returning officer declares results you can't come back and ask for recollation, " he stated further.

Dr Computer expressed concern over the discovery of fake pink sheets among the 82 polling stations flagged by the party in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency.

"We became suspicious when we realised that the Electoral Commission had fake pink sheets. The numbers on the pink sheets were tampered with, and we could see that they were not genuine," he said.

What they are doing is illegal, and we are preventing it," he said, adding that the party had also rejected the declaration of results in Suhum and Akwatia, citing incomplete processes."

We objected to the declaration because the process was not complete. We won't accept it, and we will continue to fight against this illegality," he said.

NPPs reaction

The sitting NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem South, Osei Bonsu Amoah, campaign manager for NPP parliamentary elections, tasked to oversee the recollation in the outstanding constituencies, explained that the EC had decided to move the collation process to a different location due to the chaos that disrupted the process in the regional collation centres.

However, the process was further complicated by an application for an injunction, which brought the entire process to a halt.

"The EC officer came to tell us that he had received an application for an injunction from the NDC, hence he wanted to postpone the process.

"We were wondering why he wanted to postpone it, especially since we had travelled so far to get to this point," he said.

Mr Amoah emphasised that the NPP would not accept any attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

"We will not accept this. The EC must ensure that the process is fair and transparent," he stressed.

"We were going on with the process for Nsawam Adoagyiri and it was left with just some small percentage then the EC officer came to tell us that they had discussed with the NDC side so he wanted to inform us that he wanted to postpone it today," he said.

"We came in this morning for the Nsawam-Adoagyiri process only for us to hear that an application for an injunction has been served on the EC and the sitting MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh, who is also the candidate, that the process should halt, Mr Amoah added.

He said the party was expecting three from Ashanti and one from Bono East.
Featured

NPP Parliamentary Candidates spent an average of GH10m on campaigns  Adomako Kissi

Graphic.com.gh Politics Dec - 14 - 2024 , 14:49 2 minutes read

The Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom, Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi, has revealed that New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates spent an average of GH10 million each during their campaigns for parliamentary seats.

Dr Adomako Kissi shared this information during an interview on Channel One TVs The Big Issue on Saturday, December 14.

Speaking with host Selorm Adonoo, he highlighted the significant financial investments made by candidates in their efforts to secure a parliamentary seat, stressing the high stakes involved in Ghanas political landscape.

While acknowledging the considerable financial commitments of his partys candidates, Dr. Adomako Kissi also expressed concern about the unrealistic expectations often placed on candidates by the electorate.

Advertisement

On average, every NPP Member of Parliament who went into this battle may have spent close to GH10 million. From primaries to date. GH10 million on average. And that is because they had faith and they felt that they could win. And like I said, I am not here to add to their injury. It is a very painful thing to invest so much and lose.

These are some of the challenges we have with our democracy. And I think that we may have to dial down. I was talking with Honourable Henry Quartey, and he felt that people were also demanding more than was doable from a lot of ministers. But who caused it? The promises were many.

He pointed out that many candidates make these financial sacrifices with the intention of serving their constituents, only to be met with the harsh reality of electoral defeat.
Next article: Revamp your IT strategy for outstanding results  seven essential changes for 2024

Featured

iOS 18.2: Do this first after updating!

iDeviceHelp Technology Dec - 13 - 2024 , 20:42 4 minutes read

Apples latest iOS 18.2 update is here, bringing a host of exciting features and enhancements to elevate your iPhone experience.

This update focuses on expanding the capabilities of Apple Intelligence, improving app compatibility, and providing users with advanced privacy and customization tools.

Prioritize App Compatibility

The first crucial step after installing iOS 18.2 is to verify that your apps and network settings are compatible with the new update. Open the App Store and check for available updates for all your third-party applications. Installing the latest versions of your apps is vital to prevent potential crashes, glitches, or performance issues that may arise due to outdated software.

Advertisement

In addition to app updates, its important to check for any carrier settings updates. These updates ensure that your iPhone maintains optimal network performance for calls, messaging, and data usage. To check for carrier settings updates:

Go to Settings > General > About

If a carrier settings update is available, you will be prompted to install it

To ensure a smooth transition and make the most of iOS 18.2, follow these essential steps after updating your device in a new video from iDeviceHelp.

Harness the Power of Apple Intelligence

iOS 18.2 introduces significant advancements in Apple Intelligence, empowering your iPhone with smarter and more intuitive features. One of the most notable enhancements is the integration of ChatGPT with Siri. This powerful combination allows Siri to handle more complex queries and provide detailed, conversational responses. To enable this feature:

Navigate to Settings > Siri & Search

Follow the setup instructions to integrate ChatGPT with Siri

Another exciting addition to the Apple Intelligence suite is the Image Playground app. This innovative tool enables you to create custom images or generate unique emojis simply by describing what you want. For example, you can type a futuristic cityscape at sunset, and the app will generate a one-of-a-kind image based on your description. Please note that some advanced features of Image Playground may require joining a waitlist before you can access them.

Explore New Features and Customization Options

iOS 18.2 introduces a range of new features and customization options designed to enhance your iPhone experience. Music enthusiasts will be delighted by the addition of the lock screen volume scrubber in Apple Music. This convenient feature allows you to adjust the playback volume directly from your iPhones lock screen, without the need to unlock your device. To enable this feature:

Go to Settings > Accessibility

Locate the Apple Music controls section

Toggle on the option for the lock screen volume scrubber

For users of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, iOS 18.2 introduces a groundbreaking feature called Visual Intelligence. This powerful tool leverages your iPhones camera to identify objects, access restaurant menus, and retrieve location-specific information. Simply point your camera at an object or landmark, and Visual Intelligence will provide you with relevant details. For instance, aiming your camera at a famous building will reveal its history and suggest nearby attractions worth exploring.

Prioritize Privacy and Security

Privacy and security remain top priorities in iOS 18.2, with Apple introducing enhanced privacy settings and more granular control over data sharing. To optimize the performance of the Visual Intelligence feature while maintaining your privacy:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services

Locate the Visual Intelligence app and set its location permission to While Using the Application

This ensures that Visual Intelligence can access your location data when needed, without compromising your privacy.

Additionally, take a moment to review the enhanced privacy settings introduced in iOS 18.2. These include improvements to app tracking transparency and more detailed controls over data sharing with third-party applications. By customizing these settings to your preferences, you can significantly enhance the security of your personal information.

iOS 18.2 represents a significant leap forward in iPhone functionality, personalization, and privacy. By following these essential steps after updating, you can ensure that your device is optimized to harness the full potential of this powerful update. Whether youre excited about the smarter Siri responses powered by ChatGPT, the ability to generate custom images with Image Playground, or the convenience of the lock screen volume scrubber in Apple Music, iOS 18.2 empowers you to get more out of your iPhone than ever before. Embrace these new features, fine-tune your privacy settings, and enjoy a more intelligent, secure, and personalized iPhone experience.

Source & Image Credit: iDeviceHelp
Guam Animals In Need announced that its SNIP Clinic has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Pay-Less Markets Community Foundations Mini-Kick The Fat Grant.

The funds will be used to launch and support the clinics new Her Last Litter Program, which aims to provide free spay surgeries for female pets in exchange for their litters, helping to prevent unwanted births and reduce the pet overpopulation crisis on Guam.

The Her Last Litter Program is designed to help families keep their female pets while ensuring they no longer contribute to the overpopulation problem.

Pet owners who bring in their female pets litter will receive a free spay surgery for the mother, ensuring she can stay with her family in a safe, loving home, without having to go through the stress of producing additional litters.

We are very excited to officially begin offering this program to the community, said Brenda Smith, veterinarian at GAINs SNIP Clinic. GAIN and SNIP offer a variety of different services, but at the end of the day, we always want pets to find, or remain in, a safe home environment with a loving family. The Her Last Litter Program will provide that opportunity to many families while helping to curb the number of unwanted animals on our island.

The funding from Pay-Less Markets will help cover the costs associated with the program, including the necessary medical supplies and other related expenses.

The program is a vital step in addressing the pet overpopulation issue in Guam, which continues to impact the shelter and the broader island community.

For more information about the Her Last Litter Program or other services offered by GAIN and SNIP, community members can contact GAIN or SNIP by email at info@guamanimals.org or snip@guamanimals.org. Individuals can also contact (671) 653-4246 or (671) 988-9421.

Additionally, GAIN encourages individuals to follow their social media pages for updates and more ways to get involved in supporting animal welfare on Guam.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of Khumbulani Sibanda (39), who was detained for filing a false robbery report in Mutoko. Sibanda had claimed that he was robbed of USD 287,000 in cash and an unregistered Toyota Allion motor vehicle in the Harare Central Business District on 11 December 2024, before being dumped by the alleged robbers in Mutoko.However, after conducting investigations, police found that Sibanda's story was fabricated. The suspect had actually traveled to Mutoko using public transport, and further inquiries revealed that he had presented an identification card from a local bus company to confirm his travel.Upon arriving in Mutoko, Sibanda contacted a local business owner, claiming he wanted to purchase a garage in Adbennie for USD 900,000. He later told the business owner that he had been robbed of the money, prompting the false police report.Additional investigations uncovered that Sibanda had approached multiple businesspeople, private security companies, and property owners, claiming to possess large sums of money and intentions to buy both residential and business premises in Harare. To lend credibility to his claims, he initiated sales discussions with some property owners and even hired private security firms for cash-in-transit services.Sibanda's true intention was to manipulate his victims into sympathy, exploiting their trust in order to secure financial gain. The ZRP has warned the public to remain vigilant when dealing with individuals who promise large transactions or property purchases and to verify the authenticity of such claims.Authorities urge citizens to report any suspicious activities to the National Complaints Desk at (0242) 703631, via WhatsApp at 0712 800 197, or at their nearest police station.
For the last 15 years at their Village complex and even in the years before that, the doctors at Pacific Medical Group have invited children to visit the clinic  not for an appointment, but to get a gift from Santa.

That tradition continued on Friday as the PMG staff handed out dozens of wrapped gifts, giving them to a jolly, bespectacled Santa to hand over to a happy child.

The recipients beamed at their doctors and parents, took pictures for memories and left excitedly, clutching their first gifts of the holiday season.

Longtime Guam Nephrologist Dr. Saied Safabaksh, said the program began 25 years ago.

When I first got here, I wasnt trained in pediatric nephrology, but I had to see pediatrics. So I started seeing the ones who needed help, especially the ones who couldnt go off-island, he said. So ever since then, I became an expert, by my own training.

He said typically, pediatric nephrologists are hard to come by. So as he saw more and more child patients, he thought of ways to make their visits enjoyable.

Weve been doing this for many years. And the fact is so the kids dont get scared going to the doctors office, we want them wanting to go, he said. And this has been an increase in numbers every year.

PMGs newest doctor is Dr. Duy Vu, who arrived to Guam earlier this year.

Its very rewarding. We always see them in clinic, and usually they are sick, so its kinda nice to see them outside the room, he said. We dont want them to associate the doctors office with bad news or fear; at least this can make them feel a little more comfortable. Its nice to see them in happier situations.
The former pilot of Guam-based cargo carrier Asia Pacific Airlines, who was awarded $2 million in damages following a federal investigation, is speaking up about his case.

The pilot said he refused to fly a plane he believed had an unreliable engine, which he said led to his termination.

The carrier has been ordered to pay more than $2 million in wages, damages and attorneys fees for his firing. The U.S. Department of Labor announced the order in a Thursday news release.

Katz Banks Kumi, the law firm representing the pilot, issued a release in response to the OSHA findings.

The pilots attorney, Colleen Coveney, issued a statement on behalf of her client Brant Swigart.

Mr. Swigart showed a great amount of courage in coming forward to report serious aviation safety risks, Coveney said. Like many whistleblowers, Mr. Swigarts choice to do the right thing put his career and reputation at risk and OSHAs merit finding is an important step in securing justice. It also sends a message to airlines: retaliation against employees who report serious safety violations must not be tolerated.

Swigart told the Pacific Daily News on Friday that he worked for APA for about three years and is also a former airplane and helicopter mechanic who also previously owned a helicopter maintenance company in Hawaii.

I was trying to help, but they did not view it that way, Swigart said.

He said he has not been able to get a pilots job since his termination three years ago.

Im working at my daughters school as a chef, Swigart said. They did a really good job of blackballing me.

The airline was ordered to pay the employee $419,267 in back pay plus interest, eight years of future salary, $27,596 in interest on loans and restoration of 401k contributions, $75,000 in emotional damages and reasonable attorney fees by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, the release stated.

Asia Pacific Airlines was also ordered to expunge the employees record and provide training to current employees on their rights.

Investigators from OSHA found the airline dismissed the pilots unease after the pilot raised safety concerns, which is a federally protected right, the release stated.

OSHA learned the pilot repeatedly expressed concerns that the airlines maintenance team approved the aircraft maintenance and repair reports without diagnosing the engine problems correctly, the release stated.

An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration found that the pilot accurately assessed that Asia Pacific Airlines maintenance team used the wrong procedure to troubleshoot and diagnose engine malfunctions, the release stated.

Asia Pacific Airlines is based out of Guam and Hawaii and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tan Holdings.

OSHA concluded that APA violated the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) by retaliating against Swigart for raising safety concerns, the law firm said.

AIR-21 prohibits discrimination against employees of the U.S. air carrier industry and U.S. manufacturers who report information related to air carrier safety.

In the findings issued by the acting secretary of labor, OSHA found that APA illegally retaliated against Swigart for protected whistleblower activities.

Swigart, then a captain at APA, raised several air safety concerns in 2021 to his supervisors and federal regulators, including concerns that the company was flying illegally repaired aircraft, the law firm said.

These concerns culminated in an incident in November 2021, when Swigart refused to fly an aircraft that experienced an uncommanded engine shutdown. Following his refusal to fly the aircraft, and after reporting his concerns to APA director of operations, APA suspended, then later fired Swigart, in violation of AIR-21,

Airline disagrees

Asia Pacific Airlines said it disagrees with findings by federal authorities.

The company, through a press release from its attorney, Steven Pixley, said it will file formal objections and request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

The airline said the former pilot was terminated following a serious breach of safety protocol, which occurred at the Honolulu Airport on Nov. 21, 2021.

The company said the findings inexplicably ignore significant evidence including sworn statements of material witnesses.

At the time of the foregoing incident, the pilot was in command of a Boeing 757 aircraft. He prematurely powered up the aircrafts engines and began taxiing the aircraft while ground crew were still in dangerously close proximity to the aircraft, the company said in its release.

It also stated that on Aug. 15, 2023, the pilot admitted under oath that this incident could have resulted in serious bodily injury to the ground crew.

The incident was witnessed by a Federal Aviation Administration safety director who expressed serious safety concerns to Asia Pacific Airlines regarding the pilots reckless actions, the company said.

On Feb. 22, 2022, the State of Hawaii issued a decision denying unemployment benefits finding that the pilot had violated company policies, that the pilot confirmed that he was accountable for this potential fatal error and that he was negligent to such a degree to show misconduct.

APA contends that the U.S. DOL OSHA elected to ignore these findings and also ignored sworn testimony which seriously undermined the pilots credibility.

Gross misrepresentation

Swigart told the PDN that the statements issued by his former employer were a gross misrepresentation of the truth.

He declined to respond to specific accusations.

If I expounded on that I think my attorney would be extremely upset at me, the pilot said.

Regarding the airlines objections and hearing request, Swigart said they might be digging a deeper hole for themselves.

If they fight, were going to ask for greater damages, he said.

The airline was forced to raise pilot salaries by 50% after he was terminated because several of his fellow pilots left the company and it needed to recruit new employees, he said. He said he would be entitled to the higher rate should they win on appeal.

I loved my job there. I loved all the people I worked with, and I really miss the people of Guam, Swigart said. Unfortunately, the airline is run with the profit motive far, far in front of the safety motive.
The North Pole welcomed visitors from Guam on Friday afternoon, with United Airlines sponsoring 34 kids on a flight to meet Santa Claus as part of its 10th annual Fantasy Flight.

Students from the J.Q. San Miguel Elementary School and C.L. Taitano Elementary School special education resource classes, along with two kids sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation Guam and CNMI boarded a plane at A. B. Won Pat International Airport.

After taxiing down the runway and taking off, it only took them a little over an hour to make it all the way to the North Polewhich happened to look a lot like the United Hangar in Tiyan.

Dozens of Santas elves were there to meet the kids as they stepped off the aircraft boarding steps with their parents and loved ones.

We had a special conversation with Santa Claus, Uniteds Sam Shinohara, the chief elf for this years visit, told the crowd.

We told him that all of you guys are from a tropical island and probably didnt have the right clothing to experience the North Pole. So he turned up the heat, Shinohara said.

Festivities opened with a special show from Super American Circus, popcorn and cotton candy, and a round of games before the big man himself made an appearance.

Santa Claus stopped by hauling a present for every kid, and everyone got a chance to take a picture to prove that they had, in fact, been to the North Pole.

The entire Fantasy Flight production is put together by United employees with the help of volunteers, says United station operation center and below the wing manager Benny Barcinas, who was in charge of organizing this years event.

Its the tenth year that United Guam has hosted the Fantasy Flight, said Barcinas, whose been involved since the first.

Im really just excited to see the kids smiling faces. Really, thats why we do it, theres a lot of kids that havent been on a plane before, so seeing them just excited makes us excited, Barcinas said.

Every department was represented in putting the production on, were all here for the kids, Barcinas said.

Even Santa Claus was a United employee, who Barcinas says works as a technician in the daytime.

Uniteds Shinohara said that of the 360 locations United services, just 13 cities participate in the Fantasy Flight each Christmas, and Guam is one of them.

And with United now partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation globally, Make-A-Wish kids now get seats on the flight every year, says Make-A-Wish Guam board member Leslie Leon Guerrero.

Its a special treat, and you can see the excitement on the kids faces once the airplane gets off the ground, she said.

Theyre so loud and like excited, and then the moment we lift off, its like dead silence, Leon Guerrero said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has been accused of instituting oppressive style tactics at the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to only benefit his DA constituency.NGO Integrity Network has written a lengthy letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa complaining that Macpherson is attempting to undermine the IDT board, in order to ultimately insert a board that is aligned to himself and his party, the DA.This follows the minister's insertion of an investigation the IDT following allegations that relate to a R800 million Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant tender.Macpherson spokesperson, James de Villiers, said the minister's actions follow an announcement by the IDT that the Department of Health intends to cancel the PSA Oxygen Plants tender.Integrity Network has however lambasted the minister and accused him of misleading the public."Mr President, the minister is well aware that the Pressure Swing Absorption Oxygen Plant was not funded by government. It was funded by the Global Fund, and approved by the Department of Health with the aim of providing sustainable and adequate oxygen supply to various health facilities, promoting quality healthcare services."For the minister to pretend to not know the facts is deeply concerning. This project was not funded by government, and the IDT was simply the conduit for the work to be done. Although the functioning of government may be new to the minister, all that information is available to him through the board and the executive. The only reasonable awakening here is that the minister is intending to use this disinformation to dissolve the board so he can insert a DA-aligned board," the NGO said.It appears that with the duration of 44 months, the IDT was intending to oversee the construction and maintenance of 60 PSA oxygen plants, ensuring effective operation and supporting infrastructure.The project's initial scope included 15 hospitals for R216 million. However, additional funding from the Global Fund expanded the scope to 55 hospitals, with a total budget of R836 061 847.This initiative aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa's vision to "turn South Africa into a construction site," emphasising the IDT's vital role in infrastructure delivery.Since its establishment in 1990, the IDT has implemented numerous projects, including hospital and health centre constructions, bringing essential services closer to communities.Although the minister's spokesperson said that when the allegations regarding the tender surfaced, Macpherson engaged with the Independent Development Trust (IDT) on multiple occasions, it appears that Macpherson has not, since taking office, ever met the board of the IDT.Macpherson has dismissed the IDT's intention to investigate the processes behind the awarding of the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant bids, citing the board's shortage of quorum and that it cannot investigate itself.Macpherson said he had asked Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, whom he had briefed on numerous occasions and to whom he had provided as much information as possible for his collaboration and support."The way in which Minister Motsoaledi and I worked together in the best interests of South Africans on this matter is truly commendable to ensure access to life-saving oxygen, and to shed light and accountability on this tender when the facts became known to us," said Macpherson.The NGO has stressed to Ramaphosa that the Macpherson's "attack on the the oxygen project" reeks of oppression. "As we are all aware the oxygen is needed in most community health centres and public hospitals where the majority of African people receive treatment. The global fund gives South Africa about 18 billion a year, acutely for TB and HIV assistance, in the poorest of communities."Would the minister feel that same if the fund went to assist middle class white South Africans? Why is assisting African communities only a problem now that South Africa is in a GNU? Please find attached evidence of South Africa's sterling relationship with the global fund and the work the IDT has achieved particularly in growing the public fund from only 2 billion rand to 8 billion rand. We beseech you to look into the minister's conduct" the NGO said.In response to the corruption allegations, the Department of Health said the decision to have hospitals manufacturing their own supply of oxygen stems from the days of Covid-19, with some hospitals faced oxygen shortage.During that time, the department decided to hand the IDT with managing the procurement procedures and contracts.Departmental spokesperson Sello Lediga, said the department noted the media reports of the alleged corruption, and that health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has been in contact with Macpherson, whose department oversees the IDT.Lesiga said the IDT reports to Macpherson, then Motsoaledi asked him to lead the investigations."Unfortunately it looks like in the exchange between the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and IDT, there was a lot of back and forth to an extent that it looked like the matter would end up in court," Lediga added.Lediga said Motsoaledi grew concerned as the project is funded by the Global Fund and not government, the Global Fund is a Geneva-based international health funder, established to fund HIV, AIDS and STIs, TB and Malaria.He said the department receives R18 billion annually from the Global Fund, which has been instrumental in funding the oxygen supply."We now wish to state very clearly that this course of action is taken out of pragmatism because whatever the final outcome, the Department of Health and the people of South Africa will be the ultimate losers. This is because the funding from Global Fund is time-bound and is designed to end in November 2025."Asked that since the funder is the Global Fund, which gives the Department of Health about R16 billion a year, why are there concerns now when the GF has been funding South Africa so long? Minister Macpherson's spokesperson James de Villiers responded: "There are concerns beyond the Global Fund."Asked if the minister knew of any corruption at IDT, or was he simply responding to media articles without real evidence, de Villiers responded: "The Minister and Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi jointly decided that the contract should be cancelled because two of the companies lacked SAPHRA registration at the time of being awarded the tender, and the cost of the tender more than doubledfrom roughly R200 million to over R800 million.This is why the Minister requested an independent investigation to verify if any corrupt activities occurred and to ensure that anyone involved is held accountable. If there is nothing to hide, an independent investigation should be welcomed as it will clear the entity involved."




Elections : The CEP is now complete with 44% women (list)





Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Port-au-Prince School of Magistrates, Leslie Voltaire, President pro tempore of the Transitional Council, accompanied by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Pedrica Saint-Jean, Minister of Women's Affairs and other personalities attended the swearing-in and installation ceremony of the last 2 missing advisers to complete the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) : Ms. Rose Therese Magalie Georges (Representative of Human Rights) and Ms. Yves Marie (Representative of Women's Rights).



List of the 9 CEP advisers :

 Ms. Schnaida Adely : Representative of the Voodoo Communities;

 Patrick Saint-Hilaire : Representative of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti;

 Peterson Pierre-Louis : Representative of the Reformed Faiths;

 Ms. Marie Florence Mathieu : Representative of the University Council;

 Jacques Desrosiers : Representative of the Journalists' Associations;

 Jacceus Joseph : Representative of the Farmers' Associations;

 Nemrod Sanon : Representative of the unions;

 Ms. Rose Therese Magalie Georges : Representative of human rights;

 Ms. Yves Marie : Representative of women's rights.



44% of the Advisers are women.



In his remarks, Leslie Voltaire greeted and congratulated the two new members who completed the CEP. He also took the opportunity to ask the entire team to work as quickly as possible to organize the elections at the end of 2025.



HL/ S/ HaotiLibre






















Haiti - Justice : Arrest of Pastor Dieune Day in the Dominican Republic





Thursday, December 12, 2024, Haitian Pastor Dieune Day, actively sought by the Haitian National Police (PNH) for smuggling of weapons and ammunition in the case of the Episcopal Church of Haiti (July 2022) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37154-haiti-flash-seizure-of-weapons-and-ammunition-imported-under-cover-of-the-franchise-of-the-episcopal-church-of-haiti.html , has been arrested in the Dominican Republic and handed over to the PNH by the Dominican authorities.



Pastor Dieune Day was the subject of a wanted notice from the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) for tax evasion, smuggling, breach of trust, criminal association and others...



It should be noted that Judge Martel Jean Claude in his order had written "[...] characterized facts and sufficient charges and clues that should be followed [...]" and referred Pastor Dieune Day (on the run) to the criminal court for his involvement in this case https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40654-haiti-episcopal-church-the-investigating-judge-issued-his-order-in-the-arms-and-ammunition-trafficking-case.html



For the moment, Dieune Day is in police custody pending legal proceedings.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Guatemalan reinforcements arrive

Jean Harvel Victor Jean-Baptiste, the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke on the phone with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martinez, who confirmed the dispatch to Haiti on December 22 of 150 police / military personnel to support the Haitian National Police (PNH) as part of its fight against insecurity. It should be recalled that on December 12, 2024, Ambassador Claudia Escobar, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the Organization of American States (OAS) had deposited the instrument of accession to the Agreement on the Protection of the Status of the Multinational Mission.



A school and houses burned

Friday, December 13, 2024, high tension in several neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings which were awakened around 4:00 a.m. by intense heavy weapons fire according to residents. The areas concerned are Bas Delmas, Nazon, Poste Marchand and Avenue Poupelard where exchanges between the police and bandits of the Viv Ansanm coalition were reported. During this attack, the National School Horace Etheard, located in Ravine Pintade on Poupelard Avenue, was set on fire by the attackers, two nearby houses were also reduced to ashes...



Petite Riviere: 10,000 people displaced

More than 10,606 people fled the commune of Petite-Riviere de l'Artibonite, following the armed attacks that occurred on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December 2024, according to figures provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) which specifies: 64% of these people fled to the commune of Verrettes. 95% have found refuge with relatives in host families, while 5% are housed in 4 newly created sites...



4,727 Haitians study in France

The Embassy of Haiti in France had a working meeting with Juliette Linares, Deputy Director of the Geographic Coordination Department in charge of student mobility and Aude Chanson, Head of the Americas Service, of Campus France. The discussions focused in particular on the work of Campus France-Haiti, the issue of the language test required of Haitian students, the number of Haitian students in France as well as the scholarship programs available within the framework of bilateral relations. It should be noted that, for the academic year (2023-2024), 4,727 Haitian students were counted in France, all origins combined.



The judges of the Court of Cassation flee

The judges of the Court of Cassation have abandoned their Palace due to insecurity in the Champ de Mars area to take refuge in Freres, in the premises of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ).



Haitian sculptor Mireille Fombrun exhibits in Spain

On Friday, December 13, Carl-Eric Barthelus, the Charge dAffaires a.i. of Haiti near the Kingdom of Spain, took part in the inauguration of the exhibition "Remember the children of the future" highlighting the works of Haitian sculptor Mireille Fombrun and Spanish painter Lolo Corella, at the Santa Maria del Paular Monastery (classified as a cultural property) which welcomed many personalities from all over to appreciate the Haitian and Spanish art of these two talented artists.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















The incident occurred on Friday afternoon as Kiuru, a Social Democratic Party (SDP) member and chair of the parliamentary social affairs committee, was collecting her child from daycare.

Finnish MP Krista Kiuru was assaulted in Helsinkis Kaisaniemi Park on 13 December 2024, prompting widespread condemnation and concerns over politicians safety. Police arrested a 34-year-old Finnish man on 14 December, suspecting him of the attack. The suspect, with a history of similar offences, was apprehended peacefully in a private residence in Vantaa.

The assailant reportedly struck her in the face with a fist and fled the scene without explanation. Kiuru sustained injuries and sought medical attention but later confirmed on social media that she was recovering at home.

Police are investigating whether the attack was politically motivated. Tommi Lehtonen, the lead investigator, stated that authorities are still piecing together the sequence of events and that no direct eyewitnesses have yet come forward. The absence of CCTV footage of the assault complicates the investigation.

Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, remarked that it was unclear if Kiuru was targeted specifically or if the attack was random. His cautious response sparked criticism from left-wing politicians, who called for a stronger condemnation of the violence. Deputy Mayor Paavo Arhinmaki and MPs Veronika Honkasalo and Aino-Kaisa Pekonen expressed disappointment over Halla-ahos reluctance to denounce the assault unequivocally.

Antti Pelttari, Secretary-General of Parliament, described the attack as exceptional, noting that recent physical assaults on politicians in Finland have primarily targeted men. He highlighted an increasing trend of hostile rhetoric towards MPs and acknowledged the need to reassess security measures.

The assault reignited concerns over safety in Kaisaniemi Park, an area plagued by rising crime and drug-related activities. In recent months, residents and officials have reported increased violence, open drug dealing, and robberies in the park. Heikki Porola, a senior police officer, attributed the issues to longstanding problems exacerbated by ongoing renovation work, which has created narrow pathways conducive to crime.

Political leaders across the spectrum condemned the attack. Antti Lindtman, chair of the SDP, called the assault especially abhorrent given that it targeted a female MP and mother in broad daylight. He spoke with Kiuru after the incident, expressing solidarity and concern for her well-being.

In the past decade, physical assaults on Finnish politicians have been rare. Notable incidents include attacks on Ben Zyskowicz in 2023, Juha Sipila in 2021, and Sebastian Tynkkynen the same year. These cases have underscored the vulnerability of public officials in an open society.

Police are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the assault on Kiuru and have pledged to conclude the case swiftly.

HT
Nine new LPNs pinned in BRCC ceremony

BRCC's first Practical Nursing cohort poses at the Health Sciences Center. [PHOTO BY RICH KEEN]

Blue Ridge Community Colleges nine practical nursing graduates gathered on the Henderson County Campus to celebrate their accomplishments at the inaugural Practical Nurse Pinning Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Related Stories

The special ceremony celebrated the first cohort of Practical Nursing students since the programs launch nearly one year ago.

We are incredibly proud of our Practical Nursing graduates and their accomplishments, Dean of Health Sciences Leigh Angel said. This pinning ceremony marks the culmination of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to compassionate care. Blue Ridge's Practical Nursing program plays a vital role in strengthening the healthcare workforce in our community, ensuring that skilled and caring professionals are ready to meet the growing needs of patients.

The one-year Practical Nursing program allows students a fast entry into the nursing profession. Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN professional exam, a requirement for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

The year-long Practical Nursing program is also fully compatible with the Associate Degree Nursing program, which takes two years to complete and prepares students for work as registered nurses. This allows students to complete the PN program first and begin work while becoming registered nurses.

At the ceremony, graduates participated in the Lantern Tradition, which uses light to symbolize providing help and hope to those in need.

The graduating class also recited the Nurses Pledge, which begins: In full knowledge of the obligation I am undertaking, I promise to care for the sick with all the skills and understanding I possess.

Practical nurses make a tangible difference every day in their communities, and they have never been more needed in our workforce. The Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy at the Cecil G. Sheps Center has forecasted a licensed practical nurse shortage of 50 percent by the year 2033.

As Western North Carolina rebuilds after the destruction of Hurricane Helene, healthcare workers are among the most important to continue the necessary care for our community.

The storm tested us all, yet it highlighted the vital role nurses play in healing not just individuals, but entire communities, BRCC President Laura B. Leatherwood said during remarks to the graduates.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Headman Muchibwa-Nyajena, born Maduveko Manyise, has tragically died in a bus accident at the age of 45. Manyise, a radiographer by profession, was among seven passengers killed on Sunday when an InterAfrica bus rammed into a stationary truck near Dabuka along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway.The accident has left a deep void in his community, where he was widely respected. Manyise, who was installed as Headman Muchibwa-Nyajena in March last year, was buried on Thursday in the Mavhungwe area under Chief Nyajena. His brother, Dr. Maseko Manyise, confirmed the death in a telephone interview with The Mirror, describing him as an extraordinary individual."We are saddened by the untimely death. He was a minister in the church, an exceptional communicator, and remarkable in the way he solved problems. He was a sociable man who impacted many lives through his sound advice and inspiration," said Dr. Manyise.Maduveko Manyise lived a multifaceted life that spanned military service, healthcare, and religious ministry. Born in 1979, he began his education at Chiwawa Primary School in Nyajena, completing Grade 7 at Nyajena Primary in 1987. He proceeded to Nyabata High School for his Ordinary Level studies.In 1998, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army, where he served with distinction, including participating in the Democratic Republic of Congo war from 1999 to 2000. During his military career, Manyise trained as a radiographer, a skill he carried into civilian life after retiring from the Army in 2021.His commitment to education continued throughout his life. He earned a Theology degree in 2022 from the National University of Science and Technology, complementing his role as a minister in the Mutendi-led Zion Christian Church (ZCC). At the time of his passing, he was employed at Fort Street Medical and Dental Surgery in Bulawayo, where he was known for his dedication and professionalism.Manyise is survived by his wife, Rejoice Chihanga, and their two children, a 20-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son. His death is a significant loss to his family, his community, and the church. Known for his humility, wisdom, and problem-solving abilities, he leaves behind a legacy of service and compassion.The tragedy has left many in shock, with heartfelt tributes pouring in for a man who was not only a community leader but also a mentor and a source of inspiration. His passing marks the end of a life dedicated to serving others in various capacities.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Chikomba District Development Coordinator (DDC), Michael Mariga, has issued a stern warning to politicians, urging them not to interfere with the distribution of Pfumvudza agricultural inputs. Speaking during the official launch of the district's Pfumvudza input distribution at Wecom Farm, Ward 8, last week, Mariga emphasized that the process must remain apolitical to ensure fairness and efficiency.Addressing a gathering of hundreds, including heads of government departments, Mariga stressed that Agritex Extension Officers, who oversee the distribution, should be allowed to perform their duties independently and without political interference."The distribution of Pfumvudza farming inputs must be apolitical. Those who completed at least two plots of potholing should receive the inputs regardless of their political affiliation," Mariga said. "Politicians must not meddle with Agritex Extension Officers in discharging their duties. These are trained officials who know their work, so let them do it professionally."Mariga's remarks come amid growing concerns over the politicization of food and input distribution in many districts, including Gutu, where opposition supporters are often reportedly excluded from receiving aid. He reiterated that the Pfumvudza initiative is designed to assist all eligible farmers equally, fostering productivity and food security irrespective of political differences.For this year's program, eligible farmers are required to have prepared at least two plots, with one of them mulched, as part of the initiative's conservation agriculture requirements.The Pfumvudza program, a flagship agricultural scheme aimed at increasing productivity and ensuring food security, has faced criticism in the past over allegations of favoritism and political manipulation. Mariga's firm stance is seen as a step toward restoring confidence in the program by ensuring that inputs reach all deserving farmers.As the distribution continues across Chikomba and other districts, stakeholders hope Mariga's directive will promote accountability and professionalism, enabling the program to achieve its intended goals.
Sri Lanka's parliament speaker resigns amid controversy over academic credential

Xinhua) 10:35, December 14, 2024

COLOMBO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Asoka Sapumal Ranwala resigned on Friday in the wake of controversy over his educational qualification.

Earlier, the opposition parties have accused the speaker of lying about holding a PhD from a Japanese university.

In a statement, Ranwala clarified that he had never lied about his educational qualification, but admitted that he currently lacks documentary proof of his academic achievements.

He said that he had been awarded a doctorate by a research institute affiliated with Waseda University in Japan and hoped to present the degree certificate in the future.

"However, given the confusion surrounding the issue and to prevent embarrassment for those who trusted and voted for this government, I have decided to resign from the post of speaker for the time being," Ranwala said.

The resignation was prompted by an attempt by the opposition to bring a no-confidence motion against the speaker for misleading the public about his educational qualification.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 22-year-old man from Magama Village in Masvingo has been arrested after committing two burglaries at the same house within a month. The suspect, Phillip Mupinda, is accused of stealing two bags of maize during his first break-in at a home in Mashonga Village in November 2024. He returned later in the same month to steal a black satchel, a maroon blanket, and a cellphone.Police detectives apprehended Mupinda after receiving a tip-off. According to an official statement from the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA), the stolen property was recovered following the suspect's arrest.The NPA shared on X, formerly Twitter, "He was arrested by police detectives and led to the recovery of the stolen property, following a tip-off."Authorities have used the incident to caution the public as the festive season approaches. "Members of the public are urged to secure their property during the festive season as cases of unlawful entry tend to rise during the period," the NPA said.The suspect is expected to appear in court soon, facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Specialist neurologist Lennon Tonderai Gwaunza has been convicted of contravening the Data Protection Act after being found guilty of falsely claiming that another neurologist, Dr. Andrew Mataruse, was unqualified to practice neurology.Harare magistrate Mr. Tawedzerwa Zishiri handed down the conviction after ruling that the State, led by District Public Prosecutor Mr. Tafara Chirambira, had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against Gwaunza.The court heard that on February 13, 2022, Gwaunza sent an email disparaging Dr. Mataruse, a specialist physician registered with the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe under PHY 700207. Mataruse, who practices clinical neurology and internal medicine, holds several advanced qualifications and is a fellow of multiple international medical institutions.In the email, Gwaunza accused Mataruse of lacking clinical neurology training, describing the situation as a "circus and questioning his qualifications. The email was shared with several individuals in the medical field, which the court found was an attempt to harass and intimidate Dr. Mataruse, thereby undermining his professional standing.During mitigation, Gwaunza apologized and emphasized that he was a first-time offender. However, Mr. Chirambira argued that while a custodial sentence might be excessive, a fine should be imposed to reflect the seriousness of the offense.The matter has been deferred to January 20, 2025, for sentencing. Gwaunza is currently out on US$100 bail.The conviction highlights the importance of responsible communication within professional circles and the legal implications of defamation under Zimbabwe's Data Protection Act.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A somber atmosphere engulfed the Senate as Senator Lwazi Sibanda delivered an emotional address mourning the tragic and mysterious death of her cousin, Hillary Nleya, a military intelligence officer whose demise has sparked allegations of foul play.Nleya, who was reported missing last month, was last seen near Redwood along the Plumtree-Bulawayo road. His body was discovered hanging from a tree in Figtree, Matabeleland South. While initially ruled a suicide, the circumstances surrounding his death have come under scrutiny due to his military ties, raising questions about the true nature of the incident.Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, Senator Sibanda described her cousins death as a murder, highlighting the sorrow her family is enduring."I rise with a heavy heart," she said. "I am a woman, a mother, and a Senator of this country, yet I stand here with a cousin lying in the mortuary - Hilary Nleya - whom we searched for over two weeks, only to find him dead in Figtree. He was murdered by a person we do not yet know."The Senator disclosed that, despite her parliamentary duties, she was preparing to bury her cousin in Dombodema, Plumtree, on Saturday.Senator Sibanda used her platform to condemn the rising tide of violence across Zimbabwe, expressing concern about the growing number of people killed by unknown assailants. She referenced recent heinous crimes, including an incident where a familys home was set ablaze while they slept.She also expressed her discomfort with abolishing the death penalty, citing the lack of remorse often displayed by murderers."People will die. People will be killed by those we show remorse to, who dont even show any remorse to us," she said. "It is so painful that I stand here defending people who will go out and kill their grandparents or mothers simply because there was no food to cook for dinner."The Senator emphasized the deep emotional toll of sparing unrepentant murderers from the death penalty. "There is so much pain caused by these murderers that we are still defending as a country. We will keep them in prison for years, just to protect them from death, while they show no care for this nation."Efforts to obtain a comment from the Zimbabwe National Army were unsuccessful, as acting spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mungofa had not responded by the time of publication.Similarly, Matabeleland South police stated they had not received a report on the incident.As questions about Nleyas death remain unanswered, Senator Sibandas heartfelt appeal underscores the broader challenges Zimbabwe faces in addressing violence and justice in a polarized society.
Opinion / Columnist

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central Province, celebrating his wife, First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, for attaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Midlands State University. The First Lady's achievement was marked by a high-profile graduation ceremony in Gweru, where President Mnangagwa personally capped her.Dr. Auxillia's new academic milestone has drawn both praise and criticism, reigniting a broader conversation on the trend of Zimbabwean public officials pursuing doctoral degrees under contentious circumstances. This phenomenon has been likened to "academic credentialism," where advanced qualifications are sought not for genuine academic pursuit but for political, social, and career advantages.Critics have pointed to the legacy of former First Lady Grace Mugabe, who in 2014 obtained a widely criticized PhD from the University of Zimbabwe. The degree's legitimacy was called into question due to alleged irregularities surrounding its awarding. Grace's academic controversies added to the public's discontent, eventually contributing to political tensions that culminated in the 2017 coup which ousted her husband, Robert Mugabe.Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has also faced scrutiny over his own PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which has been a subject of public debate regarding the rigor and authenticity of his academic efforts.This growing trend of high-ranking officials pursuing doctoral degrees has raised concerns about the misuse of academic achievements for personal aggrandizement and political expediency. Critics argue that many officials treat PhDs as a pathway to increased social status and political legitimacy rather than as a pursuit of genuine academic excellence or the acquisition of skills to benefit public service.While higher education remains a noble and vital pursuit, observers emphasize that it should be motivated by a sincere commitment to learning and public betterment, rather than as a tool for consolidating power or enhancing prestige. This issue continues to provoke debate in Zimbabwe, particularly in light of the country's pressing socio-economic challenges.As celebrations for Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa's achievement continue in Chiweshe, the discourse around academic credibility and the role of education in leadership remains as pertinent as ever in Zimbabwe's political landscape.
Opinion / National

THE passing of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has left a profound void in the hearts of many Zimbabweans and those who knew him globally. As we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and comrades, we celebrate the life of a man who dedicated his existence to the noble causes of liberation, service, and economic empowerment.Born on June 11, 1940, in Gwizane, Bubi District of Matabeleland North, Mphoko's journey towards becoming one of Zimbabwe's prominent revolutionaries began at a tender age. His early revolutionary consciousness ignited in the 1960s, as he joined the struggle against colonial oppression, driven by a vision for independence and self-determination.As a young member of Zipra (Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army), he was among the first cadres to receive military training in the Soviet Union, honing his skills as an intelligence, logistics, and communication guru. This expertise would later play a vital role in the revolutionary struggle.During this period, he participated in the legendary Zipra-MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) joint operations, including the celebrated battles of Wankie and Chipolilo against the Rhodesian forces and Apartheid South African troops. Commander Mphoko's strategic involvement in these operations stood as a testament to his courage and commitment to the liberation cause.As a military leader, Mphoko occupied a significant position within Zipra's High Command during the 1970s, working alongside other notable commanders, including Ambassador Ambrose Mutinhiri, the late Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, General Lookout Masuku, and the late Nikita Mangena.His contributions were recognised through various critical roles, ultimately leading to his appointment as commander of Zipra forces in Mozambique, a strategic ally in the liberation movement. Mozambique functioned as a vital port for military supplies and humanitarian support, making it a crucial player for black African countries seeking liberation against oppressive regimes.In Mozambique, Commander Mphoko forged alliances grounded in wisdom and shared objectives. His connection with former South African President Jacob Zuma, who stood as his best man during his wedding in Mozambique in the late 1970s, exemplified the camaraderie among revolutionary leaders committed to a common cause of freedom and equality.Beyond the battlefield, Mphoko contributed significantly to the political landscape of Zimbabwe. He was a pivotal figure during the Lancaster House negotiations in 1979, which marked the beginning of a new era for Zimbabwe. As Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, Mphoko's commitment to national service shone brightly. He played an instrumental role in reintegrating military forces into the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, promoting peace and stability in the new nation.His diplomatic journey reflected a dedication to promoting Zimbabwe's interests on the international stage. Appointed as a diplomat, Mphoko served in various capacities in countries including Russia, Austria, Botswana, and South Africa. His experience and expertise positioned him well for the role of Vice-President, a position he assumed following the passing of the late Vice-President John Nkomo.His appointment was a testament to his leadership qualities and the respect he commanded, particularly among his peers from Matabeleland who valued his extensive revolutionary background.Prior to his appointment as Vice-President, Mphoko was known for his role as the chairman of Choppies Supermarkets in Zimbabwe. His involvement in the private sector showcased his industrialist acumen and commitment to economic development.Not merely a politician, he was committed to advancing the economic interests of his nation, steering investments that would uplift the lives of many Zimbabweans.Mphoko's life was punctuated with significant contributions to peace-building and economic independence. After the events of 2017, which led to the resignation of President Mugabe, he displayed remarkable diplomacy, easing the transition for new leadership. His continued presence in anti-sanctions campaigns and workshops signified his unwavering commitment to fighting for Zimbabwe's economic sovereignty.A true Ndebele warrior, Mphoko was a proud cultural supporter of the Ndebele heritage and worked tirelessly to uphold the traditions and values of his people. His leadership left an indelible mark, inspiring a generation of revolutionary leaders and ensuring that the aspirations of the Matabele people were advanced.In South Africa, Ambassador Mphoko championed the facilitation of civic services for Zimbabweans residing there, fostering diplomatic relations that were essential for many in the diaspora. His relationships within diplomatic circles, augmented by his storied history, earned him respect from even those who had junior roles during the liberation struggle, making diplomatic interactions smoother and more fruitful.As we reflect on the legacy of Ambassador Phelekezela Mphoko, we celebrate the life of a true revolutionary, a disciplined soldier, a dedicated public servant, and an industrious leader. Zimbabwe has lost a father, a leader, and a guiding light for the aspirations of a better tomorrow.Commander Mphoko's contributions to the liberation struggle, diplomatic service, and economic empowerment will be remembered dearly as we continue the fight for justice, equality, and independence.May you rest in peace, Mphoko. Your work and legacy report well, and your spirit will forever inspire those who seek a brighter future for Zimbabwe.*Marshall Ndlela is a Zimbabwean based in Australia. He is a holder of a Master's Degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Chichester, England. He can be contacted via mefrischool@gmail.com
When:

January 8, 15, 22, 29

February 5, 12, 19 and 26

All sessions will be @ 8:00 AM PST.

Cost: Recommended cost for 8 sessions is $20 or to your ability to pay.

Each Wednesday for two months the Harmony of Humanity will concentrate on African American music, the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his legacy of creating a "Beloved Community." This mini-series of programming will start with setting the stage for others programs, concentrating on songs of hope, resilience and determination. We will continue marking a celebration of songs to honor Dr. King on January 15, and follow with five programs that explore history through song, ending on February 26 with an emphasis on new Freedom Songs.

In essence, African American music and musical traditions have not only shaped American music but also provided a voice to the voiceless, chronicling the journey of African Americans from slavery to freedom, and from exclusion to influence. It communicates the endurance of a people, the richness of their culture, and the unbreakable spirit that transforms adversity into art.

The portrayal of African American history through music conveys several important messages:

1. Resistance and Survival

African American music has often been a form of resistance against oppression. From spirituals sung during slavery, offering hope and covert communication for escape, to protest songs of the Civil Rights Movement, music has been a means to resist dehumanization and assert dignity. Songs like Billie Holidays Strange Fruit and Sam Cookes A Change is Gonna Come voiced the pain of racial injustice and became anthems for social change.

2. Cultural Identity and Pride

Music has preserved and celebrated African American cultural identity. Genres such as jazz, blues, gospel, soul, and hip-hop have roots in African rhythms and have evolved into uniquely American forms of expression. These musical traditions showcase the ingenuity, creativity, and endurance of African Americans, helping them maintain cultural pride and self-expression in the face of systemic marginalization.

3. Community and Unity

Music has always been a unifying force in African American communities. During slavery, work songs and spirituals were collective expressions of shared experience, offering solace and a sense of solidarity. Later, jazz clubs, gospel churches, and hip-hop cyphers became spaces for African Americans to gather, heal, and find strength in community, helping them navigate adversity together.

4. Transformation and Innovation

African American music is characterized by continuous innovation, often transforming pain and hardship into something powerful and beautiful. The emergence of the blues, born from the sorrow of the post-slavery South, transformed into jazz, R&B, and rock and roll, impacting global music. Hip-hop, similarly, grew from the hardships of urban America but became a global cultural force, shaping dialogues on race, politics, and identity.

5. Storytelling and History

African American music has always been a way of telling storiesof struggle, love, joy, and the complexities of life. From the historical narratives in the blues and the personal experiences shared in rap, music has documented African American history in a way that textbooks often overlook. These songs serve as oral histories, passing down the lived experiences of generations and ensuring that their voices are heard.

6. Hope and Empowerment

African American music often carries a message of hope, even in the face of great suffering. Gospel songs, spirituals, and later, freedom songs during the Civil Rights Movement, conveyed a sense of hope for a better future. These traditions have continued into modern music, where messages of self-empowerment and resilience are prominent, especially in genres like soul, R&B, and hip-hop.
When: Sunday, January 19, 2025 @ 10:00 AM PST. This is a 2-hour event.

Cost: $5.00 a ticket

Ubuntu International, in partnership with The Charter for Compassion and Compassionate Africa, is thrilled to host an exclusive pre-launch screening of full-length award-winning documentary The Spirit of Ubuntu. At the heart of this global movement is the concept of Ubuntu: "I am because you are, and you are because I am," a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and interconnectedness.

Be part of this inspiring journey to spread unity and compassion worldwide. Tickets are limited and all sales and donations go into the Ubuntu Empowerment Fund, so reserve your spot today and join us in advancing this transformative movement!

Tickets are limited to 500.
Largest "ro-ro" auto terminal in Yangtze River basin goes operational

Xinhua) 10:37, December 14, 2024

NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The largest "ro-ro" (roll-on/roll-off) automobile terminal in the Yangtze River basin has gone operational at Taicang Port in east China's Jiangsu Province, providing new export channels for Chinese domestic car brands.

The Haitong (Taicang) terminal, which opened Thursday, has already handled three "ro-ro" ships loaded with vehicles from 12 Chinese automakers, including SAIC Motor, Chery and BYD.

The vehicles are to be exported to destinations including Mexico, Peru, Guatemala and the Republic of Korea.

Spanning 860,000 square meters, the terminal boasts a designed annual throughput of 1.3 million vehicles and can accommodate up to 32,000 vehicles at once. It also features five automobile service centers, offering services such as warehousing, testing, maintenance and charging.

According to Dai Chenhao, vice chairman of Haitong (Taicang) Automobile Terminal Co., Ltd., the terminal will enhance vehicle transport within the Yangtze River Delta and across the Yangtze River basin, promoting the coordinated development of automobile production, transportation and sales, and optimizing logistic costs.

As Jiangsu's largest automobile export port, Taicang Port has exported 437,300 vehicles in the first 11 months of 2024, an increase of 19.8 percent year on year. These exports have reached 116 countries and regions worldwide.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Hanoi, December 10, 2024 - HOTLIST Travellive Editor's Picks is an annual event organized by Travellive Media Group to celebrate exceptional brands and individuals with outstanding contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry over the past year.

This year, HOTLIST 2024 honored more than 40 hotels, resorts, cruises, destinations, and quality tourism organizations and 12 Inspirational Travel Influencers of the year. The HOTLIST 2024 is sponsored by Ford Vietnam and LG.

Especially, for the first time, HOTLIST 2024 will be held on 18th December 2024 at the Hotel Nikko Saigon with two meaningful events: The Insiders Forum and the Honor Ceremony Gala Night, aiming to create a significant event where industry experts converge, connect, and share experiences, and provide an opportunity for businesses in the tourism industry to expand networks and cooperation.

The Insiders Forum

The tourism industry is rapidly changing with new emerging trends like sustainable tourism and smart tech as well as changes in the behavior of the new generation of customers. The Insiders Forum, organized by Travellive Media Group, in collaboration with The Brand Promise, bring together experts to discuss these trends and profiles of the new generation of travelers. This is an opportunity for businesses to adapt and stay ahead of the curve.

With the theme of Next-Gen Travel, the discussion focuses on exploring innovative trends in the tourism and hospitality industry, including: Advanced technology, Sustainable development, New customer expectations.

The forum features presentations from three prestigious experts in the tourism industry:

Mr. Richard Burrage - Founder & Operating Partner Cimigo Research Agency

Presentation topic: Vietnam Uninterrupted

Mr. Seng Soon Chuah - Director of Southeast Asia & Pacific Development Club Med

Presentation topic: The Role of international Hotel brands in Destination Marketing

Mr. Sam Korsmoe - Co-author of Vietnam's Asia Rising Star; Founder of Saigon Writers Club and Director of the Greater Yellowstone Adventure Series

Presentation topic: Vietnam's Asia Rising Star

Simultaneously, the event will feature two panel discussions with the presence of guest speakers:

Panel Session 1: Destination management strategy for opportunities and growthThe panel will dive into multifaceted perspectives on tourism promotion. It will highlight sustainable development as a key to long-term business success in tourism.

Panel Session 2: Next-Gen TravelIt unveils fresh perspectives and potential growth opportunities for tourism product businesses. Leveraging digital technology, artificial intelligence, and personalized service can differentiate tourism enterprises and attract international visitors.



The Honor Ceremony Gala Night - 'Golden Cocoon, Silver Cocoon' (Ken Vang Ken Bac)

In addition to the networking forum and sharing of tourism development trends, HOTLIST 2024 also organizes a Gala Night themed "Ken vang, Ken Bac - Golden Cocoon, Silver Cocoon" - a special occasion to mark remarkable achievements and honor excellent brands and inspirational individuals of the year.

Inspired by the transformative journey from "cocoon" to "silk," the honoring ceremony celebrates brands with the potential to shape the future of tourism through innovative products, services, and sustainable practices. For instance, Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho is committed to sustainable development and environmental protection, while Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang offers unique health and wellness programs. Premier Village Phu Quoc Managed By Accor has also made significant strides in sustainability over the past year. Just as silk - a precious material, the honored organizations and individuals are expected to continue to be creative, drive innovation, and improve the quality of their products and services.

Moreover, "Ken" in "ken chon" (selective process) indicates a selective and discerning process, reflecting Travellive Media Group's commitment to meticulously selecting and honoring the most deserving individuals and organizations. HOTLIST 2024 not only emphasizes seriousness and care in honoring, but also affirms the value of selection and excellence with premium brands such as Amanoi Ninh Thuan, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Hoi An, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Luna Halong Cruise, or inspirational individuals who have a positive impact on the industry such as Quang Vinh, Tran Dang Dang Khoa, Khoai Lang Thang, Helly Tong, Ly Thanh Co, Tam Bui, Ha La La, Vinh Gau, Quy Coc Tu, etc.

The event is not only a meaningful year-end gathering for tourism businesses to network and expand cooperation, but the Gala is also a space for art exhibitions, enjoying music, and admiring Vietnamese silk products - where contemporary beauty blends with culture and tradition.

Detailed information of event:

Time: Wednesday, December 18th 2024

 The Insider Forum: 08:00-12:00

 Honor Ceremony: 18:30-22:30

Location:

Hotel Nikko Saigon (235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)

To register for tickets to the HOTLIST 2024 event, please visit: https://quickom.net/event/hotlist-2024-2717

More information:

The Hotlist project, organized by Travellive Media Group, aims to honor high-quality brands in the tourism industry that have been personally experienced and nominated by Travellive's reputable editors. Hotlist 2024 offers several unique features:

Evaluated, nominated, and honored by a panel of experts and Travellive.

Beyond traditional Hospitality categories, Hotlist 2024 expands to include Tour, Destination, and Travel Tech categories, as well as Individual nominations for outstanding contributions to Hospitality and Tourism.

The Hotlist 2024 publication was released in October 2024.

The "Insiders Forum & Honor Ceremony" will take place on 18th December 2024 at Nikko Saigon Hotel.

The Insiders Forum is a collaboration between Travellive Media Group and The Brand Promise. With the support of Gold Sponsors Ford Vietnam and LG, and in venue partnership - Hotel Nikko Saigon and cocktail experience partner - Lady Trieu, Hotlist 2024 promises exciting surprises.

For more information please contact Linh Nga Nguyen
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Windy with showers and thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 56F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Windy with showers and thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 56F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Sweetwood currently operates under a special permit granted more than 40 years ago to allow an assisted living residence in a zoning district where multifamily residences (apartments) are prohibited.

Sweetwood's Owner Bringing Apartment Proposal Back to Williamstown Town Meeting

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The owner of the Sweetwood assisted living community in South Williamstown is proposing a zoning bylaw amendment that would enable the property to transition to regular apartments in the future.

Sweetwood currently operates under a special permit granted more than 40 years ago to allow an assisted living residence in a zoning district where multifamily residences (apartments) are prohibited.

Attorney Jeffrey Grandchamp Tuesday met with the Planning Board to discuss a proposal for the May 2025 annual town meeting that would create a zoning overlay district enabling multifamily residences on the Sweetwood property under a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Grandchamp reiterated that CareOne, Sweetwood's owner, is committed to honoring the assisted living contracts it has with current residents, and Sweetwood is still marketed online to potential new residents as an "independent living" community.

As written and presented on Tuesday, the proposed bylaw would create the overlay district and allow "conversion of existing building(s), or parts thereof" to apartments after approval from the ZBA. It essentially was the same proposal that Grandchamp brought to the board in February but pulled from consideration for the 2024 annual town meeting.

"We spent the summer working with the town and waited until this time of year to come back before you," Grandchamp told the board. "The idea was to have a zoning overlay that will allow the conversion of existing buildings but not the construction of new buildings.

"We tried to keep this fairly simple."

As a property owner, CareOne has the right to bring the zoning proposal affecting its property directly to town meeting. The Planning Board and, possibly, the Select Board, would make advisory votes to the meeting but cannot keep the bylaw proposal off the meeting warrant.

The New Jersey-based proprietor of nursing and assisted living facilities has been telling the town for two years that Sweetwood is not viable as an assisted living center at that location. The overlay district proposal was developed after a failed attempt to rezone Sweetwood as part of the nearby Southern Gateway District.

Earlier this year, members of the Planning Board questioned whether the overlay bylaw could be written to make "regular" apartments a secondary use at Sweetwood, ensuring that it would continue to operate primarily as an assisted living facility.

Planning Board member Roger Lawrence asked Grandchamp how the board's concerns were addressed in the new bylaw draft.

Grandchamp replied that he was happy to talk about the reasons why CareOne, doing business as 1611 Cold Spring Road, does not believe Sweetwood is viable, but the property owner's decision to seek a path to full conversion of the property to multifamily housing has not changed.

"This is really a business judgment by 1611 Cold Spring Road  where they see the trend of the business and the life cycle of that building is going," Grandchamp said. "They see it eventually transitioning to multifamily but are committed to maintaining it as assisted living as long as they can."

Grandchamp said that building an assisted living facility at the site made sense when Sweetwood opened because of its then neighbor, the rehabilitation and nursing center known as Sweet Brook. But conditions have changed; the Sweet Brook property is now owned and operated by an alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility.

"If you were to design an assisted living facility today, you wouldn't put it in South Williamstown  not because of zoning, but because it doesn't make practical sense," Grandchamp said. "If you're building a two-handed business model that works together, that makes sense. But when you lose one of those businesses, the other one is orphaned.

"What CareOne is saying is: They have this property. Whether they should have bought it or not is irrelevant. But they have this property with a business model, half of which is gone. And they're trying to take a series of structures and use them to continue to provide viable housing to the Town of Williamstown. If you could magically take the Orchards [near Williamstown Commons Nursing Home] and move it [to 1611 Cold Spring Road] and move Sweetwood to where the Orchards is, you'd have a different situation, right?

"We don't have that."

Lawrence told Grandchamp that he understood that CareOne's motive is to find a way to make the Sweetwood property profitable. But the Planning Board has a different mission, Lawrence said.

"If [the overlay district] addressed either the long-term security of seniors or affordability, I think it would strengthen the argument," Lawrence said.

"It's my understanding Sweetwood was originally established as a one-time exemption to our protections for our rural areas, specifically to address the needs of seniors. This [overlay district proposal], in the long term, appears to leave the seniors out. If we're going to do away with that, for want of a better term, social good, what other social good are we introducing to compensate for that?"

Grandchamp said that affordability is not part of the current bylaw but could be discussed. He later pointed out that the site may not be suitable for residents who need income-restricted housing.

"If I have a concern about affordability in that part of Williamstown, it's the same concern for the elders who live there," Grandchamp said. "Those folks may rely on public transportation, and I don't know how good the public transportation is in that part of Williamstown.

"I'm not against the notion of affordability. I just get concerned if you had a fixed percentage or some number for [affordable units], and it turns out that it's aspirationally wonderful but practically unfeasible because the people who can take the apartment can't get to work. It's not workable."

Planning Board Chair Peter Beck noted that developers typically include low- and moderate-income housing in "mixed income" developments, like the Cable Mills complex on Water Street, because those set asides allow the developer to access public financing, like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, to lower construction costs.

"In this case, we're presented with a building that is there," Beck said.

Kenneth Kuttner asked whether the bylaw could be written to create set asides for seniors as Sweetwood transitions to multifamily housing. Town Planner Andrew Groff said he thinks that sort of mechanism would run afoul of the Fair Housing Act.

In February, Beck joined Kuttner in pushing for an overlay proposal that would make the apartments a secondary use to the assisted living facility. On Tuesday, Beck sounded more resigned to the idea that creating a path for full conversion to multifamily housing is the only way to keep Sweetwood operational.

"I agree with [Lawrence] that what this sets up, not immediately, but, say 10 to 15 years from now, is just a market rate apartment building," Beck said. "My question is: Fifteen years from now, the market rate apartment building, is it compared to a shuttered building that went out of business and is sitting up on that hill deteriorating? In which case, for me, it's a no-brainer. The market rate apartment building is better.

"Or, 15 years from now, is there a path where that is a thriving, full, retirement community, in which case, again, for me, a no-brainer that the thriving, full, retirement community is better than the market-rate apartment building.

"That's my concern. That's my question. If we're comparing this to a business that's going out of business, I'd much rather have it be an apartment building than an empty building."

Grandchamp told the Planning Board that 1611 Cold Spring Road would present the zoning bylaw amendment to the Select Board by the end of the calendar year. At that time, the Select Board will refer the matter back to the Planning Board, which would hold a public hearing prior to town meeting.
Saturday 14 December 2024, 17:51 - Last updated: 16 December, 16:25

The billionaire Isak Andic, founder and owner of the renowned fashion brand Mango, died today after falling into the void in the caves of Montserrat in the locality of Collbato, in Catalonia, during a hike with family members. The 71-year-old entrepreneur was with his son and wife when he slipped, falling from a height of 150 meters. It was the son who raised the alarm around 1:00 PM to the emergency service 112, which activated the rescue teams. This was learned from the emergency services.

What is Mango, the brand of the deceased billionaire Isak Andic: born as a store in Barcelona, it has 2,000 outlets in 100 countries

Falls into the void and dies: farewell to the founder of Mango

A great sportsman and known worldwide for his pret-a-porter fashion multinational, Isak Andic was undertaking a hike in the famous saltpeter caves that he had done on other occasions when he fell victim to an accident, according to Iberian media, including El Pais. During the route, according to what the son explained to the patrols that arrived on the scene, the entrepreneur was ahead of his family when they heard the sound of falling stones and saw Isak Andic falling into the void, unable to hold on. Mountain unit agents, who arrived on site with helicopters, managed to recover the lifeless body of the entrepreneur around 3:30 PM to transfer it to the Catalonia Institute of Legal Medicine, where it will undergo an autopsy.

Who was Isak Andic

Isak Andic created the Mango brand of the fashion empire that would make him famous worldwide in 1984. Of Turkish origin, he arrived in Spain as a teenager, opening his first store on Paseo de Gracia, in Barcelona. He was currently considered the richest man in Catalonia.

With deep sorrow, we regret to communicate the unexpected and painful death of Isak Andic, our non-executive president founder of Mango, in an accident that occurred on Saturday, reported the company's CEO, Toni Ruiz, in a statement. Isak was an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to the Mango project, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, inspiring leadership, and unwavering commitment to the values he instilled in our company, he added.

His legacy reflects the outcomes of a successful entrepreneurial project, also for his human quality, his closeness, and the care and affection he transmitted to the entire organization at all times, Ruiz also wrote in the text, with the commitment to ensure that Mango continues to be the ambitious project of which Isak was proud.

Forbes estimated Andic's net worth to be $4.5bn.

Sanchez: Tragic death, recognition for great work

Condolences to the family of Isak Andic, founder of Mango, come from Pedro Sanchez, for the tragic death in an accident in the Salnitre caves in Collbato.

Mi pesame a la familia de Isak Andic, fundador de Mango, ante su tragica muerte en un accidente en las cuevas de Salnitre de Collbato. Todo mi carino y reconocimiento a su gran labor y vision empresarial, que ha convertido a esta firma espanola en un referente mundial en la...  Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) December 14, 2024

All my affection and recognition for his great work and entrepreneurial vision, which have transformed this Spanish brand into a worldwide fashion reference, reads a post on X.
The population of Norwich in the early Eighties was not ethnically diverse. So when my family  Mauritian in origin  moved to the city, to what was then a white working-class area, we were objects of some suspicion. Perhaps a kinder word would have been curiosity. Certainly, it never got worse than name-calling  the ubiquitous Paki shouted across the street. This didnt bother me.

I was a 10-year-old snob who read too much and craved friendship only with rich girls or those from intellectual, bohemian families. My parents, worried about racially motivated bullying, scraped together the cash to send me to a fee-paying school. If I was exotic to the girls at this school, then so too were they to me. The two who would become my best friends were from the kinds of families I longed to infiltrate  Rachels was eccentric and feral in the way of impoverished, titled families, while Annabels was solidly bourgeois, a species of rural Sloane. What affirmed their exclusiveness was their hair  both girls were dazzlingly blonde.

At the age of 10, the extent of my racial awareness lay solely in physical differences. That all changed the day I came across, in the classroom, a copy of Farrukh Dhondys Come to Mecca. This collection of short stories for young adults published in 1978 was by a writer of Indian origin who taught in an inner-London comprehensive. Dhondy had drawn on his experience of immigrant communities for his savagely comic and angry stories of young first- and second-generation Britons exploring their conflicted sense of racial identity. It blew my mind.

The stories showed me there were many ways to be brown or Black or otherwise other; that this otherness went beyond skin colour and had more to do with what language you spoke at home, what food you ate, where your parents had come from. In other words, your story. But if there were many stories about this  where was mine? Soon after asking myself this question, I began  at home, and for myself  to write.

Years later, when I came back to Norwich to study creative writing, I met the man who had originally commissioned Dhondys first collection, East End at Your Feet. I learnt that the books acknowledgement of sexual relations between Black and white teenagers so horrified the National Front and The Daily Telegraph that both had run a campaign against it. I hope Come to Mecca continues to be read today in schools of all kinds and  where they still exist  libraries.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Around the time of her 40th birthday, Zoe Saldana started to feel pangs of imposter syndrome. She tells me this as she pulls a piece of lint from the sole of her black tights. Minutes ago, the actor was padding down the hotel corridor barefoot, heels slung in her hand and a big black coat draped over her shoulders. It looked like the end of a heady night out for the star; in reality, it was 3pm on a weekday. But Oscars campaigning is a full-time job. And Saldana is throwing herself in at the deep end.

Hence the hot water and lemon steaming in her cup  and the unseasonably balmy temperature in the hotel room. I hope you dont mind if its a little warm, she apologises, upping the thermostat.

Back to those feelings of self-doubt. At 46, Saldana is one of Hollywoods most bankable actors. Of the top five highest-grossing films of all time, she stars in three: Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, and Avatar: Way of Water. (Shes also in Star Trek  a fourth instalment is long in development.) I know that from the outside it can look like, Oh, shes successful  what does she have to feel like an imposter about? Saldana says.

And yet, caught in that fun, frothy riptide of sequels upon sequels, Saldana lost something important. How do I speak about this in a way that wont make those wonderful filmmakers feel like Im letting them down? she begins. Because Im not taking those moments for granted; theyre the reason Im here. But when you play a part in something that was so special in the beginning, and because of its success now, feeds a commercial machine that requires a lot more time and therefore now runs on its own Unless youre a person that has creative control on the project, the level of input you have as an artist is [diminished]. Now I play a smaller part in a bigger thing.

And that would be fine, Saldana continues; in fact, that would be great  if only she wasnt still so hungry. I have an energy, a fire that is very much still alive, and I want to challenge myself, she says. Enter Emilia Perez. The film, released on Netflix last month and now a frontrunner for the Oscars next year, is nothing if not a challenge  as much for its stars as for its viewers.

In it, Saldana plays Rita, a brilliant but overlooked defence lawyer who finds herself embroiled in the life of a Mexican drug kingpin (Karla Sofia Gascon), who reveals that she is trans, asking Rita to help fake her death and organise gender-reassignment surgery. Not to mention the ensuing logistics of her post-transition life and that of her family.

Part gory cartel drama, part stunningly off-kilter jazz-hands musical, and directed by Jacques Audiard, its a big swing for Saldana in every sense  a trapeze, really. But it continues to pay off; at Cannes in May, Saldana shared the award for Best Actress with her three co-stars. Earlier this week, she was nominated for a Golden Globe. For the first time in her 25 years in the biz, Saldana is a significant Oscar contender. All it took was a complete career one-eighty.

Whats more, the Puerto Rican Saldana speaks in Spanish, the first time she has acted in her mother tongue. Which had its own set of challenges, she says now. I thought it was going to be easier, but it was the same. She was brought up bilingual in Jackson Heights, Queens, yet she feels she never quite grasped a knowledge of either language on an academic level.

open image in gallery Zoe Saldana on the awards chatter surrounding Emilia Perez: I cant tell you what this moment means to me ( PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHE FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINEMA )

Her dyslexia also didnt help, but then this is something she has struggled with throughout her career. Recently she found herself reluctant to accept a lead role in Taylor Sheridans spy thriller, Special Ops: Lioness, in which she plays a stoic alpha-agent, because it was so dialogue-heavy. In the end, she said yes and put in the work. She requested scripts weeks in advance and hired someone to read lines with her daily.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Its true that Saldana is capable of telegraphing depths of feeling without saying a word  a physical prowess that can be traced to her background in dance. (She quit ballet as a teen out of pride, knowing she did not have the feet to be the best.) In fact, it was her en pointe performance as Eva, a gum-snapping ballerina in 2000s Centre Stage, that launched her film career. A couple of romcoms later (including a memorable turn opposite Britney Spears in Crossroads), she landed Star Trek and Avatar in the same year. From there it was a straight shot to mega stardom.

By now, Saldana knows her way around a franchise, but she famously had a tough time on the set of her first: Pirates of the Caribbean. In subsequent interviews she spoke out about feeling lost in the trenches of it a great deal. She also talked about forgiving producer Jerry Bruckheimer when he reached out years later to apologise after hearing of her bad experience on set. Saldana is a big believer in forgiveness  and redemption.

open image in gallery Zoe Saldana on awarding bodies overlooking actors in CGI films like Avatar: Old habits die hard ( Reuters/WETA/Twentieth Century Fox )

Prosecution in the court of public opinion is defining a lot of our generations right now, she says. Were very quick to judge and discard people, instead of allowing them the chance to redeem themselves. I dont want to be part of that group who sever people at the knees or assassinate someones character so easily. She felt more aligned with so-called cancel culture when she was younger. There is a desperation, she says, when youre younger, to define yourself by defining what you are not.

Its a running joke that Saldana is from another galaxy, so frequently is she cast in sci-fi flicks. Theres Gamora, the lean, green fighting machine in the Marvel franchise; the blue-skinned, bug-eyed warrior princess Neytiri of James Camerons Avatar; and Star Treks Nyota Uhura, whose quicksilver intelligence was first embodied by Nichelle Nicols. The Saldana who lives in my head is out of this world, but the Saldana I meet today is firmly of this Earth  and prone to the very human impulse to natter on. Im sorry! It takes me so long to land the plane, she laughs.

I have been in situations where I dont feel included in the decision-making as much as men

But like the shapeshifting aliens she is so good at playing, Saldana is ready for a transformation. And Emilia Perez is just the thing. Its a film of firsts for Saldana. For one thing, she isnt the only woman on set  or even the only woman of colour. Its funny, she says. In some experiences when Ive been the only one, I dont notice it because the environments are welcoming and very inclusive. In others, it can be isolating. And I have been in situations where I dont feel included in the decision-making as much as men. That feels really disheartening. Its disappointing, its hurtful and its othering.

Its also very different from her upbringing: Saldana is one of three sisters, and when shes with her family, shes surrounded by women. On set, as sometimes the only Latina in the room, she can feel the burden of representation. Its a big responsibility, because youre not just there for yourself, youre carrying the weight of your community, she says. At times, that can cloud the way you make artistic and creative decisions. When there are others like you [around], it just doesnt.

open image in gallery It was Zoe Saldanas performance as Eva, a gum-snapping ballerina in 2000s Centre Stage, that launched her film career ( Columbia Pictures )

Saldana shares three children (twins Cy and Bowie, and son Zen) with her husband Marco Perego, whom she met in a movie-worthy meet cute on a plane in 2013. Two things happen simultaneously, Saldana says of the moment she became a mum. Our environments arent yet fully supportive of women wanting success while having a family. And on the other side, its what youre doing to yourself, because there is this level of guilt and punishment for not always being home. Shes the first to admit shes still navigating the choppy waters 10 years in  but thats OK. Im always willing to do the work, she says.

What she isnt OK with is the way in which working mums are sometimes perceived. At school, [there is sometimes the attitude that] when youve been absent because youre working and providing, it means you dont care. All of the credit goes to the partner thats home, which is so deserved, but its also their job in the same way that it is my job When I come home, I dont go upstairs and take a bath. I roll up my sleeves and its homework, emails to parents, calls to teachers, Christmas cards, birthday gifts.

open image in gallery Lean, green fighting machine: Zoe Saldana as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (  MARVEL 2022 )

Raising kids means a reshuffle of priorities. My children are second generation by me, she says. Its my responsibility to make sure they know who they are before the world tells them who they are, so theres a yearning to reconnect [with my roots].

Regarding awards, Saldana has perhaps been unfairly overlooked in the past, I suggest. The sci-fi gigs with which she made her name arent natural Oscar contenders, but her performances ought to be. In the Avatar films, for example, Saldana endows Neytiri with unforeseen depth and humanity, a glint of zealotry gleaming in those huge swimming-pool eyes. Yet her portrayal, while lauded by critics, went unrecognised by the Academy. Campaigns by Cameron to have Saldana nominated for an Oscar failed to persuade those in charge.

Does she feel that awarding bodies struggle to look past cobalt-blue skin or digitally engineered doe eyes? They do, Saldana says. Old habits die hard, and when you have old establishments, its really hard to bring forward change. And I understand that, so Im not bitter about it, but it is quite deflating when you give 120 per cent of yourself into something. I mean, not winning is OK, not being nominated is OK, but when youre overlooked and then minimised and completely disregarded

open image in gallery Zoe Saldana pictured with Selena Gomez (right), Karla Sofia Gascon (left), and director Jacques Audiard at Cannes, where the actors shared the award for Best Actress ( 2024 Invision )

She recalls people arguing that her performance in Avatar was the feat of technicians alone. I know the difference between that and what we did, she says. Again, though, she understands the resistance. Saldana is nothing if not understanding; she has no chips on her shoulder. At some point you have to ask yourself: why is it that I do what I do? Is it so others can give me approval? Or is it because I dont want to do anything else?

Which isnt to understate how she feels about being recognised for Emilia Perez. I cant tell you what this moment means to me, she says. Its the culmination of 25 years of hard work and putting one foot in front of the other to have people finally go, Oh, youve been here this whole time. Which I have, but also there have been moments when I questioned it: am I here? Do I matter? She may not end up with a golden statuette, but Saldana is certainly embracing a new horizon.

Emilia Perez is out on Netflix now
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Jude Law has opened up about having to postpone his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony due to his mothers death, saying the timing ended up being a kind of final gift as it allowed more of his family to be with him.

The Lewisham-born actor, 51, received a star on Hollywood Boulevard at an unveiling ceremony on Thursday, December 12.

After the event, he revealed that his mother Margaret, who was known as Maggie, had recently died.

Speaking to People about the moment he found out he would be receiving a star, Law said: Its been actually quite a long process because I found out and was originally going to have the service a couple of weeks back,

And actually, I lost my mom. So we had to delay it. But in a very odd way as a kind of final gift, it meant that a few more of my family could actually be here.

Law, who is currently starring as an FBI agent battling white supremacists in Justin Kurzels thriller The Order, was joined at the ceremony by his wife Phillipa Coan and the two eldest of his seven children Rafferty, 28, and Iris, 24.

Jude Law attending his own Star Ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard on December 12, 2024 ( Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney )

So honestly, the whole event has been quite an emotional experience, and obviously just a very personal occasion and really touching, Law continued, adding that he felt blessed to have his children present. They were just lovely. I mean, theyre always so supportive and loving. We are very lucky to have each other, but theyre my backbone.

Law and his ex-wife Sadie Frost share Rafferty, Iris and Rudy, 22. He also has a 15-year-old daughter Sophia with his former partner Samantha Burke and 9-year-old daughter Ada with ex Catherine Harding. His two youngest children with Coan, who he married in 2019, have not been publicly named.

In his speech at the ceremony, Law paid tribute to both his parents, Margaret and Peter, who were schoolteachers.

I had a mother who showed me the great silent movies and comedies and musicals and dramas of the Hollywood Golden Era, American new wave [and] foreign movies, Law said. And I had a dad who took me in the 70s and 80s to blockbuster movies where we ate our bodyweight in popcorn and chocolate.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Ahead of the ceremony, Law met up with The Holiday director Nancy Meyers and the pair teased fans with the idea of a sequel.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The forthcoming Avengers film is bringing back yet another unexpected star to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Hot on the heels of the revelation that former Captain America actor Chris Evans will show up in some form in Avengers; Doomsday, its been reported that Hayley Atwell, who plays his love interest Peggy Carter, will also be in the film.

Their appearance in the sequel might upset purists, who believed their story came to a perfect conclusion with the most recent Avengers film, 2019s Avengers: Endgame. According to Deadline, the pair were set to return in a standalone Marvel film, but bosses were unable to pin down a story.

Instead, theyll show up in Doomsdays ensemble, which includes fellow returning star Robert Downey Jr, the former Iron Man actor who this time around will play Doctor Doom, the films primary villain.

The return of actors to the franchise as new characters has been made possible by the introduction of the Multiverse, a series of alternate worlds featuring characters, old and new.

But while a contingent of fans are excited about seeing the stars on-screen once again, there are many who believe the casting reeks of desperation after a slew of failures for Marvel.

Atwell, whose Marvel character had her own ABC series that ran for two seasons, last appeared as a variant of Peggy Carter in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but was swiftly killed off.

In 2023, she told The Independent of her brief appearance in the 2022 sequel: It was definitely not the trajectory that I see for Peggy.

Hayley Atwell as British agent Peggy Carter

Avengers: Doomsday will bring back several familiar faces, but Downey Jrs casting as Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom led to consternation among many dedicated fans.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Its believed the idea to bring him back as a different character was thought up after the axing of Jonathan Majors from the MCU; his character Kang the Destroyer was originally meant to be the primary villain in the forthcoming Avengers film.

While the announcement at Comic-Con in San Diego back in July was met with a rapturous response initially, the response online was much more lukewarm.

Some called it a desperate move to revive what they believe to be a flagging franchise, while others were merely frustrated that Downey Jr is returning to the MCU after winning an Oscar for Oppenheimer.

Avengers: Doomsday will be released in 2026.
Every Christmas I get to sit down with a mince pie and a hot toddy, and watch as the BBC desecrates another of my beloved Agatha Christie novels. Its a Christmas tradition  or so I thought.

This year, however, the schedule is looking barer than a blacklisted stocking. Back in the halcyon days of 2023, we had one-off dramas such as The Winter King and Men Up, plus the final instalment of The Crown, and then, on New Years Day, Mr Bates vs the Post Office and The Tourist. But the advent calendar of TV offerings in 2024 looks like my advent calendar after 3 December: almost totally empty. To call it thin gruel would be too Dickensian for a seasonal slate that has eschewed prestige literary adaptations entirely. So where is the money going? And is this just a natural ebb and flow, a conspiracy of accidental forces, or a sign that the hegemony of Christmas TV is ending?

British households structure their Christmases around the telly schedule. It punctuates the day: presents, TV, breakfast, TV, dinner, TV, charades, TV, bed, TV. It harks back to an earlier age  from the 1960s to the new millennium  when the TV set was the hearth of the home. Since 1969, the Radio Times has published a special double issue with the full TV listings for the festive period, which is still its bestselling edition of the year, even though all these listings are now available online (you can even get ChatGPT to compose a minute-by-minute viewing itinerary, if youre so inclined). Whether theyre sipping mulled wine during Carols from Kings on Christmas Eve or adjourning the turkey guzzling for the Kings message on Christmas Day, families rely on the broadcast routine to make sense of the turbulent festive period.

The question that commissioners must ask themselves, then, is: what do audiences want to watch during the festive season? The viewing dynamics are changed somewhat. Audiences for linear television  the old-fashioned way of watching live broadcasts  skew older. A report from Ofcom this year found that those between 16 and 24 watched an average of just 20 minutes of live TV per day (a figure that still seems implausibly high), compared to more than four hours, on average, ingested by Baby Boomers. But at Christmas the kids come back from university, granny and grandpa tramp in from the country, and the generations mingle on the sofa.

And so, broadcasters have to put out programming that satisfies an unusual set of demands. Grabby enough to capture everyones frayed attention, but fundamentally family friendly. Thats why pride of place on the BBC this yuletide is being given to Aardmans second Wallace & Gromit feature film, Vengeance Most Fowl, and a reimagining of The Primrose Railway Children, itself mash-up of two heavyweights of childrens literature: Edith Nesbit and Jacqueline Wilson. Both of those are airing on the BBC, which has usually understood that the December calendar must put the onus on appointment viewing. But the former will be available on iPlayer from Christmas Day and Netflix, internationally, from 3 January. A rumoured budget of nearly 70m has likely necessitated this partnership, though squeezed licence fee payers might well feel ripped off. The Primrose Railway Children, meanwhile, is already available on iPlayer, even though it doesnt air on BBC One until Sunday 22 December. As shows of confidence in linear TV go, it isnt a ringing endorsement.

Instead, there is, once again, a reliance on the special, a distinctively festive version of a much-loved programme. Gavin & Stacey will prove the headline act, going out with (hopefully) a bang on Christmas Day, shortly after Doctor Who and Mrs Browns Boys deliver their gift-wrapped contributions. But the Christmas special is a sop to people already invested in shows. There are few newcomers who will encounter Gavin or Stacey for the first time on Christmas Day, and fewer still (hopefully) wholl make the acquaintance of Mrs Brown or her boys. For most families, they offer only partial communion.

Gavin & Stacey: The Finale headlines the BBCs schedule ( PA )

The most unifying presence on the Christmas schedule has long been a good period drama. Its why the recent run of Christie adaptations  And Then There Were None, Witness for the Prosecution, The ABC Murders and Murder is Easy  have been triumphant successes, despite making my blood boil. And the BBC does have another Christie in the works  Towards Zero, with a cast including Anjelica Huston, Matthew Rhys and Mimi Keene  which is due to be released at an unannounced point in 2025. Mark Gatiss will deliver the BBCs annual yuletide ghost story for the seventh year in a row, but while its set in Victorian England, this one-off tale (another Nesbitt adaptation) provides just 30 minutes of period immersion. This dearth of time-travelling temptations has resulted in my partner forcing me to rewatch the 2005 adaptation of Bleak House.

I hope that 2024 is just an accident of scheduling

The decision not to programme a big multi-part crowd-pleaser over the festive season demonstrates a growing ambivalence towards the role that linear television plays. The closest thing to a prestige vehicle launching in the next few weeks is Skys Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, a dramatic retelling of the aftermath of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, starring Colin Firth. Its a meaty subject, no doubt, but rather light on obvious festive cheer. Other shows returning over the next month  such as SAS: Rogue Heroes and The Split  dont have that multigenerational appeal.

Are we doomed to spend Christmases watching shows on our own (or, worse, actually talking to our loved ones)? Estimates put the amount of daily content consumed by children on video-sharing apps, such as YouTube, at between 70 and 90 minutes. That sparks an almost dystopian vision of granny and grandpa watching the Kings Speech while their grandkids inhale MrBeast videos on their smartphones and mum and dad catch up on the sexy rabbi show on Netflix. Generations divided by a common language: TV.

Its why I hope that 2024 is just an accident of scheduling. Communal TV watching has been in decline for a decade, written off again and again. But the BBC, of all institutions, ought to understand that Christmas offers a chance to reassert the magic of the small screen. It is a rare moment when the country watches together, freed from the self-selection bias that has led you to mindlessly rewatch Gilmore Girls three times in the past six months. Christmas TV is like brussels sprouts: a kind of revolting seasonal speciality but, if you get through that first sinewy bite, not all that bad and, most importantly, good for you.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

An acclaimed US series has finally been made available to stream in the UK after years of wait.

Those who have been waiting to watch Parenthood, the family drama show starring Craig T Nelson, Six Feet Unders Peter Krause and Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham, are now in luck.

Among the bursting list of titles being added to the subscription service in December 2024 will be all six seasons of the series thats ben branded the greatest family drama of all time.

Parenthood has recently been added to Netflix UK almost a year after its acquisition was announced. However, its addition will come as a welcome surprise as it was originally reported it would not be added in Britain.

Until now, the shows early seasons have been available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Parenthood, loosely based on the 1989 Ron Howard film of the same name, originally aired on NBC from 2010 and 2015. It follows three generations of the Braverman family in Berkeley, California.

The original film, produced by Brian Grazer, starred Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Tom Hulce and Keanu Reeves.

Parenthood was devised by Jason Katims shortly after the successful TV adaptation of Friday Night Lights alongside Grazer, Peter Berg, David Nevins and Sarah Aubrey. It followed a failed TV adaptation in 1991 starring Ed Begley Jr and Jayne Atkinson.

Parenthood is finally coming to Netflix UK ( NBC )

Also starring in the series are Dax Shepard, Monica Potter and Erika Christensen  but the only cast member to receive an Emmy nomination for their performance was guest star Jason Ritter in 2012. He was beaten by Jeremy Davies for his role in Justified.

Potter received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance two years later, but was beaten by Jacqueline Bisset, who won for Dancing on the Edge.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

The original Parenthood series also starred former child star Mae Whitman who, earlier this year, revealed that she named her son after Miles Heizer, the actor who played her younger brother.

From the moment we heard the first tiny sound out of his tiny piggy mouth we were besotted. He is the kindest, gentlest, smartest, funniest little beebee and hes our best friend (pretty much exactly like his namesake Uncle Miles, Whitman wrote.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Paula Abdul has agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged that former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe sexually assaulted her when she was a judge on the show in the early Noughties.

On Thursday (December 12), Abdul filed a notice of settlement in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The settlement must still be approved by a judge.

The lawsuit was originally filed nearly a year ago, on Friday December 29, 2023. In it, Abdul alleged that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her in an elevator during one of the early seasons of American Idol.

She claimed that the British-born TV executive shoved her against a wall and groped her breast and genitals, and shoved his tongue down her throat.

According to the suit, Abdul tried to push him away then ran to her room when the elevator door opened.

Paula Abdul and American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe ( Getty )

She also alleged that, years later, Lythgoe invited her to his home for dinner while she was working as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.

Thinking it would be a professional encounter, Abdul accepted. However, the suit said that Lythgoe forced himself on top of her while she was sitting on his sofa, told her they would make a great power couple and attempted to kiss her.

The lawsuit stated that Abdul once again pushed him away and fled the property.

It also accused Lythgoe of verbal harassment, bullying, and discrimination against Abdul, who claims she was paid less than the male judges on American Idol.

Abdul also claimed that she saw Lythgoe sexually assault one of her assistants in April 2015. She alleged that his behaviour was common knowledge in the TV industry, and that it was even parodied in a 2008 episode of MADtv.

Abdul signed non-disclosure agreements as part of her employment on both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, preventing her from disclosing information deemed confidential or derogatory.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

She quit American Idol in 2009 after eight seasons, amid rumours of a pay dispute.

Lythgoe said at the time the suit was filed that he was shocked and saddened by the allegations, which he called an appalling smear.

Lythgoe stepped down from his role as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance in January, shortly after a second sexual assault lawsuit was brought against him by two former contestants of All-American Girl, an all-girl competition show for which Lythgoe was a producer.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Pete Davidson has explained his decision to step back from his celebrity status, saying he felt oversaturated.

The Staten Island-born comedian, 31, left his role on Saturday Night Live in 2022.

At one time he was a tabloid staple, with high-profile relationships with the likes of Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian.

However in a new interview with W Magazine, Davidson said: I dont know if youve noticed it, but Ive been laying low.

He went on to explain his withdrawal from the spotlight by agreeing that the idea of oversaturation had been on his mind.

Youre 100 percent correct, because I was oversaturated, Davidson told the fashion magazine. In The Sopranos, theres this line from Tony thats like, You ever feel like you got into something at the end? When the good times were over? Thats how I feel about show business and being a celebrity. Its over.

Pete Davidson in New York in November 2023 ( Getty Images for Hellman's )

When youre first coming up, and getting all these offers, its hard to say no, because youre hungry. I made the mistake of doing literally everything. Now Im older and wiser, and Im realizing that less is more. Like Christian Bale. He does one movie every two, three years, but you go f***ing see it. Leo[nardo DiCaprio] does one movie every four years, but its the biggest thing in the world. Its because you miss them. People have to miss you.

He added that moving away from fame had been good for his mental health, saying: Luckily, I got hit on the face with the Hollywood shovel. It was a long time coming, and I needed it. Im very happy where I am right now, mentally.

As for his future plans, Davidson said: I just want to be known for doing good work. I want to be out there only when its movie, stand-up, charity, or business ventures. Thats when I want to be seen. I dont want to be this f***ing loser who just dates people. Thats not who I am. But people hate celebrities now.

The media takes a handful of celebs every couple of years, and they just destroy them. For some reason, Im one of the people they chose to go after. Its actually, in a way, a blessing, because it allowed me to take a step back and evaluate things. What do you want to be? Who are you? Im someone who is from Staten Island, wanted to do stand-up, and if I got to do anything else because of stand-up, it was a miracle.

Earlier this month, Davidson revealed how he used his first paycheck from Saturday Night Live.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Sarah Michelle Gellar has suggested she would be open to returning to her signature role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer after seeing how the Sex and the City and Dexter franchises have expanded.

The New York-born actor, 47, is currently appearing in the Dexter prequel series Dexter: Original Sin.

While discussing the role on The Drew Barrymore Show, Gellar was asked by the host whether she had considered a return to the supernatural role that made her one of the biggest stars on television from 1997 to 2003.

Its funny, I always used to say no, because its in its bubble and its so perfect, Gellar responded.

But watching Sex and the City and seeing Dexter, and realizing there are ways to do it, definitely does get your mind thinking, Well, maybe.

When co-star Christian Slater suggested a reboot wouldnt necessarily have to be a prequel, Gellar agreed. No, it could be anything, she said. Its a universe. And it makes you realize that in this world, we need those heroes, I think, more so than ever.

Sarah Michelle Gellar attending iHeartRadios Jingle Ball in New York on December 13, 2024 ( Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for iHeartRadio )

In October, Gellar confirmed that she will not be returning for the forthcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, reminding fans that her character Helen Shivers died in the 1997 movie.

She led the classic horror film alongside her now-husband Freddie Prinze Jr, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe.

Directed by Jim Gillespie, the slasher film followed four friends as they are stalked and taunted by a killer threatening to expose their murderous secret.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Asked in an interview with People if she was planning on reprising her role in the new film, Gellar confirmed she would not.

I am dead, she said of her beauty queen character Helen, who was fatally stabbed in the original film.

My best friend [Jennifer Kaytin Robinson] is directing it, so we joke that I have an unofficial job, which is I am continuity, she said of the upcoming project.

So Im always the one telling her, Well, that would happen, or that wouldnt happen with those characters, so I do have kind of an unofficial job title.

It was recently revealed that Hewitt will return for the upcoming sequel, alongside Prinze Jr who will reprise his role as Ray Bronson. They join the previously announced cast of Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers and Jonah Haur-King.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Strictly Come Dancing professional Vito Coppola suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction when his trousers came undone mid-routine during Saturday nights final (14 December).

Coppola and his partner, the Miranda star Sarah Hadland, are among those vying for the glitterball trophy in tonights final as they compete against Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell, Tasha Ghouri and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec and JB Gill and his pro partner Lauren Oakley.

The pair were performing an American Smooth to Proud by Heather Small when Coppolas trousers came loose, and he had to use his free hand to hold them up for the duration of the routine.

Follow along with our live coverage of the Strictly Come Dancing final here.

When the dance finished, Coppola and Hadland broke into laughter as host Tess Daly acknowledged that the professional dancer had experienced a wardrobe issue.

As the pair approached the judges, Daly asked: Are you OK Vito? adding: Can you go on with maintaining your decency?

Hadland then used a piece of fabric from her dress to cover Coppolas crotch, as he held up his trousers with both hands.

That aside, that dance was absolutely magical, said Daly, while judge Shirley Ballas assured them that there might have been a malfunction with the clothing, but not with the routine.

open image in gallery Vito Coppola has a wardrobe malfunction on Strictly ( BBC )

That was absolutely superb, she concluded.

So far on tonights final, all four celebrity contestants dazzled judges while professional dancer Amy Dowden delighted viewers when she made a surprise cameo in a group routine after previously pulling out of the competition.

open image in gallery Sarah Hadland broke into laughter as she noticed Coppolas trouser malfunction ( BBC )

Finalist JB Gill was formerly partnered with Dowden until she was forced to pull out of the competition after sustaining a stress fracture in her shin. She was advised by doctors to take several weeks off to recover, and therefore she was replaced by pro Oakley.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

While Dowden could no longer compete in the competition, she popped up in the opening routine for the final as she smiled and winked at the camera.

So amazing seeing Amy back on the dancefloor, said one fan on X/Twitter, as another added: Weve missed her.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on Saturday through a second vote in parliament over his short-lived attempt last week to impose martial law, a move that has thrown the nation into chaos and split his party.

The National Assembly approved the motion with a 204-85 floor vote. He was suspended from official duties at 7.24pm local time, reported the Yonhap news agency. The president said he will never give up and called for officials to maintain stability in government functions during what he described as a temporary pause in his presidency.

The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove Mr Yoon from office or reinstate him. Should he be ousted, a national election will be required within 60 days to elect his successor.

South Koreas prime minister Han Duk Soo said he would do his best to run the government stably after the impeachment of Mr Yoon.

My heart is very heavy, Mr Han, who becomes acting president with Mr Yoons powers suspended, told reporters after parliament approved the impeachment motion.

Last Saturday, Mr Yoon narrowly survived an impeachment vote after a majority of ruling party politicians abstained. Public discontent has intensified in recent weeks, with protests growing larger and Mr Yoons approval ratings plummeting.

open image in gallery Protesters carry an effigy of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol during a rally calling for his impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul ( EPA )

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said Mr Yoons impeachment was driven by the peoples ardent desire for democracy, courage and dedication.

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the parliament roared with jubilation, waved banners and brandished colourful K-pop glow sticks, as a leading activist declared on stage: We have preserved the constitutional order.

In a plaza in central Seoul another huge crowd gathered in support of Mr Yoon, and grew subdued after hearing the president had been impeached. Both rallies have been largely peaceful.

Mr Han promised to make every effort to ensure stability after Mr Yoons impeachment.

Mr Yoon is the second conservative president in a row to be impeached in South Korea. Park Geun-hye was removed from office in 2017.

Although I am stopping for now, the journey I have walked with the people over the past two and a half years towards the future must never come to a halt. I will never give up, Mr Yoon said.

For the past two weeks, tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Seoul every night, braving freezing temperatures to call for the presidents removal and arrest. Smaller counter-rallies organised by Mr Yoons conservative supporters have also taken place  the rallies of both sides have remained largely non-violent.

open image in gallery People carrying a coffin symbolising South Koreas president Yoon Suk Yeol call for his removal ( AFP via Getty )

open image in gallery Protesters hold balloons reading Step down Yoon Suk Yeol ( AFP via Getty )

South Koreas foreign minister said the countrys foreign policy, which is based on its alliance with the US, would remain unchanged after the presidents impeachment.

South Korean senior diplomats met ambassadors from the US, Japan and China to explain the situation regarding Mr Yoons impeachment, the ministry said.

Mr Yoons imposition of martial law  the first instance of this in South Korea for more than four decades  lasted just six hours but triggered massive political turmoil, halted diplomatic activities and unsettled financial markets.

Following parliamentary resistance, Mr Yoon was forced to revoke the decree, and hundreds of troops and police officers were deployed to parliament in an attempt to obstruct the vote on the order. No significant violence occurred, though the political fallout has been significant.

open image in gallery An impeachment vote requires the backing of eight members of the ruling People Power Party to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to pass ( Getty )

Opposition parties and legal experts have accused Mr Yoon of rebellion, citing a legal provision that defines rebellion as actions intended to undermine the constitution by staging riots against the states established authorities. They argue that the president was legally barred from declaring martial law except during wartime or other national emergencies, and that his actions violated the countrys constitution by attempting to suspend parliamentary functions.

The impeachment motion says Mr Yoon committed rebellion that hurt peace in the Republic of Korea by staging a series of riots. It accuses him of mobilising military and police forces in a manner that threatened the National Assembly and the public, with the martial law decree allegedly aimed at disturbing constitutional order.

open image in gallery Protesters call for the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol ( Reuters )

open image in gallery A rally against President Yoon ( Reuters )

Mr Yoon remains under investigation, with law enforcement authorities looking into whether he and others involved in the martial law declaration may face charges of rebellion, abuse of power, and other criminal offences. If convicted, those found guilty of leading a rebellion in South Korea could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Additional reporting by agencies
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Fearne Cotton has revealed that she and her husband Jesse Wood are getting divorced after a decade of marriage.

The television and radio presenter shared the news in an Instagram story on Friday, explaining that she and Wood, who have two young children together, are going their separate ways.

It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage, the statement read. Our priority has been and always will be our children. We please ask that you respect the privacy of our family at this time.

Wood has not yet spoken out about the separation.

The couple got married in 2014 in a ceremony in London and have two children, an 11-year-old son, Rex, and an 8-year-old daughter, Honey. Wood is also a parent to Arthur, 21, and Lola, 18, from his previous marriage to Tilly Wood from 2003 until 2011.

open image in gallery Cotton and Wood are parents to their 11-year-old son Rex and eight-year-old daughter Honey ( Getty Images )

The news of the divorce comes just a few days after Cotton had an operation to remove two tumors on her jawline. Last week, she reassured fans on social media that the operation had been successful, and she is now recovering away from the public eye.

Posting to her Instagram story at the time, Cotton said: Operation went really well. Recovering and resting. Thanks so much for all the kind messages.

Cotton first revealed her health concerns in an Instagram post on December 3. Ive got a benign tumor just in my jaw here, below my ear, another little tiny one above it, she said.

Im very grateful theyre benign but they do need to come out because theyre on a nerve. So Im gonna have that surgery, and then Im gonna be resting to get better before Christmas.

She continued: Not very good at resting, so wondering how thats gonna go. But Im feeling OK about it. Im going into the operation feeling good and well.

open image in gallery Fearne Cotton feeling positive as presenter reveals shes having surgery to remove tumours. ( Fearne Cotton )

She also reassured fans that her podcast, Happy Place, would carry on as normal.

Ill be doing all the regular stuff, Ive banked a load of good episodes so that will still be rolling out, and Ill see you soon.

In the posts caption, Cotton also explained how she discovered the tumors and encouraged others to get any medical concerns checked out.

I felt a lump under my ear on my jawline a while ago now but this year noticed it was growing. Turns out its a benign tumor and another small one above it on the saliva gland.

Im feeling positive about it all and will take the opportunity to rest and slow right down. If you feel a lump or bump or feel like something is a bit off, always go get it checked. Im so glad I did as the longer you leave these things the more complicated things become, Cotton advised.

Cottons surgery came shortly after a friend of hers, Davina McCall, revealed that she needed surgery for a rare brain tumor, and is currently recovering post-procedure.

Its obviously so weird that only a couple of months ago Davina told me about her tumor and then weeks later I was calling her having discovered mine. Im not only lucky shes a bloody good mate but also a beacon of light and positivity when it comes to this stuff, Cottons caption concluded.
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Jonathan Bailey has opened up about his journey toward becoming a father.

The Wicked star, 36, spoke about his plans to have children in an interview with British Vogue published on Thursday (December 12). When asked if he wants to have kids someday, Bailey responded: Yes, its such a privilege for a man, but I cant bring children into my lifestyle now.

While the Bridgerton actor may not be in a relationship right now, he explained that he wants to make sure Im going to be present before deciding to become a parent due to his busy schedule.

Im reading books on adoption. I might co-parent with a woman, but Im thinking it will be with a man, he added.

Elsewhere during the interview, Bailey reflected on coming out as gay to his friends and family in his early 20s. The Fellow Travelers star explained how navigating his sexuality was more of a gradual realization, especially since he dated a woman for two years in his 20s.

Jonathan Bailey, who is openly gay, says hes considered co-parenting children with a woman ( Getty Images )

Its interesting with the binary where youre perceived to be either this or that, Bailey said. Thats how I saw it at the time, but there are so many nuances to it. My experience of that relationship was not that I was in the shadows. She remains one of my best friends.

He went on to acknowledge that other people in his life understood my sexuality before I was even aware of it, as he recalled playing dress-up as a young boy and entertaining his grandparents by singing and dancing.

Bailey even shared that it was his parents who encouraged him to begin ballet classes, adding: I remember looking through the window at these girls at school in their tutus. They were doing, like, first position, second position, and I knew I just wanted to be in there.

As for whether hes seeing someone new these days, Bailey remained tight-lipped about his relationship status.

Not discussing that, he said simply.

This year, Bailey has been a constant presence on both the big and small screen. In November, he portrayed Fiyero in the blockbuster movie musical adaptation of Wicked, which will hit theaters once again next year for the second installment. Earlier this year, he made brief appearances as Anthony Bridgerton in Bridgerton season three, which was released in two parts on Netflix in May and June.

In April, it was announced that Bailey was in early talks to star alongside Scarlett Johansson in a new Jurassic World movie that will be released next year.
Its a rags-to-riches fairytale that became a byword for British  Marks & Spencer, the great national treasure of the high street, has seen through many lifetimes. Over the years its been a market stall, a penny bazaar, a triumphant success and a flailing retailer caught in between the luxury of Waitrose and Tesco Value. This year, however, a new era began for M&S.

Last month the retailer was crowned brand of the year by Marketing Week  a prestigious award  drawing to a close one of its most successful years in history. The month before that, in October, Marks & Spencer also won BrandZs 2024 UK brand of the year, reflecting a hard-earned, mammoth 38 per cent increase in brand equity.

The New In section is giving, Glamour magazine declared in a feature titled Marks & Spencer clothing is as good as the Insta girlies claim, back in July. High praise.

But we didnt need awards and headlines to tell us that  its obvious, isnt it? You know a brand is doing well when its consistently the answer to Where did you get that? in offices, at parties and across the family dinner table.

This years key collaborations  Sienna Miller and, brilliantly, Bella Freud  set fashion TikTok flying into stores; resales on eBay and Vinted went through the roof, so much so that the collection caused sharp-tongued arguments on social media. They lasted for days.

Who can blame them? This year Marks & Spencer was No 1 in the market for womenswear  their highest market share at this time of year for 10 years. Achieving the retail holy grail of being a shop that mothers and their daughters want to shop in, they now sell a bra every two seconds (almost half of UK women now buy their bras from M&S; perhaps in part due to their longstanding successful collaboration with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley).

M&S knickers barely need mentioning  who could live without them?  but whats impressive is their tenacity for innovation. In August they became the first retailer to launch stoma knickers. They sold 21,000 pairs in three months.

But it has taken more than a pair of pants to have created such a retail fairytale. And, for the real magic, we need to look to the store's CEO. Since taking the helm in 2022, Stuart Machin has launched the company into a whole new era. Machin, a child of divorce who was brought up by a single mother and his grandparents, is a perfect fit for M&Ss rags-to-riches history. He started in business by stacking shelves seven days a week, supporting his mother, an estate agent who was also working her way up the career ladder.

open image in gallery Collaborations with fashion icons such as Sienna Miller have taken TikTok by storm ( Marks & Spencer )

In the top job, hes just built different, staff say. Hes involved in everything from the length of buttonholes to how much salt is added to a new sandwich. He answers staff emails personally; hes a people person, and adored by till staff and Joan Collins alike, apparently; hes candid and charismatic, but also careful not to overpromise.

Strategically, Machins gone back to basics. Woven into his leadership are the strategies of past CEOs and an understanding of audience and decades of trends. This, maybe, is M&S the old school way with fresh eyes. Quality and value in equal parts  with a very British backstory.

The shops humble beginnings were anchored in hardship and tragedy. Michael Marks was its founder, a Jewish immigrant from Russia who arrived in Leeds in 1882 and walked between northern market towns carrying a wooden box. Marks didnt speak much English so, inscribed on the box filled with his wares to sell was: Dont ask the price  its a penny. Despite the language barrier, he quickly worked out what sold  higher quality goods than his competitor pedlars, selling tat, had on offer.

The business started to take off once he met Tom Spencer  a co-founder, who was financially savvy and more middle class than Marks. However, Spencer died just a few years later in 1905. Two years after that, Marks also passed away, both of them tragically young.

open image in gallery An M&S store in Holloway, London, photographed in 1914 ( Getty )

It was then Michael Marks son, Simon, who fought to take control of the business  and it was Simon who would go on to make the Marks & Spencer name what it is now. He even named the spin-off line, St Michael, after his late dad.

During the Second World War, M&S staff clubbed together and paid for a Spitfire; they also started selling wine as the nation began to get a taste for it and even roller skates at one point. They changed with the times, investing in man-made fabrics as they became available. They were never the cheapest, but not a luxury brand either. As the economy improved and the decades ticked on, they became a destination for working-class families to afford better quality, without breaking tight budgets.

By the 1990s, with CEO Stuart Rose at the helm, M&S was peaking  big time. In 1997, just as Labours promise of social mobility began, pre-tax profits were up to 1bn. They were the first British retailer to achieve it, but it pre-eclipsed a sharp, almost fatal decline. Until 2001 the company had refused to allow the use of credit cards (except their own store card), and in the interim years, theyd lost the loyalty of their customer. Profits dropped to just 145m, in an ever-changing new millennium high street. Fighting off Arcadia Group owner Philip Green, who levelled an aggressive buyout campaign in 2004, was all they could do.

In 2014, again, despite food halls performing well, they faced criticism over their lacklustre womenswear and, in 2020, things took another downturn. Food sales had fallen to 3 per cent of the market share and, still, nobody wanted to buy their clothes from M&S. They were seen as dowdy, out of touch and couldnt even get the basics right.

open image in gallery The retail giant has managed to turn their ailing fortunes around ( Getty )

Two years earlier, then chief executive Steve Rowe had promised to slash the amount of store space dedicated to clothing ranges, in the companys third round of store closures in a huge shake-up. As Covid hit, M&S recorded their first loss  of 87.6m  in history.

The interesting thing is, despite all of this, the Marks & Spencer brand still always felt innately trustworthy and treasured; the will was there  even if the product wasnt. Like every sort of long-lasting love, waiting for the spark to reignite can be difficult, and at times feels like it has gone for good. But now in 2024, its back with the kind of passion and desire that hasnt been seen for years.

What seems to have changed? M&S really seem to know their customer again, thanks to the ultimate designer team behind the scenes. Maddy Evans was promoted to the position of womenswear director in 2022, and has since made her focus modern mainstream: a customer who she describes as not at the bleeding edge of fashion, but who wants to feel modern and like shes relevant in terms of what shes got on and what her friends might be wearing as well. The product, she says, should absolutely be one that gives her confidence and makes her feel stylish.

This year has seen them take more risks  releasing trend-led mid-season items, listening and accurately predicting what the modern woman wants to wear. Crucially, its clear that Michael Markss clever goldilocks legacy  just enough ranges and quality products that are priced just right  is paying off under Machins direction.

open image in gallery Earn your stripes: an outfit from the Bella Freud collaboration ( Marks & Spencer )

Fast-fashion decimated a high street offering affordable quality and, while M&S arent excluded from that market, they are reliably higher in standard for their price point. Whether its a revamped digital or bricks-and-mortar offering, theyre proving that fancy gimmicks or just jumping on one hot trend doesnt cut it. Really, its about those talks around the table, among formidable teams, who work out that putting the customer first reaps rewards.

What has happened in the last year feels like just the beginning of M&Ss exciting new era. Recently the company confirmed its preparing to launch a new format store  a standalone, boutique-style branch at Battersea Power Station offering curated edits of womenswear, menswear and beauty. If its successful, Machin said, it could be the start of more fashion-only branches being opened around the UK.

Also in Machins sights is making Marks & Spencer a go-to destination for the full family shop. The big shop should feel experiential, Allan Ross, from the company press office says, When customers come in to shop at M&S, we want it to feel like a food hall. Its got the soul of a fresh market, but it runs like a supermarket.

Another win has been getting the go-ahead to knock down and refurbish their flagship store on Oxford Street. Angela Rayner approved the development 18 months after chief executives were blocked by the previous government. Now, work will start on knocking down three buildings on Oxford Street to make way for a new 10-storey development, with a smaller M&S store and other office facilities.

And theyre just the plans we know about. Regardless of what comes next, after a cracking year, Marks & Spencer has found its way firmly back into our hearts. That very British anthem  You cant beat a bit of M&S, can you?  lives on to lead another generation into the food hall, truer than ever.

Added reporting by Chris Blackhurst
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday in the southern French town of Avignon ahead of the verdict in a trial in which dozens of men are accused of raping Gisele Pelicot while she was drugged and rendered unconscious by her husband.

The court is expected to deliver its verdicts by Dec. 20 in the trial of 51 defendants. Last month, prosecutors asked the panel of judges for the maximum possible penalty for aggravated rape  20 years  against the victims now ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, 72.

Gisele Pelicot, 71, has become an icon for those fighting against sexual violence. She testified during the proceedings about the harrowing events, which have sparked widespread public attention.

Outside the courth, demonstrators held placards with messages such as, Victims, we believe you, rapists we see you, and, Shame changes sides.

One large banner displayed on a wall read: Rape has no nationality. Elsewhere, activists posted notes with Gentle words for Gisele on a fence.

Activist Marine Thebaud, who is a member of the Family Planning association, said: We hope that justice will be up to the acts committed against Gisele, that impunity will end and that people will be punished. Were here to show support for all victims of patriarchal violence.

Alain Souberan said he joined the gathering because his partner is a convinced feminist who sings in the Avignon feminist choir.

Personally, I really support this movement. I think men have their place as supporters too, he said.

The trial, which started in September, has drawn attention beyond France, with Pelicots courage in facing her accusers transforming her into a symbol for victims of sexual violence.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Filipino death row inmate Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso knelt to pray when officers came to take her to an execution site in May 2015, just a few feet away from her isolation cell on an Indonesian prison island, where a 13-member firing squad was waiting.

While she prayed, the Philippines government was wrapping up a lengthy legal battle over her fate. Velosos life was ultimately spared  temporarily  by Indonesias Attorney General's Office, which issued a stay of execution shortly before Veloso was to be executed with eight other death row inmates.

Lord, many people there believe that I am guilty, but many people out there believe that I am innocent. Lord, You are the One who knows everything, You knew that I am innocent, so I beg You, please prove that by saving me, Veloso recalled praying in a tearful interview with The Associated Press at a female prison in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

Duped into becoming a drug courier

The reprieve aimed to provide an opportunity for Veloso's testimony to expose how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice and courier in drug trafficking.

Shock washed over Veloso as a group of officials from the attorney general's office informed her of the stay just as she was being led out to the execution site on Nusakambangan prison island. In tears, she remembered a cocoon she saw the previous night hanging from a tree branch near her cell.

In the Philippines we believe that if there is a cocoon, there will be a new life, Veloso said. That means I will not be executed because God will give me a new life.

Veloso, now 39, was arrested in 2010 at the airport in the Indonesian ancient city of Yogyakarta, where officials discovered about 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin hidden in her luggage. The single mother of two sons was convicted and sentenced to death.

Veloso has maintained her innocence throughout her 14 years of incarceration. She has spent her time in prison designing Indonesian batik clothing, painting, tailoring and learning interior design and other skills.

Veloso was granted a stay of execution because her alleged boss was arrested in the Philippines, and the authorities there requested Indonesian assistance in pursuing a case against her. The woman, who allegedly recruited Veloso to work in Kuala Lumpur, Maria Kristina Sergio, surrendered to police in the Philippines just two days ahead of her scheduled execution.

The dramatic turn of events began last month, when in an unusual last-ditch effort to delay Velosos death, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that a deal had been reached for Indonesia to send Veloso home after a decade of pleading from Manila.

Mary Jane Veloso is coming home, Marcos said in a statement. Arrested in 2010 on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to death, Mary Janes case has been a long and difficult journey.

A practical arrangement

A practical arrangement between Indonesia and the Philippines was signed on Dec. 6, to send Veloso home, which is expected before Christmas.

Although there is no treaty between the countries, Indonesia and the Philippines are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the transfer of convicts in the ASEAN region is in accordance with the blocs Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, said Raul Vasquez, the undersecretary at the Department of Justice of the Philippines, after the signing ceremony.

Indonesias Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesias coordinating minister for law, human rights, immigration and corrections, lauded the transfer agreement as a historic milestone between Indonesia and the Philippines, and part of the new administration of President Prabowo Subiantos good neighbor policy.

Once repatriated, Mahendra said, if the Philippines want to pardon Veloso or grant clemency, that is entirely their authority in which we must also respect, the minister added. The Philippines, Asias largest Roman Catholic nation, has abolished the death penalty.

Like a miracle

Veloso described the decision as being like a miracle when I have lost all hope."

For almost 15 years I was separated from my children and parents, and I could not see my children grow up, she said, her eyes filled with tears. I wish to be given an opportunity to take care of my children and to be close to my parents.

Born in Cabanatuan, a city in Nueva Ecija province, Veloso was the youngest of five siblings of a family who lived in extreme poverty. Her father worked as a seasonal agricultural worker on a sugar cane plantation and her mother collected discarded bottles and plastic to sell to junk shops. Veloso dropped out of school in her first year of high school and married her husband when she was just 16 years old.

The couple later separated and she became a single mother to two young sons, forcing her to emigrate to Dubai in 2009 to work as maid. She returned to the Philippines before the end of her two-year contract after an attempted rape by her employer. A year later, Veloso was recruited by Sergio to be employed as a domestic servant in Malaysia but later was shifted to Indonesia.

Major drug smuggling hub

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.

Indonesia's last executions were carried out in July 2016, when an Indonesian and three foreigners were shot by firing squad.

There are about 530 people on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections' data showed as of last month. The Indonesian government recently agreed in principle to return five Australian nationals and a French national to their home countries.

I was not a good Catholic before, and prison has changed my life into a skilled person who has become closer to God, Veloso said. I am ready to build a new life, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.

___

Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A federal jury in Nevada has awarded more than $34 million to a woman who was arrested at age 18, wrongly convicted twice, and served nearly 16 years in a Nevada state prison for a 2001 killing she did not commit.

Kristin Lobato, who is now 41 and uses the name Blaise, cried and hugged her attorneys after a judge read the trial verdict Thursday in U.S. District Court, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Its been an uphill battle with many, many obstacles, she told reporters. And Im happy that its all finally finished.

Lobato said she didn't know if becoming a millionaire would make up for years in prison, adding that she had no idea what the rest of my life is going to look like.

The civil trial jury found Las Vegas police and two detectives, now retired, fabricated evidence during their investigation and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Lobato. The panel determined that Lobato should receive $34 million in compensatory damages from the department and $10,000 in punitive damages from each former detective.

The detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, and their attorney, Craig Anderson, declined to comment outside court. Anderson told U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware he planned to file additional court documents following the verdict. Anderson said Friday an appeal was likely.

The department previously agreed to pay damages if the jury ruled in Lobatos favor.

Lobato was 18 when she was interviewed by police without an attorney, arrested and charged with killing Duran Bailey in Las Vegas in July 2001. Bailey, who had been homeless, was found dead near a trash bin with a slashed neck, cracked skull and missing genitals.

No physical evidence or witnesses connected Lobato to the killing, and she maintained she never met Bailey. But police maintained she confessed in jail that she had killed a man who tried to rape her during a three-day methamphetamine binge.

Lobato was 19 when she was convicted of murder in 2002. The Nevada Supreme Court threw out that verdict and Lobatos prison sentence in 2004 because her lawyers werent able to cross-examine a prosecution witness who testified that Lobato made the jailhouse confession.

Lobato was tried again in 2006, convicted of manslaughter, mutilation and weapon charges, and sentenced to 13 to 45 years in prison.

She was exonerated and freed from prison in late 2017 after the Innocence Project and attorneys in Las Vegas again took her case to the state Supreme Court. Justices said evidence showed that Lobato was in her hometown of Panaca, Nevada, some 150 miles (214 kilometers) from Las Vegas when Bailey was killed.

Last October, a state court judge in Las Vegas issued a certificate declaring Lobato innocent of Baileys killing.

That action was challenged by Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson in a letter asking state Attorney General Aaron Ford to investigate how and why attorneys for Lobato acquired the certificate of innocence.
Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

When Nadege Anelka first came to the West African country of Benin from her home island of Martinique, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, the 57-year-old travel agent said she had a feeling of deja vu.

A lot of the people reminded me of my grandparents, the way they wore their headscarves, their mannerisms, their mentality, she said.

Feeling at home in Benin, Anelka decided to settle there last July and open a travel agency. She hopes to become a citizen by taking advantage of a law passed in September that grants citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade.

The new law is part of a broader effort by Benin to reckon with its own historical role in the slave trade.

The law is open to all over 18 who do not already hold other African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Beninese authorities accept DNA tests, authenticated testimonies and family records.

Anelka used Anchoukaj" ("Affiliation in Antillean Creole), a website recognized by Benin to trace her heritage, proving that her ancestors were slaves in Martinique. If her application is successful, she will receive a provisional certificate of nationality valid for three years. To get citizenship, she'll be required to stay at least once in Benin during that period.

Benin is not the first country to grant citizenship to descendants of slaves. Earlier this month, Ghana naturalized 524 African Americans after the West African countrys president, Nana Akufo-Addo, invited them to come home in 2019, as part of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in North America in 1619.

But Benins citizenship law carries added significance in part because of the role it played in the slave trade as one of the main points of departure.

An estimated 1.5 million slaves were deported from the Bight of Benin, a territory that includes modern-day Benin and Togo and part of modern-day Nigeria, said Ana Lucia Araujo, a professor of history at Howard University who has spent years researching Benins role.

The coastal town of Ouidah was one of Africas most active slave-trading ports in the 18th and 19th centuries. Close to a million men, women and children were captured, chained and forced onto ships there, mainly destined for what would become the United States and Brazil and the Caribbean.

Benin has struggled to resolve its legacy of complicity. For over 200 years, powerful kings captured and sold slaves to Portuguese, French and British merchants.

The kingdoms still exist today as tribal networks, and so do the groups that were raided. Rumors that President Patrice Talon is a descendant of slave merchants sparked much debate while he was running for office in 2016. Talon has never publicly addressed the rumors.

Benin has openly acknowledged its role in the slave trade, a stance not shared by many other African nations that participated. In the 1990s, Benin hosted an international conference, sponsored by UNESCO, to examine how and where slaves were sold.

And in 1999, President Mathieu Kerekou fell to his knees whiling visiting a church in Baltimore and issued an apology to African Americans for Africas involvement in the slave trade.

Alongside this national reckoning, memorial tourism centered around the legacy of the slave trade has become a key strategy of Benins government to attract foreigners.

Memorial sites are mostly in Ouidah. They include the Door of No Return, which marks the point from which many enslaved people were shipped across the Atlantic, as well as the towns history museum.

At the Tree of Forgetfulness, enslaved people were said to be symbolically forced to forget their past lives.

Memories of the slave trade are present on both sides of the Atlantic, but only one of these sides is well known, said Sinde Chekete, the head of Benins state-run tourism agency.

Nate Debos, 37, an American musician living in New Orleans, learned about Benin's citizenship law while visiting for the Porto Novo mask festival. He had never been to West Africa before, but his interest in the Vodun religion led him there.

Debos is the president of an association called New Orleans National Vodou Day. It mirrors Benins Vodun Day, a national holiday on Jan. 10 with a festival in Ouidah celebrating Vodun, an official religion in Benin, practiced by at least a million people in the country.

It originated in the kingdom of Dahomey  in the south of present-day Benin  and revolves around the worship of spirits and ancestors through rituals and offerings. Slavery brought Vodun to the Americas and the Caribbean, where it became Vodou, a blend with Catholicism.

Vodou is one of the chains that connects Africa to the Americas, said Araujo, the professor. For enslaved Africans, it was a way of resisting slavery.

European colonial powers and slave owners sought to suppress African cultural and religious practices. Vodun was preserved through syncretism, as African deities and spirits were merged with or disguised as Catholic saints.

Our African ancestors were not tribal savages, they had sophisticated cultures with very noble and beautiful spiritual practices," Debos said.

He now seeks to establish more partnerships with collectives practicing Vodun in Benin, which would require him to stay in the country for longer periods. He will apply for citizenship, but not with an intention to move there permanently.

At the end of the day, I am an American, even when I am dressed in the wonderful fabrics and suits they have in Benin, Debos said.

Anelka, the travel agent now living in Benin, said her motivations behind getting Beninese citizenship are mostly symbolic.

I know I will never be completely Beninese. I will always be considered a foreigner she said. But I am doing this for my ancestors. Its a way to reclaim my heritage, a way of getting reparation.

___

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.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Police have released images of two men they want to speak to after 200,000 of luxury designer handbags were stolen in a raid.

Burglars made off with the high-value haul, which also included designer watches, after they targeted premises in Mill Hill, northwest London.

The items, which are said to include bags by Chanel and Hermes, were taken between 10.30 and 10.50pm on Tuesday 3 December from the venue in Bunns Lane.

Metropolitan Police detectives have released images of two men they would like to speak to in connection with the break-in, which has left the business owner distraught.

open image in gallery Detectives have released images of two men they want to identify after 200,000 of designer bags were stolen ( Metropolitan Police )

One was pictured on CCTV earlier that day wearing a black puffer jacket, while the other appeared wearing a black jacket over a grey hooded top.

Separate CCTV footage seen by Mail Online is said to show two men dressed in black kicking a door at the showroom later that night, before making off with shopping bags filled with stolen handbags.

Among the bags stolen were a blue-suede cowskin Chanel bag with champagne-coloured hardware, priced at around 2,250, and a vintage 1957 Hermes Kelly 28 Miel Crocodile bag, valued at over 11,000, according to reports.

A black Chanel mock alligator-skin bag worth in excess of 4,000 and an olive green Hermes Kelly costing 8,000 were also said to have been taken.

open image in gallery The raid took place at around 10.30pm on 3 December, leaving the business owner distraught ( Metropolitan Police )

Detective Sergeant Joe Halsey said: I would ask people to look at these images and see if they recognise the two men shown. They were taken in Bunns Lane earlier on the day of the theft.

The owner of the business is understandably distraught by what has happened and we need assistance to apprehend those responsible.

At this time we are working to establish whether this burglary is linked to any others.

Anyone with information that could assist is asked to call 101 or X @MetCC and quote 01/1160486/24. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A gunman who opened fire on the street with a submachine gun before fleeing in a Rolls Royce has been jailed for more than 15 years.

Mohammad Khan fired the lethal Skorpion gun in the direction of a man standing in a doorway, damaging a house and parked car on Melrose Place, Smethwick.

open image in gallery Mohammed Khan has been jailed for 15 years and six months ( West Midlands Police )

Khan, 29, was among a group of people who arrived at Melrose Place at 4am on 6 September 2023 following a dispute. Khan was handed the Skorpion gun - Eastern European weapons which can fire up to 800 rounds-per-minute - by an associate.

No one was injured in the shooting and the mob fled off in a hired Rolls Royce, before West Midlands Police tracked down the vehicle and were able to identify Khan following forensic investigations.

open image in gallery The Skorpion submachine gun was first designed in eastern Europe ( Wiki Commons )

Khan was arrested soon after and charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. After facing a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Khan was sentenced this week to 15 years and six months in prison.

Skorpion guns are machine pistols which were first designed in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. They were later believed to have been used by members of Irish republican groups.

West Midlands Police said: Were continuing our work to take all guns off the streets and jail those who are prepared to use, supply or handle them. Over the last 12 months weve helped put many offenders behind bars and there is no hiding place, well continue to do this.

The success is part of Operation Target, which sees us take a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences.

Officers use local intelligence, seize goods, carry out warrants and target offenders as part the ongoing crackdown.
One historic newspaper in Linn County announced this week that it is shutting down while another admits it's on life support.

Normally published on Thursdays, The Brownsville Times, one of Oregons oldest newspapers, printed its final edition last week. Meanwhile, the New Era, a Sweet Home-based newspaper, may only be "revived" if its former editor and publisher purchases the weekly and pulls it out of its financial turmoil.

The announcements come amid other big changes in the state's news lineup.

In June locally-owned EO Media group slashed 28 jobs across its newspaper chain before selling to Mississippi-based Carpenter Media, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Then earlier this month the new owners proceeded with another round of layoffs, which included cuts made at the Bend Bulletin and five employees at the Rogue Valley Times, OPB reported.

Carpenter is also looking to sell the real estate connected to The Astorian and Blue Mountain Eagle in John Day, The Oregonian reported earlier this month, although the plan is to continue publishing those papers.

Brownsville

On Thursday, Dec. 12, The Brownsville Pharmacy & Gifts did not receive its usual Thursday morning delivery of the weekly newspaper. Neither did the towns Dari-Mart or any other of the papers vendors throughout central Linn County.

The paper, formed in 1888, printed its final edition on Dec. 5. It also covered Crawfordsville, Halsey, Harrisburg, Shedd and Tangent, according to its masthead.

When reached for comment, owner and staff writer Vance Parrish declined an interview and pointed to a statement on the newspapers website.

The closure came after a long hard fought battle to continue operations, according to the statement.

Several challenges led us to this decision, the most recent being a change our printer implemented which made it financially impossible to continue producing the newspaper. We were informed of this new policy the day after the December 5th issue was distributed, preventing us from being able to publish a farewell issue, the statement reads.

For clarity, it was not printed at the Democrat-Herald.

Primarily a print product, The Times' website didn't post stories. But it did use the space to thank those who had supported its efforts to provide local news. The message also included a pitch to anyone interested in continuing publication to contact The Times through the website.

As The Times provided nearly all our familys income, if you are able, we are asking for donations using one of the links below to help us during this difficult time, Again THANK YOU for your support! the statement reads.

Parish and his wife Holly Parrish bought The Times from then-Mayor Don Ware in 2011.

An elected official owning a newspaper in which he would often be featured did not escape criticism, and the Associate Press picked up a Register-Guard article that questioned the ethics of the ownership.

Parrish, who does not have formal journalism training, had nonetheless wanted to raise the bar with The Times content, he told Mid-Valley Media in a 2022 interview.

The Times had only two reporters, Parrish and his daughter Tia Parrish. The family of three did everything from reporting to delivering the paper.

Sweet Home

News of The Times' closure comes in tandem with another Linn County newspaper's announcement it also may shutter by year's end.

Drowning in red ink, The New Era, a 95-year-old weekly newspaper based in Sweet Home, faces an uncertain future.

"By the end of December, my wife Miriam and I will need to make the very difficult decision as to whether to attempt to revive The New Era into a healthy sustainable local news source or walk away and let it die," former editor and publisher Scott Swanson wrote in an editorial on the front page of the Dec. 11 e-edition of The New Era, which distributes its print version on Thursdays.

Lebanon Local, a monthly newspaper established in 2016 by Swanson, is facing the same fate.

That city already saw the demise of one paper when Lee Enterprises, owner of the Albany Democrat-Herald and Corvallis Gazette-Times, shut down the Lebanon Express in January 2023 after 135 years. The company continues to staff a reporting position to serve the town.

Swanson and his wife have operated The New Era for 18 years, he wrote. In 2023, the couple sold the paper to Chris Chapman.

Chapman recently notified Swanson the operation is facing such hardships as understaffing and a lack of advertising sales, Swanson wrote in his editorial.

"When we analyzed the situation, we could see that The New Era was, quite honestly, short on staff, and close to collapse financially," Swanson wrote.

He needs to plug a $40,000-$50,000 gap to regain financial stability, Swanson said by phone.

Currently there are three employees across the two news outlets  Swanson doesn't count himself or his wife, who are "essentially volunteering," he said.

The staff count includes a designer, office manager and reporter. The paper also leans on freelance help, he said. When he last owned the paper, about 1 years ago, he had six employees.

Swanson said it may be too early to think about economic models going forward; he just wants to close the financial gap first. Still, he and his wife are confident in their ability to revive the newspaper.

He credited Chapman for making strides in the papers' online news presence and social media outreach.

In his editorial, Swanson described why local news is so important. Without local news there is less government accountability, less civic engagement, potential for misinformation, increased political polarization, and a lost historical record, among other impacts.

"Your local newspaper is essential in keeping you as informed, engaged and empowered as you want to be  and everybody no matter how disinterested you think you are, will likely want to be informed, engaged and empowered at some point," Swanson wrote.

Recovery also has to be a group effort, Swanson said. Businesses can help by purchasing ads, individuals can help by subscribing and anyone can simply contribute, Swanson wrote.

Donations can be sent to the office's location at 1313 Main St., Sweet Home, OR 97386.

Already, Swanson has received some support from the community. The news went out on Thursday, he said. On Friday, three people were already waiting at the office before it opened with their wallets out, he said over the phone.

Not just Linn County

The state of local news is precarious across the country, said Andrew DeVigal, director of the Agora Journalism Center at the University of Oregon, with vast sections being labeled "news deserts" after local papers collapsed.

And the stakes are high.

With no watchdogs, the possibility of political and business corruption increases, he said. Meanwhile, the community suffers a lack of cohesion and opportunity to understand one another.

Civic participation also can plummet, not just voting in local elections but volunteerism and knowing which community organizations to engage with, DeVigal said.

The news vacuum can lead to the spread of misinformation and a lack of trust, he said.

Many people get their news from social media, DeVigal said. Even when the information may not be the most reliable, there is a sense of community around it that may be missing in news from media outlets.

Surviving news outlets have to do outreach and find out what is important to that community to build trust, he said: "We need to go where people are, it's not enough to just try and save newspapers anymore."

For small media outlets with few employees that may be an even taller order, but DeVigal believes collaboration can help fill in the gaps media outlets may face in a changing landscape.

"Oregon is not unique; we are all suffering, but there are some states with a stronger collaborative network," DeVigal said.

Some states, like Colorado, New Mexico and New Jersey, have collaborative networks for news outlets. They offer ways to share resources, support and even generate funding, he said, citing Press Forward, a national coalition with over $500 million to support local news.

Oregon doesn't that  yet.

DeVigal is trying to create Oregon's own collaborative network for support and information sharing, called the Oregon Media Collaborative. Sixty-five journalists representing numerous news organizations have signed on, he said.

"What keeps me up at night is trying to come up with a plan to save journalism by enriching the connections with the community, to ask what those communities need and give pathways for the them to participate," he said.

Editor's note: This story has been edited to correct the name of the University of Oregon journalism center and to clarify that the Oregon Media Collaborative has 65 journalists representing numerous news organizations in the state.

Related stories:
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Hundreds of shooting stars are once again lighting up the night sky across parts of England, in one of the last major meteor showers of the year.

The Geminid meteor shower was visible in the early hours of Saturday morning, with streaks of white were spotted from Northumberland to Somerset.

Striking photos from keen stargazers revealed the beautiful celestial scene, which will return to British skies on Saturday night into Sunday - and continue to be active until December 20.

The shower - one of the most active of the year - is currently peaking and stargazers are seizing the opportunity to potentially witness dozens of shooting stars in the space of just hours.

open image in gallery Photographer Lee Reid captured a shot of the Geminid meteor shower over Lindisfarne in Northumberland (Lee Reid/PA) ( PA Media )

Photographer Lee Reid drove an hour from his home in Newcastle to Lindisfarne in Northumberland, where a clear patch of sky allowed him to watch the shower.

I could actually see the meteors on drive up, and I was getting, obviously, quite excited, Mr Reid said. Lindisfarne seems to be my lucky spot behind me was cloud but a big portion of the skies, at sort of 5.30am in the north east region was clear.

Its amazing because when youre planning things for a few days and hoping and praying for some clear skies so its good when a plan comes together.

Known as a meteor storm due to the intensity of the shower, the Geminids are one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, physics research fellow Dr Minjae Kim at the University of Warwick said.

open image in gallery A man watches a meteor during the Geminid meteor shower (PA) ( PA Archive )

Alongside the Quadrantids, the Geminid meteor showers are they only which dont originate from a comet. The shooting stars which you can see lighting up the night sky can be caused by asteroid particles as small as a grain of sand, Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) said.

Whats the best way to see the Geminids?

The Geminid meteor shower has been known to produce a peak of more than 150 meteors per hour, according to RMG. In reality, the number which can be seen is significantly less.

Unfortunately for this years shower - which is peaking on 14th and 15th December - the moon is full, meaning viewing conditions arent favourable.

But it is still your best chance to see a meteor shower all year. The museum advises that you bring a comfy chair and wrap up warm, as watching meteors is ultimately a waiting game.

Binoculars and telescopes arent necessary as the meteors can be seen with the naked eye. But dont expect to see them as soon as you step outside - you will need to wait for your eyes to adjust to the dark.

Dont look at the moon or the stars. Instead, watch the darkest areas of the sky for the best chance of spotting a meteor.

Avoiding all light pollution around you - including street lights, roads, and your home - gives you the best chance of spotting a meteor. Although meteors are visible across the night sky, they will often appear to originate from the Gemini constellation, RMG added.

Find a wide open space to give you the largest possible view of the sky, get comfortable, and wait for the nighttime spectacle to begin.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

King Charles has reportedly been briefed by British security services over his brother Prince Andrews relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.

The Duke of York has said he ceased all contact with the businessman when concerns were first raised about him, with his office stating with that nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed between them.

The businessman, known only as H6, lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds, and was described as a close confidante of Andrew.

A royal source told The Mirror: The King has been briefed about this situation regarding the suspected Chinese spy and is very aware of what has been and what is being done about it.

It is the latest association of the Duke of Yorks to cause controversy, after his affiliation with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein led to him being removed from royal duties after conducting a disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight.

A statement from Andrews office said: The Duke of York followed advice from His Majestys government and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised.

open image in gallery The Duke of York could have been made vulnerable to misuse of influence, judges said ( PA Archive )

The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.

He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.

Judges heard H6 formed a close working relationship with Prince Andrew, receiving an invite to his birthday party in 2020 and being told he could act on his behalf.

A letter referencing the birthday party from the adviser, Dominic Hampshire, was discovered on H6s devices when he was stopped at a port in November 2021.

The letter also said: I also hope that it is clear to you where you sit with my principal and indeed his family.

You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.

The businessman had brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after then-home secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK in March 2023.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew said he ceased all contact with the businessman after concerns were raised ( PA Archive )

During a previous hearing in July 2023, officials had claimed that H6 was in a position to generate relationships between UK figures and Chinese officials that could be leveraged for political interference purposes.

They also said that H6 had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Andrew, 64, represented a threat to national security.

In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Bourne, Judge Stephen Smith and Sir Stewart Eldon, dismissed the appeal challenge.

In their 53-page ruling, the judges said that Andrew could have been made vulnerable to the misuse of the influence H6 had.

They said: The applicant won a significant degree, one could say an unusual degree, of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him.

That occurred in a context where, as the contemporaneous documents record, the duke was under considerable pressure and could be expected to value the applicants loyal support.

It is obvious that the pressures on the duke could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence.

That does not mean that the home secretary could be expected to exclude from the UK any Chinese businessman who formed a commercial relationship with the duke or with any other member of the Royal Family.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

An alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK on security grounds was reportedly invited to Buckingham Palace by Prince Andrew.

The businessman at the centre of the latest scandal to engulf the Duke of York is said to have twice visited the royal residence at the invitation of the Kings younger brother.

The suspected spy, known only as H6, also entered St Jamess Palace and Windsor Castle, The Times reported.

Andrew insists he ceased all contact with the businessman accused of being a Chinese spy when concerns were first raised about him. He met the individual through official channels and nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed, a statement from his office said.

King Charles has also reportedly been briefed by British security services over his brothers association with the alleged spy, described as a close confidante of Andrew.

It is the latest association of the Duke of Yorks to cause controversy, after his affiliation with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein led to him being removed from royal duties in the wake of a disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight.

open image in gallery A businessman banned from Britain on security grounds was reportedly invited to Buckingham Palace by Prince Andrew ( PA Wire )

Details of his relationship with H6 were revealed after the businessman lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds.

He brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after then-home secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK in March 2023.

Judges were told that H6 had been in a position to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials that could be leveraged for political interference purposes.

They also said H6 had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Andrew, 64, represented a threat to national security.

At a hearing in July, the specialist tribunal heard the businessman was told by an adviser to Andrew that he could act on the dukes behalf when dealing with potential investors in China, and that H6 had been invited to Andrews birthday party in 2020.

A letter referencing the birthday party from the adviser, Dominic Hampshire, was discovered on H6s devices when he was stopped at a port in November 2021.

In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Bourne, Judge Stephen Smith and Sir Stewart Eldon dismissed the challenge.

It comes after the royal family reportedly took further steps over the summer to distance themselves from the disgraced duke, with the King said to have axed his 1m annual living allowance and the security Charles had been privately funding for Andrews home.

open image in gallery King Charles III is said to have axed a living allowance for his brother, the Duke of York ( Getty )

Andrew Lownie, who is writing a biography of the Duke and Sarah, Duchess of York, said the latest revelations involving the Kings younger brother would impact the wider family and the future of the monarchy, as he called for greater transparency around the the royals finances.

He said: The real scandals surrounding him are financial more than sexual.

Given he cannot police his own activities and understand where the moral boundaries lie, it is time for proper scrutiny of his finances and a public register of royal interests.

Judging from online comments [in response] to newspaper articles, this episode is highly damaging for the whole of the royal family whose finances and business activities should now be more transparent.

Time, too, for the exemption for them in the Freedom of Information Act be removed and their wills not sealed.

After recent scandals, I think this is a very serious moment for the future of the monarchy.

Buckingham Palace and the Duke of Yorks office have been approached for comment.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Donald Trump hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Cook is the latest in a string of big tech leaders  including OpenAI's Sam Altman, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos  who have sought to improve their standing with the incoming president after choppy relations with Trump during his first term.

Trump has said he has spoken with Cook about the company's long-running tax battles with the European Union.

The meeting comes less than two months after Trump said he spoke to Cook by phone, and soon after Apple lost its last appeal in a dispute with the EU over 13 billion euros ($14.34 billion) in back taxes to Ireland.

He said the European Union has just fined us $15 billion," Trump recalled of his conversation with Cook, in an October interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David. "Then on top of that they got fined by the European Union another $2 billion."

The decision by the EU top court was the finale to a dispute that centered on sweetheart deals that Dublin was offering to attract multinational businesses with minimal taxes across the 27-nation bloc. The European Commission in 2016 ruled that Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid that Ireland was required to recover.

Trump's transition team and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his dinner with Cook.

OpenAI CEO Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to Trumps inauguration fund, the company confirmed Friday. Amazon and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed this week they had each donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund.

During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trumps past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trumps bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract.

More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. Last week, he said at The New York Times DealBook Summit in New York that he was optimistic about Trumps second term while also endorsing president-elects plans to cut regulations.

The donation from Meta came just weeks after Meta CEO Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago.

During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trumps response to his first assassination attempt.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Keir Starmer has been urged to get serious about boosting the economy and forge closer links with the EU as the UK prepares to formally join a partnership of Asia-Pacific countries which he once said would yield very small benefits.

Rishi Sunaks government predicted that the post-Brexit trade deal would grow the economy by a tiny 0.08 per cent, but it later emerged that even that may be an overestimate, according to the governments own documents.

After failing to secure its original objective of a Brexit trade deal with the United States, the Tory government presented joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a flagship agreement and a major benefit of leaving the European Union. Last year, while still in opposition, Sir Keir warned that the benefits would be very small.

open image in gallery The UK is being urged to forge better relationships with the EU post-Brexit ( PA Archive )

At the time, the Labour leader added that it was "good to have a new trade deal, but better to have a closer relationship with the EU to go alongside it".

Dominic Grieve, co-president of European Movement UK, said: "Whatever the benefits of being part of the CPTPP, they can never come close to the benefits to the UK economy of being part of the single market.

With the latest figures showing that our growth is flatlining, its time for common sense to finally prevail, and for the government to recognise that being serious about boosting our economy means being serious about forging a closer relationship with the European Union."

The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

open image in gallery Dominic Grieve says the CPTPP wont come close to the EU single market ( AFP via Getty Images )

Were Britain to rejoin the EU, it would have to leave the CPTPP, as separate free trade agreements are incompatible with being inside Europes single market and customs union. So far, Labour has ruled out any return to the customs union or single market.

The prime minister has vowed to reset the UKs relationship with the EU, fixing it for the benefit of generations to come. But he has faced claims that he is not going fast or far enough.

Documents released alongside the Budget showed Brexit is on course to cut UK trade by 15 per cent, according to the governments independent financial watchdog.

Vote Leave campaigners argued in the run up to 2016s referendum that British trade would receive a boost from exiting the European Union.

But the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said that weak growth in imports and exports over the medium term partly reflect the continuing impact of Brexit, which we expect to reduce the overall trade intensity of the UK economy by 15 per cent in the long term.

A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: The UK is pursuing a twin track approach to trade, implementing CPTPP, as well as pursuing free trade agreements with the likes of India and the GCC, while simultaneously resetting the relationship with our European friends.

This will strengthen ties and tackle barriers to trade with the EU, to grow our economy and make working people better off.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Brussels is said to be preparing to ask the UK to follow European Union laws for the first time since Brexit as part of plans for a new trade deal with Sir Keir Starmer.

It comes as the prime minister attempts to reset the UKs relationship with the bloc after years of tense relations under successive Conservative prime ministers.

While Sir Keir has repeatedly insisted the UK will not rejoin the single market within his lifetime, he has pledged to make Brexit work by renegotiating the deal agreed upon by Boris Johnson and pursuing closer cooperation, particularly on defence, security and trade.

A blueprint for European negotiators looking at the trade deal, seen by The Times, indicates that EU leaders are planning to make UK acceptance of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) a red line for an improved trading relationship.

The document also reportedly sets out British concessions on fishing and a youth mobility scheme as key priorities for the EU.

Keir Starmer is attempting to pursue a reset with the EU ( Getty )

The ECJ is the judicial authority of the EU and ensures compliance with EU laws.

According to the document, the EU would also ask the UK to allow European fishermen to access British waters.

It says the UK must agree to the maintenance of the status quo on access for European boats to British waters before talks can begin, including the same levels of catch allowances as those that are currently in place.

The plans have sparked outrage from fishing groups, with Charles Clover, co-founder of conservation charity the Blue Marine Foundation, claiming the demands are absolutely outrageous.

If agreed, he said, they would allow French trawlers to trash UK marine protected areas.

The document is expected to be presented to a council of European ministers next week, ahead of the start of formal talks between the UK and EU which will begin early next year.

Sir Keir and European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen have agreed to hold regular EU-UK leader summits, with the first set to take place in early 2025.

It comes just days after the UK struck a fishing deal with the EU, which the government estimates to be worth 360m and claimed highlights all parties continued commitment to manage fisheries sustainably.

Following negotiations with the EU for 2025 fishing quotas, the UK secured 150,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities  15,000 tonnes more than in 2024  ministers announced on Wednesday.

Another key aspect of the EUs approach to talks with the UK is a youth mobility scheme, a proposal which Downing Street has so far rejected.

The agreement, which has become a major sticking point between the UK and EU, would likely mirror similar arrangements Britain already has with countries including Australia and Japan and would allow 18- to 35-year-olds to move and work freely between countries for up to two years.

Despite Downing Streets objections, the issue is also expected to be on the EUs agenda for the first summit of 2025.

Mike Galsworthy, chair of pro-EU campaign group the European Movement, said that progress with the EU may require quid pro quo horse trading.

The UK government was never going to get a free lunch if it wanted the EU to commit time and resources into trade measures to boost the UK economy and pull it out of its Brexit mire, he said.

Some demands, like youth mobility are an obvious boon all round. Others will be quid pro quo horse trading. But all of it will unlock opportunities to build better economic prosperity.

With fishing, presumably this would re-open the EU market to UK fishermen, which would be a shot in the arm given the damage that Brexit did to our fishing industry.

A government spokesperson said: This government is resetting its relationship with the EU and wants to strengthen cooperation, to make people safer and tackle barriers to trade, to help drive economic growth.

We have been clear that there will be no return to the customs union, single market or freedom of movement. The UK government will always work to protect the interests of our fishers.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The tractor tax row has taken a dramatic new turn after a pro-Labour tax expert used by Sir Keir Starmer to support the move called on him to reverse his decision.

Labour-supporting tax campaigner Dan Neidle says the Budget decision to charge death tax on family farms worth over 1m should be dumped in favour of a 20m threshold with an added clawback system. The clawback would apply for those who sold farms worth less than 20m immediately after inheriting them.

The proposal would remove at a stroke the threat of farmers who want to pass on their farms to their children being forced to sell up to pay a massive tax bill, said Mr Neidle. Instead, the government should target rich landowners who use the current inheritance tax (IHT) exemption on farms as a tax dodge, he argued.

Insisting his dramatic and simple blueprint to end the row is workable, he said it was time for all concerned to do some proper thinking and ignore the political noise.

open image in gallery Farmers protest the tax in Westminster this week ( Reuters )

Mr Neidles intervention was hailed as a breakthrough by farmers outraged by the levy announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves last month.

National Farmers Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw told The Independent: Having seen one of the staunchest advocates for her tax change his mind, it would be nice to think the chancellor and those who came up with this mess will look again.

Mr Bradshaw praised Mr Neidle for his willingness to look again at the impacts of this tax.

He added: Having done so, he saw that the policy is badly thought out, cripples family farms not tax avoiders, and will have a devastating impact.

Influential Mr Neidle was dragged into the fiasco last month when he backed the government in a dispute over how many farmers would be hit by the new tax, due to take effect in 2026.

open image in gallery Tractors lined up outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster for Wednesdays protest ( PA Wire )

In an article for the BBC, Mr Neidle said Ms Reevess claim that few farmers would be affected was likely to be true. Sir Keir controversially seized on it as evidence that farmers who claimed far more would be affected were wrong.

Amid claims of political bias, the BBC was forced to drop its description of Mr Neidle in the article as an independent tax expert.

Mr Neidle makes no secret of his pro-Labour views and is a member of Labours national constitution committee that deals with party discipline.

He has won praise in the past for investigations into tax fraud by his non-profit-making Tax Policy Associates group.

Under Mr Neidles new proposal, there would be a twentyfold increase in the level at which IHT kicks in on farmers.

Instead of the 1m in Ms Reevess Budget, he says it should be 20m  and that this would effectively save all family farms.

With this change, IHT would have no impact on a family farm succession planning, if the farmers heirs continue to own the farm, he said.

Wed be taxing farmers a lot less, but IHT-exemption-chasing investors a lot more. All in all, the revenue difference for the Treasury is likely [to be] small.

The farmers and tax advisers Ive spoken to think this is workable. The question is whether the current political noise creates any space for proper policy thinking. Lets see.

With more protests expected to follow scores of tractors descending on London last Wednesday, the justification for Ms Reevess extending inheritance tax to agricultural land in her Budget appears to be unravelling.

It comes as Labour MPs have privately told The Independent that they cannot understand why Labour picked a fight with farmers and rural communities for a tax which raises just 500m a year.

It is understood that a caucus of rural Labour MPs has already been set up to look for a way to persuade the government to back down.

In addition, the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank gave evidence to the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee in which it appeared to criticise the governments proposals.

While the policy had been developed to stop wealthy people like entrepreneur Sir James Dyson from using the loophole to avoid inheritance tax, David Sturrock of the IFS accepted it is very likely that this change will affect family farms on any reasonable definition.

In its report, the IFS said: In some cases, the farm will simply yield too little income (and the inheritor will have too few other resources) to pay the tax. The owners might choose, or be forced, to sell part or all of the farm. This is a feature of inheritance tax: the same applies to those inheriting a family home, for example.

The Treasury has also come under fire for not carrying out an impact assessment into the effect of the policy while claiming it will only affect around 500 farms a year.

The NFU estimates that in reality, it will be between 2,000 and 2,500 a year, which would mean that over 30 years, as many as 70,000 farms could be impacted.

The NFU also seized on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) figures which suggested 60 per cent of farms could be hit. This is disputed by the government which described it as a misreading which excluded tax allowances.

In its report, the NFU stated: Looking at sector impacts, the tax charge resulting from a 1m threshold would wipe out returns for an average cereals farm and around half of returns for average dairy farms. Considering typical historic returns on an average cereals farm and factoring in the reduction in direct payments, a farm making a profit of 34,000 will be hit with 10 annual IHT instalments of 53,000, over 1.5 times its profits. Even at a 2m threshold, the annual tax payments of 33,000 would equal farm profits.

The union also accused the Treasury of failing to take three key factors into account which has driven up the value of farms.

First, it has included claims on land parcels or non-commercial units which need to be stripped out to calculate the real number of farms affected. Second, it only looked at agricultural property relief and not business property relief in their calculations. Finally, the NFU claims the government ignored the double-digit percentage growth in agricultural land value since 2021-22.

This means that the Treasurys claim that about 28 per cent of farms could be affected is wrong according to the NFU, which maintains it is closer to 75 per cent.

Mr Neidle, who denies he has changed his mind on the policy, told The Independent: My figures changed downwards but the debate about the figures is a bit of a distraction in my view (and the NFU agree with that). The question is how the rules should work.

Im not asking the government to back down. Im asking them to double down and achieve their aim of stopping IHT avoidance more effectively. At the same time, that protects family farms. Its win-win.

A Treasury spokesperson said: Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast  we have committed 5bn 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.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In the early morning hours of New Years Day 2021, a Georgia woman woke up to a masked intruder in her bedroom.

What first seemed like a nightmare to Morgan Metzer quickly became real when the shadowy figure in the doorway suddenly lunged and attacked her.

The intruder, who disguised his voice to sound like Batman, restrained her with zip ties, beat her and sexually assaulted her before leaving her on the porch with a pillowcase over her head.

A short time after the attacker left, Morgans ex-husband, Rodney Rod Metzer, arrived at the house in what appeared to be an act of heroism.

But investigators soon uncovered shocking revelations that left them questioning whether Metzer was the hero of the story  or the villain.

Morgans harrowing attack is the focus of this weeks all-new 48 Hours episode, The Batman Intruder, which airs at 10/9c Saturday on CBS and Paramount+.

Night of the attack

Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriffs Office responded to Morgans home in Canton, Georgia on the morning of January 1, 2021. Theyd received a 911 call from her ex-husband who said he had discovered her tied up on the porch, according to an August 2021 release from the Office of the District Attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit.

She recalled the harrowing attack to the authorities.

I saw the shadow of a mans body standing there, you know, all in black and just lit up by the light in the background, she said. He had a mask on.

After the man jumped on her, thats when he started pistol-whipping me, Morgan said.

open image in gallery Photos from the day Morgan Metzer was attacked, when a man lunged at her, hit her and zip-tied her hands ( Cherokee County Sheriff's Office )

As Morgan struggled, the intruder growled at her: Youre gonna regret this, youve done really wrong now, she recalled him saying, adding that he kept trying to make his voice low and gravelly.

It was the sound of Batmans voice, she said.

The man then used zip ties to constrain her wrists before sexually assaulting her and strangling her nearly unconscious twice, she said.

Morgan was left on the back porch, which was connected to the bedroom, with a pillowcase over her head.

Ex-husband to the rescue

Morgan was on the porch for about 40 minutes when she heard someone walking toward her.

She worried the assailant had come back to finish her off, but this time, she heard a familiar voice. It was her ex-husband.

Oh honey, what happened? Morgan said he said to her.

The former couple had finalized their divorce just weeks before the attack, ending a 20-year marriage. Morgan said the decision to file for divorce came after years of what she described as mental and physical abuse from her husband.

Metzer had moved out of the house and into his own apartment but the two continued to co-parent their nine-year-old twins, who were spending a few days with Morgans sister in Florida when the attack happened.

Despite the divorce, Morgan said that her ex was constantly trying to get back together with her. But she told him she had no interest in reconciling.

Masked intruder disguises voice to sound like Batman in harrowing home invasion

Just days before the attack, Morgan said he called her with shocking news that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

And so I rushed to go see him, Morgan told 48 hours. He showed me doctors notes and whatnot.

She then invited him to stay at their house to help him cope with his diagnosis.

I needed to be supportive still because its the father of my children, she explained.

But on the morning of New Years Eve, a day before the attack, she told him that he needed to tell his parents about his diagnosis, which sparked an argument.

He said, No, absolutely not. Im not telling anybody. And thats when I was like, OK, get out, Morgan recalled to 48 Hours.

Metzer left the house, but continued to text her throughout the day. Morgan became fed up with his antics so she said she lied to him about going to stay at her parents home that night for New Years Eve.

After the attack, investigators questioned both Morgan and Metzer at the scene.

Metzer told police that after Morgan ordered him to leave, he did, and had planned on spending the night at his apartment. But then he heard someone knock on his window and say Morgans name. Worried about her, he said he called but there was no answer. So he drove to her house to check on her.

open image in gallery Morgan Metzer tells 48 Hours about the harrowing attack on her in 2021 ( 48 Hours )

When asked why he didnt go to her parents house, where she said shed be, he claimed that he drove to her home out of habit.

Investigators became suspicious of Metzers story as they looked into how he knew Morgan was at her home that night when she said otherwise, as well as the coincidental timing of his arrival just after the attack.

And then things took a bizarre turn.

An unexpected twist

After questioning the couple at the scene, investigators ordered search warrants for Metzers apartment, car, and his cell phone and laptop.

What they found was a slew of odd internet searches on his browsing history.

The searches included, How to get sympathy from your ex and How to change the sound of your voice.

Other searches included, How long before you starve to death and how long it takes to choke someone unconscious.

There was one search that really stood out to investigators: cancer letter from hospital.

Investigators then discovered that Metzer had created a fake email account and posed as a doctor in order to send himself the cancer diagnosis letter that he had shown Morgan.

open image in gallery Rodney Metzer pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the attack and was sentenced to 70 years in prison ( Cherokee County sheriffs office )

He had created a bill for a doctors office to show that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer, said Rachel Ashe, the deputy chief assistant district attorney for Cherokee County.

She said that Metzer did all of this in order to convince Morgan that he had pancreatic cancer and that it was in an attempt to gain sympathy from his ex-wife.

Investigators said he had created a convoluted plan that the investigators in this case and our office truly believe involved a plot to kill her and then himself, and that when he couldnt go through with that plan, he instead devised a new plan to rescue her.

The investigation found that it was Metzer who had attacked Morgan in the early morning hours of New Years Day.

A handgun was found in his car and zip ties that matched the ones used in the assault were found in his apartment.

Investigators also obtained surveillance footage showing Metzer purchasing zip ties from Lowes Home Improvement.

Where is Rodney Metzer now?

Rodney Metzer pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the attack, including kidnapping, sexual battery and aggravated assault, according to court records.

He was sentenced to 70 years in prison, with the first 25 years to be served in confinement and the remaining 45 years on probation.

Metzer remains behind bars at the Augusta State Medical Prison in Grovetown, Georgia, according to online records from the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The Batman Intruder airs at 10/9c Saturday on CBS and Paramount+.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

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.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A former Syrian government official has been indicted on torture charges by a Los Angeles grand jury, the US Department of Justice has announced.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 72, of Lexington, South Carolina, was reportedly the head of the Damascus Central Prison  colloquially known as Adra Prison  between 2005 and 2008.

While he was leading the prison, Alsheikh allegedly ordered his subordinates to deliver "severe physical and mental pain and suffering on political and other prisoners," according to a DOJ statement. Court documents allege that Alsheikh himself also participated in torture sessions.

The prison reportedly had a "punishment wing" where prisoners were sent to be beaten while they were dangled from the ceiling. Prisoners were also reportedly subjected to a device colloquially called the "Flying Carpet" which folded their bodies in half, causing excruciating pain and sometimes spinal fractures.

Samir Alsheikh is charged with torturing political dissidents and other prisoners to deter opposition to the regime of then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. Alsheikh later allegedly lied about his crimes to obtain a U.S. green card.

The victims of such violent treatment continue to suffer long after the physical acts of torture have ceased, Argenteiri added. The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting perpetrators of such crimes and will not allow them, through lies and concealment, to hide in the United States.

A blood-stained rope lies on the floor in the infamous Saydnaya military prison, just north of Damascus, Syria, early this week. Crowds gathered to enter the prison, known as the "human slaughterhouse," after thousands of inmates were released following the rebels' overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All right reserved )

US Attorney Martin Estrada said the "grave human rights abuses" in the indictment were "chilling."

"Our country will not be a safe harbor for those accused of committing atrocities abroad," he said.

Alsheikh held several positions in the Syrain police and state security forces, and later as the head of a regional government. In 2011, now-ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad appointed him the head of the Deir Ez-Zour province. Immigration documents report that Alsheikh immigrated to the US in 2020, and applied for his US citizenship in 2023.

When it comes to pursuing our criminal investigations, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has a long reach and an even longer memory, said Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang of the HSI Los Angeles Field office.

The defendant is accused of torturing prisoners in Syria almost 20 years ago, and today, we are one step closer to holding him accountable for those heinous crimes. The United States will never be a safe haven for those who commit human rights abuses abroad, he added.

Alsheikh had alreay been charged with visa fraud and, attempted naturalization fraud charges prior to the indictment. The indictment adds three counts of torture, and one count of conspiracy to commit torture to his charges.

The former prison leader faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit torture charges, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the three torture charges. He could receive a maximum of 10 years in prison for his immigration fraud charges.

The indictment follows Assads regime collapsed following an offensive led by opposition forces that have been battling for control of Syria since 2011.

Following the fall of Assad , political prisoners inside his regimes prisons were released en masse, revealing evidence of shocking and disturbing human rights abuses within.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Luigi Mangione supporters have donated tens of thousands of dollars to defense funds set up for him after he was arrested on suspicion of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The anonymous fund December 4th Legal Committee surpassed more than $130,000 in donations on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo by Monday afternoo.

The groups name is an apparent reference to the day the 26-year-old allegedly gunned down the healthcare executive on a busy Manhattan street.

open image in gallery Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in the back on 4 December outside the New York Hilton Midtown ( AP )

We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation, the group said in a statement.

It comes after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg described support for Mr Mangione as abhorrent amid fears he was being turned into a martyr.

Celebrating this conduct is abhorrent to me. Its deeply disturbing, Mr Bragg told ABC News on Wednesday night.

And what I would say to members of the public, people who as you described are celebrating this and maybe contemplating other action, that we will be vigilant and we will hold people accountable, he added.

Mr Mangione was arrested with a 3D-printed gun at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania on Monday following a six-day manhunt for the hooded shooter who shot Mr Thompson last week.

The gun matches three shell casings found at the crime scene and marked with deny, delay and depose, police officials said this week.

Mangione also possessed a silencer, a 262-word manifesto, a spiral notebook containing a to-do list, and several false ID cards.

open image in gallery It comes after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg described support for Mr Mangione as abhorrent amid fears he was being turned into a martyr ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Mr Thompson, 50, was shot in the back on 4 December outside the New York Hilton Midtown, with surveillance footage showing a dark-hooded figure with a grey backpack firing from several feet away.

Since the shooting, the high-profile killing has gripped international headlines. Mangione is currently being held in a Pennsylvania jail without bond as he awaits extradition to New York where he faces a murder charge. He also faces charges for gun law violations in Pennsylvania.

open image in gallery ( REUTERS )

However, under New York law, he is only charged with murder in the second degree, which carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison.

This is because the tougher first-degree murder charge only applies to a narrow list of aggravating circumstances, including when the victim is a judge, a police officer or a first responder, or when the killing involves a murder-for-hire or an intent to commit terrorism, according to CNN.

After his arrest, Mangione was charged and arraigned on five Pennsylvania offenses including forgery, falsely identifying himself, and carrying a gun without a license.

On Monday, he made a brief appearance at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg where he was informed of the charges against him and said he understood.

The suspect returned to the Blair County Courthouse as he faced an extradition hearing Tuesday after New York prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder in connection with the Mr Thompsons killing.

Its completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and their lived experience, Mangione yelled as he was escorted in handcuffs into the courthouse.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, will now face federal charges in addition to the New York state murder indictment already brought against him, according to reports.

Federal charges  which will be brought by prosecutors from the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, according to The New York Times  would potentially allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty should Mangione, 26, ultimately be found guilty of murder, capital punishment having been outlawed in New York for decades.

According to documents unsealed on Thursday, and a sworn affidavit by an FBI agent, federal prosecutors intend to charge him with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense.

The documents do not specify whether the death penalty will be sought, with the matter likely to be decided by incoming president Donald Trumps new-look Justice Department next year.

The development comes after Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom on Thursday and formally waived his right to an extradition hearing before being returned to New York.

open image in gallery A court sketch shows Luigi Mangione being led out of Pennsylvania court after waiving his right to an extradition hearing ( REUTERS )

Earlier this week, the suspect was formally indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on three murder charges over the attack on Thompson, 50, who was shot dead outside of the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4 by a masked assailant armed with a handgun who had lain in wait for him.

The incident led to a five-day manhunt, culminating in Mangione being arrested at a branch of McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9 after local police received a tip-off from a fellow customer responding to an image of the shooter circulated by the NYPD.

He was found to have a pistol, ammunition and fake identification cards about his person, as well as a 262-word manifesto denouncing the American healthcare system, having recently undergone back surgery.

In bringing the charges, Bragg called the episode a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.

The toughest penalty Mangione could face in state court, should he be convicted of Thompsons murder, would be life imprisonment without parole, which the Justice Department could deem insufficient.

open image in gallery Luigi Mangione leaves Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on Thursday December 19 2024 ( AP )

The state case will proceed in parallel with any federal case, said Danielle Filson, a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office.

This defendant brazenly shot Mr Thompson point blank on a Manhattan sidewalk.

The Manhattan DAs office, working with our partners at the NYPD, is dedicated to securing justice for this heinous murder with charges of murder in the first degree.

Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangiones lawyer, said in a statement that the Southern Districts involvement in the case raised a number of issues she found disconcerting.

The federal governments reported decision to pile on top of an already overcharged first-degree murder and state terror case is highly unusual and raises serious constitutional and statutory double jeopardy concerns, she said. We are ready to fight these charges in whatever court they are brought.

open image in gallery Officers stand outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, where Luigi Mangioni is set to be arraigned on charges including murder ( REUTERS )

The suspects supporters continue to donate generously to a defense fund set up on his behalf after he became a problematic folk hero to some during his flight from justice.

The anonymous fund, The December 4th Legal Committee, had amassed almost $157,000 in donations via the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo at the time of writing.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has already been forced to denounce vigilante justice in response to the dark fandom Mangione has attracted.

In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint, he said in the aftermath of the suspects arrest.

In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: he is no hero.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Luigi Mangiones mother reportedly spoke to FBI officials the day before he was arrested in Pennsylvania on suspicion of murdering the CEO of a health insurance giant after federal authorities received a tip.

According to the New York Post, a police officer in San Francisco recognized the suspect in surveillance photographs being circulated by New York City police. Mangiones parents had filed a missing persons report with the San Francisco Police Department in November, after he reportedly went on a solo trip to Asia, apparently without telling them where he was.

The tip reportedly came in four days before the parents were contacted.

Federal investigators with the Joint Violent Crimes Task spoke to Kathleen Mangione, Luigi Mangiones mother, on Sunday evening in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. She reportedly told the investigators her son resembled the suspected shooter but she said she wasnt completely confident they were the same person.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was spotted eating a hash brown in a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania the following day. An employee at the McDonalds called police and told them that someone in the restaurant resembled the suspect. He was arrested on murder and gun-related charges after an officer asked him if hed been in New York recently and he reportedly began shaking. He was allegedly found with a gun that matched the murder weapon and a handwritten manifesto.

open image in gallery Mangione eating a hash brown in a McDonalds on Monday before his arrest ( AP )

Police believe Luigi Mangione took a train to travel to Pennsylvania. For nearly a week, officials searched for the suspect with what appeared to be very few leads. A breakthrough came when a worker at the New York City hostel he stayed at flirted with him and asked him to lower his mask.

The suspect did so, allowing authorities to put out a picture of the killers face that went viral, ultimately leading to an arrest.

Before the murder, the alleged killer reportedly vanished for several months after leaving the US for Asia on a solo trip. His mother said that she was unaware of her sons whereabouts and hadnt spoken to him since July. Mangiones friends told The Washington Post that he suffered from a painful spinal condition that couldve prompted the alleged attack.

The injury that he suffered was a life-changing, life-altering injury, one friend told the outlet. and thats what may have put him on this path. According to The Washington Post, Mangione was not insured by UnitedHealthcare. His alleged manifesto reveals he was upset about the state of US healthcare and wanted to take action.

open image in gallery A FREE LUIGI poster near the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead on December 4 ( AP )

Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest, Mangiones family said in a statement through his cousin Nino Mangione, a Republican Maryland lawmaker. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. Mangione is from a prominent Baltimore-area family.

Mangione is currently being held in a Pennsylvania state facility. To be prosecuted in New York City, where the crime occurred on December 4, he needs to be extradited. He is fighting extradition in court, which could delay the process by over a month.

Luigi Mangiones attorney Thomas M Dickey, who is representing him in Pennsylvania, told reporters this week there is no evidence that ties his client to the crime.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

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.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Social critic and documentary filmmaker Michael Moore said in a Substack post that he wants to "pour gasoline" on the anger Americans have expressed against the nation's health insurance industry.

Moore wrote Friday that fury directed at the US health insurance industry was "1000 percent justified." Following the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan last week, some Americans have taken to social media and other outlets to express their frustration with the state of private health insurance in the nation.

Moore  whose documentaries include criticisms of the US war on terror, gun violence, and health care, among other topics  was mentioned by name in the manifesto of Luigi Mangione, the man police believe killed Thompson.

Mangione allegedly described Moore as someone who "illuminated the corruption and greed" in the health care industry in his 2007 film Sicko.

Its not often that my work gets a killer five-star review from an actual killer, Moore wrote in his Substack piece.

Writer/director/producer Michael Moore arrives at a special screening of The Weinstein Company's "SiCKO" at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre on June 26, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California ( Getty Images )

He noted that he had been receiving media requests, including some that were essentially asking him to "condemn murder."

Do I condemn murder? Thats an odd question. In Fahrenheit 9/11, I condemned the murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi people and the senseless murder of our own American soldiers at the hands of our American government, Moore wrote.

He went on to argue that his body of work made it very clear that he expressly does not and has never condoned murder. But believing murder is wrong is not saying that the wave of anger toward the health insurance industry is unwarranted, he added.

After the killing of the CEO of United HealthCare, the largest of these billion-dollar insurance companies, there was an immediate OUTPOURING of anger toward the health insurance industry.

He added: Some people have stepped forward to condemn this anger. I am not one of them. The anger is 1000 percent justified. It is long overdue for the media to cover it. It is not new. It has been boiling. And Im not going to tamp it down or ask people to shut up. I want to pour gasoline on that anger.

Moore said that Thompson's killing opened the door for Americans to express their long-simmering fury toward private, profit-driven health insurance companies.

Yes, I condemn murder, and thats why I condemn Americas broken, vile, rapacious, bloodthirsty, unethical, immoral health care industry and I condemn every one of the CEOs who are in charge of it and I condemn every politician who takes their money and keeps this system going instead of tearing it up, ripping it apart, and throwing it all away. We need to replace this system with something sane, something caring and loving  something that keeps people alive, he wrote.

Even Andrew Witty, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group  the parent company of UnitedHealthcare  called the US insurance system "flawed" in a recent New York Times op-ed.

We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand peoples frustrations with it, Witty said. No one would design a system like the one we have.

He also mourned the loss of Thompson, calling the CEO a "brilliant, kind man."

Moore has a suggestion for what changing that "flawed" system might look like  state-run health care akin to the system used in Canada and other nations.

The solution is simple, he wrote.

Throw this entire system in the trash, he wrote. Dismantle this immoral business that profits off the lives of human beings and monetizes our deaths, that murders us or leaves us to die, destroy it all, and instead, in its place, give us all the same health care that every other civilized country on Earth has: Universal, free, compassionate, and full of life.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has undergone a hip replacement procedure after being hospitalized in Luxembourg on Friday following a fall.

Pelosi, 84, was traveling with the congressional delegation for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge  the last major German offensive during the Second World War  when she fell.

Her spokesperson, Ian Krager, said in a statement:Earlier this morning, Speaker Emerita Pelosi underwent a successful hip replacement and is well on the mend.

Speaker Pelosi is grateful to U.S. military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at Landstuhl Army Base and medical staff at Hospital Kirchberg in Luxembourg for their excellent care and kindness.

Speaker Pelosi is enjoying the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and well wishes and is ever determined to ensure access to quality health care for all Americans.

Earlier her office had said she was receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals.

Pelosi has been a member of Congress for 37 years ( AP )

She continues to work and regrets that she is unable to attend the remainder of the CODEL engagements to honor the courage of our servicemembers during one of the greatest acts of American heroism in our nations history, the statement continued.

Sources close to the congresswoman had told The New York Times that Pelosi fractured her hip in the fall. According to a third source, Pelosi tripped down marble stairs at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg when she fell.

It was a hard fall, two people familiar with the incident toldThe Washington Post.

Pelosi, widely considered a pivotal leader within the Democratic Party, has been a member of Congress for 37 years. She served as House speaker twice  from 2007 until 2011 and then again from 2019 until 2023.

She was re-elected to Congress, representing the 11th district in California, in November.

In his earlier statement Krager said Pelosi looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon.

Hip replacement surgery, also known as hip arthroplasty, involves replacing an injured hip with an artificial joint, in order to reduce pain and improve movement. There are about 350,000 such procedures in the US every year.

Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas, joined Pelosi on the foreign trip and wished her a quick recovery.

Im disappointed Speaker Emerita Pelosi wont be able to join the rest of our delegations events this weekend as I know how much she looked forward to honoring our veterans, McCaul wrote on X on Friday. But she is strong, and I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time. Praying for a speedy recovery, @SpeakerPelosi!

The injury comes two years after a man broke into Pelosis home in San Francisco and used a hammer to attack her husband Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time.

The attacker, David DePape, was looking for the California congresswoman. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison in October.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell tripped and fell on Tuesday on the way to a GOP luncheon, spraining his wrist and leaving a cut on his face.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In the decade since SpaceX arrived on the Texas coast, billionaire Elon Musk's company has created thousands of jobs near the Mexico border, launched rockets and sprung up new homes  all around an area dubbed Starbase.

Now SpaceX wants to make Starbase a recognized city.

Nearby residents are asking for an election to incorporate the area, which sits on the southern tip of Texas at Boca Chica Beach. Musk posted on his social platform X on Thursday that SpaceX HQ will now officially be in the city of Starbase, Texas!

open image in gallery SpaceXs mega rocket Starship as it is prepared for a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on March 13 ( AP )

But turning Starbase into a new Texas city with its own government won't happen overnight, and questions remain, including what SpaceX and residents would stand to gain. Already, the idea is drawing pushback from local activists who have raised concerns about SpaceX's environmental impact.

Becoming a city

SpaceX's operations are in Cameron County, which has roughly 426,000 residents. Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., the countys top elected official, said SpaceX's petition delivered this week formally starts the process for becoming a city.

Our legal and elections administration will review the petition, see whether or not it complied with all of the statutory requirements and then well go from there, Trevino said.

He did not offer a timetable. But if the process moves forward, Trevino said the county elections department would next create the jurisdiction to decide who gets to vote and then plan a vote.

open image in gallery Elon Musk is joining Donald Trumps administration as a quasi-government agency chief to recommend drastic cuts in federal spending ( AFP via Getty Images )

Neither SpaceX nor local officials have said how many people live in the area who would become Starbase residents. More than 3,400 full-time SpaceX employees and contractors work at the Starbase site, according to a local impact study issued by Trevino earlier this year.

Possible changes

Robert Greer, an associate professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, has studied how cities incorporate. He said a city would need to create its own charter, provide services, create local ordinances and levy taxes. It could also shift the tax burden on residences or businesses.

"If you create your own city, and its a relatively small area now, you have kind of control over that area, Greer said.

SpaceX officials have said making Starbase a city is necessary to continue growing the area's workforce and the company's development.

Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world class place to livefor the hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanitys future in space," Kathryn Lueders, Starbase's general manager, wrote in a letter to the county this week.

open image in gallery SpaceXs mega rocket Starship prepares for a test flight on November 18 ( AP )

SpaceX has faced local opposition to its impact in the area. Most recently, they faced a lawsuit from Save RGV, a regional nonprofit group which alleged SpaceX was dumping polluted water into the nearby bay. SpaceX said in response that a state review found no environmental risks and called the lawsuit frivolous.

Some of the questions that we have is what this will mean in terms of regulation and oversight by the county," said Jim Chapman, a Save RGV board member.

A widening Texas footprint

Musk has long been planting business roots in Texas and has spread them far and wide across the Lone Star State. The billionaire moved to Texas in 2020 and relocated to or expanded a number of his companies in the state, citing the state's business friendly climate.

Tesla's massive, 10-million square foot (930,000 square meter) Gigafactory, where the company makes its Cybertrucks, opened near Austin in 2022 and will also serve as the company headquarters.

In 2021, Musk moved his Boring Co., a tunnel construction business, to Bastrop, another Central Texas community near Austin. Musk has said he has a vision to build out a Texas utopia where employees could live and work. The company has its own small community of mobile homes and a store called the Boring Bodega, which serves as a general store, lunch spot, barbershop, bar and public playground.

In 2023, Musk and Texas Governor Greg Abbott broke ground for the site of a Tesla lithium refinery near coastal Corpus Christi. Lithium is the key ingredient used to make batteries for electric vehicles.

And in September, Musk moved X headquarters from San Francisco to Bastrop, leaving the California spot that had been the companys home since 2011.

___

Vertuno reported from Austin, Texas.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In late May 2012, Austin Tice, a former Marine Corps captain and Georgetown law student, ducked under a fence on the Turkish-Syrian border.

The 31-year-old joined a group of Free Syrian Army rebels, and despite not having much journalism experience, filed his first news report nine days later. Writing for McClatchy, which owns papers across the U.S., Tice later reported for The Washington Post and appeared on BBC Radio and CBS News.

After 83 days in the country, he headed for Beirut, Lebanon to take a break. But while driving towards the Lebanese border, Tice was detained in a government-controlled area. After being missing for 12 years, Tice is now the longest-held American journalist in history.

The recent fall of the Assad regime has infused new hope in the search for Tice, as prisoners in jails across the country have been released. Were feeling very hopeful, his mother Debra Tice said this week in an interview with ABC News. Were waiting, and not exactly on pins and needles, but just very expectantly.

Tice grew up in Houston, Texas, the oldest of seven siblings. An Eagle Scout, he dreamed of one day becoming an international correspondent for NPR. When he was 16, he attended the University of Houston for a year before transferring to the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He later joined the Marines as an infantry officer, going on tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Leaving duty as a captain, he remained in the Marine Corps Reserve.

He was hearing reports from Syria saying this is happening  but it cant be confirmed because there really are no reporters on the ground, his father, Marc Tice, said 10 months after his sons disappearance to The Daily Star. And he said, You know, this is a story that the world needs to know about."

Tice attended two years of law school at Georgetown before heading to Syria between his second and third years. At the time, he was one of few foreign journalists to report on the civil war as it was heating up. Tice reported from the battlefields after arriving in May 2012, becoming one of the first American journalists to be present for clashes between rebels and the army. His Twitter account racked up about 2,000 followers before he stopped posting on August 11, 2012.

open image in gallery Austin Tice has been detained in Syria for more than a decade ( Austinticefamily.com )

His mother, Debra Tice, has moved for months at a time to Washington and Damascus in her search for her son, whom she homeschooled along with his six younger siblings. Speaking to Texas Monthly in 2022, she said the difference between her past life of diapers and spaghetti and the search for her son over the previous decade couldnt be more stark.

In a 2014 letter published in The Washington Post, Marc and Debra called him the most devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend any of us could ever ask for.

From your earliest days as an Eagle Scout, a top student, a terrific athlete, and a caring friend and neighbor, we knew you were a special kid, they added. When you put your Georgetown Law education on hold to follow your journalistic dreams, we knew you were extraordinary.

Marc Tice told Scouting Magazine that his son was a member of Houston Troop 266, where he earned the Eagle Scout award.

Scouting was important to Austin, and he is very proud of achieving his Eagle, Marc Tice wrote, according to the official site of the magazine. We all recognize the positive impact of Scouting in forming Austin into the man he is today.

Tice, now 43, took part in several summer camps at El Rancho Cima in the Texas Hill Country and enjoyed the outdoors. He hiked at Philmont, sailed at the Florida Sea Base, and canoed the Boundary Waters, the site stated.

Debra Tice told the Houston Matters radio program in August 2014 that her sons interest in journalism was sparked from a very young age, recalling how he inked his knees crawling across the Sunday paper as a small child.

open image in gallery Marc and Debra Tice, Austin Tices parents, hold dated portraits of him at a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut on July 20, 2017 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Hes actually been published in every publication of every school that he has attended, she said at the time. So, I would say theres always been that writing in his blood.

As a family, we never watched much TV, but we listened to a lot of radio, and we read a lot, and ... our family table was somewhere that we sat and talked about issues, local issues, national issues, international issues, so ... I think that contributed to his ending up working as a freelance journalist, Marc Tice added.

KUHF, the public radio station in Houston, broadcast a phone interview with Tice on August 13, 2012. That was the last day he was in touch with his editors before his disappearance. He spoke about seeing rebels using Molotov cocktails and any weapon you can basically imagine in an urban street fighting environment.

It was pretty exciting! But I was able to get some pretty good shots that way and tell a pretty good story afterward, that I think otherwise  never would have gotten told, Tice added at the time, according to Texas Monthly.

On his LinkedIn page, Tice wrote that his background is as an infantry officer in the Marines and that while he went to law school, he would prefer to be a journalist.

To that end, I went to Syria in the summer of 2012 to cover the war there. Had some decent professional success, he wrote. I would prefer to work for one organization over freelancing. I can write, film, snap and speak, so if your organization is looking for an all-in-one crisis correspondent willing to get the stories others wont, call me. I speak passable Spanish and Im slowly getting there with Arabic.

He added: Im not so great behind a desk.

The site lists his skills as being military leadership, weapons, digital photography, legal research, and jokes.

open image in gallery Debra Tice speaking at the National Press Club on May 3, 2024, in Washington D.C. She has said that writing has always been in her sons blood ( Getty Images )

Even though Tice had military experience, many of his loved ones expressed concern about his work in Syria. On July 25, 2012, Tice wrote on Facebook: Its nice and all, but please quit telling me to be safe.

He said he was posting on the social media platform against his better judgment and urged friends and followers to flame away. Tice said he was doing this crazy thing and told his followers to keep asking whats wrong with me for coming here.

Our granddads stormed Normandy and Iwo Jima and defeated global fascism, he added at the time, weeks before his arrest. Neil Armstrong flew to the Moon in a glorified trashcan, doing math on a clipboard as he went.

Tice argued in that post that America had lost its pioneering spirit.

We became a fat, weak, complacent, coddled, unambitious and cowardly nation, he wrote. I went off to two wars with misguided notions of patriotism and found in both that the first priority was to never get killed, something we could have achieved from our living rooms in America with a lot less hassle.

He claimed Americans were killing themselves with McDonalds, alcohol, and other drugs, having lost the sense that there are things worth dying for.

Tice, who was about to turn 31 at the time, wrote that those fighting in the Syrian civil war were alive in a way that almost no Americans today even know how to be. They live with greater passion and dream with greater ambition because they are not afraid of death.

Neither were our granddads. Neither was Neil Armstrong. And neither am I, he added.

Less than a month before his detention, Tice spoke to the News 88.7 radio station, pointing out that his sources could be retaliated against for speaking to him.

Theres a very real security concern, he said at the time. People are concerned about their faces showing up in photographs because the Syrian government is notorious for exerting pressure on people by going after their families in really quite violent and atrocious ways.

open image in gallery A photo from July 2012 showing Tice in Syria ( AFP via Getty Images )

Two years later, his parents told Houston Matters that Tice also knew of the risks he was taking.

He was definitely aware, because his mom kept him aware, his journalistic colleagues kept him aware, Debra Tice said at the time. I think he chose not to focus on that for himself. I dont think he was careless in any way. But I dont think that was his main focus.

Since Austin went to Syria, we have learned a lot and developed an incredible respect for people like him to do that job because, to a large degree, they have to forget about themselves in order to get the job done, Marc Tice added. And he would send us photographs with the faces of people around him blurred out for that very reason. When youre the reporter, youre the face of this information to the world, you cant really hide yourself.

His father went on to say that it wasnt unusual for journalists in the field to lose touch  because of the way they had to move from place to place.

He added: So, you know, a couple of days, I thought, yeah, this is worrisome, but not terrible. But after two days, I contacted his editors and they said, Yeah, were concerned too.

In his 25 July 2012 Facebook post, Tice said he didnt have a death wish but a life wish.

Life in Syria meant more than anywhere Ive ever been  because every single day people here lay down their own for the sake of others, he wrote.

Coming here to Syria is the greatest thing Ive ever done, and its the greatest feeling of my life, Tice said.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The victims of a pair of major corruption schemes in Pennsylvania and Illinois are angry Joe Biden granted clemency to the perpetrators.

Biden announced on Thursday that he would commute the sentences of 1,500 convicted criminals. White House officials justified the move by saying the convicts "deserve a second chance." The move comes on the heels of Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, which drew sharp criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats.

Among those who have been granted clemency is an on-the-take judge from Pennsylvania and a fraudster from Illinois. Neither will be walking out of prison  they were both already granted early release during the Covid-19 pandemic and were placed under house arrest  but now they'll be able to wander freely without an electronic tracker.

The Biden administration reportedly told CNN that those granted clemency were not hand selected, but instead met a predetermined criteria for release. The qualifications to make the list include having a record of good behavior while under house arrest.

Conahan's house arrest was slated to end in 2026.

President Joe Biden speaks about his administrations economic playbook and the future of the American economy at the Brookings Institution in Washington earlier this week ( AP )

Former Pennsylvania Judge Michael Conahan was convicted in 2011 in the infamous "kids-for-cash" scandal. The scheme worked like this; Conahan took kickbacks from for-profit detention centers in exchange for sending minors who didnt deserve it to the detention facilities.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ultimately tossed out 4,000 juvenile convictions due to the scandal. Conahan and another Luzerne County judge involved in the scheme were also ordered to pay $200 million to the victims, the Associated Press reported.

To be clear, Conahan sent children to be locked up behind bars to get kickbacks from private prison facilities. Some of his victims did not survive the trauma they susequently endured.

Sandy Fonzo, whose son Edward Kenzakoski died by suicide after he was locked up as part of the scheme, said she was "shocked" and "hurt" by Biden's decision to free the judge.

Conahans actions destroyed families, including mine, and my sons death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power, Fonzo told the Citizens Voice, a local news outlet. This pardon feels like an injustice for all of us who still suffer. Right now I am processing and doing the best I can to cope with the pain that this has brought back.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also criticized the move.

"I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania," he said on Friday during an unrelated news conference.

Fraud victims in Illinois were similarly frustrated when they learned that Rita Crundwell, the former comptroller of the city of Dixon, was going free.

In 2012, Dixon pleaded guilty to a $54 million embezzlement scheme, which was believed to be the largest municipal fraud case in US history at the time.

Her house arrest was originally scheduled to last until 2028.

When I heard the news, I was completely shocked in disbelief, I was outraged and felt a complete sense of betrayal from the federal justice system, the White House and the president, Dixon city manager Danny Langloss told CNN on Friday.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against a doctor in the state of New York alleging the doctor prescribed abortion medication to a woman in Texas therefore violating the states strict anti-abortion law.

In the first-of-its-kind lawsuit, Paxton is testing the bounds of conflicting state abortion laws by pursuing litigation against a doctor in New York  where shield laws protect providers from out-of-state investigations and prosecutions.

The 11-page lawsuit, filed in Collin County, Texas, alleges Dr. Margaret Carpenter illegally prescribed the abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol via telehealth to a 20-year-old woman in Collins County.

The lawsuit claims the 20-year-old woman sought and took the medications without informing the father of the fetus when she was nine weeks pregnant. But he later found out about the medication abortion after the woman had to be taken to the hospital for severe bleeding.

Paxton alleges Carpenter was not permitted to prescribe the medication via telehealth because she is not a licensed physician in Texas and state law only allows for abortion when the patients life is at risk or there is a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.

open image in gallery Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, filed a lawsuit against a doctor in New York for prescribing abortion medication to a woman in Texas ( AP )

The Texas AG claims Carpenter has seen multiple patients in Texas and has done this.

Carpenter is the co-founder and co-medical director of Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, a clinic that provides telemedicine abortion care to patients in all 50 states.

Her biography says she has worked in reproductive health for years, volunteering with Planned Parenthood and providing medical and surgical abortions since 1999.

The Independent has asked Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine for comment.

open image in gallery Mifepristone and misoprostol, are two drugs used to perform a medical abortion. It is the most common form of abortion in the United States ( AFP via Getty Images )

Carpenters knowing and continuing violations of Texas law places women and unborn children in Texas at risk, Paxton argued.

Paxton is asking the Texas court to prevent Carpenter from practicing telehealth in the state and impose a $100,000 fine for each violation.

But its unclear how far the lawsuit can go given New Yorks law protects providers from out-of-state lawsuits like this by refusing to order a defendant, like Carpenter, to comply with extradition, arrest and legal proceedings in other states

The states shield law also gives prescribers who are sued the ability to countersue to recover damages.

Paxton has relentlessly pursued litigation against those who provide or seek abortion in the state. He sent threatening letters to medical providers in 2023 after a woman named Kate Cox got explicit permission to obtain a medically necessary abortion.

His lawsuit, of course, has only arisen because the Supreme Court overturned the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Roe made abortion a federal right  preventing each state from outright banning it. But now, with each state responsible for creating its own law, immense legal and social conflict has arisen.

One way those living in states with strict abortion bans, like Texas, have skirted around rules is by using telehealth to obtain abortion medication. But lawsuits like this and others risk the availability of it.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

ABC has agreed to pay $15 million as part of a settlement with Donald Trump after the president-elect sued the network and host George Stephanopoulos for defamation.

In March, Stephanopoulos pressed congresswoman Nancy Mace about her support for the former president despite a judge finding him liable for rape by a jury, he said.

Donald Trump has been found liable for defaming the victim of that rape by a jury, Stephonopoulos said on ABCs This Week at the time. Its been affirmed by a judge.

Juries in New York found Trump liable for defaming and sexually abusing E Jean Carroll after he repeatedly called her a liar for speaking publicly about allegations that he assaulted her in the 1990s. Trump has appealed the nearly $90 million in judgments against him.

Last year, the judge overseeing those cases wrote that Carrolls failure to prove that she was raped within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape.

Indeed, as the evidence at trial ... makes clear, the jury found that Mr Trump in fact did exactly that, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote.

ABC agreed to pay $15 million to Trumps presidential library as part of a settlement stemming from a defamation lawsuit against the network ( AP )

Judge Kaplans filing argued that Trump mistakenly focuses on the New York Penal Law definition of rape to the exclusion of the meaning of that word as it often is used in everyday life and of the evidence of what actually occurred.

But Trumps lawyers sued the network in federal court in Florida and accused Stephanopoulos of making patently and demonstrably false statements about him on air.

One day after Trump and Stephanopoulos were ordered to appear for depositions in an upcoming trial, lawyers for the parties informed the court that ABC agreed to pay $15 million towards Trumps presidential library.

ABC will also post a note on its website expressing regret over claims from the March segment.

The network will also be on the hook for $1 million in fees to Trumps attorneys.

It is a rare lawsuit victory for the former president, who has previously unsuccessfully sued The New York Times and CNN, and is currently trying to claim $10 billion in damages from CBS.

Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump also repeatedly threatened to revoke network broadcasting licenses for airing critical coverage.

We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing, ABC said in a statement on Saturday.
Warning of 500 last-minute fares can be avoided if you are a savvy flyer

Despite warnings from Ryanair chief executive Michael OLeary that one-way fares between London and Dublin would rocket to 500 (600) in the run-up to the festive season, last-minute flyers can still pick up fares for as little as 80.99 (97.59) with the airline if they travel home the day before Christmas Eve.

And the cost of flying home to Cork or Knock from London just days before Christmas is even cheaper in some cases.

While the prices of some Ryanair seats on flights out of London to Dublin have hit 500, it is not unusual that the prices for in-demand services soar if seats are booked just days before travel.

As of yesterday, a basic one-way flight with Ryanair on December 23 could be booked from London Stansted to Dublin for 80.99 (97.59).

From London Gatwick, a one-way basic fare that day could still be bought for 90.34 (108.67). From London Luton, the cheapest one-way flight that day is a basic ticket for 86.45 (103.99).

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary

News in 90 Seconds - 14th December 2024

Aer Lingus, which has permanently cut the number of flights it operates between London Heathrow and Dublin, as of yesterday had one-way flights available between the cities for 244.74 (294.39) on December 23.

Even on Christmas Eve there are still relatively good bargains for late buyers. A one-way flight with British Airways from London City Airport to Dublin can be had for 140 (168.41) that day and from Heathrow for 166 (199.68).

Mr OLeary had warned that some passengers planning to come home for Christmas via Dublin Airport would likely have to fly through Belfast because the passenger cap at Dublin Airport meant that the number of services the airline would offer would be curtailed.

In October, Mr OLeary said that Ryanair had 220,000 fewer seats available at Dublin Airport this Christmas because of this. Thats 20pc less than usual. He said it had resulted in fares being driven up 30pc compared to the 2023 Christmas period.

People will only realise what a mess this is at Christmas, when there is a huge constraint on seats, and half of south Dublin is driving up to Belfast to collect Aoife and Oisin on their way back in for their Christmas holidays, he had said.

But while most of the people who want to travel home to Ireland for Christmas will have booked their flights weeks or even months in advance, those who are making late decisions to fly home can still do so relatively cheaply if they pick the right London Airport to fly from, and the right time of day.

Passengers making late plans to fly home to Cork can still get a one-way Ryanair flight from London Stansted for as little as 74.76 (89.91) on December 23 and for 58.99 (70.95) on December 21.

From London Luton to Knock on December 20 there were still some one-way Ryanair fares available yesterday for 72.17 ( 86.79), for 84.63 (101.77) on December 21 via Stansted, 80.33 (96.60) from Stansted on December 23 and just 24.49 (29.45) on Christmas Eve. Between London Luton and Kerry Airport, a basic one-way Ryanair flight was still available on Friday for travel on December 23 for 97.49 (117.25).

To Shannon, a Ryanair one-way flight from Gatwick for travel on Christmas Eve could be bought for 42.99 (51.70), and for 97.92 (117.75) for December 23.
The company behind the Irish Fairy Door brand last year booked a profit of 4.1m following its approval of a SCARP rescue plan.

The detail is contained in new accounts for CEBL Ltd, which show that the 4.1m profit arose from a substantial write down of debt.

On May 2, 2023, CEBL entered the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP) which was introduced by the Government in December 2021 to provide a quicker and more affordable restructuring option to small businesses that found themselves in temporary difficulties but which had good long-term prospects.

A note attached to the 2023 accounts states that the company's creditors approved a rescue plan at a meeting on June 19 which resulted in a substantial write-down of the companys debts, and the company issued fresh share capital.

The note states that the directors believe they formulated a business model that will ultimately allow the company to return profits, and they are committed to financing the company until profits are achieved.

The Irish Fairy Door companys miniature fairy doors are enjoyed by children in about one million households worldwide and once received an endorsement from Kourtney Kardashian.

Prior to the SCARP process, the company had accumulated losses of 4.13m at the end of 2022. At the end of 2023 this had reduced to 9,494.

The approval of the SCARP process coincided with a reduction in the amounts owed by the company to directors Oisin Barry, Harry Largey and Patrick Joy from 500,000 to 33,683.

At the start of the year, CEBL Ltd owed Mr Largey and Mr Joy 200,000. At year-end the amounts were 24,012 to Mr Joy and 8,512 to Mr Largey. The amount owed to Mr Barry reduced from 100,000 to 1,159.

The companys shareholder funds at the end of 2023 totalled 31,324 compared to a deficit of 894,548 at the start of the year.

Over 1,000 jobs have been saved through SCARP since it was launched three years ago, according to the most recent analysis. Azets Ireland says 84 cases have been undertaken since the introduction of the scheme, 70pc of which have resulted in successful rescue plans, saving 1,076 jobs in 59 businesses.

So far this year, however, only 29 SCARP cases have commenced, down 12pc year-on-year. The number of jobs saved is put at 382.
Bank is targeting up to 500 roles through a voluntary redundancy plan

The voluntary redundancy scheme at PTSB is open until mid-January

Global investment giant Goldman Sachs has upped its stake in PTSB again, as it see-saws between reducing and raising its position in the Irish bank.

A filing with the stock exchange yesterday noted that Goldman Sachs now has a position equal to 6.54pc of PTSB, having reduced its holding to zero recently.

In March, Goldman Sachs had increased its stake in PTSB to almost 6pc and later in the year began to reduce it.

By August, it had cut it to under 3pc.

Businessman Eamon Waters owns just over 7pc of PTSB via his Sretaw Private Equity vehicle, while the State still owns 57pc of the bank.

The latest stake-building in PTSB by Goldman Sachs happens to come as the Irish bank expanded a voluntary redundancy scheme this week to all workers in the company.

It had previously targeted a scheme at senior managers, but now is seeking as many as 500 job cuts as it tries to cut costs.

The Financial Services Union (FSU) criticised the plan again yesterday, claiming it is reckless.

The FSU said that while the number of voluntary redundancies being sought by the bank has not been disclosed, its understood to be up to 500.

Of those, 100 are being sought among its IT staff, 200 in its retail operations and an additional 200 across the group.

The future of banking should not be dictated by the main retail banks, said FSU director general John OConnell.

The changes in the sector need to be managed in the interest of consumers, business and staff.

The future of banking should not be dictated by the main retail banks

The announcement by PTSB of a cull of up to 500 staff has nothing to do with protecting and enhancing banking services. It is all about profit margins and reacting to commentary from market analysts.

PTSB confirmed this week that it is extending its voluntary redundancy scheme to all its 3,000 staff.

It described the claims about job cuts made by the FSU as without foundation, adding that speculation of this nature is not helpful to colleagues or customers.

It said once the voluntary scheme closes in January, an informed decision will be made on the numbers to be approved.

PTSB is broadening out the scope of a recently announced voluntary redundancy scheme in light of expressions of interest from employees, said a spokesperson.

Following a period of transformational growth, the bank is now undertaking a number of important strategic business transformation change initiatives to enable its strategy and improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency.

These initiatives will ensure that the banks business model is both robust and sustainable into the future.

The bank is now undertaking a number of important strategic business transformation change initiatives

Led by chief executive Eamonn Crowley, PTSB took over around 6.75bn of former Ulster Bank loans in the Republic, including mortgages and SME lending, Asset Finance and 25 branches in January 2023.

The banks pre-tax profits in the first six months of the year nearly tripled to 75m.

The banks surge in profitability came on the back of a 20m impairment release and was despite an expected 20pc increase in operating costs.

Total customer lending stood at 21bn, broadly in line with forecasts, with a non-performing loan ratio that was reduced to 1.7pc. 
Jane Seymour wore the same clothes for four days after evacuating Californian fires (PA)

British actress Jane Seymour said she got out of her Malibu home just in time with only the clothes on her back as the Californian wildfire came right up to my house.

The James Bond star praised firefighters who did an astounding job saving her home from the blaze  dubbed the Franklin Fire  which ignited on Monday evening.

Seymour said her whole house smells of smoke after returning on Thursday, having rushed to evacuate the property late on Monday evening.

I just literally had jeans and a sweater, which Ive been wearing for four days and sleeping at different peoples houses, Seymour said on the red carpet of the British American Business Council (BABC) annual Christmas luncheon.

On Monday night, at 10.50pm, we got a call from my partner, John Zambettis son Johnny, who was in Serra Retreat.

(He) saw a glow behind the curtains, opened the windows, saw 10 foot flames, and called us immediately and said Get out. Get out.

We all got out just in time because of that.

The latest update from the City of Malibu confirmed more than 4,000 acres burned during the wind-driven wildfire with 14 buildings destroyed and 13 damaged.

Hollywood star Dick Van Dyke, who turned 99 on Friday, and pop superstar Cher were among the stars forced to leave their homes.

Collecting the LA icon honour at the BABC event in Los Angeles, Seymour said: This is a huge honour, and after the week that weve had with the fires coming right up to my house, I couldnt even conceive of putting clothes on, let alone being able to come and talk to anyone about anything.

On the red carpet, Seymour said the blaze did not attack the house because the fire trucks just came right away, and we got saved.

The whole house smells of smoke, but were just so grateful, she said.

The job the fire brigade did is beyond belief. If you are where I live, and you look up the hill, and every house the fire came right up to one inch of the dwelling.

It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that so few structures were burned.

Seymour starred opposite the late Sir Roger Moore as James Bond in 1973s Live And Let Die  his first as the MI6 agent.

The two-time Golden Globe winner said being a Bond Girl is a moniker that will never leave me, describing it as probably the most important British export you can be a part of.

Seymour said she feels incredibly blessed to still be working at the age of 73.

I dont know how that works, because usually you turn 40 and youre a woman and youre too old. But when I was 40, I got a little thing called Dr Quinn, and that really saved my life  Ive been very fortunate, she added.

Seymour won the best actress Golden Globe in 1996 for her role as Michaela Quinn in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, 14 years after her win for East Of Eden.
Scramble to increase capacity at other ports of goods and passengers ahead of festive season

Contingency planning is under way amid fears Holyhead Port will not re-open before Christmas as An Post and online retailers have rerouted hundreds of thousands of parcels to ports across the UK in a bid to get deliveries to Ireland.

Damage caused to infrastructure at Holyhead during Storm Darragh last weekend led to the closure of the port and cancellation of all ferries.

Read more Fears grow over Christmas imports as Holyhead port remains shut

While Holyhead Port has said it expects to re-open on December 19, Junior Transport Minister James Lawless has said confidence in that estimate is low and there is a need to plan for the worst in terms of contingencies and alternative routes as Christmas Day approaches.

He said that more than 100,000 people make the journey from Britain to Ireland by ferry each December, with operators working to boost capacity for passengers planning to travel home for Christmas.

The port of Holyhead. Photo: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg

News in 90 Seconds - 14th December 2024

An Post yesterday rerouted the last 150,000 parcels bound for Ireland that had been stalled at Holyhead to ports across the UK, following a further 350,000 parcels that have since been processed at hubs in Dublin, Athlone and Portlaoise for delivery this weekend.

Pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and packages ordered online, including electronics bought in Black Friday sales, were likely to be held up in the backlog.

Customers have been advised to check with UK retailers regarding their delivery dates and routes to Ireland before ordering as dispatch could take longer than usual.

Many UK retailers are working with ferry companies to secure alternative routes through Wales, Scotland, Liverpool via Rosslare Europort, Larne and Dublin Port.

An Post said this will continue up to and into the new year.

Anything that we take in before December 21, we will get it delivered. So if we get it into Ireland, we will get it delivered, said An Post CEO David McRedmond, who added that the postal service has ramped up services through Portlaoise and Athlone with 1,400 additional temporary staff in place.

He told RTEs Drivetime that the situation at Holyhead was a really serious issue for An Post as it is a key point of the infrastructure for this island and we need to understand how it is going to develop longer term.

Were not counting on it being re-opened before Christmas, now were not saying it wont be  we dont know  but we have got to make contingencies.

Shipping company DHL has said it is aware of the issue at Holyhead, but operations have not been impacted.

A spokesperson for Amazon said the company is like many others, working hard to return our deliveries to normal following the impact of the storm.

Transport Ministers Eamon Ryan and James Lawless will meet with Irish Ferries and Stena Line over the coming days, with Mr Lawless hopeful that the additional capacity so far secured in border control posts and other areas will be reciprocated by the UK government.

Additional capacity has been provided through Rosslare by Irish Ferries though the assignment of the WB Yeats, which represents approximately 100pc extra capacity, while Stena Line has also introduced an additional sailing to Liverpool.

The Port of Cork currently has no direct Britain sailings but has indicated that it has the capacity to operate one to two sailings a day, based on scheduling.

Stena Line told the Irish Independent that due to the closure of Holyhead Port, it has cancelled all ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead until Friday, December 20. It is currently in the process of contacting all affected customers.

Stena Line is currently assessing options for additional sailings from Dublin to its ports in Birkenhead and Fishguard as well as from Belfast to Cairnryan and Heysham to assist continuity of trade and passenger flows.

Stena Line would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and assure customers that the company is doing everything in its power to mitigate the effects of the closure on passenger and freight traffic, a spokesperson said.

The Department of Transport has also been in contact with Dublin Port to monitor the situation and to put plans in place should congestion occur.

Mr Lawless added that alternative routes are available and additional sailings should be considered through Fishguard, Liverpool and Pembroke.

Speaking to RTEs Six One News, Mr Lawless said that 4,000 places on airlines are currently available over the next fortnight which provides a bit of breathing space for passengers seeking alternatives.

Irish Ferries is in the process of deploying ships on alternative routes to boost capacity following the closure of Holyhead, a spokesperson said.

We are currently contacting customers booked to travel on the route to outline options available to them, including sailing on the Pembroke-Rosslare route, where we have added more space.

The National Transport Authority has also been consulted on public transport capacity from Rosslare and other ports should the need arise.

Emergency meetings between key stakeholders and the Department of Transport have been held between Wednesday and yesterday to discuss the impact of the closure.

Mr Lawless has also been in touch with his counterpart in the Welsh Assembly, Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, and the secretary of state for transport for the UK Heidi Alexander.

Travel customers with Stena Line are advised to amend their bookings online free of charge or through its contact centre: 0344 770 7070 (UK)/ + 353 1 907 5555 (ROI).
Finally we are free and we won: Syrians in Ireland react to the fall of Assad

While there were celebrations after the hated dictator was ousted, Syrians here say that their optimism is tinged with sadness over the thousands who died  and why many are wary of returning just yet

New life: Ahmed Saqqa from Aleppo in Syria, who came to Ireland as a refugee nearly a decade ago and now runs the Four Liars restaurant in Cork city, with his daughter Isla (2). Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Kim Bielenberg Sat 14 Dec 2024 at 03:30

Ammar Alabed was only seven when he had to flee Syria with his parents. The family were trying to make their escape when their car came under fire from an Assad-regime sniper.
Truck drivers will be allowed drive more and rest less for the next two weeks as the Government prepares to ease rules for hauliers over fears package deliveries might not make their destinations in time for Christmas.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State James Lawless drafted a derogation from the strict rules applied to haulage drivers after trucks carrying Christmas deliveries had to be rerouted following the closure of Holyhead Port.

The ministers are also due to have meetings on Monday with ferry companies where they will ask them to add more journeys to ensure people can get home in time for Christmas, and so packages are delivered.

They also have meetings planned with their counterparts in Wales and England as they seek to find solutions to the backlog caused by the Welsh port closure due to damaged caused by Storm Darragh.

It comes after An Post was forced to reroute drivers holding around 500,000 packages in Holyhead which were bound for Ireland. The majority of the packages have now made their way to Ireland and will be delivered to homes in the coming days. An Post said 99pc of packages ordered before Storm Darragh, which was seven days ago, will be delivered in time for Christmas.

Drivers are currently finding alternative routes to bring the backlogged parcels to Ireland.

The easing of driving restrictions for drivers will see the maximum daily driving time extended to 11 hours in a day but not more than twice a week. This is in addition to the extension to 10 hours normally allowed.

This exception is limited however by a weekly driving time limit of 60 hours (normally 56) and a fortnightly limit of 102 hours (normally 90 hours)

This effectively means that drivers could work one longer week but then would need to compensate the following week. A driver could drive 60 hours one week followed by a 42 hour week or could split the times across a fortnight.

The derogation will also see the required weekly rest period reduced from 45 hours to 24 hours.

Trucks and trailers sit parked at Holyhead Port. Photo: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg

News in 90 Seconds - 14th December 2024

Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland said the Welsh port closure has been having a devastating effect all week with trucks laying up on both sides of the Irish Sea with nothing to do.

Our trailers are all tied up, some are sitting in Holyhead, some are sitting on customers premises  and were getting very limited bookings on other ports to come back to Ireland, theyre all at full capacity, Mr Hyland said.

Yesterday, An Post said it has the "facilities, technology and staff" to ensure the rerouted packages will be delivered in the coming days to homes and businesses.

In a statement, it said UK retailers are working with ferry companies to find alternative routes for trucks carrying parcels.

"Larger capacity ferries are now accessing Ireland from Wales, Scotland and Liverpool via Rosslare Europort, Larne and Dublin Port, and will continue to do so right up to Christmas and into New Year 2025," it said.

The postal service said it had secured routes for vehicles carrying around 350,000 packages and expects to receive the remaining 150,000 parcels in the coming days.
As one of Irelands top fashion models, Sarah Morrissey is a familiar face to many.

But next week her daughter Sadie (8) will take centre stage in Alan Hughes and Karl Brodericks Christmas pantomime Beauty and the Beast at the National Stadium.

The youngster has been with Dramatic Action stage school in Dublin for the last four years, and Morrissey said she relishes being in front of a crowd.

People think that I love the limelight, that she gets it from me  but to be honest, Im really shy, whereas shes so confident. Shes a real drama-school kid. She loves singing and acting. She has this little piggy bank where shes saving away as she wants to make her own movie one day. Its all she wants to do, said the model.

Morrissey (42) has been in the modelling industry for 20 years and won the Miss Ireland contest in 2006. However, she has no desire to see her daughter following in her footsteps.

She would do it, no bother, but I wouldnt want her to. Shes in school and a lot of jobs are during school hours, its hard work, said Morrissey.

If it was something fun for Christmas, I would consider it. But I know first-hand what its like with the long days and hours. Id prefer her to be in school.

If its something she ends up doing, Id be fine as long as shes happy. But Im aiming higher for her than a model  Id want her to be a doctor or a lawyer.

Model Sarah Morrissey

This year marked Morrisseys 20th year working in modelling with Assets agency. Over the years, she has been the face of many campaigns for most of Irelands premium brands. 

While she still loves her work, she said the industry has changed with the surge of online influencers in recent years.

But Morrissey has kept doing her own thing and still appears on fashion segments on Ireland AM as well as various fashion shows.

I love my job but the instability of it is hard. You never know how busy youre going to be from one year to the next, she said.

Your job has to change and evolve  everything is more about Ecommerce now. Covid hit hard, everybody found that. But this is the first year I felt that everythings back to normal. As you get older, your job changes. Im much more appreciative of it as I can pick and choose the jobs that allow me be a full-time mum, which I love doing.

As for next weeks show, Morrisseys daughter is nervous but excited about the prospect of taking to the stage for the first time.

Its just fun for her and she gets to sing and dance, which is her passion  theyre all so kind to her, she said.

In the panto, which has its VIP night on Tuesday and runs until January 5, Hughes plays Sammy Sausages, Rob Murphy is the Queen of Dames, Johnny Ward is Gaston while Susan McFadden is Fairytaler Swift.
Four candidates have been nominated for the post of ceann comhairle in the new Dail after Sinn Fein confirmed it will contest the election for the first time.

Veteran TD Aengus O Snodaigh is expected to compete against Independent Verona Murphy and two members from Fianna Fail  John McGuinness and incumbent Sean O Fearghail.

Mr O Fearghail, a two-term ceann comhairle who reversed a retirement decision, has said the new occupant of the chair must be fluent in Irish, which would best suit him, although Mr O Snodaigh is also a Gaeilgeoir.

Mr McGuinness said he had informed party leader Micheal Martin of his decision to stand, saying: I havent experienced any anger or animosity from anyone, no knock-back or reaction.

Incumbent Sean O Fearghail of Fianna Fail. Photo: Tom Burke

I have rung everyone in Fianna Fail, and Im going to Labour, the Social Democrats and Independents.

He said nobody could expect to be elected because of party strength because it was a free vote for all 174 members, who were electing one of their own to be an independent and non-partisan chair.

This is a tricky electorate, he said, confirming he had been validly nominated by seven incoming members, or more than one party, although he declined to name them.

Also validly nominated for the role, which carries a salary package worth 225,000, are Mr O Fearghail, Ms Murphy and now Mr O Snodaigh.

The secret ballot will be held on Wednesday, when the 34th Dail meets for the first time since the election.

Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was delighted to announce the nomination of Mr O Snodaigh, who is an outstanding parliamentarian, legislator, public representative, a proud Gaeilgeoir and champion of the arts, heritage and culture.

Mr O Snodaigh has nearly 23 years experience in the Dail, having been first elected as a TD in 2002, and has played for the Oireachtas rugby team.

Mr O Fearghail has, meanwhile, told the online Irish language news service, Tuairisc.ie, that competence in the language is essential for the role.

The Dail chairman for the last two terms said it would be shocking if the person elected to the post next week did not have Irish, arguing that more Gaeilge should be spoken at Leinster House.

He was supported in this view by deputy Dail chairperson Catherine Connolly, another Irish speaker, also seeking re-election to the post she held for the past term.

Independent TD Verona Murphy. Photo: Brian Lawless

Pat The Cope Gallagher, whose constituency includes the Donegal Gaeltacht, and Brendan Smith of Cavan-Monaghan have also been cited as potential candidates for the role.

The elected ceann comhairle will be automatically returned as a TD at the next election. If this were to be Mr O Snodaigh, it would allow Sinn Fein to bid for two of the remaining three seats in Dublin South Central at the next election.
The Labour Party will know next week if it has a chance of sharing power with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

Leader Ivana Bacik told a meeting of Labours parliamentary party yesterday there had been little response to its setting-out of policy red lines to both those parties.

Ms Bacik will now seek a substantive response from the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail on Labours key policy priorities that were provided to Simon Harris and Micheal Martin in separate meetings last Tuesday. This was in order to provide them with the opportunity to give us a clear response to the priorities for government that we have outlined.

Ms Bacik will be joined by TDs Alan Kelly and Marie Sherlock at these meetings, after which the party will again review the position.

But the lack of progress in recent days would appear to confirm perceptions that both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael appear closer to a deal with the regional group of Independents, or a large majority of that bloc.

We are a party that has always been serious about delivering change

There are three core principles that Labour has advanced to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and which it wanted at the heart of a centre-left alliance, until being rebuffed by the Social Democrats.

The first emphasises the need for a stronger, more active role by the State in resolving the challenges the country faces.

Secondly, the party wants a focus on investment in public services and infrastructure instead of unsustainable tax cuts that narrow the revenue base.

And thirdly, it wants a programme for government that commits to Labours policy priorities on housing, health, the cost of living, work, climate and childcare.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik. Photo: Collins

Labour party member at risk of expulsion over Bacik leak

Ms Bacik later conceded it was unlikely Labour would be going into government. It is unlikely, but we do want to give Fianna Fail and Fine Gael the chance to let us know if theres any basis for commencing negotiations, she said.

We are a party that has always been serious about delivering change  we dont want to simply walk away without giving it every shot.

Ms Bacik said a members note of a Labour Party meeting last weekend, leaked to the Irish Independent, was not accurate in portraying her as going through the motions of talks with no intentions of entering power.

There was an investigation going on internally into the leak, and it could lead to expulsion from the party, she said, although she would not be involved in the probe. I certainly did not say I had no intention of ever going into government. 

But were realistic about the numbers and lack of leverage for any smaller party going into a coalition with two big parties that have 86 seats between them.
The secret to safari? Forget the Big Five and take the Maasai Maras magic one moment at a time

Safari is the Swahili word for journey, and an adventure that goes far beyond the Big Five  as a father and son learn on a magical trip to Kenyas Maasai Mara Reserve

Safari in Kenya's Maasai Mara - Pol O Conghaile's take on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday

Pol O Conghaile Sat 14 Dec 2024 at 03:32

I can see the amber of the cheetahs eyes. The wisp of their whiskers. Thats how close we are.
Traditionally at this time, thoughts turn to Bethlehem. Christmas plays abound in which the story of the prince of peace is told with gusto by children.

In the wider Middle East, tumultuous events precipitated by the dramatic ending of more than half-a-century of the barbaric Assad regime are still reverberating.

The terrible secrets of suffering and of the more than 100,000 disappeared are beginning to surface.

But Bashar al-Assads demise has the potential to give new impetus to efforts to put not only Syria, but the entire region, on a more stable footing.

It was encouraging to hear that Syrias new interim authorities have asked the UN refugee agency to remain in the country and indicated a willingness to protect its personnel.

Meanwhile, the White House is reputedly pulling out all the stops to achieve a long-elusive ceasefire deal in Gaza. The Biden administration has said the incoming team of president-elect Donald Trump is also co-operating to help make it happen.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan, who has travelled to Israel, said the goal is to put us in a position to be able to close this deal this month  not later.

Commenting on talks with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said: I got the sense hes ready to do a deal.

Israels offensive has killed more than 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children

While accepting we have had false dawns before, he added: I believe we are close again. Will we get there? It is not yet clear, but we are determined to try to drive this across the finish line.

The need for that last drive to end the carnage is desperate. Israels most recent attacks killed dozens of people, including children, and the Palestinian health ministry says 1,057 healthcare workers have been killed since the war began.

As winter sets in, the region is also gripped by food shortages and renewed fears of famine.

Israels offensive has killed more than 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children. The latest attacks came within hours of the UN General Assembly approving a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Farther afield, Assads removal could also put pressure on Moscow for an end to the war in Ukraine. It was a devastating blow to the prestige of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Grumblings at the toll sanctions are taking and the pressure on the economy from the war are intensifying. Donald Trumps return and the prospects of his achieving his ambition of ending the Ukraine conflict may have been boosted by the Russian leaders newly weakened position.

Trump has set twin goals of resolving the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as a measure of his deal-making prowess, in contrast to what he regards as the incompetence of the Biden administration.

Be it oneupmanship or altruism, the children of the Middle East and Ukraine wont quibble, but the gift of peace will still be all they dream of this month.
Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were: Breda Lynch  Tusla Area Manager, Matthew Seebach  Senior Manager Youth Work Ireland and Luke O'Sullivan. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Berni Smyth, CEO, KCYS pictured with Frances Day at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were members of the county wide Your Service including Berni Smyth, CEO, KCYS. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were: Finbar Fitzpatrick and Peg O'Sullivan. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were from left, Niamh Horgan, Ann Brosnan, David Hunt, Michelle O'Neill and Edel O'Connor. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were: David Hunt and Niamh Horgan. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were Bishop Ray Browne and Berni Smythm, CEO, KCYS. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were Claire O'Toole and Ann Moynihan. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were: Shane O'Donoghue, Philip o'Connor, Bernadette Costello, Frances Day, Aoife Dare and Fr Ger Godley. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were from left, Ailish Heffernan, Stephen o'Shea, Debra Fealy, Shannon O'Sullivan and Lorraine Griffin. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were Bishop Ray Browne and Shane O'Donoghue, KCYS. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were from left, Gillian Hill, Breda Dowling, Louise Daly and Diona Vyapuri. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were from left, Ailish Heffernan, Stephen o'Shea, Debra Fealy, Shannon O'Sullivan and Lorraine Griffin. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were from left, Rosai Nic Charthaigh, Julie and Erin Murphy and Sheila Casey. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were Bishop Ray Browne and Berni Smythm, CEO, KCYS. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the rebranding of KDYS to Kerry Community Youth Services (KCYS) in Killarney were from left, Ailish Heffernan, Stephen o'Shea, Debra Fealy, Shannon O'Sullivan and Lorraine Griffin. Photo by Don MacMonagle

Young people in Kerry will now get even greater support as the newly rebranded Kerry Youth Community Service (KCYS) announces several new programmes to support teenagers across the county.

Following extensive consultation with young people, volunteers, stakeholders and the local community, it was decided that the organisation previously known as Kerry Diocesan Youth Service would become Kerry Community Youth Service.

This is the first revision of the charitys Constitution since the organisation was founded. The process was informed by Charity Regulator guidance in relation to good governance and was an opportunity to specifically name youth participation and climate justice as priority commitments.

CEO of KCYS, Berni Smyth said the aim is to provide young people with the services and support they need.

We are delighted to launch our new name. The consultation process has also given us an opportunity to reflect on what community youth work means in Ireland and in Kerry today. As a member organisation of Youth Work Ireland, KCYS is committed to the national campaign Youth Work for All which seeks recognition of all young peoples right to local and accessible youth work services and spaces which strongly echoes the view of the young people who took part in this process."

She called on local representatives to work with the organisation to access additional resources for youth work in Kerry.

The launch this week of the rebrand at the KCYS Killarney, hosted by young people, honoured the past, reflected on what community youth work looks like today, acknowledged the contribution of volunteers and information was shared about exciting plans the organisation has for the future.

Coordinator of KCYS Youth Justice Programme Linda Kearin outlined a new national Court Accompaniment programme, funded by the Department of Justice, which will be piloted in Kerry in the New Year.

Anne Murphy, Coordinator of KCYS Youth Information Service, explained that KCYS was recently awarded the ERIYCA Quality Label which is recognition from the Council of Europe for accessible and inclusive youth information services while Gareth Harteveld, KCYS Youth Work Development Manager spoke about the ambitious plans the organisation has to expand its European youth work programme.

Gareth announced that KCYS has received Erasmus+ funding with support from LEARGAS to invest in youth participation in 2025 with one of their partners under the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres.

KCYS is the only youth organisation in Ireland to have achieved this standard. The planned youth participation programme will include updating youth participation resources and providing training in youth participation for youth workers and volunteers in partnership with ZPTM Brezice Youth Centre in Slovenia.

Gareth Harteveld, KCYS Youth Work Development Manager, said there are exciting times ahead for young people.

"We are thrilled to receive this funding which will allow us to support young people from Kerry and Slovenia to work together to update existing youth participation resources. It is so important that this work is led by young people and we are looking forward to working with our Council of Europe Quality Label partners in Slovenia on this project.

Following the formal event, all KCYS Youth Centres around the County opened their doors to young people who took part in a wide range of activities to celebrate the youth organisations new name culminating in a workshop with Bernard Casey in the Killarney Centre.
Chloe Nott from Killarney with her her teacher NinfaRobson performing 'Fairytale of New York' at the 'KASI Le Cheile' Intercultural Event in St. Olivers National School, Killarney on Saturday. Photo by Tatyana McGough

Aaquib family from Pakistan: Bushra, Hajazy, Maryam, Imran and Mustafa pictured at the 'KASI Le Cheile' Intercultural Event in St. Olivers National School, Killarney on Saturday. Photo by Tatyana McGough.

Natalia Arakcheieva from Ukraine and Charles Ugba from Nigeria on duty at the 'KASI Le Cheile' Intercultural Event at St. Olivers National School, Killarney on Saturday. Photo by Tatyana McGough.

Killarney Immigrant Support Centre hosted KASI Le Cheile last Saturday December 7, to mark Human Rights Day (December 10) and the promotion of diversity and equality of for all people in Irish society.

KASI Le Cheile saw about 200 people from across the globe sampling dishes from Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Ireland, with food produced by International Protection Applicants, Irish Citizens, refugees and other migrants.

Over 40 people also took part in group or individual performances of traditional and contemporary music and dance from varying cultures. The event happened just hours after a Status Orange wind warning in Ireland, with people travelling from other parts of Munster, including Cork and Limerick, to attend.

KASI has supported over 1,000 people from migrant backgrounds in Killarney and Millstreet the past year, providing advice and information on rights and entitlements, as well as advocating and supporting people personally. The organisation also organises intercultural days, such as KASI Le Cheile, as a forum for new and local communities to gather.

Marilyn Catapat-Counihan, Coordinator of KASI, saw the event as a platform for further positive engagement in a time when it is increasingly needed.

Events like this show that there is an appetite for people to come together and build community as much as there has ever been. It is inspiring to see so many people from varying backgrounds gather under the same roof and reconnect or make new friends, and is food for thought about how we should do this more.

It was also good to gather after what has been a difficult year, both internationally with injustices ongoing in Sudan, Palestine and Ukraine, among other places, and here in Ireland with anti-immigrant rhetoric and violence increasing.

We hope that by coming together in solidarity, we can contribute to the positive in world also, and acknowledge our similarities and celebrate our differences at the same time. That is what inclusion and equality are all about.

We want to thank St Olivers National School for providing the space and everyone who came along on the day. Biggest thanks, however, go to the wonderful performers and chefs who, despite the storm, came and contributed their time, energy and rich culture to make the day so special.
Exclusive | 'I would explode like a volcano' - Kerry man's journey from anger to healing

A Tralee man discusses violent behaviour towards his family before he found MOVE Ireland  an organisation for men overcoming violence.

Stock photo.

Stephen Fernane Kerryman Sun 15 Dec 2024 at 13:00

Im due to meet Sid in a noisy cafe in Tralee as Christmas songs fill the air in a convivial atmosphere. He sends me a text to say he is running late as he tries to find parking on Denny Street.
Aideen O'Farrell of the Gateway Hotel in Dundalk, picking up her sustainability award.

The Gateway Hotel in Dundalk has won a major industry award, in recognition of its work in sustainability.

The iNua Hotel Collection, one of Irelands leading hospitality groups hosted its annual iNua Group Manager Awards ceremony in the Radisson Blu, Athlone, earlier this month.

Over 130 managers from the groups 15 hotels came to celebrate a year of exceptional achievements.

The iNua Hotel Collection CEO Sean ODriscoll spoke about The iNua Hotel Collection celebrating its 10th anniversary as a hospitality group, growing from two hotels in 2014 to eighteen hotels and hospitality businesses today, employing 1,740 people.

The CEO spoke about the challenges in the hospitality sector over the last twelve months and praised the strength and great character of the leadership teams in each hotel in dealing with these challenges.

He also highlighted some of the group achievements including achieving the Great Places to Work accreditation for a third year and receiving silver accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity.

Mr. ODriscoll gave a warm welcome to the managers from the new voco hotel in Belfast, which was launched in July of this year and the team from The Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, which joined The iNua Hotel Collection in September 2024.

The awards ceremony honoured eleven managers for exceptional performance in their areas of expertise and the hotel of the year was also announced at the ceremony.

Among the individual winners was the Gateway Hotel in Dundalk.

Aideen OFarrell of The Gateway Hotel was named Sustainability Leader of the Year.

The iNua Hotel Collection is taking part in Failte Irelands Pathway to 45 programme, where the group is targeting to reduce its carbon footprint by 45% by 2030.

The hotel of the year is selected from 19 performance criteria relating to guest experience, colleague satisfaction and business performance.

This year, The iNua Hotel Collection, Hotel of the Year is the Radisson Blu, Hotel & Spa in Limerick. General Manager at Radisson Blu, Limerick Brian Harrington paid tribute to his long serving management team for their dedication and commitment to quality in everything they do and said the award means a great deal to the team.

Chris Austin, Chief Operating Officer at The iNua Hotel Collection who announced the Hotel of the Year award, said that this is a very important day for the iNua Hotel Collection.

He said: We are delighted to be able to gather together and reflect on the past 12 months, celebrate our commitment to hospitality, and to be able to look forward as a team to a positive and successful future for The iNUA Hotel Collection in the coming years.
Wicklow author Colum Kenny has written a new book that delves into the character and early development of Eamon de Valera, which will have a huge appeal for residents in the north of the county, opening as it does with the former taoiseach and presidents connections to Greystones.

Kenny opens with the aftermath of 1916, when de Valera sent his wife Sinead and their children to live in Craig Leath, a fine house on Kinlen Road in the exclusive and very unionist district of Greystones, The Burnaby, where they remained until 1922. When Dev was interned in 1918, Sinead wrote: This is a beautiful place and so healthy for the children.

But as Kenny indicates in Dangerous Ambition: The Making of Eamon de Valera (Eastwood Books, 20), Dev was often not there. Sinead managed alone for most of the War of Independence when he was in the United States, and she later wrote to thank Michael Collins for his support during that period.

Returning to Ireland, de Valera spent many nights at houses in Dublin. Around Christmas 1921, when he was embroiled in bitter debate about the proposed Anglo-Irish Treaty, his wife complained that their housemaid in Greystones had and has a very sore finger and I had everything to see to.

She added: The rush to Xmas was awful and for the once that Dev was at home with us the place was filthy and not too comfortable.

Most biographies of Dev have concentrated on his later political career but this volume looks at how his character was formed before he founded Fianna Fail in 1926.

Dev managed to pull himself up by his bootstraps as the son of a distant mother who had emigrated to New York. She sent him, aged just two-and-a-half in 1885 to be raised by her brother Pat Coll outside Bruree village, in County Limerick.

Eddies Uncle Pat lived in one of the first labourers cottages built as he was a labourer as his own father had also been. He reared Eddie Coll (as Dev was then often known) to work hard.

Dev was a solitary child who learnt to depend on his own abilities to get ahead, and to get his way.

I had no one to play with. I was alone a good deal. In the river I had a little island, and I used to shape it and make plans about it. This was Ireland and I was the ruler of it.

The author says that this is a story of stark rearing and thwarted ambitions, as he takes a closer looked at a man who was determined to get an education, winning scholarships that got him into the prestigious Blackrock College in Dublin and saw him graduate from the Royal University of Ireland  rare achievements especially then for a boy of his social class.

Dev never knew his father, who was reputedly of Spanish origin. And Kenny, a professor emeritus of Dublin City University and senior journalist who has lived in Bray since the 1970s, recently gave an address at the University of Toledo in Spain about de Valeras use of at least three Irish ambassadors in Madrid in his futile search for roots in Spain.

Dangerous Ambition is the last in a quartet of recent books by Kenny.

In these he challenges our views of aspects of the Irish Revolution of 1916 to 1922. The quartet consists of full-length biographies of both Arthur Griffith and Eamon de Valera, along with two succinct volumes reviewing the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations of 1921 and the Irish Civil War that followed them.

'Dangerous Ambition: The Making of Eamon de Valera is an insightful new book that will appeal to both general and academic readers.
Wicklow auhor Eve McDonnell with her book The Last Boy.

I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney.

Fia And the Last Snow Deer by Wicklow author Eilish Fisher

Its always a tricky one at Christmas to decide whether or not buy your child a book, let alone decide which one. After a year in which Irish writers  including some of our very own from the Garden County  flourished in the world of publishing, whittling down a Christmas list is not easy . . . unless of course, you leave it to the experts.

The team at the award-winning children's bookshop in Greystones, Halfway Up the Stairs, have put together their recommended list for under the tree, having carefully read each book and recommend only the very best books for young readers for all ages.

Overall children's book of the year

The overall winner  chosen by Halfway up the Stairs as the hands-down favourite book of the year  is Fia And the Last Snow Deer by Wicklow-based author Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn. It was also the winner of the An Post Book Awards in the Childrens Senior category. The store chose this as it is a brilliant book about friendship, family and adventure, set in snowy prehistoric Ireland.

Fia And the Last Snow Deer by Wicklow author Eilish Fisher

Children age 3+

Young children love picture books and Trish Hennessy and her team have chosen the following picture books as their books of 2024.

The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly (Age 4+), a stunning book about nature; We Are The Wibbly by Sarah Tagholm, illustrated by Jane McGuinness (Age 3+); Little Lion Girl by Olivia Hope, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock (Age 3+) Mr Santa by Jarvis (Age 3+); Santas First Christmas by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sydney Smith (Age 4+).

Also recommended is The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly (Age 3+), another great Wicklow-based author and illustrator.

The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly.

Children age 6+

In the 6+ age category their books of the year are: Rabbit and Bear: This Lake is Fake by Julian Gough and Jim Field (Age 6+); Lola and Larch: Fix a Fairy Forest by Sinead OHart, illustrated by Rachel Seago (Age 7+); Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure by Meg McLaren (Age 7+); Dinosaur Pie by Jen Wallace and illustrated by Alan ORourke (Age 7/8+); Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by Steve McCarthy (Age 6+).

Children age 9+

Readers of age 9+ are well catered for with some amazing titles this year and Trish and her team were delighted to select the following as their books of the year for this age group: The Secret of Golden Island by Natasha Farrant (Age 9+); Fallout by Lesley Parr (Age 10+); The Last Boy by Eve McDonnell (Age 10+); The Weather Girls by Sarah Webb (Age 9+) who works in the Greystones bookshop as events manager.

Wicklow author Alan Nolans book, The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens (Age 9+) is also included as a 9+ Book of the Year.

Wicklow author Alan Nolans book, The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens

Books for teens

There are some brilliant books of the year for teens, even the older ones who struggle to put their phones down.

The recommended titles are: King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore (Age 12+); Sisters of the Moon' by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Age 13+); 'Me and Aaron Ramsey by Manon Steffan Ros (Age 11+); Braids Take a Day by Zainab Boladale (Age 13+).

And for older teens: Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain (Age 15+): When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson Age 15+.

The store also singles out Wicklow writer, Sam Blake  winner of the An Post Book Awards, Teen and YA section for his brilliant tome, Somethings About to Blow Up (Age 15+).

Somethings About to Blow Up by Sam Blake.

Gift and reference books

Finally there are some stunning gift books and reference books that can work perfectly as a bit of stocking stuffing at the very least!

The History of Information by Chris Haughton (Age 9+ and all ages); The Faerie Isle: Tales and Traditions of Irelands Forgotten Folklore by Sine Quinn, illustrated by Dermot Flynn (age 9+); Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins, illustrated by Fia Tobing (Age 4+); At Home In A Book by Lauren OHara (Age 6+); and finally, I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney (Age 3+).

I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney.

Halfway Up the Stairs also have a new signed books section in the shop, full of signed goodies from Oliver Jeffers, Chris Haughton, Hannah Gold and lots more.
A vibrant exchange of culture, craft and cuisine unfolded when Wicklows finest products made their way to Montigny-le-Bretonneux in France for its much-loved Christmas market.

This unique event celebrated the enduring twinning of Wicklow town and Montigny-le-Bretonneux and showcased the best of Wicklows creative and culinary offerings to a captivated French audience.

After a journey via road and ferry, the products of 17 local producers representing Made in Wicklow and Wicklow Naturally were displayed at the market. The stand was manned by staff from Wicklow County Council (WCC), the twinning committee of Wicklow Municipal District (WMD), and the LEADER Rural Development Programme 2023 - 2027, who ensured the products were showcased to their fullest potential.

Showcasing Wicklows talent, visitors to the market were treated to a looping video that showcased breath-taking imagery of Wicklows landscapes and the stories of its craftspeople and food producers. This multimedia showcase played a key role in sharing the story of Wicklow with an international audience, leaving a lasting impression of the countys charm, creativity, and rich heritage.

Speaking following the event, a spokesperson stated: It was a privilege and honour to represent the producers of Co Wicklow, both craft and food. It was the first time that we showcased such a beautiful array of Wicklow product, that of Made in Wicklow and Wicklow Naturally together, to highlight our wonderful producers to an international audience.

The response from the French audience was positive, with glowing praise for the quality and authenticity of Wicklows offerings. The event also proved to be a commercial success, with sales strong.
It was claimed that the man who lost UK ban appeal was invited to a birthday party for Britain's Prince Andrew in 2020. Photo: PA

A Chinese businessman, described as a close confidant of British royal Prince Andrew, has lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds.

The man, known only as H6, brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission after then-home secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK in March last year.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Vladimir Putin of terrorising millions of people after Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks against Ukraines energy grid.

Putins troops launched 93 missiles and almost 200 drones across Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said, with the Ukrainian air force having to scramble prized western-supplied F-16 fighter jets to shoot down some of the projectiles.
Israeli airstrike kills at least 33 people sheltering in Gaza post office

Hamas agreement raises hopes a deal could finally be achieved after more than a year of fighting

A Palestinian child sits at the site of an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

Ramaden Abed and Nidal Al-Mughrabi Sat 14 Dec 2024 at 03:30







Dozens of relatives wept and recited verses from the Koran, Islams holy book, at a Gaza Strip hospital yesterday before burying some of the 33 Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike on a post office where they had been sheltering.
WASHINGTON D.C, UNITED STATES- MAY 2: Debra Tice who is the mother of Austin Tice speaks at the National Press Club during a press conference in Washington D.C., United States on May 2, 2023. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

In late May 2012, Austin Tice, a former Marine Corps captain and Georgetown law student, ducked under a fence on the Turkish-Syrian border.

The 31-year-old joined a group of Free Syrian Army rebels, and despite not having much journalism experience, filed his first news report nine days later. Writing for McClatchy, which owns papers across the US, Tice later reported for The Washington Post and appeared on BBC Radio and CBS News.
A Palestinian child sits at the site of an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

At least seven Palestinians were killed and 12 wounded after an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza, the civil emergency service in Gaza City said on Saturday.
Jared Isaacman plans to develop the 'space economy' in his role as Nasa administrator. Photo: Kelly Sullivan/Getty Images

Incoming Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman has said that US troops in space are absolutely inevitable in order to protect the countrys economic interests.

President-elect Donald Trump nominated the tech billionaire to be the next head of the US space agency last week, saying he would lead Nasa into a bold new era.
Livermore, CA (94550)

Today

A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 42F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 42F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
To honour India's True Showman on his 100th birth anniversary, let's look at some of his best classic black-and-white films, which were way ahead of their time and shaped the future of Indian cinema.
Allu Arjun was detained on Friday in connection with the tragic death of a fan during the premiere of his latest film, Pushpa 2: The Rule. The arrest, carried out under the full glare of cameras, shocked fans. Adding to the uproar, reports emerged alleging police misconduct towards the actor. However, Hyderabad police have since denied these allegations, asserting their justification for the detention.

'There was no use of force or any misbehaviour'

Hyderabad police have strongly refuted allegations that their personnel misbehaved with Allu Arjun during his arrest. In a detailed statement, the authorities clarified the sequence of events, dismissing reports of any inappropriate conduct.

"Another issue is that the police personnel misbehaved with Allu Arjun at the time of arrest is also not true. When police reached his residence, he requested some time to change his clothes. He went inside his bedroom, police personnel waited outside and took him into custody when he came out," the police said.

They further added, "There was no use of force or any misbehaviour with him by any police personnel. He was given enough time to interact with his family and wife and he himself came out and entered the police vehicle."

Police address allegations in the Sandhya Theatre stampede case

In a statement to the press, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Hyderabad's Central Zone addressed the letter circulating in the media from Sandhya Cine Enterprise 70 MM.

The letter, dated December 4-5, 2024, requested police bandobast for the release of Pushpa 2.

Sandhya Theatre management indeed requested police protection both on the 04th and 05th of December. Here is the letter. pic.twitter.com/u6TD3bvQlF  Aakashavaani (@TheAakashavaani) December 13, 2024

The DCP explained, "We receive a lot of requests for bandobast citing visits by some political personalities, film celebrities, religious programs etc. However, it is beyond our resources to provide bandobast for every event."

He further clarified, "In specific cases where a heavy crowd is expected or some popular personality is visiting, the organizer personally visits the police station / ACP / DCP office and briefs about the program depending upon which we provide the bandobust. In this case, the organizer did not meet any officer and simply submitted the letter in the inward section."

Allu Arjun's lawyer accuses jail authorities of illegal detention after bail

After being arrested and placed in 14-day judicial custody by a Telangana lower court, Allu Arjun was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court on Friday evening.

However, the jail authorities did not release him until Saturday morning.

The actor's lawyer, Ashok Reddy, criticised the delay, accusing the Hyderabad jail authorities of "not complying" with the High Court's bail order in connection with the Sandhya Theatre incident.

Speaking to PTI, he called the detention illegal and stated that they would take legal action in response.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Season 6 of the horror mystery Very Scary People is coming soon on OTT. The series will be releasing on the OTT platform HLN starting December 15. The series will also be available on OTT platforms like Hulu and Discovery. The show is all about the lives of serial killers and the cases they left behind, gone cold and collecting dust on a bookshelf somewhere, waiting to be rediscovered. Below is the trailer of the series and everything else you need to know:

Plot

The show is all about the life of a serial killer, Anthony Sowell, who murdered over 10 women. The series will talk about the minds of the most evil criminals who have committed serious crimes in their lives.

The series studies the lives of these criminals and will try to find out what made them attempt such crimes. The series will feature guests and experts from the crime and legal team. Those have either been a part of the cases or have been interrogated about the case and spoken to the criminal. The show will also have experts who will talk about the mindset of these criminals. The show will also highlight how the criminals became such serious offenders.

Cast and crew

The series will feature crime cases solved and unsolved. Some of the family members of the victims have also recorded their statements in front of the camera. There will be gruesome and heartbreaking details too in the show given by the family members.

Excited about the series? Stay tuned for more updates on OTT releases.
Pushpa 2 star Allu Arjun has been released from Chanchalguda prison early this morning, following his release on interim bail granted by the Telangana High Court. While talking to the media after the release, Allu Arjun assured his fans that there is nothing to worry about and also expressed his condolences once again for the tragic stampede at his film's premiere earlier this month that resulted in the death of a woman.

Actor Allu Arjun says, "It was an unfortunate incident...I will be there for the family to support them in every possible way..." pic.twitter.com/Ab01nUYBpp  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Allu, while addressing the media, said there is nothing to worry about and that he is fine. The Telugu superstar said he is a law-abiding citizen, and he would like to once again express his condolences to the family.

Fans reaction to the arrest and bail:

The update about Allu Arjuns arrest had shocked fans across the country and world as he enjoys a massive fanbase. His statement now has kind of brought relief to the fans who had been eagerly awaiting to hear from him.

One X user after Allu's statement came out wrote, "What Congress has done in Telangana is cruelty towards the megastar Allu Arjun."

Another fan of Allu wrote, "5000CR + 4 PUSHPA2 AFTER ILLEGAL ARREST."

While the internet was full of supporting messages for the superstar since Friday, there is also a section of X users who do feel the arrest was important and that Allu Arjun was to be held responsible. One such user wrote, "Body language changes before and after a night in jail? Jail humbles everyone."

Another user wrote, "@alluarjun, you are saying it was not intentional. However, as an actor and responsible actor, dont you feel it was your responsibility to inform the police that you were going in that theatre? Dont you think if you had not gone there (as the proper arrangements were not there), she would be alive?"

Why was the release delayed?

Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday morning from his Hyderabad residence and was granted interim bail later in the day. But there was a delay in the paperwork reaching jail authorities, which meant the actor had to spend the night in custody.

Prison rules restrict the release of inmates at night, leading to his release on Saturday morning.

The Telangana High Court has allowed Allu Arjun four weeks of interim bail, requiring him to submit a surety bond of Rs 50,000.

What is expected in the case next?

Arjun, as he shared, will focus on legal proceedings while continuing to show solidarity with the family affected by the unfortunate incident. Meanwhile, the buzz around his recently released Pushpa 2 remains unchanged.
As the Kapoor family celebrates what would have been filmmaker Raj Kapoor's 100th birthday by screening 10 of his iconic films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas in India this weekend, a post featuring an excerpt from his thoughts on making Satyam Shivam Sundaram has grabbed internet's attention. The excerpt reveals his unsettling fascination with the female body, a side of Raj Kapoor's personal views that, while not entirely unknown to those familiar with Hindi cinema, has sparked controversy.

Inspiration behind Satyam Shivam Sundaram's Roopa

The excerpt from Raj Kapoor's thoughts on his 1978 film Satyam Shivam Sundaram sheds light on his complex, and often controversial, perspective on women.

In particular, it focuses on the character of Roopa, the daughter of a temple priest, and describes two distinctive physical features: a scar on her cheek and, notably, her "big breasts."

According to the excerpt, it was this characteristic of Roopa that "began to haunt Raj Kapoor."

The excerpt then refers to a 1986 interview in which Kapoor himself discussed his fixation on women, particularly his relationship with his mother, quoting Raj Kapoor as saying: "I was extremely precocious. And I was a worshipper of nudity. I think it all started because of my intimacy with my mother who was young, beautiful and had the sharp features of a Pathan woman."

In the comments on the Reddit thread, users describe it as "disturbing" and share, "I'm still trying to process this after reading it..."

How Raj Kapoor portrayed women in his films

While the source of the excerpt and its authenticity cannot be definitively confirmed, it is well-known that throughout his career, Raj Kapoor's portrayal of female characters in his films has been the subject of intense scrutiny.

He often has been scrutinised for portraying women through a sexualized and titillating lens.

Credit: Wikipedia

Film historian SMM Ausaja reflects on the enduring image of Kapoor's women, particularly in his films from Aag to Ram Teri Ganga Maili, noting how Kapoor's vision of the "woman in white" became iconic but also faced intense criticism.

"His vision of the woman in white, which started with Nargis till 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' was also something unique. He faced a lot of criticism when he put the woman in a white saree under the waterfall," Ausaja told PTI.

Amrit Gangar, another film historian, offers a more sympathetic view of Kapoor's approach to women in his films.

He describes Kapoor as an ingenious showman and a sensitive artist who was in search of two contrasting yet complementary figures: the "mother" and the "wife."

"He needed his Radha and also Yashoda at the same time. His women characters were complex and not simplistic," said Gangar, speaking to PTI.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Rana Daggubati, the star of films such as Baahubali 2 and Leader, turned a year older on December 14. Several stars took to social media to wish him on the special day. It was, however, Samanthas sweet message for the actor that stole the show.

Samantha pens a note from Rana Daggubati on his birthday

Rana Daggubati, one of the most popular actors in Telugu cinema, enjoys a strong fan following because of his bold nature and striking looks. The star has been a part of the industry for nearly 15 years and is best known to the pan-India audience for his work in the Baahubali saga, He is now in the limelight for a sweet reason. Samantha Ruth Prabhu took to social media on Saturday, December 14, to wish him on the occasion of his 40th birthday. The Citadel Honey Bunny actress said that he has always inspired her with his dedication towards work.

Happy birthday, my dear @ranadaggubati. Watching you give everything you do your one hundred percent has always inspired me to do better... be better. Always a fan. God bless, she wrote on Insta Stories.

Samantha was previously married to Naga Chaitainya, who is Ranas cousin. She is on good terms with the Rana Naidu actor despite the fact that she parted ways with the Yuva Samrat in 2021, nearly four years after they tied the knot amid much fanfare. In fact, Rana and Samantha recently shared a light moment during award function when the actress jokingly warned him against pulling her leg.

Busy time for Sam and Rana

On the work front, Samantha was last seen in Citadel: Honey Bunny. The web series marked her first collaboration with Varun Dhawan and received favourable reviews with critics lauding her performance. She is currently working on Rakht Brahmand, co-starring Ali Fazal and Aditya Roy Kapur.

Rana, on the other hand, will soon be seen in Jai Hanuman. The film features Rishab Shetty as Lord Hanuman and is a sequel to the Sankranti blockbuster HanuMan.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
CTET Exam 2024: The Central Teacher Eligibility Test, or CTET for short, is a nationwide test administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education in India to assess applicants' suitability for teaching positions. The twice-yearly CTET is intended for educators who wish to work in the Primary Section. The Central Board of Secondary Education will administer the CTET December 2024 Exam. Many applicants have submitted their applications for this test, and they are anxiously anticipating the release of their CTET Admit Card and the exam date notification.

What is CTET Exam?

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test is known as CTET. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) regularly administers the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) twice. The National Council for Teacher Education's (NCTE) regulations set the CTET qualification. It is important that applicants are aware of the CTET exam qualifying requirements before taking the test. Passing 10+2 exams or graduating with at least 50% of the total imprints, including the educator preparation programs, are some of the basic requirements to meet CTET qualification criteria. Applicants need to be aware of some important facts before taking the test.

When is CTET exam 2024?

Credit: Canva

The dates for the CTET test are December 14. Tickets for the CTET hall should be available by tomorrow, in line with previous patterns. The city slip has been made available ahead of time to allow candidates to plan their journey.

CTET admit card 2024

Teaching in Indian schools, especially central institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, requires the CTET certification. The deadline for applying CTET December 2024 was from October 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM. The application process started on September 17, 2024. The board will organize the test at the appointed time and day.

Name of the exam Conducting Body Purpose Examination Date CTET Admit Card Official Website Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) December 2024 Central Board of Secondary Education To Choose the Eligibility of Contenders for Teaching Posts 14th December, 2024 Released on the website ctet.nic.in

CTET Exam 2024 admit card details

Candidates are required to bring their CTET Admit Card to the test room. It provides access to the testing location and acts as evidence of eligibility. Candidates must verify that all the information on their admission card is accurate. They should get in touch with the exam officials right once to get any inconsistencies fixed. The following information will be on the admission card:

Candidate's Name Roll Number Exam date and time Exam center name and address Paper code (Paper I or Paper II) Instruction for Exam day

How to download CTET exam admit card?

Visit the official website at ctet.nic.in.

Click the link "Download CTET Admit Card December 2024 on the homepage."

You will be diverted to the login page. Enter your application number and password or date of birth.

After logging in, your admit card will appear on the screen.

Confirm all details on the admit card, including your name, exam center, and exam timing.

Click the "Download" button and save the admit card to your device.

Take a printout of the admit card for exam day

Teacher eligibility test schedule

Credit: Canva

The date of the CTET December 2024 Exam is set for December 14, 2024. You may view the full schedule that the board has made available here.

Date of Exam Paper Code Shift Time 14th December, 2024 Paper I Morning 9:30 AM to 12 Noon 14th December, 2024 Paper II Evening 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM

CTET exam pattern

Paper I and Paper II comprise the structured format of the CTET December 2024 test. Candidates who want to teach classes I through V should take Paper I, and those who wish to teach courses VI through VIII should take Paper II. Candidates must take both exams if they want to teach at both levels. The CTET certificate, valid for life, will be given to those who pass the written test.

Pattern for Paper I

Subject/Topics Maximum Marks Child Development and Pedagogy 30 Mathematics 30 Environmental Studies 30 Language I 30 Language II 30 Total 150

Pattern for Paper II

Section Maximum Marks Child Development and Pedagogy 30 Mathematics & Science OR Social Studies/Social Science 60 Language I 30 Language II 30 Total 150

Question paper structure for CTET Exam 2024

Each multiple-choice question (MCQ) on the CTET will have four possible answers, with one being the most suitable. There will be no negative marking, and each person will have one mark.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. What is the language of CTET exam?

A1. There won't be any negative markings, and the main question paper will be bilingual (in Hindi and English).

Q2. Will there be re-checking/re-evaluation of the CTET exam paper?

A2. No, there will be no re-checking or re-evaluation of the exam paper.

Q3. What is the CTET exam city?

A3. The test city slip for the CTET exam has been made available by the Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE. Those who are scheduled to take the exam might plan their journey appropriately. The admission card might be published any moment, and the tests are scheduled for December 14 and 15.

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events
Adrianos Golemis, a Greek physician working for the European Space Agency (ESA), is playing a crucial role in keeping astronauts healthy and safe during space missions.

The 37-year-old "astronaut doctor" has contributed his medical expertise to six space

missions over the past seven years, overseeing astronaut health from pre-launch preparations to post-mission recovery.

As the physician for ESA's European Astronaut Centre, Golemis is responsible for monitoring astronauts' well-being throughout the entire mission cycle.

This involves conducting detailed medical tests, creating personalized health plans, and providing ongoing medical support, including remote consultations during spaceflights.

Golemis recently participated in a student conference in Athens, where he highlighted the challenges of space travel on the human body, such as muscle atrophy, bone loss, and vision changes.

He also emphasized the importance of ongoing research to understand and mitigate the health risks associated with prolonged space exposure.

Golemis' dedication to space medicine underscores Greece's growing potential as a hub for space expertise.

His ambition to become the first Greek astronaut, coupled with his selection as a finalist for a European astronaut position in 2022, further highlights the country's aspirations in space exploration.

Through initiatives like the Hellenic Space Center, Greece is actively encouraging its brightest minds to contribute to the country's expanding role in space research and technology.

Golemis's work serves as an inspiration and a testament to Greece's growing contributions to the global space community.

By Vassilis Goulas

   iefimerida.gr


Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that his greatest fear while serving as Governor of Akwa Ibom was the State House of Assembly.

Akpabio made this revelation on Friday while speaking at a public lecture and book launch organized to celebrate the birthday of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining a good relationship with the legislative leadership, stating that every wise governor or the President like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must fashion a way to hold the leadership of the legislature closely.

Advertisement

He narrated his experience as Governor, saying, For those of you who may not understand politics, we were taught that the parliament can turn a woman into a man and a man into a woman. As a governor, my greatest fear was my House of Assembly.

READ ALSO: Akpabio Reveals Why Tinubu Appointed Wike As Minister

So because of that I never travelled anywhere without my Speaker. Any time I didnt see him for a day I would send somebody to his house to invite him to come and have lunch with me and I would look at his face to know whether he was happy with me or not.

The only place that can hurt a governor is the House of Assembly and no court or democracy can stop that from happening. Any President that wants to survive like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must hold the speaker and the Senate President very closely, the way he is holding us, he added.

In an apparent reaction to the face-off between Wike and his successor, Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, Akpabio commended the celebrants ability to reconcile quickly after any disagreements, saying Nobody in his senses would sustain a quarrel with Wike.

He praised Wikes contributions to Nigerias political landscape, stating that they are indelible. The bridges youve built stand as a testament to your commitment to progress and unity.


The Appeal Court in Abuja has overturned orders stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government.

The three-member panel, presided by Justice Hamman Barka, on Friday, ruled that the subject matter was outside its jurisdiction, specifically relating to the revenue of the state.

The appellate court allowed the appeal of the State Government and set aside all orders made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, stating that it was unconstitutional for her to make orders restricting the State Government from receiving funds due to the state from its consolidated revenue fund.

Advertisement

The court ruled that the lower court overreached itself and didnt have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

READ ALSO: Alleged Fraud: FCT Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail

In October, Justice Abdulmalik of the Abuja Federal High Court held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was a breach of the Constitution and an aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

The judge held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

Justice Abdulmalik specifically said that the Governors action was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The judge subsequently restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
Operatives of Benue State Police Command, have arrested a lecturer of Joseph Sawuaan Tarka University, Makurdi, identified as Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart, over his alleged involvement in the abduction of Susan Anyagh.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Mrs. Susan is said to be a wife of the institutions chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Mr. Paul Anyagh.

Benue State Police Commands Spokesperson, Catherine Anene, made this known in a statement on Friday.

Advertisement

The statement disclosed that on December 7, 2024, the command received information that Mrs. Susan was kidnapped along Otukpo Road in Makurdi and was taken hostage in her car to an unknown destination.

Anene added that Benue State Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, immediately ordered all patrol officers at check points to ensure the rescue of the woman and arrest the perpetrators.

READ MORE: Benue Police Nab Eight Armed Robbery Suspects

She said: She (victim) stated that while she was driving from NNPC mega fuel station, Kanshio where she went to collect money from her customer, she was flagged down at Otukpo road by persons who claimed to be in need and she stopped to render help.

They quickly jumped into her car and pointed a gun at her, ordering her to drive towards Wurukum area. Immediately, she looked outside the car and saw her husbands colleague; Dr. Ichor Tersagh Smart of JOSTUM standing by the car, she beckoned on him for help but he turned his back and walked away.

While moving in the vehicle, her abductors received a call from Dr. Ichor ordering that she should be killed and she became agitated.

When they sighted a police checkpoint ahead that was checking vehicles, they decided to reverse to a hidden place, they parked the car, brought her out, collected the sum of N1,350,000 she had in the car, opened the car boot and took a vehicle jack which they used to hit the back of her neck and she fell.

Anene said that the lecturer had been arrested in connection with the case and the investigation is ongoing.
The Criminal Investigation Division of the provincial Department of Public Security is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Securitys Criminal Police Department to delve deeper into these cases, it added.

Among the 410 citizens, 106 had legally exited Vietnam through official border gates, while 304 others had crossed the border illegally through various provinces.

The same day, police from 54 cities and provinces received a total of 386 individuals, with authorities from seven other provinces in the process of receiving the remaining citizens to their respective localities.

The repatriation effort began on Dec. 11-12 when the Moc Bai International Border Guard station, in coordination with the provincial Department of Public Security, received and verified information about the 410 citizens.

This group, including 38 women, hail from 61 cities and provinces nationwide. They were handed over by Cambodian authorities following an administrative inspection of Venus Casino and Resort in Bavet city, Svay Rieng province on Dec. 4.

The inspection, conducted by authorities from the General Department of National Police under the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia, uncovered a hotbed of illegal activities. The arrested were suspected of involvement in illegal exit, labor at unlicensed casinos, and online fraud.

Through screening and verification, Vietnamese authorities found out that four individuals were subject to search warrants, one had an arrest warrant, and four others were wanted by police from various cities and provinces.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has condemned the use of knockouts and other fireworks during festive period in Abuja.

In a statement by the Commands Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, on Saturday, disclosed that the decision was made to ensure safety of all residents and to protect lives and property throughout the yuletide season.

She added that using firecrackers often causes unnecessary panic, poses fire risks, and could lead to other avoidable incidents.

The statement reads: This ban is implemented to ensure the safety of all residents and to protect lives and property throughout the festive season.

READ MORE: Its Dangerous  Rivers Police Warn Commuters Against Night Trips In Yuletide Season

The use of these items creates unwarranted fear and anxiety in the community.

This ban is essential to maintaining peace and safety. Anyone found using or selling firecrackers will be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

Residents were also encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or violations of the ban through our emergency hotlines.


The Federal Government has directed owners of its properties in Lagos State to pay their outstanding ground rents.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, issued the directive during a stakeholder engagement on land administration in Lagos on Friday.

According to Dangiwa, the Ministry plans to optimize its revenue collection by ensuring that all occupiers of Federal Government assets pay their ground rent.

Advertisement

This, he said, would enable the government to improve facilities and provide better services to Nigerians.

The Ministry is resolved to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the law regarding the control and administration of its assets to maintain order, Dangiwa said.

The Minister also warned estate associations against collecting ground rent from occupants, stating that this is the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government.

If they are collecting it on our behalf, they should remit it fully; otherwise, we are going to engage our own staff to do it or engage consultants to do so on our behalf, he said.

Dangiwa further announced that the federal and Lagos state governments are working together to resolve land disputes and harmonize payment of tax on federal government assets.

He expressed concern over the poor condition of federal assets and uncompleted housing projects, promising to expedite their renovation and completion.


A devastating fire broke out at the Christ Apostolic Church in Wisdom Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday night, trapping several worshippers during a vigil.

The incident occurred around 9:30 pm on Olohunda Road, Lagelu Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses reported that some worshippers had fallen asleep in preparation for the vigil when the blaze erupted.

One witness stated, Some people had already slept off when the fire started.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Benue Police Arrest Lecturer Over Alleged Kidnapping Of Colleagues Wife

Another eyewitness described the desperate situation inside the church, saying, An elderly woman who could barely walk was still inside the church when the fire was raging.

The Oyo State Fire Services responded to the scene after being alerted by a resident.

The agencys General Manager, Akinyemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident but noted that the cause of the fire remains unknown as of press time.

Efforts to ascertain the full extent of the damage and possible casualties are ongoing.
The leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has expressed concern over what he described as deplorable condition of Nigerias heath sector.

The lawmaker, representing Ekiti Central, stated that many Nigerians are being killed by treatable deceases due to economic challenge facing them, adding that they lack access to quality healthcare system.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on Friday, Senator Bamidele, who was represented by his media aide, Bunmi Oguntase, during the round off the second phase of his free medical outreach across five local government areas, appealed to state governors to prioritise health needs of people.

Advertisement

He said: Poor access of many Nigerians to quality healthcare remains a snag in the attainment of universal health coverage.

READ MORE: No Request For Presidential Jet Before Senate  Senate Leader, Bamidele

Let me advise our governors to invest more in the primary healthcare sector that remains the closest to the poor masses.

What we are doing is to give succour to those being afflicted by diseases who dont have the means to seek medical treatments.

Going by what some of the beneficiaries said, most of them had been experiencing the sicknesses for years, but today, they have been treated.

Those with chronic health issues have been referred to better hospitals and we are ready to foot the bills to give our people the dividends of democracy they deserve.
Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian pastor embroiled in a deportation controversy in the United Kingdom (UK), explained that he overstayed in the country due to losing track of time.

The founder of SPAC Nation church, in an interview with the BBC published on Friday, explained that he arrived in the UK in 2005 at the age of 25 on a visitors visa but did not regularize his stay.

The pastor stated that he assumed his immigration papers was handled by his family.

Advertisement

I lost track of time, he stated, speaking about the almost decade-long gap before he applied to regularize his immigration status.

The 44-year-old reportedly lost his case to prevent deportation from the UK over allegations of a 1.87 million fraud.

According to local sources, an immigration tribunal ordered Adegboyegas deportation to Nigeria after investigations revealed his churchs misuse of funds.

READ MORE: Kunle Afolayan Shares Moments With German President Steinmeier At Nike Art Gallery Lagos

However, during the interview with the BBC, the charismatic preacher denied the charges.

There is no deportation order, let me make that clear, he said.

Adegboyega stated that the case is still ongoing and mentioned that the decision regarding his future lies with the judges.

The pastor stated that the claims of fraud came from disgruntled members of his church.

How on earth do you run an organisation without disgruntled people? he asked.

Adegboyega mentioned that his church has played a role in removing hundreds of knives from the streets and addressing gun violence in the UK.

In response to criticism of his extravagant lifestyle, the preacher, known for frequently wearing luxury items, explained, I put on what is right, what connects to the generation Im speaking to, so they are not attracted to drug dealers.
Kogi State government has mourned the passing of former deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly, Enema Paul.

It was gathered that Mr. Paul died of an undisclosed illness at an Abuja private hospital in the early hours of Saturday.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Aliyu Yusuf, confirmed the death in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Yabagi.

Advertisement

He said: The former Deputy Speaker was a man who exemplified a commitment to the unity of the state, having demonstrated a genuine desire to enhance pro-people legislation for overall development.

He was a Christian who saw beyond religion and whose godliness and commitment to family values were unquestionable.

READ MORE: Trailer Kills Two Students In Kogi Road Accident

Meanwhile, in a condolence message by the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, described Mr. Paul as distinguished legislator and devoted servant of the people.

The statement reads: The Government of Kogi State mourns the passing of Hon. Enema Paul, who succumbed to a protracted illness in the early hours of today.

As a distinguished legislator and devoted servant of the people, Hon. Paul embodied the values of hard work, unity, and commitment to the progress of our dear state.

He was a detribalized leader who believed in the vision of a greater Kogi State.

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, expressed profound sadness over this irreparable loss.

He described Hon. Pauls death as a heavy blow not only to his family and Dekina Local Government Area but also to the entire state.

Our hearts go out to his immediate and extended family, the people of Dekina LGA, and all those touched by his life of service. We stand united in grief and will provide support to his family during this difficult time.
Nigerian artist Seun Kuti has called on African governments to prohibit Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK Conservative Party, from visiting the continent after her comments about Nigeria.

Reports indicate that Badenoch has defended her stance on Nigeria, despite criticism from Vice President Kashim Shettima and others who accuse her of belittling the country.

Badenoch allegedly portrayed her upbringing in Nigeria as one of fear and instability in a corrupt country.

Advertisement

READ MORE: I Lost Track Of Time  Tobi Adegboyega Explains Overstaying In UK Amid Deportation Controversy

During a recent Instagram live session shared on X Friday, Kuti called for the leader of the UK Conservative Party to be barred from entering Africa.

He said, Many have been praising this woman [Kemi Badenoch]; someone who has been insulting us, not only us but our ancestors. She said we should pay Europeans for colonialism.

Shes saying we should pay them for killing millions of our ancestors; for all the atrocities that they committed in our lands.

Shes someone who should be banned by African governments from stepping into Africa. Once she steps into Africa, she should be jailed.
Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has stirred debate with his assertion that many Nigerian pastors are destined to become native doctors.

The controversial actor stated that several pastors have abandoned their true calling as native doctors due to the influence of Western ideologies and portrayals in Nollywood films, which depict native doctors as evil.

He urged certain Nigerian clerics to reconsider their spiritual path, encouraging them to leave Christianity and embrace their role as native doctors, which he described as a divine calling to serve humanity.

Advertisement

Edochie argued that native doctors are meant to fight evil unless they choose otherwise, adding that the same principle applies to pastors.

READ MORE: From Bike Man To Homeowner  Ola Of Lagos Celebrates Fathers Remarkable Transformation

On his Instagram page on Friday, Edochie wrote, Many pastors today actually have the calling to be Native doctors (Dibia) but they are refusing to answer the call bcos Oyibo people brainwashed us to believe it is evil.

And Nollywood has also contributed in making Native doctors look evil.

Being a Native doctor is a divine call from God Almighty, it means you have been chosen to help humanity.

A true native doctor fights evil.

Unless he decides to be evil, same way a Pastor can decide to be evil.

Go and answer your call.

You may never have fulfillment in your life if you dont answer your call.

SEE POST:
The United States and China renewed but narrowed a long-running science and technology agreement on Friday, marking continuity in their ties while also accounting for bilateral tensions that are likely to only grow under the incoming Trump administration.

The U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, which was first signed in 1979 to enable basic research collaboration between the two countries, will be renewed for five years under altered terms that reflect the fraught reality of todays U.S.-China relationship, according to statements from the U.S. and Chinese governments.

Advertisement

The United States continues to have significant concerns about PRCs [Chinas] national strategies on science and technology, a State Department official said in a statement, speaking on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the administration.

The official said the pact is limited to government-to-government cooperation in basic research on areas of mutual benefit such as earthquake sensor data, and takes into account extensive consultations across the U.S. government.

With new guardrails around research security and transparency, as well as intellectual property protections, the agreement ensures that any federal science and technology cooperation with China benefits the United States and minimizes risks to U.S. national security, according to a State Department statement. This Agreement does not facilitate the development of critical and emerging technologies.

Still, the renewal drew protest from some Republican lawmakers who argue that the decision of whether to continue the agreement should have been left to President-elect Donald Trump. The pact had last been renewed for five years under the first Trump administration in 2018.

Beijing was circumspect immediately after the announcement, with the Ministry of Science and Technology releasing a one-sentence statement confirming the five-year renewal. The Chinese Embassy in Washington declined to comment.

The next Trump administration is set to take a hard line on China and has already vowed to implement extensive tariffs on Chinese goods. The science agreements renewal comes less than two weeks after the Biden administration tightened rules on advanced chip exports to China, the latest salvo in an ongoing tech contest between the worlds two largest economies.

Beijing has fired back in recent weeks with retaliatory measures against the United States, including an antitrust investigation into AI chip giant Nvidia and export controls on critical minerals being sold to the United States.

Some academic researchers welcomed the renewal, saying it was necessary for some scientific interchange to continue, despite the heightened competition between the two nations.

Its good news, said Deborah Seligsohn, assistant professor at Villanova University and an expert on the U.S.-China scientific relationship. The U.S. and China are the two leading scientific countries in the world, and our scientists do their best work when theyre able to work together.

Fourteen Republican lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday night urging the administration to delay the action.

The lawmakers called a renewal of the agreement a clear attempt to tie the hands of the incoming administration and deny them the opportunity to either leave the agreement or negotiate a better deal for the American people.

If officials hadnt successfully renewed the agreement before the Trump administration took power, Seligsohn said, she doubted it would have been renewed, adding that some of the additions to the text seemed partly aimed at making the agreement last.

It does seem like the Biden folks put in a whole bunch of additional safeguards that they hope make the agreement palatable to the next group, she said.

Previously, the science and tech agreement was routinely renewed every five years, but negotiations have become more difficult in recent years. The new agreement, the State Department release said, is one way in which the United States is responsibly managing strategic competition with China.
The Gloucester County Prosecutors Office on Friday identified a man shot by police and the officer who shot him during a disturbance at a motel in Deptford Township on Thanksgiving Day.

Deptford Police Sgt. David Grogan shot 58-year-old Jeffrey Jaworski after police were called by management at the Fairfield Inn at 1160 Hurffville Rd. on Nov. 28 to respond to an occupant who was acting aggressively, the prosecutors office said.

Advertisement

When police arrived around 1:30 p.m., they spoke to Jaworski, who opened the door of his hotel room for the officers but quickly slammed it shut, the prosecutors office said.

Jaworski allegedly refused to comply with the officers request to open the door and was told he was under arrest. Police gained access to the room with assistance from motel management and found that Jaworski had jumped from a second-floor window and fled.

The officers followed Jaworski into a densely wooded area behind the motel parking lot, and at some point Jaworski allegedly told police he had a gun.

During the encounter, Deptford Township Police Sergeant David Grogan discharged three rounds at Jaworski from his service weapon. Jaworski sustained a single gunshot wound, the prosecutors office said without disclosing where he was shot.

Jaworski allegedly fled farther into the wooded area, jumped over a chain-link fence, and ran into traffic on Route 42, where he was apprehended.

Jaworski was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he was treated for the gunshot wound. He was later charged with being a fugitive from justice and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, the prosecutors office said.

The prosecutors office did not say a gun was found, nor was Jaworski charged with firearms violation.

The prosecutors office said it was appointed by the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office as an independent prosecutor in the case, and the investigation is ongoing.

In 2020, then-Lt. David Grogan was honored for bravery for helping to rescue a couple from an apartment fire in Deptford. He was honored as Officer of the Month August 2020 by the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum.

In September 2020, Grogan was arrested and charged with assault and resisting arrest for grabbing and throwing a woman to the ground in what was described as a domestic incident at the Jersey Shore.

In March 2021, a municipal court judge ruled that the charges would be dropped after Grogan completed programs addressing alcohol abuse and family violence.

Records show Grogan was demoted to sergeant because of the incident.

Deptford Police Chief Joseph J. Smith could not be reached for comment Friday on whether Grogan had been placed on administrative duty pending the shooting investigation.
Michael Anthony, 45, was found murdered outside his Cherry Hill home Tuesday morning. Anthony was a beloved veterinarian who owned a practice in Haddon Heights. Read more

As family and friends mourn the death of Michael Anthony, who was found slain outside his Cherry Hill home earlier this week, authorities have released few details about a crime they have labeled a homicide.

Advertisement

Anthony, 45, a veterinarian with a practice in Haddon Heights, was pronounced dead Tuesday morning on the 100 block of Sharrowvale Road, authorities said.

Cherry Hill police have said little about the crime, and the Camden County Prosecutors Office, which is leading the murder investigation, has not disclosed even the most basic information.

They have not said how Anthony was killed. They have not said whether authorities have recovered a weapon or whether they have identified a suspect, made any arrests, or established a motive for the slaying. Nor have they said whether authorities believe the crime was a targeted attack or whether there might be a danger to the public.

Donna Weaver, a spokesperson for the prosecutors office, said Friday that the investigation was active and ongoing and that she had no further information to release.

Neighbors in the Barclay Farm section of Cherry Hill awakened Tuesday to the startling sound of sirens and a crush of emergency vehicles as authorities arrived at the scene to find Anthony unconscious outside the two-story home he shared with his partner of three years, Kyle Bartsch.

Bartsch said Friday that he was grieving and declined to be interviewed. Relatives who gathered at the home this week also said they were too upset to talk.

Outside the house, where a welcome mat with paw prints read Love is all you need, and a nearby statue of a puppy signaled Anthonys profession, a relative sitting on the front porch Thursday was visibly shaken, and held back tears as she declined an interview.

Neighbors on the winding, tranquil block of Sharrowvale Road described Anthony as a quiet, friendly man who went on daily morning runs and mostly kept to himself.

At Haddon Vet, Anthonys veterinary practice in Haddon Heights, a makeshift memorial had been set up in the front lobby of the practice he had owned since 2018.

A candle was lit in his memory, with the message Forever in our hearts. A framed photo of Anthony smiling, with a stethoscope wrapped around his neck as he cradled a grey-and-white cat, was placed on the front desk.

Employees at the veterinary practice declined to speak to a reporter, saying their loss was too fresh. Anthonys partner in the veterinary practice, Lauren Stevenson, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Anthonys interest in veterinary medicine traced to his childhood outside Washington, D.C., where he grew up in a household full of pets, according to the website for the business.

After graduating cum laude from Dartmouth College with a degree in psychology, he attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated with honors. Anthony worked in veterinary practices offices in Camden, Gloucester, and Ocean Counties before opening his own practice.

Anyone with information about his deathis asked to call Detective Daniel Crawford of the Camden County Prosecutors Office at 856-580-2223 or Detective Frank Kirsch of the Cherry Hill Police Department at 856-432-8834. Tips can also be submitted at camdencountypros.org/tips.
The scene next to the ice rink at Philadelphia City Hall after three teen boys were shot Friday. Read more

A 14-year-old boy arrested in connection with the shooting of three other teens outside of Philadelphias Christmas Village at City Hall Friday afternoon is being charged as an adult with aggravated assault and related charges, police said Saturday.

The suspects identity was not revealed because of his age. Police are searching for additional suspects in the case that shattered what had been a joyful gathering of holiday shoppers and skaters at the nearby Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink.

Advertisement

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., a group of teens started fighting in Dilworth Park, on the west side of City Hall, police said. Then one of them, standing next to the ice rink and Christmas Village booths, pulled out a gun and started shooting, police said.

The most seriously injured, a 14-year-old boy said to have been shot in the face, was listed in extremely critical condition Saturday afternoon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

A 15-year-old boy shot in the right calf was in stable condition at Jefferson, police said.

A third victim, whom police learned of shortly before 7 p.m., was taken to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia by his mother, also with a gunshot wound to the calf, police said. He was reported in stable condition Saturday.

Police are encouraging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Shooting Investigation Group at 215-686-8270 or provide anonymous tips at 215-686-TIPS.
Students and visitors on Villanova University campus in this 2019 file photo. A presentation by the director of the school's counseling center has prompted a letter-writing campaign to Villanova. Read more

At a psychology conference last month, hundreds of therapists, researchers, and students descended on the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Center City to catch up on the latest in the field. The day culminated in a session on antiracism, led by Nathalie Edmond, a psychologist who directs Villanova Universitys Counseling Center.

Two slides from her session about dismantling oppression prompted outrage among some attendees: One showed a spectrum of acceptable discourse, with cultural freedoms on one end and Zionism and fascism on the other.

Advertisement

The second depicted The Colonized Mind, labeled with various ideologies, including internalized racism, homophobia, rape culture, and Zionism.

Villanova, a Catholic University on the Main Line, largely has avoided the protests and criticism over Israel and Gaza that have embroiled other campuses since Oct. 7, 2023. But Edmonds presentation  with those two graphics produced by the Slow Factory, a progressive environmental nonprofit with an Instagram account often critical of Israel  gave way to outrage that has found its way to Villanova administrators.

Excerpts from the presentation quickly ricocheted across social media and through pockets of the Jewish and therapeutic communities, where observers called the slides antisemitic. It prompted a decentralized letter-writing campaign to Villanova, urging the university to review Dr. Edmonds suitability for her current role.

Andrew Goretsky, regional director for the Philadelphia office of the Anti-Defamation League, said the organization received quite a few complaints about the presentation.

He said he met with representatives from Villanova twice since the November conference. In the meetings, Goretsky said, he urged the university to clarify that Edmonds statements did not represent the universitys view and to provide training for staff and administration on modern-day antisemitism and Jewish identity connection to Israel.

Some see criticism of Zionism, the belief that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, as inherently antisemitic. Others, including some Jewish activists, say Zionism is a political ideology and opposition to it should not be conflated with prejudice against Jewish people.

Dr. Edmond spoke in a private capacity and her views, like the diverse views of our nearly 2,000 staff members, do not and should not be perceived to represent the position of Villanova University, the university said in a statement to The Inquirer.

A spokesperson said that the university reviewed the matter and has taken appropriate actions, and declined to comment further on internal personnel matters. The university has not put out any communication to its community addressing the presentation. The majority of emails the university received about Edmonds presentation were from people who had no connection to Villanova, the spokesperson said.

A conference on reconciling opposites

Participants came to the Philadelphia conference to learn about dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, which focuses on teaching people skills to manage intense emotions and cope with challenging situations. One of its central tenets is the dialectical, the idea that two opposite things can be true at the same time.

The International Society for Improvement and Teaching of Dialectical Behavior Therapy hosts the annual daylong conference in connection with the far bigger Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies conference. Each year, several hundred people attend presentations on new research and workshops where therapists can earn continuing education credits.

When Edmond finished her presentation, Sivan Komatsu, a 25-year-old graduate student studying school psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, approached the mic to say she was distressed by the huge, huge antisemitism in those slides. As an Israeli American Jew, Komatsu said, she saw the references to Zionism as effectively anti-Jewish and as troubling misinformation that would ripple out from the room.

Another attendee filmed the exchange, which was polite and respectful on both sides, with Edmond thanking Komatsu after she spoke while disagreeing with some of what she said.

As clips from the exchange traveled online in the week after the conference, Edmond, who declined to comment for this article, released an 18-minute YouTube video, acknowledging that her slides had caused harm while also pushing back against the idea that simply the mention or critique of Zionism is antisemitic.

I really try to take an intersectional antiracism view that tries to combat antisemitism while also tries to amplify the voices of Palestinian people who are currently experiencing a genocide, Edmond said in the video.

She described a backlash that has been fierce and painful and included efforts to get her fired, to get her psychology license revoked, and to harm her consulting business. As a Black woman, Edmond added in her YouTube video, What I have experienced digitally I would describe as a modern-day lynching.

In an interview, Komatsu said she found the slides problematic because the conference presented Edmond as an expert.

She was up there in front of hundreds of people, teaching us, Komatsu said.

The conference board sent an apology letter to attendees about the incredible pain and harm caused by the presentation, while also denouncing threats of physical harm that Edmond received in response to it.

The therapy organization said it needed time for a full repair.
Dreading the labor of holiday cooking? Skip the stress and let local restaurants handle the heavy lifting this holiday season.

JUMP TO SECTION New Jersey Pennsylvania

From Delaware County to the Jersey Shore, you can enjoy festive dishes like seafood lasagna, duck breast with cranberry-apricot couscous, and persimmon bread pudding.

Choose from prix-fixe dinners or a la carte menus.

Find salt cod fritters on the Christmas Eve seven fishes dinner at Nunzio. Read more Nunzio

New Jersey

Nunzio

This Collingswood classic is celebrating Christmas Eve with two special four-course menus: a Feast of the Seven Fishes-inspired option or a meat-lovers feast featuring salt cod fritters and braised beef brasato. Dinner is $85 per person, with reservations required. A takeout menu is also available for online orders. On New Years Eve, enjoy a $100 four-course dinner with amuse-bouche, pasta, entree, and dessert options.

706 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, N.J., 08108,  856-858-9840,  nunziosbyob.com

Hemingways Cape May

Celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at Hemingways in Cape May with an a la carte menu. Starters include baked baby Brie and bacon-wrapped shrimp, while entrees feature the Seven Fishes platter ($48), slow-roasted prime rib ($34$46), and herb-encrusted rack of lamb ($42). Save room for eggnog creme brulee or buche de Noel. Christmas Eve seatings are from 2 to 7 p.m., and Christmas Day seatings are from 1 to 6 p.m. Reservations are required.

1045 Beach Ave., Cape May, N.J. 08204,  609-884-5611,  hemingwayscapemay.com

Advertisement

Caffe Aldo Lamberti

Head to Cherry Hill for Christmas Eve dinner at Caffe Aldo Lamberti. The a la carte menu offers appetizers like colossal crab cocktail ($24) and Peruvian scallops imperial ($28), Caesar salads ($16), shrimp bisque ($13), and entrees like chicken Parm ($33) and grilled lamb chops ($55). Book a table on OpenTable.

2011 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, N.J. 08002,  856-663-1747,  caffelamberti.com

Spiaggetta Restaurant

Spiaggetta offers a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Dec. 14, a tradition since 2013. Enjoy family-style starters like risotto with salmon and shrimp and fresh tomatoes and herby mussels. Live music by the violinist Jersey Gina will accompany dinner, which includes seafood lasagna, scallops, stuffed calamari, and pear arugula salad. Finish with Italian rum cake and ciambelline al vino biscuits. Tickets are $158 per person for the 7 p.m. BYOB dinner, and reservations are required.

9800 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J., 08247,  609-368-9400,  spiaggettanj.com

The Farmer's Daughter Restaurant is hosting a Christmas Eve dinner. Read more Farmer's Daughter

Pennsylvania

Pineville Tavern

On Christmas Day, Pineville is offering an array of a la carte dishes from noon to 8 p.m. Order the mustard-glazed Christmas ham with pear onion jam ($26), spicy yellowfin tuna tartare ($22), cheesesteak egg rolls ($18), or all the above. End the meal with a chocolate chip cookie skillet and a creme brulee ($12 each). Reservations at this Bucks County restaurant require a credit card to book holiday seatings.

1098 Durham Road, Pineville, Pa. 18946,  215-598-3890,  pinevilletavern.com

Advertisement

The Farmers Daughter

Enjoy a five-course prix-fixe dinner for $99.95 per person at this Blue Bell spot. Share red pepper hummus with the table to start, and then dive into pork mignon, a seafood pot, pumpkin gnocchi, and filet tenderloin. Persimmon bread pudding and a mini German chocolate cake completes the dinner. Vegetarian options are available for $79.95, and kids dine for $26.95. A 20% gratuity is added for parties of six or more. Dinner is served from 5 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Reservations are required.

1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422,  215-616-8300,  farmersdaughterpa.com

Ristorante Toscano

Celebrate Ristorante Toscanos Christmas tradition with a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Dec. 22 from 3 to 6 p.m. For $50.75 per person, theres spinach salad, spelts, penne with crab and vodka rose cream sauce, eggplant Parmesan, and cannoli. Call to reserve your seat.

213 N. Broad St., Lansdale, Pa. 19446,  215-362-8002,  toscanolansdale.com

Brickside Grille

Norwegian farm-raised salmon, New Zealand green-lip mussels, and Chesapeake oysters are three of the fishes on the menu for Brickside Grilles Christmas buffet. The feast also includes a carving station with pork steamship round and turkey with apple cider gravy, hot sides like mac and cheese and apple raisin herb stuffing, and cold sides like smoked salmon and Caesar salad. For something sweet, guests will find a Belgian dark chocolate fountain with bananas, rice crispy treats, marshmallows, and vanilla cake for dipping. Adults are $39.50, and kids 512 are $22. Book reservations on OpenTable or call for groups larger than six.

540 Wellington Square, Exton, Pa. 19341,  610-321-1600,  bricksidegrille.com
A Bucks County doctor is facing criminal charges for illegally prescribing Suboxone, a tightly regulated drug used to treat people with opioid addiction, to patients for a $130 fee, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors say Kenneth Fox, 55, was recently fired from Jefferson Health, but continued to prescribe Suboxone out of his basement office in Middletown Township. Suboxone is the brand name of an opioid-based medication, called buprenorphine, which has also at times been sold illicitly on the street, in many cases to people who are seeking its affects to avoid withdrawal pains or keep from overdosing.

Advertisement

In the basement, patients would have to wait inside a hallway where chairs were lined up. There were no appointment times  people would just show up and Dr. Fox would call out next when he wanted to see another patient, the Bucks County District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

Detectives launched an investigation into Fox, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, in November 2023 after a patient alerted police. The patient told detectives he paid the $130 fee to Fox through an app on a phone. After paying, Fox submitted a prescription for a 30-day supply of Suboxone, the patient said.

From Feb. 10 to June 4 of this year, detectives sent confidential informants or undercover officers to visit Fox who prescribed Suboxone to each. During that time period, Fox prescribed the medication to 80 patients without discussing health or medical issues, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors charged Fox, who lives in Jenkintown, Montgomery County, with 12 counts of illegally prescribing a controlled substance, 12 counts of furnishing false or fraudulent records, and three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also fined Fox nearly $490,000 for failing to maintain complete and accurate records of a controlled substance and writing prescriptions for stock, according to the county D.A.s office.

Fox was being held Friday in the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $75,000 bail and could not be reached for comment.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next month, and he does not yet have a lawyer, according to court records.

His medical license remains active with no history of disciplinary action, Pennsylvania licensure records show.

Jefferson Health spokesperson Deana Gamble on Friday said Fox was fired and hasnt worked for Jefferson since 2022. She declined to say why or whether Jefferson reported his termination to any national or state regulatory agencies.

Editors note: This story was updated with comment from Jefferson Health.
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) Read more

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.

Advertisement

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 don't 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 didn't 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.

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.

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 certainly doesnt.

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 Valley's 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?"

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 Ballad's 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.

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 state's lenient grading system, which allowed Ballad to succeed on paper even when it failed to meet the state's 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.

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.

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.

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 nation's biggest hospital merger, based on what's 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.)

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 husband's 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 Maki's heart, the family's 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.

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 of KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Azie Taylor Mortons face made the newspapers, and her signature made history.

In 1977, the 41-year-old Texan joined President Jimmy Carters administration, serving as the first Black treasurer of the United States. Her signature was added to all paper currency, from $1 to $100.

She was honored, but she admitted to an Associated Press reporter that she expected more responsibilities. To elevate the otherwise ceremonial position into an influential platform. And then she caught the opportunity: Shed like to see, she said, a womans face on an American currency.

Advertisement

She even had one in mind: The treasury department wanted to replace the bulky dollar coin featuring former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The department wanted a lighter shape that was easier to carry and friendlier to vending machines.

But the design was already commissioned. It featured an 18th-century depiction of Libertas Americana. This mythic goddess-like figure was meant to personify American liberty.

To Morton, the only thing she personified was narrow-mindedness.

I dont know that Liberty is a woman who has made a substantial contribution to this country, she said later.

Several female members of the House of Representatives had her back, and helped push for the visage of a real woman to appear on the $1 circulating coin. But which woman? Hundreds of names were thrown about, including notable first ladies Abigail Adams and Eleanor Roosevelt.

But one name emerged above the others: Susan Brownell Anthony, a suffragette and a 19th-century political icon who helped secure the right to vote for American women.

Dissenters called for more time to research and identify other candidates, but the pro-Anthony politicos made it clear: No Anthony, no coin.

And on Dec. 13, 1978, at the U.S. Mint at Fifth and Arch Streets, the first coins were pressed.

The coin measured slightly larger than a quarter, and featured a right-facing portrait of Anthony on one side, and an American Eagle landing on the moon on its opposite, taken from the Apollo 11 insignia.

Two million silver-colored coins were minted in Philadelphia, each featuring a P mint mark to distinguish its origin as more coins were also printed at mints in Denver and San Francisco. In total, 847.5 million were cast.

And while the concept of the coin wasnt warmly received at first, in time the memento would gain in popularity, sentimentality, and in some cases, value.

In 2000, the Mint released a new, gold-colored dollar coin, featuring Native American Sacagawea, who helped guide Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition. Sacagawea was only the second woman to be featured on a circulating coin in more than 230 years of American coinage.

Back in 77, Morton was asked about adding a womans face to a handbill.

We really are far from that, she said, but its a thought.
Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, attending the United Democratic Spring Dinner at the Sheet Metal Workers banquet hall in May 2023. Read more

By filing a court order demanding Sheriff Rochelle Bilal immediately address the security crisis in Philadelphia courthouses, city judges took a public step toward reforming a dysfunctional office that no one in City Hall has wanted to touch.

The Administrative Governing Board of the First Judicial District, a panel of six judges that oversees Philadelphia court operations, wrote in its order Monday that systemic failures in Bilals office have created an imminent threat to the safety and health of everyone in city courthouses.

Advertisement

The Inquirer previously reported that assaults, threats, and other security incidents inside court buildings have nearly tripled on Bilals watch  theyre now being reported, on average, at a rate of six per month. The shortage of sheriffs deputies has also led to criminal proceedings being delayed or postponed because no one is available to transport inmates from holding cells to courtrooms.

The judges, who said they tried numerous times to get Bilal to resolve the failures to no avail, gave the sheriff 90 days from the date of the order to fix the problem. She must file a detailed plan of action within 30 days.

But what happens next? What if the security problem  which has been getting worse each year  cannot be fixed in three months?

Common Pleas Court President Judge Nina Wright Padilla and Municipal Court President Judge T. Francis Shields declined through a court spokesperson to comment on their court order, which was also signed by four administrative judges.

Former Philadelphia judges, however, say Bilal could face serious consequences if she fails to act, including steep fines  or worse.

If she digs in her heels and says, You get what you get, I wouldnt want to predict what happens, said Benjamin Lerner, a retired Common Pleas judge who presided over homicide cases until 2019. If the sheriff and the [courts] are at war with each other, thats bad news all around.

 READ MORE: Philly judges, feeling unsafe, order Sheriff Rochelle Bilal to fix systemic failures in courthouse security

In Dauphin County this year, county judges ordered an elected court clerk to clean up a bureaucratic mess that unfolded during her tenure, leading to backlogs of critical court paperwork. The clerk resigned a day before contempt hearings stemming from that order, prompting the state Supreme Court to declare a judicial emergency and order the installation of a successor.

Lerner said that while the state constitution gives courts power over sheriffs offices, the judges order in Philadelphia would be a test of just how far the courts will be able to go if they dont get a satisfactory response. In theory, the judiciary could hold Bilal in contempt for not meeting the terms of the order in 90 days, leading to fines and even jail time.

Gene D. Cohen, who retired in 2019 after serving two terms as a Philadelphia Common Pleas judge, said the order could potentially be the first step toward removing Bilal from office, if she cannot meet the deadline and is held in contempt.

It may lead to [Philadelphia judges] going to the [state] Supreme Court to essentially put the office in a kind of receivership, Cohen said.

However, Lerner said it is more likely that his former colleagues will seek to broker a deal with Bilal to bolster security quickly, rather than engage in a protracted standoff. He likened the current crisis to a similar deputy shortage that gripped the court system in the 1980s.

Defendants in custody  have to be transported to and from court by a sheriff. If you cant get a sheriff when you need to do that, everyone is just waiting, and thats intolerable, Lerner said. That used to be common, and then I saw how much better it got. But now its regressed to being as bad as its ever been.

Cohen experienced those past security issues when he was on the bench, but said this particular Sheriffs Office is worse than ever.

The department is rife with patronage and incompetent and untrained people, he said.

Some judges are considering private guards

One sitting Philadelphia judge, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about court operations, said some judges have floated the idea of hiring private security at the courthouse as a last resort.

The judge said the Sheriffs Office needs to do a better job of not just recruiting deputies, but more effectively deploying the personnel it has. Bilal has used deputies to staff community events and other nonessential duties.

They say they dont have the bodies, but you have to look at why they dont have the bodies, the judge said. It might have something to do with management.

Cohen agreed: Its a lack of professionalism at the top.

Bilal and her spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment this week on Mondays court order. Nor did Mayor Cherelle L. Parker or City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who received a letter from a court administrator explaining the judges action.

Andrew McGinley, vice president of external affairs at the Committee of Seventy good-government group, said, at the very least, judges could pry loose some information from the Sheriffs Office, which has not been subject to that sort of oversight.

Since Bilal took office in 2020, the office has faced accusations of misappropriated funds and has experienced ongoing problems with property auctions, in addition to the breakdown of security in courthouses.

The court has the ability to obtain records and get actual evidence on the record so people can see exactly what is happening in the office, McGinley said.

The Sheriffs Office has not publicly commented on the deputy shortage since September, in response to an Inquirer story exposing the problem. The office posted a statement on its website dismissing the article as fearmongering. It said it had been struggling to recruit deputies, like other law enforcement agencies around the country, but improvements were on the way.

Considering these challenges, we are in the process of making it a more seamless process which will be announced, the statement said.

No announcement followed. The websites news section since then has consisted solely of links to YouTube videos of Bilals podcast.

Renewed effort to abolish the office?

The Committee of Seventy has for years been calling on City Council to initiate the process of amending the citys Home Rule Charter to eliminate the Sheriffs Office as an independently elected office and transfer its responsibilities to other city departments.

Lerner and Cohen said that is the best long-term solution.

Northampton County eliminated all its elected row offices, including the sheriff, through the 1978 adoption of a new home rule charter. The positions have been appointed since 1980.

Similar legislative efforts to effectively abolish Philadelphias elected Sheriffs Office have been tried repeatedly over the past century, but all have failed.

 READ MORE: With each new sheriff, same old problems

Obviously, the Democratic Party in Philadelphia hasnt been particularly interested in losing a high-patronage, high-visibility political position, Lerner said.

Even as the citys criminal justice system is struggling to operate, and new complaints mount about problems with sheriffs sales, Bilal and her staff have largely escaped any serious scrutiny from City Council.

I just want to thank you for your hard work and your dedication and working in partnership with members of Council and the city of Philadelphia, Johnson, the Council president, told Bilal during a budget hearing this spring.

Cohen said the new court order could create momentum for real change. Maybe.

In Philadelphia, it takes political will to do this, he said. It takes political will to punch a hole in the political protections that surround the department itself.
Its been 21 years since the Welcoming Center opened in Philadelphia, and the nonprofit that aids local immigrants in all kinds of ways has had some glittering successes. None have been more impressive than Saturdays announcement of a $1 million legislative grant from the state.

With that money, the largest single contribution ever to the Welcoming Center, the Center City-based group announced plans to share its popular programs and services  and lessons learned from its many successes  with other immigrant organizations across Pennsylvania. On Saturday, at its offices on North 13th Street, Anuj Gupta, the centers president and chief executive officer, hosted State Sens. Sharif Street and Nikil Saval, and State Rep. Joseph Hohenstein as they celebrated another achievement at the Welcoming Center and explained their enthusiasm for the grant.

Advertisement

We need to celebrate the fact that our immigration, and our diversity, and the ways of new people are not taking jobs away, Street said after an earlier celebration of 35 people graduating from the Welcoming Centers community leadership program. They are, in fact, increasing our economy, and creating better lives and more jobs for themselves and for others.

Saval, whose parents emigrated from India, said: Our city has emerged as a hub for major global talent. This is the work that the Welcoming Center upholds every day, and this investment from our commonwealth expands their capacity to serve more new Philadelphians and collaborate with statewide partners to expand their work across Pennsylvania.

The announcement came as immigrants and their supporters are experiencing a general anxiety about Donald Trumps impending presidency, and Saval noted that the current political landscape was so uncertain. But Hohenstein said: The American dream is alive and well.  The United States of America is less about geography and more about the ideas of opportunity and freedom.

The leadership program, one of a half dozen main projects featured at the Welcoming Center, is one of the three to be shared statewide first because of its importance to the immediate success of the other programs. We give our participants the skills and confidence and the wherewithal to say, We dont have to wait for future generations to become leaders in our communities. We can take the onus. We can take the reins ourselves, Gupta said.

 READ MORE: The Welcoming Center's International Professionals Program helps new arrivals move toward jobs in their expertise

Programs on workforce development and entrepreneurship will also be shared first. Workforce development teaches job-search skills and digital literacy, and focuses on directing experienced immigrants toward jobs in their area of expertise. Entrepreneurship classes show how to build business plans and scale operations to maximize growth.

The Welcoming Center became a statewide model for other immigrant programs, Gupta said, because its goals and action projects were found to be fundamental to the success of both immigrants and their new communities. Gupta calls it an equation of mutual benefit and said, We are allowing talent and determination to languish when we dont give them those pathways.

So far, Gupta has consulted with groups in Chester and Montgomery Counties, Scranton, and Williamsport about adopting the Welcoming Center model. Many immigrants have relocated to Chester and Montgomery Counties over the last 20 years, while Scranton and Williamsport are seeking immigrants and their talents to offset a shrinking younger generation of residents and taxpayers.

Where are we going to find the talent? Gupta said of maintaining communities in small towns. Its that simple. Were talking about a survival of communities.

Eventually, a program on intercultural wellness and blueprints for an immigrant-owned marketplace may be circulated around the state. The Inquirer featured the centers International Professionals Program in a 2023 story, and Gupta said then: Any employer that is interested in growth, their pathway is going to come through immigrant talent. We can become the pipeline to help fuel that growth.

All this is especially important to Philadelphia, Gupta said, because it has one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the country. He said a recent study from Pennsylvania State University indicates that Philadelphias growth to 1.8 million people by 2050 will be led by immigrants. In 2000, he said, less than 6% of the citys population was foreign born. Now its 16%.

Anne OCallaghan, an Irish immigrant, founded the Pennsylvania Immigrant Resource Center in 2003 after she became aware of Guptas research on immigration in 2000 as a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. She bust down doors that were shut, Gupta said. No one wanted to talk about immigration back then, other than [former City Council member and mayor] Jim Kenney.

The center became the Welcoming Center a few years later, grew its staff to 27 full- and part-timers, and has served, according to its records, more than 17,000 people from more than 150 countries. It hopes to move to its own building with an immigrant-owned marketplace on the ground floor in 2027.

Our approach is entirely about helping immigrants to realize pathways to economic opportunity, Gupta said, because that is the essence of why theyre coming to this country in the first place.
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Welcome to the weekend! Its sunny, but still a little chilly, with a high near 41.

Today, were highlighting a South Jersey Eagles fans hunt for the man who complimented her in passing at a recent game. The internet is eager to help.

Advertisement

Plus, theres news about New Jerseys mysterious drones, Philly judges publicly addressing systemic failures in Sheriff Rochelle Bilals office, and a look back at all times the Sixers have tried to build their own arena before.

 Erin Reynolds (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

What you should know today

 Lets pass the mic to reporter Jason Nark.

Even after a win, compliments are hard to come by at an Eagles game.

Thats why, when Brenna Collier was walking through the parking lots after the Eagles ho-hum 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, she was taken aback by the compliment thrown her way by a man.

It was something like youre the most beautiful girl Ive seen all day. I just wanted you to know, Collier said.

She decided not to approach him, but after she returned home, she wrote a few paragraphs about her missed connection, and posted them to the Philadelphia Eagles Fans Facebook Group.

When she woke up Monday, her post was blowing up. Men were ready to claim the compliment. Women were cheering her on. Some commenters urged the Kelce brothers to take the case.

Collier isnt expecting the man to materialize, but you never know. She goes to a lot of games and one antidote to dating apps is finding something you love, and, perhaps, someone you could love, through your passions.

Go Birds.  Jason Nark

Keep reading for more about how the Eagles fan community is rallying behind Collier.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of Philadelphias neighborhoods. But what do you do if your small business struggles to secure the financing it needs to survive and grow?

As Inquirer guest columnist Varsovia Fernandez, CEO of the Pennsylvania Community Development Financial Institution Network, writes, this is particularly hard for entrepreneurs in Black and brown communities.

One remedy? The Philadelphia Growth, Resilience, Independence, and Tenacity (GRIT) Fund, Fernandez said.

Launched in 2021 by the Pennsylvania CDFI Network and the Greater Philadelphia Financial Services Leadership Coalition, with the backing of 15 regional banks, the $100 million initiative empowers Black and brown entrepreneurs by investing in the 11 regional CDFIs that serve them.

The partnership isnt just confronting systemic barriers, it is actively dismantling them, she writes.

Read on for Fernandezs perspective on the GRIT Funds success, and how the American dream is still alive in Philadelphia.

 Pop quiz

Despite community outrage, Delaware County voted to increase property taxes by how much in the new year?

A) 14%

B) 6%

C) 17%

D) 23%

Think you know? Check your answer.

 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This wealthy draft dodger may or may not have donated an aircraft designed by the Wright brothers to the Franklin Institute.

CORNBALL GROVELLED VERGED

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to Stacey Stone who correctly guessed Fridays answer: Hawthornes. The beery brunch spot in South Philly also survived a fire in 2014.

Some good news for hikers, runners, and walkers! The Wissahickon finally has a pedestrian footbridge.

This week, Friends of the Wissahickon unveiled a 200-foot-long wooden bridge that connects visitors to the Valley Green area of the park without having to walk alongside cars. The areas original stream bank and wooden boardwalk collapsed in 2014 after a major storm.

The project is the parks largest capital investment to date, and it feels great, said Ruffian Tittmann, the groups executive director.

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

In the words of Reddit user Devin1405: Babe wake up, SEPTAs redesigned app just dropped.

I, like many others, lost all my saved routes upon updating. I guess that means its time for a fresh start.

 Have a wonderful weekend!

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
There are, Entertainment Weekly tells us, 108 new Christmas movies available across a suite of channels and platforms this festive period. This might seem like a lot, and it is  but its actually a reduction from previous years. Last years round-up cited 116 films, and 2022 notched a truly sanity-warping 172.

The drop-off is likely a side-effect of the tumbling churn of the streaming boom-turned-bust, and the writers and actors strikes of 18 months ago. I certainly hope so, because the alternative is too terrifying to contemplate; the sad, sorry thought that we may suddenly be losing the true meaning of Christmas: the deadening manufacture of films in which hardworking women decamp from their big city office jobs to find love with a plain-speaking beau in their small hometown.

With so many films to choose from, you might be wondering where to even start. Luckily, Im on hand to give you the lowdown on the sparkliest baubles on the cinematic Christmas tree. Ive surveyed the detritus so you dont have to, for my First Annual Christmas Schlockbuster Forecast.

Worst Name (Subcategory: Lazy)

Inarguably the most competitive category in any given year, with every film doubtless trying to outdo last years magisterially mundane Time For Her To Come Home For Christmas.

Im happy to say that 2024 has some spectacular options. From the what it says on the tin blankness of A Very Merry Beauty Salon and Christmas on the Alpaca Farm to the starkly utilitarian twinge of Christmas in Scotland and Brewsters Millions: Christmas, it was near impossible to pick a favourite.

But none quite reached the frigid depths of Hallmarks Private Princess Christmas, a name so thunderingly bare, so grammatically hostile to itself, that one can only imagine it being invented eight seconds before the finished film was emailed to hallmark.com with an invoice attached.

The Galatasaray Award For Seeing Where A Minor Celebrity Has Ended Up

Named for the bittersweet pang of nostalgia one feels on seeing faded stars from yester-year togging out for Galatasaray in the Champions League, this gong goes to Hallmarks Confessions of a Christmas Letter, which stars not one medium-to-minor character from the American Office, but two  a starring role for Angela Kinsey and a cameo from Brian Baumgartner.

Most Original Narrative Choice

Inarguably the least competitive of all this years categories, since roughly all of these films are either a family meet up for Christmas, city slicker finds love in small town or woman marries prince. But there should be a nod to the bizarrely specific narrative of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, which proposes a romantic drama set entirely within the world of NFL Superbowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs  namely between a superfan and a charming director of fan engagement. Do Shelbourne next.

Most Made-Up-Sounding Actor Name

A bountiful crop this time round with such luminaries as Houston Rhines (Christmas On The Ranch), Tammin Sursok (Trivia At St. Nicks), Laith Wallschleger (Christmas In The Spotlight), and Essence Atkins (Queens Of Christmas).

But the crown this year goes to Nolan Gerard Funk, the romantic lead of Five Gold Rings, who presumably got the gig because Murphy Eugene Jazz was unavailable.

Best Invented Countries

The globe inhabited by the characters in Christmas Schlockbusters is a bloated and confusing one, filled with fictional countries headed by dashing, lonely royals just waiting for lovelorn Americans to travel there and marry them. So it is that we shall travel to the non-descript kingdoms of Torovia (A Christmas Castle Proposal) and Wingravia (Private Princess Christmas). Special mention should also go to Havenshire (A Cinderella Christmas Ball), which is not quite invented so much as a strangely independent fiefdom within the UK. This does, at least, explain why its prince has a British accent, but not why the good royals of every other foreign kingdom do too. NB. A Cinderella Christmas Ball is not to be confused with A Royal Christmas Ballet, which covers similar themes, comes out the same day, and is basically the same film, but a different one.

Worst Name (Subcategory: Confusing)

The grammarian in me cant help but adore the clausal pile-up that is Debbie Macombers Joyful Mrs. Miracle, a title which all but insists that you take a deep breath before any attempt is made. A strong recommendation, also, for Hot Frosty, a name thats fun to say, but bewildering to contemplate once you consider that its plot centres on bringing a snowman to life and having sex with him.

But the undisputed winner for 2024 has to be Nugget is Dead? A Christmas Story, which blends the story of a dogs death and a small-town return into a title that is almost impossible to say correctly the first time.

The Really? Award For Actor You Really Didnt Think Would Be Doing One Of These

Ill admit to being slightly intrigued that Gladys Knight was appearing in a Christmasssified version of Little Women (imaginatively titled A Little Womens Christmas), and experienced initial alarm that Hallmarks Deck The Walls would star Wes Brown. Upon realising this was not the former Man United right-back, but an American actor of the same name, I stood down.

But neither come close to the sight of Danny DeVito gurning from the poster of Paramount+s A Sudden Case Of Christmas, which also stars Andie McDowell so theres a two-for-one.

Worst Name (Subcategory: Actually Good)

Ive a soft spot for Happy Howlidays, in which a beautiful single woman falls in love while caring for a stray dog, not least since her beau for the occasion has not yet been named because he will be whoever wins the Hallmark Channels Finding Mr Christmas  a reality show in which actors compete to play the lead in a Christmas film.

But the honours this time go to The Finnish Line, in which a headstrong American woman travels to Finland to compete in a dog-sledding championship.

Thankfully, the actor playing her love interest has a ready-made advantage in casting. His name, dear reader, is Beau.
05.45

Im usually up at 5.45am midweek and I try to be relatively consistent with that at the weekends. My home base is in Blackrock, Cork, but Im lucky enough to have a small house in Glengarriff, West Cork. When Im there, I allow myself to sleep in a bit  its hard not to do so with the peace and quiet there. Glengarriff is one of my favourite places in the world, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to go there so often. Its such a wonderful part of the country with miles of walks along the coastline and forests to explore.

06.30

The first thing I do is head out for a 6km walk. That time on my own, is when I do all my planning for the business. Ill use the time to call colleagues in Australia and swap ideas of whats working in each of our markets. I have learned so much from people Ive met who do what I do in other countries. I love listening to podcasts: Acquired, My First Million, Gary Foxs Entrepreneur Experiment, Money Wise with Sam Parr, The David McWilliams Podcast and Down to Business with Bobby Kerr. They make me think about how I can positively shape the National Beauty business and brands including LUNA By Lisa Jordan, Bare by Vogue and LUNA Professional Haircare.

08.00

Ill pick up some eggs, bacon and pastries and the Irish Examiner. Im a big fan of Tommy Barkers writing in the property section. Ill normally get on the laptop for an hour or two. If Im travelling, the emails pile up so I use the weekend to get on top of things. One of the advantages of being up early is that I still have lots of time before friends or family might call for lunch. So much of my job is planning for the future and that requires headspace. Im lucky to have a brilliant senior leadership team so Im not stuck in the weeds like I used to be.

11.00

At the weekend I enjoy making brunch at home. If were in the city, we might take our French Bulldog, Stella, for a walk and grab brunch in Salt or Arthur Maynes. Relaxing for me means feeling fresh and energised. I think thats largely found in what you eat and how much you move. Like many business owners, I find it difficult to fully switch off from thoughts of work, but right now, everything is going very well, so Im not carrying much stress.

12.00

Kieran Walsh of National Beauty Distribution

Ill have a light homemade lunch around noon. When the weather is good, the barbecue is going all weekend. My midweek is consumed with work or work dinners, so the ideal Saturday is time spent with Georgina and our families.

15.00

Walking is a big part of how I stay healthy, but Im also lucky to have a small gym at home. My wife, Georgina, and I have started to lift together. Well put on a movie and chat while working out. I also sneak in a Peloton spin classes sometimes.

18.00

If we have guests, we could rustle some food up and even slip across to the bar for a pint or two. If it is just us on our own, well stick on a movie or a TV series. Were loving The Jackal  Eddie Redmayne is tremendous in it. Well often open a bottle of wine and maybe get a pizza in. The food in Cork City is fantastic and, as we live so close to the Marina Market, well often stroll down there for food. I fancy myself as a TikTok-inspired chef so Im often in the kitchen cooking too.

20.00

We used to go to the cinema a lot more before the pandemic  it feels like there isnt the same quality of movies being made now. Im pretty good at getting to most of the bigger concerts but wish there was more on in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on the music front. Well occasionally go to some sporting events like the rugby too. These days, I love spending my weekends with Georgina, our dog Stella, and close family and friends. My work is very social so its nice to have downtime from that. Im just back from a week in Hong Kong at a beauty industry exhibition which was pretty intense. During the day, its meeting after meeting and in the evening, its dinners and drinks with industry friends and colleagues. Im happy to come home.

21.00

Theres almost a race in our house to get to bed first and were normally never up past 9.30pm. I prioritise sleep wherever possible.

Kieran Walsh is the CEO of National Beauty Distribution. Based in Blarney, Co. Cork, the group handles the distribution, marketing and PR for brands such as Kevin.Murphy, ELEVEN Australia, Aveda, K18 and Color Wow to over 2,000 stockists in Ireland, as well as Irish brands such as BARE by Vogue and LUNA by Lisa Jordan.
Cape crusader

One of South Africas oldest working wine farms, Spier Wine Farm will begin welcoming guests to its new hotel from March 2025.

I adore South Africa with the Western Cape and Winelands especially beautiful. Renowned for its award-winning wines and commitment to regenerative farming, Spier sits within the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom. The propertys rewilded indigenous gardens are home to 39,000 reintroduced fynbos plants and the expansive spa with a Cape herbal bath house is enough to make me jump on a plane. Just 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, this chic wine estate has farm-to-table restaurants and one of the largest heated pools in the Winelands.

spier.co.za

Clubcard rewards

Tour America, a leading Irish holiday specialist for trips to the USA and Caribbean, has just announced a new Clubcard Rewards partnership with Tesco Ireland. The deal enables Tesco Clubcard members to double their value by turning their Clubcard vouchers into savings with Tour America. These vouchers can then be used toward booking your dream trip to the US. Its a canny move and certainly a clever way to help Tesco customers turn everyday shopping points into exclusive holiday savings.

tesco.ie/clubcard/reward-partners

Pooch-friendly stays

Dog-friendly hotels are always welcome news. Moxy Cork (which our Hotel Examiner reviewed in October) offers pet-friendly accommodation complete with cosy doggy beds, water and food bowls, and a welcoming atmosphere. One dog per room is allowed, with a maximum weight of 35 kilograms, and theres a small non-refundable fee of 20 per night. Over the festive period canine guests will be treated to a festive doggy snack on arrival, while their owners enjoy a welcome cocktail or mocktail to toast the start of their stay. Dogs are welcome in the lively lobby too, where you can hang out, play games, or enjoy drinks and light bites at the bar.Rooms from 149.

marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/orkox-moxy-com

Couples Christmas

This December, The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin is offering a couples Christmas stay right in the heart of the capital. Just off Grafton Street on St Stephens Green, the modern five-stars newly refurbished Deluxe Premium Balcony guestrooms have been inspired by the elegance of Art Deco luxury liners, with your very own mini Christmas tree to enjoy.

With bubbles on arrival and a plush new lounge to linger in on the ground floor, its a glam spot to hang out in the city. Overnight B&B with bubbles on arrival from 499. Alternative rooms from 299 BB double occupancy.

fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com

Deal of the week

Is 2025 the year you finally undertake the camino? Departing May to October 2025 Uwalk.ie have created this tailor-made Camino group walk package for solo travellers who wish to walk the French Camino route with a group of like-minded Irish pilgrims. The Camino Frances Final Stage package will take you across pristine Galician landscapes on the sacred route to Santiago de Compostela. Seven nights from 789 per person excluding flights

uwalk.ie
"In our house, Bessborough is a dirty word. It stands for lies, and deceit  attempts to bury the truth and the past."

I wrote those word four years ago, but now my family has a new dirty word  Redress.

The Mother and Baby Home Redress Scheme was set up to compensate the survivors of those institutions for all the pain and trauma they had suffered. You would imagine that such a scheme, which is meant to help heal the hurt caused to so many, would be deeply respectful in its dealings, sensitive in its approach, aware that it was peeling back years of trauma, poking old wounds. And that many of those applying are elderly and vulnerable. Think again. Nothing in fact could be further than the truth.

In our experience, the scheme is overly bureaucratic, incompetent, and almost heartless in how it treats applicants.

Let me explain.

Our mother Mary was born in Bessborough in 1935. She was still alive when the then taoiseach Micheal Martin apologised on behalf of the State to survivors and their families for 'profound and generational wrong'. That was January 2021.

She was still alive when then minister Roderic O'Gorman said the State would put its hand in its pocket and offer redress to those men and women  an estimated 34,000  who were still alive. That was November 2021. She was still alive as they dragged their heels setting up the scheme. An untold number of former residents died while waiting for the State to honour its promise.

Our mother was one of them. She passed away in Marymount in June 2023, and the application process did not open until March 2024. However, as she was alive when Martin apologised, we, as her family, are entitled to apply. One of the last promises we made to her was that we would do it. But the experience has been awful  truly awful. So bad, we are grateful that she does not have to witness how she and her memory are being treated.

Criteria for compensation

How can a scheme meant to help compensate men and women who were metaphorically (and literally in some cases) spat upon by Church and State be so bad? Maybe, the delay in getting the scheme off the ground should have sounded alarm bells. Or the fact that when it was announced who could apply, a whole swathe of people were excluded. People born in homes but who spent less than six months as residents. People who had been 'boarded' out, despite many of them suffering abuse in these circumstances. People born in a home but who spent long spells in hospitals. They were told 'don't apply, you are getting nowt'.

We, however, met the criteria, and so we began our application via an online portal  which is less than user-friendly. There is also a postal option, and a phoneline  but given our experience, I can't imagine these to be any easier to navigate. The first hurdle for many survivors is that documents must be supplied, which is fair enough, but many survivors have little or no records of their time spent in homes. They may not be even sure of dates.

We were different. Our mother's birth cert proves she was born in Bessborough. And we had a two-page file, which she got from Tusla in 2017 after seeking access to her records. We had no actual record of when she left the home, but she always believed she lived there for 6.5 years. She remembers leaving Bessborough in the summer before she turned 7, when she was handed over to a Cork couple.

Bombshell

So to our calculations. She had spent roughly 2,400 days there. We were confident that the process would be relatively straightforward. After applying, there were numerous phone calls, emails, documents were mislaid and had to be re-sent. There were promises that 'someone would call us back'. We were told in September of this year that 'an offer of determination' could not yet be made and further investigation was needed.

So we waited. And then we got a phonecall in October to say an offer of determination had been made. This, in layman's terms, is where they count up the number of days a person spent in a mother and baby home, and offer you X amount. The offer of determination was sent by registered post. It didn't even have my mother's name on it. It was simply addressed to my sister with 'number of days spent in institution 237'.

The former Bessborough mother and baby home in Cork. 'We may not be still locking pregnant girls away, but survivors and their families are still having to deal with the lies, and cover-ups, and the sense that some citizens are just not as equal as others.'

Cue confused phonecalls between all of us. My mother was born in Bessborough on September 19, 1935. She was handed over to the Cork couple in May 1942. (There was no legal adoption in Ireland until 1952, so she was not 'adopted' by them, she was given to them). So how did the Redress scheme calculate 237 days? How had some nameless official in the redress scheme got it so wrong?

We could seek a review, but we decided first we better try and see if there was any more documentation. We put in an FoI request to Tusla. And we were floored by what we got back. There was about eight or nine pages - some of them scraps from parish books and the Sacred Heart files. Yes, our mother Mary Coss was born in Bessborough. But then she was 'nursed' out at six weeks old to a family called the Sullivans. (A sort of fostering system). There is a ledger which appears to show a series of payments  5 shillings, 5 shillings, 5 shillings, as if she were a delivery of groceries.

Mary (Mai) Coss, photographed in the 1920s when she worked as a nanny and before she went to Bessborough.

The records showed her mother, Mai Coss, was 'discharged' from Bessborough in April 1936, destination England'. So our grandmother had been stuck in that home for seven months after giving birth, while her baby had been 'nursed out'  a fact we hadn't known, and neither had our mother.

Then came the next bombshell  in December 1939, our mother was returned to Bessborough. Reason given? 'Mrs Sullivan's husband died'  so say the sketchy records.

So at the age of four, this little girl was sent back to live with nuns. Imagine finding that out about your parent or loved one  and in such a fashion? Imagine four-year-old Mary Coss' confusion, to go from a family into a cold-hearted institution? We don't know if the Sullivans were a good family or not, but given how warm and loving our mother was, we think they must have shown her love.

The records then show a fact we knew, that in May 1942, she was sent to live with a family who lived on Cork's lower Oliver Plunkett St. So from the age of 4, until she was nearly seven, our mother's home was Bessborough. Her whole history had now been rewritten (and not for the first time).

To find this out was deeply upsetting, we now had knowledge about my mother's past she would never know. She obviously never remembered those years she lived with the Sullivan family. It must have been so traumatic going to Bessborough, and the three years spent there is what she remembered from her childhood

It is not the Redress Scheme's fault that we found out in this manner. Questions must be asked as to why my mother was never told this when she sought access to her records in 2017. These records clearly existed somewhere, they are not new  did someone just forget to check the attic?

But where the Redress scheme can be faulted, is in what happens next. On the records it says  adopted May 12, 1936. We don't know why. But you could not be adopted in Ireland in 1936  unless you were adopted abroad. Our mother didn't go abroad. It also says 'certain details added at a later stage'. So at some point someone  a sacred heart nun perhaps?  decided to 'clean up the records' by inserting that she had been adopted. And that is why, we think, whoever in the Redress Scheme determined her length of stay did a quick calculation and went  born September 19, adopted May 12, 1936 equals 237 days. Job done.

We are assuming they probably just decided to ignore the places where it clearly states 'nursed out 6 weeks old, returned December 1939'. Yes, the records are confusing, but surely somebody in the redress scheme could have made the efforts to read them properly? Or sought help if they found them confusing.

We immediately sent all these records  which no doubt they also have access to  back to them, and politely pointed out that their calculations were incorrect, and could they please review the case?

Cue the next bombshell.

No, they couldn't. They said they had issued the original offer in June, even though we were told in September that the case was 'still being reviewed', and the letter didn't arrive to us by registered post until October. But no, you have 6 months to either accept an offer, or ask for a review, and we are, according to them, outside the six-months deadline. Never mind that it was an admin error on their part for failing to actually send out the offer in June. And we rang and pointed this out, and they said ok, you can have more time, but whoever said that on the phone, shouldn't have said that. And they are now saying we can't have more time.

Elderly survivors had to wait decades for an apology or acknowledgement from the State. They were promised redress, but then had to wait for that to be established. But elderly survivors, and their families, now have just six months to either accept an offer  or ask for a review. And it doesn't matter if the Redress Board made an admin cock-up, and your letter is sitting somewhere. These are the rules apparently

While all of this was going on I went to see Small things like These, starring Cillian Murphy, about girls being incarcerated in a mother and baby home. It is set in the 1980s.

Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong in Small Things Like These.

I wanted to stand up in the packed cinema and shout 'this is still going on'. Ok, we may not be still locking pregnant girls away, but survivors and their families are still having to deal with the lies, and cover-ups, and the sense that some citizens are just not as equal as others.

It was bad enough to discover that our mother had been handed out at 6 weeks, and then sent back like an unwanted gift at four years old. That it appears, from the ledgers, that the couple she was given to in 1942 paid 40 shillings for her. That our grandmother was kept in Bessborough for 7 months, possibly against her will. That she may have been the one to try and adopt my mother when she went to England, but was denied. That while in Bessborough she was given a 'house name'  Evelyn.

All of that is difficult enough for a family that is still grieving, but the sheer incompetence of a scheme that is meant to offer 'redress' is really the tipping point

And we are not alone. An estimated 34,000 people are eligible to apply, and to date 5,210 complete applications are either processing or being determined. To date, 4,818 Notices of Determination have been issued and 3,468 applicants have accepted the offer made to them from the Payment Scheme. We are probably counted among those 'offers made'  but ours is an incorrect offer.

Patricia Carey, special advocate for survivors of institutional abuse.

Patricia Carey, who was appointed special advocate for mother and baby home survivors, was horrified but not surprised by how we have been treated. She says many applicants 'simply just give up', it all becomes too distressing. In a review of the scheme she engaged with more than 500 survivors and told of how it has caused deep upset and distress, the further re-traumatisation of some survivors, and enforced a hierarchy of suffering of survivors according to arbitrary criteria.

Next steps

So what happens next? Well, there is a complaints process, which we have asked to initiate. At some stage we hope someone with a little bit of sense, and compassion, will properly look at our mother's records, maybe even ring us to explain any gaps, talk it through. And when they have figured out just how long that little 4-year-old child spent in Bessborough, they then issue us with a new offer letter. And this time make sure her name  Mary Coss  is written on it.

In one way we regret ever having applied for redress, ever hearing that the scheme existed. But in another we are so angry and hurt we will not stop until our mother's memory is honoured.

We have youth on our side. But so many of those out there don't. Imagine a frail survivor, in their 70s or 80s, trying to navigate this on their own. Maybe they have never told anyone their 'secret' so cannot ask for help.

One of the reasons given by the then minister Roderic O'Gorman to explain the delay in establishing the redress scheme was that they were aware of the sensitivities involved, the trauma of survivors, the grief and pain. They said 'they wanted to do it right'. Well, you haven't. Excuse my language, but you've made a balls of it.

We are writing this is the hope that someone in the Department of Children, which is responsible for this scheme, will read this and act. Reform how the whole thing operates, how it treats people. Put survivors front and centre of everything. Make it the positive it was meant to be, and not another dirty word.
WARNING: This article contains graphic content which readers may find distressing

Bruised and badly beaten, shivering and starving, Mutaz Wahbi thought he would die in prison under the Assad regime in Syria.

He still bears the physical scars from when he was beaten with a metal pole there. He saw others tied to metal chairs as a candle burned below, forced to sit there, screaming in agony as their skin burned off.

Mutaz Wahbi: 'We hope Syria can recover soon, but we cant go back right now. There is no government, no police.' Picture: Jim Coughlan

Salt was rubbed in torture wounds in the prison. Children and women were raped. He was choked by prison guards and believed they would murder him.

Im shaking thinking about it, Mr Wahbi, now safe with his wife and three-year-old son in Cork, said.

My friend had his head cut off in front of his mother. My wifes uncle was killed by Assads regime.

The things I have seen, it is terrible. The cruelty. The violence. Assad was the devil.

Mr Wahbi said that he was jailed for refusing to join Assads army. He managed to escape with approximately 15 prisoners when one of them grabbed a security guards Kalashnikov assault rifle and they fled.

Mutaz Wahbi: 'It will take many years for the country to recover, so much has been destroyed. So many people have been killed.' Picture: Jim Coughlan

He sold his home, his car and all his belongings to get the money to flee Syria with his wife and child. He now has nowhere to return to, he said.

Mr Wahbi has been in Ireland for one-and-a-half years and is waiting for his asylum application to be processed.

But Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced this week that asylum applications from Syrians would be paused following the ousting of the murderous Assad regime.

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said that the International Protection Office has temporarily paused the issuing of final determinations while the situation in Syria is kept under review, a statement from the Justice Department said.

We heard that they will stop processing our applications, Mr Wahbi said.

But it is still very dangerous there. People who had their mothers, their children killed by the Assad regime are now going after the people in his military.

People from Assads military have not been jailed, they are free in their communities with people whose families they killed. Its dangerous.

And it will take many years for the country to recover, so much has been destroyed. So many people have been killed."

Mr Wahbi said he feels that it is unsafe for his family to return. They are integrating into Irish society and want to contribute.

We really appreciate Ireland giving us a safe place to live," he said. I have been working in construction and I volunteer. Our son is in preschool.

Mutaz Wahbi sold his home, his car and all his belongings to get the money to flee Syria with his wife and child. Picture: Jim Coughlan

My wife has done courses in hair and nails and beauty. She has friends here now. We have all learned English.

Syrians in Ireland have rejoiced at the flight of the Assads from their homeland this week. But Mr Wahbi said that the country is still very unstable.

We hope Syria can recover soon, he said. But we cant go back right now. There is no government, no police.

Fiona Hurley of Nasc migrant and refugee rights group said the governments decision to pause asylum applications from Syrians seems really premature.

We have no idea of what the new regime will look like, Ms Hurley said.

And we are concerned about women and what rights they will have there. There are still so many unknowns.

Syrian-born Ahmed Saqqa now runs a popular restaurant in Shandon in Cork City called the Four Liars after the famous clocktower, the Shandon Bells, that soars up into the citys skyline above it.

People are very happy [about the ousting of Assad], its amazing after more than 50 years. But we dont know what will happen now. There is no government. Its very fast to change [the asylum processing system].

Syria is now grappling with major instability and change.

Mutaz Wahbi: 'We really appreciate Ireland giving us a safe place to live.' Picture: Jim Coughlan

Some 1.1 million people, mostly women and children, have been internally displaced since November 27 when rebels launched the offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad, according to the United Nations.

The offensive was led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is an offshoot of al-Qaida although it cut ties with the militant Islamic group which is deemed a terrorist organisation in many countries in 2016.

The Sunni Muslim group evolved to appeal to a wider audience within Syria and began to focus more on politics and government than global jihad. But it's core ideology remains rooted in jihadism.

Thousands of Syrians, mostly Shia Muslims, have fled to Lebanon since the Sunni group ousted Bashar al-Assad. Many say they fear persecution despite assurances from the Islamist group that they will be safe.
A legal expert and apprentice solicitor has been charged with the murder of his father, who was found stabbed to death in his Dublin home.

Scott George, a finance academic and married father of two in his 70s with adult children, was found dead at the detached house on Thursday night at Tobersool Lane, near Balbriggan.

Daire McCormack-George, aged 29, was remanded in custody with an order that he receive immediate psychiatric care after appearing before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court on Saturday morning. He was charged with the murder of Scott George contrary to common law.

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in a murder case, which requires an application to be brought before the High Court.

Dr McCormack-George is a PhD holder, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, and Hertford College, Oxford, and a published author with expertise in European law.

Dressed in a navy zipped-up fleece jacket, grey tracksuit bottoms and cream footwear, he sat silently with his arms folded and legs crossed during the brief hearing but did not address the court.

The accused, who has an address at Cabra Road, Phibsborough, Dublin, has yet to indicate a plea.

Garda Ultan McElroy told the court he arrested the accused for the purpose of charge at Balbriggan station at 10.42 pm on Friday and the charge was put to him at 11.28pm.

The court heard he was cautioned in the usual manner, and he "made no reply" to the charge and was handed a true copy.

Defence solicitor Danny Nolan then moved two applications.

He said his client was a trainee solicitor, but due to the seriousness of the alleged offence, he was seeking legal aid, which was granted.

Mr Nolan said Daire McCormack-George had been diagnosed with mental health issues and would be grateful if he received a visit from a prison psychologist.

"He has prescribed medication which he has not received in a number of days and he is anxious to receive it," Mr Nolan said.

Judge Aylmer remanded Mr McCormack-George in custody to appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Furthermore, he directed that the accused would receive immediate psychiatric assessment and treatment that may be required while in prison.

The alarm was raised just after 11.20pm, and emergency services personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The property was sealed off as a crime scene and examined by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.

The Office of the State Pathologist was also contacted on Thursday night. A pathologist carried out a preliminary examination of the victim's remains where they were discovered, before the body was removed for a postmortem examination.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry, and an incident room has been established at Balbriggan Garda Station.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward, including motorists with dash cams from the area that night who are asked to provide footage to the investigation team.
The heartbroken sisters of Aoife Johnston, who died in University Hospital Limerick after contracting meningitis-related sepsis, feel no one has been held accountable.

The Leaving Cert student from Shannon, Co Clare died on December 19, 2022, after presenting at the emergency department of UHL with symptoms of the deadly virus two days earlier.

The 16-year-old was referred by her GP and should have been treated with the necessary medication within an hour.

Instead, the teenager endured 13 agonising hours on a trolley with her terrified parents James and Carol pleading for antibiotics that could have saved her life.

A report into the circumstances surrounding her horrific death from purulent meningitis was published by retired Chief Justice Frank Clarke in September.

He found that Aoifes death was almost certainly avoidable.

Speaking for the first time since their sisters harrowing inquest in April that revealed the circumstances around her death, Meagan Johnston (27) and her sister Kate (25) said we would gladly have swapped places with her".

Aoife Johnston. 'She didnt want to die, she had plans, she was going to college, she was doing her Leaving Cert.'

Meagan and Kate paid tribute to their beautiful little sister describing her as bright, sparkling and funny".

They said "no one has been held accountable, with Kate adding: I would love them to go up to her grave and see the reality of our lives.

She said this time of year is particularly difficult for her family.

She loved Christmas, said Kate. She loved going into town on the bus with her friends. We spoiled her so much; she was the heart of the house. Everything around the house now is just Aoife.

We probably paid for our own presents that Aoife got us, but we didnt care, we gave her anything that she asked for because we adored her.

Meagan added: She was our baby sister, and she had a horrible death. It is so unfair on her."

Kate said the whole family is still struggling to deal with their grief.

I miss her texts and all those little things," she said. "There has been nothing good in our lives since she died.

You are still waiting for her name to pop up on your phone, I could be driving along the road, and a song would come on and I would start crying.

The sisters who were in a Snapchat group together called Keeping up with the Johnstons said they prepared Aoifes remains for her funeral which they found extremely hard".

I did her make-up all the time, said Kate. When she passed, the clothes she wore were her Christmas clothes. I did her make-up. We got our little sister ready. She would have hated it if someone randomly did her make-up.

Aoife Johnston. 'She was our baby sister, and she had a horrible death. It is so unfair on her.'

Meagan said: She loved gel nails, her friend made a set for her, it was the exact same as the last ones she wore and I put those on her.

She was spoiled rotten at Christmas. Even me, as the oldest, loved buying her stuff. She would always ask me to top up her credit and buy her dresses for discos.

She was 16 and into make-up and beauty, and we got her vouchers for nails and tanning. She kept the buzz in the house going, it was all about her.

I never cared what she wanted I just got it for her, she continued.

'War zone'

At the inquest into Aoife's death in Limerick Coroner's Court in April a verdict of "medical misadventure" was returned. One by one, staff on duty that night took the stand to give evidence of overcrowding in the hospitals emergency department describing it as chaotic", unprecedented and a war zone".

Consultant in medicine Dr James Gray  who was on call over the weekend of her death in 2022  said it still is the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland and that it is a death trap.

Meagan and Kate Johnston. Picture: Eamon Ward

The Johnstons solicitor Damien Tansey SC compared the scenes depicted during the inquest to that of devastated hospitals in Gaza.

The case caused widespread anger after Aoifes death was blamed on overcrowding  a common feature in most Irish hospitals.

Her sisters said up until the inquest, they had been sheltered from much of the details of that awful night in the emergency department by their parents who tried to protect them from hearing what happened during Aoifes dying hours.

We didnt know half of what Aoife and my parents went through that night, said Meagan. The stuff we heard, it was so shocking.

At one stage the inquest had to be paused after Meagan left in tears when she spoke up as a member of the hospital staff that night was on the stand and crying over Aoife.

We have to go home without Aoife every day, she said as the courtroom fell into silence.

Meagan said she was so overcome with emotion while listening to staff crying over her sister.

I understand they are all sorry and its upsetting for them. But this is our life, we go home every day and shes gone forever and there is no accountability. We will never get over it

Disciplinary action

In September, the HSE said six hospital staff were facing disciplinary action on foot of Frank Clarkes findings. Earlier this month a High Court dispute over the suspension of the chief clinical director of UHL in the wake of an investigation was settled.

Professor Brian Lenehan will be returning to his position until his contract ends next June and will also participate in a disciplinary process which has been brought against him, the court heard.

He had sought an injunction over a HSE decision to put him on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged serious misconduct relating to Aoifes death.

We still dont know who is facing disciplinary action, said Kate. I dont think any lessons have been learned and I believe it could happen again, and I wouldnt wish that on anyone."

We read all the news about the hospital, and I dont think anything is any different and we dont know who anyone is, we were not given their names apart from one doctor, added Meagan.

Aoife Johnston, 16, died from meningitis in UHL. She was from Shannon in Co Clare.

The sisters recalled the awful night Aoife was admitted to UHL.

Meagan said she was shopping for food when she received the call from her sister in the early hours of Sunday, December 18.

I went to my nannys anniversary mass the night before, and they were in the hospital, she said. I missed a few calls from Kate, and I rang her back and she was in hysterics. They said they had to bring Aoife to ICU and they found swelling on her brain.

I knew it was very out of character for my parents to miss the mass.

I drove to the hospital after Kates call, and I couldnt believe what I was hearing. I didnt think she was going to die

Kate said: I was texting Aoife until 2am when she was in the hospital. She was saying how annoyed she was waiting to be seen. You didnt think it was that bad when she was texting me.

Her last message was hi, and then I went to sleep. I woke up on Sunday 18th. I knew something was wrong because they didnt come home. I rang dad and he said, come in, he still had hope. I still read back over all of those videos and texts and so does Meagan.

Aoife had experienced a headache and vomiting at home that morning. Her parents took her to the GP who was concerned about her condition and sent her to hospital.

She attended the hospital at 5pm on Saturday December 17, 2022, and her first antibiotic was administered at 7.15am on Sunday December 18.

As the family began to gather in the hospital in the early hours of Sunday nobody expected Aoife would pass away.

When I got there, they were giving her the antibiotic and I thought she is going to be fine as they knew what the problem is, said Meagan.

The four of us were in the waiting room in ICU, but when she went past us on the trolley, Ill never forget it. You could see her all attached to wires.

Then a nurse came in. She said: We are really worried about Aoife, the swelling on her brain is getting worse'."

It was only when a large team of medics came to see the family that the girls knew their sister was dying, said Kate.

We never got to speak to Aoife again. She was being kept alive, but she was gone

Meagan said: Ten doctors came into the room, my mother was in the corner of the family room about to collapse on the floor. When they all arrived, my mother knew.

Kate described how the doctors told them: There is nothing more we can do for Aoife.

Aoife Johnston's lungs and kidney were donated.

The family stood in disbelief as they were told the swelling from the virus was too bad on Aoifes brain.

They sent the scan to Cork in the hope of transferring her, but she was too long waiting for the antibiotic, and it was just too late, said Kate.

They could have 100% done something had she not been left too late. For me, it doesnt feel like Aoife is gone, its too recent and raw. It was unbelievable when they said it. She was the baby."

Meagan added: We went to see her and sat with her while she was on life support for a few days.

There was no talking to Aoife, she was gone, said Kate. She was just gone, the gorgeous little sister we have. She didnt want to die, she had plans, she was going to college, she was doing her Leaving Cert.

The life support machine was switched off on December 19 at 3.31pm as the Johnston family felt their world crash down around them.

You could see the rash all over her, said Meagan.

We had to watch our little sister dying in a place where we thought she would be safe. How can we ever come to terms with that? Its like it just gets worse

Her lungs and kidneys were donated, Meagan said: There is some comfort in knowing a part of her is alive in two other people and keeping them alive.

We know Aoife suffered the whole night, we cant even imagine how or what she was feeling. She had an awful death and there is no peace in that."

While their hearts are broken, Meagan and Kate dont want people to forget beautiful Aoife and describe her as a determined young woman, with a gentle but mischievous nature.

Meagan said: I appreciate life more, I try to stay healthy now, by going to the gym and I found a new job, but we didnt just lose our sister that day, we lost a part of our parents who idolised Aoife, and while we are a strong family, we are still just surviving day by day.
Euphoria. That is the closest word to describe how I feel right now, yet it still falls short of capturing the overwhelming tide of emotions coursing through me.

I am in disbelief, marvelling at the sheer impossibility of what has happened. How could a regime that brutalised Syrians for over 53 years be toppled in just 10 days? And yet, it happened.

Millions of Syrians, whether inside Syria or in the diaspora, feel relatively the same.

I myself cannot believe I am thinking and writing these words absolutely freely, without any form of self censure or censorship. For even in my Dublin safe haven I couldnt really breathe freely, couldnt say what I really felt or wanted to say.

Like millions of Syrian immigrants and naturalised Euro-Syrians, I too had left loved ones behind that the Assad regime could have easily arrested, killed or  worse  confined to the torture chambers of Saydnaya dungeons which horrified the world recently.

I too, therefore, have been guilty of mincing my words and not calling a spade a spade.

And Im equally ecstatic, euphorically short of breath, with the hectic speed of events that had sent the dictator Bashar al-Assad to his Moscow exile and instated in his place Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of HTS  the Arabic initials for Hayat (authority) Tahrir (liberation), Sham (Greater Syria).

The change is so radical, so sudden, that I am still in disbelief.

The news of the regimes fall was a shock, an extraordinary surprise that rippled through Syria and beyond. For countless Syrians, it was the best surprise of our lives  a moment we never dared to dream of, now made real. A weight has lifted, and in its place, a new Syria is born.

For thousands of years, Syria has endured waves of invaders and tyrants. But even in this long history of suffering, no figure compares to the unparalleled cruelty of Hafez al-Assad and his son, Bashar.

Brutal dynasty

The Assad dynastys regime has not only inflicted immeasurable harm but has set a horrifying benchmark for oppression and brutality that is difficult to fathom.

Statues of Assad, both father and son, dominate the streets of towns and cities across Syria. Their names are etched on every library, museum, and theatre. As a student in Syria, I remember how images of the Assad family permeated every corner of our lives  classrooms, books, notebooks, uniforms, and even hats. The only sanctuary from their omnipresence were underwear and toilets.

When Hafez al-Assad came to power in 1971 by military coup, Syria became a realm of torment. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians were tortured to death.

In 1982, under the orders of Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian army and the paramilitary defence companies launched a brutal 27-day siege on the city of Hama to suppress a Muslim Brotherhood uprising against the regime.

Reports estimate that the crackdown resulted in the deaths of 10,000 to 40,000 civilians in the isolated and devastated city over the course of a single harrowing month. I first learned about the Hama massacre from my family.

Mourners weep during the funeral of Syrian activist Mazen al-Hamada in Damascus on Thursday after his mangled corpse was found wrapped in a bloody sheet in Saydnaya prison. It may well prove to one of the last acts of savagery by the Assad regime that ruled Syrian for half a century. Picture: Hussein Malla/AP

Even though we were all in the same room, they whispered in fear, too afraid to speak openly. Hush, they warned, the walls have ears.

The true face of the Assad regime is evident to anyone who dares to look. Reports such as Amnesty Internationals Human Slaughterhouse: Mass Hangings and Extermination at Saydnaya Prison paint a grim picture of systematic brutality.

The prison, where over 100,000 detainees were disappeared and slaughtered, symbolises the regimes inhumanity. Survivors testimonies and videos reveal a grotesque reality: Mass hangings, starvation, and torture so vile that it defies comprehension.

The regimes cruelty extends far beyond the confines of its prisons. In 2011, it waged war against its own people simply because Syrians dared to demand freedom, justice, and dignity. This war has reverberated across the globe, and its consequences continue to shape our world today.

As a journalist and editor, I specialised in verifying social media content from conflict zones, primarily in my homeland, Syria.

Returning Syrians wait to cross into the country from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya. Picture: Metin Yoksu/AP

I authenticated raw videos from eyewitnesses and citizen journalists, documenting the harrowing reality of war. I witnessed unfiltered footage of children pulled from rubble in Aleppo, rescue workers recovering infants remains in Idlib, grieving mothers in Homs, and the horrors of starvation in Madaya, or chemical attacks in Ghouta near Damascus.

I helped ensure their stories were written for the entire world to see and their voices heard across international media. But I often asked myself: Will these innocent Syrians ever see justice?

December 8, 2024  a date etched in history as the moment their justice finally arrived.

Shaking off the past

This time, they are different, a close friend told me after meeting face-to-face with the fighters who ousted the Syrian regime. They reassured people they werent seeking revenge  they had only come to liberate Syria from Assad.

This behaviour has brought some relief to the community and minorities, offering a glimmer of hope. However, people remain cautious, their trust tempered by fear and the weight of past experiences.

While Ive come across credible reports of isolated incidents of violence and retaliation, these appear to remain individual cases rather than a systemic pattern. Remarkably, the transition occurred without the bloodbath many feared.

The regimes brutality fuelled the rise of radicalisation and extremist groups such as ISIS, a strategy it used to label all opposition as terrorism. The extremist groups, which are alien to Syrian society and culture, are a direct result of Assads brutality.

Among these groups is Hayat Tahrir al Sham, which led the military operation that ended Assads rule.

Syrians gather in celebration days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government at the Umayyad Square in Damascus. Picture: Leo Correa/AP

Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Julani  born Ahmad al-Shara  has a controversial past, including designation as a terrorist, ties to al Qaeda, and a $10m (9.5) bounty on his head.

But, since December 8, the same leader and fighters have shown signs of change. It seems they have shaken off the past. Al-Julani, now using his real name, told CNN: A person in their 20s will have a different personality than someone in their 30s or 40s, and certainly someone in their 50s. This is human nature.

He has also assured the safety of minorities and personal freedom  a positive shift.

Al-Bashir's pledge

Syrias newly-appointed interim leader, Mohammed al-Bashir, announced that he would serve as caretaker prime minister until March 1.

Mohammad al-Bashir, centre, the head of the interim government in Syria, attending Friday prayer inside the seventh century Umayyad mosque in Damascus, Syria, last night. Picture: Omar Sanadiki/AP

He has pledged to unify the country, repatriate refugees, and rebuild  but he faces the challenge of scarce funding.

Time will tell, but for now, hope cautiously lingers. It is crucial, however, to give them a chance.

In light of these developments, the US has made its first contacts with HTS leaders. The UN and several countries are reconsidering their designation of the group as a terrorist organisation, provided certain conditions are met.

Arab countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE, have resumed diplomatic missions in Damascus.

Perhaps Syrians must witness genuine change from all sides and embrace compromise to reclaim and save our country.

What next?

Nobody knows what comes next. Syrians are filled with questions, uncertainty, and cautious hope. We celebrate a new Syriabut what will it become? Only time will tell.

Syrians have clear expectations: free democratic elections, personal freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to practice any religion or none. True freedom cannot exist without the liberation of women  their choices, bodies, and rights must be respected.

Ahmed Saqqa is one of the Syrians living in Ireland who spoke to the 'Irish Examiner' earlier this week about their hopes and fears in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime  see the links at the foot of this article. Picture: Chani Anderson

In a diverse Syria, imposing Sharia law is not only unthinkable  it is impossible. Its structure and its people simply wont allow it. They will resist. Syria is a country rich in diversity  home to various nationalities, religions, and sects.

The majority of Muslims in Syria are moderate, and Islam there is distinct from the versions seen in Saudi Arabia or Iran. Syrias strength lies in its diversity and moderation, with a robust secular movement and a resilient civil society. We must draw strength from this foundation.

The new Syria must be built on the pillars of human rights, freedom, justice, and equality for all. Without these foundations, resistance will persist, and the revolution will endure.

As a friend recently told me: We toppled one dictator  we can topple any dictator.
Foreign tourists visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Beijing on Nov 4. JU HUANZONG/XINHUA

China and the United States are continuing to enhance their tourism connections, working to overcome any travel obstacles.

The China National Tourist Office partnered with the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) during its annual conference and marketplace in Marco Island, Florida, on Thursday to share the latest information about China travel with international tourism suppliers.

The USTOA serves as a tourism platform that connects North American travel agencies with global tourism suppliers and destinations.

More than 800 participants gathered for a sidelines event hosted by the China National Tourist Office in partnership with the USTOA. The event provided a networking platform, bringing together tourism agencies from the US and around the world with Chinese tourism representatives and suppliers.

The luncheon discussion focused on exchanging ideas, building new partnerships and exploring strategies to enhance global tourism, as China is a popular destination for cultural exchange and a big market for business opportunities.

"It's always good to be reminded that, although our governments may have differences, it doesn't change the people," Terry Dale, the president of the USTOA, told China Daily.

Dale visited China in May for the 14th China-US Tourism Leadership Summit and said he found the Chinese people to be "nice and generous" and that travel represents the "human connection".

The US and China remain the world's strongest travel and tourism markets, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Both countries have actively implemented measures to revitalize and promote their travel industries to also promote economic growth.

China has enhanced its visa policies to attract international visitors. Travelers from 38 countries can now enter China visa-free and stay for up to 30 days for purposes such as business or tourism.

Citizens from 54 countries, including the United States, can take advantage of 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit options at select entry ports.

The US State Department has eased its travel advisory for China, lowering it from Level 3 ("Reconsider Travel") to Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), aligning China's advisory status with that of countries like the UK and Germany.

"This is amazing news and a huge signal. This is such a positive step forward," Dale said. "It signals that the travel industry is truly the bridge between our countries, and we are encouraging this exchange of cultures between the people who call the US home and people who call China home!

"These supports are highly necessary and very smart on China's part," he said. "They are tools we can give to travelers to make them feel like, You know what, I can do this!'"

Dale said that travelers will feel confident traveling to a new place across the ocean with complete infrastructure and language support.

"China is simplifying the visa-free transit policy for international travelers," Zhang Zheng, the vice-minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, said in a speech. "To better accommodate the trips of our international travelers and consumers, we have identified a range of problems they might encounter during their journeys and developed solutions to make travel easier and more comfortable, including improvements in transportation, accommodation and more."

Zhang said that China has been working hard to simplify the visa process and provide information to foreign travelers. He expressed excitement about sharing travel information about China, beyond the 850 travel agencies but also "friends" who have been actively promoting international travel.

Zhang, who traveled from Beijing to Shanghai, then to New York, and finally to Florida, said he wanted to collaborate with the USTOA to ensure smooth travel experiences.

Ma Yunfei, the director of the China National Tourist Office, said, "We are truly grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many esteemed leaders and partners in the travel community and industry."

He added that the USTOA plays an important role in connecting suppliers and travelers, facilitating better sharing of travel resources.

Sonia Neto, the commercial director of Montebelo Hotels & Resorts in Portugal, won a trip to China at the luncheon Thursday.

"I'm very excited. I've never been to China before, and it's a big country I would like to visit," she said as she waved the tickets for an eight-day trip to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai.

She said she was looking forward to "the nature part of China, the big buildings, and the industrial cities".

"We have lots of connections between China and Portugal," Neto said, adding that she would recommend a trip to China to her clients in Portugal.
Two politicians, one going out the door, the other arriving in, had their reputations trashed this week. What occurred tells a lot about how a particular brand of politics is practiced today. The first involves Eamon Ryan.

A report on a Cork County Council meeting on Tuesdays Irish Examiner had the headline: Cork councillors hope Eamon Ryans departure might benefit us as they renew bid for rail link.

The item on the meetings agenda was a proposal to open a rail link between Midleton and Youghal. The meeting was told that the outgoing Minister for Transports secretary had written to the council to say their proposal could be directed at an upcoming review.

Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley said on the plus side we will have a new minister shortly. This was a reference to Ryan, who annoyed some of the councillors a while back. Fine Gael councillor Rory Cocking said that Ryans departure might benefit us.

A central tenet of Ryans agenda while in government was to increase public transport, particularly rail. Yet these people were suggesting he had a negative impact on this rail project. It was as if debating the rail line was to be used to have a gratuitous cut at Ryan rather than dealing with the facts. In this respect, the tenor of the talk about Ryan sounded like it was lifted from social media where narrative trumps facts and the main thing is to display ones firmly held negative view about somebody rather than objectively assessing that persons performance.

A few months ago, after Ryan announced he was leaving politics, one member of the council proposed wishing him well. The motion was emphatically defeated. Basic civility towards a national politician who had had dealings with these local, precious egos would not be countenanced

In this, the council echoed the same kind of small-minded and silly attitude displayed towards Ryan in tracts of rural Ireland.

At the 2020 election Ryan and his party, like others, made promises. To the greatest extent the Greens kept those promises, and managed to push their agenda to the heart of government. By the standards of what democratic politics is supposed to be about, it was a serious achievement.

For their trouble, the Greens were then decimated in last months general election. Their fault was they did not, like most others, duck, deflect, divert from or bullshit about the existential threat of climate change. They bore the inconvenient truth and provided others, including their coalition partners, with a foil, a bogeyman to which could be assigned blame for all the changes required to lessen threats to the planet.

Ryan was not infallible but he was resolute in pursing what he saw as his duty. At times, he suffered from foot in mouth disease. What should have been considered a quirk was presented as proof that he didnt know what he was doing. The particular changes required of rural Ireland meant that he ended up being cast in those parts as some sort of gormless city boy out to save the planet by destroying a way of life.

It was all about creating a narrative, finding a villain and ascribing to him blame for the inconvenient truth

Now that he has left, and the Greens, for the moment at least, with him, everybody can get back to pretending that this climate change thing isnt as bad as its made out to be. Sure, nothing will fall apart this side of the next election and after that wont Flash Gordon be along at some point to save the world?

Eoin Hayes gave up what appears from this vantage to be a financially rewarding career to pursue a life in politics.

Eoin Hayes, the newly elected Social Democrat TD, got the mother and father of roastings this week. On Tuesday, he made a serious error. He told reporters that he had divested himself of shares before he got into politics when he was elected to Dublin City Council last June.

He has received the shares as part of his employment for a company that he left in 2017. The company does work for the Israeli military which is currently engaged in the daily slaughter in Gaza. In reality, he didnt sell the shares before last Junes local election, he sold them the following month for a sum just short of 200,000. The shares he sold would be worth around 500,000 today.

He was wrong to give false information to the media but he was under pressure, is new to the job and apparently fretted that he was landing in controversy at the outset of this fresh career. Was there a major material difference between selling prior to the June elections or within weeks after it? He should have got a warning and a slap on the wrist.

The Soc Dems duly suspended him. This was where things got ropey. Suddenly, the airwaves and press releases were clogged up with the likes of Sinn Fein declaring that Hayes should resign his seat. Matt Cathy said Hayes had been elected under false pretences as he had profited personally from a company that benefited from Israeli breaches of international law.

Get this. Sinn Fein is occupying the high moral ground to lecture a member of another party about the most tenuous of links to an outfit which indiscriminately kill with bombs. Irony, where are you?

Richard Boyd Barrett said it took a lot to shock him, but Hayes and his shares shocked him. Every time Richard is on the TV he looks shocked, en route to apoplexy, but maybe thats just his default position. The Soc Dems themselves changed tack on the original charge against Hayes and curled inwards in shame that such a tainted individual had run under their banner. The deputy leader, Cian OCallaghan, said he didnt know at this point whether there was a way back to the party for Hayes.

Has politics come to this for people one might have considered serious? Hayes gave up what appears from this vantage to be a financially rewarding career to pursue a life in politics. He chose a party that allegedly is concerned with equality in society. And now he is considered unclean because a former employer who paid him in shares works with the Israelis and he didnt divest himself of these legacy shares quickly enough?

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have stayed completely schtum about this controversy. No doubt they are too busy laughing at it all in between their talks to form a government. One big advantage FF and FG have over those flailing around to signal their virtue is that they understand the electorate. They know the electorate is not the denizens of social media, nor is it those in the public sphere who lecture about compassion as if they have sole purchase on it.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael know that beyond the righteous bubble inhabited by some who describe themselves as progressive, most people are compassionate for those in dreadful circumstances but recoil when they feel lectured to. Maybe thats one of the reasons there was no real alternative at the last election.
South Koreas Parliament is set to vote on an opposition-led impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday.

The vote comes two days after Mr Yoon defended his controversial martial law decree and vowed to resist mounting calls for his ouster.

It will be the second time for the National Assembly to hold a vote on an impeachment motion over the short-lived December 3 martial law introduction.

Last Saturday, Mr Yoon survived an impeachment vote after most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a floor vote.

In this photo provided by the South Korean Presidential Office, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at the presidential office in Seoul (South Korea Presidential Office/AP)

It is not clear if those People Power Party lawmakers would do the same again. Public protests against Mr Yoon have since intensified and his approval rating has plummeted.

The countrys six opposition parties control the 300-member unicameral parliament with a combined 192 seats, but they are eight seats shy of the two-thirds majority needed to pass Mr Yoons impeachment motion.

Tens of thousands of people have poured onto the streets of the capital Seoul in the past two weeks, calling for Mr Yoon to be removed from office and arrested.

Smaller groups of Mr Yoons conservative supporters  still in the thousands  gathered in Seouls Gwanghwamun boulevard, claiming the oppositions impeachment push was unconstitutional and false propaganda.

Mr Yoons martial law imposition, the first of its kind in more than four decades in South Korea, lasted only six hours but has caused political tumult, halted diplomatic activities and rattled financial markets. The president was forced to lift his decree after parliament unanimously voted to overturn it.

After declaring martial law, Mr Yoon sent hundreds of troops and police officers to the parliament to try to impede its vote on the decree before they withdrew after the parliament rejected it. No major violence occurred.

I will fight to the end to prevent the forces and criminal groups that have been responsible for paralysing the countrys government.

Opposition parties and many experts accuse Mr Yoon of rebellion, citing a law clause that categorises as rebellion the staging of a riot against established state authorities to undermine the constitution.

They also say that by law a president in South Korea is allowed to declare martial law only during wartime or similar emergencies and has no right to suspend parliaments operations even under martial law.

Law enforcement authorities are investigating whether Mr Yoon and others involved in the declaration committed rebellion, abuse of power and other crimes. If convicted, the leader of a rebellion plot can face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

On the night of December 3, Mr Yoon also sent soldiers and police officers to the National Election Commission, in what he called a bid to check vulnerabilities in its computer systems that could raise questions about the results of elections.

This has spawned speculation that he acted on unfounded rumours or conspiracy theories that the outcome of Aprils parliamentary elections, in which the ruling party suffered a massive defeat, was rigged.

The impeachment motion alleged that Mr Yoon committed rebellion that hurts peace on the Republic of Korea by staging a series of riots.

It said Mr Yoons mobilisation of military and police forces threatened the National Assembly and the public and that his martial law decree was aimed at disturbing the Constitution.

In a fiery speech on Thursday, Mr Yoon defended his martial law order as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges. He claimed the troops deployment to the National Assembly was designed to maintain order, not dissolve or paralyse it.

The conservative president said he aimed to issue a warning to the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, calling it a monster and anti-state forces that he argued has flexed its legislative muscle to impeach top officials, undermined the governments budget bill for next year and sympathised with North Korea.

Participants hold banners during a rally to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment (Ahn Young-Joon/AP)

I will fight to the end to prevent the forces and criminal groups that have been responsible for paralysing the countrys government and disrupting the nations constitutional order from threatening the future of the Republic of Korea, he said.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called the speech a mad declaration of war against his own people.

If the National Assembly passes Mr Yoons impeachment motion, his presidential powers and duties will be suspended until the Constitutional Court determines whether to dismiss him as president or restore his powers. If he is thrown out of office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

Mr Yoons defence minister, police chief and the head of Seouls metropolitan police agency have been arrested or detained over their roles in the martial law case. Other senior military and government officials also face investigations.

Ex-defense minister Kim Yong Hyun, who resigned on December 5, is considered a central figure in Mr Yoons martial law enforcement. The opposition parties alleged he proposed martial law to Mr Yoon and the president said on Thursday he discussed imposing marital law only with Mr Kim before informing other top officials just before declaring it.

Mr Kim attempted to kill himself while in detention before correctional officers stopped him and he was in stable condition, according to the Justice Ministry.

Mr Yoon has the presidential privilege of immunity from criminal prosecution but that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.

He could be investigated, detained, arrested or indicted over his martial law decree, but many observers doubt that authorities will forcefully detain him because of the potential for clashes with his presidential security service.
Donald Trump has hosted Apple chief executive Tim Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the US President-elects Mar-a-Lago resort, sources said.

Mr Cook is the latest in a string of big tech leaders  including OpenAIs Sam Altman, Metas Mark Zuckerberg and Amazons Jeff Bezos  who have sought to improve their standing with the incoming American leader after choppy relations with Mr Trump during his first term.

Mr Trump has said he has spoken with Mr Cook about the companys long-running tax battles with the European Union.

The meeting comes less than two months after Mr Trump said he spoke to Mr Cook by phone, and soon after Apple lost its last appeal in a dispute with the EU over 13 billion euro (10.7 billion) in back taxes to Ireland.

Mr Trump will be sworn in next month (AP)

He said the European Union has just fined us 15 billion dollars, Mr Trump recalled of his conversation with Mr Cook, in an October interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David. Then on top of that they got fined by the European Union another two billion dollars.

The decision by the EUs top court was the finale to a dispute that centred on sweetheart deals that Dublin was offering to attract multi-national businesses with minimal taxes across the 27-nation bloc.

The European Commission in 2016 ruled that Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid that Ireland was required to recover.

Mr Trumps transition team and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his dinner with Mr Cook.

OpenAI chief Mr Altman is planning to make a one million dollar (791,000) personal donation to Mr Trumps inauguration fund, the company confirmed.

Amazon and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed this week they had each donated one million dollars to Mr Trumps inaugural fund.

During his first term, Mr Trump criticised Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which Mr Bezos owns.

Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are among the big tech chiefs who have responded more favourably to a second Trump presidency (AP)

Meanwhile, Mr Bezos had criticised some of Mr Trumps past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Mr Trumps bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a 10 billion dollar (7.9 billion) Pentagon contract.

More recently, Mr Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. Last week, he said at The New York Times DealBook Summit in New York that he was optimistic about Mr Trumps second term while also endorsing the President-elects plans to cut regulations.

The donation from Meta came just weeks after Meta supremo Mr Zuckerberg met Mr Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago.

During the 2024 campaign, Mr Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Mr Trump.

Earlier this year, he praised Mr Trumps response to his first assassination attempt.
Top diplomats from the United States, the Arab League and Turkey are meeting in Jordan to discuss plans and goals to assist Syrias transition from the deposed government of Bashar Assad.

Some 12 foreign ministers and senior officials from the European Union and United Nations gathered in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba to try to forge consensus on what the new leadership in Syria should prioritise.

No Syrian representatives are set to attend, however.

Turkeys Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended (Pool via AP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says broad consensus exists among regional partners that Syrias new government must be inclusive, must respect women and minority rights, reject terrorism and secure and destroy suspected Assad-era chemical weapons stockpiles.

Mr Blinken is wrapping up a three-country regional tour in Aqaba after visiting Iraq, Turkey and Jordan once already this week.

Earlier on Saturday in a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, Mr Blinken said he expected to talk about the challenges ahead for Syria and our determination to work together to support a Syrian-led transition where the United Nations plays a critical role, particularly when it comes to the provision of assistance, to the protection of minorities.

Mr Pedersen agreed, saying: What is so critical in Syria is that we see a credible and inclusive political process that brings together all communities in Syria.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen was in agreement with Mr Blinken over the way forward (Pool via AP)

And the second point is that we need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible. And if we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people.

In announcing Saturdays meetings, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the ministers would discuss ways to support a comprehensive political process led by Syrians to achieve a transitional process, which ensures the reconstruction of Syrian state institutions, and preserves Syrias unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, security, stability, and the rights of all its citizens.

The collapse of the Assad familys more than half-century in power last week has sparked new fears of instability and turmoil in a volatile region already immersed in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon despite a tenuous ceasefire.

The Assad family ruled over Syria for 50 years (AP)

The US is also making a renewed push for an ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than two million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israels war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The October 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage.

Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.
U.S. lawmakers are intensifying pressure on Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores as part of the nationwide ban targeting the Chinese social media platform. The reminder comes amid growing scrutiny over TikTok's refusal to sever ties with its parent company, ByteDance, despite legal and legislative efforts.

The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, recently issued a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The letter reiterated the need for Big Tech to comply with the ban mandated under the Foreign Adversary Act, signed into law in April 2024. Lawmakers emphasized that TikTok's continued presence on app marketplaces violates the act's requirements.

TikTok's Resistance and Legal Battles

TikTok has staunchly resisted the U.S. government's demands to divest ByteDance, arguing that such a move would compromise its operational structure. Instead, the company pursued legal action, invoking the First Amendment to argue for its right to free speech and platform operations. Despite these efforts, the U.S. Circuit Court unanimously ruled against TikTok, leaving the social media giant with no legal recourse to maintain its ByteDance affiliation.

The lawmakers' letter highlighted that TikTok has had ample timeover 233 daysto comply with the law. However, the company has remained defiant, fueling bipartisan concerns over national security risks tied to its Chinese ownership.

Implementation of the TikTok Ban

The nationwide ban, set to take effect in January 2025, prohibits TikTok from operating in the United States unless it cuts ties with ByteDance. Lawmakers argue that the app's continued affiliation with its parent company significantly threatens user data privacy and national security.

The Foreign Adversary Act provides a framework for addressing perceived threats from entities linked to foreign governments. While not explicitly targeting TikTok, the legislation's provisions require compliance by divestiture. TikTok's refusal to comply has placed Apple and Google under heightened scrutiny, as both companies must ensure their platforms align with federal mandates.

Big Tech's Role in Enforcement

As the January deadline approaches, Apple and Google face pressure to act decisively. The lawmakers' letter underscored the legal obligation of these tech giants to remove TikTok from their app stores to uphold the Foreign Adversary Act. Failure to comply could invite further legislative and legal actions against the platforms.

While TikTok has yet to announce plans to appeal the Circuit Court's decision, its future in the United States remains uncertain. The looming ban underscores the escalating tensions between the U.S. government and Chinese-owned tech entities, with TikTok at the center of this geopolitical conflict.
Today

Rain showers early, then clear overnight. Low 51F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tonight

Rain showers early, then clear overnight. Low 51F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tomorrow

Sunny. High near 75F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Lithuania continues its steadfast support for the Ukrainian Defense Forces in their fight against russian aggression.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense has reported that this week, Ukraine will receive trailers for tracked vehicles and ammunition.

In its latest delivery, Lithuania provided Ukraine with 155 mm ammunition, M113 armored personnel carriers, drone jamming equipment, warm clothing and cold-weather gear, Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle ammunition, the RISE-1 long-range smart initiation system, power generators, loaders, trailers, field beds, and other essential aid.

Lithuanias total support for Ukraine has surpassed 1.5 billion, with military assistance alone exceeding 721 million to date.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua

The losses of the Russian occupiers over the past day amounted to 1,040 soldiers, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook on Saturday morning.

In addition, two enemy tanks, 24 artillery systems, 40 vehicles and tanks with fuel and lubricants, and two units of special equipment were destroyed in one day; while 53 operational-tactical level unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down.

In total, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion into Ukraine, approximately 761,160 Russian occupiers, some 9,539 tanks, some 21,102 artillery systems, some 31,217 vehicles and 3,644 special equipment have been destroyed, and 20,229 operational-tactical level drones have been shot down.
General Staff: 205 combat clashes recorded on front per day, most of all in Pokrovsk axis

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

In total, 205 combat clashes were recorded on the fronts of the Russian-Ukrainian war over the past day, according to operational information on the Russian invasion as of 08.00 Saturday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook.

The most difficult situation was in Pokrovsk axis in Donetsk region, where Ukrainian defenders stopped 62 offensive actions of the aggressor.

In Vremivka axis, the enemy carried out 35 assaults on Ukrainian positions over the past day, in Kurakhove axis some 27, the enemy attacked 24 times in Lyman axis, once in Siversk axis, in Kramatorsk axis the occupiers attacked six times in the areas of Chasiv Yar and Stupochky. The enemy carried out ten attacks in Toretsk axis, mainly in Toretsk area.

In Kharkiv axis, the enemy attacked once in Vovchansk area. In Kupiansk axis, ten attacks by the occupiers occurred in 24 hours.

In Dnipro axis, Ukrainian forces repelled four enemy attacks, the enemy had no success.

In Kursk axis, over the past 24 hours, some 22 combat clashes occurred, the enemy carried out 13 air strikes with 19 guided bombs and carried out 399 artillery shellings.

In Huliay-Pole and Orikhiv axes, the enemy did not conduct active operations in the past 24 hours. In Volyn and Polissia axes, no signs of the formation of offensive enemy groups were detected.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua

Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a meeting with the European Union Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, the Commissioner was also accompanied by EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova, the press service of the President of Ukraine said on Saturday.

Kubilius has held the post of EU Commissioner for Defence and Space since December 1.

It is noted that the meeting was also attended by Simonas Satunas, Head of Cabinet of the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, and Ramunas Stanionis, Member of Cabinet of the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space. The Ukrainian side was represented by advisers to the head of the President's Office of Ukraine Daria Zarivna and Oleksandr Bevz.

At the beginning of the conversation, Yermak thanked the EU representatives for the ongoing support provided to Ukraine.

"We know you well and we are thankful for everything you have done and continue to do for Ukraine. I am sure that in this position you will keep supporting our country until the end of this war. And also, on our way to becoming a full-fledged member of the EU," the head of the President's Office said.

It is noted that during the meeting they discussed the situation on the battlefield, the priority needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the strengthening of the Ukrainian air defense.

Yermak noted that fruitful cooperation between European countries and the United States of America is critical now, in particular in supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression.

"I believe that we have every chance to end this war with a just peace," the head of the President's Office said.

During the meeting, Yermak and Kubilius discussed ways to effectively counter Russian propaganda.

The European Commissioner noted that Ukraine is defending not only itself, but the entire European continent.

"We all want peace to come as soon as possible. But, of course, we are looking for ways to achieve peace through strength," Kubilius said.
Expanding Electoral Participation in Somalia: A Pathway to Inclusive Democracy through Increased Voter RepresentationCurrent Challenges of Indirect Elections in Somalia:

For nearly three decades, Somalia has grappled with the complexities of indirect electoral systems introduced after the collapse of the Mohamed Siyad Barre regime. Following the civil war, the Transitional National Government (TNG), established in 2000 at the Arta conference in Djibouti, marked a formal attempt to rebuild government system. Under this system, clan elders indirectly selected members of parliament, who then elected the president. While broader than earlier models, the TNG faced opposition due to the exclusion of key stakeholders, including Mogadishus factional leaders, leading to its limited functionality.

The 2004 Mbagathi conference in Kenya aimed to address these shortcomings by involving factional leaders, resulting in Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmeds election as president. However, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) under his leadership faced resistance, failing to achieve key objectives due to political fragmentation and limited inclusivity.

Subsequent progress was achieved during Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmeds presidency, beginning in 2009, which integrated the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) and laid the groundwork for reconciliation and governance. Notably, this period saw the adoption of Somalias Provisional Constitution in 2012 and the first Mogadishu-based presidential election since 1969. Despite these strides, the electoral process remained indirect, with 135 clan elders selecting parliament members.

In 2012, Hassan Sheikh Mohamuds presidency introduced an expanded indirect electoral model involving 51 representatives from sub-clans to select parliamentary candidates. However, the lack of a direct election system left many Somalis feeling politically excluded. Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajos presidency (20172022) sought to transition to a one person, one vote system, proposing proportional representation and political party-based elections. These reforms faced significant opposition, and the government reverted to indirect elections with increased participation, culminating in a 20212022 model involving 101 representatives per parliamentary seat.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamuds re-election in 2022 continued the pattern of peaceful transfers of power, reflecting incremental progress in governance. However, Somalias indirect election system persists, posing challenges to inclusivity, democratic representation, and transitioning to direct electoral processes.

This background underscores the historical context and persistent barriers to achieving fully democratic elections in Somalia.

The Imperative of Transitioning Somalia towards Inclusive and Fair Elections: Challenges and Strategic Pathways

It is essential to acknowledge the necessity of gradually transitioning step by step towards the implementation of direct elections, where every representative holds their position through the votes of the citizens. Currently, Somalias governance system operates on a clan-based power-sharing model, with the four major clans each allocated equal representation (1.0), while the fifth clan is allotted half representation (0.5), forming the 4.5 power-sharing framework. Considering the indirect elections previously discussed and the progress achieved thus far, I believe it is imperative for the country to take a significant step by conducting another round of indirect elections with significant participation of the citizens. This will lay the foundation for transitioning to direct elections in the subsequent phase.

However, the reluctance of Somali clans and sub-clans to embrace reforms in parliamentary representation stems from deeply rooted concerns about the current 4.5 power-sharing formula. This framework allocates the 275 parliamentary seats among the five major Somali clans, with each sub-clan receiving a specific number of positions. Nevertheless, some sub-clans are excluded entirely from parliamentary representation. Furthermore, the 4.5 formula is widely regarded as inequitable, as some clans argue that their share of parliamentary seats does not reflect their actual population size, territorial presence, or the number of districts they inhabit.

These clans believe that the seats they are entitled to have been unfairly distributed to others. Consequently, there is a pervasive fear among certain clans that they may lose the parliamentary positions they currently hold if any changes are made to the existing arrangement. Moreover, Somalias lack of a national census and the absence of scientifically validated population data exacerbate the situation. There is no definitive information on which regions have larger populations, leading to reliance on subjective estimates often based on the availability of resources in different areas.

This uncertainty has hindered Somalias progress toward implementing direct elections, as clans are unwilling to risk losing parliamentary positions due to population-based redistributions. Therefore, given these challenges, Somalia remains unprepared for direct elections. Instead, a transitional approach is necessary, such as adopting an indirect election system involving thousands of representatives from the broader constituency. This step would allow for greater inclusivity and provide a foundation for moving toward free and fair direct elections in the country.

Expanding Clan Delegate Representation: A Path to Inclusive and Stable Elections in Somalia

The purpose of this opinion article is to share my perspective on the elections scheduled to take place in Somalia in 2026. As we are aware, Somalia currently stands at a critical point and must prepare to take a significant step forward toward inclusive elections. In recent years, the country has conducted three consecutive indirect elections, all marked by limited public participation.

At this stage, Somalia is not yet ready to transition to a system of direct elections. This is because the political landscape and societal structures remain fragile, and direct elections could pose substantial risks to the delicate balance of clan representation. Specifically, such a system could result in some sub-clans losing parliamentary positions while others gain additional ones, thereby creating potential instability and undermining national unity.

To address this challenge, Somalia should retain a system that guarantees equitable representation for all sub-clans in the next government. However, this system must be reformed to promote broader participation. For instance, one viable approach would be to conduct another round of indirect elections while enabling each Somali clan to vote for their representatives. Consequently, this would enhance inclusivity by involving a larger segment of the population while preserving the existing framework of clan-based representation.

Building on this point, at this challenging juncture, where Somali society has yet to attain full political maturity, another significant and constructive step would be to expand the number of delegates representing each sub-clan with parliamentary positions. For example, increasing the representation to a minimum of 2,001 delegates would address several longstanding issues, including the pervasive challenge of corruption.

Firstly, with a larger number of representatives, the feasibility of bribing or unduly influencing individuals would decrease significantly due to the sheer scale of participation. Moreover, this expansion would foster broader community engagement and inclusivity, ensuring that the political process becomes more representative of Somali citizens.

Furthermore, this approach would enable approximately 550,275 Somali citizens to actively exercise their political rights. In turn, this would strengthen democratic principles and cultivate a culture of political accountability. By integrating these measures, Somalia would not only address critical governance challenges but also lay a solid foundation for greater public participation and trust in the political system.

Ultimately, by adopting these balanced approaches, Somalia can ensure stability, foster inclusivity, and take meaningful steps toward the long-term goal of comprehensive electoral reform. A transitional approach involving reforms to the indirect electoral system is necessary. Expanding clan delegate representation and increasing participation can enhance inclusivity and reduce corruption. By progressively broadening the electoral basesuch as increasing the number of delegates per sub-clanSomalia can cultivate a more participatory and accountable political culture, laying the foundation for a stable transition toward direct, fair, and democratic elections in the future.

Abdulsatar Muktar Abubakar

Lecturer and Political analyst

Email: Abdisatar233@gmail.com
After reading the statement on the Ankora Agreement, I was able to identify the following key points bygathering additional information from stakeholders directly involved in the matter:.

1. Ethiopias Shift in Position:

While the joint statement did not explicitly mention it, Ethiopia appears to have backed away from a previous agreement with Somaliland. On the other hand, Somalia has altered its stance by withdrawing its demand for Ethiopian forces to leave its territory.

2. The Nature of the Agreement with Somaliland:

The previous agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland was perceived as a move by Ethiopia to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. In return, Ethiopia sought access to a seaport and maritime presence. The Ankora Agreement, however, shifts this arrangement. Ethiopia now recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, while Somalia, in turn, agrees to grant Ethiopia access to its ports.

3. Significance of the Ankora Agreement:

The Ankora Agreement establishes Ethiopias right to use ports, but it does not grant Ethiopia ownership of any port. Previously, Ethiopias agreement with Somaliland was seen as a potential path for Ethiopia to gain control over a port. Under the new arrangement, Ethiopias right to use ports in Somalia would be based on lease agreements or contracts, similar to international norms and the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This approach aligns with the way many countries, such as Djibouti, lease ports to Ethiopia or other nations.

4. Diplomatic and Strategic Implications:

The Ankora Agreement signals a shift in Ethiopias diplomatic posture. Ethiopia moves away from its strategy of securing port ownership, returning to a more traditional approach of leasing or contracting port services. This change might be linked to Ethiopias realization that its previous approach was diplomatically and practically unsustainable.

5. Impact on Ethiopias Strategic Interests:

Unlike the previous agreement with Somaliland, where Ethiopia appeared to be pushing for port ownership, the Ankora Agreement limits Ethiopia to access through leases, concessions, or contracts. This approach is in line with the principles of the UNCLOS, under which coastal states retain sovereignty over ports but can grant access to other countries. Ethiopia has previously pursued similar arrangements with Djibouti for access to the Port of Tadjoura.

6. Diplomatic Costs and Credibility:

The shift from seeking ownership of a port in Somaliland to leasing access in Somalia reflects a reversal in Ethiopias diplomatic strategy. This has raised questions about Ethiopias consistency and credibility in its foreign policy. The political costs of this reversal are significant, as it highlights a pattern of reactive decision-making rather than a strategic, knowledge-based approach. This inconsistency could harm Ethiopias credibility on the regional and international stage.

7. Lessons for the Future:

To prevent a repeat of these missteps, it is essential for Ethiopia to adopt a knowledge-based approach to diplomacy and strategy, rather than one driven by impulsive ambitions. Learning from the mistakes made during this process will be crucial to avoid future diplomatic and economic losses. The case of the Ankora Agreement serves as a reminder that national credibility is a vital asset that should not be compromised by poorly calculated decisions.
Gazas civil defense agency has reported that a series of Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 58 individuals, including 12 guards who were securing aid trucks. The military asserts that its operations were aimed at militants who were planning to hijack these vehicles.

This latest wave of violence unfolded despite a rising sense of optimism surrounding negotiations for a ceasefire and the potential release of hostages. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan noted that the regional context has shifted in favor of reaching an agreement.

According to agency spokesman Mahmud Basal, seven guards were killed in an attack in Rafah, located in southern Gaza, while another strike in nearby Khan Yunis resulted in the deaths of five more guards.

Mr. Basal stated, The (Israeli) occupation has once again targeted those securing the aid trucks, although the military claimed it does not strike humanitarian aid trucks.

He further remarked that The trucks carrying flour were en route to UNRWA warehouses, referring to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

Witnesses later informed AFP that residents looted flour from the trucks following the airstrikes.

The military asserted that its forces conducted precise strikes overnight against armed Hamas militants situated within an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza.

In a statement, the military said, All of the terrorists that were eliminated were members of Hamas and were planning to violently hijack humanitarian aid trucks to transfer them to Hamas in support of ongoing terrorist activities.

Men transport the remains of a tree on a cart past destroyed buildings in Gaza City.

The United Nations and aid organizations have consistently warned about the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been worsened by the ongoing conflict that has lasted over 14 months.

UNRWA spokeswoman Louise Wateridge expressed to journalists during her visit to Nuseirat in central Gaza that conditions for people throughout Gaza are appalling and apocalyptic.

She added that life-saving aid to besieged areas in the north Gaza governorate has been largely blocked since the Israeli military commenced a sweeping assault in early October.

Earlier this week, UNRWA reported that it successfully delivered sufficient food aid to support 200,000 individuals in southern Gaza.

However, it was noted that a serious incident occurred, resulting in only one truck out of a convoy of 70, which was traveling along Gazas southern border, successfully reaching its destination.

Latest Middle East stories

The agency did not disclose further details regarding the incident but called for all parties to ensure safe, unimpeded, and uninterrupted aid deliveries.

As diplomatic efforts to end the conflict seemed to be gaining momentum, violence persisted.

According to the civil defense agency, Israeli airstrikes on two homes near Nuseirat refugee camp, which was struck again later in the evening, as well as in Gaza City, resulted in 21 fatalities.

Mr. Basal reported that fifteen individuals, including at least six children, lost their lives as a result of an Israeli bombing of a building that housed displaced individuals near Nuseirat.

Bassam al-Habash, a relative of the deceased in Nuseirat, stated emphatically, These individuals are innocent; they are not wanted. They have no connection to the conflict.

They are civilians, and this is not a conflict between two armies, but rather a confrontation armed with weapons, airplanes, and Western support against a defenseless population that owns nothing.

Another airstrike this evening killed at least 25 people and injured 50 others in the Nuseirat refugee camp, as reported by the civil defense agency.

We need your consent to load this rte-player content. We use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences

In the most recent diplomatic initiative aimed at ending the violence, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution yesterday calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

The non-binding resolution was met with rejection by the United States, Israels primary military supporter.

Nonetheless, recent days have shown indications that previously stalled negotiations for a ceasefire could be revived.

Families of the 96 hostages still held in Gaza since the Hamas attack that ignited the conflict, including 34 individuals that the Israeli military claims are deceased, are urging for their release.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who visited Israel today for discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conveyed that he got the sense that the Israeli leader was prepared to make a deal.

He also stated that Hamass approach to negotiations had shifted, attributing this change to the fall of their ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the ceasefire that was implemented in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, another Iranian-supported group.

We are now confronted with a drastically altered Middle East where Israel is stronger, and Iran is weaker, he remarked.

Notably, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Assad have all received backing from Iran.

During the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, militants took 251 hostages, resulting in the deaths of 1,208 people, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data.

This figure incorporates hostages who either died or were killed while being held in Gaza.

Israels counter-offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 44,805 individuals in Gaza, the majority of whom are civilians, according to data from the territorys health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.
South Korean lawmakers are set to vote on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol due to his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law, marking a tense second parliamentary confrontation.

Just one week after the initial impeachment attempt over the martial law issues faltered, the National Assembly plans to hold the vote around 4 PM local time (7 AM Irish time) to determine if he should be impeached for insurrectionary acts that threaten the constitutional order.

President Yoon has pledged to resist until the very last minute and has reiterated his unproven assertions that the opposition is collaborating with the nations communist adversaries.

Thousands of citizens in South Korea have taken to the streets of Seoul, demanding President Yoons resignation and imprisonment after his brief martial law announcement led to military presence in parliament last week.

Organizers have vowed to provide food and banners to boost the morale of demonstrators braving the chilly December weather.

K-pop artist Yuri, from the band Girls Generation, whose song Into the New World has emerged as a protest anthem, announced that she prepaid for meals for fans attending the protest.

Stay safe and take care of your health! she urged on a fan chat platform.

History will remember

For the impeachment motion to pass, 200 votes are necessary, which means opposition lawmakers must persuade eight members of Yoons conservative People Power Party (PPP) to defect.

Seven lawmakers from the ruling party have committed to supporting the impeachment, leaving the ultimate outcome uncertain.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has urged PPP lawmakers to stand with the people crying out in the freezing streets.

Please join us in backing the impeachment vote tomorrow, he implored. History will remember and document your decision.

South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol

In last weeks vote, two PPP lawmakers backed the motion. Opposition lawmaker Kim Min-seok expressed that he was 99% confident the impeachment would succeed.

If approved, Mr. Yoon would face suspension while South Koreas Constitutional Court reviews the case.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume the role of interim president. The court would then have 180 days to make a ruling regarding Mr. Yoons future.

If the court endorses his removal, Yoon would become only the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached.

However, there is also a precedent for the court to block impeachment; for instance, in 2004, then-president Roh Moo-hyun was ousted by parliament for alleged election law violations and incompetence, but was later reinstated by the Constitutional Court.

Moreover, the court currently comprises only six judges, necessitating a unanimous decision for any ruling.

Should the impeachment vote fail, Yoon could still face legal responsibility for the martial law attempt, according to Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, who spoke to AFP.

This is undeniably an act of insurrection, she stated.

Even if the impeachment motion does not succeed, the presidents legal accountability under the Criminal Code cannot be evaded.

So angry

Mr. Yoon has remained defiant and unrepentant as the consequences of his ill-fated martial law declaration intensify and investigations into his inner circle expand.

Prosecutors have revealed that a military commander who oversaw the Capital Defence Command has been arrested.

For further reading: South Koreas president retreats from martial law efforts after parliamentary rejection; South Koreas President Yoon survives impeachment attempt.

Seoul Central District Court has also issued arrest warrants for the national police chief and the head of the city police, citing concerns over evidence destruction.

President Yoons approval ratings, which have never been robust, have plummeted to 11%, as reported by a recent Gallup Korea poll.

The same survey indicated that 75% of respondents now favor his impeachment.

Protesters urging his ouster have represented a diverse swath of South Korean society, from K-pop enthusiasts wielding glowsticks to retirees and blue-collar workers.

Impeachment is imperative, and we must continue to fight tirelessly, stated Kim Sung-tae, a 52-year-old employee at a car parts manufacturer, to AFP.

Were advocating for the restoration of democracy, commented teacher Kim Hwan-ii. Im so angry that we all have to suffer the consequences of electing this president.
12/13/2024

By Brett Buckner



In November, the Jax State Women in STEM (WIS) club performed STEM activities for fourth graders at Kitty Stone Elementary School. This is the second time the WIS has visited Kitty Stone since the club was established in 2022. Last year, club members conducted STEM activities with second graders. They enjoyed it so much that they requested another visit this year, said Sharifah Albraiki, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Jax State and WIS club member.

This time, WIS members organized a variety of activities ranging from chemistry, physics, geography, and animal illustration. They taught students about states of matter, the periodic table, chemical reactions, and acid-base reactions/indicators. For the geography portion, they explored different rocks and minerals. Little River Canyon field school assistant director Rebekah Taylor brought frogs and turtles for the animal illustration session.

Both the second and fourth graders at KSE, along with our JSU student volunteers, had a fantastic time, Albraiki said, making the experience both fun and educational for everyone involved. Given how well this trip was received, Albraiki hopes more will be scheduled, possibly to Jacksonville High School. During these visits, we look forward to hosting activities such as DNA Day, along with other engaging STEM events, she said, to continue inspiring and recruiting students in the Jacksonville and surrounding areas.

Introducing these STEM activities for young learners helps them build foundational knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and inspires and encourages them to pursue careers in these fields. Additionally, it provides a valuable opportunity for JSU students to volunteer, collaborate in teams, and enhance their resumes through hands-on experience conducting these activities. I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude and recognition to our incredible JSU students and advisors from various STEM fields who volunteered their time, effort, and expertise to make this outreach experience a success, Albraiki said. Their flexibility, hard work, and dedication truly made a difference, and we couldnt have done it without them.

The Women in STEM (WIS) club was established to support and empower JSU female students who are studying or interested in the STEM fields. The club has several advisors from various STEM disciplines who play a key role in recruiting new members and leading the outreach activities. WIS focuses on three main agendas:
By Pinar Dinc, Lund University

(The Conversation)  After more than a decade of brutal civil war, it took Islamist militants just 11 days to sweep through Syria and topple the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The offensive, which has been driven by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has forced many residents in western Syria to flee their homes in search of safety.

Meanwhile, others are celebrating the end of the Assad familys five-decade rule. There are long queues of people and cars at Lebanons Masnaa border crossing as displaced people return to Syria, and there is also significant congestion at the border with Turkey.

According to Ali Yerlikaya, Turkeys interior minister, the monthly average of Syrians crossing the border nearly doubled in a single day after Assad was overthrown.

While these events have been unfolding, the situation in a de facto self-governing region in the countrys north-east called the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (also known as Rojava) has not received much attention in the international media. Emboldened by the success of the rebel offensive, the SNA is looking to gain ground in the region.

The regions governing body has called the fall of Assad a significant moment and expressed hopes for a new chapter in Syria. And Rojavas powerful armed groups, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have both also expressed optimism about the fall the Assad regime.

These statements reflect a shared sense of hope and a commitment to constructive dialogue and collaboration in shaping Syrias future. But Rojava, which has been a beacon of Kurdish self-administration and democratic governance since the early 2010s when several districts declared autonomy, is under significant threat both from internal and external forces.

Internally, there are tensions between the SDF and Arab tribes over political influence and Rojavas abundant natural resources. In Manbij, a city to the west of the Euphrates river in northern Syria, there have been heavy clashes between the SDF and the SNA since the start of the rebel offensive. The SDF reported successfully repelling multiple attacks, but eventually withdrew from the city.

Offensives have also reportedly begun in Kobane, which is seen as the birthplace of the Rojava revolution and a symbol of Kurdish resistance. The town is the site of a key battleground where Kurdish fighters defeated Islamic State (IS) in 2014.

In other cities in the region, such as Raqqa, Tabqa and the key desert city of Deir ez-Zor, Arabs are demographically more numerous than Kurds. The future of cooperation between the two groups in these Arab-dominated areas remains uncertain.

Over the past week, SDF fighters have captured Deir ez-Zor and have taken control of Syrias main border crossing with Iraq. More recently, however, there have been reports suggesting that HTS fighters are gaining control of the city.

Externally, Turkish military operations aimed at weakening Kurdish control of the region are a constant threat to Rojava. Turkey views the SDF and YPG as extensions of the banned Kurdistan Workers party and acts to prevent the Kurdish autonomous region along its border from gaining political status, which Turkey views as a direct threat to its national security.

So, in cooperation with allied jihadist groups, Turkey has carried out several operations in northern Syria in recent years to establish a safe zone to push back Kurdish forces. Turkish forces previously seized control of the city of Afrin in the north-western reaches of Syria in 2018, which was then under Rojavas control.

These actions have drawn international criticism, with accusations of human rights violations and war crimes. Sweden, along with several other European states, halted its arms trade with Turkey in 2019. However, Sweden later lifted the restrictions during its application process to join Nato.

Turkey plays a crucial role as an ally to Syrian opposition movements, particularly the SNA. It served as a vital support system for the rebel forces during the recent offensive, as it has done consistently in the past.

Rojavas future hinges on its ability to navigate these complex dynamics. Maintaining US support is critical, as American military presence provides a deterrent against Turkish aggression. However, the region must also address internal divisions and work towards greater Arab-Kurdish reconciliation to ensure long-term stability.

The path forward

Syrias opposition groups are highly fragmented, and we do not yet know how power struggles will unfold among them. One thing we do know is that HTS and its leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani have historic links to al-Qaeda and IS. The group is now presented in a more moderate light, but many uncertainties remain.

Rojava, on the other hand, has fought fiercely against IS, protected Yazidis during the genocidal campaign against them and established humanitarian corridors for their evacuation, and aspires to implement a multi-ethnic society based on the principles of direct democracy, ecology and gender equality.

The Charter of the Social Contract of Rojava safeguards these principles and ensures the representation and rights of Kurds, Arabs, Yazidis, Syriac-Assyrians, Turkmens, Armenians and others.

It is perplexing that, despite the apparent confidence in Jolani  a figure who was once branded the worlds most wanted terrorist  as a moderate revolutionary leader, there is scant recognition of the democratic model Rojava has offered since its establishment.

Instead of receiving the support it merits, Rojava is being targeted, raising questions about the international communitys priorities and the prospects for sustainable peace in the region. The Syrian people, in all their diversity and voices, must determine ways to build a truly inclusive and democratic Syria where all people can coexist in peace.

Pinar Dinc, Associate Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science & Researcher, Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

-

Bonus Video added by Informed Comment:

Kurds caught in crossfire of Syria power vacuum  FRANCE 24 English
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation contributed to addressing drinking water supply, a pressing issue in many parts of Africa. As part of the Foundation's "Development of Education and Culture in African Countries" project, a school in Rwamagana, the administrative center of Rwanda's Eastern Province, has been provided with access to clean drinking water, Trend reports.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, visited Rwamagana city school during her visit to Rwanda.

She was briefed on the water well installed with the Foundation's support, which now supplies approximately 3 tons of drinking water per hour. Previously, the local community relied heavily on rainwater harvesting for their needs.

While visiting the school, students learned about Azerbaijan and enjoyed traditional Azerbaijani dishes, further strengthening cultural exchange.




Saturday, December 14, 2024  President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been forced back to the drawing board.

This is after the High Court declared the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Amendment Bill 2023 unconstitutional.

The ruling by Justice Lawrence Mugambi comes amid a new push to reconstitute the electoral body.

This, in essence, throws another huddle into the already challenging process.

In his ruling, Justice Mugambi averred to the lack of public participation as the grounds to annul laws.

The Bill which proposes critical changes to the institution's operations and structure, was signed into law by Ruto.

Ruto signed the IEBC (Amendment) Bill 2022 into law in January 2023, which required the Selection Panel to have representatives of the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya.

The Bill passed saw the Parliamentary Service Commission and the Inter-religious Council of Kenya allocate two members (a man and a woman) each, while the PSC, PPLC, and LSK had one member nominated to the panel.

Under the new provisions, qualifications for commissioners were raised to include a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in relevant fields such as electoral management, finance, or ICT.

The new law also included a new threshold requiring the candidates for the chairperson's role to meet criteria equivalent to those of a Supreme Court judge.

These reforms stem from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), formed by President Ruto and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition in a deal to end the protests that followed the 2022 polls.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa is on the spot for circulating a poll alleging that Kenya's candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship contest Raila Odinga has taken an early lead.

In the poster, the MP alleged that according to an opinion poll, Raila had taken an early lead with 80 per cent followed by Mohamoud Ali of Djibouti with 8 percent.

"Raila Odinga takes the early lead! The AUC CHAIRMANSHIP seat is Ours for keeps!" read the caption of the poster posted by the MP on X on Thursday.

The poster further alleged that Richard Randrimandrato gained 2 percent of the votes with 10 per cent still remaining undecided. The poster was circulated on social media platforms and gained a lot of traction.

However, Amani Africa, dismissed the poster, revealing that they had not conducted such a poll. They criticised the MP for being irresponsible, describing his actions as malicious and criminal.

"This is utterly irresponsible. The use of an organisation that never undertook a poll is disinformation, misinformation, and maliciously criminal," read the post by Amani Africa on X.

The organisation has demanded that the MP withdraw its logo from the poster immediately.

"Amani Africa totally rejects this act and demands the immediate withdrawal of the use of its logo," the post continued.

The fake information by the MP came as Africa was waiting to see the three candidates engage in a debate dubbed Mjadala Afrika which happened yesterday.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Four suspected gold scammers arrested on Wednesday, December 11 have today been arraigned at Milimani Law Courts charged with several counts of Conspiracy to defraud and Forgery.

The four are implicated in a USD 100,000 scam.

In the case investigated by the DCI Operation Support Unit, Susan Wanjeri Kogi, Elvis Muga Ouma, Nazlin Karim Rahimbux, and Hubbard Kanyago Ndong'o are accused of conspiring to defraud a Niger businessman of the said amount, while purporting to be Customs officials based in the Capital.

In the broader scheme that crosses borders to the country of Mali, the victim whose company is based in Dubai reported to have lost over USD 5,000,000 between February 2024 and December, which was meant for the purchase, clearance, and transportation of 100kg of gold to Dubai from Mali.

But as is their norm (and having received the hefty sum), the fraudsters introduced allegations of the gold consignment being confiscated by Customs officers in Nairobi while on transit to Dubai.

What followed was the scammers in Mali giving a through pass to their Kenyan accomplices who sent an invoice from DARDESSA Logistics Limited - an alleged Kenyan company (agent) that was allegedly holding the said consignment.

The complainant was instructed to send USD 100,000 which he did, thereafter receiving a confirmation of receipt from Susan Wanjeri.

He later travelled to Kenya where he met the fake agents, who made several attempts to obtain more dollars from him. He got suspicious and reported the fraud.

Launching an intelligence-led operation, detectives ambushed the accused persons at various parts of the Capital and took them to custody.

Upon arraignment at court no. 5 today, the four pleaded not guilty and were granted Sh 500,000 bond with the alternative of a cash bail of Sh 200,000. The case will be mentioned on Jan 21, 2025.

Businesspersons are reminded to be wary of rings of organized fraudsters who sit in opulence, grabbing every slight opportunity to gain from the toil and sweat of genuine traders.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The number of colonized territories in the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) report will be more in the next years, but we believe that this number should decrease, and we hope that within five to ten years reporting on colonized territories will no longer be needed, the executive director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) Abbas Abbasov said during the presentation of the report dedicated to December 14Decolonization Day, Trend reports.

He noted that BIG held 17 international conferences this year.

Some of these conferences were held at the UN headquarters in New York and Geneva.

In addition, our organization also functions as a think tank. This year our team prepared and submitted more than seven reports to the relevant entities.

These reports have yielded good results. The UN Human Rights Committee for the first time requested the French government to provide an evidentiary report on armed forces in Martinique and New Caledonia as well as illegal arrests. There has been no such request to the French government in the last five to ten years, he said.




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) has accused former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Presidents Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Nelson Havi, and an unnamed group of legal practitioners of systematic and sustained online attacks against the Judiciary and its leadership.

In a statement coming against the backdrop of another by Chief Justice Martha Koome early this week, the association said it will seek redress to the online attacks it said are unorthodox and unconstitutional and meant to cajole the Judiciary towards a self-serving agenda, which it added risks undermining the rule of law and administration of justice.

Online attacks against Judges and Judicial Officers as well as all other forms of intimidation of Judges and Judicial Officers outside the formal avenues pose an unwarranted distraction from the dispensation of justice and adjudication of justice.

"The threats are an assault on the rule of law and the administration of justice, stated KMJA President Justice Stephen Radido.

KMJA condemned the online attacks terming them unacceptable, underscoring that the public criticism serves to undermine and degrade the work of the Judiciary and its officials.

Radido added that the critics displayed a show of bad faith in their condemnation since they did not follow the lawful channels of airing their grievances.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has been directed to disclose Kenya's foreign debts, bonds, and contracts signed on behalf of the country within 45 days.

In a ruling by High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi, Mbadi, and the Attorney General were directed to provide the information and explanation concerning how the funds raised from the sovereign bonds were or have been spent.

The judge was ruling over the case petitioned by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), and Wanjiru Gikonyo filed 2022 when the petitioners sued the government after it failed to provide the information.

"The court has now ordered the State to provide, within 45 days: details of all debt agreements made on behalf of Kenya, information on sovereign bonds and breakdown of expenditure of all borrowed funds," read a part of Mugambi's ruling.

CS Mbadi and the AG are expected to relay the information on public debt and Treasury bonds to the KHRC.

Mugambi termed the refusal by the state to supply the information sought as a violation of the right of access to information and the principle of openness and accountability in financial matters.

If Mbadi and the AG fail to provide the information then they will have violated the principles of openness and financial accountability in matters of public finance, Mugambi ruled.

In February 2022, the KHCR and Wanjiru Gikonyo wrote to the government in a letter addressed to the Treasury Ministry seeking clarification and information on the list of Kenya's sovereign bondholders, including beneficial ownership information of the issuing companies, among other issues.

The state failed to provide the information, urging that it was already available in the state's annual budget policy, which is available in the public domain.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - President William Ruto has announced plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a move aimed at bolstering regional trade and investment.

Speaking during the opening of the East Africa Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa, Ruto emphasized the importance of this infrastructure expansion for regional integration.

He stated that the SGR extension will facilitate easier transportation across borders, enhancing connectivity among East African nations.

We have now agreed with Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC that the Standard Gauge Railway will be extended from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC so that we both can use the SGR whenever we are going to these places, Ruto said.

These pieces of infrastructure are important for the integration of our region.

According to Ruto, SGRs extension is expected to significantly boost intra-regional trade, which currently stands at 28 percent, while contributing to the broader goals of economic integration within the East African Community.

He highlighted that this move could lay the foundation for the integration of the entire African continent under the proposed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Already, Uganda has launched ground operations for the construction of the SGR, with the first phase of the project set to begin with a 272 km stretch from Malaba to Kampala.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has pledged to collaborate with African leaders to secure two permanent seats for the continent on the United Nations Security Council if elected as African Union Chairperson.

Raila Odinga emphasized that securing permanent representation for Africa on the UN Security Council, complete with veto powers, is non-negotiable and would ensure fair representation for the continent under his leadership as African Union Chairperson.

He lamented that Africa, with 55 sovereign nations, does not have any seat yet Europe has three.

I'm not going to talk about permanent representation. If the heads of state see fit that I should head this, I will work with all the leadership of the continent to ensure that we get a fair treatment of the international scene, he said.

Raila Odinga made these remarks on Friday night during the African Union Leadership debate, Mjadala Afrika.

He, however, attributed the continued under-representation of Africa to the fact that the UNSC was formed at a time when most parts of Africa were colonies.

Raila said it was unacceptable that Africa with 1.4 billion people has no representation on the council.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has broken his silence over the recent meeting between President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.

Reacting to the recent developments, Wandayi welcomed Uhuru to the Kenya Kwanza government.

He noted that as a Kenyan, Uhuru is welcome to join the Ruto-led government.

According to the CS, the vital matter in Kenya right now is fostering unity, and the Kenya Kwanza Government welcomes all those interested in unity from all walks of life.

"We support all efforts to unite Kenyans, we are also in support of Ruto's strategies to unite Kenyans. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is a Kenyan, and there is no problem if he united with President William Ruto," the CS noted.

CS Wandayi is one of the beneficiaries of the broad-based government between Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and has hailed the efforts for unity, noting that it is one of the reasons the opposition is now working with the government.

"There is a time for everything previously we were Opposition, but now we are all in government, working under the broad-based government," the CS noted.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa has surprised Kenyans after he accepted President William Ruto's Chief of the Burning Spear (CBS) award despite being an ardent ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement on X, Thangwa expressed gratitude after receiving the award.

The CBS Award, one of Kenya's highest civilian honours, recognizes exemplary service and outstanding contributions to the nation.

The Kiambu Senator reflected on the significance of the award, noting it transcends political divides.

"The Chief of the Burning Spear Award is one of the highest honours recognising outstanding service and contributions to Kenya. It transcends individual politics and focuses on the collective good of the nation," he stated.

Karungo has been outspoken, often aligning himself with Gachagua's vision for the Mt Kenya region.

However, he clarified that accepting the award was not a reflection of political loyalty to the current administration but a testament to his dedication to serving the people of Kenya.

"While I may not align with the current government's policies or leadership, my acceptance of the award would be to honour the values it represents and the people it seeks to uplift. It is a recognition of service to Kenya, not a statement of political allegiance," Karungo added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, December 14, 2024 - A middle-aged African man is the talk of social media after he exchanged vows with an elderly white woman in an invite-only wedding attended by friends and family.

In the video, the youthful groom is seen holding the brides hand as they make a grand entrance into the church where they make lifetime vows.

The couple was also pictured flaunting their wedding rings, sparking a lot of reactions among social media users.

Check this out.








BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Kazakhstan will officially hand over the Chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to Azerbaijan at the Seventh Ministerial Council (MC) meeting, set to take place online on December 17, 2024, Trend reports.

This marks the conclusion of Kazakhstan's 2020-2024 tenure and the beginning of Azerbaijan's 2024-2026 Chairmanship.

The foreign ministers of CICAs 28 Member States will discuss pressing regional and global issues, including peace, security, and the evolving geopolitical landscape. The meeting is also expected to result in the adoption of key documents, including a statement marking the 25th anniversary of CICAs founding principles established in 1999.

Among the anticipated outcomes is the creation of a CICA network of universities to promote academic and scientific cooperation, a proposal initially introduced by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2022. Additionally, ministers are expected to expand confidence-building measures (CBMs) by including volunteerism as a new area of collaboration and adopting a framework to enhance the effectiveness of CBMs.

Azerbaijan will host the next CICA Summit in 2026, concluding its Chairmanship term.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Clementine Mukeka, Permanent Secretary of Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in Kigali, Trend reports.

The meeting focused on measures to be implemented under the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's project, "Development of Education and Culture in African Countries," and bilateral collaboration. Both sides expressed optimism that future cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and African countries would contribute positively to fostering relations.

As part of her visit, Leyla Aliyeva also met with Sandrine Umutoni, State Minister for Youth and Arts, to explore cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Rwanda. The discussions covered cooperation in education, youth exchange programs, and the positive impact of these initiatives on strengthening ties between the two peoples.

The meetings also emphasized organizing exhibitions on various topics to help the peoples of both nations gain a deeper understanding of each other's cultures.
Baden-Wurttembergs Minister for Science, Research, and the Arts, Petra Olschowski, and the Chairman of KITs Supervisory Board, Professor Michael Kaschke, presented the chain of office to Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, the new President of KIT. (Photo: KIT)

Professor Jan S. Hesthaven has been President of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) since October 1, 2024. Now the official inauguration ceremony has taken place, with over 400 invited guests in attendance. Petra Olschowski, Baden-Wurttembergs Minister of Science, Research and the Arts, and Professor Michael Kaschke, Chairman of the KIT Supervisory Board, presented Hesthaven with the chain of office at the event, which was held in the Audimax at KIT.

View this album for photos of the event.

Hesthaven, a 58-year-old Dane, noted in his inaugural speech that KIT had a duty to be of service to society and that it faced major changes and challenges. Increased internationalization will play a key role. We need to ensure that KIT attracts talent not only from Germany but also from around the world, he said. The President named three challenges confronting society: new health technologies for an aging population, the spread of artificial intelligence, and sustainability. These are the three areas in which we need to work with our partners to provide solutions, Hesthaven said, adding that doing so would call for what had characterized KIT over the past 200 years: boldness. In that regard, Professor Hesthaven singled out KIT as a unique place for research and teaching. No other German scientific organization has a comparable model, and even at the international level there are very few such institutions.

Cem Ozdemir, Federal Minister of Education and Research, congratulated Hesthaven on his new role. Professor Hesthaven unites an impressive international perspective with a clear vision of KITs future as both a university and a large-scale research institution. Not only will his approach of driving innovation and internationality make KIT stronger, it will also make important contributions to Germanys research landscape. I wish him and KIT all the best for this new and exciting phase.

Baden-Wurttembergs Minister of Science, Research and the Arts, Petra Olschowski, also praised Hesthavens great international experience, saying it would make KIT fit for the future. As a University of Excellence with national large-scale research responsibilities, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is a beacon in Baden-Wurttembergs university landscape. Im very happy that weve been able to recruit Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, an internationally recognized scientist and manager, to head this unique university, and Im convinced hell keep KIT on track for further success, Olschowski said. One of his goals as president is to continue increasing the research universitys internationalization, making it more attractive to outstanding scientists and talented students from all over the world. I wish Professor Hesthaven strategic finesse and the best of luck.

In his welcome speech, Professor Michael Kaschke, Chairman of the KIT Supervisory Board, drew attention to the universitys long-term prospects. KITs potential is unique in all of Germany. Its a potential that obliges us not to stop after achieving something but to keep on improving, to anticipate new circumstances instead of merely adapting to them. Im pleased that in Professor Hesthaven weve found an outstanding scientist and administrator who as president will lead KIT into a successful future in exactly this spirit.

Professor Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association, said: In his new role as president of KIT, Jan S. Hesthaven will be an immense gain for the Helmholtz Association. With his practical approach to research in the information sciences, he will drive the transfer of pioneering technologies and forcefully address the key challenges of our time. Not only is he an excellent scientist, he also has very good international connections. With his outsiders perspective, he will provide crucial ideas for the further improvement of research and teaching at KIT. Im very much looking forward to working with him.

And last but not least, KIT student representatives conveyed their wishes for a good start, good debates, and good luck with the German bureaucracy, and expressed their expectations of the new president: support for all departments, a no-blame culture, sustainable development of the campus, forceful representation of KIT in dealings with government and the public, and a fair and diverse KIT where everybody feels like part of a team.

Professor Jan S. Hesthaven is KITs fourth president. He follows Professor Holger Hanselka, who took the reins at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in August 2023. Professor Oliver Kraft, Vice President for Research, was Acting President of KIT during the interim period.

About Jan S. Hesthaven

Prior to assuming his position at KIT, Jan S. Hesthaven, born in 1965, was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL). His responsibilities included tight integration of research and teaching, all appointment procedures, and close cooperation with the president of EFPL on the universitys strategic alignment. He had been a professor of mathematics at EPFL since 2013. He was on the faculty of Brown University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States, from 1995 to 2013. At Brown, he was founding director of the Center for Computation and Visualization (2006 to 2013) and co-founder of the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics. Hesthaven studied computational physics and earned his doctorate at the Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen. He is a fellow of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, the American Mathematical Society, and the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics. He is also a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Academia Europaea. He received an honorary doctorate from the Technical University of Denmark in May 2024

Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The term of diplomatic activity of Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci has ended, the Turkish Embassy wrote on its X page, Trend reports.

According to the embassy, the diplomat was presented with a letter of gratitude in connection with his contribution to the bilateral relations of the countries.

To note, the President of the Education Foundation Birol Akgun will become the new ambassador of Turkiye to Azerbaijan.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Weather Alert

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR BOONE, NORTHWESTERN COLE AND NORTHEASTERN MONITEAU COUNTIES... At 614 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from near Sturgeon to near Russellville, or along a line from near Centralia to 10 miles southeast of California, moving northeast at 65 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include McBaine, Harrisburg, Lupus, Kliever, Sandy Hook, Wilton, Marion, Elston and Hartsburg. This includes the following State Parks... Rock Bridge State Park, Finger Lakes State Park and Jewell Cemetery Historic Site. This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri between exits 115 and 133. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. These storms are capable of producing widespread damaging winds and large hail. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT Friday for a portion of central Missouri. && THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE; HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN; WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 32 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 11 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS CALHOUN GREENE JERSEY MACOUPIN MADISON MONROE RANDOLPH SAINT CLAIR IN WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS ADAMS BROWN PIKE IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 29 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MISSOURI AUDRAIN BOONE CALLAWAY COLE MONITEAU OSAGE IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI CRAWFORD FRANKLIN GASCONADE JEFFERSON LINCOLN MONTGOMERY SAINT CHARLES SAINT LOUIS SAINT LOUIS CITY WARREN WASHINGTON IN NORTHEAST MISSOURI KNOX LEWIS MARION MONROE PIKE RALLS SHELBY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI IRON MADISON REYNOLDS SAINT FRANCOIS SAINTE GENEVIEVE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALTON, BELLEVILLE, BOWLING GREEN, CAHOKIA, CHESTER, COLUMBIA, EDWARDSVILLE, FARMINGTON, FULTON, HANNIBAL, JEFFERSON CITY, MEXICO, MOUNT STERLING, PITTSFIELD, QUINCY, SAINT CHARLES, SAINT LOUIS, SPARTA, SULLIVAN, UNION, AND WASHINGTON.

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest, and west central Illinois and central, east central, northeast, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT 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 14. A meeting on the results of 2024 was held with the foreign military attaches accredited to Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Defense.

The International Military Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense hosted the meeting.

The meeting was attended by 34 representatives of foreign states accredited to Azerbaijan.

Speaking about the victory in the Second Karabakh War, the Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department, Colonel Elchin Abdullayev noted that Azerbaijan achieved a historic victory, put an end to the 30-year occupation and separatist regime, as well as ensured the security in the South Caucasus region.

At the meeting, the work done within military cooperation in Azerbaijan in 2024 was highlighted and detailed information regarding the attaches' visits to various territories of the country was provided.

A thorough exchange of views on activities for the upcoming year and prospective plans was held, and questions of military attaches were answered.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
By Park Jin-hai

Ensemble OPUS, an ensemble featuring Korea's top-class musicians, will present its concert "Dreaming Afternoon" in Seoul to celebrate Christmas.

The ensemble led by artistic director Ryu Jea-joon, who has also been leading the Seoul International Music Festival since 2015, will create a magical atmosphere, perfect for celebrating the holiday season.

The concert opens with a familiar tune, the German carol "O Tannenbaum." Arranged for string quartet by Ryu, this beloved holiday music has turned into "Carol Variations," a delightful exploration of the original melody through 12 unique variations. They unfold like unwrapping presents, with each transforming in various ways  form a dance and a fugue to a canon or even jazz.

"Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet," composed by Ryu and premiered in Seoul in 2015, will be performed next. Rather than the clarinet and string quartet competing for dominance, this piece embodies the aesthetics of coexistence and harmony. The composer will unveil the newly revised third version of the piece through this concert.

Dvorak's "String Sextet, Op. 48," the final piece of the concert, was composed during a particularly optimistic period in the composer's life. The increased instrumentation results in a richer harmonic texture and a more dynamic interplay between the main melody and its counterpoint. With its infusion of Bohemian folk elements, Dvorak's music offers a vibrant and deeply emotional experience, showcasing the full potential of the string sextet.

Ensemble OPUS, established in 2009, is a distinguished classical music ensemble renowned for its exceptional musicianship. With composer Ryu as artistic director and violinist Baek Ju-young as leader, the ensemble has brought together a group of highly accomplished musicians for this special Seoul concert. Violinist Song Ji-won, violists Kim Sang-jin and Lee Han-na, cellists Kim Min-ji and Lee Jung-ran and clarinetist Cho Inn-hyuck will join to cultivate a deep musical bond that is evident in their performances.

The 90-minute "Dreamy Afternoon" concert will be held at the IBK Chamber Hall of Seoul Arts Center at 2 p.m., Dec. 22. Tickets are priced between 20,000 ($14) and 60,000 won ($42). Visit the Seoul Arts Center website to reserve a spot. For additional details, contact OPU at 1544-5142.
Chief managing director at Atinum Investment navigates Korea's dynamic startup ecosystem and its global potential

By Lee Yeon-woo

In 2009, Kim Che-uk, then a software engineer at Samsung Electronics, was invited to join a task force focused on developing the company's future revenue streams. Already feeling a lack of interest in his current position, Kim seized the opportunity. It introduced him to venture capital (VC) investment through engagement with global startups funded by Samsung Ventures.

Intrigued by the idea of applying his tech background to finance, Kim left Samsung a year later to join Atinum Investment, one of Korea's oldest VCs. What began as curiosity blossomed into a highly successful career, propelling him to the top of the industry and earning him recognition as its highest-paid individual.

When Kim joined Atinum, Koreas software ecosystem was still in its infancy, forcing him to focus on hardware investments despite his expertise in software. However, soon in the early 2010s, the emergence of services targeting internet and mobile users sparked a wave of innovation. Unicorn startups like Baemin, Toss and Dunamu emerged during this time, and Kim was ready to seize the moment.

In 2016, he recognized Dunamus potential early on and made a bold investment, when the companys valuation was just 50 billion won. The result was staggering returns of over 100 times the initial amount. He also placed early bets on other unicorns, including RIDI and Zigbang.

Now Atinums chief managing director, Kim believes the mobile innovation era has peaked.

"We are now witnessing a wave far greater than mobile. AI is reshaping everything on a fundamental level. This is not something that would last only a decade (as witnessed in the mobile wave). It could go decades," Kim said.

Beyond AI, the firm is also expanding its global presence. Though VC traditionally has a local focus reliant on building strong relationships with management teams, Atinum has reorganized its teams to focus on specific sectors while broadening their geographic scope.

"We recently reorganized teams so that each can focus on a specific field, narrowing down the sector further while expanding the geographic scope. The goal is to identify and invest in the best companies globally," Kim explained.

For example, Atinums software as a service (SaaS)-focused team oversees investments not just in Korea but also in the U.S., Japan and Southeast Asia. This approach enables the team to provide valuable insights to Japanese SaaS companies by leveraging the success of Korean firms expanding globally, with the same strategy being applied to Southeast Asia.

"This global approach significantly increases the potential for us to support and scale up the businesses we invest in," Kim said.

Among Atinums key priorities are B2B companies excelling on a global level.

"Koreas platform sector, or B2C, has largely exhausted what VCs can do within individual verticals. However, I anticipate that several of these B2B companies will achieve unicorn status within the next year or two, particularly in tech, robotics, SaaS and AI. This is pivotal for both our investment outcomes and the broader Korean venture ecosystem," he said.

"Basically, we have to expand overseas with industries Korea excels in."

Kim also sees significant opportunities emerging from the growing number of Korean founders launching startups in the U.S.

"These days, many Korean founders are launching tech and SaaS companies in the U.S., which is incredibly promising. They are Korean, making it easy to build strong rapport, yet they operate globally from Day 1. Its an opportunity we definitely dont want to miss," Kim said.

At the same time, Atinum has been building its global networks, securing its first overseas funding from Singapore-based Vertex Holdings in September 2023. This funding was part of Atinums record-breaking 860 billion won venture fund  the largest in Korean VC history.

"While our fund was also backed by contributions from the National Pension Service and Korea Development Bank, scaling it further will inevitably require overseas investments. This makes Singapore a crucial strategic foothold, particularly from a fundraising perspective," Kim said. Atinum has operated an office in Singapore since 2021.

There are several major funds in the U.S. and Asia that have shown significant interest in Korea.

"Many foreign investors have already achieved substantial success in the B2C sector, benefiting from the markets profitability, transparency and reliable returns. Such markets are rare, especially with Chinas growing restrictions. On top of that, Korea is now seeing the rise of numerous promising B2B companies," Kim said.

Such interest led Atinum to actively consider co-investment opportunities with major funds in the U.S. and Asia.

"Our aim is to introduce these foreign funds to our portfolio companies, to those valued at over 500 billion won, and drive further growth together," he said.

Despite the "winter" currently chilling the startup investment market, Kim sees opportunities ahead.

"Weve earned substantial profits from companies like Dunamu, but that wasnt the end. We reinvested a significant portion of those gains back into the ecosystem," he said. "Thats what we need to keep doing  continuing to invest and build for the future."
Currency, stock markets expected to recover as political uncertainties ease

By Lee Min-hyung

The Korean economy is expected to experience a significant rebound due to reduced political uncertainties, following the National Assembly's passage of a motion, Saturday, to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for his brief martial law declaration, according to government officials and market watchers.

Yoons botched martial law decree on Dec. 3 sent shockwaves across the financial markets, dealing a severe blow to the Korean won and local stocks.

With Asia's fourth-largest economy grappling with the fallout from the unprecedented political saga, Yoon's impeachment is expected to boost investor sentiment in the financial markets and help the economy recover.

If political uncertainties persist for a long period of time, Korea's sovereign credit rating will face downward pressure, the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade said in a report submitted to Rep. Kim Hyun-jung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

It said the financial markets have experienced extended volatility, marked by sharp fluctuations in stocks and a sharply strengthening U.S. dollar, as uncertainties surrounding Yoon's impeachment heightened jitters among investors.

The won stood at around 1,400 per dollar before Yoon declared martial law. However, it has since weakened to 1,436 won, reflecting investors' preference for safe-haven assets during the period of political turmoil.

The benchmark KOSPI also plummeted for four consecutive trading days from Dec. 4, as investors dumped local stocks. But it has since bounced back to levels seen before martial law declaration, driven by hopes that the impeachment of Yoon will alleviate political risks.

According to data from the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 2,494.46 points, Friday, inching closer to 2,500.1 points on Dec. 3.

High-ranking financial authorities also echoed a similar view that Yoon's impeachment will bode well for the economy.

The impeachment of the president is good for our economy, Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Bok-hyun said in a recent media interview. My view is that the eradication of political uncertainties is crucial for the economy.

Other data from December 2016, when former President Park Geun-hye was impeached, showed a similar pattern, indicating that the impeachment will help reduce fear and uncertainties surrounding the economy.

The KOSPI closed at 1,963.36 on Dec. 3, 2016, when opposition parties first brought forward an impeachment motion against Park. However, the index surged to 2,024.69 on Dec. 9, when the National Assembly voted in favor of impeaching her.

The main bourse displayed solid gains later and reached 2,097.35 on Mar. 10, 2017 when she was expelled.
Yoon Suk Yeol impeached by National Assembly, faces removal from post

By Lee Min-hyung

With the National Assembly voting to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, the historical precedents of former Korean leaders who faced a similar political fate have attracted significant attention.

On Saturday afternoon, Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly after 204 lawmakers voted in favor of removing him from office for his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. A total of 85 lawmakers opposed the motion.

This marks the third time that the National Assembly passed a presidential impeachment motion.

In March 2004, the late former President Roh Moo-hyun was suspended from his presidential duties after he was impeached by the legislature on charges of illegal electioneering. He became the first head of state to be impeached by lawmakers.

However, public sentiment remained largely unfavorable toward the opposition parties that led the impeachment, leading many people to take to the streets holding candlelight rallies to support Roh.

The Constitutional Court reinstated Roh after 63 days, saying that the charges were not serious enough to oust him from the nation's highest public office.

However, former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office in March 2017, about three months after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach her, following an escalating corruption scandal involving Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

The Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment in a unanimous 8-0 decision, making her the first president to be ousted while still serving their term.

Choi was arrested for her unauthorized interference in various state affairs, exploiting her decades-long relationship with Park. She pressured major conglomerates to donate tens of billions of won to two foundations under her control.

Millions of people took to the streets in protest of the scandal, demanding Park's impeachment. Public outrage reached its peak, causing far greater social unrest than during the period when Roh's impeachment motion was passed.





But it remains to be seen whether Yoon will follow Park's fate.

The sudden declaration of martial law reflected Yoons frustration with the opposition bloc, which holds a majority in the Assembly. The impeached president sought to justify his decision by accusing the opposition of passing what he described as unconstitutional bills indiscriminately, arguing that such actions would ultimately destroy the country.

But the opposition parties denounced Yoon for allegedly committing rebellion and violating other laws by deploying armed soldiers to the Assembly on the night he declared martial law.

The Constitutional Court is expected to make a decision within six months on his removal from office.
By Lee Min-hyung

Liberal and conservative civic groups are set to continue their respective rallies both in support of and against President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, even after the National Assembly passed a motion, Saturday, seeking to oust him.

As some groups plan to hold gatherings at Gwanghwamun Square and other locations in central Seoul, concerns are growing that the opposing sides may clash during their rallies at the same sites.

An anti-Yoon civic organization, composed of around 1,500 pro-labor groups from across the country, announced plans to hold a daily candlelight rally starting on Monday at Gwanghwamun Square. The group intends to call for the presidents immediate resignation over his short-lived imposition of martial law.

We urge citizens that this is just the beginning, and we must remain vigilant, it said in a statement shortly after the Assembly passed the motion.

We will also hold simultaneous rallies all across the nation on Dec. 21, it said.

Another progressive civic group, the Candlelight Movement, will also stage a march from Seoul City Hall to the Constitutional Court on Sunday afternoon protesting Yoons martial law order.

Conservative groups are also moving to hold large-scale protests against the impeachment of Yoon.

A prominent pro-Yoon conservative organization, led by far-right Christian pastor Jun Kwang-hoon, called on its members to participate in a rally on Dec. 21 at Gwanghwamun Square to oppose the impeachment of Yoon and prevent his removal from office.

We request each member to bring 10 more people to the upcoming rally, it said.

The rallies by both sides are expected to persist throughout 2024 and potentially into early next year, as the Constitutional Court's review to determine whether to reinstate the president or uphold the impeachment could take up to six months.
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg, Saturday, following the National Assembly's vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, the foreign ministry said.

Cho stressed to Goldberg that "South Korea's foreign and security policies, anchored in its alliance with the United States, remain unchanged even under the acting leadership system," the ministry said in a message to reporters.

"The minister reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to strengthening and advancing the alliance," the ministry said.

Both sides agreed to continue close communication to further develop the robust alliance, it added.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun met with Japanese Ambassador to Seoul Koichi Mizushima to explain the situation regarding the passage of the impeachment vote.

Kim emphasized that Korea's policy toward Japan will continue and the government will continue efforts to develop bilateral relations.

They agreed to continue close coordination bilaterally, and also trilaterally with the U.S., their mutual ally, amid the grave international situation, the ministry said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won met with Fang Kun, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, and assured that Seoul will continue to work toward enhancing the strategic cooperative partnership with Beijing.

The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and work together to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. (Yonhap)




By Anna J. Park

After the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly contacted senior diplomats from the U.S., Japanese, and Chinese embassies in Seoul to reaffirm that Korea's foreign policy direction would remain unchanged.

In a notice sent to the press corps, the ministry said Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg on Saturday evening to discuss the latest political developments, including the passage of the impeachment motion.

The prompt meeting stood in sharp contrast to what occurred on the night of Dec. 3, when it was Goldberg who had immediately reached out to Cho after Yoon's martial law declaration. However, the foreign minister did not answer the phone. He later explained that he had chosen not to respond, as he did not want to mislead the ambassador with the limited information he had at that moment.

During the meeting, Cho emphasized that South Korea's foreign and security policies, firmly grounded in the Korea-U.S. alliance, would remain unchanged, even under the acting president system. He reassured the officials that the governments commitment to strengthening and developing the alliance remains steadfast.

Both countries also agreed to continue close communication to further strengthen the robust Korea-U.S. alliance, the ministry added.

Kim Hong-kyun, the first vice foreign minister, also met with Japanese Ambassador Koichi Mizushima.

Kim emphasized that Korea's foreign policy direction will remain consistent and that the government will continue to make steadfast efforts to further develop Korea-Japan relations.

The two sides agreed to maintain close communication under the current situation and continue the trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the United States.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won held a meeting with Fang Kun, the charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul. The two sides agreed to enhance mutual economic cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is now acting president, immediately issued urgent instructions to all ministries after the passage of the impeachment motion. The prime minister particularly urged the foreign minister to "maintain close communication channels with major countries, while affirming the strong Korea-U.S. alliance."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Commander of Azerbaijan's Combined Arms Army, Major General Kanan Seyidov, who is on a visit to the Republic of Turkiye at the invitation of Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, Army General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, visited several military facilities, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

During the visit, Major General Kanan Seyidov visited the Turkish Land Forces' Aviation Command and one of the military units. The delegation was briefed on the tactical-technical characteristics of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), their use in traditional battles, the organization of combat flight and aerial bombs designed for UAVs. The flights of UAVs performing a combat mission in real time were observed from the control point.

Then the delegation arrived at the Turkish Special Forces Command. A briefing was presented on the Special Forces' development path, the assigned tasks and the training process of cadets. Outdoor and indoor simulators designed for the professional training of special forces and the improvement of their combat skills were reviewed. The practical implementation of conditional tasks on anti-terror operations using modern technologies and new combat tactics was observed.

Commander of the Combined Arms Army visited the Mountain Commando School and Training Center Command in Isparta city. Here, the delegation was briefed on the command's activities, the education system and process. The delegation also reviewed various types of weapons and communications equipment available in the armament of the commandos were demonstrated, as well as cadets' commando training process, and various simulators and classrooms. Major General Kanan Seyidov met with servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army studying there and inquired about their training level.
The European Union (EU) called for a "swift and orderly resolution" in Korea, Saturday, in line with its constitution, following the parliamentary vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"The EU takes note of the decision by the National Assembly to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. It is important now to ensure a swift and orderly resolution of the current political crisis in line with the Korean Constitution," an EU spokesperson said in a statement.

"The Republic of Korea is an important strategic partner for the EU," the statement read, referring to Korea by its official name. (Yonhap)
The United States appreciates the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in South Korea and its alliance with the Asian country remains "ironclad," a White House official said Saturday after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt.

South Korea's legislature impeached Yoon, suspending him from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as the acting president.

"We appreciate the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in the ROK. Our Alliance remains ironclad, and the United States is committed to the peace and security of the Korean peninsula," a National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"The American people will continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of the Republic of Korea," the official added. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol's parliamentary impeachment Saturday sparked concerns over the readiness of the military against North Korean threats as it now faces an unprecedented gap in its top leadership.

Earlier in the day, an impeachment motion against Yoon over his failed Dec. 3 declaration of martial law passed at the National Assembly, suspending his presidential powers, including his control over the military as the commander-in-chief.

Yoon's powers will be handed over to the acting president  Prime Minister Han Duck-soo  in a first since 2016 when then President Park Geun-hye was impeached.

As the military will now be led by an acting president and an acting defense minister, concerns have emerged over North Korea possibly perceiving the situation as a vacuum in military leadership and engaging in provocative acts to escalate tensions.

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho currently serves as the acting defense chief after former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun resigned from office and was subsequently arrested over his role in the short-lived imposition of martial law.

The situation is further complicated by a transitional period in the U.S. military leadership in South Korea, with Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, to be replaced by his successor Gen. Xavier Brunson next week.

A number of top South Korean commanders have also been suspended from their duties over their alleged role in the martial law imposition, raising further questions over the country's defense readiness.

As of Thursday, six generals had been suspended from their duties, including the head of the Army, the Capital Defense Command and the Special Warfare Command.

Despite the apparent leadership vacuum of some key units, the military has said there are no issues with its overall readiness posture.

On Friday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said most of the suspended commanders led units mostly tasked with counterterrorism, and are not related to frontline forces that would immediately face North Korean troops in a contingency.

As part of efforts to maintain readiness, acting minister Kim held video talks with LaCamera on Thursday in a show of solidarity between the allies.

During the talks, LaCamera told Kim that his troops remain prepared to respond to external threats, vowing to work to "mitigate any risks" to the two sides' planned combined training activities.

With Yoon's impeachment, Kim is likely to hold talks with LaCamera again to reaffirm the alliance's unity even in the face of domestic political turmoil.

Kim is also expected to convene a meeting of top military commanders to inspect troop readiness against North Korean threats.

After Park's impeachment and that of President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004, the military immediately held a meeting of top commanders as well as talks with senior U.S. military officials.

Since the declaration of martial law, the South Korean military has yet to detect any unusual signs of North Korean military activity.

However, it is expected to deploy more reconnaissance assets to monitor the North amid persisting concerns Pyongyang could attempt to take advantage of the political situation with military activity. (Yonhap)




Prosecutors questioned Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, the chief of the Capital Defense Command, Saturday, as part of their ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law, according to prosecution sources.

Lee, who was arrested Friday night under a warrant, was interrogated as a suspect in the case starting early Saturday, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

He is accused of ordering the deployment of martial law troops to the National Assembly after Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3. He had previously been placed under a travel ban. Parliament lifted the martial law shortly after it was imposed.

Several military commanders are under investigation for their roles in enforcing martial law. Lee is the third high-ranking commander to be arrested, following the detentions of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Defense Counterintelligence Command chief Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung.

Prosecutors were reportedly questioning Lee about his alleged decision to send troops under his command to the National Assembly, including whether the troops were armed.

Investigators are also expected to look into exactly what instructions Lee received from Yoon following the martial law declaration and whether Lee's command coordinated with the Defense Counterintelligence Command to arrange detention facilities for major political figures.

Kim Dae-woo, the chief investigator at the Defense Counterintelligence Command, testified at the National Assembly, Tuesday, that he was instructed by the command chief to arrest and detain about 14 individuals under the martial law. Prosecutors have said they found evidence suggesting the command considered using an underground bunker or a jail under the Capital Defense Command's jurisdiction as places for detaining the figures.

Prosecutors were also to call in Kim for questioning at about 2 p.m. for the martial law probe.

Prosecutors plan to seek a separate warrant to formally detain Lee within 48 hours. (Yonhap)




By KTimes

The area in front of the National Assembly in Seoul was packed Friday night with citizens chanting for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment ahead of the second motion vote scheduled the next day.

Park Joo-young, 36, a participant, said, "I didnt attend last Saturdays rally, but seeing People Power Party lawmakers walk out without voting made me feel betrayed, so I came today. I hope the impeachment motion passes tomorrow."

Park said that after watching the president's address, he felt he could no longer live in a country led by someone like Yoon, prompting him to join the rally in the hope of seeing his impeachment.

The protests fervor extended beyond Yeouido to other parts of Seoul, including Yongsan, fueled by anger over Yoons recent address, which was seen as an attempt to deflect responsibility for the Dec. 3 martial law fiasco.

Organizers expect more than 1 million people to gather near the National Assembly on Saturday, although official estimates place the number at 200,000.

At the People Power Party headquarters, protesters staged symbolic acts, declaring the party "a dead political entity" for opposing impeachment. Civic groups and individuals affixed eviction notices to the building and criticized the partys stance.

Protests also targeted ruling party lawmakers across Seoul, with banners questioning their roles, such as, "Will you go down in history as a traitor?"

Youth organizations and student groups also joined the protests, gathering near the presidential office in Yongsan. A coalition of 33 youth organizations and four civic groups issued a joint declaration calling for Yoons immediate resignation, accusing his administration of oppressing workers, women, and students.

The groups attempted to deliver a letter demanding Yoons resignation to the presidential office but were blocked by police. University campuses across the country also continued to issue political declarations, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among younger generations.

On Saturday, as the revote on the impeachment motion is scheduled for 4 p.m., Candlelight Action, which has been organizing daily rallies in Yeouido, will start a march at 1:30 p.m. near the National Assembly.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions will host a gathering at Yeouido Park at 2 p.m., culminating in a main rally near National Assembly Station at 3 p.m.

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.
Some 50 Korean Americans held a rally in front of the White House in Washington, Friday, to call for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt last week as they underscored their support for a resilient democracy in Korea.

A civic group, called the Global Candlelight Action (GCA), organized the event in tandem with various other activist groups. Such rallies have taken place or been set to occur in more than a dozen U.S. cities this week, including New York, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Boston, according to an organizer.

Friday's event came as Korea's National Assembly was set to vote on a second impeachment motion against Yoon, Saturday (KST).

"I was very frustrated and ashamed when watching the martial law news updates," Cho Hyun-sook, a Washington, D.C., coordinator of the Korea Peace Now, told reporters during the rally in Lafayette Square.

"I couldn't help but get reminded of the Gwangju uprising in 1980," she added, referring to a pro-democracy uprising in South Korea's southwestern city of Gwangju.

Also participating in the rally was Irene Kim, a university student in Washington.

"I have kept on checking related news every day," she said, voicing concerns over the aftermath of Yoon's short-lived martial law imposition. "More than six of my friends told me that they hoped my country would be fine."

Lee Jae-soo, a Washington, D.C., coordinator of the GCA, said that the rally was arranged to demonstrate that Korean American activists stand in solidarity with Korean activists who have been participating in demonstrations in front of the National Assembly.

Yoon abruptly declared emergency martial law on Dec. 3 but retracted the decree hours later following social and political blowback. (Yonhap)




Koreans held nationwide rallies Saturday to demand the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, coinciding with a scheduled vote on a second impeachment motion against him in the National Assembly.

Protests were held across major cities, where demonstrators called for Yoon's immediate resignation and urged lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to support the impeachment motion.

In Seoul, citizens began gathering several hours before the start of a massive rally organized by progressive civic groups outside the National Assembly in Yeouido.

"I wanted to get a good spot and make my voice heard," said Nam Da-hyun, 29, who arrived early. "While I hope for impeachment, what's even more important is continuing to show up like this and ensuring that society moves in a better direction."

Baek Eun-kyung, 46, who traveled from the southern provincial city of Suncheon on a KTX train to take part in the rally, said, "I came here because the government has practically declared war on its own people and refuses to take responsibility. I want to help create a world where my children can live safely."

As of 2:30 p.m., about 85,000 people were gathered at the rally, according to an unofficial police estimate.

Due to the crowd, Seoul Metro officials said trains on subway line No. 9 were bypassing the National Assembly Station as a precaution to prevent accidents caused by congestion.

Showing the nation's political division over Yoon's fate, however, tens of thousands of conservative demonstrators, mostly middle-aged and older, rallied against the impeachment of Yoon near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, waving both South Korean and U.S. flags.

Police estimated the crowd at about 38,000, while organizers claimed attendance reached 1 million.

In Gwangju, a coalition of 145 civic groups held a rally in the city center in support of the impeachment motion, followed by a march along Geumnam Street. Thousands will retrace the historic route of the May 18, 1980, Gwangju Uprising, a pivotal event in South Korea's democratic movement, during the march, according to organizers.

Similar demonstrations were also held in traditional conservative strongholds, including Busan, Daegu, and South and North Gyeongsang provinces.

In Busan, rallies took place in the bustling Seomyeon district, where participants were expected to march before gathering to watch the impeachment vote live.

In Daegu, opposition parties and civic groups organized separate rallies on the central Dongseong Street, anticipated to draw thousands. Protesters voiced frustration over Yoon's leadership and demanded his resignation amid growing public discontent.

In Gangwon Province, candlelight vigils were held in seven cities and counties, including Gangneung, Yoon's maternal hometown, where residents were to gather near a local landmark to demand his removal from office.

Additional rallies were held in Jeju, Incheon, Daejeon, and across North and South Chungcheong provinces, underscoring the nationwide scale of the discontent.

The impeachment motion follows Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. The first motion failed last Saturday due to a lack of quorum.

One rally organizer described the protests as a fight to "topple" the Yoon administration and safeguard democracy.

"Yoon ceased to be president the moment he pointed a gun at the democratic republic," the organizer said, requesting anonymity. "We will unite with citizens nationwide to topple him, the mastermind behind the insurrection attempt, and protect our democratic republic." (Yonhap)
Supporters of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shared dark conspiracy theories and braved freezing weather in downtown Seoul, Saturday, ahead of an impeachment vote that could remove their leader from office.

Opinion polls showed Friday that more than 75 percent of the Korean public say Yoon must be impeached for last week's botched attempt to impose the country's first martial law in decades.

But a vocal minority still back him, gathering in the thousands at Seoul's central square Saturday morning to oppose the impeachment, claiming the country's elections have been rigged and the opposition infiltrated by pro-North Korea elements.

"Yoon had no choice but to declare martial law. I approve of every decision he has made as president," Choi Hee-sun, 62, told AFP, clutching a Korean flag.

"It has been statistically proven 100 percent that our elections were manipulated," she said.

"We have absolute evidence."

Anti-Yoon protesters are predominantly young, their rallies featuring a festival-like atmosphere with slogans set to K-pop songs, glow sticks, and whimsical protest banners.

Yoon's supporters are much older  and their anthems are distinctly less upbeat.

One song declared: "If I could save my motherland by sacrificing my life, I'd gladly do so."

And a protester dressed in military uniform warned the country would fall under the control of "pro-North Korea" forces if the impeachment goes ahead.

It echoed Yoon's own words during the martial law declaration, in which he vowed to protect the country from shadowy pro-communist actors.

"There are so many North Korea followers in the opposition now," said the 70-year-old protester, who asked to be identified only by his surname Yoon.

"We can't trust them."

And with lawmakers due to vote at 4 p.m., one banner warned: "We cannot entrust the steering wheel to madmen."

Lee Young-sook, 72, said such a scenario was "unimaginable."

"Without the president, there is no country," she told AFP.

"I've come out here today to protect my country, despite the cold weather."

Conspiracy theories flourished on social media long before the martial law declaration.

But many within the online conspiracy ecosystem have felt vindicated by Yoon's claims that the National Election Commission (NEC) was vulnerable to outside interference.

The NEC has denied the interference allegations  and said the "allegations of election fraud are... a self-denial of the electoral system that brought him into office."

Yoon was elected in 2022 by the narrowest vote margin in the country's history.

But that did not fly with loyalist Choi.

"Had it not been rigged, Yoon would have won by more than 20 percent," she said. (AFP)
By Lee Hae-rin

Victory! Victory! The people have triumphed!

At 5:01 p.m. on Saturday, cheers and shouts from an estimated 2 million Koreans, according to protest organizers, reverberated around the National Assembly in Seoul as a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol was passed, following his brief imposition of martial law.

Many people who braved subzero temperatures for hours to attend the rally burst into tears, exchanging high-fives and hugs.

"I declare that the impeachment motion of Presidential Yoon Suk Yeol has passed with 204 votes in favor and 85 votes against out of 300 total votes, with three abstentions and eight invalid votes," National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said.

As soon as the words "impeachment motion passes" appeared on giant electronic screens, the people who had been sitting on the cold asphalt jumped to their feet, shouting "victory" and waving light sticks in every color.

Jeong, an 18-year-old student from Daejeon who has been participating in the rallies every day since Dec. 3, said she was thrilled to have witnessed a moment in history.

This is incredible. I've been hoping so much for this entire fiasco to come to an end. Today is a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life," she said.

Among the crowd of protesters was 75-year-old Lee, who was wiping away tears.

"I have been so scared this week, thinking were going back to the 1980s when martial law broke out," she said, wiping tears. From todays result, I know that we have earned a true democracy indeed."

"I think we all knew we would win," said Park, 36, who joined the protest alone.

"I am glad that the country has finally taken a step in the right direction, but it's not over yet. I hope the Constitutional Court will make a ruling soon," he said.

According to organizers, around 2 million people joined the Saturday rally. The protest was akin to a huge K-pop festival that brought generations of Koreans from all walks of life together.

As soon as the news broke, rally organizers blasted Korea's latest protest anthem, "Into a New World," by K-pop group Girls' Generation through large speakers. The crowd erupted in song, waving cheering sticks in unison.

Even after the news of the vote's passage spread, many stayed at the venue for nearly an hour, chanting slogans and singing along in celebration.

Kim, a 30-year-old, came to the rally with her 4-year-old daughter. "It seems that many more ruling party lawmakers voted for impeachment than we expected," Kim said. "I hope lawmakers wont forget that they are the representatives of the people and carry out what the people want," she added.

Meanwhile, in the Gwanghwamun area of downtown Seoul, some 40,000 conservative protesters who had been rallying to support Yoon, groaned in despair as the passage of the impeachment motion was announced.

The second impeachment motion against Yoon was passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, three abstentions and eight invalid votes.

The ruling People Power Party boycotted the Assemblys first impeachment motion on Dec. 7, leaving the chamber without voting. This resulted in the motion being nullified due to a lack of quorum.
The opposition-controlled National Assembly is poised to vote Saturday on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched declaration of martial law.

The first motion to impeach Yoon was scrapped last Saturday, with nearly all lawmakers from Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotting the vote.

A two-thirds majority is required to pass the motion, which would need support from at least eight PPP lawmakers.

As of Friday, seven PPP lawmakers have publicly expressed their support for Yoon's impeachment.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and five other minor opposition parties submitted the motion Thursday and reported it to the National Assembly the following day, arguing Yoon's martial law declaration violated the Constitution and other laws.

Allegations that martial law troops and police attempted to arrest lawmakers under the leadership of the president were newly added to the motion.

If the motion is passed, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office.

If upheld by the court, Yoon would be the second president to be successfully impeached since former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. (Yonhap)




BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The delegation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan, currently on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Main Operational Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the purpose of exchanging professional experience, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The delegation was briefed on the processes of military decision-making, including insights into the 44-day Patriotic War and the counter-terror operation. In addition, discussions were held on topics of mutual interest.

The Uzbek delegation also visited the Central Command Post, where they were familiarized with the operational conditions and the mechanisms for executing tasks using software that meets contemporary standards.
Ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon urged lawmakers on Saturday to prioritize the country and the people ahead of the vote on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly.

"I have already clearly given my opinion to both the people and (fellow) lawmakers," Han said on his way to his office, commenting on the upcoming vote.

"Today, we must all think about the country and the people." He did not elaborate on his expectations for the vote turnout.

Han also encouraged Rep. Kim Sang-wook, who has been holding a one-person protest in front of the National Assembly building for a second day, urging fellow party members to vote for the impeachment motion. Han showed support by draping his scarf around Kim's neck.

On Thursday, Han urged ruling party members to vote in favor of the motion, saying that suspending Yoon's presidential duties was the only way to resolve the ongoing issue. (Yonhap)




US questions impeachment motion clause; American ambassador cancels meeting with opposition party chief

By KTimes

An impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, filed by six opposition parties and rejected on Dec. 7 due to a lack of quorum, has sparked a behind-the-scenes diplomatic tussle between the United States and China over the motion's criticism of the administrations so-called "value diplomacy" policies, sources said Friday.

The contentious statement in the motion read: "Under the guise of so-called 'value diplomacy,' the (Yoon Suk Yeol) administration ignored geopolitical balance, provoked North Korea, China, and Russia, and pursued an unusual pro-Japan stance by appointing Japan-aligned figures to key government positions. This approach resulted in Northeast Asian isolation, heightened risks of war, and a failure to uphold the responsibilities of national security and public safety."

Amid political turmoil and the enactment of an emergency martial law, the hastily drafted impeachment motion is being criticized for unnecessarily escalating diplomatic disputes.

In response, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and other opposition groups revised the second impeachment motion, set for a Dec. 14 vote, removing contentious language and scrambling to issue explanations through diplomatic channels.

US questions motives

Yoon has sought security and stability on the Korean Peninsula through a stronger South Korea-U.S. alliance and closer trilateral cooperation with Washington and Tokyo.

The South Korean leader also emphasized values such as freedom and democracy, claiming the need for Seoul to pursue "value diplomacy" or a "value-based diplomacy" that seeks enhanced ties with like-minded countries.

The inclusion of "value diplomacy" as grounds for impeachment prompted inquiries from the United States, multiple sources said.

The U.S. government reached out to opposition lawmakers, asking why key diplomatic achievements  such as improved South Korea-Japan relations and enhanced trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan  were cited as grounds for impeachment.

The state-funded media network Voice of America reported on Dec. 9 that Harry Harris, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, expressed strong concerns.

Additionally, U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg canceled a planned meeting with DPK leader Lee Jae-myung last Thursday.

Several foreign media outlets have also sought clarification from opposition leaders regarding their stance on "value diplomacy."

China seeks explanation

Meanwhile, Chinese officials expressed interest in the removal of the "value diplomacy" clause from the second impeachment motion.

Through unofficial channels, Chinese representatives asked opposition lawmakers whether foreign influence, including pressure from the United States, played a role in the decision to omit the clause. Chinese media had previously highlighted the motion's reference to anti-China, pro-Japan policies.

Faced with mounting pressure, opposition lawmakers have worked to clarify their diplomatic positions to U.S. and Japanese counterparts. They explained that the initial motion included the clause due to rushed proceedings after the declaration of martial law.

Experts warn that South Korea's international credibility has been damaged due to Yoon's declaration of martial law and the ensuing impeachment controversy.

Park Jong-hee, a political science professor at Seoul National University, emphasized the need for caution, warning that foreign intervention could threaten South Korea's sovereignty.

Cha Du-hyeogn, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said the U.S. may harbor doubts about the opposition camps diplomatic approach. "To rebuild trust, the opposition must repeatedly clarify its stance and show greater engagement with diplomatic figures," he said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
With the opposition-led parliament set to vote on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, the major opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) called on the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to join the vote, warning any refusal would constitute "treason against the people."

"The only way to safeguard democracy and South Korea's future is by overwhelmingly passing the impeachment motion," DPK spokeswoman Hwang Jung-a said in a briefing.

"At this very moment, Yoon Suk Yeol, the mastermind of insurrection, is dreaming of his revival and deceiving the people. Obsessed with misguided beliefs, Yoon addressed the nation as though declaring war and is attempting to divide public opinion with fake news."

She also criticized Yoon for breaking his promise to step back by trying to appoint a new defense minister.

"We can no longer endure Yoon's madness," she said.

The National Assembly is set to vote on the second impeachment motion at 4 p.m. The first motion was scrapped last Saturday, with nearly all lawmakers from the PPP boycotting the vote. (Yonhap)




By KTimes

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has decided to participate in a second vote by the National Assembly, Saturday, on whether to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, increasing the likelihood of its passage.

With the vote being conducted anonymously, projections indicate an increase in votes from ruling party lawmakers who privately support impeachment.

The PPP held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, to discuss participation and voting positions.

Emerging from the meeting, Rep. Cho Kyung-tae told reporters, "It seems lawmakers are agreeing to take part in the vote."

The PPP is leaning toward allowing its lawmakers to vote freely on the impeachment motion, scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday.

This shift strengthens the likelihood of the impeachment motion passing, although the success of efforts by senior PPP lawmakers to secure opposition votes remains uncertain.

Public sentiment has turned sharply against the president following his controversial national address earlier this week, which many criticized for being evasive and filled with unconvincing arguments. This shift in public opinion has swayed some PPP lawmakers to support the motion.

In his address, Yoon justified his decision to declare martial law as an attempt "to protect the nation's democracy" and accused his political opponents of being "monsters."



A PPP member said internal sentiment within the party suggests that the "defense against impeachment has already collapsed."

With eight votes needed to pass the motion, seven PPP lawmakers have publicly declared their support, and at least three more are believed to favor it unofficially, bringing the estimated total to 10.

However, the anonymous voting process introduces uncertainty. While the combined 192 opposition lawmakers and potential crossover votes seem likely to narrowly exceed the 200-vote threshold, there is still a small chance that the motion could be unexpectedly rejected or receive broader support than anticipated.

If the impeachment motion is passed, Yoons duties will be immediately suspended, marking the first such instance since the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in December 2016.

The impeachment motion accuses Yoon of violating procedural and legal requirements during the declaration of emergency martial law. It labels Yoon as the "ringleader of treason," holding him accountable for actions that could lead to a maximum penalty of death.

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.
9-member court lacks 3 justices

By Kim Rahn

The final decision on President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment now rests with the Constitutional Court, following the National Assembly's passage of a motion, Saturday, to oust him over his declaration of martial law.

Under the law, when the Assembly passes an impeachment motion against a president, the court is required to review and decide whether to uphold or reject it within 180 days.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the court currently has only six justices out of nine, as three vacancies remain unfilled following the retirement of former justices in October. Although the Assembly was supposed to nominate replacements, it has so far been unable to do so.

Under a clause of the Constitutional Court law, a case can be reviewed when at least seven justices are present.

However, Korea Communications Commission Chairwoman Lee Jin-sook, who was impeached by the Assembly in September, filed for an injunction to suspend that clause, so the court could continue reviewing her impeachment case. The court granted the injunction, temporarily suspending the clause and permitting reviews of both her case and others.

As a result, the court is technically able to review Yoons impeachment case.

The law also stipulates that at least six justices must approve an impeachment for it to be upheld, meaning the Assembly's motion to remove Yoon can be validated if all six justices unanimously agree.

However, a decision upheld by only six justices could face legitimacy concerns due to the gravity of the issue. In the 2004 impeachment case of then-President Roh Moo-hyun, all nine justice positions were filled, and in the 2017 case of then-President Park Geun-hye, the court was composed of eight judges.

If the six justices make a decision this time, there is a possibility that some may not accept the courts ruling, particularly if it goes against their preferences.

The situation has led to growing calls to prioritize filling the court vacancies.

Recently, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea recommended two justice candidates, while the ruling People Power Party proposed one. If the Assembly conducts the confirmation hearings and approves the nominations, the vacancies can be filled soon.

However, even in that case, the final appointment rests with the president. Since Yoon is suspended from duty following impeachment, the question arises as to who has the authority to make the appointments.

Some argue that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is currently acting as president, has the authority to appoint new justices.

However, the opposition is also seeking to impeach Han, arguing that he is responsible for the martial law fiasco, as he attended a Cabinet meeting prior to Yoons declaration of martial law.

Even if Han avoids impeachment and remains acting president, it is uncertain whether he will use his presidential authority to appoint justices. During the 2017 impeachment review of Park, then-acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn refrained from appointing a justice to fill the vacancy.

Upon the Assembly's vote, the court's acting President Moon Hyung-bae said, "We'll conduct a swift and fair review." The court plans to hold a meeting on Monday and decide which justice will be in charge of the case.
By Kwak Yeon-soo

The National Assembly voted, Saturday, in favor of impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol for his unexpected declaration of martial law, which many believe violated the Constitution and other laws.

As a result of the vote, Yoon is immediately suspended from office, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assuming the role of acting president.

However, this does not mean the president will be permanently removed from office, as the Constitutional Court will review whether to uphold or reject the Assembly's decision.

The court has up to 180 days to make a final ruling. If upheld by the court, Yoon would be removed from office and a new presidential election will be held within 60 days.

The court made a decision to impeach former President Park Geun-hye on March 10, 2017, 91 days after the Assembly voted to oust her.

However, if the court overturns the impeachment vote, Yoon will be reinstated and will return to duty.

The 75-year-old Han has served as prime minister since the beginning of the Yoon administration, and will now serve as acting president. He also served as prime minister during the Roh Moo-hyun administration from April 2007 to February 2008.

Han has extensive expertise in economics, trade, and public affairs, with over 40 years of experience in the public sector. He has held positions at the customs agency, the trade ministry, and the finance ministry, and was also previously appointed as ambassador to the United States.

However, Han is also under investigation due to his attendance at the Cabinet meeting held just minutes before Yoon declared martial law. He is set to appear for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation into Yoon's treason charges.
Ousted leader pledges to keep fighting

By Anna J. Park

The National Assembly passed a motion, Saturday, to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration, with at least 12 lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) joining in supporting his removal from office.

Out of a total of 300 anonymous ballots cast for the impeachment vote, 204 were in favor of ousting the president, while 85 were opposed, three lawmakers abstained, and eight votes were deemed invalid.

Although the vote was anonymous, it is estimated that, given the 192 members of the opposition bloc, 12 lawmakers from the PPP voted in favor of impeachment despite the party's official stance opposing the motion.

In the first impeachment vote held on Dec. 7, all but three PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote, resulting in a lack of quorum and causing the motion to be automatically scrapped.

The motion's approval comes 11 days after Yoon abruptly declared martial law, citing the need to protect the country and maintain social order against what he referred to as "anti-state forces," a term interpreted as referring to the opposition bloc and others who oppose him.

Following the passage of the impeachment bill, Yoon's duties as president are suspended until the Constitutional Court makes a decision on whether to uphold or reject the motion.

Shortly after the motion passed, Yoon expressed his resolve to continue challenging the decision.

"When I traveled the world as the representative salesperson of the Republic of Korea and achieved results, I felt an indescribable sense of fulfillment. As Korea's international status rose and our security and economy grew stronger, I forgot my fatigue. Now, the journey that was difficult but fulfilling, and challenging yet rewarding, has come to a temporary halt," Yoon said in a pre-recorded video message.

"Although I may pause for a moment now, the journey toward the future that I have walked with the people over the past two and a half years must never come to a stop. I will never give up," he added.

He said he will bear all the criticism, encouragement, and support directed toward him, emphasizing that he intends to continue giving his utmost for the country until the very last moment.

Yoon also urged politicians to focus on improving the political environment and systems, calling for a shift from reckless confrontation to thoughtful deliberation and consideration.

"I believe in the strength of our people. Let us all unite our efforts for the freedom, democracy, and prosperity of the Republic of Korea," his said.

Opposition urges swift Constitutional Court ruling

Following the passage of the motion, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), described it as "a great victory for the people" and pledged to ensure that the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment ruling.

"The Dec. 3 insurrection is not yet over. The suspension of presidential duties for the mastermind, Yoon Suk Yeol, is only the first step in resolving the crisis," Park said. "We will conduct a thorough investigation into all those involved, including Yoon, and will not rest until those responsible are held accountable and the full extent of the incident is revealed."

He also urged the Constitutional Court to swiftly proceed with the case and rule strictly in accordance with the law.

The minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party also welcomed the passage of the motion, saying it is "the starting point for the restoration of democracy. Now is the time for judgment and punishment. We do not have guns or swords. We only have the Constitution and the law."

The party also emphasized that Yoon should be immediately arrested and that investigations must commence without delay.

The ruling party, meanwhile, expressed regret, with its floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong saying he expects the Constitutional Court to make a fair decision, in accordance with relevant laws and procedures.

The impeachment vote has plunged the PPP into significant internal turmoil between those who supported and opposed the impeachment, coupled with a near collapse of the party's leadership.

Five members of its Supreme Council tendered their resignations during a party meeting held immediately after the passage of the motion. According to the party's regulations, the council is dissolved if at least four members resign, prompting the need to set up an emergency committee. That means Han will be stripped of his chairmanship.

Prime minister is acting president

With the passage of the impeachment motion, the prime minister now assumes the role of acting president.

The powers granted to the president by the Constitution are extensive, encompassing command over the military, the authority to enforce laws, the power to appoint and remove public officials, and the responsibility for conducting diplomatic affairs.

With his duties suspended, Yoon will no longer be able to exercise those powers. However, security and protocol services will still be provided to him, as he will not be officially removed from office until the Constitutional Court issues its ruling.

The presidential secretariat will also remain, but its role will shift to supporting the acting president instead.
By Baek Byung-yeul

President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case has now been forwarded to the Constitutional Court, following the National Assembly's passage of a motion, Saturday, to oust him.

The court will determine whether to remove him from office and it remains to be seen how the justices will interpret the president's controversial Dec. 3 martial law declaration and legal defense.

In a televised address, Thursday, Yoon argued that his declaration was an "act of governance" and therefore cannot be considered as an insurrection, claiming it should be exempt from judicial review.

Given his stance, Yoon is likely to continue upholding this argument at the Constitutional Court, asserting that his martial law declaration was a legitimate act of governance within the president's authority.

Legal precedents

The Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court have repeatedly ruled that presidential actions, even if considered as acts of governance by the president, can be subject to judicial review if they are closely linked to the violation of citizens' basic rights or involve illegal actions that disrupt the constitutional order.

However, there are diverse opinions among experts in the legal and political fields regarding whether his Dec. 3 martial law declaration could be subject to charges of insurrection, leading to keen interest in how the Constitutional Court will judge this matter.

In 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that the declaration of martial law by disgraced former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo during the military rebellion on Dec. 12, 1979, and through early 1981, was an act of governance. However, the court also noted that it could be subject to judicial review, as the martial law was imposed with the intent to disrupt the constitutional order.

Additionally, when a constitutional complaint was filed against a new financial transaction system implemented by former President Kim Young-sam to enhance transparency, the Constitutional Court ruled in 1996 that, even if it was an act of governance by the president, it could still be subject to review if it was directly related to the violation of citizens' basic rights.

Yoon argued that his declaration of martial law was a decision made based on the judgment that it was the only way to protect the nation's liberal democracy and constitutional order, rather than an act of insurrection.

"Viewing an emergency measure meant to protect the country as an act of insurrection, as many constitutional scholars and legal experts argue, puts our Constitution and legal system at serious risk," he said Thursday.

Weak rationale

Lee In-ho, a law professor at Chung-Ang University specializing in constitutional issues, said while the president's declaration of martial law could be considered an unconstitutional act, the rationale for punishing him does not hold.

"The argument that the president should be punished because the declaration of martial law was an unconstitutional act that failed to meet the necessary requirements does not stand," the professor wrote on Facebook.

"If the president should be punished for declaring martial law, then Assembly members who enact unconstitutional laws should also be punished," he further noted.

Act of insurrection

In contrast, Han In-sub, a law professor at Seoul National University, argued that Yoon's martial law declaration constituted insurrection.

He argued that the martial law declaration amounted to insurrection because, when the Assembly demands the lifting of martial law, the president is obligated to comply. However, soldiers operating under martial law attempted to block lawmakers' entry into the Assembly or prevent the convening of a meeting to vote against the emergency decree.

Troops were actually mobilized to break the windows of the National Assembly and force their way in to prevent the Assemblys demand for the lifting of martial law, while the police blocked lawmakers access," the professor wrote on Facebook.

"Multiple crimes, including insurrection and abuse of authority, are established, and can be added as grounds for impeachment of the president."

Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the ruling People Power Party, widely known as a Yoon supporter, cited a 2010 Supreme Court ruling to defend the president's martial law declaration.

"According to a 1997 Supreme Court ruling, martial law is considered an act of governance," he said during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.

"A 2010 Supreme Court ruling states that for such political decisions, the president's authority should be respected, and the constitutionality should be evaluated with judicial restraint."

However, the 2010 ruling actually stated that even acts of governance are subject to judicial review if they violate the Constitution or laws. The court emphasized the need for extreme caution in exempting political acts from judicial scrutiny and ultimately declared the emergency decree in question unconstitutional and invalid.

The presidential impeachment motion will now be sent to the Constitutional Court. This legal battle must conclude within 180 days, and if at least six justices agree, the president will be removed from office.
By KTimes

Rep. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), delivered an impassioned speech during the National Assemblys plenary session on Saturday, calling on lawmakers to support the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Referring to Nobel Prize winner Han Kangs novel, "Human Acts," Park drew a parallel between the Dec. 3 martial law crisis and the events of the May 1980 Gwangju massacre.

Lawmakers of the People Power Party, Park said, grasp the hem of historys robe as it passes through this door. Do not let it slip away.

He invoked Han Kangs work, saying, While preparing her novel, the author came across the diary of a young night school teacher who was killed during the Gwangju uprising. She asked herself, Can the present help the past? Can the living save the dead? She later realized that the question must be reversed.

The 1980 Gwangju uprising was a pro-democracy protest violently suppressed by a military junta, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths and marking a pivotal moment in Korea's struggle for democracy.

Park then drew a parallel to the present crisis, saying, Having lived through the Dec. 3 martial law crisis, I now ask, Can the past help the present? And my answer is a resounding yes  because May 1980 has rescued December 2024.

Tying the past to the present

Park detailed how the courage of citizens and lawmakers in confronting Yoons martial law echoed the bravery of Gwangju citizens in 1980.

If there had been no citizens storming the National Assembly in outrage over Yoon Suk Yeols declaration of martial law on Dec. 3; if lawmakers had not broken through police blockades or climbed over the fences of the National Assembly; if martial law forces had succeeded in dragging lawmakers away from the plenary hall before the vote  then South Korea today would be no different from Gwangju in May 1980, he said.

May 1980 helped December 2024. The dead have saved the living. Our democracy owes an immeasurable debt to Gwangju, Park said.

Park called the Dec. 3 martial law declaration a blatant violation of the Constitution and a serious breach of the law, adding, It is undeniable that Yoon Suk Yeol was the mastermind of this treason.

This martial law lacked any of the constitutional requirements for its enactment. It violated criminal laws on insurrection, abuse of authority and obstruction of official duties, and it trampled on the peoples sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law, Park said.

Call to restore constitutional order

Park urged his colleagues to vote for impeachment, emphasizing their constitutional duty. The Dec. 3 martial law was an unequivocal violation of the Constitution and a grave breach of the law, he said.

To restore constitutional order, the National Assembly must use its authority to suspend Yoon Suk Yeols presidential duties. This is the fastest and most orderly way to bring resolution to the crisis caused by martial law, he said.

In his closing remarks, Park addressed the plenary hall, saying, This is our moment to act, to fulfill our responsibility to history and to the people.

This article is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
By Lee Yeon-woo

President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 not only stunned the nation but also sent shockwaves across the globe. If the Constitutional Court upholds the National Assembly's impeachment vote, Yoon will be removed from office. He is now the third impeached president in the country's history. Here's a timeline of events, from Yoon's failed martial law attempt to the subsequent impeachment saga.

Dec. 3

At 10:30 p.m., a public announcement of Yoon declaring martial law is broadcast across nearly every media outlet, plunging the nation into chaos for almost six hours. It was the first of its kind in 45 years.

Within 30 minutes, police officers guarding the National Assembly begin restricting access to the buildings, barring entry to politicians and journalists. In addition, armed soldiers and police take control of access points to the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and other related facilities.

At 11:25 p.m., Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su is appointed as the martial law commander  a position that oversees all administrative and judicial functions. Shortly afterward, the martial law decree is issued, which states a ban on all political activities and strict monitoring of the press and publications, among others.

At 11:48 p.m., soldiers arriving in trucks and helicopters attempt to force their way into the National Assembly. However, they are met with fierce resistance from citizens and aides of lawmakers who had managed to enter the building.

Dec. 4

At 12:24 a.m., soldiers break into the Assembly's main building by smashing a window, entering the premises.

Aides of lawmakers and Assembly officials pile chairs and other furniture in the hallways and entrances to block the troops from advancing. Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declares the opening of a regular session. At 1:02 a.m., 190 lawmakers  some of whom had climbed over the Assemblys fences  vote unanimously to repeal the law.

Over the course of the next hour, armed soldiers start retreating from both the Assembly and the election commission. Many citizens, believing the worst was over, go to bed. At 4:27 a.m., Yoon states that he will accept the parliamentary results and officially lifts martial law.

As the day begins, the fallout from the previous night's events unravels, revealing the full extent of the crisis. By 9:36 a.m., nearly all of Yoon's presidential aides express their intentions to resign. Hours later, at 2:43 p.m., six opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), file a motion to impeach Yoon. They accuse him of violating the Constitution and other laws.

Dec. 5

Despite growing public outrage over Yoon's martial law declaration, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) officially declares its opposition to an impeachment motion against Yoon. While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the party firmly rejects the impeachment drive initiated by the opposition.

Dec. 7

Rumors spread that Yoon is preparing for a second declaration of martial law, should the impeachment vote pass in the Assembly. However, in a brief public statement that morning, Yoon denies the claims, stating that he will not declare martial law again.

By 6 p.m., around 100,000 people gather in front of the National Assembly, calling for Yoon's ouster. Inside, the main session of the Assembly begins. Every member of the PPP, except for Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, boycott the impeachment vote by leaving the assembly hall. Although Rep. Kim Yea-ji and Rep. Kim Sang-wook return to vote later, the three votes were not enough to meet the quorum. As a result, Woo declares the impeachment motion invalid.

Dec. 8

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo hold a joint press conference to announce that Yoon will no longer be involved in state affairs. They state that the party and the Cabinet will work together to manage state affairs, with plans for Yoons "early and orderly" resignation  a course of action they describe as a better alternative to impeachment.

Opposition parties immediately reject the plan, accusing the two Hans of attempting to seize power through unconstitutional means. DPK leader Lee Jae-myung calls for Yoons immediate arrest and a full-scale investigation into his actions.

Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, widely regarded as the mastermind behind the martial law declaration, is arrested and taken into custody.

Dec. 9

Yoon is subject to an overseas travel ban on charges of treason and breach of trust due to his failed martial law declaration.

Dec. 10



Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, the former chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, tells lawmakers that Yoon called him on the night of the martial law declaration and ordered him to "drag lawmakers out of the National Assembly."

Dec. 11

Investigators attempt to conduct a search-and-seizure at the presidential office. However, their entry is blocked by presidential security guards. After a seven-hour standoff, investigators withdraw from the presidential office after receiving a few documents that were submitted voluntarily by the office.

Dec. 12

In his fourth public address, Yoon defends his failed martial law declaration as a legitimate "act of governance." He dismisses the charges against him and accuses the DPK-dominated National Assembly of becoming "a monster that is destroying the constitutional order of free democracy."

Meanwhile, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, a five-term lawmaker and one of Yoons closest allies, is elected as the PPP's new floor leader.

Dec. 13

Cho Ji-ho, commissioner-general of the Korean National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, are arrested. Both officials are suspected of instructing police officers to block access to the National Assembly on the night of the martial law declaration, under Yoon's orders.

Dec. 14

The National Assembly votes to impeach Yoon. All 300 lawmakers participate in the vote, with 204 supporting the motion. At least 200 votes were needed to pass the motion. As a result, Yoons presidential powers are suspended and Prime Minister Han assumes interim leadership in accordance with Constitutional provisions. The Constitutional Court of Korea now has 180 days to review the impeachment motion.
Subscription to paid content

Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card.
By KTimes

At 5 p.m. on Dec. 14, the National Assembly chamber was momentarily silent as Speaker Woo Won-shik announced the passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The silence was broken by cheers from opposition lawmakers, who let out sighs of relief. Meanwhile, ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers, who had expected the motion to fail, bowed their heads in disappointment and quickly exited the chamber.

The motion passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, three abstentions and eight invalid votes out of 300.

Until the very last moment, the outcome remained uncertain.

Opposition lawmakers arrived in the hall early, while the PPP appeared divided, delaying their entrance by three minutes past the scheduled start of the session.

Earlier that day, the PPP held an emergency meeting to finalize its stance: members would participate in the vote but oppose the impeachment.

In an effort to sway hesitant lawmakers, some PPP members shared photos and videos of anti-impeachment rallies in Gwanghwamun on a group messaging app, urging others to vote against the motion.

Woo opened the session, and Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), delivered a 21-minute speech explaining the grounds for impeachment. He meticulously outlined the charges against Yoon, speaking to a chamber heavy with silence.

During the speech, some PPP members, including former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and current leader Kweon Seong-dong, briefly left the chamber to converse before returning.

When voting began, lawmakers from both sides displayed somber determination. The process concluded in about 15 minutes.

Moment of truth

When Woo announced the result  "The motion is passed"  opposition members erupted in cheers. Outside the chamber, their aides and party officials joined the celebration, their voices spilling through the doors.

In stark contrast, PPP lawmakers quietly filed out of the chamber, many visibly shocked. The partys internal tally showed that 12 members had crossed party lines to vote in favor, exceeding the 7 who had publicly declared their support.

Kim Sang-wook, a PPP lawmaker who had openly supported impeachment, remained seated in silence, seemingly overwhelmed.

Opposition lawmakers Lee Jun-seok, Kim Nam-geun and Kim Jun-hyuk approached him to offer words of consolation.

Woo reflected on the moment, saying, "Today, our National Assembly has passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision upholds the solemn oath we took to abide by the Constitution, a promise we made as representatives of the people."

He continued, "From the moment martial law was declared to this very hour, the courage, commitment and longing for democracy shown by the people have guided this decision."

Opposition lawmakers listened quietly to Woos remarks, only rising to congratulate one another after the session adjourned.

Outside the chamber, Park told reporters, "This is a victory for the people and for democracy. We will now focus on restoring stability and addressing public concerns."

Park also called on the Constitutional Court to handle the impeachment trial with urgency and impartiality.

"The Dec. 3 martial law was a grave violation of constitutional order. We hope the court will conduct a swift and strictly constitutional review," he said.

After the session, DPK lawmakers gathered at the steps of the rotunda at the main building of the National Assembly, bowing deeply to express their gratitude to the public.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
The Constitutional Court kicked off the process Saturday to deliberate a parliamentary decision to impeach President Park Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt.

Yoon's impeachment resolution was submitted to the Constitutional Court at 6:15 p.m. by Rep. Jung Chung-rae, chair of the National Assembly Legislative and Judiciary Committee, a court official said.

Moon Hyung-bae, the acting chief of the Constitutional Court, said he will convene a meeting of judges at 10 a.m. Monday, and vowed to conduct a "swift and fair" trial.

The court has also decided to pick two judges to oversee an examination of evidence and form a legal review task force consisting of constitutional researchers. (Yonhap)
The leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Saturday he takes President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment seriously, while vowing to continue with his duties.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon made the remarks shortly after the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon over his botched declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 despite the PPP's party line to vote against it.

"I take today's results very seriously," Han told reporters. "As the leader of the ruling party, I vow to right the wrongs and protect the constitution and democracy together with the people."

He said there was a lot of criticism against him during a meeting of his party's lawmakers after the impeachment vote, but vowed to continue his duties as PPP leader.

Han had earlier called for Yoon's "orderly" resignation from office but threw support behind his impeachment Thursday, saying there were no other options. (Yonhap)
Supreme Council members tender resignations, party to form emergency response committee

By Kwak Yeon-soo

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is falling apart after the National Assembly's passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, triggered by his brief declaration of martial law.

Party leaders have tendered their resignations and internal divisions between those who supported and opposed the impeachment are expected to intensify.

The opposition-controlled Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, three abstentions, and eight invalid ballots. Given that the opposition bloc holds 192 seats out of the 300-member Assembly, the result suggests that 12 lawmakers from the PPP likely voted in favor of the impeachment, despite the party's official stance to oppose it.

After the vote, five Supreme Council members of the PPP  Reps. Kim Min-jeon, Ihn Yo-han, Jang Dong-hyeok, Jin Jong-oh and Kim Jae-won  expressed their intent to resign to take responsibility for the passage. If at least four of the council members resign, the leadership is dissolved and the party needs to form an emergency response committee system according to its regulations.

This means the ruling party chief, Han Dong-hoon, also needs to step down.

However, Han did not indicate any intention to step down. If he refuses to resign, it could result in another confrontation over who should assume the committee chief position.

The PPP said it will convene a meeting on Monday to discuss transitioning to an emergency response leadership.

It breaks my heart to see painful history repeating itself. The impeachment motion has been passed, so now it is time for the Constitutional Court to deliberate on the case. I look forward to a fair decision, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the PPP, said.

To restore the well-being of the people, both the ruling and opposition parties must avoid extreme confrontation. The opposition should refrain from paralyzing state affairs by misusing the impeachment process, he added.

PPP lawmakers have been heavily divided over whether to vote in favor or against the motion. The pro-Yoon faction within the party, including Kweon, argued that all members should vote against the motion, while Han and many others pushed for a change in the PPPs official stance.

Han reversed his position and publicly expressed his support for Yoons impeachment on Dec. 6, emphasizing the urgent need to swiftly suspend his presidential powers and duties to protect Korea and its people. Today, we must think about the Republic of Korea and its people, Han told reporters ahead of the impeachment vote on Saturday morning.

Political analysts say the PPP is grappling with a deep internal divide over the impeachment vote.

Han cannot avoid criticism from both centrist voters and conservatives for flip-flopping. His grip on power seems to have weakened given that only 12 PPP lawmakers voted in favor of the motion. If he leaves the party, he will lose ground as a politician without the premium of being a party leader, Eom Kyeong-young, director of the Zeitgeist Institute, a private political think tank, said.

Some PPP members also openly criticized Han and the leadership.

The ruling party's leadership that failed to properly deal with the martial law fiasco and the opposition partys impeachment attacks should resign en masse, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo wrote on his Facebook.
By Baek Byung-yeul

With the National Assembly's passage of a motion, Saturday, to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for his botched martial law attempt, the former star prosecutor-turned-politician became the third president in the nation's history to be stripped of his authority.

Impeached on charges of leading an insurrection, the 63-year-old, who ascended to the presidency vowing to uphold the law, now faces a review by the Constitutional Court to determine whether he will be removed from the nation's highest public office.

Yoon is under investigation for treason, and there is a possibility that he could be placed under emergency detention or formally arrested during the court review. If that happens, he will become the first sitting president to be imprisoned. Under the law, treason is punishable by life imprisonment or even death if convicted.

The former star prosecutor, known for his uncompromising and often stubborn stance, has left a significant stain on Korea's constitutional history, from his shocking Dec. 3 martial law declaration and allegations of ordering the military to suppress state institutions, including the National Assembly and the National Election Commission.

I am not loyal to anyone

Born in 1960, Yoon began his career as a prosecutor in 1991 at the age of 31, after passing the bar exam on his 10th attempt.

He subsequently built an image as an "upright prosecutor" by leading investigations that didn't bow to political pressure under various administrations.

Yoon gained public recognition in 2013 when he led the prosecution's special investigation team amid allegations of interference by the National Intelligence Service in the 2012 presidential election.

As this case could have a profound impact on the legitimacy of the newly inaugurated President Park Geun-hye, the investigation attracted widespread national attention at that time.

However, Yoon, then chief prosecutor of the Yeoju branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, was removed from the investigation team for requesting arrest warrants without his superior's approval.

Later that year, during a parliamentary audit of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, he revealed that there had been external pressure on the investigation. He famously stated, "I am not loyal to any person, but loyal to the organization," a remark that solidified his name in the public's memory.

Consequently, he was sidelined from key prosecutorial positions, mostly holding positions where he rarely conducted criminal investigations.

However, he regained prominence in late 2016 when the corruption scandal involving Park erupted.

In November 2016, Yoon was appointed as the head of the special prosecutor's investigation team for the case, spearheading a thorough inquiry into government officials in the Park administration.

He garnered widespread public support for his impartial investigation, targeting not only government officials but also prominent figures such as Lee Jae-yong, the then-vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, for whom he sought an arrest warrant on bribery charges.

On March 10, 2017, the Constitutional Court finally removed Park from office for violating the Constitution, following the passage of her impeachment motion by the National Assembly.

In May, newly elected President Moon Jae-in appointed Yoon as chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and in July 2019, he was named prosecutor general of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

While Yoon initially thrived under that administration, his relationship with the president and his aides soured over investigations related to Cho Kuk, the justice minister and a close ally of Moon. Following conflicts with government officials, he resigned as prosecutor general in March 2021.

Rising star

His conflicts with the liberal Moon administration garnered Yoon increasing support from conservative voters. On June 29, 2021, he officially announced his candidacy for the 20th presidential election and joined the opposition People Power Party (PPP) shortly thereafter.

Amid rising public dissatisfaction with Moon over soaring real estate prices and controversies surrounding influential figures, particularly allegations of college admission fraud involving Chos children, Yoon emerged as a strong presidential contender with high approval ratings.

He went on to win the March 2022 presidential election by a narrow margin of 0.73 percentage point over main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Lee Jae-myung.

After his narrow victory, Yoon struggled to gain broad support as president due to persistent controversies.

Notable among these were allegations surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee, including receiving a Christian Dior bag from a pastor and involvement in stock price manipulation.

Entering the presidency with little political experience, Yoon's approach to governance was marked by a tendency to bypass the political establishment. His reluctance to engage with the opposition and his unyielding stance on certain issues gradually eroded his support.

In the April general elections this year, the ruling party won just 108 out of 300 seats at the National Assembly, including 18 gained through proportional representation by its satellite party, the People Future Party.

In contrast, the DPK secured an overwhelming 175 seats, effectively stripping the president of his ability to govern.

The president has since refused to concede, clinging to conspiracy theories that the election was rigged.

In response, the DPK passed impeachment motions against Cabinet members and special prosecutor probe bills into the first lady, while Yoon kept vetoing various draft legislations ratified by the opposition-led Assembly.

In an attempt to recover his dwindling political fortune, Yoon decided to declare martial law on the night of Dec. 3, which sent shockwaves across the globe. That declaration was quickly nullified by the National Assembly, leading to Yoon's impeachment 11 days later.

The president now faces looming legal battles over his impeachment at the Constitutional Court.
Kim Soo-hyuns agency says he dated Kim Sae-ron for 1 year after she became adult
By Chun In-bum

Korea faces one of the gravest political crises in its modern history following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. What began as a shocking announcement has since unraveled into a web of revelations, political strife and public uncertainty. Ten days into this state of emergency, the nation stands at a crossroads, with its democratic institutions tested like never before.

A coup in disguise?

The evidence increasingly points to the martial law declaration being less about protecting the republic and more about consolidating power. Yoon, alongside former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, appears to have orchestrated what I am calling a palace coup. This betrayal of democratic norms has sent shockwaves throughout the nation. While Yoon continues to justify his actions as necessary to protect the republic from criminals, the mounting evidence suggests otherwise.

Public reaction has been mixed. Polls indicate that at least 10 percent of the population supports Yoon's actions  a minority, but a significant one. This group appears driven by either ideological alignment or belief in Yoons narrative of preserving national stability and distaste for the unilateral actions of the opposition party. However, the overwhelming majority of Koreans view these actions as a blatant overreach of power, and protests against martial law have swelled across the country.

The political fallout

The political ramifications have been equally dramatic. The People Power Party (PPP), Yoon's political base, is deeply divided. This division became evident during the election of a new House representative following the resignation of the previous representative. The party elected Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, a staunch supporter of Yoon, with 72 votes, while 34 PPP lawmakers backed his opponent. This split within the PPP mirrors the broader political fragmentation evident in Korea.

The PPP's internal division has also impacted the impeachment process. On Dec. 5, the opposition fell five votes short of the majority needed to impeach Yoon. However, momentum is shifting. Seven PPP lawmakers have now openly declared their support for impeachment, signaling that a second vote scheduled for Dec. 14 may succeed. With each passing day, the inevitability of Yoon's impeachment grows, raising questions about the long-term stability of the PPP and its leadership.

A government in disarray

The fallout extends beyond politics. Investigations target much of Yoon's administration, including the prime minister, who has become a symbol of government dysfunction. Former Defense Minister Kim is in jail and even attempted to take his life on Dec. 11, an act that underscores the pressure faced by those implicated in the coup. Both the national police chief and Seouls police chief are also under investigation, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis.

Amid this turmoil, one institution has surprisingly garnered public praise: the Republic of Korea's military. While the military leadership is in disarray, soldiers on the ground have conducted themselves with professionalism, earning the respect of the public. However, the same cannot be said for senior military commanders. Some, implicated in the failed martial law, have bypassed the chain of command to share their views, setting a dangerous precedent. The chief of staff of the Army, who had no prior knowledge of the coup but held the title of martial law commander, has been relieved of duty, further adding to the military's leadership vacuum.

The role of public sentiment

The conduct of soldiers during this crisis has been a rare bright spot, but public sentiment remains deeply divided. Yoon's supporters view him as a protector of the republic, while his detractors see him as a threat to democracy. This polarization is mirrored within the PPP, where factions have formed around loyalty to Yoon or adherence to democratic principles.

The public's reaction to the impeachment process will be pivotal. If the opposition succeeds in securing the necessary votes, it will mark a significant victory for democratic accountability. However, the process itself risks further dividing the nation, particularly if Yoons supporters refuse to accept the outcome.

Broader implications

The crisis has far-reaching implications beyond Korea's borders. Internationally, the declaration of martial law has raised concerns among allies about the stability of Koreas democratic institutions. Domestically, the economic impact is already being felt, with investor confidence shaken and uncertainty looming over key industries. The crisis has also exposed vulnerabilities within Koreas political and military leadership, raising questions about their readiness to handle future challenges.

Looking ahead

As the nation braces for the second impeachment vote, the stakes could not be higher. The opposition must secure at least eight votes from the PPP, a challenging but increasingly plausible scenario given the growing dissent within Yoon's party. Even if the impeachment does not pass on Dec. 14, the momentum suggests that Yoons tenure is nearing its end.

What comes next is equally critical. The next administration will need to rebuild public trust, address divisions within the military and police, and ensure that democratic institutions are safeguarded against future threats. This will require not only competent leadership but also a collective commitment from all political actors to prioritize the nation's long-term stability over short-term gains.

Conclusion

The events of the past 10 days have tested Korea's democracy like never before. Yoons declaration of martial law has exposed deep fractures within the nation's political, military and social fabric. While the path forward remains uncertain, the resilience of Koreas democratic institutions offers hope. The coming days and weeks will determine whether the Republic can emerge stronger from this crisis or whether it will succumb to the forces threatening its foundation.

Korea stands at a crossroads. Its people and leaders must now decide which path to take: one of accountability, reform and unity, or one of division, distrust and further turmoil. The world is watching.

Chun In-bum (truechun@naver.com) served as a lieutenant general in the ROK Army and was commander of Special Forces Korea.
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist leader Francois Bayrou as prime minister, handing him the daunting task of hauling France out of months of political crisis.

Bayrou, the 73-year-old head of the MoDem group which is allied to Macron's party, was appointed nine days after parliament ousted Michel Barnier's government in a historic no-confidence vote following a standoff over an austerity budget.

"The President of the Republic has appointed Mr. Francois Bayrou as prime minister and tasked him with forming a government," the French presidency said.

Bayrou's appointment immediately sparked criticism, with the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party and the Greens threatening to back a new motion of censure.

Bayrou is the sixth prime minister of Macron's mandate after last week's toppling of Barnier, who became France's shortest-serving prime minister and lasted only three months.

He is also Macron's fourth prime minister of 2024.

Bayrou now faces an immediate challenge in putting together a cabinet that can survive a no-confidence vote in a divided parliament and thrash out a 2025 budget in a bid to limit economic turmoil.

Dialogue

The announcement was made after Macron received Bayrou for nearly two hours of talks Friday. BFMTV reported the talks with Bayrou had been "tense."

Barnier, 73, was expected to hand over power to his successor at a ceremony Friday afternoon.

A red carpet was rolled out and microphones installed in the courtyard of the Matignon, the seat of the French government.

The new cabinet is expected to be revealed at a later date.

Bayrou will be tasked with having dialogue with all political forces except the far-right National Rally (RN) and hard-left LFI parties "in order to find conditions for stability and action," a member of Macron's team said on Friday.

"Francois Bayrou's name emerged in recent days as the most consensual."

Both the RN and LFI parties had joined forces last week to topple Barnier's government.

Macron has been confronted with the complex political equation that emerged from snap parliamentary elections this summer  how to secure a government against a no-confidence vote in a bitterly divided lower house where no party or alliance has a majority.

Both LFI chief Jean-Luc Melenchon and RN parliamentary leader Marine Le Pen, who emerged as kingmaker after the summer elections, had not been part of the most recent talks.

'Poor France'

Le Pen suggested that Bayrou's appointment might lead to new deadlock.

"We are asking him to do what his predecessor was unwilling to do: listen to the opposition and build a reasonable, well-considered budget," she said on X.

The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), which was put together to prevent the far-right from coming to power, emerged as the largest bloc in the National Assembly after the elections.

Bosses of the NFP alliance that includes the Socialists, Communists and Greens as well as the LFI had demanded that Macron appoint a prime minister from their ranks.

The members of Melenchon's hard-left party threatened to table a new motion of censure.

"It's yet another insult to democracy," Manuel Bompard, a senior LFI lawmaker, said on X. "To topple Bayrou is to topple Macron."

More moderate left-wingers were also unhappy. "Poor France," Green Party chief Marine Tondelier said on X.

She told BFMTV that her lawmakers would have "no other choice" but to censure Bayrou's government if it does not change its economic policy and keeps hardliner Bruno Retailleau as interior minister.

Communist party leader Fabien Roussel said Bayrou's appointment was "bad news," adding the left had demanded a "change of political direction."

There had been expectations Macron would announce Barnier's successor in an address to the nation last week.

But in a sign of the stalemate, Macron did not name Barnier's successor then and missed a 48-hour deadline he gave at a meeting of party leaders on Tuesday.

The candidacy of Bayrou had raised hackles on the left  wary of continuing the president's policies  as well as on the right, where he is disliked by influential former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Beyond Bayrou, prime ministerial contenders included former Socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, a Macron loyalist, and former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Opinion polls have indicated the public is fed up with the crisis, with just over two-thirds of respondents to an Elabe poll published on Wednesday saying they wanted politicians to reach a deal not to overthrow a new government. (AFP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Macau next week for a gathering marking 25 years since the former Portuguese colony's handover to China, state news agency Xinhua said Saturday.

Xi will also attend the inauguration of Macau's incoming administration and conduct an inspection tour during the Dec. 18-20 visit, according to Xinhua.

Macau grew into a trading post with a mixed Portuguese-Chinese population and cultural heritage during 442 years of colonial rule before it was handed over to China on Dec. 20, 1999.

The city has since become the world's top casino hub by gaming revenue and a popular destination for Chinese tourists. It is the only place in China where casino gambling is allowed.

Like neighbouring Hong Kong, Macau operates under a "One Country, Two Systems" framework that promises a high degree of autonomy, its own legal system and stronger safeguards for civil liberties than those on the mainland.

Former top judge Sam Hou-fai will be sworn in as Macau's next leader on December 20, replacing Ho Iat-seng.

Sam was the sole candidate in an election where only 400 pro-establishment figures  out of the city's nearly 700,000 people  were eligible to vote. (AFP)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Baku hosted Saturday a reception on the occasion of the blessing of the grounds and laying of the foundation stone of the new church dedicated to Saint John Paul II, Trend reports.

Addressing the event, Fariz Rzayev, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that the relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See are based on friendship and close cooperation, and are developing in positive spirit.

According to him, the visits of President Heydar Aliyev in 1997 and President Ilham Aliyev to the Vatican since 2005, as well as the visits of Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 to Azerbaijan, have elevated our relations to their present level.

We attach particular importance to our active and effective cooperation in preserving the values of intercultural and interreligious dialogue. In Azerbaijan people of various religions and beliefs have lived together in harmony and mutual respect for centuries. The Catholic community has always enjoyed continuous care and support, Fariz Rzayev said.

The Azerbaijani Deputy FM emphasized that the involvement of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the restoration of Vaticans historical sites advances bilateral cooperation and contributes to the preservation of global cultural heritage and development of intercultural dialogue.

In his remarks, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for the Holy Sees Relations with States and International Organizations, expressed his sincere gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, for his generous contribution of land for the construction of the Catholic Church in Baku.

I also wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as to the authorities of Baku, and to Ilgar Mukhtarov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Holy See. I am also grateful to the many individuals of goodwill, whose efforts have made the construction of this church in the heart of Baku possible. Dedicated to Saint Pope John Paul II, who in 2002 became the first Successor of Saint Peter to visit this beautiful country, this church will serve as a lasting symbol of the enduring friendship between the Holy See and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Paul R. Gallagher noted.

While diplomatic ties were formalized in 1992, the friendly relations between the Holy See and Azerbaijan have deep historical roots that predate that moment. The Holy See is committed to further strengthening contacts and cooperation with Azerbaijan, particularly in the promotion of the moral values of justice and peace, the archbishop added.

Paul R. Gallagher said that todays event also highlighted Azerbaijans rich religious and cultural diversity. Describing Azerbaijan as a country with a profound tradition of multiculturalism, he added that Azerbaijan remains open to dialogue with all religions, including the Catholic Church.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early, then windy with periods of thunderstorms late. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early, then windy with periods of thunderstorms late. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Earlier this December, boy group VANNER announced the release of their 2025 season's greetings, VVeird Office, teasing the fandom VVS with a mysterious preview.

The team hinted at two versions  Victory Company and Victory Man. The blurred versions initially drew excitement, with VANNER hinting at a double-life concept.

The first one signals an office guy vibe, with the members seen in uniforms, while the second cover teases a spy theme, with the members flaunting their visuals in suits, guns, and a bomb placed on a table.

i went to be nosy to see what they were apologizing for YALL https://t.co/Ccc67sc9mX pic.twitter.com/VZsNknxGC3  viriceta (@rockhyeons) December 12, 2024

However, the anticipation was replaced with sour reactions when the clear version of the Victory Man cover was unveiled. In the now-deleted photo, a fake time bomb and gun were on a praying mat.

Upon seeing this, fans who are members of the Muslim community were enraged, and immediately called out VANNER's creative team for using Islam's praying mat for a pictorial.

Following the massive backlash, VANNER's label KLAP finally addressed the issue in an official statement.

"We have confirmed that the VANNER 2025 SEASON'S GREETING contains pictorial props that have religious symbolism. As a result, the concept photos containing these props were deleted, and the entire photobook was also re-edited and reviewed," said the company.

, .



VANNER() 2025 SEASON'S GREETINGS         .

         ,       .



     VANNER  (@VannerOfficial) December 12, 2024

READ ALSO: VANNER Hyesung Candidly Explains the Reason He is Working Part-Time Despite Being an Idol

"We do not have any intention regarding the religious meaning of the prop, but we sincerely apologize to those who were hurt because of this oversight. We promise to avoid this from happening again in the future through thorough reviews."

Despite their apology, the statement didn't sit well with the fandom, with many still doubting their claim that it was unintentional.

"A bomb on a praying mat? Yeah, whoever thought of this concept gotta be Islamophobic," wrote a netizen.

In the middle of the criticism, VVS, however, has one request from fans.

"As much as I hate this (as a Muslim), please don't spread hate to these guys (VANNER) but to the company," pleaded the boy group's supporter.

RELATED ARTICLE: JTBC's 'PEAK TIME' final winner 'VANNER' and the first official fan club 'VVVS' recruitment begins today!
A major financial firm has reportedly dropped NewJeans as its advertising model.

On December 13, Money Today released an exclusive report disclosing that the Shinhan Financial Group has decided to terminate the group's model contract and shut down any chances of renewal.

Industry sources also stated that the decision is the aftermath of the group's unilateral announcement of its contract termination with ADOR. Since 2023, the members have been the advertising models for the brand in its platform "SOL."

An official from Shinhan Financial Group also put out a brief statement to address the matter. Though the possibility of a renewal is now unlikely for "Super SOL," it added that the members will comply with their activities for other subsidiaries under the firm.

"The advertising contract of NewJeans with the Super SOL brand, which will conclude in December, will not be extended," the official shared.

The news also comes after the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) demanded music and award shows in the K-pop industry to boycott NewJeans, as well as ablume, composed of former FIFTY FITY members Sio, Saena, and Aran.

KMCA to encourage kpop award shows and music shows to boycott NewJeans and Ablume activities to prevent from other kpop artists make similar "tampering" attempts. pic.twitter.com/EgJ3A0gWc2  About Music (@AboutMusicYT) December 13, 2024

The proposition was made in order to prevent K-pop artists from "tampering."

The issue was also highlighted by the organization, which plans to eliminate all possible factors or problems that can rattle the K-pop industry's foundation.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 14 (PTI) Senior BJD leader and MLA Prasanna Acharya on Saturday warned that Odisha is heading for a crisis if the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh is not resolved quickly.

He raised the concern after Justice Bela M. Trivedi was appointed as the new chairperson of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, warning that the river may become "extinct" before the tribunal delivers its final verdict.

Also Read | Parliament Winter Session 2024: Pandomeium in Lok Sabha As PM Narendra Modi Recalls Emergency As 'Dark Chapter', Says 'Congress Strangulated Democracy in 1975'.

Acharya emphasised that despite the tribunal being set up in 2018, no progress has been made, and Odisha continues to suffer from Chhattisgarh's construction of dams and barrages that block the river's flow.

He noted that with the appointment of the new chairperson, the tribunal will likely restart hearings, leading to further delays.

Also Read | Thane: 85-Year-Old Navy Veteran Suffering From Prolonged Illness Jumps to Death From 21st Floor of Building in Nilje Village.

Acharya stressed that the disruption of the river's water flow is harming Odisha's agriculture and rural economy, particularly in over a dozen districts that depend on it.

He urged the BJP-led governments at the Centre, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to resolve the issue swiftly.

In response, Odisha law minister and senior BJP leader Prithiviraj Harichandan blamed former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the ongoing dispute, accusing the previous BJD government of neglecting its duties.

Harichandan assured that the BJP government would protect Odisha's interests and work with the Centre to resolve the issue.

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was established in 2018 by the Ministry of Water Resources following disputes over water distribution between the two states.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Dec 14 (PTI) The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday conducted raids at multiple locations, including the district jail in Anantnag, in a terror-related case, officials said.

The CIK along with local police carried out searches at several sites across the union territory as a part of an ongoing investigation, they said.

Also Read | Bihar Train Accident: Major Mishap Averted As Goods Train Splits Into 2 Parts After Coupling Breaks Near Kharia-Pipra Halt, Services Resume.

In south Kashmir's Anantnag district, CIK teams reached the District Jail Mattan and searched various blocks and barracks, the officials added.

The raids were also conducted at two other locations -- Sonigam and Chawalgam -- in the neighbouring Kulgam district, the officials said.

Also Read | PM Modi's Lok Sabha Address: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Hails India's Journey Since Constitution Adoption As 'Extraordinary' During Day 2 of Samvidhan Debate.

As part of the investigations, the searches were also conducted in two locations in district Udhampur and in Jammu as well, the officials said.

During the operation, six to eight digital devices, including cellphones and tablets were recovered, they said.

The raids were planned after tracing technical signatures inside the jail premises and with other suspects at other locations in an ongoing terror case investigation, the officials added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 14 (ANI): Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday flagged off the 'Nasha Mukt Indora' awareness rally at Indora in district Kangra and said that the state government has launched a campaign against drug menace and has taken stringent action against drug mafia over the past two months and arrested many involved.

The Chief Minister said that the government was committed to rotting out the drug menace and saving the younger generation from this social vice. He said that such awareness campaign plays a crucial role in eradicating and generating awareness against drug abuse.

Also Read | IndiGo To Send Planes To Bring Back Passengers Stranded in Istanbul.

CM Sukhu called for educating the youth about the harmful effects of drugs and ensuring the active participation of all sections of society in the fight against substance abuse.

"If every individual stands firmly against drug addiction this menace can be eradicated," he said.

Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: Apply for 575 Assistant Professor Posts of Rajasthan RPSC Recruitment 2024 at rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in, Know Last Date and Selection Process Here.

The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister said that the state government is setting up a State-Level Advisory Board for de-addiction and rehabilitation.

"This board aims to streamline the activities of various departments related to substance abuse and would ensure a unified approach to tackle this issue. The board would foster coordination among the different department's initiatives, which was expected to yield positive outcomes," he said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Rs 4.32 crore PWD Division office building Indora and Rs 7.72 crore bridge over the Khwaji Khad on the Thakurdwara Paral to Bhogarwan road. He also inaugurated the Fire Post in Indora.

Apart from this Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a Rs 50 lakh Division Office Building of the HPSEBL at Indora, which is expected to be completed within a year.

On the occasion, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also flagged off a fire tender vehicle. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shambhu border, December 14: Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that a 'Jathha' of 101 farmers will make a fresh attempt to march to Delhi from the Shambhu border point of Haryana at noon on Saturday.

The farmers' leader said that the protest against contentious agricultural laws has reached its 307th day today awaiting talks with the Centre and emphasized nationwide support for the movement from the people of the country. Delhi Chalo March: Why Are Farmers Protesting Again? From MSP To Land Acquisition Act, Know Key Demands of Kisan Andolan Here.

In a pointed critique of the government's approach to the farmers' protest, Pandher accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of remaining silent on the issue.

The leader also alleged that government agencies are working to undermine the protest, using tactics to discredit the movement and suggesting that even collective efforts from Punjab and Haryana would fail to make an impact. Farmers Protest: Massive Congestion at Delhi-Noida Border as Police Set Up Barricades Ahead of Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' March (Watch Video).

Speaking to ANI, Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "The farmers' protest has now entered its 307th day. By noon today, our third 'Jattha of 101 farmers will depart for Delhi. The whole country is connected with us and supporting the protest, but our Prime Minister has remained silent about it and maintained a distance from the subject."

"The Union Agriculture Minister has not been speaking about the protest either and the way BJP MPs are doing 'bayanbazi' is going to cause division in communities. The government agencies are trying their best to ensure that the 'morcha' does not win. They are trying to prove that even if all of Punjab and Haryana come together, even then the morcha cannot win," Pandher said.

Adding further, he said, "I urge everyone to support the protest because I believe no matter how powerful the government is, it can never be bigger than the people of the country. The country is not determined by any party but by the people of the country. We aim to demonstrate how a collective effort by ordinary citizens can be influential enough to bring about changes in laws and governance."

The farmers' agitation has witnessed widespread participation from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The protest sites near Delhi's borders have become epicentres of resistance, with thousands of farmers camped in makeshift arrangements despite harsh weather conditions. As the protest continues to gain momentum, the farmers are preparing for intensified demonstrations to pressure the government into addressing their demands.

Meanwhile, drone visuals from the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border show farmers blocking the roads with vehicles. Earlier on Friday, Pandher appealed to the residents of Punjab and Haryana to reach the Khanauri and Shambhu border in large numbers as the farmers' protest completed ten months.

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Union government and Punjab to ensure necessary medical aid is provided to farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanouri border. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan asked authorities to have a direct dialogue with Dallewal saying "his life is more precious than any agitation."

A person who is providing them (farmers) leadership and statesmanship must be protected, please take the steps immediately, the bench told Centre and Punjab. Dallewal has been on fast-unto-death since November 26 as part of the protests against the Central government for minimum support prices for crops.

Notably, farmers are asking for a charter of 12 demands, including MSP for crops to be met by the state and Union governments. Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has taken on the Congress and the opposition parties on the issue of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Responding to the Congress' claim of support to farmers and its promise to give MSP to farmers, Saini said that the Congress governments in Himachal and Telangana had failed to buy crops at MSP.

"In the last 10 years, we have bought crops on MSP. The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana cannot say that they will buy crops on 100 per cent MSP. People have understood their reality. In a month, AAP will also start talking about the EVMs. People have rejected them," Saini 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 14 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday "exposed" the Congress by presenting "facts" on how the party tore apart the Constitution and hurt its soul just for the sake of power, BJP MPs, including Union ministers, said after his speech in the Lok Sabha.

Responding to a two-day debate in the Lower House on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India', Modi launched a searing attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family and alleged that its generations assaulted the Constitution, leaving its spirit in a "bloodied state."

Also Read | Manipur: 2 Migrant Workers From Bihar Shot Dead by Gunmen in Kakching District.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a post on X said Modi in his address mainly spoke on the sanctity and importance of the Constitution as well as its basic elements.

The PM also presented before the people of the country "facts" how the Congress, which claims to be the protector of the Constitution, tore apart the Constitution for the sake of power and hurt its soul, he added.

Also Read | Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: BJP To Keep Home Ministry, Shiv Sena May Get Housing Ministry; NCP To Retain Previous Portfolios.

"The Constitution of India is the religion of our government, a holy book for us and historic decisions like Article 370, CAA, National Education Policy 2020, triple talaq have been taken with full dedication to the spirit of the Constitution.

"Our government is working with commitment for the welfare of all sections including the poor, farmers, youth, women, instead of the decades-old slogan of 'Garibi Hatao' of the Congress," Pradhan said.

During his speech, the prime minister proposed 11 resolutions, which included upholding existing reservations for marginalised sections ,but strongly opposed any religion-based quota.

The resolutions proposed by Modi towards the end of his over 110-minute speech also included a call for an end to dynastic politics, promoting meritocracy over nepotism in governance, and a pledge for having zero tolerance to corruption.

"Let all of us countrymen make our important contribution towards nation building by working on the 11 resolutions given by the Prime Minister on this occasion," Pradhan said.

Asked for comment, Union minister Giriraj Singh hailed Modi, who, he said, "completely exposed" the Congress.

"The country should learn from what the prime minister said," he told reporters in Parliament complex.

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said the prime minister presented the "truth" before the country that the Congress neither ever showed any respect for the Constitution, nor for its architect B R Ambedkar.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], December 14 (ANI): Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday demanded that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments regarding the PKC-ERCP link project be made public. He said that the newly signed agreement was being kept a secret and people had the right to know whether this project would be beneficial.

This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) on December 17.

Also Read | Maharashtra: NCP MLA Rohit Pawar's Mother Sunanda Bats for Sharad Pawar-Ajit Pawar Unity.

"The opposition has demanded that the MoU signed between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh government under PKC-ERCP (Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project) should be made public. People have the right to know whether this project will be beneficial for Rajasthan. The newly signed agreement is being kept a secret. It is being said that the new scheme doesn't have provision for irrigation which was there in the earlier ERCP scheme," Gehlot told ANI.

The Congress leader further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of indulging in politics over public welfare works. He said that the condition of the ERCP project was becoming like the Barmer Refinery project whose cost was increased by several thousand crore rupees due to the delay.

Also Read | Hyderabad: Fed Up With Husbands Torture, Woman Techie Orders Poison Online, Dies by Suicide in Miyapur; FIR Registered.

I am seeing for the first time in my political life that the agreement between two governments is being kept secret...The public has no information about it...In 2013, when the refinery project was transferred from the UP government in Rajasthan, it was inaugurated but after the government changed, the BJP stopped the work and tried to restart it which led to an increase in the project's cost by several thousand crores (rupees). The condition of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is also becoming like the Barmer Refinery Scheme. There should be no politics in public welfare works but they (BJP) do it," Gehlot said.

The ERCP project, announced by the BJP in 2017-18, aims to provide drinking and irrigation water to 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan. (ANI)

(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 14 (ANI): The Amritsar Court on Saturday extended the remand of Narain Singh Chaura, the accused in the alleged assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple premises on December 4, by two more days.

Speaking to ANI, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jaspal Singh said, "After hearing all the arguments, the court has granted us two more days of police remand."

Also Read | Bihar Train Accident: Major Mishap Averted As Goods Train Splits Into 2 Parts After Coupling Breaks Near Kharia-Pipra Halt, Services Resume.

Advocate Jagdeep Singh Randhawa, representing the accused, stated that Narain Singh Chaura will next be produced in court on December 16.

"Today, the police sought a five-day remand but were granted two days. The police argued in court that some CCTV footage still needs to be obtained from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). We contended that this matter is between the SGPC and the investigative agency, and there is no need for Narain Singh's further remand. He will now be produced on December 16," Randhawa said.

Also Read | Powai Shocker: Drunk Auto Driver Stopped for Rash Driving on Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road Attacks Police Constable With Paver Block, Arrested.

On December 4, an assassination attempt was made on Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple premises. Despite the attack, Badal resumed his religious duties and performed 'seva' at Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib under heavy security.

SAD leaders have criticised the Punjab government over the attack on their party chief, demanding immediate action against the accused.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia condemned the incident, saying, "This attack occurred at the most sacred site of our religion. Why has the accused not been arrested?"

Daljit Singh Cheema accused the investigation of bias, stating, "The investigative officers are seen roaming around with a history-sheeter. Those who should be investigated are the ones leading this inquiry. There is absolutely no law and order in Punjab." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur, Dec 14 (PTI) The Rajasthan Forum has expressed displeasure over the exclusion of state-origin artistes from the recently held three-day "Rising Rajasthan" Summit.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Forum President and Padma Bhushan awardee Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt expressed resentment over the lack of representation of local artistes.

Also Read | Parliament Winter Session 2024: Pandomeium in Lok Sabha As PM Narendra Modi Recalls Emergency As 'Dark Chapter', Says 'Congress Strangulated Democracy in 1975'.

The Rajasthan Forum, comprises 34 distinguished artiste members ?including 12 Padma awardees.

Raising concerns, the Forum highlighted the absence of Rajasthan's key cultural traditions, including Dhrupad music, Kathak dance, and folk art from the summit's cultural programme.

Also Read | Navi Mumbai Shocker: Man Attacked With Chopper by 4 Following Dispute Over Supplying Water Cans in Koparkhairane, Probe Launched.

In his letter, Pandit Bhatt expressed regret over the government's failure to consult the forum, a prominent cultural body in the state, while planning the event.

The Forum has urged the government to involve its members in future cultural events to ensure that the state's rich art and heritage receive adequate recognition and representation.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, December 14: West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim sparked a controversy by saying that Muslims need to work towards a position where their "voices are automatically heard" and their demands for justice and development are met.

Speaking at an event for minority students here on Friday, the municipal affairs and urban development minister said, "In West Bengal, we are 33 per cent and nationwide we are 17 per cent. We may be minorities numerically, but by Allah's grace, we can become so empowered that we will not need to hold candlelight rallies for justice. We will be in a position where our voices are automatically heard, and our calls for justice answered." Telangana Handcuffing Controversy: Tribal Farmer Taken To Sangareddy Hospital in Handcuffs by Police, CM Revanth Reddy Orders Inquiry (Watch Video).

Firhad Hakims Remarks on Muslim Empowerment

Kolkatas Mayor, Firhad Hakim, previously revealed his true intentions by describing non-Muslims as unfortunate and endorsing Dawat-e-Islams efforts to convert Hindus to Islam. He has now claimed that West Bengal, along with the rest of India, will soon have a Muslim majority. pic.twitter.com/fjneA8ECIX  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 14, 2024

At the programme, he also highlighted the underrepresentation of Muslims in the judiciary, pointing out the few Muslim judges in Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court. Hakim suggested that through empowerment and hard work, this gap could be bridged. A video of Hakim's speech went viral, but its authenticity could not be independently verified by PTI.

Hakim emphasised the importance of cooperation between the minority community and others for the progress of the nation. "We believe in minority community members working hand-in-hand with other communities to facilitate the progress of the nation," he added. Batenge to Katenge, Rahul Gandhi Is Countrys No 1 Terrorist: List of Most Controversial and Bizarre Remarks Made in 2024.

BJP's IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya criticised Hakim's statement, accusing him of suggesting that West Bengal  and India  will soon have a Muslim majority. He claimed Hakim's vision hinted at Muslims taking justice into their own hands, potentially signaling support for Sharia law.

"Kolkata's Mayor Firhad Hakim previously revealed his true intentions by describing non-Muslims as 'unfortunate' and endorsing Dawat-e-Islam's efforts to convert Hindus to Islam. He has now claimed that West Bengal, along with the rest of India, will soon have a Muslim majority," Malviya posted on X.

"Hakim envisions a future where Muslims will no longer rely on peaceful protests or marches but will take justice into their own hands, potentially hinting at Sharia law," he added. In response, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh defended Hakim, saying his comments were misinterpreted.

"What he meant is the uplift of a large number of minority community members so they can join mainstream society and contribute to nation-building," Ghosh said. He further asserted that Hakim's secular and liberal values are well-known, and that he actively participates in various religious festivals while promoting communal harmony.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kamareddy (Telangana) [India], December 14 (ANI): Police arrested six people in connection with a fake currency racket in the Koyya Gutta area under the Banswada Town police station limits of Telangana's Kamareddy district, officials said on Saturday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Kadapatri Rajagopal Rao, Hussain Peera, Kolavar Kiran Kumar, Kesrole Ramdas Goud, Radhakrishna, and Ajay Eashwar Lokhande.

Also Read | Manipur: 2 Migrant Workers From Bihar Shot Dead by Gunmen in Kakching District.

According to officials, Banswada Police while conducting vehicle checks at Koyyagutta intercepted a car and found three persons, namely Kadapatri Rajagopal Rao, Kolavar Kiran Kumar, and Kesrole Ramdas Goud. Upon searching the vehicle, the police found 30 lakh rupees worth of counterfeit currency.

The police on Friday busted a counterfeit currency racket and arrested six people, including the mastermind, in connection with the case at Koyya Gutta under Banswada Town police station limits of Kamareddy district.

Also Read | Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: BJP To Keep Home Ministry, Shiv Sena May Get Housing Ministry; NCP To Retain Previous Portfolios.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused were part of a gang involved in printing and circulating counterfeit currency across the country. The gang consisted of eight members from various states, including Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra.

As per the police, the gang's modus operandi involved printing counterfeit currency in Hyderabad and circulating it in various parts of the country.

The police seized 56 lakh 90 thousand rupees worth of counterfeit currency, computers, printers, paper cutters, and other equipment used in printing counterfeit currency.

Six accused were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The police are on the lookout for two more accused, Kamlesh and Sukhram, who are absconding.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], December 14 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh lashed out at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday after a West Bengal court granted bail to former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh in connection with the Kolkata rape and murder case.

Ghosh dubbed it CBI's "inability to establish a strong case" and said that it was a "baseless case with distorted information."

Also Read | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Lays Foundation for INR 220 Crore Jorhat Town Water Supply Scheme.

Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "Kolkata Police arrested the main accused Sanjay Roy within 24 hours. The anti-government public wanted the CBI to take over the case. Now that the case was with CBI, we are getting to know that Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal. This was a baseless case with distorted information meant to malign the government."

"Even the CBI could not establish the case. The CBI could not prove the involvement of these people with the rape case, hence they were granted bail," he added.

Also Read | TikTok Ban in US: Lawmakers Ask Google, Apple To Prepare To Remove Chinese App From App Stores.

Earlier, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul slammed the CBI for delays in filing the chargesheet in the case.

Paul called the handling of the investigation "unfortunate and shameful." She also questioned the motives of certain CBI officers and assured the victim's family of the BJP's unwavering support.

Speaking to ANI, Paul said, "It is very unfortunate and quite shameful. We are extremely upset by the way the case of Abhaya is being solved. I am not sure what agenda these few officers of the CBI have. Why are they not submitting the chargesheet at the right time?"

Highlighting the importance of the case, she added, "This is not an ordinary case. It is being looked at by 10 crore people of the state. The court had assured the parents of Abhaya that if they felt the CBI was not going ahead with the case properly, they could submit an appeal in the court."

Paul further assured the family of the BJP's full support, stating, "West Bengal BJP stands with the parents of Abhaya, and we will do whatever is required. We will not tolerate this."

The mother of the deceased trainee doctor expressed disappointment over the CBI's failure to file a chargesheet within 90 days, which led to the bail of former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and Tala police station's former officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal.

Speaking about the delay, she told ANI, "We are very disappointed that CBI did not file the chargesheet in 90 days. CBI did not work, and hence those people got bail. This is very disappointing."

On Friday, the Sealdah Court granted bail after the CBI missed the legal deadline for submitting the chargesheet.

The case, which involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was found on August 9 in the hospital's seminar room, sparked widespread protests. Shortly after the incident, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer at the hospital, was arrested in connection with the crime.

However, the CBI filed a chargesheet on November 29 regarding financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The chargesheet named Sandip Ghosh, along with others, including Dr. Ashish Kumar Pandey, Biplab Singha, Suman Hazra, and Afsar Ali Khan, for their involvement in financial misconduct. This investigation was ordered by the Calcutta High Court.

In addition to the corruption case, Sandip Ghosh also faced questioning related to the murder case. The CBI conducted polygraph tests on him as part of their investigation.

Sanjay Roy, the main suspect in the rape and murder, denied the charges against him. From a police van on November 11, he claimed, "I am telling you it was Vineet Goyal (former Kolkata Police Commissioner) who conspired the whole thing (rape and murder of RG Kar Medical College resident doctor) and framed me. They had threatened me, and there were other big officers involved." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The share of KazMunayGas National Company in the project of the Mirny wind farm will be 20 percent, an informed source from KazMunayGas told Trend.

The source states that KazMunayGas will determine the volume of its own investments after the project financing scheme receives final approval. At the same time, the total volume of investments will be about $1.3 billion.

Based on KazMunayGas data, the project is currently at the design stage.

"Completion of construction is scheduled for the end of 2028," the source added.

The information also emphasized that at the moment KazMunayGas is not considering participation in renewable energy projects outside Kazakhstan.

To note, the construction of the wind power plant "Mirny" with a capacity of 1 GW in the Zhambyl region is carried out jointly with the French company TotalEnergies Renewables. This project will create up to 250 permanent jobs and about 2,000 temporary jobs in Kazakhstan during the construction period.
New Delhi [India], December 14 (ANI): In a joint operation by the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Special Task Force (STF), Sonu Matka, a wanted criminal involved in a double murder case, was killed during an encounter at TP Nagar Police Station, Meerut.

Matka, who carried a bounty of Rs 50,000, was a notorious shooter for the Hashim Baba gang and had multiple criminal charges against him.

Also Read | LK Advani Health Update: BJP Veteran Leader Lal Krishna Advani Admitted to Apollo Hospital, Condition Stable.

According to Delhi Police, Matka was a "notorious shooter of Hashim Baba Gang", known for its criminal activities spanning across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. He was allegedly involved in at least half a dozen cases, including robbery and murder, in both regions.

The encounter took place near the TP Nagar Police Station in Meerut, where Matka was injured and during the exchange of gunfire, he was injured. 1 pistol 30 bore, 1 pistol 32 bore, 10 live cartridges and 4 motorcycles were recovered in the operation. According to the Delhi Police he later died during the treatment.

Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 14, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game.

Earlier on December 12, Delhi Police arrested two minors in connection with the murder of a person in Maujpur in the national capital. The victim was found injured near Puja Modal School in Ghonda, Maujpur, Delhi, on December 11, 2024, according to the police.

According to the police, a PCR call was received at 2:30 AM on Wednesday, and upon arrival, the victim was found to have been taken to the hospital by a PCR van, where he was declared brought dead. The police registered a case under section 103(1) BNS and launched an investigation.

During course of investigation a police team led by Inspector. Surender Kumar, SHO/PS Jafarabad was constituted under the supervision of ACP-Bhajanpura. The team mounted technical surveillance and scanned and analysed CCTV footages of the cameras installed in the vicinity. The team also gathered intelligence from the locally deployed sources.

On the basis of collected information the team managed to identified two suspected persons. The team conducted multiple raids and nabbed two Children in conflict with the law (CCLs) involved in the commission of crime. (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 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged people to take resolve that when India celebrates 100 years of her independence in 2047, it will be celebrated and treasured as a 'Developed India'.

PM Modi said he has immense faith in the capabilities of citizens,

Also Read | Manipur: 2 Migrant Workers From Bihar Shot Dead by Gunmen in Kakching District.

"Let's move forward with the spirits of 'We, the people...', the very foundation of our Constitution. The dream of building a Viksit Bharat is the dream of all 140 crore citizens. Remember, when a nation moves forward with determination, results are guaranteed. I have immense faith in my fellow citizens, their capabilities, the youth, and the Nari Shakti of Bharat. Let's resolve that when India celebrates 100 years of her independence in 2047, she will be celebrated and treasured as a 'Developed India'," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his speech in Lok Sabha during discussion on 75 years of India's Constitution.

He cited a letter from former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to then Chief Ministers and slammed the Congress.

Also Read | Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: BJP To Keep Home Ministry, Shiv Sena May Get Housing Ministry; NCP To Retain Previous Portfolios.

"The then PM, Pandit Nehru had written a letter to Chief Ministers. In his letter, he wrote - "if the Constitution comes in the way...we must make a change in the Constitution at any cost." Nehru ji wrote this in a letter to CMs. In 1951, this sin was committed. But the country was not silent. The then President Dr Rajendra Prasad alerted him that it was wrong. The then Speaker also told him that what he was doing was wrong. Great Congress leaders like Acharya Kriplani, and Jayprakash Narayan alerted Pandit Nehru. But Pandit Nehru had his own Constitution. That is why, he neglected the suggestions of such senior leaders...," PM Modi said.

"This country didn't have an elected government from 1947 to 1952. A temporary system, a selected government was in place. Elections were not held. An interim government was in place until the elections. Before 1952, the Rajya Sabha was also not formed. There were no elections in states as well. There was no mandate by the people...In 1951, when there wasn't an elected government, he amended the Constitution through an Ordinance. Right to Express was attacked...This was an insult to Constitution makers...As soon as he saw an opportunity, he dealt a blow to Right to Express. This was a grave insult to Constitution makers. What could not be facilitated in the Constituent Assembly, he facilitated through the back door and that too when he was not the PM of an elected government. He committed a sin," he added

The two-day debate on 75 years of the Constitution started in Lok Sabha on Friday. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 14 (ANI): A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala on Saturday filed a complaint in connection with the 'wild chicken' controversy, demanding a probe into the matter.

The NGO, an animal rights organisation, filed a complaint to the Chief Conservator of the Wildlife Department. Dheeraj Mahajan, Head of the NGO, said that Jungle fowl (wild chicken or junglee murga) comes under the second schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act and it can't be killed.

Also Read | BJP Ridiculing VD Savarkar When It Talks of Protecting Constitution, Rahul Gandhi Tells Lok Sabha.

"We received information that a 'junglee murga' also known as jungle fowl bird was on the menu of CM's dinner last night. Jungle fowl comes under the second schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act and it cannot be killed or served in food. We feel it is morally wrong also and we are supposed to protect wild animals. If the chief of the state, our CM, would promote eating 'junglee murga', we totally disagree with him. So we have come here to file a complaint with the forest department to inquire about the facts and take action against all those persons if they have killed jungle fowl, eaten or promoted its killing or hunting," Dheeraj Mahajan told ANI.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday negated the allegations of him eating wild chicken, saying that he was offered country chicken but didn't consume it.

Also Read | Sambhal: Decades-Old Shiv Temple Re-Opens After 46 Years in Uttar Pradesh's Khaggu Sarai Area (Watch Video).

"Local villagers were offering me country (desi) chicken, I don't consume it - and a channel was telecasting this as if I am having chicken. Non-veg food is a part of life in the hills. Jairam Thakur is making statements on it," Himachal CM Sukhu said in a video released by his office (CMO).

Sukhu's participation at a recent event in Shimla sparked controversy after 'wild chicken,' a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, was reportedly on the dinner menu served to guests.

The incident, which came to light through a purported video shared by an animal welfare organization, has led to widespread condemnation from animal rights groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding an apology and action against those responsible.

At a public event in the remote Kufri area of Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu attended a dinner where the menu included food with wild chicken, bichu booti (a local herb), and slices of bread made from maize and wheat.

Earlier, BJP state spokesperson Chetan Bharta demanded that Chief Minister Sukhu issue a public apology and take stringent action against those involved in serving the wild chicken.

Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur also condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable and urging the government to address the issue swiftly. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dhaka, Dec 14 (PTI) Law enforcement agencies on Saturday arrested four people for vandalising and damaging houses and shops of the Hindu community and the local Loknath temple in Sunamganj district in north Bangladesh.

Police also filed a case against 150-170 people, mentioning the names of 12 of them.

Also Read | IndiGo To Send Planes To Bring Back Passengers Stranded in Istanbul.

Alim Hossain, 19, Sultan Ahmed Raju, 20, Imran Hossain, 31, and Shajahan Hossain, 20, were arrested for vandalism in the Doarabazar area of Sunamganj district earlier this month, a press release from the Chief Adviser's press wing here.

On December 3, a Facebook post by Akash Das, a resident of the Sunamganj district, sparked tensions in the district. Even though he deleted the post, screenshots spread widely, leading to violence in the area, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) said quoting the press release.

Also Read | UK Shocker: Doctor 'Chokes' Woman During Sex, Sends Photos and Videos of Sexual Acts With Other Women to Her; Probe Ordered.

Local police arrested Das immediately, but, amid concerns over his safety, transferred him to another station.

On the same day, a mob vandalised and damaged the homes, shops, and local Loknath temple of the Hindu community.

The district Superintendent of Police, Deputy Commissioner (DC), and the army personnel rushed to the place and brought the situation under control.

The police identified the accused involved in the incident and filed a case against 150-170 people, mentioning the names of 12 people on Saturday, the BSS added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh acknowledged 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities, primarily Hindus, following the ouster of then-premier Sheikh Hasina in August.

Interim government head Muhammad Yunus' press secretary Shafiqul Alam also said that 70 people have been arrested in those incidents.

He made the disclosure a day after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri flagged regrettable incidents of attacks on minorities and conveyed India's concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, during his meetings with the Bangladeshi leadership in Dhaka.

A total of 88 cases have been filed in incidents related to minorities from August 5 to October 22, Alam told reporters.

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 is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Balochistan [Pakistan] December 14, (ANI): The family of Wahid Kamber Baloch, a respected Baloch leader and elder, is urgently calling for his immediate and safe release from Pakistani custody. Kamber, who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani intelligence agencies on July 19, 2024, while in Iran, has been held in secret, and his family and supporters are demanding justice.

Kamber's abduction has sparked widespread outrage, with many decrying it as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. As a steadfast advocate for Baloch rights and freedom, his disappearance has become a symbol of the broader issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, a region long plagued by military operations and human rights abuses.

Also Read | South Korea's Parliament Votes To Impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol Over His Martial Law Order.

The human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Paank, posted on X, stating, "We stand firmly with Wahid Kamber's family in their courageous fight for his release. This is not just the disappearance of one man, but an attack on justice, dignity, and the Baloch people's struggle for freedom. To the international community, your silence enables oppression. Join us in amplifying the call for justice. Wahid Kamber Baloch must be brought back. His voice will never be silenced, and neither will ours."

Paank Media Coordinator Jamal Baloch also shared a video, declaring, "Wahid Kamber Baloch, a dedicated Baloch leader and elder, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani intelligence agencies from Iran on July 19th. This is not merely the disappearance of a single man; it is an assault on justice, dignity, and the Baloch people's fight for freedom. We stand firmly with his family, who are bravely demanding his immediate and safe release from Pakistani detention."

Also Read | TikTok Ban: US Lawmakers Ask Google and Apple To Remove ByteDance-Owned App From Their App Stores.

The family of Wahid Kamber, alongside human rights organizations, has repeatedly condemned the Pakistani government's actions and called for his immediate release.

They emphasize that enforced disappearances violate international law, and those responsible must be held accountable. "This enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity, and those responsible must be held accountable. To the international community, your silence has perpetuated oppression in Balochistan. It is crucial that you join us in amplifying the call for justice and ending enforced disappearances in Balochistan," they said.

Kamber's case has become a rallying cry for human rights in Balochistan, a region where the fight for freedom and dignity is met with state violence. His family and supporters remain hopeful that international pressure will end this injustice and ensure that his voice is heard once again.

The ongoing unrest in Balochistan is characterized by a disturbing pattern of abductions and killings, with a wide range of individuals including activists, politicians, journalists, and ordinary civilians falling victim to enforced disappearances by security forces.

The Pakistani military is frequently accused of using enforced disappearances as part of a broader strategy to target insurgents or separatist groups. However, human rights organizations and Baloch nationalist groups contend that these abductions are primarily intended to suppress dissent. Enforced disappearances are often followed by torture and extrajudicial killings, further exacerbating the human rights crisis in the region. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], December 14 (ANI): Incarcerated former Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan has been named in the deaths of three Pak Rangers during a protest by his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Islamabad, ARY News reported.

The FIR, lodged at Ramna Police Station, accuses Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other top PTI leaders of murder, terrorism, and other serious offences.

Also Read | Indian Students Killed in Canada: India Describes Recent Murder of Students As 'Terrible Tragedies', Demands Thorough Investigation.

The FIR alleges that the plan to attack the Rangers personnel was put together in Adiala Jail, where Khan had met with his party leaders, as reported by ARY News.

The plan was allegedly executed by Bushra Bibi and other party workers, who incited protesters to attack the Rangers personnel.

Also Read | MFN Clause Suspension by Switzerland: India Needs Strategic Approach for International Taxation Treaties, Says GTRI.

Several other senior PTI leaders have also been named in the FIR, including Omar Ayub, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Salman Akram Raja, Ali Amin Gandapur, Murad Saeed, Zulfi Bukhari, Raoof Hassan and Hammad Azhar. They are accused of conspiring to launch a deadly assault on the Rangers personnel.

The incident occurred during PTI's recent protests in Islamabad on November 26, where a car driven by an unidentified driver ran over three Rangers personnel, killing them on the spot, ARY News reported.

The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act.

At least four Pakistan Rangers soldiers were killed in the incident, while five others including policemen were injured in the incident. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], December 14 (ANI): Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be resuming flights to the United States after seven years of suspension, marking a significant development for the country's aviation sector, ARY News reported.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to settle pending financial obligations.

Also Read | Indian Students Killed in Canada: India Describes Recent Murder of Students As 'Terrible Tragedies', Demands Thorough Investigation.

According to DG CAA Nadir Shafi Dar, payments to the FAA are expected to be made shortly, paving the way for the FAA's delegation to visit Pakistan by February or March.

According to ARY News, the development has increased chances that Pakistan will be reclassified to 'Category One' status with the FAA, allowing direct flights to the US to resume, as per ARY News.

Also Read | MFN Clause Suspension by Switzerland: India Needs Strategic Approach for International Taxation Treaties, Says GTRI.

Notably, PIA's flights to the US were suspended in 2017, when the airline operated six flights per week between Pakistan and the US, including four to New York and two to Chicago.

The Pak government is also intensifying efforts to privatise PIA through government-to-government (G2G) agreements, with a deadline set for December 31, ARY News reported on Saturday, citing sources.

According to the report, both Abu Dhabi and Qatar have expressed strong interest in PIA's privatisation, creating a potential opportunity for foreign investment. Active discussions are underway with both countries to finalise the terms of the deal.

To attract investors, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is reportedly offering substantial incentives to those looking to acquire stakes in PIA. These measures are designed to ensure a smooth transition during the privatization process, providing necessary support to potential investors, the ARY report added.

In October 2024, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the government plans to complete PIA's privatisation, along with that of three power distribution companies, by the end of the year.

Initially set to conclude by October 1, the privatisation process was delayed to October 31 due to low bidder interest, ongoing legal challenges, issues with the ageing fleet, and civil aviation concerns. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lahore [Pakistan] December 14, (ANI): Senior Puisne Judge of Pakistan Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has raised concerns about what he sees as one of the most vulnerable periods in the judiciary's history, cautioning against the growing threat of executive overreach.

In a five-page letter to Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, chairman of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) rules-making committee, Justice Shah expressed grave concerns about the lack of established rules for appointing judges to constitutional courts Express Tribune reported.

Also Read | Thailand: 3 Killed, 39 Injured in Bomb Explosion at Thai Festival in Tak Province, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Expresess Condolences.

In the letter, dated 12 December, Justice Shah noted that the judiciary has historically held a leading role in the process of appointing judges in Pakistan. However, he argued that this crucial balance has been significantly disrupted by the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which now gives the executive a majority in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).

He further cautioned that the unprecedented change in the JCP's composition presents serious dangers, such as the possibility of political appointments and the filling of courts with judges who have no ideological commitment to the rule of law.

Also Read | IndiGo To Send Planes To Bring Back Passengers Stranded in Istanbul.

He warned that this deficiency jeopardizes the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, and the democratic structure of the country.

"It should be noted that Clause (4) of Article 175A of the Constitution specifically requires the commission to establish its procedural rules, including the process and criteria for assessing, evaluating, and determining the fitness of judges for appointment," Justice Shah stated in his letter.

He warned that without these rules, any proceedings conducted by the commission for appointing judges would be unconstitutional.

He warned that the lack of strong rules and criteria would open the door for external influences to weaken the judiciary by enabling appointments driven by partisan interests instead of upholding constitutional principles.

He emphasized that no appointments to the constitutional courts should proceed until these rules are finalized and approved by the JCP. He argued that this approach was crucial not only for safeguarding the judiciary's independence but also for bolstering public confidence in the courts as defenders of justice, the rule of law, and democratic accountability.

He cautioned that any rush in the matter by the JCP could significantly damage and weaken the judiciary for years to come.

The letter follows Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi's decision to establish a five-member committee tasked with drafting rules to regulate the procedure and criteria for judicial appointments.

Last week, Chief Justice Afridi chaired JCP meetings that addressed three main issues- the creation of the committee to draft the rules, the nomination of Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan as the eighth judge of the Supreme Court's constitutional bench, and the appointment of additional judges to the Sindh and Peshawar high courts. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Murree [Pakistan], December 14 (ANI): A large number of traders, political leaders and residents on Saturday gathered at Lower Topa Murree to record their protest against the "Murree development plan" launched by the Punjab government, Geo TV reported.

As per GEO TV, the protest demonstration saw the participation of leaders from various Pakistani parties such as PTI, PPP, JUI and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

Also Read | Boat Capsize off Greek Island: 1 Dead, 33 Rescued After Boat Carrying Migrants Sinks off Crete Coast.

The parties came together to express solidarity with the protesters. Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Awaam Pakistan party chief Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also participated in the protest rally.

According to Geo TV, the authorities imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the area to avert any untoward situation in the backdrop of the protest rally.

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia As Kyiv Reels From Consecutive Massive Air Attacks.

The protest is being staged on the call of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which demanded the provincial government abolish the remodelling of Jhika Gali Bazar and 'section 4 on Mall Road. "The government would not be allowed to spend funds worth billions in the area comprising the three-kilometre radius," the JAC leaders said without explaining or naming the area.

As per Geo TV, they urged the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz-led provincial government to resolve the issues being faced by the people of Murree and Kotli Sattian and also urged the provincial government to review its decision about the development plan.

Backing the demands of the protesters, Abbasi said, "The people of Murree are staging protest demonstration for their due rights", Geo TV reported.

Slamming the provincial government, he asked under which law the government was demolishing buildings in the area. Significantly, he also added that Section 144 has never been imposed in Murree.

In June this year, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif co-chaired a five-hour-long meeting in which the Murree development plan was approved. The meeting accorded approval to development, beautification, transport, construction and rehabilitation projects as Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb gave a detailed briefing, Geo TV reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Peshawar, Dec 14 (PTI) Pakistani cultural enthusiasts and film lovers gathered at the iconic Kapoor House in Peshawar on Saturday to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of legendary Bollywood filmmaker and actor Raj Kapoor.

A highlight of the event, reinforcing the significance of Peshawar's ties to cinematic history, was the cutting of a cake to mark the birth centenary of Kapoor -- one of the most influential figures of the Indian cinema.

Also Read | US Shooting: 1 Person Fatally Shot at Army Base in Georgia in 'Isolated' Incident, Gunman Apprehended.

Participants also welcomed the World Bank's announcement to allocate Rs 100 million each for the restoration of the ancestral homes of Raj Kapoor and fellow Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar. Both homes, located near the famous Qissa Khawani Bazaar, are celebrated as symbols of Peshawar's deep ties to Indian cinema.

The gathering, jointly organised by the Cultural Heritage Council (CHC) and the Directorate of Archaeology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, called for larger-scale events to commemorate the legacy of Kapoor. The attendees emphasised Kapoor's connection to Pakistan, where he was born in Peshawar's Dhaki Nalbandi, and praised his enduring influence on cinema.

Also Read | US Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt Commends UAE's Experience for Promoting Tolerance, Coexistence, Acceptance of Others.

Muhammad Hussain Haidery, Secretary of the Pak-Iran Trade and Investment Council, was the chief guest of the event.

Ibrahim Zia, a renowned writer and researcher on the Indian film industry who has extensively studied film legends with roots in Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, presented rare photographs of Raj Kapoor from his childhood and early adolescence years in Peshawar. He also shared insights into the actor's illustrious career, starting in the 1940s. Zia highlighted Kapoor's versatility across genres, from romance and comedy to tragedy, which solidified his status as the "Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema".

The Kapoor House stands near the ancestral homes of Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan, connecting two generations of Indian film legends to Peshawar. Dilip Kumar, celebrated for his naturalistic acting, and Shah Rukh Khan, a modern-day Bollywood superstar, further underscore the city's historical contribution to Indian cinema.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 14. Kazakhstan and Hungary are expanding the horizons of cooperation by discussing future prospects in the fields of trade and investment, Trend reports.

On December 12, a round table titled "Kazakhstan-Hungary: New Trends in Trade and Economic Cooperation" was held in Budapest. The event was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Hungary in cooperation with Kazakh Invest National Company, with the support of the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) and the Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The event brought together over 70 participants, including representatives of government bodies and leading companies from Kazakhstan and Hungary.

Speakers at the round table included the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Hungary, Abzal Saparbekuly; the foreign representative of Kazakh Invest in Hungary, Ulbossyn Sarybayeva; Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Hungary, Csaba Kandracs; HEPA Director General, Gabor Jenei; and others. In their speeches, the speakers highlighted the contributions of companies such as MOL Group, UBM Group, L.A.C. Holding, Elitmag, Alfaseed, MVM Group, and I-Cell to the development of Kazakh-Hungarian cooperation. The projects of these companies cover industries such as energy, logistics, agriculture, and renewable energy sources. In turn, company representatives expressed their readiness to further expand cooperation by establishing new production facilities in Kazakhstan.

The main goal of the round table was to strengthen business ties between Kazakhstan and Hungary, highlight promising projects, and identify new areas for cooperation. During the event, participants discussed key issues, including the development of infrastructure and logistics, joint projects in the agro-industrial complex, cooperation in nuclear energy, new opportunities in education, digital transformation, and more.

The event became a significant step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation following the state visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Hungary in November 2023.

To note, this year Kazakhstan and Hungary celebrate a jubilee date10 years since the adoption of the declaration of strategic partnership. During this time, Kazakhstan has attracted more than $350 million of Hungarian investments.
Yangon (Myanmar), Dec 14 (PTI) The Indian Embassy said here on Saturday announced that six Indian nationals trapped in a job scam were released for deportation back to India, taking the total of such repatriations since July to over 100.

There has been an increase in the incidents of Indian nationals falling victim to the international crime syndicates active in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border, according to the Embassy. They are lured for jobs in fraudulent, scam-based companies for cyber slavery.

Also Read | Thailand: 3 Killed, 39 Injured in Bomb Explosion at Thai Festival in Tak Province, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Expresess Condolences.

6 more Indian nationals trapped at scam-compounds in Myawaddy reached the local police station, for further deportation to India, y'day. 101 Indians repatriated to India since July 2024. We reiterate our advice against job offers in the area without consulting Missions, it said in a post on X.

Myawaddy, a town in southeastern Myanmar, is a major trading point between Myanmar and Thailand.

Also Read | IndiGo To Send Planes To Bring Back Passengers Stranded in Istanbul.

The Indian Embassy's advisory  which is prominently advertised on its website  says it re-emphasises the importance of adhering to the advisories on the subject for not taking any such job offers, especially advertised through social media, without consulting the respective Indian Embassies.

A new location at Hpa Lu area, south of Myawaddy town is reported to have emerged recently where most of the Indian victims are being trafficked into, via Thailand, after being recruited from India as well as from countries like Malaysia, UAE etc., it said.

The Indian Embassy has also given a detailed, updated list of suspected agents, agencies and compounds involved in these criminal activities too along with a contact number.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha on Friday that his ministry has requested for blocking certain websites offering fraudulent jobs abroad and also recommended for the prosecution of those involved in such scams.

The government has brought back 1,167 Indians from Cambodia and another 497 from Myanmar, who were taken there on the pretext of getting them jobs, he said, adding, people are made to work illegally by those running such online scams.

In Chennai, M Rajkumar, Protector of Emigrants for Tamil Nadu, urged job-seekers to exercise extreme caution, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

It is crucial to ensure that overseas employment is arranged only through licensed recruitment agents authorised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), he said in a statement.

POE Chennai strongly advised potential emigrants to verify the credentials of recruiting agencies before making any financial commitments. A list of licensed agents can be found at emigrate.gov.in.

Indian authorities have said that cyber slavery is an emerging and alarming form of modern-day trafficking. Individuals are coerced or trafficked into committing online scams for organised criminal networks under duress. This growing cybercrime exploits vulnerable people, trapping them in illegal activities and online frauds.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Taipei [Taiwan], December 14 (ANI): Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has urged Chinese authorities to release three Taiwanese members of the I-Kuan Tao (Yiguandao) religious group arrested in China, Central News Agency (CNA) reported.

The MAC issued a statement on Friday night, shortly after China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) confirmed the arrest of the three people. According to MAC's statement, Taiwan's government requested Chinese authorities to ensure the legal rights and safety of the nationals by sending them back to Taiwan.

Also Read | South Korea: After President Yoon Suk Yeol's Impeachment, Chief of Defence Counterintelligence Command Yeo In-Hyung Arrested in Martial Law Probe.

According to MAC statement, the Chinese authorities, over the past year, has "illegally arrested," imprisoned and punished Taiwanese members of religious groups who visited China on multiple occassions, according to CNA report.

The agency noted that China tries to "infiltrate Taiwan under the guise of religious interaction." However, China is not happy to see Taiwanese members of religious groups promote their religion in China. It urged people of Taiwan to recognize that China does not have freedom of religion and for members of religious groups to reconsider travelling to Beijing.

Also Read | South Korea's Parliament Votes To Impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol Over His Martial Law Order.

In a statement issued by TAO on Friday, the three detained Taiwan nationals, identified by their last names Chou, Chiang, and Hsieh, were arrested by police in Guangdong on suspicion of "organizing and practicing as members of a cult that undermines law enforcement," CNA reported.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), a semi-official organization tasked by Taiwan's government with handling technical matters involving China, stressed that I-Kuan Tao is a legal religion with millions of followers in Taiwan, according to CNA report. The SEF called on Chinese authorities to respect freedom of religion, protect the safety of three Taiwanese nationals and release them at the earliest.

Earlier this month, SEF Secretary-General Luo Wen-jia said that the three members of the religious group were arrested in October and were not involved in political activities. Luo said that SEF has tried to learn more information about the situation and received no response to its inquiries from the Chinese authorities. The three Taiwan nationals arrested in China have hired lawyers. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], December 14 (ANI): The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday backtracked from their earlier position on holding negotiations with the government, with several party leaders saying that the formal dialogue has not started yet, The Express Tribune reported.

The Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders said that the process will only begin after party founder Imran Khan gives the go-ahead for it.

Also Read | TikTok Ban: US Lawmakers Ask Google and Apple To Remove ByteDance-Owned App From Their App Stores.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Rana Sanaullah said that the government has not received any formal communication from the Tehreek-e-Insaf regarding initiation of talks despite Imran Khan's party's claims of establishing a negotiations committee for this purpose,

Criticising Imran Khan's party's mixed messaging and its historical preference for holding talks with the establishment over civil leadership, Sanaullah said, "PTI's stance towards the government still seems to be the same: 'Why should we engage in talks with you?"

Also Read | Suchir Balaji, OpenAI Whistleblower Found Dead in His Apartment in San Francisco: Reports.

On December 11, the ruling PML-N and PTI agreed to open formal communication channels - a move that aimed to replace confrontation with constructive dialogue, addressing long-standing issues and seeking to steady the ship of political stability, The Express Tribune reported. The decision of two parties came after PTI leader Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to offer condolences for his sister's death.

The incumbent and former National Assembly speakers agreed that it was time to put their heads together. They had proposed establishing committees to address the issues in the parliament that have repeatedly created a wedge between the two parties. On the same day, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had conditionally expressed readiness to hold talks via parliament and stressed that the offer of talks should not be seen as a weakness.

In response to PTI leader's statement, Pakistan's Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar called it encouraging to see the opposition using parliament for discussing issues instead of confrontation, The Express Tribune reported.

While speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Friday, Qaiser backtracked from his earlier stance by saying he had only gone to National Assembly speaker to offer condolences. He stated that the talks would start only when PTI founder gives green signal for it.

Apart from Imran Khan's approval, he said that the PTI negotiation committee will start when the government side feels like sitting across the table, The Express Tribune reported.

Qaiser said, "There has been talk of dialogue and negotiations in the media since yesterday." He said, "I only went to the Speaker to offer Fateha." He stated, "I want to clarify that these reports are false. A committee has been formed. Talks will take place when the government agrees."

In his address, he asked why there was open fire on November 26 when his party was holding protest in Islamabad's Blue Area.

While speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly clarified that no talks have started between the government and PTI yet, reiterating that the PTI members had met National Assembly Speaker to offer condolences.

Speaking to private media outlet, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat said that no formal talks have started yet. He, however, said that it would have been better if two sides had sat across the table before December 15 as otherwise, PTI would have followed Imran Khan's call to launch a civil disobedient movement.

Marwat said that Imran Khan has only formed the committee but has not yet ordered it to start talks with the government, saying it was not the right time to begin dialogue as PTI workers were still reeling from the November 26 aftermath and talking with the government in this situation would demoralize party workers.

In response to different statements made by PTI leaders, PML-N senior leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui said on Friday that PTI will have to leave its deceptive approach if it wanted to engage in serious talks, according to the report.

While warning the PTI against taking a deceptive approach, Siddiqui said, "The PTI will have to decide whether it wants talks or civil disobedience." In a statement shared on X, Siddiqui said that the party was desperate to hold talks with an ulterior motive of securing concessions.

Irfan Siddiqui said that party at the same time was planning to launch civil disobedience with the sole purpose of inflicting harm on Pakistan, adding that negotiations and civil disobedience cannot go hand in hand. He said, "If PTI is serious about negotiations, it should not add new burdens on its shoulders. The previous burden is already enough." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Amman, Dec 14 (AP) Top diplomats from the United States, the Arab League and Turkey met in Jordan on Saturday to discuss how to assist Syria 's transition after the fall of Bashar Assad's government a week ago. No Syrian representatives attended.

The collapse of the Assad family's more than half-century of rule has sparked new fears of instability in a region already shaken by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and hostilities between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah despite a tenuous ceasefire.

Also Read | US Shooting: 1 Person Fatally Shot at Army Base in Georgia in 'Isolated' Incident, Gunman Apprehended.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian insurgent group that led the overthrow of Assad's government, but the group continues to be designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others.

The insurgent leader in an interview with Syrian TV didn't mention contact with the US, but he warned Israel about the hundreds of airstrikes it has carried out in Syria in the past week.

Also Read | US Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt Commends UAE's Experience for Promoting Tolerance, Coexistence, Acceptance of Others.

The US is also making a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than 2 million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis.

Here's the latest:

More Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill at least 11

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Witnesses and medical officials are reporting more Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

Four people were killed late Saturday in an airstrike on a tent in the central city of Deir al-Balah, according to an Associated Press journalist who counted the bodies at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Elsewhere, Palestinian medical officials said an airstrike killed at least seven people, including a woman and her baby, in Gaza City. The strike hit the Majda Wasilla school, which shelters many displaced families, according to Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies.

Ataf Saadat, a woman sheltering in the school, said the baby killed was two days old. There were those who were burned, and those who were cut up, and the rubble was on top of them, Saadat said.

Israel's military said it struck Hamas fighters at a command center in a compound previously used as a school.

US Secretary of State Blinken wrapping up regional tour in Jordan

AQABA, Jordan  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says broad consensus exists among regional partners that Syria's new government must be inclusive, must respect women and minority rights, reject terrorism and secure and destroy suspected Assad-era chemical weapons stockpiles.

Blinken is wrapping up a three-country regional tour in Aqaba after visiting Iraq, Turkey and Jordan once already this week.

Earlier Saturday in a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pederson, Blinken said he expected to talk about the challenges ahead for Syria and our determination to work together to support a Syrian-led transition where the United Nations plays a critical role, particularly when it comes to the provision of assistance, to the protection of minorities.

Pederson agreed, saying: What is so critical in Syria is that we see a credible and inclusive political process that brings together all communities in Syria. And the second point is that we need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible. And if we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people.

In announcing Saturday's meetings, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the ministers would discuss ways to support a comprehensive political process led by Syrians to achieve a transitional process, which ensures the reconstruction of Syrian state institutions, and preserves Syria's unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, security, stability, and the rights of all its citizens. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], December 14 (ANI): The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries in South-East Asia region to strengthen measures to prevent drowning which disproportionately impacted children and the vulnerable people.

According to WHO's first Global status report on drowning prevention, the South-East Asia region reported 83 000 drowning fatalities in 2021, which accounts to 28 per cent of the global drowning burden and contributing substantially to the nearly 30 lives lost to drowning every hour, across the world.

Also Read | South Korea's Parliament Votes To Impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol Over His Martial Law Order.

Nearly 43 per cent drowning fatalities in the region involved children aged 14 years or below, according to WHO press release. Drowning is the third leading cause of death for children aged between five years to 14 years and the fourth leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years.

Saima Wazed, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, said, "To save lives and ensure equitable safety for all, expanding and scaling up proven drowning preventive interventions across the Region is not just essential, but a moral imperative."

Also Read | TikTok Ban: US Lawmakers Ask Google and Apple To Remove ByteDance-Owned App From Their App Stores.

Poverty, limited access to safety measures, and inadequate infrastructure exacerbate drowning risks, especially in low-and middle-income nations.

In a press release, the WHO said, "Children face heightened vulnerabilities due to inadequate supervision, limited swimming skills, and lack of water safety knowledge. For older children and adolescents, peer pressure, risk-taking behaviors, and substance use further increase their risk. Children with disabilities face additional challenges in recognizing and responding to water hazards. Non-fatal drowning incidents lead to severe long-term neurological complications and disabilities that require prolonged care."

Saima Wazed said most nations in the WHO South-East Asia Region have comprehensive drowning prevention strategies. However, she said that more measures need to be taken like enacting laws mandating lifejacket use, barriers around water hazards, and safe boating regulations have shown potential, though enforcement remains inconsistent in many countries. Rules restricting alcohol consumption near public waterbodies lack in many areas.

She stressed on strengthening governance, having a dedicated lead agency to implement drowning prevention activities, bolstering cross-sectoral collaboration, strengthening drowning data and implementing evidence-based community-level interventions for drowning prevention. Wazed called for introducing community programmes that teach water safety, swimming and rescue skills and providing supervised childcare.

In the press release, Saima Wazed said, "Drowning prevention is fundamentally an issue of equity. By prioritizing vulnerable populations, fostering innovative leadership, and embracing global collaboration, countries can significantly reduce drowning deaths. With sustained commitment and collective action, we can ensure that everyone, everywhere, can live safely around water." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ssoon after the leopard jumped on her, the woman raised an alarm. The villagers rushed to her aid, and the big cat fled the scene. The victim, identified as Bheemabai, was immediately rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad town for treatment.
Three people were killed and 39 others were injured in a bomb explosion at an annual festival in Thailand's Tak province, authorities said on Saturday. In a social media post, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured in the explosion that occurred shortly before midnight on Friday.
Who Is Mark Carney, Canadas New Prime Minister After Being Sworn In Following Resignation of Justin Trudeau

International Day To Combat Islamophobia 2025 Date: Know History, Aim and Significance of the Annual Event

Jaffar Express Hijacking: Pakistan Army Says 18 of 26 Hostages Killed by BLA Militants in Balochistan Train Attack Were Soldiers

Famous Birthdays on March 14: Albert Einstein, Simone Biles, Aamir Khan and Dan Crenshaw  Know About Celebrities and Influential Figures Born on March 14
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a 15 per cent water supply cut in parts of Mumbai on December 14 and 15, citing urgent repair works at the Pise Pumping Station. The issue arose due to a malfunction in a key transformer, leading to the shutdown of six pumps. The repairs, set to resolve the breakdown, aim to restore normal operations by the end of the weekend. BMC, in a statement on X, urged residents to conserve water and cooperate during the temporary reduction in supply. The disruption is expected to impact several areas reliant on BMC water supply. Residents are advised to plan accordingly. Weather Forecast Today, December 14: Check Weather Updates, Rain Predictions for Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

Mumbai Water Cut News Update

A malfunction occurred in the B-phase Current Transformer installed on Main Transformer No. 1 at the Pise Substation, resulting in the shutdown of six pumps at the Pise Pumping Station at 01:00 AM on 14th December 2024. To address this issue, repair works will be   Mumbai,  BMC (@mybmc) December 14, 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.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the Lok Sabha today, responding to the debate marking the 75th anniversary of Indias Constitution. The two-day debate, which began on December 13, commemorates the Constitutions adoption and its enduring legacy. The Winter Session of Parliament commenced on November 25 but faced early adjournments due to disruptions. The session, which runs until December 20, resumed yesterday. Watch the live telecast of PM Modi speech online for insights on this historic milestone. Parliament Winter Session 2024: PM Narendra Modi To Reply To Debate on 75th Anniversary of Indias Constitution in Lok Sabha Today.

PM Modi Speech in Lok Sabha Live Streaming

(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.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. A financial forum will be held in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan city, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on December 18, Trend reports via the Ministry of Finance of Nakhchivan.

According to the ministry, the main goal of the forum is to align accounting practices with international standards, raise awareness, and provide information in this field, considering the importance of specific aspects of improving tax relations' efficiency.

The forum will be attended by heads of several central executive bodies of Azerbaijan, representatives of the Nakhchivan government, heads of all central executive bodies of Nakhchivan and their financial and accounting officers, leaders of major businesses operating in Nakhchivan and their financial and accounting officers, as well as other specialists.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi, December 14: US lawmakers reportedly urged tech giants Google and Apple to take action against TikTok, the video-sharing app owned by ByteDance. The lawmakers are pushing for TikTok's removal from app stores ahead of a potential ban that could be implemented next month. In April, President Joe Biden signed a law that mandates ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, to divest from the app by January 19, 2025. If ByteDance fails to do so, TikTok could be banned in the United States.

As per a report of Reuters, two US lawmakers, including Indian-American Raja Krishnamoorthi, have asked Google and Apple to remove TikTok from their app stores ahead of a potential ban on the video-sharing platform next month. The chair and Democrat of a committee in the US House of Representatives on China have informed Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, and Tim Cook, CEO of Apple that they need to be prepared to take TikTok off their app stores in the United States. Google Introduces New Tracker Alert Features To Detect and Disable Unwanted Bluetooth Trackers; Heres How They Work.

It comes after a federal appeals court upheld a law that requires ByteDance to sell its operations in the US or face a potential ban on the app. Representative John Moolenaar, a Republican who chairs the committee, along with Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, urged TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, to consider selling the popular short-video platform. King Charles III Visits Apples UK Headquarters at Battersea and Meets Tim Cook, Apple CEO Says Company Continues To Look Forward Working With Country (Watch Video).

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has pointed out that if the ban on TikTok is enforced on January 19, it would prohibit the use of TikTok by Apple or Google users. The DOJ also acknowledged that restrictions on providing support for TikTok would ultimately make the app unusable. In response, TikTok reportedly stated people in the US who do not already have TikTok downloaded would no longer be able to access it. TikTok also warned that stopping support services for the app would severely impact its functions in the United States and will make it completely unusable for everyone.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 14, 2024 12:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
A pensioner appeared in court after he became irate when self service tills wouldnt work in Laois on New Years Day.

Liam Greene (73) of 317 Monks Bridge Court, Maryborough, Portlaoise admitted engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour in Supervalu, Lyster Square, Portlaoise on January 1, 2024.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident happened at around 3.15pm while a female shop worker was attempting to assist the defendant.

The man became irate and said you are a f**king scumbag and lets take this outside, Sgt Kirby said. He said the man has previous convictions but they date back to 2005.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had gone to the shop and was buying items. He said the defendant cares for his wife who is very ill and his comments had not been directed at the female shopworker.

He said the man had gone to a self service checkout which broke down and this happened with a second and third checkout. The man then asked the woman, who was assisting another customer to help him. The shopkeeper assisted the defendant but left before the transaction was complete and another customer said something along the lines of relax to the defendant, Mr Meagher said.

Mr Meagher said his client then asked this gentleman to mind his own business and he said any words that were muttered were directed towards the customer, who was a man.

He hasnt come to any adverse attention in 20 years, Mr Meagher pointed out. He also said his client wanted to apologise for any upset he caused and had brought 250 to court.

Judge Susan Fay described the incident as unacceptable. She asked if the identity of the Supervalu worker was known.

That woman was providing an essential service on a public holiday, she said.

Judge Fay directed that the 250 be delivered to the worker in question.

I will bring it up after the court, Sgt Kirby told the Judge.

Once the money was handed over Judge Fay applied the probation act.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has highlighted problems faced by a higher number of people being jailed in putting 'significant challenges' on its jails in Laois and other parts of Ireland.

That's the commentary contained in a statement announcing the publication of IPS Annual Report for 2023 on December 13, 2024 which also states that a combination of factors is having a 'considerable impact' on prison capacity.

At the end of 2023 the prisons were at 104% capacity while by mid-December 2024 the jails were 112% full. Both jails and Portlaoise were well above capacity as the 2024 came to an end.

The Laois jail complex is the biggest in Ireland. The report says the daily average number of prisoners for the Midlands and Portlaoise Prisons.

The Midlands had an average bed capacity of 875 but the number in custody each day was 914. The situation was more manageable next door in the high security jail. Portlaoise Prison a daily average bed capacity of 229 with the average in custody each day topping out at 224 inmates.

The IPS drew attention to the problems in its latest report where it says investment is coming and some has already made a difference for prisoners and staff.

"Despite the progress made in 2023, the Irish Prison Service faces significant challenges with a rising prison population. The overall daily average number of prisoners in custody in 2023 increased by 11.1% (+460), with the daily population reaching 4,582, compared to 4,122 in 2022.

"This increase, coupled with a growing number of prisoners serving longer sentences, continues to place pressure on the prison system.

"In 2023, the number of committals to prison increased by 12.7% (+895) compared to the previous year. This, coupled with the increasing length of sentences, has had a considerable impact on prison capacity, highlighting the need for continued investment in infrastructure and resources to maintain safe and effective prison conditions.

To respond to this growing demand, the Irish Prison Service says it has made progress in expanding its prison estate. This includes 2023, Limerick Prison B Division was officially opened, providing "much needed additional capacity".

"This facility not only improves conditions for those in custody but also enhances the working environment for staff," said a statement. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The IPS adds that Government has allocated significant capital funding to the Service to enhance infrastructure and increase capacity. It highlights that in Budget 2025, 525 million has been secured to tackle overcrowding, an 18% increase from the previous year. It says the 2025 capital budget of 53 million will fund over 150 spaces by the end of 2024, with plans to create over 1,100 new spaces by 2030.

"These initiatives represent critical steps towards meeting the challenges posed by overcrowding and ensuring that the Irish Prison Service can continue to offer rehabilitative services in an environment that is safe and conducive to positive outcomes for those in custody," said the statment.

The statement says the Irish Prison Service also prioritised staff development and wellbeing. With an ongoing commitment to continued professional development and the introduction of various mental health initiatives, the Irish Prison Service continued to foster a culture of support for staff.

The Irish Prison Service, Director General, Caron McCaffrey commented on the progress made last year.

"2023 was a year of significant achievement for the Irish Prison Service, as we continue to uphold our mission to provide a safe, secure, and rehabilitative environment for all those in our care.

Our focus on improving the welfare of prisoners, coupled with our commitment to enhancing the professional development of our staff, underpins our core values of safety, dignity, and rehabilitation. MORE BELOW TABLE.

As we look to the future, the introduction of our strategic plans will guide us through the ongoing challenges of rising prisoner numbers and capacity constraints, ensuring that we continue to deliver services that prioritise rehabilitation, community reintegration, and the safety of both staff and prisoners," she said.

The Service highlighted some key points:

Total Committals in 2023:

There were 7,938 committals to prison in 2023, reflecting a 12.7% increase (+895)

compared to 2022 (7,043).

compared to 2022 (7,043). 6,495 persons were committed to prison in 2023, compared to 5,801 in 2022,

marking an 11.9% increase (+694).

marking an 11.9% increase (+694). 87.9% of those committed were male, while 12.1% were female.

Sentenced Prisoners:

The total number of sentenced prisoners in 2023 increased by 15.1%, from 4,855 in 2022 to 5,588 in 2023.

Notably, the number of prisoners sentenced to 3 to <6 monthsincreased by 10.4%, and those receiving sentences of 3 to <5 years grew by 23.1%.

Fine Defaulters:

There was a notable increase in committals for the non-payment of fines, rising from 205 in 2022 to 552 in 2023.

Prison Population:

The daily average prison population in 2023 was 4,582, up 11.2% from 4,122 in 2022.

The daily average number of female offenders in custody increased by 23.7%, from 173 in 2022 to 214 in 2023.

Persons on Remand:

3,035 persons were on remand in 2023, highlighting the ongoing challenge of managing remand prisoners in addition to those serving sentences.

Immigration and Extradition:

There were 127 committals in 2023 related to immigration issues, representing an 8.6% increase from the previous year.

27 individuals were committed under European Arrest Warrants.

County and Country of Origin:

36.4% of those committed were from Dublin, followed by Cork (8.5%), Limerick (4.8%), and Louth (3.1%).

79.3% of those committed were Irish nationals, with 10.8% being EU nationals and 3.4% African nationals.

READ REPORT HERE.
The routes and launch of the delayed Portlaoise town bus service have been confirmed.

Laois County Council has told the Leinster Express / Laois Live when Portlaoise will finally get its own public bus service, to help fulfil its title of Ireland's pilot Low Carbon Town.

It will serve much of the town's heavily built up suburban residential areas, helping remove cars off the road, and provide reliable cheap transport for other people with no cars. It will employ up to 25 drivers.

Simon Walton, Director of Services said that the busses will run every half hour.

"The Portlaoise Town Bus Service will be a half-hourly service with two busses on each Route (four busses in total).

"Works are ongoing around Portlaoise installing the bus stop infrastructure.

"The National Transport Authority (NTA) have completed the procurement process for the service operator.

"Whilst I have previously given commencement dates that havent subsequently materialised, I have consulted with NTA this morning and it is likely the service will be operational by the end of February 2025," Mr Walton said.

A map shows the two routes, P1 and P2.

The green route P1 will run from the Ballyfin road roundabout on the northern ring road to Fairgreen, the N80 Mountmellick Road, James Fintan Lalor Avenue, the Borris Road, to halfway along Collier's Lane where it will turn back.

P2 red route will run from McSorley's filling station on the Mountrath road, turning at Portlaoise College onto Harpurs Lane, into James Fintan Lalor Avenue, then the Stradbally road, Block Road and Dublin Road, turning back in Kilminchy.

"In the meantime, ongoing bus-stop works will progress and we will update matters at the Portlaoise Municipal District Committee Meeting on 15th January, 2025," Mr Walton said.

The bus service was originally proposed in 2017 through the 2040 And Beyond A Vision For Portlaoise  A Strategy For A Better Town Centre plan. This climate action plan aims to reduce, traffic and congestion, reduced emissions, establish more bike-friendly roads and green spaces, and revitalized buildings in Portlaoise's town centre.

The council has expressed preference for electric buses.

The service was originally planned to launch in early 2024, and most recently, in January 2025.
On Wednesday, December 11th, Portlaoise experienced a transformative morning as the usual hum of car engines gave way to the cheerful chatter of students walking to school. This was the launch of Walk on Wednesdays (WOW), a weekly initiative encouraging students from all 10 local schools to walk, cycle, or use park n stride for their school commute. To see more pictures by Rene PR Design tap NEXT or ARROW. To read more about the event read below the picture.

Santa Stroll

The Santa Stroll was part of the Portlaoise School Travel Cluster Project, marking the first-ever town-wide WOW event in Ireland. Students and parents embraced the festive spirit, donning Santa hats, Christmas lights, and tinsel scarves. Bells jingled as a wave of walkers filled the streets, creating a magical and climate-friendly start to the school day.

Karen Moore, Community Climate Action Officer at Laois County Council, praised the event.

The Santa Stroll was a powerful demonstration of how small changes can have a big impact on our community. Seeing so many families walking together with joy and purpose was truly inspiring, she said.

Also present to support the event were Michele Castiaux and Chiara Hanrahan, Travel Officers from An Taisce Green-Schools; Sam Mc Leod Environmental Awareness Officer at Laois County Council. Community Gardai Aran Grehan and Ronan Maher also lent their support, joining students and staff in the Santa Stroll festivities.

Sustaining the Momentum

Following this festive launch, WOW days will continue every Wednesday as part of the Portlaoise Schools Cluster Project, a two-year initiative supported by Laois County Council Climate Action Section and delivered by Green-Schools Travel. The program aims to ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance road safety while promoting physical and mental well-being.

The organisers say the response from schools was positive.

At Scoil Chriost Ri, the Green-Schools Committee launched a WOW competition and recording an informative podcast explaining WOW days on spotify. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6lX43RgBirbL5IdbOEnnNz?si=Ze2Eh15zRh2aNJkoFXdJ8w

The result? Fewer cars and more walkers along Borris Road.

Portlaoise College added a creative twist. Their Green-Schools Committee tallied student participation by collecting fingerprints from walkers. The result was a display board filled with student prints celebrating their collective action.

Gaelscoil Phortlaoise reported high participation, with parents joining their children for a walk that turned the local park n stride car park into a bustling community hub.

Holy Family Junior School teachers noted a brilliant morning with a festive atmosphere that energised students and staff alike.

Maryborough NS Principal Brid-Ann Buggie acknowledged the challenge of a wide catchment area but celebrated families who embraced park n stride and filled a local retail car park with eager walkers.

A Call for Broader Action

Students have embraced WOW days and are now calling on adults to adopt the same practice for their work commutes.

The WOW day will continue in all 10 schools every Wednesday as part of the Portlaoise Schools Cluster Project. With students leading the way, Portlaoise is already seeing the benefits of fewer cars, cleaner air, and a closer-knit community.
Join top Irish Tenor Patrick Hyland for his annual Christmas concert of favourite melodies and popular opera classics at the Moat Theatre, Naas on Friday, December 20.

Featuring hits from the musicals, famous operas and some familiar Christmas favourites, special guests include Soprano Ava Dodd. Ava has been praised by critics for having a golden voice. She has performed in renowned opera houses and concert halls in Ireland and internationally.

Ava is a multiple prize winner. She is the recipient of the Yves Paternot Prize at Verbier Festival 2023, she was a dual prize winner in the Hans Gabor Belvedere International Singing competition 2022, the winner of the Boston District Round of the Met Opera Competition 2022 and the RDS Music Bursary Competition 2020.

Highlights of her 2024/2025 season include: Rosina in The Barber of Seville with English National Opera, The High Priestess in Aida with Oper Frankfurt and concerts with the RTE Concert Orchestra in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre and The National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Ava is delighted to be a Harewood Artist with English National Opera for the 2025/2026 season where she will perform Adina in The Elixir of Love and Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro. The concert will also feature Eadestown native, Muireann Ni Raghallaigh, who began playing the violin at the age of seven.

She has enjoyed playing in chamber ensembles and orchestras around Ireland including the Midlands Youth Orchestra, Dublin Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. She studied music in the Cork School of Music under the tuition of Elizabeth Charleson.

She has just begun a Masters in Primary School teaching with Hibernia College and teaches violin part time. Muireann enjoys playing a wide variety of genres such as Bluegrass and Old Time music along with classical.

Maire Carroll will also be performing. Dr Carroll is a pianist, composer, collaborator and teacher who has performed throughout Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada including performances at Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, National Opera House in Tallinn, Liszt Academy in Budapest, Princess Grace Library, Monaco. As the first pianist in Ireland to be awarded the RDS Music Bursary, Maire maintains a diverse wide-ranging programme of solo and collaborative work including a complete performance of Philip Glasss Twenty Piano Etudes across two sold out evenings at the NCH. Her upcoming record Maire Carroll:The Complete Piano Etudes of Philip Glass will be released on Delphian Records in August 2024.

With collaboration at the core of Maires artistic output, ongoing exciting partnerships include a three year project of song and literature recitals at BVOF alongside actor Barry McGovern. Maire is the Artistic Director of Hidden Pianos, which she launched in 2018 with the aim of sharing classical and contemporary music in site-specific locations.

Her solo composition Lavinia Fontana was commissioned by the National Gallery of Ireland in celebration of their recent exhibition, Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rulebreaker which opened in 2023. Excited by the music of today, Maire collaborates with composers both at home and abroad. She is a winner of the Bank Of Ireland Begin Together Fund and will release her album Sudden Changes in 2025. Maire will perform two recitals at Kilkenny Arts Festival, a recital of Glass piano etudes as well as a complete performance of the Ros Tapestry Suite alongside pianist Finghin Collins in August 2024.

Tickets:28 plus 1.50 online booking fee
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. A total of 2.4 million tourists have visited Azerbaijan since the beginning of 2024, Deputy CEO at the Azerbaijan Tourism Board Javanshir Bayramov said at an event in the country's Shahdag Mountain Resort dedicated to results of this year today, Trend reports.

According to him, compared to last year, this figure increased by 28 percent.

The majority of tourists visited our country from Russia, Turkiye, and India. The number of tourists from China also doubled, Bayramov added.

To note, 2.08 million tourists visited Azerbaijan in 2023, which is more than 30.2 percent higher than the figure for 2022 (1.6 million)

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The name Readymoney evokes an almost magical ability to conjure wealth at will. For the British Empire, hungry for capital to fuel its global mercantile ambitions in the 19th century, Cowasjee Jehangir emerged as a dependable financier, bridging the gap between opportunity and execution.

The origins of the name trace back to Cowasjees grandfather, Hirji Jeevanji, founder of the Readymoney group, who adopted the moniker, which later became the family surname.

Read this | Jagannath Nana Shankarshet: A forgotten visionary amidst colonial chaos

Long before instant transfers and digital banking, Cowasjees financial ingenuity revolutionized how money moved swiftly across the vast expanse of the British Empire. He devised an innovative solution to the 18th-century colonial finance conundrum: the slow and perilous movement of money through conventional banking channels.

His method involved a network for rapid cash credit disbursement based on informal yet rigorous vetting of business creditworthinessa ground-breaking system that pre-empted modern financial practices.

The mid-19th century was marked by colonial greed and booming global trade in cotton. When the American Civil War (18611865) disrupted the global supply chain, Cowasjee demonstrated remarkable foresight. Leveraging connections with Indian growers, he ensured a steady supply of cotton to Western markets.

The demand was such that people ripped off their mattresses to sell the cotton stuffing inside. However, unlike many traders who succumbed to the volatility of white gold," Cowasjee focused on long-term, steady profits, navigating through the price surges with a disciplined approach.

Born at the turn of the 19th century into a Parsi family from Navsari, Gujarat, with roots in the opium trade, Cowasjee Jehangir had a keen eye for identifying unmet needs.

Early in his career, he introduced an innovative practice: providing traders in Bombay with immediate cash as unsecured loans while leveraging his extensive network at various ports to recover payments from their trading partners. This approach soon evolved into an intricate, trust-based payment system spanning geographies and cultures. Central to this system was a rigorous vetting process for creditworthiness, ensuring minimal defaults.

Read this | From dirty Indian to titan of industry: The rise of Gujarmal Modi

After receiving a basic school education, Cowasjee began his career at the age of 15 as a warehouse clerk at Duncan Gibb & Co. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a highly sought-after broker for two European firms. By 1846, he had established himself as an independent broker, laying the foundation for his remarkable financial legacy.

From business pioneer to philanthropic visionary

Cowasjees network-driven practices, far ahead of their time, quickly attracted British interest, particularly as their opium trade with China expanded significantly. Leveraging this momentum, he extended his trading operations to the port of Canton, reaping immense wealth from both the opium and cotton trades.

In recognition of his acumen, the British appointed him Commissioner of Income Tax in 1866, entrusting him with the delicate rollout of a new tax. This was soon followed by his appointment as Justice of Peace, solidifying his stature as a prominent figure in Bombays Parsi community.

Cowasjees success inspired a wave of Parsi entrepreneurs to venture into the financial sector, helping establish Mumbai as a financial powerhouse of its era. However, his ambitions extended far beyond commerce. Identifying with George Peabody, the legendary American financier and philanthropist, Cowasjee earned the title Peabody of India" during his lifetime.

Read this | The kaleidoscopic life of Ramakrishna Dalmia, a capitalist with the heart of a revolutionary

As his business empire flourished, so did his philanthropic efforts.

Cowasjee donated vast sums to charitable causes in London and Bombay, earning prestigious honours such as the Companion of the Most Exalted Star of India and a Knight Bachelor of the United Kingdom. These accolades reflected his enduring legacy as both a financial innovator and a benevolent visionary.

Mumbai bears the indelible mark of Cowasjee Jehangirs philanthropy, rooted in the Parsi ethos of inclusive community welfare and harmonized with the capitalistic pursuit of profit. He funded the construction of iconic landmarks such as the convocation hall of the University of Bombay, the Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney Hospital, and the Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Public Hall (now the NGMA). Beyond these, his generosity extended to libraries, schools, fountains, asylums, homes for boys, places of worship, and critical infrastructure improvements, including roads and sanitation in the rapidly expanding city.

His philanthropic vision wasnt confined to India. The Readymoney Fountain in Londons Regents Park, carved from 10 tonnes of Sicilian marble, stands as a testament to his enduring commitment to civic betterment.

Balancing a thriving financial empire with a dedication to public welfare, Cowasjees legacy remains deeply etched in Mumbais cultural and civic fabric. This legacy is immortalized through a statue in the civil engineering department of the University of Mumbai.

With the guiding principle Building wealth, building society, Cowasjees life serves as a powerful reminder that true business innovation addresses human needs in transformative ways. Today, his descendants carry forward this vision, building a thriving healthcare enterprise that upholds the enduring values of the Readymoney lineage.

Also read | Haridas Mundhras Butterfly Effect: How one mans schemes shook Indias markets and government

Cowasjee Jehangirs story is a testament to the power of innovation, trust, and foresight in shaping not only businesses but also societies.
Indias non-bank financiers have heeded calls from the Reserve Bank of India to diversify their borrowing profile and are now gradually moving towards more market borrowings and other avenues such as overseas borrowing and securitization or asset sales instead of relying solely upon bank loans.

Top NBFCs have seen the share of bank credit in their total debt fall significantly in July-September FY25 compared with FY24-end and the year ago period. Led by RBI's repeated cautions on rising interconnectedness between banks and NBFCs and following the increase in risk weights for bank lending to NBFCs.

This share is expected to fall further in Q3, in-line with bank credit to NBFCs falling to 6.4% in October 2024 from 18.3% a year ago, according to RBI data.

After repeated warnings over the past two years by the central bank with respect to inter-connectedness between banks and NBFCs and the latters increasing reliance on banks, the central bank in its September bulletin noted that NBFCs have diversified their funding sources and reduced their borrowing from banks following the increase in risk weights.

Flagging unprecedented growth in certain segments of unsecured loans, RBI had in November 2023 increased risk weights on some such loans by banks and NBFCs by 25%.

The top 10 NBFCs have a fund demand of 2 trillion in FY25, which is about 20% growth on year. Another 2.5 trillion of debt will come up for repricing, which puts total demand from these top 10 NBFCscomprising about 75% of the marketat around 4.5 trillion," said Jinay Gala, director, India Ratings & Research.

The ratings agency expects the share of bank credit in NBFCs borrowing profile to fall to around 50% in FY25 from around the earlier 55-60%. This implies that NBFCs will need to raise a large part of the funds from capital markets, securitization and external commercial borrowing (ECB).

In an October 2024 report, Icra Ratings had said that NBFCs continue to raise funding through securitization as it diversifies their borrowing liabilities and improves the asset-liability mismatch.

We believe the market is on track to reach our estimate of 2.1 trillion (of overall securitization by banks and NBFCs) in FY2025 compared to 1.9 trillion in FY24," the agency had then said.

ECB issuances have risen significantly, with their share in NBFCs borrowing mix rising by about 1.5 times on year. Securitization has also increased, NCD issuances have remained high whereas bank funding has gone down by about 200 bps," Gala said, adding that capital market borrowing will continue to see an uptick in H2 FY25 given the significant slowdown in bank credit. Given the higher borrowing and refinance requirements in the second half, market borrowing will be far more."

While part of this demand will be fulfilled by institutional investors such as mutual funds and insurance companies, these entities largely limit their investments to AA and higher rated debt. The remaining gap, due to the slowdown in bank credit, will need to be supported by capital markets, given also that higher marginal cost of funds-based lending rates (MCLR) of banks is making it more favourable and cost effective for NBFCs to raise funds through market borrowing, according to industry experts.

The 1-year median MCLR increased by 5 basis points on month to 9.00% as of November 2024. On year, the median 1-year MCLR was up 30 basis points (bps) whereas it was around 80 bps higher than pre-pandemic levels in March 2020.

Of the total issuances of 7 trillion so far in FY25 (as of 12 December), debt raised by NBFCs stood at 4.3 trillion accounting for 61% of total debt. In comparison, NBFCs had issued bonds worth 6.3 trillion, comprising 62% of the total fund issues of 10.2 trillion, as per data provided by Prime Database.

As per a 10 December 2024 report by CareEdge Ratings, the trend of credit extended by banks to NBFCs, which had shown a consistent upward trend for nearly six years and accelerated alongside the reopening of economies after the covid pandemic, has reversed.

Banks' outstanding credit exposure to NBFCs stood at 15.4 trillion as of October 2024, up 6.4% on year. This rate of growth was nearly a third compared to the growth rate reported in October 2023. Since December 2023, advances to NBFCs have lagged overall bank credit growth, slowing down to 1.0% in October 2024. As a result, the proportion of NBFC exposure to aggregate bank credit fell from 9.4% in October 2023 to 8.9% in October 2024, the report said.
After months of trying to get pregnant, Kirstie Phillips threw out all her scented candles. She also trashed her body wash, moisturizer and the scented plug-ins she used in her Suffield, Conn., home.

Phillips, a 30-year-old nurse anesthetist, had always taken for granted that she would conceive easily. She was active, she ate healthy and she came from a family with no history of infertility. Her husband had no known health issues either.

But when doctors discovered that her ovaries werent functioning properly, Phillips became convinced by chatter on a Facebook groupand scientific papers she subsequently looked upthat synthetic chemicals found in everyday consumer products were to blame.

Two years after reducing her exposure to chemicals, Phillips, with the help of artificial insemination, gave birth to a son. Ten months later, she was pregnant again, this time naturally. In October of last year she gave birth to a daughter. She is certain her lifestyle change made the difference.

I dont have proof but I cant think of anything else, she said.

Fertility rates around the world are declining, including in the U.S., where the total fertility rate last year fell to the lowest on record.

Many scientists believe chemicals found in everyday products could be a factor, with a growing body of research showing potential negative effects for male and female reproductive systems, from exposure even in tiny amounts.

The power of these chemicals to impact fertility is mind boggling, says Patricia Hunt, a professor at the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University who has studied chromosomally abnormal human eggs for several decades. We have all sorts of evidence that indicates: Whoa, were in serious trouble here.

The scrutiny runs parallel to rising skepticism about traditional explanations for various health-related quandariesperhaps most prominently embodied in Robert F. Kennedys nomination to run the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Kennedys most controversial positions have been around vaccines and fluoride, but he has for years contended that man-made chemicals are affecting fertility. He has also gone well beyond the established science on the issue, saying he thinks chemicals are leading to gender confusion in children.

The chemicals Hunt and other scientists are concerned about are called endocrine disrupters because they mimic or block the hormones responsible for many of the bodys essential functions, including reproduction. They can be found in everything from plastic packaging and toys to sofa covers and cosmetics.

On Wednesday, the state of Texas cited adverse reproductive effects in a lawsuit against several manufacturers, alleging they falsely advertised their chemical products as safe for ordinary household products.

Even as the links between chemicals and fertility issues are more widely acknowledged, pitched debates continue about what levels of exposure are dangerous.

The chemical industry disputes that its products, at the levels humans are typically exposed to, are linked to adverse health outcomes. The American Chemistry Council, a U.S. trade body, says fertility is influenced by multiple factors and that its members undertake extensive scientific analyses to evaluate the potential risk of their chemicals, from development through use and safe disposal.

Given the ubiquity and volume of such chemicals, some scientists say they could interact with one another in the human body in ways that could have dramatic effects. Some chemicals build up over time, while others leave the body after a few hours but are so widely used that people are exposed anyway.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists interference with reproduction as one of the possible adverse effects from exposure to chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system. The agency also notes that current testing methods make it difficult to assess the extent of the risks.

There are a number of factors involved in declining fertility, researchers say, including women choosing to have babies later in life and more couples choosing not to have children at all.

In research published in 2021, Melissa Kearney, an economist at the University of Maryland specializing in demographics, along with two co-authors, looked for possible explanations for the continued drop in U.S. birth rates. They found that broad societal changes that are hard to measure or quantify were likely behind the shift, and that state-level differences in factors including unemployment, abortion laws, housing costs and contraceptive usage could explain almost none of the decline.

Kearney says shes seen research that links environmental factors to global sperm count declines, which have been connected to a decline in fertility.

I have seen nothing that makes me doubt the validity of that research, and I find it intriguing (and troubling), she wrote in an email. The various sets of factors are all likely playing a role.

Among the chemical classes researchers have linked to lower fertility are PFASfound in everything from drinking water and nonstick cookware to takeout containers and waterproof clothingand nicknamed forever chemicals for their tendency to hang around.

Last year, Mount Sinai researchers concluded that higher blood concentrations of certain PFAS were associated with a significant reduction in the likelihood of pregnancy and live births.

Other studies have shown that certain PFAS can disrupt reproductive hormones and delay puberty and have been linked with increased risks for polycystic ovary syndromethe condition Phillips hadand endometriosis, a condition in which tissue irregularly grows outside the uterus, such as in the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Bisphenol-Aa chemical widely used to line drinks canshas also been linked to fertility issues in women. In men, studies have linked BPA to poor semen quality, undescended testicles and testicular cancer. The U.S. and many other countries no longer allow BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups.

In the U.S. BPA has been found in over 90% of the general population via urine samples.

In 2023, Europes top food regulator formally proposed slashing what it calls the tolerable daily intake for BPA by 20,000 times. The moveif approved by the European Parliamentwould effectively ban the use of BPA in everything that comes into contact with food. Among the concerns the regulator raised was the link between BPA and reproductive toxicity.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it is considering a petition from some U.S. scientists to follow suit. It pointed The Wall Street Journal to its 2014 safety assessment that concluded that BPA is safe at the levels occurring in foods. When it comes to PFAS, the FDA says it is currently working to better understand how exposed Americans are to the chemicals in food.

Another class of chemicals are phthalates, found in scented products of the kind Kirstie Phillips threw away, and in certain plastics. Studies have linked phthalates to lower egg yields in women. They have also been linked to a shorter ano-genital distance in men, which in turn has been correlated with a lower sperm count.

Shanna Swan, a professor of public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, has spent decades researching the impact of phthalates and other endocrine disrupters.

In 2017 she published a sperm-count analysis that showed a nearly 60% decline in human sperm counts across the developed world between 1973 and 2011.

While some scientists have argued that lower sperm counts arent neatly tied to declining fertility, Swan is convinced that her research supports the contention that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are making it harder for humans to have babies.

Swan points to studies showing that dogs and horses are suffering from a decline in fertility.

There is no question that they are exposed to the same chemicals we are, says Swan. There is also no question that these animals are not voluntarily delaying child bearing.

Write to Saabira Chaudhuri at Saabira.Chaudhuri@wsj.com

As Fertility Rates Fall, Some Scientists Say Everyday Chemicals Are a Factor
ISME is asking consumers in Longford to consider shopping local this year to support their own communities and help maintain a vibrant buzz along main streets.

With only a few weekends of shopping to go, ISME is reminding consumers that every 1 spent locally on their Christmas shop could generate up to 4 in their community.

Shopping locally for goods and services returns multiples of the customers spend back to the community and helps local businesses maintain jobs in Irish towns and villages.

Also read: Longford offers huge array of retail choices for Christmas shoppers

ISME is urging customers to ensure that they devote a proportion of their Christmas shopping to local bricks-and-mortar or Irish online stores, leaving only those hard-to-find gifts that can't be sourced elsewhere to be purchased from larger multinational companies.

Also read: Harneys Jewellers, A traditional jewellers serving the people of Longford since 1942

Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive at ISME, said, We are hoping that consumers in Longford will bring some Christmas cheer to Irish retailers this year and decide to shop locally. By consciously choosing to buy locally, even a portion of our purchases can have a meaningful impact, as each euro spent locally can generate two, three, or even four times its value in community wealth. This Christmas, we must take the opportunity to support local retailers and hospitality providers. Making these choices can even lead to time, money, and effort being saved and can even reduce our environmental footprint by keeping some of our festive spending close to home.

Also read: You can get all your Christmas shopping at Longford Centre

To help people make local choices this Christmas, ISME has created two online portals  one for consumers and one for businesses.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 14. The volume of Kyrgyzstan's trade turnover with Russia amounted to $3.013 billion in the period from January through October 2024, which is 23.5 percent more compared to the same period last year.

The data obtained by Trend from the country's National Committee on Statistics shows that Russia's share in the total volume of the country's foreign trade reached 22.4 percent.

The exports to Russia increased by 46.3 percent and amounted to $937.4 million. The share of Russia in Kyrgyzstan's total exports amounted to 30 percent.

Kyrgyzstan's imports from Russia reached $2.07 billion, which is 15.4 percent more than in the period from January through October of last year. The specific weight of Russia in the total imports of Kyrgyzstan amounted to 20.1 percent.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover amounted to $13.4 billion in 10 months, which is 6.4 percent more than in the same period of 2023.

To note, exports grew by 25.2 percent year-on-year to $3.1 billion, while imports increased by 1.8 percent to $10.3 billion.
A sister of Joe Drennan said the man who killed the young UL student should have been locked up like the animal he is at the time of the fatal road traffic collision.

Sarah Drennan fought back tears as she read out an emotional victim impact statement at Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Friday.

Joe Drennan (pictured below), aged 21, of Knocknagad, Mountrath, Co Laois was killed at Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick almost on October 13, 2023 while he was waiting for a bus after working a shift in a local restaurant.

Kieran Fogarty, aged 20, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston was before the court for sentencing this December 13. He has pleaded guilty to a number of offences including dangerous driving causing death, failing to offer assistance at the scene and criminal damage.

John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of the senior investigating officer Inspector Padraig Sutton, of Henry Street garda station.

Sarah Drennan said the fact that Fogarty chose to drive dangerously is an unbearable injustice. Fogarty was on bail at the time. One of the conditions was not to drive.

It was not an accident - it could have been prevented. It was caused by his disregard for the safety of others. He knew that my brother was lying there broken and instead of calling for assistance he chose to run away. He didn't check to see if Joe was alive.

We are haunted everyday by the thought of him dying alone, scared, no one to hold his hand, no one to tell him help was on the way.

He did not deserve to die like that, abandoned and disregarded like his life meant nothing

My brother did not have to die, said Ms Drennan.

Her father and mother Tim and Marguerite Drennan clung to one another as she read out the victim impact statement. Tim Drennan had his head bowed while Marguerite Drennan wept quietly.

He (Fogarty) should never have been driving in the first place. He shouldn't have been out on the street.

The night of October 13, 2023 was when our life sentence began. Joe received a death sentence that night. Kieran Fogarty was judge, jury and executioner - he killed our Joe.

He left our Joe to die on the street pinned under his car alone. He wiped down the car and ran away like the coward he is.

He was out on bail when he killed Joe. He should have been locked up like the animal he is.

"He imposed the death penalty on Joe. He imposed a life sentence on everyone who loved Joe, said Sarah Drennan, who added that her brother wanted to make the world a better place.

Joe Drennan was a fourth year journalism student in University of Limerick and editor-in-chief of the Limerick Voice publication.

Earlier in the sentencing hearing, Insp Padraig Sutton, said that Mr Fogarty was driving at 122kmph on the Dublin Road on the wrong side of the road, went through a red light, struck a glancing blow to a car which caused Mr Fogarty's car to spin.

It collided with a wall. The vehicle pinned Joe Drennan under the car, said Insp Sutton.

The garda inspector said Joe Drennan would not have felt anything and did not suffer.

Mr OSullivan gave the pathologists evidence who said Joe Drennan suffered multiple traumatic injuries including serious head injuries.

Insp Sutton said Fogarty spent 14 seconds in the car, cleaned it - which shows he was forensically aware, before fleeing the scene.

Fogarty was arrested in Cork over a week later. He exercised his right to silence in the first two interviews before making admissions and apologising.

Insp Sutton said gardai had insurmountable evidence.

Fogarty told gardai he did not know he had struck someone and would have "stuck around" if he had known.

Gardai secured access to his Facebook account. One message from Fogarty to a criminal read: I bounced off that wall and took that young fella with me.

Insp Sutton said Fogartys apologies rung hollow in comparison to messages he sent to family and criminal associates.

Mark Nicholas SC, defending, said nobody in this court can remain unmoved at the enormity of what occurred. He said the pain visited on the Drennan family is palpable.

Mr Nicholas said Mr Drennan was killed in his prime and was adored.

In mitigation, the senior counsel said Fogarty has pleaded guilty, made admissions, referred to his youth (19) at the time and read out a letter of apology to the Drennan family.

Judge Colin Daly said he has a lot to consider and requires time. The judge said he won't be proceeding to sentence this Friday.

Judgement was adjourned until January 23.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: December 13 2024

Janell Johnson, aka Jah Jah, was a Prominent Member of Both the Bloodhound Brims and No Fake Love Street Gangs from 2021  2024.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Janell Johnson, 22, of Shirley, was sentenced to 13 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to Conspiracy, Assault, and Weapons related charges spanning two separate gang take-downs and three total indictments. Johnson was one of 18 defendants who were convicted following the District Attorneys long-term investigation into violence committed by the No Fake Love Gang. Johnson was also one of 31 defendants indicted in February 2024 following the long-term investigation into violence committed by the Bloodhound Brim street gang.

This sentence is evidence of my commitment to dismantle violent criminal enterprises in Suffolk County, said District Attorney Tierney. Public safety can only be safeguarded if law enforcement holds offenders responsible for the crimes they actually commit and through the hard work of my office and our partners, every defendant from the 'No Fake Love' gang takedown has now been brought to justice.

All 18 defendants from the No Fake Love gang indictment were convicted of felony offenses. 15 of those defendants have been sentenced to substantial prison sentences. The remaining three defendants are pending sentence but have received court commitments of equally lengthy terms of incarceration. All of the defendants charged with violent felony offenses were convicted of violent felony offenses and 13 of the defendants were convicted of the top counts on the indictment.

As established by the investigation and his guilty plea allocution, from August 23, 2021, through February 7, 2024, Johnson was a prominent member of the violent criminal street organization known as the Bloodhound Brims and committed violence to gain status within the organization. Johnson then used his high-ranking status within the Bloodhound Brims to order members of the No Fake Love gang to commit violence while Johnson was incarcerated.

During his guilty plea allocution, Johnson admitted to committing several shootings at rival gang members in furtherance of his membership within the Bloodhound Brims. Notably, Johnson admitted to committing a broad daylight shooting on October 3, 2021, in Patchogue in which Johnson and others shot at a rival gang member. The rival was standing next to a vehicle parked in front a home where a number of small children were playing in the front yard; nobody was injured during this incident. Johnson also admitted to committing several other shootings including a January 12, 2022 shooting in Mastic in which a rival gang member was shot in the leg.

In addition to the gang motivated shootings committed by Johnson, alongside his various associates, Johnson continued to instruct and carry out gang violence while incarcerated. Beginning in 2022, while incarcerated for the October 3, 2021 shooting, Johnson began communicating and recruiting fellow gang members over the telephone from inside various jail facilities. Johnson further began using his high-ranking status within the Bloodhound Brims to direct young No Fake Love gang members  some as young as fifteen years old  how to steal cars, get access to guns, and commit acts of violence in order to secure a place within the hierarchy of the gang. Johnson also fought rival gang members that were incarcerated alongside him.

On October 17, 2024, Janell Johnson pleaded guilty to the following charges, under three separate indictments, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr.:

Two counts of Conspiracy in the Second Degree (Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the Second Degree), Class B felonies;

One count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony;

Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies; and

One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony.

On December 12, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Johnson to 13 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Martha Duffy, Donald Barclay, Elizabeth Moran, and William Richards of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau. The investigation into the No Fake Love gang was conducted by District Attorney Investigator Jean Graf of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Gang Task Force and Detective Sean Manning of the Suffolk County Police Departments Criminal Intelligence Section. The investigation into the Bloodhound Brims was led by Special Investigator Daniel Crerend of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Gang Task Force and Detective Christopher Marksberry of the Suffolk County Police Departments Gun Crime Reduction Unit.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 14. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) plans to invest in several major projects across Uzbekistan's priority economic sectors, the EDB told Trend.

The initiatives will aim to pave the way for sustainable infrastructure development in Uzbekistan.

Among the key projects is the construction of the Karagata and Jizzakh pumping stations, with a total investment of $778 million.

The bank also aims to invest $500 million in the development of Tashkent's transportation network. The bank may also invest an additional $500 million in the modernization and construction of airports.

Additionally, the EDB plans to build a urea production complex for $300 million and expand the capacity of the Kungrad soda plant for $300 million.

In the agricultural sector, $100 million is expected to be directed toward the development of the Sergelikhisob group of companies, which enhances production capabilities.

EDB has invested $400 million in Uzbekistan's economy to date, with a current portfolio of financing projects estimated to be worth $1.7 billion.

The Eurasian Development Bank is an international development finance agency that invests in the economic development, commercial relations, and integration of Eurasian countries. The EDB was established in 2006 and is based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Chicopee - The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts iannounces the activation of its new solar panel system at its food warehouse, resource, education, and advocacy center in Chicopee. The celebratory Flip the Switch event will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9a.m. at the Food Banks new facility, located at 25 Carew Street.

Designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, the Food Banks new center features state-of-the-art solar panels installed by PV Squared, a local leader in renewable energy solutions. The installation includes panels on the rooftop and a solar canopy covering part of the parking lot. This innovative green energy system will significantly reduce the Food Banks carbon footprint while meeting its substantial energy needs.

The project was made possible through a congressionally directed Community Funding Project grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, thanks to the steadfast support of Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey.

The event will include brief remarks from Morehouse, along with Jesse L. Lederman, Regional Director for the Office of U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey; Chicopee Mayor, John Vieau; and Nancy Robinson, Senior Director of Operations at the Food Bank.
An ancient relic that many Christians revere as Jesus Christs Crown of Thorns returned Friday to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, five years after it was saved from the flames of the medieval monuments devastating 2019 fire.

The crown  a circular band of branches encased in a gilded golden tube  was brought back to its historic home in a ceremony presided over by the archbishop of Paris and attended by knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, marking a key moment in the cathedrals restoration journey.

Read more: Take a look inside Notre Dame Cathedral 5 years after devastating fire

The relic was first mentioned by Jerusalem pilgrims in the 5th century before being transferred to Constantinople in the 10th century. In 1239, it was acquired by King Louis IX of France, who brought it to Paris and housed it at Notre Dame before commissioning the Sainte-Chapelle for its safekeeping. It was later returned to Notre Dame.

Clergymen and Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher face the ancient relic that many Christians revere as Jesus Christ's "Crown of Thorns" in Notre Dame Cathedral, five years after it was saved from the flames of the cathedral's devastating 2019 fire in Paris, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.(AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

During the fire that consumed much of Notre Dame on April 15, 2019, the Crown of Thorns was preserved in a sealed case alongside other relics. Firefighters' quick actions ensured the survival of those treasures.

Starting Jan. 10, the Crown of Thorns will be displayed for public veneration every Friday until April 18, culminating on Good Friday. Afterward, it will be shown on the first Friday of each month.
Vermont State Police alerted officials across New England about a suspect they believe was involved in the shooting of a St. Johnsbury police officer Friday night.

The public has been told to be on the watch for Scott Mason, 38, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, who police believe could be potentially armed and dangerous.
The stellar line-up of celebrities for the latest season of RTE hit show Dancing with the Stars is almost complete following the reveal of five dancers on tonights Late Late Show.

The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will all unfold when the new season returns to RTE One and RTE Player next month.

Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season. The two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.

Earlier this week, Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearoid Farrelly, Mrs. Browns Boys actor Danny OCarroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five hopefuls who will be vying for the glitterball trophy in early 2025.

The next five celebrity dancers were revealed on Friday nights Late Late Show with Ireland AM host Elaine Crowley, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, TikTok sensation Kayleigh Trappe, gold medal Olympian gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and Kin actress Yasmin Seky added to the roster.

Each of the celebrities spoke to Patrick Kielty about competing for the coveted glitterball trophy when the new series returns to RTE One next month.

The eleventh and final name will be revealed on Sunday morning to complete the line up for the Dancing with the Stars class of 2025.
Gardai in County Louth have issued separate appeals for assistance in locating two teenage boys who have been reported as missing and who both may have travelled to Dublin.

The first appeal, which was issued shortly after 2pm this Friday, relates to Alex Byrne-Kenna, 15, from Dundalk who was last seen on Tuesday evening.

Alex is described as being approximately 5 foot 6 inches in height, of slim build with brown hair and green/brown eyes. According to gardai, when last seen he was wearing a black hoodie, black tracksuit bottoms and black runners.

Alex is known to frequent Dublin City centre and anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Dundalk garda station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

READ ALSO: Arrest made by gardai after elderly man dies following 'fatal assault'

The second appeal, which was issued shortly after 3.15pm on Friday, relates to 17-year-old Jake Hafford from Drogheda, also in County Louth.

According to gardai, he was last seen at approximately 1.15pm on Thursday.

Jake is described as being approximately 6 feet in height with a slim build, short dark blonde / brown hair and blue eyes.

According to gardai, when last seen, Jake was wearing a black tracksuit and black runners and it is believed that he may have travelled to the Dublin City area.

Gardai say both they and Jakes family are concerned for his wellbeing.

Anyone with information on the teenager's whereabouts is asked to contact Drogheda garda station on 041 987 4200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Iran's thermal power plants consume the largest amount of gas during the year, Iran's Deputy Oil Minister, CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NGIC) Saeed Tavakoli told reporters, Trend reports.

However, he noted that gas consumption fluctuates greatly during the winter season, and consumption in apartments seriously increases. During winter, an average of 855 million cubic meters of gas is pumped into the country's gas network every day. About 82 percent of it is consumed in apartments, catering facilities, and small industrial enterprises.

The deputy minister added that Iran is the second country in the world in terms of gas reserves. Gas accounts for 72 percent of the country's energy basket. Even so, there is an imbalance between gas production and consumption.

According to Iran's Oil Ministry, 285 million liters of fuel (gas, diesel, and fuel oil) were supplied daily to the country's thermal power plants from March 20 through December 9, 2024.

Iran is considered the world's second-largest gas reserve country, with reserves of about 34 trillion cubic meters of gas. At present, a total of 22 gas fields are operating in Iran.

To note, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad recently stated that Iran's gas production is 275 bcm per year.
by Colin Kirkland , December 13, 2024

Following major Black Friday sales, TikTok Shop is furthering its push of livestream social ecommerce in the U.S. by offering shopping credits to users for engaging with the platform and for inviting friends to join the app.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, TikTok users recently began seeing a new "limited time offer," which compensates them in the form of TikTok Shop credits, with the promotions appearing on TikTokers' For You page.

Effectively, the company's rewards program is offering users up to hundreds of dollars per day for helping expand the app's user base and for shopping in-stream -- a shopping method that is still somewhat foreign to U.S. consumers, compared to consumers in Asian regions where TikTok's sister app Douyin amasses hundreds of billions of dollars in product sales per year.

advertisement advertisement

However, despite last year's poor U.S. sales numbers, TikTok Shop has begun to capture U.S. users' attention, driving over $100 million in Black Friday sales -- reflecting a 3x increase year-over-year. During the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, the platform also saw a 165% increase in shoppers year-over-year, with a third of all purchases made during the company's three-week-long holiday shopping campaign going to small and medium-sized businesses.

TikTok is building off this holiday-season momentum when consumers are most likely to seek out products on social media.

In fact, the company's limited time offer resembles a rewards program that it offered in Europe earlier this year. But paying European users to engage with the app violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) and was forced to cease in August.

While the new rewards program seems to adhere to U.S. laws, the China-owned company is still facing a looming ban in the region, which could see its extinction by January 19th, cutting off access to over 170 million American users.

The U.S. government appears to be set on banning the app, with the Department of Justice recently urging a federal appellate court to reject TikTok's emergency request to block the law. But hope for the platform's survival in the U.S. resides in president-elect Donald Trump's prior promise that he would save the app, and Forrester's recent prediction that the app won't be banned due to TikTok's thriving creator economy, and the threat of a Meta monopoly.

If Forrester's prediction is correct, TikTok Shop may be poised to upend the current ecommerce sector, competing directly with major online retailers like Amazon, especially as the platform continues to expand internationally.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Iran has not hindered the inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) so far and will not do so in the future, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Eslami told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Tehran on December 14 dedicated to the presentation of new achievements in the nuclear field, Trend reports.

According to him, until now the International Atomic Energy Agency has always carried out its monitoring within the framework of safeguards and the NPT agreement.

Eslami noted that Iran is taking steps within the framework of IAEA rules, and if the scope of action is increased from three to five sections, it is only natural that there will be stronger monitoring in this size as well. However, some parties intend to generate fear against Iran's nuclear program.

Commenting on whether a new format will be created to resolve the two issues in limbo between Iran and the IAEA after the approval of the anti-Iran resolution at the board of directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran's vice president said that Tehran continues to cooperate within the framework of the statement agreed upon between Iran and the IAEA.

To note, last March (2023), an agreement was achieved between Iran and the IAEA, and a statement on the agreement was issued. According to the agreement, Iran's cooperation with the IAEA is within the framework of the Convention on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and safeguards, and the parties are to cooperate on allegations of the existence of enriched uranium substances in connection with Iran's nuclear program.

Meanwhile, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program.

In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 20-30 percent.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 13, 2024

Lawmakers have directed Apple and Google to prepare to ban TikTok from their app stores by January 19, unless it separates from China-based parent company ByteDance before that date.

In letters sent Friday, Reps. John Moolenaar (R-Michigan) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois), leaders of the House Select Committee on Chinese Communist Party, told the tech companies that a federal appellate court recently upheld the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521). That law prohibits app stores and websites from distributing TikTok unless it's divested by ByteDance, and gives ByteDance a January 19 deadline to find a buyer. The statute provides that President Joe Biden can extend that period for up to three months, but Biden hasn't yet indicated whether he will do so.

Apple and Google should take the necessary steps to comply with that law, the officials said in their letters to the companies.

advertisement advertisement

The lawmakers also urged TikTok to immediately execute a qualified divestiture.

Congress has acted decisively to defend the national security of the United States and protect TikToks American users from the Chinese Communist Party, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi wrote Friday to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.

Earlier this year, TikTok and a group of content creators challenged the law in court, claiming that the statute violates the First Amendment by shutting down a communications platform.

On December 6, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that argument, ruling that the law's restrictions on speech were justified by national security concerns. The law, which was passed earlier this year, 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.

TikTok has said it plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The company also recently asked the circuit court to temporarily block the law until the Supreme Court weighs in on the statute.

The D.C. Circuit Court hasn't yet acted on TikTok's request for an injunction.
ESC Cardio-Oncology 2025 addresses cancer treatment's cardiovascular risks, offering guidelines for prevention, early diagnosis, and management to reduce CVD in cancer patients

  Trusted Source

Heart-related side effects of cancer treatment must be addressed as early as possible



Go to source Trusted Source



About 32% of cancer patients experience mild toxicities due to #cancer treatment. #hearthealth #medindia 

Advertisement

Cardiotoxicity Risks in Cancer Treatments

Advertisement

Guidelines to Prevent Heart Risks from Cancer Therapy

Advertisement

Shields to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases

Heart-related side effects of cancer treatment must be addressed as early as possible - (https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/heart-related-side-effects-of-cancer-treatment-must-be-addressed-as-early-as-pos#:~:text=However%2C%20experts%20in%20cardio%2Doncology,ensure%20the%20best%20possible%20outcomes.)

Surge in cancer patients with cardiovascular side effects due to cancer treatment. Doctors and experts urge to include heart and cardiovascular health in the patient's cancer treatment plan.The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is going to conduct a conference on cardio-oncology to highlight the overlap of cancer treatment and its associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) side effects. ESC Cardio-Oncology 2025 will take place in Florence, Italy, from Friday, 20 June - Saturday, 21 June 2025 ().Previous research from prospective registries published in theestimates that approximately one-third (32%) of patients experience mild toxicities that could potentially progress in severity without adequate monitoring, while 3% develop moderate toxicity and a further 3% most severe toxicity.The main goal of this emerging specialty of cardio-oncology is to reduce the burden of CVD in cancer patients allowing them to receive the best anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, targeted molecular therapies, hormone therapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy) with the lowest rate of side effects and treatment interruptions, explains Dr Teresa Lopez-Fernandez, University Hospital La Paz - Madrid, Spain and co-Chair of the ESC Cardio-Oncology Guidelines Task Force.We could soon be facing cardio-oncology epidemic due to either the growing population of cancer survivors, the increasing number of patients aged over 65 who need chronic cancer therapy, and the high frequency of cancer therapy-induced CVDs in these populations, says Dr Alexander Lyon, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK, and also co-Chair of the ESC Cardio-Oncology Guidelines Task Force.Concerns about the increasing prevalence of cardiotoxicity caused by cancer therapies led to the ESC establishing, in 2018, the Council of Cardio-Oncology as a multidisciplinary constituent body that encourages the prevention, early diagnosis, and management of cancer therapy-related CVD. Today, the council brings together over 2,000 members worldwide and a team of volunteers as part of the Council of Cardio-Oncology Board.In 2022, the Guidelines Taskforce, led by Drs Lopez-Fernandez and Lyon, published the first-ever ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines on cardio-oncology. These guidelines include advice on how to conduct an assessment of cardiovascular toxicity risk, in collaboration with the cardio-oncology team, using specific risk scores; the implementation of preventive strategies in high-risk patients; and analysis of methods to monitor cancer treatments with advanced cardiac imaging techniques (including MRI and strain) and biomarkers.They also include techniques of early management of potential cardiac toxicities, aiming to maintain cancer treatment whenever cardiac toxicity is manageable, and the patient remains stable; and also, advice on carrying out long-term follow-up of cancer survivors who have received treatments with potential late cardiovascular effects."Cardio-oncology teams design effective 'shields' to protect the hearts of oncology patients," says Dr Lopez-Fernandez. The teamwork between cardiologists and cancer specialists promotes the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in cancer survivors.The Guidelines provide highly detailed explanations of cancer therapy-related CV toxicity (CTR-CVT), and various examples of this including cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, hypertension (arterial and pulmonary), and thrombosis. If cardiac dysfunction is detected, cardiology and oncology teams are strongly recommended to discuss the pros and cons of continuing versus stopping cancer treatment. Dr Lyon comments: Our mission is always to ensure that cancer patients have the best and most effective cancer treatment safely, and to prevent interruptions in their cancer treatment due to cardiovascular problems which could have been prevented.Populations needing special consideration, including children and adolescents and pregnant women with cancer, are also all addressed in the Guidelines. As the global population grows older, we will see more and more people with cancer and thus more and more with toxic CVD side-effects of cancer treatment, says Dr Lopez-Fernandez. Dr Lyon adds: This specialized area of medicine is only going to grow, and as such we and other experts at the European Society of Cardiology believe the time has come to have a global forum, in the form of our first ever ESC Cardio-Oncology conference, to gather global experts to ensure better outcomes for this growing patient group.As an example of the Councils commitment to advancing the field, they are currently collaborating in the RESILIENCE Trial, an EU-funded randomized controlled trial focused on exploring novel strategies to prevent anthracycline cardiotoxicity. At ESC Cardio-Oncology 2025, the council will host a dedicated session with the RESILIENCE team.Source-Eurekalert
TOKYO (AP)  The partial transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam began on Saturday, 12 years after Japan and the United States agreed on their realignment to reduce the heavy burden of American troop presence on the southern Japanese island, officials said.

The relocation started with 100 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed on Okinawa moving to the Pacific island for the initial logistical work, the U.S. Marine Corps and Japans Defense Ministry said in a joint statement.

Under the plan agreed between Tokyo and Washington in April 2012, about 9,000 of the 19,000 Marines currently stationed on Okinawa are to be moved out of Okinawa, including about 4,000 of them to be moved to Guam in phases. Details, including the size and timing of the next transfer, were not immediately released.

The Marine Corps is committed to the defense of Japan and meeting operational requirements to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, and it will maintain presence in the region through a combination of stationing and rotating Marines in Japan, Guam and Hawaii, the joint statement said.

Japan has paid up to $2.8 billion for the building of infrastructure at the U.S. bases on Guam, and the U.S. government will fund the remaining costs. The two governments will continue to cooperate on the development of Camp Blaz, which will serve as the main installation for Marines stationed in Guam.

The Marines and Japan Self Defense Forces will conduct joint training in Guam, the statement said.

Okinawa, which was under U.S. postwar occupation until 1972, is still home to a majority of the more than 50,000 American troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact, while 70% of U.S. military facilities are on Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japanese land.

Many Okinawans have long complained about the heavy U.S. military presence on the island, and say Okinawa faces noise, pollution, aircraft accidents and crime related to American troops.

The relocation is likely to be welcomed by local residents, but how much improvement they will feel is uncertain because of the rapid Japanese military buildup on Okinawan islands as a deterrence to threats from China.

The start of the Marines relocation comes at a time of growing anti-U.S. military sentiment following a series of sexual assault cases involving American servicemembers.

On Thursday, a senior Air Force servicemember belonging to the Kadena Air Base was convicted of the kidnapping and sexual assault of a teenage girl last year, a case that triggered outrage on the island. The Naha District Court sentenced him to five years in prison.
The Rangers have signed catcher Tucker Barnhart to a minor league contract, FanSideds Robert Murray reports. The deal includes an invitation to the Rangers big league Spring Training camp, and Barnhart will earn $1MM if he makes the Texas roster.

Barnhart is the second veteran catcher the Rangers have acquired in the last two weeks, after inking Kyle Higashioka to a two-year, $13.5MM deal. Jonah Heim is still the starting backstop in Arlington, but Heims struggles in 2024 left the Rangers looking for more depth, so Higashioka is expected to get more playing time than a normal backup. With these two locked into catching duties on the MLB roster, Barnhart and Sam Huff could be Triple-A depth unless an injury emerges.

A two-time Gold Glover from his days as the Reds starting catcher, Barnharts glovework helped paper over some only serviceable numbers at the plate. However, Barnharts once-modest offensive production has continued to sharply decline, while his glovework dropped to below-average in the view of Defensive Runs Saved (-2) and Statcasts Catcher Runs metric (-3).

It should be noted that these numbers came in a limited sample size, as Barnhart appeared in only 31 big league games with the Diamondbacks last season. Even when starter Gabriel Moreno was injured, the DBacks preferred Jose Herrera for a lot of playing time, and Barnhart was the one designated for assignment and ultimately released after Moreno returned from the injured list. Barnhart landed with his old team in Cincinnati on a minors deal in August, but his return to the Reds didnt result in any MLB playing time.

Barnhart has a .241/.318/.351 slash line in 3088 plate appearances across 11 seasons with the Reds, Tigers, Cubs, and Diamondbacks. Presumably his contract includes the standard veteran opt-out clauses, so Barnhart could end up back on the open market again if he doesnt see a clear path to playing time on the Rangers roster prior to Opening Day.
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI  A new community-oriented bakery is bringing local business back to a changing Ypsilanti Township neighborhood.

B-Cubed Bakery opened at 741 Emerick St. near the recently-demolished Gault Village shopping center, in October.

Owner Ben Brown, a University of Michigan alum with a background in computer engineering, became serious about baking as a hobby in 2017. Brown grew up in Brighton, but has lived in the nearby Gault Village subdivision for several years.

Since 2020, hes supplied the Depot Town Farmers Market with bread and pastries. He took a break from tech to build bona fides for a culinary career, graduating from a one-year baking program at Great Lakes Culinary Institute in Traverse City and working at Zingermans Bakehouse in Ann Arbor.

When the opportunity arose in May 2024 to lease a building just a few minutes away from his home, Brown jumped on it.

READ MORE: New bakery opens near former Ypsilanti-area shopping center

B-Cubed specializes in whole-wheat sourdough bread and pastries featuring local ingredients. Brown said the business is equipped with an industrial grain mill that allows B-Cubed to work directly with farmers from Michigan and surrounding states. Fresh-milled grain makes for healthier, more flavorful baked goods, he said.

Among the bakerys specialties are an array of 100 percent whole-grain cookies including a rotating weekly option. The classic chocolate chunk cookie is a popular option, and seasonal options include an orange espresso dark chocolate cookie made with candied orange peel and whole grain from an Illinois farmer and a sweet apple almond scone featuring apples from Sheats Produce in Milan.

Theyre all 100 percent whole wheat, which is a nice thing - cookies are still not great for you, but it does provide a little bit of solace, Brown said.

Brown describes the popular cherry almond oat cookie as a more adult option featuring Traverse City cherries and whole oats that add a nuanced texture.

Its not just sweet. You get a lot of tartness in there from the cherries, he said. With oats in there as well as whole wheat, it feels more substantial.

The bakery also offers four daily staple breads as well as a rotating daily loaf. Popular options include a Traverse City cherry, raisin and walnut sourdough and a country loaf that showcases fresh-milled local grains. Customers can purchase whole loaves or have them sliced on the spot.

Every day we have fresh baguettes. Nearly everything is sourdough and were mostly French inspired, Brown said. Every day its something a little bit different.

On the savory side, the bakery offers a hearty breakfast croissant sandwich made with Dearborn ham, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard on a buttery pastry. Brown also plans to offer cold to-go deli sandwiches in the summer.

Brown acknowledges that his is the third bakery to open in the area this year, but says hes happy to fill a niche serving a community thats cut off from the rest of Ypsilanti by the highway on one side and Ford Lake on the other.

His customers and neighbors in the subdivision had long complained of having to drive miles to Rawsonville for fast food or head across the highway into downtown Ypsi for a meal.

Anyone around here, within a five-minute drive, couldnt get a piece of food thats made locally, Brown said. Our goal has really been to be a community-connected baker and serve this neighborhood. For this kind of food desert area, thats been pretty straightforward.

With that in mind, Brown launched the business with a coffee bar serving Hyperion Coffee beans and an open kitchen designed to invite customers into the space.

Theres not much seating indoors, but he plans to add an outdoor patio when the weather warms and has already hosted a miniature farmers market in the business parking lot.

The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, Brown said, adding hes getting business from morning commuters and local residents who live within walking distance.

Weve had a few people that have been very excited to say, Ive cut McDonalds out of my day, he said. Its a very interesting thing as a business owner to come into a space and have people grateful that youre willing to take a chance on a community.

While hes not sure what the future holds for his neighbor - the former shopping center site - hes hoping that plans for a public park are realized.

I wouldnt be here if the mall was still there, Im hopeful that something great for the community will go in there eventually, he said. Now that theres another business here, itll help bring people to the area and make this more of a community and less of a [highway] exit, he said.

B-Cubed Bakery, 741 Emerick St. in Ypsilanti Township, is open 7 a.m. to 2. p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. B-Cubed products are also available at Hyperion Coffees River Street cafe and Cafe Liv in Downtown Ypsi.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
ZEELAND TOWNSHIP, MI - A teenage driver and her passenger were injured Saturday, Dec. 14 after police say she failed to yield and crashed into another vehicle.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office responded around 1:42 p.m. to the crash on 96th Street and Riley Avenue, a news release said.

The investigation found a 16-year-old was pulling out of a Family Fare parking lot to head south on 96th Street when she crashed into a northbound Toyota. She told police she thought traffic was clear and had time to make her turn, according to the sheriffs office.

The 16-year-old and her 15-year-old passenger were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Toyota was not injured.

Police cited the teen for failing to yield.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A Muskegon staple that has been attracting fans of freshly made smash patty burgers for nearly a decade is returning to the Grand Rapids area for a limited time.

Hamburger Mikey will take over City Built Brewing Company at 820 Monroe Ave. NW on Monday, Dec. 16, and New Years Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1. to offer locals plenty of mouthwatering build-your-own burgers, homemade sauces, and award-winning fries.

The popular burger joint initially announced the collaboration on Facebook last fall, which was met with hundreds of excited comments, likes and shares from loyal customers along the lakeshore and around Grand Rapids.

We regularly work with other restaurants and bars; were not just about ourselves, said Tim Taylor, managing partner at Hamburger Mikey. Were always stronger together.

RELATED: Hamburger Mikey to launch pop-up burger shop at Grand Rapids brewery

This years first popup on Monday will be from 3 to 8 p.m., featuring a simpler menu. Patrons can choose from Hamburger Mikeys build-your-own single or double patty burger with a choice of basic toppings or the elevated Mikey, Wild Mikey and truffle sauce.

But what the community is showing out for is the unique and special orders, including this years Holiday Burger, using a glazed doughnut from Hodgepodge Bake Shop as its base topped with the classic smash patty, pepper jack cheese, smoked ham, grilled pineapple, and a mustard cranberry sauce.

Additionally, there will be a new take on Hamburger Mikeys fries: the Chicago Fry. It comes with homemade, hand-cut fries topped with Chicago beef, Swiss cheese sauce, and mild giardiniera peppers.

Prices for all new and classic offerings range from $10-$15, with most of the profits going back toward City Built Brewing Company.

The upcoming events follow Hamburger Mikeys announcement to expand to Spring Lake in the former Beefys Burger Shack this past summer. Since the eatery won various awards over the years, like Michigans Best Burger, Hamburger Mikey has accumulated its fair share of foodies eager to try the next crazy creation.

Taylor told MLive last years turnout at City Built was incredible, with 300 to 400 people attending and a line out the door going down the sidewalk. He said he hopes this second time around will be just as popular.

You might wait in line a little bit longer sometimes, but as soon as you get there and order, the food is coming right out, he said. You dont have to sit there and hang out, which we encourage, but you can also get everything to go. Its Grand Rapids chance to visit, help support City Built, and try our award-winning food.

Hamburger Mikey will serve food at City Built Brewing from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Dec. 16 and from noon to 8 p.m. on Jan. 1.

Stay updated on the collaboration by visiting Hamburger Mikeys Facebook page.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.
LENAWEE COUNTY, MI - A woman is facing charges after an August crash killed a man and critically injured a woman in Lenawee County.

Holly Schmidt, 38 from Tecumseh, was arraigned Thursday, Dec. 12 on one count of operating while intoxicated causing death and one count of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, according to Michigan State Police.

The charges were brought by the Lenawee County Prosecutors Office after police say a southbound Jeep Wrangler struck a northbound GMC Terrain Wednesday, Aug. 14 on Tecumseh Clinton Highway near Allen Road.

The driver of the GMC, a 72-year-old Clinton man, died in the crash. A passenger, a 75-year-old Clinton woman, was hospitalized in critical condition at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Schmidt was brought to the hospital with minor injuries.

Michigan State Police arrested Schmidt on Dec. 11 and she was lodged at Lenawee County Jail with a $75,000 bond.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. In Georgia, the Electoral College is voting today to elect the countrys sixth president, Trend reports.

This marks the first time the president is being elected through an indirect voting process, which is taking place at the Parliament Palace.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has nominated Mikheil Kavelashvili for the position.

Under the law, a quorum of at least 151 Electoral College members is required to hold the election. To win, a candidate must secure at least 200 votes.

The president elected by the Electoral College will serve a five-year term.

The Central Election Commission is expected to announce the results later today, following the conclusion of the voting in parliament.
KALAMAZOO, MI  The brand-new asphalt and pavement markings on Westnedge Avenue were quickly hidden by snow this week, as Kalamazoo finished its major construction project Tuesday, Dec. 10, just before a snowstorm.

The $10.1 million project, spanning just under 2 miles, began in March.

Unplanned sewer repairs and the discovery of skeletal remains near the work site pushed the projects completion back a month, said Public Services Director James Baker.

It made sense to do sewer work while the ground was already open, Baker said, and didnt put the project over budget.

Drivers will notice fresh pavement between Vine Street and Cork Street and narrower lanes designed to slow traffic. The lanes are 11 feet, when they had been as wide as 15 feet, previously, in some areas. The extra space was used to create bike lanes in some areas.

Take a smooth ride across the new pavement in the timelapse video, below.

Ten feet below the roads surface, a new water main delivers drinking water to nearby homes and businesses.

Invisible upgrades

Kalamazoo averages about 120 water main breaks a year, Baker said.

Were going to make sure Westnedge Avenue is not part of that statistic in the future, he said.

The single, plastic-coated water main now beneath the road is designed to last 100 years, Baker said.

The three lines previously under the road were installed in the 1930s and 40s, Baker said. Their age and poor condition lead to emergency road closures, water shutoffs and repair expenses.

Construction along Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo, Mich. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The current construction is a part of a nearly $10 million investment into the road.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Building around the former water lines without shutting off water to homes along the route required digging in the middle of the road, Baker said.

The next big project

Shifting closures, long detour routes and congestion frustrated drivers and tanked sales at local businesses along the route throughout the spring, summer and fall.

The city offered special signage along detour routes and a free shuttle service to customers in construction areas across the city.

It also held biweekly meetings with stakeholders to gather feedback and provide construction updates.

Traffic moves across fresh pavement, wet from the remainder of a snowstorm, on S. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Construction that began in March left only southbound S. Westnedge Avenue open between W. Vine Street and just past W. Maple Street. As of Dec. 11, construction has been completed and all lanes have reopened.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

It wasnt enough for business owners like Paul Petros of Midtown Fresh Market, 1693 S. Westnedge Ave., who said the city should offer compensation for sales lost.

Several years of major road work are on the horizon next in other parts of Kalamazoo, including the reconstruction and conversion of Kalamazoo Avenue from a one-way to two-way beginning in 2025. Burdick Street will see a project similar to the Westnedge one in 2026.

The Kalamazoo Avenue project will be a contender for a new phased approach to road closures, Baker said. Only a few blocks will be closed and completed at a time before moving on to the next section.

Were trying to learn from all the construction input that we received from 2022 through 2024 and take that Goldilocks approach, Baker said.

That approach will cost the city more, he said, but will alleviate the impacts of long-term closures on local businesses.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.
Detroit Diesel Corp., a diesel engine manufacturer, plans to invest $285 million expanding its facility to produce parts for zero-emission vehicles.

The investment is expected to create 436 jobs at Detroit Diesel Corp.s manufacturing facility in Redford Township near Detroit.

The Michigan Strategic Fund backed the project Tuesday, Dec. 10 with a $27.7 million state grant and a State Essential Services Assessment tax break valued at $3.29 million.

This expansion is about more than just innovation; its about creating job opportunities and upskilling our workforce to meet the demands of tomorrows technology, while helping to stabilize the heavy-duty supply chain, said a statement from Matt Pfaffenbach, the companys vice president of powertrain operations.

Related: More Michigan dairy farms turning manure into energy with state support

Founded in 1938, Detroit Diesel Corp. now operates under Daimler Truck North America, producing engines, transmissions and axles for commercial vehicles.

Detroit Diesel Corp. entered the zero-emission vehicle market in 2021 by creating a lineup of electric battery products. A project memo says the proposed expansion would maintain current production capacity while equipping the plant to manufacture electric components for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks.

Of the jobs created, 335 of those will be production positions paying a median wage of $25.86 and the remaining 101 will be salaried, mostly being engineers, with an estimated salary of $113,000.

This transformative project will propel us into a new era of manufacturing excellence while strengthening our role in the industry and bringing significant growth to the community we call home, Pfaffenbach said.

The Michigan Strategic Fund backed seven other projects during its December board meeting.

This included a $100 million grant to support the University of Michigans $1.2 billion high-performance computing facility in Ypsilanti.

Benteler Automotive Corp. received a $1.4 million state grant to support a $105 million battery components assembly plant in Wyoming. Construction is now underway on the new 315,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that is being built on the site of a vacant General Motors stamping plant.

The board also OKd a $5.1 million grant for Howmet Aerospaces $107.5 million expansion in Whitehall, an investment expected to create up to 300 new jobs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. In the center of Paris, on the Trocadero square in front of the Eiffel Tower, a protest action dedicated to "Decolonization Day" was held, Trend reports.

The event was organized by the Baku Initiative Group with the support of participants in the independence movements of the former French colonies.

The action was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which was approved on December 14, 1960.

The participants of the action chanted slogans such as "No to colonialism", "The fight for freedom continues!", "Unity for a free future!", "Decolonization begins here and now!".

The event was attended by representatives of independence movements from regions such as the Comoros Islands, Guadeloupe, French Polynesia, Reunion, New Caledonia, Saint Martin, Corsica and Martinique.

The protesters called for the implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 and stressed the need for active intervention by the international community in resolving the problems faced by modern colonies.
The ex-spouses of actress Angelina Jolie and star Brad Pitt, whose divorce has become one of the most high-profile in Hollywood, have been invited to star in a movie. Producer Danny Rossner offers the celebrities a check of $60 million (almost 2.5 billion hryvnias) for their reunion on screen.

ADVERTISIMENT

However, the ex-husband and wife, who have been fighting for custody of their children, money, and the future of their wine business for eight years, will have a hard time accepting the offer, Page Six reports. Another proof of the split was an incident at the Venice Film Festival: the organizers had to schedule screenings of the films starring the actors on different days so that Jolie and Pitt would not meet on the red carpet.

Rossner, whose films over the past ten years have been more like amateur efforts, describes the project in which Angelina and Brad are to play the lead roles as a passionate movie. It's a love story set in the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France, during World War II, based on the real life of its owner. Pitt is to play Emmanuel Martinez, the hotel's owner at the time, and Jolie is to play his seductive mistress and muse, Emma Digard.

ADVERTISIMENT

"We have a love scene... And it's also hot. It's not obscene, but there are very heavy love scenes. Martinez had a wife, and he had a mistress," explains the author of the idea. He also did not agree on an equal distribution of royalties for the exes, which will probably be a key point for Angelina if the project somehow miraculously reaches the negotiating table. Rossner will offer $37.5 million for Pitt and only $22 million for Jolie.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A Ukrainian woman was able to force PrivatBank to return UAH 187,579 to her account, which was stolen by fraudsters who took possession of her Kyivstar phone number. After reissuing the number, they took out a substantial loan in her name.

ADVERTISIMENT

This is stated in the materials of the Ruzhynskyi Raion Court of Zhytomyr Oblast. Thus, all money, including credit, were debited from the woman's account. The criminals also used instalment payment. "This led to her having a debt on her credit card #5168752007776308 in the amount of UAH 98450.61 and additional UAH 89128.45 due to instalment payment. Overall, it makes UAH 187579.06," the case file says.

The woman appealed to Kyivstar, PrivatBank, and the police. The bank refused to write off the loan and demanded a refund. At the same time, Kyivstar employees responded to her written request to investigate and find out how her phone was stolen, "This phone number belongs to another person, and therefore we cannot provide you any information."

The representative of PrivatBank stated in court that the woman had not properly fulfilled her duties as a client of the bank. The bank's representative, disputing the claims, explained that it is possible that the plaintiff herself participated in the disputed transactions or provided third parties with the information necessary for these transactions, so there are no grounds to sustain the claim.

ADVERTISIMENT

Nevertheless, the court ruled that it is the bank that should compensate the stolen money. "The court concludes that the plaintiff has performed all the actions (defined in paragraph 6 of Section VI of the Regulation On the Procedure for Conducting Transactions with Letters of Credit by Banks) provided for in this case and has proved her innocence of the said actions, and therefore, as a card user, cannot be held liable for payment transactions," the court said in its decision.

According to Kyivstar's website, to restore the number, it is enough to name 8 digits of the PUK1 of the old SIM or 19 digits of the ICC and know the phone number. In addition, you can apply for restoration at a store branch.

As reported, PrivatBank has recently introduced a feature allowing users to add cards to the Apple Pay wallet without manually entering card details. To do this, open the Wallet application on your iPhone, click the "add card" button and hold your bank card to your smartphone.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In recent years, the Ukrainian has seen less and less snow. And for kids to go sledding, you need to go closer to the mountains. Despite the rising global warming, there are still locations where you can enjoy winter activities and "fluffy" landscapes. To know where to go to see a real fairy tale, read below.

ADVERTISIMENT

Reykjavik, Iceland

The largest city in the country. It is located opposite Mount Esja, the peak of which is covered with snow almost all year round. In winter, the average temperature ranges from -10C to 2C.

Interesting fact: in cold weather, daylight hours last only 4 hours.

The location is special because you can see the Northern Lights here. To do this, you should take into account the clear, dark sky and the absence of light pollution. It is best to go outside the village, for example, to the Thingvellir National Park.

We recommend visiting the thermal pools. There are more than 17 of them in Reykjavik. The most popular is the Blue Lagoon. Don't miss the Christmas market either. Here tourists can buy handmade products and even woolen sweaters.

We also recommend visiting the Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church, which was built from 1945 to 1986. The height of the church reaches 73 meters. When designing the church, architect Gujon Samuelsson was inspired by the basalt columns that can be seen when lava solidifies.

ADVERTISIMENT

Helsinki, Finland

Located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. The average temperature from December to February ranges from -13C to 0C.

Interesting fact: the symbols of the city are the oar and the maple tree.

We recommend starting your trip with traditional saunas. There are more than 3 million of them in the country. One of the most popular is Kotiharjun. It was built in 1928.

Next, head to the Suomenlinna Fortress. It looks like a star. The building served as the base of the Swedish Navy. By the way, in winter, the attraction is surrounded by the frozen sea.

You can also taste traditional dishes: Poronkaristys, sauteed reindeer with lingonberry preserves and Karjalanpiirakka, a pie.

ADVERTISIMENT

Also, visit the Christmas market, which is radiating coziness on the market square. Here you can buy souvenirs, Christmas tree decorations, handmade products, etc.

Do you want to see real reindeer? Then go to Nuuksio National Park. It is located 30 kilometers from the capital. There is a farm where the horned animals live.

Rothenburg am Tauber, Germany

A town in the district of Middle Franconia. The average winter temperature ranges from -5C to 4C.

Interesting fact: the name of the settlement translates as "Red Fortress on the Tauber".

The first thing tourists should do is visit the Christmas Museum. Here you can see how the art of Christmas tree decorations and souvenirs developed. The building houses postcards, Santa Claus figurines, and candlesticks. There is also a collection of Nutcrackers: from miniature to large. The largest one is 3.8 meters high. Here you can also see what old Santa Claus toys look like. There is no such exhibition anywhere else in the world.

ADVERTISIMENT

We recommend taking a walk around Plonlein Square. It resembles an ancient small neighborhood with half-timbered houses.

Also, visit the popular shop of the German Christmas toy factory Kathe Wohlfahrt.

And, of course, try the traditional Rothenburger Schneeball deep-fried pastry with powdered sugar. It looks like a snowball.

Tallinn, Estonia

The capital and main port of the country. It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Interesting fact: the city was first mentioned by the Arab geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi in 1154 in his work The Book of Roger.

Winters here are moderately cold with snowfall. The average air temperature ranges from -1C to -4C, dropping to -9C at night.

ADVERTISIMENT

Back in 1441, the first city Christmas tree was erected here. Tallinn also hosts a Christmas fair every year. Here, tourists can buy original woolen products, jewelry, and wooden items.

Also, take a walk in the Rotermanni neighborhood. It was built on the basis of old abandoned factories. During Advent, various New Year's installations are set up here.

Oslo, Norway

The city is located in a continental climate zone, so it is cool here even in summer. In winter, the average temperature ranges from -7C to 0C.

Not far from Oslo is the Holmenkollen ski resort. Here you can see one of the oldest ski jumps in the world. It was built in 1891. The complex has trails of different levels of difficulty: for both beginners and professionals.

Also, visit the Christmas market. Here you can buy sweets, souvenirs and meet Santa Claus. We also recommend trying traditional Norwegian dishes: Pinnekjtt, Farikal or Fiskesuppe.

Choose a destination and feel the fairy tale!

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Paris has once again proved its status as the world's tourist capital. According to a study by Euromonitor International, the French capital was ranked first among the best city destinations in 2024.

ADVERTISIMENT

The rating was conducted among hundreds of cities, taking into account 55 key factors. The high result confirms the uniqueness and attractiveness of this European metropolis, the Daily Express reports.

The report was based on an analysis of six areas: tourism performance, tourism infrastructure, tourism policy and attractiveness, health and safety, sustainability, and economic performance. Paris showed excellent results in all criteria, leaving behind cities such as Madrid, Tokyo and New York.

10 best city destinations in the world according to Euromonitor International

Paris Madrid Tokyo Rome Milan New York Amsterdam Sydney Singapore Barcelona

Record tourism performance



Over the course of the year, Paris welcomed more than 70 million tourists, a signigicant contribution to the local economy. One of the main events was the Olympic Games, which attracted even more visitors. The recent reopening of Notre Dame was another symbolic event that strengthened the city's popularity.

ADVERTISIMENT

Positive feedback



Tourists call Paris an "amazing" and "pleasant" place to vacation. Online reviews show a great love for the city, its history, architecture, and culture. Travelers from all over the world are amazed by the beauty of local sights and special atmosphere.

Main attractions



Guests of the city note the charm of the Eiffel Tower, which can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Museums, parks, theaters, and numerous historical sites are no less impressive. Paris also remains the capital of fashion and art, which attracts aesthetes.

ADVERTISIMENT

Many tourists note that Paris is the perfect choice for a family vacation. Visiting museums and architectural monuments, children get unforgettable impressions, while adults enjoy art and culture.

Many tourists admit that even a long visit is not enough to discover all the treasures of Paris. The uniqueness of each district of the city encourages travelers to return again and again.

Paris also demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development. New initiatives are being implemented to reduce the environmental impact of tourism, making the city even more attractive to modern travelers.

The ranking of the best city destinations helps travelers plan their trips. Paris has once again become a must-visit gem for both newcomers and those who have already visited the city.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
A series of massive Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities is part of a broader campaign. In this way, the Kremlin is trying to force Ukraine and the West to abstain from making political decisions.

ADVERTISIMENT

The enemy also keeps trying to "freeze" the Ukrainian population in the winter. This is stated in the analysis of the Institute for War Studies.

The invaders have repeatedly attacked Ukrainian infrastructure in the fall and winter since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian troops struck on December 12-13, allegedly in response to a Ukrainian strike on Taganrog, Rostov region, on December 11 using ATACMS missiles.

The ISW emphasized that the occupiers probably planned to carry out such a strike regardless and conveniently used the December 11 strike to justify Russian attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure.

Analysts noted that such Russian messages are aimed at softening calls from the Russian ultranationalist community for retaliation for Ukrainian strikes against Russia. Also, such rhetoric is intended to support the Kremlin's reflexive control campaign aimed at forcing Western countries to decide that Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons and future peace talks will benefit Russia.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the aggressor country Russia deliberately waited for a cold snap to launch a new massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. This enemy attack was one of the largest.

Earlier it was reported that the enemy's targets this time were energy infrastructure and transportation networks, particularly in the west of the country. DTEK's thermal power plants and other energy facilities in several regions were attacked, and 5 out of 9 nuclear power units had to reduce their capacity.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Turkey says Ankara has convinced Russia and Iran not to support the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. If this agreement had not been reached, the recent events in Syria could have resulted in "a lot of bloodshed."

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in an interview with NTV. According to him, Assad announced his resignation from the presidency as soon as he received a call from Moscow and Tehran.

Fidan noted that over the past two or three years, the Assad regime has been weakened. So when the opposition forces launched their rapid offensive, it was important for Ankara to prevent military intervention by Russia and Iran. To convince them not to do so, a Turkish delegation traveled to Doha, the capital of Qatar.

"When this operation started, the most important thing to do was that the Russians and Iranians should talk to them (the opposition forces  Ed.), not engage in military confrontation. Our meetings with the Russians and Iranians are the result of this week. Now they understand, I mean, the Iranian foreign minister came with us, then we met with both Russians and Iranians in Doha and discussed some issues," the Turkish Foreign Minister said.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to him, Moscow and Tehran forced Assad to give up his powers: he allegedly did so "that evening" when he received calls from Russian and Iranian "partners."

"If they (Assad's troops  Ed.) had received support, they might have been able to win again thanks to the determination of their opponents. Of course, it would have taken a long time, and a lot of blood would have been shed. But the Russians and Iranians realized that it no longer made sense. We said it very clearly. In other words, the person they invested in is not a person worth investing in, and the conditions in the region are no longer the same," Fidan emphasized.

Turkey, he said, "told the Russians not to bomb civilian settlements, not to force people to emigrate." And Ankara's position, he is convinced, "paved the way for the opposition to win in a bloodless way," as Turkey held talks with Russia and Iran, which had an impact on Assad and could ensure "minimal loss of life."

ADVERTISIMENT

As a reminder, the day before, the G7 leaders welcomed the fall of the Assad regime and agreed to respect the integrity of Syria.

Reuters reported that Assad's family did not know about his intentions to flee Syria. He did not tell even his younger brother Maher (who managed to leave Syria by helicopter) and his maternal cousins (Ihab Makhlouf, according to media reports, was shot dead by rebels, and Eyad was wounded).

In addition, according to the newspaper's sources, on December 7, a few hours before he fled to Moscow, Assad was at the Syrian Ministry of Defense for a meeting with about 30 army and security officials. There he assured them that Russian military support was on its way and urged the ground forces to hold on. Civilian personnel were also unaware of the events.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has admitted that he fears the country could be drawn into a war with Russia. According to him, Helsinki is ready for any development, but he urged Finnish citizens to be concerned, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been going on for almost three years.

ADVERTISIMENT

In an interview with Yle on Friday, December 13, answering the question of whether he was afraid of Finland's entry into the war, the Prime Minister said: "Yes, I am afraid." Orpo reminded that the Kremlin has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine for three years now, so the people of Finland, which shares a border with Russia, should be concerned.

"Yes, I am afraid. I mean, let's leave out the word "fear," but many times my colleagues have asked me about this abroad, and I say that we are not afraid, but we are ready for the worst," the prime minister said.

He noted that he is most concerned about active conflicts in the world, such as the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, as well as various influence operations observed in the Baltic Sea.

"So we have to be concerned. We are being intimidated, but we are not afraid, and the wise are prepared. This is a lesson that Finland has learned from our history," Orpo added.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to Orpo, the European Union has failed to act decisively enough as a united front to put an end to the war in Ukraine and the Middle East.

"Europe is a great power in the world if we can speak with one voice. We must use this voice to bring peace to Ukraine and Palestine. If there is one positive thing, it is that Donald Trump has set a goal to end both conflicts. This means peace. The risks lie in the conditions under which this happens," the head of the Finnish government said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Finland has approved a new military aid package for Ukraine and has begun to formulate the next one. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense with Finnish leader Alexander Stubb.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Central authorities fully support HK in fostering new economic momentum: Xi

Xinhua) 09:00, December 14, 2024

President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday said the central authorities fully support Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering new momentum and advantages for economic development.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.

Noting that Hong Kong faces new development opportunities, Xi said the central authorities would fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society in actively pursuing reform and progress, and in pursuing prosperity through innovation and creativity.

Commending Lee's work over the past year, Xi said Lee had led the HKSAR government in shouldering responsibilities and delivering concrete results.

In the past year, the HKSAR government has completed the historic legislation under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, pooled resources in boosting economic development, addressed livelihood problems such as housing and healthcare, strengthened external exchanges and cooperation, and continuously enhanced Hong Kong's international prestige, thus further consolidating Hong Kong's positive momentum of stability and development, Xi said.

The central authorities fully acknowledge the work of Lee and the HKSAR government, he said.

Senior officials including Li Qiang, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.

President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
It was a dark night in the South Korean city of Busan. After a week of negotiations, on Sunday, December 1, what had been intuited for days was already clear: the meeting was going to close without the expected international treaty against plastic pollution. In the plenary session of the meeting, which is held under the auspices of the U.N. environmental agency (UNEP), it was agreed to postpone the negotiations until 2025. But it was also necessary to accept that for this last round next year, the starting point would be the draft that the presidency had released that same morning. The text, already articulated and with some issues that seemed resolved, was a step forward in these complicated negotiations, which began in March 2022. But Abdulrahman Al Gwaiz, who leads the Saudi Arabian negotiating team, took the floor to cut short any attempt at optimism. He asked that the entire text be put in brackets. That is, that nothing that appeared in this 22-page document be considered as agreed. Everything will have to be negotiated from scratch at the next meeting, he warned.

Behind these discussions is the question of whether or not to limit the production of plastic, a derivative of petroleum, to avoid pollution. This could have a direct impact on the business plans of many fossil fuel companies, which see the development of the petrochemical industry as a way to offset the drop in gasoline and diesel consumption that will be caused by the advance of electric transport in the world.

The Busan meeting was marked by criticism of some countries that are major producers and exporters of fossil fuels  such as Russia, Iran, and Kuwait  for blocking progress on this important treaty. The main target of these accusations was, precisely, Saudi Arabia. Every time it spoke in Busan, Saudi Arabia reminded us that it was speaking on behalf of the 22 members of the Arab League, says Remi Parmentier, director of the environmental organization Varda Group, who has attended as an observer three of the five meetings held so far to try to close the treaty. He also points out that since the third session of the intergovernmental committee in charge of these talks in March 2023, an increasingly well-organized opposition group has formed, under the tutelage of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia.

Another sentence that Al Gwaiz delivered at the forum helps to understand the core of the discussions: There is no problem with the production of plastics, because the problem is pollution, not plastics themselves. This idea, which was also repeated by other negotiators, such as the Kuwaiti delegate, directly clashes with what 100 countries (among which are the members of the EU and a large number of Latin American and Global North nations) are advocating. These countries demand that the future treaty contemplate measures to reduce plastic production as the main way to combat pollution. According to the OECD, if measures are not put in place now, global polymer production will have tripled by the middle of this century, and just over 10% will be recycled material, which will cause the pollution problem to continue to increase. That is why many experts and these 100 countries advocate putting limits on the production of virgin plastic.

On the other hand, that is a red line for Saudi Arabia and other countries heavily dependent on fuels. Plastics are seen in the fossil sector as an alternative to offset the decline in gasoline and diesel consumption, which the International Energy Agency predicts will occur this decade. Now that demand for transport fuels is set to decline, oil producers are clinging to petrochemicals in the hope of creating an alternative market for reserves they have exploited, or still plan to exploit, says Saidrasul Ashrafkhanov, a member of the British Carbon Tracker think tank.

Carbon Tracker has just published a report warning of the risks of this strategy, including for investors. The oil majors are making risky bets that growth in petrochemical demand will offset the imminent decline in oil demand, the report stresses. However, to do so, petrochemical demand would have to grow steadily at a rate of 3.9% per year until 2035 to offset the decline in fuels, it concludes, a rate that is difficult to maintain. The problem is that oil and gas producers need this market to continue producing oil and gas, Ashrafkhanov sums up. We were glued to the TV as children and we have not turned out so badly.

When it comes to producers, it is not just companies that are talking about countries. Oil and gas account for almost half of Saudi Arabias revenue, says Ashrafkhanov. Hence the reports from Busan that Saudi delegates are opposed to limits on plastic production. Saudi state-owned Aramco is the worlds largest oil company and is making the advancement of the petrochemical industry one of its future strategies. Bloomberg reported in October that the giant was halting two refinery projects in the Gulf while increasing its stake in several Chinese petrochemical companies. Aramco is also eyeing similar projects in India and South Korea. It may not say it explicitly, but all indications are that Saudi Aramco is betting heavily on plastics, says Ashrafkhanov. The capacity of its chemical plants has almost tripled since 2019.

We have seen countries trying to delay the negotiations, this is unacceptable, a representative of the Dominican Republic said a few days before the fruitless conclusion of the Busan conference. Similar reproaches from other negotiators were repeated during the days of meetings, although the delegates did not publicly single out any specific country. The Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Vayas, who is leading the negotiations of the treaty from the presidency of the U.N. intergovernmental committee, also refuses to single out anyone. Each country has its positions, but they all negotiate in good faith, he answers diplomatically when EL PAIS asks him about the blocking tactics of some delegates.

Vayas acknowledges that in Busan there were very distant positions on some issues such as the limitations on plastic production, the limits on some chemical substances, and the financing that developing countries should receive. But at the same time, he highlights that progress has been made on other issues, such as the structure of the future treaty. While waiting for the decision on where and when the next meeting will be held  Panama has offered to host the event, which is expected to take place at the end of the first half of 2025  Vayas is confident that an agreement can be reached. We will have to make progress in the informal period, that is, before the final meeting is held, he noted.

Parmentier is not very optimistic after seeing how even the countries that describe themselves as the most ambitious in these negotiations are making accusations instead of trying to dialogue and negotiate in good faith. Unless the format of this negotiation changes to force a real dialogue, this process will go nowhere, he predicts. And he warns: Although the petrochemical industry in the Gulf countries plays a leading role, it is worth remembering that within the group of high ambition there are also some oil producing and exporting countries, such as Mexico and Canada.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
One dead: Carrizalejo

No one approaches the body. Everyone is hovering, but from a prudent distance, an adjective that is tied to an indefinable criterion: why 50 meters and not 10 or 100? Its in case someone passes by, says one of the police reporters, leaning on one of the groups trucks. Someone, the epitome of euphemisms for the world at war that is Culiacan, the capital of the state of Sinaloa. Someone from organized crime, someone who thinks its not right for them  reporters, funeral home workers  to approach a corpse stuffed in a sack, abandoned at the doors of a cemetery. Because there is no peace after death in these dusty streets of northwestern Mexico. There is none for the dead, nor for anyone else.

The cartel war in Sinaloa, the result of a novel chain of betrayals in the underworld, has been going on for three months. On each of the last 90 days, Culiacan has woken up to dead bodies. Bodies bagged, burned, shot, mutilated. As have the surrounding towns, the roads. Its nothing that doesnt also happen in other parts of a country that records more than 30,000 murders a year, but it is a rarity in the city, the gateway for the Sinaloa Cartel, a place for criminal royalty to walk and relax, home of some of the bosses, a city where they build their luxurious pantheons. Since August, murders have increased by almost 300% in the region. But its not just the dead, its also the people who disappear  between 340 and 600, depending on whos keeping count  and the general feeling of fear that has taken hold in the area.

An inconsequential pronoun, someone becomes one of the most complex words of all those heard this Sunday morning in Carrizalejo, on the eastern outskirts of the city. Home to a million inhabitants, the war in Culiacan is the product, mainly, of the clashes between two groups, two formerly brotherly factions of the cartel, the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, on the one hand, and the followers of Ismael El Mayo Zambada, on the other. There are more factions; some support the former, others the latter, and some neither. In the end, as a veteran local politician, interviewed in Culiacan, says the Sinaloa Cartel is a conglomerate of companies, each with its businesses and interests, sometimes allied and sometimes not so much. So, in the end, the Sinaloa Cartel is nothing more than a cultural convention. A lazy idea.

The dead man is still there. And between the dead man and the reporters and the people from the funeral homes, there is a distance. In case someone passes by. The matter is somewhat disconcerting, because there is no way of knowing who the victim was or who left him there. Over these months, the bodies have sometimes appeared with hats, a mockery on the part of the sons of El Chapo, known in Mexico as Los Chapitos  or La Chapiza in Culiacan  against the other side, identified with the rural world, the hallmark of the boss, El Mayo, who is nicknamed El Ranchero in the corridos dedicated to him. On other occasions, the corpses have appeared surrounded by pizza boxes, another mockery, this one quite obvious. In Culiacan, anyone with 500 pesos in their pocket, $25, can buy a cap with a slice of pizza engraved on the front  La Chapizza  a tribute to El Chapos boys.

At 6:30 a.m. on November 27, a dead body was reportedly found outside a cemetery in Culiacan. Gladys Serrano At 9:10 a.m. a National Guard patrol approached the site after seeing the body, but they withdrew from the area. Gladys Serrano Local authorities took more than five hours to arrive at the scene to remove the body. Gladys Serrano

But there are no pizza boxes or hats this morning in Carrizalejo. And even if there were, they are not objects that guarantee any security. But they are pieces of information, and they are reassuring. It is likely that no one would have approached anyway, no matter how many pizza boxes or hats there were, because no one knows if the murderers want the dead man to stay where he is for a while, for everyone to see. Because the spot where he was left matters. It is not a random place in the middle of nowhere, it is the main exit from the city on this side and cars, trucks, and motorcycles pass by all the time. In fact, there is a gas station right here, with its shop. A soft drinks truck has just arrived, with its driver and clipboard, and a milk truck arrived a while ago. Meanwhile, the dead man lies there, alone.

Several hours have passed, more than five since the first alert, and no one has arrived. Wait, no. A while ago, two National Guard trucks passed by. The agents stopped next to the body and looked at it  they looked at the bag that contained the body  then they turned around and left. The funeral home workers, bored, have also left. Without information, there is no way to find the families and offer them a wake and funeral plan. Some reporters have also chosen to leave. The city is smoking. Criminals have burned houses and businesses in recent days with militant persistence. They have also shot at public security cameras by the dozens. Reporters cant keep up and run from one place to another. Five hundred meters from here, towards the center of town, there is a military checkpoint, but no one has thought to go and warn them.

A single reporter remains with the dead man. He wants to leave, too, but he cant. He needs the police for the photo; his newspaper wont accept a picture of just the corpse. So he calls a prosecutor, a contact of his. Whats up? he says, are you working on one? He asks if hes operational. The other person says yes. Im here, with the little dead guy, says the reporter, ironic to the core, the norm of the profession  in reality, a way of getting through the days. Im going to bury him, Im going to take him home! he adds. The prosecutor explains that those in charge of collecting the corpse cant come until some preventive authority  the local or state police, or the National Guard  gives the green light. The journalist already knows all that. In reality, his call is a complaint about how bad everything has become, for a dead man to spend hours like this, in the sun, without anyone caring.

70 culiacanazos but nobody leaves

There are only crows on the tables at Mrs. Irmas restaurant in Altata. The birds are hopping around, as if waiting for something, scraps of shrimp, perhaps, anything to take with them. But there is nothing, because no one in Culiacan has come to Altata  the natural beach for the state capitals inhabitants  since the war began. On a Sunday I had 70 or even 80 tables, says the woman, whose real name is not appearing here for security reasons. This last Sunday, there were two. The sadness of places like this, set up to satisfy hungry crowds, when not a soul is seen... Before I had 15 people working, now two come on the weekends, she says, melancholically.

Empty restaurant tables in Altata, Navolato. Gladys Serrano

The situation is serious. In Altata alone there are 45 restaurants like Irmas, which now have no customers other than crows. Then there are the fishermen, the street vendors, a whole medium-sized economy that feeds hundreds of families and that is now reeling between fear and bullets. The battle between Mayos and Chapitos began at the beginning of September, with clashes and blockades throughout Culiacan, the first massive round of skirmishes in the city, which left tourism at the bottom of the list of local priorities. Its an injustice what they are doing, says the woman. We thought it would last 15 days, like other times, but no. They are like cockroaches, she adds, referring to the criminals, they let them grow, and look...

Those battles are reproduced every day in Culiacan and its surroundings. Like a plague. And with every burned house, every massacre, every shootout in the streets, people remember the great betrayal of the summer, when one of El Chapos sons, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, handed over El Mayo, his godfather and his fathers old partner, to the United States government. That took place at the end of July. Details of the handover aside  and a few corrupt deals in between, which even targeted the state governor, Ruben Rocha  the war had been brewing in the ensuing weeks, with murders here and there, but it was not until the beginning of September that the volcano erupted in Culiacan.

Mrs. Irma says that, as has happened in other wars  the one between Los Chapitos and the faction of Damaso Lopez, an old ally of El Chapo, in 2016, or the original split in the cartel, the battle between El Chapo and the Beltran Leyva brothers, back in 2008  people in Culiacan have mobilized to help them. Clients of the restaurants in Altata have formed convoys to travel together to the coast, 40 minutes from the city, one car after another, like the European pioneers in the United States in the 19th century, a way of protecting each other. They did so last Sunday, but a shootout in La Bandera, a small town halfway there, scared them off and they turned back.

In Culiacan, the economy is also suffering. Chef Miguel Taniyama is one of the few who has raised his voice, demanding a solution from the authorities. With 38 years of experience in the hospitality sector in the capital, the events of these weeks and, in general, over the last five years, have affected his business. Before, he had four restaurants in Culiacan, now he has only one, and without night shifts. People dont come after 7:00 p.m., he explains. In statements to the press, businesspeople from Sinaloa have calculated the economic damage of these months of war at 18,000 million pesos, some $845 million, in addition to the loss of thousands of jobs.

Miguel Tanimaya at his restaurant in Culiacan. Gladys Serrano

These have not been easy times for the region. In 2019, Mexico was mesmerized by the failed attempt to capture another of El Chapos sons, Ovidio Guzman, in Culiacan. Soldiers arrived at his home and tried to arrest him, but the savage reaction of his henchmen, who blockaded roads and attacked soldiers in different parts of the city, forced the government to back down. The videos of that day, which people took with their cell phones, are staggering: dozens of trucks full of armed people driving through the city in broad daylight, shooting at soldiers, prisoners escaping en masse from jail... an operation worthy of a regular army. Ovidio Guzman was released and the local residents were traumatized. So much so that El Chapos son ordered a corrido to be composed, asking for forgiveness for the culiacanazo, the name under which the event was fixed in the collective memory.

Then came the coronavirus pandemic. Although the Mexican government did not force the population into confinement, activity dwindled like water in dams in summer, reduced to a minimum. And just when everything seemed to be returning to normal, a military operation carried out in January of last year turned Culiacan upside down again. In police terms, the operation was a success: Ovidio Guzman, this time, was arrested. The government later extradited him to the United States, but the reaction of his loyalists and his brothers on the day of his capture besieged the city again, with more blockades and shootings. The population had not yet recovered from the shock of that when the new war arrived this year.

This is like 70 culiacanazos, says Taniyama, who a few days ago prepared a huge aguachile in the center of Culiacan to try to lift the spirits of the city and make visible the tragedy of the rich scene of local musical bands, now unemployed, without parties to perform at, installed on corners and street intersections, asking for the generosity of motorists. Those who have money have left and those who stay do not have an economy... The chef does not finish his sentence. A couple of tears appear in his eyes, as if he had opened a door and saw all the horror, concentrated, suddenly. Seeing so much negativity knocks you down, he adds.

All this is happening  the conversations with Taniyama, with Mrs. Irma  while crime continues to spread death in the city. Thousands of Culiacan residents have subscribed to WhatsApp channels where administrators post information and propaganda about what is (supposedly) happening. While Taniyama is talking, for example, the image of a half-burned body arrives, found five minutes from his restaurant, on Isla Musala, on the banks of the Tamazula River, a wealthy, expanding area. It is the same place where the governor, Ruben Rocha, went for a walk at the beginning of September, in the first days of the war, a walk that he shared on his networks.

Firefighters extinguish a house that was shot at and burned in Culiacan on November 25. Gladys Serrano

The governors video, barely 10 seconds long, seemed to be a way of showing that the shootouts of the previous day, which left two soldiers wounded, the narco-blockades in several areas, the suspension of classes in schools and a general feeling of terror were temporary issues. Requests to interview Governor Rocha, or state Secretary of Security Gerardo Merida, have received a polite and constant refusal. In the end, neither of them have sat down to talk with this newspaper.

Police officers

Only some feet were saved them from the fire. Two feet, to be exact. Reinalda Pulido, head of one of the groups of relatives of missing persons in central Sinaloa, is guarding them. Before my son disappeared, I bought him some sandals just like those, she says, looking at the remains of the bonfire. Neto, her son, has been missing for four years. He went to buy tortillas, a municipal patrol came and took him away. I got 10 security cameras that prove it and also a witness appeared who recognized his photo and said that the state police had also participated. But the prosecutors office has erased all that information, she explains.

Everyone involved, state police, municipal police, prosecutors The Pulido case illuminates the knots of criminal complicity in Sinaloa. Police who work with, for, or as criminals. Her story reflects others heard during these days of conflict, always with agents involved. But the problem is bigger. Attacks against police have also been a constant in this cartel war. Last Friday, for example, criminals attacked two state patrol cars in the capital. Political authorities are trying to find immediate solutions, to impose the perception that they maintain control and that the situation will improve. But as with any issue, things are not that straightforward.

I had been with the police for more than 20 years, says the agent. The conversation takes place in the courtyard of his house. On the TV, a muted preacher speaks with confident gestures about heavenly matters. On the dirt street, lonely dogs pass from time to time, and occasionally some children. I had a vocation. The thing is that promotions, almost all the time, are through acquaintances. In other words, the call for promotion is made, but it works as I tell you, he says. The agent, who asks to keep his identity under wraps, protests against his dismissal from the Culiacan police, which he considers unfair. In mid-November, when he was approaching retirement, he was discharged for not passing the confidence checks. The agent concludes: It seems to me that the boss had to come up with some numbers. Should we fire 150, 200? Then fire them.

It was one of the biggest news stories in the first weeks of the war. In late September, the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena) intervened in the Culiacan police. It disarmed its more than 1,000 officers under the pretext of checking pistols and rifles, fuelling suspicions of corruption. As the weeks went by, the state government announced that the agents would be subjected to confidence checks between late November and early December, at the Sedena facilities in Mexico City. It also said that around 100 agents had chosen not to submit to the checks. The obvious suggestion was that those who refused were probably hiding something and therefore it was better for them to leave the force.

Reinalda Pulido and her son look at the bodies of two people burned to death in the municipality of Costa Rica, Culiacan. Gladys Serrano

After displaying his credentials, his firearms license and his record, the anonymous policeman claims that he was forced into this group of 100 and that he never refused to undergo the confidence checks  I had even submitted my papers  and that if he was dismissed it was to save money on his retirement payment. The situation, he explains, favored such moves by the local police. His experience is not unique. After a while, a colleague in a similar situation arrives at the house. The latter had been in the police for just under 20 years, but as of four years ago he had spent a lot of time on sick leave. Its because of some threats I received, he explains, without giving further details. Since then, the agent has needed to take tranquilizers every day. And now he has been fired for the same reason as his colleague: the confidence checks. More than corruption, both fit perfectly into the image of a broken toy, with their war wounds, physical and mental.

One of the problems of this cartel war is the climate of suspicion instilled on everything and everyone. It is not that there are no corrupt policemen in Culiacan; there are. It is even possible that the two agents are. But it is a problem that transcends the local police and affects the state police and the prosecutors office. The suspicions of corruption also overshadow other parts of the issue, the number of attacks that are recorded against officers of all stripes, in this war and in previous ones. In November, the deputy director of the local police, Benjamin Villarreal, was shot to death in a cafeteria in Culiacan. Days later, the family of a state police commander, Francisco Verastica, reported his disappearance. The body of the agent was found shortly after. A cardboard sign had been stuck in his chest with a knife. On it was a message that read: Stop bringing two boxes and if you catch a pig, dont let it go. Everything comes out, there are more to come.

The message claimed that the commander had been receiving money from the two warring factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, an accusation that has not been proven. Whatever the case, organized crime views the police as part of the war game, beyond the peculiarities of each agent. Although in some instances, suspicions are confirmed. The most obvious case points to the great betrayal of July, when Joaquin Guzman Lopez kidnapped El Mayo Zambada in Culiacan and took him to the United States in a small aircraft. The events caused confusion, but as the days went by it became clear that the State Attorneys Office had tried to conceal part of what happened that day, such as the circumstances surrounding the murder of an influential local politician, Hector Cuen.

The authorites said that Cuen, the former mayor of the city and a federal deputy, had been killed the night before the El Mayo kidnapping, at a gas station during an attempted robbery. But El Mayo, first, in a letter issued from prison in the U.S., and subsequently the federal prosecutors office, said that Cuen had been killed in the same place where Guzman Lopez had summoned Zambada, in Huertos del Pedregal, from where the drug lord was kidnapped. In his letter, Zambada also mentioned two members of his personal escort who had accompanied him that day: one was an active agent of the local prosecutors office and the other had been one previously. Both remain missing.

A state police officer guards the area where a house was burned and shot at in Culiacan. Gladys Serrano

The obvious involvement of the Attorney Generals Office in the matter reflects similar cases in other police departments, some more obvious than others. In recent days, WhatsApp channels have repeatedly mentioned an alleged group operating within the local police, Fuerzas Especiales Julieta, which supposedly worked for Los Chapitos. An agent of the local prosecutors investigative police, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, says that groups like this exist, just as they exist in the prosecutors office itself or in the state police. You try to do things the right way, but sometimes you come across a commander who doesnt do that and then you dont it either. Other times, its the same police officer who comes and looks for ways to get money, he says.

19 dead: Plan de Oriente

The sun sets over the Plan de Oriente ejido, an agricultural settlement east of Culiacan, not far from Carrizalejo. People walk along the roadside with apparent normality, as if everything had always been so peaceful. But that hasnt been the case. On the night of Monday, October 21, soldiers killed 19 people in one of these houses, alleged members of a criminal group, and arrested their leader, Edwin Antonio Rubio, alias El Max or El Oso. There were no wounded. The government reported what happened as if it were an everyday operation, as if the press hadnt released, around the same time, a video of an event in Culiacan in which soldiers seemed to spare the life of a young man, in the middle of the street, just because one of the uniformed men realized they were being recorded.

The flood of news about the war soon buried what had happened in Plan de Oriente. No one questioned it. Claudia Sheinbaums government had just taken office, a new security team was at the helm, and the situation in Culiacan did not lend itself to serious reflections. But the operation revealed several things. On the one hand, it suggested a change in the dynamics of military operations and the security strategy in general, reoriented, it seemed, to hypotheses of a heavy hand. And on the other, it demanded an explanation for the enormous disproportion between the number of dead and wounded  19 to 0  a result that any academic who has studied military performance in police tasks would be placing at the top of their list of examples to analyze.

The war in Culiacan has this kind of effect. The boundaries between the acceptable and the execrable are blurred. Hierarchies collapse, routines are pulverized. People suddenly get information through WhatsApp channels and consume content of dead people like Tiktok videos, always waiting for another, one more, the next. Things have happened in the city in these months that, under other conditions, would have generated at least some debate, a little commotion. But the war swallows up, in a constant circus exercise, more burned restaurants, more vandalized houses, more bodies thrown into public spaces. With 30 or 40 updates a day, what happened yesterday morning is already a distant past.

So, in the middle of all the mental cumbia, the man with the cap appears, on one of the streets of the ejido. There are trees around him, houses too, and a dirt sidewalk. His face has shape, his eyes, color. But any detail that abounds in his identity could cause him problems, so he remains as the man with the cap. Because of where he comes from, because of the signs that the residents have shared, he could know something about what happened that day. A dog barks at him and he freaks out. Im going to have to kill him, he says in an almost inaudible whisper. Look, he says in response to the avalanche of questions, they got rat-tat-tat!. And then he raises his hands and pretends to shoot with a rifle.

The man in the cap lives and works near the house where the 19 were killed, the boundary between the streets of the ejido and a large area of cultivated fields. Suddenly the boludos arrived, he explains, referring to the army helicopters. He says he saw and heard them from his place of work on the night of October 21, and that at the same time he saw soldiers on the street. He says he ran to get home but when he saw that there were soldiers aiming at him, he started shouting for them not to shoot. The man in the cap managed to get back home. On the way, he says, he saw at least one soldier with a minimi, a machine gun capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute, shooting at the criminal group over the wall of the house where they were hiding, without looking.

The others also fired shots, but only a few, the witness adds. He also says that, in reality, his son saved him, because when he started shouting at the soldiers not to shoot, he said that he had a child with him. One of the soldiers then asked him for proof: Take the child out. He produced him and thus, he believes, he was saved. The dog barks at him again and he freaks out again and pretends to grab a stone from the ground. Im already tangled up, Ive already talked too much. I cant talk, he says, with the dog in the corner of his eye. And no sooner than he arrived, he leaves.

Five weeks later, there are still soldiers guarding the street that leads to the front door of the house. When they see outsiders, they block the way and say that they cannot enter. The lieutenant in charge says that to do so, if they can, they must first ask the Ninth Military Zone, the Mexican army headquarters in Sinaloa. That night, the zones communications officer says that the army has not guarded any street in the Plan de Oriente ejido and that passage is free. The following day, to avoid problems, the chosen route goes around the back of the scene.

The remains of the massacre can still be seen through the holes in the perimeter wall at the back. There are two main areas with bullet holes, two walls, one closer to the entrance and another more hidden. On the floor there are blankets, pieces of clothing, and an empty dog cage. Contrary to what the man with the cap said yesterday  the story of the minimi shooting over the compound  the holes in the walls suggest that the shots were fired from the front, and not from above the main wall, which would have forced the soldiers to shoot diagonally. The lack of official explanations about what happened fuels the uncertainty and the man with the cap is nowhere to be seen.

Back in the moonlit night of Culiacan, so strange and silent, the agent of the local prosecutors office mentioned earlier, who spoke of corruption in the security forces, reveals what he knows about this case. The local prosecutors office only intervened in support of the federal police, but even so They shot them, he says without a doubt. But they also shot, he adds, referring to the criminal group, which the government has linked to El Mayo Zambada. It was like this, the guachos, he says, referring to the military, arrived by land, after an anonymous call, and when they saw what they were up against, they asked for air support. Then the boludo arrived. Maxs guys shot at the boludo, but then they surrendered and then they were shot, he explains.

A burned car after a confrontation on the outskirts of Culiacan. Gladys Serrano

It is difficult to understand what is happening, how each of the events described  the death of the 19, the shooting at La Bandera, the murdered policemen, the bodies found here and there  fit into the movement, the logic, and the dynamics of the opposing sides, including the authorities. The veteran local politician mentioned in the first part of this story points out that the El Mayo faction has been surrounding Culiacan during these months. All the fighting has been in the area of Los Chapitos. When the Culiacan riots took place, the Mayo group was able to figure out where their support came from. Now, what they have done is isolate those spaces, El Dorado, Cosala, San Ignacio, Elota, Mazatlan, all towns in the southern zone. The objective is to prevent reinforcements from reaching Culiacan.

Both he and the prosecutor, as well as several journalists consulted, broadly agree on the diagnosis. The prosecutor says that Los Chapitos no longer have gun leaders, after the death of Raul Carrasco, alias Chore, in another confrontation with the army, south of Culiacan in June, and the capture a year ago of Los Chapitos head of security, Nestor Perez, alias El Nini. What happened to Max was not so important for Los Mayos, however. They have 20 of them, one for each town, he concludes.

Five dead: agronomy

Mrs. Irma has started checking her Instagram in Altata. In her stories, a text has appeared that one of her waitresses wrote. She lives in La Bandera, where there were shootings when a convoy of Culiacan residents tried to reach the coast to eat. Having to evacuate your house due to the narco pandemic, she writes. I am afraid [] It is no longer just the gunshots, they are coming to our houses to check that there are no people who are not family members, they check cell phones and they are asking us to remain normal. How can we remain normal in this situation? [] The Army only enters the ranch for a few hours and leaves, while at night it is chaos, a nightmare, she concludes.

It makes you think. About this regime of terror imposed by the war, about the evident inability of the authorities to change things or to not make them worse In a recent report by the state governments System for the Comprehensive Protection of the Rights of Girls, Boys and Adolescents, the authors collect statements from children aged under 15, some of them as young as nine or 10, after the second culiacanazo, when the military arrested Ovidio Guzman in Jesus Maria, a community half an hour north of Culiacan. It was an operation in the purest Hollywood style, with armed helicopters and soldiers in an assault column. Here are some of the statements: I would like them to repair my house because the helicopter made holes in the roof; I would like there to be more police, more security, and for everything bad to disappear; Let Ovidio Guzman and the criminals go away; Let the military go away because the children see them and start crying.

Caps alluding to criminal groups in a shopping center in Culiacan. Gladys Serrano

Mrs. Irmas Instagram comes back into the conversation hours later, because of another of the images she has shown, the photo of a missing poster for a man who disappeared the night before. There were not many details, just his name, Kevin Horacio Acosta, 31, a photo, and a telephone number with an area code for Navolato, between the city and the beach. The number is answered by a man who introduces himself as Horacio Acosta, the father of the missing man. He says that he is at the headquarters of the Prosecutors Office and that yes, we can go and talk to him. Half an hour later, in response to a second call, the man explains that he has moved to the offices of the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo), two blocks away, all on the outskirts of Culiacan.

There are a lot of people at Semefo this afternoon, including relatives of deceased people, officials, and funeral home workers. Horacio Acosta is not part of any of the groups, at least for the moment. He is sitting on a bench with the funeral home workers, although he does not speak to them. He then says that he has been a teacher for 35 years, that he has four children, Kevin being the eldest, that he is part of Alcoholics Anonymous and that he attends meetings of his group every day, in Navolato. Last night I arrived home at about 9:15 p.m., after the meeting, he says. My wife told me that Kevin had just left. Almost every day he came, he adds. The man wanted to talk to his son and ask him to recommend a mechanic. His car, he says, was failing.

He was wondering whether to call him or leave it for the next day when his daughter-in-law, Pamela, arrived. My other son opened the door. She ran in and started shouting, Father-in-law, father-in-law, they took Kevin! Pamela said that minutes earlier, five hooded, armed men had arrived at her house, jumped over the wall and started breaking the bars and windows, demanding to come in. Thinking that this would calm them down, they opened the door. The men entered and subdued them. The couple had their four-month-old baby with them. They were searching everything, Pamela explained, looking for weapons. The attackers took the car keys to look for weapons there as well, but as they didnt find any, they threw them back inside the house. It would take Pamela hours to find them, in the midst of so much disorder.

Minutes later, the men left and took Kevin with them. After hearing all this, Horacio Acosta called the emergency services and told them what had happened. The operator urged him to go to the Prosecutors Office the next day to file a formal complaint. Meanwhile, the family posted the search form on their social media accounts. In the morning, the plan was to go to the Prosecutors Office, but at around 9:00 a.m. they received a call from a funeral home, asking if their son might not be one of the five bodies that had appeared hours earlier outside the School of Agronomy of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa in the city. Acosta and his wife ran to the Semefo, with the funeral home staff. They looked at the photos they were shown. I didnt know if it was or not... my wife said no, says Horacio.

The photos. Five bodies lying there, some with their pants down, their dignity stripped away. Thats what Horacio Acosta and his wife saw. Shocked, they forgot to go to the Prosecutors Office and returned to Navolato. They didnt stay home long. We came back at 1 p.m. to ask about those bodies, but they told us it would take a while to identify them. So they decided to wait back at the Semefo.

Five bodies found in front of the School of Agronomy in Culiacan. Jose Betanzos Zarate (CUARTOSCURO)

Before Horacio could begin to narrate the events, his wife had entered the morgue to see if the young man was one of the five. And, just then, the woman came out of the door of the center and stared at her husband, her gaze lost. Acosta suddenly fell silent and looked back at her; it took him a few seconds to react. He walked towards her and, before they said anything to each other, they both burst into tears. What could be heard were howls, something so intimate and at the same time so terrible, so definitive, that no one said anything else, no more questions were asked; no more answers were needed.

What do we call this? the man shouts, a building collapsing in the middle. How am I going to live like this? With hate! he spits. This war is going to kill us all, many families, it is leaving many orphans, he sobs. Then there are only hugs, frayed words, a silent farewell. After a while, outside the Semefo, the WhatsApp channels vomit their own informational paraphernalia. On several a video has been posted where another of the five dead appears, a boy with a blue shirt, beaten, forcibly disguised with a hat and the letters MF painted on his face, in reference to Mayito Flaco, one of the sons of El Mayo Zambada and spearhead of his faction. His captors ask the boy about the murder of some policemen from Navolato. He gives names, but none of the ones he provides is Kevin.

The second part of this criminal indoctrination video shows some bodies in the dark. They seem to be lying on the ground, but they are still moving. Someone on the side of those filming starts shooting. The glare of the explosions allows the iron bars of the wall of the School of Agronomy to be seen. The final scene of the film changes tone again and focuses on a poster with a message: For those who continue trying to get into Culiacan. Sincerely: La Chapiza.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Gallery Hostel Madrid opened at the end of August as one of those new tourist hotels in which rooms are supplanted by capsules mounted one on top of the other like a human storage facility. Ads for these businesses, as well as the media reports that have covered their rise, present them as a futuristic alternative, inspired by similar spaces in Tokyo, a megalopolis where every square foot of living space is treasured. Supposedly, the target public of these hives are backpackers and other less demanding travelers, but amid a serious housing crisis in Spains capital, it was perhaps only a matter of time before they were inhabited by people unable to find affordable long-term housing.

The receptionists name is Eva, a 22-year-old university student who helps customers from behind a counter in a lobby that triples as a dining room and kitchen for guests. She leads a visitor inside, opening the door to a room of about 1,600 square feet that houses 36 capsules, including 24 for a single occupant and 12 doubles. In total, 48 people fit in the space. Its the middle of the afternoon and the area is silent, and its difficult to tell if the wooden, Nordic style boxes contain humans. When night falls, the guests arrive. Some, after a day of sightseeing. Others, from work.

Among of the latter group of residents is 57-year-old Luis Miranda, a teacher of hotel management professional training courses. He has just returned from overseeing classes at a nearby school and has his dinner in the dining room: a glass of wine and food from a Tupperware he stored in the refrigerator. He says he arrived the second week of October and pays $27 a night, with breakfast included. He is one of several professors from out of town who spend their workweeks here, returning home on weekends. In Mirandas case, thats the city of Caceres, where he lives with his wife and three children. There is another professional training professor who comes from Germany and has been here a little longer than I have, he says. Also, theres a Complutense University of Madrid fine arts professor who comes from Galicia.

00:24 Asi son las capsulas estilo japones en Madrid A capsule at the Gallery Hostel Madrid. Photo: FERNANDO PEINADO

Thierry overhears the conversation from another table. He says he is a Congolese diplomat studying for his doctorate at Madrids Carlos III University. He paid the monthly rate through mid-December. I looked for a flat and I realized that to rent in Madrid, you have to pay $736 to $842, says the African student, who is having a salad he prepared for himself for dinner. The hostel is giving him a discounted rate that he prefers not to share.

Thierry, who asks to go by his first name because the subject makes him uncomfortable, found the hotel after a desperate search of the capitals wild real estate market. When he made his reservation, he didnt know he was renting a capsule. He found out when he arrived at the site, which is located in Carabanchel, a working-class neighborhood, among narrow streets and 1960s-era buildings of red brick and green awnings. Gallery Hostel stands at 20 Salana de Opanel Street, far from the tourist circuit, more than half an hour by subway from the central Puerta del Sol.

The place is found on the ground floor of a block full of apartment buildings (according to residents, the address had been vacant for more than 15 years) and its owners have affixed single words in English and Spanish to its mirrored facade: Trabajo, Dreams, Dormir, Shower, Descanso. A hexagonal design is the only clue of the hive that lies beyond the front door. Thierry first entered the place, saw the capsules, and decided to stay.

 And how do you like it?

 Its fine. These days, you cant expect big spaces.

The exterior of Gallery Hostel Madrid, at Solana de Opanel 20, in Carabanchel. Fernando Peinado

$452 a month

Capsule hostels are in style. According to various articles, theyve appeared over the last five years in major Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Seville. They allow real estate investors to make more money per square foot than a conventional apartment or Airbnb holding. Theres no lack of clientele who are willing to sleep in a box. Some are curious travelers on a leisure trip. Others are merely there to keep a roof over their heads  or rather, a box.

The problem is that current laws do not permit residential use of hostels. Madrid regulations only allow for temporary stays, typically measured in days. For long-term stays, establishments have to comply with the capitals zoning guidelines, which outline minimal requirements for a living space: a living-dining room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, with a floorspace equal to or greater than 430 square feet, says Jose Maria Ezquiaga, former dean of the Madrid College of Architects.

These regulations have a long history, he says. During the post-war period, there were laws to prevent Madrid from being rebuilt with substandard housing. But despite this, property owners often succumb to the temptation to allow capsules to be used for long-term stays. EL PAIS has verified that Gallery Hostel offers monthly stays for $452.

Theres not much to do beside sleep in the capsule hostels. Guests have access to an individual locker and a shared bathroom with seven showers. In the common area there is no TV, no music playing. On the walls hang a few modern art paintings, a world map, a bicycle, and neon lights. The ceiling has an industrial feel, with exposed beams, as if the owners were unwilling or unable to disguise the look of barracks.

Miranda usually remains in the dining room after dinner until late. Sometimes, he strikes up a conversation with other guests. On other occasions, he takes out his laptop and corrects exams. On this weeknight, most people have retired to their capsules. Eva goes back to her home in the Madrid suburb of Leganes at 10 p.m. and the place will be unstaffed until 8 a.m., when her coworker arrives for their shift. On certain occasions, if a newcomer arrives or a problem comes up, Miranda takes care of it.

A young man comes in who is following check-in instructions on his phone. He clearly sees the experience as an adventure. He enters in a code to open the front door, accesses a lockbox next to the front desk to get a key card, which allows him to open his capsule. He asks for help about what to do next.

 What number do you have?, asks Miranda.

 Capsule eight.

 Look, you open that door and youll see some lockers, in case you have to store something.

 Nothing, answers the young man, who is arriving empty-handed.

 Then go inside and youll see the capsules. Look for yours and swipe the card.

 I like this because its like an escape room!

Miranda says that the capsules arent for everyone. A couple days ago, a guy got overwhelmed and left. The compartments measure six-and-a-half feet lengthwise and are a little over three feet wide and three feet high. They include a mattress, a blanket, a mirror and a panel of interior light that changes color according to the users taste: blue, pink, green, white, or yellow.

Once inside, the occupant can close the sliding wooden door until they hear a click. To exit, they have to press a button. An electronic sound indicates when the lock has been opened. Miranda says that people are flabbergasted when he tells them that he is staying in a capsule. Honestly, Im comfortable, he tells them. The place is comfortable and clean.

Miranda is working as a substitute professor and doesnt know how long hell stay in Madrid. This option suits him as he can reserve weekly or bi-weekly and its cheaper than other shared housing situations in the capital. There are hostels that charge you $74 to $84 a night, he says.

He has his own car, and when he returns to Caceres, he posts the trip on Blablacar. Miranda often has the opportunity to hear the laments of his neighbors, who are bitter over Madrid housing prices. Everyone, everyone, everyone has roommates. No one has their own apartment. This city is impossible. After 2 a.m., the hive settles into an absolute silence. He remains in the dining room, correcting exams, illuminated by the screen of his laptop.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
Brianna Nofil, historian: Theres going to be massive amounts of money made at every step of the deportation process The academic has recently published The Migrants Jail: An American History of Mass Incarceration, a book which gives clues about a system to detain immigrants which is already in place at a time when Trumps mass expulsions loom large

As you drive out of Miami to the west on a single, straight road and the Everglades expand all around, a certain infamous facility lies behind the treeline: the Krome Service Processing Center. It used to be a missile testing site before it was repurposed to hold detained migrants who are waiting for their futures to finally arrive, whether that is in or out of the United States. Growing up in South Florida, Brianna Nofil would hear how Krome was a place of inequality where mainly Haitian migrants were held in dire conditions. The existence of such a place filled her with curiosity. I was always very interested in what this sort of strange space in the community was. Its incredibly inaccessible. Its geographically isolated. And its in this sort of weird legal middle ground where it is incarcerating people, but not for a crime. That paradox was at the center for me. How does the United States develop this massive system of incarceration that resembles criminal incarceration in every way, but is also legally completely distinct and separate?, she says in a video call with EL PAIS.

That initial curiosity has only gotten sharper and more formal with the passing of time, just as immigration has loomed larger and larger over the public discourse with Donald Trumps bursting on to the scene. For 14 years, Nofil researched the topic and the result saw the light recently. At the end of October, The Migrants Jail: An American History of Mass Incarceration was published by Princeton University Press. It is an examination of a century of political, ideological and economic exchange between the United States immigration bureaucracy and the criminal justice system, which has given rise to the worlds largest system of migrant incarceration. Today, as the threat of the biggest deportation in history is accompanied by a massive question mark that asks how such a thing could be done, Nofils findings and historical perspective provides clues about a system and a set of strategies that are already in place to detain migrants awaiting trial or expulsion.

The cover of 'The Migrants Jail: An American History of Mass Incarceration' by Brianna Nofil. Cortesia

Question. When does the criminalization of migrants begin?

Answer. The way its criminalized changes over time, but the first major immigration law the U.S. passes is the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which bars all migration of Chinese laborers. But when the U.S. passes this law, the immigration bureaucracy itself is quite small. The U.S. starts to have to reckon with questions like whether to hire people whose job is immigration enforcement? To build detention facilities to hold people who are apprehended or who we want to deport? Its a logistical problem that still occurs today. So at the end of the 19th century, we start to see some of this infrastructure start to get built up, both in terms of legal precedents that make it harder for migrants to access the courts, but also of figuring out how migrants can be held in prisons and held in jails.

Q. What about the 1929 Undesirable Aliens Act?

A. It is the first law that criminalizes unauthorized border crossing. Prior to that, immigration offenses are solely civil or administrative. But with the passage of the 1929 law, it means that you can not only face administrative detention for crossing a border, but you can now also face criminal punishment.

Q. And can it be used today?

A. Yeah, the law is still on the books, but it isnt enforced. And part of the reason for that is the cost of incarcerating someone. The U.S. would rather just deport someone rather than charge them with a crime, incarcerate them, then administratively detain them and then deport them. Its cheaper. However, part of what we saw under the first Trump administration was that they were enforcing this policy. So a lot of family separation was that parents were being criminally charged for border crossing. So its a testament to the danger of these old immigration laws that are impossible to read and not be struck by how deeply racist they are; so centered in eugenics and notions of Mexican migration as a threat. And now it is a law that can be deployed strategically.

Q. What about asylum seekers? When were they criminalized?

A. That happens in the later 20th century. Coming out of World War II, the U.S. has a very specific idea of what a refugee should look like. They imagine refugees as people who wait in Europe in camps, and then the U.S. sends for them. But that really starts to change in the 1980s when for the first time the U.S. is going to see really large numbers of folks from the Caribbean who are showing up mostly in Florida and claiming asylum. This is going to happen under the Reagan administration. And theyre going to become really fixated on this idea that we have to deter asylum seekers. So detention becomes a really core piece of that. The Reagan administration is incredibly explicit about what theyre doing: this idea that if you can make the process of claiming asylum miserable enough, that will stop people from attempting it altogether. All of this contributes to the emerging notion that still persists today, that asylum seekers are another form of a legal immigrant. Theyre gaming the system. And that they basically should have no protections that are distinct from that of other migrants.

Undocumented Mexican workers get on deportation buses in 1954 in L.A. UCLA

Q. How big a part of mass incarceration is migrant detention?

A. Its a huge component. One of the reasons is because the vast majority of people who are entering ICE custody today are being apprehended by regular local law enforcement. As the resources of policing and incarceration in the U.S. have expanded, it has also expanded the number of ways you could end up in deportation proceedings. And it has also expanded the amount of space to detain migrants. Both because of the rise of private prison companies, many of which started building regular prisons, but now make the vast majority of their income from migrant detention facilities; but also because the number of jail and prison beds in the United States in general is so high that it means there is just a lot more space that the immigration service can rent when it wants to carry out deportations. So even though legally one is a form of administrative imprisonment, and the other is a form of criminal punishment, these are taking place in the same physical space, and they are building upon each other.

Q. Why dont immigration services build their own jails?

A. ICEs claim for why they rely so heavily on private contractors today is that it is more efficient, they can build faster, and they claim it is cheaper. However, I think both of these claims are somewhat tenuous. I think theres also some other big reasons the immigration service doesnt want to run their own facilities. I think the biggest reason is accountability and visibility: giving these contracts to private prison companies, to localities, it insulates the immigration service both legally and politically. When there are disasters, whether it is stories of abuse or whether it is uprisings of migrants at these facilities, the immigration service almost always says that its the fault of a bad contractor. Theyre able to continually point to these contractors as bad apples while keeping the larger system intact.

Q. And now that Texas has offered land to build new detention centers on the border?

A. Well have to see, one thing we can know from history is that building new detention centers from scratch is rarely the governments first choice because it is really expensive. And it also directs a lot of attention: youre going to have protesters in a way that if you take an existing building and just start using it for immigration detention, its a lot less visible. So theyre much more interested in sort of repurposing and reusing space than they are in building things from scratch. But anything is possible, so the other thing I would keep an eye out for is that if this happens, it is going to be done with private contractors. Someone is going to get a sweet contract to build this facility and there is going to be massive amounts of money made at every step of this process.

Q. Do you think there is a point when the incentive is not the immigration control, but rather just detention for detention sakes because its profitable?

A. So one of the ways that the detention budget works today is that there is a bed minimum. What that means in practice is that even if demand dips, the government is still paying for that number of detention beds, largely to private contractors. And these private prison companies are major donors, but theyre an easily identifiable villain if youre critical of this system. They are just the tip of the iceberg of all the companies that are profiting here. Data and software companies are making massive amounts of money. The companies that physically move migrants between the sites in this detention network. The companies that charter the flights that deport migrants. There are all of these other services, including food or medical care, that are required to keep people alive in these detention sites. And every single one of those services has been outsourced. So there is just an unthinkable amount of money to be made, even beyond the private prison company itself.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Harare  Zimbabweans are bracing for a stormy Christmas as Cyclone Chido, a powerful tropical storm currently traversing the Indian Ocean, is projected to bring heavy rains and potentially devastating winds to the country for three days. The Meteorological Services Department (MDS) has issued warnings, urging citizens to prepare for the worst.

The storm, currently packing winds exceeding 210 km/h, is expected to make landfall in Madagascar this weekend before moving towards Mozambique and potentially impacting Zimbabwe from December 17th. MDS deputy director, James Mangoma, addressed the nation at a press briefing in Harare, outlining the expected path and impact.

Current trajectory is that its going to be affecting parts of Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, and maybe even parts of Zimbabwe. But our current watch is for a system that is entering in from Botswana, which should give us thunderstorms as we get into Sunday, Mangoma explained. So we are expecting violent storms from Botswana, giving us a bit of continuous rainfall over that area into the interior of the country.

Mangoma further detailed the anticipated impact on Zimbabwe, stating, We expect these storms to be violent across much of the country, as weve been experiencing a lot of sunshine. This heat that we are currently experiencing in the atmosphere should turn into the thunderstorms that we are projecting into the weekend, and into Monday and Tuesday before even tropical Cyclone Chido affects Zimbabwe. If at all, it affects Zimbabwe, as we get into Christmas, were also expecting the rainfall to increase, as the inter-tropical convergence zone will be over the country, as well as these cloud bands that are passing in from Botswana into the interior of the country. So with that, well keep you updated as the weekend comes.

The three Mashonaland provinces, along with Harare and Bulawayo Metropolitan provinces, are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. The potential for flooding and landslides is a significant concern, given the intensity of the predicted rainfall. The government has already activated national risk and disaster management systems in anticipation of Cyclone Chidos arrival.

According to the MDS, there is an 80 percent chance of the cyclone reaching Zimbabwe, prompting a high alert across relevant authorities. Senior meteorologist, James Ngoma, elaborated: The Tropical Cyclone Chido will first land in Madagascar then expected to arrive in Mozambique before it finally affects Zimbabwe on the 17th of December. We are still on a watch mode and monitoring its magnitude on the SADC Humanitarian Disaster Centre. The likelihood that we might have 60-70 milliliters of rain if Cyclone Chido hits Zimbabwe, the chances of flash floods will be high.

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) director, Nathan Nkomo, confirmed that emergency services are on high alert and actively preparing for various scenarios, drawing on lessons learned from previous disasters.

This Cyclone Chido will it bring the much needed rains. It is unfortunate that cyclones cause disasters, and by virtue of that cabinet has approved our budget. We need to be prepared for this Chido. Evacuation points to those who are susceptible to this cyclone must be in place. We are activating all systems to be on high alert in all areas where the cyclone is likely to hit, Nkomo stated.

Cabinet has already approved the Civil Protection Departments Blueprint on Disaster Management.

Zimbabwe has been hit by tropical storms and the most recent was Cyclone Filip, which affected the Chipinge area in Manicaland province, where very little destruction was noted as compared to Cyclone Idai that destroyed Chimanimani district and surrounding areas in 2019. Hundreds of people died during the heavy storms which triggered landslides and thousands left homeless.

Meanwhile, other countries in the region are also preparing for the cyclones impact. Comoros has ordered school closures and warned residents to prepare for Chidos arrival, expected early Saturday. Mayotte, a French overseas territory, has issued a red alert  its highest warning level  and is deploying 110 emergency personnel and three tons of equipment, including search dogs. Mozambique has also issued a red alert for its northern provinces, anticipating winds of up to 124 miles per hour and the potential displacement of 2.5 million people.

Ana Cristina, director of Mozambiques National Emergency Operations Center, stated, We estimate that around 2.5 million people in the affected provinces will need assistance and possible evacuation.

Madagascar, where the cyclone is expected to hit hardest in the northern Diana region, is using phone alerts and radio broadcasts to warn its citizens. The storms potential impact extends to landlocked Zimbabwe, where authorities are preparing for potential flooding and landslides. Crisis24, a risk management firm, has warned of the potential for widespread flooding and landslides, with stagnant water increasing the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever.

Cyclone Chido is the third low-pressure system to threaten Southern Africa this year, following Cyclone Ancha (named by Comoros) and Cyclone Bheki (named by Eswatini). Zimbabwe provided the name Chido. The Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC)  Tropical cyclones is responsible for monitoring and prediction of tropical cyclones and naming them according to regional rules.

The passage of Cyclone Chido is projected to affect approximately 2.7 million people across six southern African countries: Comoros (368,508), Madagascar (135,838), Malawi (440,479), Mauritius (225), Mozambique (1,753,234), and Seychelles (16), according to the World Food Programmes Automated Disaster Analysis and Mapping (Adam).

Chido follows in the wake of Cyclone Freddy, which devastated parts of southern Africa last year, killing over 1,000 people and causing widespread damage to crops and livestock. Experts link the increasing intensity and frequency of these storms to climate change.

Breaking News via Email

Related

Pin Share Share 0 Shares






Rare beaked whale delights scientists Tagesschau via machine translation (Micael T). But its dead :-(

Flu EXPLOSION: Shocking one in four adults who are sick have flu  double last years rate as terrifying quad-demic surge engulfs Britain hospitalising thousands Daily Mail

Formaldehyde Causes More Cancer Than Any Other Toxic Air Pollutant. Little Is Being Done to Curb the Risk. ProPublica (Robin K)

Dementia Incidence Linked to Inflammatory Foods MedPage. Caffeine is anti-inflammatory, along with calorie restriction

Climate/Environment

China?

Koreas

Africa

European Disunion

Old Blighty

Israel v. the Resistance

New Not-So-Cold War

Syraqistan

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

THREAD: The official narrative of how Luigi Mangione was apprehended doesnt add up. Evidence suggests a deeper surveillance operation involving real-time facial recognition technology. Lets delve into the inconsistencies and explore the implications.  pic.twitter.com/catXgNjG4v  Marlo the Hutt (@YesYoureRacist) December 12, 2024

Imperial Collapse Watch

1/6

Trump 2.0

Biden

NYT: Pelosi fractures hip in fall abroad SFExaminer. This was destined to happen unless she was religiously doing balance exercises. At 84, she was wearing high heels (see here) and regularly walking on very hard floors (note other shoes now fashionable for women, lower kitten heels with a tiny point of contact, are also risky despite looking otherwise). The odds of death in older people rise dramatically in the six months following a bad fall.

Abortion

Texas AG sues New York doctor for providing abortion pills across state lines The Hill

Woke Watch

The truth about the Woke Right Unherd

AI

The Bezzle

Guillotine Watch

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour. A very old one from Mark T that I just found in my inbox. I am a rescue cat whos a bit special, but now have a home :-)

And a bonus (Chuck L). I had no idea snowy owls were so large:

"Meet the Snowy Owl: The Arctic's Enchanting Ruler" In the linked video, we are invited to discover the captivating Snowy Owl. This magnificent creature is truly an ice and snow spirit, reigning supreme in the Arctic. With its beautiful plumage and piercing eyes, it is a sight pic.twitter.com/yTjGmfpZG5  Zhang Heqing (@zhang_heqing) December 3, 2024

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Yves here. This post provides a compact, long-term view of the Democratic Partys abandonment of the working class in favor of cultivating wealthy donors. Obama deservedly plays a large role in this sellout. There does not seem to be remotely enough self-recrimination among party leaders and operatives to hope for much of a course change. So what comes next?

By Leonard C. Goodman. a Chicago criminal defense lawyer and an adjunct professor of law at DePaul University .Originally published at ScheerPost; cross posted from Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute

Following its crushing defeat in the 2024 election, the Democratic Party might finally face its day of reckoning. The party markets itself as the champion of the working class and a bulwark against the party of the plutocrats. But this has been a lie for at least three decades.

The Democratic Party has partnered with Wall Street donors since at least the 1990s. Under President Bill Clinton, the party overturned Glass Steagall and other New Deal programs that had effectively restrained Wall Street greed for 60 years. It also sold out American workers with so-called trade deals that freed their bosses to ship American jobs overseas. It ended welfare as we know it and passed draconian crime bills that destroyed mostly black and brown communities, sending mothers and fathers to prison for decades in the name of a cruel and senseless war on drugs.

Into the 21st century, the Democrats continued pushing the lie that they were fighting for working people. After September 11, 2001, the party put up a token resistance to the Bush/Cheney regime of illegal regime-change wars, black sites, indefinite detention and torture. All the while, it continued soliciting campaign contributions from the arms dealers profiting from Bushs wars.

In 2008, the party found a Black face to carry on its Wall Street-friendly agenda. Gullible Americans, myself included, were taken in by Barack Obamas promises to end dumb wars and to institute a single payer healthcare system. We ignored the red flags, like the fact that Obamas campaign broke records in pocketing Wall Street donations. It was later revealed by Wikileaks that nearly every member of Obamas cabinet had been selected by the giant Wall Street bank Citigroup.

It didnt take long for President Obama to crush our hopes that he was a different kind of Democrat. One of his first acts as president was to funnel trillions of dollars to the big banks that, newly freed by Clinton from FDR-era regulations, had embarked on an orgy of unbridled greed, swindling millions of Americans out of their homes and retirement savings with a scheme to sell worthless mortgage-backed securities.

Adding insult to injury, Obama saw to it that the bailed-out bank executives faced no criminal prosecutions and received their year-end bonuses. In their place, the Obama Justice Department brought federal mortgage fraud charges against thousands of poor peopleI represented a half dozen of these folkswho had signed their names to the phony mortgage loans that the Wall Street bankers encouraged, packaged and sold to pension funds and other unwitting investors.

The pipe dream that Obama would be an anti-war president was also quickly dispatched. During his two terms, Obama ushered in a new era of continuous war, envisioned by George Orwell and favored by Wall Street. Obama expanded Bushs bombing campaigns into Libya, Pakistan, Yemen, Syria and Somalia. Todays Democratic Party is indistinguishable from the Republicans in its ties to war profiteers and trillion-dollar Pentagon budgets.

Obama also effectively ended the Democrats promise to fight for a true national health care system in which all Americans would be able to go to the doctor when sick without fear of bankrupting their families. In its place, Obama pushed through a health care plan developed in right-wing think tanks, that guaranteed profits (and taxpayer subsidies) for the private insurance industry and did little to contain costs.

By 2012, Glen Ford of the Black Agenda Report was describing the Democratic Party as the more effective evil for using its reputation as protector of the working class to neutralize effective opposition and push through right-wing policies that the Republicans could not get passed.

In 2016, the Democrats received a wake-up call when their chosen successor to Obama lost the White House to a crude-talking New York City real estate developer and game show host with no prior political experience. But with the help of its partners in corporate media, the party managed to limp along for another eight years, first by telling the American people that President Trump was an agent of Russia, and then by claiming that Trump was Hitler who was planning concentration camps and firing squads for his political enemies.

Now after the November 2024 elections in which Trump won every swing state and the popular vote, the Democratic party is finally being forced to face some uncomfortable truths. The partys partners in the corporate media initially tried blaming the election result on the voters for being too misogynist, too racist, or too dumb to vote correctly. But there is little trust that remains in corporate media.

The partys corporate consultants have put the blame on the partys excessive focus on identity politics. But the issues for the Democrats run much deeper than bad messaging. The real problem is that the party takes direction from plutocrats whose interests are antagonistic to the needs of the working people it pretends to represent. Both Democrats and Republicans are financed by the same corporate interests. Thus, there is general agreement and support for policies that guarantee high rates of return on investment capital, policies like continuous war, for-profit health care, and outsourcing jobs. This leaves few issues for the parties to fight about other than abortion and identity politics.

Fifty years ago, American capitalists still relied on American workers to build everything from cars and televisions to sneakers and light bulbs. These titans of industry had to care about things such as functioning schools, decent wages, cities and public transportation. But the times have changed. Todays plutocrats support outsourcing jobs to low-wage countries and have little concern for the condition of American workers. And while ordinary Americans want the countrys resources to be spent at home, plutocrats are heavily invested in foreign wars, and they shun diplomacy.

These contradictions could only be covered up for so long. Even with reliable partners in the corporate press, the internet has given Americans alternative sources for their news. During the last few years, in a desperate effort to keep its scheme afloat, the Democrats embraced censorship and a regime of corporate fact checkers to police social media and remove or punish unsanctioned speech. In so doing, the party abandoned the last of its core principles: standing up for free speech and the right to dissent.

Many Democrats argue that they had to go after Wall Street money to compete with the Republicans. In 2016, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer explained the strategy: For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin. But for this plan to work, the party still needed an actual message to take to the voters.

Forbes Magazine reports that during the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harriss campaign raised a billion dollars while Trumps campaign raised $388 million. Harriss substantial edge in fundraising allowed her to flood the airwaves with commercials. But she had nothing of substance to say to voters.

The Atlantic Magazine reports that early in her campaign, Harris gained ground by attacking Trump as a stooge of corporate interestsand touted herself as a relentless scourge of Big Business. But then, suddenly, Harris abandoned her attacks on big business at the urging of her brother-in-law, Tony West, Ubers chief legal officer.

Many Democrats, especially in swing states, opposed the Biden Administrations unfailing support for Israels genocidal campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million residents. Harris could have gained the support of many of these voters by promising to stop arming Israel during the genocide. But her Partys donors wouldnt allow her to even hint at such a change in policy. Two days before the election, while campaigning in the swing state of Michigan, Harris stated, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza. But as Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada pointed out on election night, this promise carried no weight because Harris had also promised that she would never do the one thing within her power to stop the slaughter: cut off the flow of bombs to Israel.

After decades of malfeasance and deception, it has become evident that the corporate Democratic Party cannot serve as the lone opposition party to the corporate Republicans. The American people need a viable political party that represents the interests of ordinary working people.

A true workers party will not raise as much money as the corporate Democrats. But it will have an honest message with the potential to appeal to large numbers of Americans. Further, a political party that actually represents workers will press for reforms that begin to even the playing field between the haves and the have nots.

For example, one the most effective ways plutocrats game the political system is by flooding campaign contributions to the lawmakers who sit on the key committees that oversee their businesses. Members of Congress covet these committee chairs because they guarantee high fundraising numbers. Lawmakers who sit on the House Financial Services Committee have jurisdiction over banks and insurance companies and are targeted by those firms with campaign contributions. Lawmakers who sit on the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees provide funding for lucrative government contracts and are flooded with war industry cash.

These practices are corrupt and deprive American citizens of their right to be governed by representatives free from conflicts of interest. A judge who has received political contributions from a litigant must be removed from the case. Similarly, the most important functions of government, such as determining tax and how our tax revenue will be spent, should be performed by lawmakers who have not been bribed.

In 2017, the Center for American Progress, a think tank aligned with the Democratic Party, proposed a Committee Contribution Ban for Congress. It asserted: Congress should enact a law to make it unlawful for members of Congress to accept campaign contributions from entities that fall within the jurisdiction of their committees. Unsurprisingly, this proposal never reached the floor of Congress, that I could find.

Some states have enacted similar conflict of interest rules. And Congress could certainly pass such a law, if it chose. Of course, this will never happen as long as we are ruled by two corporate parties that benefit from the corruption. But if we had a political party that represented ordinary people, countless opportunities for positive change would soon emerge.
Yves here. I am particularly fond of posts that look at media coverage of important news stories. The aversion by many outlets to providing important details about the alleged Mangione assassination, such as withholding his short manifesto, demonstrates how their class and economic interests are skewing their coverage.

While on this topic, a wee sidetrack. Per the aversion of many in the power structure to give Mangione any more attention than he is already getting, the last thing they want is a trial. But Mangione has the money to hire good legal representation and seems very unlikely to cut a plea deal. I hope he has a food taster.

But assuming Mangione gets his day in court, and if I have it right that his first shot hit Brian Thompson in the calf, he could try claiming that he did not intend to kill him but to kneecap him, to subject him to the same pain that he and his mother had suffered. If he jury bought that, hed still be likely to found guilty of manslaughter in the first degree. New York sentencing guidelines call for 5 to 25 years in prison.

If he still has regular back pain, those prison beds and chairs will only make it worse.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies

CEOs come and go and one just went

The ingredients you got bake the cake you get

Jesse Welles

From one point of view, media behavior in the Luigi Mangione case is bizarre. According to journalist Ken Klippenstein (video here), New York Times management has said they dont want to show photos of Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Klippenstein from his Substack:

NY Times Doesnt Want You to See Shooters Face Internal New York Times messages about its coverage of alleged gunman Luigi Mangione have been leaked to me and the contents are revealing. On Tuesday, management said the news value and public service of showing his face is diminishing, instructing staff to dial back its use of such photos.

News value is diminishing is the opposite of whats true. As Klippenstein and the Breaking Points hosts point (see video linked above), big print media today is obsessed with traffic. With this order, theyre cutting their throats (metaphorically) to spite his face.

The back of Luigi Mangiones head. Photo: Rachel Wisniewski for The New York Times

Klippenstein also notes that not just the Times, but all other media outlets who have Mangiones manifesto, have refused to publish most of it. You can read the full document at Klippensteins site. Its in fact little more than a note of explanation. But why is he alone in presenting it?

Three Reasons

There are three layers of reason for this odd behavior, both with respect to his photo and manifesto, each more instructive and important than the last.

The So-Called Copy-Cat Problem

The first and uppermost layer of reasoning is a professed fear of inspiring a copy-cat, someone so craven or weak-willed that theyll copy the act. Call this the fanboy factor.

I think we will still not pub the whole thing,[] editor Andrea Kannapell added, so as not to provide bullhorn.

This has not stopped media in the past, however. Any number of killer manifestos have seen print, including both Dylann Roofs and Ted Kazinskys in the Times. In addition, this document has been circulated widely but privately in both press and non-press circles. Clearly the copy-cat fear isnt that strongly held.

The Times justification, according to the chat, is that photographs and words might have the effect of amplifying the crime and inspiring others, as reporter Andy Newman said. Besides the New York Times inflated view of its ability to de-amplify a crime that practically everyone is already talking about, the internal chat sheds light on the other arguably bigger reason the media shies away from disclosure []

Captured by Sources or Eager Security Partners?

Klippenstein suspects a deeper reason: its fear of antagonizing the sources it relies upon for scoops.

News people clearly need sources among the cops and other security forces, and those sources are in position to extract concessions. By donning the public safety hat, the major media is in effect deputizing itself as a branch of the national security state, writes Klippenstein.

He underplays their current delight in this role, but the observation is spot on. Ever since the summer of 2016 and emergent Trump-Russia allegations, big media, rightly or wrongly, has been gladly on board, seeing its duty as aiding the security state at every turn.

Why would it not do so here? After close to a decade of practice, its a well-trod path.

The Class War Comes Home

But the deeper reason, which Klippenstein doesnt address, is in fact the most obvious. Its so obvious that everyone but media is pointing it out.

The billionaire class, the maybe 1000 people who run the country plus a bunch of their CEOs, has been milking the country of cash since at least Reagan days, and weve been allowing it, willing if not eager participants.

Cows being milked (source)

Humans being milked (from The Matrix)

But the constant advantage-taking has taken its toll. Ever since Obama promised us hope-and-change



and failed to deliver, the nation has been pre-revolutionary. Certainly both Sanders campaigns showed that the hunger for relief was not just felt on the Right, but in the whole country.

Bernie Sanders rally, Minnesota, 2019

Crowd comparisons from the 2016 Democratic Party primary

For a variety of reasons, this discontent has given us President Trump two times out of three, and while many on the Right are best pleased, those on the Left or the silent uncared-about center (voters and non-voters alike) arent feeling well served.

Okay, thats a euphemism. The nation is pissed. Health care in particular is a death trap for many, who pay and never get back, and then often die. UHC in particular is an industry apex predator:

Source

And Thompson is a perfect example of a CEO class that, lets be honest, kills for profit by aggressive denial of care. His compensation is estimated at $10 million per year and the companys hugely profitable 2025 financial outlook [includes] expected revenues upwards of $450 billion.

People watch people die and the rich grow fat. How else to explain the massive swell of support for Mangiones deed? Its hard to find articles documenting it, but the phenomenon itself is rampant on Twitter and TikTok. And its not just the kids. Doctors and patients weigh in.

Check it out for yourself. People sing Mangiones praise and almost literally dance above Thompsons grave.
The Chan Han Choi case: Australian falsely accused of selling firearms to North Korea seeks justice, compensation from government

In December 2017, Chan Han Choi, a South Korea-born Australian citizen, was arrested for allegedly brokering deals with North Korea, including aiding Pyongyangs weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program, in violation of UN sanctions. This marked the first prosecution under Australias 1995 Weapons of Mass Destruction Act.

Choi claims his arrest was politically orchestrated, involving South Koreas National Intelligence Service (NIS), Australia, and possibly the United States. He alleges he was framed to protect then-South Korean presidential candidate Moon Jae-in, who later distanced himself from Choi to avoid political fallout.

Choi spent three years in prison, alleging he suffered human rights abuses, including torture, ill-treatment, and medical neglect. He now seeks justice and compensation from the Australian government.

Choi asserts he was involved in legal activities at the time and was attempting to establish a secret communication channel between Moon Jae-in and North Korea. He also claims past interactions with the NIS, including a 2010 recruitment attempt and subsequent surveillance.

Chois case raises concerns about intelligence agency involvement, foreign government complicity, and the manipulation of individuals for political and strategic purposes. His allegations highlight the need for transparency and accountability in government actions, with broader implications for the rule of law in international relations.

In December 2017, the arrest of Chan Han Choi, a South Korea-born Australian citizen, made headlines worldwide. At the time, he was charged with brokering deals with North Korea, including alleged assistance to Pyongyangs weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program, which is a violation of UN sanctions. This marked the first prosecution under Australias Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, a law adopted in 1995. However, the WMD charges were later dropped, and Choi spent three years in prison, claiming he was a victim of human rights violations, including torture, ill-treatment, and medical neglect. Now, at 66, he is seeking justice and compensation from the Australian government, alleging that his arrest was part of a larger, politically orchestrated scheme involving multiple governments.

Chois story is far more complex than the initial media narrative suggested. During his hearing, Choi did not deny his connections to North Korea but claimed his actions were legal at the time and that he was acting on behalf of then-South Korean presidential candidate Moon Jae-in. Through an acquaintance living in Australia, I was connected to a member of Moon Jae-ins presidential campaign in April 2017. I was proposed to help establish a secret communication channel between candidate Moon and North Korea, Choi asserted during a video call. He added, Moons proposal seemed aimed at protecting the nations genuine interests without foreign interference.

However, Choi alleges that after Moons election, the new president distanced himself from Choi to avoid political fallout. After Moon Jae-in was elected president, he feared the potential fallout if it became known that someone with North Korean ties was involved in his campaign. To avoid impeachment risks, he made me a scapegoat, Choi said, his voice tinged with sadness.

Deep state scapegoat

Chois arrest in Canberra in December 2017, at the request of the South Korean government, raises serious questions about the involvement of intelligence agencies and political actors. According to Choi, At the time of my arrest, South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) agents and consulate officials accompanied the Australian police, attempting to silence me to protect Moon. This political maneuver involved the NIS, the Blue House [presidential residence], and sitting lawmakers. He further claims that Australia sent experts to the U.S. for consultations, suggesting a collaborative effort among South Korea, Australia, and a major power to orchestrate his arrest.

This is not the first time Choi has crossed paths with South Korean intelligence. In 2010, the NIS attempted to recruit him as a spy, offering money to work for them. While he declined, he says he has been monitored by the NIS ever since. By 2017, Choi was accused of attempting to broker sales of components used in ballistic missiles for Pyongyang, but he alleges his arrest was used by the South Korean government for propaganda purposes. The West used me to pressure North Korea, and the Australian government exploited my case to secure its desired defense budget, he said. However, I was falsely accused of trading missiles and weapons of mass destruction, and the Australian government detained me for three years without evidence.

An intriguing aspect of the case is that none of the business deals with North Korea were finalized. For instance, a 2008 coal and pig-iron deal, allegedly involving a company affiliated with the NIS, was halted due to political reasons. In 2008, I was introduced by a sitting member of the National Assembly to a business that brokered the purchase of North Korean coal and pig iron through Dasan Network, a front company of the National Intelligence Service, Choi explained. The South Korean buyers ship arrived at Nampo Port in North Korea, but the goods were not shipped for political reasons, and we agreed to resume business whenever the opportunity arose.

Chois allegations highlight broader concerns about the South Korean governments handling of North Korea policy. He claims that Seouls operations against individuals with ties to Pyongyang demonstrate amateurish  political maneuvers during times of crisis. He also argues that the consistent pressure from Washington on South Korea and its allies to threaten North Korea is aimed at maintaining tensions on the Korean Peninsula to uphold U.S. hegemony. I cannot understand NATO-related activities in South Korea. With no security ties between South Korea, the European Union, or NATO, I see this as a U.S. attempt to create a Southeast Asian NATO, using South Korean forces as proxies, he said.

Chois case raises troubling questions about the role of intelligence agencies, the complicity of foreign governments, and the manipulation of individuals for political and strategic purposes. His claims of human rights violations and political scapegoating underscore the need for transparency and accountability in government actions. As he continues to seek justice, both in Australian courts and through international bodies, the world should pay attention to the broader implications of this casenot just for Choi, but for the integrity of the rule of law in an increasingly interconnected world.

Sources include:

RT.com

Reuters.com

FoxNews.com
A lost chapter of the Bible rediscovered: A 1,750-year-old revelation

A 1,750-year-old Syriac manuscript containing an expanded version of Matthew 12 was uncovered using ultraviolet (UV) light, revealing a chapter lost for nearly two millennia and offering insights into the evolving nature of early Christian scripture.

The newly revealed chapter includes narrative variations, such as the disciples rubbing grain before eating, suggesting early Christian communities adapted scripture to reflect their experiences and priorities, challenging the idea of the Bible as static.

The discovery highlights the dynamic history of Christian scripture, raises questions about other hidden texts, and underscores the enduring power of innovation and curiosity in uncovering humanitys shared past.

In a thrilling discovery that has sent ripples through the academic world, a hidden chapter of the Bible has been unearthed from a 1,750-year-old manuscript preserved in the Vatican Library. This extraordinary find, revealed through the ingenious use of ultraviolet (UV) light, offers a rare glimpse into the dynamic evolution of early Christian scripture. The discovery not only challenges long-held assumptions about the Bibles static nature but also raises tantalizing questions about what other hidden treasures might still lie buried in ancient texts.

The manuscript, written in Syriac, one of the earliest languages used to translate biblical texts, dates back to the 3rd century. It contains an expanded version of Matthew 12, a passage central to Christian teachings about compassion and the Sabbath. The text, which was later overwritten and erased by a scribe in the 6th century due to the scarcity of parchment, was painstakingly revealed through UV imaging. This cutting-edge technology, combined with meticulous scholarship, allowed researchers to uncover a chapter that had been lost to history for nearly two millennia.

The discovery is nothing short of revolutionary. The newly unveiled chapter includes subtle variations in the narrative, such as the disciples rubbing grain in their hands before eating it, which adds a layer of cultural and theological nuance to the familiar story. These differences suggest that early Christian communities adapted scripture to reflect their own lived experiences and priorities, highlighting the fluid and evolving nature of early Christian teachings.

What makes this find even more remarkable is its historical context. The Syriac translation of the Bible was a crucial tool for spreading Christianity across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Written in a language that bridged the gap between Aramaic and Greek, Syriac allowed early Christians to share their faith with diverse communities. The manuscripts journey from its original creation to its reuse centuries later underscores the resilience of early Christian scribes, who risked their lives to preserve and adapt sacred texts in a world where their beliefs were often under threat.

Modern technology used in ancient discovery

The collaborative effort behind this discovery is equally inspiring. Historians, linguists, and scientists joined forces to decode the faded script, each contributing their expertise to unravel the mysteries of this ancient document. The Sinai Palimpsests Project, which focuses on uncovering hidden texts through UV photography, has already deciphered 74 manuscripts using this method. This latest find, however, stands out as one of the most significant, offering fresh insights into the Gospel of Matthew and the early translations of the Bible.

The implications of this discovery are profound. For scholars, it provides a new lens through which to view the development of Christian scripture, revealing how early communities interpreted and adapted their sacred texts. For believers, it invites a deeper appreciation of the Bibles rich and evolving history. And for everyone, it serves as a reminder of the enduring power of curiosity and innovation to uncover humanitys shared past.

As researchers continue to analyze the newly revealed chapter, debates are already heating up about its significance. Some scholars argue that the chapters omission from later versions of the Bible may have been part of efforts to standardize doctrine, while others suggest it reflects the practical realities of a time when parchment was scarce and reuse was common. Whatever the reason, the discovery underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of early Christianity, challenging the notion of the Bible as a static, unchanging document.

This find is more than just a historical curiosity; its a testament to the resilience of human faith and the ingenuity of those who preserved it. It also raises the tantalizing possibility that more hidden chapters, erased writings, and forgotten narratives might still be waiting to be discovered. With each new revelation, we are reminded that the stories that shaped our history are far from complete.

As we marvel at this extraordinary discovery, one question lingers: What other secrets might ancient manuscripts hold? The Bible, it seems, is not just a book of faithits a living, breathing testament to the power of human creativity, adaptation, and perseverance. And as long as we continue to explore its pages, both literal and metaphorical, it will continue to reveal its mysteries.

Sources include:

TheMindUnleashed.com

CTVnews.ca

PopularMechanics.com
Prime suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons assassination allegedly considered using a BOMB

Luigi Mangione, the primary suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's assassination, allegedly considered using a bomb to kill him but opted for a shooting to avoid killing innocents.

A notebook found on Mangione detailed his alleged plans, including targeting Thompson at a financial conference and criticizing the American healthcare system.

Mangione's three-page manifesto blamed UnitedHealthcare for his mother's treatment issues and claimed responsibility for the attack, stating he acted alone.

Posters targeting other health insurance executives have appeared in Manhattan, raising fears of copycat violence.

Luigi Mangione, the main suspect in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, allegedly considered using a bomb in Manhattan as part of his attack plan, according to details revealed in a notebook found on him during his arrest.

Mangione, 26, was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 4, several days after he allegedly shot Thompson dead outside of his hotel in Manhattan. He is currently fighting extradition to New York, where he faces charges of second-degree murder. (Related: Top suspect in assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arrested, charged with murder in New York City.)

The notebook, recovered by authorities, reportedly contained a "to-do list" detailing Mangione's alleged plans.

Among the entries was a contemplation of using a bomb to target Thompson but ultimately deciding against it, as it "could kill innocents." Instead, Mangione allegedly opted for a shooting, deeming it a more "targeted" method.

The notebook also included a reference to Thompson's attendance at a financial conference, where Thompson was set to disclose the company's financial gains for the year. Mangione allegedly wrote, "What do you do? You wack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention. Its targeted, precise and doesnt risk innocents."

Mangione's alleged manifesto condemned UnitedHealthcare America's healthcare and health insurance systems

In addition to the notebook, Mangione was found with a three-page manifesto condemning the American healthcare system and UnitedHealthcare in particular.

The manifesto, described by authorities as a "claim of responsibility," reportedly included statements such as, "Frankly these parasites had it coming," and "I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done." The document also claimed that Mangione acted alone in the attack.

Mangione's alleged actions appear to stem from his personal experiences with the healthcare system. A true crime podcast, "Hidden True Crime," obtained documents in which Mangione detailed his mother's struggles with UnitedHealthcare, including delays in treatment and high out-of-pocket costs.

He reportedly wrote, "With every delay, my anger surged. With every denial, I wanted to throw the doctor through the glass wall of their hospital waiting room, but it wasn't them. It wasn't the doctors, the receptionists, administrators, pharmacists, imaging technicians or anyone we ever met. What it was, it was UnitedHealthcare."

The case has sparked concerns about the potential for further violence against health insurance executives. Posters targeting other health insurance leaders have already appeared in Manhattan, raising alarms about the spread of copycat shooters.

Mangione's defense attorney, Thomas Dickey, has stated that his client plans to plead not guilty to both the New York murder charge and the Pennsylvania gun possession charges. Dickey has emphasized the lack of direct evidence linking Mangione to the crime.

"I haven't seen any evidence that says he's the shooter," said Dickey, who also highlighted how the American justice system requires the presumption of innocence for the accused. "The fundamental concept of American justice is a presumption of innocence until you're proven guilty."

Investigators claim fingerprint evidence has linked Mangione to the crime scene. The fingerprints were allegedly taken near the shooting location, and a ballistics match was confirmed between the weapon found on Mangione and shell casings from the scene of the crime.

Watch this clip from Fox News discussing the latest statements from Luigi Mangione's attorney regarding his extradition hearing to New York.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CEO's murder sparks security scramble in greed-driven healthcare industry.

Murder of CEO of UnitedHealthcare may reflect rising discontent with a failing medical system.

Assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson left words "Defend," "Deny" and "Depose" on bullet casings.

Hours after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered, left-wing muckraker Taylor Lorenz commented that "we want these executives dead."

CEO of UnitedHealthcare ASSASSINATED, gunman still at large and motive likely connected to health insurance claim denial.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NBCNewYork.com

Telegraph.co.uk

Brighteon.com
Mystery Disease X strikes Congo, targeting mostly vulnerable children

A recently discovered illness, known as "Disease X," has struck the Democratic Republic of the Congo, infecting over 400 people, predominantly children.

The symptoms of Disease X mimic those of common illnesses such as the flu, measles and respiratory infections, making accurate diagnosis difficult.

The World Health Organization and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have dispatched a team of experts to the affected area to assist in identifying and containing the outbreak.

Given the symptoms, authorities suspect possible airborne transmission, but this is yet to be confirmed. In the meantime, they advise avoiding mass gatherings and handling remains with caution to prevent further spread of the disease.

A mysterious illness is ravaging the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Dubbed "Disease X," this unknown illness has already claimed at least 31 lives and infected over 400 people, primarily children, in the country's remote southwestern Kwango province.

The DRC has long been a hotspot for medical crises, particularly in its under-resourced regions. The latest outbreak began several weeks ago, but it wasn't until late October that authorities were alerted. By then, the disease had already infected numerous children and adults, with a significant number of cases in individuals under the age of five.

Symptoms of Disease X are eerily similar to the flu, causing fever, coughing, body aches and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are not unique, which makes it challenging to determine the exact cause of the illness. Health officials are considering a wide range of possibilities, including influenza, malaria, measles, a variant of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) or other respiratory infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have sent a team of experts to the DRC to investigate the outbreak and provide support to local health officials. However, the challenges of working in a remote and underserved region are significant. (Related: World Health Organization threatens another "Disease X" like COVID unless all nations obey its authoritarian Pandemic Treaty.)

One critical question that remains unanswered is how contagious the disease is. Symptoms suggest a possible airborne transmission, but this has yet to be confirmed. Until the cause is identified, authorities are urging people in the affected areas to avoid mass gatherings and handle remains with caution to prevent the potential spread of the disease.

The WHO and Africa CDC are testing samples from the infected individuals, but the results are slow to come due to logistical challenges. The rainy season has made transportation difficult, and the region's limited access to advanced diagnostics is a significant barrier. As health experts continue to investigate, the number of cases and deaths continue to rise, highlighting the urgent need for a speedy resolution.

Efforts to identify Disease X hampered by lack of resources

As the investigation unfolds, it's crucial to remember that Disease X is not an isolated incident. The world has already witnessed several outbreaks of unknown origins, from China's SARS in 2002 to the Zika virus in 2015. Each time, the international community has scrambled to respond, only to find that the disease was not as novel as initially thought.

Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya, who is himself Congolese, expressed frustration at the delay in alerting national authorities. He emphasized the need for stronger disease surveillance systems and improved local health infrastructure to respond more swiftly to future outbreaks.

The current outbreak in the DRC offers a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness. Beyond the immediate need to contain Disease X, it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by developing countries, where basic healthcare infrastructure is often lacking.

Watch this video discussing how Disease X may be the new globalist "plandemic" plot.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

A global Technocracy is priming the population for "Disease X," more totalitarianism and depopulation.

As more young people die from turbo cancers, the globalists roll out their next psy-op, a perfect candidate for 'disease X'  doctors warn H5N1 could be 100x worse than COVID.

WHO's Tedros demands COMPLIANCE from the world, citing hypothetical Disease X.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NPR.org

Brighteon.com
From Syria to Ukraine: How the U.S. plays by two sets of rules

The U.S. supports Israel's actions in the Golan Heights while condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, highlighting a clear double standard in its foreign policy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the 1974 Israel-Syria separation of forces agreement invalid, citing the collapse of Syria's government, and seized control of the Golan Heights under the guise of national security.

The U.S. Department of State backed Israel's actions as "necessary security measures," despite concerns over escalating violence and regional instability in Syria.

Russia views the U.S. stance as hypocritical, noting that while Washington condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine as "illegal annexation," it supports Israel's territorial expansion under similar justifications.

The so-called "rules-based international order" is selectively enforced to advance U.S. strategic interests, undermining its credibility on the global stage.

The United States appears to be following one set of rules when it comes to the Middle East, but sticks to another when it comes to Eastern Europe.

Political analyst Nadezha Romanenko highlighted this double standard in an op-ed for Russia Today (RT). She began with the recent declaration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the 1974 separation of forces agreement between Israel and Syria is no longer valid after the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Israeli leader argued that since Syria's internationally recognized government no longer exists, prior treaties with Damascus are no longer binding,

"I directed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]  to seize the buffer zone and the commanding positions nearby," Netanyahu said. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border." (Related: Israel continues to unleash hell on Earth, with 250 new airstrikes across Syria.)

Central to this issue is the Golan Heights, legally recognized as Syrian territory but occupied by Israel since 1967. Netanyahu pointed out that following the collapse of Assad's government, Tel Aviv can now bomb Syrian airfields, seize ports and expand its territorial occupation under the guise of national security.

The U.S. Department of State quickly backed Israel's position, labeling its actions as "necessary security measures" in a volatile region. But Romanenko pointed out that Netanyahus declaration sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that international agreements can be discarded whenever a government changes due to force. She ultimately warned that Israel's actions are likely to escalate violence in Syria and provoke further regional instability.

Russia in Ukraine is aggression, but Israel in the Golan Heights is security?

Washington's endorsement of Tel Aviv's action in the Golan Heights highlights a glaring double standard in U.S. foreign policy. When Moscow responded to the 2014 ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich by supporting Crimea's reunification with Russia and autonomy for eastern regions, the U.S. vehemently condemned these actions as "illegal annexation" and "imperialist expansion."

Despite the collapse of Ukraine's legitimate government at the time, Washington insisted that Kyiv's sovereignty and borders remained intact, and all pre-existing agreements still applied. But fast forward to 2024, and the U.S. now supports Israel's seizure of Syrian territory under almost the same rationale.

Tel Aviv's ambitions are framed as being driven by security and defensible by law, but Russia's actions in Ukraine are dismissed as "imperial aggression." While both Russia and Israel justified their actions based on national security concerns, Washington only accepted that of the Jewish nation  its close ally.

Romanenko pointed out in her RT op-ed that this selective enforcement exposes the hypocrisy of the so-called "rules-based international order," which is truly based on advancing U.S. strategic interests. International law is applied strictly to adversaries while allies are given a free pass.

Russia will view this as confirmation that the West's legal arguments against its role in Ukraine were always hollow, she wrote. Power, not law, defines the modern international order, and Washington's selective enforcement of rules proves that the U.S. prioritizes its own interests over consistent principles or moral high ground. By endorsing Israel's territorial seizures while condemning Russia's moves in Ukraine, the U.S. has obliterated any remaining credibility on the international stage.

Watch this footage of Israeli tanks and armored vehicles being deployed to Lebanon and the Golan Heights following the ouster of Syria's Bashar al-Assad.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden bombs 75 "targets" in Syria, opening possibility ISIS uses Syria's massive chemical and biological weapons arsenal to wipe out U.S. food supply.

Putin signals readiness for peace talks with Trump but stresses unchanged demands for ending Ukraine conflict.

EU lawmaker says West's freezing of Russian assets constitutes "theft."

Sources include:

RT.com

GulfNews.com

Brighteon.com
Texas sues 3M and DuPont for deceptive marketing of PFAS-contaminated household products

Texas has filed a lawsuit against PFAS-producing companies like 3M and DuPont for misleading consumers about the dangers of these "forever chemicals."

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in various household products that persist in the environment and human bodies for decades, leading to serious health issues including cancer, thyroid disease, reproductive problems, high cholesterol and ulcerative colitis.

The lawsuit alleges that companies like 3M and DuPont have marketed their products as safe for over 70 years despite knowing about the dangers of PFAS for over 50 years, concealing their health risks from the public.

Texas is seeking to ban products that contain PFAS in the state and force companies to disclose the risks associated with PFAS, as well as impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation of the state's consumer protection regulations.

This lawsuit is part of a larger national effort to address PFAS risks, with other states and class-action lawsuits also taking action against companies that have allegedly covered up health risks associated with PFAS chemicals.

The State of Texas is taking direct action against companies like 3M and DuPont, accusing them of misleading consumers about the dangers of so-called "forever chemicals" in everyday household products. Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading the charge, aiming to hold these corporations accountable for years of deceptive practices that put the health of Texans at risk.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in various household products. They are referred to as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally and can persist in the environment and human bodies for decades. Their ability to persist in human bodies can potentially cause serious health issues. (Related: Study finds so-called "greener" alternatives to plastic straws contain harmful PFAS.)

Prolonged exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a variety of health problems, including thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, reproductive and developmental problems and certain types of cancer like testicular and kidney cancer.

Paxton claims corporations have been hiding the dangers of PFAS for over 50 years

Paxton in a press release highlighted how companies like 3M and DuPont have marketed their products as safe for household use for over 70 years despite knowing about the dangers of PFAS for over 50 of those years. He noted that some standout products include well-known brands like Teflon, Stainmaster and Scotchgard.

The attorney general's lawsuit alleges that these companies failed to disclose the health risks associated with PFAS chemicals, continued to promote these products for general use of families and children, misrepresented the environmental and biological risks of PFAS and painted an overly optimistic picture of their products by their concealing of these risks from the public.

Texas is seeking significant penalties and remedies, including outright banning the sale of products that contain PFAS in the state, forcing companies to disclose all of the health and environmental risks associated with products that contain forever chemicals and imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation of the state's consumer protection regulations and laws against deceptive trade practices.

This lawsuit is part of a growing national movement to address the risks posed by PFAS. In January, Connecticut filed a similar lawsuit against multiple companies for contaminating the state's natural resources with PFAS. Moreover, class-action lawsuits in Minnesota have accused companies of covering up the health risks of PFAS chemicals in carpets and rugs.

Visit Chemicals.news for more on forever chemicals.

Watch and learn more about how forever chemicals poison the body, especially the blood.

This video is from the Think About It channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Consumer study reveals popular facial tissue brands contain toxic forever chemicals.

REPORT: Forever chemicals found in BAND-AIDS and WOMENS UNDERWEAR can seep into the body and may contribute to cancer and infertility.

Scary new study reveals PFAS "forever chemicals" can seep through human skin.

Forever chemicals pose greater cancer risk to women than men, study finds.

Forever chemicals found to be significantly more toxic than previously thought.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

DallasNews.com

Brighteon.com
U.K. set to launch controversial DIGITAL ID system in 2025, sparking privacy concerns

The United Kingdom plans to launch a digital identification system utilizing smartphones and facial recognition technology to streamline government functions, from alcohol purchases to tax payments.

The initiative aims to improve efficiency in various sectors, including veteran services, through digital veteran cards, and will allow young people to use government-backed digital IDs to prove age for alcohol purchases.

Individuals can sign up with certified digital ID companies to access government services through apps on their smartphones, but critics warn of potential state overreach and a two-tiered society.

Critics like David Kurten of the U.K. Heritage Party voice concerns about digital IDs becoming mandatory and the potential for government control, citing examples from the pandemic-era vaccine passport debates.

The debate over digital IDs highlights the tension between technological convenience and the preservation of privacy, with critics pointing to potential surveillance state implications and the erosion of civil liberties.

The United Kingdom is set to roll out a digital identification system in 2025.

The new initiative, which will utilize smartphones and facial recognition technology, aims to streamline various government functions, from purchasing alcohol and accessing veteran services to paying taxes and accessing bank accounts.

According to government sources, the digital ID system, available through certified companies, will allow individuals to prove their age and identity instantly when entering pubs, clubs and shops, as well as for various online transactions. (Related: U.S. states are passing internet age verification laws as a cover to compel people into using digital IDs.)

The technology promises more efficient service delivery, particularly for veterans, who will gain quicker access to support programs through digital veteran cards.

"Young people will be able to use government-backed digital ID cards to prove they are old enough to drink alcohol under legal changes to take effect next year," the Telegraph said in a report Sunday, Dec. 8. "They will be able to sign up to digital ID companies that are certified against Government-set standards for security and reliability and then use the app on their smartphone to prove they are over 18 when visiting pubs, restaurants and shops. It is part of a wider effort to move more state functions online so that people can prove their identity for everything from paying taxes to opening a bank account using the government-backed app."

Critics raise concerns over potential STATE OVERREACH

Critics, however, have raised significant concerns over the potential for state overreach and the creation of a two-tiered society. David Kurten, leader of the U.K. Heritage Party, warns that the program could eventually become mandatory, leading to a scenario where those without digital IDs face discrimination and barriers in accessing services.

Another point of contention is the potential for the government to remotely disable digital IDs, effectively barring individuals from essential activities if they are deemed to have violated unspecified norms. Critics liken this to social credit systems, which they claim can be used to monitor and control citizen behavior.

The push for digital IDs has also been linked to previous efforts to implement vaccine passports during the pandemic. Kurten warns that the current approach, promising convenience and ease of access, could quickly shift to more stringent control measures, mirroring the progression from medical workers to children being targeted for vaccinations.

Government officials insist that the digital ID system will not be mandatory, but critics point out that many voluntary programs eventually become compulsory. The latter also argue that the potential integration of digital IDs into routine shopping experiences is particularly disconcerting, suggesting that the technology may be used to monitor consumer behavior and further erode privacy.

Furthermore, the European Union's plan to fingerprint all travelers in 2025, including those from visa-exempt countries like the United States, adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding digital identification technologies. According to critics, these moves represent a significant shift in how governments handle personal data and identity verification, with serious implications for civil liberties.

The debate over the digital ID system underscores the ongoing tension between government convenience and individual rights in the digital age. The introduction of the digital ID system in the U.K. reflects a broader global trend towards digital identity management.

While the government argues that the technology will enhance efficiency and security, opponents fear it could mark the beginning of a surveillance state, further complicating the relationship between governments and their citizens.

Follow PrivacyWatch.news for more news about the digital ID system.

Watch this clip about the Australian government officially passing the digital ID bill in the Land Down Under.

This video is from the Fritjof Persson channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Americans who refuse to sign up for voluntary government-issued digital ID may be DENIED health care services.

Australian parliament passes digital ID law to enshrine the globalist control matrix down under.

Globalist organizations step up efforts to make digital IDs mandatory for people to participate in society by 2030.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

Express.co.uk

Telegraph.co.uk

Brighteon.com
BRIBE MONEY? Tech titans donating huge sums of money to Trump inauguration fund

Amazon and Meta Platforms each donated $1 million to the Trump inauguration fund. Amazon also provided in-kind coverage worth $1 million through Prime Video.

The donations occurred after Trump's criticisms of tech industry practices and potential regulatory threats. They coincide with plans for high-profile meetings between tech leaders and Trump, raising questions about the intentions behind the contributions.

Some experts view these donations as a form of "hush money" to preempt regulatory crackdowns on tech companies, particularly regarding monopoly power and content moderation policies.

The appointment of conservative-leaning figures to regulatory roles suggests a possible shift in tech regulation under the second Trump administration, potentially leading to stricter scrutiny of tech giants.

These significant donations have sparked ethical concerns about corporate influence in government, with increased scrutiny likely to follow, especially regarding potential quid pro quo arrangements and the motivations behind such large contributions.

Tech giants Amazon and Meta Platforms have donated huge sums of money to the Trump inauguration fund, raising eyebrows in Washington.

The donations totaling $2 million  one half from Amazon and another half from Meta's Mark Zuckerberg  come in the wake of Trump's increasingly vocal criticisms of tech industry practices and their potential regulation under his administration. The timing and magnitude of these donations prompt questions about the intentions behind them.

Some experts and observers have pointed out that the donations could be seen as a form of "hush money"  a preemptive measure to pacify the Trump administration and stave off potential crackdowns on tech companies' monopoly power and content moderation policies.

Amazon's founder and executive chairman, Jeff Bezos, has announced plans to meet with Trump next week. Apart from the $1 million donation, the company's Prime Video service will also air Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, a spokesperson for the e-commerce giant said on Thursday, Dec. 12. They added that the Prime Video coverage represents an in-kind donation worth another $1 million.

Similarly, Zuckerberg donated $1 million to the president-elect's inaugural committee. According to Fox News, the promise of the endowment came before the Meta CEO met with Trump at a dinner in Mar-a-Lago last month, following the real estate mogul's win.

The Washington Post, which is owned by Bezos, has faced significant criticism from Trump over its coverage. The paper's decision not to endorse any candidate in the recent presidential election may have further exacerbated tensions.

Similarly, Zuckerberg has also found himself in a delicate position with Trump. Despite previous disagreements over immigration policies and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the Facebook founder has in recent months made efforts to mend fences with the president-elect. Zuckerberg's recent praise for Trump's reaction to an assassination attempt and his public declarations of admiration for the president's spirit have been perceived as attempts to assuage any potential regulatory backlash.

Bezos, Zuckerberg currying favor with the Trump administration

The combined $2 million donation from Amazon and Meta appears to be a deliberate move to secure favorable regulatory treatment from the second Trump administration. These contributions follow a pattern observed in past inaugurations, but the scale and context of this donation suggest a more strategic alignment between tech giants and the incoming administration.

Moreover, the appointment of conservative-leaning federal leaders to key regulatory roles, including Andrew Ferguson at the Federal Trade Commission and Gail Slater at the Department of Justice, signals a potential shift in the government's approach to tech regulation. These individuals have a history of scrutinizing the power of tech companies and questioning their influence over free speech and competition. (Related: Trump's incoming FCC chairman vows to dismantle "censorship cartel" of Big Tech companies.)

The tech industry's willingness to donate such a substantial sum to the inauguration suggests an implicit acknowledgment of the potential for regulatory challenges under the second Trump administration. By aligning themselves with the incoming administration, tech companies may be attempting to preempt any aggressive moves to break up tech monopolies or impose stricter regulations on content moderation.

However, the potential for these donations to be viewed as quid pro quo arrangements raises ethical concerns and challenges the principle of corporate influence in government. As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the tech industry's contributions will likely be under increased scrutiny, with many questioning the true motivation behind these significant donations.

The implications of these donations extend beyond mere optics. They may signal a new era in tech regulation, one in which corporate behemoths must navigate a more adversarial political landscape. As the tech industry continues to evolve and exert significant influence over various aspects of society, the relationship between tech companies and the government is likely to be a focal point of debate and regulatory action in the coming years.

Head over to BigTech.news for more similar stories.

Watch this Fox News report about Meta's Mark Zuckerberg joining President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump supporters cancel Amazon Prime subscriptions after Amazon kicks 'Parler' off its web hosting service and expresses support for Black Lives Matter.

Trump reveals Zuckerberg plotted against him during last election, threatens META CEO with jail time if he interferes again.

Zuckerberg praises Trump's "badass" reaction to assassination attempt, but stops short of endorsing him.

Two anti-Trump WaPo columnists quit following paper's refusal to endorse Kamala Harris.

Facebook ADMITS to censoring Trump assassination attempt photo.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

FoxNews.com

POLITICO.com

Brighteon.com
KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2024 - 23:59 | World, All

South Korea's parliament passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday over his short-lived declaration of martial law, after enough ruling party lawmakers responded to growing public calls for his ouster and crossed the party line.

Yoon's presidential authority was subsequently suspended, immediately putting Prime Minister Han Duck Soo in charge of state affairs as acting president. Yoon will be removed from office if the impeachment is approved by the Constitutional Court. The court has 180 days to decide.

In the 300-member unicameral National Assembly, 204 voted in favor of the motion and 85 against, with three abstentions and eight invalid votes. At least two-thirds of the lawmakers needed to vote for the motion to pass.

In the secret ballot, at least 12 lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party voted for the motion, instead of toeing the party policy of voting against it, according to the result.

Yoon, who took office as president in May 2022, said after the parliamentary vote that he will do his best for the nation "until the very end."

"While I am pausing momentarily, the journey toward the future that we have walked together over the past two and a half years must never stop," he said. "I will never give up."

In a message to the public as acting president, Han said the government "will establish a firm security posture," and that the Cabinet as a whole will do its best to maintain trust with the United States and Japan, as well as with other countries.

If the court approves the impeachment, Yoon would be the second president in South Korea's history to be removed from office by such a means after former President Park Geun Hye in 2017. She was impeached for corruption and abuse of power.

Saturday's impeachment vote came a week after the first impeachment motion, also submitted by the main opposition Democratic Party and five other opposition parties, was scrapped after most ruling party lawmakers boycotted the vote.

The motions alleged Yoon failed to meet constitutional requirements when he declared martial law, which only lasted six hours from the night of Dec. 3 before being rescinded.

People celebrate the passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol in South Korea's parliament, in front of the parliament building in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2024. (Kyodo)

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 criticized his sudden action and the mobilization of troops to the parliament building as unconstitutional and undemocratic.

Yoon's government had been in limbo as it was unable to pass its budget plan in parliament. Yoon was also facing condemnation over a corruption scandal involving him and his wife.

In a televised address Thursday, Yoon maintained he had declared martial law to defend the constitutional order, denying accusations of inciting an insurrection through the move.

Following Yoon's address, Han Dong Hoon, leader of the People Power Party, urged his fellow party members to vote in favor of impeaching the president.

A Gallup Korea public opinion survey released Friday showed 75 percent of respondents in favor of Yoon being impeached.

Related coverage:

South Korea opposition chief urges ruling party to vote to impeach Yoon

South Korea's Yoon defends martial law decree, denies insurrection charge

South Korea President Yoon could face arrest: investigation body
KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2024 - 10:06 | All, Japan

A Tokyo-based startup is offering clients a window into the opaque world of Chinese social media by providing insights that allow them to produce promotional content tailored to the nation's restrictive internet environment.

Kentoshi Inc. launched its service in July in which it analyzes Chinese social media posts about travel in Japan and leisure activities on platforms like Weibo, China's equivalent of the social media platform X, and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

It then uses its insights to shape promotional campaigns for clients, like prefectural tourism authorities, who want to promote their offerings within the Chinese government's strictly monitored and filtered internet environment that is overseen by what is colloquially known as the "Great Firewall."

Internet users in China are severely limited from accessing and sending certain information if they do not use tools such as virtual private networks to circumvent restrictions.

Kentoshi coordinates with Chinese social media companies to access data it uses to shape its customers' content to conform and deliver outcomes, according to the company named after Japan's envoys who fostered exchanges with China from the seventh to ninth century.

Winning its first contract with Akita Prefecture, the company worked with a popular Chinese influencer last month to post her travel experiences in the northeastern prefecture. Posts were consumed by her followers and others who may be interested, the company said.

"China's strict government control of media is making it difficult for us to obtain raw information, so we are looking forward to seeing the results (of the campaign)," a prefectural official said.

The company is also working with Akita to draw more Chinese tourists by targeting those interested and serving content to them. Chinese tourists tend to travel along Japan's "Golden Route" that takes in destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Mt. Fuji, it said, posing challenges to other areas keen to attract the tourist dollar.

There was a surge in Chinese tourists visiting Japan recently, with the number in the January-October period tripling from a year earlier to 5.83 million. But the number remains below that seen in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic.

Looking ahead, Kentoshi hopes to sell its services to major Japanese department stores and e-commerce operators by identifying demand for products such as cosmetics and health foods, allowing customers to target a specific audience with promotional materials.

"We want the service to be used across a wide range of businesses," said Kentoshi CEO Tatsuo Yamamoto.

Related coverage:

Nearly 90% of Chinese view Japan negatively, 2nd-highest level: poll

World Athletics reveals alarming findings on online abuse of athletes

Australian Senate passes world's 1st social media ban for under-16s
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, joining the Constitution debate in Lok Sabha on Friday, hailed the all-inclusive character of the Constitution and said that such safeguards and protection for the minorities including the Muslims is rare across the globe and therefore it makes India, a preferred choice for seeking refuge.

Rijiju started his speech on the 'Discussion on 75 years of the Glorious Journey of the Constitution' by paying homage to the drafting committee and other leaders who contributed to its formation.

Highlighting the inclusiveness and progressive essence of the Constitution, Rijiju stressed its role in uniting the nation.

Calling the Indian Constitution the "longest and most beautiful," Rijiju lauded its inclusivity and provisions for equality, freedom, and minority rights.

He referred to Articles 15, 16, 25, 29, and 30, highlighting their focus on equality, freedom of religion, and the protection of linguistic and cultural minorities.

He also commended laws safeguarding minority rights, including the Indian Christian Marriage Act, Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Act, Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, Anand Marriage Act, and Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act.

Rijiju pointed out that such protections are rare globally, showcasing India's commitment to minority welfare.

He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre is taking forward the spirit of the Constitution with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabha Vikas, Sabka Vishwas or Sabka Prayaas' towards achieving the resolution of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.

Citing a global survey by the Centre for Policy Analysis in the European Union, Rijiju contrasted India's treatment of minorities with countries like France, Spain, and Indonesia.

"Minorities from neighbouring nations seek refuge here because of the better treatment they receive in India," he stated.

Rijiju also urged caution in public discourse, emphasising the need to protect India's image globally.

"We must consider how our words reflect on the international stage," he advised.

Reflecting on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's contributions, Rijiju dispelled misconceptions about his intent, clarifying that Ambedkar's fight was not against Hindus but against societal inequalities.

He highlighted differences between Ambedkar and Pandit Nehru on reservations, quoting Ambedkar's dissatisfaction with Jawaharlal Nehru's focus.

"Dr Ambedkar believed in reservations for dismantling caste hierarchies, while Nehru saw it as a temporary tool for integration," Rijiju explained.

Slamming Congress, Rijiju said, "It is because of PM Modi, that today, we are celebrating Constitution Day. Did they not remember the Constitution for so many years? When this idea was introduced, one of their party leaders questioned the need to observe Constitution Day when the nation already celebrates Republic Day?"

He said that while many Congress leaders were conferred with the Bharat Ratna award, they did not think of conferring the award upon Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

"You will have to answer to the public," he stated.

The BJP MP also critiqued past Congress governments for India's economic stagnation, questioning their commitment to development.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance, stating, "When PM Modi's tenure started, he advanced the spirit of the Constitution with the mantra 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas.' We feel proud that, due to this spirit, our President is a tribal woman."

"If this spirit was absent, I wouldn't be standing here today," he said.

Rijiju reflected on the transformation of his region since PM Modi's tenure, noting that roads for cars were constructed only then.

"I come from a region where I saw aero-planes before cars," he said, reflecting the developmental strides in the region, under Modi governement.

"Why couldn't India become a Viksit Bharat after so many years of Independence?" he asked.
Mumbai, Dec 14 : Actress Raveena Tandon and social media personality Mira Rajput Kapoor ditched the centenary celebrations of the Indian cinema legend Raj Kapoor as they attended Bryan Adams concert in the city.

Both Raveena and Mira took to their social media handles and expressed their excitement. Raveena shared a slew of images and videos on her Instagram from the concert.

She also penned a long note in the caption, and shared how this gig allowed her to relive her days from the college as she was working insane shifts during her college.

She wrote, A night with #bryanadams . And how I love my Mumbaikars , went down to enjoy the real feel of being in the midst , only to hear a welcoming ankhiyon se goli maare! Hahahha . Love you my Mumbai folks. Having missed concerts that I always wanted to go to in all my days of college as I was already working insane erratic hours on my shoots. Now Making up for lost years (sic).

Mira also shared pictures from the event, and was seen donning a T-shirt from Bryan Adams in Singapore.

She wrote, Young and wild and free. Find a bigger fan of @bryanadams than me Wearing my T-shirt from his concert in Singapore, March 2023.

Meanwhile, the Kapoor family, the first dynasty of the Hindi film industry, organised an event celebrating the centenary of Raj Kapoor. The event was attended by stalwarts like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Neetu Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and others.

Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor and his actress wife Alia Bhatt were seen attending the event. Ranbir was seen sporting a moustache, it could possibly be a part of his look from his upcoming movie Love and War in which he is set to share the screen with his wife, and his Sanju co-star Vicky Kaushal.
Seoul, Dec 14 : With 204 in favour and 85 against, South Korea's parliament on Saturday passed the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, after the first impeachment motion was dropped a week earlier as the ruling party lawmakers boycotted it.

After the motion was passed, an impeachment resolution has been delivered to the President's Office and the Constitutional Court, suspending Yoon's duties immediately.

Yoon's duties will be immediately suspended as soon as the impeachment resolution is delivered to his office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will be the acting president until the Constitutional Court makes a final decision.

The court said it will hold a meeting on the president's impeachment on Monday morning. Moon Hyung-bae, acting head of the court, said it will conduct a speedy and fair trial.

If the impeachment is upheld by the court, a snap presidential election would be held within 60 days. If the impeachment is rejected, Yoon will be reinstated as president and resume his duties.

Han said Saturday that he will make every effort for the stable running of state affairs, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, the Prime Minister, along with several key members of the cabinet, were accused of involving in Yoon's alleged insurrection.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters after the vote that Yoon's impeachment is "only the first step" toward solving the aftermath of his December 3 martial law declaration, vowing to push for a thorough investigation into Yoon and other "accomplices of the insurrection."

It is the third presidential impeachment in the Asian country's modern history. Former conservative President Park Geun-hye was removed from office by the Constitutional Court in 2017. Late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, however, was restored to power after impeachment in 2004.

The court has up to 180 days to deliberate such cases, but it used 63 days to reach a final decision on Park's impeachment, and 91 days on Roh's.

Under South Korea's constitution, approvals from six of the nine judges of the Constitutional Court are required to oust an impeached president. Currently, the court has only six judges, which means they would have to vote unanimously to remove Yoon.

The Democratic Party, with a majority in parliament, has said it is seeking to fill the vacancies, and expects the parliament to name new judges soon.

Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on insurrection charge and became the first sitting president to be banned from leaving the country, raising a possibility for his detention.

Yoon said in a televised address after the motion was passed that he would do his best for South Korea, vowing, "I will not give up."

In his speech on Thursday, Yoon said his martial law imposition was an act of governance to protect against the "legislative dictatorship" of the majority opposition.

Experts said it might be his defence strategy, arguing that declaring martial law was within his constitutional powers and did not constitute an illegal act or an insurrection.

He also claimed that deploying troops to the national assembly was designed to maintain order, not dissolve or paralyze it.

According to a Gallup Korea poll, Yoon's approval rating dived 5 percentage points from a week earlier to 11 per cent this week, marking the lowest since his inauguration.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replying to the Constitution debate in Lok Sabha on Saturday, launched a no-holds-barred attack on the Congress as well as the Gandhi family, saying that Garibi hatao is the biggest jumla of all time.

Addressing the House, PM Modi said: "The Congress has a strong liking for a word, which it often subscribes to. Today, I want to take this name. It is garibi hatao, it is the longest running jumla of Congress governments."

PM Modi said that Congress members and the family have resorted to Garibi hatao rhetoric for 40 long years but did nothing to turn this slogan into reality. The slogan only served the party and hence makes for the longest running jumla of Congress parivaar.

Notably, Garibi hatao was the hallmark of Indira Gandhis election campaign, and it also yielded unprecedented results for her. On the other hand, Congress coined jumla to counter PM Modi-led government's poll pledges, accusing it of befooling the public with false promises.

PM Modi, turning the tables on Congress over its 'jumla' jibe during the Constitution debate, drew a parallel between the developmental initiatives of his government with that of the 'hollow model' under Congress governments.

"Despite 75 years of Independence, the countrymen have remained bereft of toilets, sanitation and clean drinking water. Till 2014, women could go for nature's call only at night. For seven decades, they continued to live in helplessness," PM Modi said.

"For seven decades, people didn't have access to drinking water, LPG cylinders or banking accounts. Today, the poor and marginalised have been brought into the mainstream. Poor and marginalised populations who were stopped at the bank's doors now have access to bank accounts. Today, there are over 50 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts," he pointed out.

Those who are not heard upon by anyone, they are worshipped by Modi, the Prime Minister said, eliciting cheers from the Treasury benches.

Further highlighting the steps for Divyangs, street vendors and Vishwakarmas, PM Modi said: "Divyang (specially-abled) people have remained ignored and neglected for seven decades after Independence. Earlier, there was a braille system, but it differed in every state. We bought a common language for their upliftment. Today, they are highly relieved.

"PM SVANidhi Yojana has benefitted the street vendors a lot. Today, they are not at the mercy of money-lenders, rather living a life of dignity, PM Modi said.
Jaipur, Dec 14 : Marking the completion of one year in office, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma addressed the state-level womens conference in Udaipur, emphasising that the empowerment and respect of women reflect a prosperous and advanced society.

Our government is committed to the respect, security, and welfare of women, who are pivotal in building a progressive nation," he said.



Highlighting the participation of women in the states electoral mandate, the Chief Minister reiterated the ancient saying, Yatra Naaryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devata -- where women are honoured, divinity prevails.



He also echoed Swami Vivekananda's belief that global welfare is impossible without uplifting women.



The Chief Minister highlighted his governments focus on womens safety and welfare over the past year.



Our Sankalp Patra pledged effective action against crimes targeting women. We have delivered on this promise with measures like establishing 500 Kalika Patrolling Units to ensure public safety for women, 250 of which have been operationalized with 1,000 new constable positions.



Additionally, an app, a Security Command Center, and a Panic Button project by RSRTC were launched to provide women with round-the-clock police assistance in emergencies.



Chief Minister Sharma stressed the importance of educating and supporting girls from an early age to ensure their contributions to societal and national progress.



Under the Laado Protsahan Yojana, Rs 1 lakh saving bonds are being provided for girls born into poor families. The first installment of Rs 2,500 has already been transferred to one lakh beneficiaries.



To ease the financial burden of basic necessities, the government initiated subsidised LPG cylinders at Rs 450 for eligible families starting January 1, 2024. Subsidy amounts are directly transferred to NFSA beneficiary families.



Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandan Yojana, the state government increased the maternity assistance amount from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,500, benefiting over 4.5 lakh women.



On Saturday, an additional amount of Rs 1,500 was transferred to 70,000 women.



The Mukhyamantri Amrit Aahar Yojana was launched to distribute milk to children in Anganwadi centers.



A thousand new Anganwadi centers have been approved, with five in each assembly constituency, alongside the creation of model Anganwadis in each block.



To empower women economically, the state launched initiatives such as: distribution of 10,000 electric cooking systems, honour for one lakh "Lakhpati Didi" and recognition of 216 "Namo Drone Didi", disbursement of a Rs 15,000 revolving fund to 10,000 self-help groups, sanctioning a Rs. 100 crore loan for self-help groups via Mahila Nidhi Bank. The Raj Sakhi Portal was launched to connect 45 lakh self-help groups.



Our efforts in the past year have laid a foundation for making women self-reliant, respected, and empowered. This is just the beginning, said Chief Minister Sharma, pledging continued opportunities for women to achieve their aspirations.



Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, also Minister of Women and Child Development, praised the joint efforts of the central and state governments in implementing welfare schemes.



"Women represent half the population but influence 100 per cent of society. Initiatives like Lakhpati Didi, Namo Drone Didi, and Laado Protsahan Yojana reflect our commitment to womens empowerment," she said.



The conference showcased the state government's dedication to fostering a society where women thrive as equal partners in development.




New Delhi, Dec 14 : During the Lok Sabha debate on the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday delivered a powerful and impassioned speech. In a scathing attack on the Congress party and its leadership, the PM outlined the historical distortions and constitutional violations committed under their rule. At the same time, PM Modi also highlighted the achievements of his government in strengthening India's unity, diversity, and democratic values.

Here are some of his top quotes from the debate:

1. I expected a constructive debate on the Constitution, but some chose to grieve their losses instead.

2. One family of Congress relentlessly pursued wrong thoughts, wrong deeds, and wrong policies that hurt the Constitution.

3. It has become the Gandhi family's habit to insult and disregard the Constitution.

4. Congress placed a non-constitutional body, the National Advisory Council, over and above the Prime Minister.

5. The current generation of the Gandhi family is carrying forward the legacy of attacking the Constitution after tasting blood long ago.

6. Rajiv Gandhi dealt a big blow to the Constitution by overturning the Supreme Courts relief to Shah Bano and supporting extremist forces.

7. Leaders of several political parties were sent to jail during the Emergency, but now they are compelled to join hands with Congress.

8. Having tasted blood, Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency by misusing the Constitution.

9. Indira Gandhi clipped the wings of the courts through Constitutional amendments to capture the judiciary.

10. The seeds sown by Nehru in changing the Constitution were followed up by Indira Gandhi, who even overturned Supreme Court decisions.

11. Nehru wrote to chief ministers that if the Constitution comes in the way, it should be changed.

12. One Congress family changed the Constitution to attack freedom of expression; it was an insult to the founders of the Constitution.

13. India is not just a large democracy; it is the mother of democracy due to thousands of years of democratic traditions.

15. Our Constitution lays the foundation for India's unity, and it is our responsibility to protect that unity.

16. Women are at the centre of every initiative of our government; their representation in Parliament and the Council of Ministers is increasing.

17. India gave women the right to vote at the outset; many countries granted this only much later.

18. Our policies and decision-making process in the last 10 years have been aimed at strengthening India's unity.

19. After Independence, a distorted mindset led to attacks on the idea of unity in diversity, which is the foundation of our Constitution.

20. As Gujarat Chief Minister, I celebrated 60 years of the Constitution by taking its copy in a procession atop an elephant.

21. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government celebrated 50 years of the Constitution in 2000; today, we celebrate its 75th anniversary with pride.

22. The Constitution was torn apart when it was completing 25 years, during the imposition of the Emergency in 1975.

23. It is time to celebrate 75 years of our Constitution, and I am glad the Parliament is part of this historic moment.
KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2024 - 09:20 | Arts, All, Japan, Travel/Tourism, Expo

When visitors come to the World Expo in Osaka next year, guides for the global event will welcome them with the Japanese customary greeting of a bow.

Training began for those wishing to be Expo guides in October, and among the things on the curriculum are the three styles of bowing, a gesture in Japan to show respect, express gratitude or apologize.

Guides are taught to tilt their body forward from the waist by around 15 degrees when replying, "Certainly." But when they say, "Please visit us again," they are supposed to bend around 30 degrees from the waist. For an apology, the guides should lower their body forward so it is at 45 degrees from the waist.

The training period lasts from 10 to 20 days and is being taught by Ikuko Yokota, an official of Tokyo-based event planning firm Tsp Taiyo Inc. She has been in charge of training staff at Japan pavilions since the 1992 Expo in Seville, Spain.

"Customer service that makes the most of Japanese qualities such as modesty is highly appreciated even overseas," she said.

During a lesson in late November at a conference room in Osaka, around 130 potential guides were taught how to convey 10 commonly used expressions in Japanese, English and sign language.

Around 1,000 guides are expected to attend to visitors during the Expo, running from April 13 to Oct. 13 next year on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. Their main responsibilities will be giving directions around the venue and responding to cases such as dealing with a lost child.

The hourly wage of 1,850 yen ($12) has proved attractive, with the job application ratio at more than 28 to one.

Kanako Ura is among those who have been accepted. She said she applied for the job after learning about her family's past involvement in the Expo. Her grandfather and mother staged a demonstration of iaido -- a Japanese martial art-- at the 1970 Osaka Expo.

The Osaka resident acknowledged the difficulty of using different bowing gestures depending on the situation but said she hopes to get by. "I want to be able to connect with visitors," she said.

Related coverage:

Greece withdraws from 2025 World Expo in Osaka, becoming 8th nation

Ukraine to participate in 2025 World Expo in Osaka: governor

2025 Osaka Expo centerpiece "Grand Ring" lit up for first time
The devastating news of a cancer diagnosis understandably makes doctors and patients focus on the cancer itself. However, experts in cardio-oncology from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) emphasize that heart and cardiovascular health must be included as early as possible in the patient's cancer treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcomes.



Due to an aging population, and a growing number of cancer diagnoses there is also an increasing number of patients with cardiovascular side effects of cancer treatment. To tackle this growing problem, the ESC is launching a new conference on cardio-oncology to specifically target this increasingly important area that overlaps cancer treatment and its associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) side effects. ESC Cardio-Oncology 2025 will take place in Florence, Italy, from Friday, 20 June - Saturday, 21 June 2025.



Previous research from prospective registries published in the European Heart Journal estimate that approximately one-third (32%) of patients experience mild toxicities that could potentially progress in severity without adequate monitoring, while 3% develop moderate toxicity and a further 3% the most severe toxicity.

The main goal of this emerging specialty of cardio-oncology is to reduce the burden of CVD in cancer patients allowing them to receive the best anticancer therapy (chemotherapy, targeted molecular therapies, hormone therapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy) with the lowest rate of side effects and treatment interruptions." Dr. Teresa Lopez-Fernandez, University Hospital La Paz - Madrid, Spain and co-Chair of the ESC Cardio-Oncology Guidelines Task Force

"We could soon be facing cardio-oncology 'epidemic' due to either the growing population of cancer survivors, the increasing number of patients aged over 65 who need chronic cancer therapy, and the high frequency of cancer therapy induced CVDs in these populations," says Dr Alexander Lyon, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK, and also co-Chair of the ESC Cardio-Oncology Guidelines Task Force.



Concerns about the increasing prevalence of cardiotoxicity caused by cancer therapies led to the ESC establishing, in 2018, the Council of Cardio-Oncology as a multidisciplinary constituent body which encourages the prevention, early diagnosis and management of cancer therapy-related CVD. Today, the council brings together over 2,000 members worldwide and a team of volunteers part of the Council of Cardio-Oncology Board.



In 2022, the Guidelines Taskforce, led by Drs Lopez-Fernandez and Lyon, published the first ever ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines on cardio-oncology . These guidelines include advice on how to conduct an assessment of cardiovascular toxicity risk, in collaboration with the cardio-oncology team, using specific risk scores; the implementation of preventive strategies in high-risk patients; and analysis of methods to monitor cancer treatments with advanced cardiac imaging techniques (including MRI and strain) and biomarkers.



They also include techniques of early management of potential cardiac toxicities, aiming to maintain cancer treatment whenever cardiac toxicity is manageable, and the patient remains stable; and also, advice on carrying out long-term follow-up of cancer survivors who have received treatments with potential late cardiovascular effects.



"Cardio-oncology teams design effective 'shields' to protect the hearts of oncology patients," says Dr Lopez-Fernandez. "The teamwork between cardiologists and cancer specialists promotes the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in cancer survivors."

The Guidelines provide highly detailed explanations of cancer therapy-related CV toxicity (CTR-CVT), and various examples of this including cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, hypertension (arterial and pulmonary), thrombosis. If cardiac dysfunction is detected, cardiology and oncology teams are strongly recommended to discuss the pros and cons of continuing versus stopping cancer treatment. Dr Lyon comments: "Our mission is always to ensure that cancer patients have the best and most effective cancer treatment safely, and to prevent interruptions in their cancer treatment due to cardiovascular problems which could have been prevented."



Populations needing special considerations, including children and adolescents and pregnant women with cancer, are also all addressed in the Guidelines. "As the global population grows older, we will see more and more people with cancer and thus more and more with toxic CVD side-effects of cancer treatment," says Dr Lopez-Fernandez. Dr Lyon adds: "This specialised area of medicine is one that is only going to grow, and as such we and other experts at the European Society of Cardiology believe the time has come to have a global forum, in the form of our first ever ESC Cardio-Oncology conference, to gather global experts to ensure better outcomes for this growing patient group."



And as an example of the Council's commitment to advancing the field, they are currently collaborating in the RESILIENCE Trial, an EU-funded randomised controlled trial focused on exploring novel strategies to prevent anthracycline cardiotoxicity. At ESC Cardio-Oncology 2025 , the council will host a dedicated session with the RESILIENCE team.
When George Lai of Portland, Oregon, took his toddler son to a pediatrician last summer for a checkup, the doctor noticed a little splinter in the child's palm. "He must have gotten it between the front door and the car," Lai later recalled, and the child wasn't complaining. The doctor grabbed a pair of forceps  aka tweezers  and pulled out the splinter in "a second," Lai said. That brief tug was transformed into a surgical billing code: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 10120, "incision and removal of a foreign body, subcutaneous"  at a cost of $414.

"This was ridiculous," Lai said. "There was no scalpel." He was so angry that he went back to the office to speak with the manager, who told him the coding was correct because tweezers could make an incision to open the skin.

When Helene Schilders of Seattle went to her dermatologist for her annual skin check this year, she mentioned her clothing was irritating a skin tag she had. The doctor froze the tag with liquid nitrogen. "It was squirt, squirt. That's it," Schilders told me. She was "floored" by an explanation of benefits that said the simple treatment had been billed as $469 for surgery.

Assuming the bill was a mistake, she called the doctor's office and was told that surgery had indeed occurred  because the skin was broken in the process. Hence surgical CPT code 17110, "destruction of 1-14 benign lesions."

Schilders complained to her insurer, who provided a document informing her that "surgery is classified as something entering the body, such as a Q-tip entering the ear canal or a scalpel during surgery."

Huh? "I have had surgery, and this is not it," Schilders said.

In common vernacular, "surgery" evokes images of physicians and nurses leaning over an operating table, gowned and masked, as they address a problem deep in the body. Removing an appendix or a tumor. Replacing a knee. Clipping a leaking aneurysm in the brain. It most probably involves a scalpel or specialized instruments and surgical skill.

More and more minor interventions, however, have been rebranded and billed as surgery, for profit. These tiny interventions don't yield huge bills  in the hundreds rather than the thousands of dollars  but, cumulatively, they likely add up to tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars for doctors and hospitals annually. The surprise bills often catch patients off guard. And they must pay up if they haven't met their insurance deductible. Even if they have, "surgery" generally requires a coinsurance payment, while an office visit doesn't.

"There's more pressure to make money, and the idea is you can charge more if it's a surgical procedure," said Sabrina Corlette, founder and co-director of Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. "The payer should be reviewing this and saying this is run-of-the-mill. But there's not a lot of incentive to do that."

Corlette surmised that the codes employed in the instances mentioned above were intended for rare, complicated cases in which the removal of a splinter or a skin lesion  or 14 of them  required special skills or time. But the codes' use has ballooned, covering the complicated and the commonplace. The use of code 17110 billed from doctors' offices has gone up 62% from 2013 (1,739,708) to 2022 (2,817,190).

The blizzard of surgeries-in-name-only is a symptom of a system that has long valued procedures far more than intellectual work in its payments to medical providers. That merits rethinking, and there are some hints that the incoming presidential administration might be interested in doing so.

The current payment calculation system has its origins in the late 1980s, when a team led by an economist at Harvard University's public health school, William Hsiao, created what's called the Resource Based Relative Value Scale, or RBRVS, to rationalize Medicare's payments to doctors. It allocated reimbursement using a formula that included physician work, practice expenses, and malpractice expenses. It concluded "that the work per unit time (a measure of intensity) for invasive services is about three times that of evaluation/management."

In other words, it enshrined the notion that "invasive services"  procedures or surgery  were by far the most valuable.

An American Medical Association committee that includes physicians from an array of specialties periodically suggests updates to those codes (and federal regulators accept them, in many years, over 90% of the time). Since surgeons are overrepresented on the committee, the valuation of anything defined as an operation has only increased, giving billers the incentive to classify even the most mundane interventions as surgery.

Experts of all political stripes have spent years critiquing the process  it's common sense that the fox (physicians) should not be guarding the henhouse (payments). President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has signaled that he might rethink that approach, according to the health-industry publication Stat. Kennedy has not outlined an actual plan to replace the current process, but he is reportedly exploring if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a government agency, could do it instead.

Absent reform, on it goes.

Anthony Norton of Puyallup, Washington, took his 3-year-old daughter to a doctor this year because she had a bothersome plantar wart on her foot. The doctor applied a chemical ointment to the wart in the office every two weeks and covered it with a Band-Aid. When the child arrived for a third visit, Norton was informed he had an outstanding balance of $465 (in addition to the $25 office visit copay already paid) because the application was "surgery." CPT code 17110 again.

"It made no sense," Norton later recalled. The billing office assured him it was surgery, he said, "because the ointment penetrates the skin."

Norton wondered: "When you extrapolate that, is putting on Neosporin or calamine surgery, too?"

We are now in an era in which a neurologist spending 40 minutes with a patient to tease out a diagnosis can be paid less for that time than a dermatologist spending a few seconds squirting a dollop of liquid nitrogen onto the skin.

Lai was so angry at being charged more than $400 to pull that splinter out of his child's hand that he went on a crusade, returning to the dermatologist's office when his calls were ignored, accusing it of fraud and threatening to complain to his insurer. Only then, he said, did the doctor's office waive the surgical charge  and kick him and his family out of the practice.
A machine learning (ML) model incorporating both clinical and genomic factors outperformed models based solely on either clinical or genomic data in predicting which patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer would have better outcomes from adding CDK4/6 inhibitors to endocrine therapy as first-line treatment, according to results presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held December 10-13, 2024.

While the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy have significantly improved outcomes in patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, Pedram Razavi, MD, PhD, the scientific director of the Global Research Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and presenter of the study, noted that the responses to CDK4/6 inhibitors vary widely; some patients do markedly well, while others develop treatment resistance over time, and some derive no benefit at all.

There's a huge need in clinic to identify patients who may or may not benefit from adding CDK4/6 inhibitors at the time of metastatic diagnosis so that we can think about escalation and de-escalation strategies in advance. More accurate prediction of outcomes could also help some patients avoid unnecessary side effects and financial toxicity from escalated upfront approaches." Pedram Razavi, MD, PhD, Scientific Director, Global Research Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Currently, Razavi explained, certain clinical features such as treatment-free interval (TFI), the time between the last dose of adjuvant endocrine therapy and the development of metastatic disease and measurable disease, are the main factors used to identify patients who may be at high risk of early progression on first-line CDK4/6 inhibitor combinations to identify candidates for escalation therapy. Razavi and his colleagues wanted to explore whether a multimodal ML model that included additional clinical and genomic factors could more accurately stratify patients.

Using OncoCast-MPM, a ML tool developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering, they generated three models to predict progression-free survival (PFS) with CDK4/6 inhibitors: one based on clinicopathological features (CF), another on genomic features (GF), and one integrating CF and GF (CGF). The models were developed using a training cohort of 761 patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who received first-line endocrine therapy with CDK4/6 inhibitor combinations and had tumor sequencing performed prior to treatment or within two months of the start of treatment with MSK-IMPACT, a test designed to detect gene mutations and match patients to treatments or clinical trials for actionable cancer targets. The performance of the model was tested on a holdout test cohort of 326 patients.

The models trained on CF and GF each identified three risk groups: high, intermediate, and low, with median PFS of 6.3, 15.2, and 24.5 months for CF, and 9.9, 18.1, and 23.1 months for GF, respectively.

The CGF integrated model identified four risk groups including two intermediate groups positioned between low- and high-risk categories. The median PFS was 5.3 months in the high-risk group and 29 months in low-risk group, with the intermediate groups showing median PFS of 10.7 and 19.8 months. Notably, the hazard ratio between the high- and low-risk groups was significantly higher in the CGF model (a 6.5-fold difference) compared to CF and GF models (3- to 4-fold difference), indicating a superior stratification of patients with the CGF model. Testing the holdout test cohort yielded nearly identical PFS and hazard ratio results, confirming the robustness of the models.

"All three models performed really well, surpassing the conventional clinical risk models based on a single or a few clinical features. But the power of the analysis shone when we started combining the clinical and genomic features together," Razavi said.

The clinical and genomic factors that were selected by the ML model were mainly those known to be associated with outcomes or resistance to either CDK4/6 inhibitors or endocrine therapy. Key genomic predictors of poor outcomes were biologically plausible alterations such as TP53 loss, MYC amplifications, PTEN loss, RTK-MAPK pathway alterations, RB1 loss, whole genome doubling, and high proportion of loss of heterozygosity. The major clinical predictors included liver metastasis, TFI less than one year, progesterone receptor negativity, low estrogen receptor expression, and presence of visceral metastasis.

"All of these variables are potentially available when the patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, making such ML models broadly applicable. The hope is to integrate these models in clinical trial design of escalation and de-escalation strategies potentially transforming how we approach treatment for newly diagnosed metastatic disease," Razavi said. "Knowing that a patient on first-line CDK4/6 inhibitors is in the high-risk group could prompt the treating oncologists to implement closer disease monitoring and utilizing liquid biopsy and tumor-derived biomarkers to inform second-line treatment options and clinical trials. This could put us one step closer to staying ahead of breast cancer."

Limitations of this study include its single-institution design, retrospective data analysis, and potential referral bias associated with specialized cancer centers. To address these challenges, Razavi and his team are validating the model using external data sets and aim to develop an online tool where physicians can input clinical and genomic data to receive patient-specific outcome predictions.

The study was indirectly and partially supported by the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense, Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, AstraZeneca, Sophia Genetics, Novartis, and Tempus. Razavi reports consultant, advisory board, or advisor roles for AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Lilly/Loxo Oncology, Novartis, Tempus, Prelude Therapeutics, NeoGenomics, Natera, SAGA Diagnostics, Paige, Guardant Health, Myriad Genetics, and Foresight Diagnostics; and institutional grant/funding from Grail, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Biotheranostics, Tempus, NeoGenomics, Biovica International AB, Guardant Health, Personalis, Myriad Genetics, and Foresight Diagnostics.
The ZEST clinical trial, designed to evaluate niraparib (Zejula) for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in patients with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), failed to accrue enough patients positive for ctDNA, according to results presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held December 10-13, 2024.

As some of the lessons learned from this trial, investigators suggest beginning ctDNA testing during treatment rather than waiting for treatment completion as done in ZEST, and including patients with high- risk disease, which may lead to more patients with a positive ctDNA test who would therefore be eligible for intervention with a therapeutic.

Identifying patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) after treatment and intervening with appropriate therapies is critical to delaying or preventing disease recurrence, explained study presenter Nicholas Turner, MD, PhD, the director of clinical research and development at The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research in London.

Turner and colleagues initiated the ZEST phase III clinical trial to evaluate the potential of the PARP inhibitor niraparib to prevent breast cancer recurrence in patients with MRD, defined in this study as the presence of ctDNA after the completion of their recommended treatment course.

The aim was to develop a new treatment strategy for patients with stage 1 to 3 breast cancer who have detectable ctDNA and therefore are at higher risk of recurrence." Nicholas Turner, MD, PhD, director of clinical research and development, The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research

To be eligible for the trial, patients were required to have stage 1 to 3 triple-negative or BRCA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer; to have completed their recommended treatment (patients with HR-positive breast cancer were permitted to continue a stable regimen of endocrine therapy); and to have detectable ctDNA, as measured by a personalized test that examined blood samples for 16 mutations specific to each patient's tumor.

Of the 1,901 patients who underwent ctDNA testing to determine their eligibility for the trial, 147 (7.7%) had detectable ctDNA and were therefore eligible. Of these patients, 55% had detectable ctDNA within six months of completing treatment. Ninety-eight of the 147 patients had detectable ctDNA on their first test, at which point 51 (55%) of them already had disease recurrence that was detectable by imaging. For the 48 patients who had detectable ctDNA on subsequent tests, 21 (44%) had recurrence that was detectable by imaging at the time of their first ctDNA-positive test.

Compared with patients without detectable ctDNA, those who were ctDNA-positive were more likely to have positive lymph nodes, larger tumors, stage 3 disease, residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy, and to have received both neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy.

Prior to trial termination, 40 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either niraparib or placebo. This was an insufficient number of patients to allow for meaningful assessment of niraparib efficacy; however, median recurrence-free interval was 11.4 months for patients in the niraparib arm and

5.4 for those in the placebo arm. Six patients in the niraparib arm and four patients in the placebo arm remained recurrence-free at the time of data cutoff.

"While the low enrollment and early termination of the study precludes any conclusions about the efficacy of niraparib, the challenges the study faced have implications for future clinical trial design," said Turner.

"First, given our observation that half of patients with detectable ctDNA already had relapsed disease, future studies should begin ctDNA testing prior to the end of neoadjuvant therapy instead of waiting for completion of treatment," he recommended, noting that periodic ctDNA testing throughout neoadjuvant therapy would help identify patients who are still ctDNA-positive after neoadjuvant therapy. He added that this is particularly relevant for triple-negative breast cancers, which can relapse rapidly if neoadjuvant treatment fails to clear the cancer.

"Further, future studies should also focus on patients at higher risk of relapse who are more likely to have ctDNA-positive disease, such as patients with stage 2B or 3 cancers that do not have a pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant therapy. We may also want to focus on different subtypes where ctDNA is potentially more impactful with longer lead times over relapse," he said.

The study was supported by GSK. Turner has received advisory board honoraria from AstraZeneca, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, Novartis, GSK, Repare Therapeutics, Relay Therapeutics, Gilead, Inivata, Guardant Health, Exact Sciences. Turner has received research funding from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, MSD, Guardant Health, Invitae, Inivata, Personalis, and Natera.
MFN Clause Suspension By Switzerland: India Needs Strategic Approach For International Taxation Treaties, Says GTRI

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 12:37 IST

The Swiss government has suspended the most favoured nation (MFN) status clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Switzerland, potentially impacting Swiss investments in India and leading to higher taxes on Indian companies operating in the European nation.

The suspension of the MFN clause is a setback for Indian firms operating in Switzerland, says the Global Trade Research Initiative.

The suspension of the MFN (most favoured nation) clause by Switzerland underscores the need for India to adopt a more consistent and strategic approach to international taxation treaties, think-tank GTRI said on Friday. This suspension introduces tax challenges for Indian firms operating in Switzerland, particularly in sectors like financial services, pharmaceuticals, and IT, it said.

They will now have to pay a 10 per cent tax on dividends and other incomes, up from the earlier 5 per cent, effective January 1, 2025.

related stories

It said that proactive negotiations to clarify and harmonise interpretations of treaty provisions are essential to safeguard Indian firms interests abroad.

Additionally, India must ensure that its treaty frameworks reflect contemporary business realities, particularly in the digital and service sectors, to reduce tax uncertainties and promote global competitiveness, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said.

The Swiss government has suspended the most favoured nation status (MFN) clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Switzerland, potentially impacting Swiss investments in India and leading to higher taxes on Indian companies operating in the European nation.

According to a December 11 statement by the Swiss finance department, the move follows the Supreme Court of India last year ruling that the MFN clause doesnt automatically trigger when a country joins the OECD if the Indian government signed a tax treaty with that country before it joined the organisation.

GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said the suspension of the MFN clause is a setback for Indian firms operating in Switzerland.

Previously, Indian companies benefited from a reduced tax rate of 5 per cent on dividends and other incomes, thanks to Switzerlands earlier application of MFN benefits.

With the reversion to a 10 per cent residual rate starting January 1, 2025, these firms face higher tax liabilities, reducing their competitiveness compared to businesses from countries still benefiting from MFN provisions, he said.

The Supreme Court judgment sets a precedent that could influence how India handles similar clauses in agreements with other trading partners, he said, adding that if disputes over MFN interpretations persist, Indian businesses could face similar challenges in other jurisdictions, potentially deterring outbound investments.

The suspension of the MFN clause by Switzerland and earlier issues with Australia underscore the need for India to adopt a more consistent and strategic approach to international taxation treaties," Srivastava said.

The DTAA are subject to different interpretations many times due to imprecise language.

For example, Indian software firms faced disputes over the classification of income under the India-Australia DTAA.

He explained that Australia often categorises payments for software licenses and services as royalties, making them subject to source taxation.

Indian firms argue that such payments should be treated as business income, taxable only in India unless they maintain a permanent establishment (PE) in Australia.

This mismatch in interpretations leads to potential double taxation and compliance challenges, compounded by Australias reliance on domestic laws that may override treaty provisions," Srivastava said.

The India-Switzerland Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was signed on November 2, 1994, and subsequently amended in 2000 and 2010.

The agreement aimed to facilitate smoother cross-border trade and investment by mitigating the risks of double taxation.

The MFN clause, a critical component of the treaty, ensures that countries treat partner nations investors no less favourably than investors from any third country.

For instance, if Switzerland offered reduced tax rates or additional benefits to another country, these benefits were expected to extend to Indian firms under the MFN clause.

India signed a free trade agreement in March with the four European nation bloc EFTA.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway in the bloc.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In 2023-24, Indias imports from Switzerland stood at USD 21.24 billion, in stark contrast to its exports of USD 1.52 billion, leading to a substantial trade deficit of USD 19.72 billion.

India received about USD 10.72 billion in foreign direct investments from Switzerland between April 2000 and September 2024.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 12:24 IST
Vishal Mega Mart IPO: Check GMP, Allotment Date, Subscription Status

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 11:05 IST

Unlisted shares of Vishal Mega Mart Ltd are currently trading at Rs 97 per share in the grey market, which is 24.36 per cent higher than the IPO issue price of Rs 78, indicating a decent listing on December 18.

Vishal Mega Mart IPO.

Vishal Mega Mart IPO Allotment Date, Latest GMP: The allotment of the Vishal Mega Mart IPO will be finalised on Monday, December 16. Following this, the listing will take place on both BSE and NSE on Wednesday, December 18. The latest GMP currently stands at 24.36 per cent, signalling a decent listing.

The initial public offering of Vishal Mega Mart Ltd, which was available for subscription between December 11 and December 13, received an overall subscription of 28.75 times. The retail category received a 2.43 times subscription in total, and the NII (non-institutional investors) portion got a 15.01 times subscription. Its QIB (qualified institutional buyer) category has been subscribed by 85.11 times.

related stories

The price band of the IPO was fixed at Rs 74 to Rs 78 apiece.

The shares of Vishal Mega Mart Ltd are scheduled to be listed on both BSE and NSE on December 18, Wednesday.

The IPO allotment will be finalised on the Monday evening. Once allotted, investors will receive a bank debit message. They can also check the IPO allotment status on the websites of BSE and NSE, as well as on registrar Kfin Technologies portal.

Vishal Mega Mart IPO GMP Today

According to market observers, unlisted shares of Vishal Mega Mart Ltd are currently trading at Rs 97 per share in the grey market, which is Rs 19 or 24.36 per cent higher than the IPO issue price of Rs 78. It indicates a decent listing on December 18.

The 24.36 per cent GMP is higher than the 20.51 per cent grey market premium recorded on the first day of the IPO.

The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Vishal Mega Mart IPO: How To Check Allotment Status Online?

Once the IPO allotment is finalised on December 16, investors can check the allotment status online by following these steps:

1) Go to the official BSE website via the URL https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx.

2) Under Issue Type, select Equity.

3) Under Issue Name, select Vishal Mega Mart Ltd in the dropbox.

4) Enter your application number, or the Permanent Account Number (PAN).

5) Then, click on the I am not a robot to verify yourself and hit Search option.

Your share application status will appear on your screen.

You can also visit direct Kfin Technologies Ltds portal  https://ipostatus.kfintech.com/ and check the Vishal Mega Mart IPO allotment status.

Vishal Mega Mart IPO: More Details

The IPO of the Gurugram-based supermart major is entirely an offer-for-sale (OFS) of shares by promoter Kedaara Capital-led Samayat Services LLP, Samayat Services LLP, with no fresh issue of equity shares.

The IPOs price ranged at Rs 74-78 apiece.

Vishal Mega Mart collected Rs 2,400 crore from anchor investors, a day before the IPO.

Vishal Mega Marts product range includes both in-house and third-party brands, covering three key categories  apparel, general merchandise, and fast-moving consumer goods.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

As of June 30, 2024, it operates 626 Vishal Mega Mart stores across India, along with a mobile app and website.

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, ICICI Securities, Intensive Fiscal Services, Jefferies India, J P Morgan India, and Morgan Stanley India Company are the book-running lead managers for the issue.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 10:51 IST
Switzerland Suspends MFN Status To India: What It Means For Stock Market Investors?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 14:32 IST

The suspension of most favoured nation (MFN) status for India by Switzerland introduces tax challenges for Indian firms operating in Switzerland, particularly in sectors like financial services, pharmaceuticals, and IT.

Investors need to keep an eye on sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, financial services, and engineering goods.

Switzerlands recent decision to suspend the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status for India could impact Indian investors in IT, pharma and financial services. This move disrupts the preferential trade framework that India previously enjoyed under the World Trade Organizations (WTO) MFN principle. Heres everything investors need to know.

What Is The Issue?

related stories

The Swiss government has suspended the most favoured nation status (MFN) clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Switzerland, potentially impacting Swiss investments in India and leading to higher taxes on Indian companies operating in the European nation.

The companies will now have to pay a 10 per cent tax on dividends and other incomes, up from the earlier 5 per cent, effective January 1, 2025.

According to a December 11 statement by the Swiss finance department, the move follows the Supreme Court of India last year ruling that the MFN clause doesnt automatically trigger when a country joins the OECD if the Indian government signed a tax treaty with that country before it joined the organisation.

What Is MFN Status?

The MFN status is a cornerstone of global trade under WTO rules. It mandates that countries treat all trading partners equally, ensuring the same trade tariffs, quotas, and regulations applied to the most favoured partner. The suspension of this status by Switzerland means Indian goods and services may now face higher tariffs, additional trade barriers, and reduced access to the Swiss market.

How Will It Impact Investors?

GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said the suspension of the MFN clause is a setback for Indian firms operating in Switzerland.

This suspension introduces tax challenges for Indian firms operating in Switzerland, particularly in sectors like financial services, pharmaceuticals, and IT, according to the think-tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

According to a stock market analyst, Investors need to keep an eye on sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, financial services, and engineering goods."

What Does Indian Govt Say?

India has said its double taxation treaty with Switzerland may require renegotiation in view of its trade pact with the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

My understanding is that with Switzerland, because of EFTA, the double taxation treaty that we have; its going to be renegotiated. That is one aspect of it," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while responding to a question on the issue at his weekly media briefing.

India-Switzerland Trade Partnership

In FY 2023-24, bilateral trade between India and Switzerland was about $23.76 billion, with the majority of this being imports at nearly $21.24 billion from Switzerland.

Switzerland imports gold and silver, primarily used in the jewellery sector, pharmaceutical intermediates and machinery. Major exports include pharmaceutical products, gems and jewelry, organic chemicals, and machinery.

India received about $10.72 billion in foreign direct investments from Switzerland between April 2000 and September 2024.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In March this year, India signed a free trade agreement with the four European nation bloc EFTA, whose members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India, followed by Norway, in the bloc.

The India-Switzerland Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was signed on November 2, 1994, and subsequently amended in 2000 and 2010.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 13:14 IST
Who Was Suchir Balaji? Know About Former OpenAI Researcher Found Dead In San Francisco

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 11:58 IST

The San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the manner of Suchir Balaji's death as suicide, following a wellness check by police and medics at his residence in the Lower Haight district.

Suchir Balaji worked on OpenAI's several key projects, including WebGPT and GPT-4's pretraining.

Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old Indian American researcher and former OpenAI employee, tragically passed away in his San Francisco apartment on November 26. The San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the manner of death as suicide, following a wellness check by police and medics at his residence in the Lower Haight district. The news has sparked reactions across social media, with notable figures like Elon Musk weighing in on the incident.

Who Was Suchir Balaji?

related stories

Suchir Balaji was an accomplished computer scientist who studied at the University of California, Berkeley. During his time in college, he interned with OpenAI and Scale AI, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge technology. After graduation, he joined OpenAI full-time, where he worked on several key projects, including WebGPT and GPT-4s pretraining. His role later expanded to the reasoning team and post-training for ChatGPT, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Over four years, Balaji became an integral part of OpenAIs development team, contributing to advancements in generative AI technology. However, he eventually left the organisation, citing ethical concerns about the societal implications of the technology.

Before Open AI, he also worked at Quora as a software engineer.

What Did He Say About OpenAIs Copyright Approach?

Balaji made headlines in October when he spoke to The New York Times about his concerns regarding OpenAIs approach to copyright. He questioned whether the companys use of copyrighted data to train its models was ethical or legal. In a now widely discussed social media post, Balaji shared his skepticism about generative AI products relying on fair use" as a defence, particularly when these models could produce outputs that directly compete with the original copyrighted material.

These concerns came into sharper focus shortly before his death. Reports suggest he was named in a court filing related to a copyright lawsuit against OpenAI. The company, in an effort to address the lawsuit, agreed to review files tied to Balajis expressed concerns about data usage.

Suchir Balaji: A Whistleblower

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Balajis concerns about generative AI extended beyond copyright. In an October blog post, he highlighted broader issues with the technologys societal impact, which he believed outweighed its potential benefits. His death has reignited conversations about the ethical responsibilities of AI companies and the pressures faced by those working in the industry.

In response to the news, an OpenAI spokesperson expressed deep sorrow, saying, We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today, and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time."

First Published: December 14, 2024, 11:20 IST
KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2024 - 09:40 | All, World, Japan

The leaders from the Group of Seven on Friday agreed to continue taking countermeasures against Russia and North Korea over the two countries' growing military collaboration in the invasion of Ukraine.

During their online summit, the leaders also expressed hope for a "peaceful and orderly" transition of power in Syria after rebels toppled the government of President Bashar al-Assad, according to the Italian government, which holds the rotating G7 chair this year.

The industrialized democracies -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, along with the European Union -- held the virtual summit as the Russian-led military operations in Ukraine go on, and while rebel fighters in Syria have seized the nation's capital.

"The G7 leaders once again condemned Russia's brutal aggression, reaffirming their intention to support the Ukrainian people's fight for freedom, sovereignty and independence," the Italian government said.

According to Rome, the leaders also "stated their intention to continue imposing measures against those who support Moscow's war effort," in an apparent reference to Pyongyang.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shared concerns with his G7 counterparts that closer cooperation between Russia and North Korea, such as Pyongyang's dispatch of troops to the war in Ukraine, will impact security in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the Japanese government.

The online summit took place after the G7 leaders pledged in a statement earlier this week to back a framework that would lead to "credible, inclusive and nonsectarian governance" in the conflict-torn Syria.

Assad reportedly fled to Moscow, ending more than half a century of his family's rule over Syria, which has been locked in a civil war since 2011.

Related coverage:

N. Korea-Russia alliance could impact Indo-Pacific security: Sweden

G7 raps North Korean troops in Russia as threat to Indo-Pacific security

G7 foreign ministers begin talks in Italy with Middle East in focus
As Govt Moves One Step Closer to One Nation, One Election, What Are The Key Amendments Proposed In Bill?

Reported By : &

CNN-News18

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 11:21 IST

According to the Bill, both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies will have synchronised terms of five years from their respective first meetings

The government plans to conduct simultaneous elections for both Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. (Getty)

The Narendra Modi government on Saturday listed two bills related to One Nation, One Election for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday when Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Lower House.

This week, the ruling BJP took a step towards implementing its key poll plank of One Nation, One Election as the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Constitutional Amendment Bill to roll out the concept of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.

related stories

Two draft legislations, including one simple bill to amend provisions in laws dealing with three Union Territories with legislative assemblies to align them with the Constitution Amendment Bill, were given the nod by the Cabinet. The proposed Bill will deal with making provisions for holding Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections together.

While a high-level committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind on simultaneous polls had also proposed holding municipality and panchayat elections along with the national and state elections in a phased manner, the Cabinet has decided to stay away, as of now", from the manner in which local body elections are conducted.

So, what are the key amendments that have been envisaged? News18 takes a look:

1. Article 83 and Article 172

Term Synchronisation: Both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies will have synchronised terms of five years from their respective first meetings.

Dissolution and Elections: If either the Lok Sabha or a state legislative assembly is dissolved before the completion of its term, provisions will be made for mid-term elections that are synchronised with the overall election schedule.

2. Article 327

Simultaneous Elections: Introduces the conduct of simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

Delimitation: Allows for the delimitation (redrawing boundaries) of constituencies to facilitate the process of simultaneous elections.

3. Insertion of Article 82A

Appointed Date: The President may, by public notification, bring into force the provisions of this article on the date of the first sitting of the House of the People after a general election.

Term of Legislative Assemblies: The term of all legislative assemblies constituted in any general election held after the appointed date and before the expiry of the full term of the House of the People shall end on the expiry of the full term of the House of the People.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Election Commissions Role: The Election Commission shall conduct general elections to the House of the People and all legislative assemblies simultaneously, with necessary modifications specified by the Election Commission.

Deferred Elections: If the Election Commission believes that elections to any legislative assembly cannot be conducted along with the general election to the House of the People, it may recommend to the President to defer the election to that legislative assembly to a later date. The full term of the legislative assembly shall end on the same date as the end of the full term of the House of the People constituted in the general election.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 11:21 IST
Delhi CEO Asked To Follow Protocol After AAP, BJP Knock On ECs Door Over Fake Voters, Name Deletion

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 12:07 IST

While BJP has alleged that lakhs of illegal infiltrator Rohingyas and Bangladeshi-origin voters are included in the electoral roll, AAP accused BJP of deleting names of those living in unauthorised colonies

In its letter, the EC reiterated that the issues raised in representations of both the parties have to be examined carefully and necessary action taken. (PTI)

After receiving back-to-back complaints from Delhis ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition BJP, the Election Commission of India on Friday wrote to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Capital to follow strict protocol and keep the political parties in the loop about the Special Summary Revision in the city ahead of the scheduled assembly elections.

Both the parties had knocked on the ECs door, alleging irregularities in the electoral roll.

related stories

In its letter, the EC reiterated that the issues raised in representations of both the parties  BJPs demand to delete illegal/temporary migrants, ghost voters, and AAPs plea to not undertake mass deletions of voters without proper enquiry  have to be examined carefully and necessary action taken strictly following the laid-down statutory provisions and guidelines contained in the manual of electoral rolls.

The EC directed the CEO that no deletion can take place without a corresponding Form-7 and all cases of deletions must be personally cross-verified by the Electoral Registration Officer if they fall in any of the two categories  deletions in polling stations where the number of deletions exceed 2 per cent of the total electors in the voter list of the polling station; and deletions where the same person is the objector in more than five cases.

I am directed to convey that the extant process should be scrupulously followed by the entire machinery involved in the revision process, including EROs, AEROs, BLO supervisors and BLOs, so as to ensure that changes in the electoral roll during the SSR period are backed by proper enquiry with fullest possible participation of the political parties," the ECI said.

The list of claims and objections, including Form-7, should regularly be shared with all political parties and also be uploaded on the website of CEO Delhi, the EC said.

The objections to these claims and objections, including those raised by BLAs (Booth Level Agents) of the political parties before the concerned BLO/ERO, must be disposed of after proper scrutiny/hearing of the concerned," the letter added.

BJP Demands Action Against Bogus Voting

The EC letter was issued hours after the BJP delegation, led by its president Virendra Sachdeva, met the commission on Friday. The party lodged a protest against the enrollment of lakhs of illegal infiltrator Rohingyas and Bangladeshi origin voters apart from duplicate voters, non-existent address voters and thousands of dead persons in the voter lists of Delhi.

The BJP, with their 5,000 pages of evidence, demanded that the EC look into their complaint on legal merits on priority to ensure a true and transparent election for Delhi assembly.

Its surprising that new voter registration of lakhs of voters happens every time between the period of conclusion of Lok Sabha elections and start of assembly elections in Delhi which is abnormally higher than in the yearly voter summary revision exercise," the BJP said.

Sachdeva said they will not let infiltrators and bogus voters vote, requesting the EC to run a campaign against enrollment of illegal voters as well as against illegal voting.

Sachdeva said BJP BLAs and other workers have been visiting all 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi and have found the existence of lakhs of Bangladeshi or Rohingya-origin infiltrators registered as voters apart from duplicate voters and non-existent address voters.

Every constituency in Delhi has a huge number of dead or permanently shifted voters in Delhi.," they said.

AAP Wants Action Against Mass Deletions

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday met the commission and a day later also wrote to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar.

Kejriwal reached the ECI with 3,000 pages of evidence, alleging that BJP is running a voter-deletion racket.

We presented 3,000 pages of evidence before the Election Commission, showing how the BJP is conspiring to delete votes on a massive scale in Delhi. These are the votes of long-time residents, particularly the poor, SCs, Dalits, Purvanchalis, and those living in slums and unauthorised colonies," Kejriwal said after the meeting.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

He also said they presented evidence of how a BJP office-bearer in Shahdara assembly secretly submitted a list to the Election Commission for the deletion of 11,008 voters, and the commission began acting on it clandestinely. In Janakpuri, 24 BJP workers applied to delete 4,874 votes. In Tughlakabad, 15 BJP workers applied to delete 2,435 votes.

The election in Delhi is due in February and the electoral roll that will be issued after this Special Summary Revision will be the final for the polls.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 12:07 IST
2 Teenage Migrant Labourers Shot Dead By Gunmen In Manipur's Kakching

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 20:36 IST

The incident happened near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road around 5.20 pm.

Those behind the incident are yet to be identified, police said. (PTI Photo)

Imphal: Two teenage migrant workers from Bihar were shot dead in Manipurs Kakching district on Saturday evening, police said.

The incident happened near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road around 5.20 pm, they said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

related stories

Those behind the incident are yet to be identified, police said.

The deceased were identified as Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17) of Rajwahi village in Yadavpur police station area of Bihars Gopalganj district. They were construction workers and lived in a rented accommodation in Metei-dominated Kakching.

Location : Manipur, India

First Published: December 14, 2024, 20:36 IST
After Atul Subhash, Bengaluru Cop Dies By Suicide In Uniform, Blames Wife For Torture In Note

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 14:07 IST

The incident comes amid a nationwide outrage against the suicide incident by Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru techie. The Bengaluru cop took the extreme step alleging torture by his wife.

Bengaluru cop dies by suicide (Photo: IANS)

A Bengaluru Police constable died by suicide in uniform allegedly due to torture by his wife and in-laws, officials said on Saturday.

The incident comes amid the nationwide outrage over the chilling suicide incident by Atul Subhash, a Bihar-based engineer who worked in Bengaluru. He died by suicide on Monday alleging harassment by his wife in a video and a note.

related stories

The cop was identified as HC Thippanna, 34, who was a Head Constable at Bengalurus Hulimavu Traffic Police Station. He hailed from the Handiganuru village near Vijayapura districts Sindhagi town.

He took to extreme step on Friday night on the railway tracks between Heelalige Railway Station and Carmelaram Husaguru Railway Gate in the city. His body was shifted to the hospital mortuary. The Byappanahalli Railway Police filed a case in connection with the matter and launched an investigation.

Bengaluru Cop Leaves Behind Suicide Note

Leaving behind a suicide note, the constable blamed his wife and father-in-law for his decision to end his life.

Thippanna said that he was taking the extreme step after being deeply saddened" by the torture from his wife and his father-in-law Yamunappa who he alleged gave the cop a life threat.

On December 12, he called me at 7.26 p.m., spoke for 14 minutes, and threatened me," he wrote, sharing further details.

Thippanna said that when he reached out to his father-in-law on call the next morning, he asked the constable to die, saying that his daughter would be better off without me". He also abused me," the note read.

The police have registered a case under Sections 108, 351(3), and 352 of the BNS.

Atul Subhash Suicide Case

Earlier this week, Atul Subhash who worked at an automobile company in Bengaluru, died by suicide at his residence alleging harassment by his wife and her family.

He shot an over-an-hour-long video in which he made several allegations against his wife before dying by suicide. He also left behind a 24-page suicide note.

In the note, he claimed that he was demanded Rs 3 crore by his estranged wife Nikita Singhania for a divorce settlement.

If the court decides that the corrupt judge and my wife and other harassers are not guilty, then pour my ashes into some gutter outside the court. Dont do my asthi visarjan till my harassers get punished," he said in the note.

He had also sent the email to President Droupadi Murmu and the Supreme Court urging them to take some steps to rescue harassed husbands and arrest the accused persons involved in the case.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

His suicide created a social media storm where #MenToo trended advocating for mens rights. #JusticeForAtulSubhash also trended on X for a number of days, where various men also came forward to share their experiences and grievances.

(With IANS inputs)

First Published: December 14, 2024, 13:37 IST
Another Low-Pressure Area Over Bay Of Bengal To Impact Chennai; Cold Wave Grips North India

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 09:11 IST

Chennai Rain And Cold Wave Alert: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that rainfall may return to Chennai and the suburbs by the middle of the next week.

Chennai Rain: IMD predicts fresh spell of rainfall in Tamil Nadu district in next week | PTI Image/File

Chennai Rain And Cold Wave Alert: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that rainfall may return to Chennai and the suburbs by the middle of the next week as another low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is anticipated to move towards the Tamil Nadu coast, triggering rainfall to several parts of the state.

Along with a yellow alert for rain on Saturday, the weather bureau has predicted heavy rainfall for several districts, including Chengalpet, on Dec 17 and for 12 districts, including Chengalpet and Kancheepuram, on Dec 18.

related stories

The city and the surrounding areas may receive light to moderate rainfall on December 14, according to the IMD, which said the skies will remain partly cloudy during the day.

Similar conditions will be seen on December 15, with chances of heavy rain intensifying from December 16 to 18, said the weather bureau.

In the past few weeks, Chennai witnessed incessant rainfall, causing waterlogging and paralysing normal life. The IMD attributed the heavy rains to a low-pressure system over the southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka, which is expected to weaken within 12 hours.

Cold Wave Grips North India

The weather department has issued an alert for cold wave conditions in Punjab on December 14 and isolated pockets on December 15. Western districts of West Bengal are also bracing for cold wave conditions until December 15.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, severe cold wave conditions continue to grip Rajasthan, with Fatehpur experiencing sub-zero temperatures. Extreme cold has also been reported in northern areas, particularly in the Shekhawati region.

The IMD predicts that minimum temperatures will drop to 2-6 degrees Celsius in the coming days, with dry weather expected to persist.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 09:09 IST
Delhi Schools Get Bomb Threat Again, Mail Says Children Are Brave Servants Of Allah

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 10:27 IST

A police official said nothing suspicious was found on the schools' premises but a search was underway

Police and fire officials have reached the schools. (Photo: ANI)

Several Delhi schools, including RK Purams Delhi Public School, received bomb threats via email for the second consecutive day on Saturday.

We received a call about a bomb threat at DPS RK Puram at 6:09 am," a Delhi Fire Services official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

related stories

The fire department, local police, dog squads and bomb detection teams reached the school and launched a search operation, the official said.

A police official said nothing suspicious was found but a search was underway.

What Did Threat Email Say?

Allah sees your efforts to resist his punishment. But they are futile. For no mortal being can escape the judgement of Allah," the email read.

We see your attempt to stop us. It will not work. The Prophet Muhammad has allowed the children to burn in the sacred flame of Allah," it added.

The threat mail further said that the schools would be taken down when the students might not be present.

Our bomb vests are blessed by the Prophet Muhammad. They shall not fail their goal. Our children are brave servants of Allah. They shall complete their task," the email read.

Previous Bomb Threats To Schools

On Friday, about 30 schools received bomb threats over email, triggering a multi-agency search of their premises. Prior to that, at least 44 schools received similar emails on Monday.

The police declared those threats as hoaxes after nothing suspicious had been found during searches.

Earlier on December 9, over 40 schools in Delhi had received both threats. However, they turned out to be hoaxes as nothing suspicious was found.

A ransom of $30,000 was sought in the email. The schools that received the emails included RK Purams DPS, Paschim Vihars GD Goenka Public School, Mother Marys School, British School, Salwan Public School, and Cambridge School among others.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The students were rushed back to their homes after the receipt of the email and the police were informed. After thorough investigation, the threat was declared a hoax.

(With agency inputs)

First Published: December 14, 2024, 09:17 IST
Farmers Announce 'Rail Roko' In Punjab After 17 Protestors Injured During March To Delhi | Updates

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 16:45 IST

The visuals from the Shambhu border showed police using tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers and stop them from marching towards Delhi.

Haryana Police fired tear gas shells at protesting farmers | File Image/PTI

The protesting farmers suspended their march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on Saturday afternoon after 17 of them sustained injuries following police action at the Haryana-Punjab border.

Further they have announced a tractor march on December 16 and rail roko" protest in Punjab on December 18.

related stories

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, On December 16, a tractor march will be organised outside Punjab, and on December 18th, we have called Rail Roko in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to participate in Rail Roko in large numbers The opposition should not run away from their role by just giving a statement."

Earlier today, the protesting farmers resumed their march their third attempt to enter the capital stating that they had not received any invitation from the Union Government for talks on a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) and other agrarian demands.

The visuals from the Shambhu border showed police using tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers and stop them from marching towards the national capital.

#WATCH | Police use tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesting farmers at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border.The farmers have announced to march towards the National Capital-Delhi over their various demands. pic.twitter.com/tDMTy8iGXU  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

A group of 101 farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha led the march from the Delhi-Haryana Shambhu border towards the national capital amid heightened security arrangements at the place.

Notably, this marked farmers third attempt to enter the national capital after their unsuccessful bids on December 6 and 8, which met with resistance from security forces at the Shambhu border.

The government should explain how 101 farmers marching on foot can pose a threat. Despite objections, we will continue our peaceful protest," farmer leader Sarvan Singh Pandher was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Every hour, 2-3 farmers or labourers are committing suicide. We cannot leave them in this state. If the Modi government wants our lives, we are prepared, but we demand the resolution of farmers issues. Our fight is for justice, and if sacrifices are needed, we are ready," he added.

Dallewals Fast-Unto-Death Enters 18th Day

The protest march comes in the wake of the deteriorating health conditions of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has kept fast-unto-death, which entered its eighteenth day on Saturday.

He launched a hunger strike at the Khanauri border on November 26, demanding the Union government to accept farmers demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

Our third group headed by Jaswinder Singh Longowal and Malkit Singh will proceed from here peacefully sharp at 12 We are receiving information from Khanauri that Jagjit Singh Dallewal is not keeping well. The whole country is worried about his health except for the PM and Home Minister," Pandher said.

#WATCH | Shambhu Border: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, Our third group headed by Jaswinder Singh Longowal and Malkit Singh will proceed from here peacefully sharp at 12 We are receiving information from Khanauri that Jagjit Singh Dallewal is not keeping well. The pic.twitter.com/0JKwPeXcBK ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2024

Internet Services Banned In Ambala

In the wake of the farmers protest march, internet services have been suspended in parts of Ambala, Haryana, from 6 am on December 14 to 11.59 pm on December 17, said officials.

Internet services suspended in parts of Ambala with immediate effect from 14th December (06:00 hrs) to 17th December (23:59 hrs) in Haryana in view of the farmers march towards Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Fs5lJ6QSb5 ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The internet services were also banned during the farmers protest held on December 6. They attempted to enter the national capital but were stopped by Haryana police through barricading and use of teargas shells.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that 16 farmers were injured in clashes with security officials, with one losing his hearing ability. Subsequently, the march was halted for 48 hours and was set to resume today.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 14, 2024, 09:44 IST
IndiGo Dispatches Relief Flights To Istanbul To Bring Back Stranded Passengers

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 17:24 IST

Hundreds of IndiGo passengers were stranded at Istanbul airport for over 24 hours due to delays in their flights to Delhi and Mumbai on Thursday

Passengers took to social media to express their frustration about the long wait and lack of adequate facilities at the airport.

IndiGo is sending two planes to Istanbul to bring back passengers who were stranded after their flight to Delhi was cancelled due to a technical issue on Friday.

Hundreds of IndiGo passengers were stranded at Istanbul airport for over 24 hours due to delays in their flights to Delhi and Mumbai on Thursday. The delays caused a ripple effect, affecting other flights on these routes.

related stories

Passengers took to social media to express their frustration about the long wait and lack of adequate facilities at the airport.

On Friday evening, IndiGo assured passengers that they had taken all necessary steps to keep them informed, offering refreshments and accommodation where possible.

However, on Saturday, the airline confirmed that Flight 6E 12, operating from Istanbul to Delhi, was cancelled due to a technical issue. The cancellation happened on Friday, causing further disruption to the passengers.

Alternative aircraft have been arranged to transport passengers to their destination. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate their understanding in this matter," the airline said in a statement.

IndiGo operates two daily flights to Istanbul using leased Boeing 777 aircraft, one from Delhi and another from Mumbai.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, details about the number of passengers who were booked on the cancelled flight on Friday could not be immediately ascertained.

(With inputs from PTI)

First Published: December 14, 2024, 16:19 IST
Karnataka COVID Scam: First FIR Filed As 8 Accused Of Misappropriation Under Previous BJP Rule

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 10:56 IST

The FIR alleges large-scale misappropriations in the procurement of N95 masks, PPE kits, and other equipment in the previous BJP government in Karnataka.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (PTI file photo)

The Bengaluru Police have registered the first FIR in the COVID scam probe against the previous BJP government in Karnataka.

The FIR has been registered as per the complaint of the Medical Education Departments Chief Accounts Officer, Dr Vishnuprasad M, and alleges large-scale misappropriations in the procurement of N95 masks, PPE kits, and other equipment from September 19, 2020 to June 15, 2021.

related stories

What Does The Complaint Say?

The complaint states that there were irregularities and loss to the tune of Rs 167 crores to the exchequer in this time period, when BS Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister and B Sriramulu and Dr K Sudhakar were the Health Minister.

The FIR has been registered under sections 23 of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant)

8 accused have been named, including a doctor, 2 government officials, 2 businesses (Laj Exports and Mumbai-based Prudent Management Solutions), accused 6 as Karnataka People Representatives, accused 7 as Karnataka government officials and accused 8 as Others.

FIR In Alleged Scam

The first FIR in the COVID scam probe details how the government approved the procurement of Rs. 41.35 crores worth of 2.59 lakh N95 masks and an equal amount of PPE kits, and that an order was passed for these to be distributed to 17 medical education colleges and 1 super-specialty hospital; but yet another bid saw 3 private companies participate to supply medical equipment when there was no proof of the above order being fulfilled to the colleges and the super-specialty hospital.

The complaint by Dr. Vishnuprasad also notes that health department officials colluded with politicians and private companies to procure 15.51 lakh PPE kits worth Rs 203.66 crore and 42.15 lakh N-95 masks worth Rs 9.75 crore, violating the KTPP Act and other laws.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The department allegedly placed five more orders for PPE kits and N-95 masks during the specified time period, without the governments necessary authorisation.

As announced earlier, the government is expected to establish an SIT soon under an ADGP to probe the scam, as per the recommendations of the interim report prepared by the Justice John Michael D Cunha Commission that was constituted last August. Last month, findings from the report had recommended prosecution against former CM BS Yediyurappa and former Health Minister B Sriramulu.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 10:56 IST
LIVE | Kerala Lottery Results 14.12.2024: Karunya KR-684 Winners Soon; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh!

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 18, 2024, 09:22 IST

Kerala Lottery Result Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and FULL LIST of winning numbers for Karunya KR-684 lucky draw for Saturday, December 14 here from 3 pm.

Kerala Lottery Karunya KR-684 Results: The first prize winner of Karunya KR-684 will get Rs 80 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock)

KERALA LOTTERY KARUNYA KR-684 RESULT ON SATURDAY, 14.12.2024, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department will announce the results of the Karunya KR-684 lucky draw for Saturday, December 14 at 3 pm. This weekly lottery offers substantial cash rewards, with the first prize worth Rs 80 lakh. The second and third prizes are Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. Check the Live Updates and Full List of Winning Numbers here from 3 pm.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results 18.12.2024: Fifty Fifty FF-121 Winners; First Prize Rs 1 Crore!

related stories

KERALA LOTTERY KARUNYA KR-684 GUESSING NUMBERS

1327 1372 1237 1273

1732 1723 3127 3172

3217 3271 3712 3721

2137 2173 2317 2371

2713 2731 7132 7123

7312 7321 7213 7231

KARUNYA KR-684 LOTTERY: PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakh

2nd Prize: Rs 5 Lakh

3rd Prize: Rs 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs 5,000

5th Prize: Rs 2,000

6th Prize: Rs 1,000

7th Prize: Rs 500

8th Prize: Rs 100

Consolation Prize: Rs 8,000

FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA KR-684 LOTTERY

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 80 LAKH IS: Result at 3 pm

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKH IS: To be announced

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE: To be announced

WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: To be announced

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: To be announced

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: To be announced

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: To be announced

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: To be announced

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: To be announced

HOW TO VERIFY KERALA KARUNYA KR-684 LOTTERY RESULTS?

Go to the official Kerala Lottery Department website, www.keralalottery. info, to view the Kerala Karunya KR-683 Lottery results.

The winning numbers can be found at the Kerala Government Gazette office.

Official sources offer accurate and dependable results for the lottery.

HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY?

Match the numbers on your ticket with those published in the Kerala Government Gazette. To claim a prize, your ticket number must exactly match the official winning numbers. Winners must visit the Kerala Lottery headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram to collect their prize. You have 30 days from the draw date to submit your winning ticket. Ensure you have your winning ticket and a valid ID with you when collecting the prize.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY

A copy of the winning ticket, with both sides signed by the winner for self-verification. Passport-sized photographs signed by an official from the Gazette. A copy of the participants signed PAN card. Complete the online award money receipt form, affix a revenue stamp, and submit it. Identity verification documents, such as voter IDs, ration cards, PAN cards, and Aadhaar cards.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS

Visit the official Kerala Lottery Department websites at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net.

Click on the link to access the Karunya KR-683 Results.

The list of winning numbers will be displayed on the page.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Find and click the download link provided.

Click the link to view the lottery results in PDF format.

Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India

First Published: December 14, 2024, 09:00 IST
KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2024 - 23:59 | All, World, Japan

The transfer of U.S. Marine Corps troops from Okinawa to Guam has begun, under an agreement reached more than a decade ago as part of efforts to reduce the base-hosting burden on local communities in Japan's southern island prefecture, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Saturday.

Some 100 logistics personnel will be relocated to Guam through 2025, as the first of the over 4,000 members of the Corps to be transferred. Some 5,000 more are also expected to move out of Japan, to locations such as Hawaii, but the timeline for the completion is unclear.

"A major milestone has been reached since the relocation of the U.S. Marines in Okinawa to Guam was stipulated in the U.S.-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation in May 2006," the Japanese Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The U.S. military, meanwhile, said the U.S. and Japanese governments will "continue to work together to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance, while mitigating the impact on local communities, including those in Okinawa."

The alliance's response capabilities will be strengthened by Marines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces conducting joint training in Guam and the nearby Northern Mariana Islands, it said.

Due to the legacy of the U.S. occupation after World War II and Okinawa's strategic importance, owing to its relative proximity to China and the Korean Peninsula, Okinawa has hosted the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan and its residents have for decades bristled at crime and pollution linked to the military presence.

Under the Japan-U.S. forces realignment road map agreed in 2006, the transfer of the Marines to Guam was interconnected with the centerpiece plan to move the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from the residential district of Ginowan to the less densely populated Henoko coastal area in Nago within Okinawa.

But Japan and the United States agreed in 2012 to "delink" the Futenma relocation plan with the Guam transfer plan amid slow progress on the Futenma project, with locals calling for the base to be moved out of Okinawa.

They agreed at that time on the relocation of approximately 9,000 Marine Corps from Okinawa to locations outside of Japan. This would lead the total number of Marines stationed on the island prefecture to drop to around 10,000.

The 4,000 service members set to move to Guam will mainly come from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Camp Courtney, the 4th Marine Regiment at Camp Schwab and the Combat Logistics Battalion 4 at Camp Foster, according to the Japanese ministry.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani conveyed the commencement of the Marines' transfer to Nago Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi on Saturday.

Toguchi, speaking to reporters, welcomed the development as it is expected to alleviate the local burden. But some residents complained at the small number of the initial relocation.

"Unless the U.S. military is gone, crimes will not be eradicated. I do not feel safe with only 100 troops moving out," said Kikuko Nakahara, 64, who was protesting against the landfill work for the relocation site for the Futenma base, apparently referring to sexual assault cases involving U.S. servicemen.

It remains to be seen to what extent locals will feel a reduction in their burden, with the central government also beefing up Japan's defense posture amid China's growing military assertiveness in the region.

A Japanese Defense Ministry official did not reveal when the relocation of the subsequent batches of personnel will take place, saying, "The Marine Corps has not made a decision on its plan."

The cost of the transfer to Guam is estimated at around $8.6 billion, the ministry said.

The Japanese government will shoulder up to $2.8 billion to support infrastructure projects on Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, the relocation site for the Marines from Okinawa, and other U.S. military facilities, according to the U.S. forces.

Okinawa Prefecture hosts over 70 percent of facilities exclusively used by the U.S. military despite accounting for only 0.6 percent of Japan's total land area.

Related coverage:

U.S. airman gets 5-yr term for sexual assault of minor in Okinawa

Japan government ordered to pay damages over noise at Atsugi air base

FOCUS: Trump win to dampen Japan PM's ambitions for U.S. troop pact change
Last Updated: December 16, 2024, 10:07 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 'glorious journey of 75 years of the India Constitution'. (PTI photo)

Parliament Winter Session, Constitution Debate in Lok Sabha Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lashed out at the Congress for disrespecting the Constitution during its decades-long rule at the Centre. His remarks came while addressing the Lok Sabha during a debate on the Constitution. A similar discussion will be held in Rajya Sabha on December 16 and 17.

In his address, he thanked crores of Indians and said the constitution makers didnt believe that democracy was born in India in 1950. Modi also said that women had played a big role in the Constituent Assembly, Women were also at the centre of every initiative of the government, he added.

The two-day special debate to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of Indias Constitution was initiated in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, on Friday. All eyes are now on Rajya Sabha, where the ruling and opposition sides will again look to corner each other.
Navy To Build State-Of-The-Art Combat Training Centre in Karwar | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 07:00 IST

The integrated facility will come up on a 75-acre land with modern facilities in a major push to enhancing training of the special forces to take on terrorists and pirates.

This will be one of the most advanced Navy training centres in India, an official said.(File for representation)

The Indian Navy has started the process to build a state-of-the-art Combat Training Centre (CTC) in Karwar, a seaside city in Karnataka, to train its personnel, MARCOS commandos and special forces of foreign countries.

The integrated facility will come up on a 75-acre land with modern facilities in a major push to enhancing training of the special forces to take on terrorists and pirates.

related stories

As per details exclusively accessed by CNN-NEWS18, the training facility will have simulators and modular buildings, like a multilevel kill-house, an oil rig mock-up, a ship mock-up, a pool capable of wave generation to mock various sea-states, a mock-up of an urban city centre, a mock-up of a village, and an obstacle-cum-jungle firing range. The Indian Navy is engaging a consultant for preparation of the Detailed Project Report.

The Project would be utilised for training of MARCOS, Indian Navy personnel, and Special Forces of Friendly Foreign Countries (FFC) and trials of newly inducted equipment," as per a document seen by CNN-NEWS18.

MARCOS are the commandos of Indian Navy used for anti-terror operations. This will be one of the most advanced training centres in India, an official said.

WHAT WILL THE COMBAT TRAINING CENTRE HAVE?

1. A THREE-STOREY MULTILEVEL KILL HOUSE

This will incorporate different designs like hotel lobbies, rooms, conference halls, offices of different sizes, ships machinery and living spaces, etc to bring about vitality in training. It will have ballistic protection to enable firing from various weapons including sniper weapons. The fittings will enable simulating various hostage scenarios.

2. MARITIME WORKUP STATION

This will be a composite structure consisting of simulators of an oil rig mock-up, a ship mock-up, a pool capable of wave generation to simulate various sea-states, and an Obstacle-cum-Jungle Firing Range. The oil rig mock-up target will be built to scale of an original oil rig platform so as to depict various levels of the platform, namely Jacket Deck, Main Deck, Living Quarters and a Top Deck (Helipad). A ship mock-up target will represent sections of ships side, weather deck and superstructure of a merchant ship.

3. MILITARY OPERATIONS IN URBAN TERRAIN COMPLEX

This would be a tactical training facility with modern training aids for Military Operations in Urban Terrain Complex. The facility would consist of two compounds which include an urban setup similar to a town or city and one rural setup similar to an Indian village. The urban facility would consist of a minimum of 10 multi-storey buildings with a total of a minimum of 50 rooms similar to a town or city with realistic furniture and training props. The compound will be designed to replicate a city which would consist of a hospital, a police station, a radio station, a factory, a bank, a hotel, a movie theatre, a school, warehouses, administrative and civilian buildings, etc.

The buildings of the compound will be capable of supporting Special Helicopter Borne Operations such as slithering, rappelling etc. with one of the buildings capable of supporting helicopter landings.

The rural compound will be a mockup of a rural area or a village in India and consist of a cowshed, a temple, a Primary Health Centre, houses similar to mud houses, a crops storing facility etc with an open field or Helipad adjacent to the compound to support Special Helicopter Borne Operations.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

4. INDOOR FIRING RANGE WITH FIRING SIMULATOR COMPLEX

This will be an integrated firing range consisting of an Advanced Target System and a firing simulator for practising operational firing in various scenarios. There will also be an armoury for stowage of weapons, ammunition, explosives and special equipment. The entire integrated, access-controlled facility will have enhanced security perimeter fencing, CCTVs and a camouflage paint scheme for the entire facility.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 07:00 IST
'Nehru Advocated For Altering Constitution If...': PM Modi's Big Charge In Parliament

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 20:55 IST

Speaking during the debate on the Constitution in Parliament, PM Modi accused Nehru of doing a sin by amending the Constitution.

PM Modi in Lok Sabha(PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Indias first Prime Minister and Congress veteran Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru of changing the Constitution and attacking the freedom of speech and expression.

While replying to the debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in Lok Sabha, PM Modi said that Pt Nehru had written to the then Chief Ministers of the states saying, if Constitution comes in our way.then we will make all the amendments necessary."

related stories

During that time, PM Nehru wrote to the CMs. He wrote that if the constitution becomes a hindrance for us, then we should bring change to it. This is what Nehru said!"

Follow LIVE Updates

He accused Nehru, who was not even the elected Prime Minister of the country, of insulting the Constitution makers and doing a sin.

This country didnt have an elected government from 1947 to 1952. A temporary system, a selected government was in place. Elections were not held. An interim government was in place until the elections. Before 1952, Rajya Sabha was also not formed. There were no elections in states as well. When there wasnt an elected government, he amended the Constitution through an Ordinance. Right to Freedom of Expression was attackedThis was an insult to Constitution makers," he said.

He said that the then President Dr Rajendra Prasad had advised Nehru of not amending the Constitution, but Nehru, ran his own Constitution.

We should also note that the country did not sit silently. The President and Speaker warned Nehru and tried to stop him. But Nehru followed his own constitution. Congress got addicted to this habit of tampering with the constitution and they repeated this again and again," he added.

He further accused the Gandhi-Nehru family of tampering the Constitution. This family has always challenged the Constitution," he added.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In six decades, the constitution was changed 75 times. The seed that was planted by the first PM, was taken care of by another PM  Indira Gandhi. Disregarding the Supreme Courts decision of 1971, she changed the constitution to clip the wings of our judiciary to give complete power to the Parliament."

Speaking on the Emergency, PM Modi said that the Constitution was torn apart when it was just 25 years old. The Emergency, imposed in 1975, stripped away all constitutional rights, turning the country into a jail. All the rights of the citizens were snatched and there was a clampdown on media. Congress will never be able to clear this stain," he stated.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 19:13 IST
PM Modi Advocates For Uniform Civic Code, Says Ambedkar Was Against Personal Laws

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 22:15 IST

PM Modi highlighted UCCs significance by referencing the Constituent Assembly's deliberations

PM Narendra Modi elaborated on how the government to is helping citizens lead a better life. (PTI File)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday on Saturday invoked the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and asserted that Dr BR Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Indian Constitution, was in favour of the implementation of the UCC.

While replying to the debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in Lok Sabha, PM Modi highlighted UCCs significance by referencing the Constituent Assemblys deliberations. He also brought attention to KM Munshis statement about the UCCs importance for the unity of India.

related stories

Read More: Nehru Advocated For Altering Constitution If: PM Modis Big Charge In Parliament

He said that the Constituent Assembly wanted the Uniform Civil Code to be implemented in the country by an elected government and that BR Ambedkar strongly advocated UCC for all religions as he was against religious personal laws.

Uniform Civil Code  this topic was not beyond the attention of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly discussed UCC at length and after the debate, they decided that it would be good if whichever government gets elected takes a decision on it and implements UCC in the country" he said in the Lok Sabha.

He further pointed out that the Supreme Court had also called for the introduction of a UCC. He said that his government is working towards a Secular Civil Code.

Read More: PM Modi: Congress Changed Constitution 75 Times, Cant Wash Off Taint Of Emergency | Top Quotes

Dr BR Ambedkar was in favour of UCC. He strongly advocated for the abolition of personal laws based on religious grounds. The Supreme Court has also repeatedly directed the government to take steps toward enacting the UCC. Our focus is on establishing a secular civil code."

He also slammed the opposition Congress for opposing the UCC. Congress is disrespecting those who made the Constitution because it does not suit their politics, They should even avoid talking about the Constitution," PM Modi said

PM Modi further defended the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), stating that it was in line with Mahatma Gandhis vision, who had once said that India should protect religious minorities in distress from neighbouring countries.

Read More: PM Modi Outlines 11 Sankalps For Viksit Bharat In Constitution Debate Speech | Full Details

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

We brought CAA to address the suffering of persecuted minorities," PM Modi affirmed, further stating that his governments legislative initiatives were in line with the Constitution. The CAA gives citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

A Uniform Civil Code is conceptualised as a set of laws that govern personal matters, including marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession, for all citizens regardless of their religion. At present, Indias personal laws are diverse, with different religious groups following their own specific legal frameworks.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 22:15 IST
PM Modi Outlines 11 Sankalps For 'Viksit Bharat' In Constitution Debate Speech | Full Details

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 21:05 IST

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi highlighted Indias unique position as not only the worlds largest democracy but also the "mother of democracy"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI file photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address during the two-day debate on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, outlined 11 Sankalps (resolves) to guide India towards becoming a Viksit Bharat" by 2047.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, the Prime Minister highlighted Indias unique position as not only the worlds largest democracy but also the mother of democracy."

related stories

Prime Minister also stressed that Indias journey since the Constitution was adopted in 1950 has been extraordinary, rooted in the countrys ancient democratic principles, which continue to inspire the world.

PM Modi noted that the country has resolved to become a developed country by 2047 and its unity is the biggest requirement to achieve the goal. Our Constitution is the basis of our unity," he added.

In his speech, PM Modi laid out 11 Sankalps, which he said would guide the nation towards becoming a Viksit Bharat" (developed India) by 2047.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The 11 Sankalps highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are:

Both governments and citizens will perform their duties diligently. The development of every region and society will be prioritised  Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas. A zero-tolerance policy against corruption. People must have pride in the law and its implementation. Moving away from a slavery mindset. Eradicating nepotism in politics. Honouring the Constitution. Ensuring reservations are not based on religion and safeguarding them. Leading in women-led development. Focusing on the development of both states and the nation. Promoting the idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 21:04 IST
Six Indian Nationals Trapped In Myanmar Job Scam Released For Deportation

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 23:07 IST

The Indian Embassy has also given a detailed, updated list of suspected agents, agencies and compounds involved in these criminal activities too along with a contact number

Indian authorities have said that cyber slavery is an emerging and alarming form of modern-day trafficking. (Image via X/@IndiainMyanmar)

The Indian Embassy said here on Saturday announced that six Indian nationals trapped in a job scam were released for deportation back to India, taking the total of such repatriations since July to over 100.

There has been an increase in the incidents of Indian nationals falling victim to the international crime syndicates active in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border, according to the Embassy. They are lured for jobs in fraudulent, scam-based companies for cyber slavery.

related stories

6 more Indian nationals trapped at scam-compounds in Myawaddy reached the local police station, for further deportation to India, yday. 101 Indians repatriated to India since July 2024. We reiterate our advice against job offers in the area without consulting Missions," it said in a post on X.

6 more Indian nationals trapped at scam-compounds in Myawaddy reached the local police station, for further deportation to India, yday. 101 Indians repatriated to India since July 2024. We reiterate our advice against job offers in the area without consulting Missions.@MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/IFBYS56N5B India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) December 14, 2024

Myawaddy, a town in southeastern Myanmar, is a major trading point between Myanmar and Thailand.

The Indian Embassys advisory  which is prominently advertised on its website  says it re-emphasises the importance of adhering to the advisories on the subject for not taking any such job offers, especially advertised through social media, without consulting the respective Indian Embassies.

A new location at Hpa Lu area, south of Myawaddy town is reported to have emerged recently where most of the Indian victims are being trafficked into, via Thailand, after being recruited from India as well as from countries like Malaysia, UAE etc.," it said.

The Indian Embassy has also given a detailed, updated list of suspected agents, agencies and compounds involved in these criminal activities too along with a contact number.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha on Friday that his ministry has requested for blocking certain websites offering fraudulent jobs abroad and also recommended for the prosecution of those involved in such scams.

The government has brought back 1,167 Indians from Cambodia and another 497 from Myanmar, who were taken there on the pretext of getting them jobs, he said, adding, people are made to work illegally by those running such online scams.

In Chennai, M Rajkumar, Protector of Emigrants for Tamil Nadu, urged job-seekers to exercise extreme caution, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

It is crucial to ensure that overseas employment is arranged only through licensed recruitment agents authorised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)," he said in a statement.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

POE Chennai strongly advised potential emigrants to verify the credentials of recruiting agencies before making any financial commitments. A list of licensed agents can be found at emigrate.gov.in.

Indian authorities have said that cyber slavery is an emerging and alarming form of modern-day trafficking. Individuals are coerced or trafficked into committing online scams for organised criminal networks under duress. This growing cybercrime exploits vulnerable people, trapping them in illegal activities and online frauds.

Location : Myanmar (Burma)

First Published: December 14, 2024, 23:07 IST
Waiter Shot Dead At Faridabad Wedding, 2 Held

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 21:46 IST

Two men were arrested in connection with the shooting within five hours of the murder, they said.

Mubarak was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.(Representative Image)

A waiter was shot dead due to delay in service at a wedding in Sainik Colony here, police on Saturday said.

Two men were arrested in connection with the shooting within five hours of the murder, they said.

related stories

According to a complaint filed by Imran Khan, a resident of Badkhal, his nephew Mubarak alias Badshah worked as a waiter in a restaurant in Adarsh Colony.

On Friday night, at the behest of his contractor Fakruddin, he went to work at the wedding of one Jai Lakhani in Sainik Colony.

"At the function, a man named Mohit was sitting at the table and eating food with his friends. They ordered waiter Mubarak alias Badshah to bring some food items to the table. Mubarak took some time, and over that delay, Mohit and his friends started abusing him," police said, quoting from Khans complaint.

When Mubarak confronted the man, "Mohit took out a pistol and shot him in the chest and fled," it said.

Mubarak was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Following the complaint, two police teams worked on the case and nabbed within hours Mohit and another man named Monu, both natives of Nawada village, presently living in Sainik colony.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Both are childhood friends and run a dairy, police said.

"During interrogation, the accused revealed that both of them had come to Sainik Colony for the wedding of their friend Jai Lakhani. There was an altercation with the deceased, Mubarak, over some issue. Monu had a pistol and Mohit opened fire on Mubarak. We are questioning the accused," said Aman Yadav, ACP, Crime.

Location : Faridabad, India

First Published: December 14, 2024, 21:46 IST
Kumbh Mela 2025 Amrit Snan: Dates, Maha Kumbh Rituals, And All You Need To Know

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 14, 2025, 11:23 IST

Kumbh Mela 2025: The first Amrit Snan on the auspicious day of Paush Purnima, on January 13, will mark the beginning of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.

Kumbh Mela 2025: The dates for Shahi Snan and other key rituals are decided based on astrological calculations. (Image: Shutterstock)

Kumbh Mela 2025: The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the worlds largest religious congregations, marks the confluence of devotion, culture, traditions and faith. The festival, deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, takes place every 12 years. The Maha Kumbh Mela is held on a rotational basis across the four holy cities of Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain and Nashik.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 will be held from January 13 to February 26 at Triveni Sangam the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The most important religious gathering for Hindus is expected to attract millions of devotees and holy saints from across the world.

related stories

The festival goes beyond religious practices and includes a rich blend of astrological, socio-cultural traditions and spiritual enlightenment. During Maha Kumbh, several devotees come to the Triveni Sangam to participate in sacred ceremonies, including the Amrit Snan or the holy bath, which they believe would cleanse their sins and lead them to spiritual liberation.

The Amrit Snan is among the most important rituals of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Its believed that the holy bath during Amrit Snan at Triveni Sangam will free both the individual and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth, eventually leading to Moksha or spiritual liberation.

The dates for Amrit Snan and other key rituals are decided based on astrological calculations.

Here are the important dates for Shahi Snan during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025:

Paush Purnima: January 13 -First Amrit Snan

The first Amrit Snan on the auspicious day of Paush Purnima, on January 13, will mark the beginning of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.

ALSO READ: AI, ChatBots To Be Part Of Kumbh Mela For The First Time, Says PM Modi In Prayagraj

Makar Sankranti: January 14- Second Amrit Snan

Taking a holy dip on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti holds a special significance in the Hindu religion. Also, the Amrit Snan is marked by a ceremonial dip by saints and sadhus as well as special rituals performed by them.

Mauni Amavasya: January 29, 2025- Third Amrit Snan

It is believed that taking a holy dip in the Ganga river on this day can cleanse all your sins. The day holds immense spiritual significance as it is associated with Maun Vrat, or silence, observed by saints on the new moon day of the month of Magha for spiritual wellbeing.

Basant Panchami: February 3, 2025- Fourth Amrit Snan

Indulging in Amrit Snan on this day is said to bestow wisdom and purity as the day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge and art, as per the Hindu mythology.

PHOTOS: Kumbh Mela 2025: The 8 Sacred Rituals Of Divine Purification

Maghi Purnima: February 12, 2025- Fifth Amrit Snan

It is regarded extremely auspicious to take a holy dip in the Ganga river as it marks the conclusion of the month-long Kalpavas, the practice of spending time at a sacred retreat on the banks of a river followed in ancient times by the sages. Also, it is believed that the holy bath in a sacred river on this day brings spiritual blessings and salvation.

Maha Shivratri: February 26, 2025- Sixth Amrit Snan

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Maha Shivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva and marks the end of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Taking the final Snan on this day is said to clean all your sins and lead to salvation.

Are you planning to visit Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025?

Location : Prayagraj, India

First Published: December 14, 2024, 09:15 IST
Priyanka Chopra Soaks In Jeddah's Desert Safari With Hubby Jonas; 5 Deserts In Saudi Arabia For A Perfect Safari Date

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 13:35 IST

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas provide a preview of their exciting desert vacation while taking in Saudi Arabia's splendour.

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra turn the desert of Jeddah into their perfect playground! (Images: Instagram)

With her most recent Instagram post, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has once again captured the attention of the internet. The international celebrity posted photos of herself and her husband, Nick Jonas having a calm day in the gorgeous desert of Jeddah with the caption, More days like these please, thank you Jeddah and @redseafilm."

Throughout their journey, the pair displayed a stunning fusion of luxury, fun, and love. With her desert ensemble, Priyanka exuded an effortless yet stylish atmosphere. She wore a white crop top with a clean white button-down shirt and loose-fitting, vintage-washed denim trousers. She finished her ensemble with a white bandana and trainers for maximum comfort and accessorised with gold hoops, a delicate emerald pendant, and large sunglasses. Her casually chic appearance went well with the rocky sand dunes of Jeddah.

related stories

Check out her post right here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)

In contrast, Nick Jonas wore a pastel blue shirt and dark sunglasses to keep things casual and relaxed. Posing by a camel, the pair had a playful moment while displaying their usual charm and friendship.

At the Red Sea International Film Festival, where she is creating waves with her off-duty adventures and red carpet appearances, Priyanka posted. Fans couldnt get enough of her unguarded moments with Nick, and the breathtaking photos gave her a profound appreciation for the captivating desert beauty of Saudi Arabia.

For those who were moved by Priyankas desert safari day, Saudi Arabia has a wealth of places to visit:

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Empty Quarter (Rub al Khali): The largest sand desert in the world, ideal for a thrilling off-road excursion. Al Ula: This location is a desert lovers dream come true, known for its historic rock formations and starry nights. Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn): An iconic escarpment with expansive views of the desert. Al Kharrarah National Park: Perfect for picnics and dune bashing, this picturesque desert getaway is close to Riyadh. Farasan Islands: An exceptional blend of immaculate beaches and arid scenery.

Priyanka Chopras desert vacation serves as another reminder of her glamorous lifestyle and ability to make every occasion a fashion moment.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 13:35 IST
Allu Arjun REACTS For The First Time Since Arrest And Bail In Pushpa 2 Stampede Death: 'I Believe In The Law'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 08:58 IST

Allu Arjun, out on bail, returned to his Banjara Hills residence on Saturday morning under tight security.

Allu Arjun gets bail.

Actor Allu Arjun, who was earlier arrested in connection with the tragic death of a woman during a stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the screening of his latest film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, has been released on bail after spending a night in jail. The actor returned to his Banjara Hills residence on Saturday morning under tight security. As he stepped out of his luxury car, he greeted the crowd with folded hands and waved at his fans.

Speaking about the incident for the first time, Allu Arjun expressed his remorse, calling it very unfortunate." He added, I thank everyone, this incident was very unfortunate, we are extremely sorry what ever happened, we are with the family, this never happened with anyone, I am there to support family in every way, I am thankful to everyone."

related stories

The actor added, I believe in law, its very challenging situation for the family. I thank everyone for their love and support. I am here only because of your love."

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun spent Friday night in Chikkadpally Central Jail after there were delays in completing his bail process following his arrest in connection with the death of a woman during a stampede at the premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule in Hyderabad. Although the Telangana High Court had granted him interim bail earlier, procedural issues and the superintendent leaving for the day stopped his release.

Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday and placed in 14-day judicial custody by a local court in Hyderabad. This was due to a tragic incident on December 4, when a 35-year-old woman died and her 8-year-old son was injured in a stampede at the Sandhya Theatre. Thousands of fans had gathered to see the actor during the premiere that ensued the chaos.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 08:58 IST
(ECNS) -- Outlining a number of key tasks for 2025, Chinas annual Central Economic Work Conference urged efforts to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency, and expand domestic demand.

Experts believe that domestic demand expansion is key to addressing economic development insufficiencies.

Domestic demand expansion is necessary for sustained and stable growth

Expanding domestic demand is an extraordinary policy amid unusual circumstances, experts said.

Zhang Yongjun, secretary general of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said China's economy maintained a growth rate of around five percent in 2024, driven by external demand. But amid intensifying geopolitical conflict and changes in tariff policies, global industrial chains, supply chains and even the world economy may be disrupted in 2025, he noted.

External demand may weaken in the coming year, thereby, expanding domestic demand is necessary for China to maintain sustained and stable growth, said Zhang.

Such expansion, alongside the construction of a super-sized domestic market serves as a long-term and fundamental measure to promote Chinese modernization, commented Guo Liyan, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research.

Jia Kang, president of the China Academy of New-Supply Side Economics, pointed out that Chinas current macro policies offer great opportunities for the expansion of both domestic demand and effective investment. He noted that financial resources could tilt toward the construction and upgrade of infrastructure and public goods.

This will not only optimize the economic structure, but also help promote employment and release consumption potential, said Jia, adding that such public initiatives and high-quality assets are conducive to maintaining upward growth momentum.

Key measures to domestic demand expansion

Experts believe that expanding effective investment, unleashing consumption potential, and relieving public doubts regarding consumption should be fully taken into account.

In Jias view, domestic demand expansion should first focus on expanding effective investment, which will promote employment and increase incomes. Basic public services and social security should also be strengthened, he said. Besides, a more standardized and sound factor market should be in place to guarantee property income.

Zhang highlighted the necessity to find new growth points. He explained that China's consumption expansion is mainly driven by consumer durables such as home appliances and automobiles, but next year it may be geared toward the service industry.

Expanding opening-up is another method to enlarge domestic demand, he said, adding that Chinas visa-free policy for many countries will stimulate consumption demand thanks to foreign tourists traveling to China.

The key to expanding domestic demand is to boost consumption and enhance the effectiveness of investment, therefore, creating a virtuous cycle that enables mutual benefit, said Guo. This will consolidate and enhance the role of domestic demand in supporting nationwide economic circulation, she added.


Baitasi Pharmacy, a 152-year-old time-honored brand, blends traditional Chinese medicine with modern trends and innovation. Let's join the international student Joy Francisco to explore the store!

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Allu Arjun Walks Out After Spending The Night In Jail Over Pushpa 2 Stampede Death Case

Curated By :



Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 07:45 IST

Pushpa 2 star Allu Arjun, who was arrested on Friday, has been released from jail.

Pushpa 2 actor Allu Arjun was arrested for woman's death in stampede during the film's Hyderabad premiere.

Allu Arjun, who was arrested in connection with the tragic death of a woman during a stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the Pushpa 2 premiere on December 4, has been released on bail. The actor had sought interim bail, which was granted by the Telangana High Court; however, delays in paperwork resulted in him spending a night in jail. He has now been released, bringing temporary relief for him as investigations into the incident continue.

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun spent Friday night in Chikkadpally Central Jail after there were delays in completing his bail process following his arrest in connection with the death of a woman during a stampede at the premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule in Hyderabad. Although the Telangana High Court had granted him interim bail earlier, procedural issues and the superintendent leaving for the day stopped his release.

related stories

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Security forces deployed outside the residence of actor Allu Arjun.Allu Arjun was taken to Chanchalguda Central Jail yesterday after a Court sent him to a 14-day remand. Later, he was granted interim bail by Telangana High Court on a personal bond pic.twitter.com/cmkGujeWSP  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday and placed in 14-day judicial custody by a local court in Hyderabad. This was due to a tragic incident on December 4, when a 35-year-old woman died and her 8-year-old son was injured in a stampede at the Sandhya Theatre. Thousands of fans had gathered to see the actor during the premiere that ensued the chaos.

The Telangana High Court has ruled that there was no malafide action associated with Allu Arjun in the ongoing case. Granting him interim bail for a period of four weeks, the court provided the actor with a significant relief. In addition, the court set a personal bail bond of Rs 50,000.

Meanwhile, Bhaskar, the husband of the deceased woman Revathi, has said that he is willing to withdraw the case. In his statement, he shared that he doesnt hold Allu Arjun responsible for the stampede that claimed his wifes life. I am ready to withdraw the case. I was not aware of the arrest and Allu Arjun has nothing to do with the stampede in which my wife passed away," he said.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 07:19 IST
Allu Arjun Says He Has 'No Direct Connection' With Fan's Death In Stampede: 'I Was Inside Watching A Movie'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 12:32 IST

Allu Arjun refused to reveal whether he had informed the theatre about his arrival.

Allu Arjun has been released on bail.

Allu Arjun held a press meeting on Saturday, December 14, after he returned home on bail. Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of a woman at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during a screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule. Upon his return, Allu Arjun said he had no direct connection with the womans death as he was inside the theatre when the stampede occurred.

The Pushpa 2 actor said, Were extremely sorry for the family and I will personally be there to support them in whatever way possible. It was purely accidental. I was inside a cinema theatre watching a film with my family and an accident happened outside. Its purely of no direct connection to me. Its purely accidental, purely unintentional. My love and sympathies are genuinely there with the family and I will be there to support them in whatever way possible."

related stories

#WATCH | Hyderabad | Actor Allu Arjun says, We are extremely sorry for the family. I will personally be there to help them in whatever way possible. I was inside the theatre watching a movie with my family and the accident happened outside. It has no direct connection with me. pic.twitter.com/CJxd2JMxVK ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

He added, Ive been coming to the same theatre for the last 20 years, and Ive been to the same place more than 30 times, and never any accident like this happened. It is purely unfortunate, purely unfortunate accident, and were extremely sorry for the accident that has happened, which is totally out of our control."

It was earlier alleged that Allu Arjun made a surprise appearance at the theatre and hence there was no arrangement for crowd management. The Hyderabad police said that the actors waving to fans caused the chaos at Sandhya Theatre, leading to the incident and the death of a woman. They explained, He came to the theatre, came out from the sunroof of his vehicle and started waving to the public gathered there. This gesture attracted a lot of the public towards the theatres main gate."

They continued, At the same time, his private security started pushing people to make way for his vehicle. His team was intimated to take him back citing a large public gathering but they didnt act on it and Allu Arjun was there inside the theatre for more than two hours. Therefore, it is clear that adequate police bandobast was in place, it was his actions which led to this unfortunate incident, in which a lady died and her son is still unconscious on a ventilator even after 9 days of the incident."

However, the actors representatives said they took prior permission. When asked if he had informed the theatre about his arrival, Allu Arjun said at the press conference, I dont want to get into details. As the case is on, I dont want to tamper with the truth. I will reserve my comments."

Allu Arjun has been released on a four-week interim bail. The Telangana High Court has ruled that there was no malafide action associated with Allu Arjun in the ongoing case. In addition, the court set a personal bail bond of Rs 50,000.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 12:30 IST
Allu Arjun's Wife Sneha Breaks Down As Pushpa 2 Actor Returns Home, Kids Welcome Dad With Hugs | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 10:47 IST

Allu Arjun has been granted interim bail for four weeks.

Allu Arjun receives a warm welcome.

Allu Arjuns wife, Allu Sneha Reddy, broke into tears as the actor returned home after spending a night in jail. Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of a woman at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during a screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule. Allu Arjun was detained at his residence and taken to the Chikkadpally police station for questioning. The actor has now been granted interim bail and as he returned home, he received a heartwarming welcome from his family.

In a now-viral video, Sneha could be seen running to hug Allu Arjun as he returned home. She wept as she hugged her actor husband. Their son, Allu Ayaan, rushed to hug the actor and couldnt stop smiling. Allu Arjuns daughter, Allu Arha, also welcomed him with a sweet smile. Allu Arjun lifted his kids in his arms and gave them kisses.

related stories

Allu Arjun has been released on interim bail on Saturday, December 14. The actor was granted by the Telangana High Court earlier. However, delays in paperwork resulted in him spending a night in jail. He has now been released, bringing temporary relief for him as investigations into the incident continue. The Telangana High Court has ruled that there was no malafide action associated with Allu Arjun in the ongoing case. Granting him interim bail for four weeks, the court provided the actor with significant relief. In addition, the court set a personal bail bond of Rs 50,000.

Upon his release, Allu Arjun expressed his remorse, calling the womans death very unfortunate". He said, I thank everyone, this incident was very unfortunate, we are extremely sorry whatever happened, we are with the family, this never happened with anyone, I am there to support the family in every way, I am thankful to everyone." I believe in law, its very challenging situation for the family. I thank everyone for their love and support. I am here only because of your love," the actor added.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 10:43 IST
PM Narendra Modi Pays Tribute To Raj Kapoor On His Birth Centenary: 'His Genius Transcended Generations'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 11:55 IST

Today marks the centenary birth anniversary of Indias first showman, the legendary Raj Kapoor.

PM Modi remembers Raj Kapoor.

Today marks the centenary birth anniversary of Indias first showman, the legendary Raj Kapoor. Paying tribute to the cinematic icon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to honor his legacy. Remembering Raj Kapoors genius, Narendra Modi wrote that the legendary filmmaker and actor left an indelible mark on both Indian and global cinema. He lauded Raj Kapoors unforgettable characters that continue to resonate with audiences even decades later and described him as a true cultural ambassador who represented Indias rich heritage through his art.

Today, we mark the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary Raj Kapoor, a visionary filmmaker, actor and the eternal showman! His genius transcended generations, leaving an indelible mark on Indian and global cinema. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2024

related stories

The heartfelt tribute reflected the profound impact Raj Kapoor had on the world of cinema and culture.

Earlier last week, the Kapoor family, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt Karisma Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, and others, met the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi to extend a special invitation to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor. The family is commemorating the legendary filmmakers life and works with a nationwide screening of some of his most iconic films.

The festival will feature Raj Kapoors most celebrated works, spanning almost four decades including including  Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam (1964), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).

Earlier, reflecting on the special occasion, Ranbir Kapoor had said, We take immense pride in being members of the Raj Kapoor family. Our generation stands on the shoulders of a giant whose films captured the spirit of their time and gave a voice to the common man over decades. His timeless stories continue to inspire, and this festival is our way of honoring that magic and inviting everyone to experience his legacy on the big screen. See you at the movies!" In a gesture befitting this milestone, movie tickets will be priced at just Rs 100 across all participating cinemas.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 11:52 IST
Rana Daggubati Birthday: How Are Naga Chaitanya And The Baahubali Actor Related?

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 09:26 IST

Known for his roles in films like Baahubali, Ghazi Attack, and Housefull 4, Rana Daggubati's diverse choice of roles has earned him recognition across multiple film industries, including Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema.

Rana Daggubati at the wedding of his cousin Naga Chaitanya. (Image: ranadaggubati/Instagram)

Happy Birthday Rana Daggubati: Ramanaidu Daggubati, aka Rana Daggubati, is undoubtedly one of the most versatile actors and producers in the Indian film industry. Born to film producer D. Suresh Babu, he comes from a family with a significant presence in the regional film industry. Despite this, Rana has successfully carved a niche for himself with his impressive performances and magnetic on-screen presence.

Known for his roles in films like Baahubali, Ghazi Attack, and Housefull 4, his diverse choice of roles has earned him recognition across multiple film industries, including Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema. As the actor-producer celebrates his 40th birthday today, December 14, lets have a look at how hes related to Naga Chaitanya and his best movies.

related stories

How Are Naga Chaitanya And Rana Daggubati Related?

Rana Daggubati was born into a family of stars that has dominated the South Indian film industry for generations. His grandfather, film producer Daggubati Ramanaidu and Naga Chaitanyas grandfather, actor-producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao were good friends and decided to get their respective children Lakshmi Daggubati and Nagarjuna married.

ALSO READ: Naga Chaitanya Says Rana Daggubati Makes Him Depressed, Asks His Wife Does He Have Time For You?

As a result of this union, they welcomed their only son, Akkineni Naga Chaitanya. This makes Rana Daggubati, who was born to Lakshmi Daggubatis brother D. Suresh Babu, Naga Chaitanyas cousin and a part of the popular Akkineni-Daggubati family.

Rana Daggubatis Best Movies

Leader (2010)

Rana made his on-screen debut with the political drama Leader. The story follows the life of an educated idealist, who is also the son of a political leader in power. He becomes the Chief Minister after his father passes away and struggles to correct the rigged political system of favours and corruption.

Dum Maaro Dum (2011)

Dum Maaro Dum marks Rana Daggubatis entry into Bollywood. In the Rohan Sippy-directed film, the actor played the role of DJ Joaquim Joki Fernandes. The film follows the life of a previously corrupt police officer who is given the task of apprehending drug dealers in Goa.

ALSO READ: Rana Daggubati Opens Up About Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipalas Hectic Wedding: My Cousin

Naa Ishtam (2012)

Starring Rana Daggubati, Genelia DSouza, and Harshvardhan Rane, the film follows the life of a selfish Telugu man living in Malaysia. His life takes a turn when a girl who elopes from her home for a man she loves enters into it.

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (2015)

Directed by Krish, the film tells the story of a theatre artist who meets with a CBI informer and decides to seek revenge on an evil man responsible for his parents death. The action drama features Rana Daggubati and Nayanthara in the main roles.

Baahubali Film Series (2015, 2017)

Rana played the antagonist Bhallaladeva, Baahubalis older cousin and a spoiled, arrogant prince with tyrannical aspirations, in the epic action films directed by S.S. Rajamouli. The Bahubali film series has been crowned as one of the record-breaking box-office successes.

Ghazi/ The Ghazi Attack (2017)

In the bilingual war film written and directed by Sankalp Reddy, Rana Daggubati played Lieutenant Commander Arjun Varma, who was assigned to submarine S21. He was tasked with ensuring that the submarines captain did not confront any Pakistani warships and trigger a war.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 06:30 IST
Rice And Vegetable Curry For Dinner: Officials Reveal What Allu Arjun Ate In Prison

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 22:22 IST

The official further said that Allu Arjun was kept in a separate section of the prison along with other accused individuals in the case

Telugu film actor Allu Arjun addresses a press conference at his residence, in Hyderabad on Saturday. (PTI photo)

Telugu actor Allu Arjun, who was remanded to Chanchalguda Central prison in Telangana on Friday in connection with a stampede incident during the premiere of his latest film, Pushpa 2, had a simple meal for dinner.

According to a senior official from the Telangana prisons department, the actor was served rice and vegetable curry and did not request any special favours from the jail authorities.

related stories

The official further said that Allu Arjun was kept in a separate section of the prison along with other accused individuals in the case.

As per the courts instructions, he was treated as a special class prisoner during his time in custody. Separate class prisoners are provided with a cot, a table, and a chair for their comfort.

He was quite normal. He did not appear depressed. The dinner time is normally 5.30 pm. However, late admissions will also be served food. The actor had rice and vegetable curry, and he was treated as a special class prisoner as per the courts order," the official told new agency PTI.

Meanwhile, the actors stay in prison was brief. On Saturday, he was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court and released later that day.

Arjun was brought to the facility at 6:30 PM on Friday and was released at 6:20 AM the following morning after receiving the interim bail.

In the stampede incident that led to the actors arrest, a 35-year-old woman lost her life, and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised on December 4. The incident took place at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad when thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor during the premiere of his movie.

Following the event, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station. The case was filed based on a complaint lodged by the deceased womans family.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 22:14 IST
Will Smith Denies Attending Sean Diddy Combs' Parties: 'Nowhere Near That Man'

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 17:11 IST

Will Smith, during his recent performance, addressed the crowd and denied any connection with arrested rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs or his controversial parties.

Will Smith has been a target of memes since Diddy's arrest. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

With the ongoing investigations against rap mogul Sean Diddy Combs in connection to his September arrest over sex trafficking charges, several Hollywood A-listers have been also dragged into the controversy with their alleged past connections with the rapper. Among them was actor Will Smith, who became a target of social media memes and funny jokes, connecting him to Diddys freak-off parties, with many claiming that he attended a few of them. In a fierce response to shut down the claims and the ongoing jokes, the Bad Boys actor has finally taken the opportunity to clear the air about his relationship with Combs.

During his performance at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, California on December 12, Smith addressed the ongoing claims including his involvement in the freak-off parties. Referring to the rappers stage name as Puffy, Will Smith explained that he has nothing to do with any of the ongoing allegations about the parties.

related stories

In the first clip, Will Smith publicly acknowledges the P. Diddy issue (TMZ): pic.twitter.com/p9ZFK5xC03 alphastate ?? (@alpha5tate) December 14, 2024

The world were in right now is really hard for you all to discern whats real and whats true. Ive been seeing the memes and stuff. Some of the stuff is funny. I havent addressed any of this publicly but I want to say this very clearly. I dont have shit to do with Puffy, so you all can stop all the memes. Stop all of that bullshit," he said in a lighthearted manner, as per TMZ, after pausing his performance mid-way.

Later in the address, Smith also explained that he was never involved with Diddys parties and that he already had a lot on his plate to deal with. I aint been anywhere near any freak-off. I do have enough of my own things. Dont put me into other peoples things. I have been nowhere near that man or any of his stupid shit things. So whatever you all are hearing, its a lie. I dont even like baby oil," he added while making a snide remark about the baby oil bottles that were seized from Combs residence.

Smith even expressed how the memes left him mad, prompting a reaction in the middle of his performance.

Diddys Investigations

Sean Diddy Combs currently remains in federal custody in New York City after his September arrest over charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. In escalating legal troubles, while he has been denied bail multiple times ever since, Diddy has also faced additional lawsuits.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 16:59 IST
Opinion | INDIA Blocs Survival Depends On Finding A Narrative, Not Just Opposing BJP

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 17:31 IST

Anti-BJPism may hold the INDIA bloc together, but this unity is unlikely to endure unless the constituents agree on a common agenda

A coherent and unified ideology is the need of the hour for the constituents of the INDIA bloc. (PTI)

After the setback in Haryana and the disastrous performance in Maharashtra, the allies have begun questioning the Congress Partys leadership within the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. One of the first to raise concerns was the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by its supremo Mamata Banerjee, who is also the Chief Minister of West Bengal. She has even expressed her desire to lead the bloc. Banerjee has garnered support from INDIA bloc parties such as the Samajwadi Party, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) or NCP (SP), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, which, notably, has historically been close to the Congress.

Mamata Banerjee or the Samajwadi Party raising concerns about Congresss credibility to lead the INDIA bloc is less significant than Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has been close to the Gandhi family, doing the same. It is worth noting that his party, since its inception in the 1990s, has often either directly or indirectly supported the Congress at the Centre and has also contested elections alongside it. It has never been a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Clearly, these latest developments suggest that the grand old party is now being cornered by its own allies. The party had believed that Rahul Gandhis political stature had risen after the Lok Sabha elections, but now even the allies are beginning to question that.

related stories

Blaming only Congress wont yield fruitful results for the INDIA bloc

The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the name of the Opposition bloc in the state, comprises two major regional parties  the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction). Even these two parties performed poorly in the state elections. In fact, the NCP (SP), led by veteran leader Sharad Pawar, delivered its worst performance in its stronghold regions of Western Maharashtra and Marathwada.

This indicates that solely blaming the Congress for the Opposition blocs disastrous performance in Maharashtra is an overstatement. A similar blame game unfolded in Haryana, where some regional parties criticised the Congress for not allying with Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Their argument was that such an alliance would have prevented the BJP from winning the elections. However, the data did not support this theory. Even if the Congress and AAP had allied, the BJP would still have secured a simple majority.

Then what about the victories of the INDIA bloc in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand? Dont these victories reflect the effectiveness of regional parties in countering the BJP?

Regional parties do pose a challenge to the BJP, but that challenge is often exaggerated

Firstly, the INDIA blocs victory against the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir was not particularly surprising. The saffron party has historically been a marginal force in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley, which is currently led by the regional National Conference (NC) under Farooq Abdullah. Even in the Muslim-majority areas of the Jammu region, the BJP often faces significant challenges.

In Jharkhand, it is true that the BJP-led NDA failed to unseat the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc  and much of the credit for this goes to JMM chief and Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The BJP was unable to effectively counter the JMMs strong regional narrative, which resonated deeply with the states voters, particularly the tribal communities.

However, it is not accurate to claim that the BJP consistently underperforms against regional parties, as some suggest  particularly those aligned with regional blocs. Even this year, the BJP defeated the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and came to power in Odisha for the first time, a significant political development. This achievement, however, did not receive much attention due to the BJP falling short of the majority mark in the Lok Sabha.

Nevertheless, regional parties do present a significant challenge as they focus on regionalism, sometimes mixed with welfarism  as seen with the JMM in Jharkhand or the TMC in West Bengal  to counter the BJPs Hindutva narrative. However, the critical question is whether this approach can be scaled into a national model. This is where the core issue lies for the Opposition bloc.

Not being able to provide a credible alternative beyond anti-BJP-ism

The ideology of regionalism, centred on a single state, is unlikely to resonate in other states  and this is the fundamental challenge faced by regional parties. A coherent and unified ideology is the need of the hour for the constituents of the INDIA bloc. Crucially, apart from the Congress and the three Communist parties  the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), and the Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation or CPI(ML)(L)  the ideology of most other constituents is largely rooted in regionalism.

Currently, the primary factor keeping these parties united within the bloc is their shared anti-BJP stance. This was evident again when parties like the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), Samajwadi Party, and RJD endorsed Mamata Banerjees pitch to be the face of the INDIA bloc, should Rahul Gandhi be deemed unable to lead. These parties seem untroubled by the fact that Banerjees tenure as Chief Minister has been marked by widespread allegations of political violence and suppression of the Opposition. Her elevation as the blocs leader is likely to discredit the coalition further.

Moreover, it remains uncertain whether the CPI(M), an arch-rival of the TMC, would accept Banerjee as the leader of the bloc if she were to assume such a position.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The fact is that, for now, anti-BJPism may hold the INDIA bloc together, but this unity is unlikely to endure unless the constituents agree on a common agenda. The Opposition alliance cannot rely solely on anti-BJP rhetoric, which has proven ineffective in appealing to voters, as demonstrated in Haryana and Maharashtra. The current divisions within the INDIA bloc over the leadership issue are merely a symptom of this deeper problem.

Sagarneel Sinha is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 17:31 IST
Opinion | Rahul Or Priyanka, Which Gandhi Will Ultimately Prevail In Congress?

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 10:07 IST

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will create her own legacy, and her own baggage. Right now, her slate is cleaner than Rahuls. And that should count as an advantage

While Rahul was silent during the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Priyanka wrote a celebratory post. (PTI Photo)

Nature can be heartless. And one of its most cruel laws is that two species competing for the same limited resources or reward cannot coexist, even if they are family. The one with the slightest edge will eventually dominate and push the other into oblivion.

It is called the competitive exclusion principle, which exists within the folds of Darwins Theory of Natural Selection.

related stories

This very principle was put into play within the Congress party when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contested and was elected in the Wayanad bypolls after the seat was vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi, who had also won the Rae Bareilly seat in the 2024 general elections.

This piece is not to suggest that the siblings are already at each others throats or their mutual affection has eroded. It simply argues that there are two clear power centres in Congress right now (whether the party officially admits it or not), and ultimately only one will prevail. When the siblings disagree on a subject or decision, the cadre will inevitably have to choose a side. Which one, is the question.

Rahul Gandhi has some proven strengths. He has been in political life for two decades now. He has lost many battles but also won some. Although the Congress still does not have even 100 seats in the Lok Sabha and rules solely or as the senior partner in just Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal, Rahul is credited with restricting Narendra Modis BJP to 240 in 2024 parliamentary elections, well below under a simple majority.

He is seen as extremely combative, which endears him to a large section of minorities who see the march of Modi as a majoritarian threat.

Although Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was appointed Congress general secretary of East UP in the 2019 general elections, 2024 has been her electoral debut. She entered convincingly, winning Wayanad by a margin of 4,10,931 votes, higher than the margin of 3,64,422 votes by which Rahul won in the same year.

But then, Wayanad is a Muslim-dominated seat, the Congress is in alliance with the All India Muslim League in Kerala, and Rahul has done the groundwork for her victory there.

So, Priyanka lacks electoral experience. Some Congress insiders say she can be temperamental: touchingly compassionate at one moment, recklessly brusque at another. They say Rahul has more equanimity, and is largely viewed by party workers as a decent man.

She also lugs the Vadra surname around, associated with many serious accusations of corruption by her husband Robert.

But in Priyankas favour, she does not have Rahuls staggering baggage of defeats and ridicule by opponents. She has been visibly more comfortable whenever the political strobe lights swung on to her.

Besides her looks, Priyanka has an extremely manipulative streak reminiscent of her grandmother Indira Gandhi, which is an asset in politics," a person close to the family once said in a private conversation.

Priyanka also has a better shot at the nationalistic Hindu vote which has largely deserted the Congress because of Rahuls overt minoritism, and mingling with those seen as anti-India, Islamist or Deep State elements, especially during his overseas trips.

While Rahul was silent during the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Priyanka wrote a celebratory post.

Even with much demographic distortion, it is impossible to rise to power in India without a large section of Hindus backing you, viewing you as at least neutral rather than downright antagonistic.

Priyanka will create her own legacy and her own baggage. Right now, her slate is cleaner than Rahuls. And that should count as an advantage.

Within a couple of years, it is likely to be clear who the party  from the senior leadership to the karyakarta on the ground  veers towards. A lot will depend on who succeeds more, builds a larger social coalition, and takes people along.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

This competitive exclusion will have far-reaching consequences on Indias largest Opposition party and well as the countrys politics in general.

Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 10:07 IST
Opinion | The Story Of Forgotten Indians

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 18:00 IST

The story of the Dutch-Hindustanis  or the Sarnami Hindustanis  is part of the dispersed indentured labour diaspora, with pockets of prominence not only in Europe but, more significantly, in the Caribbean Islands, Africa, and the South Pacific

At the turn of the century, as the contracts expired, some girmitiyas returned to India, while others decided to stay in Suriname. (Wikimedia Commons)

It was during my early days in the Netherlands that I would startle each time I heard Ram Ram" on the tram or the city bus. It would usually be an older Indian greeting another. Or so I thought! As it turned out, these people greeting each other with an affable Ram Ram" were not Indian at all, at least not technically. But some of them identified as Indian or as descendants of Indians. Eventually, the community, its history, and its journey of diasporisation became an enduring research project for me.

The story of the Dutch-Hindustanis  or the Sarnami Hindustanis, as they referred to themselves  is part of the dispersed indentured labour diaspora, with pockets of prominence not only in Europe but, more significantly, in the Caribbean Islands, Africa, and the South Pacific. It is as fascinating as it is complex. Communities like the Dutch-Hindustanis, Indo-Trinidadian Americans, and East African British Indians share another historical commonality  they are twice-migrant communities. Having forcibly or otherwise migrated to their first host country, they then decided to migrate again  forcibly or otherwise  to their current place of residence.

related stories

So, how did these Indians come to be in the Netherlands?

At the start of the system of indenture, a large number of Indians were shipped out from parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains  via Kolkata  to several plantation colonies such as Suriname, British Guiana, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Fiji, Mauritius, and so on. During their tumultuous journey across the kala pani, the ships were redirected to Suriname, a Dutch plantation colony in continental Latin America. One of the community members I met during my research recalled an event about the ships, full of people, changing hands en route  from the British colonialists to the Dutch. Needless to say, the colonial powers cared little about the native Indians on board, who travelled in gruelling conditions to start their new lives. Some bore dreams of returning to their homes, while others pressed forward oblivious to what fate had in store. Some prayed, while others nursed the sick.

The indentured system involved the signing of a contract or agreement (colloquially referred to as a girmit) between the usually unlettered labourer and the contractor, which led to the larger indentured diaspora being referred to, often pejoratively, as the girmitiya community. The girmitiyas themselves, now robust diasporic entities in their own right, wear the term as a badge of pride and honour  a silent ode to their resilient ancestors. The Lala Rookh  the first ship bearing girmitiya labourers  set sail from Calcutta port in 1873, eventually docking on the shores of Suriname  for many, a journey of no return.

As life and the community evolved, several barriers started breaking down between the jahajis (those who travelled on the ship). To make their hard and relentless lives easier, the Hindustanis sang the sohar and celebrated Phagwa, recited the Ramayana, and lamented the exile of Lord Ram and Devi Sita  much like their own condition. The Ramayana gradually emerged as a binding force for the community in Suriname, with the tale of exile and return resonating with those who toiled tirelessly in the plantations in exchange for a small fee.

At the turn of the century, as the contracts expired, some girmitiyas returned to India, while others decided to stay in Suriname. It was around this time that the Dutch government offered them pieces of land for their survival. Gradually, the community thrived, building homes, temples, farmsteads, and even radio stations. A source of succour for the community, music emerged as a providential binding factor. In 1975, when the Dutch colonial state granted independence to Suriname, a large number of Sarnami Hindustanis migrated once again, seeking a better life and a brighter future for their children  to continental Netherlands.

Homemaking

The community had to rebuild from scratch  in a new land with a completely different climate and culture. Luckily, almost all of them knew Dutch and spoke and wrote the language with considerable ease. Den Haag  or The Hague, also known as the City of Justice  was one of the first cities where the Sarnami Hindustanis settled and began to call home. Paul Krugerlaan  a street in central Den Haag  was one of the early urban settlements. Two factors helped the community begin the process of what diaspora researchers term homemaking (building a home away from home)  their faith and music. Early migrants would gather for recitals of the Ramayana and sing paeans to Lord Ram  their songs carrying the unmistakable nostalgic yearning for a lost home.

The Dutch government also settled the growing number of Sarnami Hindustanis in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. This was a period of rapid urbanisation in the Amsterdam area, where cheap housing and a growing workforce accommodated the new migrants in large numbers. Amsterdam  particularly in the Bijlmer in Amsterdam Zuid Oost (South East)  had an equal or larger number of Afro-Surinamese migrants competing for space, both physical and cultural, with Turkish and Moroccan migrants. Thus, the struggle for space ensued between the predominantly Christian Afro-Surinamese, the Muslim Turks, and the largely Hindu Sarnami Hindustanis, embodied in the campaign to build a permanent abode for their gods.

Comprising about 83 per cent Hindus, the Sarnami Hindustanis claimed a right to have a mandir and a Hindu cultural centre in Amsterdam. The protracted struggle with the municipal authorities in Amsterdam lasted for years before the Sarnami Hindus were able to have a permanent place of worship. The opening of the Lord Shiva temple in the Bijlmer Arena in 2011 can be perceived as a manifestation of the cultural ground the Dutch Hindustanis have covered  as twice migrants  and one of the most important landmarks in their journey of homemaking in the Netherlands.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Today, the Dutch Hindustanis are one of the most upwardly mobile twice-migrant minority communities in continental Europe, with members occupying positions of power, including the mayorship of the city of Den Haag and other key ranks. A significant number have maintained close links with India  the land of their ancestors and, for many, their spiritual homeland.

Roshni Sengupta is professor of politics and communication at IILM University Gurugram. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 18:00 IST
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), the largest bank in the sultanate, urges the public to be vigilant against website scams, local media reported.

According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, recent reports indicate that individuals are being redirected to a fake website masquerading as the Malaysian Immigration Department's Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) official platform.

The BIBD warns that these fraudulent websites may appear legitimate at first glance, mimicking the design and layout of genuine government websites, and are intended to steal personal information, such as login credentials, passport details, and even request payments, the media reported.

Brunei is a Southeast Asian country that borders Malaysia on Borneo Island. The sultanate has a high level of income and social welfare. 
Opinion | Why Syrians Are Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 10:38 IST

The Assads were an abomination, but the unidimensional world of Islamist rebels does not bode well for Syria either

Syrian Kurds, fleeing their homes in the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo after they were seized by Islamist-led rebels, arrive with their belongings to Tabaqah, on the western outskirts of Raqa. (IMAGE: AFP)

The replacement of the much-reviled Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria by a so-called rebel force" that is actually just an Islamist offshoot of al-Qaeda and ISISwhich, remember, was headquartered in the Syrian city of Raqqa from 2014 to 2017once again underlines how the turbulent history of that region is painted in countless shades of grey. As if the ongoing war between Israel and the equally Islamist Hamas left you in any doubt about that, of course.

The Assads had ruled Syria with a mix of fear and murderous brutality for over 50 years. But that family, their Baath Party and that general cohort were not religious fanatics. In fact, they professed the sort of secular socialism which evolved into the crony socialism-cum-authoritarianism seen in many countries ruled by similarly inclined people and parties. Even India and the Congress Party of the mid-1970s were not unlike Syria during that same period.

related stories

The difference, of course, is that the Emergency in India marked the apogee and also the end of authoritarianism. India never degenerated into a single-party rulewhich appears to be the main cause of the rise of the Islamist factions all over West Asia today. Ironically, authoritarian secularism (and in Syrias case, also minority rule by the Shia Alawite tribe of the Assads) has led to the ascent of doctrinaire Sunni Islam and power being captured by its adherents.

As the news channels broke the news of the fall of Assads government in Syria, I saw Londons Oxford Street become an impromptu victory procession of cars with young men honking, shouting and hanging out of windows brandishing their homelands distinctive opposition flag. It continued for well over an hour without any of Londons uniformed finest visible. Maybe the Metropolitan Police were just relieved it was not yet another fraught pro-Gaza demonstration.

But having lived in Syria during the regime of this just-ousted socialist dictators father, I had mixed feelings. How would those fashionably puffer-jacket-clad Syrians cheering in London fare under the countrys new rulers whose roots are in the Salafi-jihadist school although they profess to have moved" to a more accommodating position? Do Syrians not know whats happening in Afghanistan, whose Taliban rulers mouthed similar lines and then recanted?

When my father was Indias ambassador to Syria, the then President Hafez al-Assad ordered the Hama massacre in 1982, triggered by a long-brewing uprising in that city 200km north of Damascus by the Muslim Brotherhood, an avowedly religious grouping. As the Baathists rammed through their One-Party agenda, the One-God-ists coalesced too. It was evident that the stage was being set for a cataclysmic clash, if not of civilisations but certainly of cultures.

In the middle, ordinary Syrians in Damascus and elsewhere tried to get on with their lives. The streets bustled with quotidian commerce, youngsters of both sexes noisily swarmed out of schools and colleges, foreign tourists soaked in the sun and the civilisational ethos of Syria. Even the smiling locals working in the Indian embassy all hailed from good families; the moustachioed (but beardless) men wore suits and the women wore short dresses and makeup to work.

Now, 42 years later, a former IS affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has stormed to power and is promising an egalitarian (if Islamic) future. Their leaders, including the charismatic Ahmed al-Sharaa, have spoken of amnesty for Syrian soldiers and fair play for religious and ethnic minorities including Christians and Alawites. There are already far more scarves and beards now in Syria than when I roamed, awestruck, through Umayyad Square and the old city in the 1980s.

The Indian ambassadors residence in Damascus for the longest time had Hafez al-Assads official palace as an unwanted neighbour. My father ensured that India House finally shifted to a more salubrious area, but it was hard to ignore the presence of the Assads. Especially Bassel, the handsome but goonish elder son of President Assad, and his trigger-happy praetorian guard. The First Family was fearedjust like in those in communist Eastern Europe of that time.

But it was the weak-chinned, ophthalmologist second son Bashar who finally surpassed even his fathers record of brutal suppression: hundreds of thousands of Syrians were arrested, imprisoned, tortured, maimed and killed, particularly since 2011, leading to huge numbers of their kith and kin fleeing the country to Europe and North America. However, what ISIS fighters" were doing in their strongholdsto Syrians too, among otherswas also precisely that.

So whether Assad or the Islamists, ordinary Syrians are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Its rather unfair because they also have had to weather 400 years of Ottoman rule followed by a League of Nations mandated quasi-colonial period of French control under a series of inept (figure)heads of state and then musical chairs by Syrian politicians from elite families. Then events in the past century appear to have conspired to lead up to this arrival of the Islamists.

Dictators dont get good press; rebels" invariably do. Unfortunately, this rule, when applied to the operating arenas of Islamist uprisings, does not always have pleasant outcomes. Right now the media (and even sections of social media) are showing that same willingness to believe the assurances of the HTS in Syria as they were of the moderate" Taliban. Soon the terrorist" status of HTS will also be withdrawn. What lessons will other jihadi groups learn from that?

Meanwhile, does the world know or care about what has happened to other Arab countries whose secular" dictators (who kept a tight rein on religious life) were ousted earlierSaddam Hussein in Iraq and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya? Both countries have Islamist movements and are prone to permanent strife as various groups jostle for power. And the turmoil has led to the spread of jihadi ideology and networks to their neighbouring nations in Africa and Arab Asia.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

That does not bode well for Syrians, although they are well rid of the Assads. Syria has always been a centre of culture and civilisation, capitalising on its prime location within the Fertile Crescent. If the Assads were an abomination, the unidimensional world of Islamist rebels, no matter how glibly spindoctored as egalitarian and technocratic", will not gel with Syrias legacy either. I cant see the new dawn that Syrians are proclaiming right nowjust grey skies.

The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 10:38 IST
After Maharashtra Poll Fight, Sunanda Pawar Calls For NCP Factions To Reunite

Last Updated: December 13, 2024, 22:57 IST

Sunanda Pawar said she is just echoing the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra and party workers when she speaks about the need for rival factions to unite

Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar (PTI Image)

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit Pawars mother Sunanda on Friday emphasised the need for party factions led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar to come together as voices for unity emerged from both rival camps.

Sunanda Pawar said she is just echoing the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra and party workers when she speaks about the need for rival factions to unite, weeks after ruling NCP led by Ajit Pawar and opposition NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) bitterly fought against each other in assembly polls.

related stories

A united family is strength, she asserted, adding generations of the Pawar household have stayed together through thick and thin all these years.

The NCP split in July last year after Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde government. The Election Commission of India later gave him the party name and clock symbol, while Sharad Pawars faction was christened NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

The two factions have since been bitter rivals, the acrimony marked by stinging statements against each other and peaking with duels in Lok Sabha and assembly polls for Baramati, the familys turf for over half a century.

Speaking to reporters, Sunanda Pawar said deputy CM Ajit, his son Parth and her son Rohit had all come together to wish the former Union agriculture minister when he turned 84 on Thursday. The celebrations were held at Sharad Pawars 6, Janpath residence in New Delhi.

Asserting that she did not see anything political in this show of unity from the family, Sunanda Pawar said, "As far as sentiments of party worker are concerned, they are right in their belief that if the party stays united instead of remaining bifurcated, it will have its strength all over the state. I respect these feelings of party workers." She was responding to media queries about the general feeling among party workers of the need for a united NCP.

"Party workers are important for the party and the leadership should understand their sentiments," she asserted, though she added that she had nothing to do with politics and had been working in the social field all these years.

"Except for taking part in the poll campaign, I keep away from politics. So it is purely the decision of Ajit dada and Pawar saheb and their parties on what step needs to be taken (for unification). I am sure both will take the right decision," she said when asked if the two leaders would consider such sentiments.

"A united family is strength and the way people feel the family should once again come together, I too feel the same," Sunanda Pawar added.

While the NCP (SP) fared better in the Lok Sabha polls with eight seats in Maharashtra against one for the Ajit Pawar-led group, the assembly polls saw NCP emerging victorious on 41 seats, while the Sharad Pawar faction had to be content with wins in 10 constituencies.

Deepak Mankar, Pune city chief of the NCP, said party workers share common sentiments that both factions should come together, but a final decision lies with Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar.

"On Thursday, Ajit dada went to wish and seek blessings of Pawar saheb on his birthday. After that meeting, there were intense speculations about both factions coming together. Though workers feel the parties should come together, the ultimate decision lies with both top leaders," said Mankar.

Ankush Kakade, an NCP (SP) spokesperson, emphasised that workers on both sides feel that if the rival factions come together, it will strengthen the overall organisation.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Kakade, however, insisted that Sharad Pawar, who is aligned with the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), will not compromise on his core ideology.

"But one thing is very clear  Pawar saheb will never give up his ideology and he will never deviate from his ideology. I think if someone is coming and aligning with that ideology, I do not think Pawar saheb will have any objection to that. Again, it is Pawar sahebs decision," he asserted.

Location : Maharashtra, India

First Published: December 13, 2024, 22:55 IST
'BJPs Fearmongering Will Demoralise Doctors, Spread Panic': Karnataka Health Minister On Maternal Deaths

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 13:43 IST

Dinesh Gundu Rao said every case of maternal death was being looked into to understand the reason and stern action would be taken against those found responsible

Dinesh Gundu Rao told News18 that several probes are ongoing to get to the bottom of the incidents. (Image: PTI File)

The report of another maternal death in Karnatakas Sindhanur, just 10 days after a woman gave birth to a girl at the taluk government hospital, has raised serious concerns within the states health ministry, prompting the health department to closely monitor medical aid and facilities across Karnataka.

The family of the Sindhanur patient has alleged medical negligence. In light of this, along with the maternal deaths in Ballari, the health department has been instructed to take stern action against those responsible for the incidents and negligent behaviour, if found to be so.

related stories

The efforts include auditing recent maternal deaths to determine if substandard or contaminated drugs played a role, and bringing the Karnataka State Drugs Control Department under the oversight of the Commissioner of Food Safety. The department is also scrutinising the tendering and auditing processes of the Drugs Control Department to prevent similar incidents in the future.

News18 spoke to Karnatakas health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on the maternal deaths and action taken by the government to prevent medical negligence as well as action against those involved.

Edited excerpts:

There has been a lot of focus on the recent reports of a number of fatalities among lactating mothers, those who underwent Caesarean section a well as infants at birth. There have been five such cases in Ballari. BJP is also raising the issue about similar cases in Belagavi. What could be the reason behind this? The numbers look quite startling.

See, what has happened in Ballari, of course, is something we are looking at, because it is something abnormal. Those five deaths are really worrisome, and we are trying to get to the bottom of it. Various investigations are ongoing, and we are examining what could have caused it. This is something very serious, and we are taking it very seriously.

But I think what they BJP are talking about in Belagavi is unnecessarily creating hype about the number of deaths. Every year, some number of infant and maternal deaths occur. This year in Belgaum, 29 maternal deaths have taken place so far, from April to October, along with 325 infant deaths. However, if you look at the total number of live births, which is 37,522 out of 38,620 total births, the infant mortality rate (IMR) is actually 8.7 per thousand.

This is far below Karnatakas average of 19 and much lower than the national average as well. These deaths occur due to various reasons, and if you consider the infant mortality rate in Belgaum, it is actually fairly good. Simply picking up a number and trying to blow it out of proportion, suggesting that all these 325 deaths happened due to sheer negligence, is just fear-mongering and vilification.

Our doctors and hospitals are working hard, and this kind of narrative creates a bad name for government hospitals. It also disheartens the doctors, nurses, and staff working in these institutions. Without knowing the facts, talking about it in this manner is definitely unwarranted.

In fact, in 2022-23, Belgaum recorded 684 infant deaths, and in 2021, there were 669. So, the numbers this year are significantly lower in comparison. And last year, it had actually dropped to 463. So, this year, let us see what the final figure will be. But this is uncalled for. Its an attempt to hype things up and tarnish the governments reputation. Its a falsification and misleading campaign being driven by some sections of the media and, of course, political opponents like the BJP.

What do you say about the numbers, especially given that youve called this a vilification campaign to target the Congress government in Karnataka? The BJP revealed shocking statistics, stating that 29 mothers had died in Belagavi district over the past six months, while 322 newborns had succumbed in the last year, attributing this crisis to gross negligence and mismanagement by the Congress-led government. What is your justification? Whats the reason for these deaths? Are they caused by medical negligence?

See, there are always certain complications in pregnancies and births. Like I said, the infant mortality rate (IMR) in Belgaum is much better than Karnatakas state average, and far better than the national average. That means our teams in Belgaum are doing a better job in comparison.

Yes, deaths do happen, and Im not saying we shouldnt minimise them further. In fact, I want the IMR to drop to less than five, even less than four. Ideally, wed like to bring it down to zero, but theres no place in the world where IMR is zero. Some deaths occur, and they can be due to a variety of medical reasons.

What Im emphasising is that this is not something new. Its not as if these incidents never happened before. In fact, when the BJP was in power, I dont want to compare statistics in this manner. It is just not right to say so many infant deaths happened in the Congress regime or BJP. It is inhuman to compare like that. Having said that, in 2021, there were 669 infant deaths in Belgaum under the BJP governance. In 2021-22, there were 600 infant deaths.

This campaign that the BJP is running Theyre just trying to instil fear, dishearten doctors, demoralise healthcare workers, and create panic among the public without understanding what these numbers actually mean. This is irresponsible and unfair.

Karnataka, from April to now, has recorded about 327 maternal deaths. This includes cases from both public and private healthcare facilities. So, without knowing the facts, simply just taking up a number, and talking about it in this manner, is definitely not warranted. In fact, in 2022-23, in Belgaum, there were 684 infant deaths. In 2021, there were 669.

What steps are being taken to address this issue?

I have instructed my team to examine every maternal death to determine the cause, whether it stems from medical negligence, poor practices, or is due to natural medical reasons. This has to be approached scientifically and systematically instead of exaggerating the issue.

Following the Ballari deaths, you set up an inquiry, especially concerning the drug suspected to have caused complications. Will this inquiry be extended to the rest of the state if similar cases arise?

Since April this year, there have been around 327 maternal deaths across Karnataka, both in public and private hospitals. I have instructed my team to investigate each case to determine the cause of death  whether it is due to medical malpractice, other factors, or natural medical reasons. We aim to approach this issue scientifically, rather than blowing things out of proportion.

An inquiry has already been set up, particularly following the deaths in Ballari. This inquiry is focusing on the use of a specific drug that is believed to have contributed to the issues with these mothers. The inquiry will also be extended to other parts of the state if similar cases arise.

We must work towards further reducing maternal mortality rates. Additionally, we need to determine if other deaths have occurred due to factors beyond natural medical causes, such as negligence or the use of substandard drugs.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Its crucial that we take this seriously and remain transparent. I am not hiding anything. If something has gone wrong, as we suspect in Ballari, it must be uncovered. We suspect that the drug could be a contributing factor, but we need solid proof. Thats what we are working towards before taking action against that particular pharmaceutical company involved.

We are already prosecuting the company, but we need to build a stronger case by carefully examining the facts to uncover the truth. Ultimately, the truth is what matters most, and thats what we are striving to uncover.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 13:43 IST
'Nehru Misused Constitution, Indira Gandhi Followed Him': PM Modi In Lok Sabha

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 19:24 IST

PM Modi made the comments during the ongoing debate on the Constitutions 75th anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking during Lok Sabha debate on 75 years of Constitution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a direct attack on the Congress, saying one family has done everything to hurt the Constitution.

In a reply to the debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, Modi stated, I do not want to criticise anybody personally but one family of Congress has done everything to hurt the Constitution and I say one family because one family has ruled for 55 years."

related stories

He further added, This family has always challenged the Constitution."

On Emergency

Speaking on the 1975 Emergency, PM Modi said that the Constitution was torn apart" when it was just 25 years old. The Emergency, imposed in 1975, stripped away all constitutional rights, turning the country into a jail. All the rights of the citizens were snatched and there was a clampdown on media," he stated.

VIDEO | The Constitution was torn apart when it was completing 25 years; the Emergency was imposed (in 1975), all constitutional rights were snatched and the country was turned into a jail. All the rights of the citizens were snatched and there was a clampdown on media. pic.twitter.com/SDyFjBYcwJ Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 14, 2024

The Prime Minister emphasised that Congress actions during this period had left a stain". This sin on the forehead of Congress can never be erased. Whenever democracy will be discussed across the world, Congress sin will never be erased because democracy was strangled," he added.

On Nehrus Role

Referring to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Modi said the first Prime Minister had set the stage for altering the Constitution, a legacy which was later carried forward by his daughter, Indira Gandhi.

The seeds sown by the first prime minister (Pandit JL Nehru) in changing Constitution was followed up by another prime minister, that was Indira Gandhi, who even overturned a verdict of the Supreme Court in 1971," he said.

VIDEO | The seeds sown by the first prime minister (Pandit JL Nehru) in changing Constitution was followed up by another prime minister, that was Indira Gandhi, who even overturned a verdict of the Supreme Court in 1971. She even clipped the wings of courts through pic.twitter.com/oHFengFKTC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 14, 2024

On Indira Gandhi

PM Modi continued his criticism of Indira Gandhi, pointing out how she had undermined the judiciarys independence. He blamed her for using Constitutional amendments to seize control of the courts and diminish their power.

She even clipped the wings of courts through Constitutional amendments to capture judiciary," he said.

On Rajiv Gandhi

Modi further criticised Rajiv Gandhi, who became Prime Minister after the assassination of his mother, Indira Gandhi. He accused Rajiv Gandhi of continuing the attack on the Constitution.

Referring to the Shah Bano case, PM stated: The legacy that began with former PM Pandit JL Nehru was carried forward by Indira Gandhi, and when Rajiv Gandhi became the prime minister, he continued to attack the Constitution. The Supreme Court gave its verdict in the Shah Bano case, giving respect and honouring the rights of a woman. However, the then PM Rajiv Gandhi overturned the Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano case for vote bank politics."

Gandhi Familys Legacy

Further criticising the Gandhi family, Modi remarked that it had become a habit for them to insult and disregard the Constitution. He pointed out that the current generation of the family continues this legacy of attacking the Constitution, a behaviour that began long ago after tasting blood."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Current generation of Gandhi family taking forward legacy of attacking Constitution after tasting blood long back," he noted

(With inputs from agencies)

First Published: December 14, 2024, 18:42 IST
'Delhi Crime And Extortion Capital Of World': Kejriwal Writes To Amit Shah

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 12:56 IST

Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the law and order situation in Delhi and sought time from him for a meeting on the matter.

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (PTI Image)

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday expressed concerns over the law and order of the city describing it as the crime and extortion capital of the world".

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, under whose ministry functioning of Delhi Police falls, Kejriwal cited the bomb threat incidents in the city lately and sought time from him for a discussion on the same.

related stories

What Did Kejriwal Say In Letter To Amit Shah?

He said that he is worried about the safety of the people of Delhi and cited the crimes against women.

Delhi holds the unfortunate distinction of ranking first among 19 metro cities in India for crimes against women. It also leads in murder cases, while extortion gangs operate freely across the city," Kejriwal wrote.

Kejriwal On Bomb Threats To Delhi Schools

Listing out the bomb threats received by Delhi schools, the incident which has seen an increase in the recent past, the AAP chief said that parents and children live under the shadow of threats.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Can you imagine the trauma a child endures, or the anxiety their parents face, when a school is evacuated due to a bomb threat, and children are sent home in fear? Today, every parent and child in Delhi lives under the shadow of such threats, gripped by the fear of bombs," Kejriwal said.

The former chief minister alleged that the city earned titles such as rape capital" and crime capital" under Shahs administration, reflecting the glaring failures in maintaining law and order".

First Published: December 14, 2024, 12:51 IST
Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion Likely Before Nagpur Assembly Session; Amit Shah, Nadda Meet PM Modi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 22:50 IST

The cabinet expansion of the BJP-led government is likely to take place on December 15, with the new ministers taking the oath of office at a ceremony in Nagpur

The cabinet expansion of the BJP-led government is likely to take place on December 15 (File)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda held a brief discussion on the impending cabinet expansion of Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, according to sources.

The cabinet expansion of the BJP-led government is likely to take place on December 15, with the new ministers taking the oath of office at a ceremony in Nagpur, news agency PTI had reported citing official sources.

related stories

A senior BJP leader had said that 30-32 MLAs are likely to sworn-in as ministers.

The cabinet expansion is likely to happen before the Nagpur state legislature winter session, which is slated to commence from December 16.

Earlier this week, CM Fadnavis met BJP top leadership including PM Modi and Amit Shah to discuss the cabinet expansion.

It is likely that the BJP might keep the Home Department, which was the point of deadlock with the Shiv Sena, which was earlier reportedly keen on bagging the Home Ministry, as Eknath Shinde was demoted from the Chief Ministers post in the previous government to Deputy CM in the new administration.

According to sources, the three leaders of the Mahayuti  Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar  have agreed to a new formula for portfolio allocation, as per which the BJP will have 20 departments, and Shiv Sena, and NCP will hold 10 ministries each.

The BJP plans to assign portfolios to its existing ministers. The NCP is also likely to place its trust in its old ministers. However, the Shiv Sena (Shinde camp) might appoint new faces as ministers," sources told CNN-News18.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Sources also indicated that the PWD (Public Works Department) and UD (Urban Development) may go to the Shinde camp. Ajit Pawar is likely to retain the Finance portfolio, they said.

Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister on December 5, while Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath as his deputies. In the November 20 assembly polls, the Mahayuti swept to power, winning 230 out of 288 seats in the state. The BJP led with 132 seats, followed by Shindes Shiv Sena with 57 and Pawars NCP getting 41.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 21:38 IST
Nana Patole Urges Kharge To Relieve Him From Maharashtra Congress Chief Post After Poll-Rout

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 10:00 IST

Congress suffered its worst-ever defeat in Maharashtra Assembly polls last month, winning merely 16 seats.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole (PTI Image)

Days after the Congress suffered its worst-ever defeat in assembly polls in Maharashtra, its state unit president Nana Patole has requested the central leadership to relieve him of the responsibility of the organisational post, party sources said on Friday.

The sources said Patole has emailed a letter to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, telling him he wants to be relieved from the post of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

related stories

The Congress, a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), contested 101 assembly seats in Maharashtra and won only 16, logging its worst-ever performance in its one-time bastion. Several of its top leaders in the state failed to retain their assembly constituencies.

Patole himself retained his Sakoli assembly constituency in Bhandara district by just 208 votes.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 10:00 IST
Nehru-Gandhi Family 'Repeatedly Wounded' India's Constitution, PM Modi Says In Parliament

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 21:52 IST

In his over 110-minute speech, the Prime Minister also pointed out that the Congress amended the Constitution 75 times in six decades

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File pic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday tore into the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family in his reply to the debate commemorating 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution in the Lok Sabha, as he pilloried them for planting poisonous" seeds in the countrys diversity to accentuate its contradictions and damage its unity.

The Emergency period is a taint on the Congress, which will never be washed away, said the PM. Jawaharlal Nehru amended the Constitution for the first time in 1951, and his daughter Indira Gandhi took this forward with her amendments and the imposition of the Emergency when she was in power, he added.

related stories

In his over 110-minute speech, PM Modi also pointed out that the Congress amended the Constitution 75 times in six decades.

Tasted blood

Training guns at the Nehru-Gandhi family, he said they left no stone unturned to strike blows to the Constitution. This family challenged the Constitution at every level," he said, adding that he was singling out the family as its members were in power for 55 years.

The family, having tasted blood", repeatedly wounded the Constitution, he said, citing several decisions of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi when they held the office of prime minister.

Their next generation is also into the same game, he said in a swipe at the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and his MP sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The Prime Minister said leaders like him and many others who came from ordinary families could never have reached where they did but for the strength of the Constitution, as he underlined his long commitment to its values.

PM Modi said Indias journey since the adoption of the Constitution in 1948 has been extraordinary" and emphasised that the country has deep roots in democracy, which have been an inspiration for the world.

He underscored the contributions of women and luminaries like BR Ambedkar, Purushottam Das Tandon, and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in the making of the Constitution. The PM said that several countries took decades to give women their rights, but Indias Constitution gave them the right to vote from the beginning.

Our Constitution is the foundation of Indias unityThe makers of the foundation, who were from various spheres, knew the importance of unity in Indias diversity. It is with pain that I am saying this while the makers of the Constitution had unity in their hearts and minds, some people attacked it. India always celebrated unity in diversity, which is essential for the countrys progress, but some people, who grew up in a mindset of slavery, who couldnt see whats best for India kept looking for contradictions in diversity and, instead of celebrating this treasure, tried to sow seeds of poison in the diversity so that Indias unity could be hurt," he said in Hindi.

Started by Nehru, continued by Indira, Rajiv, now

Slamming the Nehru-Gandhi family, he said first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru amended the countrys guiding document to curb freedom of expression, and his daughter Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency to defy a Supreme Court judgment that annulled her election as an MP.

She throttled Indias democracy and mutilated the Constitution" when the 25th year of its adoption was approaching, to save her chair as prime minister, he said, noting that she also effected an amendment to protect the president, vice president and herself from any legal challenge to their position with a retrospective effect.

The country was turned into jail, and the judiciary was throttled, he said. Rajiv Gandhi, who took over as prime minister after his mothers assassination, also amended the Constitution. This blot on the Congress cannot be washed off, Modi asserted.

Rajiv Gandhi, the PM said, disrespected the Supreme Court and the Constitution by overturning the Shah Bano verdict in which it was held that Muslim women are entitled to maintenance from their husbands after divorce.

It was started by Nehru, Indira Gandhi took it forward, and so did Rajiv Gandhi. The next generation is doing the same thing The current generation of the Gandhi family is taking forward the legacy of attacking the Constitution after tasting blood long ago," he sneered.

Attacking Sonia Gandhi, PM Modi said an unelected person was placed above then PM Manmohan Singh using the National Advisory Council and the next generation, Rahul Gandhi, tore an ordinance passed by Singhs cabinet in front of the media.

I am just telling you what happened to the Constitution," the PM said.

As chief minister of Gujarat, he said, his government celebrated the 60th year of the Constitutions adoption by placing a copy of the document on an elephant while he walked underneath barefoot in a symbolic gesture to highlight its supremacy.

Reservations and Article 370

While the makers of the Constitution took a considered decision to disallow reservation on the basis of religion and faith in the interest of the countrys unity and integrity, the Congress in its greed for power" and to appease its vote bank" pushed for it in violation of the constitutional spirit, he said.

His government, Modi said, repealed Article 370 to unify the country and brought in GST to roll out a one nation, one tax" regime. He hailed Indias journey since the adoption of the Constitution in 1949 as extraordinary", asserting that the countrys ancient democratic roots have long been an inspiration for the world.

Achievements and 11 proposals

Listing the achievements of his government, which is now in its third term, PM Modi said all of its policies are geared towards ensuring that people who are starved of resources and ignored get attention. Jinhe koi nahin poochta, unhe Modi poojta hai Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is not just a slogan, but an article of faith for us. We will ensure benefits reach everyone," he asserted.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Prime Minister also laid down 11 proposals before the House, among which was ensuring that reservation is not snatched away from those who are getting it and making sure that every attempt to provide reservation on the basis of religion is foiled. He also said every region and community should develop together, the countrys politics should be free of nepotism, and every citizen and government should perform their duties.

With agency inputs

First Published: December 14, 2024, 21:52 IST
'Tapasya Means...': Rahul Gandhi Invokes Eklavya Episode In Lok Sabha, BJP Counters

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 16:03 IST

Rahul Gandhi addressed the Lok Sabha during the Constitution debate and alleged that the government has "chopped the thumb" of youths in the country with its policies.

Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha (Image: YouTube/Sansad TV)

Constitution Debate Lok Sabha: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday slammed the Centre during the Constitution debate in Lok Sabha and alleged that the BJP considers Manusmriti above Constitution".

He also drew a parallel between the Eklavya episode in Maharashtra and the governance of the Narendra Modi government and claimed that the Centre was chopping the thumb of the youth of the country".

related stories

What Did Rahul Gandhi Say?

Addressing the House during a debate on the 75 years of the Constitution of India, Rahul Gandhi cited an instance from the Indian epic Mahabharat stating that Dronacharya sought the thumb of Eklavya as an honorarium.

There was a boy (Eklavya) who did tapasya, woke up early in the morning with bow and arrow. Tapasya matlab sharir mein garmi paida karna (penance means creating warmth in the body)," he said, triggering laughter across the House.

Just like Dronacharya chopped the fingers of Eklavya, you (the government) have chopped the thumb of the youth of the country," the LoP said.

The remark drew sharp criticism from the treasury benches who countered the LoP stating that he was presenting wrong facts.

Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP Over Savarkar, Manusmriti

Raising Veer Savarkar in the House, the LoP claimed that the freedom fighter said that there is nothing Indian" about the Constitution of India.

Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after Vedas for our Hindu nation and from which our ancient times have become the basis for our culture, customs, thought, and practice. This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmiriti is the law." These are the words of Savarkar," Rahul Gandhi said.

He further asked the BJP if the party leaders agreed with Savarkars purported quotes. Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar," he said.

#WATCH | During discussion on 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, I want to start my speech by quoting what the Supreme Leader, not of the BJP but of the modern interpretation of the ideas of the RSS has to say about the pic.twitter.com/eS7HGR8Ivp ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Following Rahul Gandhis comments, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju shared on X Indira Gandhis letter about Savarkar.

This document is for Rahul Gandhi Ji as he made an incorrect statement in Lok Sabha about Veer Savarkar. Indira Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/Me8CuS58E8 Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 14, 2024

Rahul Gandhi Rakes Up Adani In Lok Sabha

Rahul Gandhi raked up Adani in the Lower House again stating that the government is cutting off" the thumb of youths by handing over" various sectors to the industrialist.

#WATCH | During discussion on 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, This is Abhayamudra. Confidence, strength and fearlessness come through skill, through thumb. These people are against this. The manner in which Dronacharya pic.twitter.com/nIropoeCfq ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

When you hand over Dharavi to Adani, you cut off the thumb of entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses. When you handover Indias ports, airports, and defence industry to Adani, you cut off the thumbs of all fair play business of India who work honestly," he said.

(With ANI inputs)

First Published: December 14, 2024, 14:54 IST
Rahuls Recital Vs Priyankas Perfect Pitch: How Congress Scores Gandhis Speeches

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 17:39 IST

Rahul Gandhi says what is on his mind, which may not be the most prudent move. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the astute neta, however, offers hope to the Congress

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi during their speeches. (PTI)

Was opposition leader Rahul Gandhis speech in the Lok Sabha during the Constitution debate on Saturday a perfect example of a missed opportunity?

Was the speech of his sister and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra a day ago a promise of better times and opportunities for the Congress in the Lok Sabha?

related stories

THE MISSES BY RAHUL GANDHI

First, by attacking Veer Savarkar, Gandhi served ammunition to Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on a platter and also embarrassed his Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies such as Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

They had advised Gandhi not to attack Savarkar as it would hurt them during the Maharashtra elections. Gandhi had halted it, but the PM had warned that once the elections were over, he would attack, which he did. More importantly, during the elections, the BJP and Eknath Shindes Sena had told the voters that Gandhi and Congress were against Savarkar.

At a time when the Congress is facing flak from its allies and Gandhi is being overlooked as leader of the oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, this scant regard for his allies feelings will make things worse for him and the Congress.

Many Congress leaders feel that Gandhi must not venture into areas which are the strong points of the BJP. Last time, he had mentioned Abhay mudra. It had earned him the scorn of being a fake and chunaavi Hindu.

His reference to Eklavya and tapasya has once again not only earned memes, but also attacks from the BJP.

PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRAS IMPRESSIVE DEBUT

Vadras debut speech, many felt, was just the right one. Low key, firm not shrill, following the script of her brother, but perhaps less controversial. She had her moments when she took a barb at BJPs Rajnath Singh over his mohabbat ki dukaan" comment. Or her reference to the BJP being a washing machine".

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Tempered with smiles and casual counters, Vadra won more points than Gandhi, who many felt was repetitive and didnt look in control of his speech.

Gandhi is never known to be a conventional politician. He says what is on his mind, which may not be the most prudent move. Vadra, the astute neta, however, offers hope to her party colleagues that she will ensure that the Congress is not caught on the wrong foot.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 16:55 IST
The Chinese government's decision to extend its visa-free policy to nine additional countries, including Croatia, has been warmly received by the CEO of Croatia's leading consulting agency. #GLOBALink












4 Held For Vandalising Hindu Temple In North Bangladesh

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 21:49 IST

Police also filed a case against 12 named persons and 150-170 unidentified people.

Bangladesh police personnel baton-charge protesting supporters of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a jailed Hindu monk. (File pic/AFP)

Law enforcement agencies on Saturday arrested four people for vandalising and damaging a Hindu temple and houses and shops of the community in Sunamganj district in north Bangladesh.

Police also filed a case against 12 named persons and 150-170 unidentified people.

related stories

Alim Hossain, 19, Sultan Ahmed Raju, 20, Imran Hossain, 31, and Shajahan Hossain, 20, were arrested for vandalism in the Doarabazar area of Sunamganj district earlier this month, a press release from the Chief Advisers press wing here.

On December 3, a Facebook post by Akash Das, a resident of the Sunamganj district, sparked tensions in the district. Even though he deleted the post, screenshots spread widely, leading to violence in the area," state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) said quoting the press release.

The Dhaka Tribune newspaper said although the post was deleted, its screenshots were circulated, sparking tension among locals. Police detained Das on the same day, but a group of people attempted to snatch him from police custody.

For safety reasons, Das was transferred to the Sadar Police Station instead of being kept in Doarabazar," it said.

The newspaper further added that later, on the same day, enraged locals attacked and vandalised the Loknath Temple and also homes and shops belonging to the Hindu community.

The situation was brought under control with the intervention of the Superintendent of Police (SP), the District Commissioner (DC), and personnel from the army and police, it added.

Police said they are conducting an in-depth investigation to identify those involved in the incident.

On Saturday, the press release also said that the police identified the accused involved in the incident and filed a case against 12 named persons and 150-170 unidentified people, the BSS added.

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 recent arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of ISKCON Bangladesh and now, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote organisation.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh acknowledged 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities, primarily Hindus, following Hasinas ouster.

Interim government head Muhammad Yunus press secretary Shafiqul Alam also said that 70 people have been arrested in those incidents.

He made the disclosure a day after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri flagged regrettable incidents of attacks on minorities and conveyed Indias concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, during his meetings with the Bangladeshi leadership in Dhaka.

A total of 88 cases have been filed in incidents related to minorities from August 5 to October 22, Alam told reporters.

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.

Earlier on Thursday, the White House said President Joe Biden was closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and the United States will hold the Bangladeshi interim government accountable for ensuring the protection of religious and ethnic minorities in the country.

In New Delhi, the Centre for Democracy, Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR) on Friday there were 190 reported cases of looting, 32 homes were set on fire, 16 temples were desecrated and two incidents of sexual violence were recorded between August 5 and 9 after Hasinas resignation.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The CDPHR released a report titled Bangladesh Minorities Under Siege: A Wake-Up Call for the International Community on the state of minorities in Bangladesh and details the incidents of violence and unrest affecting the Hindu communities in the country in the wake of the political changes.

The number of reported incidents had increased significantly, with 2,010 total cases of violence against the Hindus, including the desecration of 69 temples and attacks on 157 families, it states.

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 14, 2024, 21:49 IST
OpenAI Whistleblower Indian-American Suchir Balaji Found Dead In San Francisco, Elon Musk Reacts

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2024, 10:46 IST

Suchir Balaji was anticipated to have knowledge which was crucial for the legal proceedings in the case against OpenAI.

Suchir Balaji was an accomplished computer scientist who studied at the University of California, Berkeley. (Photo: LinkedIn/Suchir Balaji)

Suchir Balaji, 26, a former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower who raised concerns about the artificial intelligence companys practices, was found dead at his residence in San Francisco, according to reports.

The officials found him dead in his Buchanan Street flat on November 26, the San Francisco Police said. The police arrived at his apartment after his friends expressed concerns over his well-being, and found him dead.

related stories

He was confirmed dead that day and the news of his demise has come up now.

The medical examiner has not revealed the cause of Balajis death, however, the police said that at present, there is no evidence of foul play", according to reports.

His role and knowledge were considered crucial in legal proceedings against OpenAI. Balaji had publicly claimed three months before his death that OpenAI had breached copyright legislation in the development of ChatGPT.

What Were His Allegations?

The late 2022 launch sparked a wave of legal challenges from writers, programmers, and journalists, who accused the company of unlawfully utilising their copyrighted content to train its program, thereby boosting its valuation to over $150 billion.

Balaji said in an interview published on October 23 in New York Times that OpenAI was impacting businesses and entrepreneurs negatively whose information was being used to train ChatGPT.

Also, since I see some incorrect speculation:The NYT didnt reach out to me for this article; I reached out to them because I thought I had an interesting perspective, as someone whos been working on these systems since before the current generative AI bubble. None of this is  Suchir Balaji (@suchirbalaji) October 23, 2024

If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company. This is not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole," he told the outlet.

Expressing concerns on his personal website, Balaji claimed that OpenAIs process of copying data for model training was a potential infringement of copyright.

He observed that although generative models seldom generate outputs that are exact replicas of their training data, the reproduction of copyrighted material during the training process could potentially breach legal regulations unless covered under the provisions of fair use."

Balaji dedicated nearly four years to OpenAI, playing a key role in data collection for the companys flagship product, ChatGPT. However, following its release in 2022, he began to critically examine the legal and ethical dimensions of OpenAIs practices. By mid-2023, he reached the conclusion that these AI technologies were harmful to both the internet and society, leading to his decision to resign.

OpenAI Refutes His Claims

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

OpenAI issued a statement and said that it builds AI models using publicly available data in a manner protected by fair use and related principles, and supported by longstanding and widely accepted legal precedents".

We view this principle as fair to creators, necessary for innovators, and critical for US competitiveness," it said.

Location : San Francisco, California, USA

First Published: December 14, 2024, 08:37 IST
Pro-Khalistan SFJ Protests Against Russia For Supporting India | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 16:11 IST

According to sources, Khalistani supporters believe Russian media platforms RT India and Sputnik have started running a global disinformation campaign against Khalistan referendum at the behest of the Modi regime

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin (File Photo)

Khalistani terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on Friday protested against Russia and India at the consulates in New York and Toronto, raising slogans against their stand on the separatist movement.

Since the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which Canada has termed a murder for hire plot based on intelligence tip-off" and India has vehemently denied, several top leaders have visited Russia.

related stories

Nijjar was killed by unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18, 2023. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau later admitted that he had not provided India with concrete proof regarding the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil while testifying before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions in Ottawa, bolstering Indias claims.

PM Narendra Modi, foreign minister S Jaishankar, defence minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are among those who have sought support from Russian President Vladimir Putin against Khalistan advocacy in the US, Canada and European Union (EU).

According to sources, Khalistani supporters believe Russian media platforms RT India and Sputnik have started running a global disinformation campaign against Khalistan referendum at the behest of the Modi regime.

India has designated Vinay Kwatra, Indian ambassador to the US, to coordinate with Russian Diplomats. According to sources, Russian agencies have started providing intelligence and logistics to Indias R&AW and NSA against pro-Khalistan Sikhs.

Kwatra is already a target of pro-Khalistan Sikhs in America.

According to sources, irked by the cooperation between the two countries, the Khalistani sympathisers are likely to target Russian consulates and diplomats in America, Canada, Italy, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, with demonstrations and rallies.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Top intelligence sources said, We are in touch with our counterparts about SFJs activities. They are projecting themselves as global terrorist, but behaving like street goons."

News18 had reported how Trudeau recently said that there are supporters of Khalistan in Canada but they do not represent Sikh community as a whole. The Canadian PMs acknowledgement of Khalistan supporters in the country vindicates Indias stand that Trudeau government is sheltering Khalistani separatists. Trudeaus remarks came while he was addressing the Indian Canadian diaspora in Ottawa Parliament Hill during Diwali celebrations last week.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 15:31 IST
South Korea President Yoon Impeached After Massive Protests Over Martial Law

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 15:50 IST

The South Korea National Assembly passed the motion in a 204-85 vote on Saturday

Yoon is facing impeachment after his abrupt call for martial law in South Korea (IMAGE: REUTERS)

South Koreas parliament voted Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree, a historic rebuke that was cheered by jubilant crowds who described the outcome as another defiant moment in the nations resilient democratic journey.

The National Assembly passed the motion 204-85 in a floor vote. Yoons presidential powers and duties will be suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the countrys No. 2 official, will take over his authority once copies of a document on the impeachment are delivered to Yoon and to the Constitutional Court.

related stories

The court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers. If hes thrown out of office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

It was the second National Assembly vote on Yoons impeachment motion. Last Saturday, Yoon survived an impeachment vote after most ruling party lawmakers boycotted the floor vote. Some People Power Party lawmakers had since announced their intentions to vote for Yoons impeachment in a second vote, as public protests against Yoon intensified and his approval rating plummeted.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said Yoons impeachment was an outcome driven by the peoples ardent desire for democracy, courage and dedication." Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the parliament roared in jubilation, waved banners and brandished colourful K-pop glow sticks, as a lead activist shouted on stage that We have preserved the constitutional order!" In a central Seoul plaza, another huge crowd of people supporting Yoon gathered, but they grew subdued after hearing Yoon had been impeached. Both rallies have largely been peaceful.

Yoon issued a statement saying he would never give up" and calling for officials to maintain stability in government functions during what he described as a temporary" pause of his presidency.

Holding in my heart all the criticism, encouragement, and support directed at me, I will do my best for the country until the very last moment," he said.

Yoons December 3 imposition of martial law, the first of its kind in more than four decades in South Korea, lasted only six hours, but has caused massive political tumult, halted diplomatic activities and rattled financial markets. Yoon was forced to lift his decree after parliament unanimously voted to overturn it.

After declaring martial law, Yoon sent hundreds of troops and police officers to the parliament to try to impede its vote on the decree, before they withdrew after the parliament rejected it. No major violence occurred.

Opposition parties and many experts accuse Yoon of rebellion, citing a law that categorises as rebellion the staging of a riot against established state authorities to undermine the constitution. They also say that a president in South Korea is allowed to declare martial law only during wartime or similar emergencies and has no right to suspend parliaments operations even under martial law.

The impeachment motion alleged that Yoon committed rebellion that hurts peace in the Republic of Korea by staging a series of riots." It said Yoons mobilization of military and police forces threatened the National Assembly and the public and that his martial law decree was aimed at disturbing the Constitution.

In a fiery speech on Thursday, Yoon had rejected the rebellion charges, calling his order an act of governance. The conservative Yoon said he aimed to issue a warning to the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, calling it a monster" and anti-state forces" that he argued has flexed its legislative muscle to impeach top officials and undermine the governments budget bill for next year. He claimed the deployment of troops was meant to maintain order, rather than disrupt it.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoons speech a mad declaration of war" against his own people.

Observers say Yoons speech suggested a focus on legal preparations to defend his martial law decree at the Constitutional Court, even as opinion surveys showed more than 70 per cent of South Koreans supported his impeachment. A survey released Friday put Yoons approval rating at 11 per cent, the lowest since he took office in 2022.

Some of Yoons claims dont align with testimony by some military commanders whose troops were deployed to the Assembly.

Most notably, Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, said that after martial law was announced, Yoon called him and asked for his troops to quickly destroy the door and drag out the lawmakers who are inside." Kwak said he didnt carry out Yoons orders.

Yoon is the third South Korean president impeached while in office. In 2016, parliament impeached Park Geun-hye, the countrys first woman president, over a corruption scandal. The Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment and dismissed her from office.

In 2004, President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached at parliament over an alleged election law violation but the court later overturned his impeachment and restored his presidential powers. Roh jumped to his death in 2009, after he had left office, amid a corruption scandal involving his family.

Yoon has been banned from leaving South Korea, as law enforcement authorities are investigating whether he and others involved in the martial law declaration committed rebellion, abuse of power and other crimes. If convicted, the leader of a rebellion plot can face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Yoon has the presidential privilege of immunity from criminal prosecution but that doesnt extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. Subsequently, Yoon could be investigated, detained, arrested or indicted over his martial law decree, but many observers doubt that authorities will forcefully detain him because of the potential for clashes with his presidential security service.

Yoons defence minister, police chief and the head of Seouls metropolitan police agency have been arrested over their roles in the martial law case. Other senior military and government officials also face investigations.

Location : Seoul, South Korea

First Published: December 14, 2024, 13:58 IST
Switzerland Suspends Most Favoured Nation Status To India Over Nestle Ruling

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 14, 2024, 08:35 IST

Switzerland cited a 2023 ruling by Indian Supreme Court in a case relating to Vevey-headquartered Nestle for its decision to withdraw the MFN status.

This means that Switzerland will tax dividends that Indian entities will earn in that country at 10 per cent from January 1, 2025.

The Swiss government has suspended the most favoured nation status (MFN) clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Switzerland, potentially impacting Swiss investments in India and leading to higher taxes on Indian companies operating in the European nation.

According to a December 11 statement by the Swiss finance department, the move follows the Supreme Court of India last year ruling that the MFN clause doesnt automatically trigger when a country joins the OECD if the Indian government signed a tax treaty with that country before it joined the organization.

related stories

India signed tax treaties with Colombia and Lithuania that provided tax rates on certain types of income that were lower than the rates it provided to OECD countries. The two countries later joined OECD.

Switzerland in 2021 interpreted that Colombia and Lithuania joining the OECD meant a 5 per cent rate for dividends would apply to the India-Switzerland tax treaty under the MFN clause, rather than 10 per cent as outlined in the agreement.

But post suspension of the MFN status, Switzerland will from January 1, 2025, levy a 10 per cent tax on dividends due to Indian tax residents who claim refunds for Swiss withholding tax and for Swiss tax residents who claim foreign tax credits.

In the statement, the Swiss Finance Department announced suspension of the application of the MFN clause of the protocol to the agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of India for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income.

Switzerland cited a 2023 ruling by Indian Supreme Court in a case relating to Vevey-headquartered Nestle for its decision to withdraw the MFN status.

This means that Switzerland will tax dividends that Indian entities will earn in that country at 10 per cent from January 1, 2025.

According to the statement, in 2021, the Delhi High Court in the Nestle case upheld the applicability of the residual tax rates after taking into account the MFN clause in the double taxation avoidance treaty. However, the Indian Supreme Court, in a decision dated October 19, 2023, reversed the lower courts decision and concluded that, the applicability of MFN clause provided was not directly applicable in the absence of notification in accordance with Section 90 of the Income Tax Act".

Commenting on the decision of Swiss authority decision, Nangia Andersen M&A Tax Partner Sandeep Jhunjhunwala, said the unilateral suspension of application of the MFN clause under its tax treaty with India, marks a significant shift in bilateral treaty dynamics.

This suspension may lead to increased tax liabilities for Indian entities operating in Switzerland, highlighting the complexities of navigating international tax treaties in an evolving global landscape," he said.

It also underscores the necessity of aligning treaty partners on the interpretation and application of tax treaty clauses to ensure predictability, equity, and stability in international tax framework, Jhunjhunwala said.

AKM Global, Tax Partner, Amit Maheshwari, said that the main reason behind the decision to withdraw MFN is of reciprocity, which ensures that taxpayers in both countries are treated equally and fairly.

Swiss authorities announced in August 2021 that based on the MFN clause between Switzerland and India, the tax rate on dividends from qualifying shareholdings would be reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, effective retroactively from July 5, 2018. However, the subsequent Supreme Court ruling in 2023 contradicted the same," Maheshwari said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Overall, he added that this could impact Swiss investments in India as dividends would be subject to higher withholding now and income accruing on or after January 1, 2025, may be taxed at the rates provided for in the original double taxation treaty between Switzerland and India, regardless of the MFN clause.

JSA Advocates & Solicitors Partner Kumarmanglam Vijay said this would especially impact Indian companies having ODI (overseas direct investment) structures with subsidiaries in Switzerland and will raise the Swiss withholding tax on dividends from 5 per cent to 10 per cent from January 1, 2025.

First Published: December 14, 2024, 08:25 IST
DAMASCUS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Since the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday, Israel has intensified airstrikes across Syria and occupied the buffer zone on the Golan Heights, while the international community has widely condemned Israel's actions and is concerned about an escalating humanitarian crisis.

LATEST ATTACKS ON SYRIA

Israeli fighter jets carried out fresh airstrikes late on Friday, targeting at least six military positions in the countryside of Damascus and Sweida provinces in southern Syria, according to a war monitor.

Loud explosions rocked southern Sweida as Israeli jets hovered overhead, hitting areas around Tel al-Qalib and near the village of Al-Kafr, where Syrian military barracks are positioned along the Sweida road, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Columns of smoke were seen rising from the barracks following the bombings, the Britain-based watchdog group added.

Meanwhile, in rural Damascus, Israeli missiles reportedly struck locations associated with Syria's electronic warfare operations, including Branch 295 and the 1st Regiment under the Electronic Warfare Directorate, as well as fuel depots near the town of Najha, said the observatory.

In addition, residents in the southern Daraa province reported that Israeli warplanes were flying over the Yarmouk Basin in the western countryside, heading eastward.

CONCERNS AMONG INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The Arab League (AL) has adopted a resolution condemning Israel's military incursions into the Syrian buffer zone and adjacent positions after an Egypt-initiated emergency meeting, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The AL resolution emphasized that the disengagement agreement remains effective as per UN Security Council Resolution 350, unaffected by Syria's political upheaval.

It urged international pressure on Israel to comply with UN Resolution 497 adopted in 1981, which states that the Israeli exercise of sovereign rights in the Golan Heights is "null and void." The Cairo-based pan-Arab organization also demanded Israel withdraw from occupied Syrian territory.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani emphasized on Friday the importance of preventing any aggression on Syrian territories by any party, stressing that such actions pose a direct threat to the region's security and stability, according to a statement by al-Sudani's media office.

The Iraqi prime minister reiterated Iraq's stance on supporting Syria during this critical phase and emphasized the importance of assisting the Syrians in rebuilding their state and addressing challenges that could impact their civil peace, said the statement.

The Group of Seven leaders on Thursday also issued a statement, calling for respect for Syria's sovereignty and reiterating their support for the UN Disengagement Observer Force in monitoring the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.

LIMITED HEALTHCARE RESPONSE

Looting and a lack of staff and medicine are forcing some healthcare facilities to close in Syria amid the fluid security situation, UN humanitarians said on Friday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the United Nations and its partners continue to support the relief response, having resumed activities as security permits.

In northeast Syria, health partners activated more than 20 mobile medical units to handle critical cases and provide primary consultations, the OCHA said.

In the northwest, 30 mobile medical teams provided basic healthcare, vaccinations and maternal care, supported displaced people, and delivered aid including food, tents, winter clothes, hygiene kits and cash.

However, the humanitarians said more support is needed to reach more people and support host communities.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that thousands of Syrian refugees have started returning to the country from Lebanon through the Masnaa border point and other border crossings, going back to Idlib, Damascus, Daraa, Aleppo, and other locations. At the same time, some Syrians have fled to Lebanon.

Refugees were also reported returning from Turkiye through the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam border crossings to northwest Syria.

During the 14-year Syrian conflict and crisis, more than 13 million Syrians have been forced from their homes, according to UNHCR. It has not yet provided official numbers on returnees or the new refugees.

"One of the main challenges is that there are no immigration authorities on the Syrian side (of the border)," the UNHCR representative in Syria, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, told reporters in a telebriefing.

"The immigration officials, who were operating there during the previous regime, all left their positions and the new transitional authorities have not been able yet to establish immigration procedures, which creates, of course, some challenges and difficulties," he said.

The refugee agency said that in the past 72 hours, it has resumed some of its activities in safer areas through local partners, and helped 114 community centers in Syria to provide services to those internally displaced or returning. 
SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's National Assembly on Saturday started voting on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol over his botched declaration of martial law.

The first motion to impeach the president was scrapped last Saturday due to a lack of quorum, with nearly all lawmakers from Yoon's ruling People Power Party boycotting the vote.

The ruling People Power Party decided to maintain its position to oppose the impeachment motion but not to boycott the vote, Yonhap news agency reported Saturday. 
Thousands of political prisoners have been freed in Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad, but there's still no sign of Austin Tice. The American journalist was taken prisoner in 2012 while reporting on Syria's civil war, and his family is holding out hope he remains alive. The latest:

Who he is: Tice is a Houston native and former Marine who was captured in Syria at age 31; he's 43 now. The freelance journalist's work had appeared in the McClatchy newspapers and the Washington Post, which describes him as a "gritty and determined journalist" who set out to tell the story of Syrian civilians in the war.
Hundreds of people gathered Saturday in the southern French town of Avignon ahead of the verdict in a trial in which dozens of men are accused of raping Gisele Pelicot while she was drugged and rendered unconscious by her husband. The court is expected to deliver its verdicts by Dec. 20 in the trial of 51 defendants, the AP reports. Last month, prosecutors asked the panel of judges for the maximum possible penalty for aggravated rape20 yearsfor the victim's now ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, 72.

Gisele Pelicot, 71, has become an icon for those fighting sexual violence. She testified during the proceedings about the harrowing events, which have sparked widespread public attention. Outside the courthouse, demonstrators held placards with messages such as, "Victims, we believe you, rapists we see you" and "Shame changes sides." One large banner displayed on a wall read: "Rape has no nationality." Elsewhere, activists posted notes with "Gentle words for Gisele" on a fence. Activist Marine Thebaud, a member of the Family Planning association, said, "We're here to show support for all victims of patriarchal violence."

Alain Souberan said he joined the gathering because his partner "is a convinced feminist who sings in the Avignon feminist choir," adding: "I really support this movement. I think men have their place as supporters too." The trial, which started in September, has drawn attention beyond France, with Pelicot's courage in facing her accusers transforming her into a symbol for victims of sexual violence.

(More Gisele Pelicot stories.)
ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have agreed to issue a public statement of regret and pay $15 million to end a defamation suit by President-elect Trump for saying on the air that a New York jury found Trump "liable for rape." Court documents filed Saturday show that the money will go to a future presidential library for Trump, the Hill reports. ABC also will pay $1 million to cover attorneys' fees. The deal allows Trump and Stephanopoulos to avoid sitting for depositions a court had ordered for next week.

E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a department store in the 1990s. In a civil case, a jury found that, under New York law, Trump sexually abused her. In an interview in March of Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, Stephanopoulos said 10 times that the jury had decided Trump "raped" the writer, per CNN. Trump argued in a lawsuit filed in Florida federal court that the anchor's statements constituted defamation. Trump is appealing rulings to pay Carroll nearly $90 million in her defamation cases against him, per the AP.

ABC also agreed to post a note on its website saying the network and Stephanopoulos "regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace." In return, Trump, who had sought unspecified damages, agreed to drop the suit and waive any legal claims involving the interview. Trump failed in a defamation claim against Carroll for using the word "rape" outside of court when a judge said that her account was substantially true and that there's only a minimal difference between "rape" and "sexual abuse," per the Hill. (More Donald Trump stories.)
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A leading engineering firm has been ordered by the High Labour Court to pay more than 14,000 Bahraini dinars (BD) to a former General Manager of Projects.

The employee, who had worked for the company for seven years, was dismissed without just cause, and his final month's salary was withheld, according to his lawyer, Fatima Abdulsalam Abdullah.

The employee, who held an open-ended contract, was earning a monthly salary of BD 2,900, which included BD 1,800 as a basic salary, BD 400 for housing allowance, and BD 700 in other allowances. His benefits also included a oneway economy class air ticket for himself, his wife, and child to their home country upon contract termination, and coverage of electricity and water bills up to BD 80 per month.

The contract, which was renewed annually, was last updated on June 1, 2024, granting additional benefits until its scheduled end on August 31, 2024. However, the company failed to pay the employee's salary for July 2024, as well as his electricity bill for that month.

On June 26, 2024, the company terminated his employment without cause, despite the employee continuing to work through his notice period in July. The company also cancelled the residency permits for the employee and his family, forcing him to buy new tickets to avoid violating residency laws in Bahrain. Despite multiple requests, the company refused to settle his outstanding payments.

Following a court hearing, the High Labour Court ruled in favour of the employee, ordering the company to pay over BD 14,000 in compensation, covering back pay, benefits, and costs related to the unjust termination and repatriation.
A swan is pictured on the Qingshui River in the upper reaches of Miyun Reservoir in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- While wandering along the scenic Yongding River in Beijing, Liu Ling's heart soared as she finally spotted the great bustards she had always dreamed of seeing. With her newly upgraded photography gear in hand, these breathtaking shots wouldn't be the last she snaps that day.

A Beijing resident and avid bird enthusiast, Liu reflected that she used to have to venture deep into suburban forests to photograph birds, but now unexpected encounters of rare species occur much closer to home.

"Rising water levels and improved ecology in the Yongding River over the past few years have made weekend walks with my family a treat, often filled with sightings of various bird species," said Liu.

Starting in late autumn, when birds begin to migrate, the river has welcomed dozens of rare bird species, including peregrine falcons and black-winged kites, igniting a birdwatching frenzy among Beijing's bird enthusiasts.

Wild birds are a barometer of a region's ecological environment. Their arrival reflects, to some extent, the improvement of the local ecological conditions.

A similar scene is also unfolding in the bird habitat enhancement demonstration area northeast of Beijing's Miyun Reservoir, where over 10,000 migratory birds have gathered in the past months.

"In recent years, the reservoir has seen enhanced biodiversity and a more stable ecosystem with its strengthened efforts in biological protection and restoration," said Wang Qun from the management office of the reservoir.

By the end of December 2023, the Miyun Reservoir had documented 235 bird species, an increase of 45 compared to 2020. Some species under first-class national protection have become regular visitors.

It has not, however, always been this way. Rapid urbanization, surging population and over-exploitation of water resources used to cause ecological degradation and land subsidence in Beijing.

"Back then, the riverbanks were just sandy or overgrown with weeds. Aside from sparrows, hardly any birds could be seen," said Guo Dongjiang, who has long worked in river management and protection.

Changes emerged at the end of 2014, when water from central China's Hubei Province began to quench Beijing's thirst thanks to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The majority of Beijing's drinking water travels over 1,000 kilometers along the middle route from Danjiangkou Reservoir in Hubei.

Today, nearly 80 percent of water consumed in the city's urban areas has made this 15-day journey from Danjiangkou. Water flows north via canals and pipelines, crosses beneath the Yellow River, and finally arrives in the city's water treatment plants.

According to the Beijing water authority, after ensuring the sufficiency and quality of water supplies, the water diversion project channels water to key reservoirs in Beijing, including Miyun, Huairou and Daning reservoirs.

In 2023, the water ecological monitoring and health assessment report of Beijing assigned 83 percent of the main rivers, lakes and wetlands in Beijing to healthy status.

Furthermore, Beijing's latest terrestrial wildlife catalog, released by the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau, lists 519 bird species, accounting for one-third of the country's total, up around 100 from a decade ago.

"We're confident that with the ongoing increase in water diversion and ecological usage, Beijing's aquatic ecosystems will thrive with greater biodiversity," said Liu Bo with the Beijing hydrological station.

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the largest of its kind in the world, has diverted more than 76.7 billion cubic meters of water to the country's northern regions through its middle and eastern routes over the past 10 years, according to a press conference Thursday. More than 185 million people in China have directly benefited from the project. 

This photo taken on Nov. 18, 2024 shows migratory birds at the Miyun Reservoir in Beijing, capital of China. (Photo by Song Huiqiang/Xinhua)
China's "mountain city" Chongqing has become a popular destination for Thai tourists like blogger Pocky, who hails the convenience of visiting as the two countries entered a "visa-free era" from March 1. #GLOBALink
WASH YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES OFTEN

Dear Heloise: If your readers are using makeup brushes, please advise them to wash those brushes at least once a week. The same goes for makeup sponges.

Here at the dermatologists office, we see so many skin infections that are caused by dirty makeup brushes, sponges, and women who sleep in their makeup. All three of these are no-nos! -- K.D., in Florida

DIRTY BLANKETS

Dear Readers: For heavily stained or soiled blankets (cotton, rayon or other fabrics), spray the spots and presoak them. Wash for 4-6 minutes in cold or warm water (depending on the care label) on the delicate cycle with detergent and oxygen bleach (if the label says its OK).

Dry on the gentle cycle or line-dry. For a quick freshening, put blankets into the dryer on the air setting with a fabric softener sheet. -- Heloise

LIVING ALONE

Dear Heloise: I live alone, and although I always check the locks on the doors and sometimes the windows, I will occasionally hear strange noises from outside. Now I keep my car keys on my nightstand, and if I hear a noise that I shouldnt be hearing in my yard, I press the alarm button on my key fob.

This trick worked when two young boys tried to steal my car a couple of years ago. I set off the alarm and dialed 911. The police caught the boys, who were both 14 years old! -- D.L., in Ohio

PROPER DISHWASHER CLEANING

Dear Readers: Our dishwashers get a lot of use, and if your dishwasher has an odor, try to find out where the smell is coming from. First, look inside the dishwasher to examine the drain hose and the bottom reservoir for residue or food particles that may be trapped there.

Gunk and grease can accumulate, and if the water isnt hot enough to wash it away, this stuff can cause an odor. Use a large wad of paper towels to clean out the reservoir. Be careful because there could be broken glass or sharp bits. The smell may also be coming from clogged kitchen drainpipes or sewer lines. If you suspect this, call a plumber.

To prevent these odors, clean the dishwasher every month or so by pouring 1/2 cup of bleach or 1 cup of household vinegar into the detergent cup and running it through a cycle. There are commercial dishwasher and freshener products that can do the job, too. In between uses, pour baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher to help control any odors. -- Heloise

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: This is Pixie Jane Peppersass, a Chihuahua/terrier/poodle mix I rescued. She lived under a porch in Austin, Texas, at the age of 2 and is now 5 years old.

Pixie Jane PeppersassHeloise

She is very snuggly and has a fun, loving personality -- shes the light of my life! She plays with chickens in my fenced yard and weighs 9 pounds. -- Nancy Philbrick, Hooksett, New Hampshire

Readers, to see Pixie Jane Peppersass and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week.

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. -- Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com

(c) 2024 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
A new bar and restaurant will soon open on one of Atlantic Citys main streets, and when it does, itll be the first full-time LGTBQ+ inclusive establishment since 2004 in the resort town.

ByrdCage is taking over the location of Good Dog Bar, a pet-friendly bar that closed after only about one year in business at 3426 Atlantic Ave. The public opening is planned for January.

Atlantic City hasnt had a year-round bar and restaurant centered around the LGTBQ+ community since Studio Six closed 20 years ago.

Jason Tell, a long-time restauranteur in South Jersey and Philadelphia, intends for his new business to be a safe space for all.

This is not just a restaurant or a bar  this is a space where the entire community can come together, celebrate and be themselves," Tell said in a statement announcing the opening.

Were proud to be the first full-time LGBTQ+ venue in Atlantic City in nearly two decades, and we cant wait to welcome guests to a place where they feel at home and safe.

The first floor will be home to live piano shows, with more festive nightclub performances on the level above. Tell anticipates opening in early January.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's parliament on Saturday passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol with 204 votes in favor, reaching the two-thirds threshold required for the impeachment.

The following is what has happened over the past two weeks of political turmoil in South Korea.

-- On Dec. 3, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared an emergency martial law, saying in a televised emergency address that "I declare an emergency martial law" to eradicate anti-state forces and uphold free constitutional order.

He noted that it was an inevitable step to ensure people's freedom, safety and national sustainability from the anti-state forces seeking to overthrow the country, vowing to eliminate the anti-state forces and normalize the country as soon as possible.

-- On Dec. 4, South Korea's parliament voted to lift the emergency martial law declared by President Yoon.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said the president should immediately lift the martial law order according to the parliament's resolution approval, noting that the martial law declaration became invalid.

Woo confirmed that all martial law troops had left the parliamentary building.

-- On Dec. 5, South Korea's opposition parties began to report an impeachment motion against President Yoon to the parliament over his declaration of the emergency martial law.

By law, the 300-member unicameral National Assembly is required to cast a secret vote on the impeachment motion within 72 hours after it is proposed.

-- On Dec. 6, President Yoon met with the ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon ahead of a parliamentary impeachment vote scheduled for Dec. 7.

Han said he held talks with Yoon but heard nothing that could change his stance that calls for the swift suspension of Yoon's presidential powers.

-- On Dec. 7, South Korea's parliament failed to pass the impeachment motion against President Yoon as most of the lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party refused to vote on it.

Of the 300 National Assembly lawmakers, 198 voted for the bill on the special prosecutor investigation of the first lady, with 102 against it. At least two-thirds of the lawmakers need to vote yes to pass the bill in revote.

-- On Dec. 8, South Korean prosecutors booked President Yoon as a suspect on charges of treason.

Park Se-hyun, who leads a special investigation headquarters into Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration, said the prosecution is investigating charges of treason and abuse of power against the president.

While the president mostly has immunity from prosecution while in office, that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.

-- On Dec. 9, South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party of Korea submitted bills to investigate charges of President Yoon's alleged insurrection and scandal involving his wife.

-- On Dec. 10, South Korea's National Assembly passed a resolution, calling for an immediate arrest of President Yoon and seven other officials over last week's botched martial law declaration.

-- On Dec. 11, South Korean police raided the office of the embattled President Yoon over his martial law declaration last week.

Those subject to the raid were the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police and the National Assembly Police Guards as well as the presidential office.

A group of investigators entered the presidential compound to seize documents on an emergency martial law declared by Yoon on the night of Dec. 3 that was rescinded by the National Assembly hours later.

-- On Dec. 12, South Korea's parliament passed bills to appoint independent counsels to investigate President Yoon's insurrection charge over his martial law declaration and scandals involving the first lady.

Of 283 National Assembly lawmakers attending the plenary session, 195 voted for the special prosecutor bill against Yoon and 86 dissented, with two abstentions.

-- On Dec. 13, South Korea's parliament reported the second impeachment motion against President Yoon over his martial law declaration after the first one was scrapped on Dec. 7.

-- On Dec. 14, South Korea's parliament passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon with 204 votes in favor, 85 votes against with three abstentions and eight votes nullified.

With the parliamentary approval, the constitutional court will deliberate the impeachment within 180 days, during which Yoon's constitutional power will be suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will be an acting president. 
A 14-year-old was arrested Friday on charges he threatened to shoot up Bergen Community College in a TikTok video earlier this month, authorities said.

The Bergen County Sheriffs Office was notified about the TikTok post on Dec. 6. The teen threatened to shoot up the college on Dec. 16, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said.

Detectives from the offices Cyber Crimes Unit traced the threatening post and identified the 14-year-old in Bergen County as the person who posted it, investigators said.

The teen was taken into custody, charged as a juvenile with second-degree false public alarm and third-degree terroristic threats and released, authorities said.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
A Camden County man was sentenced to 80 years in prison Friday for sexually assaulting two juveniles starting in 2015, authorities said.

Kevin Mottas, 31, of Atco, was found guilty after a 2023 trial on multiple sexual assault counts, child endangerment, hindering apprehension and making terroristic threats.

For five months in 2015, Mottas repeatedly sexually assaulted two girls who were both under 7 years old at the time, officials said.

Mottas threatened to harm the girls if they told anyone about the assaults, authorities said.

The girls did not tell a family member about the assaults until four years later, officials said. The family member contacted authorities.

Mottas must serve at least 50 years in state prison before becoming eligible for parole and he must register under Megans Law once released, officials said.

Mottas attorney Joseph P. Howard said Friday that he appreciated the judges careful consideration of all factors during the proceedings, though he considering an appeal.

Kevin Mottas continues to maintain his innocence and advocates for a different outcome, and is pursuing all possible appeals, Howard said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
Water fluoridation was controversial in New Jersey long before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said if given the power he would take steps to strip it from public water.

New Jersey has a reputation for being at the forefront of public health initiatives, but its behind when it comes to endorsing the long-standing public health practice of community water fluoridation. In fact, New Jersey has the second lowest fluoridation rate in America, ranking 49 out of 50 states, behind Hawaii, according to the latest rankings.

Only 16% of the states population has access to water fluoridated at the federally recommended levels, significantly below the national average of 73%, according to Americas Health Rankings from the United Health Foundation.

Of the half dozen dental professional and public policy experts interviewed by NJ Advance Media, none could say exactly why water fluoridation has never taken off in New Jersey.

But its not for a lack of trying.

Since 2005, and as recently as this January, legislators have introduced bills that would require public water systems to be fluoridated, but its never been voted on by the full Legislature. The decision to add it to the water is often handled on the local level.

Weve written letters to the state legislature each time it comes up, but it never gets done, said Kenneth Markowitz, an associate professor at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and a practicing dentist of almost 40 years.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said drinking water with the proper level of flouride  estimated to be 0.7 milligrams per liter  will reduce 25% of dental cavities over a persons lifetime, and its been used as a public health tool since the 1900s.

While it has been widely adopted throughout the U.S.  some states, such as California, have laws that require it be added to water systems of a certain size  its also periodically gotten pushback. Critics say its less necessary in an age of fluoride-containing toothpaste and other dental products and could cause dental damage in high doses.

Kennedy, who could become the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services under President-elect Donald Trump, recently described it as an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.

Its a comment many medical experts have pushed back on and scientific studies have refuted.

The New Jersey Dental Association, the New Jersey Academy of General Dentistry, and the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine all support water fluoridation at the recommended levels as a community health measure. Its also supported by the American Dental Association and World Health Organization.

Decades of studies and scientists science  versus RFK science  demonstrate the oral health benefits of safe levels of fluoridation in water. Im sponsoring the bill simply to protect against tooth decay and prevent cavities, aid State Sen. Raj Mukherji, D-Hudson, one of the recent bill sponsors.

Despite scientific evidence of its efficacy, fluoridated water still faces skepticism from advocates for holistic medicine and groups like the Fluoride Action Network, which argues that its toxic.

A 2018 Fairleigh Dickinson University poll found that nationwide, 43% believe fluoridated public drinking water is a way for chemical companies to offload dangerous toxins into the environment. The same survey also asked questions about trust in local and state government and found that those who trust government the least are also the least likely to believe in the benefits of fluoridated drinking water.

In the years since that study was conducted, overall trust in government has declined, said Dan Cassino, a political science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and director of FDU Poll.

Weve also seen more people say that they want to do their own research. The ADA (American Dental Association) says its a good thing, the CDC says its good, but theres this study that says fluoride decreases IQ, so people come to their own conclusions, Cassino said.

A report released in August by the National Toxicology Program, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, concluded with moderate confidence that there is an association between higher levels of fluoride and lower IQ in children. However, the study examined fluoride at levels of 1.5 milligrams per liter or more  twice as high as whats added to public water.

Everything is toxic in sufficiently large doses, said Cassino.

While studies have concluded that too much fluoride can lead to dental issues, such as discoloration, fluoride at recommended levels is safe, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Misinformation linking fluoride to severe health risks, such as cancer or neurological issues, often involves exposure far beyond levels used in water fluoridation, said Orville Morales, director of advocacy and health affairs for the New Jersey Dental Association. Ultimately, fluoride is like salt. A small amount can enhance a dish significantly. Too much salt can lead to heart disease.

Fundamentally this is a miseducation issue, said Morales.

In New Jersey, its also a home-rule issue.

We consider the fluoridation of drinking water supplies to be a community-based decision, New Jersey American Water says on its website. This means that any system in which we currently fluoridate, the decision to initiate fluoridation was not made by the company.

Customers served by New Jersey American Water where fluoride is added in the drinking water include more than three dozen towns in Monmouth and Ocean counties, as well as Jamesburg Township in Middlesex County. Fluoridation has been temporarily suspended at the Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant  which serves nearly two dozen towns in Somerset, Middlesex, and Mercer counties  due to ongoing water treatment plant upgrades, but fluoridation is expected to resume upon completion, according to the companys website.

In response to recent debate around fluoride, the Academy of General Dentistry released a statement reiterating its support for water fluoridation as the most cost-effective way to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

I think its a good thing for folks to do their own research, but just like anything else, weve got to be mindful of the websites and sources were using, said Vice President George Schmidt, who owns a private dental practice in New Jersey.

There are some studies out there that show adverse reactions but many of those are at higher levels than we advocate. We believe that when it comes to fluoride at the recommended levels, the benefits far outweigh the risks, said Schmidt.

New Jersey residents without access to fluoridated water can still take steps to incorporate fluoride into their routine. Dentists encourage patients to add fluoride tablets to their own water, use fluoridated toothpaste, and exercise good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing.

Residents can also check if their respective community adds fluoride to the water at the Department of Environmental Protections website, which lists public community water systems that may contain fluoride.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
Warren Farber and his partner Phyllis Bengal planned a trip from New Jersey to California to help his daughter and her wife with their new house.

In June, he bought two roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines from Priceline.com. The outgoing flight would depart from Newark International Airport on Aug. 1.

Including insurance, the price was $2,016.35 for the two tickets.

The trip out to the West Coast was without incident, and after a couple of nice days with their family, they checked in online for their return flight.

We were told the flight had been cancelled, Farber said.

They were given options. They could have taken a red eye to Seattle, and then the next day, another red eye from Seattle to Newark. Or, they could get a refund for the cancelled flight and then make their own arrangements to get back home.

They opted for the refund and found a better flight home, even though it cost more: $1,136.96 for the two tickets.

Alaska immediately refunded the baggage fees as this was paid directly to them, Farber said. I followed up with Alaska within the next few days and was advised that they did in fact reimburse the cost of the return flight to the purchaser of the ticket.

Farber figured that refund went to Priceline.

Alaska gave him the last four digits of a credit card to which the refund was made, and he started calling Priceline. He was given a reference number, but that was about it.

All calls take about 20 to 30 minutes and always result in the representative saying that someone from `accounting will call back once it is confirmed that reimbursement has been received by `our partner from Alaska Airlines, Farber said. They decline to tell me who their partner is in order for me to call directly.

They always say they will call me back with information. The call never comes, he said

Its now been more than five months since the flight was cancelled, and Farber said didnt know what else to do.

He asked Bamboozled for help.

RELATED: He booked travel but he was tricked. Dont let it happen to you.

We asked Priceline to review Farbers account, and when we eventually reached the correct representative  more on that in a moment  we had good news.

Priceline said it was refunding his money and it would reach out to Farber directly. We asked what took so long, but we didnt receive a response.

Farber never got a call, but he did receive a refund of $721.33 to his credit card.

I had all but given up trying to get Priceline to respond, Farber said. Ive learned my lesson. I will never use Priceline again. Its just not worth the hassle if something goes wrong.

Warren Farber (middle) and Phyllis Bengal (right) help Farbers daughter Rachel (on the ladder) and her wife Emily (left) move into their new home. (Courtesy Warren Farber)Courtesy Warren Farber

BAMBOOZLED, BEHIND THE SCENES

Its rare that we struggle to reach the right contact at a company to help resolve a consumer problem. For more than a week, no one at Priceline or its parent company Booking Holdings responded to email, phone calls or messages on LinkedIn about Farbers case.

It turns out the person we needed to reach was out of the office  heck, everyone deserves holidays, personal time and vacation days  but we didnt know it at the time.

So, frustrated, we went to social media. On X, formerly known as Twitter, we posted several messages directly to Priceline and Booking Holdings. Three separate people claiming to represent Priceline responded, asking for us to send all the details in a private message.

But they all appeared to be impersonators or scammers.

They asked us to send the customers information, including a birth date (red flag, anyone?) and a number for the encrypted texting app WhatsApp (red flag No. 2).

Not so fast. Wanting to confirm their identities, we requested they each send us an email so we could communicate that way. Only one did. It came from an email address that appeared to use the Priceline name, but it was misspelled. Obviously, a fake.

It was also obvious how an upset traveler desperate for help could easily make the mistake and share personal information with a bad actor.

Fraudsters abound. Everywhere. Keep your guard up, Jersey.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
A New Jersey congressman is calling on federal authorities to permit state and local police to take down unauthorized drones, as reports of mysterious flights continue to surge.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., said during a media briefing that the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security must allow local authorities to intervene in flights over critical infrastructure.

The technology exists and law enforcement, working with federal agency partners, need the tools to react and address any threats from unwelcome and unregistered drones, Gottheimer said Friday during an appearance in Bergen County.

Im not talking about small recreational drones at the beach or taking pictures of a wedding, he said. " Im talking about drones to fly over military bases, reservoirs, airports, first responder locations, critical infrastructure and other sensitive sites to perform reconnaissance. Drones that are unlicensed, unregistered, and unwelcome.

Picatinny Arsenal, an Army facility in Morris County, has had 11 confirmed sightings of unauthorized drones flying over in its airspace in recent weeks, Gottheimer said citing military officials.

The first drone sightings occurred in North Jersey, including Morris and Hunterdon counties, about a month ago and military bases, local police departments and other law enforcement have confirmed these sightings.

During a Thursday press briefing, John Kirby, the national security spokesman for President Joe Bidens administration, said that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully.

This statement mostly echoed those made Thursday by FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Gottheimer, who is running for governor, also called for federal agencies to answer direct questions about the drone to the public.

When you hear hundreds of reports of drones flying above us, or see activity yourself, and federal agencies responsible for controlling the air space dont properly and quickly brief the public, then it leaves a large vacuum of information, he said in a statement. Thats why Ive written to the FBI, DHS, and FAA and asked them to immediately brief the public  not on a piece of paper, but in person.

The congressman asked for the federal government to work closely with state and municipal police to give them equipment needed to monitor drone activity.

New Jersey cannot become the wild west for drone activity  and Americans shouldnt have to worry about whats flying overhead, especially as technology like AI advances at an unprecedented clip, Gottheimer said.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
The woman who in 2006 falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of raping her  making national headlines that stirred tensions about race, class and the privilege of college athletes - has admitted publicly for the first time that she made up the story.

Crystal Mangum, who is Black, said in an interview with the Lets Talk with Kat podcast that she made up a story that wasnt true about the white players who attended a party where she was hired to perform as a stripper because I wanted validation from people and not from God.

I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didnt and that was wrong, Mangum, 46, said in the interview, which was released Monday. The interview was recorded last month at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, where Mangum is incarcerated for fatally stabbing her boyfriend in 2011.

The former Duke players, including a student from New Jersey, were declared innocent in 2007 after Mangums story fell apart under legal scrutiny.

The state attorney generals office concluded there was no credible evidence an attack ever occurred, and its investigation found no DNA, witness or other evidence to confirm Mangums story.

The Durham prosecutor who championed Mangums case was disbarred for lying and misconduct. Prosecutors at the time declined to press charges against Mangum for the false accusations.

The former lacrosse players reached an undisclosed settlement with Duke University in 2007 after suing it for the handling of the rape allegations.

Mangum, who was convicted of second-degree murder in 2013 and is eligible to be released from prison as early as 2026, told the podcast interviewer that she hopes the three falsely accused men can forgive her.

I want them to know that I love them and they didnt deserve that, she said.

Durham-based podcaster Kat DePasquale said she wrote to Mangum because she was curious about the case that got so much attention, and that Mangum wrote back saying she wanted to talk.
Drones have been reported above two nuclear power plants in New Jersey and briefly grounded flights at a small airport Friday, according to officials.

PSEG is aware of reports of drones flying over the Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations, said Marijke Shugrue, a spokesperson for the utility company. She said they contacted appropriate authorities but did not say who initially made the reports.

Meanwhile, a drone sighting on Friday led to the temporary shutdown of a small New York airport operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

On December 13, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Stewart Airport temporarily closed its runways following a report from the FAA about a drone sighting at the airport, a Port Authority spokesperson said. The runways were reopened at 10:45 p.m., and there were no impacts to flight operations during the closure.

New York Stewart International Airport, which is a military and public airport, is located in New Windsor, New York.

Reports of drones flying over New Jersey have continued to pour in, with lawmakers demanding answers and action from the federal government. The FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security have pushed back on the accuracy of many reports, suggesting many were likely manned aircrafts.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., has been especially vocal, and released a statement Friday about the reports of drones near the two nuclear plants, both located at one nuclear generating site in Salem County.

Two drones roughly the size of small SUVs had been hovering in close proximity to the plants, he said.

Van Drew said PSEG asked the Federal Aviation Administration for airspace restrictions, but Shugrue, the PSEG spokesperson, declined to confirm it to NJ Advance Media.

Gov. Phil Murphy and other law enforcement officials, including county prosecutors, have said there is no evidence the unexplained drones pose a threat to the state and have called for any sightings to be reported to the FBI, which has been investigating the sightings statewide.

Van Drew has walked back some previous claims that the drones' source may have been an Iranian ship parked off the East Coast. The Pentagon refuted his theory and he acknowledged in a statement that the drone ships are along the Iranian coast.

He and other lawmakers continue to express frustration about the federal governments response, calling for investigations and answers for the public.

It is unacceptable to hear the government contradict itself by saying they do not know who is operating these drones, while at the same time telling us there is no reason to be concerned, he said.

Drones have been reported hovering across New Jerseys night skies over the past few weeks. The sightings, which began last month, have led to an FBI investigation that has yielded at least 3,000 reports of unexplained drones.

Among the reports are sightings over two military bases in New Jersey. Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County has had two reports of drones in its airspace and Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County said it had at least 11 confirmed drone sightings in recent weeks.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.
Parts of New Jersey could get a light coating of snow or a wintry mix at the tail end of the upcoming weekend, posing a risk of some slippery roads, the National Weather Service said.

A weak storm system is expected to arrive in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey either Sunday evening or Sunday night, with temperatures cold enough to support some snow in areas near and north of Interstate 78, the weather service said.

Some computer guidance models are projecting a fairly long duration of precipitation, but the storm system shouldnt have much moisture.

So even for areas that see a period of wintry mix or even all snow, snow accumulation should be light, the weather services Mount Holly forecast office said.

As of Friday afternoon, the weather service was predicting less than 1 inch of accumulating snow in Sussex, Warren and Passaic counties, along with northern sections of Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset counties.

The weather services New York regional office says there is a possibility of icy roads during the Monday morning commute in parts of northeastern New Jersey.



A light coating of snow and/or sleet is possible on untreated surfaces, the agency said. Locally icy conditions are possible due to cold ground temperatures and a possible mixing with rain and/or freezing rain.

Areas outside of northern New Jersey are expected to see light rain Sunday night and more light rain during the day on Monday.

Current weather radar

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.


HANGZHOU, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- In the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou, a squad of special police officers was seen patrolling the vibrant streets, with a spherical robot steadily advancing beside them -- a unique scene that immediately became an online sensation.

"This 'agile roly-poly' is our new member," said Huang Sufeng, the deputy commander of a special patrol police brigade, describing the 160-kilogram globe with a diameter of 0.8 meters.

It is a combat-capable robot designed for close-quarters engagements, including anti-terrorist operations, capable of reaching 30 kilometers per hour in a swift 2.5 seconds and being mounted with police equipment, said Huang.

The designers behind this robot initially envisioned a machine designed to traversing the surface of Mercury.

"Mercury is a planet with extreme temperature variations due to its proximity to the Sun," Wang You, an associate professor in Zhejiang University, told Xinhua.

In 2017, Wang and his collaborators started with the innovative vision, and they finally brought the spherical robot concept to life with rapid rolling motion and advanced motion control, complete with amphibious and autonomous driving capabilities.

The internal pendulum of the spherical robot, powered by a motor, oscillates around the sphere's core in a full-range motion, enabling the robot to roll in any specified direction with good balance.

"The spherical robot can roll with minimal friction, eliminating the need for extra stabilization," said Wang. "It also offers better energy efficiency than legged robots, capable of operating continuously for 10 hours or traveling 120 kilometers."

The spherical robot is distinguished by its sealed design that protects the electronics within, thus enabling it to maneuver effortlessly on both land and water.

The machine features a glass fiber-reinforced polymer shell that maintains the sealed environment and enables operation down to minus 30 degrees Celsius. Also, it is impact-resistant up to 4 tonnes to withstand drops from heights of up to 1 meter without damage, according to Wang.

The team has now established a startup called Rotunbot in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, and recruited an international team for further development.

A promotional clip that went viral on video-sharing platforms showcased a scenario where spherical robots on patrol identify and lock onto illegal intruders, pursuing and engaging in combat. These robots are shown to coordinate with each other and use tools like net guns to apprehend suspects.

In the future, this spherical robot holds the potential to evolve into specialized roles such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal or radiation monitoring robots, taking over tasks in hazardous and adverse environments where human presence is risky, said Wang.

Rotunbot posted the corporate slogan on its official website: "From Mercury to Earth, we make fiction real." 
China's police now have a new support: a spherical patrol robot that can hit 30 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. Inspired by a concept originally in Mercury probe project, this high-speed machine is ready to roll on both land and water.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Azerbaijan's innovation ecosystem is undergoing a transformation with the growing establishment of venture capital funds. In recent years, the country has increasingly focused on building a robust framework for supporting startups and attracting foreign investments, positioning itself as a rising hub for innovation in the region. In line with this vision, a third venture capital fund is set to be established, marking a significant milestone in Azerbaijans venture capital landscape.

The emergence of Azerbaijan's third venture capital fund

At a recent event dedicated to the annual activity report of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDIA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Agahuseyn Ahmadov, the Head of the Investments and Ecosystem Support Department, revealed that Azerbaijan will soon launch its third venture fund. This announcement follows the establishment of the countrys first two funds, Caucasus Ventures and INMerge Ventures, and reflects the government's growing commitment to fostering an innovation-driven economy.

Ahmadov shared that the new fund is being developed in collaboration with White Hill Capital, a prominent investment company. The goal is to increase the volume of managed assets to $15 million, which would further bolster the countrys startup ecosystem and attract more local and international investors. He emphasized that while two funds are already operational, more capital is needed to support the growing demand for investment in the innovation sector.

Caucasus ventures: Azerbaijans first venture capital fund

The creation of Caucasus Ventures in 2022 marked a pivotal moment for Azerbaijans venture capital scene. The fund, which was established with the support of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, PASHA Holding Group, and individual investors, has an authorized capital of 11.3 million manats. It primarily targets post-seed and A-stage startups across various sectors, particularly in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Caucasus Ventures aims to develop Azerbaijans innovation ecosystem by creating favorable conditions for the growth of local startups and encouraging foreign investment. The funds establishment reflects a shift toward institutionalizing venture capital funding in the country, which has traditionally lacked the infrastructure to support high-growth, technology-driven businesses.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev expressed his optimism for the funds impact, stating that Caucasus Ventures would play a key role in optimizing the business environment, improving innovation infrastructure, and attracting foreign investors to Azerbaijan. Similarly, PASHA Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Jalal Gasimov, expressed hope that the funds success would set a precedent for more venture funds in the future.

The funds focus on regional startups and its strategic international outreach are also expected to elevate Azerbaijans status as a key player in the global innovation and investment ecosystem.

INMerge ventures: Azerbaijans second venture fund

Following in the footsteps of Caucasus Ventures, Azerbaijans second venture capital fund, INMerge Ventures, was officially launched in October 2024. This new fund, with an authorized capital of $4 million, was developed through a collaborative effort involving prominent figures such as Inara Valiyeva, Chairwoman of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, Yasin Jalilov, Deputy Executive Director of Azerbaijan Investment Company OJSC, and Irem Chagri Yilandil, Head of International Expansion at Trendyol Group.

The establishment of INMerge Ventures highlights the countrys commitment to fostering a dynamic startup ecosystem and deepening international collaborations. The fund aims to support high-potential startups, particularly those with a focus on digital technologies, e-commerce, and innovation-driven solutions. It also aligns with the government's broader strategy to diversify Azerbaijans economy by investing in knowledge-based industries and the digital sector.

The impact of venture capital funds on Azerbaijans innovation ecosystem

The growth of venture capital funds in Azerbaijan is an encouraging sign of the countrys shift towards a knowledge-based economy. The emergence of Caucasus Ventures and INMerge Ventures signals the beginning of a new era in which the private sector, alongside governmental initiatives, plays a vital role in nurturing startups and innovation.

For entrepreneurs, these funds provide much-needed financial backing to scale their businesses and enhance their market competitiveness. The venture funds offer a viable alternative to traditional forms of financing, which are often inaccessible or insufficient for high-growth startups in Azerbaijan.

Moreover, the presence of international investors and strategic partnerships helps build an investment culture in the country. As Azerbaijan seeks to attract foreign capital and foster a thriving innovation ecosystem, these venture funds serve as critical instruments for economic diversification, job creation, and the commercialization of new technologies.

A promising future for Azerbaijan's startup ecosystem

Azerbaijans venture capital landscape is rapidly evolving, with the establishment of multiple funds that are primed to support the next generation of tech-driven entrepreneurs. The creation of the third venture fund, alongside the success of Caucasus Ventures and INMerge Ventures, reflects a growing recognition of the importance of innovation and investment in driving sustainable economic growth.

As these funds continue to expand and support regional and local startups, Azerbaijan is well-positioned to become a leading hub for venture capital and innovation in the Caucasus and Central Asia. With the governments ongoing support, the collaboration of private investors, and the growing number of venture funds, Azerbaijan is on the path to creating a vibrant and competitive innovation ecosystem that will attract global attention in the years to come.
South Korea's National Assembly lawmakers vote on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 14, 2024. South Korea's National Assembly on Saturday opened a plenary session to vote on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol over his botched declaration of martial law. The ruling People Power Party decided to maintain its position to oppose the impeachment motion, but not to boycott the vote, Yonhap news agency reported Saturday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's National Assembly on Saturday opened a plenary session to vote on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol over his botched declaration of martial law.

The ruling People Power Party decided to maintain its position to oppose the impeachment motion, but not to boycott the vote, Yonhap news agency reported Saturday. 
Doctors Grieving families Journalists Farmers Marines Journalists Doctors Grieving families Marines Farmers

How the President Alienated South Korea, One Group at a Time

Angry rice farmers. Striking doctors. A $2,200 Dior bag.

South Koreas president, Yoon Suk Yeol, may have sealed his political fate on Dec. 3, when he declared martial law, triggering public outrage. And on Saturday, the National Assembly voted to impeach Mr. Yoon, who was then suspended from office.

But even before Mr. Yoon's brief imposition of military rule, voters were furious with a series of scandals and unpopular decisions since he took office. Amid growing inequality, rising prices and escalating threats from North Korea, his controversial leadership had left him with some of the lowest approval ratings in South Korea's history.

Past presidents 81% 44% Moon Jae-in 20172022 49% 42% Impeached for corruption in 2016 Itaewon crowd crush Martial law 11% Yoon Suk Yeol 2022present 5% Park Geun-hye 20132017 Approval rating when took office 1st YEAR 2nd 3th 4th 5th Past presidents 81% 44% Moon Jae-in 20172022 49% 42% Itaewon crowd crush Impeached for corruption in 2016 Martial law 11% Yoon Suk Yeol 2022present 5% Park Geun-hye 20132017 Approval rating when took office 5th YEAR Past presidents 81% 49% 44% Moon Jae-in 20172022 42% Impeached for corruption in 2016 Itaewon crowd crush Martial law 11% Yoon Suk Yeol 2022present 5% Park Geun-hye 20132017 Approval rating when took office 1ST YEAR 2nd 3th 4th 5th Source: Gallup Korea

Heres how Mr. Yoon lost the trust of much of his electorate.

2022 March Mr. Yoon was voted into office by the thinnest margin since South Korea began holding free presidential elections in 1987. Within days, he announced a controversial plan to relocate the Defense Ministry so his office could move into its compound, at a cost to taxpayers of about $41 million. May Weeks into Mr. Yoons term, two of his cabinet nominees withdrew after being accused of nepotism. Three more would resign within months. September A media outlet published a recording of Mr. Yoon apparently using an expletive to refer to U.S. lawmakers after a meeting with President Biden. Mr. Yoon called the report fake news, and members of his party tried to enter the broadcasters offices. Mr. Yoon has repeatedly gone after journalists and news organizations that criticized him, leading to accusations of censorship and backsliding on democratic values. Go back! This is unjustified seizure of media! Go back! This is unjustified seizure of media! Go back! This is unjustified seizure of media! October Halloween celebrations in Itaewon, a lively Seoul neighborhood, turned into disaster when 159 young people were killed in a crowd crush. Grieving families were furious at the government. Records showed that the authorities had missed several opportunities to prevent such a catastrophe. But the government insisted it had not been responsible for public safety that night because the festivities were not an official event. Mr. Yoon blamed officers in the field and refused to apologize. In memory of Itaewon disaster victims Yoon Suk Yeol step down! In memory of Itaewon disaster victims Yoon Suk Yeol step down! In memory of Itaewon disaster victims Yoon Suk Yeol step down! 2023 March Pushing to mend ties with Tokyo, Mr. Yoon announced that his government would no longer seek compensation from Japan for subjecting Koreans to forced labor during World War II, saying it would instead pay the victims itself. Mr. Biden praised the deal, but critics at home cast the decision as a surrender to South Koreas former colonizer. Apology and compensation from Japans war criminal companies We condemn the government of Yoon Suk Yeol! Apology and compensation from Japans war criminal companies We condemn the government of Yoon Suk Yeol! Apology and compensation from Japans war criminal companies We condemn the government of Yoon Suk Yeol! April Citing concerns about overproduction, Mr. Yoon vetoed a bill that would have required the government to buy surplus rice to stabilize prices. Farmers have since taken to the streets to demand the bills return. Rice stalks In memoriam: Rice price guarantees Yoon Suk Yeol step down! Funeral garb Rice stalks In memoriam: Rice price guarantees Funeral garb Rice stalks In memoriam: Rice price guarantees Funeral garb May Tens of thousands of nurses went on strike after Mr. Yoon vetoed legislation meant to improve their pay and working conditions. Mr. Yoon pointed to reservations that doctors and nursing assistants had expressed about the bill. Nurses Act Nurses Act Nurses Act August Mr. Yoons endorsement of nearby Japans plan to discharge treated radioactive wastewater from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant set off a public backlash. He who advocates for the discharge of contaminated water Yoon Suk Yeol step down! International Atomic Energy Agency Caricature of Japans prime minister Mr. Yoon He who advocates for the discharge of contaminated water Yoon Suk Yeol step down! Caricature of Japans prime minister Mr. Yoon International Atomic Energy Agency He who advocates for the discharge of contaminated water Mr. Yoon International Atomic Energy Agency Caricature of Japans prime minister November Video taken with a hidden camera showed Mr. Yoons wife, Kim Keon Hee, accepting an expensive Dior pouch. She had been accused of questionable financial dealings before Mr. Yoon took office. Lawmakers passed a bill requiring an investigation into the claims, but Mr. Yoon vetoed it, denying that his wife had done anything wrong. The person who committed the act must resolve it Mr. Yoon Lets get Yoon Suk Yeol out! First lady Kim Keon Hee The person who committed the act must resolve it Mr. Yoon Lets get Yoon Suk Yeol out! First lady Kim Keon Hee The person who committed the act must resolve it First lady Kim Keon Hee Mr. Yoon December Mr. Yoon vetoed a union-backed bill that would have limited companies ability to sue workers for losses during strikes. With wages stagnant, metal workers , who are vital to South Koreas automobile and shipbuilding industries, had been protesting the governments labor policies for months. We will never let Yoon Suk Yeols administration stomp on us! Everything goes up except my salary! We will never let Yoon Suk Yeols administration stomp on us! Everything goes up except my salary! We will never let Yoon Suk Yeols administration stomp on us! Everything goes up except my salary! 2024 February Trainee doctors walked off the job, demanding better pay and working conditions and protesting Mr. Yoons plan to dramatically increase medical school enrollment. Some senior doctors soon decided to join the strike for one day a week. Many patients blamed the disruptions on the presidents unwillingness to compromise. We oppose the governments unilateral policy to increase medical school enrollment. Please establish health care policies centered on doctors and patients We oppose the governments unilateral policy to increase medical school enrollment. We oppose the governments unilateral policy to increase medical school enrollment. Please establish health care policies centered on doctors and patients April In parliamentary elections, voters gave the opposition 187 of the National Assemblys 300 seats, one of the largest majorities in decades. The results were widely seen as a verdict on Mr. Yoon, and his approval rating hit a new low: 23 percent. May Mr. Yoon vetoed a bill calling for a special investigation into the death of a marine and its aftermath. The marine died in 2023 while on a mission to rescue flood victims; it was later revealed that his team had not been given life jackets. An officer who investigated the case accused Mr. Yoon of pressuring the Defense Ministry to whitewash the matter. Investigate extrajudicial pressure! The Marine Corps will punish Yoon Suk Yeol!! Investigate extrajudicial pressure! The Marine Corps will punish Yoon Suk Yeol!! The Marine Corps will punish Yoon Suk Yeol!! November Demanding wage protections, the countrys largest trade union organizer announced plans for tens of thousands of railway, subway and school workers to strike during the first week of December. Dec. 3 Mr. Yoon declared martial law  but he withdrew the order six hours later, after lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly and voted to rescind it.

After his impeachment on Saturday, Mr. Yoon addressed the nation and listed what he considered his accomplishments during his term. He vowed to fight on in the Constitutional Court.

I will never give up, he said.
Will Teslas 2026 models come standard with a 12-inch hood ornament statue of Donald Trump?

Tesla boss Elon Musk's cozy (creepy) relationship with Trump has turned off a number of owners of the electric vehicle.

One guy told the Financial Times that "owning a Tesla feels like Im wearing a MAGA hat." Hes switching from Teslas Model Y to a Lucid Gravity when his lease is up in May.

And then there is the Anti-Elon Tesla Club. Bumper stickers and shirts are available on Esty.

Tesla used to be the EV brand that was bought by liberal-leaning customers who wanted to do their part to cut tailpipe emissions.

Musks relationship with global warming-denying Trump (Elon seems more like an appendage of the president-elect than an advisor) combined with his bonkers right-wing rantings on X has tarnished Teslas image.

An August survey by Edmunds car research firm found that 36 percent of potential EV buyers said they were less likely to buy a Tesla because of its link to Musk.

That poll was taken well before the presidential campaign in which Musk contributed more than $275M to back Trump.

It also predated Trump appointing Musk and fellow henchman Vivek Ramaswamy to co-head the Department of Government Efficiency.

Lets see how popular Musk will be after DOGE proposes firing half the US government workforce, slashing Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid, closing the Department of Education, and eliminating environmental regulations.

My hunch: a solid majority of respondents to an Edmunds survey conducted a year from now will not consider buying a Tesla.

Tesla stock has been trading like gangbusters, hitting an all-time high of $431 on Dec. 13.

They are bound to tank as investors begin to realize Musks efforts to dismantle the US government and its social programs.

Pitching renewable energy Lets not write off the prospects of renewable energy as Republicans take control of Washington.

A SKDK Research/HarrisX poll released Dec. 11 shows all is not lost. It found that 57 percent of Trump voters support the US investing more money in renewable energy sources.

The key to success is to pitch that investment as part of Trumps plan for US energy independence rather than helping to improve the environment.

Cited by 26 percent of Trump voters, energy independence ranked first in their reason to back renewables. Only 17 percent said a cleaner environment was the reason to support renewables.

Doug Thornell, CEO of SKDK, said that though the incoming Trump administration has a very different approach to energy policy from the Biden White House, tailoring a winning message is the way to get results.

Hats off... Congratulations to Rochelle Ford, most recently president of Dillard University, who will succeed Roger Bolton as CEO of the Page Society at yearend.

Ford also served as dean of the School of Communications at Elon University, and chaired the PR department at the S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University.

In those posts, she influenced many CCOsa lot of them are Page membersand PR agency people.

Bolton departs Page after serving it with distinction for the past 13 years.
A TORA-ONE humanoid robot is pictured at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 28, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A staff member conducts tests on a Walker X humanoid robot at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 26, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A staff member tests the gripping ability of a TORA-ONE humanoid robot at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 28, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A staff member shakes hands with a robot at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 26, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A tech firm demonstrates the walking capability of an SA01 bipedal robot during the 26th China High-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 14, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A visitor touches the finger of a mechanical hand at a booth at the 26th China High-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A TORA-ONE humanoid robot demonstrates its gripping ability at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 28, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A staff member conducts tests on a Walker X humanoid robot at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 26, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A staff member demonstrates the walking ability of a TRON1 bipedal robot at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 6, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

This undated file photo shows a CL-1 humanoid robot performing heavy-load delivery tasks at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua)

A TORA-ONE humanoid robot demonstrates its gripping ability at a sci-tech company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, June 28, 2024. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with its outstanding capabilities in research and development and solid foundation for manufacturing, serves as a fertile ground for the development of humanoid robot sector.

In recent years, various vertical areas in the humanoid robot sector, ranging from basic components to system integration, have been flourishing in the Greater Bay Area. Numerous technology companies and research institutions have mushroomed here, infusing greater intelligence and dexterity into humanoid robot products, which are gradually deployed in fields of industrial operation, medical care, education and research, and others. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
JERUSALEM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Air Force launched a precision strike on Hamas militants at a former school compound in Gaza City, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday in a statement.

The statement said that the airstrike, targeting Yaffa School, was carried out with the intelligence direction of the IDF and Israel Security Agency, and that the militants were planning to commit attacks against IDF troops in the Gaza Strip and against Israeli territory in the immediate future.

The statement did not mention the casualties in the operation. However, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that the strike on Yaffa School, described as a shelter for displaced individuals in the Tuffah neighborhood of northeastern Gaza City, resulted in the deaths of two citizens and injuries to several others.

The IDF claimed that the militants were operating inside a command and control center embedded within the school compound, calling Hamas systematically abusing "civilian infrastructure in violation of international law."

According to the statement, the Israeli side has been using precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence information for the strike to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has topped 44,000, according to Gaza-based health authorities. 
QINGDAO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A capsized fishing vessel was found in the central area of the Yellow Sea off the east coast of China at around 11 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Shandong maritime search and rescue center.

The vessel has been preliminarily identified as the one reported missing from an area nearby at around 11 p.m. on Friday -- which was carrying 12 people.

Search and rescue efforts continue. 
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was killed and another injured in an exchange of fire in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police officials said on Friday.

The incident happened in Mingora area of Swat district of the province when unknown terrorists attacked a police party deployed for security in the area, killing a police officer on the spot while injuring another officer, Swat police told Xinhua.

In retaliatory fire by the police, an assailant was also killed, said police. Following the incident, an additional contingent of police along with rescue teams reached the scene and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital.

Police have started an investigation and launched a search operation in the surrounding areas to arrest the accomplices of the terrorists involved in the attack.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. 
Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) December 13, 2024: I was born in March 1944 in Ossining, New York, my father's hometown. However, at the time of my birth, my father (1916-2007) was in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Dover, England, as part of the troop buildup there for D-Day. In any event, he returned home to Ossining and his family in 1945 when I was eighteen months old.

Therefore, the entire history of World War II (1939-1945), including the emergence of Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) and the rise of Nazis to power in Germany, has been part of the large cultural matrix surrounding my birth in March 1944. It has long been important to me to learn about cultural and historical events that happened before I was born in March 1944.

Briefly, technologically advanced Germany was defeated in World War I (1914-1918) after the United States entered the war. Subsequently, the technologically advanced Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis in the 1920s, the 1930s, and the 1940s, was again defeated in World War II after the United States entered the war. Hitler rose to power in Germany on a wave of resentment and conspiracy theories.

American Culture in the 20th and 21st Centuries

Yes, in the twenty-first century in the United States, Donald Trump also rose to power on a wave of resentment and conspiracy theories. As a result, the term Nazis has been widely and wildly bandied about. However, in the present essay, I am here referring to the historical Nazis in Germany.

For a psychological analysis of Donald Trump, see the American Jewish psychiatrist Justin A. Frank's insightful book Trump on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President (Avery/ Penguin Random House, 2018).

But also see my 3,300-word essay titled "Thomas B. Edsall on the Convicted Felon Trump, and Walter J. Ong's Thought" and my 4,000-word piece titled "Probe: Trump's Ardent Male MAGA Supporters, and Walter J. Ong's Thought" in the online journal New Explorations: Studies in Culture and Communication, volume 4, number 2 (2024):

.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/nexj/issue/view/2872

Now, the distinguished Jewish op-ed columnist Paul Krugman (born in 1953; B.A. in economics, Yale University, 1974; Ph.D. in economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1977; Nobel Prize in Economics, 2008), op-ed columnist at The New York Times since January 2000, highlights the relatively recent rise of resentment in our contemporary American political culture in his final op-ed column titled "My Last Column: Finding Hope in an Age of Resentment" (dated December 9, 2024) in The New York Times:

Click Here

In it, Paul Krugman says, "What strikes me, looking back [to January 2000], is how optimistic many people, both here and in much of the Western world, were back then and the extent to which that optimism has been replaced by anger and resentment."

As an aside, I want to say here that as the author of now more than 650 op-ed commentaries published at OEN since September 2009, I admire Paul Krugman as a weekly op-ed columnist for The New York Times. I write my intermittent op-ed commentaries at OEN as the spirit moves me. But I could not write a new op-ed commentary once a week. It takes a certain creativity that I do not have to write an op-ed commentary once a week.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
I am in the last two nights (now in New York) of this trip outside Palestine. I gave 112 talks in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and the US; three talks were canceled due to political pressure (one of them reinstated after students insisted) but that is normal in the world we live in. Reception and hospitality were superb and I thank all who organized and attended. The highlight and the main event for the trip was two days at Yale University where I was the Hutchison speaker and met the great graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty (I used to be a faculty at Yale nearly 20 years ago). Learn more about the remarkable Professor Hutchison and his work on environmentalism and ecology.

In the whole trip, we made friends, organized, made waves (ripple effect), and we set-up promising collaborations (in research and in bridging science-policy-practice gaps). Article about my visit and lecture in Cloughjordan, Ireland.

This trip followed an earlier trip to Australia and New Zealand/Aotearoa summarized. We are very grateful for your support of Palestine and of our collective vision of sustainable human and natural communities in the difficult circumstances that our human species created for our planet and for itself.

Reminder of Job Vacancy for Deputy Director for Administration, Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS), Bethlehem University [please encourage all qualified Palestinians with Green or Blue IDs to apply by deadline]. Details.

"Capitalism's growth imperative stands radically at odds with ecology's imperative of interdependence and limit. These two imperatives can no-longer co-exist with each other. Either we establish an ecological society, or society will go under for everyone" Ursula le Guin (1929-2018)

Act/sign the call: Young Europeans calling for action for biodiversity conservation

Al Gore (rightly) loses his temper in this forum.

Allombert, Ch. And MB Qumsiyeh. 2024. Israel designation of "Nature Reserves": A tool of colonization. International Review of Contemporary Law 6(4):9-14.

'96% of children in Gaza feel their death is imminent, and nearly half express a desire to die due to the unimaginable trauma they've endured from Israel's genocide, according to a new study by a Gaza-based NGO sponsored by the War Child Alliance. The report also found that 79% of children suffer from nightmares, 73% exhibit aggression, and 92% struggle to accept their grim reality.'

From DC to the Vatican, Baby Jesus is wearing a Keffiya.

We the people, we the power film.

A manifesto against for-proft health companies by Michael Moore.

Per aspera ad astra (from difficulties to the stars) Stay Humane and keep hope for sustainable human and natural communities

Mazin Qumsiyeh

A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home

Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History

Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine

facebook pages Personal Institute

French
A meeting of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria is held in Aqaba, Jordan, on Dec. 14, 2024. The Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria on Saturday voiced support for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political transition, according to a statement released by the Jordanian foreign ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

AMMAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria on Saturday voiced support for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political transition, according to a statement released by the Jordanian foreign ministry.

During a meeting in Jordan's coastal city of Aqaba, the committee said the transition should involve all political and social forces in Syria, and should be under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and the Arab League and in accordance with the principles, objectives, and mechanisms of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, said the statement.

"This includes forming a transitional governing body through Syrian consensus and implementing steps outlined in the resolution to transition to a new political system that meets the aspirations of all Syrians through free and fair elections supervised by the UN, based on a new constitution drafted by the Syrians within defined timelines," it said.

The committee, which includes Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Arab League, with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar participating in the meeting, also expressed solidarity with the Syrian people and willingness to provide all possible supports for them, said the statement.

It urged the immediate cessation of all military operations in Syria, a comprehensive national dialogue, and the preservation of Syria's state institutions, the statement said.

It called for necessary resources to establish a UN mission to assist Syria in supporting and overseeing the political transition process, the statement said. 

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attends a meeting of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan, on Dec. 14, 2024. The Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria on Saturday voiced support for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political transition, according to a statement released by the Jordanian foreign ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud attends a meeting of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan, on Dec. 14, 2024. The Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria on Saturday voiced support for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political transition, according to a statement released by the Jordanian foreign ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan attends a meeting of the Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan, on Dec. 14, 2024. The Arab Ministerial Liaison Committee on Syria on Saturday voiced support for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political transition, according to a statement released by the Jordanian foreign ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)
Dear Eric: I am a 72-year-old woman who lives alone. I live in a one-story, two-bedroom condo. The mortgage is paid off. I dont have any family here. I am also divorced. I have cousins who live in another state, and I havent seen them in many years. I am the youngest cousin.

So, I am thinking about my end-of-life plans. I dont have any serious health problems, but I am not totally healthy. I have two friends who have been here for me for many years. However, I am hesitant to ask one of them to be my power of attorney.

They want to help me make my end-of-life plans and decide what to do if I can no longer live alone. There is nobody else I can ask to be my POA. Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

 Plan Hesitation

Dear Plan: If your friends have expressed a desire to help you, please take them up on it. One of the privileges of enduring friendship is that it allows us to see each other through the various stages of life. Your friends have been there for you in good times and in times of need, as surely as you have been for them. Think of this as another way that you can all affirm your bond.

If youre worried about it being an imposition, dont be afraid to share that with your friends as well. This is a vulnerable ask and its OK to have complicated feelings about it. You may be surprised to find they dont feel its an imposition at all.

If you havent already, you may also want to talk with a lawyer about what the responsibilities of power of attorney might look like in your case. From your letter, it doesnt seem like you need a POA at the moment, so this would be more of a hypothetical or preliminary conversation. Thinking through the specifics of what youre asking may make it easier.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.
Oregon State lost its second inside linebacker in as many days as Melvin Jordan IV is headed to the NCAA transfer portal.

The Beavers are losing their two starting inside linebackers, after Isaiah Chisom announced Friday that he was going into the transfer portal.

Jordan, a redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, started and played in 10 games this season. Jordan had 45 tackles, third best behind safety Skyler Thomas and Chisom.

Jordan is the ninth OSU player from the 2024 roster looking to transfer. He is one of three prominent starters on defense, joining Chisom and cornerback Andre Jordan Jr.

With Chisom and Jordan gone, Oregon States top two players at inside linebacker are Dexter Foster and Aiden Sullivan. There are plenty of options, though, as the transfer portal is loaded with inside linebacker prospects. The Beavers are adding an inside linebacker from their 2025 signing class in Nevada high school senior Jeremiah Ioane.

-- Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Oregon State offensive linemen Joshua Gray and Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan have accepted invitations to play in the East-West Shrine Game on January 30 in Arlington, Tex.

The senior duo, who started all 12 games during the 2024 season on the Beavers left side of the offensive line, are among three Beavers headed for postseason all-star games. The other is tight end Jermaine Terry II, who is playing in the Hula Bowl.

The East-West Shrine Game is played at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
A 64-year-old woman was found dead outside her house early Friday morning and her 38-year-old partner was arrested.

Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies and paramedics responded to a report of an unresponsive woman near the road in the 20500 block of Southwest Edy Road in Sherwood at 4:40 a.m. and found Mary McDowell dead in front of her home.

Her partner, Jose Lucas Morfin Jr., was arrested on allegations of second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.

The sheriffs office asks anyone with information about this case to contact the nonemergency dispatch at 503-629-0111.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive
The parents of a 7-year-old Eugene boy, who suffered third-degree burns after riding on a heated car seat in their 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS, are suing the dealership and manufacturer, alleging defective design.

The dealership denies the heated seat caused the burns and contends the parents are at fault for not protecting their son.

The case is the latest against Mercedes-Benz stemming from alleged burns from its car seat warmers.

In 2017, Mercedes-Benz paid $54 million to settle a class action suit in federal court in California that alleged copper wiring used in seat warmers of other Mercedes car models may cause them to overheat and eventually burn a hole through the seat cover. In that case, Mercedes agreed to repair seat heater wiring in nearly 270,000 vehicles.

Auto safety experts in the United States began warning about possible problems with heated seats in various models of cars at least 13 years ago and medical journals soon followed.

Heated car seats, a common feature in newer automobiles, were increasingly being recognized as potential hazards, according to a 2011 article in the National Library of Medicine.

The potential for harm is considerably increased in those with impaired sensation, with the possibility of a devastating injury, the report said.

In the Eugene case, the boy was born with neurological and birth disorders, including spina bifida that inhibits his sensory perceptions in his buttocks and legs. When the burn occurred, he didnt notice or alert his parents that the seat was scalding his flesh and tissue, according to the suit.

The burn occurred on Sept. 18, 2023, according to the parents.

Rena and Matthew Kelly were seated in their idling 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS on Alder Street in downtown Eugene, waiting for their next UberEats delivery call about 8 p.m. Their son was in the back passenger seat, had unbuckled himself, stood to stretch and then set back down and turned the heat on for his seat, according to the suit.

About five minutes later, his mother turned off the heat for her sons seat as they pulled out to make their next delivery.

When they returned home about two hours later, the boys mother noticed her sons shorts had a burn mark on the back and found his skin had been badly burned and was bubbling up, according to the suit.

While the boy is not able to perceive pain the way others do, he experienced severe migraines, along with nausea and stomach aches in response, according to the suit.

His parents took their son to McKenzie Willamette Medical Center two days later. He received treatment there and later at Legacy Emanuels Chronic Wound and Outpatient Burn clinic for his injuries. He required a surgical skin graft for the third-degree burn on Oct. 13, 2013, according to the suit.

McKenzie Willamette physicians also alerted the boys parents that they had to inform the Oregon Department of Human Services due to the location of the burn. A state child welfare officer visited the couples home, did a walk-through and interviewed both parents.

When the parents took the state worker to their car, they tested the temperature of the seat the child was seated in.

Within 60 seconds of turning the seat warmer on, the seat reached a temperature of 147 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the suit.

The couple had bought the used car from Swickard Eugene dealership on July 24, 2022. Prior to the burn incident, the couple had never activated the left rear passenger heating system where their son was seated.

The suit alleges the cars seat heating system was unreasonably dangerous, and the manufacturer and dealership failed to adequately warn the couple of the dangerous heating system or provide adequate instructions regarding the potential dangers, particularly in light of their sons neurological impairments, the suit said.

Mercedes-Benz and the dealership both deny that the burns were caused by the cars heating system or that the vehicle was defective in any way, according to their lawyer John W. Knottnerus.

Instead, the manufacturer and dealership pointed to the initiation of an Oregon Department of Human Services investigation that was prompted into the care of the Kellys son. They also contend the boys parents didnt properly care for their son, noting they didnt take him to a hospital until two days after the burns were discovered, Knottnerus wrote in a response to the suit.

Attorney Timothy I. Crawley, who represents the Eugene couple and their son, said the state never took any punitive action against the parents stemming from the burn and called Mercedes-Benzs response a very strange statement.

The car dealership and manufacturer this week moved the case, originally filed in Lane County Circuit Court, to federal court, but the one federal claim, a consumer warranty claim, is expected to be dropped from the suit, likely returning the case back to state court, according to Crawley.

-- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Police are warning Portland-area Honda owners that their cars might be singled out as targets for thieves looking for a specific electronic part.

Since mid-November, police have received 18 reports of the part being stolen from the front of Honda cars, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement. Police declined to name the part.

In one incident, police said, thieves took the part from 16 vehicles on the lot of a local car dealership.

The thefts have cropped up all over the Portland area, but most of them have occurred in Southeast Portland between Southeast Stark Street and Woodstock Boulevard, and between Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Southeast 82nd Avenue, police said.

Police urge Honda owners to park in garages or in well-lit areas if they have the option to do so, and limit accessibility to the front part of the car if possible.

Police also ask anyone who has been a victim of Honda parts theft or has information about a theft to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov.

 Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313.
Bends googly eye roundabout-sculpture conundrum has made its way to the late-night circuit.

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, joked about the lighthearted vandalism in central Oregons most populous city, where someone or several people have been sticking googly eyes to the art pieces.

During the shows regular Meanwhile segment, where Colbert riffs on news and pop culture, the late-night host ribbed Bend officials whove expressed concern about damage to the art.

Oh come on, youre gonna get mad about that? Its fun, Colbert told viewers. And frankly, its safer. If Bambis mom had had those eyes, maybe shed have seen that hunter coming.

After the joke drew a few groans with its laughs, he said, Oh what, too soon?

He kept on, Locals love the googly statues, with one person even commenting, These googly eyes give me the hope to move forward each day, pulling the quote from a story by The Oregonian/OregonLives Zaeem Shaikh.

Hey, you okay? Colbert said of the commenter. I dont love the idea of someone leaving their house each morning saying, I swear to God, if I dont see some lighthearted vandalism today, I am gonna lose it.

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler reacted to the segment on Bluesky, setting the record straight on whether all local officials were upset by the googly eyes.

Not this one! the mayor wrote.

 Jonathan Bach may be reached by email at jbach@oregonian.com or by phone at 503-221-4303.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today.
Oregon is home to an array of longtime holiday light displays across the state, and Portlands Christmas street, Peacock Lane, is a crowded classic.

Schilling Lights on Lark in Milwaukie, however, is a single homes light show that offers something unusual: 50,000 lights that move in sync to holiday music visitors can request.

For instance, you might ask for Frank Sinatras rendition of Jingle Bells and see illuminated candy canes flash red and white stripes to the beat of the music.

A glowing Santa hat on top of the garage is personified with eyes and a mouth that moves as if its singing along.

The focal point of the display is the giant garage matrix. It covers the front of a two-car garage with 19,000 lights that show dancing cartoon characters, clips from movies like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and other hypnotizing visuals.

Schilling Lights on Lark Christmas light show at 15909 S.E. Lark Ave., Milwaukie, Oregon on December 9, 2024.Teresa Mahoney | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Schilling Lights on Lark Christmas light show at 15909 S.E. Lark Ave., Milwaukie, Oregon on December 9, 2024.Teresa Mahoney | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Its just been an obsession, said Matt Schilling, the homeowner and brains behind the display at 15909 S.E. Lark Ave.

Schilling said hes loved Christmas lights his entire life and thanks his parents for being enablers of his interest. He grew up in Hermiston, a small town in eastern Oregon, where he would help put up lights at his parents house as a kid and would go back during his college years to do the same.

Once I got my own house, Im like, Im going to go all out, he said.

Schilling said he bought his home in 2017 and has been buying 10,000 lights a year.

In 2019, he found lights he could program to music and never looked back.

He spent time watching YouTube videos and chatting in online Christmas light communities to learn how to set up all the electrical components and how to use free software called xLights to sync the lights to music.

Schilling Lights on Lark in Milwaukie uses free software called xLights to sync the lights to music.Courtesy of Matt Schilling

Basically you choose a song, you load the song and then you apply the different effects to your different props or items that you have in your yard to make them dance, essentially, to the music, Schilling explained. Technology, it just clicks with me, so I love tinkering with stuff like this.

In addition to hearing music playing out loud at the display, visitors can also tune to 88.1 FM and listen to the same synced-up songs from the comfort of their car.

I have an FM transmitter in my garage that I can tell it what station to broadcast to. Its a short-term radio frequency that only allows it within a mile or two around the neighborhood. So you cant go very far and its gone, Schilling said.

Visitors can also scan a QR code shown on a TV screen at the front gate to make a song request. There are more than 100 songs to choose from.

How about Schillings electricity bill?

Its not that bad, he said. Yes it goes up a little bit considering how many [lights] I have  50,000 lights  [but] theyre at like 10 percent brightness. If they were to be full 100%, they would take a lot of power and electricity.

Schilling said he works in accounting for New Seasons grocery store, but the lights are always on his mind.

How much time does he spend thinking about the display? All waking hours, he laughed. It is constantly on the brain. Any spare moment I have, Im fixing a song or adding something that people would like to see.

Schilling also has light displays for Halloween, New Years and Veterans Day and is involved in various community events.

His lights have been part of Portlands Starlight Parade, Milwaukies Porchfest concert series, Milwaukies Bing in the New Year cherry drop event and he hosts donation events for LoveOne, a nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness in Clackamas County.

I love when people tag and share what theyre viewing, Schilling said. Seeing the joy on peoples faces [...] thats why I do it.

Schilling Lights on Lark: 15909 S.E. Lark Ave., Milwaukie, 5-10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 25. The New Years light show begins Dec. 26. Song requests available until Jan. 12.

Stay up to date on all the holiday lights shows on Instagram. To keep traffic flowing, Schilling offers some reminders in a recent Instagram post:

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect the following correction. The light display is at 15909 S.E. Lark Ave., Milwaukie. An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed an incorrect address.

 Teresa Mahoney
Francois Bayrou (R, Front) and outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (L, Front) attend the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

During the transfer of power ceremony held Friday evening at Matignon, the French prime minister's office, Bayrou said that he recognized the seriousness of the political situation in France.

PARIS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4.

Bayrou, the fourth French prime minister nominated in 2024, has now been tasked with forming a government, the Elysee said. The centrist ally of Macron is expected to make a 2025 budget, to be adopted by the National Assembly.

Born in 1952, Bayrou founded the centrist party Democratic Movement (MoDem) in 2007. He ran as a presidential candidate three times, in 2002, 2007, and 2012.

Following the Elysee's announcement, the president of the far-right wing party National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, told French news channel BFMTV that his party would not immediately censor Bayrou, but added that Bayrou should "understand that he has no democratic legitimacy nor the majority in the National Assembly, which requires a dialogue with all the forces represented in the parliament."

Meanwhile, the hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI) has announced it will launch a no-confidence vote to bring down Bayrou.

Francois Bayrou speaks at the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

LFI has repeatedly said that the position of prime minister should be given to someone from the alliance of left-wing parties, which won the most seats in the snap legislative elections held this year.

Speaking to the press Friday afternoon, Bayrou stressed the need for a reconciliation. "Everyone understands the difficulty of the task ... There is a path to be found that unites people instead of dividing them," he said.

During the transfer of power ceremony held Friday evening at Matignon, the French prime minister's office, Bayrou said that he recognized the seriousness of the political situation in France.

Bayrou noted that he wanted to break down the "glass wall which is built between the citizens and the authorities." He also promised to make it his duty to "give opportunities to those who do not have any."

As one of his first tasks, Bayrou acknowledged the problems regarding the deficit and budget.

Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2024 shows a debate on no-confidence motions against the government at the National Assembly in Paris, France. The deputies of the French National Assembly voted on Wednesday evening in favor of a no-confidence vote, forcing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier to resign and his government to collapse. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

Bayrou's nomination came at a crucial time for Europe as Germany is preparing for elections and Trump is going to be sworn in as U.S. president.

According to BFMTV, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Bayrou for his nomination.

"France and Germany are very close neighbors and friends at the heart of Europe. I am delighted by the close collaboration between our two governments in the spirit of Franco-German friendship," Scholz said in a press release, cited by BFMTV.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Bayrou. "Let's all work together for a stronger, more competitive Europe that has the means to defend itself," she said on her X account.

On Dec. 4, the French National Assembly voted in favor of a no-confidence motion against Barnier, compelling him to resign and causing the government to collapse. Barnier's government became the first to fall to a no-confidence vote since 1962. 
Fewer children in the United States have gotten their flu shots so far this year compared to the number of kids who received their vaccines last year. This decline comes despite last year's record number of flu-related deaths.

As of November 30, only 36.6% of children aged six months to 17 years got their flu vaccinations. In comparison, 43.7% of kids in the same age group got their flu shots last year. Before the pandemic, officials reported a flu vaccination rate of 62.4% among children

The vaccine coverage could still increase as 10% of parents said they intend to get their children vaccinated against flu. Additionally, 14% of parents said they would "probably" get their child the shots, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Where Did Flu Vaccinations Drop the Most?

Nationally, flu vaccination dropped by 7.1%. However, this figure can increase depending on the location.

Idaho saw the largest drop in pediatric flu vaccinations this year, with an 18.8% decline in the number of children who got their shots. Only 15% of children in the state have received their flu vaccine this season.

Other states with the largest drops in vaccination rates include Vermont (-16.8%), Wyoming (-16.7%), Montana (-16.0%), Washington (-15.9%), and Tennessee (-15.2%).

In contrast, Iowa saw a 6.5% increase in childhood flu vaccine coverage this year. At least 51% of children in the state have been vaccinated against flu so far.

Record Flu Deaths

The drop in flu vaccination comes after 205 children died from flu-related issues last year. That was the most number of flu deaths recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC officials noted that flu deaths, especially those involving pediatric patients, are likely under-reported and said there may have been 521 additional deaths caused by influenza last year. If so, this would bring the total number of children who died of flu in 2023 to 724.

The decline is causing concern among health experts, especially as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to be named as the health secretary under Donald Trump's second presidential regime. RFK is known for his vaccine skepticism and for making public statements that undermined scientific advice.
A South Carolina mother is demanding answers after her 4-year-old son was left on a school bus and handed over to a stranger.

On December 5, Myeisha Marks was celebrating her birthday two hours away from home when she received a panicked call from her son's aunt, according to Count On 2 News.

Marks' 4-year-old son, Shamiar Smith Jr., who attends Aynor Elementary School, had not gotten off the school bus as expected. The school's "Tagged Child Program" is supposed to ensure the safe release of young children to designated adults, but in this case, critical steps were allegedly missed.

The bus driver initially claimed Smith was not on the bus, but later found him asleep under his coat in the middle of the vehicle. Instead of following protocol, the driver reportedly handed the child over to a stranger, who eventually brought him back to the school.

Marks said she felt sheer panic and feared her son had been kidnapped before learning he was safe.

"I was two hours away, and the first thing she said was 'Junior didn't get off the bus,'" Marks said. "I panicked, like, 'oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.' I just hung up the phone [and] called the school."

She later reviewed bus surveillance footage and filed a complaint, asserting that multiple procedural errors had occurred, including failure to check the child's identification tag and neglecting to follow proper drop-off procedures.

"If he would've checked the tag when he got on the bus, he would've known," Marks said. "So that's what I'm thinking, like, he didn't do his job from the beginning. He didn't see him, which, he was visible, and he gave him to a complete stranger. That's like, three or four different things that went wrong."

Horry County Schools confirmed that safety procedures, including the "Tagged Child Program," are under review.

Originally published by Latin Times
BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- An art exhibition featuring the works of Chinese teenagers was simultaneously held Saturday on China's orbiting Tiangong space station, as well as in Beijing and Macao.

This exhibition, themed "I love my motherland," is the fourth of its kind to be held aboard the Tiangong space station, while it is the first time that such an event takes place simultaneously in space and on Earth.

This year's exhibition features 75 artworks that were sent to the Chinese space station in mid-November. The paintings were selected from over 20,000 submitted by teenagers across China.

The Shenzhou-19 crew aboard Tiangong space station showcased these works while sending video greetings back to Earth.

Art shows, parts of the event, were also held on Saturday at an exhibition hall in the Palace Museum in Beijing and at the Macao Science Center.

The exhibition coincides with the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China. The Shenzhou-19 crew wished the motherland prosperity and peace, and Macao a better future.

An aerospace education program organized by the Palace Museum, the China Space Foundation and other institutions was launched on Saturday at the same site of the art show in the Palace Museum. The two events will remain open to the public until Jan. 6, 2025. 
Last night, at the Islamic Center of Southern California, I participated in a dinner that was followed by a discussion and a Q&A that involved me and Salam al-Marayati, the president and co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Our conversation and our responses to questions went well, I think, and they were recorded for eventual future posting. (I noticed three cameras.) The audience was made up of both Muslim and Latter-day Saint young people, in what seemed to me to be equal proportions. Maybe around fifty or sixty of them? Seventy, perhaps? For such a balance to have been achieved they must have been invited, and there was obviously no intent to attract a larger crowd; their numbers exactly corresponded to the number of chairs that had been set up. The meeting was opened, called to order, and closed by Larry Eastland, who serves as chairman of the board of the John A. Widtsoe Foundation. Salam al-Marayati recited the Fatiha at the beginning of our discussion  effectively (and commonly) the Muslim analogue to a Latter-day Saint invocation or opening prayer  while, having been requested to offer the benediction, I gave a thoroughly Latter-day Saint closing prayer, thanking the Lord for the spirit and amiability and generosity of the evening and asking, among other things, for blessings and peace to rest upon the Islamic Center and those associated with it.

This article has been newly published in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: Finding Nephis Ore, written by Bradley R. Larsen.

Abstract: Khor Kharfot and Wadi Sayq are in the region that has become the premiere candidate for Nephis Old-World Bountiful. Out of the several matching criteria that has led to this opinion, the one that may be the weakest has been the identification of readily available ore in the area that Nephi could have used to manufacture the tools necessary to build his ship. This investigation found several distinct examples of iron ores suitable for smelting in the form of float, all pointing to deposits yet to be located. Additionally, I review the investigation of Dr. Revell Phillips, who headed a group from BYU in 2000, that found two locations north of Khor Kharfot apparently containing significant deposits of iron ore. However, one site turned out to be problematic and the other site is too distant for Nephi to have been able to access it. Nonetheless, their efforts are reviewed as a backdrop for this current study. Also presented are findings regarding heretofore unrecognized features of Wadi Sayq and Khor Kharfot and the likely conditions that produced them, going back into the Pleistocene era.

See also Interpreting Interpreter: Some Bountiful Iron, written by Kyler Rasmussen:

This post is a summary of the article Finding Nephis Ore by Bradley R. Larsen in Volume 63 of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. All of the Interpreting Interpreterarticles may be seen at https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/summaries/. An introduction to the Interpreting Interpreter series is available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreting-interpreter-on-abstracting-thought/. A video introduction to this Interpreter article is now available on all of our social media channels, including on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shorts/bPuXDj70KB4. The Takeaway: Larsen provides some additional insights into the potential Bountiful site at Khor Kharfot and Wadi Sayq, based on an extensive expedition to the area in 2016-17. He details evidence that the area had a deeper lagoon and greater access to usable iron deposits than previously thought, making the area more suitable for shipbuilding.

Not long after the launch of what is now called Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship in August 2012, we conceived the idea of running special holiday essays on the Friday immediately prior to Christmas and on Good Friday, which, of course, immediately precedes Easter Sunday. Worthwhile though it is and would be, it seemed wrong, somehow  it just didnt seem seasonally appropriate  for Interpreter to publish an essay, on Good Friday or even on Christmas Day itself, that was devoted, say, to Semitic etymologies in Uto-Aztecan, or to EModE syntax in the Original Manuscript of the Book of Mormon, or to the precise GPS coordinates of the Jaredite city of Lib.

Accordingly, we resolved to invite submissions specifically for those holiday seasons. We didnt dictate the approach that authors could or should take, but we said that, if their authors chose, the holiday essays could be more personal or inspirational or devotional than our articles typically are. Or they could be academic, if an author chose, but specifically relevant to the holiday for which they were written.

In the hope that at least some of the readers here might find them interesting and helpful for this Christmas season, Im providing a list of the Christmas articles that weve published thus far (though not of the Easter articles), with links:

Orson Scott Card wrote our first, for Christmas 2014: http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/christmas-is-about-a-baby/#more-6417

http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/christmas-is-about-a-baby/#more-6417 Clayton Christensen wrote our Christmas message for 2015: http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/he-did-it-a-christmas-message/#more-7981

http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/he-did-it-a-christmas-message/#more-7981 Sharon Eubank wrote our Christmas message for 2016: https://www.mormoninterpreter.com/the-song-i-cannot-sing /

https://www.mormoninterpreter.com/the-song-i-cannot-sing / Jenny Oaks Baker was the Christmas essayist for 2017: https://www.mormoninterpreter.com/author/jennyb

Elder Spencer J. Condie provided the 2018 Christmas piece: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/christmas-in-transition-from-figgy-pudding-to-the-bread-of-life/

https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/christmas-in-transition-from-figgy-pudding-to-the-bread-of-life/ The Christmas essay for 2019 came from Kristine Wardle Frederickson: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/musings-on-the-birth-of-the-savior-jesus-christ/

https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/musings-on-the-birth-of-the-savior-jesus-christ/ Cherry Bushman Silver contributed the 2020 Christmas essay: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/christmas-as-devotional-a-time-of-commitment/

Daniel C. Peterson furnished the 2021 Christmas article (as a last-minute substitution): https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/christmas-and-a-condescending-god/

David F. Holland authored our 2022 Christmas piece: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/puritans-pagans-and-imperfect-christmas-gifts/

Kent P. Jackson wrote our 2023 Christmas essay: https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/glory-to-god-in-the-highest/

Our invited Christmas essay for 2024 will appear next Friday, 20 December 2024. I hope that youll enjoy it.

Astonishingly, since the founding of the Interpreter Foundation in August 2012, and despite the fact that our authors receive no financial remuneration at all, we have never lacked for submissions, and we have never missed a Friday publication. Our Easter and Christmas articles are unique in one other respect, though, beyond their often personal and essayistic character: They are, as Ive indicated, invited.

Which entails something: Whereas we have always had (and, as of now, continue to have) a number of articles in the queue awaiting publication for every other Friday of the year, the situation is distinctly different for Good Fridays and Fridays-immediately-before-Christmas. For those days, we have only a single article awaiting publication. And if, for some reason, that article falls through, there is no alternative Easter or Christmas essay waiting patiently in the queue. Which explains my own 2021 Christmas piece: The Christmas article for that year fell through at the last possible moment. It was so late in the process, in fact, that I was too embarrassed to approach anybody else as a substitute. And yet we didnt want to skip our Christmas tradition that year. So I went to the only person whom I dared to approach with such a request  myself  and I managed to toss something together pretty quickly. I still feel awkward about that. For one thing, I had never, ever, wanted to be included among those from whom we asked holiday essays. But there you have it.

This year, happily, the Christmas essay is already in hand and long since ready to go up. A week from today. Merry Christmas!

Finally, another piece of Christmas music that I treasure. This piece, written by Chris Eaton and Amy Grant, represents the voice (and the humble heroism) of the young girl Mary:

I have travelled many moonless nights

Cold and weary, with a babe inside.

And I wonder what Ive done.

Holy Father, you have come

And chosen me now

To carry your son. I am waiting in a silent prayer.

I am frightened by the load I bear.

In a world as cold as stone,

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now.

Be with me now. [Chorus]

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together.

Be forever near me.

Breath of heaven,

Breath of heaven,

Light up my darkness.

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy. Breath of heaven,

Do you wonder as you watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place?

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong.

Help me be . . .

Help me . . . [Chorus: x2] Breath of heaven!

Breath of heaven!

Breath of heaven!

Posted from Newport Beach, California
Last month, Microsoft officially announced the coming end of its Mail, Calendar, and People apps. If youre still using those apps, youll start receiving pop-ups notifying you that end-of-support is coming up on December 31, 2024, and youll be urged to switch over to the new Outlook app that Microsoft is focusing on.

More recently, Microsoft has started pushing users in that direction even harder. According to Windows Latest, business-oriented Microsoft 365 users are being urged to switch from classic Outlook to the new Outlook app, despite it lacking several features from the legacy app.

There will first be an optional period where users can choose to switch over at their convenience, with a deadline at which point users will be forced to give up classic Outlook.

For Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium users, the transition will begin as early as January 2025. Microsoft 365 Enterprise users may have a little more time. Microsofts plan is for the entire transition over to the new Outlook app to be completed by April 2026, but existing installations of classic Outlook through perpetual and subscription licensing will continue to be supported until at least 2029, said one Microsoft representative who reached out to us. So, we now have an official death date for classic Outlook.

It remains to be seen if Microsoft will keep its promise to add those missing features from classic Outlook to the new Outlook, but we arent holding our breath. We dont blame anyone for holding out and sticking with classic Outlook for as long as possible.
A 22-year-old South Carolina man with ties to Lancaster County was charged with multiple animal cruelty offenses this week after police said he neglected four puppies and their mothers before abandoning the dogs.

John Mumma, whose address was listed in Nichols, South Carolina, was charged after a humane society police officer received a tip regarding the abuse of four pug puppies less than eight weeks old on Sept. 6 at a trailer park in Lititz.

When the officer arrived at the trailer where Mumma once lived, they met with neighbors who had been caring for the puppies since he left, according to an affidavit.

The witnesses told investigators the puppies were flea-infested and bleeding when they bathed them. One of the witnesses had to throw away a sweatshirt because of the amount of blood during the bath, the affidavit said.

Police eventually spoke with Mummas twin brother, who said Mumma left the puppies and their two moms with their neighbors while the family went to South Carolina to care for their mother.

Mummas brother  who said he cant stand how Mumma takes care of the dogs  showed four of the dogs to the officer, who confirmed they were covered in fleas as well as showing hair loss and skin issues.

The humane society officer had serious concerns for the dogs regarding flea anemia, which can be fatal in young animals.

According to Mummas brother, Mumma left for South Carolina in July and did not plan on returning to Lancaster County anytime soon.

In a phone call with police, Mumma confirmed he was the owner of the two female dogs and four puppies and said he was in South Carolina staying with his mother. He told the officer he would be coming home this weekend, but he did not return to Pennsylvania, according to the affidavit.

The witnesses said they had previously taken care of the dogs for over a month and then returned them. When they started to care for them again, the dogs were already flea-infested and dirty, police said.

Mummas brother also received a warning while the officer was investigating, saying he would seek veterinary care for his two dogs and treat the residence for fleas. The affidavit did not include the condition of the brothers dogs.

In a second phone call with police, Mumma refused to surrender the puppies and their mothers before handing the phone back to his mother, the affidavit said.

The humane officer then took the dogs to an emergency veterinary hospital, where a doctor said the fleas posed a risk to one of the puppys lives. Both mothers and all four puppies were eventually stable enough to be taken to a Pennsylvania SPCA shelter hospital for further examinations.

The humane officer and regional police officer returned to the trailer park on Sept. 6 to speak with Mummas brother and other witnesses further. During those conversations, it was determined that Mumma went to South Carolina in July and had not returned.

Mumma never bought anything for his dogs and would steal dog food and drop it on the floor of the trailer, the affidavit said. Furthermore, a family friend was driving to Pennsylvania, giving Mumma an opportunity to pick up his dogs, but Mumma still did not return to Lancaster County.

After Mumma refused to send money to his brother and neighbors in Pennsylvania to take care of the dogs, the group decided to report the situation to get the dogs the help they needed.

On Sept. 9 and Sept. 10, investigators called Mumma, who agreed to surrender the puppies but asked for the mothers to be held, the affidavit said. Mumma also confirmed he was aware of the dogs fleas and skin conditions before he left for South Carolina but did not seek veterinary care.

Police asked Mumma when he would be returning to Pennsylvania next, but Mumma was not able to provide a date.

Mumma is charged with four counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of neglect of animals. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No  its a drone! Or  no, wait, maybe its a plane. Actually, hang on 

The FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security cast doubt Thursday on the reports of mysterious drones flying at night over New Jersey in recent weeks. Federal authorities said many of the more than 3,000 drone reports received by the FBI were actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully.

So, how do you tell the difference between a drone and a plane?

It can be challenging to differentiate between the two, experts say. Particularly from a distance or at night, a crafts blinking lights are sometimes all that can be picked out as it moves across the night sky. And both drones and planes can appear to have similar lights.

But there are ways to tell them apart, according to Ian Petchenik, communications director for the live flight tracker Flightradar24.

NJ Advance Media spoke to Petchenik and Pramod Abichandani, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the director of its Advanced Air Mobility Lab, about how to tell a drone and a plane apart in the night sky. Here are their tips:

Objects is the air may be larger than they appear.

When it comes to aircraft, size matters. On the ground, its clear: Airplanes are larger than drones.

One thing we know is that humans, when they see something in the sky, theyre really bad at telling how far away it is, Petchenik said. Our depth perception is awful, particularly at night.

So what appears as a tiny, battery-powered drone a couple hundred feet up in the air might just be a commercial jet airliner cruising at 32,000 feet. Widen your perspective, widen your field of view, Petchenik advised. Things youre seeing are often further away than you think.

Listen closely.

Many multi-rotor drones produce a distinct buzzing or humming noise that makes them distinguishable from the louder jet engines of planes.

Their propellers are directly connected to their motors, which is what produces the noise, Abichandani said.

Some unmanned aerial vehicles, such as fixed-wing drones, which are designed to fly longer distances and carry heavier loads, are generally quieter than multi-rotor drones. But based on the videos and eyewitness accounts hes seen, Abichandani said many of the drones spotted in New Jersey are multi-rotor  and therefore distinctly noisy.

Look closely at the lights.

A drone will often have a simple set of anti-collision lights positioned around its body. These lights can be red, green or white, and are usually displayed in pairs. So, look for two, four, or six lights close together, Abichandani said.

Meanwhile, fixed-wing aircraft like airplanes have lights that are more spaced out and a little more sophisticated, he said. While they also sport anti-collision lights, planes will typically have uniform navigation lights: red on the left wing, green on the right wing, and white on the tail.

These colors are the key to decoding a crafts direction. For example, if you see a white light on the left and a green light on the right, that means the plane is moving from left to right from your perspective. If you see all three lights in a row, on the other hand, it means that the plane is moving directly away from you.

Watch how the aircraft moves.

Observing the way the unknown aircraft moves will help narrow down whether its a drone or a plane, according to both Petchenik and Abichandani.

Multi-rotor drones can perform more aggressive maneuvers thanks to their propellers, often making tight controlled turns. They have whats known as six degrees of freedom, a term that refers to an object that can move and rotate up, down, left, right, forward and backward.

Fixed-wing airplanes do not have the same freedom of movement. A plane cannot hover, move sideways, or perform vertical takeoff and landing maneuvers, the way a drone can. Planes have a non-zero turning radius, Abichandani said. If its nose is pointing in a certain direction, that is generally the direction it will move in.

Consider your proximity to an airport.

Just because an object in the sky is far away from where you might usually see an airplane  miles away from the usual flight paths into Newark Liberty International Airport, for instance  doesnt mean that it isnt a plane up there.

There are all sorts of fairly benign reasons a plane might be outside of its usual environment, Petchenik said. Bad weather, holding patterns, loitering for traffic.

New Jersey also has multiple small airports, including military installations, and is in the flight path to airports in neighboring states.

Use flight-tracking apps.

Consult flight tracking websites and apps, including FlightAware or Flightradar24, to determine whether youre looking at an airplane. If you see the aircraft turn at any point, you can also compare that to any movement reflected on your screen, Petchenik suggested.

Trust the experts.

Its entirely possible that the glut of drone sightings in New Jersey in more recent days is being boosted by confirmation bias, which is the human tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing views, experts say

Thats why its so important to rely on those with expertise in aviation and drone technology, particularly those who have devoted years to studying them up close and from afar.

Abichandani, who started working with drones around 2007, said he would love for members of the public, particularly those unfamiliar with the craft, to exercise caution and leave the identification work up to the specialists.

If you see something, dont chase it or shoot it down to identify it, he said. Open-source it. Take good photos and videos, zoom in, post it online. Let us help you figure out what it is.

How to file a report with the FBI:

Note the time and location, and take any photographs or video you can. The FBI and New Jersey State Police have 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.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
A Mobile County, Alabama judge sentenced a man to 30 years in prison for attacking a former Alabama Fox affiliate meteorologist.

Nilson Cain will be behind bars for the next three decades due to assaulting John Edd Thompson on July 25, 2023. Thompson, currently 82, retired from his broadcasting position in 2009.

Cain pleaded guilty to elderly abuse and neglect in the second degree in October according to court records.

The attack occurred on Thompsons 81st birthday when he pulled into a gas station after a celebratory lunch with his wife.

According to testimony from Thompson after arriving at the gas station, Cain walked up and asked for cash. Thompson told Cain he did not have any money and attempted to get into his car.

Cain became irate, proceeding to curse and call Thompson a liar before striking the elderly man and throwing him on the concrete.

Cains sentence is due in part to the prosecution asking for him to be judged under Alabamas felony habitual offender statute. Cain had a prior felony for third degree burglary in 2018.

The statute enhances penalties for individuals who have at least one prior felony conviction.
UPDATE: US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says

Drone sightings have been rampant throughout the east coast this week, and central Pennsylvania is not missing out on the action. But there are still many unanswered questions.

Who is operating these drones? How big are they? Why are they flying over cities and military bases? What are their intentions? Can you shoot them?

The first drone sightings took place in New Jersey in mid-November. Since then, many more sightings have been reported in New Jersey, and sightings are also coming from New York, Pennsylvania and other eastern states.

People in central Pennsylvania joined in on the drone-hunting mania, with several posts appearing in local Facebook groups with pictures and more questions.

Why are drones flying over? Whats going on? Enola Camp Hill Mechanicsburg, said one post in a Facebook group based in Hampden Township, Cumberland County.

I live near Messiah College and saw it flying over, another person commented under the post.

WGAL viewers in central Pennsylvania also submitted dozens of pictures of aircraft/drones flying in the area. One viewers dashcam captured what appeared to be a drone flying above a highway in Dillsburg.

Elected officials in Staten Island gathered Friday to call on local law enforcement to investigate the drones, which have been reported as larger than typical consumer drones, but smaller than aircraft.

The FBI earlier this week said it does not have any answers regarding the drones and a Pentagon spokesperson said there is no evidence to support the drones being operated by a foreign entity.

Adam Kinzinger  a veteran and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, CNN political commentator and former Illinois state representative  released a short video on X Thursday talking about the drone sightings.

Heres a couple of things Ive noticed, said Kinzinger. First off they have green and red lights which is exactly whats required by the FAA for navigation and they have a strobe on them as well.

At about 10 p.m. Thursday Keith Perosi ran outside his Westerleigh home when he heard a low-pitched, whining sound. I looked up and I saw the drone. The thing was huge. It was maybe the size of an SUV and it was carrying something the size of an SUV, dangling from underneath it, he said.Courtesy of Keith Perosi

Two popular theories about the drones circulating the internet are aliens, of course, and a rumor the drones are being launched from an Iranian ship off the coast.

However, satellite images from earlier this week show the Iranian drone ship, called Shahid Bagheri, conducting tests in the Persian Gulf, according to The Hill.

Kinzinger thinks there is a more simple answer.

Look, if its Iran or if its aliens, theyre actually doing a really good job complying with FAA rules and laws, Kinzinger said. So my guess is this is probably some company testing some drones. And theyre not required to tell everybody what theyre doing as long as theyre complying with the law.

In many of the areas where sightings have been reported, it is not illegal to fly drones at night as long as the device is registered with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Kinzinger also spoke about the legality of flying over military bases and other high-security facilities in the United States.

Another interesting point, because people talk about them flying over military bases and sensitive sites, there actually are no rules in flying about flying over military bases. You can fly over military bases as long as youre above a certain altitude, which these drones are, he said.

The FBI said Thursday it has no evidence that the objects pose any security or safety threat.

In a joint statement, the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully.

Many people online have been advocating to shoot any drones out of the sky, but federal law states it is illegal to shoot any aircraft, including drones. Those convicted of shooting aircraft/drones can face a fine and up to 20 years in prison.

State and local laws cannot override federal laws, meaning there is no state or municipality in the United States where it is legal to shoot a drone.
Face the Nation recently asked whether Syria might become the first real Arab Muslim democracy in the Middle East today. Probably not. Not even democratic Israel today is anywhere near an authentic democracy, nor is the United States, though our people regularly claim to have the same republican form of government the Founders originally set up.

Military and political leaders of the Syrian rebels will hang their hats on a form of government that will allow ambitious individuals to corner extraordinary power and wealth for themselves and to minimize those benefits for the people.

There will be no Mahatma Gandhi who will teach real self-determination to a classroom of all the people. There will be no George Washington who will voluntarily give up power after a relatively short term of office. But maybe there will be less chemical warfare directed against next-door neighbors.

Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, Utah.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
CAIRO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed here Saturday the latest developments in Gaza and Syria, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

The meeting reviewed both sides' efforts to reach a ceasefire and facilitate the exchange of captives in the Hamas-Israel conflict. Al-Sisi emphasized the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, particularly as winter approaches.

The two sides also discussed the implementation and maintenance of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon as a key element in regional efforts for calm.

On Syria, al-Sisi underscored the importance of preserving Syria's unity, territorial integrity, and the security of its people.

Sullivan, who is on a regional tour, visited Israel on Wednesday with Syria on top of the agenda, according to the U.S. administration spokesperson.

On Thursday, Sullivan said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared prepared to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza.

He said he would travel onward to Qatar and Egypt, both mediators between Israel and Hamas, to advance the talks. 
In less than a week, Macao will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland. Over the past quarter century, the "one country, two systems" policy has driven Macao's rapid economic growth. #GLOBALink
Friday the 13th No Problem for EPT Mystery Bounty Champ Mats Ullereng

Patrick Cole Live Reporter Copy link

Friday the thirteenth is known as the unluckiest date on the calendar, but for Mats Ullereng, it proved to be the exact opposite. Ullereng bested a field of 835 over three days of play to take home 265,560 in the 3,000 Mystery Bounty at the 2024 PokerStars European Tour Prague. The Norwegian grinder also pulled 2,000 in bounties from the chest at the Hilton Prague for a total score of 267,560.

This is his second EPT title this year, having won 144,520 for a first-place finish in the 1,100 No Limit Hold'em at EPT Paris this February. He dispatched last year's 2,200 Eureka High Roller champion Grzegorz Kozieja in heads-up play, which lasted just shy of an hour. Ullereng scored his biggest-ever cash, and Koizieja secured his second. He pulled 9,000 in bounties in addition to his second-place score of 165,700.

Rounding out the podium places was Jonas Hagstrom, who bagged 118,300 for his third-place finish. Hagstrom, who predominantly plays online under the alias "flerrehuve," also scored his second-biggest live payout. Hagstrom did, however, have more luck at the bounty chest than the first two finishers. He pulled a total of 52,000 in bounties, which included 25,000 and 10,000 envelopes to boost his total haul to 170,300.

EPT Prague 3,000 Mystery Bounty Final Results

Place Player Country Prize (EUR) Bounties (EUR) 1 Mats Ullereng Norway 265,560 2,000 2 Grzegorz Kozieja Poland 165,700 9,000 3 Jonas Hagstrom Sweden 118,300 52,000 4 Humberto Lopes Galindo Spain 91,000 3,000 5 David Vinaya Norway 70,000 52,000 6 Klemens Roiter Austria 53,800 24,000 7 Abdelhakim Zoufri Netherlands 41,400 8,000 8 Sebastian Malec Poland 31,900 8,000 9 Erik Bakker Netherlands 24,500 0

Winners Reaction

In talking to PokerNews, Ullereng said, "I'm very happy to win, one of my friends [David Vinaya] was at the final table too, we travel together to EPT's. I only really play live at EPT's, most of my volume is from playing online."

Ullereng's immediate plans are to "celebrate and drink a few beers before flying home on Sunday."

Ullereng got into poker during COVID-19, and after a few well-taken shots, he "quit his job in marketing" to pursue poker. It's safe to say that the decision has paid some pretty sizeable dividends. The tournament score isn't the only reason for Ullereng to celebrate, as he told PokerNews, "Me and my girlfriend are expecting our first child together," adding to the baby-run-good poker superstition.

The Big Bounties

Most of the big bounties were pulled on Day 2, as players could cash in their tokens for an elusive envelope from the start of Level 15. David Savocka was the first recipient of a 75,000 bounty, with the second going to Dean Hutchison before play started today. Eros Calderone received the remaining 75,000 bounty.

David Von Schnehen pulled a 40,000 on Day 2 but did not make Day 3. David Vinaya, a friend of Ullereng, added a 40,000 bounty to his deep run.

Arni Gunnarsson, Mikolaj Zawadzki, Mengshi Tian, Joshua Gebissa, Raul Aguiar, and Francois Vincenti all pulled 25,000 bounties on Day 2. Hagstrom pulled the final 25,000 bounty today.

Final Table Play

After a flurry of bustouts, the field of 16 was whittled down to the final table after two and a half hours of play. With no big bounties left, the players were less incentivized to gamble for stacks in the hope of pulling a big score from the chest.

The first hand saw Hagstrom score a huge double to ascend the chip counts. EPT champion Sebastian Malec was left short but wasn't the first elimination of the final table.

Erik Bakker had his queens cracked by Zoufri and was sent to the rail in ninth. Malec couldn't spin up his short stack, and lost a preflop all in to Kozieja, who flopped a set. Malec busted in eighth.

Action slowed down for a level, and Zoufri was next to depart at the hands of eventual champion Ullereng. Zoufri's Big Slick was bested by Ullereng's ace-jack.

David Vinaya

Klemens Roiter had an up-and-down day. He was the first elimination when play resumed after the first break. Vinaya lost to runner-up Kozieja after the flop left the former drawing incredibly slim.

Galindo missed out on the first podium place as the river paired Ullereng's king.

The Final Three

Before the final three took to their seats, an ICM deal was discussed for a matter of moments as all three agreed to play to a winner.

Hagstrom lost a huge flip after Ullereng flopped a set in a preflop all in to take the chip lead for the first time in final table play.

The Swede then battled back and doubled through Kozieja. Kozieja topped the chip counts for a decent chunk of final table play.

Ullereng was active throughout, putting his tablemates in some difficult spots. He attempted to trap Kozieja, having turned a straight, but the Polish national didn't bite.

Hagstrom got himself back into contention by doubling through Ullereng, but he eventually fell to Kozieja who bested Hagstrom's two pair with a full house.

Ullereng came into heads-up play with a 3:1 chip lead, but it was Kozieja who drew first blood in the duel.

After that, it was seemingly one-way traffic as Ullereng used his big stack to his advantage, claiming big pots in back-to-back hands.

Eventually, Kozieja succumbed to Ullereng. He got it in good against Ullereng, but the Poker Gods decided it was the Norweigan's day.

Share this article
The final event of a hugely successful 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Prague is well and truly underway, with 93 players progressing yesterday from 255 entries to Day 2 of the 10,300 EPT High Roller.

Those figures generated a current prize pool of 2,473,500, but with late registration open until the start of Day 2 at 12:30 p.m. today, December 14, at the Hilton Prague, the final tallies will increase further.

Conor Bergin of Ireland, seeking his first live major title, starts the day in second place (385,000), chasing Dutchman David Boyaciyan (538,500), who streaked away from the rest of the field and holds a 100 big blind lead.

David Boyaciyan

Michael Sklenicka (348,500) completes the podium places, and the Czech player would surely love to get his hands on the trophy on home soil.

Bergin will be hoping to smash his biggest recorded live score of $17,500 with a deep run here. Boyaciyan's biggest live cash amongst $2.5 million in recorded winnings is a 535,000 score for second in the EPT Prague Main Event in 2011, and he is looking to go one better for his first EPT title. Sklenicka has over $2.6 million in winnings and is also aiming for his first piece of EPT silverware.

Start of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Rang Player Country Chip count Big blinds 1 David Boyaciyan Netherlands 538,500 359 2 Conor Bergin Ireland 385,000 257 3 Michael Sklenicka Czech Republic 348,500 232 4 Joris Ruijs Netherlands 309,500 206 5 Julien Sitbon France 299,500 200 6 Armin Rezaei Austria 288,500 192 7 Maksim Vaskresenski Belarus 273,500 182 8 Elias Suhonen Finland 266,000 177 9 Mykhailo Demydenko Ukraine 256,500 171 10 Christian Pedersen Denmark 255,000 170

There are plenty of other top-quality players in the field, including Leo Worthington-Leese (160,500), Irish Open champion Tero Laurila (88,500) and Thomas Santerne (57,000), aiming for an unbelievable fourth trophy of the festival - his three victories thus far amounting to 691,975.

Thomas Santerne

Parker Talbot (24,000) is the only PokerStars Ambassador currently in the mix, but no doubt he will be joined by some of his fellow spadies at late registration.

Players will return to Level 11, with blinds of 1,000/1,500, with a 1,500 big blind ante. Levels will be 50 minutes each, with twelve levels scheduled for today's play. Players who take advantage of Day 2 registration will sit down with a 50,000 starting stack.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for an exciting day of poker as we moved towards the bubble and see who progresses to the final day.
With just a few days left on the 2024 European Poker Tour Prague schedule, mixed-game enthusiasts from across the globe turned out in force for the inaugural 2,200 EPT Mixed Game Main Event. An additional 34 entries made their way to the Hilton Prague for Day 2, brining the total number of entries up to 83 and generating a 159,360 prize pool.

After a shortened Day 2 as a result of a long money bubble, Paul Tedeschi emerged as the chip leader of the final nine players with a stack worth 869,000. Tedeschi benefitted from a late-night surge by eliminating both Tobias Leknes and Thomas Berg leading up to the money bubble. Tedeschi was then able to put his big stack to good use on the bubble with well-timed aggression en route to bagging the chip lead.

Tedeschi is arguably the most accomplished player remaining, with over $3,000,000 in live-tournament earnings and four EPT titles to his name  two of which came from mixed-game events last year.

Tedeschi's next-closest competitor is Jeremy Trojand, who managed to bag up 755,000 by the end of the day. Trojand has yet to win an EPT title and will be looking to best his fourth-place finish from the  5,200 Pot Limit Omaha event just a few days ago for 52,100.

Jeremy Trojand

Day 2 Chip Counts

Rank Name Country Chip Count Day 3 Big Bets 1 Paul Tedeschi France 869,000 36 2 Jeremy Trojand Germany 755,000 31 3 Ali Abdulzahra United Kingdom 705,000 29 4 Patrick Bueno France 626,000 26 5 Lee Horton United Kingdom 464,000 19 6 Dario Alioto Italy 296,000 12 7 Alexander Freund Austria 232,000 10 8 Sami Bechahed France 94,000 4 9 Tobias Hausen Germany 80,000 3

Day 2 Action

Day 1 chip leader Thomas Berg looked to continue his dominance from the get-go and managed to maintain his chip lead with some big hands, which included making a well-disguised flush against Itay Kimhi in Seven Card Stud.

Meanwhile, a steady slew of eliminations saw several players bow out before dinner break, including Frank Visser, Mark Rubbathan, John Lukacs, and PokerStars ambassador Parker Talbot, who was unable to gain any momentum after max late-registering.

Following dinner, the last-standing PokerStars ambassador, Georgina James, took her leave after busting in a hand of Razz.

Not long after, Berg ran into a rough patch that saw his stack dwindle over the course of several hands, including one in Stud Hi-Lo wherein Berg got scooped by Ali Abdulzahra. Berg busted shortly after the hand and the money bubble followed closely.

The bubble proved to be a lengthy affair that lasted nearly two levels and dozens of hands. Lee Horton, Sami Bechahed, Nicolas Bokowski, and Emmanouil Chalkiotis all managed to double during hand-for-hand play, much to the dismay of Kimhi, who became the unfortunate bubble boy after making a stand in 2-7 Triple Draw and losing out to Dario Alioto's seven.

Itay Kimhi

Bokowski and Chalkiotis followed Kimhi out the door shortly after in 11th and 10th place respectively before play was called for the night a level early due to the prolonged bubble.

Day 3 will take place on Saturday, December 14 and play down until a winner. The action will resume on Level 16, which features 6,000/12,000 blinds with a 3,000 ante and betting limits of 12,000/24,000.

With the trophy and 44,884 first-place prize now within sight, the action is sure to be fierce as players compete to become the first EPT Mixed Game Champion. Be sure to stick with PokerNews as we continue to bring you all the action until the next champion has been crowned!
As the 2024 European Poker Tour Prague nears its end, so too must the inaugural 2,200 Mixed Game Main Event, as just nine players remain for Day 3 to battle for the title. The action is scheduled to get underway at 12:30 p.m. local time at the stunning Hilton Prague.

Leading the way is Frenchman Paul Tedeschi, who bagged an impressive 869,000 chips at the end of Day 2. Tedeschi, a four-time EPT titleholder with over $3 million in live-tournament earnings, surged late on Day 2 by eliminating both Tobias Leknes and Thomas Berg.

Close on his heels is Jeremy Trojand, who finished last night with 755,000 chips and will aim to improve on his recent fourth-place finish in the 5,200 Pot Limit Omaha event earlier this week.

Ali Abdulzahra rounds out the top three thanks to claiming the final elimination of Day 2. Abdulzahra enters with 705,000 and has a chance to secure his biggest-ever live cash with a win today.

Start of Day 3 Chip Counts

Rank Name Country Chip Count Big Bets 1 Paul Tedeschi France 869,000 36 2 Jeremy Trojand Germany 755,000 31 3 Ali Abdulzahra United Kingdom 705,000 29 4 Patrick Bueno France 626,000 26 5 Lee Horton United Kingdom 464,000 19 6 Dario Alioto Italy 296,000 12 7 Alexander Freund Austria 232,000 10 8 Sami Bechahed France 94,000 4 9 Tobias Hausen Germany 80,000 3

Each of the remaining players has already secured a cash of at least 4,980, but will all surely be gunning for the 44,884 first-place prize, which represents the majority share of the 159,360 prize pool.

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize 1  44,884 2  28,956 3  20,685 4  15,912 5  12,239 6  9,729 7  7,785 8  6,223 9  4,980

Play will resume on Level 16 with blinds of 6,000/12,000, a 3,000 ante, and betting limits of 12,000/24,000. Levels will continue to last 60 minutes each and break lengths will be contingent on players and tournament staff.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates as we continue to bring you all the action leading to the first-ever EPT Mixed Game Main Event Champion!
The operations of "Gilan Tea" tea company have been officially terminated, with the company merging into "Green Plant" LLC.

Azernews reports that this reorganization was announced by the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy.

"Gilan Tea" LLC, established in 2010 with an authorized capital of 3.3 million manats, has now joined forces with "Green Plant" LLC, which was originally registered as "Astara Tea" LLC in 2012. In October of this year, the company rebranded to its current name and now holds an authorized capital of 5.1 million manats. Seyfullayev Kamil Ali oglu serves as the legal representative for both companies.
A member of Palestinian civil defense checks the destroyed municipality building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec 14, 2024. At least 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a municipal building, three schools housing displaced people, and residential houses in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said Saturday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA/JERUSALEM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a municipal building, three schools housing displaced people, and residential houses in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said Saturday.

Israeli aircraft targeted the Deir al-Balah municipality building in central Gaza, local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua. Medics told Xinhua that the airstrike killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens of others.

The medics said that among the dead was the mayor of Deir al-Balah, Diab al-Jarou, and they expected the number of dead and wounded to rise.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attack, saying the mayor was a Hamas militant in a compound used to plan and execute attacks against IDF troops and Israel in the humanitarian area in Deir al-Balah.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes targeted the "Al-Majida Wasila" school sheltering displaced people in Al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City with at least one missile, according to local sources and eyewitnesses.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense, told Xinhua that the raid killed seven people and injured 20 others.

Ambulance and Civil Defense workers transferred the casualties to hospitals in the city, Basal said, noting that among the victims was a mother and her newborn baby.

Also on Saturday, Israeli warplanes bombed the "Holy Family" school sheltering displaced people in the northern Al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, killing at least two Palestinians and injuring several others, according to Basal.

Basal added that an Israeli airstrike on the "Yaffa" school in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, which housed dozens of displaced families, killed two people and injured several others.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Saturday that the Israeli Air Force conducted a "precise strike" on Hamas militants who were planning to commit "terror" attacks against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip and against Israeli territory in the immediate future.

The militants were operating inside a command-and-control center embedded within a compound that previously served as the "Yaffa" school, it added.

Mohammed Balousha, a journalist working for Palestinian websites, was also killed when Israeli aircraft bombed his home in northern Gaza, according to medical sources.

With the killing of Balousha, the number of journalists killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict last year has topped 190, according to a statement issued by the Hamas-run Gaza government media office.

In the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, paramedics told Xinhua that medical workers recovered the bodies of four people as a result of an Israeli bombing of a residential house.

Local sources told Xinhua that an Israeli drone fired at Kamal Adwan Hospital, while the Israeli army burned and blew up dozens of homes in the Beit Lahia area.

In the city of Rafah, in the far south of the Strip, the Civil Defense Authority said in a press statement that its workers recovered the bodies of two people who were killed in an airstrike targeting Khirbet al-Adas north of the city.

Eyewitnesses said the Israeli army has been carrying out operations to blow up a number of homes in the Shaboura refugee camp in central Rafah since the morning hours.

In eastern Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Palestinian medical sources said two brothers were killed in an Israeli targeting of a Palestinian gathering east of the town of Abasan al-Jadida.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 44,930, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Saturday. 

A member of Palestinian civil defense checks the destroyed municipality building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec 14, 2024. At least 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a municipal building, three schools housing displaced people, and residential houses in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said Saturday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians check the destroyed municipality building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec 14, 2024. At least 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a municipal building, three schools housing displaced people, and residential houses in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said Saturday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians check the destroyed municipality building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec 14, 2024. At least 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a municipal building, three schools housing displaced people, and residential houses in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said Saturday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A few passing clouds. Low 54F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 54F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
The 1962 S.C. Legislative Manual still didnt identify elected officials by party, with a single exception. On Page 12, at the end of a section explaining how House seats were apportioned among the counties, was this tiny note: In a Special General Election August 8, 1961, a Republican, Chas. E. Boineau, Jr., was elected to the House of Representatives from Richland County. Prior to this election, all House members were Democrats.

It went on to note that a Republican had last served in the House in 1901, and made an oblique reference to members of a very different Republican Party that controlled the Legislature during Reconstruction.

It would be five more years before Republicans were elected to the Senate, and another 24 years before the GOP reached its next legislative milestone. In March 1990, Democratic Rep. Liston Barfield stood next to Gov. Carroll Campbell and announced he was switching his party allegiance to create a veto-safe House. That long-sought achievement would allow Mr. Campbells vetoes to stand  as long as all 44 Republicans voted as a bloc. Which they often did.

The next big breakthrough came in 1994, when Republicans took control of the House. When I asked a couple of years later why the GOP hadnt sustained then-Gov. David Beasleys budget vetoes like it had Mr. Campbells, Speaker David Wilkins explained gently that its our budget now. A real duh moment for me.

Of course, South Carolinas third Republican governor didnt veto a lot of bills, all of which the GOP House had agreed to. That changed when Mark Sanford became governor, but even Nikki Haley wasnt an aggressive vetoer, and Henry McMaster even less so  seven bills vetoed in the past two years, and 14 in the previous four years.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to considerable cloudiness and fog after midnight. Low 51F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to considerable cloudiness and fog after midnight. Low 51F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.
Iao Chi Fai prepares food at his restaurant in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Iao Chi Fai (R) checks the sauce for cooking at his restaurant in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Iao Chi Fai makes a sandwich at his restaurant in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Iao Chi Fai (R) chats with customers at his restaurant in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Iao Chi Fai (R) talks with a staff member at his restaurant in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Iao Chi Fai serves the food at his restaurant in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Iao Chi Fai (2nd R) checks the vegetable at his restaurant in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Iao Chi Fai tunes up his guitar in his office in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 13, 2024. Iao Chi Fai, a young man from Macao, opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with his business partners in 2016. He hopes to promote Macao's food culture to the mainland.

Iao combines Macao's cooking characteristics with the dining habits of mainland customers, and has introduced many creative dishes.

Currently, Iao and his business partners run eight restaurants in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He looks forward to expanding his business on the mainland and building the restaurant into a time-honored brand featuring delicious dishes and high-quality service. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, co-chairs the 26th China-France Strategic Dialogue with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 26th China-France Strategic Dialogue with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President, in Beijing on Saturday.

Noting that the two heads of state have maintained close interaction over the past year, setting the direction for the development of China-France and China-Europe relations, Wang said China is willing to work together with France to ensure that the China-France relations continue to serve as a driving force for the development of China-Europe relations and the promotion of world peace and stability.

Wang proposed four points to achieve that goal: first, take the consensus of the two heads of state as a guide and create more positive bilateral agendas; second, solidly promote pragmatic cooperation, make good use of the traditional advantages of both sides, and explore new prospects for cooperation in new quality productive forces; third, continue to reap the positive effects of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges; and fourth, jointly uphold multilateralism.

Bonne said that France attaches great importance to the traditional friendship and mutual trust between France and China, and will adhere to the one-China policy, maintain close high-level exchanges with China and ensure the success of the mechanisms for dialogue.

Bonne added that France hopes to work with China to set ambitious goals and expand strong and innovative cooperation in various fields, and opposes camp confrontation and will adhere to its independent diplomatic tradition.

Both sides agreed to enhance multilateral coordination and strengthen cooperation on climate change, biodiversity, sustainable development, and poverty reduction.

The two sides also discussed China-Europe economic and trade issues. Wang said it is hoped that the Europe will adopt a constructive attitude and find mutually acceptable solutions through continuous dialogue with China. Bonne said that France does not support trade wars and supports mutually beneficial cooperation between Europe and China.

Both sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Iranian nuclear issue, the situation in the Middle East, and other topics. 
Spotify Wrapped 2024 unveiled a surprising twist in Africas musical tale.

Africas love for gospel music reached new heights, with the genre claiming the ninth spot on the list for the most streamed genres in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Spotify Wrapped is an annual campaign that provides a personalised summary of a users listening habits on the music streaming platform Spotify.

In a report sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, Spotify said foreign gospel has traditionally been prominent on the continent while African gospel music seems to be experiencing an awakening.

African Gospel music is undergoing a global resurgence, inspiring millions and reshaping the global music landscape. Were thrilled to be a platform that empowers these talented artists and choirs to share their faith and music with the world, said Spotifys Head of Music in Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said.

Chart-topping power

African gospel music is dominating the charts, too! 16 of the top 20 most-streamed gospel artistes in Sub-Saharan Africa are Africans. While we still love foreign favourites like Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, and Cece Winans, African artists have undeniably taken the lead.

This global recognition was further underscored by the inclusion of eight African artistes, Nathaniel Bassey, Moses Bliss, Limoblaze, Joyous Celebration, Dunsin Oyekan, Spirit Of Praise, Sunmisola Agbebi, and Mercy Chinwo, among the top 100 most-streamed gospel artists worldwide.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

THIS YEAR (Blessings) by Victor Thompson and Ehis D Greatest is ranked among the top 10 most-streamed gospel songs worldwide.

Gospel choirs phenomenon

Gospel choirs like Joyous Celebration and Spirit of Praise from South Africa and 1Spirit & Theophilus Sunday from Nigeria are said to be redefining the boundaries of gospel music.

Their awe-inspiring performances, featuring exceptional vocals and groundbreaking arrangements, have transcended cultural and geographical limitations, captivating audiences worldwide.

Solo gospel artistes are also making waves. Nigerian sensations like Nathaniel Bassey, Moses Bliss, Dunsin Oyekan, and South African powerhouse Benjamin Dube have garnered significant followings with their soulful melodies and uplifting messages.

Female voices also graced the gospel stage this year. Sunmisola Agbebi and Mercy Chinwo from Nigeria and Xolly Mncwango and Lebo Sekgobela from South Africa are also inspiring millions within and outside the continent.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Controversial UK-based Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega, founder of the defunct SPAC Nation church, has addressed controversies surrounding his immigration status, asserting that even if deported, he would thrive in Nigeria.

On Friday, the cleric, who the UK government accused of financial impropriety, addressed the allegations during an interview with media personality Daddy Freeze.

PREMIUM TIMES reported in December that the cleric was said to risk deportation following a report by The Telegraph UK, which alleged that the publicity-loving pastor was enmeshed in 1.87M fraud allegations.

However, in the interview with Daddy Freeze, the controversial cleric outrightly debunked the allegations and expressed frustration over the scrutiny he has faced, particularly from Nigerians.

I also dont understand the order because Ive not paid attention to any immigration rules for a minute. But the question is, to Nigerians, deportation, how does that? Im not your government official. I dont lead your country. Im not your artist because your artists still love them, as you know. But you made them, sponsored them, and bought their albums.

Whats my own with you? That was my own. I have personal battles, and that becomes your battle. If I were your government official or your current government, I would be a citizen of the country I need and want to be. Because money makes you have choices, he said.

He elaborated on his unwavering connection to Nigeria, stating that he is unbothered by the possibility of returning.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

So if I have to, why would I be afraid of coming to Nigeria? Im proud of Nigeria. And the current government is doing well. Anybody who thinks otherwise can jump off the cliff.

Thats my own opinion. Im not going to take that out. If I arrive in Nigeria, I will come with a cavalry of outstanding young men and women, and we will live way better than we are living in our assignment ground. I dont need to stress about how to have money in Nigeria. Two shoes, three maybe, will sustain me for three years, he said.

I lost track of time

The pastor further addressed claims during a BBC interview, denying reports of an immigration tribunals decision supporting his deportation.

There is no deportation order; let me clarify that, he stated. The next step is already done, meaning there is a court case already.

He also admitted to overstaying his visitor visa after arriving in the UK in 2005, explaining that it was due to a misunderstanding about his immigration status. I lost track of time, and I had assumed my family was handling the paperwork, he said.

Despite accusations, Mr Adegboyega dismissed them as baseless and attributed them to disgruntled former church members. In any organisation with 1,000 people, some will be disgruntled. That doesnt mean the allegations are valid, he said.

When asked if he would move his church to Nigeria when deported, Mr Adegboyega said, Its impossible.

My organisation is here; it is everywhere. To move it to anywhere else is to leave people to keep killing themselves. So no, we are not going to move the organisation. We will establish more and find what we need to do.

Background

In December, a report by The Telegraph UK started making rounds. The news broke out on Tuesday following the report, which alleged that the publicity-loving pastor was enmeshed in fraud allegations.

The reports claimed that a tribunal decision had led to his deportation from the UK.

According to The Telegraph UK, the tribunal considered allegations by former members to decide whether Mr Adegboyega was of real value to the UK.

The tribunal said the leaders of SPAC Nation lead lavish lifestyles, and cases of abuse were reported.

Additionally, the paper said Mr Adegboyega had lived in the UK illegally since 2005, when he overstayed his visitor visa.

The reports also detailed allegations from former church members, who accused the organisation of exploiting vulnerable youth, encouraging them to donate money through dubious means, including taking loans.

However, Mr Adegboyega has consistently denied these claims, asserting they are politically motivated.

Tobi Adegboyegas defence

Mr Adegboyega based his defence on the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) on the right to family life. He said having married a British citizen, a deportation order would breach these rights.

Mr Adegboyegas legal team argued that his charitable works positively impacted the lives of many hundreds of young people, predominantly from the black communities in London.

He said his presence in the UK is crucial to continuing the charitable works.

He added that these works were recognised and praised by top Metropolitan Police officers and politicians, including Boris Johnson, a former UK Prime Minister.

The Telegraph UK reports that his legal team did not submit testimonies from Boris Johnson or top Metropolitan Police officers to the court.

Mr Adegboyega insisted that while no one had ever faced criminal charges over his churchs finances, many of the attacks on him and SPAC Nation were politically motivated and that claims it was a cult were unfounded.

However, the tribunal ruled that Mr Adegboyegas evidence was blown out of proportion and that he had sought to inflate his influence grossly.

SPAC Nation

SPAC Nation, also known as Nation Family, was established in 2012 as a charity to help vulnerable people but is now deemed insolvent. The UK government shut down the church, based in Croydon, South London, in 2022 due to its failure to account for funds and a lack of transparency in its operations. The church had already been embroiled in controversies.

A BBC Panorama documentary further alleged claims of financial irregularities and undue pressure placed on members to make significant monetary contributions and even claims that young congregants were encouraged to sell their blood to meet economic demands.

Allegations from former members also highlighted instances of financial exploitation by church leaders.

In May 2020, Mr Adegboyega stepped down as the Lead Pastor of SPAC Nation, handing over the churchs leadership to Samuel Akokhia.

Mr Adegboyegas personal life has also drawn public attention. He reportedly resided in a 2.5 million mansion in Surrey and revealed in a 2020 interview that he had been married for eight years.

During his early days in the UK, he shared a room with his cousin, British-Nigerian actor John Boyega, known for his role in Star Wars. Mr Adegboyega worked as a kitchen porter before turning pastor.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Note: This story contains some unsettling images. Viewer discretion is advised.

Wakili Abdu, 63, returned from his farm at sunset in Sabon-Gida, looking uneasy. A few minutes later, he headed into the shrub behind his hut with a plastic kettle and hoe, gazed around, bent over, and pulled down his trousers.

When nature calls, Mr Abdu prefers to answer as his forefathers had taught him. He believes toilets are for women while the men should defecate in the open.

Using toilets is a practice mainly for women. Even if toilets were built, it is mainly for women and children. We [men] prefer going to the bush, which is our traditional belief, he told DUBAWA as he settled under a tree in front of his house.

Mr Abdus reluctance to use a toilet is not uncommon in rural communities in Nigeria, where long-held cultural beliefs promote open defecation, especially among men. These traditions present a barrier to the efforts aimed at eradicating open defecation in Nigeria.

In Sabon-Gida, a community in Kafin-Hausa Local Government Area (LGA) of Jigawa, where he hails from, open defecation is a common practice despite the fact that the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) and the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Funds (UNICEF) announced the entire Jigawa as Nigerias first and only Open Defecation-Free (ODF) state on 26 October 2022.

This announcement, widely celebrated across the state, facilitated Governor Umar Namadis appointment as UNICEFs ODF ambassador.

Before the announcement, Ibrahim Hannungiwa, the states water resources commissioner, disclosed that Jigawa State had spent N500 million to build toilets in public places with support from UNICEF.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Data from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) revealed that 48 million Nigerians, mostly rural community residents, defecate in the open despite the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) introduction. In 2016, the ministry, with UNICEFs support, launched a National Open Defecation Free Roadmap to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2025. As of Dec. 2023, only 117 out of the 774 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria have been declared ODF.

While acknowledging its slow progress, the FMWR stated that Nigeria needs to build about 3.3 million toilets per year and achieve 224 ODF LGAs each year before it can meet its 2025 target.

How was Jigawa declared ODF?

As defined by the NTGS, ODFs primary indicator is that all households in a community have a latrine with handwashing facilities. Its secondary requirement is to provide water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in public places like health centres, schools, and markets.

After that, an LGA is announced ODF when the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) visits 20 per cent randomly selected communities in the LGA and confirms that all households, schools, health facilities, public places, markets, and motor parks have latrines and handwashing facilities.

According to the NTGS, the 27 LGAs that make up Jigawa met these requirements. As reported by UNICEF, the state implemented a comprehensive strategy to achieve the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, which included developing state and LGA-level roadmaps, declaring a state of emergency, and ensuring consistent funding for WASH departments at LGA levels.

The governor launched a campaign to end open defecation and established the Jigawa Open Defecation Award to encourage residents. He also strengthened collaboration with traditional leaders and enacted sanitation bylaws (at each LGA) that empowered the police and other security forces to enforce these laws, ensuring that violators of the open defecation ban were held accountable.

In July 2024, less than two years after the declaration, DUBAWA visited different communities across seven LGAs in Jigawa  Birniwa, Hadejia, Malam-Madari, Gwaram, Kiri Kasama, Kafin Hausa, and Guri  to verify their ODF status based on these metrics.

We need food before the toilets

In Sabon-Gida, the community head reported that approximately 200 of the 2,300 households have local pit latrines, and 20 have concrete latrines, although DUBAWA did not independently verify these figures. Local latrines are cheap; residents need to place two slabs across a pit and cover the sides with mud.

Unlike in Sabon-Gida, where traditional beliefs discourage men from using toilets, residents of Taljare Village in Birniwa LGA, regardless of gender, prefer to use toilets. Unfortunately, no household in Taljare has a toilet.

Amadi Sule, the community head, attributed this to economic hardship. While they could have used local pit latrines, most have collapsed due to the rainy season. With the bush serving as an alternative, the community has stopped seeking other solutions.

Well, we had them (toilets) before, but they are now collapsed due to the rainy season because we do not apply cement on them. We prefer toilets, its just that we cannot afford them now. We struggle to feed our families, not to build toilets for them. Feeding is our priority, he said.

Muhammed Bulama, the village head of Garin Ando village, Kiri Kasama LGA, said only about 50 out of 300 households have functional latrines, most of which are built using local materials. Mr Bulama explained to DUBAWA that the community opts for local toilets due to their low cost. While concrete latrines cost around N100,000, the locally constructed ones only cost about N10,000.

As you may know, building toilets involves money. While people are struggling with the current economic turmoil, they are looking for ways to feed their families rather than building toilets that we consider unnecessary. Most of those using bush toilets are extremely poor, but there are some with local clay ones which usually collapse or get full due to their poor condition, he stated.

Water collapses our latrines

All seven LGAs DUBAWA visited reported that their locally-built latrines frequently collapse during the rainy season, forcing them to rebuild every six months. This problem is particularly severe in Karidu village, where the topography causes groundwater to seep into the pits, most of which collapse in two months.

In 2023, WASH Jigawa State constructed a local latrine for each of the 500 households in Karidu, Guri LGA. However, Karidus waterlogged terrain means that any attempt to dig a pit often results in the collapsing of the pit. Some residents tried burying jerrycans, but these quickly filled up without a proper evacuation plan. As a result, the community has reverted to open defecation, with 400 of the originally installed latrines now collapsed.

We are soliciting the government to intervene through the provision of cement and other items that can help our toilets to last long, Maimuna Muhammad, a mother of four, pleaded.

Wakili Kaigama, the village head, confirmed that residents prefer using toilets for the privacy they provide. However, they cannot afford concrete latrines due to financial constraints, as many are still struggling to meet basic needs. Despite its ineffectiveness, Mr Kaigama solicited jerry cans in order to build lasting pit toilets.

Sensitisation with no enforcement

To kick start its battle against open defecation, the state government launched a state-wide campaign and said it had introduced by-laws criminalising the practice in each local government. Residents confirmed the campaign and the laws enactment, with some reporting that they received various forms of intervention. However, after this initial push, the governments presence faded, and they have seen little to no further action. Residents confirmed that no one has ever been arrested or penalised for defecating in the open. WASH officials fail to show this reporter the law being referred to and it is not publicly available.

In 2021, the government conducted a sensitisation campaign in Gabasmari village, Birniwa LGA, where residents previously saw no reason to build toilets. During the visit, officials educated the community on the dangers of open defecation and provided detergents and kettles. This prompted some villagers to construct local latrines, but like in other communities, many of these structures have since collapsed.

Usman Galadima, one of the campaign stakeholders in the village, said the villagers initially adopted the end-open-defecation initiative but later abandoned it due to lack of support from the government.

The assistant village head, Muhammad Abubakar, said the government introduced a law against open defecation and provided initial support. However, the initiative failed due to a lack of sustained effort, and people reverted to open defecation.

They only sensitised us and provided us with detergents and kettles. I can assure you that if the government sustains its gesture, people will embrace it and refrain from open defecation, he noted.

Like Gabasmari, residents of Duleri, Taljare, Matamu, and Aljari in Birniwa LGA, Garin-Ando in Kiri-Kasama LGA, and Aji-Bukara and Karidu in Guri LGA, who reported similar interventions, are now faced with the same challenges.

As part of the intervention efforts, residents of Matamu were asked to pay N700 per household for the construction of local pit toilets. Sanin Magini, the village head, said no villager could afford it.

I can allocate land for it, but if I have to pay, I dont actually have the money. I can even allocate land right now if someone volunteers to build it for me, he said.

Schools are not exempted

Jigawa State, through UNICEFs Sanitation Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project, installed a water facility for the Matamu Primary School. However, the facility has stopped working. Likewise, portions of the male and female pit toilets have collapsed. Pupils have now resorted to defecating in the handwashing stations, behind the toilet buildings, and in the classrooms backyard. Unfortunately, DUBAWA could not speak to any teacher as the school had closed for the day.

The conditions at Taljari Primary School mirrored those at Matamu Primary School. Umar Sule, headmaster of Taljari Primary School, told DUBAWA that all pupils defecate in the open, but he blamed the government for not providing adequate maintenance.

They all go to the bush since there is no toilet. They (the government) built the toilet, but they eventually abandoned it. The toilets have now collapsed due to lack of proper sustenance, he said.

The situation at Day Secondary School Sabon-Gida is also troubling, with pupils defecating in abandoned classrooms as the school toilets are out of order.

At Matsaro Primary School in Hadejia (Hadejia LGA), only the teachers have functioning toilets, while students are left to defecate behind their classrooms.

In Madachi, although the concrete pit toilets at Govt. Day Secondary School remain functional, those at the primary school have collapsed.

LGA headquarters improve

The central communities of the seven LGAs visited have indeed improved on open defecation. Most houses are modern, unlike the traditional mud houses found in the villages. Additionally, many of these modern homes are equipped with built-in toilets, and few people with mud houses have made concrete pit latrines. But people still defecate by the roadside, dump sites, and uncompleted buildings.

In Hadejia, private toilet operators in the market and motor park charge N50 for urination and N100 for defecation. Despite this, some people still defecate by the roadside or within the market, a situation also observed in Malam-Madari, Malam-Madari LGA.

In Dutse, the state capital, DUBAWA witnessed a young boy, Mustapha Waje, at Investigate Motor Park flushing faeces into a drainage meant for bathroom water. The drainage, intended to carry wastewater, has become a makeshift toilet, with users washing their faeces into the gutter behind. Although a commercial toilet that charges N150 is available, cab drivers and others at the park prefer this practice.

At the newly constructed Malam Umar Maladi ultra-modern motor park in Guri, drivers have littered the toilets, rendering them unusable. As a result, users have resorted to relieving themselves in the surrounding area.

Hospitals face the same issue

Not all the communities visited by DUBAWA had access to health facilities. In some areas, residents had to walk up to an hour to reach the nearest healthcare services. However, Sabon-Gida and Matamu were exceptions, as both had Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities. Unfortunately, like the schools in these communities, the facilities toilets were non-functional.

In Matamu PHC, the outdoor latrines and indoor water closets had long been abandoned. DUBAWA found the facility unattended, with no one present to explain the situation.

Abdullahi Gamani, the Officer in Charge at Sabon-Gida PHC, explained that their pit latrine had developed a plumbing issue in April, which led to its complete blockage.

The problem started three months ago due to the pipe leakage between the toilet bowl and soakaway. We even tried to fix it, but we have yet to achieve that, which is why we blocked the toilet. We dont have a toilet, but we have a hole where people can urinate and bathe. We need total renovation.

Upon assuming his role as Officer in Charge, Mr Gamani collaborated with community members to renovate the toilet but realised the issue was beyond his capacity.

Government officials speak

In Jigawa State, officials struggle to maintain the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status due to several challenges. Abba Tahir, a WASH facilitator in the state, noted that while progress has been made in changing behaviours, using temporary latrines often leads residents back to old habits when these structures fail.

What Im trying to say is that if youre looking for those areas that used to do this thing outside, its very simple. Any local government, you can go to the ward. They have small villages, and they have that kind of attitude of doing the open defecation outside, he said.

The problem of sustainability is something. When we did this project, they used to call us and express their gratitude that things had changed and their town was now clean. But sustainability is what matters. Theres no provision for building advanced latrines that could last longer for them. The village heads and household members are the ones who usually contribute to dig local latrines for themselves, he added.

Corroborating DUBAWAs findings, Isyaku Umar, WASH Coordinator for Birniwa LGA, noted that sustaining ODF status has been challenging in some communities due to heavy rains that have caused many latrines to collapse. He mentioned that Birniwas WASH department received N100,000 monthly for vehicle maintenance from January to August 2024, intended for monitoring visits. However, residents say they had never seen WASH officials in their communities after the initial sensitization.

Mr Umar also mentioned that they occasionally recruit local partners within different communities, offering them N1,000 to help with sensitisation efforts. However, despite having a bylaw in place, they are unable to enforce penalties on those practising open defecation or households without toilets. He attributed this to Nigerias economic hardships and the potential for violent resistance from residents.

This time is a time that each and every person in the communities is looking for what they are going to eat. They may not even listen, and you cant force them. That is what we are going through. It can lead to trouble if we try to punish someone, he said.

Ado Isah, WASH Coordinator for Kafin Hausa LGA, maintained the same narrative, saying offenders are not punished but only encouraged to adopt toilet use. He said that open defecation is only happening in riverine areas and communities with flooding problems. Unlike Mr Umar of Birniwa, he said that they have not received the N100,000 for vehicle maintenance for over two and a half years which is hindering their monitoring responsibility.

No, people there cannot be punished. We regularly advise them to make a latrine in their place. Sometimes, flooding demolishes the community, and people move from one place to another. They cannot build permanent toilets. Other places are still maintaining ODF except for those with flooding challenges. Theyre trying to upgrade from local to concrete.

DUBAWAs several attempts to reach Abubakar Sidi, the Acting Director of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Jigawa, were unsuccessful. He did not return calls and messages.

UNICEF speaks

Chiranjeevi Tiwari, UNICEFs Officer in Charge of WASH, attributed the situation in Jigawa to a slippage, where communities initially meet ODF criteria but regress due to factors like population growth, migration, or toilet infrastructure collapse. He, however, promised to discuss the problem with the UNICEF office in Kano State, noting that UNICEF only supports the government with resources and not individual households.

Mr Tiwari also noted that UNICEFs limited resources have not been focused on Jigawa since it was declared open-defecation-free. He emphasised that maintaining ODF status is the responsibility of the state and local governments in Jigawa.

Sometimes, if the donor funding to, lets say, Jigawa has ended, we might not have an intensive programme in Jigawa. Thats the challenge we also have because our resources are also limited. We focus on the areas where the work has to be done. Once the work is done, its the responsibility of the government to sustain it so that it doesnt really slip back or it doesnt fall down, he said.

ODF certificate could be withdrawn  Ministry of Water Resources

In an interview with DUBAWA, Okpara Chisoma, the national coordinator for Open Defecation at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, also addressed the concern of slippage in Jigawas open defecation-free status. She expressed disappointment, saying,

It is really disheartening that a whole lot of work has been done trying to sensitise and all that, and then just when you have been declared open defecation free, we are hearing that.

While Ms Chisoma confirmed that a sustainability discussion is ongoing, she stressed the need for continuous monitoring and community involvement, highlighting that the state, local government, traditional rulers, private sectors, and media are responsible.

So again, we need to sustain it, and the only way to sustain it is to ensure that it is followed up bumper to bumper, by the local government, by the state, in our mosques, in our churches, and then ensuring that it is happening. A lot of responsibility rests on them to sustain what has been achieved, she said.

When asked how the ministry handles cases of slippage, Ms Chisoma explained that the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) has a national verification and certification protocol that mandates periodic assessments after areas are declared open defecation-free. She noted that the open defecation certificate could be withdrawn if the status is not sustained.

DUBAWA also contacted Adeyemi Ajose, the Officer in Charge of NTGS. He declined an interview, saying that all requests should be channelled through the Ministry of Water Resources.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has recognised healthcare providers and journalists, rewarding them for their contributions to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state.

At an award ceremony commemorating the 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day, LASHMA honoured stakeholders who have demonstrated commitment to promoting its ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Scheme.

Awards were presented to healthcare providers, including St Nicholas Hospitals, Aruna Ogun Memorial Specialist Hospital, and Esso Hospital, for their excellence in clinical care, patient safety, and community health initiatives.

Journalists Angela Onwuzoo of Punch Newspaper, Titilayo Abereowo of Channels Television, and Adeolu Okunade of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) were recognised for their impactful reporting and advocacy on health awareness.

LASHMA also acknowledged the contributions of healthcare professionals, such as Osinachi Ubani from Oshodi Primary Health Centre, and Dorcas Nyanah, Ikorodu General Hospital, who received awards for leadership in quality improvement and healthcare quality champion.

Achieving UHC in Lagos

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Emmanuella Zamba, emphasised the significance of collaboration in achieving UHC.

Your innovative approaches, dedication, and tireless advocacy are the backbone of our achievements, Ms Zamba said. Today, we celebrate not just the milestones but the extraordinary individuals and organisations that made them possible.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Through ILERA EKO, we are bridging gaps in healthcare access for all Lagosians, Ms Zamba said.

She highlighted the schemes milestones, including over one million enrollees and the establishment of the Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) for vulnerable populations.

Recently, LASHMA revealed that over 1.3 million residents have been enrolled in the Ilera-Eko insurance scheme, noting that since the enactment of the Lagos State Health Scheme Law in 2015, the state has significantly advanced toward its UHC goals.

More comments

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary, Health District VI, Lagos State, Abimbola Mabogunje, commended LASHMA for the event, which she noted underscores the importance of health insurance in achieving UHC.

Access to affordable healthcare should not lead to out-of-pocket financial strain. Health insurance bridges this gap, and ILERA EKO is a testament to that, Ms Mabogunje said.

She commended LASHMA for its proactive efforts in reducing out-of-pocket expenses through health insurance.

Primary healthcare is pivotal, and LASHMA is setting the pace for universal health access in Lagos, she said.

Also, the Senior Health Specialist with USAID-LHSS, Chidumga Ohazurike, applauded LASHMAs progress and recognised the vital role of healthcare providers.

Ms Ohazurike praised LASHMAs achievements, stating: Weve witnessed LASHMA grow significantly, with impactful results that inspire confidence in the future of health insurance in Lagos.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Chief Executive Officer of Chisco Group of Companies, Chidi Anyaegbu, has rejected his nomination by an Igbo group to confer on him the title of Mayor of Ndigbo in Lagos State.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Igbo group, United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide, in September, nominated Mr Anyaegbu to be inducted as its National Life Patron.

The group also announced that the induction would be followed by his investiture as Mayor of Ndigbo at an event billed to take place on 16 December at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.

United Igbo Elders Council is a socio-cultural umbrella body of the Igbo Elders Council. It consists of elders and various leaders from South-east Nigeria and in the diaspora.

The group advocates the restoration of Igbo identity, language, norms, values, tradition, and cultural heritage.

Its politically charged

In a statement on Friday, Mr Anyaegbu said that although he was grateful for being nominated for such a significant and important position, he had decided to decline it.

After careful reflection, I have decided to step back from the opportunity. Recent developments have brought to light the politically charged nature of this position.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

While important, it does not align with my personal mission of fostering peace, collaboration and strengthening bonds, he said.

The Anambra-born entrepreneur stressed that the decision was difficult and maintained that his respect for Ndigbo and the unity of Nigeria will remain steadfast.

I deeply regret any inconvenience this unexpected withdrawal may have caused, particularly to my dear friends, esteemed traditional rulers, religious leaders, prominent business leaders, especially the diaspora community who have made significant travel arrangements to attend this event, Mr Anyaegbu said.

Background

Although Mr Anyaegbu did not give a detailed explanation for his refusal, observers believe that his decision may be linked to the controversy that trailed the nomination.

A copy of fliers inviting guests for the event was obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Friday.

In the flier, the group said the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Airlines, Allen Onyema, would chair the occasion.

The Obi of Onitsha and Chairperson of the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, Alfred Achebe, was recognised as one of the royal fathers of the day.

But in a statement on 5 December by Osita Anionwu, his chief of staff, Mr Achebe dissociated himself from the event and the conferment of the title.

The Obi of Onitsha stressed that he was never approached for such an occasion and did not consent to serve as a royal father of the day at the event.

The traditional ruler said he did not understand the purpose of the event, and, therefore, would not want to be associated with it.

Like Mr Achebe, Damian Okeke-Ogene, the national vice president of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo, was quoted as having also disassociated the Igbo group from the event and the title conferment.

Mr Okeke-Ogene said the Lagos State Branch of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, where the said event was scheduled to take place, had earlier announced that they were not part of the event.

Also, many Igbo people questioned the rationale behind the planned conferment of the title on the entrepreneur.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Joseph Johnson, has said it would have been dangerous to cut off funding for Rivers from the federation account because social services in the state would have shut down.

So whoever took that matter to court merely provided a recipe for anarchy, he said.

Mr Johnson said this on Friday while speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on the Court of Appeal judgement reversing an earlier judgement of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, which cut off funding for Governor Siminalayi Fubaras administration over the intractable political crisis in the oil-rich state.

It is dangerous because it would have shut down schools, teachers wouldnt teach, students wouldnt go to school, and hospitals wouldnt function.

And come to think of it, Rivers State is not only occupied by civil servants; the benefits of a state impact the life of all the states indigenes up to the residents. Rivers State is like a mini-Nigeria where you have people across all strata, Mr Johnson said of the Federal High Court judge Joyce Abdulmaliks 30 October judgement.

Mr Johnson said the money accruable to Rivers, being a statutory allocation, cannot be stopped. There is nothing that should stop it. Its like saying that blood shouldnt flow in the vein of a living being, he added.

The Rivers legislature has been split into two factions because of the battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, for control of the states political structure.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Order for the stopping of Rivers allocation

Justice Abdulmalik ruled against Mr Fubaras presentation of the 2024 state budget to a four-member faction of the states House of Assembly loyal to him. The court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing funds from the federation account to the state.

Twenty-seven Rivers lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike filed the case.

Justice Abdulmalik held that Governor Fubaras receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January 2024 was a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

The judge held that Mr Fubaras presentation of the 2024 budget before the four-member assembly was an affront to the Nigerian constitution.

Governor Fubara and the lawmakers loyal to him have repeatedly insisted that the pro-Wike lawmakers forfeited their seats in the assembly, having defected from the PDP to the APC.

Appeal Court judgement

On Friday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, presided over by Hamman Barka, held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit seeking to cut off funding for the Rivers State Government.

The court added that the mere listing of federal agencies does not confer unrestricted jurisdiction on the Federal High Court and that the subject, which is the appropriation issue of a state, should not have been entertained.

The Appeal Court allowed the Rivers State Governments appeal and set aside all the orders made by the Federal High Court, stating that it was unconstitutional for her to make orders restricting Rivers State government from receiving funds due to the state from its consolidated revenue fund.

Fubara has been very resolute

The Rivers information commissioner, Mr Johnson, said the judiciary, with the Appeal Court judgement, has asserted the sacred principle of our constitutional democracy.

He said the Rivers people have been jubilant because of the judgement. A few people wanted to take away the commonwealth of the people, he said

Mr Johnson described the defection of the pro-Wike lawmakers as a wrongest decision and said that the Appeal Court judgement has vindicated Governor Fubara.

Our governor has been very resolute. He said dont do anything, all my projects would run. And we have paid salary. We even paid minimum wage in November. That judgement came on 30 October.

We paid teachers and everybody; we continued with our projects, we have been running, we have a 14-day commissioning ceremony, which will span up to 21 December. Every day, we commission projects we initiate and complete to the benefit of the people of Rivers State. The reason being that we have a governor who understands finances, of course he is an expert, a chartered accountant.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Journalists, under the aegis of the Unity Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, have urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to improve its disaster preparedness plan to ensure impacts of response are optimised.

The journalists said there is an urgent need for the state government to improve its logistics plan for emergencies.

The Chairperson of the Unity Chapel, Abasifreke Effiong, stated this when the chapel presented relief materials to the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Akwa Ibom State branch on Thursday.

Delay in response to disaster

Mr Effiong said that journalists have observed that it takes longer, sometimes up to months, before relief materials get to victims of disaster in the Akwa Ibom, hence the trifling impacts of disaster recovery efforts.

Response time in emergencies is very important because it has a great impact on the recovery of disaster victims and the efficiency of the recovery plan.

We have observed over time that delivery of relief materials to disaster victims in the state has not been prompt. Late arrival of basic material assistance to disaster victims does not speak well of the state governments disaster preparedness plan and her responsiveness to emergency.

We identified this problem and as part of our commitment to solving it, is why we are here to donate these relief materials to the disaster management unit of the Red Cross as part our end-of-year outreach to communities in the state, Mr Effiong said.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

He lauded the Red Cross, Akwa Ibom State branch under the chairmanship of Sam Ikon for expanding the community outreach of the Society to include provision of business grants to youth, a strategy to take them off crime.

Mr Effiong said the Unity Chapel will collaborate with the Red Cross to train journalists on standard first aid, disaster management and safe access. He called on the public to donate to the Red Cross.

Items donated by the chapel were bales of clothes for men, women and children, shoes and mattresses.

There should be safety drills for people in public institutions

Receiving the team, the Chairperson of the Red Cross, Akwa Ibom State branch, Mr Ikon, thanked the Chapel for marking its end-of-year by donating towards a humanitarian course, saying the materials will help the Society cater for the vulnerable and needs of disaster victims.

Mr Ikon said that under his leadership, the Society has trained and given grants to more than 1,500 micro-scale business owners in the State and is currently training volunteers to respond to Mpox.

Mr Ikon, a former speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly and former member of the House of Representatives, called on the state government to partner with the Society to build capacity for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) across schools and public institutions.

Government is coming with safety policies, it is our thinking that every school should have a personnel who has knowledge of CPR. This is the area government should partner with the Red Cross. There should be safety drills for people in public institutions, Mr Ikon stated.

Divisions Affairs Coordinator at the Akwa Ibom branch of the Red Cross, Eyibio Asuquo, said Unity Chapel was the first group to donate to the Society.

You are the first to donate as a group to the branch. Individuals have been donating. We hope your donation will encourage others to support the work that we are doing here.

The Branch Secretary, Ubong Jonah, assured that the Society will partner Unity Chapel to train her members.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday, said that effective role girl-child education is crucial to nation building, just as she urged government at all levels to invest adequately in enhancing qualitative education in the country.

She identified education as a powerful tool for driving change and fostering the development of any nation, stressing that every Nigerian woman and girl, irrespective of their background or status, should have access to education and the opportunities it provides.

Mrs Tinubu made this disclosure while inaugurating and handing over Alternative High School for Girls, in Osogbo, to the Osun State Government.

No girl should be left behind

While describing education as a transformative force, Mrs Tinubu underscored the need to ensure that no girl is left behind, stressing that it is imperative to grant all women and girls, regardless of their circumstances, access to quality education.

She said: I appreciate and commend the commitment of our host, the governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and his amiable wife, Mrs Titilola Adeleke, for their role and efforts in approving the land upon which this school stands.

Mrs Tinubu also expressed her gratitude to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for ensuring the timely completion of the school and bringing the vision to life.

She, however, explained that the Alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo is one of six new schools to be established across the country by UBEC. Other schools are located in Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, and Rivers states.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Already, we have about 44 other Alternative High Schools, mainly across the northern parts of Nigeria, she added. The Renewed Hope Initiative will continue to champion programmes that empower girls, women, and youth across the country, towards a better life for families,  Mrs Tinubu added.

About school

Facilities in the school include a creche for young mothers, a skills acquisition centre for vocational training, and modern classrooms to create a conducive learning environment.

She added that through these facilities, we are not only giving these girls and women a second chance at formal education, but also equipping them with life skills to rebuild their confidence, independence, and potential to contribute meaningfully to society. Investing in women and girls education is investing in the future of our nation.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Mrs Tinubu encouraged them to embrace the opportunity with determination and focus, saying: Your past does not define you. This is another chance, another opportunity, and you must believe in yourself and know there is light at the end of every tunnel.

In his remark, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, commended the First Lady for her passion for the education of women and girls, and assured her of his administrations support for educational development for all genders.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State got a reprieve on Friday as the Court of Appeal in Abuja reversed a judgment of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court which cut off funding for the Rivers State Government over the intractable political crisis in the oil-rich state.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, presided over by Hamman Barka, held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit seeking to cut off funding for the Rivers State Government, according to a report by Punch newspaper.

Punch reports that the court added that the mere listing of federal agencies does not confer unrestricted jurisdiction on the Federal High Court and that the subject, which is the appropriation issue of a state, should not have been entertained.

The paper reports that the Appeal Court allowed the Rivers State Governments appeal and set aside all the orders made by the Federal High Court, stating that it was unconstitutional for her to make orders restricting Rivers State government from receiving funds due to the state from its consolidated revenue fund.

The Rivers State legislature has been split into two factions because of the battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, for control of the political structure in the state.

The Federal High Court judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, on 30 October, ruled against Mr Fubaras presentation of the 2024 budget of the state to a four-member faction of the states House of Assembly loyal to him. The court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing funds from the federation account to the state.

Twenty-seven Rivers lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike filed the case.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Justice Abdulmalik held that Governor Fubaras receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January 2024 was a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

The judge held that Mr Fubaras presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member assembly was an affront to the Nigerian constitution.

The Rivers State Government had appealed the judgment.

The appeal was successful, with the Court of Appeal overturning the Federal High Courts judgement.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The rise of the Global South countries pushes the global economy through expected headwinds and keeps international trade vibrant, a Malaysian official said here on Saturday.

These developments, in turn, will help unlock potential and facilitate cooperation in addressing a range of pressing issues, including managing climate change, enhancing supply chain resilience, ensuring food security, and shaping the governance of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), said Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Chairman Reezal Merican Naina Merican in his remarks at a conference in Kuala Lumpur.

"For Malaysia, the rise of the Global South is a unifying force that brings together our diversity, differences, and discretion. Contrary to the perspectives of detractors, the Global South is not a movement of exclusion but one of inclusion," he said.

"Its purpose is not to isolate the Global North but to advocate for a more balanced and equitable global system. Our mobilization is grounded in the recognition of our growing agency and the desire to collaborate as equals, navigating complex strategic contexts together," he added.

Reezal said as a free and open trading nation, Malaysia will work to strengthen its engagement with regional and sub-regional mechanisms including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Malaysia set to head the grouping in 2025.

"Malaysia is committed to strengthening existing ASEAN mechanisms and institutions, ensuring that they are not only robust but also fit for purpose in addressing the evolving challenges of our times. Additionally, we aim to identify and harness synergies with other frameworks that are vital for regional development and prosperity," he said.

For his part, Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia-Pacific (BRICAP) President Ong Tee Keat noted that ASEAN's emphasis on centrality and maintaining itself as a neutral zone bodes well for its aspirations toward economic growth in pursuit of common prosperity for the region.

"ASEAN, having pronounced its centrality in addressing its security concerns and development priorities, remains steadfast in observing its non-aligned commitment. This reminds the world of its consistency in endeavoring to make the region a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality... ASEAN's bet is visibly focused on economic growth in pursuit of common prosperity for the region," he said.

The conference, organized by the Centre for Economic and Sustainable Development (Asia), brought together trade and economic experts to discuss trade cooperation in the context of a strengthening Global South. 
A non-governmental organisation, CLEEN Foundation, has raised concerns about the challenges women face in Nigerias criminal justice system.

The Director of Programmes at CLEEN Foundation, Salaudeen Hashim, presented the findings from the organisations policy dialogue on gender accountability and transparency in implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) on Thursday in Lagos.

According to Mr Hashim, the policy dialogue, conducted across eight states with support from the MacArthur Foundation, highlighted systemic flaws perpetuating gender-based discrimination in the justice system.

The identified challenges include discriminatory laws, inadequate female representation in law enforcement, proxy arrests, poor detention conditions with substandard facilities and healthcare, and cultural barriers hindering abuse reporting.

He emphasised the need for a gender-responsive approach to criminal justice, noting that gender equality in criminal justice is not just a matter of fairness but essential for the credibility and effectiveness of the system.

Gender-responsive provisions in ACJA

A review of the report showed that the selected states of intervention are Edo, Delta, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Kwara, and Cross River states.

The foundation identified that Nigerias criminal code perpetuates gender disparities, with physical harm against women classified as a misdemeanour, whereas identical harm against men constitutes a felony.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

It also noted that arresting in lieu remains a problem, with females denied surety rights despite provisions of the ACJA.

The report emphasised the need for improving awareness and understanding of the ACJA provisions by stakeholders across the focal states.

ACJA was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 to reform Nigerias criminal justice system. The Act with its salient provisions have been domesticated in nearly all the states of the federation.

Some of the key provisions of ACJA include the protection of human rights during investigation and trial, timely trial and resolution of cases, enhanced investigative techniques and evidence handling.

It also provides support and protection for victims and witnesses.

Other issues

The organisation also observed poor detention conditions, including migling minors with adults, citing a case of a 16-year-old female who was detained alongside men in Cross River State.

The report further highlighted the need for resolution of conflicts between existing laws, such as the Penal Code and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, particularly around the definition of rape and consent.

It noted that the presence of customary laws alongside statutory laws creates inconsistencies in the application of justice, especially in gender-sensitive cases reported in the North-west region.

Mr Hashim, in his presentation, also emphasised the need to address judicial delays.

Bail conditions should be limited to three months, and sections of laws that are ambiguous, such as spousal battery under Section 20 of ACJA, should be clarified or reviewed, he added.

He also spoke on the need for a specialised court for minor victims of gender-based violence, increased awareness about emotional abuse, and stricter penalties for publishing survivor identities.

Recommendations

To address gender-based injustices, the report recommended a gender accountability roadmap to tackle challenges such as inadequate awareness of laws, lack of training and insufficient collaborative efforts.

It noted that existing frameworks must be strengthened to ensure timely implementation, alongside a gender-responsive budget that will allocate resources effectively, prioritising womens empowerment and protection.

It added that the need for digitalisation of court processes, to ensure adequate tracking of completed cases, court trials and proceedings.

Other recommendations include calls for inter-agency engagement, fast-tracking the passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill, and separate male and female facilities for juvenile offenders.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated that both the old and redesigned naira notes of N1,000, N500, and N200 denominations will remain legal tender indefinitely, putting to rest rumours of a 31 December deadline for the phasing out of the old notes.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali, the bank cited a Supreme Court ruling delivered on 29 November 2023, which permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the affected denominations without any deadline.

It said the clarification follows widespread misinformation regarding the validity of the old notes.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and N200 banknotes currently in circulation.

In line with the Banks previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on 29 November 2023 permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.

For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadlines, the bank stated.

The CBN urged the public to disregard claims suggesting the old series of these denominations would cease to be valid at the end of this year.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Instead, it advised Nigerians to continue accepting all naira notes, whether redesigned or otherwise, for daily transactions.

The bank also encouraged the adoption of alternative payment methods such as electronic channels to reduce the pressure on physical cash usage.

This reassurance comes amidst lingering uncertainty surrounding the currency redesign programme introduced in late 2022, which disrupted economic activities and resulted in a legal battle at the Supreme Court.

Earlier in the year, the House of Representatives said 31 December was the deadline for old naira notes to cease being legal tender.

But the CBN in a swift response directed all its branches to continue to issue and accept all banknotes.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) commemorated the 2024 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day with an awareness walk highlighting the importance of health insurance under its Ilera Eko initiative.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Emmanuella Zamba, listed the agencys achievements to include the rollout of an equity fund that guarantees healthcare access for over 300,000 vulnerable residents.

Today, 12 December, is globally recognised as UHC Day. In Lagos State, we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare through Ilera Eko, our state health insurance scheme, Ms Zamba stated.

The awareness walk commenced at the LASHMA Headquarters, Alausa Secretariat Gate. Participants made strategic stops at the Public Service Office, Lagos State Ministry of Health, and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

According to a statement issued after the event, the walk attracted stakeholders across various sectors, reinforcing the governments commitment to health equity.

Recently, LASHMA revealed that over 1.3 million residents have been enrolled in the Ilera-Eko insurance scheme, noting that since the enactment of the Lagos State Health Scheme Law in 2015, the state has significantly advanced toward its UHC goals.

Major strides

Speaking further, Ms Zamba said the equity fund, supported by 1 per cent of Lagos states consolidated revenue, sets a benchmark, ensuring funds are consistently available for vulnerable groups.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

She noted that LASHMA will intensify its public awareness campaign to encourage Lagosians to subscribe to Ilera Eko before enforcement begins next year.

Health insurance is a safety net. It guarantees that you and your family can access care without financial hardship. This is our message during this walk and beyond, she said.

She also praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus leadership, describing him as Lagos States UHC Brand Ambassador.

His executive order making health insurance mandatory underscores his dedication to universal health. We are working to ensure that every Lagosian can access affordable, quality healthcare, irrespective of their financial situation, she said.

More comments

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Bodunrin Osikomaiya, highlighted the integration of blood transfusion services into Ilera Eko.

Residents, including those with sickle cell disorder, can access blood units under the plan, ensuring equity in healthcare delivery. The governments commitment to making healthcare accessible is truly commendable, Ms Osikomaiya noted.

Also, the Senior Health Specialist at USAIDs Local Health System Sustainability Project, Chidumga Ohazurike, lauded Lagos States progress in UHC implementation.

We have witnessed the states commitment to equity funds and policy enactments. USAID remains a proud partner in this transformative journey, Ms Ohazurike said.

In his comments, the Head of the Global Fund Grant Management Unit, Biodun Omoloja, said through partnerships and funding, we aim to place over 23,000 vulnerable individuals on health insurance, ensuring no one is left behind.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The police have arrested Olamide Thomas, a female nurse and activist, over remarks she made in a live Facebook video, which included curses directed at the children of President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The video was streamed on 20 October, shortly after she was reportedly brutalised by police officers during the #EndSARS memorial procession at the Lekki Tollgate.

She expressed deep grievances, invoking divine power and issuing severe condemnations directed at Mr Tinubu, Mr Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi. Made in her moment of pain and sense of injustice by the police, her remarks included curses foretelling loss and tragedy against them.

The distressed activist was seen in the video pleading with bystanders to pour water on her head, seemingly after inhaling teargas.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Ms Thomas, an activist, who inhaled teargas during the memorial protest on 20 October, was arrested at dawn in Shomolu Lagos State on Friday by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, a special tactical squad that works under the Inspector General of Police.

Ms Thomas was thereafter taken to Panti police station in Lagos and the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja.

Her alleged offences are still not clear.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The police were said to have trailed her to her home through her uncle who was arrested and detained earlier on Thursday.

Earlier in November, her Facebook friend Lanre Shotunde was arrested and detained by the police in a bid to get to her.

The IRT team arrested Mr Shotunde in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on 6 November and took him to the Sango Ota Police Station on the same day. He was released on the night of 7 November.

#EndSARS memorial

On 20 October, police reportedly arrested about 23 activists who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest. Officers initially dispersed the crowd using teargas before detaining the activists and transporting them in a Black Maria to Panti Police Station in Yaba, where they were held.

The date marks the tragic events of 20 October 2020, when Nigerian security forces, particularly the Army, opened fire on peaceful protesters at the tollgate, which had become the epicentre of the dayslong #EndSARS movement against police brutality. Many were injured or killed during the incident.

Since then, 20 October has been observed by Nigerians to honour the victims and reflect on the struggle against police highhandedness and systemic governance issues. However, the police have consistently blocked #EndSARS memorial gatherings at the site each year.

How she was arrested  Socialist group

The Socialist Workers League (SWL) vehemently condemned what it described as the abduction of nurse Olamide by officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) from her home.

The group stated that Ms Thomas is a member and belongs to the Take It Back movement, led by Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters.

Sharing more insights into her arrest, SWL in a statement by its chairperson, Kunle Ajayi, said Ms Thomas was earlier forced into hiding a month ago when it came to light that she was a person of interest for the IGP for her criticism of police brutality and corruption.

As a matter of fact, the NPF was only able to track her down by arresting her uncle yesterday under false pretences purporting to settle a business dispute. He was kept in detention till 4:30 a.m. this morning when he was coerced to lead them to her exact location at her home residence. In an earlier attempt to arrest her some weeks back, one of her colleagues as well had been arrested through the police infiltration of a WhatsApp group. But he did not know her residence. This gestapo-like approach of the police is unacceptable, the statement added.

The statement characterised the sequence of events leading to her arrest as emblematic of police brutality and arbitrary detentions, which are often carried out with impunity across the country.

It said her abduction by the police is just the latest example of this trend, highlighting the polices willingness to use violence and intimidation to silence those who dare to challenge the system.

Mr Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), condemned Ms Thomas arrest in a post on his X handle.

This is completely unacceptable and will be resisted. The police must release her immediately, Mr Sowore wrote.

The police could not be reached for comments, Ben Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos police, did not answer his calls on Friday afternoon and has not responded to text messages sent to him via SMS and WhatsApp.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has unilaterally backed out of an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to begin payment of new minimum wage in December, over a week after signing it.

The governor had approved N80,000 as a new minimum wage for workers in the state, an amount that is N10,000 higher than the N70,000 national wage approved by the federal government.

Unlike his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara who approved N85,000 as the new minimum wage and began payment in November with October arrears to come later, Mr Eno insisted that the implementation of the new minimum wage can only commence after staff verification.

He cited Japa Syndrome, a term used to describe the exodus of Nigerians for a better life abroad, as reason for his action. He had instead offered to pay 13th month salary to workers, apparently as a compensation.

Mr Eno, however, bowed to pressure from labour in the state over a week ago and signed an agreement with labour to commence payment in December with November arrears to come within the first quarter of next year.

Eno backs out of December minimum wage implementation date

Speaking at the State Christmas Carols in Uyo on Friday evening, Mr Eno backed out, insisting on completion of staff verification as a condition for commencement of payment, a move that may lead to a showdown with labour.

He, however, acknowledged the agreement but said he cannot be coerced into implementing it.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

We had a meeting with labour and at that meeting  tense meeting. We had made some agreements. They wanted the new minimum wage to start in November and I said to them thats fine but we need to do verification. If they give me the verification today we will start paying in November.

So we agreed. That is the agreement  agreement is agreement but tonight as your governor, we will pay the 13th month we have already calculated, he said as the crowd went into a frenzy but their joy was only momentarily.

I can see youre happy. We are paying on the old structure, the crowd went mute, apparently uncomfortable with the decision of the governor.

But I also told them it is a give and take. If we start from November then the 13th month I had announced to cushion the effect will not hold.

Because we would not start paying the new structure even though it starts from November we would not start paying until we finished (staff) verification, he said, reneging on the agreement he signed with Labour in the state.

Nobody will force me to do that. I must know the number of workers that are in the civil service in the state. And so Labour gives that to me tonight we start paying tomorrow.

So dont let anybody confuse you if they tell you to come and block Government House. Block it, work will still go on. You must understand that we must do the right thing, he said.

He warned the Labour leaders whom he said are members of the verification committee not to delay the exercise.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES after signing the agreement, Sunny James, the chairperson of the NLC in the state, said the benefits of implementing the new minimum wage far outweigh the 13th month salary.

And from the consideration of NLC, it is very clear that 13 months salary for all junior staff does not meet N20,000 which you know is only basic (salary) and then the new minimum wage is not less than N55,000 for any junior staff and therefore we need our minimum wage, Mr James said, stressing that the issue of 13 months is the governors prerogative.

Labour to decide

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, Mr James said labour signed an agreement with the governor that the payment of the new minimum wage would begin in December (this month).

That is the wording of the agreement. That is what I understand but from that day till today for those who are in Akwa Ibom there is a very serious cold war between labour and the State Government.

Mr James told this newspaper that as a follow up to the governors remarks last night labour will meet and decide on the next step.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed and the CEO of the Media Trust Group, Ahmed I. Shekarau, have been re-elected President and Secretary of the Nigerian chapter of International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) respectively.

Mojeed, Shekarau and four other officials, elected unopposed and sworn in on Thursday, will direct the affairs of the Nigerian affiliate of the global media body for the next three years.

A statement issued by a member of the global executive board of the IPI, Raheem Adedoyin, disclosed that other members elected into the executive committee of IPI Nigeria include Fidelis Mbah of Al Jazeera Television (deputy president), Rafatu Salami of Voice of Nigeria (treasurer), Yomi Adeboye of Herald Newspaper (assistant secretary) and Tobi Soniyi of Arise News (legal adviser).

Speaking during the inauguration of the new leaders, Mojeed, who promised inclusive administration, solicited the support and commitment of members of IPI Nigeria to enable his team achieve the organisations set objectives of enhancing the Nigerian media operating environment.

The election of new leaders was preceded by the organisations annual general meeting (AGM) where the Mojeed-led executives rendered account of their three-year stewardship and updated members on the financial state of the body. Some sections of the organisations constitution were also amended during the AGM.

A major highpoint of the event was the arrival of ex-Governor Segun Osoba, a renowned journalist and prominent, longtime member of the IPI. He praised IPI Nigeria members for their commitment to press freedom, journalists rights and independent journalism.

Mr. Osoba, who recently returned from an overseas trip, further commended the organisations leadership for ensuring a successful conference.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Apart from ex-Governor Osoba, some other prominent journalists who attended the AGM included a former Editor-In-Chief of Tribune Newspapers (who chaired the forum), Folu Olamiti; former presidential spokesperson and ex-President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Garba Shehu; chairman of the Editorial Board of the Herald and member of the global board of the IPI, Mr. Adedoyin; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Oluwafisan Bankale and the Executive Director of the organisation, Dayo Aiyetan.

Some of the other dignitaries at the congress were Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos; Kunle Babs, the Nigerian Bureau Chief of Feature Story News; Danlami Nmodu, publisher of Newsdiary Online; Fabian Benjamin, editor-in-chief of JAMB Bulletin; Sule Yau Sule of Bayero University, Kano; Dotun Oladipo, publisher of The Eagle Online; Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors; Ochiaka Ugwu, an editor with Peoples Daily; Ken Ugbechie, publisher of Political Economist; Lawal Sabo Ibrahim, former managing director of The Triumph newspapers; Mohammed Danjuma, publisher of Katsina Times; Christopher Isiguzo, former president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ); Lanre Arogundade, executive director of the International Press Centre; Zainab Suleiman Okino, chair of the editorial board of Blueprint Newspapers; and Hameed Bello, chief operating officer of Peoples Daily newspapers.

Earlier on Wednesday, IPI Nigeria hosted a well attended conference with the theme: Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting the Nigerian Civic Space.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who chaired the conferences opening day session said press freedom exists in Nigeria. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Tony Iredia. He disagreed with the minister, arguing fiercely that press freedom does not exist in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, gave a presentation on Dissecting the Frosty Relationship Between the Nigerian Media and Security Agencies while the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, spoke 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, addressed participants on the topic Government Vs Media: How to Reduce Tension, Enhance Mutual Understanding, and Avoid Censorship.

The three-part event concluded on the night of 12th December with a dinner for the organisations members, partners, and supporters.

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.

Raheem Adedoyin

Member, Executive Board, IPI Global.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) has restored power supply to Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State after 15 years in darkness.

The people commended the Bassey Otu administration for keeping his campaign promise of restoring the councils power supply when elected.

Innocent Inaku, the PHEDC branch manager for Cross River North and Central, commended Governor Otu for the power restoration.

He said that the area was thrown into darkness for such a long period due to vandalism and obsolete power infrastructure.

The whole of Bekwarra has been in darkness for more than a decade and the governor directed the state rural electrification agency to develop a plan action to reconnect and rehabilitate the power network in phases, Mr Inaku explained.

Not complete restoration

According to the PHEDC official, Mr Inaku, power supply have not been restored to the entire council area, saying that this would be gradual.

As part of the projects first phase, six transformers have been provided in key locations across Bekwarra, including Ijibor, by the roadside, the Catholic Church, Ijibor

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Ugboro, St. Augustine Primary School, Ukpa, St Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Upa, Afrike Community, Afrike, number one

Two of the six transformers, those at the Catholic Church in Ijibo and Ugboro have already been energised, bringing electricity back to parts of the community.

However, the work is not without its challenges. After such a long time without power, there are bound to be network issues as we energise the transformers.

We are addressing these issues in phases to ensure long-term reliability.

Another challenge is the lack of a local transmission station. We depend on the supply from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, which makes the process slower.

Despite these obstacles, the project is moving forward. Once the initial six transformers are fully operational, the next phase will extend supply to communities such as Anyekam, Ibiaragidi, Begam, and Abuchiche, he stated.

Appreciation

Meanwhile, the Ada Bekwarra (traditional head) of the council area, Signor Omang, has described the governor as a God-send leader.

He said that restoration of power supply to the local government will help improve the economy of the area as well as quality of life.

I want to particularly appreciate the governor for heeding our cry after I had led a delegation to his office in April to remind him of his campaign promise.

Our major concern was light. We also discussed health centers, water problems, and rural roads, but we emphasised that our priority is light.

Bekwarra was thrown into jubilation over this light issue. For several years, we have been in the dark. We know the importance of electricity; it impacts in the economy, especially for artisans.

If you are a welder, a carpenter, or a tailor, you rely on electricity to operate your machines. Hairdressers also need light for their work. This restoration improves the local economy, particularly given the high costs of diesel and fuel, he said.

Mr Omang highlighted the struggles faced by local businesses due to the lack of electricity.

He said, Many people trained their children through these businesses, but the absence of light has forced so many out of business. Yet, in just a year and a half, Bekwarra now has light.

This is a governor who truly cares about the people. Years ago, we were running from one official to another, even to the Minister of State for Power, but all our efforts were in vain. Now, we are finally having light.

For many in Bekwarra, this restoration of power is more than just the return of electricity, its a sign of progress, a rekindling of hope, he said.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Lagos State Government launched on Saturday the Lagos Medipark project, a healthcare initiative set to redefine medical services in the state.

The project is a public-private partnership between the Lagos State Government and IASO Medipark Limited.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the project which is located on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

According to its promoters, the medipark is expected to feature a 140-bed multi-specialist hospital, state-of-the-art diagnostics centre, residential spaces, training facilities and commercial and retail medical outlets.

According to Mr Sanwo-Olu, construction commences immediately and is expected to be completed for opening in 2026, offering enhanced healthcare services and new employment opportunities.

The CEO of Iwosan Investments and IASO Medipark, Fola Laoye, said the project will contribute to medical and nursing skills development, and significant job creation, with up to 1,000 jobs that will be available at the facility.

Mrs Laoye noted that another key aspect of the project is that 20 per cent of hospital beds will be reserved for indigent populations, courtesy of the support of the Lagos State Government.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

More about Lagos Medipark

The Lagos Medipark project seeks to reduce medical tourism, enhance healthcare workforce training and provide quality medical care to millions of Nigerians, according to the co-founder and chairman of Iwosan Investments, Fola Adeola.

The project is promoted by Iwosan Investments Limited, a Nigerian healthcare investment company and owner of Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals. Other partners include El-Alan Construction, Radical Technology Nigeria Ltd, Verraki Partners, HOK International Architects, ECAD Architects, Africonsult Engineers Ltd, JNC International and Coolink Technology.

Giving more details, the co-founder of Radical Technology Nigeria Limited and CEO Of Africonsult Engineers, Tatiana Nouri, introduced the IASO Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and Consortium.

Ms Nouri said the journey began in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a group from the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) collaborated on the Eti-Osa Isolation Centre. This experience bonded key partners, laying the foundation for the IASO Special Purpose Vehicle.

In April 2020, the Lagos State Government issued an Expression of Interest for the MediPark project, and after two years, the IASO Consortium signed the MediPark concession agreement in April 2023.

Governors comments

In his remarks, Mr Sanwo-Olu described the Lagos Medipark project as a significant milestone in the states healthcare development agenda, emphasising the governments commitment to investing in its success.

He noted that the Lagos Medipark will attract top medical talent, cutting-edge technologies, and foster dynamic collaborations between local and international experts.

This project is more than just a hospital; it is a visionary step towards creating a holistic healthcare ecosystem that integrates medical services with residential and commercial facilities. The Lagos Medipark symbolises our resolve to make Lagos the healthcare destination of choice in Africa, the governor said..

Reflecting on COVID-19 challenges, Mr Sanwo-olu stressed the significance of the Lagos Medipark project and the importance of public-private partnerships to strengthen the health sector.

He added that the project is part of the broader agenda for Lagos development, including in health, education, infrastructure, digital economy, and the creative space.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser, Office of Public-Private Partnerships, Lagos State Government, Bukola Odoe, praised the collaborative effort, stating that the Medipark demonstrates the power of partnerships in bridging critical healthcare gaps.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, also expressed optimism about the future of medical infrastructure in Lagos, noting that he anticipates the completion and commissioning of the facility.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


First, it was the liberal Assad government, despite its frailties, that had kept the vicious Islamic terrorists from power. So Syria would now be run under a backward regime that would make it a virtual crime for Syrians to be Alawite Muslims, minority Christians, marginal nationalities or liberal-minded.

When Aleppo, Syrias second largest city fell on Friday, 29 November, I thought it was a big blow, but that the Syrian Armed Forces would quickly recover and fight to retake it. However, in the following days, as the Syrian military melted away in the face of the advancing Islamic terrorist rebels of al-Qaeda, Islamic State, ISIS and al-Nustra, now called the Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS), I was worried.

The Syrian government announced that its troop withdrawals were tactical and strategic moves. But it reminded me how the Taliban in Afghanistan raced through towns and cities within a few days before arriving at the gates of Kabul on 15 August, 2021. They then entered the city without a fight.

My fears were confirmed on Sunday morning, 8 December, when a friend called to inform me that the rebels had entered Damascus. We discussed for about an hour as I tried to convince him that the fall of President Bashir al-Assads government is a tragedy of monumental proportions, as it was the glue that held the country together. So, it will be a miracle if the country does not disintegrate.

First, it was the liberal Assad government, despite its frailties, that had kept the vicious Islamic terrorists from power. So Syria would now be run under a backward regime that would make it a virtual crime for Syrians to be Alawite Muslims, minority Christians, marginal nationalities or liberal-minded.

The HTS leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, alias Abu Mohammed al-julani, had at various times been the right hand man of ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, headed al-Qaeda in Syria and founded the terrorist al-Nusra Front, which later changed its name to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS).

Only myopic Western leaders think robing Syrian Islamic terrorists in cassock would turn them into born-again liberals or democrats.

Secondly, it was the Assad administration that kept expansionist Israel from rolling down the Golan Heights that it seized in 1967, to occupy more Syrian territory. Now, within three days of Assads fall, Israel has rolled out its tanks, seizing more Syrian land, claiming it wants to build a buffer between the Golan Heights, it is occupying, and the new regime in Damascus.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Syria under Assad had its problems, like all other countries, but the crises that led to its civil war was a contrived one. It was one of the countries that the West and US pencilled down for regime change under various guises. The others included Iraq under Sadam Hussien, Afghanistan with Mullah Muhammad Omar as leader, Libya under Mouammar Ghadafi, Sudan with President Omar al-Bashir, and Iran. All those leaders are gone, remaining the leadership in Iran.

Thirdly, the fall of Assad would give Turkey, which already occupies 8,835 square kilometres of Syria, the opportunity to further expand, using its surrogate Syrian National Army.

Fourthly, Assads absence may make the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, YPG, fighting alongside Christian minorities, breakaway and establish a state of their own. Although currently the SDF and the new regime in Damascus are not at loggerheads, the likely advance of the Turkish military and militia may force them into a war of survival.

The fall of Assad also presents an uncertainty for the US and its troops in Northern Syria, who are holding over 40,000 ISIS combatants and their allies in various prisons. These prisoners and the jihadists now controlling Damascus, belonged to the same group and share the same jihadist ideology.

Yet, another major factor in the unfolding tragedy is that the defeated Syrian armed forces, except for those who may defect to the new forces, have not been decimated. They are virtually intact. Some of their heavy arms have already been delivered to their allies in Iraq.

Also, the Alawites, a liberal Muslim movement which produced Hafez al-Assad, the father, and Bashar al-Assad, the son, as rulers of the country in the last half century, may build their own regional militia force that may be backed by Iran, Iraq and Russia.

Apart from the Americans and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), with military interests in Syria, there are the Gulf States, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which had funded the establishment of ISIS primarily as a force to destabilise Syria and overthrow the Assad government. After ISIS became a Frankenstein monster and a beast to be put down, these regional powers continued to maintain links with its off shoots like the HTS that now holds power in Damascus.

Syria under Assad had its problems, like all other countries, but the crises that led to its civil war was a contrived one. It was one of the countries that the West and US pencilled down for regime change under various guises. The others included Iraq under Sadam Hussien, Afghanistan with Mullah Muhammad Omar as leader, Libya under Mouammar Ghadafi, Sudan with President Omar al-Bashir, and Iran. All those leaders are gone, remaining the leadership in Iran.

This is not about their attempts to conquer the rest of humanity, slavery, colonialism and leading humanity into two World Wars, with a drive towards a nuclear-powered Third World War. It is more about being partially blinded by a myopia that sees weaponising religion thrice over, and expecting a different outcome.

I have tried to understand the world and why we have ended up almost in a cul-de-sac. The overthrow of Assad gave me an added perspective. A world led by Western elites and their US first cousins, cannot but be a confused one because their philosophy is not about development, but acquisition and control.

This is not about their attempts to conquer the rest of humanity, slavery, colonialism and leading humanity into two World Wars, with a drive towards a nuclear-powered Third World War. It is more about being partially blinded by a myopia that sees weaponising religion thrice over, and expecting a different outcome.

The unfolding tragedy in Syria has its origins in the 24 December, 1977 to 15 February, 1989 conflict in Afghanistan. It was part of the Cold War battles. Pro-Soviet Union governments ran Afghanistan, and the US and its allies concluded that the best way to remove them and impose a pro-capitalist government, was by mobilising Muslim youths across the world to carry out a jihad against the Afghan government, which they labelled atheists. These youths became known as Mujahedeen and they succeeded in taking out the pro-Soviet regime, but could not agree on a new government.

When the Mujahedeen fighters returned to their various countries, their mainly conservative governments were afraid, as they were battle-tested fighters who were outside the regular armies. When they moved against the returnees, the youths fled. Many re-assembled under a new internationalist organisation called al-Qaeda. It was led by US favourite, Osama Bin Laden. The al-Qaeda, which was given refuge in Afghanistan, was later accused of masterminding the 911 attacks in US. For this, the US and its allies invaded Afghanistan for two decades. When it was decided to invade Syria, the US and its Gulf allies created ISIS and al-Nustra Front from al-Qaeda. ISIS, like a mad dog, turned against its owners and created a short-lived Islamic Caliphate spanning Iraq and parts of Syria.

So, having failed to learn from those experiences, the West, US and their allies are hailing the HTS Islamist jihadists.

The world is likely to wake up tomorrow to the reality that ousting Assad for the Islamic fundamentalists, was a grave error.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The very ambitious but miseducated Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative (Tory) Party is in the news. It is indeed a fitting moment to make an intervention that will clear the hoopla and set many a mind straight, based strictly on facts and history.

Kemi has been in the business of slagging off Nigeria ever since she started to gain some traction in British politics. She has almost always used Nigeria as a crutch to lift herself up, constantly disrespecting her former country, never to offer the country ideas or indeed any respite or reprieve. As she spoke her way into the Tory leadership position over the years, it was by regaling her audience with how decadent, unsafe, poverty-stricken, filthy, and directionless that Nigeria is, reminding them and herself that that was why she ran out of the country. She often contradicts herself when she reveals that she lived an upper-class life in Nigeria, attending posh schools and whatnot, but like the usual desperate Nigerian emigre who cooks up stories about sexual harassment, gay prosecution, Boko Haram harassment, female genital mutilation, and other stories that she knows will catch the fancy of her asylum assessors abroad, Kemi constantly goes to town with phantom stories about hearing screams from neighbours being robbed and how lizards come out of water taps. And shes not letting up. They say bullshit can take you to the top, but it hardly keeps you there. Kemi has come to the end of her tethers.

She even recently upped the ante when she made this very asinine claim that northern Nigeria is a terrorist haven for Boko Haram and how she doesnt want anything to do with Nigeria, as she sees herself only as a Yoruba person. Her right, no doubt, if she would rather open an embassy for Sunday Igboho and his Yoruba Nation. But imagine a whole Conservatives leader, rather than being the chief diplomat for her political party, is a divider of another country and in open support of insurgency? Imagine a leading political figure and potential Prime Minister or President of another country making such a statement when the Irish civil war raged in Britain? Imagine a white British leader of opposition, potential PM, or perhaps a sitting Prime Minister yakking on about how she is Welch or English or Scottish or Irish, to the exclusion of other tribes that make up the union? This will be an unforgivable sin. And as Ive heard some British pundits say on TV, Kemi has shown already that she is unworthy of the position she holds.

It took our Vice President Kashim Shettima to comment on Kemis constant denigration and blackmailing of Nigeria to blow this open. The VP was just playing his normal salesman role for Nigeria. When even adults and old people who should have attained that level of wisdom have refused to and would rather speak as uninformed, unexposed, inexperienced youths with all the delusions intact, Shettima has taken on the role of salesman for Nigeria, just like our principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said he is proud of Kemis achievement, but the denigration is too much, and that if Kemi wishes, she should drop her Nigerian name and take on something that would really rid her of her African-ness; and her Nigerian-ness. I would suggest she takes on Karen. Those who know, know why this is fitting. For Kemi breathes, eats, and sleeps anti-immigration. She has been known to counter any mention of the oppression that came with colonialism. She believes Britain is the best patch of earth in the world and they should not allow immigrants in at all. And she thinks every Muslim is a terrorist  an open display of hatred for a religion. I watched her deliver unkind cuts to PM Kier Starmer just days ago and everybody cringed as she went on almost accusing him of being a terrorist himself.

Now, Kemi must take it easy. Her statements betray the mindset of a miseducated, perhaps half-educated person. An immature character that remains constantly pointing fingers and getting angry for no justifiable reason. A privileged child that does not acknowledge her privilege and use it to bless others. An overambitious woman that is ready to sell any and everything else  including her parents nation  to achieve her aims and not stop there, but continue to use that same country as her foot-mat and ass-wipe. Just as she is entitled to her opinions, and as her aide wrote, she is not a PR person for Nigeria, we too have a right to speak up in our own defence, to explain our struggles and what we are doing to make things right, and to refused to be used by anybody to massage what must be their deep-rooted inferiority complex. Nigeria is certainly not a perfect country. Nigeria has surely made mistakes in the past and there are things that it could do better presently. But in 64 years, we are certainly far from how we were in 1960 when we gained self-rule. We have evolved, and we are presently at an epoch where we could actually turn the corner.

History Lessons for Kemi

Having watched quite a number of her videos  including one from 16 years ago when she did a Ted Talk in London (TedXEuston), at a time when she still considered herself a Nigerian. I think I understand where a lot of the ladys problems stem from. If Kemi had been born in Africa and sought citizenship in Britain, she would have at least been made to study the history of Great Britian. Even though she will have studied this to a good part  as every country puts forward its best foot  perhaps out of curiosity. But because she was born there, got transported to Nigeria, and then had to relocate to Britain at a vulnerable age (16), when as a youth many people are angry, ungrateful and entitled for no reason, and she was already a citizen without the benefit of a well-rounded history lesson, her mind became malformed.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

If she had read history, she would have known that Great Britain is not the holy country she says it is. No Brit will speak as glowingly of their country as Kemi would. The British are actually masters of understatement, such that Kemi talks up that country more than the most unhinged member of the ultra-rightist BNP or some skinhead who wants all immigrants gone. Even Nigel Farage must now cringe at Kemis statements. If she read history, she may have discovered that after the French and Spanish became adept and sailing to far lands to pillage them, the English people only waylaid some of these folks (as pirates) to steal from the thieves at high sea. She would know the general history of those three countries when it came to plundering other nations, and later on, slavery and colonialism. And that was how those economies became big and great, as they had access to cheap labour from their trade in human beings. It is the same for the USA.

She may have also come across the history of colonialism, and how Ireland was the first country colonised by the English in the 16th Century. The brutality of that colonisation remains unforgiven and unforgotten till date. For a colonisation that started in the 16th century (circa 1560), the Irish got half independence in 1922, with the creation of the Republic of Ireland (south Ireland), while the Brits have kept hold of Northern Ireland  a nation which is in part divided along Catholic (faithful to Rome) and Anglican (faithful to England) territories and peoples. Of course, Brits and Irish people are too smart than to put this kind of dark history on the front burner, unlike folks like Kemi, who out of some certain lack of enough mental power, believe that they should use the divisions of the past to determine their countrys future, with that talk about being Yoruba or Biafra etc.

If Kemi read some history, she may have come across how George Goldie, from a family of smugglers in the Isle of Man, formed Nigeria as a business in the late 1800s, and plundered us here, as his business empire grew in England. When he could no longer cope with the incursion of the French from the north and west, and the Germans from the northeast, he sold the territory back to the royal family  relinquishing his charter. The same charter was what the Royal Family gave to those pirates who waylaid other ships on the high seas and privateered (stole) their goods and loots to be shared with the Royal Family. Many were killed in these sheer highway robberies. Kemi and her likes  including her usual Nigerian supporters (we know their types)  should cut Nigeria some slack.

For Kemis benefit, the story of Nigeria is also intriguing. After George Goldie and his Royal Niger Company (which later decomposed into UAC and Unilever, etc), the Brits took full charge as a government, hired Frederick Lugard to supervise the north and south. Several decades later, they had to give us self-governance, as a singular entity. In fairness to the British  and unlike the French who probably still dont think Africans can self-govern  they tried to set structures in place for us. But we cannot expect them to create 2,000 countries from each ethnic group for us. The British are usually parsimonious. They dont like spending money. And so, for them, merging north and south was not in question. There are many angles as to the push for decolonisation in the 1950s, with the first culminating around 1956 (Egypt had hers in 1922). I favour the explanation that the rash of independence for African nations, post World War II, had a lot to do with the USA wanting to decimate European colonial nations, to show who the new leader of the world is. You cannot be a legitimate world leader when some of your vassals have vast colonial territory and so many countries beholden to them.

Kemis Unintended Consequences

So, what were mere immature tirades that Kemi hurled at Nigeria at ease expecting no riposte has unearthed a can of worms. First is the sordid histories of Britain and Nigeria, part of which I rehashed above. Worthy of note is the fact that every countrys history is dirty, unpalatable, as every country is a creation of oppressors  whether from within or without. Even for the few countries (like South Sudan) which were created out of discourse about same cultures and languages, unity, peace and prosperity have not been assured. Then her careless rhetoric has reminded us of the history of colonialism. The Irish should take particular interest. Further, her flippant talks have reminded us about the reality of racism. Is she doing all these because she feels inferior? Would she have preferred to be a white person? Did any of us choose what to be in the raffle of life? Is there no virtue in making the best of ones circumstances? Is every white person rich and happy? Are all blacks  all Nigerians  poor and unhappy? The question of corruption is also thrown up. Some of Kemis supporters have defended her position. They say she is angry at Nigerian leaders for being corrupt. Admittedly Nigeria is corrupt. But so is every other nation.

Switzerland, a country that thrives on stolen funds have always been marked squeaky clean by transparency groups. Whos deceiving who? And Britain? There is corruption everywhere. Those who know, know. It is just unfortunate that with so many people of half-education and incurable hubris Nigeria has accepted the global toga for corruption -n even when we are not officially listed as most-corrupt country. We just love to hurt ourselves. I put our self-flagellation down to an inability to understand how to build a nation, our obtaining independence quite easily compared to nations like Kenya, Angola, South Africa, Mozambique and others, and our civil war which occurred seven years after that independence, two years after the first experiment at self-governance started to really collapse. And until we understand that development is a delicate process of self-forgiveness including self-hyping we are unlikely to get our hearts desires.

In defining Nigerias north through the prism of Boko Haram, Kemi belittles and mocks the pains of thousands of families in the hands of that terror group  which has now been thankfully decimated by Nigerias security forces. While they were active, Nigeria and the world found it hard to understand this group. They struck indiscriminately but had access to very sophisticated weapons and bombs. The killed thousands and maimed tens of thousands. What we can see as pattern is that their bombings and shootings were directed at very poor communities  among people who could easily escalate things to a civil war. They also killed a lot more Muslims than Christians given their areas of target. It was NOT a religious war. One is reminded of the gestapo execution type attack on Kano Central mosque in November 2014 at which over 240 people were killed. We seem to have moved on from this, but Mrs. Adegoke-Badenoch (bad enough) reminds us.

And she reminds us of the subject of terrorism, too. How did Nigeria become a terrorist nation? Who enabled Boko Haram to have access to so many weapons? Where did their weapons come from? Do they have anything to do with the killing of Gaddafi and collapse of governance in Libya? If so, what roles did the powerful countries of the world have to play in the destabilisation of Africa through Libya? Nigerias President Jonathan was the first African leader to sign UN Resolution 1973 with which the US/UK/France/Canada coalition declared a no-fly zone over Libya and started a full-blown war against a weak African nation. What were Nigerias rewards for that cooperation? What we saw next were uncontrollable terrorists. And who gained? Mrs. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State mocked Gaddafi when she laughed we came, we saw.. he died!, she shrieked! Philip Hammond, as UK Minister of Defense had admonished British businessmen to pack your suitcases and head to Libya, ostensibly to benefit from an oil sector that had been bombed open for western interests to plunder. 20,000 women and children lay dead on the streets of Libya, victims of thousands of missiles lobbed into Tripoli by the US/UK/France-led coalition. Black towns like Tawergha were totally scrubbed out by racist rebels. More than 100,000 were killed as western nations feted themselves to oil business and global media totally ignored this. This was 2011. Kemi was already in politics. Tell me about corruption and Ill show you Libya. And Iraq. And Syria. Whos Next?

I think we should be protective of our country even as we try to fix her. Nobody loves this country more than we who are born into it and stuck with it. We can fight ourselves all we want. But those who see themselves as outsiders with no stakes must be taken up. Our efforts to fix her economics, or her power, or whatever else, will always be suboptimized when we leave our flanks to be derided and de-marketed by usually ill-motivated people and those who wish to continue to take advantage of us. There is therefore a need to support the President and Vice President in the marketing of Nigeria. There is a need to also teach history more comprehensively, and to encourage our youths to read history wherever they can find sources. And sources are just too many on the internet these days.

Final tidbit for Kemi. Do you know that northern Nigerian states like Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Taraba, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, FCT, Nasarawa (at least 12 out of 19 states), have indigenous population of Christians ranging from 10 per cent to 90 per cent if Christians are the people you are looking for? Or that most southwest states are split in almost half between Christians and Muslims (Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun)? Do you know that EVERY state in Nigeria comprise of practitioners of ALL religions? Do you know that religion is not an issue in Nigeria? And that we shall surely overcome our issues? I guess not. Please keep educating yourself. It takes nothing from your ambition.

Tope Fasua, an economist, author, blogger, and entrepreneur, can be reached through topsyfash@yahoo.com.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


SAO PAULO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian police on Saturday arrested former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto in a probe into a coup plot.

According to media reports, he will be handed over to the Eastern Military Command and will remain under the custody of the army.

Braga Netto, a retired army general, served as defense minister during former President Jair Bolsonaro's administration. Braga Netto was Bolsonaro's running mate in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, in which Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated then-President Bolsonaro.

In January 2023, a large group of Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's national government institutions, clashing with police and military forces.

Last month, Brazil's Supreme Court made public an investigation report accusing Bolsonaro, Braga Netto, and more than 30 others of plotting a coup, participating in a criminal organization, and other related offenses. 
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has taken its ongoing stakeholders sensitisation programme to Taraba State, where drivers and park operators showed significant interest in usage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The exercise is part of NNPCLs efforts to increase awareness and core understanding of the oil and gas industrys role in national development while enlightening stakeholders on efficient use of petroleum products.

Tagged NNPC & You, the sensitisation campaign got to a flying start at the popular Taraba State Transport Company (TSTC), Park in Jalingo with commercial vehicle drivers and park operators commending the NNPCL for the introduction of CNG as a viable alternative to petrol.

TSTC Park Manager, Abdullahi Musa, while commending the company for the CNG initiative however appealed that the product be made available to motorists in the state and called on NNPCL to extend hours of operation of Its retail outlets to improve service delivery and eliminate likely queues.

At the Jalingo main motor park, Danjuma Hayatu, called on NNPCL to enforce existing regulations which prohibits the sale of petrol in kegs and jerry cans noting that though nobody can buy fuel in cans inside NNPC retail stations yet we find people hawking fuel on the streets of Jalingo.

At the Pullo Motor Park, Ali Salandy Wukari echoed the CNG request and appealed to the NNPCL to work out a hire purchase arrangement that would enable drivers and vehicle operators have access to the CNG powered vehicles under a pocket friendly approach.

The NNPCL team later visited two more major parks in Taraba namely; The People Choice and NARTO Park where stakeholders harped on the need for NNPCL to sustain the sensitisation exercise by making the programme a periodic event and not a one-off activity.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Remarkably, the interest shown by drivers and park operators in CNG is a significant development, as CNG is adjudged a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel option.

The sensitisation exercise, which was attended by drivers, commuters, and other stakeholders in the community, featured presentations on the safe and efficient use of petroleum products, as well as the importance of adhering to safety protocols at retail stations.

Just like the earlier exercise in Maiduguri, Borno state, some lucky stakeholders went home with gift items and freebies following raffle draws at various motor parks.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


A new emirate law has empowered the Adamawa State Governor to depose any traditional ruler incapacitated to discharge his responsibility.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri proposed the law to the state House of Assembly on 9 December.

The Adamawa House of Assembly passed the bill, titled Adamawa State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) and matters incidental thereto into law on 10 December and now awaits Governor Fintiris assent.

The law also empowers the governor to create new emirates in the North-east state.

Section 6 (e) of the new law states, Where the Chief or Emir is examined and found to be incapacitated by reason of ill health by the medical board of the Ministry of Health and deliberated and accepted by the state Executive Council, he can be deposed by the governor.

The law also provides that the governor can depose, remove discipline, or suspend any emir/chief without recourse to any person or persons if the inquiry or consultation would delay restoring peace or protecting lives and property or would prolong the act of misconduct.

Concerning the creation of emirates and chiefdoms, the law states that the governor, in consultation with the persons, shall have the power to create new Emirates and Chiefdoms in the state, specify their respective compositions, and may grade the office of the emir or chief as a first, second, third, fourth, or fifth class, according to the size and importance of the office.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Governor Fintiri is expected to create new emirates with first-class emirs after signing the law.

However, observers said the new law targets the Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, who is reported to have been sick for years and always delegated his duties to aides.

The governor signed another law on 4 Decemberthe states District Creation Law 2024, which creates 83 new districts.

The district creation law reduced the number of local government areas in the domain of the Lamido from eight to three.

The Adamawa emirate covered Hong, Song, Gombi, Fufore, Girei, Yola North, Yola South, and Mayo-Belwa.

Under the new district law, it is left with Girei Jimeta and Yola, with the cut of areas awaiting to be apportioned to new emirate (s).

Like the Lamido, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who holds the title of Waziri and is a senior kingmaker in the Adamawa emirate, now exercises emirate authority in three local government areas.

The new law also whittles down the influence of the Emir of Mubi, Abubakar Isa-Ahmadu, who has Michika, Madagali, Mubi North, Mubi South, and Maiha under him.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Finnish authorities have frozen assets belonging to Simon Ekpa, a controversial pro-Biafra agitator over his alleged terrorist activities.

A Finnish newspaper reported that Keskusrikospoliisi (KRP), which is the Finnish name for the National Bureau of Investigation, has frozen Mr Ekpas assets and those of other suspects.

The KRP has frozen the assets of Simon Ekpa and other suspects in terrorist crimes, as well as associations and companies associated with them, the report said.

The Arrest

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on 21 November on suspicion of terrorist activities.

The Finnish police said Mr Ekpa has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.

The District Court of Paijat-Hame later ordered that the pro-Biafra agitator be imprisoned with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

He is expected to face charges in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Mr Ekpa was indicted for financing terrorism alongside the four others suspects.

The police suspect that the Biafra agitator committed the crime of collecting money in violation of the Finnish Money Collection Act.

The Finnish police said he allegedly committed the crimes between 23 August 2021 and 18 November 2024 in Lahti, a town in Finland.

A Nigerian-Finnish citizen, Mr Ekpa heads Autopilot, a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria.

The separatist group has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions, although it has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.

After Mr Ekpas arrest, the IPOB faction loyal to Mr Kanu disowned him, and said that the pro-Biafra agitator was never its member.

Ekpa speaks on terrorism allegations

Mr Ekpas assistant, Ilkka Kopra, said the pro-Biafra agitator has continued to deny any involvement in the alleged terrorism crime, according to the report.

According to the Finnish newspaper, Mr Kopra, a lawyer, said the police justified Mr Ekpas continued detention by saying that if released, the pro-Biafra agitator could hinder the investigation by influencing witnesses and continuing criminal activities.

The Finnish newspaper also reported that Mr Ekpa was currently being held at the Kylmakoski Prison in the North European country.

Established in January 1993, Kylmakoski Prison is reputed to be one of the worlds toughest prisons.

The prison is often used for the incarceration of people accused of committing serious crimes.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Two civil society organisations- Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) and the Lagos State chapter of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria have called for the release of a nurse, Olamide Thomas, who was allegedly arrested by the operatives of Lagos State Police Command on Friday.

According to the organisations, Ms Thomas was arrested by the police for her open criticism of the police and the bad governnance at the local, state, and federal levels of government in Nigeria.

The call is contained in separate statements issued by the organisations in Lagos on Friday, and copies made available to PREMIUM TIMES.

The YRC National Secretary, Francis Nwapa, signed the statement by his organisation while Hassan Soweto signed on behalf of the organising committee of the states chapter of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.

Background

According to the groups, Ms Thomas was arrested on Friday following continuous harassment by the police.

The group specifically accused a spokesperson of the police of being responsible for her arrest over critical posts she made on social media about the enforcement agencys high-handedness.

The statement reads in part: For several months now, Nurse Abiodun Thomas has been a target of the Nigeria Police especially the force PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi for her persistent criticism of police brutality and high-handedness.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Nurse Thomas was among protesters who were targeted, brutalised and assaulted by the Nigeria Police during the 4th commemoration of the Lekki Toll Gate massacre on October 20th, 2024. Since then she has continued to condemn the police for their orchestrated clampdown on unarmed protesters.

The group berated the spokesperson for resorting to intimidation and arresting her family members and friends to fish her out.

Mr Nwapa claimed that on Thursday, Ms Thomas uncle was arrested, blindfolded and driven to the Lagos State Police command. This morning Nurse Abiodun Thomas was arrested and taken to the Lagos State Police command.

YRC condemns in strong terms the use of state resources to settle personal vendetta or repress dissent by the police. The Nigeria Police must immediately end this impunity and release Nurse Abiodun Thomas unconditionally now!

Police decline comment

The police authorities have, however, declined to comment on the matter for reasons yet to be disclosed.

PREMIUM TIMES spoke to the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Saturday morning, but he said he was not interested in discussing the matter.

In a telephone interview, Mr Hundeyin said: I am not speaking about that matter. Please, feel free to write in your paper that I am not speaking about it. Thank you.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BEIJING, Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-five years after its return to China, Macao is thriving. To celebrate the anniversary of the historic event, CCTV4 has produced a five-part documentary, "25 Years of the Lotus Bond: A Tale of Unity and Progress".

poster: 25 Years of the Lotus Bond A Tale of Unity and Progress A five-part documentary marking the anniversary of Macaos return to China

In five, 30-minute episodes, the documentary explores how, over the past quarter century, Macao has been actively integrating itself into China's overall development through the successful application of "One Country, Two Systems" with Macao characteristics. It paints a vivid picture of the advances the region has achieved in the fields of politics, the economy, culture, society and livelihoods. It also highlights President Xi's concern for the people of Macao and the guidance he has given to its governance.

Together, the five parts  "Love for the Motherland", "Path to Diversification", "A Taste of Happiness", "Integrated City", and "Gateway to the Future"  become a celebration of the ever-closer ties between Macao and the motherland.

The documentary's theme song, "Gateway to the Future", is a collaboration between leading musicians from the Chinese mainland and Macao wishing the region a brighter future.

"25 Years of the Lotus Bond: A Tale of Unity and Progress" will be broadcast daily on CCTV-1, CCTV-13 and CCTV-4, starting December 13.

Official website linkhttps://tv.cctv.com/2024/12/13/VIDEjpiKKL0HDvhWx8gfkQs2241213.shtml?spm=C55924871139.PY8jbb3G6NT9.0.0

SOURCE CCTV4
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 10, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG), if they purchased the Company's shares between February 8, 2024 and October 29, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period") or purchased Chipotle call options or sold put options during the Class Period. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Get Help

Chipotle investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-cmg-2/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Chipotle and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (1) the Company's portion sizes were inconsistent and left many customers dissatisfied with its offerings; (2) in order to address the issue and retain customer loyalty, the Company would have to ensure more generous portion sizes, which would increase cost of sales; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

The case is Stradford v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., et al., No. 24-cv-2459.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French President, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French President, in Beijing on Friday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China has always regarded France as a priority partner on its development path.

China is ready to work with France to deliver on the common understandings between the two heads of state, strengthen strategic dialogue, deepen cooperation in traditional areas, expand cooperation in emerging areas, and promote the steady and sound development of China-France and China-EU economic and trade relations through high-level opening up, He said.

Bonne said France supports the promotion of opening up and cooperation through constructive dialogue and is willing to work with China to promote the sustained, balanced and high-quality development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. 
LEHI, Utah, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- THREE International, the leader in bioavailable wellness solutions, announced Friday the official launch of two innovative skincare products: Visage Pure Cleanse and Visage Radiant Toner. Revealed during the company's highly anticipated Global Visage Launch event in Hong Kong, the new additions join the acclaimed Visage Super Serum to establish the Visage Collectiona revolutionary skincare system designed to promote the health of the skin-brain connection.

A New Era in Skincare: Neurocosmetic Meets Quorum Sensing

THREE International today launched its innovative new Visage Pure Cleanse and Visage Radiant Toner. The products join its acclaimed Visage Super Serum, launched earlier this year, to form The Visage Collectiona take on skincare that incorporates a neurocosmetic with Quorum Sensing Technology.

The Visage Collection is the first skincare line to combine neurocosmetic and quorum sensing technologies, offering a holistic approach that supports both skin health and a positive mood state.

Visage Pure Cleanse and Visage Radiant Toner utilize Quorum Sensing Technology to help support the skin's microbiome. Quorum sensing describes the process by which the skin's natural microorganisms "communicate" with one another. Incorporating this process into these products helps enhance the skin's natural reaction to external stressors and prepares it to absorb the full benefits of the neurocosmetic serum.

The Visage Super Serum, the centerpiece of the collection, harnesses neurocosmetic science to support the skin-brain connection. By leveraging advanced ingredientssuch as those found in its proprietary MIRACLE ELIXIRit soothes the skin while supporting a positive mood state and promoting overall wellness.

Skincare Designed for Results

Visage Pure Cleanse : A gentle yet effective cleanser that removes impurities without disrupting the skin's natural barrier. Its quorum-sensing formula refreshes and helps support the microbiome, leaving skin clean and ready for optimal care.

: A gentle yet effective cleanser that removes impurities without disrupting the skin's natural barrier. Its quorum-sensing formula refreshes and helps support the microbiome, leaving skin clean and ready for optimal care. Visage Radiant Toner: Hydrates and visually refines the skin while supporting its microbiome. This toner visually minimizes the appearance of pores and provides long-lasting hydration to amplify the Super Serum's effects.

Together, the Visage Collection offers a synergistic skincare routine that cleanses, tones, and uplifts, delivering visible results and a luxurious self-care experience.

Like the company's cellular absorption supplements, these products are meticulously crafted to ensure that every ingredient is both effective and usable by the body. THREE's approach guarantees that skincare and wellness solutions truly make a difference, inside and out.

"At THREE, we're committed to pushing the boundaries of what skincare can achieve," says Dr. Dan Gubler, Chief Scientific Officer of THREE International. "By combining the science of quorum sensing with neurocosmetics, the Visage Collection offers an unparalleled option that works smarterbecause it works in harmony with your body. This is skincare designed to support the way you feel, your confidence, and overall wellness."

Discover the Future of Skincare

Experience the revolutionary Visage Collection and see how innovative science can pamper your skin and help you feel great. Visit THREEinternational.com to explore the collection and connect with a Brand Ambassador for personalized recommendations.

THREE  has redefined the science of supplementation with cutting-edge cellular absorption technology, ensuring that our products are efficient, effective, and unbeatably bioavailable. Behind our world-leading, advanced delivery products is our scientific community, a team of leaders, led by Dr. Dan Gubler , from across the medical field. Our mission is twofold: improve quality of life through holistic health education and to inform the development of world-leading advanced delivery products. THREE is a movement led by Daniel Picou , Founder & CEO, that is changing lives around the world by delivering healthy options to PEOPLE, greater PURPOSE through our caring community, and a dynamic PLATFORM for entrepreneurship. Learn more at: threeinternational.com .

Media Contact

THREE International Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Three International
BEIJING, Dec. 13, 2024 President Xi Jinping on Friday said the central authorities fully support Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering new momentum and advantages for economic development, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.

Noting that Hong Kong faces new development opportunities, Xi said the central authorities would fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society in actively pursuing reform and progress, and in pursuing prosperity through innovation and creativity.

Strong backing

According to the HKSAR government, Lee's briefing includes the latest economic, social and political situation in Hong Kong.

Commending Lee's work over the past year, Xi said Lee had led the HKSAR government in shouldering responsibilities and delivering concrete results.

In the past year, the HKSAR government has completed historic legislation under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, pooled resources in boosting economic development, addressed livelihood problems such as housing and healthcare, strengthened external exchanges and cooperation, and continuously enhanced Hong Kong's international prestige, thus further consolidating Hong Kong's positive momentum of stability and development, Xi said.

The central authorities fully acknowledge the work done by Lee and the HKSAR government, he said.

Fan Peng, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Political Sciences, said that in 2024, one of the most outstanding achievements is the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, a historic mission.

"In terms of system design, the legislation makes Hong Kong's accountability to the central government something that is no longer an abstract political principle, but internalized in the operation of 'one country, two systems' and the actual governance of Hong Kong," Fan said.

According to the expert, in the past two years, the HKSAR government effectively handled a series of thorny issues involving the sovereign interests of national security. At the same time, Hong Kong has also carried out wide-ranging patriotic education, with the social atmosphere clearly changing.

Lee's report in Beijing came after the annual Central Economic Work Conference in the capital, which stressed the need to implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, expand high-standard opening up and keep foreign trade and foreign investment stable.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies think tank, believed that the central government appreciates that in the past year or two, HKSAR was seeking opportunities in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. But at the same time, it also requires Hong Kong to continue to step up efforts to open up space for international activities.

At such a critical point in time, Xi spoke highly of the HKSAR under Lee, which actually shows that the central government has consistently attached importance to the significant status and positive role of Hong Kong, and has unswervingly supported the region, and has always been a strong backing for Hong Kong's development, Fan said.

Further integration expected

Lee's itinerary, which runs from December 11 to 14, also includes meetings with members of various central government ministries, Hong Kong-based media said.

Before Lee's briefing to President Xi, Lee met with Beijing-based business people from Hong Kong as well as representatives from top universities in China's capital, calling for better interaction and integration between the mainland and Hong Kong.

During a lunch meeting on Thursday with 15 Hong Kong business representatives in Beijing, Lee praised the Hong Kong business community's efforts to promote the complementarity and mutual benefit of resources between Beijing and Hong Kong, and expected further strengthening of cooperation and exchanges, according to Lee's Facebook post.

Lee also encouraged young Hong Kong people in Beijing to embrace the unlimited opportunities for personal growth and asked Hong Kong business communities to help more Beijing companies list in Hong Kong and invest overseas using Hong Kong as a stepping stone, according to South China Morning Post.

After the lunch meeting, the chief executive held discussions with leaders from top-tier universities including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University, Beijing Normal University, Beihang University and Beijing Institute of Technology.

In a Facebook post after the meeting, Lee expressed gratitude for the institutions' continued support for Hong Kong, and hoped to foster cooperation between mainland and Hong Kong universities. He called for a joint effort to build a "talent highland," complementing each other's advantages.

According to Lau, reform and innovation are the two principles that Hong Kong should follow in its future governance and development, which makes its cooperation and integration with the mainland particularly important.

As an international financial hub, Hong Kong has advantages in terms of outbound business investment and internationalization, while the mainland has advantages in its number of talents, unified large market and policy efficiency, Fan noted, emphasizing the complementary advantages of the two places.

"Under the framework of 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong can integrate the advantages of governance capacity from both sides, which is more important in the long run than simply talking about short-term growth," Fan added.

"The Greater Bay Area is a crucial growth pole in the Chinese path to modernization. The mainland and Hong Kong have made great explorations not only in terms of trade and finance, and social connectivity, but also in terms of policy and institutional connectivity," Fan said, "The purpose is to drive innovation in science and technology, business and finance, and create new growth points with the Greater Bay Area as a whole."

The central government has set high expectations for Hong Kong in that regard, Fan said, noting that at a time when the dividends of globalization and the vitality of global innovation are declining, governance capacity is particularly important.

HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, said at a business forum on Wednesday that the number of foreign and Chinese mainland firms as well as start-ups in Hong Kong has reached new highs in 2024, and the HKSAR will further help mainland businesses "go global" and attract foreign investment.

Ahead of Lee's departure on December 9, he met with Ren Hongbin, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Hong Kong. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening economic and trade exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong, and facilitating the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

SOURCE Global Times
VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE: PRR) (OTC: PRRSF) (FRA: OED) announces that it has adjourned its annual general meeting (for more information, see news release dated December 12, 2024), to reconvene on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 11:30 AM (Pacific Time) at Suite 430, 605 Robson Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. Proxies will continue to be accepted until 48 hours prior to the commencement of the adjourned meeting.

About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia based exploration and development company focused on gold exploration. Prospect Ridge's management and technical team cumulate over 100 years of mineral exploration experience and believe the Knauss Creek and the Holy Grail properties to have the potential to extend the boundaries of the Golden Triangle to cover this vast under-explored region.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 27, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Rentokil Initial plc (the "Company") (NYSE: RTO), if they purchased the Company's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") between December 1, 2023 and September 10, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

Get Help

Rentokil investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-rto/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Rentokil and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On September 11, 2024, pre-market, the Company provided an unscheduled "Trading Update," announcing that it now expected only 1% organic revenue growth in North America for the second half of 2024well below the Company's prior guidance, also disclosing that "While we saw some positive momentum in North America sales activity at the end of the second quarter, the trading performance in July and August was lower than anticipated. There has also been some modest disruption to organic growth from branch integration."

On this news, the price of Rentokil ADSs fell by over 21%, from a closing price of $31.60 per ADS on September 10, 2024, to a closing price of $24.95 per ADS on September 11, 2024.

The case is Laborers Local #235 Pension Fund v. Rentokil Initial plc, et al., No. 24-cv-2932.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
Karma Sauce Celebrates the Next Chapter of 'Hot Ones' with Sean Evans and Chris Schonberger

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Karma Sauce extends heartfelt congratulations to First We Feast, the creators of the acclaimed 'Hot Ones' series, along with host Sean Evans and founder Chris Schonberger, on their recent acquisition of the brand from BuzzFeed. This significant milestone, achieved through an $82.5 million deal led by an affiliate of Soros Fund Management LLC, marks a new chapter for the 'Hot Ones' franchise.

Karma Sauce is honored to have contributed to the 'Hot Ones' journey, notably through the creation of the Los Calientes hot sauce. This collaboration, initiated in partnership with HEATONIST founder Noah Chaimberg, resulted in a sauce that quickly became a fan favorite, earning the title "The Sauce of Summer." Additionally, the Karma Sauce brand has been featured on the show with four different sauces: Extreme Karma, Burn After Eating, Scorpion Disco, and Cosmic Disco.

Celebrity guests such as Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay, and Shia LaBeouf have successfully endured the fiery 'Hot Ones' challenge, sharing memorable reactions to the Karma Sauce brand's creations:

"I like that! Nice and smoky and fiery It's delicious. It's really, really good." ~ Bobby Flay after trying Los Calientes Barbacoa.





~ after trying Los Calientes Barbacoa. "That's quite nice. I like that," "It's quite zesty," "It's starting to move to the armpits. I'm sweating." ~ Gordon Ramsay , sampling Los Calientes.





~ , sampling Los Calientes. "I look so sad, right dude, I look like you just beat me up I got another tear." ~ Shia LaBeouf , crying while trying Burn After Eating.

Karma Sauce expresses its deepest gratitude to Noah Chaimberg and the HEATONIST team for their unwavering support and dedication to the hot sauce community. "I have been working with Gene Olczak and his Karma Sauce Co. since I started HEATONIST. Gene impressed me from the start with the unique and delicious sauces he produces," said Mr. Chaimberg.

"As 'Hot Ones' moves into this exciting new phase, we look forward to witnessing the continued innovation and success of the show under its new leadership. Karma Sauce remains committed to crafting exceptional sauces that bring flavor and excitement to every meal," said Gene Olczak, Karma Sauce Owner and Founder.

About Karma Sauce

Karma Sauce is dedicated to boldly crafting the most flavorful sauces in the country. We even started our own pepper farm in New York's acclaimed Finger Lakes region to ensure every ingredient is succulent and fresh. Our award-winning, handmade sauces banish bland food and make good food great. For more information, visit karmasauce.com.

Related links:

karmasauce.com

firstwefeast.com

heatonist.com

Gene Olczak

Lead Saucer

Karma Sauce

5852641100

[email protected]

"This release was issued through WebWire. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com."

SOURCE The Karma Sauce Company LLC
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federalist Society's Board of Directors is delighted to announce that Sheldon Gilbert will become its second president on January 2, 2025. Gilbert, currently Walmart's Senior Lead Counsel for Strategic Initiatives, will succeed Eugene B. Meyer, who has served as Executive Director, CEO, and/or President of the organization for more than 40 years.

"Sheldon is a superb choice to take over as President of the Federalist Society," said co-chairman of the Board of Directors Steven Calabresi. "His boundless energy and enthusiasm and deep engagement with all segments of the legal community, including different strands of the conservative and libertarian legal movement, make him the right person to lead the Federalist Society at this time."

"Sheldon is both a thinker and a doer," said co-chairman of the Board Leonard Leo. "His unmatched strategic sense, entrepreneurial mindset, leadership qualities, and vision make him uniquely qualified for leading the generational change the Society is poised to begin while preserving the Society's core assets and commitments."

"We are delighted to welcome Sheldon, who is joining the organization at a pivotal moment," said outgoing President Eugene Meyer. "He shares a deep commitment to our mission and purpose, to provide a forum for fair, serious, and open debate about the role of the courts in saying what the law is rather than what they wish it to be, and to the centrality of the rule of law in protecting individual freedom and traditional values. It's been an honor to have served over many decades. I am grateful to my colleagues, our members and those who have supported this mission over the years."

"The Federalist Society's strength comes from our members, and I'm proud to work alongside them to promote the Society's founding principles and provide a thoughtful forum for discussion and debate," said Gilbert. "It's an honor to serve our membersincluding law school students and faculty, public servants in every branch of government, and private sector and non-profit lawyerswho tirelessly and fearlessly work to defend the Constitution, preserve freedom, and promote the rule of law."

Before joining Walmart, Gilbert served as Vice President for Content and Development and Senior Fellow for Constitutional Studies at the National Constitution Center, as Director for the Institute for Justice's Center for Judicial Engagement, and as Associate Chief Counsel for Litigation at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Litigation Center. He is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School and the University of Utah.

Gilbert is married with four children, and is himself a child of the Mountain West, where he was born in a coal mining town in Utah and raised in Idaho near the Grand Tetons. Before going to law school, Sheldon's diverse interests led him to work in a wide range of roles, from software development project management for a nonprofit, to working in his University's radiobiology research lab, to volunteer service in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for his church. Gilbert was selected following a nationwide search by the Board's Presidential Search Committee, with key support from Andrea McDaniel Smith, a partner at CarterBaldwin Executive Search.

Founded by law students from around the country in 1982, the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians dedicated to reforming the current legal order. Under Eugene Meyer's leadership, the organization has grown from a small group of law students to a community of 90,000 lawyers, law students, academics, judges, and others interested in the rule of law.

Founded in 1982, the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians dedicated to reforming the current legal order. We are committed to the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. The Society seeks to promote awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.

SOURCE The Federalist Society
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 23, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against The Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD" or the "Company") (NYSE: TD), if they purchased the Company's securities between March 7, 2022 and October 9, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

TD investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-td-1/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

TD and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On October 10, 2024, the Company disclosed resolutions reached from investigations by various U.S. Government entities into the Company's anti-money laundering ("AML") program compliance with the United States Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA"), which included a punitive payment of $3.09 billion, an asset cap preventing TD's two U.S. subsidiaries from exceeding a collective $434 billion, and a "more stringent approval processes for new bank products, services, markets, and stores to ensure the AML risk of new initiatives is appropriately considered and mitigated."

On this news, the price of TD's shares fell from a closing price of $63.51 per share on October 9, 2024 to $59.44 per share on October 10, 2024, and further to $57.01 on October 11, 2024.

The first-filed case is Tiessen v. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, et al., No. 24-cv-08032. A subsequent case, Gonzalez v. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, et al., No. 24-cv-09445, expanded the class period.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 20, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), if they purchased the Company's securities between November 16, 2023, and September 23, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Get Help

Visa investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-v/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Visa and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On September 24, the United States Department of Justice filed suit against the Company for four separate violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act alleging, among other things, that the Company leverages dual-sided network effects, afforded to it by its existing monopoly position on both sides of the payment processing market, to freeze out smaller competition and cement its market dominance and further abuses that power by coercing merchants to exclusively use its payments processing platform, thereby causing harm to consumers.

On this news, the price of Visa's shares fell $1.48, or 5.38%, to close at $26.03 per share on September 24, 2024, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The case is Cai v. Visa, Inc., et al., No. 24-cv-08220.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE: WOLF) securities between August 16, 2023 and November 6, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until Friday, January 17, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Wolfspeed class action lawsuit. Captioned Zagami v. Wolfspeed, Inc., No. 24-cv-01395 (N.D.N.Y.), the Wolfspeed class action lawsuit charges Wolfspeed as well as certain of Wolfspeed's top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Wolfspeed class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-wolfspeed-class-action-lawsuit-wolf.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Wolfspeed operates as a bandgap semiconductor company that focuses on silicon carbide and gallium nitride (GaN) technologies.

The Wolfspeed class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Wolfspeed's optimistic claims of potential growth of its Mohawk Valley fabrication facility and general demand for Wolfspeed's 200mm wafers in the electronic vehicle market fell short of reality; and (ii) Wolfspeed had overstated demand for its key product and placed undue reliance on purported design wins while the Mohawk Valley facility's growth had begun to taper before recognizing the $100 million revenue per quarter allegedly achievable with only 20% utilization of the fabrication, let alone the promised $2 billion revenue purportedly achievable by the facility.

The Wolfspeed class action lawsuit further alleges that on November 6, 2024, Wolfspeed announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, revealing that 20% utilization of the Mohawk Valley fabrication facility would result in 30% to 50% below the $100 million mark defendants had claimed, attributing the results and lowered guidance to "demand . . . ramp[ing] more slowly than we originally anticipated" as "EV customers revise their launch time lines as the market works through this transition period." On this news, the price of Wolfspeed stock fell more than 39%, according to the complaint.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Wolfspeed securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Wolfspeed class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Wolfspeed class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Wolfspeed class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Wolfspeed class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases  over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

[email protected]

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 21, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Zeta Global Holdings Corp. ("Zeta" or the "Company") (NYSE: ZETA), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 27, 2024 and November 13, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

Zeta Global investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-zeta/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Zeta Global and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (1) the Company used two-way contracts to artificially inflate financial results; (2) the Company engaged in round trip transactions to artificially inflate financial results; (3) the Company utilized predatory consent farms to collect user data and these consent farms have driven almost the entirety of Zeta's growth; (4) as a result, defendants' positive statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

The case is Davoodi v. Zeta Global Holdings Corp., et al., No. 24-cv-8961.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japanese citizens on Friday evening gathered outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo to protest sexual violence by U.S. military personnel stationed in the country.

Earlier in the day, a U.S. Air Force serviceman was sentenced to five years in prison by the Naha District Court for abducting and sexually assaulting a Japanese girl under 16 in Okinawa in December 2023.

Protesters condemned the act, stating that sexual violence by U.S. military personnel is intolerable and that a five-year prison term is far too lenient compared to the suffering endured by the victim.

They also criticized the Japanese central government and police for failing to provide case-related information to the Okinawa prefectural government. Protesters demanded accountability from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for concealing details of the case.

Criminal incidents involving U.S. military personnel in Japan have been a long-standing issue. According to Okinawa Prefecture statistics, approximately 6,200 criminal cases involving U.S. military personnel and their dependents have been recorded in Okinawa from 1972 to 2023, including serious offenses such as murder, rape, and robbery. 
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Nairobi, Dec 13 : The Kenyan government will provide a safe corridor for the migration of skilled labour force to travel and settle abroad, generating revenue for the exchequer through remittances, senior officials said ahead of International Migrants Day, which is observed annually on December 18.

Julius Bitok, the principal secretary for immigration and citizen services, acknowledged the pivotal role of migrant workers in socioeconomic development, skills transfer, and cultural vitality, whose legal protection is critical, reports Xinhua news agency.

Bitok said the government is committed to a migration agenda that promotes the welfare of local citizens and those of neighbouring countries to achieve growth and stability.

"Migration is critical to our nation's development agenda because it promotes talent, cultural diversity, skills and technology exchange. We will ensure there is safe and orderly migration," Bitok said.

Ahead of this year's International Migrants Day, Kenya and the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) held a two-km walk in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, to raise awareness of migrants' rights and the benefits of regular migration pathways.

Bitok said Kenya has domesticated global instruments to provide a safe haven for migrants from the region escaping from climate emergencies, conflicts or economic uncertainties.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu said the day serves as a wakeup call to harness the talent, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of migrants to fuel economic growth and social renewal in Kenya.

According to Njogu, Kenya is committed to providing legal status to migrants from neighbouring countries and overseas, besides ensuring they have access to basic services like education, health, shelter and gainful employment.

IOM Kenya Chief of Mission Sharon Dimanche noted that multilateral institutions have partnered with national governments to facilitate legal migration to bridge the skills gap and foster innovation, peace and cohesion.

The 2024 International Migrants Day will be observed under the theme of "Honoring the contributions of migrants and respecting their rights," which underscores their positive contribution to host countries' welfare.
Moscow, Dec 13 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree extending Moscow's retaliatory measures in response to a Western price cap on Russia's oil until June 30, 2025, according to a document published.

The original decree, issued on December 27, 2022, banned the export of Russian oil and petroleum products under contracts that included the price ceiling set by the Group of Seven (G7) countries, the EU, and Australia, reports Xinhua news agency.

It has been extended multiple times, and the latest extension was to remain in force until December 31, 2024.

In December 2022, the EU placed a price cap of $60 per barrel on Russian seaborne crude oil, a move adopted by the G7. From February 5, 2023, similar price restrictions were applied to petroleum products from Russia.

Meanwhile, despite the sanctions, the revenue of Russia's large and medium-sized oil and gas enterprises increased by 34.2 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, reaching 38.3 trillion rubles (about $413 billion), local media reported on Wednesday.

According to a study conducted by the auditing and consulting network FinExpertiza, non-resource companies also saw growth, with revenues rising by 19.5 per cent to 98.7 trillion rubles (about 1 trillion U.S. dollars).

The oil and gas sector's share of total corporate revenue in Russia increased to 28 per cent, up from 26 per cent a year earlier. Overall, corporate turnover grew by 23.3 per cent.

FinExpertiza experts attribute the significant growth in oil and gas revenue to a weak ruble and rising global oil prices.

The non-oil and gas sector, which accounted for 72 per cent of total revenue, also grew more modestly at 19.5 per cent in the first half.

Although slower than oil and gas, the non-resource segment showed strong recovery after sanctions, particularly in the manufacturing sector, with industries such as metal products, electronics, and automotive manufacturing driving growth.
Hyderabad, Dec 14 : Popular Tollywood actor Allu Arjun stepped out of Chanchalguda Central Jail here on Saturday morning after spending the night in the prison in the case relating to a stampede at a theatre during the premier show of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'.

Hyderabad, Dec 14 (IANS) Popular Tollywood actor Allu Arjun stepped out of Chanchalguda Central Jail here on Saturday morning after spending the night in the prison in the case relating to a stampede at a theatre during the premier show of aPushpa 2: The Rulea.

The actor, who was granted interim bail by Telangana High Court on Friday evening an hour after a lower court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days, had to spend the night in the jail due to delay in the prison authorities receiving bail orders.

The prison authorities released the national award-winning actor from the rear gate of the jail. He was sent in an escort vehicle.

The actor drove straight to the office of Geeta Arts. He will arrive at his residence in Jubilee Hills later.

Police have made tight security arrangements around his residence.

Earlier, there was suspense on Friday night over his release.

Jail authorities said they received the bail order late in the night and since the prisoners canat be released during night hours as per the prison manual, the actor would be released next morning.

Allu Arjun spent the night in Manjeera block as a special class status given by the Nampally Court that remanded him on Friday.

A large number of fans of the actor remained outside the jail till late in the night waiting for his release.

Allu Arjunas lawyers submitted a personal bond of Rs 50,000 to Jail Superintendent as per the direction of the High Court.

While granting interim bail for four weeks, the High Court had directed police to continue the investigation.

It also directed the actor to cooperate in the investigation.

A woman died and her son was critically injured during the stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premier show attended by Allu Arjun on December 4.

Police had registered a case under Sections 105 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 118(1) (Voluntarily causing hurt) r/w 3(5) BNS against Allu Arjun, his security team and the management of the theatre.

The interim bail capped the day-long dramatic developments that began on Friday morning with the actoras arrest from his residence in Jubilee Hills.

The bail orders came in the evening, barely an hour after a city court sent Allu Arjun to judicial custody for 14 days.

The High Court gave interim bail for four weeks during the hearing of the quash petition filed by the actor.

The pan-India actor received the respite even as the police were shifting him to Chanchalguda Jail from Nampally Criminal Court Complex.

The High Court also granted interim bail to three members of the theatre management who were arrested earlier in the case.

The Public Prosecutor raised an objection to the interim bail. The court adjourned further hearing to December 21.

During the hearing on quashing the petition, Allu Arjunas counsel argued that BNS Section 105 does not apply to him as he had nothing to do with the stampede.

S. Niranjan Reddy argued that the actor canat be held responsible for the stampede. He also informed the court that the theatre management and producer had informed the police in advance about Allu Arjunas visit.

Niranjan Reddy cited the case of the 2017 stampede at Vadodara Railway Station during actor Shah Rukh Khanas train journey from Mumbai to Delhi to promote his movie aRaeesa.

The Gujarat High Court had quashed the complaint filed against Shah Rukh Khan for the stampede, which had killed one person and injured several others.

The Supreme Court later upheld the High Court order.

The Public Prosecutor told the court that Allu Arjun visited the theatre despite a request by police not to come, in view of the possibility of a huge gathering.

The court was informed that the actor reached the theatre in a rally. The police, which arrested the national award-winning actor from his residence in Hyderabad, produced him before a magistrate at the Nampally Criminal Court complex. He was named accused number 11 in the case.

Earlier, police recorded the statement of the actor at Chikkadpally Police Station. He was then taken to Gandhi Hospital for a medical check-up.
Gaza, Dec 14 : At least eight Palestinians have been killed, including a photojournalist, in a series of Israeli raids targeting different areas in the Gaza Strip, according to official Palestinian sources.

Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua that photojournalist Shadi al-Salafiti and another person were killed Friday afternoon by an Israeli airstrike in the vicinity of the al-Sina'a area in Gaza City.

According to Basal, two Palestinians were also killed in the morning in an Israeli raid east of the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, while another person was killed in an Israeli shelling targeting the Miraj area north of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip.

At dawn, three people were killed in an Israeli strike on a tent housing displaced people in Khan Younis, according to a statement issued by the Nasser Medical Complex.

The Israeli army has not commented on these incidents.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Friday that over the past day, IDF troops operating in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip dismantled an underground rocket launch site, which was directed at communities in southern Israel.

In Rafah, IDF troops located tunnel shafts killed militants, and dismantled militant infrastructure sites over the last day, it added.

Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that the Israeli authorities released 17 detainees from the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing, south of the Gaza Strip.

Medical sources told Xinhua that the released detainees showed signs of extreme fatigue and signs of "physical torture and abuse."

The Israeli army has arrested hundreds of Palestinians during its ongoing ground operation in Gaza and transferred them to unknown destinations, according to Palestinian human rights organisations.

Israel has been waging 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 44,875, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Friday.
Tokyo, Dec 14 : Japan Cabinet Office's disaster management division plans to assign designated officers to each prefecture starting next fiscal year as a preparation for possible major disasters such as a Nankai Trough megaquake or a Tokyo metropolitan earthquake, local media reported.

The Cabinet Office is moving forward with plans to deploy approximately 50 officers across prefectures to focus on promoting stockpile management and volunteer collaboration in normal times while taking charge of assessing damage and organising evacuation shelters during disasters, Xinhua reported.

To support the initiative, the Cabinet Office plans to double its current staff of 110 and seek a corresponding increase in its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, according to national broadcaster NHK, citing interviews with government officials.

The latest initiative is part of the broader goal of establishing a "Disaster Management Agency" by fiscal year 2026.

Recent disasters, such as the Noto Peninsula earthquake, revealed challenges such as limited supplies in municipal stockpiles and delays in setting up evacuation shelters in Japan.

The Japanese Government has an emergency broadcasting system called "J-Alert." This system ensures that critical information reaches people in affected regions during various crises, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, civil protection, and more. J-Alert employs various methods to communicate with the public.

Besides, since 2007, smartphones have been installed with an earthquake early warning system that sounds an alarm immediately before an earthquake strikes. The first of its type in the world, this system generates an alert based on initial small tremors that occur seconds or tens of seconds before a large quake, urging people to prepare for evacuation. The system uses seismometers and seismic intensity meters that measure the tremors from the Japan Meteorological Agency (roughly 690 locations nationwide) and a seismographic observation network from the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (roughly 1000 locations nationwide).
Chandigarh, Dec 14 : Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday questioned the government's stance, asking how a group of 101 farmers walking on foot towards Delhi could be considered a threat to national peace and order. Dwelling on the decision of Working President of the All India Kisan Congress and wrestler, Bajrang Punia, to join the farmers, he said that they have no problem with a sportsperson or celebrity joining the stir, but want to keep political parties away.

Ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' foot march, Pandher compared the ongoing farmers' protest to the Parliament's Constitution debate.

"Only 101 farmers will head towards Delhi today at 12:00 P.M. Every movement has its purpose. Despite the government's efforts and military barriers, our voices have reached 140 crore citizens. The voice of Shambhu and Khanauri is resonating across the country, and the Prime Minister must respect this voice," Pandher told IANS.

He further questioned, "While Parliament discusses the Constitution, do Shambhu and Khanauri follow a different Constitution? How can 101 individuals walking peacefully, pose a threat to peace and order?"

Pandher also expressed concern over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 19 days at the Khanauri border.

"His condition is critical. The entire country is worried, yet the Prime Minister seems indifferent," he remarked.

Dwelling on the decision of wrestler Bajrang Punia to join the farmers, Pandher said that they have no issue with a sportsperson or celebrity joining the stir, but want to keep political parties away.

He also stated that they expect to convince farmers from other organisations, who have stayed out of the stir till now, to join the movement.

The farmers are resuming their march to demand the fulfilment of their long-pending issues, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and loan waivers.

Since February 13, the farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana, following the government's efforts to halt their previous attempts to reach Delhi. The protest is being held under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

Earlier, Pandher announced the decision to march towards Delhi, emphasising the symbolic importance of the struggle. Farmers had prayed at Sikh shrines to express solidarity and seek blessings for their movement's success.

In response, security measures along the interstate border on the Ghaggar rivulet have been intensified, with central paramilitary forces and Haryana police deployed. Temporary barricades heavily guarded by police and paramilitary personnel have been set up to prevent farmers from advancing.

During earlier march attempts, clashes with security forces led to the use of teargas shells to disperse the farmers. The protestors temporarily suspended their march on December 8 after several were injured.

Despite these setbacks, the farmers remain steadfast in their demands for legal reforms to improve the agricultural sector. Haryana Police had previously cited prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to justify their actions in stopping the protestors.

The farmers' march aims to spotlight their grievances and ensure their voices are heard in Parliament.
Kolkata, Dec 14 : On Saturday Kolkata is all set to witness a resurrection of protests, as the medical fraternity and common people are fuming over the granting of "default bail" to two persons accused of evidence tampering in the case related to the rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital.

Kolkata, Dec 14 (IANS) On Saturday Kolkata is all set to witness a resurrection of protests, as the medical fraternity and common people are fuming over the granting of "default bail" to two persons accused of evidence tampering in the case related to the rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital.

The bail was granted because of the failure of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file the charge sheet against the two accused within 90 days from the date of arrest.

On Friday a special court in Kolkata granted "default bail" to the former principal of R.G. Kar, Sandip Ghosh and the former SHO of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal.

Both have been accused of misleading the investigation and tampering with evidence.

Fuming over the development reportedly because of the failure of the central agency to file the charge sheet in time, West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF) has announced day-long protests on Saturday primarily targeting the CBI over the development.

At 2 P.M. on Saturday, the WBJDF will organise a protest rally to the office of the CBI's special crime unit at the Central Government Office (CGO) complex demanding that the central agency takes the moral responsibility for its failure in the matter.

Parallel protest rallies by two other organisations related to the medical fraternity, namely Medical Service Centre and Nurse's Unit are also scheduled on Saturday.

At the same time 'Abhaya Manch', a joint platform of common people from different walks of life, will be organising a protest demonstration at Rani Rashmoni Road in central Kolkata on Saturday afternoon.

The WBJDF will send their representatives there. All these medical fraternity bodies have given an open call to common people to join those rallies in large numbers.

Meanwhile, WBJDF representatives have already claimed that in due course they might again resume their "ceasework protests" which they withdrew a couple of months back keeping the larger public interest in mind.

"A number of influential people are associated with the R.G. Kar tragedy. Our question is whether justice can be achieved even if the involvement of influential people is there," said a WBJDF representative.
TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is considering requiring companies with over 100 employees to disclose the proportion of women in management positions, local media reported.

The move aims to promote the active appointment of women to managerial roles and provide jobseekers with relevant information when evaluating potential employers, according to national broadcaster NHK.

According to a survey conducted by the ministry last year, women held just 12.7 percent of managerial roles at the level of section chief and above, a figure significantly lower than international standards.

The ministry also plans to mandate midsized firms to disclose gender pay gaps to ensure transparency regarding wage disparities.

The ministry aims to finalize and formally implement these measures by the end of the year. 
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Veteran BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani, has been hospitalised at Delhi's Apollo Hospital after his health deteriorated.

The former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP stalwart was hospitalised late on Friday night.

The 97-year-old Lal Krishna Advani has not been keeping well for quite some time and was hospitalised for the fourth time in the last few months.

The reason for this latest hospitalisation could not be immediately known but doctors said that his condition is stable right now.

The former Home Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was conferred with the highest civilian honour the 'Bharat Ratna' this year.

As the senior leader could not attend the ceremony organised at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, he was conferred with the award at his home.

Lal Krishna Advani is one of the founders of the BJP and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

Lal Krishna Advani was one of the torchbearers of the final phase of the temple movement when he started his Rath Yatra from Somnath to mobilise support for the Ram Temple in September 1990.

On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the veteran leader's residence to extend birthday wishes. He also shared a photo on social media platform X in which he can be seen gifting a bouquet to the leader.

PM Modi had captioned the photo, "Visited Advani ji's house to extend birthday wishes."

Prior to that PM Modi had said in a post on X: "Heartiest greeting to Advani ji on his birthday. This birthday is more special as the leader has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna this year. He is one of the respected leaders of the country who have dedicated their lives for the development of the country. I pray for his long and healthy life."

"Advaniji has always been respected for his intellect and rich insights. I am fortunate to have received his guidance for many years," PM Modi said.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The WPL 2025 Auction is scheduled to be held on Sunday in Bengaluru, with 120 players set to go under the hammer for selection by the five franchises.

The auction pool includes 91 Indian players and 29 international stars, featuring three emerging talents from Associate Nations. Of these, 30 players are capped (9 Indian, 21 overseas), while 90 are uncapped (82 Indian, 8 overseas). With most franchises retaining their core squads, only 19 slots remain open, including 5 for overseas players.

The marquee players in this yearas auction include Tejal Hasabnis, Sneh Rana, Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Heather Knight (England), Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Lauren Bell (England), Kim Garth (Australia), and Danielle Gibson (England), alongside several other prominent names.

Available purse for franchises:

Delhi Capitals - Rs. 2.5 crore

Gujarat Giants - Rs. 4.4 crore

Mumbai Indians - Rs. 2.65 crore

UP Warriorz - Rs. 3.9 crore

Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rs. 3.25 crore

Here's everything you need to know about the WPL 2025 Auction:

When: Sunday, December 15

Where: Bengaluru, India

Time: The player auction will begin at 3 pm while the broadcast will start 30 minutes early.

Live streaming on: JioCinema

Television broadcast on: Sports18 - 1 (SD & HD)
Tokyo, Dec 14 : Japanese citizens gathered outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo to protest sexual violence by US military personnel stationed in the country.

Earlier in the day, prior to the demonstration of Friday, a US Air Force serviceman was sentenced to five years in prison by the Naha District Court for abducting and sexually assaulting a Japanese girl under 16 in Okinawa in December 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.

The sentence was made on the grounds that the crime was a "major sexual infringement," Judge Tetsuro Sato of Naha District Court said on Friday, according to media reports. "The girl's testimony that she told her age by gestures and other means is sufficiently credible from the security camera footage," the judge said.

Brennon R. E. Washington of the US Air Force was indicted on March 27 on charges of "non-consensual sexual intercourse" and "indecent kidnapping" after he was discovered to have taken a 16-year-old Japanese girl to his residence last December and sexually assaulted her, Japanese prosecutors said.

The US military handed the 25-year-old serviceman over to Japanese authorities on the same day. He was later released on bail and transferred to Kadena for custody, as per sources. His trial began on July 12.

Protesters condemned the act, stating that sexual violence by US military personnel is intolerable and that a five-year prison term is far too lenient compared to the suffering endured by the victim.

They also criticised the Japanese central government and police for failing to provide case-related information to the Okinawa prefectural government. Protesters demanded accountability from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for concealing details of the case.

Criminal incidents involving US military personnel in Japan have been a long-standing issue. According to Okinawa Prefecture statistics, approximately 6,200 criminal cases involving US military personnel and their dependents have been recorded in Okinawa from 1972 to 2023, including serious offences such as murder, rape, and robbery.
Mumbai, Dec 14 : A video of veteran actress Rekha hugging actor Agastya Nanda, the grandson of veteran Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, has gone viral.

The video is from the recently held centenary celebrations of the Indian cinema legend Raj Kapoor in Mumbai. The event was organised by the Kapoor family, the first dynasty of the Hindi film industry, and saw stalwarts like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Neetu Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and others in attendance.

Prior to hugging Big B's grandson, Rekha was seen affectionately looking at the poster of Raj Kapoor at the event.

Rekha and Big B have a history as the veteran Bollywood megastar was involved in an extra marital affair with Rekha while he was married to Jaya Bachchan.

The affair created a huge controversy. During the same time Amitabh Bachchan was injured on the sets of 'Coolie'. During a fight scene with Puneet Issar, Amitabh mistimed a jump and was accidentally punched in the stomach. The punch caused severe internal injuries. The actor was rushed to a hospital in Bengaluru for emergency surgery. He was then flown to Mumbai and admitted to Breach Candy Hospital, where he was declared clinically dead for a few minutes. Doctors revived him with an adrenaline injection.

The senior actor underwent multiple surgeries and was put on a ventilator. It's said that Rekha prayed for Bachchan's recovery.

The actor recovered but continued to his treatment. Eventually, Rekha and Big B's romance watered down and he stayed with Jaya Bachchan in the marriage.

Meanwhile, agalaxy of Hindi cinema stars descended in the Andheri West area of Mumbai on Friday.

The Kapoor family, the first film dynasty of Hindi cinema, hosted the event as they celebrated the excellence of the familyas patriarch.

Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor and his actress wife Alia Bhatt were seen attending the event. Ranbir was seen sporting a moustache, it could possibly be a part of his look from his upcoming movie aLove and Wara in which he is set to share the screen with his wife, and his aSanjua co-star Vicky Kaushal.

While Ranbir wore a black velvet bandhgala with white pajamas, Alia looked stunning in a flowy white saree with a floral print.

Ranbiras mother Neetu Kapoor and his sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni also joined them. Neetu was seen complimenting Aliaas look for the night, while Riddhima chatted with her brother Ranbir before they all came together to pose for pictures.
Srinagar, Dec 14 : The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), a wing of the CID on Saturday carried out raids at multiple locations in Anantnag and Kulgam districts of Jammu & Kashmir.

Officials sources said that sleuths of CIK carried out raids at Anantnag district jail in Mattan and searched various barracks and blocks inside the jail premises.

"The raid is being carried out in connection with the investigations of a terror-related case. The teams of CIK are also carrying out raids in Chawalgam and Sonigam villages of Kulgam district. The raids are being carried out after obtaining search warrants from the court," sources said.

During similar raids in the past, the sleuths of various investigating agencies discovered mobile phones being used by the inmates. In most of these cases, the jail authorities had expressed a lack of knowledge about these mobile phones.

In a number of such cases, some officials of the jail had also been brought under the scanner of the intelligence agencies.

It must be mentioned that after the terrorist increased their activities targeting civilians, security forces, police and the army, the security forces have been given clear orders to go after terrorists, their over-ground workers (OGWs) and sympathises so that the ecosystem of terror is completely dismantled in J&K.

These terrorist attacks took place in the aftermath of peaceful people-participative Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections in J&K. Intelligence agencies believe that the fair and largely people-participative elections witnessed by the world had created impatience among the handlers of terror sitting across the border and that is why the terrorists have been directed to give the dying militancy the last push in J&K.

On October 20, terrorists opened indiscriminate firing inside the workers' camp of an infrastructure company in Gagangir area of Ganderbal district. Seven civilians including six workers of the company and a local doctor were killed in the Gagangir attack.
Mexico City, Dec 13 : Mexican consulates in the United States will strengthen legal support for Mexican nationals to ensure that they are informed about their rights and the deportation procedures, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

With reference to the President's statement that came on Friday, the measure came in response to repeated threats of mass deportations by US President-elect Donald Trump, who has criticised Mexico for not doing enough to prevent illegal immigration, Xinhua news agency reported.

"There are rules for deporting (nationals) back to Mexico. It's not like the police stop them and then send them to the border the same day. There are standards and rules that must be followed, and they can not be deported without reasons," Sheinbaum said during a daily press conference.

"We are strengthening the capability of our consulates in the United States and improving the level of legal support," she said.

The government, she said, will provide contact information for the consulates, so that Mexican nationals can access assistance in case of deportation.

"We are in Mexico to welcome Mexicans and preparing everything they need" if they are deported, Sheinbaum said.

Earlier in November, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had voiced readiness for the potential US mass deportations of migrants, which US President-elect Donald Trump has indicated will happen once he is in office.

"In the event that there are deportations, we will receive the Mexicans, and we have a plan for that," Sheinbaum had told reporters, quoted by Xinhua news agency.

Expressing her disapproval of "migrants being treated like criminals," she said, "that is why institutions of justice exist everywhere around the world" to protect basic rights.

The government is strengthening the network of Mexican consulates in the United States to better protect migrants at the risk of deportation, she said.

Trump, who is to be sworn in on January 20, 2025, has threatened to stiffen measures to stop the flow of undocumented migrants across the US-Mexico border.
Mumbai, Dec 14 : Actress Raveena Tandon and social media personality Mira Rajput Kapoor ditched the centenary celebrations of the Indian cinema legend Raj Kapoor as they attended Bryan Adams' concert in the city.

Both Raveena and Mira took to their social media handles and expressed their excitement. Raveena shared a slew of images and videos on her Instagram from the concert.

She also penned a long note in the caption, and shared how this gig allowed her to relive her days from the college as she was working insane shifts during her college.

She wrote, "A night with #bryanadams . And how I love my Mumbaikars , went down to enjoy the real feel of being in the midst , only to hear a welcoming ankhiyon se goli maare! Hahahha . Love you my Mumbai folks. Having missed concerts that I always wanted to go to in all my days of college as I was already working insane erratic hours on my shoots. Now Making up for lost years (sic)".

Mira also shared pictures from the event, and was seen donning a T-shirt from Bryan Adams in Singapore.

She wrote, "Young and wild and free. Find a bigger fan of @bryanadams than me Wearing my T-shirt from his concert in Singapore, March 2023".

Meanwhile, the Kapoor family, the first dynasty of the Hindi film industry, organised an event celebrating the centenary of Raj Kapoor. The event was attended by stalwarts like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Neetu Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and others.

Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor and his actress wife Alia Bhatt were seen attending the event. Ranbir was seen sporting a moustache, it could possibly be a part of his look from his upcoming movie 'Love and War' in which he is set to share the screen with his wife, and his 'Sanju' co-star Vicky Kaushal.
Los Angeles, Dec 14 : Oscar-winning Hollywood star Will Smith has denied any connection with Sean "Diddy" Combs and said that he "ain't been nowhere near that man" Los Angeles, Dec 14 (IANS) Oscar-winning Hollywood star Will Smith has denied any connection with Sean "Diddy" Combs and said that he "ain't been nowhere near that man"

Smith, who released a new song called "Tantrum," performed at the Observatory North Park theater in San Diego. A Videos shared on TikTok and obtained by TMZ shows Smith addressing the crowd between songs, speaking about memes linking him to Combs.

He said in the clip: "The world we're in right now, it's really hard for y'all to discern what's real and what's true, you know?. I've been seeing y'all's memes and stuff ... Some of that stuff's funny. ... I haven't addressed any of this publicly, but I just wanna say this very clearly: I don't have to do with Puffy, so y'all can stop all them memes. You can stop all of that bulls."

"I ain't been nowhere near that man, ain't did none of that stupid," Smith, who's been previously photographed with Combs at industry events over the years, said from the stage.

"So whenever y'all hear it, if somebody say that, it's a damn lie," reports people.com.

Combs, 55, is in federal custody in New York City after his September indictment on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He is alleged to have used coercion to make women participate in so-called "freak-offs," described by prosecutors as "elaborate and produced sex performances."

Prosecutors also say authorities found "freak-off supplies," including drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, when they raided Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March. Combs has denied committing any wrongdoing.

His attorneys previously said in a statement after the first wave of civil assault complaints that he "cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," but that he "emphatically" denied sexually abusing anyone. Combs will remain behind bars until his trial in May 2025.
Chennai, Dec 14 : The water levels in the Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs have decreased due to reduced inflow on Saturday.

Currently, the water level in Chembarambakkam Lake stands at 22.90 feet, compared to its total depth of 24 feet.

The inflow into Chembarambakkam Lake has dropped to 3,250 cusecs, while 4,500 cusecs of water are being released.

This lake, a critical water source for Chennai, is situated in Kundrathur Taluk of Kanchipuram District and spans an area of 25.51 square kilometres.

On Friday, the lake's water level was recorded at over 23 feet.

Similarly, Poondi Lake is experiencing a reduced water inflow, which is currently at 10,300 cusecs. Meanwhile, 16,500 cusecs of water was being released from the reservoir.

On Thursday, the water level in Poondi Lake reached 34.47 feet against its maximum capacity of 35 feet, prompting an increase in water discharge.

The release was raised from 1,000 cusecs earlier in the day to 5,000 cusecs in the evening. By Friday, the discharge was further increased to 12,000 cusecs due to heavy rainfall. Following heavy to very heavy rain.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected the Chembarambakkam Lake and Poondi Reservoir on Friday.

During his visit, he assured the public that the Water Resources Department and the district administration were issuing warnings and closely monitoring the situation.

The release of excess water, he emphasised, was a precautionary measure, and there was no need for panic.

A flood warning had been issued earlier to residents of villages along the Kosasthalaiyar River due to the release of surplus water from the Poondi Reservoir, which heightened the risk of flooding.

Meanwhile, the well-marked low-pressure area over the Gulf of Mannar has shifted to the adjoining Comorin area.

The associated upper-air cyclonic circulation extends up to mid-tropospheric levels.

According to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin, the system is expected to move westwards toward the Maldives and the adjoining Lakshadweep region, crossing the Comorin area and gradually weakening within the next 24 hours.

The heavy rainfall triggered by this weather system has caused inundation in several parts of Tamil Nadu.
Bhopal, Dec 14 : Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday that he has planned to gift at least one big project to the people of Madhya Pradesh during the ongoing 'Jan Kalyan Parv (public welfare campaign)', launched on completion of one year of his government in office.

CM Yadav made this statement after inaugurating the Sarsi Island Resort in Shahdol district.

Located in the middle of the Son river and two hours drive from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), Sarsi's resort has been built by the state's tourism department.

"We have launched a Jan Kalyan Parv on completion of one year of the state government, and have decided to gift one big project to the people daily. Yesterday, the state's eighth tiger reserve - Ratapani was inaugurated," Yadav said.

The 'Jan Kalyan Parva which was launched on December 11, will continue till December 26.

Under the campaign, the Chief Minister and his other Cabinet Ministers will visit different parts of the state and will announce or inaugurate the projects.

A senior official associated with the state's tourism department told IANS that set on the picturesque backwaters of Bansagar Dam in Shahdol district, the resort has been built with modern facilities to attract all class of tourists.

Beside a gym, a library, and a kidas play zone, a conference room has also built where business meetings and other events can also be organised.

"These beautiful huts are designed to offer visitors an experience of a lifetime and the accommodations are a perfect amalgam of comfort with sustainability," the officer added.

CM Yadav, who is on a visit to Vindhya region of the state on Saturday, is scheduled to inaugurate a newly-built 200-bed hospital and will lay the foundation of several other projects in Mauganj district of Rewa division later in the day.

Notably, Mauganj, which was part of Rewa district, was made a separate district last year. The government has promised to provide all facilities to the new district.
Smoke rises as a result of a series of Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 14, 2024. Israel intensified its airstrikes against Syrian military facilities on Saturday, conducting 24 air raids in the countryside of Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel intensified its airstrikes against Syrian military facilities on Saturday, conducting 24 air raids in the countryside of Damascus, according to a war monitor.

The strikes reportedly hit tunnel-equipped installations carved into a mountainside in the targeted area, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The latest raids bring the total number of Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory to 426 since the collapse of the Syrian government on Dec. 8. These operations have spanned 13 Syrian provinces, according to the observatory.

Israeli airstrikes have been targeting Syrian military assets across the country, according to Israeli officials, who claimed the attacks aimed to prevent the weapons "from falling into the hands of terrorist elements."

Israel's military actions in Syria have sparked condemnation from regional countries and prompted calls from the international community for respect for Syria's sovereignty. 

Smoke rises as a result of a series of Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 14, 2024. Israel intensified its airstrikes against Syrian military facilities on Saturday, conducting 24 air raids in the countryside of Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

Smoke rises as a result of a series of Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 14, 2024. Israel intensified its airstrikes against Syrian military facilities on Saturday, conducting 24 air raids in the countryside of Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

Smoke rises as a result of a series of Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 14, 2024. Israel intensified its airstrikes against Syrian military facilities on Saturday, conducting 24 air raids in the countryside of Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Former BJP MP from West Delhi, Parvesh Verma, is reportedly gearing up to contest from the New Delhi Assembly seat, signalling the party's interest in the high-stakes constituency.

The New Delhi Assembly seat is set to become the focal point of a high-octane electoral contest in the forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

Talking to IANS, Verma confirmed, "The BJP has told me to prepare for this seat. I am preparing, but our official candidate list is yet to be announced."

In a dramatic twist to the race, the Congress has fielded Sandeep Dikshit, the son of the late Sheila Dikshit, as its candidate for the New Delhi constituency. This move is set to reignite a fierce political rivalry, especially as former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also expected to contest from the same seat.

The New Delhi constituency has a history of fierce political battles, with Sheila Dikshit losing to Arvind Kejriwal in 2013 and 2015, marking the beginning of a historic rivalry.

For Sandeep Dikshit, this election is not just a political contest, but an opportunity to reclaim his familyas political legacy and challenge Kejriwal's dominance in the region.

Parvesh Verma further commented on the upcoming political clash, criticising the Congressa choice of candidate.

"The Congress has made Sandeep Dikshit its candidate from here. His mother served as an MLA for three terms and was the CM. The Congress can explain why they chose him. As for Kejriwal, it remains uncertain if he will contest from here. Till now, Kejriwal is saying that he will contest. Let's see what happens. I think like Manish Sisodia, who abandoned his seat in Patparganj to contest from Jangpura, Kejriwal should stick to his promises and not flee when facing defeat. The people are eager to teach him a lesson," he stated.

Parvesh Verma has raised serious concerns regarding the presence of Rohingya and Bangladeshi voters in Delhi, emphasising that the issue goes beyond politics and is a matter of national security.

"This is a serious issue, and there is no question of politicising it. Our primary concern should be making Delhi safe and secure. Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are residing in Delhi, and the Aam Aadmi Party expresses sadness whenever the Delhi Police takes action against them," Verma stated.

Verma further urged the Delhi Police to conduct more thorough investigations into the matter and called on the Election Commission of India to look into complaints about fraudulent voter registrations.

"I urge the Election Commission to investigate the areas where we have raised concerns and verify the authenticity of voter registrations. Many of these individuals are not even citizens of India," he added.

He accused the AAP of facilitating the registration of non-citizens by organising an Aadhaar card and voter ID camps.

"AAP members have been running camps where theyave helped get voter IDs and Aadhaar cards made for these individuals, and this should be thoroughly investigated," Verma said.

Concluding his remarks, Verma emphasised that any complaints lodged by the BJP are aimed at ensuring the safety and security of Delhi's residents.
Seoul, Dec 14 : The South Korea's National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law.

Yoon will be suspended from his duties as soon as the impeachment resolution is delivered to his office, while Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president, reports Yonhap news agency.

An impeachment motion against Yoon passed 204-85, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, with all 300 lawmakers casting their ballots.

Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) decided shortly before the proceeding to take part in the vote but opposed impeachment.

The result showed 12 PPP lawmakers broke from their party line to vote in favour of impeachment.

A two-thirds majority was required to approve the motion, with the opposition bloc accounting for 192 of the 300 members of Parliament.

The first attempt to impeach Yoon last Saturday failed after nearly all PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote.

A second impeachment motion against Yoon was introduced on Thursday by the main opposition Democratic Party and five other minor opposition parties, accusing him of violating the Constitution and other laws by declaring martial law on December 3. The decree was lifted six hours later after the Assembly voted to repeal it.

The second motion was revised from the first motion to remove some charges against Yoon but add others, including allegations that Yoon ordered troops and the police to arrest lawmakers while martial law was in force.

The motion will now be sent to the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him from office.

If the impeachment is upheld, Yoon will become the second President to be ousted after former President Park Geun-hye in 2017.
Chandigarh, Dec 14 : Haryana security personnel on Saturday lobbed teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers who were attempting to cross multi-layered barricades erected as a preventive step at Shambhu border point between Punjab and Haryana.

The farmers were demanding to go to the national capital in support of their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, loan waiver and reforms to improve conditions in the agricultural sector.

The police, who were trying to convince a batch of 101 farmers that they should not enter Haryana as they didn't have permission to go to the national capital, and should go back, also used water cannons to disperse them.

This was the third attempt by the 101 farmers to march towards the national capital as part of the ongoing protest that has now completed 10 months. Earlier, they attempted to march towards Delhi on December 6 and 8.

The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, both in Punjab, since February 13, after security forces stopped their attempts to proceed to Delhi.

Protest leader Sarwan Singh Pandher slammed the Central government's silence over farmers' demands. He called on the government to engage in dialogue with the protesters, warning that the movement could intensify.

He criticised the authorities for repeatedly stopping their march and asking them to seek permission from the Delhi administration. He questioned how a group of 101 farmers marching on foot could pose any threat, emphasising their peaceful approach.

Mobile internet and SMS services were suspended in several parts of Ambala district till December 17 a precautionary step amid farmers' protest.

Another farmer leader Jagjit Dallewall has been observing fast for the past 19 days to mark his peaceful protest at the Khanauri border.

As per reports, his health is deteriorating day by day and he has reportedly lost over 12 kg weight so far.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : In a veiled reference to the loss of business hours in Parliament, Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Saturday that democratic health and economic productivity are inseparable partners, describing meaningful dialogue a "priceless jewel of democracy".

In his Chief Guest address at the 50th Foundation Day Programme of Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) here, he said, "Today's institutional challenges from within and without often stem from the erosion of meaningful dialogue and authentic expression."

"Both outpouring of expression and meaningful dialogue are priceless jewels of democracy. Expression and communication complement each other. Harmony between the two is the key to success," said Vice President Dhankhar, a day after he was locked in a bitter verbal duel with Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge over a no-trust motion moved against him by the Opposition parties.

Reflecting on the loss of business hours in Rajya Sabha due to acrimony, he said, "We must recognise that democratic health and economic productivity are inseparable partners when it comes to national development."

Addressing the civil servants, Vice President Dhankhar said, "Our role as administrators, financial advisors, regulators and auditors must evolve to meet tomorrow's challenges. This demands that we transform service delivery from traditional methods to cutting-edge solutions."

"We are at the cusp of no less than another industrial revolution. Our services need to be more dynamic, adapting to rapid technological changes while maintaining foundational integrity," he said.

Emphasising the need for self-improvement, he said the surest way to bring about the degeneration of an individual or an institution was to keep it or the gentleman or gentle lady away from scrutiny.

"Friends, audit, self-audit is very important... You are beyond scrutiny, your degeneration is assured. And therefore, self-audit, an audit beyond self, is essential," he said.

He also highlighted the importance of technology and said, "Modern civil servants must be tech savvy, facilitators of change, transcending traditional administrative boundaries. Service remains our cornerstone. Your roles as administrators, financial advisors, regulators and auditors must evolve to meet tomorrow's challenges. This evolution demands that we transform service delivery from traditional methods to cutting-edge solutions."

The Vice President also urged government officials to bridge the digital divide.

"Focus on bridging the digital divide through innovative financing models for rural technology adoption. I'm so happy to note it's a priority with the Minister. With the world's largest youth population, which we call the demographic dividend envy of everyone in the world, India's demographic dividend offers unprecedented opportunities. Your digital initiatives must harness this young talent pool through skilled development and digital entrepreneurship," he said.
Panipat, Dec 14 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in Panipat, Haryana, numerous women expressed their gratitude towards him, praising the initiative as a significant move toward empowering women and improving their economic prospects.

Talking to IANS, Jyoti expressed gratitude and said, "When PM Modi came to Panipat on Monday, I was present to witness the launch of this scheme. I believe it will benefit women greatly and provide us with the opportunity to work and earn. It will certainly empower us and give us wings to succeed."

Another woman, excited about the scheme, remarked, "I came here to register for the Bima Sakhi Yojana. I was present when PM Modi launched it, and I hope many more women will come forward to join. This initiative will empower women."

Another woman said, "Every scheme launched by PM Modi has been beneficial for the development of our country. Since the BJP government came to power in 2014, India has been progressing steadily. I have come here to apply for the Bima Sakhi Yojana, which will not only help me generate Rs. 7,000 per month but also provide additional commissions. I urge all women to enroll and take advantage of this opportunity."

LIC Development Officer Krishna Beniwal also confirmed the growing interest in the scheme, stating, "Many women are coming every day for registration, and we are providing information about the Bima Sakhi Yojana. As of now, more than 150 women have registered for it. We are also working to make Panipat a hub for the LIC examinations."

The Bima Sakhi Yojana aims to provide economic empowerment and self-reliance for women by offering both job opportunities and financial independence. The scheme, launched by the government, encourages women to actively participate in the insurance sector, which has traditionally been male-dominated.

The initiative targets women between the ages of 18 and 70 who have completed at least 10th grade. Participants will receive specialised training and a stipend for the first three years to boost financial literacy and insurance awareness.

With an initial budget of Rs 100 crore, the scheme is designed to provide employment opportunities for women in both rural and urban areas, thereby promoting their active participation in the growing insurance sector.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Movable and immovable properties amounting to Rs 4.56 crore were provisionally attached by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Dehradun, in the BTC Fund Scam that allegedly involved illegal sale of cryptocurrency, an official said on Saturday.

The seized assets, including four immovable properties and bank balances, belong to accused Hemant Sharma and others who allegedly cheated people through a website named aBTCFUND.ina.

The properties were seized under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. These belong to Hemant Sharma, son of Ishwar Sharma, resident of Rajpur Road, Dehradun, as per a statement.

The ED-initiated investigation on the basis of a First Information Report registered by Police Station Rajpur, Dehradun, and registered by Police Station Dineshpur, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, under penal provisions related to cheating against Hemant Sharma and others.

ED investigation revealed that Hemant Sharma had fraudulently received substantial amounts from sale of cryptocurrency, which were invested by multiple people on the site named BTCFUND.in, controlled by Hemant Sharma and other co-accused.

Hemant Sharma has lured various persons on the pretext of high return and claimed that many foreign nationals were also associated with the company and people from all over India had invested in the site.

The ED investigation revealed that the proceeds of crime generated by committing the offence, of cheating various people, were further utilised for acquiring four immovable properties by Hemant Sharma and a part of these was deposited in his bank account.

In 2019, the Uttarakhand capital was rocked by another Bitcoin scam allegedly involving Rs 485 crore. The scam revolved around two cryptocurrency companies a" BITZEX and BTC BITZ COIN SHUKKOR a" which lured investors with high returns.

The mastermind of the scam was murdered and police arrested seven people, including three from Mallapuram in Kerala. The three accused were taken into custody from Mandowala in Dehradun just before they were planning to surrender in court.
Bengaluru, Dec 14 : Karnataka BJP has slammed that the filing of an FIR regarding the alleged Covid scam is nothing but pursuance of politics of vengeance by the Karnataka government.

The party is also stated that it won't take the FIR seriously.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Saturday, former Chief Minister and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar stated, during the tenure of the Congress government the alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Valmiki tribal welfare authority had come out.

"Misappropriation of funds to the tune of hundreds of crores has come to light and investigations in this regard have reached a certain stage that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is being forced to tender his resignation," Shettar claimed.

"With the objective of countering this and to carry out politics of vengeance on the previous BJP government and against those in power including ministers, the FIR has been registered," Shettar alleged and added that the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission has not submitted its full report and on the basis of an interim report the FIR was lodged.

"The report could be considered when the investigation is done and the report is submitted. Later it could be considered. The present step is purely done in political vengeance," he reiterated.

When asked about the Congress leaders claiming that hundreds of crores were misappropriated during the Covid pandemic by the then BJP government, Shettar refused to comment on it.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was the Leader of the Opposition sat quietly all these days. Filing of an FIR does not mean that the allegations are proved. The FIR is just a first information report. There is no question of taking the development seriously," Shettar stated.

Earlier on Saturday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar clarified that the government was not pursuing politics of vengeance by filing an FIR concerning the alleged Covid scam.

Shivakumar stated, "The government had formed a commission led by High Court Justice John Michael D'Cunha and action was taken as per the panel's recommendations."

"We are studying the recommendations after which more action will be followed and everything will happen within the framework of law," he said.

Sources stated that the Congress government is preparing to initiate legal action against prominent BJP leaders facing allegations in the Covid scam.

Earlier, the Commission had stated that B.S. Yediyurappa and then Health Ministers B. Sriramulu and K. Sudhakar had allegedly indulged in rampant corruption and misuse of power during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government lodged an FIR in this regarding, naming officials at the Vidhana Soudha police station in Bengaluru on Friday.

The government is also preparing to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter and act swiftly, the sources confirmed.

The 10-page FIR discusses the role of five doctors, two government officers, a pharmaceutical company and industries. It also mentions the involvement of politicians and no names have been given.
Seoul, Dec 14 : Prosecutors arrested Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, South Korea's Chief of the Defence Counterintelligence Command, on charges including insurrection on Saturday as part of an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law last week.

A prosecution investigation team handling the case arrested Yeo immediately after a military court issued an arrest warrant for him, making him the second key figure apprehended by the team following former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Yeo is also the first sitting military serviceman arrested in the martial law investigation, Yonhap news agency reported.

He is suspected of sending troops of his unit to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission after martial law was imposed on December 3. The order was lifted hours later after the Assembly voted to reject it.

Charges against him also include ordering the arrest of 14 people, including the leaders of the ruling and main Opposition parties, and the procurement of computer servers at the election commission.

The military court reportedly concluded that the charges facing Yeo were grave and that he was a flight risk when issuing the warrant.

Yeo's lawyer, Park Yong-seok, told reporters that the commander "plans to explain and refute (the charges) in detail in the future investigation or trial."

Prosecution investigations have found that Yeo had ordered his troops to arrest Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and others without a warrant and detain them inside a military bunker at the Capital Defence Command.

Yeo's arrest is expected to add momentum to the prosecution's investigation into the martial law declaration, of which the team suspects Yoon had been the ringleader.

Meanwhile, on Friday, prosecutors arrested Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, the chief of South Korea's Capital Defence Command, as part of their ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law.
Seoul, Dec 14 : South Korea's main Opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Saturday welcomed the National Assembly's decision to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law, calling it a victory for the people.

DP floor leader Park Chan-dae made the remark as he met reporters after the vote, voicing appreciation for all those who supported Yoon's impeachment.

"We made a historic victory for democracy because of all who gathered in front of the National Assembly and passionately cried out for the protection of the Constitution and democracy," he said.

He stressed that Yoon's impeachment is 'only the first step' toward solving the aftermath of Yoon's December 3 martial law declaration, and vowed to push for a thorough investigation into Yoon and other 'accomplices of the insurrection.'

He also said the DP will make every effort to swiftly form a special counsel to investigate Yoon.

Meanwhile, the South Korea's National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law.

Yoon will be suspended from his duties as soon as the impeachment resolution is delivered to his office, while Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as Acting President, reports Yonhap news agency.

An impeachment motion against Yoon passed 204-85, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, with all 300 lawmakers casting their ballots.

Yoon Suk Yeol's contentious martial law decree, the first issued in over four decades, was in effect for merely six hours but has incited significant political turmoil, disrupted diplomatic engagements, and unsettled financial markets.

Yoon was compelled to rescind the decree following a unanimous vote by the South Korean parliament to annul it. In the aftermath of the martial law declaration, Yoon stationed hundreds of troops and police officers at the parliament in an effort to obstruct the vote on the decree; however, they retreated once the parliament rejected it.

In a speech delivered on Thursday, Yoon refuted allegations of rebellion, justifying his martial law declaration as a necessary governance measure. The conservative president asserted that his actions were intended to issue a warning to the liberal Opposition Democratic Party, which he characterised as 'a monster' and 'anti-state forces.'

"I will fight to the end to prevent the forces and criminal groups that have been responsible for paralysing the countryas government and disrupting the nationas constitutional order from threatening the future of the Republic of Korea," Yoon stated.

In a reaction, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung condemned Yoon's remarks as a 'mad declaration of war' against the South Korean populace.

Yoon is now the second President to confront impeachment proceedings. Following the approval of the motion, the Constitutional Court will assess whether to reinstate Yoon or to remove him permanently. He follows in the footsteps of Park Geun-hye, who was dismissed in 2017.

Park Geun-hye, who took office in 2013, faced parliamentary impeachment, which was upheld by the Constitutional Court in March 2017, leading to her prosecution and subsequent imprisonment. She was also accused of leaking classified information, maintaining a list of artists who criticised her policies, and dismissing officials who opposed her decisions.
Itanagar, Dec 14 : Three teenage school students were killed and two others got injured when an overhead water tank of a private school collapsed and fell on them in Arunachal Pradesh's Naharlagun on Saturday, police said.

Naharlagun Superintendent of Police Mihin Gambo said that the students were playing in St Alphonsa School's ground when the tank, along the playground, collapsed injuring five students.

All five injured students were immediately shifted to the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), Naharlagun, where three students succumbed to their injuries while two others are now under medical treatment.

"A post-mortem of the victims would be conducted. Probe is underway," the district police chief told IANS over the phone.

He said that as per the local people the old overhead water tank may have exceeded its capacity before it collapsed.

"Police officials are now talking to the concerned officials and probing the mishap to know the exact reason for the collapse of the water tank," Gambo said.

All the three deceased students are of class nine while the two injured are of class six and seven.

The police have detained the principal, owner and four other staff members of St Alphonsa School and they are now being interrogated.

Recently, two construction workers from Assam were killed and two others injured in Arunachal Pradesh's Itanagar after a huge mound of earth collapsed on them.

The incident took place when the two workers were digging to construct a retaining wall and the surrounding area collapsed on them.

The four workers were trapped under the debris as the earth of the surrounding area where they were busy digging collapsed on them all of a sudden.

The victims were identified as Jahan Hemran (45) and Vijay Bag (46), residents of Dhekiajuli in Assam's Sonitpur district.
DOHA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Qatar Charity, a non-governmental charity and humanitarian group based in Doha, has dispatched a 40-truck humanitarian aid convoy to Syria to support those affected by the ongoing crisis, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported on Saturday.

The initiative aims to meet urgent needs as harsh winter conditions worsen the hardships faced by vulnerable populations, according to the report.

The aid includes flour for bakeries and families, food baskets with essential supplies, winter clothing kits, personal hygiene kits, non-food item kits, medical supplies, and consumables. The total cost of the convoy's assistance is estimated at 4.5 million Qatari riyals (1.24 million U.S. dollars), according to the QNA.

The United Nations estimates that over 16 million Syrians urgently require humanitarian assistance, with nearly 1 million people -- primarily women and children -- displaced since Nov. 28.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that it plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus, highlighting that the move will improve coordination with relevant authorities to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery through Qatar's air bridge to Syria.

Doha shut its embassy and withdrew its ambassador from Syria in July 2011 after anti-government protests erupted in the country. 
Seoul, Dec 14 : President Yoon Suk Yeol's Parliamentary impeachment on Saturday sparked concerns over the readiness of the military against North Korean threats as it now faces an unprecedented gap in its top leadership.

Earlier in the day, an impeachment motion against Yoon over his failed December 3 declaration of martial law passed at the National Assembly, suspending his presidential powers, including his control over the military as the commander-in-chief.

Yoon's powers will be handed over to the acting president -- Prime Minister Han Duck-soo -- in a first since 2016 when then President Park Geun-hye was impeached.

As the military will now be led by an acting president and an acting defence minister, concerns have emerged over North Korea possibly perceiving the situation as a vacuum in military leadership and engaging in provocative acts to escalate tensions, Yonhap news agency reported.

Vice Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho currently serves as the acting defence chief after former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun resigned from office and was subsequently arrested over his role in the short-lived imposition of martial law.

The situation is further complicated by a transitional period in the US military leadership in South Korea, with Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of the US Forces Korea, to be replaced by his successor Gen. Xavier Brunson next week.

A number of top South Korean commanders have also been suspended from their duties over their alleged role in the martial law imposition, raising further questions over the country's defence readiness.

As of Thursday, six generals had been suspended from their duties, including the head of the Army, the Capital Defence Command and the Special Warfare Command.

Despite the apparent leadership vacuum of some key units, the military has said there are no issues with its overall readiness posture.

On Friday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said most of the suspended commanders led units mostly tasked with counterterrorism, and are not related to frontline forces that would immediately face North Korean troops in a contingency.

As part of efforts to maintain readiness, acting minister Kim held video talks with LaCamera on Thursday in a show of solidarity between the allies.

During the talks, LaCamera told Kim that his troops remain prepared to respond to external threats, vowing to work to 'mitigate any risks' to the two sides' planned combined training activities.

With Yoon's impeachment, Kim is likely to hold talks with LaCamera again to reaffirm the alliance's unity even in the face of domestic political turmoil.

Kim is also expected to convene a meeting of top military commanders to inspect troop readiness against North Korean threats.

After Park's impeachment and that of President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004, the military immediately held a meeting of top commanders as well as talks with senior US military officials.

Since the declaration of martial law, the South Korean military has yet to detect any unusual signs of North Korean military activity.

However, it is expected to deploy more reconnaissance assets to monitor the North amid persisting concerns Pyongyang could attempt to take advantage of the political situation with military activity.
Amaravati, Dec 14 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed on Saturday that it has created a record of sorts in the party membership enrollment as the total number of members has reached 73 lakh.

Chairing a meeting on the membership drive at the party headquarters here, the TDP supremo and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu congratulated the party leaders and the cadre on achieving the record.

The membership drive is being conducted under the leadership of TDP national general secretary and Minister for Education Nara Lokesh.

Heads of various wings in the party briefed Chandrababu Naidu on the membership enrollment and explained that of the total number of 73 lakh members enrolled themselves, 85,000 are from the neighbouring State of Telangana.

In the latest enrolment drive, 54 per cent of the members are new. They informed Chandrababu Naidu that Rajampet stood on top in the enrollment with 1.18 lakh members, and Nellore City stood in second place with 1.06 lakh.

A total of 1.04 lakh members were enrolled in Kuppam, the Assembly constituency represented by Chandrababu Naidu, 1.02 lakh in Palakollu and 90,000 in Mangalagiri, which is represented by Lokesh.

Expressing satisfaction over the successful enrollment, Chandrababu Naidu promised to build a strong army of party members and wanted the cadre to further work to ensure that in every four persons in the state, one should take the party membership.

The Chief Minister also assured the party leaders and cadre that besides extending welfare programmes to them, programmes to empower them both politically and financially will be implemented more effectively.

He further stressed the need for also taking up programmes like skill development, taking the government welfare schemes closer to the cadre and leaders besides providing them better opportunities to sustain them financially. He also promised steps to increase their per capita income.

Besides giving priority on a merit basis to those who are striving hard for the development of the party, Chandrababu Naidu said that efforts also will be made at every stage in the party to sustain their families financially. He also reviewed the other wings of the party during the meeting.

The Chief Minister announced that all the pending bills for Neeru, Chettu and NREGA which have been kept pending during the previous YSRCP government due to political vendetta, will be cleared soon. Already part of the bills have been cleared and the remaining amount also will be paid to them soon, he said.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is on a four-day official visit to Indonesia from December 15 to 18 to consolidate bilateral defence relations, an official said on Saturday.

The visit underscores the strong maritime relations between the two countries conforming to the shared vision of India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo Pacific.

During the visit, the CNS is scheduled to engage in bilateral discussions with top level Indonesian Government and defence officials including Lt Gen Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (retd), Defence Minister of Indonesia, General Agus Subiyanto, Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces and Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of Indonesian Navy.

The visit is part of ongoing efforts to further consolidate bilateral defence relations between India and Indonesia, in line with the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on enhancing Naval Cooperation.

The existing maritime cooperation between the two Navies encompasses a range of activities, including joint exercises, port visits, and training initiatives aimed at building capacity. Currently, the 43rd India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol is underway (December 10-18) along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The discussions are expected to cover a broad spectrum of defence cooperation areas, particularly maritime security, joint training initiatives, and exploring avenues for further strengthening the operational collaboration between the two navies.

Admiral Tripathi's engagements in Indonesia are expected to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two navies, ensuring enhanced collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with CNS Admiral Tripathi, and other top Defence and civilian officials from India and Russia, commissioned the Navy's latest, multi-role, stealth-guided missile frigate, 'INS Tushil', an upgraded Krivak III Class frigate under Project 1135.6., at Russia's Kaliningrad.
Mumbai, Dec 14 : The Israel Consul-General in Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani, has condemned the ongoing violence in Bangladesh and expressed solidarity with the Hindus persecuted there, here on Saturday.

"What is happening there is unacceptable," said Shoshani, on the scenario confronting Bangladeshi Hindus that has attracted the attention and concerns of the world.

He emphasised the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by the minority community there and articulated a shared understanding of the suffering, drawing on the historical experiences of Jews who have lived in India without fear or persecution.

"We understand what it is for daughters and children to be murdered and butchered by criminals," added Shoshani, referencing the recent tragedies that have impacted both communities.

Addressing the plenary session at the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) here, Shoshani expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India for their support towards both Israel and Bangladesi Hindus.

"We will never forget what happened to us on October 7, 2023," he said, highlighting the importance of solidarity in combating terrorism, as both India and Israel shared similarities in their challenges pertaining to security and extremism.

Shoshani pointed out that such crises can lead to innovations, citing advancements in telecommunications and medical technology, reinforcing that military strength is essential for economic growth for both nations.

"You can't have a strong economy with a weak army," said the envoy, and reiterated how a strong military is essential for a stable economy.

Describing India as "Israel's biggest friend in Asia", admiring this country's vibrant culture and significant contributions to global society, Shoshan underscored the need for continued collaboration between the two countries.

Shoshan was posted to Mumbai by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the deadly 26/11 (2008) terror attacks here, where Pakistani extremists had swooped on the Chabad House in Colaba and killed/injured several Jews.

Earlier, India-Jewish community member Aaron Solomon unveiled a session at the WHEF on collaboration opportunities between the two countries, reflecting on the unique relationships they enjoyed.

Solomon highlighted the historical presence of Jews in this country, how their forefathers arrived here on the Konkan (coastal Maharashtra) around 2,000 years ago.

He mentioned how there were over 50,000 Jews in India when he was a teenager. Today, barely 4,000 are left, but they have adapted and assimilated with the native Indian culture without ever encountering any anti-Semitism sentiments.
Chandigarh, Dec 14 : Three members of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) module have been arrested in connection with a hand grenade attack at a police post in Nawanshahr in Punjab, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Saturday.

The accused were identified as Yugpreet Singh, Jaskaran Singh and Harjot Singh. Police teams also recovered two weapons -- one country-made pistol and one revolver -- along with six cartridges from their possession.

The development comes less than two weeks after some miscreants targetted the police post at Asron by hurling a hand grenade on its premises on December 2.

DGP Yadav said the accused are the members of the KZF module controlled by handlers based in Germany, Britain and other countries and were tasked to target police establishments and minority leaders in Punjab and Haryana. The module has received funding of Rs 4.5 lakh in six months.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested people had retrieved a hand grenade from a dead letter box (DLB) located in Jalandhar on November 28 and hurled it at the police post on December 2. A DLB is a secret location used to exchange information or items between two people without meeting in person.

Sharing operation details, Assistant Inspector General (Jalandhar) Navjot Singh Mahal said that a team of CI Jalandhar along with SBS Nagar Police laid a checkpoint near the railway crossing in SBS Nagar city and arrested the accused when they were coming on a motorcycle. Police teams have also impounded their motorcycle, he added.

He said further investigations are underway to identify and arrest other members of this terror module.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The NIA on Saturday filed a charge sheet against an accused who provided logistical support for a terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims near Katra in Jammu and Kashmir in June. Eight pilgrims as well as the bus driver were killed in the incident.

Hakam Khan alias Hakim Din was charged under various penal provisions and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the charge sheet filed before the National Investigation Agency special court, Jammu.

Hakam had confessed to being part of the conspiracy behind the attack, which was executed by three terrorists with his active logistic support, the NIA said.

Besides providing food and shelter to the terrorists, he had helped them identify the attack spot, the NIA said.

The attack took place on June 9, when unknown terrorists opened fire at the bus when it reached Kanda near Jhandi Morh. At the time of the incident, the bus was carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori, Ransoo to Katra.

The firing had caused the bus driver to lose control after he was hit on the head with a bullet. The bus then rolled into a deep gorge, leading to the tragic deaths and injuries.

Eight pilgrims as well as the bus driver were killed and 41 pilgrims were seriously injured in the attack, aimed at unleashing terror among the general public and those visiting Jammu and Kashmir for pilgrimage.

After taking over the investigation, the NIA arrested Hakam after detailed investigations and examination of evidence.

Last month, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police undertook a comprehensive review of the Shiv Khori Temple security in Reasi district.

The temple complex and the adjoining areas were brought under security review as the temple is thronged by thousands of devotees each day.

On June 9, pilgrims were returning after adarshana from Shiv Khori Temple to Katra when terrorists attacked their bus at Teryath village, police said.
Bangkok, Dec 14 : Three people were killed and 39 others were injured in a bomb explosion at an annual festival in Thailand's Tak province, authorities said on Saturday.

In a social media post, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured in the explosion that occurred shortly before midnight on Friday.

Paetongtarn ordered the police and security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice, as well as instruct authorities to enhance security measures at all upcoming festivals to ensure public safety, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier this year, two school children were among eight people injured by shrapnel from a roadside bomb near a park in Thailand's restive southern province of Songkhla.

Among the injured were a district assistant chief, a defence volunteer and villagers.

The Thai Army's Region 4 Forward Command said in February that it believed that southern insurgents detonated the device when a converted pickup truck passed the spot. The explosion blew the vehicle off the road.

The explosion came after a clash between the Thai Army and a group of insurgents. Five suspected southern insurgents were shot dead by security forces on a mountain in Narathiwat Province.

After the clash, Col. Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the army's southern command, warned of possible imminent retaliation from insurgent groups.

The separatist insurgency in Thailand's largely ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat has killed nearly 7,000 people since 2004.

The Thai government is in negotiation with several insurgent groups for peace talks.
Bengaluru, Dec 14 : The reservation quota row in Karnataka on Saturday took a serious turn with the President of the Backward Classes Awareness Forum warning the Kudalasangama Panchamasali Mutt seer Basava Jayamrutynjaya that "if he tries to take away the reservation quota of backward classes, his hands would be severed".

Speaking to the media in Mysuru after the meeting of the forum, President K.S. Shivaramu made the statement while expressing his outrage against the stir launched by the Panchamasali Lingayats demanding reservation under the 2A Category.

Currently, under 2A Category, various backward castes are getting reservation in all sectors. The government is providing 15 per cent of the reservation under this category.

"If anyone tries to takeaway our reservation, we will severe their hands. We condemn the agitation launched by Jayamrutynjaya Seer. He is acting like a political leader," he stated.

"The seer talks humiliatingly about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Being a 'Swamiji', he can't work for a particular caste. He is unfit to be a 'Swamiji'. It is better for him to quit the sainthood.

"We are giving respect to the saffron dress. You should preserve it. The matter of reservation is in the Supreme Court. Being a seer, you are provoking violence. The backwards, Veerashaivas and Lingayats are living together. You are trying to bring disharmony between us," he charged.

Shivaramu said that the seer is acting like a puppet of the BJP and he is conspiring to unseat CM Siddaramaiah.

This development is likely to stir a controversy in the state.

On the other hand, Basava Jayamrutynjaya Swamiji addressing a press conference in Belagavi on Saturday continued his attacks on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

CM Siddaramaiah by dubbing the Panchamasali Lingayats reservation agitation as unconstitutional has made his aversions towards the Lingayat community clear.

The CM has also proved that he doesn't care about the sect. His statement is an insult to all followers of Basavanna.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should suspend his Cabinet minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and other Congress MLAs and MLCs who had taken part in the agitation if he calls the agitation unconstitutional, the seer demanded.

"I urge the state government not to divert the agitation on the pretext of taking the name of Ambedkar and the Constitution. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tried every means to detail our reservation movement," the seer slammed.

The protest by the Panchamasali Lingayats turned violent on Tuesday when they tried to barge inside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha to meet CM Siddaramaiah. The police resorted to cane-charge to disperse the protesters.

Reacting to the criticism over the police cane-charge on the protesters demanding a reservation for the Panchamasali Lingayat community in Belagavi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday that the law is same for everyone and the Panchamasali seer violated it.

Asked about the demand by the Panchamasali Lingayats, the Chief Minister had said the Panchamasali community should approach the Permanent Backward Classes Commission.

The Panchamasali Lingayats are demanding reservation under the 2A Category under which 15 per cent of reservation is provided to backward communities. Presently, Lingayats including Panchamasali sect with low income are getting reservation under 3B Category along with Christians and others.
Srinagar, Dec 14 : Former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said on Saturday that 'one nation, one election' would undermine the federal structure of the country.

Talking to reporters here, Mehbooba alleged that the NDA government at the Centre was destroying India's Constitution day by day.

"India is a federal country, which has a federal structure. By talking of 'one nation, one election', you are undermining that federal structure," she said.

"The NDA government talks of making a Viksit Bharat by 2047, but actually they are taking the country backwards. They talk of 2047, but they are rather moving backwards. After the country became independent, there was 'one nation, one election' in the early years. After that, there has been a distribution of power among regions and a federal structure was born. They want to take us back to the same dictatorship, which I think is very wrong," Mehbooba added.

Addressing the PDP delegates at a meeting earlier on Saturday, Mehbooba Mufti said her party is undergoing a very difficult phase. She assured the party men that the PDP was actually created to face challenges.

She said when her father formed the government with the BJP in 2014 that was for preserving the regional integrity of J&K.

"When I asked my father why he had decided to form a coalition government with the BJP, Mufti Sahib told me... look here, we have just 28 seats, they have 26. If we want to protect the regional integrity of the state, we have to take the BJP along with us," PDP chief further said.

She added that the PDP's decision to form government with the BJP was for the larger interest of the people while for petty administrative issues, the present government has been calling on everyone in Delhi.

"We never went to the BJP, they knocked at our door and you must not forget that we had formed the government with the BJP led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"Vajpayeeji went to Pakistan, he had talks with the Hurriyat leaders, he was instrumental in improving relations with neighbours," she said.

She accused the present J&K government of its inability to address basic issues like employment, electric power etc.

"They are busy with petty administrative issues," she alleged.
Jaipur, Dec 14 : BJP Haryana in-charge Satish Poonia on Saturday visited the home of ASI Surendra Singh Ola in Majra Kath village of Neemrana who died in an unfortunate vehicle accident in Jaipur recently.

Ola was rendering his duty at Jagatpur square in Jaipur when a car coming from the side collided with the Chief Minister's convoy which was passing through the road. Ola sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Poonia asked the administration for all possible help to the family members of Ola after they requested help from the government.

"Surendra Singh Ola is very sad. I salute the bravery of Surendra Singh who died while performing his duty, BJP organisation, state government and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma are standing strongly with the deceased family, the state government is completely positive in supporting the family of the deceased," Poonia said.

He also assured to inform the Chief Minister about the demands of the family and provide all possible positive support.

Earlier, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham visited Kath Ka Majra in Neemrana late Thursday night and met the family members of the deceased.

Surendra Singh's wife has expressed her displeasure towards the government. She told journalists that her husband sacrificed his life while saving the Chief Minister, but Cthe hief Minister did not even come to meet him.

"What would have happened if my husband had left from there at that time, no one from the government came to us, we want assurance in writing," she said.

She also raised questions against the absence of any minister of the BJP government at the funeral of ASI Surendra Singh.
Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Clementine Mukeka, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, in Kigali, Azernews reports.

They discussed the "Development of Education and Culture in African Countries" initiative and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, aiming to strengthen ties between Azerbaijan and African nations.

Aliyeva also held a meeting with Rwanda's Minister of Youth and Arts, Sandrine Umutoni.

They explored cultural exchanges, educational collaborations, and youth programs, highlighting the potential of these projects to foster deeper understanding between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Rwanda.
PARIS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least two people have died and significant material damage is reported in Mayotte as Cyclone Chido swept through the French Indian Ocean territory on Saturday, French media said.

The powerful storm, which brought winds exceeding 220 km/h, caused fatalities in Petite-Terre, BFM TW reported. Authorities have activated a red alert on the island.

France dispatched reinforcements, including 140 civil security soldiers and firefighters, to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. They are expected to arrive in Mayotte on Sunday.

After an interministerial crisis meeting, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told the media that "the situation is dramatic, absolutely exceptional." However, he didn't disclose definitive human toll for the moment.

He is scheduled to visit Mayotte on Monday, his office told French media. 
Chennai, Dec 14 : Tamil Nadu Congress MP R. Sudha met Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, urging him to press the visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the immediate release of Indian fishermen illegally detained in Sri Lanka, along with their impounded fishing boats.

The Sri Lankan President is scheduled to visit New Delhi on December 17, 2024.

In her letter to the Union minister, Sudha highlighted Tamil Nadu's vast coastline of 1,076 kilometres, constituting 15 per cent of India's total coastal length.

She pointed out that 14 out of Tamil Nadu's 38 districts are coastal, including her constituency, Mayiladuthurai.

The other coastal districts include Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari.

She noted that these 14 districts collectively house over 2.1 crore peoplemore than 25 per cent of Tamil Nadu's total populationwith each district having over one lakh fishermen.

Tamil Nadu ranks fifth in fishing production at the national level. The Congress MP underscored the vulnerability of Tamil fishermen, who routinely face harassment, attacks, arrests, and even killings by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing in the Bay of Bengal.

In her letter, Sudha wrote: "The incidents are well-documented and acknowledged even by Sri Lanka. The frequent arrests and harassment of Tamil fishermen are attributed to crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), allegedly in pursuit of richer marine resources on the Sri Lankan side. However, such claims cannot justify the unwarranted actions against our fishermen."

She added that globally, fishermen crossing borders are treated with dignity and understanding, but Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, face contempt and violence from Sri Lankan authorities.

Citing a specific incident, she said: "On September 21, 2024, 37 fishermen from my constituency, Mayiladuthurai, were illegally assaulted and arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. These Good Samaritan fishermen had tried to assist a capsized Sri Lankan fishing boat, even helping recover the bodies of two deceased Sri Lankan fishermen. Despite their noble act, they were rounded up and detained."

R. Sudha revealed that nearly 150 Indian fishermen, mostly from Tamil Nadu, are currently languishing in Sri Lankan prisons, although the exact figure fluctuates due to new arrests and sporadic releases.

Additionally, 198 fishing boats and trawlers belonging to Indian fishermen have been seized and remain in Sri Lankan custody.

She stressed the devastating economic impact on fishing families and villages caused by the retention of fishing boats, stating: "For a fisherman's family or a village, a fishing boat is akin to a milch cow, sustaining their livelihood. Releasing fishermen while withholding boats economically cripples them."

R. Sudha urged EAM Jaishankar to secure the immediate release of all 141 detained fishermen (45 under trial and 96 serving sentences), Press for the return of the 198 impounded fishing vessels, emphasised to the Sri Lankan President the need to halt arbitrary assaults, robbery, and killings of Indian fishermen.

She also proposed the establishment of a permanent consultative mechanism to address these issues and find a lasting solution to this ongoing flashpoint between India and Sri Lanka.

Additionally, the Congress MP suggested revisiting the Katchatheevu Agreement to either reclaim the island or reintroduce clauses allowing Indian fishermen to use the island for essential activities, including drying their nets, resting, and emergency purposes.
Kolkata, Dec 14 : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has revoked the suspension of veteran party leader and former MLA Tanmoy Bhattacharya, who was accused of sexual harassment by a woman journalist associated with an independent YouTube news channel in October this year.

The announcement was made through a WhatsApp message circulated by district secretary Mrinal Chakraborty in the North 24 Parganas district committee of the CPI-M. The message claimed that henceforth Bhattacharya will be able to participate in the organisational affairs of the party as he had been doing before.

After the lady reporter on Facebook accused Bhattacharya of making "sexually inappropriate" behavior with her while she went to his residence to interview him in October this year, the state committee of the CPI-M suspended him the same day and also initiated an internal probe against him by the party's internal complaints committee.

Later based on the FIR filed by the lady reporter at Baranagar Police Station, Bhattacharya was summoned by the cops several times for questioning. However, no coercive action was initiated against him by the police administration.

Confirming that the decision to revoke the suspension has come to his notice, Bhattacharya said on Saturday that whatever he has to say in the matter he would do that only in the internal meetings of the party.

Bhattacharya had been vehemently denying the accusation of sexual harassment. He has also claimed that the charges of 'sexual harassment against him was a "well-planned plot" to malign his image.

"I am a communist and will continue to remain so till my last breadth. If I am proven innocent I will continue as a CPI-M activist. If I am held guilty by my party and expelled, I will remain a communist till my last day. Even if I cannot continue as a CPI-M activist, I will continue as a communist," Bhattacharya had said earlier.
Patna, Dec 14 : Bihar Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department on Saturday initiated an inquiry against a school principal in the Mushari area of Madhubani district after it was found that he (principal) had gone to buy vegetables during school hours.

The Chief Secretary monitors at least 10 schools per day via video conference and during his call to a school on Saturday, he ordered the inquiry against the principal.

He also called the aTola Sevaka (a village volunteer in Bihar who works to improve the education and social welfare of children and women) and asked him to show the status of the school on the video call. He was shocked to hear the principal was absent, having left the school to buy vegetables during school hours.

The school had only two functional classes. Students were found studying while sitting on sacks as benches and desks had not been provided by the district education department.

The Tola Sevak informed him that six teachers were assigned to the school, yet only one was present during the inspection.

Other teachers were reportedly attending to biometric document verification duties at the district office.

The Chief Secretary also raised concerns about student attendance. Upon checking the two functional classes, he found that only 13 children were present in one class and 22 in the other, while the school had an official enrollment of 137 students.
Chennai, Dec 14 : Tamil Nadu government has issued a Level 2 flood warning for residents living along the banks of Puzhal Lake following the release of 1,000 cubic feet of water per second from the reservoir.

According to state officials, the water release rate was increased from 500 to 1,000 cubic feet per second.

However, water levels in the Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs have decreased due to reduced inflow as of Saturday.

It may be recalled that the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli districts for Saturday.

Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for 11 other districts across the state.

In Chennai and its suburbs, light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected on Saturday.

Skies are likely to remain partly cloudy, with maximum and minimum temperatures forecast at 30-31 degree C and 24-25 degree C, respectively.

Heavy rainfall is expected in the coastal and delta regions of Tamil Nadu starting December 16.

The RMC has forecast the formation of another low-pressure area within two days, which may trigger intense rainfall. S. Balachandran,

Additional Director-General of Meteorology, Chennai, stated that the active Northeast Monsoon is driving the formation of successive weather systems, emphasising the need for improved disaster management preparedness.

Rains continued across several parts of Tamil Nadu with Virudhunagar recording 12 cm of rain and Thoothukudi receiving 10 cm by 5:30 a.m.

After a brief break, the RMC has predicted that fairly widespread rainfall will resume from Monday.

An upper-air cyclonic circulation is expected to develop over the South Andaman Sea on Saturday, potentially leading to the formation of a fresh low-pressure area over the southern Bay of Bengal.

This system is likely to move west-northwestward towards the Tamil Nadu coast by Monday.

The Tamil Nadu government reported five rain-related deaths on Friday and early Saturday. Three persons died in wall collapses in Ariyalur and Ramanathapuram districts, while two others were electrocuted in Sivaganga and Ranipet districts.

Over 2,000 people have been relocated to 50 relief camps in rain-affected districts. Additionally, more than 100 cattle have perished across 10 districts, including Mayiladuthurai and Ramanathapuram.

The rain caused significant property damage, with over 400 houses affected in 20 districts, including Ariyalur and Chengalpattu.

The Thamiraparani Riveras flow has risen to 50,000 cusecs due to heavy rainfall in surrounding areas.

Residents near riverbanks and in low-lying areas have been moved to relief camps. Warning messages have been sent to over 11.75 lakh mobile phones to ensure public safety.
Chennai, Dec 14 : The ruling DMK has deferred its December 18 executive council meeting owing to the heavy rain forecast issued for Tamil Nadu and the ongoing Parliament session.

The DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan said that the executive council meeting scheduled for December 18 has been postponed as the party MPs must take part in the debate on major issues in the ongoing Parliament session and the heavy rainfall forecast issued to Tamil Nadu.

He added that a fresh date would be notified for the executive council meeting.

The DMK had announced a high-level meeting of the party executive council on December 18 to discuss preparations for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, was to chair the meeting scheduled to be held at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam.

The party has already appointed full-time workers for each of Tamil Nadu's 234 Assembly constituencies.

Half of these full-timers were selected from those who worked during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which saw the DMK-led INDIA Bloc secure a landslide victory by winning all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and a single seat in Puducherry.

Each of the full-timers in charge of a constituency has been chosen after careful screening and with input from the party's local leadership. Notably, these appointees are not residents of the constituencies where they are assigned full-time responsibilities.

M.K. Stalin has expressed confidence that the DMK will win 200 of the 234 Assembly seats in the upcoming elections.

The DMK currently holds 133 seats in the Assembly and is now working toward this ambitious target. A team of DMK leaders, led by youth wing leader and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with state ministers Thangam Thenarasu, E.V. Velu, and party organising secretary R.S. Bharathi, has been designated to manage the elections, with Udhayanidhi overseeing day-to-day operations.

In a recent high-profile meeting at Anna Arivalayam, Udhayanidhi criticised certain party leaders who did not meet expectations in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite being assigned responsibilities for specific constituencies.

R.S. Bharathi, DMK organising secretary and senior leader on the core committee for selecting DMK candidates for the 2026 Assembly elections, stated, "Our leader and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, has already set a target of winning 200 assembly seats in the 2026 elections, and the party's organisational machinery is fully activated to achieve this goal."

He emphasised that senior leaders, including Udhayanidhi Stalin, are managing day-to-day election preparations, ensuring the party's readiness.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Dec 14 : Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), the largest bank in the sultanate of Brunei, urged the public to be vigilant against website scams, local media reported.

According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, recent reports indicate that individuals are being redirected to a fake website masquerading as the Malaysian Immigration Department's Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) official platform.

The BIBD warned that these fraudulent websites may appear legitimate at first glance, mimicking the design and layout of genuine government websites, and are intended to steal personal information, such as login credentials, passport details, and even request payments, Xinhua news agency reported while citing local media reports.

Brunei is a Southeast Asian country that borders Malaysia on Borneo Island. The sultanate has a high level of income and social welfare.

Earlier this week, Brunei police had arrested 12 individuals suspected of acting as account mules for a cybercrime syndicate.

The suspects, aged between 23 and 53 years, allegedly rented out bank accounts and registered SIM cards for unknown individuals in exchange for commission payments, local media reported on Tuesday

The rented SIM cards were reportedly used for scam operations, while the bank accounts facilitated the diversion of funds from these scams before transferring the money to third parties, according to the Royal Brunei Police Force.

In June, Cyber Security Brunei (CSB) had successfully suspended or taken down 1,023 phishing websites.

The CSB serves as an administrator that monitors and coordinates national efforts in addressing cybersecurity threats and cybercrime, including the Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team, Cyber Watch Centre, and the National Digital Forensics Laboratory, which serves as a crucial facility providing law enforcement and investigative agencies with access to advanced digital forensics technology.
Imphal, Dec 14 : An armed militant was killed and six others were apprehended after a fierce exchange of fire between Manipur Police Commandos and a militant group in Thoubal District on Saturday, officials said.

A significant cache of arms and ammunition, along with multiple electronic devices, were also recovered from the spot.

A senior police official in Imphal said that armed militants attacked the Manipur Police Commandos at Salungpham Thongkhong during a routine patrol in Thoubal district.

The Commando personnel also retaliated against the attack and nabbed six militants while another was injured in the gun battle. The injured cadre subsequently succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital.

Another police official said that the armed militants, travelling in two cars, were initially pursued by the police on suspicion.

The armed group opened fire on the police commando, prompting the security personnel to retaliate, which led to the fierce encounter, the official said.

The body of the slain militant Laishram Prem alias Loktak Singh (18) was shifted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for an autopsy examination.

The arrested militants have been identified as Thokchom Momocha alias Sunny (41), Sarangthem Anand Singh alias Malem (36), Ningthoujam Karna Singh alias Pishak (27), Ningthoujam Manoranjan Singh alias Khagemba (21), Thongam Phalguni alias Urikpa alias Khoithol (27) and Moirangthem Johnson alias Thouna (21).

A large cache of arms and ammunition, along with multiple electronic devices, were also recovered from the spot.

The recovered arms and ammunition include two INSAS Rifles (5.56 mm), one Amogh Rifle (5.56 mm), one .303 Rifle, one SLR (7.62 mm), one INSAS Folding Rifle (5.56 mm), and a huge quantity of various types of ammunition, and five mobile phones.

Thoubal District Police, however, are verifying whether the slain individual and the arrested persons are militants of any outfit or armed village volunteers.

Further details are awaited.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replying to the Constitution debate in Lok Sabha on Saturday, launched a no-holds-barred attack on the Congress as well as the Gandhi family, saying that 'Garibi hatao' is the biggest jumla of all time.

Addressing the House, PM Modi said: "The Congress has a strong liking for a word, which it often subscribes to. Today, I want to take this name. It is garibi hatao, it is the longest running jumla of Congress governments."

PM Modi said that Congress members and the family have resorted to 'Garibi hatao' rhetoric for 40 long years but did nothing to turn this slogan into reality. The slogan only served the party and hence makes for the longest running jumla of Congress parivaar.

Notably, 'Garibi hatao' was the hallmark of Indira Gandhi's election campaign, and it also yielded unprecedented results for her. On the other hand, Congress coined 'jumla' to counter PM Modi-led government's poll pledges, accusing it of 'befooling' the public with false promises.

PM Modi, turning the tables on Congress over its 'jumla' jibe during the Constitution debate, drew a parallel between the developmental initiatives of his government with that of the 'hollow model' under Congress governments.

"Despite 75 years of Independence, the countrymen have remained bereft of toilets, sanitation and clean drinking water. Till 2014, women could go for nature's call only at night. For seven decades, they continued to live in helplessness," PM Modi said.

"For seven decades, people didn't have access to drinking water, LPG cylinders or banking accounts. Today, the poor and marginalised have been brought into the mainstream. Poor and marginalised populations who were stopped at the bank's doors now have access to bank accounts. Today, there are over 50 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts," he pointed out.

"Those who are not heard upon by anyone, they are worshipped by Modi," the Prime Minister said, eliciting cheers from the Treasury benches.

Further highlighting the steps for Divyangs, street vendors and Vishwakarmas, PM Modi said: "Divyang (specially-abled) people have remained ignored and neglected for seven decades after Independence. Earlier, there was a braille system, but it differed in every state. We bought a common language for their upliftment. Today, they are highly relieved.

"PM SVANidhi Yojana has benefitted the street vendors a lot. Today, they are not at the mercy of money-lenders, rather living a life of dignity," PM Modi said.
Kolkata, Dec 14 : Former BJP National Vice President Dilip Ghosh said on Saturday that the central investigating agencies are handling most of the cases in West Bengal as the state police is incompetent.

"The CBI and ED are handling most of the cases in the state as the West Bengal Police is incompetent. It is possible that because of excessive work pressure, the CBI was unable to submit the supplementary charge sheet in the R.G. Kar case," said Ghosh.

His comments come at a time when the CBI is facing scathing criticisms over its failure to file the charge sheet within 90 days against two individuals accused of tampering evidence in the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, following which a special court in Kolkata granted 'default bail' to former and controversial R.G. Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and former SHO of Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal.

Dilip Ghosh, however, ruled out the allegations by Congress and Left parties that CBI's failure was prompted by a clandestine understanding between top leaderships of BJP and Trinamool Congress.

"Had there been an understanding, then the former state minister Partha Chatterjee and Jyotipriya Mallick would not have been behind bars. Everyone is the same in the eyes of the law and BJP never interferes in the legal process," Ghosh claimed.

He admitted that it is natural that the people of the state are displeased with the CBI and ED.

"But we must understand the work pressure on the Central investigating agencies in West Bengal, where CBI and ED are together handling more cases than the state police. These agencies operate nationally. In addition, there is a manpower crunch," Ghosh said.
Patna, Dec 14 : Outgoing Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Raj on Saturday expressed his just a little over 100-day tenure in office satisfactory. On Friday, senior IPS officer Vinay Kumar was named as his replacement.

During his brief stint, he emphasised his commitment to serving the common people and addressing their concerns while interacting with the media persons at police headquarters in Patna.

"During my tenure, I prioritised the accessibility of common people through regular meetings with citizens during office hours and resolving their grievances through mechanisms like the Public Grievance Redressal system," Alok Raj said.

He also highlighted an incident involving the elimination of three notorious criminals in police encounters. Four other criminals were injured in operations, and several wanted offenders carrying rewards on their heads were apprehended.

A significant cache of illegal weapons and ammunition was also recovered during his leadership.

He lauded the honesty and dedication of his junior officers and personnel, attributing the success of his tenure to their collaborative efforts.

He also gave special commendations to the Additional Director General of the Special Task Force (STF) and his team for their achievements.

"I expressed my gratitude to the Bihar government for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving as DGP. I worked with honesty and integrity throughout my career," Alok Raj said.

Despite the short duration of his tenure, his leadership contributed to tangible progress in crime control and public service, leaving a positive impact.

"In a murder case involving the killing of three people in Saran, the accused was sentenced by the court within 50 days of the crime. This was achieved under new legal provisions, marking a first in the country for such a speedy investigation and trial," he said.

Alok Raj commended the efforts of Saran Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish and his team for their dedication, which made the resolution of this case possible in a rapid manner.

"The law and order remained stable throughout my term, with no significant disturbances reported," he said.

Alok Raj extended his congratulations to Vinay Kumar, his successor as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar.

He shared a personal note, revealing that they had been classmates at Patna Science College during their ISC years (10+2).

On Friday, the Bihar government appointed Vinay Kumar, a 1991-batch IPS officer, to succeed Alok Raj.

Alok Raj's remarks underscored his commitment to maintaining public safety, enhancing police welfare, and supporting the judicial process during his brief but impactful tenure as DGP.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Ma Hui, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Malaysia from Thursday to Saturday.

During the visit, the delegation attended the Fifth Belt and Road China-Malaysia Business Dialogue and held discussions with Malaysia's political and business sectors.

Ma emphasized that China is willing to work with Malaysia to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and further develop a high-level strategic partnership.

He noted that the two sides should deepen comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation and make greater contributions to regional stability and prosperity.

The Malaysian side expressed its readiness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields through inter-party relations and to jointly build the China-Malaysia community with a shared future. 
Cairo, Dec 14 : A joint Egyptian-Spanish archaeological mission has uncovered several Ptolemaic-period (332-30 BC) tombs in Al-Bahnasa archeological site in southern Egypt's Minya province, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said Saturday.

The tombs contain colourful decorations, mummies, skeletons, coffins, and unique artifacts, such as amulets, heart scarabs and deities, the ministry said in a statement.

A rectangular stone burial well was found leading to a cemetery containing dozens of mummies lined up side by side, indicating the usage of these rooms as mass graves, it said.

It is the first time to find human remains in Al-Bahnasa, including 13 golden tongues and nails of mummies from the Ptolemaic era, it noted, Xinhua news agency reported.

The texts and scenes of ancient Egyptian characters on the tombs would enrich the understanding of the region's history and shed light on the religious practices prevalent in the Ptolemaic period, it said.

On December 8, an Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission had also uncovered a collection of artifacts at the Taposiris Magna temple complex west of Alexandria.

The finds, which include statues, coins, and pottery, shed new light on the history of the site during the late Ptolemaic period, said the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The mission discovered foundation deposits beneath the southern wall of the temple's outer enclosure.

Among the most significant finds are a small white marble statue of a woman wearing a royal crown and a limestone bust of a king wearing a "nemes" headdress.

According to the head of the mission, the female statue may depict Queen Cleopatra VII, although other archaeologists have suggested it could represent a princess due to differences in facial features.

The team had also unearthed 337 coins, many bearing the image of Cleopatra VII, along with a variety of pottery, oil lamps, limestone vessels for storing food and cosmetics, bronze figurines, and an amulet in the shape of a scarab inscribed with the phrase 'The justice of Ra has shone'.

A bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor was also found.

These discoveries, along with pottery shards dating back to the late Ptolemaic period, indicate that the temple walls were constructed in the first century BC.

Martinez also announced the discovery of the remains of a Greek temple dating back to the fourth century BC, which was destroyed between the second century BC and the beginning of the AD era.

This temple is located near a deep tunnel system that runs from Lake Mariut in Alexandria to the Mediterranean Sea.

In addition, the mission uncovered a large cemetery containing 20 burial chambers, as well as a tomb with three chambers beneath the ancient Taposiris Magna lighthouse.

Inside one of these chambers, nine white marble busts and several other artifacts were found, the statement said.

Preliminary underwater excavations near the remains of the Taposiris Magna temple have also yielded human skeletal remains and a large quantity of pottery, further underscoring the historical and cultural significance of the site, according to the statement.
Bengaluru, Dec 14 : Karnataka Congress will celebrate the centenary in Belagavi on December 27 which will be attended by the party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and MP Priyanka Gandhi and former party president Sonia Gandhi.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state chief D.K. Shivakumar called upon the Congressmen to witness the centenary of the Belagavi convention after making the announcement.

"In 1924, Mahatma Gandhi became the Congress President and assumed the leadership role in the Independence struggle. The Congressmen have an opportunity to celebrate this proud moment and all people must make use of it. We have formed a committee comprising 60 people including Minister for Law H. K. Patil, former union minister Veerappa Moily, senior leader B.L. Shankar and others to finalise the modalities of the celebration," said Shivakumar.

"We will hold the Congress Working Committee meeting on December 26 at the same place where Gandhiji took oath as the AICC President in Belagavi.

Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, all members of CWC, Presidents of all PCCs, CLP leaders, 150 MPs and AICC General Secretaries will participate in the convention, Shivakumar stated.

"We will unveil a statue of Mahatma to mark the occasion. The Karnataka Chief Minister will also hold a dinner for the dignitaries in the evening. The historic convention will take place at 11 am on December 27. We have delegated responsibilities in the last Cabinet meeting," he detailed.

He added that to mark the 75th anniversary of the Indian Independence, the party had organised an 'Independence Walk' in which over three lakh people participated.

"We have delegated the protocol responsibilities to each of the MLAs. We have also given responsibilities to former MLAs and ministers. We have not organised any transport or accommodation in Belagavi. The people who have won or lost in the panchayat elections, appointees to boards and corporations, committee members and corporation members must come in their vehicles," he called upon.

He said that the party will illuminate the Belagavi city at a cost of Rs 8 crore on the same lines as Mysuru during Dasara.

"We are organising awareness programmes for party workers in Kitturu Karnataka region regarding the convention. The leaders in charge must bring a minimum of 5,000 people from each assembly constituency in this region and make this event a grand success," he said.
Hyderabad, Dec 14 : The Judicial Commission constituted by the Telangana government to study sub-classification within Scheduled Castes reserved categories is likely to submit its report within a week, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Saturday.

Participating in "Global Madiga Day" celebrations in Hyderabad, he assured that the government will implement sub-classification without any problems.

He claimed that the Congress government played a key role in the Supreme Court order on the sub-classification within the scheduled caste reserved categories.

He recalled that Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi had made a clear statement during the elections that a positive decision would be taken regarding the Madiga community.

The party made its policy clear in the SC and ST declaration.

Soon after the Congress came to power in the state, the government appointed lawyers under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha to present strong arguments in the SC categorisation case pending in the Supreme Court.

He recalled that the government also announced its commitment to implement the apex court verdict in the Assembly.

"This SC categorisation issue has become complicated like statehood for Telangana. However, the government will have to take a decision respecting the aspirations of the people. Your argument has strength and the government's idea is to deliver justice to the community," the Chief Minister said.

Revanth Reddy said the government constituted a Cabinet sub-committee headed by Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy to study the implementation of court orders without legal complications.

On the recommendation of the Cabinet sub-committee, a judicial Commission was constituted to submit a report in 60 days.

The Commission is likely to submit a report in another week, he said.

Stating that the role of Madigas in his political career has been very important, Revanth Reddy said that it is his responsibility to do justice to the community.

Revanth Reddy also claimed that the government has taken measures to give adequate representation to Madigas in political and administrative appointments.

He mentioned that for the first time in the history of Osmania University the government has appointed a scholar from the Madiga community as the Vice Chancellor.

Opportunities were also provided to the Madiga community as the IIT Vice Chancellor and member of the Education Commission in the Higher Education department.

Pagidi Pati Devaiah has been nominated as the Director of the Skill University Board.

In October, the state government had appointed Justice Shameem Akhter, former Judge of Telangana High Court to head the one-man commission to study sub-classification within Scheduled Castes reserved categories and make recommendations to the government.
Bangkok, Dec 14 : Authorities in Thailand have arrested two suspects in connection with a bomb explosion at an annual festival in northern Tak province that killed three people and injured 48 others, police said on Saturday.

National Police Spokesman Archayont Kraithong said an initial investigation revealed that one of the suspects confessed to carrying the explosive device, adding that the motivation stemmed from both suspects' grievances against a local youth group.

In a social media post, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured in the explosion that occurred shortly before midnight on Friday.

Paetongtarn ordered the police and security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice, as well as instruct authorities to enhance security measures at all upcoming festivals to ensure public safety, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier this year, two school children were among eight people injured by shrapnel from a roadside bomb near a park in Thailand's restive southern province of Songkhla.

Among the injured were a district assistant chief, a defence volunteer and villagers.

The Thai Army's Region 4 Forward Command said in February that it believed that southern insurgents detonated the device when a converted pickup truck passed the spot. The explosion blew the vehicle off the road.

The explosion came after a clash between the Thai Army and a group of insurgents. Five suspected southern insurgents were shot dead by security forces on a mountain in Narathiwat Province.

After the clash, Col. Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the army's southern command, warned of possible imminent retaliation from insurgent groups.

The separatist insurgency in Thailand's largely ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat has killed nearly 7,000 people since 2004.

The Thai government is in negotiation with several insurgent groups for peace talks.
Patna, Dec 14 : Union Minister Chirag Paswan and national president of the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas (LJPRV) said on Saturday that he is prepared to fight the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections if his party asks him to contest.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Paswan emphasised his commitment to the development of Bihar, encapsulated in the slogan "Bihar First, Bihari First."

"I always think of promoting my slogan of Bihar First Bihari First while staying in my own state. My party would decide whether I would contest the assembly election. I will follow the decision of my party," Paswan said.

When questioned about potentially becoming the Chief Ministerial face after the tenure of Nitish Kumar, Paswan appeared hesitant.

"The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would contest the Assembly elections under Nitish Kumar's leadership next year. Kumar would continue as the Chief Minister of Bihar," Paswan said.

He refrained from speculating about leadership, stating that such decisions rest with the alliance.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan addressed remarks made by Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who alleged that the BJP would "drown" Paswan in the same way it had allegedly drown Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Responding to the claim, Paswan dismissed the notion and emphasised the unity within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

He accused the opposition of attempting to sow discord in the NDA and deflected criticism toward the India Alliance's internal issues.

"The opposition is waiting for a rift in the NDA, but nothing like this is going to happen. We are working together to take Bihar forward and will also contest elections together," Paswan asserted.

He also criticised Rahul Gandhi for not acknowledging the imposition of the Emergency under Congress rule, despite his frequent references to the Constitution.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Taking part in the debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended his government's constitutional amendments, asserting that they were not intended to consolidate power but to correct past mistakes and strengthen the unity and progress of the country.

He accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of amending the Constitution to serve their own interests, claiming that their amendments were self-serving, unlike those made by his government.

"We amended the Constitution to rectify past errors, enhance national unity, and address longstanding issues such as the neglect of OBCs," said PM Modi.

"Hamne saare sanshodhan Sanvidhan ki bhawana ke prati kiye ("We have made all the amendments in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution)," he said.

He further stated that the constitutional amendments his government had made to empower women, address the concerns of OBCs, and ensure the welfare of marginalised communities.

PM Modi credited the exit of Congress from power as a turning point for the Constitution and democracy, claiming that after their departure, his government was able to bring about the necessary amendments for the country's development.

He lauded his government's efforts to dismantle barriers such as Article 370, which had prevented the full implementation of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir. "Babasaheb's Constitution didn't reach J&K due to Article 370. We demolished this wall, and the Supreme Court supported our decision," he said.

PM Modi also spoke about the amendment to grant Constitutional recognition to the OBC Commission, fulfilling a demand that had been ignored for decades.

He also noted that the government's introduction of a 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker people in the General Category was widely accepted and passed smoothly in Parliament.

Reflecting on the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill, PM Modi flayed the opposition for obstructing the women's reservation bill for 40 years, recalling an incident when a member of the opposition tore up the papers during a session.

"We didn't do this for power, we did it for the 'punya' (virtue)," he remarked.

PM Modi also defended the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), stating that it was in line with Mahatma Gandhi's vision, who had once said that India should protect religious minorities in distress from neighbouring countries.

"We brought CAA to address the suffering of persecuted minorities," PM Modi affirmed, further stating that his government's legislative initiatives were in line with the Constitution. The CAA gives citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

On the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), PM Modi explained that the Constituent Assembly had decided after extensive discussions that the government should work towards implementing the UCC.

He pointed to B.R. Ambedkar's support for ending religion-based personal laws, noting that the Supreme Court had also called for the introduction of a UCC. He said that his government is working towards a Secular Civil Code.

PM Modi reflected on his government's commitment to constitutional integrity, recalling how the Vajpayee-led NDA government in 1998 respected the Constitution by choosing to resign after losing a vote by just one.

He contrasted this with Congress, claiming that the opposition had resorted to unconstitutional tactics to cling to power, including bribing MPs in the 1990s. "Atal ji also chose to step down after 13 days, without considering any unconstitutional ways to save his government in 1996," he recalled.

"During the Vajpayee government, we respected the Constitution and never took unconstitutional routes," PM Modi stated. "We never chose unconstitutional ways. This is our record, unlike others who used every unconstitutional method to stay in power."
Colombo, Dec 14 : The Maldives will implement a nationwide ban on the use and sale of vaping devices starting at midnight on Saturday, according to the nation's state-run Public Service Media (PSM).

The ban follows recent amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, signed into law by President Mohamed Muizzu on November 13.

The amendments stipulate that the sale, free distribution, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices will be illegal beginning December 15.

The PSM reported that importing vaping devices into the Maldives after this date will result in a fine of MVR 50,000 (about 3,250 US dollars), Xinhua news agency reported.

Several countries are making moves to tackle youth vaping via banning the manufacture and sale of disposable vaping products.

In October, Muizzu had announced a ban on the importation of vape products in the Maldives following a recommendation from the Maldives NCD Alliance, an alliance of seven Maldivians organisations and health experts.

"I have directed authorities to take all necessary measures to prohibit the importation of vaping devices and their components from November 15, 2024 and to prohibit the use, possession, manufacture, sale, advertising and free distribution of vaping devices in the country from December 15, 2024," the President had said in a social media post.

The Maldives NCD Alliance said that tobacco and tobacco products contribute significantly to the increase in non-communicable diseases in the Maldives.

At the same time, the Maldivian government has also stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Earlier this week, Muizzu also revealed that six times more drugs have been seized so far in 2024 compared to 2023.

Addressing a meeting, the president said the drugs seized so far this year are estimated to have a street value of around 84 million US dollars.

Muizzu added that over 150 expatriates linked to drug trafficking have been deported so far this year, which is twice of 2023.

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.
Jaipur, Dec 14 : Marking the completion of one year in office, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma addressed the state-level women's conference in Udaipur, emphasising that the empowerment and respect of women reflect a prosperous and advanced society.

"Our government is committed to the respect, security, and welfare of women, who are pivotal in building a progressive nation," he said.

Highlighting the participation of women in the state's electoral mandate, the Chief Minister reiterated the ancient saying, 'Yatra Naaryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devata' -- where women are honoured, divinity prevails.

He also echoed Swami Vivekananda's belief that global welfare is impossible without uplifting women.

The Chief Minister highlighted his government's focus on women's safety and welfare over the past year.

"Our Sankalp Patra pledged effective action against crimes targeting women. We have delivered on this promise with measures like establishing 500 Kalika Patrolling Units to ensure public safety for women, 250 of which have been operationalized with 1,000 new constable positions."

Additionally, an app, a Security Command Center, and a Panic Button project by RSRTC were launched to provide women with round-the-clock police assistance in emergencies.

Chief Minister Sharma stressed the importance of educating and supporting girls from an early age to ensure their contributions to societal and national progress.

Under the Laado Protsahan Yojana, Rs 1 lakh saving bonds are being provided for girls born into poor families. The first installment of Rs 2,500 has already been transferred to one lakh beneficiaries.

To ease the financial burden of basic necessities, the government initiated subsidised LPG cylinders at Rs 450 for eligible families starting January 1, 2024. Subsidy amounts are directly transferred to NFSA beneficiary families.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandan Yojana, the state government increased the maternity assistance amount from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,500, benefiting over 4.5 lakh women.

On Saturday, an additional amount of Rs 1,500 was transferred to 70,000 women.

The Mukhyamantri Amrit Aahar Yojana was launched to distribute milk to children in Anganwadi centers.

A thousand new Anganwadi centers have been approved, with five in each assembly constituency, alongside the creation of model Anganwadis in each block.

To empower women economically, the state launched initiatives such as: distribution of 10,000 electric cooking systems, honour for one lakh "Lakhpati Didi" and recognition of 216 "Namo Drone Didi", disbursement of a Rs 15,000 revolving fund to 10,000 self-help groups, sanctioning a Rs. 100 crore loan for self-help groups via Mahila Nidhi Bank. The Raj Sakhi Portal was launched to connect 45 lakh self-help groups.

"Our efforts in the past year have laid a foundation for making women self-reliant, respected, and empowered. This is just the beginning," said Chief Minister Sharma, pledging continued opportunities for women to achieve their aspirations.

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, also Minister of Women and Child Development, praised the joint efforts of the central and state governments in implementing welfare schemes.

"Women represent half the population but influence 100 per cent of society. Initiatives like Lakhpati Didi, Namo Drone Didi, and Laado Protsahan Yojana reflect our commitment to women's empowerment," she said.

The conference showcased the state government's dedication to fostering a society where women thrive as equal partners in development.
Kolkata, Dec 14 : Renewed and aggressive protests on the streets are the only alternative now to get justice for the Kolkata-based R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital doctor who became the victim of a brutal rape and murder within the hospital premises in August this year, opined the junior doctors as well as parents of the victim on Saturday.

Their realisation comes in the wake of the failure of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in filing a charge sheet within 90 days against two individuals accused of tampering evidence in the rape and murder case, following which a special court in Kolkata, on Friday, granted "default bail" to former and controversial R.G. Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and former SHO of Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal.

On Saturday, West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF), the umbrella body spearheading the movement on this issue, brought out a protest rally to CBI's special crime unit office at CGO complex Salt Lake on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, which was attended by the victim's father.

"More aggressive protests on the streets are the only way left for us. We have to hit the streets again on a daily basis again as we had been doing before," the victim's father said. He said that he had been apprehensive of Ghosh and Mondal getting bail since he and his family were not happy with the progress of the investigation by the CBI.

The victim's father also said that his family is also considering legal options on whether the decision of the lower court can be challenged at a higher court or not.

A leading face of the junior doctor's movement on the issue Debasish Halder said he is happy that thousands of common people have joined them in the protest rally. "We are organising this protest to give a message to CBI that the legal system cannot be turned into a farcical exercise in such a manner. We want to send the message that the common people are with us and in the coming days we will be going for bigger protests," he said.

Already WBJDF leadership has hinted that they might resume their cease-work protests which they withdrew keeping the larger public interest in mind.
Bhopal, Dec 14 : Madhya Pradesh Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Singh Patel claimed on Saturday that farmers do not support the organisations agitating in Delhi and other adjoining states.

"Being a farmer's leader, I am aware of farmers issues. Some people are protesting in the name of farmers, but the fact is that farmers are not with protestors. This has been proven in Haryana and Punjab today," the minister said.

The Minister further stated that the BJP government have always thought about the welfare of the farmers.

"Whether it is Madhya Pradesh or across the country, farmers have received benefits from the BJP government. The benefits received by farmers were provided under our government," he said.

Notably, the protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders in Punjab, since February 13, after security forces stopped their attempts to proceed to Delhi.

On Saturday, Haryana Police lobbed teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers who were attempting to cross multi-layered barricades erected as a preventive step at the Shambhu border point between Punjab and Haryana.

The farmers staged the protests demanding to go to the national capital in support of their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, loan waiver and reforms to improve conditions in the agricultural sector.
KINSHASA/LUANDA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Expectations are running high for a peace deal in Luanda, the Angolan capital, between the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco is scheduled to host DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Sunday in a bid to ease the tensions gripping the eastern DRC.

HOPE OF NEW CHAPTER

As part of the Luanda Process, a peace initiative launched in 2022 and endorsed by the African Union, agreements have been reached to accelerate stabilization efforts in the region.

The eastern DRC has been destabilized by the M23 rebel group, which has recently been advancing and grabbing swaths of land in the area. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of providing military support for the M23, an accusation Kigali denies.

Rwanda, while denying ties with the M23, has accused the DRC military of collaborating with Rwandan rebel forces, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), whose members are held responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

"It has never been the policy of the DRC to support the FDLR," Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC minister of foreign affairs, told the press recently.

"We hope that through this facilitation and this meeting at the level of heads of state, we can put an end to this conflict, turning the page once and for all so that the DRC can fully control its national territory," Wagner said.

The Angola summit follows significant progress achieved on Nov. 25, when the foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda signed a "concept of operations" in Luanda.

This document, approved during the sixth ministerial meeting of the Luanda Process, outlines measures for action against the FDLR and the gradual withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the DRC.

"The DRC remains firmly committed to the Luanda Process, convinced that it offers the most promising path toward a sustainable resolution," Wagner said in her address to the United Nations Security Council on Monday.

FRAGILE CEASEFIRE

As part of the peace process, a ceasefire agreement took effect on Aug. 4. However, clashes between the DRC military and the M23 have intensified since late October. The M23, which did not sign the ceasefire agreement, has expanded its territorial control.

"The M23 ... has consolidated its civilian and military occupation in North Kivu (a province in the eastern DRC). Today, it controls an area twice as large as in 2012," Bintou Keita, special representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, told the UN Security Council meeting on Monday.

The M23 is a group of former rebels of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). The name came from an agreement signed between the DRC government and the CNDP on March 23, 2009. In November 2012, the M23 occupied Goma, the capital of the North Kivu Province, for 10 days.

After it was defeated by the DRC army, the M23 signed a peace accord with the government in December 2013, in which it agreed to demobilize its fighters and transform itself into a political party. M23 leaders, however, have since accused the government of failing to respect that agreement.

M23 insurgency resurfaced in late 2021.

Despite the launch of a joint ceasefire monitoring committee by the neighboring countries in early November, fighting resumed between the DRC military and the M23 on several fronts in Lubero Territory, North Kivu, where the rebels have seized additional areas.

The M23 is also closely following the peace process.

"We respect and commend the Angolan mediator's efforts to achieve peace in the Great Lakes region," Laurence Kanyuka, political spokesperson for the M23, said in an interview with Xinhua on Friday.

"We are ready to sit at the negotiating table with the Kinshasa government," Kanyuka said.

The Congolese government has so far rejected any direct negotiations with the M23.

On Wednesday, during his State of the Nation address before both houses of parliament, the DRC president condemned the occupation of several towns by M23 rebels, which has driven millions of people out of their homes.

According to the UN, nearly 6.4 million people are displaced in the DRC due to armed conflicts and natural disasters. 
Imphal, Dec 14 : The Assam Rifles alone destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation this year, primarily in three Manipur districts -- Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Chandel.

A Defence spokesman said that through meticulously planned joint operations, the force successfully identified and destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation, primarily in the districts of Ukhrul, Churachandpur, and Chandel.

The Assam Rifles continued its determination to fight against the menace of poppy cultivation along the India-Myanmar border, he said.

The spokesman said that by eliminating poppy fields and striking at the roots of narco-trade, Assam Rifles has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring stability and security in Manipur and beyond.

According to the defence official, the battle against poppy cultivation has been a consistent priority for the para-military force, as reflected in its sustained efforts over the years.

In 2020 the force identified a staggering 8057 acres of poppy fields, of which 1695 acres were destroyed. This trend of rigorous action continued in subsequent years with 5610 acres identified and 1976 acres destroyed in 2021.

The Assam Rifles intensified its operations in 2022 identifying 494 acres and destroying 715 acres, including previously undiscovered patches.

In 2023, 1735 acres were identified and 1488 acres were eradicated.

By 2024 the area of identified poppy fields had declined significantly, reflecting the success of the state and Central governments and security forcesa multi-pronged strategy, the spokesman pointed out.

Noting that the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, no single agency can effectively address this challenge alone, the spokesman said that collaborative operations have proven essential, with Assam Rifles actively coordinating with state and central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Manipur Police and other CAPFs deployed in the area.

The NCB, as the nodal agency for drug enforcement under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensured synergy among all stakeholders during operations, especially during the opium harvesting seasons. Joint operations have focused on curbing cultivation, disrupting supply chains and dismantling the networks sustaining the illicit drug trade.

The security cover provided by the force has ensured the safe execution of destruction operations in vulnerable and conflict-prone areas.

Assam Rifles deftly incorporated advanced technology, such as drone surveillance in identifying poppy fields in inaccessible terrains.

An official statement said that these high-tech measures are complemented by actionable intelligence from local communities and inputs from civil society organisations (CSOs).

The Leveraging of Technology and Community Support has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of operations, ensuring a swift and targeted approach.

Additionally, the Force has also maintained a robust ground presence through Area Domination Patrols in traditional cultivation zones. This persistent vigilance has acted as a deterrent to the resurgence of illegal farming practices, the statement said.

Beyond destruction campaigns, Assam Rifles has also prioritised addressing the socio-economic factors driving poppy cultivation.

Under its "Drug-Free Manipur" initiative, the Force has conducted extensive awareness drives to educate communities about the perils of drug addiction and the risks associated with illegal farming.

Through regular interactions with villagers and local leaders, the force has actively promoted sustainable livelihood options, encouraging a shift toward legitimate and long-term economic activities.

Assam Riflesa zero-tolerance policy against narcotics-related activities has led to legal actions against defaulters, including cultivators and financiers. These measures, combined with efforts to restrict cross-border narcotics trafficking, have disrupted the infrastructure supporting poppy cultivation.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : During the Lok Sabha debate on the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday delivered a powerful and impassioned speech. In a scathing attack on the Congress party and its leadership, the PM outlined the historical distortions and constitutional violations committed under their rule. At the same time, PM Modi also highlighted the achievements of his government in strengthening India's unity, diversity, and democratic values.

Here are some of his top quotes from the debate:

1. I expected a constructive debate on the Constitution, but some chose to grieve their losses instead.

2. One family of Congress relentlessly pursued wrong thoughts, wrong deeds, and wrong policies that hurt the Constitution.

3. It has become the Gandhi family's habit to insult and disregard the Constitution.

4. Congress placed a non-constitutional body, the National Advisory Council, over and above the Prime Minister.

5. The current generation of the Gandhi family is carrying forward the legacy of attacking the Constitution after tasting blood long ago.

6. Rajiv Gandhi dealt a big blow to the Constitution by overturning the Supreme Courtas relief to Shah Bano and supporting extremist forces.

7. Leaders of several political parties were sent to jail during the Emergency, but now they are compelled to join hands with Congress.

8. Having tasted blood, Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency by misusing the Constitution.

9. Indira Gandhi clipped the wings of the courts through Constitutional amendments to capture the judiciary.

10. The seeds sown by Nehru in changing the Constitution were followed up by Indira Gandhi, who even overturned Supreme Court decisions.

11. Nehru wrote to chief ministers that if the Constitution comes in the way, it should be changed.

12. One Congress family changed the Constitution to attack freedom of expression; it was an insult to the founders of the Constitution.

13. India is not just a large democracy; it is the mother of democracy due to thousands of years of democratic traditions.

15. Our Constitution lays the foundation for India's unity, and it is our responsibility to protect that unity.

16. Women are at the centre of every initiative of our government; their representation in Parliament and the Council of Ministers is increasing.

17. India gave women the right to vote at the outset; many countries granted this only much later.

18. Our policies and decision-making process in the last 10 years have been aimed at strengthening India's unity.

19. After Independence, a distorted mindset led to attacks on the idea of unity in diversity, which is the foundation of our Constitution.

20. As Gujarat Chief Minister, I celebrated 60 years of the Constitution by taking its copy in a procession atop an elephant.

21. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government celebrated 50 years of the Constitution in 2000; today, we celebrate its 75th anniversary with pride.

22. The Constitution was torn apart when it was completing 25 years, during the imposition of the Emergency in 1975.

23. It is time to celebrate 75 years of our Constitution, and I am glad the Parliament is part of this historic moment.
Bengaluru, Dec 14 : Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra on Saturday dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's bribery allegations against him in connection with the Waqf scam as "baseless".

Earlier in the day, CM Siddaramaiah in his press statement demanded the CBI probe against Vijayendra for trying to hush up the Waqf scam report by allegedly offering Rs 150 crore to former Minority Commission Chairman and BJP leader Anwar Mannippady.

Responding to the allegations, Vijayendra questioned, "You (CM Siddaramaiah), who is terrified of CBI and ED investigations, have questioned the Governor's approval for prosecution and tried in vain to protect yourself legally by hiring senior lawyers from New Delhi. After facing humiliation due to the High Court's verdict, what moral standing do you have to demand a CBI investigation against others?"

"Allegations of corruption, such as the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation scam and the MUDA scam, have tightly wrapped around you and your government. In an attempt to escape these scams, you are misusing the power of the Chief Minister's office to ensure a clean chit through Lokayukta investigations handled by your subordinate officials," he charged.

Even now, to prevent the High Court from ordering a CBI investigation, you are recklessly using taxpayers' money to hire constitutional experts from Delhi to argue your case. No chemical can erase the stains of corruption on you, and as a result of this frustration, you are grasping at baseless issues, believing them to be a 'Brahmastra' (ultimate weapon), Vijayendra slammed.

"With these efforts, you can only attempt a smear campaign against me, but you will achieve nothing more. Evidence against you continues to emerge daily, tarnishing your image. Your obstinate behaviour has already etched your name in history as the only Chief Minister who dishonoured the dignity of the Karnataka CM's office," Vijayendra attacked.

The Anwar Manipaddy report on the Waqf scam concerns Congress leaders who encroached on Waqf properties, not BJP leaders. "Do you lack even the basic understanding to realise that no one would offer Rs 150 crore bribe for allegations against Congress?" Vijayendra questioned.

"The baseless accusations you and your cabinet minister Priyank Kharge are celebrating reflect your childishness rather than political acumen," he maintained.

If you have courage, allow the CBI investigation into the MUDA scam petition pending in the High Court without any objections. Let's see what happens, Vijayendra challenged.

"In light of your government's attempts to seize farmers' lands and Hindu religious sites under the guise of Waqf properties, the brutal police lathi-charge on Panchamasali reservation protestors, the series of deaths among newborns, and the escalating MUDA scam, it is clear that you are using these trivial, fabricated issues as a distraction," he claimed.

This reflects the decay of your political wisdom and an attempt to divert the attention of the people of the state, Vijayendra stated.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday urged modern civil servants to be tech savvy and act as facilitators of change, transcending traditional administrative boundaries.

Speaking at the 50th Foundation Day of the Indian Posts and Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) in the national capital, Vice President Dhankhar outlined the importance of cross-departmental collaboration in an interconnected world, with the need to adopt artificial intelligence-powered audit systems while maintaining human oversight for critical decisions.

At the event, Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, spoke about the three pillars: bringing stability to telecom sector; empowerment of pensioners and the capabilities of the cadre in keeping up with tech developments, behind the success of the officers.

The minister lauded them for their contribution in Department of Telecommunicationsa (DoT) SAMPANN pension model, streamlining pension disbursement for over 5 lakh pensioners, and for the consolidation of Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).

Scindia said the departmentas mission and principles of inclusivity, innovation and security is the kavach that we will hold for every citizen of Bharat.

Since its establishment in 1974, the IP&TAFS has been at the forefront of Indiaas telecommunications and postal financial landscape. The service has been pivotal in managing spectrum auctions, generating revenue in the form of License Fees and Spectrum Usage Charges, which contribute nearly Rs 25,000 crore annually to the Government of India.

The service has also been instrumental in overseeing the financial health of over 3,500 telecom and internet companies.

A substantial portion of this revenue goes toward supporting the governmentas Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) through the Digital Bharat Nidhi, aimed at enhancing digital inclusion across Indiaas urban and rural regions.

The SARAS portal, an initiative by IP&TAFS, has transformed the process of revenue assurance, digitalizing and standardizing the assessment mechanisms, thus ensuring better accountability in the largest non-tax revenue to the government.

a"IANS

na/
Jaipur, Dec 14 : The Rajasthan Forum has expressed deep resentment over the exclusion of Rajasthan-origin artists from the recently organised three-day Rising Rajasthan Summit.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Forum President and Padma Bhushan awardee Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, also a Grammy Award winner, termed it aregrettablea.

The Rajasthan Forum, comprising 34 distinguished artist membersa"including 12 Padma awardeesa"has been committed to promoting the art and culture of the state for over a decade.

Raising concerns, the Forum questioned the lack of representation for Rajasthan's artists in such a significant event. It noted that key cultural traditions like Dhrupad music, Kathak dance, and folk art were conspicuously absent, as was any performance featuring the Mohan Veena, an instrument invented by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

In his letter, Pandit Bhatt lamented the absence of consultation with Rajasthan Forum, a leading cultural organisation in the state, during the planning of the eventas cultural programmes. He highlighted the Forum's roster of eminent artists, which includes Padma awardees like Devendra Jhajharia, Anwar Khan Manganihar, Gulabo Sapera, Ram Kishore Chhipa, S. Shakir Ali, Tilak Gitai, Munna Master and C.P. Dewal. Prominent cultural personalities like Ila Arun, Prerna Shrimali, Apurvi Chandela, Nand Bhardwaj, and Apra Kuchhal are also part of the organisation.

The Forum has urged the state government to involve Rajasthan Forum in future cultural events to ensure that the stateas rich art and heritage receive the platform they deserve. It emphasised that such collaborations would enhance the relevance and appeal of these programmes.

In its appeal, Rajasthan Forum also stressed the importance of honouring the stateas folk art and artists by giving them opportunities to represent Rajasthan on national and international stages.

Eminent culturist and founder of Rajasthan Forum, Sundeep Bhutoria had also raised this issue recently during Rising Rajasthan.
Imphal, Dec 14 : Two migrant workers from Bihar were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Manipur's Kakching district on Saturday evening, police said.

A police official in Imphal said that some armed attackers shot dead two migrant workers near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road when the victims along with a few others were moving by their bicycles.

Police could not confirm immediately who attacked the migrant workers.

The victims were identified as Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17).

The deceased are residents of Rajwahi village in Yadavpur police station area under Bihar's Gopalganj district.

They were engaged in some construction work and stayed in a rented accommodation in Kakching.

The security forces have launched a search operation to nab the assailants.

Earlier on many occasions, migrant workers have been attacked in Manipur.

Meanwhile, search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.

During the search operations, arms and ammunition recovered include one .22 Rifle, one .303 Rifle, 49 live rounds and various types of ammunition in Kangpokpi District.

Earlier in the day, an armed militant was killed and six others were apprehended after a fierce exchange of fire between Manipur Police Commandos and a militant group in Thoubal District.

A significant cache of arms and ammunition, along with multiple electronic devices, were also recovered from the spot.

A senior police official in Imphal said that armed militants attacked the Manipur Police Commandos at Salungpham Thongkhong during a routine patrol in Thoubal district on Saturday.

The Commando personnel also retaliated against the attack and nabbed six militants while another was injured in the gun battle. The injured cadre subsequently succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital.

All the seven militants belong to the PREPAK group, the police confirmed.
Patna, Dec 14 : Newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar, Vinay Kumar, has expressed his firm commitment to tackling crime and also curbing criminal activities in the state.

After assuming charge, he outlined a comprehensive plan to address issues ranging from organised crime to cyber offences, with a strong focus on law and order.

DGP Kumar emphasised taking strict action against criminal gangs. Police stations across the state will be instructed to investigate the properties of known criminals and promptly report their findings to police headquarters.

"The identified properties of criminals will be attached within ten days of reporting. Properties linked to prohibition violations and drug smuggling will also be confiscated," Kumar said.

"Our job will be to seize the property of criminals along with investigation. Whatever cases are related to law and order, arrests will be made by running a campaign," he said.

Reiterating his focus on property confiscation, Kumar explained that during investigations, criminal assets will be attached promptly, reinforcing his broader crackdown on illegal activities. This approach extends to organized crime, drug trafficking, and violations of prohibition laws.

DGP Kumar highlighted two significant areas of concern, such as liquor mafias and cybercrime:

In line with Bihar's strict prohibition laws, he promised intensified crackdowns on individuals and networks involved in the illegal liquor trade.

Recognising the growing threat of cyber offenses, Kumar vowed to strengthen the state's capabilities to address these issues effectively.

"Bihar has held the maximum cases related to cybercrime cases, marking significant progress in addressing this modern threat. The low conviction rate in cybercrime cases is a matter of concern, but I assure people that steps are being taken to expedite investigations," Kumar said.

The State Police Headquarters will review all pending cases and issue comprehensive guidelines to ensure faster and more efficient probes.

"In the coming days, a new law school will be inaugurated, which will help significantly in research. This will enhance our ability to investigate and prosecute cases effectively," he said.

To ensure public safety, Kumar stated that law and order will be continuously monitored.

He also expressed commitment to enhancing the judicial process by ensuring speedy trials, aiming to deliver justice more efficiently.

The DGP emphasised raising the morale of the police force while diminishing the confidence of criminals through decisive actions and reforms. His vision includes comprehensive measures to support law enforcement, ensuring they are equipped and motivated to tackle challenges.
Bhopal, Dec 14 : Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced projects worth more than Rs 5,000 crore for Mauganj district under the 'Jan Kalyan Parv'.

In his first visit to the new district, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the Sitapur-Hanumana Lift Irrigation Project worth Rs 5,041 crore.

The project will provide irrigation facilities to more than 400 villages in Mauganj, which was separated from Rewa and established as a new district head of Assembly elections in 2023.

He announced to make Khatkhari (a town under Mauganj district) a Municipal Council and the construction of a stadium at Devtalab (one of the three Assembly constituencies in Mauganj).

The Chief Minister also announced to establish degree college, and a civil hospital in Hanumana Tehsil and also allocated Rs 5 crore for development works at Shiva temple in Devtalab.

Addressing an event on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that under the Jan Kalyan Parv, an action plan for development works worth Rs 16,100 crore has been made for the entire state.

"Of these, Mauganj district alone has received a gift of Rs 5,041 crore. BJP government has made Mauganj a separate district and therefore, we are committed to fulfilling promises made to the people. All demands of Mauganj district will be fulfilled," said the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, he also released Rs 332 crore as the first instalment of scholarship to 60 lakh students of the state.

He also inaugurated the Sarsi Island Resort that has been built and developed by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department in Shahdol district.

Located in the middle of the Son River, the Sarsi Island Resort is entirely surrounded by water and can only be accessed via boat services from Itma Ghat and Markandeya Ghat.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : BJP President JP Nadda on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech delivered during the debate on 75 years of the Constitution's adoption, saying it will remove the web of confusion being spread by Congress and Opposition on the Constitution and other subjects.

Taking to X, Nadda wrote, "The statement given by the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji in the Lok Sabha today on the completion of 75 years of the Indian Constitution is going to remove the web of confusion being spread by the Congress and the opposition parties on the Indian Constitution and other subjects and will give a clear direction to the country."

"In his speech, the Prime Minister has talked about the country's prosperity, empowerment and taking everyone along. The Emergency imposed in 1975 is an all-time example of the murder of democracy. The Congress, which had turned the country into a prison and snatched away the fundamental rights of citizens, is now invoking the Constitution in its greed for power. Congress leaders have also raised objections on celebrating 'Constitution Day'!" he added.

Nadda said, "The beginning of the celebration of 'Constitution Day' and following the ideals of the architect of the Constitution Baba Saheb Ambedkar is proof that BJP is the true protector of the Constitution. In the last 10 years, under the leadership of Modi ji, we are all determined for the upliftment of every section and the all-round development of the country."

He said, "Our commitment towards 'Integral Humanism' and 'Antyodaya' will give concrete shape to our resolve of building a 'Developed India'."

Nadda further said, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji today shared 11 resolutions with the countrymen in the Lok Sabha on the completion of 75 years of the Constitution. These great resolutions are significant in preserving the Indian Constitution and further strengthening the pledge to live and protect the democratic ideals enshrined in the Constitution."

"Let us all together strengthen the values of the Indian Constitution by inculcating these resolutions in our daily lives," the BJP chief concluded.
MOMBASA, Kenya, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto said on Saturday that the government will increase investment in the maritime sector as part of efforts to counter threats along the borders.

Ruto, who led the nation in celebrating the Kenya Navy's 60th anniversary at its base in the coastal city of Mombasa, said the government will enhance support for the navy to boost its ability to safeguard the country's maritime borders.

"Our singular focus will be on maintaining a high state of readiness to ensure that we respond swiftly and effectively to an increasingly dynamic security environment," he said.

The event, which began early Saturday, commemorated six decades of the navy's unwavering dedication to protecting Kenya's maritime borders and upholding national sovereignty.

Ruto said Kenya will ramp up investment in advanced technologies and modernize the navy's fleet, adding that the government will also bolster the skills and operational capacity of navy personnel.

"The strategic importance of the Kenya Navy cannot be overstated. It serves as a deterrent to external aggression, a safeguard of our sovereignty, and a defender of our territorial integrity," Ruto said.

The president said the Kenya Navy has been instrumental in unlocking Kenya's immense untapped potential in the blue economy. "By investing in maritime infrastructure and enhancing its security, we not only improve our naval capabilities but also create opportunities for wealth generation and job creation."

The Kenyan leader further commended the synergy between the navy and the Kenya Coast Guard Service, which formed the cornerstone of Kenya's National Maritime Defense Strategy. He said the two institutions protect the country's coastline, combat illegal activities, secure maritime resources, and safeguard sea lanes of communication and trade.

Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the Kenya Navy's contribution to the blue economy has boosted the actualization of the country's development plan.

"Our efforts in protecting our maritime ecosystems and promoting the sustainable use of maritime resources contribute to the prosperity of our nation," Tuya said. 
Im clearly English, Evie Wyld says via Zoom from her home in London, her accent supporting the statement. Still, its Australia that fills her books, and as a child, filled her dreams.

Wylds Australian mother came to England in the late 60s and met her English father. The couples plan was to return to Australia, Wyld says, but her father couldnt really hack the county, so they stayed in England. Thats where an awful lot of my writing has come fromthat feeling of homesickness in her, such an interesting, difficult emotion.

Growing up, Wyld visited Australia often and recalls yearning for the country. As a child, I would daydream about it, she says. I still have very sensory memories of the place. I can close my eyes and walk through my grandparents sugarcane farm and see it all.

In addition to an Australian element, readers of Wylds books can also expect mystery, remote landscapes, multiple generations, time shifts, and an exploration of trauma and violence. All of which are on display in her new novel, The Echoes (Knopf, Feb.), which follows a ghost, Max, who hovers around the apartment he shared in London with his Australian girlfriend, Hannah. The novel shifts between different periods and settings, including an isolated tract of land in Australia called the Echoes, where a school of the same name once existed for the forced reeducation of Indigenous children.

A number of things inspired this book, Wyld says. Partly I started to write it in the first lockdown in the U.K. when people important to me were dying, so a lot of the book is about that feeling of being trapped, which is sort of where the ghost came from. I wanted that feeling of what if we just had these four walls and that was the amount of life we could experience? It got me thinking that the only way out of a good marriage or relationship is if one of you dies and the other one watches. I wanted to explore all the layers of that and all the stuff you dont know about the other person.

Born in London in 1980, Wyld was the youngest of two children. Her mother wasand still isa conservator and her father worked as an art dealer. As a kid, Wyld says, she was anxious and worried. I was about as introverted as you could be, she says, skin side out.

Wyld graduated Bath Spa University in Bath in 2002 with a degree in creative arts. In 2004, she completed an MA in creative writing at Goldsmiths, University of London. In between, she worked for a couple of years as a librarian for a stroke association. I think I did the creative writing course because I needed a reason to give up that job sending out pamphlets to people about their strokes, she says. You know... fascinating.

Wyld had success as a writer from the very beginning of her career. While in grad school, she got an agent, who sold her 2009 debut, After the Fire, a Still Small Voice, which follows the story of three men in Australia determined to escape their pasts. She followed that up with All the Birds, Singing (2013), about a woman who flees her dark history in Australia to live as a sheep farmer on a remote British island, and The Bass Rock (2020), set on the wild coast of Scotland and featuring intertwined stories of three women who, over centuries, confront male violence.

Wyld has a laundry list of prizesincluding a John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and Betty Trask Awardbut acknowledges that trophies only go so far. Its wonderful but it never gets rid of that monkey of self-doubt, she says. Theres always a moment when Im writing a novel and thinking, Oh, this is not even a short story, this is not a novel, this is just me going on. I think thats just part of my process.

That said, she credits the prizes with enabling her to keep writing. Theres not a heap of cash in writing literary novels. I wouldnt have been financially able to write without the prizes or have had the motivation to write had I not had some of those accolades, because so much is telling you not to do it. But, you know, Im not keen to go back to work at the stroke association. So yes, its all wonderful.

As The Echoes progresses, Max attempts to discover how he died and just what being a ghost entails while piecing together Hannahs life. The relationship between her protagonists, Wyld says, is based on her marriage with her husband.

I think in fiction we often whitewash relationshipshe is terrible, she is terrible, or they cant live without each otherbut we know in life its more complicated than that, she says. You have times where you are saying, Who is this person and why am I here? Also theres the wild secrets we keep from each other and from ourselves. I dont think we ever know another person or even fully know ourselves. I find it endlessly fascinating that you start to resent the person youre with and then you peel back a layer and theres actually some good gooey stuff under there. I think secrets are inevitable, but I dont find it a moral thing, just how do you move differently when theres no eyes on you, the way you talk to yourself when youre alonethose are secrets, and its okay to be like Im this weird little gerbil living in this meat sack.

 Theres always a moment when Im writing a novel and thinking, Oh, this is not even a short story, this is not a novel, this is just me going on. I think thats just part of my process. 

The novel also grapples with Australias Stolen Generations, children of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were taken from their families during the 19th and 20th centuries in keeping with government policy. Removed children were denied access to their culture, placed in institutions, or raised by non-Indigenous people. According to the Healing Foundation, as many as one-third of all Indigenous children were taken between 1910 and the 1970s. In 2008 the federal government of Australia issued a public apology for the policy.

In The Echoes, the school for removed Aboriginal childrenwhich stood on land that Hannahs uncle later purchasedwas a place of brutal beatings, suicide, and unmarked graves. They had to be broken in like horses, the headmistress of the school tells her son.

Theres violence in everything Ive written, Wyld says, but I think the violence in The Echoes is more like stuff that trickles down. What I wanted to do with that story line in The Echoes was, while I dont have the right to tell the First Nations story, I can talk about the awkwardness and the clumsiness with which white Australians approach it or dont approach it. And the feeling of being a white Australian and knowing that your ancestors have done such appalling things is a big weight, and Im sure thats part of the reason that were so uncomfortable with it. It took a long time for anyone to say sorry. I worry that if that isnt looked at then theres no change possible.
In a move that signals Indias growing commitment to strengthen its own security, the countrys Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved two new deals that will significantly enhance its defense capabilities.

These deals include the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) and the acquisition of 31 Predator drones (MQ-9B) from U.S. defense-contractor General Atomics. Both are smart strategic decisions that underscore Indias willingness to safeguard its interests, strengthen its capacity, and modernize its defense architecture.

New Delhi has an eye on China, of course. As Beijing continues to assert its influence and military presence across the Indian Ocean and beyond, Indias investments in undersea warfare and unmanned aerial systems are timely and necessary. However, the procurement of SSNs and the acquisition of MQ-9Bs are more than just a response to Chinas rise. They represent Indias broader ambition to act as a key player in the Indo-Pacific's security architecture.

The Indian Navy, already operating nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, has long advocated for the additional procurement of nuclear-powered attack submarines. This project, which is estimated to cost an initial $5.4 billion, will make the Indian Navy far more capable of defending its interests in the Indian Ocean.

Nuclear-powered submarines are the apex predator of undersea warfare and offer a versatile offensive capability for conventional warfare and force projection. Australian defense policymakers entered into the AUKUS agreement with the United States in order to purchase nuclear-powered attack submarines based on a similar analysis.

India has long recognized the importance of indigenous defense manufacturing and self-reliance under the Make in India initiative, and the procurement of SSNs represents a new frontier that enhances Indias defense capabilities while simultaneously reducing dependency on foreign suppliers such as the Russian Akula-class SSN, which India previously leased until 2021.

Moreover, the SSNs are critical for the Indian Navy to match the growing power of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy, which has 12 nuclear-powered submarines and continues to expand. The nuclear-powered attack submarines will allow India to conduct extended patrols, including around the Strait of Malacca and in the South China Sea.

Also significant is Indias decision to purchase 31 Predator Drones from the United States, valued at approximately $3.99 billion. The MQ-9B purchase, which includes 16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), will enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities of Indias armed forces.

These advanced MQ-9B drones will also provide India the capacity for precision strikes on strategic targets. Most importantly, this deal reflects Indias deepening defense partnership with the United States, which has been growing steadily through bilateral channels and multilateral initiatives such as the Quad.

This acquisition comes at a time when the Indian Ocean is increasingly becoming a theater of strategic competition, particularly with China's expanding naval footprint and its aggressive maritime ambitions. Amid growing concerns over illicit maritime activities and the presence of Chinese surveillance vessels in the Indian Ocean, the MQ-9B drones will give India an ability to monitor and respond swiftly to increased Chinese aggression. These Predator drones will further enable real-time intelligence gathering and targeted operations throughout the vast Indian Ocean.

By enhancing its undersea warfare capabilities and expanding its surveillance and strike potential, Indias recent two deals represent concrete steps to safeguard its maritime interests, protect critical sea lanes, and strengthen its role as a key player in the region.

Wilson Beaver is the Policy Advisor for defense budgeting in The Heritage Foundation's Allison Center for National Security. Elizabeth Lapporte was a member of Heritages Young Leaders Program.
Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada.

Search Real Estate
Disney/Christopher Willard

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/13/2024



ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple have shared an update on their search for a "love shack" apartment in New York City together.Joan and Chock teased last month that they were planning to begin apartment hunting in the Big Apple in December.While Joan and Chock are going to continue living in different states due to their responsibilities at their homes in Maryland and Kansas, respectively, their NYC apartment will provide them a convenient meet-up location.couple, who got engaged in August and went public as a couple when the show's finale aired on November 13, told People at Ben Higgins ' "Almost Famous" Baby Shower event on Thursday, December 5 that they're one step closer to finding their dream big-city place."It's just like not really a move. It's going to be a place for our little honeymoon," Joan, 61, told the magazine.Chock, also 61, added, "It's going to be a love shack."Chock shared that after he and Joan recently spent some time in New York, they are eyeing a specific location."We really like SoHo," Chock told the magazine, adding how they're "going to take a little bit of time and try to find a great place in SoHo."Although Chock described the apartment as "a love shack," the couple is not looking for a one-bedroom studio arrangement.Joan and Chock revealed that they'd like to find a place with at least two bedrooms so their friends and family can visit.Joan said she believes this home away from home will be a "great place for us to really continue getting to know each other and in a totally different place, a place that both of us have always wanted to go."Joan apparently views her future in New York City as a very exciting new chapter in her life."It's going to be a little bit of an adventure and having an adventure in this stage is kind of unique and so really feeling super lucky that we get to do this together," Joan added.Both Joan and Chock have always wanted to live in New York, and Chock pointed out how his kids "absolutely love" the city as well."They've got friends there and we were there. And I'm in their life. We're all kind of fun and it's all good," Chock gushed.Last month, Chock clarified how this NYC apartment is going to serve as an escape for couple -- and not as a permanent address."We're going to be going back and forth between Kansas to Maryland and to New York. We'll have a full-time place in New York and whenever we get the opportunity, we're going to be there," Chock explained."We're going to get it figured out this next year."Chock and Joan teased on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast last month how they also have a lot of traveling in store for 2025."We've got four big trips coming up in 2025, so it's going to be a busy year! And that's just what we've got [lined up] for now," Chock gushed to Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt Joan and Chock shared how they'll be traveling to Africa, France, Spain and the Caribbean."We have time and we have resources now. Chock isn't retired, but he can leave his business and it runs pretty well without him, as long as he has some oversight," Joan shared."And I have taken a leave of absence and so I'm currently not working. We can now concentrate on our relationship, and I feel that's really important in the beginning."Joan said she was looking forward to having a great time with Chock in the Big Apple, where it will be "just us" for a while Joan also noted that the happy couple is looking forward to spending time with each other's friends and "being in each other's homes."Joan gushed, "Me being in Kansas is going to be like a vacation for me! I've never been there and I'm going to be meeting his family!... All of this is still really fun and new."As far as wedding planning goes , Joan quipped, "He asks me every day, 'When are we getting married?!' And I don't know yet! Everybody is hounding me."star went on to confirm, "We are going to get married. I'm just not, like, totally sure!"Chock agreed and said they were in "no rush" to tie the knot.But during a subsequent appearance on "The Viall Files" podcast, Joan and Chock revealed how they'd like to have a televised wedding in order to include Bachelor Nation.Joan and Chock also revealed that they could imagine themselves getting married in 2025 or early 2026 Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Pakistan's minister for planning, development, and special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal (L) and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong (R) present a shield to a Pakistani staff member during a ceremony to honor the Outstanding Pakistani staff of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

by Misbah Saba Malik

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has eleveted Pakistan-China relations to a robust economic partnership, Pakistan's minister for planning, development, and special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said on Friday.

When CPEC was launched in 2013, Pakistan was grappling with an unprecedented power shortage, experiencing up to 18 hours of load shedding and a deteriorating law-and-order situation. Despite these challenges, China made significant investments in Pakistan, signaling to the world its belief in the country's potential, Iqbal said while addressing a ceremony to honor the Outstanding Pakistani staff of CPEC at the Chinese embassy here.

"The people of Pakistan will never forget that trust and confidence that the leadership of China had on Pakistan during those testing times," he added. "The most important is the trust that China showed in Pakistan at a time when even the local investors were hesitant to invest."

Launched in 2013, CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking Gwadar Port in Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation in the first phase, while in the new phase it expands to fields of agriculture and livelihood, among others.

The minister said that the true impact of CPEC extends beyond the construction of roads and power plants, as it has provided Pakistani youth with invaluable opportunities to work alongside their Chinese counterparts.

"This collaboration has not only allowed us to learn from China's remarkable success, but has significantly enhanced our capacity to undertake and execute major projects within the country," he added.

Highlighting their crucial role in the success of CPEC, Iqbal praised the employees for their relentless efforts, acknowledged their contributions across key sectors, including infrastructure development, energy projects, logistics, and technology, which have collectively shaped Pakistan's progress and future.

Commending the hard work and dedication of Chinese employees, Iqbal emphasized that their contributions have significantly strengthened Pakistan's economy, generated employment opportunities, and enhanced the quality of life for millions.

On occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation at China's National Development and Reform Commission Chen Shuai expressed their congratulations to the awarded staff respectively and paid high tribute to all the constructors of the two countries.

Highlighting the fruitful results of CPEC, the Chinese officials said that China would earnestly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, build an upgraded version of CPEC, and create a new situation of pragmatic cooperation.

A total of 43 exceptional Pakistani staff members from various CPEC projects were honored for their outstanding contributions. They expressed heartfelt gratitude to the embassy for recognizing their efforts and pledged to continue working with even greater dedication to strengthening the friendship between China and Pakistan further.

Ali Umair began this journey as a trainee engineer at the Matiari-Lahore HVDC transmission project with no professional experience. However, over time, the 26-year-old had the opportunity to learn extensively about the field of high-voltage direct current (HVDC).

"One of the defining moments of my career was traveling to China last year, which proved to be an invaluable learning experience. This trip not only gave me the chance to witness China's remarkable advancements in energy and infrastructure, but also provided me with the opportunity to interact with some of the brightest minds in HVDC technology," Umair told Xinhua. 

Pakistan's minister for planning, development, and special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal addresses a ceremony to honor the Outstanding Pakistani staff of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
The Congress on Saturday termed as "hollow" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 11 resolutions articulated in his speech in the Lok Sabha and said if the Bharatiya Janata Party has zero tolerance on corruption then why doesn't it discuss the Adani issue.

IMAGE:Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in Lok Sabha on the Constitution debate during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi on December 14, 2024. Photograph: SansadTV/ANI Photo

The opposition party also questioned why Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were not present in the House when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke while participating in a two-day debate on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India".

Prime Minister Modi on Saturday said that the Congress, having "tasted blood", repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government's policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India's strength and unity in line with the vision of the Constitution.

Asked about the PM's remarks, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra likened his over 110-minutes speech in the Lok Sabha to a "double period of mathematics" from school and said it "bored us".

She slammed Prime Minister Modi's 11 resolutions as "hollow" and said if there is zero tolerance towards corruption then why doesn't the BJP agree to a discussion on the Adani issue.

"PM has not spoken one thing which is new, he has bored us. It took me decades back, I felt like I m sitting in that double period of Mathematics," she said.

"(JP) Nadda ji was also rubbing hands but as soon as Modi ji looked at him, he started acting as if he is listening attentively. Amit Shah also had his hand on head, (Piyush) Goyal ji was going off to sleep. It was a new experience for me. I had thought that the PM will say something new, something nice," she said.

Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said, "On a debate about India's Constitution, the PM once again decided to bring out his tired old speech about the Congress instead. While the people were expecting an answer from him on the injustice and inequality facing Indian society, he chose to bring up stale narratives against the Congress, which have lost all resonance among the public."

"Truth is, he has no answer to the allegations regarding the Adani mega scandal, nor does he have a response to the growing instances of caste and religious divisions created by his own regime," Venugopal said.

"An insincere PM whose political gurus rejected the Constitution since day one will never be accepted by the people as being loyal to the Constitution. No matter how many speeches he gives, his hypocrisy will be exposed," he said in a post on X.

Venugopal told reporters there was nothing new in that.

"It was only blame game against the Congress. In yesterday and today we exposed government's deeds on Adani. They are using entire machinery to give everything to one person. Whenever we talk of the Constitution they did not respect Parliament. When LoP spoke, the prime minister, home minister and defence minister was absent, either they are scared of Rahul Gandhi or they don't believe in opposition politics," Venugopal said.

Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said Prime Minister Modi should thank Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for proposing the idea of a special discussion on the Indian Constitution.

"It was only for the foresightedness of the Congress party that there was a vibrant discussion. We disagree on many issues with the BJP but the people of this country need to see the Parliament debating issues of national concern," he said.

Congress whip Manickam Tagore said the Leader of Opposition was present when the Prime Minister addressed the House, but Modi was absent when Gandhi spoke.

"Why this behaviour, Mr Prime Minister?" he said.
At least six Delhi schools received a bomb threat on Saturday, officials said, marking the third instance of threat emails being sent to schools in the national capital this week.

IMAGE: Media persons seen outside DPS School RK Puram after it received bomb threat call via email, in New Delhi on December 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

"We received a call about a bomb threat at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, at 6:09 am," a Delhi Fire Services official said.

The fire department, local police, dog squads and bomb detection teams reached the school and launched a search operation, the official said.

Five more schools, including Ryan International School in Vasant Kunj and Gyan Bharati School in Saket, received the same email from the same sender, he further said.

A police official said nothing suspicious was found after search and inspection in any of the schools.

The mails were sent from the "childrenofallah@outlook.com" email id at 1:47 am.

According to a source, the email read, "Allah sees your efforts to resist his punishment. But they are futile. For no mortal being can escape the judgement of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad declares all who go against Allah enemies to the world. We see your attempt to stop us. It will not work. The Prophet Muhammad has allowed the children to burn in the sacred flame of Allah."

"On Saturday where students may not be there in your buildings is when the buildings shall be brought down. Our bomb vests are blessed by the Prophet Muhammad. They shall not fail their goal. Our children are brave servants of Allah. They shall complete their task," the source said quoting the email.

On Friday, about 30 schools received bomb threats over email, triggering a multi-agency search of their premises. Prior to that, at least 44 schools received similar emails on Monday.

The police had declared those threats as hoaxes after nothing suspicious was found during searches. PTI ALK

Meanwhile, a 12-year-old student was held for sending a bomb threat e-mail to his school in south Delhi's Vasant Vihar area, police sources said on Saturday.

The school was among the 30 that received bomb threats over email on Friday, the source said, adding that the boy was traced and detained shortly afterwards.

He was given counselling while his parents received a warning. Later, he was allowed to go, the source said.

The boy told police that he sent the mail after seeing media reports about several schools in Delhi getting bomb threats. He believed that he would not get caught as none of the accused in the earlier cases had been caught yet, the source said.

In May, more than 250 schools, hospitals and other installations had received similar e-mail threats, which are yet to be solved.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Congress, having "tasted blood", repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government's policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India's strength and unity in line with the vision of the Constitution.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in Lok Sabha on the Constitution debate during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi on December 14. Photograph: Screen grab/Sansad TV

Replying to a two-day debate in Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, he took a swipe at the past Congress governments, accusing them of planting "poisonous" seeds in the country's diversity to accentuate its contradictions and damage its unity.

Training guns at the Nehru-Gandhi family of the Congress, he said they left no stone unturned to strike blows to the Constitution.

"This family challenged the Constitution at every level," he said, adding that he was singling out the family as its members were in power for 55 years.

The family, having "tasted blood", repeatedly wounded the Constitution, he said, citing several decisions of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi when they held the office of prime minister.

Their next generation is also into the same game, he said in a swipe at the Leader of Opposition in the House Rahul Gandhi and his MP sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Modi said leaders like him and many others who came from ordinary families could never have reached where they did but for the strength of the Constitution, as he underlined his long commitment to its values.

As chief minister of Gujarat, he said, his government celebrated the 60th year of the Constitution's adoption by placing a copy of the document on an elephant while he walked underneath barefoot in a symbolic gesture to highlight its supremacy.

Slamming the Nehru-Gandhi family, he said first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru amended the country's guiding document to curb freedom of expression and his daughter Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency to defy a Supreme Court judgment that annulled her election as an MP.

She "throttled India's democracy and mutilated the Constitution" when the 25th year of its adoption was approaching, to save her chair as prime minister, he said, noting that she also effected an amendment to protect the president, vice president and herself from any legal challenge to their position with a retrospective effect.

The country was turned into jail and the judiciary was throttled, he said. Rajiv Gandhi, who took over as prime minister after his mother's assassination, also amended the Constitution.

This blot on the Congress cannot be washed off, Modi asserted.

Without naming Rahul Gandhi, the prime minister said an "arrogant" person tore the decision of the Cabinet when the Congress-led UPA government headed by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh was in power.

The National Advisory Council, which was headed by Sonia Gandhi, was put "above" the Cabinet during the UPA rule, he added.

While the makers of the Constitution took a considered decision to disallow reservation on the basis of religion and faith in the interest of the country's unity and integrity, the Congress in its "greed for power" and to "appease its vote bank" pushed for it in violation of the constitutional spirit, he said.

His government, Modi said, repealed Article 370 to unify the country and brought in GST to roll out "one nation one tax" regime.

He hailed India's journey since the adoption of the Constitution in 1949 as "extraordinary", asserting that the country's ancient democratic roots have long been an inspiration for the world.

India is not only a big democracy but it is the mother of democracy, he said in the Lok Sabha replying to a two-day debate on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution.

Modi said India has resolved to become a developed country by 2047 and its unity is the biggest requirement to achieve the goal. "Our Constitution is the basis of our unity," he said.

Modi said India defied all apprehensions about its democratic future after independence and added its Constitution has brought the country to this stage.

He paid tributes to the makers of the Constitution and the country's citizens for living up to the spirit of its makers.

Those involved in the making of the Constitution were well aware that India was not born in 1947 or turned democratic in 1950, he said, citing remarks of eminent personalities like Purushottam Das Tandon and Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

Women were given voting rights by the Constitution, Modi said, adding the country is now seeing women-led development.

He lauded the parliamentarians for the unanimous passage of the law to give reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
A girl was not allowed to enter her classroom in a school in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh without removing a tilak from her forehead, prompting her parents and Hindu outfits to stage a protest, following which the principal had to offer an apology.

Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Director General of School Education Jharna Kamthan has also asked the chief education officer of Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand to investigate the matter.

The Class-8 student was asked by her teacher on Wednesday to remove the tilak from her forehead, saying it was not allowed in the school.

The girl obeyed her teacher and attended the class but told her parents about it later.

Her parents, along with Hindu outfits, reached the school on Thursday to protest.

"The teacher should not have forced the girl to remove the tilak. Wearing a tilak is a Hindu tradition. How can a Hindu be stopped from wearing it?" Rajiv Bhatnagar, president of one of the Hindu groups that were part of the protest, said.

The matter was resolved after the principal of the school apologised to the girl's parents and the protesting Hindu groups, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Hindu Shakti Sangathan.
Scott Mason, 38, of St. Johnsbury is seen in this undated photograph. He is wanted in connection with the shooting of a police officer in St. Johnsbory on Friday afternoon, Dec. 13, 2024.
BEIRUT, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Upon learning of the sudden fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, Abdul Razzak Abdul Hay and his wife Laila rushed to the Lebanon-Syria border, the Masnaa border crossing, without even a second thought.

"Everything happened suddenly. We lost our security, and we had no choice but to flee," said the husband.

"We left everything behind us: the house, the neighbors, and even the memories," said Laila, carrying a small bag containing valuable and light items.

"We had no time to think about anything but fleeing to Lebanon, the country we hope will receive us and provide us with the necessary needs for displacement," she said.

The couple is among the thousands of Syrians who made the decision to flee Syria due to security concerns amid chaos following the dramatic power shift in the already war-torn country, in contrary to the other thousands of Syrian refugees who chose to return home from neighboring countries like Lebanon and Turkiye.

Syrian militant groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, waged a major offensive from northern Syria starting on Nov. 27 and captured the capital, Damascus, within 12 days, leading to the collapse of al-Assad's government on Dec. 8.

Since then, 1,000 to 1,200 people entered into Lebanon from Syria legally every day, a source at the Masnaa border crossing told Xinhua. Those people either hold residency permits for Lebanon or possess travel tickets for flights departing from Beirut Airport.

Yet an additional 90,000 Syrians have entered through illegal routes, estimated the Lebanese General Security.

Lebanon is currently hosting about 2 million Syrian refugees who fled the country after it was enguled by a civil war in 2011.

The Masnaa crossing is still packed with hundreds of people waiting to cross the border. With heavy steps and anxious faces, mothers clutch their children in tight embraces, while the children, clearly exhausted, lag behind, their feet dragging on the ground. The young ones, in the meantime, are burdened with as many luggage and plastic bags as they can manage.

"I fear for the thousands of families who were surprised by the rapid collapse of the regime and left in a hurry," 20-year-old Jumana Abu Asali told Xinhua.

"I also feel sorry for my country which has been suffering from wars for more than 13 years; we had dreamed of a decent and safe life, and now we have become displaced and do not know what awaits us in the future," said Asali, accompanying her family, adding, "We will try to start over; we have no other choice."

And for those who have already gotten into Lebanon, while a small number migrated to the capital Beirut, the majority settled in the Baalbek-Hermel region in eastern Lebanon, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

About 52,600 displaced people reside in homes, whereas some 33,000 live in the 133 makeshift shelters established inside local Husseiniyas, mosques, halls, and cafes, the NNA reported.

There could be some 25,000 displaced Syrian families in eastern Lebanese towns, Afif Shoman, head of private charity group the Ta'awun Association, told Xinhua.

"We are working on distributing food rations to the displaced in Husseiniyas, clubs, and charitable associations. We seek to equip and secure three field kitchens shortly to provide hot lunches. We have also worked on distributing heaters and securing diesel to face the winter cold," Shoman said.

"The ministry is following up on the conditions of thousands of Syrians who have been displaced to Lebanon, and discussing with its partners, especially the UN organizations, ways to secure their humanitarian needs for the displaced and monitor their health," the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said in a recent statement. 
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
CHIVI, Zimbabwe, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Amid the sweltering heat, Angela Gotore sits under a huge tent waiting to receive food aid mobilized by the Zimbabwean government in cooperation with aid agencies.

Chatting with her neighbor and occasionally casting her eyes on the stacks of grain, legumes, and vegetable oil, Gotore is among drought-stricken villagers of the Madyangove communal area in the Chivi District of Masvingo Province, who have become entirely dependent on food aid for survival.

A devastating El Nino-induced drought in the previous season wiped out all the villagers' crops and decimated pastures, leaving the villagers and their livestock grappling with food and water shortages.

"The drought has left me and my fellow villagers scrounging for food and water. We are carrying a heavy burden to ensure that our children have the bare minimum to eat. But I want to thank the government and the donor agencies who have come to our rescue by giving us food," Gotore said at a recent food aid distribution event in Chivi.

Fredy Hapazari, head of the village, said the vital food items are "an early Christmas present to the drought-weary villagers."

"We are facing a very difficult situation because of the drought. Not only are we struggling with food shortages, but our livestock are also threatened by a lack of water and pasture. We are worried that if the rains do not come early, we may not be able to get a decent harvest in the coming season," he said, adding that the drought has also severely affected economic opportunities for youth in the drought-prone district.

To mitigate the effects of the drought, which has left more than half of Zimbabwe's population food insecure, the Zimbabwean government is working with aid agencies, including the World Food Program (WFP), to distribute food aid to vulnerable people across the country during the lean season from December to March next year.

According to the government, at least 7.6 million Zimbabweans are food insecure and will need food aid until March 2025 following the drought, which was declared a state of disaster by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in April.

The UN food agency is targeting to provide emergency food aid to approximately 1 million people across Zimbabwe during the lean season, according to Barbara Clemens, country representative and director for the WFP in Zimbabwe.

"The government of Zimbabwe remains committed to working hand in hand with the WFP to ensure that these resources are deployed effectively and reach those most in need ... We are confident that we can continue to make meaningful progress in our fight against food insecurity and malnutrition," July Moyo, Zimbabwean minister of public service, labor and social welfare, said in a speech read on his behalf at the event.

The minister underscored the Zimbabwean government's commitment to ensuring that no one dies of hunger during the most vulnerable months of the lean season despite limited resources.

With the growing negative impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe, Clemens emphasized the need for stronger partnerships to meet immediate food needs and build community resilience to future climate shocks.

"Our work is far from over. More resources and cooperation are needed to reach those still in need," she said. "We need to strengthen resilience at all levels, and we need to step up our preparedness efforts to be ready when the next shock occurs. This includes investing in climate-smart agriculture, scaling up social protection systems and climate risk insurance, and empowering communities to build sustainable livelihoods."

She noted that by addressing the root causes of vulnerability and enhancing preparedness, Zimbabwe can reduce the impacts of climate change and help communities withstand future challenges.

According to Clemens, funding shortages remain a challenge, as the WFP has received only 50 million U.S. dollars out of the 201 million dollars it needs to respond to the El Nino-induced drought in the southern African country. 
Gardai are seeking the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 23-year-old Evan Maguire, who has been reported missing from his home in Newtowngore, County Leitrim, since Wednesday, December 11th.

Evan is described as being approximately 5 foot 6 inches in height, with a regular build, brown hair and brown eyes.

The last sighting of Evan was in Connolly Train Station Dublin at approximately 6.30 p.m. after arriving via train from Dromod. He was wearing black jeans with a yellow stripe, a white t-shirt and long blue jacket.

Evan may be in the Dublin City Centre area.

Anyone with any information on Evans whereabouts is asked to contact Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station on 071 9650510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station
The Athlone/Moate branch of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) hosted a special event at The Bounty, Athlone to honour and celebrate the careers of three recently retired teachers. This years retirees included, Catherine Ryan from St. Josephs NS, Summerhill, South Roscommon; Adrian Coughlan from Forgney NS, and Martina Mulvey from Ballybay CNS, Kiltoom.

Each of these educators was celebrated for their passion for teaching and their commitment to fostering learning and development in their students over the course of their careers.

Adrian Coughlan was celebrated for his dynamic teaching methods. His classroom was described as a well-oiled machine, where Thursday mornings became famous for public speaking and reports, and his termly project work left a lasting mark on his pupils. Adrian mastered the art of teaching four classes in one room, effortlessly differentiating lessons to meet the needs of all students.

Catherine Ryan received heartfelt tributes for her lifelong commitment to supporting pupils with additional needs. Her unwavering dedication to helping these students succeed and feel included was a defining feature of her career. Catherines patience, empathy, and determination to ensure every child had the opportunity to excel served as an inspiration to her colleagues and a lifeline to her pupils.

Pictured at an Athlone/Moate branch of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) event at The Bounty, Athlone celebrating the careers of three recently retired teachers were Lisa Quigley, Chairperson Athlone/Moate INTO branch, Catherine Ryan, St Joseph's Summerhill NS and Jackie Nevin, Vice-Chairperson Athlone/Moate INTO branch. Pic: Padraig Devaney

Martina Mulvey was praised for her ability to create a secure, nurturing learning environment in her classroom. Martinas approach ensured that every child felt truly valued, not just for their academic achievements but also for who they were as individuals. Her kindness and unwavering sense of fairness were evident in every interaction with her pupils, inspiring confidence and trust. This caring approach seamlessly merged with her orderly classroom management, fostering an atmosphere where students were encouraged to reach their full potential both academically and personally.

Pictured at an Athlone/Moate branch of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) event at The Bounty, Athlone celebrating the careers of three recently retired teachers were Lisa Quigley, Chairperson Athlone/Moate INTO branch, Martina Mulvey, Ballybay CNS, Kiltoom, and Jackie Nevin, Vice-Chairperson Athlone/Moate INTO branch. Pic: Padraig Devaney

Although Carmel Browne, current President of the INTO, was unable to attend the event in person, she sent a special message to the retirees: I want to take this opportunity to thank you sincerely for your participation in INTO as a member first and foremost, but I also want to acknowledge those of you who acted as Staff Reps, Branch Officers, or in other INTO leadership roles. Your endeavours have been invaluable and no doubt influenced others to become activists. Mile Buiochas."

The event was co-hosted by branch Chairperson Lisa Quigley and Vice Chairperson Jackie Nevin, who guided the evenings proceedings.

INTO Vice President Anne Horan addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude to the retirees for their immense contribution to education.

Also present on the night was Peter OToole, District 7 CEC Representative of the INTO, who spoke about the vital role teachers played in shaping society.

Athlone/Moate INTO branch committee members. Pictured left to right front row, Arthur Geraghty, Sarah Lantry, organiser, Lisa Quigley, Chairperson, and Catherine Ryan. Left to right back row: Elaine Kincaid, Secretary, Emma Connolly, Jackie Nevin, Vice-Chairperson and Helen O'Toole. Absent from the picture - Orla Fogarty, Mary Murphy, and Dolores Killian. Pic: Padraig Devaney

Frances OToole, who represented the Retired Teachers Association of Ireland, warmly welcomed the new retirees to join the association and outlined some of the recent activities organised for retired teachers. These included social outings, all designed to foster support among retired colleagues. She encouraged the new retirees to take advantage of these opportunities, highlighting the benefits of staying connected and active in their retirement.

Each retiree was presented with a commemorative gift and certificate as a token of appreciation from the branch.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the night featured lively traditional Irish music by Folklure whose performances brought joy and energy to the event. Photographer Padraig Devaney was on hand to capture the evenings special moments.

Chairperson Lisa Quigley expressed her gratitude to the organising committee and all those who attended. She has special thanks to branch Secretary Elaine Kincaid for her hard work behind the scenes in organising the event, alongside the dedicated members of the INTO Athlone/Moate Branch Committee.

Tonight, we celebrate not just careers but lifetimes of dedication to the education and well-being of our children. On behalf of the Athlone/Moate Branch of the INTO, I extend our deepest thanks and best wishes to Catherine, Adrian, and Martina as they move into this exciting new chapter of their lives, she said.

The Athlone/Moate INTO branch continues to uphold its strong tradition of supporting teachers throughout all stages of their careers, from their first classroom to retirement and beyond.
A Roscommon and an Athlone student were among 82 students from across seven Irish universities awarded scholarships as part of Johnson & Johnsons prestigious Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Undergraduate Awards at a national event held in Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick.

Niamh Jordan (Athlone) is a Biological and Biomedical Sciences student at Trinity College Dublin, and Jennifer Kenny (Roscommon), is an Undenominated Sciences student at University of Galway. The awards recognise outstanding female students in STEM2D disciplines - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design.

Eighty two students received awards as part of the programme, a 33% increase in recipients compared to 2023, highlighting the programmes growing impact and recognition of talented female students in STEM2D fields.

This is the ninth year of the annual awards programme in Ireland.

A day-long event, structured to foster their growth and development, was hosted by the company at Thomond Park stadium. Attendees availed of workshops and breakout sessions, gaining essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for successful careers.

Anna Rafferty, WiSTEM2D University Sponsor and Senior Director, Government Affairs Supply Chain, Technical Operation and Risk, Johnson & Johnson EMEA, said: Our commitment to empowering women in these critical areas is not just a business priority; it's a core value that drives our innovation and progress. By investing in their potential, we are not only shaping the future of health and technology but also fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce essential for tackling the challenges of tomorrow. Together, we are igniting a new generation of leaders who will redefine whats possible in STEM, paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all.
A demonstrator tries to take cover from tear gas canisters thrown by Palestinian security forces during a march demanding the lifting of the siege on Jenin camp, in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. Palestinian security forces laid siege to the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday after militants affiliated with the "Jenin Brigade" of the Islamic Jihad Movement and other Palestinian factions seized two vehicles belonging to the Palestinian Authority on Dec. 5, according to the source, who requested anonymity. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- One militant was killed and several others were injured on Saturday after Palestinian security forces clashed with armed Palestinian factions in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian medical source said.

Palestinian security forces laid siege to the refugee camp on Saturday after militants affiliated with the "Jenin Brigade" of the Islamic Jihad Movement and other Palestinian factions seized two vehicles belonging to the Palestinian Authority on Dec. 5, according to the source, who requested anonymity.

During the armed clashes between militants inside the camp and Palestinian security forces, one militant was killed by the security forces' gunfire, while several others were injured. Five members of the Palestinian security forces were also injured, the source said.

Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security.

He said the campaign "aims to restore the Jenin camp from the influence of lawbreakers, who have disrupted the daily life of citizens and deprived them of their right to receive public services freely and safely." 

A demonstrator tries to kick back a tear gas canister thrown by Palestinian security forces during a march demanding the lifting of the siege on Jenin camp, in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. Palestinian security forces laid siege to the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday after militants affiliated with the "Jenin Brigade" of the Islamic Jihad Movement and other Palestinian factions seized two vehicles belonging to the Palestinian Authority on Dec. 5, according to the source, who requested anonymity. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

A demonstrator tries to kick back a tear gas canister thrown by Palestinian security forces during a march demanding the lifting of the siege on Jenin camp, in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. Palestinian security forces laid siege to the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday after militants affiliated with the "Jenin Brigade" of the Islamic Jihad Movement and other Palestinian factions seized two vehicles belonging to the Palestinian Authority on Dec. 5, according to the source, who requested anonymity. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

A demonstrator tries to kick back a tear gas canister thrown by Palestinian security forces during a march demanding the lifting of the siege on Jenin camp, in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. Palestinian security forces laid siege to the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday after militants affiliated with the "Jenin Brigade" of the Islamic Jihad Movement and other Palestinian factions seized two vehicles belonging to the Palestinian Authority on Dec. 5, according to the source, who requested anonymity. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Members of Palestinian security forces stand guard by a street in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. One militant was killed and several others were injured on Saturday after Palestinian security forces clashed with armed Palestinian factions in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian medical source said. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Members of Palestinian security forces stand guard on a street in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. One militant was killed and several others were injured on Saturday after Palestinian security forces clashed with armed Palestinian factions in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian medical source said. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Members of Palestinian security forces stand guard on a street in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. One militant was killed and several others were injured on Saturday after Palestinian security forces clashed with armed Palestinian factions in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian medical source said. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Members of Palestinian security forces stand guard on a street in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. One militant was killed and several others were injured on Saturday after Palestinian security forces clashed with armed Palestinian factions in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian medical source said. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Members of Palestinian security forces stand guard on a street in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Dec. 16, 2024. One militant was killed and several others were injured on Saturday after Palestinian security forces clashed with armed Palestinian factions in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian medical source said. Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, confirmed in a statement that the forces had launched a campaign in Jenin to maintain public security. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
Haryana Suspends Internet Services in Ambala as Farmers Prepare for Third Delhi March

The suspension of internet services has added another layer of complexity to the situation.

Farmers Delhi Chalo Protest March in Shambhu Border Latest News Today: In a bid to control the escalating situation, the Haryana government has suspended internet services in parts of Ambala as a third batch of 101 farmers prepares to march towards Delhi. This comes after the previous two batches were stopped at the Shambhu border, leading to heightened tensions in the region.

The farmers, steadfast in their demands for legal guarantees on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other agricultural reforms, have vowed to continue their march despite the governments measures. The third group is expected to depart today at noon, determined to press forward where others have been obstructed.

Advertisement

The suspension of internet services has added another layer of complexity to the situation. While officials cite "maintaining public order" as the reason, the move has drawn sharp criticism from farmers and their supporters, who see it as an attempt to suppress their movement and disrupt communication.

The government can try to silence us, but we will not back down, said a farmer leader at the Shambhu border. We are marching for our rights and the future of agriculture in this country.

The ongoing standoff has also prompted criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups, who accuse the Haryana government of escalating the conflict rather than engaging in dialogue with the protesting farmers.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, security at the Shambhu border has been intensified, with barricades and additional police forces deployed to prevent farmers from crossing into Delhi.

As the march continues, the farmers determination remains unwavering, with leaders calling on supporters to join them in large numbers. The situation at Ambala and the Shambhu border is being closely watched, as tensions between the farmers and the government show no signs of abating.

(For more news apart from Farmers Delhi Chalo Protest March in Shambhu Border Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Haryana Police Resort to Tear Gas Shells, Water Cannons, Pepper Spray to Stop Farmers

One of the protesting farmers was injured after the police resorted to tear gas shells.

Haryana Police Resort to Tear Gas Shells, Water Cannons, Pepper Spray to Stop Farmers Delhi Chalo Protest March: Tensions escalated at the Shambhu border as Haryana Police deployed water cannons to halt the third batch of 101 farmers participating in the Delhi Chalo protest march.

The farmers, undeterred by the crackdown, had gathered in large numbers to march towards the national capital, demanding a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and other pressing agricultural issues.

Advertisement

The farmers, led by key leaders from various unions, raised slogans condemning the governments indifference to their demands. Despite the heavy police presence, the protesters remained steadfast in their commitment to reach Delhi.

Farmer leaders criticized the use of force, calling it an attempt to suppress their peaceful demonstration.

The third batch follows two previous groups that also faced obstacles at the border. Despite the challenges, the farmers vowed to continue their march until their demands are met.

Advertisement

(For more news apart from Haryana Police Resort to Tear Gas Shells, Water Cannons, Pepper Spray to Stop Farmers Delhi Chalo Protest March, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
December 14, 2024

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 14.12.2024, 13:55

NEGOTIATIONS In Bucharest, negotiations on a future coalition of the pro-European parties in Parliament have made progress with respect to the structure of the new government. The Social Democratic Party will control 7 ministries, the National Liberal Party 4, Save Romania Union 3, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania 2, said the Social Democrats senior vice-president Sorin Grindeanu. It has not yet been decided which ministries will go to each party and the names of the new ministers. On the other hand, the Social Democrats and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians plead for a single presidential candidate of the coalition. After the Constitutional Court cancelled the election for president, the future executive will have to decide by the end of the year on a new presidential election calendar, the UDMR believes. The pro-European parties elected in Parliament hope to come up with a cabinet by Christmas.

EU FUNDING Romania has collected EUR 1.9 billion in EU structural and cohesion funds in 2021-2027, and the overall absorption rate, 6.11%, is close to the EU average of 6.19%, the minister of investments and European projects, Adrian Caciu announced. The absorption rate for the structural and cohesion funds under centrally managed programmes is higher, namely 7.3%, Caciu said in a Facebook post. He emphasised that Romania is yet to catch up on Regional Programmes, where the absorption rate is 3.2%, but he voiced confidence that the example set by the current coalition comprising the Social Democrats and the Liberals in terms of management and implementation of European funds, including decentralisation, will be followed by the new government, and the pace of EU fund absorption will be sustained, so as to replicate the success of the 2014-2020 period.

ECONOMY Romanias trade deficit was EUR 5.5 billion higher in the first 10 months of the year than in the same period in 2023, according to data made public by the National Bank. More than half of this deficit is the result of growing imports of goods. The central bank also says that the total foreign debt went up over EUR 18 billion and exceeded EUR 186 billion. According to analysts, along with the very high budget deficit, these are the main problems of the Romanian economy, and they must be solved concurrently, which is very difficult. They believe that through a correct budget adjustment, expenses would be cut, and revenues could be raised by eliminating corruption and through a fair tax system.

ANNIVERSARY Timisoara marks 35 years since the anti-communist Revolution of December 1989, which broke out in this city in western Romania. Under the motto 35 years of freedom, events dedicated to the 1989 heroes and celebrating the three and a half decades since Timisoara became the first city free from communism in Romania will take place between December 15 and 20. The agenda includes, as every year, religious services, wreath-laying, exhibitions and film screenings. A concert entitled Requiem in Memoriam is scheduled on Sunday at the Banat Philharmonic, Monday will see the inauguration of the Freedom Portal, a light installation that reproduces sounds from the Revolution, followed by the traditional march Heroes Never Die. Tuesday will be a day of mourning, and the events on December 20 will end with a concert called Rock for revolution.

IMPEACHMENT South Koreas prime minister Han Duck-soo Saturday vowed to ensure a stable government after the National Assembly voted to impeach president Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed attempt to introduce martial law on December 3, AFP reports. Tens of thousands of protesters cheered outside the National Assembly building as the vote was announced. Citing difficulties in passing his budget, Yoon Suk-yeol stunned the country by imposing martial law overnight, but was forced to lift it 6 hours later under pressure from parliament and the street. Under investigation for mutiny, Yoon, 63, is banned from leaving the country, as are his former defence and interior ministers and the commander of the short-lived martial law. (AMP)
December 14, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 14.12.2024, 20:00

NEGOTIATIONS In Bucharest, negotiations on a future coalition of the pro-European parties in Parliament have made progress with respect to the structure of the new government. The Social Democratic Party will control 7 ministries, the National Liberal Party 4, Save Romania Union 3, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania 2, said the Social Democrats senior vice-president Sorin Grindeanu. It has not yet been decided which ministries will go to each party and the names of the new ministers. On the other hand, the Social Democrats and and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians plead for a single presidential candidate of the coalition. After the Constitutional Court cancelled the election for president, the future executive will have to decide by the end of the year on a new presidential election calendar, the UDMR believes. The pro-European parties elected in Parliament hope to come up with a cabinet by Christmas.

EU FUNDING Romania collected EUR 1.9 billion in EU structural and cohesion funds in 2021-2027, and the overall absorption rate, 6.11%, is close to the EU average of 6.19%, the minister of investments and European projects, Adrian Caciu announced. The absorption rate for the structural and cohesion funds under centrally managed programmes is higher, namely 7.3%, Caciu said in a Facebook post. He emphasised that Romania is yet to to catch up on Regional Programmes, where the absorption rate is 3.2%, but he voiced confidence that the example set by the current coalition comprising the Social Democrats and the Liberals in terms of management and implementation of European funds, including decentralisation, will be followed by the new government, and the pace of EU fund absorption will be sustained, so as to replicate the success of the 2014-2020 period.

PARLIAMENT On Monday the last week of work for the current legislature begins, with many bills still unfinished for Romanian Senators and Deputies. Until the new Parliament is convened, the Chamber of Deputies should adopt the new Forestry Code, which has been on the agenda for several months. The code is a benchmark in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and a priority for the Government, which says the document must be adopted by the end of the year. The bill provides, among other things, for the seizing of vehicles carrying stolen wood, for green belts around major cities, for preemptive rights and reasonably priced quality materials for local furniture manufacturers, for video monitoring of forest roads, and bans clear-cutting in all protected areas. Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to vote on a bill punishing holders of multiple positions financed from the state budget and on another one limiting to two the number of terms in office for the heads of the secret services. The current MPs remain in office until December 20, when the first session of the new Parliament is scheduled, following the December 1 general elections.

ECONOMY Romanias trade deficit was EUR 5.5 billion higher in the first 10 months of the year than in the same period in 2023, according to data made public by the National Bank. More than half of this deficit is the result of growing imports of goods. The central bank also says that the total foreign debt went up over EUR 18 billion and exceeded EUR 186 billion. According to analysts, along with the very high budget deficit, these are the main problems of the Romanian economy, and they must be solved concurrently, which is very difficult. They believe that through a correct budget adjustment, expenses would be cut, and revenues could be raised by eliminating corruption and through a fair tax system.

ANNIVERSARY Timisoara marks 35 years since the anti-communist Revolution of December 1989, which broke out in this city in western Romania. Under the motto 35 years of freedom, events dedicated to the 1989 heroes and celebrating the three and a half decades since Timisoara became the first city free from communism in Romania will take place between December 15 and 20. The agenda includes, as every year, religious services, wreath-laying, exhibitions and film screenings. A concert entitled Requiem in Memoriam is scheduled on Sunday at the Banat Philharmonic, Monday will see the inauguration of the Freedom Portal, a light installation that reproduces sounds from the Revolution, followed by the traditional march Heroes Never Die. Tuesday will be a day of mourning, and the events on December 20 will end with a concert called Rock for revolution. (AMP)
Boston-based regional banks Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. (BHLB) and Brookline Bancorp Inc. (BRKL) are in talks to combine, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The deal, merging two lenders each with about $12 billion in assets, may be announced as soon as next week, the report specified.

Berkshire Hills and Brookline did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the merger, the report stated.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The file photo, taken on Oct. 24, 2023, shows trainees of the 2023 edition of the Seeds for the Future program at the launch ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)

Zimbabwe has made significant strides in developing its digital infrastructure by prioritizing investment in information and communications technologies (ICT), Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera has said.

HARARE, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has made significant strides in developing its digital infrastructure by prioritizing investment in information and communications technologies (ICT), Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Tatenda Mavetera has said.

The prioritization of digital infrastructure has pushed the country's mobile penetration rate to more than 96 percent, the minister told an event Thursday marking the Zimbabwe Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation Week.

"The digital economy is no longer a buzzword. It is a reality that has transformed the way we live, work, and also interact. Artificial intelligence, in particular, has emerged as a game changer with the potential to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and unlock new opportunities," Mavetera said at the event, held at the University of Zimbabwe in the capital of Harare.

Digital infrastructure is essential to any nation aspiring to compete on the global stage, she said, calling for a robust digital infrastructure that can support the demand for emerging technologies.

"By building a resilient digital infrastructure, we provide a fertile ground for creativity and entrepreneurship," Mavetera said. "This is where our youth can realize their potential, where startups can flourish, and where established businesses can also harness technology to improve their operations."

She noted that as a result of improved digital infrastructure, Zimbabwe introduced e-learning platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing schools to continue operating remotely.

The file photo shows university students attending an ICT job fair during the launch of the 2022 Huawei Seeds for the Future program in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sept. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)

Other initiatives that are gaining traction due to improved digital infrastructure include ride-hailing services, mobile money services, and telehealth, Mavetera said.

"Now in Zimbabwe, we have already started instituting telehealth, which is also a step in the right direction, showing that we need to leverage technology for us to enhance our government services," she said.

In addition, Zimbabwe is making strides in the adoption of smart agriculture to provide real-time weather updates for farmers to enhance their productivity and profitability, Mavetera said.

The government has also introduced e-government portals, e-procurement programs, and an electronic case management system under the Ministry of Justice to make government operations more efficient, she said.

Mavetera said the digital divide, however, remains a concern, with many rural communities lacking access to reliable internet and digital services. "Our data storage and computing capabilities also require upgrading to support the demand for efficient internet and other emerging technologies," she said.

The minister called for partnerships between government, industry, and academia to drive AI, innovation, and digital transformation in the country. 
In a genomic study encompassing more than 300 genomes, researchers determined the time period during which Neanderthals interbred with modern humans, starting about 50,500 years ago and lasting about 7,000 years  until Neanderthals began to disappear. That interbreeding left Eurasians with many genes inherited from our Neanderthal ancestors, which in total make up between 1% and 2% of our genomes today.

To date, sequencing of Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes has revealed substantial gene flow between these archaic hominins and modern human ancestors, even as scientists have also reported that Neanderthal ancestry is unevenly distributed across the genome.

Moreover, certain regions of the genome  known as archaic deserts  completely lack Neanderthal ancestry, while others exhibit high frequencies of Neanderthal variants, potentially due to beneficial adaptive mutations.

However, much about the nature of this ancient admixture, including the role evolutionary forces like genetic drift or natural selection played in shaping these patterns, remains unclear.

The timing is really important because it has direct implications on our understanding of the timing of the out-of-Africa migration as most non-Africans today inherit 1-2% ancestry from Neanderthals, said University of California, Berkeleys Dr. Priya Moorjani.

It also has implications for understanding the settlement of the regions outside Africa, which is typically done by looking at archeological materials or fossils in different regions of the world.

The longer duration of gene flow may help explain, for example, why East Asians have about 20% more Neanderthal genes than Europeans and West Asians.

If modern humans moved eastward about 47,000 years ago, as archeological sites suggest, they would already have had intermixed Neanderthal genes.

In the study, Dr. Moorjani and colleagues analyzed genomic data from 59 ancient individuals sampled between 45,000 and 2,200 years before present and 275 diverse present-day individuals.

They examined the frequency, length, and distribution of Neanderthal ancestry segments over time.

They discovered that the vast majority of Neanderthal gene flow is attributable to a single, shared extended period of gene flow that likely occurred 50,500 to 43,500 years ago, which is consistent with archeological evidence for the overlap of modern humans and Neanderthals in Europe.

Additionally, their findings demonstrate that Neanderthal ancestry underwent rapid natural selection  both positive and negative  within 100 generations after gene flow, especially on the X chromosome.

We show that the period of mixing was quite complex and may have taken a long time, said Dr. Benjamin Peter, a researcher at the University of Rochester and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

Different groups could have separated during the 6,000- to 7,000-year period and some groups may have continued mixing for a longer period of time.

But a single shared period of gene flow fits the data best.

One of the main findings is the precise estimate of the timing of Neanderthal admixture, which was previously estimated using single ancient samples or in present-day individuals, said Dr. Manjusha Chintalapati, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley.

Nobody had tried to model all of the ancient samples together.

This allowed us to build a more complete picture of the past

We identified some Neanderthal regions that are present at high frequency, possibly because they were beneficial as early modern humans began to explore new environments outside of Africa.

These include genes related to immune function, skin pigmentation and metabolism.

On the other hand, there are also large regions of the genome that are completely devoid of Neanderthal ancestry.

These regions formed rapidly after the gene flow and were also absent from the earliest modern human genomes, 30,000 to 45,000-year-old individuals.

Many Neanderthal sequences may have been deleterious to humans and were therefore actively and rapidly selected against by evolution.

Diversification of humans outside of Africa may have begun during or soon after the Neanderthal gene flow, which could partially explain the different levels of Neanderthal ancestry among non-African populations and also reconcile our dates with archaeological evidence for the presence of modern humans in Southeast Asia and Oceania by about 47,000 years, Dr. Peter said.

Studying more ancient genomes from Eurasia and Oceania could further our understanding of when humans spread to these regions.

The results appear in the journal Science.

_____

Leonardo N.M. Iasi et al. 2024. Neanderthal ancestry through time: Insights from genomes of ancient and present-day humans. Science 386 (6727); doi: 10.1126/science.adq3010
Botswanan President Duma Boko (L) shakes hands with Emmerson Mnangagwa, president of Zimbabwe and current chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), during the handover ceremony of SADC headquarters building, in Gaborone, Botswana, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)

GABORONE, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Emmerson Mnangagwa, president of Zimbabwe and current chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Duma Boko, president of Botswana, on Friday officially received the SADC headquarters building in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, on behalf of the SADC heads of state and the Botswanan government.

The building was designed, built, and managed under a public-private partnership agreement between the SADC, Bongwe Investments Proprietary Limited, and Botswana.

During the handover ceremony, Mnangagwa said the building symbolizes good cooperation and unity among member states.

"The SADC house stands as a towering symbol of solidarity, unity, freedom, and independence, and most importantly, brings us together as a region," Mnangagwa said.

He praised Botswana for giving the property on which the SADC Secretariat offices are built, emphasizing that the enabling environment allows the secretariat to successfully carry out its mandate.

Boko reiterated Botswana's commitment to the SADC regional integration and the African continent as a whole, adding that the decision to allocate land to the SADC for its operations demonstrates the region's commitment to fostering peace and security. 
Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), announced the organizations growing international cooperation during a full-scale report on Decolonization Day, Azernews reports.

Since launching in September 2023, BIG has established partnerships with various countries and regions, including Corsica and the Union of Comoros.

Abbasov revealed that BIG now cooperates with 14 regions and expressed hopes to expand further, including potential partnerships with Reunion in 2024.

Naturally, the increase in the number of such territories is both positive and negative. Because the identification of such territories shows how many peoples are still under colonial oppression. I think that next year we will start to cooperate with Reunion.

I think that in 2025, from a geographical point of view, BIG cooperation will increase. We will try to give our support within the framework of international law to the regions and peoples affected by the policies of colonialism and neo-colonialism, he added.

It should be noted that the Baku Initiative Group remains steadfast in its support for the freedom and independence of those living under colonial and neocolonial rule, offering both solidarity and practical assistance. At the same time, the organization is dedicated to promoting women's empowerment, advancing human rights, and addressing environmental and cultural issues, reinforcing its comprehensive approach to global justice and equality.
DHAKA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- In a befitting manner, Bangladesh here Saturday observed Martyred Intellectuals Day in commemoration of the martyrdom of the members of the intelligentsia who were assassinated at the end of the country's liberation war in 1971.

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus paid tributes to the martyred intellectuals Saturday morning by placing wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the capital.

They stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to the memories of "Bangladesh's illustrious sons". A contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute.

Later, the president and the chief adviser spoke with war-wounded freedom fighters and family members of the martyred intellectuals.

The memorial was covered with floral wreaths placed by thousands of people from all strata of life and hundreds of political, social and cultural organizations. 
MANILA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A residential fire that broke out Saturday morning in the Philippine capital claimed the lives of five people, the Philippines' Bureau of Fire Protection said.

The bureau said the fire broke out around 7:14 a.m. local time, gutting a house in Navotas City in less than 40 minutes and resulting in the death of five people, a 41-year-old woman and four young females aged 17, 15 and 12.

The victims were rushed to a local hospital, where they were declared dead due to smoke inhalation.

Firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire. 
COLOMBO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives will implement a nationwide ban on the use and sale of vaping devices starting at midnight on Saturday, according to the nation's state-run Public Service Media (PSM).

The ban follows recent amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, signed into law by President Mohamed Muizzu on Nov. 13.

The amendments stipulate that the sale, free distribution, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices will be illegal beginning Dec. 15. The PSM reported that importing vaping devices into the Maldives after this date will result in a fine of MVR 50,000 (about 3,250 U.S. dollars). 
The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) hosted a one-day workshop at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi, focused on the theme 'Energizing the Semiconductor Ecosystem to Make India Self-Reliant in IC Chip Manufacturing'. The workshop, chaired by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Deputy Chief of IDS (Perspective Planning and Force Development), emphasized the urgent need for an 'Indian Defence Semiconductor Policy'. Vice Admiral Vatsayan highlighted that India is on the verge of a transformative shift, driven by increasing demand and proactive government policies.

The workshop aimed to provide a platform for addressing key issues related to Indias journey toward self-reliance in designing, developing, and manufacturing integrated circuits (IC) chips for defense applications. It brought together experts from various sectors, including the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), as well as academia and private industry leaders.

The Workshop provided a platform for brainstorming critical issues pertaining to the theme, by bringing together experts form various Departments of the Ministry of Defence including HQ IDS, Services HQs, DRDO, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) along with Academia and Private Industries. Deliberations were held on Indias journey from Material to Device Fabrication and towards arriving at a road map for making India Self-Reliant in design, development and manufacturing of IC Chips for military applications.

Integrated circuits are the backbone of modern technology, used in smartphones, computers, medical device, automotive systems, military systems, communication networks and critical infrastructure. In todays interconnected global economy, having a semiconductor manufacturing capability reduces dependency on foreign suppliers and minimizes the risk of supply chain disruptions.

Eminent dignitaries including Dr Meena Mishra, OS & Director Solid State Physics Laboratory of DRDO and Mr Utpal Shah, Senior Vice President on behalf of Dr Randhir Thakur, MD & CEO Tata Electronics delivered special addresses.
The Dialogue was led by senior officials from the Indian Ministry of Finance and HM Treasury, with participation from Indian and UK regulatory agencies, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), the Bank of England (BoE) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The Dialogue opened with reflections on developments since the last meeting in April 2023, including the opportunity presented by Indias intention to release a financial sector vision and strategy and the UKs commitment to publishing a financial services growth and competitiveness strategy. Both sides agreed to work to maximise synergies.

Delegates from India and the UK shared perspectives on priorities and ongoing reforms within their respective jurisdictions. The Dialogue focused on collaboration in evolving fields of financial regulation, noting the areas of mutual interest in both markets for increasing bilateral trade and investment between the financial sectors.

Delegates then discussed work on developing our capital markets, noting recent UK reforms to primary and wholesale regimes and new and innovative products launched in Indias capital markets. Both parties reflected on the emerging recommendations from the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP) Capital Markets Working Group report, due to be published at the next Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) and explored further possibilities for increasing cross-border investment, including through direct listings of Indian companies in GIFT IFSC as a first step towards direct listing at the London Stock Exchange and other foreign jurisdictions in future.

Participants discussed their respective insurance regulations and market opportunities. India updated on reforms done and proposed in the insurance sector and noted UK developments on Solvency II and incentivising investment into productive assets. Both parties updated on planned activity under the Pensions and Insurance Workplan, citing opportunities in reinsurance presented by Indias ongoing reform of the regulatory framework for reinsurance, including Order of Preference regulations, and in the London Market. The UK welcomed recent increases in investment into the Indian market by UK insurance companies, and Indias proposal to increase Foreign Direct Investment limits in the insurance sector.

Delegates also discussed ongoing reforms in respective pensions sectors. The UK set out recent reforms announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Mansion House, including the intention to introduce a new Pension Schemes Bill next year, consolidating defined contribution schemes into larger funds. Indian representatives presented on efforts to increase workplace pension participation rates and develop pay out methods. Both sides agreed on the opportunity presented by reforms for exploration of areas of mutual interest, and to support the mutual ambition of driving growth. The UK welcomed the recent notification of pension schemes as financial products to be regulated by IFSCA. It also noted that insurance companies in GIFT-IFSC are allowed to invest overseas and the proposal to enable pension companies in GIFT IFSC to invest overseas is under consideration.

Innovation was a key theme throughout the dialogue, acknowledging the importance of Fintech, and the key role of financial data in enabling business activity. Both parties highlighted priorities identified in the IUKFP Fintech and Data Paper published last year and agreed to host the next meeting of the India-UK Fintech Joint Working Group in early 2025 to take forward agreed priorities. Participants discussed related priorities, including the G20 payments roadmap, digital payment connectivity, regulatory sandbox collaboration, collaboration on Central Bank Digital Currencies, and future cooperation on other emerging technologies including AI and Quantum computing.

The dialogue highlighted the importance of sustainable finance in facilitating a low carbon transition to tackle the climate change. The UK highlighted important outcomes from COP29, and recent Mansion House reforms. India updated on their intention to introduce a climate finance taxonomy as well as recent reforms in the IFSC. Both sides discussed reporting, disclosures and transition finance, as well as reflections on recent Sovereign Green Bond issuances and forward plans. Both sides agreed on the need to continue engaging on sustainable finance, including through the next meeting of the India-UK Sustainable Finance Forum in early 2025.

Finally, participants heard updates on the growth of Indias International Financial Service Centre within GIFT City, noting the location of this edition of the Dialogue, and their plans for further cooperation. They also heard from the UK on the City of Londons strengths as an internationally renowned financial services centre and the opportunity for further collaboration between the two.

The group closed by welcoming the important role of the Dialogue in advancing financial services cooperation between India and the UK, noting the mutual interest in driving stronger growth, growing trade, and creating the right environment to realise the significant commercial opportunities between our markets. The group reaffirmed the important role of the India-UK Financial Partnership in supporting business-to-business links between the markets and providing recommendations on opportunities for addressing any frictions to support further trade and investment.
The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), DoWR, RD & GR, Govt. of India in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, is conducting a two-day Regional Workshop on Rapid Risk Screening of specified dams at Bhopal on 13-14 December 2024, under the aegis of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (DRIP). The objective of the workshop is to sensitize the five states viz. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan about the requirement for timely completion of Risk screening of all the specified dams in their respective states. These states constitute more than seventy five percent of the total number of specified dams in the country. The workshop is focusing in providing the hands-on training to the representatives of these states for carrying out the risk screening. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri Tulsi Ram Silawat, Honble Minister of Water Resources, Madhya Pradesh. He also launched the web-based Risk Screening Tool developed by NDSA under DRIP with the assistance of World Bank experts. This tool is going to facilitate the States in carrying out risk screening in a systematic and expeditious manner.

The event witnessed participation from key dignitaries, including Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti; Sh. Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Sh. Anil Jain, Chairman, NDSA; Shri Anand Mohan, Joint Secretary (RD & PP), DoWR, RD & GR and representatives from the World Bank.

Honble Minister of Water Resources, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Tulsi Ram Silawat highlighted that safety of water impounding structures is inherent in our culture. He stressed that dam safety is paramount for the water security of the country and accordingly, sincere efforts are required to be made in ensuring safety of these modern temples of our country with due use of latest technology.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR elucidated the efforts made by DoWR, RD & GR in development of the Risk Screening Tool over the last three-four years with active consultation with global experts and extensive validation of the tool for Indian conditions. She also stressed the critical role likely to be played by this tool for risk-informed decision making. Simultaneously, she cautioned that due-diligence is required to be exercised while carrying out assessment using this tool to ensure the quality of outcome. She exhorted that ensuring dam safety is not a one-time process, rather, it is a continuous process.

Sh. Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary, WRD, Govt. Of Madhya Pradesh highlighted the commitment of Madhya Pradesh Government for ensuring time bound action in carrying forward various activities leading to dam safety management.

Sh. Anil Jain, Chairman, NDSA, further elaborated on the Rapid Risk Screening Tool as a significant step towards Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation. He urged state governments to accelerate efforts and ensure the completion of risk assessments within the next six months, enabling informed prioritization of resources and interventions.

Shri Anand Mohan, Joint Secretary (RD & PP), DoWR, RD & GR, while presenting, emphasized that entering important dataset related to dams, an objective approach should be followed and efforts must be taken to minimise the biases at all levels. He pointed out that risk assessment and management provide a framework where all aspects related to dams are integrated to improve the decision making. He also expressed the committed support of Govt. of India to all the States for capacity building of their professionals in this area.

Mr. Przemyslaw Zielinski, a renowned dam safety expert, shared global experience in risk-informed decision-making for managing dams, highlighting how India can be benefitted by adopting this approach through tiered mechanism considering the large number of specified dams in India.

The participating states presented the strategy for completing the risk-screening of all their specified dams by May 2025.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The community gathered at Holy Rosary R.C. Church in South Beach on Thursday night to celebrate a significant Mexican symbol, Our Lady of Guadalupe. The feast day pays tribute to the Virgin Marys first appearance to Juan Diego.

Over 490 years ago, on December 9, 1531, Diego is said to have seen the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, a central figure in Roman Catholic tradition. After his conversion to Christianity, the Virgin Mary appeared and asked for a shrine and church to be built on the spot where she had appeared, according to tradition. Diego went directly to the local bishop and informed him of the apparition, but the bishop did not believe him and asked for a sign to prove the figure was real.

Three days after her first appearance, she surfaced again to help Diego prove her arrival. The Virgin Mary showed Diego where he could pick roses, even though it was winter and they were not in season. Once he had picked the roses, he visited the bishop again. The roses were said to fall to the ground in front of the bishop. Upon witnessing this miracle, he ordered a church to be built on the site of her first appearance, Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City.

Now, every year on December 12, many Roman Catholics celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

My wife and I are members of the church, and she wanted to see it. The father of the church blessed the statue, and everyone who came brought pictures, statues, and trinkets to be blessed, said freelance photographer Dennis Rees.

The night began with a celebration for the Virgin Mary while a mariachi band played music for the entire service, which was conducted in Spanish. As the ceremony concluded, the residents carried the statue of the Virgin Mary to a gymnasium to enjoy a feast together.

Rees stated, After the service, members of the group took their trinkets, memorabilia, and the statue itself and walked from the church to the gym. When we got to the gym, we all had a feast together.

The Mariachi Loco de NY played the music during the service.Dennis Rees

Our Lady of Guadelupe Celebration at Holy RosaryDennis Rees for the Staten Island Advance

- Residents of Staten Island gather at the Holy Rosary to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.Dennis Rees
A teacher in Passaic County, N.J., was arrested Wednesday after an investigation revealed he taped a 9-year-old student to a desk for nearly an hour while a teachers aide failed to intervene, authorities said.

The teacher, Todd J. Lewis, 57, of Wayne, N.J., is charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for an incident that allegedly occurred Oct. 30 in a classroom at Lenox Elementary School in Pompton Lakes, N.J.

The teachers aide, a 67-year-old woman who lives in Pompton Lakes, was issued a summons for fourth-degree cruelty and neglect of children, court records show. The woman was not arrested.

Police said they received a complaint in October that Lewis had placed masking tape around the back of the students neck and secured it to the childs desk for approximately 40-50 minutes.

The teachers aide was present in the classroom the entire time and failed to stop the abuse, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said in a statement.

Lewis appeared in court Thursday and was released on pre-trial monitoring, with special release conditions prohibiting him from contacting minors, including the victim, Valdes said.

Both the teacher and the aide have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of court proceedings, school officials said.

We want to assure our parents, students, staff and school community that we are working very closely with law enforcement to guarantee the safety and security of our students, district Superintendent Paul Amoroso said in a statement.

The employees were placed on leave when this matter was brought to the attention of the school administration and measures have been taken so that the individuals will not have any access to the school premises, Amoroso said.

Attorney information for Lewis and the teachers aide were not contained in court records on Thursday.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No  its a drone! Or  no, wait, maybe its a plane. Actually, hang on 

The FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security cast doubt Thursday on the reports of mysterious drones flying at night over New York and New Jersey in recent weeks. Federal authorities said many of the more than 3,000 drone reports received by the FBI were actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully.

So, how do you tell the difference between a drone and a plane?

It can be challenging to differentiate between the two, experts say. Particularly from a distance or at night, a crafts blinking lights are sometimes all that can be picked out as it moves across the night sky. And both drones and planes can appear to have similar lights.

But there are ways to tell them apart, according to Ian Petchenik, communications director for the live flight tracker Flightradar24.

NJ Advance Media spoke to Petchenik and Pramod Abichandani, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the director of its Advanced Air Mobility Lab, about how to tell a drone and a plane apart in the night sky. Here are their tips:

Objects is the air may be larger than they appear.

When it comes to aircraft, size matters. On the ground, its clear: Airplanes are larger than drones.

One thing we know is that humans, when they see something in the sky, theyre really bad at telling how far away it is, Petchenik said. Our depth perception is awful, particularly at night.

So what appears as a tiny, battery-powered drone a couple hundred feet up in the air might just be a commercial jet airliner cruising at 32,000 feet. Widen your perspective, widen your field of view, Petchenik advised. Things youre seeing are often further away than you think.

Listen closely.

Many multi-rotor drones produce a distinct buzzing or humming noise that makes them distinguishable from the louder jet engines of planes.

Their propellers are directly connected to their motors, which is what produces the noise, Abichandani said.

Some unmanned aerial vehicles, such as fixed-wing drones, which are designed to fly longer distances and carry heavier loads, are generally quieter than multi-rotor drones. But based on the videos and eyewitness accounts hes seen, Abichandani said many of the drones spotted are multi-rotor  and therefore distinctly noisy.

Look closely at the lights.

A drone will often have a simple set of anti-collision lights positioned around its body. These lights can be red, green or white, and are usually displayed in pairs. So, look for two, four or six lights close together, Abichandani said.

Meanwhile, fixed-wing aircraft like airplanes have lights that are more spaced out and a little more sophisticated, he said. While they also sport anti-collision lights, planes will typically have uniform navigation lights: red on the left wing, green on the right wing, and white on the tail.

These colors are the key to decoding a crafts direction. For example, if you see a white light on the left and a green light on the right, that means the plane is moving from left to right from your perspective. If you see all three lights in a row, on the other hand, it means that the plane is moving directly away from you.

Watch how the aircraft moves.

Observing the way the unknown aircraft moves will help narrow down whether its a drone or a plane, according to both Petchenik and Abichandani.

Multi-rotor drones can perform more aggressive maneuvers thanks to their propellers, often making tight controlled turns. They have whats known as six degrees of freedom, a term that refers to an object that can move and rotate up, down, left, right, forward and backward.

Fixed-wing airplanes do not have the same freedom of movement. A plane cannot hover, move sideways, or perform vertical takeoff and landing maneuvers, the way a drone can. Planes have a non-zero turning radius, Abichandani said. If its nose is pointing in a certain direction, that is generally the direction it will move in.

Consider your proximity to an airport.

Just because an object in the sky is far away from where you might usually see an airplane  miles away from the usual flight paths into Newark Liberty International Airport, for instance  doesnt mean that it isnt a plane up there.

There are all sorts of fairly benign reasons a plane might be outside of its usual environment, Petchenik said. Bad weather, holding patterns, loitering for traffic.

Use flight-tracking apps.

Consult flight tracking websites and apps, including FlightAware or Flightradar24, to determine whether youre looking at an airplane. If you see the aircraft turn at any point, you can also compare that to any movement reflected on your screen, Petchenik suggested.

Trust the experts.

Its entirely possible that the glut of drone sightings in more recent days is being boosted by confirmation bias, which is the human tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing views, experts say

Thats why its so important to rely on those with expertise in aviation and drone technology, particularly those who have devoted years to studying them up close and from afar.

Abichandani, who started working with drones around 2007, said he would love for members of the public, particularly those unfamiliar with the craft, to exercise caution and leave the identification work up to the specialists.

If you see something, dont chase it or shoot it down to identify it, he said. Open-source it. Take good photos and videos, zoom in, post it online. Let us help you figure out what it is.

How to file a report with the FBI:

Note the time and location, and take any photographs or video you can. The FBI has 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.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  An 84-year-old man is in critical condition after he was struck by a car while crossing a Tottenville street Friday evening, according to preliminary information from the NYPD.

As reported by the NYPD spokeswoman, the man was struck with a vehicle operated by an 80-year-old woman at around 6:58 p.m. outside of 7309 Amboy Rd.

The victim was taken to Staten Island University Hospital in Princes Bay, as noted by the FDNY.

Following the collision, a stretch of Amboy Road from Sprague Avenue to Wood Avenue was temporarily closed to traffic and sealed off with police tape.

An 84-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Amboy Road in Tottenville on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete

A dark-colored car with a damaged windshield remained on the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing, the NYPD spokeswoman said.

This is just one of several accidents in the last 10 days in which pedestrians were struck by vehicles on Staten Island.

A 60-year-old man died after he was struck by a school bus while he was crossing in the middle of the street during the Wednesday evening rush hour in St. George, according to sources.

Also on Wednesday, a 64-year-old woman was killed when she was struck by a car while walking to work on the Staten Island University hospial campus.

And a 92-year-old female pedestrian was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Hylan Boulevard on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

This is a developing news story and additional details will be added as they become available.
BERLIN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- France and Germany, the "dual engine" of European integration, have recently been caught in significant political dilemmas, including plummeting approval ratings for governing parties, the dissolution of their national parliaments, coalition collapses and cabinet adjustments.

Their domestic turmoil comes amid internal and external pressure, raising concerns about the stability and policymaking in both countries.

FRANCE IN DIVISION

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as new prime minister, the fourth ever nominated this year, after a no-confidence vote last week ousted his predecessor, Michel Barnier.

Bayrou is now tasked with forming a government and pushing the 2025 budget bill through the National Assembly.

France's political gridlock started with this summer's European Parliament elections, which saw a heavy defeat for Macron's Renaissance party and a victory for the far-right National Rally. This setback triggered a crisis of confidence, leading Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call legislative elections.

Macron's centrist coalition lost its majority in the legislative elections, resulting in a fragmented political landscape divided among the left-wing, centrist alliances and the far-right parties.

Meanwhile, France is struggling with a huge budget deficit that amounts to 6.1 percent of its GDP, which Bayrou described as "Himalayas."

A fragmented parliament will inevitably undermine the policymaking ability of Macron's administration, which may lead to an uncertain period of political chaos.

GERMANY'S SNAP ELECTIONS

Germany, Europe's largest economy, is also mired in a political crisis. The governing coalition of the Social Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens, which took office in late 2021, broke down in November after long-standing disagreements on issues such as fiscal policy.

The firing of FDP leader Christian Lindner from the post of finance minister left Chancellor Olaf Scholz with a minority government.

As a result, the government will face a vote of confidence next week in the lower house of parliament, or Bundestag. Scholz is widely expected to lose the confidence vote, which will trigger the dissolution of parliament and lead to snap elections within 60 days.

Major parties in Germany have agreed to hold the federal elections on Feb. 23, 2025. A new chancellor will be elected by the newly elected parliament.

LOOMING UNCERTAINTIES

Both grappling with administrative dysfunction, Germany and France are also pushing diverging agendas at the EU level, which have undermined their role as the leaders of the bloc, said Wu Huiping, deputy director of the German Studies Center at Tongji University.

Germany's current economic downturn, Wu said, weighs heavily on the cohesion of the country's leadership, but the economic difficulties are hard to solve as they are driven by a combination of short-term and long-term factors.

Short-term challenges include surging energy prices after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while in the long term, Germany's economy has been burdened by high labor costs and corporate taxes. Too much bureaucracy, a lack of investment in infrastructure, high social welfare spending, and substantial aid to Ukraine all added to the pressures on the country's public finances, she said.

In the upcoming months, the governments of the two nations will be tested on their ability to address internal challenges like a prolonged economic downturn and alleviating external pressure such as the war in Ukraine.

As Spanish newspaper El Pais opined, the political crisis in the two countries is depriving the EU of its much-needed "dual engine," and hampering the bloc's ability to respond to global challenges.

"There can be no strong Europe without a strong Germany and France," it said. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The 84-year-old man who was struck by a vehicle while crossing a Tottenville Street Friday evening remains in critical condition, an NYPD spokeswoman said Saturday morning.

The incident, which the FDNY says took place at around 6:58 p.m., unfolded in the vicinity of Amboy Road and Fisher Avenue, the spokeswoman shared.

At the time, the 84-year-old pedestrian was crossing Amboy Road mid-block between Fisher Avenue and Wood Avenue when he stopped in the southbound travel lane, police said.

It was at that moment he was struck by a 2017 Buick Regal operated by an 80-year-old female and traveling southbound on Amboy Road, police said.

EMS responded to the scene and transported the man to Staten Island University Hospital in Princes Bay in critical condition, the FDNY said.

An 84-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Amboy Road in Tottenville on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete

The operator of the vehicle remained on scene and there are no arrests in this case as of Saturday morning, an NYPD spokeswoman said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Derek DeHorta, who lives just across from where the collision took place, said he was unsurprised that something like this had happened on Amboy Road.

This has been nuts since last week, he said. Theres been people just honking, screaming at each other, wheels screeching; You know, you can tell theres been a lot of traffic and a lot of problems in this street in particular. So it doesnt surprise me somethings actually happened.

This latest incident marks the third such reported case of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on Staten Island this week.

On Wednesday morning, Kathleen Murphy, 64, of Willowbrook, was killed when she was struck by a car on the Staten Island University Hospital grounds in Ocean Breeze Wednesday morning.

Hours later, around 4:35 p.m., Carl Calabro, 60, of Tompkinsville, was killed after he was hit by a school bus while crossing in the middle of the street during the Wednesday evening rush hour in St. George.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The annual Rosebank Winter Village is back and open for all. The winter festival contains holiday fun for all and an opportunity to support local businesses.

The festival will be open on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Bay Street between Evelyn Place and Belair Road.

The Rosebank Merchants Association, which is hosting the event alongside New York City Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks and the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) expressed excitement in a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

The Rosebank Merchants Association is a group of local businesses on Staten Island that collaborates on area maintenance while creating community events to keep residents connected. The association had an inaugural event that welcomed more than 300 children, and members said they hope to keep this years festival just as exciting.

Light displays have been put up on the Rosebank commercial corridor to light up the way for the event, anticipating the festivals return for the holidays.

There will be a tree lighting ceremony, bouncy houses for the children, a DJ with live music, face painting, and a place to take photos with Santa Claus, organizers say.

There will be Staten Island vendors and local businesses present, and free giveaways to cater to the children.

We look forward to once again partnering with the Rosebank Merchants Association and Council Member Hanks to provide some extra holiday cheer and to support the merchants that help this community thrive,' said Michael Cusick, president & CEO of the SIEDC. The Winter Village and holiday lights honor the spirit of our neighborhood, showcase talented local vendors, and invest in the growth of the commercial corridor.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Two of Staten Islands three Community Boards will hold public meetings this week, with several being held in virtual format, so attendees may participate via Zoom.

All meetings of Community Boards and their committees are open to the public.

Heres a listing of all meetings planned for next week.

Community Board 1

Community Board 1 has several meetings planned this week.

The West Brighton/Randall Manor Area Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m.

On the agenda is a cannabis application for The Brooklyn Green Project, LLC/Flynnstonned Cannabis Dispensary, 755 Forest Ave., West Brighton.

To join the meeting via Zoom, use ID: 275 566 6837. The passcode is E3sv3p.

Also on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. a virtual meeting of the New Brighton/St. George/Tompkinsville Area Committee will take place.

During the meeting, representatives of the city Department of Transportation will discuss issues with the ramp at the Tompkinsville Staten Island Railway station.

To join the Zoom meeting, use meeting ID: 988 0378 9534, and passcode 712393.

The Rosebank/Shore Acres Area Committee Meeting will take place at the board office, 1 Edgewater Plaza, Room 217, at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17.

Illegal extensions and conversions of residential homes to single-room-occupancy homes will be discussed.

Also on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., the Mariners Harbor/Port Richmond Area Committee will meet via Zoom.

Liquor license renewals and applications for the following businesses will be discussed:

Iyoci Inc., dba Romance Bar & Restaurant, 163 Van Pelt Ave., Mariners Harbor

El Taconazo, Inc., 226 Port Richmond Ave., Port Richmond

Deja vu of Staten Island Corp., 297 Port Richmond Ave., Port Richmond

La Tuna Inc., 68 Van Riper St., Graniteville

Goodys Spanish Food & More, Inc., 201 Port Richmond Ave., Port Richmond

The meeting ID is: 878 6787 8755. The passcode is 879472.

On Thursday, Dec. 19, at 6:30 p.m., the Clifton/Concord/Stapleton Area Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at the Stapleton Library and virtually via Zoom. The meeting ID is 852 8932 8780.

Liquor license applications and renewals as well as discussions of hours of operation for the following businesses will be considered:

Latin Grooves Bar & Lounge, 68 Canal St., Stapleton

691 Bay Street, Stapleton

Casa Del Molcajete Inc., 635 Bay Street, Stapleton

A Cannabis application will be considered for Okkersny, LLC, 752 Targee Street, Concord

Community Board 2

There will be a full board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. It will be held in a hybrid format, in person at the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, 1466 Manor Rd., Sea View, and online via Zoom.

A presentation will be delivered by representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and representative of NYC Department of Environmental Protection regarding the construction of a new pond and drainage structure on Quincy Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard in Ocean Breeze.

The construction will cross approximately 39 acres, including the construction of a box culvert and associated drainage structure along Father Capodanno Blvd between Sand Lane and the new pond; protection, relocation and replacement of utilities, roadway restoration, installation of erosion control measures, seeding, landscaping, and site restoration.

After the meeting, it may be also viewed via youtube at https://youtube.com/live/JdJLYrDnBC8 .

Community Board 3

Community Board 3 has no meetings scheduled next week.

Open to the public

All Community Board meetings and meetings of their committees are open to the public. They provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about happenings in their neighborhood and surrounding areas. Below is more information about the Islands three Community Boards:

COMMUNITY BOARD 1

Arlington  Castleton Corners  Clifton  Concord  Elm Park  Fort Wadsworth  Graniteville  Grymes Hill  Livingston  Mariners Harbor  New Brighton  Port Richmond  Randall Manor  Rosebank  St. George  Shore Acres  Silver Lake  Stapleton  Sunnyside  Tompkinsville  West Brighton  Westerleigh.

The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari. The district manager is Joan Cusack. The telephone number is 718-981-6900.

COMMUNITY BOARD 2

Arrochar  Bloomfield  Bulls Head  Chelsea  Dongan Hills  Egbertville  Emerson Hill  Grant City  Grasmere  High Rock  Lighthouse Hill  Midland Beach  New Dorp  New Springville  Oakwood  Ocean Breeze  Old Town  Richmond  South Beach  Todt Hill  Travis.The phone number is 718-568-3581. The fax number is 718-568-3595. The chairman is Fred Guinta. The district manager is Debra A. Derrico.

COMMUNITY BOARD 3

Annadale  Arden Heights  Bay Terrace  Charleston  Eltingville  Great Kills  Greenridge  Huguenot  New Dorp  Oakwood  Pleasant Plains  Princes Bay  Richmond Valley  Richmond  Rossville  Tottenville  Woodrow.The office phone number is 718-356-7900. The board chairman is Frank Morano; the district manager is Charlene Wagner.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Travelers may want to reconsider traveling to two countries in Central America, as the United States issued this week travel alerts due to violent crime that can impact tourists.

The U.S. Department of State issues travel alerts to two countries  Honduras and Costa Rica . The alert for Honduras is a Level 3: Reconsider travel warning due to violent crime, while Costa Rica is at a Level 2: Exercise increased caution due to petty and violent crime.

The state department suggests travelers not go to Gracias a Dios Department, most eastern department, due to violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping  which remain common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, narcotics, and human trafficking, is also widespread.

Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime incidents,' stated the U.S. Department of States travel alert. Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed.

If you decide to travel to Honduras, its suggested to avoid demonstrations, be aware of your surroundings, avoid walking or driving at night, dont physically resist any robbery attempt, be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs, dont display signs of wealth, and dont take public transportation.

In Costa Rica, the warning is less severe, at a Level 2: Exercise increased caution, due to petty crime and violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.

The U.S. Department of State suggests if you plan to travel to Costa Rica to be aware of your surroundings, avoid walking alone on poorly lit beaches or streets, dont resist robbery attempts, and dont display signs of wealth.

U.S. citizens should always exercise caution when traveling abroad.
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) is seen during a European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

In the upcoming months, the governments of the two nations will be tested on their ability to address internal challenges like a prolonged economic downturn and alleviating external pressure such as the war in Ukraine.

BERLIN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- France and Germany, the "dual engine" of European integration, have recently been caught in significant political dilemmas, including plummeting approval ratings for governing parties, the dissolution of their national parliaments, coalition collapses and cabinet adjustments.

Their domestic turmoil comes amid internal and external pressure, raising concerns about the stability and policymaking in both countries.





FRANCE IN DIVISION

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as new prime minister, the fourth ever nominated this year, after a no-confidence vote last week ousted his predecessor, Michel Barnier.

Bayrou is now tasked with forming a government and pushing the 2025 budget bill through the National Assembly.

Francois Bayrou (R, Front) and outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (L, Front) attend the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

France's political gridlock started with this summer's European Parliament elections, which saw a heavy defeat for Macron's Renaissance party and a victory for the far-right National Rally. This setback triggered a crisis of confidence, leading Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call legislative elections.

Macron's centrist coalition lost its majority in the legislative elections, resulting in a fragmented political landscape divided among the left-wing, centrist alliances and the far-right parties.

Meanwhile, France is struggling with a huge budget deficit that amounts to 6.1 percent of its GDP, which Bayrou described as "Himalayas."

A fragmented parliament will inevitably undermine the policymaking ability of Macron's administration, which may lead to an uncertain period of political chaos.





GERMANY'S SNAP ELECTIONS

Germany, Europe's largest economy, is also mired in a political crisis. The governing coalition of the Social Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens, which took office in late 2021, broke down in November after long-standing disagreements on issues such as fiscal policy.

The firing of FDP leader Christian Lindner from the post of finance minister left Chancellor Olaf Scholz with a minority government.

As a result, the government will face a vote of confidence next week in the lower house of parliament, or Bundestag. Scholz is widely expected to lose the confidence vote, which will trigger the dissolution of parliament and lead to snap elections within 60 days.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives for an informal leaders' meeting of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, Belgium, June 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

Major parties in Germany have agreed to hold the federal elections on Feb. 23, 2025. A new chancellor will be elected by the newly elected parliament.





LOOMING UNCERTAINTIES

Both grappling with administrative dysfunction, Germany and France are also pushing diverging agendas at the EU level, which have undermined their role as the leaders of the bloc, said Wu Huiping, deputy director of the German Studies Center at Tongji University.

Germany's current economic downturn, Wu said, weighs heavily on the cohesion of the country's leadership, but the economic difficulties are hard to solve as they are driven by a combination of short-term and long-term factors.

Short-term challenges include surging energy prices after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while in the long term, Germany's economy has been burdened by high labor costs and corporate taxes. Too much bureaucracy, a lack of investment in infrastructure, high social welfare spending, and substantial aid to Ukraine all added to the pressures on the country's public finances, she said.

In the upcoming months, the governments of the two nations will be tested on their ability to address internal challenges like a prolonged economic downturn and alleviating external pressure such as the war in Ukraine.

As Spanish newspaper El Pais opined, the political crisis in the two countries is depriving the EU of its much-needed "dual engine," and hampering the bloc's ability to respond to global challenges.

"There can be no strong Europe without a strong Germany and France," it said. 
At the age of four, Melanie James played piano at the Sydney Opera House. At 13, she was touring Eastern Europe with the City of Sydney concert band. By 15, she was allegedly in a sexual relationship with a bandmate 32 years her senior.

Now, she cant play an instrument without crying.

Melanie James is calling for all members of the NSW Band Association to have a Working with Children Check after she said she was groomed as a young teenager by a member 32 years her senior. Credit: Kate Geraghty

James alleges John Harley, who played alongside her in a community band, groomed and sexually abused her as a teenager in the 1990s.

Grooming was not a crime then, and this masthead does not allege criminal wrongdoing in relation to grooming. Harley declined to comment when contacted by this masthead.
It was an intense mental boot camp, but studying lifes big questions in philosophy led to VCE success for one star pupil.

Melbourne Grammar School student Ryan Mooney said when he talked about studying philosophy, he got many questions.

Melbourne Grammar Schools Ryan Mooney excelled in a more uncommon VCE subject. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Speaking to people outside of my school, they say, Philosophy  isnt that what they talked about 2000 years ago? Why not study maths or something? he said.

But no one could question his marks  Mooney, the vice captain for 2024, received a study score of 47 in the subject and an ATAR of 99.4.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has trodden on the turf of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, his long-term factional rival, for the second time in three weeks while weighing in on her crucial decision on the future of salmon farming.

Albanese visited Strahan, on Tasmanias west coast, to declare his support for salmon farming jobs in Macquarie Harbour even as Plibersek is deciding on the future of the industry in that location.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits salmon farms in Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmanias west coast. Credit:

Plibersek was conspicuously absent from Albaneses entourage as he addressed local media on Saturday, flanked by senator Anne Urquhart, Labors candidate for the seat of Braddon at the coming federal election, and local mayor Shane Pitt.

As long as Im prime minister, there will be support for jobs here in Tasmania because I understand how important it is for the Tasmanian economy, Albanese declared.
The federal budget has taken a $1.8 billion hit as a huge backlog of claims for assistance from the nations defence veterans is finally cleared, and money flows to tens of thousands of people with multiple physical and mental health problems.

This weeks mid-year budget update from Treasurer Jim Chalmers will show one of the biggest cost blowouts is due to faster processing of veterans claims that were left by the Morrison government in 2022.

Faster-than-expected payments to the nations veterans will add $3.5 billion to the budget bottom-line. Credit: AAP

The extra $1.8 billion over the next four years is on top of $6.5 billion that Chalmers revealed in the May budget as public servants dealt with a backlog of claims that at one point reached more than 66,000 people.

Despite recording a $15.8 billion surplus in 2023-24, Chalmers forecast a deficit of $28.3 billion for the current financial year. He is expected to confirm a major deterioration in the budget bottom-line due to a drop in company tax collections and a lift in government costs.
But there is no sign that Groth or anyone else is preparing an imminent challenge. Where a serious challenger would spend their day talking and meeting with colleagues to seek their support, Groth was at his family home at Rye, manning the barbecue and hosting friends for pre-Christmas drinks on Saturday. For all the sizzle about a leadership spill, every party hardhead within the Liberal Party knows that any attempt now would come up a sausage short. Meanwhile, the man who came within a solitary vote of beating Pesutto in a party room ballot two years ago, Brad Battin, publicly hosed down the prospect of a spill in coming days. I dont say it necessarily means there is going to be a challenge in the near future, but it does mean we have to have a discussion within the party, he told Sky News Steve Price.

In the same interview, he also said he had no prior inkling of Groths plans. This is consistent with what other MPs close to Groth have told this masthead. He is a great guy, Battin said. He has come into parliament full of passion, he is committed. He knows that he one day has a future in this party, and I know his decision was based on his beliefs and his values. Thats a decision he has made by himself. For all the sizzle about a leadership spill, every party hardhead within the Liberal Party knows that any attempt now would come up a sausage short. Groth is not a member of the conservative grouping within the Liberal party room that Battin nominally leads. Nor is he acting with the support of moderate MPs who share his dismay about the outcome of ousted MP Moira Deemings successful defamation claim against Pesutto.

Pesutto was ordered on Thursday to pay $300,000 in damages and savaged over his time in the witness box in a 250-page judgment that found he injured Deemings reputation by repeatedly and falsely implying that she knowingly associates with neo-Nazis. One long-serving MP, who requested anonymity to discuss internal party matters, expressed their exasperation that, at a time when the polls suggest the Liberal Party is a genuine chance of forming Victorias next government, one of its least experienced members has found a new way to blow the joint up. Loading The bloke joined the Liberal Party five minutes before he sought preselection, they said. If his talent was as big as his serve he would be great, but it is not. This is really a moment of truth for the Liberal Party. Are we serious about winning the next election or do we want to stuff around?

Another Liberal MP said Groth had most likely destroyed whatever future leadership prospects he had. I dont think the party room will ever now turn to him, they said. There are Liberal MPs who have spent the best part of 20 years in parliament and only four in government. This is a soul-destroying way to spend what should be the most productive years of your working life. Even if they arent strong backers of Pesutto, they understand how difficult it is to beat Labor in Victoria. Right now, they cant see a would-be leader who gives them a better chance than Pesutto. As one put it: If not JP, who else? The next significant development in this saga could well play out in the Federal Court, rather than the party room, when the parties to the Deeming v Pesutto defamation case return to argue about costs. Loading

Under Federal Court rules, Pesutto has 21 days from the date of last Thursdays judgment to pay the $300,000 damages order made against him. That sum accrues at the rate of 3 per cent interest, which means Pesuttos debt will be about $315,000 when it is due. It is a tidy sum for someone on a parliamentary salary. Then there is the matter of costs. There is no dispute between the parties that on February 8 this year, Deemings lawyers put a compromise offer to Pesutto to drop the case if he agreed to pay $99,000 in damages and her legal costs and concede judgment against him. At the time, Deemings costs were modest. They are now estimated to have reached somewhere between $2 million and $3 million. In standard litigation, the loser of a case expects to pay about 70 per cent of the winners costs. Because Pesutto refused what Deemings lawyers will argue was a reasonable settlement offer before this case had chewed serious court time, he may be hit with a costs order for more than 90 per cent of Deemings legal bills. This is serious money. If Deemings lawyers doubt Pesuttos capacity to pay  notwithstanding the financial support he has been promised by a trio of former Liberal premiers in Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine  they may seek a costs order against his donors.
A widening trust deficit has emerged between Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas and some of Australias leading economists over the sustainability of the states finances after his mid-year budget update revealed the government will spend nearly $40 billion more than it earns over the next year four years.

Pallas was buoyant when he released the latest figures on Friday, declaring the combination of economic growth above the national average, strong employment and a marginal improvement to the states forecast bottom line demonstrated the governments post-COVID fiscal repair strategy was working.

Treasurer Tim Pallas is sticking to his strategy of budget repair despite the misgivings of economists. Credit: Joe Armao

Claiming he had overseen a dramatic improvement in the states accounts and a profound economic and fiscal resurgence, Pallas pointed to forecasts showing that net debt as a percentage of gross state product will fall for the first time in seven years.

I dont want to mislead you to say that the government has effectively declared its fiscal strategy is at an end and concluded, he said. What it does tell us is that the strategy is working and working very dramatically.
House prices have soared on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula over the past five years, and some areas have risen by as much as two-thirds.

Experts say the pandemic acted as a catalyst for the boom in these coastal areas, as buyers shifted their lifestyle preferences.

Prices in many of those towns once rose even higher and have edged back over the past 12 months amid a broadly weak property market, higher taxes for secondary homes and higher interest rates.

Anglesea recorded the steepest five-year rise. Property prices there skyrocketed by 67.4 per cent to reach a median of $1,467,500, Domain data shows.
A Wollstonecraft unit sold for $1.16 million at auction on Saturday to a buyer who already owns another in the building.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 4/1 Milner Crescent had a guide and reserve of $1 million.

Bidding was slow to start on the deceased estate but kicked into gear after an opening offer of $1 million. Five out of eight registered bidders raised the price in increments of $10,000 and $5000.

The successful buyer purchased the unit as an investment property, outbidding first home buyers from St Leonards and the eastern suburbs.
Brisbane: Cricket fans in Brisbane received full refunds after a wet opening day of the third Test between Australia and India that even meteorologists got horribly wrong.

Just 80 legal deliveries were sent down at the Gabba on Saturday after India won their third straight toss of the series and sent Australia in to bat with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on a knifes edge at 1-1.

Usman Khawaja (19 from 47 balls) and Nathan McSweeney (four from 33) had their innings interrupted by a brief delay 5.3 overs into the match before a heavier downpour had supporters finding shelter and ground staff throwing covers on a pitch that looked less green than it did three days prior.

The entire outfield at the Gabba was under water at one point as television and radio broadcasters did their best to keep things ticking over when no further play looked inevitable.
PHILIPSBURG:---On the morning of December 13, 2024, at approximately 7:00 AM, Central police dispatch of (KPSM) received a distress call regarding a gentleman found unresponsive on Peppermint Drive in Cay Hill. Upon arrival, patrol officers encountered a male individual showing no signs of life.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim, who was in his seventies and had been reportedly ill for some time, was discovered by family members in this tragic situation earlier in the morning. The evidence gathered at the scene strongly indicates that the individual took his own life.

The Sint Maarten Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and friends of the deceased. We extend our thoughts and prayers to them during this incredibly difficult time and wish them strength and comfort as they navigate this loss.

KPSM would also like to take this opportunity to remind the community of the importance of mental health awareness. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to local support services or speak with a trusted individual. Help is available, and no one has to face these challenges alone.

KPSM Press Release.
HOUSTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday filed a lawsuit accusing a New York doctor of directly violating the state's law by prescribing abortion drugs to a woman living in the Republican-run state, Paxton's office announced.

The case sets up the first legal battle between Texas' near-total abortion ban and New York's shield law protecting providers from out-of-state investigations and prosecutions.

"Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter, a New York doctor and founder of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, unlawfully provided a Collin County resident with abortion-inducing drugs that ended the life of an unborn child and resulted in serious complications for the mother," the Texas lawsuit said.

"In this case, an out-of-state doctor violated the law and caused serious harm to this patient", according to the lawsuit.

The mother, a 20-year-old woman, was sent to the hospital for severe bleeding shortly after taking the medication in July, according to local media reports.

Paxton requested the Collin County court enjoin Dr. Carpenter from violating Texas law and impose civil penalties of no less than 100,000 U.S. dollars for each violation of the state law, which prohibits a physician or medical supplier from providing any abortion drugs by courier, delivery, or mail service.

Texas laws also ban physicians without valid Texas medical license from treating patients or prescribing Texas residents medicine through telehealth services.

However, the New York shield law requires the state to refuse to order Carpenter to comply with Texas' court orders, which effectively will leave Texas no defendant to bring this suit against, David Cohen, a law professor at Drexel University, told The Texas Tribune.

"The New York shield law exists to prevent Texas from having any ability to get someone in New York who is following New York law into Texas court in any way," said Cohen.

Seven other states have passed similar shield laws since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, according to a report from The Guardian.

On average, in every month between April and June 2024, shield laws helped providers send pills to more than 9,700 people who live in states with abortion bans, said the report, citing #WeCount, a research project by the Society of Family Planning. 
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday morning, representatives from the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, substation Sint Maarten, and the Gendarmerie convened for a follow-up meeting to address the escalating security concerns in the Simpson Bay lagoon area following a series of recent thefts. The meeting solidified the plan for enhanced interdepartmental coordination to improve security and deter criminal activities.

Key outcomes of the meeting include the immediate implementation of coordinated patrol schedules and the introduction of joint patrols in strategic areas. These measures will be rolled out with immediate effect to maximize the effectiveness of resources and ensure a visible security presence in vulnerable areas. "This marks a new chapter in our joint efforts to protect the Simpson Bay Lagoon community, "said Jurandy Sambre, Head of Operations for the Coast Guard Substation. "By uniting our forces, we are taking decisive action to address security concerns and provide peace of mind to the boating community and residents in the affected area.

"Commander of the Gendarmerie, Hugues Loyez, emphasized the importance of proactive collaboration, stating, "The implementation of these measures reflects our shared commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. This marks a crucial step forward in our mission to combat crime effectively. In addition to these measures, both departments are urging anyone who has recently been a victim of theft or burglary on either side of the island to file a police report with the respective authorities. This information is essential for guiding security operations and ensuring proper follow-up on reported incidents.




~End the Kingdom's double standard in heritage protection.~

The battle between the preservation of St. Eustatius' cultural heritage and new infrastructure projects continues, despite the efforts of the heritage inspector who must defend the island's historic sites on his own. The ongoing infrastructure development projects on St. Eustatius have resulted in the degradation of significant heritage sites, sparking concerns regarding the conservation of the island's cultural and historical legacy. Poor planning practices prioritizing efficiency and cost savings over cultural preservation contribute to the deterioration of the sites.

Kenneth Cuvalay, president of the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance, calls for equal treatment in heritage legislation within the Dutch Kingdom: In the European part of the Kingdom, you can file a complaint with the ministerial Heritage Inspectorate who has the legal authority to halt these violations. However, the Heritage Inspectorate has no authority on St. Eustatius, and that must change. Cuvalay, therefore, calls for a change in the Heritage Act 2016.

Affected sites that got damaged

Of particular concern is the current ongoing Oranje Bay Road project, which has also resulted in the degradation of heritage sites, with instances of illegal dumping of cement observed at these locations by the responsible contractor, as evidenced in the accompanying image. This worrisome trend of continued unlawful disposal of excess cement not only contravenes legal regulations but also violates the Malta Convention treaty, an internationally recognized agreement ratified by the Netherlands and integrated into the Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsprogramma Caribisch Nederland (ROCN) that the local government approved itself.

Construction companies are ignoring cultural heritage regulations.

Since the controversial Golden Rock excavations in 2021, the St. Eustatius government has agreed to work according to the ROCN policy. The development of this policy aims to maintain the islands' livability in the future. According to the ROCN, whenever a piece of ground is disturbed, it has to be done without damaging natural and cultural values. When archaeological objects are in danger of being damaged, the one who does the damage is responsible for taking care of that archaeological heritage.

Companies with head offices in the Netherlands, like Statia Roads & Constructions, but also Rijkswaterstaat (the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), accustomed to these regulations, appear to believe they can disregard the laws and heritage on St. Eustatius. The heritage inspector of Statias government inspects the work on a regular basis and gives the companies instructions on how to prevent damage. Conversations the Alliance had with him revealed that once he turned his back, the companies simply continued to violate regulations. Local contractors generally follow the instructions of the heritage inspector to prevent damage.

Inadequate infrastructure planning

Recent infrastructure development projects have raised concerns regarding inadequate engineering planning for the islands' invaluable historical sites. Poor planning practices contribute to the deterioration of these sites, which not only embody the islands' past but also hold the potential for boosting tourism. The rigidity of infrastructure plans without room for adjustments often results in irreversible damage. This approach, prioritizing efficiency and cost savings over cultural preservation, neglects the fundamental infrastructure needs that have been addressed over the past decades. In light of the ROCN illegal practices take place within the departments involved, as construction contracts frequently lack clauses aimed at safeguarding heritage sites.

Without a shift in focus, the departments involved with infrastructure and the associated companies continue working the way they do, the so-called Historic Gem of the Caribbean will soon be a concrete blob with no history left.
UK, Italy, Japan to develop next-generation fighter jet



London, Dec 13 (AFP) Dec 13, 2024



The UK, Italy and Japan on Friday launched a joint venture to develop a supersonic next-generation fighter jet by 2035, replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC) will each hold a 33.3 percent share in the new venture, "marking a pivotal moment for the international aerospace and defence industry," they announced in a press release.

JAIEC is a firm jointly funded by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies.

"Today's agreement is a culmination of many months working together with our industry partners and is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in this strategically important programme," said Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems Chief Executive.

The venture will "bring together the significant strengths and expertise of the companies involved to create an innovative organisation that will lead the way in developing a next generation combat air system, creating long-term, high value and skilled jobs across the partner nations for decades to come," he added.

The three partners have agreed to form a new company under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a multinational initiative established by the UK, Japan and Italy in 2022 to develop a sixth-generation stealthfighter to replace the Typhoon and Japanese F-2.

The joint venture is expected to be established by the middle of 2025 and will undertake the design and development of the GCAP aircraft.

It will subcontract the manufacturing and final assembly of the aircraft to BAE Systems, Leonardo, MHI and the wider supply chain.

The aircraft is due to enter service in 2035, ahead of the competing European project FCAS -- led by Paris, Berlin and Madrid -- and is expected to be in service until 2070.



- China, Russia threats -



The new company will be headquartered in the UK and its first CEO, whose name has not been announced, will be Italian.

"The way might not always be simple and straightforward. However, I believe that through continuing the strong spirit of trilateral cooperation and collaboration... we will not only deliver the GCAP on time but also at a level that exceeds all of our expectations," said JAIEC president Kimito Nakae.

The Italian defence ministry has already allocated 8.8 billion euros ($9.2 billion) to the program, Roberto Cingolani, the CEO of Leonardo, said in November, although the total budget of the project has yet to be revealed.

Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto hailed the announcement as an "important step" and "a remarkable example of the strong international cooperation between our nations".

GCAP aims to counter the threats posed by Russia and China and will merge two different aircraft program -- the UK and Italy's "Tempest" and Japan's "F-X".

The objective is to develop a twin-engine stealth aircraft that could be operated with or without a crew, would boast features such as laser-directed weapons and a virtual cockpit and would be much harder to detect using radar and infrared.

New technologies being explored for Tempest include the integration of AI and augmented reality and the ability to conduct missions alongside drones.

Visiting the Farnborough Air Show in July, where a model of the aircraft was unveiled, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed "just how important a program this is" for the country.

But Mike Schoellhorn, the CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said in July that the competition between GCAP and FCAS was "not logical".

Cingolani has not ruled out a possible rapprochement.

"I'm not saying merging, maybe this is too much, but for sure some collaboration. It's too early to say, we're just at the beginning," he told AFP.
Blinken presses Iraq on Iran-backed groups, seeing Syria window



Aqaba, Jordan, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2024



US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Iraq to crack down on Iranian-backed militias, seeing an opening after the downfall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad put Tehran on the back foot, a US official said.

Blinken met Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad on Friday as part of a last-minute regional tour after Islamist-led Syrian rebels ended a half-century of rule by the Assad clan, a major ally of Iran.

A US official said Blinken told Sudani that Iran was at its weakest in some time and that Iraq had an opportunity to reduce Tehran's influence.

Specifically, Blinken asked Sudani to clamp down on Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite armed groups, who for years have periodically attacked US forces in Iraq, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Blinken also asked Sudani to help prevent the transfer of Iranian weapons across Iraqi territory to any affiliated groups in Syria, the official said.

Blinken was more circumspect in his public remarks, saying after their meeting in Baghdad that the US was committed to "working for Iraq's sovereignty to make sure that that is strengthened and preserved".

"I think this is a moment as well for Iraq to reinforce its own sovereignty as well as its stability, security and success going forward," he said, without naming Iran.

Iran's clout rose sharply in its fellow Shiite-majority neighbour after the 2003 US-led invasion toppled Tehran's foe Saddam Hussein.

Assad's government in Syria had long been propped up with help from Iran and its powerful ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Tehran-backed group, however, suffered heavy losses in its recent war with Israel, which has also struck Iran-linked targets within Syria.

Assad's other key backer Russia, meanwhile, has been tied up by its invasion of Ukraine.

The US official declined to say how Sudani responded to Blinken's request, other than to say the prime minister expressed hope Iraq could avoid becoming embroiled in a conflict.

Blinken also promised to work with Iraq to prevent a resurgence of the ultra-violent Islamic State group, which established a self-styled caliphate across vast swathes of Iraq and Syria a decade ago before counter-offensives backed both by the United States and Iran.

The Iraqi government has close ties to Iran, and US President Joe Biden's administration has agreed with Baghdad to reduce the remaining US troop presence in the country -- a long-standing demand of Iran-aligned militias there.

The incoming administration of Donald Trump is expected to harden US actions against Iran, even though the president-elect has also voiced a willingness for deal-making.

The Biden administration last month extended again a waiver allowing Iraq to buy electricity from Iran in spite of sanctions.

Lawmakers from Trump's Republican Party lashed out at the move, saying that Biden was permitting a major cash flow to Iran that worked against international efforts to isolate it.
Brazil ex-defense minister arrested in coup plot investigation



Brasilia, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2024



Brazilian authorities on Saturday arrested Braga Netto, a former defense minister and close ally of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, on suspicion of obstructing an investigation into an alleged coup attempt in 2022, a police source told AFP.

Brazil's Federal Police said it had detained "people who would be obstructing" the investigation.

"Braga Netto was arrested in the operation," the source said.

In late November, police released a report recommending the indictment of former far-right president Bolsonaro and several dozen allies for attempting a coup d'etat to prevent the inauguration of leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The list included Netto, who was also his running mate in the 2022 elections.

Attorney general Paulo Gonet has been examining the allegations to see if evidence supports charges being laid against Bolsonaro and the 36 others named as co-conspirators.

The 884-page report drawn up after a nearly two-year police investigation urges Gonet to indict Bolsonaro and the others for planning an attempted coup and seeking to "violently overthrow the democratic state."

It details alleged collusion between Bolsonaro and some of his officials, including members of his military brass, to claim fraud in the 2022 elections won by Lula and to use decrees to sideline the Supreme Court.

"The then-President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, actively participated in the creation of the coup plan, being directly involved in the drafting of documents and strategies to remain in power, even after the electoral defeat," the report said.

Bolsonaro was also "fully aware" of an alleged plan by elite soldiers to assassinate Lula, his vice president and a Supreme Court judge, said the report.

The plan, called "Green and Yellow Dagger," was allegedly discussed at Netto's home.

It was printed at the Planalto palace, the seat of the Brazilian presidency, according to investigators.

A draft of the coup plan was found at the headquarters of Bolsonaro's Liberal Party among the belongings of one of Netto's advisors.
Explaining that the BSB appears to have spent almost 40,000 of barristers money on instructing counsel in her case, she added: I think its shameful that theyre using our money to pay for, in my view, malicious, vexatious prosecutions which I have no doubt was a personal attack against me as a woman and as a feminist, as an outspoken critic and advocate for womens rights.
OTTAWA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Canada will make a robust response if President-elect Donald Trump imposes steep tariffs on Canadian goods, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Friday.

"In the event that the United States were to impose unjustified tariffs on Canada, of course we would respond. The Canadian response would necessarily be robust. I am confident that it would be effective," Freeland said.

Freeland, who is leading the cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations, said Canada's previous experience with tariffs during Trump's first term in office led to a great outcome.

Trump triggered a nearly yearlong trade war in 2018, imposing a 25 percent tariff on Canadian steel products and a 10 percent one on Canadian aluminum. In response, Canada introduced a 25 percent counter tariff on a long list of American steel and aluminum products, along with a 10 percent surtax on miscellaneous U.S. goods including coffee, prepared meals and maple syrup. Those retaliatory levies were eventually lifted in 2019 after Canada, the United States and Mexico reached a deal, local media reported.

"For a Canadian response to be strong and effective, Canada needs to be united, and that's why we need to have good ongoing conversations with the premiers of provinces and territories," Freeland said.

On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial leaders to discuss Trump's threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports unless both countries stop illegal immigration and the smuggling of the opioid fentanyl into U.S. territory.

After the meeting, Doug Ford, premier of Canada's most populous province Ontario, warned of cutting off electricity to the United States as a last resort.

The federal government is currently working on a list of potential retaliatory measures, local media reported. 
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
Boeing yesterday announced plans to invest $1 billion in infrastructure upgrades at its Charleston County, South Carolina site. The expansion will create 500 new jobs over the next five years. The announcement was made by the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDC).

Boeing South Carolina is home to the entire 787 Dreamliner production cycle and fabricates, assembles, and delivers the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10. The factory has been in operation for more than 10 years.

Most Read on IEN:

The company established operations in South Carolina in 2009 and employs more than 7,800 people across its airport and north campuses in North Charleston, as well as its west campus in Orangeburg, according to the SCDC.

Boeing will expand a pair of North Charleston campuses to support increased 787 Dreamliner production targets and potential future rate increases driven by market demand. The 787 Dreamliner program plans to increase to a rate of 10 airplanes per month by 2026.

Operations at the new facilities are expected to come online in early 2027.

The Orangeburg facilities are not included in the expansion plans. Boeing acquired its Orangeburg operations in June 2024. The company purchased the facility, which makes metallic engine lip skins for the 737 MAX and 777X, from GKN Aerospace, which was willing to part with its niche spin-forming technology at the site because it wasn't core to the company's product portfolioand Boeing was GKN's only customer. The Orangeburg facilities are not included in the expansion plans.

According to the company, South Carolina is also home to Boeing Research & Technology as well as the company's IT Center of Excellence, Propulsion Systems, Interiors Responsibility Center, and Engineering Design Center. Boeing says it partners with more than 300 suppliers across the state.

Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
Actor Mircea Diaconu passed away on Saturday at the age of 74.

The actor's body will be laid to rest on Monday, between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, in the foyer of the Nottara Theatre, where colleagues and admirers will be able to pay their last respects, as institution representatives told AGERPRES.

Mircea Diaconu was born on December 24, 1949, in Vladesti, Arges County. He graduated in 1971 from the Bucharest Institute of Theatre and Cinematographic Arts, under the guidance of Professor Sanda Manu, according to the biography on the Nottara Theater website, https://www.nottara.ro/.

Since 1970 he acted in dozens of plays and films, and taught film acting since 1990. He was director of the Nottara Theatre from 2001 to 2011. He wrote several books and was a Writers' Guild laureate, Agerpres informs.

From 1998 to 2002, he was a member of the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) and from 7 May to 25 June 2012 he was Minister of Culture in the Ponta government.

From 2008 to 2012, he was a senator in the National Liberal Party group and from 2014 to 2019 he was an independent MEP in the ALDE group. In the 2019 presidential elections, he stood as an independent candidate with the support of Pro Romania and ALDE.

In 2000, he was awarded a For Merit National Order in rank of Officer for outstanding artistic achievements and for promoting culture, and in 2013 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony of the Bucharest International Film Festival.
Around 2,000 professional soldiers took the Military oath on Friday in more than 50 major units of the Romanian Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) announced.

In a message delivered on the occasion, Chief of Defense Staff, General Gheorghita Vlad congratulated the new recruits for their choice.





The taking of the oath will be followed by a specialized training module, after which the soldiers will start their activity in the units in which they were assigned.
AGERPRES special correspondent Florin Stefan, reports: Romanian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from three centrist political groups in the European Parliament argue that the relevant institutions in Brussels must act quickly to combat external interference in elections and the instrumentalisation of social media networks for disinformation, in order to protect future elections in EU member states from unwanted influences.

MEP Dan Barna, vice-president of the Renew group in the European Parliament, maintains that discussions of this nature have already been initiated within the political group he belongs to.





He warned that elections are approaching in Germany and expressed no doubt that these tools' employment, which "prove effective if we don't react," will be attempted.However, he believes that, on the other hand, "the attention on this area will be much greater, including in Romania and from the Romanian authorities," who were caught off guard by factors that influenced the first round of last month's presidential elections, which were eventually annulled by the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR).German Elections: A "guarantee" that Europe will act"Do you know what the biggest guarantee is that Europe will do something? The elections in Germany. They won't allow the elections in Germany to be influenced as much as they were here," European Parliament Vice-President Nicu Stefanuta told AGERPRES, commenting on the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting.The Romanian MEP, elected independently but now affiliated with the Greens group, argues that this is why everyone, from the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is very concerned about the "TikTok issue.""Next week, we have a debate about this in the European Parliament. Beyond the famous fine of 6% of turnover, there are provisions that could lead to a ban in the European Union. I hope it doesn't come to that; it depends on how these companies react. I'm meeting with Meta next week because the issues are not only with TikTok. But it's also a test for the Digital Services Act. Either we take it seriously, or we abandon it," Stefanuta emphasised.He voiced confidence that EU institutions could take impactful measures in this area before the elections in Germany or Romania, which are most likely expected in the spring.Asked how he explains Romania's particular vulnerability to these election influence mechanisms, Nicu Stefanuta compared it to the Republic of Moldova, which had also recently held two crucial elections - the presidential election and the referendum on EU membership."I'll give you an answer that Maia Sandu gave, and I really liked it. She said that their diaspora voted massively pro-EU, while our diaspora voted against the EU. Isn't that strange? It's strange because the Moldovan diaspora knows the realities of Russia much better, they have felt them on their skin much more. We, on the other hand, have started to forget how good it is in the European Union and NATO. We've gotten used to the good, and the vote was still a rejection of the political class and its excesses. But, widely, the difference resides here. We've forgotten what Russia means," said the Vice-President of the European Parliament."We must act in advance and be much more assertive"Romanian MEP Victor Negrescu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) says that the European Union already has mechanisms to combat disinformation but is not enforcing them."We also have a group that should actively combat disinformation through social networks, which can react and block information circulating on social media. This group exists at the European Commission level, but we see that it hasn't been involved in what has happened recently. We also have protocols signed with social platforms to combat disinformation, and there are solutions to curb, control, and block the circulation of this kind of information. All these solutions need to be put together, with a very clear coordination centre to be more operational and more effective in our actions," the other Romanian Vice-President of the European Parliament, from the S&D group, told AGERPRES.He also voiced hope that the EU executive "will react quickly.""Both the presidential elections in Romania and important elections in Germany are approaching, so it is in the interest of the European Union to develop the necessary mechanisms to avoid the recurrence of such situations in the future," Negrescu argued.Asked if anything can improve in the European response to such situations before the Romanian presidential elections in the next three months, Negrescu said, "It is an obligation for Europe to be capable of acting much better and much faster on this matter.""If we want to protect European democracy - we see that these new disinformation tools are much more effective, much harder to block, they generate opinions, meaning we are not just talking about deceiving people, they create climates of opinion that are hard to counter - we need to act in advance," pleaded the PSD MEP."Just today (Thursday - editor's note), I met with President Maia Sandu, and she explained that Russia began its disinformation actions nearly a year before the presidential elections. It's clear that interventions are already happening in all European democracies, and we must counteract these types of information in advance. We can't just act during the election period. And I believe the European Commission made a mistake here, because those tools only become active during the campaign period, but by then, it's too late. By then, the climate of opinion has already been created, so we must act in advance and be much more assertive and coherent in our approach," said the Vice-President of the European Parliament.
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) is a story stock. Management has, to its credit, been moving through the important early chapters and, thus, pushed the tale along in an admirable fashion. But, at the end of the day, Archer Aviation still doesn't have a product or service to sell. It's all just big ideas that might come to fruition. Here's what investors need to consider before they buy Archer Aviation, thinking that it will set them up for life.

Archer Aviation has an interesting goal

If you have ever been stuck in gridlock as you've tried to drive in and around a major city, you'll appreciate Archer Aviation's big idea. It wants to create air taxis, effectively allowing people to fly over the traffic to get to their desired destinations. At one point, that was just a pipe-dream-level idea, but with today's technology, it is very much possible.

Image source: Getty Images.

In fact, Archer Aviation already has a prototype aircraft called Midnight. It is a small, vertical-lift, electric-powered airplane. Archer Aviation is well on its way to reaching its goal. But it still needs to get Midnight fully approved. That is a process that will take a little time. It isn't enough to simply fly a plane one time; U.S. government regulators want to see it fly a lot. And in a lot of different situations. Only when regulators are confident it is safe will they give the final nod of approval.

So, there is still materially more work to be done before Midnight is a viable product. That said, the company is ramping up to be ready to start selling airplanes, assuming Midnight gets approved. That means building out manufacturing facilities and pre-selling planes so there is demand when the company is allowed to sell them. This is a costly and complex effort on both fronts, noting that Archer Aviation is working with customers from around the world.

Archer Aviation, however, is also attempting to build out its own air taxi service. On that front, it has some early approvals and could hit the ground running; it just needs a plane to use. And, of course, it will have to hire and train pilots and build the business needed to support the service.

All in, Archer Aviation is moving toward its goals, but it just isn't there yet.

ACHR data by YCharts

The big problem with Archer Aviation

The progress Archer Aviation is making is the reason for the rapid stock price advance over the past month or so. However, investors need to be careful here, because enthusiasm for a good idea could overtake the reality on the ground. That reality is, simply put, there's a lot more work to be done here. But the doubling of the stock in a month prices in a lot of good news.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. military has transported out of Syria an American who had disappeared seven months ago into former President Bashar Assads notorious prison system and was among the thousands released this week by rebels, a U.S. official said Friday.

Travis Timmerman, 29, was flown out of Syria on a U.S. military helicopter, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.

Its unclear where Timmerman may go next. After being rescued, he thanked his rescuers for freeing him but has told American officials that he would like to stay in the region, according to another person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Timmerman was detained after he crossed into Syria while on a Christian pilgrimage from a mountain along the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle in June.

He told The Associated Press that he was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence.

In his prison cell, Timmerman said, he had a mattress, a plastic drinking container and two others for waste.

He said the Friday calls to prayers helped keep track of days.

Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them, after rebels seized control of Damascus and forced Assad from power in a dramatic upheaval.

He said he was freed by the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer. He had been held separately from Syrian and other Arab prisoners and said he didnt know of any other Americans held in the facility.

Timmerman is from Urbana, Missouri, about 50 miles north of Springfield in the southwestern part of the state. He earned a finance degree from Missouri State University in 2017.

AP reporter Eric Tucker contributed from Washington.
Is he a hero? A killer? Both?

About the same time the #FreeLuigi memes featuring the mustachioed plumber from Super Mario Brothers mushroomed online, commenters shared memes showing Tony Soprano pronouncing Luigi Mangione, the man charged with murdering the UnitedHealthcare CEO in Manhattan, a hero. There were posts lionizing Mangiones physique and appearance, the ones speculating about who could play him on Saturday Night Live, and the ones denouncing and even threatening people at a Pennsylvania McDonalds for spotting him and calling police.

It was all too much for Pennsylvanias governor, a rising Democrat who was nearly the vice presidential nominee this year. Josh Shapiro  dealing with a case somewhere else that happened to land in his lap  decried what he saw as growing support for vigilante justice.

The curious case of Brian Thompson and Luigi Mangione captivated and polarized a media-saturated nation. It also offers a glimpse into how, in a connected world, so many different aspects of modern American life can be surreally linked  from public violence to politics, from health care to humor (or attempts at it).

It summons a question, too: How can so many people consider someone a hero when the rules that govern American society  the laws  are treating him as the complete opposite?

Writings found in Mangiones possession hinted at a vague hatred of corporate greed and an expression of anger toward parasitic health insurance companies. Bullets recovered from the crime scene had the words deny, defend and depose, reflecting words used by insurance industry critics, written on them.

A number of online posts combine an apparent disdain for health insurers  with no mention of the loss of life.

He took action against private health insurance corporations is what he did. he was a brave italian martyr. in this house, luigi mangione is a hero, end of story! one anonymous person said in a post on X that has nearly 2 million views.

On Monday, Shapiro took issue with comments like those. It was an extraordinary moment that he tumbled into simply because Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania. Shapiros comments  pointed, impassioned and, inevitably, political  yanked the conversation unfolding on so many peoples phone screens into real life.

We do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint, the governor said. In a civil society, we are all less safe when ideologues engage in vigilante justice.

But to hear some of his fellow citizens tell it, thats not the case at all.

Like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, D.B. Cooper and other notorious names from the American past, Mangione is being cast as someone to admire.

Regina Bateson, an assistant political science professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has studied vigilantism, the term to which Shapiro alluded. She doesnt see this case as a good fit for the word, she says, because the victim wasnt linked to any specific crime or offense.

As she sees it, its more akin to domestic terrorism.But Bateson views the threats

,

and

ticking up  plus the

against President-elect Donald Trump this past summer  as possible signs that personal grievances or political agendas could erupt.

Americans are voicing more support for  or at least understanding of  political violence, she said.

Shapiro praised the police and the people of Blair County, who abided by a 9/11-era dictum of seeing something and saying something. The commenters have Mangione wrong, the governor 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.

Even shy of supporting violence, there are many instances of people who vent over how health insurers deny claims.

Tim Andersons wife, Mary, dealt with UnitedHealthcare coverage denials before she died from Lou Gehrigs disease in 2022. The business model for insurance is dont pay, Anderson, 67, of Centerville, Ohio, told The Associated Press.

The discourse around the killing and Mangione is more than just memes. Conversations about the interconnectedness of various parts of American life are unfolding online as well.

One Reddit user said he was banned for three days for supporting Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted after testifying he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot two people in 2020 during protests. Do you think people are getting banned for supporting Luigi? the poster wondered.

The comments cover a lot of ground. They include people saying the UnitedHealthcare slaying isnt a right or left issue and wondering what it would take to get knocked off the platform.

You probably just have to cross the line over into promoting violence, one commenter wrote. Not just laughing about how you dont care about this guy.
Bayer AG is approaching a significant milestone in European pharmaceutical regulation as its innovative heart medication Acoramidis receives positive recommendation from the EMAs Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. This development paves the way for potential market authorization in early 2025, representing a crucial opportunity for the pharmaceutical giant. The drug, designed to treat transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, could generate estimated revenues of 260 million euros in the European market by 2030, potentially offsetting declining revenues from their patent-expiring drug Xarelto. The exclusive European marketing rights acquired in March demonstrate Bayers strategic positioning in the cardiovascular therapeutics sector. Market Performance and Outlook The companys stock continues to face significant headwinds, with shares recently declining 1.1% to 19.96, marking a dramatic 45% decrease from its 52-week high of 36.09. Despite current market challenges, including a reported loss per share of 4.26 in Q3 2024, Analysts maintain optimism with an average fair value estimate of 27.22 per share. Forecasts project earnings of 4.93 per share for 2024, with an anticipated dividend of 0.985, as investors await the companys Q4 2024 results scheduled for March 5, 2025. Ad Bayer AG Stock: New Analysis  15 December Fresh Bayer AG information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Bayer AG analysis

Bayer AG is approaching a significant milestone in European pharmaceutical regulation as its innovative heart medication Acoramidis receives positive recommendation from the EMAs Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. This development paves the way for potential market authorization in early 2025, representing a crucial opportunity for the pharmaceutical giant. The drug, designed to treat transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, could generate estimated revenues of 260 million euros in the European market by 2030, potentially offsetting declining revenues from their patent-expiring drug Xarelto. The exclusive European marketing rights acquired in March demonstrate Bayers strategic positioning in the cardiovascular therapeutics sector.

Market Performance and Outlook

The companys stock continues to face significant headwinds, with shares recently declining 1.1% to 19.96, marking a dramatic 45% decrease from its 52-week high of 36.09. Despite current market challenges, including a reported loss per share of 4.26 in Q3 2024, Analysts maintain optimism with an average fair value estimate of 27.22 per share. Forecasts project earnings of 4.93 per share for 2024, with an anticipated dividend of 0.985, as investors await the companys Q4 2024 results scheduled for March 5, 2025.

Ad

Fresh Bayer AG information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.
Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, offers a toast to the National Guard at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., during celebrations of the Guards 388th birthday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Elizabeth Pena/U.S. Army National Guard)

The U.S. National Guard formally celebrated its 388th birthday on Friday, Dec. 13.

Roughly a century and a half before the United States declared its independence, the Massachusetts Bay Colonys General Court in 1636 ordered its militias to form into three permanent militia regiments.

Those three regiments live on today in the form of four regiments under the Massachusetts Army National Guard: the 181st Infantry, the 182nd Infantry, the 101st Field Artillery and the 101st Engineer Battalion. They are the U.S. militarys oldest units.

It was not until the early 20th century that the National Guard took its current form, with landmark laws like the Dick Act of 1903 and the National Defense Act of 1916, which more clearly codified the state-federal relationship and increased federal control over the Guard.

The Air National Guard was formally born on Sept. 18, 1947, but its origins rest with the National Guard aviation units that were activated in 1921 for the U.S. Army Air Corps and then the Army Air Forces (which would later become the U.S. Air Force).

As befits the oldest branch of the U.S. military, the National Guard today serves in a wide range of missions, domestic and overseas. The Army National Guard counts over 325,000 service members across 50 states, Washington, D.C., and three territories, while the Air National Guard has a further 106,000.

The most prominent birthday celebration took place on Capitol Hill, where the head of the National Guard Bureau, Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, spoke to prominent attendees. But celebrations were naturally held outside of the capital as well.

In one symbolic ceremony in New York, one of the oldest serving National Guard members cut the birthday cake alongside a newly-enlisted high school senior. A similar scene played out at a celebration in Tennessee, which also saw remarks by a military historian. Celebrations also took place in Lincoln, Neb., St. Paul, Minn., and likely many other areas that have yet to publicize it.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Health care companies are taking a step back to better understand patients' experiences after a powerful U.S. health insurance executive was murdered last week, executives from drugmaker Pfizer and Amazon.com said at a panel at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York on Wednesday.

The murder ignited an outpouring of anger from Americans struggling to receive and pay for medical care.

"Our health system needs to be better ... There's a lot of things that should cause a lot of outrage," Amazon Pharmacy Chief Medical Officer Vin Gupta said. "It's also true that that (killing) should not have happened. There cannot be this false moral equivalence in our discourse."

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance arm, one of the largest health insurers in the U.S., was shot dead on the morning of Dec. 4 outside a hotel in Manhattan in what police said was a targeted attack.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged with the murder was arrested earlier this week in possession of a handwritten manifesto that offered insight into his mindset, according to police. The New York Times reported that an internal New York City Police report analyzing the document concluded that Mangione viewed the killing as a justified response to what he believed to be corruption in the healthcare industry.

Recent data show that patients are now even more likely to have their claims denied, pay more for premiums and medical visits, and face unexpected costs for care they thought was covered by their health plan. Insurers say they work to negotiate down increased fees from doctors and hospitals, as well as costly prescription drugs and medical devices.

"I think all of us are taking a step back and trying to understand what's happening with patients and their experiences," Pfizer Chief Sustainability Officer Caroline Roan said.

She called the murder "a tragedy of epic proportions" and said that executives in the healthcare industry were reeling.

"Clearly there's a larger dialogue that needs to happen, and we're going to be taking our time to try to understand exactly what happened and understand that feedback, and see where we can play a positive role."

Health insurance companies are also reassessing the risks for their top executives after the murder. Some have removed photos of their leadership teams from their websites and are considering whether and how to increase security measures.

Still, Amazon's Gupta said that despite problems with the U.S. healthcare system, actions like Thompson's murder cannot be normalized.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Sept. 28, 2024. The rocket carried U.S. Space Force Col. Nick Hague in a Dragon spacecraft that he is set to pilot to the International Space Station. This Crew-9 launch marks the first time that a USSF Guardian has launched into space. (Spencer Contrer/U.S. Space Force)

(Tribune News Service)  Could Elon Musk and SpaceX be set to drop $1.8 billion for new launch support facilities in Cape Canaveral? Space Florida, the states aerospace economic development entity, isnt saying just who wants to spend the money, but they are planning to discuss the secretive plan called Project Hinton at a meeting this week.

The agenda notes for Wednesdays meeting outlined the project that will be a high-volume production facility, high bay and launch infrastructure at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.

The price tag is greater than the $1 billion Jeff Bezos sunk into refurbishing Canaverals Space Launch Complex 36 for his Blue Origin New Glenn rocket, so it falls in line with Musks plans for launching hundreds, and eventually thousands of Starships a year in his quest to create a colony on Mars.

SpaceX already is trying to get Starship pads built at both Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39-A as well as pursuing a takeover of Canaverals Space Launch Complex 37 that had been used by United Launch Alliance until this years final Delta IV Heavy launch. The Canaveral site is in the midst of an environmental impact study led by the Air Force, while the KSC site has one being run by the Federal Aviation Administration.

SpaceX for now conducts Starship test launches from its Starbase site in Boca Chica, Texas, which is home to manufacturing facilities to knock out both the Super Heavy boosters and Starship upper stages. For now in Florida, SpaceX has a manufacturing site on KSC property to build and refurbish boosters for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.

Similar facilities to whats used in Texas that could be closer to the Florida launch pads might be in SpaceXs plans, and Project Hinton could fall in line with that.

Or Project Hinton could be for another rocket company with nearly $2 billion in spending power.

The Sentinel reached out to Space Florida and SpaceX for comment.

According to the Space Florida agenda item, the project will enable rapid manufacturing, assembly, and integration of heavy lift flight hardware and will significantly increase the volume and mass of payload to orbit from Florida.

It touts the project as expecting about $1.8 billion in capital improvements and bringing 600 jobs with average wages of $93,000 a year.

Space Florida CEO Rob Long will lead the discussion on the project that the agenda says is in alignment with the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Master Plan and the Florida Spaceport System Plan goals.

Time is of the essence due to significant customer demand driven by a considerable increase in space-based activities, the agenda items reads, noting the company plans to begin ordering of long-lead items and construction in January 2025.

Space Floridas role is to vote on two elements of the companys application for funding through Space Floridas Call for Projects for the Florida Spaceport Improvement Program, which is partnered with the state Department of Transportation.

The first is matching grant funds of up to $50 million for high-volume production facility, high bay, and related infrastructure and the second is for $15 million in common use funds for utility improvements including power modifications and industrial wastewater treatment.

The $65 million from Floridas coffers would be needed over multiple fiscal years beginning in 2025.

The Space Florida agenda notes list the project as having met all five qualities of value categories: people, business plan, favorable environment, expectation of success and going concern while also listing its mission fulfillment summary assessment as suitable.

2024 Orlando Sentinel.

Visit orlandosentinel.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Battalion commander Maj. Charity Adams and executive officer Capt. Abbie Noel Campbell inspect the first soldiers of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion to arrive in England, February 15, 1945. (National Archives)

(Tribune News Service)  Tyler Perry has tackled several different genres over the years, but it took the real-life story of the only Black female World War II battalion to inspire him to delve into historical drama for the first time.

The Six Triple Eight is now in movie theaters and arrives on Netflix on Dec. 20. Scandal star Kerry Washington plays Charity Adams, the tough-as-nails Army commander of the 6888th battalion. Composed of 855 women, it helped the military disentangle a postal disaster and deliver millions of pieces of mail to soldiers and loved ones in Europe desperate for the morale boost four years into the war.

Despite incredible skepticism and resistance from the white male Army leadership, the women cleared a backlog of 7 million pieces of mail in Germany in three months, half the time originally allotted, then worked through millions more in France.

Twice as good with half as much, said Washington in a Zoom call with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. They exceeded all expectations.

The film opens with a war scene and the eventual death of a white Jewish man who Lena Derricott King (Ebony Obsidian) had fallen in love with despite interracial relationships being taboo at the time. Her grief from his death led her to join the Army in 1944.

Perry framed the film around King, who was still alive at the time he wrote the screenplay, flying to her home in Las Vegas to pick her brain in person before production began.

I got a chance to meet her on her 100th birthday, Obsidian said. She was vibrant and so proud that the story was coming to the forefront. I hope we did her justice.

Before King died in January, Perry was able to show her an early cut of the film. She saluted the iPad, Washington said. She was so grateful the world would have an opportunity to see this story and really know who these women were.

The battalion came into existence thanks to support from first lady Eleanor Roosevelt (Susan Sarandon) and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Sam Waterston).

Perrys mentor and close friend, Oprah Winfrey, plays a small role as activist, educator and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune, who encouraged the Roosevelts. A scene was shot in the Oval Office of his replica White House, which was used extensively on his BET+ show The Oval.

Washington wasnt in any of these scenes. But as an executive producer, she made sure she was on set the day Winfrey, Sarandon and Waterston were at Tyler Perry Studios.

I had to be at the monitors for this, Washington said.

When Perry first called Washington about doing an unspecified project, he sent her a sizzle reel sampling what he wanted to do.

It was a Friday so I decided to wait until Monday to watch it so we could talk about it, she said. I didnt know anything about it at that point. Over the weekend, I did a photo shoot about amazing Black women in history, and I dressed up like Lena on my Instagram. My social media director told the story about the Six Triple Eight and I fell in love with it. I said, Wouldnt it be cool to do a movie about this? Then I watched the sizzle reel and realized this is what Tyler wanted to do. It was serendipity!

Washington prepped for the role by reading Adams memoir twice, sifting through historical accounts and watching Adams do interviews.

I was rehearsing one day and we had a knock on the door and a man in transportation said they had found a trunk in an auction that had Charity Adams name on the side, she said. It was the actual trunk from her time in the Army. We kept getting signs like this that these women are with us. They want us to tell their story.

Much of the film features Adams going toe-to-toe with racist white men. At one point, a chaplain arrives to berate her battalion before she kicks him out. Dean Norris (Breaking Bad) plays her boss, who regularly belittled and undermined her and her battalion.

That was normal behavior back then, Obsidian said. When you act, you feel things in your body and you remember things that werent even your own experience. You are stepping in the shoes of people who did experience it. It was visceral. It was disheartening. It was difficult.

Washington said she gives a lot of credit to Norris for doing such a good job embodying the cynical general.

Its not who Dean Norris is in reality, she said. I feel this immense gratitude toward him. I never could have had that over my dead body monologue unless he properly presented that evil, that disrespect. It enables Charity to have that heroic moment.

Obsidian has a long history with Perry, starring in his BET dramedy Sistas. For her, working at Tyler Perry Studios is like home. She was there when Perry set up Camp Quarantine in 2020 to house cast and crew at the studio while shooting Sistas and other shows.

It was good to come home in a very different way and experience it in a historical context, Obsidian said.

The land that holds Tyler Perry Studios was once used during the Civil War to mobilize Confederate troops. It later became Fort McPherson, an Army based that closed in 2011. In 2015, Tyler Perry bought 330 acres of the base, officially opening his studios in 2019. Many of the original Army buildings were used in The Six Triple Eight.

There is irony and poetry in the fact that this space was once occupied by a Confederate army trying to maintain the system of slavery as opposed to what its being used for now  to uplift the stories of Americans of all shades and backgrounds, Washington said. That is beautiful creative justice happening on that land.

Obsidian added: I think we baptized it.

IF YOU WATCH

The Six Triple Eight. Showing in a limited theatrical run at Landmark Cinema and IPIC Cinema in Atlanta. Debuts on Netflix on Dec. 20.

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Visit at ajc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Naples Bay Tours' offerings include a class held at a restaurant in Naples, Italy, where participants learn to make tagliatelle and ravioli. At the end, students get to eat their pasta creations during a family-style meal. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Most of the people who take a class on handmade pasta in Naples probably will never make the Italian cuisine staple ever again, given how labor-intensive it is and the availability of great pasta in the city.

But that doesnt mean you should pass on getting your hands sticky making pasta with a group of similar-minded foodies.

The 2 1/2-hour class I took with Naples Bay Tours offers participants the opportunity to learn the pasta-making basics used by Neapolitan nonnas, or grandmothers, while reveling in the citys food culture.

Participants in a pasta-making class in Naples, Italy, on Dec. 3, 2024, get plenty of hands-on experience in using a pasta recipe favored by Neapolitan nonnas, or grandmothers, to make tagliatelle and ravioli. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

On a recent Tuesday evening, I joined four other aspiring pasta chefs at Mammina pizzeria just off the ancient street of Via Toledo in central Naples, although the restaurant is not affiliated with the class.

Offered twice a day, the class focuses on ravioli and fettuccine Alfredo, or rather the Italian version of the dish. Minutes into our class, our instructor, a lifelong Neapolitan who has been cooking since he was in his early teens, patiently explained that the long, wide noodles called fettuccine in the U.S. dont exist in Italy.

The closest comparison of American fettuccine Alfredo for Italians is tagliatelle with butter, Parmesan cheese and sage. Thats it, he said.

This standard pasta recipe in Naples, Italy, includes just three ingredients: eggs, double-zero flour and salt. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

With that knowledge, we cracked two eggs into the middle of some finely ground double zero flour and added a little salt. Just three ingredients are in the standard pasta recipe used by Italian grandmothers everywhere, our instructor said.

It was important to whisk the eggs until foamy first without incorporating the flour, which is high in protein and offers the smooth texture and elasticity needed for pasta. Before long, it was time to knead the dough.

A class instructor in Naples, Italy, on Dec. 3, 2024, demonstrates how to shape pasta dough into a ball, which is then covered and allowed to rest for about 20 minutes before being rolled into sheets. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

This took time, muscle and patience as our instructor explained how to shape the dough and then push an indentation into the resulting ball to see if it was ready.

If the indentation bounces back, its time to cover the dough and let it rest. In Italy, this is known as putting the pasta to bed or buona notte, which means good night.

With 20 minutes on our hands, we were seated at a table and offered an appetizer of warm zeppole, deep-fried dough balls that are a typical Neapolitan snack and our instructors favorite. The platter also included bruschetta, or grilled bread with chopped tomatoes and basil.

The break offered a chance to taste traditional cuisine and share in the joy of eating together, which is important in Italian culture.

Ravioli and tagliatelle in progress during a pasta-making class in Naples, Italy. The class is held twice a day at a restaurant just off the famed Via Toledo. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

After learning a little more about one another  three of my classmates were a family on vacation from Irvine, Calif., and the other an Australian finishing up a few months tour of Italy and France  we were back at the hard work of making pasta.

The elasticity of the dough requires patient stretching in a large, thin circle using two different types of wooden rolling pins. Giving it our best try, each of us ultimately needed our instructors assistance to roll out the dough nearly paper-thin.

This meant lifting up a portion of the flattened disc and putting your hand behind it. Dough that is thin enough has a sort of transparency that allows you to see your fingers, our instructor advised.

We then cut off the edges of the circle to make a square, saving the trimmings for later. Nothing goes to waste, our instructor said.

An instructor shows how to properly fold dough over filling for ravioli as part of a pasta-making class in Naples, Italy, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Half of the square would become ravioli, filled with fresh ricotta and some Parmesan cheese seasoned with a little salt, pepper and olive oil.

The other half would become the tagliatelle, rolled horizontally, cigar-style, at a width about the size of a pinkie finger. We cut the roll vertically at index-finger widths, unwrapping the resulting pinwheels into long strips, and cut the leftover trimmings to match.

Our work was done. It was now time for our instructor to boil the pasta, not more than 4 or 5 minutes, and make the sauces to accompany it.

A 2.5-hour pasta-making class offered in Naples, Italy, includes an appetizer of fried dough balls called zeppole and bruschetta with tomatoes. Participants also get to eat the pasta they make and take home the recipes. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

The ravioli came out first, blanketed in a sauce of sauteed San Marzano tomatoes accented with a touch of Parmesan. The buttery tagliatelle, or fettuccine Alfredo, was next.

We savored each expertly prepared dish while sitting family-style around a dining table decorated with an iconic, red-checked tablecloth, swapping stories about what brought us to Naples.

The class ended in a toast with limoncello, a lemon-flavored liqueur, and the presentation of pasta chef diplomas that included a QR code to an online site with recipes.

Fettuccine Alfredo and ravioli class

Address: Via Santa Brigida 65, Naples, Italy

Cost: 42 euros, including appetizer, drink and pasta lunch or dinner. Classes are kid-friendly; they are not wheelchair accessible. Instruction is in English.

Hours: 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily; reservations required

Information: Online: naplesbay.it/en/prodotto/lesson-of-the-egg-pasta
F/A-18E Super Hornets fly in formation over Naval Air Station Ocean in Virginia Beach on July 12, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Tribune News Service)  Military aircraft flying over the Dam Neck and Croatan areas of Virginia Beach is not uncommon, but the aircraft John Knight and his son, Benjamin, saw Thursday after dark was unlike any other theyve seen.

It was definitely different, said Knight, who took videos of what he thinks was a drone the size of a small truck.

The Virginia Beach video adds to a litany of recent reports of strange drone sightings on the East Coast, including in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Croatan sits between two military installations: Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex and State Military Reservation (formerly Camp Pendleton), a Virginia Army National Guard facility. Knight spotted the flying object over the ocean in front of the Dam Neck Annex and watched as it slowly moved over the military reservation and behind the trees towards Owls Creek, he said.

It flew like a helicopter but made no noise, Knight said.

NAS Oceana, the East Coast master jet base located in Virginia Beach, is aware of recent reports of drone sightings in the area and is coordinating with federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of its personnel and operations, public affairs officer Katie Hewett wrote in an email Friday.

Nothing unusual or unscheduled was detected in NAS Oceanas air space, Hewett said. The installation remains prepared to respond to any potential risks, leveraging robust security measures and advanced detection capabilities.

The base is encouraging members of the community to report any suspicious activity near the base to local law enforcement, Hewett said.

Knight submitted the videos Thursday night to the FBI tip line.

A large number of unidentified drones have been spotted at locations across New Jersey in recent weeks, stoking speculation of what they could be and whos behind them. On Thursday, there were more reports of the objects flying over Pennsylvania and New York.

The Department of Homeland Security and FBI said Thursday they have no evidence that the reported drone sightings in New Jersey pose a national security or a public safety threat. However, state and local officials are pushing for more transparency.

The FBI has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information they may have about the drones.

Knight, who lives three blocks from the ocean in the Croatan neighborhood, was on his deck when he saw the red flashing lights in the sky.

The Knights can be heard discussing the aircraft in the video.

That looks like a saucer, Knights son says. Why is it slanted like that?

In another video, Knight says, Its moving super slow, and You can barely hear it.

This week, several people in Yorktown and at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront reported seeing erratic patterns in the sky at night, sharing videos in Facebook groups.

This isnt the first time unidentified aircraft have been seen in Virginias skies. In October, the Pentagon confirmed news reports of unidentified drones swarming the airspace at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton in December 2023.

According to reports, a fleet of up to a dozen drones swarmed the airspace above Langley and other Hampton locations, such as Gosnolds Hope Park, Buckroe Beach and Grandview Nature Preserve. The drones also flew south across the Chesapeake Bay toward Norfolk.

2024 The Virginian-Pilot

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Army Lt. Col. Bernard West and his wife Serena arrive at the Cascade Court Complex at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (KOMO News )

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  An Army lieutenant colonel was sentenced Friday to receive an official reprimand and fined almost $100,000 after he was found guilty by a military judge of harassing three female officers under his command.

Lt. Col. Benjamin West III, 43, had faced seven charges including two counts of sexual harassment, one count of conduct unbecoming an officer and three counts of cruelty and maltreatment of a subordinate, and one count of dereliction of duty.

He was accused of engaging in what prosecutors called a step-by-step escalation of sexual harassment of a female aide and two other female I Corps officers at Lewis-McChord, a base shared by the Army and Air Force about 40 miles south of Seattle.

Prosecutors accused West of using his rank to force subordinate female officers to endure sexual harassment. Accusations included invasions of privacy, unwelcome fondling of their ears and hair, salacious jokes, and disrobing that exposed his underwear.

West had faced up to 15 years in prison and dismissal from the Army, an officers equivalent of a dishonorable discharge, for the charges.

Lt. Col. Robert Murdough, the military judge in the case, convicted West on two counts of sexual harassment and one count of cruelty and maltreatment of a subordinate. The judge ordered a punishment of a letter reprimanding West be added to his official Army file and a fine of $92,900. He offered no explanation Friday in court for his decisions.

Wests attorney Jason Wareham said the letter in essence will force the lieutenant colonel to leave the service.

Before West received the sentence, he stood in the courtroom and expressed disappointment in himself and addressed the female officers who brought the charges against him.

It cuts me deep -- I could see and feel the pain I caused, he said.

In June 2023, West became an artillery battalion commander at Lewis-McChord in charge of the 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade. By October 2023, West had been fired from the job because of the charges.

In court on Friday, West turned to the three female officers who brought the charges against him. The 20-year Army officer addressed each woman and asked them to try to overcome the shadow that he had cast over their lives and careers by his despicable behavior.

I saw the joy you had for the military, he said. I apologize for taking that from you. I apologize to your family who had to hold you up, to lift you up, after what I did.

West said if he was not dismissed from the Army, he would quickly resign -- a move prosecutors and defense lawyers said would likely mean a reduction in rank to major.

West had waived his right to a trial before a panel of officers to have his guilt and fate decided solely by a military judge.

One of the female officers said Wests behavior put her on high alert while under his command. She had planned to make the Army a career, like her grandfather.

Now I just want out, she said.

A second female officer said the stress made her hyper-sensitive to following rules and she couldnt bear to talk or touch her spouse at the end of each workday.

At the end of the day, I had nothing to give, she said.

The third female officer said Wests cruelty made her feel like a complete failure and she had started paperwork to leave the Army. She reconsidered when she transferred to another unit where she felt valued and supported by the command, fellow officers and enlisted troops.

The Army is like any organization -- it has good people and bad people, she said.

Stars and Stripes typically does not name the victims of sexual assault or harassment.

Defense attorneys had called witnesses who vouched for Wests character, including two three-star generals who testified by phone and a former sexual assault victims advocate who worked with West.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Smith, the deputy commander of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Liberty, N.C., testified Thursday. West had served as Smiths executive officer when Smith was commander of the U.S. Artillery School at Fort Sill, Okla., from 2018 to 2020.

[West] was of high character, Smith said. He caused no concerns. If he had, I would have taken appropriate action.

Erin Stout, a former victim advocate at Lewis-McChord, testified she had worked with West on ensuring units followed the Armys Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, Program.

I think he was an advocate of SHARP -- he was very supportive, she said.

Wareham, a former military lawyer, had filed a motion in November asking the judge to block the trial because West was singled out for court-martial because he is a Black man. The attorney argued other commanders at Lewis-McChord accused of similar actions - including a white female and an Asian male - had been allowed to retire or receive non-judicial punishment rather than face a court-martial.

Murdough rejected the motion.

One of Wests female accusers was represented by lawyer Ryan Guilds, who has done pro bono work for military sexual assault victims. He is on the board of Protect Our Defenders, a national advocacy nonprofit for victims of sexual abuse while in the military.

After the trial, Guilds said the first major prosecution of the militarys two-year-old sexual harassment law showed the service was serious about openly challenging what he said was a longstanding problem in the Army and other services.

Todays verdict is bittersweet, Guilds said because the service was losing his client, a promising young Army officer.

But he also said the verdict, by itself, does not eliminate the pervasive sexual harassment and assault within our military ranks.

One of Wests uncles, Allen B. West, is an ex-Army artillery battalion commander. The Army fired him from his job for accusations that he abused an Iraqi prisoner under his control in 2003. He accepted a reduction in rank from colonel to lieutenant colonel, paid a $5,000 fine, and retired from the Army. Afterward he served one term in Congress from Florida and two years as Texas Republican Party chairman. He is now Dallas County Republican Party chairman.

Wests father, Bernard West Jr., is a former Marine and Atlanta police officer who has twice run for Congress  and lost -- as a Republican in Georgia.
World War II veteran Dennis Bolt throws nuts to a crowd as part of the annual Battle of the Bulge commemorations in Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2024. He is joined by Belgium's Queen Mathilde, left, and King Philippe, far right. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

BASTOGNE, Belgium  Some of the last living American veterans of World War II on Saturday met with world leaders and many other admirers as they recounted how the Allies braved subfreezing temperatures to blunt the final Nazi offensive, which began 80 years ago on Monday.

The Battle of the Bulge ceremonies in Belgium and Luxembourg capped a series of major remembrances in Europe this year, including the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June and other liberation milestones.

The 17 veterans, who are either centenarians or in their late 90s now, were honored along with their fallen comrades in the bitterly fought Ardennes Campaign, where over 19,000 American troops lost their lives.

I want people to remember not only what we went through but what it was all for, David Marshall, 100, said on the sidelines of celebrations in Bastogne.

Marshall recalled fighting in heavy snow and without warm clothing. The cold was as deadly as the Nazis, he said.

I went into the war as a naive 20-year-old from New York, Marshall said. After the Battle of the Bulge, I was a veteran soldier.

Battle of the Bulge U.S. veteran David Marshall salutes during a ceremony in Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2024, to mark 80 years since the famed World War II engagement. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) U.S. World War II veterans parade through the streets of Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2024, to mark 80 years since the start of the Battle of the Bulge. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Named for the shape the German advance carved into Allied lines, the battle began Dec. 16, 1944, as Adolf Hitler launched a last-ditch counteroffensive in Western Europe.

Despite initial chaos, stiff resistance by American units and reinforcements led to an Allied victory by January 1945. The battles human toll was staggering, with over 19,000 American deaths, 47,500 wounded and 23,000 missing or captured.

German forces suffered similar casualties and civilians in the Ardennes endured their own losses and hardships.

Bastogne, a strategic crossroads town and a symbol of Allied resistance during the battle, hosted the largest commemorations Saturday.

A parade included over a dozen World War II veterans who were wheeled through the streets to applause and waving American flags. Active-duty American and Belgian soldiers also participated.

Active-duty U.S. soldiers parade through the streets of Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2024, to mark 80 years since the Battle of the Bulge. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A young boy waves an American flag during a Battle of the Bulge commemoration in Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2024. This year is the 80th anniversary of the World War II battle. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Joseph R. Picard, who fought as a 19-year-old with the 552nd Field Artillery Battalion, remembered the brutal conditions made worse by the loss of his best friend just weeks before the battle.

The important thing is that we succeeded, Picard said. You dont remember all the bad things; you remember the good things.

However, he lamented a lack of awareness about World War II among younger Americans.

They dont know much about it, he said. And you know what they say: If you dont keep the story alive, its going to happen again. We dont want it to happen again.

Following the parade, the veterans joined government officials and the royal families of Belgium and Luxembourg in throwing nuts to crowds from a snowy balcony at Bastognes town hall.

The annual celebration recalls Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffes famous one-word reply to a German surrender demand: Nuts!

The Armys 101st Airborne Division defense of Bastogne while being surrounded became a defining moment of the battle. The units current soldiers were prominently featured in commemorations throughout the weekend.

Among them was Capt. Alex Rodriguez, a judge advocate, who honored his great-uncle, a 101st veteran of the Battle of the Bulge.

Its something that I wanted to do for as long as I can remember, and to be able to come here as a member of the 101st Airborne is unbelievable, Rodriguez said.

Col. Patrick J. Hofmann, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, lays a wreath at a memorial to Gen. George Patton in Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2024, to mark 80 years since the start of the Battle of the Bulge. Patton employed an audacious strategy to relieve besieged Allied defenders of Bastogne during the brutal battle, which began on Dec. 16, 1944. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Frost-covered graves at Luxembourg American Cemetery, in Hamm, Luxembourg, are decorated with American and Luxembourgish flags, Dec. 14, 2024. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are buried at the cemetery, many of whom died during the Battle of the Bulge. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) American World War II veterans brave snow and near freezing temperatures to attend commemorations in Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2024, to mark 80 years since the start of the Battle of the Bulge. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Earlier this year, the 101st conducted air assault drills during D-Day commemorations, stepping beyond their usual ceremonial roles. With fewer living WWII veterans, the responsibility of keeping the memory of World War II alive is increasingly falling to current soldiers.

Isabeau Muys, from Flanders, said her family travels to Bastogne annually and will continue to do so even when there is no living link to the war.

We will still come to remember what they did and what happened, Muys said. Now, Im here with my parents, and when I have children, I expect to be here with them too.

Earlier Saturday, a ceremony was held at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg City, where more than 5,000 U.S. service members are buried, including Gen. George S. Patton.

That ceremony was attended by a large bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, many of whom it was noted have family connections to World War II.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, recalled his father who conducted B-17 bombing missions.

The significance of this battle must serve as a reminder that freedom is never free and that democracies around the world must rally to the cause of freedom when it is under attack, McCaul said. It is our duty to preserve what these men fought for.

One of the U.S. veterans at the Luxembourg ceremony, John D. Jack Foy, assured the crowd that the sacrifices of the soldiers who died in the battle wouldnt be forgotten.

I remember the bitter cold, the weight of my machine gun, and the faces of my brothers in arms  ordinary men who displayed extraordinary courage, said Foy, 99. Together we fought for freedom, step by painful step.

To those who come after us, he added, may you always remember that the freedom you cherish came at a terrible cost.

John Foy, a U.S. veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, speaks at a ceremony at Luxembourg American Cemetery on Dec. 14, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Luxembourgs Grand Duke Henri speaks at a ceremony at Luxembourg American Cemetery on Dec. 14, 2024. European and U.S. dignitaries gathered along with veterans to commemorate the WWII Battle of the Bulge, which began 80 years ago. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) U.S. soldiers with the 529th Military Police Company (Honor Guard) perform a cannon salute during a ceremony at Luxembourg American Cemetery on Dec. 14, 2024, to mark 80 years since the Battle of the Bulge. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are buried at the cemetery, many of whom died during the battle. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A member of Luxembourgs military band waits to play the "Band of Brothers" theme along with the 101st Airborne Division band during a Battle of the Bulge remembrance ceremony at Luxembourg American Cemetery on Dec. 14, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was part of the delegation but suffered an injury in Luxembourg that required hip replacement surgery and transport Saturday to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

At a separate ceremony Friday at Bastognes Battle of the Bulge memorial, speakers, including members of the U.S. delegation and Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin, drew parallels between the Battle of the Bulge and Ukraines ongoing fight in the present day against Russias full-scale invasion.

As we honor the memory of so many young soldiers who fell for the freedom of Europe, how can we not think of the Ukrainian soldiers today dying in the snow and frozen mud to defend their country against an unprovoked war of aggression? Quintin said.
By Alimat Aliyeva

Ottawa is considering imposing tariffs on exports of oil, uranium, and potassium carbonate to the United States if President-elect Donald Trump follows through with his plan to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, Azernews reports.

Doug Ford, the Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario, has already warned that if Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian goods, Ontario could halt its electricity supply to the United States. In 2023, Ontario is set to provide electricity to 1.5 million homes in the U.S., with the province being a major electricity exporter to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Not long ago, Donald Trump, the newly elected President of the United States, announced that he plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on all products imported from Canada and Mexico once he takes office, which has raised concerns among Canadian officials about the economic impact of such measures.

The situation highlights the growing tension between the U.S. and Canada as trade relations become a focal point of political discourse. Both countries share a long-standing economic partnership, but the potential tariffs could disrupt trade, energy exchanges, and other sectors that rely heavily on cross-border collaboration.
Boeing "will continue to steadily increase production as we execute on our safety and quality plan and work to meet the expectations of our regulator and customers," Boeing spokesperson Jessica Kowal said. "We will also continue to work transparently with our suppliers, listening to concerns and looking for opportunities to improve collaboration to ensure our entire production system operates safely and predictably.

The interviews also revealed that some suppliers are still struggling to recover from the strike, after wrestling with slumping plane production during COVID-19, and the 2019 MAX grounding following two fatal crashes involving the model.

It shows that Ortberg is sticking to his pledge to cautiously restart 737 MAX production, prioritizing safety and quality due to heightened regulatory scrutiny following a January mid-air panel blowout on a near-new plane.

This account of Boeing's effort to restart production of its strongest-selling jet is based on interviews with a dozen Boeing factory workers and 10 suppliers, most of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.

Parts that used to take a day to be finished at a processing shop now take a week, one supplier told Reuters.

Both Boeing and rival Airbus have struggled to meet production goals due to supply chain delays. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg in October told analysts he was anticipating a bumpy return from the supply chain post strike.

But it also has some smaller suppliers who cut jobs or operating hours during the strike hesitating to staff-up again, creating further uncertainty in an already fragile supply chain, according to three suppliers, one analyst and an industry source.

Boeing's cautious approach, following criticism that the planemaker for years rushed production, has garnered praise from regulators and some airline CEOs.

The result: no new 737 MAX plane has been completed. Boeing said on Tuesday that it had restarted MAX production last week, as first reported by Reuters.

Other workers poured over manuals to restore their expired safety licenses. The factory was initially so lifeless in mid-November that one employee left early because the bins of fasteners he was tasked with replenishing weren't being used, according to a source inside the plant.

Safety inspectors inside the 737 MAX factory outside Seattle laboriously scoured half-constructed planes for flaws they may have missed during the seven-week work stoppage.

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Since a crippling strike at many of Boeing's U.S. plane factories ended more than a month ago, progress ramping up production of its best-selling 737 MAX jet has been deliberately slow.

Story Continues

FAA IN THE FACTORY

After weeks of inertia, there were fresh signs of movement inside Boeing's Renton 737 MAX factory last week, three sources said, with green fuselages entering the final assembly line where the wings and tail get attached.

The restart, while not bringing immediate relief, is good news for financially-strapped fuselage supplier Spirit AeroSystems which was running low on storage space during the strike. A Reuters reporter saw over 100 MAX fuselages lined up at Spirit's Wichita factory this week.

Spirit Aero spokesperson Joe Buccino said the company was "working closely with Boeing as they restart production."

Boeing executives have privately said they hope to produce 15 to 20 MAX jets this month, two of the 10 suppliers and one industry source said, although one of them cautioned that the chance of hitting the higher end of that target is unlikely. The Boeing spokesperson did not comment on those numbers.

Boeing typically closes most planemaking operations between Dec 24 and January 1.

While Boeing doesn't disclose production figures, the planemaker said in October that before the strike it was preparing to hit a target of 38 737 jets per month by year's end.

At the factory, daily tasks are paired with exacting efforts to clean up and take steps to avoid error, with note-taking FAA officials carrying clipboards and donning reflective vests a regular sight, they said.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker praised Boeing on Dec 5 for not following past practice by immediately restarting production after the strike, instead focusing on workforce and training.

Still, Whitaker told Reuters that Boeing has a long journey to achieve its targeted safety culture. "The plant's cleaner, as you would expect, but they're frank about the fact that they've got a long way to go," he said.

Stabilizing Boeing's MAX production is key both for the planemaker and for the financial health of its supply chain on the jet with 4,200 outstanding airline orders and which is expected to drive revenues for years to come

Six out of the 10 suppliers told Reuters they wont bring back workers before 2025, partly because they are unsure whether Boeing will need to again change its production plans.

Two suppliers said they were told by Boeing that the planemaker is expected to give a private update on a key internal 737 supply chain production milestone for the supply chain, this month.

"Supplier trust in Boeing rates is at a low point," said Glenn McDonald, a supply chain specialist at U.S. aerospace consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory, which advises clients in areas like business and corporate strategy.

"Suppliers have been burned before by investing for rates that didnt come ... that doubt becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."

BRUISED SUPPLIERS

In the short term, Boeing can likely count on excess parts and components it has amassed this year to build its planes since until the strike it largely continued purchasing from suppliers at a higher rate than it needed because it was producing fewer jets due to the blowout.

Then, purchasing largely slumped during the strike. As production comes back online, supplier skepticism over Boeing's rates could impede needed investments to meet Boeing's plans for a return to a rate of 38 and above next year, according to three suppliers, McDonald and an industry source.

Boeing's struggles mean it will take longer to return 737 MAX production to its pre-strike levels than after a 2008 work stoppage, when the planemaker got back to a monthly rate of 31 in about 25 days, McDonald said.

That longer recovery is being acutely felt by some of the hundreds of small suppliers that dot Boeing's manufacturing heartland in Washington state.

Smaller aerospace suppliers are less bullish on making capital investments than many of their larger counterparts, said Christopher Chidzik, principal economist at the Association for Manufacturing Technology, a trade group.

In October, despite the Boeing machinists strike, aerospace producers increased orders of manufacturing technology to the highest level of 2024, indicating that they used the downtime to replace and expand technology used on production lines, he said.

Smaller job shops went against that trend, he added.

Seattle-area supplier Rosemary Brester hoped she and her husband would be able to get their metal aircraft components processed more quickly following the end of the strike, but delays persist.

The couple, who have been running Hobart Machined Products since 1978 out of a workshop beside their home, rely on a finishing specialist to anodize and paint their precision parts before sending them to larger companies that sell to Boeing.

This used to take a day, now it takes a week, because the finishing specialist has been short-staffed since laying off workers during the strike.

"All we can do is manufacture to the schedule we have, maybe expedite parts and pay a bit more to get them to our customers on time," she said.

"Until I see some real stability, I'm not going to hire anybody," Brester said.

Carmen Evans, co-owner of New Tech Industries in Mukilteo, Washington near Boeing's colossal Everett factory complex, said the small supplier is ready to produce more specialized tooling for its largest customer. But they are now in a type of limbo as they wait for Boeing's MAX factory to start humming again.

"It's not like the floodgates have opened up yet," she said.

(Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal, Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Joe Brock and Claudia Parsons)
Garda Sam Grewal said that in addition to the robbery, the accused was charged with possessing a stolen bicycle earlier that day

A GALWAY father of four has been accused of threatening "shocked" workers in a Dublin pharmacy that he had AIDS and was carrying a syringe during a robbery.

John Paul Ward, 36, of Parkmore estate, Tuam, Galway, was released on bail today after being accused of carrying out a robbery at Morgan's pharmacy on Thomas Street, Dublin 8, on Friday.

After being charged at Kevin Street station, he appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court.

Garda Sam Grewal said that in addition to the robbery, the accused was charged with possessing a stolen bicycle earlier that day. She added that he had been released, but the alleged pharmacy raid happened afterwards.

Garda Darren Mylod told Judge Aylmer that he had to highlight how shocked the chemist and his two female staff members were following the incident.

It was alleged a man entered the pharmacy with his hand in his pocket and told the staff "he had a syringe and had AIDS, threatened them with a syringe and demanded Valium tablets.

The court heard they handed over D5 (diazepam) tablets and the raider fled.

Gardai arrested him, took his clothing as evidence, and gathered CCTV.

The judge heard Mr Ward had been of no fixed abode lately, and Garda Mylod said there could be further charges due to the alleged threat.

A recommendation to the DPP will be that the case be dealt with on indictment in the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Mr Ward has yet to indicate a plea.

Defence barrister Kevin McCrave submitted that his client had the presumption of innocence, the hearsay evidence adduced today could be challenged in the trial, and his client could face a lengthy period in custody pending his trial if denied bail.

He said he understood that "nothing was produced, simply an alleged threat".

Counsel called his client to give evidence, and Mr Ward stated he was welcome back at his family home in Tuam.

Following a stay in Dublin, he claimed, he could not get home for about 11 days, having lost his train ticket. He told the court he had no money and was "stuck" in the capital as his family was busy.

Judge Aylmer held that the gardai had established that it was a "serious offence", but he was not satisfied that it was necessary to refuse bail to prevent the commission of other serious crimes.

He remanded Mr Ward on 350 bail to appear again on January 25.

However, he warned the accused that he must reside at his Tuam address, sign on three days a week at the local Garda station, be contactable on a mobile phone, not contact witnesses and stay out of Dublin apart from court appearances.
Daniel Dano Doyle (31)  who had appeared as an extra in the TV crime drama  was found unresponsive in his cell six and a half years ago

Ashley Doyle and Megan Doyle, sisters of the late Daniel Doyle, pictured leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of their brother

The family of a young Dublin fitness instructor who died as a result of a heroin overdose in Mountjoy Prison have admitted they remain baffled by his death as he was not a user of the drug.

Daniel Dano Doyle (31)  who had appeared as an extra in the TV crime drama, Love/Hate  was found unresponsive in his cell in Mountjoy six and a half years ago.

The father of one from Pairc na Cuileann, Sillogue Road, Ballymun, died in the intensive care unit at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin on June 25, 2018 without regaining consciousness ten days after he had been transferred there from the prison.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Friday heard a postmortem on Mr Doyles body showed he died from brain damage due to polydrug toxicity.

Blood samples taken in the Mater while Mr Doyle was alive showed he had consumed heroin as well as a number of prescribed drugs around the time of his collapse.

Forensic tests on a brown substance found in white plastic wrappers discovered in the prisoners cell confirmed it was heroin.

The late Daniel Doyle. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

A jury of three women and three men returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

The inquest heard that the postmortem also showed there was no evidence that Mr Doyle, who was a protected prisoner, was an intravenous drug user.

Speaking after the hearing, the deceaseds sister, Ashley Doyle, said her family were still baffled over how her brother had died as they did not believe he took heroin.

There are still a lot of questions about what happened for which we dont have answers, said her sister, Megan.

A report by the Inspector of Prisons into Mr Doyles death, which was published in 2020, was unable to determine how he had come into the possession of drugs in Mountjoy.

The report also recorded that he had denied having a history of drug use on his committal to prison and did not get any medical treatment for drug-related issues while serving his sentence.

The deputy governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Quinn, told the inquest that trying to provide addiction and other treatment services for the number of prisoners with drug problems was becoming unmanageable nearly.

Mr Quinn said random searches were carried out on two cells on each of the prisons 18 landings on a daily basis, while other visual examinations were also conducted.

In reply to questions from the corner, Myra Cullinane, about drug treatment services in the Irish Prison Service, Mr Quinn said unfortunately they were way short of the number of drug counsellors needed.

The problem of drug abuse [in prisons] is resources, he added.

Mr Quinn said it was very hard to keep up with the demand for the number of prisoners in need of drug treatment services and the issue was becoming unmanageable nearly.

Asked by the coroner about the use in Irish prisons of naloxone  a drug that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose  Mr Quinn said it was now readily available having been introduced in the past two years but was not used at the time of Mr Doyles death.

The deceased was serving a one-year prison sentence for a drug-related offence and was due for release in November 2018.

The inquest heard from several prison officers who gave evidence that there had been nothing of any concern in relation to the prisoner prior to discovering him in an unresponsive state at 8.05am on June 15, 2018 when his cell was unlocked and a Code Red medical emergency was triggered.

Garda Daniel Keaney gave evidence that it was only discovered after the prisoners death that images from CCTV cameras on Mr Doyles landing were not working.

Garda Keaney said the problem was traced to a technical fault which showed the images were not being recorded for over a month prior to the incident.

He said Mr Doyle was last recorded on the prisons CCTV system in the gym on the previous evening when he appeared in good health.

Cross examined by Seoirse Fennessy BL for Mr Doyles family, Garda Keaney said there was no sign that the prisoner was unstable or intoxicated.

In a tribute read out on his familys behalf, Mr Doyles partner, Diane Geraghty told the inquest that he was warm, loving and friendly with a fantastic sense of humour.

Daniel Doyle pictured with Tom Vaughan-Lawlor who played Nigel 'Nidge' Delaney

She described how he developed a passion for health and fitness as a teenager and joined his local gym where he had a special friendship with a young person with special needs.

Fighting back tears Ms Geraghty said his dream came true when their son, Cole, was born in October 2012 and recalled how they had an unbreakable and unmatched bond.

The inquest heard he had made great progress in making a better life for himself and his son and had started an online fitness training business which he planned to resume on his release from prison.

Ms Geraghty said the psychological and emotional impact of his death had a detrimental impact on his mother, Ann.

She told the hearing that his family believed the trauma of losing her son was the cause of their mothers cancer, while his father is terminally ill and requiring 24-hour care in a nursing home.

Ms Geraghty said the family speak about him every day and hope that they are doing him proud.

She added: Although you left this earth too soon, you also left us your greatest accomplishment in life. We have the best part of you here with us every day  your son.

We love you Daniel and regardless of the outcome of today, we know you werent ready to leave us all behind, said Ms Geraghty.
Sinn Fein confirmed Stephen McCormick worked with the party as an organiser in Dublin almost a decade ago.

Watches were seized as part of the major investigation (PSNI/PA)

A former Sinn Fein organiser who worked on Mary Lou McDonalds election campaigns has been charged with membership of an organised crime group.

Stephen McCormick, who was a Sinn Fein staff member, was arrested by the PSNI this week as part of an investigation into cross-border cocaine smuggling.

Mr McCormick (46), two other men and a woman were remanded in custody by Belfast Magistrates Court over allegations they were involved in the importation and distribution of illegal drugs and prescription medication.

Sinn Fein confirmed Mr McCormick worked with the party as an organiser in Dublin almost a decade ago.

We wholeheartedly support the work of the PSNI in tackling criminal gangs and removing drugs from our communities and the disruption of the activities of an organised crime gang as outlined in court yesterday is welcome news, a party spokesperson said. Any individual charged with such offences must face the full rigours of the law.

In November 2015, amid a debate over when the general election would be called, Mr McCormick posted a photo of two vans filled with campaign posters for Ms McDonald.

Brown and another suspect are controlling a network of drivers supplying lower-level dealers with multi-kilos of cannabis

For a chance to win a signed Mary Lou poster, how many posters fitted in two vans? he captioned the post on Twitter, while also tagging the Sinn Fein leaders online handle.

Mr McCormick was detained following a series of searches carried out by police across Belfast earlier this week.

Drugs, money, mobile phones, five high-value cars and Rolex watches were also seized as part of the investigation.

A court hearing in Belfast heard Steven Brown (36), of Newtownabbey, was allegedly one of the senior members of an organised crime gang operating on both sides of the Border.

He faces nine charges related to the supply of cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possessing and transferring criminal property.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: Collins

The other two people charged were 34-year-old Conal Burns, from Lisburn, and 24-year-old Catherine Osbourne, from Antrim.

The court heard police have been investigating a gang involved in large-scale illegal drugs distribution since 2022.

At the hearing, an investigating detective told the court the organised crime group is regularly moving multi-kilos of cocaine from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland and regularly moving tens of thousands of pounds of criminal cash.

He added: There is a clear hierarchy, with the upper echelons arranging and facilitating these movements without appearing to go hands-on themselves.

It was alleged that Mr Brown controlled and co-ordinated criminality for the group in Northern Ireland.

He allegedly took control of up to 15kg of cocaine at a time from criminals based in the Republic and sold the drugs at a profit of 5,000 (6,000) per kilo.

Brown and another suspect are controlling a network of drivers supplying lower-level dealers with multi-kilos of cannabis, the detective alleged.

He was also said to be up to 450,000 in debt, paying it off at 50,000 a month.

Brown was approached by the criminal creditor, with an offer that they could take control of his Spanish villa which he values at 700,000, the detective claimed.

We have not identified the location of that villa.

Another suspect was said to have operated as a logistics manager overseeing collection, storage and cutting of the drugs, as well as gathering money.

She has access to a drug hide, takes drugs to supply others and leaves cash in return

Mr Burns faces charges of being involved in the supply of drugs and possessing criminal property.

Police claimed he was one of the lower-level dealers buying the cut and mixed drugs to sell on for their own profit.

Based on the phone messages, he also allegedly discussed his continuing efforts to pay off a 20,000 debt owed to another gang member.

He was described as acting as a middle man, proposing and vetting new street-level dealers to use. The court was told police have seized a journal in which Mr Burns allegedly wrote about his thoughts on being involved in the drugs operation.

At one stage he talks about not doing a lot or making enough money to justify it, and hes trying to find a way to clear his debt, start afresh and come up with a way to earn legitimate money, the detective said.

Ms Osborne is accused of possessing criminal property and supplying class A drugs.

According to messages obtained by the police, she revealed her role as an intermediary in moving drugs and cash, along with having access to a ledger.

She has access to a drug hide, takes drugs to supply others and leaves cash in return, the detective said.

Mr McCormick, who did not seek bail, faces charges of conspiracy and being involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

Lawyers for the other three defendants disputed the police case against them and argued that they should be released at this stage.

After refusing bail, the judged remanded all of the accused in custody until January 9.
The jury heard how, during a game of hide and seek, the defendant rubbed her vagina and made her rub his penis with her hand.

A 44-year-old Wexford man was handed a community service order as punishment for an offence committed almost three decades ago when he was 14 years of age.

Nigel Buckley from Loughville, Broadway, Co Wexford was given a year to carry out 200 hours work in lieu of two years in jail on conviction for indecent assault.

The matter was the subject of a trial earlier this year in which the defendant was found guilty of assaulting a six-year-old girl.

The jury heard how, during a game of hide and seek, the defendant rubbed her vagina and made her rub his penis with her hand. The girl told her parents later the same day, in May of 1995, what had happened.

However, the accused denied doing anything wrong and the gardai were not alerted until 2018.

Giving his verdict, Judge James McCourt expressed regret that the wheels of justice had taken so long to grind out a result.

He admitted that the case had preyed on his mind for a considerable time as finding an appropriate sentence was a very difficult matter.

Back in 1995 the child protection authorities were under no obligation to report the allegation of assault to the police.

The judge welcomed as progress the fact that Tusla now must notify the gardai in such circumstances.

Both perpetrator and victim were failed by the system, a reminder of the phrase justice delayed is justice denied.

The judge stressed out that what the accused did as a teenager was cruelly wrong and the court had great sympathy for the complainant and her family.

The community service order was imposed after it was confirmed that suitable work was available.
Mark Kelly has 40 previous convictions to his name including offences for burglary and theft.

Mark Kelly was on a suspended prison sentence when he went on a drug fuelled burglary and shoplifting spree in Longford town.

A judge has spared a serial thief, behind bars for breaking into a midlands hotel twice inside the space of half an hour while under a suspended sentence, from serving any further jail time despite admitting to a succession of burglary, theft and drugs possession charges.

Judge Bernadette Owens sentenced Mark Kelly (38) of 3 Garveys Yard, Longford to eight months behind bars following an incident on October 21 this year which saw Kelly break into the Longford Arms Hotel on two separate occasions to steal alcohol.

Kelly, who pleaded guilty to both burglaries, was also charged in connection to ten other thefts from various shops and retail outlets in the midlands town during a six-week drug-fuelled crime spree.

Almost all of those, presiding Judge Bernadette Owens was told, took place at a local SuperValu store with two other thefts occurring at Aldi and Mr Price resulting in almost 1,100 worth of groceries being taken and just over 100 of items being recovered.

Kelly, who has 40 previous convictions to his name including offences for burglary and theft, had been under the auspices of an eight month suspended prison sentence for theft.

The term of that sentence had, at the time been suspended for 18 months, at a district court sitting in May 2023.

At a sitting of Longford District Court two weeks ago, Judge Owens jailed Kelly to eight months in prison for one of the burglary charges alongside a four month prison term for a section 4 theft charge, directing both sentences to run concurrently.

Both terms were backdated to when Kelly first went into custody in early November with all of the remaining theft charges being taken into consideration.

Mark Kelly was on a suspended prison sentence when he went on a drug fuelled burglary and shoplifting spree in Longford town.

The court had directed a probation report to ascertain whether to invoke part or all of Kellys suspended sentence.

When the matter came back before Judge Owens, it emerged Kelly had also been charged with burglary and two further thefts between June and October this year at various locations in Longford town.

Kelly pleaded guilty to all three including a drugs possession charge, one of which involved Kelly breaking into Candy Cloud, Main Street, Longford on June 22, 2024 before making off with 520.

The two other thefts took place at The Cathedral, Townparks, Longford and Tesco, Longford Shopping Centre in August and October respectively resulting in the theft of a bicycle and yankee candles as well as alcohol respectively.

The drugs charge related to an incident along the Dublin Road in Longford in April when Kelly was caught with 30 worth of cannabis.

Judge Owens sentenced Kelly to four months in prison for the Candy Cloud break-in, directing that term to run concurrently to the jail sentence the Longford man was currently serving.

All of the other theft charges were taken into consideration.

Judge Owens, in switching her focus to the contents of Kellys probation report, opted against activating any of the eight month suspended sentence.

In noting some of its findings which put Kelly at a higher risk of reoffending within the next 12 months, Judge Owens said the accused needed to focus on extricating himself from his current drug predilections.

She did, however, resuspend Kellys eight month sentence for a period of 18 months, a term the court directed to come into effect when the accused completes his current sentence and is released from prison.
The arrested man, who is a highly educated solicitor, has no history of violence and was not known to gardai.

Gardai at the scene of a murder investigation after a man, aged in his 70s, was found dead in a house near the Dublin-Meath border

A man is due in court later this morning in connection with a fatal attack on a pensioner in north county Dublin.

The victim in the case, who was aged in his mid-70s, was stabbed to death at his home in rural Co Dublin late on Thursday night.

A suspect  who is known to the victim  was arrested shortly after the attack and has remained in garda custody since.

The arrested man, who is a highly educated solicitor, has no history of violence and was not known to gardai.

He is described as having batted mental health difficulties in recent times.

It is understood that there was no one else in the house at the time and the emergency services were notified by a 999 phone call.

A garda spokesman has now confirmed that the arrested man will be brought before the courts later this morning in connection with the incident.

"The man (20s) arrested in connection with this investigation has been charged.

He is expected to appear before a special sitting of Dublin District Court in Court 2 of the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning, Saturday 14th December 2024 at 10:30am, he said.

On Thursday, gardai launched an appeal for witnesses following the death of the pensioner after making public some details of the case.

Gardai in Balbriggan are investigating the circumstances around the death of a man following an incident in Tobersool, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, which occurred on the evening of Thursday, December 12, a garda spokesperson said.

Shortly after 11.20pm, gardai and emergency services attended a residence in Tobersool, near Balbriggan, where a man in his 70s was found unresponsive. He was declared deceased at the scene.

A male [20s] was arrested in connection with the investigation.

The office of the state pathologist has been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

The scene is preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry, and an incident room has been established at Balbriggan garda station.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly those who were in the Tobersool area between 10pm and 11.20pm on Thursday.

Additionally, individuals with video recordings, including motorists with dash-cams, from the area within the timeframe, are asked to provide footage to investigating gardai.
Daire McCormack-George, 29, was remanded in custody with an order that he receive immediate psychiatric care

A LEGAL expert and apprentice solicitor has been charged with the murder of his father, who was found stabbed to death in his Dublin home.

Scott George, a finance academic and married father of two in his 70s with adult children, was found dead at the detached house on Thursday night at Tobersool Lane, near Balbriggan.

Daire McCormack-George, 29, was remanded in custody with an order that he receive immediate psychiatric care after appearing before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court on Saturday morning. He was charged with the murder of Scott George contrary to common law.

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in a murder case, which requires an application to be brought before the High Court.

Dr McCormack-George is a PhD holder, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and Hertford College, Oxford, and a published author with expertise in European law.

Dressed in a navy zipped-up fleece jacket, grey tracksuit bottoms and cream footwear, he sat silently with his arms folded and legs crossed during the brief hearing but did not address the court.

The accused, who has an address at Cabra Road, Phibsborough, Dublin, has yet to indicate a plea.

Garda Ultan McElroy told the court he arrested the accused for the purpose of charge at Balbriggan station at 10.42pm on Friday and the charge was put to him at 11.28pm.

The court heard he was cautioned in the usual manner, and he "made no reply" to the charge and was handed a true copy.

Defence solicitor Danny Nolan then moved two applications.

He said his client was a trainee solicitor, but due to the seriousness of the alleged offence, he was seeking legal aid, which was granted.

Mr Nolan said Daire McCormack-George had been diagnosed with mental health issues and would be grateful if he received a visit from a prison psychologist.

"He has prescribed medication which he has not received in a number of days and he is anxious to receive it," Mr Nolan said.

Judge Aylmer remanded Mr McCormack-George in custody to appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Furthermore, he directed that the accused would receive immediate psychiatric assessment and treatment that may be required while in prison.

The alarm was raised just after 11.20pm, and emergency services personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The property was sealed off as a crime scene and examined by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.

The Office of the State Pathologist was also contacted on Thursday night. A pathologist carried out a preliminary examination of the victim's remains where they were discovered, before the body was removed for a postmortem examination.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry, and an incident room has been established at Balbriggan Garda Station.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward, including motorists with dash cams from the area that night who are asked to provide footage to the investigation team.

ENDS..//  Tom Tuite 2024
The second garda, aged in his 40s, was transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he is in a critical condition and being treated for serious head injuries.

The attack took place on the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street.

A garda is in a critical condition in hospital following an unprovoked attack near Temple Bar in Dublin city centre overnight.

The garda was one of two off-duty members who were set upon in the early hours of this morning on the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street.

A criminal investigation is underway and detectives at Pearse Street Garda Station have established an incident room which is being overseen by a senior investigating officer.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area in an effort to identify the suspects involved. At this stage detectives believe the two off-duty gardai were set upon by one individual.

Emergency services were alerted to the scene and both gardai were rushed to hospital.

One of the gardai was treated at St Jamess Hospital in Dublin overnight and kept under observation but has since been discharged.

The second garda, aged in his 40s, was transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he is in a critical condition and being treated for serious head injuries.

A source told the Sunday World: This seems to have been a completely unprovoked attack, and the two gardai were caught off guard and the main injuries were caused by what appears to be a sucker punch.

Both are well respected members of the force and significant efforts are underway to identify the suspect.

The two off-duty gardai are attached to units operating within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR).

GRA President Mark OMeara told independent.ie: Our thoughts and prayers are with our injured colleagues and their loved ones at this difficult time.

A garda spokesperson said: Gardai are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault which occurred at the junction of Dame Street and Euston Street, Dublin 2, in the early hours of this morning, Saturday 14th December 2024.

The incident occurred at approximately 01:30am. Two males were injured during the course of this incident.

One of the men, aged in his 40s, has been taken to Beaumont Hospital Dublin where he is currently in critical condition.

A second man was taken to St Jamess Hospital, Dublin, for medical treatment and has been subsequently discharged.

No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.

An incident room led by a senior investigating officer has been established at Pearse Street Garda Station.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the Dame Street / Temple Bar area, between 1:00am and 1:45am, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

Gardai are particularly looking to speak with any taxi drivers who were driving in the Dame Street area at the time and may have footage.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
No other suspects being sought in extremely tragic fatal assault case

Gardai at the scene at Tobersool Lane near Balbriggan in Co Dublin. Photo: Collins

Gardai are questioning a solicitor in connection with the murder of a man who was well known to him.

The victim in the case, who was aged in his mid-70s, was stabbed to death at his home in rural north Co Dublin late on Thursday night.

The male suspect in the case is understood to have been battling mental health difficulties in recent times.

The arrested man (29), who is a highly educated solicitor, has no history of violence and was not known to gardai.

The murder case is being investigated by detectives based in Balbriggan station and no other suspects are being sought.

It is understood that there was no one else in the house at the time and the emergency services were notified by a 999 phone call.

Gardai remained at the scene yesterday at Tobersool Lane as the property was sealed off.

The house is close to the M1 motorway and a garda technical examination took place at the property.

A decision to either release or charge the suspect is expected to be made today.

Gardai announced details of the investigation yesterday morning.

The murder is being classified as an extremely tragic case and it is understood that both the victim and suspect were respected members of the local community.

Gardai in Balbriggan are investigating the circumstances around the death of a man following an incident in Tobersool, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, which occurred on the evening of Thursday, December 12, a garda spokesperson said.

Shortly after 11.20pm, gardai and emergency services attended a residence in Tobersool, near Balbriggan, where a man in his 70s was found unresponsive. He was declared deceased at the scene.

A male [20s] was arrested in connection with the investigation.

The office of the state pathologist has been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

The scene is preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry, and an incident room has been established at Balbriggan garda station.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly those who were in the Tobersool area between 10pm and 11.20pm on Thursday.

Additionally, individuals with video recordings, including motorists with dash-cams, from the area within the timeframe, are asked to provide footage to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Balbriggan garda station on (01) 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any garda station.
David Smyth is accused of a raft of charges including GBH and false imprisonment

A Belfast man accused of torturing a victim who was bound, gagged, beaten, burned and stabbed in his own home has been refused bail over fears of witness interference.

As David Smyth appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court by video-link from prison, his defence counsel Ciaran Harvey mounted a fresh application for bail.

The 32-year-old, of no fixed abode, is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing weapons, namely a knife and a kettle with intent to cause GBH, theft of the victims clothing and false imprisonment, all allegedly committed on March 20, this year.

Objecting to the defendant being freed, a PSNI officer outlined how the victim had been drinking with a friend in his flat in Comber when the friend asked if Smyth and his partner Danielle Broome could join them.

The injured party was in good spirits and said that was fine, said the cop, who added that a few hours later, Broom and Smyth arrived at the door.

According to the victim, he answered the door and Broome was wearing a black snood with a skeleton logo and when he jokingly asked why she had that, the pair assaulted him.

He fled, but Smyth and Broome allegedly chased him and brought him back to the property where he was tied up with black cable ties. While he was sitting on the floor tied up, Smyth is said to have gagged him with a microfibre cloth.

The victim then claims to have been struck over the head with an empty Buckfast bottle and punched to the face, before Smyth began to stab him multiple times and burn him with a kettle of water.

At the time of the attack, the officer claimed that Broome was scrolling through the victims phone demanding to know do you like me now, do you f****** like me now?.

As the pair left, they are accused of ordering the victim to strip off his clothes which they then allegedly put into a bag along with his phone, taking the items with them.

The police officer said in evidence: On leaving they told him not to contact the emergency services or the police, or report the matter, or they would harm his mother and grandmother who they were able to name personally. They told him that if the matter was reported, tell them he hurt himself on a spiked fence.

Although the victim was assaulted on March 20, the court heard the incident did not come to light until the following day when his concerned mum called and found him lying in an injured state and contacted the police.

Having lay bruised, burned and bleeding for 24 hours, the complainant named the defendants as his alleged assailants and suggested that he was attacked because he posted on social media that Broome is not a nice person and that he didnt like her.

There was also CCTV evidence from a filling station in Comber which tied in with the timing of the attack, and the court heard Smyths DNA has been found on the kettle used to burn the injured party.

The couple were arrested within a few days of the incident but both of them refused to answer police questions.

While Smyth is in custody Broome, from Portallo Street in Belfast, is on bail accused of causing actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and theft of the complainants clothing.

Applying for Smyth to be freed, his defence barrister emphasised that while the case is obviously serious it is relatively straightforwardbut theres been slow progress.

He conceded that when Smyth was first charged, he had other cases pending but they have all been dealt with and he argued that with the defendants father putting forward a 1,000 surety, he could be freed.

District Judge Mark Hamill said that at this stage, he had to take the prosecution case at its height and at its height this is torturing a man in his own home and threatening his mother and grandmother.

He (the victim) took those threats so seriouslyhe was so frightened by them that he did not report it at all, said the judge, who refused the bail application.
It is alleged that McLaughlin was engaged in sexually explicit online chats with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl but who was in fact a decoy posing as a child

This is the online creep who has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register after he was snared by a paeodphile hunter gang.

Standing in the dock of Newtownards Magistrates Court last Thursday, Mark McLaughlin confirmed he understood the two charges against him, both committed on May 1, 2023.

The 55-year-old, from Co Derry but whose address was given as c/o McConnell Kelly Solicitors on the Comber Road in Dundonald, was charged with attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempted sexual communication with a child.

Defence solicitor Mark Austin confirmed that McLaughlin is pleading guilty one and two and further that the 55-year-old will be on the sex offenders register from today.

Applying for sentencing to be adjourned to allow time for probation to complete reports, Mr Austin also asked District Judge Mark Hamill to free his client on bail.

Judge Hamill agreed and in ordering McLaughlin to sign the police sex offenders register, he barred the predator from having any unsupervised contact with children and told him to come back to court on February 6.

None of the background facts were formally opened in court but the vigilante sting operation which led to McLaughlins arrest was broadcast live on social media on May 1 last year.

From the video, it is alleged that McLaughlin was engaged in sexually explicit online chats with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl but who was in fact a decoy posing as a child.

The 10-minute video, viewed thousands of times in the intervening period, was recorded outside Dundonald Ice Bowl.

It culminates with two police officers arriving on the scene and handcuffing McLaughlin.

As they escort him into the back of a waiting police car, a small crowd clapped and cheered in the background.
Hard man Brexiteer also admits embarrassment over how UK treated Ireland

A former NIO minister has said it feels f****** shaming when he thinks about how the UK has treated Ireland in the past.

Steve Baker also admitted he would be reluctant to return to Northern Ireland, saying he fears some loyalists want him dead over his support for the Windsor Framework.

He made his comments in an interview with The Irish Times.

Mr Baker was Conservative MP for Wycombe since 2010, but was one of a series of high-profile Tories to lose their seats in Julys election.

Read more Solicitor quizzed in connection with the murder of Dublin man who was well known to him

He was minister of state for Northern Ireland between September 2022, when he was appointed by Liz Truss, and May this year.

A self-styled hard man of Brexit, in 2022 Mr Baker apologised for some of his behaviour towards Ireland and the EU during the negotiations.

He admitted that he and others did not "always behave in a way which encouraged Ireland and the European Union to trust us to accept that they have legitimate interests.

Today, in a new interview with The Irish Times, he admits to feeling shame over the UKs conduct.

I am embarrassed that Ireland was treated the way it was by the United Kingdom, he said.

"It was wrong. God knows over our history Ireland has been treated badly by the UK. Its f**king shaming.

Mr Baker described then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and former Tanaiste Simon Coveney as a bloody nuisance for their stubbornness over the border.

Their predecessor [Enda Kenny] said the border was just a technical and administrative problem, he said.

He was saying it, I was saying it  it was true. [But] Leo and Simon were instinctively doing political things that made [a deal] impossible, playing up to an Irish domestic audience and EU higher-ups.

He said his surprise apology, made at the Conservative Party conference, was a bid to break the deadlock.

Mr Baker recalled telling Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, minutes before they walked on stage.

I remember his face  he looked at me agog. It had to be a hard Brexiteer who made that apology, he said.

Mr Baker feels he has reconciled with senior political figures in Dublin.

He added: I want to praise Leo now. It takes a big man or woman to change their approach.

Ive met him a few times since. I understand hes a man of few words and Im not bothered if we didnt have much of an exchange.

But I do feel I am reconciled with Irish political leaders, although there will be plenty in Ireland who still hate my guts.

In the wide-ranging interview with newspapers London correspondent Mark Paul, Mr Baker also accepts he is now a hate figure for some loyalists.

Unionists remain deeply unhappy at the Windsor Framework, the post-Brexit deal agreed between the UK and EU in February 2023 which covers trade and human rights.

Earlier this week, the Assembly voted to extend the arrangement, which effectively keeps Northern Ireland inside the EU's single market for goods, for a further four years.

Mr Baker said that due to loyalist resentment of him, he would not return to Northern Ireland unless he had close protection or could carry his own sidearm.

I would not trust loyalists not to want me dead, he added.

Mr Baker also recalled a breakdown in relations with his best friend in politics, an unnamed activist in unionism who wont speak to him any more over his support for the Windsor Framework.

A man who I love like a brother  but he cant forgive me. Well I forgive him. But, bloody hell, it hurts, he added.
The man was arrested in the Dublin Road area in the early hours of Friday after he was initially pursued for suspicious driving.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning

A man will appear in court next month after three PSNI officers were allegedly assaulted in south Belfast.

The man was arrested in the Dublin Road area in the early hours of Friday after he was initially pursued for suspicious driving.

He has now been charged with driving offences as well as three counts of assault on police and resisting police.

During the incident, the driver attempted to evade the officers while holding on to the hand of an officer and did the same with the other two officers on duty.

The 35-year-old man was arrested.

On Saturday morning, the PSNI confirmed the man had been charged.

They said: Police investigating an assault on three officers during the early hours of Friday morning, December 13, in the Dublin Road area of south Belfast have charged a man to court.

The 35-year-old has been charged with a number of driving offences as well as three counts of assault on police and resisting police.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday, January 10.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
The line-up will be completed on Sunday morning and the show is due to start in three weeks

Rhys will have more fitness and stamina than the others but can he dance?

Dundon admits he is coordinated, just not with his feet

The next five celebrity dancers taking part in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars have been revealed!

Elaine Crowley, Kevin Dundon, Kayleigh Trappe, Rhys McClenaghan and Yasmin Seky shimmied onto this evenings Late Late Show before chatting to host Patrick Kielty about competing for the coveted glitterball trophy.

Crowley is one of the countrys most popular television presenters and has been central to Virgin Medias daytime schedule for over twenty years and currently co-hosts Ireland AM alongside Martin King.

The Cork star said: Ive never done anything remotely like this before, never mind in front of so many people. But my eldest sister said to me, you havent put yourself out of your comfort zone for decades. You can interview the politicians. You can do all the stuff on Ireland AM, but challenge yourself for once. So, class of 2025 bring it on. Whats the worst that can happen?

Dundon admits he is coordinated, just not with his feet

Chef Kevin Dundon will swap his apron for sequins as he takes on the popular show. Kevin, who recently launched his own podcast, Under The Grill, alongside our Caoimhe Young, said: Im excited. The fact that Im actually going to learn to dance means that my wife will hopefully now enjoy dancing with me at weddings, and I wont make a complete fool of myself!

As a chef, Im coordinated, but not with my feet. My first dance is an American Smooth, so Im going to treat it like a risotto, nice and slow with a little bit of excitement at the end.

TikTok sensation Kayleigh Trappe will hope to entertain viewers

TikTok sensation Kayleigh Trappe was also announced tonight after years of making her followers laugh with her hilarious lip sync comedy sketches.

Kayleigh said: Im so excited. It feels so surreal, especially because Im so used to just being behind the camera in the comfort of my own home, and now Im going full glitz and glam. Its a big change but I cant wait to get the glitter ball rolling!

Rhys will have more fitness and stamina than the others but can he dance?

Olympic pommel horse champ Rhys McClenaghan will be hoping to add the glitterball to his gold medal that he won in Paris last summer.

Im thrilled to take on this new challenge and look forward to bringing some gymnastics skills to the dance floor. I am approaching my training for the 2025 competition year differently. I took some time to travel, and as I begin my first training block for the LA Games, I will also have some fun figuring out how to dance!

Hopefully, with the guidance of my pro dance partner, I can bring some of my pommel horse flair to the dance floor, too!

Kin actress Seky will hope there isn't murder on the dancefloor

Kin actress Yasmin Seky will also be preparing to dazzle on the dancefloor from January saying: Im a little nervous, as Ive never really done anything like this before. With acting on screen, if you mess up you can go again, but with this you get one shot and you just have to make it happen!

The eleventh and final name will be revealed on Sunday morning to complete the line up for the Dancing with the Stars class of 2025.

Earlier this week, Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearoid Farrelly, Mrs. Browns Boys actor Danny OCarroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five hopefuls who will be vying for the glitterball trophy in early 2025.

The judges will be joined by 2-time DWTS winner Karen Byrne

The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will all unfold when the new season returns to RTE One and RTE Player next month. Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season.

The two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.
The Bank of New Zealands chief executive has admitted the decision to deny a business account to a women-owned sexual wellness brand was the wrong one and strayed into acting like the moral police.

Girls Get Off, a New Zealand-based sex toy and accessory brand, had its application for a business account denied last week as the nature of its operations were outside of BNZ policy.

By saying that we cant have bank accounts, it just further feeds that taboo and shame around the topic, when its really not something that should be that way. Were talking about wellbeing, co-founder Viv Conway told the Herald on Friday.

BNZ chief executive Dan Huggins has now publicly responded to the saga during Wednesdays Finance and Expenditure Committee, as he was questioned about the Court of Appeals decision to allow BNZ to shut the accounts of the reclusive Christian sect, Gloriavale.

While addressing the decision, he touched on Girls Get Off and admitted it was the wrong call.

I have seen the articles recently on Girls Get Off and that particular customer: we didnt get it right with that customer. We certainly dont see ourselves as the moral police, but with that particular customer, were talking with them, Huggins said.

Weve got automated processes  online processes  to make it simple and easy to onboard customers. Sometimes we need to have a bigger conversation with them, but in that case, we didnt get it right and sometimes we dont.

We are talking with that customer to try and bring them over to the BNZ  we certainly are pleased they want to join us and we would like them to  but we didnt get it right and we need to fix it.

BNZ chief executive Dan Huggins.

Girls Get Off co-founder Jo Cummins confirmed to the Herald that BNZs general manager had reached out to her on Tuesday to apologise, and that she was meeting with them on Friday to discuss what had occurred.

However, Cummins also admitted the business has since been in hot demand, with both Westpac and ANZ reaching out after the story was published. The former was a top contender, she said.

We initially considered switching banks because of the great business banking relationships BNZ was known for  it came highly recommended, Cummins told the Herald on Wednesday afternoon.

However, since this story hit the media, Westpac has stepped up in a big way, addressing our needs and showing their support. Therefore, the urgency to make a switch isnt as pressing anymore, so were happy with Westpac for now.

Cummins noted she and Conway appreciated BNZs willingness to rectify the situation.

We really appreciate BNZs response and their openness to work with us. At the end of the day, our mission is all about normalising conversations around female pleasure.

Bringing attention to these kinds of issues and seeing positive discussions happen at higher levels is a step in the right direction, and were here for it.

A BNZ spokesperson told the Herald on Wednesday it offered banking to a diverse range of businesses, including those that offer sexual wellness services.

Were really pleased to hear Girls Get Off were keen to bank with BNZ due to the great feedback theyd heard from friends about us. Were keen to continue working with them and hope they do end up moving their business banking over to us, the spokesperson added.

Girls Get Off co-founders Jo Cummins and Viv Conway. Photo / Jason Malouin

Huggins' comments came after Conway told the Herald she and Cummins had faced pushback from banks before, with Kiwibank also allegedly refusing to do business with Girls Get Off as it didnt want to deal with the nature of its operations.

When it comes to sexual wellbeing  and youve got the petrol station down the road selling cigarettes  Id be very surprised to hear if they have any issues opening bank accounts. I think thats where the frustration comes in for us, Conway said.

You get pushed back on simply having a bank account, when theres other businesses that arguably perpetuate more harm in society ... I wonder if the TAB has trouble getting a bank account? she laughed.

I would argue that gambling does more harm to society than selling vibrators.

A spokesperson for BNZ told the Herald last week that while it was unable to comment on a potential customers details without a privacy waiver, businesses that offered adult services were typically required to complete additional checks.

In some cases, our digital onboarding process declines applications as the required checks havent been met and more information is required. In these instances, we are happy to continue to work with customers to complete the necessary requirements.

Girls Get Off was co-founded by Conway and Cummins in March 2021. The online business, which went on to win Peoples Choice at the Tauranga Business Awards that year, has since expanded its operations to Australia, with plans to continue growing overseas.

The brand has also built a successful presence on social media: at the time of writing, the Girls Get Off Instagram boasts a following of almost 120,000, while a private Facebook community has close to 40,000 members.

-Bay of Plenty Times
Rising temperatures and dry conditions in the Bay of Plenty have led to over 69 vegetation fires in November, resulting in the implementation of a restricted fire season.

There hasnt been significant rain over the winter, so the vegetation has dried, Fire and Emergency Bay of Plenty District Manager Jeff Maunder said.

Temperatures spiked in early December, and Maunder worries that the winds will dry things out further.

Weve got over 500,000ha of commercial forestry conservation land, surrounded by farms, grasses and scrub that could be at risk.



A series of fires along State Highway One near Burnham and Dunsandel south of Christchurch have broken out today. Photo / Supplied

The massive fires seen in Australia, the United States and Canada, seen through television, have started to become a reality in New Zealand, Maunder said.

Youll see in the South Island that its consistent. They are starting to have some decent wildfires down there.

Most fires are caused by three things: men, women, and children  the odd one is induced by lightning, he said.

There is not much we can do about lightning. The rest of it is about how to educate and keep our community safe.

According to Maunder, Fire and Emergency New Zealand does its best to mitigate the risk.

There are three levels of control: open fire season, restricted fire season and prohibited fire season.

A fire can spread quickly in dry areas and can become very difficult to extinguish once it becomes large enough, Maunder said.

Fire doesnt care. Itll just rock on and do its thing.



Firefighters are warning Bay of Plenty residents to be careful when lighting fires.

Simple things can be done to mitigate the chances of igniting a fire, such as not using power tools near dry patches of grass, careful disposal of cigarette butts  and not mowing the lawn if it is too dry.

If its hot and dry, just be aware that anything can create a spark.

Cooking fires do not require a permit, but Maunder said people need to be mindful of where they dispose of their ashes.

Just be mindful because the consequences can be horrific, he said.

A small spark can cause massive damage, such as the Snodgrass fire on November 20, which forced houses to be evacuated.

The wind came up, blew sparks into the shelterbelt.



A helicopter with monsoon bucket heading toward the fire on Waikite Road.

There is also a considerable cost to firefighting fires, and when helicopters and monsoon buckets are used, the cost skyrockets to $3500 an hour.

We have a policy of hitting it very fast doing that. And thats the cost of doing business, he said.

Visitors to the Bay of Plenty, East Coast, and the Coromandel must be aware that it will be very dry, and caution is advised, Maunder said.

People can visit checkitsalright.nz to see if it is safe to light a fire, he said.

- SunLive
Failing an eye test when renewing his drivers licence in January was a blessing in disguise for Tauranga man Reuben.

Reuben, whose surname the Bay of Plenty Times agreed not to publish, learned soon after he had keratoconus  a condition that causes loss of vision.

Reuben has had treatment on each eye in September and November respectively at the Rotorua Eye Clinic by ophthalmologist Dr Colin Parsloe.

Parsloe hopes to introduce an annual national screening programme for keratoconus for intermediate and high school children through his charity, Keratoconus Limited.

He launched a pilot programme on November 25 and screened all students at Mokoia Intermediate and Rotorua Intermediate schools.

Reuben said establishing a national screening programme in schools was a great idea.

There isnt enough knowledge ... if you can get the youth to be aware of these kinds of things, then they know what to look out for and when to go and get things checked.

Bearable but very painful

Reuben, in his 30s, was referred to an optometrist after failing his eye test when renewing his drivers licence.

The optometrist confirmed he had keratoconus in both eyes, the left being more serious than the right.

In hindsight, Reuben said he had noticed a slight blur in his left eye but had not got it checked.

When using his phone, he had to zoom in more or bring it closer to his eyes to read it.

Reuben was referred to Parsloe for cornea cross-linking treatment which he said was fairly daunting.

Dr Colin Parsloe - who wants to introduce a national screening programme for keratoconus - works at the Rotorua Eye Clinic. Photo / Stephen Parker

Reuben had treatment on his left eye in September and the right eye in November.

The first treatment was bearable but very painful.

He stayed in a dark room with the curtains closed for two to three weeks until it healed.

The treatment on his right eye was way more painful, he said.

A post-treatment check-up revealed his left eye had improved but his right eye was still healing.

If he had not had cross-linking treatment, the alternative wouldnt have been too good for me.

What is Keratoconus?

Parsloe explained the cornea had collagen fibres held together by little linkages.

He said keratoconus weakened the ability of the collagen to hold itself together in a certain structure.

Parsloe said the eye had to be pumped up to a certain pressure to be stable.

For patients with keratoconus, the pressure could be too much on their eyes.

That weak spot thats between those collagen fibres allows the fibres to slip. They slip and the first thing that happens is the cornea starts to thin and then it bulges a little bit.

Very early on, patients may not even notice this happening.

Rotorua ophthalmologist Dr Colin Parsloe.

He said keratoconus often started in one eye. The patient could become aware of it and get glasses, which would be fine to compensate for the small change.

If a patient needed different glasses in six months, its likely that your cone is bulging more.

If the bulge progressed, someone might need a soft or hard contact lens. Eventually, someone might need a scleral contact lens.

Ultimately, if it continues to thin and spread ... the inner layer can rupture, fluid gets in and they get this really intense pain initially for a few days.

This caused scarring and the only way to overcome that was to get a donated cornea, he said.

What are the symptoms?

Parsloe said the strongest sign of keratoconus was rubbing your eyes.

Others were constant squinting, bringing something closer to your eyes to see it, and needing to update glasses every six months.

Parsloe also advised people to be aware of their family history of unexplainably losing vision in one eye.

If people had symptoms, he advised asking an optometrist specifically about keratoconus as optometrists did not always look for it.

Parsloe said keratoconus could stop people from being able to drive, doing well-paid jobs and working on computers.

The earlier we get the patients, the earlier we treat them, the less loss of vision.

Parsloe said it was difficult to say how common the disease was because theres no real great statistics or data.

He said a study done among high school students in Wellington showed one in 45 Maori had keratoconus. Overall, one in 191 had it.

How is Keratoconus treated?

Parsloe said if keratoconus was picked up early, there was a one-off 30-minute treatment called cornea cross-linking which stopped it from progressing.

This involved soaking the eye with Vitamin B and shining a blue concentrated ultraviolet light on it for 10 minutes. This superglues the strands together.

After it healed, thats it for the rest of their life.

Parsloe said natural ultraviolet light also tightens those linkages.

He said not everyone with keratoconus would get it the full way.

Some of his patients started developing a bulge and then it stops at a certain point.

Giving people independence

Parsloe was inspired to start his charity in August after seeing many patients in New Zealand with keratoconus.

Before moving to Rotorua in 2020, Parsloe was living in the UK where he hardly saw patients with keratoconus.

My whole reason I get up in the morning is to give people independence.

I can stop it from getting worse, but by then theyve already lost their careers ... their income, theyre never going to be able to provide for their children the way that they should have been able to, and that was frustrating for me.

Cone.org is a screening programme the charity runs.

Mokoia Intermediate School students were screened for keratoconus as part of Dr Colin Parsloe's pilot programme. Photo / Andrew Warner

During the pilot programme at Mokoia Intermediate School, at least three students would be referred for cornea cross-linking.

Next year, the charity planned to screen all students at Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatane, Taupo, and Opotiki high schools.

In 2026, he planned to screen students in Tauranga, the Western Bay of Plenty, and Hamilton.

His ambition was to introduce an annual national screening programme for intermediate and high school children in New Zealand.

People could donate on the cone.org website.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.
Amparo Estrada Madrid Saturday, 14 December 2024, 18:46 Compartir

The founder of the Mango fashion chain in Spain, Isak Andic Ermay, 71, died this Saturday when he fell from a height of 150 metres while hiking with several members of his family near the Salnitre caves in the Montserrat massif. The businessman, a mountain and hiking enthusiast, was accompanied by his son and his wife when he slipped on one of the paths and fell into a ravine. It was his son who alerted the emergency services via 112.

The son explained to officers that his father was walking behind him and at one point he heard the sound of rocks falling and when he turned around he saw his father plunging into the void.

Zoom Mango founder Isak Andic. RC

A mountain unit recovered the body of the businessman at half past three in the afternoon and transferred it to the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensics of Catalonia, where it will undergo an autopsy in the next few hours.

Andic, Mango's non-executive chairman, was one of Spain's richest people with an estimated net worth of 4.5 billion euros. In 1984 he opened the first Mango shop in Barcelona, on Paseo de Gracia, and turned the company into a major textile company. Andic's family emigrated from Turkey to Barcelona in 1969, where he and his brother Nahman started selling T-shirts and hand-embroidered clogs. Mango closed 2023 with a turnover of 3.1 billion euros, with 33% of its business coming from online, and a presence in more than 120 markets.

The news of his death has shocked the business and political world. president of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, expressed his "dismay" and highlighted the "great loss for the Spanish business fabric" that Andic's death represents. The president of the Partido Popular, Albeerto Nunez Feijoo, and the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, also expressed their sorrow. "We are shocked by the loss of Isak Andic, a committed businessman who, with his leadership, has contributed to making Catalonia great and projecting it in the world. He leaves an indelible mark on the Catalan and global fashion sector. My condolences and those of the entire regional government to family, friends and the Mango team," Illa posted on X.

"It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and founder of Mango, in an accident this Saturday," said the fashion company's CEO, Toni Ruiz. "Isak has been an example for all of us. He has dedicated his life to the Mango project, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that are those that he himself has imbued in our company," he added in a statement released this Saturday. "His legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human qualities, his proximity and the care and affection that, always and at all times, he has transferred to the entire organisation," it said. "His departure leaves a huge void; it is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can pay to Isak", Ruiz stressed, "to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak's ambition was and of which he would have been proud".
By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) -OpenAI asked a federal judge in California on Friday to reject a request by billionaire Elon Musk to halt the ChatGPT makers conversion to a for-profit company.

OpenAI also published a trove of emails and text messages with Musk on its website to argue that he initially backed for-profit status for OpenAI before walking away from the company after failing to get a majority equity stake and full control.

Musk, who was an OpenAI cofounder, has since launched a competing artificial intelligence company, xAI.

Musk sued OpenAI, its CEO Sam Altman and others in August, claiming they violated contract provisions by putting profits ahead of the public good in the push to advance AI. In November, he asked U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland for a preliminary injunction blocking OpenAI from converting to a for-profit structure.

A lawyer for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

OpenAI's blog post said Musk "should be competing in the marketplace rather than the courtroom."

Musk has since added Microsoft and others as defendants to his lawsuit, alleging OpenAI was scheming to sideline rivals and monopolize the market for generative artificial intelligence.

OpenAI's court filing denied any conspiracy to restrain AI market competition, and it said Musk's request for a preliminary injunction was based on "unsupported allegations."

In a separate court filing, Microsoft on Friday said it and OpenAI "are independent companies that each pursue their own strategies and compete vigorously with each other and many others." Microsoft said its OpenAI partnership has "fueled innovation between them and others."

OpenAI started as a nonprofit in 2014 and has become the face of generative AI through billions of dollars in funding from Microsoft. In October, it closed a $6.6 billion funding round from investors, which could value the company at $157 billion.

Musks xAI earlier this month said it had raised about $6 billion in equity financing.

OpenAI is working on a plan to restructure its core business into a for-profit benefit corporation. The OpenAI nonprofit would own a minority stake in the for-profit company.

Rogers is scheduled to hear arguments on Musk's injunction bid on Jan. 14.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by David Bario, Daniel Wallis and Bill Berkrot)
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
Town of Onondaga, N.Y.  Two people were displaced Friday evening by a fire that spread into the home from a chimney in the town of Onondaga, firefighters said.

Firefighters were called to the home at 4808 Yenny Road around 4:18 p.m. due to a chimney fire, said Onondaga Hill Fire Department Deputy Chief Dante Garofalo.

While driving to the two-story home, Garofalo said firefighters received calls stating the fire had spread to the rest of the house. The fire had extended about 15 feet and spread to parts of the roof and second floor, he said.

As firefighters attempted to put out the fire, they were concerned the ceiling might collapse and evacuated, he said. They extinguished most of the fire from outside and worked their way back in, putting a majority of the fire out in about 30 minutes, he said.

The two displaced residents were assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported.

A chimney fire extended upwards of 15 feet and spread through part of the roof and second floor of a home at 4808 Yenny Road on Friday Dec. 13, 2024.Timia Cobb

Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.
Update as of 1:42 p.m.: The man is in stable condition and is expected to survive, police said.

Syracuse, N.Y.  A man was shot multiple times in Syracuses Tipperary Hill early Saturday morning, police said.

At 1:41 a.m., police responded to Upstate University Hospital for a 34-year-old man who had been shot multiple times in the upper body, according to a news release from Syracuse police.

A 911 caller reported shots fired in the Tipperary Hill neighborhood around the same time, according to dispatches from the Onondaga County 911 Center. The caller said the man was driving himself to the hospital, dispatchers said.

Around the same time, an officer reported being flagged down by a driver who said he had been shot, dispatchers said.

The man was shot on the 100 block of Syracuse Street, police said. The street runs parallel to West Fayette Street and North Wilbur Avenue in Tipperary Hill.

When police arrived at the hospital, the man was being treated in the emergency room, police said. They were unable to provide what condition the man.

Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call them at (315) 442-5222.

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.

Submit
Bottom line: While Arm-based PCs face some hurdles, their potential for growth remains significant, driven in particular by claims of superior battery life compared to previous generations. Intel, meanwhile, is making improvements to adapt to new market demands.

The PC market is undergoing a significant shift as Arm-based processors gain traction, challenging the long-standing dominance of x86 architecture. However, this transition is not without challenges, as highlighted by Michelle Johnston Holthaus, interim co-CEO of Intel, during the Barclays 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference.

Johnston Holthaus recently claimed that retailers are grappling with a high return rate of Qualcomm-powered machines. "If you look at the return rate for Arm PCs, you go talk to any retailer, their number one concern is 'I get a large percentage of these back,'" she said, attributing the issue to compatibility problems with common applications.

Qualcomm was quick to respond though, "Our device return rates are within industry norms," a representative told CRN. The spokesperson further added that Qualcomm "expects 30% to 50% of laptops to transition to non-x86 platforms within the next five years."

Regardless of one claim or the other, Arm-based systems are making inroads into the PC market. While Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite machines currently hold a mere 0.8% market share, the overall Arm-based client PC segment commands approximately 10% of the market. This growth is primarily driven by Apple's M-series processors, which have paved the way for wider Arm adoption.

Intel, for its part, is acutely aware of the evolving landscape. "We [will] have more competitors than we have ever had. You will see more competitors enter the marketplace in 2025," Johnston Holthaus said, possibly hinting at rumors of MediaTek and Nvidia entering the Arm-based Windows PC market.

Team Blue has been improving performance and power efficiency to match Arm-based rivals. "We took too long at Intel to become performance and power-oriented, and we made a massive leap with our Lunar Lake product last year," Johnston Holthaus said.

For instance, Intel introduced a hybrid architecture in its latest processor series, combining Efficient-cores (E-cores) with Performance-cores (P-cores) to balance power efficiency with high performance. This design went beyond laptops and desktops and had a notable impact in Xeon 6 datacenter CPUs, which offer 3:1 rack consolidation and up to 2.6x performance-per-watt improvements over their predecessors.

Intel is also collaborating with Arm to produce low-power SoCs using its 18A process and is already integrating AI hardware into its processors. The Lunar Lake architecture, for example, features a fourth-gen NPU capable of delivering up to 48 TOPS  a fourfold improvement over its predecessor.

Laptops featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Pro and Elite chips were the first PCs to support Microsoft's Copilot AI features, positioning them at the forefront of the company's AI PC push. However, most AI PCs are gaining market traction through Intel and AMD's x86 processors instead.

In Q3 2024, AI PCs accounted for 20% of all PC shipments, a 49% increase from Q2, driven by greater availability. Despite this growth, consumer interest in AI PCs and GenAI features remains modest. Intel and AMD devices, which represent about half of these shipments, are only beginning to receive support for Copilot.

Meanwhile, Snapdragon X laptops are receiving high praises primarily for their extended battery life, often lasting a full day. Additionally, the upcoming end-of-life for Windows 10 is expected to drive a significant sales boost, as users upgrading to Windows 11 may inadvertently adopt AI PCs.
France's Mayotte on highest alert as Cyclone Chido nears



Saint-Denis de la Reunion, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2024



The French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte issued its highest alert Saturday as Cyclone Chido approached, ordering everyone including rescue workers to seek shelter.

"It's an unprecedented event, extremely violent, the winds may exceed 180 kilometres (112 miles) per hour," Governor Francois-Xavier Bieuville said.

As the cyclone neared the territory, the authorities banned all 320,000 residents from moving.

Raising the highest alert "entails the strict confinement of the entire population, including rescue and security services and all officials mobilised for crisis management," the local government wrote on social media platform X.

The warning went into force at 7:00 am (0400 GMT), two hours before the eye of the storm was due to pass over northern Mayotte.

"This is serious. Mayotte has never known a situation like it," council chief Ben Issa Ousseni said Friday.

The authorities have turned more than 70 schools and gyms into shelters, with priority given to the 100,000 residents assessed as living in the most vulnerable homes.

"We're really scared," said Fatima, a resident of Majicavo-Koropa village on the eastern coast.

"I've stocked up on water bottles, food, candles," the 57-year-old told AFP.

At 6:00 am, the storm was about 100 kilometres northeast of Mayotte, weather service Meteo France said, forecasting "destructive or even devastating winds".

dje-mli-clv-sha/bfa/rr/lpa/rsc/cwl
At least two killed as Cyclone Chido batters France's Mayotte



Saint-Denis de la Reunion, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2024



At least two people were killed Saturday as fierce winds from Cyclone Chido lashed French Indian Ocean territory Mayotte, with authorities warning of severe damage and residents fearing the worst.

The two confirmed deaths came on Petite-Terre, the smaller of Mayotte's two major islands, a security source told AFP.

Also on Petite-Terre, the Pamandzi airport "suffered major damage, especially to the control tower," acting Transport Minister Francois Durovray said on X.

Air traffic "will be restored initially with military aid planes. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply," he added.

Across Mayotte, France's poorest department 500 kilometres (310 miles) east of Mozambique, "many of us have lost everything," said prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville.

Chido had proved to be "the most violent and destructive cyclone we've seen since 1934," he added.

France's newly-installed Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who has yet to name his cabinet, will hold a crisis meeting in Paris on Saturday evening, his office said.

Mayotte's alert level has been lowered from violet -- the highest- -- to red to allow emergency responders to leave their bases.

But "the cyclone is not over," prefect Bieuville warned, urging Mayotte's roughly 320,000 people to remain "locked down".

Communications with Mayotte are largely interrupted.

A resident on the main island of Grande Terre, Ibrahim Mcolo, had earlier described fallen electricity masts, roofs ripped off homes and trees uprooted as the first gusts struck.

"There is no more electricity," he told AFP from his home, where he had barricaded himself in.

"Even in our house, which is well protected, the water is getting in. I can feel it trembling."

"It is a time of emergency," President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, telling Mayotte residents that "the whole country is by your side" and thanking emergency responders.

Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau posted that 140 fresh troops and firefighters would be sent to the scene on Sunday to help with recovery, more than doubling the deployment sent earlier in the week.



- Clearing the roads -



Retailleau's office said he had spoken to the prefect by phone and ordered "full mobilisation" of police and security services to help residents and "prevent any possible looting".

Around 1,600 police are on the ground in Mayotte, they added.

"Technical services are clearing the roads so that emergency responders can get through," said Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, mayor of Mayotte's capital Mamoudzou in the north-east of major island Grande-Terre.

"We have enormous material damage," he told the BFM news channel.

Authorities had turned more than 70 schools and gyms into shelters, urging the 100,000 residents assessed as living in the most vulnerable homes to use them.

Mayotte's many shanty towns, built on exposed slopes, were especially vulnerable to the high winds, fire union chief Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui told BFM.

The eye of Cyclone Chido swept across the north of the archipelago from east to west on its way towards Mozambique on the African mainland.

It brought gusts of at least 226 kilometres per hour to some places, although weather conditions have "improved rapidly" since the cyclone moved away in late afternoon, weather authority Meteo France said.

Chido remains "extremely dangerous for the coming 18 to 24 hours" and could threaten Mozambique, it added.

More than 15,000 homes in Mayotte were without electricity, acting Environment Minister Agnes-Pannier-Runacher posted on X.

The violet alert posted on X by the local prefecture had ordered "strict lockdown for the whole population, including emergency services" from 7:00 am (0400 GMT), with road traffic also banned and the archipelago's main airport Dzaoudzi closed.

dje-mli-clv-sha-juc-tgb/gv
A further 14 people have been charged, and nearly $28 million in cash and assets have been seized following an Australian Federal Police investigation into an encrypted app used by gangsters to plot murderous violence and co-ordinate a global drug trade.

Ghost, the underworlds unhackable app, is alleged to have been operated from a bedroom in a suburban Melbourne home. More than 700 police raided homes in a two-day blitz in September after the app was infiltrated by the AFP.

Jung was arrested by the AFP after they infiltrated the Ghost network allegedly run from his bedroom. Credit: AFP

Further raids took place across Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Canada in a global take-down of the encrypted network.

On Saturday, the AFP said 230 kilograms of illicit drugs were stopped from entering the Australian market in the operation. Twenty-nine illegal weapons have been seized, along with $3.4 million in cash and $24.37 million in assets. Police were also forced to intervene in about 50 threats to life since the breached messages began hitting its data teams in March this year.
Surgeons and anaesthetists bill the TAC for this work in addition to receiving an hourly rate from their hospital, an arrangement that insiders say creates a perverse financial incentive for some surgeons to harvest TAC patients. The scale of the alleged financial fraud being investigated by IBAC is not known. However, one hospital source said surgeons could be paid up to $6500 by the TAC for a major surgery, while an assisting fee would be around 20 per cent of this, or $1300. You are talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe even more, they said of the alleged overbilling. A spokesperson for IBAC, which investigates allegations of serious or systemic corruption in the public sector including state-run hospitals, said: As a matter of practice, IBAC does not comment on whether it has a complaint or investigation before it. Law firm K&L Gates interviewed surgeons in 2021 as part of an internal investigation commissioned by the hospital following an anonymous complaint. Staff were told the investigation identified discrepancies between the hospitals software records and what surgeons had billed the TAC.

Its alleged that surgeons doctored operation reports and invoices sent to the TAC by including item numbers for procedures that werent carried out on TAC patients. This allowed surgeons to attract additional money. These item numbers were later deleted from patient operation records on the hospitals software. Its understood that this software is now being forensically analysed to identify potential culprits. Documents obtained by this masthead, which were redacted to remove a patients identity, suggest that the TAC continued to be fraudulently billed by Royal Melbourne Hospital surgeons up until March this year. The documents show that one surgeon billed the TAC for one hours work as an assistant surgeon.

But a screenshot of a text message between his colleagues claimed this surgeon didnt show up until the final minutes of the operation to handle some equipment. Surgeons have questioned why the alleged culprits have been allowed to continue working while under investigation. The Royal Melbourne Hospital did not respond to a lengthy list of questions. But a hospital spokeswoman said the health service upheld strict governance and was proud to deliver exceptional care. We respect the role of regulators in healthcare and cannot provide further comment, she said. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons president Associate Professor Kerin Fielding said the college took allegations of this kind very seriously.

Our fellows understand that patient care is at the core of what we do, and our reputation is key to that, she said. More generally, we strongly refute any suggestion that unethical practices of any kind are commonplace or widespread for RACS members. A spokesperson for the TAC said it was not appropriate to comment on specific matters, but that the commission took concerns about non-compliant billing seriously. Loading The commissions most recent annual report stated that 14 prosecutions were finalised last financial year in relation to fraudulent activities, resulting in $484,124 in restitution payments awarded to the public insurer.

By the end of June, 16 matters remained before the courts, with the TAC alleging fraudulent behaviour to the tune of $936,172. Thirty warning letters were sent over the same period in cases that did not meet the prosecution threshold. Its not known whether any of these prosecutions or warning letters involved surgeons from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. During the financial year, we focused our efforts on provider billing to ensure that invoices supplied by service providers (and their subsequent payments) were an accurate reflection of the services they had provided, the TACs 2023-24 annual report reads. Victorian public agencies, including public hospitals, must notify IBAC of suspected corrupt conduct. The anti-corruption watchdog must also be notified of potential whistleblower complaints that relate to allegations of improper conduct.
On a warm summer morning about a year ago, Jules Lin watched in dismay as a tourist began climbing a tree in the tiny coastal hamlet of Kennett River, apparently attempting to rouse a sleeping koala for a photo.

After she urged the man to leave the animal alone, he descended the tree  before throwing a handful of gravel at the koala.

I could see the animal had gravel dripping out of its ear, and gravel matted to its fur, Lin said.

Throngs of tourists at Kennett River. Credit: Joe Armao

Lin, who lives part-time in Kennett River, said this example of wildlife harassment was not an isolated incident. Every day hordes of visitors arrive at the hamlet on the Great Ocean Road hoping for a close encounter with native wildlife.
Seoul: South Koreas parliament voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived martial law declaration on December 3 that has caused huge political turmoil in the country.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will take over as acting president while the Constitutional Court decides whether to dismiss Yoon or restore his powers.

Protesters rally in support of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment. Credit: AP

The court has up to 180 days to come to a decision. If Yoon is thrown out of office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

The motion was carried after some members of Yoons People Power Party joined the opposition parties, which control 192 seats in the 300-member national assembly, clearing the two-thirds threshold needed for impeachment. The number of lawmakers supporting impeachment was 204, with 85 against, three abstentions and eight invalid ballots.
When Russian scientists released a pair of orphaned Amur tiger cubs into the wild in a remote corner of Russias far-east in 2014, they were trying to save a species. While the tigers, sometimes called Siberian tigers and the worlds largest big cats, remain endangered, the scientists created something else: an unlikely love story.

The cubs, Boris and Svetlaya, had been rescued from the wild as unrelated three- to five-month-old cubs in the Sikhote-Alin mountains, the animals main stronghold. They grew up in captivity and were released at 18 months old. The cats were separated by more than 160 kilometres with the goal of expanding the distribution of released tigers as much as possible in the Pri-Amur region along Russias border with China.

Amur tigers Boris and Svetlaya, observed by a trail camera in 2018. Credit: ANO WCS/The New York Times

The scientists tracked the cubs until, more than a year after their release, something strange happened: Boris walked more than 200 kilometres, almost in a straight line, to where Svetlaya had made a home.

Six months later, Svetlaya gave birth to a litter of cubs.
In the 1960s and 70s, a radical leftist group that called itself the Red Army Faction but now is more commonly referred to by the names of its leaders, Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof, committed acts of terrorism. The Baader-Meinhof Gang kidnapped and assassinated political and business figures, planted bombs and committed arson attacks. Its objective was to model and provoke an anti-capitalist revolution, of which it considered itself the vanguard.

Groups such as this have cemented the idea that revolution is an activity of the left  which is why the terms left and progressive are often conflated. Revolution, which seeks to radically remake society, is the opposite of the conservatism traditionally associated with the right, which by definition seeks to conserve.

Ulrike Meinhof (left) and Andreas Baader: In 1975, terrorists raided the West German embassy in Stockholm to demand their freedom. Credit: AP Wirephoto

But then Donald Trump is also anything but a conservative. Trumpism is a revolutionary movement that aims to tear down institutions people no longer trust.

Both of the elections Trump won have represented revolutions. The first was a disorganised yell of pain from parts of society that felt left behind. The second, this year, was a much more calculated choice by voters to empower a known quantity to dismantle whatever corporate interests and bureaucracies might be holding them back. The catch-cry of the first Trump candidacy was drain the swamp. This time around, that barely needed to be said. Voters have lived through the chaos of a Trump presidency and enough decided that chaos is preferable to the stasis of establishment self-interest that prevailed under Joe Biden.
Washington: Donald Trump wants to end the century-old practice of daylight saving time, or springing forward and falling back, as it is known in the US.

The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldnt! the president-elect wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.

Any effort to permanently change the nations clocks would require the co-operation of Congress, which has been gridlocked over recent time-change legislation and whether it makes sense to end daylight saving or adopt it year-round instead.

Donald Trump thinks daylight saving is inconvenient. Credit: AP

The practice of shifting clocks forward one hour in March and back in November is intended to maximise Americans exposure to sunlight during working hours, but it has long been derided for causing groggy mornings, missed appointments and even some public health problems.
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade has been named as a co-defendant in two lawsuits alleging he and former business partner Russ Ware owe a food distributor nearly $100,000 for goods they agreed to purchase for two downtown restaurants, Good Neighbors Meeting House and The Wild Goose Meeting House.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday vowed to revise a new law on artificial intelligence amid worries by businesses that, contrary to its goals, the legislation would stifle innovation without resolving the problems it sought to remedy.
Hemant Soren-led alliance storms JharkhandHemant Soren-led alliance storms Jharkhand





RANCHI ,

A stunning comeback, Hemant Sorens JMM-led alliance on Saturday stormed to power in Jharkhand for a second consecutive term, winning 56 seats in the 81-member Assembly, despite an all-out blitz by the BJP-led NDA which managed only 24 seats. The majority mark in the State Assembly is 41 seats. The BJP was confident that it could turn the tide in its favour through an aggressive campaign that targeted CM Sorens leadership, and raised issues like infiltration from Bangladesh and the Governments alleged corruption.

Though the BJP failed to replicate the Maharashtra triumph, where it secured a landslide, its vote share in the eastern State was more than the JMM. The BJP contested 68 seats and registered a 33.18 per cent vote share as compared to JMMs 23.44 per cent. The BJP won 21 seats and emerged as the second largest party. JMM contested 43 seats and won 34, the highest-ever seats won by the party. The Congress got 16 seats, RJD 4 and the CPI (ML) secured 2 seats in the INDIA bloc. The aggressive BJP campaign by its top brass, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, failed to resonate in front of the Adivasi card played by the JMM, which also sought the peoples sympathy over the arrest of Chief Minister Soren. The JMMs campaign also focused on promises of welfare schemes and accused the BJP-led Centre of using the ED and CBI as tools against rival parties.

Both Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana managed to create a wave of sympathy among the tribal electorate, and despite the anti-incumbency sentiment, the BJP failed to capitalise on it, according to poll analysts. Soren, who retained the Barhait seat by defeating BJPs Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes, had to resign as the CM in January before being arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. He was released on bail by the high court in June, and in July, he returned as the chief minister of the state, replacing Champai Soren. In his first reaction to the poll outcome, Soren termed the INDIA blocs strong performance in the Jharkhand elections as a passing of the exam of democracy. I express my gratitude to the people for this stupendous performance, he said. Assam Chief Minister and Jharkhand BJP election co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma described the BJPs loss as painful. Sarma aggressively campaigned against the

JMM and accused it of sheltering infiltrators. The loss in Jharkhand is deeply painful for me personally, even though we secured victory in all five by-elections in Assam, Sarma said. Internal bickering within the BJP, especially over nominations for turncoats, seemed to have further hampered the partys prospects. The RJD also made a surprise showing, winning four of the six seats it contested. The CPI(ML) Liberation secured two out of four seats. The LJP (Ram Vilas) won its lone contested seat, and the JD(U) won one of the two seats it fought. The AJSU party, which contested 10 seats, was almost wiped out, retaining only one seat in Mandu by a slender margin of 231 votes. Its leader, Sudesh Mahto, lost the Sili seat. Sorens wife, Kalpana, who played a key role in revitalising the JMM following her husbands arrest, won from Gandey by a margin of 17,142 votes defeating BJPs Muniya Devi. Kalpana won the seat in a bypoll on June 4 this year after it fell vacant following the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad. Kalpanas political journey, which was never her initial choice, began in earnest after her husbands arrest by the ED in connection with a money laundering case.
Ladki Bahins give landslide victory to MahaYuti





MUMBAI,

THE BJP-led MahaYuti alliance on Saturday retained power in Maharashtra, pocketing a whopping 230 of the 288 Assembly seats, as the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadis dream of wresting power fizzled, with the Opposition combine managing to garner just 46 seats. The Election Commission announced that the BJP has won 132 seats, the Shiv Sena won 57, while the NCP got 41 seats. In the MVA, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidates won 10 seats, Congress won 16, while Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) won 20 seats. The Congress retained the Nanded Lok Sabha seat, with its candidate Ravindra Chavan defeating BJPs Santukrao Hambarde by 1457 votes. After the certainty of the poll outcome, the focus has now shifted to BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, the architect of his partys stunning victory. Political circles are abuzz with reports that the States second Brahmin to become the CM will don the post for the third time.

In his speech at the BJP headquarters in Delhi Saturday night, PM Narendra Modi called Fadanvis his param mitra. Maharashtra has broken all records, it is the biggest win for any party or pre-poll alliance in the last 50 years, Modi said, adding the message from the Maharashtra elections is that of unity and it is also an endorsement of the ek hai toh safe hai (united we are safe) slogan. There were reports that the swearing in of the new CM may take place as early as Monday at the Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai, where Fadnavis was sworn in as the CM 10 years ago. No Opposition party bagged the minimum number of seats mandatory to claim the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, where the BJP bettered its 2014 polls tally by 10 seats. The norms for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lower House stipulate that the partys MLAs number at least 10 per cent of the House strength and there is no provision to cobble up the numbers as an alliance.

The counting of votes in the elections held on November 20 began at 8 am. Saturdays winners include BJPs Kalidas Kolambkar who defeated Shiv Sena (UBT)s Shraddha Jadhav by 24,973 in Wadala constituency after 16 rounds to become a legislator for the ninth time in a row. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar won in their respective Assembly constituencies, while senior Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat lost in theirs. State Congress unit president Nana Patole won from Sakoli seat by 208 votes. Leader of Opposition in assembly Vijay Wadettiwar of Congress won from Brahmapuri, defeating BJPs Krishnalal Sahare by 13971 votes. Following is the number of victorious candidates from other parties: Samajwadi Party 2, Jan Surajya Shakti 2, Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party 1, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha 1, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen 1, Communist Party of India (Marxist) 1, Peasants and Workers Party of India 1, Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi 1 and Independents 2. Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah called Fadnavis and congratulated him on the partys impressive performance in the



Maharashtra assembly elections. Sources close to Fadnavis told PTI that Shah called and congratulated him for the partys strong performance in the elections. Sarita Fadnavis, mother of Devendra Fadnavis, also expressed happiness over MahaYutis performance, and described her son as PM Modis favourite. On the Ladki Bahin Yojana, she said, I dont have a daughter, but through this scheme, I now have so many daughters and their good wishes. In the MahaYuti, the BJP contested 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the MVA combine, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 candidates. The final turnout in the polls was 66.05 per cent, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019. Following is the party position in the outgoing Assembly: BJP 105, Shiv Sena 41, NCP 40, Congress 45, Shiv Sena (UBT) 15, NCP (SP) 12, BVA 3, Samajwadi Party 2, AIMIM 2, Prahar Janshakti Party 2, MNS 1, CPM 1, PWP 1, Swabhimani Paksh 1, Rashtriya Samaj Paksh 1, Jan Surajya Shakti 1, Krantikari Shetkari Paksh 1 and Independents 13.
The U.S. military has successfully tested a hypersonic missile in Florida, Azernews reports.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro described the missile launch as a significant milestone in the development of one of the most advanced weapons systems in Washington's arsenal. He emphasized that the successful test demonstrates the countrys continued leadership in hypersonic missile technology.

This test marks the second successful launch this year, underscoring the U.S. military's commitment to advancing its capabilities in high-speed, long-range precision weaponry. Hypersonic missiles, which travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, have the potential to revolutionize military strategies by enabling rapid strikes that are difficult to intercept.

Experts highlight that such successful tests are critical for maintaining a technological edge in the face of growing competition from other nations, particularly China and Russia, who are also investing heavily in hypersonic technologies.

As the U.S. military continues to enhance its hypersonic capabilities, this test serves as a reminder of the strategic importance of these weapons in modern warfare, where speed and precision are paramount.
the gazette Gov. Jared Polis delivers the 2024 State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature at the Colorado Capitol in January.
The federal appeals court based in Denver reinstated a father's lawsuit on Thursday against two Douglas County child welfare workers, who allegedly violated his constitutional rights in their investigation of suspected child abuse.
Every Colorado race for the U.S. House of Representatives this year turned out the way they should have, according to a tried and true measure of the congressional districts' partisan performances.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which faces sharp criticism over its plans to release more wolves on the Western Slope in the coming months, met with county commissioners last week from the counties where the next reintroductions are slated to take place.
With the state's new legislative session slated to get under way on Jan. 8, Democrats have two vacancy seats to fill in two Senate districts.
The future of Space Command, the ongoing war in Ukraine and quality of life issues for service members are all among the tough military issues newly elected Congressman-elect Jeff Crank will face when he takes office in January.

Crank is replacing Congressman Doug Lamborn, who is retiring after 18 years of representing Congressional District 5, which covers Colorado Springs and some surrounding communities.

One of his top priorities ahead of taking office has been vying for a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, a powerful group that guides military investment decisions. Lamborn previously held a seat on the committee and was the sole Colorado representative in recent years as Colorado and Alabama lawmakers fought to be the future home of Space Command. Colorado also does not have a senator on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In an interview with The Gazette, Crank said he has talked with as many steering committee members as possible about an assignment to the House Armed Services Committee.

"I feel pretty good about it. ... I think I have done everything I can possibly do," he said.

Crank's appointment to the committee could be critical, especially because the fight over Space Command could be reopened when President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Alabama lawmakers have kept up the pressure to move the command to Huntsville, even after President Joe Biden made the decision last year to keep the command in Colorado permanently.

Crank said that he didn't believe Trump had made a definitive decision on Space Command's future and he had met with Colorado lawmakers in recent days about working to keep it. The command employs about 1,700 people and is focused on defending and deterring violence in space. It is separate from the Space Force, the youngest military branch.

"I will be appealing to the incoming administration that Space Command should stay," said Crank, who earned Trump's endorsement after winning the Republican primary.

Crank said he believed it would be in the taxpayers' best interest to keep the command in town. Many talented civilians and contractors could also leave the command, if it moved to Alabama, he said.

Quality of life issues, amid a tough recruiting environment for the military, are also high on Crank's priority list.

"We cant afford for our military to be living in bad housing and not feeling like they are being fed," he said.

Crank said he planned to visit Fort Carson in the coming days and ask about solving some of these issues.

Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

He noted that the National Defense Authorization Act includes a 14% pay bump for junior enlisted service members and that should help. But other issues are also critical.

In recent months, Fort Carson soldiers have been complaining of poor food options on Hots&Cots, an anonymous app. One photo of the food options that made the national news showed a plate of lima beans and toast. Posts from recent days show more robust food options.

Fort Carson said in an official statement that the base has had challenges with the dining quality. To correct it, the base is requiring that if an item is on the menu, soldiers should have the option to eat it. The base is also reinvigorating its dining facility council, which brings together brigade-level leadership to emphasize food service.

"Were committed to ensuring our Soldiers receive quality and healthy meals and can take full advantage of their meal benefit they are entitled to receive, the statement said.

Fort Carson soldiers have also complained about suboptimal housing in Army-wide surveys of housing.

The most recent survey released in November 2024 showed that Fort Carson received a poor rating from residents for overall satisfaction with their homes. The base received a score of 62 from its residents and ranked 45 out of 48 among the bases. Its rating was 58 last year, or very poor. Previously, it had ranked last for three years in a row.

A poor rating reflects "substandard performance and strong displeasure with the property and/or the level of service. Improvements are needed immediately," the survey said.

Crank said the military needs to make sure the companies that own houses on base are providing proper maintenance.

Fort Carson leadership holds walking town halls to hear from residents about housing and help address concerns.

Balfour Beatty has also made progress on overdue work orders. In September 2022, Fort Carson had 5,162 overdue work orders. There are currently 191 overdue work orders, according a statement from the base.

Earlier this year, base leadership told The Gazette, that Balfour Beatty Communities, which owns the homes, had set aside funding to address neighborhood-wide issues.

On the world stage, Crank said he is hopeful the new administration can bring about peace in Ukraine. But he also wants to see Russia fully exit Ukraine.

He would also like to see an accounting of where the aid to Ukraine has gone before approving additional military funding.

"I am not going to endlessly write checks to Ukraine," Crank said.
The Asansol division of Eastern Railway has taken a significant step towards bolstering railway safety by prohibiting the use of mobile phones by operational staff, including station masters and pointsmen, while on duty. This decision was taken to maintain uninterrupted focus and ensure the highest standards of safety in train operations.

Effective immediately, the ban applies to staff directly involved in train movement and station management. These personnel play a critical role in maintaining operational efficiency and passenger safety. By restricting mobile usage, the division aims to eliminate potential distractions that could compromise the seamless execution of safety protocols and operational duties.

Advertisement

Stringent measures will be implemented to monitor compliance with this directive. Staff members have been instructed to deposit their mobile phones at designated locations before commencing their shifts.

Advertisement

Communication with operational staff during emergencies will be facilitated through official communication systems.

This initiative reflects the proactive approach of the railways in adopting best practices for safety enhancement. It aligns with the railways broader commitment to ensuring accident-free operations and fostering a safety-conscious work environment.

The Asansol division of Eastern Railway urges all stakeholders to cooperate with this directive and contribute to creating a safer and more reliable railway network.
A special court in Kolkata, on Friday, granted bail to the former and controversial principal of R G Kar Medical College & Hospital Sandip Ghosh and the former OC of Tala police station Abhijit Mondal in the case of rape-murder of a junior doctor within the hospital premises in August.

The bail was granted to the duo since the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to give a supplementary charge sheet in the case establishing the charges against Ghosh and Mondal of misleading the investigation and tampering or altering with evidence while the initial investigation in the matter was being carried out by the Kolkata Police.

Advertisement

The CBI so far has filed just one charge sheet in the rape and murder case where civic volunteer Sanjay Roy had been identified as the sole prime accused in the crime of rape and murder.

Advertisement

However, despite being granted bail in the rape and murder case, there is no chance for Sandip Ghosh to come out of jail since a parallel case against him is being conducted by the CBI on charges of financial irregularities at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

In the CBI charge sheet in the financial irregularities case, Ghosh has been named as one of the prime accused. However, since there is no other case against Mondal except that of evidence tampering, there will be no problem for him to be free from behind the bars.

However, the court has set some conditions for him while granting bail. He will have to go to the police station whenever summoned.

On Friday, the counsels for Ghosh and Mondal argued that 90 days had passed since their clients were arrested and the CBI is yet to file any charge sheet against them as yet, they deserved to get bail in the case.

The CBI also informed the court that since its investigation in the matter is continuing it has not submitted any supplementary charge sheet in the matter. Thereafter, the special court granted bail to Ghosh and Mondal in the case.

A source in the central agency said that the agency would file a supplementary charge sheet and also contended that the bail did not construe that the investigations are over.

We would file a supplementary charge sheet in time after the investigations are over but as of now as the required document was not there, we could not file any charge sheet, the source added.
Chandan Sharma and Tapas Nandi have secured bail from Asansol Court today, after both of them have been arrested by the Asansol North police station allegedly for filling up a pond illegally and encroaching upon government lands.

Two others, Wilson and Dinesh Gorai, two other land sharks who have been arrested by the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC), allegedly for filling up a pond illegally have already managed to get bail.

Advertisement

Munna Shaw, who was arrested by Asansol South police station allegedly for filling up ponds illegally, is still lodged in police custody.

Advertisement

After the recent directives of chief minister Mamata Banerjee to arrest the land sharks and those people who are illegally filling up ponds and waterbodies, the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate has launched a tirade against those people against whom there are complaints of illegally filling up ponds. So far, several FIRs have been lodged and five people arrested.

While some people have brought out a rally and submitted a memorandum to DM of West Burdwan S Ponnambalam alleging illegal pond filing.

Already a probe has been ordered in that incident.
The department of folklore at the University of Kalyani recently concluded a highly successful 10-day research methodology workshop in social sciences, sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

The event brought together students, young researchers, and academicians from across India, creating a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and skill development.

Advertisement

The workshop was inaugurated by the vice-chancellor of the University of Kalyani, Prof Amalendu Bhunia, alongside the chief guest, Prof (Dr) Ajay Mallick, medical superintendent and professor & head, department of ENT, AIIMS, Kalyani.

Advertisement

Participants from diverse regions of India attended the workshop, showcasing the departments dedication to inclusivity and academic excellence. The sessions featured esteemed scholars and experts from renowned institutions as resource persons, including Prof. Yatindra Singh Sisodia, director of the Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain.

The workshop included interactive sessions and hands-on training in research tools and software such as SPSS and AMOS. Notable sessions were conducted by Dr Rajaram from Sri Vidya College of Engineering & Technology, Madurai, and Dr Farhad Ahmed from the Department of CMFM, AIIMS, Kalyani. Their insights and practical approaches enriched the participants understanding of social science research methodologies.

Feedback from the participants highlighted the workshops immense impact. Attendees praised the departments hospitality, the comprehensive sessions, and the excellent organization, describing the event as an exceptional experience.

The valedictory session, presided over by vice-chancellor Prof Amalendu Bhunia and the newly-appointed vice-chancellor of Kanyashree University, Prof Tapati Chakraborty, included heartfelt feedback from participants, certificate distribution, and acknowledgment of the organizing teams efforts.

The workshop marked a significant milestone in fostering academic growth and intellectual vibrancy. The department of folklore is committed to continuing its tradition of hosting impactful events that empower researchers and students, ensuring a lasting contribution to the field of social sciences.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is considering sending a proposal to the West Bengal Heritage Commission for revision in the formula of gradation of heritage structures.

According to mayor Firhad Hakim, many old structures in the limits of the municipal corporation have earlier been given the heritage gradation without any proper scientific or structural consideration of their values. In some cases, it has been observed that despite having nothing to do with heritage, a building was given the gradation just like that in the Left regime, said the mayor. There have been instances where the heritage building had no connection with any historical figure or even no architectural significance but has been given the gradation. For example, in Kidderpore, six buildings were declared heritage because Michael Madhusudan Dutta had tea there. He did not even stay in those houses. To avoid such situations, we have brought out a formula for gradation of heritage. We are suggesting a scientific approach for heritage tagging taking in account the historical and architectural significance of a building, he reiterated.

Advertisement

The proposal is to be sent to the state heritage commission for approval.

Advertisement

Notably, For the gradation of the structures based on their archeological and historical values, the civic body is also considering roping in experts from IIT Kharagpur and IIEST Shibpur. The experts would categorise and do the numbering of the structures based on the archeological and historical values that the buildings have. According to sources, the system would be followed for gradation of the remaining more than 300 structures that were identified for heritage status by the civic body.
The Supreme Court on Friday set a time-line for the framing of charges and recording of the statements by the material witnesses in the trial of former education minister and the Trinamul Congress leader Partha Chatterjee in an alleged money laundering case relating to irregularities in the appointment of teachers and other staff in the state-run schools and granted bail, with release to be effective on or before 1 February 2025.

Directing the framing of the charges before the commencement of the winter vacations and/or before 31 December, whichever is earlier, a Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said that thereafter the trial court shall fix a date within the second and third week of January 2025 for recording the statements of the prosecution witnesses who are material or vulnerable apprehending threat to their lives.

Advertisement

Further, the top court said that all the witnesses, especially those who have expressed apprehension of danger to their lives ~ who might be two or three ~ will be examined on these dates as well.

Advertisement

In the event, due to unforeseen circumstances, the examination of these witnesses is not completed on the dates fixed in the second and third week of January, the top court said that the trial court may do so in the third and the fourth week of January 2025.

The top court barred Partha Chatterjee from being appointed to any public office ~ except that he shall continue to be a Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly ~ during the pendency of trial in the money laundering case being prosecuted by the ED.

Granting bail to Mr Chatterjee to be effective from 1 February 2025, the top court in its order said: We, however, cannot be oblivious to the settled principles that a suspect cannot be held in custody indefinitely and that undertrial incarceration should not amount to punitive detention. The court would, nevertheless, ensure that affluent or influential accused do not obstruct the ongoing investigation, tamper with evidence, or influence witnesses, namely, actions that undermine the fundamental doctrine of a fair trial.

In case, the top court order said, the trial court is able to frame charges and record the statements of material and vulnerable witnesses  apprehending threat to their lives  including their examination, Partha Chatterjee may be released on bail immediately and prior to 1 February 2025.

The grant of bail to Trinamul Congress leader Partha Chatterjee is subject to conditions that any attempt to influence or threaten the witnesses, directly or indirectly, shall entail cancellation of the relief of bail.

Directing Mr Chatterjee to appear before the trial court on every date of hearing, the top court order said that no unnecessary adjournment shall be sought on his behalf and if he is found involved in prolonging the trial, it shall be taken as a valid ground for cancellation of bail.

Mr Chatterjee was arrested by the ED on 23 July 2022 in following raids at premises linked to his aide, Arpita Mukherjee. The case is also being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The case relates to the alleged illegal appointment of unmerited candidates to the posts of primary school teachers, assistant teachers for Class IX-X and Class XI-XII, Group C posts and Group D posts.
Delhi BJPs General Secretary Vishnu Mittal announced on Saturday that senior party leaders, office bearers, and party workers will stay overnight in slum clusters across Delhi on Sunday as part of the partys ongoing Slum Outreach Campaign.

The initiative will see BJP members engaging with residents in over 1,000 slum clusters. The participating leaders include Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva, who will stay in Jhilmil (East Delhi); National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam, who will be in Aram Bagh (Central Delhi); and Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta, who will visit a slum in Badli (North West Delhi).

Advertisement

The party clarified that MPs, MLAs, and municipal councilors will spend the night in slum areas within their respective constituencies to better understand and address the concerns of residents.

Advertisement

The Delhi BJP state unit has been actively conducting slum outreach campaigns to connect with residents and gain insight into the challenges they face.

The initiative aims to improve the living conditions of slum dwellers by addressing their grievances and finding solutions to issues such as inadequate infrastructure.

Previously, the BJP staged protests against the Delhi government over the lack of basic amenities in slum areas, highlighting the urgent need for better infrastructure and services.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking an appointment to meet him to discuss the deteriorating law and order in the national capital.

In his letter addressed to the Union Home Minister, he said, I am writing this letter to you because as the Home Minister of the country, you are responsible for the law and order of Delhi. But it is very sad to say that Delhi is now being recognised as the crime capital in the country and abroad.

Advertisement

The AAP chief, who has been cornering the BJP-led government at the Centre over the law and order in Delhi, claimed that crimes against women are increasing rapidly in the national capital and added that extortion gangs and gangsters have also become active.

Advertisement

Drugs mafia has spread its presence all over Delhi. Today, the courage of criminals is so high that incidents like shooting, murder, kidnapping and stabbing are being carried out in broad daylight on the streets of Delhi, he charged.

The former Chief Minister claimed that in the last six months, more than 300 schools-colleges and over 100 hospitals, airports and malls in Delhi got bomb threats.

Why those making fake bomb threats every day, not caught? Can you imagine what a child goes through, what his parents go through when the school is evacuated due to a bomb threat and the children are sent home? Today every parent and every child of Delhi is living under the fear of a bomb, he said.

Kejriwal claimed that Delhi ranks first in crimes against women among the 19 metro cities of India.

There has been a 350 per cent increase in drug related crimes in Delhi since 2019. On an average, three women become victims of rape every day. Every other day one of our businessman brothers gets a ransom call. These figures are testimony to the deteriorating law and order situation, he said.

He asserted that Delhi Police and law and order are under the Central government and there is a need for proper action and cooperation from him in this serious matter. We have to rise above politics and immediately improve the law and order situation in Delhi. I request you to spare your precious time very soon so that I can discuss the issue of deteriorating law and order situation in Delhi, he added.
The character of James Bond created by Ian Fleming is one of the most iconic and sought-after roles of Hollywood. Every actor wants to have 007 status, don a black tuxedo, sport an Omega watch, and drive a swanky Aston Martin while saving the country. Over the years, several prolific actors have essayed the role, including Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, and Daniel Craig among others. Craig was the last man to have the license to kill and he did five films under the franchise. Since, Craigs departure, discussions about the next Bond have been a constant with some floating the idea of a female or a gay Bond. Now, Quantum of Solace Bold girl, Gemma Arterton weighs in on the idea.

Also Read: Robert Pattinson hints at retirement following final stint as Gothams caped crusader

Advertisement

Gemma Arterton, who played Strawberry Fields in the film rebuffed the idea stating that a female Bond would be like a male Mary Poppins. Moreover, the actress stated that they should maintain the film franchises tradition. In an interview with The Times, the actress reflected on the discussion. Isnt a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man? They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous. Sometimes you just have to respect the tradition. I dont regret doing a Bond film, but I am perplexed why it has followed me around. I was only in the film for five minutes.

Advertisement

Several social media users displayed a positive reception of the idea of a female M16 agent with the 007 number. However, casting producer Barbara Broccoli dismissed the idea. While she rebuffs the idea of changing the spys gender, she hopes that one day a female director directs a Bond film.

Speaking with The Guardian, she said, Bond is male. Hes a male character. He was written as a male and I think hell probably stay as a male. And thats fine. We dont have to turn male characters into women. Lets just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.

Also Read: Daniel Craig doesnt care about who inherits the license to kill as James Bond

Meanwhile, the makers approached Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Luke Evans, Richard Madden, Theo James, Henry Golding and Cillian Murphy for the role, reportedly. However, there is no official confirmation on who will take the franchise forward. Daniel Craig first essayed the role of James Bond for the 2006 film Casino Royale. Subsequently, he starred in Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and lastly, No Time to Die. Moving ahead, fans are curious and anxious to find out who will play the next Bond, James Bond.
In the Tamil literary sphere, Sahitya Akademi Award winner Imayams work Koveru Kazhuthaigal landed as a tsunami, bringing him fame and criticism in equal measure. It was his first novel and he was just 27-years-old then. V Annamalai, whose pen name is Imayam, was conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021 for his work Sellatha Panam (worthless money). Published in 1994, Koveru Kazhuthaigal, on the plight of Dalit dhobis (washermen), was hailed as a work which has no parallel in Tamil in the last 100 years by acclaimed author and critic Sundara Ramasamy.

It has been translated into English as Beasts of Burden and into German, French and Malayalam. Born on 10 March 1964 in Kazhudur village, Imayam is the brother of Tamil Nadu Labour Minister C V Ganesan. But he finds no contradiction in this and asserts that he has never compromised his writing for political affiliation. Excerpts from his interview with M C Rajan of The Statesman:

Advertisement

Q: Is there not a contradiction in remaining a card holder of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and being a writer?

Advertisement

A. Not at all. There is no writing or art sans politics. Writing itself is a political act. I consider myself as one who bears the legacy of the Justice Party, the precursor of the Dravidian movement and DMK. In my opinion, all Tamil writers are Dravidian writers. For, it was the Dravidian movement which opened up education and temples to all and provided them the space to write. Even when I was a student, I was attracted to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which provided me the opportunity to speak on the party stage. At least on stage, there was equality though it was not the same outside. When I was denied a hair cut in the salon, I hurled a stone shouting that I am in the DMK. The party gave dignity. Despite being a card holder, I have not compromised my writing for the sake of the party and never will. I have published critically acclaimed short stories, including Katchikaran (party cadre) which was highly critical of the DMK. To my surprise, late DMK patriarch Karunanidhi had appreciated that. Take it from me, when I compromise, I will stop writing.

Q: Why are you opposed to being described as a Dalit writer?

Why do you oppose Dalit writing as a genre? There is Black Literature, African Literature, American Literature, Australian Literature and so on. A. It is absurd to categorize literature and identify it with caste. Such branding displays an entrenched casteist mindset and is hence unacceptable. I write in Tamil, which has a literary tradition spanning more than 2,000 years, and so are others. What is important is whether I write imbibing that tradition as its contemporary representative. What will you say when I claim that I am the grandson of Tholkappiyar (author of the ancient Tamil grammatical text Tholkappiyam)? I am the grandson of Kambar (who composed the Ramayana in Tamil), Bharathi and so on. I am a Tamil writer above caste and religion. If you brand writings, the works of Brahmins of Thanjavur and Kumbakonam should be classified not as Tamil literature but as Brahmin literature. Perumal Murugans writings should be called Goundar Literature (Goundars are the dominant OBCs of western Tamil Nadu). Similar is the case with writers like Nanjil Nadan from the Pillaimar community (a forward caste).

Q: Unlike in the American and European creative domain, contemporary issues and important events do not get reflected in the Tamil literary sphere. Why?

A: It is regrettable and unfortunate. Lack of courage to take a political stand and make it public is the reason. To whom it is beneficial is very clear to everyone. Do not trust a writer who trumpets that he has no political affiliation. It is a lie and they are most dangerous. It is shameful. For, it may not necessarily be affiliation with a party but there is politics. Writing is power and it questions authority  political, social and religious. While political power is confined to the present, the power of a writer goes beyond the present. Only when you have a commitment to society will you be angry at the prevailing injustice. Not to question and not taking a stand is abdication. Further, it is very important to see how a writer has presented the contemporary society and how his experiments in language, content and treatment are in tune with world literature  enriching and enhancing Tamil.

Q: Why are most of your works tragic and there is no celebration?

A: Because there is suffering in society. When there is so much pain and suffering around you, it is only natural. I am questioning the inequalities in society, the unjust structures and hierarchies. But there is aesthetics in presenting them through appropriate language.

Q: Do you have any regrets that you should have got the Sahitya Akademi award for Koveru Kazhuthaigal itself?

A: When it was published in 1994, some writers insisted that it should be given the award. Only then, I came to know that the Sahitya Akademi award exists. I have no regrets. In fact, I started writing it in 1987 and got it published only later. It was an era when Dalit writing was emerging and I was pilloried for betraying the Dalits by portraying them in a poor light and those who celebrated it were criticized as upper caste elites. An award sheds light on a work and the author, helping to have a wider reach. Apart from that, awards have no value. It is the work which is important. If it is read by posterity after say some 200 or 300 years that is real recognition. Once a work is published, I leave it to the readers, I abandon it. Say, it is death of the author.
Four days after getting a nod from the Union Cabinet, two bills related to one nation, one election are listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha on December 16.

As per the list of business, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Advertisement

The first amendment bill to conduct simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and State assemblies and another bill to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry.

Advertisement

Meghwal will also move the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Also to introduce Bill.

On December 12, the one nation one election bill was approved by the Union Cabinet paving the way for its introduction in Parliament.

According to the Union government, one nation, one election bill will not only streamline the electoral process, but will also foster greater efficiency, and reduce the financial and administrative burden associated with conducting multiple elections at different times.

The Centre has stressed that the concept of one nation, one election envisions to synchronise the electoral cycles of the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies, allowing voters to cast their ballots for both polls simultaneously.

By doing so, the government aims to address several challenges posed by the current system of staggered elections, which often lead to prolonged periods of electioneering, disruption in governance, and heightened expenditure.

The Bill on the simultaneous polls for the lower house and the assemblies, once cleared by both houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, will become a law.

To ensure broad support, the Union 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.

However, before its introduction in the Parliament, the bill initiated debate between the ruling and opposition parties.

Several parties of the INDIA bloc opposed the bill while the BJP-led NDA alliance parties welcomed this bill, saying, it would save time and lay the groundwork for unified elections across the country.

NDA partners including JD-U and the LJP have voiced strong support for the Bills highlighting the potential to reduce costs and ensure policy continuity.

The Government has clarified that the two proposed legislations provide for mid-term polls for Parliament or a state Assembly in case a government falls but it will only be for the unexpired portion of the five-year fixed term.

In September this year, the Union Cabinet had approved the proposal for the one nation, one election bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hailed the proposal, saying that the Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections.

The Committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind had recommended holding concurrent elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days.

Following the Cabinets approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision, calling it a significant step towards enhancing Indias democracy.
The central intelligence agencies have reportedly initiated investigations into the activities and operations of the Multi-Exercise Combination (MEC 7), a fitness training initiative based in Keralas Malabar region.

The central probe agencies began the investigation following allegations that organizations such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) are linked to MEC 7.

Advertisement

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has raised concerns about the growing influence of MEC 7 in the Malabar region.

Advertisement

CPI(M) Kozhikode District Secretary P Mohanan, speaking to a Malayalam news channel, alleged that religious fundamentalist groups are behind MEC 7.

He noted that while the initiative began with good intentions, it is now being exploited by terrorist organizations and extremist forces.

Last month, during a public meeting at the CPI(M) area conference in Taliparamba, Mohanan claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami is conducting physical exercise programs in many areas with the support of PFI workers.

He alleged that these activities serve as a cover for extremist interventions by the organization.

Concerns have also been voiced by Sunni leaders. Muhammdali Kinalur, Kozhikode district secretary of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), expressed suspicion about the motives behind MEC 7.

He compared the initiative to the early days of the National Development Front (NDF), which, he alleged, used traditional martial arts like kalari and exercise to attract youth.

Perode Abdurrahman Saqafi, another Sunni leader, accused Jamaat-e-Islami of using kalari and exercise programs to undermine Sunni ideals.

Similarly, SYS state general secretary Abdul Hakkim Azhari criticized the initiative, alleging that it disrupts family values, particularly targeting women through WhatsApp groups under the pretext of exercise.

However, MEC 7 organizers have dismissed these allegations as baseless. Bava Arakkal, the ambassador of MEC 7, emphasized the programs transparency, highlighting the involvement of retired military, police, and judicial personnel.

Our program is conducted openly in public spaces and aims solely at promoting health and fitness, he said.

MEC 7, developed in 2012 by P Salahudeen, an ex-paramilitary officer from Malappuram, has grown from a small initiative to a popular fitness trend among people of all ages in Malabar region.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will expand his cabinet on December 15 at Nagpur and not on December 14 in Mumbai. A senior BJP functionary confirmed that the swearing-in will take place at Raj Bhavan on December 15 on the eve of a week-long winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature starting from December 16.

Governor CP Radhakrishnan will administer the oath of office to new ministers.

Advertisement

The MahaYuti partners have arrived at a formula for sharing cabinet berths; accordingly, BJP is expected to get 21, Shiv Sena 12 and NCP 10. The cabinet formula has been finalised based on the strength of the three partners. BJP has 132 legislators, Shiv Sena 57 and NCP 41. All 40 ministers from three parties are expected to take oath on Sunday.

Advertisement

BJP has yet to get a nod from the partys central leadership for its list. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to give its approval on Saturday and thereafter the cabinet expansion will take place on Sunday at Nagpur, said a BJP functionary.

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday evening met Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde seeking his consent for the swearing-in function on December 15 instead of December 14. After that Bawankule on Friday met NCP chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and also took his consent for the swearing-in ceremony to be slated for December 15.

Earlier on Wednesday and Thursday, Fadnavis, who was accompanied by Bawankule, had held a series of meetings with the PM, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and party chief JP Nadda. Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar met Shah over cabinet expansion on Wednesday night when Shinde was conspicuous by his absence.

After the cabinet expansion, Fadnavis will host a customary tea meeting with cabinet colleagues and opposition parties and later he will chair the cabinet meeting to discuss the agenda including Bills to be tabled during the winter session.

BJP has already rejected Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shindes demand for giving home, revenue and housing departments to his party. BJP will retain home and revenue while it will give housing to NCP led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. BJP had promised to give housing to NCP after Ajit Pawar joined the MahaYuti government in July 2023. But it did not happen, so now the BJP will fulfil its promise.

BJP is set to retain home, revenue, energy, irrigation, public works, rural development, forest, tourism, cultural affairs, higher and technical education and OBC welfare. On the other hand, Shiv Sena will continue to hold urban development, industry, school education, public health, water supply, water and soil conservation and MSRDC.

In the case of NCP, it will retain planning and finance, cooperation, food and civil supply, agriculture, medical education, women and child welfare, ports and sports.

This will be the second time in the recent past after 1991 that the cabinet expansion will take place at Maharashtras second capital Nagpur. In 1991, Chhagan Bhujbal was sworn in as the minister in the cabinet headed by the chief minister Sudhakarrao Naik after he staged a rebellion against Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on the Mandal Commission report issue and joined Congress. Former Governor C Subramaniam had administered the oath of office and secrecy to Bhujbal.
India is on the path of raising its Space sector to global standards and will have its own space station by 2035, Union Minister Jitendra Singh declared on Saturday.

Indias space, marine and Himalayan resources, which remained inadequately explored before Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over, will contribute substantially to the countrys future economic growth, he said at an event organised by a media group.

Advertisement

In order to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and make India a global phenomenon, we need to follow global strategies and parameters, the minister said.

Dr Singh observed that India can unleash benefits out of its natural resources in future in terms of creative growth. The PM, he said, has opened the space sector for private players as it offers ample opportunities. India has made a quantum jump since 2014 in the space economy.

Advertisement

Presently countrys space sector contributes 8-9 per cent to the worlds space economy, said the minister, adding this could increase threefold in the next ten years.

The minister also said though ISRO was born after NASA, it is no longer lagging behind any other organisation in the world. Its capacity is going up day by day. So far we have launched more than 432 satellites out of which 397 were launched after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over in 2014, he added.
Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani was admitted to a private hospital here in the national capital, and is currently stable.

In a statement, the Apollo Hospital on Saturday said, LK Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister of India, has been admitted to ICU of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals for medical management and investigations.

Advertisement

Advani, who had served as the seventh Deputy Prime Minister under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, is under the care of Dr Vinit Suri and is currently stable, it said.

Advertisement

It may be mentioned that on 4th July, the veteran BJP leader was discharged from the Apollo Hospital. Earlier, on 26th June, he was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here and was discharged the next day.

In March this year, the 96-year-old was conferred with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country, by President Droupadi Murmu.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had heaped praise on Advani and said his contribution to the development of India was monumental.

Advani Jis decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him, he had said then.

The PM said his Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights.

Advani had also served as the national president of the BJP.
Slamming the ruling National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday criticized the NC for its inaction on key issues, despite holding a significant number of seats, and asserted that the PDP would take the lead in fighting for restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs special status, statehood, and release of political prisoners.

Speaking at the PDPs general council meeting in Srinagar, Mehbooba expressed concern over the lack of discourse on these matters. If 50 members of the NC in the Assembly cannot speak about restoration of statehood, special status, or the rights of political prisoners, the PDP will take up the responsibility and fight on behalf of the people, she said.

Advertisement

She emphasized her partys role as the voice of the people. Others may choose silence, but the PDP will continue its fight for justice, peace, and the dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will always remain steadfast in defending the rights and aspirations of our people, she said.

Advertisement

She stressed for an end to hate crimes and said the PDP stands against every form of disempowerment meted out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehbooba reiterated the PDPs unwavering commitment to addressing these challenges through democratic and constitutional means.

Highlighting the plight of political prisoners, many of whom have been detained since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, she said, These people represent the voice of masses, silenced for standing up for their rights. Their release is crucial to building trust and fostering peace.

Besides highlighting the constitutional rights of people, she also criticized the lack of political will among other parties to address the regions unique challenges.

She stated that the PDP will continue to fight for the restoration of Article 370, which guaranteed special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and for the reinstatement of full statehood to the region.

She also touched upon the issues faced by the people, including unemployment, environmental degradation and drug crisis. She called for a comprehensive approach to governance that prioritizes the needs and rights of the people over political expediency.Hitting out at NC, Mehbooba said While others may hesitate, we will not stop fighting for the dignity, rights and aspirations of the people.
Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his speech in the Lok Sabha, saying he did not speak anything new.

Reacting to his reply in a debate in the Lok Sabha marking the 75th anniversary of the Constitutions adoption, she said, I thought Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji would speak something new and constructive. He did not speak anything new. He spoke about 11 hollow promises. He completely bored. Referring to the issue related to billionaire businessman Gautam Adani, Vadra said if the PM has zero tolerance against corruption, then he should hold a debate on the Adani issue in the Parliament.

Advertisement

It may be mentioned that Adani was indicted by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for alleged bribery. The Adani Group denied the allegations made by the US DoJ and the US SEC and said all possible legal recourse will be sought.

Advertisement

Notably, Vadra in her maiden speech in the Lower House while taking part in the debate on Friday referring to the Adani issue said,The country is seeing how the people of the country are being neglected to save one person. All the businesses, all the resources, all the wealth, all the opportunities are being handed over to one person. The countrys ports, airports, roads, railways, and government companies are being given to only one person.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress general secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal in a post on X wrote, On a debate about Indias Constitution, the PM once again decided to bring out his tired old speech about the Congress.

He asserted that while the people were expecting an answer from the PM on the injustice and inequality facing Indian society, he chose to bring up stale narratives against the Congress, which have lost all resonance among the public.

Venugopal said the truth is, he has no answer to the allegations regarding the Adani mega scandal, nor does he have a response to the growing instances of caste and religious divisions created by his own regime. An insincere PM whose political gurus rejected the Constitution since day one will never be accepted by the people as being loyal to the Constitution. No matter how many speeches he gives, his hypocrisy will be exposed, he remarked.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the much-awaited Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) and launch or inaugurate various other projects during his brief visit to Jaipur on Tuesday.

The foundation stone of the mega canal project will be laid at Dadiya village on the outskirts of Jaipur.

Advertisement

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend the event, followed by a massive public meeting, said senior BJP leader and former Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Rajendra Rathore.

Advertisement

Rathore, who has been entrusted with the overall responsibility of organizing the Prime Ministers programme, stated that Chief Minister Sharma and his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Yadav are scripting a historic inter-state partnership. This partnership will ensure water sufficiency in 21 districts of Rajasthan through the canal project.

The commencement of work on this critical project has been made possible by the interstate water-sharing agreement reached in New Delhi under the Centres facilitation.

Rathore, along with BJP state president Madan Rathore, held a meeting earlier in the day with party leaders to discuss strategies for making the Prime Ministers programme a grand success.
Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took potshots at the BJP and its supreme leader Savarkar as completely critical of the Constitution.

He said Savarkar had said that there was nothing Indian about our Constitution.

Advertisement

The LoP cornered the BJP and said that when it talks about protecting the Constitution of the country, it is ridiculing Savarkar.

Advertisement

The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after Vedas for our Hindu nation and from which our ancient times have become the basis for our culture, customs, thought and practice. This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmiriti is law. These are the words of Savarkar, he said.

I want to ask you (ruling side), do you stand by your leaders words? Do you support your leaders words? Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar, he added.

The Rae Bareli MP said when one looks at the Constitution and we open the Constitution we hear the voices and ideas of Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru.

But where do these ideas come from? These ideas came from old profound, traditions in this country. Those ideas came from Shiva, Guru Nanak, Buddha, Kabir, and Mahaavir. When we speak of the Constitution and we show the Constitution of course it is the document of modern India. but it could never have been written without ancient India, and its ideas, he said in the Lok Sabha.

Gandhi also cited the story of Eklavya and said that just like Dronacharya took Eklavyas thumb, the saffron party has taken the thumbs of farmers, the backward classes and the youth of the country.

When you handover Dharavi to Adani, you cut off the thumb of entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses. When you handover Indias ports, airports and defence industry to Adani, you cut off the thumbs of all fair play business of India who work honestly, he said.

By bringing in lateral entry into government jobs, you are chopping off the thumb of the youth, backward class people, poor. As many as 70 paper leaks took place. By doing this, you chopped off the thumb of the youth, the Raebareli MP said.

Speaking during a discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, the LoP also talked about his visit to the family of Hathras gang-rape victim.

Four years back one girl was gang raped. Three days back I went there and met the family but the person who gang-raped the girl was roaming around freely and the family of victim could not move freely.

It is written in Manusmriti but it is not written in Constitution. INDIA bloc people will do the relocation of that family if you (BJP) will not do that, he said.

The Lok Sabha, on December 13, initiated a two-day debate on the Constitution to commemorate the beginning of the 75th year of its adoption.

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.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju initiated the debate on Constitution on its second day and said India not only provides legal protection to minorities but also has provision for affirmative action.
The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju today strongly hit out at the Congress, charging it with attacking the Constitution and altering its very essence.

Participating in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, he said: You have attacked the Constitution, you have changed the preamble to the Constitution. You have changed the very soul of the Constitution. Then how can you blame others?

Advertisement

Slamming the Opposition for alleging that minorities are not safe in the country, he said that if oppression against minorities or any problems arise, minorities come to seek protection in India.

Advertisement

You know the condition of Pakistan. What happens in Bangladesh. You people know what has happened to Sikhs, Hindus, Christians in Afghanistan, whether it is a problem in Tibet or Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan, he said.

To buttress his point, Rijiju said: If there is oppression against minorities or some problem arises, the first country where they come to seek protection is India. Then why is it said that there is no protection for minorities in this country?

In fact, he said, successive governments have worked for the welfare of minorities. The Congress has also done that. I am not undermining its role, he added.

The Minister, who was the first speaker on the second day of the debate, questioned the Congress on why it had not given Bharat Ratna to Dr BR Ambedkar despite repeated mentions by its leaders.

Mincing no words, he said: You always mention Baba Saheb. You didnt give Bharat Ratna to Baba Saheb. After 1956, PM Nehru Ji was given the Bharat Ratna, and Indira Gandhi gave the Bharat Ratna to herself. Vishwanath Ji (VP Singh), when he defeated the Congress, then with the support of BJP, formed a government, and Baba Saheb Ambedkar was given the Bharat Ratna. You tell us the reason why Baba Saheb Ambedkar wasnt given Bharat Ratna during your partys governance, he asked.

The Lok Sabha, on December 13, initiated a two-day debate on the Constitution to commemorate the beginning of the 75th year of its adoption.

On Friday, the debate on the Constitution witnessed fiery speeches from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the House.

The first day of the Winter Session of Parliament commenced on November 25, with both the Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The session is scheduled to continue till December 20.
The much-awaited Mahakumbh 2025, set to be held in Prayagraj in January, witnessed the beginning of the ceremonial entry of its key attraction  the 13 Akharas  into the Kumbh Mela grounds, on Saturday with the prestigious Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara making a grand and majestic procession into the Kumbh Nagar.

Accompanying the Juna Akhara was the Kinnar Akhara, which also entered its designated camp with similar fervour and devotion.

Advertisement

The grand spiritual gathering of the Mahakumbh on the banks of the Triveni Sangam is taking shape as Akharas begin their ceremonial entry into the Kumbh Nagar. The Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, under the leadership of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri, made its majestic entry into its designated camp in Sector 20 of the Kumbh Nagar.

Advertisement

The procession started from Shri Mauj Giri Ashram and culminated with great splendour. According to Juna Akharas national spokesperson Mahant Narayan Giri, the entry procession included 65 Mahamandaleshwars, along with over 8,000 sadhus and saints, who arrived in more than 100 royal chariots.

Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri emphasised the global significance of this timeless celebration of Sanatan culture, stating, Millions around the world are watching this eternal festival of our heritage unfold. He added that the Akharas camp entry marks the beginning of their rituals, which will take place before the deities established in their camp.

Alongside the Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, the Kinnar Akhara also marked its ceremonial entry into the Mahakumbh Nagar on Saturday. Led by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, the procession saw hundreds of members from the Kinnar Akhara participating with great enthusiasm.

Special arrangements were made by the Yogi Adityanath-led government to facilitate the ceremonial entry of the Shri Panchdashnam Akhara into its camp for Mahakumbh 2025. For the first time, the procession route was cleared of overhead power lines, with electricity poles removed and underground cables installed.

Chief Engineer of the Purvanchal Electricity Distribution Corporation Pramod Kumar Singh, stated that all electric poles along the entry routes were removed, and power is now being supplied via underground cables.

An estimated Rs 12 crore was spent on converting road-crossing power lines to underground cables across major entry routes in the fair area, ensuring a seamless procession for saints and sadhus from the city to the camps.

Additionally, the construction of wider and expanded roads has eliminated traffic congestion along the routes. Avadhoot Saint Anjana Giri of the Juna Akhara, who travelled from Spain, stated, I have been attending every Kumbh and Mahakumbh for the past 30 years, but I have never witnessed such cleanliness and magnificence.
The 350th martyrdom year of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhism, will be commemorated across Uttar Pradesh with year-long celebrations.

The event will begin on December 26 on the special occasion of Veer Bal Diwas from the Chief Ministers residence in Lucknow. The inauguration will be broadcast live in all the gurdwaras of the state and culminate in a grand ceremony next year.

Advertisement

At a special meeting on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated, The sacrifices of Sikh Gurus for the preservation of the nation and religion are unparalleled. Their festivals should be celebrated with traditional joy and enthusiasm throughout the state. The Chief Minister also said the inspirational stories of Sikh Gurus sacrifices and martyrdom will be included in the school curriculum from the next academic session.

Advertisement

Additionally, under the Chief Ministers directive, a book detailing the life and legacy of Guru Teg Bahadur will be published. As part of the celebrations, a grand Maha Yagya featuring 11,000 Sahaj Paath recitations will also be organised.

The Chief Minister instructed that a special ceremony to commemorate Veer Bal Diwas be organised across the state. He emphasised, The Guru Granth Sahib should be recited, and all Granthis invited to participate in the programme. Honorable MPs, Mayors, MLAs, Legislative Council members, public representatives, and other dignitaries should also be invited to these events, which will be held in gurdwaras across all districts.

Highlighting the inspirational legacy of Sikh Gurus, the Chief Minister stated, Their biographies and sacrifices should be incorporated into the school curriculum. Additionally, poetry, essay, and debate competitions on topics related to Sikh Gurus should also be organised, and winning participants duly rewarded.
Uttar Pradesh governnent has removed Yamuna Authority Chairman and Principal Secretary Anil Kumar Sagar from the post on Saturday after the Allahabad High Court reprimanded the UP government regarding the scam in Yamuna Authority of Noida and ordered action against the Chairman.

The High Court had instructed that the state government should take action against the Chairman otherwise the court will order a CBI inquiry. The court is expected to hear the case again on Monday and there is a possibility of strict action against the officer along with CBI probe order .

Advertisement

Following the court order, the state government on Saturday evening removed Sagar from the post and has been kept on waiting. He had been accused of canceling the project of Aadhar Builders as per his wish and approving whatever was convenient for him. High Court caught the scam of Yamuna Authority through personal affidavit. However on the same day, the Principal Secretary had given different orders in three similar cases. Some were canceled and some were approved.

Advertisement

In the earlier hearing, Justice Pankaj Bhatia had told the counsel for the UP government that the government should take action against Principal Secretary Anil Kumar Sagar, otherwise a CBI inquiry will be ordered on Monday.The hearing of all three authorities of Noida is held in the Industrial Development Department of UP. It is in this hearing that dealings with builders take place at the government level. The High Court has caught this fraud in the file. Now this land scandal will be heard again in the court of Justice Pankaj Bhatia on Monday.
The recent killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan has sparked intense debate about corporate greed, the US healthcare system, and the consequences of growing discontent. With the arrest of Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old suspect, the narrative has taken another grim turn. Mr Mangione, a valedictorian and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, was reportedly driven by deep anger against health insurance corporations. His privileged background contrasts sharply with the trajectory his life has taken.

The grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, he enjoyed a life of opportunity, including elite education and promising career prospects. Yet, a police bulletin suggests that his motivations stemmed from handwritten notes and social media posts criticising corporate greed and the US healthcare systems inequities. His writings called out high costs and stagnant life expectancy in America, framing Thompsons killing as a symbolic act. The suspects arrest in Pennsylvania ~ thanks to a vigilant citizen at a fast food outlet ~ has brought relief but also highlighted the dangers of lionising such acts. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro aptly noted, This killer is no hero, rebuffing the folk-hero narrative that some fringe voices have attached to the suspect.

Advertisement

His words remind us that frustration with systemic failures, no matter how justified, must not devolve into violence. This case serves as a troubling mirror for society. It underscores the publics simmering frustration with a healthcare system many perceive as exploitative. While Thompsons death is a tragedy, it also calls for introspection: What kind of system breeds such desperation? Mr Mangiones grievances resonate with many who have experienced financial ruin due to medical expenses, yet his violent actions are a stark reminder of how these frustrations can spiral into extremism.

Advertisement

At the same time, the American health insurance industry, and its cousins across the world, must reflect on its practices. Outrage over high premiums, limited coverage, and denied claims fuels the perception of insurers as profiteers. Addressing these concerns with transparency and reforms could go a long way in rebuilding public trust and reducing hostility. Mr Mangiones transformation from a much-liked young man to a murder suspect raises questions about deeper societal and personal issues. Was this solely a political act, or did personal struggles ~ such as severe back pain he reportedly endured ~ play a role?

His social media posts about mental health, societal sickness, and even admiration for Ted Kaczynski ~ the Un abomber ~ suggest a complex psychological profile that warrants careful analysis. The case is a tragedy on multiple levels. Mr Thompsons family mourns a devastating loss, while Mr Mangiones privileged upbringing has unravelled into infamy. The healthcare system, too, faces a reckoning: It must confront both its systemic failures and the violent anger it has inspired. This case should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and society at large. Addressing the root causes of discontent ~ without condoning violence ~ is the only way forward.
Donald Trumps election victory and his vow to swiftly end the Ukraine-Russia war present both an ambitious promise and a diplomatic quandary. The appointment of Keith Kellogg as special envoy for the conflict underscores the gravity of this commitment. However, the lack of detailed strategies raises questions about the feasibility of this bold agenda. Mr Kelloggs proposals hint at a pragmatic, albeit contentious, approach. His framework prioritises a ceasefire and negotiated settlement, leveraging US aid to compel Ukraine to participate in talks while holding Moscow accountable for any reluctance.

The suggestion to defer Ukraines Nato membership is particularly striking, as it balances between appeasing Russian concerns and maintaining Ukraines sovereignty. While such a stance may entice Moscow to the negotiating table, it risks alienating Kyiv, whose aspirations for Nato integration are deeply tied to its security strategy. This balancing act highlights a broader challenge: the divergent interests of the parties involved. Ukraine seeks robust security guarantees, while Russia desires concessions on Nato expansion and a reprieve from international sanctions. Any negotiated settlement will require not only resolving these issues but also addressing the long-term security architecture of eastern Europe. Achieving this without undermining Ukraines independence or emboldening Russian aggression is a delicate tight-rope act.

Advertisement

For Mr Trump, the stakes are high. His administrations success in resolving this conflict would not only reinforce his image as a decisive leader but also redefine American influence on the global stage. However, the promise to end the war on day one risks oversimplifying a deeply entrenched conflict. Wars driven by historical grievances and territorial ambitions rarely yield to quick fixes, and the expectation of immediate results could backfire if progress proves slow. The recent meeting between Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky in Paris, brokered by French President Emmanuel Macron, has injected a new dynamic into the conflict.

Advertisement

While the optics of a handshake and amicable discussion may suggest progress, the contrasting post-meeting statements from Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskky reveal a significant gap in their visions for peace. Mr Trumps call for an immediate ceasefire and his assertion that this is Russian President Vladimir Putins time to act reflect a desire to project leadership and resolve. However, Mr Zelenskkys insistence on guarantees for lasting peace underscores the complexities of any potential agreement. Without addressing issues like territorial sovereignty and credible security assurances, this meeting risks being perceived as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantial step forward. Moreover, conditional aid as a negotiating tool is a double-edged sword.

While it may pressure Ukraine to engage in talks, it also risks diminishing trust between Washington and Kyiv. Ukraine has been a steadfast US ally, and any perception of coercion could weaken this partnership. Another critical factor is the role of international stakeholders beyond the immediate parties involved. The European Union, China, and other global powers have vested interests in the regions stability. Engaging these actors in a multilateral dialogue could strengthen the prospects for a balanced resolution.
The 16th Rasheswar Saikia Barbayan Sattriya Dance Award and the 56th Annual Festival of Dance were held recently in Guwahati by Sangeet Sattra in honour of its founder principal, Adhyapak Rasheswar Saikia himself, and were a rich fare.

Rasheswar Saikia has been a pioneer in teaching the girl child to learn Sattriya dance, which was an absolute taboo in the intimate space of Sattras.

Advertisement

The festival provided me with an opportunity to interview some practitioners, both veterans and the young, to examine its present state since it had been declared a classical dance form by Sangeet Natak Akademi 24 years ago.

Advertisement

I could see for myself that the form is taking big steps towards enriching itself from what it was when it had still not come out of the Sattra precincts. Years of nurturing will make it more sophisticated, polished, vibrant, rich, popular and sparkling.

Most importantly, it is a living art form with more than 750 different Sattras in Assam, and Sattras recognise Borbayans and Bargayans as the repository of devotion as a way of life through music and dance. In todays world of strife and violence, the need of the day is to go back to ones roots, where, other than Bhakti, or devotion and love, nothing else matters.

The most distressing trend in present times is that monks of Sattras opt out in search of better prospects, which prevents them from displaying their brilliance in proliferating devotion and art alongside the practitioners outside the Sattras.

Sattriya music too is unique. It has its own identity with its indigenous raga and tala patterns, which are followed by practitioners to represent the form in its truest essence. From a mere 9 tala system, presently it has 38. It has around 30 ragas. These are sung in Assamese or Brajawali language and are an integral part of Sattriya dance. Khol, taal, flute, violin, harmonium, etc., are some of the instruments used in sattriya music.

Since the dance form has emerged from Vaishnavism, Krishna themes are central to the form. Narratives of Bhakti literature and Bhaona stories inspired by the Bhagavata Purana and other Bhakti literature penned by Srimanta Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva, as well as texts like Bhakti Ratnakara, Anadi Patan, Bhakti Ratnavali, Ankiya Nats and the two epics, are taken.

Sattriya arts are socially relevant and effective because, for them, Bhaona, or Nam-Prasanga, or the Nritya-Prasanga are not just art per se; they are a social need. While understanding the tradition and embodying the dance form, one also needs to understand its social role and its enduring practice.

Ankiya Bhaona, written six centuries ago, was devised to propagate Shrimanta Sankardevas faith, which dwelt on one god concept in which people of every caste, creed and sex could participate in the community prayer sessions. It was of social relevance, and the themes adopted in choreographic works used such concepts.

All of the practitioners believe that innovations are within the enduring practice of the form. Practitioners have, at some time or another, worked on compositions that are philosophically ingrained with Bhakti tenets preached by Sankaradeva in his texts, which are of secular value. The stories of the Bhagavata found in the texts of Sankardeva and Madhavadeva are metaphors to signify human life and its existence within the paraphernalia of microcosmic and macrocosmic force. Works like Paramaleela speak not only of an interactive play of Krishna with the surroundings but also elucidate the balance of the cosmos with the Divine force through suspension of our ego and embracing the essence of Truth with surrender.

For its proliferation, the tradition of Sattriya form has been included in academic spaces. Braving all hurdles, some have taken it as a profession, though it is a difficult journey, since opportunities as compared to other popular dance forms areas of nowless in Sattriya.

The study and practice of Sattriya dance and music was an integral part of the rituals of Sattras only for the last 520 years, until it was recognised as a classical dance form in 2000 C.E., and that is when promotion and performance of Sattriya dance outside Sattras started.

Compared to the other dance forms, it is very new, which is why it is not so popular. However, gradually Sattriya dance is gaining national and international recognition through different performances, festivals, cultural exchange programmes, etc.

Fellowships, grants, and cultural exchange programs by Sangeet Natak Akademithe apex body of dance and musicZonal Cultural Centres, ICCR, some government agencies, and a few others have been of great help towards the growth and development of the form.

Popularity will come slowly but surely with the efforts of dance aficionados, well-wishers, and concerted efforts of institutions like Sangeet Sattra and dance ambassadors who constantly tour all around the globe. Schools that have introduced courses on dance forms in general and Sattriya in particular will make all the difference. Showcasing the dance form to tourists travelling to Assam would also be an innovative idea that will endear Sattriya Dance to people who visit the beautiful state of Assam.

I acknowledge the valuable inputs of Sattriya practitioners. Sharodi SaikiaSangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, scholar, writer, and exponent of Sattriya Dance; Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Ranjumoni Saikiaprincipal, Sangeet Sattra; Dr Anwesa MahantaSattriya dancer and scholar, recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Yuva Puraskar; and Sha Rani BaishyaSattriya dancer, recipient of Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar.

The writer is a senior dance critic
Sandhya Purecha, an eminent Bharatanatyam dancer, scholar, and cultural leader, has long been celebrated for her pioneering contributions to the arts. Currently serving as the chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the W20 of G20 India, she is steering Indian culture onto a global stage with unprecedented vigor. In this exclusive interview, Purecha reflects on her artistic journey, the evolving landscape of Indian performing arts, and her vision for cultural diplomacy.

Tradition meets modernity

Advertisement

For Purecha, the distinction between theory and practice is an illusion. Theory and practice are two inseparable streams that flow together, enriching and deepening each other, she asserts. This philosophy forms the bedrock of her work, such as her critically acclaimed production Arthashringara. By blending ancient Sanskrit texts with Kalidasas Ritusamhara, the production exemplifies the fluid dialogue between the classical and the contemporary.

Advertisement

Shastrik research doesnt confine; it liberates, offering infinite possibilities to innovate and reimagine, she explains.

An unconventional Arangetram

Purechas artistic debut defied convention. Under the mentorship of her guru, Acharya Parvati Kumar, she eschewed a traditional Arangetram for a groundbreaking endeavourtransforming the ancient text Abhinaya Darpanam into a live recital. Our days were consumed with research, she reminisces, describing the exhaustive five-year process of deconstructing every syllable of the text into movement and rhythm. This monumental performance, presented in 1986 as a three-hour solo recital, marked the first time the text was brought to life on stage.

This was not an Arangetram in the traditional sense, but it was my Arangetrama moment of transformation and recognition, she recalls. Recorded by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), it remains a cornerstone in her illustrious career.

A lifelong creative odyssey

With over 50 productions to her credit, including her first creative work, Dasha Dik Swarupam, an abstract exploration inspired by the Sanskrit text Shri Tattvanidhi and Discovery of IndiaBharat Ek Khoj, Purecha continually redefines artistic expression. However, she believes her most cherished work is yet to come, viewing her art as an ever-evolving process. Every creation is part of an ongoing processa constant cycle of refinement and rediscovery, she notes, emphasising her commitment to keeping her art dynamic and relevant.

Revitalising the Guru-Shishya Parampara

Purecha is a staunch advocate of the immersive guru-shishya parampara. Reflecting on her own training, she describes a time when there were no clocks in the classroom. While she acknowledges the necessity of adapting traditional methods to contemporary lifestyles, she insists that the core values of discipline and dedication must remain intact.

A transformative cultural vision

Her leadership at the Sangeet Natak Akademi is transformative. We are working tirelessly to strengthen the cultural economy and improve infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. There is a tangible commitment to nurturing Indian art and culture at every level. This is a time of hope and transformation, a moment when the arts are being recognised and celebrated anew, she explains, underscoring her commitment to inclusivity.

Words of wisdom for aspiring artists

To the younger generation, Purecha offers a timeless mantra: shraddha (faith) and saburi (patience). The path of an artist is not without its trials, but it is also deeply rewarding for those who persevere, she says, encouraging young talents to embrace the challenges of their journey.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by artists from small towns, Purecha describes the current era as promising times for performing arts practitioners. She affirms, Challenges may feel overwhelming at times, especially in smaller towns where opportunities for learning and performing are limited. But I firmly believe that this is one of the most promising times to be a practitioner of the performing arts.

Balancing a demanding schedule

Despite her numerous responsibilities, Purecha remains deeply connected to her artistry. Creativity and discipline are as much mental and spiritual as they are physical, she reflects, revealing that even on busy days, her mind is constantly rehearsing and engaging with her craft.

From the intimate world of the dance studio to the grand stages of international diplomacy, Sandhya Purecha continues to inspire, innovate, and elevate Indian culture to new heights. Her journey is a testament to the enduring power of tradition, the boundless possibilities of innovation, and the transformative role of the arts in shaping society.

The writer is a noted young dance scholar and impresario
Prosecutors on Friday arrested Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, the chief of South Koreas Capital Defence Command, as part of their ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeols brief imposition of martial law.

The commander was arrested this evening under a warrant, the prosecution said.

Advertisement

Lee, who had previously been placed under a travel ban, is accused of ordering the deployment of martial law troops to the National Assembly building after Yoon declared martial law on December 3, reports Yonhap news agency.

Advertisement

Several military commanders are currently under investigation in connection with the militarys role in enforcing martial law, which was soon lifted by the parliament.

Prosecutors plan to seek a separate warrant to formally detain Lee within 48 hours.

Prosecutors also sought an arrest warrant for Defence Counterintelligence Command chief Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung over his role in the imposition of martial law.

Yeo is also suspected of sending troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission at the orders of then-Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

The arrest warrant was sought on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

Prosecutors revealed that Yeo had allegedly ordered military officials to prioritise the arrest of three prominent politicians  the leaders of both the ruling and main opposition parties, as well as National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, according to legal sources.

Additionally, several other figures, including politicians, judges and a progressive reporter, were reportedly listed as targets.

Later on Friday, Yeo announced that he would waive a court hearing to review the arrest warrant.

Participating in the hearing to determine the necessity of my arrest would not be appropriate in light of my duties to the public and my subordinates. Therefore, I have decided to forgo it, Yeo said in a statement.
Swedish lawmakers approved the countrys long-term participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)s multinational brigade in Latvia, according to information from the Latvian Defense Ministry.

Sweden plans to deploy a mechanised infantry battalion of up to 600 personnel to join the multinational unit in Latvia. The Swedish troops are scheduled to arrive at the beginning of 2025, marking Swedens first deployment to another allied country since its accession to NATO in March 2024.

Advertisement

Upon joining the alliance, Sweden declared its intention to contribute a combat battalion to the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia.

Advertisement

Currently, the NATO brigade in Latvia comprises forces from 13 member states: Albania, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

Meanwhile, in another development, European members of NATO on Thursday began discussing a plan to gradually increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030, reports Xinhua, quoting Financial Times.

Preliminary talks took place at last weeks foreign ministers meeting, during which members envisaged a short-term pledge to hit 2.5 per cent and, by 2030, a target of 3 per cent.

The report said the decision could be made at the next NATO summit, which will take place in June 2025 in The Hague.

The current target, agreed on in 2014, is 2 per cent of GDP. The report added that increasing it to 3 per cent would put intense pressure on already strained national budgets. 

Seven European NATO members, including Italy and Spain, have not reached the 2 per cent target in 2024. Germany reached the target for the first time this year.

The increase in defence spending comes as US President-elect Donald Trump, who has been demanding Europe pay more for its own security, is to take office in January.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday that it has secured $118 million to provide life-saving assistance to over 1 million displaced people in Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Laurent Bukera, the WFPs regional director for eastern Africa, said the number of displaced people in the region has doubled over the past four years to 26.5 million in 2024, up from 13.2 million in 2020.

Advertisement

People who have lost their homes and livelihoods represent a significant portion of those the WFP aims to reach across eastern Africa, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Laurent Bukera.

Advertisement

This funding is critical to ensure we can maintain support for these vulnerable displaced people, many of whom rely almost entirely on humanitarian assistance to survive, Bukera said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

The food programme organisation said the increased displacement is largely due to conflict, with the war in Sudan forcing record numbers of people from their homes, as well as extreme weather events such as the 2020-2023 Horn of Africa drought.

According to the WFP data, the growth in the number of displaced people in recent years has not been matched by a growth in resources, forcing the WFP to make difficult decisions about who receives food assistance and how much.

Additionally, the WFP called for timely contributions to enable it to provide cash transfers and in-kind food assistance to over 1 million displaced people, including refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, internally displaced persons, and some food-insecure host communities.

None of the displaced people that WFP supports in Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, or Uganda are receiving a full ration (equivalent to 2,100 kilocalories) due to funding pressures, the WFP said.
The parliament of the Republic of Korea has voted to impeach President Yun Seok-yol, Azernews reports.

Speaker Woo Won-shik confirmed that 204 out of 300 deputies supported the impeachment, while 85 opposed, three abstained, and eight votes were invalid.

Following the vote, the Constitutional Court will review the impeachment and decide whether to confirm it or reinstate the president, a process that could take up to six months. President Yun has defended his actions, stating that he did not violate the law by obeying parliament's demand to lift martial law.

The opposition argues that there were no grounds for declaring martial law, which, according to the constitution, is only permitted in times of war, military conflict, or national disaster. Yun declared martial law on December 3, accusing the opposition of seditious activities, but was forced to lift it on December 4 after parliament passed a resolution demanding its removal.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
In a remarkable conversation centred on the biography of Ratan Naval Tata authored by Dr Thomas Mathewa retired IAS officer, corporate strategist, defence analyst, and photographerthe gathering transformed into a celebration of the life of this personnalite extraordinaire.



The overcast Thursday in Kochi witnessed Ratan Naval Tata like never before, capturing the life he stitched across the fissures of a broken family, of not having bonds on record yet bonding in heart, living in the embers of a profound love. Dr Mathew took to the dais unravelling what he called the complexities of a simple man, and the crowd that entered with the bitter aftertaste of Tatas passing, left seeing Tataan accident of civilization, one of a kind, yet a piece of so many livesin a different light.

The boy in the Tata palace: Fragments of a childhood

Considering that his parents decided to separate during a time that was hostile to the very idea of divorce, Tata was, in fact, out-classed in school and ostracized for the sameDr Mathew narratedwhich also amounted to a lot of internal trauma in little Ratan, who went into a cocoon. Tatas life was moulded by his grandmother, Lady Navajbai Tata, who instilled in him an indomitable spirit and dignity, the author of 'Ratan Tata: A Life' said.

Recounting Tatas early childhood, the role of his parents and the shadow of a broken marriage would also put into perspective perhaps why Ratan Tata and his siblings chose to dodge matrimony themselves. The author also noted that when he pointed out to Tata that he was perhaps apprehensive about marriage because of his traumatic childhood, Tata did not accept it and merely said that he would have to think about the question.

Dr Mathews words also reflected that his research covered Tatas Cornell days in detail and the mans passion for flying, which he also shared with J.R.D. Tata, who was more of a father figure to him.

Beloved(s): The tale of three great loves and a greater love

Dr Mathew also mentioned Tatas four great loves, none of which materialized, and towering over all of it was the singular Tata-Jones love story. It was at his first job for Emmons in Los Angeles that Tata met his first love, Caroline Jones, who the bureaucrat dubbed a stunner of a lady even at eighty-one. However, the flames of this love were extinguished by the Indo-China war and the man himself having to return to India to care for his ailing grandmother and to fulfil his promise of streamlining his efforts to uphold the values represented by Tatas. Later, Caroline married another man who was almost like Ratan Tata.

In retrospect, one might wonder: Could Caroline have been Ratans chance to break the cycle? One will never know, but you cannot help feeling as though youre caught in a love story that never bloomed, left stifled in the place of the lovers.

The other serious love affairs of Tatas life included an American woman who wanted Tata to move to the United States, a Parsi woman who wanted to control his life, and a stunning Gujarati woman who was almost half his age but walked out on him for her ex-boyfriend.

Thomas Mathew also added that despite all, the embers of the first love always remained bright and strong.

Of numbers and silences: Top-lines speak what Tata never did

Even when addressing the business, the biographers concerns were primarily ethicalwhat made Tatas different from other business houses in India. The author also posited impressive analyses of top-line figures from 1991, when Tata took over, to the day he hung his boots, amounting to 1742 per cent growth. However, the author pointed out that the embarrassingly polite man never acknowledged nor talked about any of this, and was quick to give credit to how much the others had contributed.

Dr Mathew also revealed astonishing numbers and accomplishments that he called unparalleled across the globe, even drawing a comparison between Jack Welchformer CEO of General Electricand Tata to establish the same.

He also took on the questions of NANO, frugal engineering, and the car being the harbinger of a revolution. But what struck the crowd throughout the discussion is the fact that Tata was a leader who unravelled an issue for its social angle, converting it into a commercial decision (a social need converted into a business requirement). Dr Mathew stressed that Tata embodied the idea that one could accomplish so much by abiding by ethics, something that others achieved by abandoning them.

The prankster, the patriot and the cooks daughter

Tatas pranks date back to his Cornell days, when he switched the engine off mid-flight to scare his co-passengers. The grandee continued his funny antics until his last days, with Dr Mathew eliciting laughter from the crowd by mentioning that Tata once gave him a blank check after losing a bet, but it was unsigned.

Above all, anecdotes of humility abounded the conversation specifically ones like Ratan Tata casually eating with his cooks daughter or lunches at his house just being food from humble eateries across the street. In another context, he also mentioned how Tata was a fiercely patriotic person, yet once his patriotism came out in all its glory when he described his acquisitions at Cornell as the empire striking back.

One could never be satiated by Ratan Tatas actions, which were so historic that they could never be fully captured. His light continues to grow through the impact that he had on people like Sunu Varghese, who, even after a decade could recount how his eyes welled up at her sorrow. Sunu Varghese shared her story of how her husband, Thomas, lost his life in the 26/11 attack and how Tata became a pillar of support for the family. This brought into light how Tata personally met with all families affected by the attack, at Hotel President, speaking with each one of them. Tata stitched colourful dreams into the broken souls and across broken homes. Yet what is most striking is that he was himself born into a broken home.

When all is said: responses and questions

Jacob Mathew, managing editor, Malayala Manorama, praised Dr Mathews book for encapsulating the fragrance of Tatas greatness. His words reverberated with admiration for the searching ability brought out by the fine writer.

T.P. Sreenivasan, in the opening remarks, brought it all together in dubbing the work a monumental book about a monumental person penned by a monumental author, who, according to Sreenivasan, was careful not to let his persona shine through the pages of the biography and take centre stage. The former diplomat was all praise for the physical, intellectual, and financial heavy lifting done by the author and ascribed to it the title of Book of the Year. T.P. Sreenivasan also talked about the volume of the book, calling it un-pickupable in good humour. Both speakers lauded the effort in capturing, in all its complexity, this enigmatic and elusive persona.

The session was followed by interaction with the author, where one attendee quizzed him about a negative trait of Ratan Tata, to which the author pointed out that he was too reticent, never highlighting his accomplishments and trusted too easily. He assured that Tata was too good a man to interfere with the text and that NANO was never a failure but a marketing blunder.



At the end of the discussion, the crowd was de facto in consensus, about this exceptional man, but also with an unexpected sense of empathy for the unseen weight under the wings that carried so much.
The union government might renegotiate its double taxation treaty with Switzerland, said the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, after Swiss officials announced the suspension of the most favoured nation status (MFN) clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two countries.



MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that this move is in connection with the trade pact between India and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

My understanding is that, with Switzerland, because of EFTA, the double taxation treaty that we have is going to be renegotiated, Jaiswal elaborated while answering a query at his weekly media briefing.

Switzerland, however, cited a 2023 ruling by the Supreme Court of India that reversed the Delhi High Court judgment, where Nestle sought a refund on withholding tax. This action by Nestle was in line with the 2021 announcement by Swiss authorities.

The European nation then said that Indian residents receiving dividends between July 2018 and April 2020 from Swiss sources could claim benefits of the treaty and claim a refund of the withholding tax in line with the DTC.

Suspension of MFN status to invite 10 per cent tax on dividends earned in Switzerland

However, the Swiss government said that they did not feel the same interpretation of the DTC was being observed from the Indian side after the apex court even cited that the MFN clause did not apply to the Nestle ruling back in 2023.

The suspension of the MFN status means that Switzerland would tax dividends earned by Indian entities in the country at 10 per cent from the start of 2025.

Back in March this year, India signed a free trade deal with EFTA member states that included Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland, where the four European nations expressed their interest in investing around USD 100 billion in India over the next 15 years.

Since the trade deal is yet to come into force, it remains to be seen what changes India will make to the pact, given the Swiss Finance Department's suspension of the MFN clause between both countries.
On Friday, Telugu actor Allu Arjun was arrested from his home after a fan died in a stampede during an early screening of his new film Pushpa 2: The Rule. The actor was booked under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Actor Allu Arjun says, "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the https://t.co/wQaQsdicpu pic.twitter.com/nNE1xQTyo5  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Though the actor was granted bail on Friday night, he was only released from Chikkadpally police station on Saturday morning due to a delayed bail order. Speaking to the media outside the station, Arjun reassured his fans, I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine.

He further added that he would fully cooperate with the authorities before sharing his condolences to the deceased womans family. "I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident."

What happened during the special screening of Pushpa 2?

The incident occurred on the night of December 4, outside the Sandhya Theatre at RTC X Roads in Hyderabad. Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and the rest of the film crew arrived to an already crowded theatre for the first showing of the film. Their arrival triggered a fan frenzy, which led to a stampede that claimed the life of a woman and injured her nine-year-old son.

The deceased woman was identified as Revathi, 39, from Dilsukhnagar who came to watch the movie with her husband and two children. She was administered CPR and rushed to hospital immediately but died of injuries. Her son, Sri Tej, was also taken to the hospital after sustaining injuries. The husband of the deceased lodged a complaint based on which FIR was filed.

On December 6, Telangana cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy announced a ban on benefit shows following the stampede.

Arjun also offered to extend monetary and emotional support to the family in a video released on X (formerly Twitter) two days after the incident.
Allu Arjun, who was released from jail on Saturday, apologised to the family of the woman who died in the stampede once again before vouching he will fully cooperate with the ongoing probe. After being released from Hyderabad's Chanchalguda prison, where he spent a night, Allu Arjun thanked his fans before extending his condolence to the family of the late woman.

FULL REPORT | Allu Arjun breaks silence after release from jail in Pushpa 2 stampede case

A 35-year-old woman died and her son was left critical due to the stampede at Hyderabad's Sandhya theatre on December 4 ahead of Pusha 2: The Rule premiere. The stampede occurred when Allu Arjun came to the theatre along with his security personnel.

Why was Allu Arjun arrested?

A case was filed against the Sandhya Theatre management, the actor and his security team under sections 105 and 118(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) over the stampede incident. Sandhya Theatre's owner and two employees were also arrested in connection with the case. "His (Allu Arjun) personal security team started pushing the public, which further aggravated the situation as there was already a huge gathering at the theatre. Taking advantage of this situation along with the actor and his security team, a large number of people entered the lower balcony area," the police had said.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Actor Allu Arjun says, "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the https://t.co/wQaQsdicpu pic.twitter.com/nNE1xQTyo5  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

The Telugu superstar was picked up from his home on Friday by a team from Chikkadpally police station. He was remanded to 14-day judicial custody by the trial court but the Telangana High Court granted interim bail. However, he had to spend the night in jail as the authorities didn't receive a copy of the bail order until late last night.

Last week, the actor announced Rs 25 lakh to the family of the deceased and also assured the grieving family that they are not alone and he will meet the family personally. Allu Arjun on December 11 approached the Telangana HC seeking to quash the FIR registered against him in connection with the death of a woman. However, it was not taken into consideration then.

Allu Arjun's reaction after release and counsel's harsh remarks

On Saturday morning, Allu Arjun said he was sorry about the unfortunate development. "I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident. We are sorry for what happened," he said.

#WATCH | Telangana: Actor Allu Arjun arrives at his residence at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad



He was released from Chanchalguda Central Jail today after Telangana High Court granted him interim bail yesterday on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 in connection with the death of a pic.twitter.com/fxECvWdq1Q  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Meanwhile, the Pushpa series actor's counsel Ashok Reddy also reacted to the actor having to spend a night in prison despite getting bail from the High Court. He protested that it was an illegal detention and the prison authorities owe an explanation.

"You should question the government and the department why they have not released the accused. The High Court order is very specific. Forthwith, the moment you receive the order, they should release him. Despite the clear order, they have not released, they have to answer. This is an illegal detention. We will take legal steps," NDTV quoted Reddy as saying.
EVKS Elangovan, senior Tamil Nadu Congress leader and Erode East MLA, passed away on Saturday due to a respiratory ailment. The former TNCC president 75.

Elangovan, who was active in Tamil Nadu's political scene for over four decades, was undergoing treatment for a heart condition and had difficulty breathing due to a lung infection. He was on ventilator support in the ICU of a private hospital in Chennai, Tamil media reports said. His condition deteriorated after developing severe pneumonia, Dina Malar said.

Elangovan, who had earlier announced retirement from Parliamentary politics, contested the bypolls from the Erode East seat following the demise of incumbent MLA Thirumagan Everaa, who was his son.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin visited the hospital and inquired about Elangovan's health.

He was born in Erode on December 21, 1948. Elangovan, who holds a Bachelor's in Economics from the Presidency College in Chennai, was the son of EVK Sampath, a close associate of former Chief Minister CN Annadurai. While Sampath formed the Tamil Desiya Katchi after having differences with Annadurai, Elangovan's mother Sulochana Sampath was part of AIADMK.

During his illustrious career, Elangovan served as the Satyamangalam MLA between 1985 and 1988. Later, he joined actor Sivaji Ganesan's Tamil Nadu Munnetra Munnani (TNMM) and unsuccessfully contested from the Bhavani constituency in the 1989 elections.

When Sivaji merged his party with V.P. Singh's Janata Dal (United Front), Elangovan rejoined the Congress party. He contested the 1996 Lok Sabha elections from Krishnagiri constituency and lost before becoming the TNCC chief. He led the Grand Old Party in Tamil Nadu till 2001 before becoming a Lok Sabha member from Gobichettipalayam in 2004 to become the Union Minister of State for Textiles in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal slammed Home Minister Amit Shah over the poor law and order situation in the national capital and sought time for a meeting. The AAP chiefs accusations come after several schools in the national capital received bomb threats for the second day in a row, a third threat in a week.



In a letter to Amit Shah, Kejriwal charged the national capital is being called crime capital due to recent bomb threats, incidents of shooting and extortion calls to businessmen. "It's so shameful that under your watch, our grand capital due to failure of law and order is being called rape capital, gangster capital, drug capital," Kejriwal charged.

Crimes against women are rising, extortion gangs are active everywhere, drug mafia is spreading across the city and people are harassed by mobile phone and chain snatching incidents, the former Delhi chief minister claimed.

Kejriwal said over 600 schools, more than 100 hospitals, malls and airport received bomb threat messages and questioned, "Why aren't the culprits being arrested?" On the recent threats received by schools, the AAP supremo asked, Have you ever thought about the children and their parents when the schools are vacated and the students are sent back home?

The AAP chief stressed Delhi's law and order is under the Centre and the home minister needed to act and cooperate to immediately rectify the situation. Among the 19 metro cities, Delhi is the number one in terms of crimes against women and murders. Drug-related crimes registered a 350 per cent rise since 2019, an average of three women are raped every day and businesspersons regularly receive extortion calls, he claimed.

"These statistics are evidence of the dilapidated law and order situation. Now the biggest question of the people is if they don't deserve a better law and order condition in the national capital?" he asked. Kejriwal said law and order in Delhi must be brought back on track by rising above politics.
The Haryana government has suspended internet services in Ambala for third days in view of farmerss Delhi Chalo march on Saturday. A jatha of 101 farmers will make a third attempt to march towards the national capital seeking Minimum Support Price for crops and various other demands.



As per government order, mobile internet and bulk SMS services have been suspended in 12 Ambala villages till December 17 to maintain peace. In the order, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Sumita Misra said, It has been brought to my notice by additional director general of police, CID, Haryana and deputy commissioner, Ambala that in view of the call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers' organisations, there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in the area of districts Ambala.

Internet services have been suspended in Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru villages in Ambala, PTI reported. The suspension shall be in force from 6am on December 14 to 11.59pm on December 17.

The home secretary said internet services are being suspended to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumours through social media platforms.

Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Shambhu border since February 13 urging the Centre to provide a legal guarantee for MSP.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told ANI "The protest has entered the 307th day and our third 'jatha' of 101 farmers will leave for Delhi by noon. The whole country is supporting the protest, but, our prime minister and union agriculture minister are not saying anything about it and are maintaining distance. Government agencies are trying their best to ensure that the 'morcha' does not win.

The farmers move comes a day after the Supreme Court directed the High Power Committee to persuade farmers to shift from the Shambhu border to unblock the highway or suspend the protest temporarily and HPC shall talk with governments.
Haryana police foiled another attempt by protesting farmers to proceed to Delhi from the Shambhu border on Saturday. A jatha of 101 farmers resumed their march to the national capital seeking Minimum Support Price for crops, however, police stopped the march citing lack of permission.



#WATCH | Police use tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesting farmers at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border.



The farmers have announced to march towards the National Capital-Delhi over their various demands. pic.twitter.com/tDMTy8iGXU  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Security was heightened at Shambhu border after farmer leaders announced they would resume their protest march at noon on Saturday. Police had barricaded the border and multi-layer security was deployed to stop the protesting farmers. Farmers faced stiff resistance from police when they tried to proceed with the march taking down the barricades. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers.

#WATCH | Farmers' 'Dilli Chalo' march | Visuals from the Shambhu border where Police use tear gas and water cannon to disperse farmers pic.twitter.com/4d87fElxLZ  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

The farmers said it was their right to protest and their voice must not be suppressed. We should be allowed to go. It is our right to go to the national capital and protest, said a farmer. However, police informed the farmers that they would be allowed to proceed with the march only once they are granted permission by authorities in Delhi.

A senior Ambala police official said, If you want to go to Delhi, you should take proper permission and once you get the permission, we will allow you to go. Police urged the farmers to wait until the next meeting of the High Power Committee appointed by the Supreme Court before proceeding with their march. Instructions have been given to hold a meeting. The next date of the meeting is December 18. We appeal to you to sit here peacefully and follow the rules, police said.

The farmers protesting under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha made similar attempts to march towards Delhi on December 6 and 8, however, they were stopped by police.

Besides MSP, the farmers are demanding waiver of farm loans, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, compensation to the families of farmers who died during the protests in 2020-21, and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday presented 11 pledges for Indias bright future, laying thrust on inclusive development and zero-tolerance for corruption.

The prime minister was speaking in Lok Sabha in reply to a two-day debate on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution.

The 11 resolutions proposed by Modi included:

Whether it is a citizen or the government, everyone should perform their duties.

Every area, every section of society should get the benefit of development, it should be 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

There should be zero tolerance for corruption and no social acceptance of the corrupt.

People should feel proud in following the country's laws, rules, traditions.

There should be freedom from the mentality of slavery. The country should be free of dynastic politics.

There should be respect for the Constitution and it should not be made tool for political self-interest.

The benefit of reservation should not be taken away from those who are getting it.

All attempts to give reservation on the basis of religion should be stopped.

India should become an example of women-led development in the world.

Development of the country through development of the states should be our development mantra

The goal of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' should be above everything else.

In his speech, Modi said India is the mother of democracy due to thousands of years of democratic traditions. He, however, asserted that unity is the biggest requirement to achieve Indias resolve to become a developed country by 2047.

He further noted that women were at the centre of every initiative of the government and their representation in parliament and council of ministers had been increasing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Congress over a range of issues, while emphasising that his government had made sincere efforts to bring the poor out of poverty.

Hitting back at the opposition party which has been making frequent jumla jibes at the BJP, the prime minister said Garibi Hatao was the biggest jumla in the history of India. The Garibi Hatao Desh Bachao (remove poverty, save the country) slogan was first used by former prime minister Indiara Gandhi in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha.https://t.co/iSrP6pOV2p  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2024

"Congress is very fond of one word. I want to use that word today. Their favourite word, without which they cannot live is 'jumla'... The country knows that if there was any biggest jumla in India and it was used by four generations, that jumla was - 'Garibi Hatao'. This was such a Jumla which helped them in their politics but did not improve the condition of the poor," Modi said.

The prime minister was speaking in Lok Sabha in reply to a two-day debate on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution.

Listing out various pro-poor steps undertaken by his government, Modi said the opposition doesnt know what poverty is because they have seen the poor and poverty on TV and newspapers.

"Can someone tell, should people not even have toilets? The movement to build toilets has been started by (my) government," he said.
Former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president and Erode East MLA, EVKS Elangovan, passed away in a private hospital in Chennai after a brief illness on Saturday. He was 73 years old.



The Congress leader would have turned 74 on December 21. He was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai on Friday following illness.

Known for his fiery speeches and Swift repartees, Elangovan was elected as the MLA from the Erode East assembly segment after his son, Thirumahan EVeRa, passed away and the seat fell vacant in 2022. Elangovan is the grandnephew of Dravidian icon Periyar and the son of EVK Sampath, a tall Dravidian leader who was among the five people along with Karunanidhi to have sown the seeds of Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu.

Elangovan held the post of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president twice, immediately after G.K. Moopanar-led faction split from the party and formed Tamil Maanila Congress. It was during 2000-2002 the Congress was highly marginalised in the state, as both Moopanar and P.Chidambaram with their own parties commanded popularity in Tamil Nadu. Again, he held the post of the party president from 2014 to 2016, when Congress was completely washed out in the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu.

He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1984 from the Sathyamangalam constituency and then in 2004 from the Gobichettipalayam constituency, which is no more a Lok Sabha segment. He was made the union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, and commerce and industry.

Again in 2019, he contested as part of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance from Theni constituency and lost to O. Panneerselvam's son Raveendranath Kumar. Elangaovan is a staunch critic of Jayalalithaa and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, even though his mother Sulochana Sampath was a senior leader with the AIADMK and was considered close to Jayalalithaa.

It may be recalled that he was one among the few Congress legislators who had resigned from the MLA post on January 28, 1988 when MGR's wife Janaki moved a vote of confidence in the state assembly. He refused to obey the whip to vote for Janaki Ramachandran.

He was also part of Actor Shivaji Ganesan's party Tamizhaga Munnetra Munnani (TMM) for a brief period when the actor floated his party in 1988.
The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the Jammu and Kashmir police carried out coordinated raids at multiple locations including the District Jail Mattan in Anantnag and the villages of Sonigam and Chawalgam in Kulgam district on Saturday.



The operation is part of an ongoing investigation into a militant-related case that has raised significant security concerns in the region. Reports indicate that technical evidence was discovered within the District Jail Mattan premises, specifically related to communications and interactions that may be linked to militant activities.

The CIK teams conducted thorough inspections in various blocks and barracks of the jail to gather additional intelligence and assess any potential security breaches.

In Kulgam, simultaneous raids were executed in the villages of Sonigam and Chawalgam, where CIK officials targeted specific individuals suspected of involvement in militancy. These operations were strategically planned and conducted under search warrants issued by a competent court, emphasizing the legal framework guiding these investigative efforts.

While authorities have not publicly disclosed detailed information regarding the nature of the evidence uncovered during the raids, they stressed the importance of these operations in their ongoing efforts to tackle militancy and enhance public safety.

The CIK's actions seem aimed at potential threats and to dismantle networks that may support militant activities in the region. Community cooperation has also been deemed vital in these efforts, as the police continue to engage with residents to gather information and address any security-related concerns they may have.

Post Article 370, the security agencies in Kashmir have launched a continuous operation against militants and those involved in narcotics smuggling from across the border.

Reports said some digital devices, including cellphones and tablets, have been recovered. The raids were planned after tracing technical signatures inside jail premises and with other suspects at other locations in an ongoing probe.
Days after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hinted there was a secret pact (power-sharing formula) that would elevate him to the CMs post at an "appropriate time", the KPCC once again dropped hints that he was no pushover in politics.

Shivakumar, during former chief minister SM Krishna's obituary reference in the Assembly, recalled his long association and the special bond he shared with his political mentor. But what stood out for its innuendo was his narrating how he fought for a cabinet berth in Krishna's government.

Shivakumar recalled how as an independent (Congress rebel) MLA, he had visited Delhi, met PV Narasimha Rao to tell him that his group of MLAs would support Congress in the Rajya Sabha polls only if Krishna was made the nominee.

"Krishna became a RS member and later the KPCC chief too, won the Assembly elections in 1999 and became the chief minister. I, along with Jayachandra prepared the list of cabinet ministers and it was sent to Delhi for approval. But to my surprise, my name was missing from the final list. I consulted my astrologer Dwarkanath, who asked me to 'kick in and demand' what was my due and I did the same," said Shivakumar, adding that he told Krishna that there was no question of anybody taking the oath the following morning if his name was not included in the list.

"I had kicked on Krishna's door at two in the morning, that day. I told him I had stood by him and was only asking what was rightfully mine," said Shivakumar.

BJP leader and LOP R Ashok poked Shivakumar by asking if he intended to "kick and demand" the CM's post now. "What is your astrologer telling you now? I heard he advised you to occupy CM's chair before January," said Ashok.

Shivakumar smiled at the proposition and said, "If I tell you what my astrologer has told me, three-fourths of BJP legislators and the JDS will cross over to my side."

An embarrassed Ashok joked that perhaps Shivakumar was planning to join the BJP.

DKS and Sidda's claim for the CM chair: The story so far

It may be recalled that as soon as the Congress won 135 seats to oust the BJP government in Karnataka in May 2023, both Siddaramaiah and DKS had staked their claim to the chief ministership. If Shivakumar wanted a return gift for reviving a party that was in tatters following the mass desertions of 2019, Siddaramaiah pointed to the overwhelming support of the party MLAs who backed him for the job.

Shivakumar argued that Siddaramaiah had already served a full term as chief minister and it was only fair to follow the tradition of making the party president chief minister. While both leaders took credit for the near 5 per cent increase in vote share, Shivakumar reasoned that his Vokkaliga community had voted for the Congress to see their own chief minister. As a counter, Siddaramaiah said he was the state's undisputed Ahinda leader with the support of minorities, backward classes and Dalits.

After days of deliberations, the party high command had convinced Shivakumar to settle for deputy chief minister's post and there were strong rumours of a secret power-sharing pact mooted by the party leadership to placate him.
Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, 96, has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in New Delhi. The former deputy Prime Minister is kept under observation but his condition is currently "stable," hospital officials said.

LK Advani is being monitored by a team under Dr Vinit Suri, a senior consultant in the neurology department, news agency PTI reported. However, the exact cause of the BJP leader's hospitalisation could not be immediately known. The report added that Advani was brought to Apollo Hospital two days ago.

Earlier in March, President Droupadi Murmu had conferred Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, upon L.K. Advani at a ceremony held at his residence in New Delhi. The formal ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and the family members of Advani.

The longest-serving president of the BJP, Advani had joined the RSS at the age of 14. He served as the Home Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet from 1999 to 2004 before becoming the Deputy Prime Minister. He is best remembered for labelling himself the "charioteer" who steered the 'rath yatra' that began in Gujarat's Somnath on September 25, 1990, and culminated with the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, Advani arrived in Delhi in September 1947 during the partition. His association with AB Vajpayee became serious in 1957. He became the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) president in 172, two years after becoming a Rajya Sabha member.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his party, the National Conference (NC), have raised concerns about the proposed One Nation, One Election initiative, calling for a transparent and open debate on the matter.

There is a need for a transparent and open discussion on the One Nation, One Election proposal. It should not replicate the contentious process surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 (which led to the withdrawal of J&Ks special status) in 2019, Abdullah said

He cautioned that unilateral decisions on such critical issues could undermine the democratic process.

He criticised the current approach to the Bill, saying it remains a Cabinet proposal and has not yet been tabled in Parliament.

The Bill is a Cabinet proposal and has not been tabled in Parliament. It should not meet the same fate as the Bill related to Article 370, which was passed within one or two hours after a token discussion, he said.

He also clarified that the NC would deliberate internally before deciding its stance.

Accordingly, our Members of Parliament will vote, he said.

Adding to Abdullahs concerns, NC Member of Parliament (MP) Mian Altaf criticised the Union Cabinets decision to approve the initiative, describing it as rushed and lacking adequate deliberation.

This is a significant decision that impacts the democratic framework of the country. We believe such matters require extensive deliberations and discussions, rather than being hurriedly rushed through the Cabinet, Altaf said.

He said theres a need for a detailed parliamentary debate to thoroughly examine the implications of the proposal.

We want discussions to be held in Parliament, where all aspects of this policy can be examined thoroughly. During the session, MPs from the INDIA alliance will put forth their suggestions, allowing the people to understand its implications, Altaf said.

The BJP argues that the One Nation, One Election initiative aims to synchronise elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies. Advocates of the policy argue that it could reduce election-related expenses and enhance administrative efficiency.

However, critics have expressed concerns that it might disrupt Indias federal structure and lead to a centralisation of power, potentially weakening democratic governance.

As the Bill approaches parliamentary consideration, the NC has committed to closely examining the proposal and ensuring its MPs contribute meaningfully to the debate.
The day witnessed a major political face-off as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi exchanged sharp barbs, questioning each others commitment to the Constitution while presenting contrasting ideological visions for India.

Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, linking their values to the Manusmriti and citing Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar's critique of the Constitution. Drawing from the Mahabharata, Gandhi narrated the story of Eklavya, comparing Dronacharyas demand for Eklavya's thumb to what he described as the governments suppression of marginalised communities.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha.https://t.co/iSrP6pOV2p  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2024

The Leader of Opposition outlined his vision, promising the implementation of a caste census and increasing reservation limits beyond the current 50% cap if elected to power. Quoting B.R. Ambedkar, Gandhi emphasised, If there is political equality but no social and economic equality, political equality will be destroyed.

Countering Gandhis accusations Prime Minister Modi launched a blistering attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family. Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day discussion on 75 years of the Constitution, in Lok Sabha, Modi highlighted what he termed the familys sins, framing them as impediments to Indias progress.

LIVE: Debate on the Constitution | Lok Sabha https://t.co/cVAKZ5ND2Q  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 14, 2024

Modi showcased his governments work over the past decade as being guided by the spirit of the Constitution. He cited achievements such as the abrogation of Article 370, providing rations to over 80 crore people, building toilets, improving livelihoods, and pushing for a Uniform Civil Code.

The prime minister also responded to Congress's frequent use of the term jumla (a phrase used to dismiss BJPs promises). He said, The biggest jumla in India, used across four generations, was Indira Gandhis garibi hatao slogan. They did nothing for the poor.

In a no-holds-barred attack on the past Congress prime ministersJawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv GandhiModi accused them of altering the Constitution for political gain. He claimed Nehru first amended the Constitution, even before being an elected prime minister, to curtail the right to freedom of speech. Nehru wrote to chief ministers saying that if the Constitution comes in our way, it should be amended. The Congress developed a taste for tinkering with the Constitution and kept hunting for it, Modi said.

He targeted Indira Gandhi for amending the Constitution to clip the powers of the Supreme Court and imposing the Emergency. That sin will never be wiped off Congresss face, Modi declared. Referring to Rajiv Gandhi, Modi criticised his government for amending the Constitution to overturn the Supreme Courts verdict in the Shah Bano case. He also accused Rajivs successor generation of disrespecting the Constitution by tearing up an ordinance cleared by the government. Unlike Congress, we have amended the Constitution to strengthen the country, Modi asserted.

On Congresss promise regarding reservations, Modi accused the party of pushing for religion-based quotas, which was also rejected by the Constituent Assembly. He termed Congresss reservation plank as an appeasement strategy aimed at securing votes.

Concluding his 110-minute speech, Modi presented his vision for the nation through 11 resolutions: upholding reservations for marginalised sections; an end to dynastic politics; promoting meritocracy; zero tolerance to corruption; everyone perform their duties; inclusive development; instill pride in the country's laws and regulations; breaking free from colonial mindset; respecting the Constitution; women-led development, fostering national development; 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.'

After two days of discussion in Lok Sabha, now, the debate will be held in Rajya Sabha.
Kolkata saw widespread protests across the city a day after the CBI failed to file a supplementary chargesheet against Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where a trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered on August 9, and Abhijit Mondal, the former officer-in-charge (OC) of the Tala police station.

In October, the central agency submitted its initial chargesheet, identifying Sanjay Roy, a former Kolkata Police civic volunteer, as the prime accused. Ghosh and Mondal were also arrested as part of the investigation.

However, due to the agency's failure to submit the supplementary chargesheet, despite claiming that it had evidence suggesting Ghosh and Mondal tried to cover up the crime and tampered with evidence, both were granted bail. Mondal walked free, while Ghosh remained behind bars as he had also been arrested in another case related to financial irregularities.

The CBI's failure deeply shocked the trainee doctor's parents and people from all sections of society who protested for months demanding justice for the victim.

The development came within days of another setback for the victims parents as senior advocate Vrinda Grover, who was representing them in the case in all courts, withdrew herself as their counsel due to certain intervening factors and circumstances.

Since the very beginning, protesters and the victims parents have been claiming that the rape and murder of the doctor could not have been committed by a single individual and that others were likely involved.

Multiple protest rallies were held across Kolkata on Saturday. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) which had led the statewide doctors movement, held a march towards CGO Complex, one of CBIs offices in Kolkata. The RG Kar victims parents also joined the march.

From now onwards, we will participate in every protest rally and march. We thought the CBI would deliver us justice, but it failed, the trainee doctors father said. Now, movement is the only path. The CBI was working well earlier when people were protesting.

The WBJDF protesters demanded an explanation from the central agency for its failure to file a chargesheet against Ghosh and Mondal, despite their arrests on charges of evidence tampering and attempting to cover up the crime.

People from all sections of the society came out to demand justice but now we feel that the governments and the ruling parties are working against us. They dont want us to get justice, said Debashish Haldar of WBJDF.

Abhaya Mancha, a coalition of doctors, civil society members, and ordinary citizens, organised a rally at Esplanade. Meanwhile, the SFI held a protest at College Street, and SUCI marched towards the CGO Complex.

Meanwhile, the Congress held a demonstration outside another CBI office at Nizam Palace in Kolkata. When security officials intervened, party workers clashed with them and staged a sit-in in front of the building, blocking the road outside temporarily.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday slammed the Centre during a debate, drawing a contrast between the Constitution and the Manusmriti.

Citing the writings of V.D. Savarkar, Rahul said the RSS ideologue clearly stated that there is nothing Indian about the Constitution and that the book India is run by should be superseded by Manusmriti.

The Congress party stands for inclusivity and unwavering belief in the Constitution.



The BJP, however, worships Savarkarthe man who said, The worst thing about Indias Constitution is that there is nothing Indian about it.



Which side are you on: the one that defends the pic.twitter.com/ShenqrMZ3L  Navajyoti Patnaik (@NavjyotiPatnaik) December 14, 2024

"'Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after Vedas for our Hindu nation and from which our ancient times have become the basis for our culture, customs, thought and practice. This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmiriti is law.' These are the words of Savarkar... This is what the fight is about," Rahul said.

Rahul slammed the BJP leadership, saying they are ridiculing Savarkar when they speak of protecting Constitution.

Continuing the attack, just like Dronacharya cut Eklavya's thumbs, Rahul said the BJP is chopping off thumbs of youths in India. "When BJP gives Dharavi to Adani, you are chopping off thumbs of small businessmen," he added.

Addressing the farmers protest on Shambhu border, Rahul said the farmers are demanding fair price but you are benefiting Adani. He pointed out that the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh failed to relocate the Hathras rape victim, pointing out that those who committed the crime are roaming free.

This comes a day after Priyanka Gandhi slammed the BJP for confusing between "Bharat ka Samvidhan" and "Sangh ka Vidhan" during her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Lok Sabha on Saturday evening. The Lok Sabha's special debate on a non-working day comes as the Constitution completed 75 years on November 26, 2024. A similar debate will be held in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and Tuesday.
Israel on Saturday struck military sites in Damascus and its outskirts. These included underground missile bunkers beneath a mountain, according to a Syrian war monitor.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that Israeli Air Force (IAF) destroyed rockets, depots and tunnels under a mountain. Israel also struck warehouses and Scud ballistic missile launchers in Qalamun, according to the organisation.

The war monitor added that Israeli forces destroyed military and scientific facilities in Barzeh, which is in northern Damascus. They also attacked a military airport on the outskirts of the Syrian capital.

This comes after back-to-back strikes by the IAF targeting strategic capabilities of the Assad regime in a bid to prevent advanced weapons from reaching the hands of the rebels who ousted the previous government. IAF earlier targeted chemical weapons and air defence systems possessed by the Syrian military.

On Friday, Israel hit a missile base atop Mount Qasioun in the capital city, the Sweida airport in South Syria and research labs in Hama's Masyaf.

Meanwhile, the IDF's 210th Bashan Regional Division will reportedly stay in the Syrian side of the Golan Heights and camp atop Mount Hermon along the buffer zone with Israel. Earlier, reports alleged that Israeli tanks crossed the Qunaitra town in the buffer zone and stopped near Qatana, which is 21 km from Damascus.

IDF has acknowledged that its forces have carried out over 350 strikes targeting Syrian military facilities.

The United Nations has urged Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone, with Secretary General Antonio Guterres saying he was "deeply" concerned by the violations. The UN base near Mount Hermon is within the buffer zone.
Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher, who had voiced concerns over the company's practices involving artificial intelligence (AI) was found dead at his San Francisco residence, reports said. The Indian-origin whistle blower's demise on November 26 has rocked the tech and privacy rights fraternity.

Suchir Balaji, the most significant AI whistleblower is dead at 26 -- no signs of foul play, naturally! -- so here's an October post exploring the massive global heist he accuses OpenAI of perpetrating and the harms likely to result. https://t.co/exImjSrFtr pic.twitter.com/PQoG92Kmvy  moe tkacik (@moetkacik) December 14, 2024

Balaji questioned the data that OpenAI trained its models on and voiced concerns about OpenAI breaking copyright law. As things stand here are five things that we know so far about the young whistleblower's unfortunate passing.

Who was Suchir Balaji? Suchir Balaji worked for Open AI for four years before quitting in October. He began his career as an intern while in college, and later got to work with GPT-4, reasoning team with o1, and post-training for ChatGPT, Hindustan Times said citing the late man's LinkedIn profile.

Balaji was a computer science alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley.

What did Suchir Balaji do to become a whistleblower? Three months ago, Balaji publicly claimed OpenAI had breached US copyright legislation in developing ChatGPT.

This was Suchir Balaji, the 26 year old OpenAI whistleblower found dead's last post on his X. He probably wanted this out there, so here it is. pic.twitter.com/BJlH9FjXih  Autism Capital  (@AutismCapital) December 14, 2024

Balaji told a prominent US media that OpenAI was negatively impacting businesses and entrepreneurs whose information was utilised to train ChatGPT, the Times Of India pointed out. This put OpenAI further on the back foot as it was facing several legal challenges from writers, programmers and journalists, who alleged the company unlawfully used their copyrighted content to develop its programme.

...initially didnt know much about copyright, fair use, etc. but became curious after seeing all the lawsuits filed against GenAI companies. When I tried to understand the issue better, I eventually came to the conclusion that fair use seems like a pretty implausible defense for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data theyre trained on, reports claimed him as saying on X in October.

How did Suchir Balaji die? The youngster's lifeless body was recovered from his Buchanan Street apartment in Lower Haight district on November 26. It was officers who arrived at his doorsteps to perform a wellness check that made the discovery, the HT report said. Balaji's pals and colleagues had expressed concern over his well-being, reports said.

San Francisco police have said they have found no hints of any foul play in Balaji's passing. According to media reports, the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner maintains that he died by suicide. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) has identified the decedent as Suchir Balaji, 26, of San Francisco. The manner of death has been determined to be suicide... The OCME has notified the next-of-kin and has no further comment or reports for publication at this time, a statement to Tech Crunch reportedly said.

What was Suchir Balaji's latest whereabouts? On November 25, a court filing named Balaji in a copyright lawsuit brought against Open AI, Tech Crunch said in a report. As part of a good faith compromise, OpenAI agreed to search Balajis custodial file related to the copyright concerns he had recently raised, the report added.

Did Open AI respond to Suchir Balaji's passing? Yes. We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time, an OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement.

(Suicide is not a solution to any problem. Seek the help of mental health experts if you are in distress. Call the DISHA Helpline while having such thoughts. Toll-free helpline number: 1056, 0471-2552056)
After South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law order fiasco, the parliament voted to impeach him on Saturday. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the parliament and waved banners in joy.

The court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers. If he's thrown out of office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

South Korea's opposition-led parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspending him from official duties over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law. Under the constitution, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes acting president https://t.co/ukb8MDX2C7 pic.twitter.com/PD05HAP9d7  Reuters (@Reuters) December 14, 2024

After the impeachment motion was passed, Yeol in a televised address said that he would "step aside" and urged an end to "politics of excess and confrontation".

"Though I must now step aside for a while, the journey toward the future...must never come to a stop," he said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to never give up after lawmakers voted to impeach him on Saturday, after he shocked the nation by briefly imposing martial law https://t.co/UDlnpDlQhM pic.twitter.com/Toczr2Cp6O  Bloomberg (@business) December 14, 2024

Holding in my heart all the criticism, encouragement, and support directed at me, I will do my best for the country until the very last moment, he said.

With Yoon suspended from office, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been appointed as the acting president.

It was the second National Assembly vote on Yoon's impeachment motion. Earlier, Yoon survived an impeachment vote after most ruling party members boycotted the vote.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said Yoon's impeachment was an outcome driven by the people's ardent desire for democracy, courage and dedication.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung urged the protesters to fight together so Yoon was removed as quickly as possible. "You, the people, made it. You are writing a new history," he told the crowd.

Yoon is the second conservative president to be impeached in South Korea. In 2017, Park Geun-hye was removed from office. In 2004, President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached at parliament over an alleged election law violation but the court later overturned his impeachment and restored his presidential powers. Later in 2009, Roh jumped to his death amid corruption allegations involving his family.

Opposition parties attacked Yoon for rebellion and accused him of staging a riot against established state authorities to undermine the constitution.

They also said that a president in South Korea is allowed to declare martial law only during wartime or similar emergencies and has no right to suspend parliament's operations even under martial law.

Meanwhile, Yoon has been banned from leaving South Korea, as law enforcement authorities are investigating whether he and others involved in the martial law declaration committed rebellion, abuse of power and other crimes. If convicted, the leader of a rebellion plot can face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on Saturday amid mass protests in the country. Following Yoon's ouster, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will become the acting president.

Yoon last week survived an impeachment vote and this is the second time he is facing the motion. Yoon will now face South Korea's Constitutional Court, which will announce a verdict withn six months. If the court supports the ouster, Yoon will become the second president in the country to be impeached.

Why was Yoon Suk Yeol impeached?

Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment come amid his controversial martial law decree to address a political deadlock. The martial law saw massive outrage in the country, with protesters calling for his resignation.

The Parliament, which is controlled by the opposition, rejected the martial law decree. The MPs sought Yoon's impeachment over alleged violation of law following which they voted him out at 4pm local time.

The South Korean Parliament has 300 seats and 204 MPs voted to impeach Yoon while 85 voted against the motion. Three MPs abstained while eight votes were invalid. The opposition Democratic Party has 192 seats and they needed eight more votes to secure a two-third majority. Reports said the motion was supported by 11 MPs from Yoon's People Power Party (PPP).

Yoon earlier said he will fight until the very last minute, alleging the country's opposition is in the same league as the communists in North Korea.

However, the opposition hit back at him, saying impeachment was the only way to protect the country's Constitution and South Korea's future. The protesters celebrated on streets after South Korean parliament passed the second impeachment motion on Saturday.
When considering spaces exclusive to menor those perceived as suchin the Indian context, many examples readily come to mind. But what about spaces exclusively for women, where men are prohibited? Filmmaker Sivaranjini, in her debut feature film Victoria which was featured at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), crafts a poignant tale centred on such a spaceone that is both claustrophobic and liberating.

A research student at IIT Bombay, Sivaranjini sets her story in a beauty parlour in a semi-urban setting, where the narrative unfolds. The film closely examines the life of Victoria (Meenakshy Jayan), a beautician, focusing on a single workday that might turn out to be her last.

Also read | CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates 29th edition of IFFK, vows to create opportunities for women to stage talent with dignity

Victoria wears a smile on her face, but inside, she battles the turmoil caused by the men in her life.

On her way to work, a rooster unexpectedly falls under her care, compelling her to bring it into the beauty parlour. This roosterwhich opens up the possibility of being interpreted as a symbol of male presencebecomes a quirky imagery in that exclusively female space. Within this setting, women from diverse backgrounds and social strata open up, share their stories, and console one another.

The rooster does create a mess at times, but the woman manages to tie him up.

Premiered at the IFFK, Victoria stands out for its compelling female gaze. The film captivates with its rich imagerybold and striking at times, while subtle and understated at others. The standout feature is the stellar performances from the cast, which elevate the narrative. The extensive use of handheld shots adds an intimate, dynamic touch. Director Sivaranjini, who also took charge of editing, ensures the film is tightly crafted and decently paced.

The script incorporates a thoughtful dose of dark humour while exploring what women seek in a space that is exclusive and safe for them. During the post-screening Q&A, Sivaranjini shared that Meenakshy underwent a crash beautician course and fine-tuned her dialect for the role, efforts that are evident in her remarkable on-screen performance.

Victoria is the fifth film produced by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation as part of its initiative to support women filmmakers.
 The Center celebrates a Decade of Impact and Collaboration in India, prioritizes present and future collaborations to tackle global issues.



 The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth will balance the urgency of climate action with society's need for sustainable growth.



NEW DELHI, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the University of Chicago celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Center in Delhi and the many collaborations, relationships and scientific research it has nurtured. Taken together, these opportunities in diverse fields from liberal arts to medicine provide strong momentum for the University's outreach in India, and to the cutting-edge, cooperative work required to tackle the world's most challenging issues. Following an inaugural anniversary event in February, today the Center concludes a year of intellectual engagement celebrating its decade in India. It will focus on bringing "Ideas to Impact" for the next ten years and beyond, while strengthening its partnerships under the framework of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The University marked the occasion by celebrating the India launch of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth.







The new Institute, which the University launched on October 30 in Chicago, is a groundbreaking new effort that aims to leverage UChicago's unique legacy and resources to balance the risks of a changing climate with the essential need for human progress and growth through cutting-edge research, trailblazing education, and international engagement. With its launch in India, the Institute will be a platform for UChicago scholars to work with local partners to conduct researchwith an initial focus on climate and sustainable growth economics and policy, energy technologies such as advanced battery development, and climate systems engineering. This work builds on the University of Chicago Center in Delhi's robust history of fostering intellectual collaboration, research, and dialogue since its inception in 2014. The Center's decade-long journey has established it as a cornerstone of UChicago's commitment to India and South Asia.



Reflecting on the Center as the hub for the University's work in India, Supratik Guha, Faculty Director, UChicago Center in Delhi, and Professor in the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME), remarked, "As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the University of Chicago Center in Delhi, we reflect on a decade of impactful collaborations that have advanced critical areas such as the liberal arts, social policy, economics, medicine and, more recently, science and technology. This milestone is not merely a celebration of past achievements but a springboard for the future. Leveraging the momentum of initiatives like the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), we aim to deepen our partnerships across academia, industry, and government to address the pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, sustainable development, and equitable access to education. The journey ahead holds immense potential, and we are committed to turning innovative ideas into actionable impact that resonates globally and strengthens the UChicago-India partnership for years to come."



Working directly with government and industry partners in eleven states through more than two dozen projects, University of Chicago researchers and engineers are having an impact on policy conversationsfrom making improvements to India's electricity markets and engineering sensors that monitor water pollution in real-time, to providing farmers with better weather forecasting to help them adapt and assisting in the formation of several emissions markets to reduce pollution. Much of this work has been carried out by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's India team (EPIC India), which will be a key partner in the new Institute.



"Families in India and around the world aspire for a better life, and inexpensive energy is key to the growth that unlocks it," said Michael Greenstone, director of EPIC and the new Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth as well as the Milton Friedman Professor in Economics. "In many places and settings, fossil fuels remain the least expensive energy option, but they also cause climate change. This can put the goals of managing climate change and growth in conflict. The Institute's aim is to find ways to balance these two goals, recognizing that both are critical to our well-being. We look forward to building on a shared legacy of progress in working with Indian leaders to further this work."



Today's culmination celebration event at the Delhi Center engaged key stakeholders, including academic partners, government officials, funding agencies, and alumni, to acclaim past achievements and set the stage for ambitions in areas such as climate and sustainable growth, AI, quantum information sciences, energy, and telecommunications.



The event included keynote addresses by India's Chief Economist, V. Anantha Nageswaran, and the Government of Odisha's Chief Secretary, Shri Manoj Ahuja. It also included a fireside chat spotlighting the new Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth with Michael Greenstone and CEO of Tata Power Praveer Sinha that was moderated by the Institute's Senior Advisor Bala Srinivasan. The discussion looked at how in the coming decade, India's growth story will be guided by its policy architecture and macro stability. The fireside chat delved into the future of a greener India, powered by renewable energy initiatives and innovative technologies.



Reflecting on the role of the Center, Leni Chaudhuri, Executive Director, UChicago Center in Delhi, said, "Since its inception, the UChicago Center in Delhi has been a catalyst for innovation and change. We've fostered groundbreaking research, nurtured talented students, and built strong partnerships with leading institutions. As we look to the future, we are committed to leveraging our strengths to address critical issues. By fostering crucial collaborations, we aim to create a lasting impact on society. Our focus will be on areas such as climate change, sustainable development, and emerging technologies, where we can make a significant difference."



As the Center in Delhi enters its next decade, it reaffirms its commitment to fostering impactful collaboration between the University of Chicago and India, and in particular reinforcing the impact and success of programs such as the International Innovation Corps fellowship as well as the Development Innovation Lab. The celebration symbolized a forward-looking approach to shared challenges, solidifying UChicago's legacy of intellectual and societal contributions in the region.



About the University of Chicago



The University of Chicago is a leading academic and research institution that has driven new ways of thinking since its founding in 1890. As an intellectual destination, the University draws scholars and students from around the world to its campuses and centers around the globe. The University provides a distinctive educational experience and research environment, empowering individuals to challenge conventional thinking and pursue field-defining research that produces new understanding and breakthroughs with global impact.



About the University of Chicago Center in Delhi



Established in 2014, the Center in Delhi is a home for research and education for University of Chicago faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates working in India and throughout South Asia, as well as Indian partners and students representing a wide array of institutions and scholars from around the world. The Center promotes scholarship and teaching under three broad umbrellas: business, economics, law, and policy; science, energy, medicine, and public health; and culture, society, religion, and the arts.



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2580881/CHICAGOUNIAnniversary.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Real estate firm Worldwide Realty will invest around Rs 320 crore to develop a 22-acre housing project in Manesar, Haryana.

The Gurugram-based company is developing the Golden Residences project under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Jan Awas Yojna (DDJAY) scheme of the Haryana government.

"In this 22-acre project, we have already sold some housing plots. Now, we are launching 400 independent floors for sale," said Vikas Aggarwal, Chief Operating Officer of Worldwide Realty Pvt Ltd.

The company will be launching more independent floors in the next phase.

Asked about the total investment of the entire 22-acre project, Aggarwal said the construction cost will be around Rs 320 crore.

The company owns the land parcel historically.

"We have launched independent floors at a starting price of Rs 1.7 crore each," Aggarwal said.

The company has already developed the infrastructure under this project, which is part of a large 180-acre integrated township The Golden City.

Out of this 180-acre land parcel, the company has already developed a 118-acre industrial park in this township and is now constructing a 22-acre residential project.

It will be left with 40 acres of land for future development.

"Manesar, Haryana, is fast emerging as the premier destination for both discerning homebuyers and astute investors," Aggarwal said.

He said there is a significant demand for residential and industrial space in Manesar from end users.

According to real estate consultants, the real estate market is witnessing strong sales in the last three years.

Builders with a good track record of execution have benefited from the revival in housing demand post-COVID pandemic.
Mumbai, Dec 14 (PTI) A section of Akasa Air pilots has raised concerns about alleged training and safety issues at the airline and sought the intervention of the civil aviation ministry, while the carrier termed the allegations as untrue.

Akasa Air, which has been flying for over two years, had faced pilot issues earlier also, and this time, the section of the pilots has also claimed that 84 pilots have resigned on one-day notice.

"We categorically deny these allegations as baseless and untrue. Nor do they represent the views of Akasa pilots," an airline spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.

Akasa Air also said that 324 pilots have joined the airline since October 2023, and during this period, it has recorded an annualised attrition of less than 1 per cent for this employee group.

In a letter dated December 11, written to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, the section of the pilots has sought an independent probe into the airline's management practices, training methods and safety standards.

Seeking to counter the allegations, Akasa Air, in the statement, also said its monthly employee survey reveals that pilots, among all employee groups, have consistently reported the highest levels of job satisfaction, highlighting the effectiveness of our supportive culture.

"This dedication is further evidenced by the minimal number of pilots seeking opportunities outside of Akasa Air throughout 2024," it added.

In October, the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Akasa Air for certain lapses in the training of crew.

Akasa Air has a fleet of 26 planes and flies to 27 destinations, including five overseas cities.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Mukesh Ambani, the richest Asian, has announced the appointment of Ira Bindra as the new Group President of entire people, leadership and talent piece at Reliance Industries Ltd as he looks to pivot people policies at the oil-to-telecom conglomerate.

Normally, its functional heads who make announcements on talent hiring at senior level and Bindra is the first in recent times whose appointment has been announced by Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance, himself.

She has been hired to drive transformation across the entire organisation. With her appointment, HR transformation at an unprecedented level is expected at Reliance.

"Bindra joins us from Medtronic, USA, where she was the Head of Human Resources & Vice President - Global Regions," Ambani said in an internal organisation announcement.

Bindra, 47, will be the first non-family woman and the youngest to be on the all-powerful Executive Committee of the group.

As Group President - People and Talent at Reliance, she "will work with me, Isha, Akash, Anant and the entire EC to drive transformation across our company for People, Culture and Leadership," Ambani said in the announcement. "She will partner closely with all our business and HR leaders to continue to build on the foundation we have and help create world-class HR and people development practices."

Graduate from Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College in 1998, Bindra completed her Master of Business Administration from Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands in 1999. Thereafter she has worked with GE Capital, GE India, GE Healthcare and GE Oil & Gas before joining Medtronic in May 2018.

"Bindra is a global HR and business leader with deep domain expertise across a range of industries, geographies and business cycle. She has deep business and functional H R expertise across industries such as med tech, financial services, large industrial and global delivery centre business," Ambani said.

These leadership roles have been across complex geographies globally both in developing and developed markets, including India, United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

"Bindra has led large HR teams in Fortune 100 companies, such as GE, and has led organisations through bold business transformations, from designing new operating models, creating new business lines to executing significant divestitures, resulting in better performance and outcome," he said.

With diverse leadership roles under her belt, spanning HR business partner, talent development, technology R&D, commercial, compliance and business transformation, she brings her expertise in blending business, data, and people strategies to impact results, he added. "I am confident that Bindra will inspire our diverse teams with fresh perspectives and propel us to achieve even higher levels of performance."
Patna, Dec 14 (PTI) Bihar has received more than 3,800 proposals for setting up factories in the state since it floated a progressive industrial investment promotion policy in 2016, proving to be a pivot for its rapid development, its Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena said.

Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy, 2016, offers a slew of incentives to investors that range from interest subvention to reimbursement of State GST, stamp duty waiver, export subsidy and concessions for transportation, power, and land fees. It also created a State Investment Promotion Board to approve investment proposals.

"From 2016 till now, in the last nine years, there has been a massive response from the industry because of the promotional policy, and subsequently, sectoral policies have been approved by the government. So, from different sectors, there are over 3,800 proposals for consideration of a state industrial promotion board and 3,100 proposals have been accorded first-stage approval," he said.

Over 780 industries are operational, providing employment to about 34,000.

"Rs 8,000 crore worth of investment has come (so far)," he said, adding that the industries are mainly from the food processing, textile, manufacturing, renewable energy, IT and cement sectors.

The state has created a land bank of over 3,000 acres to be provided to set up industries. Bihar is also offering about 2.4 million square feet of ready-to-move plug-and-play industrial sheds, equipped with all basic infrastructure requirements, situated in industrial areas across the state. These are available for any industry at a fixed rate.

"So, various sectors are now showing interest and Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority, which is the state apex body for providing land to the industrialists, has over 3,000 acres of surplus land," he said.

"And as and when an industrialist plans to set up an industry in Bihar, there is a portal, they apply, and within a specified time frame, land is allotted at reasonable rates."

Bihar offers a single window clearance not just at the time of approval but also in the disbursal of incentives. Also, the state chief minister regularly meets industrialists to sort out their difficulties.

"Our policy provides for major incentives, including the interest subsidy, tax incentives, stamp duty exemption, and various other forms of support. And we have a single window clearance system, whereby following the principles of ease of doing business, very fast clearance is accorded," Meena said.

The chief minister, he said, "has started interaction at the highest level in the government through organising Udhami Panchayat. So, in those Udhami Panchayats, all government departments and all industry associations do meet and issues, which the industries are facing, are discussed and appropriate decisions are taken. Resultantly, in the last nine years, a significant number of industries have come into operation".

Bihar Business Connect - the annual investor meet of the state - drew "tremendous success by signing MoUs of more than Rs 50,000 crore" of investment proposals in its maiden show in 2023, he noted.

The second edition is planned to be held here on December 19-20.

"And this year, the industries department has undertaken various meetings with investors in different parts of the country. We are receiving very, very positive and encouraging responses. And we are hopeful that Bihar Business Connect 2024 being organised this month will draw a lot of attraction," he added.

On Udhami Panchayat, Meena - the top bureaucrat in the state government, said the chief minister meeting the industry along with all the departments gives the industry confidence.

"They can raise issues. Their issues are then followed up. Appropriate decisions are taken. So, that brings in confidence and motivation."
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasised the need for a systemic solution to stubble burning, stating that our negligence endangers people's lives.

Addressing the National Energy Conservation Day function, Dhankhar said the national capital suffers every year due to hazardous environmental conditions arising out of stubble burning.

Society needs to embrace innovation and seek a systemic solution rather than leaving it to individuals, he added.

"The system must come of age...Just imagine our lack of attention. Our negligence is putting us in jeopardy in several ways. One is our health. Second, loss of hours of work. Third, disruption of normal life. And fourth, we need to take care of our children.

"You can't go to school on this day because pollution is very high, and therefore, everyone must converge to contribute," Dhankhar stated.

He also called for finding a systemic solution to stubble burning, saying it should not be left to individuals.

"Climate change, the crisis...The threatening problem obliterates social barriers. Rich or poor, urban or rural. We must act together, or we perish together," he noted.

Referring to ethos and traditional wisdom, Dhankhar said, "Our civilisational wisdom is a heritage, and I would say, in a sense, survival manual, encyclopaedic, for this climate emergency. We have the civilisational ethos of thousands of years, our Vedas, Puranas, our epics Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Gita's wisdom. If we look into that gold mine, we get real inspiration that conservation had always been a key factor, a facet of life".

Highlighting the fundamental duty outlined in the Constitution regarding environmental conservation, Dhankhar said, "I invite your attention in particular to Article 51A. It is just not constitutional guidance. It has to be a way of life with us".

Underlining the importance of responsible consumption, the Vice President stated, "This is not yours. It is a collective to the entire humanity, and therefore, an obligation on us that there has to be optimal utilisation of resources, optimal utilisation of energy".

Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik was also present on the occasion.
Hyderabad, Dec 14 (PTI) After spending the night in a local prison after being arrested in connection with the death of a woman in a stampede during the



premiere of his latest film, actor Allu Arjun walked out of jail on Saturday following an interim bail granted by the Telangana High Court.



Arjun had to spend Friday night in prison despite the HC relief, as the authorities had not received a copy of the bail order until late last night.



"He has been released," Ashok Reddy, his counsel, told reporters at the Chanchalguda prison.



Reddy claimed the prison authorities did not release the actor despite having got the High Court order copy.



"You should question the government and the department why they have not released the accused. The High Court order is very specific. Forthwith, the moment you (prison authorities) receive the order, ( they should) release him. Despite the clear order, they have not released, they have to answer. This is an illegal detention. We will take legal steps, Reddy said.



According to him, Arjun was kept in the jail as a "special category prisoner".



The Pushpa actor was arrested from his residence on Friday morning unfolding a day-long dramatic turn of events.



After the arrest he was produced in a local court which remaded him to 14 days' judicial custody. However, his lawyers moved the HC and secured interim bail.



Arjun was lodged in Chanchalguda prison shortly before the HC spelled its order.



A 35-year-old woman died and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised on December 4 during a stampede-like situation at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad when thousands of fans jostled to have a glimpse of the actor at the premiere of the blockbuster 'Pushpa 2: The Rule,'.



Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family.

Meanwhile, police stepped up security outside the star's city residence anticipating a surge of the actor's fans post his release.
Dubai, Dec 14 (AP) PEN America condemned the arrest of Reza Khandan, Iranian activist and husband of leading human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, and demanded his immediate release.

Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director of Writers at Risk at the literary and human rights organisation said in a statement Friday: We are appalled at the arrest of Reza Khandan and urge Iranian authorities to release him immediately."

The pro-reform Shagh Daily cited Mahmoud Behzadi Rad, an Iranian lawyer, as saying that Khandan was sentenced in 2019 over spreading propaganda against the system and collusion against national security and that authorities arrested him Friday to carry out the sentencing.

PEN America said Khandan was sentenced to six years in prison for making and distributing buttons protesting Iran's compulsory hijab laws in January 2019. Khandan, also a lawyer, was summoned to prison in February 2023, but the order was not enforced at the time, the organisation said.

His wife, Sotoudeh, is renowned for defending activists, opposition politicians and women prosecuted for removing their headscarves. In March 2019, she was sentenced to a total of 38 years and 148 lashes on a range of charges. She has been out on bail since 2023.

According to PEN America's 2023 Freedom To Write Index, at least 49 Iranian writers were arrested for their work last year, making Iran the second-highest jailer of writers in the world after China. Iran is also the world's top jailer of female writers. (AP) GRS

GRS
Melbourne, Dec 14 (The Conversation) The federal government has revealed a new bargaining chip in the gamble to bring big tech back to the table with news publishers.

The news media bargaining incentive is essentially a new levy issued by the Australian Tax Office to digital platforms. Platforms that renew or initiate deals with news publishers to pay for news content will be able to offset the levy.

Platforms that refuse to come to the bargaining table will still have to pay  regardless of whether they host news content on their sites.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland suggested at a media conference on Thursday that this will leave organisations such as Meta and Google with a bill far larger than if they had simply entered into agreements.



Four-dimensional chess

The incentive aims to bolster the Morrison governments 2021 news media bargaining code. That scheme gave the federal treasurer the power to designate an eligible digital platform to enter into a commercial agreement with news publishers to pay for news content appearing online.

A review of the code in 2022 suggested the legislation was a success without ever having been enacted. The threat of designation prompted Meta and Google to make 34 deals amounting to more than A$200 million across the media sector.

Google has extended the deals it struck. But earlier this year, Meta announced it would not renew any of the 13 deals it made three years ago with Australian news media companies. Those deals were worth millions of dollars.

The federal government was left with a conundrum. Should it designate platforms and risk what has happened in Canada, where Meta responded to government pressure to pay for journalism by simply removing all Canadian news content from its platforms? Or should Australia take a different approach?

Jones has admitted to playing the equivalent of four-dimensional chess to figure out the governments next move.

No doubt he and Rowland were playing with one eye on Canada, where the government played hardball  and lost.



What happened in Canada?

Canadas Online News Act, Bill C-18, was billed as the legislation that learned the lessons of Australias news bargaining code.

The Australian code was criticised for not immediately designating digital platforms, which essentially allowed platforms to pick and choose which publishers they negotiated with  meaning small or niche publishers largely lost out of funding.

Instead, the Canadian government insisted its Online News act would be the first legislation to compel Meta and Google to pay for third-party news content on their sites.



But the strongarm tactics didnt work.

The legislation was only hours old before Meta announced it would simply block Canadians from accessing and sharing news on all of its platforms.

While the Canadian government was able to bring Google back to negotiations, Meta has used Bill C-18 as a global example to other governments considering similar legislation. It has made good on its threat to pull news content from its sites.



The effects on the Canadian news industry have been widely felt.



Most Canadian news publishers have reported disastrous declines in online traffic, audience engagement and overall revenue, traced back to bans on news content on Facebook.

The Canadian Media Ecosystem Observatory reported that one year after Meta blocked news access on Facebook and Instagram for Canadian users, about one third of small, local news providers are now inactive online.

But the big loss for public interest journalism in Canada is that news consumption overall has fallen. Many Canadians are not replacing the news theyd previously consumed via Facebook by seeking out news elsewhere.

In the face of such dire consequences for public interest journalism, the Australian federal government chose a business incentive approach.



Will the incentive work?

Crucially, the incentive charge announced on Thursday applies to digital platforms regardless of whether they host news content.

That means digital platforms would pay more if they did not enter into agreements with news publishers  or they would have to consider the economic value of pulling their entire operations from Australia to avoid paying the levy.

The federal government is rolling the dice on a designation-like scheme, with the sweetener of ensuring big tech can offset their deals with Australian news publishers.

There are caveats. Jones said big tech companies would not be able to fulfil their obligations simply by doing one big deal. However, existing deals would be recognised under the new scheme.

While the incentive looks promising, questions remain.



Responding to a reporters question on Thursday, Jones appeared to suggest the number and value of any deals could be made public. However, this is unlikely.

Under the news media bargaining code, commercial-in-confidence provisions have meant publishers and platforms arent required to report the number or value of deals.

News publishers were not keen to announce how they invested the money they received or whether that investment aligned with the news media bargaining codes policy aim of supporting public interest journalism.

This means previous research showing the news media bargaining code created winners and losers among news publishers will not change with the new incentive-based scheme. Smaller publishers will continue to lose out.

Platforms will continue to pick and choose who they negotiate with, how much money they contribute, and in some cases, even what content they want to see produced.



The elephant in the room

The federal government is yet to address the Meta-sized elephant in the room: what if digital platforms continue to withdraw from negotiations with news publishers?

While the federal government has yet to finalise the scheme, the announcement comes off the back of consultation with digital platforms, and a briefing for the incoming US government.

A public consultation paper detailing the structure of the incentive will be released in early 2025.

This will undoubtedly give Meta time to consider its next move. (The Conversation) AMS
Karachi, Dec 14 (PTI) An IndiGo flight en route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was on Saturday forced to make an emergency landing at the Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan's Karachi city following a medical emergency onboard.

The aircraft, which departed from New Delhi, was in Pakistani airspace when a male passenger fell seriously ill, according to sources from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

According to Geo News, the passenger was a 55-year-old Indian man.

The pilot of the Indian airlines contacted the air traffic control at the Karachi airport after the passenger did not get better even after he was given oxygen, the source said.

The air traffic control allowed the Indigo aircraft to land in Karachi on humanitarian grounds where a medical team has now gone into the aircraft to provide emergency treatment to the passenger, he added.

After the issue was resolved, the flight departed Karachi and returned to New Delhi instead of continuing to Jeddah, the report said, quoting sources.
Tokyo, Dec 14 (AP) The partial transfer of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam began on Saturday, 12 years after Japan and the United States agreed on their realignment to reduce the heavy burden of American troop presence on the southern Japanese island, officials said.

The relocation started with 100 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed on Okinawa moving to the Pacific island for the initial logistical work, the US Marine Corps and Japan's Defense Ministry said in a joint statement.

Under the plan agreed between Tokyo and Washington in April 2012, about 9,000 of the 19,000 Marines currently stationed on Okinawa are to be moved out of Okinawa, including about 4,000 of them to be moved to Guam in phases. Details, including the size and timing of the next transfer, were not immediately released.

The Marine Corps is committed to the defense of Japan and meeting operational requirements to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, and it will maintain presence in the region through a combination of stationing and rotating Marines in Japan, Guam and Hawaii, the joint statement said.

Japan has paid up to USD 2.8 billion for the building of infrastructure at the US bases on Guam, and the US government will fund the remaining costs. The two governments will continue to cooperate on the development of Camp Blaz, which will serve as the main installation for Marines stationed in Guam.

The Marines and Japan Self Defense Forces will conduct joint training in Guam, the statement said.

Okinawa, which was under US postwar occupation until 1972, is still home to a majority of the more than 50,000 American troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact, while 70 per cent of US military facilities are on Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6 per cent of Japanese land.

Many Okinawans have long complained about the heavy US military presence on the island, and say Okinawa faces noise, pollution, aircraft accidents and crime related to American troops.

The relocation is likely to be welcomed by local residents, but how much improvement they will feel is uncertain because of the rapid Japanese military buildup on Okinawan islands as a deterrence to threats from China.

The start of the Marines relocation comes at a time of growing anti-US military sentiment following a series of sexual assault cases involving American service members.

On Thursday, a senior Air Force service member belonging to the Kadena Air Base was convicted of the kidnapping and sexual assault of a teenage girl last year, a case that triggered outrage on the island. The Naha District Court sentenced him to five years in prison. (AP) NPK

NPK
Colombo, Dec 14 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a three-day visit to India from Sunday, his first overseas visit after assuming office.

During his visit, Dissanayake will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.

He will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando.

Dissanayaka's visit to India is expected to further bolster the multi-faceted and mutually beneficial bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in New Delhi on Friday.

Issues relating to maritime security cooperation are likely to figure in talks during Dissanayaka's visit, it said.

The December 15-17 visit is Dissanayake's first overseas visit since being elected the island nation's president on September 23.

Apart from his meetings with India's political leadership, Dissanayaka will attend a business event in Delhi to promote investment and commercial linkages between India and Sri Lanka. He is also scheduled to visit Bodh Gaya, a statement from MEA said.

The invitation to visit New Delhi was extended by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who visited Colombo less than a fortnight after Dissanayake's victory and was the first foreign dignitary to visit the island nation since the National Peoples Power (NPP) government came to power.

Dissanayake's visit was on hold until the completion of the parliamentary election in November when his NPP recorded a historic win, gaining absolute control of the 225-member Parliament.
Dubai, Dec 14 (AP) A court in Iran has sentenced Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh to 10 years on prison after finding him guilty of collaborating with a hostile government, his lawyer said Saturday.

Reza Valizadeh is a former journalist for the US-government-funded Voice of America's Farsi language service and also has worked for Radio Farda, an outlet under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that is overseen by the US Agency for Global Media.

Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, the lawyer of Valizadeh, told The Associated Press that the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a first-instance verdict for his client on a charge of collaborating with the hostile US government.

Aghasi said the verdict can be appealed within 20 days since it was delivered to them a week ago. He added that he hasn't been able to meet with Valizadeh since the verdict was issued.

In August, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran despite Radio Farda being viewed by Iran's theocracy as a hostile outlet.

I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Before that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guard's) intelligence department, the message read in part. Eventually I came back to my country after 13 years without any security guarantee, even a verbal one.

Aghasi said he was free during the first six months of his arrival and then was arrested.

Earlier in November, Kianoosh Sanjari, a former journalist with VOA's Farsi service, jumped to his death from a building in Iran's capital in protest of the country's supreme leader and an ongoing crackdown on dissent in the Islamic Republic.

Iranian authorities said that Sanjari, 42, had earlier demanded the release of four prisoners held in the country and threatened to kill himself if they weren't released.

In 2007, a former Radio Farda broadcaster, Parnaz Azima, returned briefly to Iran to visit her ailing mother. Her passport was confiscated at the airport. Authorities banned her from leaving the country and summoned her repeatedly for questioning by security forces. Finally, she was freed on bail and allowed to leave the country eight months later.

Iran has faced years of unrest amid wider tensions with the West, most recently with the nationwide protests that followed the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Jobs also remain scarce and the country's rial currency continues its yearslong collapse against the US dollar, further straining the lives of Iranians. (AP) SCY

SCY
Colombo, Dec 14 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday accepted the resignation of parliamentary Speaker Asoka Ranwala, who announced his decision to step down from the post amidst a controversy surrounding his educational qualifications.

This is the first time in Sri Lankas parliamentary history that a Speaker has resigned, according to the Adaderana news portal.

Presidential Secretary Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake formally informed the Secretary General of Parliament that Dissanayake has accepted Ranwala's resignation, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.

On Friday, Ranwala announced his resignation following days of speculation about him falsifying his educational qualifications.

...To stop the inconvenience caused to the government and the people who had placed trust in the government, I have decided to resign from the post of Speaker, he said.

Ranwala's resignation came as the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) signed a motion of no trust against him, accusing him of misleading the public and the government by falsely claiming to possess a doctorate.

According to the NewsFirst news portal, Parliament has announced that a new Speaker will be elected on December 17, when the Parliament will convene again.

Ranwala was one of the 159 National People's Power (NPP) members elected after the party's historic landslide victory in the November 14 parliamentary election.

He was on the job for less than a month after being elected as the house speaker on November 21.
West Palam Beach (US), Dec 14 (AP) Donald Trump hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorised to comment publicly.

Cook is the latest in a string of big tech leaders  including OpenAI's Sam Altman, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos  who have sought to improve their standing with the incoming president after choppy relations with Trump during his first term.

Trump has said he has spoken with Cook about the company's long-running tax battles with the European Union.

The meeting comes less than two months after Trump said he spoke to Cook by phone, and soon after Apple lost its last appeal in a dispute with the EU over 13 billion euros ($14.34 billion) in back taxes to Ireland.

He said the European Union has just fined us $15 billion," Trump recalled of his conversation with Cook, in an October interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David. "Then on top of that they got fined by the European Union another $2 billion."

The decision by the EU top court was the finale to a dispute that centred on sweetheart deals that Dublin was offering to attract multinational businesses with minimal taxes across the 27-nation bloc. The European Commission in 2016 ruled that Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid that Ireland was required to recover.

Trump's transition team and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his dinner with Cook.

OpenAI CEO Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump's inauguration fund, the company confirmed Friday. Amazon and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed this week they had each donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund.

During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump's past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump's bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract.

More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. Last week, he said at The New York Times' DealBook Summit in New York that he was optimistic about Trump's second term while also endorsing president-elect's plans to cut regulations.

The donation from Meta came just weeks after Meta CEO Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago.

During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump's response to his first assassination attempt. (AP) AMS
Nagpur, Dec 14 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Saturday said he had not tendered resignation from his party post.

Party sources had claimed on Friday that following the rout faced by the Congress in the assembly elections, Patole had emailed a letter to party president Mallikarjun Kharge and expressed the desire to be relieved of his current responsibility.

"I have not tendered any resignation...rumours are being spread," he told reporters here.

"Actually, the tenure of MPCC (Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee) chief is of three years, and I have completed four years. I have earlier also said that I fulfilled my responsibilities properly, and it is an internal matter, not to be disclosed. The party will decide, and I feel everyone should get the opportunity to work in the organisation," Patole added.

The Congress leader, meanwhile, condemned the vandalising of a replica of the Constitution in Parbhani city which triggered violence earlier this week, and demanded action against the Collector and Superintendent of Police for the use of lathi-charge against the protesters.

The issue will be raised in the winter session of the assembly that would start next week, he said.
Panaji, Dec 14 (PTI) Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel on Saturday attended the ongoing exposition of holy relics of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa.

The minister was received at the Manohar International Airport by Sanjith Rodrigues, secretary of the Goa government's protocol department.

Rangel later drove to Old Goa and prayed before the relics of St Francis Xavier which are kept in exposition at Sa Cathedral Church. The exposition will culminate on January 5.

Talking to reporters, Rangel said he was grateful to the people of Goa and the state government for giving him the opportunity of participating in the exposition.

As a Portuguese and a Christian, it was a very emotional moment for him, he added.

Goa is a unique example of how dialogue exists between various cultures, countries and religions, he said, adding that the coastal state is an example for the world.

"I pray for peace in the world," the minister said.
Bhopal, Dec 14 (PTI) A purported suicide note recovered after the deaths of a businessman and his wife who hanged themselves in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district has led to a slugfest between the Congress and the ruling BJP.

In the purported suicide note that surfaced on social media, businessman Manoj Parmar urged Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders not to leave his children alone and accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and BJP leaders of harassment.

The Congress has claimed that Parmar and his wife were party supporters, and the ED harassed them over their political leanings. The couples children had gifted their piggybank to Gandhi during his "Bharat Jodo (Nyaya) Yatra".

Sub-divisional officer of police (SDOP) Akash Amalkar said the suicide note received by the police was in the form of an application.

He said the family members of the deceased couple were still in mourning, so the police have not recorded their statements.

Talking to PTI, Amalkar said he cannot reveal more about the suicide note as the investigation is underway.

Parmar and his wife Neha were found hanging in their home in Ashta town of Sehore district on Friday morning.

The suicide note is addressed to the President of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and others.

In a note, which appears to be typed and printed, Parmar has urged Gandhi to take care of his family.

Asked about the mention of Gandhi and Congress leaders in the suicide note, the party's state president, Jitu Patwari, told PTI, "Congress is a party of the public. We will take care of them. Which is why I visited there yesterday."

Patwari alleged that the Parmar couple's death was not a case of suicide but a state-sponsored murder, as the ED was being used to harass leaders so that they join the BJP.

Several leaders joined the BJP after being harassed by the ED and other investigative agencies, he claimed.

In a post on X on Saturday, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath claimed that Parmar committed suicide with his wife because he was harassed by the BJP government and ED officials.

"The deceased's only crime was that during our leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, his children had supported the yatra by gifting him a piggy bank," he wrote and shared a news report about this case and suicide note.

Nath said the deceased's suicide note mentions harassment by the ED and pressure to join the BJP.

He said the whole case was more about wiping out an entire family than harassing a businessman to the point of suicide for political reasons.

Nath, in his post, urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to get the case investigated as per law and ensure strict action against the culprits.

Madhya Pradesh BJP's media in-charge Ashish Agrawal had on Friday condemned the Congress's allegations about the suicide.

"Doing politics over death is the old vulture-like character of Congressmen! The suicide of anyone is sad, but Congressmen misuse it only to further their personal interests. Before making baseless allegations, both Singh and Patwari and Congressmen should know the case history," Agrawal said in a statement.

The ED's Bhopal zonal official had, in a release, said the agency carried out searches on December 5 at four premises in Sehore and Indore districts in connection with Parmar and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The search covered the residential premises of the key persons who were the beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime or have actively aided or abetted such persons in a bank fraud case, the ED said, claiming to have recovered incriminating documents.

The probe agency said it recorded the statements of certain persons during the raid, and a bank balance of Rs 3.5 lakh was frozen.

Details of four immovable properties of the key persons were also found during the searches, it said.

As per the statement, the ED launched an investigation based on an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Parmar and a senior branch manager of PNB.

The ED has alleged that loans worth nearly Rs 6 crore were availed under the Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme and Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana. However, the funds were diverted to proprietorship concerns or firms and were subsequently withdrawn in cash for investment in properties.

The ED investigation is underway, said the statement.
Mumbai, Dec 14 (PTI) A day after Uddhav Thackeray slammed the BJP over a demolition notice issued by the Railways to a temple outside Mumbais Dadar station, ruling party leaders claimed on Saturday that they have got it stayed.

BJP legislator Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the Dadar Hanuman temple will be protected.



Lodha visited the shrine near Platform No. 12 at Dadar East, adjacent to the Central Railway station. He interacted with the temple trustees and joined the aarti.



MLA Kalidas Kolambkar and members of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad were also present at the temple.



Lodha said he had spoken with Union Railway Minister Ashwnin Vaishnaw and an order has been issued to halt the demolition.



Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Thackeray on Friday claimed that Railways had issued a fatwa (edict) to bring down the 80-year-old Hanuman temple built by porters. Taking a dig at the BJPs ek hai to safe hai slogan, he said even temples are not safe in the saffron partys regime.



After his temple visit, Lodha, who represents the Malabar Hill assembly constituency in the city, told reporters that the BJP-led governments at the Centre and Maharashtra listen to the concerns over Hindutva and that of the people.



We understand the sentiments of the Hindu community regarding this temple, and I assure you that no harm will come to this sacred place. Since we learnt about the situation, BJP leaders, and Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers have all been in contact with railway minister Vaishnaw, he said.



The BJP leader said they have made every effort to protect the temple and would continue to do so.



Any attempt to politicise religious sentiments has been thwarted before it could succeed, and we have successfully saved the temple, he asserted.



In a notice dated December 4 to the trustee/pujari of the temple, the Railways said the structure was an encroachment and constructed without authorisation on land owned by it.



These structures are affecting the movement of commuters and vehicular traffic. It is also obstructing the construction of infrastructure works at Dadar station, it said. The Railways had given a seven-day notice for the removal of the structure.



Lodha said the notice has been stayed.



His party colleague and former MP Kirit Somaiya also visited the temple. He told the trustees that the railway officials had assured him the temple wouldnt be demolished.



Attacking Thackeray, Somaiya told reporters that those who put devotees of the deity in jail for chanting Hanuman Chalisa eventually have to surrender before Lord Hanuman, referring to the arrest of former MP Navneet Rana in Mumbai two years ago.



He has accepted Sajjad Nomani, Ulema board, Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh and vote jihad and should stay committed to them, Somaiya said.



Meanwhile, former Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale said he has written to Vaishnaw citing that a similar notice was issued a few years ago and was stopped after his intervention. He urged the Union minister to find a permanent solution to the matter saying that the temple is very popular among locals.
Patna, Dec 14 (PTI) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has charged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with "maintaining silence" over alleged irregularities in a PSC examination, claiming that recent question paper "leaks" in such competitive tests were "state-sponsored".

In a video statement late on Friday, the leader of the opposition in the assembly also accused Kumar of failing to communicate with job aspirants who staged protests over the alleged paper leak in the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024, conducted by Bihar Public Service Commission.

Kumar's "reluctance to communicate with students who were baton-charged by the police and slapped by Patna district magistrate" showed that the JD(U) supremo is a "tired man and unable to govern Bihar", Tejashwi claimed.

"This government has failed in conducting any examination in the state without paper leaks ...whether it is for class 10th, 12th, police constable recruitment exams or BPSC tests, questions papers are leaked before the examination starts. This government is least bothered about the welfare of students and youths," the RJD leader alleged.

"I must say that these question paper leaks are state-sponsored. Why did the CM and two deputy CMs maintain silence over the issue? Those (aspirants) who protested against irregularities in the exam were baton-charged, slapped by the Patna DM and also sent to jail. It seems that bureaucrats are running the government in the stateThis is not the government of the people," Yadav claimed.

The youths of Bihar will "show a mirror to NDA leaders" in the 2025 assembly polls, he said.

"If we come to power after the 2025 assembly polls in the state, we will take care of students and youths. We will make arrangements for their (job aspirants) travel and stay during competitive exams. People are fed up with the NDA government in the state," the RJD leader alleged.

Rumours of a leak of question paper of the Bihar Public Service Commission preliminary examination erupted at an examination centre on Friday, prompting the commission to warn of police action against those involved in the "conspiracy".

Around 300-400 aspirants boycotted BPSC's 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 held at the Bapu examination centre at Kumhrar in Patna, alleging that the question paper was leaked on social media even before the examination started.

Chaos had prevailed at the Bapu examination Centre where an additional examination superintendent, identified as Ram Iqbal Singh, died of cardiac arrest and a female candidate fell unconscious on Friday.

Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh reached the examination centre upon hearing about the commotion.

A large crowd gathered outside the examination centre and news channels ran video footage of the DM slapping one of the unruly bystanders and ordering police personnel to round up all those who were indulging in mischief.

An aspirant was slapped by an official in Patna on Friday when the former was protesting against the alleged delay in the distribution of the BPSC exam question paper, Yadav said, asking It was highly condemnable. Why question papers were distributed almost an hour after the scheduled time? This is sheer injustice with the students.
Ranchi, Dec 14 (PTI) The Jharkhand State Students' Union (JSSU) announced that it would gherao the state SSC office on Monday, demanding the cancellation of the recruitment examination held in September over allegations of malpractices.

JSSU leader Devendra Mahto made the announcement after the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission on Saturday said that it has called 2,231 shortlisted candidates for document verification between December 16 and 22.

They qualified for the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination (JGGLCCE) in which 3.04 lakh candidates appeared.

Mahto said thousands of candidates from all 24 districts would gather in Ranchi on Sunday and gherao the SSC office on Monday.

"We want immediate cancellation of the verification exercise by the commission," he said.

The district administration imposed prohibitory orders within the 500-metre radius of the SSC office from 5.30 am on Saturday to 8 pm on December 20 in view of the protest.

Students have been protesting over the JGGLCC Examinations, through which recruitment is supposed to be made in mostly junior-level posts in the government, alleging that widespread malpractices happened in it.

A mega demonstration happened outside the SSC office on September 30, demanding the cancellation of the examination.

The SSC had set up a three-member committee to probe the allegations of malpractices, taking cognisance of the students' complaints.

Rejecting the allegations, SSC secretary Sudhir Gupta said the examination was conducted in a free and fair manner.

"The students majorly made five allegations and they provided a CD and a pen drive to back their claims. But, the CD was found to be blank. The commission repeatedly sent notices to submit the original video but it was not provided," he said.

Gupta said it was alleged that a large number of candidates from outside Jharkhand were declared successful, but it is completely baseless.

"A total of 2,231 candidates have been invited for verification of certificates, of which 2,145 candidates are residents of Jharkhand," he said.

Meanwhile, the state BJP demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged malpractice in the examination.
Kolkata, Dec 14 (PTI) Union Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is scheduled to flag-off three cargo vessels from here on Sunday, launching a new Cargo Promotion Scheme and Scheduled Cargo Vessel Services along National Waterways 1 and 2, with routes to Varanasi, Patna, and Guwahati.

The Guwahati-bound cargo vessel will follow the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route, which has so far remained unaffected despite the ongoing unrest in the neighbouring country.

The cargo vessel headed to Patna will carry gypsum, while the one bound for Varanasi will transport coal, and the one to Guwahati will carry cement, officials said.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) officials told PTI that trade via the protocol route has not been disrupted despite the political unrest in Bangladesh.

"Both countries are providing permissions without any issues so far," an IWAI official said. He, however, acknowledged that trade between the two countries has declined over the past year due to several factors.

Sagar Khastagir, an Indo-Bangladesh trade analyst, pointed out that the transportation of fly asha key commodity for cement plants in Bangladeshhas dropped by nearly 35-40 per cent in recent months.

"This decline is linked to a slowdown in infrastructure development in Bangladesh, following the fall of the Hasina government and the resulting political instability," he said, adding that delays in payments are also affecting vessel operators.

He noted that under normal circumstances, over 3,000 vessels used to annually transport fly ash, but both the volume and the number of vessels have declined due to the ongoing political and financial challenges.

Former FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations) Eastern Region chairman Sushil Patwari, however, claimed that while there have been no significant disruptions in trade, the business volume has taken a hit because of broader economic challenges.

However, despite the unrest in Bangladesh, Petrapole  the largest land port between the two neighbouring nations  has continued to function normally, officials said.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) A 12-year-old student was held for sending a bomb threat e-mail to his school in south Delhi's Vasant Vihar area, police sources said on Saturday.

The school was among the 30 that received bomb threats over email on Friday, the source said, adding that the boy was traced and detained shortly afterwards.

He was given counselling while his parents received a warning. Later, he was allowed to go, the source said.

The boy told police that he sent the mail after seeing media reports about several schools in Delhi getting bomb threats. He believed that he would not get caught as none of the accused in the earlier cases had been caught yet, the source said.

At least 44 schools had received similar emails on Monday.

On Saturday, a Delhi school received a bomb threat, marking the third instance of threat emails being sent to schools in the national capital this week.

A multi-agency search of the premises of the 30 schools was launched on Friday, following the bomb threats. Nothing suspicious was found in any of the schools.

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has registered a case of criminal intimidation and conspiracy but it is yet to get any lead on the culprits.

In May, more than 250 schools, hospitals and other installations had received similar e-mail threats, which are yet to be solved.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) A 'Nehru development model', inevitably produced a 'Nehru foreign policy' and "we seek to correct that abroad", just as efforts being made to "reform" the consequences of the model at home, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

In a virtual address at the launch of the book 'The Nehru Development Model' by former NITI Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagariya, he also said the author suggests that former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's choices set India on a "deterministic path".

"The model and its accompanying narrative permeated our politics, the bureaucracy, of course, the planning system, the judiciary, the public space, including the media, and most of all teaching," the Union minister said.

Jaishankar said both Russia and China today "unambiguously reject" the economic assumptions of that period, which they did more than anyone else to propagate. Yet, these very beliefs "appear to live on" in influential sections of our country even today.

"Certainly after 2014, there has been a vigorous effort towards course correction, but the author does assert with good reasons that it still remains an uphill task," he added.

In his address, the minister further said "A Nehru development model inevitably produced a Nehru foreign policy. We seek to correct that abroad, just as we try to reform the consequences of the model at home."

In fact, the "resistance" to one is based on an "attachment" to the other, Jaishankar argued and said the two need to tackled as an "integral whole".

He began his address by quoting a famous line by an American policymaker on India's independence.

"In 1947, John Foster Dulles famously declared, I quote, 'In India, Soviet Communism exercises a strong influence through the interim Hindu government'. He of course, could not have been more wrong about ascribing that adjective to the then government. But, more relevant, this was an assertion that for decades was treated as a geopolitical over-reaction of American policy makers to an independent India," he said.

The EAM said that over these years, he has often asked himself whether Dulles was altogether wrong on this matter. "And, in Prof Panagariya's book, I found a substantial answer to that concern."

"We all know that there was a strong ideological drive to advance a particular economic model for an India that has just gained freedom. The belief that was propagated was modulated from time to time, but never fundamentally changed," Jaishankar argued.

It's root cause was an analysis that the only counter to imperialism lay in socialism, he said.

Not just in general terms, but one particular paradigm that was centred around heavy industries. For that reason, the author actually characterised it as a 'Nehru Development Model', the minister said in his address.

The paradox, however, is that for more than three decades now, there's actually been a "national consensus that this development model eventually failed the country", he said.

Yet, there is a "reluctance to confidently explore alternatives".

"As a result, we end up doing the reforms we must, rarely the reforms we should," the EAM said.

The minister underlined there is no question that India has benefited from greater openness in the last 33 years. But, the situation today is very much "more complex" than before.

"We live in an era of weaponised economics, one that throws up question as to what exactly we are exposing abroad and to whom," he said.

The key concepts today are therefore less of openness and more of resiliency, reliability, and "I would even say, of trust", the EAM added.

Openness with caution is perhaps a recommended approach, he asserted.

On Atmanirbharta, he said that it should not be taken as a "synonym for protectionism".

"It is actually a call to think and to act for ourselves, as much as it is to ensure national security," Jaishankar said.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the Modi government is firm that there will be no tinkering with the current reservation system in the country as he charged the Congress with weakening the quota for SCs, STs and OBCs by giving it to Muslims.

Participating in the "Agenda Aaj Tak 2024", he also said the country will be free of the problem of Naxal violence by March 31, 2026.

Shah also said the government is talking to both Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur and expects to find a solution to the current situation.

"Our government is firm that there will be no tinkering with the current reservation system in the country. It was the Congress which weakened the quota for SCs, STs and OBCs by giving it to Muslims," he said.

The home minister further said, "By March 31, 2026, India will be free from the Naxal problem. I strongly believe that. Security forces are working in that direction".

The home minister said barring a few districts, Naxal violence has come to an end in most parts of the country.

Asked about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said violence in the union territory has reduced significantly and Lok Sabha, assembly and local body polls have been held there peacefully.

On the possibility of restoring statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, he said it will be given at the right time but he cannot give any time frame publicly.

He ridiculed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying that he turned arrogant after being defeated.

The home minister said the Congress should remember that it lost the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the number of seats the BJP won was more than what the opposition party could not win in the last three elections.

Shah asserted that there is no difference between the present Modi government with 240 seats and the one which had 330 as it is still firm on what it had vowed to implement -- One Nation, One Election, amending the "unconstitutional" Waqf Act, strengthening national security and making India the third largest economy of the world.
Meerut, Dec 14 (PTI) A criminal wanted in connection with several cases in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi was killed in an encounter with police in this district during the early hours of Saturday, officials said.

Sonu Matka (39) -- a known associate of the Hashim Baba gang in Delhi -- had been wanted in multiple cases, including a double murder.

"The encounter took place in the jurisdiction of TP Nagar police station. The joint operation was conducted by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Delhi Police's Special Cell," said Additional Director General of Police (STF) Amitabh Yash.

The officer added that the Baghpat native was a known associate of the Hashim Baba gang and had a bounty of Rs 50,000 on his head. He was involved in numerous cases of robbery and murder in both Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

"During the encounter, Matka suffered critical injuries and subsequently succumbed to them while undergoing treatment," Yash said.

The police are investigating the matter.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday stepped up his attack on the BJP-led central government over the "deteriorating" law and order situation in Delhi and sought a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the issue.

In a letter to Shah, the former Delhi chief minister claimed that the city was being called the country's "crime capital" as he cited the recent bomb threats to numerous schools as well as the IGI airport.

The letter comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls scheduled to be held in February 2025.

"It's so shameful that under your watch, our grand capital due to failure of law and order is being called rape capital, gangster capital, drug capital," Kejriwal said.

Crimes against women are rising, extortion gangs are active everywhere, drug mafia is spreading across the city and people are harassed by mobile phone and chain snatching incidents, he claimed.

In the past six months, more than 600 schools, more than 100 hospitals, malls and airport have received bomb threat messages, he said and questioned, "Why aren't the culprits being arrested?".

Due to these bomb threats, children and their parents in Delhi are living in constant fear. Have you ever thought about the children and their parents when the schools are vacated and the students are sent back home, he asked Shah.

He said Delhi's law and order was under the Centre and emphasised that Shah needed to act and cooperate to immediately rectify the situation.

Among the 19 metro cities, Delhi is the number one in terms of crimes against women and murders. Drug-related crimes registered a 350 per cent rise since 2019, an average of three women are raped every day and businesspersons regularly receive extortion calls, Kejriwal claimed.

"These statistics are evidence of the dilapidated law and order situation," he said.

Kejriwal said he was going among the people and found "deep concern" among them towards law and order.

"Now the biggest question of the people is if they don't deserve a better law and order condition in the national capital?" he said.

The situation is very poor and law and order must be brought back on track by rising above politics, Kejriwal wrote to Shah seeking time for a meeting.
Chandigarh, Dec 14 (PTI) Hours before the resumption of the farmers' protest march to Delhi from the Shambhu border, the Haryana government on Saturday suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages in Ambala district to maintain "public peace".

The suspension will remain in force till December 17, according to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Sumita Misra said.

"It has been brought to my notice by additional director general of police, CID, Haryana and deputy commissioner, Ambala that in view of the call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers' organisations, there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in the area of districts Ambala," the order said.

Misra said the order to suspend mobile internet in Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru villages in Ambala was issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order.

The suspension shall be in force from 6 am on December 14 to 11.59 pm on December 17, it said.

A 'jatha' (group) of 101 farmers will resume their foot march to Delhi at 12 noon on Saturday from their protest site at the Shambhu border on the Punjab and Haryana border.

The farmers are marching to force the Centre for a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. They are also pressing the Centre to hold talks with them to resolve their issues.

A heavy deployment of security personnel has already been made on the Haryana side of the border.

Earlier, the Haryana government had suspended mobile internet services, bulk SMS and dongle services from December 6 to 9.

In the fresh order issued on Saturday, Misra said, "There is a clear potential of disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in district Ambala on account of misuse of internet services by way of spread of inflammatory material and false rumours, which are being/could be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/messaging services on mobile internet services, SMS services and other dongle services".

"In order to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Twitter on mobile phones and SMS, for facilitation and mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities.

"Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred upon me, I do hereby order the suspension of the mobile internet services, bulk SMS and all dongle services provided on mobile networks except voice calls," said the order.

The order is being issued after taking utmost care of public convenience by exempting individual SMS, mobile recharge, banking SMS, voice calls, internet services provided by broadband and lease lines of corporate and domestic households, thus not affecting the commercial/financial interest of the state and basic domestic needs of individuals, said the order.

The farmers are gathered under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and 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.
Chandigarh, Dec 14 (PTI) Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said ensuring uninterrupted delivery of public services is the top priority of the Haryana government and officials have been asked to ensure that benefits of welfare schemes reach people without any delay.

Addressing representatives of the Brahmin community from across the state at his residence here, the chief minister said if any complaints are received from citizens, action will be taken against the concerned officers and employees.

"Alongside developmental works, new welfare schemes will be introduced to benefit citizens and accelerate Haryana's progress in terms of development," he said.

The state government will celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Parshuram in a grand manner, he said.

In response to a demand from the Brahmin community representatives for the formation of a Brahmin welfare board, Saini assured them that prominent members of society would be invited for a detailed discussion on the matter.

He said the Haryana government is committed to the welfare of the people by following the 'antyodaya' philosophy of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

"Our government is undertaking development with the guiding principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas and Sabka Vishwas," he said.

In the last 10 years, Saini said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched various schemes aimed at benefiting the poor.

The people of Haryana have endorsed the development policies of the BJP government, leading to the party returning to power for a third consecutive term in the state.

Lashing out at the opposition Congress, Saini said that during the party's tenure, every government recruitment ended up in court.

On the other hand, under the BJP government, even children from poor families are securing government jobs without any "parchi-kharchi" (favouritism or bribe) and purely on merit basis.

The chief minister further said the state government has undertaken several initiatives in the interest of farmers.

To alleviate the financial burden caused by deficient rainfall in the state this year, the government has provided a bonus of Rs 2,000 per acre. So far, Rs 800 crore has been directly deposited into the accounts of farmers in two instalments, he said.

Soon, the third instalment of Rs 400-500 crore will be released, he added.

Haryana minister Gaurav Gautam and state BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli also spoke on the occasion.
Dehradun, Dec 14 (PTI) The future environment for military leaders will be full of challenges due to the emergence of disruptive new technologies, said Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel as he reviewed the IMA's passing-out parade for the autumn course on Saturday.

He called upon the gentlemen cadets passing out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) to be ready for such challenges and said they can embark on their exciting new journey with confidence, as they have received the best training available in the field.

"The job ahead is not easy. You will face a future environment that is invariably multi-domain, multi-theatre, and multi-sectoral. The challenges will be multi-pronged due to the emergence of disruptive technologies, but you can go forth with confidence because you have received the best training," General Sigdel said, addressing the cadets.

A total of 491 cadets passed out of the IMA on Saturday, including 456 from India and 35 from friendly countries.

"Valour will carry you through difficult times, and wisdom will help you carve out the best path forward," General Sigdel said.

As the cadets step into their new roles as military leaders, their endurance will be tested, as they will be required to perform their duties in extreme climatic conditions -- ranging from the highest altitudes to the lowest depths, from the coldest glaciers to the hottest deserts, and from the loneliest jungles to the densest urban centers, he added.

However, their skills and the values of valour and wisdom instilled in them at the IMA will stand them in good stead, General Sigdel said.

He praised the cadets for their immaculate turnout and flawless drill, saying it reflected their high level of training.

General Sigdel further congratulated the cadets and wished them the best on their exciting new journey. He said they should serve their respective nations with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity.

Describing military service as the most honourable career, he said it demands a lifelong pursuit of growth and excellence.

General Sigdel also expressed his gratitude for being invited to the Passing Out Parade (POP) at the IMA, which has a global reputation for excellence as a military training academy.

A colorful parade and drill were presented by the passing-out cadets at the IMA's drill square, set against the backdrop of the historic Chetwode Building.

Towards the end of the ceremony, three helicopters flew over the drill square, showering it with rose petals.

The coveted Sword of Honour was awarded by the reviewing officer to Academy Cadet Adjutant Jatin Kumar, and the gold medal was given to Academy Under Officer Pratham Singh.
Bengaluru, Dec 14 (PTI) The Rotary Bangalore Global Yoga Club inaugurated a two-day Global Yoga Summit (GYS) 2024 on Saturday.

The summit is being held at the International Convention Centre, Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK) Campus in Bengaluru. It is supported by the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research and Holistic Health Trust, Yoga University of the Americas in Miami, Florida, and the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

Speaking at the inauguration, Yogi Devaraj, President of GYS 2024, described the Global Yoga Summit as a dynamic platform for yoga practitioners, researchers, and professionals to collaborate and innovate.

"Our mission is to make yoga more accessible, sustainable, and impactful in todays fast-paced, modern world. By fostering awareness, we aim to showcase how yoga can revolutionise mental well-being, encourage conscious lifestyles, and open doors to meaningful career opportunities," he said.

The theme for GYS 2024 is "Yoga for Self-care and Social Harmony".

The inaugural event was attended by the Governor of Meghalaya, C H Vijayashankar, and the Chancellor of YUVA International Scholar, Aralumallige Parthasarathy.

The first day of the summit featured technical and experiential sessions on yoga and holistic health. Arogya Expo, organised as part of the two-day summit, showcased a variety of yoga-related products and therapies.
Bengaluru, Dec 14 (PTI) Karnataka Minister M B Patil announced on Saturday that he will advance the initiative to develop SWIFT City in Sarjapura here.



A press statement from Patil's office revealed that SWIFT City would become Karnatakas third major planned industrial hub after Electronic City and ITPL.

According to him, the project would focus on startups, workspaces, innovation, finance, and technology.

"Despite the presence of thousands of companies in Bengaluru, many stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of well-planned workspaces. To address this, we will provide 150-ft-wide connecting roads in Sarjapura and ensure world-class facilities, including residential clusters and schools," the State Large and Medium Industries Minister said.

He added over 1,000 acres of land in the Sarjapura Industrial Area have been reserved for the project.

Sarjapura has been identified for its strategic location near National Highways 44 and 48, as well as its proximity to Bengaluru's thriving IT hub, Patil said.

The Minister further highlighted that small and medium-sized startups would benefit from spaces ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 sq ft, available through lease, sale, or investment-sharing models.

He also outlined plans to transform Karnataka into a Silicon State.

"While Bengaluru is already recognised as the Silicon City, the objective is to extend this recognition across the entire state," Patil stated.

He added that the government plans to develop five Mini KWIN Cities, including ones in Vijayapura and Hubballi-Dharwad, in collaboration with the IT/BT department, furthering Karnatakas Silicon State vision.

"Innovative concepts are essential to attract investors. If we dont take proactive steps, neighbouring states could gain an edge in securing investment opportunities," Patil said.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Opposition MPs on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attacking the Constitution, with National Conference (NC) MP Mian Altaf Ahmad saying while the Congress apologised for imposing Emergency, the ruling party has been silent on its own actions.

Participating in a debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, Ahmad slammed the BJP for bifurcating the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

"Congress has apologised for the Emergency but you are silent on various things you have done... Congress toppled elected governments, but you divided our state into two Union Territories, which was unnecessary," he said.

Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation MP Raja Ram Singh named activists like Stan Swamy, who was jailed in the Bhima Koregaon case and died in the prison, Umar Khalid, Gulfisha and Meeran Haider, who have been arrested on the allegations of links with the 2020 Delhi riots.

"What Constitution are we talking about?" he said.

Singh said the idea of economic equality is also enshrined in the Constitution and there should be a proportional difference in the salary of the president and a peon.

"You want a peon for Rs 5,000 but the CEO gets paid Rs 2.5-3 crore... Government is encouraging growing economic disparity," he said.

The MP also slammed the BJP for wanting to keep "Gandhi in one pocket, and Savarkar in the other pocket".

"This double standard would not work. BJP is playing with the Constitution, they want to bring communal fascism in this country," he said.

"The first chapter of the Constitution has the figure of Buddha on it, don't try to replace it with the Gita," he said.

Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP N K Premchandran also pointed out at the growing divide between rich and the poor and said the directive principles speak about minimising inequalities.

He accused the BJP government of trying to concentrate wealth and means of production in a few hands.

"The fruit of so-called economic development is not reaching the poor and the marginalised," he said, adding that B R Ambedkar had warned that economic and social inequalities will destroy the foundation of democracy.

He also said the secular fabric of the country was under threat. He said people of the country did not give absolute majority to the BJP because they wanted to protect the secular character of the nation.
Thane, Dec 14 (PTI) A 27-year-old man died of severe health complications allegedly after being bitten by a stray dog and a cat in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said on Saturday.

Bhagwan Mandlik, a resident of Kalyan town, died at a hospital in neighbouring Mumbai on Thursday evening after his health deteriorated.

According to the deceased man's family, he was bitten by a stray dog while walking in the Golden Park area two months ago and by a cat a few days later, and he did not seek medical attention after both these attacks.

The civic authorities, in a release, said Mandlik did not report both the incidents and did not take a rabies shot.

Earlier this week, he started experiencing severe symptoms, including headaches, body aches, and a dry throat. He was admitted to different hospitals before being shifted to Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai, where he died, they said.

Dr Deepa Shukla, the medical health officer of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation, confirmed the man's death and issued a statement urging citizens to take immediate medical precautions after any animal bite.


Viewed of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The Hamas terror group fired rockets at southern Israel shortly after 9 p.m. on Friday, triggering sirens and causing Israelis to run to their bomb shelters in the Gaza border area, Ashkelon and Sderot.

About 40 minutes later, sirens blared again after Hamas fired additional rockets.

Two rockets that crossed into Israel were intercepted by the IDF.

The IDF responded to the attacks later on Friday night by carrying out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, targeting the terrorists at the launch site as well as weapons storage facilities.

On Motzei Shabbos, the IDF spokesperson said that the rockets were launched only 50 meters away from an active international aid warehouse in Gaza.

This is a further example of the Hamas systematic abuse of civilian infrastructure in violation of international law, the IDF stated. The IDF, via COGAT, will continue to act in accordance with international law to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Sirens sounded again in the Gaza border area on Motzei Shabbos. The IDF later stated that one projectile was identified that crossed from the central Gaza Strip and fell in an in open area. There are no casualties.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem made a televised speech on Saturday and said that the terror groups arms supply route through Syria has been severed due to the fall of the Assad regime, Reuters reported.

In his first comments since the Assad regime fell last Sunday morning, Qassem, said: Yes, Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage, but this loss is a detail in the resistances work.

A new regime could come and this route could return to normal, and we could look for other ways, he added.

Regarding the rebel groups currently ruling Syria, Qassem said that Hezbollah cannot judge these new forces until they stabilize and take clear positions, but said he hoped that the Lebanese and Syrian peoples and governments could continue to work together.

We also hope that this new ruling party will consider Israel an enemy and not normalize relations with it. These are the headlines that will affect the nature of the relationship between us and Syria, Qassem said.

Iran for years used Syrian territory, with the cooperation and aid of the Assad regime, to transfer missiles and arms to its proxy Hezbollah to attack the Jewish state.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
Syrian rebel leader and the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Golani, said on Saturday that the new government in Syria is not interested in entering into a conflict with Israel.

Golani made his first public comments about Israels airstrikes in Syria in an interview with the opposition TV channel Syria.tv.

The situation in Syria, worn out from years of fighting, does not allow for new conflicts, he said. The priorities are construction and stability, not getting dragged into new conflicts that will lead to further destruction.

He referred to Israels actions in Syrian territory as reckless military adventures and called for diplomatic intervention to stop Israels actions in Syrian territory, stating that Israels concerns do not justify the recent violations of sovereignty in Syria. He described Israels actions as a threat of escalation in the region.

He clarified: We are not entering into conflict with Israel. Israel uses the Iranian presence as an excuse to invade Syria. After the Iranians leave, there are no excuses for foreign intervention in Syria.

Golani added that the goal is to establish an orderly government in Syria, to move from a revolutionary mentality to that of a state.

He stressed that although the revolutionary movement ended the influence of the Russians and Iranians on Syrian soil, he does not view the Iranian people as enemies, only the Iranian regime, which he said destroyed Syria.

He added that the rebels have decided to avoid provoking Russia and will give it a chances to reassess relations with them.

Golani also indicated that the new government would implement a morality police force that will operate under the Ministry of Interior and be overseen by religious leaders and preachers.

The role of the morality police would be to ensure that the public adheres to Islamic law, and in doing so, it would prioritize the approach of dawah  meaning preaching and education, not through coercion, as the forceful method reflects the regimes inability to persuade through Sharia (Islamic law).

However, al-Shara emphasized that the new regime would not hesitate to use force against those who would try to prevent it from enforcing Sharia laws by force, asserting that jihad is binding regarding this matter.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
The country's economy may not yet be in growth mode, as the latest GDP figures confirmed, but Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves was in ebullient mood on Friday as she opened the country's 100th banking hub.

The Chancellor was in Darwen, Lancashire, a town bordering the rugged West Pennine Moors, which boomed in the 19th century on the back of the thriving cotton industry, but has since faced tough times despite its continued reputation for its paint and paper industries.

Like many towns up and down the country, Darwen has lost all its banks  Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander have all fled its nest in the past eight years.

But the new hub, providing banking services to customers (personal and business) of all the main high-street banks, is seen by 'Darreners' (the town's locals) as a big boost to the community.

'Bloody marvellous,' said an emphatic and chirpy Tracy Fisher, who works nearby at the Number 1 Coffee Shop.

Serving me up a delightful bacon sarnie and double espresso, 52-year-old Tracy said: 'This town is heavily cash-dependent. It's awash with small shops and has an indoor market where many businesses are cash only. So the hub, where people can deposit cash and do basic banking, is a welcome Christmas present. It's time we had some good news around here.'

Commitment: Jeff Prestridge with Chancellor Rachel Reeves in Darwen

It's a view shared by the Chancellor, as I grabbed five minutes with her in the hub's small back room. 'Big supporter of hubs?' I asked, refusing the kind offer of a croissant. The response from the smiling Reeves was instantaneous.

'A massive supporter,' she said. 'I am really delighted to be [officially] opening the 100th banking hub today. Five hubs have opened just this week and we wanted to get them open before Christmas.'

She continued: 'This is the most important time for the high street and people not being able to access cash  and businesses not being able to cash up. Over the last few years, the only news about our high streets has been bad news  their hollowing out, high-street names disappearing, banks leaving, problems with crime and antisocial behaviour.

'So it's really good to be announcing and doing something that is positive. Not just talking about it, but rolling it out.'

The Darwen hub is indeed rather impressive. Located in a shop that had been vacant for more than a year, it's bright, modern and welcoming. It's open Monday to Friday, run by the Post Office, with representatives of Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander on hand on separate days to help their own customers with any banking problems they may have. Like all hubs, it's there because the town is bankless.

Asif Patel, the hub's boss, also runs the local post office. Although it's early days, he has had loads of people coming in.

'It's great for some of the town's more elderly customers,' he told me. 'If they've got a problem, they can come in here and see a representative from their bank and get it sorted. It saves them a bus journey to Blackburn.'

In its Election manifesto, Labour said it was committed to having 350 banking hubs up and running by 2029. It's a pledge the Chancellor has no intention of breaking.

Pointing in the direction of nearby Tulip Siddiq, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the Government's driving force on hubs, she said: 'Tulip is having lots of MPs coming up to her asking her questions about the hubs. Whether in the Commons or at her surgeries, they are all saying: 'What can I do to get a banking hub?' MPs from all parties.'

Impressed: Jeff with Tracy Fisher from the Number 1 Coffee Shop

With 80 more hubs in the pipeline, Reeves said she was 'determined to deliver on the 350-hub commitment. 'I'm keen to be at the 200th and 350th bank openings to cut those ribbons,' she added.

Tulip is pleased with the advance of hubs, confident that by this time next year there could be 230 up and running. She told me: 'In opposition, we did this paper called Financing Growth and everyone we talked to spoke about face-to-face banking hubs. The importance of having banking services that you could physically go into.

'I know there's a perception that everyone banks online, but actually there are lots of people, especially vulnerable people  older people and those from lower socio- economic backgrounds  that find it difficult. Banking hubs are a solution for these people.'

Although the official opening of the 100th banking hub was dominated by the Chancellor's presence, it was also good to see representatives from those organisations that have made hubs happen: Cash Access UK (the organisation set up to find suitable sites and funded by the banks), UK Finance (the banking trade group which got the first hubs up and running), and cash machine network Link (which determines which towns should get a hub).

It was also good to see Natalie Ceeney there. She was integral to getting the hub snowball rolling with her 2019 Access to Cash Review. She even found time to pat me on the back. 'Without your support for hubs,' she said, 'we wouldn't be where we are today, celebrating the 100th hub.'

Kind words. The last words go to John Howells, chief executive of Link. He believes that 350 hubs is too low a bar. As banks continue to shut their branches, leaving towns bankless, he argues that 1,000 is a more realistic target.
The English Channel is the busiest shipping route in the world. More than 500 ships pass through the Channel every day, from cruise liners and ferries to fishing boats, oil tankers and military vessels.

With so much traffic, safety is paramount. Under international maritime rules, ships need to ensure they have a 'transceiver' on board, a black box which shows where they are, where they are heading and where other vessels are in relation to them.

SRT Marine Systems, a small, Somerset-based firm, pioneered the technology some 15 years ago and it is now used on hundreds of thousands of boats worldwide.

The group has just gone one stage further, with a new piece of kit, Nexus, which links up to users' mobile phones. That allows them to see what's ahead and talk to coastguards, other vessels or even crew members wherever they are on their boat.

Launched just a few weeks ago, Nexus has already attracted considerable interest. Traditionally, ship captains can only communicate with the outside world via an old-fashioned radio, fixed to the cockpit and of often dubious quality. Nexus changes all that and orders are streaming in, with sales expected to gather steam from early next year.

So far, so good. But SRT chief executive Simon Tucker has another arm to his business, offering full-service surveillance at sea via Maritime Domain Awareness Systems.

Oceans can be dangerous places. Pirates can seize vessels, smugglers can bring in drugs, weapons and migrants, terrorists can jeopardise ships en route.

Profit trail: SRT technology is in demand tracking ships at sea

Yet, integrated surveillance is thin on the ground. Air traffic systems are mandated worldwide. Maritime surveillance is piecemeal.

Ten years ago Tucker and his team began to develop sophisticated systems that allow national coastguards and security services to monitor movements at sea and act swiftly if they detect suspicious activity.

The Philippines were an early adopter, as was Saudi Arabia. A 165 million deal was signed with Kuwait just last month and others are coming down the track, creating a series of projects worth more than 320 million over the next two years with a longer-term pipeline in excess of 1 billion.

SRT also has two deep-pocketed investors: David Brierwood, who developed the fabulously successful MSCI financial index series, and Ocean Infinity, controlled by billionaire hedge fund manager Anthony Clake.

Brierwood invests in SRT because he thinks it is a good business. Ocean Infinity is not just a shareholder but a commercial partner too.

The company specialises in autonomous underwater surveys, used by governments, defence contractors, researchers and major industries. A partnership between Ocean and SRT allows both companies to offer more to their customers.

Midas verdict: SRT has risen 10 per cent to 41p since Midas recommended the firm two years ago but there should be further to go. Not one for the faint-hearted but potentially rewarding for the adventurous mariner.

Traded on: Aim Ticker: SRT Contact: srt-marine.com
Nationwide has had to pump 650 million into Virgin Money's Clydesdale Bank unit to maintain the lender's financial strength, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The huge capital injection follows the building society's 2.8 billion takeover of Virgin Money, which will create Britain's second largest savings and loans group.

Nationwide booked a larger-than-expected 2.3 billion gain on the deal  the biggest in banking since the financial crisis  fuelling criticism that Virgin Money's board had sold out on the cheap.

The price tag was so low that Nationwide paid a lot less for Virgin's assets than they are now deemed to be worth.

But it has now emerged that Nationwide injected fresh equity into Virgin Money to stop Clydesdale Bank's capital ratios from falling as a result of the buyout.

The bulk of the 650 million infusion was made to bring Clydesdale's accounting methods into line with the more conservative approach used by Nationwide.

Cheerleader: Debbie Crosbie

The rest of the injection covered a 250 million payment that tycoon Sir Richard Branson is set to receive for the continued use of the Virgin name over the next four years. Details of the financial support are contained in footnotes to Nationwide's recent half-year results.

The building society's chief executive Debbie Crosbie has hailed the Virgin Money deal as a 'unique opportunity', which would take the mutual into business banking, diversify funding and 'strengthen us financially'.

It has promised a 'gradual' and 'measured approach' to integrating Virgin Money. Nationwide has yet to say how much it will cost to merge Virgin Money's IT systems and improve its customer service.

Clydesdale's capital ratios  a key measure of financial strength  are among the lowest in the banking sector, whereas Nationwide's are among the highest.

The combined group is now the UK's second biggest provider of home loans, accounting for 1 in every 6 of mortgage balances, and 1 in 8 of retail deposits.

Nationwide confirmed the 650 million support package.
Larger-than-life Lance Forman is a consummate entertainer as he shows me around his East End salmon smoking factory. Cracking jokes as we put on overalls, rubber gloves and hair nets, he points to two large fish-drying facilities made by the German firm Reich.

'If I'd bought another one it'd be the third Reich,' the 62-year-old quips, with his trademark edgy humour.

His business, H Forman and Son, has been in London's Docklands since 1905, and clients include Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, the Ivy and the Orient Express. Mark Hix, who was chef director at the restaurant group Caprice, said the fish was the best in the business and he wouldn't buy from anybody else. It is a staple on many a Christmas table.

Forman is passionate about the family firm and talks me through its history as we tour the factory floor  weaving between women and men holding very sharp knives.

The walls are littered with pictures of the East End from the turn of the 20th Century, when the Docklands saw a wave of Jewish immigrants, many escaping Tsarist Russia and later Germany. His great-grandfather, Aaron 'Harry' Forman and his brother Louis were part of that journey, having fled pogroms in Odesa before starting the firm that would last for more than a century. The business is in Lance's blood.

'I remember my dad would take me in at the weekends,' he says. 'He taught me to carve smoked salmon at the age of six.'

Troubled waters: Lance on the factory floor at H Forman and Son, which was hit in the Budget

The smell of the fresh fish is sharp and immediately wakes the senses. The temperature inside the factory is near zero and entrails are strewn on the floor.

It's a buzzy place with local workers, as well as from Eastern Europe  Cockneys and Poles hollering to each other as fish is carved, smoked, dried and packaged for the genteel customers.

The salmon comes from Scotland, and is salted and air-dried to give its smoky, delicate texture.

Each worker has one role and the work is hard, efficient and fast.

'Salmon became a gourmet food in this country at the start of the 20th Century because of the way people like my granddad smoked it,' he says. 'The London cure is something the East European Jews who settled in the East End brought over with them. Smoking fish was something they knew.'

Christmas is the busiest time of year for Forman and it is crucial he hits sales targets over the next few weeks  half the annual online turnover is done during the period. Wholesale Christmas sales are double those of a typical month.

I ask him what kind of revenue he pulls in over the period.

'How much money have you got in your bank account?' he shoots back. 'We don't publicly disclose the figures but the business isn't as big as you think.'

That may be so, but the factory is large: thousands of square feet straddling the bank on Fish Island near the Olympic stadium. The company employs 60 staff.

The original factory burnt down in 1998 and the firm had to move in 2007 after the old site was developed for the Olympics in 2012.

'You learn how to deal with that. I always tell business students, have a plan but be flexible for unexpected events,' he says.

No fan of the Labour Government or Chancellor Rachel Reeves, he thinks Keir Starmer and his cohorts have made a terrible start. He says: 'People were hoping they'd be different but they've got no clue. It has quickly and totally unravelled.'

He is genuinely fearful that businesses like his might have to close after the Chancellor's Budget two months ago left UK plc down in the dumps about the future.

He says farmers are stealing the headlines at the moment because of Jeremy Clarkson and their tractors rolling through London. However, he says the biggest threat is to family firms like his.

Business relief, which was introduced by a Labour Government almost 50 years ago, allows company shareholders to leave business assets to loved ones without paying inheritance tax.

But, in a sweeping change that will take effect in April 2026, full business relief will only apply to the first 1 million of a business's assets upon a shareholder's death, with everything above this subject to 20 per cent tax. The relief is crucial especially for firms that already have big overheads.

Forman's has an electricity bill of 400,000 a year, up from 100,000 before the Russia-Ukraine war started.

'I feel threatened by it,' he says of Labour's changes. 'The number one reason why family businesses decide to give it all up is because the owners decide they don't need the hassle any more.'

For now, none of his three children look like taking over the firm  one works in media, the other is a rabbi, his daughter is an actress. He says: 'Who knows? Maybe like salmon they'll come back.'

He himself had a career before taking over the family firm, training as an accountant at PwC after Cambridge University. His first job was valuing the Polish car industry. He says: 'It was the first ever privatisation in the whole of Eastern Europe. I was the first ever accountant to translate Polish accounts into an international format. That's my claim to fame.'

After that he had a brief spell in 1991 as a special advisor to Business Secretary Peter Lilley.

His big hatred other than rising taxes is red tape. His blood is boiling as he tells me about the hoops he has to jump through to run his salmon empire from the East End.

'We had this customer come around and he said, 'Can we see your floor cleaning schedules?'

Forman replied: 'We don't have schedules.' So he asked: 'How do we know you cleaned the floor?'

'Well look at the floor,' Forman told him. 'We wonder why our productivity is out the window. It's because we are doing all this stuff that adds no value.'

He is a big believer that if Britain freed itself from endless regulation the country would be more productive and companies could save on labour costs.

He lives in North London with his wife Rene Anisfeld and tells me how he was banned from driving two years ago. He now takes public transport to work even though his ban has ended.

'I was banned because of too many times doing 23mph in a 20mph zone. Driving in London now is absolutely miserable.'

He calls Elon Musk's appointment as an anti-red tape guru in the US 'interesting'.

The hatred of bureaucracy helps explain his pro-Brexit standpoint and very public backing of the Reform Party and Nigel Farage  although he has some harsh words for the now MP for Clacton.

'Farage is not a team player. Throughout his history he wants to take people on board, but when they come on board he feels threatened by them. And it never works out. It's a big issue for him and Reform UK.'

And with that he's off again on his mission to get business done, one smoked salmon at a time.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Post-election context . . .

In 2024, Missouri Democrats might do themselves a favor by realizing that hardcore leftist rhetoric doesn't even play in urban areas packed with voters who have more pressing needs than engaging in pointless podcast debates over culture war and foreign policy with all of the scumbags on K Street.

As for blaming a bombed out section of Israel for election defeat from her own party . . .



Haven't those people been through enough?!?

In fairness, here's the word . . .



I stand before you as the first Black woman and first nurse to represent Missouri in Congress, the first woman to represent Missouris 1st Congressional District and the first activist from the movement to save Black lives to serve in Congress, Bush said . . .



This passage is really the highlight and one of the many issues that inspired leftist progressives to skip the 2024 vote . . .

During her address, Bush talked extensively about how she spoke against Israels military actions in Gaza  which she said played a role in her defeat.



Too many of us, who should be allies, remain silent in the face of injustice, Bush said. Many of us, especially my Democratic colleagues, were taught that we are the party for human rights, the party for justice. That we fight loud and proud for all people, no matter their race, their background, sexual orientation, faith or ethnicity. Yet when it comes to Palestinian Liberation, so many have chosen silence.



She added: My radical and unconditional love for humanity is not a weakness, its my superpower.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Bush criticizes fellow Democrats for not speaking out against Israel in the war in Gaza U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis County, gave a farewell address to Congress on Thursday.

Missouri Congresswoman Bush bids farewell, vows to continue 'fighting for humanity' - Missourinet After four years in office, Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush is serving her final days on Capitol Hill. She delivered a farewell speech Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives. The St. Louis Democrat said she will leave office after serving a historic tenure in Congress.

Developing . . .
Tonight we take a moment to catch up with local crime news that seems to be ramping up as the holidays approach and people become increasingly desperate.

And so . . .

We take a peek at court cases, local testimony, community outreach, suspected misdeeds, police action & more . . .



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Anti-gun violence groups gather in Kansas City, remembrance of victims At the corner of 43rd Street and State Line Road on Thursday, several anti-gun-violence groups gathered to remember victims of gun violence across the country.

SAVE KC hosts final meeting of 2024 with hopes to expand to decrease crime Several Kansas City, Missouri, leaders believe meeting in a room with known gang members, or people known to be involved in crime, has led to positive change.

Kansas teen charged with first-degree murder in Olathe boy's death A Kansas teenager has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 15-year-old boy from Olathe, authorities said Thursday.

Reported drive-by shooting in North Kansas City under investigation An apparent drive-by shooting in North Kansas City Friday afternoon is under investigation.

Man suspected of shooting, killing KCK teen surrenders to police after standoff A man suspected of shooting and killing a Kansas City, Kansas, teen on Nov. 30 was taken into custody Wednesday after a standoff with police.

Man sentenced to 5 years probation for lying about ownership of gun found after deadly Chiefs rally shooting A federal judge sentenced a man Thursday to five years probation for lying to investigators about the ownership of a gun found after the deadly shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally.

Independence man charged with five counts of child molestation: Court documents Cory Vincent Theel, 33, of Independence, allegedly sexually abused a child younger than 12 throughout October and November.

Man found murdered Tuesday morning outside car identified The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department released the name of a man found shot to death Tuesday morning outside a vehicle.

Missouri Governor-elect Mike Kehoe wants to form public safety plan on Day 1 in office In about one month, Mike Kehoe will be sworn in as Missouri's governor.

Second alleged Clay County porch pirate located, arrested Clay County Sheriff's Office deputies found and arrested a second suspect allegedly connected to a string of package thefts.

Community Advocacy Program Brings Violence Prevention Center to Independence Avenue - Northeast News Julia Williams Editor-in-Chief A bitter wind chill didn't stop this Northeast community from joining Mattie Rhodes Center Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5 for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its new Violence Prevention Center location (5108 Independence Ave).

HOA calls for end to statue vandalism "Some may think it's simply a funny prank, but climbing on the statue and tampering with her can cause significant damage"

'Game-changer': KCKPD reveal new, Real-Time Intelligence Crime Center "This is a game-changer for us and our community," said KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman.

Kansas City woman lost her father to homicide, now helps spread holiday joy to children like her Children of Homicide Victims, a Kansas City, Missouri, nonprofit, has been around for six years and has helped over 500 families.

Developing . . .
An interesting theory that doesn't explain the U.S. 2024 red wave in the House & Senate as well.

Still . . .

We're sharing this fairly mundane series of lame excuses with A MUCH MORE INTERESTING POLITICALLY-CHARGED AI MUSIC VIDEO by The Dor Brothers with an exceptionally nasty Brit hip-hop soundtrack that fits in nicely with our weekend music selections.



The basics about the report . . .

The Dole Institute of Politics held the 2024 Post Election Conference on Dec. 11 and here's a peek at the conclusions of the mostly progressive panel . . .



The democratic voters that I spoke to in the lead up to the presidential election were begrudgingly supporting, in some cases, Vice President Kamala Harris. They wished that they had had an opportunity to take a look at the other potential candidates who could have been running, Francesca Chambers, White House correspondent at USA Today, said.



Chuck Todd, chief political analyst at NBC News, said having another primary election so late would have been impractical. He said that by focusing on micro decisions and speaking tactically, we may misinterpret voters.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
More familiar news of the North

Photo by Ned Rozell

The Walter Washington Center in downtown Washington, D.C., hosted the 25,000 scientists who attended the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union from Dec. 9-13, 2024.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  I am once again elbow to elbow with thousands of scientists, at a meeting I first attended 25 years ago.

Back then, in 1999, the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union was in San Francisco. Eight-thousand scientists rode the escalators within the Moscone Center during that December week.

Between Dec. 9-13, 2024, more than 25,000 scientists hung nametags around their necks here at the Walter Washington Convention Center in our nations capital.

The ballooning number of meeting attendees follows a trend during that quarter century: Since then, there are 2 billion more people now walking on the planet, including about 100,000 more Alaskans (though Alaskas population has dipped by about 9,000 since its 2016 peak).

Heres what has not changed in those 25 years: Scientists and other humans are hard-wired to notice movement and other differences in their surroundings, whether they occur over microseconds or decades. Many of the researchers here presented talks or posters on differences they have recently noted in Alaska.

Photo by Ned Rozell

Evening sunshine strikes the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Ned Rozell

Some of the 25,000 attendees stand at a poster session during the 2024 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington, D.C.

Media people in the American Geophysical Union have for the past 19 years hosted an Arctic Report Card press conference. During that, experts on the far North speak of these changes in front of a room full of reporters. I have sat in on most of those.

During this years conference, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a lot of the news was familiar.

Sea ice floating on the northern oceans continues to decline in extent and thickness. With few eyes on it except for scientists using satellites and people who live next to it on northern coastlines, the worlds refrigerator is losing power.

The top of the world continues to warm faster than other regions. The last nine Augusts were the nine warmest in the Arctic on average since temperature records have existed.

That significant news has the disadvantage of being similar to previous years. But a scientist at the press conference came forward with some breaking news.

Brendan Rogers of the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts, said that the far northern landscapes  for millennia places where frozen ground and new plants trapped more carbon than they emitted  are now a small net source of greenhouse gases wafted to the atmosphere.

What happened?

Warmer air temperatures have thawed ground that had been rock solid since the time of woolly mammoths, and often long before that. Microbes suspended in the deep freeze are waking up, eating ancient vegetation and other palatable stuff, and emitting their gases just as we do.

This increase of methane and carbon dioxide from microorganisms within northern lands is a big deal. Tundra and forests on top of the globe have long been a dependable storage place for planet-warming gases. Until maybe now.

Its of global concern, Rogers said.

Photo by Ned Rozell

Jessica Larsen of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute presents her study on Alaskas Mount Churchill at the 2024 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington, D.C.

Before I left the press conference room, I saw Jim Overland standing nearby. He is a scientist from NOAAs Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory whose idea initiated the first Arctic Report Card document and press conference in 2006.

In 2024, he summed up the state of the far North during the last 20 years as he remembered it.

Twenty years ago, we saw several indicators (such as waning sea ice and increasing wildfires) but couldnt give a (definitive) answer.

Ten years ago, all the signals were strong enough to recommend action.

During the last three or four years, its just overwhelming.

He gave an example of how the lack of a protective cap of sea ice makes Alaska communities more vulnerable to floods of seawater, turning what was a normal storm into an extreme event.

That coastline had been protected for thousands of years by sea ice (during the winter). Now, when you have a regular storm on top of no sea ice, its throwing you into a place you havent been before.

Into the frontier we go, with changes some of us wont notice and others that will hammer us. Helping we humans and other creatures is our ability to adapt, of which there were several examples reported during the massive meeting. I will write about them in the upcoming weeks.

Since the late 1970s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute has provided this column free in cooperation with the UAF research community. Ned Rozell is a science writer for the Geophysical Institute.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

Maharashtra cabinet expansion delayed further

The much awaited cabinet expansion of the newly formed government in Maharashtra has been delayed further

Saturday December 14, 2024 11:51 AM , ummid.com News Network

[(from L to R) Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar in a file photo.]

Mumbai: The much awaited cabinet expansion of the newly formed government in Maharashtra has been delayed further.

BJP leader and Nagpur South West MLA, Devendra Fadnavis, had taken oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra on December 05, 2024 .

Along with Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar of the NCP had taken oath as Deputy Chief Ministers.

Eknath Shinde was Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the erstwhile government that retained power in the state after winning the 2024 assembly elections .

Swearing-in of new ministers in Nagpur

As per the earlier reports, the cabinet expansion was planned for today i.e. Saturday December 14, 2024 in Mumbai.

It has however been delayed by a day and rescheduled to Sunday December 15, 2024.

Also, the swearing in ceremony of the new ministers will be held in Nagpur, instead of Mumbai, it is learnt.

The government sources said the cabinet expansion is being held on Sunday instead of Saturday for the convenience of the MLAs.

Infighting over portfolio distribution?

Reports however suggest that there is a heavy infighting between the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP  the three alliance partners, over the distribution of portfolios.

There are also reports that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had called a meeting at his residence in New Delhi Friday to sort out the difference. Eknath Shinde however refused to turn up for the meeting, reports said.

As of now the three alliance partners have agreed on a 20+10+10 formula as per which the BJP will have 20 ministers whereas the NCP and Shiv Sena will have 10 ministers each.

Activities at Raj Bahvan in Nagpur however suggest that preparations are on for the swearing in ceremony of 30 ministers.

New Appointments in Maharashtra

Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis appointed Dr. Shrikar Pardeshi (IAS) as his Secretary, and Ashwini Bhide (IAS) as Principal Secretary.

Originally hailing from Pune, Shrikar Pardeshi was deputed to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) as Deputy Secretary in 2015.

On the other hand, Ashwini Bhide has been serving as the Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC). She however has been appointed as Principal Secretary to CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

Simultaneous Elections Bill to be tabled in LS Monday

The Simultaneous Elections Bill, popularly known as One Nation, One Election or ONOE Bill, will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday December 16, 2024

Saturday December 14, 2024 12:28 PM , ummid.com News Network

[Ram Nath Kovind presented the report of the High Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections to President of India Droupadi Murmu.]

New Delhi: The Simultaneous Elections Bill, popularly known as One Nation, One Election or ONOE Bill, will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday December 16, 2024.

The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday, and is now set to be introduced in the lower house of the Indian Parliament on Monday during the ongoing Winter Session, as per the list of business for the day.

The government had announced the formation of the high-level panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to study the proposal of One Nation, One Election on September 01, 2023 .

The ONOE Panel submitted its report to the Union Cabinet on September 18, 2024. The Panel in its 322-page report, advocated for simultaneous elections or one nation one elections.

The Cabinet has now tasked Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to introduce the Bill based on the Kovind Panel report in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

According to the government sources, Meghwal will table The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill - the two draft legislations aimed to enable simultaneous elections across the country.

The Congress and other opposition parties are against the idea. They are of the view that the proposal is actually aimed at bringing "one party" rule in the country.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

Suchir Balaji, who took OpenAI to task, found dead; Suicide suspected

Suchir Balaji, Indian-American Whistleblower, who had raised serious concerns about the OpenAI policies, is found dead in his apartment in San Francisco

Sunday December 15, 2024 0:44 AM , ummid.com News Network

San Francisco: Suchir Balaji, Indian-American Whistleblower, who had raised serious concerns about the OpenAI policies, is found dead in his apartment in San Francisco.

The local police suspected that Suchir Balaji - former researcher at OpenAI, has been died due to suicide though adding further probe is still underway.

According to San Francisco police, Balaji died on November 26, 2024. His dead body was later recovered from his apartment after some friends raised questions about his wellbeing and whereabouts.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) has identified the decedent as Suchir Balaji, 26, of San Francisco. The manner of death has been determined to be suicide, a statement released by the OCME said.

Balaji had publicly spoken out against Microsoft funded AI giant OpenAI's practices and copyright violations while developing its now popular AI tool ChatGPT.

OpenAI has been fighting a number of lawsuits relating to its data-gathering practices.

In an interview with The New York Times in October, Balaji had accused OpenAI of violating copyright regulations.

Balaji later left the company citing his belief that the technology was ultimately more harmful than beneficial to society.

He later publicly accused OpenAI of unethical practices, arguing that the companys approach violated US copyright laws and undermined the internets ecosystem by displacing original creators.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

UN veto power abused to carry on genocide in Gaza: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said the abuse of veto power by some UN members led to the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and other occupied lands

Saturday December 14, 2024 11:05 AM , ummid.com News Network

United Nations: Saudi Arabia said the abuse of veto power by some UN members led to the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and other occupied lands.

Abuse of veto power and the selectivity in applying international law have contributed to the continuation of the war of genocide, the aggravation of Israeli crimes in Gaza, and the expansion of aggression, Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN, said while addressing the United Nations General Assemblys (UNGA) 10th Emergency Special session on Palestine.

The UN special session on Palestine focused on two key resolutions - one supporting the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the other demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

The UN General Assembly adopted both the resolutions with overwhelming majority  159 members voting in favour, 09 against and 11 abstentions after voting on December 12, 2024.

UN Members with Veto Power

The United States that enjoy veto power along with Russia, China, United Kingdom and France, voted against the resolutions.

The UN General Assembly resolutions are not binding. But needed to be passed by the US Security Council.

The UN Security Council comprises of 15 members  five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members.

The United States and other permanent members of the UNSC have (mis) used the veto power to safeguard their interests.

Especially, the U.S. has vetoed at least five resolutions demanding ceasefire in Gaza and action against Israel for its war crimes since October 07, 2024.

Saudi, France Joint Conference on Palestine

While addressing the UN General Assembly, the Saudi envoy highlighted the Kingdoms steadfast support for the Palestinian people, advocating for peace based on the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and international legitimacy resolutions.

He also called for active participation in the high-level international conference on resolving the Palestinian issue, which Saudi Arabia and France will co-chair in June in New York.

'Israel's disregard for international law condemnable'

Al-Wasil also condemned Israeli attacks on Syrian territories , stressing that these violations undermine Syrias stability and sovereignty.

He reaffirmed the Arab and Syrian identity of the occupied Golan Heights and condemned Israels continued disregard for international law.

Israeli occupation forces have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and left over 100,000 injured, most of them civilians, women, and children since Oct 07, 2023.

Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman had in the last month termed genocide the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and other occupied lands.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Dec, 2024) The Dolphin Squad continued its operations against kite flying and one-wheeling in different areas of the city and arrested 17 accused.

According to the Dolphin spokesperson, 13 one-wheelers were arrested from Defence, Canal Road, Mall Road, Jail Road, Band Road and other areas, while four accused involved in kite flying were also caught red-handed.

The police also recovered kites from the arrested accused.

SP Dolphin Shah Mir Khalid said in this regard that crimes like kite flying and one-wheeling are a threat to the lives of citizens and indiscriminate action will be taken against them. He said, the safety of citizens is our top priority and we will take every possible step to protect them from dangers.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

SaintDenis de la Reunion, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Dec, 2024) At least two people were killed Saturday as fierce winds from Cyclone Chido lashed French Indian Ocean territory Mayotte, with authorities warning of severe damage and residents fearing the worst.

The two confirmed deaths came on Petite-Terre, the smaller of Mayotte's two major islands, a security source told AFP.

Also on Petite-Terre, the Pamandzi airport "suffered major damage, especially to the control tower," acting Transport Minister Francois Durovray said on X.

Air traffic "will be restored initially with military aid planes. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply," he added.

Across Mayotte, France's poorest department 500 kilometres (310 miles) east of Mozambique, "many of us have lost everything," said prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville.

Chido had proved to be "the most violent and destructive cyclone we've seen since 1934," he added.

France's newly-installed Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who has yet to name his cabinet, will hold a crisis meeting in Paris on Saturday evening, his office said.

Mayotte's alert level has been lowered from violet -- the highest- -- to red to allow emergency responders to leave their bases.

But "the cyclone is not over," prefect Bieuville warned, urging Mayotte's roughly 320,000 people to remain "locked down".

Communications with Mayotte are largely interrupted.

A resident on the main island of Grande Terre, Ibrahim Mcolo, had earlier described fallen electricity masts, roofs ripped off homes and trees uprooted as the first gusts struck.

"There is no more electricity," he told AFP from his home, where he had barricaded himself in.

"Even in our house, which is well protected, the water is getting in. I can feel it trembling."

"It is a time of emergency," President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, telling Mayotte residents that "the whole country is by your side" and thanking emergency responders.

Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau posted that 140 fresh troops and firefighters would be sent to the scene on Sunday to help with recovery, more than doubling the deployment sent earlier in the week.
Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Dec, 2024) Five girls stood still in the freezing December drizzle in Ukraine's capital as a metronome counted a minute of silence, honouring the victims of Russia's invasion.

They were holding banners urging passersby to stop and pay their respects at 9:00 am -- part of an official, but rarely observed, daily ritual in war-torn Ukraine.

The crowd pouring out of Kyiv's central Golden Gate metro station mostly walked on by.

At the end of the countdown, 17-year-old journalism student Olia Kozel folded the cardboard signs into a tote bag.

"I feel angry at the people who don't stop, who look and read -- and I can see in their eyes that they're reading our signs -- but keep going," she told AFP.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced the daily minute's silence in March 2022 to honour those killed by Russia's invasion.

But nearly three years later, and with tens of thousands more dead, few take part.

Kozel is part of a small group trying to change that.

Barring air raid alerts, they gather in central Kyiv once a week for their mini demonstration, trying to remind people to pause for 60 seconds.

For her, the minute's silence is a way to process the collective and individual grief hanging over Ukrainians, those living near and far from the front.
Luxembourg, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Dec, 2024) Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has been injured while visiting Luxembourg to commemorate a key World War II battle and was admitted to hospital for treatment, her office said Friday.

The 84-year-old Democrat was in the Grand Duchy with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, her spokesman Ian Krager said in a statement.

"Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi sustained an injury during an official engagement and was admitted to the hospital for evaluation," he said.

Pelosi "is currently receiving excellent treatment," said Krager, adding that "she continues to work and regrets that she is unable to attend the remainder" of the delegation's engagements.

The statement did not detail Pelosi's injuries but US media, citing unnamed insiders, reported that she had tripped descending marble stairs and had fallen hard, breaking her hip.

Allies in Pelosi's home state of California and in Washington said doctors were confident the damage could be repaired with a routine operation, according to The New York Times.

One of America's most influential Democrats and the first woman to become speaker of the House of Representatives, Pelosi stepped down last year from her second stint in the post.

She is still an elected representative from California and retains considerable influence on Capitol Hill.
(@FahadShabbir)

Damascus, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Dec, 2024) Jordan will host US, EU, Turkish and Arab diplomats on Saturday for high-level talks on Syria after president Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power.

Bashar al Assad's fall has also led to fast-moving diplomatic developments, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken among envoys set to discuss Syria on Saturday in the Jordanian city of Aqaba.

Turkey, meanwhile, will reopen its embassy in Damascus, closed since 2012 amid calls by Ankara for Assad to step down.

A Qatari diplomat said a delegation from the Gulf emirate would visit Syria on Sunday to meet transitional government officials and discuss aid and the reopening of their embassy.

Unlike other Arab states, Qatar never restored diplomatic ties with Assad after a rupture in 2011.

Assad has fled Syria, closing an era in which suspected dissidents were jailed or killed, and capping nearly 14 years of war that killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions.

The European Union was seeking "to establish contacts" with the new rulers soon, an EU official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The UN refugee agency said the new government had sent "constructive" initial signals, including asking the organisation to stay in the country.

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) democratic countries, who met virtually on Friday, expressed hope for "a peaceful and orderly transition through the definition of an inclusive political process" in Syria.

On Friday, the EU announced the launch of an "air bridge" operation to deliver an initial 50 tonnes of health supplies via neighbouring Turkey.
South Korea's parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, a stunning fall from grace for a man who rose from political obscurity to the height of political power.

His decades of achievement could be on the verge of crumbling due to a single, baffling decision to send out troops under martial law over vague claims that one of Asia's leading democracies was under threat.

The impeachment suspends Yoon's presidential powers until the Constitutional Court determines whether to dismiss him as president or restore his powers. Yoon also faces investigations meant to find whether his December 3 decree amounts to rebellion, a crime that is punished by up to the death penalty in South Korea if convicted.

Yoon, a staunch conservative and longtime prosecutor, went from political novice to president of South Korea in 2022, ending five years of liberal rule that saw failed efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis and a slackening economy.

His time in office, however, was marked by near-constant friction with an opposition-controlled parliament, threats of annihilation from North Korea and a series of scandals involving him and his wife. Observers said he was impulsive, took criticism personally and relied too much on the advice of hardcore loyalists.

No one thing explained his attempt to shut down the mechanisms of a democratic nation over his claim that "anti-state forces" were acting under the influence of North Korea.

But there are strands in Yoon's background, and especially in the intense acrimony with the liberal opposition and his hardline standoff with North Korea, that help illuminate the defining moment of his presidency.

A turbulent rise to top prosecutor

Despite 2 years as president, Yoon's career was overwhelmingly about the law, not politics.

Yoon, 63, was born in Seoul to two professors, and went to prestigious Seoul National University, where he studied law.

A major moment, according to Yoon, happened in 1980 when he played the role of a judge in a mock trial of then-dictator Chun Doo-hwan, who had staged a military coup the previous year, and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In the aftermath, Yoon had to flee to the countryside as Chun's military extended martial law and placed troops and armored vehicles at various places including his university.

Yoon returned to the capital and eventually began a career as a state prosecutor that would last nearly three decades, building an image as strong-minded and uncompromising.

Prone to confrontation

But he also faced criticism that his personality was unsuited to high-level leadership.

"President Yoon isn't well-prepared, and he does things off the cuff," Choi Jin, director of the Seoul-based Institute of Presidential Leadership, said. "He also tends to express his emotions too directly. The things that he likes and dislikes are easy to see, and he tends to handle things with a small group of his own people, not the majority of people."

During a parliament audit in 2013, Yoon, then a senior prosecutor, said he was under pressure from his boss, who said he opposed Yoon's investigation into an allegation that the country's spy agency had conducted an illicit online campaign to help conservative President Park Geun-hye win the previous year's election.

At the time, he famously said, "I'm not loyal to [high-level] people."

He was demoted, but after Park's government was toppled over a separate corruption scandal in 2017, then-President Moon Jae-in made Yoon head of a Seoul prosecution office, which investigated Park and other conservative leaders. Moon later named Yoon the nation's top prosecutor.

A neophyte in politics

Yoon joined party politics only about a year before he won the presidency, abandoning the liberal Moon after an impasse over a probe of Moon's allies. Moon's supporters said he was trying to thwart Moon's prosecution reforms and elevate his own political standing.

The 2022 presidential race was Yoon's first election campaign.

Yoon beat his rival, liberal firebrand Lee Jae-myung, by less than 1 percentage point in South Korea's most closely fought presidential election.

Their campaign was one of the nastiest in recent memory.

Yoon compared Lee's party to "Hitler" and "Mussolini." Lee's allies called Yoon "a beast" and "dictator" and derided his wife's alleged plastic surgery.

Domestic political strife

Yoon's time as president was dominated by frustration and acrimony, much stemming from his narrow victory and his party's failure to win control of parliament throughout his term.

When Yoon declared the state of emergency, he said a goal was to eliminate "shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces" in an apparent reference to the opposition Democratic Party.

In a fiery speech on Thursday, Yoon again defended his martial law decree and vowed to "fight to the end" in the face of attempts to impeach and investigate him. He called the Democratic Party "a monster" and "anti-state forces" that he argued has flexed its legislative muscle to impeach top officials and undermined the government's budget bill for next year.

Claims of corruption also battered his approval ratings.

Yoon recently denied wrongdoing in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife. Spy camera footage in a separate scandal also purportedly shows the first lady, Kim Keon Hee, accepting a luxury bag as a gift from a pastor.

Choi said he thinks Yoon likely planned the "clumsy martial law" edict to divert public attention away from the scandals.

"He tried to massively shake up the political world," Choi said. "But he failed. He likely believed there was no other option."

North Korea lashed out at his hard line

If political squabbles and scandal set the tenor of Yoon's domestic presidency, its foreign policy was characterized by a bitter standoff with North Korea.

Yoon early on in his presidency promised "an audacious plan" to improve the North's economy if it abandoned its nuclear weapons.

But things turned sour quickly, as North Korea ramped up its weapons tests and threats to attack the South. North Korea eventually began calling Yoon "a guy with a trash-like brain" and "a diplomatic idiot."

North Korea took that trash theme literally, sending thousands of balloons filled with garbage over the border, including some that made it to the presidential compound in Seoul at least twice.

Yoon's mention of North Korea as a domestic destabilizing force reminded some of an earlier South Korea, which until the late 1980s was ruled by a series of strongmen who repeatedly invoked the threat from the North to justify effort to suppress domestic dissidents and political opponents.
At the iconic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Friday, Syrian caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir called on Syrians to seek justice without revenge after the governments collapse. But some worshippers say those who committed crimes against their families deserve the harshest punishment. VOAs Heather Murdock reports from Damascus.
In the final days leading to his ouster, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad complained to Iran's foreign minister that Turkey was actively supporting Sunni rebels in their offensive to topple him, two Iranian officials told Reuters this week.

Five decades of rule by Assad's family ended Sunday when he fled to Moscow, where the government granted him asylum. Iran had backed Assad in Syria's long civil war, and his overthrow was widely seen as a major blow to the Iran-led "Axis of Resistance," a political and military alliance that opposes Israeli and U.S. influence in the Middle East.

As rebel forces from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, formerly aligned to al-Qaida, seized major cities and advanced toward the capital, Assad met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Damascus on December 2.

At the meeting, Assad voiced anger over what he said was Turkey's intensified efforts to unseat him, according to a senior Iranian official. Araghchi assured Assad of Irans continued support and promised to raise the issue with Ankara, the official said.

The next day, Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to express Tehrans deep concerns over Ankaras support for rebel advances.

"The meeting was tense. Iran expressed its unhappiness with Turkey's alignment with U.S. and Israeli agendas and conveyed Assad's concerns," a second Iranian official said, referring to Ankara's support for rebels and cooperation with Western and Israeli interests in targeting Iran's allies in the region.

Fidan, the official said, blamed Assad for the crisis, asserting that his failure to engage in genuine peace talks and his years of oppressive rule were the root causes of the conflict.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry source familiar with Fidan's talks said that those were not the exact remarks by Fidan and added that Araghchi did not bring and convey any messages from Assad to Turkey, without elaborating.

Fidan told reporters in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday that the Assad regime had "had precious time" to address Syria's existing problems but did not, instead allowing "a slow decay and collapse of the regime."

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that Assad's toppling was the result of a plan by the United States and Israel.

He said that one of Syria's neighbors also had a role and continues to do so. He did not name the country but appeared to be referring to Turkey.

NATO member Turkey, which controls swathes of land in northern Syria after several cross-border incursions against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, was a main backer of opposition groups aiming to topple Assad since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.

Assad's downfall stripped Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah of a vital ally. Tehran's ties to Damascus had allowed Iran to spread its influence through a land corridor from its western border via Iraq all the way to Lebanon to bring arms supplies to Hezbollah.

Iran spent billions of dollars propping up Assad during the war and deployed its Revolutionary Guards to Syria to keep its ally in power.

Hezbollah also played a major part, sending fighters to support him, but had to bring them back to Lebanon over the last year to fight in a bruising war with Israel  a redeployment that weakened Syrian government lines.
The arrests in Azerbaijan of several journalists, including staff at the independent Meydan TV, have been condemned by the international community, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Azerbaijani authorities have detained Meydan TV's editor-in-chief, Aynur Elgunash, and four of her reporters. Also being held are freelancer Ramin Jabrailzada, who is known as Deko, and Ulvi Tahirov, deputy director of the Baku School of Journalism.

All are charged with smuggling foreign currency and have been ordered to be held for four months in pre-trial detention. The journalists denied the charges and said the criminal case is a result of their journalism work.

During the arrests, others were briefly detained and later released, according to local reports. Journalist Ahmad Mukhtar was placed in administrative detention on charges of petty hooliganism and disobedience to the police.

Blinken in a statement called on Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the journalists who he said were "arrested for their work on human rights."

The media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, known as RSF, described the arrests as part of a strategy to silence critics of President Ilham Aliyev's administration.

VOA reached out to authorities, but the calls went unanswered.

Jeanne Cavelier, who heads RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk, said the government has resumed its crackdown against journalists in the aftermath of COP29, the annual U.N. climate change conference that Azerbaijan hosted.

The Meydan TV arrests again prove the regime's "willingness to shamelessly target the individuals who dare to keep Azerbaijani citizens informed," Cavelier said in a statement. She added that Azerbaijan has detained 13 other journalists in the past year.

RSF "calls on the international community not to turn a blind eye to these grave, systematic violations of fundamental rights," said Cavelier.

Meydan TV in a statement described the arrests and questioning of its team as illegal.

"Since the day we began our activities, our journalists have been arrested, they and their families have been subjected to harassment, and they have been subjected to various pressures and threats. Journalists who cooperate with us have been illegally banned from leaving the country," the statement said.

Bahruz Maharramov, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament, questioned the criticism of the arrests.

"If there are real suspicions based on valid, irrefutable evidence, why should any person's profession prevent those suspicions from being investigated?" he said.

"Why should we remain silent about the illegal actions of a mercenary network like Meydan TV, just because they are journalists? Where is the legality, where is the equality?" he told VOA.

Regular pressure

Meydan TV was founded in 2013 as an impartial and objective media organization. It has regularly faced pressure from the authorities, and in 2017 access to its website was blocked in the country. The network's social media accounts have been hacked multiple times and their contents deleted.

Orkhan Mammad, an editor at Meydan TV, said that some of those detained were subjected to violence and that the authorities tried to forcefully extract statements from them.

"Ramin Deko had bruises under his eyes. He was left without a lawyer for a long time. When Aynur Elgunash's house was searched, she was pinned against the wall, hit in the kidney region, and her computer was seized," he said.

The lawyer for Tahirov, Bahruz Bayramov, told VOA that the assistant director of the Baku School of Journalism has no connection with Meydan TV.

"They were just family friends with Aynur Elgunash. A large amount of money was seized during a search at Tahirov's house. However, Tahirov stated that the money belonged to his wife," Bayramov said.

The money found was from her salary, the lawyer said.

Zibeyda Sadigova, who is representing another of the journalists, Natig Javadli, said that there was no basis for the arrest.

"We were not provided with the decision and protocols regarding the search of his home, so we were unable to review them. Natig said that his computers and phones were confiscated, but no money was found in the house," Sadigova said.

The lawyer said that Javadli has been in journalism for 30 years and that the arrest is related to that work. "They seized his passwords without a court order. He was subjected to psychological pressure," the lawyer told VOA.

Lawyers representing the journalists have filed an appeal against the pre-trial detention.

Media crackdown

More than 20 journalists and media workers have been arrested in Azerbaijan since late 2023 on allegations of smuggling and other crimes.

Among those affected are journalists from Abzas Media, known for its corruption investigations, and the independent media outlet Toplum TV.

The editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, Sevinj Vagifgizi, was among the Anti-Corruption Champions honored by Blinken on Monday.

"Vagifgizi has devoted more than a decade in exposing government abuses. She's also the one awardee who is not with us this afternoon," Blinken said during a ceremony.

He noted that Vagifgizi had returned to Azerbaijan in November 2023, "knowing that she might be arrested on arrival." More than a year later, said Blinken, "she remains in detention."

Azerbaijan's government has rejected international criticism of the arrests, calling it an "interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs and the independence of the judiciary."

Officials say that fundamental rights, as well as media freedom, are guaranteed.

Local human rights organizations estimate that there are more than 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

The country ranks 164th out of 180 on the RSF's World Press Freedom Index, where 1 reflects the best environment for media.

Ulviyya Guliyeva contributed to this report.
American officials have been in direct contact with the terrorist-designated rebel group that led the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday.

Blinken, speaking at a news conference in Jordan, was the first U.S. official to publicly confirm contacts between the Biden administration and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which led a coalition of armed opposition groups that drove Assad from power and into asylum in Russia last weekend.

Along with counterparts from eight Arab nations and Turkey and senior officials from the European Union and United Nations, Blinken signed off on a set of principles meant to guide Syria's transition to a peaceful, nonsectarian and inclusive country.

Blinken would not discuss details of the contacts but said it was important for the U.S. to convey messages to the group about its conduct and how it intends to govern in a transition period.

"Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties," Blinken said in the port city of Aqaba. He added that "our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and we're prepared to help them do so."

Blinken also stressed that "the success that we've had in ending the territorial caliphate" of the Islamic State group remains "a critical mission." And citing the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish fighters who in recent years drove IS out of large areas of Syria, he said it was "very important at this moment that they continue that role because this is a moment of instability" in which IS "will seek to regroup and take advantage of."

HTS, which was once an affiliate of al-Qaida, has been designed as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department since 2018. That designation carries with it severe sanctions, including a ban on the provision of any "material support" to the group or its members. The sanctions do not, however, legally bar U.S. officials from communicating with designated groups.



In an interview Saturday on Syrian television, the group's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, did not address any direct contact with the United States, but said the new authorities in Damascus are in touch with Western embassies.

He also said that "we don't intend to enter any conflict because there is general exhaustion in Syria."

HTS has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus and has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels. Insurgent leaders say the group has broken with its extremist past.

A joint statement after the meeting of foreign ministers urged all parties to cease hostilities in Syria and expressed support for a locally led transitional political process. It called for preventing the reemergence of extremist groups and ensuring the security and safe destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles.

"We don't want Syria to fall into chaos," Jordan's foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, told journalists.

A separate statement by Arab foreign ministers called for U.N.-supervised elections based on a new constitution approved by Syrians. Their statement condemned Israel's incursion into the buffer zone with Syria and adjacent sites over the past week as a "heinous occupation" and demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

U.S. officials say al-Sharaa has been making welcomed comments about protecting minority and women's rights but they remain skeptical that he will follow through on them in the long run.

On Friday, the rebels and Syria's unarmed opposition worked to safely turn over to U.S. officials an American man who had been imprisoned by Assad.

U.S. officials are continuing their search for Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared 12 years ago near Damascus. "We have impressed upon everyone we've been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home," Blinken said.

In other developments:

Turkey reopened its embassy in Damascus, becoming the first country to do so since the end of Assad's rule. The embassy suspended operations 12 years ago due to insecurity during Syria's civil war.

Al-Sharaa said in the TV interview that "the pretexts that Israel uses have ended" for its airstrikes that have destroyed much of the Syrian army's assets in recent days. He said "the Israelis have crossed the rules of engagement" but that the insurgent group is not about to enter a conflict with Israel.

The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah militants said the group has lost its military supply line through Syria but that the new authority there might reinstate the route.

A Syrian war monitor and a citizen journalist said gunmen attacked members of a Syrian insurgent group, Failaq al-Sham, in the country's coastal region, killing or wounding 15 of them on Saturday. That region is home to many members of Assad's minority Alawite sect.
Unannounced, China recently demolished a center for Uyghur culture and commerce, erasing the legacy of a prominent Uyghur rights dissident and sparking outrage among Uyghur rights groups.

The long-vacant Rebiya Kadeer Trade Center, located in the capital of northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, had been empty since 2009 but was once a vibrant hub for more than 800 mostly Uyghur-owned businesses.

Local business owners near the site reported being ordered by authorities to close their shops for two days at the end of last month.

When we returned, the buildings were already gone, said a former perfume shop owner from the trade center, who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. We were not allowed near the area during the demolition.

Uyghur activists see the destruction of the trade center as part of Beijings sustained effort to suppress Uyghur identity and heritage.

Mounting criticism

Since 2017, China has been facing mounting international condemnation for its actions in Xinjiang, including allegations of mass detentions, forced labor, and the systematic erasure of Uyghur cultural and religious landmarks.

The U.S. government and other international bodies have designated these actions as crimes against humanity and genocide.

China has consistently denied these accusations, framing its policies as necessary measures to combat terrorism, extremism and separatism.

The measures carried out in Xinjiang have effectively curbed the rising and frequent occurrences of violent terrorist activities, safeguarded national unity and security to the greatest extent possible, and protected the fundamental rights of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including their rights to life, health and development, the Chinese foreign ministry said in June 2020.

However, critics argue that these justifications served as a facade for a campaign aimed at assimilating Uyghurs into a homogenized Chinese identity, effectively dismantling their distinct culture and historical presence.

Sealed off and shrouded in secrecy

Zumret Dawut, a U.S.-based Uyghur rights activist, was the first to confirm the demolition after speaking with sources in Urumqi. She posted the news on her social media account on November 30, revealing that Chinese authorities had secretly demolished the trade center building the day before.

They told me the area was sealed off, and no one could take pictures or videos, Dawut told VOA in a phone interview. The Chinese government treated it as a state secret. Sharing any evidence could lead to persecution.

The trade center once drew international attention, including a visit by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in 1995. The buildings owner, Rebiya Kadeer, recalled preparing a warm reception for Gates, who toured the center as part of efforts to foster U.S.-China business ties.

Kadeer sees the demolition as a calculated move to erase her legacy. They want to wipe out every trace of my contributions, she said in an interview with VOA. But I will not be silenced. My fight for Uyghur justice continues.

From entrepreneur to exile

The trade centers destruction adds another chapter to the life of Kadeer, 78, a prominent Uyghur dissident now living in exile in northern Virginia in the United States. Once celebrated as the wealthiest woman in Xinjiang, Kadeer has become a lasting symbol of Uyghur resistance to Beijings policies.

Kadeers rise began during Chinas economic reforms in the 1980s. Her business, Akida Industry and Trade Co., grew into a vast enterprise, spanning textiles, trade centers and factories. She built the Rebiya Kadeer Trade Center in 1991, and within four years it had housed up to 800 mostly Uyghur-owned businesses, making it a thriving cultural and economic hub.

The building was more than just a business space  it was a gathering place for Uyghur intellectuals, Kadeer told VOA.

Her entrepreneurial success earned her a seat on the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, where she was celebrated as an exemplary minority leader.

However, her growing advocacy for Uyghur rights, particularly her efforts to draw attention to the 1997 Ghulja massacre, or what China calls the Ghulja incident, marked the beginning of her fall from favor with Beijing.

On February 5, 1997, Chinese security forces brutally suppressed a peaceful demonstration in Ghulja, a city near Xinjiang's border with Kazakhstan. The protests were sparked by Uyghurs calling for cultural rights, religious freedom and an end to repressive policies.

Arrest, sentence

In 1999, Kadeer was arrested and accused of illegally providing national intelligence to overseas organizations after attempting to send evidence of Chinas crackdown on peaceful protesters to visiting U.S. congressional staff in Urumqi.

Sentenced to eight years in prison, Kadeer said she endured harsh treatment.

I witnessed young Uyghur prisoners being brutalized, she recalled.

Released in 2005 through U.S. diplomatic efforts, Kadeer moved to the United States.

Upon arrival in the U.S., Kadeer became a leading voice for Uyghur rights, detailing her ordeal and advocating for her people. In 2006, she was elected president of the World Uyghur Congress, a position that put her at odds with Beijing.

She said in retaliation for her activism, China imprisoned two of her sons who were living in Urumqi on charges including tax evasion. Kadeer said the charges are all false and her sons are being used against her in an attempt to keep her quiet.

"They used my children to punish me," she said. "But I couldnt abandon the fight."

Since her exile, Beijing has been telling a different story about Kadeers legacy. In 2009, Chinese authorities blamed her for inciting riots in Urumqi that killed nearly 200 people.

I had no involvement in the violence, Kadeer said.

The 2009 unrest marked the beginning of the end for Kadeers business empire. The businesses that rented space at the trade center were relocated to a nearby building, The trade center owned by Kadeer stayed vacant until last months demolition.

Relatives held

Since 2017, at least 20 of her relatives living in Xinjing  including children, grandchildren and siblings  have been detained. Her children and grandchildren were released in late 2019 and early 2020 after pressure from the U.S. and international rights groups, according to Kadeer.

My sister died in a detention camp, Kadeer said. The Chinese government made propaganda videos of my children speaking out against me, but I know they were coerced.

In one video on Chinese state media outlet Global Times, Kadeers grandchildren and son praised Beijings policies and denounced her. Grandma, we are living well, one granddaughter claimed. Dont be deceived by bad people abroad.

Kadeer dismissed the videos as propaganda. The truth is hidden behind the cameras, she said, expressing her heartbreak over her familys forced participation.

VOA sought comment from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, asking whether the demolition followed legal procedures, including notification and compensation. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu did not respond.

Kadeer confirmed she was neither informed nor compensated. They might claim my children consented, but they have no rights to the property. Only I do, she said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Macau next week for a gathering marking 25 years since the former Portuguese colony's handover to China, state news agency Xinhua said Saturday.

Xi will also attend the inauguration of Macau's incoming administration and conduct an inspection tour during the December 18-20 visit, according to Xinhua.

Macau grew into a trading post with a mixed Portuguese-Chinese population and cultural heritage during 442 years of colonial rule before it was handed over to China on December 20, 1999.

The city has since become the world's top casino hub by gaming revenue and a popular destination for Chinese tourists. It is the only place in China where casino gambling is allowed.

Like neighboring Hong Kong, Macau operates under a "One Country, Two Systems" framework that promises a high degree of autonomy, its own legal system and stronger safeguards for civil liberties than on the mainland.

Former top judge Sam Hou-fai will be sworn in as Macau's next leader on December 20, replacing Ho Iat-seng.

Sam was the sole candidate in an election where only 400 pro-establishment figures  out of the city's nearly 700,000 people  were eligible to vote.
An attack on the main hospital in the western Sudanese town of Al-Fashir on Friday killed nine people and wounded 20, including patients and their families, the head of the World Health Organization said.

In a posting on X Saturday, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added that "continued attacks on health across Sudan are deplorable."

"We urge for the protection of all patients and health professionals, and for all attacks on and around health facilities to stop," he said.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been ravaged by a war between two generals, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.

The war has left tens of thousands of civilians dead, displaced more than 11 million people, and plunged the East African country into the worst humanitarian crisis in recent years.

Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, has been besieged since May by the RSF, which has blocked trade and aid deliveries to the region.
After more than two years of separation, Chinese migrant Duan Chunxia, 51, recently met face to face with her husband and daughter at Stewart Detention Center, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Georgia.

My wife has lost a lot of weight, and her hair turned gray, her husband, Ni Jinfang, told VOA Mandarin in an emotional video interview. Our daughter cried so much when she saw her mother. Her tears were all over her face and neck.

That tearful reunion on December 1 was the latest in an emotional roller-coaster ride for the family as theyve separately come to the United States seeking political asylum.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in Chinese nationals entering the United States illegally and seeking asylum. Over the past year, those numbers have dwindled, and U.S. authorities are stepping up efforts to send a growing number back to China.

There is also increasing concern among undocumented migrants from China about President-elect Donald Trumps pledge to carry out mass deportations.

Deportation flights

Just days after Duan met with her family, she was scheduled to be sent back to China on a U.S. government-chartered removal flight.

That flight departed Monday, but Duan was not on it. Following a second asylum interview, authorities agreed to give her more time to appeal the deportation order.

The charter flight marked the fourth time in six months that the United States has deported undocumented migrants back to China. Three previous flights in June, October and November carried a total of at least 350 Chinese citizens back to their homeland.

The last previous large-scale repatriation occurred in 2018.

Growing cooperation

In a statement Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the flight is yet another example of the departments ongoing cooperation with [China] and other international partners to deter irregular migration.

It added that DHS and its counterparts in China also continue joint work to counter the human smuggling networks that facilitate irregular migration. DHS did not say how many migrants were on the flight.

Chen Chuangchuang, an immigration lawyer in California, told VOA Mandarin that the Chinese and U.S. governments have cooperated more closely on immigration issues this year than previously.

"In the past, China rarely cooperated with the U.S. government in accepting illegal migrants, Chen told VOA in a December phone interview. China has recently exchanged prisoners with the U.S. many times and also accepted undocumented people. [Chinese leader] Xi Jinping calls it law enforcement cooperation rather than border and immigration issues. 

How they arrived

Ni, 53, and the couples 18-year-old daughter entered the U.S. on tourist visas in 2022. After Duans husband and daughter left China, she applied for a tourist visa the following year, but her application was rejected.

More than one year after that, in late September, she illegally entered the U.S., crossing the southern border with Mexico.

Duan made the hazardous journey through Ecuador and then traveled overland through Colombia, Central America and Mexico to the U.S. border.

Both Duan and Ni are from Chinas central city of Suzhou, just outside Shanghai. The city is relatively wealthy but human rights violations are not unheard of.

In 2012, Ni lost his house and land following a government-led forced demolition. He tried to sue the local government in 2013 but was not given a chance to file his lawsuit. He continued to petition the government without result. In 2016, Ni was assaulted by local police officers and put in jail for 171 days for the crime of "disturbing public order."

Ni continued to speak against the Chinese government after coming to the United States and participated in a protest in San Francisco last November, when Xi visited the city for the APEC summit and met with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Panicking

Another Chinese immigrant who entered the United States last year via the same route as Duan and is now living in New York state spoke with VOA on the condition that his name not be used because of his undocumented status.

In a telephone interview, he said that with the recent deportations and Trumps pledges, many in the Chinese immigrant community are a little panicked.

"After he takes office, everyone will be worried about being deported, not just us illegal immigrants, he said. The ones with green cards, arent they afraid, too?"

Before entering the United States, this man said he had openly criticized Xi on Chinese social media. He said that if he is deported, he will undoubtedly face a prison sentence in China.

The man, who is in his 30s, has already begun applying for political asylum and is still hopeful.

Although I don't like this result [Trump's victory], this is the choice of the American people, and there is nothing I can do. We are all entering an uncertain era, and everyone's future is uncertain, he said.

Immigration lawyer Chen said that Chinese immigrants in the U.S. who have not yet obtained legal status do face a real threat.

The Republicans have already occupied both houses [of Congress], and conservatives also have a clear advantage in the Supreme Court," he said. "We can say with absolute certainty that the second Trump administration will have way more resources, in terms of manpower, law and finances, to support the implementation of his deportation plan. This is bound to happen.

However, Chen does not think that all Chinese immigrants who apply for asylum will be unsuccessful.

For those who have a deportation order, if you have a legal reason to apply to stay in the U.S., there is still a chance for review. Its not easy though. The standard will be raised, Chen said, adding that individuals need to prove that they will be persecuted if they return to their home country.
Indonesia remains cautiously determined to join BRICS despite a threat from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to double tariffs on members of the Russia- and China-led bloc if it pursues its stated goal of establishing an alternative to the U.S. dollar in international trade.

At a parliament meeting this month with the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, legislators expressed their concern about Trump's threats.

"Although we are confident in expanding our diplomatic relations, Indonesia's presence in BRICS may be considered as a departure from traditional trade relations with U.S. and the European Union," said Sumail Abdullah, a ruling party legislator with a role in foreign affairs. "Don't let this become a reality, because countries like Russia and China will certainly dominate BRICS."

Foreign Minister Sugiono defended his decision to join BRICS, arguing that there are many benefits to being a member.

"Essentially, BRICS is a good platform that we can utilize as our vessel to discuss and bring forward the interests of developing countries. It is also an implementation of our independent and active foreign policy," he told legislators at the December 2 session.

Sugiono stressed the importance of strengthening Indonesia's economy by building food and energy security and developing downstream industries. Indonesia, he added, should be less reliant economically on other countries so it can better decide its own foreign policy.

Although the BRICS countries have made it a goal to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar as an exchange currency, Sugiono said the issue was not brought up during the October 2024 BRICS Summit in Russia.

However, the minister left the door open to reconsidering the decision in light of Trump's threat.

"If we think there are things that could harm our national interests, then we can review our membership in BRICS. What is important is that our attempt to join any multilateral group is focused towards maintaining our national interests," he told the legislators.

Indonesia's journey to join BRICS

BRICS is a global economic cooperation organization that was formed in 2006 to focus attention on investment opportunities among its founding countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Indonesia expressed its desire to join the bloc at the October summit in Kazan, Russia, where Sugiono proposed several concrete steps to strengthen BRICS and Global South cooperation.

President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly underlined his intention to befriend both China and the United States, saying Indonesia will not join any military bloc.

Teuku Rezasyah, a professor specializing in diplomacy and foreign policy at Universitas Padjadjaran, told VOA that joining BRICS places Indonesia in the geopolitical center between the rival power blocs.

"We're not only close with the U.S., the European Union, but also getting closer with Russia and China. As a result, we have more bargaining power, which will benefit us," he said at a national seminar.

Teuku argued that the shared BRICS vision, as laid out in a 2021 joint statement, calls for a restructured global political, economic and financial architecture with a reformed United Nations at its center. He said this vision reflects a contemporary world that is more equitable, balanced and representative.

Political benefits, challenges

Although Indonesia has been invited to become a BRICS member since 2022, it did not officially express its intention until this October. Indonesia is currently a BRICS partner country, a status that applies to 12 other countries, including fellow ASEAN states Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Teuku said the organization "is commonly understood as an attempt to form a geopolitical bloc capable of counterbalancing the influence of Western-dominated global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank."

Muhsin Shihab, an expert adviser on institutional relations at Indonesia's foreign ministry, said in November that by joining BRICS, Indonesia can increase its global clout and can help to shape the agenda of the Global South.

But Tobias Basuki, co-founder of Aristoteles Consults, a political consultancy and legal services firm, said in an interview with VOA that he doubted Indonesia would gain much from joining the bloc because most of its political and economic goals can be achieved through bilateral ties with the BRICS members.

Russia and China have more to gain from expanding the group's membership, he said, adding that they "have their own agenda and interests, which are not necessarily always aligned with the Global South's needs and interests.

"So by joining BRICS, you're actually entering their playground. It may not give Indonesia the position that Prabowo wants to be as a bridge-maker between the two competing powers."

Basuki said that "if Indonesia wants to be a leader of the Global South, then it's better to revive the [Indonesia-led] Asia-Africa conference and Non-Aligned Movement, which already has 120 countries, a true reflection of a Global South alliance."

Apart from joining BRICS, Indonesia is also seeking membership at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which signals its ambition to align with global standards of governance and economic openness.
A court in Iran has sentenced Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh to 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of collaborating with a hostile government, his lawyer said Saturday.

Reza Valizadeh is a former journalist for VOA sister network Radio Farda, an outlet under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that is overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, the lawyer of Valizadeh, told The Associated Press that the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a first-instance verdict for his client on a charge of collaborating with the hostile U.S. government.

Aghasi said that the verdict can be appealed within 20 days since it was delivered to them a week ago. He added that he hasnt been able to meet with Valizadeh since the verdict was issued.

In August, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran despite Radio Farda being viewed by Irans theocracy as a hostile outlet.

I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Before that, I had unfinished negotiations with the [Revolutionary Guards] intelligence department, the message read in part. Eventually I came back to my country after 13 years without any security guarantee, even a verbal one.

Aghasi said he was free during the first six months after his arrival and then was arrested.

Earlier in November, Kianoosh Sanjari, a former journalist with VOA's Farsi Service, jumped to his death from a building in Irans capital in protest of the countrys supreme leader and an ongoing crackdown on dissent in the Islamic Republic.

Iranian authorities said that Sanjari, 42, had earlier demanded the release of four prisoners held in the country and threatened to kill himself if they werent released.

In 2007, a former Radio Farda broadcaster, Parnaz Azima, returned briefly to Iran to visit her ailing mother. Her passport was confiscated at the airport. Authorities banned her from leaving the country and summoned her repeatedly for questioning by security forces. Finally, she was freed on bail and allowed to leave the country eight months later.

Iran has faced years of unrest amid wider tensions with the West, most recently with the nationwide protests that followed the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Jobs also remain scarce, and the countrys rial currency continues its yearslong collapse against the U.S. dollar, further straining the lives of Iranians.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story stated that Reza Valizadeh worked for VOA's Farsi language service. This article has been amended to remove the incorrect reference.
Palestinian health officials and U.N. aid workers report at least 30 people killed in Israeli strikes in central Gaza overnight, while the Israeli military reports that it conducted operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon in the past 24 hours.

Senior emergency officer Louise Wateridge with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees  UNRWA  reported Friday that 30 people were killed in Israeli strikes in central Gaza, citing local media sources. She spoke via videoconference at a news briefing in Geneva.

Wateridge described the scene to reporters as "horrific."

"There are parents looking for their children, children covered in dust and blood looking for their parents, multiple injuries on top of the casualties reported, and people still buried under the rubble," she said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported Friday that a total of 40 people were killed in the previous 24 hours. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces, said on the X social media platform that its troops conducted operations in the Jabaliya and Beit Lahia areas of northern Gaza, where the troops located and destroyed launchers they said were aimed at perimeter Gaza communities. The report said numerous weapons were discovered as well.

The IDF also reported one of its combat teams continues to fight in the Rafah area of southern Gaza. Over the past 24 hours, the IDF, said its troops located shafts, eliminated terrorists and destroyed terrorist infrastructure.

As part of the attacks, Israeli forces identified a squad of armed terrorists moving toward the forces, and an Israel Air Force aircraft attacked the squad and eliminated it.

In Lebanon

The IDF also reported Friday that its 769th Brigade "remains deployed in southern Lebanon and along the border, conducting operational activities to eliminate threats to Israeli citizens, while acting in accordance with the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon."

The report said IDF soldiers discovered a large cache of weapons, including concealed Kornet missile launchers, AK-47 rifles, magazines, other military equipment and missiles hidden in dense, mountainous terrain.

The troops also located and confiscated an antitank missile launch site they said had been used by Hezbollah to fire at communities in northern Israel during the past year.

Ceasefire talks

The activities come a day after U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan raised hopes for a Gaza ceasefire. Sulivan, who was in Tel Aviv as part of a Mideast tour, said Hamas negotiators "did adapt" after the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon.

"For months, we believe Hamas was waiting for lots of other actors and forces to come to their rescue, to come to their aid," Sulivan said, adding that "we believe that it puts us in a position to be able to close this negotiation."

The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire halted months of intensified fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which included Israeli ground operations inside Lebanon and airstrikes that killed multiple Hezbollah leaders.

Hezbollah launched cross-border attacks against Israel in solidarity with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip following the October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel. That attack killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 44,800 people, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

The United States, United Kingdom and several other Western countries designate Hamas as a terror group.

Natasha Mozgovaya, senior analyst with VOA's Eurasia Division, contributed to this report. Some material came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Credit ratings agency Moody's unexpectedly downgraded France's rating on Friday, adding pressure on the country's new prime minister to corral divided lawmakers into backing his efforts to rein in the strained public finances.

The downgrade, which came outside of Moody's regular review schedule for France, brings its rating to "Aa3" from "Aa2" with a stable outlook for future moves and puts it in line with those from rival agencies Standard & Poor's and Fitch.

It comes hours after President Emmanuel Macron named on Friday veteran centrist politician and early ally Francois Bayrou as his fourth prime minister this year.

His predecessor, Michel Barnier, failed to pass a 2025 budget and was toppled earlier this month by left-wing and far-right lawmakers opposed to his $63 billion (60 billion euro) belt-tightening push that he had hoped would rein in France's spiraling fiscal deficit.

The political crisis forced the outgoing government to propose emergency legislation this week to temporarily roll over 2024 spending limits and tax thresholds into next year until a more permanent 2025 budget can be passed.

"Looking ahead, there is now very low probability that the next government will sustainably reduce the size of fiscal deficits beyond next year," Moody's said in a statement.

"As a result, we forecast that France's public finances will be materially weaker over the next three years compared to our October 2024 baseline scenario," it added.

Barnier had intended to cut the budget deficit next year to 5% of economic output from 6.1% this year with a $63 billion (60 billion euro) package of spending cuts and tax hikes.

But left-wing and far-right lawmakers were opposed to much of the belt-tightening drive and voted a no confidence measure against Barnier's government, bringing it down.

Bayrou, who has long warned about France's weak public finances, said on Friday shortly after taking office that he faced a "Himalaya" of a challenge reining in the deficit.

Outgoing Finance Minister Antoine Armand said he took note of Moody's decision, adding there was a will to reduce the deficit as indicated by the nomination of Bayrou.

The political crisis put French stocks and debt under pressure, pushing the risk premium on French government bonds at one point to their highest level over 12 years.
Officials from the White House, FBI and DHS on Saturday stressed that most of the recently reported drone sightings in New Jersey and nearby states involved manned aircraft, and there was no evidence of any national security threat.

An FBI official told reporters during an impromptu briefing that the agency was working with 50 local, state and federal partners to look into increased reports. The official said less than 100 of the over 5,000 reported sightings had turned out to merit further investigation, and all of the large fixed-wing reported sightings so far involved manned aircraft.

"The combination of efforts so far ... to include technical equipment, tip line information and noted consults has ... not found any evidence to support large-scale [unmanned aerial systems] activities," the official said, adding that many of the sightings occurred along regular flight paths.

Extensive efforts were underway to investigate the remaining cases, using interviews and analysis of radar and intelligence, the official added.

"We can't ignore the sightings that have been there," the official said. "We're doing our best to find the origin of those drone activities, but I think there has been a slight over-reaction."

A spate of reported drone sightings that began in New Jersey in mid-November spread in recent days to include Maryland, Massachusetts and other states. The sightings have garnered media attention and prompted creation of a Facebook page called "New Jersey Mystery Drones  let's solve it" with 56,000 online members.

U.S. President Joe Biden is receiving regular updates on the issue, a White House official said.

On Cape Cod in Massachusetts, residents and a police officer in Harwich reported seeing 10-15 drones flying in the Friday night sky, the Boston Herald reported.

Police relayed the information to the Boston FBI and Massachusetts State Police.

Governor Maura Healey said on Facebook that she is also aware of a growing number of drone sightings across Massachusetts and were monitoring the situation closely.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Saturday called for a boost in federal law enforcement efforts after the runways at a local airport in the Hudson Valley were shut down for one hour due to drone activity on Friday.

"This has gone too far," Hochul said in a statement on the social media network X, urging the Biden administration to boost law enforcement in New York and other areas, and calling on Congress to pass drone reform legislation.

An official with the Federal Aviation Administration said a temporary ban on drone activity had been put in place over Picatinny Arsenal, a military base in Wharton, New Jersey, that was due to expire on December 26 and could be made permanent.

There had been drone sightings over Picatinny and another naval weapons station in December, a military official told reporters, but there was no intelligence or observation that they were linked to a foreign actor or had malicious intent. Drone operations over military installations are generally banned, but occur from time to time, the official added.

A second ban was put in place over Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, that was due to expire on December 20, but could be extended, the FAA official said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she sustained an injury during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesperson.

Pelosi, 84, was in Europe with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesperson, Ian Krager, said in a statement that she is "currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals" and is unable to attend the remainder of events on her trip.

He did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. Another person familiar with the situation said she injured her hip. The people requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly.

Krager said that Pelosi "looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon."

Among the members on the trip was Representative Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, who posted on social media that he was "praying for a speedy recovery" for Pelosi. The two lawmakers were captured holding hands in a group photo Friday at the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg.

"Im disappointed Speaker Emerita Pelosi wont be able to join the rest of our delegations events this weekend as I know how much she looked forward to honoring our veterans," McCaul wrote on X. "But she is strong, and I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time."

The former leader's fall comes two years after her husband, Paul, was attacked by a man with a hammer at their San Francisco home. The man, who was sentenced in October to 30 years in federal prison, broke into their home looking for Pelosi.

Pelosi, who was first elected in 1987 and served as speaker twice, stepped down from her leadership post two years ago but remained in Congress and was re-elected to represent her San Francisco district in November.

She has remained active in the two years since she left the top job, working with Democrats in private and in public and attending official events. Last summer, she was instrumental in her party's behind the scenes push to urge President Joe Biden to leave the presidential ticket.

She attended the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington last weekend and was on the Senate floor Monday to attend the swearing in of her former Democratic House colleagues, Adam Schiff of California and Andy Kim of New Jersey.

Earlier this week, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, tripped and fell in the Senate, spraining his wrist and cutting his face. McConnell, who is stepping down from his leadership post at the end of the year, missed Senate votes on Thursday after experiencing some stiffness in his leg from the fall, his office said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and public health experts are calling for increased political commitment and funding to fight malaria, especially in endemic regions like Africa. This week's release of the 2024 World Malaria Report by the WHO said there were 11 million more malaria cases compared to the previous year and that Ethiopia and Nigeria recorded their highest death tolls from the disease since 2015.

According to Wednesday's report, there were 263 million cases of the mosquito-borne disease and nearly 600,000 deaths worldwide last year.

The report indicates global malaria cases grew by about 11 million compared to the year prior while fatalities remained nearly the same.

The WHO report said Africa accounted for 95% of global malaria deaths. Most of the victims were children under 5 years of age.

Dr. Kehinde Ajayi, an expert on malaria epidemiology and control, said one issue is that since 2020, most developing nations have had a shortage of resources to combat the disease.

Some of the resources like insecticide-treated nets and also funding towards the malaria control programs have been hampered because of ... COVID-19 and the economic imbalance in developing countries, Ajayi said.

Ajayi said climate change and declining effectiveness of anti-malaria drugs are threatening progress.

Nigeria bears the world's highest burden of malaria with more than 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of deaths.

But the WHO report also showed some progress  estimating that about 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths were averted globally since 2000.

Ajayi said increased government funding for malaria interventions could change things.

"Mosquitoes thrive very well under temperatures that are more than 19 degrees Celsius, and the climate change has made [that] possible, Ajayi said. Also, the plasmodium parasite has gained a lot of resistance against malaria drugs. Also, the government needs to invest more in our health sector. Government also needs to fund research that will help us in discovering indigenous drugs."

The WHO report said only about half of the $8.7 billion target for malaria intervention last year was achieved.

In Nigeria, spending on health care is about 4% of the national budget, much lower than the 15% agreed upon by the African Union in 2001  in the so-called Abuja Declaration.

Authorities have pledged to improve spending on health. On Thursday, Nigeria signed a deal to promote local production of test kits for HIV and malaria.

Last week, Nigeria launched its malaria vaccination campaign  becoming the latest African country to provide malaria vaccines to young children.

There are now 17 countries giving new malaria vaccines.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had hip replacement surgery Saturday at a U.S. military hospital in Germany after falling while at an event in Luxembourg with other members of Congress.

Pelosi, 84, is well on the mend, said Ian Krager, a Pelosi spokesperson.

Krager, said in a statement that she is currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals and is unable to attend the remainder of events on her trip.

He did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. Another person familiar with the situation said she injured her hip. The people requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly.

Pelosi thanked the staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the hospital in Luxembourg, where she was also treated, for their excellent care and kindness.

She was in Europe with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Among those on the trip was Representative Michael McCaul, who posted on social media Friday that he was praying for a speedy recovery for Pelosi. The two lawmakers were captured holding hands in a group photo that day at the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg.

Pelosi was first elected in 1987 and served as speaker twice. She stepped down from her leadership post two years ago but remained in Congress and was reelected to represent her San Francisco district in November.
The cancellation of an international forum in South Korea on Friday is feeding concerns that a carefully constructed multilateral partnership aiming at countering China could be in jeopardy if efforts to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol are successful.

The rules-based maritime order was among the topics to have been discussed at the South Korea and Australia-hosted Indo-Pacific High-Level Forum, which has been postponed until further notice while Seoul deals with its political crisis.

The forum was to have convened government representatives from 13 countries to discuss Indo-Pacific strategies, according to a statement issued by the South Korean Foreign Ministry on December 3.

That night, Seoul was plunged into political chaos when South Korean President Yoon declared martial law and then rescinded it hours later. Opposition parties Thursday filed a second motion to impeach Yoon after a previous impeachment attempt failed.

In a televised speech Thursday, Yoon vowed to "fight to the end" while opposition parties prepared for the next impeachment vote on Saturday over what they call Yoon's "insurrectionary acts."

Uncertainty over South Korea's role

Some analysts say progress on Indo-Pacific security under Yoon's leadership, especially South Korea's ties with the Philippines and Japan, could be reversed if Yoon is forced from office, leading to the election of a new government.

"If a government comes in that is more friendly to China and is seeking to balance between the United States and the PRC [People's Republic of China], then the increased cooperation on security issues with the Philippines is likely to be downgraded," said Kenneth Weinstein, the Japan chair at Hudson Institute.

"A greater burden will absolutely fall on Japan if South Korea is doing less" in the region, and their trilateral security ties with the U.S. "can be easily reversed if a government in Seoul does not believe in the spirit of Camp David," said Weinstein.

This would be "a major blow" to U.S. efforts "to counter China's growing attempts at regional hegemony," he told VOA in a phone interview.

Yoon has gradually increased his country's role in the Indo-Pacific through close cooperation with the U.S. and Japan.

The country participated in a first-of-its-kind meeting with the United States, Australia, Japan and the Philippines in November to discuss plans for a free and open Indo-Pacific. South Korea and the Philippines upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership and agreed to bolster their defense cooperation a month earlier during Yoon's trip to Manila.

That followed a trilateral summit in August 2023 at Camp David where the U.S., South Korea and Japan agreed to align their collective efforts toward the region. The Spirit of Camp David, a joint statement issued at the summit, underscored their efforts to sustain the rules-based order in the South China Sea, where China's aggressive behavior has alarmed many of its neighbors.

The three countries signed a Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework (TSCF) in July to institutionalize their ties and a Trilateral Secretariat was established last month to implement the framework.

Challenge to US efforts on China

Daniel Sneider, a lecturer on East Asian studies at Stanford University, told VOA in a phone interview by that if the main opposition Democratic Party comes to power, it will probably "roll back the trilateral security cooperation."

He said trilateral military exercises, which are the "substantive" result of policies pursued in the last two years, are "most in danger" of being canceled if there is a change in government in Seoul.

The U.S., South Korea, and Japan held large-scale joint exercises in June and November in the East China Sea.

Yoon can be impeached with a two-thirds majority of South Korea's 300-seat National Assembly and approval by six of nine judges in the constitutional court, where there are three vacancies. In that event, the country will hold a snap election to choose a new president within 60 days.

A failed impeachment motion filed by the opposition parties last week included a paragraph criticizing Yoon for advancing close trilateral ties with Japan and the U.S. The ruling People Power Party boycotted the session, leaving it short of the necessary quorum. That paragraph was removed from the second motion filed Thursday.

Other analysts said Seoul's relations with Tokyo and Manila are unlikely to change even if there is a change of government in South Korea.

Rahman Yaacob, research fellow for Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute based in Sydney, said the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework, "has been institutionalized through the formation of the Secretariat," and that he doubts that a change of government in Seoul "will have a substantial impact on the operations of the TSCF."

Yaacob added, "Given that Manila is embarking on military modernization, I believe Seoul will continue to maintain defense cooperation with Manila, driven more by the potential of sales of military equipment and less because of the Chinese factor."

Yaacob told VOA via email that South Korea has been a critical supplier of modern military equipment to the Philippines, such as FA-50 combat aircraft for the Air Force and frigates for the Navy.

Eric Ballbach, East Asia analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs based in Berlin, told VOA via email that South Korean opposition parties "acknowledge the significance of trilateral cooperation in this changed geopolitical context."

He added, "It was a smart move to institutionalize trilateral cooperation ahead" of any government change in Seoul.

Although the large-scale Indo-Pacific forum was canceled amid the upheaval, South Korea held a three-way Indo-Pacific Dialogue with the U.S. and Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday and discussed ways to strengthen stability and maritime security in the region.

Seoul also held a bilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue with Australia on Thursday and agreed to cooperate closely on maintaining a rules-based order in the region.
Rights groups are urging Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sign into law a bill that would abolish the death penalty, following the bills landmark passage Thursday by the country's senate, after earlier passage by the lower house of parliament.

In an interview with VOA, Zimbabwe's justice minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, said passage of the death abolition bill is welcomed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who, since coming to power in 2017, has refused to sign death warrants for those facing capital punishment.

"He is a man who has not been an advocate of death penalty," Ziyambi said. "The passage of the bill by the senate towards Christmas is an early Christmas present to him, as he has been an advocate to say, 'We can't do this.' And that's the reason why I said he is the man who is going to appreciate the work that has been done by both houses."

Human rights groups are now calling for Mnangagwa to sign the bill, among them Lucia Masuka, the head of Amnesty International in Zimbabwe.

"Amnesty International commends the progressive legislative efforts made so far to make the abolition of the death penalty from the countrys statutes a reality," Masuka said. "We urge the president to take heed of this historic landmark decision by signing this bill without delay and commuting all death sentences to prison terms. The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and has no place in our world."

In the past Mnangagwa has refused to sign some bills after parliament had passed them. But Ziyambi said that will not happen this time.

"How would I say its an early Christmas present if he does not want to sign it?" Ziyambi said. "He has lived the trauma of being on death row and was saved by a technicality. He is ready to sign like yesterday."

But not everyone is happy with this latest development. One of them is Zachariah Choga, an attorney in Harare.

"I still believe adequate to search was not properly done on this regard," he said. "If you look at the increase in crime in Zimbabwe at the moment, especially violent crimes, robberies, armed robberies to be specific house-breaking, it's only going to escalate further with the death penalty off the table because it appeared with the death penalty on the table. It could have been the only deterrent that we had at this particular point, but now with the death penalty gone, we're going to see a rise in violent crimes of that nature."

According to Amnesty International, 24 countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, while two additional countries have abolished it for ordinary crimes only.

Zimbabwes last known execution was in 2005, though courts continue to impose death sentences  for cases of murder committed under aggravating circumstances.

In April, all those condemned to death had their sentences commuted to life in prison by President Mnangagwa.
The United States plans to introduce sanctions against Serbias main gas supplier, which is controlled by Russia, Serbias president said Saturday.

President Aleksandar Vucic told state RTS broadcaster that Serbia has been officially informed that the decision on sanctions will come into force on January 1 but that he has so far not received any related documents from the U.S.

There has been no comment from U.S. officials.

Serbia almost entirely depends on Russian gas, which it receives through pipelines in neighboring states. The gas is then distributed by Petroleum Industry of Serbia, which is majority-owned by Russias state oil monopoly Gazprom Neft.

Vucic said that after receiving the official documents, we will talk to the Americans first, then we go talk to the Russians to try to reverse the decision. At the same time, we will try to preserve our friendly relations with the Russians and not to spoil relations with those who impose sanctions.

Although formally seeking European Union membership, Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion in Ukraine, in part because of the crucial Russian gas deliveries.

Vucic said that despite the embargo threat, Im not ready at this moment to discuss potential sanctions against Moscow.

Asked if the threat of U.S. sanctions against Serbia could change with the arrival of Donald Trumps administration in January, Vucic said, We must first get the [official] documents, and then talk to the current administration, because we are in a hurry.

The Serbian president is facing one of the biggest threats to more than a decade of his increasingly autocratic rule. Protests have been spreading by university students and others following the collapse last month of a concrete canopy at a railway station in the countrys north that killed 15 people on November 1.

Many in Serbia believe rampant corruption and nepotism among state officials led to sloppy work on the building reconstruction, which was part of a wider railroad project with Chinese state companies.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is building a military logistics hub in Botswana to ensure rapid deployment of troops. The construction follows the regional bloc's 2021 failure to quickly send forces to quell an insurgence in northern Mozambique.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his capacity as SADC chairperson, performed the groundbreaking ceremony Friday to mark the start of construction.

The 19 hectare-SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot will be built in Rasesa, 40 kilometers north of Gaborone.

"This groundbreaking ceremony is timely and marks a significant stride in our journey towards promoting and consolidating peace, stability and security in our region," said Mnangagwa. "Regrettably, the last four years have seen our region witnessing complex and multifaceted threats to peace and security. These require urgent and collective regional responses."

Having faced previous deployment challenges, Mnangagwa says the establishment of the center will ensure the region will be able to deploy troops quickly.

"The regional logistics depot will serve as a critical hub for the storage of and the rapid deployment of resources, personnel and equipment," said Mnangagwa. "This ensures that the SADC Standby Force has tactical capability to swiftly respond to the threats to peace and security."

However, Mnangagwa says only $15 million of the $45 million required to complete the facility has been raised. He appealed to international partners to come to the SADC's aid.

Botswana President Duma Boko said the military hub will give the SADC the capacity to intervene in strife-torn regions.

"They (people) are mostly unsafe in some of their countries. They face strife, they face belligerent hostilities," said Boko. "They are in distress and they are looking for help and we in SADC have taken it upon ourselves when these calls of distress are raised to step in, to step up and come to the rescue we set up therefore, a force through which we intervene in some of these situations."

Boko said the depot will be crucial to the distribution of military equipment when needed.

"We have taken it upon ourselves to respond, to take to these trouble spots and deploy forces to assist and to bring an end to the conflicts," said Boko. "Such missions require facilities where the equipment they will need in the execution of their missions will be kept and from which such equipment can then be moved and distributed with speed and dispatched to the front lines where it is needed."

Zimbabwe-based political analyst Effie Dlela Ncube said while it is critical to have the armory, regional leaders must first address the root cause of conflict.

"We need to go beyond that (deploying troops) and deal with the political, socio-economic, legal and other structural root causes of conflict in the region," said Ncube. "We need to ensure that there are free and fair elections so that people do not have to rely on war in order to change governments. We need to eradicate discrimination on the basis of where people come from, on the basis of the language they speak, because that is a key driver of conflict. We need to deal with poverty, corruption (and) economic inequalities."

The SADC has seen the emergence of trouble spots, notably in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in northern Mozambique.
Ukraine, the Middle East and now Syria are taking most of the worlds attention, yet Sudan has been ranked as the world's single biggest humanitarian crisis ever. For a second year in a row, Sudan topped a watchlist of global humanitarian crises, according to a report by the International Rescue Committee aid agency. The report says millions of civilians are bearing the brunt of the brutal civil war that erupted between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. The U.N. says the conflict has driven 11 million people from their homes and unleashed the world's biggest hunger crisis. A conversation with Michelle Gavin, the senior fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Syrian Kurdish groups have welcomed the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, viewing it as a historic opportunity for change after 54 years of rule by the Assad dynasty. However, concerns remain among Kurdish communities about potential opposition to Kurdish rights from the Islamist rebels who led the regime's overthrow.

Following Assad's fall on Sunday, Mazloum Abdi, the top commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, said, "This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantee the rights of all Syrians."

The SDF is the military arm of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which governs a significant portion of the country. On Thursday, the AANES announced its decision to raise the new Syrian flag adopted by the rebels.

Both the SDF and AANES have expressed their readiness to engage in dialogue with the new authorities in Damascus over the status of Syrian Kurds and other ethnic and religious minorities in territories under their administration.

Kamal Akif, a spokesperson for the AANES, confirmed in a statement on Friday that "the autonomous administration currently works to prepare for the dialogue period."

Syrian Kurds, who constitute nearly 15% of Syria's population of 24 million, have long faced persecution under successive governments in Syria. Their oppression intensified under the Baath party's rule, which began in 1963, stripping Kurds of basic civic, linguistic and cultural rights.

In the wake of Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011, Kurdish forces established control over their region in northeast Syria, eventually becoming a key partner of the United States in the fight against Islamic State group militants.

Preserving autonomy

Salih Muslim, a senior Kurdish politician with the Democratic Union Party, the de facto ruling party in northeast Syria, said the governing institutions that have been set up in recent years should be preserved.

"We have established a sophisticated governing system in our region, so we will not accept returning to the pre-2011 status," he told VOA in a phone interview. "We are ready to start a dialogue process with the new rulers in Damascus, who have so far been saying positive things about inclusiveness and coexistence in Syria."

The offensive that led to the overthrow of Assad's regime was headed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Following the capture of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city with a significant Kurdish population, the HTS political affairs office issued a statement saying that "Syrian Kurds have the full rights to live in dignity and freedom, as do all the Syrian people.

"We stand with the Kurds as we stand with all segments of the Syrian people and society in building the future Syria in which justice and dignity prevail for all," the statement said.

Other groups that participated in the anti-regime offensive are backed by Turkey, which views the SDF as a terrorist organization. These armed groups have intensified their attacks on Kurdish forces in recent days.

Salih Muslim said Kurds "fear that these groups will continue attacking our forces and further destabilizing our region."

Yerevan Saeed, director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at American University in Washington, said Kurdish unity is crucial at this critical juncture in Syria to safeguard Kurdish rights.

"For Kurds to preserve their autonomy in the region, the most effective course of action for the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Kurdish National Council is to negotiate a preliminary agreement and present a unified, credible and legitimate front in Damascus," Saeed told VOA.

The Kurdish National Council, or ENKS, a coalition of Kurdish parties that has often been at odds with the AANES, is aligned with the Turkey-based national Syrian opposition.

"This unified representation would be essential to securing Kurdish rights in the new Syrian constitution, much like the successful strategy employed by the Kurds in Iraq in 2003," Saeed added, referring to the unified Iraqi Kurdish front in Baghdad following the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Amy Austin Holmes, a professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, emphasized that the most effective approach for the SDF and its civilian component is to engage with all sides.

"Besides HTS, they should also reach out with other rebel factions, for example those in the southern front, as well as the ENKS," she told VOA.

The oil factor

The areas under SDF control in northeast Syria contain most of the country's oil and natural gas fields. Ahed al-Hendi, a Syrian affairs analyst based in Washington, said that this dynamic presents both opportunities and challenges for Syrian Kurdish groups.

"For the Kurdish administration, controlling oilfields could be the biggest leverage point and the most vulnerable one at the same time," he told VOA. "Controlling the oil means all eyes will be on the Kurds, including different hostile powers such as Turkey and the many Syrian rebel groups."

Hendi added that Kurds could leverage their control over oil resources if they successfully manage to integrate with the new Syrian state and demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the country's new phase.

"Controlling oil is a sovereignty matter. It belongs to the Syrian state," he said. "The Kurds can negotiate a proportional share of oil revenues as part of their integration."
Expressing a renewed desire to return to their homeland, some Syrian refugees residing Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, are hopeful that recent developments, including the ousting of the Assad family regime that brutally ruled Syria for 53 years, might signal a safer future in Syria.

Since the Syrian civil war broke out more than a decade ago, Syrians have fled to countries in the Middle East and Europe, as well as to African countries that have been grappling with instability.

Many Syrian refugees found themselves in Somalia, a war-torn nation in the Horn of Africa that has faced terrorist attacks, piracy and humanitarian crises.

On Wednesday, dozens of Syrian refugees in Mogadishu staged a demonstration marked with emotional speeches to celebrate the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Holding placards that read "We want to go home" and "Syria awaits us," the demonstrators expressed their longing for peace and stability in their homeland.

Some of them shared their stories with VOA.

"We are victorious because of the free Syrian army. Those in control [Syrian rebels] now are God-abiding people, not the ousted and strayed al-Assad," said Hussein Hikmat, a refugee from Damascus. "Here, Somalis welcomed us and supported us, but we will go back to our country."

Ali Al-Zahir, who fled from Aleppo, Syria's largest city, lost his wife and three children in the Syrian war. He arrived in Mogadishu in hopes of keeping his two surviving children safe.

"I am your brother from Aleppo, a city that suffered at the hands of al-Assad and his predator regime. Syria is free today, and free soldiers control it. I swear to God I want to return to my country," he said, in tears, reflecting on his deep desire to reunite with his homeland.

Syrian refugee Khadija Mohamed sells perfumes and tusbah, prayer beads used in Islamic practices, in Mogadishu. While she is hopeful about returning to Syria, she acknowledges the challenges her impoverished family faces.

"The situation in Syria is good. Bashar al-Assad is gone, and now Syria is in safe hands," Mohamed said. "I have lived in Somalia for two years with my husband and kids. We want to return, but our current situation does not allow us to do so."

Fatima Mohamed, another refugee, shared a cautious outlook.

"The situation in Syria is improving, and many places are free," she said. "It is not entirely stable yet. We hear that some of the Syrian prisoners arrested by the Assad regime are still in underground jails," she added, pointing out that conditions would need to be less volatile for her to consider returning home.

Like Fatima Mohamed, many Syrian refugees remain cautious despite their longing to return home.

Somali officials who spoke at the demonstrations have acknowledged the refugees' wishes and said they were working with international organizations to assess the situation in Syria and facilitate safe returns.

There is no official data on the number of Syrian refugees living in Somalia, but officials estimate it to be in the thousands.

Syrians who found refuge in Somalia said the two countries' history of amicable relations drove them.

The Syrians say Somalis' friendliness toward refugees and Somalia's lack of visa restrictions also drew them to Mogadishu and other major cities in the country.

In return, the Syrian refugees, which include doctors, nurses, engineers, chefs, technicians, and teachers among their ranks, have enriched Somalia culturally and economically because of the knowledge and skillsets they brought with them.

This story originated in VOA's Somali Service.
Thousands of Syrians gathered Friday in Damascus' historic main mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, while giant crowds celebrated in the capital's largest square. We spoke with Paul Salem, vice president for international engagement with the Middle East Institute. While Syria, Ukraine, the Middle East are taking most of the worlds attention, Sudan has been ranked as the world's single biggest humanitarian crisis ever. Michelle Gavin, Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations provides insights into the crisis.
Top diplomats from the United States, the Arab League and Turkey are meeting in Jordan to discuss how to assist Syrias transition after the fall of Bashar Assad's government a week ago.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined foreign ministers and senior officials from the European Union and United Nations in Jordan on Saturday to try to find consensus on what Syria's new leadership should prioritize. No Syrian representatives were set to attend.

The collapse of the Assad familys more than half-century of rule has sparked new fears of instability in a region already shaken by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and hostilities between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah despite a tenuous ceasefire.

The United States is making a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than 2 million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israels war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants.

The October 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Turkey reopens its embassy in Syria

Turkey reopened its embassy in Syria on Saturday, becoming the first country to do so since the end of Bashar Assads rule last weekend. The Syrian insurgents who overthrew Assad received vital help from Turkey.

The Turkish flag was raised above the compound in Damascus for the first time since diplomatic ties were cut in 2012. The embassy suspended operations 12 years ago due to insecurity during the Syrian civil war.

Several countries maintained diplomatic ties with Assad's government during the 13-year conflict, while others reopened their diplomatic missions in recent years as they sought to normalize relations.

Blinken wraps up regional tour in Jordan

Blinken says broad consensus exists among regional partners that Syrias new government must be inclusive, must respect women and minority rights, reject terrorism and secure and destroy suspected Assad-era chemical weapons stockpiles.

Blinken is wrapping up a three-country regional tour in Aqaba after visiting Iraq, Turkey and Jordan once already this week.

Earlier Saturday in a meeting with U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pederson, Blinken said he expected to talk about the challenges ahead for Syria and our determination to work together to support a Syrian-led transition where the United Nations plays a critical role, particularly when it comes to the provision of assistance, to the protection of minorities.

Pederson agreed, saying: What is so critical in Syria is that we see a credible and inclusive political process that brings together all communities in Syria. And the second point is that we need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible. And if we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people.

In announcing Saturdays meetings, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the ministers would discuss ways to support a comprehensive political process led by Syrians to achieve a transitional process, which ensures the reconstruction of Syrian state institutions, and preserves Syrias unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, security, stability and the rights of all its citizens.
President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time.

In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office.

"The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn't! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation," he wrote.

Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942.

Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act, had proposed making daylight saving time permanent.

The measure was sponsored by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department.

"Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary," Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure.

Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent.

Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it's time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun  and human biology.

Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences.

The U.S. states of Arizona and Hawaii don't change their clocks at all.
The partial transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam began on Saturday, 12 years after Japan and the United States agreed on their realignment to reduce the heavy burden of American troop presence on the southern Japanese island, officials said.

The relocation started with 100 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed on Okinawa moving to the Pacific island for the initial logistical work, the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan's Defense Ministry said in a joint statement.

Under the plan agreed between Tokyo and Washington in April 2012, about 9,000 of the 19,000 Marines currently stationed on Okinawa are to be moved out of Okinawa, including about 4,000 of them to be moved to the U.S. territory Guam in phases. Details, including the size and timing of the next transfer, were not immediately released.

The Marine Corps is committed to the defense of Japan and meeting operational requirements to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, and it will maintain presence in the region "through a combination of stationing and rotating Marines in Japan, Guam and Hawaii," the joint statement said.

Japan has paid up to $2.8 billion for the building of infrastructure at the U.S. bases on Guam, and the United States will fund the remaining costs. The two governments will continue to cooperate on the development of Camp Blaz, which will serve as the main installation for Marines stationed in Guam.

The Marines and Japan Self Defense Forces will conduct joint training in Guam, the statement said.

Okinawa, which was under U.S. postwar occupation until 1972, is still home to a majority of the more than 50,000 American troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact, while 70% of U.S. military facilities are on Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japanese land.

Many Okinawans have long complained about the heavy U.S. military presence on the island and say Okinawa faces noise, pollution, aircraft accidents and crime related to American troops.

The relocation is likely to be welcomed by residents, but how much improvement they will feel is uncertain because of the rapid Japanese military buildup on Okinawan islands as a deterrence to threats from China.

The start of the Marines relocation comes at a time of growing anti-U.S. military sentiment following a series of sexual assault cases involving American servicemembers.

On Thursday, a senior Air Force servicemember belonging to the Kadena Air Base was convicted of the kidnapping and sexual assault of a teenage girl last year, a case that triggered outrage on the island. The Naha District Court sentenced him to five years in prison.
Dozens of women in Diyarbakr held a demonstration in the city square, protesting wars and deaths everywhere, but particularly in Syria and the Kurdish areas, which faces threats from armed groups.

Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Turkey is preparing for nearly 3 million Syrian refugees to return to their country. But experts say the process will be challenging.

Metin Corabatir, head of the Research Center on Asylum and Migration, discusses the complexities of their return.

Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
They were part of Iran's "Axis of Resistance"  Syria-based proxy groups created to defend the former Assad regime as part of Iran's campaign to expand its influence across the Middle East.

The Fatemiyoun Brigade was made up of Afghan Shiites brought in from Iran; the Zainebiyoun Brigade was composed of their Pakistani religious cohorts.

At the height of the Syrian civil war, the two groups fought in major battles, helping Syrian forces to reclaim lost territory from the Islamic State group (IS), including Palmyra and Aleppo in 2016 and Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor in 2017.

But when a coalition of anti-Assad rebels swept the country in recent weeks, most abandoned their posts and fled, according to news accounts and researchers who follow these groups.

"They folded so quickly that central bases that I knew for a fact were surrounded by at least 1,000 of these guys were empty," said Phillip Smyth, who has researched Iranian proxy groups for nearly 20 years.

Their whereabouts remain uncertain. But experts say Iran is unlikely to disband them at a time when Hamas and Hezbollah  two other members of the Axis of Resistance  are reeling from devastating Israeli strikes.

"They need forces like this," Smyth said in an interview, referring to Iran. "They can no longer rely on Lebanese Hezbollah. They can no longer rely on a lot of other regional partners, so I think if we look at this, they kind of have to not only keep it going, but they're going to have to probably develop it in a different way."

Origins

The Fatemiyoun and the Zainebiyoun emerged in the early years of the Syrian civil war as the fundamentalist Sunni IS began threatening the Assad regime and targeting Shiite shrines in Syria and other Shiite sites.

The Fatemiyoun started in 2012 with just a handful of Afghan Shiite volunteers. Some had fought in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the 1990s Afghan civil war, while others were living as refugees in Syria.

Initially fighting alongside other pro-Assad militias in Syria, they emerged as an independent group in 2013, largely led by Iranian military commanders, according to Smyth.

The Pakistani Zainebiyoun, the smaller of the two groups, was initially part of the Afghan Fatemiyoun, according to Smyth. But the Pakistanis didn't always "mesh" with the Afghans, so Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) decided to split them off, according to Smyth.

Despite initial denials, the IRGC's involvement in recruiting, arming, training and funding the two militias was an open secret, according to researchers.

The IRGC used a combination of incentives and coercion to recruit Afghan refugees and migrants. Undocumented Afghans were offered money and the promise of legal status. Some were pulled out of prisons and were promised that their criminal records would be expunged if they joined the Fatemiyoun, according to Smyth.

Others were religiously and ideologically motivated, determined to defend Shiite shrines against IS. Many Afghans and Pakistanis were recruited from religious seminaries in Iran.

The recruitment effort extended to Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Iran-allied Shiite groups enlisted volunteers, drawing fire from the authorities.

According to Fakhar Hayat Kakakhel, a researcher on militant outfits in Pakistan, many Zainebiyoun members were recruited from Pakistan's Shiite-dominated Kurram tribal district, Gilgit region, southern Punjab and the Hazara population in Quetta.

As the civil war intensified and IS emerged as a potent force, the ranks of the two groups swelled.

In 2015, a news outlet affiliated with the general staff of the Iranian armed forces reported that the Fatemiyoun had been upgraded from a brigade to a division, suggesting it had between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers.

Smyth estimates their number more conservatively at 5,000 to 10,000. The Zainebiyoun was about half that size with 2,500 to 4,000 fighters, according to Smyth.

Role in Syrian civil war

The two groups played a significant role during the Syrian civil war, serving as key pillars of support for the Assad regime. At various points during the conflict, they operated across nearly all of Syria's governorates, said Muaz Al Abdullah, Middle East research manager at Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), an independent research group.

Their mission, according to Abdullah, was "to retake control of areas from IS and then to defend the Syrian government military and pro-government military bases." Members of the Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun also participated in battles in Aleppo and southern Syria, Abdullah said.

In 2018, a Fatemiyoun official said that 2,000 of its own fighters had been killed and 8,000 wounded. No figures on Zainebiyoun casualties are available.

Smyth said the Fatemiyoun were often used as "cannon fodder."

"Let's say Lebanese Hezbollah needed to be used a little bit more readily in Lebanon, then they could pull out, leave some command elements on the ground to control Fatemiyoun, and then have the Fatemiyoun guys there," Smyth said.

Final days of Assad regime

In recent years, as the Assad regime consolidated its control over much of the country, the number of militia forces fighting in Syria dwindled. Yet even before the Assad regime's fall, there were still 2,500 to 5,000 Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun fighters in Syria, Smyth said.

Mostly concentrated in northeastern Syria, smaller forces operated in Damascus, and some were occasionally deployed to Aleppo and other parts of the country, he said.

As the rebels began their surprise offensive late last month, some experts predicted a fierce battle for Damascus, expecting the IRGC and its proxies to defend the regime.

Videos circulated by Iraqi militia last week showed the Fatemiyoun around the shrine of Zainab outside Damascus.

"Some of them were claiming these Fatemiyoun want to stay and defend the shrine. They're not getting ready to leave," Smyth said.

On Iranian television, IRGC officials echoed that message.

They were saying "don't worry, our boys, the guys we trained  were fighting very, very hard," Smyth said. "I haven't seen any evidence of that. There are no casualty lists. There is no claim of what was going on."

Instead, anti-government rebels found abandoned bases, capturing the scene on video.

One video shows an armed rebel fighter inside a former Fatemiyoun base shouting "Khomeini's pigs" as he rips out Fatemiyoun and Iranian flags. Another shows a larger base in Idlib with walls painted with the Fatemiyoun flag and ransacked rooms with Persian language posters and signs scattered around.

Where they went remains uncertain. Iranian officials haven't commented, but news reports have indicated that some were flown to Iran along with IRGC forces. Others are said to have crossed into neighboring Iraq or followed fleeing Hezbollah forces into Lebanon.

Smyth speculates that some remnants of the two groups might still be in Syria, awaiting evacuation. However, a return to Afghanistan and Pakistan seems improbable, given that authorities have cracked down on returning fighters.

Iftikhar Hussain of VOA Deewa contributed to this report.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Russia has begun deploying North Korean soldiers to storm Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region.

Zelenskyy said in his evening address that he had "preliminary evidence that the Russians have begun to use soldiers from North Korea in assaults  a noticeable number of them."

He said that according to his information, "the Russians include [North Koreans] in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region," where Ukraine has been mounting an incursion since August.

Zelenskyy said he has also heard that the North Koreans "may be used in other parts of the front line," and that "losses among this category are also already noticeable."

Zelenskyy said last month that 11,000 North Korean troops were in Russia's western Kursk region and had already sustained "losses."

Washington and Seoul have accused Pyongyang of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Moscow, after Russia and North Korea signed a landmark defense pact this summer.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Surprised by the Kursk incursion, Russia has since continuously clawed back territory, halting Ukraine's advance and rushing reinforcements to the region.

A Ukrainian army source told AFP last month Kyiv still controlled 800 square kilometers of the Kursk region, down from previous claims it controlled almost 1,400 square kilometers.

Ukraine hits Russian oil terminal

Ukraine said Saturday it attacked an oil terminal in Russia's western Oryol region overnight, sparking a fire.

The governor of Oryol said on Telegram that fuel caught fire at "a facility" in the region after a "massive drone attack."

The Ukraine military's General Staff said Kyiv's forces attacked a major oil depot in Stalnoi Kon, about 165 kilometers into Russian territory.

"It's one of the largest oil terminals in the suburbs of the city of Oryol" and is part of a "military industrial complex" that supplies the Russian army, the General Staff said.

Russian media showed images, purportedly of the attack, showing clouds of smoke billowing up into the night sky from a fire.

Oryol regional Governor Andrey Klychkov said Saturday on Telegram that Russian anti-air defenses shot down Ukrainian drones during the attack and that the fire was brought under control at 5 a.m., although it had not yet been extinguished.

He said there were no casualties.

Other developments

In Russia's Belgorod region, which also borders Ukraine, a drone attack killed a 9-year-old boy and wounded his mother and baby sister, said Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

He posted photos of the family's home with a huge hole in the facade and the roof partially torn off.

Ukraine regularly attacks military and energy infrastructure in Russia, sometimes deep into its invading neighbor's territory, in response to Russian attacks on its own infrastructure.

Kyiv's General Staff said Russia attacked overnight with 132 drones, claiming 130 of them were downed or failed to reach targets.

Russia's military said Saturday that it shot down 60 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Photo: Mike Windle/Getty Images

Paula Abdul has reached a private settlement with American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe. According to court documents obtained by the Associated Press and People, Abdul filed to end the lawsuit she filed in December 2023 that accused him of sexually assaulting her two times (once while she was judging American Idol in the early 2000s and once around the time she began judging So You Think You Can Dance in 2015). In an amended complaint submitted this October, Abdul further alleged that Lythgoe had sexually assaulted her on a third occasion. The case was previously scheduled to go to trial in August 2025, but is now expected to be dismissed.

I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me, Abdul said in a statement on December 13. This has been a long and hard-fought personal battle. I hope my experience can serve to inspire other women, facing similar struggles, to overcome their own challenges with dignity and respect, so that they too can turn the page and begin a new chapter of their lives. She previously settled with the production companies behind American Idol and SYTYCD  originally named as co-defendants  in April.

Lythgoe, who has denied all of Abduls allegations and maintained that their interactions had been entirely platonic, also addressed the settlement in a December 13 statement. We live in a troubling time where a person is now automatically assumed to be guilty until proven innocent, a process that can take years, he said. That is why, like Paula, I am glad to be able to put this behind me. I know the truth and that gives me great comfort.

In the months after Abdul filed her original complaint, Lythgoe was sued for sexual assault by four other anonymous accusers, including two women who filed a joint claim over allegations tied to their time competing on the reality show All American Girl in 2003. Per Rolling Stone, Lythgoe was dismissed from the All American Girl suit this July, with a judge ruling that a law that lifts the statute of limitations for certain sexual-abuse claims did not apply to their allegations. Lythgoe celebrated the decision, saying in a statement at the time, I hope and expect that this will be the first of many similar wins as I continue to fight to clear my name.
Strike action to affect airports in Italy on Sunday.

Air travellers in Italy face disruption on Sunday 15 December due to strike action by air traffic controllers and baggage handlers at airports around the country.

There are several strikes scheduled on Sunday affecting the airport sector in Italy, including a 24-hour strike by TechnoSky air navigation staff.

ENAV air traffic controllers are to strike from 13.00 to 17.00 at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bari, Brindisi and Catania airports, resulting in possible disruption to flights.

Baggage handlers and airport workers from Assohandlers will also be on strike across the country from 13.00 to 17.00. The strike is likely to impact airport operations including check-in and baggage services but should not affect flights.

ITA Airways said it has been forced to cancel 37 national and international flights scheduled for Sunday, due to the strike action, including connections to Rome, Milan, London and Brussels.

Rome airport management company Aeroporti di Roma warned that some flights could be delayed or cancelled due to the strike and advised passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.

The website of Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC contains information about strikes and the time slots when flights are guaranteed under Italian law.

Sunday's strike action comes two days after a 24-hour general strike impacted public transport, schools and healthcare services, leading to traffic chaos in Rome.

For official information about public transport strikes in Italy see the transport ministry website.

Photo credit: Canary4stock / Shutterstock.com.
Jason Reitmans movie, Saturday Night, now playing in cinemas, offers a reminder of the crackling sense of self-belief that fuelled SNL at its birth. Set backstage on the night of the shows debut, the film captures the boundless cockiness of that first group of SNL writers and performers. The show was live. Network TV was central to the culture. America was watching. Anything could happen. In SNLs early days, the political satire was broad. During the shows first season, the bumbling Gerald Ford was president. Chevy Chase, who looked nothing like him, became the shows resident Ford impersonator. He didnt wear any special make-up or anything. He just fell over a lot. Gabriel La Belle (left) as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, and Matt Wood as John Belushi in Saturday Night Live. Credit: When Jimmy Carter succeeded Ford as president, Dan Ackroyd portrayed Carter without even shaving off his moustache. In later years, SNL got more serious about its political impersonations. Dana Carvey, wearing all the appropriate prosthetics, did a bang-on George Bush snr. Darrell Hammond did a candidly libidinous Bill Clinton. Will Ferrell played Bush jnr as a gibbering ninny. Tina Fey did a withering Sarah Palin. In 1976, the real Gerald Ford made a cameo on the show, inaugurating a tradition of comity between SNL and the politicians it pilloried. Bush snr invited Dana Carvey to the White House, and the two became close friends. Bush jnr claimed to enjoy Ferrells mockery of his verbal misadventures. Brutal as Feys impression of her was, Palin was gutsy enough to appear on the show and face the music in person.

This was all very civilised: it showed that Americas politicians were on the same page as its comedians. They had the same basic values, the same innate commitment to democracy. The fact that we can laugh at each other, said Bush snr, is a very fundamental thing. All this changed during Trumps first term. Before becoming president, Trump hosted SNL twice. Once he was in power, relations between him and the show curdled. When Alec Baldwin played him on the show, Trump rancorously denounced him, via Twitter, as an unfunny hack with a mediocre dieing [sic] career. Alec Baldwin portrays President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. Credit: In reply, Baldwin vowed to keep playing Trump until the job was done. Id like to hang in there for the impeachment hearings, he tweeted, the resignation speech, the farewell helicopter ride to Mar-a-Lago. You know. The good stuff. That weve all been waiting for. Many American norms were eroded or upended during the first Trump administration. Certainly, the norms at SNL changed. The show had always gone after American politicians. But never before had it suggested that one of them posed an existential threat to democracy. With Trump, the gloves came off.

Baldwin played Trump 46 times on SNL between 2016 and 2020. Halfway through that stint, he was already wondering if there was something counter-productive about his Trump impression. I think Im going to do some [more] of it, but not a whole lot, he said in 2018. There is a lot of fatigue here. Fatigue was right. Half the people in America didnt need Baldwin to keep reminding them that Trump was absurd. They could see it with their own eyes. The rest of America either didnt agree, or didnt think absurdity was an undesirable trait in a president. Forty-six impressions of Trump was both too much and not enough. There was something about the man that defied or defeated satire. Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton and Hillary Clinton as Val on SNL in 2015. Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Ours is a useful trade, Mark Twain wrote in 1888, speaking on behalf of Americas humorists. With all its lightness and frivolity it has one serious purpose  the deriding of shams, the exposure of pretentious falsities, the laughing of stupid superstitions out of existence. Hard as Americas satirists tried to laugh Trump off the scene, the underlying logic of their trade no longer seemed to apply in the Trump era. The exposure of pretentious falsities? If you were listing Trumps flaws, pretentiousness wouldnt make the top 50.

Previous American politicians had always at least pretended to have qualities  intelligence, decency, integrity  that everybody agreed were virtues. But Trump was cheating the satirists. He wasnt playing by the old rules. You cant be false to an ideal if you dont even acknowledge that the ideal exists. With Trump, there was nothing for the satirists to expose that hadnt been grotesquely visible for years. The problem isnt that his faults remain hidden. Its that not enough people consider them to be faults. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in Dont Look Up. Credit: In 2021, the all-star disaster movie, Dont Look Up, took satirical aim at Trump. A giant comet was heading towards Earth. Doom was inevitable unless the world, led by America, could get its act together. But the American president, played by Meryl Streep, was a female Trump  an unserious oaf with a dangerously short attention span. Instead of blowing the comet out of the sky, she urged her base to chant the reality-denying slogan, Dont look up.

Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio, playing an exasperated astrophysicist, vainly tried to make his fellow Americans see sense. If we cant all agree at a bare minimum that a giant comet the size of Mount Everest hurtling toward planet Earth is not a f---ing good thing, he said, then what the hell happened to us? What have we done to ourselves? Loading Dont Look Up failed to avert Trumps second coming. But at least it succeeded in diagnosing the underlying problem. Nowadays, there is no bare-minimum proposition, no matter how flagrantly true it would seem to be, that all Americans can agree on. That makes it hard for satire to function. But forget about satire. Democracy itself is in trouble, when people stop believing in a common reality. On the last SNL before the election, the shows current version of Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, addressed a rally. Im out of gas, he said. Im exhausted  Make it stop  Who cares? Nobody cares.
Police believe a third party may have been involved in the suspicious and brutal alleged murder of a woman whose body was discovered in dense bushland near Sydney Airport on Monday and the disappearance of her husband in unusual circumstances.

Detectives uncovered the identity of married couple Zhuojun Sally Li and Jai-Bao Rex Chen on Saturday. The pair, both 33 years old, lived in a rental unit in Greenacre, in Sydneys west.

The body of Zhuojun Sally Li (left) was discovered near Sydney airport on Monday. Police hold grave concerns for her husband, Jai-Bao Rex Chen (right). Credit: NSW Police

Chen is originally from Taiwan, while Li moved to Australia from China as a child 20 years ago.

Lis severely decomposed body was discovered by a passerby in Botany on Monday morning wrapped in plastic. Lis mother reported her missing to Parramatta police earlier this month after she was unable to reach her daughter.
A man has died north of Perth after an early morning brawl on Saturday.

Major Crime detectives are investigating after reports a fight broke out between several people in Capilano Avenue in Yanchep.

It is believed the friends of a 20-year-old man seriously injured in the fight had been attempting to drive him to hospital when they were intercepted by police about 3.10am on Wanneroo Road, between Trian Road and Kiro Street in Carabooda.

Police officers provided first aid to the man until St John paramedics arrived  but he was unable to be revived.
I was saddened to learn of his death only a few hours later. Howard said Andrews was a devoted family man who always placed the welfare of his family ahead of all other considerations.

Liberal MP Kevin Andrews in federal parliament in December 2021. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen On Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he offered the Andrews family a state funeral, and paid tribute to the former ministers old school values He was always very personable to deal with across the parliament ... He could have strong views but always put them forward in a polite and appropriate way, and hes someone who is respected for that across the parliament, Albanese said.

In 1996, Andrews, a devout Catholic, brought forward a bill to repeal the world-first assisted dying scheme introduced by the Northern Territory parliament. The legislation was passed in 1997. When he was minister for workplace relations under Howard, Andrews was responsible for bringing in the controversial Work Choices legislation amendment, which aimed to unify national workplace relations laws. Work Choices was later repealed under Kevin Rudds Labor government. Tony Abbott and Kevin Andrews during the marriage equality bill debate at Parliament House in 2017. Credit: Getty Former prime minister Tony Abbott  whom Andrews served in the defence and social services ministries  described Andrews as a highly effective minister, loyal, and a good friend. His strong sense of duty and service, his human decency and common sense, made him an adornment to our public life and an exemplar for future generations, Abbott said.

Kevin was honourably and consistently committed to the sanctity of human life. He understood the critical difference between declining to keep alive someone who would otherwise be dead and deliberately killing someone who would otherwise be alive. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton described Andrews as a Liberal stalwart and the finest of men. He was a man of faith, family, intellect, and service, he said in a statement. On behalf of the federal Coalition, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Kevins colleagues, his friends, and his family  especially to his dear wife, Margie, and their children. Former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison said Andrews would be greatly missed.

Kevin was a selfless public servant who lived his sincere faith through his devotion to his wife, Margie, and his family, his passion for the Liberal Party and his patriotism for our country, Morrison said. Former federal treasurer Peter Costello called Andrews a man of strong conviction. Kevin Andrews has been described by friends and former colleagues as a man of strong conviction. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen He made important contributions to policy in defence and family policy, and he was working and writing on these issues to the end, Costello said. His family and those he worked with can be proud of his legacy.

In 2007, Andrews famously revoked Dr Mohamed Haneefs Australian visa. Haneef had been granted bail after being arrested in connection with terrorist attacks in Britain. When asked why he revoked Haneefs visa, Andrews cited secret information supplied by the Australian Federal Police. That decision kept Haneef incarcerated until the case collapsed. Federal Liberal frontbencher Michael Sukkar said Andrews had ultimately inspired his own entry into politics, and that he was deeply saddened by the loss of his close friend. Guided by his faith, he always fought for important causes and stood tall in defence of timeless values, said Sukkar, the MP for the neighbouring seat of Deakin. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched, and we celebrate the very full and consequential life he lived.

Andrews successor in Menzies, Keith Wolahan, said: While much will rightly be said of Kevins significant contributions to the parliament and our nation, it is his role as a devoted husband and loving father that stands above all. His family was the heart of his life, and their loss is one shared by all who knew and respected him. Bill Shorten, a former Labor leader and minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, said Andrews was a gentleman who wore his faith with pride. While we were opposed on many political fronts, I respected that he always fought for his values; what you saw was what you got, Shorten said. Tributes have flowed in for Andrews, attesting to his faith and conviction. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen In his final term, he did excellent work chairing the joint committee on the NDIS on a bipartisan basis  [and was] an experienced politician committed to the best interests of NDIS participants.

Liberal senator Sarah Henderson said Andrews was a leading light of the Victorian Liberal Party. I greatly admired and respected Kevin for his work as an MP and minister, and as father of the house, Henderson said. Kevins leadership on opposing euthanasia and providing greater support for palliative care inspired so many Australians, including me. Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson said he would miss Andrews, calling him thoroughly decent and thoughtful, while Queensland senator Matt Canavan remembered Andrews as a fighter and a gentleman. Andrews lost preselection for Menzies to former special forces captain Keith Wolahan before the 2022 federal election, prompting his exit from politics after more than 30 years.
Douma, Syria: The industrial-scale drug lab sat just up a hill from a main road on the western edge of Damascus, the city that was the seat of power for the Assad family which long denied any links to the narcotics trade.

Deposed president Bashar al-Assads government in Syria was accused by Washington and others of profiteering from the production and sale of the addictive amphetamine-like stimulant commonly known as captagon, which became entrenched across the Middle East, from front lines of wars to construction sites and high-end parties.

Amphetamine pills, known as Captagon, found hidden in electrical components at the lab in Douma, Syria. Credit: AP

The annual trade in captagon is worth billions of dollars a year, experts say, and Western governments have linked the illicit trade in Syria to Assads brother, Maher al-Assad, and the Fourth Division of the Syrian army he commanded.

Mahers whereabouts are unknown and Reuters could not reach him for comment on the allegations.
China, U.S. extend agreement on science, technology cooperation for further 5 years

Xinhua) 09:04, December 14, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States on Friday signed a protocol to amend and extend the Agreement Between the United States and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology.

They have agreed to extend the Agreement for additional five years, effective from August 27, 2024, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

On January 31, 1979, then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and the 39th U.S. president Jimmy Carter signed the agreement during Deng's visit to the United States. It was one of the first intergovernmental agreements signed between the two countries following their establishment of diplomatic relations.

Since then, it has renewed approximately every five years, paving the way for sci-tech exchanges between the two countries. The agreement was extended for 6 months in August last year, and again in February this year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Ellen O'Donoghue

Two male off-duty members of An Garda Siochana were injured in an alleged assault in Dublin in the early hours of Saturday morning, leaving one in critical condition.

The alleged assault occurred at around 1.30am at the junction of Dame St and Euston St, Dublin 2.

An early line of inquiry is that it was an unprovoked attack.

One of the men (40s) was taken to Beaumont Hospital Dublin where he is currently in critical condition.

The other man, whose age is unknown at this time, was taken to St James's Hospital Dublin for medical treatment and has since been discharged.

No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

An incident room led by a senior investigating officer has been established at Pearse Street Garda Station.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward. Anyone who may have camera footage, including dash cam, from the Dame St/Temple Bar area between 1am and 1.45am are asked to make the footage available to investigating gardai.

Gardai are particularly looking to speak with any taxi drivers who were driving in the Dame St area at the time and may have footage.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

A mild and dry evening, then becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night. .

Tonight

A mild and dry evening, then becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

A mild and dry evening, then becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night. .

Tonight

A mild and dry evening, then becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night.
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...
BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Macao from Dec. 18 to 20 to attend a gathering marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be present at the inauguration ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Xi will also conduct an inspection tour during his stay in the Macao SAR.

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Teng Ge
BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua)  President Xi Jinping on Friday said the central authorities fully support Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering new momentum and advantages for economic development.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.

Noting that Hong Kong faces new development opportunities, Xi said the central authorities would fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society in actively pursuing reform and progress, and in pursuing prosperity through innovation and creativity.

Commending Lee's work over the past year, Xi said Lee had led the HKSAR government in shouldering responsibilities and delivering concrete results.

In the past year, the HKSAR government has completed the historic legislation under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, pooled resources in boosting economic development, addressed livelihood problems such as housing and healthcare, strengthened external exchanges and cooperation, and continuously enhanced Hong Kong's international prestige, thus further consolidating Hong Kong's positive momentum of stability and development, Xi said.

The central authorities fully acknowledge the work of Lee and the HKSAR government, he said.

Senior officials including Li Qiang, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.

President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Teng Ge
Weather Alert

...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. &&
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the United Kingdom held its Seventh National Congress from November 29 to December 2, 2024.

The Congress unanimously passed two resolutions, War, the class struggle and the tasks of the Socialist Equality Party and Free Bogdan Syrotiuk!, after extensive and engaged discussion involving party members from the most longstanding, in their 80s and 90s with decades of experience in the socialist movement, to the newest recruits in their early 20s. All spoke with the benefit of the last two years of intense political activity and theoretical education.

Large delegations from the international Trotskyist movement of which the SEP is a sectionthe International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)participated throughout, giving valuable contributions. Greetings were delivered on behalf of the sections of the ICFI in the US, Canada, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Australia, and sympathising groups in Brazil, Turkey and New Zealand.

Chris Marsden was re-elected the partys National Secretary, Thomas Scripps the partys Assistant National Secretary, and Robert Stevens the National Editor of the World Socialist Web Site.

Marsden opened the Congress with a tribute and minutes silence for Wolfgang Weber, who died on November 16 at the age of 75. Wolfgang, a leading figure in the SEP in Germany, and its forerunner the League of Socialist Workers, spent more than half a century as an active participant in the Trotskyist movement.

Our cadre are united in their detestation of human suffering, hatred of oppression, a burning desire to change the world for the better, a readiness to fight for this at whatever personal cost, and an understanding that the party is the only mechanism for the realisation of these aims, said Marsden. Wolfgang was such a man and dedicated his entire adult life and considerable intellect to the cause of socialism.

His example of principled revolutionary struggle based on the lessons of history was a living part of the Congress, referenced by delegates from the SEP in the UK and internationally.

Chris Marsden speaking at the SEP's 2024 election rally.

Marsdens opening report addressed the looming danger of a Third World War, the rise of the far-right, the implications of the election of Donald Trump as US president for world politics, and the reactionary offensive planned by the right-wing, warmongering Labour government.

We must make this clear, he summarised, We are in uncharted territory and none of the old methods of struggle will suffice. Everything depends upon the working class understanding this. This begins and ends with the education of our cadre and the fully rounded assimilation of our analysis and its confirmation.

He cited the remarks made by chairperson of the WSWS David North in a recent webinar:

There are many, many reasons to believe that we are now coming to the climactic stage of what Trotsky called the Death Agony of Capitalism. Either the capitalist system is ended finally, or it will destroy human civilization. Thats the way political questions are posed today. And so the central question now is the development of this world movement, the revival of a genuine socialist movement in the working class. And when we say that Trotskyism is the Marxism of the 21st century, what we mean is that Trotskyism, the Trotskyist movement, is the embodiment, or embedded in the Trotskyist movement are all the historical lessons of the past century.

In his introduction to the main resolution, Scripps noted that in the two years since the last congress the working class and young people have been driven by their socio-economic situation, and their response to international developments, up against the limits of their own present political organisation and understanding.

He continued, It is undoubtedly the case that the working class, in Britain and internationally, is being brought into ever sharper opposition with the increasingly brutal reality of contemporary capitalism. But that context only poses the questions that have to be answered by the revolutionary party.

Tom Scripps speaking at the SEP's 2024 election rally

These opening reports will be made available. The main resolution has been published today and is available to read here.

Particular focus was placed at the Congress on the work to build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, and to defend the heritage of Trotskyism and introduce its essential political perspective to the workers and young people being radicalised by the spiralling crisis of capitalism.

Tony Robson, a member of the SEPs national committee, explained of the SEPs work to help build rank-and-file committees: The issue is how we bring forward the constituency within the working class that is looking for a means a fight. The fight to build a rank-and-file committee as a centre of opposition to the bureaucracy means clarifying workers that they do not face a trade union struggle.

We formulate demands which workers recognise must be fought for as non-negotiable. These are imbued with a perspective which connects the defensive struggles on jobs and conditions with the issue of workers control and a socialist reorganisation of society.

Many delegates spoke on the recent attacks on the Trotskyist movement authored by John Kelly (The Twilight of World Trotskyism) and Aidan Beatty (The Party is Always Right), which the resolution identifies as the latest in a serious of efforts to cut students and young people off from the revolutionary traditions they must become familiar with. SEP members gave powerful articulation to those traditions, vindicating the renewed focus which the ICFI placed upon the study of its own history with its 2023 US Summer School lecture series.

The most powerful contribution came from Barbara Slaughter, who was an active member of the Socialist Labour League and the Workers Revolutionary Partythe predecessors of the SEP. She explained how during the 1950s and 60s, when the Trotskyist movement was decimated by the counter revolutionary tendency of Pabloite revisionism, Gerry Healy [the leader of the Socialist Labour League] fought against all the odds for the continuity of the Fourth International.

When, in 1963, the Socialist Workers Party [in America, led by James P. Cannon] joined the Pabloites in the United Secretariat, the Socialist Labour League stood alone on the world stage, embodying in its struggle all the lessons of the history of the revolutionary movement going back to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, and beyond.

Barbara Slaughter

The Socialist Equality Parties internationally have been fighting for the freedom of our Ukrainian comrade Bogdan Syrotiuk since his imprisonment by the regime of Volodymyr Zelensky for the crime of fighting to unify Ukrainian and Russian workers in a socialist struggle against the NATO-Russia war. Delegates to the Congress pledged to redouble those efforts in passing the resolution Free Bogdan Syrotiuk!

Scripps explained, Bogdan is a target of the far-right dictatorship that daily descends to new levels of authoritarianism and cruelty to enforce the demands of the Ukrainian oligarchy, and above all the imperialist ruling class. But of course, hes much more than that. He stands not only for a general opposition to the war but a socialist programme to bring about its end. He represents the revival of the genuine traditions of international Marxism, the traditions of Trotskyism, within the former republics of the Soviet Union.

In concluding, Marsden observed, The political chasm between ourselves and the pseudo-left, made clear in our draft resolution and contributions from comrades here and especially internationally is becoming ever more apparent. And here we are looking at the objective basis for the realignment of the working class on the axis of revolutionary Marxism, of socialist internationalismin short of the political triumph of genuine Trotskyism.

We encourage our readers to study the published resolutions, and the reports delivered and take the decision to join the SEP.
Following the overthrow of the Russian/Iranian-backed regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by militias led by the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the struggle by the US, Israel and Turkey to carve up and plunder the country has accelerated.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey Thursday evening after a visit to Jordan and held separate meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, Turkey, Monday November 6, 2023. [AP Photo/Jonathan Ernst]

Also Thursday, Ibrahim Kaln, head of Turkeys National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), travelled to Damascus and met with HTS leader Mohammed al-Jolani (real name Ahmed Hussein al-Shara) and Syrias newly appointed Prime Minister Mohammed Bashir.

Turkey has just re-established diplomatic relations with Syria, broken off in 2012, by appointing a temporary charge daffaires to its embassy in Damascus. This and Kalns visit are attempts to legitimise the HTS, which is considered a terrorist organization on paper, and to draw it into Ankaras sphere of influence.

After their talks with Blinken, Erdogan and Fidan made clear that Ankaras main concern is to prevent the Kurds from gaining official status in Syria under the leadership of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)-affiliated Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Ankara demands that Washington stop supporting the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a condition for closer cooperation with its imperialist ally.

After the meeting between Erdogan and Blinken, the Directorate of Communication stated, President Erdogan noted that, primarily for its national security, Turkiye will take preventive measures against all terrorist organizations operating in Syria and posing a threat to Turkiye, mainly the PKK/PYD/YPG and DAESH [ISIS], adding that as the only NATO country that has engaged in close combat against DAESH, Turkiye will prevent the PKK and its extensions from taking advantage of the situation on the ground and will never allow any weakness in the fight against DAESH.

Blinken, who met with Fidan Friday morning, said afterwards, As the (foreign) minister said, were very focused on Syria, very focused on the opportunity that now is before us, adding that We talked about how Turkey and how the United States, how other partners in the region, can support those efforts, and I think theres broad agreement on what we would each like to see going forward.

What both Washington and Ankara agree on is deepening collaboration with their al-Qaeda-linked proxies and plundering Syria.

In his remarks, Fidan said, We discussed in detail the roles of both Turkiye and the US, as well as regional actors, and how we can cooperate. Our priorities are to stabilize Syria as soon as possible, to prevent terrorism, to prevent DAESH and PKK from dominating there. We talked about what we will do about these, our common concerns and their solutions.

The Erdogan government has stepped up its efforts to impose the interests of the Turkish ruling class as much as possible in Syria. On November 27, following the launch of the HTS offensive, the Turkish-backed Islamist Syrian National Army (SNA, former Free Syrian Army) captured the SDF-held town of Tal Rifaat and then attacked Manbij. SDF commander Mazlum Abdi said that after the clashes they reached a ceasefire with the SNA in Manbij under US mediation.

Turkish airstrikes also destroyed 12 trucks loaded with missiles, heavy weapons and ammunition, two ammunition depots and two tanks in Qamishli that had been transferred from the Syrian army to the SDF. According to reports, the new target of the SNA militias could be the city of Kobani, a major centre for Syrian Kurds on the Turkish border.

With the fall of the regime, the SDF had taken control of cities such as Qamishli, Hasaka, and the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor. But after the HTS took control of Damascus, Arab tribes that had supported the SDF reportedly switched sides, and Deir ez-Zor fell to the HTS.

The SDF is seeking to use its close ties with the US and the American military presence in the region as leverage to gain official status within the new regime. Speaking to BBC News Turkce, Salih Muslim, former leader of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), said that HTS has spoken very good words and they are waiting for it to put them into practice, before adding, If HTS takes one step towards us, we will take two. The PYD, to which the YPG belongs, is a member of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) along with the PKK.

Muslim also called for support for Israel and the NATO imperialist powers behind it as Tel Aviv continues the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and provokes a Middle East-wide war against Iran and its allies, saying, Israels behaviour can influence international politics, especially the European approach. I hope that their ability to act on this issue will become more evident. We expect practical action beyond verbal support. Our friends here applaud Israels position and welcome it wholeheartedly.

This approach testifies to the bankruptcy of the Kurdish nationalist movement and the bourgeois nationalist perspective. The forces that the Kurdish nationalist movement orients to and collaborates with are none other than the imperialist and Zionist powers that have subjected the Palestinians to genocide and dragged the peoples of the Middle East, including the Kurds, into bloody conflicts for decades.

As Washington has signalled its continued support for the SDF, the Zionist regime, which has invaded Syria from the south and is preparing to escalate its war with Iran, has called for strengthening ties with Kurdish nationalist forces. In early November, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar declared the Kurds Israels natural ally in a statement, referring to the Kurdish bourgeois leaderships across the region.

This support for Kurdish forces and Israels growing presence in Syria could lead to a clash between Tel Aviv and Ankara, which sees preventing both the strengthening of the PKK/YPG and the creation of a Kurdish state as a strategic priority. Although Turkey continues to feed Israels war machine, Erdogan has warned repeatedly that a war between Turkey and Israel could break out.

Saar said in a statement Monday, The [Turkish-backed SNA] attacks against the Kurds must stop, as we saw yesterday in Manbij. The international community must get involved and take action to protect the Kurds who are bravely fighting ISIS. We have discussed this with the US administration and other countries.

Since the HTS took over Damascus, Israel has severely crippled Syrias defense infrastructure with more than 500 airstrikes carried out as of Thursday. The Israeli army is expanding its invasion in the south of the country and is reportedly within 25 kilometres of Damascus. HTS spokesman Obeida Arnaout refused to denounce Tel Aviv when asked by Channel 4 News about Israels strikes.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced Friday that the Israeli armys illegal occupation of Mount Hermon will continue during the winter months.

Regime change in Syria only signals a deepening of the struggle for resources and influence as part of the emerging Middle East war. This conflict could escalate not only between proxy forces in Syria, but also between allied powers such as Turkey and Israel, amid an escalation against Iran and its allies across the region.

The only way forward for workers in Syria and throughout the Middle East--drawn into the maelstrom of war deepened by the US and its regional allies like Israel and Turkey--is to unite and mobilise under an international socialist strategy and leadership against imperialism and all bourgeois regimes and proxies. The essential ally of the workers of the Middle East in this struggle is the American, European and international working class.
In two pacts struck this week, the Australian Labor government has sought to establish control over the security and foreign policy decision making of Nauru and Papua New Guinea. The deals underscore the role of Australian imperialism, as a predatory power in the South Pacific, and one that is central in the US war drive against China.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in Sydney, Australia, December 12, 2024 [AP Photo/Mark Baker]

The agreements took slightly different forms. In the case of Nauru, a tiny country with a population of less than 13,000, the deal was a blatant neo-colonial power grab.

Evidently, it was deemed unwise or impossible to impose a similar arrangement on Papua New Guinea (PNG), which has a population of almost 13 million and far more regional weight. So Australian security powers were quietly attached to a plan, announced with much fanfare, for PNG to have a team in the Australian National Rugby League competition.

Regardless of the slightly different mechanisms, the response in strategic circles and the media made clear that the two deals were part of a single diplomatic push. The coverage in Australia has been striking, for openly gloating over the country assuming dominance over the Pacific countries, and thereby striking a blow at China.

Two headlines in the Sydney Morning Herald approvingly noted that Australia was seeking to China-proof Nauru. The state-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation crowed: In a contest of influence in Papua New Guinea, Australia triumphed over China through our shared love of footy.

The deals, and the response, are highly revealing. They show that behind the Labor governments cynical references to a Pacific family, Australia is aggressively laying down the law to the Pacific states, in partnership with the US. This again underlines the sham character of Washington and Canberras invocations of sovereignty and freedom when justifying one or another predatory military operation abroad.

In announcing the agreement with Nauruan President David Adeang in Canberra on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlined its far-reaching provisions.

Under the deal, which would come into effect as soon as possible in 2025, Albanese said: Nauru and Australia have committed to mutually agree to any engagement in Naurus security, banking and telecommunications sectors, and to consult on any engagement in other critical infrastructure. Nauru has also committed that third party engagement in critical infrastructure will not be used for security purposes.

That is, the Australian government will have veto powers over all of the key elements of Naurus diplomatic and foreign policy, and will dominate its financial and communication infrastructure, and anything else deemed critical.

The sum paid for such vast powers is contemptuously meagre. Canberra will provide $100 million towards budget aid over five years, to be used on social and economic policies. Another $40 million will go to policing and security, further solidifying Australian control.

Australia has long exercised substantial authority in Nauru. For decades, it was the scene of an offshore detention centre for refugees who had attempted to seek asylum in Australia. Empty for years, the Nauru facility is again housing asylum seekers as the Albanese government steps up a bipartisan offensive against immigrants and refugees.

The impulses behind the urgency with which the Nauru pact has been signed were highlighted by discussions in think tanks this year. A comment in February in the Strategist, a publication of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, warned that Australias grip on Nauru may be weakening.

It pointed to the fact that in January, Nauru reestablished ties with Beijing, ending its recognition of Taiwan. The international community including Australia has de facto recognised Beijing as the sole legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan, since the 1970s.

A number of Pacific states, however, acting under pressure from Washington, have recognised Taiwan instead of Beijing. That has been viewed as a touchstone of their commitment to rejecting any Chinese influence in the Pacific and remaining under the wing of the US and its allies, including Australia. It has also been used to justify the increasing promotion of Taiwanese separatism by American imperialism, which has inflamed tensions with China as a potential flashpoint for war.

The Strategist noted that Naurus shift from recognising Taiwan to Beijing coincided with the construction of a port development by the island state, by the China Harbour Engineering Company. Under the deal struck this week, Australia will have effective control over that port, despite it being built by a Chinese concern.

The Nauru agreement is almost identical to one the Albanese government signed with Tuvalu in November. Under that deal too, Australia secured veto rights over all military, police, telecommunications and infrastructure agreements between the tiny Pacific state of 11,000 people and any other country.

In the case of Tuvalu, Australia exploited the climate change crisis, which will render the islands uninhabitable. It promised eventual residency rights in Australia to Tuvalus population. At this stage, however, just 280 climate refugees will be permitted to enter the country each year. Labor, meanwhile, has presided over an increase in Australias carbon emissions, including through the opening of new coal and gas projects.

The PNG deal was dressed up with an arrangement, reportedly worth $600 million over a decade, under which Australia and the rugby league authorities will subsidise the development of a PNG National Rugby League (NRL) team, to join the competition by the end of the decade. At a press conference, Albanese hailed the friendship and common sporting passions of the two nations.

In the lead up, the press was blunt about the underlying purpose of the arrangement, with comparisons to the ping pong diplomacy that led to US President Nixons visit to China in 1972 and the thawing of relations. This time, however, rugby is involved and it is directed against China.

The announcement had barely been made, when the Australian media reported that the arrangement included a clause that could scuttle PNGs involvement in the NRL and all of the sporting subsidies, if the country entered into security arrangements that were opposed by Canberra. The parties involved have dodged questions, but have not issued any clear denials.

Concerns have been raised about PNGs ties with China, after its government representatives this year repeatedly emphasised their desire not to pick sides in geopolitical conflicts, and their determination to enter into favourable commercial arrangements with any party. Cynically utilising the nations sporting interests, and its cash-strapped finances, Canberra is insisting that PNG now choose a side.

The Pacific has been a focus of the US confrontation with China, since the Obama administration unveiled its pivot to Asia, a diplomatic offensive and military build-up directed against Beijing, in 2011. As that program was being developed, then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited PNG in 2010, indicating the extent of US preoccupation with the Pacific state. Washington has for years been anxious to gain greater access to PNGs ports, which are the most advanced in the Pacific.

A turning point in the confrontation in the Pacific came in early 2022, when it was revealed that the Solomon Islands had signed a pact with China that included a security and policing element. The Australian ruling class was immediately up in arms, with hysterical warnings of a Chinese military base being built in the region. In the May 2022 election, Labor, then in opposition, declared that this was a failure of the then conservative government. It joined with the media in threatening consequences, if the Solomons proceeded with any security arrangements with Beijing.

Since Labors election, its Foreign Minister Penny Wong has continuously been visiting the Pacific, bullying and hectoring its leaders to toe the line in their alignment with the US and warning against any turn to Beijing.

The latest deals underscore that this militarist push against China has been the signature policy of the Labor government, which is transforming Australia into a frontline state for war, including through the largest expansion of the military since World War II and a vast extension of US basing arrangements.

The Pacific and its island states were a key theatre of World War II, and it is clear they are being primed to play a similar role in a future conflict, which would be of an even broader and more catastrophic character.

Labors aggressive role again exposes the fact that Australia is not simply a patsy of the US. Its collaboration with Washington is aimed at securing Australian imperialisms interests, especially its dominance over the strategic and resource rich Pacific. PNG was effectively an Australian colony until 1975, while Nauru was also occupied by Australia earlier in the 20th century, along with the British and New Zealand.
Dockworkers: Take up the fight for workers control! Contact the WSWS below for information about how to start a rank-and-file committee.

From left to right: International Longshoremen's Association Executive VP Dennis Daggett, President-elect Donald Trump and ILA President Harold Daggett. [Photo: Trump/Truth Social]

Little more than a month remains until the January 15 expiration of a contract extension for 45,000 US dockworkers from Maine to Houston, Texas. The extension was imposed by the International Longshoremens Association in October to shut down a three-day strike, in exchange for 62 percent wage increases.

However, workers main demand for job protections from automation, which threatens to more than offset wage hikes through mass layoffs, remains totally unresolved. The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) continues to stake out a hard line in talks, which broke down again almost as soon as they re-started last month.

Dockworkers are furious over this betrayal by the ILA and determined to resume their struggle. One dockworker wrote on social media: We got hosed! We lost all leverage by going back during the holidays. Another worker wrote, No way a handshake agreement is made, only for automation to remain a deal killer just a few weeks later. All the Thanksgiving talk was willful misdirection. By May it will be a matter of how much automation we can tolerate and a $5 bump.

A third worker wrote, We back to work for nothing in my opinion  We should have stayed on strike.

Trumps right-wing posturing

With the extension expiring only five days before the presidential inauguration, this threatens to emerge as one of the first major domestic crises of the second Trump presidency. Whatever illusions exist among workers who voted for Trump, who was able to capitalize on social discontent by default thanks to the open indifference of the Democrats, will be quickly shattered.

The same president who has promised to deploy the military to deport undocumented immigrants and even their citizen relatives will use similar ruthless methods against the working class, against whom such measures are ultimately aimed.

In the meantime, Trump is attempting to channel workers anger behind his right wing America First program, presenting automation and job cuts as the fault of foreign corporations. To accomplish this, he is closing ranks with the union bureaucracy, which supports this divisive program which pits American workers against immigrants and foreign workers.

On Thursday, Trump posted to his personal social media platform Truth Social that he had Just finished a meeting with the International Longshoremen's Association and its President, Harold Daggett, and Executive VP, Dennis Daggett.

He continued: I've studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it.

Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets  For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries. It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!

What America First really means

This attempt to present his right-wing fascist policies as a boon to American workers is absurd. Trumps incoming cabinet is packed with billionaires who are planning massive attacks on workers, cuts to social spending and deregulation of corporations.

Trumps expressed his real attitude to the working class at Economic Club of Chicago two months ago, when he compared autoworkers to children. Elon Musk, whom Trump appointed as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency only days before denounced dockworkers for their opposition to automation.

Wall Street, which knows they stand to reap massive profits under these policies, has responded to Trumps election with a massive stock market surge. Jeff Bezos, founder and chairman of Amazon which has spearheaded automation in its warehouses, donated a million dollars to the Trump inauguration and praised him in a recent media appearance.

What Trumps America First policies really mean is to first crush domestic opposition within the United States to prepare for conflict with China and other rivals of US capitalism.

A real fight for jobs requires workers prepare a struggle first of all against the oligarchs in the United States, as part of a global movement of the working class. Workers are united by their common interests, but the ruling elite tries to pit workers against each other by promoting nationalism and racism. Their watchword must be not America First, but workers of the world unite!

The ILAs support for Trump shows the bureaucracy is on the side of management. Bureaucrats across the country are flocking to Trump, pledging to work with him on his xenophobic policies aimed at falsely blaming foreigners for job losses carried out by US capitalists, with the support of the trade unions.

There is a remarkable continuity of Trumps declared labor policy with those of the outgoing Biden White House, showing the degree to which all factions of the ruling class see the bureaucracy as key to suppressing a challenge from below. Only weeks ago, Daggett shut down the first dock strike through a White House mediated deal, the latest in a series of contracts where Biden personally intervened to limit or block strikes.

He has relied centrally on the services of the union bureaucracy, whom he called his domestic NATO over the summer, to impose labor peace while the government wages war abroad. If anything, Trump is seeking to build upon the corporatist policies already established under Biden.

This underscores the need for dockworkers to organize a rank-and-file rebellion against both parties and the ILA bureaucracy. To prepare a real struggle against automation, they must form a Dockworkers Rank-and-File Committee, fighting to take the initiative out of the hands of the government and bureaucrats, and appealing for unity with workers across the US and the world who are fighting the same attacks on their jobs.

Corporate America prepares for second strike, tariffs

There is tremendous concern among the corporate and financial oligarchy over the possibility of another strike at the East and Gulf Coast ports.

Last week, a coalition of 267 trade associations, led by the US National Retail Federation (NRF), sent a letter to ILA President Daggett and David Adam, chairman and chief executive of the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), demanding an immediate resumption of contract talks.

The companies are still dealing with additional costs from the three-day strike in October. The backlog created by the short strike action took several weeks to clear and it is estimated that every day a port is closed it will take five days for supply chains to return to normal.

Adding to the concerns of the trade associations is the potential financial impact of the tariffs threatened by the incoming administration. Trump has vowed to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican products and a 35 percent tariff against China. Most recently, the US president-elect threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on any member of the BRICS group of nations that challenges the global dominance of the US dollar.

Canada, Mexico and China have indicated that they will respond in kind, imposing their own tariffs on trade with the US. In 2023, China, Canada and Mexico accounted for over $1.32 trillion in US imports, 45 percent of all American imports and over $820 billion, or 41 percent, of US exports.

The imposition of such tariffs would dramatically rock the world economy, immediately impacting global production chains. Corporations will seek to offload the cost of these policies with price hikes and attacks on workers jobs. Dockworkers, at the center of world trade and economy, will face the brunt of these reactionary policies as the maritime shippers cut jobs, wages and oversee a further degeneration of working conditions to compensate for the hikes in import and export prices.

Maritime shippers are seeking to mitigate the impact of these potential tariffs on their bottom lines by frontloading, pulling forward imports to beef up the supply chains and build up inventories, ahead of Trumps inauguration at the end of next month.

According to the most recent report by Global Port Tracker, produced for the NRF by maritime trade consultancy Hackett Associates, container imports at US ports are surging. The report expects an over 14 percent increase year over year for November and December of 2024. It further predicts significantly higher volumes through the spring of 2025.

Nearly half of all US imports and billions of dollars in trade monthly are at stake for the corporate and financial oligarchy.

Threats of astronomical tariffs and emphasis on the maintenance of dollar dominance are driven by the ever-deepening economic crisis of American imperialism and will, eventually, lead to open military confrontation with the central target of US imperialism: China.

Under the Trump administration, open ports will remain essential to US war plans. As under the Biden administration, the uninterrupted supply of war materiel for wars abroad and further development of global supply chains in preparation for all-out war with China will be of central importance.

Dockworkers cannot defend their jobs and standard of living without engaging in a political struggle, independent of and opposed to both parties, against dictatorship and war.

The extraordinary power of the dockworkers was demonstrated in October. But to effectively combat the transnational corporations, their governments and labor stooges, workers must take up a political struggle aimed at unifying the working class as the international revolutionary social force in a fight against capitalism. This requires the formation of new organizations, rank-and-file committees, which workers and not pro-management bureaucrats control.
Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon announced Friday morning that he was ordering the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to break the nearly month-old strike by 55,000 postal workers and to force them back on the job under their expired contracts, if it determines that contract talks between the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are at an impasse.

Such a finding is a foregone conclusion, since a special federal mediator withdrew from contract talks more than a week ago declaring the two sides were too far apart to warrant his assistance, and Canada Post responded to CUPWs latest contract proposal by claiming it would add billions in new costs.

MacKinnons move is an attack not just on postal workers, but the entire working class. It marks the third time since August that the Liberal government, without even referring to a parliamentary vote, has arbitrarily robbed workers of their supposedly constitutionally protected right to strike.

Striking Canada Post workers picketing a facility at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, during their four-week, 2024 strike. Following in the footsteps of the federal government, which illegalized the postal workers' strike, the Quebec government wants to arrogate the right to end any strike on the Labour Minister's say so.

After months of conciliation and mediation supported by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, work stoppages, and the subsequent appointment of a special mediator to assist with the negotiation of their new collective agreements, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers remain unable to reach an agreement, MacKinnon told reporters Friday morning in Ottawa.

Contrary to the labour ministers assertion, the governments repeated meddling in talks was never intended to help reach an agreement that recognized the interest of workers. Justin Trudeaus Liberal government, the corporate media, and Canadian big business all support the sweeping restructuring of Canada Post to turn it into a low-wage, profit-making enterprise that competes with Amazon in its brutality towards its workers. MacKinnons provocative announcement demands an independent political response by striking postal workers and the working class as a whole, which must be mobilized in a political struggle to halt the ruling class drive to destroy Canada Post and all public services and to defend workers right to strike, that is, to collectively fight for their class interests.

MacKinnon outlined a plan which will see postal workers return to their jobs as early as Monday under the terms of their long-since expired collective agreements until May 22, 2025. The contracts for both the Urban Postal Operations (UPO) and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) units expired in January 2024 and December 2023, respectively, after having been extended for two years in 2022. This will leave workers languishing for another six months under terms which were put into effect more than four years ago.

The contract extensions will be accompanied by the appointment of an Industrial Inquiry Commission under the direction of William Kaplan, a veteran arbitrator and mediator. MacKinnon has tasked the Commission with examining the structural issues preventing the resolution of the current labour dispute. Kaplan has overseen the implementation of pro-employer contracts through arbitration at Air Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway and Westjet, among others.

MacKinnon noted further: The inquiry will have a broad scope as it will examine the entire structure of Canada Post from both a customer and business model standpoint, considering the challenging business environment now facing Canada Post.

Kaplans commission will undoubtedly endorse the Amazonification of Canada Posts operations which management is seeking, including the expansion of low-paid casual workers. Throughout the strike, representatives of corporate Canada have openly discussed the need to eliminate as many as 20,000 full-time jobs from Canada Posts workforce, scrap its monopoly on mail delivery, and sell off some 3,000 single-use post offices in favour of a franchise model.

The Liberal governments strike ban was based on a cooked-up re-interpretation of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to grant the labour minister the power to end strikes and impose binding arbitration by executive fiat. Whereas in the past, governments obtained a legal fig leaf to break strikes by passing back-to-work legislation in parliament, Justin Trudeaus Liberals now rely on Section 107 of the Labour Code to arbitrarily issue sweeping anti-worker orders to the CIRB. This tripartite body, consisting of state officials, business representatives and trade union bureaucrats, is an unelected board appointed by the governor in council operating under the labour ministers auspices.

The labour minister has now invoked Section 107 three times in the last four months to shut down strikes in key industriesfirst among railroaders at CPKC and Canadian National, then among dockworkers in British Columbia and Quebec, and now at Canada Post.

The response of the CUPW bureaucracy to MacKinnons intervention has been one of total complacency. While the possibility of government intervention has hung over the strike since it began on November 15, the union has worked tirelessly to keep postal workers isolated and offered no strategy to oppose a government-ordered strike ban. Nor has it sought to broaden the strike to other logistics workers, including at the Canada Post-owned courier Purolator.

Instead, the CUPW bargaining team has repeatedly appealed to Canada Post to bargain in good faith, and after talks all but collapsed after the special mediators withdrawal, to come back to the table. In its latest offer to the company, CUPW proposed a major climbdown on wages, overtime, and working conditions.

This only emboldened Canada Post management. It responded with a denunciation of the union for moving the parties further apart. As late as Thursday, just hours before MacKinnon made his announcement, CUPW National Director-Central Region Peter Denley was sending out emails to striking members that urged them to appeal to their MPs to put pressure on the government to intervene in the talks to end the strike.

A statement by CUPW President Jan Simpson Friday afternoon in response to MacKinnons announcement declared that the union would consider every available option once a back-to-work order is issued, and asked workers merely to stay alert for more information in the coming days.

In contrast, rank-and-file Canada Post workers in the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC) have taken the initiative, fighting to take control of the contract talks out of the hands of the union bureaucracy and to mobilize support from workers across the country and internationally. The PWRFC issued a statement Friday calling for defiance of the Liberal governments strikebreaking, writing:

Conditions for us to defy the state assault on our right to strike and mobilize broad support within the working class, up to and including in a general strike, are propitious. This is because the issues that we are fighting for are of burning importance to all workers, public and private sector alikethe defence of public services; workers control over the introduction of new technologies; an end to concessions and multi-tier workforces; and the defence of the right to strike. We do not issue our call for defiance lightly. It must be accompanied by a fundamental change in strategy. We must make our strike the spearhead of a working class counter-offensive against the dismantling of public services, the sacrificing of social needs to the war agenda of Canadian imperialism, and the defence of the right to strike.

A postal worker from Ontario told the World Socialist Web Site:

Today Stephen MacKinnon said that the current agreement that has already been expired for a year will be extended until May of 2025. That to me is insulting. We havent been on strike for four weeks only to be thrown aside and forced back to work. It is antidemocratic and it is something I absolutely wont stand for. The employer has time and time again refused to provide for its employees. Theyll reward you with Tims [coffee] cards and Subway catering, but they dont look at the big picture. We havent had a wage increase in over six years. This decision by the labour minister is atrocious and it truly sets dangerous precedent.

She also addressed the broader social consequences for working people if the strike is defeated.

The news itself is not shocking. It tells me that everything I have been saying is true, that Canada Post is being deceptive, manipulative and downright unethical in its so-called negotiation practices. Home ownership is becoming more uncommon due to the housing crisis, food stuffs and necessities have become out of reach for millions. Disabled and injured people have to conserve and go without medications because CEOs hold their benefits and pensions hostage.

Another worker referenced CUPWs previous negotiation of an extension of the contract for two years behind the backs of the membership, and now a year of bargaining  and still nothing. The worker continued, so anything we get is five years behind in the making.  Anyone who says were asking too much should check themselves.

The Canada Post strike has reached a critical inflection point for the working class as a whole.

What the Labour Minister described as an imaginative solution to the ongoing contract dispute is in fact part of a concerted assault on workers basic rights. The collective bargaining system established as the result of the mass struggles of workers in the 1930s and 1940s has effectively been blown up, with the federal government running roughshod over workers democratic rights and arrogating to itself the power to criminalize at will worker job action. Corporate Canada has been incentivized to remain intransigent in demanding concessions, knowing that a drawn-out strike or lockout or one paralyzing a key industry will provoke government action on its behalf.

This attack on the right to strike is being carried out by a minority Liberal government which continues to be backed by the entire union bureaucracy and kept in power by the trade union-sponsored New Democratic Party. It reflects the shift of the entire Canadian ruling elite, like its counterparts internationally, towards authoritarian forms of rule.s

In the United States, Trump has declared his intention to establish a fascist dictatorship so as to secure the naked domination of the billionaires over all aspects of social and economic life. In Europe, decades of job protections and relatively well-paid jobs are being trashed by governments like that in Germany, which increasingly enforces the policies of the fascist Alternative for Germany as it rearms for world war.

The connection between the ever more draconian suppression of the class struggle and imperialist war is intimate, since the ruling class can only afford its wars of plunder and conquest if it turns the working class at home into paupers and decimates public services. The far-right leader of Canadas Conservatives, Pierre Poilievre, is waiting in the wings to take over from Trudeau in Ottawa to pursue this course with even more ruthlessness. Like Trump, he has been able to make a phony social appeal because the parties promoted by the trade unions as progressivethe Democrats in the US and the Liberals and NDP in Canadaare pro-austerity and pro-war and utterly indifferent to the growing social distress of working people.

The fate of the Canada Post strike depends upon the independent industrial and political mobilization of the entire working class to defeat the government-imposed strike ban and defend public services. As the Socialist Equality Party (Canada) explained in a December 5 statement,

The defence of jobs, worker rights and public services requires a frontal assault on the financial oligarchys death grip over society. It demands a struggle to assert workers control over societys vast wealth and productive forcesincluding new technologies like AI, which have the potential to greatly increase the productivity of labourso that they can be deployed to meet social needs, not private profit. Such a revolutionary transformation will only be realized through the industrial and political mobilization of the working class to seize political power from the ruling class and set about transforming society along socialist lines.
The killing of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson by a gunman motivated by anger over the denial of health services by giant corporations has unleashed a flood of popular outrage on social media. There have been hundreds of thousands of posts denouncing the daily actions of profit-driven corporations to deprive working people of the health care which they need.

One of the principal techniques employed by the American medicine-for-profit system is to expand and extend the process of getting approval for necessary care, with the cold-blooded calculation that faced with interminable wait times and endless paperwork, many patients will simply forgo treatment that would cost money for the insurance companies. In the worst case scenario for the patientsor the best case, in terms of corporate profitsthe patients will die before receiving care that is too expensive.

The policy of deliberate delay is generally disguised behind a display of concern, which is perfectly sincere on the part of doctors, nurses and other health care workers. But it hardly applies to insurance companies, which, like all capitalist enterprises, exist to generate profits for their shareholders and high salaries to their executives, regardless of the wider outcome of their operations.

When a person with an ailment seeks medical treatment, he or she may assume the doctor, clinic, or emergency department decides what services they need to find out whats wrong so they can be treated. Do they need an X-ray, CT scan or MRI? Should they stay overnight in a hospital because of chest pain? Can medication help?

Patient at UofM Health with doctors, a patient care tech and nurse. [Photo: Michigan Medicine Headlines]

However, the American medical system has travelled a long way from a simple consideration of health issues. If you ask today who decides what health care services you need, the answer may include:

 The federal government, including Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

 Employers

 Insurance companies

 Private equity firms

 Drug companies and pharmacy benefit managers

 Health care business consultants

With advances in science and technology, and an aging population, the cost of health care keeps rising. National health expenditures grew 7.5 percent to $4.8 trillion in 2023, equaling $14,423 per person and 18.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). When the media, politicians, or government agencies create plans to cut healthcare spending, they dont touch the profits of pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, investors, and nursing home owners, or the salaries of the CEOs. The main goal is to create ways to cut services for the working class, while mouthing their concerns for patients, patient care and the patient experience. The result is that as health care spending increases, the health of the US population continues to decline.

The health care industry has perennially blamed doctors for the high costs of medical care, since doctors were paid for the health care services provided to the patient under a fee-for-service arrangement. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association put it this way: The traditional fee-for-service system rewards doctors and hospitals for the volume of care that they provide rather than the quality of care. That means doctors are paid more for seeing more patients and performing more services, such as tests and other procedures, even if the treatments they provide patients are ineffective. So goes the argument to blame doctors.

The federal government, particularly the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, has been at the forefront of the push to cut medical care for the working class. The federal governments goal of reducing heath care expenditures is two-pronged: to control how much health care patients get, and to shift the cost of healthcare onto the patients.

Health care as a commodity

Limiting access to care began with the creation of Health Maintenance Organizations.

In 1973, the Nixon administration enacted the Health Maintenance Organization Act and authorized $375 million to help set up and expand HMOs. The act required employers with 25 or more employees to have an HMO option if they offered health insurance coverage.

HMOs are a type of managed care health plan financed by an insurance company. The HMO has a network of health care providers that treat a patient population for a capped cost (called capitation). This arrangement gives an incentive to the health care professionals to spend less than they are being paid for health care services. The primary care physician usually must approve all carethus the reference to the primary doctor as a gatekeeperand may need to give the patient a referral before he or she can see a specialist.

The HMO Act exempted these plans from state laws that kept medical decisions in the hands of doctors. As a result, medical decisions could now be made by insurance companies and government agencies. The act also allowed HMOs to be for-profit, opening the door to for-profit health insurance.

Many patients with HMO insurance, therefore, questioned their doctors and insurance companies motives when they were denied care, so HMOs have become unpopular. In 2023, only 13 percent of workers were enrolled in HMOs.

Other ways to limit the use of health care were introduced in the 1990s. Harvard Business School professor Regina Herzlinger promoted the benefits of consumer-driven health plans. Health care was put under the consumerism umbrella.

Striking Blue Cross/Blue Shield workers in downtown Detroit [WSWS]

In the past, health plans offered by employers to workers defined the benefits that the insurance covered, such as doctor visits, surgeries, etc. To have access to the benefits employers and employees pay toward the premiums for the insurance plan. With consumer-driven or consumer-directed health plans common these days, workers must choose from among high-deductible plans, meaning they have to pay thousands of dollars for medical services before the insurance company begins paying.

A Health Affairs column noted, In our view, a narrow focus on consumerism is conceptually confused and potentially harmful. The consumer metaphor wrongly assumes that health care is a market in the usual understanding of that term, that the high cost of US health care is a function of excessive consumer demand, and that price transparency and competition can deliver on the promise of reducing costs or ensuring quality. Furthermore, a consumer metaphor places disproportionate burdens on patients to reduce health care costs, and it could erode professional obligations to provide appropriate and effective care (Michael K. Gusmano, Karen J. Maschke, and Mildred Z. Solomon, March 2019).

Value-based carebut whose value?

Another idea was introduced in 2006. Michael Porter and Elizabeth Olmsted Teisberg outlined the concept of value-based care in their book Redefining Health Care: Creating Value-Based Competition on Results. They advocated a health care system in which every actor is focused on improving value, as measured by health outcomes per dollar expended.

The CMS definition of value-based care is highly subjective:

Value-based care is a term that Medicare, Medicaid, doctors and other health care professionals sometimes use to describe health care that is designed to focus on quality of care, provider performance and the patient experience. The value in value-based care refers to what an individual values most.

For the patient, of course, longevity and quality of life are uppermost. Likewise for health care professionals, who for the most part have entered and continued in this high-stress profession because they find delivering good care to fellow human beings highly rewarding. But in the case of for-profit corporations, which dominate the health care system, value is purely economic. So terminology which may seem entirely positive to patients and providers actually masks something very different: the drive by capitalist enterprises to cut costs and boost profits, at the expense of health and even life.

In 2010, Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act (known as Obamacare). Following its passage, value-based care programs grew in size and scope. The ACA established the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) tasked with designing, implementing, and testing care payment models to help lower health care spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The ACA funded CMMI $10 billion for the years 2011 through 2019, and allocated another $10 billion for CMMI each decade thereafter.

Of the over 40 programs implemented by CMMI, one of the biggest has been the Accountable Care Organization (ACO). ACOs give health care providers incentives to reduce overall spending. Since the federal government introduced ACOs, CMS has implemented many ACO models. Insurance companies have done so as well, creating their own ACOs for their patient populations.

The federal government reduced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates under the Affordable Care Act to move the health care industry away from fee-for-service. In 2015, Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act to further speed up the adoption of value-based care. CHIP is the Childrens Health Insurance Program, under which the federal government gives matching funds to states to provide health coverage for lower-income families when they do not qualify for Medicaid.

The legislation created the Merit Based Incentive Payments System for doctors who provide cost-effective care. While declaring, with its usual verbiage, that the care should be high quality, the goal is to give financial rewards for cost cutting.

While rates were reduced, CMS developed value-based incentive payments and alternative payment models to reward affordable care rather than the volume, that is, how much care was given to patients. However, many health professionals participating in value-based initiatives through CMS are not ready to do so. The increase in administrative reporting and data collection has resulted in financial penalties for many providers.

Other techniques of profit maximization

Health insurance companies have designed other ways to cut spending on health care with high-risk doctors contracts. For example, in the fall of 2022, six physician groups signed full-risk reimbursement deals with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for the care of patients under its Medicare Advantage PPO and Blue Care Network Medicare Advantage plans. BCBSM is the states largest health insurer. The contracts cover 670 primary care physicians in the state with 55,000 members under their care.

A full-risk arrangement puts financial liability on the doctors practice in exchange for a larger potential reimbursement for providing what the insurance companies claim is high-quality care. When physicians meet outcome and cost goals for each patient, they get paid more by insurance companies. For doctors, the message is clear: the less you spend on patients, the greater your rewards.

Another cost-cutting device is a bundled payment methodology. It involves combining the payments for physician, hospital, and other health care provider services into a single bundled payment amount. This amount is calculated based on the expected costs of all items and services furnished to a beneficiary during an episode of care.

As one analyst describes it, Payment models that provide a single bundled payment to health care providers can motivate health care providers to furnish services efficiently, to better coordinate care, and to improve the quality of care. Health care providers receiving a bundled payment may either realize a gain or loss, based on how successfully they manage resources and total costs throughout each episode of care. A bundled payment can create incentives for hospitals and physician group practices a provider or supplier to coordinate and deliver care more efficiently.

The combined effect of all these mechanisms is to drive profit maximization deeper and deeper into the structure of the health care system, perverting its essential human purposeto use science and technology to extend and better human lifeand transforming it into yet another means of extracting wealth out of the population and funneling it into the pockets of the super-rich.

As the experience of countless health care reforms over the past half-century have demonstrated, profit considerations are entirely antithetical to the operation of a health care system that maximizes human welfare and minimizes pain, suffering, uncertainty and the economic catastrophe that accompanies illness under capitalism.
This week, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted, once again, to allocate a record amount of money to fund war all over the world. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, stands at $895 billion, the largest military budget, in nominal terms, of any country in human history.

US soldiers mount a refurbished nuclear warhead on to the top of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. [AP Photo/Eric Draper]

The annual military funding bill, which is scheduled to be considered by the Senate and signed into law by the end of the month, has grown 47 percent, from $607 billion a decade ago.

The average American has absolutely no idea what is in the bill or how it compares to historical precedent. This is by design. Beyond a cursory discussion of disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over gender-affirming care for the children of soldiers, there is a total information blackout on the actual contents of the bill.

And that is doubly true for its central policy focus: expanding and modernizing the US nuclear arsenal for what US military planners call the new nuclear age. Not a single article by any major US publication has examined in any detail the bills plans to expand the nuclear arsenal.

A completely different reality emerges on the House committee write-ups of the bill, which the vast majority of the public will never see.

The official summary of the bill by the Democrats in the House Armed Services Committee prominently highlights nuclear buildup, focusing on the bills funding of nuclear modernization efforts and its plan to modernize the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad.

The bill, according to its official committee summary, [R]equires a DOD plan for deterring and defeating simultaneous aggression by two near-peer nuclear competitors, including requirements for nuclear force sizing.

The bill includes provisions for the modernization of every single component of the US nuclear arsenal, from nuclear submarines to intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear bombers, and creates and fields an entirely new class of nuclear weapons, known as the Nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile.

The summary states that the bill authorizes $252 million to support continued Navy development of the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile. It directs the restoration of nuclear capabilities across the entire B-52 strategic bomber fleet, requires no fewer than 400 responsive, on-alert U.S. intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) to be deployed and mandates a plan for acquiring and deploying up to 450 Sentinel ICBMs.

In October, as the NDAA was being drafted, the New York Times published a massive feature story, based on over 100 interviews, of the secret plan dedicated to making America nuclear again through the creation of a modern arsenal for a volatile new nuclear age.

If you dont live where the submarines are welded or the missile silos are dug, theres a good chance you wouldnt know its happening, the Times wrote. The federal government has said little about the plan in public, outside of congressional hearings and strategy papers, or the vast amount being spent. There has been no significant debate. The billion-dollar programs move under the radar.

Everything the Times wrote about the nuclear buildup proceeding under the radar and with no significant debate applies in droves to the coverage of this years NDAA, including by the Times, which hid a brief notice of its passage on page 19.

Octobers expansive New York Times feature and an associated series of articles detailing the harrowing effects of nuclear war were promptly buried. The nuclear buildup is simply never mentioned in any discussion of the military spending bill in major newspapers, talk shows or the statements of US politiciansoutside of official briefing papers.

The plan for the second nuclear age transcends administrations. Beyond the often bitter factional warfare within the US state, the semi-secret nuclear modernization plan, first conceptualized in 2010 under Obama and initiated at scale in 2014, has continued and accelerated under Trump, Biden, and the second Trump administration.

The elements of the nuclear buildup that are hidden from viewby simply never being referenced in news coverageare accompanied by plans that are truly secret.

Among such secret plans is an alleged update to the Nuclear Employment Guidance, on which the Times reported in August. The White House never announced that Mr. Biden had approved the revised strategy, called the Nuclear Employment Guidance, the newspaper wrote, which also newly seeks to prepare the United States for possible coordinated nuclear challenges from China, Russia, and North Korea.

But the content of the secret strategy paper was hinted at in remarks in June by Pranay Vaddi, senior director for arms control at the National Security Council, who in a speech to a US-based think tank proclaimed a new era for nuclear arms in which the US would deploy nuclear weapons without numerical constraints.

Vaddi declared, Were modernizing each leg of our nuclear triad, updating our nuclear command control and communication systems, and investing in our nuclear enterprise.

The massive military spending surge in the US is mirrored in every country in the world. European politicians are actively discussing plans to double military spending, shifting from a target of 2 percent of GDP to as much as 4 percent.

It is time to shift to a wartime mindset, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Thursday. And turbocharge our defense production and defense spending.

Of course, the greatest impact of the nuclear rearmament is what will happen if these weapons are used. But even without this catastrophic scenario, the multi-trillion-dollar modernization programas part of an unprecedented increase in global military spendinghas the most far-reaching social consequences.

Earlier this year, Bloomberg published an article explaining how the global military rearmament will impact public finances and social programs. A new era of global rearmament is gathering pace, and it will mean vast costs and some tough decisions for western governments, the article declares.

The post-Cold War peace dividend is coming to an end, Bloomberg quoted one of its analysts as saying, with a transformative effect on public finances.

It declared, How a remilitarized world can reconcile such commitments with finite tax revenues and ever-greater welfare and health needs is set to become a searing political question in the years ahead.

The implication is clear: As countries all over the world massively expand their militaries, bedrock social programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in the United States, will be slashed.

The incoming Trump administration, committed to continuing the unprecedented growth in military spending under Trumps first term, has vowed to slash social spending to the bone. Under the leadership of Elon Musk, whose net worth has surged to more than $400 billion, the Trump administrations new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has placed everything on the chopping block.

You look at the way in which that money is being spent through Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, said Vivek Ramaswamy, the proposed co-head of the department, There are hundreds of billions of dollars of savings to extract.

Meanwhile, the progressive wing of the Democratic Party is giving the new administration credibility. Elon Musk is right, declared Senator Bernie Sanders, absurdly claiming that DOGEheaded by an individual who runs one of the largest US military contractorswould somehow make military spending less of a bonanza for arms makers.

Democrats can work with DOGE, proclaimed fellow progressive Ro Khanna, asserting, I want the U.S. to have the greatest military in the world and the resources to counter increasingly sophisticated threats from our adversaries. It goes without saying that both Sanders and Khanna are fervent supporters of the US war against Russia in Ukraine and aggressive trade war measures against China.

The entire US political establishment, from the would-be dictator Donald Trump to all factions of the Democratic Party, support the massive US military rearmament, of which the nuclear buildup is, in the words of the Biden White House, foundational and a top priority for the Nation.

The passage of this bill, funding the massive US military under the would-be dictator Donald Trump, will mark a new stage in the bipartisan offensive against the working class, which will be made to pay for the military buildup.

For this reason, the struggle against war is inseparable from the struggle to defend the social and economic rights of the working class. The plans of the ruling classes for world war, dictatorship and massive social austerity must be countered through the building of a mass movement in the working class on the basis of a socialist program.
Speak out against the school closures in Chicago and across the US! Send your comments in the form below. All submissions will be published anonymously.

Teachers, parents and students speak out against school closures at the board meeting of the Acero charter network. The meeting was held at Idar Elementary in Chicago, Illinois on December 11, 2024.

On Wednesday, educators, families and students packed the gym at Idar Elementary School during the Acero Schools Board meeting to denounce the decision by the charter operator to close seven schools in Chicago serving predominantly working class and immigrant Latino families.



The closures at Acero are part of a wave of threatened closures all over the US, including scores in Milwaukee, Seattle, San Francisco and almost 100 more in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), according to a list leaked last month in the midst of negotiations between CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).

In spite of this, the CTU, which is allied with Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration, has refused to organize a joint struggle of Acero and CPS teachers. Instead, they are keeping CPS teachers on the job without a contract, while they work behind the scenes to hash out a deal which meets none of their demands.

The meeting was Aceros first public board meeting since the announcement in October that it would be closing seven of its 15 schools at the end of the school year.

Yielding their time to move immediately to public comment, the wealthy, well-connected Acero executives and board members had nothing to say to the teachers and families whose schools they are closing.

During public comments, educators, parents, and elementary, middle and high school students gave voice to the deep-seated recognition within the working class of the need to defend public education as a social right.

In opposition to the social arson represented by the attacks on schools, Luis Delgado, a CPS high school student, spoke powerfully against the threatened closures of the seven Acero schools, including Acero-Santiago, where he graduated and where he was elected student council president.

Delgado said:

Rather than expressing my sadness over the potential closure, I feel an overwhelming sense of anger. Im furious about the system that has let us down, of the Acero Board that has made this decision, and everyone who contributed to this reckless outcome. You made promises of love, trust and support, yet you exchange those ideals for hate and fear.  We need answers. Why did you choose to take this extreme step? What led you to break the trust of so many faithful students, educators and parents? Why did you see us merely as profit rather than individuals with dreams and aspirations? We are not items to be counted as dollar signs! That is an unacceptable way to treat the 2,000 students who call their schools home, the 270 educators who are committed to shaping our futures, and the 4,000 parents who every day work hard to support us. Shame on all of you, each and every one of you who made this reckless decision! We will continue to fight for our schools!

Parents of students gave moving testimonies of the vital role that public education plays in the lives of the working class and the social hatred of the parasitic layer typified by the Acero executives and board members.

Reyna Rodriguez, the mother of a student at Santiago Elementary School, spoke about the moment she heard the news that Acero had decided to close her childs school:

All I could do in the moment was to cry and to think of my baby  my babies! My 224 babiesthe studentsand the 44 staff members, including teachers, administrators, office services, our janitors, our lunch crew, and the list goes on. And now that Im saying this out loud, my stomach is hurting, and I really wanna puke.  Dear CEO, dear board members: Shame on you for making this decision without asking your families and your community. Shame on you for hurting over 2,000 students, 4,000 parents and 300 staff members. [CEO] Rodriguez, remember? You said we shine together, but you lied. You failed us.

Alejandra Morales, the mother of students at Cisneros Elementary School, addressed Acero Schools CEO Richard Rodriguez directly, asking, How can you go home and look your kids in the eyes, knowing there are 2,000 students with their hearts broken because their school is about to close down? She then quoted Benito Juarez (Mexicos president from 1858 to 1872): Education is fundamental to social happiness; it is the principle on which the freedom and greatness of peoples rest.

Christine Binder, a veteran teacher at Cisneros, also pointed to the need to prioritize education over the financial interests that are demanding school closures:

In my career as an educator, Ive faced many challenges: navigating the chaos of a global pandemic, safeguarding students in emergencies, protecting them from harm both inside and outside of the school, and weathering much ineffective leadership.  Losing these schools would devastate [our students] sense of security and shatter the trust that we have worked so hard to build.  Aceros decision to close these schools threatens everything weve built.  These schools are more than walls and classrooms and dollar signs.

For its part, the Chicago Teachers Union bureaucracy attempted to cover up its complacency toward the school closures with bluster directed at the assembled Acero leaders. In private though, the CTU seeks to cut a deal with the Acero leadership to bargain the impact of the school closures, which the union accepts as a foregone conclusion, just as it did in 2013 when it worked together with CPS to close 49 schools.

In her comments at the Acero Board meeting, Caroline Rutherford, chair of the council of CTU members at Acero, again appealed to Acero to attend the next days Chicago Public Schools Board meeting, telling Acero leaders that the CPS Board of Education would also love to hear from you all on how you can work together.  Agree to keep all of our schools open through the 2025-26 school year as Acero schools.

This is in line with last months CPS Board resolution, which called on Acero to explore delaying the school closures by one year.

The Acero Board, including CEO Richard Rodriguez, silently watch as students, teachers and parents denounce their plan to close seven Acero schools in Chicago. Taken on December 11, 2024 at Idar Elementary.

Toward the end of the meeting, Acero Schools Chief Operating Officer Richard Valerga snatched the microphone away from Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez as he had begun to speak. This provoked immediate outrage in the audience.

Acero CEO Richard Rodriguez, whose total compensation is over $298,000 according to the most recent data, noticed a Chicago Tribune photographer capturing the events up close and signaled to Valerga to return the microphone to the alderman.

Alderman Lopez echoed the CTUs appeals to the Acero leadership that they should attend the next days CPS Board meeting. Lopez also told Aceros leaders that, in the face of mounting threats of deportations, that Acero had a responsibility to the immigrant population affected by the school closures.

When Lopez concluded his remarks and handed the microphone to an Acero schools mother, Valerga again attempted to snatch away the microphone. This provocation was met with mounting anger among the assembled educators, families and students who then rose to their feet and shouted denunciations of Aceros leaders. At that moment, the Acero Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting early due to disruptions.

At a meeting of the CPS Board of Education on Thursday, the very next day, the CPS board outlined four options, one of which included a proposal to preserve five of the seven Acero schools threatened with closure, throwing Paz Elementary and Cruz K-12 into the fire.

Parents, teachers and students protest school closures outside Acero's Idar Elementary in Chicago on December 11, 2024.

The Acero educators and families, who are determined to fight against school closures, must not allow this struggle to be sold out by the CTU bureaucracy that collaborated with CPS to close 49 schools in 2013. Now the union is seeking again to work together with the social arsonists and cut a deal to close just a couple or just a few schools.

What are the class interests behind such miserable complacency?

Also empty are the racialist sentiments promoted by the CTU and the pseudo-left. Attempts to appeal to the better angels on the shoulders of figures like CEO Rodriguez on the basis of his Latino identity or his attainment of the American Dream are worse than worthless.

The class chasm that separates these schools working class and immigrant families from figures like CEO Rodriguez, whose American Dream is based on exploitation and the immiseration of these families, is unbridgeable. Truly defending public education requires nothing short of a frontal assault on the ill-gotten wealth of these social parasites.

What is required is a mass movement of educators and workers in defense not just of public education but of all the social rights of the working class which are under assault.

To break free of the stranglehold of the union bureaucracy that aims to work together with the social arsonists, educators and workers need their own organizations of struggle, independent of the union bureaucracy which is tied to the capitalist state.

If there is to be a fight to stop the school closures, mass deportations and world war, that fight must be waged by workers themselves, by building their own rank-and-file committees, in coordination with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), in a fight for socialism.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in New York and New Jersey condemns the police-state crackdown at New York University (NYU) directed against protesters opposed to the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza. We demand that the universitys bans on pro-Palestinian faculty and students be lifted immediately.

Part of a pro-Palestinian protest at NYU on Monday, April 22, 2024

On Thursday around 12:30 p.m., police arrested eight pro-Palestinian protesters at the main entrance to Bobst Library at NYU, including at least two NYU faculty members. That same afternoon, NYU emailed dozens of students to inform them they had been declared persona non grata (PNG), a status that deactivates their campus ID cards and bans them from campus buildings, for their participation in a pro-Palestinian sit-in at Bobst on Wednesday.

Three faculty members were also declared PNG for their participation in these protests, including the two who were arrested. The banned faculty include sociology professor Andrew Ross, a member of NYUs Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP), and history professor Rebecca Karl, who was initially denied entrance to Bobst to teach her class on Thursday. All three of the banned faculty members are Jewish.

The FSJP stated in a press release, The faculty were told that the PNG order came from the Office of the Provost, Gigi Dopico, who later verbally confirmed the PNG status but said she had no details on the reasons for it except that it was a security issue After contacting the Provost, Professor Karl was escorted into the building to teach, although Campus Security Officer Karen Ortman continued to yell Shes PNG! as this occurred.

The two protests at Bobst on Wednesday and Thursday were centered on demands that NYU disclose its investments in companies with ties to the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza. In the spring semester, university administrators promised student organizers that investment disclosures would be made available to students but rescinded the offer when students refused to disband their Gaza Solidarity Encampment outside NYUs Paulson Center.

On Wednesday, 13 protesters sat outside administrators offices on Bobsts top floor while dozens more occupied Bobsts main lobby from 3 to 8 p.m. At 4:45 p.m., protesters released an audio recording from the spring of NYU administrators promising to disclose NYUs investments. On Thursday around 9 a.m., protesters set up a picket outside Bobsts main entrance, including five students who blocked the entrance by linking their arms with PVC pipes.

According to an update by NYUs campus newspaper, the Washington Square News:

NYU spokesperson John Beckman said the New York City Police Department came to the scene after demonstrators blocked Bobst librarys last open entrance at around noon, ignoring the clear direction of Campus Safety officers and repeated attempts by university personnel to de-escalate the situation. The university rejects any claims that this is peaceful protest, Beckman wrote in a statement to WSN. Their harassing behavior disrupted our academic operations at a particularly critical moment in the semester (as finals start), ignored the rights of students who wish to study in the library, and interfered with safe passage into and out of a core academic building.

On the contrary, an independent reporter on Twitter/X posted video of the protesting students allowing people to leave the library and reported that NYU itself closed alternative entrances to the building just before the NYPD began arresting protesters. And as the WSWS has previously explained:

The banning of protest in the guise of preventing disruption of public order and economic life is the stock in trade of every authoritarian regime in modern history. For that reason, from a democratic legal standpoint, the permissibility of disruption has always been understood as essential to freedom of speech and expression.

The authoritarian crackdown at NYU is part of a wave of repression sweeping campuses as the fall semester ends. Campuses in New York and New Jersey that have recently seen similar developments include:

Columbia University : A pro-Palestinian protest was planned for Monday at Barnard Colleges Futter Field, but on Sunday, the Barnard administration sent an email to its student body explaining that access to campus would be restricted to those with a valid ID and that students would be required to comply with requests to unmask and search bags. On Monday morning, Barnard installed new surveillance cameras while protesters announced they would relocate to an intersection just off-campusan announcement that was complicated by the suspension of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest Instagram account that same day.

Fashion Institute of Technology : Eleven students of the State University of New Yorks Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City were executively suspended for participating in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment in the spring. On December 5, the FIT Students for Justice in Palestine announced that four of these students had now been officially suspendedthree for one semester and one for one yearwhile two more students had received sanctions for protesting in the fall. One more student was declared persona non grata and banned from campus.

Rutgers University: On Thursday, December 5 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) was scheduled to hold its last meeting of the semester. Zionists planned to introduce a bill that would call on RUSA members to commit to fighting anti-Zionism on campus based on the fraudulent claim that anti-Zionism is antisemitism. When the university administration learned that pro-Palestinian activists planned to attend the RUSA meeting, it had police restrict access to the Student Activities Center to voting members of the RUSA only. Ultimately, the administration forcibly canceled the RUSA meeting entirely.

These developments are not limited to New York and New Jersey. At George Mason University in Virginia, university administrators not only banned the Students for Justice in Palestine club, but banned two of its leading members from campus for four years by criminal trespass order after FBI agents and police raided their homes. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Prahlad Iyengar, a second-year PhD student, was effectively expelled for his pro-Palestinian activism on campus.

As the WSWS previously wrote in its statement, Oppose the pro-genocide purge on US college campuses!:

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) calls on students to mobilize against this escalating attack on democratic rights. Students must demand that all charges against those protesting the genocideone of the greatest war crimes of the 21st centurybe dropped. All sanctions and restrictions on students and faculty must be overturned. Students should seek the support of workers in the factories and workplaces where colleges and universities are located to mobilize broader support, connecting the defense of basic democratic rights with opposition to war abroad and the war on the working class at home.

Students and young people who agree with this perspective and want to fight for it should get involved with the IYSSE.
Last week Knox County Schools in Tennessee joined three other school districts in the state at the forefront of compliance with the Age-Appropriate Materials Act (AAMA) and its reactionary book banning provisions. The County published a list of 48 books to be removed from school library shelves.

The list, made available to the public through local news outlets, is an eclectic collection ranging from beloved childhood classics such as In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak and A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein and high school staples Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, to young adult romantasy by Sarah J. Maas.

Knox County (Tennessee) Courthouse [Photo by Nfutvol / CC BY 3.0

Knox County is the third-most populous county in Tennessee. Its county seat is Knoxville, the home of the main campus of the University of Tennessee.

Neither the list nor the rationales for why the books are on it have been made public by the school district or the Tennessee General Assembly.

The AAMA Chapter 782 that went into effect last July requires public schools in Tennessee to remove books that contain content depicting nudity, sexual activity or excessive violence from their libraries.

The Tennessee Association of School Librarians (TASL) estimates that at least 1,100 books have been purged from public schools in Tennessee since the General Assembly passed the amendment that provided the criteria for what is considered suitable for the age and maturity levels of students that was missing in the 2022 AAMA.

According to a survey of school librarians conducted by TASL in October, there is a great deal of confusion (and no doubt opposition) throughout the state in regard to compliance. Some districts, like Knox County Schools, are pre-emptively removing books before a complaint has been made. In other cases, school board members and district officials arent even reading the books before voting to have them removed. In general, spinelessness and accommodation to the extreme right abound.

Wilson Countys list of nearly 400 banned books is being used by other school systems to purge their libraries. Located just east of Nashville and only the 12th largest district in the state, Wilson County is being used as the model for school leaders to forgo their own review processes and simply pull titles by Dr. Seuss, Judy Blume, Margaret Atwood and Stephen King, among others, from their shelves.

If Wilson Countys list is being shared around, and district leaders see it as a cheat sheet so that they dont have to conduct their own reviews, its creating an unofficial statewide book ban list, Lindsey Kimery, a TASL leader, told Chalkbeat.

The AAMA Chapter 782 mandates that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must publish their library collections online and include updated policies for reviewing library materials. These policies must detail a process for handling feedback from students, parents, or school employees.

When feedback is submitted, the school board is required to review the material in question to determine if it aligns with the schools mission and is suitable for the intended age group. If the material is found to be inappropriate, it must be removed from the library collection.

Each of the 93 schools in the Knox County Schools system lists their library collections on their school websites; however, neither the policies for reviewing materials nor details of the stakeholder feedback process can be found on either the district or school websites.

Last April, Knox County Schools formed school library councils as part of an effort to comply with the AAMA. The councils consist of librarians, principals, classroom teachers, counselors and parents. Another committee, the Sensitive Title Review Committee, will focus on evaluating sensitive titles for elementary, middle and high schools.

Our existing processes, while they have been robust, they have been reactive, Sarah Searles Knox County Schools academic resources supervisor told the Knox County School Board. Theyve waited for concerns to come in.

At no point does Searles question the undemocratic nature of the new processes instigated by ultra-right wing groups like Moms for Liberty whose motive is to attack First Amendment freedoms in public schools throughout the country while pushing a school choice agenda.

Tennessees AAMA was structured to reduce the likelihood of direct legal conflicts with First Amendment protections by attempting to circumvent prohibitions on viewpoint-based censorship established by landmark cases such as Board of Education v. Pico (1982), which determined that public schools could not remove books from libraries simply because they disagreed with the ideas or viewpoints expressed.

Maurice Sendak, In the Night Kitchen

By framing restrictions around age-appropriateness and suitability within the schools educational mission, it shifts the focus from censorship of particular viewpoints to a parents right to safeguard their children. In this way, the law aims to align with the legal boundaries defined by the First Amendment while still enabling ferocious censorship in schools.

Additionally, the AAMA attempts to avoid applying the Miller Test by including vague and broad criteria by which to determine what it purports is objectionable.

Miller v. California (1973) is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court that established a new standard for determining what constitutes obscenity, which is not protected under the First Amendment.

The Miller Test determines whether material is legally obscene using three criteria. First, it considers community standards. Second, the material must depict or describe sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, as specifically defined by state law.

Finally, the material must lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value when evaluated as a whole. This provision helps protect controversial works with significant cultural or intellectual merit.

It is this final criterion that will be foundational to anticipated legal challenges to the law.

In August, Penguin Random House, the biggest publisher in the US, and others sued Florida education officials after it passed a similar law to the one in Tennessee. They argued that the law has ignited a wave of book removals in violation of the First Amendment. The lawsuit is ongoing and is likely to influence how book bans are addressed legally.

Book bans in public schools have continued to rise sharply, according to a recent report from PEN America. Between July and December 2023, over 4,300 books were removed from schools in 23 states, exceeding the total number of bans recorded during the entire previous academic year.

Since mid-2021, PEN America has documented book removals in 42 states, occurring in districts led by both Republican and Democratic administrations. During the 2023-2024 school year, PEN America recorded 10,046 instances of book bans. Thats up from 3,362 in the prior school year.

According to PEN America, censorship often impacts materials dealing with topics such as race, gender and sexuality, targets of ultra-right wing groups and president-elect Trump who attacked transgender rights during his campaign and who oversaw an increase in states passing laws opposing LGBT rights during his first administration.

Under a second Trump administration, there will be increased federal backing for censorship of educational materials. Conservative judicial appointments would likely uphold the AAMA in the face of legal challenges.

The impetus for the effort to ban books comes from extreme right-wing and fascistic organizations. Their claims about safeguarding children need to be rejected with contempt, as these are the same outfits that support the slashing of social spending, an end to the right to abortion and policies generally that make life miserable for working class families. Their moral high ground is a smokescreen for deeply reactionary political aims, essentially the effort to illegalize critical and oppositional thought, an extension and expansion of the anti-communist McCarthyism of the 1940s and 1950s. Any work that encourages independent and rebellious thinking, criticizes conformism and patriotism or raises question about Americas supposed national values will come under attack. It is only one step from banning books to burning them, as the Nazis did.

The Democratic Party has put up no opposition to these far-right groups, who speak for a tiny fraction of the population. Nor have any of the teachers or education unions.

Though several states, such as California, Illinois, Minnesota, and New Jersey, have passed laws aimed at countering book bans, only a movement of the working class and the reorganization of society along socialist lines will protect the democratic rights of the entire population, including the right to read a book of ones own choosing!
New York rapper Fat Joe released his first album in nearly 15 years Friday and he pulled out a special pair of sneakers for the occasion.

In an Instagram post promoting the new album titled The World Changed on Me, the rapper donned a New York Knicks varsity jacket while showing off Virgil Ablohs unreleased Off-White x Air Jordan 4 in the sneakers classic Bred (black and red) colorway.

More from Footwear News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Off-White x Air Jordan 4 Bred shared by Fat Joe has never received a formal release. It was first seen during Ablohs Figures of Speech exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago during summer 2019. The sneaker follows Ablohs deconstructed design language and features a build similar to the womens Off-White x Air Jordan 4 Sail which was released July 2020.

It includes a black nubuck upper thats been gutted of its usual padding in the tongue and heel. The shoes mudguard is done up in translucent NextSkin fabric and the see-through concept also appears on the heel and TPU support wings. The lateral side of the sneaker features Ablohs signature AIR insignia while the medial netting is printed with Off-Whites branding. The design is completed with an opaque gray rubber outsole.

Off-White x Air Jordan 4 Bred from Virgil Ablohs Figures of Speech exhibition. Credit: MCA Chicago

To this day, the Bred Off-White x Air Jordan 4 is arguably the most coveted of Ablohs unreleased footwear designs. The designers widow, Shannon Abloh, wore the shoe in a November 2022 New York Times profile. Other pairs  sometimes of questionable authenticity  have circulated online over the years, but theres never been an official indication as to how many were produced.

In February 22, a Jordan Brand spokesperson said that the design was only created in sample form and there were no plans for the shoes to be released to the public.

Launch Gallery: Celebrities Wearing Air Jordans Over the Years [Photos]

Best of Footwear News

Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Chris Rock is gearing up to host Saturday Night Live for the fourth time.

On Dec. 14, the actor, 59, will serve as host of the comedy sketch series for the first time since 2020, when he kicked off the show's 46th season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rock, who was a cast member on SNL from 1990 to 1993 will also take the stage for the first time since the 2022 Oscars incident with Will Smith.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Chris Rock performs onstage during 2023 Night of Too Many Stars benefiting NEXT for AUTISM at Beacon Theatre on December 11, 2023 in New York City. Chris Rock performs onstage during 2023 Night of Too Many Stars benefiting NEXT for AUTISM at Beacon Theatre on December 11, 2023 in New York City.

Related: The Academy Responds After Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock, Denounces 'Violence of Any Form'

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though it's unclear whether there will be a sketch referencing the drama  one insider says don't rule it out  another source tells PEOPLE that regardless, Rock is "doing great" now.

"He's looking forward to concentrating on his comedy and career, and he is writing a ton," the source continues.

Speaking about the Smith incident specifically, the source adds, "He talked about during his Netflix special [Selective Outrage] and a little bit in the press, but has since moved on."

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.

Rock, who most recently executive produced an animated version of his show Everybody Hates Chris called Everybody Still Hates Chris, has also been working on several upcoming films, including I Am Maurice and Misty Green, which he also wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As for his dating life? Another insider notes that he's not dating anyone seriously.

He was previously linked to actress Lake Bell in 2022, after the two were seen on vacation in Croatia together.

At the time, a source confirmed to PEOPLE that the duo "have been seeing each other for a few weeks," and added, "They are getting to know each other and seem to have fun."

Related: Chris Rock and Lake Bell Hold Hands and Ride Boat During Croatia Vacation

The New York City-based star, who raised his daughters Lola, 22, and Zahra, 20, in the ritzy suburb of Alpine, New Jersey, with his ex-wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, remains a proud dad and an amicable co-parent with Compton-Rock.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The couple's daughter Lola studies in Paris, while Zahra is studying at USC.

Related: Chris Rock's 2 Daughters: All About Lola and Zahra

Rock and Compton-Rock were married in 1996 and split in 2014, finalizing their divorce in 2018.

Since then, Compton-Rock has been linked to Eric Maurice, who was once married to Sheryl Lee Ralph.



Saturday Night Live airs weekends on NBC.



Read the original article on People


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Spoilers below.

After acquiring the rights to Gabriel Garcia Marquezs Cien Anos de Soledad (100 Years of Solitude) back in 2019 , Netflix finally released the first eight episodes of the highly anticipated adaptation. Led by Argentinian-born director Alex Garcia Lopez with Marquezs two sons as executive producers, the magical realist show takes viewers on an enchanting and heartbreaking journey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A multigenerational story following the Buendia family, the first eight episodes of the series delve into the background of patriarch Jose Arcadio Buendia and his wife Ursula Iguaran Buendia in the early 1820s. After leaving their hometown to discover a new home for themselves, the Buendias establish the fictional town of Macondo in Colombia.

By the time we reach episode eight, its the early 1900s. The final episode in part 1 (Netflix has already confirmed a part 2 with eight more episodes covering the second half of the book) is titled So Many Flowers Fell From the Sky, a quote from the novel and hint to the tear-jerking events thatll take place during the hour-long finale.

The episode opens with Colonel Aureliano Buendia (Claudio Catano) being led through Macondo as a prisoner of the Conservative Party. His mother, Ursula (Marleyda Soto), demands to see him despite her son being in solitary confinement. The psychic colonel has come to terms with his impending execution as leader of the defeated Liberal forces, but tells his mother that his premonitions have stopped and he cannot see his death.

Ahead of his execution, town fortune teller Pilar Ternera (Vina Machado) tells the leader of the Conservative Party that the death of anyone who kills the colonel is guaranteedits an ominous message that Captain Roque Carnicero disregards in the moment, but ends up being subtle foreshadowing to what happens later on in the episode.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the day of his execution, Aureliano reminisces on the day his father took him and his older brother, Jose Arcadio (named after their father, played by Edgar Vittorino) to see ice at the travelers carnival. He closes his eyes and accepts his fate. Despite the executioners being nervous about the fortune tellers prediction, they raise their guns. A gunshot goes off and Aureliano opens his eyes to see his brother and his sister-in-law Rebeca (Laura Sofia Grueso Akima) holding the executioners at gunpoint. Carneciro accepts this as a form of divine intervention and calls off the execution before joining Aurelianos ranks as a Liberal fighter.

Pablo Arellano / Netflix

Shortly after saving his younger brother, Jose Arcadio, who has begun to charge landowners taxes, is killed. A trail of blood leads back to the Buendia family house, alerting Ursula to her sons fate. The narrator says no one knows who killed the eldest Buendia, although it is heavily implied that one of the farmers took action against him after taking portions of their profits.

Back on the battlefield, Aureliano is approached by the Conservative Party representatives and urged to sign a peace treaty. Refusing to sign away the dignity of his people, Aureliano and his troops continue their fight for the Liberal cause. Soon, a wanted poster with Aurelianos face appears around town. The Liberal party has betrayed him and put a reward out for his capture or death. Aureliano symbolically burns the red scarf signifying his party colors and declares to continue his mission with a rebel army. This is a significant shift for his character, who has always been an advocate for the people. Hes now attacking innocents to rid Colombia of the conservatives.





One Hundred Years of Solitude (Harper Perennial Modern Classics)

$11.32 at amazon.com

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A decade of war passes and peace is finally brought back to Macondo under the rule of General Jose Raquel Moncada. Despite being a conservative leader, he becomes instrumental in helping Macondo navigate the Colombian civil war.

In a strange turn of events, Amaranta (Loren Sofia Paz), the only biological daughter of Jose Arcadio and Ursula, begins to have feelings for her adopted son and biological nephew, Aureliano Jose. They begin an affair, but Amaranta decides to end it, forcing Aureliano Jose to join the frontlines with his father.

Towards the end of the episode, we see Colonel Aureliano dream of his father in a field with a bright yellow flower in his hands. He writes home to his mother saying that his premonitions have begun again and Jose Arcadio (Diego Vasquez) is going to die.

Back in Macondo, we see Jose Arcadio, who is not yet ready to sleep chase his wife through an infinite number of rooms, reliving significant parts of his life. He sees the truth of his friend Melquiadess death and the man he killed when he was younger, Prudencio, leads him into the stars. Its a powerful allegory for the passage of death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The night the Buendia patriarch dies, thousands of tiny yellow flowers fall from the sky, coating the town in a sea of sunshine. Jose Arcadios funeral procession is led through the flower-littered streets with his widow close by his coffin.

Pablo Arellano / Netflix

The episode ends years later in the early 1900s. The civil war has raged on and Aureliano has finally returned back to Macondo with hundreds of heavily armed rebels. His mother begs him not to attack, but he refuses to listen to her and intends on taking back his hometown from the conservatives. The audience watches as Ursula laments that her mother was right: She and Jose Arcadio did have monsters for children.

Despite eight full hours of non-stop drama and thought-provoking mysticisms, the final episode of Cien Anos de Soledad leaves you craving more. The next eight episodes, which do not yet have a release date, will hopefully be even more riveting. Will Macondo be retaken by Aureliano? What will happen to Ursula now that her husband is dead? And, most importantly, which of the Buendia offspring will take center stage in the remainder of the story?

You Might Also Like
Two travelers wrapped up their stay in Finland by celebrating their Airbnb host's birthday so he wouldnt spend the day solo!

The travelers, Jessica Judith and her friend Dani, shared their experience on social media, posting a TikTok video of themselves singing Happy Birthday to the host, identified as Tarmo  and the clip has since amassed more than 2.5 million likes.

In the video, posted Friday, Dec. 13, the women can be seen clapping and singing over Tarmo, who sat in front of a small dessert adorned with birthday candles. The trio then shared a sweet hug before cutting into the dessert.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our airbnb host was alone on his birthday and God knew to put two women who care too much about birthdays to celebrate with him, Judith wrote over the viral clip.

She also added some more context in the caption, revealing that Tarmo was the best host shes ever had.

The host took us to watch the reindeers, she wrote in the message, which was originally penned in Spanish. And every day he was waiting for us at his house with coffee and cookies ready.

"We love you so much Tarmo! she continued. What an honor to be able to celebrate your birthday with you!!!

MoMo Productions/Getty People celebrating a birthday (stock image) People celebrating a birthday (stock image)

Judith also posted the heartwarming clip on Instagram, where she revealed that she and Dani have had magical experiences while traveling together before, but nothing has compared to their time with Tarmo during the Finland getaway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The travelers chose to stay at the place because all the reviews talked about the host, who lives in a house near the Airbnb alone with his dog Peppi, and how sweet he is.

The duo reciprocated by celebrating his special day on their final day in the rental, Judith explained, writing that even though he told us he had nothing to celebrate his birthday, we decided that we ALL deserve a special birthday  especially Tarmo after the amazing treatment he gave us.

Judith also revealed in the message that she and Dani didn't speak the same language so they used a translator to communicate with the host. In another TikTok, she said they had amazing conversations together this way.

Everything was so special and at the end of our stay, she wrote, adding that at the end of their trip, he told them, I hope this is not the last time I see you in my lifetime.

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.

Across Judiths posts about her experience in Finland, commenters praised the girls for celebrating Tarmo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His mom would love you two for that, one person wrote. Thats it, another said. You guys gotta go visit him every year for his birthday .

Others clamored for the Airbnb listing so they too can meet the host. Drop the Airbnb link so we can take turns and go for his bday, one person commented.

Can you drop the Airbnb listing PLEASE, another wrote. I need to support this man. He deserves the world.

Airbnb even replied, When the guests make the host feel hosted .

Read the original article on People
Any city-dweller will know about all the popular restaurants in their city. Maybe they're located in a town center, locally acclaimed for having a stunning ambiance or known for having the best burgers in town made by award-winning chefs. There's a lot to be said about a well-known eatery whose food deserves every ounce of recognition it gets, and whose flash draws in visitors off the street like bugs to a lantern. But what about a town's hidden gems -- the unassuming joints whose modest appearances belie the stunning cuisine?

These so-called "hole-in-the-wall" eateries are the places a friend will drag you to when you're visiting from out of town. Tourists rarely know about them while locals treasure them, and they're often incredibly easy to walk right by or to pass off with the assumption that their food is as modest as their exterior. Hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are well worth your hard-earned dollar aren't easy to suss out at face value; often, it takes the opinions of locals to sway one toward a lesser-known food stop. We gathered a list of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in each state, each picked for its humble exterior and stellar reviews. The next time you're in the following states, do yourself a favor and skip the fine dining for a homey, hole-in-the-wall restaurant experience.

Read more: 25 Most Popular Snacks In America Ranked Worst To Best

Alabama: Big Spring Cafe

Exterior shot of Big Spring Cafe in Alabama - Big Spring Cafe/Facebook

From the outside, Alabama's Big Spring Cafe looks like any old burger joint, red lettering and all. It would be tempting to drive right past the spot -- after all, it's not surrounded by shops and other restaurants. But if you pass this joint the next time you drive down Governor's Road in Huntsville, you should stop by, especially if you're a burger lover. Locals seem to love this spot, with one commenting on TripAdvisor that Big Spring Cafe has the "best burgers and chili cheese fries in town."

Alaska: Oscar's Taco Grande

Exterior of Oscar's Taco Grande building in Alaska - gomeansgo/Instagram

Oscar Hernandez, owner and operator of Oscar's Taco Grande in Anchorage, Alaska, has garnered a loyal customer base not only for his stellar food but because of his service to the community -- Hernandez is known for feeding community members who are down on their luck for free. Oscar's Taco Grande isn't a location you'll happen upon, but that hasn't been bad for business, as locals go out of their way to dine regularly at the Mexican eatery; one on TripAdvisor goes so far as to say it's "definitely the go-to breakfast spot."

Arizona: Kiss Pollos Estilo Sinaloa

Soft tacos on trays inside Kiss Pollos in Arizona - kiss_pollos_es/Instagram

We aren't the first to call Arizona's Kiss Pollos Estilo Sinaloa the state's best hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and for good reason. Tucked away on a side street, it would be easy to pass this restaurant by if you weren't looking for it -- but should you ever find yourself in Phoenix, you should make it a destination. Phoenix residents vouch for Kiss Pollos, which many specifically refer to as a "hole in the wall," saying it's shocking that the restaurant isn't more well-known for its yummy food.

Arkansas: Oark General Store

Exterior shot of Oark General Store in Arkansas - Oark General Store/Facebook

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some hold-in-the-wall spots have been around long enough to be considered local legends, and if any on our list fit that description, it's certainly Oark General Store. The small hideaway is worth making a trip to when you're near Oark, regardless of how hungry you are, as many say the scenery along the way is enough of a reason to visit the restaurant. While burgers are a popular choice here, make sure to leave room for dessert -- locals say Oark General Store's pies are to die for.

California: Las Cuatro Milpas

Las Cuatro Milpas sign in San Diego - imbeatty/Instagram

Given that California boasts a wealth of quality Mexican eateries, it's not surprising that one of them would be our pick for the state's best hold-in-the-wall restaurant. Las Cuatro Milpas fits the bill; it would be easy to walk past this building if there wasn't always a long line out front. The line alone should be a sign that this spot is worth the visit, but in case you're left with any doubts, check out its TripAdvisor reviews (and don't forget to bring cash).

Colorado: George's Drive Inn

Walsenburg Colorado skyline with mountains in the background - Hugh Rhine / 500px/Getty Images

When you think of Colorado dining spots, your mind likely goes to one of Denver's best wine bars, but our top pick for the state is pretty far south of this major city. Located conveniently just off the highway in Walsenburg, Colorado, George's Drive Inn doesn't have much notable about its exterior other than its red roof and ample parking lot. Don't let its unassuming appearance deter you from making a visit -- locals and tourists alike love this old-timey diner, especially for its breakfast food.

Connecticut: Little Goose

Exterior shot of Little Goose in Connecticut - Little Goose Cafe/Facebook

Our Connecticut hole-in-the-wall pick is nestled between a couple car dealerships and a post office, so it's not in a location you'd necessarily find yourself wandering around looking for something to eat. Its removal from the hubbub of town shouldn't be an indication of its quality, as Fairfield residents highly enjoy meeting friends at Little Goose to enjoy brunch. If this is on your to-visit spot the next time you're around Fairfield, make a reservation in advance, as it can get quite busy.

Delaware: Patty's Deli

Exterior of Patty's Deli in Delaware - Patty's/Facebook

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone who's ever needed to place a catering order around Lewes, Delaware has likely heard of Patty's Deli. Tucked inside a gas station, Patty's is almost literally a hole in the wall, but don't let that deter you from trying one of its sandwiches when you're filling your tank. Aside from its stellar sandwiches (which are made using fresh, quality ingredients), Patty's is known for having some of the best customer service around, and is worth looking into should you ever need some last-minute bites for a crowd.

Florida: Star Fish Company

Exterior shot of Star Fish Co. restaurant sign in Florida - Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant/Facebook

Cortez probably isn't the first Florida town you think of when you're after a vacation destination, but this small fishing village just happens to be home to our pick for the state's best hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Star Fish Company is easy to miss if you're not looking for it, and it's well worth going out of your way for. Locals often recommend the restaurant to tourists and its fresh seafood can't be matched; seafood aside, do yourself a favor and order some hush puppies and a slice of key lime pie when you go.

Georgia: Southern Soul Barbeque

Outside of Southern Soul Barbeque building, red name on white wall in Georgia - Southern Soul Barbeque/Facebook

Southern Soul Barbeque in Saint Simons Island, Georgia, doesn't need to rely on fancy signs or a strategic location to attract patrons -- it's known enough by locals to have earned its high standing in the community, and has even been visited by big names in the food industry like Guy Fieri. With nearly 2,000 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, it's safe to say this is a must-eat spot if you're ever in the area. Try its mac and cheese and the pulled pork when you go.

Hawaii: Ray's Cafe

Front of Ray's Cafe building in Oahu, Hawaii - fly_rye808

Ray's Cafe in Oahu, Hawaii is a hole in the wall if there ever was one -- all that announces the presence of this tiny, cash-only restaurant is a modest sign hanging just outside its entryway. This spot is well-loved by locals, many of whom are known by name in the cafe, and non-regulars applaud its homey vibes and kind staff. If you head in, make sure to try the prime rib, which reviewers say is delicious and a fantastic price for what you get.

Idaho: Buffalo Cafe

Sign for The Buffalo Cafe Restaurant in Idaho - The Buffalo Cafe/Facebook

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Buffalo Cafe in Twin Falls, Idaho really isn't much of a looker from the outside; in fact, were it not for the spot's shabby sign, you may not know it was a restaurant at all. The spot has several special house dishes, like its "Eggs Hunter Style" and "Buffalo Chip," and it's often filled with locals -- a good sign that it's a quality spot. Head over to Buffalo Cafe when you're in the area, though you may want to make a reservation first, as it can get pretty busy.

Illinois: Crazy Joe's Fish House

Crazy Joe's Fish House sign painted on outside of building - Crazy Joes Fish House/Facebook

Crazy Joe's Fish House is so out of the way that you won't even be able to see a Google Street View of it before visiting. Don't let its "crazy" location in Ava, Illinois stop you from making the trek out, though, as this spot seems to have some of the best seafood around and has even been recognized by local news networks. Folks especially enjoy its ample selection of fried offerings and say that it has a relaxing atmosphere, and is a great place to take the family for a bite.

Indiana: Savage's Ale House

Outside of Savage's Ale House in Indiana - Savage's Ale House/Facebook

Muncie, Indiana locals may have a guess as to what our Indiana pick is. Savage's Ale House sits at the intersection of West Washington Street and North High Street; to look at the area, you wouldn't think it's where you'd find a fantastic bar. Yelp reviewers love this "hidden gem" -- it seems like some locals don't even know about it -- and they especially mention its incredibly inexpensive prices and huge selection of beers.

Iowa: Canteen Lunch In The Alley

Exterior of Canteen Lunch In the Alley with neon sign - aaronjmartin89/Instagram

Canteen Lunch In The Alley is right where you'd expect -- nestled in a back alley in Ottumwa, Iowa, and hardly noticeable but for its neon sign and yellow exterior. Patrons say that stepping into this establishment is like taking a step back in time, and they laud the spot's loose meat hamburgers, malt shakes, and pies. One reviewer on TripAdvisor even mentioned driving a whopping 500 miles just to eat at Canteen Lunch; if that's not a testament to its greatness, we don't know what is.

Kansas: Tri-Mee Drive-In

Hand holding ice cream cone under Tri-Mee Drive In sign - Tri-Mee Drive In/Facebook

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unless you're driving down Washington Street in Fredonia, Kansas specifically to go to Tri-Mee Drive-In, chances are you'll pass by this tiny establishment without even noticing it, which would be quite a shame. The burgers at this food joint are beloved to locals, some of whom have been frequenting the drive-in for over 30 years, and it's the perfect place to visit if you want a side of nostalgia with your meal -- customers say it reminds them of what restaurants were like before there were chains.

Kentucky: JK's At Forest Grove

Interior shot of JK's at Forest Grove cafe in Kentucky - jksatforestgrove/Instagram

Aside from the tables, lawn chairs, and small sign out front, JK's at Forest Grove looks more like a house than a restaurant. You're not likely to spot it on a casual drive -- it's located on a country road surrounded by other houses, but don't let that stop you from seeking it out when you're in Winchester, Kentucky. One Yelp reviewer calls it a "local favorite." With reviews that are almost exclusively four and five stars, we can hardly disagree. Try one of its sandwich selections when you stop in.

Louisiana: Billeaud's Meat & Grocery

Outside of Billeaud's Meat and Grocery in Louisiana - Billeaud's Meat & Grocery/Facebook

If you're a fan of boudin and cracklin who lives in Louisiana, there's no way you don't know about Billeaud's. This hybrid grocery/lunch spot has plenty of cuts of meat you can buy to make at home, but while you're there, we recommend you try whatever the lunch special is that day. If the wealth of five-star Yelp reviews isn't enough to convince you to give Billeaud's a try, take the testimony of one reviewer who says, "My wife has been eating their boudin since the 1980s, and the recipe is just as good today as it was back then."

Maine: Ruski's Tavern

Man standing outside of Ruski's Tavern in Portland, Maine - Ruski's Tavern/Facebook

Unless you have a particular fondness for navy blue awnings, you'll probably walk right by Ruski's Tavern in Portland, Maine. The small, house-esque tavern doesn't announce its presence from the street, nor does it need to -- locals hold it (and its breakfast in particular) in high enough acclaim to keep it busy. Reviewers love the homey, friendly vibes of this dive bar and say that it's a staple in Portland; one on Yelp said they're "still thinking about" their biscuits and gravy.

Maryland: Sunshine General Store

Exterior shot of Sunshine General Store in Maryland - Sunshine Store/Facebook

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sure, Sunshine General Store's building is large enough to be noticeable, but it boasts no pomp and circumstance to invite patrons in. Rather, you're only likely to stop at the eatery in Brookeville, Maryland if you make it a destination -- which you absolutely should if you're a fan of burgers. Don't believe us? Take the words of one TripAdvisor reviewer, who says "Beat [sic] burgers i have every had although the rundown gas station looks like a jail cell. The best food isnt always in the most appealing places!"

Massachusetts: Miss Worcester Diner

Outside of Miss Worcester Diner in Massachusetts at night - missworcesterdiner/Instagram

You shouldn't need us to tell you that Miss Worcester is the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Massachusetts -- the numerous awards won by the spot as well as its standing with the locals should be evidence enough. A step inside the tiny, crammed joint will make you feel like you're eating in an actual hole in the wall, but it's well worth it. Plan to wait in line if you go for weekend brunch, but if that doesn't deter you, try one of its omelets when you head in.

Michigan: Karas Family Restaurant

Exterior shot of Karas Family Restaurant in Michigan - Karas Family Restaurant/Facebook

You might not expect a Greek restaurant to be one of Michigan's hot spot eateries, which is one reason why Karas Family Restaurant is the perfect pick for our Michigan hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It's not in a notable part of town nor does its modest sign help it stand out on the street. Nevertheless, give it a try when you're in Saint Clair Shores; reviewers say the prices are great and they especially love its breakfast and gyros.

Minnesota: Al's Breakfast

Exterior shot of Al's Breakfast restaurant in Minnesota - Al's Breakfast/Facebook

You might find yourself walking down 14th Avenue SE when you're in Minneapolis, but it will be easy enough to step right past Al's Breakfast if you don't know about it. The short, squat building could easily get lost among its neighbors, so make it a destination the next time you're in the city. If you don't mind eating in tight quarters, Al's is well worth the trip -- reviewers especially enjoy its Jose omelet and pancakes.

Mississippi: H.D. Gibbes & Sons

Outside of H.D. Gibbes & Sons in Mississippi - H.D. Gibbes & Sons

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our Mississippi pick doesn't seem like a restaurant at all from the outside -- rather, it looks like an abandoned house save for the chairs on the front porch and the lights that adorn the awning. Don't let its shabby exterior keep you from visiting H.D. Gibbes & Sons in Learned, Mississippi, which has been around since the 1800s and still accepts checks as a form of payment. Be ready to pay top dollar at this steakhouse, but it's well worth it, as folks from all over Mississippi will come to Learned just to dine at the restaurant.

Missouri: The Gyro Company

Exterior shot of Gyro Company building in Missouri - gyrocompany/Instagram

Sure, the Gyro company isn't much of a looker, and you're sure to miss it unless you have the inside scoop on favorite restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri. Its interior is also incredibly modest and gives off a cafeteria-like vibe, but you won't mind in the slightest once you've taken a bite of your gyro. Locals say this spot has the greatest gyros in town, and it's also known for having yummy desserts like tiramisu and lemon cake.

Montana: Chicks Bar

Outside of Chicks Bar and Motel building in Montana - Chicks Bar/Facebook

You don't have to be a guest at its motel and RV parkto dine at Chicks Bar, and it's well worth the visit even if you just go for the gorgeous mountain views. A step inside the eatery will take you back in time, and reviewers warn not to let its unassuming exterior fool you -- the inside is pleasantly Western themed and serves up food to match. It's great any time of day, and multiple TripAdvisor reviews especially laud its breakfast and steak offerings.

Nebraska: Hi-Way Diner

Hi-Way Diner sign in front of sky in Nebraska - zekesbiken/Instagram

The red road sign announcing its presence is the only thing that will draw the attention of passers-by to the Hi-Way Diner. Its exterior couldn't be simpler, but the diner more than makes up for it with a hip, retro interior that will take you back several decades -- not to mention, its food is delicious. Locals can often be seen enjoying breakfast at this spot and it's likely to get busy on weekend mornings, so plan your visit accordingly.

Nevada: Lou's Diner

Exterior shot of Lou's Diner in Nevada - Lou's Diner/Facebook

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When you think of dining in Nevada, your mind is likely drawn to the upscale restaurants of Las Vegas or even the state's oldest dive bar -- but neither of those makes this list as Nevada's best hole-in-the-wall eatery. Rather, the honor goes to Lou's Diner, a restaurant that you'll probably miss unless you're looking for a spot to eat in its strip mall. This off-the-strip Vegas eatery is still just as busy as any other breakfast spot, even in the middle of the week; customers recommend getting anything you can slather one of its homemade jams on.

New Hampshire: Margie's Dream Diner

Outside of Margie's Dream Diner with open flag in New Hampshire - Margie's Dream Diner/Facebook

Another spot that could just as easily pass for a residence, Margie's Dream Diner only has a large sign on the side of its building to let visitors to Manchester, New Hampshire know it's there. Guests typically enjoy the diner's different egg offerings and its coffee, though some say you should be prepared to wait a bit for your food to come out. Nevertheless, Margie's Dream Diner is a must-visit in Manchester even if just for its quaint, old-timey interior.

New Jersey: American Melts

Outside of American Melts eatery in New Jersey - americanmelts/Instagram

Our New Jersey hole-in-the-wall restaurant is teeny tiny and not super visible from the road, so don't expect to notice it even if you happen to pass by. Instead, make American Melts a destination on your next trip to Kenilworth, New Jersey. You won't find any indoor seating, so be ready to either sit outside (provided the weather is decent) or take your sandwich to go. Wondering what to order? Yelp reviewers give high acclaim to nearly all the establishment's sandwiches, so we'll leave your order up to personal preference.

New Mexico: Chope's Bar And Cafe

Exterior shot of Chope's Bar & Cafe in New Mexico - Chope's Town Bar & Cafe/Facebook

Unlike some other spots on this list, Chope's Bar & Cafe isn't shy about its presence -- but its exterior does give off more of a convenience store vibe than that of a landmark New Mexico eatery. Nevertheless, locals love it, with some sayingChope's has the best Mexican food in town (high praise for La Mesa, New Mexico). When you go in, try the chile rellenos, or visit on Taco Tuesday and feast on some authentic tacos.

New York: Margon

Exterior shot of Margon Cubas restaurant in New York City - margonrestaurantnyc/Instagram

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New York's best hole-in-the-wall restaurant may be located in New York City, but it's not the city's famous first dry speakeasy or even one of the city's most well-known spots. Margon sits nestled between numerous other restaurants on West 46th Street, but don't let the other cuisine options distract you from trying the Cuban food it offers. Locals love its sandwiches (especially the Cuban, of course) saying the restaurant has reasonable prices and is well worth a visit.

North Carolina: Country Deli

Interior of Country Deli in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina - countrydeliobx/Instagram

Restaurant options are abundant when you vacation in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, but don't pass up Country Deli should you find yourself in Kill Devil Hills. OBX locals love the sandwiches but warn that Country Deli's menu is incredibly expansive, so it may be a good idea to check it out before heading in. Ignore the humble strip mall exterior and head inside to be greeted by brightly-colored tables and sandwiches absolutely piled with ingredients.

North Dakota: Darcy's Cafe

Darcy's Cafe sign against sky in North Dakota - Darcy's Cafe/Facebook

A trip to Grand Forks, North Dakota, probably won't see you stopping at Darcy's Cafe unless you've heard about it from the locals. But if you happen to pass it while driving up North Washington, you should definitely stop in for a bite. Neither its interior nor its exterior are much to look at, but the frequency of regulars and often long wait times are enough to convince us it's worth a visit -- diners especially enjoy its breakfast offerings which, though nothing unique, are exceptional fare.

Ohio: The Brown Bag Deli

Exterior shot of The Brown Bag Deli in Ohio - lovinlifecbus/Instagram

Located in a fairly residential part of Columbus, Ohio, you probably won't stumble across The Brown Bag Deli while taking a stroll around town -- but make sure you stop here nonetheless. One local Yelp reviewer says the deli has "the best sandwiches in town," but if sandwiches aren't your thing, the restaurant also has soup and salad options. Don't have your heart set on eating inside, though, as the tiny spot is often packed with customers.

Oklahoma: Sid's Diner

Exterior of Sid's Diner in Oklahoma at night - sidsdiner.elreno/Instagram

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sid's Diner in El Reno, Oklahoma may boast one of the better exteriors of our hole-in-the-wall restaurant picks, but it still earns its spot here due to its small capacity and less-than-noticeable location. However, the eatery can get so busy that it recommends you make a reservation before heading in. Locals are obsessed with its burgers (especially the onion burger), and some make the trek to El Reno just to go to Sid's Diner.

Oregon: Screen Door

Screen Door Restaurant sign in Portland, Oregon - screendoorrestaurant/Instagram

Screen Door has a few locations in Portland, Oregon, but its East Burnside location is one of the most unassuming, highly acclaimed brunch spots you'll find in the city. Expect a long wait on weekend mornings, especially when the weather's nice out, but don't let the wait keep you from feasting on its popular food. Customers love the chicken and waffles it offers, though you may find it to be a bit more expensive than some other hole-in-the-wall spots on our list.

Pennsylvania: John's Roast Pork

Exterior shot of John's Roast Pork in Pennsylvania - John's Roast Pork/Facebook

John's Roast Pork might earn a passing glance as you're heading to dine at the IHOP across the street, but it deserves so much more -- cancel your pancake plans and opt for one of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's favorite cheesesteaks instead. It's a tiny eatery with minimal indoor seating and often long wait times. Take that as a good sign; if locals think its food is worth waiting for, so should you. Try either a cheesesteak or a roast pork sandwich when you visit, as customers say both are delicious.

Rhode Island: Ogie's Trailer Park

Exterior shot of Ogie's Trailer Park in Rhode Island - ogiestrailerpark/Instagram

Take Reddit's word for it and grab a bite at Ogie's Trailer Park the next time you find yourself in Providence, Rhode Island. The bar, which can hardly be seen from the street, supposedly has the best tater tots around , and locals love its beer selection and comfort food offerings. Moreover, if you're traveling with a pet, multiple reviews mention Ogie's Trailer Park being dog-friendly and even making plain chicken breasts for pups upon request.

South Carolina: Dave's Carry-Out

Exterior shot of Dave's Carry-Out in South Carolina - melissa_archer/Instagram

South Carolina boasts a treasure trove of acclaimed eateries, from European-inspired cafes to southern cuisine -- and, of course, seafood. Whether or not you have a particular hankering for sea fare the next time you visit Charleston, be sure to make a stop at Dave's Carry-Out. Despite its light blue exterior, this joint on the corner of Morris Street and Coming Street isn't particularly noticeable, but it's worth seeking out to have a taste of its fish sandwiches and fried shrimp.

South Dakota: Ron's Cafe

Exterior shot of Ron's Cafe in South Dakota - Ron's Cafe/Facebook

Ron's Cafe in Rapid City, South Dakota came to our attention via a few Reddit recommendations, one of which called it "the definition of a hole in the wall." Stellar service aside, quite a few Yelp reviews see customers calling it the best breakfast available in Rapid City. Multiple reviews on TripAdvisor say that Ron's Cafe served up perfectly cooked eggs, and those who found out about the cafe via online reviews agreed that it's well worth the visit.

Tennessee: The Loveless Cafe

Tennessee Loveless Cafe and Motel sign in snowy weather - Loveless Cafe/Facebook

It's no secret that Nashville is home to plenty of hip food joints, from some of its best dive bars to well-known southern spots. Because it's not in downtown Nashville, it would be easy to drive right by The Loveless Cafe, which is beloved by locals (despite its rather bleak name). Take a trip down Highway 100 and stop in to get some of the best biscuits, fried chicken, and Bloody Marys that Nashville has to offer.

Texas: Gino's Deli Stop N Buy

Gino's Deli Stop n Buy sign in Texas - eatdrinkandberichard/Instagram

Unless your next trip to San Antonio, Texas sees you careening down Huebner Road, and unless you're specifically looking for a tiny maybe-eatery in a rather plain strip mall, you'd never know Gino's Deli was even there -- and that would be quite the shame. This hidden San Antonio gem has over 2,000 five star Yelp reviews, and many reviewers mention getting free chips and a drink upon their first visit, as well as the owner's promise that he doesn't want your money unless you love your food. Fortunately, that's rarely a problem -- its cheesesteaks are supposedly fantastic.

Utah: Patty Shack

Exterior shot of Patty Shack restaurant in Utah - patty.shack/Instagram

Utah's aptly-named Patty Shack is just that -- a small shack that you won't notice unless your eyes are peeled as you drive the streets of Taylorsville. It's popular with residents, and rightly so. Reviews of Patty Shack applaud its classic burgers, which boast nothing fancy or unique and yet are sumptuous in their simplicity. Even more than the burgers, customers seem to love the fries, which they say are wonderfully crispy.

Vermont: Handy's Lunch

Handy's Lunch sign outside restaurant in Vermont - Handy's Lunch/Facebook

Handy's Lunch is situated in a cute house on the corner of Maple Street and South Champlain Street in Burlington, Vermont. You'd have to be looking for it to stop in as a visitor, but once you do, you won't regret it. Aside from Earl, the friendly owner who's always down for a chat, Yelp reviewers love this "quintessential greasy spoon diner." They especially recommend the huge Black Belt sandwich, a breakfast sandwich offering, or french toast.

Virginia: The Ten Top

Red interior of The Ten Top in Norfolk, Virginia - The Ten Top/Facebook

Situated right next to a Coin Laundry shop, Norfolk, Virginia's The Ten Top only has a tiny sign outside its building to clue guests in to its location. Should you ever find yourself wondering about the tiny, unassuming eatery, head on in for a quick peek, and stay for its stellar food offerings. Locals are obsessed with its sandwiches, but sandwiches aren't the only thing The Ten Top offers -- grab some soup from here the next time you're feeling under the weather, or go here for a healthy bite when you've had your fill of the areas fried food offerings.

Washington: Hole In The Wall BBQ

Exterior shot of Hole in the Wall BBQ in Seattle, Washington - Hole in the Wall BBQ/Facebook

It was only a matter of time before we mentioned a place as appropriately-named as it could get, yet we've finally arrived at Hole In The Wall BBQ in Seattle, Washington. Head here if you want something heartier than a Washington breakfast cafe may be able to offer -- trust us, you won't be disappointed. Friendly owners seem to be a trend among our hole-in-the-wall picks, and Hole In The Wall BBQ is no exception. Do yourself a favor and follow patrons' recommendations by trying some of its brisket when you go in.

West Virginia: Hermosilla's Deli Market

Exterior shot of Hermosilla's Deli Market in West Virginia at night - Hermosilla's Deli Market - Fairmont, WV/Facebook

Unfortunately, MSN beat us to calling Hermosilla's Deli Market the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant in West Virginia, but that only makes its title all the more well-deserved. Despite not really being noticeable enough from the street to garner the attention of tourists, plenty who have heard about Hermosilla's stop in for its scrumptious fresh sandwich offerings. One TripAdvisor review says that living near Hermosilla's feels like "having a New York deli in your small town neighborhood" -- pretty high acclaim, if you ask us.

Wisconsin: Al's Hamburgers

Exterior shot of Al's Hamburgers in Green Bay, Wisconsin - Al's Hamburger Shop/Facebook

Housed in a tiny white building in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Al's Hamburgers is easily swallowed up by its surroundings unless you know to look for it. However, it's well worth looking for the next time you find yourself in the Green Bay area. It's well-known enough among locals to have gotten its own Reddit thread shoutout that sees tons of users applauding its burgers, shakes, and fries; if that's not enough to sway you, take the testimony of local reviewers who love the long-standing spot and also mention its cheese curds as a must-try.

Wyoming: Sherrie's Place

Exterior shot of Sherrie's Place in Wyoming - rorocienfuegos/Instagram

Last but certainly not least, Casper, Wyoming, is the home to the state's best hole-in-the-wall eatery: Sherrie's Place. Its humble exterior hides an incredibly quaint interior, and its food is fantastic as well. Reviewers say to not be put off by a long wait; it's well worth it, especially as a spot beloved by locals. If you're ever driving through Casper, pop in and order whatever sounds good for breakfast -- and don't pass up a cinnamon roll and a chat with Sherrie herself while you're there.

Methodology

Restaurant exterior with Hole in the Wall sign - Del Harper/Shutterstock

In order to be named the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant for a particular state, a restaurant had to have an unassuming exterior and be loved by locals. It couldn't be attention-grabbing; the more modest, the better. Nearly all of the eateries we chose had at least four stars on multiple review platforms, and several had been around for a while, proving themselves to be a cornerstone of their community.

After coming up with a cursory list of eateries, we consulted various review platforms and local forums (such as Reddit) to see whether the restaurant actually deserved the acclaim it was about to get. All the restaurants on this list get great reviews from visitors and locals alike, and several mention the spot being a local hang or a hidden gem, hole-in-the-wall eatery.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
As one of the 13 original colonies, New Hampshire started many businesses and resources before the United States formed, including everything from colleges to inns to libraries.

In fact, New Hampshire's first library dates back to 71 years before the state was founded and 59 years before the country was founded. Part of the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the New Hampshire State Library was first established in 1717, making it the oldest state library in the country. Stocked with hundreds of thousands of historical items, the state library serves as a resource center for both the government and public.

Want to learn more about New Hampshire's history at its first library? Here's everything you need to know before you go.

History of New Hampshire State Library

Many books stacked with blurred background of bookstore full of books. Photo with copyspace

In January of 1717, Portsmouth held New Hampshires 27th General Assembly meeting, which passed various orders for the progression of the colony. One of these orders called for two books to be kept by the state for government use, therefore starting the New Hampshire State Library.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state library moved from Portsmouth to Concord in 1808, and its current building was constructed next to the statehouse in 1895.

Over the 300+ years of its existence, the New Hampshire State Library has grown from its two original books to over 600k items, including historical pieces like an extensive newspaper collection, old phone books, the first ever map of the state from 1784, state political records and an archive of town reports that can be used to trace one's lineage.

What's the oldest town in NH: The oldest town in NH is over 400 years old. But actually it's two towns

How to visit New Hampshire State Library

The New Hampshire State Library is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 20 Park St. in Concord.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Where is the oldest library in New Hampshire?
There are plenty of beautiful lakes in Vermont, but it's a matter of debate which one is the prettiest.

But, one long-running magazine is boldly asserting that they know which lake is the most beautiful.

Reader's Digest published a list of the prettiest lakes in each state in the country, from Arizona's Lake Pleasant to Wyoming's Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

"Whether you prefer lakes known for their swimming, fishing, or charming surrounding towns, weve got you covered," the Reader's Digest article said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With so many iconic bodies of water in the Green Mountain State, such as Lake Willoughby and Lake Saint Catherine, Reader's Digest had plenty of lakes to pick from.

Their choice for Vermont's prettiest lake likely won't surprise Burlington residents.

Lake Champlain named as prettiest lake in Vermont

Lake Champlain seen from Rock Point in Burlington on Jan. 5, 2019.

The Reader's Digest article said that Lake Champlain is Vermont's prettiest lake.

"Its so massive, in fact, that its actually the sixth-largest lake in the United States after the five Great Lakes," Reader's Digest said. "A surface area of 314,000 acres means theres plenty of room to swim, boat, fish, paddle, and more."

Lake Champlain sits between Quebec, New York and Vermont.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"On Lake Champlains sunny shores, visitors can hike, bike, camp, and picnic," the magazine said. "There are even rumors of an ancient lake monster named Champ to add a little folklore fun to this legendary region."

What are the deepest bodies of water in Vermont? Here's what to know.

What is a lake?

A lake is a large body of water  either slowly moving or standing  the occupies an inland basin.

Exactly what metric distinguishes a lake from a pond is largely undefined.

Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Prettiest lake in Vermont? Lake Champlain makes the cut
Dec. 11A group of Montana and Colorado women are going to Guatemala for a voluntourism trip to help women there. Dr. Linda Carlson of Colorado and Serena Keller of Bigfork Rotary lead the group.

Their task is to teach parent groups to make re-usable menstrual products so girls can attend school when on their periods. Dr. Carlson has previously led groups to Nepal, Senegal, India and Greenland and now is excited to be in Guatemala engaging women with women in the project designed to normalize menstrual hygiene and improve girls' school attendance.

This is an appeal for materials and tools. Used clean flannel sheets, threads, needles, cutting tools and board are welcome.

Drop off points in Columbia Falls and Kalispell are Teakettle Women's Clinic, Sassafras gift store, Freedom Bank and Heaven's Peak Healthcare.

Deadline for donations is Jan. 12.
Many cruise ports remain under travel advisories from the U.S. State Department. There's a big difference, however, between the types of advisories issued.

A Level 1 advisory is a common sense "Exercise normal precautions" warning. That could apply nearly anywhere, but the State Department will offer some specific places or areas of concern.

Related: Royal Caribbean shares its fix for a struggling cruise port

A number of cruise ports that are visited by all the major cruise lines are under this type of warning. The U.S. government isn't saying not to visit; it's just suggesting that you pay a little more attention to your surroundings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Level 2 warnings call for people to "Exercise increased caution." That's a little more serious, but you have to actually read the warning. The Bahamas, for example, home to multiple popular cruise ports has been under a Level 2 warning for quite a while, but the actual danger is fairly specific.

"The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population," the State Department shared. "Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas."

That's a warning worth paying attention to, but it's not as strict as a Level 3 advisory, which asks Americans to "reconsider travel" to the destination. The agency has issued a new Level 3: Reconsider travel warning for Nicaragua, home to the popular San Juan, Del Sur cruise port, which has traditionally been a stop for Royal Caribbean.

Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.

Cruise lines have not been calling on San Juan del Sur in 2024.Image source: Pixabay

State Department updates Nicaragua travel advisory

Royal Caribbean lists San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, as a port, but it has not been stopping there and currently shows no cruise with it as a port. In better days, however, the cruise line's website describes a port that would have been a desired stop.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Once a sleepy little fishing village, this idyllic beach town in Nicaragua has garnered a little more global attention lately thanks to its easygoing vibe, budget-friendly activities and stunning natural splendor. That said, a cruise to San Juan del Sur still feels very off the beaten path. You wont find crowds of tourists here  just avid surfers chasing world-class waves, expats living out their dreams along the areas golden shores, and a mix of sun-seekers and savvy celebrities craving a low-key tropical getaway," it shared.

The U.S. State Department, however, has been clear that Americans should reconsider visiting Nicaragua under any circumstances. The Level 3 Travel advisory comes with the following top-line description:

"Reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability. Exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to crime," the State Dept. shared.

Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

Nicaragua has targeted Americans

The State Department made it clear that some of the dangers were specific to Americans:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"In the past year, the Government of Nicaragua has subjected U.S. citizens to arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions, arrests, revocations of Nicaraguan citizenship, and other actions," it shared.

The agency offered significant further warnings sharing that the Government of Nicaragua may:

Arbitrarily deny entry or re-entry to Nicaragua or departure from Nicaragua to U.S. citizens and Nicaraguan citizens. The government is not required to provide a basis for its denial.

Search personal phones, computers, social media accounts, and documents for anti-government content.

Limit photography.

Seize personal devices.

Target individuals for political reasons, regardless of nationality. These can include former allies, political activists, business representatives, religious and charity groups, clergy, missionaries, human rights advocates, civil society leaders, academics, and journalists.

Target pro-democracy advocates and their family members.

Confiscate privately owned land, residences, financial assets, or personal property. They may do this without warning or due process.

Arbitrarily detain, accuse, and charge individuals with terrorism, money laundering, or organized crime offenses. They may do this without fair or transparent processes.

Related: What it's like to sail Disney Cruise Line as an adult man

The U.S. agency also shared the following health and safety warnings:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Government hospitals are understaffed, and some hospitals throughout the country may not be able to assist in emergencies. Tap water is not reliably potable. Drink only purified bottled water," it added.

Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
DENVER (KDVR)  One person was shot and killed in what police are investigating as a homicide overnight Friday into Saturday.

The Denver Police Department first posted about the incident on X at 10:36 p.m. saying police were investigating a shooting near East Colfax Avenue and North Cherry Street.

Police initially said there was one victim with an unknown extent of injuries, and later provided an update saying that the victim had been pronounced dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The police department said investigators were working to develop suspect information.

Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The city of Sturgis has attracted 10 applicants for its new position of city administrator, a city news release said this week.

The council is set to review the applications at a Jan. 6 meeting and narrow the candidate list.

Terry Peak to open Sunday with limited runs

Two applications for the position were incomplete, according to the release.

The Sturgis City Council decided to pursue a full-time city administrator position after the citys residents voted in favor of replacing a city manager form of government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city administrator will be responsible for the administrative duties of the city and be responsible to the mayor, according to the job description posted with the South Dakota Municipal League. Other duties include preparing an annual budget, direct the hiring, reassignment, and promotion of all city employees as well as a number of other assigned duties.

The listed salary was $130,000 to $140,000 per year. The salary depended on qualifications and experience.

Alcohol a factor in Yankton wrestling meet shooting

Sturgis also specified a minimum of 10 years experience described as Minimum of ten (10) years progressive responsibility as a City Manager or equivalent managerial position in an organization of comparable complexity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The position was posted from Nov. 12 through Dec. 4, according to the municipal league posting.

Sturgis is in the midst of proposed budget cutting including the position of the citys director of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Council member Kevin Forrester is the citys acting mayor. Former mayor Angela Wilkerson resigned on Oct. 11. She had been elected mayor by the council after former mayor Mark Carstensen abruptly resigned on Feb. 13. Wilkerson resigned as petitions to recall her were circulating in the community.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  In the wake of accusations of sexual abuse against two teachers at St. Helens High School, a total of 10 district staff members have now been placed on paid administrative leave due to allegations of sexual misconduct or failure to report it.

The school district revealed the number of employees on leave during a press conference Friday, but would not give any additional details.

Woman shot in head after complaint about music volume: Court docs

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were gonna need to follow legal guidance on how we answer that question, said J. Marie, a new communications consultant for the district, according to The Columbia County Spotlight, a Carpenter Media Group publication and KOIN 6 media partner.

The St. Helens School District has been the subject of parent protests ever since the teachers, Eric Stearns and Mark Collins, were arrested on allegations of sexual abuse last month. The principal, Katy Wagner, was also arrested and accused of not reporting the alleged abuse to authorities.

Prior to the arrest of Stearns and Collins on Nov. 13, two employees were also placed on paid administrative leave. Then on Nov. 15, Wagner and Superintendent Scot Stockwell were additionally placed on leave.

Honda owners in Portland urged to be vigilant with theft of electronic part on the rise

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since then, five staff members have been placed on leave  two as a result of reports to the Oregon Department of Human Services or the child abuse hotline and three due to internal reports.

Additionally, the former Board Chair Ryan Scholl resigned weeks following the initial sex abuse accusations. The St. Helens School District is now trying to fill that empty board seat for Position 3.

Meanwhile, ODHS has opened six investigations within the St. Helens School District, including the additional abuse allegations and allegations that mandatory reporters failed in their duty.

The administration at St. Helens High School has been given mandatory reporting training and the staff at both the middle and elementary school will also be receiving the training.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

St. Helens parents are continuing to ask for transparency from the school board and expressing their frustrations.

Aventurine Doarn is among those making their voices heard.

I have no faith in our board at this point. They tell us one thing and do another thing, Doarn said. Ive been talking to a lot of parents, and they dont want to be associated with the current board. If the board steps down, theres a lot of us who are ready to fill it.

Doarn is also calling for the names of the school staff who are being investigated and why they are being investigated.

We feel that, as parents in the community with children in the schools, we deserve that information. Its vital information to protect our children, Doarn said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

St. Helens police said their investigations have also led them to more potential victims in the area. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact law enforcement.

The Columbia County Spotlight contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
"The snow turned red," machine gunner Vincent Speranza recalled, as the hastily dug-in troops of the 101st Airborne Division opened up on attacking German infantry and tanks to defend the Belgian crossroads town of Bastogne 80 years ago.

Then-Pvt. 1st Class Speranza, the son of Italian immigrants, said his lieutenant had ordered the first-line defenders to hold fire until the unsuspecting Germans were within 400 yards as they moved at an easy pace across an open field in the bitter cold of first light on Dec. 19, 1944.

"When they got to the 400 yards, the lieutenant said, 'Now! Now!' and we opened up with everything we had. It was a slaughter," Speranza recalled in a 2021 talk at the American Veterans Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read Next: New Housing Allowance Rates for Troops Have Been Set for the Coming Year

The Germans gave up on frontal assaults after that initial defeat and instead surrounded the town. On Dec. 22, the German commander, Gen. Heinrich Freiherr von Luttwitz, sent messengers under a white flag with a note to demand surrender from Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, the American commander.

"There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: That is the honorable surrender of the encircled town," von Luttwitz said in his note. "In order to think it over, a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note."

McAuliffe scribbled a quick reply. "Nuts," he famously wrote, although some accounts suggest that he used much stronger language. One of McAuliffe's aides, Col. Joseph "Bud" Harper, gave the confused German messengers a paraphrase of what McAuliffe meant in his one-word reply -- "Go to hell!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The siege of Bastogne was lifted on Dec. 26, 1944, when a tank column from the 4th Armored Division of then-Lt. Gen. George Patton's Third Army reached the city led by a Sherman tank nicknamed the Cobra King -- now on display at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

As his troops entered Bastogne, Patton wrote in his diary: "What a glorious day for killing Germans!"

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, more than 100 troops from the Fort Campbell, Kentucky, base of the 101st Airborne Division were in Bastogne for a series of events that began Friday with a commemoration ceremony hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission at the Battle of the Bulge Monument at Bastogne.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The monument, in the shape of a five-pointed American star, honors the estimated 19,000 U.S. troops killed and more than 75,000 wounded, sick or missing in the Battle of the Bulge, which Winston Churchill called "undoubtedly the greatest American battle" of World War II.

The 101st Airborne Division's casualties from Dec. 19, 1944, to Jan. 6, 1945, were 341 killed, 1,691 wounded, and 516 missing.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew Jones, deputy director for operations, J3, on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and a member of the American Battle Monuments Commission, said those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge "changed the course of the war" in repelling the last German offensive on the Western Front.

Jones, who was to speak at the ceremony Friday, told Military.com earlier this week that the American GIs who went into the battle without cold weather gear to stop the German advance set the example for today's U.S. military with their "sense of calling, their sense of purpose higher than themselves."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jones also noted that what was then called the Army Air Forces "did make a big difference" in stopping the German advance and allowing U.S. ground forces to take the offensive.

But the overwhelming U.S. airpower advantage was of little use in the early days of the battle as snow, sleet and freezing rain kept the American aircraft grounded. Then on Dec. 23, the skies cleared and P-47 Thunderbolt attack aircraft began tearing up German columns, retired Army Col. Frank Cohn recalled at a National Archives event in November.

Cohn, then a private first class with an intelligence unit in Belgium, said "the sky was blue and our planes started to fly. We cheered those planes so hard that maybe they heard us."

What became known as the Battle of the Bulge, named for the wedge that German forces drove into allied lines, began on Dec. 16, 1944, when more than 200,000 German troops and 1,000 tanks under the command of Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt launched an offensive through the hilly and wooded Ardennes region aimed at splitting Allied forces and capturing the Belgian port of Antwerp.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Allied high command was caught completely by surprise, but Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the overall Allied commander who was in Paris at the time, sensed quickly that the effort to drive back the Germans would rely on small-unit tactics and the grit of individual soldiers.

"These were the times when the grand strategy and the high hopes of high command" would take a backseat to what would be a "soldiers' war," in which success would be measured by the "sheer courage, and the instinct for survival" of the individual GI, Eisenhower wrote in his order to the troops in Belgium.

The enemy "is fighting savagely to take back all that you have won and is using every treacherous trick to deceive and kill you," Eisenhower wrote. "In the face of your proven bravery and fortitude, he will completely fail."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Saturday, the 101st Airborne Division troops in Belgium will join in solemn remembrance ceremonies at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, the last resting place for more than 5,000 U.S. service members who died in the Battle of the Bulge and the advance to the Rhine.

The 101st troops will then join in a parade to the Bastogne town hall, where the tradition under Mayor Benoit Lutgen is to throw fistfuls of walnuts from the town hall balcony in honor of McAuliffe's famous reply to the German surrender demand.

Former Army Private 1st Class Harry Miller, who has returned to Belgium several times since he served in a Sherman tank during the Battle of the Bulge, recalled what his mind's eye saw when he visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery.

At a National Archives event in November, Miller said that, instead of neat rows of white crosses, "I see GIs, dirty GIs, unshaven, dirty as the devil, cold, miserable, worn-out boots -- that's the kind of people I see instead of crosses. That's tough, that's tough."

Related: Airmen's Search for Remains Recalls Top Secret WWII Mission to Turn Planes into Flying Bombs
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City.

168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Aaron M. Coverdale. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Aaron M. Coverdale, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Officers with the Rochester Police Department announced that a 17-year-old boy was found shot late Saturday morning in Rochester on Alexander Street near S. Clinton Avenue.

When officers and crews with AMR arrived at the scene, they located the victim who had been shot at least one time in his lower body. A private vehicle took the victim to Rochester General Hospital. Officers followed the private vehicle to RGH to continue their investigation.

Medical personnel said the victims injuries are not life-threatening. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to call 911.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Baroness Meyer faces a three-week suspension from the House of Lords. Not because she has been sleazy, or broken the protocols of the chamber, let alone done anything unlawful. No, she has been proposed for a suspension and mandatory re-education because she is judged to have shown insufficient racial sensitivity.

Before I recount the events in question, I want you to focus on the fact that she is being barred from taking her seat. The issue here is not what constitutes good manners, or when it is proper to be offended, but on what basis a committee is empowered to remove a legislator from Westminster.

Lady Meyer is a businesswoman of French origin, the widow of our former ambassador to Washington, Sir Christopher Meyer. She joined the House of Lords after setting up a charity that looked for missing or abducted children. I think it is fair to describe her as a glamorous woman with a direct and charming manner. Part of her charm is that she talks gaily and freely, rarely weighing her words in advance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In February of this year, she was on a parliamentary delegation to Rwanda, whose purpose it was to assess the suitability of that country as a destination for people who had entered the UK illegally. With her on the visit were Lord Dholakia, a long-serving Lib Dem peer, and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a Labour MP and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations.

Lady Meyer, who is a Conservative, enthusiastically supported the Rwanda scheme, while her colleagues did not. There were, naturally, strong differences of opinion.

At a meeting during the trip, Lady Meyer mistakenly referred to Lord Dholakia as Lord Popat, confusing him with a Tory peer, also of East African Asian origin, who was our trade envoy in that part of the world.

Later that day, Lady Meyer recalls, a different member of the delegation asked her if she had called Lord Dholakia Lord Poppadom. This led to a conversation about which nicknames might constitute racism, a conversation overheard by Ms Ribeiro-Addy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During a subsequent taxi journey, Ms Ribeiro-Addy told Lady Meyer that she must understand why such language is offensive. Lady Meyer, feeling that she was not the one who had introduced the phrase, and that Ms Ribeiro-Addy had misunderstood the situation, responded that the whole conversation had been light-hearted. It was the worst reply she could have made.

On her return, Lady Meyer wrote to apologise to Lord Dholakia for having got his name wrong, and that seemed to be that. But some time later, after the row about the Tory donor Frank Hester blew up, Lord Dholakia made a formal complaint. Ms Ribeiro-Addy later followed it up with a second complaint, namely that Lady Meyer had said I love your hair while touching the end of one of her braids.

Once again, this is not an argument about race relations or proper deportment. Different people will inevitably have different ideas about what good manners are. A Frenchwoman of White Russian descent might see things differently to a former NUS National Black Students Officer and co-ordinator of the Student Assembly Against Racism. Especially if  I dont mean to be ungallant, but it seems pertinent here  they are more than 30 years apart in age.

What the first might see as an amiable compliment to another woman, the second might see as an uninvited intrusion into her personal space  in Ms Ribeiro-Addys words, offensive and violating.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The point is that disputes of this kind ought not to result in formal action. Nothing illegal was being alleged. No one was being accused of bullying staff or misusing their office. What was at stake was a disagreement about standards of courtesy.

You might take the view that Lady Meyer needs to adapt to the sensitivities of our identitarian age. Alternatively, you might take the view that Ms Ribeiro-Addy chose to take offence in order to score points against a political opponent. Either way, why did all this end up in a quasi-judicial process which dragged on for eight months?

There was a time when people would resolve situations like this through dialogue. Lady Meyer was chagrined at having got Lord Dholakias name wrong, and obviously contrite at having upset Ms Ribeiro-Addy with what she had intended as a friendly gesture. Awkwardness of this kind would once have been settled with an apology.

But no, we live in an age of permanent anger and offence. An apology will never do. There must be formal complaints, investigations, procedures, mandatory training sessions. Sure enough, we have ended up with the House of Lords Conduct Committee recommending a three-week suspension and that Baroness Meyer undertake bespoke behaviour training provided by an approved external provider.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The phrase cancel culture is overused. It does not mean being ostracised or criticised on social media. It means having pressure brought on your employer or publisher because of something unrelated to your work.

Whatever happened between Lady Meyer and her colleagues, it did not happen in Parliament. Yes, it took place on a parliamentary delegation, but the interactions of MPs on these trips, when outside the formal meetings of the day, are not generally treated as being in the public sphere.

For years, British people thought of themselves as phlegmatic, sensible and tolerant of eccentricity. We negotiated private disputes without dragging in the authorities. We appreciated living in an open society. The idea that the sensitivities, real or imagined, of certain groups would be elevated above free speech, free contract or free association would have struck us as absurd. The notion of bespoke behaviour training was something we associated with Chinas Cultural Revolution.

But that age is gone. Look back at the past couple of months. We have seen people sent to prison  actually sent to prison  for posting obnoxious things online in the aftermath of the Southport riots, even as violent offenders were being released early.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have seen the harassment of my Telegraph colleague Allison Pearson over a year-old tweet by someone whom the police were too dim or too frightened to send away as a grievance-monger. And, Allisons horrific experience raises the frightening question of how often it has happened to ordinary people who lack her ability to answer back in a newspaper column.

Then, just last week, the press regulator ruled against The Spectator over an article which referred to a trans activist as a man who claims to be a woman.

I wish I could write that these are isolated incidents, newsworthy because infrequent. But it would not be true. Such cases have become steadily more common since 2010, when Gordon Browns Equality Act introduced the notion of protected characteristics, such as race, sexual orientation or gender reassignment, into the law.

It is no exaggeration to say that we have elevated the avoidance of hurt feelings for minorities as the main goal of public policy. When I joined the House of Lords in 2021, there was only one mandatory course that I was required to attend. It was not to do with how to move an amendment, how to declare my interests or how to follow protocol in the Chamber. No, it was called Valuing Everyone. If you refused to do it, like the brilliant Lord Kalms, who built up the chain Dixons, you were barred from taking your seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have been here before as a country. Three hundred years ago, you could not sit in Parliament unless you gave proof that you were a Protestant. Now, as then, we have made a certain set of values so sacred that parliamentarians are obliged to state their support for them.

In the rest of the democratic world, voters are throwing this nonsense out. But in this country, the country that refined and exported the ideal of constitutional freedom, we are sliding into the soft autocracy of pretended solicitousness. And, God help us, we have four more years of it to come.

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.
YANKTON, S.D. (KCAU)  A 19-year-old has been arrested for a suspicious death in Yankton.

The Yankton Police Department said in a release the have arrested Theodore Kranig Jr, 19, and charged him with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.

The arrest comes after authorities received a report Friday around 8:25 a.m. for a welfare check of a residence in the 1000 block of Walnut Street. Upon arriving, an officer found an unresponsive person. The officer started life-saving measures but the person could not be revived.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Authorities said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public. They added that the safety of residents is a priority.

Sioux City PD asking for publics help in burglary

The Yankton Police Department, Yankton County Sheriffs Office, and South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation said they are continuing to investigate the case as a suspicious death.

Anyone who may have information about the case is asked to call the Yankton Police Department at 605-668-5210 or Crimestoppers at 605-665-4440.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A narcotics investigation led to two arrests in Laurel County on Tuesday.

An arrest citation said officers made contact with a vehicle at a gas station in East Bernstadt described as a high drug trafficking area.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Officers allegedly saw a needle and meth pipe in the car and decided to deploy K9 Abe, who allegedly gave a positive indication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The arrest citation said police found a fake Nesquik bottle containing fentanyl and meth.

The department said 35-year-old Brandon Morgan and 21-year-old Taylor Joseph were arrested.

Brandon Morgan (Laurel County Detention Center) (Laurel County Detention Center) (Laurel County Detention Center) Taylor Joseph (Laurel County Detention Center)

Morgan was charged with first-degree first-offense possession of controlled substanceMethamphetamine, first-degree possession of controlled substanceFentanyl, first-degree first-offense possession of controlled substancedrug unspecified, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph was charged with first-degree possession of controlled substancemethamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  Two people accused of sexually assaulting children were arrested in Smith County on Thursday.

The Smith County Sheriffs Office received a transfer case of physical and sexual abuse involving three children from the Anderson County Sheriffs Office on Dec. 12. Smith County officials learned that two sisters, under the age of 10, had been placed with their biological father.

3 sentenced for 2021 East Texas ATM robbery, must pay $32,000 to bank

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both girls told their father they had been sexually abused in July and he reported the allegations to the Anderson County Sheriffs Office. Officials also learned that Child Protective Services ordered a Child Safety Check Alert List (CSCAL) for their 3-year-old sibling.

However, Anderson County officials were unable to locate the children prior to transferring the case to Smith County. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, multiple agencies worked together to identify the suspects and their locations. Search warrant affidavits were prepared and presented to 475th State District Judge Taylor Heaton.

Man gets life in prison for murder of Tyler Army veteran

Once the search warrants were in hand, Investigators responded to multiple locations on County Road 152 West near Bullard, the Smith County Sheriffs Office said. During the search of these locations, the three-year old child was located and taken into protective custody.

Mugshots of Raywin Lyons (left) and Melissa Branch (right), courtesy of the Smith County Sheriffs Office.

Two suspects were interviewed and later arrested on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Smith County officials identified those arrested as Raywin Lyons, 65, and Melissa Branch 38 who remain in jail on bonds totaling $600,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Two teenage boys were seriously injured Thursday night when they crashed an e-bike into a Honolulu police car in Waipio, authorities said.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services said paramedics responded at about 9 :35 p.m. to Ka Uka Boulevard and treated the two patients who were unhelmeted riding on one e-bike when they were involved in a collision with a vehicle.

The boys, ages 14 and 17, had multiple lacerations and abrasions and were taken to an emergency room in serious condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Honolulu Police Departments Traffic Division said a police officer was traveling northbound on Ka Uka Boulevard, when he was broadsided by a juvenile male operating an electric motorcycle, who was traveling westbound on Waipio Uka Street.

The boy and his passenger were ejected onto the roadway, HPD said. The officer was not injured.

Police confirmed that the two teens were not wearing helmets.

Don 't miss out on what 's happening !

Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !

Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HPD said that speed, drugs, or alcohol do not appear to have contributed to the crash.

74 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.

Having trouble with comments ? .
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Trumbull County grand jury returned an indictment against two people in connection to a deadly shooting at an apartment complex in Warren.

Tyree Brown and Michael Williamson, both 29 years old, are charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of aggravated burglary, with firearm specifications. Brown is facing an additional charge of having weapons while under disability, according to court records.

Prosecutors confirmed that the charges stem from a July 2024 shooting at the Hampshire House Apartments on Fifth Street where officers discovered Kardell Lowery, 29, with several gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Charges were filed against Brown and Williamson Friday. An arraignment date has not yet been set.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG)  Two South Alabama schools have been recognized for ensuring a safe learning environment, News 5 has learned. Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the 2024 Safe Schools Initiative Winners.

Pensacola Wawa opens Dec. 19  schedule and freebies

According to a news release from Marshalls office, Orange Beach Middle and High Schools and UMS-Wright Preparatory School were among the six 2024 Safe School Award Winners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officials said these six schools are winners following a selection process that featured a four-phase application and a review process by judges with skill and knowledge in school safety trends:

Orange Beach Middle & High School, Orange Beach

UMS-Wright Preparatory School, Mobile

Ladonia Elementary School, Phenix City

Russellville Elementary School, Russellville

Cullman City Primary School, Cullman

Elvin Hill Elementary School, Columbiana

Marshall highlighted the importance of the schools actions in achieving the award.

The safety of our schoolchildren is always on the forefront of our minds and hearts. That is why it is important to highlight and promote the innovative efforts to improve student safety through the Alabama Safe Schools Initiative, Attorney General Steve Marshall said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These six schools have developed innovative programs and taken practical, effective steps to combat the threat of violence that has become a terrible part of our modern society.

Mobile man arrested after homicide at local apartment complex: MPD

Other schools, including Orange Beach Elementary School, were recognized for exceeding minimum state requirements for school safety through different awards.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON, DC (WCIA)  Law enforcement agencies across three Central Illinois counties are going to be seeing some improvements thanks to a federal grant, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced on Friday.

Agencies in Sangamon County, Macon County and Champaign County will get a combined $266,129 from the U.S. Department of Justices Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.

Kraft Heinz gifts $30,000 donation to Eastern IL Foodbank

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our first responders dedicate their lives to protecting our communities and we must make sure they have the resources they need to stay safe on the job, Budzinski said. Im proud to have advocated for these funds and Ill continue working to bring tax dollars back to Central and Southern Illinois.

Specifically, $86,228 in Champaign, Urbana and the rest of Champaign County will be used to develop a strategic plan for the Champaign Police Department, purchase equipment for the Urbana Police Department and fuel for Champaign County squad cars.

Additionally, $58,510 for Decatur and Macon County will be used to address gun violence and strengthen community policing. $121,391 in Springfield and Sangamon County will be used to address staffing shortages and purchase squad cars.

We cant thank Congresswoman Budzinski enough for providing the Decatur Police Department with more resources to address the challenging issue of gun violence, said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. Gun violence has no place in Decatur, and we look forward to seeing this grant make an impact in our community and throughout Central Illinois.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

United Way of Champaign Co. celebrates 1 year of mailing free books with Dolly Parton

The JAG program provides states, tribes and local governments with funding necessary to support a range of program areas including:

Law enforcement

Proesecution

Indigent defense

Courts

Crime prevention and education

Corrections and community corrections

Drug treatment and enforcement

Planning

Evaluation

Technology improvement

The program also provides crime victim and witness initiatives, mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since 1997 the City of Champaign has applied for and received these grant funds that are designated to empower communities to address crime, said Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen. Today on behalf of the City of Champaign, our Police Department and our partner entities the City of Urbana Police Department and Champaign County Sheriffs Department I express gratitude for this years funding.

Additional information on the JAG program can be found 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 WCIA.com.
UPDATE: I-10 West at Mile Marker 131 has reopened after a crash involving three vehicles closed it down earlier on Friday night, Dec. 13, TxDOT said at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Texas Highway Patrol troopers are investigating what they are calling a major crash in Culberson County on Friday night, Dec. 13, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

Just before 8 p.m., a semitruck and trailer was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near mile marker 131 when it crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a passenger vehicle along with another semitruck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The crash happened about 10 miles west of Van Horn.

DPS said Interstate 10 West is closed at the crash site and traffic is backed up about 2 1/2 miles.

Traffic is being diverted onto the shoulder of the highway, DPS said.

TxDOT reports also reports that the main lanes are closed at the crash site and clearing time is until further notice.

Injuries are reported as being minor and cleanup is under way.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area.

We will update this story when we learn more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Nearly $4.5 million dollars has been awarded to a local non-profit agency to help low-income residents with home energy costs.

Mobile police arrest 25 people on drug charges during Operation Cleaning up the Campgrounds

Out of $44.5 million going to Alabama Community Agencies, $4.45 million has been awarded to Mobile Community Action to help low-income households pay for their utility bills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This grant specifically is LIHEAP. Low-income home energy assistance program. LIHEAP helps households at 125% of poverty, said Lakeisha Williams, community outreach coordinator at MCA.

She told News 5, the program not only provides money but can also extend the due date on utility bills for low income people who qualify.

October, November is tricky in Mobile because its still hot, said Williams. But that is officially when the heating program begins. Were starting to pay gas bills at a time when people are saying I still have a high power bill.

Williams told WKRG this funding will help residents pay for heating in the winter but also cooling in the summer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So some of the things that are going to happen this year for the first time is heating is going to end in April instead of starting in June, said Williams. Because its starting to get hot in Mobile pretty early. So were paying the bill that heats the household until April and then May through September the bill that cools the household.

MCA is encouraging people to get involved by serving on one of their advisory councils.

Fruitdale 3-year-old killed in Mississippi crash: MHP

For more information, contact MCA at 251-457-5700.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Four juveniles were detained and charged early Saturday morning after allegedly fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle across two municipalities, the Niagara County Sheriffs Office announced.

Police said at 4:25 a.m., a deputy saw a vehicle make a traffic violation in the area of Schultz Road in the Town of Wheatfield. When the deputy turned his lights and sirens on, the vehicle, which contained six juvenile males, allegedly failed to stop and continued northbound on Schultz Road.

The vehicle then struck a stop sign at Schultz and Moyer Roads, which became trapped underneath it, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suspect vehicle allegedly fled southbound on Shawnee Road and drove onto Erie Avenue in the City of North Tonawanda. Police said the vehicle then crossed over Division and Twin Cities Memorial Highway and continued onto the railroad tracks.

After losing control, the vehicle drove into the landscaping at 525 Wheatfield St. and then became stuck on the landscape blocks, officials said. The six occupants of the vehicle, which was reported stolen out of Grand Island on Friday, allegedly fled on foot and four were detained by police.

The juveniles were released on appearance tickets to their guardians and were charged with the following:

third-degree criminal possession of stolen property

second-degree obstruction of governmental administration

third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle

numerous vehicle and traffic citations

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They are due to appear in Niagara County Youth Part Court at a later date.

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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Police Department (TPD) has released the identity of the citys 21st homicide victim of 2024.

Rosie Nichols with the City of Topeka announced in a press release on Saturday, Dec. 14 that the citys latest homicide victim has been identified as David Bentley, 45, of Topeka.

Police were called just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 to the 2000 block of Southwest Stone on reports a person was suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers arriving in the area found a person who was declared dead at the scene. This is under investigation as the 21st homicide case for the Capital City in 2024.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the TPD by sending an email to telltpd@topeka.org or call 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mickel Cherry pleads guilty in Zoey Felix homicide case

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
For Natacha Sinvil, the well-being of 6-year-old Leo Alcindor is her reason to wake up each day. Life in Haiti has not offered the best conditions for Leos quality of life, so on Dec. 10, 2023, she made the decision to change his life.

At just six months old, he suffered a stroke and began experiencing seizures with an unknown cause. This left him immobile, said Sinvil, 51, who is Leos aunt and legal guardian.

Leos mother faced postpartum depression after having his younger sister, Lea, making it hard for her to take care of him. With no contact from Leos father, who is still in Haiti, the court gave full custody to Sinvil, saying her home was best for his growth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Feeling heartbroken and helpless, hoping to give Leo a better life, Sinvil brought him to Florida. He left behind his 1-year-old sister, with hopes of reuniting someday, and now he lives with his aunt in Lauderhill.

From left: Leo Alcindor, center; and Natacha Sinvil, Leos aunt, wearing a yellow T-shirt, during the Book Character Parade at Bright Horizon School in Pompano Beach.

Leo attends Bright Horizon School in Pompano Beach, an elementary school dedicated to children with special needs. It offers him an environment to grow and learn.

[He] came all the way from Haiti hoping for a better life and healthcare, said Sinvil. Leo has some serious challenges. He has epilepsy and is nonverbal.

THE HIGH COST OF HEALTH CARE

I met Leo when he [was] referred to me as my new client, said Johyko Joseph, his case manager at Epilepsy Alliance Florida, which provides services to over 500,000 people living with the condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His sweet little face made me immediately fall in love. I felt an immediate bond with him and his family.

The cost of Leos care has overwhelmed the family.

His initial care was expensive, and his first ER visit alone was $800 for X-rays and evaluations, Sinvil said. But I was to make sure Leo would receive the proper care he deserved.

Leo Alcindor at his birthday celebration.

His care required regular hydrotherapy sessions that were not easy to access.

At 5 years old, he weighed just 16 pounds, Sinvil said. I traveled regularly from Broward to West Palm Beach to get him 30 minutes of physical therapy.

Even when they managed to travel for therapy, it was not always successful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some days, traffic would prevent us from making it in time, forcing us to turn around without even being seen, Sinvil said.

When Leo arrived in Florida, there was no wheelchair for him, so Sinvil had to improvise by carrying him around in a car seat. He later received a wheelchair from the Center for Independent Living of Broward, a nonprofit organization that has helped more than 100,000 people with disabilities in Florida. However, the vehicle and house are not equipped for a wheelchair, limiting Leos mobility.

Natacha Sinvil and Leo Alcindor at the Expo Convention Center.

Joseph nominated Leo to receive help from the Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald Wish Book program. Each year, the program highlights community members in need and invites readers to donate.

Their wish is to add a wheelchair ramp or lift to their Toyota SUV for easier transportation and install wheelchair-accessible ramps at all home entrances. Having ramps and accessible entrances would be life-changing to us, Sinvil said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While things have not gone exactly as she hoped, Sinvil feels grateful for every small step in the progress they have made. Her focus now is on making sure Leo can live as comfortably as possible.

We still may not have received the miracle we envisioned, but we are grateful for the opportunity to help him live a fulfilling life, Sinvil said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HOW TO HELP

To help this Wish Book nominee and more than 100 others who are in need this year:

 To donate, use the coupon found in the newspaper or pay securely online through www.MiamiHerald.com/wishbook

 For more information, call 305-376-2906 or email Wishbook@MiamiHerald.com

 The most requested items are often laptops and tablets for school, furniture, and accessible vans

 Read all Wish Book stories on www.MiamiHerald.com/wishbook

This story is the product of a partnership between the Miami Herald and the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media at Florida International University

Amid trauma and triumph, a teen with autism finds peace in music and dreams of a keyboard

He thought his childhood cancer was gone. But more than a decade later, it returned

Mind over matter: Living with muscular dystrophy, Gabriel Vergara aims to serve
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A 69-year-old man was arrested Thursday in Northern Nevada in the investigation of a 2011 sexual assault in Clark County.

Officers with the U.S. Marshals Service Nevada Violent Offender Task Force arrested Fleanard Roseby in Sparks. Roseby was booked into the Washoe County Jail awaiting extradition to Clark County. He faces charges on two counts of sexual assault, according to jail records.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service with locating and apprehending Roseby. An arrest warrant fwas issued on Aug. 29, 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marshals developed information indicating that Roseby was in Reno, and he was arrested without incident Thursday afternoon in the 1900 block of Baring Blvd.

The sexual assault investigation is ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A candlelight vigil will be held in Towaoc, Colorado, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, to honor the life of 7-year-old Zamias Lang, who was tragically shot and killed in the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe community on Tuesday evening.

According to a GoFundMe post, Lang was a victim of senseless gun violence. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart announced Langs passing on Wednesday through the Weenuche Smoke Signals Facebook page.

Id like to make a special announcement today with a sad heart and sad mind of the event that happened last night, the loss of a child who was innocent, who left early to go back home to our Creator, Heart said. The event that happened last night was senseless. An adult made a decision to do something to harm another person. This person was a child.

Chairman Heart asked his community to stay strong and not to retaliate against the person responsible for Langs death.

We ask our tribal members, family members not to retaliate, as has been mentioned by some people, Heart said. It may be that somebody might have said that Im going to go out and do this, I ask you to hold on. Let us go through the process that we have in place through our justice system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The chairman called on the Ute Mountain tribal community to support Langs family during the time of their mourning.

We do need to support the family, the father, the mother, the grandparents, all the relatives far and near and get them through this, especially this time of year, when its the holidays, Heart said.

Saturday's vigil will assemble across the street from the Public Safety Building and participants will walk to the Rec Centers multi-purpose room.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 18.

Native News Online will update this story as more information becomes available.

Create your own user feedback survey

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
The apparent sympathy that Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic representative and GOP President-elect Donald Trumps pick for national intelligence director, has expressed for now-deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad continues to trail her as she tries to round up support among senators for her confirmation.

Ive got a lot of questions, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said Monday at The Wall Street Journals CEO Council Summit.

Warner said he wanted to know about Gabbards interchange with Assad and seeming affinity for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, as well as her support for intel whistleblowers Edward Snowden and Julian Assange.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Assad linkage is so widely discussed that Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to Mike Pence during his vice presidency, made a cutting joke on a Sunday morning political talk show, saying that the three people most worried by Assads recent downfall were Putin, the ayatollah [of Iran] and Tulsi Gabbard.

Gabbard, who was a member of Congress from 2013 to 2021, traveled to Syria in 2017 to meet with Assad in a trip that raised eyebrows.

After inheriting leadership of his country from his father, Assad was known for being a particularly brutal and corrupt dictator, even by Middle East standards. In 2013, his forces were accused of using sarin gas in an attack killing 1,400 people and of using barrel bombs  explosives that can be made from empty barrels and other scrap, along with gasoline and shrapnel  against civilians. His governments expertise in torture led the U.S. to outsource interrogations of some terrorism suspects there during President George W. Bushs global war on terror.

In the wake of Assads fall, some of the costs of his rule have come to light, with journalists documenting his fancy car collection and the release of people kept in the brutal Saydnaya prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Freedom House, a democracy advocacy group, gave Syria a score of only 1 out of 100 in its 2024 ranking of countries by how free they are, ahead of only Tibet and Nagorno-Karabakh (which Freedom House includes as disputed territories).

After her 2017 trip, Gabbard defended herself, saying any peace deal amid Syrias civil war would need Assads sign-off.

Whatever you think about President Assad, the fact is that he is the president of Syria, she said then.

That changed over the weekend, when Assad fled the country and received asylum in Russia under the protection of fellow strongman Putin. His fall ended more than 50 years of family rule after a stunning 11-day rebel advance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During her time in the House of Representatives, Gabbard often justified a light touch with Assad by citing the threat of victory by Islamic militants, who were among the rival factions challenging his governance in the civil war. That stance also seemed to conveniently diminish Assads culpability for likely war crimes.

Let the Syrian people themselves determine their future, not the United States, not some foreign country, she told CNN in 2017.

While the group that led the rebel coalition to take down Assad, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government and has been affiliated with al Qaeda in the past, the opening days of post-Assad Syria have not seen the fundamentalist Islamic crackdown some had feared.

On Monday, Gabbard told reporters that her views now aligned with Trumps, whos commented on Assads fall by saying that the U.S. should not get involved  an option that virtually no one had suggested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria, Gabbard stated.

Here are some of the things Gabbard had said on the floor of the House, or later inserted as written statements in the Congressional Record, on the need to keep Assad from being toppled and what would happen after his fall:

May 2018

In advocating for removing language in an annual defense policy bill that approved developing a strategy to counter Iran, Gabbard said, Its clear that, if left unchecked, war hawks in the Trump administration will drag our country into more Middle East wars, leaving destruction in its wake around the world and here at home.

She added: So whats the objective of this authorization for war? Is it regime change in Iran? Regime change in Syria? More war against Iran and Syria? Yemen?

December 2016

Talking about her bill to prohibit the government from supporting foreign terror groups, Gabbard said the U.S. had for years been directly and indirectly supporting allies and partners of groups like al Qaeda and ISIS with money, weapons, intelligence and other support in their fight to overthrow the Syrian government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Wall Street Journal reports that rebel groups are, quote, doubling down on their alliance with al Qaeda. This alliance has rendered the phrase moderate rebels meaningless. We must stop this madness, she said.

June 2016

Speaking of a provision to equip and train rebel Syrian groups in a defense funding bill, Gabbard said the groups remained focused on overthrowing Assad, which would end up creating an even worse humanitarian crisis and an even greater threat to the world.

Were waging two wars in Syria, providing arms and support to groups that have opposing objectives, she said. The first war is a counterproductive one to overthrow the Syrian government of Assad, which must end. And the second is our war to defeat ISIS, al Qaeda and other jihadist groups, which we must win. By helping groups fighting to overthrow Assad, were essentially helping ISIS and al Qaeda achieve their objective of taking over all of Syria.

March 2016

In discussing one of two Syria-related resolutions, Gabbard called it a thinly veiled attempt to use the rationale of humanitarianism as a justification for overthrowing the Syrian government of Assad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the U.S. is successful in its current effort to overthrow the Syrian government of Assad, allowing groups like ISIS and al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations to take over all of Syria, which is what will happen, including those Assad-controlled areas where Christians and other religious minorities remain protected, the United States will be morally culpable for the genocide that will occur as a result, she said.

This is exactly what happened when we overthrew Saddam Hussein in Iraq. It is what happened in Libya when we overthrew Muammar Gaddafi. To do the same thing over and over and expect a different result is the definition of insanity.

March 2016

In discussing another resolution, Gabbard said she objected specifically to language saying that Syrian President Bashar al-Assads violence against the Syrian people has attracted foreign fighters from around the world, who have supported and committed ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] atrocities.

I fully reject this amendment to the resolution which gives moral legitimacy to the actions of ISIS, al-Qaeda, and others who are committing genocide against Christians, Yazidis, and other religious minorities in Syria, she said.

December 2014

In debating an annual defense policy bill, Gabbard said a provision to train what were described as moderate Syrian rebels seriously polluted this critical piece of legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I could not in good conscience vote to support the so-called moderate forces who often work hand in hand with al Qaeda or ISIS, and whose personnel and weapons often end up in the hands of those terrorists, she said. This bill continues the same failed practices of undeclared war, regime change and nation-building that have held us mired in the Middle East for over a decade.

September 2014

In debating an amendment to a stopgap spending bill to aid Syrian opposition, Gabbard said, Voting to support this proposal is actually a vote to overthrow Assad because overthrowing Assad is the primary objective of the so-called Free Syrian Army.

She added: If we combine the missions of destroying ISIL and of overthrowing Assad, this is not a smart or effective strategy for a number of reasons. We must focus on one mission  to destroy ISIL and other Islamic extremists whove declared war on us. Our mission should not be to topple the Assad regime, which would make the situation in the region even worse and more unstable than it is today.
ABC has agreed to contribute $15 million to Donald Trumps future presidential library and to issue a public apology as part of a settlement in the defamation lawsuit brought by the president-elect over anchor George Stephanopoulos on-air remarks about the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit.

In a settlement agreement released Saturday, the network agreed to include a note on its website expressing regret over Stephanopoulos use of the term rape in a March 10 segment in which he described the verdict in Carrolls civil lawsuit against Trump. The network and ABC News will also transfer $15 million toward a Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff and will pay $1 million in legal fees to Trumps lawyers.

In May 2023, a jury found the former president liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. Trump has denied all wrongdoing against Carroll. Earlier this year, Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated on air that Trump was found liable for rape, resulting in the defamation lawsuit from Trump. (Read my colleague Jordan Rubins explanation for why a federal judge declined to dismiss the suit in July.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The settlement between ABC and Trump means that neither Stephanopoulos nor the president-elect will have to sit for an in-person deposition next week, as ordered.

We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing, ABC News said in a statement.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
ABC News will pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump and will release a statement of regret over the comments from Good Morning America and This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos that sparked the suit.

That is according to a copy of the settlement, which was filed Saturday, and signed by Trump and the anchor, as well as ABC News and stations chief Debra OConnell.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Per the settlement, ABC News and Stephanopoulos will pay $15 million to a Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for plaintiff, as presidents of the United States of America have established in the past. The payment must be made within 10 days, and placed in escrow until such a foundation or museum has been established. ABC and Stephanopoulos will also pay $1 million in fees for Trumps attorneys.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, an ABC News spokesperson said: We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.

In addition, ABC News will add an editors note to the bottom of the March online article that is at the heart of the suit, stating that ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABCs This Week on March 10, 2024.

Trump filed the suit against Stephanopoulos after the anchor asserted that Trump was found liable for rape in a civil case during the contentious interview with Mace on the ABC Sunday public affairs show.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The settlement comes a day after both Trump and Stephanopoulos were ordered to sit for depositions in the suit.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
(Reuters) -ABC News has agreed to give $15 million to U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps presidential library to settle a lawsuit over comments that anchor George Stephanopoulos made on air involving the civil case brought against Trump by writer E. Jean Carroll, a court document filed on Saturday showed.

The lawsuit, filed on March 19 in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida, accused Stephanopoulos of making the statements with malice and a disregard for the truth. It said the statements were distributed widely to third parties and repeated.

We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing, an ABC News spokesperson said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawsuit cites a March 10 interview with U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican who has spoken publicly about being raped as a teenager. During the interview, Stephanopoulos said Trump was found liable for rape and asked her how she could endorse the candidate.

According to the settlement, ABC News must publish by Sunday a statement at the bottom of a March 10 online article that accompanied the interview.

"ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC's This Week on March 10, 2024," the statement must say, according to the court document.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; editing by Susan Heavey and David Gregorio)
ABC has agreed to contribute $15 million to Donald Trumps presidential foundation and museum as part of a settlement reached in Trumps defamation case against the network, according to a court filing today.

Trump sued the network earlier this year over remarks that This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos made during a contentious interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) in March.

More from Deadline

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The network also will publish a statement that will be attached to an online article on the show, saying that ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABCs This Week on March 10, 2024.

The network also will pay $1 million to Brito, PLLC, the law firm representing Trump.

During the interview with Mace, Stephanopoulos said that juries have found Trump liable for rape. In a June ruling, a federal judge refused to dismiss the case, delivering a legal victory to Trump.

Last year, a civil jury found that Trump was liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump contended that he was defamed as Stephanopoulos did not make the distinction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The judge in Carrolls case, Lewis Kaplan, wrote in a later ruling, The finding that Ms. Carroll failed to prove that she was raped within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr. Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape. Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that.

Trump is appealing the jurys verdicts in the Carroll civil case, in which juries have awarded her almost $90 million in damages.

An ABC News spokesperson said, We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.

The settlement comes one day after a magistrate judge ordered Trump and Stephanopoulos to sit for depositions next week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The settlement agreement was signed by Trump; ABC executive Debra OConnell, who oversees the news group; and Stephanopoulos, on Friday.

ABC shall cause a transfer in the amount of fifteen million U.S. dollars USD $15,000,000) (The charitable contribution) to be made to a presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff, as Presidents of the United States of America have in the past, in full settlement and satisfaction of Plaintiffs Released Claims as defined in paragraph 5(A) of this Agreement, the settlement filing states. The contribution must be made within 10 days of the agreements effective date, and put into an escrow account established by Trumps attorneys, who will serve as escrow agents for the specific contribution. Within 10 days after Trump or his lawyer present written confirmation that the entity has been established and that its 501 (c)(3) status has been established by the IRS, ABC then will authorize the escrow agent in writing to release the contribution to the foundation.

Fox News Digital first reported on the settlement, and the site labeled the settlement amount massive. Fox last year agreed to pay a much larger sum, $787.5 million, to settle a lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, over the networks amplification of false claims that the company was involved in rigging the 2020 election.

Trump has sued multiple outlets during and after his first term, but lawsuits against CNN and The New York Times were dismissed. In October, Trump sued CBS over the way that a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris was edited. Trump filed lawsuit in Texas and cited the states Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which is generally aimed at false advertising. Plaintiffs attempt to punish Defendants for their editorial judgments is barred by the First Amendment, CBS attorneys wrote in response.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was surprise in the news division at the settlement, given the high threshold that Trump had to clear to prevail in a defamation case. Even though ABC failed to get the lawsuit dismissed, something that would have dispatched the case quickly, Trump still would have had to prove that Stephanopoulos made the comments with malice or reckless disregard for the truth.

The ABC-Trump settlement is being made just weeks before Trump returns to the White House. In addition to the defamation lawsuit, he attacked ABC News over the way that David Muir and Linsey Davis, the moderators of the September debate, fact checked him during the event. Trump even called for the network to lose its broadcast license, even though those are given to individual stations.

As Trump prepares to take office, a number of tech companies and their CEOs are trying to get in his good graces. Meta and Amazon are contributing $1 million each to Trumps inaugural fund, and on Friday OpenAI confirmed to The New York Times that it planned to donate that sum as well.

For those who have warned that Trump will push the United States toward authoritarianism, the settlement was a source of consternation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bill Kristol, the conservative columnist who was once a regular panelist on This Week, wrote on X, ABCs settlement with Trump feels like it could be an inflection point in the Orbanization of our politics. I hope it isnt.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, hired veteran attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor Karen Friedman Agnifilo to defend him in court as he faces a second-degree murder charge for the caught-on-video execution.

Friedman Agnifilo, who previously worked as former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.s Chief Assistant District Attorney for seven years, will represent Mangione in New York, her firm Agnifilo Intrater LLP confirmed in a statement Saturday.

A Georgetown University Law Center graduate, Friedman Agnifilo has three decades of criminal justice experience prosecuting high-profile violent crimes, including homicide cases, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione faces additional charges including three weapons possession offenses and criminal possession of a forged instrument for the early morning murder on Dec. 4 outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Friday said he had learned of information suggesting Mangione wont challenge his extradition from Pennsylvania to New York. Thomas Dickey, Mangiones initial attorney, indicated he would challenge extradition earlier this week.

Indications are that the defendant may waive, but that waiver is not complete until a court proceeding, Bragg said at an unrelated press conference in Times Square.

Until that time, were going to continue to press forward on parallel paths, and well be ready whether hes going to waive extradition or contest extradition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday started presenting evidence to a grand jury to secure an indictment for the high-profile killing, according to ABC. The DAs office declined to comment on or confirm the report.

Bragg and Gov. Hochuls office have said they are coordinating to submit an extradition request to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros office.

Mangione has been detained at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon in Pennsylvania since he was denied bail late Monday.

At a press conference Tuesday night, Dickey said he hadnt seen any evidence Mangione is guilty of the caught-on-camera slaying.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I have not seen one scintilla, one speck, one drop of any evidence yet, said Dickey, before vowing that Mangione would be pleading not guilty to every charge.

Police sources said a 260-word manifesto was found on Mangione upon his arrest, which gave an apparent confession to the execution.

The note made clear he acted alone and that while what he did had to be done, hes sorry for the harm it caused.

Cops also matched shell casings recovered at the scene to the gun Mangione was carrying when nabbed, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Wednesday.

Fingerprints found on a water bottle and Kind bar tossed in the trash at a Starbucks near the scene were matched to Mangiones in the NYPDs crime lab, Tisch said.

Mangione is next due in court on Dec. 23, according to Pennsylvania court administrators.
NEW YORK  Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, hired veteran attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor Karen Friedman Agnifilo to defend him in court as he faces a second-degree murder charge for the caught-on-video execution.

Friedman Agnifilo, who previously worked as former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.s Chief Assistant District Attorney for seven years, will represent Mangione in New York, her firm Agnifilo Intrater LLP confirmed in a statement Saturday.

A Georgetown University Law Center graduate, Friedman Agnifilo has three decades of criminal justice experience prosecuting high-profile violent crimes, including homicide cases, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione faces additional charges including three weapons possession offenses and criminal possession of a forged instrument for the early morning murder on Dec. 4 outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Friday said he had learned of information suggesting Mangione wont challenge his extradition from Pennsylvania to New York. Thomas Dickey, another attorney on Mangiones legal team indicated he would challenge extradition earlier this week.

Indications are that the defendant may waive, but that waiver is not complete until a court proceeding, Bragg said at an unrelated press conference in Times Square.

Until that time, were going to continue to press forward on parallel paths, and well be ready whether hes going to waive extradition or contest extradition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday started presenting evidence to a grand jury to secure an indictment for the high-profile killing, according to ABC. The DAs office declined to comment on or confirm the report.

Mangione has been detained at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon in Pennsylvania since he was denied bail late Monday.

Bragg and Gov. Kathy Hochuls office have said they are coordinating to submit an extradition request to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros office.

Mangione is next due in court on Dec. 23, according to Pennsylvania court administrators.
(NewsNation)  The American Civil Liberties Union wants state and local officials across the nation to enact a firewall of laws protecting citizens from what the group fears will be myriad civil rights abuses.

ACLU leaders said Wednesday that state and city governments should prepare for the implementation of ideas from Project 2025, the New Jersey Monitor reports.

President-elect Donald Trump has vocally distanced himself from the nearly 1,000-page handbook from conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, though multiple administrative picks authored parts of it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That includes the nominated chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr and director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought.

Gabbard struggles to woo senators ahead of confirmation fight

During the first Trump administration, we learned that collective power among state and local officials was critical in blunting some of the worst abuses, said Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer of the national ACLU.

From city leaders who fought to make their city safe from federal deportation raids to state attorneys general who took legal actions on a range of issues, resistance was national and widespread, and it also worked, which is why Project 2025 tries to limit the power of states and increase executive overreach. We will resist that, Schifeling added.

ACLUs Firewall for Freedom plan

The ACLU says Project 2025 threatens our rights, and is rife with proposals that would harm real people. It has also built a detailed roadmap about fighting against some of the policies, according to its website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Schifeling outlined the plan, referred to as the Firewall for Freedom, for reporters:

Fight federal efforts to access private data, including personal health and location information

In that same vein, protect childrens data that could be used to pinpoint children of undocumented parents or who are transgender

Prepare for mass deportations by setting up hotlines, offering free legal help and limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities

Bar state National Guard units from joining federal forces, as Trump has promised

Fund abortion care and the travel it may take to get it

Our message to state and local leaders is simple. Just say no. Just say no to Trumps radical agenda and requests from the Trump administration to use state and local resources to violate our rights, Schifeling said Wednesday.

5 things to know about Bidens 1,500 clemencies, pardons

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Actions similar to those outlined by the ACLU have already sparked controversy, with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston saying hed block the administrations mass deportation efforts.

Trumps pick for border czar, Tom Homan, threatened to jail Johnston.

Homan also pushed back on sanctuary cities in Democratic states such as Colorado, Illinois and New York, suggesting if they choose not to help ICE, the alternative could be worse.

What is Project 2025?

The Project 2025 handbook can be seen as a manual for the next Republican president, detailing ways to reshape America using outlier conservative ideas and consolidating more power in the executive branch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We need to flood the zone with conservatives, said Paul Dans, director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project at The Heritage Foundation and a former Trump administration official, according to the Associated Press.

Building off four pillars  a policy agenda, personnel, training, and a 180-day playbook  Project 2025 organizers plan to pave the way for an effective conservative administration.

These are the Trump appointees who have faced legal troubles

A main component of Project 2025 is the firing of as many as 50,000 federal workers who conservative groups say will obstruct their agenda. Under Project 2025, agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education would be eliminated, and others, like the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission and Justice Department, would be placed under the presidents control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A so-called top-to-bottom overhaul of the Department of Justice would end FBI efforts to stop misinformation. The Pentagon would abolish diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives if Project 2025 is adopted, and service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine would be reinstated.

NewsNations Cassie Buchman and Patrick Djordjevic contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
ASHLAND Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) recently received three grants.

The college was awarded a $4,497 grant from the Julian-Carver Family Foundation, Inc. of Versailles, support of its Articulating Success project.

The funds will be used to purchase subscriptions to Articulate 360 Standard, an e-learning platform for creating training modules, which will be used in advising, e-learning and Student Support Services to provide student access to orientations and skills development resources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are excited to provide some new opportunities for our students including a new way of providing orientation materials, Sara Brown, ACTC director of online learning, said. We are hopeful that reaching students earlier with resources and important information regarding the college will help increase student success.

Brown said the new software also will assist in providing training for new employees and continued support for current staff and faculty. She added the project will involve multiple departments, and she looks forward to collaborating with colleagues across the college.

We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant, which will play a pivotal role in enhancing our students success and retention, Larry Ferguson, ACTC president and CEO, said. The new program will empower our students from the very start of their college journey, offering them engaging interactive online orientation and academic modules they will utilize throughout their time as an ACTC student. We are committed to giving our students the best tools possible for success, and this grant allows us to take a significant step forward in that mission.

ACTC also has been awarded two $3,000 grants from Swipe Out Hunger to support the Pathfinder Pantry at both the College Drive and Technology Drive campuses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Swipe Out Hunger is a national nonprofit focused on ending college student hunger by partnering with colleges, legislators, and communities to combat food insecurity. The organization emphasizes that one in three students nationwide experience food insecurity and is the leading nonprofit in the effort to tackle this issue.

I am ecstatic to be awarded the grant for both pantries, Erin Cantrell, ACTC academic advisor and overseer of the Pathfinder Pantry, said. The funds will be used to provide holiday dinners and potentially Easter dinners. I also plan to purchase a deep freezer for the Technology Drive Campus and stock up on shelf-stable items. Im hoping to bring back birthday boxes, that included cake mix, frosting, and cake decorations.

To access the pantry, students must be currently enrolled at ACTC and complete an online application. The Pathfinder Pantry is on the College Drive Campus in Room 163 and on the Technology Drive Campus in Room 136A, inside the student lounge. Both locations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The pantries rely entirely on donations, and contributions of canned food or hygiene products are welcome. Donations can be dropped off at either location.

More information, as well as the form to apply, can be found online at ashland.kctcs.edu/about/student-life/pantry.aspx.
Mayor Eric Adams told incoming border czar Tom Homan he wants to reopen the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Rikers Island  sparking swift outrage from immigration advocates and setting up an almost-certainly fierce fight with the City Council.

The mayors desire to thaw the troubled jail complexs ICE office  recounted to The Post by Homan  came during a cordial face-to-face between the pair Thursday at Gracie Mansion focused largely on sanctuary cities, deporting alleged criminal migrants and finding more than 320,000 missing migrant children, sources said.

The hardline Homan, who was handpicked by President-elect Donald Trump, said he left the hour-long sit-down convinced that the Democrat and former NYPD captain pulled a complete 180 on his previously progressive immigration views.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I truly believe sitting down with him, I saw the cop come out of him, Homan told The Post Friday. I think he really wants to help with public safety threats and he really wants to help find these children.

Incoming border czar Tom Homan said Eric Adams wants to reopen an ICE office on Rikers Island. AP

Sources said the newfound chums devoted quite a bit of talk to reopening the Rikers ICE office  which closed after a 2014 sanctuary city law signed by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Adams chummy meeting with Homan and his apparent desire to return ICE to Rikers prompted fierce condemnation from progressives.

Deputy Council Speaker Diana Ayala (D-Manhattan/Bronx) charged that the mayors recent comments on immigration policy verge on harassment of these poor people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quite frankly, I am disappointed about everything that is coming out of his mouth as of late. He needs to cut it out because we will fight that vigorously and its going to be a problem, she told The Post.

Our mayor is completely out of touch with our own laws, what he can and cannot do, she added, and he is making the wrong call.

Ayala recounted a case from before the ICE Rikers office closed in 2015 in which a youngster wrongly picked up for a murder was still threatened with deportation by the feds.

Adams has expressed frustration with sanctuary city policies limiting how New York City can work with ICE. Getty Images

They released him and handed him over to ICE, and they take this kid  who has no connection to his home country, doesnt even speak Spanish  but they were threatening to deport him, she said. This will only happen more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Frequent Adams foil Councilman Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn) said a legal challenge will surely follow any attempt by the mayor to reopen the ICE office.

He also pointedly threw Adams own criminal indictment back in his face.

The last thing New York City needs is ICE in schools, shelters and jails advancing their mass deportation schemes, he said. Its clear Mayor Adams is more interested in securing a pardon from the incoming Trump administration than protecting immigrant New Yorkers and upholding our sanctuary city laws.

Adams said hell direct his team to explore ways to reopen the ICE office at the lockup using an executive order, Homan said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He would like us to [reopen the ICE office], but he said hes got to talk to his legal staff about whats the possibility of him doing that through executive order, Homan said of Adams.

Adams press secretary Kayla Mamelak Altus said, we will continue to explore all lawful processes  and hope to increase collaboration across local law enforcement agencies to ensure we are working together to prevent violent gang activity.

Even if the ICE post on Rikers was reopened, agents would still be handcuffed with little power to snatch suspected migrant criminals under the de Blasio-era law.

The law bars federal immigration authorities from having offices on city Department of Correction grounds for the purpose of investigating possible violations of civil immigration law.

The Rikers Island ICE office closed after former Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a sanctuary city law. Gregory P. Mango

A mayor can, using an executive order, greenlight a federal office on DOE property  but only for purposes unrelated to the enforcement of civil immigration laws, it states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hizzoners vow followed a push  first by Councilmember Bob Holden (D-Queens), then by ICE honchos  to reopen the immigration office on Rikers Island.

Restoring the Rikers office would allow ICE officers to keep foreign-born criminal offenders behind bars before deportation, they argued.

The ICE office  assuming the mayor can reopen it  would only be able to handle cases where immigrants are held on a criminal detainer after a conviction.

Councilwoman Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn), who chairs the criminal justice committee overseeing Rikers, didnt hold back on her disgust at the idea of reviving the ICE office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Eric Adams is rolling out the red carpet for the Trump administration and its Project 2025 agenda, beginning with Trumps destructive plan to tear apart families and abandon our immigrant community, she said.

ICE already has the cooperation of the city as it relates to convicted individuals. This mayor is using the GOPs fear-mongering tactics to serve his own interests and to escape his own dirty dealings. Perhaps he should just switch parties.

Advocates with the New York Civil Liberties Union pointed to their statement likewise condemning the mayors willingness to help Trumps deportation machine.

Adams is manufacturing a fake, sensationalist public safety crisis, said Donna Lieberman, the NYCLUs executive director. In reality, as city data shows and the Mayor has bragged, public safety is actually improving, even with the increase in new arrivals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Adams flirting with the idea of undermining well-established law is political posturing that caters to Trumps cruelty.

The stance that Adams is advancing Trumps immigration agenda was echoed by Homan and sources familiar with their conversation.

They agreed if New York City changed, then the rest of the country will follow, one source said.

Homan said his meeting with Adams could pave the way to future sit-down with sanctuary city mayors. AP

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Homan went further, hinting that his sit-down with Adams paved the way for potential future meetings with mayors of sanctuary cities.

The incoming czar has been involved in a nasty spat with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who recently pledged to shield migrants in his sanctuary city from Trumps mass deportation  and even said hes willing to go to be arrested.

Hes willing to go to jail, Im willing to put him in jail, Homan told Fox News Sean Hannity.

Behind-the-scenes, Homan told Adams that he was willing to use a federal statute that allows the feds prosecute any person or municipality that protects undocumented people against defiant sanctuary city mayors, sources told The Post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the Adams olive branch, Homan said similar meetings with blue-city mayors could be in the offing.

Im not gonna give them credit and call them out until I actually have a sit-down, he said. When we start talking and we actually set a meeting up, then Ill talk about it, but until then Im not gonna give them credit for talking about something they havent done yet.

Homans revelation about the ICE office came after Adams  in a combative news conference held after the highly-anticipated sit-down  declared he was eyeing an executive order to roll back some sanctuary city policies to keep New York City from becoming a safe haven for violent criminal migrants.

But the mayor largely kept silent on details aside from saying hed aim to untangle laws and policies that restrict how the Big Apple can work with ICE.

I believed him yesterday and we left with the agreement that my staff will work with his staff on the details to get some of this stuff done, especially him writing the executive orders, Homan told The Post.
Dec. 13New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez and the state Environment Department are suing a Texas company that provides oil and gas pipeline inspection services, alleging it is using radioactive materials in New Mexico without a license.

ARC Inspection Services LLC  based in Krum, Texas, and a provider of "non-destructive examination and testing services for the pipeline and heavy industrial markets"  also is accused of doctoring documents to try to show it has authority to conduct "lucrative" industrial radiography.

According to the lawsuit filed recently in the First Judicial District Court, the company frequently stored equipment and radioactive materials at a storage yard in Eunice in southeastern New Mexico near the Texas border. The site was used to dispatch radiography technicians and materials to jobs in New Mexico and Texas, without a proper license to operate in the state, the suit alleges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reached by telephone Friday, Shane Wells, listed as the company's owner on LinkedIn, said ARC Inspection Services LLC went out of business last week.

He had no further comment on the lawsuit.

ARC Inspection Services specializes in conventional radiography, magnetic particle and dye penetrant and ultrasonic testing, its LinkedIn page shows.

The Texas Department of State Health Services had information in August showing the company was operating at eight locations in New Mexico, according to the lawsuit, which says it had 167 violations in Texas.

According to the lawsuit, the company checked for damage to the integrity of oil or gas pipelines as well as metal welding using radiation, a technology similar to X-rays. The radioactive materials used for such jobs include cobalt-60, cesium-137, iridium-192, sodium-24 and americium-241, the lawsuit states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Texas health services agency received an anonymous report in August of a "Category 2" radioactive material that was out without supervision in Eunice, located in Lea County.

A New Mexico Environment Department inspector "spoke with a known industrial radiography licensee located in Hobbs, New Mexico who agreed to go to the address, and who confirmed there were no abandoned radioactive source materials," the suit states. "The licensee did confirm that ARC radiography trucks and trailers were present at the location and took photos documenting this fact."
In the 2024 presidential election, some 60 percent of white men voted for Donald Trump, making this group his strongest block. Brazils Jair Bolsonaro garnered about the same amount of support from white men, in 2018. In Argentina, 64 percent of Argentinian men voted for Javier Milei. Viktor Orban's Fidesz party in Hungary is mostly supported by men, even if precise data is hard to come by. Other far-right parties in European countries, including German AfD, the Austrian FPO, the Italian Fdl and the French National Rally (formerly the National Front), are all made possible by aggrieved and latently angry white men.

For many white men in Western societies, demographic and cultural shifts challenge a social hierarchy in which they once held sway. Isabel Wilkerson argues that this "loss" is not material but psychological  a fear of diminished power over groups they once dominated. Ashley Jardina explains that some aggrieved white mean fear being replaced, leading them to form a new, white men, group identity. Arlie Hochschild found that many of them experience a sense of "Stolen Pride."

History has shown that when aggrieved white men form a collective identity and start to see themselves as a group, they are prone to react violently and can pose serious threats to democracy and peace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the U.S. Civil War in the 1860s, white men in the American South reacted violently to Black enfranchisement, instituting Jim Crow laws and lynching more than 3,000 Black Americans over the ensuing decades to enforce racial hierarchy. In South Africa, white Afrikaners, feeling humiliated after their final defeat in the Boer War in 1902, imposed apartheid to retain dominance over Black South Africans.

Weak men driving hard politics

As Klaus Theweleit's classic study of the Freikorps reveals, it was primarily men who felt threatened by women who became the earliest supporters of the Nazi movement. Theweleit links this fear to deep-seated sexual anxieties and an underlying insecurity about their own identities and sexuality. To counteract the perceived threat to their masculinity posed by women and feminine principles, these men turned to fascism and violence as a means of defense and assertion.

The profile of those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, strongly overlaps with those of the German Freikorps members. They too used violence, staged uprisings and murdered innocents whom they framed as their enemies. In a sad coincidence resonating sadly with the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were also murdered on a January day in 1919.

The "deplorables"

In her 2016 campaign for the presidency, Hillary Clinton referred to those supporting Trump as "deplorables." I have lived in Lubbock, Texas, since 2020, among those labeled such, and can witness firsthand some of their life choices and plights. The typical Lubbockite is white, without a college degree and overweight. They do not measure up to the beauty ideals promoted by the media. To many in Lubbock, terms like sophisticated and cosmopolitan are insults, emblematic of values that threaten their lifestyle and beliefs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the latest fashion trend, fed by Ozempic, again favors the super skinny, the "deplorables" are getting fatter. The latest data suggests that 45 percent of those Americans without a complete college education are obese, compared to some 27 percent of college-educated Americans. Distrustful or willfully ignorant of nutrition science while in many cases unable to afford organic food (or even to find it), many literally eat themselves to death. The life expectancy of college-educated Americans, on average, is 8.5 years longer than that of Americans without a bachelor's degree. This trend is further exacerbated by increased rates of drug-related deaths that disproportionately affect non-college-educated white people.

The appeal of religion makes sense for those who know that they are being judged and deemed "losers." God, after all, loves all his children and does not judge, at least not until you die. Even then, he doesn't care about fashionable slimness or a college diploma. In the Christian church so dominant in places like Lubbock, the "deplorables" can feel loved, valued and appreciated. Evangelical Christian religion, beyond representing the "good old days," also allows for the possibility of recuperating, or at least mitigating, lost status.

Many in Lubbock see themselves as "ordinary Americans," distinct from the "cosmopolitan elite" on the coasts. They do not read the New York Times, rarely travel abroad and are detached from trends in fashion or global politics. Their views align closely with the conservative perspectives promoted by media outlets like Fox News, ubiquitous in any local store. For these residents, "cosmopolitanism" is a threat to their way of life; "sophistication" and "modernity" are not aspirations but forces seen as corrosive to a good Christian lifestyle. It should not come as a surprise that in the U.S., white Christians embrace more anti-Black racism than any other group.

This way of life, steeped in a nostalgic vision of America, embodies resistance to a more diverse, environmentally conscious and inclusive future. Many Lubbockites view issues like climate change as conspiracies and racism as a resolved issue. Queerness remains a largely unseen and unspoken subject.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Lubbock represents a population that feels not only left behind but increasingly alienated by cultural shifts. Lubbockites know that their preferences, values and lifestyles are often mocked by "coastal elites." This sense of ridicule is internalized, with many people wearing T-shirts declaring, "I am a Deplorable," reflecting their awareness of how they are perceived by more liberal, educated groups. The 2024 presidential election underscored how many Americans share this worldview.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The potential danger they pose to democracy cannot be overstated. When aggrieved white men construct their identities around a shared sense of loss, they are prone to violence in defense of that identity.

Safeguarding democracy and promoting peace requires addressing the underlying grievances of these white men. Without a constructive response, their alienation and resentment will continue to grow, fueling further polarization and violence. The lessons of history are clear: democracy, justice and peace are threatened whenever groups in power feel that their honor and pride are under siege. Recognizing the depth of their grievances  and addressing them  is essential if we are to prevent history from repeating itself.
Dec. 13MITCHELL  Davison County employee Jeff Bathke is going to Pierre in 2025 as a state legislator, and the county and Bathke are in the midst of figuring out what to do with his pay while he balances both jobs.

The Davison County Commission met earlier this month and discussed Bathke's pay situation. That conversation took place without Bathke, who was absent because he was taking part in a state Legislature orientation event in Pierre.

In the meeting on Dec. 5, the commission took input from former state legislator Mel Olson, who served from 1993 to 2004. He said a common solution for some legislators at the time was they would continue to receive their regular salary and benefits at their full-time job but then pay back their legislative salary for the session to their employer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the commission was impressed by that possible solution, it's a non-starter for Bathke.

"I'm not doing that. I'm not going to work two jobs and only get paid for one," he told the Mitchell Republic.

Bathke said he compares the legislative demands as similar to what he does for his role as a command sergeant major in the Army Reserve. He joined the South Dakota National Guard in 1989. Bathke said he tracks his working hours while he travels for military duties and said he has a spreadsheet that goes back 11 years to show what he's doing for Davison County work.

"I record those hours and then I take leave for the rest," Bathke said. "The commission just needs to figure out are we going to continue to do that or how do they want to do it when I'm in session? ... I've never done that before, so I don't know what I'll have for time available."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bathke said he's three years away from being able to retire, so his benefits and retirement are a main concern going forward.

In 2024, Bathke won the seat when he entered the Republican primary uncontested and then the Democrat opposition in the race backed out before the general election. It was his second bid for a state legislative seat after coming in third in the Republican primary in 2022. He will represent residents in Davison, Jerauld and Sanborn counties, plus a portion of Miner County.

Lawmaker salaries for 2025 will be $16,348. The figure is based on the median South Dakota salary, as required by a 2018 law. The 2025 legislative session is 38 days and starts on Tuesday, Jan. 14 with the State of the State address.

Bathke's published county salary for 2024 was $84,657.03 for duties as planning and zoning and emergency management director. The pay situation needs to be resolved by the end of the year, and the commission has designated Thursday, Dec. 19 as its final meeting date of 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"One thing about Jeff being there, he will have the county's interest in mind," Commissioner Denny Kiner said. "We need to make it right with him, the best we can."

"When they're in the Legislature, I want them to be there as much as possible," Commissioner John Claggett added. "They're there to represent all of us."

Olson said the legislator job is more than a full-time job during the session and that it would be difficult to balance both duties.

"For him being in the legislature, that is a boon to you as a county," Olson told the commission. "I realize it causes difficulties to his employment. ... You need people that are really committed to being a legislator."
The AI policy discourse has picked up significantly this year. Although advocates for common-sense AI regulation breathed a sigh of relief when California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed his state's controversial SB 1047 in September, there are still hundreds of AI-focused bills circulating through U.S. statehouses, and its unclear how the federal government will approach AI regulation in the months and years to come.

What is clear, though, is that we need a better, simpler, and, ultimately, reasonable way of thinking about this very important issue. However, its hard to discern what a reasonable policy position would be when there are so many extreme viewpoints and general confusion.

Part of the problem is that the discourse has become a free-for-all proxy battle for airing everybodys anxieties about artificial intelligence and tech more broadly. Even narrowly focused AI policy initiatives quickly become (virtual) shouting matches among well-funded organizations concerned with existential risk, industry groups concerned with AIs impact on jobs and copyright, and policymakers trying to remedy the perception that they missed their window to effectively regulate social media. This can drown out legitimate concerns over AI policy overreach enabling regulatory capture and negatively affecting Americas economy, innovative spirit, and global competitiveness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But despite all the hubbub and competing interests, there actually is a reasonable policy position the United States can take: to focus on marginal risk and apply our regulatory energy there. Its a simple approach that has already been proposed by a number of the top AI academics in the industry. And its worth understanding.

Avoiding spurious AI regulations

Marginal risk refers to a new class of risk, introduced by a new technology, that requires a paradigmatic shift in policy to handle it. We saw this with the internet where, early on, new forms of computer threats (like internet worms) emerged. On the national security front, we had to shift our posture to deal with vulnerability asymmetry, where being more reliant on computer systems made us more vulnerable than other nations.

Critically, focusing on marginal risks avoids spurious regulation, improving security by focusing on the right issues instead of wasting our efforts in ineffective policy.

More broadly focused policies and tactics for governing information systems have been shaped over decades, with each new epoch raising concerns to which the industry needs to respond. And every computer system built now and going forward is already subject to those policies. Overall, this policy worksuch as the work of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, or extending lawful intercept to compute systemshas improved the regulatory landscape for coping with new technologies. Efforts to limit access to enabling hardware, such as putting export restrictions on computer chips, have had limited but likely positive outcomes for the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, other policies have failed in every attempt to employ themand might even weaken security. These include approaches such as attempting to regulate math or adding backdoors to phones or cryptography. Absent a material change in marginal risk, these types of approaches will fail with AI, too.

AI policy based on reality

When it comes to regulating AI, we should draw from these learnings, not ignore them. We should only depart from the existing regulatory regime, and carve new ground, once we understand the marginal risks of AI relative to existing computer systems. Thus far, however, the discussion of marginal risks with AI is still very much based on research questions and hypotheticals. This is not just my perspectiveit has been clearly stated by a highly respected collection of organized experts on the matter.

Focusing on evidence-based policy (i.e., real, thorough research on marginal risk) is particularly important because the litany of concerns with AI has been quite divorced from reality. For example, many decried OpenAIs GPT-2 model as too dangerous to release, and yet we now have multiple modelsmany times more powerfulthat have been in production for years with minimal effects on the threat landscape. Just recently, there was rampant fear-mongering that deepfakes were going to skew the U.S. presidential election, but we havent seen a single meaningful example of that having happened.

On the contrary, AI appears to be tremendously safe. In fact, we now have cars that drive safer than humans, computer systems that diagnose better than doctors, and countless advances in areas ranging from creative endeavors to biotechnologyall because of AI. In the end, we might conclude the best policy for human welfare is to invest aggressively in AI rather than to encumber it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, until weve established a reasonable understanding of its marginal risk, lets be sure to recognize the tremendous potential for AI to have a positive impact on the worlda promise upon which, to some degree, it is already delivering.

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

Read more:

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
CORINTH  A 25-year-old woman will spend the rest of her life in prison after pleading guilty to capital murder and multiple counts of child abuse.

Makallie Elizabeth Durham of Thomas Street, Iuka, pleaded guilty Friday morning to capital murder for the September 2022 death of a 2-year-old boy, and four counts of felonious child abuse for ongoing abuse of the victim as well as his infant sister.

Following the plea, Circuit Court Judge Chip Mills sentenced Durham to life in prison for the capital murder and an additional 40 years for the child abuse. She will not be eligible for parole or any other form of early release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Alcorn County deputy sheriffs and emergency medical personnel were called to a County Road 380 Corinth residence Sept. 13, 2022 for an unresponsive small child. The responding deputies found a 2-year-old male with multiple bruises and marks. There was also an 11-month-old girl inside the residence with multiple injuries.

Both children were transported to Magnolia Regional Hospital and subsequently transported to Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

When the boy died two days later, Durham was arrested and charged with capital murder. She has been held without bond ever since.

Two months after the child died, a grand jury handed down a five-count indictment. In addition to the child abuse that ended with the death of the boy, the legal document said the children endured multiple beatings over a four-day period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Durham was accused of hitting the boy in the face or head on Sept. 9, 12 and 13, 2022. She was also accused of beating the girl in the face or head three straight days, Sept. 11-13, 2022. The final count in the indictment is for capital murder in the Sept. 13, 2022 beating of the boy that led to his death.

She will remain in the Alcorn County Jail until she is transferred to the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections to begin serving her sentence.
A man who prosecutors call a far-right white supremacist was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in riots at political events across California.

Robert Paul Rundo, 34, formerly of Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Riot Act in September.

In a news release on Friday, federal prosecutors said Rundo participated in the organization known as the Rise Above Movement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prosecutors described RAM as a fighting group backed by a white nationalist ideology.

Between March 2017 and May 2018, Rundo and his associates attended political rallies across the state with the intent to provoke and engage in violence, prosecutors said.

Rundo organized and participated in training sessions that taught participants how to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Video footage of such sessions were posted to social media with captions like #rightwingdeathsquad.

Alleged white supremacist leader extradited from Romania to California

Prosecutors mentioned three separate political rallies in which Rundo and associates incited riot-like incidents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On March 25, 2017 in Huntington Beach, Rundo and other RAM members attacked people that were protesting a pro-Trump rally. In one particular instance, Rundo tackled and punched one protester. The RAM members later posted photos and videos onto social media, celebrating the violence.

Less than a month later in April 2017, Rundo and other RAM members traveled to Berkeley, where they were involved in several violent clashes during a scheduled political rally. Rundo at one point crossed a police barrier that was designed to separate groups of protesters, and he punched and kicked several rally attendees.

Rundo organized combat training sessions in the days before both of those rallies.

In another rally on June 10, 2017, Rundo confronted protesters in San Bernardino.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two other alleged RAM members are facing charges.

Robert Boman, 31, of Torrance has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Riot Act and one count of rioting. His next court appearance is scheduled on Feb. 18, 2025.

Tyler Laube, 28, of Redondo Beach, pleaded guilty in October to one count of interfering with a federally protected right. He was fined $2,000 and sentenced to time served.

Rundo, who was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, will serve 24 months in federal 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 KTLA.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A big name company is moving into one Central Illinois city. Amazon is opening a distribution center in Springfield at the intersection of Bissell Road and Dirksen Parkway.

I think it just shows that there are some real strategic advantages for warehousing and distribution and logistics out of Springfield, Ryan McCrady, the president and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, said. Its exciting to see these developments happen and to know that the business community agrees with that.

The city council approved the construction of the warehouse back in October. Amazon bought the space for nearly $3 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McCrady said this is expected to create about a hundred jobs and has the potential to create jobs in other areas.

The construction employment that goes into actually building the facility will be some temporary construction employment, but also we know that each job in a community actually supports more than one other job, and thats whats called an economic multiplier, McCrady said.

It can also mean more economic development drawing more developers to look to Springfield.

But it isnt just a benefit to businesses. It can also be a benefit to Amazon customers.

Itll probably mean that the items may arrive quicker, McCrady said. I think weve seen that in other communities that end up with facilities like this, so you will be able to secure your item, if not quicker, maybe with a more certain delivery date to it, so thats definitely something to think about and a lot of folks will be excited about that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Construction is already underway on the warehouse. This is the second new warehouse being built in Springfield.

Over the summer, the city approved a plan for another facility and distribution center at I-55 and the Palm Road Interchange. Frito Lay plans to use that space.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In the Sky adaptation of The Day of the Jackal, the assassin played by Eddie Redmayne is hired not to kill Charles de Gaulle, the French president, as in the 1973 original but instead a technology tycoon.

The plot change highlights the fact that businesspeople are increasingly targets of would-be assailants  as the recent killing of Brian Thompson grimly demonstrates.

Thompson, the chief executive of insurance giant UnitedHealthcare, was walking unaccompanied in Manhattan when he was gunned down by Luigi Mangione, according to charges filed by police in New York. Mangiones lawyers say he intends to plead not guilty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the killing itself was a shock to corporate America, then the public reaction has proved more unsettling.

Since the Ivy League graduates arrest, he has become a cause celebre on the Left, with some fundraising to pay his legal fees.

In New York, fake wanted posters featuring executives at other companies have appeared on the streets, sparking fears of copycat attacks. Police in Chicago are investigating after Kill Your CEO was spray-painted on several businesses in the city.

Luigi Mangione has attracted support from the Left, amid mounting negative sentiments towards executives - David Ryder/Reuters

We are definitely seeing chief executives coming under increased threat throughout the world, says Thomas Eymond-Laritaz, the founder and chief executive of London-based Highgate, a corporate advisory business.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would say its principally for two reasons. The first is that our societies are internally more polarised and theres much more anger out there for companies to navigate.

The second very clear phenomenon is that the world is more polarised and theres more geopolitical competition. And chief executives can sometimes end up becoming pawns in these divides.

Physical threats against executives can come from disgruntled customers. In the case of Thompson, evidence suggests he was targeted because of his role running a healthcare insurance business.

Bullet casings found at the scene of the crime reportedly had delay, deny and depose written on them  an apparent reference to the sometimes arduous process of obtaining cover. The macabre sentiment was echoed by social media users, some of whom posted: Prior authorization needed before thoughts and prayers.

It has been suggested that Thompson was targeted for his role as chief of UnitedHealthcare - Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

Overzealous activists can also target business leaders while some violent attacks are sanctioned by states and terror groups.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In July, US and German authorities revealed they had foiled a suspected Russian plot to assassinate the boss of German defence giant Rheinmetall, which was supplying Kyiv with arms.

Meanwhile, in London, defence companies have been alarmed to find pictures of their chief executives fixed to lampposts with the label war criminal underneath  a reference to their willingness to sell products to Israel.

You go into these roles with your eyes open, says one British executive, and although it is always there in the background, I try not to let it influence my day-to-day life too much.

But of course you have to be aware that as you get more exposure, you will be a target.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If I go out for a run, I need to be aware of the routes Im taking and vary them, and I cant wear branded items or my lanyard. And the mail at our offices is screened because weve had dangerous powders sent to us in the past, to give an example.

So youre very conscious of some people wanting to do you harm, whether that be a kind of lone wolf activist or a more organised grouping.

Against this backdrop, the bill for keeping top executives safe has reached eye-popping levels at some of the worlds biggest companies. This is particularly the case in Silicon Valley, where powerful founders are often seen as crucial to a companys success.

Elon Musk, the worlds richest person and the boss of Tesla, SpaceX and social network X, spends millions of dollars per year on a level of protection more often required by heads of state when he is travelling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This ring of steel  provided by a security firm the billionaire owns  is said to include some 20 bodyguards and a medical professional at all times, costing at least $2.4m (1.9m) per year.

Elon Musk spends millions a year on his security detail and claims to have been threatened and stalked - Brian Snyder/Reuters

Musk, who has 12 children, previously revealed that he received death threats from homicidal maniacs and has been followed by a crazy stalker, with the tycoon arguing that social media accounts tracking the activity of his private jet put his family in danger.

Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook founder and head of the social media giant Meta, was also provided with personal security  as well as security for his family  totalling $23m in 2023. Tim Cook, Apples chief executive, was ordered by his companys board to travel everywhere by private jet and provided with around $800,000 worth of protection annually.

UnitedHealthcares Thompson was provided with an in-house security detail but was unaccompanied when he was shot, according to US media reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That is unusual, according to one head of security at a blue-chip company in Britain. Many bosses of prominent companies are advised not to walk alone in places where they may be recognised.

On top of this, executives are often given training in how to keep themselves safe in other ways, such as by varying the way they travel to work or catching a taxi back to the hotel rather than walking.

It can be easy for someone to build a pattern of your life if you always sit in the same train carriage, for example, explains the security head.

The idea is to be unpredictable. So it might make sense for you to sometimes get a car, sometimes to use public transport and sometimes to stay overnight in a hotel.

Executives such as Brian Thompson are often given safety training and a security detail - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What you dont want, of course, is for people to be jumping at shadows. But we tell our executives to pay attention to what is normal in their home and work environments and what isnt. If something doesnt feel right, trust your instincts and tell us.

The threats that chief executives face cannot always be prevented with muscle alone.

Many corporate security bosses lose sleep over the activities of executives and their subordinates on LinkedIn and other social networks, for example, where a seemingly harmless post celebrating an achievement can reveal valuable information to outsiders.

Even a run around the block using fitness apps such as Strava can unintentionally give away where someone lives, prompting many bosses to make their accounts private or eschew them altogether.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On top of this, executives face a constant barrage of so-called phishing emails and text messages, through which they can be tricked into giving hackers and blackmailers access to their data or sensitive information.

Eymond-Laritaz, at Highgate, believes these kinds of threats to executives will remain for the foreseeable future.

Just because you do not take an interest in politics, doesnt mean politics wont take an interest in you, he adds, paraphrasing Pericles, the Athenian statesman.

This new era of social anger could have massive repercussions for businesses, and I think that is systematically underestimated by companies.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
An earlier version of this article was first published in the On the Trail 2024 newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Friday mornings here.

Happy Friday, friends. In the coming weeks, this newsletter will undergo a rebrand and focus more broadly on national politics. Which means ... we need a new name. (Off The Trail, anyone?)

Well still deliver the top political news, from both the West and Washington, with an eye to the things most interesting to our readers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Send me your best ideas: onthetrail@deseretnews.com.

The big idea

Trumps deportation plans

Yuval Levin claimed the most astute of all the post-election hot takes. The immediate aftermath of an election is a terrible time for political punditry, Levin admitted, writing a week after Election Day. The knee-jerk reaction for many pundits, he explained, was to declare what Trumps victory meant for insert-group-here: for the middle class, for immigrants, for big business, for America. A more predictable route, he said, would be to declare what Trumps victory did not mean. To Levin, it did not mean that most Americans agree on every issue with Trump.

Levin explains:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is the trap that our 21st-century presidents have tended to fall into. They win elections because their opponents were unpopular, and thenimagining the public has endorsed their party activists agendathey use the power of their office to make themselves unpopular. This is why the public moved left on key issues during Trumps first term and right during Bidens. Voters in this election rejected the excesses and failures of the left far more than they endorsed the rightor much of anything else.

Levins full essay is worth your time, especially his observation that most of what Trump himself is most eager to do will likely prove fairly unpopular when actually put into practice.

Today, lets consider his plans for mass deportations. Hes yet to put them into practice, as hes not yet in office. But his plans on just how hed carry it out are clearer now than they were on Election Day, and much clearer than when many voters cast their ballots.

In the month-and-change since Trump declared victory, weve learned that Trump plans to use the National Guard to carry out deportations; to pull resources from across the federal government to help; to declare a national emergency to access additional funds; to end birthright citizenship; to leverage tariffs as punishment for other countries not complying with U.S. immigration preferences; and to potentially separate millions of American families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Thursday, NBC News reported yet another detail: the Trump administration reportedly intends to rescind a long-standing policy prohibiting the apprehension of unauthorized migrants inside churches or hospitals.

Trump has justified all of this by saying its what Americans want, by virtue of his electoral victory. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said Americans want to see our country run with common sense:

I dont think people want to have our borders rushed by  its really an invasion of our country by foreign countries, and not just South America. I mean, these are countries all over the world. ... They dont want to be invaded ... we had 182 countries where people invaded our country, essentially invaded our country. We dont know who they are, we dont know where they are. We dont know anything about them.

There is no doubt concerns over public safety and immigration played a significant role in Trumps victory. Between 2021 and 2023, the U.S. saw the largest immigration surge in its history. According to CNNs, NBCs and ABCs exit polls, immigration was the top issue for Trump voters, even more so than the economy. But Trump still finished with less than 50% of the popular vote. Does that mean voters have given an endorsement to Trumps deportation plan, much of which is coming into focus post-election?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, does not think so. She believes most Americans make up a moderate majority, she said, who think the U.S. should balance border security with dignity and pathways for those that are here and contributing.

Recent polling supports her thesis. Election exit polls like CNNs, and more recent polls like Reuters/Ipsos, show an electorate that generally supports Trumps promise to deport criminals but is against his promise to create mass detention camps or to deny paths to legalization for most immigrants inside the country unlawfully.

In a poll conducted last week by the National Immigration Forum and the Bullfinch Group, U.S. adults were asked if they agree with the following statement: In accordance with American values, family unity, respect for human dignity, and protection for the persecuted must remain key priorities as the government increases border security and immigration enforcement. Nearly three-fourths  73%  said they agree, including 76% of Republicans.

A majority of Americans also disagree with Trumps intentions to deport all unauthorized immigrants. When asked if immigration enforcement should prioritize violent criminals and those with final orders of removal versus focusing on all individuals without legal status, two-thirds  66%  say criminals should be prioritized. Over 60% of Republicans agree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These polls suggest that most Americans still arent fully on board with Trumps plans. Its definitely not a blank check, Murray said. Its not a mandate.

If NBC News reporting is true  that Trump plans to scrap the ICE prohibition from conducting immigration raids on hospitals and churches  Trumps immigration plans will only become more unpopular. I think we can know exactly how folks would act if they started to see ICE doing raids in their church parking lot, said Murray, whose organization works closely with faith groups on immigration issues. Anything that would violate religious liberties is a really big problem for conservative faith leaders and individuals.

3 things to know

Weekend reads
MAUD, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  Saturday is distribution day for the Salvation Armys Angel Tree program.

715 Children will get the Christmas they deserve all thanks to the hard work of the Salvation Army and the generosity of the community.

Every year the program gives generous members of the community the chance to sponsor the a child 12 and under or a senior 65 and older whose family may be struggling to make ends meet and make their Christmas wishes come true.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maud ISD esports among top Fortnite teams in Texas

Christmas comes around yearly and they know its going to be a problem to provide Christmas for their families and so we just fulfill that need through this, through the communitys goodness to us. says Salvation Army Texarkana Captain Clara Gomez.

Captain Gomez knows first hand the way this program impacts families.

I was an angel tree kid when I was growing up and so my mom was a single mother of five kids. And so it has just been such a blessing to be in this capacity where I can oversee the program and make sure that every kid is taken because I was once that kid who needed something. says Captain Gomez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Maud High School wins Esports National Championship

After months of preparation the gifts will be distributed on Saturday.

They will be receiving their Christmas gifts and so the parents then can wrap up their Christmas gifts and give them to the kids and its such a great joy to witness. says Captain Gomez.

But there are still those who need help, between the families living at the Salvation Armys shelters or those who have unexpected emergencies during the holiday season.

They didnt sign up in October and what happens is, you know, they lose their job, house fire domestic violence situations and so we help with a bit of those after this is done. says Captain Gomez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are still ways the community can join in on the spirit of giving and help those families still in need.

Crazy Walmart elves for Salvation Army Angel Tree kids

If like the emergencies dont get put on an angel, we just try to see what we have or we find a sponsor for them. So theres still time if someone wants to really help a family or a child this season, we can definitely try to match them with someone who didnt get put on the angel tree earlier this year. says Captain Gomez.

To learn more about how you can support the Salvation Armys mission head over to their website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Angela Rayner has been urged to refuse plans for a controversial office tower near Britains oldest synagogue, with local communities branding the plans anti-Semitic and discriminatory.

Proposals for a 43-storey office tower near the 323-year-old Bevis Marks synagogue, in Aldgate in the City of London, were rejected by the City of London Corporation in a meeting on Friday.

More than 1,400 letters of objection were filed with the council. In his objection to the plans, Rabbi Morris of Bevis Marks Synagogue underlined how this process has caused significant distress within the Jewish community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has argued that the synagogue depends on daylight for worship, with the tower also potentially reducing the visibility of the moon, which must be visible to recite the Kiddush Levana prayer outside at night. It is thought to be the only Jewish community in the world that has been a place of active worship since the 1700s.

Developers previous proposal to build a 48-storey tower on the site was refused

In a signal that she may support the decision to block the skyscraper, Ms Rayner intervened by issuing a holding direction last month, which bars the City of London from granting permission without her specific authorisation. She will have the final decision on the proposal.

However, City planning officers had recommended for the plans to be granted consent.

Breach of human rights

During the debate on Friday, some critics suggested that the planning teams conclusions were anti-Semitic and discriminatory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Henrietta Gordon, a solicitor objecting to the scheme, said: It is my honest view that today what is being decided is not, in reality, a mere planning application, but rather whether the Jewish people, their faith and their place of worship will continue to be discriminated against.

Allowing this proposed building to remove... natural light to Bevis Marks would, in my view ... be a breach of the human rights of the members of the synagogue and an act of discrimination and anti-Semitism.

A representative for the planning officers slammed the comments as offensive to their integrity. He added that the situation has taken a toll on the team.

Welput, the developer behind the proposed office block, previously applied to build a 48-storey tower on the site, at Bury Street, in 2021 but was refused approval. The latest plans, which were revised to slim down the top of the tower and reduce its height, consist of some 372,000 sq ft of office space to host around 2,470 City workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Parties supporting the development included a primary school, a special educational needs and disability (Send) consultant and the Museum of Diversity, which is based at a listed building on the site that would be revamped as part of the building works.

When voting on the scheme, 14 members of the planning committee voted against the scheme, while eight were in favour, including Shravan Joshi, who is chairman of the committee.

Mr Joshi said: Objectively, this [development] fits within our policies ... If I felt that there was a real impact on [the synagogue] being able to continue their services, I would not be supporting this.

He added that there is a shortage of space to accommodate huge lists of museums and community groups seeking premises.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The news comes days after ministers pledged to tackle Nimbyism and unleash the biggest building boom in half a century. That pledge included at least 150 infrastructure projects and 1.5m homes delivered by the end of this parliament.

A spokesman for the City of London Corporation confirmed that Ms Rayners directive remains in place and said: The City Corporations planning and transportation committee carefully considered representations both for and against the proposed development at 31 Bury Street. Following lengthy debate, the Committee has refused the application.

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.
ARLINGTON COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Saturday, Dec. 14, thousands gather at Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans through the annual Wreaths Across America event.

Every year, volunteers descend upon the cemetery to lay handmade, balsam wreaths on every gravesite. The public event is a tribute to those who have served in the nations military, taking place at over 4,600 cemeteries nationwide.

In preparation, a convoy of over 75 tractor-trailers and support vehicles carrying the wreaths are arriving in Arlington from Maine throughout the day on Friday, Dec. 13.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, several thousand volunteers will lay the wreaths on the headstones.

Jingle Bell Run in Arlington: Road closures

According to Arlington County police, as a result, the public can anticipate large crowds and heavy pedestrian traffic on Saturday. To accommodate the event, the following roads will be closed from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.:

Marshall Drive, between N. Meade Street and Route 110, will be closed and restricted to authorized traffic only.

N. Meade Street will be closed from 14th Street N. to Marshall Drive, except for local residents.

Columbia Pike will be closed from S. Joyce Street to Rotary Road and restricted to authorized traffic only.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition, Northbound S. Eads Street between 15th St. S and 18th St. S will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6:45 a.m.

Authorities will also implement additional road closures along Interstate 395, George Washington Parkway, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and the Pentagon Reservation. Other roads may be closed for short periods if police see fit.

Police noted that drivers should not park on the shoulders of Route 110 and Washington Boulevard or stop in the travel lanes to drop off or pick up passengers. The Hayes Lot in Pentagon City, located at 880 Army Navy Drive, has been designated as a drop-off and pick-up zone.

To learn more about Wreaths Across America, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
An Israel-hating CUNY professor allegedly helped organized a vile campus protest that resulted in $3 million in damages, a pair of City Councilmembers alleged.

Councilmembers Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn) and Kalman Yeger (D-Brooklyn) are calling for an investigations and, potentially, the professors firing.

They claim they have credible information adjunct political science professor Corinna Mullin was among the ringleaders of the April encampment at the City College of New Yorks Harlem campus.

Councilwoman Inna Vernikov is one of two NYC pols calling for CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez to investigate a CUNY adjunct professor who allegedly helped organized an anti-Israel campus protest in April. Stephen Yang

NYPD cops and campus police arrested roughly 170 anti-Israel demonstrators at CCNY April 30, including Mullin, according to reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The demonstration led to the science building catching fire and other violent incidents.

Vernikov and Yeger, who are both Jewish, sent CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez a scathing letter Friday regarding Mullin.

We demand an immediate investigation, and if substantiated, appropriate consequences, the pols wrote. Any students or faculty whose actions led to the chaos and violence on a taxpayer-funded college, which resulted in more than $3 million in damages, must be held accountable.

Mullin teaches at Manhattans John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Brooklyn College and received $37,500 total in taxpayer-funded salary last year, according to SeeThroughNY.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The radical academic has previously been linked to John Jays chapter of the Israel-hating group Students for Justice in Palestine and the pro-terror organization Within Our Lifetime, the pols wrote.

Vernikov and Councilman Yeger wrote they have credible evidence that Corinna Mullin (pictured) was a ringleader of the City College anti-Israel encampment in April. centerforthehumanities

During the demonstrations, protesters fired a flare gun, sparking a fire on the roof of a science building; clashed with public safety officers; and broke into an administrative building, where they smashed glass doors and vandalized offices, according to school officials.

Protesters also threw rocks at campus police and pepper sprayed them amid the mayhem, with two CUNY cops sustaining injuries, a campus officer told The Post.

The Manhattan District Attorneys Office said Mullin received a summons after her arrest but did not say what she was charged with.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mullin whined to reporters at a May news conference about the inhumane treatment she and others received after being arrested.

Protesters at CCNY in April caused a campus buildings roof to catch fire and clashed with law enforcement. Getty Images

The lawmakers missive to Matos Rodriguez comes on the heels of a City Council higher education committee hearing last month, organized in the wake of a damning independent report that found CUNY needs to overhaul its policies to combat antisemitism on its 25 college campuses.

During the hearing, Matos Rodriguez repeatedly skirted questions by Vernikov, Yeger and other pols about whether CUNY students and faculty were disciplined over their involvement in the demonstrations.

However, the campus police officer said he personally knows of six CUNY faculty members and 15 students who were collared by campus cops during the April protests  and none of them were disciplined.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A lot of policies were violated, and CUNY is not holding anybody accountable for their actions, the officer said.

Yeger (pictured) and Vernikov sent their letter following a city council higher education committee last month addressing antisemitism at CUNY. Stefan Jeremiah for NY Post

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nancy Smith, an attorney for Mullin, said the councilmembers letter contains false and defamatory statements about the educator, whom she claimed was arrested during a peaceful protest.

She insisted that Mullin did not violate the law during the CCNY protests, noting that a trespassing charge against the academic was dropped and claimed protesters from the CUNY community were non-violent and their demonstrations did not cause any damage.

Mullin, Smith added, will not be intimidated by the current McCarthyism.

CUNY did not respond to requests for comment.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Two men were arrested after they were accused of felony theft in connection with a jugging incident in north Austin Friday, the Austin Police Department said in a news release.

Those suspects were identified as 25-year-old Brandon Lee Wright and 19-year-old Marquise Keyon Collins, according to police. They were both arrested and charged with felony theft. Online court records were not updated with attorney information. We will update this once that changes.

Brandon Lee Wright, 25; Marquise Keyon Collins, 19 (Courtesy Austin Police Department)

APD officers in the area were conducting an operation targeting jugging style crime suspects, the release said. Over the last few months, officers and detectives gathered information by the crime analysis unit, which determined locations frequently targeted by jugging suspects over the last few months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What is jugging? Austin police see uptick in cases

Jugging was explained by police as a form of robbery. This happens when a suspect follows a victim from a bank, ATM or check-cashing store to their next location. The suspect then either threatens or assaults the victim and then demands or takes the money.

Around 11 a.m., while officers were in the parking lot of a bank for around 10 minutes, they saw a suspect vehicle, a Toyota pickup truck, with two suspects in it, the release said.

When the suspect vehicle left the bank, they followed a potential victim vehicle, according to police. Both the suspect and victims vehicle pulled into the parking lot of 11300 North Lamar Boulevard several minutes later.

When the victim got out of their vehicle, they went to the other side of the parking lot to assist a co-worker, and a suspect got out of the Toyota. That suspect then went into the victims vehicle, grabbed an envelope that was in plain view and then got back into the Toyota. This is when police conducted a traffic stop, the release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suspects were in possession of an envelope containing $8,000 in cash, along with the victims personal bank card and ID card, APD said.

Police said the money was returned to the victim. The agency said this is a reminder for those in the community to be very aware when withdrawing and traveling with large amounts of cash, especially during the holidays.

It is recommended that citizens avoid leaving large amounts of cash in their unattended vehicle, or try to avoid carrying large amounts of cash altogether, APD said.

The agency also said this is a warning to suspects coming into Austin with the intentions of committing jugging style crimes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

APD will not tolerate people taking advantage of our citizens, especially during the holidays, and anyone suspected of these crimes will be arrested and referred for prosecution, police said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The BBC has filed a complaint against Apple after an AI-generated headline claimed UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione shot himself was sent to an unknown number of people and credited to the British broadcaster. A spokesperson from the BBC said the corporation has contacted Apple to raise this concern and fix the problem.

BBC News is the most trusted news media in the world, the spokesperson also said. It is essential to us that our audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications.

Earlier this week, an AI-generated news summary from the BBC that read, Luigi Mangione shoots himself; Syrian mother hopes Assad pays the price; South Korea police raid Yoon Suk Yeols office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the two other headlines were accurate, the first was not.

This is not the first time an AI-generated news has released false headlines in this manner. The broadcaster reported that three articles on three different topics from the New York Times were all grouped together on Nov. 21; the resulting mash-up led some to believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested.

The news feature from Apple is available to iPhone users using the iOS 18.1 system version or later on all iPhone 16s, the 15 Pro, and the 15 Pro Max.

The post Apple AI-Generated News Alert Falsely Claims Luigi Mangione Shot Himself appeared first on TheWrap.
An area firefighter who died battling a house fire on Thursday has been identified.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Area firefighter dies after battling house fire

As previously reported on News Center 7, Winchester, Indiana firefighters responded to a house fire in the 200 block of Watson Street Thursday afternoon.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Firefighter Rick Sanders did not feel well while inside the house and exited the structure, the Winchester Fire Department posted on social media.

They posted part of this statement on its Facebook page:

Medics quickly tended to Firefighter Sanders and moved him to the ambulance. During their assessment, Firefighter Sanders went into cardiac arrest. Quick and aggressive action was taken to reverse this, and Firefighter Sanders was transported to St Vincent Randolph Hospital where he succumbed to his illness.

A procession was held on Friday. They left Ball Hospital Friday afternoon to escort their fallen brother back to Winchester, the department said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rick, from your brothers at WFD, we love you, we will miss you, and we thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice for us and for the community around you, the Winchester Fire Department said. We thank every department and service that has aided us throughout this process. Rest in peace, 4510, we will carry your legacy with us.

The Randolph County Sheriffs Office posted a video tribute to Rick Sanders on Facebook.

They added this statement:

To his colleagues at the department, he was a brother. His impact on the department and his community is unwavering.

Being a part of the first responder community, we at the Sheriffs Department had the honor of knowing and working with Rick at times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rest easy, Rick. Your watch has ended, but your legacy will live on in the lives you helped save, the people you loved, and the Community you faithfully served.

Thank you for your service, your courage, and your love. You will never be forgotten.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




A 20-year-old Tucson man, Baron Martin, was arrested Wednesday on charges of producing child sexual abuse material and cyberstalking.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Martin faces up to 40 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release if convicted on both charges.

The Justice Departments unsealed complaint alleges that Martin groomed, extorted, and threatened underage girls, forcing them to harm themselves or others while recording the acts.

Online extremist groups target underage users in effort to disrupt society

Martin claimed to be an owner of two online violent terror networks known as "764" and "CVLT". Members of these virtual groups share and produce explicit content with vulnerable, underage users  primarily females  around the world, according to the DOJ.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Justice Department said members of these extremist groups seek to corrupt young people and desensitize them to violence. The crimes are committed with the intention of disrupting society.

The department found that the network, 764, tends to move through social media channels and change its name while remaining consistent in its motives.

Martin admitted to using the moniker "Convict" on social media. The Justice Department said Martin described himself as the "king of extortion" and boasted his crimes to group members. He even created a detailed guide on how to identify, groom and extort vulnerable juveniles.

Interactions with 13-year-old girls happened on Discord

The Justice Department referenced two separate incidents involving two 13-year-old girls. The interactions took place on the popular instant messaging and social media platform Discord.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Martin coerced one underage girl into physically harming herself and filming it, according to the Justice Department. He later shared the videos with another user.

The details in this case are simply horrific," said Robert Wells, executive assistant director of the FBIs National Security Branch.

The Justice Department reported Martin is accused of cyberstalking a different 13-year-old girl and her grandmother. He reportedly paid an unknown individual $3,000 to kidnap and murder the victim's grandmother, according to reports. It is unclear whether this was a legitimate hit or a threat.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Baron Martin of extremist social networks 764, CVLT arrested, DOJ says
The Arlington School District is hoping the seventh time is the charm: asking voters again for the money to replace an ailing Post Middle School.

The first five times the district asked for a bond to pay for construction, essentially a 20-year loan that requires 60% support from voters to be approved. Several times a majority of voters supported the measure over the years but fell short of the 60% needed.

The school has a long list of issues, including an open-campus concept that means kids commute to classes outside. The school has installed cameras and fences for safety, but in the long rainy season of the Pacific Northwest, the outdoor corridors frequently flood and are hazardous when temperatures drop below zero.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then theres the heat. 24 heat pumps keep the 43-year-old school warm. According to the Everett Herald, the Snohomish County Health Department has advised additional ventilation in some classrooms because of the carbon dioxide that has built up.

Its challenging to really save money post because everything is so outdated, Gary Sabol, the communications director for the Arlington Schools said in an interview.

In November, in reaction to concerns of voters who didnt want a 20-year commitment, the district put forward a six-year levy increase. The measure failed again, this time falling short of the simple majority needed to pass a levy measure. A bonus: there is no interest on a levy that comes with a bond.

Immediately after that November levy, it was important for the School Board to send out a survey to our families, staff, students, community members to really get their feedback as to why this didnt pass, Sabol said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The number one issue Sabol says: People thought the ask of $81 million was too steep.

The district scaled back to $75 million with a design that can be built on when the districts enrollment needs it to, as Sabol notes the districts student population is increasing. The plan would bring all student corridors inside and central heating, like in the rest of the district.

We really want to provide a new school for our students and staff to really provide them an educational environment where they can thrive and learn, Sabol said.

The districts voters will weigh in on the measure in the February 11 election.
Kouri Richins, a woman charged with murdering her husband before writing a childrens book about grief, returned to the courtroom on Thursday as attorneys discussed what needs to happen before her trial begins.

The trial was scheduled to start in the final week of April, but Richins' attorney Kathy Nester said they intend to present a "fairly robust defense" with as many as 20 witnesses. She said this would take days of trial, and if Richins decides to testify, her testimony would be "quite lengthy."

Deputy Summit County attorney Brad Bloodworth also said he was not sure if prosecutors could finish presenting their case in the eight days previously scheduled. An additional week was added to the trial, meaning jury selection will begin on April 21 instead of April 28.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the pretrial conference on Thursday, attorneys set multiple other hearings in February, March and April to address the jury questionnaires and motions attorneys said they planned to file to talk about evidence at trial.

Nester said she plans to appeal a decision from the presiding judge in the 3rd District Court, Laura Scott, denying requests previously agreed to by prosecutors and 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik to hold jury selection in person instead of virtually, and to call jurors from both Summit County and Salt Lake County.

Despite the desire to appeal that decision, Nester said no one on the case is interested in continuing the trial. She said everyone wants it to move forward in April and May.

The jury during Richins' scheduled trial will be asked to determine whether she is guilty of charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder, first-degree felonies; two counts of filing a fraudulent insurance claim, a second-degree felony; and one count of forgery, a third-degree felony.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Richins is also charged with two counts of mortgage fraud, a second-degree felony, and two additional counts of forgery, a third-degree felony. Mrazik ruled those charges are not directly related and should be addressed in a separate trial.

Kouri Richins was arrested over a year after calling dispatch to report her husband, Eric Richins, 39, was nonresponsive. She is accused of administering a fatal dose of fentanyl to Eric Richins on March 3 or 4, 2022, and has also been charged with giving a lethal dose of drugs to her husband on Valentines Day, less than three weeks before.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY)  For the past two decades, a local company has been working with the Salvation Army to make sure that children have a great Christmas.

On Friday, Aurora Flight Sciences donated all the toys that it has received for the Angel Tree this Christmas. This is a special day for Aurora as it marks 20 years of being able to make sure children have a great Christmas and something to unwrap underneath the tree.

WVU Medicine Childrens and Morgantown Fire Department invite Santa to visit

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I can imagine a Christmas for a child that got nothing um and I think thats the sentiment across the board um so everybody you know takes a look at what they have and were all very grateful were what we do have uh and we make sure that those folks that are a little less fortunate get taken care of this time of year, Aurora Senior Operations Manager Scott Jones said.

If you would like to help the Salvation Army with the Angel Tree program you can visit its website here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  With the holiday season in full swing, many Austinites and visitors will meet up with friends, coworkers and loved ones to celebrate the festivities. But for those drinking, what happens if you realize youve over-indulged and cant drive home?

The city of Austins Get Home Safe Ticket Waiver Program is a year-round initiative to help encourage responsible driving practices. Those whove legally parked in a city-owned paid parking space and received a parking ticket can apply for a waiver from the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (ATPWD).

The program has been operational since about 2011 after the city extended its paid parking times to nighttime hours, said Joseph Al-Hajeri, parking enterprise manager at ATPWD.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those whove parked legally in a city-owned paid space  not a no parking zone or an illegal spot  can submit the waiver within one business day after receiving the citation. That submission must include a copy of the parking citation along with proof of a safe means of getting home, such as a rideshare receipt with the date and time attached.

AUSTIN PARKING NEWS: How to dispute an incorrect parking ticket in Austin

Typically, [people] made a decision that Im going to take a ride home instead of actually having to pay the meter or getting a ticket the next day, he said. And so we came up with this to offset that and to help encourage people to take an alternative ride home.

Since the programs introduction more than a decade ago, Al-Hajeri said the city has seen an expansion in its transportation network due to more ride-hailing services coming online, helping provide more robust options for those needing a safe commute home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its just making sure that people know that this is available to them, he said. But we do want to encourage people to plan their trips ahead of time if theyre going to go out and drink responsibly.

The program is one of several means of safer alternatives home; CapMetros Night Owl buses also run from midnight to 3 a.m. Monday through Saturday as supplements to pedicabs, taxicabs and rideshares.

In an effort to crack down on impaired driving, the Austin Police Department  in tandem with ATPWDs Vision Zero program  announced in October it had expanded its No Refusal initiative into a year-round effort. That program aims to reduce the number of severe and fatal crashes on Austin roadways, allowing APD to obtain a blood search warrant during specific hours when an arrested driver refuses to submit to a blood alcohol test, per APD.

Those with questions about the program can reach out to ATPWDs parking enterprise division by calling 512-974-1563 or emailing parking@austintexas.gov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
You are here: China

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Macao from Dec. 18 to 20 to attend a gathering marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be present at the inauguration ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Xi will also conduct an inspection tour during his stay in the Macao SAR.
A potential peace in Ukraine can only be secured if a peacekeeping force of up to 150,000 armed soldiers can be deployed, according to an Austrian military expert.

Colonel Markus Reisner of the Austrian Armed Forces told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper in an article published on Saturday that his view is that "at least 100,000 to 150,000 soldiers would be necessary for successful peacekeeping in Ukraine."

The number of peacekeeping troops could be reduced at a later stage. "But especially at the start of such a mission, a complex logistics operation is required, such as carefully conducted mine clearance along the front line." If the forces are small, the likelihood of ceasefire violations is significantly higher. Reisner served in Afghanistan and Iraq among other deployments and is considered an international military expert.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Various international bodies are now discussing a possible peace mission, which designated US President-elect Donald Trump had suggested. Reisner said the Europeans alone cannot secure a demilitarized zone in Ukraine.

"The largest European countries, namely Germany, France, Great Britain, and Italy, would not be able to deploy more than 25,000 to 50,000 soldiers in the initial engagement," said Reisner. But he said other EU countries would participate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be interested in getting "as many countries as possible from the so-called Global South, meaning countries like India and Bangladesh, but also from the African continent" into the force, he noted.
Bestselling author Barbara Stcherbatcheff was arrested for allegedly kidnapping her own son, 10-year-old Valentin, according to multiple reports.

Stcherbatcheff, 42, was arrested in The Bahamas on Tuesday, December 10, and appeared before a local magistrate several days later following a provisional warrant for extradition, according to local newspaper Nassau Guardian. Stcherbatcheff was subsequently remanded to prison and is set to return to court on Monday, December 16.

Valentin had been reported missing in his native country of Switzerland. According to the Guardian, Stcherbatcheff lost custody in 2021 and was first accused of kidnapping the child in February 2023. She allegedly failed to return Valentin to his father, Daniel Rene Stankowski, after a weeklong visit, authorities told the Daily Mail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Valentin is currently listed as a missing person on Interpols website, which states that he disappeared from Zurich in February 2023 when he was 8. Since then, it is suspected that Valentin has likely visited Croatia, the United States, Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland and other undefined countries, per the entry. It is categorized as a yellow flag notice, spanning multiple countries.

Celebrity Mugshots

Stcherbatcheff, who is an American-born author with British citizenship, is wanted in Switzerland on charges of kidnapping and child stealing. According to the Daily Mail, Stcherbatcheff was found in the Bahamas at a residence with her apparent boyfriend. (The outlet claimed that she referred to herself as Barbara Murphy and hadnt used Stcherbatcheff in several years.)

Further details have not been publicly shared. Us Weekly has reached out for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stcherbatcheff started her career as a newspaper writer for The London Paper, covering the financial industry via her City Girl column. Stcherbatcheff wrote her newspaper column anonymously in 2008, revealing her identity one year later. The experience later inspired her 2009 book Confessions of a City Girl.

Michelle Obama, Mindy Kaling, Elliot Page and More Celebrities Whove Penned Books

When City Girl first stepped into the Square Mile she had no idea of the fight for survival she would face over the next five years, a book summary reads. But despite lap dancing clubs and million-dollar losses; divorce in the City and the worst recession since the 1930s, City Girl was still standing. She'd taken on the boys at their own gameand won. Fresh from writing the thelondonpaper's City Girl column, Suzana S. gives us the inside track on life in the financial capital of the world. This is her story. Confessions of a City Girl tells us what really went wrongand explains why girls are the only ones who can put it right.

Confessions of a City Girl is a U.K. Sunday Times bestseller and has been translated into German and Polish.

If you think a child is missing or in danger, you can call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's (NCMEC) 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Dec. 13Trista Reynolds says she feels a little bit of closure since a civil case against the father of her missing child, Ayla Bell Reynolds, and his mother and sister, was settled earlier this year.

But she won't find peace until she knows exactly what happened to her daughter, who was just a toddler in December 2011 when she disappeared. On Dec. 17, eight days before Christmas, Trista Reynolds learned that her 20-month-old, blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter had been reported missing by Ayla's father, Justin DiPietro, from his mother's home at 29 Violette Ave. in Waterville.

The case launched one of the largest and most costly Maine State Police investigations in the state's history, although Ayla has never been found and no one has been charged criminally in the case. A judge in 2017 officially declared Ayla dead. She would be 14 today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though the civil lawsuit alleging wrongful death by DiPietro, his mother and sister, Phoebe and Elisha DiPietro, respectively, has been settled, Maine State Police continue with the criminal investigation which would be prosecuted by the state Attorney General's Office if and when adequate evidence is presented to that office to proceed.

"I do believe they're trying really hard," Trista Reynolds, now 37, said Thursday of police. "I do believe that Ayla's going to get her justice. It's just a matter of when."

The settlement in the civil case enabled Trista Reynolds to buy a house for her and her sons, Raymond, now 13, and Anthony, 11, and the signing will be two days before Christmas, she said. That has helped to raise her spirits, but still, it doesn't feel right that Ayla is not with them to experience it, she said.

"It bothers me that I don't get to share that with her," she said. "I know she's with me. I just wish I could share all this excitement with her. I don't have Christmas spirit this year. I don't know why. I'm coming up to 13 years and it makes 14 years without a Christmas with Ayla."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her attorney, William H. Childs of Portland, also said he couldn't disclose information about the wrongful death suit but he continues to assist in the state's case.

"The civil case has been resolved and the criminal investigation continues," Childs said Thursday. "We are hoping to obtain indictments."

Trista Reynolds continues working in her job as a general manager for the restaurant, Five Guys. Her young boys also keep her busy, she said, and are growing fast. They look forward to moving from their home near Portland to their new house about an hour away, according to their mother.

"They're doing great in school," she said. "They're excited for the move."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trista says she continues to grieve for Ayla, but is in a different spot since the civil case was settled.

"I believe that she's guided me through all of this," she said.

THE LAWSUIT

Trista Reynolds filed the wrongful death suit in 2018 against Justin DiPietro and in 2022, a judge approved Trista Reynolds' request to include his mother and sister in the suit. They faced civil counts of wrongful death, conscious pain and suffering and wrongful interference with the body of a deceased person. Justin DiPietro also faced a count of breach of parent's duty of care to a minor child.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The civil lawsuit alleged there was sufficient evidence that Justin DiPietro's mother and sister, individually or together with him, had the opportunity and means to participate in causing severe injury to Ayla that led to her death. The lawsuit also alleged that all three participated in an unsuccessful attempt to clean up and conceal blood stains found in multiple locations before authorities arrived at the house, which Phoebe owns.

Trista Reynolds said there is a lot she can't disclose about the settlement which provided a little relief, emotionally.

"I feel I proved a lot about what happened that night," she said.

DiPietro has for years denied he had anything to do with Ayla's disappearance and has long maintained that someone must have abducted her from the house. DiPietro, his then-girlfriend, and sister, Elisha, were the only adults at the home the night Ayla reportedly disappeared. Phoebe DiPietro reportedly was not in the house Dec. 16, 2011, the night before Ayla was reported missing, according to court records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A state police spokesman said after Ayla's disappearance that Justin DiPietro's explanation that she must have been abducted didn't pass the "straight-face test" and officials found no evidence to support she was taken during the night. Police have long maintained that those in the Violette Avenue house when Ayla disappeared know more than they are saying.

STATE POLICE PROBE

Police have conducted many searches for Ayla by land and air over the last 13 years, with no success.

The lead investigator in the case, Detective Sgt. Ryan Brockway of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central, said that this past year, officials received 10 leads in the case and most came from people in Maine, although some came from other states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The leads that originated here in Maine have been investigated by me and others in the State Police Major Crimes Units," Brockway said Wednesday in an email. "In some instances, regarding the out-of-state leads we have relied on our out-of-state law enforcement partners to investigate them. We continue to leverage the most modern technology and advancements in science and apply it to the evidence in this case."

Brockway said police didn't conduct any physical searches this year.

"We continue to stay in touch with the maternal side of Ayla's family and provide them updates regarding information learned from some of the leads," he said. "The Attorney General's Office and we at the State Police Major Crimes Unit remain committed to a positive resolution in this case."

In December 2023, Brockway said police received 13 leads. Those who think they have information that would help police in the case, he said, are encouraged to call 207-624-7076.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HONORING AYLA

Trista Reynolds and her boys continue to honor Ayla by shining a pink light on their porch, as Ayla loved the color pink, according to her mother.

During December, the month she went missing, they keep the light on 24 hours a day. They also hang special ornaments on their Christmas tree in honor of her.

Trista said some of her friends and neighbors also shine pink lights during December in support of Ayla and the search for justice.

"Anyone can light any kind of pink light in honor of Ayla," she said. "I'm still doing her pink light the first of December to the 31st of December. It still shines to show her way home. It's really a big message to Ayla Bell her family loves her."

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.
DENMARK, S.C. (WJBF)  A ribbon cutting was held for the Holmans Bridge Fire Substation in Denmark, S.C. on Dec. 13.

The new fire station is also a sign of how much Bamberg County is growing. According to officials, the station will allow for better response time for 350 homes.

This fire station has been in the works for close to 20 years. Four years ago, we were able to acquire the property acquiring the property was the most difficult part of it, said Joey Preston, Bamberg County Administrator. Once we had the property we could go ahead and get the financing done, we already had plans put together cause we had constructed one of these in the lower part of the county.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We had a significant number of homes and homeowners in this area that were considered without fire protection so now that we brought a fire station closer to their community, they will now have a better fire classification, said Paul Eubanks, Bamberg County Fire Coordinator. It will save them on their homeowners insurance and put the resources closer to them should they need it.

Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Waymo One's robotaxis could threaten Uber and Lyft drivers' earnings if they get access to airports.

Airport rides are among the most profitable trips for human drivers.

Waymo One is offering airport trips in Phoenix and is awaiting approval in other markets.

If Waymo One's robotaxis continue expanding to airports, human ride-hailing drivers could see their incomes take a big hit.

Airport trips are "incredibly important" for ride-hailing drivers, particularly those who work near cities with major airports, said Lindsey Cameron, an assistant professor of management  whose research focuses on AI and gig work  at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She added that airport pickups can be especially profitable because those rides often have higher fares, which are driven by strong customer demand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Those are the most lucrative rides," she said. "You've got a captive audience who wants to go home, and so they're willing to pay."

Many Uber and Lyft drivers have told BI their gigs are already less profitable than they were a few years ago  due, in part, to an increase in competition from both human and robot drivers. The threat of robotaxis further chipping away at their business has put some of them on edge.

Nicole Moore, a part-time Lyft driver and the president of the driver advocacy group Rideshare Drivers United, said that in the last couple of weeks, she's seen a significant uptick in concern from LA-based drivers about the impacts of robotaxis on their earnings. In November, Waymo One began offering rides to anyone in Los Angeles after previously operating a limited service with a waitlist.

"You put more drivers on the street  whether they're robot drivers or people  everybody makes less money," she said, adding, "We're thankful they're not in the airport yet."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Waymo One, which is owned by Alphabet, is the only company operating autonomous vehicles at US airports, Waymo told BI. It's also the biggest autonomous taxi service in the US: In October, the company said it was providing more than 150,000 weekly paid rides in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Additionally, the company announced this fall it will offer rides to the public in the Atlanta and Austin markets early next year and in Miami in 2026.

While Waymo One airport trips are available in Phoenix and the company has approval to begin pilot testing at the Austin airport  robotaxis are still restricted from airports in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In these cities, approval for airport rides would come from groups that oversee the airports' operations.

The experts BI spoke to said it's unclear if and when robotaxis will receive widespread approval for airport trips in the markets they're operating.

Spokespeople for Los Angeles World Airports and the Airport Commission for San Francisco International Airport told BI there is no estimated timeline for when Waymo One will receive approval, but the groups are monitoring the robotaxi's progress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The LAWA spokesperson said the airport can experience significant curbside congestion and that for driverless taxis to gain airport approval, they would need to operate safely and efficiently and not impact the airport's current commercial and private vehicle operations. The Airport Commission spokesperson said driverless taxis would need to demonstrate the ability to operate on freeways and in communities near the airport and ensure they could safely meet the needs of customers.

Waymo is pushing for airport expansion in the US

Waymo told BI that it's providing thousands of trips each week to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the most popular destination for its riders in the city. The company also said it's in active discussions with San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport about expanding its fleet to these airports, but didn't give BI a timeline for when it expects to receive approvals.

The company added that it was granted approval to provide robotaxi trips on freeways in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, but that it hasn't begun offering those rides to the public yet: Access to these trips is currently limited to Waymo's employees in San Francisco and Phoenix.

A spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport told BI that the airport would monitor Waymo One's pilot testing before deciding whether to approve airport pickups.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Uber did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment, and Lyft said that its drivers have generally earned more on airport trips than on non-airport trips.

It's not just drivers who are feeling the pinch from Waymo One's expansions. GM announced on December 11 that it was retreating from the robotaxi business "given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market."

Meanwhile, on December 5, shares of Uber and Lyft traded lower after Waymo announced it was expanding to Miami.

To be sure, Waymo isn't the only company rolling out robotaxis: Tesla and the Amazon-owned Zoox are also developing their own versions of a robotaxi.

Airport trips are some drivers' 'bread and butter'

Moore said that airport trips aren't as profitable for drivers as they used to be, but that they remain important.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"They have been our bread and butter for many, many years," she said.

Jason D., a 50-year-old driver in Phoenix, told BI he does more airport trips than any other type of ride  in part because he drives an Uber XL vehicle that has the space for luggage and multiple passengers. He said competing with Waymo One at airports and elsewhere has hurt his earnings.

"Driverless taxis are flooding an already competitive Phoenix market and taking money from human drivers," Jason D, who drives full-time for Uber and asked that his last name not be included for fear of professional repercussions, previously told BI. He added that Waymo One's cars also contribute to significant congestion at the airport because they don't know how to follow traffic officers' hand and voice commands.

Sergio Avedian, a part-time Uber and Lyft driver based in the Los Angeles area and senior contributor to the gig-driver-advocacy blog and YouTube channel The Rideshare Guy, told BI that airport drop-offs tend to be quick, pay relatively well, and often come with a tip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In comparison, doing airport pickups can require drivers at major airports to wait in designated lots until a passenger books a ride. Avedian said this process can be frustrating, but that airport pickups often pay better than drop-offs because the fares are higher  which is why some drivers think they're worth the wait.

"You have a chance of maybe catching a 'unicorn,'" he said, referring to the highest-paying trips. He added that many airport riders are business travelers who can expense their trips and are therefore less likely to balk at a high fare or not tip.

While robotaxis are already operating in the LA market, Avedian isn't overly concerned about robotaxis impact on drivers' earnings in the short term. But he knows the clock is ticking.

"Long-term, definitely it's going to be a threat, and that's why we suggest everybody not treat Uber and Lyft driving as a career," he previously told BI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If more airports approve robotaxis, Moore said she hopes riders will value the customer service humans provide.

"Customers often expect you to put their luggage in the trunk  is the robotaxi going to do that?"

We want to hear from you. Do you work in the gig economy? Please fill out this form.

Correction: December 13, 2024  An earlier version of this story misstated the number of weekly paid rides Waymo provided. It was more than 150,000, not 100,000.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Palestinian gunmen killed in Gaza and the West Bank have been repeatedly portrayed as innocent civilians by the BBC, it has been claimed.

The broadcaster has been accused of failing to inform viewers that many of the Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers were fighters with terror groups such as Hamas.

Research by the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) has highlighted numerous broadcast reports and online stories by BBC Arabic, which it claims failed to reveal the full circumstances surrounding the death of more than 30 Palestinians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Camera says that, in nearly 30 separate reports, BBC Arabic failed to give any indication that the dead Palestinians had been combatants in the conflict with Israel or were members of terror groups such as Hamas or Palestine Islamic Jihad.

This came despite Palestinian media sources referring to armed confrontations and exchanges of fire when referring to the deaths, and in some cases militant groups describing the casualties as their fighters.

The BBC has rejected Cameras complaints, maintaining that its reporting is accurate and that its Arabic service is a vital source of impartial news in a region dominated by partisan media.

Cases examined by Camera, which lobbies for a fair representation of Israel in the conflict, include a report from last October last year about the death of five men killed by Israeli fire in Jenin and Yata. It says this failed to include reports from Palestinian sources indicating that three of them were gunmen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In another case highlighted by the organisation, BBC Arabic reported on the deaths of a womans four sons in May but failed to indicate that they were linked to Hamas.

Before the report was broadcast, two of the men had been buried wrapped in Hamas flags, while three had also been claimed by the terror group on social media and Al Jazeera TV to be their martyrs.

Researchers found that, during an 18-month period after August last year, there were 18 items in which BBC Arabic failed to report cases of Jewish civilians falling victim to Arab violence, or wrongly described the Jewish fatalities as soldiers, armed forces or gunmen and referred to the attacks that killed them as resistance operations.

These included a report in October this year in which BBC Arabic described all 24 Israeli fatalities in the West Bank since the Oct 7 Hamas attacks as soldiers, when more than a third were civilians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Camera also claims BBC Arabic downplayed the targeting of Israeli civilians during another 19 items, in some cases describing civilian hostages taken by Hamas as prisoners of war and Jewish fatalities as settlers  despite them living inside Israels internationally recognised territory.

Israeli soldiers secure a tunnel reportedly used by Hamas in its Oct 7 attacks on Israel - Noam Galai/Getty

A spokesman for Camera told The Telegraph: A common pro-Hamas motto on Arabic-speaking social media reads: The Palestinian is a civilian even if they take up arms, and the Israeli is a coloniser even if they rest on the beach.

Regrettably, it seems that BBC Arabic has been repeatedly using a page from the same playbook when it covers conflict-related fatalities in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Of particular concern is the way its reporters selectively quote Palestinian terrorist organisations, deeming them a worthy source only insofar as they discuss Palestinian civilians and not when mourning their own gunmen. This leads to the absurdity whereby even when Hamas, the PIJ and Israel alike agree that a certain fatality was a combatant, the BBC opts not to mention this.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The other side of the coin is of course collectively mislabeling unarmed Jewish civilians who were killed in attacks as though they were soldiers, militants or part of forces.

A BBC spokesman said: BBC News Arabic is committed to covering this challenging and polarising conflict impartially. The complaint by Camera on the May 15 report was assessed by the BBCs executive complaints unit and was not upheld, while the Camera complaint on coverage of a report from Oct 4 is under consideration.

The BBC takes all complaints seriously, and we have a robust complaints process in place.

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.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  The proposed plan for the Beach Drive multi-use path features a 12-foot wide and 1.5 mile long pathway on the south side of the road. It will include benches, bicycle racks, trashcans, light fixtures, and native landscaping.

About half a dozen Beach Drive residents once again voiced their opposition at Panama Citys Tuesday night commission meeting, and the issue wasnt even on the agenda.

I have wasted two years of my life coming up here, doing research, coming with good intentions and I dont have a voice and Im done. So, its a waste of government money, regardless of how it comes about, its harmful. Its a waste. Its destructive. And I dont support it, resident Jennifer Bennet said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Local 22-year-old in desperate need of kidney transplant

There are two petitions, one for and one against the project. Both have an equal number of signatures. However, some Beach Drive homeowners question if the signatures on the petition for the pathway are valid.

Weve been asking for substantiation of the citys claims that they have an equal number of signed petitions. I have 110 pages that look just exactly like this. Its a list of names and people that live in the United States. Theres not a single telephone number. Theres not a single address; theres not a single birthday. Theres not a single voter registration name, resident Hank Picken said.

Beach Drive, also known as Business 98, is owned by the state. The city is trying to convince state officials to transfer it to city control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Department of Transportation has determined a transfer would be a separate action from the pathway project.

Without control, city officials will need FDOT approval to construct the pathway. Still, they are moving forward with the plans.

Commissioners are in the process of getting construction permits from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Holiday festivities in full swing at Sims nursing home

Thats to add new outfalls and to create a safer, better kind of environmental footprint through to there from all of the washout that happens from the road and the debris. We want to put in these new traps that will catch the debris and the sediment and all that that go out into our bay. So thats what we need the dep to weigh in on, Panama City City Manager Jonathan Hayes said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

City officials hope to put the beach drive pathway project out for bid early next year.

Read the petitions for and against the project.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV)  A Beaufort man who killed another man in a machete attack will spend the rest of his life in prison, the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitors Office said.

Michael Slick Goode was found guilty Thursday in the death of Rodney Watson, 66, of St. Marys, Georgia. Circuit Court Judge Marvin H. Dukes III handed down Goodes life sentence for murder and five years for a weapon charge.

Michael Goode (provided by the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitors Office)

He will not be eligible for parole, the solicitors office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The incident happened in July 2020. Prosecutors said Watson was driving to the store with his niece when she recognized Goode, who was in the roadway, and they gave him a ride.

Arrest made in connection with Hilton Head Island shooting that left 1 injured

When they arrived at their destination on Horton Road in Burton, prosecutors said Goode began attacking Watsons niece. As he tried to stop Goode, he viciously attacked Watson with a 10-inch machete.

The victim in this case was simply trying to help someone who looked to be in distress, but instead was met with senseless brutality, said prosecutor Jared Shedd. This defendant behaved unconscionably, and both the verdict and sentence are just.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the solicitors office, Goode initially claimed he was elsewhere during the attack, but DNA evidence linked him to the machete. On the witness stand, Goode claimed he was afraid but ultimately did remember his actions.

The solicitors office found that Goodes criminal history dates back to 1994, including charges of criminal domestic violence and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
American air bases in the US and UK have reported dozens of mysterious drones hovering over sensitive sites, in a bizarre and concerning trend under investigation by the Pentagon.

The drones vary in size, and are able to evade restrictions on flights above military bases.

Sites in New Jersey, California and the UK have all been visited by drones in recent weeks. Similar incidents happened over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia last year.

The sightings have prompted a raft of official investigations and theories from security officials, law enforcement and the public.

Russia

One obvious threat is Russia, which has ramped up its drone development over the course of the war in Ukraine and flown fighter jets close to British and American airspace to test the militarys response.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bases targeted in the UK include RAF Lakenheath, which The Telegraph previously revealed had been earmarked to host American nuclear weapons.

Joseph Orlando, the chief of New Jersey police, warned residents on Dec 4 that the drones flying over Picatinny Arsenal were nefarious in nature and were occurring nightly after sunset.

X/@AndyKimNJ

Reports in the UK have suggested the drones are high capability and may have been fitted with sophisticated reconnaissance gear, fuelling suspicion that a state actor was responsible. One source told The Times that the flights could be a sign of a sinister plot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It did sound like a passenger jet but not as loud, said Keith, a witness in New Jersey.

It looked like the size of an SUV, but couldve been even larger.

China

Another possible culprit is China, where the drone company DJI is based.

DJI has a 70 per cent global market share in drones, and its products have been used to surveil Muslim Uyghurs in Chinas Xinjiang province, according to the US government.

On Monday, the FBI arrested a Chinese national, Yinpiao Zhou, who is accused of flying a DJI drone over the Vandenberg Space Force Base on the same day the NRO, the US spy satellite agency, was launching a sensitive payload.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A criminal complaint filed by federal police said Mr Zhou had a visa to live in the US, but was boarding a flight back to China from San Francisco when he was apprehended.

The drone incidents come less than two years after the Chinese spy balloon furore, when a high-altitude craft made its way across the US before being shot down by the military.

Iran

Iran is the first country to be officially accused of launching drones in New Jersey, by the Republican state senator Jeff Van Drew.

Citing sources, he claimed this week that they originated from an Iranian mothership off the coast of the US.

Im going to tell you the real deal. Iran launched a mothership that contains these drones, he said, calling for them to be shot down by the military.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

@shorepointsnj via Spectee

But it was his theory that was later shot down, by a Pentagon spokeswoman who said there was no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States.

The US military has faced drone threats from Iran before, when Tehran-backed groups launched explosive suicide drones at bases in Iraq and Syria, in response to Americas support for Israel after the Oct 7 attack.

Iran has achieved significant success with the Shahed combat drone, which has been supplied to Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Hobbyists

Another less exciting theory is that the drones are piloted by hobbyists who fly them for fun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One theory about the drone incursions in the UK is that they are flown by Gatwick truthers, who are protesting against government restrictions on drone flight after another mystery incident over Gatwick airport in December 2018.

Although the drones are able to evade virtual perimeter fences around air bases and height restrictions imposed by manufacturers, an official source told The Telegraph the measures are relatively easy to overcome.

One police chief in New Jersey told the New York Post that while the first drones over Picatinny Arsenal base may have been a military surveillance drill, more recent flights reported in the news may be the work of hobbyists.

Once it exploded online this became a copycat situation, the chief said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the authorities overseeing several of the incidents have suggested the drones over US bases are unlikely to be the work of amateurs because of the sophisticated nature of their equipment.

Witnesses in New Jersey said they saw small quadcopters and octocopters, which cannot be easily bought off the shelf.

Aliens

Naturally, a story about mysterious craft in the sky has prompted theories that the drones are in fact alien spaceships.

I have guys who legitimately think its aliens, one police chief told The Post.

@DianeAtkins via Spectee

The US government has run a UFO-monitoring programme, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, since July 2022 and regularly publishes images of flying saucers and other ships that have been reported by military officials and the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It has not yet identified a confirmed alien spacecraft, but does admit when images cannot be properly sourced.

The alien theory has not received any pickup in the official sphere, and has been restricted to Facebook groups and other online forums.

One longtime alien enthusiast on Reddit is almost convinced.

What arent they telling us? they posted. Maybe this is the real deal.

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.
Heartbroken crowds flocked to the beloved Absolute Bagels shop on the Upper West Side on Friday to mourn its sudden shuttering  which came after the kitchen was taken over by rats.

Kitchen equipment was being furiously carried out of the breakfast joint, which had landed on numerous best-bagel lists throughout its 30-year run.

A lone plain bagel stuffed with red flowers was laid outside the front of the store on Broadway between West 107th and 108th streets alongside a sign that read: Thank you for your patronage for 30 years butwe have to go.

Beloved shop Absolute Bagels suddenly closed its doors this week after more than 30 years in business. Robert Miller

Im honestly going to go home and cry, Kathryn Swain, 53, told The Post, noting that she had gotten everything bagel with plain cream cheese and tomato from the shop every day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its the center of this neighborhood.  Everyone inside  they feel like a family, Swain said. Theyve literally adopted me as their family. Thats what makes it special. Its not a big business. They know everyone who comes in there.

Absolute Bagels shocked the Manhattan neighborhood Thursday by throwing a We are closed sign in its windows without any warning to the public  a spectacle first reported by the West Side Rag.

The shop famously drew crowds every day of loyal visitors, including state Assemblymember-Elect Micah Lasher, who said he tried to reach the owner about keeping the business alive.

Passersby were shocked to see that the shop had closed without warning. Robert Miller

But while the front of the bagel shop was constantly buzzing with loyal customers, the kitchen was in a deplorable state, the city said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city Department of Health slapped Absolute Bagels with a whopping 67-point violation sheet Wednesday  a severe report card that called for the immediate closure of the shop.

Rat droppings were found in the food preparation, storage and service areas, and sugar packets beneath the bagel counter were clearly gnawed by the pesky critters, inspectors said.

A lone plain bagel stuffed with red flowers was laid outside the front. Robert Miller

Even worse, the rodents dead bodies were left to rot in glue traps on top of the walk-in unit, a representative for the DOH told The Post.

The food itself was also not properly cared for: The smoked salmon, for example, was covered in a nasty layer of condensed wastewater that was dripping from the display case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We ordered a closure because we found pest and food contamination conditions posing an imminent public health hazard, the Health Department said.

After finding out about the closure, Kathryn Swain said she was going to go home and cry. Robert Miller

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The shutdown is not the first that Absolute Bagels has dealt with. It was temporarily closed in 2013 and 2017 for similar conditions. But the most recent DOH report card appears to be the death knell.

Owner Samek Thongkrieng has reportedly not made any effort to begin the reopening process, which would involve another inspection by the DOH, and even told the property broker he wanted to let the space go.

Samek just told the landlord, Im done. No more. And thats it, we never got an explanation, Rafe Evans, who first rented the space to Thongkrieng in 1992, told The Post.

Employees on Friday tossed the equipment that was inside the store. Robert Miller

Since the store first opened, Absolute Bagels has been consistently rated as one of the best in the city and was especially famed for serving an assortment of offbeat-flavored bagels and schmears such as walnut cream cheese.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was fresh. They toasted it right. There was a good ratio of bagel to cream cheese, said Xavier, 35, a Harlem resident who grew up in the Upper West Side and had visited Absolute Bagels for 24 years, of the fare.

Sometimes the bagel is too big and they dont put enough cream cheese, and sometimes the cream cheese is too much and the bagel is not good enough, he said of other spots.

Customers and employees alike said the bagel-store community felt like a family. Robert Miller

Ashna Arora, 27, gasped when she walked by the shuttered shop and said, No to herself.

Its so sad. Theyre iconic. Theyre the best in the city. Its really sad, she said, adding that her go-to order was an onion bagel with scallion cream cheese.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its the end of an era.

Similarly, neighbor Christopher Wambu, 70, stopped in his tracks when he say the closed signs.

What is this? Is this a joke? Oh my goodness, he said.

Absolute Bagels has made numerous best-bagels-of-New-York-City lists throughout the years. Michael Sofronski

After the shock wore off, Wambu realized he would have to break the news to his 11-year-old grandson.

My grandson who lives in DC comes just to buy bagels, Wambu said. Thats his favorite thing in New York, to eat bagels. Now I have to tell him theyre closed.

Workers on Friday told The Post that Thailand-born Thongkrieng was shutting the business down because he is tired and very old. The owner did not return The Posts request for comment.

The store had been shut down by the health department two other times over the years. Robert Miller

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said its time to retire, said Jorge Naba, 55, who had been working at the shop since its inception 33 years ago.

I feel bad for everybody. Every morning I see everyone. Its like a family, Evans said of customers and co-workers. I feel bad. All my life I have been working there.

And vultures are already setting their eyes on making a profit on the chefs history.

Theres a lot of interest, Evans said of prospective operators. Other [types of business] are reaching out but [the bagel business] feels it is the right use for the space after 30 years of intense goodwill, so were going to rent it to a bagel place.

But how soon that could be appears up in the air.

I dont believe that its in pristine condition  I dont think its a turnkey operation, Evans said.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Lawyers representing the family of Sonya Massey are commending the Illinois Supreme Court for a recent decision.

The Illinois Supreme Court issued a ruling Tuesday to keep Sean Grayson behind bars while the justices decide whether or not to take up the appellate decision that his pre-trial detention violates the SAFE-T Act. Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump commented with co-counsel Antonio Romanucci on that decision.

The Illinois Supreme Courts decision to deny Sean Graysons release is a relief for Sonya Masseys family. By upholding their responsibility to prioritize public safety, the court has sent a powerful message that the rights and safety of the community must come first and accountability must be pursued. Sonyas family has shown incredible resilience in their pursuit of justice for her senseless killing. This decision affirms their efforts and underscores the importance of addressing police violence and holding those responsible fully accountable. We will continue to fight alongside the Massey family to ensure that justice is served. Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A look at Ben Crumps past cases

Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder in Sangamon County for the death of Sonya Massey, a woman who called 911 to her Springfield home in July. Body camera footage shows Grayson shooting Massey in the head after he told her to move a pot of boiling water from her stove. The former deputy has pleaded not 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 WCIA.com.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  When Nadege Anelka first came to the West African country of Benin from her home island of Martinique, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, the 57-year-old travel agent said she had a feeling of deja vu.

A lot of the people reminded me of my grandparents, the way they wore their headscarves, their mannerisms, their mentality, she said.

Feeling at home in Benin, Anelka decided to settle there last July and open a travel agency. She hopes to become a citizen by taking advantage of a law passed in September that grants citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The new law, which was initiated by President Patrice Talon, who has been in office since 2016, is part of a broader effort by Benin to reckon with its own historical role in the slave trade.

The law is open to all over 18 who do not already hold other African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Beninese authorities accept DNA tests, authenticated testimonies and family records.

Anelka used Anchoukaj" ("Affiliation in Antillean Creole), a website recognized by Benin to trace her heritage, proving that her ancestors were slaves in Martinique. If her application is successful, she will receive a provisional certificate of nationality valid for three years. To get citizenship, she'll be required to stay at least once in Benin during that period.

Benin is not the first country to grant citizenship to descendants of slaves. Earlier this month, Ghana naturalized 524 African Americans after the West African countrys president, Nana Akufo-Addo, invited them to come home in 2019, as part of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in North America in 1619.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Benins citizenship law carries added significance, in part because of the role it played in the slave trade as one of the main points of departure.

European merchants deported an estimated 1.5 million slaves from the Bight of Benin, a territory that includes modern-day Benin and Togo and part of modern-day Nigeria, said Ana Lucia Araujo, a professor of history at Howard University who has spent years researching Benins role.

The coastal town of Ouidah was one of Africas most active slave-trading ports in the 18th and 19th centuries. Close to a million men, women and children were captured, chained and forced onto ships there, mainly destined for what would become the United States and Brazil and the Caribbean.

Benin has struggled to resolve its legacy of complicity. For over 200 years, powerful kings captured and sold slaves to Portuguese, French and British merchants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The kingdoms still exist today as tribal networks, and so do the groups that were raided. Rumors that President Patrice Talon is a descendant of slave merchants sparked much debate while he was running for office in 2016. Talon has never publicly addressed the rumors.

Benin has openly acknowledged its role in the slave trade, a stance not shared by many other African nations that participated. In the 1990s, Benin hosted an international conference, sponsored by UNESCO, to examine how and where slaves were sold.

And in 1999, President Mathieu Kerekou fell to his knees whiling visiting a church in Baltimore and issued an apology to African Americans for Africas involvement in the slave trade.

Alongside this national reckoning, memorial tourism centered around the legacy of the slave trade has become a key strategy of Benins government to attract foreigners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Memorial sites are mostly in Ouidah. They include the Door of No Return, which marks the point from which many enslaved people were shipped across the Atlantic, as well as the towns history museum.

At the Tree of Forgetfulness, enslaved people were said to be symbolically forced to forget their past lives.

Memories of the slave trade are present on both sides of the Atlantic, but only one of these sides is well known, said Sinde Chekete, the head of Benins state-run tourism agency.

Nate Debos, 37, an American musician living in New Orleans, learned about Benin's citizenship law while visiting for the Porto Novo mask festival. He had never been to West Africa before, but his interest in the Vodun religion led him there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Debos is the president of an association called New Orleans National Vodou Day. It mirrors Benins Vodun Day, a national holiday on Jan. 10 with a festival in Ouidah celebrating Vodun, an official religion in Benin, practiced by at least a million people in the country.

It originated in the kingdom of Dahomey  in the south of present-day Benin  and revolves around the worship of spirits and ancestors through rituals and offerings. Slavery brought Vodun to the Americas and the Caribbean, where it became Vodou, a blend with Catholicism.

Vodou is one of the chains that connects Africa to the Americas, said Araujo, the professor. For enslaved Africans, it was a way of resisting slavery.

European colonial powers and slave owners sought to suppress African cultural and religious practices. Vodun was preserved through syncretism, as African deities and spirits were merged with or disguised as Catholic saints.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our African ancestors were not tribal savages, they had sophisticated cultures with very noble and beautiful spiritual practices," Debos said.

He now seeks to establish more partnerships with collectives practicing Vodun in Benin, which would require him to stay in the country for longer periods. He will apply for citizenship, but not with an intention to move there permanently.

At the end of the day, I am an American, even when I am dressed in the wonderful fabrics and suits they have in Benin, Debos said.

Anelka, the travel agent now living in Benin, said her motivations behind getting Beninese citizenship are mostly symbolic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I know I will never be completely Beninese. I will always be considered a foreigner she said. But I am doing this for my ancestors. Its a way to reclaim my heritage, a way of getting reparation.

___

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.
With a bit more than two weeks to go before New Year's Eve, Berlin Mayor Mayor Kai Wegner has warned would-be rioters and violent offenders that they will be met with thousands of police if they try something.

"For me, the decisive factor is that the police, as they did last year, have the situation under control again," Wegner told dpa.

"The police will receive the necessary forces they need for the upcoming New Year's Eve."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A year ago, some 3,200 police officers from various German states were deployed - more than ever before on New Year's Eve. This year's plans are for 3,000 officers, according to the Berlin police.

"I do not want the massive attacks on police and fire services, as we experienced on New Year's Eve 2022/23, to become the norm in Berlin," said Wegner. "Last year, the Berlin police had the situation under control every minute. The rule of law clearly prevailed."

The mayor, a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union party, said the goal for New Year's Eve is to have no injured rescue and fire service personnel or police officers, as was seen two years ago.

"Against those who attack fire services and police with firecrackers, rockets, or other objects, the police will act decisively again in the coming New Year's Eve."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Wegner opposes a ban on fireworks sales - a discussion that surfaces every year in Germany.

"I do not want to punish families who wish to peacefully ignite a rocket or two on New Year's Eve and celebrate the transition with sparklers and fireworks fountains outdoors."

But he said there will be zones in the capital city where fireworks are prohibited.

Wegner said banning the sale of fireworks in the city, Germany's largest, doesn't make sense "because those who cannot acquire New Year's fireworks in Berlin will then drive to Brandenburg or neighbouring Poland."
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  An Horry County mother claims her 4-year-old son was left on a school bus and given to a stranger last week.

Myeisha Marks said the stranger safely brought him back to Aynor Elementary School, where he attends pre-kindergarten. However, she said the incident left her concerned about Horry County Schools safety protocols.

Marks said she was celebrating her birthday two hours away from home on Dec. 5 when she got a call from her son Shamiar Smith Jr.s aunt, saying he had not gotten off the bus. His aunt told the bus driver his name and that he was wearing a tag with his personal information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Marks, bus drivers are supposed to check tagged students information, have them sit near the front of the bus and give them to an adult. The bus driver checked the entire bus, but told her Smith wasnt there.

I was two hours away, and the first thing she said was Junior didnt get off the bus,' Marks said. I panicked, like, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. I just hung up the phone [and] called the school.

Aynor Elementary School staff called the bus driver, who said he found the boy asleep under his coat in the middle of the bus and dropped him off with one of his neighbors. Smiths aunt went to the neighbors, but they said they had not seen him.

Marks said she called Aynor Elementary again and the staff told her that her son was back at school. Smiths aunt went to the school, and the staff explained that the bus driver had let Smith off with a stranger, and the stranger brought him back to school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If he wouldve checked the tag when he got on the bus, he wouldve known, Marks said. So thats what Im thinking, like, he didnt do his job from the beginning. He didnt see him, which, he was visible, and he gave him to a complete stranger. Thats like, three or four different things that went wrong.

Marks said she and the stranger spoke the next day and that the woman told her that Smith was scared but she kept him safe. Marks said shes grateful.

A few days later, Marks said she asked Aynor Elementary staff members if she could see the school bus surveillance video from that day. Marks said her son was in the middle of the bus but not covered by his coat.

Marks also said she filed a complaint and will continue to call the school to see whether the bus driver will go through re-training or be suspended pending an investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I just dont even want to think about if something wouldve happened, she said. The first thing I was thinking, like, oh my God. My child got kidnapped. Where is he? Like, it was horrible. I just feel like they need to do better. They really need to do better with the young kids.

An Horry County Schools spokesperson told News13 the school and bus office have been in touch with Marks and that she reviewed the bus video. Procedures from the incident are being reviewed, including the Tagged Child Program.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, PARISH. La. (WGNO)  A bicyclist is dead after being struck by a vehicle in St. John the Baptist Parish, according to Louisiana State Police.

LSP troopers said that around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, they were alerted to a crash on United State Highway 61near Louisiana Highway 3188.

Man struck, killed by truck in Gert Town

An investigation revealed a Ford F-150 pickup truck was headed south on the highway when 61-year-old John Howard attempted to cross Highway 61 on a bicycle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Troopers said Howard crossed both the northbound lane of US 61 and the left southbound lane but entered the right lane into the trucks path resulting in the crash.

Howard suffered serious injuries, according to troopers. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. The trucks driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and suffered no injuries, said troopers.

While impairment was not suspected, troopers said the trucks driver submitted a toxicology sample.

Two-alarm fire in Gert Town damages Earhart Boulevard building

Test results are pending as the crash remains under investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Troopers want to remind bicyclists that Louisiana law classifies bicycles as vehicles, meaning cyclists must adhere to the same traffic laws as motorists. Never assume that a motorist can see you, and remember its important to stay visible by using appropriate lighting and wearing bright or reflective clothing in low-light conditions. For additional information on bicycle safety, visit the Louisiana Highway Safety Commissions website, LSP Troop B.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration have held discussions with White House officials as part of the incoming administration's ongoing effort to establish a ceasefire once Trump is inaugurated in January, NBC News reported on Dec. 13, citing sources familiar with the talks.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has held multiple conversations with Trump's incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, focused on sharing information but not strategies for expected peace negotiations, sources told NBC News.

A spokesperson for Trump's transition team confirmed that the two officials were in contact, adding that "the goal is for the world to understand there is a desire for the time of transition to be seen as a strong America, working for peace and stability around the world, until President-elect Trump is sworn in."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, has repeatedly suggested that he would end the war within 24 hours, but has so far refrained from detailing the specifics of his plan. According to NBC, no concrete plan to end the war has yet to have been presented.

In September, Trump said that he would negotiate a deal "that's good for both sides," however, since being elected in November, Trump has subtly shifted his rhetoric, hinting that he would will not "abandon" Kyiv.

Following his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Dec. 7, Trump said the Ukrainian leader is ready "to make a deal and stop the madness" and that Russian President Putin should "act" after incurring staggering losses in Ukraine.

Zelensky recently said that the country must do everything possible to end the war through diplomatic means in 2025, adding that a war would "end faster" under a Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 12, citing undisclosed official sources, that Trump wants European troops to monitor a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump reportedly made the comments during his Dec. 7 meeting with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, making it clear he wants to see Europe take up the leadership in deterring Russian aggression.

On the other hand, Zelensky reportedly conveyed to Trump during the meeting that "peace needs guarantees because a ceasefire alone isn't enough," Reuters reported, citing a source in Zelensky's office.

NBC reported, citing its sources, that the Trump administration will likely reject Ukraine's NATO accessions as a means to get Russia to the negotiating table.

The incoming Trump administrations' work on moving forward with peace negotiations falls in line with comments made by Trump's incoming Ukraine peace envoy, Keith Kellogg, on Dec. 13.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kellogg, who said the administration is "putting together some plans to actually go out and just listen," to Kyiv and Moscow ahead of potential peace negotiations added that he believed the war "will be resolved in the next few months."

Despite Kellogg's comments, Ukraine's Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak said on Dec. 12 that the country is not prepared to enter negotiations with Russia as it lacks sufficient Western support to engage from a position of strength.

Yermak held discussions with U.S. officials during a visit to Washington last week, which multiple sources described to NBC News as "positive."

Read also: War will be resolved in next few months, Trumps Ukraine peace envoy believes, plans to listen ahead of peace talks













Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The White House commuted the sentence of the judge at the center of a notorious kids-for-cash scandal without considering the specifics of his case, beyond whether it fit into a broad set of criteria, an administration official told POLITICO on Friday.

President Joe Biden this week granted clemency to the former Pennsylvania judge, Michael Conahan, as part of a mass commutation covering nearly 1,500 people who had been released on home confinement during the Covid pandemic.

Conahans inclusion sparked harsh blowback, with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro criticizing Biden for getting it absolutely wrong.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania, Shapiro, a Democrat, said at an event on Friday. Conahan deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.

Conahan was convicted in 2011 of funneling juveniles to for-profit detention centers in exchange for more than $2 million in kickbacks. He was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges.

At the time, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania called the scandal the worst in Pennsylvanias history, forcing the state to vacate thousands of juvenile convictions.

But the White House did not consider any of those details when weighing the charges against Conahan or the cases of other individuals who received commutations on Thursday, said the administration official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the clemency process. Instead, the administration granted commutations en masse to all those who fit a broader set of parameters, touting the move as a record-setting act of mercy carried out just before the holidays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those commutations were extended to people on Covid-related home confinement after federal authorities verified that their offenses were nonviolent and not a sex offense or terrorism related, the official said. They were also all considered a low risk for recidivism, had not engaged in any violent or gang-related activity while in prison and had been on good behavior for at least a year. None of the commutations granted were individual decisions, the official added, and none who met the criteria were excluded.

The administration official defended the commutations for Conahan and others as a sign of Bidens commitment to second chances, rather than a commentary on the presidents opinion of their original offenses.

Still, the official downplayed the impact on Conahans sentence in particular, arguing that he had served the bulk of his sentence, was already on home confinement and likely would have been released in August 2026 without the commutation.

Some victims of the kids-for-cash scandal have publicly criticized Biden in the wake of Conahans commutation. Amanda Lorah, who was one of the juveniles wrongly imprisoned in the scheme, told a local television station that the move amounted to a big slap in the face for us once again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sandy Fonzo, whose son died by suicide after Conahan placed him in juvenile detention, said in a statement to the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, newspaper Citizens Voice that she was shocked and I am hurt.

Conahans actions destroyed families, including mine, and my sons death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power, she said.
Hello, its the weekend. This is The Weekender 

President Joe Biden granted clemency to around 1,500 people this week, and pardoned 39 more.

Overall, this is a good thing (setting aside that some of those granted mercy dont particularly seem to deserve it). Presidents have broad powers in this area, and most are too scared to use them for the obvious political risk.

Biden, obviously, has nothing to fear there. His political career is done and he should be bolder, expanding his lens beyond people who were overwhelmingly already home. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), with other lawmakers, has called on the President to help broad classes of people and cases, including the elderly and chronically ill, those on death row, people with unjustified sentencing disparities, and women who were punished for defending themselves against their abusers. A large group of Democrats has called on Biden to pardon Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist whose murder conviction even the U.S. attorney who prosecuted the case later questioned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The White House is indicating that this might just be the opening salvo: In the coming weeks, the President will take additional steps to provide meaningful second chances and continue to review additional pardons and commutations.

But beyond the argument that he should exercise mercy because he can, he should use his pardon/clemency powers to help Democrats find their footing and start building a narrative against Trump. Im of the belief that the Hunter Biden pardon would have gone down better if he bundled it with other political pardons, if hed been more explicit about the fact that Hunter, and others whove attracted MAGA worlds particular ire, are simply not safe under the Trump administration. That Trump is vindictive and cruel, obsessed with grudges, and more intent on getting revenge against his critics than helping improve the economic fortunes of the American people (Trumps admission that he probably wont be able to lower grocery prices can help here too).

Some worry that preemptive pardons of Adam Schiff and Liz Cheney types might attach to them the stink of wrongdoing. Most disapprove of the Hunter pardon too, likely a combination of Bidens broken promise that he wouldnt pardon him and its appearance of familial self-dealing. Thats mostly a product of bad messaging: If Biden was a more able communicator, rather than lying about his intentions, he, (an alternate universe) Merrick Garland and The Democrats could have spent years pumping out the message that the prosecution was partisan, the brutal and inevitable conclusion of a right-wing offensive to get at the President through the family member they saw as the weakest link. It could have been a way to frame the whole Trump movement, one that is both bullying on an interpersonal level and alarmingly comfortable flexing the levers of legal power to punish those on the other side.

The information environment is, obviously, incredibly lopsided in Republicans favor. As many, including we at TPM, have argued, leveling that plane will require creativity, investment, a willingness to fund and support these media even if they occasionally break step with Democratic politicians. Im not laboring under the delusion that it would have been easy for Biden to make the case about Hunter when the right-wing machine spent so much time and money demonizing him (same goes for the Schiffs and Cheneys).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But they have to start somewhere. A bold and audacious firehose of pardons, a move both merciful and in service of the greater political project of negatively defining the Trump term (rather than the distasteful kowtowing elected Democrats are prone to at the moment) would be a start. It would be even better if bundled with Senate Democrats motivated to use their committee chairmanships while they still have them to pump out information about Trump and his cronies and to hold hearings on the least popular parts of his agenda (this seems like a total pipe dream) and a slate of executive branch moves to try to shore up whatever can be shored up before Trumps wrecking ball starts swinging. At the very least, it would be a refreshing change from the anxious defensive crouch Democrats so reflexively adopt.

 Kate Riga

Heres what else TPM has on tap this weekend:

Josh Kovensky expands on his reporting on Trump allies fight to end birthright citizenship in the U.S. and the resurrection of the broader, years old effort that involves a familiar cast of characters.

Hunter Walker checks in on Trumps inauguration prep grift game, which, of course, involves campaign donation-based promises to wear two different types of MAGA hats on the big day.

Emine Yucel has some thoughts on the House Republican who is uncomfortably trying to resuscitate the War on Christmas, a right-wing favorite.

An Insular Perspective

One surprising thing I learned in reporting my story this week on the right-wingers fighting to end birthright citizenship is that the 14th Amendment already has a big exception. Residents of American Samoa do not receive citizenship at birth; its the only U.S. territory with that exception in place, and its been that way since a series of notoriously racist 1901 Supreme Court decisions known as the insular cases classified them as non-citizen nationals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Various Samoans have fought this over the years, which is how I found that Ken Chesebro, the fake electors scheme architect, and John Eastman had collaborated on efforts to end birthright citizenship long before their more well-known 2020 collaboration. The two worked on an amicus brief together in the case of Tuaua vs. United States, in which an American Samoan man was suing to have birthright citizenship apply to the island after he was barred from becoming a police officer in California for lacking U.S. citizenship.

The D.C. Circuit ruled in favor of the status quo. During a failed attempt to get the Supreme Court to hear the case, Chesebro and Eastman filed an amicus brief urging the high court not to hear the matter, calling birthright citizenship a vestige of feudalism and saying that citizenship should not be automatically imposed on every child born in American Samoa.

I spoke with Neil Weare, an attorney for the plaintiff in the case. Weare grew up on Guam, and has focused on territorial issues in his career as a lawyer. Its rare, he said, for these cases to get much attention, though he thinks that a 14th Amendment executive order may change that. From one perspective, the questions in the Trump proposal and the Samoan case are different. For Samoa, the issue is what does the United States mean for the purposes of the citizenship clause. For the attempt to undo birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants, right-wingers are arguing that subject to the jurisdiction thereof narrows the ideas application.

Weare was far less certain than others I spoke with that the courts would dismiss Trumps proposal out of hand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bottom line is the constitutional meaning is clear and that the United States has sovereignty over a place, whether thats a state, a territory, or D.C., theres a constitutional right to be a citizen, he told me. The history of the Samoan case demonstrates that theres already an exception in place, he argued: it suggests that when there is enough political pressure to change the meaning of the Constitution, that political and constitutional actors that have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and defend the Constitution will not do so.

 Josh Kovensky

Trumps Contradictory MAGA Hat Money Move

Donald Trump is a man of many (MAGA) hats.

The former (and future) president has made some potentially contradictory promises to his fans related to his famous campaign headgear. On Dec. 8, Trumps campaign sent an email to supporters that showed off a white version of his signature hat with red lettering bearing the phrase VICTORY and Make America Great Again. The campaigns message dubbed the item, which was available for a donation of at least $47, President Trumps personal favorite MAGA Hat and boasted it was even bigger than the Elon Dark MAGA Hat!. To underscore the sheer power of this piece of pricey campaign merch, the campaign pronounced it as THE HAT PRESIDENT TRUMP PLANS TO WEAR ON INAUGURATION DAY!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, just over seven hours later, the campaign blasted out another email to supporters. This one was signed by Trump himself.

I MIGHT WEAR MY GOLD MAGA HAT ON INAUGURATION DAY, Trump wrote.

Sadly, for any MAGA fan who was trying to keep up and match the potential inaugural outfit, this second gold hat was on offer for $50, a few bucks more than the hat the campaign previously advertised as the one Trump will sport on Jan. 20.

While many of us have been transfixed by Trumps parade of disturbing Cabinet picks and policy promises, perhaps we can enjoy this extremely low stakes bit of drama and shady marketing as a sideshow. Its yet another example of how Trumps campaign and merch operation, which he launched in 2015, relaunched the day he won his first election, and has essentially never ended since then, has been willing to bilk his most loyal fans. Indeed, in his second email filled with seemingly contradictory MAGA hat related promises, Trump was rather transparent about the motivation for the stunt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once folks know that this could be the hat I wear when I become the 47th President, these hats will fly off the shelves, Trump wrote.

In other words, Trumps second term is about to begin, but the cash grab is already in full swing.

 Hunter Walker

Words Of Wisdom

I hope you have a very politically incorrect Merry Christmas!

Thats Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) signing off from a Newsmax interview this week. It seems the congressman might be trying to singlehandedly resurrect the infamous, right-wing War on Christmas.

The Newsmax anchor interviewing Burchett makes the moment ten times better with her response.

You can count on it. Merry Christmas, the anchor responds back with a chuckle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now to be fair, I dont think Id have a better response to such a bizarre sign off (especially if a congressman said that to me on live TV), but the you can count on it is equally, rhetorically deranged.

But alas, the clip itself is hilarious and worth a watch if you have 15 seconds of cringe to spare.

 Emine Yucel
President Joe Biden has commuted the sentence of a former Indiana health care executive who led a $19.4 million fraud scheme involving nursing homes owned by Marion County's public health system.

Former American Senior Communities CEO James Burkhart was among nearly 1,500 people whose sentences Biden commuted Thursday as part of what the White House has described as the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

As the top executive of Indiana's largest nursing home operator, Burkhart and several co-conspirators orchestrated a massive fraud and kickback scheme involving a web of shell companies. He then spent the money on private jets, vacation homes, diamond jewelry and gold bars. Most of the stolen money came from the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County, a public health agency that owns nursing homes and operates Eskenazi hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Burkhart pleaded guilty in 2018 to conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to violate the health care anti-kickback statute, and money laundering. He was sentenced to 9.5 years in federal prison.

American Senior Communities CEO James Burkhart

Until the FBI raided his Carmel home in 2015, Burkhart was a major player in Indiana's health care industry. He had millions of dollars in public money at his disposal thanks to an arrangement between American Senior Communities and the Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County that allowed them to collect extra Medicaid money available only to publicly owned nursing homes.

He earned a salary of more than $1 million a year, not including the money he skimmed from sham contracts, and was a significant campaign contributor to both Republicans and Democrats. An FBI informant who wore a wire caught Burkhart boasting about how he spent "a lot of money on politicians."

Attorneys for Burkhart did not immediately respond to messages from IndyStar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The White House and the U.S. Department of Justice did not provide explanations for individual commutations. But those whose sentences Biden commuted on Thursday had been placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and "have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities," according to a fact sheet from the White House.

The federal Bureau of Prisons website shows Burkhart, 60, was assigned to the residential reentry management field office in Detroit, which primarily manages federal offenders in halfway houses or on home confinement. His release date was listed as Sept. 22, 2025.

In all, Biden commuted the sentences of 1,499 people who have been serving their sentences at home for at least one year. He also pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes, including one Indianapolis woman.

Contact IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or tony.cook@indystar.com. Follow him on X: @IndyStarTony.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Biden clemency includes Indiana nursing home CEO behind $19M fraud
The loss of Chicos Bidwell Mansion in a devastating fire Wednesday morning was akin to Sacramentans waking up to see the Tower Bridge consumed in fiery hell. It is an indescribable loss of a state landmark that cuts deep to the heart of the city of Chico and all who love the north state.

The pink Victorian-era Bidwell Mansion was built in 1865 by the citys founding family, John and Annie Bidwell. It was a symbol of the pioneering days of Chico, as well as a rare, tangible example of early California statehood.

Opinion

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every school child in Chico has a memory of visiting the mansion, especially around Christmastime when the house was dressed in holiday splendor.

The tragedy of losing the Bidwell Mansion  and it looks likely to be entirely lost, just a shell of the home precariously remains  was compounded when a fire official suggested in the immediate aftermath that Chicos crown jewel was lost because of a nearby warming fire.

The phrase warming fire is nothing but thinly-veiled language for blaming the incident on people who are homeless.

The remark was unbecoming of the fire department and irresponsible, particularly considering Chicos fraught history with homeless people. It was a lapse of both judgment and human decency.

City cant stop the rumor mill it started

Come Thursday afternoon, the Chico Fire Department had already begun walking back their initial comments, but Chico Fire Assistant Chief Chris Zinko had already told a local television station exactly what he thought.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Action News Now reported that Zinko said the fire was reported as an illegal burn around 3:15 a.m. and a person was seen leaving the area and that they are working to identify that person.

That single statement set the citys teeth on edge. A homeless person has set the citys beloved Bidwell Mansion on fire? The way the city rolled information out to the public created the possibility of fanning anti-homeless prejudices long held. Social media comment sections on local pages were already roiling by Wednesday evening.

Chico has a history of hostility toward homeless people, which even a federal judge has called problematic. Rather than providing necessary shelter and services, it defaults to disproven methods, such as moving homeless people around like a game of three-card monte as city leaders argue and counter-sue to avoid responsibility.

This history has made Zinkos statement all the more troublesome.

Smoke rises from the burned out interior of the historic Bidwell Mansion on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Chico.

A devastating loss for Chico

We simply dont know what caused the Bidwell Mansion fire yet and it was irresponsible of Chico officials to suggest anything else.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Thursday, Chico City Manager Mark Sorensen told the Chico Enterprise-Record that there had only been an emergency services call for a suspected warming fire in the area, around the time the fire broke out. (A small, wooded creek that runs through campus and directly past the mansion, and the Chico Fire Department responds frequently to small campfires alongside it.)

However, Sorenson added, currently the root cause of the blaze does not appear to be the result of a warming fire. That is as far as I would want to go at this time. The facts of the matter are coming together.

But it was too late. The implication made by Zinko that morning now has bigger legs than the truth ever will.

Renovations at the mansion

Bidwell Mansion was undergoing massive repairs to numerous parts of the home, including a roof refurbishment that necessitated extensive scaffolding around the building. Any number of flammable incidents might occur during the roofing process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Chicos overnight temperatures dip to near-freezing this time of the year and indeed, on Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, the city clocked a temperature of just 32 degrees.

Had the city built enough shelter beds for everyone who needed them, there would be no need for warming fires. But the city has chosen instead to embrace policies that hurt homeless people  like too many other California cities more focused on the wants of their housed residents.

Anti-homeless sentiment in Chico

The city of Chico is already attempting to wriggle out of a settlement agreement from 2022, in which a federal judge ruled that the city cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances or conduct evictions on people who are homeless without available shelter to offer them first.

But since the federal Grants Pass ruling earlier this year, which said local governments can enforce camping regulations against homeless people without violating their Eighth Amendment rights, the city has argued it has no legal responsibility to hold itself to a settlement agreement that stipulates the opposite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2021, the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California said that the number of anti-homeless ordinances and how Chico officials were wielding them had helped fuel dehumanizing attitudes against unhoused people, according to reporting by Chico Sol.

The city of Chico bans people from sitting on sidewalks in commercial districts or from resting in building entrances and restricts the use of shopping carts in public. It also enforces the closure of Bidwell Park after nightfall, a huge public park of more than 3,600 acres.

Bidwell Mansion, completed in 1868, was the centerpiece of Chicos pioneer days. John and Annie Bidwell entertained presidents, generals and prominent activists during its hey-day. The building was gutted by a fire Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

The city has had numerous issues setting up approved camping sites and shelters, mainly thanks to NIMBY backlash and a lack of political will  and all to deal with a homeless population that is approximately one-tenth the size of Sacramentos.

During a 2021 hearing in the Warren v. Chico case, Senior Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. told the city that it seemed it was trying to enforce ordinances to make the public feel good, and not because those ordinances had anything to do with the actual law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The judge chastised the city for writing anti-homeless ordinances based on community attitudes rather than on facts. Judge England also said Chico leaders had a responsibility to educate the public and stop the spread of misinformation. Three years later, Judge Englands admonishment will be put to the test again in a fire investigation that must be fair and factual.

Now were going to find out if Chico will base its investigation on the facts  or on its prejudices.
Practically everyone loves pizza, and nothing proves that more than the wide variety of popular pizza chains in the U.S. that serve up everything from New York-style to hot-and-ready-to-eat to "Southern"-style pizza. With so many chains competing for our pizza orders, the biggest ones have to stay on their toes to edge out the competition. And with that comes innovation.

Big changes are coming to fast food chains in 2025, and this holds equally true for our favorite pizza brands. Whether it's adding cutting-edge tech, expanding, focusing more on sustainability, or rolling out retail products, some of the nation's most popular pizza restaurants have new ideas and plans in the works that we can expect to see take shape in 2025.

It's not just about what's on the menu  it's also about revamped dining spaces and ordering upgrades that will help you get your pie faster (and hotter) than ever. So, we're here to slice into all the details about what new touches you can expect from your favorite pizza chains next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: The Most Overrated Chain Restaurants In The US, According To The Mashed Staff

Pizza Hut's New Kiosk Prototype

Hand using Pizza Hut ordering kiosk - Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut has long been at the forefront of harnessing technology to get pizza into the hands of hungry customers (in fact, we can thank Pizza Hut for online ordering in general). So, with a new restaurant design being piloted in Plano, Texas, we may just see a glow-up spreading to some of the chain's brick-and-mortar locations in 2025.

This new concept, as described on the Pizza Hut website, features an upgraded design where customers can order through self-service kiosks and even watch their pizzas being made in the open kitchen. The prototype has already rolled out in almost 2,000 international locations, but this is the first time it's hit U.S. soil. For anyone who needs pizza fast, the new design has also introduced a drive-thru option for its pre-made Hut 'N Go menu. But don't worry, the new store still has inside seating for those who prefer to dine in.

Sustainability is also a major focus of this new concept. Pizza Hut has introduced some equipment upgrades that are more energy-efficient than its standard operations, including new ovens, fryers, lighting, and an energy management system.

Little Caesars Expansion

Three Little Caesars pizza boxes - The Image Party/Shutterstock

We've seen the rise, fall, and rise again of the Little Caesars empire over the years, but the pizza chain is betting on big expansion in 2025 and beyond. Little Caesars celebrated its 65th birthday in 2024, and it's currently hanging onto third place in terms of pizza restaurant sales in the U.S. What better way to celebrate that status than to open more locations?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a September 2024 press release, the company announced plans to add more than 23 new U.S. locations in cities like Los Angeles, Greenville, Baltimore, and others. The chain specifically wants to expand further into the northeast states, with plans to add 10 new locations in New York City alone by 2026. Other states in the crosshairs include New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Aside from all the new restaurants Little Caesars plans to open, it also wants a bigger piece of the pie in non-traditional locations. For example, we may be seeing more Little Caesars popping up in airports, amusement parks, and even casinos (and honestly, hitting the slots with a slice in hand sounds pretty awesome).

Chuck E. Cheese Is Adding Adventure Zones

hand holding Chuck. E. Cheese play pass with arcade in background - ZikG/Shutterstock

While Chuck E. Cheese sits at the lower end of our worst-to-best ranking of 30 popular pizza chains, it does have its devoted fans among kids  and parents looking for a break (and maybe a beer while their kids work off excess energy). So, it's no surprise that the chain's newest development is not on the menu, but rather with Adventure Zones for little ones to run wild in.

As described in a November 2024 press release, the new Adventure Zone play areas feature a Ninja Run obstacle course and a netted area for trampoline fun meant just for smaller kids (up to 56 inches tall). The company claims it has already received promising feedback from parents in its first pilot rollouts of the concept.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the release, Chuck E. Cheese announced it has already installed adventure zones in select locations, with a nationwide rollout scheduled for 2025. There are also new play attractions like trampolines, zip lines, and bouncy houses set to be introduced internationally, including in Chuck E. Cheese locations across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Latin America.

Mellow Mushroom Is Going High-Tech

Mellow Mushroom black hat with pink mushroom patch - Lily Lawrence/Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The truth about Mellow Mushroom, aside from the fact that it's delicious and a total vibe, is that it's grown a lot since its humble beginnings in Atlanta, Georgia. This Southern pizza chain has been around since 1974 and specializes in stone-baked pizza with a side of not-so-subtle stoner counter-culture references. Now, Mellow Mushroom is fully embracing modern technology as the chain continues expanding.

According to a press release, Mellow Mushroom has partnered with QSR Automations to incorporate ConnectSmart Kitchen tech into its restaurants. As this collab rolls out, we can expect to see streamlined kitchens that run like clockwork  and without a noisy printer giving line cooks a migraine in the background. This tech eliminates paper tickets, replacing them with screens that update orders in real time.

As a former Mellow Mushroom guru, this writer can recall that it wasn't until the early 2000s that most Mellow Mushroom stores began incorporating technology like POS systems and kitchen printers. Before then, customer orders were conveyed by hand start to finish, usually with those green guest checks often seen in diners (some stores, including several where I worked, even developed their own pizza code, like drawing a triangle to indicate a calzone order). This new tech promises to optimize kitchen organization, meaning customer orders could come out faster and with fewer mistakes.

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Has A New CEO

Line of Domino's delivery bikes outside Domino's in France - Horacio Villalobos/Getty Images

Domino's Pizza Enterprises, based in Australia, is the world's largest franchisee of the U.S.-based Domino's brand. It's the exclusive franchisee for Domino's in Australia and New Zealand, as well as several international markets, including The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. It also runs the Domino's presence in Asian markets like Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Cambodia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In November 2024, Don Meij, longtime CEO of Domino's Pizza Enterprises, retired after helming the company for almost 40 years. His replacement is Mark van Dyck, who has held senior executive roles with Compass Group and Coca-Cola, so he's well-equipped to take the reins.

Although this likely won't affect any Domino's stores in the U.S., it could mean big changes in 2025 for international Domino's locations. That's because a big part of Van Dyck's job will be improving sales that have slowed in recent years. For example, shortly after Van Dyck took over, he announced that the company may consider closing stores with poor performance, which would include almost 10% of Domino's stores in Japan and France (via RetailWire).

Read the original article on Mashed.
Nearly three dozen of President-elect Donald Trumps picks to serve in his incoming administration donated to his campaign or to the deep-pocketed outside groups that worked to elect him, a CNN analysis of federal campaign records shows.

They range from tech multibillionaire Elon Musk  who has emerged as the single largest, disclosed political donor of the 2024 presidential election  to others close to Trump tapped for key roles throughout government.

In all, eight of his Cabinet picks  led by Linda McMahon, the billionaire wrestling magnate Trump has selected to oversee the Education Department  and their spouses donated more than $37 million combined from their personal accounts to aid Trump, the review found, underscoring the proliferation of ultra-rich Americans now poised to shape US policy in the incoming second Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(Two other Cabinet choices, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik and Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, transferred money from their campaign accounts to the pro-Trump effort.)

Musk has not been selected for a formal Cabinet job but is helping guide a new Department of Government Efficiency initiative and has played a pivotal role in the presidential transition  offering his views on job candidates, talking to world leaders and meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill as he weighs how to downsize the federal government.

In all, the SpaceX and Tesla chief executive donated more than $277 million to federal elections this cycle, the lions share of which  more than $262 million  benefited Trump. Most of Musks pro-Trump dollars flowed to a super PAC that the worlds richest man created to help turn out voters on the Republicans behalf in key swing states.

Outside of self-funded presidential candidates, no individual has donated more to shape federal contests in a single election cycle, said Brendan Glavin, research director of OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan organization that analyzes money in politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps donors are not just getting these sort of plum ambassadorships on the side, Glavin said. Major donors are getting positions that affect policy.

The CNN analysis researched the more than 90 people that Trump had announced for high-level positions in the administration through Tuesday, which marked five weeks since his election victory. More than 30 of them had donated to his campaign or to one of the leading Trump-aligned outside groups, the review of FEC records found.

Millions of Americans fed up with failure in the White House and federal government joined President Trump in the movement to restore our nations greatness. Some who will work with President Trump are among those millions of people who supported the campaign and helped the President win a decisive electoral victory, Brian Hughes, a Trump transition team spokesman, said in a statement in response to CNNs inquiry about donors joining the administration.

The total donations from Trumps current Cabinet picks marks a surge from Trumps first term. Five members of his original Cabinet had donated nearly $8 million to his committees or to the major outside groups supporting him, a review of campaign reports shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Donations from McMahon, who served as Trumps SBA administrator in his first White House term, accounted for more than 90% of that total in the 2016 election.

The sums spent to aid Trump in 2024 far exceed the donations that President Joe Bidens Cabinet members contributed to help him win the White House in 2020, FEC records show.

A dozen members of Bidens Cabinet reported donations to his campaign or major super PACs involved in the 2020 election, giving less than $100,000 in total.

Billionaires in the administration

Musks spending dwarfed that of other supporters.

McMahon was the largest donor among Trumps Cabinet picks and the second most generous contributor, after Musk, among the administration members announced through Tuesday, the review found.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most of the $21.2 million she donated went to Make American Great Again, Inc., the main Trump-affiliated super PAC that spent heavily on advertising to aid his campaign.

Other seven-figure donors among Trumps Cabinet picks include Cantor Fitzgerald chief Howard Lutnick, whom Trump has tapped to serve as Commerce secretary; Scott Bessent, the hedge fund executive Trump has selected to oversee the Treasury Department; and former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, his choice to head the Small Business Administration.

Loefflers husband, Jeff Sprecher, also was a major donor, contributing more than $2 million to the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC and Trumps joint fundraising committee.

Sprecher is the CEO of the Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, and was at Trumps side when the president-elect rang the opening bell at the exchange Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In an email, Loefflers communication director Caitlin ODea said, Senator Loeffler is proud to be one of President Trumps strongest supporters for the same reason a historic landslide of Americans voted to put him back in the White House: he will restore American prosperity, security, and opportunity.

The billionaire embrace marks a turnaround of sorts for Trump, who saw corporate America recoil from him after the violent January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. And he has seen new support from tech leaders who are pushing for fewer regulations from the federal government.

The staggering sums spent by Musk in this years election helped Trump close the financial advantage of his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, who swiftly raised $1 billion after becoming her partys standard-bearer in late July.

Super PACs face no limit on the size of donations they can receive or spend, but technically are not allowed coordinate their advertising decisions with the candidates they support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, a ruling this year by the FEC granting campaigns the ability to coordinate with outside political action committees on paid canvassing efforts freed up Musk to guide a ground game for Trump.

The campaign finance system is a joke, said Fred Wertheimer, who heads the Democracy 21 watchdog group and is a longtime advocate for limits on money in politics. Musk is the example now of how campaign finance laws have failed.

He said he worries about government departments led by billionaires who have no interest in doing the job that the agency was assigned.

Musk did not respond to inquiries from CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Tom Davis, a former congressman from Virginia who chaired the House Republicans campaign arm for several years, argues there is nothing inherently wrong about people who made a lot of money wanting to give back through government.

The fact that they have contributed shows a degree of loyalty, he added.

Friends and family

Presidents often reward donors and allies with plum positions  often dispatching them to glamorous, low-conflict posts in Europe or the Caribbean.

Some of Trumps early picks for ambassadorships follow that pattern and include billionaires who donated to his reelection effort. Among them: Arkansas investor Warren Stephens, named as the US envoy to the UK, and Charles Kushner, Trumps choice for ambassador to France  one of several extended family members or close friends who has been chosen for diplomatic gigs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kushner, who donated $2 million to pro-Trump efforts and received a presidential pardon at the end of Trumps first term, is the father-in-law of Trumps daughter, Ivanka. Another donor, Tom Barrack, who oversaw the fundraising for Trumps first inauguration, is his choice as ambassador to Turkey.

And incoming special envoy to the Middle East, real-estate tycoon Steve Witkoff, is a longtime Trump friend and a partner in the cryptocurrency businesses that Trump launched with his sons earlier this year.

He donated $250,000 to a pro-Trump super PAC.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Did you know there could be hundreds of dollars of savings hidden behind the walls of your home?

Air ducts are typically installed behind drywall and in attics and crawl spaces, which means we usually don't pay much attention to them. But leaky ducts can make our HVAC systems up to 20% less efficient, which translates to a lot of needless money spent on energy bills.

Enter: Aeroseal, a Bill Gates-backed startup that sprays a mist of its proprietary sealant  made with a material similar to chewing gum  into a home's air ducts to seal gaps and other cracks. This helps HVAC systems run more efficiently at a lower cost, all without having to rip out drywall or make massive repairs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Amit Gupta, Aeroseal's CEO, told us that this technology isn't just great for customers' wallets. There's actually a "trifecta effect for the homeowner: [a] more comfortable home, [a] healthier home, and it pays for itself within four to five years."

In an exclusive interview with The Cool Down, Gupta walked us through how making this hidden part of our homes more efficient can be a huge unlock for saving money, improving our health with better air quality, and helping the planet all at once.

How does the "chewing gum" sealant work?

For many of us, there's always that one room that's too cold or hot  or perhaps it's a humidity issue or just an overall stuffy feeling in the house. Aeroseal aims to fix all those problems by helping regulate airflow (and air quality) with its sealant solution.

Using a qualified contractor through Aeroseal's website, you can have this sealant blown directly into your air vents, sealing up any problem areas in the process. In most homes, Gupta told us, you'll begin to see the difference just 30 to 40 minutes later. Contractors can see the change in real time right on their computer screen, "and slowly, minute by minute, they'll see how much the leakage is being reduced."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It's pretty mesmerizing to watch.

Gupta told us it should take about half a day to get the job done. "Homeowners will see immediate benefit in their homes," he said, including increased airflow. Plugging up gaps also helps prevent recirculating allergens, dust, or pollutants in the air. Later, homeowners will be able to see their energy savings as well.

How much money does this shave off my energy bill?

Aeroseal typically costs between $2,500 and $3,200 for a full-house ductwork resealing, and the company said that its service pays for itself in just four or five years. It also comes with a 10-year warranty for homes, so homeowners won't have to worry about constantly paying to fix more leaks.

In terms of savings, that depends a lot on the size of the home and your location in the U.S., "but most people should be able to save, on an annual basis, $500 to $600 per home," Gupta told us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On top of that, there are currently incentives available for resealing your home. Just as homeowners can get cash back for switching to a heat pump, they can also get a 30% tax incentive for duct sealing. In fact, Gupta told us heat pumps become much more efficient when a house is properly sealed.

"With lots of incentives out there, [duct sealing] becomes a very, very compelling proposition for the homeowners," Gupta said. "Now you are in a really sweet zone  that four- or five-year payback  without any incentives, can [now] literally be a three-year payback."

FYI: If you're not looking for a full-home resealing, you can try using mastic duct sealant  basically, a paintable sealant that will close leaks and holes  for a quick DIY way to plug one or two easily accessible gaps in your air ducts.

How safe is the sealant?

Aeroseal's award-winning and nontoxic sealant has been used in over 300,000 buildings worldwide  including homes, hospitals, and schools, as well as government facilities, hotels, and offices. It's made out of water and a chemical called vinyl acetate, which is also used in chewing gum and even the adhesive on envelopes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sealant starts out as a milky liquid and then is superheated to turn into a fog-like substance that's distributed throughout the air ducts in a home. The rubbery sealant can then cover up holes as big as five-eighths of an inch to as small as a human hair.

"We are Greenguard-certified from the EPA, and we have all the UL [Underwriters Laboratories] approvals," Gupta added.

What was your inspiration for launching Aeroseal?

In the early 2000s, Gupta was working at HVAC manufacturer Carrier when he realized no matter how efficient they could make the actual heating and cooling technology, if the ducts transporting that air weren't sealed properly, none of it would really matter.

"There is a limit to how much you can raise the efficiency of the equipment," he said. "It's almost like driving a car with a more and more efficient engine, but you have a gas tank which is leaking." In Gupta's view, there's no point in making the HVAC equipment slightly more efficient if you're not going to fix the leak first.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"That was the spark," he told us. "We are literally leaving a big opportunity for efficiency on the table." In 2010, Aeroseal was launched to fix that problem.

What's the positive environmental impact of resealing your ductwork?

Rather than making daily decisions that are good for the planet (e.g., choosing plant-based foods over red meat, taking public transportation over driving alone), resealing your ductwork is a one-and-done decision that is hugely important over many years. Even though there's limited "behavior change from the personal behavior point of view," Gupta said, "it has a huge planetary benefit as well. The benefits actually are quite dramatic."

That's because the energy used by buildings accounts for nearly 30% of global pollution that is overheating our planet. And the average building in the U.S. wastes almost one-third of the energy it consumes because of inefficiencies. Aeroseal reports that its technology can reduce 95% of air leaks in a building, which is hugely impactful for reducing the amount of fossil-fuel energy emissions in the U.S.

"I would say, anytime anybody is getting a new HVAC system [or] every time they're getting their ducts cleaned, they should definitely call and ask their HVAC or duct cleaners to say  'how leaky is my home?' Just that question will increase the awareness and the importance of building better," said Gupta.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This is really a good conversation for us to raise the importance of something which is out of sight," he told us. "People don't realize what kind of impact it's having."

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.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A local group with a big goal in mind is looking to catch the attention of Topekans this December by posting several billboards across the city.

27 News caught up with the group Kaylees Dad is Mad on Thursday, Dec. 12 as it held a candlelight vigil near Southwest 21st Street and Southwest Gage Boulevard. The groups members seek to draw awareness to deadly fentanyl overdoses in the community.

Amber Saale-Burger, who has lost several family members to the drug, spoke to a 27 News reporter about preventing others from falling victim to fentanyl by posting these new billboards around the city. A total of four anti-fentanyl billboards have been placed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It gives us hope, Saale-Burger said. All of these parents have suffered great losses. Not only the parents siblings, you know, their friends have suffered great loss and theyre using their love ones voice as their face as a way to bring awareness to this drug and hopefully to save someone elses life.

What were the biggest mass layoffs in Kansas of 2024?

You can learn more about the group Kaylees Dad is Mad by going to its website or by following the organization on Facebook.

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Dec. 14The Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge calls upon volunteer birders and nature enthusiasts in Indiana to participate in Audubon's longest-running wintertime tradition, the annual Christmas Bird Count. Volunteer birders of all skill levels are needed to count birds.

The Big Oaks NWR count will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Volunteers may sign up to count birds for a half-day (until noon, or noon to sunset) or all day.

Meet at 8 a.m. at the Big Oaks NWR office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Big Oaks Conservation Society, a not-for-profit refuge support group, will provide lunch for volunteers at the refuge office. If you are interested in participating in the Big Oaks NWR count, preregister with the refuge at 812-273-0783.

Weather for the Christmas bird count can be variable, but warm and/or waterproof clothing is recommended.

The CBC began over a century ago when 27 conservationists in 25 localities, led by scientist and writer Frank Chapman, changed the course of ornithological history. On Christmas Day of 1900, the small group posed an alternative to the "side hunt," a Christmas day activity in which teams competed to see who could shoot the most birds and small mammals. Instead of shooting birds, Chapman proposed to identify, count, and record all the birds they saw, founding what is now considered to be the world's most significant citizen-based conservation effort and a more than century-old institution.

Apart from its attraction as a social and competitive event, the CBC reveals valuable scientific data. Each count group completes a census of the birds found during one 24-hour period between December 14 and January 5 in a designated circle 15 miles in diameter (about 177 square miles).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now in its 123rd year, the CBC is larger than ever with more than 2,000 individual counts scheduled, expanding its geographical range and accumulating information about the winter distributions of various birds. It is vital in monitoring the status of resident and migratory birds across the Western Hemisphere.

The data, 100% volunteer generated, have become a crucial part of the U. S. Government's natural history monitoring database. Count results from 1900 to the present are available through Audubon's website: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count.

Big Oaks NWR consists of 50,000 acres on the former Jefferson Proving Ground located in Jennings, Ripley, and Jefferson counties in southeastern Indiana. The local refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provides public use opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, interpretation and environmental education.

The refuge has one of the largest contiguous forest blocks in the southeastern part of the state as well as one of the largest grassland complexes; both provide wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities for refuge visitors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Information about the refuge is available at the website https://www.fws.gov/refuge/big-oaks.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 150-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses nearly 550 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas.

The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts.

Information provided  Information provided
ELKHART  Area residents could be excused for complaining of weather whiplash as bitter cold returned Thursday along with high winds and even a little snow.

Goshen had a wind chill factor of 12 below zero and the Elkhart Municipal Airport a wind chill of 10 below on Thursday morning. Kyle Brown, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said temperatures would remain in the teens all day.

So pretty darn cold for where we should be this time of year, Brown said. For reference, a normal high today should be typically 38 degrees. Were well below that with a high temperature of 17 degrees today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Temperatures as recently as Monday were near 50.

Fridays high should be just shy of 30 degrees, Brown said, and the temperature will continue to increase throughout the weekend. Temperatures should return to near 50 degrees again this Monday.

A winter storm warning was issued on Wednesday night, and snow was predicted to reach 5 to 8 inches in some areas, but Elkhart County got well below that amount.

Those without adequate shelter from the cold were directed to two nonprofits in Elkhart.

Guidance Ministries, 216 N. 2nd St., was providing food, personal hygiene, and shelter for those who need it. The ministry is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays: 574-296-7192.

Faith Mission of Michiana, 801 Benham Ave., is open to the homeless community on the days Guidance Ministries is not open and all weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Faith Mission Weather Amnesty program is available for overnight housing for men and women to bring them in off the street when the weather is above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees.
The drones are everywhere, and Black internet is concerned. After weeks of complaints, the frenzy is reaching a new peak as mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and now in parts of New York and Connecticut continue to ramp up, even leading government officials like Senator Cory Booker share concern about the lack of transparency from federal government officials about these alarming sightings.



There hasnt been enough transparency, the Black Senator from New Jersey explained to CBS News. Its allowing a lot of potential misinformation to spread or fear. We should know whats going on in our skies.

tiktok-7447606032727084334

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Senator is certainly right about that, as the conspiracy theories have taken off on the internet, especially the Black internet. You know how it goes, we will absolutely bring up some conspiracies in our conversations and online as we already tend to be pretty wary of things. And now, even one of the biggest Black politicians in the country is stating his concern about drones, which makes matters even more worrisome. Naturally, the conversation has taken to social media with their ideas regarding the origin and meaning of these large, mysterious drones that are reportedly 6 feet in size, per AP News.

One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, echoes what many are feeling, writing that in their opinion there are two options when it comes to these drones, that they really dont know what they are and, therefore, our air defense is extraordinarily weak, or they know what they are but cant say. They added, Not sure which is crazier.

The same user also gave tin foil takes, that either the drones are aliens (classic) or that they are our government themselves.

The mysterious drones over Jersey.



1. They really dont know what they are and, therefore, our air defense is extraordinarily weak; or



2. They know what they are but cant say.



Not sure which is crazier.  kyle alex brett (@kyalbr) December 13, 2024

My tin foil take.



1. The drones belong to aliens who live under the ocean and theyre intimidating our top secret government to stop the government from doing something; or



2. Its our top secret government looking for something that has been stolen and emits a faint trace.  kyle alex brett (@kyalbr) December 14, 2024

The fact that the government seems to be just as much in the dark as we are certainly doesnt help matters either! We have gotten little confirmation from federal government officials in the days since the sightings increased. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that they have no evidence that the drones are from an adversary or a foreign entity. She also said that the drones are not U.S. military drones. Again, still not making any of us feel better!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

tiktok-7447530870233222442

The House Homeland Security Committee also addressed concerns over the drones with the FBI in a now-viral TikTok from CBS News, with a representative confirming that they are actively investigating but they dont have an answer for who is responsible. Again, the lack of answers has only led to more speculation, as seen in the comments of the Tiktok alone.

tiktok-7447237219506474282

As ABC News has reported, the rise in conspiracy theories surrounding drones has even led to a massive Facebook page. Titled New Jersey Mystery Drones  lets solve it, the page has nearly 44,000 members as of Friday. On the page, theories are able to run wild as residents share their video footage, photos and sightings, while also offering their own suggestions for how to handle the situation, with some even suggesting shooting them down themselves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Senator Booker shared when shooting them down was suggested, he explained, Safety first. Youre over populous neighborhoods and areas, while adding that Jersey is the most densely populated state in America. He added, The most important thing right now is the safety and security of our communities.

Of course, along with the conspiracy theories, has come some levity on the internet as well, with some just marveling over the situation in general. One user on X took a little jab at the state of Jersey, writing, Alien 1: You know where we should go next? Alien 2: Where? Alien 1: New Jersey. Another shared the same sentiment, writing, Of course the alien invasion would start in New Jersey.

Alien 1: You know where we should go next?



Alien 2: Where?



Alien 1: New Jersey.  Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) December 14, 2024

Of course the alien invasion would start in New Jersey  Cydel (@cydelmg) December 14, 2024

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
BLANCHARD, Okla. (KFOR)  Blanchard Public Schools says an elementary school student fired a student resource officers gun while they were on the playground on Friday afternoon.

The student reportedly fired the gun into the ground while it was still in the officers holster. No one was injured as a result of the incident.

The district says they are working with the McClain County Sheriffs Office to investigate the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The districts full statement can be read below.

This afternoon on the elementary playground, a young student managed to access the Student Resource Officers secured firearm and discharge it within the SROs holster into the ground. Fortunately, no students, staff, or other individuals were harmed. The situation was quickly contained, and the McClain County Sheriffs Office is conducting a thorough investigation with the assistance of Blanchard Public Schools. Safety is our top priority, and we are reviewing protocols to ensure this does not happen again. We understand that this incident is deeply concerning, and we are grateful for the cooperation and understanding of our school community as we address this matter. Brady Barnes, Blanchard Public Schools Superintendent

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
36,706 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

36,706 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that U.S. officials have been in direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian opposition group that effectively led to the collapse of Bashar Assads regime in the country, the Associated Press reported.

Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties, Blinken said Saturday at a news conference in Aqaba, Jordan, as reported by AP. He also said that our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and were prepared to help them do so.

HTS is an al Qaeda offshoot, though it has tried to rebrand itself as a more moderate Islamist movement. The U.S designates it as a foreign terrorist organization.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The rebel group has already set up a transitional government that will lead Syria through March 2025. Its acting prime minister is a former administrator of the northwestern provinces governed by the group, Mohammed al-Bashir.

HTSs leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani according to AP, is portraying himself as a moderate to Western leaders concerned about whether the country will suppress minority communities or become a haven for violent extremists.

AP reported that the leader appeared in a video message Friday applauding the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.

The collapse of Assads government has created an obstacle for the counter-ISIS mission for the roughly 900 U.S. troops in the country, while also complicating Washingtons allies in the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Assads main backers, Iran and Russia, are likely to be impacted the most from the collapse, the U.S. and its Kurdish allies will now have to work with a coalition of rebels largely backed by Turkey, which considers Kurdish fighters terrorists.

As President-elect Trump is set to take office next month, concerns have swirled around the Republican leaders call for the U.S. to stay out of Syrian affairs and the possibility of pulling the roughly 900 American troops out of the country.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
KEARNEY  In a move meant to resolve constitutional concerns raised by Nebraska's attorney general last year, state lawmakers will seek to establish a permanent oversight committee next year to supervise the Legislature's watchdogs tasked with investigating the states troubled prison and child welfare systems.

The plan to establish the new committee, which Speaker John Arch of La Vista and legislative staffers unveiled at an annual gathering of lawmakers Friday, comes more than a year after Attorney General Mike Hilgers suggested the watchdogs, formally known as the Office of the Inspectors General, were unconstitutional in a legal opinion his office released in August 2023.

Though Hilgers' opinion was nonbinding, Nebraska's Departments of Correctional Services and Health and Human Services  both arms of the executive branch  almost immediately shut off access the inspectors general had to agency facilities and records, leaving the Legislature without oversight of the agencies for six months.

Lawmakers established the watchdogs in the 2010s to keep tabs on the agencies following a disastrous attempt to privatize Nebraska's child welfare system and the prison system miscalculated nearly 600 sentences and released dozens of inmates too early.

The lockout ended in April, when lawmakers reluctantly approved an agreement with the executive branch to temporarily restore access to the watchdogs while a special committee of lawmakers studied the structure of legislative oversight functions to come up with a long-term solution.

The special committee's plan  which Arch said will come in the form of a 126-page bill that is still being drafted  could create an oversight division within the Legislature that would supervise the inspectors general and the Legislative Audit Office, which for now is governed by the Performance Audit Committee. That committee would be replaced by the new, nine-member oversight committee.

Under the plan, the Legislature would hire a director of legislative oversight who would appoint the inspectors general tasked with keeping tabs on the troubled agencies to five-year terms. The plan calls for the legislative oversight committee to be notified prior to the release of any investigative reports compiled by the watchdogs.

The plan is meant to establish an obvious chain-of-command from lawmakers to the watchdogs in an attempt to address Hilgers' claim that the Legislature had violated Nebraska's constitution by permanently delegating their oversight authority to the inspectors general, whom Hilgers suggested are "unsupervised."

The plan would also remove from state law a provision that had required Nebraska's prison and child welfare systems to provide direct computer access to the inspectors general, who were previously able to review incident reports and other internal agency documents in real time.

The proposal would also create a process to allow for the executive or judicial branches to object to disclosing "legally privileged" information to the watchdogs.

The new plan would allow law enforcement agencies to decline to provide information to the inspectors general, who would also be required to suspend an investigation at the request of a police department.

And the proposal would make it illegal for the watchdogs to disclose any confidential information or records provided to the newly created oversight division.

In all, the plan Arch and legislative staffers outlined Friday marks the framework of a weaker legislative oversight system than the one that already exists in state law  which Nebraska's executive branch has been in violation of for more than a year.

Arch said he is "sure that there will be those who want to see us go further" but said the plan represents an attempt to rebuild the Legislature's oversight framework while addressing Hilgers' constitutional concerns.

In his 38-page opinion last year, Hilgers had said the watchdogs untrammeled power to impede, control and access information of other government branches had violated the state constitution's separation of powers clause.

"I'm very hopeful that we can establish a way of relating (with the executive branch) that can put us in compliance with the statute and provide us with the information that we need," Arch said.

Arch said he was confident the plan would draw broad support from lawmakers, some of whom have been critical of his handling of the oversight lockout initiated by the executive branch.

The Legislature initially retained legal counsel in the wake of Hilgers' opinion and the subsequent lockout, mulling a legal fight with Gov. Jim Pillen's executive branch over the issue, but instead opted to try to resolve the dispute without litigating it in court.

Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, who was one of 15 lawmakers on the special committee that concocted the plan, said members haven't seen a draft of the bill Arch is set to propose next month and "so it's hard to have firm opinions and thoughts on it."

"The devil is definitely in the details, and I'm concerned about how this is going to be executed, because to me, on face value, it looks like we are diminishing our ability to provide oversight of the executive branch," she said, adding: "It's creating additional obstacles to transparency and giving more authority to the executive branch to refuse transparency."

Lawmakers may have little choice but to support the plan.

The stopgap agreement the Legislature entered into with the executive branch to restore oversight access is set to expire at the end of the 90-day legislative session that kicks off Jan. 8.
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The United Nations will play a critical role in the transition of power in Syria following the fall of former strongman leader Bashar al-Assad's regime, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday.

The transition of power should include assurances that all elements of Syrian society will be represented and treated fairly, Blinken said ahead of a meeting with a U.N. official.

U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen is meeting with Blinken on Saturday in Jordan and other world leaders regarding matters in Syria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before the meeting, Blinken said the United Nations "plays a critical role, particularly when it comes to the provision of assistance, to the protection of minorities, to all the work that needs to happen going forward" while regime change continues in Syria.

"I look forward to this opportunity to compare notes with the envoy, and to ... think through how we can support the Syrian people in this time of both opportunity but also real challenge," Blinken said Saturday in a news release.

The United Nations wants to see all communities in Syria represented as a new government forms.

"What is so critical in Syria is that we see a credible and inclusive political process that brings together all of Syria, all communities in Syria," Pedersen said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible," Pedersen added. "If we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people."

In addition to Blinken, Pedersen also will meet with leaders from Turkey and Arab foreign ministers over the weekend while in Aqaba, Jordan.

Israeli officials are hopeful the fall of Russia- and Iran-backed former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will enable more open relations with Syria and greater opposition to Iranian interests in the Middle East.

Defacto Syrian leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who leads the rebel group that ousted Assad, is wanted by the State Department, which is offering up to a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Among al-Jolani's principle advisers and rebel allies is Abdel Rhim Atoun, who is an ideological supporter of Hamas and has declared Israel and Zionism to be the enemies of Palestinians, Israel Hayom reported.

The extent to which Atoun might influence the future Syrian government is unknown.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is demanding answers related to the drones spotted in the skies of New Jersey and around the country.

I dont know whats going on. Neither do the agencies who have responsibility for and thats why Ive demanded answers from them, at the very least, to tell us what they are doing to determine whats going on, Blumenthal told CNNs Erin Burnett Friday.

Blumenthals concern comes as there have been mounting reports of sightings in New Jersey, New York and, according to Philadelphias WPVI-TV, multiple reports of flying objects within Delaware and Philadelphia counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier on Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested that the mysterious drones reportedly spotted in the skies of New Jersey and around the country are not nefarious nor a threat.

We know of no threat or nefarious activity, and I want to repeat, Wolf, that if we learn of any cause for concern, we will be transparent in our communication, Mayorkas told CNNs Wolf Blitzer Friday.

But Blumenthal signaled that he wants more than just reassurance from officials.

I want the evidence. I want the facts. I want the systemic results that they have. Make it public, Blumenthal said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added that his constituents are also concerned about the reported sightings.

People are texting me. Constituents are alarmed, and I am alarmed as well as much by the lack of disclosure and transparency as the suspicion about what may be going on, Blumenthal said.

The Pentagon on Wednesday denied that any foreign country was behind the mysterious drones that have flown near sensitive U.S. military sites in New Jersey.

Other lawmakers in the region of the country have expressed concern, as well, and sent a letter Thursday to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Aviation Administration demanding a briefing on the drones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrats from New York, along with New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker (D) and Andy Kim (D) asked agencies how they are working to identify and address the source of recent unmanned aerial system activity.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HONOLULU (AP)  Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old survivor of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died shortly after deteriorating health prompted him to skip a trip to Hawaii to attend last week's remembrance ceremony marking the 83rd anniversary of the attack.

Fernandez died peacefully at the Lodi, California, home of his nephew, Joe Guthrie, on Wednesday. Guthrie's daughter, Halie Torrrell, was holding his hand when he took his last breath. Fernandez suffered a stroke about a month ago that caused him to slow down but Guthrie said doctors attributed his condition to age.

It was his time, Guthrie said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fernandez was a 17-year-old sailor on board the USS Curtiss during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack that propelled the U.S. into World War II. A mess cook, he was waiting tables and bringing sailors morning coffee and food when they heard an alarm sound. Through a porthole, Fernandez saw a plane fly by with the red ball insignia known to be painted on Japanese aircraft.

He rushed down three decks to a magazine room where he and other sailors waited for someone to unlock a door storing shells so they could pass them to the ships guns. He has told interviewers over the years that some of his fellow sailors were praying and crying as they heard gunfire above.

I felt kind of scared because I didnt know what the hell was going on, Fernandez told The Associated Press in an interview weeks before his death.

Fernandezs ship, the Curtiss, lost 21 men and nearly 60 of its sailors were injured. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. Nearly half, or 1,177, were sailors and Marines on board the USS Arizona, which sank during the battle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We lost a lot of good people, you know. They didnt do nothing, Fernandez said. But we never know whats going to happen in a war.

Fernandez had been planning to return to Pearl Harbor last week to attend an annual commemoration hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service but became too weak to make the trip, Guthrie said.

He was so proud of his six years in the Navy, all of it aboard the USS Curtiss, Guthrie said. Most of his casual clothes, like hats and shirts, were related to his service.

It was just completely ingrained in him, his nephew said.

Fernandez worked as a forklift driver at a cannery in San Leandro, California, after the war. His wife of 65 years, Mary Fernandez, died in 2014.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He enjoyed music and dancing, and until recently attended weekly music performances at a local park and a restaurant. He helped neighbors in his trailer park take care of their yards until he moved in with Guthrie last year.

Id do yard work and split firewood and hed swing the axe a little bit," Guthrie said. Wed call it his physical therapy.

Fernandez's advice for living a long life included stopping eating once you're full and marching up stairs. He said it was OK to take a nap, but do something like laundry or wash dishes before going to bed. He recommended being kind to everyone.

Guthrie said he thinks Fernandez would want to be remembered for bringing people joy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He would rake peoples yards if they couldnt do it. He would paint a fence. He would help somebody, Guthrie said. He would give people money if they needed something. He was so generous and such a kind person. He made friends everywhere.

Fernandez is survived by his oldest son, Robert J. Fernandez, a granddaughter and several great-grandchildren.

There are 16 known survivors of Pearl Harbor that are still alive, according to a list maintained by Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. All of them are at least 100 years old.

Fernandez's death would have brought the number to 15 but Farley recently learned of an additional survivor.
JASONVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Update: As of Saturday, December 14th, the boil water advisory has been lifted for customers of Jasonville water.

According to a Facebook post from Jasonville Utilities, the boil order has been lifted, and customers can resume normal water usage without any additional precautions.

On behalf of Jasonville Utilities, we would like to thank all customers for your patience and understanding during the process of getting our water reinstated, said the Facebook post.

Jasonville water customers are under a boil water advisory as a temporary water system has been put in place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The temporary water system has restored water to customers following a days-long outage that was caused by a fire at the Jasonville Water Plant earlier in the week.

As water was restored to customers Friday, the Greene County Health Department released a public service announcement regarding the boil water advisory.

The Public Service Announcement can be read below:

December 13, 2024

Public Service Announcement Attention Jasonville Residents: Jasonville Water Plant is currently undergoing repairs, and a temporary system has been put in place to restore water flow under a Boil Water Advisory. Jasonville Utilities, in consultation with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), has issued this advisory. As a precautionary measure, please boil your drinking water until you are notified that it is no longer necessary. Important Information  Health and Safety: It is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for three (3) to five (5) minutes before use. You can wash your hands as usual for 20 seconds with soap and water. You call also wash clothes as usual. Here are some DOs and DONTs when under a boil water advisory:  Do use bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking and preparing food.

 Do wash all fruits and vegetables with bottled or boiled water.

 Do use bottled or boiled water when mixing baby formula.

 Do use bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth.  Dont use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers or ice makers.

 Dont brush your teeth with tap water.

 Dont swallow any water when bathing or showering.

 Dont give your pets tap water

 Dont trust your filter. Most water filters typically do not remove bacteria.  Food Establishments: All local restaurants and food establishments may resume operations by following the Boil Water Guidance issued by the Greene County Health Department to ensure safety.  Updates: Regular updates on the status of the water issue will be provided through local news outlets, social media, and community bulletin boards. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow any additional guidance from local authorities. For any questions or concerns regarding the Boil Water Advisory, please contact Jasonville Utilities at (812) 665-3285. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to resolve this issue. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely,

Peter J. Powers, MD

Health Officer

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
Brazilian police arrested the country's former defence minister, Walter Braga Netto, on Saturday as part of ongoing investigations into a suspected coup plot.

Braga Netto, who served under former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, allegedly obstructed efforts by investigators to collect evidence, the news agency Agencia Brasil reported, citing the federal police.

Braga Netto was officially accused in November of planning a coup, along with Bolsonaro and 35 other people, in a bid to keep Bolsonaro in power after his election defeat in October 2022. Three other people were recently accused.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bolsonaro was defeated in the election by current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The Attorney General's Office has yet to decide whether to follow the recommendation of the federal police and bring charges against the suspects.

According to the investigation, Braga Netto is said to have been the driving force behind the planning of the coup and the person who provided support to the officers and commanders allegedy involved.

He was arrested at his home in Rio de Janeiro, according to several media reports.

In addition to the right-wing ex-president and the former defence minister, two other senior officials are also alleged to have been involved in the plot: former general Augusto Heleno, who was head of the security cabinet under Bolsonaro, and Alexandre Ramagemt, the former head of the Brazilian secret service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They are accused of attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, planning a coup d'etat and forming a criminal organization.

On January 8, 2023, Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the seat of government and the Supreme Court in Brasilia, causing considerable damage. Bolsonaro had refused to recognize Lula's election victory.
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to undergo a blood test later on Saturday as he remains hospitalized in semi-intensive care, according to a medical bulletin, as he recovers from surgeries earlier this week.

Lula is "lucid" as well as eating and walking, noted the latest bulletin released by the Sao Paulo's Sirio-Libanes Hospital where he has been receiving care.

The 79-year-old leftist leader known universally as Lula underwent two operations at the facility this week to relieve and prevent bleeding in his skull.

On Friday, Lula posted an Instagram video where he is shown walking for the first time after being rushed to the hospital earlier this week.

(Reporting by Fabio Teixeira; editing by Diane Craft)
A local group is feeling the spirit of giving as we approach the holidays.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The group, known as the Breakfast Santas, go to a new restaurant each year, eating breakfast and leaving a big surprise for the staff.

This year the group, mostly made up of business owners from all over the Miami Valley, went to Legacy Pancake House in West Carrollton for their annual act of giving.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The group sat down for breakfast on Friday morning. It was business as usual for the staff until the bill came.

We appreciate all that youve done today, so this group assembled a tip for you, Brian Sharpe told the waitress. Its a little over $1,200 dollars.

The waitress, Crystal Frantz, got emotional after receiving the gift. Shes worked at Legacy Pancake House for 10 years and said shes still processing the whole thing.

As shown on News Center 7 at 5:30, Mason Fletcher caught up with Frantz after getting the gift and asked her what her reaction was.

Shocked, she said. I didnt know what to say and I didnt want to cry. Grateful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Frantz said shes planning to use the money to pay rent, but wont be keeping all the money for herself.

I already told my husband and the owner, and Ill try to figure out who I should give this to, she said.

Sharpe said the point of this annual tradition is making a difference in the communities he and the other members live in. He also said he thinks he gets more out of the act than the person receiving the gift.

Its amazing how you get placed in the right place at the right time, and thats out of our hands., he said. Theres a higher power than us making sure that happens. We just want to be the instrument.

Sharpe added that he hopes others will follow in their footsteps, even if its on a smaller scale.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




BRENTWOOD, Mo.  The Brentwood School District says there is no immediate safety concern after closing schools Friday due to a school threat.

The district sent an email out just before 6:30 a.m. Friday, closing down all Brentwood schools for the day.

I think its just creating this perpetual anxiety in the youth, Brentwood resident Maisie Leeker said.

Leeker was a teacher before she moved to Missouri about a year ago. She said she sees threats like this far too often.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I took a step away from teaching because I noticed what it was doing to kids, creating anxiety coming to school, Leeker said.

2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships coming to St. Louis

While the threat was reportedly at the middle school, the district tells FOX 2 they made the decision to close all schools Friday out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with the Brentwood Police Department.

After investigating, the district said that the threat came from outside of the school community and that there is no immediate safety concern.

I dont think thats something any student should have to deal with in the classroomthinking about that when really they should be there to develop and learn, and interact with their peers, Leeker added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

School will resume as normal on Monday, but district officials say increased police presence will be at all of the schools out of extra caution.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA)  Criminal defense attorneys are poking holes in the case against Briana Boston, a Lakeland woman who was arrested for allegedly making a threat against her insurance company.

I dont think a reasonable person would perceive this as an actionable threat, attorney Gary De Pury said.

Lakeland woman threatens insurance company, says Delay, Deny, Depose: police

De Pury is not representing Boston but said the lawyer who is representing her should push for a speedy trial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is in the news right now, and people are angry, De Pury said. Theyre siding with the murderer in New York, which I disagree with. At this point, that benefits this defendant.

Boston was accused of making reference to the Dec. 4 murder of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan while talking to a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative about a denied claim.

She allegedly said Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next.

Authorities said the words Delay, Deny, Depose were written on shell casings found at the Manhattan murder scene.

Its not like shes a child, said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor in an interview Thursday. Shes 42 years old. Were not dealing with a child here. She should certainly know better.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speech of this nature, where youre having to look at an outside event to try to glean what her intent might have been, intents one of the most difficult things to prove in the criminal justice system, said Rusty Franklin, a Polk County criminal defense attorney who is not affiliated with Bostons case.

Boston is facing a charge of written threat to kill or injure  conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.

The statute said the statute does not include making these prohibited statements by telephone call, Franklin said.

At Bostons first appearance Thursday, an assistant state attorney requested elevated bond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Given the nature of the threats, we would also be asking for GPS with house arrest conditions to protect the community, said Assistant State Attorney Matthew Hendry in court.

A spokesperson for the state attorneys office said the case remains under investigation by the Lakeland Police Department, and until the investigation is completed, the state attorneys office cannot comment.

A judge set Bostons bond at $100,000.

I do find that the bond of $100,000 is appropriate considering the status of our country at this point, Judge Catherine Combee said.

Friday, Boston was placed under house arrest after she was granted a pre-trial release with bond, court documents show. She is also under GPS monitoring.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her house arrest allows for various conditions such as once-a-week shopping and the ability to attend medical appointments, church, and work.

The governments going to have a difficult time in this case, Franklin said. If this had happened 10 days ago, never would have been arrested, ever.

Franklin said he thinks the case could be dropped.

De Pury said the statute has survived scrutiny when it comes to free speech but also expects Boston to avoid the harshest penalties.

Boston could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree felony shes currently facing.

Usually something like this would end up in a plea agreement where she takes a few classes, anger management classes and things like that, De Pury said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A family member of Boston declined to comment on the case at their home.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Sandy Snakenberg, a San Diego street performer whose act involves blowing bubbles, was performing in a park when two park rangers cited him for "littering in bubble form." Video shows one of the rangers telling Snakenberg that he will cite him again if he continues to perform and recommend that prosecutors handle it as a misdemeanor instead of a lesser offense. But the ranger added he's not eager to do that, saying he would "feel like the biggest idiot taking this to court."

A student at Missouri's Liberty Middle School was suspended for three days after posting a photo online of Dr. Pepper cans he had laid in the shape of a rifle. The district superintendent said there was "enough information to believe the video has caused fear to at least one student and understandably so."

U.S. Postal Service employee Saahir Irby was charged with mail theft. Irby worked at the Philadelphia Processing and Distribution Center, which processes both outbound U.S. Treasury checks and those marked "return to sender." Officials say Irby stole 112 checks during a single work shift.

(Illustration: Peter Bagge)

When freshmen at North Carolina's Riverside High School received their school-issued Chromebooks for the recent school year, the laptopswhich had been stored in the school's storage shed over the summerwere infested with bed bugs. The school asked students to return the devices and recommended that parents inspect their homes for bugs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some Utah sheriffs say new rules would impose heavy burdens on volunteer search and rescue teams. The sheriffs say the rules, proposed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, would require at least 690 additional hours of training for some crews, much of it for scenarios that backcountry crews aren't going to encounter, such as active shooters, structural fires, drug overdoses, and exposure to hazardous materials.

Susie Holland's car was impounded, and she faces $30,000 in potential fines, for giving people rides to the Burning Man festival. The 61-year-old was among more than a dozen people caught in a sting by Nevada transportation officials and charged with violating a state law requiring a certificate to transport people for money.

(Illustration: Peter Bagge)

Welsh farmer Howard Walters was sentenced to 12 months' probation and ordered to pay 3,500 pounds ($4,568) after a neighbor videotaped him allowing one of his grandchildren to ride in the cab of his tractor with him. Walters was already under an official warning from the Health and Safety Executive after he admitted to allowing his grandchildren to ride with him in his tractor.

The Scottish government is considering a ban on alcoholic beverage logos on merchandise and glassware. The proposal would bar brewery or alcoholic brand logos on T-shirts, pint glasses, and pub umbrellas, among other objects. Officials say it is aimed at reducing alcohol abuse.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nadine Jean Baptiste, a supervisor at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, and her daughter, Octavia Jean Baptiste, face federal charges including illegal acquisition or use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Prosecutors say Nadine Jean Baptiste used her position to steal the personal information of people who receive SNAP benefits on preloaded debit cards, which both she and her daughter used to make more than $191,000 in grocery purchases for themselves.

The post Brickbats: January 2025 appeared first on Reason.com.
The British Psychological Society (BPS) is teaching psychologists that whiteness upholds racism, The Telegraph can reveal.

Britains biggest member organisation for psychologists has been accused of being racist for its approach to education by a new splinter group of therapists called Just Therapy.

The new association, which consists of about 50 mental health professionals to date, say they are pushing back against woke ideologies within the profession.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The BPS is part-funding psychology courses at the University of East London (UEL), which includes modules such as introduction to whiteness and talking whiteness.

In training presentations seen by The Telegraph, Prof Nimisha Patel tells students that the systematic and disproportionate predominance of clinical psychology trainees are White.

She said the question is about scrutinising our theories, methods and practices and training institutions and curricula, for Whiteness and its deleterious consequences for the public.

The trainee psychology students are also told: White voices need to be careful not to control discussion spaces, given that White dominance and the process of positive White identity development is best fostered by a listening and learning attitude.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prof Patel says whiteness is invisible and whiteness upholds racism, and criticises terms like BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) because they centre whiteness and tell students to disrupt whiteness by adopting anti-racism as a stance.

Prof Nimisha Patel tells students that the systematic and disproportionate predominance of clinical psychology trainees are White

In a series of papers and articles published or advocated by the BPS, there is further promotion of a so-called anti-whiteness model.

One publication in the BPS Clinical Psychology Forum from 2023, entitled Anti-Racist Action in Clinical Psychology, tells members that despite strides made in the last three decades, the pervasive impact of racialised power endures.

A separate article called The Trojan Horses of Whiteness, says that Whiteness is everywhere in our teaching content even when we teach about diversity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The BPS Standards for Accreditation of Doctoral Programmes in Clinical Psychology declares they are trying to produce a decolonised curriculum.

Sarb Bajwa, the chief executive of the BPS, previously stated: Are we institutionally racist? I think my answer would be that, if it feels like we are, then we probably are.

Twisted irony

James Esses, the founder of Just Therapy, accused the BPS and other similar organisations of being the biggest racists going.

He told The Telegraph: The BPS and other similar organisations have signed up to an anti-racist agenda. The twisted irony is that, in adopting an anti-whiteness stance, they are demonstrating themselves to be the biggest racists going.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Identity politics have no place in the field of mental healthcare.

The 32-year-old former barrister received a settlement and full apology after being wrongly expelled from a masters course at the Metanoia Institute in Ealing, west London, for his gender-critical views.

He also criticised the BPS approach to transgender healthcare and its failure to support Dr Hilary Casss independent review of how children with gender dysphoria are treated.

In one example, an academic paper published in 2020 called A blow to the rights of transgender children, makes claims such as puberty blockers are completely reversible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But rather than retracting the article or issuing a correction, an editors note is added which says: Although note the NHS guidance on this, and the final report from the Cass Review.

Workforce diversity needs to be broadened

A spokesman for the British Psychological Society said: The need to broaden the diversity of the clinical psychology workforce is a well-known and accepted fact.

Everyone involved in clinical psychology training, including higher education institutions, professional bodies, the regulator, and the NHS, are working together to make sure that we widen access to the profession to people from under-represented communities.

The profession of clinical psychology continues to go through a process of rapid and sustained change, and it is imperative that training comes from the broadest possible spectrum of backgrounds and viewpoints. Its only right that the clinical psychology workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A UEL spokesman said: The University of East London is committed to an inclusive, equitable environment where we create a sense of belonging and where success is made possible for all.

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.
BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  Reported rape cases in the Bronxs 43rd precinct are down in 2024, 32 so far this year compared to 39 last year.

Parkchester residents, however, say one of their biggest concerns is that there arent enough streetlights and a lack of security cameras. An issue they say must be addressed immediately is progressively getting worse.

More Local News

Parts of Virginia Avenue in the Parkchester section of the Bronx look utterly dark at night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I wouldnt walk around here alone. It is scary; they definitely have to be more lights, said Jayliana. Its the Reason she chooses to walk with her boyfriend.

It was along this same street that police say a 26-year-old female was punched and raped early Wednesday morning.

A new surveillance video obtained by PIX11 News Friday evening shows the suspect following the victim up to the corner of Virginia and Wood Avenue and dragging her back to this ramp of the Parkchester South condominium complex.

It is not just saying it is too close to home; it is home, said resident Vaculik.

Authorities arrested and charged 21-year-old Gregory Williams. But neighbors say that even though the alleged rapist was caught, the issue that makes them feel unsafe remains.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was a home invasion, right, a womans door was kicking here on McGraw back in August. Things are escalated in our property. Said resident Peter Hamilton.

The 43rd Precinct patrols this neighborhood, but the privately owned housing complex, which has about 1,200 units, is patrolled by the Parkchester Department of Public Safety. We contacted the board, and they said, We are working with agencies such as the DOT to solve these issues.

More Local News

East Tremont Avenue, we have been asking for cameras. If you walk down on Metropolitan Avenue right in front of Parkchester police station, there are some lightings that is still not fixed, added Hamilton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PIX11 News also obtained a video from a resident of this same condo development. Her front door ring camera captured a man wandering around in one of the hallways with his pants down.

Parkchester used to be one of the safest places in the Bronx, now you see a lot of things, a lot of also mentally ill people, homeless, stated resident Yocanda.

Those who live in this area say they want to see improvements soon before another tragedy strikes again.

More lighting will be appreciated on the sidewalks and top of our buildings, so we know we are getting home safely and even some additional cameras, added Vaculik.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ironically, the DOT sent the same day we found about the rape on this street they sent a confirmation that they are going to upgrade the lighting, stated Hamilton.

PIX11 contacted the Department of Transportation and asked about the steps they have or will take to make this neighborhood safer. We are awaiting a response.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A California couple has been fatally shot while on a family vacation in Mexico, according to reports.

Gunmen opened fire on Rafael Cardona, 53, and Gloria Amrbiz, 50, as the pair rode in a black 2016 Ford Platinum pickup truck near an intersection in Angamacutiro in the state of Michoacan, on the night of Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Michoacan Attorney General's Office said, per CNN, ABC News and The New York Times.

Their bullet-ridden vehicle was found by security officers who then alerted authorities, according to the outlets. Ambriz was pronounced dead at the scene while Cardona died from his injuries in the hospital on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 12.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cardona was identified as the brother-in-law of the mayor of Angamacutiro, Hermes Pacheco, according to multiple reports. Pacheco became mayor in late October after his predecessor Maribel Juarez Blanquet was abducted earlier in the year, according to the Mexican newspaper El Universal.

Cardona and Ambriz had traveled to Mexico on Nov. 30 to spend the holidays with their family, CNN and NYT reported.

Evgen_Prozhyrko/Getty Police car Police car

Related: Man Killed in Front of Tourists at Mexico Resort by Gunmen Who Fled on Jet Skis, as Video Shows Scared Vacationers

Pacheco told police that the couple was driving his truck at the time of the shooting, which occurred near the couples house in Angamacuitro, per ABC News and CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victims shared three children, one adult daughter, and two minors, who were not with their parents at the time of the shooting. The children are currently with extended family in Angamacutiro, according to ABC News.

No motive for the killings has been determined at this time.

Ballistic evidence was recovered from the scene to help with the ongoing investigation, per Fox 11 News.

Related: Authorities Reveal How Missing Surfers from U.S. and Australia Found at Bottom of Well in Mexico Died

The United States Embassy in Mexico said in a statement, per NYT: We are aware of reports of the death of two U.S. citizens in Michoacan, Mexico. We are working to gather more information and stand ready to provide consular assistance if needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Michoacan has been rife with gang violence since cartels settled in the state in the 1980s. The tragic incident comes as Mexicos homicide rate remains among the highest in the world, according to data assembled by the World Bank Group.

Cardona was born in the U.S. and Ambriz became a national citizen after being born in Mexico, NYT revealed.

A mass for the couple is being held in Angamacutiro on Saturday, Dec. 14, local authorities said, per CNN.

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.



PEOPLE has reached out to the Michoacan Attorney General's Office for comment.



Read the original article on People
Related video: These are the wealthiest Californians

(KTLA)  The Department of Motor Vehicles has issued an apology over a California license plate that openly mocked the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas.

On Thursday, the license plate in question, which was on a Tesla Cybertruck, was spotlighted in a post to X by StopAntisemitism, a group dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism.

The license plate reads, LOLOCT7. Lol is an acronym that stands for laugh out loud and is typically used to express amusement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The organization said the vehicle was spotted at the intersection of Jefferson and Sepulveda Boulevards in Culver City.

How did this get processed? the post read. Demand the @CA_DMV recall this license plate that celebrates the October 7th terrorist attacka vile mockery of the 1,200 innocent lives lost and the countless others scarred.

Equifax settlement: Additional payments are coming, heres who is eligible

By Thursday afternoon, DMV responded to the post by issuing an apology and calling the situation unacceptable and disturbing in a statement on X, saying, The DMV is taking swift action to recall these shocking plates, and we will immediately strengthen our internal review probes to ensure such an egregious oversight never happens again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We sincerely apologize that these personalized plates were not properly rejected during our review process. The use of hateful language is not only a clear violation of our policies but also a violation of our core values to proudly serve the public and ensure safe and welcoming roadways.

A department representative who spoke with the Times said the vehicles owner would be notified of the situation, and their license plate would be recalled.

The owner, however, has the right to appeal the DMVs decision should they choose to do so.

DMV officials also told the Times that employees will scour the license plate database to identify additional offensive language involving the Oct. 7 attacks and recall those plates if found.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Landmark regulations intended to encourage insurers to write more policies in risky wildfire neighborhoods through the use of complex computer models were released Friday by the state.

Under new rules intended to stabilize California's troubled home insurance market, insurers will be able to set rates by drawing on a wide swath of meteorological, geographic and other data in establishing rates, rather than largely relying on historical losses.

The insurance industry argued the change was imperative given global warming's role in a number of wildfires, including in 2017 and 2018 when thousands of homes burned down. In setting their rates, insurers also must account for efforts to make properties fire resistant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"With our changing climate we can no longer look to the past. We are being innovative and forward-looking to protect Californians access to insurance," Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement.

The new regulations  a central element of Lara's Sustainable Insurance Strategy  drew support from the industry and others, including farm and environmental groups, but a mixed response from consumer advocates. Los Angeles group Consumer Watchdog contends that the computer models will be a "black box" that will lead to sharp premium hikes.

Read more: California's home insurance crisis: What went wrong, how it can be fixed and what owners can do

The regulations that take effect Jan. 2 arose out of a broad agreement Lara reached with the industry that gave insurers regulatory concessions, including the use of the computer models, in exchange for a commitment by large insurers such as State Farm, Farmers and Allstate to write policies in neighborhoods prone to wildfires equivalent to 85% of their statewide market share. That would mean, for example, an insurer with a 10% share of the state's homeowners insurance market would have to cover 8.5% of the homes in riskier neighborhoods as identified by the department. No such requirement currently exists.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The changes come as residents living in mountainous and hillside neighborhoods have found insurance harder to come by, forcing them to buy bare-bones policies from the FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, which has seen its risk exposure mushroom from $153 billion in 2020 to $458 billion as of September.

The regulations establish a process by which the so-called "catastrophe models," which are developed by companies such as publicly traded Verisk Analytics, can be reviewed by the state and the public. The department also said it has hired an expert in a newly created position to oversee the process of "examining model integrity and ensuring public review."

Consumer Watchdog has argued that the review process will still allow the modeling companies and their client insurance companies to keep essential elements of the proprietary models out of the public's eye, violating the public review provisions of Proposition 103, the 1988 initiative spearheaded by the group that rewrote the state's insurance regulations.

It also contends there are loopholes that will allow insurers to skirt the 85% coverage threshold.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Consumers should expect large rate hikes but not more insurance policies sold under the new rules," Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, said in a statement.

Michael Soller, Lara's chief spokesperson, disputed the criticisms and said the department's regulatory review process gives it the authority to prevent unwarranted rate hikes and to ensure that insurers are making progress in meeting the 85% coverage goal.

"We don't get this done unless we have companies writing policies. If you don't write the policies, you don't use the tools," he said.

Amy Bach, executive director of San Francisco group United Policyholders, acknowledged there was "wiggle room" in the regulations regarding the coverage threshold, but she expected there would be negotiations as insurers file for rate hikes and are pushed to meet the 85% figure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The principle is there, the concept is out there, the deal is out there, and honestly, there's no other solutions on the horizon that are anywhere close," she said.

The department noted support from the Environmental Defense Fund, which was quoted stating the models "are essential for modeling perils like flood and wildfire that are now worsening as the planet warms." Also cited was the California Farm Bureau, which said the models should increase insurance access for farmers.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Assn., a national trade association representing home, auto and business insurers, released a statement that called California's current insurance regulations "outdated" and "too slow to respond to rapidly evolving conditions."

"California will continue to have a robust regulatory and rate approval process that guarantees that rates reflect the actual cost of covering claims. We look forward to working with [the department] to implement these new regulations and make sure they are efficient and workable," it said.



Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  With Christmas less than two weeks away everyone is looking for great deals and that includes farmers.

The Farmer Business Network or FBN is a Sioux Falls based company with locations all across the country.

Man arrested for attempted car robbery, stolen gun

The owners tout their web site as sort of the Amazon for farmers looking to buy product and more.

Why dont farmers get to have Black Fridays and Cyber Mondays, you know we get to buy $100 tvs at Walmart and have fun with it, so we said lets do that for farmers, FBN co-founder Charles Baron said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Farmers Business Network has its biggest sale of the year going on right now.

Today is the last day of what we call FBN Cyber Days, its like Amazon Prime Days for the farm, Baron said on Friday.

All across the country farmers are calling to FBN to buy products.

We do everything from crop protection to fertilizer to livestock supplies, you can get pharmaceuticals, feed, you can get equipment, gloves shovels, pumps, Baron said.

You get the picture, if its farm related, FBN probably sells it.

FBN has been in business now for 10 years and each year it seems to keep growing and now theyre doing business with more than 100,000 farmers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are an e-commerce platform a lot different from a traditional ag retail, less overhead and a lot lower prices, account executive Tim Bjordal said.

This warehouse in Brandon has been converted into one of its call centers.

Been really busy, its exciting, Tim Bjordal said.

Bjordal is one of the account executives.

He says farmers are looking ahead to next season, so now theyre looking to buy, even if that means taking out a loan.

So some farmers are looking for ways to finance purchases for next year at 0 percent; things that we offer to help them save money and be more efficient on the farm, better use of money, Bjordal said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If youd like to shop FBN, 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 KELOLAND.com.
EBENSBURG  Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky took a tour of the northern portion of the county Friday using CamTrans Reserve-A-Ride service.

He caught a ride in front of the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg at 8 a.m. and rode the public transportation to multiple stops, including the Ebensburg Senior Center, the Hastings Public Library and Hastings Beaver Street Cafe.

This is just another way to bring attention to public transportation in Cambria County, Chernisky said. I dont think people sometimes realize what you have.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The commissioner is an advocate for CamTrans services, often touting the benefit of a county-wide public transportation system, and regularly holds events to highlight those offerings.

CamTrans Reserve-A-Ride feature allows residents to access on-demand transportation throughout Cambria County.

A reservation can be made by calling the Ebensburg office at 1-800-252-3889 by 2 p.m. one day before the request to reserve a seat. Riders must provide the date of their trip, time requested for pickup and return, their address and the destination address.

Anyone using a mobility device should alert the customer service representative, and medical trips are prioritized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bus can take riders anywhere from shopping and visiting to medical appointments and recreational outings throughout Cambria and to Blair County Monday through Friday, with trips to the northwest tier of Bedford County on Tuesdays and northern Somerset County on Thursdays.

Bre McConnell, CamTrans transportation planner, said the service is on a first come, first served basis and noted people 65 and older travel for free on the public transportation.

We get people to where they need to go safely, she said.

During the trip, Chernisky said he met a person who travels Monday through Friday to visit her husband at Haida Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Hastings. They use the reserve-a-ride service and are thankful for it, he noted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For more information about the CamTran offering, visit www.camtranbus.com/services/reserve-a-ride.

Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  Cannabis establishments in Massachusetts surpassed $7 billion in gross sales last month.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission says the states marijuana sales reached $7 billion dollars on November 19th. This comes just eight days before the marijuana retail holiday Green Wednesdaywhich saw nearly $8 million dollars in cannabis purchases alone.

It also beats the states recreational marijuana sales of $6 billion on April 17th before 4/20. Local marijuana businesses like Enlite Cannabis Dispensary in Northampton say they saw a lot of traffic during this period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Personally its great to see the normalization and de-stigmatization of cannabis products and more people incorporating into their lives and having a better life as a result., said Chief Operating Officer for Enlite Cannabis Dispensary, Matt Yee.

Some say the reason more people are turning to cannabis could be due to the fact its a safer option. I think clearing up the rate at which people can access cannabis has done a lot because there is now FDA regulations surrounding it and that is huge for any product thats being consumed, said Ramon of Amherst.

The average price of flower in the state has also reportedly decreased to $4.58 per gram. While the cannabis industry seems to be heading in the right direction..there are some changes establishments would like to see.

Whats being seen a lot is whole sale prices going down as a result of competition that doesnt really help out our cooperating partners and manufacturing partners and makes it a little more difficult to operate, its great for the end price of the customer but detrimental to the industry as a whole, expressed Yee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Others arent so sure about the industrys growth. I think it is sad and hard to see an industry that has historically been underground and criminalized be utilized, said Maya Jacobs of Northampton.

While the industry remains to be a topic of debate there are further plans for it. The Cannabis Control Commission is crafting rules and regulations for the consumption of marijuana in public spaces.

State officials plan to complete the process by the middle of next year. Another meeting from the commission is being held on December 17th.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A Canutillo family lost virtually all their possessions in a house fire on Friday night, Dec. 13, West Valley Fire Chief Bill Adler said.

The fire happened a little after 6 p.m. Friday at 389 Isaias Dr. in Canutillo. West Valley Fire knocked down the fire within a half-hour. Anthony Fire assisted.

When firefighters arrived, heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming through the garage and attic, Adler said.

Two adults and one child who lived at the home and several pets made it out safely, Adler said. No injuries were reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But their possessions were destroyed in the fire, he added. Red Cross is assisting the family.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
A local teen who lost his brother to cancer is working to keep his memory alive by supporting the hospital he says was with his family through every moment.

Mason Bucciero said he has fond memories of his younger brother, Carter. The two were only about two years apart.

He was diagnosed with a brain tumor at two-and-a-half and unfortunately passed away at three. Fundraising for him became my why and my purpose, Bucciero said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bucciero said St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital was there for his family throughout Carters diagnosis.

He said the hospital ensured his parents never received a bill during treatments and travel to its Memphis campus.

Our hotels and flights were covered. Food was covered, Bucciero explained.

Now more than a decade after Carters death, Bucciero said he has joined the St. Jude Leadership Society as a way to spread awareness and raise money to support other families.

ALSO READ: Carolina Strong: Nurses at Monroe hospital create patient pantry for those battling disease

Theres never a pause at St. Judetheres always a foot on that gaswe gotta find this cure. We gotta find new treatment, new medicine, new methods of helping this child, Bucciero said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In just three years, Bucciero said he has raised nearly $13,000 for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

He is one of nearly 40 students in the Charlotte area advocating for the hospital through the Leadership Society.

You just have to be a high school student, grades 9-12, and be interested in giving back to your community and building your leadership skills, said Bucciero.

For Bucciero, the leadership society has allowed him to stay connected to Carter and give his brother a voice.

I have to accept that, not only accept that he was so young, but taken to the fact that I have his story and what I need to do with it, and this is why Im here, Bucciero expressed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The St. Jude Leadership Society is currently accepting applications for Charlotte area students who are interested in joining next year. You can find that information at this link.

Every day, there are people across the Carolinas doing extraordinary things. Theyre giving back, theyre helping each other, and theyre making a real difference. Were highlighting the best in our community in our series, Carolina Strong.

Know somebody whos making a positive impact? Let us know here.

VIDEO: Carolina Strong: Nurses at Monroe hospital create patient pantry for those battling disease








Dec. 14The following stories from this week appeared on

www.jamestownsun.com

and in The Jamestown Sun.

The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. Board of Directors unanimously approved on Monday, Dec. 9,

funding the 2025 Flex PACE Program

in the amount of $500,000.

If approved by the Jamestown City Council and the Stutsman County Commission, the 2025 Flex PACE Program will be funded on an 80-20 city-county split. The city of Jamestown's share would be $400,000 while Stutsman County's share would be $100,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2024, the JSDC participated in 12 Flex PACE loans totaling over $640,000, said Alyssa Looysen, business director for JSDC. She said the investment leveraged about $1.5 million and more than $14 million in private investment into the Jamestown area.

Corry Shevlin, CEO of JSDC, said three projects  201 Aesthetics, Charge on Together and Central Sales  are listed as participating in Flex PACE loans in 2024.

"We kept those ... in as full cash values one because they will still receive incentives and they still do get incentives from the Bank of North Dakota, but from our book side, we didn't feel comfortable taking that off just yet until everything was fully done and executing," he said.

A bench was dedicated

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

in honor of a fallen Mercer County Sheriff's Office deputy

on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the James Valley Career and Technology Center in Jamestown.

Deputy Paul Martin, 53, was killed during a high-speed vehicle pursuit that began on Dec. 6, 2023, in Hazen, North Dakota.

Ian Matthew Cramer, 43, pleaded guilty in September in Mercer County District Court to homicide while fleeing law enforcement, fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest, reckless endangerment, driving under suspension, and possession of meth, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cramer is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 30.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cramer also faces charges of theft of property, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment for allegedly taking the vehicle used in the pursuit from Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, according to court documents. He pleaded not guilty to those charges, and a trial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 22.

Around 50 people, including local law enforcement and first responders, attended the bench dedication ceremony on Wednesday to honor Martin.

Martin grew up near Jamestown and was a 1989 Jamestown High School graduate.

James Nygaard, a retired North Dakota Highway patrolman, said Martin's father, Fred, worked at the James Valley Career and Technology Center as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bench will be permanently mounted near the sidewalk on the boulevard in front of the James Valley Career and Technology Center.

Gross Welding in Bismarck made the bench, which was donated by the All Vets Club in Jamestown. Carol Martin designed the back of the bench.

The Jamestown Police Department has

released the name of the officer

who shot and killed a man involved in a reported active-shooter incident on Dec. 3 outside of Fred's Den.

Sgt. Cory Beckman, a five-year veteran of the Jamestown Police Department, was the first officer on scene and the only one who engaged in a gunfight with the suspect, Devin Quinn Fontenot, 27, Jamestown, according to Scott Edinger, chief of police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beckman is a member of the James Valley Special Operations Team, a K-9 handler of Briggs, and a department peer support team member.

He remains on standard paid administrative leave while the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation investigates the incident.

Fontenot refused to comply with an order to drop his weapon, jeopardizing the safety of the police sergeant and others, Edinger said. Fontenot was shot by Beckman.

Fontenot died from injuries he sustained from gunfire.

Food insecurity is increasing

in North Dakota, according to Ethan Liu, a research specialist at the Sheila and Robert Chailey Institute for Global Innovation & Growth at North Dakota State University.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Liu's data indicates the overall food insecurity rate in North Dakota has risen from 4.8% in 2020 to 8.5% in 2022, the most recent year statistics are available.

"If the family feels they have problems affording food, they have food insecurity," he said. "The large cities have more resources than the rural areas."

Liu said food insecurity is less in North Dakota than nationally. The national average for families with food insecurity is 13.1%.

"Almost all (North Dakota) counties have a food insecurity rate of less than 20%," he said, "but we can do better."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Liu's report, food insecurity by county in North Dakota ranged from a low of 5.8% in Renville County to a high of 21.4% in Sioux County. Stutsman County had a food insecurity rate of 10.8% and is one of six counties in North Dakota with a food insecurity rate above 10%. Other counties in North Dakota with a food insecurity level greater than 10% are Sioux, Rollette, Ramsey, Benson and Eddy counties.

The Salvation Army 360 Life Center in Jamestown is

facing a critical shortfall in its annual Red Kettle Campaign

, according to Jerrgy Bergquist, advisory board chair.

With just two weeks remaining, the center has raised just over $14,000, far from its $60,000 goal. This funding is essential to sustain Salvation Army programs that assist individuals and families in need throughout the year, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bergquist said a significant challenge is the 1,100 unfilled volunteer hours for bell ringers at red kettle locations. An unmanned kettle raises no money, but a single hour with a volunteer bell ringer can bring in $80 to $100  enough to feed three families for a week, he said.

"This campaign is vital to our mission," Bergquist said. "Without reaching our target, we may not be able to fully support the people who rely on us for food, shelter, and other resources."

The Salvation Army is asking the community to help close the gap by volunteering as bell ringers or donating generously. Volunteers can sign up at

RegisterToRing.com

and are encouraged to create a meaningful holiday tradition while making a difference for neighbors in need.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Abilene Animal Services is notifying residents who live by 6600 South 3rd about a domesticated cat captured and testing positive for rabies. The event occurred on December 11, and the animal services reminded the community to exercise caution in that area.

The Abilene Animal Services reminds residents how important it is to vaccinate animals against rabies and ensure they are vaccinated yearly.

According to Abilene Animal Services, signs of rabies in animals include abnormal behavior, such as nocturnal animals being active during the day, approaching humans or other animals, difficulty with movement, and unusual sounds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The animal services also note that if a wild animal allows you to approach or handle it, it is likely ill or injured and will bite in self-defense.

Abilene Animal Services provides these tips in regards to rabies:

Do not feed, handle, or touch wild animals such as bats, skunks, and raccoons.

Teach children to stay away from wild or deceased animals.

Do not allow pets to roam freely, as this increases their chance of exposure.

Keep your pets rabies vaccination updated.

Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal.

Talk to a physician immediately after possible rabies exposure.

Report all animal bites to animal control authorities. The biting animal must be quarantined or tested for rabies.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A Shreveport professor is looking to empower residents to guide the citys future in a new direction.

Watch Live: Centenary College Sports

Centenary College professor Thomas Moran is hosting a lecture series Saturday titled Shreveport Forward, where attendees will explore the concept of creating a sense of place and identify the citys North Stars to create a cohesive civic identity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Participants will suggest meaningful places in the city that help define its culture.

The lecture series is on Saturday, December 14, from 10  12 p.m. in the Whited Room at Bynum Commons on Centenarys Campus.

Professor Moran said in the first event in November, participants examined the citys past and present to identify how Shreveports strengths can be reframed to create a cohesive civic identity. With these strengths in mind, attendees identified many of Shreveports existing resources, values, and potential priorities that could serve as tools to strengthen the communitys foundation.

More education news

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The second lecture will build on that foundation. Attendees will guide principles that clarify decision-making in areas such as infrastructure investment, neighborhood revitalization, cultural recognition, preservation, and development.

Shreveport has a rich story waiting to be told, and we all have the power to write its next chapter. Identifying strong North Stars and sticking to them will be crucial in our effort to revitalize the city and turn around the problems of population loss, lagging tax revenue, and other ailments. By understanding how to create Place, we can shape a city that aligns with our values and aspirationsone that supports strong neighborhoods, flourishing businesses, and the cultural vitality that makes life here worth celebrating, Moran said.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Headlines

As the series continues monthly, participants will gain insight into not only identifying North Stars, but how to use them to drive practical decisions and policies. By engaging with fellow community membersresidents, business owners, civic leaders, and students alikeattendees will contribute to a unified vision rooted in shared values, historical awareness, and a willingness to make thoughtful, forward-looking choices.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old charged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has retained a former prosecutor and ex-CNN legal analyst as his attorney.

Mangione has hired Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who for years worked in the Manhattan District Attorneys Office under Cyrus Vance Jr. before going into the private sector, to represent him in New York, as CNN first reported Friday and otheroutlets have sincecorroborated.

The shooting suspect remains in custody in Pennsylvania after his arrest there on charges such as forgery and illegal possession of a firearm. He is fighting extradition to New York, where he has been charged with second-degree murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HuffPost has reached out to Friedman Agnifilo for comment.

The news comes as officials say they have found new evidence in the case, with New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch stating that a 3D-printed gun Mangione possessed at the time of his Pennsylvania arrest matched three shell casings recovered at the Manhattan shooting scene.

His fingerprints also matched those that investigators found on a water bottle and granola bar wrapper located near the scene, police said.

Jennifer Rodgers, a CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, on Friday described Friedman Agnifilo as the sort of person you want to take on the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What you want is a lawyer who can take you through the real case, Rodgers told CNNs Kaitlan Collins, adding that Karen is the sort of person with all of her many years of experience as a trial lawyer and in this actual courthouse and in this actual office.

Friedman Agnifilo  in a CNN appearance Tuesday, before she was retained  predicted that there could be a not guilty by reason of insanity defense in the case, as the evidence is going to be so overwhelming that he [the suspect] did what he did.

As a former prosecutor in that [Manhattan District Attorneys Office] ... I would be concerned that you have someone who is a valedictorian of his class. He was brilliant his whole life. He comes from this great family. I mean, something changed, right? Significantly, something changed, she said.

And theyre going to, I think, potentially have a not guilty by reason of insanity potential defense. So the prosecutors are going to try to shore that up as well in their investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thomas Dickey, Mangiones lawyer in Pennsylvania, has said that his client plans to plead not guilty in that state. Dickey said this week that he hadnt yet seen evidence that would implicate his client

I dont even know if this is him or whatever, Dickey said on Tuesday.

So, were going to test those waters and give the government a chance to bring some evidence forward.

Related...
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Daquetta Jones, the CEO of Vera House, announced her resignation to the organizations board on Friday, Dec. 13.

Vera House says Jones is stepping down to be closer to her family in the Capital Region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jones took over as the CEO in September 2023 following a year of controversy.

The United Way of Central New York had previously frozen funding for Vera House after it hired a registered sex offender to work with clients.

Vera House also had to repay $65,000 in government funding used to employ the worker, Marcus Jackson, who is a level two sex offender.

Tricia Matthews, who is the current Chief Operating Officer, will now serve as the interim-CEO.

The story has been updated to include the correct name of the interim-CEO, Tricia Matthews.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Dec. 14ASHTABULA  For the second time in two days, members of the Ashtabula County Convention Facilities Authority gathered to hear what is happening in the county and review a marketing study recently completed by a consultant.

Thursday morning, a special meeting took place at the Ashtabula County Commissioners meeting room to review the results of a marketing study on county lodging being worked on by Hotel and Leisure Advisors.

The survey was focused on Andover, Jefferson, Conneaut and the southwestern portion of the county around Orwell because of the lack of lodging in those areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The authority provided plan creators with some ideas, and reviewed the survey information with those who attended the Friday meeting at the Riverbend Hotel in Ashtabula.

The study will be completed in about a month. CFA Chairwoman Holly Mayernick said a meeting will likely take place at that time so stakeholders from the four communities can hear the results of the survey.

A convention facility authority is allowed by the Ohio Revised Code as an "extra arm" to help counties market and grow their communities.

CFA attorney Nathan Hessler gave a brief review of the early stages of the report. He also discussed data that shows 1.6 million people stayed at least one night in Ashtabula County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We have about 30 days to finalize the report with the consultant," he said.

Hessler said the information will be provided to the community, and the CFA can determine if there is "buy-in" from the community.

Donniella Winchell, an authority member, said she was impressed with the report after having initial reservations. "It is very complete," she said.

On Friday, Ashtabula area leaders and business owners had the opportunity to tell their stories.

In the business portion of the meeting, the CFA voted unanimously to discuss potential future investment possibilities with Andover Bank.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The authority has revenues of about $800,000 a year, and hopes to invest some of that money so a variety of projects can receive funding. Eric Frantz, an authority member, said the finance committee recommended the financial institution that was both local and can handle tax dollar accounts.

Frantz discussed whether the organization's goal should be to increase bed tax revenue or stimulate local investment with needed funding. Hessler said the answer is both.

Ashtabula leaders reported on what is happening in the city. Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said the hotel in which the meeting took place was the result of local investors having a discussion about a community need.

Timonere highlighted the importance of the former coal dock property on the west side of the Ashtabula River.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"That 34 acres is the most valuable property on the Great Lakes," he said.

Timonere said the potential for a variety of projects is very high, but will take a significant amount of time to make into a reality. He said work to change zoning codes is nearing completion, and very important to the development of the city.

He affirmed the importance of working with the CFA and the rest of the county.

"What is good for the county is good for us," Timonere said.

Several speakers encouraged the county to unite to make sure a state-wide tourism conference in early February is a cooperative effort to put the county's best foot forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ashtabula County Metroparks Executive Director Brett Bellas said the amount of people biking and snowmobiling on metropark trails is staggering. He said during the recent snowstorm, more than 75 vehicles were parked at one of the trailheads.

He said visitors spend $250 to $300 in a day.

Bridge Street business owner Melody Shiflet said the beach glass festival has a huge economic impact, beyond the transactions that occur with vendors. She said an estimated 9,000 people attended the event this year.

She said vendors came from as far away as Italy, and the event has become the second largest beach glass festival in the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Some of them make as much as $10,000 [during the weekend]," Shiflet said.

Ashtabula Downtown Development Association consultant Jamie Baker said four new businesses are about to open on Main Avenue.

Brandon and Alexa Hart, owners of Harbor Yak, detailed their path from avid kayakers to business owners seeking to grow their business in the old Coast Guard station, on the east side of the Ashtabula River.

Alexa Hart urged the CFA and other leaders to work together, suggesting a taxi service from Ashtabula to Geneva-on-the-Lake and back.

Cory Nagle, owner of Fat Sally's, detailed the family business that continues to grow, drawing vendors and buyers to Ashtabula Harbor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Authority members said working with all the communities in Ashtabula County is the key to success, putting an emphasis on energy coming from individual communities.

"Energy has to come from the grass roots," Winchell said.
Radio host Charlamagne tha God was puzzled why some people are celebrating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons death.

He questioned what Luigi Mangiones killing of Thompson in Manhattan earlier this month accomplished, arguing that insurance companies still deny claims.

I dont understand why people are celebrating him being killed because at the end of the day, like I said yesterday, hes dead. His kids dont got no father. That 26-year-old Luigi or whatever his name is, he gonna be in jail for the rest of his life, Charlamagne tha God said during Fridays edition of The Breakfast Club.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And the healthcare system is still the same today. The health companies still denying claims and everything today. So what did that accomplish, and why are you happy about him being gunned down like that? Its just weird where we are as a people, the host added.

Following Mangiones killing of the executive on Dec. 4, a country-wide debate about the current state of the health care system was reignited. Some people, particularly on social media, gloated about Thompsons killing, presenting it as a way to show their animosity to the industry.

In turn, the sympathy for Mangione, who was arrested Monday in Pennsylvania after a tip from McDonalds employee, has sparked backlash.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) weighed in on the debate himself, condemning the deeply disturbing reaction to Thomsons killing this week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some attention in this case, especially online, has been deeply disturbing, as some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer, Shapiro said earlier this week. In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: He is no hero.

Since Shapiros remarks, prosecutors have filed murder charges against Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, after discovering a gun and writings seemingly connecting him to the New York City 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 The Hill.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Several local schools showcased their unique STEM capabilities this week through robotics demonstrations at the Eastern Defense Summit in North Charleston.

The summit, one of the largest defense-focused events on the East Coast, was held Wednesday at the Charleston Area Convention Center and brought together more than 1,800 government, military, academia, and industry leaders to spark ideas, innovation, and solutions to current or future national defense digital challenges.

The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic invited area schools to showcase their robotics projects before industry and government Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) leaders attending the Defense Summit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Organizers say the interaction serves as a networking and mentoring opportunity for students to receive on-the-spot feedback and career insight.

Our partnership with the local schools provides financial assistance through the various grant programs, through DOD STEM, but were also providing them with subject matter experts to help them with the coding pieces, as well as information for their innovation project, but also with exposing them to different career opportunities, said Zachary Storti, NIWC Atlantic STEM Robotics Mentor.

Storti said it gives him joy knowing the students learned something, but that theyre also having a great time.

The NIWC Atlantic has a large STEM program throughout the tri-county with a reach of more than 43,000 students each year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Students from area middle and high schools practiced robotic maneuvers and showed off their skills during the event.

Most of us are in our design and modeling course where we mostly learn to code, said Taylor Thompson, an eighth-grade robotics team captain at Dubose Middle School. We use those skills to help code our robot, where we had to build our robot first because we got a new robot this year, we have to plug it into the computer, and we use block code to code the robot so itll do certain actions like move forward to the right and to the left.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI)  New Bedford residents will have a chance to directly voice their concerns to the mayor next week.

Mayor Jon Mitchell is holding office hours Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Cafe Mimo.

No appointments are needed ahead of time, and meetings will be a first come, first serve basis.

NEXT: Mass. AG Campbell is moving to Bristol County  but says its not to run for Congress

Close

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
Dec. 13LIMA  When the Ohio Electoral College gathers Tuesday in the Senate chambers at the Ohio Statehouse to cast the official votes for President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance, one of those 17 votes will have an Allen County connection.

Allen County Republican Party Chairman Keith Cheney has been elected to serve as one of the electors for the state of Ohio. This is the second time Cheney has been elected to serve in this capacity, as he had previously served as an elector in 2020, representing Ohio's Fourth Congressional District.

In a statement from Cheney released by the Allen County Republican Party, Cheney expressed his appreciation for this distinction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I consider it a high honor to have been nominated by President Trump and then elected by the voters of the Fourth Congressional District to serve on the Ohio Electoral College," he said in the statement. "When I realize there are only 538 Presidential Electors in the United States out of the millions of voters, it really sets in as to the vast importance to serve as a Presidential Elector."

Cheney also expressed excitement at the chance to cast a ballot for Vance, the first person born in Ohio to serve as vice president since Marietta native Charles Dawes served under President Calvin Coolidge from 1925 to 1929.

"It will be extra special to serve and vote this time as one of our own Ohio favorite sons will be on our ballot to serve as Vice President of the United States," Cheney said in the statement.

Only two other people born in Ohio have served as vice president. Chares Fairbanks, who was born in Union County but represented Indiana in Congress, served as vice president under President Theodore Roosevelt from 1905 to 1909. Thomas Hendricks, who was born in Zanesville but also represented Indiana throughout his political career, served as vice president under President Grover Cleveland from March 4, 1885 until his death Nov. 25 that same year.

The Ohio Electoral College votes will officially be cast at noon Tuesday at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

Featured Local Savings
CHICAGO  Paul Farahvar is a staple in Chicago comedy, regularly performing at the Laugh Factory and Zanies Comedy Club.

Farahvar earned the title of 40 Best Up and Coming Stand-Up Comedians by Good Deed Seats and Best Podcast for Singles Only.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

While on tour, Farahvar is also raising money for Parkinsons research. A cause close to his heart, as his father was diagnosed with the disease.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Farahvar will be performing at Zanies in Rosemont on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Visit Farahvars website for more information.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Donald Trumps incoming border czar has suggested the president-elects plans for mass deportations will begin in Chicago, part of a plan that would deploy law enforcement officers into communities across the country for broad sweeps targeting people living in the country without legal permission.

The Windy Citys mayor is vowing to protect his citys residents from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents who could push into schools and workplaces, butting against so-called sanctuary policies barring federal forces from using local police for deportation enforcement.

What the Trump administration has called for is for local police departments around the country to behave as ICE agents. In sanctuary cities, that is not permissible, Chicagos Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson told CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If there is someone here in this country that commits a violent crime and they are undocumented, they are in the hands of the law, he added. That is clear.

Immigrants who have committed crimes already will be identified by police once they are arrested and in custody, then the law, of course, is fully prepared to prosecute, he said.

Chicago Mayort Brandon Johnson has vowed to protect his citys residents after Tom Homan suggested Trumps mass deportations would begin in the Windy City (AFP via Getty Images)

Look, no one is going to harbor or protect criminals, whether you have come here as an immigrant or undocumented or otherwise, Johnson continued. Any administration that would look to disrupt the sensibility of public accommodations, consider [it]  a threat to our democracy.

This week, Homan told a group of Illinois Republicans that he wants Democratic officials to get the hell out of the way of Trumps plans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps pledge to arrest, detain and deport people living in the country without legal permission as part of his day one agenda is going to start right here in Chicago, Homan said.

If your Chicago mayor doesnt want to help, he can step aside, he added. But if he impedes us  if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien  I will prosecute him.

Trumps allies expect to expand his pledge to target potentially millions of people beyond the scope of undocumented immigrants who are accused of committing crimes.

Trump and Homan have also said that US citizen children of non-citizen parents are expected to be deported along with their families.

Trumps border czar Tom Homan also met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams this week (AP)

Chicago has welcomed more than 50,000 people who arrived in the country from the US-Mexico border since 2022, largely from Republican-driven measures to send people seeking asylum from their states into Democratic-led cities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Immigrants advocacy groups are warning that the Trumps administrations agenda could violently disrupt vulnerable immigrant communities and the citizens and legal residents within them.

We are talking about disrupting households. Were talking about disrupting communities. Were talking about disrupting local economies, said Fred Tsao with Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights told Chicago ABC affiliate WLS.

We have the right to be safe in our homes, and to require a warrant if law enforcement wants to come in, he added.

Its no secret that Illinois will face countless, baseless attacks over the next four years from the Trump Administration, a spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker told The Independent this week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rather than responding to every ridiculous boast from Trump lackeys, Governor Pritzker is focused on what he was focused on during the first Trump term: leading our state with competence instead of chaos, the statement added.

Homan also met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams this week, and the mayor told reporters that he shares the same desire to go after those who have committed repeated violent acts among innocent New Yorkers and among migrants and asylum seekers.

But he said he is exploring how to unravel the citys sanctuary policies and get clarity on what we can do and cant do.

We need to examine them and see what my authority is to use executive orders to make New York City safe, he added.
A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of his then-girlfriend's 2-year-old child.

Austin Navarro, 26, of Albert Lea, pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder and 3rd-degree assault for the killing of Ahziyas Dampha and the injuries caused to his 12-week-old brother on July 6, 2023, at Trailside Apartments.

Navarro punched and kicked the two children multiple times on the morning of July 6, while the pair were in his care, with Ahziyas Dampha sustaining multiple blunt force injuries that included a traumatic brain injury.

Minnesota DOC

He died the same day, while his 12-week-old brother  Navarro's son  suffered a series of injuries including fractured ribs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The case was prosecuted by Minnesota Attorney General Ellisons Office at the request of Freeborn County Attorney David Walker.

A judge agreed to an upward departure in sentencing from the 20 years stipulated in state guidelines to 25 years due to aggravating factors, namely that the children were in Navarro's care, and that the injuries he inflicted were particularly brutal.

"My heart goes out Austin Navarros victims, as well as their families. While nothing can undo the pain Navarro caused, I hope that Navarros conviction is able to bring them some measure of solace," said Attorney General Keith Ellison.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping will visit Macau from Dec. 18 to 20 to attend the inauguration ceremony of Macau's new government, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

Former judge Sam Hou Fai was elected in October to lead Macau, a special administrative region of China.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Tom Hogue)
Imperial Police

In Eastern China, police are now patrolling the streets with a rolling robot that can chase down suspects  and, they say, beat them in a fight.

As the South China Morning Post reports, cops in the city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang province have lately been flanked by the spherical robot that looks a bit like a militarized version of the cutesy BB-8 robot in "Star Wars."

Named the "Rotunbot" or "RT-G" for short, this spherical robot was created by researchers at Zhejiang University on behalf of a Shenzen-based outfit called Logon Technology. It reportedly weighs about 275 pounds and travels up to 22 miles-per-hour  and according to Wang You, an associate professor who worked on it, only takes a few seconds to reach that speed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This robot can cope with dangers such as falling or being beaten," Wang told SCMP, "and can perform tactical actions such as enemy identification, tracking, and capture after modular modification."

Equipped with net-guns, tear gas, and speakers, the robot is also reportedly pretty good at scaring off any would-be attackers.

"If you win the fight, youll end up in jail," the robot was heard saying in a recent fight simulation viewed by the SCMP. "If you lose the fight, youll end up in hospital."

Burning Rubber

While "Star Wars" aesthetics are very much present in RT-G's design, its autonomous operations are more akin to the 2010 sleeper horror hit "Rubber," which follows a sentient tire as it wreaks havoc across a desertscape.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though there don't seem to have been any public demonstrations of the robot operating autonomously yet, a promotional video released by Logon ahead of RT-G's deployment in Wenzhou suggests it can navigate various types of situations by itself.

"Narrow terrain, extreme weather, dangerous work environments, violent conflicts and wars, all pose huge threats to human life and activities," reads a translation of the video on the r/Cyberpunk subreddit. "Thus an amphibious, intelligent robot emerged to replace humans in these style environments."

It's a far cry from the crappy police robots that have been repeatedly deployed and recalled by law enforcement in New York  and honestly, this one is a lot scarier.

More on cop-bots: Eric Adams Has Been Indicted, But His Crappy Subway Robot Will Be "Redeployed"
Archaeologists in China have brewed distilled wine in a replica of a 2,000-year-old bronze vessel unearthed from an emperor's tomb. The wine was made employing the same process believed to have been practiced at the time, including the use of taro.

The vessel was found in the tomb of Liu He, the deposed ninth emperor of the Western Han dynasty (202 BC9 AD), which is one of the best-preserved tombs from that era. The team presented the results of their experiment on Thursday at a meeting in Nanchang, located in the eastern province of Jiangxi where the emperors tomb is situated, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV.

Shedding light on ancient distillation practices

Zhang Zhongli, an archaeologist with the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and head of the tomb excavation project, noted that this discovery has recreated the product from the Western Han dynastyfrom raw materials to production process and the instrument used.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Distilled liquor is believed to date back to the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368 AD) in China, according the ancient Chinese medical book Bencao Gangmu, or the Compendium of Materia Medica. However, following the experiment with the replica vessel, which hints that the original could have been used to produce distilled alcohol, it is now being suggested that distillation techniques may date back to the Western Han dynasty.

Liu ascended to the throne in 74 BC, installed by the minister Huo Guang. His reign was short-lived as he was dethroned after just 27 days, likely due to misconduct. He was then banished and given the title Marquis of Haihun. Liu's tomb in eastern China was discovered in 2011 and has since become a source of several artifacts.

Among the relics unearthed are 6,000 composite armour scales made of iron, copper, and leather bound with lacquer, as well as the oldest known painting of Confucius found in China.

Debate over vessel's purpose

In 2016, after coffins were removed from the tomb, researchers examined some of the finds, including the bronze vessel. Initially, the team was unsure of its purpose. It proved difficult to determine whether the vessel was used for distilling wine, making fruit juice, or as an ancient hotpot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Xin Lixiang, head of the expert panel working on the dig, traces of fruit and taro were found in the vessel. He noted that the taro could have been used to make wine and that the team would replicate the vessel to conduct experiments to determine its use.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iC_smnRFXz0

Furthermore, the container was found in a wine storage room and was the largest vessel discovered at the tomb site. Residue of taro, or its starch, was still present in the drum when it was unearthed, suggesting it was used for wine production.

The bronze vessel consists of three partsa cauldron, steamer, and potand its structure is consistent with distillation equipment, according to a report on Zhejiang Online published on Friday. The cauldron and steamer are connected, and the steamer features dragon-shaped adornments.
US-sanctioned Chinese surveillance giant Hikvision has terminated five contracts with local government authorities in Xinjiang, as it braces for the second term of US president-elect Donald Trump, who first put Hikvision on a trade blacklist in 2019.

Hikvision ended the contracts for its public security projects in the far-western region of China, where local subsidiaries signed the deals with municipal governments in the region in 2017, the state-owned surveillance equipment maker said in a statement on Friday.

The projects have been completed since 2018 and entered a maintenance phase, according to Hikvision. The five local subsidiaries will continue to work on clearing debts and receivables, but will no longer engage in other business activities, the company added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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 five Hikvision subsidiaries - Luopu Haishi Dingxin Electronic Technology, Moyu Haishi Electronic Technology, Pishan Haishi Yongan Electronic Technology, Urumqi Haishi Xinan Electronic Technology, and Yutian Haishi Meitian Electronic Technology - were added in March last year to the so-called Entity List managed by a bureau under the US Department of Commerce.

The US Bureau of Industry and Security alleged the companies were involved in "human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of China's campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention and high-technology surveillance against the Uygur people and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region".

That came after the first Trump administration blacklisted Hikvision in 2019, also for the Chinese government's use of its products in Xinjiang, requiring American firms to obtain a licence before shipping items to the surveillance camera maker.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hikvision did not explain why it was now terminating the contracts. The company is among Chinese tech firms that have been caught in the crosshairs of the US in an escalating tech war with China.

The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden earlier this month announced new restrictions targeting China's semiconductor industry, which included adding 140 Chinese chip-related organisations to the Entity List and curbing China-bound shipments of chipmaking tools and high bandwidth memory chips.

Hikvision was founded in Hangzhou in 2001 and went public in Shenzhen nine years later. It now operates 80 branch offices outside mainland China and offers services in more than 150 countries and regions, according to its 2023 annual report.

The company booked 8.1 billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) in profit in the first three quarters of this year, an 8.4 per cent year on year drop, according to its latest earnings report. It attributed the decline to weak domestic demand, tight government funding sources and insufficient corporate investment confidence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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.
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN)  A Hopkinsville woman has been charged with manslaughter after she allegedly struck a man with her vehicle twice before fleeing the scene.

According to the Christian County Sheriffs Office (CCSO), law enforcement was initially called to Willows Apartments in Pembroke around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 after a caller reported that a man was struck by a black car that had left the scene.

Mother, 8-year-old daughter struck by vehicle in Spring Hill

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victim  identified by authorities as 29-year-old Daquan Butler of Pembroke  was transported to Jennie Stuart Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Officials said Eiesha B. Whitlock, 33, was identified during a police investigation and arrested in Hopkinsville hours after the incident, adding that she had engaged in wanton behavior, causing the death of the pedestrian with her motor vehicle.

Eiesha Whitlock (Courtesy: Christian County Sheriffs Office)

During an interview with authorities, Whitlock allegedly admitted that she struck the victim with her vehicle. Whitlock told investigators she was aware Butler was trapped underneath her car, but she backed up and ran over him again before driving away, CCSO said.

According to a release, Whitlock told deputies she left the scene because she was scared and failed to call 911 or render aid.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Her vehicle was seized as evidence in the investigation. Meanwhile, officials said Whitlock is detained in Christian County Jail and charged with the following:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Second-degree manslaughter

Leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid or assistance

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  A yearly tradition in Sullivan returns Saturday.

Christmas on the Sqaure will take place between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In the past, the event has been the entire weekend, but this year it will just be one day.

Heart of Sullivan is still sponsoring the event, so admission will be free for all ages.

Businesses around the square will be giving out food, prizes, and playing holiday games to get the local community in the Christmas spirit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then, at 7:30 p.m., the city will put on a Christmas parade.

Last year, the city gave out blankets to all guests.

Mayor of Sullivan, J.D. Wilson, says they plan to do that again, as a way to bringing the community together.

Last year I want to say the number was 600-700 blankets they gave out and they are going to give out blankets again, Wilson said. All the kids go home with a blanket; all the family members go home with a blanket. Its just a special time. It is my favorite time of the year. We have a lot of events all year long here in the City of Sullivan, but this one warms the heart. Its that holiday season and you see a lot of the community come out and just enjoy it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mayor Wilson asks all residents to follow along on social media, in case of inclement weather that could cancel the parade.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Luther Cifers, a businessman from Prince Edward County, won the Republican nomination in Virginia's Senate District 10 at a mass meeting in Goochland County early Saturday morning. (Courtesy of Luther Cifers campaign).

Luther Cifers, a businessman from Prince Edward County, emerged victorious in the Republican nomination contest for Virginias 10th Senate District during a mass meeting at the Goochland Rec Center.

The meeting, which drew hundreds of Republican voters, began Friday evening and stretched into the early hours of Saturday as participants navigated a lengthy multi-ballot process to select a nominee from a crowded field of seven candidates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cifers secured the majority needed to clinch the nomination, defeating a mix of seasoned politicians and newcomers in three rounds of voting.

Cifers will now face Democrat Jack Trammel in the Jan. 7 special election to fill the vacancy left by Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, who resigned after his recent election to Congress. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of McGuires term, which runs until 2027.

Other contenders included runner-up Duane Adams, the chairman of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors who previously ran for the Republican nomination in the district in 2023 but was defeated by McGuire, and Amanda Chase, a former state senator from Chesterfield County who served in the Virginia Senate for eight years.

There were four other bids for the seat by Shayne Snavely, a veteran and former Chase aide, Jean Gannon, a Powhatan County real estate appraiser, Alex Cheatham, a recent college graduate, and Bryan Hamlet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Luther emerged from a field of seven outstanding candidates who sought the nomination. The Republican Party of Virginia and I look forward to marching in lockstep with Luther and his team over the next three weeks in ensuring that he is victorious on January 7th and takes the oath of office on January 8th, said Rich Anderson, the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

Given the districts strong Republican lean  with 62.8% of voters supporting former President Donald Trump and 67.8% backing Gov. Glenn Youngkin  Cifers is seen as the favorite in the upcoming election.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
An office sits vacant in San Francisco in October 2022. The city is one of several across the country offering incentives to convert unused office space into housing. (Justin Sullivan | Getty Images)

Nearly a fifth of office space across the country sits empty, a record high vacancy rate thats expected to keep growing.

Seeking both to boost their economies and ease their housing shortages, cities are taking steps to encourage the conversion of unused office space into much-needed housing. They include reductions in approval times, exemptions from affordable housing rules and changes in building code requirements. Some cities and states also are providing tax incentives or subsidies to developers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cities need to focus on making conversions feasible by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers, said Alex Horowitz, project director of the Housing Policy Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts.

The U.S. is short millions of homes, and office vacancy rates are at record highs. It makes all the sense in the world to convert underused commercial space into housing, but the cost per square foot is just too high.

Purchasing and converting an office building for residential use costs an average of $685 per square foot. Buying a completed multifamily property costs an average of $600 per square foot, while building a new multifamily development costs about $588 per square foot.

Regulatory hurdles  such as outdated building codes, minimum unit sizes and natural light requirements  push up costs. Cities are trying a variety of ways to overcome these obstacles.

From coast to coast

In September, Minneapolis peeled away several regulations in an effort to encourage conversions, including removing public hearing requirements, requiring less intensive traffic studies, and exempting converted buildings from the typical requirement that 20% to 30% of units be rented at below-market rates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

San Francisco has waived certain planning and building code requirements as well as real estate transfer taxes for downtown conversions that are approved before 2030.

Seattle in July approved exemptions for commercial-to-residential conversions from certain design development standards and from housing affordability requirements.

New York Citys Office Conversion Accelerator program provides a single point of contact for office building owners to streamline conversions, from zoning questions to permitting.

And Denver last year launched an adaptive reuse pilot program to make it easier and faster to get conversions approved by the city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jon Gambrill, managing director of global architecture firm Genslers Denver office, said that converting the top 16 buildings identified by the firm and city leaders into housing could add more than 5,000 units to the downtown area.

It makes all the sense in the world to convert underused commercial space into housing, but the cost per square foot is just too high.

 Alex Horowitz, project director of the Housing Policy Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts

Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle stand to benefit the most from converting underused offices to housing, according to a June Urban Institute analysis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, conversions have made little dent in the housing crisis so far.

Between 2016 and April 2024, office-to-multifamily conversion projects created more than 22,000 apartments, according to CBRE, a commercial real estate services and investment firm. The 169 projects planned or underway are estimated to produce another 31,000 apartments over the next several years. Despite the growth, that total is less than a half-percent of total U.S. apartment inventory.

During a June presentation by Seattles Office of Planning and Community Development, city leaders estimated that they expect fewer than a dozen conversion projects to result in 1,000 to 2,000 new housing units over seven years.

Money matters

Cities and states also are trying to promote conversions by offering incentives and funding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New York Citys 2025 budget included a new incentive for conversion of commercial properties to rental housing, offering up to a 90% tax exemption for projects with at least 25% affordable units.

Chicago has committed $151 million for developers to transform four office buildings into 1,000 apartments, about a third of which would have affordable rental rates.

Washington, D.C., provides 20-year tax abatements for commercial-to-residential conversions through its Housing in Downtown initiative.

The District of Columbia led the nation in adaptive reuse from 2021 to 2024, creating 5,820 new housing units from office properties, followed by New York (5,215 units) and Dallas (3,163 units), according to RentCafe, an apartment search website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

California in 2022 approved $400 million for office-to-residential projects.

Commercial-to-residential legislation has hit some hurdles.

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in October vetoed legislation that would have provided financial incentives for developers, including the option for local governments to allocate up to 30 years of property tax revenue to support affordable housing conversions. It also would have fast-tracked the approval process for conversion of office buildings into residential or mixed-use developments.

Newsom objected to changes in labor practices including the issuance of stop-work orders for violations and procedures for contesting violations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And in Colorado, a bill that would have offered refundable tax credits up to $3 million per commercial-to-housing project starting in 2026 failed in the legislature earlier this year.

Still, experts expect housing conversion efforts to increase across the country.

All Americans, particularly underserved communities, need homes they can afford, said Pews Horowitz. But outdated rules make it harder to create deeply affordable housing.

This story was originally produced by Stateline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  In April 2023, News 13s Investigative Reporter Larry Barker revealed how crews mishandled asbestos inside of Albuquerques Gateway Center homeless shelter project, located inside the Gibson Health Hub. Facing a handful of lawsuits, the city is now fighting back with its own lawsuit.

Story continues below

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city filed its lawsuit Thursday, saying it shouldnt be held responsible for the problems caused by the contractor they hired. After asbestos problems were exposed inside the Gibson Health Hub last year, the city is going after the contractor it tasked with demolishing parts of the 70-year-old building. Consolidated Builders of New Mexico, LLC, is named in the new lawsuit, which claims the city shouldnt be responsible for the problems they blame on the contractors.

KRQE News 13 Investigative Reporter Larry Barkers investigation found the construction project broke the rules: avoiding inspections of building materials while hazardous materials were ripped out, swept up, and thrown away without proper protective equipment for workers.

Since February, the city has been named in three different lawsuits including lawsuits from workers who were exposed to asbestos and a suit claiming the city retaliated against workers who cooperated with state workplace investigators. Now, the construction firm that did the work is in the hot seat: the city claims their contract puts Consolidated Builders of New Mexico on the hook.

The suit said the contractors negligence means theyre responsible for any liability, claims, damages or losses, or costs from injuriesnot the city. The city also claimed it has tried to talk to the company about these claims, but they havent responded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city would only tell KRQE News 13 on Friday that they dont comment on pending legal matters. KRQE News 13 also reached out to Consolidated Builders of New Mexico but havent heard back.

The city is asking a judge to declare that it is not liable for what happened on that companys watch and for the company to pay the citys legal fees.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The mobile clinic sent to help the overwhelmed health care system in Clark County is now back in Columbus after accomplishing the goals set for its three-month stay.

The Ohio Department of Health provided the clinic back in September after concerns over the influx of Haitian migrants in Springfield. It set out with two goals: lower wait times for vaccination appointments, and get people into the WIC program faster.

Clark County mobile health clinic exceeds expectations, treats almost 100 people in less than a month

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mission accomplished.

Its been fantastic, said Chris Cook, health commissioner for CCCHD. Its been a great resource.

Cook said the mobile clinic exceeded expectations.

I may be a bit biased, said Cook, but I think it was well spent money here in the state of Ohio to help with these overwhelming health needs here in Springfield and Clark County.

Though this resource provided by the Ohio Department of Health is gone, its not the end of increasing healthcare services. There are plans to open a physical clinic as well as a smaller mobile clinic.

I think people are just happy to get the access to the resources that they need, that that line can be shortened no matter where its at, said Cook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cook said the health district will look at areas where they had the most success with the mobile clinic to decide where the permanent health resources will be located.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  A portion of Interstate 90 has officially been dedicated to fallen Cleveland Firefighter Johnny Tetrick, who died in the line of duty in 2022.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited Cleveland Fire Station 22 on Friday afternoon where he signed House Bill 107, designating a portion of I-90 as the Cleveland Firefighter Johnny Tetrick Memorial Highway.

Students expelled after edibles, taser found at local school

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tetrick was struck and killed on Nov. 19, 2022, while assisting at the scene of a rollover crash near Bratenahl. Police said 44-year-old Leander Bissell drove through the scene of the accident on Interstate 90, plowed into the firefighter and then took off.

In August of 2023, Bissell was sentenced and found guilty on all charges related to Tetricks death. He will be eligible for parole after 16 years.

On Friday, DeWine was joined by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Council President Blaine Griffin, members of the Tetrick family and Cleveland firefighters who lived and worked with Tetrick.

Today we honor the legacy of Johnny Tetrick who dedicated his life to helping his community, DeWine said. It is so important to remember our brave first responders who give the ultimate sacrifice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Video: Bird strike prompts emergency landing

Tom Patton, District 17 Ohio State Representative and sponsor of House Bill 107 said, The passage of this bill is an extraordinary act of kindness from Governor DeWine and shows the respect that he has for Firefighter Tetrick. Johnnys 3 daughters will see this sign honoring their father every time that they pass. While it will not bring their dad back, it is a small measure of the great amount of respect we have for him and all of his brother and sister firefighters. This highlights the risk that all firefighters accept every time that they drive into work.

According to a press release from the Association of Cleveland Firefighters, this bill is the result of hard work by Patton and Tretricks brother and sister firefighters.

Cleveland will always remember Johnny Tetrick for his passion and dedication in helping our residents every single day throughout his 27+ years of service, Mayor Bibb said. My thoughts remain with his family, friends, and fellow firefighters. While his life was tragically cut short, todays ceremony forever cements his impact on our city. We thank Governor DeWine, Representative Patton, IAFF Local 93 President Konys, and everyone else in making sure we honor Johnny through this memorial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Colorado Mesa University (CMU) held its winter commencement Friday morning inside the Brownson Arena on the CMU campus.

CMU President John Marshall talked with WesternSlopeNow about why the commencement marks a significant milestone for so many.

We get an opportunity to celebrate with students and families that have accomplished something that, in many cases, no one in their family has done.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Half of this graduating class is the first in their family to graduate from college, said Marshall, including the two commencement speakers who took the podium.

They amplify the best of what Colorado Mesa University stands for, said Marshall.

One speaker is from East African. He came to the United States in 2008 with no prior education, doing hard labor to support his family.

I came here. I didnt have any education, to support my family, said Mathias Muloumba, a Ugandan native.

During his time in the U.S., he was inspired to pursue his education but did not meet the qualifications to become a CMU student.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Muloumba returned to Uganda, obtained his GED and applied to CMU.

I went back and I did my GED. Failed it a couple of times, but I went through it and then I was accepted here at CMU.

He talked with students about the challenges he faced and what motivated him to continue his education. Muloumba tells WesternSlopeNow what this degree means to him and what he hopes it will bring.

Im going to use my degree to make the world a better place. I want to invest into myself and to my family. I want to invest into the community where I come from. I want to, basically, make the world a better place with my education I got here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Colorado Mesa University Commencement Program

Colorado Mesa University Commencement Video

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Dec. 13The Coal Grove Village Council will have a special meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the townhall.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a resolution America 250, which celebrates America's founding and a second reading of Ordinance 2024-31 regarding water and sewer fees.
University of Utah student Rebeca Damico said her professors at first took a hard line against AI when ChatGPT was introduced in 2022, but she and other students say schools have softened their stands as the usefulness  and career potential  of the technology has become clearer. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for States Newsroom)

For 21-year-old Rebeca Damico, ChatGPTs public release in 2022 during her sophomore year of college at the University of Utah felt like navigating a minefield.

The public relations student, now readying to graduate in the spring, said her professors immediately added policies to their syllabuses banning use of the chatbot, calling the generative artificial intelligence tool a form of plagiarism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For me, as someone who follows the rules, I was very scared, Damico said. I was like, oh, I cant, you know, even think about using it, because theyll know.

Salt Lake City-based Damico studied journalism before switching her major to public relations, and saw ChatGPT and tools like it as a real threat to the writing industry. She also felt very aware of the temptation she and her classmates now had  suddenly a term paper that might take you all night to write could be done in a few minutes with the help of AI.

I know people that started using it and would use it to  write their entire essays. I know people that got caught. I know people that didnt, Damico said. Especially in these last couple weeks of the semester, its so easy to be like, Oh, put it into ChatGPT, but then were like, if we do it once, its kind of like, this slippery slope.

But students say theyre getting mixed messages  the stern warning from professors against use of AI and the growing pressure from the job market to learn how to master it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The technological developments of generative AI over the last few years have cracked open a new industry, and a wealth of job opportunities. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced the first statewide partnership with a tech firm to bring AI curriculum, resources and opportunities to the states public colleges.

And even for those students not going into an IT role, its likely they will be asked to use AI in some way in their industries. Recent research from the World Economic Forums 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report found that 75% of people in the workforce are using AI at work, and that some hiring managers are equally prioritizing AI skills with real-world job experience.

Higher eds view of AI

Over the last few years, the University of Utah, like most academic institutions, has had to take a position on AI. As Damico experienced, the university added AI guidelines to its student handbook that take a fairly hard stance against the tools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It urges professors to add additional AI detection tools in addition to education platform Canvas Turnitin feature, which scans assignments for plagiarism. The guidelines also now define the use of AI tools without citation, documentation or authorization as forms of cheating.

Though Damico said some professors continue to hold a hard line against AI, some have started to embrace it. The case-by-case basis Damico describes from her professors is in line with how many academic institutions are handling the technology.

Some universities spell out college-wide rules, while others leave it up to professors themselves to set AI standards in their classrooms. Others, like Stanford Universitys policy, acknowledge that students are likely to interact with it.

Stanford bans AI from being used to substantially complete an assignment or exam, and says students must disclose its use, but says absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative AI shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Virginia Byrne is an associate professor of higher education and student affairs at Morgan State University in Baltimore, and she studies technology in the lives of learners and educators, with a focus on how it impacts college students. She said the university allows professors to figure out what works best for them when it comes to AI. She herself often assigns projects that prompt students to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of popular AI tools.

Shes also a researcher with the TRAILS Institute, an multi-institution organization aiming to understand what trust in AI looks like, and how to create ethical, sustainable AI solutions. Along with Morgan State, researchers from University of Maryland, George Washington University and Cornell University conduct a variety of research, such as how ChatGPT can be used in health decision making, how to create watermark technology for AI or how other countries are shaping AI policy.

Its cool to be in a space with people doing research thats related, but so different, Byrne said. Because it expands your thinking, and it allows us to bring graduate students and undergraduate students into this community where everyone is focused on trustworthiness and AI, but from so many different lenses.

Byrne hopes that her students can see the potential that AI has to make their lives and work more easy, but she worries that it creates an artificial expectation for how young people need to perform online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It might lead some folks, younger folks, who are just starting their careers, to feel like they need to use (social media tool) Canva to look totally perfect on LinkedIn, and use all these tools to  optimize their time and their calendars, Byrne said. And I just worry that its creating a false expectation of speed and efficiency that the tools currently cant accomplish.

Theresa Fesinstine is the founder of peoplepower.ai, which trains HR professionals on ways AI can be used efficiently within their organization. This semester, she instructed her first college course at the City University of New York on AI and business, and taught students of all years and backgrounds.

Fesinstine said she was surprised how many of her students knew little to nothing about AI, but heard that many other instructors warned theyd fail students who were found to have used it in assignments. She thinks this mixed messaging often comes from not understanding the technology, and its abilities to help with an outline, or to find research resources.

Its a little scary, and I think thats where, right now, most of the trepidation is centered around, she said. Its that most people, in my opinion, havent been trained or understand how to use AI most effectively, meaning they use it in the same way that you would use Google.

Real-world applications

Shriya Boppana, a 25-year-old MBA student at Duke University, not only uses AI in her day-to-day life for schoolwork, but shes also pursuing a career in generative AI development and acquisitions. She wasnt initially interested in AI, she said, but she worked on a project with Google and realized how the technology was set to influence everyday life, and how malleable it still is.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once you kind of realize how much that the tech actually isnt as fleshed out as you think it is, I was a little more interested in  trying to understand what the path is to get it where it needs to go, Boppana said.

She said she uses some form of AI tool every day, from planning her own schedule, to having a chatbot help decide how students in a group project should divide and complete work, based on their availability. Because she works with it regularly, she understands the strengths and limitations of AI, saying it helps her get mundane tasks done, process data or outline an assignment.

But she said the personalized tone she aims to have in her writing just isnt there yet with the publicly available AI tools, so she doesnt completely rely on it for papers or correspondence.

Parris Haynes, a 22-year-old junior studying philosophy at Morgan State, said the structure and high demand of some students coursework almost encourages or incentivizes them to use AI to help get it all done.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He sees himself either going into law, or academia and said hes a little nervous about how AI is changing those industries. Though he leans on AI to help organize thoughts or assignments for classes like chemistry, Haynes said he wouldnt go near it when it comes to his work or career-related objectives for his philosophy classes.

I dont really see much of a space for AI to relieve me of the burden of any academic assignments or potential career tasks in regards to philosophy, Haynes said. Even if it could write a convincing human-seeming paper, a philosophical paper, its robbing me of the joy of doing it.

Gen Zs outlook on their future with AI

Like Haynes, Fesinstine knows that some of her students are interested, but a little scared about the power AI may have over their futures. Although theres a lot of research about how older generations jobs are impacted by AI, those just about to break into the workforce may be the most affected, because theyve grown up with these technologies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would say the attitude is  I use this term a lot, cautiously curious, Fesinstine said. You know, theres definitely a vibe around ethics and protection that I dont know that I would see in other generations, perhaps  But theres also an acknowledgement that this is something that a lot of companies are going to need and are going to want to use.

Now, two years since ChatGPTs release, Damico has started to realize the ways generative AI is useful in the workplace. She began working with PR firm Kronus Communications earlier this year, and was encouraged to explore some time-saving or brainstorming functions of generative AI.

Shes become a fan of having ChatGPT explain new business concepts to her, or to get it to suggest Instagram captions. She also likes to use it for more refined answers than Google might provide, such as if shes searching for publications to pitch a client to.

Though shes still cautious, and wont use generative AI to write actual assignments for her, Damico said she realizes she needs the knowledge and experience after graduation  it gives you kind of this edge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Boppana, who sees her career growing in the AI space, feels incredibly optimistic about the role AI will play in her future. She knows shes more knowledgeable and prepared to go into an AI-centered workforce than most, but she feels like the opportunities for growth in healthcare, telecommunications, computing and more are worth wading into uncertain waters.

I think its like a beautiful opportunity for people to learn how machines just interact with the human world, and how we can, I dont know, make, like, prosthetic limbs, like test artificial hearts  find hearing aids, Boppana said. Theres so much beauty in the way that AI helps human beings. I think you just have to find your space within it.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Members of the community came together to celebrate the power of one: the 19th annual statewide tribute to Rosa Parks.

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty hosted the event alongside other special guests including Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and local author Rita Fuller-Yates. The purpose of tonights event was to highlight Rosa Parks legacy and inspire a conversation on civil rights and freedom.

For Representative Beatty, it was humbling that so many people were part of this event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We fill our rooms every year because people feel a sense of pride, togetherness, Beatty said. They want to be a part of history and I think it is so important because we stand on Rosa Parks shoulders. She is the one that elevated Martin Luther King Jr.

Besides being grateful for the turnout, Beatty explained what made the night so special.

People were upbeat, It wasnt about our troubles, our problems, It was about how we move forward, Beatty said. It was about how great are we, our diversity when we work together and the audience responded.

There was also a panel discussion about how Americans can continue to build together as a nation despite their current differences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A man who pleaded guilty to robbing a U.S. Postal Service employee at gunpoint near Downtown is heading to prison.

According to the Unites States Attorneys Office, Southern District of Ohio, a district court judge sentenced 20-year-old Anthony A.J. Williams to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to crimes related to armed robberies of a poster carrier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Woman escapes attempted abduction in Grandview Heights

Court records show that Williams committed armed robbery of a carrier on Nov. 9, 2022, on Michigan Avenue, north of Downtown. Williams then threatened the mail carrier with a borrowed pistol and demanded his postal keys.

The U.S. Attorneys Office release said Williams then took the keys off the carriers belt and sent photos of them to a co-conspirator.

Williams, who was arrested in Pittsburgh in January, worked with that same co-conspirator to plan a postal robbery on Dec. 24, 2022, when he punched a mail carrier in the face and threatened to kill him if he did not surrender his postal keys.

Additional accusations include using keys to rob a series of locked mail receptacles, which he did with several co-conspirators, and altering stolen checks and using third parties to deposit them into personal accounts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After Williams pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, committing aggravated robbery of U.S. property and conspiring to commit an offense against the United States, a federal judge upheld a sentencing recommendation of seven years.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The 21 million users of ParkMobiles parking app who were involved in an alleged data breach, you may be eligible for a part of the settlement.

ParkMobile, the company behind Columbus parking app, was sued in 2021 for allegedly failing to protect costumers from a data breach. According to the lawsuit, users license plate numbers, emails, addresses, birthdays, phone numbers and app passwords were all compromised during the breach.

According to ParkMobile, a $32.8 million settlement has been approved, although ParkMobile maintains its denial of the lawsuits claims. ParkMobiles website dedicated to the lawsuit states anyone who received a notification from ParkMobile about the 2021 data security incident is eligible to be included in the settlement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those eligible for the settlement have until Feb. 3 to excuse themselves from the settlement or object to it. Those who exclude themselves do not release their personal claims against ParkMobile, and those who object can write to the court explaining why they do not agree. Users have until March 5, 2025 to submit a claim form and possibly receive a cash payment. Those who do nothing will receive a code via email for a $1 credit to their ParkMobile app.

Union branches urge mail carriers to vote no on proposed contract

Columbus Division of Parking Services first launched its ParkColumbus app in 2019 for services in the Short North, with partial assistance from ParkMobile. The app has since expanded, now offering services city-wide. In April 2023, the ParkMobile contract is expanded further and it became the sole contractor for the ParkColumbus app, according to documents from City Council.

The decision to make ParkMobile the only contractor was done after the city searched federal and state complaint filings and found none against ParkMobile. However, the lawsuit was already underway in Georgia courts. In April, Columbus extended its contract by $1,200,000 to sustain the app through at least March 31 more than doubling its original investment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In October, ParkMobile announced it will soon be offering parking at Easton Town Center, and it is also an option for temporary surface lot parking at The Ohio State University. Although ParkMobile does partner with the city, company representatives assured NBC4 in August that the citys data hack did not compromise users data.

Those who think they may qualify under the lawsuit can explore their filing options here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Columbus Division of Police has been underreporting crimes to the state and the FBI for about a decade, the department revealed on Friday.

The underreporting began in 2013, after the department switched to its current incident-based reporting system, which allows law enforcement to better classify multiple crimes that occur within a single incident. The FBI also transitioned to an incident-based reporting system in 2021.

Its great that we were relatively early adopters, but that does not come without some hiccups, said Deputy Chief Tim Myers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The implementation resulted in an unnoticed system error in the submission process of the departments data to Ohios Incident Based Crime Reporting System, which reports the statistics to the FBI. This resulted in 165,000 cases out of 1.9 million, or 8.4%, not being reported over the past decade. The department discovered the issue during a recent internal review, Myers said.

Some cases have fallen through the cracks for administrative reporting for the state, Myers said. This does not affect casework. This is purely a statistical issue, this is not an operational issue.

The errors in the system resulted in three years, 2013 through 2015, where the department reported data to the state and FBI that said crime had dropped, when it was actually rising. However, after that point, while not all the data was accurate, it was consistent with overall trends.

Statistics nationally with the FBI are only as good as were getting, and if were not getting the information, the total picture, its hard to hang your hat on those statistics, retired FBI agent Harry Trombitas told NBC4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Myers emphasized that the problems with reporting data to the state and FBI did not affect the amount of cases police investigated or data pulled directly from Columbus polices system. The police department itself, and local news organizations, typically use data directly from the department. However, reports and studies, such as analyses exploring the municipalities with the highest crime rates or cities where crime dropped, often use FBI data.

Of the 165,000 cases, about 100,000 were initial reports and about 65,000 were supplemental reports, which may include the discovery of new evidence or an arrest in a previously existing case.

The reason thats important is that those initial reports, if they dont get submitted to the state, that means that crime statistic, that incident doesnt get reported to the state at all, Myers said. If the initial report was submitted, then we know from a statistical perspective from the state that that crime occurred. What is missing is the update to that case, which very often could be case clearance information.

Although Columbus experienced more crime than what was published at the state and federal level during this time frame, the amount of cases solved by Columbus police was also likely underreported due to supplemental reports not being submitted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you were to go to the state website today, you would see very low clearance rates when in fact we have solved many more of those crimes, Myers said. They just didnt get reported to the state.

The 100,000 initial reports that fell through the cracks detailed 119,000 offenses, about 42,000 of which were classified as part one offenses, which are considered serious crimes. 9,408 were violent crimes such as murder and rape, and the other 32,7111 were property crimes such as burglary and motor vehicle theft.

The reason it accrued to that level is because the internal report that we had put in place to monitor the submissions was not measuring what we needed it to measure, Myers said.

Since crime statistics are constantly updating for a variety of reasons, including a crime being reclassified, resolved or a new crime being entered into the database, it makes it difficult to spot issues with the numbers, Myers said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The department has tracked the problem and implemented a fix, according to Myers. Columbus police are currently working through reporting the backlog of pending cases, and are prioritizing violent crimes first in that process.

Im grateful that [Chief Elaine Bryants] commitment to data-driven policing has helped to identify this underreporting, and that it is swiftly being rectified, Mayor Andrew Ginther said in a statement. Im committed to continuous improvement, and I thank the department for their transparency and action to address this matter.

Police departments are not required to report their crime data to the FBI, and do so voluntarily. In 2023, over 16,000 law enforcement agencies submitted data to the FBI through its Uniform Crime Reporting Program, covering a combined 94.3% of the countrys population.

The program has published crime statistics since 1930. Data on the FBIs website is available going back to 1985, and the Columbus police department has provided data since then, at least.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN)  The city of Struthers got into the Christmas spirit Friday with its second annual Christmas parade.

The cold weather didnt stop people from lining up to enjoy a little holiday cheer and the Struthers Little Hardhats cheerleaders were ready to bring it.

This is one of our biggest events of the year. A lot of people spend a lot of time putting this together. We had a lot of great sponsors, said Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I just wanna say this is my first parade Ive ever been in, said cheerleader Lilah Rydarowicz.

Im most excited about doing this for my team, Ava Christoff said.

The parade wrapped up at Struthers Fire Department with lots of activities. Even though there wasnt snow on the ground, the city made a little of its own.

The people that lined the streets last year when we did this, it was awesome. All the people were along the side. There were people dressed up and it just felt so good to do something like this, said Boy Scout Master Troop 101, Jeff Wormley.

The parade ended with Santa lighting up the citys permanent Christmas tree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The community spirit just standing around at that fire station at the end nobody wanted to leave so we gotta do it again, Wormley said.

Mayor Cercone Miller said they have a lot of events throughout the year but the parade is very special.

Ending it with this is really something special because theres so many people that put so much time into making this happen, she said.

New this year was the Western Reserve Amateur Radio Club which provided communications during the event to help everything run as smoothly as possible.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The company that hosted the event where influencer Dominque Brown reportedly died of an allergic reaction is speaking out for the first time.

BoxLunch, who organized the Los Angeles food event where Brown, 34, died on Dec. 5, said they are devastated by the death of their beloved member in a statement posted on Instagram on Friday, Dec. 13.

We are devastated by her sudden and tragic passing. She was a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective and brought joy to all whose lives she touched, the company wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As we've shared with the media, the BoxLunch Collective members, and everyone else we have been in contact with, we will do everything possible to support Dominique's family, her loved ones, the Collective, and our team members during this painful time," the statement continued.

The company added that the team is being offered grief counseling services, along with those directly affected by this tragedy.

Dominique Brown/Instagram Brown pictured on Instagram Brown pictured on Instagram

Related: Disney Enthusiast Dominique Brown Dies at 34 After Reportedly Experiencing Allergic Reaction at Holiday Food Event

BoxLunch also confirmed in the statement that the company is in the process of conducting an investigation into the tragic circumstances of her passing, which occurred at a BoxLunch event hosted at a venue in Los Angeles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have not yet received the information we requested from the operators of the event venue to get an accurate and detailed account of the night. As we learn more, we plan to share this information with Dominique's family, the company continued.

While we know that there are no words or actions that will fully heal anyone's pain, we will do all we can to honor Dominique, the statement concluded.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Gett Brown pictured in May 2024 Brown pictured in May 2024

Brown, who was known as a Disney theme park enthusiast and collector, died after reportedly experiencing an allergic reaction while attending a holiday food event hosted by BoxLunch at Vibiana earlier this month.

A BoxLunch representative initially told PEOPLE in a statement on Dec. 7 that Brown suffered a medical emergency at the event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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, the representative added.

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.

Brown ate food after being told by the event staff that it did not contain an ingredient she was allergic to, Yahoo! News and Daily Mail previously reported.

Someone who claimed to know Brown wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that she had asked if there was peanuts in the food and everyone told her no and instantly felt bad after consuming it.

Browns last post on Instagram, shared on the day before her death on Dec. 4, was a clip of her visiting a Disney Store.

Read the original article on People
Conan OBrien and his siblings are mourning the loss of their parents after they died only three days apart.

Dr. Thomas O'Brien, the father of the podcaster and TV host, died at home in Brookline, Massachusetts, at 95 on Dec. 9, according to his obituary. His wife of 66 years, Ruth Reardon O'Brien, died at 92 at their home on Dec. 12, according to The Boston Globe.

Thomas O'Brien was renowned for cofounding the World Health Organizations Collaborating Centre for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance, which created databases to help doctors respond to areas where drug-resistant strains of bacteria may be spreading, according to The Boston Globe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Harvard Medical School graduate also was the director of the infectious diseases division at what is now Brigham and Womens Hospital, per his obituary.

Ruth Reardon OBrien was a Yale Law School graduate and a pioneering partner at the law firm of Ropes & Gray in Boston, according to the firm. She became the second female partner in the firm's history in 1978 after spending 10 years away to raise her children and later retired in 1996, per the law firm.

Ruth Reardon OBrien met her husband through her brothers, who were his classmates at Holy Cross, according to The Boston Globe. They married in 1958 and had six children  four boys and two girls.

Thomas OBrien was also a big fan of comedy. Conan OBrien, 61, and his siblings were introduced to the work of legends like Jack Benny, Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers, through their dad, according to The Boston Globe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Conan OBrien's father also had a vibrant presence of his own.

"He was often the funniest guy in the room," Conan OBrien said to the outlet. "And when he would laugh, his whole body would convulse and he would almost hug himself.

Ive never met anyone like him, and he happens to be my father," Conan OBrien added. "If I met him randomly in a hotel lobby, Id think, Who the hell is this guy? Hes the most interesting person Ive ever met."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  People around the country are demanding information after a wave of mysterious drone sightings, but the government has yet to give any concrete answers

The federal government has said the drones are not a form of foreign interference but hasnt said exactly whos behind them or what theyre doing.

Where are these drones coming from? asked Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.).

Thats the million-dollar question when it comes to the mystery in the sky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since last month people have reported seeing dozens of drones mysteriously hovering in the sky at night. They were first spotted in New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimers state.

Its totally ridiculous that we dont have more information, said Gottheimer.

As lawmakers demand answers, the White House is downplaying the drones as a threat.

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, said National Security Spokesperson John Kirby.

White House officials say right now the drones are not breaking any laws.

Appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully, said Kirby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan posted on X he saw mystery drones in his state.

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett says he knows why no ones reported sightings in his state.

Because everybodys got a 12-gauge and they start dropping those things, said Burchett.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  People around the country are demanding information after a wave of mysterious drone sightings, but the government has yet to give any concrete answers

The federal government has said the drones are not a form of foreign interference but hasnt said exactly whos behind them or what theyre doing.

Where are these drones coming from? asked Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.).

Thats the million-dollar question when it comes to the mystery in the sky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since last month people have reported seeing dozens of drones mysteriously hovering in the sky at night. They were first spotted in New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimers state.

Its totally ridiculous that we dont have more information, said Gottheimer.

As lawmakers demand answers, the White House is downplaying the drones as a threat.

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, said National Security Spokesperson John Kirby.

White House officials say right now the drones are not breaking any laws.

Appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully, said Kirby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan posted on X he saw mystery drones in his state.

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett says he knows why no ones reported sightings in his state.

Because everybodys got a 12-gauge and they start dropping those things, said Burchett.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Kris Brown, President of Brady, a nonprofit organization dedicated to passing comprehensive gun reform, goes into detail about the weapon Luigi Mangione allegedly used to kill the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson. She speaks with Alex Witt about the gun reform legislation President Biden passed during his term and President-elect Trumps plans when it comes to gun violence.
The CODEVI and Caracol industrial parks in northeast Haiti are closer to the Dominican Republic than they are to the gang violence engulfing Port-au-Prince, Haitis volatile capital.

But that 100-mile distance over brutal terrain hasnt stopped either park from getting hit by the effects of the spiraling security crisis and ongoing political instability.

In the last three years, businesses inside the manufacturing parks have lost thousands of jobs as major U.S. buyers cut back on orders and sewing machines in Haitis once thriving apparel industry stand empty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sector, which employed 62,000 workers in December 2021, has seen the loss of more than 40,000 workers. It has less than 25,000 jobs presently, said Georges Sassine, the former president of the Association of Industries of Haiti, the countrys manufacturing association.

The reasons, say those in the industry, are not just the security crisis, which has led to fuel shortages, closed ports and gang-blocked road, but also uncertainty around Haitis competitive advantage, set to expire next September under the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement, HOPE, Act, and its supplementary Haiti Economic Lift Program, HELP, Act.

Buyers are not confident that the U.S. Congress will be renewing the HOPE/HELP Act, which gives certain apparel duty-free access to the U.S. market, he said. When you choose a factory, its a whole relationship. It take months and months to develop and the contracts are much longer so they cant engage with something they know will end in September.

For three years, Haitis textile industry has been trying to get Congress to renew the HOPE/HELP trade preferences. The preferences have the support of the Biden administration, but its extension has been caught up in disagreements between Democrats and Republicans as well as the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With this session of Congress slated to end Jan. 3, supporters of the legislation, like former head of U.S. Agency for International Development Mark Green and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, have been working to get swift authorization of the legislation. Green, who currently heads the Wilson Center in Washington, wrote in September that the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act, HOPE, and its supplementary Haiti Economic Lift Program Act allowed Haiti to quadruple its apparel exports to the U.S. from $231 million in 2001 to $994 million in 2021.

In a comment on X this week, Meeks, a New York Democrat who has been leading the fight for passage in Congress, said authorization is critical to Haitis stability and economy.

The situation in Haiti is dire, and every investment counts, he said.

Earlier this week, supporters of the extension got a bit of a good news. Even though some members of Congress would like to see labor provisions, the Speaker of the House signed off on a clean extension of the bill to be included in the continuing resolution legislation. That would require legislation with no changes or updates. But on Friday, supporters got hit with another setback as Democrats and Republicans continued to disagree about whether Haitis re-authorization should be for five or 10 years, as Haitians would prefer. Meanwhile, other lawmakers are seeking to also add General Trade Preferences legislation to the rider, which would also include re-authorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act trade preference program benefiting sub-Saharan Africa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If this isnt done by next week, we are dead, Sassine said of the extensions inclusion, citing the coming end of the current congressional session.

Haitis security climate has not been kind to the garment sector. But even still, Sassine said, the industry needs a way to survive and to find a way to get some of those jobs back, which HOPE/HELP renewal allows.

We have to have at least something to build on and HOPE/HELP is one of them, he said.

Fernando Capellan, the owner of the CODEVI industrial park, said its not just factory jobs at stake in an area of the country where Haitians rely on remittances from abroad to survive. He believes that without the jobs, the countrys pension and health plans that employees contribute to will take a huge hit. Park of his park sits in Haiti, the other in the Dominican Republic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Capellan said companies need to be able to plan for the long-term and that includes assurances that their products will enjoy duty free access to the U.S. market. His industrial park, which employs Haiti workers, has lost about 6,000 jobs since the crisis began.

He could see the loss of another 6,000 of his current 15,000 employees inside the park without the renewal. Capellan has been pushing for passage of the extension and at this point is ready to support the move for a clean bill with a 10-year extension.

If this doesnt happen, the Dominican businessman says Haitis manufacturing sector will be faced with imminent collapse, as companies take their orders elsewhere, including China.

This ecosystem built over the last 22 years will be lost, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The company has 11 tenants manufacturing for 15 different brands. The investment has led to education, childcare and the installation of 240 street lamps in Ouanaminthe. Elsewhere in neighborhoods closer to Caracol Industrial Park, residents have access to 24-hour electricity and also enjoy improvements in quality of life because of the factory jobs.

Still, Haitis security climate has not been kind to the garment sector.

The Caracol Industrial Park, for example, was once the beacon of the U.S. governments commitment after the 2010 earthquake. commitment. But instead of the 60,000 jobs once envisioned, it is now down to 2,900 and just one major tenant, Korean textile company Sae-A Trading Co., which operates as S&H Global in Haiti, said Sassine.

The loss of companies and downsizing inside Caracol can be blamed on several factors. But the fuel shortages, political tensions with the neighboring Dominican Republic, which often leads to a blocked border, and the United States owned failed promises have not helped.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the park was being built after the earthquake, promises were made to either build a new port in the region or rehabilitate the nearby Cap-Haitien seaport and add a flyover so containers carrying factory goods could move easily. Neither happened, which forced tenants to ship out of the Dominican Republic when possible.

Also affecting the countrys garment sector has been Haitis negative publicity, Sassine and others concede. U.S. buyers dont care if gangs arent running amok in the north when they voice concerns about branding and having T-shirts made in Haiti. The branding image, however, issue isnt isolated to T-shirts and other duty-free garments.

Earlier this year when armed gangs launched attacks in Port-au-Prince, forcing a near three months closure of the airport, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines suspended its private destination on Haitis northern coast, Labadee, even though the area was still relatively safe and had no issues.
Dec. 14CONNEAUT  The city has been expanding its chip-seal projects on gravel roads over the year.

This year, the city's been paving South Ridge Road East.

Conneaut City Manager Nick Sanford said the city will continue expanding its chip-seal projects.

"In years past, it was looking towards just purchasing aggregate materials to integrate into the roadway base, which has been let go over the years, in my opinion," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Members of city council have been submitting roads for potential maintenance and work next year.

Sanford said the city hopes to work on chip-seal for South Ridge Road West next year, and have more efficient drainage on the city's south side.

"Within the northern section of the community, council is interested in pursuing sections of Harbor Street," he said.

Listing other northern city roads, Sanford said council is interested in Broad, Main and Day streets.

"This is a fluid list list that is in development right now," he said.

Next year's official road maintenance projects will be ready around February 2025, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Like ODOT, the city does not work on road projects during the winter.

Sanford said the only road in city bounds the Ohio Department of Transportation maintains regularly is Interstate 90.

"ODOT has no maintenance responsibility within municipalities  only villages and townships," he said.

Sanford said Conneaut has had a large road project burden.

"It's understated that Conneaut has a significant base of state highways within city limits, above and beyond the normal scope of small cities," he said.

The city relies on a 2.75-mill roads and bridges levy, which collects $496,000 every year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The levy was renewed in the 2023 general election.

Sanford said the levy is a limited amount of money, compared to ODOT, which has seven-figure budgets for individual projects.

"We're stretching dollars as far as we can, to make [as] significant impact an impact as we can [while] at the same time trying to limit the impact on taxpayers," he said.

The Conneaut Public Works Department has seven employees, and the city has 400-500 lane-miles of roadway.

Conneaut's 27-square mile size and diverse land use can also be a hurdle for road maintenance, Sanford said.

"In a major snow event, it's extremely challenging to maintain," he said. "It's certainly not me making an excuse, per se. We're just doing the best with what we have."
Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. is putting the city of Connell through the sort of economic trauma that can devastate a community for years or even decades.

City leaders have not given up hope, though, and residents should not either. Even so, they could use some help from the state.

Lamb Weston, based in Eagle, Idaho, delivered a double whammy to Connell over the past few months.

First, on Oct. 1, it announced that it would permanently close its plant in Connell. The company made frozen french-fries there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nearly 400 employees were out of a job unless they were hired at one of the companys other facilities in the region, which could require, for many, a much longer commute or a move.

Second, the company revealed that it plans to tear down the facility. It has applied for demolition permits for the plant and its retention ponds. At least a warehouse and nearby cold storage facilities will survive for now.

Its hard to understate the impact of all this on the community. Connell is a small city with a population of about 5,500. The plant has been a cornerstone of the economy, not just employing hundreds but also supporting transportation services and local retailers.

With its closure, workers face an uncertain future and must navigate a challenging job market that might not provide equivalent opportunities, especially locally. The loss of wages and benefits will ripple through the community, affecting families, the local tax base, public services and other businesses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Demolition makes the situation more challenging. A vacant plant is a marketable asset that could help lure a new company willing to retrofit it for its own products. Building new is much more expensive.

Its not fair to demand that a company keep a facility open that no longer fits with its business strategy. Company officials said that falling demand for french fries and the plants age contributed to the decision. The company remains a major regional employer.

Employees and the community received no warning about the shutdown and no opportunity to work with Lamb Weston to find an alternative. With some advance notice, workers and the community might have mitigated some of the worst impacts.

Transparency and communication are essential in situations like this, and their absence exacerbates the social and economic toll. Connell and the workers deserved better.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the shutdown, the community rallied. People organized a job fair. They started a toy drive to help families during the holidays. Theyve reached out to neighbors with support. Connell is that sort of town. People know each other, and they look out for each other.

Connell likely will not go the way of all-but-abandoned steel towns in rural Pennsylvania and Ohio. It still has the nearby Coyote Ridge Corrections center, which employs many residents from around the region. The city also is only about 35 miles north of Pasco via Highway 395.

City and county leaders already are looking for ways to help impacted families and to somehow replace a major employer and taxpayer. Residents should be heartened to hear that they are not dwelling so much on the loss that they have lost sight of the future.

Connell could use some help from the state, though. The Port of Pasco is applying for a $100,000 grant from the Community Economic Revitalization Board to create an industrial site readiness plan so that when an opportunity comes, the city can seize it. The board should award that grant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, when Bob Ferguson takes office as governor next month, he should direct his administration to look for ways to assist Connell.

That might come in the form of additional financial and job-training aid, but perhaps more valuable will be talking up Connell with all of the big business bigwigs who will seek to curry his favor. Have you heard about the great opportunity in Connell?

With thoughtful planning, collaboration and investment, Connell can recover and thrive again.
President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping on Friday said the central authorities fully support Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering new momentum and advantages for economic development.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.

Noting that Hong Kong faces new development opportunities, Xi said the central authorities would fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society in actively pursuing reform and progress, and in pursuing prosperity through innovation and creativity.

Commending Lee's work over the past year, Xi said Lee had led the HKSAR government in shouldering responsibilities and delivering concrete results.

In the past year, the HKSAR government has completed the historic legislation under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, pooled resources in boosting economic development, addressed livelihood problems such as housing and healthcare, strengthened external exchanges and cooperation, and continuously enhanced Hong Kong's international prestige, thus further consolidating Hong Kong's positive momentum of stability and development, Xi said.

The central authorities fully acknowledge the work of Lee and the HKSAR government, he said.

Senior officials including Li Qiang, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.

President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
The construction of Ohios first Buc-ees location can now resume after a legal battle halted work.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., the sprawling worksite is located in Huber Heights, just off Interstate 70 and State Route 235.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The dozens of acres for the first Buc-ees in Ohio may include 120 gas pumps and a retail store close to the size of a giant box store.

Work there was threatened by a bitter argument over water and sewer rights between Clark County and Huber Heights.

We have our opinion of that and they have theirs but in the end the best thing for everyone is just to resolve it,: Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore said.

Gore told News Center 7s Mike Campbell that he is very happy to put the government squabbling to rest and focus on bringing Buc-ees to the city.

Gore said he believes it will be an economic driver for the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of course, that area, thats the far eastern edge of the city, we do expect people coming from all over, Gore said.

Gore said he is especially glad to see construction workers again driving equipment at the massive worksite.

At this point in construction, most of the work being done is on underground infrastructure, water pies and electrical work, everything needed to bring the huge and unique business to life.

Thats actually really exciting. Ive seen it all over, like on TikTok and the news and everything and were really excited about Buc-ees coming, Dayton resident Erin Payne said.

Payne said she doesnt usually come out to Huber Heights but says that when Buc-ees is open, that will change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The water and sewer and everything going on, thats when I really started looking into it and started getting really excited about it coming up here, Payne said.

Dave Dicke, from Huber Heights, is familiar with Buc-ees stores, which are primarily in the South.

Now the first one in Ohio will bring the chains trademark features to Huber Heights.

They usually have good products and lower prices, so it should be good for the consumers, Dicke said. Well, Buc-ees is well-known and well-liked and its going to be a plus for the neighborhood.

The Buc-ees corporation held a ground-breaking on Aug. 8, and said that they expected to be open in 15 months.

Gore said that Buc-ees believes they can stay on that schedule, which would set the opening date for December of 2025.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregons alcohol regulators are making headway on the states new distribution center for distilled spirits.

Earlier this week, officials revealed the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission and the state Department of Administrative Services agreed to pay JE Dunn Construction Company a maximum of $87.6 million for the Canby facility.

Alleged UFO over Oregon caused pilots to divert

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The citys Planning Commission also approved land use for the 347,000-square-foot warehouse, according to the OLCC.

During a meeting on Wednesday, the agencys Executive Director Craig Prins said the much needed upgrade greatly expands our ability to serve Oregonians.

We can better oversee access to alcohol products while protecting public health and supporting responsible businesses, Prins told the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade.

The OLCC said the need for a new distribution center dates back to the Eisenhower Administration. In late 2022, KOIN 6 reported that the commissions warehouse was at 98% capacity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lack of space was once attributed to liquor trends, with an increase in Oregon consumers buying more premium booze for their alcohol cabinets amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Could Portland see a white Christmas this year?

But that trend began to waver. At the beginning of this year, officials announced that their 2023-2025 alcohol revenue forecast declined from $705.7 million to $573.4 million.

OLCC spokesperson Mark Pettinger previously explained that the forecast changed due to factors like Oregons slight increase in alcohol consumption and its slowing population growth.

Despite the decline in demand, the commission reported that capacity issues at its existing facilities mean product must travel between two separate warehouses that are a half-mile part, reducing efficiency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oregon Congresswoman joins DOGE Caucus inspired by Musk, Ramaswamy-led department

The new building is expected to help the OLCC double the number of trucks that are supplied at any given time.

JE Dunn Construction is slated to break ground on the Canby distribution center next spring. Crews are projected to complete the facility by summer 2026.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif.  The San Diego Sheriffs Office says many people get together with families or go out for a drink during the holiday season, so theyre just one organization partnering with the Institute of Public Strategies to remind people in Imperial Beach on Friday night about the dangers of driving under the influence.

While the sheriffs office says they arrest people for DUIs throughout the day, they typically see a hike in those cases from 6 p.m. until the early morning hours after bars close.

If youre not careful, they say anyone could be involved in an alcohol or drug-related crash this holiday season just like Paul Dawson who was enjoying a casual night out with a friend at a bowling alley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think maybe three to four drinks over the entirety, and we were there for about two hours, so maybe double what Im supposed to be doing, Dawson said.

The drive home on his motorcycle nearly cost his life.

I remember mentally checking myself and making sure that I was good to ride, and what ended up happening is we got about, Id say, a quarter mile down the road, and from there I have no memory.

He says bystanders saw him hit a tree and fly close to 60 feet and 45 mph.

He spent two weeks in the hospital and nearly a year regaining function in his right arm.

Now, he sits on a panel alongside other community partners to warn San Diegans about the dangers of driving under the influence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It doesnt take much to be legally impaired, Lt. Al Gathings with the San Diego Sheriffs Office said, but its not just drivers who need to be careful.

Pedestrians also face a serious risk.

So far in 2024, 22 pedestrians died in crashes in San Diego, according to the San Diego Police Department.

That number is lower than the last two years, and Gathings hopes to keep it that way.

People who are drinking, they often times dont see people walking in crosswalks or they may or may not see people who are standing legally on sidewalks, waiting for the right of way, Gathings said.

He suggest people look out for drivers without their lights on, someone stopped at a green light, and a driver swerving or speeding between lanes. He says all of these are signs someone may be driving impaired.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I love coming into the South Bay because most of the DUIs in the South Bay come out of residences, Marian Novak said.

Novak works with the Responsible Hospitality Coalition of San Diego County, an organization that partners with local bars and restaurants to prevent them from overserving customers.

The California Office of Traffic Safety Reports in 2021, 1,370 were killed in alcohol-involved crashes, making up almost a third of traffic deaths in California, so even if you are just headed down the road, its better to set up a ride if you plan to drink.

Plan ahead. I would say particularly, if youre going to go to a residence, dont go anywhere you cant sleep, Gathings said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As for Dawson, he says his experience opened his eyes and hes doing his part to warn others to stay safe.

If youre going to drink, its pretty simple, Dawson said. You dont drive. You get an Uber. I mean an Uber is a lot cheaper than a DUI.

If youre arrested for a DUI, it could cost you up to $1,000 in fines and could add up to $5,000 and potentially jail time if theres an injury.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 14The Decatur City Council is treading carefully when it wades Monday into attempting to regulate single-family homes that developers build with the intention of renting.

However, the proposed ordinance isn't as strict as ordinances approved recently in Georgia.

At 10 a.m. Monday, the City Council will vote on build-to-rent home rules, while also defining "family" for the purpose of zoning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Councilman Carlton McMasters said the changes are an attempt "protect single-family neighborhoods. There should be some protections offered to these neighborhoods on the front end."

Build-to-rent homes, or BTR, are an immediate concern because a council-imposed moratorium on them ends Jan. 1. "BTR" refers to subdivisions of attached or detached single-family homes intended for rental by a management company. Some developments are intended as BTR from inception.

More commonly, a BTR real estate company purchases lots or houses at some stage of the development process. BTR companies then market the houses to renters and manage the properties in much the same way that an apartment complex is managed.

Decatur's proposed ordinance would require a developer to sign a declaration of intent with the Planning Department and get a variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustment. This would apply to subdivisions of at least seven lots where at least 10% of the homes are to be rental from the outset. The developer would have to employ a management company to oversee rental properties and inform the city about which company has been chosen. The management company must be within 30 miles of the BTR subdivision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the ordinance does not limit, specify zoning or ban BTR despite opposition from some Decatur residents. A developer could also build a subdivision and then sell it, with the new owner facing no BTR restrictions.

Councilman Jacob Ladner pointed out that it also doesn't keep a contractor from buying a lot and building a home with the intention of renting it instead of selling it.

City Attorney Herman Marks said they reduced the BTR percentage that triggers having to inform the city from 20% to 10% after a recent Planning Commission public hearing.

The Burningtree area, which is in McMaster's District 3, was the first to experience the build-to-rent issue in August 2022, when developer Prominence Homes bought the third addition of the planned Foxwood Farms subdivision. That prompted protests by neighboring residents. They want an outright ban.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Birmingham developer then advertised the homes for sale to investors as build-to-rent homes, which upset neighbors.

The City Council passed a moratorium against BTR homes, although officials said they could not stop Prominence's plans. However, Prominence filed for bankruptcy and never finished the development. Shells of unfinished homes still stand along the road connected to Foxwood Drive Southeast.

"Build-to-rent (homes) is a very new product," McMasters said. "I'm not saying we shouldn't have build-to-rent. All I'm saying is it should be declared on the front end. That we know what it is."

Councilman Billy Jackson said he understands the District 3 residents' BTR opposition because he has seen in his District 1 what rental properties do to a community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said he doesn't want to see a repeat elsewhere of what happened in his community.

"There's always the perception that once it's built you can do whatever you want," Jackson said. "But build-to-rent as a concept, I can't endorse that at all."

He said they're trying to rebuild District 1, which covers Northwest Decatur and a portion of Southwest Decatur, "after so many years of absentee landlords."

"I've got a district that I've represented for almost 29 years that's been overrun by absentee landowners. For me to side with a build-to-rent prospect, the issues don't come together," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ladner said he will probably support the proposed ordinance, but he has questions about enforcement.

"If they come, we're not really sure who owns the homes, and they can build as many as they want to and those could be rented," he said.

Decatur is the first city in Alabama to consider regulating build-to-rent homes.

"This is basically to get something in place at the present time that we think is a reasonable method of addressing it," Marks said.

Councilman Kyle Pike said one problem is the city would be relying on the front-end developer and there would be zero repercussions of that person violates the ordinance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marks said the City Council could look at the ordinance again in the future after they consider a proposed zoning ordinance rewrite recently delayed until March.

Georgia has been at the forefront of build-to-rent regulations.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, cites examples of Georgia's BTR ordinances:

Alpharetta has restricted most of its residential zones to "For-Sale" development since earlier than 2014.

Clayton County banned BTR homes entirely.

Woodstock restricted communities in which 20% or more of homes are rentals to its R3 zone and added costly exterior material requirements. It also requires BTR subdivisions to have a homeowner's association to monitor and manage the rental properties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Holly Springs requires planned BTR districts to apply for discretionary approval.

Cherokee County limits single-family developments in which 10% or more of homes are rentals to its RD3 zone.

While Georgia is trying new laws regulating build-to-rent, Marks said there seems to be some relaxation of the BTR laws recently elsewhere.

Jackson said he would like to see Decatur consider more stringent regulation.

"I think it's imperative that we try to protect the investments that people have in their homes," Jackson said.

In 2017, the City Council at the time hired a Birmingham law firm to review a proposed ordinance that would regulate long-term rental properties. This included requiring landlords to buy a business license and declare a local person responsible for a management of rental property.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The proposal died without ever coming back before the council.

McMasters said he believes requiring landlords to buy a business license, so the city knows who owns a property, is unnecessary because the Morgan County Revenue Commissioner's office publishes this information on its website.

"The county tells who pays the taxes. I can look up any property in the city and see who owns it." McMasters said.



Family definition

The other proposed ordinance change up for consideration Monday is the addition of a definition of family, which McMasters said is "incredibly vague."

He said halfway houses are popping up all over the city and are an issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McMaster's proposal defines family as "one or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption, or by some other legal custodial relationship, living as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, including persons who reside in the unit and are employed to care for a family member; or three unrelated individuals living as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit.

"A family can also include up to three unrelated persons occupying a unit and living as a single, non-profit housekeeping unit, if any one or more of the three unrelated occupants is handicapped."

While there are questions about enforcement, Marks said the city would enforce this regulation in the same way it does with other zoning regulations, and that's through Community Development.

Marks said Community Development inspectors would issue a warning and then give them a citation if the homeowner doesn't comply. That person would then have to appear before Municipal Court Judge Takeisha Gholston.

If found guilty, that person would pay up to a $500 fine and possibly face jail time, he added.

"The penalties for a citation are the same, except for laws like DUI that the state Legislature changed," Marks said.

 bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  In the immediate aftermath of a federal jurys $34 million verdict in her favor, Kirstin Lobatos emotions appeared to run the gamut.

Among them, gratitude, for siding with her in the civil rights lawsuit against Metro police and two retired detectives for framing her  fabricating evidence and intentionally inflicting emotional distress  for the violent 2001 murder of a homeless man, Duran Bailey.

I just want to thank everybody whos believed in me all this time and whos fought for me and gotten me to this point, Lobato told the 8 News Now Investigators outside of the Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But she also expressed anger at the notion that the Clark County sheriff and district attorney challenge whether she is technically innocent of Baileys murder, which the Innocence Project was able to prove she was incapable of committing because she was at her familys home in Panaca.

There were points where I was shaking with rage because its so incredibly unfair that the truth is clear as day and they still just dig in their feet, Lobato said. Zero accountability.

When asked if she thinks the police intentionally framed her, Lobato chose her words carefully, saying, It seems likely.

But one of her attorneys answers was unequivocal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Of course they intentionally framed her, and thats what the jury saw, Elizabeth Wang, the attorney, said.

A state court issued a certificate of innocence to Lobato in October, and in November Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill and district attorney Steve Wolfson wrote a letter to the state attorney general, Aaron Ford, asking them to investigate one of Lobatos other attorneys, David Owens from the Chicago law firm Loevy and Loevy, and the representations he made with regard to whether hed use that certificate as leverage in the federal trial.

The letter, first obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators, also questioned Lobatos actual innocence.

Notably, the DAs Conviction Review Unit (CRU) did not declare her innocent, emphasizing that the CRU is not meant to act as a thirteenth juror,  the letter said. To qualify for re-investigation, Lobato must present new, verifiable evidence of actual innocence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Citing the ongoing litigation, Owens declined to comment during the nine-day trial, including two days of deliberations. He strongly rejected these assertions afterward.

When you accuse me of lying and ask for an investigation into the things that Ive done to represent my client, we have a problem, Owens said, seemingly speaking directly to McMahill and Wolfson. Mr. elected D.A., Mr. Sheriff, if you want to talk to me about the things that I did for my client, you absolutely, youre going to hear from me, for sure.

Metro did not respond to a request Friday afternoon for a comment with regard to the verdict, which also awarded Lobato $10,000 from each detective for punitive damages. The $34 million was compensatory damages for the 16-or-so years Lobato spent in prison. She was released in 2018.

The detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, did not answer direct questions from the 8 News Now Investigators outside of the courthouse. Their attorney, Craig Anderson, said the defendants would have no comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lobato, with a possible windfall in her future as a result of the verdict, was circumspect.

I have no idea what the rest of my life is going to look like, she said. I know what the past has looked like and it was pretty bad.

The federal judge presiding over Lobatos trial, Richard F. Boulware II, indicated that Metro and the detectives would be jointly and severally liable for the $34 million awarded to Lobato.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A puppy enjoys some fresh air at an animal shelter in Missouri in this 2016 file photo. A federal appeals court this week upheld a Maryland law that targets "puppy mills" by prohibiting sales of dogs and cats in retail pet shops in the state. Photo by Senior Airman Jazmin Smith/U.S. Air Force.

A federal appeals court upheld the constitutionality of a Maryland law banning the sale of dogs and cats through retail pet shops, rejecting a challenge by Missouri dog breeders and Maryland pet stores.

The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marked the second time the law has been upheld. A federal district court dismissed the breeders case in September 2021, a ruling that was upheld by the circuit courts decision Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An attorney representing the breeders and pet store owners said they were disappointed by the circuit courts decision.

It took more than two years for the Fourth Circuit to issue its opinion, which means that our Maryland pet store clients have been out of business even longer, said Meagan Borgerson, the attorney, in an emailed statement.

She said they were still considering whether to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, even though she acknowledged that that will be an uphill battle.

But state officials and animals rights advocates welcomed the courts finding, which they said found the law is absolutely constitutional and calling it a big win for puppies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is fantastic news, said Sen. Ben Kramer (D-Montgomery), the lead sponsor of the law. The court absolutely got it right.

Kelsey Hartman, a spokesperson for the Maryland Attorney Generals Office, which defended the law, said the office was pleased with the Fourth Circuits decision upholding Marylands 2021 Pet Store Statute, the purpose of which is to ensure that puppies and kittens are treated humanely and are healthy when sold to Marylanders.

The suit challenged a 2021 law, which was an update of a similar law from 2018, that says retail pet stores may not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of cats or dogs. The court said the 2021 law was the most recent in a series of Maryland laws that restricted sales of dogs and cats in an effort to block puppy mills  facilities that breed large numbers of pets, but often in what Kramer called barbaric conditions.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the law prohibited the sale of dogs and cats in retail pet shops, it does not prohibit people from buying a pet from a breeder. People are allowed to buy pets from a store or a breeder, as long as the animal was born at the business or farm where its sold.

Practically speaking, the Pet Store Statute allows breeders to sell dogs in Maryland, both in person and over the internet, but prohibits retail pet stores and brokers from selling dogs, said Circuit Judge Allison Jones Rushing, who wrote the opinion for the court.

Kramer agreed that the whole point of the bill is to cut out the brokers that buy from the breeders and sell to the retailers.

The law was challenged by Just Puppies and Charm City Puppies, and two Missouri-based breeders who sold to the Maryland businesses. Rushing said in her ruling that the stores historically derived more than ninety percent of  gross revenue from dog sales and the remainder from selling pet accessories. These businesses generated millions of dollars annually by buying high-end, pure-bred puppies, primarily from out of state, and reselling them to Maryland consumers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The plaintiffs argued that the Maryland law was preempted by the federal Animal Welfare Act and that it violated the Constitutions Commerce Clause by interfering with interstate commerce.

Rushing said the Animal Welfare Act argument faces an uphill climb. Animal regulation is considered a state function, she wrote, and the federal regulations are a floor: the AWA does not prohibit state and local governments from adopting additional standards, such as the Maryland law.

She also rejected the Commerce Clause arguments.

The breeders said that even though the Maryland law does not name them, it makes it harder for out-of-state breeders to do business in Maryland in practice, by adding costs and travel for anyone in the state wanting to buy out of state. They quote Kramer during debate on the bill, when he said it would benefit Maryland businesses, as evidence that it was meant to hurt out-of-state breeders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the court said those comments were taken out of context. It noted that Kramer also said that there is nothing to keep a Maryland resident who found a responsible breeder in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or California from selling you a  puppy and youll still be able to do that. Buyers here could have pets shipped to them, they would not have to travel to far-away states to buy their pet, he said.

The courts ruling was welcomed by the Humane Society of the United States, which filed a friend of the court brief in defense of the law, which is said targets retail sales that often obfuscate the source of animals they sell and are conduits for puppy mills to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.

This decision is a major blow to the puppy mill industry and its pet store sales outlets and builds on the already strong precedent in federal courts, said a statement from Ralph Henry, the Humane Societys senior director of litigation and animal protection law.

Kramer said he has heard from animal welfare groups across the country about the ruling, which he said opens the door in a huge way for other states to take action.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Given that this is the second win for the law, he said he is not concerned about the potential of an appeal. But if the industry wants to keep throwing good money after bad, theyre welcome to keep doing that.

 This story was updated Friday, Dec. 13, to include comment from Meagan Cooper, and to correct one reference to the number of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.


Dec. 13Standing in front of seniors at Hanna Early College High School Friday morning, three defendants pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges and were sentenced, in turn, to three years in prison each.

The proceedings before 445th state District Court Judge Gloria M. Rincones took place in the Hanna gymnasium. The defendants appeared in orange prison jumpsuits and were handcuffed. Bailiffs led them off afterward to serve their sentences under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Each of the defendants had already served nearly a year or more in prison and received credit for time served.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jorge Angel Gallegos had served 362 days after he was found in his car with a vaping pen and 60 vaping cartridges containing marijuana oil.

Luis Alberto Tello had served 243 days, and Michael Garcia 435 days for possession of cocaine.

Each faced reduced charges as part of plea agreements that required them to appear before students in the Courts in Schools program and make statements to the students.

Each expressed remorse for their actions and urged the students not to make the mistakes they did.

A second part of the program allowed the students to ask questions of Rincones and other members of the judicial team, who all were there also: prosecutors, defense attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, court reporters, pre-trial services personnel, law enforcement, and other court personnel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rincones said the aim was to give students a hands-on look at the judicial system in action.

In a question-and-answer period afterward, Hailey Fuajardo asked Rincones what qualities make someone an effective advocate.

The judge answered that the most important thing is to listen, saying that Fuajardo or anyone else interested in a legal career could start honing the skill right away.

At another point Rincones said she was well into her undergraduate years before she had an inkling she would eventually become a lawyer and judge.

"Continue to study and the doors will open for you," she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Responding to a question from another student about what makes a good defense lawyer, Eva De La Fuente, one of the attorneys representing Michael Garcia, said defense attorneys have to develop a thick skin.

Later, as the event was winding down, Fuajardo answered a question from The Brownsville Herald about whether Courts in Schools had been effective.

"I know a lot of people in school have never even stepped foot in court, so I think it's amazing you brought the court here to them," she said.

Classmate Jacob Smith said that while students study the police and courts in class, "bringing the judicial system to them really allows us to understand how it really works. God willing that they never find themselves in (the system), now they understand a little better how it really works," Smith said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before the program, Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez said Brownsville ISD hoped students would hear the message to avoid life-changing mistakes.

"We want our students to know there are serious consequences to vaping and/or selling vaping pens, and they are going to witness it here," Chavez said.

Before the students left the gymnasium to return to class, Board of Trustees President Erasmo Castro took selfies and spoke to them in Spanish.

"Nadien puede borar una felonia una vez que esta en su record," Castro said, meaning no one can erase a felony once it's on your record.

Featured Local Savings
Dec. 13KEENE  A 22-year-old Marlborough man was seriously injured Thursday after his Toyota Corolla struck three parked vehicles in downtown Keene, police said.

Joshua Castor was treated at the scene by Keene Fire Department personnel and initially transported to Cheshire Medical Center before being airlifted to Dartmouth/Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon with serious injuries.

The collision happened about 11:30 p.m. Thursday in Central Square. No other individuals were injured, and the parked vehicles were unoccupied at the time of the incident.

The Keene Police Collision Analysis Team is investigating the cause of the crash. Witnesses or individuals with additional information can contact Detective/Lieutenant Joel Chidester at 603-357-9813.
JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Firefighters battled a large tractor-trailer fire in Mifflintown, Juniata County last night.

According to Mifflintown Hose Company No. 1, on Dec. 13, 2024, fire crews were dispatched to Walker Twp, Rt 322 W, east of the Port Royal Exit for an overnight tractor-trailer fire. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a tractor-trailer fire and a small wood fire.

The company says the trailer was loaded with eggs, and the driver escaped unharmed. The company was on scene for approximately 8 hours watching for hot spots while clean-up crews unloaded the trailer and cleared the roadway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lanes were reopened, and there is no word on the cause of the fire, at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
A dog was rescued from a house fire Thursday night in Galesburg, a news release says.

The Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of Mulberry Street shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release.

Galesburg Fire Department (galesburgfire.com)

The response included all three stations and the 11 personnel on duty. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy smoke showing from the two-story residential structure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Witnesses said that a person was trapped on the second floor. The Brooks Street Station crew quickly conducted a search of the second floor, under heavy smoke and fire conditions, and rescued a dog from the structure.

Battalion Chief Jim Pendergast established command and it was determined that all residents had left the home before crews arrived.

Crews from both the Brooks Street Station and Central Fire Station attempted an interior attack with hose lines but had to leave the structure because of quickly deteriorating conditions, including high heat and heavy fire.

Fire crews then established a defensive attack to protect surrounding homes and to extinguish the fire from the exterior. Fire crews were on scene until late morning extinguishing small areas of remaining fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An emergency callback of off duty personnel was initiated to provide emergency coverage for the city.

The three residents were transported by GHAS to OSF St. Marys Hospital for medical evaluation for smoke inhalation. Preliminary damages are estimated at $40,000. The structure is a total loss. The cause of the fire was determined to be unintentional.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HARRISON COUNTY, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  As authorities in Harrison County, Texas continue their search for a missing family with two children, we are learning more about a possible motive for the family fleeing the area.

The Harrison County Sheriffs Office posted on social media that the family was last seen at their residence as late as Sunday, November 17, in the afternoon.

The four individuals are Gerardo Roman Sr., 27; Alondra Rodriguez, 26; and their daughter and son, Giselle Roman, and Gerardo Roman Jr., who are eight and five years old.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Anderson County, Texas Sheriffs Office, Gerardo Roman Sr., is currently wanted on two outstanding warrants. He is wanted for the crimes of manual delivery of a controlled substance and money laundering in the amount greater than $2,500 but less than $30,000.

(Courtesy of Anderson County Sheriffs Office)

According to the Anderson County Sheriffs Office, Gerardo Roman Sr., was arrested by Texas DPS on October 10 for the same alleged crimes.

He was jailed in Anderson County until October 13. His bond was set at $850,000. Jail records show that a bail bonds company out of Palestine, Texas posted bond for Roman. Weeks later he and his family fled.

Missing Texas family of four, police search

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Chief Deputy Hall Reavis with the Harrison County Sheriffs Office, Alondra is a teacher aide at Trinity Episcopal School in Marshall, Texas, where her children also attend school.

The deputy details that they were last seen leaving Trinity Episcopal School in Marshall, Texas on Friday, November 15.

Chief Deputy Reavis states all three did not show up to school on Monday, November 18, causing the school to contact her family, who contacted authorities.

Reavis said when authorities went to the couples home all their cars were there, but there were no signs of the family.

If you or anyone else knows where the family may be, contact Lt. Mack Fuller or Inv. Z. Campbell at the Harrison County Sheriffs Office at 903-923-4000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Its hard to imagine, but there was once a time when President George W. Bush enjoyed a sunset dinner on a yacht with Vladimir Putin as they floated through St. Petersburg. Over caviar and foie gras catered by the now-deceased Yevgeny Prigozhin, they toasted to Russias European future and the potential for partnership between their two great states.

But the days of diplomatic river cruises are over, not least because Putins yacht is languishing in an Italian harbor after it was seized under sanctions imposed for Russias invasion of Ukraine. What happened?

New Cold Wars by David Sanger explores the United States evolving relationships with China and Russia since the Bush administration, with a particular focus on the Trump and Biden years. Sanger, the longtime White House and national security correspondent for the New York Times, places the reader in the middle of the most critical American foreign policy moments of the past 10 years. Yet his account is descriptive, not prescriptive. New Cold Wars is less a policy treatise and more an accounting of the particular events and people that shifted the consensus on China and Russia policy in Washington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the title implies, New Cold Wars takes up the debate over great power competition with China and Russia. In the Bush and Obama years, the overwhelming orthodoxy was that eager engagement and economic interdependence with China would lead to political and economic liberalization and peaceful coexistence in the U.S.-designed international order. In Sangers telling, that orthodoxy gave way to a harsh realization that China and Russia are eager to challenge the United States directly in service of their own economic, geopolitical, and authoritarian aims.

This new consensus was partially driven by former President Trumps campaign promises to redefine Americas relationship with China by addressing the trade deficit and punishing Chinas currency manipulation. But the shift was broader. You wont hear it shouted from the rooftops in our divided politics, but policy strategies initiated under Trump were tweaked and expanded by the Biden administration. Sanger rightly credits the Trump administration for initiating many of Americas signature policy responses to China that came to fruition under Biden, such as export restrictions on critical technologies, and heavily investing in scientific research and domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing.

To be sure, most of these strategies were driven by working-level officials and not the former president himself. As Sanger writes, It was the Trump administration that identified China as having a long-term plan to displace the United States as the worlds dominant power  But the presidents own ego, his inability to focus on strategy, and his habit of undercutting policy for his own personal gain also stymied the efforts. It took a concerted effort under the Biden administration to negotiate the CHIPS Act, invest in Pacific allies, and protect supply chains critical for national security.

Sanger also chronicles Washingtons dawning realization that American economic and foreign policy hinges on the role of private companies more than ever before. In one particularly engaging chapter, Microsofts cybersecurity professionals notified the White House that they were watching live as Russia launched massive cyberattacks preceding their ground invasion, hours before the U.S. government could see tanks rolling across the Ukrainian border. While this has been the topic of white papers and panel discussions for years, Sanger ties it together as one coherent and compelling narrative. As one senior official told Sanger, the future of national security is one in which companies have all the insight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a result, the private sector is on the front lines of cyberwarfare, corporate espionage, and industrial policy. Private defense tech companies like Anduril, Starlink, and Palantir have revolutionized drone technology, satellite internet networks, and intelligence and data visualization. If history is any indication, Americans will have consumer applications for many of these technologies in the coming years.

While Sangers prominence as the New York Times White House correspondent gave him unparalleled sourcing, it may have contributed to an overemphasis on the executive branch and the decisions of a small circle of officials. Congress role in foreign policy and budgetary authority was barely covered, and there was little discussion of perspectives outside of elite power circles in all three states. Sangers account told us how we got here, but without discussing domestic politics and shifting public opinion its hard to understand where Americas relationships with China and Russia will go in the future. Even in China and Russia, where power is centralized under authoritarian executives, the state works hard to legitimate itself and build national narratives to support its foreign policy.

Sanger omits, for example, negotiations over aid packages to Ukraine and Taiwan and the progressively slimmer margins by which theyve passed since 2022. In the wake of the Republicans recent electoral victory, it remains to be seen whether Trumps desire to reshape key alliances and force a quick political settlement in Ukraine will shape American public opinion. As of this summer, 57 percent of Americans support continued economic and military aid to Ukraine, though that majority is steadily declining. New Cold Wars was published in April 2024, so the emerging impact that the wars in Gaza and Lebanon have had on American foreign policy only makes it into the epilogue. One can hardly blame Sanger for the timing, and his narrative is still useful in helping us understand the strategy that the new Trump administration will be inheriting.

For such a well-researched and nuanced book, the titles Cold War framing seems reductionist. As Jonah Goldberg recently argued about a similar Cold War framing by the historian Niall Ferguson, using the prism of the original Cold War misleads more than it illuminates. But the Cold War language is useful insofar as it reminds the reader that great power competition could become all-encompassing of our attention, resources, and political rhetoric. Thats precisely what makes it so dangerous and difficult. The opportunity costs of total competition with China and Russia are immense. At the end of the original Cold War in the 1990s, the United States benefited from a peace dividend that freed up funds for investments in housing, education, and other civilian projects to create economic growth. More recently, European governments have had to make difficult choices to increase their defense spending to counter the threat of their Russian neighbor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, its undeniable that the United States is in competition on a host of issues. As Sanger documents, many American officials have lost their rosy view of the power of economic liberalism, free trade, or even personal relationships between leaders to influence the behavior of authoritarian states, regardless of what the leaders themselves claim they can do.

Out of that reality, readers and policymakers are left with a question: Which of China and Russias challenging actions merit a competitive response? And which are within the bounds of expected foreign policy, with room for cooperation on shared objectives? Sanger doesnt draw those lines for readers, but theyre in good hands as he inevitably reports on the policymakers that do.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
A Hartford man has been found guilty of sexual assault stemming from a 2023 incident involving a minor, officials said.

A Hartford Superior Court jury convicted 61-year-old Hector Hariprasad of Hartford on multiple charges, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. Hariprasad was found guilty of two counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of fourth-degree sexual assault, one count of first-degree unlawful restraint, and providing liquor to a minor.

According to evidence introduced at trial, on May 29, 2023, the defendant provided alcohol to a minor female who was invited to spend the night at Hariprasads house by a minor female friend. Once the minor was intoxicated, Hariprasad committed the sexual assault.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Assistant States Attorney Alexandra Arroyo and Deputy Assistant States Attorney Stacey Cox, with the invaluable assistance of Inspector Carlos Ocasio and Paralegal Antoine Campbell. The Honorable Michael J. Gustafson presided over the trial.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
A teenager charged in a hit-and-run crash involving two pedestrians in Waterbury has been accused of intentionally crashing into the women over an alleged love triangle that led to a multi-year feud.

Melany Camanero, 19, of Waterbury was arrested Thursday on attempted murder, first-degree assault, evading responsibility and motor vehicle charges in connection with a crash on Oct. 10 at 8:05 p.m. in the area of 38 Walnut Ave. where two women, ages 22 and 21 at the time, were pinned against a Dodge Ram that was parked on the side of the street, according to the warrant affidavit authored by a detective with the Waterbury Police Department.

One of the victims, who was 21 and has since turned 22, used to date Camaneros boyfriend and alleged that the teen has been harassing her ever since, the warrant affidavit said. The boyfriend, 20-year-old Nathan Diaz-Melendez, was arrested by Waterbury police a few weeks after the crash after investigators learned that he allegedly slapped both hit-and-run victims shortly before the crash at a home on Walnut Avenue, according to the warrant affidavit. He faces two counts of third-degree assault and a single count of disorderly conduct.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the warrant affidavit, Diaz-Melendez allegedly started dating one of the women about three years ago after breaking up with Camanero. A year later, the woman allegedly found out he was seeing Camanero again, which led to her ending the relationship.

Ever since, Camanero allegedly began harassing the victim, sending her derogatory text messages and creating social media accounts to post nasty comments about her, police wrote. The woman also alleged that Camanero would sometimes park her car down the road from her home and stay there for hours, according to the warrant affidavit. She also alleged that Camanero had called her at one point and threatened to cut her head off and give it to her mother, the warrant affidavit said.

On the day of the crash, the ex-girlfriend was with her friend at Westfarms Mall where they saw Camanero, who allegedly made a crude comment toward them, the warrant affidavit said. The two told police they ignored the teen and walked away.

Later in the day, the pair went to visit someone on Walnut Avenue and discovered that Diaz-Melendez, unbeknownst to them, was there, the warrant affidavit said. This led to an argument between him and his ex-girlfriends friend, who asked why he had allegedly offered someone $100 to slap her, according to the warrant affidavit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The friend told investigators Diaz-Melendez then said I will slap you myself before allegedly slapping her and his ex-girlfriend as the latter intervened, the warrant affidavit said. Before the women left the home, the friend told police she allegedly heard him say youre gonna find out, which she took as a threat. The ex-girlfriend alleged that she heard Diaz-Melendez get on the phone with someone and tell them to come here now, who she presumed to be Camanero, the warrant affidavit said.

The two women went outside as the friend called her stepfather and told him they had been assaulted, asking if he could pick them up. Once he arrived, they approached his pickup truck and were speaking to him while standing in the street.

According to the warrant affidavit, both women saw Camanero approaching the area in a white Honda Accord before she allegedly accelerated and drove directly toward them. The friend yelled for the ex-girlfriend to watch out, but they were unable to get out of the way and ended up pinned against the stepfathers truck, the warrant affidavit said.

The ex-girlfriend told investigators she allegedly saw Camanero and another individual get out of the vehicle and flee the area, police wrote. As they did, the second person allegedly told Camanero you werent supposed to hit them with the car, you were supposed to come and fight, the warrant affidavit said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both victims were rushed to Saint Marys Hospital where the ex-girlfriend was diagnosed with a broken jaw and abrasions to her head and body. She was listed in serious but stable condition and has since been released from the hospital.

Her friend was in critical condition and had suffered an open pelvic fracture, which required her to be intubated and transferred to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford for surgery.

Police this week said the friend remains hospitalized. When investigators spoke to her six weeks after the crash, she told them she had undergone numerous surgeries and that her wounds had not closed, the warrant affidavit said. She said her wounds were cleaned out three times a week when she would be brought to the operating room and administered anesthesia for the procedures. She also said she needed a colostomy bag, as her injuries were so severe that her abdominal wall was damaged.

The friend told authorities she would remain at St. Francis Hospital until her wounds were healed, at which point she would be transferred to a rehabilitation center where she would need to learn how to walk again, according to the warrant affidavit. At that time, she told police she was only able to stand with the help of the medical team at the hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the scene of the crash, police said they reportedly found a purse in the Honda Accord which had Camaneros drivers license and EBT card in it, the warrant affidavit said. Investigators also found that the vehicle was registered to Diaz-Melendezs mother, police wrote.

When authorities examined the vehicles supplemental restraint system, they allegedly found that the driver did not apply the brakes in the seconds before the crash, the warrant affidavit said. The data retrieved was indicative of Camaneros intentional steering in the direction of the victims and accelerating towards them, police wrote.

The history between these parties as well as this incident, show a clear, intentional, and malicious act of violence that demonstrated no regard to human life, a detective wrote.

Camanero remains held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Wednesday.
A server in Washington, D.C. has been fired after she said she would refuse to serve certain officials in Donald Trump's incoming administration who have been accused of sexual misconduct.

The server was working at Beucherts Saloon on Capitol Hill when she made the comments to Washingtonian magazine for a story about D.C. preparing for the influx of Trump officials to the city's dining spots.

After the story ran, Fox News ran its own story following up on her comments and learned she had been fired for what her employer called her base prejudice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I personally would refuse to serve any person in office who I know of as being a sex trafficker or trying to deport millions of people, Suzannah Van Rooy told the magazine. Its not, Oh, we hate Republicans. Its that this person has moral convictions that are strongly opposed to mine, and I dont feel comfortable serving them.

A server at Beucherts Saloon on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. was recently fired after she said she would refuse to serve some officials in the Donald Trump administration (Google Maps)

She said that while she expects most servers will just grin and bear having to serve people they are morally and ideologically opposed to, she hopes that some will make their opposition clear.

People were a lot more motivated the first time around to do those kinds of shows of passion. This time around, there is kind of a sense of defeat and acceptance, she told the magazine. But I hope that people still do stand up to this administration and tell them their thoughts on their misbehavior.

Beuchert's called Van Rooys comments to the magazine unacceptable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recent comments made by a member of staff who had no authority to speak on behalf of our entire restaurant have been, quite rightly, flagged as inappropriate, hostile, intolerant, and unacceptable. This staff member does NOT speak for us as a restaurant, the restaurant said in a statement.

As previously reported, a number of incoming Trump officials  and Trump himself  have been accused of sexual misconduct. Elle magazine writer E Jean Carroll was awarded more than $80 million following a defamation trial in which he was found liable for sexual abuse.

Former congressman Matt Gaetz was being investigated by both the Department of Justice and the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual relations with a minor before he dropped out of consideration for Trump's Attorney General.

He withdrew his nomination hours before CNN published a report about a second alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl.

Trumps nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is among potential administration officials who have been accused of sexual misdonuct (Getty Images)

Elon Musk who has been been tapped by Trump to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency pseudo-agency alongside failed Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy  has been sued by eight former SpaceX employees over sexual harassment-related allegations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the lawsuit, former employees allege Musk treated women as sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size, bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter.

Trumps proposed defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, was accused of sexually assaulting a staff member from the California Federation of Republican Women in 2017, and Robert F Kennedy Jr  Trumps nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services  has been accused of sexually assaulting a former babysitter in the 1990s.

Linda McMahon, Trumps proposed pick for Secretary of Education, has been named in a lawsuit alleging that her and her husband, former WWE head-honcho Vince McMahon, failed to stop an employee form sexually abusing children in the 1980s and 1990s.

Vince McMahon is also being sued for allegedly sex trafficking a woman in his employ.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are both acused of sexual misconduct (via REUTERS)

This isnt the first time drama involving the Trump administration and D.C.-area restaurants has made headlines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Trump press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was kicked out of the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, Virginia in 2018 by its co-owner, saying that she publicly defended the presidents cruelest policies.

Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters made headlines shortly after she called for supporters to confront Trump officials in public spaces like restaurants to let them know the public opposed their policies. Republicans argued at the time that Waters was encouraging public harm to administration officials.

Around the same time, protesters confronted Trump's then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen while she was dining at a local Mexican restaurant and voiced their opposition to the administration's mass deportation policies.

The protesters, including members of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America, entered the MXDC Cocina Mexicana near the White House with signs and jeered at the official.

Van Rooy has removed her LinkedIn profile, likely to avoid harassment by angry Trump supporters.
Dec. 13DALEVILLE  Town officials have ordered a local truck repair firm to cease operations due to $1,200 in unpaid permit fees.

Neither those unpaid fees nor the town's order have stalled operations, according to town council member William Walters.

The owner of the business, which is located between Taco Bell and Optum Primary Care on County Road 67, informed town officials prior to the council's Tuesday meeting, that he had received approval from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to continue the company's operations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The IDHS is responsible for approving the building's plans, which, Walters noted, includes items related to plumbing and HVAC.

Adam Jones, vice president of the Daleville Town Council, confirmed with the town's interim building commissioner that, although the Department of Homeland Security has approved the building's plans, the business still needs to pay the permitting fees to be considered operational.

"There's no way he can be operating there, and if the state has approved his site, they have not fulfilled their requirements," Walters said. "They shouldn't be operating on that premises at all."

Walters recommended that town attorney John Brooke notify the business owner of the legal ramifications of his actions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also recommended that Brooke be accompanied by an interpreter as the owner isn't fluent in English.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at caleb.amick@heraldbulletin.com or 765-648-4254.
Bill Winsor, the chairman emeritus of the Dallas Market Center, died Friday after a brief illness.

Memorial services are still being planned for Winsor, 78, who was at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center in Texas at the time of his death, according to Cole Daugherty, the senior vice president of exhibitor marketing at the Dallas Market Center.

More from WWD

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

From 1993 through 2015, he headed the center as president and chief executive officer. After stepping down at the end of his tenure, Winsor was named chairman emeritus and remained active in the business. During his tenure at the Dallas Market Center, Winsor focused on growth, strategy, management and merchandising at what is now a 5 million-square-foot business-to-business marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of consumer products including womens, mens and childrens apparel and accessories; Western and English lifestyle products; home furnishings; lighting, holiday and floral; tabletop and housewares, and gift products.

Another keystone that he oversaw was the integration of fashion showrooms into Dallas World Trade Center in 2004. The result was a 1 million-square-foot marketplace for womens, mens and childrens apparel and accessories. That set-up led to a lifestyle marketplace under one roof for fashion, gifts and home products. In 2006, Fashion Center Dallas extended its reach by setting up its first pavilion for Chinese designers.

A look from the runway at the Dallas Market Center.

Having worked with Winsor for 32 years, the Dallas Market Centers president CEO Cindy Morris described him as an amazing leader, who was incredibly fair and inspired people. While executives tend to either be sales or marketing-oriented, Winsor excelled in both areas and knew how to communicate effectively. Winsor also had a reputation for being caring. Once after a new hire had to leave work early to care for an unwell child, she explained the situation and apologized to Winsor the next day. Morris recalled how he told her, Never apologize for leaving to be with your family. Dont ever do that, because your family is the most important part of your life.

The Dallas Market Center employs approximately 200 people full-time.

Each year more than 25 global trade events and other specialized trade events are held at the Dallas Market Center. Nearly 200,000 customers from 50 states and 85 countries visit the Texas site annually. A sign of how manufacturing shifted overseas years ago, the Dallas Market Center totaled nearly 7 million square feet and generated $7.5 billion in annual transactions in 2003.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But as manufacturing and sourcing trends changed, Winsor planned accordingly, too. His more recent contributions included overseeing the launch of this months debut of the Nearshoring America Expo, a trade event that brought together brands with vetted factories and supply chain service providers from Mexico and Latin America. He was also instrumental in launching a Western and English marketplace at Dallas Market Center in 2021.

In 1994, recognizing the prospect of greater global growth, Winsor extended the Dallas Market Centers marketing beyond Mexico to South America. The demand for U.S. goods is heightened the farther you get from the U.S., he told WWD at that time.

The spring trend fashion show at Dallas Market Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Born in Refugio, Tex., Winsor was a graduate of Southwest Texas State University with a bachelor of science degree in communications. Before joining the Dallas Market Center, Winsor served as president and general manager of Infomart, a former technology trade mart in Dallas. Winsor had joined Crow Family Holdings in November 1981 to establish Infomart and managed marketing, sales, operations and administration, acting in the role of general manager.

Winsor had been personally recruited by the developer Trammell Crow, who recognized his leadership skills and poached him from Texas Instruments. In that former post, Winsor had been responsible for corporate marketing and merchandising for five product groups including consumer goods, digital systems, geophysical services, government services and semiconductors.

Off-the-clock, he was a noted historian, a collector of Civil War artifacts, an amateur archeologist and the author of two books, Texas and the Confederacy, and Lets Cross Before Dark: A History of the Ferries, Fords and River Crossings of Texas. And Winsors interest in Napoleon Bonaparte was so strong that he did some digs on battlefields where Bonaparte had fought to excavate some artifacts, Morris said.

Art was another pastime. Undeterred by his colorblindness, Winsor did many of the sketches and drawings in his first book. As an enthusiastic Texas rancher, he would level trees, repurpose them in his workshop on the ranch and make furniture. When he first came to the market center, people used to say he was like a Renaissance man because he had such a wide range of skills. But he would want to be remembered for inspiring, sharing and teaching all of the knowledge that he had acquired over his lifetime. And he never stopped learning. He was always interested  he was interested in people, in their families and in what they were doing, Morris said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Such skills were put to good use at the Dallas Market Center, where the objective is to connect people, Daugherty said. He was the ultimate connector of people and ideas and not just buyers and sellers, but connecting friends and people, who were passionate about the same things.

Predeceased by his parents, Winsor is survived by his siblings Hallie Winsor Paul, Gloria Winsor Smith, and Charles Winsor, his wife Kathleen, and their sons Mark and Kelley.

Best of WWD

Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Community members are raising concerns about an intersection near a northwest valley middle school after two children crossing a street were hospitalized in two separate crashes.

The incidents happened near Brinley Middle School at the intersection of Smoke Ranch Road and Maverick Street. In both crashes, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department responded and cited the drivers for ignoring the crosswalk signs.

The cars are speeding. They dont see the light or theyre not paying attention, Shannon Richey said. She has worked at Tinker Town preschool, located near the troubled intersection, for 16 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Richey has witnessed a vehicle striking a child.

The light was flashing, and she was crossing the crosswalk, and the car went past, and didnt pay attention and hit her, Richey said. Then she flew up in the air and then came back down.

(KLAS)

Richey was describing a crash that a Metro police report stated happened on Oct. 16 at 7 a.m. near Brinley Middle School.

According to the report, the school zone signals and crosswalk signals were functioning.

On Nov. 22, there was a similar crash at the same early morning time. Metro said the child was at a crosswalk when a car hit them. The impact caused the child to roll on the hood and go airborne.

(KLAS)

According to Metro, the child suffered a head injury.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When were talking about kids hit on their way to and from school, most often its the driver who is at fault, Erin Breen, the director of Road Equity Alliance at UNLV, said.

Breen studies traffic safety. The crashes near Brinley didnt surprise her.

Drivers are choosing to not stop for people when theyre in the crosswalk, and what happens is then youre teaching them  why go to the crosswalk? Breen said.

Metro cited both drivers in the crashes near Brinley Middle School for reckless driving.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
UPDATE (WFXR)  Hunter Long III has been taken into custody without incident, according to Danville Police, after he escaped from the Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute on December 13.

Long was caught by officers on West Main Street near the Dollar General, said a release from Danville Police.

The incident remains under investigation, and DPD says it appreciates the publics help in finding Long after getting several tips regarding his whereabouts.



DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR)  Danville Police are asking for public assistance in searching for a patient who escaped from the Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute on December 13.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DPD said that around 3:55 p.m. on Friday, 22-year-old Hunter Bryce Long III escaped from the Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute on Taylor Drive. Officers said Long was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and royal blue sweatshirt, gray sweatpants with SVMHI written on the side, and black shoes.

Two arrested after armed robbery, vehicle chase in Rocky Mount, said RMPD

Long was charged after allegedly assaulting a Danville Police officer on November 6, 2024, police said.

Danville Police said Long should be considered dangerous; however, it is currently unknown if he is armed. If you encounter Long, do not approach him and call 911 immediately.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding Longs whereabouts, please contact the Danville Police Department by either calling 911, patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508 option 3, and option 1 again, or by approaching an officer.

You can also leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, through social media, via email at crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or using our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.

WFXR News will update you with more information when it becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: This DECam image shows the spiral galaxy Messier 83. Image credit: CTIO / NOIRLab / DOE / NSF / AURA / T.A. Rector, University of Alaska Anchorage & NSF NOIRLab / D. de Martin, NSF NOIRLab / M. Zamani, NSF NOIRLab

The Dark Energy Camera (DECam) has captured one of the most prominent spiral galaxies in the night sky in incredible detail in a new image.

Messier 83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, M83, NGC 5236, LEDA 48082 and UGCA 366, is approximately 15 million light years away in the constellation borders of Hydra and Centaurus. It has a diameter of roughly 50,000 light years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is one of the closest and brightest spiral galaxies in the sky, and is orientated so that it is almost entirely face-on as seen from Earth, meaning that it can be seen in fantastic detail, even using binoculars.

It was discovered in 1752 by French astronomer Nicola Louis de Lacaille, during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. However, it wasnt until the work of Edwin Hubble (for which the famous telescope is named) that astronomers realized objects like Messier 83 are actually other galaxies outside the Milky Way.

This incredibly detailed new image was captured on the DECam, which is mounted on the National Science Foundation (NSF) Victor M Blanco 4-m telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.

It boasts 62 science CCDs (charged-couple device  a solid electrical device that is capable of converting light input into an electrical signal) and 12 CCDs for guiding and focus, with a resolution of 570MP and a 2.2 field of view.

Model rendering of the Dark Energy Camera (DECam)

It was designed specifically for the Dark Energy Survey, a space mapping project started in 2013, and has been used to catalog nearly one billion objects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As reported by Sci News, Astronomers at the NSF said: DECams high sensitivity captures Messier 83s extended halo, and myriad more distant galaxies in the background.

The image shows Messier 83s well-defined spiral arms, filled with pink clouds of hydrogen gas where new stars are forming.

Interspersed amongst these pink regions are bright blue clusters of hot, young stars whose ultraviolet radiation has blown away the surrounding gas.

In 2006, researchers noticed a mysterious feature 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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The two nuclei, which likely contain black holes, are expected to merge to form a single nucleus in another 60 million years.

You might also like

If you're in to going out light hunting, we've rounded up the best cameras for shooting in low light here. We've also put together our favorite picks of the best cameras for astrophotography, as well as the best astrophotography lenses.
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A national hot chicken restaurant chain is almost ready to open its newest location on the Vestal Parkway.

Daves Hot Chicken started in East Hollywood, and is known for its spicy chicken tenders and sandwiches.

The business is moving into the former Blaze Pizza location at 3714 Vestal Parkway East.

There are signs in front of the building that says now hiring and opening soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1287, more than 50,000 people died in a flood caused by the collapse of the Zuider Zee dike in the Netherlands.

In 1799, George Washington, war for independence military leader and first president of the United States, died at his Mount Vernon home in Virginia.

In 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state in the United States.

In 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole. The world would have to wait until March 7, 1912 before learning of Amundsen's triumphant feat.

Sandra Lindsay, (L) a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, is inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine by Dr. Michelle Chester on December 14, 2020, in the Queens borough of New York. File Photo by Mark Lennihan/UPI

In 1972, Apollo 17 commander Eugene Cernan re-entered the lunar lander -- the last man to walk on the moon.

File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

On December 14, 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

In 1988, the United States announced the start of a "substantive dialogue" with the Palestine Liberation Organization for the first time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 1989, Andrei Sakharov, father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner for defending human rights, died at age 68.

Princess Diana responds to reporters' questions after she and her then-husband Prince Charles toured the National Gallery of Art on November 10, 1985. On December 14, 2006, the official British police investigation into the 1997 death of Princess Diana in a Paris car crash concluded that it was an accident and no conspiracy or foul play was involved. File Photo by Doug Mills/UPI

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 1995, the signing of a peace treaty at a ceremony in Paris officially ended a four-year civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the Holocaust was a "myth" and called for Israel to be moved to Europe or North America.

File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI

In 2006, the official British police investigation into the 1997 death of Princess Diana in a Paris car crash concluded that it was an accident and no conspiracy or foul play was involved.

In 2012, a gunman killed 27 people, including 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., then killed himself. Police said the black-clad attacker, Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother before going to the school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission repealed Obama-era net neutrality rules, loosening regulations on Internet service providers.

In 2020, the United States began administering its first COVID-19 vaccine, made by Pfizer-BioNTech.

In 2023, European leaders agreed to open European Union membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A man has been charged in the shooting death of a 43-year-old man last month.

The Montgomery County Prosecutors Office announced the indictment of DAnthanie Jackson, 23 of Dayton, in relation to the shooting death of Steve Dews on Nov. 30.

Police say officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Kammer Avenue in the early morning hours on a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, they found a vehicle crashed into a power pole, with Dews shot dead inside.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Through further investigation using cell phone data from the victims phone, police were led to the defendant.

The Montgomery County Grand Jury indicted Jackson on the following charges:

Two counts of Murder

One count of Felonious Assault  serious physical harm

One count of Felonious Assault  deadly weapon

One count of Discharge of Firearm On or Near Prohibited Premises

All counts have three-year firearm specifications attached.

The defendant is currently held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond. He will be in court for arraignment on Dec. 17.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police said multiple people were arrested after a barricade situation happened inside a Navy Yard apartment early Thursday morning.

Just before 1 a.m. officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were called to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of First Street in Southeast for a report of a burglary.

DC police arrest man for kidnapping, 11 others for unlawful entry

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victim said multiple people came into their apartment and demanded their things but realized they had gone into the wrong unit and left without taking stuff.

The group then went into the neighboring apartment unit.

When officers arrived, the group was still inside that apartment and declared it a barricade.

MPDs Emergency Response Team responded to the scene and after several hours, a search warrant was obtained and executed.

Officers forced the door open and inside, they found the victim, who was being held against his will, along with all the suspects.

Officials: Multiple outdoor trash fires in DC intentionally set; investigation underway

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MPD arrested Samir Michael, 28, Keshaun Seltzer, 18, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy.

They were all charged with Burglary One and While Armed and Kidnapping.

Officers found seven weapons inside the apartment along with a large amount of various illegal drugs.

Because of that, the tenant, Amenuel Shewaferahu, 31, was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute While Armed and Unregistered Firearm.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Police in D.C. arrested four teens for an armed robbery that took place on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said the teens approached the victim in the 1300 block of W St. NW around 12:45 p.m. They had handguns and took the victims items before leaving in an SUV that was waiting for them.

MPD said that its Real Time Crime Center soon found the car in the 1200 block of 4th St. NW. Surveillance cameras also captured images of the suspects leaving the car there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former DC police officer sentenced for sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl

Police arrested the four and charged all of them with armed robbery (gun) and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

MPD said that officers recovered some of the stolen items and two guns. The car that the teens were driving had been stolen from Prince Georges County, Md.

A 17-year-old boy was also charged with carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful discharge of a firearm. A 16-year-old boy was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and receiving stolen property. Another 16-year-old boy was charged with possession of a controlled substance. The final teen, a 15-year-old boy, was charged with tampering with a GPS.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Washington, D.C. has the highest number of people infected with the flu in the entire country, according to the latest report from Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC report shows the District in the very high category.

What Is Walking Pneumonia?

Dr. Yolandra Hancock, a pediatrician at Generational Health Center in Prince Georges County, believes one reason we are seeing a big uptick is because of people visiting the nations capital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First off, folks are coming in from around the country and around the world during the holidays and so, theres higher exposure collectively across the country and here in the DMV, were seeing a low uptake in terms of people getting the flu shot, she said.

Hancock said the flu shot right now is about 35% effective against protecting against severe disease.

So when folks hear that theyre not as open to getting the flu shot. But historically, we have not been able to get as many folks as we would like to get a flu vaccine. And when you add in low uptake of flu shots plus an increase in exposure to the flu virus, youre going to see these numbers spike up, she said. The interesting thing is that our flu cases now arent as high as they were this time last year. And so, for that, I sort of catch my breath a little bit, but it also makes me a little bit anxious to know whats going to happen after Christmas.

Colorectal cancer: What is it, and why is it rising?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you have not gotten your flu shot, Hancock said its not too late.

They absolutely still work. Even if we get them now, we are right at the beginning of the numbers increasing. So theres plenty of time to get a flu vaccine. We still have about a week and a half before the Christmas holiday. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to generate an immune response to be able to be protective. So certainly, it is not too late. Go get your flu shot, Hancock said.

Hancock recommends Tamiflu for children or infants who come down with the flu and aare two weeks and older.

Children and adults can receive Tamiflu if it is given within three days of developing symptoms or testing positive for the flu. So if you have symptoms, do not wait. Make sure to reach out to your healthcare professional so we can get you on Tamiflu. Outside of that, its really what we call supportive care, maintaining fever-reducer medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen to bring that temperature down. Lots of rest, good foods, healthy foods, antioxidant-rich foods and possibly even supplements, vitamin C, zinc, B12, D, those sorts of things in order to help the immune system fight the good fight, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fewer children in the U.S. have gotten a flu vaccine this year compared to last year, according to new data from the CDC.

Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack

As of Nov. 30, about 36% of the nations children aged six months to 17 received a flu vaccination, a drop from last years 43%.

These numbers could change since roughly 10% of children had a parent report they intend to get their child vaccinated and about 14% had a parent say they will probably get their child vaccinated against the flu, according to the CDC.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  In recognition of Alabamas 205th birthday, Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed Saturday as Alabama Day.

President James Monroe signed Alabama into statehood on December 14, 1819. Alabama is the 22nd state admitted to the Union.

Alabama was made a territory in 1817, separating it from the old Mississippi Territory. Congress passed an act in 1819 to allow those living in the Alabama Territory to create a state constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Alabama lawmakers talk politics in 2025

According to the Alabama Department of Archives and History, delegates to the Alabama Constitutional Convention met in the temporary capital of Huntsville that summer to draft a constitution. William Bibb, the territorys governor who was elected that September as Alabamas first governor, took the oath of office that November.

Alabama Day was first recognized statewide in 1903. The Alabama Legislature adopted Alabama Day via a resolution in 1923.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.

As the winter nights grow longer, those in the Northern Hemisphere will want to keep an eye out this weekend for the last full moon of the year. The silvery orb will shine bright in the sky for a hair more than 16 hours on Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

Known as the long night moon or the cold moon, its set to reach peak illumination at 4:02 a.m. ET Sunday, according to The Old Farmers Almanac. However, the moon will appear round to the naked eye for about three days, according to NASA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For those in the Southern Hemisphere, which had a long visibility moon in June, the December full moon will appear for a shorter time and will follow a lower arch in the sky, said Sara Russell, research scientist and head of the Planetary Materials Group at Londons Natural History Museum.

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the Moon will seem to reach higher in the sky than you might expect, Russell said in an email.

The sun, moon and Earth are on about the same plane, with the full moon occurring when Earth is between the moon and the sun as the moon orbits our planet. In December, when it is winter in the northern hemisphere, the Sun is low and has a short track across the sky, so the opposite Moon has a high and long track, Russell added.

Observing the cold moon

The cold moons name is a nod to the bitter weather typically found in the Northern Hemisphere this time of year. The name comes from the Mohawk people, according to The Old Farmers Almanac, which has names for each full moon that historically derive from Native Americans, Colonial Americans or other sources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For best viewing of the cold moon, Russell recommended looking when it has just risen or is about to set to see it near the horizon. Wrap up in warm layers if youre in colder weather and aim to look when there are clear skies in your area, she said.

We are so lucky on Earth to have the Moon. Theres nowhere else in our Solar system where there is a planet and moon so proportionately close in size  the Moon is almost like our smaller twin, Russell said. It is better at preserving all of its history than is the surface of the Earth, and we can look up to its cratered surface to see how battered by impacts both the Moon and Earth have been over their 4.5 billion-year history.

Those observing the moon can ponder the questions yet to be answered about the neighboring celestial object, such as the mysteries surrounding the far side of the moon, theories about the water-rich lunar poles or the possibility of humans one day living on permanent bases there, Russell said.

Upcoming celestial events

This year, the December full moon occurs one week before the winter solstice, an astronomical event caused by the Earths tilt, that marks the Northern Hemispheres longest night and shortest day and vice versa for the Southern Hemisphere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This years winter solstice, when Earths axis is tilted the farthest away from the sun, will be at 4:21 a.m. ET December 21, according to EarthSky.

The next full moon will be the wolf moon on January 25, according to the Farmers Almanac.

Meanwhile, there are two meteor showers to close out the year; the Geminids will be seen blazing in the night sky until the showers finality on December 21, while the Ursids will peak December 21-22, according to the American Meteor Society.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Del City murder suspect arrested in Muskogee County

DEL CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  A 53-year-old man suspected of shooting and killing a Del City man in November was arrested in Muskogee County on Friday.

On November 9, 43-year-old Tony Donnell Ganther was found dead with a single gunshot wound at Rag City Customs near Delwood Drive and Westside Drive in Del City.

Del City Police say Derrick Leron Jordan was arrested in Muskogee County on Friday after a month-long investigation into Ganthers death.

Derrick Leron Jordan. Photo courtesy Del City Police Department.

The investigation involved several other law enforcement agencies and reportedly extended into Kansas as authorities interviewed witnesses, reviewed hours of surveillance footage, and executed several search warrants across different jurisdictions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police investigating deadly shooting at Del City auto shop

Jordan will be booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on charges of first degree murder, robbery an possession of a firearm after a felony conviction with a $10 million bond.

Neighbors News 4 spoke with say they are concerned for their safety as the shooting practically happened in their backyard.

I have to have security cameras, Jane Dannenberg-Pena said. I put my own security light out there.

She is asking for a larger police presence moving forward.

Its going to happen again if its not patrolled and they dont clean it up, said Dannenberg-Pena.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Investigators reportedly discovered that Jordan maintains numerous contacts in the Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma areas, and ask anyone with additional information that may help with the ongoing investigation to call the Del City Police Department Investigations Division at 405-677-2443.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Florida woman is facing charges after she allegedly made threatening statements to an insurance company by using a phrase police believe is a reference to evidence found in connection to the fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO in New York City.

Briana Boston, 42, of Lakeland, was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY.

On Dec. 10, the FBI contacted Lakeland Police about the threat. Boston is said to have called BlueCross BlueShield regarding recent medical claims that were denied.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the end of the recorded conversation, Boston is accused of stating: "Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next," according to police documents.

The phrase was reportedly found on the shell casings connected to the UnitedHealthcare CEO's death

The affidavit noted the phrase is the same one that was marked on bullet casings recovered from the scene where Brian Thompson was killed in Midtown Manhattan earlier this month.

Law enforcement officials said the casings had the words "deny" defend" and "depose" on them."

"This information was released to the media and became a nationally recognized phrase directed against insurance companies," the affidavit says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following a days-long search, Luigi Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after local police received a tip from a McDonald's employee. He was charged with murder and other felonies.

Boston admitted to using the phrase during the recorded call, police say

According to the affidavit, when police contacted Boston at her home, she allegedly confessed and apologized for using the phrase.

"Boston stated she used those words because it's what is in the news right now," the affidavit stated. "Boston advised she learned of the phrase because of the current events regarding the UnitedHealthcare homicide. Boston further stated she did not own any firearms, and she was not a danger to anyone."

However, when speaking to the police, she added that healthcare insurance companies "played games" and "deserved karma from the world because they are evil."

Boston receives bond

During her first court date, her lawyer, Jim Headley, argued for her release, mentioning that she's a mother of three with no criminal history, WFLA reported. Despite this, the judge still gave her a bond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I do find that the bond of $100,000 is appropriate considering the status of our country at this point," the judge said, per the outlet.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Briana Boston arrested over 'Delay, Deny, Depose' threat: Affidavit
DENVER (KDVR)  It will be a dry and mild weekend in Denver weather and along the Front Range as forecast highs are expected to be about 10 degrees above normal for this time in December.

That means there will mainly be temperatures in the 50s on both Saturday and Sunday. In the Colorado mountains, there will be two waves of snow according to Pinpoint Weather, Colorados Most Accurate Forecast.

Things to do in Denver Dec. 13-15: Winter fests, big games

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first one arrives Saturday morning with light accumulation. The second wave will be on Sunday with another round of mainly light snow totals.

Weather today: Sunny and mild

Saturday brings mainly sunny skies across the eastern half of the state and metro Denver. There will be some lingering snow showers early in the Colorado mountains before drying out.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team

Temperatures will be a mix of chilly 30s and 40s for the high country and milder 50s for the eastern plains and Front Range.

Weather tonight: Mainly sunny, dry and mild

Partly cloudy skies move into Denver overnight as lows sink down into the lower 30s. Winds will be out of the southwest anywhere from 5-15 mph.

Looking ahead: Mild temperatures and dry next week

The outlook for the week ahead looks quiet and dry. There will be periods of snow in the Colorado mountains with mainly light accumulations. There will be breezy conditions at times for Denver and the Front Range especially on Sunday and again Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other than the cooler 40s expected on Monday the forecast for afternoon highs remains above normal with lots of 50s for the next week.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
LAURENS COUNTY, S.C.(WSPA)  Deputies have arrested a man they said shot and killed someone on Friday.

According to Laurens County Sheriffs Office, at around 11 p.m. Friday, deputies were called to Cow Trail in Gray Court for a shooting. Deputies reported that upon arrival, the victim was found dead at the scene.

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Quienzavius Terrell Rogers. An autopsy showed that Rogers died from a single gunshot to the side of the neck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sheriffs office said Terrence Jerrell Williams, 38, was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Police and family members are asking for the communitys help in searching for a Los Angeles County man who has now been missing for nearly 6 months, according to the county sheriffs department.

LASD says Andor Molnar, 41, was last seen on Friday, June 21, at 7 p.m. near the 9600 block of East Avenue S-14 in the city of Littlerock.

The department describes Molnar as a white adult male who stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 210 pounds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Molnar also has brown hair, brown eyes and a scar on his left cheekbone.

LASD says the 41-year-old was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Andor Molnar, 41, pictured here in Jan. 2020, was last seen in June of 2024 in Littlerock. (LASD)

Andors family is concerned for his well-being and is asking for the publics help in locating him, stated a press release by the department.

Officials encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477) or use the website lacrimestoppers.org.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Kern County Sheriffs Office is seeking help from the community in locating a man who has been missing since. Oct. 21., according to the office.

Alan Clingen, 37, last contacted family members almost two months ago, according to KCSO. Investigators released a photo and description of Clingen Friday.

Teen reported missing was last seen a week ago in central Bakersfield: police

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He stands five-feet, eleven-inches tall, weighs 125 pounds. Clingen has brown hair and blue eyes, the office said through a news release.

Photo provided courtesy of KCSO.

Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage

KCSO did not release a description of the clothing he was wearing at the time of his disappearance.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call KCSO at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DES MOINES, Iowa  A Des Moines man received a 60-year prison sentence on Friday for fatally shooting a man outside of a Drake neighborhood bar two years ago.

In August 2022 the Des Moines Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting in the 2400 block of University Avenue, outside of a Drake neighborhood bar. When first responders arrived at the scene they found 39-year-old Tyrell Lavell Grimes with multiple gunshot wounds. Grimes died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

Dog tied in trash bag rescued in Des Moines; police investigating

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police identified the shooter as Andrew Jerome Harris, 45. Witnesses told officers that Harris and Grimes had gotten into a heated argument. Harris eventually walked away from Grimes and drove away, but later returned and started arguing with Grimes again. During the second argument Harris pulled out a handgun and shot Grimes twice, court documents state.

In November 2023 a Polk County Jury convicted Harris of first-degree murder for the death of Grimes. However, District Judge Lawrence McLellan ordered in February of this year that Harris get a new trial due to the exclusion of a statement that Harris claimed Grimes had said to him, according to the Polk County Attorneys Office. In the second trial Harris was found guilty of second-degree murder, going armed with intent, and being a felon in possession of a handgun.

On Friday Harris was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He must serve 35 years before being eligible for parole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP)  Nizam Abazid is gleefully planning his first trip in decades to Syria, where he grew up. Rama Alhoussaini was only 6 years old when her family moved to the U.S., but she's excited about the prospect of introducing her three kids to relatives they've never met in person.

They are among thousands of Detroit-area Syrian Americans who are celebrating the unexpected overthrow of the Syrian government, which crushed dissent and imprisoned political enemies with impunity during the more than 50-year reign of ousted President Bashar Assad and his father before him.

As of Saturday night, the Assad regime is no longer in power, Alhoussaini, 31, said through tears Tuesday at one of the Detroit-area school and day care facilities her family operates. And its such a surreal moment to even say that out loud, because I never thought that I would see this day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It may be some time before either visits Syria. Though happy to see Assad go, many Western countries are waiting for the dust to settle before committing to a Syria strategy, including whether its safe for the millions who fled the countrys civil war to return.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the insurgency that toppled Assad after an astonishing advance that took less than two weeks, has disavowed his group's former ties to al-Qaida and cast himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. But the U.S. still labels him a terrorist and warns against any travel to Syria, where the U.S. hasn't had an embassy since 2012, the year after the war started.

But for Syrians in the U.S. who have been unable to visit, the overthrow of the Assad government has given them hope that they can safely return, either for good or to visit.

The end of the regime is the hope for all the Syrian people, Abazid said this week, days after Assad and his family fled to Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Abazid said he could go to Syria whenever, since he holds dual U.S. and Syrian citizenship, but that he'll wait a few months for things there to settle down.

Although European leaders have said it's not safe enough yet to allow war-displaced refugees to return to Syria, Abazid said he and his brother aren't concerned.

When Assads forces were in power, my fate wouldve been in jail or beheaded, Abazid said. But now, I will not be worried about that anymore.

Many Syrians who immigrated to the U.S. settled in the Detroit area. Michigan has the largest concentration of Arab Americans of any state and is home to the country's largest Arab-majority city, Dearborn. It also has more than 310,000 residents who are of Middle Eastern or North African descent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As rebel forces seized control of Syria, capping a lightning-quick advance that few thought possible even a month ago, Syrians in and around Detroit  like their counterparts all over the world  followed along in disbelief as reports poured in about one city after another slipping from Assad's grip. When news broke that Assad's government had fallen, celebrations erupted.

Abazid, who owns a cellphone business in Dearborn, was born in Daraa, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) south of the Syrian capital, Damascus. He moved to the U.S. in 1984 at age 18, and although he's gone back a few times, he hasn't visited since 1998 because of what he described as harassment by Syrian intelligence. That trip had to be heavily coordinated with U.S. authorities, as he said Syrian authorities took him into custody and detained him for more than six months during a 1990 visit.

When I was kidnapped from the airport, my family didnt even know ... what it was about," he told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "I still dont know the reason. I have no idea why I was kidnapped.

Abazid, 59, said his parents have died since that 1998 trip, but his five sisters still live in Syria. Each of his four brothers left Syria during the 1970s and 1980s, including one who hasn't been back since emigrating 53 years ago, shortly after Bashar Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, rose to power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Alhoussaini, who lives in West Bloomfield Township, said she was born in Damascus and moved to the Detroit area as a young girl, mainly because there was nothing left for us in Syria.

She said under the Assad family's rule, her grandfather's land was taken. Authorities detained him for almost a month. Her father was also detained before the family left.

There never needed to be a reason, Alhoussaini said. "My dad was able to return one time, in 2010. And he has not been able to go back to his home country since, mainly because we spoke up against the Assad regime when the revolution started in 2011. And we attended many protests here. We were vocal on social media about it, did many interviews.

But with Bashar Assad gone and Syria in the hands of the rebels, We dont have to be afraid anymore to visit our country, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her father, 61, is considering making a trip to Syria to see his siblings and visit his parents' graves. Alhoussaini said she and her husband, who is from the northern city of Aleppo, want to take their kids over to visit with family and friends.

Alhoussainis three sisters, ages 40, 34 and 29, were also born in Syria. But none of them have been back.

Now, there is hope and amazement that people in Syria can celebrate in the streets, she said.

Alhoussaini said she thinks people who were born and raised in the U.S. won't be able to fully relate, because Americans enjoy a freedom of expression that people in Syria have never had.

You can say what you want. You can go out into the street and protest whoever you want, she said. "You will not be detained for it. You will not be killed for it.
Dick Van Dyke was among the 20,000 people ordered to evacuate the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, on Tuesday, and credits his neighbors with helping him get to safety.

The Mary Poppins star, who turned 99 on Friday, told NBC News that when he saw the wildfire nearing his home, he ran out to grab a fire hose but had messed up by not having it prepared ahead of time.

The hose was snarled, and Van Dyke found himself lying on the ground attempting to untangle it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What I did was exhaust myself, he said. I forgot how old I am, and I realized I was crawling to get out.

Dick Van Dyke, photographed in June, said he escaped from Malibu's Franklin Fire in California with the help of some caring neighbors. Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

The beloved actor said he couldnt get up as he saw the fire approaching over a nearby hill. Thats when his neighbors came to his aid.

Three neighbors came and carried me out and came back and put out a little fire in the guesthouse and saved me, he said. Thank God for them.

Otherwise, he said, I dont think I would have made it.

Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, were able to evacuate with all of their pets except for a cat named Bobo, who escaped as they were leaving, according to a Tuesday post on Van Dykes Facebook page.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were praying hell be ok, the post said.

They located Bobo, unhurt, when they arrived back to their home the next morning.

There was so much interest in his disappearance that Animal Control was called in to assist, an update to the post said. But, thankfully he was easy to find and not harmed.

An accompanying image showed a smiling Silver holding the orange tabby, who seemed less than impressed with having to pose for a photo.

Related...
DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Dickson County investigators took a Romanian national into custody who had multiple fake passports and IDs, saying he was part of an international crime syndicate ripping off unsuspecting victims in Middle Tennessee and across the U.S.

The Dickson County Sheriffs Office took the case on June 19 when a local man reported he lost $50,000 because of an antique car, a 1977 Ford Bronco, he thought he was purchasing online.

The victim reportedly thought the website was real because of the interaction he had with who he thought were the owners. According to detectives, the people behind the scam supplied paperwork, odometer statements, and even pictures of the Bronco on the back of the transport vehicle supposedly on the way the new buyer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

4 men suspected in traveling fraud ring taken into custody in Spring Hill

[He] was kind of getting the runaround from the company and then got ghosted by the company, said Capt. Jennifer Caruthers with the sheriffs office.

Authorities began chasing the money. Then, on Sept. 27, they got a cell phone ping on 28-year-old Vasile Suprovicis phone. Law enforcement went to Plus Park Boulevard in Nashville and arrested the Romanian national, who spoke practically no English.

When officials began looking through the suspects cell phone, they learn Suprovici was a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter in Eastern Europe when he was 21.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Detectives became more alarmed when they found the suspects face on multiple fake  but authentic-looking  passports from several countries.

News 2 watched a video showing someone, whose face was not visible, wearing black gloves on their hands while opening and closing a passport from the Czech Republic. The face inside was of Suprovici, but the information was for someone else.

Texas man indicted for child sexual exploitation charges following online relationship with Middle Tennessee minor

Just like the video that I showed you, its somebody showing him the video of them making his passport, which passes the protocol when he was going though airports and when he was going into banks, Caruthers told News 2.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to detectives, the 28-year-old also had many state licenses that, when held up to a black light, will appear legitimate to banks and other financial institutions.

These are fake [drivers licenses], but theyre showing real. You know how they can scan your [drivers license]? Look at the quality of that drivers license, Caruthers explained.

Investigators said the group Suprovici is allegedly involved in has stolen close to $1.5 million from unsuspecting people.

Authorities reported Suprovici has been charged with theft and is being held in the Dickson County Jail on a $161,000 bond that nobody in the organization has been willing to pay so far.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Meanwhile, the Dickson County victim is still out his $50,000

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Caruthers told News 2 that other law enforcement agencies, like one in North Dakota, have a hold on the suspect for similar crimes reportedly perpetrated there.

The question is, what brought him over here to continue this? Caruthers asked. And its money, its money, and hes not by himself. There is a group of people doing this, and its just very hard to track him.

According to the captain, the money was getting laundered to China, Singapore, and other countries overseas; sitting; and then getting forwarded on, preventing them from tracking it.

No federal agency has shown interest in this case, but Dickson County investigators said they would love to share the information they have because their suspect is just the tip of this crime network.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Sean "Diddy" Combs seems to have given up on getting bail before his sex crimes trial next year.

The rapper recently filed a motion to dismiss his bail appeal after being denied bail on numerous occasions since his arrest in September.

The revelation comes after Sean "Diddy" Combs was slammed with three new lawsuits accusing him of drugging and raping three male victims.

Diddy Withdraws Bail Appeal Voluntarily

MEGA

After three unsuccessful attempts to secure bail, Diddy has seemingly abandoned the possibility as he recently filed to have his bail appeal dismissed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Documents obtained by People Magazine revealed that this was a "voluntary" decision made by the rapper, although the exact reasons remain unclear.

The Bad Boy founder was first denied bail in September by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky following his arrest on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution.

At that time, Tarnofsky ruled that there were "no conditions" that could "reasonably assure the appearance in court and the safety of the community."

Later that month, Diddy was again denied bail, this time by Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr., who cited concerns that the rapper could obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses relevant to the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In October, Diddy's request for immediate release, pending a decision from a three-judge panel on his motion for bail, was denied by a federal appeals court judge.

The Rapper's Third Bail Attempt Was Denied In November

MEGA

Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, Diddy was denied bail for the third time by Judge Arun Subramanian, who had replaced Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. after he recused himself from the case.

This denial came despite Diddy's lawyers offering an "extremely substantial, comprehensive bail package," which included a $50 million bond.

"The Court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community," Subramanian wrote in his ruling, per USA Today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also mentioned that the federal prosecutors presented "compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence," including the viral footage of the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura in 2016.

From all indications, Diddy will remain in jail until his trial date in May 2025 after withdrawing his bail appeal. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and has vowed to prove his innocence.

Diddy Has Been Given Access To A Laptop Pre-loaded With Discovery Materials

MEGA

Amid the bail denials, Diddy got a small victory with regard to his case by being granted access to a laptop.

However, access to the laptop is restricted to 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Additionally, the rapper cannot "take or store notes" on the laptop but can only review his lawyers' and federal prosecutors' discovery.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It is the Court's understanding that the laptop has been pre-loaded with discovery materials but does not allow any functionality beyond reviewing those materials," Judge Subramanian wrote in his ruling, per the Daily Mail.

He added, "If [the] defendant wished for roader access to the Discovery Laptop, his counsel should discuss the issue with the government. If there are further disputes, the Court will consider adjustments to this order."

Three New Civil Lawsuits Were Filed Against The Music Mogul

MEGA

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recently, three new lawsuits were brought against Diddy, containing claims that the rapper drugged and raped three men between 2019 and 2022, per the Daily Mail.

The lawsuits, filed by attorney Thomas Giuffra, seek an unspecified amount in damages as compensation for the trauma the alleged victims claim to have endured.

In one filing, a victim alleged that Diddy sexually assaulted him during a meeting at a Manhattan hotel and that when he tried to resist, Diddy lewdly told him he was "almost done."

The individual also claimed that he met up with the rapper at the location to discuss a missed payment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In another lawsuit, a second alleged male victim claimed he was raped by Diddy during a party at the Park Hyatt New York and was given $2,500 the next day by the rapper.

He also stated he never told anyone about the incident due to "fear and humiliation."

Diddy's Reps Claim The New Lawsuits Are 'Full Of Lies'

MEGA

Diddy's representatives swiftly slammed the new filings and vowed to go after lawyers who have filed unverified claims against the rapper.

"These complaints are full of lies. We will prove them false and seek sanctions against every unethical lawyer who filed fictional claims against him," the representatives told the outlet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the lawyer of the alleged victims also called out Diddy, saying the rapper is a "rich, powerful public figure who was able to take advantage by drugging these men."

The lawyer also claimed that the Bad Boy founder "ensured" the alleged victims' "silence by threatening them and relying on their fear of his power."

He added, "This is a long overdue opportunity for the victims to take the power back after carrying the burden of the assaults in silence for several years."
BEIRUT (AP)  A severely hobbled Hezbollah was in no position to help defend former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a longtime ally, from the lightning-fast insurgency that toppled him. With Assad gone, the militant group based in Lebanon is even weaker.

Hezbollah was dealt a major blow during 14 months of war with Israel. The toppling of Assad, who had strong ties to Iran, has now crippled its ability to bounce back by cutting off a vital weapons-smuggling route through Syria.

Hezbollah officials are deeply concerned but defiant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What is happening in Syria is a major, dangerous and new change, and to know why this happened needs evaluation, Hassan Fadlallah, a Lebanese lawmaker who represents Hezbollah's political wing, said during a speech at a funeral for militants killed by Israel. Whatever is happening in Syria, despite its dangers, will not weaken us.

Analysts say the diminishment of Hezbollah will have big consequences for Lebanon, where for decades it has been a major political player  and for Iran, which has relied on the group as one of several proxy forces projecting power across the Middle East. It is also a game-changer for Israel, whose nemesis on its northern border is now at its most vulnerable point in decades.

Ties to Syria influenced the rise and fall of Hezbollah's power

The Assad dynasty, which ruled Syria for half a century with an iron fist, played a crucial role in empowering Hezbollah, which was founded in the early 1980s by Iranian advisers who came through Syria. In addition to being a conduit for Iranian weapons, Syria also was a place where Hezbollah trained fighters and manufactured its own weapons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Hezbollah grew more powerful, it became a force Assad could rely on for protection in times of crisis. Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters to bolster Assad's forces when a civil war broke out in 2011.

As insurgents swept across Syria in early December and took the city of Homs  a stones throw from a Syrian border town where Hezbollah had a presence  many expected the militants to put up a fierce fight. After all, they did just that in 2013, preventing Assad's opponents from advancing into Damascus.

This time, Hezbollah was in disarray. Many of its top officials, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, were killed in Israeli airstrikes. And months of Israeli bombardment destroyed much of its military infrastructure. With Syria's key international allies, Russia and Iran, on the sidelines, Hezbollah withdrew, and Assad was ousted quickly.

The fall of the regime marks the end of Irans arms in Syria and Lebanon, said Lt. Col. Fares al-Bayoush, a Syrian army defector who fought in the civil war against Assad's forces and Hezbollah until 2017, when he moved to Turkey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lebanon begins to grapple with Hezbollah's new reality

In Lebanon, the sapping of Hezbollah's strength has given the army the opportunity to reassert control it had ceded, especially along its southern border. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between the militant group and Israel states that Hezbollah should have no armed presence along that border and it has led to growing calls within Lebanon for the group's disarmament.

To Hezbollah, its game over, Samir Geagea, who leads the Christian Lebanese Forces Party, said in a statement on Sunday, hours after insurgents took Damascus. Sit with the Lebanese military to end your status as an armed group, and transform yourselves into a political party.

But Hezbollahs longtime sway in the political arena in Lebanon also faces a major challenge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many in Lebanon are angry with the group. Critics say Hezbollah violated its promise to use its weapons only to defend Lebanon when it began firing rockets into Israel last year, the day after Hamas  another Iranian-backed group  attacked Israel.

Nearly 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon during the war with Israel, according to the country's health ministry. Entire towns and villages where Hezbollah militants and their supporters lived have been flattened. More than 1 million people have been displaced, and the country's economy  which was in bad shape before the war  is in a deep hole.

With the (Syrian) regime gone, Hezbollah in Lebanon faces an entirely new reality, said Firas Maksad, of the Middle East Institute.

Maksad said many Lebanese leaders have yet to grasp the magnitude of the change that has taken place. Even some onetime allies of Hezbollah in parliament have begun distancing themselves from the group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gebran Bassil, a lawmaker who represents the Free Patriotic Movement, Lebanons other major Christian party, said Hezbollah's loss of a weapons pipeline from Iran could help Lebanon extract itself from regional conflict.

Hezbollah should focus on internal affairs and not the wider region, Bassil, a former ally of Hezbollah, said.

It may have no choice but to narrow its ambitions. With the fall of Assad, Iran has lost control of a corridor of land that stretched through Iraq and Syria all the way to the Mediterranean, and which gave it an unimpeded route to supply Hezbollah.

They can maybe fly in some things and smuggle some things, but thats not gonna be on the same scale, not even close," said Aron Lund, a Syria expert with Century International, a New York-based think tank.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Israel, breaking Irans regional network has been a major goal, though it is wary over Islamic militants among the insurgents who toppled Assad. Israel on Sunday moved troops into a demilitarized buffer zone with Syria by the Israel-held Golan Heights in what it called a temporary security measure.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assads fall a historic day, saying it was the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assads main supporters.
In a proposal released last week, the federal government would stop issuing new certificates that allow companies to pay subminimum wage to disabled workers while phasing out old certificates over a three-year period. (Getty Images)

Under Section 14(c) of the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, some people with disabilities can legally be paid pennies an hour. A new rule proposed by the Department of Labor would end the practice.

In a proposal released last week, the federal government would stop issuing new certificates that allow companies to pay subminimum wage to disabled workers while phasing out old certificates over a three-year period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The proposal is a first step toward fulfilling one of President Joe Bidens longstanding campaign promises. But before it can take effect, the rule will have to go through a public comment period, expected to conclude on Jan. 17, just days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

While many executive actions taken by the Biden administration will likely be overturned or ignored under Trump, opinions in conservative circles about subminimum wage for people with disabilities are mixed  and the disability community may very well see progress on the issue under a Republican president and Republican-controlled Congress.

This report was originally published by The 19th. The Illuminator is a founding member of The 19th News Network.

The regulations advancement may depend on Trumps pick for Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer. During her time in Congress, no legislation on disabled subminimum wage made it to a vote, so her position is unclear. Multiple sources who work on disability policy on the Hill noted that Chavez-DeRemer wasnt opposed to ending the practice, nor did she hold especially strong beliefs on the issue, and they see real possibility for progress under her leadership. Chavez-DeRemer could not be reached for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Congress, Republicans like Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and Sen. Steve Daines of Montana have been the biggest opponents of subminimum wage. For McMorris Rodgers, the issue is personal: Her son, Cole, has Down syndrome and she has spoken in interviews about the importance of including people with disabilities in society. Others, like Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, are vocal supporters of disabled subminimum wage because they see it as a way to ensure more people can still work, even if they cant get jobs at market rates.

There isnt much on the record indicating what the Trump administration might do, said Rachel Barkley, director of Able Americans, one of the only conservative think tank projects dedicated entirely to disability policy. It is housed within the National Center for Public Policy Research, one of many conservative organizations that contributed to the development of Project 2025.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Barkley sees opposition to subminimum wage for people with disabilities as a conservative issue, albeit a minor one.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think, first and foremost, you look at the dignity of the individual, which is a core conservative principle. When people talk about the right to life, for example, you look at the dignity of the whole person and equal rights under the law. Weve got to have equality under the law for everyone, no exceptions for people with disabilities, she said.

In August, Able Americans released a report on conservative approaches to disability policy that did not take a position for or against subminimum wage. When asked why, Barkley responded that fewer people are entering disabled subminimum wage workplaces and the workforce is aging. The impacted population is small and if it keeps shrinking, the issue may simply become moot.

In 2010, around 300,000 disabled workers were legally receiving subminimum wage, according to a report from the federal Government Accountability Office. According to the same report, in 2019, there were 122,000 disabled subminimum wage workers. In 2024, an estimated 37,000 disabled subminimum wage workers remain.

Thats 0.006% of the entire disabled population in the U.S. I think there are larger employment issues such as flexibility in the workplace and wraparound services like transportation and health care that need to be addressed when we think about how to help people with disabilities enter, stay and advance in the workplace, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barkley previously worked as senior staff for McMorris Rodgers and was involved in the congresswomans efforts to ban the practice. She feels that the end of disabled subminimum wage is inevitable.

Today, if you have a child with a disability, they are integrated in their education when theyre a young child all the way through and seen as part of the community. Cultural views have really changed expectations for work in the labor market for people with disabilities, Barkley said.

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) is one of Congress biggest opponents of the subminimum wage for people with disabilities. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Ordinary conservatives are also split on the issue, if they are aware of it at all. It is not possible to know how many support or oppose disabled subminimum wage due to lack of polling. However, conservatives who have disabilities themselves may be more likely to oppose it.

Maryann Denning, 67, has been part of a push to end the practice in Ohio. Over a dozen states have passed legislation phasing out the program. Ohio is not yet one of them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Denning has been blind since birth and while she never worked in a subminimum wage environment, she has friends from school who did. She considers the issue as not only about human dignity, but about equality of opportunity and desire for less government spending.

I think that my goal is for any disabled person who wants to be employed to have that opportunity. If those of us with disabilities are fully employed, then we become tax-paying citizens. We become more able to participate in the American Dream, Denning said.

She also pointed out that if people with disabilities make more money themselves, they will have less need for government support.

I believe we should work to get as many people off of government benefits as much as we can, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shelbi Hindel, 61, another blind advocate in Ohio opposed to disabled subminimum wage, acknowledges that many of the people she works with on the issue are more liberal or progressive, but she doesnt see that as a barrier or contradiction to her beliefs.

I feel like my religious beliefs inform my worldview more, Hindel said.

Denning and Hindel were split on whether they believe a second Trump administration will advance regulations and legislation to end disabled subminimum wage.

Some of the things that Trump has said in the past about people with disabilities have been very negative. I dont know what hes ultimately going to do, Denning said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hindel thought Trump just needed to be more informed on the issue.

I think hes got a compassionate heart, but I think that it has to be brought to his attention. I dont think this is going to be intuitive to him. He may not even realize people are being paid subminimum wage, Hindel said.

Julie Christensen is executive director of the nonpartisan Association of People Supporting Employment First, which advocates for more mainstream employment options for people with disabilities. Her organization is one of the many leading the charge against disabled subminimum wage. It also promotes legislation to fund alternatives, to ensure disabled people remain in the workforce.

Due to the shrinking number of disabled subminimum wage workers, Christensen notes that there arent many new certificates being given out to companies. Barring the issuance of new certificates may not even be an especially drastic change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is not a huge waiting list for people to get into [disabled subminimum wage]. We have a lot of other strategies and programs now that get to competitive, integrated employment,Christensen said.

The real point of contention will be the phasing out of older certificates. This likely would have been an issue regardless of who won the presidential election.

I fully anticipate that there will be pushback in the next administration that eliminating the existing certificates might be outside its scope, Christensen said.

In terms of progress on the issue under a Republican government, Christensen is optimistic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think theres room for legislation to move forward in the Republican Congress and for the rule to move forward under President Trump. Theoretically, we had all the stars aligned in the last few years [with a president who promised to end the practice and his party having a majority in Congress], she said We should have been able to get it over the finish line, and we couldnt. And I do think that that speaks to the fact that it is a nonpartisan issue.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  A four-year-old girl was granted a wish of a lifetime.

Greer Corley was born with a heart defect. She loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Frozen. On Friday, Make-A-Wish Mississippi, alongside Birdsong Construction, surprised her with a trip to Walt Disney World.

Make-A-Wish Mississippi surprises boy with trip to meet favorite WWE wrestler

Its a true blessing to see her act like this. You know, like I said in the details, the speech that I gave the guys, you know, that while she was in the hospital, that was the only thing that would really console her was Mickey and Minnie Mouse. And so, just to to be able for her to go and do this is just very special for us and our family, said Chad Corley, Greers father.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jeff Cox, the president of Birdsong Construction, said the surprise happened at the best time.

I think it did us just as good as it did her to see it happen. Its awesome. I had to hold back a few tears when I talked to the guys and then smiled, he said.

The family will head to Disney World on December 29.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  OzarksFirst is working to get answers and solutions for a story that continues to generate buzz on social media.

Monday, concerned neighbors contacted authorities when three dogs found their way onto the roof of a home in north Springfield.

The owner of the dogs told OzarksFirst in previous stories that she would maintain caring for the dogs, but due to the condition of the house and lack of heat, the family had to leave the home and stay in a motel but couldnt take the dogs with her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We stopped by this morning to see if the dogs were still in the home, and they were.

Hours later, around 3:15 p.m. the owner stopped by to check on and feed the dogs, her second of three drop-ins that she says she does daily.

She says theres been stress trying to find a solution for the dogs and says shes open to adopting them out.

During that conversation, one of the dogs heard us talking in the front yard, and walked onto the roof before the owner went back inside, got the dog back indoors, and boarded up the open window.

She says separation anxiety is an issue for the pets, going from a family of eight to none inside the home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The owners say if people are interested in adopting the pets, theyre welcome to leave their contact information inside the mailbox at the home.

We reached out to Animal Control with Springfield-Greene County Health and while they declined an interview, Lauren Stockham, a representative with the agency gave the first formal statement on the situation.

It reads, We cannot release details about specific cases. If we receive a call concerning the welfare of animal, we will attempt to contact the owner. If we cant contact the owner, we will leave a written letter at the property. If the letter has not been acknowledged within 72 hours, we seek to obtain a warrant from Municipal Court.

OzarksFirst asked if they were able to comment if Animal Control has or had done all they can do to help and was told they cannot comment on any specific case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many on social media have suggested a shelter stepping in and helping with the dogs but McKenzie Palmer with the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri says theres not much they can do.

I did see the post and that was posted online. And weve been getting tagged in that a lot and seeing the dogs on the roof and everything. So we are aware of the situation. Unfortunately, the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri doesnt have any legal authority to go onto peoples properties and do welfare checks or to take animals from a home, Palmer said. If its the owners dogs, you know, you cant just go take property away from without the owners consent, you know, So that again, would be something animal control would need to go through their proper steps to do that. So we just cannot go onto their property.

She says theres no room at the Humane Society even if the dogs were brought to them.

Even if the dogs were brought to us, we just dont have the kennel space to take that on. We wish we could help out, but we dont have the bandwidth right now, unfortunately, Palmer said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Well continue to update this story as we learn more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
President-elect Donald Trump joined the chorus of people raising concerns about mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey and other states on the East Coast, calling on government officials to shoot down the aircraft if they are truly unidentifiable.

In a Friday post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump indicated that he believes authorities know more about the drones than they are letting on.

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge. I dont think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT, the president-elect wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Residents of Morris County, New Jersey, first started reporting nighttime sightings of the drones last month. Since then, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have investigated the objects and are looking into whether people are seeing actual drones, manned aircraft or something else.

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus, the FBI and DHS said in a joint statement Thursday. Upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully. There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space.

Nevertheless, reports of drone sightings continued to proliferate on Friday, with even former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan posting video of what he said were dozens of large drones flying over his home on Thursday night. Individuals in New York and Connecticut have also reported seeing the aircraft.

Trumps missive came after White House national security spokesperson John Kirby appeared on Fox News The Story on Friday afternoon, where host Martha MacCallum pressed him about whether officials really do not have an explanation for the drone sightings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im not going to lie to you or to the American people, and Im not going to say we know something when we dont, Kirby said. And we would never, ever stoop to think that an American citizen was crazy or nuts because of what theyre seeing and what theyre documenting. Were taking that imagery seriously and were doing the best we can to analyze it, and we encourage people to come forward if they have additional sightings.

Why not just take one down and figure out whats going on? MacCallum asked.

We dont have enough conclusions to take that kind of a policy action, Kirby replied. But lets just assume for a minute, Martha, that we did. Youre not going to want to shoot something down where it could hit somebodys house, or hurt somebody.

She also asked what President Joe Biden has to say on the issue, and whether Elon Musk or other outside experts had been called in to give their opinions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Biden has tasked the team to look into this and to be energetic in doing it, to try to get answers, Kirby said.

Related...
"Kali mera!" Kimberly Guilfoyle is headed to Greece.

Former president Donald Trump appointed the former model and Fox News host as ambassador when his second term begins next month.

The news comes amid breakup reports with Donald Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle, who consistently referred to her former fiance as her "soulmate" and "forever best friend" (see below). Donald Trump Jr. has been linked to model and socialite Bettina Anderson, a regular among the Palm Beach social scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 55-year-old Guilfoyle shared her excitement about her new position on Instagram this week: "I'm honored to accept President Trump's nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate. President Trump's historic victory is bringing hope and optimism to the Americanpeople and to freedom-loving allies across the world. It was the democratic values born in Greece that helped shape the founding of America. And now, we have an opportunity to honor that history by bringing better days here at home and abroad. As ambassador, I look forward to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity."

Though the pair reportedly called off their wedding, a Dec. 13, 2024, check on Guilfoyle's social networks show plenty of photos and love notes to Donald Trump Jr.

Here's a look back at the couple as well as a relationship timeline of Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Who is Bettina Anderson? The model and Florida socialite was spotted kissing Donald Trump Jr. in public

Who is Kimberly Guilfoyle? Are Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr. still engaged?

Kimberly Guilfoyle is a former model, attorney and Fox News host from San Francisco, California. She's been a familiar face in the Trump circle for the past six years. Guilfoyle previously appeared on "The Five" and "Outnumbered" on Fox News. Before her relationship with Donald Trump Jr., Guilfoyle was previously married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, for four years while he was the mayor of San Francisco. They divorced in 2006, and she married furniture heir Eric Villency the same year. They had a son, Ronan, but divorced in 2009.

Relationship timeline: Kimberly Guilfoyle, from Fox News to Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancee to Greece ambassador

2018: Donald Trump Jr., son of former president Donald Trump and the late Ivana Trump, and former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle go public as a couple as his divorce to Vanessa Trump is finalized. Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump have five children together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2020: Guilfoyle is named chair of the finance committee of the Trump Victory Committee, managing a fund-raising division for Trump. She starts campaigning for Trump during the 2020 presidential election against Joe Biden, often appearing with Donald Trump Jr. at Trump rallies. Guilfoyle appears with the Trump family at the White House for the Republican National Convention in July 2020. The couple got engaged in December 2020, although it was not made public for two more years.

March 2021: Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle purchase a $9.7 million two-story home in Jupiter, Florida, that has seven bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a wine room, theater, elevator, chef's kitchen, guest wings, a pool and private dock. The celebrity couple live in Admirals Cove, an exclusive gated community about 20 miles north of Mar-a-Lago. The move enabled Donald Trump Jr. to spend more time with his five children  Kai Trump, Donald Trump III, Tristan Trump, Spencer Trump and Chloe Trump  from his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, who lives nearby in Jupiter.

December 2023: Guilfoyle makes the 2023 Trump Christmas card.

April 2024: Over the years, Trump fans have wondered whether Guilfoyle and Trump Jr. celebrate two anniversaries and their meaning. On April 24, 2024, Guilfoyle posted a sweet message on Instagram with a collage of photos showing her and Trump Jr. over the years: "Happy anniversary to my sweetheart @DonaldJTrumpJr. You are my best friend and my soulmate. Heres to us and our incredibly blessed life we share together. Looking forward to creating new memories and enjoying more adventures together. Love you, Kimberly"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

May 2024: Weeks later, Guilfoyle posted a note to her "soulmate" on her Instagram, tagging Trump Jr. and a rescue shelter: "What a blessing to celebrate another anniversary with my soul mate and forever best friend. Cherish the moments with the ones you love, who always have your back, who share your mission to leave the world a better place than you found it, and who even lets you surprise him with a new furry friend rescue puppy every once in awhile."

December 2024: President-elect Donald Trump appoints Kimberly Guilfoyle as an ambassador to Greece as photos surface of Donald Trump Jr. kissing Florida model and socialite Bettina Anderson of Palm Beach.

Contributing: C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network

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: Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump Jr. split after Bettina Anderson pics surface
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Devina Wadhwa, a psychiatrist, shares her personal journey through burnout and the challenges of navigating systemic pressures in health care. From recognizing subtle signs of burnout to setting boundaries and redefining resilience, she offers valuable insights on reconnecting with purpose and advocating for meaningful change in the medical field.

Devina Wadhwa is a psychiatrist.

She discusses the KevinMD article, How physician burnout silently creeps in and takes over.

Our presenting sponsor is DAX Copilot by Microsoft.

Do you spend more time on administrative tasks like clinical documentation than you do with patients? Youre not alone. Clinicians report spending up to two hours on administrative tasks for each hour of patient care. Microsoft is committed to helping clinicians restore the balance with DAX Copilot, an AI-powered, voice-enabled solution that automates clinical documentation and workflows.

70 percent of physicians who use DAX Copilot say it improves their work-life balance while reducing feelings of burnout and fatigue. Patients love it too! 93 percent of patients say their physician is more personable and conversational, and 75 percent of physicians say it improves patient experiences.

Help restore your work-life balance with DAX Copilot, your AI assistant for automated clinical documentation and workflows.

VISIT SPONSOR  https://aka.ms/kevinmd

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST  https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD  https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE  https://www.kevinmd.com/cme

Im partnering with Learner+ to offer clinicians access to an AI-powered reflective portfolio that rewards CME/CE credits from meaningful reflections. Find out more: https://www.kevinmd.com/learnerplus

Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Devina Wadhwa. Shes a psychiatrist, and todays KevinMD article is How Physician Burnout Silently Creeps In and Takes Over. Devina, welcome to the show.

Devina Wadhwa: Thank you. Thank you.

Kevin Pho: So lets start by briefly sharing your story and journey.

Devina Wadhwa: So Im a psychiatrist, and I work up in Northern Ontario in a smaller town called Thunder Bay. I also do a bit of work up in Northern Canada, in the Arctic, in Nunavut, and in some smaller northern communities as well. I was trained previously as a pharmacist at the University of British Columbia. My journey sort of moved me to Toronto, where I completed a residency in psychiatry and then became very interested in rural psychiatry, essentially in underserved areas. Thats how I ended up here in Northern Ontario.

Kevin Pho: Tell me about some of the things that you see in those rural areas, in those Indigenous areas, from a psychiatry standpoint. What are some typical things that youre seeing?

Devina Wadhwa: Working in a place like Thunder Baywhich we call underservedthere is so much mental health need and oftentimes not enough psychiatrists or mental health clinicians overall. So, on a day-to-day basis, I see lots of clients. You essentially come across individuals that struggle with significant amounts of trauma, and intertwined in that trauma history comes mental illness, substance use, and overarching psychosocial difficulties. Many individuals struggle with homelessness and live in low socioeconomic conditions.

Its very similar in many parts of the country, but the more rural you are, the more people struggle to get the services they need. They often wait a lot longer than they should.

Kevin Pho: You wrote the KevinMD article How Physician Burnout Silently Creeps In and Takes Over. Before talking about the article itself, what led you to write this one in the first place?

Devina Wadhwa: I had a good dose of burnout that really shifted my perspective. It crept in probably two years ago in my own life. Coming out of that, Ive really reflected on creating more awareness in a vocal way around how real it is. We use this word a lot, and thats where the article struck me. I hear burnout all over the placeburnout, burnout, burnoutbut actually stopping to think about what it feels like and the impact was quite profound for me.

I struggled with a sense of hopelessness around the work. There was this feeling of not achieving or making a difference in the world, which is what I set out to do in medicine and in mental health. Thats the inspiration for the article: wanting to write and share with clinicians and learners. I teach a lot of medical students and residents through NOSM University, and Im quite open about my own journey and struggles. I find it de-layers a sense of shame that we all have as clinicians, where we feel we need to push hard and act like nothing affects us. But burnout is real.

Kevin Pho: Tell us your story. Tell us about some of the challenges that you faced.

Devina Wadhwa: As a new gradIm seven years into practice nowmy first five years, I was very keen to help, for lack of a more sophisticated way of describing it. But in the last few years, that feeling started to degrade. I felt like I wasnt making a difference. I felt bad about myself and my work. I didnt feel fulfilled or like I was helping anyone.

It started to creep into my home life. I was more irritable, and my partner was the first to notice, asking, Do you think work is really affecting you? My first defensive answer was, No, Im fine. Everythings good. But reflecting and going back into psychotherapy for myselfa practice I started in residencywas eye-opening. I realized I wasnt immune to challenges, even as a staff clinician.

I became more anxious, doubted myself, and berated myself after bad outcomes. I lost confidence as a clinician. It forced me to stop and think about what I could do differently. I still love the work, but I needed to approach it differently. Working less and incorporating creativity, such as mindfulness and teaching, became essential. Wellness has become important to me.

Kevin Pho: What kind of changes specifically did you make? Did you work less? You said you worked in other settings. What specific changes did you make?

Devina Wadhwa: I scaled back my time in acute care settings. Instead of working in those settings for 10 months, I reduced it to six months. I started to travel more and engaged as a speaker at continuing medical education conferences. I also began teaching yoga and mindfulness courses and working in even more rural areas, which I found fulfilling.

Talking about the struggles of burnout and moral distress has also been part of my approach. Our health care systemspeaking about Ontariofaces pressures that aggravate feelings of hopelessness. As clinicians, we often feel helpless to do the best we can for patients.

Kevin Pho: So just to be clear, this was intentional on your part to address the burnout symptoms you were feeling. Did your job itself make any accommodations to help you address your burnout?

Devina Wadhwa: In terms of the actual job, working less was an accommodation. I expressed that I couldnt sustain the intensity of my previous schedule, so I proposed a way to do it better, and that was accepted. It was challenging for a team already stretched thin in terms of human resources, but it was necessary for my well-being. However, the broader system and environment didnt provide much support. Were navigating a health care system with significant gapsthere arent enough family doctors, and hallway medicine is becoming the norm. These systemic pressures compound the challenges we face as clinicians.

Kevin Pho: Can you explain what you mean by hallway medicine?

Devina Wadhwa: Hallway medicine refers to the lack of space and resources to care for patients properly. When I started in Northern Ontario, patients were seen in proper spaces and admitted to rooms within 24 hours. Now, its common to see patients in emergency room hallways waiting for beds for three or four days.

These are individuals suffering from emotional distress and mental illness, and theres no private space to speak with them. Youre constantly negotiating discharges and trying to make room for more patients. Our infrastructure often feels like its crumbling under the weight of demand, making it harder to provide the care were trained to deliver.

Kevin Pho: In your case, you cut down your work schedule and pursued passions outside of medicine. What commentary do you have about our health care system, given this reality? Is it sustainable for physicians to practice full-time patient care?

Devina Wadhwa: Its very difficult, and Im a prime example. When I graduated, I aspired to be a clinician, teacher, educator, and researcher. But I quickly realized that full-time clinical work wasnt sustainable for me. It was disheartening to accept that, because were subtly trained to believe that success as a physician requires wearing multiple hats and working at full capacity.

Many clinicians around me are choosing not to work full-time because its just not possible. In psychiatry, Im seeing more new grads opting for locum positions to sustain their practices. Full-time clinical work has become increasingly difficult for many of us.

Kevin Pho: How long did it take you to accept that you couldnt practice the way you initially envisioned without burning out? Was that a difficult process?

Devina Wadhwa: It took about two years. My article highlights how burnout slowly engulfs you. Initially, I didnt believe it was possible for me to burn out. I thought I was doing all the right things for wellness. But eventually, I accepted it, and that brought a sense of liberation. Now, Im not ashamed to share my experience. I talk openly with my junior colleagues, encouraging them to recognize that its OK not to maintain a certain intensity for extended periods. It doesnt mean were failures or bad clinicians.

Kevin Pho: Are you starting to see that trend shift? Are your colleagues beginning to accept less-than-full schedules to prevent burnout?

Devina Wadhwa: Absolutely. Its a trend Im seeing more frequently. Is it good for medicine overall? Im not sure. We need more physicians to meet societys needs, but I do believe its a positive step for individual well-being. When clinicians are emotionally, physically, and mentally well, theyre better equipped to care for patients.

Kevin Pho: You mentioned you work with medical students and residents. Given your experience with burnout, what advice do you offer to future physicians?

Devina Wadhwa: At NOSM, psychiatry rotations for medical students occur in their fourth year, so theyve often already chosen their career paths. What I emphasize is that delayed gratificationthe idea that balance will come once they become staffis misleading. Many of us graduate without the tools to maintain balance because weve spent years living unbalanced lives.

I encourage students to prioritize small wellness practices during training, like taking 30 minutes during a call shift to recharge. These habits build the foundation for well-being throughout their careers. Patients shouldnt have to wait longer because clinicians need breaks, but clinicians must be well to provide their best care. Its a delicate balance.

Kevin Pho: Were talking to Devina Wadhwa, a psychiatrist. Todays KevinMD article is How Physician Burnout Silently Creeps In and Takes Over. Devina, lets end with some take-home messages youd like to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Devina Wadhwa: Thank you. My message is simple: look after yourself. By caring for ourselves, were better able to care for our colleagues and, ultimately, our patients. Medicine is a beautiful profession, but it often comes at the cost of our own well-being. Dont lose sight of yourself in the process.

Kevin Pho: Devina, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Devina Wadhwa: Thank you very much.
Donald Trump has been ordered by a federal judge to sit for a deposition next week as part of his defamation litigation against ABC.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette M. Reid wrote that the deposition should take place some time the week of Dec. 14 and should be limited to four hours. It also should be in person and take place in Miami, where the lawsuit was filed, she wrote.

More from Deadline

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump sued the network earlier this year over remarks that This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos made during a contentious interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) in March.

Reid also ordered that Stephanopoulos deposition also should take place next week, but that attorneys will determine whether the session will be remote or in person.

During the interview, Stephanopoulos said that juries have found Trump liable for rape. In a June ruling, a federal judge refused to dismiss the case.

Last year, a civil jury found that Trump was liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump contended that he was defamed as Stephanopoulos did not make the distinction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The judge in Carrolls case, Lewis Kaplan, wrote in a later ruling. The finding that Ms. Carroll failed to prove that she was raped within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr. Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape. Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that.

Trump is appealing the jurys verdicts in the Carroll civil case, in which juries have awarded her almost $90 million in damages.

Reid also reminded that parties that with Election Day now behind us, there is no reason for any further delay.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Donald Trump has pledged to scrap inconvenient daylight saving time (DST) when he enters the White House next month.

The president-elect described the practice of adjusting the clocks twice a year, which was introduced in the US more than a century ago, as very costly to our nation.

However, the move would require congressional approval, and might be opposed by some of Mr Trumps closest allies who have previously argued in favour of instituting DST all year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate DST, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldnt! Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

DST is inconvenient, and very costly to our nation.

Donald Trumps plan may be opposed by some of his closest allies, who have argued in favour of keeping year-round DST - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Mr Trump will return to the White House in January, following his election win last month, and Republicans will take control of both houses of Congress.

DST advocates argue that extended daylight hours can cut crime, car accidents and energy bills, while its opponents claim it disrupts sleep schedules and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

In the US, the clocks go forward one hour on the second Sunday in March, and then back an hour on the first Sunday in November.

Eliminating DST would put the president-elect at odds with allies including Marco Rubio, whom he has nominated as secretary of state, and Tommy Tuberville, the Alabama senator.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both men spearheaded the Sunshine Protection Act in 2023 to make DST permanent, which has never made it off the floor of Congress despite being voted through the Democratic-controlled Senate in March last year.

My Sunshine Protection Act would end this stupid practice of changing our clocks back and forth, Mr Rubio said in a statement in March, according to the Washington Post.

Multiple polls by YouGov have shown that most Americans want to adopt permanent DST instead of moving their clocks backwards and forwards.

The US government first brought in DST towards the end of the First World War in 1918, as part of efforts to limit fuel consumption, though it was repealed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It then returned during the Second World War, and was made permanent in 1966.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
When tax season rolls around, some Cass County residents could see lower tax payments or higher refunds. To sweeten the deal, the impact on their taxes will signify new homes in the community.

Habitat for Humanity of Cass County recently announced the Indiana Department of Revenue has granted a 50% Indiana State Tax Credit for anyone who makes a donation to the home building organization.

Essentially, a $1,000 donation to the local Habitat for Humanity would put $500 toward the donors state tax liability. They can still count the donation toward a federal tax deduction as well. The tax credit allowance will be in place until 2030.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is a cap of $10,000 in tax credits per year, but unused credits can be carried over for up to five years.

The tax credit announcement comes as Habitat for Humanity of Cass County looks to raise funds for its 2025 Logansport Community Habitat Build, where it will ask community members to help construct a house.

We want to get as many entities involved in building that house as possible, said Doug Taylor, executive director of the organization. He likened the project to an old fashioned barn raising, but with a home as the final product instead.

When the house is finished, Taylor explained, a family that makes 40-80% of Logansports median income will receive an interest free loan from Habitat for Humanity and make a monthly mortgage payment to the organization. That money then goes toward building another house in the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a revolving loan, Taylor said. The donors money is used over and over again.

The City of Logansport recently donated $25,000 to the organization, making it the lead sponsor for next years project.

The United Way of Cass County also donated a $10,000 grant to the local Habitat for Humanity via United Ways Impact Fund. That money will also go toward the 2025 Logansport Community Habitat Build.

Were just really excited for them to be getting back in the community, said Karli Armstrong, Impact and Marketing manager for United Way of Cass County. She noted the city needs more housing, especially for lower income communities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were just excited to see them get going. And it aligns with a lot of things that we do with trying to help people achieve financial security, Armstrong added. I think itll be huge once they really get everything going.

Other than monetary donations, the volunteer explained, the organization is always looking for land, building material donations and skilled laborers who can help lead construction projects.

For more information, visit casshabitat.org or call 574-516-2407. Taylor said Habitat volunteers would also be happy to sit down with local businesses or churches to discuss how they can get involved.
At Umayyad Square in central Damascus, tens of thousands of people had the party of a lifetime on Friday. Filling the roundabout to the brink, they partied late into the evening, celebrating the moment many thought would never come: the exit of their brutal dictator Bashar al-Assad.

I always thought that I am going to die, and my children are going to die, and many more generations will die and he will still be here. I thought it will never end, Esraa Alsliman, a student, told CNN at the square.

Its like a dream. I wake up every day thinking it was a dream, even today I woke up thinking it was a dream, she said.

Young girls paint the Syrian opposition flag on each others faces. - Ivana Kottasova/CNN

Families brought little children to the square with flags painted on their cheeks. Young students were joined by the elderly. Women dressed in conservative Muslim fashion celebrated next to those wearing trendy western clothes. Many said they travelled across the country to witness the jubilations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many were waving the three-starred flag of the Syrian Arab Republic  an opposition flag that had been used when the country was under French mandate, and was replaced by a two-starred version during the Assad era.

I really believe that at this time, we will support each other, stay with each other and get to the top. Syria will have a good name in the world, Alsliman said. I always thought that to have a future, to have a successful life, I will have to go abroad. Now I can stay here, in my country.

For half a century, the Assad family had 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.

Tens of thousands of jubilant people filled the Umayyad Square in central Damascus on Friday. - Ivana Kottasova/CNN

Fridays huge crowds started gathering at the square after midday prayers at the historical Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, just days after the rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani declared a victory for the entire Islamic nation there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The congregational prayers  seen as the pinnacle of the Islamic week  were the first since the fall of the Assadregime. The sermon at the mosque was delivered by Syrias new caretaker Prime Minister, Mohamed Al-Bashir, who called the moment the birth of a nation.

People dance and sing at the Umayyad Square, celebrating their newly found freedoms. - Ivana Kottasova/CNN

But despite overwhelming joy, there also signs of the countrys current fragility. The rebel coalition that has taken over Syria is made up of many groups with varying ideologies and goals  and nobody seems to know for sure what will happen next.

Dozens of armed men wearing military-style fatigues joined in the celebrations, some letting excited little boys pose with their Kalashnikovs, the children flashing bright smiles and victory signs into the cameras.

A group of rebels drives by the celebrations in Damascus. - Ivana Kottasova/CNN

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every now and then, celebratory gunfire rang through the air. At one point in the afternoon, some in the crowd grew angry, appearing to chase an individual down. They found a military guy! someone in the crowd shouted out.

But soon the crowd was back to dancing, clapping and chanting.

The donkey is gone! Donkey! Donkey! the crowd chanted at one point, with many still in disbelief that the deposed presidents pejorative nickname can be shouted out loud in the open, rather than whispered in secrecy.

A boy holds the Syrian opposition flag as tens of thousands of people gather in Damascus to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime. - Ivana Kottasova/CNN

Fatima Baghdadi told CNN she had come to the square to see the moment for herself. The 80-year-old has lived most of her adult life under the regime. One of her sons was killed in the war and her grandson lost a leg in an attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was 30 when the big donkey came into power. For 50 years, we were squeezed, and I was praying all the time, asking God to get rid of him. And now he had. We can breathe again, she said, her eyes moist with tears.

Rauda Alaita contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A west suburban library that became a battleground for national culture wars is on the defensive again.

Two years after the Downers Grove library was forced to cancel a planned drag queen bingo over right-wing threats, leaders of the western suburb are considering a controversial proposal to replace the appointed members of the library board with an elected one.

This will tear our community apart for no reason, warned resident Debbie Anderson Phillips at a recent emotionally charged library board meeting. It will be an ugly, ugly, ugly fight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Changing the library board is still just a flicker of an idea. But the agitation it has created is perhaps the product of the past seven years in which the six-member library board has endured the removal of two trustees and sustained pressure from local conservatives over LGBTQ+-related programming and materials. That history has some residents worried that a library election would attract outside interest groups seeking to influence local politics.

Mayor Bob Barnett  who has supported the institutions staff and its programming in the face of previous attacks  is one of the Village Council members backing the pitch, which the village must table or place on the ballot by Jan. 13.

Barnett said residents for years have been asking why the library board is appointed instead of elected, and that there is no harm in exploring the question.

I believe that there is a way that this could be done where nothing about the librarys operations or finances would change, he said. The only question were asking is, Should the selection process for trustees (change)?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If voters approve the referendum, the outcome will carry no force of law. Barnett and other supporters say the referendum is a first step and not the final word. He insisted that it wasnt a dig at the library, which has a five-star rating from the Illinois Library Association and he considers almost universally beloved.

Its a long process (and) a lot of work for both the library and the village to make a change, work that none of us have time to do unless the community really wants us to, he said.

Detractors, including the entire library board, argue that the referendum is unnecessary. They say that posing the question has derailed the librarys efforts to leave behind the conflicts that flared in the wake of the pandemic.

We had been through these turbulent years, and we were excited to just start fresh, said Trustee Barnali Khuntia. And literally out of nowhere, we find out that the Village Council has put this on their agenda.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Out of all the turbulent moments from the last several years, the September 2022 cancellation of a drag queen-themed bingo activity looms the largest in the memory of residents, staff and officials.

The cancellation, which came on the heels of violent threats, was part of a wave of politically charged confrontations around the state and the country as libraries and school boards became new fronts in a post-pandemic culture war.

Elsewhere in Illinois, disagreement over picture books about human anatomy and drag queens brought police to shut down a Lincolnwood Library meeting in late 2022 while a slew of candidates ran for school board in suburbs like Barrington, Oswego and Downers Grove in an effort to pull those boards to the political right on issues like race, gender and sexuality.

When Laura Hois, a co-chair of Awake Illinois Downers Grove, took the podium for her public comment at the Dec. 11 library board meeting, she cited the 2022 cancellation as one of her reasons for backing the referendum and the idea of electing library board members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The reason Im in favor of library board members being elected is that it has been politicized, and thats the whole problem, she said. It has become politicized to the point that drag queen bingo was placed on the schedule as a program for children.

Resident Robin Tryloff said she feared electing the board would invite the influence of organizations just like Awake Illinois  which has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center  onto the librarys board.

Allowing local politics and voting to influence library services could lead to a situation where the library is used as a tool for partisan agendas, undermining its role as an independent and inclusive space, she said.

For library Director Julie Milavec, the whole discussion is a return to an era shed hoped to leave behind.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These last couple of months, we had thought wed gotten past it, she said.

No one discussed this with us

Village Commissioner Michael Davenport first raised the prospect of an elected library board in April, after he voted to remove a controversial conservative trustee, Bill Nienburg, from the board. Nienburgs removal was the second time since 2017 that the Village Council had intervened with the boards composition.

Before he cast his vote, Davenport said he felt the council needed to take a more active role and find better ways to support the library board of trustees and listed several possible options to advance that goal.

But, he continued, he was most interested in the library board of trustees becoming an elected body, directly accountable to the voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Months later, facing accusations of rushing the question onto the ballot, Davenport said he had wanted to let the dust settle from Nienburgs removal. He said the debate had gotten overheated for an idea in such early phases.

My asking to have a discussion about this is not something that should have sent everybody into total defense mode, Davenport said. If the voters want to leave (appointments) with us, then that settles it for me.

Should the library have to switch to an elected board, there are two possibilities: the library could become its own taxing body or it could have an elected board and remain a subsidiary entity of the village of Downers Grove. The second option would require a change to state library law.

In a letter to the Village Council, the library board of trustees warned it could require significant tax increases to make the library its own taxing body and create a slew of administrative problems.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Library board President Matt Topic said he, the rest of the board and the library staff werent opposed to the idea of elections in principle. But before a packed Dec. 3 village board meeting, he said the referendum had blindsided them.

No one discussed this with us, he said. I am holding my tongue to not be unprofessional in just how disappointed I am (with) the way that we, as a fellow entity of government, have been treated throughout this process.

Barnett, one of four Village Council members who supports advancing the question, said the librarys warnings were a little overblown, since he doesnt support making the library its own taxing body.

I think theres a little bit of poor me going on, he said.

The council is scheduled to take a vote to place the question on the ballot Jan. 7. Early voting for the consolidated municipal elections opens Feb. 20.
Downtown Phoenix will shine brighter this Christmas season as it hosts the Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi, a series of nine nightly Masses.

Hundreds are expected to gather for the ceremony from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Marys Roman Catholic Basilica, located at Third and Monroe streets. The celebration will feature carols and a parade led by the Filipino community, showcasing lanterns rich in Philippine history and religious significance.

The homily will be delivered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Bishop John Dolan. The service will be in English.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The basilica holding Simbang Gabi, which has been observed by Filipino parishioners throughout the Phoenix diocese for decades, is a first for the downtown house of worship.

Simbang Gabi reflects the peoples devotion to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, said Father Reynaldo Clutario, who is pastor at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Ahwatukee Foothills.

Clutario has been at the diocese for 20 years since the 57-year-old immigrated from the Philippines where he was ordained a priest in the early 1990s. He is among the nearly 18 Filipino priests who serve the diocese, he said.

The vibrant parade before Mass will honor the deep Catholic faith of the Filipino people. Men will don their traditional long-sleeved barong tagalog shirts, while women will be wearing their decorative Filipiniana dresses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The astral-shaped lanterns, known as parols, carried by participants symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. According to Clutario, they serve as "a reminder of the light of Jesus, who illuminates the darkness of the world," and "highlight the Filipino people's faith and their hope for divine guidance."

Parols were first used centuries ago by Christians in the Philippines, who carried the lanterns on their early morning walks to church before dawn, Clutario explained.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Simbang Gabi service to feature lantern parade, Mass at Phoenix church
PIQUA, Ohio (WDTN)  OSP is investigating after a single-vehicle crash left the driver hospitalized.

A crash was called in just before 10 a.m. that occurred on State Route 47 near Simon Road. Ohio State Highway Patrol arrived to investigate shortly after.

Fully engulfed house fire leaves 2 dead in Springfield

Preliminary investigation shows a 2004 Honda Accord was traveling westbound on State Route 47 when it drove off the right side of the roadway. The Honda went through a field and over a creek before striking the opposite bank and overturning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The driver, identified as a 45-year-old man, is said to have suffered serious injuries. He was transported to Miami Valley Hospital via CareFlight.

The crash remains under investigation by the OSP Piqua Post. Troopers were assisted on scene by Russia Community Fire Company, Fort Loramie Police Department, Spirit EMS and Meyers Garage and Towing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Editors note: The above video aired on Dec. 13

NEW YORK (PIX11)  Stewart International Airport was shut down for about an hour on Friday night because of drone activity in the area, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced.

At about 9:40 p.m. on Friday night, the runways at Stewart Airport were closed following a report of a drone sighting by the FAA, according to the Port Authority.

Invaded by drones: Feds might use enhanced radar to track NJ drones

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The runways reopened at 10:45 p.m. and there were no impacts to flights during the closure, a spokesperson said.

This has gone too far, said Hochul in her statement on Saturday.

The governor called on Congress to strengthen the FAAs oversight of drones as well as the Biden Administration to address the increasing amount of drone sightings in New York.

Seen drones in your neighborhood? Heres how theyre being tracked

Many state and municipal lawmakers have called for stricter rules on unmanned aircraft as drones have been unnerving residents across New Jersey and New York. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) also called for drones to be shot down by the military during an interview with NewsNation on Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said on Thursday that many of the thousands of reported drone sightings were manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully.

On Thursday the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following joint statement:

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings. Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities. We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey with numerous detection methods but have not corroborated any of the reported visual sightings with electronic detection. To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully. There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space. We take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports. To be clear, they have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage. While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities. Joint statement from FBI and DHS

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  After weeks of mysterious drone sightings in the New Jersey sky, there was a report that a drone crashed in a homes yard. PIX11 News wanted to get to the bottom of the report.

Authorities confirmed a drone came down in a residential area in Pequannock Township in Morris County Thursday night.

FBI updates public on mysterious drones flying over New Jersey

The investigation revealed the drone to be a hobby or toy type drone, not a large commercial or military grade drone, the Pequannock Township Police Department posted on Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Hillsborough in Somerset County, several police agencies responded to the Lowes parking lot Thursday night and Friday morning for a report of a drone down into power lines. A search of the area yielded negative results.

Mysterious drones have been spotted flying through the sky over the past few weeks. New Jersey residents have described the sightings as unnerving and creepy, and they want an explanation.

On Friday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy asked the Biden administration to allocate more resources to an ongoing investigation into the drone sightings reported in the state.

Murphy and other officials said there is no evidence that the drones threaten national security or public safety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security released a joint statement Thursday regarding the reported drone sightings. Other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any reported sightings with electronic detection.

Officials also said there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted airspace.

Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use. However, they are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions, and operators must be FAA-certified.

Witnesses said the drones they have seen in New Jersey appear larger than those typically used by hobbyists.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
I wrote an opinion piece, as a graduating medical student, in KevinMD a little over six years ago, expressing the importance of supporting medical students through confidence and encouragement. As a pediatric attending now, with my own trainees, I continue to support this ask, but I would love to add to it and give it a different perspective.

I recently realized that I have been feeling quite far removed from my medical school days, though it has only been six years since I graduated. I was rounding on the wards with my trainees (pediatric residents and medical students on their pediatric clerkship), and as I was teaching them about febrile seizures, I realized I had no idea what kind of content was high-yield for my students. I know what to tell my residents they may encounter on boards and what concepts are high-yield, but I couldnt even remember my pediatric shelf exam. And so, I embarked on taking a practice pediatric shelf exam.

Im a little embarrassed to say that while I did pass it (and my colleague and clerkship director told me I would have met honors criteria), I did not get the 100 percent I was expecting! This truly gave me pause. Not just because I fully expected to get a perfect score and didnt, but also because its a wonderful reminder that even early-career physicians can get lost in the busyness of life and career and forget what it is like to be in the depths of medical school.

So, yes, we absolutely need to support medical students through how we offer advice and encouragement, but we also need to make sure that we are constantly reflecting. If you are in a setting where you have trainees, remind yourself (even if you dont choose to take a practice shelf exam) what it was like to be in that situation.

In pediatrics, we recommend parents try and think from the perspective of their children, and from there, it can help them understand certain actions or behaviors and how to best approach them. I recommend we do the same in medicine. What was it like to be a medical student, and how can I best support them? What was it like to be a resident, and how can I best support them? I also suggest we do this for the rest of our careers, with continued mentorship and support from our senior colleagues and onward.

I let my students know that I took a practice exam and did not receive the 100 percent I expected, and honestly, they werent super surprised. Not because they have such little faith in me or my knowledge, but because they recognize the disconnect that attendings have sometimes. Re-establish those connections through perspective-taking, listening, and reflecting.

Gurbaksh Esch is a pediatric hospitalist.
The bright lights of drone-like objects lighting up the night sky have been spotted in Maryland, prompting lawmakers, federal agencies and even a former governor to search for answers.

I am aware of reports of numerous apparent drone sightings over the Delmarva Peninsula and in Salisbury, Maryland, in my district, Maryland Republican Congressman Andy Harris told The Baltimore Sun on Saturday. We need transparency now from the White House to find out if these drones are a threat to our national security, and if they are, we need to take proper corrective action immediately.

This increased activity first made national headlines in New Jersey, and now widespread questions have been raised about the origin of the drones, which have also been spotted in Pennsylvania and New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Federal officials have not ruled out that some of the objects could be airplanes or helicopters. However, the drones do not appear to be a threat to national security  for the time being.

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI said in a joint statement. The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.

Precautions are being taken.

On Saturday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maryland announced a temporary flight restriction in place for the annual Army-Navy game at Northwest Stadium in Landover. The area was considered a No Drone Zone for a two-nautical-mile radius around the stadium and up to 2,000 feet above ground level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan expressed his concerns about the drone activity on social media after claiming he spotted an object in the sky around 9:45 p.m. Thursday near his Davidsonville home. He sees this phenomenon as a growing problem in Maryland and throughout the U.S.

Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security, Hogan wrote on X. But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government. The government has the ability to track these from their point of origin but has mounted a negligent response. People are rightfully clamoring for answers, but arent getting any.

Other drone sightings have been reported in the Woodberry neighborhood of Baltimore and Prince Frederick in Calvert County.

The drone activity is also a concern among industry experts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Eric Brown, founder and CEO of Imperio Consulting, spent 24 years in the Special Forces as a Green Beret and has seen firsthand the evolution of drone technology. If drones are appearing in areas where they shouldnt, especially near critical infrastructure, its a signal that someone is gathering information or testing boundaries. This would naturally be a concern for any government agency tasked with ensuring public safety and national security, according to Brown.

The potential risks depend on how the drones are used. In combat, drones were essential for gathering intelligence and ensuring mission success, but that same technology could be used for surveillance of sensitive locations, Brown told The Baltimore Sun. Drones can also deliver payloads, as we utilized them to carry ordnance in certain missions. While such use requires precision and authorization in military contexts, the potential for misuse in civilian settings  accidentally or intentionally  is significant.

Yashin Manraj, CEO of Pvotal Technologies, said the surge in national interest and curiosity has attracted many copycats who are now flying their FAA-compliant drones to troll the media. The most effective way would be to identify the drone handlers and penalize them in a public setting to inform and quell the fears related to this activity, he said.

We hope that lawmakers take a nuanced approach and balance the hysteria with a concerted effort to empower the U.S. technological hegemony to extend to drones rather than letting other countries get ahead while we curtail our growth and progress for political reasons, Manraj said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Melissa Swisher, the chief revenue officer at SkySafe, said rising drone activity is a serious concern for both local and federal governments due to the increasing risks posed to public safety and critical infrastructure. Unauthorized drones can disrupt operations at airports, power plants, water treatment facilities and even military bases.

These incidents not only endanger lives but can also lead to significant economic and operational disruptions. Governments are under pressure to address these threats while managing the growing adoption of drones in legitimate industries, she said.

The dangers of drones are wide-ranging. Unauthorized drones can be used for espionage, and weaponized to damage power grids, disrupt airspace, endanger aircraft, jeopardize public events, smuggle contraband into secure facilities, and deliver harmful payloads, Swisher told The Baltimore Sun. They also pose a surveillance risk, potentially violating individual privacy and compromising sensitive operations or infrastructure.

Hogan has demanded answers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The mystery of these objects has created unease among residents.

We are being told that neither the White House, the military, the FBI, nor Homeland Security have any idea what they are, where they came from, or who has launched or is controlling them  and that they pose no threat, Hogan wrote on X. That response is entirely unacceptable. I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue. The American people deserve answers and action now.

Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
A 27-year-old Tacoma man drove the wrong way on Interstate 405 in Renton Saturday morning and caused a three-car collision, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The wrong-way driver and another driver were both injured and taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The driver was arrested for vehicular assault.

The WSP said the Tacoma man was driving a 2024 Toyota RAV4 northbound in the southbound lanes on I-405 at NE 44th Street around 4 a.m. when he crashed into a 2023 Honda CRV driven by a 48-year-old Woodinville man.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Tacoma man was trapped in his vehicle after the crash.

Another southbound vehicles driver swerved to avoid the crash but was hit by the Tacoma mans rotating vehicle. He was uninjured.

The road was blocked for two hours and 41 minutes, the WSP said. The Toyota and Honda were both totaled.

There is definitely suspected impairment, WSP Trooper Rick Johnson.
The residents of a Druze community in southern Syria have expressed a desire to become part of Israel to prevent assaults by radical Islamists.

A video circulating on social media shows a gathering of the religious minority in the Syrian village of Hader, in the buffer zone between Israel and Syria which is now fully controlled by the Israeli Defence Force.

If we have to choose, we will choose the lesser evil. And even if its considered evil to ask to be annexed to the [Israeli] Golan, its a much lesser evil than the evil coming our way, a man told a crowd in Arabic, according to a translation by Times of Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The unnamed man said the evil coming for the Druze might take our women, might take our daughters  might take our houses.

A funeral for a Druze military commander killed in October - Shir Torem/Reuters

Bashar al-Assad left. What do we have left? Nothing. We asked to be annexed to the Golan to preserve our dignity, he continued.

Syria has seen mass celebrations since the fall of Assad last week but some minorities have expressed concern about their future under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an offshoot of Al Qaeda which has moderated its stance on a variety of issues.

Some 700,000 Druze live in Syria, with about 20,000 in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights adjacent to Hader, where the call to join Israel was made. Another roughly 150,000 Druze live in Israel proper.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The call to be annexed by Israel is however not seen as representative of the Druze living in Syria.

Its very surprising. But this is the right way to protect the residents of the Druze villages before the Islamist terrorists try to attack them, a Druze resident of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights told Telegraph.

Israeli troops on Syrian territory on Saturday, after taking over the buffer zone - Atef Safadi/EPA

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and annexed the territory in 1981.

Beyond defending themselves from attacks on the areas where they live, Syrias Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of the civil war.

Many have managed to avoid compulsory conscription since 2011.

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.
Dec. 13A proposed Alaska state budget issued by Gov. Mike Dunleavy this week includes a preliminary funding plan for maintaining or improving the state's infrastructure.

The capital budget, as it is known, differs from the operating budget  which funds state services  because most of it is made up of one-time funding appropriations that cover projects to be completed in the coming year.

The governor's budget proposal  which serves as a starting point for lawmakers' crafting of the state's upcoming budget  numbers hundreds of pages of proposals and ideas. Much of the operating plan remains unchanged from the current fiscal year. The budget covers the 2026 fiscal year, which starts in July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are some of Dunleavy's ideas.

Funding for computer systems

Dunleavy's capital proposals include millions of dollars in funding to improve not just Alaska's physical infrastructure, but also the computer systems that are used for state services. Alaska's aging computer systems have been blamed in recent years for major delays in the approval of applications for food assistance and for delays and errors in the payroll of state workers.

Dunleavy is requesting $7 million for a statewide attendance management system that will improve payroll services for the state's 14,000 public employees. According to budget documents, the current system "does not adequately address the complex timekeeping needs arising from various bargaining units and special agreements."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The existing process involves over 200 event codes and significant manual input, leading to inefficiencies and increased potential for data entry errors," the department said in its request. Last year, a union representing 8,000 state employees alleged that hundreds of its members were paid incorrectly that year due to errors made by the state payroll division.

The Department of Administration, which oversees the payroll division, stated that the new system will reduce the error rate, in part by reducing reliance on paper forms.

This year's budget request also includes nearly $4.5 million for a new Permanent Fund dividend application system. Among other changes, the new system is expected to use artificial intelligence in order to "improve operating efficiencies." This year's request comes after lawmakers already approved earlier this year a $7.5 million appropriation for the project. In total, the new dividend application system is expected to cost nearly $12 million.

Dunleavy is also requesting $8 million for a new case management system in the Department of Law. The department stated that its current system for tracking civil cases "is not compatible with moving to the cloud" and its criminal division system "is unable to keep up with the amounts and types of evidence and experiences connectivity issues with the court system."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Department of Law is expected to request an additional $5 million to complete the full project next year, for a total cost of $13 million to update the Department of Law's case management system.

Reopening a shuttered Talkeetna trooper post

The administration wants $2.4 million to reopen an Alaska State Trooper post in Talkeetna that closed in 2016.

The state announced in 2015 it would close the Talkeetna trooper post to save about $80,000 annually. After the 2016 closure, the sergeant, four troopers and one administrative assistant who were assigned to the Talkeetna post were reassigned to the Mat-Su West post, 45 minutes away from Talkeetna.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But this time, Dunleavy is not proposing that those positions be returned to Talkeetna. Instead, he is proposing to create five brand-new positions, at an annual cost of nearly $1.5 million, including a sergeant, three troopers, and a criminal justice technician.

The Department of Public Safety says the Mat-Su has seen significant population growth, but law enforcement "lacks sufficient capacity to effectively respond to calls" in Willow, Talkeetna and Trapper Creek.

The deployment of troopers in the Mat-Su has been contentious. The borough has long opposed funding its own dedicated law enforcement department.

Adding village public safety officers  if they can be found

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dunleavy's budget proposal also includes $1.2 million to hire five additional Village Public Safety Officers on a temporary basis, but not all currently funded positions are filled, according to the Department of Public Safety

If the requested funding is approved  and the positions are filled  that would bring the total number of officers to 90, from a low of 38 in 2019. But the number of positions would still be lower than the peak of more than 100 officers in 2012.

Though the department currently has 85 funded VPSO positions, there were only 71 filled positions as of June of this year, an increase of only two from the previous year.

The village officers provide law enforcement, fire suppression, search and rescue and emergency medical services in the communities where they work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The proposed additional positions come through grant funding, meaning they could be discontinued in the following fiscal year, depending on the length of the grant.

"Attracting and retaining VPSOs remains a persistent challenge due to high turnover rates, remote postings, and the extensive training required. This challenge is exacerbated by infrastructure limitations and resource constraints in many rural communities," the department stated.

Progressing on the West Susitna access road

Dunleavy is asking for $2.5 million to put toward the controversial West Susitna Road Project.

The road project's full cost was previously estimated at $350 million for a 100-mile route that numerous mining companies have eyed for potentially lucrative deposits. Dunleavy has continued to push for the road to be built despite opposition from some residents of the region, including by dissolving a public oversight board whose members were skeptical of the project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Critics say the project threatens salmon habitat and the wilderness character of an undeveloped part of the state. Dunleavy and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority say it would open access to minerals, timber, coal and renewable energy sources, along with recreational opportunities.

Lawmakers had previously appropriated $8.5 million toward the project. The funding is intended for AIDEA, which oversees the planned project for the state, to obtain the necessary environmental approvals for its progress.

Clearing homeless camps

The administration wants $500,000 in the operating budget to hire contractors to clear vacated homeless encampments from the side of state roads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says the number of abandoned camps are growing in state rights-of-way. Contractors would clear debris, waste and hazardous materials, state transportation officials said in a budget request. The department said it will focus on "critical areas" that have "posed ongoing challenges." It said that using contractors rather than department employees would be cost effective.

Making room for burials

The Anchorage Cemetery is nearly full, so Dunleavy is asking for $1 million in state funds to purchase and establish the Eagle River Cemetery. The request comes after Dunleavy vetoed the same amount of funding for the cemetery in last year's budget.

Anchorage voters rejected earlier this year a $4 million bond that would have established cemeteries in Eagle River and Girdwood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Body armor for troopers

The Department of Public Safety wants $750,000 to outfit Alaska State Troopers with new protective gear. The department says the funds would be used to buy new ballistic shields, and to replace "expired body armor," which "presents significant risks."

Additionally, the capital request would replace "outdated" shotguns used to deploy less-lethal rounds. The department says those shotguns "have demonstrated a 60% failure rate."

"Without this new equipment, troopers will continue to face considerable risks from high-caliber firearm assaults, and the continued use of failing less lethal shotguns may result in increased reliance on lethal force," public safety officials said in their budget request.

Boosting University of Alaska Fairbanks

Dunleavy is asking for $5 million in funding for the University of Alaska Fairbanks to achieve R1 status, given to the nation's top research institutions. The request comes after Dunleavy vetoed a similar funding amount approved by the Legislature earlier this year.

According to the budget request, the $5 million grant "has the potential to transform Alaska's economy" in part by attracting top students and faculty. Alaska is one of only five states without an R1 research university.

Studying Alaska king salmon

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game wants $22 million over five years to study king salmon numbers across the Gulf of Alaska.

In March, a federal fisheries agency launched a year-long review to determine if Alaska king salmon should be listed as an endangered species. The review was triggered when the Wild Fish Conservancy, a conservation group, filed a petition that argued the prized fish is at risk of extinction.

The department's capital request notes that king salmon "run sizes have generally been decreasing and ocean conditions have been changing, sometimes dramatically." As a result, some king salmon fisheries across the Gulf of Alaska have been closed or severely restricted for over a decade, the department said.

The five-year study is intended to provide up-to-date information on king salmon stocks to help "sustainably manage" Alaska's fisheries, state officials said.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  ECU celebrated its 116th fall commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Friends, family, professors and graduates gathered in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum to celebrate the new Pirate alumni.

Nearly 2,000 students got to graduate and it was the first one with a student from Project Kitty Hawk to walk across the stage.

Project Kitty Hawk is a nonprofit organization that helps support adult learners in the state. Super proud, excited and anxious for her to get out into the world and start her career and just super excited for our baby girl, Angela Childers said of her daughters graduation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, Im done and then Im a teacher, so I get to go and teach forever, graduate Riley Shaw said. So busy, exciting smiles on everybodys faces.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  An East Texas man has been sentenced after admitting to ingesting a block of meth during police pursuit.

Daniel Richard Simpson, 38 of Malakoff, was sentenced to 45 years in prison after being convicted of evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle and tampering or fabricating with physical evidence.

2 arrested in Smith County after childrens outcry of physical, sexual abuse

Mugshot of Richard Simpson, courtesy of the Henderson County Jail.

The Athens Police Department was dispatched to a Walmart Super Center in August 2021 in reference to two men suspected of shoplifting. Authorities approached the individuals, who at the time entered a black car in the parking lot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Simpson, the driver, was issued a criminal trespass warning for Walmart and learned that he had a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation.

When Simpson learned of his active warrant, he reportedly fled through city limits of Athens and eventually lost control and slid into a ditch. Simpson reportedly admitted to officials he had ingested a block of meth and had traveled around 38 miles with speeds up to 105 mph.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard of Simpsons lengthy criminal history spanning several decades.

In 2005, he was sentenced to prison for indecency with a child, the Henderson County District Attorneys Office said. He also has two felony convictions for forgery and two prison sentences for failure to comply with sex offender registration from Lamar and Dallas counties as well as numerous misdemeanor sentences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Dec. 13The song "Higher" by Eminem is on Emily Howard's "Pump Me Up" playlist. She listened to it on her way to Wednesday's Economic Forum meeting, the final event she attended as a general member.

Come January, she'll step into the role of executive director.

Howard on Wednesday participated in a Q&A with the outgoing executive director Kathie Winograd, answering a mix of serious and fun questions. She envisions an Economic Forum where nobody wants to miss a meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I want every CEO to be here on Wednesdays," Howard said.

Some of her ideas include bringing back smaller groups, like women CEOs and young leadership, and strengthening connections with educational institutions, like Albuquerque Public Schools and universities.

"That's one of the reasons I was attracted to this job opportunity, because I think that I am good at bringing people together, and I hope that I'll continue to do that," Howard said.

Her personal vision, she said in response to a question from Winograd, is to help build a brighter future for New Mexico. She wants her two young daughters to live in a well-rounded community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I would love for them to be able to tell their friends they're from Albuquerque and be really proud of that," Howard said.

She had a quick answer to Winograd's superpower question, saying she'd like to be invisible.

"I'm super curious and nosy, maybe, is the better word. So I would love to listen to conversations with people not knowing that I'm listening," Howard joked, eliciting laughs from the audience.

If she could create a new phone app, she'd have something that would remind her to live in the moment, Howard said.

"Stop thinking about the future," she said. "Stop worrying about what can happen tomorrow. Stop worrying about what you did yesterday and just focus on now."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The final question Winograd asked was what question Howard wished she'd been asked. Howard said she'd like to answer the question of what gets her out of bed in the morning.

"I'm a very antsy person. I like to do things," Howard said. "So I think what gets me out of bed every day is being able to have coffee and tea with my husband and catch up on the news and plan our day, help my girls get ready for school, go to a client meeting, work on a project. I just like to be busy. Getting out of bed, that's my motivation  I get to do something cool today."

Howard wasn't the only leader celebrated at Wednesday's meeting.

Economic Forum is traditionally held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in December, and IPCC president and CEO Mike Canfield at the meeting gave updates on work the center is doing, like opening the La Montanita Co-op and the Indian Pueblo Kitchen at the Sunport.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was Canfield's last time hosting the Economic Forum as the leader of IPCC, as he plans to retire in March. Having served as CEO for more than a decade and being involved with IPCC for the past three decades, Canfield said it's been a privilege working with the 19 pueblos of New Mexico.

"It was an honor in my life," Canfield said, tearing up as attendees gave him a standing ovation.
After the activity-filled 12 months hes had, there are few things Sir Ed Davey could announce hes doing to round off the year thatd even raise an eyebrow around Westminster. Mud wrestling, to show how hes willing to fight for rural constituencies? Sure. Nude ice-skating, to draw attention to winter fuel payments? Could do. Line-dancing, to keep the spotlight on NHS queues? He may have done that already, actually.

Its why, when the Liberal Democrats leader declared earlier this month that hes making an assault on Christmas number one with a festive-themed charity single, the general reaction was: Of course Sir Ed Daveys going for Christmas number one. In some ways itd be more surprising if he wasnt.

We find out if weve got it next Friday, Sir Ed says, beaming from an armchair in his office at the Palace of Westminster. He released Love Is Enough, a jaunty number written by six carers and recorded with the Bath Philharmonia Young Carers Choir, earlier this month. Against some stiff competition  including another charity single featuring Frank Bruno singing The Beatles  the polling numbers are solid if unspectacular. Sir Ed turns 59 on Christmas Day. To get the present he wants, he could do with shifting the dial.

Love is Enough was written by six young carers (pictured) and recorded with the Bath Philharmonia Young Carers Choir

You were above Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus in the Top 40 on the Friday just gone, an aide informs him. Sir Ed looks buoyed by this news. Itd be wonderful if we did it, but thats not the point, its about raising money and awareness for young carers, he says. I have to stress that Im not doing that much of the singing. You can hear me at two or three points if you listen hard enough, though

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Who would be foolish enough to bet against Sir Ed Davey pulling off one final, bonkers surprise in 2024? Five years ago, when hed just taken over as leader of a party reduced to 11 MPs in that years election, he struggled to be noticed, struggled to be heard and, as the Conservatives and Labour tussled, struggled to be part of the conversation.

So he devised a plan. Tired of the focus on the so-called Red Wall, he identified a Blue Wall of Tory seats where moderate voters were growing dissatisfied, and set about ruthlessly targeting it. A slew of impressive post-pandemic by-election wins suggested he might just be on to something.

Then came the general election, and another bold strategy. Rather than compete for traditional coverage, the Lib Dems devised a campaign built around luring the media to Sir Ed by offering the promise of a photo of him looking foolish. He fell off a paddleboard. He fed llamas. He raced wheelbarrows. He did aqua aerobics. Then, once hed dried off and had a microphone pointed at him, he used each opportunity to air a series of disciplined policy messages.

A bungee jump in Eastbourne was among Ed Daveys many pre-election stunts - PA Wire

And it worked. Today, he sits triumphantly in an office reserved for the leader of parliaments third biggest party. The Lib Dems won a record 72 seats in July, ousting four cabinet ministers in the process and taking constituencies once held by former prime ministers David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson. The story of the election was dominated by Labours landslide, but the mild orange wave that rolled across Britain  from North Norfolk to St Ives, Chichester to Caithness  was just as remarkable. Earlier this month, Sir Ed beat Nigel Farage to Disruptor of the Year at the Spectator Parliamentarian Awards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We were optimistic last Christmas, but our expectations were not 72 Sir Ed admits. When the exit poll was released in July, he turned to his wife, Emily, a housing expert and Lib Dem councillor, and predicted 45 to 50 seats. That night he went to bed with few enough MPs to fit them all in a minibus. By the morning, there were so many that hed never even met two of them before.

Hes still in the process of moving into his office, which is bare, save for two framed cartoons depicting those by-election wins, and a Christmas card from the King. It is not a particularly luxurious corner of the Palace. The SNP, the last holders of these quarters, complained about the dodgy heating years ago. Its still not fixed, but progress is slow in parliament.

Most importantly Ive got [H.H.] Asquiths desk, he says, rapping his knuckles on a table that belonged to the last Liberal prime minister, who left office 108 years ago. But were about to put up a whole load more pictures, a few of the stunts from the general election might feature.

After winning a record 72 seats at this years General Election, the Lib Dems reclaimed the status of third largest party in the Commons - PA Wire

The stunts are nonetheless everywhere: tiny cut-out figures of Sir Ed mid-jape are stuck all over the adjacent offices of his staff, while a mock-up of him dangling over a tree to put the star on top features on his official Christmas card. An effortlessly warm and cheerful man, he loves it all, and his staff clearly love him back. It calls to mind David Brents appraisal of his own leadership skills: Im a friend first, boss second Probably an entertainer third.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Not everybody saw the stunts as wise. The New Statesman wrote that Whatever Davey is doing, he is certainly not applying for the role of prime minister of the United Kingdom  an office that still commands some scant vestige of respect. Others saw the Christmas song as a step too far. Lovey-dovey Davey really needs to toughen up, wrote former Tory MP Matthew Parris.

We just found that we could express a political message that was topical, made people smile and got lots of attention, Sir Ed says. Initially we had people saying were not serious, but we got lots of great feedback too. Things shifted when he released a deeply personal video detailing his life as a carer for his now 17-year-old son, John, who has a serious neurological disorder.

Davey was widely applauded for a personal video he released detailing his life as a carer for his son John

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That was a bit of an antidote to messing about on a paddleboard. So we grabbed peoples attention, showed I wasnt just some sort of joker, then came in with the policy. My experience was that I spoke more about Liberal Democrat policy than at any other election.

I think people who have a classic liberal approach to politics  like a lot of your readers, actually  have often thought the funny stuff should be beneath us. What thats meant is that people on the extremes of politics have filled that vacuum. It may be a different way of doing politics, but its effective, as it clearly was in the general election.

Sir Ed is also on TikTok, or at least features in Lib Dem TikToks, dancing and calling for Sir Keir Starmer to take him on at Fifa, the video game, among other things. He and Farage are two of the only major politicians on the platform. Im the leader of the Rizz Dems, dont you know? Sir Ed says, giggling. To translate, rizz is roughly Gen Z slang for charisma.

Doesnt he worry people might consider him too much of a laugh? If people think that, they just dont know me, and dont listen to the other stuff Im saying, says Sir Ed. Incidentally, he made his debut on Have I Got News For You last night. When I fell off the paddleboard, I talked about sewage, which is a big issue. When I came down the slip-and-slide, I talked about childrens mental health We always linked it to policy. If you start with the message, you lose a lot of people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is an approach in sharp contrast to that of Labour and Sir Keir Starmer. How would he rate the Prime Ministers first few months? Sir Ed sighs and shakes his head into hard-truths mode. They dont seem to be listening to people. And I think the Conservatives massive error was that they didnt listen. I mean, [Labours cuts to the] winter fuel payment? Unbelievably stupid, a huge mistake

Farming, unbelievable. The Conservatives were doing badly among farmers, who felt very let down. What do Labour do? Rather than understanding, they do this crazy, crazy inheritance tax. Its awful. They dont understand farmers and they dont understand how the economics of farming works.

The Lib Dems are now the dominant political voice in many rural regions, not least the south-west. Could the issue cost Labour the next election? It should do, if they dont listen to people  dont listen to pensioners, dont listen to farmers Then this stuff on housing from Angela Rayner this week. Does she really think top-down approaches are going to rebuild trust in politics? They lived through the last Tory government [but] Labour seems to be doing the same thing.

Labour seems to be doing the same thing as the last Government, says Davey - Eddie Mulholland

If you were to ask AI to conjure a modern Charles Dickens novel, it might well come up with something resembling Sir Ed Daveys early life. The youngest of three sons, he was born one Christmas Day in Nottinghamshire. His father, John, a solicitor, died from Hodgkins Lymphoma when Sir Ed was four, while his mother, Nina, died from secondary bone cancer when he was 15, after three years of him nursing her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We had help from neighbours and a few family friends, but for me, as a young carer, I felt slightly isolated at school  I was at school thinking about my mum, while everyone else was thinking about what was in the charts or on TV. So it can be quite a lonely experience, he says.

I did lots of things, but I had to give up rugby as we were worried about me getting injured when I had to get the washing done. Id spend hours sitting on the bed with my mum, talking to her. But it was full-on care. I was administering morphine, putting electric pads on her so she could give herself shocks to take away the pain Making food It was a crazy time.

When she died, of course, he was an orphan. I had never identified with the word. The only person who used it was my headteacher, who stopped me in the corridor and said, Davey, sorry to hear about your mum Weve never had an orphan before. Not the most sensitive way to deal with a child whos just been bereaved. People didnt know what to say, really.

He scoffs at the idea he might have been offered therapy. No therapy, no counselling. In many ways I was fortunate, we werent badly off, I had my grandparents, mum prepared me brilliantly, so a lot of people have a much tougher time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite such challenges, he threw himself into his studies and went on to study PPE (politics, philosophy and economics) at Oxford, eventually settling on Liberal politics, having felt ideologically directionless before. By the time the SDP had morphed into the Liberal Democrats under Paddy Ashdown, he was on board, becoming Ashdowns economics advisor.

That Sir Ed is a remarkably decent and selfless person is clear even if you know only a little about him. Yet theres one illustrative story he somehow resists telling every time hes interviewed: when, as a young man 30 years ago, he risked his life to save a stranger from being killed by a train.

It could well be 30 years actually, 1994, yeah he says, when I bring it up. He was standing on platform 12 at Clapham Junction on his way home from work late one night when he witnessed a couple fighting on platform 11. The man involved got on a train while the woman fell on the tracks, badly injuring herself. Everyone went, Oh my God! but no one did anything. So I took my coat and bag off, got down onto the track, checked she was still breathing, picked her up to put her back on the platform, but then I saw the lights of a train coming. I thought, Oh, shit.

Fearing it wouldnt stop, the blood-soaked Sir Ed turned around and ran  still with the woman in his arms  across the live rails and to the other platform, where he clambered to safety with her. A few months later he received a Royal Humane Society bravery award and a Chief Constables Commendation from the British Transport Police. Thats the story. It was an odd episode, he concludes. He never heard from the woman again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

December is a significant month, then. Having a birthday on Christmas Day isnt easy for anyone, but Sir Eds had it particularly hard. My mum used to make sure I had a little birthday two weeks beforehand. After she died, there was a period where my nan and grandpa and brothers would sometimes forget. He smiles. Twice I remember having to remind them it was my birthday Obviously now my wife makes a fuss of me, but Christmas has been about kids since John was born.

That he is now a carer again is a stroke of fate he came to terms with long ago. Johns condition is undiagnosed, despite extensive tests, but his symptoms are that he cannot walk unaided, has limited speech  we mainly talk in silly language  and learning disabilities. He is currently home-schooled by a teacher paid for by the council.

Knowing when hes appreciating something and understanding whats happening is quite challenging. You can tell when hes happy though, and thats when hes got his mummy and daddy and sister around. The Daveys also have a daughter, Ellie, who is 10.

Caring duties are divided at the family home in Kingston and Surbiton, his constituency since 1997 (save for two years between 2015-2017 after he, and many other Lib Dem former cabinet ministers, were ousted by voters). I like to think Im fairly hands-on, Im there almost every morning, and the first person John and Ellie see in the morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The situation is made more difficult by Emily having multiple sclerosis, a condition first suspected in 2004 but not diagnosed until 2012. It has worsened over recent years; she now often uses a walking stick. Although shes very much part of the care and does a lot of work, shes a bit less stable and a bit slower. So the combination of John and Emily means that I couldnt do what I need to do without carer support. Through various generous people, we can afford to have a live-in carer for five days a week. Im more switched on to caring at the weekend, but John is a joy.

Number one or not, Sir Ed will gift himself a morsel of time off over Christmas, which the Daveys will spend with Emilys family in Dorset, before embracing the challenges of a new year (his resolution is probably the usual one, which is to lose weight and get fitter), including targeting the local elections in May and, it seems, broadening the Lib Dem message to include more about security and defence.

The arrival of Trump is challenging for European countries

The arrival of Trump is challenging for European countries, he says, stern again. He has called Trump a dangerous, destructive demagogue. I think youll see from my track record that I tend to call a spade a spade, and Im very worried about defence of security. In my record in government, I was more hawkish on Russia than my Conservative colleagues, who didnt understand that Crimea was a massive wake-up call.

Late in that government, as energy secretary, Sir Ed frustrated the Kremlin by stopping a Russian company, LetterOne, from buying up vast North Sea gas assets, an act for which I didnt get as much support from the other part of the coalition as I should have done, in my view. But I dont regret it. The upshot, he adds, triumphantly, is that apparently I shouldnt travel to Moscow, for my own security.

His other worry with Trump, he says, is the prospect of tariffs destabilising the global economy. We are an open, trading nation. Even if he doesnt put tariffs on the UK, if he puts them on other countries, that means the world economy gets hit, and we get washed up in that. So weve got to use all our powers of persuasion to persuade him that tariffs is not such a good word as he thinks it is. Failing that, we need to have a plan B.

He pauses, and sits back. If youre a serious politician, you should be thinking about trade and security. And Sir Ed Davey, lest anyone ever doubt it, is a serious politician.

He springs up for a photograph  not his first of the year, but this time all hell need to do is stand there. No gimmicks, no stunts, just a man hoping to be Christmas number one. Before we go, I wonder if any stunt was vetoed for being a step too far.

Wing-walking, he says, instantly. An aide offers ballet and Morris dancing. They think some more. Oh, Sir Ed says, and putting my hand up a cows backside.

Theres always next year.



Love is Enough by Bath Philharmonia Young Carers Choir, featuring Ed Davey is available to download and stream on all major platforms

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.
Dec. 13"Don't shoot the messenger."

There is a reason for that old saw  especially when it comes to journalists.

Too often, those in power don't like reporting that may reveal mistakes, embarrassing facts, ill intentions or even things they simply don't want to be questioned about. And those in power have myriad ways to lash out at journalists.

That, however, is a problem when it comes to keeping the citizenry informed in a democratic republic. Though he tussled with newspapers on multiple occasions, Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Edward Carrington, asserted that a free press is essential to keeping the government in check. Jefferson wrote that, offered the choice of "a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The First Amendment guarantees Congress cannot pass a law abridging freedom of the press, but it provides no mechanism for protecting it. The founders left that to the legislative branch and the courts.

A shield law with broad bipartisan support making its way through the halls of Congress would help.

The "Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act"  the PRESS Act in the clever-acronym parlance of legislators  is intended to shield journalists from government surveillance and from being forced to reveal confidential sources. It was introduced in 2021 and again in 2023. It passed the House twice, including earlier in this session, but has stalled repeatedly in the Senate.

This week, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., blocked the request for unanimous consent to pass the bill, calling the legislation "a threat to U.S. national security and an insult to basic fairness in the principle of equality before the law." Cotton's move comes in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's demand that congressional Republicans "must kill this bill."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, a 2023 case in Kansas demonstrates the necessity of a federal shield law. The Marion County Record was raided by the Marion, Kansas, police department in August 2023. Police seized computers, cellphones and other assets needed to publish the Marion County Record, executing a warrant signed by a county magistrate.

The warrant alleged that there was probable cause to believe that identity theft and unlawful computer acts may have been committed concerning a Marion restaurant owner. The allegations turned out to be without merit. The owner and publisher died of a heart attack the day after the warrant was served on her home. The Marion police chief later resigned and now faces a felony charge and five federal civil suits for his actions related to the warrant and raid.

The now-former Marion police Chief Gideon Cody was unhappy with questions he had been asked by the paper about his past, and the business owner was unhappy about the paper checking into claims she was driving illegally after her license had been suspended after a drunken driving incident. Reporters wouldn't tell them who initially provided the information they were investigating. The raid was both retaliatory and preemptive, punishing questioning from reporters and trying to halt an uncomfortable investigation by the paper.

Such a case is a practical demonstration of the need for a broad national law to curb such an attack and to hold to account those who wield the power of the government, whether local, state or national, to go after journalists.

The Senate should bring the bill to a vote and pass it this session.
Rachel was making her 25th visit to the emergency department. The wound on her leg from injecting drugs had spread to her entire calf and required a lengthy course of antibiotic treatment in the hospital. The few times she had been admitted to the hospital, she had left without finishing treatment because the pain and withdrawal symptoms were too much to bear. On her most recent visit, she finally stayed to complete the treatment. She was then connected to an outpatient program to receive medication for her addiction, where she met Tara.

Tara introduced herself to Rachel as someone who once used drugs and now helps people like Rachel get back on their feet. In the following months, Rachel agreed to participate in a research study to receive support from Tara and a social worker.

Tara checked on Rachel at least weekly. Rachel was too ashamed of her chaotic life to let her family know her whereabouts. At Taras encouragement, she left the street and went back to her family. When Tara found out that Rachels family was spending hundreds of dollars each month ordering wound care supplies from Amazon, she worked with Rachels doctor to send Rachel supplies fully covered by Medicaid. Tara helped Rachel re-enroll in Medicaid, apply for food stamps, and get a mailing address at a local program serving people who are homeless and use drugs. They talked about how Rachel might find purpose after a decade full of shame and trauma. Rachel is now thinking of going back to school.

The last time they talked, Tara told Rachel that the study that had funded Taras work for four years was ending. The medical center had yet to find the money to continue the program that had supported Rachel so well.

We are a health policy researcher, a provider with lived experience, and a physician caring for patients with addiction. We are all too familiar with how the American health care system strains to tackle the opioid crisis yet barely makes use of professionals like Tara who know the disease intimately.

In the U.S., the opioid crisis claimed more than 81,000 lives last year. An estimated 2.7 million individuals struggle with opioid use disorder, a chronic condition with huge human and societal tolls. The struggle is so difficult, and the associated stigma so deeply entrenched, that care delivered by traditional providers, like doctors, nurses, and mental health clinicians, is not enough.

Professionals like Tara are known as peer recovery specialists or more simply, peers. Peers are living testimonies that recovery is possible. All 41 states that cover peer services through Medicaid require peers to be trained, certified, and supervised. Peers spend a lot of time with patients, but also in texting, calling, and working with the patients doctors, and finding patients community resources.

Research studies have shown promising but inconclusive evidence on the effectiveness of peers in helping people like Rachel. Peer programs vary considerably in how peers are trained, what activities they engage in, and where and with whom they work. Such variation adds to the difficulty of generating definitive research evidence. However, waiting for research data to coalesce before deploying a promising approach is a luxury that we do not have in this raging crisis.

In a recent study, our team examined Medicaid billing records for peer services. In 20 out of the 28 states we studied, less than 5% of patients with opioid use disorder in 2019 ever received Medicaid-reimbursed peer services. Patients who received any peer services typically received them on 1 or 2 days over the entire year. If Rachel were one of those patients, her first encounter with Tara likely would have been the last.

The very limited use of peer services we observed may have a lot to do with how Medicaid typically pays for peer services. Its based on the time peers spend with a patient, and the payment rate for every 15 minutes can be as low as $10 for one-on-one sessions and $3 per patient for group sessions. Peers like Tara are passionate about caring but they cant do their job with such low pay.

The low payment rate is only part of the problem. To help patients like Rachel, Tara spends way more time searching for and coordinating services and supports without the patient present as she does with the patient. Medicaid wont let her bill for that time. That time is just as important to patient recovery as are personal encounters. Medicaid should move from paying for time with a patient to paying for all things peers do for a patient. One approach is a per-patient-per-month payment, known as a case rate. It covers all activities needed to support recovery and allows peers maximum flexibility in deciding when to do what and where. To make such a payment work, however, it will need to be designed in a way to ensure minimum quantity and quality of services.

Medicare, many Medicaid programs, and some private insurance plans already have a case rate payment for a team to manage primary care patients with mental health conditions such as depression. Teams supported by these payment models typically do not include peers but can benefit from doing so, especially for patients battling both mental health problems and addiction, as in the research study that hires Tara. Another strategy is simply to increase the per-15-minute rates for peer services, which, though unlikely to be sufficient, will at least move us in the right direction.

In the war against the opioid crisis, the healing power of peers is too precious to forego. To unleash peers potential, we need Medicaid to change the way they pay peers and give all patients like Rachel the hope and dignity to begin the series of life-changing events known as recovery.

Yuhua Bao is a professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Her research focuses on two key themes: aligning provider payment models with evidence-based care for mental health and substance use conditions and analyzing policies addressing the opioid crisis. Dr. Bao is leading programs at CHERISH, a NIDA Center of Excellence (P30), and is part of the Cornell Health Policy Center. She can be reached on X @yuhuabaophd.

Tara Calderbank is a certified recovery specialist and manager. Rebecca Arden Harris is a family physician.
Plans for a federal electric transmission corridor that would have crossed the northern half of Oklahoma have been nixed, pleasing Oklahoma lawmakers and residents who said they didn't want their land taken over by the federal government.

The Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor would have stretched from the Panhandle to Little Rock, Arkansas. Portions of the corridor would have gone through all three Panhandle counties, across the northern portion of the state, near Tulsa and into Arkansas.

While federal energy officials said the power line would have brought improved reliability, met demand growth, alleviated congestion and increased clean energy integration, the plan drew pushback from state lawmakers and area residents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a community outreach event in Creek County on Thursday, House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, told the large crowd the corridor would not be on the list of proposed sites by Monday.

The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed via email the project would not be moving forward.

Gov. Kevin Stitt took to X, formerly Twitter, to celebrate the cancelation of the project.

"Good riddance to the proposed Delta-Plains corridor," Stitt wrote.

"Biden's Department of Energy saw no issue in dangling federal eminent domain over our heads, trampling the private property rights of Oklahomans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Another win for Oklahoma!"

Good riddance to the proposed Delta-Plains corridor.



Bidens Department of Energy saw no issue in dangling federal eminent domain over our heads, trampling the private property rights of Oklahomans.



Another win for Oklahoma!https://t.co/aMiqRPqJyJ  Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) December 13, 2024

Oklahoma Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, said he was notified by federal officials that the plan had been scrapped.

Yesterday the U.S. Department of Energy notified me and other Oklahoma leaders of its decision to eliminate consideration of the 645-mile electric transmission corridor that the federal government had proposed running from Oklahoma to Arkansas, Murdock said in a news release. This corridor threatened the private property rights of our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, who made their voices heard. I am proud to have stood side by side in agreement with Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, and countless Oklahomans in successfully fighting this federal overreach.

Hilbert said he filed a resolution that vowed to take all legislative action available to prevent the project from going forward in Oklahoma.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts

He said the people of Oklahoma made it clear they have zero desire to surrender their land to the federal government, especially without clear benefits for their local community.

While we are encouraged by this outcome, we remain committed to working with our federal partners to ensure that Oklahomas interests are respected in any future energy infrastructure decisions, he said in an email to The Oklahoman.

Hilbert said infrastructure needs are constantly evolving and there are state processes in place to get community input and engagement, so future projects should work with Oklahoma landowners and respect their personal property rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We don't support private companies suing landowners to try to force surveying on their property or the acquisition of their land without their consent, he said.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm outlining his stern opposition to the plan. He wrote the corridor would have a negative effect on property owners livelihoods.

The threat of Federal Eminent Domain to property owners is classic Federal overreach. Representing all Oklahomans, I will not sit idly by and allow it to proceed without exercising all lawful measures to protect the private property rights of our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, he wrote.

Gov. Kevin Stitt: Oklahoma considering 'unplugging' from Southwest Power Pool

Stitt told KWTV-9 that he was considering "unplugging" from the Southwest Power Pool, saying he did not want to push Oklahomas sovereignty over to the federal government for permitting rights or for eminent domain  that should belong to the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Energy Department's website, the Delta-Plains project would have been an interregional corridor between the Southwest Power Pool and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.

The Southwest Power Pool manages the electric grid across 14 central-U.S. states, including Oklahoma. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator does the same for 15 southeastern-U.S. states, including Arkansas.

I wont let anyone steamroll Oklahomans or their private property rights.



The feds dont get to just come here and claim eminent domain for a green energy project that nobody wants.



Yes, were looking at unplugging from the Southwest Power Pool.https://t.co/HP4MQo8nO5  Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) December 12, 2024

But Lanny Nickell, Southwest Power Pools executive vice president and COO, said they did not have a role in the Delta-Plains project. In a statement provided to The Oklahoman, Nickell said, SPP is not involved in the (National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor) designation process, which is solely the (Department of Energy's) responsibility. SPP does not participate in the identification, evaluation, designation, or usage of NIETCs.

Our focus remains on addressing local and regional transmission needs through transparent planning and collaboration with state regulators and utility members, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nickell said they have been in communication with the governors office to strengthen a mutual understanding of the ways Southwest Power Pool can work with Oklahoma.

County commissioners glad transmission corridor project is dead

Landowners and lawmakers said they were concerned about federal eminent domain  the power to take private land for public use, while paying the landowner for the use of the property.

Woodward County Commissioner Clint White said he had been following the proposed project for months and anticipated its removal.

Protecting private property rights while ensuring lawful and responsible development is a priority I take seriously, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Payne County Commissioner Chris Reding said hes glad the project got stopped. One of the reasons was the expanse of the proposed easements with landowners, which in some places would have stretched 18 miles, a distance he called absurd.

It just looked shady. It acted shady. It smelled shady. Everything about it was shady, he said.

In November, Payne County commissioners passed a resolution to "object to the future use of eminent domain, or land seizure that is likely to come to Payne County if plans move forward with alternative energy projects.

We didnt really care for that a whole lot, so we were standing up for our people, for our constituents, he said. Reding added many people didnt know about the project until the comment period had passed.

Other transmission line projects in Oklahoma in the works

Invenergys Cimarron Link project is planned for a similar route to the federal transmission project, but this will carry electricity from the Panhandle to a substation near Jenks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Invenergy requested the U.S. Energy Department withdraw the corridor designation in Oklahoma, and it supports the decision to remove the Delta-Plains Corridor from the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) Designation Process, the company said in a statement.

The company also said all landowners along the primary route have been contacted by project representatives and provided easement agreements with above-market compensation offers. The project will improve grid reliability, stabilize affordable energy prices for Oklahoma consumers, and strengthen long-term energy security in the region. The transmission project will also drive economic development and community benefits across Oklahoma, Invenergy said.

Another project by Transource Energy includes plans to build 76 miles of transmission lines from OG&Es Sooner substation in Noble County to Public Service Company of Oklahomas Wekiwa substation in Tulsa County.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Electric project would have stretched from OK panhandle to Arkansas
Dec. 13ELKHART  The Community Foundation of Elkhart County recently announced the recipients of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Elkhart County.

The three students who will receive full-tuition scholarships at any Indiana college or university are:

Jaden Fear of NorthWood High School

Tageeya Galeb of Goshen High School

Annika Troyer of Concord High School

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network, which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana and Indiana Humanities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

"This year's applicants were a strong group and the volunteers and staff who interviewed finalists were greatly impressed," said Guy Fisher, chief program officer for the Community Foundation.

Each eligible Elkhart County high school nominates one senior student based on academic performance (including grades and course load), extra-curricular and civic involvement, work experience, career goals, special circumstances, interview, and an essay. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.
Editors note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.

Even though you want to try to, never grow up, Peter Pan said in the titular novel by J.M. Barrie, echoing a sentiment long expressed by the human race in an effort to cheat death.

The quest to unlock the secrets of longevity has been the topic of scientific study for decades. And some of the greatest lessons about living a long life come from nature itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Take Jonathan the giant tortoise, for instance. It is believed that the tortoise, a resident of the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena, was likely born in 1832  but he may be more than 200 years old since the exact date of his birth remains unknown.

Although blind and lacking a sense of smell, Jonathan still has sharp hearing for his advanced age and sunbathes during mild weather.

But even though giant tortoises are known for their exceptionally long lives, they may be outranked by an elusive creature of the deep.

Ocean secrets

A Greenland shark is seen swimming beneath the ice near northern Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. - Avalon.red/Alamy Stock Photo

The rarely seen Greenland shark is a sluggish creature, slowly swimming through the deep waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans. The polar fish is the only species of shark that can withstand the freezing temperatures year-round.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The large sharks also live to be more than 400 years old, and some of them may have been alive since colonial times.

After mapping and studying their extraordinary genomes, scientists think the sharks unusually long lifespans are rooted in their unique genetic makeup  with insights that could be used to extend human lifespans.

Other worlds

The Black Beauty meteorite opened a window into studying ancient Mars when it was found in the Sahara Desert in 2011.

Astronomers believe the space rock was ejected from the Martian surface 5 million to 10 million years ago. And now, a single mineral grain inside the meteorite has revealed the oldest direct evidence of water on Mars 4.45 billion years ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The mineral grain was altered by hot water on Mars, which suggests that habitable environments such as hot springs may have existed on the red planet early in its history.

Meanwhile, the Perseverance rover just completed its 3 -month ascent up the steep rim of Jezero Crater on Mars, spotting an unusual zebra-striped rock along the way. Next up? The robotic explorer will investigate the oldest rocks on Mars to uncover more about the planets mysterious past.

Wild kingdom

A monarch butterfly drinks nectar from a flower in the pollinator habitat bed near the Chicago Park District storehouse in August. - Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune/Getty Images

With distinctive orange-and-black wings, monarch butterflies are easy to spot as they flit among the flowers, helping pollinate plants and encouraging biodiversity.

But monarch populations have seen a steep decline due to insecticides, habitat loss and the climate crisis  troubling enough that the US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed adding the fragile species to the threatened species list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the butterflies receive the designation, more action could be taken to protect the important pollinators. But officials warn that without action, monarchs could vanish before the end of the century with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems.

Fantastic creatures

When a creature washed ashore in New Zealand in July, experts wondered whether it might be a spade-toothed whale, the worlds rarest whale thats considered to be almost mythical because it has never been seen alive at sea.

Now, scientists studying the remains have confirmed the really stocky, powerful-looking little animal is indeed one of the elusive marine mammals, said Anton van Helden, an expert on some of the worlds rarest whales.

The carcass, studied by whale scientists and members of the local Maori community, yielded precious clues about the deep-sea-diving animal.

We are family

An illustration depicts early Europeans who lived in what's now Ranis, Germany, around 45,000 years ago and likely traveled together across the open steppe landscape. - Tom Bjorklund/Max Planck Institute

Ancient DNA retrieved from bone fragments found in a cave beneath a medieval castle have helped scientists pinpoint when prehistoric humans encountered Neanderthals and made babies with them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bones belonged to a mother, daughter and distant cousins who lived in whats now eastern Germany about 45,000 years ago. Their genomes revealed evidence of Neanderthal ancestry, meaning that early Homo sapiens living in the region mated with Neanderthals 1,500 years earlier.

We were far more similar than we were different, said Priya Moorjani, assistant professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley.

They seem to have mixed with each other for a long period of time.

In addition to shedding light on the shared history between humans and Neanderthals, the study also showed that the fragments belonged to a lost branch of the human family tree.

Discoveries

Explore these fascinating new findings:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 A male humpback whale embarked on a record-breaking migration spanning 8,106 miles (13,046 kilometers) between the Pacific and Indian oceans, offering unique insight into the complex behaviors of these marine giants.

 A type of hardy bacteria, nicknamed Conan the Bacterium, is resistant to doses of radiation thousands of times stronger than what would kill a human. Now, scientists have figured out its secret sauce, which could be used to protect deep-space astronauts in the future.

 The NASA Juno spacecrafts flybys of Jupiters fiery moon Io helped reveal the surprising reasons behind why its the most volcanic world in our solar system.

Like what youve read? Oh, but theres more. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt and Jackie Wattles. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
An Enbridge Energy pipeline in Jefferson County spilled nearly 70,000 gallons of crude oil underground, according to federal officials.

The spill is Enbridge's worst in Wisconsin, surpassing a 2012 incident that spilled 50,000 gallons in Adams County.

A petroleum pipeline spill was first detected Nov. 11 in the town of Oakland during a routine inspection by an Enbridge technician, according to a recent accident report from the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The discharge happened on Line 6, which was built in 1968, and the pumping station was shut down and isolated, the report says. Following excavation of the area, the source of the spill was repaired and the station was returned to service.

Enbridge said in a statement Friday that the spill was due to a faulty connection on a pump transfer pipe.

The accident report states that the pipeline was "likely leaking for extended period of time." According to the Dec. 11 report, an estimated 1,650 barrels, or 69,300 gallons, has spilled.

The Canadian oil company said in its statement that soil removal is ongoing and it estimates about 60% of affected soil has been removed. "Enbridge immediately reported the release to state and federal regulators," the statement says. "We are working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as cleanup and restoration proceed."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The extent of the damage and whether any waterways were affected wasn't immediately clear Friday. The DNR said that it is working with Enbridge on the "investigation of degree and extent of impacts and cleanup of the reported release and will continue to do so."

Enbridge failed to report a spill in early 2019 for more than a year even though the company was well aware that a large amount of an oil substance had been released near Fort Atkinson, also in Jefferson County. The DNR said at the same time that Enbridge was in violation of the law and could face fines.

Midwest Environmental Advocates provides legal support for citizens who exercise their rights to protect natural resources, according to its website. The group's executive director, Tony Wilkin Gibart, said in a statement:

"The close to 70,000 gallons of leaking crude oil from Enbridge's Line 6 in Jefferson County shows why we have challenged DNR's approval of the Line 5 reroute and why we have specifically challenged DNR's conclusion that the risk of a Line 5 spill is small. The risks posed by Line 5 are not small. The harm this pipeline would cause to Wisconsin's waters and the climate is guaranteed to be significant and could be catastrophic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Consider that in the very same week that DNR issued permits for Line 5 based on its conclusion that the risk for a spill would be 'low,' DNR was investigating a significant oil leak on another Enbridge pipeline in Wisconsin.

"According to documents from the US Department of Transportation, the faulty segment on Line 6 in Jefferson County has a leak detection system, but that system failed to even detect the leak  much less prevent tens of thousands of gallons of oil from contaminating surrounding land and water in Jefferson County.

"But again, in the very same week the Enbridge leak detection system failed in Jefferson County, DNR then gave its approval for the Line 5 reroute in part because 'continuous monitoring and control of Line 5 (would be) carried out by Enbridge.'

"DNR's reasoning for approving Line 5 defies common sense."

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Enbridge pipeline in Wisconsin spills nearly 70,000 gallons of oil
Utah was energized this year and much more is to come in the future when it comes to the idea of keeping the lights on.

Lawmakers made it clear in 2024 they want to hang onto coal, despite the outcry of clean energy advocates.

Here are five things to know about the future of energy in Utah and the West:

Californias mandate to not burn coal led to a huge shift in the operation of the Intermountain Power Plant in Utah. It is moving to natural gas and a blend of hydrogen. But lawmakers were not about to let a political subdivision of Utah, occupying land using Utah water to abandon coal-fired power units that can generate an installed capacity of up to 1,900 megawatts of power. Instead, they passed legislation to ensure their continued operation, if a buyer can be found.

In October, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced Operation Gigawatt. His budget just unveiled commitments to spend more than $20 million to infuse nuclear energy technology into Utahs energy grid. It also calls for additional investment in geothermal deployment. Utah has been a forerunner in this arena with the FORGE demonstration project, which Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm called the energy grail for the future.

Going nuclear. Utah has been identified as a first mover state when it comes to the deployment of advanced nuclear technology in its partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory. The Frontiers project aims to foster deployment in states with economic development. That can be something like a microreactor used in manufactory technology to lower emissions. Or, it could be something like the Natrium project in Wyoming by TerraPower. It is sited near a coal-fired power plant and could deliver up to 345-megawatts of power via a molten salt cooled reactor. In this environment to reduce carbon emissions, nuclear is seen as a possible replacement to coal.

We are in a world of hurt. Rep. Carl Albrecht, R-Richfield, has been in the utility business for 40 years. Utah is compromised when it comes to supporting energy loads of over 25 megawatts  or even more  to serve what new data centers would require. That power generation needs to be built out. At some point were going to cross that bridge between coal and natural gas and nuclear, probably 10 to 12 years out, but if were going to get there at some point, we need a framework on how to do that. Albrecht has opened the states first bill file to form a nuclear consortium  a pathway to the future. If these data centers come in the states, they dont care about money. They just want generation. They dont care what the costs are. It is a brutal reality.

The clean energy opportunity. Utah has been dealt a clean energy flush if we can just harness it, said Logan Mitchell with Utah Clean Energy He pointed to the Fervo geothermal plant in Beaver County and the Green River Energy Center. We are progressing through this energy transition. We are moving forward. There is huge potential there but we have to be willing to harness it . We cannot let the fear of the challenges that exist deter us from opportunities. He pointed to a number of solar projects that have come online this year, including 360 megawatts. Utah is one of the best places in the country for solar resources, but Mitchell said there is much more to come.

Clarification: A previous version of this story listed the Intermountain Power Plants generation of 1,800 megawatts, when its installed capacity is 1,900 megawatts and was not clear about future energy demands for data centers.
England is no longer a free society. The old country is descending into authoritarianism.

Following the brutal murder of three young girls in Southport this summer, people were sent to prison for what they wrote online.

Some are now serving long sentences not because there was any causal link between what they wrote and any public disorder, but because they wrote it.

Last month, Allison Pearson, a Telegraph journalist, was harassed by her local police force for something she tweeted months before, apparently because someone decided that they were offended by it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then this week, the UK press regulator, IPSO, ruled against Britains Spectator magazine after it published an article that described a man claiming to be a woman, as  well  a man claiming to be a woman. The article was deemed pejorative and prejudicial.

In England, the country that gave us common law and free speech, if you write hurtful words about individuals who belong to certain protected groups, you are now liable to be punished.

Things are so bad that my friend, the comedian Andrew Doyle, has felt he has had to move to America to write comedy. Five years ago, when I interviewed him for a podcast, the problem he faced was the woke self-censorship of the comedy industry. But even back then the idea that what a comedian said could be subject to a police investigation would have seemed absurd. No longer.

Doyle, along with a handful of other London emigres, has set up shop in Arizona because Britain is no longer a place where they feel they can speak and write freely.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The question Americans ought to ask is: could something similar happen over here?

If free speech can be extinguished in England, the country that produced Magna Carta and the original Bill of Rights, it can be extinguished anywhere.

Of course, in America the right to free speech is enshrined in the Constitution. In Britain, it was not, until recently, codified at all (heck, the country does not even have a written constitution).

In America, the First Amendment forbids Congress from making any laws that prohibit the free exercise of speech, or the press. In Britain, free speech existed because centuries of legal decisions protected it. The press was free because the last attempts at licensing the press fizzled out in 1695.

The problems of codified laws

Fine, you might say. Americas right to free speech is safe and secure because its been codified in the Constitution. Those poor Brits!, you might imagine. They lost their right to free speech because they never got around to writing it down!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Actually, its the opposite. Free speech was just fine in Britain until attempts were made to codify things a generation ago.

In the wake of the Second World War, efforts were made to enshrine freedoms across Europe by establishing a Convention on Human Rights. Article 10 makes it clear that everyone should have the right to freedom of expression.

Great. But why did this not protect Allison Pearson from the police at her door? Where was this noble sounding document when Brits were sent to jail for receiving and imparting ideas that the public authority disliked?

In 1998, Tony Blairs government thought it would be a good idea to incorporate the Convention into UK law, under the Human Rights Act. What that did was turn freedom of speech, for generations a residual liberty, unthinkingly enjoyed by Englishmen and women, really only constrained by the common law offence of incitement, into a substantive right. Now free speech is subject to proportionate restrictions in all kinds of new and sinister ways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Codifying free speech has not stopped Brits being locked up for saying things the authorities do not like. No, America should not assume that free speech is safe just because of the First Amendment.

We already know that, under the Biden administration, a concerted effort was made to collude with tech companies, like Facebook, to censor different opinions. During Covid, people with the wrong opinions were censored under the guise of fighting misinformation.

Your tax dollars were spent countering so-called conspiracy theories. It turns out that the difference between some conspiracy theories and the truth is about 12 months.

For years, American universities have restricted free speech under the smokescreen of protecting students from harmful opinions. Precious young minds, we were invited to believe, needed to be provided with safe spaces free from micro-aggressions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its not ultimately any Constitutional amendment that safeguards free speech. It is instead our flat refusal to accept that anyone has the right not to be offended.

As Salman Rushdie, an author who has spent much of his life hiding from the Islamists who his works of fiction enraged, puts it, that right [not to be offended] doesnt exist in any declaration I have ever read  If you are offended it is your problem.

Rushdie discovered the danger, long before the rest of us, of a society giving into the idea that anyone has a right not to be offended.

Perhaps the ultimate reason Britains authorities have allowed free speech to be undermined is fear. Fear of Islamists who insist that their right not to be offended trumps your right to speak freely. And fear of what millions of Brits might do when they wake up to what their governing elite has allowed the country to become.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dont let something similar happen in America.

Douglas Carswell is the President & CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Erie School District is almost finished with its move from its current administrative building to its new one on Sassafras Street.

Just before Thanksgiving, the school district moved over its child accounting, special education, business, HR and payroll offices to their new building at 1910 Sassafras Street.

MSCHE dubs EC3 a candidate institution, now eligible for new funding opportunities

Theyre still in the unpacking process but reception to the new building has been positive from both staff and parents seeking access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were about a week out from the top floor being finished, so well be having another round of moves. Weve got furniture being installed next Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then our guys are following right on their heels so we can move completely out of the old building, said Neal Brokman, assistant superintendent of operations, Erie School District.

Over $60K in funding awarded to local nonprofits through Erie Womens Fund grant program

The districts former administrative building was sold last year and will be used for long-term housing to support people facing homelessness.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Andrius Kubilius, the new EU Commissioner for Defence, visited Kyiv and met with Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov.

Source: Andrius Kubilius on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The commissioner reported that during the meeting, they discussed security issues and the potential of the defence industry.

Quote from Andrius Kubilius: "EU military support is now at 45.5 billion and rising. Deeper EU-Ukraine defence cooperation will strengthen our collective resilience."

Met with Defence Minister @rustem_umerov in Kyiv to discuss security and  defence industry potential.



EU military support now at 45.5B and rising.



Deeper EU-Ukraine defence cooperation will strengthen our collective resilience.  pic.twitter.com/b7QTjceceH  Andrius Kubilius (@KubiliusA) December 14, 2024

More details: It should be noted that the post of EU Commissioner for Defence in the new European Commission, launched on 1 December, was created for the first time in view of the deteriorating security situation worldwide and an increasingly aggressive Russia.

Background:

On Friday, Kubilius was forced to spend the morning in a shelter due to a massive Russian missile attack.

Andrius Kubilius has previously stated that Europe must be prepared for any military aggression and explained why it is important to integrate the Ukrainian defence industry into the European one.

Support UP or become our patron!
The European Union is set to impose its first sanctions targeting Russia for disinformation and hybrid activities.

The proposed measures target more than a dozen individuals and three entities, including Russian intelligence officers and media entrepreneurs, according to Bloomberg. The sanctions aim to counter destabilizing operations globally.

In addition, the EU plans to sanction around two dozen Belarusian individuals for alleged human rights violations or ties to President Alexander Lukashenkos government, as part of a broader package expected to be approved by EU foreign ministers on Dec. 16 in Brussels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The proposals follow EU ambassadors' approval of a 15th sanctions package against Russia, targeting its "shadow fleet" of aging tankers used to bypass oil export restrictions, the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council announced on Dec. 11.

The sanctions also apply to individuals and entities aiding Russias military and technological advancements by evading export controls. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the move, saying on X that "...the EU and its G7 partners are committed to keeping pressure on the Kremlin."

Read also: Russian snipers use Western rifles, ammunition despite sanctions, media investigation says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Bloomberg has reported that the European Union is proposing sanctions against over a dozen individuals and three entities as part of its first package of measures targeting Russia for its disinformation operations and other hybrid activities.

Source: Bloomberg with reference to a draft sanctions package

Details: The proposed sanctions reportedly focus on several Russian intelligence personnel and groups, as well as state officials and media entrepreneurs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quote from Bloomberg: "The restrictions are part of a new sanctions regime approved earlier this year that focuses on disinformation operations and other Russian-sponsored destabilising activities globally."

Details: Further sanctions are also proposed against Belarus, targeting about two dozen individuals accused of human rights violations or benefiting materially from ties to the regime of self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko.

EU foreign ministers plan to approve these sanctions packages at a meeting on Monday, 16 December, in Brussels, ahead of elections scheduled in Belarus next month.

The proposals come as the EU finalises its 15th sanctions package against Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The new measures include restrictions on over 45 oil tankers involved in the covert transportation of Russian oil and several Chinese companies accused of aiding Moscow in developing attack drones.

Bloomberg added that EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all member states and may be subject to changes.

Support UP or become our patron!
The European Union is set to impose sanctions on over a dozen individuals and three entities in its first round of measures aimed at countering Russia's disinformation campaigns and other hybrid activities.

Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to a draft seen by Bloomberg, the proposed sanctions will target several Russian intelligence officers and groups, governmental officials and media entrepreneurs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The restrictions are part of a new sanctions framework established earlier this year, aimed at countering disinformation campaigns and other destabilising activities worldwide that are financed by Russia.

The EU is also considering additional sanctions against Belarus, targeting approximately two dozen individuals accused of human rights violations or of benefiting materially from their ties to the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, the self-declared President of Belarus.

EU foreign ministers are expected to approve these packages at a meeting in Brussels on Monday.

Background:

On Wednesday, EU ambassadors agreed upon the 15th package of sanctions in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The proposals for the 15th sanctions package, prepared by the European Commission for EU member states, include the addition of 29 legal entities and 54 individuals to the sanctions list.

For the first time, companies from China are expected to be included on the sanctions list in response to reports of their support for military production in Russia.

New measures to combat Russia's shadow fleet, which bypasses the price cap on oil transported by sea, are also under consideration. As part of these efforts, 48 tankers may be blacklisted.

Support UP or become our patron!
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles this week charged a former Syrian military official with several counts of torture allegedly committed at a prison he oversaw for years.

Samir Ousman Sheikh, former head of the Damascus Central Prison, was personally involved in torturing political dissidents to deter opposition to the regime of then-Syrian President Bashar Assad, according to the Justice Department.

Authorities first arrested 72-year-old Sheikh on July 10 at Los Angeles International Airport and the following month he was indicted on immigration fraud charges. This week's indictment adds three counts of torture and one count of conspiracy to commit torture.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Amid the joy after Assad's ouster, Syrians search for their missing

Prosecutors say Sheikh personally carried out some of the violence, which allegedly involved beatings and subjecting prisoners to a wooden device known as the "flying carpet," which forcibly folded them in half and resulted in one victim suffering a fractured spine.

A jail cell inside the notorious military detention center "215," in Damascus. (Ayman Oghanna/For The Times)

The allegations in this superseding indictment of grave human rights abuses are chilling, U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada for the Central District of California said in a statement. Our country will not be a safe harbor for those accused of committing atrocities abroad.

Nina Marino, an attorney representing Sheikh, said her client "vehemently denies these politically motivated and false accusations."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"In filing these false charges, this Justice Department has chosen to allocate precious government resources towards the prosecution of a foreign national for alleged crimes that occurred in a foreign country against non-American citizens, and in so doing, diverts those same resources that could be used to protect American citizens from criminal conduct occurring in America," Marino wrote in a statement.

She added that they "intend to vigorously defend against these false charges and achieve the full vindication of our client."

In August, Sheikh pleaded not guilty to the visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud charges. He will be arraigned on the superseding indictment in the coming days or weeks, according the U.S. Attorney's office in L.A.

According to the most recent indictment, Sheikh oversaw the Damascus prison  known as Adra  between 2005 and 2008. The prison contained a "punishment wing," which included a below-ground section that held small isolation cells and a room in which prisoners were interrogated and tortured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The indictment detailed the torture of several prisoners, including one identified by the initials K.A.M., whose body Sheikh, prison officials and prison guards allegedly contorted on the "flying carpet" device.

K.A.M. was also allegedly beaten while he was suspended from the ceiling for hours at a time in a crucifixion-like position and stomped on, according to the indictment.

According to the Justice Department, Sheikh allegedly held several positions in the Syrian police and the Syrian state security apparatus, was associated with the Syrian Baath Party that ruled Syria and was appointed governor of the province of Deir Ez-Zour by then-Syrian President Assad in 2011. He allegedly immigrated to the United States in 2020 and applied for U.S. citizenship in 2023.

The Justice Department says Sheikh concealed his employment at the prison when he applied for citizenship. He allegedly similarly made false statements when applying for a visa to enter the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for the torture charges and up to 10 years for the immigration fraud charges.

Rebel fighters recently seized control of Syria, with Assad reported to have fled to Russia. During their advance on Damascus, opposition groups took over a number of prisons and released longtime political detainees. The fall of Assad ends a 50-year dynasty begun by his late father, Hafez, notorious for its brutal treatment of adversaries.

Read more: In post-Assad Damascus, a mix of joy and trepidation

Times staff writer Nabih Bulos contributed to this report.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A man accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend while she was working as a Metro bus driver in East Hollywood was arrested, police announced Friday.

A fugitive on the run, Dorian Holt, 45, was taken into custody and accused of attempted murder. The victim was only identified only as a 56-year-old woman.

On Nov. 16, Los Angeles police responded to reports of a shooting on the 1600 block of North Vermont Avenue at around 7:24 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victim, who was taking a break, had parked near a bus stop at Hollywood Boulevard and Vermont Avenue when she was approached by the suspect and shot multiple times at point-blank range, police said.

She was struck in the face, hands and buttocks. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital in critical condition where she underwent surgery and was later listed in stable condition.

Two days after the attack, police named Holt as the prime suspect in her killing.

The suspect, Dorian Holt, 45, is seen in booking photos released by the Los Angeles Police Department. L.A. Metro officials and police on the scene of the shooting East Hollywood on Nov. 16, 2024. (KTLA) L.A. Metro officials and police on the scene of the shooting East Hollywood on Nov. 16, 2024. (KTLA) The suspect, Dorian Holt, 45, is seen in photos released by the Los Angeles Police Department. L.A. Metro officials and police on the scene of the shooting East Hollywood on Nov. 16, 2024. (KTLA)

The man had fled the scene following the shooting and evaded capture by fleeing the state, authorities said.

In the weeks following, detectives worked to track the suspect down. On Dec. 12, he was taken into custody in the city of Escondido shortly after he returned to Southern California, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its unclear how long the couple previously dated or whether any domestic violence reports were filed against Holt. Her nephew told KTLAs Chris Wolfe what he believed was the reason she left the relationship.

I think for her, things got to a point where they had been escalating, and it was at a point where she felt like she didnt need to be in that situation, he said. There certainly was a history of violence.

No further details on the case, including the womans identity, were released.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Northeast Division detectives at 323-561-3421. The public can also call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  The 2024 Excalibur & Excelsior Award winners have been crowned.

Community activist Antonio Ramirez took home the Excalibur honor while the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford is this years Excelsior winner.

For the second year, there were also four Community Champions crowned at this years ceremony that was held Thursday, Dec. 12, at Prairie Street Brewing Co.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Community Champion Awards honor those who continue make their communities a better place in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties.

WIC, the Women, Infants and Children program, covers lots of things but it does not cover diapers, said Anna Pivoras, citing her reason for founding The Baby Bank, a nonprofit that provides diapers and hygiene products for young mothers who struggle to makes ends meet.

The Baby Bank is the 2024 Boone County Community Champion.

Its a big deal for us because we started in my garage in 2018, Pivoras said. And now weve distributed 625,000 diapers to Boone and Winnebago counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Lena Lions Club was named Community Champion in Stephenson County. President Dave Williams says the award belongs to the entire town.

We do our fall festival to raise our money to help the community out, Lena Lions Club President Dave Williams said. And that comes from all the people coming to help us.

The Community Champions are extremely grateful for the recognition, and they have one thing in common: Theyre not in it for the awards.

I have the best job in the world, said Ogle County Community Champion PJ Caposey. Every day I get to go got work. And if I do my job well as superintendent, I make decisions that trickle down and impact kids positively.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Caposey is the superintendent of Meridian and Oregon school districts.

I am pretty pumped up every day to go to work, he said.

Members of the Pec Playhouse Theatre, this years Winnebago County Community Champion, are also excited. The popular group continues to put on shows at schools while it raises funds to renovate its newly purchased building in Pecatonica.

Id like to thank the selection committee, and everybody involved, said Pec Playhouse President Glen Wiegert. I am no wizard, but we are going to follow the yellow brick road until we have a new building.

Nominations for the 2025 Excalibur & Excelsior Awards open on Aug. 15, 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
By Tuvan Gumrukcu, Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Guy Faulconbridge

TARTOUS, Syria (Reuters) - Russia is pulling back its military from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains but is not leaving its two main bases in the country after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, four Syrian officials told Reuters.

The ousting of Assad, who along with his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, had forged a close alliance with Moscow, has thrown the future of Russia's bases - the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartous naval facility - into question.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Satellite footage from Friday shows what appeared to be at least two Antonov AN-124s, among the world's largest cargo planes, at the Hmeimim base with their nose cones open, apparently preparing to load up.

At least one cargo plane flew out on Saturday for Libya, a Syrian security official stationed outside the facility said.

Syrian military and security sources in contact with the Russians told Reuters that Moscow was pulling back its forces from the front lines and withdrawing some heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers.

But the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said Russia was not pulling out of its two main bases and currently had no intention of doing so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some equipment is being shipped back to Moscow as are very senior officers from Assad's military but the aim at this stage is to regroup and redeploy as dictated by developments on the ground, a senior Syrian army officer in touch with the Russian military told Reuters.

A senior rebel official close to the new interim administration told Reuters the issue of the Russian military presence in Syria and past agreements between the Assad government and Moscow were not under discussion.

"It is a matter for future talks and the Syrian people will have the final say," said the official, adding that Moscow had set up communication channels.

"Our forces are also now in close vicinity of the Russian bases in Latakia," he added without elaborating.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Kremlin has said Russia is in discussions with the new rulers of Syria over the bases. Russia's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment on Reuters reporting.

A Russian source who spoke on condition of anonymity said discussions with the new rulers of Syria were ongoing and Russia was not withdrawing from its bases.

Reuters was unable to immediately ascertain how Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa - better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani - saw the long-term future of the Russian bases.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose 2015 intervention in the Syrian civil war helped prop up Assad when the West was calling for him to be toppled, granted Assad asylum in Russia after Moscow helped him to flee on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

BASES

Moscow has backed Syria since early in the Cold War, and had recognised its independence in 1944 as Damascus sought tothrow off French colonial rule. The West long regarded Syria asa Soviet satellite.

The bases in Syria are an integral part of Russia's global military presence: the Tartous naval base is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and resupply hub, with Hmeimim a major staging post for military and mercenary activity in Africa.

Russia also has eavesdropping posts in Syria which were run alongside Syrian signals stations, according to Syrian military and Western intelligence sources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Tartous facility dates from 1971, and after Russia intervened in the civil war to help Assad, Moscow was in 2017 granted a free of charge 49-year lease.

Yoruk Isik, a geopolitical analyst based in Istanbul who runs the Bosphorus Observer, said that Russia was probably sending cargo planes out of Syrian via the Caucasus, and then on to the Al Khadim airbase in Libya.

On the highway linking the Hmeimim air base to the base in Tartous, a Russian convoy of infantry fighting vehicles and logistics vehicles could be seen driving toward the air base, a Reuters journalist said.

The convoy had stopped due to a malfunction on one of its vehicles, with soldiers standing by the vehicles and working to repair the issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Whether its Russian, Iranian or the previous government who was oppressing us and denying us our rights ... we dont want any intervention from Russia, Iran or any other foreign intervention," Ali Halloum, who is from Latakia and lives in Jablah, told Reuters.

At Hmeimim, Reuters saw Russian soldiers walking around the base as normal and jets in the hangars.

Satellite imagery taken on Dec. 9 by Planet Labs showed at least three vessels in Russias Mediterranean fleet - two guided missile frigates and an oiler - moored around 13 km (8 miles) northwest of Tartous.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu in Tartous, Syria and Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman; and Guy Faulconbridge in London; editing by Giles Elgood)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Sherrod Brown is coming out of the U.S. Senate, but not out of political life. Brown sat down for exclusive interview with NBC4s Colleen Marshall to discuss what comes next.

In his first interview since losing his seat to Republican newcomer Bernie Moreno, Brown said he is determined to continue fighting for the Democratic Party, and for Ohioans.

Im going to stay involved, for sure, Brown said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Columbus police underreported crime to FBI since 2013

Brown said he plans to be an activist for the Democratic Party on both state and national levels, with goals to redirect Democrats back into being the party for working Americans.

Marshall asked what everyones wondering: Will he run for Senate in 2026?

Im not thinking about it yet. Ive made no decisions, Brown said. Seven or eight grandkids, maybe all eight are coming in for Christmas, so I got other things to do. Ill think about stuff early next year.

Marshall also asked about rumors circulating about a possible run for Governor when current Gov. Mike DeWines term ends in two years. His answer to that lingering question, as well as his takes on President-elect Donald Trump, Ukraine and immigration will all be included in special reports beginning Monday at 4 p.m., only on NBC4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Wynn Rosser, a bow tie-wearing East Texan with multigenerational familial roots in rural life, will take the helm of Texas higher education agency in the new year.

As higher ed commissioner, Rosser will serve as the chief executive officer of the Coordinating Board, the state agency with a $2.9 billion budget that oversees Texas financial aid programs and helps enact the states strategic vision for public higher education.

Rosser said he is focused on getting more low-income Texans to college because a postsecondary degree is a pathway to a stable job and can transform future generations of families. And the state can get there by expanding financial aid programs, investing in research and emphasizing associate degrees and certificates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In front of higher education leaders and policymakers on Friday, Rosser reflected on how his mother grew up in a house the size of the stage he was on, using an outhouse because they did not have indoor plumbing. And how his fathers decision to get a degree at Texas A&M University changed the trajectory of his familys life.

How lucky am I that dad managed to get into [college] and succeed? Mom and Dad made wise decisions, said Rosser, his voice choking up and trying to find balance. Thats why I get to sit with you guys talking about the seventh largest economy and setting more students up for success.

Rosser spoke with journalists about his plans as commissioner before his public remarks. Here are three takeaways from his comments.

Texas must help more students pay for college

Students want to go to college but are afraid of taking on debt to continue their education after high school, Rosser said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Aspiration isn't the challenge in Texas but, yet, we still have only about half the students enrolling directly, Rosser said. That's a big opportunity for us. How do we take advantage of the aspiration and support students into their dreams, whether it be sub-baccalaureate or baccalaureate?

The board is requesting $340 million from the Legislature to expand financial aid for students. The appropriations request would allow the board to guarantee low-income students in the top 25% of their high school graduating class financial aid through the Texas Education Opportunity grant and the Toward EXcellence, Access and Success, or TEXAS, grant, said David Troutman, the deputy commissioner for academic affairs, at a quarterly board meeting in October.

Higher education leaders also need to help them understand the cost of college  and the degrees they need to get the jobs theyre interested in, Rosser said.

We need to help students and families understand What does it take to achieve that dream? and provide that information early, consistently, so that students and families can plan, Rosser said.

To achieve workforce goals, a shift to focus on adult learners

Rosser will be inheriting the states 60x30 plan, which set an ambitious goal to increase the number of Texans ages 25 to 34 with a postsecondary credential to 60% by 2030. The plan was created to meet the workforce needs of the state: About 71% of jobs are expected to require postsecondary education by 2036.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In rural East Texas, students often hear they have to leave to succeed. But there are thousands of high-demand, well-paying jobs in the area, Rosser said. Hes currently the president and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, which analyzed jobs in the region. Those jobs dont require a bachelors degree but do require a credential beyond high school.

All credentials aren't necessarily created equal, Rosser said.

More rural students have been enrolling in dual credit, where they can take a college class while they are enrolled in high school. That has put more young people on the path to college, getting the state closer to its goal.

His predecessor, Harrison Keller, oversaw the expansion of the 60x30 plan to include Texans ages 25 to 64.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Adult students have different needs when they are returning to school to complete their degrees. That means the coordinating board and Texas colleges need different strategies to support those students, Rosser said.

Life's more challenging when you are working, when you have dependents that you're supporting, Rosser said. How do you balance all of those things with trying to go to class? So that makes the more flexible credential options perhaps more attractive.

Texas universities should expand their research arm

The incoming commissioner is also considering how Texas can help emerging research universities expand their research capabilities.

Rosser spent 14 years in teaching and administrative roles at Texas A&M University, one of the top two public research institutions in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Universities across the country have been actively investing in their research because it helps attract grants and industry partners who might want to work on research projects and helps recruit faculty and graduate students.

We've got to ensure that we're preparing students, not only for the job today but the jobs of the future. And why we do that is with research universities, funding that the Legislature has invested in, Rosser said. I hope that more Texas students take advantage of that opportunity and become researchers and faculty members themselves, so that we can reinforce the economy.

In the 2023 legislative session, Texas lawmakers created the Texas University Fund, a $3.9 billion endowment to help other universities meet research milestones.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University and T.L.L. Temple Foundation have been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

An explosion in a central neighborhood of Dnipro on Dec. 14 killed one person and injured four others, including two police officers, Ukraine's National Police reported.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has classified the incident as a terrorist attack and detained a suspect.

The explosion occurred at around 2:45 p.m. local time, near an administrative building in the center of Dnipro, police said. At the time, the cause of the explosion was unknown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police investigators and explosives experts were dispatched to the scene to determine the circumstances of the explosion.

One man was killed in the explosion, and four others were wounded, including two police officers. The injured victims are currently being treated in the hospital.

Within hours of the explosion, authorities reported that police worked jointly with the SBU to detain a suspect. The detainee is a 37-year-old local resident who allegedly acted on the instructions of Russian special services.

Dnipro, Ukraine's fourth-largest city, has served as a key logistics and humanitarian hub during the full-scale war. The city has recently been a target of intensified Russian attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russia launched its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at Dnipro Nov. 21, marking the first time such a weapon has been deployed against Ukraine during the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Dec. 13 that Russia is preparing to attack Ukraine with another Oreshnik missile this weekend.

Read also: Dont overreact  Oreshnik missile isnt as new as Russia claims, experts say

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
F-35 combat operations have often been against terrorist and militant targets.

Israel used the fighter jet in widespread strikes against Iran in late October.

The success of that operation underscores the F-35's ability to battle higher-level threats.

F-35 stealth fighters have been flying combat missions in the Middle East for years now, though largely in permissive airspace against lower-level targets. The jet's recent victory against Iran's air defenses, however, highlights its ability to combat higher-level threats.

Britain's top military officer shared last week that when Israel used its fifth-generation F-35s to execute retaliatory strikes against Iran in late October, it wiped out nearly all of Tehran's air defenses and hammered its missile production sites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses through penetrating strikes  that is the kind of higher-level mission for which the jet was made.

The F-35 has historically been used against weaker targets with either limited or nonexistent air defenses. Israeli F-35s have previously battled Syrian surface-to-air missiles and antiaircraft batteries and engaged in strikes on Iranian targets, but the expensive fighter jet has largely been employed against non-state actors like ISIS, the Taliban, and the Houthis.

Israel's recent operation against Iran, which fielded very capable Russian-made surface-to-air missile systems, emphasizes how the jet is capable of engaging in combat at a higher level.

Mark Gunzinger, a retired US Air Force colonel who flew the B-52 Stratofortress bomber, told Business Insider that without the F-35, it would've probably been "a far more risky mission."

The 'power' of the F-35

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is an advanced single-engine, multi-role strike stealth fighter jet made by American defense contractor Lockheed Martin. Multiple variants of the aircraft are in use by several countries, including Israel.

US Air Force F-35s from the 62nd Fighter Squadron visit Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in October 2021. Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Mancuso

Michael Bohnert, a licensed engineer at the RAND Corporation, said that the F-35 was designed to replace existing fighter jets like the F-117, F-16, and F/A-18 with increased stealth, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), and other capabilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The F-35 is a great plane conceived out of the 1990s Pax Americana," Bohnert told BI.

Israel, which operates a subvariant of the F-35A model designed for air force operations, was the first to fly the fighter jet in combat in 2018. The US military has since used it in missions across the Middle East.

The F-35 fighter faced probably its most daring operation in late October, when Israel struck Iran in response to Tehran's huge missile attack at the start of the month.

"Israel used more than 100 aircraft, carrying fewer than 100 munitions, and with no aircraft getting within 100 miles of the target in the first wave, and that took down nearly the entirety of Iran's air-defense system," said Adm. Tony Radakin, the UK's chief of defense staff.

Israeli F35s participate in a multinational exercise at the Ovda airbase, north of Eilat, in November 2019. JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Radakin, speaking in London at a December 4 lecture hosted by the Royal United Services Institute, said Israel demonstrated "the power" of jet and the "disproportionate advantage of modern ways of fighting" in its strikes against Iran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His remarks appeared to mark the first confirmation from a Western government that Israel used the fifth-generation aircraft in the strikes. It was reported shortly after the operation that Israel flew its F-35s and fired air-launched ballistic missiles.

Radakin's praise of the F-35 came after Elon Musk criticized the jet and dismissed its stealth capabilities. The aircraft is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program, but it is widely considered a key warfighting capability for US allies and partners.

The F-35 is not just a fighter jet; it also acts as a bomber with penetrating ISR capabilities, a battlespace command and control platform, and an electronic warfare aircraft.

"The F-35's capabilities are not a theory  they're a reality," said Gunzinger, the director of future concepts and capability assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, "and now they're proven in combat against Russian-imported S-300 surface-to-air missile batteries that have been touted as the answer to stealth."

A Russian-made S-300 missile system on display at Baharestan Square in Tehran in September 2017. KHOSHIRAN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Bohnert said the F-35 "did exactly what it was designed to do" against Iran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the aftermath of the strikes on Iran, an Israeli security official told BI that the hits "accurately targeted" Iran's radar and air-defense systems, putting the country at a "disadvantage."

While the F-35 demonstrated its combat prowess against Iran, the jet would face a tougher fight in a conflict between Western powers and Russia or China, which field more advanced air-defense systems and have their own fifth-generation aircraft.

And the F-35 isn't without its own challenges. The program faces rising costs and readiness issues . Mission capable rates are declining, even as program costs go up. Bohnert said it will be important to increase the aircraft's maintenance and logistics capacity for any higher-end conflict.

Still, the F-35 is demonstrating its combat potential today, as Radakin and others have said. And the fighter jet's advanced combat capabilities are not lost on Congress, where House lawmakers in their 2025 fiscal year defense spending bill called for more F-35s than what the Pentagon initially requested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The jet's development came with more than its fair share of difficulties, but, Gunzinger said, the "F-35s today are operational and ready for the fight."

Read the original article on Business Insider
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT)  Federal and state health and agriculture officials continue to monitor the unusual strain of avian flu that has also infected cattle and some humans.



There have been no reports of the flu strain affecting Alabama cattle, but officials are keeping a wary eye. News 19 spoke to Audra Phillips, State Milk Branch Director for the Alabama Department of Public Health, about efforts underway to protect the food supply and animal and human health.

Limestone County man found guilty of multiple child sex abuse charges

We have been working since April since the high path avian influenza since weve become aware of it. Weve been working with the Alabama Department of (Agriculture and Industry) on weekly calls to monitor the situation for animal disease as well as human disease, Phillips told News 19.



The U.S. Department of Agriculture said beginning week it will start rolling out its national milk testing strategy aimed at ensuring the avian flu virus is not being transferred from infected cattle

to milk for human consumption. The USDAs expanded milk testing at dairy processing plants will start in six states, with Mississippi the nearest state to Alabama on the list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is a federal mandate to do additional surveillance for high path at the silo level, thats sort of a plant  at a plant level, Phillips said. Were working with USDA and our other federal partners as well as the Department of Ag and Industry to come up with a plan that will meet or surpass the federal guidelines and requirements.



The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there have been 830 dairy cattle herds infected with bird flu in 16 states. Alabama has not had any reports of infected herds but its staying prepared to reduce any spread.

Toney Volunteer Fire and Rescue announces new Fire Chief

We have provided appropriate PPE for our farmers, in the state, at their request and we are encouraging a bio-security plan in which each farm designs their own.

The obvious question: is the milk supply safe?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would say that pasteurization studies, there have been several, have shown that pasteurization does kill the virus and makes it safe to drink, Phillips said. So I feel like our food supply is safe, I also encourage people to consume properly pasteurized products. And it should say it on the label. So as long as pasteurized products are being consumed, you should be safe.



It is not legal in Alabama to sell raw milk for human consumption. The Alabama Department of Public Health is stressing the importance of drinking only pasteurized milk given avian flu concerns





Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, impeached on Saturday over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, has been stripped of his duties and powers as head of state but remains president while the Constitutional Court decides his fate.

Here are some of the powers he loses and what he continues to enjoy, according to the constitution, statutes and protocol guidelines.

POWERS, DUTIES SUSPENDED

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yoon's main constitutional powers have been transferred to Acting President Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the Yoon-picked prime minister.

These include the power to sign diplomatic treaties, appoint diplomats and put matters of national importance on foreign, defence and unification affairs to a referendum.

Yoon loses the sole power to declare martial law and to declare war against a foreign state, command of the military and immunity from prosecution for crimes.

The powers to appoint public officials including cabinet ministers, the chief justice of the Supreme Court and the three vacancies on the Constitutional Court are also suspended.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE

As he remains president despite being suspended of the duties, he is entitled to remain in his official residence, use the presidential motorcade, aircraft and presidential security.

Yoon will continue to collect his 255 million won ($170,000) annual salary.

BENEFITS AS FORMER PRESIDENT

If removed from office, Yoon would lose all benefits awarded former presidents, including a pension worth 95% of his salary at the time of retirement and a staff of up to four people.

He would continue to receive security protection but not financial support for a private office, transportation and medical care for himself and his family.

($1 = 1,434.0300 won)

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by William Mallard)
Dec. 13FAIRMONT  Three-hundred-sixty balsam fir wreaths have sat in a local climate-controlled storage unit this week in preparation to honor America's military veterans this weekend.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, volunteers will gather at Maple Grove Cemetery on Morgantown Avenue to take part in a simultaneous national event called "Wreaths Across America Day." The third annual Fairmont event is one of 4,600 locations in the U.S. and around the world celebrating this day that Congress approved in 2008 that serves as a reminder to remember each veterans' sacrifice during the holidays.

"Part of Wreaths Across America is to teach our young people about veterans and about patriotism and about honoring those who have gone before us and have paid the price," Maple Grove Cemetery Board Chair Marcella Yaremchuk said. "Some have given all for us to be free to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, if we want to do it."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wreaths Across American promotes three main tenets regarding America's veterans. "Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom," states the nonprofit's mission statement.

More than 2 million wreaths will be placed on the headstones of veterans on Dec. 14. Volunteers who place the wreaths are asked to say the veteran's name and thank them for their service during the ceremony.

On Dec. 10, a group of six volunteers joined Yaremchuk in the parking lot of the Baptist Temple during a constant rain shower to unload the wreaths that had traveled from Maine to Fairmont via a tractor-trailer owned by the York, Pa.-based logistics firm Day & Ross.

Eighty-three-year-old Dave Burns, of Fairmont, said while he is not a veteran himself, he is eternally grateful for those who gave all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It's very important that we recognize the people that help keep this country free and we're intending to make sure that we honor those people that we know worked so hard in the past," Burns said. "So many of them come back from war and had disabilities, so we just want to make sure that the public recognizes and remembers what made this country great."

Ross & Day required its drivers who had voiced an interest in delivering wreaths to the multitude of cemeteries across the U.S. to apply for the role.

Driver Dusty Delong, of Houlton, Maine, who served in the U.S. Army and later the National Guard from 1986-1994, said it was a privilege to deliver the wreaths to Fairmont from Maine.

"It's important to me, because I am very honored of my military service," Delong said. "It was a family tradition. My father was in the military. I had a cousin that was in the military that retired from it. It's just been something that's been passed down through the years."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Alicia Meller, brand manager of driver experience, for Day & Ross, joined Delong and the Maple Grove team of volunteers. Meller said 2024 is the second year her employer has delivered wreaths as an in-donation. They do it, she said, the company has a large number of veterans in all levels of operations from drivers on up to managment.

"We're also volunteering(to lay wreaths), and our team is sponsoring wreaths as well," Meller said. "So it's not just about driving, just getting involved and giving back to veterans and their families, and it's just something that the whole organization is really passionate about."

Reach Eric Cravey at 304-367-2523.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A couple celebrated the grand opening of their cannabis dispensary after two years of fighting red tape.

Weve featured Britni and Jayson Tantalo on News 8 before, covering their journey as they waited to legally open their shop in New York State.

Fairport couple hopeful for approval of NYS conditional cannabis retail dispensary application

Back in July, the State granted them a Cuard License which they say was a major step toward getting the business off the ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On December 13, they say their dreams finally came true when Flower City Dispensary opened its doors. The shop is located in Victor at 8053 Pittsford-Victor Road.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CENTRAL TEXAS (FOX 44)  Fallen veterans across Central Texas will be honored this Saturday.

Atmos Energy is partnering with Wreaths Across America this Saturday to honor fallen veterans and their families on National Wreaths Across America Day. Atmos Energy employees are inviting the community to join them at Oakwood Cemetery at 10 a.m. to place wreaths on the headstones of fallen service members. The cemetery is located at 2124 South 5th Street. When each wreath is placed on a headstone, the service members name is said out loud to further continue that the persons memory lives on.

This years theme is Live with Purpose, and Atmos Energy says it wants to help Wreaths Across America focus on heroic success stories to help change discussions around what it means to serve the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition, Brazos Valley Wreaths Across America will honor veterans by placing wreaths on graves at the Bryan City Cemetery and Oakwood Cemetery at 11 a.m. this Saturday. The balsam fir wreaths represent the eight services  Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Space Force, and POW/MIA.

For more information about Wreaths Across America, you can go 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 KWKT - FOX 44.
WELD COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR)  A major investigation is underway by Colorados Energy and Carbon Management Commission after it said remediation records were falsified for oil and gas sites.

Nearly 350 oil and gas sites, most in Weld County, are the focus of the investigation.

Loveland adding red light cameras, speed camera vans in early 2025

The commission released a map detailing the location of all the sites. There are questions as to whether those sites were properly cleaned up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The commission said two different environmental consultants hired by oil and gas operators submitted falsified lab reports.

The act of submitting falsified data is abhorrent. The actual environmental impact is not an emergency in our estimation, Energy and Carbon Management Commission Director Julie Murphy said.

The commission said it was confident the falsified data did not create a risk to public health.

Brett Cavanagh who heads Weld Countys Oil and Gas Energy Department, said solid cleanup reports are extremely important to well owners and communities.

So, in a sense, the landowner now knows that land has been restored, the wells been plugged, and can move forward with it, Cavanagh said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

91-year-old brings sword concealed in cane through DIA security

The commission said all the sites will now have to be reinspected in the county and in municipalities like Greeley, Platteville Firestone and Northglenn among others.

Its making sure that the soils are at a safe level. But theres nothing thats been released, Cavanagh said.

The commission said inspectors will recheck all the sites to see if cleanups truly met the Energy and Carbon Management Commissions standards.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A local family is grappling with mounting challenges this holiday season as they cope with health issues and unexpected property damage that have stretched their resources thin.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

The father works full-time to support the family, while the mother stays at home to care for their six-month-old and four-year-old sons, along with their six-year-old daughter, who attends school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The mother, who has a degenerative eye condition called keratoconus, underwent surgery on her left eye last year, providing some relief.

However, she still requires surgery on her right eye, but the cost remains a significant barrier.

Laulima needed for mother, son duo during holiday season

Adding to the familys struggles, recent property damage has left them without electricity and running water, and the repairs needed will be expensive.

In the spirit of laulima  many hands working together  the community has an opportunity to help.

The family is in need of a variety of items, including clothing for their baby boy, construction toys for their four-year-old son, and school clothes for their daughter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The parents are also seeking grocery and gas gift cards, as well as a grill and gas canister hot plate to help with meal preparation.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

If you would like to help, visit the Laulima Giving Programs website HERE. Select Adopt A Family and fill out the submission form with the family code K240066-5.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The most recent death on Bakersfields streets happened Tuesday night when a man fell off his bike and was struck by a vehicle.

The fatal crash happened on Airport Drive and Washington Avenue, just across the street from North Beardsley Park at 7:30 p.m.

The victim was identified by the family as 38-year-old Brent Evans.

Its one of the hardest things a parent has to do is bury their child, Evans mother, Linda Allen, said. You cant ever bring him home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Man dies after RV rolls over him: Bakersfield PD

Allen along with siblings and friends of Evans, drove 16 hours from Wyoming to see what happened.

Evans called his mom right before the accident, He said Mom Im hungry. Told me he was hungry and that he loved me. And I asked him How you doing son? and he said Oh, Im OK.'

Allen said his last words to her were: He says Mom I love you. He goes, I love you mama. He goes Ill call you later, and that was an hour before I got the phone call that he had been hit.

California Highway Patrol officials said Evans was riding a bike outside of a crosswalk and fell off, and an oncoming car hit him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three people have been hit and killed on Airport Drive this year, in fact this isnt the only case on this specific area of airport.

In June, Austin Allison was crossing the street just feet from where Evans was hit.

Allison was hit by a car around 2:30 a.m. The driver of that car did not stay on scene and 17 News has asked the California Highway Patrol about the search for the driver and vehicle.

A friend of Evans, Eric Lancaster, lived in the Oildale area for 30 years.

This isnt the first person weve lost here, and at this rate its not going to be the last.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe Now

17 News Alerts

Lancaster said the street lighting in this area needs to improve.

Poor is understated [] You can look a quarter mile in either direction and there is no lighting for nobody, he said.

CHP Sgt. Craig Reynolds responded to the scene Tuesday night and said that this area is poorly lit.

If youre crossing the street make sure youre watching out for traffic, especially if youre wearing dark clothing, Reynolds said. Street lighting out here is not very great.

The family is holding a candlelight vigil for Brent on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the scene of the collision. They also set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral and burial costs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
 Flash

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea (at the podium) makes a statement during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on Dec. 13, 2024. Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement on Friday that they had launched multiple drone attacks targeting "Israeli targets." (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)



Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement on Friday that they had launched multiple drone attacks targeting "Israeli targets."

"We carried out two military operations, the first of which targeted a military target in the occupied Ashkelon city, while the second targeted a target in the occupied Jaffa city," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement, referring to Israeli cities.

"The two operations were carried out with two drones that were able to bypass Israeli air defenses," he said.

"We also carried out a joint military operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeting vital targets in the south of occupied Palestine with a number of drones," he said.

The Houthi spokesperson didn't specify the date of those attacks nor identify the targets. There were no comments yet from the Israeli side on the Houthi claim.

The Houthi militant group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has been launching rockets and bomb-laden drones toward Israeli cities and disrupted "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea (at the podium) makes a statement during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on Dec. 13, 2024. Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement on Friday that they had launched multiple drone attacks targeting "Israeli targets." (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Sunday will mark a year since Denzel Bimpey was stabbed to death in New York City while on his way home from college in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity. Bimpeys family is still looking for answers.

The 18-year-old SUNY Morrisville student was on his way home for winter break. He boarded a bus on Dec. 15. When the bus arrived in the Flatiron District in Manhattan, police say an argument escalated between two groups. Bimpey was allegedly trying to de-escalate the situation when he was stabbed multiple times.

More Local News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A piece of us died that day, said Godslove Nti Bimpey, Denzels sister.

Police released an image of a suspect in the case a week after the stabbing, but the family said there have been no new leads in the case.

Police have identified a teen wanted in connection to the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Denzel Bimpey, authorities said (Credit: NYPD)

Bimpey was loved by many, a rising star in his community, and his family said not a day goes by without a feeling of pain over the loss. What happened to Bimpey still feels unreal, his sister said.

With the person responsible still on the streets, the family cant rest. Bimpeys mother said she wants justice for her son.

The family will be celebrating Denzels life this weekend.

On Saturday, a celebration of life will be held at Kensico Cemetery from noon to 1:30 p.m. and then at Claremont Community Center from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Sunday, a church service will be held at Divine Power Ministry at 1137 Prospect Ave. in the Bronx from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  One metro family is reacting, after the person that they believe murdered their daughter and was tried twice for it, pleaded guilty in the killing of two Wyandotte County deputies.

Antoine Fielder will now spend the rest of his life behind bars. But getting to that point has been long overdue.

I miss her smile and her laugh and you think of that person everyday, Kent Ewonus said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A father nearly a decade later, who still has a hole in his heart the size of Kelsey Ewonus and it is because of that love that he has not stopped fighting for his daughter.

Anti-gun violence groups gather in Kansas City, remembrance of victims

When Kelsey was killed in 2015, police and prosecutors say the evidence showed Antoine Fielder did it.

He was tried twice by the Wyandotte county District Attorneys Office under Mark Dupree.

Both trials ended with hung juries despite the evidence.

After the second mistrial, Dupree told the Ewonus family his office was giving up on the case.

I pointed my finger at him, I said hes going to kill again, Ewonus said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Less than three years later, on June 15, 2018, Fielder grabbed a deputys gun during a transport and shot and killed Wyandotte County deputies Theresa King and Patrick Roher.

That case has dragged on for the last six and a half years, until now. Fielder pleaded guilty last week to avoid the death penalty at trial. Now he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

If it takes 6  years to try a case like this where other jurisdictions you hear about heinous crimes like this police officers killed whatever it takes them less than a year I feel bad for the people in Wyandotte, in the metro, in Wyandotte County, that have to put up with that kind of just incompetence, Ewonus said.

Gang members sentenced for January shooting at Crown Center

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

FOX4 reached out to the DAs office for comment. We have not heard back. We also reached put to the Wyandotte County Sheriffs Office and they reserved comments for the moment.

A sentencing hearing for Fielder has not yet been scheduled.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Theatre and film actor Yakiv Tkachenko has been killed in action. He joined the Ukrainian defence forces in the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: film director Oles Sanin on Facebook

Quote from Sanin: "We talked two days ago. He was one of the most talented Ukrainian actors. A true knight. A true friend. My deepest condolences to Yakiv's family and friends. Eternal glory to the hero!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: Actor Yevhen Chernykov also reacted to the death of his colleague.

"Extraordinary and bright. I have known Yakiv since 2016; I saw him grow up as a sincere patriot of our country! From the very first days he defended us as part of the Territorial Defence Forces and later joined the 3rd Assault Brigade.

Yakiv created many vivid characters in our cinema and will forever remain in our hearts and memories. To be a warrior is to live forever," he said.

Casting director Alla Samoilenko also posed a tribute to Yakiv Tkachenko.

"So cinematic, so talented. A treasure. A man of gold. My great, great acting love and pride. He comes home on the shield. Emptiness," she wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yakiv Tkachenko is known for his roles in the films Chernovyi (Red), Pryputni (The Strayed), Tsina Pravdy (The Price of Truth), Bezslavni Kripaky (Inglorious Slaves) and Dovbush. The actor played one of his last roles in the TV series Pereviznytsia (The Carrier).

In the first days of the full-scale invasion, Yakiv Tkachenko joined the territorial defence unit in Dnipro. As a member of the 128th Brigade, he took part in the battles in Donetsk Oblast. He was wounded twice, but each time he returned to action.

In 2023, Yakiv Tkachenko left the army but later came back to the front as part of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.

In an interview with Detector Media, the actor said that it was his conscious decision to rejoin the Armed Forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"To be honest, when I left, I was sure that I was temporarily taking off my uniform and would return to the army after a while.

I didn't know where I would return  either to my unit where I started my service or to some other unit  but I knew for sure that I would definitely be in the army as long as this war was going on," said Yakiv Tkachenko.

Previously: On 2 December, Ukrainian musician and soldier Yurii Melofon was killed in action.

Support UP or become our patron!
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Thursday rebuffed the latest request from House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan seeking information related to her Georgia election interference investigation into President-elect Donald Trump, according to a letter obtained by ABC News.

Willis, who indicted Trump and 18 others in 2023, referred to the investigation as "ongoing" and rejected claims that the investigation was political.

"This case was not brought for political reasons," Willis wrote in the letter to the Republican congressman. "It also will not be dismissed for political reasons."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE: Trump asks to dismiss Georgia election interference case over presidential immunity

Willis also wrote in her letter that the documents were protected by attorney-client privilege, and that the request would "expose legal theories and analysis, prosecutorial recommendations, and key evidence in an ongoing prosecution."

Trump, in a filing last week, asked an appeals court to have the case dismissed because sitting presidents are immune from criminal prosecution.

The Georgia racketeering case has been stalled for months on appeal over a disqualification effort against Willis -- but the letter is the latest back-and-forth between Willis and Jordan, who earlier this year threatened to hold Willis in contempt if she didn't comply with a request in a separate congressional probe involving her office's use of federal funds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Willis' letter on Thursday was in response to a letter from Jordan last week in which he reiterated his longstanding request that she turn over documents, this time writing he "expects [Willis'] voluntary compliance with these requests" by Dec. 9.

PHOTO: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks during a news conference in Atlanta, Ga., in an Aug. 14, 2023 file photo. (John Bazemore/AP)

Jordan, in his request, said the House Judiciary Committee "continues to conduct oversight of politically motivated prosecutions," and was seeking any documents and communications between the Fulton County DA's office and the Justice Department, the office of special counsel Jack Smith, and House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

The letter from Jordan also referenced a recent ruling in which a judge in Georgia ordered Willis to turn over any records from Smith or the House Jan. 6 committee following a lawsuit from a conservative legal group seeking documents related to her probe.

Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty last year to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia. Four defendants subsequently took plea deals in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The DA's office has declined to comment on the future of the case following Trump's reelection as president.

Fani Willis rebuffs GOP lawmaker's request for documents, says Trump election case is 'ongoing' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
(Bloomberg) -- At Britains general election in July, the populist Reform UK Party leader Nigel Farage finally won a seat in the House of Commons at the eighth time of asking, entering Parliament with four colleagues. Now hes setting his sights on upturning the countrys traditional two-party duopoly.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Listen to the Bloomberg UK Politics podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

At the next election in 2029 or before, there will be hundreds of newcomers under the Reform UK label, Farage promised rival politicians at a swanky London dinner earlier this month. We are about to witness a political revolution.

The Brexit campaigner and Donald Trump supporter is prone to grandiose statements, but as often in the past, hes impossible to ignore. With the official Conservative opposition struggling for relevance, his right-wing party enjoys momentum off the back of faltering poll numbers for the new Labour government amid a rocky start by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Buttressed also by endorsements from billionaire Elon Musk, Reform is challenging both main parties in the polls, and Farage is now the bookmakers favorite to succeed Starmer as premier.

Politicians and strategists at the top of the two parties that have dominated British politics for a century told Bloomberg they are increasingly alive to the threat posed by Reform. Speaking on condition of anonymity about internal party thinking, the Tory and Labour officials expressed concern at signs the UK could be shifting toward a less predictable multi-party politics more common on the European continent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Given Britains first-past-the-post electoral system, thats a recipe for potential instability. While Labour in July stormed to a huge majority, securing 411 of the 650 seats in the Commons, it did so on just 33.7% of the vote, the lowest postwar share of any party forming a majority government. With the Tories on just 23.7% of the vote, Britains minor parties secured a record slice.

Missed in Labours July landslide was just how fragmented British politics has become, as voters rebel against what they see as the broken status quo, Luke Tryl of the More In Common think tank told Bloomberg. That fragmentation has only accelerated since then, Tryl said.

While Ed Daveys Liberal Democrats were the biggest beneficiaries among the minor parties of the fractured vote in July, securing 72 seats in the best performance by a third party in a century, Reforms more modest five seats came on the back of a bigger vote share: 14.3% versus 12.2% for the Liberals. Moreover, Farages outfit came second in 98 seats.

Those numbers  and Labours poor start to its term of office  give a sense of momentum to Farage, already one of Britains most influential politicians of the last two decades, and an instrumental figure in the countrys 2016 vote to leave the European Union. Reform, which stands on a platform of drastically reducing immigration, slashing taxes and dropping net zero climate policies, even topped Labour in one national survey last week, albeit trailing the Tories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reforms surge has come as immigration rose to become the publics number one concern, according to data from Ipsos. Net arrivals  including those arriving legally and undocumented migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, have surged to record levels in the past three years.

Farages party has also benefited from the stuttering performance of Starmers five-month-old government, beset by negative growth, a budget that was widely criticized by business and mounting complaints about its lack of direction. Trump team member Musk is helping Reform grab attention, repeatedly endorsing the party on his social media platform X, while panning Labour policies.

Senior Labour figures insist that with four-and-a-half years until the next general election is due, its too early to declare Farage an existential threat. However, they are wary of what one official described as the main danger facing Starmer: that his center-left government goes the way of Joe Biden in the US, Emmanuel Macron in France or Olaf Scholz in Germany, suffering from an incumbency factor as an ever-more cynical and anti-politics public turns to the populist right.

Addressing voters concerns on migration is a key priority, another official said, arguing that in terms of delivery, Labour would end up having the toughest approach of any UK government in recent history. They suggested that Starmers personal views on migration have changed over time. Where once he campaigned for free movement of people across Europe, after meeting voters while in opposition, he now supports lower and more controlled immigration, the person said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The more immediate political challenge posed by Reform may be to the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch, who became leader last month. Opposition figures are already concerned by what they described as Badenochs failure to take advantage of Starmers woes, allowing Farage to steal a march.

Badenoch is tainted by her association with unpopular former Conservative governments, isnt right-wing enough to win back Reform voters, and is too far from the center to attract Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters, one Tory official said. Another said Musks backing for Reform and apparent disinterest in the Tories is concerning.

For its part, Reform will look to maintain momentum with further high-profile defections, after property magnate and former Tory donor Nick Candy became Reforms treasurer last week, a person familiar with the plans said.

Labour and Tory aides said they dont expect Reform to maintain its surge over the course of the parliament, noting the insurgent party is vulnerable to a drop-off in support if Trumps imminent presidency sparks global political and economic instability. Still, that suggests that rather than devising a strategy to counter Reform, theyre simply hoping it will fall away. While some local Tory and Reform branches have discussed an informal pact ahead of Mays local elections aimed at uniting the right-wing vote against Labour, party bosses oppose any formal deal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both major parties are fighting to avoid the fate of their sister parties on the continent, Tryl said. For Labour, the cautionary tale may lie in the fate of Scholz, elected with the promise of bringing change after years of center-right rule, but quickly disappointing and set to lose the chancellery after a single term. For the Tories, they need to avoid the path of the Republicans in France, supplanted by Marine Le Pen and reduced to a rump in the Assembly.

The stony faces of Labour and Tory politicians when Farage made his threat at this months glitzy dinner suggested theyre live to the danger.

The establishment is shell-shocked and terrified, Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform, told Bloomberg of his partys rising popularity. Reform is the force to be reckoned with in UK politics.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
European farmers have threatened to blockade supermarket deliveries and leave shelves bare as part of their biggest tractor protests against the EU yet.

They are furious after Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, announced a free trade agreement with the Mercosur trading bloc of South American countries.

The deal, which farmers fear will leave the EU swamped with cheap beef and poultry, requires the sign-off of bitterly divided European governments which could veto it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Negotiations had dragged on for 25 years before Mrs von der Leyen swooped to sign the deal when France, the most influential member state opposing the deal, was engulfed in a domestic political crisis.

Yet it remains a huge risk for the EU chief, who has staked her credibility on the controversial agreement in the first days of her second five-year term, which began on Dec 1.

Belgian and French farmers block the border between Hensies and Crespin - FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via GETTY IMAGES

In June, tractors rolled into Brussels as part of Europe-wide protests against EU net zero rules in June.

Fearful of the looming European Parliament elections, Mrs von der Leyen caved in to farmers demands and shelved or watered down the new green rules for agriculture.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bart Dickens, president of the Farmers Defence Force Belgium, told The Telegraph that the protests against the deal with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay would dwarf those dramatic demonstrations.

He said: Ursula von der Leyen is killing us. I think its going to be much bigger.

Bart Dickens, president of the Farmers Defence Force Belgium - KRISTOF VAN ACCOM/BELGA NEWS AGENCY/ALAMY

Militant farmers groups across Europe are already holding talks on Zoom and in person over how to force Brussels to its knees with a string of actions in the new year, he said.

Mr Dickens added: We can stop the food supply, the distribution to supermarkets.

I hope we can do that across European countries. Its an example. If you kill the farmers, the supermarket shelves will be empty and you wont have what you want any more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Serge Bousquet-Chassagne, the local head of the militant Coordination Rurale union in the south-western Lot-et-Garonne region of France, said French farmers were prepared to descend on Brussels at any moment.

He told The Telegraph: Our farmer colleagues who are the nearest to Belgium went to Brussels around two weeks ago and naturally we are ready to go back in even greater numbers if the Mercosur agreement is really signed.

Farmers groups from eastern Europe, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain could join the French and Belgians.

After the deal was announced, the Elysee said it was unacceptable and Mrs von der Leyen was not among the leaders welcomed by Emmanuel Macron at the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral the following weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Bousquet-Chassagne said Mr Macron was playing a double game as usual.

The European Commission has agreed a zero tariff rate for 99,000 tonnes of beef and 180,000 tonnes of poultry, which is the equivalent of 4 million head of cattle and 600 million birds.

This risks displacing 18 per cent of EU beef output, according to some estimates, in high value cuts such as steak and, it is feared, drive prices down.

Brazil is already the EUs biggest agri-food trading partner with imports of 14.2billion last year. Another 3.8billion worth of food was imported from Argentina, with beef and veal imports rising by 30.5 per cent in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As she announced the deal, Mrs von der Leyen, who is German, said that she had heard farmers concerns and that the agreement had safeguards to protect them from being undercut.

The deal will have to be ratified by EU leaders and the European Parliament. It needs a qualified majority which represents 65 per cent of the population of the EU with no less than 15 countries in agreement.

In September, 11 member states publicly called for the deal to be done. They were Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic.

Germany is the most powerful EU member state backing the deal, which it sees as a potential boon for its car industry, which is in need of new markets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Spain, which has close ties to South America, has also welcomed the agreement and claims the deal has safeguards to protect farmers from being undercut on food standards.

But Spains main farming unions have come out against the free trade deal with Mercosur, and protests have been called starting next Monday.

Farmers watch a blockade being built with 578 bales of straw in Auch, south-west France - LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via GETTY IMAGES

The deal could be vetoed by a blocking minority of France, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Austria.

Coalition negotiations for the next Irish government are continuing after Novembers Irish election but Poland has said it will oppose the deal.

A spokesman for the Austrian farmers union said: We remain true to our position and reject this agreement as it is hostile towards our farmers. This agreement is opposed not only in Austria but also in France, Ireland and Poland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the Italian government has kept its cards close to its chest, while the Dutch coalition government has not yet reached a common position on the deal.

Massimiliano Giansanti, president of Confagricoltura, Italys oldest association of agricultural enterprises, said, On Mercasour, we are for a clear No.

European farmers will probably be forced to lower their prices to be able to compete with South American products. We have already lost, in the last few years, around 20 per cent of our farmers, and we risk losing more.

Europes powerful farming lobbies have swung into action to rally opposition to the deal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Irish Farmers Association, fearful of the impact on Irish beef and poultry, has already sent representatives to Brussels, where they have met with other farmers groups.

Lennart Nilsson is the president of Copa-Cogeca, the European farmers organisation in Brussels.

He said farmers were already under pressure from the cost of living crisis and had been squeezed after the EU removed tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural exports after Russian leader Vladimir Putins illegal invasion.

Mrs von der Leyen is expected to tell EU leaders that the election of Donald Trump, as next US president, is a reason to agree to the deal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Trump is seen by Brussels as a threat to international trade rules, which EU-Mercosur would bolster, because of his vow to hit the EU with tariffs.

Mr Nilsson said: We can understand the geopolitical reasons for this, we could even agree with them, but why is it always in these geopolitical discussions that farmers need to pay?

When I listen to my members it is quite possible that farmers will be out on the streets again.

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.
COMMERCE, Okla.  The cause of a fatal house fire in Ottawa County earlier this week remains under investigation, said Quapaw Marshal Chief Charlie Addington.

Elizabeth Duffell, 60, of Commerce, died Monday in the house fire in the 400 block of North Elm Street. The initial call was that the house exploded and caught on fire. Reportedly, the back wall of the home blew out.

Gravesite Service held Friday for Elizabeth Duffell

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Addington said that cold weather can mean a greater risk of a house fire.

Regarding safety practices in general, Addington said a chief concern during the colder months is issues with chimney fires.

We recommend cleaning your chimney before cold weather sets in, Addington said.

Other safety issues are that Christmas presents too close to a fireplace, and electrical cords and overloaded outlets can cause a fire.

December is the peak time for home fires involving candles and holiday decorations, said Terra Jeffres, Red Cross of Southern Missouri Interim Executive Director. Help protect your family by using battery-operated candles and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.

Red Cross of Southern Missouri Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Ensure outside decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, ensure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.

If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach of pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.

If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. Keep it away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources when putting it up. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.

If getting a live tree, make sure its fresh and keep it watered. To test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to ensure no needles fall off.

Dont light the fireplace if hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Click here for information on the Oklahoma Red Cross.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Fentanyl awareness campaigns launched in Oregon on Tuesday to educate youth, adults and teenagers about the lethal risks of the illicit drug. (Getty Images)

More than 1,800 Oregonians died of drug overdoses in 2023, a rising trend that state leaders want to reverse with new programs to combat addiction.

Oregons annual death toll from drug overdoses has increased every year since 2019, when 626 people died, according to data the Oregon Health Authority released Thursday. With overdoses on the rise, Oregon officials are mapping out strategies and plans to put more money and resources into driving down overdoses and illicit drug usage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fentanyl and other opioids are a major driver for overdose deaths. Nearly 1,400 people died of an opioid overdose in 2023.

Oregons overdose crisis has affected every community across the state, and the highly sensitive and traumatic nature of these events has caused harm, trauma and loss that impact the well-being of everyone, said Liz McCarthy, overdose epidemiologist in OHAs Injury and Violence Prevention Program. The impact fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses have on our communities shows how important this data can be, especially for data-driven decisions.

Gov. Tina Koteks proposal for the states next two-year budget would put $90 million into adult mental health and addiction treatment facilities.

Kotek also is proposing $40 million to help support deflection programs, including outreach workers and counselors who work with people in addiction to steer them towards treatment and into recovery programs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This year, Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 4002, which allowed counties to start deflection programs so people can avoid misdemeanor drug possession charges if they have an assessment and start the program, which can include treatment, counseling and other services.

So far, 28 of Oregons 36 counties have either started or plan to start the programs, and about 220 people are in the programs statewide.

Kotek also has proposed $25 million for youth behavioral health services, which includes expanded residential and community programs, school-based health centers that provide screening and prevention services and youth suicide prevention services.

That builds upon work that started this year, when Oregon lawmakers put more than $200 million toward drug addiction treatment needs. The funding goes toward needs including new residential treatment facilities and recovery houses, medication and treatment for people in jails and other programs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 2023 figures lag by nearly a year because of the work needed to analyze death data, including toxicology reports.

Combined with other data on the states dashboard, the dashboards findings show the depth of the states addiction crisis. Overdoses and drugs have seeped into smaller and rural communities, well outside urban hubs like Portland and Eugene.

In Jackson County, people experiencing drug overdoses entered hospital emergency rooms 736 times in 2023. That same year, 130 people in the southern Oregon county died of drug overdoses.

Statewide, Oregonians made 11,125 trips to hospital emergency rooms in 2023 due to drug overdoses.

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. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
Afghan refugee Mir Shamsi estimates it'll take him 10 years to build a new life in the U.S.  and he's eager to get started.

Even as he has undergone treatments, surgery and chemotherapy for a brain tumor during the past year, he has completed nearly 50% of an online master's program at Arizona State University.

The Shamsi family is part of the Austin American-Statesman's Season for Caring program, which highlights the need in our community and meets basic needs for hundreds of families throughout the year through local nonprofits. The Shamsis were nominated by Interfaith Action of Central Texas, which helps welcome refugees as part of its program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mir Shamsi worked as an engineer for U.S. military contractors in Afghanistan, and that put a target on his back when American forces pulled out of the country and the Taliban took control. He fled to Romania with his family and worked as an engineer there before he received the news that the family had been granted American special immigrant visas.

Mir Shamsi talks with his wife, Shameem, as she holds their new baby, Liya, in their home in Austin. The family came here after Mir worked with the U.S. government in Afghanistan. He now has a brain tumor.

After moving to North Austin, the father of three learned he needs a U.S. degree to secure similar work as a civil engineer in the States.

Shamsi says completing his civil engineering master's is "my first priority. That will help me for the future."

He needs help with tuition, which will cost $9,000 for the semester that begins in January.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The 38-year-old also needs assistance covering his family's rent while he cannot work. He is six months into a yearlong chemo treatment plan, which could take longer depending on how the cancer responds. He lost his job as a quality control manager for federal contractors in Conroe after the constant doctor's appointments and treatments made it impossible to keep a regular schedule.

Asmah, 6, and Hafasa, 5, do their homework in the living room of the Shamsi home. The girls are now in school in Austin.

The family has food stamps and Medicaid but no income. Shamsi's wife, Shameem, is nursing the couple's third child, Liya, born Oct. 11. She is also working on obtaining the credentials she will need to secure a stable job, including a U.S. high school equivalency diploma. In Afghanistan, she was certified to teach high school biology.

In addition to help with tuition and rent, the Shamsis need a laptop computer and monitor, a CD writer for a laptop, gift cards for H-E-B and Target, and baby items including a crib, car seat and stroller.

To give an item on their wish list or to find out more about the family, contact Interfaith Action for Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org.

Statesman Season for Caring logo

About Season for Caring

The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All donations are being matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family through Christmas Day. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 2B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to Statesman Season for Caring.

Join us at any P. Terry's location for Giving Back Day all day Saturday. All profits benefit Season for Caring.

Use the form below or click here: https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Season of Caring: Help father from Afghanistan earn master's degree
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The father of one of the teenage girls who was killed and one who was injured in Wednesday nights crash wants the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office to take accountability.

Deputies pursued a suspected shoplifter, and after the chase was called off, the sheriffs office says the suspect crashed into the teens vehicle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sanitation worker killed in St. Tammany Parish crash

Although the father is feeling grateful one of his daughters survived the crash, hes still coping with how it happened, calling the pursuit unnecessary.

Benjamin Smith, the father of 17-year-old Gisselle Smith, who was killed after the suspected shoplifter crashed into her car, is spending much of his time at the hospital.

His other daughter, 20-year-old Paris Kiper, was inside the car with Gisselle and 17-year-old Semaj Morris, who was also killed.

Smith says Paris is showing signs of improvement.



She was on the ventilator when we got here, and then they took her off of that yesterday, said Smith.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office had said deputies pursued 31-year-old Joneaka Smooth after receiving a report she and two other women fled Lakeside Mall in an SUV.

The spokesman also said the pursuit was terminated after less than a minute and before the crash occurred.

Westwego woman sentenced in government funds theft case

I dont believe that, Smith said. Honestly, I dont think that the ladies would have pursued like they did if they didnt have the police behind them, so yeah, I dont believe that.

Smooth appeared in court on Friday, Dec. 13, where her bond was set at $565,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Smith also says deputies could have taken down Smooths license plate and tracked her to her home.



Smith is now more frustrated with the sheriffs office than he is with the driver.



They were shoplifters. They didnt rob a bank, Smith said. I dont feel that they needed to be pursued like that, and then for a few hundred dollars, I lost a 17-year-old daughter. I have another one that, she cant even talk yet, and then theres another young lady whos also deceased.



The father says he will likely retain an attorney once his surviving daughter recovers.



I feel like I need to go as high as I can to get some kind of punishment for that because I dont feel that should have happened, said Smith.

WGNO reached out to the sheriffs office for its response and has not yet heard back.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
This is a human liver, a liver, Akram Bayoumi said as he picked up a limp, charred scrap of flesh from the wreckage of an Israeli airstrike on Nuseirat, in central Gaza.

The overnight strike on a residential block leveled homes, reduced streets to rubble, and killed at least 36 people, tearing some of them apart. The sunrise came at night, he said, referring to the flash of Thursday's explosion.

Bayoumi had come to check on his cousin only to find flesh and body parts, and his cousins family, including his wife and son, buried beneath the rubble.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I swear, we dont understand anything.

A boy walks through the aftermath of the Israeli strike on Nuseirat.

Mokhtar Abou Ayaman Elshaar, who lives nearby and rushed to the scene after the strike, said he and other rescuers searched for the wounded and dead using their cellphone flashlights.

They heard the screams and pleas of those buried under the rubble, he said. Without equipment, there was nothing they could do but listen until they went silent.

Elshaar struggled to find words for the compounded losses  families erased, lives lost and a community left to grapple yet another devastating attack, of which there are likely to be more.

"It was an indescribable hard night, like a dream, a fantasy," he said. "What we witnessed last night is beyond any imagination."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli Defense Forces said the airstrike targeted a senior terrorist in the Islamic Jihad responsible for leading attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops, and that it is reviewing reports of civilian casualties.

Fadi Al-Bayoumi and his infant son, Ali.

Outside Al-Awda Hospital, families bid farewell to their loved ones, as body after body were passed through the crowd to be taken for burial.

Almost 45,000 people have died in Gaza due to the conflict, according to local health officials, and the U.N. has estimates nearly 70% of the dead are women and children.

Health officials said Saturday that Israeli airstrikes had killed 18 people, including seven during an attack on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians. They said women and children were among the dead, including a baby girl who was only 2 days old.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For the children who do survive, the wounds are far more than just physical.

An assessment published this week by a Gaza-based NGO sponsored by War Child UK found that 96% of children in Gaza feel their death is imminent. Half have said they wanted to die.

A child was tucked under a puffy orange coat, as she lay bloodied and dead, piled on top of other bodies at the morgue. A man stroked the round cheek of another dead child, and two others, tiny enough to be fit into a single stretcher, were carried by the crowd for burial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wrapped together in a red blanket that would become their death shroud, Fadi Al-Bayoumi's infant son, Ali, lies on his father's chest, pale and motionless.

The scene, NBC's Gaza crew said, was haunting and almost impossible to process. For the dozens of people weeping and mourning over the dead that day, the grief was no less raw for its regularity.

The sound of fighter jets and quadcopters are always over Nuseirat, Mokthar Elshaar, the neighbor, said.

Its not a bloody week, not a bloody year and two months. Nuseirat has been dying every day silently, he said. We were not displaced from Nuseirat, but we are being annihilated.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  FBI Norfolk is putting out the warning about a scam called called pig butchering.

It has to do with scammers first building trust with a victim and using that trust to clean out bank accounts.

[The] victim is contacted, usually through an unsolicited text message, email, maybe on social media site, what have you, dating app, and generates a relationship with the scammer, FBI Special Agent Shanon Newcomb said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Newcomb explained thats only the first step. While scammers work to create a bond over a period of time, theyll then start pressuring the victim to invest in cryptocurrency.

He said this stage is called fattening up the pig, in which the fraudster is using empathy and trust to further their efforts.

The scammer provides documentation showing about this great cryptocurrency investment and how this can help you, and the persons like, OK, great, let me invest this money, Newcomb said.

The next and final step is butchering. This is when the scammer eventually persuades the victim to put a large amount of money into the fake investment, usually wiping them clean of their assets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Newcomb explained that, not only is this a problem across the country, but its also happening in the Commonwealth.

Were number nine in the number of complaints in Virginia, Newcomb said. And that is about 1,734 complaints. And unfortunately, were also number 10 for losses, and that is about 122 million.

Newcomb added the best prevention effort is for people to make themselves harder targets.

Break contact, Newcomb said. Stop talking to them and allow yourself time to breathe, think and assess the situation. Does this seem right? Does this seem like a legitimate thing? Why am I investing in cryptocurrency if I have no idea what cryptocurrency is or how it works.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can find more information and resources related to preventing this scam 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 WAVY.com.
A federal appeals court in Washington denied a request from the social platform TikTok that would effectively delay the ban of the app next month.

The rejection comes after the company sought to stop the ban Monday, asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to temporarily block the law that could ban the app next month from going into effect Jan. 19 as it prepares to appeal to the Supreme Court.

In response to a request for comment, a TikTok spokesperson said the app is prepared to take the case to The Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As we have previously stated, we plan on taking this case to the Supreme Court, which has an established historical record of protecting Americans right to free speech. The voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world will be silenced on January 19th, 2025 unless the TikTok ban is halted, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The rule was signed into law in April and requires TikTok to break ties with ByteDance, its China-based parent company, before the deadline next month or it will be banned in the U.S. Some lawmakers have already told Apple and Google to prepare for the apps removal.

The app had argued that the injunction, which would have paused the ban from taking effect, would permit the Supreme Court to consider this case in a more orderly fashion and give the incoming Administration time to determine its position on this exceptionally important matter.

The Justice Department also asked the court to reject TikToks bid to stop the ban.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although the request was ultimately denied, TikTok can still turn to the Supreme Court since it asked the appeals court to make a decision by Monday and will still have time to file a motion with the high court to block the law from taking effect.

On Friday, TikTok seemed hopeful in turning to the Supreme Court, saying in a statement Friday the 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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
UPDATE (Dec. 18, 2024, 10:15 a.m. ET): TikTok asked the Supreme Court on Monday to temporarily block a law that could result in the popular social media app being banned in the United States.

A federal appeals court on Friday denied TikTok's bid to delay a law from taking effect that could result in the popular social media app being banned in the United States unless its Chinese owner sells it to an American company by next month.

Last week, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously voted to uphold the law after TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, petitioned to overturn it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ByteDance said it would appeal to the Supreme Court and filed an emergency motion to temporarily block the law from taking effect, pending the outcome of its appeal. But the appeals court denied its request on Friday in an unsigned order that called such a pause "unwarranted."

ByteDance has not yet filed its appeal to the Supreme Court. It's unclear if justices will agree to take up the case or if they will issue a decision before the law takes effect on Jan. 19.

As my colleague Clarissa-Jan Lim wrote last week:

As it stands, the law is set to go into effect one day before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. That deadline could be extended by 90 days if there is progress toward a sale. Trump, whose executive order to ban TikTok in 2020 was quickly rescinded by [President Joe] Biden, has since indicated that he opposes a ban on the app. But its unclear what exactly he intends to do about the impending ban: When asked by The New York Times about Trumps plans for the app, a spokesperson for his transition team, Karoline Leavitt, said Trump will deliver on his campaign promises.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A federal court dismissed an appeal challenging a S.C. Department of Corrections policy that limits access to inmates for public interviews.

The Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rejected an effort on Friday by the ACLU of South Carolina that sought to void a SCDC policy that prohibits inmates from having in-person or phone interviews with the media or public. While the departments policy permits the publication of inmate communications via letters, the ACLU argued that such a policy violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The appeals court disagreed on the basis that the Constitution does not mandate a right of access to ... sources of information within the governments control, namely inmates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The case stems from a federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU in February, where it challenged the interview policy, which restricts in-person interviews between inmates and anyone else  including attorneys  from being published in the media.

South Carolinas prison media-access policy is among the most restrictive of any state in the U.S., the ACLU said in a news release after filing the lawsuit in February. Unique among prison systems nationwide, SCDC takes the position that incarcerated people lose the privilege of speaking to the news media when they enter SCDC. 

In the suit, the ACLU claimed it had been blocked by the department of corrections from publishing interviews from two clients  Sofia Cano and Marion Bowman Jr.  regarding maltreatment while in the departments custody.

S.C. Corrections Director Bryan Stirling, who the lawsuit said, exercises final ultimate authority over the construction and enforcement of all SCDC policies, was named as the sole defendant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ACLU intended to publish an interview with Bowman, who is on death row, to increase political pressure in favor of clemency, to shed light on the impropriety of capital punishment, and to inform the public about the inhumane treatment endured by people incarcerated at SCDC, according to the February suit.

The corrections department argued its policy is rooted in victims rights, and a belief that victims should not have to see the person who harmed them or their family members on the evening news, according to a court opinion.

Ultimately, the case was dismissed in August by U.S. District Court Judge Jacquelyn Austin who found that while the ACLU had sufficient grounds for the suit, the organization failed, she said, to make a valid a claim.

In response, the ACLU filed an expedited appeal to the Fourth Circuit that, in the end, upheld Austins ruling.

The district court correctly dismissed ACLU-SCs complaint for failure to state a claim because its journalists have no constitutional right of access to prisons or their inmates beyond that afforded the general public, the court said.
The fiance of Ellen Greenberg, whose 2011 death from more than 20 stab wounds was ruled a suicide, is speaking out for the first time.

Ellens parents  Joshua Greenberg and Sandee Greenberg  have been petitioning the court for years to take another look at their daughters case, because they believe that her death was the result of a homicide and that the investigation was mishandled. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently agreed to hear arguments against the ruling.

However, Ellens fiance, Sam Goldberg, who found her deceased in the kitchen of their shared apartment after telling investigators that he initially found the door locked, told CNN in an e-mail statement that he believes that her death was a result of mental illness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When Ellen took her own life it left me bewildered, Sam told the outlet. She was a wonderful and a kind person who had everything to live for. When she died a part of me died with her.

Related: Her Death From 20 Stab Wounds Was Ruled a Suicide. Her Parents Never Bought It  and They've Won a Legal Victory

Unimaginably, in the years that have passed I have had to endure the unimaginable passing of my future wife and the pathetic and despicable attempts to desecrate my reputation and her privacy by creating a narrative that embraces lies, distortions and falsehoods in order to avoid the truth, he continued. Mental illness is very real and has many victims.

I hope and pray that you never lose someone you love like I did to a terrible disease and then be accused by ignorant and misinformed people of causing her death. If youre really writing a truthful story, dig deeper, and please do some good by raising awareness for mental health, Sam concluded.

Facebook A photo of Ellen Greenberg.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The Chester County District Attorneys office announced in 2022 that it would review the case, and in September 2024, it was reported that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear Ellen's parents' argument over her manner of death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to CBS News, the arguments that will be presented to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will determine if "executors and administrators of an estate" can challenge a medical examiner's findings on a death certificate.

"We couldn't be happier. If we're not going to use the word 'justice,' we're going to use the words 'undecided' or 'homicide' because that's what we believe this is  a homicide," Joshua told CBS about the decision. "Ellen was brutally murdered."

Investigators said Ellen suffered more than 20 stab wounds and a 10-inch knife was still in her chest at the time her body was discovered, according to the investigation report, which was previously reviewed by PEOPLE. She had stab wounds to her chest, abdomen, head and back of her neck, as well as a gash on her scalp.

Related: Pa. Teacher Was Stabbed 20 Times, but Death Was Ruled Suicide  Now Authorities Are Reviewing Case

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her manner of death was initially ruled a homicide, but was changed to suicide after investigators said they only found Ellens DNA on the knife and clothing. They also claimed at the time that there were no signs of foul play, and no one has ever been charged.

However, Joshua and Sandee's lawyer, Joe Podraza, claimed to Fox News that the knife was never fingerprinted and that there were, in fact, signs of a struggle in the apartment.

The outlet also cited unspecified court documents noting that the scene was also cleaned before detectives came to investigate.

"They [judges] have blatantly said the investigation was faulty on the part of the police, on the part of the medical examiner, on the part of the district attorney," Joshua told CBS News in 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.



Read the original article on People
GOMA, Congo (AP)  Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group intensified in eastern Congo in recent days ahead of much anticipated peace talks on Sunday, the army said.

Congo's army accused the M23 of killing 12 civilians earlier this week in villages of the Lubero territory in the eastern province of North-Kivu in a statement on Friday. An M23 spokesperson told The Associated Press it denied the accusation, discrediting it as propaganda from Congo's government.

M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Congo and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of backing M23. Rwanda denies the claim, but in February admitted that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security, pointing to a buildup of Congolese forces near the border. U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo.

Last month, Congo and Rwandas foreign ministers agreed on the terms and conditions of the disengagement of Rwandan forces in eastern Congo.

In July, Congo signed a ceasefire with M23 that came into effect in August, but fighting has resumed since. Earlier this month, the United States said it was gravely concerned by ceasefire violations by M23 rebels.

The intensification of fighting comes as Congos President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandas President Paul Kagame are set to meet Sunday in Angola, which has been mediating the conflict. It will be their first official meeting since last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Aline Kasereka, a mother of six living in Lubero, a town 50 kilometers (30 miles) away from the villages where the fighting took place earlier this week, said the peace talks are urgently needed.

We are tired of the war, every day we move, we do not know in which country we are anymore," Kasereka told the AP. "Our authorities have to sit on the negotiation table and find a solution because we want to return to our normal life," she added.

Henry Pacifique, analyst for the Kivu Security Barometer research project, says he remains pessimistic about the outcome of the summit.

"It seems like Angola is trying to force Congo and Rwanda to participate, while both parties continue to make the other the scapegoat to justify future violations of the agreement, he said.
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Filipino death row inmate Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso knelt to pray when officers came to take her to an execution site in May 2015, just a few feet away from her isolation cell on an Indonesian prison island, where a 13-member firing squad was waiting.

While she prayed, the Philippines government was wrapping up a lengthy legal battle over her fate. Velosos life was ultimately spared  temporarily  by Indonesias Attorney General's Office, which issued a stay of execution shortly before Veloso was to be executed with eight other death row inmates.

Lord, many people there believe that I am guilty, but many people out there believe that I am innocent. Lord, You are the One who knows everything, You knew that I am innocent, so I beg You, please prove that by saving me, Veloso recalled praying in a tearful interview with The Associated Press at a female prison in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Duped into becoming a drug courier

The reprieve aimed to provide an opportunity for Veloso's testimony to expose how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice and courier in drug trafficking.

Shock washed over Veloso as a group of officials from the attorney general's office informed her of the stay just as she was being led out to the execution site on Nusakambangan prison island. In tears, she remembered a cocoon she saw the previous night hanging from a tree branch near her cell.

In the Philippines we believe that if there is a cocoon, there will be a new life, Veloso said. That means I will not be executed because God will give me a new life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Veloso, now 39, was arrested in 2010 at the airport in the Indonesian ancient city of Yogyakarta, where officials discovered about 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin hidden in her luggage. The single mother of two sons was convicted and sentenced to death.

Veloso has maintained her innocence throughout her 14 years of incarceration. She has spent her time in prison designing Indonesian batik clothing, painting, tailoring and learning interior design and other skills.

Veloso was granted a stay of execution because her alleged boss was arrested in the Philippines, and the authorities there requested Indonesian assistance in pursuing a case against her. The woman, who allegedly recruited Veloso to work in Kuala Lumpur, Maria Kristina Sergio, surrendered to police in the Philippines just two days ahead of her scheduled execution.

The dramatic turn of events began last month, when in an unusual last-ditch effort to delay Velosos death, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that a deal had been reached for Indonesia to send Veloso home after a decade of pleading from Manila.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mary Jane Veloso is coming home, Marcos said in a statement. Arrested in 2010 on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to death, Mary Janes case has been a long and difficult journey.

A practical arrangement

A practical arrangement between Indonesia and the Philippines was signed on Dec. 6, to send Veloso home, which is expected before Christmas.

Although there is no treaty between the countries, Indonesia and the Philippines are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the transfer of convicts in the ASEAN region is in accordance with the blocs Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, said Raul Vasquez, the undersecretary at the Department of Justice of the Philippines, after the signing ceremony.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Indonesias Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesias coordinating minister for law, human rights, immigration and corrections, lauded the transfer agreement as a historic milestone between Indonesia and the Philippines, and part of the new administration of President Prabowo Subiantos good neighbor policy.

Once repatriated, Mahendra said, if the Philippines want to pardon Veloso or grant clemency, that is entirely their authority in which we must also respect, the minister added. The Philippines, Asias largest Roman Catholic nation, has abolished the death penalty.

Like a miracle

Veloso described the decision as being like a miracle when I have lost all hope."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For almost 15 years I was separated from my children and parents, and I could not see my children grow up, she said, her eyes filled with tears. I wish to be given an opportunity to take care of my children and to be close to my parents.

Born in Cabanatuan, a city in Nueva Ecija province, Veloso was the youngest of five siblings of a family who lived in extreme poverty. Her father worked as a seasonal agricultural worker on a sugar cane plantation and her mother collected discarded bottles and plastic to sell to junk shops. Veloso dropped out of school in her first year of high school and married her husband when she was just 16 years old.

The couple later separated and she became a single mother to two young sons, forcing her to emigrate to Dubai in 2009 to work as maid. She returned to the Philippines before the end of her two-year contract after an attempted rape by her employer. A year later, Veloso was recruited by Sergio to be employed as a domestic servant in Malaysia but later was shifted to Indonesia.

Major drug smuggling hub

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.

Indonesia's last executions were carried out in July 2016, when an Indonesian and three foreigners were shot by firing squad.

There are about 530 people on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections' data showed as of last month. The Indonesian government recently agreed in principle to return five Australian nationals and a French national to their home countries.

I was not a good Catholic before, and prison has changed my life into a skilled person who has become closer to God, Veloso said. I am ready to build a new life, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.

___

Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A fire Friday afternoon near Aynor caused significant damage to a mobile home and injured one person, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.

HCFR was dispatched at 4:11 p.m. to the 3000 block of Henry Road for a reported residential structure fire. Crews quickly brought the fire under control, but one person was hurt and taken to the hospital.

No information about the persons injuries was immediately available. Any displaced residents will be offered assistance by the American Red Cross of South Carolina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The cause of this fire remains under investigation.

* * *

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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Salisbury Fire Department battled a three-alarm fire at a vacant building Saturday morning.

The fire began around 7:15 a.m. at a structure on Thermoid Way.

Firefighters determined that the fire was moving quickly and requested additional units.

ALSO READ: Man dies after bus catches fire in Salisbury, firefighters say

The fire eventually reached 3 alarms and took approximately 50 firefighters to extinguish.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The building was determined to be vacant at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

VIDEO: Man dies after bus catches fire in Salisbury, firefighters say












A tornado that touched down Saturday afternoon in the city of Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County injured three people and caused significant damage in the area, according to the National Weather Service.

It occurred around 1:40 p.m. and lasted about five minutes, based on radar, videos and firsthand accounts, said Matt Mehle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Bay Area.

The wind speed peaked at 90 mph and the tornado's path covered nearly a third of a mile at 30 yards wide along Mount Hermon Road in Scotts Valley, according to the weather agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A storm survey team with the National Weather Service observed a wide range of damage to the area, including downed trees and power poles, trees stripped of branches, overturned vehicles and damaged street signs.

Three people injured in the tornado were transported to a hospital, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle. Scotts Valley police said two of them were released Saturday evening, but the other remained hospitalized, though was expected to survive, the police said. That person sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung after their vehicle was flipped over by the tornado, police told the Chronicle.

A social media post by the Scotts Valley Police Department said that the tornado touched down near a Target store on Mount Hermon Road and that multiple power lines were down.

"The road is totally blocked in all directions in the city," the police statement said. "Please stay out of the area."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said Mount Hermon Road between Lockewood Lane and Scotts Valley Drive is closed to allow repairs of damaged PG&E equipment and to allow crews to clean debris and hazards out of the roadway.

It's not the first tornado recorded in Santa Cruz County  seven have occurred before, Mehle said. California sees about 10 or 11 tornadoes each year, he said.

In San Francisco County, a first-ever tornado warning was issued early Saturday as thunderstorms and wind gusts of up to 80 mph swept through the region and caused widespread damage, officials said.

Read more: Dick Van Dyke rescued by neighbors in Malibu fire, reunited with lost cat

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The National Weather Service said its crews found numerous large trees in the county that were uprooted or snapped at the base by straight-line winds. In addition, at least one structure suffered roof damage and there were several downed power lines, according to a statement from the weather agency.

More than 1 million people in the county were under the warning, which went out at 5:51 a.m. and was lifted by 6:15 a.m., said Lamont Bain, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Bay Area.

The advisory was the first time the agency had ever issued a tornado warning for San Francisco County, he said. San Mateo County was last issued a tornado warning on March 18, 2011.

Its certainly unusual. We dont see the ingredients come together all the time for tornadoes, Bain said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to moisture, you need the combination of lift, you need some instability and you need some wind shear. We saw all of those things come together for a brief period of time this morning," he said.

Bain said the tornado alert was a good reminder for people to always have multiple means to receive weather and warning information. That includes signing up for text alerts, checking news reports and tuning in to weather radio.

Rain showers were forecast for the rest of the day in San Francisco, with wind gusts peaking at 30 to 35 mph. The rain was expected to end Saturday night, with dry conditions on Sunday before another dose of rain Monday.

Power outages were widespread as a result of the storm, which began Friday. PG&E said wind gusts of 95 mph were recorded in Humboldt County on Friday evening. San Francisco International Airport experienced 83-mph winds early Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PG&E said that its crews were working to repair the damage and that power had been restored to more than 95,000 customers by 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

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.
San Francisco residents were woken up by a tornado warning early Saturday morning during a powerful storm system that battered the region with heavy rain and wind.

It was the first-ever tornado warning for San Francisco, but not the first tornado, cited CBS News Bay Area meteorologist Paul Heggen.

The National Weather Service issued the warning for northern San Mateo County and parts of downtown San Francisco, just before 6 a.m. until 6:15 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the NWS, there was a cyclonic signature on the radar that had produced enough rotation signature to prompt the warning.

Radar Update [9:40 AM] - Impressive cyclonic signature on radar moving across North Bay right now. This larger scale feature is what helped provide enough forcing to produce the rotation signature prompting the tornado warning @ 5:51 AM. **TORNADO THREAT HAS ENDED** #CAwx pic.twitter.com/GzHUh06F1V  NWS Bay Area  (@NWSBayArea) December 14, 2024

"The radar scan at 5:52am clearly shows a "hook echo" offshore  that's the signature we look for to identify a developing tornado. This feature was embedded within a broad area of very heavy rain, but it still stands out," Heggen explained.

Notice the cloud-to-ground (well, cloud-to-ocean) lightning strike near the hook echo. That confirms the instability present in the atmosphere  such strikes are only possible with enough vertical motion to separate charged particles ("hydrometeors") within the storm. 4/15 pic.twitter.com/NY3RSewd6j  Paul Heggen @paulkpix.bsky.social (@PaulKPIX) December 14, 2024

The NWS Bay Area said the warning was over for San Francisco at 6:07 a.m. And let the tornado warning expire at 6:15 a.m.

The warning led to a flurry of social media posts from residents who were woken up by the alert on their cell phones. It was being reported as the first-ever tornado warning issued for San Francisco.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was also a special alert issued for a possible water spout on San Francisco Bay in the area of the Bay Bridge that expired ten minutes after the tornado warning.

Special Marine Warning including the San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay and the West Delta and the San Francisco Bay north of the Bay Bridge until 6:30 AM PST pic.twitter.com/5sATFgWa0K  NWS Bay Area  (@NWSBayArea) December 14, 2024

While the strongest part of the system has passed, isolated severe thunderstorms remain possible for parts of the Bay Area through the morning, the National Weather Service said.

According to PG&E, the storm conditions caused power outages for thousands of people in the Bay Area.

The tornado warning in San Francisco was just the first of multiple extreme wind events connected to the powerful storm that passed through Northern California overnight and continued to cause problems Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

High winds were causing impacts across the region, including a city-wide power outage in the North Bay city of Novato and a full closure of Interstate 580 in both directions at the San Joaquin and Alameda county line after a multiple-vehicle collision involving a big rig due to high winds.

On Saturday afternoon, a tornado touched down in the Santa Cruz County town of Scotts Valley. Police had initially issued an alert regarding a multi-vehicle accident, but later reported that witnesses said a tornado had touched down on Mount Hermon Drive, throwing "multiple cars off the road."

The Bay Area office of the National Weather Service later confirmed that a tornado had occurred based on "video, photos, firsthand accounts, and radar signatures"

Trump reportedly considering military action against Iran

Growing number of drone sightings along East Coast causes confusion, alarm

"CBS Weekend News" headlines for Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
The future of congressional investigations could be defined by Republican eagerness to probe private industry and less willingness to defer to the Justice Department, experts say.

House Republicans promised an avalanche of investigations when they took over the House after the 2022 midterms, which included an impeachment inquiry into President Biden based in large part on his son Hunter Bidens foreign business activities; an investigation on the COVID-19 pandemic; probes into how Facebook and Twitter, now known as X, suppressed the distribution of certain information; and into how top universities handled antisemitism on campus.

Former counsels for President Biden and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) say that the results of the last two years of House GOP investigations  combined with the Supreme Court changing the investigatory landscape  will inform how Congress approaches oversight not only in the upcoming 119th Congress, but beyond.

Impeachment could become more common

Another impeachment inquiry in the next two years seems highly unlikely given Republicans will control both chambers of Congress and are poised to work with President-elect Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But looking beyond the next two years, Richard Dick Sauber, a former special counsel to President Biden in the White House, speculated that impeachment inquiries could become more common due to this years Supreme Court ruling that largely shields presidents from criminal prosecution for actions they take while in office.

I suspect that [impeachment] may even be more part of the landscape going forward, because the Supreme Courts immunity decision, for a number of reasons, probably is the death knell to the special counsel investigation by the Department of Justice, Sauber, now a partner at Kramer Levin, said in an interview.

Sauber said congressional investigators who might investigate presidential wrongdoing would often defer to a special counsel probe before pursuing impeachment.

The use of a special counsel to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by a sitting president, was sort of a pressure valve in the system.  Well, the immunity decision, I think, has probably killed the use of special counsels forever, Sauber said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the outgoing ranking member on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and incoming ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, said that reasoning made sense, noting that outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) voted against impeaching Trump after Jan. 6 in part because he said Trump would be subject to the criminal justice system.

Well, that escape valve doesnt really exist anymore because of the Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court has said that if a president is at least nominally acting under the core functions of his presidential duties, then he can commit felony crimes and not be prosecuted for them, Raskin said.

So I think that that supports, in some sense, this idea that impeachment is the only consequence.  It does remove that particular exit ramp from people who dont want to face actually impeachable and convictable conduct, Raskin said.

Republicans eye the private sector

Congressional investigations led by both Democrats in the Senate and Republicans in the House focused on private industries and companies, such as those into content moderation policies for social media platforms and investigations into antisemitism on college campuses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I expect with full Republican control of both houses of Congress that the trend of private sector scrutiny, and continued investigations into universities, will continue, said Kim Hamm, a former general counsel to McCarthy who now leads the congressional investigations practice at Mayer Brown.

Committees are also getting more public and timely in how they share information, Hamm noted. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), for instance, released several threads highlighting key excerpts from documents and testimony they obtained regarding Facebook.

Some committees see that as really powerful to provide this almost like, real-time transparency of the public about what youre doing and the information that youre getting  and you just see these sort of Twitter threads with documents, Hamm said.

End of Chevron deference could affect investigations

Hamm also said that the end of Chevron deference could heighten the role of congressional investigations. The Supreme Court this year overruled precedent that gave federal agencies great authority to interpret ambiguous laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Congress now is grappling with how to handle the change in precedent as they write laws. Hamm said that while lawmakers could write deference into statutes, they could also aim to be a lot more specific in their laws  which could lead to a flurry of investigatory activity.

All congressional investigations are supposed to be a furtherance of a legislative purpose. And so you could see, Well, OK, Im a committee. Im thinking of new legislation. Im no longer going to be able to assume that, that a court will give deference to agencies. I need to write this legislation much more specifically. I need the information to do that, Hamm said.

Increased use of National Archives

The National Archives  which holds records from previous administrations  rose in prominence over the past two years. Not only was it at the center of a prosecution into Trump in the now-dismissed classified documents case, it held records from Bidens time as vice president that Republicans were interested in as they investigated him.

One I did sort of notice, is that Congress sort of discovered, I think  because I didnt really see previously the exercise of this power  their right to get information from the archives, Sauber said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And if the balance of power in Congress flips in the midterm elections, it is likely that Democrats will try to seek records from Trumps first term in the White House.

I think youll see the opposing party to whoever sits in the White House using the archives more going forward, to get some of the historical records that they think might be relevant to whatever it is theyre investigating, Sauber said.

The challenge, though, is if the president exerts executive privilege to prevent release of the documents  a dynamic that frustrated Republicans this congress as they sought Biden records.

They were of no use to me, said Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chair of the House Oversight Committee. They could be very useful. They should be very useful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I wanted to cut their budget, but unfortunately, I couldnt get the House Appropriations Committee to go along with me, Comer said.

Republicans will try to tie up loose ends

Republicans are likely to continue pursuing documents they were not able to obtain in this Congress when the balance of power shifts in the White House.

Congressional investigators will also push for greater access to agency materials that may have previously been withheld from them, including communications between the private sector and the Biden Administration, Hamm said. Some areas that will be of interest include ESG [environmental, social, and governance principles], corporate DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] initiatives, and allegations of politically motivated debanking of certain industries (such as crypto, energy) or against conservative-leaning organizations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Since March, students at Flagstaff Academy Charter School have been showing up early to school, putting on their high-vis vests and heading out to the streets to direct traffic. The volunteers, who are in fifth through eighth grades, are a part of the Dragon Safety Patrol program at Flagstaff.

Tim Rumsey, the safety supervisor at Flagstaff, started and now leads the program which includes traffic patrol in the mornings and afternoons as well as weekly Thursday meetings. He said when it first started the program had 12 participantsl it now has 25.

For me, it was just an idea to give kids a different path, Rumsey said. We encourage our kids to go out to college and become doctors and lawyers but for other kids, like myself  I wanted to be a first responder since I was 12, this gives those kids that avenue, that chance to do that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rumsey, who has previously worked in military law enforcement and mental health counseling, set up the program to resemble a military platoon. Students have different responsibilities in their ranks and can rise in their rank from sergeant to captain. Rumsey also emphasized that Flagstaff is primarily a commuter school that caters to multiple communities and therefore sometimes sees over 300 vehicles traveling through each day  making traffic safety a significant part of the volunteers work.

Student volunteers direct traffic as part of the Dragon Safety Patrol program at Flagstaff Academy Charter School in Longmont. (Courtesy of Scott Dressel-Martin)

Thursday meetings can differ week to week. Rumsey said students have visited Longmonts police department, had a fire truck visit campus, heard from local first responders, been trained in basic first aid and CPR, and learned how to administer NARCAN.

Some of our kids carry first aid kits as the first responders at the school to help with Band-Aids and those kind of things, Rumsey said. If we had a true emergency, kids would back off and it would be handled by staff of course, but sometimes a kid will trip on the way out and well help them put on a Band-Aid. It just kind of gives them an idea of what its like to be a first-responder or police officer, directing traffic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While some may be surprised to hear that children are learning how to administer NARCAN in the event of a fentanyl overdose, Rumsey said its a problem in the US right now that they cant ignore.

Its real. We cant get away from it. Were one of the only schools in Boulder County thats a distributor of NARCAN, Rumsey said, adding, The kids are interested in that because they hear about it as well. Just last year they found fentanyl in a school bus down in Denver, an elementary school bus. So its here whether we like it or not and rather than stick our head in the sand, we acknowledge it and train kids and help them understand it.

Executive Principal Katie Gustafson said the school hasnt had a situation where theyve needed to administer Narcan, but theyre prepared if they ever were to need to.

When kids go to high school its more prevalent, things change, kids get a little more freedom, Gustafson said. We want to make sure they leave here with skills that can be applied to the real world and unfortunately, thats our real world right now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To be able to join and stay in the program, students have to maintain a 2.75 GPA or above and show up to traffic patrol at least twice a week as well as the weekly Thursday. Rumsey said kids have had to leave the program due to poor behavior or low grades, but they have been supported and encouraged to learn from it and reapply the next semester.

We take it very seriously, theres a code of conduct that kids have to go by, a three strike system, Rumsey said.

Gustafson said shes seen kids take pride in the program and the position they have. Rumsey agreed, stating that he had seen students become more resilient, care more about their grades and show more compassion for each other.

Tim is involved and invested in these kids, so even when we have kids who make mistakes, thats real world learning there. We make mistakes, we do things that we dont intend to, we learn from those, but to have a strong mentor to help with those challenges and to help walk through those and to have somebody who believes in you, that says, Alright, well see you after next quarter. I want you to reapply; thats investing in our kids, Gustafson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She continued, Thats the benefit I see of this whole thing. Were investing in the kids and theyre investing in the community and its cyclical which just makes it a part of why this school is so special in my opinion.

Moving forward, Rumsey hopes to bring more patrol programs to other schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District.
TALLAHASSEE  For a decade, children brought into the country illegally by their undocumented parents could enroll in a state college or university for the same fee as in-state residents, if they attended a Florida high school for three years.

But now, State Sen. Randy Fine, a Brevard County Republican who plans to resign mid-session to run for Congress, wants to repeal that law and end the educational benefit designed to help young immigrants known as dreamers.

Fine wants to end sweetheart deals for college degrees to those who should not even be here, he said in an email put out by his senate aide. President Trump has made clear it is time to close the border and stop giving illegal immigrants rewards for breaking the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His bill revives an effort to squelch the dreamers benefit that Gov. Ron DeSantis and some other Republicans tried  and failed  to make part of an immigration reform package in 2023.

Fine claimed the state spent $45 million to provide out-of-state tuition waivers to undocumented college and university students in 2021, but his staff did not respond to questions about the source of that figure.

Fine, a combative conservative who calls himself the Hebrew Hammer, filed a bill Monday that would repeal the waiver, which was signed into law in 2014  two years before he was elected to the Legislature. The law was sponsored by Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez when she was a state senator. It was approved with bipartisan support and signed into law by then-Gov. Rick Scott, now the junior GOP senator from Florida.

Under the law, undocumented students who attended a Florida high school for three years and enrolled in a state college or university within 24 months of graduation would pay in-state tuition rates. But they are not eligible for state financial aid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Without that waiver, they would pay out-of-state rates that are three to four times more. At the University of Central Florida, for example, the in-state rate is about $6,300 while out-of-state tuition is over $22,000.

This is just an attempt to score political points with conservative voters, especially Trump supporters, said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.

President-elect Donald Trump, who has endorsed Fine for Congress, is calling for a massive deportation of undocumented immigrants, including their children who were born in the United States.

Anti-immigrant fever is on the rise and hes clearly doing this because he is running for Congress, Eskamani said. Randy Fine is continually aiming for attention and appealing to his base and demonstrating his conservative street cred. Attacking immigrants is a way to do that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Florida is one of at least 18 states that provide in-state tuition for young adults brought as children into the U.S. by their undocumented parents. Texas was the first state to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students as well as state financial aid.

More than 43,000 undocumented students are currently enrolled in Floridas public colleges or universities, according to the American Immigration Council and the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. They make up just a sliver of the more than 1 million enrolled.

The state university system said it issued 2,005 nonresident tuition waivers last year but does not track how many of them went to undocumented students. The state also doesnt track of the number of undocumented students enrolled in its universities.

Florida has already invested millions of dollars into the K-12 education of these students, and the 2014 law was seen as an incentive to get them to stay in Florida and complete their postsecondary education, said Renata Bozzetto, deputy director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The result is a a higher educated population and individuals who can pursue a career while working on their immigration status, Bozzetto said.

Floridas undocumented workers contribute $1 billion in spending power and $113 million in state and local taxes, according to the American Immigration Council.

Fine was a state representative from 2016 until November, when he was elected to the state Senate. Barely three weeks after winning that race, Fine resigned to run for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Michael Waltz, R-St. Augustine, whos been tapped by Trump as his national security advisor.

DeSantis and some lawmakers, including Fine, called for repealing the tuition waiver in 2023, but the Legislature passed sweeping anti-immigration reforms that ultimately left it in place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dozens of Dream Defenders, a civil rights group, blocked the entrance to the Governors Office at the state capitol to speak out against that effort to eliminate the tuition waiver, leading to the arrest of 14 protestors.

Its a publicity stunt, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat from Orlando, said of Fines new bill. Id be surprised if my Republican colleagues in the Senate even give it a hearing. Its a mean-spirited and petty attack on immigrants that really defines the MAGA base.

All in-state residents pay a tuition rate lower than the cost of their education, so state taxpayers are subsidizing all of them, and there is not a limit on the number of students who can receive in-state tuition, he said.

They are paying tuition like every other student , Smith said. They are not taking something away from other Floridians.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  The state of Florida could be buying several large tracts of property here in the Panhandle.

Florida cabinet staff members are recommending the state buy 12,243 acres from Bear Creek Timber. The price would be $32,650,000. The property is located about 6 miles north of Tyndall Air Force Base.

Buddy Check 13 with Dr. Lindsey Weintritt-Davis

The money is coming from the Florida Forever Program, which acquires lands for conservation and recreational use. The cabinet meeting is next Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state has also reached an agreement to buy the Adams farm property in Walton and Holmes counties.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will pay almost $2.3 million for nearly 1,700 acres to raise cattle and grow trees and crops.

The money is coming from the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which prevents development and allows agricultural usage to continue.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA)  A new law thats set to take effect in Florida in January aims to protect minors on social media. It calls for a ban for those under 16 and poses an enforcement issue.

As the ban faces legal challenges, will it take still take effect next month?

St. Petersburg mayor looks to repair Tropicana Field, but considers alternatives

The House Bill 3 we know today went through several different variations in the 2024 session.

State Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando), originally voted in favor of the bill  that was before it was changed, raising concerns on First Amendment rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though I agree more needs to be done in protecting our youth on social media, this bill goes too far in taking away parents rights and banning social media usage, and thus First Amendment rights for young Floridians, Eskamani said.

Robert Winterton, vice president of public affairs at Netchoice, one of the groups hoping to halt this law in court, believes the power needs to stay in parents hands, not the state.

Weve been hearing about these kind of proposals for a while, and Florida is not the only state in the country where they have been considered, Winterton said. Its basically been part of a broader discussion about the role of social media in society, and what media young people are allowed to consume, and who gets to make that decision. Fundamentally, we come down on the side of parental rights and believe that it is up to parents.

Winterton shared that not only children under 16, but all adults will have to share information to prove their age.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats one reason why we, alongside CCIA, have sued against this law to stop it from taking effect. Its meant to be taking effect soon, Winterton said. Ashley Moody, the Attorney General of Florida has said that they will not be enforcing the law against our membership  which is many of the leading tech industry companies  until theres been further progress on our lawsuit against them.

Moody has agreed not to enforce the law while being challenged in court.

In support of the bill, Representative Michele Rayner (D-Hillsborough), voted Yes twice, as the bill advanced on the House Floor last session. Rayner said she expected lawsuits, but she believes the law will hold up in court.

Addictive scrolling, addictive design, that is what we address, Rayner said. We are very specific and very narrow for it to be able to withstand any type of First Amendment challenge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While Jan. 1 is just around the corner, the next real date to look out for is Feb. 28, 2025, when the preliminary injunction hearing will take place, and the state gets to hear from the judge.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A Dover mother who collapsed in cardiac arrest is thanking the people who saved her life last spring.

In May, Lauren Quint, a mom of three, had arrived at Dedham Medical Associates at Atrius Health in Norwood for her six-week post-partum check-up with her OB-GYN. Quint was carrying her newborn son, Hap, in his car seat as she approached the building when suddenly she felt ill.

I got really dizzy and thought, Oh, no. Im going to pass out. So, I remember putting him down on the sidewalk, and then thats when I went into cardiac arrest, Quint recalled to Boston 25 News. If I were to have that happen anywhere, I was in the right place at the right time, for sure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quint would later learn several bystanders jumped in within seconds and began providing CPR. Those good Samaritans include a former nurse who was inside the building, a man who works at a nursing home and is CPR-trained and Quints own doctor, who has been a longtime medic and saw her emergency from inside.

Firefighter/paramedics then arrived within five minutes of a bystanders 911 call and used a defibrillator to restore a regular heartbeat.

Norwood Fire Lt. Kevin Morrissey, one of the departments EMS coordinators, told Boston 25 News the bystanders who rushed to Quints aid administered textbook CPR.

Shortly after, the crews arrived and were able to successfully defibrillate her. And that [early CPR] really made all the difference in the outcome, Morrissey said. Were thrilled it was a positive outcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Quint regained consciousness being carried into the ambulance, her doctor reassured her she would be okay. Meanwhile, a pediatric office at Atrius Health took care of Hap until Quints husband Marty arrived.

Quint was rushed to the emergency room at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and spent two days in intensive care before eventually having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) surgically implanted to monitor her heartbeat and, in case of any future irregular heartbeat, deliver a shock to restore a normal rhythm.

While Quint has had a heart murmur her entire life, she had never had a cardiac emergency before the May incident.

Since Quints recovery and return home, she has been meeting and thanking the many people who helped save her life. Last weekend, she and her family visited the Norwood firefighters who responded to her emergency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[I am] forever grateful for them running to me, because they saved my life, an emotional Quint said of all those involved. And I get to be here with my three kids and my husband, and its just so special to know that that many people wanted to help in that moment.

Quints husband Marty, too, expressed his gratitude for those who stepped up in the moments following his wifes emergency as well as the medical team at Beth Israel.

Were just immensely grateful for everyone that helped Lauren that day, he said. Shes a walking miracle. Its amazing shes doing as well as shes doing today. So, a lot, a lot of people helped her be in the situation shes in today.





Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
By Rodrigo Viga Gaier and Ricardo Brito

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Police arrested Brazil's former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto on Saturday and charged him with meddling in a probe into a planned military coup he is accused of organizing and financing, the latest twist in a political saga that has rocked the country.

Federal police have implicated the retired four-star general in the plot to overturn the 2022 election narrowly won by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The general also served as chief of staff to former President Jair Bolsonaro. Braga Netto was Bolsonaro's running mate in the far-right leader's failed reelection bid against Lula, as the leftist leader is universally known.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Braga Netto has denied any role in the alleged conspiracy.

His lawyers said in brief statement on Saturday that they will prove their client did not interfere in the investigation.

In November, federal police accused Braga Netto along with Bolsonaro, senior aides and former military commanders of plotting to bar Lula from taking office, including a scheme to kill him shortly after the election.

The arrest came after investigators uncovered evidence of a larger role for the retired general in the alleged coup plot than previously thought, according to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who ordered the arrest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beyond allegedly hosting a meeting in his house that set in motion a plan to assassinate Lula and his Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin, federal police said Braga Netto provided funds to those involved in the plot.

Investigators say Braga Netto also tried to meddle in the police probe by attempting to get details of depositions by Mauro Cid, a Bolsonaro aide who is cooperating with police.

In a statement, federal police said it served two search warrants in connection with the arrest. The searches happened at Braga Netto's residence in Rio de Janeiro and the home of retired colonel Flavio Botelho Peregrino in Brasilia, the army said in a statement.

Peregrino could not be reached immediately for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Braga Netto will remain in army custody in Rio. Under a 1980 law, military officers can only be detained by police if they are caught in the course of a criminal act and must be surrendered to the military after the crime is registered.

(Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Writing by Fabio Teixeira; Editing by Brad Haynes, Keith Weir and Mark, Franklin Paul and David Gregorio)
A former employee of a Broward County-based beauty supply company is accused of orchestrating a theft scheme that cost the company more than $1.1. million, according to police.

Pembroke Park police say the investigation was triggered when an Amazon representative alerted Cortex USA to the presence of a local company, Miami Vibes, which was selling products at prices significantly below market value. Upon digging deeper, Cortex USA management discovered that Miami Vibes was linked to 28-year-old Byron Duran, the companys warehouse manager since 2022.

According to the company, Duran had been stealing inventory from their warehouse, re-labeling it under the Miami Vibes brand, and using Cortex USAs FedEx shipping account to fulfill customer orders. The scheme allegedly resulted in $667,931.15 in losses for 2024 alone, adding up to over $1.1 million since Durans scheme began.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cortex USA, located at 2575 SW 32nd Ave., confronted Duran about the theft, and he admitted to his actions, reportedly agreeing to repay part of the losses, police say. The case was then handed over to Pembroke Park Police detectives for further investigation.

The company fired him on Dec. 6

On Thursday, Duran voluntarily appeared at the Pembroke Park Police Station.

Duran, police say, explained how he carried out the theft: creating fraudulent labels, shipping stolen inventory, and depositing the profits into his Wells Fargo bank account. Police also say Duran disclosed that he sent a portion of the stolen money to his family in Nicaragua.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Duran reportedly expressed remorse and indicated his willingness to pay restitution to Cortex USA, police say. He was charged with grand theft and engaging in a scheme to defraud. Records show Duran remains in Broward County jail as of Saturday morning on a $75,000 bond. His attorney information was not immediately available on court records.

Cortex USA has since hired a forensic examiner to trace the stolen funds.
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.)  A former deputy with the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPSO) was arrested in Harris County, Texas on a charge of Human Trafficking for Involuntary Servitude.

Mugshot of Ivan Sundheim

According to EPSO, 63-year-old Ivan Sundheim was employed with the Sheriffs Office from March 1993 until his retirement in April 2013.

In May 2024, EPSO received an allegation of Human Trafficking about Sundheim during his employment with EPSO. Following an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Sundheim on Thursday, Dec. 12 and he was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail in Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

EPSO said this is an active investigation and will not provide further comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has undergone a hip replacement procedure after being hospitalized in Luxembourg on Friday following a fall.

Pelosi, 84, was traveling with the congressional delegation for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge  the last major German offensive during the Second World War  when she fell.

Her spokesperson, Ian Krager, said in a statement:Earlier this morning, Speaker Emerita Pelosi underwent a successful hip replacement and is well on the mend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaker Pelosi is grateful to U.S. military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at Landstuhl Army Base and medical staff at Hospital Kirchberg in Luxembourg for their excellent care and kindness.

Speaker Pelosi is enjoying the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and well wishes and is ever determined to ensure access to quality health care for all Americans.

Earlier her office had said she was receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals.

Pelosi has been a member of Congress for 37 years (AP)

She continues to work and regrets that she is unable to attend the remainder of the CODEL engagements to honor the courage of our servicemembers during one of the greatest acts of American heroism in our nations history, the statement continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sources close to the congresswoman had told The New York Times that Pelosi fractured her hip in the fall. According to a third source, Pelosi tripped down marble stairs at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg when she fell.

It was a hard fall, two people familiar with the incident toldThe Washington Post.

Pelosi, widely considered a pivotal leader within the Democratic Party, has been a member of Congress for 37 years. She served as House speaker twice  from 2007 until 2011 and then again from 2019 until 2023.

She was re-elected to Congress, representing the 11th district in California, in November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In his earlier statement Krager said Pelosi looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon.

Hip replacement surgery, also known as hip arthroplasty, involves replacing an injured hip with an artificial joint, in order to reduce pain and improve movement. There are about 350,000 such procedures in the US every year.

Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas, joined Pelosi on the foreign trip and wished her a quick recovery.

Im disappointed Speaker Emerita Pelosi wont be able to join the rest of our delegations events this weekend as I know how much she looked forward to honoring our veterans, McCaul wrote on X on Friday. But she is strong, and I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time. Praying for a speedy recovery, @SpeakerPelosi!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The injury comes two years after a man broke into Pelosis home in San Francisco and used a hammer to attack her husband Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time.

The attacker, David DePape, was looking for the California congresswoman. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison in October.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell tripped and fell on Tuesday on the way to a GOP luncheon, spraining his wrist and leaving a cut on his face.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi underwent a successful hip replacement surgery in Germany after sustaining an injury during a congressional trip to Luxembourg, a spokesperson said on Saturday.

Ian Krager, the spokesperson, described Pelosi as "well on the mend."

"Speaker Pelosi is grateful to U.S. military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and medical staff at Hospital Kirchberg for their excellent care and kindness. Speaker Pelosi is enjoying the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and well wishes and is ever determined to ensure access to quality health care for all Americans," Krager added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The former speaker was taken by MEDEVAC to Landstuhl, Germany, a defense official told NBC News, after Pelosi was injured Friday in Luxembourg.

In a statement Friday, Krager told reporters that Pelosi, 84, "sustained an injury during an official engagement and was admitted to the hospital for evaluation."

Krager added, "Speaker Emerita Pelosi is currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals. She continues to work and regrets that she is unable to attend the remainder of the CODEL engagements to honor the courage of our servicemembers during one of the greatest acts of American heroism in our nations history."

Friday's statement did not include any details about Pelosi's injury or how she sustained it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pelosi was first hospitalized in Luxembourg while on a trip with over a dozen other members of Congress to honor the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

One of the oldest members of the House, Pelosi stepped down from her speakership position in 2022, ushering in a wave of generational change among the party's leadership.

First elected in 1987, Pelosi made history in 2007 when she became the first female speaker of the House.

She was just re-elected to another term in November, which would allow her to serve through 2026. Pelosi has not announced whether she plans to seek another term in two years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News of her injury came just days after outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., fell during a lunch with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill. McConnell, 82, sprained his wrist and sustained a minor cut to the face in that incident, according to his office.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
NEW YORK (AP)  The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcares CEO has added a prominent defense lawyer to his legal team as Manhattan prosecutors work to return him from Pennsylvania to face a murder charge.

Luigi Mangione will be represented by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who was a high-ranking deputy in the Manhattan district attorneys office for years before entering private practice.

Friedman Agnifilo's law firm, Agnifilo Intrater LLP, confirmed in a statement late Friday that she had been retained to represent Mangione. The firm said she will not be commenting on the case at this time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione was arrested Monday after a customer at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, saw him eating breakfast and noticed a resemblance to the person being sought by police in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson in Manhattan.

Police say Mangione was found with a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was arriving for his company's annual investor conference.

Mangione, 26, remained jailed without bail Saturday in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with gun and forgery offenses. Altoona is about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City.

Mangione's lawyer there, Thomas Dickey, has cautioned against prejudging the case and said that his client would contest his extradition to New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Friday that there were indications Mangione may now give up on that fight.

We going to continue to press forward on parallel paths, and we'll be ready whether he is going to waive extradition or whether he is going to contest extradition, Bragg said at an unrelated press conference in Times Square.

Hours after Mangione's arrest on Monday, Bragg's office filed paperwork charging him with five counts, including intentional murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she's prepared to ask her Pennsylvania counterpart, Gov. Josh Shapiro, to intervene and issue a governor's warrant requiring Mangione's extradition if he does not agree to be moved voluntarily.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangiones new lawyer, Friedman Agnifilo, was the Chief Assistant District Attorney from 2014 to 2021 and was previously chief of the office's trial division. She has made frequent TV appearances, including as a CNN legal analyst, co-hosts a weekly podcast and is the legal adviser for Law & Order.

Her husband and law partner Mark Agnifilo is representing Sean Diddy Combs in the hip-hop moguls Manhattan federal sex trafficking case.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office once again, armed with the dangerous Project 2025 as a playbook, combined with a Republican-controlled Congress and a Defense secretary nominee who has it out for gay people, the path ahead for LGBTQ+ service members appears fraught with uncertainty and potential challenges. Advocates and military experts alike are bracing for what some fear could be a rollback of hard-won gains in inclusivity and equality within the armed forces.

Congress has already started its assault. The House of Representatives Wednesday approved the National Defense Authorization Act , an $884 billion spending bill that includes a provision denying insurance coverage for gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members.

News came out this week about Trumps nominee for secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who is facing criticism for his views on LGBTQ+ military service, including opposition to the repeal of dont ask, dont tell and concerns about transgender and female service members. He wrote about his anti-LGBTQ+ stance in his 2024 book, The Wars on Warriors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hegseth expressed regret for not opposing DADT's repeal more strongly, suggesting it marked a shift toward what he terms a Marxist agenda prioritizing social justice over military readiness. While acknowledging the contributions of LGBTQ+ troops during wartime, he claimed the policy change undermined cohesion and effectiveness, framing his critique as part of a broader opposition to progressive cultural changes. Advocacy groups and political leaders argue that his stance reflects outdated, discriminatory attitudes unaligned with modern military values.

Today, Hegseth said he supports gay people serving in the military, but with his nomination in jeopardy, do we really believe his about-face? After all, the book was released just this year, and in media appearances promoting the book  this year  he reiterated his attacks. So, it's hard to believe he's suddenly changed his mind.

For Tom Carpenter , a Naval Academy graduate, decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot, and former board member for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, the stakes have never felt higher. Carpenter, who was instrumental in the fight to repeal DADT , warns that the combination of conservative leadership and initiatives like Project 2025 could have profound implications not just for LGBTQ+ personnel but for the very fabric of military cohesion.

Reflecting on Donald Trump's presidency, Carpenter recalls the abrupt 2017 transgender military ban, initiated by a tweet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The military was ready to move forward with transgender inclusion, he said. Then Trump came in and said, Nope, I want to stop this. The ban, framed under the guise of cost-saving and readiness, drew sharp criticism from experts who debunked its rationale, Carpenter notes. Studies consistently showed that transgender service members performed their duties as effectively as their cisgender peers.

Then President Biden came in and said bring them back in again, Carpenter explains. Now the estimates are there are 65,000-70,000 active duty LGB people and probably anywhere from 13,000 to 15,000 transgender, and what Trump and conservatives are trying to do is deny them coverage under TriCare, which is the uniformed services health care program for active duty service members.

This strategy, Carpenter notes, could force families with transgender members out of the military, setting a precedent for broader discrimination. Once theyve dealt with transgender people, theyre going to turn their guns on us [LGB people], he warns.

Carpenter outlines how Trump, with a compliant Defense secretary, could use executive power to erode LGBTQ+ inclusion in the armed forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The president could issue an order to the Defense secretary to draft a regulation disqualifying individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ from serving, Carpenter explains. It would be framed as a matter of good order and discipline or unit cohesion, but in reality, its a political maneuver.

Such a regulation could mandate discharge proceedings for service members based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Carpenter notes that while this would face legal challenges, the immediate effect could create a chilling climate within the ranks.

People would fear coming out, he says. Those already serving openly might feel compelled to leave.

In addition to executive actions, a conservative Congress could take legislative measures. Carpenter warns that a GOP-controlled House and Senate might vote to reinstate DADT.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theyve already floated the idea, he says. By codifying discriminatory policies into law, they would make it much harder for a future administration to reverse course.

Such a move would be unprecedented in modern history, effectively turning back the clock on more than a decade of progress.

Its a signal to LGBTQ+ Americans that their service and sacrifice are not valued, Carpenter asserts.

Carpenter is particularly concerned about the erosion of trust between the military and civilian leadership, a cornerstone of U.S. defense.

The military is completely subservient to civilian leadership. Thats why weve never had a military coup, he says. To go after people for following legal orders  its going to disrupt unit discipline, morale, and the entire foundation of our military.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He fears a chilling effect on mid-level officers and enlisted personnel. What are the captains, lieutenants, and majors going to think? If they see their leaders punished for doing their jobs, its going to shake their confidence in the system.

And with regard to Hegseths comments, Carpenter said that now is the time for all of us to contact our senators to demand he not touch DADT repeal.

Finally, Carpenter calls for unity among LGBTQ+ advocates, emphasizing the need to support transgender service members, who he believes will face the brunt of these policies. I know there are some on the LGB side who dont fully embrace our transgender brothers and sisters, he says. But we need to fight for them."

This unity, Carpenter believes, is critical to countering efforts to erode the gains made since the repeal of DADT. Were in this together. And we need to remember what our transgender comrades have done for us and never, never abandon them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite the looming challenges, Carpenter remains optimistic about the resilience of the militarys professional core. This is a big bureaucracy. Its like trying to change the direction of an aircraft carrier. There will be pushback. There are professionals who have been around a long time and will say, No, were not going to do this.

Carpenters optimism extends to the belief that, even in difficult times, the values of inclusivity and equality can endure.

The military has come around to fully accepting LGB people. Theres no reason to turn back the clock, he says.

As the nation approaches this uncertain chapter, the future of LGBTQ+ service members hangs in the balance. But as Carpenters decades of advocacy demonstrate, the fight for equality in the armed forces is one worth waging  and winning.
BOWIE, Md. (DC News Now)  DC News Now is hearing about new apparent drone sightings in the D.C. area, from Maryland to Northern Virginia. Still, no one knows what these drones are or where they are coming from.

Among the questions is whether they are connected to the recent surge of drone activity reportedly seen in New Jersey.

While that is unclear, those who have seen  and captured  drone video are certain of what they are seeing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WATCH: Mysterious SUV-sized drones spotted in Bowie

It looks like a big drone, Theodore Feddeler said during a video he recorded in Annapolis, Maryland. A giant drone, his wife responded.

Feddeler said he saw the drone Thursday night and posted it online.

You know Im not really sure [what it is], he said. Everybodys kind of been silent on it.

Thats a similar sentiment shared by former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday where he described seeing dozens of apparent drones near his residence in Davidsonville.

I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security, he wrote. But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The White House said there is no national security threat.

Hogan is demanding the federal government address the issue.

The government has the ability to track these from their point of origin but has mounted a negligent response. People are rightfully clamoring for answers, but arent getting any, he wrote.

Additional videos have been shared with DC News Now from Bowie, Maryland and on I-66 near Fauquier County, Virginia.

Concern grows about mysterious drones

Several local law enforcement agencies have reported getting calls about drone activity, including Stafford County, Virginia and Loudoun County, Virginia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reminded people to only report drones if they are flying in a restricted area, near critical infrastructure like an airport, or if its surveilling private property.

Its a pretty sizable object thats flying through the sky. And, we were just kind of in awe about it, Feddeler said. Youre asking what I think it was. I cant tell you. I dont think anybody can at this point. I think its a little unsettling.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A former Miami Valley congressman has returned from a trip to Ukraine.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Former Dayton Congressman-turned-Ambassador Tony Hall made his second trip to the war-torn country this year.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, the Ukrainians asked him to come back to help them establish something only the United States currently has.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They asked me to come back to speak to them about having a Day of Prayer, he told News Center 7s Cheryl McHenry.

During Tony Halls 23 years representing Dayton in Congress, one of his proudest accomplishments was bringing about the annual National Day of Prayer.

Its the first Thursday of Every May. I was the sponsor of that law when I was in Congress and it was signed by President Reagan in 1988, he said.

Hall told Cheryl that he found beauty and friendship during his Ukraine visits. He has also witnessed a country at war. It bears the scars of Russias ongoing invasion.

You know, the people are ready for peace, and theyve suffered for three years. At least Putin and his people, theyre evil people, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Until that peach comes, Halls says the Ukrainians need a break.

Theyre tired, theyre hurting, theyre sick, and theyre wounded. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives.

Hall believes coming together in prayer can help.

You know when you bow before God and do it in a humble fashion, theres peace and grace that comes with it, he said.

Cheryl asked, Tony, what do you think the prospects of peace are? We have a new administration coming in here and certain promises have been made that this war is going to end quickly. Do you think there will be a difference?

Yes, he answered. I think there will be peace here in the next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hall says the Ukraine Parliament hopes to pass the National Day of Prayer into law before Christmas.

He also hopes a just peace will come for Ukraine in 2025.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




MUSTANG, Okla. (KFOR)  A former Mustang Public Schools (MPS) employee has entered a guilty plea for defrauding hundreds of thousands of dollars from the school district.

Kim Weinrich, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and making a false tax return.

According to a media statement, Weinrich had manipulated the districts payroll system in order to inflate her income and falsify tax withholdings, resulting in approximately $471,657.91 to be misappropriated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LOCAL NEWS: Former Mustang school employee accused of embezzlement

While we are deeply disappointed by this breach of trust, we are also proud of the decisive actions taken by our team to uncover, report, and address this wrongdoing. This incident does not define Mustang Public Schools but rather demonstrates our resolve to protect the resources entrusted to us by our community. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize strong financial oversight and safeguard the public trust that is essential to our mission, said Superintendent Charles Bradley, with Mustang Public Schools.

Since the incident, Mustang Public Schools has implemented enhanced financial safeguards in order to prevent this from occurring again, which includes, separation of payroll duties to prevent single points of control, regularly auditing and detailed reviewing performed by finance team members, and improving both accuracy and accountability by aligning payroll entries with personnel systems.

Weinrich was employed with Mustang Public Schools from 2014 until April 2022. In 2014, Weinrich was hired by the district as Payroll Supervisor but was promoted in 2021 to Director of Payroll Services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A former employee of artificial intelligence company OpenAI who alleged the companys programs violated copyright was found dead of an apparent suicide in his San Francisco apartment last month, officials shared Friday.

San Franciscos Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the deceased as 26-year-old Suchir Balaji, who spoke out against his companys practices in an October article in The New York Times. He was found dead two days before Thanksgiving.

The manner of death has been determined to be suicide, the medical examiners office said. The OCME has notified the next-of-kin and has no further comment or reports for publication at this time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Mercury News was the first to report the death.

Following the news, an OpenAI spokesperson told TechCrunch: We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time.

OpenAIs most well-known product is ChatGPT, a chatbot launched in 2022 that feeds people information it gathers from data across the internet. When Balaji spoke to the Times about his decision to leave the company in August, he cautioned that this is not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem as a whole.

Balaji also spoke out about the company on social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was at OpenAI for nearly 4 years and worked on ChatGPT for the last 1.5 of them, he wrote. I initially didnt know much about copyright, fair use, etc. but became curious after seeing all the lawsuits filed against GenAI companies. When I tried to understand the issue better, I eventually came to the conclusion that fair use seems like a pretty implausible defense for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data theyre trained on.

The Times is among those that have sued OpenAI for using its copyrighted material to train systems like ChatGPT. Information held by by Balaji was expected to play an integral role in those lawsuits, The Mercury News reported.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

Related...
Dmitry Medvedev, former President of Russia, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and chair of the United Russia ruling party, has suggested that "new regions may appear within Russia," drawing on the experience of annexing Ukrainian territories.

Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS, citing Medvedev at a United Russia party congress

Quote from Medvedev: "By the way, this experience [of occupying four Ukrainian oblasts and Crimea  ed.] may prove useful in the future if new but very close regions appear in our country."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After all, it's possible."

Background: In October 2022, Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a "law on accession" to officially annex the occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts of Ukraine into Russia.

Support UP or become our patron!
A former special agent admitted to stealing $56,000 worth of cryptocurrency while working for the U.S. Secret Service field office in Phoenix.

Anthony Joseph Evans, 32, pleaded guilty last week to the charge of converting anothers property while serving as an officer or employee of the United States. His sentencing is set for February 19, 2025.

The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that Evans accessed cryptocurrency stored on a hard wallet located in a secure evidence vault. He then transferred the funds to two wallets under his ownership or control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Evans converted most of the cryptocurrency to U.S. dollars, approximately $56,000 worth, and transferred the funds to multiple bank accounts he owned. According to authorities, Evans used the money for personal expenses, including to repay debt.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said a plea agreement was reached. Evans faces up to one year and one day in prison and is required to pay restitution to the victim for the value of the cryptocurrency, including any appreciation in value accrued before his sentencing.

The U.S. Secret Service's Cyber Investigative Section in Washington, D.C. conducted the investigation. Evans is from Tucson, so the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Tucson is handling the prosecution.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ex-Secret Service agent pleads guilty in theft of cryptocurrency
(FORT CARSON, Colo.)  The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) 4th Infantry Division marked their official return from a 9-month deployment in Europe with an Uncasing of the Colors Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13 at the William Reed Special Events Center.

The Uncasing of the Colors is a traditional ceremony held by the U.S. Army and signifies the return of units from forward operations.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

The 3rd ABCT was in Europe as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the U.S.s commitment to NATO allies and partners. They will be replaced by the 1st Armored Division, from Fort Bliss, Texas.

Courtesy: U.S. Army Fort Carson Army Post Courtesy: U.S. Army Fort Carson Army Post Courtesy: U.S. Army Fort Carson Army Post Courtesy: U.S. Army Fort Carson Army Post Courtesy: U.S. Army Fort Carson Army Post Courtesy: U.S. Army Fort Carson Army Post

Its amazing, right? Because last Christmas, we were in the throes of getting ready to go to Europe, said Col. Brian Gilbert, Commander for the 3rd ABCT 4th Infantry Division. And so really to be able to come home, you know, and relax and spend time with family and friends, get on the slopes of Colorado. Its amazing for really all of our soldiers to be able to do that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While in Europe, the soldiers worked alongside NATO allies and partners to conduct bilateral and multinational training exercises.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
In southwestern Florida, where the Caloosahatchee River empties into Pine Island Sound and Gulf of Mexico, three citizen advocates for clean water face crippling retaliatory financial penalties from their local government.

For Dan Carney, Jim Collier and Kevin Sparks, being able to cast a line in the waters off Cape Coral is what brought them to buy a home and move to the community.

Access to world-class fishing and the environment that supports it, Dan Carney told the City Council, is what motivated him. Collier was chairperson of the Waterway Advisory Board; Sparks noted that "fishing is what brought me to Cape Coral. The three joined with the Matlacha Civic Association, Calusa Waterkeeper, and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation to challenge the removal of the Chiquita Lock on the Caloosahatchee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More on Florida's environment: Opinion: New president must protect our oceans

The Lock was designed to force water from a portion of the citys canals to be filtered through mangroves before reaching the Caloosahatchee, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, around Sanibel Island and into the Gulf.

The city has been trying to remove the Lock for years. It was never clear whether the City was responding to anything more than boaters who had to suffer the inconvenience of waiting to pass through the lock, slowing their access to open waters. Ironically, the City's chronic neglect and failure to maintain (or upgrade) the Lock made it less effective for both navigation and environmental protection.

The effort to secure a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection to remove the lock, in place since the 1980s, was denied in 2019 by an administrative law judge, who ruled that the permit did not comply with permitting criteria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More on Florida's environment: 'Don't say climate change:' Florida needs to build environmental protections into its constitution

The city lost due to concerns that removal of the Lock would aggravate nutrient loading, saltwater intrusion, groundwater levels, the mangroves that protect homes from storm surge in hurricanes, and further exposure to discharges from Lake Okeechobee that carry toxic blue-green algae down the Caloosahatchee feeding Red Tide in the Gulf. These concerns remain.

The city renewed its attempt to secure a permit from the DEP to remove the lock, this time employing the law firm of Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., which maneuvered to keep the local environmental groups out of the case, so the fishermen were the only petitioners opposing the citys application.

This time, after numerous depositions and lengthy hearings, the city prevailed  the judge ruled that the DEP could issue a permit for the removal of the Lock.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now the city and their law firm want to impose the cost of the litigation on the three fishermen, claiming that their efforts to protect southwest Florida waterways were frivolous.

It is no secret that Florida has a serious water quality problem impacting public health. The state has been hit more than once by the toxic vise of both blue-green algae and Red Tide. Gov. DeSantis acknowledged the problem by appointing a task force to provide recommendations for expediting improvements and restoration of Floridas water bodies that have been adversely affected by blue-green algae blooms.

In a state with lax pollution enforcement and where developers control so many city and county commissions, Florida needs volunteer advocates to test and monitor waterways where the state does not.

The three anglers who challenged Cape Corals effort to remove the Chiquita Lock are the kind of environmental advocates whose courage to take on city hall should be honored. Their efforts to protect safe and clean water were anything but improper.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As brutal as the $2 million dollar penalty to cover a big law firms bill would be for the three fishermen and their families, it would be regrettable if the tactic of imposing devastating costs intimidated others from working to save what is left of our over-developed peninsula.

A Go Fund Me account -- https://www.gofundme.com/f/defend-dan-carneys-environmental-efforts -- has been set up by friends of the fishermen in case the new Cape Coral City Council does not reverse the effort by its lawyers to pursue the crippling financial penalties.

Mary Kay Robbins-Kralapp is a member of the Board of Director of Calusa Waterkeeper. Howard Simon is a member of the groups Advisory Board.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida citizens hit with lawyers' fees after water fight | Opinion
Four juveniles were injured and taken to hospitals after a single-vehicle accident Thursday evening in southern Clay County.

The accident took place at the intersection of County Road 1200 South and County Road 400 West South near Coalmont.

The vehicle was moving at a high rate of speed and attempted to make a turn that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, said Sgt. Matt Ames of the Indiana State Police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Clay County Sheriffs Office, the lead investigating agency, reported that two of the juveniles were flown by air ambulance to Indianapolis hospitals, while two other juveniles were taken to a Terre Haute hospital.

The accident was initially reported to the Clay County dispatch center by an Apple iPhone crash alert system, according to a sheriffs office news release.

When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered a passenger car had traveled off-road and into a large drainage ditch. They noticed extensive damage to the front-end of the vehicle.

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the crash, according to the sheriffs office.

Assisting at the scene were Lewis Township Volunteer Fire Department, STAR Ambulance Service; Greene County Ambulance Service; Sullivan County Ambulance Service; Air Evac and Lifeline air ambulance service; and Indiana State Police.
PARIS (Reuters) - Two security agents and two migrants were killed in a shooting in Loon-Plage near the northern city of Dunkirk, French media reported on Saturday, citing security sources.

A 22-year-old man turned himself in to nearby authorities following the shooting, saying he had been the attacker and had also killed a fifth person in a nearby town earlier that day, according to French media.

Authorities found three more weapons in the man's car, French media reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Representatives for the Interior Ministry and the Justice Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not immediately clear what the motives were for the shooting.

Loon-Plage, located about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) from the English Channel, is the site of a migrant camp.

(Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Mark Potter)
Dec. 13ANDERSON  A fourth person has been charged in the Dec. 7 shooting death of an Anderson man.

Jordan Goode, 32, Pendleton, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and assisting a criminal.

Three others were previously charged in the death of Dustin Michael Rhodes, 28, who succumbed to a gunshot wound following an altercation with his fiancee, Alyssa Young, at the Steeplechase Apartments in Anderson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mason J.M. Miller, 22, Chesterfield, is charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and charging enhancements including the use of a firearm and being a habitual offender.

Young, 27, Pendleton, and Brandon Brooks, 30, face charges of involuntary manslaughter, assisting a criminal, and battery resulting in serious bodily injury. Brooks is also charged with unlawful transfer of a firearm.

Young and Rhodes were engaged Nov. 29 to be married, a post on her Facebook page stated.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Anderson Police Department detective Alex Wagner, Young said Rhodes had been drinking and became emotional.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Young said she was on TikTok and Rhodes thought she was posting about him. She told Wagner that Rhodes threw her to the ground and took the engagement ring off her finger, police said.

Young, reportedly, then called Brooks at a local bar and he, Miller and Goode went to the apartment.

She told police at the residence that she heard a gunshot, the three men rushed back to a vehicle and she heard someone say, "Mason, why did you do that?"

Later, Young drove back to Steeplechase Apartments and found Rhodes lying on the ground and got help to carry him back into the apartment, according to the affidavit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brooks told police he went to talk with Rhodes, who came at him with a knife. Brooks said he hit Rhodes several times in the face and believed Rhodes was knocked out, police said.

Police said they found the firearm in a garage at Miller's residence.

Miller declined to be interviewed by officers at the time of his arrest, according to police.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
Fox News weekend hosts blasted President Joe Bidens decision to commute the sentence of a former judge involved in the Kids for Cash scheme.

Fox News Rips Biden for Commuting Kids for Cash Sentence

Michael T. Conahan served as county judge in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, until it was exposed in 2008 that he was taking kickbacks to send underage offenders to a private prison. Conahan was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison in 2011, serving the remainder of his sentence from home this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[There were] real consequences to what this individual did to try and get money off the lives of children, Fox host Carley Shimkus said Saturday morning.

Its beyond disgusting, co-host Kevin Corke chimed in.

Not moments before, the show heard from Salena Zito, a Pittsburgh-based columnist, who explained how Conahans crimes had represented a profound scandal for the local community and indeed the rest of the state, having later led to the suicide of one of the young men sentenced by the judge.

When [Zito] said vulgar, that really resonates with a lot of Pennsylvanians, said Corke.

He went on, But even if youre not from the Keystone State and you hear about this storyand there have been some stories done on this particular case on some of the major networksyou see these crime stories, and they say, Heres a person who was so callous as to take advantage of some of the most vulnerable among us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added, Were talking about children here ... To do it for money is beyond the pale, and the fact that he was pardoned really just strains incredulity.

Shimkus further said Bidens move had caused a lot of anger, pointing to how Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said earlier this week the decision had been absolutely wrong.
FRUITA, Colo. (KREX)  It was a day of celebration with smiles all around.

Reckless Brewery, located in the former home of Suds Brothers Brewery, is opening its second location after its Palisade location closed back in 2022.

When Russell Klase III came from the Front Range to the Western Slope, he felt like it was the perfect recipe to start his business.

Klase states, When I decided to move to Palisade, a place thats a little bit more local and small town, but also has a great culinary field. Obviously, with the fruit that theyre growing out there and the one thats being made, it was a good place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Fruita Chamber of Commerce welcomed Russell to the community with open arms.

Klase states, Everybody has been very supportive, understanding that were coming in with kind of a new concept, and that were launching in a very in a tough time of the year.

Kayla Bowers, executive director for the Fruita Chamber of Commerce states, Just the idea of new people coming out to Fruita that may not come out here normally, and just figuring out what there is to offer in the community, I think thats such a huge asset that it brings when you do welcome new businesses, like Reckless to the community.

Klase tells WesternSlopeNow he is looking forward to expanding the menu, showing what Reckless Brewery is about and becoming one with the Fruita community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bowers explains, Having somebody new come in, and just with all of the excitement and joy that they have to bring to our community, were really excited about the future with Reckless.

For Klase, words cannot express how grateful he is for the people he has in his life to back him and push him to succeed.

Klase states, I dont really say anything other than how happy we are for this to have finally come to fruition. How proud I am of my team on both ends. Everybodys doing a really good job. We have such good people behind me.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  Tijuana residents who live along the coast are growing inpatient with the city and a boardwalk project that was supposed to be done months ago.

Last year, the city decided to redo the boardwalk to beautify the area and draw more visitors to the beach.

At the time, residents and business owners applauded the plan saying it was long overdue.

Since then, as the project has stalled and people in the area have begun calling the modernization of the boardwalk the never-ending project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now theyve suspended repairs at two areas where there might be landslides, we dont know what the future is for this project, said Carlos Alberto Melo Macias, president of the beach neighbors association of Tijuana. All the city will say is that they are busy and cant help.

Stalled beach project in Tijuana becoming a nuisance, residents say

Back in September, the states civil protection department put the work on hold, saying it was too dangerous due to the lack of signage and warning lights, which makes the area a hazard to not only residents but the workers themselves.

Melo Macias says nothing has been done ever since.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The previous administration pretended to accelerate the project and finish it, the current administration says there are many permits to be approved and nothing is happening.

Now Melo Macias and others fear as the rainy season approaches, the work will be delayed even further.

This project is in limbo, theres no sense of urgency, the project has been abandoned, no one cares, he said.

Salvador Cervantes, coordinator with the states civil protection, has said they are concerned with slopes giving way.

Cervantes stated in September that they could not take a chance until all safety regulations were met by the contractor who has yet to prove the slopes will not collapse and are not a public risk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have done inspections, but there are still areas of concern, said Cervantes. We have yet to see mitigation work.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Melo Macias wonders if the work will ever get done.

There is heavy equipment scattered all over the beach, and access to the beach has been cut off in many areas, its turned into a nightmare.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The victims of a pair of major corruption schemes in Pennsylvania and Illinois are angry Joe Biden granted clemency to the perpetrators.

Biden announced on Thursday that he would commute the sentences of 1,500 convicted criminals. White House officials justified the move by saying the convicts "deserve a second chance." The move comes on the heels of Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, which drew sharp criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats.

Among those who have been granted clemency is an on-the-take judge from Pennsylvania and a fraudster from Illinois. Neither will be walking out of prison  they were both already granted early release during the Covid-19 pandemic and were placed under house arrest  but now they'll be able to wander freely without an electronic tracker.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Biden administration reportedly told CNN that those granted clemency were not hand selected, but instead met a predetermined criteria for release. The qualifications to make the list include having a record of good behavior while under house arrest.

Conahan's house arrest was slated to end in 2026.

President Joe Biden speaks about his administrations economic playbook and the future of the American economy at the Brookings Institution in Washington earlier this week (AP)

Former Pennsylvania Judge Michael Conahan was convicted in 2011 in the infamous "kids-for-cash" scandal. The scheme worked like this; Conahan took kickbacks from for-profit detention centers in exchange for sending minors who didnt deserve it to the detention facilities.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ultimately tossed out 4,000 juvenile convictions due to the scandal. Conahan and another Luzerne County judge involved in the scheme were also ordered to pay $200 million to the victims, the Associated Press reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To be clear, Conahan sent children to be locked up behind bars to get kickbacks from private prison facilities. Some of his victims did not survive the trauma they susequently endured.

Sandy Fonzo, whose son Edward Kenzakoski died by suicide after he was locked up as part of the scheme, said she was "shocked" and "hurt" by Biden's decision to free the judge.

Conahans actions destroyed families, including mine, and my sons death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power, Fonzo told the Citizens Voice, a local news outlet. This pardon feels like an injustice for all of us who still suffer. Right now I am processing and doing the best I can to cope with the pain that this has brought back.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also criticized the move.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania," he said on Friday during an unrelated news conference.

Fraud victims in Illinois were similarly frustrated when they learned that Rita Crundwell, the former comptroller of the city of Dixon, was going free.

In 2012, Dixon pleaded guilty to a $54 million embezzlement scheme, which was believed to be the largest municipal fraud case in US history at the time.

Her house arrest was originally scheduled to last until 2028.

When I heard the news, I was completely shocked in disbelief, I was outraged and felt a complete sense of betrayal from the federal justice system, the White House and the president, Dixon city manager Danny Langloss told CNN on Friday.
(WJET/WFXP)  An Erie college is receiving funding to help combat sexual assault on campus.

According to a release, Gannon University was awarded $40,000 from the Its On Us grant, an initiative advocating for education leaders to be part of the solution to protect students from sexual violence.

Erie School District making progress moving into new administration building

We all can play a role in ending sexual assault, said State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49). This funding will help prevent sexual violence from being part of the college experience and education of every Gannon student.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This new funding goes in part with the Shapiro administrations investment of over $1.6 million to raise awareness and help combat sexual assault in Pennsylvania universities.

Mercyhurst Universitys newest police cadet graduates ready to serve and protect

You can find a full list of grant recipients by clicking here.

The national Its On Us campaign was created by the Obama Administration in 2014 to raise awareness about sexual assault, advise students on how to identify dangerous situations, empower them to intervene, and urge them to create an environment of support for victims and survivors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
The humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict in Gaza has left in its wake thousands of people with life-altering disabilities.

The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, coupled with Gaza's crumbling health care infrastructure, has created what some describe as insurmountable challenges for those injured during the violence.

About 25% of the people who have sustained injuries in the conflict -- an estimated 22,500 people -- now require long-term rehabilitation, according to the World Health Organization. More than 106,000 people have been injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But in Gaza, where medical resources are already stretched to the breaking point, even basic rehabilitation services remain out of reach.

Many disabled individuals face not only physical pain but also profound psychological scars and societal rejection in Gaza, international and local medical professionals said. With limited access to medical care, psychological support, and assistive devices, they are often left to navigate life with disabilities that forever alter their futures.

PHOTO: Palestinians mourn next to the bodies of their relatives who were killed in an Israeli airstrike, west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Dec. 12, 2024. (Haitham Imad/EPA via Shutterstock)

MORE: Famine 'occurring or imminent' in parts of northern Gaza, experts warn UN security council

"In any circumstances, recovering from an extensive injury and attending physical rehabilitation takes an enormous amount of psychological strength. To do this in a conflict zone -- where accessing mobility aids, appropriate transportation, or any at all, physiotherapy sessions, proper nutrition, and rest is very difficult -- takes a severe toll on every individual experiencing it," International Committee of the Red Cross spokesperson Hisham Mhanna told ABC News in an interview.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the more than a year since Israel began its retaliatory war against Hamas, the terrorist group that attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage, much of Gaza has been destroyed by airstrikes, according to the United Nations. Nearly 100 hostages remain missing in Gaza with about two-thirds believed to be alive.

About 60% of all buildings in Gaza have been destroyed, a U.N. agency said in September. The Strip's hospital system has "collapsed," a spokesperson for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, told ABC News in October. Nineteen of the 36 hospitals and nine field hospitals formerly operating in Gaza were still partially functioning, the WHO said at the time.

Ahmed Al Haw, 17, a displaced person living in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, said he is among those whose lives have been irreversibly changed. Al Haw was injured in front of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis while visiting a sick relative. His family's trip turned into a nightmare when a bomb exploded near their car.

"My grandfather's leg was amputated, and as the injury developed, he passed away. My mother and sister were also injured. I lost my eye and part of my foot," Al Haw said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Al Haw, the aftermath of the explosion has been almost as unbearable as the injuries themselves. He has been thrust into a reality where even the simplest tasks are a struggle. The physical pain is unrelenting, but it pales in comparison to the psychological toll he endures, he said.

"At the beginning of the injury, I was in a state of depression. I didn't eat at all. One time, I even thought about committing suicide," he said.

Gaza's health care system lacks the resources to adequately address the needs of the disabled, the World Health Organization said in a recent press release announcing the publication of an analysis of the medical situation in Gaza. There is a lack of medical supplies, including prosthetics, wheelchairs and essential medications to treat people with injuries that have left them disabled, the press release said. Hospitals are overwhelmed, understaffed, and under-resourced.

"Accessing proper prosthetics and mobility aids is difficult in Gaza, where there are shortages of everything, including critical medical drugs and supplies. The focus of medical staff is on saving lives, as it must be in any emergency, but this leaves gaps in the post-recovery care in many areas." Mhanna said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Medical aid has accounted for about 2.5% by weight of all aid that's been brought in Gaza since the conflict began about 14 months ago, according to the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, the Israeli ministry overseeing the flow of food, medical aid and other supplies into Gaza. About 28,918 tons of medical aid have crossed into the Strip, according to COGAT data.

"Israel actively and continuously operates to facilitate the increase of the medical response in Gaza," COGAT says on its website. "This is done in close coordination with humanitarian aid organizations specializing in health services, and donor countries."

The most common injuries medical staff see are "loss of limbs" from bombings and shrapnel, said Dr. Sami Owaimer, director of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit at the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

PHOTO: A general view of Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Dec. 5, 2024. (Habboub Ramez/ABACA/Shutterstock)

"The most common injuries we see are the loss of limbs due to explosions and shrapnel, alongside eye injuries that lead to blindness and spinal injuries resulting in paralysis. These wounds often cause permanent deformities and profoundly alter lives," Owaimer said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rehabilitation, a critical step in recovery, is virtually non-existent in Gaza. The region lacks specialized centers, modern equipment and trained professionals to provide comprehensive care. As a result, many disabled individuals are left without the tools or support needed to adapt to their new realities.

"There is a glaring lack of specialized rehabilitation centers and modern equipment, such as prosthetics and movement training devices," Owaimer said. "Comprehensive programs that integrate physical, psychological and social services are desperately needed."

For Al Haw, the psychological impact of his injuries is compounded by the stigma he faces from society, he said.

"Society does not accept me," he said. "When I walk slowly on crutches, people start shouting at me, 'Hurry up!' One time, I fell to the ground. I cry every day. I have nightmares every night. I feel very lonely. I've become mentally ill in addition to being physically and visually disabled."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lack of psychological support exacerbates the suffering of those like Al Haw. Many patients, particularly young people, find themselves battling depression and anxiety with no professional guidance or emotional support.

"Adapting to life with a disability is a significant challenge," Owaimer said. "While some programs offer psychological and social rehabilitation, the lack of resources limits their reach and effectiveness."

The societal challenges faced by people with disabilities in Gaza, limited facilities, lack of accessibility and entrenched stigma leave many feeling isolated and marginalized. Al Haw described this isolation as being particularly painful. As the oldest of seven siblings, he said he feels a deep responsibility to support his family, especially with his father imprisoned in an Israeli jail.

MORE: As Palestinians face mass displacement in North Gaza, some Israelis look to resettle

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"I've lost my feet and my sight, the most precious things I had. My dreams have deteriorated. I can't support my mother and sisters. My future is completely unknown," he said.

Despite the obstacles he faces, Al Haw keeps going, driven by his love for his family.

"Because of my family, I am struggling to continue living. I want to have a good future, to support my family in the absence of my father," he said.

"These individuals are not just numbers -- they are human beings with rights who deserve dignity, education, and proper rehabilitation," Owaimer said.

"In the chaos of conflict, many people with disabilities are forgotten," Mhanna, of the Red Cross, said. "But they are civilians and receive special protection under international humanitarian law. People with disabilities, and the different challenges and needs they have, must be taken into account by parties to a conflict during active hostilities."

Gazans injured in war live with disabilities but little medical support originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Dec. 13SANTA FE  Another Cabinet secretary in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration is heading for the exits.

The Governor's Office announced Friday that General Services Secretary Robert Doucette Jr. will resign at the end of the year.

Doucette, who was appointed by the governor in February 2023, will become the fourth Cabinet secretary to step down in the last four months.

Doucette is resigning to take a private sector job, said Michael Coleman, a spokesperson for the governor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anna Silva, a GSD deputy secretary, would serve as acting department secretary upon Doucette's resignation, the Governor's Office said.

"Robert Doucette has provided leadership and expertise at several agencies over his long-lasting career in state government, and I thank him for his service to New Mexico," Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

Before being appointed to lead the General Services Department, Doucette had worked as New Mexico's deputy superintendent of insurance from 2015 through 2021.

He also served as director of the state's Workers' Compensation Administration until November and previously held several administrative positions with Bernalillo County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The General Services Department serves as a nerve center of sorts for state government, as it oversees state employee health insurance plans, the state's motor vehicle pool and state buildings.

The agency's Risk Management Division is also tasked with paying for claims under settlement agreements, and its public liability fund had a projected shortfall of $124 million as of this summer, according to legislative data.

That's due largely to hefty settlement agreements that several state agencies have entered into, including the Children, Youth and Families Department and the Corrections Department.

While some turnover is typical during a governor's second term in office, Lujan Grisham has seen an elevated number of Cabinet-level departures in some key agencies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Doucette was the third appointed secretary of the General Services Department since Lujan Grisham took office in 2019, following Ken Ortiz and John Garcia.

Meanwhile, the other recent Cabinet turnover includes former Aging and Long-Term Services Secretary Jen Paul Schroer stepping down from her job in September, just weeks after Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero's departure.

In addition, Patrick Allen, the head of the state's Department of Health, resigned abruptly last month.

The resignation of Doucette also comes just one month before the start of a 60-day legislative session.
A Georgetown County seafood restaurant has papers filed in South Carolinas Supreme Court.

The case before the Supreme Court of South Carolina stems from an initial complaint by the Gulfstream Cafe restaurant in Murrells Inlet and its objection to Georgetown County approving the re-development plans for the Marlin Quay Marina. Gulfstream claims the re-building of the marina took away its parking spots from the parking lot the two businesses share.

While the process of approving the Marlin Quay Marinas re-development is at the heart of the litigation, the marina and its owner are not a party in the case before The Supreme Court of South Carolina, according to court records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This civil litigation began almost eight years ago, court documents show.

After the county zoning board dismissed an appeal by Gulfstream Cafe, and a S.C. circuit court ruled in favor of the county, Gulfstreams lawyers filed an appeal with the states Supreme Court in June 2023.

Public Information Officer for Georgetown County, Jackie Broach, declined to comment on the matter, citing the pending litigation. She added that it is county policy not to comment on pending cases.

As of Thursday afternoon, the states Supreme Court decision was still pending, according to court records.

The main issue?

The Quays owners wanted to build a new marina and restaurant, which took away Gulfstreams preexisting parking lot for its customers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Until 2014, the marina had been a store and snack bar, but now the property is an enlarged three-floor building with a restaurant.

Now, the Gulfstream Cafe alleges it lost parking for its customers due to the increased traffic to the Marlin Quay Marina.

This case is entirely about parking and the lack thereof for two full-service dinner restaurants, the 2023 Supreme Court appeal states.

Messages for lawyers representing all parties were left earlier this week, and were not returned as of Friday morning. The Charleston, S.C.-based restaurant firm CentraArchy Restaurants owns Gulfstream Cafe and also did not return a request for comment before publication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, how did we get here? And could the decision of this case have overarching impacts for businesses throughout South Carolina?

Was a former Georgetown County council member involved?

Within the first 10 pages of the state Supreme Court filing, the lawyers for The Gulfstream Cafe argue that Palmetto Industrial Development LLC hired former county council member Steve Goggans as a way to try and bypass the preexisting parking easements.

Goggans operates a residential and commercial architecture firm based on Pawleys Island, according to his firms website.

Under Goggans, the attorneys for Gulfstream Cafe argue that the county subsequently permitted redevelopment of the snack bar into a 3-story, almost 10,000-square-foot restaurant and bar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Georgetown Countys code, this property would allegedly need 72 dedicated parking spaces. The initial brief further stated these resulted in favorable outcomes for the owners of the Marlin Quay Marina, and Goggans requested an additional $72,000 for the concessions he obtained.

Respondent Goggans is either the most persuasive architect in America or his powers of persuasion had something to do with the fact that he controlled the jobs and budgets of the people evaluating his clients rezoning applications and calculating parking requirements, the lawsuit before the South Carolina Supreme Court states.

During an interview with The Sun News, Goggans called the claim about his persuasiveness specious and ridiculous.

Goggans said he did not initially discuss his position on Georgetowns County Council with Palmetto Industrial Development LLC when the company initially hired him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My position on council and how that went was irrelevant when I was first hired, Goggans said. Later, of course, it was discussed because lawsuits were flying and accusations were being made.

Goggans added that he did not use his position on the council to push through the Marlin Quay Marina redevelopment. He said he recused himself every time the project came up at council meetings.

He said his conversations with county staff regarded the technical aspects of the building plan, and did not convince them to approve the project.

An ethics commission later reprimanded Goggans and ruled he had to pay an $800 fee for attending a zoning appeal board meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Goggans said he had previously appointed one of the zoning boards members. He did not know the future board member personally before nominating him, he said.

He further claimed a different county council member initially appointed the board member, and Goggans re-nominated them when their term came up for renewal.

He said he couldnt recall the name of the board member he re-appointed.

According to Goggans, the $72,000 he received from Palmetto Industrial Development LLC was for extra work, not pay-for-play.

During an interview on Thursday afternoon, Palmetto Industrial Development LLCs owner, J. Mark Lawhon, said Goggans was not his first choice when designing the new marina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Instead, he went to a different architect to design the rebuild, but was recommended Goggans after the initial contractor proved unable to do the job.

He just said he couldnt do it without his structural engineer, Lawhon said of the previous architect. So we had to find someone else, and he recommended Steve.

He said that the previous marina building got torn down because of a sinkhole that opened after Hurricane Matthew when the building started to allegedly crack open. Lawhon declined to comment on the years of litigation and acrimony between the Marlin Quay Marina and Gulfstream Cafe.

That stuffs in the past, he said. I dont even think about it anymore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lawhon declined to comment on the case before the South Carolina Supreme Court or the statements made by Gulfstreams lawyers in their initial filing.

Were not involved with that lawsuit at all, he said.

A parking easement passed down through generations

The Gulfstream Cafe has been open since Feb. 1986, which is within the Marlin Quay Development, court documents said. The development was passed as an ordinance four years prior in 1982, the lawsuit states.

The year and month The Gulfstream Cafe opened, was the first time they were granted an easement for additional parking from the Marlin Quay Marina.

Four years later, in June 1990, the cafe was granted more easements for parking from the original development, Marlin Quay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All of these easements were subsequently recorded in the countys register of deeds, records show.

Since 1986, Gulfstream has shared the parking lot with the Marlin Quay Marina, along with its Marina Store and Snack Bar, the suit says.

Almost 40 years later, in 2014, that original land was sold to Palmetto Industrial Development, LLC. Mark Lawhon is the limited liability companys principal.

After purchasing the land, the lawsuit alleges that the new owner began construction in 2016 that blocked parking access for The Gulfstream Cafe, and refused to share the plans for the project with the restaurant.

New land owners & the beginning of a legal battle in Georgetown

In November of 2016, Palmetto initiated a construction project to improve the Marina Store and Snack Bar by placing construction equipment, materials, and containers on the Parking Lot, erecting signage, fencing, and barricades which obstructed access to the Parking Lot, and demolishing the existing building, the suit states.

On Nov. 16, 2016, the legal battle began.

Gulfstream filed litigation against the marinas new owners, Palmetto Industrial Development LLC.

A judge subsequently granted an injunction that prevented the new owners from blocking or otherwise reconfiguring the Parking Lot, the suit says.

Thus began a years-long legal battle between the two entities over the rights of the parking lot land, and the right to build on it.

Since that first filing in 2016, the two entities have been back and forth, involving the countys zoning office at various points, according to a timeline presented in the lawsuit.

The Zoning Board ruled the same both times, suit says

On Feb. 2, 2017, a hearing was held in front of the Georgetown County Zoning Board of Appeals.

At that meeting, board members heard from a litany of different folks, including: extensive public comment, Attorney Dan Stacy, Architect and former Councilman Steve Goggans, and Palmettos owner, Lawhon, Gulfstreams attorney, George Redman, the Affidavit of Roberts Castles, the P.E. of Castles Engineering, as well as other documentation that was submitted as evidence, the lawsuit states.

Ultimately, despite strong public discourse against the project, council members approved the new development.

A month after the Feb. 2 hearing, the Georgetown board ruled that Palmettos proposed plans were not a major change to that original Marlin Quay ordinance from the 1980s.

A similar pattern happened again in the fall of 2017.

The new owners submitted new plans to county officials without the knowledge of The Gulfstream Cafe. And again, the restaurant fought it both in court and in statements to the zoning board, according to the lawsuit.

At the end of the second hearing in front of the board, they made the same determination they had made a year prior. As a result, Gulfstream filed another appeal.

In the appeal, Gulfstreams lawyers argue that the shift from a 70-seat snack bar to a new 170-seat restaurant proposed by Palmetto is a big change, and should be viewed as such.
ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A Georgia woman is dead following a two-vehicle crash in Etowah County Tuesday, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Janice S. Collier, 70, was killed when the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado she was driving collided head-on with a 2021 Toyota RAV4. Collier was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

2 killed in shooting outside Brighton Community Center

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the impact, the Toyota left the roadway and overturned. The driver of the Toyota was injured and transported to Riverview Medical Center for treatment. Two child passengers in the Toyota were also injured and transported to local hospitals.

The crash occurred on Alabama 77 near Gallant Road, about two miles north of Attalla. No further information is available. Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
The German conservatives of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have included support for Ukraine and a promise to extend sanctions against Russia in their election programme.

Source: Spiegel, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In the programme block on foreign and security policy, the CDU promises to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression "by all necessary diplomatic, financial and humanitarian means and by supplying weapons".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They also promise to promote the expansion of sanctions against Russia in specific areas.

The CDU seeks to set 2% of GDP as the lowest acceptable limit for defence spendingcurrently the NATO targetbut does not propose to set a higher bar. The programme also calls for the introduction of mandatory one-year service in socially important jobs and an increase in conscription.

Background:

Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz proposed to the parliament to hold a vote of confidence in the government on 16 December, which is expected to pave the way for early elections in February.

Scholz said he would not become vice chancellor in the next government if it is headed by CDU leader Friedrich Merz.

In a meeting with CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who recently visited Kyiv, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine expects Germany to "strengthen Ukraine's long-range capability"  an apparent reference to Taurus cruise missile supply.

Merz has repeatedly endorsed this decision, and in a recent comment, he said that he would only supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles after consulting with the United States.

Support UP or become our patron!
(Bloomberg) -- Germanys opposition conservatives said theyll maintain the countrys constitutional borrowing limits and oppose joint European Union debt issuance if they win next years federal election, according to a draft platform.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are sticking with the Basic Laws debt brake, the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union said in the draft seen by Bloomberg. Todays debts are tomorrows taxes.

That stance contrasts with comments last month by Friedrich Merz, the two-party blocs candidate for chancellor, that signaled openness to reforming the limit on net new borrowing, known in Germany as debt brake.

Polls suggest Merz is the frontrunner for the election expected to be held on Feb. 23, with a lead of more than 10 percentage points over the nationalist Alternative for Germany party and Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats.

The CDU-CSU draft rejects all forms of German liability for the debts of other EU countries, pouring cold water on possible discussions about joint European defense bonds for now. The parties also pledge to scrutinize all expenditures, especially subsidies and to reduce income taxes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With Russias attack on Ukraine as a backdrop, the draft hints at reintroducing some kind of conscription in Germany, suggesting compulsory alternative civilian service as a possible path to recruiting more active-duty soldiers. Conscription was abolished under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who led the CDU for almost two decades until 2018.

On immigration, the CDU-CSU draft proposes a tougher law-enforcement approach to detaining and deporting migrants who dont have legal status in Germany. It calls for fundamental change in the EUs asylum system.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's conservative party and front-runner to be the country's next chancellor, wants stricter controls at European borders to prevent supporters of the deposed Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad from entering.

"We Europeans must now quickly ensure together that the accomplices of the Assad regime from the second and third ranks do not come to Europe and Germany unnoticed as asylum seekers," the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)'s chancellor candidate told the Rheinische Post newspaper in an interview published on Friday.

He said the European Union must now very strictly control its external borders and lobbied for rejecting people at Germany's borders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We need a stricter border regime, which we will also enforce after the election," said Merz. An election is expected on February 23

In response to the question of how to deal with Syrians who came to Germany years ago, Merz said: "There will be many who want to return to their homeland willingly and voluntarily. Many will also stay because they work here and are now German citizens." Those who do not wish to integrate should return when their protection status ceases, he added.

Christian Durr, the chairman of the pro-business Free Democratic Party's parliamentary group, outlined three measures necessary in dealing with Syrians in Germany.

"Firstly: Anyone who can support themselves and has become part of our society should be given a perspective to stay." He stated that those who do not want to work or integrate should leave the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"And thirdly, in this context, we must of course end family reunification."

Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, had previously repeated that well-integrated Syrians in Germany would not be sent back.
Dec. 13A goal to help a family needing extensive repairs to have running water in their home was met thanks to community members who contributed time and money to the cause.

The Hartshorne Family Water Fund was setup at First National Bank to help a Hartshorne family get running water in their home after a request was made on a McAlester News-Capital Christmas Angel.

After reaching out to the school counselor where the request came from to learn more information, the MN-C learned there was a total of seven people living in the home with five being children all under the age of 14. The home was without water for some time due to a water line break that continued until the City of Hartshorne shut the water off to prevent further leaking and possible damage, but not before a large balance became due.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The family initially owed $1,474.96 following two hardship requests in order for the water to be turned back on. Hartshorne city officials said they revisited the bill and adjusted the outstanding amount to $1,287.83.

It took less than a week for the Hartshorne Family Water Fund to receive $1,400 in donations.

On Friday, a cashier's check from First National Bank in the amount of $1,397, due to a $3 fee, was delivered to the City of Hartshorne in order for the bill to be paid in full. The account now has a credit of $109.17 to help cover any cost of water lost during the repair process.

All About U Plumbing learned about the request and the owner, Brad Bevins, sent a crew to the home to see what needed to be done. Plumbers said they believed the leak to be under the slab and that floors in the home would have to be jackhammered and dug up for access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bevins said the company would cover all costs to do the repairs needed for the house to have running water.

As of Friday afternoon, the family had running water again after several leaks were repaired, according to Bevins.

"It is simply amazing to see the community step up and support this family," said McAlester News-Capital Publisher Reina Owens. "Without our community paying it forward, we would be unable to make this happen."
GoFundMe is yanking any and all campaigns supporting Luigi Mangione, but donations for his defense continue to pour in on other online platforms.

Mangione, whos accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan, has become somewhat of an internet sensation in the days since the Dec. 4 shooting.

The health insurance executive had been visiting the city from Minnesota for an investor conference, where he was slated to give a speech later in the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Surveillance video shows Thompson walking toward the venue when hes attacked by a masked gunman around 6:45 a.m. He was shot in the back and leg and pronounced dead some 30 minutes later.

The brazen violence sparked a days-long manhunt, which ended with Mangiones arrest on Monday at a McDonalds in Atloona, Pa.

He was allegedly found with a silencer and 3D-printed gun, which police said matched three shell casings found on the scene. The ammo had been marked with the words deny, defend and depose  echoing a phrase commonly used to describe the insurance industrys tactics for delaying claims and maximizing profits.

In wake of the killing, social media has become flooded with rage-filled posts expressing frustration with the insurance industry. Many netizens reveled in Thompsons death as others dubbed 26-year-old Mangione a hero.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Campaigns aimed at funding Mangiones defense also started cropping up online, though theyve since been scrubbed from the internets most popular fundraising platform.

GoFundMes Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes, a spokesperson for the website said in a statement. The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded.

Content related to Mangione will however remain live on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo. One campaign, creating by a group calling themselves The December 4th Legal Committee, had raked in over $100,000 as of Saturday afternoon, with many anonymous donors thanking Mangione for his service.

We believe every person is entitled to due process in a court of law  not in the court of public opinion, Alex Shipley, GiveSendGos communications director, said in a statement to NBC News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To be absolutely clear, we do not support or condone vigilante justice, she continued. However, people have a constitutional right to a strong legal defense, and access to that defense should not be reserved only for the wealthy or those who fit a particular narrative.

Its unclear if Mangione will accept the funds for his defense. Thomas Dickey, his attorney in Pennsylvania, previously said he felt uncomfortable accepting money from his clients supporters.

The organizers of the The December 4th Legal Committee said they had written a letter to Mangione in prison informing him of the fund, and saying it could go toward the defense of other political prisoners should he choose not to accept the money.
NEW YORK  GoFundMe is yanking any and all campaigns supporting Luigi Mangione, but donations for his defense continue to pour in on other online platforms.

Mangione, whos accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, has become somewhat of an internet sensation in the days since the shooting.

The health insurance executive had been visiting the city from Minnesota for an investor conference in Midtown Manhattan, where he was slated to give a speech later in the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said Thompson was walking from his hotel toward the venue when he was ambushed by a masked gunman around 6:45 a.m. He was shot in back and the leg and pronounced dead some 30 minutes later.

The brazen violence sparked a dayslong manhunt, which ended with Mangiones arrest at a McDonalds in Atloona, Pennsylvania.

He was allegedly found with a silencer and 3D-printed gun, which police said matched three shell casings found on the scene. The ammo had been marked with the words deny, defend and depose  echoing a phrase commonly used to describe the insurance industrys tactics for delaying claims and maximizing profits.

In wake of the killing, social media has become flooded with rage-filled posts expressing frustration with the insurance industry. Many netizens reveled in Thompsons death as others dubbed 26-year-old Mangione a hero.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Campaigns aimed at funding Mangiones defense also started cropping up online, though theyve since been scrubbed from the internets most popular fundraising platform.

GoFundMes Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes, a spokesperson for the website said in a statement. The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded.

Content related to Mangione will however remain live on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo. One campaign, creating by a group calling themselves The December 4th Legal Committee, had raked in over $96,000 as of Saturday afternoon, with anonymous donations coming from all across the world.

We believe every person is entitled to due process in a court of law  not in the court of public opinion, Alex Shipley, GiveSendGos communications director, said in a statement to NBC News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To be absolutely clear, we do not support or condone vigilante justice, she continued. However, people have a constitutional right to a strong legal defense, and access to that defense should not be reserved only for the wealthy or those who fit a particular narrative.

Its unclear if Mangione will accept funds for his defense. Thomas Dickey, his attorney in Pennsylvania, previously said he felt uncomfortable accepting money from his clients supporters.

The organizers of the The December 4th Legal Committee said they had written a letter to Mangione in prison informing him of the fund, and saying it could go toward the defense of other political prisoners should he choose not to accept the money.
Its largely passing unnoticed, but Republicans are quietly laying the groundwork to give their full blessing to one of Donald Trumps more corrupt schemes: unleashing law enforcement on his political enemies without cause once hes sworn in again next year. That capitulation is already underway, with an argument theyre beginning to put forward to smooth the path for Trumps nominee to head the FBI, Kash Patel.

The New York Times has a big piece reporting that Senate Republicans are growing warm to Patel, who has explicitly declared that in Trumps second term, a range of enemies of Trump should be prosecuted for no discernible legal reason whatsoever.

Why are they warming to Patel despite the obvious threat he poses? The Times reports that Republicans now harbor a deep distrust of the FBI, that they see it as rotted by corruption and partisanship, and that all this has become a new Republican orthodoxy:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is the culmination of a remarkable turnabout that has been years in the making for a party that traditionally had given unyielding support for the nations law enforcement agencies.

Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma claims that Patel will clean out the FBI. And Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina insists hell restore the bureaus integrity. In short, were meant to believe GOP senators back Patel because he will reform a badly corrupted agency in a way that will better serve our country.

Heres the thing: All of that is nonsense. Most Republicans dont actually think those things about the FBI, and they dont actually believe Trump picked Patel to reform the bureau to address those alleged problems. Nor is there any reason to treat this as any kind of sincere, momentous ideological shift.

We should treat that very ideathat Republicans have in some principled sense begun to deeply question the FBIs institutional roleas itself being spin. If anything, the GOP embrace of Patel carries echoes of the corrupted, secretive, intrusive FBI of the pre-Watergate days, and the new reformist pose is being hatched as fake cover to support Patel later despite what Republicans all know to be truethat Trump has selected him to transform the agency into a weapon against his enemies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The evidence for this reading is everywhere. First, Trump already tried to wield law enforcement against political enemies during his first term (do you recall Republicans objecting at the time?) and Trump has explicitly threatened this to a far greater extent this time around. Republicans know all this. Take Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, who murmured something to the Times about Patel bringing transparency to the agency. Do you think Ernst actually believes Trump picked him to realize some sort of substantive, far-reaching vision of reform? Of course she doesnt.

Second, just look at Patels enemies list. Of the 60 names on it, over two-thirds of them are former Trump officials who went public with criticism of him, critics of Trump with prominent media profiles, government officials who carried out their duty to investigate Trumps malfeasance, high-profile Democratic politicians, or former senior officials under Democratic presidents.

As TNRs Timothy Noah notes, many of the latter ones are political appointees, so by definition, they are not members of the deep state. Thats the permanent, all-powerful bureaucracy that Trump is supposed to be targeting by picking nominees like Patel, giving the move superficial justification. But as this list suggests, Trump wants an FBI director primarily committed to persecuting people for being Democrats or telling the truth about Trump in public.

Third, consider the critique of the FBI from Republicans now pretending Trump wants to genuinely reform the agency. Per the Times:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In recent years, Republicans have attacked the F.B.I. for its role in investigating the Trump campaigns ties to Russia, including its handling of the so-called Steele dossier; accused officials there of failing to investigate issues surrounding Hunter Bidens laptop; and slammed its leaders for authorizing a raid of Mr. Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in pursuit of classified documents.

Note that those allegations all concern alleged mistreatment ofor unfairness toTrump himself. They, too, are nonsense: While some irregularities did take place during the Russia investigation, they were investigated and exposed by the Justice Department inspector generalas is supposed to happen when the system works as it shouldand they fell far short of the systemic corruption MAGA claimed. The Biden Justice Department didnt exactly refrain from investigating or prosecuting the Biden family. The search of Mar-a-Lago was approved by a judge who was persuaded by hard evidence.

Fourth, MAGA Republicans more recent claims about the deep state targeting Trump and MAGA keep collapsingbut Republicans keep pushing them, anyway. The inspector general just released another report finding that the FBI didnt actually instigate the violence of January 6, 2021, debunking one of MAGAs biggest conspiracy theories. MAGA Republicans immediately distorted the reports findings about FBI informants in the crowd (at their own volition) to claim it had confirmed their false flag theories, but as Philip Bump of The Washington Post details, its just baloney.

None of this is to dismiss good-faith ideas for reforming the FBI and intelligence gathering more broadly. Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers hoped to overhaul the law governing warrantless surveillance, which they see as a violation of civil liberties. (It ended up getting reauthorized without reform.) Meanwhile, theres an argument for tightening or codifying in law Justice Department agency guidelines for the initiating of investigations, says Frank Figliuzzi, a former counterintelligence official for the FBI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Trump doesnt have any genuine interest in any of that. Generally there are areas where serious discussions could be had about reforming the FBI, Figliuzzi tells me. I dont see any serious discussions coming from the Trump crowd.

All this gets at another deeply problematic narrative thats gained traction of late. Its often argued that Trumps anger at law enforcement demonstrates that he has adopted a stance thats fundamentally critical of our institutions, while Democrats have reflexively become their defenders. This helped Trump win amid deep distrust in the system, were told.

While theres a grain of truth to this notion, the whole idea should be handled with extreme caution. Trump and his MAGA allies are angry at law enforcementbut only to the degree that it tried to hold him accountable for his alleged lawbreaking. Thats it. Theres just no serious institutional critique behind any of this.

Meanwhile, Democrats do defend our institutions, but primarily in this sense: by insisting that they have not been profoundly corrupted to unfairly target Trump and MAGA. And they insist Republicans shouldnt get away with using fake claims of MAGA persecution to pre-justify Trumps plan to unleash the hounds of law enforcement on MAGAs enemies, which hes long intended to do anyway. Democrats defend our institutions against bad-faith attacks designed to facilitate their politicization and manipulation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The media is about to face a serious stress test. As Slates Dahlia Lithwick points out, we may see the FBI become akin to J. Edgar Hoover on steroids, but because the implications of this scenario are so immense and jarring, its hard to find the language to capture it adequately. Meanwhile, when Republicans close ranks behind Patel, the propaganda will be deafening: Trump is picking Patel to clean house and take on elites. The temptation will be strong to slot this into a populist versus the establishment frame that inadvertently flatters Trump.

Its a good moment to lay down a marker. Any media accounts that dont leave casual readers armed with some simple truthsthat Trump-MAGA rage at law enforcement is exclusively about its efforts to apply the law to him, and that hes installing Patel in a position of extraordinary power for wholly corrupt endsare failing to inform at the most basic level. Republican senators know all this perfectly well. The rest of America deserves to know it, too.
Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on lawmakers to crack down on hemp products like delta-8 THC, saying they let minors get high on untested, mislabeled cannabis  but its a move hemp shop owners say would also close legitimate businesses.

The governor came out Friday in support of legislation that would set a minimum age of 21 to buy such products. It would require hemp companies to obtain licenses and test and label their products, similar to the requirements for legal marijuana. And it would ban copycat packaging that looks like common candy or snack brands.

This regulatory gray area has created a loophole that put Illinois consumers of all ages, but particularly children, in danger while an underground market flourished  the exact opposite of what Illinois has done by regulating our cannabis industry, Pritzker said. Were closing that loophole and protecting Illinoisans of all ages by incorporating these products into the regulated and equitable system of dispensaries already in place in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But hemp business owners say the restrictions limiting sales to licensed dispensaries and limiting the percentage of intoxicating THC below 0.3% will put many of these small smoke and vape shops out of business.

Brandy Garner, a nurse and owner of Brandys CBD at 87th and King Drive, said patients use her products for relief of pain and other symptoms, and say they cant find CBD products without THC at many dispensaries. She worried that the proposed regulations might put her out of business.

Where does that leave us for our products? she asked. Do we just pack up and leave? A lot of us have put a lot of money into this.

The controversy reflects a fight between cannabis business owners, who are licensed by the state, and hemp business owners. Paradoxically, though they are the same plant, cannabis remains illegal under federal law, while hemp was legalized nationally in 2018.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hemp is defined legally as cannabis having less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, the component of pot that gets users high. The intent was to legalize CBD, a nonintoxicating part of cannabis. But chemists have found ways to derive from CBD other compounds like delta-8 THC and THCO, which do get users high, though users say to a lesser degree than delta-9.

The result has been a nationwide proliferation of smoke and vape shops and gas stations that sell intoxicating products, often without being explicitly licensed to do so.

Since there is no legal age limit in Illinois, the most serious problem has been adolescents being hospitalized from ingesting the drug, as happened this month with three children in Rogers Park who ate cannabis gummies.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford is sponsoring alternative legislation that would also require age limits, testing and labeling, but would license hemp businesses separately, in addition to existing cannabis dispensaries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He suggested a two-tier sales system where cannabis, which is more potent, would be sold at dispensaries, while lower-potency hemp would be sold at separate locations. To prohibit hemp businesses altogether, he said, would just push sales underground and online, where people already can order home delivery.

Ford said the bill Pritzker supports would favor cannabis retailers by making them the exclusive sellers of it. Ford also said that putting hemp sales under the exclusive control of cannabis dispensaries puts those dispensaries in control of the market.

The Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, representing many of the hemp businesses, called on the lawmakers to instead implement sensible regulations, including age and safety measures. The legislation favored by the governor, they say, would eliminate the sale of most hemp products, including CBD.

It contains myriad technical mistakes and is a full ban whether they call it that or not, Chitiva hemp business owner Charles Wu said. It bans Illinois hemp industry but does nothing to curb online sales to minors from out-of-state companies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The measure to regulate hemp passed the Senate in May by a 54-1 vote, but stalled in the House.

The chief sponsor, state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, a Democrat from Maywood, said she amended the proposal to respond to hemp industry concerns.

So I believe if theyre regulated like the rest of the market, they have the same ability to make a significant amount of money and do well in that space, she said. To just circumvent the law is illegal and theyre harming children.

The Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, which represents much of the established cannabis industry, said hemp growers have exploited a loophole and avoided testing requirements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This not only leaves consumers at risk, it also undermines the states carefully regulated cannabis market, particularly social equity cannabis license holders who face extensive rules and regulations to operate while those selling intoxicating hemp continue to get off easy, association Executive Director Tiffany Chappell Ingram said.

The Illinois Independent Craft Growers Association, which represents newer small cultivators, also welcomed the legislation. The group said in a statement that it would help protect small business owners trying to follow all the licensing requirements for legal cannabis. Same products should be regulated the same, it is that simple.
Slates guide to the most important figures in politics this week.

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, which regrets to inform you that our drone-based aerial marketing campaign has gone horribly awry.





This week, we learned there was probably a reason why no president had ever granted clemency to 1,500 people in a single day. Pete Hegseth yelled at the media, and now his nomination is back on track. Kyrsten Sinema made a rare, arduous trek to work and took Democrats for one last ride. And Donald Trump sent his kids ex-girlfriend to Greece.





But first, something weird is happening in the sky. When can we blow it all up?

Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Getty Images Plus.

1. The drones

Have we watched Independence Day too much, or not nearly enough?

A major national news story (well, New Yorkarea news story, which makes it national news), is that drones have been spotted flying above New Jersey, doing recon on Slates Ben Mathis-Lilley as he performs his nightly ritual of crimes. No one is quite sure whats going on with these drones. Well, thats not true. New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a dentist turned Democratic congressman turned Republican congressman, knows whats going on with these drones. Im going to tell you the real deal. Iran launched a mother ship that contains these drones, Van Drew said on Fox News on Wednesday. Its off the East Coast of the United States of America. Theyve launched drones. Van Drew further wrote a letter to the president that states that while he further remained open to alternate explanations for the drones, hes pretty sure its Iran, and hes pretty sure theyve got a mother ship out there. By Thursday, hed downgraded his certainty a touch, arguing that theres a real possibility it could be Iran, that it could be a ship. Could be! It could also be Bermuda, Elon Musk, teenage pranksters, the U.S. Air Force, creepy yet ultimately harmless voyeuristic aliens, or murderous aliens. To be fair to Van Drew, the federal government could be doing much more to alleviate peoples fears about these dronesand limit the conspiraciesby not just refuting that theyre coming from an Iranian mother ship off of Wildwood, but by saying what they are. The sightings are spreading, with former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, for example, now sharing grainy videos of flying objects in his state. Alternately, the public might settle for one or two of them being blown up, balloon-style.

2. Chris Wray

We made all this popcorn and dont even get to see a firing?

Trump-appointed FBI director Chris Wray announced this week that he would step down when the next president, who is also Donald Trump, takes over in January. Wray relayed his decision in a town hall with FBI employees, arguing that it was the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray while adding that the decision was not easy for him. And what was the fray to which he was referring? Well, Trump was going to fire Wray, because hes still mad at the FBI for seizing the stolen documents he kept at Mar-a-Lago and refused to return. Trump had, after all, already announced Kash Patelour dear friend! as Wrays replacement, pending Senate confirmation. Youre going to hear this a lot in the coming years, but the precedent being set here could be unpleasant. Wray still had more than two years left in his fixed 10-year term, a trans-administration tenure designed to insulate FBI directors from political pressure to do the presidents bidding. Almost certainly from now on, the FBI directori.e., the person who runs the federal copswill be replaced at the beginning of each new administration and serve in a more straightforwardly political role. We still believe that all of this couldve been easier if Trump had just returned the stupid documents.

3. Joe Biden

Hooray, more clemency! Oh god, more clemency 

After the Biden White House explains what the drones are, it should close up shop until Jan. 20, to the extent it hasnt already. Too many rakes are being stepped on, at too rapid of a pace. After successfully pissing off Republicans and Democrats alike with the pardon of his son a couple of weeks ago, Bidens White House attempted to distribute mercy more broadly. On Thursday, in what the White House described as the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history, Biden granted clemency (mostly commutations) to nearly 1,500 people who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities. How swell. But it seems that in its rush to appease those calling for widespread clemency of nonviolent offenders to make up for Bidens sweeping pardon of Hunter, the White House either didnt do a great vetting job or has stopped caring. Because some truly egregious dirtbags were among the recipients. A Pennsylvania judge who took kickbacks for sending juveniles to for-profit detention centers, in which he had a financial interest, earned clemency. Huh? A lawyer whom prosecutors had described as the most prolific, pernicious, and utterly unrepentant tax cheat in United States history earned clemency. Cool. An Illinois comptroller who embezzled $50 million from her city to build a horse breeding and show operation had her sentence commuted. Why? These are not just nonviolent drug offenders from an era of stricter war-on-drugs laws. These are major white-collar criminals who couldve continued to gut it out in home confinement. What is this?

4. Pete Hegseth

Are we back?

Last week, Pete Hegseths nomination to run the Department of Defense appeared to be in more trouble than an employee summoned to HR after the 2016 Fox & Friends holiday party. Potential replacements, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, were practicing giving nuclear launch orders in the mirror. But by all accounts, Hegsethwhile by no means a lock for confirmationhas steadied the ship. A couple of factors have worked in his favor. First, Hegseth showed a little more fight in his approach to the media. I dont answer to anyone in this group, Hegseth told a crowd of Hill reporters late last week. None of you, not to that camera at all. I answer to President Trump, who received 76 million votes, on behalf, and a mandate for change. This was a performance for an audience of oneTrumpwho stuck with Hegseth. Second, outside allies ramped up pressure on key holdouts. One, specifically, was Iowa Sen. Joni Ernsta veteranwhod signaled doubts about Hegseth, in particular his past comments about women in the military. All of a sudden, she was facing extraordinary pressure from both inside and outside her state to fall in line. And so she did. On Monday, after a second meeting with Hegseth, Ernst said in a statement that as I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources. The Surge nevertheless encourages anonymous sources to reach out to us with true stories about Pete Hegseth, as well as everyone else in politics.

5. Kyrsten Sinema

Going out of her way (by going to work) for a parting shot at labor.

On Wednesday, the Senate rejected the renomination of current National Labor Relations Board Chair Lauren McFerran to another five-year term, 49 to 50. Had she been confirmed, Democratic appointees would have comprised a majority on the NLRB well into 2026; now, Donald Trump gets to make the majority. It was, just as in the good ol days, the two usual suspects voting with Republicans to kill the nomination: Independent Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. In Manchins case, hes going to do what hes going to do; he has long taken issue with a proposed NLRB rule from 2022. But Sinemas vote on this was extra special. The Arizona senator has generally had one foot out the door since announcing her retirement earlier this year, and her absences have gotten worse since the election. She had not voted in the Senate since Nov. 21, but then materialized on the Senate floor on Wednesday to cast her no vote on this specific nomination. If this doesnt add another zero to her forthcoming private sector salary, what will?

6. Tulsi Gabbard

Someone needs to prepare more conversation topics.

While Hegseth has been doing battle for weeks now, another of Trumps most controversial nomineesformer Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, to be director of national intelligencewas just beginning to make her rounds in the Senate this week. And according to a report in the Hill on Friday, these meetings are not going well. GOP senators and aides, granted anonymity, described her as a little shallow, like a House member talking at a hearing and not very well preparedthey said there have been a lot of eyerolls from the senators whove met with her. Gabbards past comments about Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin (enjoy the Moscow Christmas village together!) comprise most of her baggage so far. But theres another hurdle that Gabbard has to get over with Republican senators: She was a Democrat until 10 minutes ago. Whereas these Republican senators may be more willing to give Hegseth the benefit of the doubt since they know him a bit from the Fox & Friends greenroom, Gabbard is from an entirely different cinematic universe. Gabbards nomination, then, is in grave danger  until right-wing media yells at all the holdout senators for 10 minutes and they fall in line.

7. Kimberley Guilfoyle

Ambassador to Any Old Place 6,000 Miles From Don Jr.

Congrats to former prosecutor, TV personality, and MAGA loyalist Kim Guilfoyle on her nomination to be ambassador to Greece! Such a lovely part of the world. We guess that means that Guilfoyles fiance, Donald Trump Jr., will be shipping off to Parthenon Country for the next few years too, huh? Oh? Hes not going? So interesting. This could be related to the various rumors about Don Jr.s apparently budding relationship with Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson. While Don Jr. hasnt given any public update on his dating life, it would appear that there has been an update, and that the U.S. diplomatic corps is the vessel through which the mess will be managed. Greece will be Guilfoyles Elbaand if she tries to buy a return ticket to the U.S., St. Helena it is.
From left: outgoing General Services Department Secretary Robert Doucette and incoming acting Secretary Anna Silva. (Courtesy of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office).

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday that Robert Doucette, the secretary of New Mexicos General Services Department, will step down from the cabinet at the end of the month.

Doucette will be replaced by Anna Silva, the departments deputy secretary, who will be the acting secretary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The department has wide-ranging responsibilities from purchasing supplies and managing the states buildings to providing insurance for state agencies against claims of misconduct.

In a phone call with Source NM, Doucette said it was time to move forward with new leadership in the department.

Im retiring, its been 27 years, he said. No ones forcing me out; Ive been at this for a while.

In an email he sent out announcing his retirement to the department Friday, he described the decision as one of mixed emotions, as I reflect on the incredible work we have accomplished together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lujan Grisham appointed Doucette secretary in 2023. Before that, Doucette worked in the state workers compensation office, and held positions in Sandoval County government and the state insurance regulators office.

Silvas accomplishments include introducing the states electronic procurement system, developing training for best practices for purchasing and overseeing state housing for veterans.

I am confident that Anna Silvas experience and dedication will ensure a smooth transition and continued success for the department, Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

Doucettes departure marks the fourth cabinet secretary to leave Lujan Grishams cabinet in recent months. High-profile resignations, often with immediate notice, include secretaries leading New Mexicos health, education and aging services agencies.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Governor Beshears office says it and officials from the Office of Medical Cannabis will join executives of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation to draw selectees in the second of two license lotteries for medical cannabis dispensaries.

Officials say this lottery is for dispensaries in the Kentuckiana and Bluegrass regions. Four selectees will be drawn from the counties in those regions, with the exception of Fayette and Jefferson counties. Selectees for Fayette and Jefferson counties will be drawn separately, with two selectees being drawn for each of those counties.

First steps to medical cannabis in Kentucky

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A few weeks ago, some businesses in western Kentucky won a medicinal cannabis license 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Governor Dan McKee, alongside administration members, briefs the public amidst a cybersecurity breach within the RIBridges system.

The situation started on December 5, when the State was notified by the vendor Deloitte that there was potential cybersecurity attack of RIBridges. At that point in time, it was unclear of what information was breached. Federal and state law enforcement was informed. Deloitte immediately consulted with the State IT department and conducted an internal investigation of what was breached and how it happened, alongside ramped up security measures.

On December 10, it was confirmed that there was a breach when a screenshot of system files were sent to Deloitte. The following day, Deloitte confirmed that the folders that were hacked contained personal data from RIBridges. On Friday, RIbridges was ordered to shut down to combat the cybersecurity threat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those whos personal data may have been breached involve those who applied to the following:

Medicaid,

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP),

Health coverage purchased through HealthSource RI

Rhode Island Works (RIW),

Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and

General Public Assistance (GPA) Program.

Deloitte has stated that information that may have been breached include names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, as well as certain banking information. Deloitte is still investigating the specifics.

Those who may have had information leaked will be getting a letter in the mail from the State that will explain how to access free credit monitoring. A dedicated call center for impacted customers will be available Sunday, December 15 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. After Sunday, the call center will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

RIBridges is currently unaware of any cases that include identity theft or fraud, they advise customers to monitor their accounts by:

Taking steps to freeze credit and/or place a fraud alert through the three major credit bureaus (Visit https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze for more information and see contact information for the three credit bureaus below).

As a best practice, customers should change any common or reused passwords to a new strong and unique one. Using a safe and secure password manager is the most effective way to reduce risks of password misuse.

Customers can also call their bank to ask what steps may be taken related to the security of their bank account.

For updates on the situation, visit https://admin.ri.gov/ribridges-alert.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Clark County grand jury has indicted the woman accused of sparking a police shooting that killed a 911 caller, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, faces charges of home invasion with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon constituting domestic violence, child abuse, and arson, documents said.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, LVMPD Officer Alexander Bookman shot and killed 43-year-old Brandon Durham after Durham called 911 to report the home invasion. Durham told a dispatcher that he was inside his home with his 15-year-old daughter and said he was locking himself in the bathroom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police suspect Boudreaux broke into the home after Durham had police remove her from the property the night before.

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Amy Wilson set bail for Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, of Seattle, Washington, at $1 million. (KLAS)

Fourteen seconds after breaking down Durhams front door, Bookman shot and killed Durham as he and Boudreaux struggled over a knife, video indicated.

During the grand jury return hearing Friday, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani said Boudreauxs goal was suicide by cop. Giordani also acknowledged Bookman unfortunately shot the wrong person.

Boudreaux and Durham met on a dating app in October, police said. In an interview with police, Boudreaux said the pair had a casual sexual relationship. The charges indicate prosecutors suspect Boudreaux and Durham has had or was having a dating relationship, documents said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bookman spoke with both Boudreaux and Durham during the call for service on Nov. 10  the night before the home invasion and shooting, the 8 News Now Investigators reported. Boudreaux later left the property and took a rideshare to the airport.

In an interview with police, Boudreaux said her ticket was canceled and she returned to Durhams home. Boudreaux said she broke in, turned on the stove and grabbed two knives. She told investigators she was attempting to stab herself when she heard the officer fire the shots, documents said.

While on the way back to Durhams house, Boudreaux decided that she was going to die, documents said. She explained she had been suicidal for a few days and wanted to be shot by the police. Boudreaux stated, I wanted the cops to shoot me dead. And I wanted him to live the wreckage that I caused in his house.

The indictment means Boudreauxs criminal case automatically bypasses the justice court process where judges weigh probable cause before a case is transferred to district court.

Brandon Durham, 43, was shot and killed by a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer after calling 911 during a home invasion. (Durham family)

Metro leadership placed Bookman on paid administration leave pending an outcome of their internal investigation. Durhams family has called for Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson to charge Bookman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Boudreaux was scheduled to appear in district court for her initial arraignment on Dec. 18. During a previous court hearing, she flashed a photographer. She remained in custody Friday on $1 million bail.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dr. Julie Gray, veterinarian for Daviess County Animal Care and Control, was recently named the Kentucky representative for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Alliance.

The HSVMA state representative network consists of active volunteer veterinarian liaisons who conduct outreach on behalf of HSVMA to their respective state veterinary medical associations and the broader profession, and serve as resources on animal welfare-related issues for the veterinary community. They also help the organization with advocacy on legislative initiatives, provide expert witness testimony, submit legislative support letters, write letters to the editor, offer opinion pieces to media outlets and publish articles in professional journals.

Gray is currently on the Shelter Practitioner Pathway for board certification, and as part of that application process, she toured several animal shelters across the state. What she found quickly made her want to get more involved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I saw the animals in need and the lack of humane living conditions that a lot of our shelters across the state of Kentucky have, and that drove me to start contacting the Humane Society, the (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the Veterinary Medical Board, to try and figure out what we can do to make things better for the shelters, she said. In doing so, I got linked up with Todd Blevins, who is the president of the Kentucky Humane Society chapter, and we discussed different issues, and I mentioned, If you ever need a veterinary opinion or if you want me to speak, if it would be helpful, just let me know, Id be glad to help where I can.

He was like, Actually, we have never had a state representative, and I think youd be great for it. Why dont you apply. 

Gray said what stood out to her about the situation  beyond the miserable conditions for the animals  is there seemed to be nowhere to turn for help to address the situations.

Its a volunteer role, but Im very passionate about improving the condition for animals in shelters, especially in Kentucky, and Kentucky is one of the worst in animal welfare laws, and there is no governing body to protect animals and animal shelters; I found that out along the way, she said. I saw some conditions in some shelters that really upset me, to the point that I wanted somebody to just come in and take the animals away from these shelters. But there is nobody that can do that. The police actually have to call something in, and that just doesnt happen in shelters very often because theyre usually county owned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is such a conflict of interest as to who is going to protect the animals in the animal shelter. And we have leaders that dont have education in animal care and welfare, so then the decisions are never for the animals.

The University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science partnered on a study done by students at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine to produce a report in 2016 on all of the animal shelters in Kentucky. The report made it clear there were a wide range of issues, with only 12% of counties meeting all requirements mandated by state law, while over 50% of counties were in violation of three or more parts of the shelter laws.

The report found Daviess Countys shelter was in violation of 1 to 2 laws and was designated as needing improvement.

It is below standards, said Gray of the Daviess County shelter. Ours fell below the standards in 2016, and not a lot has changed since then.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gray said getting veterinarians into all of the shelters would be a great first step to improve conditions for the animals.

Many shelters dont have veterinarians at all, so thats a problem, she said. Theres only a few that do, and they dont always have leadership roles, so they dont usually get to make the decisions on whats best for the animals. It just depends on many factors whether (veterinarian) recommendations are followed. So I do want to make a change where veterinarians are more active in shelters across the state, because its definitely needed.

Gray said her specific goal as the HSVMA state representative is to lobby the state legislature to add more enforceable protections for the animals in shelters.

The mission statement is to use our expertise and resources to advance animal welfare via leadership, advocacy, education and service, she said. I do think we can (have an impact). Unfortunately, its going to be slower than I want. But I do have plans to be talking with the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Board and to continue talking with Todd Blevins about what we can do to have better protection for the animals in shelters in Kentucky. This is my passion. Im living it; Im seeing it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gray hopes to also be a voice for all veterinarians in the state.

I am speaking for veterinarians, and I am hopeful that other veterinarians will voice their opinions and concerns to me so I can have a collective view, she said. Any veterinarian should be able to contact me if they have concerns about animal welfare, if they have something they would like to see go into legislation, then contacting me would be a good start, because I can start bringing these things to peoples attention.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  The Green Bay Metro Fire Department is grieving the loss of engineer and paramedic Tyler Kreiter, who died on Dec. 12, 2024, at the age of 43 after a long battle with cancer.

Tyler dedicated 17 years of service to the department and the Green Bay community. He was known for his commitment, compassion, and selflessness.

Wisconsin officials explain the mystery behind plastic-covered fire hydrants

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tylers passing has left a deep void in both his family and the fire department. Fire Chief Matthew Knott reflected on Tylers dedication, even as he battled cancer.

As Tyler struggled with cancer over the last three years, I do not remember a single day that he complained or thought of anything else besides his service and how he could do better for our community, Knott said.

Tylers death serves as a somber reminder of the dangers firefighters face every day. Chief Knott highlighted the high cancer rates among firefighters, which are at an all-time high. Firefighters are 14 times more likely to die from cancer than the general public, he mentioned.

Tyler leaves behind a wife, three children, and colleagues who considered him a friend and brother. The Green Bay Metro Fire Department is offering support to Tylers family as they cope with this devastating loss.

The entire department is sticking behind the family at this time, and our full attention is focused on meeting their needs, Chief Knott said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Kreiter family has received an outpouring of support from colleagues and friends across the country. Tyler was a great father, husband, firefighter, and friend, and he will be missed, Chief Knott said. Wed like to thank all of our colleagues and friends from across the country who have reached out during these difficult times.

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich also paid tribute to Tylers life and service. Tyler was an incredible member of the Green Bay Fire Department, well-respected by all of his colleagues, a hero to them, a hero to his family, a hero to the city of Green Bay, Genrich said.

The mayor also emphasized the lasting legacy Tyler leaves behind. But Tyler left an incredible legacy for us all to cherish and appreciate, and so thats something that all his colleagues, friends, and family members will be able to carry with them, he added.

Corporation in Wisconsin to pay over $2 million for False Claims Act violations

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tyler Kreiters legacy extends beyond his work as a firefighter. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a friend to many.

As the community mourns, the Green Bay Metro Fire Department remains focused on honoring his legacy. Tylers legacy of service, bravery, and commitment will never be forgotten.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dec. 13Great Bend Economic Development hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the IGNITE Innovation Center on Thursday, December 12, at the site of the future center, located at the frontage lot on Farmers Plaza at K-96 and 10th Street.

This $7 million facility will serve as a community hub focused on childcare, entrepreneurship, workforce, and health care.

The keynote speaker, local entrepreneur Ryan Fairchild, stood at a podium in front of a row of shovels and hard hats. GBED provided a table of cookies, hot coffee and hand warmers. Those who attended could view an artist's rendering of the future site and a floor plan of the complex.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fairchild listed some of the partnerships behind this project:

Advancing Barton County Childcare

Barton Community College

The Center for Counseling and Consultation

K-State Extension & Research

Kansas Workforce One

Small Business Development Center

University of Kansas Health System

Kansas Children's Cabinet & Trust Fund

The Patterson Family Foundation

The Dorothy Morrison Foundation

"This project has been a long time in the making, working with Tessere, Brentwood Builders, Innovative Groups, Seton Construction and various maker organizations, non-profits and resources, to ensure we build the finest facility that will stand proudly and enforce the message that Barton County is open for business," Fairchild said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Andy Mingenback with Brentwood Builders also spoke briefly, commenting, "I really appreciate the community support." Along with the team of contractors, with Great Bend Economic Development as the driving force, he said, "I think it takes a community's support as well to make something like this happen."

He described the center as a facility where businesses can start and flourish as new ideas are introduced. "It's truly going to be a really cool project."

Fairchild expanded on Mingenback's explanation of the purpose of the Innovation Center:

"From classes for youth, job skills training, evening daycare, supporting non-traditional learning, computer labs, a Fab Lab (fabrication lab), commercial kitchen space, on-site entrepreneur support  even a leafy green farm pod ... the Ignite Innovation Center will open doors for community members from all stages of life, including businesses established and new alike, with an eye on vocational tools, unlike anything else in the area, making Barton County all that more attractive a place to live, relocate, raise a family and start a business. Because when a community loves itself and shows the desire to improve others take notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Quality of work for workforce, life and education are the foundation of a healthy local economy. Just as the oil boom did for this area, new and innovative opportunities are a must to continue to thrive as a community."

The final remarks were from Rep. Tory Marie Blew (R-Great Bend).

"I'm very excited about what is to come," she said. Looking out at the partners, she invited them to take part in the groundbreaking. "Let's go turn some dirt!"
Public Defender Natasha Dartigue, left, and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown at the opening meeting in June of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative. It released recommendations this week on ways to reduce the racial imbalance in the state's prisons. Photo by William J. Ford.

A group tackling mass incarceration in Maryland released recommendations Thursday and plans to produce a report by next month, in time for the General Assembly to possibly take up some of the recommendations as legislation during the 2025 session that starts Jan. 8.

The 18 recommendations from the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative (MEJC) aim to fix the imbalance in state sentencings: Black residents accounted for 32% of Marylands population in 2023, but about 71% of those incarcerated in the states correctional facilities, the group notes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The impact of mass incarceration extends far beyond the restrictive, steel bars to crippling the financial, social and emotional growth of families and communities, said a statement from Public Defender Natasha Dartigue, who co-chairs the collaborative with Attorney General Anthony Brown (D).

The ripple effect of prioritizing punitive policies and practices over data-driven approaches, coupled with racially disparate implementation, has irreparably damaged individuals and devastated communities, her statement said.

Suggestions include a proposal for legislation that would enhance data reporting requirements to include data on race and gender; re-examine the use and efficacy of consent searches to reduce unnecessary interactions with police and allow for more appropriate utilization of law enforcement; and end nonsafety-related traffic stops.

Sen. Charles Sydnor (D-Baltimore County) is working on a bill to do just that, or at least reduce them. His legislation proposes to downgrade a number of current primary violations to secondary status, but the president of the Maryland Sheriffs Association has said it would fight that ridiculous legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another MEJC proposal calls for increasing the number of people eligible for early parole considerations due to serious medical conditions and having reached an age where they no longer pose a threat to public safety.

Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) sponsored a similar measure during the 2024 legislative session that sought to remove the governor from the medical parole process. It passed in the Senate, but stalled in the House. Del. J. Sandy Bartlett (D-Anne Arundel) sponsored a companion bill, which did not advance out of the House Judiciary Committee, where she serves as vice chair.

Members of the justice collaborative, which voted on the recommendations, include more than three dozen representatives of law enforcement, nonprofit and community groups, criminal justice reform and returning citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They are separated into seven work groups: criminal law and sentencing reform; education, workforce development and economic opportunity; health and human services; law enforcement and police practices; prison, jail and detention facility reform; promoting successful reentry and preventing incarceration; and youth justice reform.

Some of the other recommendations include:

Developing a pilot program to improve access to trauma-informed mental health treatment for those incarcerated in detention centers and jails;

Conducting a comprehensive study on the financial obligations imposed on individuals under probation and parole and their impact on successful reentry;

Expanding and improving community-based reentry programming by creating a protocol to share specific service needs of those incarcerated; and

Limiting the automatic charging of children in adult criminal court.

No single person created mass incarceration, and no single person can correct its devastating effects on communities of color across Maryland, Brown said in the statement. These recommendations are a crucial first step in making our State fairer, and safer, for all. Just as this crisis has harmed Black communities for decades, our efforts will impact Maryland families for generations, helping them heal from the trauma of mass incarceration.
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Binghamton University and the Guthrie Clinic have entered into an agreement to work together on research and student placement.

BU President Harvey Stenger and Guthrie President and CEO Ed Sabanegh signed a memorandum of understanding today.

The collaborative research agreement establishes a standardized way to launch new projects without having to enter into repetitive contract reviews, expediting the process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The arrangement gives BU professors access to anonymous patient data from Guthrie to use in their research.

Sabanegh says Guthrie has a long history of conducting research of its own. He says their combined resources will lead to greater innovation and discovery.

Together, our institutions bring a lot of diverse expertise spanning fields such as engineering, process improvement, pharmacy, nursing and a variety of other workforce development areas, a variety of areas that I think we can really help our communities, said Sabanegh.

The agreement covers issues related to compliance and cybersecurity to ensure proper safeguards for shared data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

BU already places students from its Decker School of Nursing and Pharmacy School in internships with Guthrie.

The universitys provost says this new partnership opens the door to more opportunities.

This lays the groundwork not only for really productive research collaboration, but it also facilitates our clinical placements, student internships, its limitless, said Provost Donald Hall.

Sabanegh says the collaboration will also help Guthrie recruit graduating nurses and other medical personnel.

Stenger says the agreement was difficult to hammer out and took many years of negotiation.

The two sides began talking before Guthrie acquired Lourdes Hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
National political correspondent Maggie Haberman signaled Friday that President-elect Trump likely doubled down on Pete Hegseth as his pick to lead the Pentagon after support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) as an alternative fell short.

I think its still true that he was tired and is tired of negative stories, Haberman said during an interview on CNNs AC360.

What changed was a couple of things. One was Trump could not find a single person in his orbit, or even really outside of it, who liked this idea of making Ron DeSantis  the governor of Florida  the Defense secretary choice, she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hegseth, an Army veteran and former Fox News host, has faced a bevy of criticism in recent weeks over allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. As he faced an uphill battle for Senate confirmation, Trumps team began mulling replacement nominees.

DeSantis, Trumps formal GOP primary rival who was floated as a top contender, said he was seriously considering the position, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill.

But in recent days, Trump has offered public support for Hegseth and his nominee has dug in while meeting with a range of Senate Republicans. Vice President-elect JD Vance (R-Ohio) and other conservative influencers also fought for the veteran behind the scenes, aiding in the nomination now appearing to be on better footing.

And it was not, you know, Were going to drop Hegseth, and were going to look for a bunch of other people. It was Hegseth or DeSantis at that point, Haberman, a CNN analyst, told guest host John Berman. And so, Trump was persuaded also after a call from Pete Hegseth to let Hegseth go out and see if he could fight his way past some of these stories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She added that after Trump announced his potential Cabinet picks, they were not permitted yet to go on TV, leaving them with their hands tied behind their back.

In the case of Hegseth, he had  basically a death or near death by a thousand cuts, the New York Times reporter said. There had been just one negative headline after another alleging problematic behavior across a broad spectrum.

Hegseth and his mother Penelope  who has been a central part of the criticism over a previous email  later gave interviews to conservative media host Megyn Kelly. Haberman suggested that the tide began to turn for the embattled nominee then, and again after the president-elect backed him up.

And you saw this movement most significantly, John, that this conservative now MAGA movement really, really activated online, on digital ads, making a target specifically of Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa to try to get her to a yes, she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Asked if Trumps orbit believes Hegseth is now on the path to confirmation, she didnt seem convinced.

I dont think theres an operative plan B. There is, remains, you know, a lingering awareness that something could come up. There could be more, she told Berman. Hegseth himself is said to be aware that, you know, there are potentially going to be other stories.

He and people in Trumps world have said they dont anticipate that any revelations will come that would impact the hearing. Who knows? But they are feeling vastly better about it today than they did a week ago, Haberman added.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Kahu Kordell Kekoa, right, leads the groundbreaking during a ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu. The housing project, which sits on the site of the former Bowl-O-Drome, is the state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands first high-rise rental project, and will be a 23-story tower comprising 271 units.

1 /3 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Kahu Kordell Kekoa, right, leads the groundbreaking during a ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu. The housing project, which sits on the site of the former Bowl-O-Drome, is the state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands first high-rise rental project, and will be a 23-story tower comprising 271 units.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Project developer Stanford Carr smiles during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2 /3 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Project developer Stanford Carr smiles during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM The former Bowl-O-Drome building is seen during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu.

3 /3 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM The former Bowl-O-Drome building is seen during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Kahu Kordell Kekoa, right, leads the groundbreaking during a ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu. The housing project, which sits on the site of the former Bowl-O-Drome, is the state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands first high-rise rental project, and will be a 23-story tower comprising 271 units.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Project developer Stanford Carr smiles during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM The former Bowl-O-Drome building is seen during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hale Moiliili on Friday in Honolulu.

Construction has begun on Hale Moiliili, a high-rise rental apartment complex that will be the states only affordable housing project exclusively serving beneficiaries of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

The project, at 820 Isenberg St. on the site of the former Stadium Bowl-o-Drome, was celebrated Friday morning with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by DHHL officials, Gov. Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, U.S. Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case, as well as Council members and state legislators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Hale Moiliili project is the first condominium development to combine Native Hawaiian housing with affordable housing using federal funding, made possible by the Fair Housing Act of 1964. The act protects people from housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability.

Innovative projects like Hale Moiliili ensure our Native Hawaiian families have a place to call home,  Green said in a statement. Our families have endured on the waitlist for far too long. This opportunity has the potential to empower beneficiaries and create meaningful change. My administration will continue to encourage our leadership to seek bold strategies in the creation of affordable housing options and a project like this deserves our communitys support.

Stadium Bowl-o-Drome, a bowling alley that operated from 1955 to 2004, sits on a nearly 2-acre parcel near Old Stadium Park, an area of growing concern for nearby residents.

Hale Moiliili is expected to be completed in a two-year development process, featuring a 23-story high-rise tower with 271 units. The complex will include 23 studios, 23 one-bedroom units, 203 two-bedroom units and 22 three-bedroom units.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Don 't miss out on what 's happening !

Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !

Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Additionally, the project will feature a two-story townhouse with seven three-bedroom units overlooking Old Stadium Park, and a 290-stall parking structure.

We invest in housing because it is the only way that Hawaii can survive. We have too few nurses because they cant afford housing. We have too few teachers because they cant find a house thats affordable, and that extends to firefighters, police, doctors and virtually everyone,  Green said Friday. Everyone who works is having a challenge finding a home. Its heartbreaking and unacceptable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DHHL beneficiaries who choose to rent a unit will maintain their position on the lease award waitlist. Tenant income thresholds will range from 30 % to 100 % of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments annual median income, with rents between $657 and $3, 460.

Were delivering on our promise to provide affordable rental housing to beneficiaries on our waitlist,  DHHL Director Kali Watson said in a statement. The opportunities an affordable rental unit can provide are the ability to address financial challenges, build savings for a future home purchase, or access outreach and counseling services for individuals experiencing houselessness. This housing model will serve as a pilot for future developments and DHHL would like to mahalo Governor Green for his support and steadfast commitment to our departments mission.

Applicants on the waitlist will be notified about the opportunity to apply about six months before the project is completed. Oahus residential waitlist exceeds 11, 400, the highest need for beneficiary housing in the state.

The Hale Moiliili project, developed by Stanford Carr Development, will cost $155 million to build, though maintenance fees remain undetermined as of Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SCD President Stanford Carr told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that operation costs could account for 25 % of the revenue. To reduce utility expenses, Carr mentioned the integration of solar panels for water heating and photovoltaic energy at the project.

Having previously worked on four projects with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Carr said Hale Moiliili is the first project of its kind and that he is honored  to be involved in such a groundbreaking development.

The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. board of directors supported the project with $41.5 million in low-interest loans from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, $4.7 million in annual low-income tax credits and $80 million in tax-exempt private-activity bonds.

In addition to housing, Hale Moiliili will offer social services such as financial literacy courses, keiki programs and spaces for small businesses to serve the community.

All improvements to the site are aimed at revitalizing the area while preserving the historical significance of Stadium Bowl-o-Drome.
By Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters) -Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was impeached on Friday as South Korea's acting president, is a career technocrat whose wide-ranging experience and reputation for rationality failed to shield him from growing political turmoil.

Since parliament's impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk Yeol passed on Dec. 14 after his short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3, Yoon's exercise of presidential powers was suspended as Han took over in an acting role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It is my life's honour that I have been able to serve the people with all my might," Han said after parliament voted to impeach him by a majority of 192 out of 300.

Han will suspend his duties to minimise uncertainty and wait for a decision by the Constitutional Court on whether to remove him from office as well, he added in a statement.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok now assumes the role of acting president, in line with the law.

In a country sharply divided by partisan rhetoric, Han has been a rare example of an official whose varied career transcended party lines.

He faced the challenging task of keeping government functioning through its gravest political crisis in four decades, while also tackling threats from nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea, and a slowing economy at home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, his tenure as acting president was cut short as the main opposition Democratic Party, which controls parliament, voted on Friday to impeach Han as well over a battle on Constitutional Court appointments.

The move comes as South Korea is still reeling from Yoon's martial law attempt, which he partly blamed on the opposition's propensity to impeach government officials.

Han, 75, has served in leadership positions for more than three decades under five presidents, both conservative and liberal.

His roles have ranged from prime minister, finance minister and trade minister to presidential secretary for policy co-ordination, besides being ambassador to the United States and the OECD and heading up think-tanks and organisations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With a Harvard doctorate in economics, Han's expertise in the economy, trade and diplomacy as well as a reputation for rationality, a moderate demeanour and hard work had made him a regular go-to man in South Korean politics.

Han has been prime minister since Yoon's term began in 2022, his second time in the role after a stint under former president Roh Moo-hyun in 2007-2008.

"He has served in key posts in state affairs solely through recognition of his skills and expertise, unrelated to political factions," Yoon said when appointing Han in 2022, echoing descriptions used when previous administrations tapped him.

Han has experience working with South Korea's key ally the United States, having been deeply involved in the process of signing the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fluent in English, he was appointed South Korea's ambassador to the United States in 2009, working in Washington at a time when current U.S. President Joe Biden was vice president, and contributed to Congress approving the free trade deal in 2011.

"He is a civil servant through and through, who didn't take on a political colour despite working under (five presidents)," said a former high-ranking government official speaking on condition of anonymity.

Han's acting presidency had been expected to last for months, until the Constitutional Court decided whether to remove Yoon or restore his powers. If Yoon is removed, a presidential election must be held in 60 days.

South Korea's constitution does not say how much the acting president is empowered to do in the role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most scholars say he may exercise limited authority to avoid paralysis of state affairs but no more, although some say he can exercise all presidential powers, as the constitution sets no restrictions.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Ed Davies and Clarence Fernandez)
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A Hartford man was found guilty of sexual assault on Friday in court, according to the Division of Criminal Justice.

Police arrest Fairfield man accused of sexual assault, child pornography possession

Hector Hariprasad, 61, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, one count of sexual assault in the fourth degree, one count of unlawful restraint in the first degree and providing liquor to a minor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Evidence shown in court showed that Hariprasad provided alcohol to a minor female who was invited to spend the night at his home by her friend. Once the girl was intoxicated, Hariprasad committed the sexual assault.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI)  The holiday season just got a little brighter for dozens of children and families in need.

Foster Forward in Pawtucket launched its annual holiday gift drive with support from Hasbro and the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). The initiative aims to provide foster families across the state with toys, clothes and pajamas.

Nearly 2,000 young Rhode Islanders go through the foster care system each year, according to Foster Forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nikki Pascale, a foster mother to three young children in addition to her three biological children, expressed her gratitude.

It is overwhelming, especially when you see other families where each kid has so much stuff, Pascale said. But when youre dealing with six kids, you cant get as much for each child.

Foster Forward Executive Director Lisa Guillette thanked Hasbro for donating 10,000 toys and for their employees volunteer efforts during Hasbros Global Day of Joy.

In the next three days, families will come to fill out their wish lists for children in their care and our volunteers will fill those wish lists and help the families out to their cars with bags full of stuff for a joyous holiday, Guillette said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Guillette emphasized the importance of collaboration in supporting foster families.

We dont often think about people who have strained relationships with their families and might feel lonely during the holiday season, she said. Thats especially true for children and youth in foster care.

For Pascale, drives like this help alleviate the financial pressures of holiday shopping.

We look forward to it every year, Pascale said. It feels good knowing there are people in our corner, trying to help us and the kiddos were helping.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent with Foster Forward can learn more about it online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The Islamic Human Rights Commission seeks to address anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hate crimes during a two-day virtual conference held Saturday and Sunday.

"The genocide in Gaza has brought into specific relief the forces that have mobilized in many Western countries to stifle and squash any expressions of solidarity with the Palestinians," representatives for the London-based non-governmental organization alleged in the event announcement.

The IHRC has previously been accused of pro-Iranian bias. In a 2023 review ordered by Britain's House of Commons, report author William Shawcross described the IHRC as "an Islamist group ideologically aligned with the Iranian regime, that has a history of "extremist links and terrorist sympathies."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"In countries like the U.S., U.K., France and Germany, pre-existing sentiments of Islamophobia have gained new and bolder currency," the IHRC said," with suppression of free speech, press and the right to assemble and protest coming from both the public and private sectors."

The IHRC said "selective outrage" begets "selective enforcement of laws and regulations under the guise of maintaining order, security and protecting allegedly unsafe communities."

"The net result is a chilling effect on Muslims being full and equal participants in the public sphere," the IHRC said, "restricting not only what they profess and practice, but also their mere presence in society."

The Islamophobia conference is being held after President Joe Biden on Thursday announced the United States' first national strategy to counter Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The strategy calls for raising awareness of hatred against Muslims and Arabs while recognizing their respective heritages and improving their safety and security.

The strategy also seeks to address discrimination against Arabs and Muslims while supporting their religious practices - especially in federally funded activities.

Building cross-community solidarity that treat threats against one group as threats against all also is a keystone of the national strategy to reduce and potentially eliminate all types of hate crimes.

Biden's plan is "too little, too late," the Council of American-Islamic Relations said Thursday in an online statement. CAIR is a U.S. Muslim advocacy group and think tank.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CAIR called Biden a "mass murderer" for supporting Israel in the war started when Hamas attacked and killed about 1,200 Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023, and took about 250 hostages.

"If President Biden truly cared about the safety of Muslims or reducing the threat of Islamophobia, he would make major changes to federal programs that perpetuate anti-Muslim discrimination." CAIR officials said.

CAIR cited a federal watch list as an example of ways in which it says the U.S. federal government perpetuates anti-Muslim sentiment.

CAIR also denounced the Biden administration's support of Israel and said "dehumanizing anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim rhetoric" is used to justify what it called "genocide in Gaza" while silencing Israel's critics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the Islamophobia conference continues, attacks on Arabs and Muslims are on the rise in New York and elsewhere.

CAIR reported 4,951 hate crimes and other incidents against Arabs and Muslims in the United States from January to June, which is a 69% increase from a year earlier.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Hawaii officials are urging the public to temporarily halt the movement of poultry and other birds between islands to help prevent the spread of bird flu.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

The virus has been detected on Oahu and Big Island, spreading primarily through bird-to-bird contact or when birds come into contact with contaminated materials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the risk to humans remains low, authorities are concerned about its potential impact on native bird species.

Local expert, Dr. Isaac Maeda emphasized that the virus poses a constant threat to commercial poultry production, affecting both eggs and meat.

H5N1 Avian Influenza linked to Mililani Pet Fair

He also warned that it could infect native wildlife, including endangered species.

Governor Josh Green echoed these concerns, specifically mentioning the threat to Hawaiis native Nene goose.

We are worried about our native birds, like the Nene, because they interact with other birds. This could put our bird population at risk, so well be monitoring the situation closely, Green said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The state has implemented a 90-day voluntary pause on interisland bird movement, effective immediately.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Dec. 14STOCKTON  Two human cases of the H5N1 virus, also known as avian flu, have been confirmed in San Joaquin County, according to local public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control.

Officials said the cases occurred in farm workers with known exposure to infected animals, and both have had mild symptoms and are recovering.

There have been 34 confirmed human cases of avian flu in California this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We have an abundance of dairy farms in our county and want to ensure that these farm workers can do their important work as safely as possible by using (personal protection equipment)," said Dr. Maggie Park, San Joaquin County's public health officer. "We are also encouraging the public to avoid consuming raw milk or raw eggs and not to handle any dead birds. Our agency is working closely with numerous county and state partners to continue monitoring the status of H5N1 cases."

People who handle birds, poultry or cattle are at higher risk for H5N1 and should implement safety precautions such as wearing recommended PPE when working in close contact with these animals, officials said.

Recommended equipment includes N95 masks, face shields or safety goggles, and gloves. It is also recommended farm workers receive a seasonal flu vaccine to help mitigate exposure. Currently, officials said there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus.

Health officials are actively monitoring exposed farm workers for symptoms, providing flu vaccinations, and distributing PPE and educational resources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People exposed to infected animals should look for the following symptoms within 10 days after their last interaction: Eye redness (conjunctivitis); cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; diarrhea; vomiting; muscle or body aches; headaches; fatigue; difficulty with breathing; fever. If one starts to feel sick, they should immediately isolate, notify PHS and work on getting testing and treatment. Exposed workers can call PHS at 209-468-3400 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday, or 209-468-6000 outside normal working hours. You can also email sjcdiseasereporting@sjcphs.org.

Health officials said the risk to the general public is low, and are recommending the public not consume raw milk, raw milk products, or raw eggs at this time.

Cows infected with bird flu can shed the virus in their milk, but pasteurization makes dairy products safe to consume because it neutralizes the H5N1 virus, officials said.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  The state of Baja California is asking Tijuana residents to limit outdoor activities especially between the hours of 4 and 10 a.m. due to unhealthy air quality.

Bajas Health Secretary, Jose Adrian Medina Amarillas, says the air is not safe to breathe right now and points out, there has been a 15 percent rise in respiratory illnesses in recent weeks.

This is a red flag warning, were asking the public not to go outside if they can help it and not exercise vigorously outdoors, if people want to exercise, we ask they do it inside their homes or at a gym to avoid these high levels of contamination, said Medina Amarillas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just this week, there have been more than 10,000 cases reported of people who sought medical help at hospitals or clinics in the city due to breathing issues, according to Bajas health secretary.

Proposal to list border-crossing monarch butterflies as threatened draws opposition

Medina Amarillas is asking the public to seek medical attention if they are suffering shortness of breath and extreme coughing episodes, hes also recommending face covers for children who are 12 and under, seniors and those with a history of respiratory problems.

Please pay attention to the levels of contamination and take appropriate measures, especially during the morning peak hours, please use face covers as much as possible to avoid a spike in cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In recent weeks, the air quality in the city has diminished due to wind patterns that keep the air from circulating out of the area and because of several large fires in the region.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Medina Amarillas says they will notify the public when conditions get better and the air warning is terminated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  American Airlines Flight 1722 took off from New York City Thursday night bound for Charlotte but had to make an emergency landing after hitting birds. Passengers describe about five minutes of fear before they knew what was going on.

The flight lifted off from LaGuardia Airport Thursday night on its way to Charlotte. The plane was making a steady climb when the birds came out of nowhere.

All of a sudden we heard a big pop, said Lori Keins, a passenger on the flight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was a loud bang, and the plane just started shaking like crazy, said Maurice Whitten, another passenger. Everybody on the plane was visibly upset.

What happens during and after a bird strike? Experts weigh in

They had no idea what was happening.

It was not a fun thought that went through my mind, it was quite scary, said Whitten.

The woman next to me, we were sitting on the side of the plane where it happened, the woman next to me was very scared, and then we heard it again, and saw flames coming out, said Keins.

Keins says the passengers were holding hands and praying. She pulled out her phone and started texting her family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The texts werent going through at first, and Im glad because my first one was a little panicky and I didnt want my family to see that, said Keins.

Thoughts were racing through her head.

Was Sully only movie magic? Pilot part of NTSB investigation discusses Miracle on the Hudson

I was trying to stay really, really calm because you feel youre just going to come apart at the seams if you let the fear take over, said Keins.

Pilots were talking with air traffic controllers, telling them what they thought happened.

It appears we have an engine failure. We are working to figure out whats going on. We hit birds on the way out, said the pilot to air traffic control.

When Keins heard bird strike, she thought of another plane that took off from LaGuardia, also bound for Charlotte, that hit birds in January 2009.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Absolutely, because we could see the Hudson River from where we were too, said Keins.

The 2009 flight had to land in the frigid Hudson River because the plane lost both its engines from the strike. Everyone was rescued and it famously became known now as the Miracle on the Hudson; Charlottes aviation museum is named after its fame pilot, Capt. Sully Sullenbrger.

It was just one engine, thank goodness, we were able to fly with the other, said Keins.

Keins laughs nervously about it now. They landed safely at JFK.

She was quick to update those texts to her family.

Inspire, educate, and elevate: The Miracle on the Hudson  The Sullenberger Aviation Museum takes flight in Charlotte

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I love you, and then it was reassuring to say, Were OK when the captain came on and said, Were landing, said Keins.

Her dad was a pilot.

He was my angel, I think he would never let me go down in a plane crash, said Keins.

You felt him there with you? asked Queen City News Anchor Robin Kanady.

I did, I did. I think he kept me calm, answered Keins.

There were 190 passengers and six crew members on the Airbus A321 plane. No injuries were reported.

Those passengers were given hotel vouchers to stay in New York Thursday night and some of them returned to Charlotte on a couple of different flights on Friday afternoon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
KAUKAUNA, Wis. (WFRV)  The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign is reaching out to local Wisconsinites for help this holiday season.

They need more bell ringers to help drive donations. Local 5s Kaitlin Corbett was at Piggly Wiggly in Kaukauna where she spoke with volunteer bell ringers.

Green Bay Police warn residents about growing courier scam in northeast Wisconsin

Kristal Knudtson, who is the Director of Development and Marketing Communications for The Salvation Army Fox Cities says they are currently at $140,000 and still need to collect $120,000 in the next 10 days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The money goes towards programs to support families and people in need during the holiday season and beyond.

12-year-old Avrianna has been volunteering for the Red Kettle Campaign since she was 6 years old and this year she had her little brother to help out.

Wisconsin officials explain the mystery behind plastic-covered fire hydrants

The Red Kettle Campaign funds projects in the Fox Cities but it isnt the only reward from bell ringing. Avrianna says to think about the outcome because there are so many people that are in need. Why do it? Because I know that it will make a family happy.

To volunteer an hour of your time as a bell ringer, visit registertoring.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
The family of Elizabeth Pollard, the 64-year-old Pennsylvania grandmother who was found dead after falling into a 30-foot sinkhole over a week ago, said their loved one found happiness in taking care of her 5-year-old granddaughter following the death of her son.

Her granddaughter was her world, Tabitha Pollard, a niece of Elizabeth, told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Wherever she was, her granddaughter was with her.

This past January, Pollard, of Unity Township, lost her son Brandon, 28.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She was always a happy person, Axel Hayes, Elizabeths son and Brandons twin brother, told the newspaper. There was never a day I saw her sad until my brother died.

Related: 32-Year-Old Man Dies After Sinkhole 'Opened Suddenly' at Pool Party: 'A Very Unusual Incident'

Pollard disappeared while looking for her cat on Dec. 2 and was reported missing by a relative the following day, according to authorities.

She set off hours earlier in her car, along with her granddaughter, who was later found safe and asleep inside the vehicle. It was parked near a giant sinkhole, which led responders to suspect Pollard may have fallen into it.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Her disappearance prompted a multi-day search by excavators and rescue teams. Then on Dec. 4, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said that their work had turned into a recovery effort.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two days later, authorities announced the discovery of Pollards body. Officials believe she fell through a sinkhole that unexpectedly opened in the ground, and then she dropped into an abandoned mine below.

In a phone conversation with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Dec. 10, Westmoreland County coroner Tim Carson confirmed that, based on a preliminary autopsy, Pollard sustained blunt force trauma to the head and torso. He also said that it is uncertain if Pollard died instantly.

Related: Video Shows Sinkhole Swallowing Part of Illinois Sports Field: Like Something Out of a Movie'

Toxicology results were not completed yet and a final autopsy is expected in about 4-6 weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pollard's niece told the Tribune-Review that as they continued to grieve over the death of their son Brandon, her aunt and uncle took comfort in raising their granddaughter.

They were still healing," she said, "and now the family is dealing with her loss. Its a very tough situation right now for my uncle.

Related: Texas Woman Who Fell into Sewer Was Found Dead 9 Miles Away, Says Daughter: Nobody Should Have to Go Through That'

In a GoFundMe established on behalf of Pollards family, organizer Stacey Reid-Donahue said she worked with Pollard at a Walmart in Greenburg, Penn., from 1993 to 1999.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our Walmart family/friends are asking for support for Lizs family, Reid-Donahue wrote in the fundraiser's description. All who know Liz know how wonderful, selfless, caring and beautiful she is. She would give her shirt off her back for someone else in need. She loved working in retail and was devoted to her job, her husband and family.



Read the original article on People
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hezbollah head Naim Qassem said on Saturday that the Lebanese armed group had lost its supply route through Syria, in his first comments since the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad nearly a week ago by a sweeping rebel offensive.

Under Assad, Iran-backed Hezbollah used Syria to bring in weapons and other military equipment from Iran, through Iraq and Syria and into Lebanon. But on Dec. 6, anti-Assad fighters seized the border with Iraq and cut off that route, and two days later, Islamist rebels captured the capital Damascus.

"Yes, Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage, but this loss is a detail in the resistance's work," Qassem said in a televised speech on Saturday, without mentioning Assad by name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"A new regime could come and this route could return to normal, and we could look for other ways," he added.

Hezbollah started intervening in Syria in 2013 to help Assad fight rebels seeking to topple him at that time. Last week, as rebels approached Damascus, the group sent supervising officers to oversee a withdrawal of its fighters there.

More than 50 years of Assad family rule has now been replaced with a transitional caretaker government put in place by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al Qaeda affiliate that spearheaded the rebel offensive.

Qassem said Hezbollah "cannot judge these new forces until they stabilise" and "take clear positions", but said he hoped that the Lebanese and Syrian peoples and governments could continue to cooperate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We also hope that this new ruling party will consider Israel an enemy and not normalise relations with it. These are the headlines that will affect the nature of the relationship between us and Syria," Qassem said.

Hezbollah and Israel exchanged fire across Lebanon's southern border for nearly a year in hostilities triggered by the Gaza war, before Israel went on the offensive in September, killing most of Hezbollah's top leadership.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Mark Potter and Helen Popper)
 Flash

China and the United States on Friday signed a protocol to amend and extend the Agreement Between the United States and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology.

They have agreed to extend the Agreement for additional five years, effective from August 27, 2024, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

On January 31, 1979, then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and the 39th U.S. president Jimmy Carter signed the agreement during Deng's visit to the United States. It was one of the first intergovernmental agreements signed between the two countries following their establishment of diplomatic relations.

Since then, it has renewed approximately every five years, paving the way for sci-tech exchanges between the two countries. The agreement was extended for 6 months in August last year, and again in February this year.
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Hezbollah has lost one of its main supply routes because of the fall of the Syrian government, the group's leader confirmed in a televised statement Saturday.

Sheikh Naim Qassem did not mention deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad by name during a speech on Lebanon-based Al-Manar TV, which is operated by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has previously adopted routes through Syria to smuggle weapons into Lebanon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"These are just details within the resistance's activity. The new regime may allow this and the route will return naturally, and we may find another way. Resistance is a flexible thing which does not stop at one border," Qassem said during the speech, which also addressed several other topics.

The Hezbollah leader did say the Syrian people should have the right to choose who governs them and was supportive of the new developing Syrian government.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem did say the Syrian people should have the right to choose who governs them and was supportive of the new developing Syrian government. Photo by Omar Haj Kadour/UPI

A week ago, al-Assad's regime ended abruptly after he was overthrown by the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. The 59-year-old and his family fled the country to Russia after ruling Syria for five decades.

Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham's push towards Damascus began in late November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Saturday, Qassem said Hezbollah would need time to assess a possible relationship with the group.

Both Hezbollah and Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham are designated terrorist organizations by the United States.
If only he had shut his bedroom door, Diab Rahim would probably be alive today.

Instead, an hour or so before dawn, the gas that wafted down Arwaki street, killing in its wake, drifted through the open-air courtyard of the Rahim family home and into his room, before seeping into the 23-year olds lungs as he slept.

Diabs father, Khalil, who had spent the night with his wife behind a closed door, awoke to women calling for help in the street. He stumbled across to his sons room, only to find him lying unresponsive on his bed, white froth dribbling from the corners of his mouth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was a hospital just 300 yards away, Khalil Rahim said, recalling the evening. I picked him up and ran all the way. It was only as I got there and saw so many other people in the same state that I realised there had been a chemical attack.

It was late 2013 and the Syrian army had just fired rockets filled with poisonous gas at the town of Harasta, the latest in a series of such attacks on the rebel-held Ghouta region that hugs the northern outskirts of Damascus, Syrias capital.

Harasta had been under government siege for years and food was difficult to come by. So, hours before dawn every day, crowds gathered outside the bakery on Arwaki street waiting for the free bread the shop would hand out. The gas detonated in their midst.

According to municipal officials and rebel fighters, 35 people died in the attack on Arwaki street, most of them in the queue for bread.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was not the only chemical attack on the Ghouta region that year.

Khalil Rahim carried his unresponsive son to the hospital only to realise on arriving there has been a chemical attack - Eduardo Soteras

There had been warnings from Barack Obama, the then US president, that the deployment of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime would cross a red line for us and trigger a Western military response.

But Bashar al-Assad, Syrias fallen president, called the Wests bluff, launching a series of nerve-agent attacks across Ghouta, the worst of which, a sarin strike, killed more than 1,000 people on Aug 21 2013 in the deadliest night of the countrys 13-year civil war.

Yet, in what would become the defining foreign policy moment of the Obama presidency, the United States and its main ally Britain shied away from military action.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was a pivotal moment not just in the Syrian civil war, with critics saying it emboldened Assad to escalate the killing of his own people, but in the perceived decline of Western influence in the Middle East.

It has also led the British Governments recent soul-searching and recrimination, with Ed Miliband, the Labour leader at the time, coming under attack from within his own party for his role in Britains failure to respond militarily.

In 2013 the House of Commons defeated a motion tabled under a free vote by David Cameron, the then prime minister, to authorise air strikes against the Assad regime. Labour opposed the motion, as did 30 Tory MPs and nine Liberal Democrats.

The defeat of the bill was a contributing factor in Mr Obama opting against the use of force, a decision that critics say resulted in Assad remaining in power for far longer than he might.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That sentiment is widely shared in the towns of Ghouta.

Crowds would gather outside the bakery on Arwaki street waiting for the free bread the shop would hand out - Eduardo Soteras

They just talked and did nothing, said Musbah Abdel-Jalil, head of Harastas municipal authority while it was under rebel control between 2012 and 2018, and again since Assads overthrow last Sunday.

If Obama had bombed the Assad regime, it would have changed the course of the war. It would have saved the lives of women and children.

It might even, he added, have saved his own family. Far from being deterred, Assad redoubled his efforts against towns like Harasta, particularly after Russias military intervention from 2015  something Mr Abdel-Jalil believes would not have happened had the West taken action.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russian bombing obliterated entire districts of Harasta and neighbouring towns, much of which remain uninhabitable today.

At some stage in 2016, Mr Abdel-Jalil said Russian planes struck a school playground, killing 17 children aged between seven and nine. Two days later a bomb fell on his house, killing his sleeping wife Raja and their nine-year-old son Adnan.

Even as Harastas residents celebrate Assads downfall, the sense of bitterness and betrayal still festers.

Hussein Rubais, a fighter with a local rebel militia, was a victim of one of the chemical attacks on Harasta in 2013, when a shell landed close to the al-Rahman mosque near where he and his men were positioned.

Hussein Rubais, a rebel fighter, recalls feeling like I had been drugged after falling victim to one of Assads chemical attacks - Eduardo Soteras

I dont recall hearing anything, he said. I must have lost consciousness. When I awoke I felt like I had been drugged. I couldnt understand what was happening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was taken to the hospital where they immediately stripped off my clothes and doused me with water. They put liquid in my eyes and injected me with atropine. When I awoke I was in a ward full of men wearing no clothes.

As he convalesced, he waited for a Western response. None came.

It felt like no-one cared  not just in America, but everywhere, he said. Then the outside world came to the conclusion that all the rebels were Islamic extremists and forgot about us. But it was only ever a small minority that were extreme. Most of us were not.

As the war ground on in Harasta, the situation became ever more desperate. Fighters and civilians alike moved around the town through an 18-mile network of underground tunnels. There was no electricity or water and precious little food.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Khalil Rahim, who lost not just Diab but his older brother Bassem as well, struggled with his wife to feed their six grandchildren.

The Ghouta region had been famous for its orchards, trees groaning with luscious peaches, apricots and pears, but now there was often nothing. Mr Rahim said on bad days he would sneak across the street to pull leaves off a tree, which his wife would boil up into a soup for the children.

And, amid the bombing, the chemical attacks continued, with Human Rights Watch recording at least 85 between 2013 and 2018.

Then, in early April 2018, after weeks of the most intensive Russian bombardment yet, the final chemical attacks struck the town of Douma to the north of Harasta, prompting the rebels to abandon Ghouta to the regime over the following days.

After reported gas attacks in Ghouta, people were treated in makeshift hospitals - Hasan Mohamed/AFP via Getty

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Abu Ali-Al Rehani, a fighter out on the streets, was lucky. He had heard the tell-tale pop, similar to a coke bottle being opened, that often presaged an attack, as well as a cry of chemicals, chemicals!

And although he suddenly found himself unable to breathe  as though all the oxygen had been sucked out of my lungs, he said  he survived after a long spell recovering in a Turkish hospital.

The family of Amer Hanan Abu Shaked, another fighter, was less fortunate. Sleeping in a nearby house, nearly all of them died, including his wife, two of his children and three grandchildren, the youngest just six months old.

Whether Mr Abu Shakeds family and untold others might still be alive had the West acted in 2013 will remain one of the big questions of the Syrian uprising.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is no easy answer.

Instead of military action, Mr Obama agreed to a Russian proposal to rule out air strikes in exchange for international inspectors overseeing the dismantling of Syrias chemical weapons programme.

A rebel fighter walks through a confinement room at a detention centre in Harasta - Eduardo Soteras

As a result of the deal, more than 1,000 tons of sarin and other chemicals were destroyed, enough to have repeated the deadliest attack of the war 1,800 times over.

While the Assad regime continued to use chemical weapons, Mr Obamas defenders say the deal probably eliminated far more of his stocks than air strikes would have done.

His critics, including many in Syria, would say that threatening action and not following up on it contributed to Assads growing sense of impunity  an impunity that resulted in at least half a million deaths.

I dont know who is right and who is wrong, said Mr Rahim, wearily. All I know is that I have six grandchildren with no fathers. How do I explain it to them?

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) joined the growing number of figures calling on the Biden administration and lawmakers to act on the mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and other parts of the country.

In order to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, Hochul wrote Saturday in a statement, referring to legislation that would expand the authority of the Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) departments to address threats from unmanned aerial systems, as well as additional oversight power to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential. Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people, she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The pressure comes amid mounting reports of sightings in New Jersey, New York and, according to Philadelphias WPVI-TV, multiple reports of flying objects within Delaware and Philadelphia counties. The Pentagon on Wednesday denied that any foreign country was behind the mysterious drones that have also flown near sensitive U.S. military sites.

Lawmakers in the northeastern part of the country  areas where the drones have been reportedly spotted  sent a letter Thursday to the FBI, DHS and FAA demanding a briefing on the drones.

New Jersey assemblyman Mike Inganamort (R) also urged the Biden administration to take action against the uptick in drones.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested that the drones reportedly spotted are not nefarious nor a threat, echoing comments from the White House earlier this week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We know of no threat or nefarious activity, and I want to repeat, Wolf, that if we learn of any cause for concern, we will be transparent in our communication, Mayorkas told CNNs Wolf Blitzer on Friday.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, called for authorities to shoot down the drones and suggested the government must know more about the mysterious sightings.

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge, he wrote Friday. I dont think so!

Let the public know, and now, he added. Otherwise, [shoot] them down!!!

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
FREDERICK COUNTY, MD. (DC News Now)  The Brunswick Police Department (BPD) said Friday morning that it was investigating after someone stripped the citys Christmas tree of its ornaments Friday morning.

BPD shared the news on its Facebok page.

Grandmothers Christmas tree stolen in Silver Spring car break-in

In the post, the police department wrote: Today, members of our community were shocked to discover a sad sight in the heart of our town: the city Christmas Tree, a beloved symbol of the season, had been stripped of all its beautiful ornaments.

BPD added that police interviewed several people who were in the area of the tree. Those people were able to give information that helped officers put together a timeline as police worked to gather other details.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said they had several pieces of evidence, and would release information as they were able.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HOLTON (KSNT)  A 13-year-old Holton girl, fighting for her life, got the surprise of her lifetime while in the hospital.

Tinley Raaf has been at Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City since the end of November. Yesterday, she was told there was a surprise waiting for her outside.

It was her idol, Taylor Swift!

27 News wasnt able to visit Tinley in person, but that didnt stop her from telling us about her experience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was sitting on the mat in the gym and then Taylor came, Tinley Raaf said. She said she saw two different kids then she saw me. And then she gave me a book and we were talking about Brock Purdy and Travis (Kelce).

Northeast Kansas longest-running performances of The Nutcracker kicks off at TPAC

Taylor told Tinley this was one more thing for her to add to her collection of all things Swiftie.

Tinley even got the chance to tell Taylor about her favorite song during music therapy.

We were just talking before we even knew you were coming about her favorite song of yours, one of Tinleys team members said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Really? Taylor Swift said.

Love Story, Tinley said.

Yes! Thats a good one! Thank you, Taylor Swift responded.

But the book Taylor signed wasnt the only gift she got. Taylor got a little help from Santa on this next one, who paid Tinley a visit the day before, and it was on her Christmas list.

Animals have grown tired of them: Topeka Zoo says no more pumpkins

Today when she was in PT, they brought a package in and it said If Santa doesnt come through, love Taylor Swift. And it was a hand written note, and inside was a Dyson Air Wrap, Tonya Raaf, Tinleys mom, said.

Raaf says this was a very positive thing that happened in a very dark and scary situation, where Tinley had just woken up from a five day coma just a week prior.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you would like to help Tinleys recovery, you can donate to her GoFundMe page 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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A team of researchers at University of Hawaii at Manoa and Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed the introduction of a new human species named Homo juluensis, meaning 'big head'.

These subspecies of archaic humans are believed to have inhabited eastern Asia around 300,000 to 50,000 years ago. They hunted wild horses in groups, made tools with stones and possessed the know-how to process animal hides to survive winters. The study, led by University of Hawaii's Christopher J Bae and Xiujie Wu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was published in the journal Nature Communications.

"This study clarifies a hominin fossil record that has tended to include anything that cannot easily be assigned to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis or Homo sapiens," said Bae in a press statement released by University of Hawaii.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Link between Homo juluensis and Denisovans

The research paper suggests a connection between Homo juluensis and Denisovans, an extinct species of hominins. However, further analysis is needed to confirm this relationship. The study helps shed light on different types of ancient human-like species that co-existed during the late middle and early late Pleistocene period.

"Although we started this project several years ago, we did not expect being able to propose a new hominin (human ancestor) species and then to be able to organize the hominin fossils from Asia into different groups. Ultimately, this should help with science communication," noted Bae, who has been studying human ancestors across Asia for more than 30 years.

Bae and Wu's team examined human fossils from China, Korea, Japan and southeast Asia to come up with a more precise system for categorizing hominins and thereby understanding the evolution of humans.

Reshaping our understanding of human evolution

Two decades ago, the discovery of Homo floresiensis fossils from Flores, Indonesia, gave the field a significant boost. Recently, Homo luzonensis from Luzon, Philippines, was recognized as a new hominin species. Homo longi was introduced in 2021 after analyzing the Harbin fossil in China. Fossils like Dali and Jinniushan could be included in Homo longi, pending further analysis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, Bae and Wu have proposed the addition of Homo juluensis following a detailed study of the Xujiayao and Xuchang fossils. Based on comparative examination of the present dentognathic remains, the researchers came to the conclusion that the enigmatic Denisova, along with the Xiahe and Penghu fossils, should be assigned to Homo juluensis category.

According to the paper, Homo juluensis challenges unilineal evolutionary models, such as traditional multiregionalism, which "cannot adequately explain the complexity in the paleoanthropological record, particularly during the Late Quaternary."

Traditionally, our understanding of hominin fossil records from eastern Asia has taken a backseat compared the better-known late Quaternary records from Europe and Africa. The latest study indicates that multiple morphologically distinct hominin populations occupied east and southeast Asia.

New organization of hominin fossils from eastern Asia after discovery of new species. Source: University of Hawaii

"If anything, the eastern Asian record is prompting us to recognize just how complex human evolution is more generally and really forcing us to revise and rethink our interpretations of various evolutionary models to better match the growing fossil record," the paper concludes.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Honolulu City Council passed a resolution this week to urge the State and City administration to prepare for a possible influx of homeless ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, but not everyone feels its necessary.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Resolution 24-274 urges the Governor and the Mayor to take action on the homeless and housing crisis ahead of the 2028 summer games.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Honolulu City Councilmember Calvin Say raised the concern upon how other Olympic cities moved out the homeless, like Paris, France and what other states have done in the past.

Youve seen that throughout the states, from what has happened with the immigrants from central America that have been shipped to New York, New Jersey, etc. These are the concerns that I have on behalf of the residents of Hawaii, said Say.

Want the perfect stocking stuffer? Look no further

According to 2024 Point in Time data, Los Angeles has a homeless population of more than 73,000.

The resolution states there are more than 100 direct flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu every week. Councilmember Say is worried about the strain on limited resources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Im not being punitive, more in anticipation of can we try to see what maybe what is in store for this county of Oahu,' said Say. Its not against anyone, anybody. It is not about civil rights. Its about our residents of Oahu also the homeless population that we have in point in time.

Those who work directly with Hawaiis homeless say its happened here before.

Spectrum to refund fans who missed UH football finale due to service issues

I wouldnt say that theres a concern that the government will ship anyone. At IHS, we do have individuals who do come to us from out of state, but thats of their own resources, said Angie Knight, Community Relations Manager with the Institute for Human Services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With four years until the LA Olympics, theres certainly action that can be taken now.

I think that the resolution is just bringing awareness that we do have existing homeless individuals here in our state that we need to assist. So lets work on them in the same way that were asking LA to help their homeless population, said Knight. So thats making sure that theres beds available, making sure that there are social workers who can help and manage or do case management to help people get housed.

Governor Josh Green, in a statement, said he appreciated the concerns expressed by the Honolulu City Council about possible displacement of homeless people by officials in California in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The Governor also assures the Council that his administration is making forward progress in addressing the critical shortage of affordable housing for Hawaiis people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

He said his office will be working with officials in California, as well as airlines, to make clear that no person who may be under-resourced should be exported to our state.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  On Saturday morning, the Tampa Police Department hosted its 30th annual Tampa Police Memorial Run-Walk.

Every year, the community gets together to honor officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Hundreds of people came out, laced up their shoes to support the 32 fallen officers at the Tampa Police Department. On top of honoring the officers and their families, the run goes towards things like scholarships, the memorial, and upkeeping the museum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

32 local heroes were taken too soon.

These officers lost their lives in the most honorable, most profound way that you can as a police officer and we continue to honor that every year at this run, said Captain Benjamin Brown with TPD.

Each name on the memorial is someone who took an oath and paid the ultimate price.

I just want the community to know that we are always here for them, that we are out here protecting them, protecting property and life, and sometimes it becomes the ultimate sacrifice for us, Capt. Brown said.

My dad was a fallen police officer, Detective Randy Bell, he died in the line of duty on May 19th, 1998. So, 26 years ago, I was 14 at the time, said Officer Ashley Bell.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officer Ashley Bell now proudly wears her fathers badge number as she works patrol, and said each person who came out to support is like family to her.

26 years later and it still feels like yesterday, to me, it shows the support, for sure. I dont really have words, it just really shows a lot of support for me and our families still that still have to grieve, she said.

TPD officers also honored their own during the run.

Over the years, weve lost 32, so, obviously if that number increases its a run for 33, hopefully we never have to see that happen. Youll see runners with a gray shirt like this that are running specifically for an officer that has died, Capt. Brown said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There will be 32 sworn Tampa Police officers wearing armbands with each officers name and theyll run a formation for each of our fallen officers. So, its just a great, fun day to come out and just enjoy being around each other, said Deputy Chief Ruth Cate.

Its a day filled with memories, honor, and support.

Theres police officers, theres family, theres community, everybody is coming out and having a great time. What a better way to run from the police and get away with it, said Chief Lee Bercaw.

Its very touching to think about the officers that put their life on the line every day to keep us safe, so we appreciate it, said Karen Skeen, who attended the event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every day they go out there and protect us and we appreciate them, said Nancy Pesquera, who attended.

The run was supposed to be in October, but was postponed due to the hurricanes. Even with the delay, TPD said they are grateful for the turnout.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HUNTSVILLE, Utah (ABC4)  Residents of Huntsville still have their water shut off Saturday morning as officials are unable to find a leak that drained the water supply to dangerously low levels.

Good evening Huntsville residents, a social media post Friday night from the town of Huntsville states. Here is an update of our water system. We are still unable to find the leak and the water is shut off. We still dont know how long this will last but have some contingency plans for the availability of water. Eden Water system is generously providing potable (drinking) water for us.

Officials said the drinking water, provided by Eden Waterworks Co, is available at the west parking lot of the LDS stake center, located at 6500 East 1900 North, Eden.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PREVIOUSLY: Huntsville shuts off water due to major leak, rapidly declining water storage

Originally, we planned on having this available by 6 am, but we now plan to have it available Saturday from 8 am to 9 pm. Bring your own water containers to fill, the post states.

Town officials are asking residents to check on their neighbors  especially those who may have difficulty getting their own water.

For those, we have bottled water in front of the new town hall, the update states. This bottled water will be available [Saturday] at 12 noon, to provide for your neighbors who are unable to fill their own water containers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A team of water experts are currently working to find the leak, officials said. For more information, visit the town of Huntsvilles website here or Facebook page here.

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.
HUNTSVILLE, Utah (ABC4)  The mayor of Huntsville is asking town residents to aggressively conserve water after the town had to shut off its water supply due to a major water leak and a rapidly declining water supply.

Mayor Richard Sorensen sent a letter to Huntsville residents Friday morning providing an update on the situation.

Good Morning Huntsville residents. I wanted to provide an update regarding our water system leaks and declining water storage, and urge you to aggressively conserve water, the letter states. If you can postpone washing clothes, filling bathtubs, etc. until we find and fix the leak, we and your neighbors would greatly appreciate it. None of us want to run out of water. I dont want to cause panic, but need to pass on the urgency of the situation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Camera found in tanning room at Kaysville VASA gym

Sorensen said that there is a major leak in the system, which has been determined to be between the towns water plant, located on the valley floor, and a one million-gallon water storage tank, located around 3,000-4,000 feet up the mountain.

The water is first treated in the plant before being pumped up to the storage tank. From there, gravity allows the water to flow throughout the distribution system.

On Monday, Dec. 9, town officials found that the water storage tanks level was declining significantly faster than it could be filled. By 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, the tanks level was at 10% capacity  down a whopping 15% in a 24-hour period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of this morning, Dec. 13, the tank sits at 6% capacity  only 60,500 gallons.

We may only have 10 hours of water if we dont find the major leak soon, and we dont conserve the water we have, Mayor Sorensen stated Friday morning. No significant leaks have been found  just a few smaller leaks. That said, we are losing substantially more water than we can pump into the storage tank.

The town has assembled a team of around 15 qualified individuals to address the situation and search for the leak, according to Sorensen. Officials have also reached out to Weber County for possible assistance.

Additionally, Eden Waterworks Co has reportedly offered to set up a water filling station in Eden near the LDS stake center, if needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At our current drawdown rate, we could be out of water by Friday evening, Sorensen stated. We ask for your assistance in identifying any elderly neighbors or shut ins who may need assistance in transporting water in the event that our supply is depleted.

Huntsville officials will be keep residents updated via email as well as their Facebook page.

No further information is available at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for the areas shown in the graphic below in central and western Iowa until Noon on Saturday. An ice storm warning will go into effect in the counties highlighted in the darker color in the second image tonight, where more ice is expected to accumulate by Saturday morning.

Precipitation type depends upon how much cold air we have aloft and at the surface, as shown in the diagram below. Precipitation that falls through above freezing air from the top down does so as rain. If the layer of subfreezing air at the surface is around 1000 or less thick, rain will freeze on contact with the surface, as will be the case tonight. Thicker subfreezing air causes raindrops to freeze into sleet pellets, and cold air all the way up through the cloud layer gives us snow. Well see all of these in central Iowa over the next 24 hours.

The weather timeline shows us temperatures rising slowly during the overnight hours into the morning, changing our precipitation from freezing to rain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As shown in the gallery below, freezing rain will gradually spread northeast during the evening and overnight. In the Des Moines area, this should begin after 8pm and last until roughly 8 in the morning before changing over to rain. Its possible well see snowflakes mix in at times. Rain looks to end Saturday evening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lows tonight will be set early as temperatures begin to rise.

A look at expected ice accumulations. These will be heavier in general east of Highway 14 in Iowa. If the system continues to slow down, we may see another 0.1 or so of accumulation in central Iowa. In the Des Moines metro area, best to prepare for 0.1  0.25.

We have very slim precipitation chances beyond Saturday evening, with light rain being possible early Monday morning.

Highs for the next 6 days can be found in the gallery below:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Looking ahead, the chances for a white Christmas seem low in central Iowa temperatures look to stay warmer than average in the outlook below.

Your WHO 13 7-day forecast:

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PERMIAN BASIN (KMID/KPEJ)- Here are the top stories from around the Basin for the week ending on December 13.

On November 20, a devasting crash claimed the lives of four, including three young siblings. Recently, the father of Nautica Carrasco, one of the three siblings who died, filed a wrongful death lawsuit. You can learn more about the lawsuit here.

The attorney representing the family of Nautica Carrasco in the wrongful death lawsuit spoke out about the devastating crash, sharing a more in-depth look at the lawsuit itself and how he hopes to create safer roads for everyone in West Texas. You can learn more here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan stopped in the Permian Basin for three meet-and-greet events as he toured Texas to promote his new beer, Real American Beer. You can watch the video here to see fans reactions to seeing the wrestling legend.

Missed what happened last week? Here were the top stories from across the Basin

The Odessa Police Department arrested a woman in connection with a murder investigation after an infant was found dead in a toilet earlier this year. The woman was charged with Capital Murder. You can learn more here.

The Humane Society of Odessa said it could risk closing its doors in 9-10 months if there is no increase in funds. To learn more about this and how to help, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
In our Reality Check stories, Idaho Statesman journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? Tips@idahostatesman.com.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, along with 25 other Republican governors, released a joint statement Wednesday that said they are fully committed to President-elect Donald Trumps plans to deport dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists.

But deporting criminals has long been an immigration enforcement priority, under both Democratic and Republican presidents. And its not just undocumented immigrants who can be deported, according to the Immigration and Nationality Act. People who are legally in the United States can be removed for certain crimes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its not a big policy shift, said Lisa Meierotto, an associate professor whose research includes migration in the School of Public Service at Boise State University. The language here is vague.

The statement doesnt say anything explicit about other parts of Trumps plans, such as mass deportations. But its unclear in the statement what crimes the governors are referring to, and whether the crimes refer broadly to crossing the border, Meierotto said.

The governors said they support deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security, and understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose.

When you say pose a threat, theres a lot of room in that for interpretation, Meierotto said. When they talk about criminals, we dont know if thats referring to all undocumented people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Littles spokesperson Joan Varsek didnt clarify the crimes for which he would support deportation, and didnt address specific questions about his immigration priorities. She said Little looked forward to working with Trump to support his efforts in addressing the illegal immigration crisis.

Little has sent state troopers to the U.S.-Mexico border four times in the past three years, according to previous Statesman reporting. The governor also made a trip to the border earlier this year.

While the Biden administration failed to secure the southern border and protect the American people, Gov. Little has made public safety for Idahoans a top priority, Varsek wrote in an email.

Its not always easy to draw a straight line from political party to deportations. Former Democratic President Barack Obama deported hundreds of thousands more immigrants during his time in office than Trump did in his first term, according to The New York Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And some politicians have drawn a line between those who commit crimes in the United States and those whose only crime was crossing the border. And crossing the border in itself is not a crime for those seeking asylum. Immigrants are legally allowed to seek asylum and must be at a port of entry or in the United States to do so, according to the International Rescue Committee. Biden has recently limited access to seek asylum.

In 2006, then-President George W. Bush called it neither wise nor realistic to round up and deport millions of immigrants, though he made border security a priority. There are differences between a recent immigrant and someone who has roots in the United States and a clean record, Bush said in a speech on immigration reform.

People who have worked hard, supported their families, avoided crime, led responsible lives, and become a part of American life should be called in out of the shadows and under the rule of American law, Bush said.

In 1985, then-U.S. Sen. Steven D. Symms, R-Idaho, supported a proposal to make it easier for undocumented people to work while applying for legal status, according to a New York Times article. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, has also been a supporter of a proposal to overhaul H-2A visas to make the path to legal status easier for farmworkers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Under President Joe Biden, border crossings hit record numbers, according to the Washington Post. His deportations were on track to match Trumps as of this summer, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Overall, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement deported 142,000 people in fiscal year 2023, just under half of whom had criminal histories, according to ICEs annual report. That same year, around 3,400 known or suspected gang members were deported, along with 139 known or suspected terrorists, according to the report.

Ultimately, theres a lot of uncertainty when it comes to immigration during Trumps upcoming second term.

We dont know to what extent all those promises will be enacted, Meierotto said.
The news that a close confidant of Prince Andrew has been banned from entering the UK on national security grounds will rightly have raised alarm in many quarters. The man  known only as H6  is alleged to have been acting as a covert operative for the Chinese state.

As a result of investigations into his activities, then-home secretary Suella Braverman made the decision to exclude him from the United Kingdom. This decision has now been upheld by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, which handles appeals related to matters of national security. In a published ruling, the court held that the Home Secretary was entitled to conclude that H6 was a risk to national security, and that this view was also held by MI5.

Despite these findings, however, we are unable to publish details about H6s identity. While the judge hearing the case concluded that the anonymity order protecting H6 should be lifted, an interim order remains in place providing that reporting restrictions should be maintained and anonymity provided until either a further hearing has taken place before the Divisional court, or any application to the Court of Appeal has been concluded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is clearly unsatisfactory. The intelligence services have identified an individual as posing a risk to this country, the Home Secretary has ordered their exclusion, and a judge has found that their anonymity should be lifted. Despite this, we now find that there will be a period of unknown length before the full facts of the case can be laid before the public. This state of affairs should be remedied.

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.
Illinois Congressman Mike Bost  who was recently elected for a second two-year term as chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs  said he wants to focus on modernizing the department and improving veterans health.

Bost, a Marine veteran who comes from a long line of military members, said hed like to cut back on the hoops veterans need to jump through to access their benefits.

Weve got to modernize the VA to make sure that the VA isnt created just for the VA, said Bost, R-Murphysboro. Its created for the veterans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bosts 12th District, which covers the southern third of the state, is home to more than 52,000 veterans, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Thats nearly 9% of the districts population 18 and older  the highest percentage of any Illinois district.

Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County is the biggest employer in the district.

Given the districts makeup, Bosts chairmanship of the committee had been a fundamental campaign pitch during a heated GOP primary this spring.

He said much of his first term as committee chairman had been centered around holding the Democratic administration running the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable. When Bost is sworn into another term itll be under President-elect Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The advantage were going to have with the administration is, if we see a problem, were going to fix it, Bost said. Were not going to make excuses for it.

Over the past two years, Bosts committee had been critical of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough for allegedly ignoring claims of sexual harassment within the department and mistaken bonuses paid to senior staff.

Bost said Doug Collins, Trumps pick to be secretary, is a good friend, and hes hoping Collins can be confirmed by the Senate. Collins served four terms in Congress, representing a Georgia district from 2013 and 2021. He served in Iraq as an Air Force Reserve chaplain.

The House passed the Elizabeth Dole Act last month with bipartisan support. The legislation is designed to improve the delivery of health care, benefits and services offered by the VA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bost said Wednesday he believes the Senate will take up the bill before the end of the year.

The PACT Act, the nearly $800 billion legislation passed in 2022 that expands services provided to veterans exposed to toxic substances, has left the VA swamped with new requests.

While Bost said hes supportive of the bill, he thinks it passed with some flaws. Hes heard stories of veterans dying from cancer waiting for treatment from the VA because they couldnt get their eligibility for the program evaluated in time.

Theres our idea of what we think we wrote, Bost said. Theres what we actually wrote, and then theres what the bureaucrats actually do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bost will also continue to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and hes applying for a waiver to remain on the House Committee on Agriculture. House rules generally limit members to two committees, but he wants to keep his third assignment.

Im more likely to be able to keep that waiver based on the fact that there is a very close majority, he said.
EAST MOLINE, Ill. (WTVO)  Investigators determined the remains of a missing Illinois man were the remains of Daniel Claeys, according to the Associated Press.

The investigation started 3 months ago when the remains were found inside a pickup truck submerged in the Mississippi River.

Claeys, a man in his early 30s, had been missing since 2019 and the pickup truck that held his remains was reported stolen in 2017.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The East Moline Police Department continues to investigate this incident as a homicide, Chief Jeff Ramsey said in a written statement.

The stolen truck was found near a boat ramp in the Mississippi, according to officials.

Family has been notified and they now have some closure knowing their family member has been located, Ramsey said Thursday.

Police are still hard at work investigating the Claeyss 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Satellite images appeared to show Russian forces packing up and dismantling military equipment at one of their key bases in Syria on Friday, suggesting that it may be preparing for a military withdrawal after former president and Russian ally Bashar Al-Assad was overthrown by Syrian rebels last week.

It remains to be seen what the final arrangement may be between Russia and Syria's new government, but the movements reflect the profound shift in the country's post-Assad power dynamics, as Moscow grapples with losing a key ally and the potential erosion of its influence in the Middle East.

Maxar Technologies, a U.S. defense contractor, released imagery on Friday showing transport movements at Russias Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base, both located south of Latakia on Syrias Mediterranean coast.

This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Friday shows an Antonov An-124 heavy transport aircraft preparing to load equipment at Hmeimim Air Base. (2024 Maxar Technologies/AFP via Getty Images)

At Hmeimim, two An-124 heavy transport aircraft were observed on the airfield with their nose cones raised, ready to load equipment. Nearby, a Ka-52 attack helicopter was seen being dismantled, likely in preparation for transport.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other forces, including Russian military convoys, appear to be heading toward the airbase.

Footage verified by NBC News captured a Russian convoy traveling north toward Homs along the highway connecting Damascus in the south to Aleppo in the north. May God never return you, the person filming the video says, noting it was the second such convoy he had seen.

Another video shows Russian military vehicles driving in Jableh, near Hmeimim airbase.

A satellite image of the Russian naval base at Tartus in western Syria on Friday. (2024 Maxar Technologies/AFP via Getty Images)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitoring group, also reported that Russian forces were withdrawing from the Hassia area south of Homs, with plans to regroup later at Hmeimim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Similar movements of Russian forces on the move have been observed across the country.

Another verified video showed Russian military vehicles driving through what appears to be Syria as bystanders waved their shoes at the cars. A separate video, posted by the prominent Russian military-themed Telegram channel "Military Informer," purportedly showed a Russian military column crossing through Kurdish-controlled territories in Syria.

French Salafi Jihadists celebrate and taunt the Russia Army as Russian soldiers are forced to escape toward Turkey from the Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, Syria



 pic.twitter.com/Q50c9EJVzL  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) December 12, 2024

The fall of Assad has dealt a significant blow to Russia, which is already engaged in a protracted land war in Ukraine.

Russias military presence in Syria has been central to its strategy in the Middle East, with Hmeimim and Tartus serving as critical hubs for projecting power across the region and safeguarding Moscows influence in the Mediterranean.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When Russia intervened in the Syrian Civil War in 2015, its support shifted the balance decisively in Assads favor, but Moscow has not prevented his downfall this time, and any significant withdrawal from the country would mark a major blow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down the damage last week, saying that while Russia had expended significant effort in stabilizing Syria in the past, its current priority lies with the conflict in Ukraine.

He said that Moscow is now in discussions with the new Syrian leadership to address issues related to its military presence and the security of Russian citizens and diplomats in the country.

Russian military vehicles and artillery guns at the Russian airbase at Qamishli Airport in northeastern Syria on Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russian soldiers stand by military pickups as they prepare to evacuate a position in Qamishli.

You know, of course, that we are in contact with those who are currently in control of the situation in Syria, Peskov told reporters, as translated by Reuters.

In a notable shift, Russian state media has begun referring to the Syrian rebels as rebels rather than terrorists, signaling Moscows intention to engage diplomatically with the new authorities in Syria as it seeks to maintain its strategic military foothold on the Mediterranean.

However, there is no indication that a specific agreement has been reached to secure Russias continued presence.

Meanwhile, Syrias ambassador to the United Nations sent two identical letters to the U.N. and the U.N. Security Council on Saturday, containing an official complaint after Israeli forces moved into Syrian territory last week, while launching a massive wave of airstrikes into the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Syria renews its demand that the United Nations and the Security Council assume their responsibilities and take firm and immediate measures to compel Israel to immediately cease its ongoing attacks on Syrian territory, ensure that they are not repeated, withdraw immediately from the areas into which it has penetrated over the past days, the letter said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said last week that he had ordered the military to establish a sterile defense zone in southern Syria as Israeli forces seize control of the demilitarized, U.N.-patrolled buffer zone, established under a 1974 ceasefire agreement.

Israel says its airstrikes and actions on the ground are aimed at preventing Assads arsenal of rockets and chemical weapons from falling into the hands of extremists who could threaten its borders or people.

But its advance has raised alarm when the international community is already nervous about further instability as Syria navigates its transition away from 53 years of Assad rule.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
UW-Madison is adding a business partnership floor to its upcoming engineering building, aimed at opening a direct pipeline between students and the kinds of businesses that may one day employ them.

The plan calls for businesses to rent space on the floor, giving them easy access to student and researcher talent while offering internships in businesses looking to hire engineering graduates.

An additional $43 million, paid for by industries, will add a floor to the Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center. The increase was approved by the UW Board of Regents earlier this month, which also approved an additional $29 million in state money for the engineering building pulled from another UW system project that came in $70 million under budget.

It'll help industry partners join forces with UW-Madison's researchers to bring in more research funding, especially from the federal government. Just this year, UW-Madison returned to its rank of No. 6 in the nation for research expenditures. And it might make hiring easier for the companies who manage to lock in some square footage on the seventh floor of Levy Engineering Center.

A chief complaint from companies angling to hire Badgers is that there simply aren't enough graduates to hire. And if hiring is easier for Wisconsin-based companies, more graduates might stay in the state, UW-Madison College of Engineering Dean Ian Robertson said.

"Attracting more students to Wisconsin is good for us, but our goal is we want more of them to stay in the state and help address the engineering shortage in the state," Robertson said. "This is one way we are hoping that the industries will get more connection to the students, the students will get more educated about the companies, and that match will be made."

University leadership hopes to break ground for the building in spring and to be open for fall 2028. The now $419 million, 395,000-square-foot building will allow the engineering college to add an additional 1,200 students, to increase its student population to about 5,500.

That still won't be enough to meet demand, though: About 9,700 people applied for a spot this year, a record number, Robertson said.

A handful of bureaucratic steps remain before the groundbreaking, including another trip to the state building commission for final approvals in early 2025. But work on the site to beef up the utilities that will support the building is already well underway.

Only after the final approvals go through will UW-Madison start formalizing rental agreements and let the floor's layout take shape. What it'll cost each company will come down to how much square footage they want, but rates will need to be competitive with other commercial rents elsewhere in Madison.

But just the prospect of being able to rent space on campus has some Wisconsin-based businesses intrigued.

Todd Kelsey, president and CEO of Neenah-based Plexus Corp. who graduated from UW-Madison with bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering, said potentially having a space on the partnership floor would give the company a talent pipeline to tap into and better collaborate on research projects.

"By engaging with the academic community, Plexus can help shape the future of engineering while also gaining access to fresh perspectives and ideas," Kelsey wrote in an email to the Wisconsin State Journal. "These partnerships not only benefit Plexus in terms of innovation but also foster relationships with the next generation of engineers, who may become future team members or collaborators in the industry."

An experiment

The addition of business partnership space at UW-Madison is something Robertson has wanted to do for a long time, tracing back to his tenure at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The question always has been where to add space in an engineering campus that's so cramped it hasn't always had an office space available for new hires and has maxed out its utility capabilities in the basement.

But it's not a novel concept, even at UW-Madison, which has engaged in public-private partnerships before, including the Lucky Apartment complex that holds myriad student services along East Campus Mall; and, a few miles west, the University Research Park that grants decades-long leases to companies seeking proximity to the research university.

It's also a well-established practice at other research powerhouses across the nation: University of Illinois started with one building but has grown into multiple that house big companies like Google and Caterpillar; Big Ten competitors like Purdue and Michigan State have well-established partnerships that host businesses on campus as well.

UW-Madison leaders are looking at this as experimental, Robertson said, although he's confident it'll be successful. If it proves to be, business partnership spaces could become more common in new university buildings.

Increased exposure

There aren't many products people would recognize that bear Eaton's name. But the global company, which engineers electrical and industrial solutions that are subtly present in homes and commercial spaces, has a growing lab in Menominee Falls with a consistent need for new employees, said Antonio Trujillo, Eaton global technology director of power electronics.

"Beyond doing the research, beyond going together as a team with these proposals and getting funding from the government, I think that (more) important than that is actually having access to the students so I can hire them," Trujillo said. "Ultimately, I have a team of about 25 people here in Menominee Falls, and I've been growing about 10% every year, so it's very challenging to hire."

Eaton isn't alone having an issue with name or brand recognition. Robertson said many students come into the college not knowing the range that many companies have.

For example, Milwaukee Tool has a reputation for developing tools like drills, but the company also has a role in developing the lithium-ion battery; construction companies like Morton are now entering the world of electrical engineering by needing to build energy storage facilities. But working for a tool manufacturer or a construction company isn't necessarily on students' radar, Robertson said.

Having a physical presence and staff on campus gets a company's name and reputation out there, he said, but it also makes it easier for those staff to pop into a class for a guest lecture and to connect with students.

"Just coming to career fair isn't enough," he said. "How do we actually increase the engagement of the companies with the students? If you're local, it's relatively easy. We have a lot of companies who volunteer their time to come to class and will give guest lectures, but this way, we can actually get more of them, they can have more of a physical presence, there's many more interactions they can have."

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the cost of adding another floor to the engineering building and who provided the funding.
Colonel Ants Kiviselg, Head of the Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre, has stated that Ukrainian troops are experiencing intense pressure from Russian forces on the Pokrovsk front.

Source: Estonian public broadcaster ERR, citing a statement from Kiviselg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The colonel explained that Russian troops are making gradual advances on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts, relying on infantry "cannon fodder" assaults.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces have shown great heroism in defending the small villages south of Kurakhove along the Sukhi Yaly River line," he said.

Kiviselg also referenced data from the Ukrainian online newspaper The Kyiv Independent, which reported that Russian forces suffered unprecedented losses in November  46,000 personnel. Additionally, 307 Russian tanks, 899 combat vehicles, and 884 artillery systems were destroyed.

In the Estonian officer's assessment, the fact that Ukraine's defence withstood such pressure is simply impressive.

Background:

In early December, UK intelligence noted that most recent Russian advances had been concentrated on three fronts in Donetsk Oblast.

Meanwhile, NATO data confirms that the rapid advance of Russian troops has significantly accelerated in recent weeks. However, Alliance analysts expect this momentum to slow down after Pokrovsk if the Russians succeed in capturing it.

Support UP or become our patron!
Indiana's Democratic Party will have a new leader in March after its chairman decided against seeking a second term.

Mike Schmuhl announced his decision to leave the state party's highest post in March to Democrats' state central committee on Saturday.

His decision not to seek re-election comes on the heels of an election that saw Democrats' hopes dashed in each of the state's top-ballot races. President-elect Donald Trump topped Kamala Harris by nearly 19 points, and serious challenges to GOP control of the governor and attorney general seats never materialized as Republicans Mike Braun and Todd Rokita cruised to similarly lopsided victories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those results led Black faith leaders in Indianapolis to call for Schmuhl's resignation, citing a "lack of progress" under his leadership.

"I know how hard it can be to be a Democrat in Indiana, and over the past four years we have placed our party on a path to future success by protecting what we have and building new bases of support," Schmuhl, 41, said Saturday.

"Our bench is bigger, and our party has more tools and more people involved in the political process to be successful," he said.

Mike Schmuhl, Democrat state party chair, shows his gavel Saturday, July 13, 2024, during the Indiana Democratic State Convention in Indianapolis.

He pointed to an increase in Democratic mayors in the state over the past year, along with an increase in donors supporting Democratic candidates. Democrats in a statement issued Saturday also touted gains made in local government races, including claiming city council majorities in Valparaiso and Muncie.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, Indiana's Democrats face significant headwinds, including ongoing allegations of sexual harassment against high-ranking officials.

This year, IndyStar investigations uncovered allegations against state Sen. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend, Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, and Thomas Cook, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett's former chief of staff. Each has been accused by women of sexual harassment and unwanted romantic pursuit. Taylor and Cook have both apologized for past behavior. Niezgodski has referred to the allegation against him as a "private personnel matter."

Party leaders adopted a new code of conduct earlier in December and formed an ethics committee that will investigate potential code of conduct violations against its members.

Schmuhl's term ends on March 15, 2025, when a new chair is elected. He took the state party leadership post after managing current U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl won't seek second term
NEW YORK  Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Friday said he had learned of information suggesting Luigi Mangione, the accused assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, wont challenge his extradition from Pennsylvania to New York.

Indications are that the defendant may waive, but that waiver is not complete until a court proceeding, Bragg said at an unrelated press conference in Times Square.

Until that time, were going to continue to press forward on parallel paths, and well be ready whether hes going to waive extradition or contest extradition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a criminal complaint filed Monday, Braggs office charged Mangione, 26, with second-degree murder, three weapons possession offenses, and criminal possession of a forged instrument for the early morning murder that occurred Dec. 4 outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown.

Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday started presenting evidence to a grand jury to secure an indictment for the high-profile killing, according to ABC. The DAs office declined to comment on or confirm the report.

Mangione has been detained in Pennsylvania since his arrest Monday and has been denied bail. Bragg and New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls office have said they are coordinating to submit an extradition request to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros office.

Earlier this week, Mangione's attorney, Thomas Dickey, indicated he would challenge his extradition to New York. He could not be reached for comment on Braggs comments Friday. Mangione is next due in court on Dec. 23, according to Pennsylvania court administrators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was arriving for UnitedHealthcares annual investor conference when he was shot dead in the street, surveillance footage shows. The suspect fled the scene on a bike and police say was en route out of the city within 45 minutes, leading to a five-day manhunt.

Cops previously believed Mangione fled the city via a bus taken from a depot near the George Washington Bridge. On Friday, NYPD sources confirmed to the New York Daily News that they now think Mangione rode a southbound A train from the depot to Penn Station and then took a train out of the city. They believe the bike he used as a getaway from the scene was stolen.

Mangione was arrested at a McDonalds more than 200 miles away in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after someone in the fast food restaurant recognized him from widely circulated stills taken from footage related to the New York assassination.

According to Pennsylvania law enforcement and the NYPD, he was in possession of a 3D-printed ghost gun and silencer and bullets that matched those recovered at the scene  which bore the words delay, deny and defend, in an apparent reference to the insurance industry routinely delaying claims to maximize profits  as well as fake IDs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hes charged in Pennsylvania with carrying an unlicensed firearm, forgery and presenting a fake ID to cops. Blair County DA Peter Weeks has said he will not seek to prosecute Mangione on the those charges before he is tried in New York.

When he was arrested, Mangione was also in possession of a roughly 260-word note appearing to lay out a motive for his suspected shooting of Thompson, according to the NYPD.

In it, he wrote that the U.S. had the most expensive health care system in the world yet ranked 42nd in life expectancy. He wrote that insurers had simply gotten too powerful, continuing to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has (allowed) them to get away with it.

Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming, Mangione wrote, the police allege.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Wednesday, the NYPD alleged Mangiones fingerprints were found on a water bottle and KIND bar wrapper near the scene. They said they were also testing bullets found in a bag near where a backpack was found believed to belong to Mangione in Central Park.

The Ivy League graduate is from a well-known family in Baltimore that owns real estate, including a network of nursing homes and country clubs. His last known address was in Hawaii, according to cops.

According to his LinkedIn page, he graduated with masters and bachelors degrees in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020, and he was the head counselor in a Stanford University program that taught artificial intelligence to gifted high school students. After college, he worked as a data engineer for TrueCar in San Francisco.

Authorities say Mangione was not a client of UnitedHealthcare, but they are investigating his experiences with the industry for potential motives. The founder of a co-living space in Honolulu where Mangione lived for six months, R.J. Martin, told The New York Times this week that Mangione was suffering from a spinal misalignment. Mangione posted on Reddit and other forums about the long-lasting pain he experienced that led to spinal fusion surgery. His cover photo on X appears to show an X-ray taken after he underwent the procedure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday reported that an officer from the San Francisco Police Department recognized Mangione in video stills due to the missing persons report four days before his arrest and reported it to the FBI.

Reached for comment Friday, a spokesman from the FBIs New York bureau confirmed the tip was received and referred to the NYPD.

Extensive sharing of the photos by law enforcement led to the identification by a citizen and subsequent arrest by the Altoona Police Department, the spokesman said.

_____

(Colin Mixson contributed to this story.)

_____
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Friday said he had learned of information suggesting Luigi Mangione, the accused assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, wont challenge his extradition from Pennsylvania to New York.

Indications are that the defendant may waive, but that waiver is not complete until a court proceeding, Bragg said at an unrelated press conference in Times Square.

Until that time, were going to continue to press forward on parallel paths, and well be ready whether hes going to waive extradition or contest extradition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a criminal complaint filed Monday, Braggs office charged Mangione, 26, with second-degree murder, three weapons possession offenses, and criminal possession of a forged instrument for the early morning murder that occurred on Dec. 4 outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown.

Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday started presenting evidence to a grand jury to secure an indictment for the high-profile killing, according to ABC. The DAs office declined to comment on or confirm the report.

Mangione has been detained in Pennsylvania since his arrest on Monday and has been denied bail. Bragg and Gov. Hochuls office have said they are coordinating to submit an extradition request to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros office.

Earlier this week, his attorney, Thomas Dickey, indicated he would challenge his extradition to New York. He could not be reached for comment on Braggs comments on Friday. Mangione is next due in court on Dec. 23, according to Pennsylvania court administrators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was arriving for UnitedHealthcares annual investor conference when he was shot dead in the street, surveillance footage shows. The suspect fled the scene on a bike and police say was en route out of the city within 45 minutes, leading to a five-day manhunt.

Cops previously believed Mangione fled the city via a bus taken from a depot near the George Washington Bridge. On Friday, NYPD sources confirmed to The News that they now think Mangione rode a southbound A train from the depot to Penn Station and then took a train out of the city. They believe the bike he used as a getaway from the scene was stolen.

Mangione was arrested at a McDonalds more than 200 miles away in Altoona after someone in the fast food restaurant recognized him from widely circulated stills taken from footage related to the New York assassination.

According to Pennsylvania law enforcement and the NYPD, he was in possession of a 3D-printed ghost gun and silencer and bullets that matched those recovered at the scene  which bore the words delay, deny, and defend in an apparent reference to the insurance industry routinely delaying claims to maximize profits  as well as fake IDs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hes charged in Pennsylvania with carrying an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and presenting a fake ID to cops. Blair County DA Peter Weeks has said he will not seek to prosecute Mangione on those charges before he is tried in New York.

When he was arrested, Mangione was also in possession of a roughly 260-word note appearing to lay out a motive for his suspected shooting of Thompson, according to the NYPD.

In it, he wrote that the U.S. had the most expensive healthcare system in the world yet ranked 42nd in life expectancy. He wrote that insurers had simply gotten too powerful, continuing to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has [allowed] them to get away with it.

Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming, Mangione wrote, the police allege.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Wednesday, the NYPD alleged Mangiones fingerprints were found on a water bottle and KIND bar wrapper near the scene. They said they were also testing bullets found in a bag near where a backpack was found believed to belong to Mangione in Central Park.

The Ivy League graduate is from a well-known family in Baltimore, Md., that owns real estate, including a network of nursing homes and country clubs. His last known address was in Hawaii, according to cops.

According to his LinkedIn page, he graduated with Masters and Bachelors degrees in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020, and he was the head counselor in a Stanford University program that taught artificial intelligence to gifted high school students. After college, he worked as a data engineer for TrueCar in San Francisco.

Authorities say Mangione was not a client of UnitedHealthcare, but they are investigating his experiences with the industry for potential motives. The founder of a co-living space in Honolulu where Mangione lived for six months, R.J. Martin, told The New York Times this week that he was suffering from a spinal misalignment. Mangione posted on Reddit and other forums about the long-lasting pain he experienced that led to spinal fusion surgery. His cover photo on X appears to show an X-ray taken after he underwent the procedure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday reported that an officer from the San Francisco police department recognized Mangione four days before his arrest in video stills due to a missing persons report his family filed in November and reported it to the FBI.

Reached for comment Friday, a spokesman from the FBIs New York bureau confirmed the tip was received and referred to the NYPD.

Extensive sharing of the photos by law enforcement led to the identification by a citizen and subsequent arrest by the Altoona Police Department, the spokesman said.

With Colin Mixson
Compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal is at risk of not being paid because the scheme is doomed to fail, lawyers have warned.

An inquiry into the decade-long scandal, dubbed the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS, concluded in May.

Compensation of up to 2.7 million per victim can be claimed via the newly-established Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).

The organisation is an independent arms-length body derived from the Cabinet Office, but victims have questioned how distinct the two branches of Government are.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Victims and their legal representatives have found the compensation scheme to be fiendishly convoluted, long-winded and difficult to complete. Some have complained of a lack of transparency and an improper relationship between the Cabinet Office and the IBCA.

More than 30,000 people who received NHS treatment between the 1970s and early 1990s were infected with contaminated blood and many contracted a number of viruses including hepatitis C and HIV.

Legal experts describe an incalculable amount of additional harm caused to victims by the Cabinet Offices often secretive conduct - Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe

Infected blood came from the US where prisoners were paid to donate, homeless people and gay men. The tainted products killed at least 3,000 people, with thousands more suffering lifelong health issues as a result.

Infected people are being prioritised for compensation through the scheme while affected individuals, including children, spouses and parents of infected people, are now also set to receive interim payment ahead of their own claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Payments to the first ten people to receive full compensation were made this week, according to the Cabinet Office, amounting to more than 13 million.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the latest budget that 11.8 billion of taxpayer money has been set aside to finance the scheme.

But victims have accused the IBCA of stealthily moving the goalposts on compensation payments and cruelly offering compensation with one hand, while taking it away with the other.

Victim groups sent a letter in November to Sir Brian Langstraff, the chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, which also described a new, opaque layer of bureaucratic burden placed on the victims by the Cabinet Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The five law firms representing the victims took the unprecedented step of uniting in a single letter which was sent to the inquiry chair, The Telegraph can reveal.

In it, the legal experts describe an incalculable amount of additional harm caused to victims by the often secretive manner of the IBCA and Cabinet Office.

The letter, which was sent to thousands of claimants by their representatives and seen by The Telegraph, also accused the Government of merely paying lip service to claimants and not listening to their concerns.

The letter, co-signed by lawyers from Milners Solicitors, Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, Watkins & Gunn, Leigh Day, and Collins Solicitors, was also critical of the Cabinet Offices influence on the IBCA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It said: The continued and continuous close involvement of the Cabinet Office in all matters related to how compensation will be paid to infected and affected victims coupled with the imposition of case managers and the restriction of access to meaningful legal advice, has shattered any confidence our clients may have had in the Scheme.

We fear that without course correction, the Scheme is doomed to fail those whom it was intended to serve.

The various letters from victims and lawyers triggered Sir Brian to take the unusual step of writing his own letter to Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Paymaster General.

There has been a groundswell of discontent with the way in which compensation, so long overdue, has been and is being managed, he wrote.

Sir Brian Langstaff writes to the Paymaster General that there has been a groundswell of discontent about the compensation scheme - Big T Images/PA

It is of concern to me that what was initially unease and some confusion has been allowed to develop to an extent that should make any objective observer deeply uncomfortable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sir Brian added: It is a matter of considerable concern to people infected and affected that the real decision-making appears to be being undertaken by officials within the Cabinet Office rather than by IBCA as a separate and independent body and that what is happening in practice does not fully reflect the features described above.

Sir Robert Francis, IBCA interim chair, said in response that the organisation has operational independence. He blamed bureaucratic hurdles and civil servant pension plans for not being able to completely separate the IBCA from the Cabinet Office.

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.
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT)  The Resolute Way interchange at I-565 is said to improve access to Redstone Arsenal as well as improve traffic in and out of the arsenal.

Jake Roth, chief of master planning with the Garrisons Directorate of Public Works said, The project is a four-lane divided roadway allowing access on and off of I-565 from the west of Redstone Arsenal in order to alleviate traffic congestion and safety issues associated with the existing Research Park interchange.

Auburn kicker, former Madison Academy alum returns home

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Redstone Rocket, Roth said Resolute Way interchange construction is scheduled for 2026.

The project is a partnership with the City of Huntsville, the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The goal is to eliminate safety and traffic issues.

(Photo: Redstone Rocket)

We have a long way to go and a lot of work to get done before then, he said. We have identified a route that seems to meet all Redstone and Federal Highway Administration requirements and have conceptual plans in place.

The Resolute Way interchange project is said to ease traffic congestion on I-565 at the Research Park exit. The Redstone Rocket also said it will allow Arsenal employees and personnel who work in the Redstone Gateway another traffic route to get onto the installation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

North Alabama community agencies receive over $16 million in Gov. Iveys latest grant

The new interchange is one of seven road projects that Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle highlighted in his State of the City address late last year.

The mayor said the projects, as part of the second phase of the Restore Our Roads initiative that was estimated to cost about $800 million, will positively reshape how we move around the city.

Our current path forward is to complete an easement dedicated to the city for the construction of the interchange modification, Roth said. This area encompasses approximately 38 acres of Army property and requires the use of the existing right of way along I-565 as well as the potential for acquisition of 6.3 additional acres necessary to complete the roadway construction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To learn more about the Resolute Way interchange, you can visit the Redstone Rockets website here or visit the U.S. Armys website here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
An Inver Grove Heights man was charged with sexually exploiting children by soliciting illicit images of minors and, in at least two instances, paying minors for sex acts at a hotel, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Friday.

Samuel Eric Snell, 45, was charged with six counts of production of child pornography and two counts of coercing a minor to engage in prostitution. Snell made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Thursday before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster.

He was indicted after an FBI Investigation with help from the Inver Grove Heights and Woodbury police departments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Snell, who has several nicknames including Storm Blackwood and Candy Man Sam MN, was a member of an online community on the gaming platform Discord that sold services to adult customers, court records show.

On several Discord channels (with names such as Fun Time Kitty Club, Pretty Kitty Hangout, Safe Kitten Connection, and Kitten Servicer Name), minor girls, referred to as kittens, sold online companionship to adults, referred to as masters, according to court records. Payment was usually made through CashApp or gifts.

Snell used those channels to solicit illicit images, many from children who self-identified as minors and indicated that they were grappling with gender identity, sexuality, and mental health concerns, court documents say.

Prosecutors say he followed the same script to request sexually explicit photos and that in several instances he was doing so with the intent to groom them to eventually produce child sexual abuse material.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On at least two occasions, prosecutors say, he took a minor to a hotel, paid them $100 to engage in sexual intercourse, and provided emergency contraception afterward.

Investigators believe there may be other victims relevant to this investigation. They ask any caregivers who have minors who may have been in contact with Samuel Eric Snell to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Snells detention hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Related Articles
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has seen a rise in cases of avian influenza in wild birds. (Photo by Laurie Paulik/USDA)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced Friday it has seen a sharp jump in cases of the highly pathogenic avian flu in wild birds this month after nearly a year with no detections of the virus.

The news release from DNR follows a week of outbreaks of the bird flu in commercial turkey and layer chicken flocks in Sioux, Palo Alto and Sac counties. According to a spokesperson with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the affected flocks that will have to be depopulated amount to about 76,000 turkeys and nearly 6 million egg-laying chickens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rachel Ruden, state wildlife veterinarian with the Iowa DNR, said at this time, a link between the wild bird detections and those in commercial flocks cannot be proven, though additional analysis of the genetic material could show a link.

We just dont have the data yet to support it, Ruden said in a call with Iowa Capital Dispatch.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

The department saw an uptick in HPAI detections in mid-November from routine swabbing of healthy ducks collected by hunters, and just recently began to respond to calls of sick or dead geese. The cases have primarily been detected north of Interstate 80, according to the news release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are encouraging the public to stay away from sick birds, especially waterfowl, Ruden said in the release.

Classic signs of the virus include birds that are twisting their heads and necks or swimming in tight circles, but Ruden said some are presenting differently now and act quiet or wont fly away when approached.

Iowans who find five or more dead or sick birds within a week should notify the department or their local wildlife biologist. A list of contact information can be found on the departments website.

Hunters are also advised to exercise caution around waterfowl, and prevent their dogs from interacting with unknown carcasses or eating raw poultry from harvested birds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A hunting guide from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said hunters should not harvest birds that appear sick or are already dead and should properly clean bird dressing sites to avoid spreading the disease. Cooking poultry to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit can kill the virus.

The press release said those with backyard or commercial flocks should monitor poultry for signs of the disease and contact their veterinarian if they suspect an outbreak.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A court in Iran has sentenced Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh to 10 years on prison after finding him guilty of collaborating with a hostile government, his lawyer said Saturday.

Reza Valizadeh is a former journalist for the U.S.-government-funded Voice of America's Farsi language service and also has worked for Radio Farda, an outlet under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that is overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, the lawyer of Valizadeh, told The Associated Press that the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a first-instance verdict for his client on a charge of collaborating with the hostile U.S. government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Aghasi said that the verdict can be appealed within 20 days since it was delivered to them a week ago. He added that he hasnt been able to meet with Valizadeh since the verdict was issued.

In August, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran despite Radio Farda being viewed by Irans theocracy as a hostile outlet.

I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Before that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guards) intelligence department, the message read in part. Eventually I came back to my country after 13 years without any security guarantee, even a verbal one.

Aghasi said he was free during the first six months of his arrival and then was arrested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier in November, Kianoosh Sanjari, a former journalist with VOA's Farsi service, jumped to his death from a building in Irans capital in protest of the countrys supreme leader and an ongoing crackdown on dissent in the Islamic Republic.

Iranian authorities said that Sanjari, 42, had earlier demanded the release of four prisoners held in the country and threatened to kill himself if they werent released.

In 2007, a former Radio Farda broadcaster, Parnaz Azima, returned briefly to Iran to visit her ailing mother. Her passport was confiscated at the airport. Authorities banned her from leaving the country and summoned her repeatedly for questioning by security forces. Finally, she was freed on bail and allowed to leave the country eight months later.

Iran has faced years of unrest amid wider tensions with the West, most recently with the nationwide protests that followed the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Jobs also remain scarce and the countrys rial currency continues its yearslong collapse against the U.S. dollar, further straining the lives of Iranians.
Israel has paved the way for a decisive strike against Irans nuclear programme by eliminating swathes of Syrias military infrastructure, according to officials speaking to The Telegraph following the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime.

Israels air force and navy is estimated to have destroyed around 80 per cent of the Syrian armys equipment since Islamist rebels seized Damascus last Sunday, including air defence systems that may have been used to protect Iran against any attack.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has long called for Irans nuclear programme to be stopped in its tracks but has faced resistance from his military officials and the US.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Assads collapse, combined with the fact that Iran is already weakened by the systematic dismantling of its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon, has opened a unique window of opportunity for Israel to strike, a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph.

Iran is at its weakest and lowest point in 30 years. All the terrorist organizations it funded and built have fallen one after another. This is the time to strike a blow that will destabilise the regime of evil and terror in Tehran, the official said.

Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly warned about the danger posed by Irans acceleration of its nuclear capabilities, a view he believes is shared by the incoming US president Donald Trump, another official told The Telegraph.

Mr Trump is reportedly considering a strike against Irans nuclear sites following the fall of Assad, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Israeli forces have destroyed around 80 per cent of the Syrian armys equipment since the fall of Bashar al-Assad - Jalaa Marey/AFP

Mr Netanyahu would likely face little domestic resistance over plans to strike the nuclear sites, as he did when proposing an attack in 2011.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yair Lapid, Israels opposition leader and former prime minister, said he agreed with Mr Netanyahus desire to hit Tehrans nuclear capabilities.

The Iranian nuclear programme is not only a threat to Israel; it is a threat to world peace and a risk to global security. Israel needs to work together with its allies to thwart the threat in every possible way, including bombing nuclear facilities, Mr Lapid told The Telegraph.

Yaakov Amidror, a former national security advisor to Mr Netanyahu, said Israel should hugely accelerate its plans for an attack given the destruction of Hezbollahs capabilities during the incursion into southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah was the deterrence against Israel. And I think [their weakening] is very important for the future decision [on Iran] by Israel, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Amnon Sofrin, the former head of Mossads intelligence directorate, agreed with Mr Amidror that now would be an opportune time to attack.

Mr Sofrin pointed out that Iran had lost a significant portion of its anti-aircraft capabilities during Israels retaliatory strike after Iran fired 200 ballistic missiles during a barrage on Oct 1.

Both Mr Amidror and Mr Sofrin said they believed Israel needed to co-ordinate closely with the new US administration before making any decision.

A source familiar with the matter told The Telegraph that any Israeli attack would be dependent on Washingtons support.

Plans have been drawn up for an attack and they have been for a while, but a lot depends on US support, the official said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Sofrin said it remained unclear whether Israel would even be able to launch such a strike alone, calling on Mr Netanyahu to work with the US, UK, France and Germany.

Can we do it only on our own? And Im not sure. You have to hit several places which are not easy to target. At least one of them, Fordow, is under a huge mountain. Im not sure that we can cause huge damage there, he said.

What I can say is that Israel has capabilities but the Americans have more, Mr Amidror added, echoing the position of Mr Netanyahu.

The US is the only country that possesses the worlds largest bomb, the 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). The B-2 stealth bomber is the only aircraft capable of carrying it.

In October, the US struck five underground weapons facilities in parts of Yemen controlled by the Houthis, an Iranian proxy group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This was a unique demonstration of the United States ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened or fortified, Lloyd Austin, the US secretary of defence, said in a statement, which was interpreted as a warning to Iran over its nuclear programme.

Tehran significantly accelerated its nuclear programme after Mr Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in 2015.

Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, announced last week that Iran had accelerated its production capacity of enriched uranium to 60 per cent, which is close to weapons-grade.

A US intelligence report released at the same time said that Iran had enough fissile material to potentially produce more than a dozen nuclear weapons, and that the risk of Tehran becoming a nuclear power was rising.

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.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have pointed out that a series of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities is part of a broader campaign aimed at freezing Ukraine in the winter and coercing Ukraine and the West into making political decisions favourable to the Kremlin.

Source: ISW

Details: Russian troops carried out the largest series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war on 12-13 December, mainly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over this period, the Air Force's air surveillance troops detected 287 Russian airborne attack assets, including 94 missiles and 193 UAVs.

DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, reported that the Russian attack caused serious damage to thermal power plants (TPPs). Ukrainian authorities said that Russian strikes had targeted energy facilities and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Ternopil oblasts.

Increased rolling power outages were also introduced across much of the country following the attack.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that five of the nine nuclear reactors in the Ukraine-controlled territory had reduced their capacity due to Russian strikes. Two were already producing power at reduced capacity due to the residual effects of Russian strikes in late November 2024, and the remaining three returned to full capacity on 13 December.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quote from the ISW: "Russia's strike series targeting Ukrainian energy facilities is part of a broader campaign aimed at freezing out Ukraine in Winter 2024-2025 and compelling Ukraine and the West to self-deter into making policy decisions that benefit Russia."

Details: Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian infrastructure throughout the autumn and winter seasons since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022 and has carried out large-scale strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure this year as well, including the attacks on the nights of 16-17 and 25-26 November.

Quote from the ISW: "The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed that Russian forces conducted the 12-13 December strike in retribution for a Ukrainian strike against Taganrog, Rostov Oblast on 11 December using Western-provided ATACMS, although Russian forces were likely planned to conduct such a strike regardless and are conveniently using the 11 December strike to justify ongoing Russian strikes against Ukrainian critical infrastructure."

More details: Analysts noted that this Russian message was likely aimed at calming calls from Russia's ultranationalist community for retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russia and was intended to support the Kremlin's reflexive control campaign to force Western countries to make decisions about Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons and future peace talks on terms favourable to Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Experts added that Ukrainian strikes on military airfields in Russia and Russian air defence systems in the near rear areas could lead to a reduction in the number of Russian air operations and glide bomb strikes on Ukraine.

Indeed, the experts believe that the threat of Ukrainian strikes on Russian airfields with ATACMS and Storm Shadow could force the Russian military to base aircraft at airfields further inland and hamper Russia's ability to strike Ukraine with bombs.

Nonetheless, the targeted campaign of strikes on Russian air defences is intended to degrade them, especially over the occupied part of Ukraine, in order to reduce Russian bombing of frontline areas and rear Ukrainian settlements.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 13 December:

Russian forces conducted their largest series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine since the start of the war on the night of 12-13 December, largely targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Russia's strike series targeting Ukrainian energy facilities is part of a broader campaign aimed at freezing out Ukraine in Winter 2024-2025 and compelling Ukraine and the West to self-deter into making policy decisions that benefit Russia.

Ukrainian strikes against military airfields in Russia and Russian air defence systems in near rear areas may be prompting a decrease in Russian air operations and glide bomb strikes against Ukraine.

Russia is evacuating elements of its force grouping in Syria while continuing negotiations with select Syrian groups about Russia's longer-term military presence in the country.

The status of Russia's helicopter base at Qamishli in northeastern Syria remains unclear, however.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 12 December a new military aid package for Ukraine valued at US$500 million.

A Russian insider source who has previously correctly predicted command changes within the Russian military responded to recent claims that the Russian military command removed 3rd Combined Arms Army (formerly 2nd Luhansk People's Republic Army Corps) commander Major General Dmitry Ovcharov.

Russian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk and Vuhledar.

Support UP or become our patron!
Argentine President Javier Milei has been granted Italian citizenship by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni while on a visit to Rome, the ANSA news agency reported.

Meloni received the ultra-liberal Argentine president in Rome's Palazzo Chigi Friday evening, the seat of the Italian government.

Milei is in Rome to attend a festival on Saturday hosted by Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy party.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The move drew criticism from the country's left-wing opposition, with lawmakers accusing Meloni of acting on a whim while denying citizenship to the Italian-born children of immigrants.

Milei's Italian grandparents emigrated to Argentina in the early 20th century, providing justification for Meloni to grant him citizenship.

A few months ago, Milei stated that he was "75% Italian."

Another Argentinian with Italian roots is Pope Francis, who served as archbishop of Buenos Aires before ascending to the papacy.
With deft flicks of the wrist, Nunzia Caputo cuts small chunks off the end of a sausage-shaped roll of fresh pasta dough, squishes each of them into a distinctive hollow shape with her thumb and sends them skittering across a flour-covered wooden tabletop.

Gregarious and with a big smile, she is the best known of the pasta grannies, women who spend their days making a type of homemade pasta called orecchiette, Italian for little ears, in the labyrinth of narrow alleyways that make up the old town of Bari, a historic port in the south of Italy.

Semolina, water and lots of love  these are the only ingredients, and this is our tradition, she said, sitting at her kitchen table with a granddaughter who is equally adept at making the ear-shaped morsels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The pasta-producing women of Bari have become a tourist attraction in recent years, embodying a classic Italian combination of good food, gastronomic tradition and joie-de-vivre that proves irresistible to legions of visitors and cruise ship passengers who eagerly buy their bags of pasta.

But the close-knit world of the pasta grannies has been convulsed of late by allegations that some of them are covertly buying factory-produced orecchiette, divvying it up into little sacks and passing it off as homemade.

The subterfuge began to unravel when white cardboard boxes that had contained commercially made pasta were found dumped in wheelie bins on the outskirts of the old town.

No one has been named, at least publicly, but beneath the ancient stone arches and wrought iron balconies of Bari Vecchia  the old town of Bari  there are dark mutterings that a few women got greedy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The scandal has, inevitably, been dubbed Orecchiette Gate.

A 55-year-old pasta maker said: Some of the women have been selling the commercially made stuff.

They shouldnt have done it and now its given us all a bad name. My grandmother taught me to make orecchiette when I was five. If you are from here, if you come from this tradition, then you need to be honest, transparent, she said outside the tiny home she shares with her 89-year-old mother in a whitewashed courtyard deep in the heart of the old town.

In response to the allegations, the authorities have decided to act.

A pasta maker selling her pasta produce in Via Arco Basso in the old town - Chris Warde-Jones

They are introducing tough new rules and regulations for the pasta grannies, many of whom congregate along Via dellArco Basso  the street of the low arch  an alleyway close to Baris imposing 1,000-year-old castle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There will be regular health and hygiene checks on their homes. They will also have to wear hair nets and, if they have long fingernails, rubber gloves. They will have to buy new fridges in which to keep their pasta products, separate from the fridges that they keep their food in.

Cooking utensils and surfaces will need to be disinfected and kept squeaky clean. They will have to attend a four-hour course which will earn them a food safety certificate.

Officials are compiling a map and a register of all the women who sell homemade pasta in the winding alleys of the old town.

Stamp of authenticity

Most important of all, they plan to introduce a stamp of authenticity, similar to those used for regional specialities such as wine and cheese, to guarantee to tourists that the pasta is homemade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pietro Petruzzelli, the city councillor in charge of economic development and tourism, said: Theyre small changes and they wont cost the ladies much to adopt.

We want to maintain the tradition of orecchiette making but at the same time make sure they are respecting the rules.

Controversially, the women will no longer be allowed to make pasta outdoors, sitting at tables, chatting to each other in impenetrable local dialect, and displaying it on wooden trays.

Instead, they will have to make the orecchiette in their tiny, cramped kitchens, where it will be protected from dust, flies, bird droppings and everything else the environment can fling at. Their front doorways will have to be covered with fly nets or curtains.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The new rules have gone down like a plate of congealed carbonara. A meeting was held on Dec 10 between the pasta women and council officials but quickly deteriorated into a shouting match as the grannies protested against the rigorous new regime.

Pasta makers met with Pietro Petruzzelli, the tourism and economic development city councillor, to discuss the new rules - Chris Warde-Jones

Mrs Caputo said: We cant work indoors because our kitchens are too small.

In the summer, well die of heat. We have to work outside.

Bari, one of Italys southernmost cities, sweltered in temperatures of 42C this summer.

Teresa, a pasta maker in her seventies, said: If they continue with all these demands, insisting we conform to the regulations, Ill just pack up and stop work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But health officials are adamant and say it is too risky from a hygiene point of view  the women can no longer knead and pinch pasta dough in the street.

An official from the regional health authority said: How many times have we read about a wedding where all the guests are rushed to hospital because of food that wasnt kept properly?

The whole business has proved so contentious that even the Catholic Church has got involved.

Father Franco Lanzolla, the parish priest from the Romanesque Cathedral of San Sabino, has stepped in to act as a mediator, treading a delicate line between the authorities and the pasta women. The raucous meeting was held in a room adjacent to the cathedral.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He says there is more at stake than just a few women making pasta in their cramped kitchens. Theres a lot of unemployment here. Without work, there are many young people who can be tempted into criminality. But if there is work, you can give them hope, a future, self-esteem.

Booming tourism in Bari

The pastaie or female pasta producers have become a symbol of Bari, which is undergoing a tourist boom.

Jamie Oliver featured them in one of his cookbooks and Dolce & Gabbana shot a commercial featuring some of the women with the lingerie-clad daughters of Sylvester Stallone, whose family originates from Puglia.

Mrs Caputo has 60,000 followers on her Instagram account, Le Orecchiette di Nunzia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nunzia has become a superstar, said Anna, a local tour guide. She went to Brazil once and was practically treated like the Pope. In November, she met the real pontiff, shaking hands with Pope Francis at an audience in the Vatican and giving him some orecchiette as a gift.

Among the tourists taking photos of the pasta grannies in Via dellArco Basso was Ophelie Stoeckli, 28, from Lausanne, who was visiting with her sister and mother.

I had heard about the pasta ladies  I saw them on TikTok and Instagram and I wanted to come and see them, she said.

Growing demand for homemade pasta

The reason why some of the pasta grannies were tempted into food fraud, selling commercial pasta that they pretended was their own, lies in the growing popularity of Bari as a destination.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As the number of tourists increased, so too did the demand for the pasta grannies products.

Francesco Petruzzelli, a local journalist who has covered the scandal in depth, said: With so many tourists visiting, the ladies couldnt keep up with demand.

Its hard work  it takes an hour to make a kilo of orecchiette and you need strong arms to knead the dough. Thats why they started buying commercial pasta and pretending it was their own. Tourists dont know any better  they cant distinguish between homemade pasta and the factory stuff.

Mr Petruzzelli, the city councillor in charge of tourism, is adamant that the days of flogging commercial pasta masquerading as home-made pasta are over.

But he is most anxious to preserve the way of life of the pasta grannies.

The risk for a place like Bari, where tourism growth is in double figures, is gentrification. The pasta ladies can be an antidote to that. If they stopped work and moved out, their homes would become Airbnb apartments. Bari would lose some of its soul.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A grant from the Ivy Tech Foundations Circle of Ivy will aid Ivy Tech Logansport in better supporting multicultural students in their journey to earn a college degree.

The Circle of Ivy, a philanthropy group for women, works to create resources and raise funds to diminish barriers for Ivy Tech Community College students, said the foundations website.

The Circle awarded Ivy Tech Logansport $2,500 for Cass County Multicultural Support Purpose Fund based on a grant proposal written by Jovita Flores, an ASAP coordinator for both the Logansport and Kokomo campuses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

ASAP is an accelerated degree program where students can earn an associates degree in just 11 months.

Obviously, Logansport is very diverse, said Flores. And I wanted to make sure that everybody felt welcomed to any of the events we had, any volunteer work that we did and just help everyone feel welcome to it.

When writing her grant proposal, Flores focused on three different areas. The first area was the expansion of Logansports growing diversity beyond just its Hispanic population.

Its known that education for [some] cultures, they are not very used [to the American college system], she said. Working in the high school with those students, they want to learn about American culture and they want to learn about college and how to get there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Flores said that in many other cultures, college is fast paced so that students can get out into the workforce sooner. Going to college may also be something a family has to sacrifice for or a student will pay for straight from their pocket.

Other college systems also focus solely on a career path while the American system requires instruction in a plethora of subjects. Flores said its difficult for some multicultural students and their parents to understand the reasoning for that.

So, the first part of her grant focused on how to help multicultural students complete their education sooner.

An option to increase the pace of college for students is by taking an exam called CLEP (College Level Examination Program) that students can take in many different subjects. Successfully completing the exams earns students college credits, meaning they can test out of a series of classes and reduce the time needed to earn a degree. At Logansports Ivy Tech campus, language credits are often acquired through CLEP exams by students showing their proficiency in Spanish, which Flores said can earn them 15 credits, which equals an average semester course load.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ivy Tech will often cover the costs of those tests for students who need the assistance. The Cass County Multicultural Support Purpose Fund will help the community college support more students who need to take the tests.

The second way the funding will help is it will allow Ivy Tech to assist students with transportation needs. Flores has begun working with Cass County Transit to provide students in need with bus tokens. If a multicultural student encounters a transportation problem, Flores can provide them with a couple of tokens so that they may ride the bus to attend class.

Finally, the funding will be used to engage students in community service through volunteer activities. Flores said that unlike in America, volunteering isnt a big part of some cultures. While giving the students opportunities to see the value of service, they also can network and meet potential mentors.

A popular option, she said, is visiting Logansport High School and helping students learn how to prepare for college. Students will also help local schools and the United Way of Cass County by acting as translators. The funding helps Flores provide lunch for the students when they have completed their volunteer work or host end of semester celebrations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Linda Ferries, media relations coordinator, said the funding goals fall into the two important areas of recruitment and retention.

Its how to bring students in and how to help them get through once they are here, she said. And celebrating their success.

The Circle of Ivy is in its 10th year and is made up of women from each Ivy Tech Community. The women raised $245,000 in 2024 to distribute amongst 84 projects. Funding recipients will go to a future meeting and tell the women how the funding helped.

Its very meaningful, said Ferries, In fact, some of the projects have actually been funded by individual women after the fact. If they didnt receive funding someone might think thats a shame. Ok, Ill fund it. I hope the students see the way they are supported by the community.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Talking to known gang members may seem like a strange way to reduce violence, but thats exactly what the Jackson County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorneys Office is trying to do.

Their Director of Communications, Michael Mansur, talked about Stand Against Violence Everyone (SAVE) KC Friday afternoon. The night before, they invited gang members out to the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Of Jesus Christ near 27th and Prospect.

The meetings with gang members are not publicized, but theyre talked about after they happen. Just about 12 people that were not organizers of it showed up Thursday night though.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mansur calls these in-person meetings with gang members call-ins.

Kansas City Pet Project CEO Teresa Johnson steps down

They dont have cases against them, he said to reporters Friday, talking about the gang members that come. So, its not like were inviting in people who need to be, who have warrants for their arrests. Were inviting people before that.

Thursday night was the third call-in of the year for SAVE KC. They use focused deterrence, where police identify people associated with violent gangs. They offer them alternatives, so they can try to change their lives.

Last night at the call in, we were able to provide food as well as gift cards, not just for Christmas or the holidays, but more or less, to kind of stand on that commitment of addressing basic needs, Executive Director of the Kansas City Black Mental Health Initiative Cecil Wattree said to reporters Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wattree is SAVE KCs Services Sub Committee Chair too. He attended Thursday nights meeting with Mansur, who organized it. Mansur says Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) from the U.S. Department of Justice help fund this initiative. Mansur believes this groups gaining some traction in their message getting out to the people that it needs to.

The individuals who were involved in criminal activity are sharing this information, Mansur said. They do know about SAVE KC, and theyre weary of not just SAVE KC, but theyre weary of law enforcement.

SAVE KC is a similar program to the No Violence Alliance (NoVA). That effort started in 2012 but ended about five years later.

There is a collaboration going on now, not just SAVE KC, but a number of other groups that also are supportive of SAVE KC, Mansur continued. Some of them are involved more than others, but theres lot of collaboration going on, a lot of concentration in this community right now to reduce violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At this same date in 2023, there were 172 homicides in the city, its deadliest year on record. This year there have only been 139 homicides compared to the same date. Non-fatal shootings from 2023 to 2024 are actually up though.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

Kansas City Police Department Sergeant Phil DiMartino sent FOX4 numbers that shows there have been 547 non-fatal shootings so far this year compared to just 489 during this same time period last year. Thats an increase of 12% from year to date (YTD) 2023 to YTD 2024.

Mansur says that just because Democratic Prosecuting Attorney Jean Peters Baker is leaving office January 3 does not mean SAVE KC is ending. Democratic Prosecuting Attorney Elect Melesa Johnson is a part of the program. She took part in Thursday nights meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Jerry Burns was found guity of first-degree murder for his involvement in the murder-for-hire plot that killed his wife on Friday.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Burns wife, Velvet Burns, was found stabbed to death on the Westside in 2019.

It took the jury 20 minutes to find Burns guilty as charged. Burns is charged with murder in the first degree, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation to commit a capital felony.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The jury decided Burns and his mistress Amanda Love hired a hit man to make the murder look like burglary.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

According to the Office of the State Attorney, Love previously pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder on July 16, 2019. She was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The hit man, Stephen Hand, pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder on Aug. 2, 2022. He was sentenced to life in Florida State Prison without the possibility of parole.

On Monday, the jury will determine if Burns faced the death penalty or life in prison.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
A Kannapolis man found guilty of attacking police during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol will spend three years and two months in prison, a federal judge in the District of Columbia ruled Friday.

According to FBI search warrants, Brett Alan Rotella, 35, led a mob against police, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.

He wore a red skullcap, black sleeveless puffy vest over a red sleeveless shirt and white or gray long shorts, court documents show. He carried a long pole with at least two flags on it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rotella followed retreating police officers into a tunnel, shattered a locked doors glass pane and handed a ladder to the mob that it used against officers, the warrants show.

Also known as Brett Ostrander, Rotella raised his fist and yelled, Hold! to stop the group.. He counted down with his fingers to signal when to shove against police, according to the warrants.

We just want things to be right, Rotella said, according to court documents. Something has to happen or were all fed!

When Rotella went to an Aldi grocery store near his house in July 2023, FBI agents tracked him and compared his tattoos in person to pictures from Jan. 6. He was arrested after a judge approved a search warrant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI arrested Rotella on Aug. 29, 2023, in Mooresville, prosecutors said.

On Sept. 12, a federal jury found Rotella guilty of felony obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, two counts of felony assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, and several misdemeanors.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss on Friday also ordered Rotella to three years of supervised release after he completes his sentence. He also must pay $2,000 in restitution.

Members of the U.S. House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack found that former president Donald Trump provoked his supporters to violence through his false allegations of fraud in the 2020 election.

At least 1,572 people have been charged in nearly every state for crimes related to the breach at the Capitol. The investigation continues, according to the Department of Justice.
An Army veteran was sentenced Friday to six months in prison for violating probation, months after being charged for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, The Associated Press reported.

Kevin Loftus, 56, was attempting to leave the country and join the Russian Army in its nearly three-year-long war against Ukraine. Loftus was arrested in Iowa in October, prosecutors explained in a six-page memo filed Wednesday.

He was originally sentenced to 36-months of probation for unlawful parading, demonstrating and picketing inside the Capitol building.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Loftus plan was to fly to Russia in late October, obtain a temporary residency and eventually get in touch with a volunteer military corps there.

While boarding a flight to Tbilisi, Georgia from Turkey, the Jan. 6 defendant was stopped by gate agents after Turkish Airlines identified a security flag connected to him. He then went back to his residence.

A few days later, Loftus attempted to drive  without the courts approval  and was arrested by the FBI on Oct. 31 in Iowa, according to officials.

Loftus said his intent had been to travel to Tbilisi where he could secure a 90-day visa to travel to Russia. Once in Russia, he planned to apply for temporary residency, prosecutors wrote in the memo. To make these plans, Loftus communicated with a man via the messaging platform Telegram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Loftus said that once he was physically in Russia, the man would put him in touch with the Russian Territorial Defense Unit, a volunteer corps used by the Russians in the ongoing war in Ukraine, they continued. Loftus said his intent was to fight for Russia and against Ukraine.

The memo also notes that Loftus was arrested by Texas police in late December last year for driving intoxicated. The veteran was ordered to attend a substance abuse treatment program.

Since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly four years ago, over 1,500 individuals have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot.

President-elect Trump has pledged to pardon most Jan. 6 rioters both on the campaign trail and since his election victory. He reupped that vow during an interview with Time magazine earlier this week, after being named Person of the Year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jay-Z is seeking to have a lawsuit accusing him of rape dismissed after the accuser recently admitted there are several inconsistencies in her recollection of the alleged incident, which took place 24 years ago.

The lawsuit was initially filed against Sean Diddy Combs in October, and accused Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at a house party after the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000. On Sunday, the complaint was amended in U.S. District Court in New York to add Jay-Z as a defendant. It alleges he and Combs took turns assaulting the minor.

Both Combs and Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, have denied the allegations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Jay-Z denies anonymous court accusation that he raped girl in 2000

The accuser, listed as a Jane Doe in the complaint, is a 38-year-old woman from Alabama. In an interview with NBC News, the woman said that she stands by her allegations overall, but has "made some mistakes" when it comes to her memory of the night.

The woman had claimed she spoke with musician Benji Madden at the New York after-party, but a representative said neither he nor his brother, Joel, attended that year's VMAs, as they were touring the Midwest at the time, NBC News reported.

She also said that her father picked her up after the alleged rape. But he has told NBC News he has no recollection of doing so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some photos of Carter and Combs on the night of the alleged incident do not match the description of the location where the woman said the assault took place, according to NBC News.

On Friday, Carter issued a statement proclaiming his innocence and denouncing the woman's Texas-based attorney, Tony Buzbee.

This incident didnt happen and yet he [Buzbee] filed it in court and doubled down in the press, he said. True Justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesnt realize it yet, but, soon.

Read more: Jay-Z pulled into Combs sex scandal after weeks of ugly backstage legal maneuvering

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carter's lawyer, Alex Spiro, issued a statement saying he was asking the court to dismiss the case and will seek discipline against Buzbee and the other attorneys who filed the complaint.

It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press," Spiro said.

Buzbee told NBC News his client continues to stand by her claims and has agreed to submit to a polygraph test. He also said his law firm was continuing to vet her claims and track down corroborating evidence.

He did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Buzbee has filed several lawsuits against Combs since the rapper was arrested in New York in September.

Read more: How Sean 'Diddy' Combs allegedly used his empire and employees to 'get his way' with women

Combs has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and is in custody in New York awaiting the start of his trial in May.

Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The woman who accused Jay-Z of raping her along with Sean Diddy Combs when she was 13 has come forward and acknowledged inconsistencies in her story.

The 38-year-old, identified only in her lawsuit as Jane Doe, maintains the rape occurred in 2000 at an after-party for the MTV Music Video Awards, but admitted to NBC News that shes made some mistakes in recalling the night in question.

Doe, who now lives in Alabama, says she was living in Rochester at the time of the alleged assault. She recalls she snuck out a window and got a friend to drive her to New York City, in hopes of attending the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Though she didnt have a ticket to the awards show, she says she was able to get into an after-party after a limo driver outside the venue told her she fit was Diddy was looking for.

Once at the party  held, she says, at a large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway  a drink she was given allegedly made her feel funny. She claims she found a bedroom to lie down, only to be raped there by Diddy and Jay-Z.

Jay-Z comes over, holds me down, she reportedly said in her lawsuit. I start trying to push away. He puts his hand over my mouth, tells me to stop it, to cut the st, and then he rapes me like he had me overpowered.

After the alleged assault, Doe says she managed to flee the home and ran to a gas station, where she called her father to pick her up. But her dad told NBC News he doesnt remember any of the 11-hour roundtrip drive that his daughter insists did happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We agree he states he doesnt remember, Does attorney, Tony Buzbee, told the outlet. His daughter explains that he was in no state to remember during that point in time due to personal issues he was having then. We are talking about a time frame more than 20 years ago.

Neither Buzbee nor NBC News has been able to confirm the exact location of the after-party Doe says she attended. Both Jay-Z and Diddy were photographed that night at a party at the since-closed Lotus nightclub, but the house Doe described does not fit the description of the building in which Lotus was located.

We have never suggested the location [of the assault] was the Lotus club, Buzbee said. We wont speculate on whether there was an after-after party, because again, she doesnt know that.

Its unclear whether the rappers attended any other parties that night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Does story of being taken to New York City could also not be corroborated by the friend she says drove her, as that person appears to have since died. NBC News was unable to reach their relatives.

Another inconsistency lies in Does recollection of who she spoke to at the after-party. She tells NBC News she chatted with Benji Madden, of Good Charlotte fame, though neither he nor his twin brother, Joel, were in New York at the time. Their rep confirmed to the outlet they were touring in the Midwest.

Honestly, what is the clearest is what happened to me and [the] route that I took to what happened to me. Not all of the faces there are as clear, Doe says. So I have made some mistakes. I may have made a mistake in identifying.

Still, she stands by her allegations of rape.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Does lawsuit was initially filed against Combs in October, and accused an unidentified celebrity of also being involved. The suit was refiled on Sunday to name Jay-Z, who promptly denied the heinous allegations.

In light of the Does inconsistencies, Jay-Zs attorney is asking the court to dismiss the frivolous case and discipline Does legal team for filing such a serious complaint without proper vetting.

Buzbee insists the case was vetted by another firm which then referred it to him. He says his team will continue to vet Does claims.

Buzbee is currently representing over 100 Diddy accusers and has filed more than 20 lawsuits against him thus far.
A woman who accused rappers Jay-Z and Sean Diddy Combs of raping her when she was underage admitted to NBC News that her story contained inconsistencies, the outlet reported Friday.

I have made some mistakes, the anonymous woman told NBC, but added that she stands by her allegation that she was raped by the two men at an after-party for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. She was 13 years old at the time.

According to NBC, the womans story has at least three gray areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Among the inconsistencies: The woman said her father picked her up after the alleged sexual assault, but he says he doesnt recall that. The woman also claims she spoke to a celebrity at the after-party where she said she was sexually assaulted, but that celebrity said he was not in New York at that time. And images from that evening show Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and Sean Diddy Combs at a different location than the one the woman described, although their whereabouts for the entire evening are unclear. NBC News

The womans lawyer, Tony Buzbee, told NBC hes continuing to look into the matter.

Jane Does case was referred to our firm by another, who vetted it prior to sending it to us, he said. Our client remains fiercely adamant that what she has stated is true, to the best of her memory. We will continue to vet her claims and collect corroborating data to the extent it exists. Because we have interrogated her intensely, she has even agreed to submit to a polygraph. Ive never had a client suggest that before.

In any event, he added, we always do our best to vet each claim made, just as we did in this case. This has been extremely distressing for her, to the point she has experienced seizures and had to seek medical treatment due to the stress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, denied the allegations in a statement to the Daily Beast that referenced NBCs Friday story.

Todays investigative report proves this attorney Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame, Carter said. This incident didnt happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True Justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesnt realize it yet, but, soon.

Carters attorney, Alex Spiro, had a similar reaction.

It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press, Spiro told the Daily Beast in a statement. We are asking the Court to dismiss this frivolous case today, and will take up the matter of additional discipline for Mr. Buzbee and all the lawyers that filed the complaint.

Combs was indicted in September for charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. A lawsuit against Combs from October was refiled on Sunday, naming Carter as a co-defendant.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Content warning: This story discusses allegations of rape.

Jay-Z is standing his ground.

After an Alabama woman who recently filed a rape lawsuit against him and Sean "Diddy" Combs addressed inconsistencies in her story, the "99 Problems" rapperborn Shawn Carterput her attorney on blast for submitting a "false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This incident didnt happen," Carter said in a Dec. 13 statement to E! News. "True Justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began."

His attorney Alex Spiro added, "It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press."

The woman's attorney Tony Buzbee told NBC News that her case was previously vetted by another law firm and that his firm does their best to vet each claim they make.

Still, the woman stands by her overall allegations, with her attorney Buzbee saying that it's possible her father misremembered the night in question.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"His daughter explains that he was in no state to remember during that point in time due to personal issues he was having then," Buzbee told NBC News. "We are talking about a time frame more than twenty years ago."

Meanwhile, an attorney for Combswho's been accused of sexual assault in over 100 civil lawsuitshas said that the rap mogul maintains his innocence.

He cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," Erica Wolff shared in an Oct. 1 statement to E! News. "That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors."

For a breakdown of Combs' legal troubles, keep reading.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

More from E! Online

In the lawsuit, the woman alleged that Carter and Combs sexually assaulted her in 2000 at a New York after-party for the MTV Video Music Awards. She said in her filing that she ran to a nearby gas station after the alleged attack and called her dad for a ride home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, in an NBC News investigative report published Dec. 13, her father said he does not recall picking her up following the alleged incident. Furthermore, a celebrity the woman alleged to have spoken to at the party told NBC News that he was not in New York at that time.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

While the inconsistencies do not necessarily mean the allegations are false, the woman said in a Dec. 13 interview that she "may have made a mistake in identifying."

"Honestly, what is the clearest is what happened to me and [the] route that I took to what happened to me," she told NBC News, after the inconsistencies were laid out. "Not all of the faces there are as clear."

Still, the woman stands by her overall allegations, with her attorney Buzbee saying that it's possible her father misremembered the night in question.

Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

"His daughter explains that he was in no state to remember during that point in time due to personal issues he was having then," Buzbee told NBC News. "We are talking about a time frame more than twenty years ago."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, an attorney for Combswho's been accused of sexual assault in over 100 civil lawsuitshas said that the rap mogul maintains his innocence.

He cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," Erica Wolff shared in an Oct. 1 statement to E! News. "That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors."

For a breakdown of Combs' legal troubles, keep reading.

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





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.



For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.
Several of Donald Trumps Cabinet picks have courted quite a bit of controversy over the last few weeks. But surprisingly, his pick to become the next director of the FBI hasnt experienced as much pushback as I expected.

Kash Patels book on the so-called deep state, Government Gangsters, included an appendix listing political figures he wants to target; he produced a song with the Jan. 6 prison choir; and he penned a Russiagate childrens book to educate kids about Trumps first impeachment. Patel has openly advocated for shutting down the FBIs D.C. headquarters, and even Bill Barr  Trumps former attorney general  once responded to Trump floating Patel as deputy director of the FBI with over my dead body.

Yet, Patels path to confirmation has been remarkably smooth. Ill tell you, I put up some that I thought would be a little more controversial, and they turned out not to be necessarily the ones that are controversial, Trump noted this week in a Time magazine interview. Trump is more likely to have been talking about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. there (and Im shocked hes also seemingly flying through the process), but Patel fits the bill as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With Patels confirmation hearing on the horizon, key Republicans like Sens. Thom Tillis and Joni Ernst have praised his commitment to restoring integrity to the bureau. Outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray has already announced his plans to step down, paving the way for what could be a seismic shift under Patels leadership.

For a party that once prided itself on supporting law enforcement, the GOPs embrace of Patels extremist leadership style reveals how far Republicans are willing to go to undermine institutions in service of Donald Trump. And it risks leaving the country potentially more vulnerable to threats like transnational crime and political corruption.

A story you should be following: Trump makes an example out of Sen. Joni Ernst

As Trumps transition team ramps up its efforts on Capitol Hill, some key allies are making sure no opposition goes unpunished.

Take the example of Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick for secretary of defense. A wave of criticism, including from some Republicans, followed allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct (Hegseth has never been charged with a crime and denies both the misconduct allegations and stories about his drinking). But now, Hegseths candidacy is getting a significant boost from the Building Americas Future super PAC, run by none other than Elon Musk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Musks new $500,000 ad portrays Hegseth as a patriot, decorated combat veteran, and warrior and urges Americans to pressure their senators to confirm him. The ad is strategically placed to run in Ernsts home state of Iowa.

The Deep State is trying to stop his nomination, but @PeteHegseth isn't backing down.



America needs a Defense Security who knows what it means to fight and understands the price of freedom. pic.twitter.com/AwUbbt8Ike  Building America's Future (@bldgUSAfuture) December 6, 2024

Before this week, Ernst was widely seen as a Republican who might oppose Hegseths confirmation. As a veteran and survivor of sexual assault, Ernst has spent her congressional career championing the rights of victims in the military. However, as Republican strategist Brendan Buck noted in an interview on my show, Ernst has now found herself in the middle of a political and media firestorm  an unwelcome spotlight with her 2026 re-election campaign looming. Ernst released a statement this week saying she plans to support Pete through this process.

Despite assurances, Trumps allies arent leaving anything to chance. MAGA supporters have unleashed a wave of attacks on Ernst for her initial skepticism, even recruiting Iowas attorney general (and a potential primary challenger to Ernst) to write an op-ed about why senators should back Trumps Cabinet picks.

For Trump, the stakes in this fight go far beyond Hegseth. His ability to reshape the government in his image depends not only on his picks but also on keeping Republicans in line  even if it means making their lives extremely uncomfortable. As the battle over his Cabinet heats up, one thing is clear: Trumps grassroots machine is as relentless as ever.

Another story you should be following: N.C. Republicans strip power from incoming Democrats

In a bill designed primarily to implement hurricane relief, North Carolina Republican lawmakers also slipped in a measure that strips key powers from the states incoming Democratic officials. The move, which Democrats have criticized as a power grab, comes just weeks after voters elected Democrats to key state offices. Notably, the GOP is set to lose its legislative supermajority next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bill shifts control of the states election board from the governors office to the Republican-held auditors office, limits the Democratic attorney generals ability to argue positions contrary to those of the state Legislature, and accelerates ballot counting deadlines.

Outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper slammed the legislation, calling it shameful and accusing Republicans of prioritizing political power over disaster recovery. Legal challenges are expected, but for now, the measure highlights how state Republicans are exploiting legislation meant to protect North Carolinas most vulnerable communities to undermine the will of voters.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
(NewsNation)  NewsNations Ross Coulthart will examine the perplexing case of the mysterious drones seen all over New Jersey in an hour-long special program on NewsNation at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 14. Not sure how to find NewsNation on your TV? Use our ChannelFinder app.

One politician in New Jersey is calling for a limited state of emergency after what he said is a lack of government transparency over the recent unexplained wave of drone sightings in the Northeast and in New Jersey near a military base.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick questioned why the Department of Defense is not being more transparent with the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This started as some questions, and now its reached the point of almost insanity, Bramnick said on NewsNations Morning in America with Hena Doba Saturday morning. You think about a United States senator who has to go out with the local police to look for drones. Thats where United States senator is getting information.

He said he got a briefing from the state police who also did not know the drones origins.

Drones over New Jersey: What we know so far

Not only did I call for a limited state of emergency and the FAA shutting down the airspace for drones but also having the Department of Defense come in and answer questions, he said. If the Department of Defense doesnt know where the origins are for these so-called drones, then were in trouble.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bramnick called the situation scary and terrifying.

President-elect Donald Trump called for government transparency, posting about the drones to his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.

Trump wants the military to shoot them down. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said a foreign entity is not responsible for the drones.

Mystery drones: Where they have been spotted?

I would leave that up to the Department of Defense. But how can the Department of Defense not provide information to the public? This is a shock to me, Bramnick said.

Hes not the only lawmaker calling on other government officials to take action.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., concurred with Trumps sentiments that the military should shoot the drones if necessary.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, joined New Jersey Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim in writing a letter asking for a briefing with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security as soon as possible.

My guess is there is information, but theyre holding it back, Bramnick said. And now what you have is panic  and at the next point, somebody is going to do something stupid, so the Department of Defense has to come clean with the American public.

NewsNations Tom Dempsey contributed to this report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
New Jersey assemblyman Mike Inganamort (R) urged the Biden administration to take action against the mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and other parts of the country.

This needs engagement for the from the federal level, Inganamort told Chris Stirewalt on NewsNations The Hill, referencing President-elect Trumps post calling for the drones to be show down. I appreciate the president elect weighing in, but we still have about a month left of the Biden administration.

There have been mounting reports of sightings in New Jersey, New York and, according to Philadelphias WPVI-TV, multiple reports of flying objects within Delaware and Philadelphia counties. The Pentagon on Wednesday denied that any foreign country was behind the mysterious drones that have flown near sensitive U.S. military sites in New Jersey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think that President Biden and the Biden administration are overdue to show leadership here, to show some creativity, to show some, you know, proactive leadership in in controlling the situation and taking these drones down in a safe and secure way, Inganamort added.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested that the drones reportedly spotted are not nefarious nor a threat.

We know of no threat or nefarious activity, and I want to repeat, Wolf, that if we learn of any cause for concern, we will be transparent in our communication, Mayorkas told CNNs Wolf Blitzer Friday.

Trump on Friday evening called for authorities to shoot down the drones and suggested the government must know more about the mysterious sightings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge. I don think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shot them down!!! DJT the incoming president wrote on Truth Social.

Lawmakers in the northeastern part of the country  areas where the drones have been reportedly spotted  sent a letter Thursday to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Aviation Administration demanding a briefing on the drones.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar, which also owns The Hill.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When Jim Leach recently passed away from a heart attack and stroke at the age of 82, Iowa lost a great representative of the state and a patriot. Jim was my good friend in Congress from whom I often sought advice. We shared a love of wrestling and the University of Iowa. He was a mentor, though we didnt always agree.

The most important issue we disagreed on was the Iraq war resolution.

On Oct. 11, 2002, I sought Jim on the floor of the House of Representatives to discuss Joint Resolution 114. This resolution authorized the use of force if President Saddam Hussein of Iraq did not allow United Nations weapons inspectors to search for weapons of mass destruction. It was known as the Iraq war resolution and was considered by both Jim and me as the most serious vote we would make in Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Sept. 11 of the previous year, four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks carried out by al-Qaida had brought down the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. One plane had crashed into the Pentagon. The attacks killed 2,977 people, and the images of people jumping out of the towers to their death were fresh in everyones mind. I visited Ground Zero a few days after the attack and was deeply moved at seeing posters the victims children had posted in the Port Authority.

The U.S. launched a war on terror by invading Afghanistan to depose the Taliban and destroy al-Qaida, but Osama bin Laden evaded our forces. President George W. Bush then insisted that there was a link between Iraq and al-Qaida. The evidence for this was, to my mind, tenuous. However, the link was repeated so often that two-thirds of the public came to believe it was true.

Saddam was clearly a bad man and had used chemical weapons against his own people. He claimed to have chemical, biologic and nuclear weapons. The Bush administration pushed the idea that these weapons could be transferred to terrorists. To prevent another attack like Sept. 11, Bush argued, we must act in advance and destroy this threat.

There was no reason to not believe that Saddam had residual chemical weapons from the raw materials he had received from Dutch, Australian, Italian, French and German companies. More significantly, Saddam bragged of having biologic and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Our own intelligence agencies and those of Britain, Germany, and France concurred that Saddam had this capability. It was the threat of nuclear devices falling into the hands of terrorists that worried me most.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Jim Leach, a true public servant and friend, will be missed | Opinion

I asked Jim why he was going to vote "no" on the resolution. He said that he had met with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Pentagon generals and was not convinced that Saddam Hussein had biologic or nuclear WMD capability. Also, he was not convinced that Saddam, even if he had this type of WMD, would share it with terrorists.

Jim thought that, while Saddam was an awful man, he kept a lid, through his Baathist Party, on the sectarian elements of Iraq that would tear apart the country. Jim did not consider him to be an Islamic terrorist like bin Laden and thought bringing Saddam down would destabilize the Middle East even more.

Colin Powell had not yet presented his Feb. 5, 2003, UN speech on Saddams WMD and biologic weapons factories, which helped propel us into the war. However, for me, the corroboration of so many other countries risk assessments made the threat believable. I read the resolution to authorize the use of force only if Saddam did not allow U.N. inspectors to do their jobs. I considered the Joint Resolution as a way to force Saddam to surrender his WMD.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I conceded that Jim could be right. Also, my political philosophy was to avoid overseas military engagements like Kosovo. Nevertheless, I had no personal knowledge to doubt the president and our intelligence organizations assessments on risk. Jim thought the resolution was too wide and would be used to justify an invasion on less than substantive evidence.

The Joint Resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 77 to 23 and the House of Representatives by a vote of 296 to 133. Forty percent of Democratic House members voted for the resolution, including Iowas Leonard Boswell. Fifty-eight percent of Democratic senators voted for the resolution, including Iowas Tom Harkin. Six House Republicans (3%) voted against the resolution. Jim, despite much pressure from leadership, voted his conscience and was the lone Iowan to vote against the Iraq war resolution.

The reaction to Jims position was mixed in his district. Protesting students at the University of Iowa cheered when read his statement against the resolution that ended with the statement, This is a precipice we should step back from. However, it may have played a difference in his subsequent defeat a few elections later.

We know the sequelae of the vote. Saddam allowed the U.N. inspectors into Iraq and they found no evidence of WMD. Bush then ordered an invasion that resulted in the capture and death of Saddam. No WMD were ever found. It turned out that Saddam was lying about having WMD in order to intimidate his neighbors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Without the hard hand of the dictator, the country divided into religious factions of Shiite and Sunni, as Jim predicted. The war cost 4,431 American lives, 32,000 Americans wounded with terrible war injuries, and at least $757 billion. It devastated Iraq and resulted in the loss of around 200,000 Iraqi lives. Without Iraq as a counter, Irans fundamentalist government was empowered.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have voted "no" along with Jim on this our most important vote in Congress. Jim was right and prescient.

On the 10th anniversary of that vote, in a Huffington Post interview, Jim reflected along with the other Republicans who voted no if there were lessons to be learned from the war. I can just hear hear Jim, in his typical soft-spoken, precise voice, reply, Wisdom is linear. A smart person, we are told, learns from his or her mistakes. But a really smart person also learns from the mistakes of others. And a sage learns both from mistakes and the wise decisions of those who came before.

We should all celebrate the life of this great Iowan and mourn his passing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dr. Greg Ganske is a retired plastic and reconstructive surgeon who cared for women with breast cancer, children with cleft lips, farmers with hand injuries and burn and trauma patients. He served in the US Congress from 1995 to 2003 when he returned to his medical practice.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How Jim Leach got it right on his most important vote | Opinion
Saturday (Dec. 14) marked 12 years since the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, which claimed the lives of 20 students and six educators. Many of the surviving children have since graduated high school or are preparing to do so. In the wake of families and friends remembering their loved ones, President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and several other officials used the milestone to once again push for urgent measures to combat gun violence.

Trending

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jill and I still grieve this unimaginable loss and continue to pray for the victims families and others traumatized by this senseless violence, Biden wrote in a White House press release. He then commended those who turned their pain into purpose through foundations, such as Sandy Hook Promise or Safe and Sound Schools.

Congress has an obligation to do something in order to protect our children and communities from this scourge of gun violence. We are the only nation experiencing this epidemic and there are common sense policies that the majority of Americans agree with and that Congress can easily take action on, he further explained.

The renewed pressure comes in the wake of a bipartisan gun safety bill passed by Congress and signed into law by Biden in June 2022. It tightened background checks for buyers aged 18-21, made straw purchasing and trafficking firearms federal crimes and clarified what qualifies as a federally licensed firearm dealer.

They should still be with us  finishing their first semester of college, teaching, laughing, and making new memories, VP Harris wrote on Twitter. We must honor their memory with action that addresses gun violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

School safety advocate JT Lewis also remembered his late brother, Jesse, who helped save nine lives after the perpetrators, Adam Lanza, gun was jammed. He saved nine lives that day, but not his own. He was 6 years old, the post read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You Might Also Like
Originally appeared on E! Online

John Ramsey looks back on his Christmas bonus as a clue to who killed his daughter JonBenet Ramsey in 1996.

In a never-before-seen sit-down with Barbara Walters during the early aughts, the patriarch theorized that his 6-year-old's murdererwhose identity continues to remain a mysterymust have demanded a $118,000 ransom for a specific reason.

"One of the theories that I came up with," Johnwho shared JonBenet and son Burke Ramsey, now 37, with late wife Patsy Ramseysaid in the interview, airing fir the first time on the Dec. 13 episode of ABC News' 20/20, "that it was close to the net amount I'd received that year as a bonus."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He surmised to Walters, who died in 2022 at age 93, that the number "means something to the killer" or else they wouldn't have used such a specific figure in the ransom note, which was found on the kitchen stairs at the family's Colorado home.

"Whether that's tied to my bonus or something else, we don't know," John said. "Only the killer knows."

Patsy, who died in 2006 at age 49 after a battle with ovarian cancer, added in the same interview that she did not know John had received such a bonus until after discovering the ransom letter.

JonBenet was found dead in the basement of her home on Dec. 26, 1996, hours after her parents called the police to report a kidnapping. Her cause of death was determined to be strangulation and blunt head trauma.

More from E! Online

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Patsy, who died in 2006 at age 49 after a battle with ovarian cancer, added in the same interview that she did not know John had received such a bonus until after discovering the ransom letter.

JonBenet was found dead in the basement of her home on Dec. 26, 1996, hours after her parents called the police to report a kidnapping. Her cause of death was determined to be strangulation and blunt head trauma.

Donna Svennevik/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

And though John and Patsy quickly became the center of suspicion in the case, a district attorney cleared the coupleas well as their son Burke, who was 9 years old at the time of JonBenet's murderof any involvement in 2008 due to DNA evidence.

Now, nearly 30 years after JonBenet's death, John continues to seek answers. In fact, he recently appeared in Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey as a way to, as he explained, "put pressure on the police" for a solve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We're not going away," he said in the Netflix docuseries. "I'm going to be hammering on you 'til I die if you don't find this creature that did this to our daughter."

For a deep dive into the JonBenet murder investigation, keep reading.

A Contaminated Scene

After Patsy Ramsey called 911 at 5:52 a.m. on Dec. 26, 1996, to report that her daughter JonBenet Ramsey had been kidnapped, she and husband John Ramsey also reached out to a number of their friends, who came right over to support the couple. In turn, in addition to responding officers, there were people milling around the Ramseys' 5,000-square-foot home all day before John found JonBenet's body in the basement shortly after 1:30 p.m. "I should have removed all those people from the scene, that was a crime scene mistake," retired Boulder Police Detective Bob Whitson recalled in the Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey. "But, at the time, it looked like a legitimate kidnapping. So, I thought, Well, these are the support system for the Ramseys, and I let 'em stay." Not knowing she was dead when he found her, John said in the series he at first tried to untie the cord that bound her hands. The knots were too tight, he said, but he did remove a piece of duct tape that was covering her mouth and tossed it onto a blanket that had been with the body. He then carried her upstairs, which, according to investigators, ensured that the evidence collected from her body, the pajamas she was wearing, the tape, etc., was contaminated. "There may have been some evidence on the duct tape if that wasn't removed," Whitson said in the series.





Two Faulty Searches

Police who responded to Patsy's 911 call searched the three upper levels of the Ramseys' home, and the basement, but it wasn't until a detective suggested that John do another sweep of the house nearly eight hours later that her body was found in a part of the basement that used to be a coal room. "One of the cops did not open the door where JonBenet was lying," Fox News' Carol McKinley, who covered the case at the time, said in the Netflix series. "Major mistake, and I believe he lives with that to this day." Retired Boulder PD Commander John San Agustin noted in the series, "You never have someone outside of law enforcement doing a search." However, when John looked in the coal room, he said, "Her body was right there in front of me."





JonBenet Ramsey's Pageant History

In a pre-Toddlers and Tiaras world, the media incredulously spotlighted JonBenet's participation in children's beauty pageants, with most of the commentary being of the what-sort-of-mother-lets-her-child-parade-around-like-that variety. Having competed and performed at local events since she was 4, there were myriad photos of JonBenet wearing a full face of makeup and videos that became Rorschach tests for critics of the Ramseys who were looking for signs of sexual abuse or other trauma behind the child's precocious poise. And people who claimed to have diagnosed as much had no qualms saying it on TV, the Netflix series including a clip from Geraldo in which a woman identified as a "well-known expert in child abuse" described one of JonBenet's performances as masturbatory. (Host Geraldo Rivera was staging a mock trial on his show, during which a six-person "jury" found Patsy liable for her daughter's death. "I went to bed for about two days," she said in the 1998 documentary The Ramseys vs. The Media, "because I just was mortified.") Reflecting on his enthusiastic coverage of the case, Rivera told the Chicago Tribune in 2006, "Everyone I came in contact with was talking about the Ramsey case, whether it was my nanny or the people in the neighborhood or the guy that takes care of my koi pond." Even his mom wanted the details, he added, so "when it gets to that level, you know it has an interest thats almost universal."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





The pageant commentary painted the Ramseys as "delinquent parents," recalled Paula Woodward, an investigative reporter for KUSA Denver who covered the case from the beginning. She interviewed JonBenet's pediatrician at the time, the journalist said, "He told me, no, she's never had any sexual abuse in her life. He would have lost his medical license if he ever lied about that." In a 1997 interview, the doctor said there was "never any hint whatsoever of sexual abuse. I didn't see any hint of emotional abuse, or physical abuse. She was a very much-loved child." But, as seen on tabloid covers shown in the series, there was plenty of speculation that the child may have been abused in lieu of evidence to allege that she really was. "Let me address it very directly: I did not kill my daughter JonBenet," John told reporters during a May 1, 1997, news conference. "There have been innuendos that she had been or was sexually molested. I can tell you that those were the most hurtful innuendos to us as a family. They are totally false. JonBenet and I had a very close relationship. I will miss her dearly the rest of my life." Added Patsy, "I'm appalled that anyone would think that John or I would be involved in such a hideous, heinous crime. But let me assure you that I did not kill JonBenet and did not have anything to do with it. I loved that child with the whole of my heart and soul."





The Ramseys' Questionable Silence

JonBenet was laid to rest in Atlanta next to her half-sister Beth Ramsey (one of John's three grown children from his first marriage, she died in a car accident in 1992) on Dec. 31, 1996. By then, the family had a spokesperson releasing statements to the media and had hired a lawyer. Which, at the time, "smelled a little funny," Fox News' McKinley said in the series. "And we were like, 'What is going on?'" John said in the series, however, that their attorneys had advised them to be careful about anything they said or did. "But we gave the police everything they asked for," John said. "Blood samples, DNA samples, whatever they asked for. Records, all our credit card [records], anything they asked for, we gave it to them." Meanwhile, he added, "I would've been happy to die, quite frankly, to relieve the pain." But with the media filling in the blanks so long as the Ramseys remained silent, soon enough friends in Boulder advised them to grant an interview ASAP, John recalled. So he and Patsy sat down with CNN on Jan. 1, 1997.





"There is a killer on the loose," Patsy memorably said at the time. "I don't know who it is, I don't know if it's a he or a she. But if I were a resident of Boulder, I would tell my friends to keep your babies close to you. There's someone out there." Following the Ramseys' interview, then-Boulder Mayor Leslie Durgin said on TV that there was no visible sign of forced entry at the Ramsey residence and the cops were saying, based on where JonBenet's body was found, that "someone had to know the house. So, there isn't a crazed killer on the loose wandering the streets of Boulder." Listening to Durgin, "You would assume that she had information from the police that led her to feel comfortable saying that," recalled KMGH Denver investigative reporter Julie Hayden in the Netflix series, explaining why authorities' behavior in those early days also contributed to the cloud of suspicion growing around John and Patsy. The "implication from that clearly would be that it was somebody connected with the family."





Accusations That the Ramseys' Grieving Was Staged

Journalist McKinley recalled in the series thinking that the Ramseys made "an orchestrated appearance" at a Jan. 5, 1997, memorial for their daughter in Boulder. "It didn't seem sincere to me and it was almost like a performance," she added, singling out Patsy's big black sunglasses and all-black attire as a particularly notable touch. John barely remembered that day "'cause we were in shock, frankly," he said in the series, but any accusation that aspects of it were staged was "absolutely false."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





Information Run Amok

Local media were getting a lot of information from law enforcement sources, often crediting just one source if that's all they could get, several journalists noted in the series. And not all of it was factual. Charlie Brennan of the Rocky Mountain News admitted getting it wrong when he reported for the paper that John, a licensed pilot, had flown JonBenet's coffin to Atlanta in his own plane. "That was inaccurate," he said in the Netflix series. "It came from a source that I thoroughly trusted and had given me other solid information. That information was wrong, my source was wrong in that case, and that was a mistake."





DNA Results Go Unreported

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation's report stating that unidentified male DNA found on JonBenet's underwear and under her fingernails did not match her father or her then-10-year-old brother Burke Ramsey came back on Jan. 15, 1997. But police didn't share the findings right awaynot even with prosecutors. Police "were told that in January," John said in the series. "They kept that secret from the media and from the District Attorney for months." Stranger still, investigative reporter Woodward observed in the series, was that the info didn't leak to the media. "DNA results often leak in murder cases," she said, "yet when the one piece of evidence that clears them, or at least clears their DNA, comes back, there's not a leak about it." But, Woodward noted, early in the investiation there was "massive police leaking that Patsy Ramsey had written the ransom note." (The theory was duly reported on; multiple handwriting experts determined her writing and the letter did not match, retired Det. Whitson recalled in the series.) "They kept that secret," John said of the DNA findings, "because it conflicted with their conclusion that we were the killers."





Police vs. Prosecutors

Boulder Police Det. Steve Thomas took over leading the investigation into JonBenet's death in early 1997 and he zeroed in on her parents. In his 2000 book, JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation, he detailed his theory that Patsy killed her daughter in a rage after the 6-year-old wet the bed, staged the scene in the basement and wrote the ransom note. He also said this to Patsy and John's faces on an episode of CNN's Larry King Live. They vehemently pushed back, Patsy ultimately saying, "God knows [what happened], and the truth is going to prevail." (The Ramseys filed an $80 million defamation lawsuit against Thomas and his publisher in 2001; it was settled for an undisclosed sum.) In the Netflix series, John said that Steve's theory "didn't pass the sanity test." "Patsy had just recovered from stage 4 ovarian cancer," John said. "She was grateful to be alive. Do you think that her child wetting her bed would be a big deal? No. She was happy to be alive and to have some more time with her children." Steve Thomas resigned from the case in protest in August 1998, accusing the district attorney's office of mishandling the Ramsey case. In a 2004 interview, Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter reflected on "a split" between his office and Boulder PD, noting, "Some Boulder Police people thought they knew who did it. And some of my people were convinced that it was an intruder that did it."





The Ramseys' New Champion

In 1997, the DA's office brought in retired detective Lou Smit to consult on the case. Smit died in 2010, but he detailed in video and audio diaries sampled in the Netflix series why he believed the Ramseys were innocent. There was "no motive, no evidence of bad character," he said in a 1998 recording, per the series. "There is evidence of an intruder. I say this over and over and over again. Nobody wants to listen." So when prosecutors opted to take their case against the Ramseys to the grand jury in September 1998, Smit tendered his resignation from the case. "He would have no part in trying to convict an innocent couple," Colorado Springs Police Department Investigations Commander Kurt Pillar, who considered Smit a mentor, said in the Netflix series. "That's how strongly he felt about this case." John recalled in the series, "We fully expected and were prepared to be indicted. 'Cause they were saying, 'You can indict a ham sandwich in front a grand jury,' it's a one-sided argument."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





More than a year later, District Attorney Hunter announced on Oct. 13, 1999, that his office didn't have the evidence to file charges against the Ramseysor anyoneat that time. He did not share the grand jury's recommendation with the public. "I feel at peace and to some extent proud of the fact that I weathered the storm and did the right thing," Hunter said in 2004, "based on the evidence." In 2008, his successor Mary Lacy publicly exonerated John, Patsy and Burke, citing the results of new touch DNA analysis. "To the extent that we may have contributed in any way to the public perception that you might have been involved in this crime, I am deeply sorry," the DA wrote in a letter to John, per NBC News. It wasn't until 2013 that the indictment was unsealed, revealing that the grand jury chose to indict John and Patsy on two counts each of child abuse resulting in death. Per the Denver Post, the document didn't accuse them of killing their daughter, but rather of permitting her to be placed in a dangerous situation that led to her death and of assisting a person who "committed and was suspected of the crime of murder in the first degree and child abuse resulting in death."





"We didn't know who did what," a member of the grand jury told the Boulder Daily Camera in January 2013. "But we felt the adults in the house may have done something that they certainly could have prevented, or they could have helped her, and they didn't." After the 1999 indictment was revealed, Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner said in a statement that it proved "the investigation pursued by the Boulder Police Department was, in fact, based on the information and evidence available." "There are no new leads," the statement continued. "While we believe at this point it is unlikely there will ever be a prosecution, the Boulder Police Department still holds out some hope that one day the district attorney and the Boulder Police Department will be able to put together a case worthy of presenting to a jury." The Ramseys' attorney Lin Wood said in 2013, per the Post, that the grand jury's decision in 1999 was "based on incomplete evidence." Its subject to the impression that criminal charges were warranted against the Ramseys," he said. "A full examination of the evidence unquestionably exonerates the Ramseys. This is inflicting a terrible miscarriage of justice."



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
A federal judge on Friday rejected former Sen. Bob Menendezs long shot attempt to have all the corruption convictions against him thrown out.

Menendez resigned from the Senate this summer after jurors found the New Jersey Democrat guilty of bribery, acting as a foreign agent, obstruction of justice, extortion and conspiring to commit those crimes.

However, U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein did toss a count he found duplicative.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Steins 78-page order also did not address a separate request Menendez made for a new trial last month, after prosecutors revealed theyd inadvertently given jurors access to evidence they should not have seen. Its unclear how the judge will handle Menendezs request for a new trial because of that mistake by prosecutors, which was discovered only months after the trial ended.

Instead, Steins order Friday was responding to an August request by Menendezs legal team that asked the judge to reverse the results of a corruption trial over which he presided.

The chances of that happening were vanishingly slim.

The jury's guilty verdicts were readily supported by the extensive witness testimony and extensive documentary evidence admitted at trial, and there is no manifest injustice requiring a new trial, Stein ruled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Menendezs 150-page request in August that the judge declare him not guilty should still be read as a preview of a series of legal issues the former senator hopes an appeals court  perhaps eventually the Supreme Court  will take more seriously.

Menendez was found guilty by a jury in July of 16 different corruption-related counts. Stein tossed one from a pair of related counts  one accusing Menendez and an Egyptian-American codefendant of bribery conspiracy and the other of conspiring to act as a foreign agent of Egypt  because they were multiplicitous, and the judge said he would ignore one when he hands down sentences on Jan. 29.

Menendezs wife, Nadine Menendez, is expected to face trial starting on Jan. 21. Prosecutors have described her as a go between to deliver messages to and from the people paying bribes" and charged her with many of the same crimes her husband was found guilty of.

Federal prosecutors declined to comment on Steins ruling. Menendez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
COURTESY HPD Desmond Kekahuna 1 /2 COURTESY HPD Desmond Kekahuna JAMM AQUINO / NOV. 20 Desmond Kekahuna sits in the courtroom of Judge Kevin Souza in Honolulu last mont. Kekahuna was found guilty Friday on one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of second-degree assault, in a Feb. 1, 2023, rampage in the Mililani Walmart parking lot.

2 /2 JAMM AQUINO / NOV. 20 Desmond Kekahuna sits in the courtroom of Judge Kevin Souza in Honolulu last mont. Kekahuna was found guilty Friday on one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of second-degree assault, in a Feb. 1, 2023, rampage in the Mililani Walmart parking lot.

COURTESY HPD Desmond Kekahuna JAMM AQUINO / NOV. 20 Desmond Kekahuna sits in the courtroom of Judge Kevin Souza in Honolulu last mont. Kekahuna was found guilty Friday on one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of second-degree assault, in a Feb. 1, 2023, rampage in the Mililani Walmart parking lot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite Desmond Keka hunas numerous suicide attempts and hearing voices, an Oahu Circuit judge was not convinced he was suffering from a physical or mental disease, disorder or defect when in 2023 he used a car to plow into a 37-year-old woman pushing her 6-month-old girl in a stroller through the Mililani Walmart parking lot.

Following the jury-waived trial held Nov. 20, Judge Kevin Souza took the matter under advisement to review all the rec ords and files in evidence.

Souza rendered his guilty verdict Friday on one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of second-degree assault, the latter charge for the beating of a good Samaritan at the scene.

Kekahuna will be sentenced April 10. Second-degree attempted murder is punishable by life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the gallery sat the victim, Kristelle Taliulu, a mother of five, in a wheelchair, missing her left leg as a result of the collision. She was surrounded by her family, including the now 2-year-old daughter, who was in the stroller Taliulu was pushing Feb. 1, 2023.

The baby was spared from injury, unlike her mother, who was dragged 15 feet.

Don 't miss out on what 's happening !

Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !

Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The trial was not about whether he struck Taliulu with the red Honda Fit he was driving, then got out and beat her with a tire iron, and struck the 40-year-old man who came to her aid with the same tire iron.

Those facts were stipulated to by the state, represented by Deputy Prosecutor Kyle Mesa, and Kekahunas court-appointed attorney, Aaron Wills.

Instead, Wills attempted to have Kekahuna acquitted by what is commonly known as the insanity  defense, asserting he lacked the penal responsibility for his actions.

The judge found that the defense failed to meet its burden of proof that Kekahuna was, at the time of the offense, suffering from a physical or mental disease, disorder or defect and that he lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or conform his conduct to the requirements of the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Defense witness Dr. Martin Blinder, an expert witness on forensic psychiatry, met with Kekahuna three times and submitted reports each time. He testified at trial that Kekahuna suffered from post-methamphetamine encephelopathya recognizable diseaseat the time he committed the offenses, which has similarities to schizophrenia.

He also testified he was not under the influence of illicit substances at the time of the incident and that even though Kekahuna stopped using, he would continue to suffer from the effects of the disease.

While this is not a recognized disorder by the DSM5, the Hawaii Supreme Court has recognized this as a colorable diagnosis in State v. Abio,  Souza said.

Souza said Blinder has testified many times before this court, and the court certainly respects his opinion on this issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the judge pointed out that Blinder admitted he did not review certain portions of the police report, the police body-worn camera footage or the surveillance video of the incident to make a determination as to whether those pieces of evidence lined up and comported with his diagnosis.

The judge found that Blinder did not substantiate his findings with physical proof with testing that Kekahuna had physical brain damage due to long-term use of methamphetamine and other drugs.

Blinder also admitted that had he been more keenly aware of defendants alternative and evolving explanation of his conduct on the date of the incident, that may have caused him to rethink his diagnosis,  the judge said.

Mesa relied on the testimony of two other mental health experts, which Souza said he found credible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They both found that other than the presence of some possible depression and certainly borderline personality disorder traits, the defendant, Mr. Kekahuna, was not suffering from a mental disease, disorder or defect on the date of the incident, and there was no clinical diagnosis to speak of,  the judge said.

Forensic psychology expert Brenda Bauer-Smith and psychologist Steven Taketa found Kekahuna had a history of paranoia and hearing voices. But those voices that Mr. Kekahuna was hearing were directly attributable to his use of illicit substances and alcohol during that time and were not due to a psychological disorder,  the judge said.

Taketa said Kekahuna was not suffering from any mental illness during the one time he interviewed him.

The judge then addressed whether Kekahuna, at the time of the offenses, lacked the capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bauer-Smith said his conduct is consistent with someone with borderline personality traits and acting out of aggression or frustration and not out of the commands of some mental disease, disorder or defect, the judge said.

He said the two psychologists found the body-worn camera video showed Kekahuna displayed no disorganization of thought, or active hallucinations or any sort of response to internal stimuli, that he was responsive, but his behavior changed after he was approached by police and became combative.

The psychologists testified Kekahuna denied doing anything wrong when police questioned him, suggesting he understood he did something illegal.

Kekahuna, when recalling the incident, said he knew attempted murder and assault were against the law, and said if a police officer were present, he would not have done what he did.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The states expert witnesses said Kekahunas explanations were self-serving and evolved, showed signs of malingering, and that he seemed to make things up, giving multiple explanations for what occurred, blaming car problems and being chased.

The body-worn camera footage showed he intentionally drove into the victim, and reflected aggression, not fear, they said.
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) Those in the Raleigh County legal community look forward every year to Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge H.L. Kirkpatricks holiday party, according to those who gathered at the Raleigh County Judicial Annex on Friday to celebrate.

He invites a lot of people, and they all show up, explained Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman. Its Christmas. Its Judge Kirkpatrick. Theres really nothing quite like it, and hes done it for years, and this is the last one.

Kirkpatrick is set to retire at the end of the month, although he has stated he will preside over the murder trial of Natalie Cochran, by special appointment, in January 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those at the party say the judges annual Christmas celebration was a generous and hospitable gathering that he offered for years, bringing people together and often serving as a reunion for many in the legal community.

Choosing local, unique gifts this holiday season

This was always Judge Kirkpatricks baby, and he hosted it, said Brian Bigelow, a partner of the law firm Farmer Cline & Campbell, who attended the party. Its one of the many reasons that we love him and that were thankful for him. He is, without a doubt, going to be missed, and I suppose you could say, it will never be the same.

The mood at the final party was happy, with people showing holiday cheer as they enjoyed food catered by Corner Gas-n-Grill, a popular Pax restaurant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Melancholy was only a whisper, tinging conversations regarding Kirkpatricks upcoming retirement and the impact he had had on peoples lives, as a person and from the bench.

Todd Kirby takes oath of office for Raleigh County Circuit Court judge

Were going to miss Judge Kirkpatrick immensely. Amazing human being. One of the kindest gentlemen youll ever meet, said Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Dimlich. Kind of the Polar Star of judges in my eyes, just very fair. Treats everybody with respect and is reasonable, and the Bar and the judges will miss him greatly.

The crowd for Kirkpatrick was in the third-floor hallway and at least two courtrooms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Former Sen. Bob Menendez posed with his wife Nadine and businessman Wael Hana in a selfie prosecutors later presented as evidence in his federal bribery trial. (Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York)

The federal judge who presided over former Sen. Bob Menendezs bribery trial has denied a bid he made soon after his July conviction to have the guilty verdicts thrown out.

In a Friday ruling, Judge Sidney H. Stein wrote that jurors heard from more than 30 witnesses, saw 3,000-plus exhibits, and deliberated over three days before convicting Menendez and businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes of 18 crimes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The jurys guilty verdicts were readily supported by the extensive witness testimony and extensive documentary evidence admitted at trial, and there is no manifest injustice requiring a new trial, Stein wrote.

A judge cant usurp the jury unless they have a real concern that an innocent person was convicted, he added.

Stein did, though, agree with a claim by Hanas attorney that two of the conspiracy counts were duplicative and said he consequently would sentence the men on just one of those counts.

He did not address defense attorneys filings last month demanding a new trial because of a prosecutorial goof that exposed jurors to evidence Stein had ordered redacted  except to note that his decision on those motions is forthcoming.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Menendezs attorneys didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Attorney Lawrence Lustburg, who represents Hana, said he was very disappointed by the ruling and believes Hana will prevail on appeal. Appeals in criminal cases cant be filed until after sentencing, which is set for Jan. 29.

He applauded Steins decision to sentence on just one of two conspiracy counts, saying that would give Hana very substantial relief.

It all might be moot if Stein sides with defense attorneys that the conviction cant stand because of prosecutors recently revealed error, in which they uploaded nine documents to a laptop jurors could consult during deliberations that had fewer redactions than Stein had ordered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lustberg said he looks forward to Steins ruling on that matter, blasting prosecutors argument that jurors probably didnt see the documents, given the sheer volume of evidence they had to consider.

However Stein ultimately decides that dispute, he spelled out in exhaustive detail Friday why he agrees that prosecutors proved their case, accusing defense attorneys several times of grasping at straws in their arguments for acquittal.

Over 78 pages, Stein documented evidence and testimony presented over nine weeks showing that Menendez, a three-term Democrat who had helmed the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took gold bars, cash, jewelry, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and other valuables in exchange for his influence to help his friends and associates, as well as the governments of Egypt and Qatar.

In one instance, defense attorneys claimed prosecutors presented zero evidence that Daibes, an Edgewater real estate developer who sought Menendezs help in currying Qatari officials favor so he could land a big investment, had given Menendez and his wife, Nadine, a gold bar during a visit to their home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stein rejected that claim, saying prosecutors showed Menendez Googled the price of gold a day after returning from Qatar, lied about the source of his gold bars on Senate ethics forms, and received a text from Daibes picturing a gold bar and its price  a most perplexing message to send if the gold bar had been a gift from Daibes, as Menendez contends.

Bribes are seldom accompanied by written contracts, receipts, or public declarations of intentions, Stein wrote, citing a 1988 bribery case. The jury, however, may make reasonable inferences from the evidence.

Stein also rejected defense arguments that prosecutors failed to show a single overarching conspiracy and that the case was wrongly tried in the Southern District of New York.

Menendezs attorneys complained after the verdict  as they had throughout the trial  that prosecutors focused on Menendezs legislative acts in violation of the U.S. Constitutions speech and debate clause, which protects legislators from criminal charges and civil lawsuits for things they say and do in the course of their legislative activities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Stein said promising legislative acts or merely mentioning legislation  both things that came up in evidence against Menendez  are simply not legislative acts and so arent protected by that clause.

Menendez resigned from the Senate in August and dropped his bid for reelection as an independent candidate to focus on his appeal. His wife was also charged in the scheme because prosecutors say she orchestrated many of the bribes and acted as a go-between. Stein ordered a separate trial for her, because she was battling breast cancer. That trial now is set for Jan. 21.

Jose Uribe, a fourth co-defendant, cooperated with prosecutors in a plea deal and testified against the Menendezes, Hana, and Daibes.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A Ramsey County jury on Friday convicted a St. Paul man of first-degree premeditated murder and four other charges in the West Side killing of Casanova Carter, 26, whose funeral was the scene of more gunfire that claimed another mans life and injured three others.

Carter was playing a video game at his home in the 700 block of Winslow Avenue when a flurry of bullets were fired through his window at 10:15 p.m. Feb. 1, 2022. He was hit in the head, face and back by three bullets. Investigators recovered 18 spent casings outside the home that ballistics testing showed came from four guns  three 9mm and a .45 caliber.

Delaquay Levius Williams, 30, and three other men were charged in the killing. Jurors deliberated for a total of about five hours Thursday and Friday before finding Williams guilty of all counts: aiding and abetting first-degree premeditated murder; aiding and abetting first- and second-degree murder for the benefit of the gang; aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder; and possession of a firearm while ineligible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ramsey County District Judge Timothy Mulrooney set Williams sentencing for Jan. 29. The penalty for first-degree murder is a mandatory life sentence.

In its case against Williams, prosecutors relied on testimony from co-defendants DaiQuan Lamar Husten and Montez Dalray Davis and introduced as evidence video surveillance footage, cellphone records and a DNA swab collected from the murder scene that matched Williams.

Prosecutors said Carter and the fourth co-defendant, Kendall Dvontae Pruitt, had recently started beefing after Carter called him a snitch in a Facebook post.

We wouldnt be here today, except for the gang culture of violence in response to disrespect, Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Elizabeth Lamin said Thursday in closing arguments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carter and Pruitt had both been part of a federal indictment of Hit Squad gang members and both served time in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to prosecutors. Williams was associated with the Hilltop Hustlers gang.

Casanova Carter lived with a target on his back, Lamin said. He made some poor choices, but he would have had his entire life to make wiser choices and to be a better father, brother and man.

At Carters funeral Feb. 21, 2022, Agustin Martinez, 28, of Crystal, was shot to death and three other people were wounded by gunfire outside Simple Traditions by Bradshaw Funeral Home on St. Pauls West Side.

Murder charges have not been filed in Martinezs death, which police said was gang-related. Four men were sentenced to either prison or the county jail for their roles in the gun battle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In exchange for cooperating in Williams case, the prosecution agreed to take first-degree murder charges off the table for Husten and Davis.

Williams attorney, assistant public defender Stephen Grigsby, told jurors during closing arguments that they should question the testimony of Husten and Davis and consider their motivation in giving it.

Pruitt, 27, of Minneapolis, also spoke with the prosecution prior to pleading guilty to second-degree intentional murder last year. In exchange for the plea, both sides agreed that his grand jury charges would be dropped. He was sentenced to 34 years in prison.

The murder cases against Davis, 26, of Minneapolis, and Husten, 26, of St. Paul, remain ongoing.

Cover up

The prosecution Thursday played in court video surveillance that showed a Nissan Altima with no license plates drive past Carters home two minutes before the shooting and turn down a neighboring street. Shortly thereafter, four people walked into the yard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lamin told jurors that Williams, Davis and Pruitt walked to the north side of the home, where Carter was playing a video game in front of his window, and Husten went to the front door. And Montez Davis told you  that Husten and Pruitt all have 9mms and that Williams has a .45, she said. He said, (Pruitt) starts the shooting, then they all shoot. 

Related Articles

St. Paul police Sgt. Nichole Sipes testified Wednesday that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension discovered the DNA swabbed from siding below Carters bedroom window was a major profile match to Williams.

Sipes said an FBI analysis of cellphone data placed the co-defendants phones together in St. Paul before the murder and immediately afterward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sipes also testified about what Lamin called Williams cover up. Under questioning by Lamin, Sipes said data showed that Williams turned off his phone just minutes before the killing and powered it back on a short time afterward. The phone analysis also showed he started using an app that tracks law enforcement calls around 10:30 p.m., and that he then made the first of what would be several searches for Carters sisters Facebook page.

Later, Williams, while using a new phone, messaged Carters sister. And we have her testimony about that, right? Lamin told jurors. He tells her that she has to keep her head up.  The only thing guaranteed to us is death. He would know.

Earlier shooting

A ballistics analysis of a 9mm Luger handgun that investigators recovered at the scene was linked to a shooting in the parking lot of a store on East Fourth Street in St. Paul about four hours before Carters killing.

Surveillance video from the store and area shows a Nissan Altima that appeared to be similar to the suspects vehicle from the homicide pull up. The rear passenger door opens, an arm is extended and fires in the direction of a vehicle in the parking lot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Surveillance video from a Holiday gas station on Rice Street around 7:15 p.m. shows the same Nissan Altima drive up and a passenger enter the store and pay for gas. Police identified him as Pruitt and the driver of the car as Davis, according to the complaints.

Williams, Davis and Pruitt were charged the following month with aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder in Carters killing. They were indicted the following July.

Husten during an August 2022 interview with police admitted to firing three to four shots at Carters front door, Lamin told jurors Thursday.

Frogtown fatal shooting

Just over a month after Carters killing, Williams allegedly fatally shot 31-year-old Regis Jones in an alley in St. Pauls Frogtown neighborhood, according to a complaint in that case charging him with second-degree murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police believe that Williams murdered (Jones) to keep him from talking about the murder of (Carter), a 2022 complaint against Williams cousin, Dovyion Daquay Glass, says. Glass, 34, of Roseville, pleaded guilty to being an accomplice after the fact in Jones homicide and was sentenced in June 2023 to just over 7 years in prison.

Williams has pleaded not guilty in that case, which is ongoing.

At the time of both murders, Williams was wanted by police for absconding from his Nov. 10 supervised release from Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud relating to June 2018 convictions in two nonfatal shootings that year.

Jail conduct

Lamin told jurors during closing arguments that Williams cover-up continued in 2022 at the Ramsey County jail, where he was being held in the murders of Carter and Jones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Williams engaged in a sexual relationship with jail medical assistant Christine Lynn Satriano through explicit phone calls and letters and used her to spread word throughout the jail that a co-defendant was talking to police and prosecutors about Carters killing, according to a criminal complaint filed against her in July 2022.

Satriano pleaded guilty to aiding an offender as an accomplice after the fact in October 2022 after reaching a deal with the prosecution. It calls for a stayed prison sentence for two years, during which time she will be on probation. She is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.
Dec. 13ANDERSON  The process of seating a jury in the death penalty case of Carl Roy Webb Boards II has begun.

Boards, 44, is charged in the 2022 shooting death of Elwood police officer Noah Shahnavaz.

Boards is scheduled to stand trial on charges of murder, two counts of resisting law enforcement, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, firearm enhancement and habitual offender. If convicted, he could face life without parole or the death penalty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During a Friday hearing in Madison Circuit Court 3, Judge Andrew Hopper provided attorneys with the proposed jury questionnaire.

The jury will be selected during four rounds in Delaware County.

The initial jury pool is expected to be approximately 1,000 people, selected through several different methods in Delaware County.

Judge Hopper said the first questionnaire will not include the name of the defendant or case number, and will include a question pertaining to the death penalty.

"We don't want potential jurors doing outside research," Hopper said.

Boards' trial is scheduled to start Sept. 22, 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Boards is accused of fatally shooting Shahnavaz, 24, through the windshield of his police cruiser early on July 31, 2022, in Elwood during a traffic stop.

Just after 2 a.m., Shahnavaz stopped a 2012 Buick LaCrosse near the intersection of Indiana 37 and County Road 1100 North. Police have not provided a reason for the traffic stop.

Hamilton County officers located the Buick and attempted a traffic stop. The Buick continued southbound on Indiana 37. Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies pursued the Buick and deployed a tire deflation device near the area of Indiana 37 and 146th Street.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A jury has found that Bakersfield police and a probation officer did not use excessive force or were negligent during a 2020 arrest.

The jury returned its verdict in a trial held last month in federal court, according to court filings.

What we know about the search for escaped killer Cesar Hernandez

Matthew Alan Hearn said he suffered a concussion and scrapes to his head when police stopped his vehicle and arrested him on Chester Avenue north of West Columbus Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In his lawsuit, Hearn said a police officer twisted his arm and dragged him from the vehicle, using unnecessarily excessive force, after Hernandez questioned why he was pulled over.

Tangled in his seat belt, Hearn asked to remove it but the officer twisted his arm and shoved him against the car to handcuff him, according to the suit.

Hearn said the probation officer  who also took part in the stop  falsely accused him of spitting at her and officers placed a spit mask on him, further humiliating him and restricting his liberties without legal justification, according to the suit.

Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After he was taken to Kern Medical and had his blood drawn, Hearn was forced into another room and pushed against a wall, causing him to hit his head, the suit said.

Prosecutors charged Hearn with four misdemeanors  including two counts of battery on a peace officer  and two infractions in connection with the traffic stop. A judge acquitted him of all charges, court records show.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
DAMASCUS, Syria  For more than a decade, Syria was synonymous with war, brutality and the family dynasty visiting this violence on its own people.

Then, in a relative eyeblink this week, everything changed.

It was only last Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad fled the country as rebels entered Damascus. Syrians have since torn down statues of Assad and ripped back the veil from his murderous regime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thousands have been freed from torturous prisons, while thousands more have been left searching the notorious sites for their loved ones  the desperate hunt for missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice uncovering another American, a pilgrim, in one of many remarkable developments.

Meanwhile, questions hang over Syrias future, guided by a former Al Qaeda offshoot that says it has moderated.The United States is warning the Islamic State terrorist group may seek to regroup, while Israel is striking and seizing territory in what it says is a temporary, defensive action.

But for the time being at least, the primary emotion for many in Syria is one of disbelieving joy.

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus on Wednesday to celebrate the collapse of the Assad regime.

I must be dreaming  this is the greatest dream of my life and I dont want to wake up, Mohammed Al-Owir, 63, told NBC News in Damascus Umayyad Square, which has become a scene of flag-flying, car horns and celebratory gunfire.Imprisoned for nine years by Assads father, Hafez al-Assad, he described living in constant fear, never allowed to lift our heads under the familys 50-year dynasty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His half-smile hinting hope, pain and trepidation, Al-Owir surveyed the scene with his granddaughter, Lina, a 20-month-old with hair in buns and pink sparkly sneakers.

I dont want to leave this square ever, he said. I want to stay here with the Syrian people and watch them dance and sing, look at their happiness, their laughter and their joy.

A man waves a Syrian flag standing atop a monument at Umayyad Square in central Damascus on Wednesday.

For 11 days, the rebels had made a rapid advance from their stronghold in Idlib toward the capital, Damascus. They met little resistance from regime forces or their Russian and Iranian backers. And just like that on Sunday, state TV announced Assad had been toppled, later confirmed to have fled to Moscow.The rebels were led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, considered a terror group in the U.S. and elsewhere. Its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, declared victory at the citys Umayyad Mosque later that day.

Assads removal offers real promise but also peril, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said, summarizing a view held by many in the international community.

Syrians remove a statue of Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus on Monday.

This is a moment ripe with political opportunity for Syria, but the risk of failure also looms large, said Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London. Syria is in danger of sliding into a new chapter of instability, she added. There are very encouraging early signs, but it is important to recognize the challenges ahead.Part of that uncertainty centers on al-Jolani.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The former Al Qaeda fighter says he has moderated his extremist views, vowing Syria will be inclusive of its myriad religions and ethnic groups. He has appointed an interim prime minister who has vowed to guarantee the rights of all and root out the corruption that was allowed to pervade the Syrian bureaucracy.

Not everyone is convinced.

People celebrate as they gather at Saadallah al-Jabiri Square after the Friday noon prayer in Aleppo, Syria, on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are leaving Syria because we are Shiites, said Ammar Shahbander, 32, a philosophy professor fleeing Aleppo for Syrias neighbor, Lebanon.Around 74% of Syrians are Sunnis, like HTS, while 13% are Shiites and other Muslim denominations.

Shahbander calls HTS terrorists and believes Syria will be in chaos for one or two or three months, so he will stay far away for now.

Others are not only staying but frantically searching.

Crowds of Syrian civilians wait for news from their relatives incarcerated at the Sednaya military prison in Damascus on Monday.

After rebels flung open the jails, families flocked to the Sednaya military prison  known as the human slaughterhouse. Armed with pickaxes and other tools, they hoped to find a rumored dungeon containing disappeared loved ones.On Tuesday, NBC News witnessed this desperate excavation, so far in vain, as well as the horrors of the prison itself: squalid cells, bloodied nooses, and a mechanical press used to crush inmates. A jolting contrast came the next day when reporters were given access to Assads abandoned luxury palace.

On Tuesday, Syrians descended on Sednaya prison, located in the rocky hills outside Damascus, to find relatives incarcerated by the Assad regime.

Front of mind for Washington is Tice, 42, whose family has been given hope by Assads fall. Another U.S. national, Travis Timmerman, was discovered Thursday after disappearing earlier this year.Washington is also concerned that ISIS will seek to regroup, Blinken said the same day, the U.S. having bombed what it said were 75 ISIS targets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its not the only country intervening.

Israel has bombed arsenals and crossed the Syrian border, it says to temporarily distance itself from its destabilized neighbor. It ordered troops to overwinter there Friday, the move having already drawn condemnation from the United Nations and others fearing a land grab.

An Israeli soldier walks near the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces near the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on Dec. 13.

Turkey has renewed attacks against Kurdish forces, whom it considers terrorists but who have also been key partners for the U.S. And Russia still has troops and bases in the country, the future of which is unclear.The challenges are not lost on Al-Owir. But he said whatever life is like in the future, it will be better than the hell that has tormented us.

He turned to his granddaughter, whose earliest memories will be of this remarkable time.

Mohammed Al-Owir with his granddaughter Lina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She deserves to live in peace and happiness. I hope she will never witness what we had to go through, he said, before breaking down in tears.Ammar Cheikh Omar and Charlene Gubash reported from Damascus, and Alexander Smith reported from London.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  After failing to successfully appeal his second conviction for the murder of Dominic Thrasher almost a decade ago, Justin Love is now hoping for a review from the highest criminal court in the state of Texas.

PREVIOUS STORY: Justin Love loses second appeal of murder conviction

Love, 35, is currently serving a life sentence in the Bill Clements Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice institution located in Amarillo.

Trial and appeal history of Justin Loves case

Justin Love walks in restraints from 30th District Court following life sentence for Thrasher murder (Photo credit: KFDX/KJTL)

Love was first tried for the drug deal gone bad on the north side of Wichita Falls in 2018, where he was found guilty and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That conviction was later overturned on appeal, leading to a retrial in August 2022.

After the second trial for Thrashers murder, Love was again found guilty, but this time was sentenced to life behind bars. According to John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, Love appealed himself into a higher sentence.

WATCH THIS: Justin Love reacts to life sentence after second murder conviction

True to the statement he made after his second conviction, Love filed another appeal in the Second Court of Appeals. On August 29, the appellate court affirmed Loves conviction and life sentence.

Petition asks highest Texas court to review Loves appeal

Loves appellate attorney, James Rasmussen, has now filed a petition for a discretionary review from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest criminal court in the state. The petition cites several errors made by the Second Court of Appeals in its memorandum opinion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The petition claims that the appellate court made several mistakes in their review of the case, the first of which involves the appellate courts application of the preservation principles.

Justin Love in the 30th District Courtroom during his retrial for murder (Photo credit: KFDX/KJTL)

According to the petition, the Second Court of Appeals did not correctly preserve objections made by Loves defense counsel during the trial in 2022, and the appellate court made a mistake by overruling that issue.

Loves petition also claimed that the appellate court didnt apply the appropriate standard of review concerning an objection made by Loves defense team.

According to the petition, the trial court ruled that two individuals who testified against Love were not accomplices to Thrashers murder, yet found their testimony was sufficient to corroborate Loves responsibility for Thrashers murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

RELATED: Jury reaches verdict in Justin Loves retrial for Thrashers murder

The petition also alleges that the jury charge caused egregious harm to Love, claiming the very basis of the case changed because of the charge given to the jury, changing the case from an organized criminal activity case about marijuana to one of murder, and that constitutes egregious harm to Love.

Petition represents the last chance for Love

Loves petition requested that the states highest court review the issues they presented, then either reverse the conviction or remand the case for a new punishment hearing.

Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie during closing arguments in Justin Loves retrial (Photo credit: KFDX/KJTL)

Loves petition for a discretionary review from the Court of Criminal Appeals represents his last available opportunity for an appeal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If that petition is denied, no review will take place, and he will have exhausted all available options for overturning his second conviction and subsequent life sentence, meaning he will have to serve that sentence.

It is unclear at this time when the Court of Criminal Appeals will make a decision regarding Loves petition for a discretionary review.

As of the publication of this story, Love will be eligible for parole in February 2046.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Franklin County sheriff deputies seized a large amount of cocaine during a traffic stop west of Columbus earlier this week.

According to court records, 52-year-old Calisto Rio was arrested Monday on felony drug possession charges pertaining to drug trafficking after being pulled over on Interstate 70, just west of the Hilliard Rome Road exit.

The sheriffs office said that deputies pulled over a semi and that K9 partner Bruno alerted them to the odor of narcotics. Deputies found 12 kilograms of cocaine, and Rio, of San Juan, Texas, was taken into custody by the Specialized Tactics and Investigative Narcotics Group.

Franklin County sheriff deputies uncovered 12 kilograms of cocaine during a traffic stop along Interstate 70 west of Columbus. (Courtesy/Franklin County Sheriffs Office) Franklin County sheriff deputies uncovered 12 kilograms of cocaine during a traffic stop along Interstate 70 west of Columbus. (Courtesy/Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

Rio was arraigned in Franklin County Municipal Court, where he was issued a $500,000 bond and ordered not to leave Ohio if he posts bail. He is next scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 19.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says the number of abortions performed in Kansas during 2023 climbed to 19,467, which was 58% greater than the 12,319 total in 2022. Three-fourths of last year's abortion patients lived in other states and traveled to Kansas for the procedure. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Demand for abortion in Kansas skyrocketed by 58% during 2023 in response to near-total bans on the procedure in Missouri and Oklahoma and strict limits in other Midwest states.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says Kansas documented 7,849 abortions in 2021. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to strike down Roe v. Wade and the 2019 Kansas Supreme Courts opinion that women had a state constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy were factors in the rise in Kansas abortions to 12,319 in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kansas total of abortions substantially escalated in 2023 to 19,467, KDHE said, for the 58% uptick compared to 2022.

In 2022, nonresidents received 8,475 abortions. The number of out-of-state patients reached 15,111 in 2023. In terms of Kansas residents, last years 4,356 abortions was an increase of 512 from 2022.

Access to abortion shouldnt depend on zip codes, but legal battles in states like Arizona mean that access to care is hanging in the balance, said Trust Women, which operates a clinic in Wichita.

Passage of a Missouri constitutional amendment in November to reestablish reproductive freedom could have an influence on nonresident abortions in Kansas during 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The courts are thoughtfully reviewing years of complex anti-abortion laws and bans in Missouri, said Planned Parenthood Great Plains. While this process takes time, rest assured we are committed to continue fighting for Missourians access to their new constitutional right.

In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court held the states Bill of Rights contained the right to control ones own body and exercise self-determination. The justices said this fundamental state right included decisions about pregnancy.

Soon after reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Kansas voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would have opened the door to more strict abortion laws.

Danielle Underwood, spokeswoman for Kansas For Life, said the states two-year increase in abortions didnt represent interests of Kansans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone who says this is what Kansans voted for is a liar and on the wrong side of history, Underwood said. The surge of abortions in Kansas is a heartbreaking reminder of the abortion industrys relentless targeting of vulnerable women who are no longer protected by enforceable informed consent laws or basic abortion facility inspection and safety standards.

In 2024, the state Supreme Court struck down anti-abortion statutes, including the ban on a second trimester procedure and laws regulating abortion providers more aggressively than other health professionals. Under current standards, an abortion in Kansas may be performed up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.

In 2024, Nebraska voters inserted a 12-week ban into its state constitution. Iowa enforces a six-week ban. Missouri and Oklahoma have been prohibiting abortion except to protect individuals from life-threatening situations.

Last year, KDHE reported, 69% of Kansas resident abortions occurred prior to nine weeks of gestational age. About 90% were prior to the 13th week, KDHE said. Eighty-five percent of women receiving Kansas abortions last year were unmarried.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KDHE said the abortion ratio of 128 per 1,000 live births for Kansas residents in 2023 was 14.5% higher than the ratio of 111.8 per 1,000 live births in 2022. The ratio had dropped from 151 abortions per 1,000 live births in 2004.

During 2023, Kansas recorded 34,041 live births among residents of the state. The rate per 1,000 people in Kansas was the lowest since state officials began tracking the figure in 1912.

The number of Kansas pregnancies for individuals under 20 years of age in 2023 was 2,041, down 2.6% from 2022. It represented the lowest pregnancy rate for this age group in 20 years.
Editor's Note: This interview is part of an ongoing Star series highlighting Kansas Citians from historically under-represented communities and their impact on our region. The series builds on The Star's efforts to improve coverage of local communities. Do you know someone we should interview? Share ideas with our reporter J.M. Banks.

Sulaiman Salaam Jr., the Imam at the Al Haqq Islamic Center, has dedicated much of his life to educating others about Islam.

Raised in a Muslim household in Kansas City and attending Islamic school through eighth grade, Salaam encountered significant culture shock when he transitioned to public school. This experience not only helped him form friendships with people of different faiths, but also exposed him to new perspectives and beliefs, broadening his understanding of the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the 19 years that Salaam has devoted to serving as an Imam, he has put tremendous effort toward challenging misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. He accomplishes this through community outreach and by fostering relationships with local faith leaders, aiming to address the broader needs of the city.

Recently, Salaam sat down with The Kansas City Stars culture and identity reporter, J.M. Banks, and talked about how the lack of knowledge others have about his faith has often led to him feeling like an outsider. He also talked about finding understanding through learning and the importance of all faiths working together for the common good.

Banks: Can you begin by telling me about your early life and upbringing?

Salaam: I grew up with a two-parent household, which made a big difference I think in my life. My father was very active in my life and helped mold, shape and develop a lot of principals and morals I have today. I grew up Muslim, even went to Arabic Islamic school all through elementary school. Then when I was in the eighth grade, I ended up going to public school and attended Lincoln Middle and High School. It was a drastic change for me going from an Islamic school environment into a public school because I seemed very different than everyone else.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The environment wasnt friendly to me initially and I felt like an outsider. As I spent more time there I ended up becoming a real popular guy in high school and ended up making a lot of friends and got to know a lot of different people. I kind of grew up in this bubble, everyone who grew up around me thought like me and believed the same things as me and it was interesting to start public school.

Can you tell me about your work In terms of what you do as an Imam and what we do at our Islamic center: first and foremost my role is to be the leader of prayers and give Islamic education and instruction. Next to that we also engage in a lot of community work. Even before I was Imam I was very active in the community and I worked for the Adhoc Group Against Crime for 12 years as program director under Calvin Neal and Alvin Brooks.

For the past 19 years that I have been Imam we have been hosting what we call Project Neighborhood Needs. We do things like every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving we always give away turkeys and dinner items for Thanksgiving meals. Throughout the year we have projects where we give away clothes and shoes to families who are in need. All of our projects are based around answering the needs of the people in the community. I participate in a lot of interfaith work so my work is to teach and educate not just Muslims but also those outside the community about what Islam really is so we can build relations with people of other faiths.

Why do you feel it is important that leaders of faith work together?

I think it is important that we build relationships with other faiths so we can work together cohesively as people who believe in God, who want the best for the community. When we can work together without all the bickering and arguing that goes along with a lot of different religious faiths, we can get more work done. We want to work together and interfaith work is really one of my favorite things about what I do.

What made you want to go into those particular areas for a career?

Because of my experience growing up, I wanted to be a person who could share who Muslims were. I grew up with a lot of misconceptions about Islam and Muslims so that encouraged me to do community work and interfaith work.

What type of misconceptions have you encountered in your experiences?

I mean it goes back to when I was younger. One example is there was this girl I liked who said to me that her pastor told her that if I didnt accept Christ as my savior I was going to hell. I was really digging her and I knew she was sincere and wasnt attacking me. That led me to studying Christianity and all kinds of faiths. I began to see that we have more in common than we think at the end of the day. I found that we all have different perceptions of the truth and take different courses and different paths to reach the same goal. I was blessed to see the oneness of God and still strive to learn and teach more so we can better work together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The major things that weve experienced in the past several years was that Muslims were terrorists or Muslims were extremists. I believe that there are extremists and potential terrorists in all faiths. Islam means peace in Arabic and it is about following a path that leads to peace.

What are the challenges that you face in your career?

I think those misconceptions about Islam and Muslims have been a hindrance in some respects to doing the work that I want to do in the community. When I started doing Project Neighborhood Needs, around the same time that 9/11 happened, I was trying to get grants to do work in the community and I was initially denied. The impression that I received while applying was that they thought this was some organization that was going to promote radicals or terrorism. We told them that the organization was meant to build bridges in the community and teach about authentic Islam. That is when I learned there was a misunderstanding that authentic Islam was extreme and radical. Over the years that has created a barrier and a hardship for me trying to do more community work.

How do you feel your work impacts the community around you?

Dispelling misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims, leading people to a better understanding about who we are and what we are about. I think our work impacts people who are able to get assistance who might need help. I serve as one of the chaplains for the (Kansas City) City Council in rotation with other faith leaders in leading the council in prayer and I enjoy that work as well.

Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides you?

Just do the best that I can to keep my balance and please God.

What are your organizations goals for the future?

Our goal for every year is to get more engaged in the community and to do more to help people who are in need. I personally would like to continue to do interfaith work and establish our faith community as a role model for other places. We want to be the example not just as religious leaders but as members of the community who are supporting each other to provide resources to our communities. I would like to see more interfaith work going on here in Kansas City.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to follow the same career path as you?

I would advise them to study, be sincere and always continue to strive to learn.

For more stories about culture and identity sign up for our free On The Vine newsletter at http://KansasCity.com/newsletters.
Dec. 13A Kansas City, Missouri, woman suffered serious injuries in a Daviess County crash Thursday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred at 2 p.m. on Missouri Route 6, half a mile from Altamont.

The 58-year-old woman was driving an SUV west and crossed the center line. A 27-year-old Jamesport, Missouri, man driving a pickup in the opposite direction could not avoid her. The SUV flipped and came to a rest on its roof.

The Kansas City woman was taken to Liberty Hospital with serious injuries. The Jamesport man avoided harm.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, according to the patrol crash report.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  In Kansas, over 70 counties are considered by the federal government to be a dental desert. Its been a serious issue for decades.

Dr. Gregory Hand, Wichita State Universitys president and the dean of health professions, says the problem goes beyond dentistry.

We do have dentists that are here that are getting extra training, but in terms of having a dental school where students from colleges come in and train and get licensed as dentists, Kansas does not have that, said Dr. Hand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats why WSU asked the Kansas Board of Regents for permission to ask the state for $5 million.

If we get that money, we will be able to get the feasibility study started. We would be able to do a market analysis, said Dr. Hand.

The study would include design plans that would open in the second phase of the new Wichita biomedical campus downtown.

We believe with the biomedical campus being put in place that, we can leverage those resources and finally bring a comprehensive dental school to the state of Kansas, said WSU President Rick Muma.

Most shortages of dentists in Kansas are in rural areas, so this new opportunity would also include a western Kansas university.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We believe a partnership with Fort Hays State University will help further that.

WSU President Rick Muma says oral health is important for more than a great smile.

Its also going to help prevent other kinds of problems that people will suffer, including heart disease, brain disease and, so this is together as well, said Muma.

If the state approves the feasibility study, the construction will start in the fall of 2027 or 2028 on the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The original version of this article appeared on ExplorersWeb.

The missing kayaker who faked his own death and fled to Eastern Europe has returned to his home state and turned himself in.

On Tuesday, 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt returned from the nation of Georgia to Wisconsin, where he surrendered himself to the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office. The next day in court, he was charged with obstructing an officer. He was then released on a $500 bond after entering a not-guilty plea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, with Borgwardt back in the States and communicating with authorities, his strange journey can begin to be untangled.

The Drowning

Borgwardt had allegedly planned his accident for some time, according to court documents obtained by ExplorersWeb. On Aug. 11, he went up to Green Lake, which he chose, he told authorities, because it was the deepest lake in the state.

Ryan Borgwardt, pictured above in Green Lake County custody; (photo/Green Lake County Sheriffs Office)

Once there, he packed his vehicle, carefully pulling it all the way up to the doors of his shop to avoid security cameras. He loaded it with an e-bike and inflatable raft he had bought secretly, as well as his kayak. On the way up, he stopped and bought a hat and backpack from Walmart.

Court documents allege that Borgwardt stashed the bike and backpack in a patch of trees and set out onto the lake in his kayak, making his way toward what he believed to be the deepest section. Borgwardt transferred to the inflatable raft and began throwing things into the lake: first his phone, and then his wallet, keys, life jacket, fishing pole, and tackle box. Finally, he flipped the kayak so it would appear to have capsized, and then returned to shore in the inflatable.

The Escape

Borgwardt then decided to flee the country. For this, Borgwardt retrieved the e-bike and rode through the night, covering the 110km of backroads to Madison, Wisc. Having packed a spare battery, he was able to go all night without stopping. In Madison, he hid the bike, raft, and some personal belongings in a local park and boarded a Greyhound bus to Chicago, Detroit, and then continued to the Canadian border.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Borgwardt had his passport, but all other identification sat at the bottom of Green Lake. After some back and forth, Canadian officials let him through.

Once in Canada, he made his way to the Toronto airport and used a Western Union card to get a ticket to Paris. The long international flight gave him a chance to check for news of his own disappearance. He saw that there was, indeed, news of a missing kayaker. Feeling that his plan had worked, he got off that flight and hopped onto another bound for Georgia.

A former Soviet state, Georgia straddles Eastern Europe and Western Asia. There, Borgwardt met with a woman hed been in communication with for months. The pair stayed together for several days in a hotel, though he eventually ended up in an apartment.

Volunteers from Bruces Legacy, a nonprofit search and rescue organization, searched Green Lake for the missing Borgwardt; (photo/Green Lake County Sheriffs Office)

Putting the Pieces Together

Weeks passed, and Borgwardt kept checking the news, waiting for the local officials to give him up for dead and call off the search.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But officials were instead growing more suspicious. Everything pointed to drowning  but why had sonar, drones, and search dogs all failed to find any hint of a body?

Their suspicions were further roused when, in early October, they found out that Canadian officials had searched the missing mans name only days after his apparent drowning. This led local police to reach out to federal authorities.

The story started to come together when investigators stopped searching the lake and started searching Borgwardts laptop. They discovered that hed been talking to a woman from Uzbekistan and had been researching how to move money into foreign bank accounts. Hed even taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy less than a year before.

On Nov. 8, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll announced that Borgwardt had likely faked his death and fled to somewhere in Eastern Europe. Podoll urged the missing man to come home and return to his family. So, Borgwardt decided to prove to authorities that he was, in fact, alive and well. He sent a 25-second video of himself in an apartment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But authorities did not stop urging him to return, holding several press conferences and revealing his personal address. In the most recent live stream on Dec. 11, Sheriff Podoll said that Borgwardt would finally be returning to Wisconsin.

In an emotional speech, he thanked the many groups involved in the search for Borgwardt, which included local divers, the nonprofit rescue group Bruces Legacy, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Homeland Security, and the FBI. But he reserved the biggest thank you for his own department: the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office.

Theyre the ones who kept us going, he said. I couldnt be more proud of them, of what they did for a family. They didnt give up. And I stand here today feeling relieved.

Return to Wisconsin

Borgwardt eventually returned on his own accord. Now that he has done so, however, the authorities who asked him to return are seeking restitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Green Lake County Sheriffs Office spent at least $35,000 on the search. Borgwardt, who could not afford a lawyer, may be compelled to repay part of this cost. The misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer also carries a maximum penalty of 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

This story, which began as a wilderness search-and-rescue, may now end as a courtroom drama. Sheriff Podoll, however, said hes optimistic.

What better gift could he give his kids than to be there for Christmas? Podoll said. We brought a dad back.

The post Kayaker Turns Himself In After Faking Death, Fleeing Country appeared first on GearJunkie.
AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune)  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit accusing a New York doctor of prescribing abortion drugs to a Texas resident in violation of state law.

This lawsuit is the first attempt to test what happens when state abortion laws are at odds with each other. New York has a shield law that protects providers from out-of-state investigations and prosecutions, which has served as implicit permission for a network of doctors to mail abortion pills into states that have banned the procedure.

Texas has vowed to pursue these cases regardless of those laws, and legal experts are divided on where the courts may land on this issue, which involves extraterritoriality, interstate commerce and other thorny legal questions last meaningfully addressed before the Civil War.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Regardless of what the courts in Texas do, the real question is whether the courts in New York recognize it, said Greer Donley, University of Pittsburgh professor who studies these kinds of laws.

In this case, Paxton accuses Dr. Margaret Carpenter of mailing pills from New York to a 20-year-old woman in Collin County. The woman allegedly took the medication when she was nine weeks pregnant. When she began experiencing severe bleeding, the lawsuit says, she asked the man who impregnated her to take her to the hospital. He had not been aware she was pregnant or seeking an abortion, according to the filing.

The lawsuit does not say whether the woman successfully terminated her pregnancy or experienced any long-term medical complications. Mifepristone and misoprostol, the medications Carpenter is accused of sending, are more than 95% effective if taken before 10 weeks of pregnancy. Texas abortion laws prohibit criminalizing or otherwise going after the person who undergoes the abortion.

Paxton is asking a Collin County court to block Carpenter from violating Texas law, and order her to pay $100,000 for every violation of the states near-total abortion ban. Violating Texas near-total abortion ban comes with up to life in prison, fines of at least $100,000 and the loss of a providers Texas medical license. Donley stressed that, based on the complaint, Carpenter did nothing illegal based on her home states laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carpenter is not licensed to practice in Texas, according to the complaint. She is the founder of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, a national group that helps doctors in states with shield laws provide telemedicine consultations and abortion pills to patients in states that have banned abortions.

The group was founded after the overturn of Roe v. Wade by Carpenter, Dr. Linda Prine, and Julie Kay, a former ACLU lawyer who successfully argued the case that overturned Irelands abortion ban. They support doctors who want to become shield providers by advising them on licensure, data security, pharmacy contacts and legality.

Carpenter also works with AidAccess, an international medication abortion provider, and helped found Hey Jane, a telehealth abortion provider. Neither Carpenter nor Kay immediately responded to a request for comment.

This battle has been looming since red states banned abortion and blue states passed shield laws, with many providers knowingly taking on the risk of becoming the test case. In February, John Seago, the president of Texas Right to Life, told the New York Times that they were waiting for the right case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We can definitely promise that in a pro-life state like Texas with committed elected officials and an attorney general and district attorneys who want to uphold our prolife laws, this is not something thats going to be ignored for long, he told the newspaper.

Now that this case is here, lawyers who closely study these laws say this is exactly the type of situation New Yorks shield law is designed to combat.

The New York shield law exists to prevent Texas from having any ability to get someone in New York who is following New York law into Texas court in any way, said David Cohen, a law professor at Drexel University.

Cohen said New Yorks law requires the state to refuse to order Carpenter to comply with Texas court orders, which effectively will leave Texas no defendant to bring this suit against.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He might go forward to try and get a default judgment, and then theyll have to try to enforce it, Cohen said. But really, we dont know what hell do then.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President-elect Donald Trump has praised the polio vaccine as the greatest thing, but a lawyer affiliated with Trumps pick to lead the countrys top health agency has petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to revoke approval of the vaccine used in the United States.

The lawyer, Aaron Siri, filed the petition in 2022 on behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network, or ICAN, a nonprofit that challenges the safety of vaccines and vaccine mandates. Siri has been working closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  a vaccine skeptic and Trumps pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services  to choose officials to serve in the incoming administration. He was also Kennedys personal lawyer during his own presidential campaign.

The FDA is continuing to review the petition, an agency spokesperson said in an email to CNN on Friday. We cannot predict when the reviews will be completed. The FDA will consider the concerns outlined in the petition as a final decision is made. The FDA will respond directly to the petitioner, and that response will be posted on the docket. Until such time, we cannot comment further.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If Kennedy is confirmed as head of HHS, hell oversee the FDA and could take the rare step of intervening in its petition review process. In a recent interview, Kennedy told NBC News that he wasnt going to take away anybodys vaccines but said, People ought to have a choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information.

Trump told Time magazine in an interview that was conducted in late November but published this week that more research will get underway and that he would consider getting rid of some vaccines for children, if I think its dangerous, if I think they are not beneficial.

But Trump has also praised polio vaccination.

The polio vaccine is the greatest thing. If somebody told me to get rid of the polio vaccine, theyre going to have to work real hard to convince me, Trump said told NBCs Meet the Press in an interview aired Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The petition and Kennedys affiliation with the lawyer who filed it were first reported by the New York Times.

CNN reached out to the Trump transition team and ICAN for comment but did not get a response.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, himself a polio survivor, issued a warning about the issue Friday that was apparently intended for Kennedy.

The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease, he said in a statement. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed  theyre dangerous. Anyone seeking the Senates consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts.

Studying polio vaccines

Polio vaccination is considered one of the greatest achievements in global public health. it was once a disease that paralyzed and killed thousands of Americans during outbreaks, but the advent of a vaccine in the 1950s has greatly reduced the incidence around the world, putting the goal of disease eradication on the cusp of becoming a reality.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the 1950s, before a vaccine was available, polio killed or paralyzed more than half a million people globally each year, according to the World Health Organization.

Siris petition asks the FDA to withdraw or suspend approval for the inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine until a properly controlled and properly powered double-blind trial of sufficient duration is conducted to assess the safety of this product.

Siri filed the petition the same year health officials in New York stepped up vaccine campaigns against polio after a young unvaccinated adult was paralyzed by the infection and the virus turned up in local wastewater. That case was the first in the US in almost a decade.

The petition homes in on what sounds like an alarming fact  that there was no placebo-controlled clinical trial to prove the vaccines safety  and but experts say it distorts reality to make it seem like risks of polio vaccination could outweigh the benefits, which isnt true.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In fact, placebo-controlled trials arent considered ethical for most vaccines because a portion of the people who participate in them wouldnt get the shot, leaving them unprotected. Polio isnt widely circulating, and it wouldnt be ethical to deliberately infect a healthy person with the virus. There is no cure for polio, and someone whos unprotected could be left paralyzed for the rest of their life.

Youre substituting a theoretical risk for a real risk, Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at the Childrens Hospital of Philadephia, told the New York Times. The real risks are the diseases.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that no serious adverse events related to the use of inactivated polio vaccine have been documented. Rarely, people can have reactions to the vaccine if they are allergic to certain types of antibiotics, such as streptomycin, polymyxin B or neomycin.

Different types of polio vaccines

Siris petition focuses on the inactivated polio vaccine, which has been used in the United States for more than two decades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The US switched away from the oral vaccine  which uses a weakened but live version of the virus  because about once in every 3 million times that it is given, the weak virus can cause paralysis in the vaccine recipient. However, the oral vaccine is still used in some other countries.

The inactivated polio vaccine used in the United States is given by injection and doesnt carry that risk, making it even safer for the people who get it. But the injected vaccine doesnt create so-called mucosal immunity, meaning it doesnt stop the virus from being able to infect people if it enters the body.

Rather, the injected vaccine protects people against this worst-case scenario: It helps the immune system recognize the virus and fight it off before it gets to the nervous system.

It also doesnt stop transmission of the virus, because people who get it can still be infected and shed the virus in their stool.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the United States, however, this hasnt been problem because  thanks to vaccination  poliovirus doesnt usually circulate.

How polio spreads

Poliovirus is spread from person to person through the fecal-oral route. People infect each other when they get the virus on their hands after using the bathroom and then shake hands or touch surfaces.

The weakened virus from the oral vaccine can also be shed in stool, and that can become a problem in populations that arent adequately vaccinated. If this transmission happens in a population that isnt well-vaccinated, theres a chance it could mutate back to a form that can cause paralysis.

Most of the worlds polio cases are now caused by vaccine-derived virus. In 2023, the number of polio cases caused by vaccine-derived strains was 524, down from 881 in 2022.

CNNs Manu Raju and Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
In late May 2012, Austin Tice, a former Marine Corps captain and Georgetown law student, ducked under a fence on the Turkish-Syrian border.

The 31-year-old joined a group of Free Syrian Army rebels, and despite not having much journalism experience, filed his first news report nine days later. Writing for McClatchy, which owns papers across the U.S., Tice later reported for The Washington Post and appeared on BBC Radio and CBS News.

After 83 days in the country, he headed for Beirut, Lebanon to take a break. But while driving towards the Lebanese border, Tice was detained in a government-controlled area. After being missing for 12 years, Tice is now the longest-held American journalist in history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The recent fall of the Assad regime has infused new hope in the search for Tice, as prisoners in jails across the country have been released. Were feeling very hopeful, his mother Debra Tice said this week in an interview with ABC News. Were waiting, and not exactly on pins and needles, but just very expectantly.

Tice grew up in Houston, Texas, the oldest of seven siblings. An Eagle Scout, he dreamed of one day becoming an international correspondent for NPR. When he was 16, he attended the University of Houston for a year before transferring to the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He later joined the Marines as an infantry officer, going on tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Leaving duty as a captain, he remained in the Marine Corps Reserve.

He was hearing reports from Syria saying this is happening  but it cant be confirmed because there really are no reporters on the ground, his father, Marc Tice, said 10 months after his sons disappearance to The Daily Star. And he said, You know, this is a story that the world needs to know about."

Tice attended two years of law school at Georgetown before heading to Syria between his second and third years. At the time, he was one of few foreign journalists to report on the civil war as it was heating up. Tice reported from the battlefields after arriving in May 2012, becoming one of the first American journalists to be present for clashes between rebels and the army. His Twitter account racked up about 2,000 followers before he stopped posting on August 11, 2012.

Austin Tice has been detained in Syria for more than a decade (Austinticefamily.com)

His mother, Debra Tice, has moved for months at a time to Washington and Damascus in her search for her son, whom she homeschooled along with his six younger siblings. Speaking to Texas Monthly in 2022, she said the difference between her past life of diapers and spaghetti and the search for her son over the previous decade couldnt be more stark.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a 2014 letter published in The Washington Post, Marc and Debra called him the most devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend any of us could ever ask for.

From your earliest days as an Eagle Scout, a top student, a terrific athlete, and a caring friend and neighbor, we knew you were a special kid, they added. When you put your Georgetown Law education on hold to follow your journalistic dreams, we knew you were extraordinary.

Marc Tice told Scouting Magazine that his son was a member of Houston Troop 266, where he earned the Eagle Scout award.

Scouting was important to Austin, and he is very proud of achieving his Eagle, Marc Tice wrote, according to the official site of the magazine. We all recognize the positive impact of Scouting in forming Austin into the man he is today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tice, now 43, took part in several summer camps at El Rancho Cima in the Texas Hill Country and enjoyed the outdoors. He hiked at Philmont, sailed at the Florida Sea Base, and canoed the Boundary Waters, the site stated.

Debra Tice told the Houston Matters radio program in August 2014 that her sons interest in journalism was sparked from a very young age, recalling how he inked his knees crawling across the Sunday paper as a small child.

Marc and Debra Tice, Austin Tices parents, hold dated portraits of him at a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut on July 20, 2017 (AFP via Getty Images)

Hes actually been published in every publication of every school that he has attended, she said at the time. So, I would say theres always been that writing in his blood.

As a family, we never watched much TV, but we listened to a lot of radio, and we read a lot, and ... our family table was somewhere that we sat and talked about issues, local issues, national issues, international issues, so ... I think that contributed to his ending up working as a freelance journalist, Marc Tice added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KUHF, the public radio station in Houston, broadcast a phone interview with Tice on August 13, 2012. That was the last day he was in touch with his editors before his disappearance. He spoke about seeing rebels using Molotov cocktails and any weapon you can basically imagine in an urban street fighting environment.

It was pretty exciting! But I was able to get some pretty good shots that way and tell a pretty good story afterward, that I think otherwise  never would have gotten told, Tice added at the time, according to Texas Monthly.

On his LinkedIn page, Tice wrote that his background is as an infantry officer in the Marines and that while he went to law school, he would prefer to be a journalist.

To that end, I went to Syria in the summer of 2012 to cover the war there. Had some decent professional success, he wrote. I would prefer to work for one organization over freelancing. I can write, film, snap and speak, so if your organization is looking for an all-in-one crisis correspondent willing to get the stories others wont, call me. I speak passable Spanish and Im slowly getting there with Arabic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added: Im not so great behind a desk.

The site lists his skills as being military leadership, weapons, digital photography, legal research, and jokes.

Debra Tice speaking at the National Press Club on May 3, 2024, in Washington D.C. She has said that writing has always been in her sons blood (Getty Images)

Even though Tice had military experience, many of his loved ones expressed concern about his work in Syria. On July 25, 2012, Tice wrote on Facebook: Its nice and all, but please quit telling me to be safe.

He said he was posting on the social media platform against his better judgment and urged friends and followers to flame away. Tice said he was doing this crazy thing and told his followers to keep asking whats wrong with me for coming here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our granddads stormed Normandy and Iwo Jima and defeated global fascism, he added at the time, weeks before his arrest. Neil Armstrong flew to the Moon in a glorified trashcan, doing math on a clipboard as he went.

Tice argued in that post that America had lost its pioneering spirit.

We became a fat, weak, complacent, coddled, unambitious and cowardly nation, he wrote. I went off to two wars with misguided notions of patriotism and found in both that the first priority was to never get killed, something we could have achieved from our living rooms in America with a lot less hassle.

He claimed Americans were killing themselves with McDonalds, alcohol, and other drugs, having lost the sense that there are things worth dying for.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tice, who was about to turn 31 at the time, wrote that those fighting in the Syrian civil war were alive in a way that almost no Americans today even know how to be. They live with greater passion and dream with greater ambition because they are not afraid of death.

Neither were our granddads. Neither was Neil Armstrong. And neither am I, he added.

Less than a month before his detention, Tice spoke to the News 88.7 radio station, pointing out that his sources could be retaliated against for speaking to him.

Theres a very real security concern, he said at the time. People are concerned about their faces showing up in photographs because the Syrian government is notorious for exerting pressure on people by going after their families in really quite violent and atrocious ways.

A photo from July 2012 showing Tice in Syria (AFP via Getty Images)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two years later, his parents told Houston Matters that Tice also knew of the risks he was taking.

He was definitely aware, because his mom kept him aware, his journalistic colleagues kept him aware, Debra Tice said at the time. I think he chose not to focus on that for himself. I dont think he was careless in any way. But I dont think that was his main focus.

Since Austin went to Syria, we have learned a lot and developed an incredible respect for people like him to do that job because, to a large degree, they have to forget about themselves in order to get the job done, Marc Tice added. And he would send us photographs with the faces of people around him blurred out for that very reason. When youre the reporter, youre the face of this information to the world, you cant really hide yourself.

His father went on to say that it wasnt unusual for journalists in the field to lose touch  because of the way they had to move from place to place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added: So, you know, a couple of days, I thought, yeah, this is worrisome, but not terrible. But after two days, I contacted his editors and they said, Yeah, were concerned too.

In his 25 July 2012 Facebook post, Tice said he didnt have a death wish but a life wish.

Life in Syria meant more than anywhere Ive ever been  because every single day people here lay down their own for the sake of others, he wrote.

Coming here to Syria is the greatest thing Ive ever done, and its the greatest feeling of my life, Tice said.
(NewsNation)  Authorities in Harris County, Texas uncovered kilograms of meth, cocaine and heroin, as well as up to 200 pounds of marijuana, during a recent drug bust.

The combined street value of the drugs was estimated at over $1 million, Houston Public Radio reported. 24 firearms including a ghost gun and stolen weapons were also confiscated.

Harris County Constable Precinct 1 had been investigating an apartment complex for a year after noticing unusual activity there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Over 30 cars were entering and exiting the building at an hourly rate, authorities said. Suspects used walkie-talkies and lookouts as well.

New Jersey drones: Sheriff calls for state of emergency

Five people are now booked in Harris County Jail in connection to the operation.

While Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua supplied the drugs, investigators confirmed that none of those arrested are actually members.

Tren de Aragua Sanctions

The United States Treasury Department in July sanctioned Tren de Aragua for its involvement in drug and human trafficking. In addition, Department of Homeland Security officials implemented enhanced screening measures at the border to identify known or suspected gang members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization and created a statewide task force aimed at striking their operations. Still, law enforcement has been cautious as Tren de Aragua members were given the green light to attack Border Patrol agents by their leaders.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Two Queens gang leaders who kidnapped a Chinese immigrant, raped and murdered her, then left a King of Clubs card on her corpse say they should get early release because their young minds werent fully developed at the time.

Jia Wu Chen and Fu Xin Chen were members of the Plum Blossom Boys, and leaders in the Chinese gang the Flying Dragons, when they kidnapped and tortured two women and a man in 1995, demanding ransoms from their families.

Their sadistic spree ended with a particularly gruesome slaying  one of their victims, a 39-year-old mother of two, Ko Lai Zhang, was found dead in a Borough Park basement in Brooklyn on Sept. 2, 1995.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The killing was dubbed the King of Clubs murder. Her left pinky finger had been chopped off, her head was crushed by a television, she had cords wrapped around her neck, and the killers stuffed the playing card and a taunting note down her back.

Jia Wu and Fu Xin pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, while another gang member, You Zhong Peng, was convicted at trial. All got life sentences.

The two men have been trying to get released through the First Step Act since 2021, only to have Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Edward Korman swat down their requests.

Now, theyre trying again, arguing in separate motions that because of their youth, their brains had not fully developed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fu Xins age has long been an issue in his prosecution  after his arrest, he claimed to be only 15 and ineligible for the death penalty, leading prosecutors to order x-rays that showed he had the joints of someone at least 20.

Hes now claiming he was 19 at the time of the crime, though federal prison records put his age at he time at about 24 years old. Jia Wu, meanwhile, argues in his motions that he was 23 at the time, though media accounts and federal prison records show he was 29.

Court filings and trial testimony describe a monstrous string of crimes, starting on Aug. 23, 1995, when the duo and others snatched Zhang, a Chinese immigrant seamstress, as she walked home from work in Queens. They also grabbed two other victims, a woman named Xue-Ying Dong a man named Xiu Fu Lin. All three were held in a Brooklyn apartment.

They made Zhang call her family in China to demand a $30,000 ransom, which would be delivered to their co-conspirators in China.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Zhangs mother said she could only raise $5,000, so they started beating the victim. The kidnappers, who repeatedly raped Zhang, eventually drove Lin to a wooded area in Queens, where one of them shot him twice in the head. Somehow, he survived, and was able to testify at trial.

When the kidnappers found out Lin had lived, they strangled Zhang to death. The last remaining hostage, Dong, freed herself and started a fire that brought police to the Brooklyn apartment.

The killers stuffed the playing card, with a club suit that looked like a plum blossom, down her back along with a note written in Chinese, saying her family failed to pay the ransom and taunting cops to find them. Fu Xin left his fingerprints on the note.

Cops tracked the mens pagers and found them a month later in Milpitas, a town near San Jose., Calif., before they could flee the county.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Korman sentenced the Jia Wu and Fu Xin in February 1997.

In an August filing, Fu Xin calls himself a reformed man, and plays up his age at the time of the crimes, referring to the Plum Blossom Boys as a youth gang, and describing other court decisions that factor in emotional maturity.

When Chen was arrested in 1995, he was only 19 years old, with no prior record. Like many others, he was young and naive, without an adult role model, and had sought guidance in all the wrong places, he wrote in his pro se filing. Chen has a strong desire to give back to his community. He pictures himself guiding at-risk youth and becoming someone they can look up to, a role model he never had.

Jia Wu, meanwhile, tried the emotional maturity argument in two earlier compassionate release requests this year, at one point referencing a cognitive neuroscience study that shows the brain doesnt reach maturity until the age of 25.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Korman rejected those requests, writing, The facts of this case belie any assertion that he lacked impulse control or the ability to understand the consequences of his actions.

In September, he came back with a new motion to vacate his sentence, with his lawyer, Robert Adinolfi arguing that because he was younger than 25 years old, he should be considered a juvenile, making a life without parole sentence unconstitutional. In the filing, Adinolfi pointed out that life sentences without parole are considered cruel and unusual punishment in most countries.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Pak, the prosecutor opposing his request, said the crimes were not impulsive.

The defendant was not a peer-pressured teenager acting on impulse, she wrote. He was a 23-year-old leader in a multinational criminal organization that coordinated kidnappings across the country and directed the collection of ransom money in China. His actions were calculated, coordinated, and sadistic.
A man wielding two knives was killed and a man with a gun injured in two North Texas officer-involved shootings Friday and Saturday, police said.

A 26-year-old man called 911 around 10:40 a.m. Dec. 13 to say he had several weapons and wanted to hurt police, the DeSoto Police Department said in a news release. Officers responded to the 1000 block of Hunters Creek Drive after another caller confirmed the man was at that location and armed with a knife.

News Release | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Friday, December 13, 2024 | OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN DESOTO



Read More Below: pic.twitter.com/32A51SJ2qx  DeSoto Police Department (@DeSotoPD) December 13, 2024

Police encountered the man, identified as Arthur Lee Armstrong Jr., in the front yard. Armstrong had a knife in each hand and aggressively approached the officers, according to the release. He ignored multiple commands to drop the weapons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suspect continued to advance toward the officers, and one officer fired a single shot from his patrol rifle. Armstrong was hit in the chest, police said in the release. Officers immediately began lifesaving measures, but the 26-year-old was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.

The officer who fired his patrol rifle has been placed on paid administrative leave per DeSoto Police Department policy while the incident is investigated. The Grand Prairie Police Departments Investigative Services Bureau is leading the investigation, the release states.

The Dallas County District Attorneys Office Public Integrity Unit will conduct an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting, according to the release.

DeSoto police plan to share more details about the incident at a news conference Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DeSoto is located in Dallas County, around 35 miles southeast of Fort Worth.

Weatherford police officers responded to a domestic disturbance at Cypress View Villas around 2 a.m. Dec. 14.

When they arrived at the apartment complex in the 200 block of Atwood Court, they found a man with a handgun, police said on social media.

The 40-year-old was shot by the responding officers, according to the post. Police did not say whether the man had fired his weapon or pointed it at the officers.

The suspect was transported to a Fort Worth hospital for treatment, the post states. The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The officers involved in the shootings have not been publicly identified.

 More top stories from our newsroom:

 What will Trump presidency mean for families, kids?

 Teacher accused of improper conduct with student resigns

 Heres when Terry Blacks BBQ opens, and restaurants serving Christmas in Fort Worth

[Get our breaking news alerts.]
Mysterious drones have been showing up in the skies above New Jersey and other states for weeks, confounding residents and prompting lawmakers to call for more answers as to what exactly is going on.

Since mid-November, the drones have been lighting up night skies with no real explanation. While plenty of questions remain surrounding the phenomenon, here is what we do know.

When were the drones first spotted?

The drones were first spotted in New Jersey on Nov. 18. They appear to show up in the late hours of the night, though it is not clear if they are present every single night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A senior official briefed on the New Jersey drone sightings told NBC News there have been reports of sightings every night except Thanksgiving and that there have been "little to no" reports of drones during the day.

NBC News has been tracking reports of possible drone sightings, mostly in New Jersey, since at least Dec. 3.

Where are the drones being spotted now?

The drones were first spotted in North Jersey, but now appear to be popping up throughout the state. NBC News has also tracked possible drone sightings in New York, Maryland and Florida.

FBI Baltimore said in a statement that it was aware of sightings of possible drones in Maryland and Delaware.

Where are they coming from and

These remain the biggest unknowns, with officials unable to publicly pinpoint where the mysterious objects originated or explain exactly what they are doing there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a joint statement Thursday about the reports of drones in New Jersey, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said they "have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.

The agencies said they are working with New Jersey State Police and its federal partners to investigate the situation.

The statement said the agencies have "not corroborated any of the reported visual sightings with electronic detection."

"To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully," the statement said. "There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space. "

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Pentagon has said they are not owned by the military and that they are not coming from an Iranian "mothership" off the East Coast, as suggested by Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J.

In a statement to NBC News, the U.S. Secret Service confirmed it does not currently have any unmanned aerial systems operating in or around New Jersey or New York.

The lights of an apparent drone over New Jersey.







Officials have said the drones appear to be commercial-grade, not recreational, and could be up to 6 feet in diameter.

How many drone sightings have there been?

Mayors who were present at a Wednesday briefing with New Jersey officials and a DHS representative told NBC News that no one from state or federal agencies was able to confirm exactly how many drones had been spotted over New Jersey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One said they know of "at least 400 sightings," and another said "there could be thousands."

In a Wednesday segment of a program on radio station WBGO, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said that there could be "overreporting" of sightings, with many residents potentially seeing the same device or mistaking other flying objects for drones.

A senior official briefed on the drone sightings in New Jersey said there were 79 reports of drone sightings overnight from Thursday to Friday in the state.

Several New Jersey officials have said the drone sightings occur up to 180 times per night.

What else have officials said?

Numerous federal officials, including the FBI  the lead agency investigating the matter  have said the drones don't appear to pose a threat, but have not provided much more information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a new website dedicated to drones that aims to answer common questions about the flying objects.

But lawmakers and local officials have expressed frustration with the information from federal officials, demanding answers in a timely manner.

We have no idea where these drones come from, who owns them. We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said on Thursday.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a post Friday on X that he witnessed "what appeared to be dozens of large drones" above his home in the state on Thursday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said the public is "growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."

"I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue," Hogan said.

Murphy, the New Jersey governor, wrote letters to President Joe Biden, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, Rep. Mike Johnson and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries urging Congress to take action.

Murphy said he wants to "encourage Congress to pass legislation empowering state and local law enforcement entities to use advanced detection and mitigation technologies to deal with UAS."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Biden was briefed on the drones earlier this week.

What happens if a drone is over your house?

Drones have to be operated by a pilot so they aren't a threat to people or their property, according to the FAA's website dedicated to drones, which suggests contacting local law enforcement if you think someone is unsafely flying a drone.

But you definitely shouldn't try to shoot them down, experts told NBC News, despite some lawmakers suggesting you should.

Experts said that shooting drones is illegal and could result in serious injuries. The FAA classifies drones as aircraft and, under the Aircraft Sabotage Act, damaging or destroying aircraft is a federal offense  even if it's flying over private property.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"A private citizen shooting at any aircraft  including unmanned aircraft  poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air," the FAA said.

This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be at least one apparent drone flying over Bernardsville, N.J., on Dec. 5.

It could also start fires, according to Pramod Abichandani, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the director of the school's Advanced Air Mobility Lab. "A drone has a lithium battery for the most part," Abichandani said. "If you shoot at it, assuming you target it correctly and you actually hit the drone, the drone is going to fall somewhere. The lithium battery can explode, cause a fire, and of course, it can cause damage to property."

Abichandani also noted the dangers of shooting into the night sky.

"God forbid that stray bullet lands somewhere and hits somebody," he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  93-year-old Walter Taylor vividly remembers his time as a military policeman, but there was one special assignment that hell never forget.

Taylor was drafted into the U.S. Army at just 21 years old during the Korean War era.

280 some of us finished training. Only 12 of us got special duty, said Taylor. The rest of them [were] Korean veterans.

Taylor was one of those sent on special assignment to the Panama Canal Zone as military police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was our job to be at the gates, to be on patrol. Any special service and things like that.

There was one service order that was very special.

I was an honor guard for Queen Elizabeth on her first trip out, said Taylor. Ten of us were selected out of our group of military police to drill down. And we stood in line. I was the first one off the ship that she got to see.

Queen Elizabeth had just gotten married.

When she came out of that hatch, I thought that was the prettiest lady I had ever seen, he said. To think all that time, youd been there and then to have something like that show up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Taylor got out of the service in 1953 and went back to work at Burlington Mills. He also picked right back up where he left off with gospel singing.

At 16 years old, I got involved in music, thats the old do re mi system, the foundation music, he said.

He went to school to sing in a quartet and traveled across the nation teaching music to churches and competing. He even became the president of the Tennessee Gospel Music Convention at one point.

I wound up going into seven different states and probably a majority of churches through this area in one way or another, Taylor said.

Music is also how Taylor met his wife, Maria. You can tell Taylor takes pride in his accomplishments by the plaques on his walls and the Korean War Era Veteran hat he proudly wears.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its an honor to be asked to serve your country; that was an honor, said Taylor. It teaches discipline, respect, and who you are You are who you are, not who you say you are.

Taylor has two sons who have both passed away. One followed in his footsteps in the Army. He was also in the Army Field Band and Field Chorus.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill on Friday allocating $218 million to cover costs after the states historic wildfire season.

The Oregon legislature passed the funding package, under Senate Bill 5801, during a special session on Thursday.

The bill allocates $191.5 million Oregon Department of Forestry and $26.6 million to the Oregon State Fire Marshall to pay firefighters, local fire services and vendors who responded to the states wildfires. More than half of those funds will be reimbursed to the federal government, the governors office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A real eye-catcher: Washington State University unveils name of new apple variety

The bill comes after Kotek called for a special session in the Oregon legislature after 2024s wildfire season saw a record 1.9 million acres burned. This exceeded the states 10-year average of 640,000 acres burned per season and incurred costs upwards of $350 million, the governors office said.

This summers wildfire season called for sacrifice, courage, and cooperation from everyone involved. It was an all hands on deck effort to protect life, land, and property, Gov. Kotek said in a statement. I am grateful to legislators for taking swift action to ensure the states fire season costs are addressed and the bills are paid. Next year, I look forward to working with legislators to ensure the state finds a pathway for sustainable funding to cover wildfire costs in the years ahead.

10 St. Helens district staff members placed on leave amid sexual misconduct investigations

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a statement, Oregon Department of Forestry Director Cal Mukumoto said, This summer, the Governor made clear the states commitment to protecting Oregonians, their communities and our states natural resources, adding, In this special session, the Governor and the Legislature underscored their commitment, and for that were incredibly appreciative. As soon as funds are available to us, it will be all hands on deck for our finance team to get payments to the vendors who provided critical services all summer. This will be our top priority until we get through all the invoices pending in the system.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the firefighters, ranchers, landowners, and countless others for their incredible effort during a record-setting season, State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.

Honda owners in Portland urged to be vigilant with theft of electronic part on the rise

She added, We are thankful to have received the funding we requested. It reimburses our agency for the money paid to local fire agencies who stepped up to help their fellow Oregonians. We continue to pay these agencies as the invoices are received. This funding is critical to sustaining essential programs and services that protect Oregonians. We are working alongside our partners to find solutions to fix Oregons wildfire funding problem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bill comes as Koteks recommended budget for the 2025-27 biennium calls for at least $130 million to modernize Oregons wildfire readiness and mitigation programs on an ongoing basis.

The governor recommended an additional $150 million to be redirected from state services to instead cover wildfire suppression costs.

In total, Oregons 2024 wildfire season saw 1,956 fires that burned 1,937,512 acres. Extreme infernos hit Gilliam, Grant, Jefferson, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler counties the hardest, destroying at least 42 homes, 132 structures. The fires also killed an air tanker pilot and injured 26 civilians and fire responders.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ukrainian authorities postponed signing an agreement with the United States on processing and extracting rare earth minerals, in order to let U.S. President-elect Donald Trump claim credit for the deal when he takes office, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Dec. 14.

Trump begins his second presidential term on Jan. 20, 2025. He has promised to make a quick end to Russia's war against Ukraine, sparking fears in Kyiv that Washington will withdraw military aid when Trump returns to the White House.

In a bid to secure Trump's support ahead of the inauguration, the Ukrainian government has appealed to Trump's ego and reputation as a businessman, the New York Times reported. One attempt involved delaying a significant minerals deal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukraine, home to large deposits of critical minerals, including cobalt, graphite, and lithium, planned to sign the deal with U.S. President Joe Biden. U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal announced plans for the deal in August 2024 after their visit to Kyiv.

Ukrainian authorities then twice delayed signing the agreement, the NYT said, citing officials on both sides of the negotiations. The delays offer the opportunity for the Trump administration to claim an early victory at the start of his term.

"This war is about money," Graham told Fox News in November.

"So Donald Trump's going to do a deal to get our money back, to enrich ourselves with rare earth minerals. A good deal for Ukraine and us, and hes going to bring peace."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump has repeatedly criticized the level of support the Biden administration provided to Ukraine and signaled Kyiv should brace for reduced assistance once his term begins. In a Dec. 12 interview, Trump said he would not "abandon" Ukraine.

"I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon," he said.

Trump's comments came a few days after his first in-person meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky since the U.S. presidential election. Zelensky praised Trump during the meeting, telling him he was the only one Russian President Vladimir Putin feared.

"I told President Trump that Putin fears only him and, perhaps, China," Zelensky said on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following his meeting with Zelensky, Trump said the Ukrainian president appeared ready "to make a deal and stop the madness" and that Putin should do the same after incurring staggering losses in Ukraine.

Read also: How will Russias war in Ukraine end? The good, the bad, and the ugly scenarios

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting his ex-girlfriend in the face while she was working as an L.A. Metro bus driver in East Hollywood, authorities said.

Police responded to a call at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 16 in the 1600 block of North Vermont Avenue, where a 56-year-old woman was found bleeding from a gunshot wound to the face, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The bus driver had parked and was on a break when authorities say a man arrived unannounced and shot her. No one else was aboard the bus at the time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The driver was taken to a hospital, where she underwent surgery and was listed in critical but stable condition, police said at the time. The LAPD did not provide an update on the status of the victim.

Two days after the attack, police identified Dorian Holt, 45, of Los Angeles, as a suspect. Authorities say he ran from the scene and later left the state.

The LAPD arrested him Thursday in Escondido, shortly after he returned to Southern California.

He has been booked on suspicion of attempted murder. His bail was set at $1 million, police said.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  Its the holiday gift that many people (maybe) have been asking for: confirmation that the popular travel center Buc-ees will build one of its next locations in Lafayette.

In a news release on Friday, the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, or LEDA, announced that Buc-ees has picked Lafayette for a location and that the company will spend $82 million on the project. Approximately $12.5 million is for public infrastructure.

The Texas-based company was founded in 1982 and has grown to 50 locations across nine states, with plans to open 22 more locations in 15 states. The travel center chain is known for its clean restrooms, numerous gas pumps and unique snacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Lafayette location will encompass more than 74,000 square feet and will provide about 120 gas pumps, according to the news release. The new travel center is also expected to create 150 jobs with pay starting at $17 per hour.

Mandi D. Mitchell, president and CEO of LEDA, said Buc-ees is a project that signifies both a substantial investment in the community and a major boost to the local economy.

The $82 million investment reflects the confidence Buc-ees has in our region. This new store will bring new investment and valuable jobs to North Lafayette, and it will attract even more new visitors to our community, further fueling the growth and vibrancy of our local economy, Mitchell said.

Close

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

KLFY Daily Digest

The development of this state-of-the-art travel center is a testament to Lafayettes continued growth and attractiveness to major national companies, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our economy and quality of life, she continued.

In the news release, Buc-ees Director of Real Estate and Development Stan Beard said that Louisiana has been on the companys mind for a while.

 We are proud to have Lafayette as our first partner in the southern half of the Pelican State, Beard said. We have some preliminary work to get done before the fun part of the construction can begin, but we are excited to be an official community partner in Lafayette.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since opening its first store outside of Texas in 2019, the company now has 50 stores in nine states, with plans to open 22 additional stores in 15 states. The travel center will be located at the Louisiana Avenue exit on Interstate 10 on land purchased from the Castille family, led by Mr. Charlie Castille.

To support the development, a special sales tax was approved to offset the companys public infrastructure investment costs over time.

This is a milestone that marks a new chapter in Lafayettes growth. Buc-ees will bring hundreds of jobs to the area and position Lafayette as a key destination for travelers. I look forward to welcoming Buc-ees to Acadiana. And I think the Buc-ees Corporation will enjoy being in Lafayette as much as well enjoy having them, said Lafayette Mayor-President Monque Boulet.

Site work and construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and the store will be fully operational by the second quarter of 2026.

Latest News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
A man suspected of robbing a bank at gunpoint in Lake Forest earlier this year was arrested by members of the Orange County Sheriffs Department.

Edward Eugene Redd, 49, of Lake Forest, was taken into custody early Friday morning in connection with a bank robbery at a Chase Bank near Portola Parkway and Bake Parkway on October 17.

The masked suspect in that crime entered the bank armed with a handgun and headed directly toward a teller. He then reached over the counter and fired a round from his gun toward the bank tellers feet, deputies said.

Authorities are searching for an armed suspect who escaped with around $31,000 from a Lake Forest bank on Oct. 17, 2024. (Orange County Sheriffs Department)

He fled the scene with more than $30,000 cash and avoided capture by authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the time of the robbery, investigators recovered several items on a nearby trail that they believed to be linked to the crime. They were able to connect that evidence to Redd using investigative techniques and DNA technology, officials said.

Around 4 a.m. Friday, sheriffs deputies and a SWAT team apprehended Redd at his home without incident.

He was booked into Orange County Jail to await charges of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly firing a gun during the crime.

Redd has not been linked to any other bank robberies, officials said, but the investigation remains ongoing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriffs Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted online or by calling 855-847-6227.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Laphonza Butler, the first Black lesbian U.S. senator, has stepped down to make way for the newly elected Adam Schiff and given a farewell speech of gratitude.

Butler, a California Democrat and former union leader who has also been president of EMILYs List, which works to elect pro-choice Democratic women to office, was only the third Black woman in the U.S. Senate  after Kamala Harris and Carol Moseley Braun  and the first LGBTQ+ person of color overall in the body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her last year to fill the remainder of the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinsteins term, and she said she did not intend to run for the seat this year. Schiff, a prominent Democrat and LGBTQ+ ally who has represented a California district in the U.S. House for several years, was elected to the Senate in November. Newsom approved Schiffs early appointment to the Senate before he is sworn in to his six-year term in January. Butlers last day was Monday.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

In her final floor speech last week, Butler thanked Newsom for giving her the opportunity to represent Californias 40 million residents, and she said it has been a remarkable honor and unimagined adventure to follow in Feinsteins footsteps and those of Harris and Braun, Democrats from California and Illinois, respectively.

Indeed, the footsteps that I have had the opportunity to follow in this walk of service have been filled with decency, honor, integrity, and courage, Butler said. And I can only hope that for the people of California that I was able to do half as well as those who came before me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She thanked her capable, incredibly talented staff and her wife, Neneki Lee, and their daughter, Nylah; her mother, siblings, aunts, uncles, and friends; Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle, especially Californias senior senator, Democrat Alex Padilla; Schiff and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer; and the labor movement.

She further gave a shout-out to young people, future leaders who she dubbed the now generation, and her Head Start teacher of 40 years ago, Carrie Hilbert. She recalled the seeds planted by rehearsing We Are the World for her Head Start graduation, about coming together and doing for others.

So my final prayer as a member of this august body is that we realize that as policymakers we are our generations Head Start teachers, she concluded. Every single day we can plant seeds that will grow in the hearts and minds of young leaders, and we get to decide the seeds we plant. Will we plant seeds that will help them understand and imagine whats possible for an America filled with different walks, different faces, different bank accounts, different languages? Will we plant seeds to help them realize and see what is possible, not just for the United States but for the world? And as was taught to me in that old church building, we will reap what we sow.

Schumer, Padilla, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, and Sen. Tina Smith all delivered floor remarks honoring Butler. Schiff has succeeded her on the Senate Judiciary Committee to move forward on President Joe Bidens judicial nominees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a press release, Butler highlighted her accomplishments in her 14 months in the Senate. She introduced 33 bills, cosponsored 333 pieces of legislation, and helped more than 2,000 constituents with federal casework. She has voted to confirm 82 judges and worked to fill four vacancies in California, helping to surpass the achievements of previous administrations. She has worked for voting rights, reproductive freedom, economic opportunities, more humane immigration policy, inclusive democracy, and more.

She also spotlighted the problem of schools and libraries across the country banning books. She gave two floor speeches on the issue, where she read excerpts from books that were banned, one of them Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde and the other I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Smith joined her to read an excerpt from And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. Butler further hosted an Instagram Live conversation with authors Kimberly Crenshaw and Sandra Cisneros about censorship of literature and its impact on democracy.

With the departure of Butler and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who decided not to run for reelection, there will be just one out member of the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. Senate, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who was just elected to a third term.
ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (myCV) The man accused of shooting and wounding a St. Johnsbury police officer is being held without bail Monday after pleading not guilty to second-degree attempted murder.

Scott Mason, 38, is also charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer resulting in serious bodily injury in the shooting of St. Johnsbury police Captain Jason Gray.

Vermont State Police arrested Mason around 2 a.m. Sunday, at a home on Portland Street next to where Fridays shooting occurred.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Troopers and St. Johnsbury police revealed more details about the case at a media availability Sunday afternoon..

Police said they received a tip late Saturday night that Mason was in the home next door to where the shooting took place.

According to Troopers, a tactical surrounded the home and called out residents before speaking with them about who could be inside. While prepping and giving a warning about a K-9 deployment, Mason gave himself up to the police. Officers said Mason became combative and destroyed property before having to be secured using force.

Previous Coverage:

Vermont State Police continued searching Saturday for a suspect accused of shooting a St. Johnsbury police officer Friday afternoon. The officer has been identified as Captain Jason Gray.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Scott Mason, 38, reportedly fled on foot. He was considered armed and dangerous. Police were asking the public to not approach him if they saw him, and to call 911 immediately.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Mason in connection with the shooting. He is wanted on charges of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault on a law-enforcement officer resulting in serious bodily injury.

A $25,000 reward was offered for information that leads to the apprehension of Mason. The reward was approved by the St. Johnsbury Selectboard at the request of Police Chief Joel Pierce and with the support of Town Manager Chad Whitehead. The FBI has also announced an additional $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mason.

A Blue Alert was activated Friday night. Alerts went out on television, and digitally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

St. Johnsbury police identified the officer who was shot as Captain Jason Gray. The department released a statement saying:

Tonight (Friday) has been a shock to the community as a whole. Captain Gray is a staple of the police department for over twenty years of service. Captain Gray remains strong as always and is currently stable. We continue to support his and our family during this time. Thank you for the outpouring of support to our department. St. Johnsbury Police Department

The town of St. Johnsbury issued the following statement:

Capt. Jason Gray is stable at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He has sustained severe injuries, and we have him, his family and friends in our hearts as he recovers from this assault. We are also thinking of the rest of the police department as well as our dispatchers and first responders who have been affected by this traumatic event. We are committed to supporting all efforts to provide them the support they need to recover.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Vermont State Police has taken the lead in the manhunt and investigation. We ask the public to rely on correspondence and news releases from VSP as the sole source of accurate information. We thank the Vermont State Police, the Lyndonville Police Department, the Bradford Police Department, the Caledonia County and Essex County sheriffs departments, and all the other local, state and federal agencies that have provided support here in St. Johnsbury. Chief Pierce will continue to work with these agencies on this manhunt and investigation, and to ensure police coverage for the village while his officers recover.

Police said Mason, shot and injured Captain Gray while they were responding to a domestic violence incident at Masons apartment on 261 Portland St in St. Johnsbury. According to VSP, Mason is wanted on an arrest warrant for failure to appear on 26 counts of forgery that are unconnected to the shooting.

Captain Gray is in serious but stable condition according to VSP. He was airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he is undergoing treatment. His injuries appear non-life threatening.

Mason is described as 5 foot 11 inches, weighing around 220 pounds with hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, and a gray hoodie.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police continued to work in the area of Portland Street on Saturday. Residents in the area saw a heavy police presence while the shooting was investigated. The road was reclosed Saturday so police could investigate tips. Mason was not located. The road has reopened.

Police also asked residents in the area to check home surveillance cameras, doorbell cameras, etc. They also ask people to report any possible sightings or suspicious activity.

Anyone who wishes to submit anonymous tips can do so by texting the keyword VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES), calling 844-84-VTIPS, or visiting https://vtips.us.

New York State Police said they searched a home on Mechanic Street in Hoosick Falls, NY along with local police. They said they had received a report Mason may be hiding there. He was not found in the search.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New Hampshire law enforcement also assisted the Vermont State Police in the search. The New Hampshire Department of Safety (NHDOS) sent out a statement saying:

Resources and personnel from the New Hampshire State Police are providing support to the Vermont State Police in support of an ongoing search for a suspect wanted for the shooting of a law enforcement officer from the St. Johnsbury Police Department. We extended our sincerest well wishes to the officer and remain committed to assisting our partners in this ongoing investigation. Tyler Dumont

Strategic Communications Administrator, NHDOS

According to the Vermont State Police website, The Blue Alert System is designed to rapidly disseminate information to the public when a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured, killed, or is missing in the line of duty warranting concern for the officers safety, and the suspect(s) involved have fled and pose an imminent threat to the public or other law enforcement officers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas-area hair salon in the Arts District lost thousands of dollars worth of merchandise after it was burglarized, the owner told 8 News Now.

Its clear to me that this was a planned attack, Jenn Hunter, owner of Atomic Style Lounge shared with 8 News Now.

Jenn Hunter was left distraught and frustrated after her business of eight years was burglarized with thousands of dollars of merchandise stolen. The thieves took all they could in a matter of minutes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three masked and hooded intruders came through the back and quickly went in and out with garbage bags, Hunter shared.

Hunter caught the thieves on camera taking everything: from handbags, t-shirts, sunglasses, and wallets to Atomics entire haircare line. She immediately contacted police.

They looked around and I showed the officer the point of entry. We gave him the preliminary list of items missing, she added.

Hunter shared with 8 News Now that she fears the Arts District is moving in the wrong direction as crime against local businesses has been ramping up this year.

My prime motivation in sharing my story is to help ensure that this community doesnt start backsliding to what it was years ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many businesses have been hit recently and Im just now hearing about it so its time for us to come together and share information so we can catch them, Hunter added.

In addition to Atomic Style Lounge, Tacotarian, Fresca Skate Shop and Dig it Coffee have all been burglarized this year. Metro Police incorporated a Problem Oriented Policing team known as POP to further patrol the area because of this.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 hole in the Las Vegas pharmacys bathroom wall was a telltale sign the criminal activity in a Lone Mountain community shopping center was progressively getting worse. It was the second break-in in a month.

Tracy Nguyen, owner of West Cheyenne Pharmacy, moved into the Lone Mountain Village shopping center in the northwest valley along the 215 and Gowan Road in 2018, and within a few months, her business was the target of a break-in.

The first time they just somehow unlocked the front door, she said. Since then, there have been several incidents that we have been filing with the police department.

On Sept. 15, security cameras captured an individual in dark clothing jumping the pharmacy counter, during closed hours, and attempting to rob the store before allegedly escaping through a hole in the pharmacys bathroom wall which led back to a neighboring nail salon. (West Cheyenne Pharmacy) On Sept. 15, security cameras captured an individual in dark clothing jumping the pharmacy counter, during closed hours, and attempting to rob the store before allegedly escaping through a hole in the pharmacys bathroom wall which led back to a neighboring nail salon. (West Cheyenne Pharmacy) On Sept. 15, security cameras captured an individual in dark clothing jumping the pharmacy counter, during closed hours, and attempting to rob the store before allegedly escaping through a hole in the pharmacys bathroom wall which led back to a neighboring nail salon. (West Cheyenne Pharmacy) On Sept. 15, security cameras captured an individual in dark clothing jumping the pharmacy counter, during closed hours, and attempting to rob the store before allegedly escaping through a hole in the pharmacys bathroom wall which led back to a neighboring nail salon. (West Cheyenne Pharmacy) On Sept. 15, security cameras captured an individual in dark clothing jumping the pharmacy counter, during closed hours, and attempting to rob the store before allegedly escaping through a hole in the pharmacys bathroom wall which led back to a neighboring nail salon. (West Cheyenne Pharmacy) (West Cheyenne Pharmacy) The hole in the Las Vegas pharmacys bathroom wall was a telltale sign the criminal activity in a Lone Mountain community shopping center was progressively getting worse. It was the second break-in in a month. (KLAS)

According to Nguyen, at least three businesses have been the target of a break-in at the shopping center in the past few years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Sept. 15, security cameras captured an individual in dark clothing jumping the pharmacy counter, during closed hours, and attempting to rob the store before allegedly escaping through a hole in the pharmacys bathroom wall which led back to a neighboring nail salon.

Im kind of worried, but were not so much scared, because its happened during the nighttime, at least we are not here, Nguyen said. They attempt another break-in. So, in that one I sent out the letter to city council, to the police department, [to] reach out to them for help.

Tracy Nguyen, owner of West Cheyenne Pharmacy , moved into the Lone Mountain Village shopping center in 2018, and within a few months, her business was the target of a break-in. (KLAS)

Nguyen said she sat down for a private meeting with her Las Vegas city councilwoman about the issues facing the shopping center at Convo Coffee, which has also been the target of alleged destruction of property. Nguyen said she told both police and representatives from the city the area needed more of a police presence.

We know that usually this incident occurs between one to three, and we dont ask for much, but at least, you know, just drive by, she said. I know they are out-resourced too, but just like once in a while, just to deter or prevent this from happening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sarah Lee, a technician at West Cheyenne Pharmacy, said the break-ins have had a lasting effect on her sense of safety going to work, but the area is also inundated with individuals who have approached workers.

They just walking around all the time, and some people seems like a mentally unstable because theyre talking to themselves, Lee said. Even though we asked, you know police for help is still, I dont see anything really changing. So thats concerning.

A real gem

Numerous customers, and residents from the Lone Mountain community rallied around Nguyen, during an 8 News Now interview Tuesday, expressing concern for the safety of their neighborhood pharmacist.

Numerous customers, and residents from the Lone Mountain community rallied around Nguyen, during an 8 News Now interview Tuesday, expressing concern for the safety of their neighborhood pharmacist. (KLAS)

[Tracy] is a businesswoman on her own, Sheryl Reilly, a 27-year Lone Mountain community resident said. We moved all our business here because she really brings so much to the community. Weve also seen a big change in crime in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Reilly said Tracy goes above and beyond for the entire neighborhood and the threat to her safety has kicked the community into action to insist on more of a police presence from law enforcement.

Christina Gonzalez, an agent with State Farm, said she has seen the shopping center become a new center for crime and even car accidents in the parking lot.

I havent seen as many issues over the last four years, as I have in the last year, a lot of people being more aggressive in the area, Gonzalez said. This area is supposed to be more safe, and hasnt felt that way lately.

The 8 News Now interview with Gonzales was interrupted at one point when a man started yelling in the parking lot and appeared to cause concern to the shoppers and business owners in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sometimes when I get out of my car when I get here, I could tell when theres people that make me feel a little bit more unsafe, she said. And it happens more frequently.

A point of origin for some problems, most residents pointed to, was the nearby storm drain that runs behind the businesses. Brinton Marsden, a Lone Mountain community resident, said the area has only been becoming more dangerous.

Eventually someones going to either get assaulted or robbed or worse, God forbid, he said. If Metro would just drive through the parking lot on the way out from the gas station, I think that would reduce a lot of the problem here thats going on.

The LVMPD Northwest Area Command is 1.5 miles east of the shopping center, on the same road. Marsden, a retired member of law enforcement, said he would like to see if police can wave the flag and drive through the shopping center more frequently.

The LVMPD Northwest Area Command is 1.5 miles east of the shopping center, on the same road. Marsden, a retired member of law enforcement, said he would like to see if police can wave the flag and drive through the shopping center more frequently. (KLAS)

Tracy is a real gem to have in this neighborhood, he said. What weve seen over the last year or so is an uptick in homeless people up here, harassing customers, harassing people in the parking lot, panhandling. And then, of course, you have, youve had the break-ins of the businesses here. So yeah, its, its definitely taken a turn for the worse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

8 News Now has requested a statement from LVMPD regarding what response they have made since the incidents in the shopping center, and an update regarding a possible investigation made on Saturday.

The Northwest Area Command Patrol Investigations Section has also requested the public to contact them at 702-828-8505 if they have any information regarding an identified crime spree in the area targeting specialty pharmacies, since July 2024.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LSA VEGAS (KLAS)  An 18-year-old faces a murder charge after police said he shot two people during an argument last weekend.

On Dec. 7, 2024, at around 1:15 p.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a shooting in the 1900 block of D Street near Alexander Avenue.

Arriving officers found a man and woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds inside a residence. Medical personnel took both victims to a nearby hospital, where medical staff later pronounced the man dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the investigation, homicide detectives learned the victims were in a fight that turned physical. Another man inside the residence intervened and shot toward the two, hitting both of them, before leaving the area.

Detectives identified the suspect as Steven Bernard, 18. On Thursday, Dec. 12, the Criminal Apprehension Team located and arrested Bernard.

Bernard was held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center on a charge of open murder. His initial court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 16.

The identification of the victim, as well as the cause and manner of death, will be released by the

Clark County Coroners Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the Crime Stoppers 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 KLAS.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Laser strikes on aircraft has been a soaring problem nationwide.

A Nashville teenager was charged this week with pointing a laser at both an airplane and a Metro aviation helicopter. Destin Wyndham, 18, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a first responder.

RELATED: Teen charged after laser strike on BNA flight, Metro helicopter

Throughout the first 10 months of 2024, there have been more than 10,000 reported laser strikes on aircraft across the country, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In Tennessee, there have been nearly 550 reports of laser strikes, FAA data shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Statistically, its been a problem in Nashville. According to the FAA, 107 cases were reported through October. There were just 81 through that same time frame in 2023, and 104 throughout the entire year.

Its only a matter of time when it happens at a crucial point and it distracts them just long enough at the perfect time, it could lead to a big accident or big problem, Tim Jacobs, a local pilot, said.

Jacobs owns aircraft maintenance company T&T Aviation. He told News 2 hes been struck with a laser two or three times within the past 10 years. Jacobs has heard other pilots talk about the issue frequently.

A lot of people dont realize how bright it can get inside a cockpit when someones shining a laser at you and it kind of takes you off guard, Jacobs explained. Its not debilitating, but its annoying.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its the guy coming towards you on the highway with the high beams on, Jacobs.

Despite laser strikes becoming a trend, Jacobs said there is no concrete protocol for how to handle the situation.

Theres not a particular curriculum on how to deal with laser point incidents, Jacobs said. Its not very surprising to me. Its just something thats just always going to happen. Kids are going to be kids, whoever it is doing it. And I dont know why they do it.

AUGUST: FAA: Tennessee third highest for laser strike incidents in July

These laser strikes are most dangerous when pilots are close to the ground or trying to land, according to Jacobs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its usually a little more intense. The person whos doing it can direct it at the cockpit or the airplane a little bit easier, and then youve got the risk factor: youre closer to the ground and theres more critical things going on, Jacobs said. [Theres] a lot less room for error.

In 2023, the FAA received more than 13,000 reports of laser strikes from pilots, which was the most ever recorded by the agency. That number appears likely to be matched, if not exceeded, by the end of 2024.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Premature babies evacuated from Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia due to Israeli attacks are receiving care at the Patient Friends Association Hospital, which opened a dedicated section for them in Gaza City, Gaza on Oct. 14, 2024. Credit - Momen FaizAnadolu/Getty Images

Northern Gaza is facing a catastrophic collapse in neonatal care after Israels latest evacuation order, according to doctors and aid groups. The order affects an estimated 20 to 25,000 people in the Al-Remal and Sabra neighborhoods, which includes the Patients Friends Benevolent Society Hospital. It has the only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in northern Gaza that receives premature babies.

The evacuation order came from IDF Spokesperson Achivay Adraees X account Thursday evening. The post, originally in Arabic, reads: This is a warning before an attack! Terrorist organizations are firing rockets again from this area. This specific area has been warned several times in the past. For your safety, move immediately to shelters in Gaza City Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It's not a game when they throw leaflets or when they announce that there are evacuation orders, Mahmoud Shalabi, Deputy Director of Programmes at Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) told TIME from Gaza City. Shalabi and his family have been internally displaced for more than seventy days.

[The evacuation order] is like spreading fire in hay. Everything starts spreading immediately over social media, Shalabi said. MAP, a private British aid group, has provided assistance with essential staffing and resources to PFBS since August 2024. Its NICU started operations in October, with incubators salvaged from other hospitals  including Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia to the north. That facility, which the chief of the World Health Organization says still has 96 patients, remains besieged by Israeli forces operating in the area, and CNN reported that a hospital official said four doctors were among dozens killed around the compound on Friday. Shalabi says some of the half-dozen incubators now at PFBS camebabies includedfrom Kamal Adwan.

Read More: How Leaked Police Interviews with Benjamin Netanyahu Became The Bibi Files

The only other Gaza City hospital with a NICU, Al-Sahaba hospital, operates under limited capacity, and is only able to offer basic level one care to infants those without complex or intensive medical needs. PFBS also provides gynecology, delivery and general surgery services. Many of the patients cannot be moved in their condition. This fall, when the facility began providing life-saving treatment for premature infants in a region where the health care system has been steadily dismantled, patient visits surged, climbing from 7,320 in July to 42,999 by October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

All health care professionals in Gaza, including the five doctors and ten nurses working at the NICU, are at personal risk. As of summer 2024, nearly 500 healthcare workers had been killed in Gaza since the conflict began. On Thursday, Dr. Saeed Jouda, the last orthopedic surgeon in northern Gaza, was killed by an Israeli drone near Kamal Adwan.

Gaza is very tiny. There aren't many options left for the health authorities to decide where we want to move [services], Shalabi says.  Much of the space has been taken out and has been reduced to smithereens. So there is no place left for people to go.

The buzz of a drone that Shalabi described as armed to the teeth was audible as he spoke to TIME. "It has been a constant feature in our lives, you know, drone sounds but not as intense as what's happening during this war, not as intense as it is right now.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Grand Ledge Public Schools and Higher Orbits are partnering with the National Defense Industrial Association Michigan Chapter (NDIA-MI) to bring the Go For Launch! STEM program to Mid-Michigan students.

The event will be held at the Sawdon Administration Building, 220 Lamson St. from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 14-15.

Go For Launch! brings together high school students (grades 8-12) and space industry professionals for a hands-on STEM experience that will allow students to build teamwork, leadership, and communication skills says Higher Orbits in a news release sent to 6 News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These programs provide students with hands-on experiences that inspire and prepare them for the many careers on the horizon in science, technology, engineering, and beyond, said Megan Schrauben, MiSTEM Director, in a news release sent to 6 News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Dec. 13CUMBERLAND  A LaVale man is awaiting trial on felony assault and weapon charges after he allegedly struck a man in the head with a handgun and stabbed a woman during a house party early Sunday in the 700 block of Fayette Street, according to Cumberland Police.

The victims declined medical treatment when officers investigated the 1:30 a.m. incident.

Investigation led to the arrest Monday of the 18-year-old Jazavier M. Wigger, who was located by Maryland State Police at a LaVale business where he was taken into custody without incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wigger was granted pre-trial release Wednesday after posting $25,000 bond following a district court judge's review of a no-bail order set initially by a court commissioner.

An arrest warrant for Wigger was issued Monday after investigators conducted interviews and executed multiple search warrants at various locations. Weapons believed to have been used in the alleged crimes and additional evidence were recovered when the search warrants were executed, police said.

Charges against Wigger included felony first-degree assault, misdemeanor assault, use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence and related offenses, according to court documents.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Humane Society of the United States assisted the Grady County Sheriffs Office earlier this week, rescuing hundreds of animals in an alleged animal cruelty case.

According to officials with the Humane Society, authorities served a search and seizure warrant on a residential property located in Grady County. Upon searching the property, law enforcement found dogs, cats, goats, fish, a pig, and companion birds.

Veterinarians from Operation Kindness and Black Beauty Ranch, and responders also aided at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LOCAL NEWS: Tore him apart: OCSO deputies find starving dog during eviction process

As different as each of these animals are, when I imagine what their lives have been like, there is something they all have in commonthe koi whose entire world is the bottom of an filthy, murky pool; the parrot in a cramped, barren cage who greets strangers with a hello! but had plucked out his own feathers; and the sweet, attention-hungry dog pacing in circles as far as her chain will allow her its a bleak existence, said Jessica Johnson, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States animal rescue team.

Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States. Animals rescued in alleged cruelty case. Image courtesy The Humane Society of the United States.

Both rescuers and law enforcement arrived at the property when temperatures were below freezing. Rottweilers, Shih Tzus, and pit bull-type dogs were found chained and bound outside with no food or water and no type of proper protection from the weather.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dogs and cats were found to be emaciated, with protruding hips and rib bones. Several dogs also had injuries that were untreated.

LOCAL NEWS: Iconic Gold Dome may be converted to music venue, city leaders say

Pigs on the property had no sign of access to food or water, while the goats had a frozen water trough.

Over 20 koi fish were living in an outdoor pool that was, at first, not visible to the rescuers when first inspected due to how cloudy the water was. Different types of smaller fish were also found throughout the garage and residence.

Companion birds, which included parrots, parakeets, and finches, were also found in filthy, poorly kept cages with no proper access to environmental enrichment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Environmental enrichment is essential for an animals physical and mental health.

One parrot was found with large patches of missing feathers, which officials with the Humane Society of the United States say could be self-inflicted due to stress or even boredom.

Between the number of animals and their unique, species-specific needs, this was a complex operation for everyone involved and we are especially grateful to the Grady County Sheriffs Office for intervening for these animals. Thanks to them, these animals dont have to live like that anymore, said Johnson.

Despite the rough living conditions, the Humane Society of the United States says many of the animals were friendly and longing for attention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They were removed from the property and taken to unidentified areas to be given the care needed and in-depth exams.

Placement arrangements with shelters, rescue partners, and sanctuaries will be decided over the next few weeks.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ST. LOUIS  A Missouri lawmakers new proposal could set the stage for merging the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County into a single governing entity.

Missouri State Rep. Ian Mackey, D-Richmond Heights, has introduced House Joint Resolution No. 27, which proposes consolidating the city and county into the Metropolitan City of St. Louis.

The proposal aims to streamline governance, enhance service delivery, and reduce redundancy across the St. Louis region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is a big idea, a controversial idea, but its one that our region really needs, Mackey told FOX 2 Friday.

Mackey argues a merger would greatly benefit frequently visited public areas, such as Washington Avenue and the Delmar Loop. The Delmar Loop, in particular, falls in both the city and the county.

Think of the investment that we could have in a place like that, he said. As a city of 1.3 million people pulling our resources and creating districts that are enjoyable, that are safe, that are walkable. And that are, you know, like a city!

And thats Mackeys big concernthat St. Louis is lacking a city feel as it hasnt been attracting enough new residents and businesses, as well as losing younger residents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He thinks more food traffic and public safety could change that.

Drone drama in the bi-state region

Yeah, crime is a huge issue. But really, its our response to crime. Because were all in multiple different jurisdictions, handling it in a number of different ways rather than having one cohesive plan, Mackey added.

If approved in Missouris upcoming legislative session, which begins Jan. 8, the resolution would give voters an opportunity to decide whether to approve the merger, either in the November 2026 general election or a future state-approved special election.

Spokespeople for the city and county provided FOX 2 with the exact same statement in response to Mackeys plan. Both said they work closely with each other and see no need to consolidate when strong partnerships are already in place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The legislation follows a significant 2019 initiative from local advocacy group Better Together to merge city and county governments. The effort ultimately faltered due to widespread criticism of over a statewide voting provision and backlash over plans to appoint the first mayor of the merger.

St. Louis City and St. Louis County have been split governing entities since 1876, and local historians oftentimes refer to the decision that authorized the split as The Great Divorce.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  In a bipartisan effort led in part by North Carolina congresswoman Deborah Ross, lawmakers want to make sure funding will go toward three next generation hurricane hunter aircraft sooner rather than later.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration currently has two P-3 Orion planes, the big aircraft that flies into tropical storms and hurricanes to collect vital weather data. The data goes back to the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service for meteorologists to update critical tropical forecasts.

NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion hurricane hunter aircraft. (NOAA) The eye of Hurricane Ida on NOAA WP-3D Orion N43RF Miss Piggy the morning of August 28, 2021. (Image Credit: Credit: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Doremus, NOAA Corps)

We know how important accurate and up to date tropical forecasts are, even for those inland. But these planes are already older and expected to reach the end of their lives by 2030.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since these planes are close to their last five years of service, lawmakers want the funding to be included in the 2025 fiscal years disaster supplemental appropriations. Ross, whose district covers Wake County, said fighting for funding for these three new hurricane hunters is a no brainer.

You dont want things that are less reliable and out of date, Ross said. We want, particularly when it comes to devastating storms that can take human lives, so much property, and have environmental damage, to make sure we are doing the best we possibly can for our citizens.

The new aircraft was initially funded in the 2023 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Act, but lawmakers want the rest of the funding included in the 2025 fiscal year disaster supplemental in order for the new aircraft to be ready to go by 2030.

To view the request from Ross office, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More information about the next generation of hurricane hunter planes can be found here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
The top lawmakers on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) told Apple and Google on Friday to prepare to remove TikTok from their app stores, as a potential ban looms next month.

Committee Chair John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) said in a pair of letters to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai that their companies must take the necessary steps to ensure it can fully comply with the law by Jan. 19.

Under a law passed by Congress earlier this year, TikToks China-based parent company ByteDance is required to divest from the popular social media app or face a ban on U.S. networks and app stores.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law gave ByteDance about nine months  until Jan. 19  to sell TikTok. President Biden, who signed the law in April, could also give the company an additional 90 days to complete a sale.

In a separate letter to TikTok CEO Shou Chew on Friday, the two lawmakers urged the company to immediately execute a qualified divestiture.

Congress has provided ample time for TikTok to take the necessary steps to come into compliance, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi wrote. Indeed, TikTok has had 233 days and counting to pursue a solution that protects U.S. national security.

TikToks future in the U.S. is increasingly uncertain, after a federal appeals court upheld the law last week. A three-judge panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit found that it did not violate the First Amendment, as TikTok had argued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

TikTok now plans to appeal to the Supreme Court and has asked the D.C. Circuit to put the law on hold while it appeals 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, it wrote in a post on X.

Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people, it added.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FESTUS, Mo.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative lawsuit against Tonia Haddix, a Missouri woman at the center of high-profile legal battles and controversies over exotic animal ownership, specifically chimpanzees.

Tonia Haddix has recently gained notoriety as the focus of new viral HBO docuseries Chimp Crazy, which explores her actions and broader issues related to the private ownership of exotic animals. The docuseries is based on original reporting from FOX Files investigator Chris Hayes.

This new lawsuit aims to terminate Haddix of a federal Animal Welfare Act license that allows her to broker and transport infant monkeys and other wild animals, in addition to operating her roadside animal zoo in Sunrise Beach, Missouri.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawsuit accuses Haddix of lying in federal court about Tonkas death. It alleges Haddixs conduct makes her unfit to keep her license.

This legal challenge comes as a Dec. 16 deadline nears for a federal court to decide whether to prosecute Haddix for criminal contempt of court.

Throughout the years, Haddix cared for the seven chimpanzees and bred them as talent for films and photoshoots, among other activities. These chimpanzees previously inhabited the Missouri Primate Foundation, a now-defunct animal breeding facility near Festus.

Haddixs attachment to one chimpanzee, Tonka, sparked national attention in 2021. Tonka is a former animal movie star, appearing in films like the 1997 comedy Buddy. At some point, Haddix claimed that Tonka had died when she instead had him locked in her basement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Animal advocacy groups like PETA have consistently alleged that many chimpanzees once under her care were unsafe and neglected.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 spent nearly 21 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of a robbery at a Beale Street club has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Memphis and several police department employees, claiming they framed him.

Artis Whitehead was sentenced to 249 years in prison after he was convicted in a May 2002 robbery at B.B. Kings Blues Club. His sentence was ultimately vacated and he walked free in December 2023.

Man wrongfully convicted of robbery on Beale freed after 21 years behind bars

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a 46-page lawsuit filed in the District Court on Thursday, Whitehead alleges he was set up by police investigators who were desperate to pin the crime on a suspect under mounting public pressure, eight months after it happened.

Whitehead claims officers coerced and paid a man to call in a false Crimestoppers tip implicating him in the crime. They then allegedly suggested that witnesses identify Whitehead as the perpetrator.

No physical evidence linked him to the crime, his supporters said. Victims, who were tied up during the robbery, described the suspect as around 5-foot-6, 150 pounds, while Whitehead was 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit outlines 13 allegations, including several Constitutional violations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whitehead was exonerated after lawyers with the Tennessee Innocence Project fought for a new trial.

WREG has reached out to a representative for the City of Memphis for a response to the allegations. We are also reaching out to Whitehead and the Tennessee Innocence Project for information.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Outgoing Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney speaks to reporters at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch)

When Mitt Romney joined the Senate in 2018, he was mostly seen as a mainstream Republican. Now, with his one and only term coming to an end, the 77-year-old isnt sure what the future holds for his party.

But he did caution Republicans during a news conference on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican Party, made up of working class Americans, and Republican policy positions dont necessarily line up terribly well, he said.

Whatever happens with the GOP, dont expect Romney to be a part of it. His time on the political stage is over, he said on Friday.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Romney spoke during what was likely his last media availability with Utah reporters as a senator, touting his decades of public service that started with his management of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and included becoming the governor of Massachusetts, a GOP nominee for President and a one term senator representing the Beehive State.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Sept. 2023, Romney announced he would not seek reelection and this January, Republican John Curtis will leave his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and join Mike Lee to represent Utah in the Senate.

In the past six years, Romney emerged as one of Trumps most vocal critics in the Republican Party. He was the only GOP senator who voted to convict Trump during his first impeachment in 2020, and joined seven other Republicans who voted for conviction during the second impeachment in 2021.

Yet he was often aligned with Trump on policy issues.

I voted with him, I think, more than Senator Lee, Romney said on Friday. Im a conservative and he put in place, by and large, conservative policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But it was Trumps relaxed relationship with the truth and a 2023 ruling that found the incoming president liable for sexually abusing columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996 that, among other things, prevented me from supporting him, Romney said.

Now, with Congress losing perhaps its last vocal critic of Trump in the GOP, Romney offered somewhat of a concession on Friday. The Republican Party really is shaped by Donald Trump now, he said.

Expect the House and Senate, now both controlled by Republican majorities, to follow Trump on most policy issues, Romney said.

In his six years in the Senate, Romney helped pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which channeled around $3.7 billion to Utah for water, transportation, broadband and other infrastructure; secured funding for Hill Air Force Base; sponsored bills like the Great Salt Lake Recovery Act and the Saline Lake Ecosystems in the Great Basin States Program Act, which funded studies for Utahs beleaguered saline lake; and ended decades of negotiations between the Navajo Nation, Utah and the federal government to allow for more funding and water rights for the tribe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Comparing himself ideologically to Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and the late Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, Romney said the GOPs old norms are quickly fading. During his term in the senate, Romney went from the standard bearer of his party, to persona non grata.

Im a narrow slice, if you will, what we used to call the mainstream Republicans. The stream has gotten a little smaller. Its more like the main-creek Republicans now, he said.

The 77-year-old senator couldnt say for certain what the future of the party will be. Trumps cabinet picks so far have been all over the map, he said, including former outspoken liberals like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hes confident Trump will stop the immigration mess, unsure whether hell be able to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., and doubtful that hell curb the nations $1.9 trillion deficit and $36 trillion debt.

He doesnt fear retribution from a Trump Department of Justice, despite the incoming president recently suggesting members of the House Jan. 6 committee, on which he did not serve, should be imprisoned.

And whether you agree or disagree with Trumps policies, he said, Romney expects him to shake things up over the next four years.

If that shakeup is successful, Romney expects incoming Vice President J.D. Vance to carry that momentum and become the next Republican presidential nominee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Romney faults Democrats, rather than crediting Republicans, for working-class voters supporting Trump over Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, and criticizes progressives for getting behind absolutely nutty stuff. That includes the defund the police movement, an open borders immigration policy and biological males competing in girls sports.

That drove a lot of working families and minorities out of the Democratic Party, Romney said. The Republican Party is now the party of working-class Americans. It used to be Democrats, all the time Ive been alive it was Democrats.

But he seemed skeptical that Republicans could hold that base, criticizing GOP policies that dont necessarily line up with the working class. The partys reluctance to raise the minimum wage or support labor unions could give Democrats an opportunity to realign, Romney said.

Regardless of what the future of American politics is, Romney wont be a part of it. When asked what he plans to do next, he said, jokingly, Ill be doing nothing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He might appear as an event speaker from time to time, and will likely pop up on college campuses to work with young people. He hinted at some kind of public service, referencing former President Jimmy Carters work with Habitat for Humanity, former Vice President Al Gore raising awareness of climate change, and former President George W. Bushs advocacy for veterans.

But dont expect any political endorsements or business endeavors from the outgoing senator.

I will do things I think are going to promote the preservation of the union and the cause of freedom, he said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
LINESVILLE  Hundreds of volunteers will gather at Linesville Cemetery late Saturday morning to honor the veterans interred there.

Simultaneously at noon, they will place wreaths on the 440 veterans graves at the cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America (WAA) observance.

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit whose mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom. The WAAs theme for this year is live with purpose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a way to give back to veterans and what they gave, Danielle R. Riggs of Linesville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7842 Auxiliary, said of participating.

Though not a veteran herself, Riggs got involved to honor her late grandfather who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

For Linesville VFW Post 7842 Auxiliary, this is the seventh year its participating in the nationwide Wreaths Across America, according to Riggs, who cochairs the auxiliarys WAA committee along with Donna Hyde and Laura Cornell.

The auxiliary gets the full support of the VFW Post as well as the greater Linesville-western Crawford County community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our Post and our Posts veterans go above and beyond, Riggs said. Many people in the community make this happen. We have tons (of people) who come up from Pittsburgh or over from Ohio to help. Theyve established themselves with summer homes and want to take part in this one hour to honor our buried veterans.

From 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, volunteers by the hundreds will be checked in after being shuttled to the cemetery from one of two parking areas. Shuttles must be used due to extremely limited onsite parking.

Ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m. with Doug Weber, a U.S. Navy veteran and a trustee of VFW Post 7842, to be the featured speaker at Saturdays ceremonies.

At noon, the service will conclude with the simultaneous placement of wreaths on the veterans graves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2023, more than 3 million sponsored veterans wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 4,225 participating locations worldwide, according to Wreaths Across Americas website.

The Linesville VFW Auxiliary works year-round to raise money to purchase the required number of wreaths for the cemetery.

The wreaths, shipped from Wreaths Across Americas national headquarters in Maine, cost $17 each, Riggs said.

The auxiliarys biggest fundraiser is a spaghetti dinner in February each year at the Linesville VFW.

National Wreaths Across America started in 1992 after someone saw wreaths placed on a veterans grave by a wreath maker who had great respect for the military. From there the effort grew and the national nonprofit organization was formed and a National Wreath Across America Day was declared by the U.S. Senate for the third Saturday in December.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

YOU CAN GO

For more information and to register as a volunteer with Wreaths Across America on Saturday in Linesville: Contact either Danielle R. Riggs at (814) 573-6059 or Kathy Brubaker, secretary of the Linesville Cemetery Association via the cemeterys Facebook page. Parking is extremely limited and volunteers are shuttled to the cemetery.

Volunteer parking is at Molded Fiber Glass plants front building parking lot, 6175 Route 6, Linesville; and St. Philips Church, 401 S. Mercer St., Linesville, with two shuttle buses running. Shuttle service starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with the last shuttles leaving the parking lots at 11:15 a.m. Volunteers must be in place by 11:45 a.m. The event concludes with the placement of wreaths at noon.
An employee at a liquor store in Hawthorne was injured in a stabbing during an attempted robbery on Friday night, according to authorities.

Police responded to reports of a shooting at about 7:32 p.m. at the Blue Bird liquor store, located at 13746 Hawthorne Boulevard. While driving to the scene, officers received an update that there was no shooting, but instead that an employee of the store was stabbed.

Upon arrival, officers learned that the employee confronted two suspects who were attempting to steal from the store. During that confrontation, the employee was stabbed two times with a knife, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The employee, who hasnt been publicly identified, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The two suspects, described as Hispanic males with thin builds and about 17 years of age, fled the scene on foot before police arrived.

As of Saturday, they were still at large.

No additional details were immediately made 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 KTLA.
Dec. 13LISBON  Police say they have arrested a 41-year-old Massachusetts man after an investigation revealed "multiple instances of identity theft" in Lisbon and in surrounding towns.

A statement from Chief Ryan McGee released Friday said his department arrested Carlin Rigaud Thursday "following an extensive investigation."

Lisbon detectives charged Rigaud with felony forgery, felony theft by deception, and two counts of misuse of identification. Bail for Rigaud was set at $15,000. He was transported to the Androscoggin County Jail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lisbon Detective Richard St. Amant collaborated with other local law enforcement agencies investigating similar crimes in their areas, according to the statement.

"Representatives from Auburn Police Department, Freeport Police Department, and Topsham Police Department joined Lisbon detectives at the Lisbon Police Department, where Carlin Rigaud was also charged by these agencies for crimes committed within their jurisdictions," the statement said.

The investigation continues, McGee said, in Maine and in Massachusetts.

No other details were provided.

Copy the Story Link

Standish man agrees to serve 30 years in plea deal after jury deadlocks

Ayla Reynolds' disappearance still a mystery 13 years later
 Flash

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French President, in Beijing on Friday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China has always regarded France as a priority partner on its development path.

China is ready to work with France to deliver on the common understandings between the two heads of state, strengthen strategic dialogue, deepen cooperation in traditional areas, expand cooperation in emerging areas, and promote the steady and sound development of China-France and China-EU economic and trade relations through high-level opening up, He said.

Bonne said France supports the promotion of opening up and cooperation through constructive dialogue and is willing to work with China to promote the sustained, balanced and high-quality development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
The Lithuanian conservatives from the Homeland Union  Lithuanian Christian Democrats have expelled a member involved in an investigation into potential espionage for Russia.

Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The party announced the expulsion of Eduard Manov from its ranks as a pre-trial investigation into whether he spied on behalf of Russia has been completed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Manov, who holds both Russian and Lithuanian citizenship, was a member of the party's Sauliai branch and also participated in organisations of Russians in exile.

According to the investigation, Manov had been collecting and transmitting intelligence to Russia's Main Directorate of the General Staff (GRU) since 2018.

Lithuania's Department of State Security noted that although the intelligence collected by the suspect was not classified, it could still be useful to Russia and was related to political matters.

Background:

In November, two Italians were charged with collaborating with Russian secret services.

In Romania, the trial of a Colombian citizen accused of preparing acts of sabotage on Russia's orders is set to begin.

Support UP or become our patron!
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN)  After 4 years of a matter in circuit court, the 11th Circuit Bolt Action News of US Court Appeals ruled that two officers  D Bridges and J. Dobson in the lawsuit did not violate the rights of an independent journalist and activist George Metz in 2020.

The 11th circuit said it therefore we are all bound by it, Dustin Fowler said. I think this was a fact-driven opinion rather than just a general opinion of an illegal principle of law in this capacity.

Metz and another person representing Bolt Action News walked through the door of the Department of Human Resources, a public building filming in the lobby claiming he wanted to see how governments are operating in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, was confronted by the security guard and employees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sir you are not authorized to be recording in here I need you to step out, The security guard said.

You have children who go through this building and the employees were concerned and they should be they have every right to call 911 they didnt know who these people are, Fowler said.

Metz said it was his right to film as he was part of the press. After refusing to step out of the building for recording after being asked six times, they called the police.

Wheres your ID? Provide me with your information. OK, well do this. Either provide me, or youll be in handcuffs, D. Bridges said.

Although the men were only handcuffed for nearly 30 minutes, Metz says they violated his 4th amendment right by handcuffing him, asking for his I-D and searching him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fowler said in this case the men were believed to be trespassing by the state agency workers.

If a police officer suspects you are committing or about to they have a right to demand the name address and explanations, just answer them, Fowler said.

The ruling reversed a lower court ruling that did not make officers liable for their actions and Fowler says it could have been a different outcome for the plaintiffs if they didnt represent themselves.

The plaintiff has got to show that the officers violated a clearly constitutional right and it was clearly established at the time of the misconduct, Fowler said. They were not able to do that in their pleadings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has been reinventing itself to meet the communitys needs.

The library is now offering a variety of programming including workforce development, early childhood literacy and even culinary arts classes for children and adults.

Residents can also take advantage of a number of services like laptop and WiFi hotspot rentals. No longer just depots of books, libraries have morphed into full-service community centers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We really think that fits into what we do with other services. We provide you the information that you need to accomplish the things you want to do in your home or in the library, said Erin Phemester, Chief Experience Officer.

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is open seven days a week and is constantly looking for more feedback from the community as it looks to add more programming.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
For Deborah Yedlin, the federal labour minister's announcement that he is sending the labour dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to the Canada Industrial Relations Board for resolution is "long overdue."

Yedlin, the president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, says because of the impact of the strike on small businesses and not-for-profits, she would like to have seen the federal government intervene much earlier, as it did during the work stoppages involving railway and port workers.

"This is something that's hurt so many businesses, especially small businesses, and it's hurt so many not-for-profits and charities. This has been a really, really tough thing for them to negotiate," said Yedlin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said Friday that if the Canada Industrial Relations Board determines negotiations between Canada Post and CUPW are at an impasse, it has been directed to order striking workers back to work under the existing collective agreement until May 22, 2025. He says that could happen as soon as early next week.

If it does, it will be a great relief for Heather Morley, the CEO of Inn from the Cold, a Calgary charity that helps vulnerable families find shelter.

She says the strike has caused a "high level of anxiety" at many charities in the city.

Over half of Inn from the Cold's $11-million annual operating budget comes from donations. They had set a goal of raising $1 million in December, but due to the strike, fundraising is down about 30 per cent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Bringing that money in is critical for us to be able to help families that need it most," Morley told CBC News.

She says a quick resolution to the strike will still leave Inn from the Cold enough time to salvage the campaign.

"If the mail can start moving, that would be a very good thing for us," she said.

WATCH | MacKinnon says Ottawa 'calling a timeout' as he intervenes in postal strike:

Brittany Beatty is the director of community engagement at Discovery House, which provides long-term housing, mental health support and other programs and services in Calgary for children and women recovering from domestic violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She says about 25 per cent of her organization's fundraising happens during the month of December, so the Canada Post work disruption has forced her team to pivot to other ways of reaching out, like text messaging, emails and social media.

She describes the past four weeks as "a stressful time."

"It will certainly be a relief to receive some of those donations that we know are sitting with Canada Post right now," Beatty said.

According to the labour minister, 1.65 million pieces of personal correspondence are in secure storage at Canada Post facilities awaiting delivery.

Beatty says she's hopeful Discovery House will be able to make up the fundraising shortfall when postal service resumes, but she says some of that might not happen before the new year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jim Osborne, the owner of the Scottish Shoppe and A Little Bit of Ireland in Kensington, says the increased shipping costs associated with the Canada Post strike have caused a "lot of disruption" to small businesses like his.

He told CBC News he welcomes MacKinnon's decision but fears it comes too late for retailers in their busiest time of the year.

"Most of us have come through the COVID period, and just as we are getting back to normal with new ideas  we were hit with this," Osborne said.

He added that he was fortunate his store didn't see a lot of cancellations, with many customers opting for courier deliveries, despite the higher cost.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WATCH | CUPW president calls federal intervention 'an attack on all labour':

The strike has lasted more than four weeks, and according to MacKinnon, the federal mediator said negotiations were going in the wrong direction.

"Canadians are rightly fed up," the labour minister said.

Yedlin believes one of the reasons Ottawa waited this long before acting is a lack of pushback from Canadians, who probably don't realize how important Canada Post is to small business.

Part of the blame for that, she says, falls to Canada Post itself.

"I don't think Canada Post has made the case for itself, in terms of how it supports the underlying flow of goods across the country. I think Canada Post has a perspective that people understand what service they provide and they don't have to explain it," said Yedlin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Here's the issue  it's not purely a mail service organization any more. It's a package delivery organization," she said, one that is "critical to our economic prosperity."

That means Canada Post no longer has a monopoly on the services it provides, which is why she thinks the biggest loser in all of this might turn out to be Canada Post itself.

"You always lose market share when you do something like this," she said.
(NewsNation)  Mere minutes after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed, social media sites were swamped with celebratory posts and praise for the suspect, Luigi Mangione.

Taylor Lorenz, a tech and culture journalist who founded User Mag, penned an op-ed on the platform titled: Why we want insurance executives dead.

Lorenz tells Elizabeth Vargas Now that Piers Morgan interrupted her on the issue in a subsequent interview about the piece, posting misrepresentative clips that frame Lorenz as feeling joy in Thompsons death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I felt joy that people, myself and  millions of other Americans feel joy that this issue is finally receiving attention, Lorenz clarified Friday. That is what I said. So, just to be clear, absolutely in zero context that I say I felt joy that a mans life was lost. I am against death in all forms.

Why are Americans are frustrated with the health care system?

She added that while she is against killing, it is only natural for someone who watched their loved one be denied care and suffer in return, to wish the same fate on those in charge.

Lorenzs article dives into the hatred some Americans hold for health care CEOs, as their companies decisions to deny claims leave many families grieving.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I do believe that insurance companies denying life-saving care is murder. Again, that does not justify killing in response, she said. However, I do think that we need to acknowledge the violent nature of our for-profit insurance company or system, rather.

Its a system that is enabled by members of Congress, NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas posited.

Meaningful change does not happen through shooting someone, because, again, somebody will just take that persons place. We need to fix these systems, Lorenz responded. And Congress, youre right, Congress and the lawmakers and the people in power are the ultimate villains here.

Luigi Mangiones fellow inmates: Free him, conditions suck

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lorenz pointed to Morgans handling of their chat as an example of media manufacturing outage, which she called a shame.

I think the medias obsession with this sort of clickbait, outrage stuff is is ultimately quite dangerous, because people feel that the media is not listening to them, Lorenz said. And it is crucial right now that people feel listened to.

Because, she tells NewsNation, when people arent listened to  when protest within a system feels useless  they start to operate outside of it.

And thats what you saw Luigi [Mangione] do.

The journalist urged media and lawmakers to hear what the American people are saying, rather than scolding them, on the journey to reform our nations barbaric system of health care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  One person was arrested after a school bus stolen from East Baton Rouge Parish was found in a marsh in Plaquemines Parish on Friday.

Plaquemines Parish Sheriffs Office Cpt. Chaun Domingue said the agency learned about the stolen school bus Friday morning. A brief pursuit ensued on the east bank of Plaquemines Parish and ended near the Belair pumping station when the suspect reportedly struck a parked vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby marsh.

Deputies mobilized boats and the PPSO Air-1 helicopter to track the suspect through the marsh. Domingue said the suspect was apprehended without further incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No injuries were reported during the pursuit or arrest, and the investigation remains ongoing. The identity of the suspect and details of the criminal charges will be released at a later time, the sheriffs office said.

A spokesperson for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System said the bus was stolen earlier this week.

Read EBR Schools statement.

Earlier this week, one of our school buses was unfortunately stolen from our fleet. This morning, we were informed that the bus was successfully recovered outside the parish and is now being transported back to Baton Rouge. We extend our gratitude to law enforcement for their hard work in recovering our property. EBR Schools

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Baton Rouge Police: 3 arrested, 1 wanted in shooting that left 8-year-old boy dead

Latest News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
Gov. Jeff Landry has established a new government efficiency task force to look at ways to cut state government spending. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate, Pool)

Following in the footsteps of President-elect Donald Trump, Gov. Jeff Landry will establish a program to seek out waste and inefficiency in state government.

Landry signed an executive order Thursday to establish a new government efficiency task force and named oil and gas executive Steve Orlando as the states new Financial Responsibility czar. He will be in charge of overseeing a new Fiscal Responsibility Program and calling its meetings.



He and other members of the task force are supposed to evaluate the states current expenditures, state contracts and staffing levels for potential cuts. They will also look for places to reduce wait times for state services and see where public spending can be cut by taking advantage of technology, according to Landrys executive order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The groups first report is due Dec. 31, 2025.



Orlando, chairman of Allison Marine Holdings, is a longtime supporter of the governors. He runs one of Landrys political action committees, Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators, and has lent Landry his private plane for travel, according to The Times-Picayune.



Orlando is also on the board of directors for Harvey Gulf International Marine, a company that Landry political supporter and confidant Shane Guidry owns.



Landrys government efficiency order resembles Trumps proposed Department of Government Efficiency, which billionaire tech leader Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy lead. The government-cutting initiative has been given the acronym DOGE in a nod to the cryptocurrency dogecoin, in which Musk is a substantial investor.

Alongside Orlando, Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice also appointed four legislators from each chamber to the task force.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





Henry picked Sens. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs; Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia; Jeremy Stine, R-Lake Charles; and Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette. DeVillier selected Reps. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro; Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell; Phillip Tarver, R-Lake Charles and Adrian Fisher, D-Monroe.



In his executive order, Landry listed his record of cutting government spending as an elected official.



The governor claimed hes helped reduce the state government budget by approximately $2 billion. But most of that $2 billion automatically came out of the budget as a result of cuts in the federal government spending and not decisions Landry and other state officials made.



In fact, Landry has grown state spending in some agencies since becoming governor in January. He has increased Louisiana State Police spending, for example, by adding a new troop in New Orleans.

The governor has also pushed a number of tough-on-crime laws expected to cost the state more money. They will result in longer prison sentences for incarcerated people.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
NEW ORLEANS, La. (KLFY)  The Louisiana Supreme Court declined a Lafayette mans request for a rehearing on Thursday after reinstating his conspiracy to commit murder conviction in October.

Carlos Toby was found guilty of the conspiracy charge in July 2021 in connection with the 2018 slaying of Lafayette boxer Brandon Broussard. His brother, Shavis Toby, was convicted of second-degree murder in the same trial.

Carlos conviction was overturned and his 25-year prison sentence was vacated in early 2022 when the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that evidence provided by the state was insufficient in providing there was a conspiracy. But all of that was reversed in late October by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

KLFY Daily Digest

The supreme court also remanded four issues that were previously pretermitted to the Court of Appeal for review. Those issues are still pending with the appeals court.

The denial of the rehearing has confirmed again what the State of Louisiana has known all along, what was proven at the trial court level, and that is Carlos Toby conspired with his brother Shavis Toby to kill Brandon Broussard. A unanimous jury of 12 of Mr. Tobys peers found him guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Murder on July 3, 2021, said Assistant District Attorney Roya S. Boustany.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Boustany, who prosecuted the case with ADA Alisa Gauthreaux, told News 10 that Carlos returned to state custody on Oct. 30.

Our office would like to again extend our condolences to the Broussard family for the loss of their son Brandon, Boustany said. Our hope is that yesterday marked a new day for the Broussard family to find the closure they so deserve from the criminal justice system and the healing can begin to take place.

KLFY reached out to Carlos attorney on Thursday for comment but has not yet received a response.

Latest News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
Jerry Schmidt, a retired senior services caseworker, and other low-income advocates hold a news conference at the Utah Capitol on Dec. 12, 2024 to raise awareness of the state's Circuit Breaker rent relief program. (Katie McKellar / Utah News Dispatch)

With the deadline fast approaching on Dec. 31, low-income advocates want Utahs seniors and others who are eligible for the states Circuit Breaker Renter Refund program to claim their 2023 refunds if they havent already.

Named after an electrical circuit breaker thats meant to prevent an electrical circuit from being overloaded, the program is meant to prevent low-income Utahns from being overloaded by rent or property taxes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Those who qualify can receive up to $1,259 in rent relief, and the application may only take 20 to 30 minutes to submit.

Thats according to Jerry Schmidt, a retired senior services caseworker who, along with other low-income advocates, called a news conference at the Utah Capitol on Thursday to raise awareness of the program, which they said is underutilized because many of those who could benefit from it most may have no idea that it exists.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

There are two prongs to the Circuit Breaker program  one for renters, and one for homeowners. The homeowner low-income abatement tax credit (including those who own mobile homes) offers a tax credit for property tax relief, but the deadline for those applications came and went on Sept. 1.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, theres still time for rent relief applications, until the end of the month.

Ive seen firsthand the benefits of the Renter Refund program, Schmidt said. The Circuit Breaker program is a great program that gives vital assistance to people in need.  But publicity for the program has been lacking for a variety of reasons.

He pointed to a 2022 report by the University of Utahs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, which found only 20% of Utahns who qualified for it that year (about 12,500 taxpayers) actually claimed it. The other 80% (about 50,000) were eligible but did not file to receive the benefit. Only a fraction of those who qualified, however, were renters.

Since then, participation has increased, but renters continue to be a small share. In 2023, only 2,821 households received rent relief through the program statewide, according to a document Schmidt shared showing participation figures. Thats compared to 41,787 homeowners that received property tax relief through the Circuit Breaker program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To qualify for the rent relief program ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline, you must be:

A renter in 2023;

Your 2023 income was less than $40,840;

You were a Utah resident for the entirety of 2023;

You are either 66 years of age (as of Dec. 31 2023) or an unmarried surviving spouse, regardless of age;

You arent claimed as a dependent on someone elses tax return.

Schmidt emphasized that renters of a variety of home types (homes, apartments, manufactured homes, trailers) can benefit.

The (Utah) Tax Commission has made it extremely easy to apply, said Schmidt, who took it upon himself to make an instructional video and post it on Youtube to help seniors navigate the Utah State Tax Commissions website and file their applications.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Applicants can either complete an online application using the states Taxpayer Access Point website, or complete, sign, and submit a TC-90CB form with the Tax Commission either in person or by mail.

For more information, visit the Utah State Tax Commissions website. You can also call 801-297-6254 to speak with a Circuit Breaker processing agent.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the income cap for the renter refund program as $48,840. The correct cap is $40,840.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  The Louisiana State Police is investigating after a 66-year-old man was killed in a fatal pedestrian crash in Iberville Parish on Friday.

LSP said troopers were called to a crash on LA 75, east of Crochet Road, involving a pedestrian.

During the investigation, troopers learned that Gilmore Couvillion, of Plaquemine, was walking west on LA 75. A 2013 Hyundai Azera was in the westbound lane of LA 75 at the same time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

LSP said Couvillion tried to cross LA 75 and walked into the direct path of the Hyundai. As a result, the Hyundai struck Couvillion.

According to LSP, Couvillion was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. The driver of the Hyundai wore a seatbelt at the time of the crash and remained uninjured.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Baton Rouge Police: 3 arrested, 1 wanted in shooting that left 8-year-old boy dead

Latest News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
Luigi Mangione is being served chicken parmesan and a dish called pizza beans among his meal choices in prison, according to reports.

The two meals are listed on the menu for Mangione, 26, at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon in Pennsylvania, where he is currently being held for the accused murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, per CNN and TMZ.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, chicken parmesan, a dish inspired by Italian cuisine, and pizza beans with pasta were being prepared as dinner options according to menus obtained by the outlets. This followed a lunch of Italian sausage or bean paste with potatoes, while breakfast consisted of fruit, cereal, bread, and coffee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Social media users have been confused over what pizza beans is following the reports of Mangiones menu.

Pizza beans was first showcased by food blogger Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen in 2017 and has since been recreated in multiple videos shared on TikTok.

Luigi Mangione/Facebook Mangione pictured on Facebook Mangione pictured on Facebook

Related: Who Is Luigi Mangione? What We Know About the Ivy League Grad Suspected of Shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

The "Greece and American-style" meal consists of beans cooked with various pizza-flavored ingredients, including crushed tomatoes, a chopped onion, minced garlic, parmesan, and kale leaves, topped off with melted mozzarella and parmesan and served in a large dish.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When I created this recipe for my second cookbook, Smitten Kitchen Every Day in 2017, I wouldnt have in a million years expected it to land on a prison menu, Perelman told Eater following the reports of Mangione's prison menu.

I have to make clear that the Smitten Kitchen doesnt condone or endorse murder, however the memes are hilarious, she added.

Pizza beans has risen considerably on Google Search following these latest reports, according to Google Trends.

CNN reported that Mangione is eating his meals in his prison cell which is described as a 15 x 6 foot space including a bed, sink, toilet, and desk. He is not interacting with his inmates, according to the outlet.

vm2002/Getty Homemade Chicken parmesan, stock pictured Homemade Chicken parmesan, stock pictured

Related: Luigi Mangiones Attorney Not Aware of Any Evidence Linking His Client to CEO Killing: A Lot of Guns Look the Same'

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections spokesperson, Maria Bivens, told CNN, All inmates are afforded time outside their cells even if they are a higher custody level, referring to Mangione.

Mangiones meal choices in prison so far have included tacos or bean wrap filling, barbecue chicken or brown rice with vegetables, chicken tetrazzini, a hamburger, porcupine meatball, and mashed potatoes, per TMZ.

Fruit and cereal have been kept as breakfast menu staples, but occasionally swapped with foods such as grits, cinnamon apples, or scrambled eggs.

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.

Mangione has been 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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He is accused of fatally shooting Thompson, 50, on Dec. 4 in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan where he and other UnitedHealthcare executives were set to gather for an investor meeting.



Read the original article on People
Editors note: The video above aired on Dec. 9, 2024.

NEW YORK (PIX11)  Luigi Mangione, the man arrested in connection with the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has hired a top New York lawyer to represent him when hes extradited back to the state.

Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo has been hired to represent the 26-year-old, her law firm confirmed to PIX11 News. Mangione faces charges of murder, weapon possession, forgery, and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Who is Luigi Mangione? Person of interest in CEO killing

Mangiones high-profile case will be the latest for Agnifilo who has worked in criminal justice, litigation, and trials for three decades. Attorneys from her current law firm, Agnifilo Intrater, are also part of the team representing Sean Diddy Combs.

Agnifilo has focused on criminal defense in state and federal courts, having prosecuted violent crimes and homicide cases.

Family of Luigi Mangione speaks out following arrest and arraignment

She previously served as Chief Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorneys Office for seven years. While there she helped in founding the Human Trafficking Unit, Hate Crimes Unit, the Cybercrimes and Identity Theft Bureau, and Manhattans first Mental Health Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before working alongside District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Agnifilo worked for Mayor Michael Bloomberg as General Counsel to the Criminal Justice Coordinator.

Seemed unimaginable: Luigi Mangiones old roommate reacts to arrest

In between cases, Agnifilo serves as a legal analyst for cable news networks and even as a legal advisor for the show Law and Order.

Mangione is currently being held without bail in Pennsylvania where he faces gun and forgery offenses. He was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania when a McDonalds customer recognized him and tipped off employees.

UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4 as he walked to the Hilton Hotel in Midtown, Manhattan for an investors meeting. Bullets at the scene had the words defend, depose, and deny on them.

A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called parasitic health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed.

This story includes reporting from The Associated Press.

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Within four days of his arrest in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, suspect Luigi Mangione has secured representation from two lawyers in two states and tens of thousands of dollars for a legal defense fund.

Mangione, who grew up in Maryland, was arrested Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a witness spotted him in a McDonalds.

At his arraignment the next day in Blair County, viewers got their first glimpse of Mangione since the arrest, as he walked into court while yelling at the media, Its completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and the lived experience! Its not clear what he was referring to.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tuesday was also the first time the public learned of his Pennsylvania lawyer, Thomas Dickey, a small-town defense attorney who is taking on the biggest case of his career.

CNNs Kaitlan Collins reported late Friday evening that Mangione has also retained Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him in New York. Collins described her as a high-powered attorney who previously served as the chief assistant district attorney in Manhattan and has been in private practice since 2021.

Heres what we know about both of Mangiones attorneys and why he needs two lawyers in two states.

Mangiones Pennsylvania attorney Thomas Dickey

Viewers were introduced to Dickey at a makeshift news conference Tuesday when he defended his clients innocence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I havent seen any evidence that says that hes the shooter, Dickey said of Mangione.

As police continued gathering evidence they say connects Mangione to the crime, his lawyer doubled down.

New York Police Department officials said they matched Mangiones fingerprints on items connected to the CEO killing and shell casings from the Manhattan scene that match a ghost gun he allegedly had in Pennsylvania at the time of his arrest. The three 9mm shell casings had three words written on them: delay, deny and depose. Investigators are examining whether the words may reference a 2010 book about insurance companies not paying claims.

Dickey told CNNs Erin Burnett Wednesday night that he still needed to see the NYPDs forensic evidence. He also questioned the reliability of fingerprints and ballistics, saying theyve faced criticism in the past relative to their credibility, their truthfulness, their accuracy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We need to see how did they collect it. How much of it matches? Dickey said.

He said his experts would need to look at it and challenge its admissibility and challenge the accuracy of those results.

The Baltimore Sun has reached out to interview Dickey.

Dickeys Altoona office handles a range of legal cases, from criminal law to family law. Hes worked as an attorney for about 40 years, according to his law firms website. Dickey attended Altoona High School, St. Francis University for his undergraduate degree in history and political science, and he earned his law degree at Ohio Northern University. His bio also claims that he is a regular guest commentator on local and national media, including CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He would not disclose to CNN this week who retained him, specifically when he was asked if the Mangione family had hired him. He did imply that he would reject being retained by crowdsourced defense funds.

Mangiones New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo

In her bio on X, formerly Twitter, Friedman Agnifilo describes herself as an attorney, former prosecutor, media analyst, mom and legal analyst on CNN.

Friedman Agnifilo earned a bachelors degree from UCLA and a law degree at Georgetown University, according to her LinkedIn profile.

It was CNN that broke the news Friday night that the criminal defense lawyer in New York is representing Mangione.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione is facing a second-degree murder charge in New York, and he might be headed to the state next week, according to new information from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Indications are that the defendant may waive. But that waiver is not complete until a court proceeding, which my understanding from court officials in Pennsylvania cannot happen until Tuesday, he said Friday.

Earlier this week, before she was retained as Mangiones attorney, Friedman Agnilfo was on CNN to analyze the case and said, There might be a not-guilty-by-insanity defense that theyre thinking about because the evidence is so overwhelming that he did what he did.

Have a news tip? Contact Candy Woodall at cwoodall@baltsun.com.
A husband and wife legal power couple are now leading two of the nations most high-profile criminal cases.

Luigi Mangione retained Karen Friedman Agnifilo for his legal defense in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 26-year-old alleged assassin hired the top New York attorney to represent him in forthcoming legal proceedings in the Empire State.

Friedman Agnifilo, a veteran of New York Citys criminal justice system, also happens to be married to Marc Agnifilo, who is helming Sean Diddy Combs criminal defense. News of her hiring came hours after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Mangione may stop resisting his extradition to New York, where he faces a murder charge. Mangione is currently being held in a Pennsylvania jail without bond after he was arrested at a McDonalds following a days-long manhunt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Indications are that the defendant may waive, Bragg said Friday afternoon. But that waiver is not complete until a court proceeding, which my understanding from court officials in Pennsylvania cannot happen until Tuesday.

Friedman Agnifilos tenure as a prosecutorspecifically her work at the Manhattan District Attorneys Officemay be a key asset in her defense of Mangione.

Friedman Agnifilo spent the majority of her career as a public servant, working at the Manhattan DAs office, including as its chief assistant district attorney. From 2014 to 2021, she was second in command to DA Cyrus Vance, during which she recused herself from Harvey Weinsteins rape prosecution due to her husbands work with the disgraced movie moguls defense attorney.

Shes got as much experience as any human being, especially in the state court, a former colleague of Friedman Agnifilos told CNN. She knows every corridor, every judge, every clerk in the courthouse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2021, Friedman Agnifilo switched judicial sides, joining her husbands firm in Agnifilo Intrater LLP.

From 2014 to 2021, Karen Friedman Agnifilo was second in command to DA Cyrus Vance in Manhattan. / Bebeto Matthews / Bebeto Matthews/AP

Friedman Agnifilos experience navigating national media attention is also reportedly extensive. She is a frequent legal commentator, was formerly a legal analyst for CNN, and is currently the legal adviser for Law and Order. Her weekly legal podcast is said to attract hundreds of thousands of listeners.

While she has yet to comment on the UnitedHealth case publicly, Mangiones attorney in Pennsylvania told The Independent that he anticipates that Mangione will plead not guilty to the second-degree murder charge as well as to other counts in New York. The lawyer has also suggested Mangione would deny the charges levied against him related to a gun and fake ID that police said they found when they arrested him.

The Daily Beast has contacted Friedman Agnifilo for comment.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Luigi Mangiones family has a brief message of support for him.

Days after the 26-year-old was arrested in Pennsylvania in connection with the Dec. 5 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, his family shared a public note his way.

The Mangiones attorney David B. Irwin said in a statement to TMZ that they have expressed that the family loves the Ivy League grad and wish him the best.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Irwin added that the family still doesnt know all the facts and are only learning details of Mangiones case and investigation from what they read in the papers.

E! News has reached out to the familys attorney for comment but has not heard back.

Their small show of support comes four days after breaking their silence following Mangiones Dec. 9 arrest in Altoona, Penn.

"Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," they said in a statement to NBC News. "We only know what we have read in the media."

More from E! Online

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangiones relatives continued, "Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved."

Since his arrest, Mangione has been charged with multiple crimes. In Pennsylvania, where he was arrested and allegedly provided officers with fake IDs, hes been charged on felony counts of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license as well as three misdemeanors, according to a criminal docket obtained by NBC News.

NBC News

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would sign a warrant to extradite Mangione to the state to face charges of murder, criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a forged instrument, per court documents viewed by NBC News. However, according to the documents, Mangione did not waive extradition, meaning New York attorneys must go to court and provide evidence for why he should be relocated to the state before theyre able to do so.

"I haven't seen any evidence that he's the shooter," Mangiones Pennsylvania attorney Thomas Dickey told reporters Dec. 10, also noting his client intends to plead not guilty in both states. "Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concert of American justice is a presumption of innocence until you're proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And I've seen zero evidence at this point."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Keep reading for more details from the ongoing investigation.

(E! and NBC News are both 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 public records viewed by E! News, 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 pedestrians"approached 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. During a Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said the words depose, delay and deny were written on the shell casing in marker.



However, hes noted the motive for the killing has yet to be confirmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





What have investigators revealed about the gunmans timeline?

During the Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said investigators have footage of the shooter arriving at Port Authority in New York the night of Nov. 24.



We believe that that bus originated in Atlanta, Kenny continued. It has several stops along the way, so were not sure where he got on the bus.



After the shooter arrived at Port Authority, Kenny continued, the gunman took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton hotel, where he was for about half an hour before traveling by cab to an Upper West Side hostel.



On the morning of the shooting, Kenny added, the gunman left the hostel at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at the Hilton hotel at 5:41 a.m. Kenny said the gunman continued to walk in the vicinity of the hotel before then going to a nearby Starbucks, where he purchased a bottled water and a snack. He then returned to the hotel, and the shooting occurred at 6:44 a.m.



Immediately after, the gunman fled the scene. Kenny said the shooter was seen entering Central Park at 60th St. and Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. and exiting the park through W. 77th St. and Central Park West at 6:56 a.m. At 7:00 a.m., Kenny added, the gunman was spotted on W. 86th St without the bike. And four minutes later, the chief detective continued, the shooter got in a cab at 86th St. and Amsterdam Avenue. Kenny said the gunman was then seen in the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge at 7:30 a.m.



Kenny told CNN on Dec. 6 investigators thought the shooter left NYC after he was seen at Port Authority.





Who were investigators looking for?

During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who wore "a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack."



Over the next few days, the NYPD released a series of photos of the individual they were looking for with the person's face was covered with a mask in many of the pictures.



A senior law enforcement official told NBC News Dec. 5 the photos with the lowered face mask came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel, and two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators were trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and cash for a hostel room.



As for what led the individual to lower the face mask?



"Apparently, there was an interaction while he was checking in, making casual conversation," Kenny said at the Dec. 6 briefing. "At some point, he pulled his mask down and smiled at the clerk."



Kenny has also said a cellphone was found in an alley where the shooter fled before heading to the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News a backpack was also found in Central Park.



Kenny said investigators are "looking at everything"including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and familythat could help the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement.





Why was Luigi Mangione arrested?

Pennsylvanias Altoona Police Department arrested Luigi Mangione on firearm charges Dec. 9. According to a criminal docket obtained by NBC News, these include two felony chargesone of forgery and one of firearms not to be carried without a licenseas well as three misdemeanors: tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of a crime and providing false identification to law enforcement.



NYPD commissioner Tisch said a McDonalds employee recognized Mangione and that the Altoona police were then called. When asked if he had been to New York recently, Mangione "became quiet and started to shake," police said per NBC News.



Tisch also called Mangione a "person of interest" in Thompson's murder and spoke about the efforts to find him, with her thanking law enforcement partners and the public.



"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, finger prints, IP addresses and so much more to tighten the net," she said. "We deployed drones, canine units, and scuba divers. We leveraged the domain awareness system, Argus cameras and conducted aviation canvases, and our detectives also went door to door interviewing potential witnesses and doing the good old fashioned police work that our investigators are famous for. This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today."





What did police find on Luigi Mangione?

In addition to "acting suspiciously," Tisch added, Mangione was "carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport."



Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder," she continued in the Dec. 9 briefing, per a video shared by NBC News. "They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual."



Tisch added officers also recovered a fraudulent New Jersey ID that matched the one the individual used to check into the New York hostel prior to the shooting.



"Additionally, she continued, officers recovered a hand-written document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





What other charges is Luigi Mangione facing?

On Dec. 9, Manhattan prosecutors filed a murder charge against Mangione, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. The 26-year-old is also facing three counts of criminal possession of a weapon (two in the second-degree for loaded firearm and one in the third degree such as for a silencer) and one count of possessing a forged instrument.



He has yet to enter a plea for any charges.









What did Luigi Mangione state in his writings?

According to NBC News, citing the NYPD, Mangione had three pages of writings on him that totaled less than 300 words when he was taken into custody. Three senior law enforcement officials told the outlet these writings read, in part, "Frankly these parasites had it coming."



In the writings, the officials continued, Mangione said he acted alone. However, the officials told NBC News they haven't ruled out other actors at this time.



To the Feds, Ill keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country," Mangione's writings read, officials told NBC News. "To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasnt working with anyone.



Officials said Mangione also added, "I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done.



However, Tisch noted Mangione's motive has yet to be confirmed.



"I think when we look at the manifesto, or that three-page written document that was recovered, you see anti-corporatist sentiment, a lot of issues with the healthcare industry," she said in a Dec. 10 Today interview. "But as to particular specific motive, that will come out as this investigation continues to unfold over the next weeks and months."





Has Luigi Mangione appeared in court?

Mangione attended a hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on Dec. 10. As he arrived, NBC News reported, he yelled out to families, "Its completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people."



Per the outlet, Mangione did not waive extradition to New York and was denied bail. As a result, he will remain in Pennsylvania's SCI Huntingdon prison.



His lawyer Thomas Dickey told reporters that Mangione will plead not guilty in Pennsylvania and will likely do the same in New York.



"I havent seen any evidence that says hes the shooter, he said, per NBC News. Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concept of American justice is the presumption of innocence, and until youre proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."





Who is Luigi Mangione?

Mangione is a suspect in the murder of Brian Thompson and is facing several other charges in both Pennsylvania and New York, including forgery and criminal possession of a weapon.



He's an Ivy League graduate, having received a Bachelor 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 Kenny shared additional details on Mangione's upbringing, saying he 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.



After Mangione's arrest, his family released a statement on X.



"Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," they said in the Dec. 9 post. "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's 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."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement





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.



This has 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 hasn't been revealed, many outlets have noted the words depose, delay and deny on the shell casings are similar to the title of the 2010 book Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.



Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro slammed "deeply disturbing" online reactions to the killing: "In America," he said at a Dec. 9 press conference, per NBC News' video, "we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint."



(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
Dear King Charles... I cant really call him Chuck, can I?

Ann Kaplan Mulholland is figuring out how best to write a letter to the King requesting permission to create her own country on her estate in Kent.

...Can I have my land back, please?

Its a grand vision that the 64-year-old owner of Lympne Castle has hatched in her attempt to prevent losing swathes of her 500m fortune to the Treasury in a very large tax bill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The King isnt political and I actually think hes a very fair person. He doesnt need the land, so wont miss it.

The Buckingham Palace-bound letter outlines why Mulholland, a Canadian businesswoman, is vying to become the ruler of a new kingdom. Fearful of the Governments planned tax raid on wealthy foreign residents, she wants to create a haven for billionaires and millionaires before they are taxed the c--p out of from April.

Labour has promised to scrap the non-dom tax regime once and for all in a move hoped to raise 5.2bn for the public purse by 2028-29.

Non-dom status has long granted wealthy individuals whose permanent residence is registered abroad to be taxed on their UK earnings only. All earnings made overseas are out of the grasp of HM Revenue & Customs. But this will change next year when Chancellor Rachel Reeves forces around 70,000 ultra-wealthy residents to pay UK tax on their foreign assets too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For Mulholland, who thinks she owns 14 homes worldwide with her husband, Stephen, the impending threat of losing non-dom status is costly. If we stay here, wed be poor, she says. We want to live here for a long time but we cant now.

The Mulhollands are renovating Lympne Castle which they bought for 5.5m last year - Juliet Murphy

The couple snapped up the fairytale-esque Lympne Castle for 5.5m last February, against an original list price of 11m, after deciding London was too expensive.

They have since been busy creating a mini-empire through a 25m renovation project, stretching their village and castle estate to 140 acres. The surrounding grounds are a hotbed of construction, with a 220-seat event space, farmers market, apple orchard and vineyard all being built. These are in addition to a recently opened cafe, restaurant and bar, while work to open a 20-bed hotel in the Grade I listed castle is ongoing.

Its a great place for a new kingdom, Mulholland says, while sitting in her dog-themed cafe, watched over by a lifesize waxwork of her husband adorned in a full suit of armour. Mulholland made the bulk of her fortune selling consumer loans for private medical procedures and from the sale of her fintech company, iFinance. Her husband is a cosmetic surgeon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I do feel like someone looks at us and says: youre rich, just pay the taxes. But being rich is relative because were probably poor compared to most of the people who are leaving due to the nom-dom tax.

Were wealthy and that seems to be a bad word in England.

Supreme wealth, however, wouldnt be scowled at in her self-created kingdom overlooking the English Channel.

Foreigners can come work here if they can get an international visa, she explains. So people from Folkestone can come work here. Im not going to stop employing locals, but well have a lot of wealthy people living in Lympne.

Free of the shackles of heritage planning consent, Mulholland envisages opening a Monaco-esque casino in the castle grounds along with other outlets, such as a high-end hair salon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ideas are in full flow as she conjures up her new countrys rule of law off the cuff.

Maybe on the turret we could put a cannon up there to deter crime, she says. But we wouldnt put any balls in the cannon. No gunpowder.

The law would be based on goodness and kindness. People would love it.

And whats her name, Rachel ... Reeves? I think we could probably choose who would have to have a check on the border. Actually, no, we would welcome her in, just so she could see how great it is and what she was missing.

Not stopping at the castle, Mulholland has her sights set on the sprawling Romney Marsh which lies at the foot of her estate. The sparsely populated marshland, which she doesnt own, previously formed the seabed before it was incrementally reclaimed over the course of centuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Her plan is audacious. It used to be the sea, so that technically means the Romney Marsh is on the water. I could get the King to agree that the water in front us belongs to us, she says.

Our castle and the Romney Marsh [which extends for 100 square miles to Dungeness and Camber Sands in East Sussex] could then be its own kingdom and all the non-doms can live here. We actually could be almost self-sufficient with all the sheep and the cows on the marsh.

Wealthy seems to be a bad word in Britain, says the former star of The Real Housewives of Toronto - Juliet Murphy

Mullhollands grand plan is unashamedly absurd  she does not own the Romney Marsh and cannot become its ruler. She knows it is unconventional and doubts that the King will give her letter the light of day. Yet the former star of The Real Housewives of Toronto says its only as ridiculous as the Governments plan to kick us out of the country.

She adds: Ive had people asking me if they can be the archbishop. Im like: yeah, sure. Well knight you. It could be great fun and a lot of work. I would have to become queen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With visions of superyachts mooring up on the sun-kissed Kent coast, Mulholland explains: Because the coastline is so low here, wed have to consider how we would address the yachts pulling up, because youd have to have a certain depth. We might have to make a deal with Folkestone or something for that.

Amid her outlandish plans and yet-to-be-fleshed out designs for sovereignty, she does have serious worries for the future of the UK economy. She believes 90pc of all non-doms will leave for foreign waters because of unfavourable tax treatment, dealing a multi-billion pound blow to the Treasury.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wouldnt England be better off attracting jobs and people than it would be to have the wealthy individuals leave? Mulholland says. Other countries like Italy, Hong Kong and Switzerland are rolling out the red carpet saying come here.

Theres going to be a mass exodus. People arent going to welcome being double-taxed on their foreign businesses, trusts and family assets.

Mulholland is instead calling on oh, whats her name again ... hang on, Rachel Reeves to implement a 200,000 annual fee for wealthy foreigners.

She isnt alone in fearing the abolishment of the non-dom tax regime will backfire. The Adam Smith Institute, a think tank, calculates that its closure would cost the country 6.5bn by 2035, wiping out 23,000 jobs through lost investment and consumption.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Treasury has said the outdated non-dom regime will be replaced with a new one to attract the best talent and investment to the UK. But the Mulhollands will be upping sticks, while continuing to run Lympne Castle from afar.

Thats what will happen as there isnt a solution for us that makes sense to stay ... Thats why I want to create the kingdom, she says.

Would it be a full-blown tax haven? I have to talk to my counsel and see the impact of that, she smirks. There would be other ways that we would make money. Tourism, for example.

And we would make money from fees the nom-doms would pay to live in the country. We would make money off the importance of employing and creating jobs. I think thats what should be done. Thats what the Government will be missing out on by kicking out these horrible, wealthy people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Why does the country open up to people who cant afford to be here and make it so difficult for the ones who can afford it?

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.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to raise the possibility of deploying European soldiers to Ukraine at the upcoming EU leaders' summit on Dec. 18-19, if a ceasefire deal is eventually reached between Russia and Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on Dec. 13, citing EU diplomats.

Two EU diplomats told RFE/RL that the issue will likely be raised to ensure the EU's presence in potential peace negotiations, that are expected to begin once U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated in January.

European powers are expected to take center stage in helping Kyiv resist and deter Russian aggression as Trump signaled intent to reduce support and get the U.S. "out" of the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 12, citing undisclosed official sources, that Trump wants European troops to monitor a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump reportedly made the comments during his Dec. 7 meeting with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, making it clear he wants to see Europe take up the leadership in deterring Russian aggression.

On the other hand, Zelensky reportedly conveyed to Trump during the meeting that "peace needs guarantees because a ceasefire alone isn't enough," Reuters reported, citing a source in Zelensky's office.

Macron has spearheaded the idea of sending troops to Ukraine in some capacity since February. On Dec. 12, Macron visited Poland to discuss with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk the possibility of sending soldiers to Ukraine after a potential ceasefire deal.

Following the meeting Tusk dismissed speculation on peacekeepers by signalling that the country is "not currently planning such actions."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Recent reports suggest that the U.K. and France are considering deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has also not ruled out the possibility.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded on Dec. 9 to Macron's suggestion of deploying foreign peacekeepers, saying Ukraine "may consider" the proposal but only after securing a clear timeline for NATO membership.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, said on Dec. 12 that Ukraine is currently not prepared to enter negotiations with Russia as it lacks sufficient Western support to engage from a position of strength.

Zelensky is expected to attend the EU summit in Brussels on Dec. 19 to meet with European Union and NATO leaders, an undisclosed source from the president's team told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 13.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: War will be resolved in next few months, Trumps Ukraine peace envoy believes, plans to listen ahead of peace talks









Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Todays edition of quick hits.

* Difficult diplomacy: The White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Thursday that his goal was to be able to close a deal between Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages held there 'this month.'

* The latest from Syria: Travis Timmerman, the missing Missouri man who was unexpectedly found in Syria after he said he crossed into the country to make a pilgrimage, was flown out by the U.S. military to Jordan, two U.S. defense officials and his family said Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

* Tumult in Paris: President Emmanuel Macron on Friday tapped Francois Bayrou, a veteran centrist politician and one of his top allies, as the new prime minister, a move that few expect would stabilize Frances roiling politics. Mr. Bayrou becomes the countrys fourth prime minister this year  an ominous record.

* Pelosis hospitalization: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was injured and admitted to a hospital in Luxembourg while on a congressional delegation trip to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a Pelosi spokesperson said. ... It was not immediately clear what kind of injury the former speaker sustained or how long she would need to be treated in the hospital.

* Given the importance of the job, I hope Rollins finds the time to return the phone call: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called his likely successor at USDA, Brooke Rollins, and left a voicemail  but hasnt received a response, he told reporters Friday.

* In Georgia: The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others on Friday rejected an attempt by former Trump campaign lawyer Kenneth Chesebro to invalidate his guilty plea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

* It will always be amazing to me that this news isnt perceived as encouraging by both parties: The IRS on Thursday said it has sweated an additional $1.3 billion from wealthy tax cheats, thanks to enhanced reviews and audits paid for by the budget-climate law President Biden signed two years ago. The tax agency said criminal investigations and civil cases have earned an additional $3.4 billion for Uncle Sam, for a total increased haul of $4.7 billion.

* Well, this ought to be interesting: President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he and Republicans would seek to permanently eliminate daylight saving time when he takes office.

* The end of an era: Waiting in line to attend hearings at the Supreme Court is a distinctly D.C. ritual. Some people camp out overnight for big cases. Others pay professional line standers to hold their place to witness a historic ruling. But that will be changing a bit as the court takes another step into the internet age. The high court has launched an online lottery system for the public to apply for tickets for courtroom seating on days when the justices hear oral arguments and issue decisions.

Have a safe weekend.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Hundreds of children will have toys and bikes under the Christmas tree thanks to the generosity of the Birmingham community.

Friday morning, CBS 42, AmFirst Bank and the Department of Youth Services distributed toys collected during this years Magic City Toy Drive. Organizers say that this event highlights the true meaning of Christmas.

This year marked the 29th annual Magic City Toy Drive. Bags filled with hundreds of toys were distributed to families needing a little extra cheer this holiday season.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were in holiday times, and that requires holiday spirit, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said. I think holiday spirit requires doing what we can to support our families, and this toy drive means so much more.

The Department of Youth Services director Galvin Billups said that, because of the generosity of the community, hundreds of children will feel the magic of Christmas.

Magic happens when the Magic City Toy Drive is in effect, Billups said. You have several volunteers, hundreds of cars and hundreds of young people thats going to get the blessings of holiday gifts this season.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
A Question 1 campaign sign in Portland. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Political action committees tied to a Republican state lawmaker filed a legal challenge in federal court on Friday to overturn a campaign finance reform Mainers overwhelmingly voted for in November.

Those behind the reform welcome this lawsuit, however, as such a legal challenge is a key part of their plan.

I dont think theres anything surprising, the legal scholar who spearheaded the effort, Lawrence Lessig, said of the lawsuit on Friday. And, it helps us nicely tee up the question the Supreme Court has never considered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Currently, contributions to political action committees cannot be regulated, so long as the PAC doesnt contribute directly to candidates. These groups are commonly referred to as super PACs.

The referendum Maine voters passed on Nov. 5 set a $5,000 limit on super PACs, so Lessig and the others behind the referendum knew a legal challenge would come. Their hope is that this lawsuit will eventually make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court and that the highest court will rule that PACs should be regulated.

This is the next step, Cara McCormick, who chaired the ballot question committee, said of the lawsuit. We think that the court will respect our sovereignty as a state to have to have this law.

The attorney representing the plaintiffs doesnt think so and argues the law will be struck down far before then.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What this [law] does is it restricts the ability of people to speak, said Charles Miller of the Institute for Free Speech, one of the plaintiffs two attorneys.

Miller and Joshua Dunlap of Pierce Atwood filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court on behalf of two PACs  Dinner Table Action, which was founded by state Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) and activist Alex Titcomb, and For Our Future, which is run by Titcomb. Titcomb is also individually listed as a plaintiff.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and members of the Maine Ethics Commission are listed as defendants. Special Assistant to the Attorney General Danna Hayes said the office does not comment on pending litigation, and Ethics Commission Executive Director Jonathan Wayne said that its members are reviewing the lawsuit.

The background

Since Buckley v. Valeo in 1976, the Supreme Court has allowed contributions to be regulated when there is a risk of quid pro quo corruption, essentially a favor for a favor. In the case of elections, if there is a risk someone could be making a donation to a candidate in exchange for a favor, then Congress can regulate that contribution. In 2010, the Supreme Court extended this reasoning to corporations and unions in Citizens United v. Federal Election Campaign Act.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three months later, in SpeechNow.org v. FEC, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that contributions to PACs cannot be regulated either, as long as the PAC is independent. Other lower federal and state courts followed suit but the ruling was never reviewed by the Supreme Court.

While Lessig thinks there is no chance the Supreme Court will change Citizens United, the question the Maine referendum raises  whether contributions to a committee that makes independent expenditures can be limited  is not answered in Citizens United.

Harvard Law professor emeritus Larry Tribe and Chicago Law professor emeritus Al Alschuler, a Maine resident who submitted the application for the ballot referendum, argue that large contributions to PACs inevitably create a risk of quid pro quo corruption, given that donors and candidates have the opportunity to collaborate even if a PAC is independent.

Therefore, Tribe and Alschuler argue, contributions to PACs can be regulated by Congress.

The lawsuit

The lawsuit argues that the new state law is unconstitutional because it puts limits on Mainers free speech and requires the disclosure of all donors who contribute toward independent expenditures, regardless of amount.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Current law stipulates that donors contributing less than $50 to candidates or political committees dont have to disclose their identity.

Both aspects of the law would impact the two PACs behind the lawsuit and their donors.

According to the plaintiffs legal counsel, multiple donors have already told them the law would stop them from donating. Dinner Table Action raised more than $454,000 during the 2024 cycle, more than one-third of which came from groups or people that donated in excess of $5,000 in a year.

For Our Future currently has approximately $40,000 on hand, all of which came from a single donor, according to the lawsuit. This PAC has been exclusively funded by contributions over $5,000, so the law would effectively shut down its operations, the lawsuit argues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Donations to For Our Future have come from the Concord Fund, which is linked to conservative legal activist Leonard Leo, who helped establish the conservative majority of the high court. The Institute for Free Speech has also received donations from DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund, dubbed the dark-money ATM of the right and connected to Leos network.

We want to restore public trust in the political process. We want to say that in Maine we are not resigned to the tide of big money. We are the tide.

 Cara McCormick

The folks that try to attack Citizens United  or what I prefer to say, the people who like to impose restrictions on the amount of speech that people can have  do so under the misguided notion that somehow if somebody spends a lot of money getting their message out, theyre going to somehow win and convince people when they shouldnt, Miller said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our view of this is that if somehow people were able to get a lot of money behind their issue, well then maybe it shows you that, in the marketplace of ideas, that people think that thats a good enough idea to support it.

Before the election, the president of the Institute for Free Speech, David Keating, wrote an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald calling on Mainers to not support the referendum, echoing the overarching claims of the lawsuit when arguing that it would infringe on Americans rights to organize and express opinions on who should run the government.

The Institute for Free Speech previously represented Libby and the Dinner Table PAC in a lawsuit against the state in 2023 to overturn restrictions that had set low fundraising limits for PACs led by legislators. Lawmakers ultimately repealed the restrictions.

Miller said that scenario, while different, offers a similar dynamic. Its the unfairness in that that we saw and challenged, Miller said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the attorney general and state Ethics Commission are not currently commenting on the lawsuit, those behind the reform think the lawsuit helps focus people on what they believe to be the fundamental question at hand.

As Lessig put it, Where in our Constitution did it ever arise that a state like Maine wasnt free to protect itself from this kind of corruption?

McCormick said she has faith in the courts to rule in their favor.

Super PACs are killing the country, and in Maine, we decided to try and do something about it, McCormick said. We want to restore public trust in the political process. We want to say that in Maine we are not resigned to the tide of big money. We are the tide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

From Lessigs perspective, all that was needed to continue the path to the nations highest court was one lawsuit, but he said hed be surprised if there arent more.

Next steps

The plaintiffs counsel reached out to the Attorney Generals Office before filing and asked them to consider not enforcing the law pending the resolution of the litigation, Miller said.

This is the approach the state took to another referendum that passed last year, which prohibited foreign government spending in elections, after its legality was challenged.

If, for some reason, they dont agree, then we will go to the court and ask for a temporary restraining order that would stop the act from taking effect, pending ability to kind of get to the end of the court, Miller said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When a decision is ultimately reached, however, either side will have the right then to appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

According to Lessig, the First Circuit Court is the best place to bring this challenge because it hasnt ruled on whether Super PACs are constitutionally required  meaning there is no precedent.

When Lessig tried the effort earlier in Massachusetts, which wouldve also been in the First Circuit, it was blocked by the state attorney general, who under Massachusetts law can block an initiative they deem unconstitutional. There isnt any requirement for citizen initiatives to have a constitutionality check before going on the ballot in Maine.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
A man was killed in a Manhattan apartment fire on Saturday morning, according to the FDNY, in one of several fires that erupted overnight and into the morning across the city.

Firefighters and cops arrived at the 12-story apartment building on W. 71st St. near Columbus Ave. on the Upper West Side at around 7:30 a.m. and discovered the blaze on the 10th floor, FDNY officials said.

First responders found 78-year-old William Green unconscious and unresponsive, according to police. Medics pronounced Green dead at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By around 8 a.m., the roughly 80 responding firefighters brought the flames under control, FDNY officials said.

Fire marshals were still working to determine the cause of the blaze on Saturday afternoon and no arrests had been made, cops said.

The building, Hargrave House, is a moderate-income residence for people over age 62. Residents have access to state-funded social services.

Speaking later Saturday night, a woman who has lived at the building for three years and did not share her name, said a friend of hers there had seen the victim go down, down, down over the years, in terms of his physical condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There could have been other fatalities, she said, with concern. I live two floors above, so I wasnt affected by it. I didnt even know about it because I didnt work today, so I was in. It wasnt till 3 oclock I found out what happened.

I think that perhaps this man was very old and maybe shouldnt have been in a home like this, she offered, saying he might have needed to be in a building with a greater level of assisted-living services.

Greens son, who lives in upper Manhattan, responded to a buzz on his apartment intercom Saturday evening, but said through its speaker that he didnt want to talk.

Earlier Saturday morning, firefighters extinguished four other blazes in Queens and the Bronx.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One person was injured in an apartment building fire that broke out at around 2:40 a.m. on 118th Ave. near 153rd St. in South Jamaica.

Sixty responding firefighters battled the flames, bringing them under control by about 3:40 a.m. Medics rushed the injured person to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, an FDNY spokesperson said.

Firefighters also extinguished fires at a Whitestone house, an Astoria shoe store and a Throgs Neck apartment overnight. No injuries were reported.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON)  A man who allegedly committed a hate crime against a new LGBTQ+ bar on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz has been identified and arrested, police said Friday.

Police said 45-year-old James Eason targeted The Neighbors Pub, a recently opened bar, on December 10. Surveillance cameras recorded a masked man vandalizing the pub before he walked away pulling a wagon.

Someone had etched an offensive message into the glass front doors of the bar. In addition, evidence was found suggesting an attempt to set fire to the area around the front entrance. Burnt materials were collected, and a section of the wall near the doorway was scorched, the Santa Cruz Police Department wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the vandals identity was a mystery, officers arrested Eason for an unrelated crime earlier this week.

Fire burns above historic Brookdale Post Office

Officers compared their body camera footage from Easons earlier arrest to the pubs surveillance images, and concluded that it was the same person, according to SCPD.

Eason was re-booked into jail Friday on charges including vandalism, hate crime, and arson.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A man has been charged in connection with the murder of a parking enforcement worker in northeast Charlotte last month.

According to court documents, Marquell Pettiford was arrested for the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Anthony A.J Zellars Jr.

Zellars was killed in the parking lot of Townes Apartments along Arrowhead Road on November 20.

He was working for a parking enforcement company at the time of the shooting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Balloon release held for parking enforcement worker killed at apartment complex

According to court documents, Pettiford is expected to face a judge on Monday. He has been charged with first-degree murder.

VIDEO: Parking enforcement worker gunned down at apartment complex




ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now)  Police have identified the man who died after he was shot by Arlington police at the Rosslyn Metro Station Tuesday.

At around 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 10, officers from the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) were dispatched to a Safeway in the 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard for the report of a suspicious person.

A preliminary investigation showed that a man, identified as Cedric Butler, 27, of no fixed address, was speaking to employees when he reportedly pulled out a knife before leaving the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two responding officers then found Butler, who matched the suspect description, on the top floor of the Rosslyn Metro Station. When officers tried to detain him, ACPD said he pulled out a knife, and a struggle ensued.

Annual Wreaths Across America event at Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans, bring road closures

During the struggle, one of the officers discharged their gun, shooting Butler. Officers gave him lifesaving aid until medics arrived to take him to the hospital, where he later died.

A knife was recovered at the scene, according to police.

The two involved officers were also taken to the hospital, one with non-life-threatening injuries and one for medical evaluation. Both were released soon after and have been placed on routine administrative leave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is investigating the shooting. Following the investigation, the Commonwealths Attorneys Office will conduct an independent review.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHICAGO  A 24-year-old man has died after being shot 12 times in Bronzeville Friday afternoon.

Chicago police said the shooting happened just before 3 p.m. in the 200 block of East 43rd Street.

The victim was standing on the sidewalk when an unknown suspect inside a white sedan fired multiple shots toward him, hitting him 12 times throughout the head and body, according to investigators.

CTA Blue Line service resumes with delays after incident

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said the victim was taken University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. He later died from his injuries.

The suspect vehicle, meanwhile, drove off northbound on South Indiana Avenue.

No arrests have been made and Area One 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.
LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA)  A man is behind bars after fleeing from officers in a stolen vehicle, the Lake Wales Police Department said Friday.

Officers said Dwayne Edward Williams, 56, of Pompano Beach attempted to steal from a Walmart and fled into the Taylor Groves Subdivision where he stole a 2016 Ford Edge from a community member attempting to get his mail from the mailbox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victim was knocked down in the attempt and received minor injuries.

Officers located the stolen vehicle on Lilly Street shortly after, but Williams fled in the vehicle, leading to a pursuit.

Williams was stopped by a PIT maneuver in the area of 1st Street and Stuart Avenue.

He faces charges of carjacking, fleeing to elude, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and felony retail theft.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A man found guilty of misdemeanor assault and felony vandalism charges stemming from an incident at a Bakersfield market was sentenced Friday to six years in prison.

Steven Andrew Yanez, 31, was acquitted last month of assault with a deadly weapon other than a gun and resisting arrest, and found guilty of the reduced assault counts and the vandalism charge instead.

Florida woman accused of threatening insurance company, saying, Delay, deny, depose

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He faced more than 17 years in prison if convicted as charged.

Around noon on April 7, 2021, police were called to Fontana Liquor & Market on Niles Street to a report of an angry, drunken man who had damaged a plastic barrier around a cash register  the incident took place when COVID-19 protocols were in effect  then started fighting store employees.

Police said the man, identified as Yanez, resisted arrest and tried to kick officers.

At trial, Yanezs public defender argued the employees started the altercation by hitting him with a stick.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione is led from the Blair County Courthouse after an extradition hearing December 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

In a note he was carrying when he was arrested, Luigi Mangione paints himself as a man radicalized by statistics.

The US has the #1 most expensive health care system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy, wrote the alleged killer of Brian Thompson, the late CEO of Eden-Prairie-based UnitedHealthcare. United is the [indecipherable] largest company in the US by market cap, behind only Apple, Google, Walmart. It has grown and grown, but [h]as our life expectancy?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione is a scion of a rich, connected Maryland real estate family who recently withdrew from friends and family following severe medical issues. The numbers he cites are, in broad strokes, accurate.

On life expectancy, the U.S. ranks somewhere in the 60s among the worlds countries, according to data from the United Nations, falling in between Panama and Estonia. Among the wealthy subset of countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, we rate 32nd out of 38.

The U.S. also spends far more on health care than any other country in the world: around $12,000 per person each year, thousands of dollars more than the next-highest spenders.

The discrepancy between the staggering amount of health care spending and our relatively short lives has been perennial fodder for commentary and political debate: Where is all that money going?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The answer, to a significant degree, is that its being skimmed off by the private health insurance industry.

The largest component of higher U.S. medical spending is the cost of health care administration, according to an analysis by Harvard health economist David Cutler. About one-third of health care dollars spent in the United States pays for administration.

Peer countries, even those that have similar systems with multiple private insurers, pay just a fraction as much. Whole occupations exist in U.S. medical care that are found nowhere else in the world, from medical-record coding to claim-submission specialists, Cutler writes.

That excess spending adds up to something like half a trillion dollars each year, according to a recent analysis of Congressional Budget Office data by Matt Bruenig of the Peoples Policy Project. For every $100 spent on health care, $16 goes directly to private insurance companies and another $16 goes to hospitals to cover the cost of administering care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Only about $68 goes toward actually paying for medical services.

Under a single-payer system, on the other hand, the CBO estimates that the public insurer would need just $1.60 of that hundred bucks to cover its costs, while the hospitals would only need $11.80 to cover administration, because they no longer have to deal with the hassle of multiple private health insurers.

Under that system, $86.60 would go toward paying for care.

As the nations top health insurer and the fourth-largest company by revenue, UnitedHealth Group  the parent company of UnitedHealthcare  is also the chief beneficiary of all those billions in essentially wasted spending. In 2023 the company socked away $22 billion in profits on $371 billion in total revenue, adding up to $25 per share. The company paid investors dividends of $7.29 per share.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Think of it this way: A person who owned a single $500 share of UnitedHealth Group stock at the start of the year would get rewarded, at the years end, with $7.29* of Americas health care spending, despite contributing precisely nothing to American health care.

In his manifesto, Mangione refers to the private health insurers as parasites.

Those profits, it should be noted, dont simply generate themselves. UnitedHealthcare has developed a reputation for being especially ruthless in its pursuit of shareholder value. The company relentlessly fought to reduce spending on care, even as its profits rose to record levels, ProPublica reported last year.

A U.S. Senate committee concluded UnitedHealthcare, along with other insurers, intentionally denied critical nursing care to stroke patients in order to increase profits. The company has been accused of using rigid algorithms to determine when to cut off payments, regardless of whether or not patients still needed care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thompson had been accused of dumping stock before the company alerted shareholders that UnitedHealth Group was being targeted by a federal antitrust investigation.

Virtually every American has their own horror story to tell of the Kafka-esque indignities of fighting with insurers over billing codes, prior authorizations, pre-approvals, in-network providers, and the like. This likely explains the organic outpouring of condemnation launched at the health insurance industry in the wake of Thompsons killing, which spanned the political spectrum, even as elites of both parties scolded the vigilante apologists.

Doctors say the delays caused by those barriers between patients and their care, which are set up largely to protect insurance company profits, can make patients sicker and in some cases kill them.

In his manifesto, Mangione lamented that so little has been done to solve the profit-driven dysfunction of the health insurance system. Many have illuminated the corruption and greed (e.g.: [Elisabeth] Rosenthal, [Michael] Moore), decades ago and the problems simply remain, he wrote. It is not an issue of awareness at this point.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The note makes no mention of any personal struggles with the insurance system, despite evidence that Mangione suffered from chronic back pain and underwent major surgery for it.

But at some point  whether driven primarily by personal experience, systemic frustration, or the sheer force of a mental breakdown  Mangione decided to take things into his own hands. What do you do? he wrote in a separate, longer document that hasnt yet been made public. You wack the C.E.O. at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
According to Kentucky Press Associations executive director, the KPAs president-elect saved a pet from a burning house last week in Vanceburg.

Dennis Brown is a busy man. Hes involved in the community as a deputy sheriff, first responder, emergency management, radio station owner, announcer and the Lewis County Heralds publisher.

A house in Vanceburg caught on fire last week while the owner was at work, according to Thompson. Brown responded from his office at emergency management and was first to arrive on the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brown learned from a neighbor there was a dog in the house and kicked in the door to save the dog. He made several trips back in the burning house to remove valuables and pictures until the smoke became too thick for him to go back in. By that time, local firefighters had arrived and were able to save Christmas gifts and some other things because they were wearing respirators, according to Thompson.

David Stafford, the fire chief, told Thompson that once firemen arrived, Brown focused his attention to the family, getting them assistance from the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and several other organizations.

Chief Stafford wasnt surprised by Browns efforts and is thankful he wasnt injured or burned by entering the house. Chief Stafford said the house was destroyed and thus uninhabitable, so Brown turned his assistance to the organizations to help the owner, Angie Johnson.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man who took part in a shooting spree, killing a 22-year-old man in the process, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison after a judge sentenced him Friday to a minimum of 100 years.

Christopher McDonnell, 32, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to more than 20 felonies stemming from the Thanksgiving 2020 shootings and murder, documents said. Christopher McDonnell, his brother, Shawn McDonnell, 34; and Shawn McDonnells then-wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29, originally faced dozens of charges.

The trio, who were visiting from Texas, drove around Henderson and randomly shot at people, killing Kevin Mendiola Jr., 22, at a 7-Eleven on Lake Mead Parkway, prosecutors said. The group then continued into Arizona, where there were additional shootings, including one involving a police officer. All three were arrested after their car rolled over.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Christopher McDonnells attorneys asked for a minimum sentence of 21 years, mentioning his battles with mental illness since childhood.

Kevin Mendiola Jr., 22, died in the shooting in Henderson on Nov. 26, 2020. (Mendiola family)

I take full responsibility for my own wrongdoings, and I appreciate the courts for administering justice, Christopher McDonnell said in a brief statement.

I dont think Ive ever seen a crime thats terrorized our community in the way that this crime has terrorized our community, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Schwartzer said.

In court Friday, prosecutors said Christopher McDonnell randomly fired at people, leading to Mendiolas death. Kevin Mendiolas girlfriend, Jayde Libby; and his brother, Christevin Mendiola, were also shot. Kevin Mendiola shielded Libby from the gunfire, the family told the court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was a hero that night and now, hes our angel, Kevin Mendiola Sr. told the court.

Christopher McDonnell, 32, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to more than 20 felonies stemming from the Thanksgiving 2020 shootings and murder, documents said. Christopher McDonnell, his brother, Shawn McDonnell, 34; and Shawn McDonnells then-wife, Kayleigh Lewis, 29, originally faced dozens of charges. (LVMPD/La Paz County Sheriffs Office/KLAS)

Mendiolas family asked Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones to sentence Christopher McDonnell to the maximum penalty. After hearing from six speakers, Jones sentenced him to a minimum of 100 years in prison, meaning should he still be alive, he would be eligible for parole in 2120 with credit for time served.

He did the most heroic thing one could ever do, Libby said. He saved me, and Ill never know why.

The Mendiola and Libby families told Jones how Christopher McDonnells actions would affect them every Thanksgiving and every day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The hurt, the pain, the guilt and the stress that these three individuals put on my family, Christevin Mendiola said. Our lives will never be the same after this.

I struggle every day with my own life, knowing I have to live in our lives, Kevin Mendiola Sr. said.

Jones agreed there would be no winners walking out of her courtroom, adding Christopher McDonnells crime highlighted a need for better mental health.

What can the court do to ensure that theres not going to be other victims? she said. That theres not going someone else who has to suffer the loss from all the people that Ive heard from today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shawn McDonnell and Lewis were awaiting trial. Lewis was in court Friday, but her hearing was sealed, however, a sentencing date was scheduled for June. It was not immediately clear what happened during the hearing or what led to the date to be scheduled.

In 2022, Lewis lawyers asked a judge to disjoin her case from the two others. Lewis lawyers alleged their client was the victim of domestic violence, noting a black eye seen in her booking photo. She later filed for divorce from jail.

Prosecutors said Lewis was the driver as the two brothers fired indiscriminately out of the vehicles windows.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A Wichita Falls man is sentenced to more than four decades in prison after pleading guilty to the fatal shooting of his older brother in February 2024.

PREVIOUS STORY: Victim, suspect in fatal Marsha Lane shooting identified

Raymond Ralicki being escorted from the Wichita County Courthouse on Friday, Dec. 13 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Raymond Robert Ralicki, 62, pled guilty to one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Friday morning, December 13, 2024, in the 78th District Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Presiding Judge Meredith Kennedy sentenced Ralicki to 45 years in prison for murder and 20 years for aggravated assault, setting the two sentences to run concurrently. He was also credited with 292 days of jail credit.

WFPD finds Stanley dead on Raymonds back porch

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Thursday, Feb. 22, when police responded to reports of gunshots in the 4800 block of Marsha Lane. A reporting person told WFPD that approximately 10 shots were fired.

PREVIOUS STORY: WFPD releases more info on fatal Marsha Lane shooting

WFPD officers responded to a fatal shooting on Feb. 22 in the 4800 block of Marsha Ln. (Photo credit: Dylan Jimenez, KFDX/KJTL)

Police said when they arrived on the scene, Ralicki was outside with a revolver in hand, yelling at officers to shoot him because he would rather be dead than go to prison for the rest of his life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officers said Ralicki refused to drop the handgun and told officers to help the person who had been shot. They said he then put the gun on the ground but went to reach for it again and was tackled to the ground.

The victim, 69-year-old Stanley Ralicki of Arizona, was found dead on the backyard patio with gunshot wounds to the head and back. Another victim, a friend of Stanley, said the suspect also shot at him but missed.

Officers said they recorded his statements which included that the victim was his brother and that he snapped and should have shot himself instead. Police later learned the brother and his friend had come to help Raymond move to Arizona.

Impact statements from surviving victim, Stanleys widow

On Friday morning, after Raymond was convicted and sentenced, several impact statements were read in open court from close friends and family members of the victim, Stanley Ralicki.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A representative of the Wichita County District Attorneys Office read a statement written by the widow of Stanley Ralicki, who said her husband went to Texas to help his brother, who was down on his luck, but that Raymond thought Stanley was after all of his possessions.

Raymond Ralicki during a plea hearing on Friday, Dec. 13 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Raymond shot my husband, the impact statement said. My husband went down there to help him, not to get shot.

According to the impact statement, Stanley was fatally shot the day before their anniversary.

Stanleys friend from Arizona who had accompanied him to help Raymond move was present in the courtroom. In his impact statement, the surviving victim told the court that he and Stanley had been friends for more than 50 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

RELATED: How can those convicted of gun-related crimes still own guns? WFPD explains

The surviving victim said that at first, he thought Raymond was shooting blanks because he hadnt been hit. However, he said that he had to witness his near-lifelong friend be fatally shot.

That was the worst day of my life, the surviving victim said, before turning and looking directly at Raymond. I dont think I could ever forgive you for that, Raymond.

The incident wasnt Ralickis first gun-related arrest. In January 2021, he was charged with deadly conduct after police said he came to a neighbors home and pointed a gun at the resident because of alleged shots fired at the suspects dog.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available.

Close

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  A man was shot late Friday afternoon in an apparent road rage incident off of Cusseta Road near Brown Avenue.

Witnesses on the scene say a silver sedan was struck, then the occupant was subsequently shot. That occupant was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional for treatment.

Columbus police say this all happened at about 2:50 p.m.

WRBL will keep you updated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A man is dead after being hit by a vehicle in Gert Town on Friday, Dec. 13.

According to the New Orleans Police Department, around 11:16 p.m. they were alerted to a crash at the corner of S Carrolton and Washington avenues.

Argument near Champion Square left one shot, one arrested

Upon arrival, officers learned that a man using a walker was crossing S. Carrollton Avenue when he was struck by a Chevy pickup truck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The man was pronounced dead on the scene.

The trucks driver did not leave the scene, according to the NOPD.

Two-alarm fire in Gert Town damages Earhart Boulevard building

The Orleans Coroners Office will release the mans identity after an autopsy is done and the family is notified.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Dec. 14A Sanford man and woman both face a felony charge of assaulting a woman with a disability.

Christopher Lincoln Smith, 39, and Kimberly Renee Kottcamp, 31, were charged stemming from an Aug. 31 incident.

Smith was also charged with a misdemeanor of assaulting a female.

According to the arrest warrants and indictments, both Smith and Kottcamp struck Tonya Marie Wiley in the head and body and left her unconscious in the road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both defendants were ordered to have no contact with Wiley as part of their bonds.

Smith posted a $5,000 bond by paying $500 on Sept. 7 and Kottcamp posted a $2,500 bond by paying $375 on Sept. 6, according to eCourts.

Smith has a lengthy arrest record.

He earlier pleaded guilty to assault on a female stemming from a July 23, 2019 incident, and a charge of assault on a person with a disability was dismissed. In that case, Smith was held on a $35,000 bond. Additional details about that case were not available in eCourts.

Smith also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of burglary tools, safecracking and conspiracy to break and enter stemming from July 12, 2018.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was sentenced to nine to 20 months in the North Carolina Department of Corrections and given credit for 176 days in jail. He was initially held on a $50,000 bond, but that was later reduced to $25,000. He was also ordered to complete substance abuse treatment.

Smith had 16 previous criminal record points at that time, according to eCourts.

Smith and Kottcamp are scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 16.
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Alleged murderer Luigi Mangione has hired a former New York City prosecutor while challenging extradition to face charges for the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Former New York City prosecutor Karen Friedman Agnifilo will represent Mangione, the law firm Agnifilo Intrater confirmed to UPI by email Saturday morning. The decision was first announced Friday.

Agnifilo is not yet commenting on the matter, the law firm told UPI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione is accused of second-degree murder and other charges in New York City but is challenging extradition to New York while jailed in Pennsylvania on other charges.

Agnifilo specializes in criminal defense and has argued cases in state and federal courts as a defense attorney and a prosecuting attorney over the past three decades.

She was the chief assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office from 2014 through 2021.

In that role, her law firm bio says she "supervised all complex and high-profile matters in the office and managed a team of 1,500 people with a $120 million budget, giving her the experience and judgment to manage complex, high-stakes cases."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"While serving in the Manhattan DA's office, Ms.Friedman Agnifilo was also integral to creating the office's Human Trafficking Unit, Hate Crimes Unit, Antiquities Trafficking Unit, Terrorism Unit, its Cybercrimes and Identity Theft Bureau, as well as working on the creation of Manhattan's first Mental Health Court," her bio reads.

Mangione is accused of ambushing Thompson at about 6:45 a.m. Dec. 4 while Thompson was walking on a sidewalk on his way to a United Healthcare meeting at nearby hotel in New York City.

The case has raised debate about the nature of health insurance in the United States and Mangione's alleged use of bullets inscribed with the words "deny," "delay" and "depose."

Mangione recently suffered a back injury and underwent spinal fusion surgery, but United Healthcare was not his health insurer and never was.
Isak Andic, founder of fashion giant Mango, has died after "an accident," the company confirmed in a statement.

Andic  whom Forbes reports was 71 years old  unexpectedly died on Saturday, Dec. 14, per the statement released earlier in the day and signed by Mango CEO Toni Ruiz. The statement did not specify how Andic died.

"It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and founder of Mango, in an accident that occurred this Saturday," Ruiz said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company," Ruiz continued. "His legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization."

Regional police in Catalonia told CNN on Saturday that, during the afternoon, a 71-year-old man fell more than 320 feet down a ravine near Barcelona at the Collbato caves of Salnitre. A source told the outlet that the victim was Andic, with police noting that they retrieved a body.

Citing Spanish media, and specifically the El Pais newspaper, the BBC reports that Andic fell to his death while hiking the mountain range and was with his son and other family members when he fell. Police were reportedly called to the scene at around 1 p.m. local time.

Related: Billionaire Richard Lugner Dead at 91  Just 2 Months After Tying the Knot with Sixth Wife, 42

Miquel Benitez/Shutterstock Isak Andic in 2012 Isak Andic in 2012

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.

Per Ruiz's statement on behalf of Mango, Andic's death "leaves a huge void but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud," Ruiz wrote. "In these extremely difficult times, we share the pain of the family as if it were our own."

Andic, whom Forbes reports had a net worth of $4.5 billion at the time of his death, opened his first store in Barcelona in 1984. In the years since, Mango has opened 2,100 stores in 110 countries, per the outlet.

Last month, the company  which describes itself as "one of the leading international brands in the fashion industry"  announced that it had 40 stores open in the U.S., with plans to roll out more than 20 more stores in 2025.

Related: Billionaire Home Depot Cofounder Bernard Marcus Dead at 95

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reacted to Andic's death on X (formerly Twitter) in a translated post, writing that he was sending his "condolences to the family" following the "tragic death in an accident in the Salnitre de Collbato caves."

"All my love and recognition for your great work and business vision, which has turned this Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion," he wrote.

Salvador Illa, Catalonias president, also shared a statement on X, writing that Andic was "a committed businessman who, with his leadership, has contributed to making Catalonia great and projecting it to the world."

"He leaves an indelible mark on the Catalan and global fashion sector," Illa's translated post reads. "My condolences and those of the entire Government to family, friends and the Mango team."



Read the original article on People
A Mankato man was killed when he crashed his pickup truck in southeastern Minnesota on Friday.

The crash happened on Highway 14 near Courtland just before 8 a.m., with a Ram 1500 pickup truck crashing off the road.

The driver, 32-year-old Daniel Edwards, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Minnesota State Patrol says he was not wearing a seat belt. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, and road conditions were dry at the time.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

In its various forms, lead has been used in many everyday products for millennia. The Romans even added it to wine as a sweetener. Its most widespread use, however, was its addition to petrol. And it is this use that has been associated with increased mental health disorders, according to a new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Americans, especially those born between 1966 and 1986 (largely so-called generation X), have probably suffered from an additional 151 million mental health disorders that would not have occurred without the use of leaded petrol.

The study finds increases in anxiety and depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and neuroticism, as well as decreases in conscientiousness.

Although the toxicity of lead for humans has been known for almost as long as it has been used, the full extent of its effects and the exposure levels at which they manifest is still being uncovered.

Tetraethyl lead started to be added to petrol in 1921 when three engineers at General Motors discovered that it greatly improved engine performance and reduced "knocking"uneven burning of the fuel that can damage engine parts.

Concerns about the safety of leaded petrol arose immediately when one of the engineers who made the discovery, as well as several workers producing the additive, fell sick, and some died of mysterious illnesses. Still, the US surgeon general dismissed these concerns, citing a lack of evidence of the effects at the low exposure levels linked with driving.

The discussion on the effects of lead exposure at the time was dominated by industry-sponsored studies, as recounted in a 2009 book, Lead Wars: The Politics of Science and the Fate of America's Children. Simultaneously, leaded paint was also marketed as the best paint for its washability and brightness.

In the 1970s, the invention of the catalytic converter, which does not work with leaded petrol, and an accumulating body of evidence on the negative consequences of lead exposure for human health, saw the beginning of the phase out of leaded petrol. (Regulation was also introduced in the US to ban leaded paint for residential purposes in 1978).

Even though its use had already decreased, the UK banned leaded petrol in 1999, and Algeria was the last country to officially ban it in 2021.

The resulting gradual reduction of lead in the environment has offered a useful setting for researchers to widen our understanding of the widespread consequences of lead exposure among children and adults. For example, a study in Sweden compared children born in areas closer to motorways, who would have been more exposed to lead emissions from cars, to those born farther away.

By studying how the differences in these two groups changed over time as leaded petrol was phased out, they found that lead exposure lowers educational outcomes, increases the risk of criminal activity, and can lower lifetime earnings.

These effects on crime, educational attainment and engagement in "risky behavior" have been found in the US, too.

Lead mimics calcium in the body, disrupting most systems that need calcium to function. It is linked to losses of cognitive function as well as kidney and cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and even fertility issues. For example, exploiting the fact that leaded petrol was still allowed in Nascar races, a study from the US finds higher death rates from cardiovascular disease in older adults who live near Nascar circuits precisely when the races are on.

First estimate of effects on US society

The new study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry builds on known associations of lead exposure to mental health from two studies in Chicago and New Zealand. Given the relationship between lead exposure and these outcomes, measured childhood lead exposure, and lead emissions each year, the researchers calculated the fraction of the changes in the mental health of Americans born in different years that can be attributed to lead.

This approach is not perfect, as other things were changing over time. Still, the study offers a first estimate of the effects of leaded petrol on American society.

Since lead was not just used in petrol, its harmful legacy is probably even larger. And other applications of lead are growing. For example, it is used in the batteries that power electric vehicles.

Importantly, such a study would not be feasible in the UK, as no representative national data on lead exposure has been collected. Yet lead particles from leaded petrol are still found on the streets of London today. So it is likely that lead has caused, and perhaps continues to cause, significant physical and mental health disorders in the UK.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A driver was arrested Friday night after causing a fatal crash while fleeing from officers following reports of domestic assault, according to the Ramsey County sheriffs office.

The man was arrested by Ramsey County deputies after the crash at 10:30 p.m. near Forest Lawn cemetery in Maplewood. Before the crash, the man physically assaulted his ex-girlfriend and threatened to light her on fire, according to the sheriffs office.

UPDATE: Fleeing driver charged with vehicular homicide in Maplewood crash that killed bystander

Roseville officers attempted to stop his vehicle near the intersection of County Road C East and Rice Street, but he sped away. As he continued driving toward Maplewood, the officers then asked for help from other agencies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Ramsey County sheriffs deputy saw the car speeding southbound on Edgerton Street and attempted to catch up to it for one mile.

The man was driving so fast that officers could not see the car, according to Ramsey County officials, and the closest officer was eight seconds behind him. The man later told investigators he did not know that he was still being followed by police at the time of the crash, according to officials.

As the deputy followed the man, with a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter overhead, he crashed into a car making a lefthand turn at the intersection of Bellwood Avenue and Edgerton Street.

The victim was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead after suffering cardiac arrest. The fleeing driver was arrested at the scene and transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The man has been arrested or charged 38 times in the last 14 years by eight different agencies for crimes including illegally carrying a firearm, burglary, felony domestic assault, fleeing police in motor vehicles and drunk driving, according to the sheriffs office. He is currently in custody pending multiple charges, including criminal vehicular homicide.

Related Articles
Archaeologists have discovered a white marble statue of a woman at an ancient Egyptian temple which they believe to be the 'true face' of Cleopatra VII. The discovery was made by an Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission at the temple of Taposiris Magna, located to the west of Alexandria. The mission was led by archaeologist Dr Kathleen Martinez, and was undertaken in collaboration with the National University Pedro Henriquez Urena (UNPHU), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The bust features a royal crown adorning the woman's head, leading experts to believe Taposiris Magna, which means the 'great tomb of Osiris', to be the final resting place of the fabled queen.

Archaeologists uncovered several artifacts along with the statue, including 337 coins which bear the image of Cleopatra VII, a limestone bust of a king adorned with the Nemes headdress, ceremonial pottery vessels, oil lamps, bronze statues, a limestone container for cosmetics, as well as a scarab amulet inscribed with the phrase 'the justice of Ra has arisen'.

Several artifacts recovered

The team headed by Dr Martinez, who has spent close to 20 years in the quest for Cleopatra's lost tomb, also discovered the remains of a Greek temple from 4th century BC, which was destroyed between the 2nd century BC and the early Roman period. The temple is located close to an intricate system of deep tunnels extending from Lake Mariout to the Mediterranean Sea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to a press statement released by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, a large necropolis with 20 catacombs was also unearthed, along with an underground tomb found under the ancient lighthouse of Taposiris Magna. "The tomb consists of three chambers, one of which contained nine white marble busts and other artifacts," the statement said.

Artifacts recovered during the excavation. Source: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt

"Additionally, the team found a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor and ceramic shards dating the temple to the late Ptolemaic period, confirming that its construction dates back to the 1st century BCE," the press note added.

While the significance and scale of the discovery is hard to discount, some experts have expressed their disagreement with Dr Martinez's assessment. In an interview to Live Science, Zahi Hawass, the former minister of tourism and antiquities of Egypt who excavated the site in the past, stated that the statue was "not Cleopatra at all". Pointing out that the facial features of the bust differ significantly from established depictions of the queen, Hawass observed it seems to be from the Roman period in Egypt, which began in 30 BC, much after Cleopatra's reign.



Excavations to continue

Excavations of the submerged sections of Taposiris Magna, conducted underwater, further uncovered man-made structures, human remains, and vast quantities of pottery.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city of Taposiris Magna was established by Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus between 280 and 270 BC. Following Alexander the Great's conquest of Egypt in 332 BC, the city became a center for the religious festival of Khoiak. The very first series of excavations at the site were conducted under the aegis of Italian egyptologist Evaristo Breccia in the 20th century.

The mission will continue its research at Taposiris Magna in a bid to uncover more secrets of this ancient temple and its connection to the reign of Cleopatra, as per to the press statement. "The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lauds these discoveries as pivotal in expanding our understanding of the late Ptolemaic period and its architectural, cultural, and ceremonial practices." it noted.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A man was arrested after he allegedly tried to solicit sex from an undercover police officer who he thought was a child.

Maryland State Police (MSP) said deputies arrested Santos Carranza, 47, of Fort Washington, on Wednesday after he had been chatting with an undercover officer who was posing as a 15-year-old boy over a phone app.

Prince Georges County police investigating shooting that left man injured

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carranza was arrested at a shopping center in Beltsville.

He is being held without bond at the Prince Georges County Department of Corrections and is charged with second-degree attempted rape and sexual solicitation of a minor.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission has launched an overhauled, comprehensive maternal health map that overlays data about broadband internet access with maternal health outcomes and indicators including food insecurity, gestational diabetes and hypertension.

The revised maps debut Thursday comes at a pivotal time for reproductive health advocates, as the suppression of maternal medical research comes into the spotlight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier this year, Georgia fired its entire maternal mortality review board after news about multiple preventable deaths in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade leaked to ProPublica, sparking public outcry.

Texas announced its maternal mortality review panel would not be looking at deaths from 2022 and 2023, the first two years after the state banned abortions.

The data is very clear  the United States has a problem when it comes to maternal mortality, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told the Illuminator in an exclusive phone interview this week. If we want to solve this problem, the first thing we have to do is measure it.

The U.S. has the worst maternal health outcomes of any high-income country worldwide and disproportionately impacts women of color, with three Black women dying for every white woman, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are new and emerging tools in telemedicine that can help with pregnancy, and we have mapped where [internet] service is and is not, Rosenworcel said. And now laid on top of that all kinds of factors that contribute to healthy pregnancies and maternal mortality. Smart people can study this and start identifying what solutions we can encourage.

The map is the product of an FCC broadband health task force that began tracking the intersection of broadband connectivity and health in 2016, adding a focus on maternal health in June 2023, in response to Congresss bipartisan Data Mapping to Save Moms Lives Act. However, county- and parish-level maternal mortality and morbidity data from the CDC are often not made publicly available to protect the privacy of mothers and their families. If there are few maternal deaths in a particular geography, all of the data might be completely suppressed, but experts say these numbers can have a statistical impact.

This means that this updated map can help more properly display vulnerable places  such as a rural area with low-internet access thats at a higher risk for gestational diabetes in Appalachia  so that stakeholders can specifically see where more resources are needed.

The map now features variables that show where risks to a mothers physical and mental health are increasing. They include gestational diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Infant health outcomes and breast cancer are also detailed. In addition to maternal health data, the revised map can be used as a tool to analyze opioid misuse, cancer and other chronic diseases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When the FCC announced the maps revamp in October, Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, director of maternal mortality review for the Louisiana Department of Health, took part in the announcement to speak about its importance. She explained that the majority of maternal deaths dont happen in pregnancy, but rather in the first six weeks and up to a year after delivery.

Most patients are disconnected from health care during that time, and when we look at these deaths, the majority of them are preventable, Gillispie-Bell said. This is a public health crisis, and that means it requires a multidisciplinary approach that not only addresses improving clinical quality of care, but also systems of care as well as social factors impacting care.

She explained that 80% of clinical outcomes are the result of non-medical factors that can impact health outcomes, such as racism, poverty or a lack of equal access to resources.

Access to broadband is another social determinant of health. We stand at the precipice of a solution to our maternal health crisis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rosenworcel pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic helped normalize telemedicine as a way to connect people with health care providers. She hopes it can also lead to more healthy pregnancies by offering resources to patients, especially in rural areas, who face challenges with accessing childcare and transportation to get to their routine visits.

Rosenworcel, the first woman and mother to serve as FCC chair, said she knows, more than any of her predecessors, how many doctor visits there are leading up to birth.

Theres all kinds of impediments that can get in your way, even if youre someone who has a lot of resources, she said. And what I learned from talking to a lot of healthcare providers in the field is that some of those activities could be done virtually if they provide the individual with pulse oximeters and ways to actually take measurements and keep their provider updated about their pregnancy.

Rosenworcel points out that, particularly in a rural community, having access to high-speed internet and telehealth can mean a patient could catch high-risk pregnancy complications sooner, and their doctor can act accordingly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its the difference between someone having a healthy pregnancy or not, she said.

Gillispie-Bell, an OB-GYN based in Kenner, runs Connected MOM, a telehealth program provided through Ochsner Health System. She said the FCC has done tremendous work with this interactive mapping platform.

Louisiana has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the country. Looking at the map, state residents have less broadband access on average compared with the rest of the country. This means the state has a double burden where those risks intersect, placing such communities at higher risk for maternal deaths.

As we continue to innovate methods to improve maternal outcomes in Louisiana, we must address broadband access, Gillispie-Bell said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The presidential administration changes in January, meaning a new FCC chair will take Rosenworcels place. She pointed out that the Data Mapping to Save Moms Lives Act had bipartisan support.

Everyone with power and authority should identify what they can do to help, she said. Theres a lot more were going to have to do, but we have to start grabbing every solution thats available, and this map demonstrates that there are opportunities.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Infinity contains everything, including multiple kinds of infinities.

Mathematicians have long known that there are many kinds of infinities (technically, there are an infinity of them).

Mathematicians revealed two new kinds of infinitycalled exacting and ultra-exactinginfinities that appear to contradict foundational mathematics.

The concept of infinity appears simple at first glance, but becomes increasing more complex the more you think about it. Infinity means a never-ending sequence of numbers trailing off into, well, infinity. But that also necessitates that theres technically an infinite number of infinities forming a hierarchy of ever-greater complexity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Scientists and mathematicians have spent decades debating the nature of infinity, and have known for more than a century that theres more than one kind. For example, one infinitythe one most people are familiar withis an infinite set of natural numbers: 1, 2, 3, and so on. However, theres also an infinite set of real numbers, which includes negatives and decimals. Keep following this train of thought, and you create an infinite set of infinities.

Recently, mathematicians from the Vienna University of Technology in Austria and the University of Barcelona have discovered two new kinds of infinities, known as exacting and ultra-exacting cardinals. These infinities dont quite follow the standard ladder of infinities due to their unusual properties. The researchers detailed these new infinite sets in a paper published on the non-peer reviewed preprint server arXiv .

People have been coming up with larger and larger notions of infinity, Juan Aguilera, a co-author of the paper from Vienna University of Technology, told New Scientist. You can look at all the previous ones that people have come up with and you can fit them in a hierarchy [] they dont quite fit in this linear hierarchy. They interact very, very strangely with other notions of infinity.

New Scientist described exacting cardinals as being so large that they contain copies of themselvessort of like a house with many full-scale copies of itself inside. Ultra-exacting copies additionally include mathematical rules on how to create them as if the nested house was also wallpapered with blueprints of itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, things get wonky when comparing these new infinities with a foundational concept of mathematics known as the Axiom of Choice, which says that you can make a new set of numbers by picking out numbers from other sets. This puts infinities into three categories: infinities that adhere to this set theory (natural number sets, integer sets, etc...), infinities so large theyre essentially chaos mathematics, and infinities that exist somewhere in between. Although the researchers thought exacting and ultra-exacting cardinals fit in this in-between region, they couldnt quite pin them down.

Its not quite clear if they are at the top of this middle region, where the axioms are still compatible with all the other axioms of set theory, or whether they are forming a fourth region that is kind of to the side of the chaotic region, but on top of the previous ones, Aguilera told New Scientist.

This could contradict an idea known as Hereditarily Ordinal Definable, which theorizes that infinities could get so large that the Axiom of Choice imposes order instead of contradiction. But these cardinals currently appear to defy that assumption.

Of course, these infinities have yet to be accepted by the broad mathematics community. But regardless of their potential confirmation, it looks like pondering infinity wont be slowing down any time soon.

You Might Also Like
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Mayor Eric Adams told President-elect Donald Trumps border czar he would work with him to deport migrants who commit violent crimes in New York City.

Adams met with Tom Homan at Gracie Mansion to discuss Trumps plans for mass deportations. Adams said he does not believe those deportations would extend to migrants just going about living their daily lives.

Were going to protect the rights of immigrants in this city who are hard-working, giving back to this city in a real way. Were not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants, and long-standing New Yorkers, Adams said Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Watch the video player for more on this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Dec. 13A McAlester man indicted for shooting a woman in the head in June pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement in federal court this week.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Larry Keith Mickle, 49, entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country.

Mickle was originally indicted in September with assault with intent to commit murder in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country, assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country, and use, carry, brandish, and discharge a firearm during an in relation to a crime of violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The plea agreement states Mickle accepts responsibility for the crime "as required by the sentencing guidelines." Prosecutors agreed to a two-point reduction in the offense level and of Mickle can adequately demonstrate his acceptance of responsibility to the court, prosecutors will move for Mickle to receive a third point reduction.

U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Edward Snow accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A sentencing hearing for Mickle will be scheduled after the report is finalized.

An affidavit filed in the case states deputies were called to the McAlester Regional Health Center after a woman with a single gunshot wound to the head arrived at the emergency room.

The woman told deputies she was at home when she and Mickle got into an argument when the man grabbed her by the throat and choke her when she felt something on her head, the report states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She "thought it was Larry's finger until she heard a pop sound, and Larry let her up," the affidavit states.

According to the report, the woman did not know she was shot and was taken to the hospital by a neighbor where she was later flown by medical helicopter to a Tulsa area hospital.

Before she was flown to Tulsa, the woman told deputies Mickle possessed "a cowboy-style pistol" and that is what she believed he shot her with, the report states.

Deputies wrote in their report when they arrived at the residence where the shooting occurred, they found the back door open with blood on the back porch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A vehicle that belonged to the woman was later found abandoned at Dow Lake with two individuals telling deputes they saw another vehicle pull up next to the abandoned vehicle and picked up and individual and left the area, the report states.

Mickle remains charged in Pittsburg County District Court with shooting with intent to kill, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell condemned an effort from an associate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr to roll back FDA approval for the polio vaccine and warned the Cabinet nominee to "steer clear" of such initiatives.

Aaron Siri, an attorney for RFK Jr., filed a petition with the FDA on Friday asking the agency to revoke their approval of the life-saving inoculation. McConnell said venturing down that path would be a mistake for Kennedy and the country.

Anyone seeking the Senate's consent to serve in the incoming administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts, McConnell warned in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McConnell, a polio survivor, championed the medical developments that have saved countless lives.

I have never flinched from confronting specious disinformation that threatens the advance of lifesaving medical progress, the senator said The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed - they're dangerous.

Republican Senator-elect Jim Banks doesnt share in McConnells reservations.

Banks said on Friday that the country was ready for a big debate about vaccines and other health topics, adding he supported RFKs confirmation 110 percent. Still, Senate Minority Leader McConnell carries weight in the chamber.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If McConnell puts up a fight over his HHS bid, Kennedy wouldn't be the only Trump nominee to face confirmation trouble. Defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth reportedly faces an uphill climb to whip votes. Some Republicans advised him to drop his bid altogether, following a path laid out by former Rep. Matt Gaetz.

On the campaign trail, Trump promised Kennedy carte blanche to go wild on vaccines. Since then, the president-elect has voiced some support for anti-vaccine ideology. Following Trumps win, McConnell declined to say whether hed support Kennedys confirmation.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Island officials are urging residents to take immediate steps to protect themselves following a major cyberattack on the state government, warning that their personal data could soon be exposed.

At a hastily called news conference on Saturday evening  the second in as many days  Gov. Dan McKee and other officials shared practical tips about what people can do if they are among the hundreds of thousands of people at risk from the hack.

READ MORE: RI state government hit by major cyberattack; Social Security, bank numbers believed stolen

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We know this situation is alarming, and its stressful, McKee said. He urged people to save the URL for the website where the state will be posting continued updates about the situation: cyberalert.ri.gov.

Officials say they first learned on Dec. 5 that an international cybercriminal group may have breached RIBridges, the state system formerly known as UHIP used for a host of health and benefits programs. They became more alarmed in recent days after the hackers sent a screenshot of file folders from RIBridges and revealed malware had been put into the system.

The hackers are believed to have stolen information  including Social Security and bank account numbers  for potentially hundreds of thousands of residents who have used a long list of state programs over the last eight years. Individuals who are directly affected will be getting a letter in the mail from the state notifying them.

Heres how to contact the new RI cyberattack call center

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The programs include Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), HealthSource RI health insurance, Rhode Island Works, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), the General Public Assistance (GPA) program, and AT HOME cost-sharing.

Those programs will revert to paper applications on Monday because the online portal usually used for them  called HealthyRhode  is being kept offline due to the attack, officials said.

The R.I. Department of Labor and Trainings separate system for unemployment insurance and other out-of-work benefits is unaffected by the cyberattack, according to Matt Weldon, the departments director.

Michael Tetreault, a cybersecurity advisor at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, urged Rhode Islanders who think they may be affected to strengthen their passwords; turn on multi-factor authentication; and contact the three credit-monitoring bureaus to freeze their credit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Identity theft is very popular, Tetreault said.

SNAP and RI Works beneficiaries are also being urged to learn how they can freeze and unfreeze their EBT cards in order to ensure their benefit payments arent stolen. That can be done through the company that manages the cards, FIS, either online or using its mobile app. Detailed instructions are in a PDF on the states website.

(Story continues below video.)

State officials have been meeting throughout the day to deal with the situation. The governor said he called Saturdays news conference to communicate the urgency of taking action based on new information officials have learned over the last 24 hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The cybercriminals are in communication with a security consultant hired by Deloitte, the contractor that runs RIBridges for the state, McKee said. The hackers have indicated that data could be exposed in the near future  as early as this coming week, he said.

The exact timing of a potential data leak is a moving target, McKee added.

Jonathan Womer, director of the R.I. Department of Administration, said Deloitte and the cybercriminals are in ongoing negotiations. Neither Womer nor McKee indicated how much money the hackers have demanded, but Womer said Deloitte would make a decision about whether to pay in consultation with law enforcement authorities.

A spokesperson for Deloitte told 12 News they couldnt provide any additional information as this is an ongoing investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI has so far declined to comment on the situation.

Womer said Deloitte, as the states vendor for RIBridges, is obligated to help the state through the process of dealing with the cyberattack and covering costs associated with it. He said the company will be paying for a free credit-monitoring service for affected residents.

One of the people the governor has turned to for counsel is former Congressman Jim Langevin, who was one of Capitol Hills leading experts on cybersecurity as a lawmaker and is now leading a new cyber institute at Rhode Island College. Langevin recommended that Tetreault join the other officials to provide expertise at the news conference, McKee said.

RIBridges was created as part of the Unified Health Infrastructure Project, or UHIP. Its development and launch was a major debacle for state government during the administration of former Gov. Gina Raimondo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Raimondos administration spent years in disputes with Deloitte  which had been paid hundreds of millions of dollars to build UHIP  over fixes and refunds related to the IT system. In 2021, the McKee administration agreed to a three-year contract extension for Deloitte valued at $99 million.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Watch Now: Livestreaming

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
MEADOW BRIDGE, WV (WVNS)  An exciting opportunity has presented itself to the Meadow Bridge Band! The students are invited to perform at the Governors inauguration parade.

The students have been practicing ahead of this event. The performance will be on January 13th when Governor-elect Patrick Morrissey is sworn into office.

Students in the band say a lot of hard work has gone into this upcoming performance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey wins GOP primary in bid to succeed Gov. Jim Justice

We got our songs and were going to work on Parade Marching and its its going to be a lot. Its definitely to be a step up from anything else weve ever done, said High Schooler Alec Thomas.

West Virginia Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey will, of course, be present at the event along with his team. The students and faculty told 59News they are excited to display their talents for the new Governor of West Virginia.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
(NewsNation)  In the wake of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompsons killing, an outpouring of anger has been directed toward health care providers.

Thompson was gunned down in New York City on Dec. 4, with his death being viewed by some as a form of justice against a failed health care system.

Luigi Mangione is considered the prime suspect in the killing of Thompson and has been elevated to cult status in parts of the country and on some social media accounts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ordinary citizens are not the only ones frustrated with the current state of health insurance. Several medical professionals echoed their exasperation to the Wall Street Journal.

Alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter was never a UHC client: NYPD

By no means do we applaud this or would we condone violence, but its a scary indication of just how frustrated people are about the current system and the imbalance of power  and physicians certainly feel that, Andrew MacLean, the chief executive of Maine Medical Association, told the newspaper.

Internist Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed bemoaned the volume of red tape and costs of necessary procedures to the WSJ.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its getting worse, said Ahmed, who has spent more than three decades in the field. This is not only UnitedHealthcare  this is universal in this country.

Rheumatology Associates operations director Tony Drykos told Vanity Fair that health insurance companies have so much power, they are out of control. They believe they are untouchable.

Ron Howrigon, a health care consultant who represents doctors, told Vanity Fair that Thompsons death was a tragic event.

But one of my first thoughts was, I am kind of surprised this hasnt happened earlier.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
As pollution worsens in the Indian capital, parents are facing an impossible choice: stay or go.

Amrita Rosha, 45, is among those choosing to flee with her children. Both of them  Vanaaya, 4, and Abhiraj, 9  suffer from respiratory problems due to rising pollution and need medication.

We have no other option but to leave Delhi, Rosha, a housewife who is married to a businessman, told CNN last month from her home in an affluent South Delhi neighborhood as she completed last-minute packing before leaving for the Gulf state of Oman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every year for the past decade, a blanket of smog has enveloped Delhi when winter approaches, turning day into night and disrupting the lives of millions of people. Some of them, particularly young children with less developed immune systems, are forced to seek medical care for breathing issues.

Rosha ensures her children get top health care  including doctors visits, steamers, inhalers and steroids  and trips outside Delhi to escape the choking air.

Amrita Rosha with her children Vanaaya, 4, and Abhiraj, 9, in her bungalow in South Delhi. - Aishwarya S Iyer/CNN

While wealthy families like the Roshas can escape, its a different story for those without the means to leave.

About 15 miles away in a Delhi slum, Muskan, who goes by her first name, looks on with worry at the remaining medicine drops for her childrens nebulizer, a machine which turns liquid medication into fine mist to be inhaled through a face mask or mouthpiece.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The mother rations its use because she struggles to afford more.

We give half-half (of the dosage) of the medicines to our children, she said, referring to Chahat, 3, and Diya, 1. Theyve been on nebulizers since each of their first winters, as early as they were born.

Muskan bought the $9 nebulizer after weeks of hard work on the streets. She makes a living picking up rags and other pieces of refuse, and her husband is a day laborer.

When they cough, I feel scared that my children may die. Im filled with regret, as I keep worrying about something awful happening to them, she said.

Muskan holds her daughter Diya while while her 3-year-old son Chahat uses the nebulizer. He thinks it is a toy, she said as he puts it on himself with ease. - Aishwarya S Iyer/CNN

Leaving Delhi

The suffering of Delhis children, year after year, has become impossible to ignore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Children are having to rely on steroids and inhalers to breathe  all of north India has been pushed into a medical emergency, Delhis Chief Minister Atishi, who goes by her first name, said last month.

The Supreme Court has stepped in to monitor the measures introduced to curb pollution, which is generally caused by a combination of factors including vehicular emissions, crop burning and construction work, along with unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions.

This has included banning cars, demolition and construction work, and spraying roads with water. Authorities have also increased public transport and cracked down on crop burning.

Despite these measures, Delhi has remained the most polluted city across India in November for eight years, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Manjinder Singh Randhawa, a doctor in the pediatric intensive care unit at the Rainbow Childrens Hospital, said this year he has been diagnosing younger children with asthma in a very critical state for the first time.

In the long-term, pollution can have a serious impact on the respiratory, immune and cardiovascular systems, he added.

CNN has reached out for comment to the central and state government, and the Commission for Air Quality Management responsible for maintaining air quality in the region.

In some parts of Delhi last month, pollution levels exceeded 1,750 on the Air Quality Index, according to IQAir, which monitors global air pollution. Any reading above 300 is considered a health hazard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During these weeks the pollution levels for PM 2.5, smaller particles which can penetrate deep into the lungs, spiked to more than 70 times the health limits set by the World Health Organization. It was over 20 times that level this week. Studies indicate that inhaling PM 2.5 can lead to cognitive impairment in children.

A costly escape

Some parents, like Deepthi Ramdas, prioritized their childrens health and relocated years ago. When her son Rudra was born three years ago, she did not think leaving Delhi would ever be on the cards. But that changed when she saw him admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit in January 2022.

The doctors told her she should leave Delhi if she wanted her sons lungs to develop, Deepthi recalled. Since she had family in the southern state of Kerala, she decided to go.

It was not an easy decision. I had to quit my job which I loved and because my husband had to continue to be in Delhi for work we got into a long-distance marriage, she said.

Deepthi Ramdas' son was hospitalized when he was less than a year old in 2022. We keep this as a keepsake to remember one of his worst times yet, she said. - Deepthi Ramdas

But Deepthi finds relief in knowing Rudra has had no breathing issues in Kerala. They visited Delhi in the first week of December to meet their father. We hoped since he is 3 now (that) his lungs would be stronger, but within a few days Rudra had an attack and was on nebulizers again, Deepthi said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Looking at him like that was heartbreaking. There is no way I am moving back to Delhi, she said, sharing pictures of Rudra from when he was in hospital in 2022 to him playing outdoors in Kerala in October.

Anxiety in the air

Many parents in Delhi are living under anxiety fueled by their inability to escape the city due to work and other commitments.

This is not something you just do, you have to plan it, and be fortunate enough, 29-year-old mother Urvee Parasramka told CNN. Her daughter Reva, 2, has been on nebulizers since her first winter, she said.

When Urvee was expecting, she recalls her husband, Prateek Tulsyan, responding to news of pollution by saying hed ensure there were enough air purifiers at home to protect his child. However, nine months after delivery, Reva had her first attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was a lot of panic then. It was hard to understand why she even needed such heavy medication. I was very scared. It took me a while to come around, Prateek told CNN.

Urvee added: I am constantly checking her temperature, do not allow her to go out or eat anything that may exacerbate her condition. I am now an over-protective parent.

If she hears Reva sneeze, she knows a cough is coming, followed by congestion and then the need for the nebulizer.

Urvee said theyve decided to move to Guwahati, northeast India, where the air quality is better, during the high pollution months next year.

I am born and brought up here, comfortable here, so to create another home there wont be easy but we have no choice, she said.

No way out

Muskan and her neighbors in the Delhi slum are not as fortunate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She runs to the shared nebulizer when her children show symptoms like chest pain, coughing or vomiting. She says the children ask for it themselves and use it with practiced precision. But not everyone is able to afford to have the machine at home.

Some of her neighbors rush to the nearest private clinic and pay about 80 rupees or $1 for each treatment.

One of them is Deepak Kumar, a daily wage worker with four children. His youngest and only daughter, Kripa, 1, is using a nebulizer for the second consecutive winter season since her birth.

Deepak Kumar holds his daughter Kripa, 1, for whom he has had to take on debt to pay for urgent medical expenses. If I put her down she starts crying, he said. - Aishwarya S Iyer/CNN

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The doctor asked us to buy it, but we do not have that kind of money, he said.

One visit to the doctor costs more than his daily wage.

Nights are the worst. When there are no doctors available, he relies on balms and steam to help his daughter get through the night. Even when she is sleeping well, the mounting debt due to medical expenses keeps him awake.

Yes, I am in debt of 20,000 rupees ($235) and to pay that off I am trying to work even harder, he said.

Many like Kumar have come to Delhi from different parts of India to seek a better life, but theyre stuck.

It should not be so hard to live in the capital, he said.

CNNs Esha Mitra contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The media has published another article citing sources that the topic of discussion at a meeting of Western leaders in Brussels next week will be possible formats for ending the war and the potential establishment of a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

Source: Politico with reference to five informed sources

Details: It was noted that the meeting on 18 December in Brussels would be attended by European leaders, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The leaders are supposedly planning to discuss possible formats for ending the war and the potential creation of a European peacekeeping mission as a deterrent to a new Russian attack on Ukraine. The discussion comes amid pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump that Europe should play an active role in a potential future agreement to end the war by contributing troops, the sources said.

Among the participating leaders will be German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Background:

Radio Liberty has learned from sources that French President Emmanuel Macron will raise the issue of deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire and peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia at the EU leaders' summit on 18-19 December.

Nonetheless, the sources noted that the topic of peacekeepers was very new and remains at the level of an idea.

Reuters reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte would convene the leaders of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland for a separate discussion on the situation in Ukraine on the sidelines of the Brussels summit on 18 December.

In his evening address on Friday, 13 December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he would be attending "meetings in Brussels" but did not specify any details.

Support UP or become our patron!
Giorgia Melonis government has conferred Italian citizenship on Javier Milei in a sign of the growing rapport between the two hard-Right leaders.

Mr Milei, Argentinas libertarian president, is in Rome to attend the annual festival of Ms Melonis Brothers of Italy party. He has Italian roots through his grandparents and Karine Milei, his sister and chief advisor, has also been given citizenship.

Last month, Mr Milei gave the Italian prime minister a statuette of himself wielding a chainsaw  his trademark move at campaign rallies.

Mr Milei wielding a chainsaw in a signal of his determination to cut the size of the state in Argentina - Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images

The award of citizenship has been met with objections from Italys opposition, who have been fruitlessly campaigning to make it easier for children born in Italy to migrant parents to claim the status.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Under the current rules, hundreds of thousands of Italian-speaking migrant children born in Italy are barred from applying for citizenship until they are 18.

Big party today at Palazzo Chigi (the prime ministers official residence) for President Milei who received Italian citizenship thanks to his grandparents who left Italy 100 years ago, commented Riccardo Magi, head of +Europa, a centre-Left party.

But for the hundreds of thousands of people born here, who grew up here, who study here, who pay taxes here, in contrast to Milei, becoming Italian is a huge ordeal.

Mileis right of blood

Mr Magi called the Milei decision an act of intolerable discrimination against so many young people who will only get it after many years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Milei was awarded citizenship on the basis of the principle of ius sanguis  the right of blood  which means that anyone with Italian roots can get a passport.

It is possible for those born in the country to become Italian through ius solis  the right of the soil  but not until a person has reached adulthood.

Pro-migrant campaigners have called for a referendum to ease rules for obtaining Italian nationality for people moving to or being born in Italy, which are much stricter than for those with even distant blood ties to the country. However, Ms Melonis coalition government has ruled that out.

Mr Milei celebrating the 214th anniversary of the May Revolution, which marked the beginning of his countrys independence from Spain, in May this year - Nicolas Aguilera/AP Photo

Mr Milei is the guest of honour on Saturday night at the Brothers of Italy annual festival, which is being held in the Circus Maximus ancient arena in Rome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On a previous trip to Italy in February, Mr Milei said he felt 75 per cent Italian because three of his grandparents had Italian origins. His relatives moved to Argentina from Calabria in the south of Italy in 1926.

The president added that he had an incredible passion for Italian opera.

Mr Milei is not the first Argentinian president with dual citizenship. Mauricio Macri, who served between 2015 and 2019, had an Italian passport.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The second times a charm for President-elect Trump  at least when it comes to an election win getting him the establishment recognition he has always sought.

Trump has received a display of homage at home and abroad since winning Novembers contest over Vice President Harris. Its the kind of public pomp that eluded him after his shock victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016.

The nature of this acclaim is eliciting an unusual level of glee from Trump  a man who biographers say has never quite left behind the outer-borough imprint of his upbringing in Queens, N.Y., where his familys wealth was never enough to buy him full entree into the Manhattan cultural elite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The accolades and invites have come thick and fast this time.

Trump was invited to France last weekend at the behest of President Emmanuel Macron. The main occasion was a ceremony marking the reopening of the ornate Notre Dame Cathedral.

The trip also included a meeting between Trump, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the French presidents official residence, the Elysee Palace.

Macron told Trump it was a great honor for the French people to welcome the president-elect.

According to the Associated Press, an actual red carpet was rolled out for Trump as Macron bestowed the kind of full diplomatic welcome that France offers sitting American presidents, complete with trumpets blaring and members of the Republican Guard in full uniform.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While in Paris, Trump also met with Britains Prince William.

Their meeting lasted 40 minutes, during which the pair discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the UK/U.S. special relationship, according to the BBC.

Trump also seemed to be lining up a more unusual  and controversial  manifestation of global acclaim when it emerged he had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his Jan. 20 inauguration.

Xi looks set to decline. But CNN has reported that Trumps team has also approached other leaders to join the festivities.

The names mentioned are cut from similar right-wing-populist cloth to Trump, including Italian premier Giorgia Meloni and Argentinian President Javier Milei.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But it isnt just on the world stage where Trump is getting to enjoy the garlands of a newly-elected president in a more uncomplicated fashion than was the case eight years ago.

On Thursday, Trump rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange  an accolade that, somewhat surprisingly, he had never previously enjoyed during his decades as a New York-based property developer.

A beaming Trump announced this was a tremendous honor. The occasion was also intended to mark him being named as Person of the Year by Time magazine.

The magazines editors are always eager to emphasize that the title is intended to recognize the person who has had the greatest impact during the year, whether positive or negative. Infamously, Adolf Hitler was accorded the title  which was then Man of the Year  in 1938.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Trump didnt let such caveats bother him, especially since this was his second time being named by the magazine. He was also Person of the Year in 2016. But it was better this time, he said.

As if all that were not enough, Trump is the object of affection of some business magnates with whom he has previously had rocky relationships.

Amazons Jeff Bezos set off a media firestorm when it was announced just before the election that the Washington Post, of which Bezos is also the owner, would not endorse any candidate.

That was seen by many liberals as a preemptive bending of the knee by Bezos. Soon after the election, Bezos followed up by declaring that he was optimistic about a second Trump term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Metas Mark Zuckerberg, who Trump had once threatened to jail if he ever returned to power, journeyed to Mar-a-Lago to have dinner with the president-elect late last month. This week, it emerged that Meta will give $1 million to help fund Trumps inauguration celebrations.

Elon Musk, reportedly the worlds richest man, was never a Trump enemy. But Musk has ascended to a new level, spending well over $100 million to help Trump get elected.

Musk, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, will head Trumps efforts to cut down on purportedly wasteful spending once the new administration is sworn in.

Trump appears to be enjoying the acclaim so much in part because it is taking place against a backdrop where criticism is relatively muted  at least by the standards of the past decade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Liberals seem more dispirited than energized by Trumps victory this time around  perhaps because his election win was not that much of a shock, nor shadowed by the allegations of foreign interference that swirled in 2016.

There are, to be sure, plenty of Americans both enraged and fearful about his coming presidency.

But the generally damp mood among the anti-Trump resistance suggests there will not be street protests of the scale seen in the massive Womens March that took place the day after his 2017 inauguration.

There will, for sure, be controversies and tribulations soon to come.

But for now, Trump is more than happy to bask in the admiration of a domestic and global establishment that is seeking his favor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  Meow Wolf, the company that created the immersive art exhibit in Santa Fe, is cutting its workforce. The company told KRQE News 13 they are laying off 75 employees, which includes 45 New Mexicans.

New Mexico ranchers speak on how new meat inspection act will impact their industry

The Meow Wolf Workers Collective is angry about the decision. The union is requesting the board of directors to hold the CEO and other leadership accountable for putting the company in this position.

This is the second time this year the company has laid off employees. In April, they let go 165 workers including two dozen new Mexicans.

A spokesperson for Meow Wolf sent this statement:

The past year has been transformative for Meow Wolf as we, like many in the creative economy, navigate shifting financial realities and evolving priorities. These challenges have required us to reassess our business needs and ensure our ability to deliver exceptional creative experiences.



Meow Wolf has been expanding in recent years with new locations popping up in Texas, Nevada, and California.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dec. 14princeton  Mercer County's new sheriff and new chief deputy were formally sworn into office this week so they will be ready to start serving the public when the year 2025 dawns.

Alan Christian, who is currently the chief deputy, was sworn in Wednesday by Circuit Court Judge Mark Wills as Mercer County's new sheriff. Capt. Jesse Ruble was then sworn in as the sheriff department's new chief deputy.

"This has been three years in the works," Christian said later. "I'm appreciative to the outgoing Sheriff Tommy Bailey who brought me in three years ago and, basically, let me run this department on my own. So I've been in training it appears now for three years to learn the ins and outs. That's a benefit not only to me but to the community. There will be a seamless change in leadership. It's been a good three years and I've learned a lot over the past three years."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Being the county's sheriff will be a change from Christian's previous posts in law enforcement.

"I've got a long history of law enforcement, but being the sheriff is a different aspect of law enforcement because it entails other things like the tax department which I had a limited knowledge of prior to coming on. I've learned a lot since I've been here," he said. "We hope to improve the sheriff's department and the tax department. We want to be a shining example of what law enforcement can be to our community. I guarantee that we are going to be a professional organization. We're human, we don't always get everything right, but we're going to do our best to do good work and be an asset to Mercer County."

There are plans to move the sheriff's department out of the Mercer County Courthouse's basement and into the former professional building across the street. The building was purchased with American Rescue Plan funding.

"That's been in the works now for a while," Christian said. "We're hoping that's going to come into fruition very soon. We've been cramped, a 30-man department and we've got the space of a mobile home to operate out of, so this is going to be huge for us, to open up some space so the employees in the courthouse can breath a little bit, get some more offices in and maybe get some more things that would benefit the community in the courthouse."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Christian started his law enforcement career in the mid-Nineties at the Princeton Police Department.

"I spent two and a half years with the Princeton PD then went on to West Virginia State Police," he said. "I retired from the State Police after 22 years, and two days after I retired Tommy Bailey brought me on as the chief deputy of Mercer County. I got a whole weekend off before I started. Good guys. Good people in the community. We've got good community support. Without that, it's hard to be a good proficient office and help the community. We've got some good community members who have our backs."

"In my tenure here, I think I've hired nine new deputies total and we could probably use 15 more," Christian said. "It's extremely busy here in Mercer County and I've worked all over the state and it's pretty busy here and it's not always criminal calls. It's calls to help those in need. We've taken a turn to addressing our mental illness here in Mercer County. Lots of training on that, and not only for the people that we serve. We look to also assist with mental wellness within the department. We as law enforcement officers see an awful lot that's usually bad, so at some point we've got to decompress. We need somebody to talk with and we're working on that, getting peer programs. If we're not well, how can we help others? That's been a big push since I've been here and it's been going really good. I can't complain."

The Mercer County Sheriff's Department has instituted a lot of new programs, Christian said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We've got a lot of new equipment and we're on the upswing for sure, but none of this is just me," he said. "This is a team effort  county commission, members of the community, probation and judges and prosecutors. This is a huge team effort and it's going really good."

Christian was voted into office during the November General Election.

"I want to thank the community for voting me into office and having the faith in me to come in and take over as sheriff," he said. "It's humbling and I certainly do appreciate it. We're going to do the best we can."

Judge Wills then swore in Capt. Jesse J. Ruble as the new chief deputy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ruble said he has been with the sheriff's department over 23 years. He started his law enforcement career at the department.

"I went to Bluefield College (now Bluefield University), got my criminal justice degree and I started in May of 2001," Ruble said.

The chief deputy is the department's senior field deputy.

"He's basically right under the sheriff," Ruble said. "He watches over the patrol division and the tax office, basically assist the sheriff in helping those run smoothly."

Ruble said he didn't know what he wanted to do until he took criminal justice classes at the college and enjoyed them. He did an internship with the Bluefield Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Once I got over there and saw how everything worked, I was hooked," Ruble said. "And the sheriff's office was hiring after I graduated, and I've been there ever since."

Christian and Ruble will start their new positions on Jan. 1, 2025.

Contact Greg Jordan at

gjordan@bdtonline.com

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Its an ugly and disturbing trend thats happening around the country and here in New Mexico. The New Mexico Black Leadership Council said at least two people in Albuquerque, including a council member, have received racist text messages. It really kind of made me double down on the mission of trying to dispel this stuff, said Marcus Porter, Chief Programs and Policy Officer for NMBLC.

Story continues below

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The organization said at least two Black people in Albuquerque received racist text messages after last months election, including Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers. Am I completely caught off guard by these types of racist things? No. But this is something I havent seen before so its just, in a way, its a bit devastating, said Porter.

NMBLC sent KRQE News 13 a screenshot of the alleged message that tells the receiver they are assigned to a cotton plantation. Theres racism but like going all the way back to slavery level, that was a little shocking, said Porter.

A spokesperson for the FBI sent this statement:

As a matter of longstanding policy, we do not confirm or deny the existence of any specific investigation. But we are aware of the incidents and are working closely with our partners to combat hate in our community. We encourage members of the public to immediately report these messages to law enforcement Margot Cravens, Public Affairs Officer

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, NMBLC and more than 30 other groups published an open letter denouncing the hate. In America, we expect and demand fairness, justice, and respectvalues at the very heart of our nation, the letter said in part. To those who try to bring hate into our homes, our workplaces, and our communities, know this: Your attempts to sow division are wasted, because we are resilient.

This isnt just an attack against Black people. No attack against one group is an attack against that one group, its an attack against everybody, said Porter.

He hopes that by shedding light, it will help clear out the darkness. The more people who know whats happening, the harder it will be for people to get away with this kind of stuff, said Porter.

The FBI of Albuquerque encourages anyone who receives one of these messages to report it to them at 1-800-CALL-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov or at ic3.gov. NMBLC said they can also offer additional support services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Filmmaker Michael Moore backed the anger toward insurance companies following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week.

After the killing of the CEO of United HealthCare, the largest of these billion dollar insurance companies, there was an immediate OUTPOURING of anger toward the health insurance industry. Some people have stepped forward to condemn this anger, Moore wrote in his Substack article published Friday. I am not one of them.

The anger is 1000% justified. It is long overdue for the media to cover it. It is not new. It has been boiling. And Im not going to tamp it down or ask people to shut up. I want to pour gasoline on that anger, Moore continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moores remarks come as the filmmaker is reportedly mentioned in suspects manifesto for calling out the corruption and greed within the healthcare industry, as highlighted by Newsweek.

Thompson was shot and killed last week outside a midtown Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual investor conference.

Luigi Mangione, the man suspected of killing Thompson, faces five counts including murder in the second degree, according to an arrest warrant. He also faces two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree.

Police said a ghost gun, silencer and writings expressing some ill will toward corporate America were found on Mangione, which linked him to the crime. Mangione has claimed he acted alone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moore in his article explained that he does not see the anger as being related to the killing of Thompson.

It is about the mass death and misery  the physical pain, the mental abuse, the medical debt, the bankruptcies in the face of denied claims and denied care and bottomless deductibles on top of ballooning premiums  that this health care industry has levied against the American people for decades, Moore wrote.

He called for the complete reform of the health care system, suggesting the current one is thrown in the trash.

The solution is simple. Throw this entire system in the trash, dismantle this immoral business that profits off the lives of human beings and monetizes our deaths, that murders us or leaves us to die, destroy it all, and instead, in its place, give us all the same health care that every other civilized country on Earth has: Universal, free, compassionate, and full of life, Moore wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moores sentiments echo what some lawmakers have highlighted as tensions between Americans and health insurance agencies in the wake of Thompsons death.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said denied claims from a health insurance company could be interpreted by people struggling to afford health-related costs as an act of violence against them. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also said in a recent interview that the shooting could be a warning to everyone in the health care system, adding that people can be pushed only so far.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed an appeal of the November dismissal of criminal charges against a Michigan State Police trooper and two Saginaw police officers Friday.

The attorney general charged MSP trooper Zachary Tebedo and Saginaw Police officers Jordan Engelhart and Dominic Vasquez with one count each of Willful Neglect of Duty in August 2022 following a March 2022 traffic stop where now-former state trooper Bram Schroeder assaulted a handcuffed man while attempting to arrest him.

Schroeder pulled a man over for failure to signal and speeding, and the man appeared intoxicated and was uncooperative with the troopers attempts to arrest him. Schroeder then punched the man in the head while he was handcuffed, knocking him unconscious.

Schroeder pulled a man over for failure to signal and speeding, and the man appeared intoxicated and was uncooperative with the troopers attempts to arrest him. (FILE/WLNS)

EMS arrived, evaluated the man, and then left the scene. Schroeder then assaulted the man again while putting him in the back of a patrol car. He was originally charged with one count of misconduct in office and one count of aggravated assault and pled no contest. He is currently out on probation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During both incidents, the Attorney General says Tebedo, Engelhart, and Vasquez were present and failed to intervene in the assaults as was required under law. She charged them with one count each of willful neglect of duty five months after the initial incident.

These charges against the three were dismissed by a judge in November 2024, who ruled that the officers failure to intervene in the use of excessive force did not constitute criminal charges.

Nessel appealed this dismissal Friday.

Tebedo and Officers Engelhart and Vasquez had a duty based on the U.S. Constitution as well as the Michigan Constitution to protect [the victim] from further harm while he was handcuffed and in their custody, Nessel argued. At a minimum, the allegations and the law cited by the People raise a question of fact for a jury of the officers peers to decide whether they have committed the crime of Willful Neglect of Duty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Audience members hold a transgender pride flag while listening to a speech from Kat Hammons, an intern for MI House Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing). | Kyle Davidson

It is not a criminal act to try and get a name change in Michigan, but if you are a transgender or gender-nonconforming individual, its treated as such, Mel Hartman, 38, said last week during an advocacy event at the Michigan Capitol for legislation to remove hurdles on name changes.

On Friday, Michigan House Democrats passed legislation through the chamber to remove certain requirements for individuals seeking name changes on government documents for reasons outside of marriage. Among the changes, Michigan residents petitioning a court for a name change for non-marriage-related reasons would no longer have to be fingerprinted and mandated to publish name change court dates and fraud would no longer be assumed as the reason for the name change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hartman, who recently went through the process as a trans person to have their name reflected on their drivers license and government documents, called the process grueling and not one a transgender person would go through if it wasnt so important.

I think a lot of conservatives and Republicans, they dont recognize the difficulties that trans people go through every day just moving through the world as ourselves, Hartman said. Theres an idea that were doing it on a whim or for fun, when the process is so difficultit isnt humane for trans people to have to its assumed that we change our names because of criminal reason, deviant reason, when were simply trying to just live our lives, just live our lives in a normal way.

With Republican President-elect Donald Trump taking office in January and bathroom bans being implemented against trans individuals using the bathroom that corresponds with their identity being passed in some states and the U.S. Capitol, its important that Democrats act on bills protecting trans residents, Hartman said.

With having to pay for fingerprinting and legal fees, a name change can cost Michiganders thousands of dollars and the process is complicated and dehumanizing, making success difficult transgender advocate Lilianna-Angel Reyes told lawmakers in the Michigan House Judiciary Committee in February. Reyes and other members of the LGBTQ+ advocacy sphere testified on HB 5300 which would remove the name change barriers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It comes down to basic humanity, bill sponsor Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) told Michigan Advance as she introduced the bill last year, and not treating certain segments of our population different than everyone else.

Its remarkably easy to change your name if you get married and I dont understand why we dont have the same concerns about someone changing their name at the point of marriage as we do someone who is just transitioning in their life.

The bills passed the Michigan House 56-0, with no Republicans voting as they walked out of the chamber around noon Friday in protest of House Democrats not taking up bills on the states minimum wage laws, earned sick leave and road funding.

Other bills that cleared the House and will need state Senate approval before the legislative session ends this month include bills to codify existing allowances for changing sex and gender markers on official documents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HB 5303, supports Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels legal opinion removing the legal requirement requiring verification of sex-reassignment surgery, in order to change the sex designation on a birth certificate. The bill further would allow the X sex marker on birth certificates.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has allowed residents to choose an X gender marker for their drivers license and state IDs since 2021 and in 2019, Benson eliminated the legal requirement for changing the sex marker to provide a birth certificate. Those administrative orders would become state law if House Bills 5301 and 5302 were to win final passage, as was noted by Erin Knott, executive director of Equality Michigan.

These bills aim to codify Bensons policies and mark a significant step forward towards making Michigan more equitable for transgender and non-binary individuals across our state, ensuring greater dignity, safety, and recognition in their daily lives, said Knott. We now call upon the Michigan Senate to swiftly pass this legislation package.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  As state lawmakers are wrapping up work this year, every Republican member of the House of Representatives walked out during Fridays session.

Republicans say Democrats are refusing to negotiate and talk about wages for tipped workers.

Michigan tipped workers rally against minimum wage increase

If nothing is done, the minimum wage for tipped workers will increase to $12 an hour on Feb. 21. Those against the increase are concerned that raising the minimum wage will mean less tips, fewer jobs and lower overall wages, while supporters say the change will reduce poverty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Cannon Township, said Democrats had no intention of having a conversation.

We told (House) Speaker (Joe) Tate that if they want to have the conversation with regard to road funding, saving tipped workers jobs, then we are happy to have that conversation, Posthumus said. Were right here, were ready to go.

Democrats cheer, Republicans slam minimum wage ruling

Meanwhile, Tate, D-Detroit, said on X: House Democrats are here at the peoples house ready to do the peoples work. House Republicans? Well, they left the floor because they put politics over people.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
As time runs low for Michigan Democrats' trifecta of control of state government, lawmakers have spent long hours in the state Capitol, holding late-night votes as they attempt to pass as much of their policy platform before Republicans take control of the House in January.

In mostly party-line votes, Democrats in the House and Senate have passed a flurry of legislation, sending bills to each other and to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk. Both chambers are set to meet for their final session days next week.

Here are some of the proposals advanced as the so-called lame-duck session nears its conclusion.

Senate passes some of the policing bills introduced

Last week, the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Public Safety and Judiciary advanced an 11-bill package focused on a wide variety of policing issues, including training standards, warrant practices, evidence tampering and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the early hours of Friday morning, senators passed three of the bills in the package  Senate Bill 1091 which would direct law enforcement agencies in Michigan to adopt a use-of-force policy, Senate Bill 1092 which requires de-escalation and mental health response training for officers and Senate Bill 1094 to ban the use of no-knock warrants.

Other proposals, including creating a duty to intervene policy for officers when they see another officer using excessive force, banning knowingly turning off a body-worn camera and more did not come up for votes in the Senate.

House lawmakers have introduced their own set of policing bills, many covering the same issues as their Senate companions. House Speaker Joe Tate said this week the bills "align with our values," but so far they havent been taken up for a vote in the chamber.

More: Supreme Court to hear challenge to California's pace-setting vehicle emissions rules

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Michigan House Republicans walk off the floor in protest as policy negotiations stall

Productivity credit bills pass Senate

The Senate passed Senate Bills 861-864, which would allow prisoners in the Michigan Department of Corrections system to earn productivity credits which would be used to deduct time from their sentences, if eligible.

The bills passed on mostly party lines, but a few Republicans did vote with Democrats to support the legislation.

Productivity credits could be earned for enrollment and completion of programs recommended by MDOC during a sentence. They could also be earned if a prisoner obtains a high school diploma or equivalent certificate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Senate Bill 861, a prisoner could not earn more than 100 days or 20% of their minimum sentence in productivity credits. The program would not be applied to individuals serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.

The plan would also update the states Crime Victim's Rights Act to inform victims if an individual would be eligible for productivity credits as part of their sentence.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is opposed to the plan. Press secretary Danny Wimmer told the Free Press that productivity credits create uncertainty in sentencing for victims of crimes.

Senate expands statute of limitations for sexual assault

The Senate passed a series of bills that extend the statute of limitations for victims of sexual assault to take civil action against abusers and institutions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Senate Bill 1187 would make the statute of limitations for civil action in sexual assault cases seven years after the date the individual discovers the sexual assault took place, ten years after the victim is assaulted, or until the victim reaches 42 years of age, whichever is latest. Michigan law currently sets the statute of limitations at three years after discovery or until the victim reaches 28.

If criminal prosecution takes place, civil action could be brought at any time, under the proposal, which also includes Senate Bills 1188-1192.

The plan also eliminates civil liability shields for public schools and universities if an employee committed the sexual assault while acting on behalf of the institution, or if the institution failed to intervene in the sexual assault.

Bump stocks would be banned in Michigan under Senate-passed plan

Senate Bill 942, which passed the chamber 23-12 in the early hours of Friday morning, would ban the sale, manufacturing and possession of bump stocks in Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A bump stock is a device that, when attached to a semiautomatic firearm, increases the weapons rate of fire, making it akin to a machine gun. In 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco issued a rule barring the sale and production of bump stocks, but the rule was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in July.

Senate Bill 942 would make it illegal to own or manufacture a bump stock, under the same state law which bans machine guns.

Along with the bill banning bump stocks, Senate Democrats also passed legislation banning ghost guns in Michigan.

House Dems plan would make recreation passport an opt-out program

House Democrats approved legislation Thursday that will make Michigan residents have to decline to sign up for the recreation passport when they register a vehicle. Currently, drivers can opt to sign up for an annual pass that gets their car into state parks and campgrounds. Under House Bill 5428, they would have to opt out of the program or be automatically signed up for it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A one-year recreation passport costs $14 for cars and $7 for motorcycles and mopeds. Drivers who purchase a two-year vehicle registration can also purchase the recreation passport for two years, as well.

Staff writer Clara Hendrickson contributed to this report.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Legislature takes up slew of bills during lame duck
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan State University hosts its winter graduation ceremony, celebrating the more than 4,000 Spartan graduates.

The ceremony, hosted on Saturday, Dec. 14, will see several accomplished MSU leaders take the stage to celebrate the newest Spartan alumni. This years undergraduate fall class is composed of students from more than 66 countries and all 50 U.S. states

A snapshot from a Friday Michigan State University graduation ceremony.

It`s a pleasure to recognize our graduates for their accomplishments at Michigan State as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives, said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D in a news release sent to 6 News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two separate ceremonies will take place on Dec. 14 to honor bachelors degree recipients. At 10 a.m., MSU alum Jillian Lorenz, co-founder of The Barre Code, will speak to graduating students from the colleges of Arts and Letters, Business, Education, Music, and Social Science, as well as James Madison College and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. She will receive an honorary doctor of business.

Darius Adamczyk, chairman of Goldman Sachs Private Asset Investments and Operations, will conclude university commencement ceremonies at 2:00 p.m. Adamczyk will speak to graduating students from the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communication Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Natural Science and Nursing, as well as Lyman Briggs College. He will receive an honorary doctor of engineering.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The Milwaukee Police Department is requesting community assistance in its search for a critically missing person, Corey D. Moore.

Moore is a 56-year-old Black man, approximately 5'8 and 150lbs. Milwaukee Police Lt. Jasmine Arce described Moore having a "thin build, bald, brown eyes, goatee, mustache, scarring on head, neck and chest, one pierced ear."

He was last seen wearing a black skull cap, a multi-colored polo shirt, a black jacket with gold fleece lining, dark blue jeans and black shoes. Moore was most recently seen at the 9100 block of West Grantosa Drive on Friday, Dec. 13 about 9:00 pm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If anyone has information regarding Moore's current whereabouts, they can contact the Milwaukee Police Departments Seventh District at 414-935-7272.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police searching for critically missing 58-year-old man
A Minneapolis physician was left paralyzed after she was injured while hiking in Switzerland.

Shirlee Xie, a physician for Hennepin Healthcare, sustained multiple spinal fractures in a fall, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down.

A GoFundMe was recently set up to help Xie and her family pay for expenses associated with her recovery, including an adapted motorized wheelchair, a modified vehicle and home renovations.

GoFundMe

In total, the mother-of-two's out-of-pocket costs over the next year are estimated to total $500,000, according to the fundraiser.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Shirlee has spent over 15 years as a dedicated physician, whose generosity and passion for making a difference in the world has inspired many of us," the GoFundMe reads.

Her accident has left her unable to walk and facing a future filled with challenges most of us cant imagine. However, Shirlee continues to inspire us with her optimism, courage and unyielding determination as she adjusts to this new reality, it continues.

Xie also gained national attention for her descriptions of the COVID-19 pandemics impact on healthcare workers.

As of Saturday, the fundraiser had raised just over $8,500.
Dec. 13GRAND FORKS  A Gonvick, Minnesota, man plans to stand trial for six sex crimes he is accused of committing against two minors in Grand Forks County.

Anthony Levias Eley, 55, is charged with three counts of Class AA felony gross sexual imposition of a minor under the age of 15.

Class AA felonies have a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Eley is also charged with Class C felony contributing to the deprivation or delinquency of a minor and two counts of Class C felony possession of certain materials prohibited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In February 2023, a 9-year-old girl reported that Eley had been sexually abusing her since she was 7 years old, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

She said Eley also made her engage in a sexual act with another young child and took photos and video of it. He threatened to show others the footage if she told anyone what happened, according to the affidavit.

Eley allegedly told law enforcement he recorded a video of the children engaging in a sexual act, but said he'd just walked in on them and recorded it as a way to scare them.

The video, as well as an additional sexual photo of the girl and a man, was found in Eley's email account, the affidavit said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is believed the alleged sexual abuse took place from approximately August 2020 through July 2021.

Eley appeared in court Thursday, Dec. 12, for his final dispositional conference. His attorney said they planned to bring the case to a jury trial.

A status conference was put on the calendar for 9 a.m. March 17. Trial could begin the next day.
SATURDAY, 12/14/2024  7:53 a.m.

BRILLION, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities have provided an update on the missing 14-year-old from Brillion, saying he was found safe.

No additional information was provided.

Original story: Authorities looking for missing teen from Brillion who did not return home at curfew

SATURDAY, 12/14/2024  7:36 a.m.

BRILLION, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities are looking for a missing and endangered teen from Calumet County who was last seen Friday afternoon after school.

According to the Brillion Police Department, officers are looking for 14-year-old Demarcus Brooks who was last seen near Brillion High School around 3:30 p.m. on December 13.

Demarcus Brooks, 14

Around 1:55 a.m. on Saturday morning, officers were sent to a home for reports of a juvenile runaway. Demarcus mother told officers that she last spoke to him on the phone when he called her from school around 3:45 p.m. asking permission to go to his friends house after school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Demarcus mother reportedly agreed but told him to be home by 9:30 that night, however, he never came home.

It was also described in the release that the teen threatened earlier in the week that he would run away to another city because he wasnt allowed to go to his wrestling meet. They reportedly have family living in Kansas.

Brooks is described as 505, 208 pounds, and has brown eyes, a scar on his left cheek, and black hair with short tight curls. Officers say he was last seen wearing blue Jeans, a tan or brown shirt, camo boots, a camo backpack, and a dark blue jacket with lighter blue trim.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Brillion Police Department at (920) 756-2221.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Local 5 will update this story once more information is provided.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A hiker was rescued by the Coast Guard Sunday afternoon after having previously gone missing on a foraging trip near Coos Bay two days before, authorities said.

Due to difficult terrain and a lack of survival gear, Oregon State Police called in the Coast Guard for assistance in locating a 64-year-old woman in Shore Acres State Park after shed separated from her group on Dec. 6.

Five animals rescued from house fire in Vancouver

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That night, officials said a Coast Guard helicopter used thermal imaging to try to find the woman, but weather forced them to return to base.

Throughout all of Saturday, emergency responders from OSP, Coos County Search and Rescue and more searched the area by ground, but were again unsuccessful.

The Coast Guard again responded to the area by helicopter Saturday night, but were not able to find the woman.

King tides return to Oregon Coast for 3-day stretch

At around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, officials said several members from the ground search party found the missing woman showing signs of hypothermia and dehydration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the woman was placed in a hypothermic bag, a Coast Guard helicopter flew her to a hospital for treatment.

Officials later found out the woman had sheltered underneath a log, which prevented the first Coast Guard flights from seeing her. However, the woman shouting for help after hearing the helicopter flights on Sunday eventually led the ground party to her.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A Montana man has allegedly confessed to strangling a woman, stuffing her body in a suitcase and disposing of it in a dumpster, officials said this week.

William Glenn Olson, 29, was charged Wednesday with deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence in connection to the disappearance of 46-year-old Alicia Lindsey Wood, who was first reported missing on Nov. 30 and is now presumed dead, according to court records reviewed by HuffPost. Police said Olson and Wood knew each other prior to the incident.

As of Friday, Woods body had yet to be located, according to a press release from the Cascade County Sheriffs Office.

Search party looking for Alicia Lindsey Wood via Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office

On Nov. 30, a concerned neighbor called Conrad City Police to request a welfare check at Woods home, according to an arrest affidavit shared by local news station ABC FOX Montana. The neighbor told police that Wood hadnt been seen in days and was not responding to calls or text messages. Woods car was also missing from her parking spot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When police peeked through the window of the home that night, they noticed her home was out of order, with couch cushions on the floor and other items strewn about, according to the affidavit.

Later that evening, police entered Woods home. They found no sign of the missing woman, and her pets were running out of food and water, according to the affidavit. Inside, one officer saw what appeared to be either red paint or blood spattered on the floors. Wood was officially declared to be a missing person that night.

A tipster told officers investigating the case that her car had been located on a highway outside of Conrad on Nov. 27, according to the affidavit. Soemone had crashed Woods car and then fled the scene.

An inspection of the vehicle revealed blood spatter on the interior and exterior of the car, according to the affidavit. Police noted handprints inside the vehicle that appeared as if someone had dragged their hand across the car locking mechanism, as well as a .22 caliber bullet casing on the floor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police made a break in Woods case on Dec. 1, when her iPhones Find My Phone app pinged from a home in Conrad, according to the affidavit. A woman inside the home led the officers to Olson, who she said had wrecked Woods car.

On Dec. 3, the Cascade County Sheriffs Office took Olson into custody on outstanding warrants and interviewed him about Woods disappearance. Court records show he was facing an unrelated domestic violence charge that was open at the time of his arrest.

Olson told officers that he and Wood had been arguing at her home when the dispute escalated and he killed her by strangling her in a headlock, according to the affidavit. He then allegedly placed Woods body inside a hard-sided suitcase he found in her closet and put it in the trunk of her car.

Olson allegedly told police he left the suitcase in a dumpster in Great Falls, near a local elementary school. According to the affidavit, sanitation trucks collected the trash from the dumpster on Nov. 27, and Woods body would have been offloaded at the landfill the following day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Cascade County Sheriff Office and several other agencies and volunteers have been searching the landfill, but no one has found Wood yet.

Related...
A mobile health clinic is now gone after it went into a local city that took in thousands of migrants.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, people seeking medical care in Clark County are not waiting weeks and months compared to 2023.

The purpose was to lessen the strains on the healthcare system and improve access to care for all Springfield residents.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News Center 7s Mike Campbell said it came after the city was in the national spotlight after an immigration surge put the health care crisis in the national spotlight.

So, I consider, as I said before, sacred work, Rachel Litteral, Nurse Practitioner at Rocking Horse Community Health Center.

Campbell said Litteral is not working at their huge campus on Limestone Street.

She is in a cramped patient room inside the centers mobile health clinic, a bright purple recreation vehicle (RV) that goes where patients are.

Hypertension first, a ticking time bomb. So, strokes have happened that you know, weve caught after the fact. we get a lot of diabetes thats been untreated for a long time, said Litteral.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mobile health clinic sets up in Springfield for all residents, including Haitian migrants

She said the areas underserved population had big needs even before a migrant surge brought an estimated 15 to 20,000 Haitians to Clark County.

It overwhelmed the areas healthcare system and forced Governor Mike DeWine to step in.

He worked closely with the Clark County Health District (CCHD). The state also brought its mobile health clinic to Clark County.

CCHD and the state claim appointment backlogs have been wiped out and more than 1,400 people have received vaccinations.

They have also done hundreds of blood pressure screenings and recertified 600 people for WIC benefits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state even sent their mobile clinic back to Columbus.

We started at the end of 2022, Stacy Lee, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Rocking Horse Community Center.

She said their two-year-old mobile clinic will stay in the community to continue meeting the needs.

Definitely reaching more people and maybe just providing another opportunity, said Lee.

Were going to save lives, its that simple, Litterall added.

Campbell said Friday that DeWine is looking for spots to put a permanent health clinic in Clark County to help with long-term needs from the migrant surge.

The state has spent $13 million so far.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




UPDATE (5:36 p.m.): For the first day of the operation, officers with the Narcotics unit searched one apartment home located on Plum Street.

One arrest was made as officers found marijuana and spice, a synthetic marijuana.

Then officers conducted a search warrant at a Quick Stop gas station, located on the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Broad Street.

Mobile police Capt. Jonathan Lee said the departments teams suspected that workers were selling marijuana in glass jars and packets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Narcotics found TCH-A at that location; its a type of marijuana that is illegal in Alabama. A manager and a worker were both arrested at the Quick Stop.

In the afternoon of day one, the SWAT team joined the search warrants as teams moved to cover two homes on Lyons Street and Gaston Street.

The house on Lyon Street, weve had a lot of issues with that, Lee said. Weve done, I believe, about three search warrants in the last two years that are narcotic related. A lot of control buys of drugs from that area, crack cocaine particularly.

On Dec. 2, the Mobile Police Department was called to the home on Lyons Street after two people were found shot. They were then transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By targeting that home, officers hoped to address both drugs and violence in the community.

After figuring out who will be arrested at this location, the City of Mobile will board the home up and issue a temporary restraining order, so no one can come in or out of the residence.

Weve had complaints in the neighborhood, and its just been a nuisance to the neighborhood and a danger, Capt. Lee said.

Starting off with day two of the operation, officers issued search warrants to two homes located at the intersection of Congress Street and Cuba Street, which led to two more arrests.

On day three, the City of Mobile came to clean up the streets around the Campgrounds neighborhoods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We gave them a seven-day notice, Lee said regarding abandoned vehicles being towed along the road. It was in this area, and now the vehicles gone. And what happens sometimes is, you know, the vehicles may have flat tires.

Mobile Police Chief William Jackson said residents in the community send in tips and complaints about what they want to be changed. Cleaning up these areas was one of those requests.

We did the enforcement work, and now weve been in there with street sweepers trying to help clean the community up, Chief Jackson said. And hopefully well turn it over to the community and theyll keep it that way.

Jackson wanted to send a message to criminals who were planning to distribute drugs in those neighborhoods again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just because the operation has concluded does not mean were leaving the area, Jackson said. We want people to know that were going to still be there.

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The Mobile Police Department arrested 25 people on drug charges as part of their Operation Cleaning up the Campgrounds.

Whooping cough confirmed in Mobile County

MPDs Narcotics and Vice Unit, SWAT Team, Tactical Intelligence and Canine Unit spent Wednesday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 12, executing six search warrants.

According to an MPD news release, the operation marked the end of a three-month-long investigation into the sales of illegal drugs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Asset Forfeiture Detail executed a temporary restraining order at a home in the 1100 block of Lyons Street due to the long history of drug sales, loitering and violent crime at the location, according to the release.

Police said they seized over 60 grams of cocaine, synthetic marijuana and two guns.

Mobile teen safely located, back home: Police

The 25 people who were arrested include:

Broderick Myles | 31

 possession of a controlled substance

 first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 illegal possession of prescription drugs

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Muhammad Khan | 36

 first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Abdul Aziz | 37

 first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Euthel Scott | 57

 unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Betty Wade | 60

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 third-degree theft of property (warrant)

Mobile man found not guilty of attempted murder after stabbing his 2-year-old

Bernard Hopkins | 65

 possession of controlled substance

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 loitering for the purpose of drug activity

Wayne Hunt | 64

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Jason Sims | 51

 possession of controlled substance

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 loitering for the purpose of drug activity

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Robert Allen | 69

 possession of controlled substance

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 loitering for the purpose of drug activity

Michael Smith | 64

 possession of a controlled substance

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 loitering for the purpose of drug activity

 giving false name to police

 fourth-degree theft of property (warrant)

 second-degree theft of property (warrant)

Evelyn Flannagan | 77

 possession of a controlled substance

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 loitering for the purpose of drug activity

Marilyn Taylor | 61

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 loitering for the purpose of drug activity

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Larry Slay | 61

 obstruction of justice

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 expired tag (warrant)

 no insurance (warrant)

 expired drivers license (warrant)

USPS worker dumps several packages on Semmes roadside, witnesses say  what we know

Lanae Johnson | 37

 possession of controlled substance

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

 loitering for the purpose of drug activity

 attempt to elude (warrant)

Johnathan Hart | 39

 possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance

 possession of drug paraphernalia

William Walker, Jr. | 44

 possession of controlled substance

 second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 harassing communications (warrant)

 no drivers license (warrant)

 driving with a suspended drivers license (warrant)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Marlon Smith | 36

 possession of controlled substance

 first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Cameron Patterson | 18

 second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Julian Malone | 43

 second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 tampering with evidence

 attempt to elude

 reckless endangerment

Shelbie Davis | 51

 trafficking cocaine

 trafficking fentanyl

 possession of controlled substance

 second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 illegal possession of prescription drugs

 resisting arrest

 attempt to elude

 reckless endangerment

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Jemarkius Morris | 28

 first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Eilieen Mulvey | 45

 possession of a controlled substance

 prostitution

Rose Blount | 60

 second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

 possession of drug paraphernalia

 solicitation of prostitution

Rochelle Williams | 50

 possession of drug paraphernalia

 solicitation of prostitution

Ieisha Berryhill | 38

 possession of drug paraphernalia

Mobile police are still looking for four people on drug charges:

Rodney Hobdy | 43

 unlawful distribution of a controlled substance

Venkata Thatha | 24

 unlawful distribution of a controlled substance

Yvette Jackson | 53

 unlawful distribution of a controlled substance

Mobile man arrested after homicide at local apartment complex: MPD

Tawanda Moffett | 49

 unlawful distribution of a controlled substance

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  They say music has the power to bring people together and bridge cultural divides. This past year, the Overton Park Shell leaned into just that.

We believe that music is a natural connector and a unifier, Executive Director Natalie Wilson said. We can bring us together through music and the arts, and go into a community that maybe has been divided. Maybe its been lacking resources.

They used a 40-foot replica of their historic stage on wheels.



You put music on it. The sound and the lights are activated. People come naturally out of their homes and into their community, Wilson said.



Wilson said they created the Shell on Wheels to expand their reach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even though a majority of the concerts are free, getting to Midtown can be a problem for families in other parts of the city.

In 2023, they hit the road.

In 2024, Shell on Wheels traveled to new neighborhoods. They went to 20 zip codes in all, visiting communities plagued with high poverty, violence, racial disparities, and food insecurities.



This is an ability to bring partners that are doing incredible work already with us, such as Literacy Mid-South, she said. Why cant we bring them with us? We bring the music and the stage. We bring the experience, and we bring partners that bring services to communities that we want to serve together.

This past year, Wilson said the mobile stage helped deliver wraparound services too. They partnered with more schools and nonprofits than ever before.



We have been able to work with a lot of amazing nonprofits here. Weve been able to plug in on a lot of big events like Douglasss Juneteenth, Shells Outreach Manager Yolanda Kelly said. We have been able to do the Raleigh Bicentennial Celebration. Big things in the city.



Kelly said the mobile stage has amplified their work and the good in Memphis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive seen the stage from when we first started and what it is now. Its sometimes still so shocking to me that people enjoy it the way that they do, Kelly said.

This year, Shell on Wheels brought music to 23,000 attendees.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

 Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox.

Next year, the goal is to continue to go into more neighborhoods, hit even more zip codes, and use the music as a catalyst to bring more resources.

I think its something that can transform a community, Wilson said. There is never a time more than now. Our city and our nation need unifying activities and creative place-making to give us hope in each other and hope in our community.

Learn More

The mobile Shell is available for rental for corporate events, family gatherings, nonprofit fundraising events, festivals, and more. Those rentals and donations help fuel the mobile stages mission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To learn more: click here.

The Overton Park Shell is looking for somewhere safe to store the mobile stage. If you have any ideas, please contact the nonprofit. You can find the contact information on their home 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 WREG.com.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Monarch Joint Venture, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, plan to add the monarch butterfly to the threatened species list by the end of next year.

The eastern and western monarch populations have significantly declined in size since 2014, facing many threats such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change. At Sioux Citys Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, workers are asking for public assistance to keep the monarch from becoming extinct.

Sioux City Animal Adoption & Rescue offering pet vaccines, license renewals ahead of new year

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can help by reducing your lawn and planting native plants and a nectar and flowering sources and host plants for caterpillars to feed, Theresa Kruid with the nature center said. The monarch butterfly specifically feeds on milkweed.

As of right now, the monarch is not in immediate danger of extinction yet, but is likely to be endangered in the foreseeable future. If youre interested in getting involved and supporting conservation organizations, you can 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Owners often abandon the vessels to avoid paying costly disposal fees, but that is when Mike Provost and his Vessel Disposal and Reuse Foundation get to work.

On the Neptuna with Capt. Adam Weaver, 10 On Your Side got a view of more unsightly, abandoned vessels on Naval Station Norfolk property near Willoughby Spit.

It is called Eeyore, [but] I call it an eyesore, said Mike Provost, the founder of Vessel Disposal and Reuse Foundation. It has been here at least eight years that I am aware of. It is a very heavy and abandoned vessel. It is well up on the shore and will be a challenge to get rid of and dispose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also, along Willoughby Bay, there are two other vessels that will be much easier to remove, at a cost of about $10,000.

Unlike Eeyore, they are much lighter, Provost said. These are a straightforward project to tow them off the beach and to keep it dewatered. Then take them right over to the ramp and pull them out. These two would be my priority to get these easy wins and let someone who has more funding remove Eeyore.

For nine months, Provost has been dealing with bureaucracy.

I have been talking with the Navy, the VMRC, speaking with the city of Norfolk, Provost said. No one seems to have the jurisdictional funding to do anything about this. Im just looking to do something creative to get these vessels out of the water.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

10 On Your Side is now helping, too.

Provost has removed 70 vessels with contributions from the public  funds from people who care about removing these environmental eyesores.

Abandoned vessel in Portsmouth moves from City Park

10 On Your Side Success: More derelict vessels to be removed from VBs waterways

WAVY 10 has been involved since project one, Provost said. We just knocked out project 70, and you have shown a real capability to get folks who make decisions to get involved in these situations and help us find a way to get them out of the water.

If you would like to help support VDRF, go to vdrf.net.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
OCHOPEE, Fla. (AP)  Two airboats collided with each other Friday afternoon in southwest Florida, injuring more than a dozen people, officials said.

The airboats were carrying a total of 33 people when they crashed in Ochopee, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Miami, news outlets reported. Sixteen people were transported to hospitals.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the crash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The crash took place at Wootens Everglades Airboat Tours around 3 p.m., according to a Facebook post by the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District. The business offers airboat tours through private Everglades grasslands, among other things, according to its website.

Wootens Everglades Airboat Tours didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

It was not immediately clear how the crash had occurred or the nature of the passengers injuries.
NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown confirmed to PIX11 News that it has had several more drone sightings reported in the past 24 hours.

On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy wrote a letter to President Joe Biden asking for additional resources from the federal government.

More Local News

In Hillsborough, several police agencies responded to the Lowes parking lot Thursday night and Friday morning for a report of a drone down into power lines. A search of the area yielded negative results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Several people, however, came down to the parking lot to see what was going on, hoping for answers.

Were not hearing anything about it, and we wanted to see if it was a drone, what was going on, said Hillsborough resident Linda Walton.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey held a press conference Friday, calling on more transparency from the federal government.

They must immediately disclose more information to the public, said Gottheimer. Its totally and completely unacceptable.

Gottheimer wants DHS and the FBI to allow state and local law enforcement to safely take down the drones. He expected further classified briefings next week. In the meantime, he wants more communication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FBI should be standing at a podium  or the Department of Homeland Security  and briefing the public and explaining to them what these drones are, said Gottheimer.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Its been nearly a month since Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski made themselves the news when they told viewers about their visit with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Theyve gone mighty quiet ever since  at least on social media.

The MSNBC flagship morning political talk show has aired weekdays on cable TV as usual. But the networks main YouTube page and the Morning Joe X, Facebook and TikTok accounts, once flooded with daily clips, have all but stopped visibly featuring native Morning Joe video clips and its hosts since the backlash-igniting disclosure on Nov. 18.

The occasional Morning Joe content they have posted does not display the hosts faces, or their names  or even the words Morning or Joe. Instead, they have opted for topical thumbnails and titles; meanwhile, every clip from Joy Reid, Lawrence ODonnell and Rachel Maddow has their face on the thumbnail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, is Morning Joe laying low? MSNBC did not comment on our observations, which come from a place of familiarity  for years, TheWrap has routinely pulled the liveliest takes from Morning Joe and other topical news shows covering politics and media for news items.

While certain segments would be merchandised on MSNBCs YouTube page with a title that began Joe: and featured Scarborough in the thumbnail, the last time either Scarborough or Brzezinskis face appeared on MSNBCs YouTube videos tab was Nov. 21, when the network posted Brzezinskis appearance on the Daily Beast Podcast  defending against the meeting backlash, of course.

Over on the Morning Joe X account, once a reliable source for daily video clips and highlights, things have also gone fairly dark: The last video clip from the show was posted Nov. 8, in a wide-ranging post-election analysis hit with former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

.@jrpsaki: "For people who are feeling hopeless and powerless in this moment, you are not powerless. When Donald Trump was elected, he said he was going to get rid of the ACA. You know what happened? People got active. They called their members of Congress, they went to meetings, pic.twitter.com/9pOKS40tD1  Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) November 8, 2024

Since then, the account has mostly just posted guest lineups and news links from the main MSNBC page, as well as linking out repeatedly to an interview that Scarborough did with Bill Clinton (thumbnail: Clinton).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The last time Morning Joe posted on its Facebook page, which has nearly 400,000 followers, was Nov. 11, in another broad election analysis. And since Morning Joe launched its Bluesky account nearly three weeks ago, it has only posted one show clip featuring its hosts  on Dec. 4  a 34-second hit on the killing of the United Healthcare CEO. The shows Instagram page has featured Scarborough and Brzezinski more frequently since the controversy, however.

While MSNBC isnt saying, it may be that the intense backlash against the visit  our own columnist called it a betrayal  prompted the decision to keep Scarborough and Brzezinskis heads behind the ramparts for now. Meanwhile, the mugs and video clips of MSNBCs other hosts  Joy Reid, Lawrence ODonnell, Ari Melber and more  continue to appear across platforms.

The hosts have hotly defended their decision to meet with the President-elect, which took place Nov. 15 at his Florida estate. Brzezinski explained that the purpose was to restart communications with Trump, emphasizing the importance of engaging in dialogue despite past criticisms.

Critics fiercely accused the hosts of hypocrisy and questioned their journalistic integrity. Former MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann labeled Scarborough a political whore, while The View co-host Sunny Hostin suggested they were kissing the ring.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MSNBCs viewership has declined rapidly since the election  to be expected  but Morning Joe had a separate 17% drop after the Nov. 18 disclosure, which the network credited to a disproportionate amount of time-shifted viewing for the shows first hour. The drop in social-media-asset output has been at least as precipitous.

The post Is Morning Joe Laying Low? Joe & Mikas Faces, Video Clips MIA From MSNBC Social Media appeared first on TheWrap.
SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN)  Spring Hill police have responded to a crash involving two pedestrians, including a child.

The agency reported that two pedestrians were hit in a crosswalk in the area near Commonwealth Drive and Allerton Way in a social media post.

An officer with the Spring Hill Police Department added that the two pedestrians were a mother and her 8-year-old daughter. They were crossing the street together when a vehicle struck them. Both suffered critical injuries and will be transported to area hospitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The officer added the 8-year-old will be transported by air ambulance to an area hospital.

DATA | Pedestrian crashes statewide & TN county breakdowns

Police said Commonwealth Drive from Clavie Crew Lane to Farmville Circle will be closed as they continue to investigate. An officer with the Spring Hill Police Department told News 2 the road will remain closed for a couple hours. The road reopened at 8:20 p.m.

The status of the two pedestrians struck is not known at this time.

This crash comes hours after authorities responded to a crash involving a Williamson County school bus, which also affected area traffic. Though students were on the bus at the time of the crash, no injuries were reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The family of the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcares CEO had reported him missing last month, and his mother told police her son could be the person seen in surveillance photos one day before his arrest, law enforcement sources told NBC News.

The family of Luigi Mangione, the man police believe killed CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, reported him missing to San Francisco police on Nov. 18, around two weeks before the Dec. 4 ambush shooting, a missing persons flyer shows.

Mangiones mother said she last spoke to her son on July 1 and that he had been working in San Francisco, the flyer says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione, 26, has been charged with murder in New York in Thompson's killing, which police say was targeted and may have been motivated because of Thompsons position with the health insurance company.

The killing sparked a large manhunt that included the wide distribution of surveillance photos of a person of interest and a $60,000 reward.

After the killing, a San Francisco police officer thought the images of the person of interest had similarities to the image of Mangione from the missing person report, multiple law enforcement officials said.

San Francisco police contacted the FBI about the possible identity of the man in that photo, the FBI said.

A missing person poster of Luigi Mangione.

The tip from San Francisco police came on Dec. 6, and police contacted Mangiones mother two days later, on Sunday, two law enforcement sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. She told investigators the man in the image could be Mangione, they said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The next day, Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after he was recognized at a McDonald's restaurant, officials have said.

Mangiones mother, relatives and his attorney in Pennsylvania did not respond to multiple requests for comment Friday.

New York police have said they found a gun that has been matched ballistically to the killing, and a handwritten document that refers to the health insurance industry.

Shell casings found after the shooting had the words, "deny, delay and depose written on them, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny has said.

After the killing, people online and elsewhere vented their anger at the health insurance industry and health care system in the United States, in some cases with "wanted" posters of at least two other CEOs. There have also been threats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group which is the overarching company of UnitedHealthcare, has decried what he called vitriol in the wake of the killing, and defended the actions of his company.

In an op-ed in The New York Times published Friday, Witty wrote that the health care system in the U.S. "does not work as well as it should," but that his company was trying to improve it. UnitedHealth Group is the largest private health insurer in the country.

Mangione was not insured by UnitedHealthcare and neither were his parents, UnitedHealth Group said. Kenny has said the company may have been targeted because of its size.

Mangione is jailed in Pennsylvania, where he has been charged with gun, forgery and other charges. He is so far contesting extradition to New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione's attorney said he will plead not guilty to all charges.

Mangione's family said in a statement after his arrest that all they know about the incident is what they have seen in the news media.

"Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson, and we ask that people pray for Luigi," the family said. "We are devastated by this news."





This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Dec. 13MORGANTOWN  Morgantown Utility Board General Manager Mike McNulty said it's taken a tremendous effort from a small army of people, but financing for the Cheat Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades is signed and sealed.

Now, focus turns to Mele & Mele & Sons to deliver on its $36 million contract to expand the plant's daily capacity from 750, 000 to 1.75 million gallons.

That work, Assistant General Manager Rich Rogers said, will begin this winter  likely after the first of the year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Facing a Dec. 31 deadline to obligate American Rescue Plan Act funds  which make up a significant portion of the financing  MUB was left scrambling in late October when the lowest construction bid came in $9 million over engineering estimates.

The utility went back to the West Virginia Water Development Authority and Department of Environmental Protection, both of which increased the amount of funding available for the project.

The WVWDA agreed to increase its ARPA contribution to the project from $6.75 million to just over $8 million. The size of the loan to be taken through the DEP was adjusted up to $33.8 million. MUB is contributing just over $3.5 million and there is an additional $165, 000 in grant dollars committed, meaning there is a total of just over $46 million worth of financing in hand.

"A lot of hard work and tears, I think, went into this, " McNulty joked, adding, "We got a lot of great support from down in Charleston for this project to happen and grant dollars to get us moving. We're very excited."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another long-awaited project, the Upper Popenoe Run sanitary and stormwater improvements, will also kick off in the coming days.

Laurita Inc. was awarded a $3, 228, 528 contract for the project in August.

The work includes the installation of 2, 950 feet of gravity sewer line, 1, 070 feet of storm sewer, the rehabilitation of the Upper Popenoe Run stream and some 207 tree plantings.

The project area will stretch from the stadium parking lot side of Willowdale Road and run between Richland Avenue and Randolph Road to Hoffman Avenue, where it bends and runs behind the homes on Amherst Road to Stewart Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early work will consist of felling trees. Once the pipe and stream restoration work begins, it will start on the Willowdale Road end of the project.

As he has previously, McNulty said the construction will be intrusive at times for those living in the project area.

"They will be visible. You'll just have to wake up and look out your bedroom window. They'll be in your backyard, " he said.

In other MUB news, the utility board approved a $599, 557 contract with Green River Group to construct a sanitary sewer project for the new Whispering Oak development, located just over a mile from I-68 Exit 7 down Cheat Road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lastly, the board approved a $300 holiday bonus for MUB's full-time employees.

"Our team members have worked really hard this year. They've accomplished a lot. Needless to say, with the ARPA projects, that's been a monumental task. It's a well-deserved holiday bonus, " McNulty said.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for a new on-campus facility.

The schools College of Medicine has not had its own dedicated building in over 100 years, but now its their turn to get a new home. Students have been sharing spaces with MUSCs other colleges, along with staff offices being spread out across the campus. Dr. Terrence Steyer, dean of the College of Medicine, is making the building a reality for his students.

Being able to train the number of students we need here in the State of South Carolina. Were facing a physician shortage in the next ten years, over 3500 physicians. We need to be able to train more doctors here, Steyer said. So, well be able to do this in this new building using new technology to teach the ever-expanding knowledge and reminding students about the care and empathy they need to have.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The building is expected to include learning spaces, faculty and staff offices, and a cafe. However, the impacts go beyond what will physically be in the facility.

The building alone is going to help us draw the best and the brightest. We have great students now and I think its going to increase the caliber of our program, Steyer said. Were also working on pathways programs for individuals in South Carolina, maybe from rural communities or first-generation students that can actually explore a career in medicine. So, were working with them to be able to identify students from maybe rural areas, so they can go practice in those areas when they graduate.

Some current students may not get to experience the new building, but believe it will be a big advantage for those that will be able to.

I think itll be such a great place to work together. I think MUSC is really big on groupwork because medicine is a team sport, in most cases, Kathryn Keller, a third-year MUSC medical student, said. So, I think its important to learn those cooperation skills and problem-solving skills early in your career and education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officials expect the building to be open by summer 2027.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A proposal to build a cemetery for Muslims in South Miami-Dade County was rejected by a community zoning appeals board late Thursday evening after hours of public comments.

The request came from a nearby Islamic center, Masjid ul Mumineem, which was seeking to convert the mosques seven acres of land in the Redland area to a cemetery designed to serve the specific burial needs of the Muslim population in South Florida.

Our sole intention is to create a Muslim cemetery and serve the growing South Florida Muslim community, said Mohammad Bhuiyam, one of the applicants and a board director of the mosque. This is about serving families in their time of need.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters argued there was a pressing need for another cemetery dedicated to Muslim burial practices, with only one other operation located in Hialeah. Islam has specific religious requirements that can be difficult to fulfill in other types of cemeteries: Muslims believe in burying loved ones in plots facing East, toward Mecca, the Islamic holy city, for example, as well as burying loved ones as soon as possible after death, since Muslims forgo the use of embalming chemicals.

Floridas Muslim community is growing, and there is dire need for burial grounds, said Ruben Guinovart, who was hired as the projects contractor and engineer.

Margarita Valencia holds a photo showing the proximity of a proposed Muslim cemetery site to her home in the Redlands.

But after hearing from both sides, the board unanimously denied the zoning change application, 5-0. Board members did not issue specific reasons for the denial but asked questions during the hearing that hinted at a variety of concerns, including a lack of adequate parking and whether the project was suitable in an area zoned for agriculture.

Over 150 people showed up in support of the project. According to project consultant Labib Ahmed, many walked away with their own questions about what had happened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Obviously, we were disappointed. When the decision was made, all you can hear was just silence from people who were in support of the project, said Ahmed, whose uncle is on the board of Masjid Ul Mumineen. We didnt expect it to be a unanimous decision, thats what shocked us.

There are no immediate plans to appeal the boards decision to reject the mosques zoning application, according to Ahmed. Those involved in the cemetery proposal plan to gather next week to discuss next steps, but are first, looking for some clarity on why the board rejected the proposal.

Ahmed said supporters could understand if the board wound up split on the issue. But a unanimous vote of five to zero, it really just doesnt make sense to us, Ahmed said.





Around 50 people showed up to oppose the project  which was slated to be constructed in a residential and agricultural area of the Redland  citing concerns about decreasing property values, incompatibility with the surrounding area, and concerns about traffic congestion and water contamination.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I lived there for 40 years and this piece of property has always been agricultural. Its always been planted  beans, squash, tomatoes, strawberries. Right now .. its a guava grove, said Robert Baker, who lives about 300 feet from the property.

This is in the Redland agricultural district. Its outside of the UDB. You are the Redland Community Council, and I urge you to protect the Redland area, Baker said.

From left to right: Neighbors Indiana Gonzalez, Karel Alvarez, Margarita Valencia and Matthew Rendini stand in front of a farm in the Redlands on Nov. 12, 2024, in Miami, Fla. This proposed site for a Muslim cemetery has drawn opposition from nearby neighbors, who are concerned about its proximity to their homes.

David Winker, an attorney representing the surrounding neighbors, said his clients did not oppose the religious aspect of the cemetery  a factor that has been brought up in past meetings as a reason for the residents opposition  but simply the idea of a cemetery being built in proximity to existing homes.

I think we got off to a very bad start at the last meeting  where there were a lot of accusations of racism, that these people were opposing this because it was a Muslim cemetery, Winker said. I think youre going to hear today, its opposition to a cemetery next to single family homes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Supporters showed up ready to address some of the concerns that have been circulating since the last meeting when the item was discussed.

The design and development considerations for the cemetery will include above ground concrete caskets to prevent water table impact, said Guinovart. We will incorporate the use of natural landscaping, using native Florida plants around the entire cemetery so it does not disturb any of the surrounding neighbors.

READ MORE: Group seeks a new Muslim cemetery in Miami-Dade. Neighbors oppose the rezoning

Redland resident Margarita Valencia said a cemetery would change the character of the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We moved here to raise our family. Its going to bring a lot of sadness to my family, said Valencia, whose backyard directly overlooks the site. Were not going to be able to celebrate birthdays. Its a psychological problem for my son, for my family.

Guinovart stressed that the issues residents raised would be addressed.

If we have to, wed even build a wall around the cemetery. Because at the end of the day, we dont want to make anybody feel uncomfortable, Guinovart said. Were trying to make sure that the neighborhood understands that theyre not going to see a real cemetery there.

Supporters also argued that the cemetery, which would be owned by a nonprofit, was going be used to provide low-income families with support for costly burial services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is a nonprofit organization. Theyre building this for their community. The owners of this land are giving it to their community, said Guinovart, who was chosen as a spokesperson for the mosque. I encourage every homeowner to look beyond immediate concerns and consider the long term benefits for the community

It took three separate meetings to vote on the proposal. In November, one board hearing was deferred because the public did not have enough time to comment, and was pushed back again a few week later after one of the board members failed to attend, leaving the board short of a quorum.

Shamima Siddique signs in to a public zoning meeting at the South Dade Regional Library on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The meeting, which was postponed due to a lack of quorum, was set to discuss a proposed Muslim cemetery site in the Redlands.

This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  A Myrtle Beach lawmaker wants to prohibit public higher education institutions from using DEI initiatives in its admissions and hiring policies.

State Rep. Tim McGinnis, R-Myrtle Beach, is co-sponsor of H. 3572, which also has support from House Education and Public Works Committee chairwoman Shannon Erickson, of Beaufort.

When determining admissions or employment decisions, a public institution of higher learning may not expend any funds appropriated or authorized to promise admission, benefits, or promote or engage in differential treatment to an applicant for admission, or hire or promote a faculty member or employee, on the applicants or faculty members or employees commitment to or making a declaration of personal support for or disagreement with any political ideology or movement, including a promise or statement regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, or other associated political issues, language in the bill says. A public institution of higher learning may not ask for or demand any such political promise or declaration from an applicant, or a faculty member or employee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bill was pre-filed on Thursday and is nearly identical to one introduced last week by state Rep. Josiah Magnuson, R-Campobello.

Last year, more than 45 bills were introduced nationwide seeking to limit DEI efforts in higher education, according to watchdog organization EdTrust.

If signed into law, every public college and university must post on its website a report by Jan. 15 a report from the prior year outlining how each complied with the bills requirements.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Hundreds of Elephants Have Died in Botswana, And We Don't Know Why

The first dead elephants were discovered in May 2020. By July of that year, over 350 of the endangered animals had been found strewn lifeless across a remote region of Botswana.

Global concern rose rapidly as veterinarians at the scenes eliminated the usual suspects. There were no signs of starvation, infections, or naturally occurring anthrax, and the giant mammals' tusks were still intact, ruling out poaching. Some of the elephants were found face down, suggesting a sudden collapse.

That left one prime suspect, toxic cyanobacteria  also known as blue-green algae  which now, four years later, a new study led by King's College London supports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Geographer Davide Lomeo and colleagues' analysis of satellite data reveals toxic algal blooms had exploded in water sources near the Okavango Delta during the same time period, all but certainly poisoning the African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana).

Elephants in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. ( guenterguni/Canva

"We identified 20 waterholes near fresh carcasses that experienced increased algal bloom events in 2020 compared to the previous three years combined. These waterholes also exhibited the highest average algal biomass of the period 2015  2023," explains Lomeo.

The researchers examined the spatial relationship between 3,389 waterholes in the Okavango Delta, and the locations of the dead elephants.

"Algal blooms are routinely monitored by satellite, but this data isn't often used to investigate mass mortality events," says Lomeo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"As the scale of elephant deaths from unknown causes was much higher than anything that's been seen before, it's important to use all sources of evidence to investigate what happened to these endangered animals."

Map showing a high concentration of elephant carcasses near the 'pan' waterholes of interest identified from the satellite data. (Lomeo et al., Sci. Total Environ., 2024)

The team also found the elephant carcasses were more spread out than the pattern of historic deaths as marked by elephant bones  which tracks with a timeline of poisoning. The animals likely died within 88 hours of exposure, allowing them to walk some distance from the toxic waterholes before succumbing.

"Our results highlight that seasonal, predominantly rain-fed pans, rather than the permanent waterbodies (i.e., lakes, rivers, and lagoons) within the Panhandle, were the likely source of cyanotoxin exposure," the team writes in their paper.

"Cyanobacteria are often abundant in turbid, stagnant, and nutrient-rich waters, and several bloom-forming species can cause harm due to the production of toxins."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Botswana, a landlocked southern African country, is home to the world's largest remaining elephant population, with more than 130,000 individuals. But worldwide, these majestic animals are in decline.

This is one of the biggest known mass death events of any large mammal in recent times, yet it is far from an isolated incident.

In just the last year, 94,000 birds were killed at one lake by a climate-related outbreak of botulism in California; a severe heatwave sent over 100 monkeys falling dead from their trees in Mexico; thousands of eels were found dead in New Zealand streams; and Australian bats succumbed to mass starvation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While mass mortality events are often reported in isolation, they are becoming more frequent, and those listed above likely have a common cause.

From the elephants in Botswana to the worst mass bleaching of coral yet in Australian waters, our wildlife is besieged by the natural disasters we have wrought through climate change.

Toxic or oxygen-stealing microbe blooms, including cyanobacteria, are occurring more often both in freshwater and saltwater lakes, thanks to the warming conditions. These same conditions physiologically stress wildlife, making them more susceptible to diseases too.

"This event underscores the alarming trend of sudden, climate-induced diseases affecting large ungulates," explain the researchers, "reflecting the broader, devastating impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem health."

Elephants using one of the 'pan' waterholes in Botswana. ( Amanda Stronza/Ecoexist

Yet despite this stark increase in deaths all around us, leaders and industries with the power to do something about it are actively exacerbating the situation by failing to reduce fossil fuel emissions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Southern Africa is projected to become drier and hotter under climate change," says Lomeo.

"As a result waterholes across this region will likely be drier for more months of the year. Our findings point to the potential negative effects on water quantity and quality, and the catastrophic repercussions on animals, this could have."

This research was published in Science of The Total Environment.

Related News
Weeks of drone sightings in several states on the East Coast have left residents in a panic and local lawmakers demanding answers from the federal government. On Friday, President-elect Donald Trump weighed in with some alternatives: The government should let the public in on what it knows about the drones, or simply shoot them down. It wasnt clear whether Trump was suggesting that the government or ordinary civilians do the shooting.

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge. I dont think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!

Sightings of unidentified flying objects at night have been reported in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. According to NBC News, the sightings have been ongoing for nearly a month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lack of clarity around what the aerial objects may be, where they are coming from and whether they pose a threat to national security or public safety has fueled unease over the sightings. The White House has said it has no evidence at this time that these reported sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.

Still, lawmakers from the Northeast have urged the Biden administration to provide answers about  or at least to help investigate  what those objects are and where they are coming from. On Tuesday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy asked the Biden administration for federal resources to get to understand what is behind this activity. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan wrote on X that he personally witnessed (and videoed) what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence for approximately 45 minutes on Thursday night and criticized the governments negligent response to the sightings.

Drone activity even caused an approximately hourlong disruption at an airport in Orange County, New York, on Friday night, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare, This has gone too far.

Trump is not the only politician to suggest shooting the drones. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, a Democrat, has said they should be shot down, if necessary. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., has also called for the drones to be shot down and claimed that they were coming from an Iranian vessel off the East Coast, a suggestion the Defense Department rejected outright.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Lincoln, Alabama (WRBL)  Residents in Lincoln, a small town located about 100 miles north of Auburn, Alabama, have reported a series of unusual lights and drone-like objects hovering in the night sky. The activity, witnessed over several evenings this week, has sparked intrigue and concern among locals.

Kacey Oliver, who lives in the Rushing Springs area of Lincoln, reported seeing as many as 20 bright lights hovering near her farm. The lights initially appeared as stationary white stars but began moving, flashing red and green lights, and sometimes flying lower toward the ground.

This has been going on for over a week now, Oliver said. When I hold my camera up, some of them will go dark. Last Tuesday, one got so low near the interstate in Oxford, Alabama, it seemed like it might crash into us. It hovered right above our car before moving onit was terrifying.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Olivers sightings are not isolated. She noted that her neighbors have also observed similar phenomena, with some drones reported to be as large as SUVs. These objects, she said, often appear clustered but can rapidly disperse. In some instances, smaller pinkish-white orbs have been spotted moving alongside the drones.

Planes dont get this low or hover like these dothey definitely appear to be drones, she added.

The sightings have primarily occurred at night, with no daytime activity reported. Oliver shared her concerns with the City of Lincoln via Facebook, describing the drones behavior and requesting information. She referenced similar reports from New York and New Jersey, where government officials, including the Pentagon, are investigating unexplained drone activity.

In response, a city official acknowledged the report and stated it would be forwarded to the local police and fire departments. The official noted that while all drone activity must comply with FAA standards, Lincolns proximity to federal training facilities might explain some of the activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lincoln is very close to both a Federal Army training facility and Homeland Security training facility, the official wrote. There is often high-level training being completed at these facilities, but nothing is ever formally reported to us.

The sightings in Lincoln echo growing concerns about unexplained aerial phenomena across the United States. While the drones could be linked to government training exercises, the lack of formal communication leaves residents like Oliver uneasy.

What concerns me is that no one seems to have answers, Oliver said. It feels like were being left in the darkliterally and figuratively.

For now, the skies over Lincoln remain a mystery, leaving residents to wonder whatif anythingwill be revealed about the drones quietly observing their town

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  In fact, there have been quite a few drone sightings in eastern Pennsylvania over the last few days.

People in Stroudsburg are just as concerned and curious as everyone else.

Most we spoke with have mixed feelings about where these flying objects could be coming from and whats being done to end the mystery.

Monroe County residents Jay Hess and his wife Debra are caught up in Drone Mystery fever.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We dont know whats going on we really dont, says Debra.

The first drone sightings were reported in New Jersey and now people in parts of Monroe County say theyve spotted them too. But so far there are a lot more questions than answers.

Drone sightings in Pennsylvania? Residents asked to call authorities

I see things flying around. To me, its some kind of spying, a gathering of data and we have enemies, Jay.

The Hesss wonder why these flying objects are popping up now and they admit, the sightings are leaving them a bit uneasy.

I would think its creepy, added Debra.

The couple hasnt actually seen one for themselves but they have had their eyes peeled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This video of the flying object was taken by Jacki Vanderhoef in Broadheadsville roughly 20 minutes from Stroudsburg Thursday night.

Vanderhoef has been a pilot for decades and is searching for answers too.

The topic of these sudden mystery objects that appear to be drones even made its way to the classroom here in Monroe County.

Student Liam Krause says his teachers are also puzzled.

That they dont know much about it and just be careful, stated Krause.

Government officials, the FBI, and police have yet to provide an explanation but the bureau says it has no evidence at this time the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign connection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If they can figure out whats going on on the moon they have to figure out what these drones are, continued Jay.

State police are asking to report any spotting of the flying objects to the FBI.

They ask residents to describe the size, shape, color, or any lights visible on the drones and the location of the sightings.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A mystery is brewing in rural Nebraska, where car crash victims say an unidentified man continues to appear on the scene before any first responders.

Multiple people involved in separate crashes on Highway 36 in Bennington, Nebraska have said the same man has appeared to offer them help after their accidents, which were caused by random objects blocking the road. At least four people have encountered this person, local outlet WOWT reports.

Kyle Sorenson told WOWT he saw the man after hitting a childs bike that was inexplicably in the middle of the road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As I looked in my rearview mirror, I saw someone sitting there [just north] on Pawnee Road, Sorenson said, describing the moments after he hit the bike. They pulled up behind me and it was this individual saying he was checking to make sure we were okay.

Sorenson said he left, but afterward his wife saw the same man leaking oil onto the road.

Kyle Sorenson said he saw the mysterious man after he hit a childs bike on Highway 36 (WOWT/Screenshot)

I really didnt want to confront the person, but I informed the police, Sorenson told WOWT. I dont want to accuse and say this person is absolutely doing this, but I want to make aware this is strange.

Then, Garrison Beach was driving with his wife, Skylar, in a Toyota Camry down the highway when he swerved to avoid hitting a big piece of metal in the road. As a result, their car fell into a ravine on the side of the road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Garrison told WOWT a car with its headlights on was parked nearby. Then a man came over, said he had called the police and offered to take them in his car.

As soon as we got out of the car, I remember walking up the embankment and this guy showed up, Garrison told the outlet. He was already there, like, waiting for us up on the side of the road and [said], Are you guys OK? Ive called the paramedics already.

It was just very odd, Skylar added. As soon as we said, No, were going to wait for the police, he kind of just walked back to his car.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office told WOWT theyve had multiple reports of objects in the middle of Highway 36. Sheriff Aaron Hanson said his office received two additional reports describing incidents similar to what Sorenson and the Beaches experienced.

We have a potential suspect in mind and we are continuing with an investigation right now. We have a subject of interest that we are honing in on, Hanson said.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A pack of bills that would lower restrictions on name changes and gender designations on official documents passed the Michigan House of Representatives Friday.

HB 53005303, four bills that would amend laws around official documents in the state, passed 56-0.

HB 5300 would ease restrictions on the name-change process in the state, lowering the standards for the court to approve them for minors and making it easier for individuals to keep them confidential under certain circumstances, such as if they are seeking to affirm their identity or if they have been a victim of crimes such as stalking, human trafficking, or domestic violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

HB 5301. HB 5302, and HB 5303 would remove the requirement that an individual provide additional documentation and certification for a sex designation on a drivers license, state ID, or a new birth certificate.

The bills will now head to the Senate for consideration.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, underwent hip replacement surgery today following a tumble she took while on an official trip to Luxembourg Friday.

While details were scant yesterday when the incident occurred, details emerged today, in part from Pelosis spokesman. The Former House Speaker, 84, was in Luxembourg as part of a congressional delegation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of WWIIs Battle of the Bulge. Pelosi reportedly fell down marble stairs at the Grand Ducal Palace, fracturing a hip.

More from Deadline

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Today, Pelosi spokesperson Ian Krager confirmed the surgery. Earlier this morning, Speaker Emerita Pelosi underwent a successful hip replacement and is well on the mend, Krager said in a statement to news media.

Krager also noted that Pelosi is receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals in Luxembourg but looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon. No time frame on her return to the States was forthcoming.

Pelosis fall was the second this week for a congressional octogenarian: The 82-year-old Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell tripped in the Capitol, spraining his wrist and suffering a facial cut.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Nancy Pelosi is reportedly working behind the scenes to derail Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs attempt to become the top Democrat on the House oversight committee.

The former House speaker, 84, is actively working to tank Ms Ocasio-Cortezs bid to lead her party on the powerful congressional committee, Punchbowl reported, as the Democrats grapple with a generational changing of the guard.

According to the outlet, Ms Pelosi has been making calls encouraging party members to support Virginia congressman Gerry Connolly instead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Connolly, 74, and Ms Ocasio-Cortez, 35, are facing off to replace current oversight committee ranking member Jamie Raskin, with the New York congresswoman widely viewed as the favourite.

Ms Pelosi publicly backed Mr Connollys bid last week.

A decision is due next week on who will lead the Democrats on the committee tasked with handling oversight of the incoming Trump administration.

The committee is among the most high-profile in Congress and holds broad influence over the governments subpoena power to conduct investigations.

It could therefore play a key role in determining whether Donald Trumps administration is able to pursue Democrats the president-elect has accused of weaponising the federal government.

Not a position I seek lightly

Announcing her candidacy for the post last week, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said it is not a position I seek lightly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The responsibility of leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee during Donald Trumps second term in the White House is a profound and consequential one, she said.

Now, more than ever, we must focus on the committees strong history of both holding administrations accountable and taking on the economic precarity and inequality that is challenging the American way of life.

It comes amid a reckoning within the Democratic Party as members seek out new blood and fresh ideas.

Earlier this week, Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin, 62, challenged senior New Yorks Jerry Nadler to lead the House judiciary committee, forcing the 77-year-old to abandon his run.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, natural resources committee ranking member Raul Grijalva, 76, also stepped down after a leadership bid from 60-year-old California congressman Jared Huffman.

Ms Pelosi, who played an instrumental role in forcing Joe Biden to give up his candidacy after critics claimed he was too old and frail, has said she is backing some insurgent efforts by younger Democrats.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez is said to be the frontrunner in the House oversight committee race, with one House Democrat telling Axios that she has pretty much the entire [oversight] committee with her.

Best known as the most prominent member of the Squad  a group of liberal congressmen and women from minority-ethnic backgrounds  Ms Ocasio-Cortez has been an outspoken critic of Israels war in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

First elected in 2019 as a firebrand socialist, her selection would signal a change in direction for the party.

Despite strong headwinds, Mr Connolly, who has served on the oversight committee for the past 16 years, told reporters this week that he feels comfortable about his chances.

He said: We must expose and dismantle bad faith Republican efforts to promote conspiracy theories, intimidate witnesses, and undermine democratic processes.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A series of NATO air policing missions around Estonia has seen F-35 and Rafale jets called into action.

French Rafale jets intercepted a Russian IL-18 aircraft off Estonia's coast on Friday.

Dutch F-35s intercepted three Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea last week.

A series of recent NATO air policing missions around Estonia has seen Dutch and French fighter jets called into action to intercept Russian aircraft.

Two French Rafale jets intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-18 airliner off the coast of Estonia on Friday, the General Staff of the French Armed Forces said in a post on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NATO Air Command said the mission was the Rafale's first scramble since it began an air policing mission based out of Siauliai, Lithuania.

It comes after Dutch F-35 fighter jets intercepted a number of Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea last week.

The Dutch defense ministry said two F-35s stationed in Estonia were scrambled after three Russian planes  an Antonov An-72, a Su-24, and an Ilyushin Il-20  were identified in the region.

Dutch F-35s have been keeping a watch over NATO airspace on the alliance's eastern flank since the start of December, the ministry said.

It's not the first time such an incident has occurred in recent months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Norwegian F-35s were called into action in November in response to Russian aircraft "not adhering to international norms" off the coast of Norway, NATO's Air Command said at the time.

Italy's air force also intercepted a Russian Coot-A plane flying over the Baltic Sea on the same day.

 Rafales scrambled yesterday to intercept a  IL-18 aircraft off the coast of , the first scramble since they began their #NATO Air Policing mission in Siauliai  Allies  and  are combining their efforts in  protecting the airspace in the region pic.twitter.com/K8XVY77knZ  NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) December 14, 2024

The Rafale

The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-jet fighter aircraft that can operate from both an aircraft carrier and a land base.

It entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006.

It is used to carry out a variety of missions, including air policing, deep strikes, and reconnaissance, according to the manufacturer.

The F-35

The F-35, which is billed as the "most advanced fighter jet in the world" by manufacturer Lockheed Martin, has faced criticism from Elon Musk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Tesla CEO said on X in late November that the jet's design "was broken at the requirements level, because it was required to be too many things to too many people."

"This made it an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none. Success was never in the set of possible outcomes," Musk wrote, adding: "And manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed."

Some reports have suggested that Musk may be eyeing the F-35 program, and possibly other fighter jets, for potential spending cuts through his role in the Department of Government Efficiency.

Although he would likely face an uphill battle to do so, as Business Insider previously reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Navajo Nation Council is one step closer to removing Attorney General Ethel Branch after legislation seeking her ouster advanced from committee to the council floor for debate.

While the legislation does not outline specific reasons for Branch's possible removal, it states that the attorney general serves at the council's discretion and can be dismissed with or without cause. The legislation has not been scheduled for debate yet.

The move comes as the Navajo Nation awaits congressional action on the $5 billion Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement, the largest of its kind. After years of effort, progress advanced this year when the Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission formed a Negotiation Team in April. The team, comprising council delegates, the President's Office, the attorney general and water experts has since engaged extensively with stakeholders to finalize the settlement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I respectfully write to you requesting that you not support Legislation No. 0242-24, Branch wrote to the council. I have done my very best to serve the Nation and the Navajo people with diligence, honor and integrity in both my terms as Navajo Nation attorney general. It saddens me greatly to see legislation introduced to remove me as attorney general, and especially to see no reason given for such an extreme measure.

Navajo communities: seek 'just transition' for people affected by coal mine closures

The legislation was introduced two weeks after Navajo President Buu Nygren attempted to revoke Navajo Vice President Richelle Montoyas authority, citing her lack of accountability and failure to perform her duties. After that, the Council held its fall session and questioned Branch whether Nygren had the authority to request Montoya's resignation, particularly with a preliminary investigation underway into Montoyas accusation of sexual harassment against Nygren.

The council asked Branch to provide options for addressing the situation, including whether they could place both Montoya and Nygren on administrative leave as they work through internal issues. It was a tense meeting. Branch asked the council to go into executive session and said she had nothing to report outside such a session. The council refused the request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At this moment of great transition in national government, I think it is even more imperative that I bring strength, stability and continuity to the Nation and our people as attorney general, Branch wrote. "I want to bring our water settlements to a close, and I want to tackle the hard work of unlocking our land so our people may build homes and wealth in our community, and so more of our people can return and bring with them the skills, knowledge, and experience they have gained outside the Nation. Because all of these things are critical to our continuity as a Nation.

Branch supporters urge council not to pass the measure

More people have emailed the council opposing the removal legislation than supporting it but those who do support the removal have cited Branchs handling of the sexual assault allegations. Outside attorney Eric Dahlstrom from the law firm of Rothstein Donatelli is conducting the preliminary investigation in that case, and that process remains ongoing.

"I couldn't agree more with removing the Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch, wrote Lucinda Begay to the council. She lacks integrity and honesty to the Navajo Nation people that she is supposed to be serving. Instead she is only serving the Navajo Nation President and failing to properly address the investigation of Buu Nygren's sexual harassment of the Navajo Nation Vice-President.

Ethel Branch, attorney general of the Navajo Nation, reacts to the actions Arizona is taking to stop fraud against the Medicaid system and exploitation of AHCCCS members during a news conference at the Arizona state Capitol in Phoenix on May 16, 2023.

As for supporting letters, many argued that there is no concrete reason laid out as to why the council has moved to oust Branch, stating this isnt the time for such an action.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One supporter of Branch is the former first lady of the Navajo Nation, Rosalind Zah, whose husband is the late former Navajo chairman and president Peterson Zah.

Attorney General Branch has proven time and time again to be an invaluable leader, advocating tirelessly for the interests of the Navajo people, especially in critical matters such as water rights, voter protection, and the protection of the Nation's sovereignty since her first appointment in 2015, Zah wrote. Her legal expertise and advocacy have been essential in securing crucial agreements that ensure the Navajo Nation's access to water for generations to come.

Branch asks council to 'allow me to serve my role'

Branch and her office have been handling recent election issues in Apache County, where the Navajo Nation lost its second lawsuit against the county last month. The Navajo Department of Justice has been holding public hearings for voters affected by the issue.

Branch, a Leupp, Arizona native and Harvard Law School graduate, previously served as attorney general under the Russell Begaye-Jonathan Nez administration. She also ran for Navajo Nation president, running against Nez and current President Nygren.

Attorney General of the Navajo Nation Ethel Branch (center) videos the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and San Juan Southern Paiute water settlement signing ceremony on July 17, 2024, at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

The Navajo Nation Council will have its winter council session in January.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I ask that you give me this opportunity and allow me to serve my role as Attorney General, wrote Branch. An attorney general is not only a key legal advisor but also a vital figure in ensuring the consistent application of laws and representation of the Nation's interests. My work should be guided by the law and unswayed by politics, and that is how I have sought to serve you.

Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Legislation to remove Navajo Attorney General Ethel Branch advances
Hours before North Carolina Republicans overrode the governors veto of a bill that would strip power from incoming Democratic officials and reshape election administration, House Speaker Tim Moore finally admitted what the bill was really about.

In an appearance on Steve Bannons War Room podcast Wednesday morning, Moore discussed the bill, which purports to be about hurricane relief but is primarily a vehicle for brazen political maneuvering.

Moore claimed that the goal of the bill was to further expand election integrity and make sure that votes count.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bill would strip the governor of his authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections and instead place it under the purview of the newly elected Republican state auditor, meaning that election administration would be under the control of Republicans instead of Democrats. The auditor would have the ability to appoint a Republican majority to the elections board. Moore told Bannon that its a necessary move because we need auditing of the elections. There are a lot of questions, citing in particular the state Supreme Court race that Democrats won by a narrow margin.

Our Republican candidate  on election night, he was 10,000 votes ahead, Moore said. The day after all these other provisional ballots and everything, hes underwater 700 votes. A lot of questions about that.

Moore is not the first Republican leader to publicly cast doubt on the outcome of that election. Senate leader Phil Berger suggested last month that the vote-counting process in North Carolina is rigged in favor of Democratic candidates. That comment drew a strong rebuke from the leader of the Board of Elections, who told Berger that his accusation had no basis in fact and could lead to threats of violence against election officials.

Moore also referenced the part of the bill that restricts the power of the Democratic attorney general, preventing him from taking any stance in court that does not align with the stance of the legislature. That part of the bill is intended to prevent the attorney general from joining woke lawsuits, such as those that promote radical environmentalism and this transgender thing, Moore said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weve got legislation to clip the wings of the attorney general so they cant be out here pushing these crazy woke ideologies, Moore told Bannon.

Toward the end of the podcast, Moore encouraged listeners to call their Republican legislators and urge them to vote to override the veto. Three GOP lawmakers from western North Carolina initially joined Democrats in voting against the bill, with one of them saying that he didnt believe the disaster relief portion of the bill was sufficient. In order to override the veto, however, Republicans couldnt afford to have any defections.

Moore said that those Republicans were under a lot of pressure to vote against the override, including from the woke folks who have shown up to protest the bill (Moore called it wander[ing] around creating mischief and protest for the sake of protesting.)

I think theyre going to come around. But its a big deal. Its a big vote  We need the MAGA world to step up and remind our Republicans to stay strong and to demand that this be signed into law, that it go into law by overriding this veto, Moore said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was always obvious that this bill was far more about power politics than it was about disaster relief, and even Moore inadvertently admitted that himself toward the end of the podcast. Heres how he summed it up:

This action item today is going to be critical to making sure North Carolina continues to be able to do what it can to deliver victories for Republicans up and down the ticket and move this country in the right direction.

It was never about helping people. It was just about helping Republicans win. Thats a disservice to the people of western North Carolina  and to anyone who values democracy.
DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (KCAU)  A Nebraska truck driver has been found guilty on several charges after debris from his truck struck and killed a 17-year-old girl near Dakota City.

On Dec. 10, Chad Bundy, 50, of Hooper, entered a plea deal for motor vehicle homicide, false reporting, and load violation. The homicide charge is only a misdemeanor, as the death was found to be unintentional on the part of Bundy, per court documents.

Charge of child endangerment resulting in death dropped against Little Rock father

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bundy pleaded no contest to the three charges, meaning that he accepts punishment without admitting or denying guilt outright. The court then found him guilty.

Chad Bundy (Courtesy: Dakota County Sheriffs Office)

He was previously charged with leaving the scene with death, a felony. However, that charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement, and the false reporting charge was added.

According to court documents, on April 27, 2023, Bundy was driving east on Nebraska Highway 35 near Dakota City when a round metal pipe fell off the bed of his truck. The trucks load was reportedly unsecured.

Shortly after, a blue Jeep was found rolled over off the highway nearby, containing Kassandra Claassen of Dakota City, who was declared dead with a puncture injury to the upper left side of her chest. An investigation figured that a bloody pipe found nearby had fallen off a vehicle, went through the windshield, and lodged into Claassens upper left chest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PHOTOS: 27 sick cats rescued from dilapidated SD home

Bundy allegedly drove by where the rollover happened twice yet did not stop and assist. He claimed he was not aware of the accident, saying he turned around initially to retrieve his cell phone before turning back around when he found it in his truck. However, according to evidence, Bundy was using his phone when the pipe fell off, court documents state.

Police arrested Bundy on July 29, 2024. His case was previously transferred over from county court to district court. Bundy would then plead not guilty to three charges on Sept. 30.

A pre-sentence investigation hearing is set for Feb. 11, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Happy Saturday! Heres another edition of my weekend column for WPRI.com  as always, send your takes, tips and trial balloons to tnesi@wpri.com and follow me on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Nesi's Notes

1. When was the last time a Rhode Island governor felt the need to call a last-minute Friday evening news conference about anything but a looming snowstorm? The fact Governor McKee took that step last night gives you a sense of just how concerned he and his aides are about the newly revealed cyberattack targeting RIBridges, the states computer system for managing a host of key programs like SNAP, Medicaid and HealthSourceRI. You may remember RIBridges by its old name: UHIP, which became synonymous with governmental IT failure after its disastrous rollout during Gina Raimondos first term. Now the same system has apparently jeopardized hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders personal data, which has fallen into the hands of international hackers who are demanding an undisclosed ransom sum to forestall its release. I understand this is alarming, McKee said Friday. Its too early to judge how much of a problem the hack will be, but its already proving disruptive, with state agencies reverting to paper benefit applications while the system is down. And the same private contractor that was responsible for the failed launch of UHIP  Deloitte  is now the one the state is relying on to deal with the hack. That will undoubtedly raise questions about whether the administration made the right decision to renew Deloittes contract in 2021, rather than move on to work with a different contractor. A Deloitte spokesperson told me Friday night the company will continue to work around the clock to resolve this matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2. The cyberattack has briefly overshadowed the crisis that required an emergency evening news conference on this same week last year: the sudden closure of the Washington Bridge. And it comes just as state leaders seemed to be finally turning the corner in managing that issue. Governor McKee and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti exuded cautious optimism at a news conference Tuesday, when they announced two well-regarded construction companies have been selected as finalists to build the new westbound span. We are moving in the right direction, McKee said. There is still a long road ahead  the winning bidder wont be chosen until June, and theres no timeline yet for when a new bridge will actually open  but the state does appear to be back on track after the failure of the initial bidding process. (It probably doesnt hurt that the losing bidder will still get a $1.75 million payment just for participating.) McKee and Alviti announced the two finalists on the day before the one-year anniversary of the bridges closure, in an effort to focus Rhode Islanders more on the future than the past. Yet McKees decision not to emulate Bruce Sundlun by releasing a postmortem report on what went wrong  or to replace any transportation officials  has left unresolved questions about accountability for such a major failure. McKee is adamant that all such accountability belongs with the private companies hired by RIDOT to work on the bridge that are now being sued. That litigation remains in its early stages, but as with the 38 Studios fiasco, court filings by the defendants could lead to revelations about state government, too.

3. Tim White got new clues about the Washington Bridge failure from a European satellite.

4. One of the most important documents on Rhode Island public policy is out: the annual Medicaid expenditure report. While its not exactly a beach read, the cleanly designed PDF includes a wealth of charts and graphs that offer insights into the single biggest program in state government. During the 2022-23 federal fiscal year, Rhode Island spent $3.9 billion on Medicaid, accounting for about one-third of the entire state budget. Federal funds covered nearly two-thirds of that cost, but $1.4 billion in state funds was also spent. About $2.3 billion of Medicaid spending was on mandatory benefits, while $1.05 billion covered optional benefits that state officials have also authorized, such as prescriptions or community services for the developmentally disabled. Enrollment in Medicaid has jumped from about 300,000 Rhode Islanders in 2020 to 366,000 as of 2023  about one in three residents  driven by the COVID-19 public health emergency that temporarily stopped the state from terminating most beneficiaries. And its always striking to see how concentrated Medicaid spending is: just 3,000 beneficiaries accounted for over 20% of all Medicaid costs, averaging more than $200,000 per patient, because they generally suffer from multiple complex health conditions.

5. Its sounding more likely than ever that Peter Neronhas name will be on the ballot in Rhode Island in 2026. During his monthly interview on 12 News at 4 with Kim Kalunian this week, Neronha said the likelihood is now pretty high that he will run for lieutenant governor in partnership with a candidate for governor. The only circumstances under which I would run for that office is if I could do it in partnership with someone who saw the world the way I saw it, made sure that I had the resources and the authority to move forward issues that I really care about  health care being first and foremost among them, he said, adding, I would not run for lieutenant governor in a vacuum. While the AG didnt name names, he is almost certainly contemplating a partnership with Helena Foulkes. Of course, there is already an incumbent lieutenant governor in Rhode Island  Democrat Sabina Matos, who has repeatedly said shes running for reelection in 2026 despite weak poll numbers. My colleague Ray Baccari scooped that Matos held a fundraiser last week at the Laborers unions Washington headquarters, co-hosted by all four members of Rhode Islands congressional delegation. Another co-host was New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who made a memorable appearance on the campaign trail with Matos during her unsuccessful run for the House last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

6. Congressman Magaziner is taking on a tough task: trying to get his fellow members of Congress to ban themselves from trading individual stocks. Magaziners office announced this week he is taking over as the lead Democratic cosponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act now that the current one, Virginias Abigail Spanberger, is leaving the House to run for governor. The time has come, Magaziner told CNN in an interview about the bill. Trust in Congress is at an all-time low, and members of the public need to know that when they send their representatives to Washington that their representatives are going to be making decisions based on the best interest of their constituents and not the best interests of their bank accounts. Magaziners sponsorship of the bill fulfills a promise he made in a TV ad during his 2022 run for Congress, and its also noteworthy since his predecessor Jim Langevin himself faced scrutiny for his stock trading. The lead Republican sponsor of the measure is Texas Congressman Chip Roy.

7. David Cicilline has had a relatively low profile during his first year and a half as the Rhode Island Foundations CEO, at least compared with the level of visibility he had while serving at City Hall and on Capitol Hill. Now, though, thats starting to change. The foundation just released a new five-year plan that charts its future course under Cicillines leadership, rolled out at a well-attended Rhode Map Live event Wednesday night moderated by The Globes Dan McGowan. On Thursday, Cicilline was back in the news for sharply questioning state officials about the pallet shelter mess as a member of a housing panel. And on Friday he joined Tim White and me to make his first appearance on Newsmakers since leaving Congress. The new plan identifies five key priorities for the foundation over the coming half-decade. Three reflect clear continuity with the organizations past priorities: education, health care, and economic opportunity (including housing). But two are newer: climate resiliency, and civic health. Those are both issues, Cicilline said, that foundation officials heard about from Rhode Islanders time and time again as they prepared the plan. And notably, at a time when a growing number of organizations are abandoning DEI programs, the foundation is doubling down on a stated commitment to what it calls DEIA  diversity, equity, inclusion and access. That word has taken on a certain meaning, Cicilline said. But when you ask most Rhode Islanders  and I think most Americans  whether they think we should have programs that include everyone, that have diverse voices, that include people of different abilities  people say yes. So thats central to the work of the Rhode Island Foundation. Were here to serve all Rhode Islanders.

8. Leading the Rhode Island Foundation isnt the only new role David Cicilline has taken on since leaving Congress. President Biden recently appointed him to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, a board established by Congress in 1980 to build and maintain the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. Cicilline and other new members of the council were sworn in this week by another Rhode Islander, Sarah Morgenthau, the former congressional candidate who currently serves in the State Department. (Her grandfather, Henry Morgenthau, helped push FDR to do more for Jewish refugees when he served as Roosevelts treasury secretary during World War II.) Its a tremendous honor, Cicilline said on Newsmakers. I was delighted the president appointed me to it. Its a great opportunity to reinforce how important it is to combat hate of any kind and what the consequences are to democracies when that is allowed to permeate.

9. Josh Perez was the kingpin of arguably the biggest fentanyl drug ring in the region, and now prosecutors say he was aided by his uncles position in the Providence Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

10. Sexual harassment and antisemitism are being alleged in the Warwick Water Division.

11. Dartmouth has become quite a draw for statewide elected officials in Massachusetts. First it was then-Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who bought a $1.8 million beach house there in 2021. Her predecessor Tim Murray has a summer place there, as well. And now we learn theyre being joined by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who just laid down $865,000 for a spacious colonial. Considering her deep ties to Boston, where she ran for mayor just three years ago, Campbells move sparked instant speculation that she has her sights set on Bill Keatings 9th Congressional District seat. But the AGs team dismissed that idea, and a friend of hers suggested to me it was more about finding a place in ever-pricier Massachusetts where she and her husband could afford a house for their family of four. As I reported in this story, Campbell would also face at least two Democratic rivals for the seat who have much deeper ties to the region: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and state Sen. Julian Cyr of Truro. Of course, Keating allies are finding all this chatter a little presumptuous considering hes only 72 and has given no indication he plans to retire anytime soon. Then again, you can forgive people around here if were on guard for surprise retirements  Keatings is the only one of the regions four House seats that hasnt turned over during the last four years.

12. Veteran politicos, do you remember the name Raymond Nels Nelson? He was an acclaimed Providence Journal reporter, then an aide to the late U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell. But his life ended tragically when he was murdered in 1981  and the perpetrator has never been named. Kim Kalunian will take a closer look at the search for Nelsons killer in her latest Cold Case story this Monday at 5 p.m. on 12 News.

13. The last New England Mafia boss from Rhode Island has died at age 97.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

14. The news that AT&T is phasing out its copper landlines got me thinking about telephones, and specifically the future of Rhode Islands iconic 401 area code. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year about efforts by officials in New Hampshire to retain its lone 603 area code, which is running out of numbers. Rhode Island and New Hampshire are two of the 11 states left with a single area code, down from 35 when area codes made their debut in 1947. For now, though, Rhode Islanders still have nothing to worry about: the latest analysis suggests there are enough numbers available to keep 401 for the whole state for another 27 years. Thats quite striking to me as a Massachusetts native (508!) who lived through the traumatic switch to 10-digit dialing back in 2001.

15. Jonathan Rauch argues Americans need to radically rethink our approach to old age.

16. Did you catch Attleboro native Sarah Robertson on 60 Minutes last Sunday night?

17. Christmastime always makes me think about the many holiday seasons I spent selling books and DVDs at Borders, first at store #202 (North Attleboro) and then #382 (Providence Place). No offense to Barnes & Noble, but I still miss Borders. If you feel the same way, youll enjoy this essay on Borders rise and fall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

18. And dont miss Marc Myers Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame on JazzWax.

19. A programming note: Nesis Notes will be taking the next two weekends off due to the holidays. See you back here Jan. 4  when this column will kick off its 14th year!

20. Set your DVRs: This week on Newsmakers  Rhode Island Foundation CEO David Cicilline. Watch Sunday at 5:30 a.m. on WPRI 12 and 10 a.m. on Fox Providence, or listen on the radio Sunday at 6 p.m. on WPRO. You can also subscribe to Newsmakers as a podcast via Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. See you back here next Saturday.

Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prefer your Newsmakers on the go?

Subscribe to our podcast!

Apple | Spotify

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The man found guilty of killing a local community activist in 2022 could soon be sentenced to life in prison.

William Polo Edwards represented himself during his retrial this week. A jury convicted Edwards of first-degree murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm on Thursday.

Robert Davis was killed at Shadow Robinsons Clinton home in May 2022.

Matt Steffey, a law professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, said when a defendant represents himself, hes at a disadvantage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

William Polo Edwards found guilty of first-degree murder

I think its the fight of your life with one hand behind your back, Steffey said.

Edwards first trial ended with a mistrial in August 2023.

I think it would have been a grand victory if he had a juror or two hold out and he hung the trial again. I thought he had very little chance at persuading 12 citizens he was entirely innocent of the charges, Steffey stated.

Robinson testified that she called 911 after she saw Davis lying face down on the floor of her home. She said she had a romantic relationship with Edwards at one point.

Edwards will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, N.J.  When Santa just cant come soon enough, in comes the West Windsor Police Department and Operation Bark Drop.

Bark Drop has been the highlight of our season every single year, said Heather Achenbach, executive director of SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals shelter in Montgomery.

More Local News

Its a convoy of cops going to animal shelters around central New Jersey on a very Santa-esque mission with lots of goods to give out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It starts at Martys Place Senior Dog Sanctuary in Upper Freehold, then moves to EASEL Animal Rescue League in Ewing, and finally, SAVE, where Achenbach devotes nearly an entire floor to the supplies.

Theyre playing holiday music. They create a line to bring in all the supplies, which takes over an hour, said Achenbach.

The result is mounds of pet supplies that they and other shelters desperately need. This years drop, which included cat litter and dog food, was enough to fill five trailers and a box truck, totaling more than $30,000.

We try and get food, we try and get pet supplies, toys, you name it, whatever they need, said West Windsor Police Chief Robert Garofalo, who says the officers often have their families come out to help them volunteer every year, a group they call Elf Team Six.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is incredible, said Garofalo. Our guys really take this to heart.

Much like Santa himself, Garofalo writes down what each shelter wants and needs and then, with this caravan of police reindeer, delivers a brighter holiday for pets in need.

This is a three or four-month effort for us to culminate in one day, said Garofalo. Its just that incredible community spirit that they have, that spirit of giving.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Two Ohio police officers who shot and killed a man in April will not face charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A Franklin County grand jury declined to charge two police officers who fatally shot a man in Whitehall in April, our news partners at WBNS-10 TV reported.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News Center 7 previously reported that 36-year-old Santiago Elias Alafaro Munoz was shot and killed by two Whitehall Division of Police officers on April 19.

The officers reportedly heard gunfire coming from the area of East Main Street and South Hamilton Road around 2 a.m.

At the same time, officers were alerted of gunshots in the same area by the citys gunshot detection system.

Police arrived at a parking lot in the area where they saw a parked silver SUV and a dark-colored SUB leaving the area.

The officers approached the silver SUV and found Munos and 35-year-old William Morales Villatoro in the front seats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was a language barrier between the officers and the two men in the vehicle, according to police.

While trying to talk to the men, the officers reportedly found a handgun in the SUV.

Officers then told the men in English and in Spanish to put their hands up, according to police.

Villatoro, who was the driver of the SUV, complied, but police said Munoz did not comply.

In the police body camera video obtained by WBNS-10 TV, one of the officers could be heard telling Munoz to put his hands up several times, but Munoz appeared to ignore him.

The officer then opened Munozs door. One second later, Munoz was seen reaching toward the center console area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said Munoz lunged back toward the officer, but that could not be clearly seen in the video.

At that point, both officers fired shots at Munoz, with one of the bullets striking him in the head.

They attempted life-saving measures on Munoz before he was turned over to medics and taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital where he later died.

It is unclear how many times he was shot.

Police found four guns inside the SUV, and Villatoro was arrested on one felony count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

The grand jury determined that the officers did not commit a crime and unlawful criminal homicide did not occur at the time of the incident.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




JOPLIN, Mo.  Theres no decision Friday (12/13) after eight witnesses and a couple of delays in a hearing to decide whether impeached Carthage Mayor, Dan Rife will be reinstated.

We were in the courtroom as both leaders and former leaders of the City of Carthage testified.

Eight witnesses  which included Rife, former city attorney Nate Dally, and former city administrator Greg Dagnan  were asked to recall their version of events leading up to the impeachment hearing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rifes position is that he was improperly removed from office after a faulty impeachment process.

One of the main issues is whether the council had enough votes to remove Rife as mayor.

A number of the witnesses agreed that legal advice they were given led them to believe the hearing never should have happened.

The city council conducted the hearing in spite of that legal advice  leading to todays court hearing.

After court adjourned late Friday afternoon, we spoke with attorneys for both parties about the hearing.

I do not think that Mr. Rife presented any evidence at all suggesting that theres an immediate need to make a decision in this particular case, said Special Counsel to Carthage City Council, Paul Martin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its really pretty simple, Mayor Rife actually said it himself best, that hes never objected to being impeached, its that impeachment in all city government has rules, said Christopher Thornton, attorney for Dan Rife.

The judge told attorneys in the case they have until Friday, December 20 to submit written briefs in support of their arguments before he will issue his ruling.

How Did We Get Here?

This tense power struggle within Carthage city government first emerged in mid-2023, when Mayor Dan Rife fired all the board members of the city-owned Carthage Water and Electric Plant because they failed to comply with his request for financial details.

The City Council immediately reinstated the members of the board, drawing a battle line that pitted former City Administrator Greg Dagnan, Mayor Dan Rife, and former City Attorney Nate Dally against the council and backers of the CWEP board.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That was followed by criminal charges of embezzlement against former Parks & Recreation Director Mark Peterson, after Dagnan reportedly found money missing when preparing the city budget. After a forensic audit, Peterson is facing felony charges of money laundering and stealing.

Backers of CWEPs board, dotted with powerful people, including some elected officials, formed a political action committee, Carthage Citizens United, to promote candidates for the City Council who would fire Dagnan and impeach Rife.

That slate of Jana Schramm, Tom Barlow, Dustin Edge, and Derek Peterson  son of the accused former Parks & Recreation director  was elected April 2, and immediately fired Dagnan and started the impeachment of Rife, who had blocked the firing. The city attorney, the administrative assistant, the fire chief, and a few other city employees resigned.

Dagnan has sued the City for wrongful termination and defamation, and against CCU for tortious interference with his contract, and Rife had sued to stop his impeachment because of due process. All of this has led to legal missteps, illegally closed meetings, and rebuke by the state attorney generals office. Dustin Edge resigned from the council. Tiffany Cossey lost her council seat after a large majority of voters from Ward 5 said yes to a recall question on the November 2024 ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city also received a letter from its insurer warning that coverage could be lost or diminished because terminations by the council were not following employment law.

| The Latest From Carthage City Council:

(Story Date: April 1, 2024  April 30, 2024)

(Story Date: May 1, 2024  May 31, 2024)

(Story Date: June 1, 2024  June 30, 2024)

(Story Date: July 1, 2024  August 31, 2024)

(Story Date: September 1, 2024  October 31, 2024)

(Story Date: November 1, 2024  Present)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty is acknowledging the publics growing resentment toward insurers just over a week after the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

In a Friday op-ed for the New York Times, Witty acknowledged that shortcomings exist in his industry. He called the "patchwork" health care system in the U.S. "flawed" and noted that the frustration of everyday Americans is understandable.

Witty has reassured employees and condemned public reactions following Thompsons death, but

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand peoples frustrations with it, Witty admitted. "No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did. Its a patchwork built over decades."

Those same sentiments were shared by progressives in Congress earlier this week. Witty claimed UnitedHealthcare was trying its best given the circumstances.

"We understand and share the desire to build a health care system that works better for everyone. That is the purpose of our organization," Witty said.

The op-ed marked Witty's first public comments since Thompson was gunned down in New York City. In the week since he's sent messages to UHG employees condemning the occasionally gleeful coverage of a healthcare CEO's killing and reassuring them with positive testimonials from purported customers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His piece in the Times is short on actionable recommendations for improvement, though Witty wrote that it was clear something wasnt working.

Together with employers, governments and others who pay for care, we need to improve how we explain what insurance covers and how decisions are made, Witty conceded before defending claim rejection rates and other United policies that have garnered scrutiny.

The reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood. We share some of the responsibility, he claimed. Behind each decision lies a comprehensive and continually updated body of clinical evidence focused on achieving the best health outcomes and ensuring patient safety.

Thompsons killer brought attention to insurance company practices with the shooting, writing the words defend, deny and depose on bullet casings found at the scene. The phrase seems to be a criticism of the playbook insurance companies use to keep claim acceptance rates down and has already caught on among disgruntled customers of other insurance giants.

Luigi Mangione was apprehended earlier this week. The alleged killer was reportedly found with a manifesto alleging United Healthcare and other insurance giants abuse our country for immense profit.
Dec. 13A Manchester woman charged with second-degree murder following the Tuesday night shooting death of her boyfriend on Silver Street entered no plea during her arraignment Friday morning.

Alicia Castagnino, 24, of Manchester, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of second-degree murder for knowingly causing the death of Brennan Pelio, 27, by shooting him in the head with a firearm, and, alternatively, on one count of second-degree murder for recklessly causing the death of Pelio under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by shooting him in the head with a firearm, according to the state Attorney General's Office.

The arrest warrant affidavit was sealed by the court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Appearing Friday at her arraignment in district court in Manchester via Webex video streaming, Castagnino (dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit) faced away from the camera for the entire proceeding, appearing to rock back and forth while Judge Kimberly Chabot addressed her.

Castagnino's face was briefly visible when the camera was first turned on, but she quickly turned around for the duration of her hearing. She didn't address Judge Chabot or prosecutors, but the microphone caught what sounded like Castagnino speaking quietly to herself.

Chabot read off the charges Castagnino faces, then entered no plea on her behalf as requested by counsel.

A probable cause hearing was scheduled for Dec. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in district court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"If you have not already done so I would encourage you to complete a request for court-appointed counsel, given the nature of the consequences if you are convicted," Chabot said. "You are certainly entitled to apply for counsel if you cannot afford to hire your own attorney. So please do that, so that you'll have the benefit of counsel at the next hearing on December 17."

Castagnino is being held without bail.

Around 10 p.m. Tuesday, Manchester police responded to a call reporting a suspicious death and found Pelio dead from an apparent gunshot wound, prosecutors said.

An autopsy performed Wednesday concluded Pelio died of a single gunshot wound to the head, the AG's office said.

Castagnino lives in the building where the shooting occurred  Twin Towers Condominiums at 470 Silver St.
President-elect Donald Trump and ABC News host George Stephanopoulos will each have to sit next week for a deposition in Trumps defamation suit against the network.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette Reid ruled that the depositions must go forward, writing in an order on Friday that the court has already granted a lengthy discovery period . . . and, with Election Day now behind us, there is no reason for any further delay.

Trumps testimony will be limited to four hours and shall take place in person" in Florida where he filed the suit. Stephanopoulos deposition is also limited to four hours, and he may testify remotely if necessary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps suit against the network originated in March when Stephanopoulos claimed a jury had found Trump liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll in an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace. Trump holds the jury found him liable for sexual abuse, not rape.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan oversaw the Carroll case and ruled last year that Trump's actions met the definition of rape in common speech. Trump has appealed the Carroll case, hoping to skirt the over $83 million in damages he currently owes the writer.

ABC made several efforts to get the case dismissed over the summer, arguing unsuccessfully that Stephanopoulos comments were covered under fair reporting privilege due to their accuracy.

Trump is also pursuing a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS, which he alleges edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris unfairly. The network filed for dismissal last week, arguing that the conservative Texas court where the lawsuit was filed did not have jurisdiction over the New York network.
NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  In an emergency, every second counts. Nolensville police officers will now have one more tool to help patients when time matters most.

TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center recently donated twenty bag valve masks (BVMs) to the police department. The move came after Nolensville police said they saw seen an uptick in medical 911 calls.

1 in critical condition after house fire in Whites Creek

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were ready to give you the highest level of care, Nolensville police officer Christina Sabol told News 2.

They said the department took inventory and found they needed more life-saving equipment. Each officer will have one in their unit.

We utilize them to deliver rescue breaths when we are on-scene with a victim who may have cardiac arrest or some other condition that necessitates CPR, Sabol said.

Officers said theyre often first on scene and the masks allow them to essentially ventilate patients until paramedics arrive.

We really honestly feel supported and loved by our community, Sabol added. It really strengthens our bond and our desire to go out and provide a really high level of service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The BVMs can also help officers provide care if a patient is overdosing.

The bags can help assist with the Narcan getting into the system, Sabol explained. After we apply it, [we can] utilize the bag to push that Narcan through the airway.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The Nolensville Police Department urged the community to stay informed about the signs and symptoms of heart-related emergencies.

Residents were encouraged to participate in CPR training programs, such as those offered by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, to be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD)  The town of Normal is thankful for the millions of dollars worth of grants it was awarded this year to help improve its community.

In 2024, the town was awarded $4,013,800 worth of grants, Normal Communication Director Cathy Oloffson stated.

Of the funding, about $2.7 million was awarded for infrastructure projects, $989,232 was awarded to improve public safety and about $192,585 was awarded to improve the towns quality of life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We appreciate the support from private entities such as State Farm, as well as state and federal sources, City Manager Pamela Reece said. Thanks to the efforts of Town staff, the entire community benefits from grant funds. I am proud of staff and grateful for their commitment to the citizens of Normal.

Normal receives $50,000 grant for new mural

The biggest grant awarded to the town this year was a $1,550,000 grant from the FY2024 Homeland Security Appropriation Bill, that was used to make Stormwater management improvements and to strengthen the central business district.

Some other grants received include an $80,900 recruitment and retention grant from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to assist in hiring and training new officers and a $78,313 grant to help the Normal Public Library participate in the reciprocal borrowing program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Dec. 14GRAND FORKS  North Dakota lawmakers are gearing up to introduce a new round of school choice bills in the coming legislative session.

At least two state legislators, Rep. Eric Murphy and Sen. Michelle Axtman, are planning to introduce bills allowing for families to expend state education dollars outside public school districts, while outgoing Gov. Doug Burgum has proposed a program to directly supplement public, private and home-schooled students' education.

School choice refers to a broad slate of educational options that allow public education funding to be spent outside of public schools, such as voucher programs to reimburse private school tuition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

School choice bills have enjoyed support across the country for offering families more latitude in choosing educational options for children, but faced criticism for drawing government funding away from public schools and toward private and charter school programs that often have little oversight.

Still, some kind of school choice legislation appears likely to become law in North Dakota next year, particularly after a bill setting aside $10 million to reimburse public school tuition passed the House and Senate in 2023

before being vetoed.

"Between the previous support in the Legislature and Gov. Burgum's budget proposal and Gov.(-elect Kelly) Armstrong's strong interest in education savings accounts, we're upbeat about prospects in this session," said Scott Jensen, a former Wisconsin lawmaker who works as a school choice lobbyist for the American Federation for Children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are three possible avenues lawmakers could pursue:

During last week's executive budget address, Burgum proposed a $50 million pilot program to fund educational savings accounts for each of North Dakota's over 118,000 public school students, as well as private school and home-schooled students.

Burgum says the funding would pay for supplementary educational costs like extracurricular activities fees or other services families might not be able to afford, with host school districts charged with deciding what those funds can go toward.

"If you've got a child you know is dyslexic and needs reading services and you've got someone who can't afford to pay the extra fee for band or the art program or the cool trip, those could all be approved," Burgum told the Grand Forks Herald last week. "So for families that are low-income, this is the difference between their child being able to participate or not participate."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Burgum's proposal is notable because his pilot would fund the ESAs separately from the state aid payment to public schools.

Luis Huerta, a professor of education and public policy at Columbia University, says most states fund ESAs by drawing from the student's per-pupil payment; Burgum, on the other hand, noted his proposal would come "on top of" a 2%-per-year increase to the state aid payment.

"It definitely does not sound like any of the current ESAs that are out there," Huerta said. "This sounds more like a supplemental services or extracurricular activities subsidy that every child gets, which is in line with the one-time expenditure."

Thirteen states have implemented educational savings accounts, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lawmakers including House Education and Environment Appropriations Chair Mike Nathe and Armstrong have indicated their support for ESAs.

Even some critics of school choice have suggested they could be persuaded to support Burgum's proposal.

Aimee Copas, executive director of the North Dakota Council for Educational Leadership, wrote in an email to the Herald that the organization "may be able to support" educational savings accounts if every student receives an equal amount of support. (Other state's ESA programs are nominally open to all students, Huerta said, but ultimately end up subsidizing tuition for existing private school students because few students actually change schools.)

"If funds are distributed equally, ESAs could provide meaningful opportunities, such as tutoring or school meal assistance, even for students in rural areas," Copas wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Others remain skeptical. House Minority Leader Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, expressed concern that a bill like Burgum's could serve as a "Trojan Horse" for another school voucher proposal like the 2023 bill.

Murphy, a Republican who represents part of Grand Forks alongside Ista, says the outgoing governor's address should be taken with a grain of salt. Murphy isn't a fan of ESAs, particularly ones without income restrictions.

"Nationwide, we've seen a lot of abuse. They always start out with saying there's going to be this list, and it will have to be from that list that you spend the money on," Murphy said. "But ESAs have the opportunity to become a runaway freight train."

Axtman, a Republican from Bismarck, also is expected to introduce an educational savings account bill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Axtman was among the 27 senators who voted for private school vouchers last session, and was a member of a school choice task force during the interim session that drew fire for meeting behind closed doors.

She told lawmakers in September she was working on a tiered system offering additional funding to K-12 students.

Like Burgum's proposal, she wants to implement ESAs for public and home-schooled students, with "something around $1,000" for educational expenses.

In addition, though, Axtman wants to include a separate tier for private school students, who would receive a larger subsidy  she said her goal was around $6,000 per student  to cover their tuition costs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"An amount such as that would really give all families the opportunity to truly choose the best educational setting for their child," Axtman said.

She wants this additional funding for public, private and home-schooled students to remain separate from the state aid payments to public schools.

Axtman says her plan avoids the pitfall of other educational savings accounts by keeping per-pupil funding separate from school choice funding.

In an email to the Herald, NDCEL leader Copas singled out a "tiered system" proposal for criticism, writing that such a program unfairly prioritizes private school families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"North Dakota provides free public education for all. If families opt for private education, the state is not obligated to subsidize that decision," Copas wrote.

Murphy plans to introduce a bill that would allow for the establishment of public charter schools.

Public charter schools are publicly-funded schools that operate under a contract with a state or school district, but outside of the public school system. North Dakota is one of only seven states that does not currently allow public charters.

Murphy wants to establish charter schools that cater to students with individualized education plans. Those students' per-pupil funding would cover the cost of the schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He's hopeful that public charters can help take the pressure off of public school special education programs.

"It's to help lessen that burden on public education, but also give children who maybe aren't thriving in that public education space and their families options," Murphy said.

Murphy floated his charter school proposal at a Grand Forks Public Schools committee meeting last month alongside several lawmakers, including Rep. Mark Sanford, R-Grand Forks.

Sanford this week said he hadn't discussed the specifics of Murphy's proposal with his fellow House member, but said his support for any school choice legislation would depend in part on whether it could spell out a clear plan for special education students.

He said that lack of detail was why he voted against the voucher bill last session.

"The issue in '23 was ... how does this work with special needs students?" said Sanford, a retired school superintendent. "And the clarification wasn't there."

Burgum also has showed favor to a public charter bill allocating per-pupil funding toward the new schools, and said he was "confident" a public charter bill would be introduced, though it's unclear if he was referring to Murphy's bill.

"It would be good to have more competition, even within our small rural districts, within our metros, (because) then you have to respond to the market," Burgum said.

Huerta said there's little evidence nationwide that competition between charter schools and public schools led to increased student achievement, but that there was some evidence it led to an increase in educational services available to families.

However, he said, any benefit was heavily dependent on the individual charter school's policies.

"Whether charter schools might yield an increased benefit depends on the quality of the schools," Huerta said.
Dec. 13CAVALIER, N.D.  From the Canada border to Fargo, Teresa Grimsley-Reichert is the only volunteer driver for Pembina, Walsh, Traill and Grand Forks counties for the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network.

Picking up veterans who need help getting to their appointments at the Fargo VA (Veterans Affairs) Health Care System is rewarding, she said.

"It's knowing that you're helping somebody that needs the help, whether it be because they don't have a dependable vehicle to get them down there or whatever the case may be," she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The network is done through the Department of Veterans Affairs, though each van used to transport veterans, who might have mobility issues or other troubles getting to Fargo, is donated by the DAV. The organization purchases the vans through Ford with a discount, Matt Herrud, a DAV national service officer in Fargo, said. There are vans stationed in Cavalier  where Grimsley-Reichert drives from  Minot, Bismarck, Lisbon and Wahpeton, along with three vans in Minnesota, as the Fargo VA hospital covers 15 counties across the river. The program began in 1987, Herrud said, and brings drivers to the different VA clinics across the state. However, Fargo is the only spot in North Dakota with a VA hospital.

Grimsley-Reichert is scheduled to drive every Tuesday, picking up veterans along the way. Sometimes it's one person, sometimes more, and the amount of appointments varies. For example, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, she drove two veterans with a combined six appointments. As a veteran herself  she served in the Air Force  she appreciates the companionship and conversation.

"We have some wonderful conversations," she said. "I think (for) everyone that gets off active duty, you miss it to a certain extent. You miss the camaraderie."

Some days start earlier and end later than others, depending on how many veterans she's transporting and how many appointments there are. The van cannot leave the hospital until it's time to drive back, so she spends her time at the health care system's cafeteria and store, or visiting with volunteers and seeing if they need help with anything.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Grimsley-Reichert got started with the network a year and a half ago, when she saw an ad in the Cavalier Chronicle. She put off applying for a few weeks before she decided to call Revel Sapa, the Cavalier veterans service officer. It was an easy process to get cleared and ready to go, she said.

Sapa said Grimsley-Reichert has gone above and beyond with volunteering, but she'd still like more drivers. She's continued with local advertisements but hasn't had success. Ideally, she said she'd like two full-time drivers and a few who could fill in if the full-timers are sick or otherwise unable to make it. Volunteers don't have to be veterans or connected to veterans to volunteer, she said, but have to be 21 years or older. Drivers are also offered $100 stipends.

There are other ways to get involved, as well, but Sapa said more than just letting people know about volunteer opportunities, she wants veterans to know what services are available. She has noticed a decline in veterans scheduling with the network, as one generation of older veterans transitions to another. Sapa said she wants those veterans to know services like the network are available, and that they can reach out to her with questions.

"That's kind of the key thing," she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Herrud said volunteer drivers are needed across the state, and that VA clinics in Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Jamestown, Williston and Bismarck need volunteers as well.

"The VA in general needs volunteers in any aspect," he said.

Those interested in volunteering, or veterans interested in what services DAV provides, can go to dav.org. Volunteers don't have to be veterans or connected to veterans, he said.

Sapa said volunteers or veterans can call her at 701-265-4460 or email her at

rsapa@nd.gov

.

Grimsley-Reichert has one message for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver for the transportation network: "do it."

"What better group of people to help than people who are willing to lay their life down for the country and for all of us?" she said. "Because everybody that goes in knows that the reality is they might not come out. ... It's just a great thing to do for them, because without them, we aren't as strong as a country. ..."
A father says he was putting his son to bed on Dec. 10 when two trespassers unlocked his gate and stole his familys beloved dog, Domino, from their backyard in North Hollywood.

Surveillance footage captured the dog-napping in action, and Jason Bitonio is now using it to publicly ask the thieves to bring home the 12-year-old French bulldog  no questions asked.

I usually have my routine where I get out at 8 p.m. and do some things in the backyard, and my dog wasnt there, explained Bitonio. I was like, Wheres my dog? He usually follows alongside, like dogs usually do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bitonio told KTLAs Rachel Menitoff that he is now faced with the heartbreaking task of explaining to his 5-year-old where the Frenchie is, and why someone would do this in the first place.

Surveillance footage from right before 8 p.m. shows a woman with a surgical face mask looking over the familys fence, unlatching the door, and returning 15 minutes later to steal the precious pet.

100% they were casing the place to know exactly where he was, said Bitonio. He believes a second person was on the lookout.

Ring camera footage shows a woman trespassing before stealing a 12-year-old French bulldog from a familys backyard in North Hollywood. December 2024. (RMG News) Ring camera footage shows a woman stealing a 12-year-old French bulldog from a familys backyard in North Hollywood. December 2024. (RMG News) Ring camera footage shows a woman stealing a 12-year-old French bulldog from a familys backyard in North Hollywood. December 2024. (RMG News) Two people allegedly stole a 12-year-old French bulldog named Domino from a familys backyard in North Hollywood. December 2024. (RMG News) Ring camera footage shows a woman trespassing before stealing a 12-year-old French bulldog from a familys backyard in North Hollywood. December 2024. (RMG News) Ring camera footage shows a woman stealing a 12-year-old French bulldog from a familys backyard in North Hollywood. December 2024. (RMG News)

This theft aligns with a trend where dogs, oftentimes French bulldogs, are the target of thieves looking to breed desirable pups, worth anywhere between $2,500 and $12,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In some instances, people went to great lengths to snatch the designer dogs, even holding their owners at gunpoint.

However, Bitonio says Domino is old, has health issues, and is not your typical spry puppy.

Hes not lucrative like a young dog, or anything. Im afraid whats going to happen to him if hes of no value to these people, said Bitonio. Hes got not that much longer. Let him be home with his family during the holidays. Now, its tarnished. Theres an emptiness.

Bitonio told KTLA that he wants the people who stole Domino to know they can return him, no questions asked.

He also asked that if anyone recognizes Domino to please call him at 747-286-0234 or email jiggz411@gmail.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A "significant number" of North Korean soldiers have begun fighting alongside Russian forces in assault operations in Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Dec. 14.

Ukrainian and Western officials in fall 2024 warned that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia's attempt to oust Ukrainian forces in the region. The move represents an unprecedented escalation in Russia's war against Ukraine.

"Today, we already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults  a significant number of them," Zelensky said in a video address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in Kursk Oblast."

North Korean troops have not yet joined Russian forces in any other areas of the front, but this could change, Zelensky said.

Zelensky also reported that North Korean units have sustained "noticeable losses."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has "dragged another state into this war," Zelensky said.

"And if this is not escalation, then what is the escalation that so many have been talking about?"

The first clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November. Zelensky reported on Dec. 1 that North Korean soldiers had already been killed fighting for Russia, but did not specify figures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened their alliance over the course of the full-scale war. The two nations signed a defense treaty in June, requiring either state to render military aid to the other in the event of an attack.

North Korea has reportedly provided Russia with over 100 ballistic missiles and 5 million artillery shells. In exchange, Moscow has allegedly given Pyongyang economic support and assistance with its nuclear weapons program.

Ukrainain forces launched a shock offensive into Kursk Oblast in August. Russia began a counterattack in September and has reportedly taken back 40% of the territory initially captured by Ukraine.

Read also: How will Russias war in Ukraine end? The good, the bad, and the ugly scenarios

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast killed eight members of a Russian unit in a "friendly fire" attack, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 14.

Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a "significant number" of North Korean troops had joined Russian assault operations in the Kursk region.

While engaged in combat in Kursk Oblast, a group of North Korean soldiers opened fire on members of the Chechen Akhmat unit fighting for Russia, HUR reported via its official Telegram channel. The attack allegedly killed eight Russian soldiers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the report.

Read also: Outnumbered and outgunned, Ukraine struggles to halt Russian advance near Pokrovsk

HUR said the incident was the result of the language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops, which continues to be a "difficult obstacle" on the battlefield.

An estimated 200 servicemembers fighting with Russian and North Korean units have been killed as of Dec. 14, HUR claimed.

Zelensky previously announced that North Korean personnel had begun incurring "noticeable losses," but did not provide a figure.

Ukrainian and Western officials in fall 2024 warned that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia's attempt to oust Ukrainian forces in the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Russian military has instituted special protocols in places where North Korean personnel are located, HUR said. Russian soldiers must undergo inspections before entering these areas, and their phones and electronic devices are confiscated.

The first direct clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November. According to Zelensky, North Korean personnel have not been deployed to any other areas of the front, but that could change in the future.

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now)  Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins budget proposal aims to prevent Virginia cities from becoming sanctuary cities.

He plans to impose consequences on agencies that dont cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

But some localities like Fairfax said the governor is incorrectly blaming local governments.

Its not their job and they need to be focusing on actually protecting the communities they serve, Immigration Rights Attorney, Austin Rose, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ornaments stripped, stolen from Brunswick city Christmas tree in Frederick County

Rose said Youngkins plan to withhold funding from localities that dont cooperate with ICE will hurt more than help.

I think it would make it harder for them to protect the communities which is exactly what Governor Youngkin, I think, wants right? says Rose.

The plan would require law enforcement to fully comply with ICE detainers and provide notice to ICE 48 hours before the release of an undocumented immigrant who commits a crime.

Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said its a good idea.

Weve had about 500 that were undocumented that have come through our jail, Chapman said. Of those about 250 were referred to ICE and they picked them up and about 100 of those were deported. Every time we do something like that it gets somebody out of the area, out of our communities that has a propensity to commit another crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fairfax County Chairman Jeff McKay released a statement saying that Youngkin should be calling for comprehensive federal immigration reform to prevent the kinds of problems hes incorrectly blaming on local governments.

We dont need those people here to commit other crimes and jeopardize our citizens, so I dont think that thats the case. I dont think this is going to be a blanket hey, lets just go after anybody and everybody here, Chapman said.

The governors budget proposal still needs to be approved by the General Assembly which is currently Democrat-controlled.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Norway will continue training Ukrainian F-16 pilots as part of its support for Ukraines defense and will relocate its training base from Denmark to Portugal, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram announced in a Dec. 13 press release.

Since 2023, Norway has provided aircraft, instructors, and technical support for the training program in Denmark. In 2025, Portugal will take over as the host nation for the initiative.

The operation is part of a broader Air Defense Coalition aimed at strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to military instructors, Norways Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) will contribute personnel to support technical training for Ukrainian pilots. Gram added that future training locations will be decided by the coalition.

The fight the Ukrainians are waging is existential, and it is critical for both Norway and Europes security, Gram said in the statement published on the Norwegian governments website.

It is crucial that we maintain and expand Western support for Ukraine, continually seeking new ways to assist their defense efforts.

The coalition has also played a significant role in supplying military assets to Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Dec. 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Denmark, a key member of the coalition, had delivered a second batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, boosting its air defense capabilities.

This followed a Nov. 27 declaration by the leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, and Sweden, pledging to strengthen their support for Ukraine in response to Russias ongoing full-scale invasion.

Read also: Once liberated Kupiansk braces for worst as Russian troops approach, and future Western support looks uncertain

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Norway will relocate the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots from Denmark to Portugal starting in early 2025.

Source: Norwegian Defence Ministry

Quote from Norwegian Defence Minister Bjrn Arild Gram: "The government has allocated funds to support the training of Ukrainian pilots and ground crews in 2025.

F-16 training in Denmark will cease at the beginning of the year. The Norwegian Armed Forces will instead provide instructors for training Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Portugal from the new year."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: The Norwegian Defence Ministry stated that the training is part of Norway's contribution to the Air Defence Coalition, through which countries support the further development of Ukraine's Air Force, including the transfer of fighter jets.

Norway has been supplying aircraft and instructors to assist with the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots since the autumn of 2023.

Quote from Gram: "Portugal is picking up the baton from Denmark, though for a shorter period of time. After that, it will depend on the Air Defence Coalition where the training will take place in the future."

Background: The Norwegian parliament on 28 November approved increasing support for Ukraine to NOK 35 billion (approximately US$3.16 billion) in 2025.

Support UP or become our patron!
PARIS (AP)  The reopening of Notre Dame was a solemn celebration of cultural and spiritual renewal. Yet for some, the historic cathedral's revival also felt like a meticulously choreographed branding event by LVMH and other luxury conglomerates.

Bernard Arnault, the lowkey billionaire behind luxury powerhouse LVMH and a key Notre Dame donor who regularly tops the list of the worlds richest men, was at the center of the celebration. He was surrounded by his family, the French president, the archbishop and clergy, and the unmistakable symbols of his luxury empires influence, including its brands Louis Vuitton and Dior.

France's first lady Brigitte Macron and her U.S. counterpart, Jill Biden, both had Lady Dior handbags. Louis Vuitton artistic director Pharrell Williams performed kitted out in Louis Vuitton. South African soprano Pretty Yende also contributed with a rendition of Amazing Grace while wearing a Dior gown adorned with 110 carats of diamonds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Welcome to the inauguration of the LVMH arena, commented television journalist Yann Barthes about the cathedral ceremony.

LVMH has enjoyed unprecedented visibility in France in 2024, especially as a high-profile sponsor of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Some questioned the taste of such brand prominence occurring in a sacred space like the beloved Gothic monument, while noting LVMH's crucial contribution to the reconstruction.

You cant blame monsieur Arnault, a businessman, to do business. But people are now asking if it was an appropriate venue for a display like that, said fashion PR consultant Theo Fontaine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its been a great PR year for LVMH  that's for sure, Fontaine added. The Olympics and now Notre Dame. The whole world has been watching.

Not far behind Arnault sat representatives of Kering, adding another layer to the ongoing rivalry between Frances two largest luxury conglomerates.

Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault attended alongside his wife, actress Salma Hayek, who wore a tailored Gucci coat. Gucci is Kering-owned.

The event, marking the culmination of an 840 million euro ($882 million) restoration effort following a devastating 2019 fire, brought together global dignitaries and cultural icons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The restoration united Frances corporate giants. Arnaults 200 million euro donation was the largest, followed by 100 million euro contributions from Pinault and the Bettencourt-Meyers family of LOreal. Over 250 companies and 2,000 craftspeople contributed to the five-year restoration effort, which reconstructed the spire, repaired vaulted ceilings and restored stained-glass windows.

As the bells of Notre Dame rang out across Paris, the cathedrals rebirth stood as a testament to collective effort  but also for some as a symbol of how Frances seats of power and its prized luxury industry are inextricably intertwined.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron welcomed heads of state, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britains Prince William and Elon Musk, to a ceremony steeped in tradition  and high fashion.

Arnault attended with his family, including Dior chair and CEO Delphine Arnault, LVMH image and environment director Antoine Arnault, Moet Hennessy deputy CEO Alexandre Arnault, LVMH Watches CEO Frederic Arnault, and Louis Vuitton product and development director for watches Jean Arnault. Antoine Arnaults wife, model Natalia Vodianova, was also in attendance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I am proud of the outpouring of generosity from all over the world, to which the LVMH Group and my family wanted to contribute from the very beginning, which has enabled the restoration of this jewel of our heritage, Antoine Arnault said in a statement posted to LinkedIn.

This extraordinary project highlighted the excellence of French know-how and the talent of nearly 2,000 architects, workers and craftsmen of all trades, he added.

Yet, public reaction was mixed

Papuna Biliseishvili, 24, who watched the ceremony in Paris, quipped, If the devil wears Prada, the cathedral wears Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cari Lefebvre, 27, said this is the most PR the Catholic Church has seen in centuries.

Marie-Claire Dubois, a 45-year-old Catholic worshiper from Paris, expressed her disapproval. This is a sacred place. It is beautiful that these companies contributed, but the branding should have remained outside," she said "Notre Dame deserves respect as a house of God, not a showcase for luxury.

While the grandeur of the reopening sparked debate, Arnaults donation and LVMHs contributions to the cathedral restorationincluding 36 300-year-old oak trees for the spirehave been widely praised.

LVMHs influence at the Paris 2024 Olympics further cemented its stellar year. The company crafted custom display cases for 5,000 medals and the Olympic torch, showcasing its artistry and precision. Berluti, another LVMH brand, designed costumes for the opening ceremony, while an Olympic-themed Vogue World fashion show, supported by the group, drew international attention during Paris Couture Week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tensions between Arnault and Pinault, the driving forces behind LVMH and Kering respectively, were on full display with their brands prominent appearances at the cathedral. This rivalry dates back decades to a bitter bidding war over Gucci in the late 1990s, which Pinaults Kering ultimately won. Since then, their competition has extended beyond fashion into the realms of art, philanthropy and global influence.

In Notre Dame, French luxury was also championed by the French Catholic church  and was on display even in the stitch of the liturgical vestments. French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac was called on by the church to design the cathedrals 2,000 garments. The unorthodox designs were fun, modern  and perhaps shockingly minimalist. They ensured that even the clergys robes reflected high-fashion artistry, further underscoring the intersection of faith and fashion at the event.
The number of civilians killed in the Gaza conflict has been inflated to portray Israel as deliberately targeting innocent people, a report claims.

Researchers accuse the Gaza ministry of health of overstating casualty data by including natural deaths, failing to differentiate between civilian and combat casualties and over-reporting the numbers of women and children killed.

The study by the Henry Jackson Society, a think tank, claims the figures have been manipulated by the Hamas-run authorities in Gaza for propaganda purposes, with international media outlets happy to repeat them uncritically.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Gaza ministry of health has estimated that more than 44,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its military response to the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.

The Henry Jackson Society found that, based on Israeli and US military and intelligence reports, around 17,000 of these were Hamas fighters, but claims that this has been frequently overlooked in media reports.

Its report states: The ministry of health, operating under Hamas, has systematically inflated the death toll by failing to distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths, over-reporting fatalities among women and children and even including individuals who died before the conflict began.

This has led to a narrative where the Israel Defense Forces are portrayed as disproportionately targeting civilians, while the actual numbers suggest a significant proportion of the dead are combatants.

An Israeli air strike on Deir al Balah in Gaza - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images

Critics of Israel say that even if anomalies are excluded from the casualty figures, tens of thousands of innocent civilians have been killed in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The report found numerous statistical anomalies and inaccuracies. Researchers say that around 5,000 natural deaths, which would have happened even without the conflict, appear to have been added to the list of casualties, including cancer patients who later appeared on lists of those still receiving hospital treatment.

Other errors  some of which were later rectified by the ministry  include adult casualties being recorded as children and several men being wrongly recorded as women, thereby artificially increasing the number of women and children recorded as killed.

Researchers, who established that the majority of those killed were men aged 15-45, said they found a pattern of victims ages being revised downwards by at least one year when compared to data on the Palestinian Population Register in an apparent attempt to inflate the number of children recorded as killed.

This misclassification contributes to the narrative that civilian populations, particularly women and children, bear the brunt of the conflict, potentially influencing sentiment and media coverage, said Andrew Fox, the reports author.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Henry Jackson Society said the casualty figures also failed to distinguish between Gazans killed by the IDF and those killed by misfired Hamas rockets or during the distribution of food aid.

These include 17-year-old Ahmed Shdad Halmy Brika, who was reported to have been shot dead by Hamas while trying to obtain food for his family from a humanitarian aid shipment in December last year.

Palestinians mourn relatives after an Israeli air strike on Rafah - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images

The authors said that the Hamas-sanctioned casualty figures had been taken at face value by several international media outlets including the BBC, The New York Times and CNN.

According to the report, only five per cent of the media organisations surveyed cited casualty figures issued by the Israeli authorities, while 98 per cent used those provided by the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The report, carried out by the Fifty Global Research group with the support of the International Institute of Social and Legal Studies, also accuses the United Nations of conflating civilian and military casualties in a number of its humanitarian appeals.

It states: The omission creates a skewed narrative portraying all casualties as civilian, shaping public opinion and international policy based on incomplete or manipulated data . . with Israel accused of genocide, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, told The Telegraph: The manipulation of events and facts on the ground throughout this conflict confirms that a terrorist organisation like Hamas will distort the truth to further their own aims. The media must be alert to this and report information and events taking place in a responsible and balanced way.

War is a tragedy, but Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorists who are backed by the Iranian regime that also threatens our interests and efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Palestinian representatives have rejected the reports claims as a morally and professionally repugnant way of defending Israels actions in Gaza.

Dr Husam Zomlot, the head of the Palestine Mission to the United Kingdom, said: Numerous international organisations and UN agencies  including the WHO  have not only confirmed these numbers, theyve made the point that they are severely underestimated.

Because we dont how many people are still buried under the rubble or have been killed indirectly as a result of Israels targeting of the health sector undermining all healthcare provision, the imposed famine and the wholesale destruction of infrastructure that has left 1.9 million people homeless.

A BBC spokesman said: It is challenging to report accurately on the death toll in Gaza as Israel does not allow independent access to international journalists. BBC News is clear and transparent in sourcing the figures which are available and attributing them to the Hamas-run health authority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Beyond this, we use a range of sources to understand the impact of the war in Israel and Gaza on civilians including the IDF, the health ministry in Gaza and the UN.

Inaccurate numbers  yet the media continues to use them

In the fog of war, truth is often the first casualty. Nowhere is this more evident than in the reporting of deaths in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, writes Andrew Fox.

A new report, published by the Henry Jackson Society, exposes startling inaccuracies in the fatality data provided by the Hamas-run Gaza ministry of health  data that forms the backbone of much international media reporting. This report demands a serious re-evaluation of how fatality figures are reported in this conflict.

The findings are damning. According to the report, the fatality figures released by Gazas ministry of health are riddled with statistical anomalies and methodological flaws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Men have been repeatedly misclassified as women, adults have been recorded as children, and deaths unrelated to Israel Defense Forces action  such as natural deaths or fatalities from misfired rockets  have been included. These errors systematically inflate the civilian death toll and obscure the distinction between combatants and non-combatants.

The consequences of this misreporting are profound. By portraying a disproportionately high number of women and children among the casualties, the data perpetuates a narrative that civilians are being targeted.

Yet the reports demographic analysis reveals a very different picture: depending on the reporting mechanism, the majority of those killed are fighting-age men, strongly suggesting a significant number of fatalities are combatants. This distortion is not just a statistical issue  it shapes international perceptions of the conflict, influencing public opinion and policy-making.

Palestinian Red Crescent rescuers carry the victim of an Israeli strike into the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis last week - Bashar Taleb/AFP

The medias role in amplifying these questionable statistics cannot be ignored. Of the 1,378 articles reviewed in the report, a staggering 98 per cent cited fatality figures from Hamas-controlled sources without critical scrutiny.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Israeli sources, which often include data on combatant fatalities, were cited in just 5 per cent of the reports. This imbalance creates a one-sided narrative, portraying Israel as disproportionately targeting civilians while sidelining evidence of militant losses.

The report highlights that this is not the first time such issues have arisen. During previous conflicts, similar inaccuracies were documented.

For example, after the 2008-2009 Operation Cast Lead, Hamas initially claimed that 95 per cent of fatalities were civilians  a figure later revised under scrutiny to acknowledge that nearly half were combatants. Despite these precedents, international media outlets have continued to rely on unverified figures from the same sources.

The methodologies employed by the Hamas-run ministry of health raise serious questions. Fatalities are recorded through a mix of hospital reports, family submissions using an open-source online form, and media sources, with little transparency or verification.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our report highlights egregious examples, such as individuals listed as war casualties who later appeared on cancer treatment registers  proof they were still alive well after their supposed deaths.

Why does this matter? Media outlets are not merely passive conduits of information; they play a critical role in shaping global perceptions. By failing to critically examine these figures, they risk misleading their audiences and policymakers.

The report notes that outlets such as the BBC, CNN, and The New York Times frequently presented Gaza ministry of health statistics without question, even as these figures diverged wildly between Hamass own reporting methodologies.

International bodies, too, bear responsibility. The United Nations has frequently cited Hamass fatality figures without caveats, lending them an unwarranted veneer of credibility. This uncritical acceptance allows misinformation to spread unchecked, undermining efforts to understand the true human cost of the conflict.

Accurate reporting in war zones is inherently challenging, but the stakes are too high for complacency.

War is a tragedy, and every civilian death is a profound loss. For families, friends and communities. But accurate reporting is essential for holding parties accountable and for allowing informed international responses. The findings of this report underscore the need for rigorous scrutiny of fatality data from Gaza and beyond.

The world deserves the truth, and for balance and context in war reporting It is the responsibility of media outlets and international organisations to ensure that the narrative they present is not only compelling but also credible. Only then can we hope to understand, and ultimately resolve, the complex realities of conflict.

Andrew Fox is a former paratrooper and research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
New Hope nursing home workers went on strike Friday morning, joining the picket lines amid ongoing union negotiations.

Workers at Woodlake Nursing Home walked out on Friday at 6 a.m., joining their fellow SEIU union members in a five-day paid strike against conditions the nursing home.

The nursing home offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, or memory care for elderly people. Nurses at the home also provide palliative and rehabilitation care.

Pexels

The strike will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 6 a.m. Striking workers who join the picket line for one of the three shifts will still be paid full wages. The picketers will remain outside the home from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a statement to Bring Me The News, the SEIU union says the strike follows "ongoing negotiations ... to reach an agreement with the employer that assesses the conditions of employment at [the] facility."

The union claims the home has been reducing staff headcount, asking employees to give up sick pay, and says there are discrepancies in pay, such as new hires being offered more than current workers.

It also claims the facility has been unsafe environment for some employees, with the SEIU saying in the last three years, more than 30 workers have been injured on the job every year.

The property was built in 1967 and was owned by Minnesota-based nonprofit St. Therese. However, St. Therese decided not to renew its contract in July and sold the building to senior care provider Compass Healthcare this summer, which took effect on Aug. 1.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bring Me The News has contacted Woodlake Nursing Home for comment, with a spokesperson saying they are committed to creating a positive workspace for employees and "are proud of the steps we have taken as an organization to support our incredible team."

It denies the workers' allegations of reduced staff and denial of benefits.

"A strike is unnecessary. In the few months since the transition of ownership, we have not decreased the number of staff, amount of pay, benefits, or seniority, and we have negotiated in good faith to reach a fair contract," the statement continues. "To prepare for the strike, we have taken steps to ensure that we have the appropriate staffing to ensure that our residents will continue to receive the safe, quality care they deserve."
NEW YORK (PIX11)  New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has concerns about Mayor Eric Adams goal to deport migrants who commit violent crimes in the city.

Mayor Adams met with incoming border czar Tom Homan on Thursday to discuss President-elect Donald Trumps plans for mass deportations. Mayor Adams said he and Homan are on the same page about who should be deported.

More Local News

We have the same desire to go after those who have committed repeated violent acts among innocent New Yorkers and among migrants and asylum seekers. Thats what I heard from him. I was pleased to hear that because we share the same desire, Mayor Adams said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mayor Adams said he does not believe those deportations would extend to migrants just going about living their daily lives.

Were going to protect the rights of immigrants in this city who are hard-working, giving back to this city in a real way. Were not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants, and long-standing New Yorkers, Mayor Adams said.

Speaker Adams said she is concerned about the deportation plans.

That is a very, very shaky ground. New York City is a sanctuary city. I believe the laws that are in place with our sanctuary city laws are indeed enough to keep the city safe, to keep our immigrants safe as well, Speaker Adams said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Watch the video player for the full interview.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Staten Island, N.Y (PIX11)  Local and Federal officials are sounding the alarm for seniors everywhere, especially on Staten Island.

They said EBT card data is being stolen alarmingly, and the government is running out of money to replenish the cards. One type of fraud is skimming, in which people are tricked into giving up their card information.

More Local News

Inside the New Lane Senior Center, residents told horror stories about being unable to buy food for the month after thieves drained their EBT cards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tenant Association President Tina Watson said it is happening time and time again.

They are being pushed into corner and taken advantage of here by stores around them because a lot of them use these local stores because they cant go far, Watson said.

The officials at the press conference warned seniors not to share their PIN with anyone, to cover their PIN pads with their hands while entering their information, and to check their accounts frequently.

They also want seniors to beware of skimming devices, which look like regular card readers but are generally slightly larger and are used by thieves to capture card information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its terrible, you have vulnerable seniors and others who rely on these food cards to survive, said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island & Brooklyn).

Malliotakis also calls for a more thorough police investigation because her office has received hundreds of complaints.

Is it a store, is it a criminal organization, an individual, a gang? She said. We need to get the bottom of whats happening here because the government having difficulty replenishing cards. Obviously, funds are limited.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Government officials are continuing to downplay any potential threats posed by mysterious aircraft dotting the New Jersey sky in recent weeks amid growing social media concern and speculation.

Agencies investigating the string of aircraft sightings reiterated in a call with reporters on Saturday that while they still dont know where the craft came from, they have no reason to believe at this point that they pose any national security or public safety threat, or that they are operated by foreign actors. Instead, officials seemed to brush off the sightings as evidence of reckless  but legal  aircraft usage.

New Jersey residents began reporting drone sightings in the sky beginning in mid-November, spooking residents and prompting calls  including from President-elect Donald Trump  to shoot them down. It is legal in many locations in U.S. airspace to fly drones under 400 feet. And since November, unidentified aircraft sightings have also been reported in New York and Maryland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lawmakers have demanded answers from federal agencies about the aircraft sightings as suspicions build around their origins, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committees investigations panel, requesting a briefing on the drone reports from the heads of the Federal Aviation Administration, FBI, DHS and Defense Department on Friday. Others have put forth their own theories, with New Jersey Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew on Wednesday suggesting drones may be coming from an Iranian mothership off the coast. The Pentagon flatly dismissed that claim.

But many reports of drone sightings are actually manned aircraft misidentified as unmanned drones, a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security said, reiterating a previous statement from the agency on Thursday. While agencies including DHS, FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration continue to investigate the aircraft appearances, spokespeople said the process has highlighted the legal limitations in counter-drone authority given to the federal agencies.

Oriana Pawlyk contributed to this report.
Oregons Bonneville Dam is the last of 14 dams on the Columbia River before it empties into the Pacific Ocean. (Photo courtesy of the Bonneville Power Administration)

Officials are still not close to reaching their goal of returning at least 5 million salmon and steelhead to the Columbia River Basin. However, new data shows a positive trend in total abundance of fish in the basin.

Thats according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, which on Tuesday met over Zoom to discuss the latest data of salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before 1850, salmon and steelhead runs to the Columbia River Basin were estimated to have been between 10 to 16 million annually. Dams significantly fractured those runs, and in the 1990s, runs declined to about 1 million a year.

However, the most recent 10-year rolling average from 2014-2023 stands at 2.3 million salmon and steelhead returning to the basin, similar to the average of 2.4 million fish between 2004-2013, and an improvement from the average in the 1990s which fell to 1.3 million fish, according to data from the council.

Increased salmon and steelhead abundance in the Columbia River Basin  especially above Bonneville Dam  over the past 40 years marks important progress, Council Member Louie Pitt, who represents Oregon and is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, said in a press release.

The Columbia River Basin spans 259,000 square miles, an area the size of France. It includes parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and British Columbia. (Courtesy of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council)

37 years later, council remains far from goal of 5 million fish returns

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council was established in 1980 by the Northwest Power Act, which authorized Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington to develop a program to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by hydropower systems in the Columbia River Basin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The councils fish and wildlife program is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, and it directs more than $280 million annually to cover 300 projects throughout the basin.

In 1987, the council set a goal to have 5 million salmon and steelhead return to the basin past Bonneville Dam by 2025. And through the 1990s, 12 salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin were listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act as run sizes continued to decline.

Since then, the closest the council has been to reaching its 5 million goal was in 2014, when 4.6 million salmon and steelhead returned to the basin.

While dams are a primary hindrance to salmon and steelhead population recovery, these fish also face severe stresses from climate change, pressures from human population growth in the basin, and other environmental impacts, Pitt said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We cannot ease up in our collective efforts to help these fish populations grow stronger and larger everywhere we can  including in blocked areas of our basin such as above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams, Pitt said.

In the 1990s, the number of salmon and steelhead fish returning to the Columbia River dipped as far as less than 1 million fish. State, federal and tribal agencies are working toward bringing up those numbers. (Courtesy of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council)

Ed Schriever, a council member who represents Idaho and is a former director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said the progress is a result of the coordination between state, federal and tribal agencies and other partners across the Columbia River Basin.

Over the past four decades the regions fish and wildlife managers have significantly increased their capacity to perform mitigation, stewardship, and enhancement, Schriever said in the press release. The managers have also refined their methods and processes as our scientific understanding has evolved and grown more sophisticated. The work being done today is more directed and purposeful than it has ever been.

Data shows improvement in fish production above Bonneville Dam

Another key finding from Tuesdays presentation is an improvement in salmon and steelhead production above Bonneville Dam since the establishment of the council Endangered Species Act listings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Early initiatives of the 20th century to recover salmon and steelhead populations, such as hatcheries, focused mostly in the lower sections of the Columbia River to benefit commercial fisheries and ocean harvest, said Peter Jensen, council spokesperson. This ignored fisheries upstream, particularly those for tribes, which experienced the heaviest losses of salmon and steelhead abundance.

Since then, new hatcheries upstream of Bonneville Dam, many managed or co-managed by tribes, have helped offset some of those losses.

Hatcheries upstream of Bonneville Dam have brought salmon and steelhead returns up since the Northwest Power Conservation Council was first established. (Courtesy of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council)

The data presented on Tuesday gives a more complete picture of salmon and steelhead returns in the basin, showing current and historical estimates of proportions of ocean harvest, returns to the mouth of the river, and adult fish tracked passing Bonneville Dam as they migrate upriver to spawn. Previous efforts only focused on fish migrating past Bonneville Dam.

Idaho Capital Sun originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, the Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The EdChoice program saw a major expansion nearly two years ago, and more than $1 billion were distributed to students in just one fiscal year.

The EdChoice program allows public school students to go to a private or charter school, partly or fully on the taxpayers dime. The states two-year budget, passed in 2023, gave every student the chance to apply for school vouchers, regardless of income. Now, some Ohio lawmakers, like Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington), are calling for more transparency.

We have no accountability or standards for how the money is actually spent, Russo said. Is it actually being spent on the education of students? Or is it being spent to increase administrative salaries or buy luxury vehicles? We dont know. And thats a huge problem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Columbus underreported crime to FBI since 2013

Whatever the taxpayers are funding, there should be some sort of accountability to the public, Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) said. And thats regardless of what the activity might be.

There are several bills in the Ohio House to do just that. The one gaining most traction is House Bill 407, sponsored by two Republicans, but has bipartisan support.

Among the protections, the bill would require that the total number of scholarship students is posted annually. However, before the bill had its first vote, several provisions were stripped from the legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It speaks to the problem that we have here, is that there seems to be no political will from the majority to add real transparency and accountability on how these public dollars are spent, Russo said.

A section that would have required public money given to a student to enroll in private school be accounted for separately from other funds was removed from the bill, as was a provision that would have required EdChoice scholarship students take state tests.

DeWine sounds off on taxes, death penalty and flag planting

Now the bill now requires the total number of students enrolled via scholarship be posted each year, and for that data to be separated by family income. It also requires annual state report card for schools private and nonpublic charter schools with scholarship students. Russo said she wants to see something comprehensive get done soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think its a concern not only for Democrats, but its a concern for many Republicans. And I am not pleased that there seems to be no forward motion on this, Russo said. And I think that the public wants to know that as well. And they deserve to know whats happening with these taxpayer dollars.

Stephens said overall, he is supportive of adding more accountability to the program.

I think its fair if taxpayers are funding a service, that there should be some accountability, whether thats schools, whether thats police and fire, whatever, he said.

Gov. Mike DeWine was not as definitive in his stance about what he wants to get done. He said there is always a balance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state does have an interest in making sure, if a significant amount of money is being spent, we are in fact getting the results that we need in the state, DeWine said. Its a balancing test. Id have to look at the language.

A spokesperson for Senate Republicans declined to comment on the topic.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An Ohio mother is mourning the loss of her two adult children and is focused on getting them "justice" after they were both shot and killed this week.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, after 7 p.m. local time, both Mariana Grier, 21, and Antwon Grier, 20, were shot when "gunfire erupted within the crowd" of an apartment complex parking lot in Euclid, police told ABC affiliate WEWS.

The siblings later died at a local hospital after suffering gunshot wounds, per the outlet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The siblings' mother, LaShawnda Grier, told CBS affiliate WOIO that she was present when her two kids were gunned down. She added that Antwon "died in my arms."

As a mother, how do you pick which kid you are trying to save and both of them down?" LaShawnda asked.

Related: Arrest Made in Killing of Ohio Man Who Went Viral for Shared Birthday with Wife, Twins

All of us fell at the same time. I got up, my oldest daughter got up and ran up the hill, and I ran down the hill," LaShawnda added. "I saw my son underneath the car, and my other ones fell, and I picked him up, and he was so slumped."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to WEWS, surveillance video from the night showed four women gathered in a back lot before the shooting.

LaShawnda told WOIO that the group was waiting at the apartment to apparently confront Mariana, who lived there, as Antwon attempted to de-escalate the situation.

The mother said the violence was prompted by jealousy over a relationship. She claimed the group of women worked with her daughter as well, per WOIO.

I know for a fact it was all over a boy, LaShawnda told the outlet, adding of the group: "They came there to ambush my kids."

Euclid Police Department/Facebook Euclid Police Department vehicle in Ohio Euclid Police Department vehicle in Ohio

LaShawnda said that she was almost shot as well and ended up performing CPR on her son before he was pronounced dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Euclid Police Department has since "developed strong leads," as authorities are investigating the double homicide, per WOIO.

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.

According to WEWS, police in Garfield Heights reportedly helped detain an 18-year-old woman allegedly involved in the shootings before she was handed over to Euclid police.

An Euclid Police Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Euclid is doing a wonderful job, a wonderful job, and I applaud them for that, LaShawnda said. They know I dont play about my kids. Ima get justice for my kids. If its every breath thats in my body, Ima get it.

GoFundMe Antwon Grier, Mariana Grier via GoFundMe Antwon Grier, Mariana Grier via GoFundMe

Related: Ohio News Reporter Hospitalized After Shooting, Suspect Found Dead

A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched to cover the costs of funeral expenses and provide financial relief for the family after the deaths of both Antwon and Mariana, citing the "senseless act of violence."

"Our hearts are shattered by this devastating loss, and the pain of losing two young lives so suddenly is indescribable," the campaign reads. "Antwon and Mariana were full of life, with bright futures ahead of them. They brought joy, love, and laughter to everyone who knew them. Antwon was known for his sense of humor and kind heart, always lifting others up, while Mariana was an incredible soulcompassionate, driven, and full of dreams for her future."

"Together, they were a beautiful pair whose spirits will forever be missed," it concludes.



Read the original article on People
A former Ohio police officer has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of stealing and selling cocaine.

Columbus Division of Police officers John Castillo, 31, and Joel Mefford, 34, were both arrested, and Castillo was sentenced by the US District Court Friday.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They were both charged on separate indictments with possessing with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Castillo will spend 46 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court records, Mefford was investigating a drug crime in February 2020 and unlawfully gained access to a detached garage belonging to the subject of the investigation.

As previously reported by News Center 7, without a warrant, Mefford allegedly found two kilograms of cocaine in the rafters of the garage. Hes accused of unlawfully taking one and leaving the other kilogram to be found during the execution of a search warrant. He then allegedly gave the stolen drugs to someone to sell.

In another case in February and March 2020, Mefford was investigating drug trafficking at homes in Columbus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In March, he allegedly took a bag containing multiple kilograms of cocaine from one of the houses and arrested a suspect. He then went to another home in the investigation and removed a kilogram of cocaine. That same day, he turned in one kilogram to evidence and stole the others to be sold.

In April of that same year, he allegedly stole 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room and replaced it with fake cocaine.

It was also reported that he deposited more than $72,000 in cash from the cocaine sales into his personal account.

According to Castillos indictment, he allegedly took 10 kilograms of cocaine from a home and did not turn it into evidence. Instead, he planted two additional kilograms of cocaine for law enforcement to find at that same house later that day. The 10 kilograms he took were then stored in another persons basement before being given to someone else to sell.
CLAREMORE, Okla.  Long-time special victim investigator Gary Stansill was honored for 50 years in law enforcement and referred to as a gifted investigator for his work with victims.

Oklahoma representative refiles Lauria and Ashley legislation

Stansill graduated from the Tulsa Police Academy in August of 1974 and began his law enforcement career with the Tulsa Police Department. In the mid-1980s, he transitioned to detective and, toward the end of that decade, Stansill was most often called on to investigate sex crimes, both adult and child victims, as well as child abuse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stansill has investigated and helped catch several serial rapists in Tulsa and solve several cold cases. Most recently, he and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent Tammy Ferrari solved the case involving two missing Craig County teenagers, Lauria Bible and Ashely Freeman.

Stansill is recognized statewide in Oklahoma as an expert in sexual assault investigations and has worked with Oklahoma legislators in amending several sexual assault statutes.

His work investigating sex crimes and child abuse morphed into a national model for the multidisciplinary approach to child abuse investigations and reducing trauma for young victims.

Stansill talked about his family and his faith, saying he often relies on his faith in God and seeks direction in cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I believe in miracles, and I believe God can do the impossible, Stansill said.

The Bible Freeman case is solved with the conviction of Ronnie Busick, but it is not resolved  it wont be resolved until we bring the girls home, Stansill said.

Gary Stansill reviewing Picher maps in Bible/Freeman case

Ronnie Busick was sentenced in 2020 on a reduced charge of accessory to murder. He has since been released from prison.

Stansill said he is blessed to have worked with some fantastic people, calling out different officers attending Tuesdays ceremony and referring to them as family.

Many speakers spoke of Stansills interview and interrogation skills, calling him the best and saying suspects falsely assumed they were outwitting Stansills low-key questions. Still, those questions would often be a defining moment in the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its an honor to know Gary and to have him on my team, said District Attorney Matt Ballard. It is impossible to overstate the impact hes had fighting crime and bringing criminals to justice across Oklahoma.

Ballard praised Stansill, saying he has a unique ability to restore some of their [victims] sense of safety, and he advocates for people who have endured some of the most horrific crimes imaginable.

He is a truly gifted investigator, Ballard said.

Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton said he tells young officers that Stansill is the officer to emulate.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma City Police are asking for help with finding a man suspected of robbing a bank in northwest Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for 46-year-old Carlton Stevens, who is accused of robbing a Chase Bank near NW 22nd Street and N Western Avenue at around 4:13 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11.

Anyone who sees Stevens is asked to call 911. For any other information that could help investigators locate Stevens, contact Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300 or okccrimetips.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
(WHTM)  Police in York County reported that the suspect allegedly involved in a shooting at an apartment building in Hanover Saturday morning has come forward.

According to Hanover Police, on Dec. 14, 2024, at around 9:40 a.m., officers were called to the 100 block of Broadway for a report of shots fired.

A 34-year-old Hanover man was taken to WellSpan York Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the chest. Authorities say they believe the wound is non-life threatening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News Alerts

Police said an altercation occurred between the victim and his neighbor, a 39-year-old Hanover man. At some point in the dispute, a firearm was brandished and a shot was fired, striking the victim, per police.

The York County Quick Response Team was requested, believing the suspect was in another apartment within the same building. Police say the team cleared the apartment and it was determined that the suspect fled before police arrived.

The Lucky Spot, a diner in the same building, commented on the incident in a Facebook post, saying, Thankfully, no shooting occurred inside the Lucky Spot. We share an address with the apartments upstairs. Pending the results of the police investigation, it is currently thought something happened upstairs. Lets all hope and pray no one was injured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Authorities described the suspect as a Hispanic man, approximately 65 tall with a thin build, brown eyes, and black hair. Before coming forward, he was last seen fleeing the area in a gray Ford F-150 with an extended cab.

Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News 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 ABC27.
FORT EISENHOWER, Ga. (WJBF)  An army installation near Augusta, Georgia went on lockdown Saturday morning after a deadly shooting in on-post housing.

Officials say one person was killed at Fort Eisenhower. Their identity wont be released until family is notified.

Florida woman charged with threatening health insurance company with delay, deny, depose

The shooter is in custody, and officials say it was an isolated incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The gates reopened around 9:45 a.m., and Fort Eisenhower is offering support to those impacted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is seriously injured after crashing into a tree Saturday morning on a highway ramp near Downtown Columbus.

A police dispatcher said officers were alerted of the crash just before 7 a.m. at the Interstate 670 East ramp towards State Route 315 North. One vehicle was found crashed into a tree with one person being taken to a hospital in serious condition.

Follow this link for the latest traffic conditions

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ramp was closed by authorities where they redirected traffic but it has reopened as of 8:30 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
OPELIKA, Ala.  (WRBL) A tragic incident unfolded Friday afternoon when Opelika Police responded to a fatal shooting at the Woodbend Apartments on Waverly Parkway.

Officers arrived at approximately 12:35 p.m. and found 43-year-old Marquet Devon Turk Sr. suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by officers and EMTs, Turk Sr. was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators identified the suspected shooter as Turk Sr.s son, 23-year-old Marquet Devon Turk Jr. With assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Montgomery Police Department, Turk Jr. was located and taken into custody in Montgomery.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has been charged with the murder of his father and transported to the Lee County Jail, where he remains in custody.

The Opelika Police Department is seeking additional information about the incident. Anyone with details is encouraged to contact the Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Suchir Balaji, who was a researcher at OpenAI, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment last month at the age of 26. Earlier this year, he went public with his concerns about copyright violations at the startup.

Former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji, who left the startup earlier this year and voiced concerns about copyright violations, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment last month at the age of 26, according to reports.

San Franciscos office of the chief medical examiner told CNBC that the manner of death was determined to be a suicide. The San Francisco Police Department also confirmed to CNBC that officers were called to the apartment Nov. 26 for a "well-being check" and found no evidence of foul play.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The news was first reported by the San Jose Mercury News late Friday.

"We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time," OpenAI said in a statement.

Balaji left OpenAI in August after nearly four years there and told the New York Times in October that the company's use of copyrighted data violated the law, adding that chatbots like ChatGPT were harmful to the internet.

At the time he said he had not taken a new job and was working on "personal projects."

If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company, Balaji told the Times, which is suing OpenAI along with other publishers over the use of copyrighted material in the training of its AI model.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The company has disputed the claims, saying it built its AI models with publicly available data, while observing "fair use" principles and widely accepted legal precedents.

"We view this principle as fair to creators, necessary for innovators, and critical for U.S. competitiveness," OpenAI told the Times in October.

While growing up in Cupertino, Calif., AI captured Balaji's imagination in 2013, when the startup DeepMind unveiled its AI technology that learned to play video games. In 2020, he joined OpenAI after graduating from the University of California at Berkeley.

"I thought that AI was a thing that could be used to solve unsolvable problems, like curing diseases and stopping aging," he told the Times. "I thought we could invent some kind of scientist that could help solve them."

If you are having thoughts of suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-8255.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
A former OpenAI employee who spoke out against what he called illegal copyright violations by the ChatGPT maker was found dead last month in what officials ruled an apparent suicide.

26-year-old Suchir Balaji quit the AI firm in August, telling the New York Times in October that OpenAI illegally used copyrighted data to create its technology, including the flagship ChatGPT. He had quit the firm a few months prior.

If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company, Balaji told the Times, adding that training on stolen data was not a sustainable model for the internet ecosystem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Balaji posted findings on his personal website in October suggesting that OpenAIs defense of how it trains its models was inaccurate. The whistleblower alleged the company hadnt met the qualifications of the fair use doctrine it claimed when using a wide array of data.

Weeks later, in late November, Balaji was found dead in his apartment, per the San Jose Mercury News, with authorities finding no evidence of foul play. The Bay Area paper claimed that the information Balaji held was expected to be used in upcoming lawsuits against the tech giant.

OpenAI faces a host of lawsuits from multiple industries. Computer programmers and record labels have accused the companys model of illegally training on their property. News outlets have also cried foul, with the New York Times suing OpenAI last year.

The company, valued at $157 billion during an October round of investments, claims to draw over 200 million weekly active users with ChatGPT, in addition to its Dall-E image generator and recently launched Sora video generator.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The UC Berkeley graduate was hopeful about the benefits of AI when he began working at OpenAI, telling the Times he thought that A.I. was a thing that could be used to solve unsolvable problems. Before his death, he told the paper that he was pursuing personal projects.

Balaji isnt the first corporate whistleblower to pass away shortly after sharing their story this year. Two former Boeing employees died after speaking out against the embattled aviation giant in March and April.
LOUISVILLE, Ga. (WJBF)- One of our local disaster recovery centers is up and running again after a minor setback.

The Jefferson County Disaster Recovery Center had to close on Tuesday due to flooding and hazardous conditions from heavy rain in the area.

We spoke to FEMA Media Relations Specialist Nikki Gaskins-Campbell.

We did close temporarily just out of an abundance of caution, but we do want people to know that were still here, and were back open, said Gaskins-Campbell.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since reopening Wednesday, turnout continues to be steady since opening last month.

We opened originally in November, and to date I can tell you weve seen more than a thousand people since weve opened. We see about 20 to 30 people a day, some a little less, some a little more, she added.

Workers are also going outside the DRC walls for those who cant get there.

As of December 13th, FEMA has stopped by more than 121,000 homes across the state of South Carolina, offering help to those who need it.

Workers are stopping anywhere between 100 to 150 homes a day, even with less than two weeks until Christmas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We still have people canvasing the CSRA, even today as we speak. We also have crews in South Carolina doing the same thinggoing on foot, door to door to meet with disaster survivors at their homes. So dont be surprised if FEMA could possibly walk up to your door and knock on it, Gaskins-Campbell said.

Disaster survivor assistance crews have also visited more than 21,000 homes in Richmond County.

The countys disaster recovery center has had more than 9,300 visitors to date.

FEMA has now approved more than $251 million in housing and other types of assistance, and approved more than 191,400 applications for Georgia households for Helene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As for the Palmetto State, the organization has approved more than $234 million to 315,243 South Carolina households.

But they want to make sure youre not leaving any other potential funds on the table.

You may be able to get help for basic home repairs, a temporary place to stay. If youre self-employed, you may be able to get assistance for any equipment for your job that was damaged. It could be farming equipment, a laptop, a tractor if youre a farmer. Also, medical and dental. If you had someone unfortunately pass away as a result of Helene, you may be eligible for funeral reimbursements. So theres quite a variety of ways this assistance can be used, but its important to reach out to us, said Gaskins-Campbell.

For more information on how you can get assistance from FEMA, click here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
When the 119th Congress convenes in January, it must modernize the U.S. governments approach to cybersecurity. This is not only about defending our national security; it is about growing our economic prosperity and ensuring the American way of life.

This next Congress sits at an uncomfortable crossroads in our collective cyber defense. Threats are growing in frequency and complexity, yet there will be a congressional cyber brain drain. Deep, bipartisan expertise from Reps. Jim Langevin (D-R.I), Will Hurd (R-Texas), John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) will no longer be there to pull Congress forward.

To be sure, Sens. Angus King (I-Maine), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Gary Peters (D-Mich) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) remain. And there is important new cyber leadership on the horizon from Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Morgan Luttrell (D-Texas) and others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

AI is capturing attention for the moment, but we must remember that strong cybersecurity is a cornerstone for any successful artificial intelligence program. The congressional agenda for cybersecurity needs to build rapidly on the momentum of the past eight years to fully implement a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy to protect our critical infrastructure, our federal IT systems, and individual Americans.

We must continue to implement the recommendations of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and other common-sense reforms. But Congress will need to do more and appropriate the funding to support it.

We need to continue to rethink our approach to public-private partnerships. The majority of American critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector. It is therefore imperative that we foster a collaborative environment wherein information sharing is the norm. Incentivizing private companies to invest in cybersecurity through tax breaks, grants, and liability protections will create a more resilient national infrastructure.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency remains crucial to our cyber defense. CISAs role in protecting federal networks, critical infrastructure, and election security cannot be overstated. Yet, with the new Trump administration, CISAs role is expected to be under review. With increasing cyber threats from nation-states and non-state actors alike, we cannot afford to undermine this vital agency. Indeed, we must strengthen it, and even grow it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Congress must also support U.S. international engagement by developing legislation that sets rules of engagement for borderless behavior from bad actors. We can impose consequences through new legislation, even as prosecutions for state-enabled hacking should continue. The U.S. must lead in establishing norms and agreements on cyberspace behavior. This includes updating outdated legislation like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

It will also be critical for this next Congress to encourage engagement with allies and adversaries alike to set expectations and consequences for bad activity to stabilize the digital domain. This includes more authority for the State Departments Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy to advocate for the adoption of international laws and frameworks that govern cyber conduct consistent with American values such as transparency and the rule of law.

Investing in the modernization of the federal governments IT systems must be another critical priority, and Congress will have to appropriate the resources to both continuously improve them. These systems store critical data, including Americans personal data, and are under constant attack  yet are often painfully outdated.

Passing a comprehensive federal privacy law remains a necessity, including providing a floor for data minimization and for data collection and transfers. This is not just about individual Americans personal cybersecurity and privacy. Indeed, there are national security risks to our foreign adversaries having easy access to our personal data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our outdated federal privacy framework also means we are increasingly a global outlier, with implications for our economy, as protections for our cross-border data transfers come under scrutiny.

Moreover, Congress must address the cybersecurity workforce shortage, both in the federal workforce and nationwide. The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals far exceeds the supply. This gap leaves our nation vulnerable. Investing in education and training programs is essential. Scholarships for service programs, partnerships with universities, and apprenticeship programs can help build a robust cybersecurity workforce.

Finally, public awareness and education are crucial. Cybersecurity is not just the governments responsibility; it is a collective effort. Educating citizens about basic cyber hygiene can reduce the risk of cyber incidents. Public campaigns and school programs can play a vital role in building a cyber-aware society.

The 119th Congress must strengthen our national cybersecurity posture, and it will require all cyber-informed members to take leadership roles to tackle this challenge. But by building on past progress, we can make cyber great again. The time to act is now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

David Hickton is the founding director of the University of Pittsburghs Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security (Pitt Cyber) and the former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Mark Montgomery, a retired rear admiral who served as director of operations at U.S. Pacific Command, is the senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and was previously the executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
23andMe, born from the techno-optimism of the Human Genome Project, revolutionized direct-to-consumer genetic testing. But with its valuation now in freefall, mounting layoffs and its board resigning en masse, 23andMes imminent failure raises a critical question: What will happen to the sensitive genetic data of its 15 million customers?

This is not just 23andMes reckoning; its a warning for the customers of the entire direct-to-customer endeavor, which has long struggled to balance rapid innovation and profits with robust consumer protections. Your DNA  an immutable blueprint of your identity  could be sold, shared with unknown entities or exploited for targeted advertising and product development without your consent.

Beyond these personal risks, shared genetic data can even expose family members to unforeseen vulnerabilities, from stigmatization to medical and insurance challenges. As AI advances genomic analyses, the potential for misuse grows, amplifying risks of discrimination and exploitation that could span generations. 23andMes struggles demonstrate that the safeguards for protecting this deeply personal information are alarmingly fragile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The downfall of 23andMe highlights the hidden costs of its earlier success. The recent $30 million settlement over 23andMes data breach underscores the industrys failure to safeguard sensitive information. Even so-called anonymous DNA can be re-identified through public databases, as seen in cases like Californias Golden State Killer investigation.

23andMe and its peers amassed vast genomic databases, but as these databases become commodified assets in corporate failures, public trust erodes. Regulatory frameworks must prioritize long-term reliable privacy and ethical stewardship over short-term market volatility, ensuring genomic data serves as a public good, not a profit-driven commodity.

23andMes current predicament highlights the urgent issue of genomic data ownership. The data belongs to 23andMe to sell. U.S. courts treat biological samples as corporate property, and the EU Data Act arguably grants companies ownership of derived genomic data. Fragmented state laws and loopholes in the Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Act exacerbate the risks.

If 23andMes database is divided and sold, the potential for misuse  particularly by foreign entities with weak privacy protections or adversarial intentions  is deeply concerning. Such entities could exploit DNA from relatives of high-profile individuals, including presidents and military leaders, revealing vulnerabilities with far-reaching strategic implications.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Stronger public-private partnerships could address some of these risks. Collaborations between private companies and public institutions can create centralized, secure genomic databases. By treating genetic information as a shared public resource, such partnerships could combine private innovation with public accountability, setting clear standards, protecting infrastructure and restoring trust in personalized medicine.

Ultimately, regulations must recognize the uniqueness of DNA compared to other types of data. Policies should regulate the entire lifecycle of genetic information, from its collection to storage and potential sale. Clear, explicit opt-in consent, independent oversight of corporate practices and strict penalties for breaches are critical. At the same time, responsible companies should be empowered to provide meaningful health insights, ensuring the continued value of genetic data collection while maintaining transparency in data-sharing practices and investing in strong technologies to keep genetic information secure.

Large DNA databases hold tremendous potential to advance medicine, offering statistical power for breakthroughs in linking genetics and disease. Private companies like 23andMe have often outpaced public efforts in scale and speed. However, without consistent regulation and sustainable business models, these advancements risk being overshadowed by privacy breaches and eroding public confidence. With clear, enforceable regulations, the potential sale or acquisition of the 23andme data would be far less perilous, ensuring that the benefits of genomic research are achieved without compromising personal security or trust.

To protect the sensitive genetic data of millions and restore trust in genomic innovation, we must implement clear, enforceable privacy protections. Robust regulations are essential to ensure individuals can confidently contribute to genomic research without fear of misuse or exploitation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The collapse of 23andMe serves as a stark warning: without these safeguards, we jeopardize not only personal security but also the future of genomic breakthroughs, undermining the very optimism that once propelled this industry forward.

Dov Greenbaum is professor of law at Reichman University and lecturer in biomedical informatics and data science at Yale University. Mark Gerstein is Albert L Williams Professor of Biomedical Informatics and professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, of computer science, and of statistics and data science at Yale University.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As U.S. senators neared August recess, a surprising, but promising, development materialized. They unanimously passed, and sent to the House, what may become the first countrywide judgeships legislation since 1990. This law is necessary, as massive caseloads across the lower federal courts nationwide have increased by one third.

Over many years, horror stories abounded regarding the consequences of deficient judicial resources. They can be especially perilous in states that border Mexico or experience a huge influx of migrants, namely Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. Illustrative is the Eastern District of California which spans Oregons border to Bakersfield; for decades, its jurists have confronted dockets that remained double the national average. Arizona, Florida and Texas experience similar, harmful impacts.

Related phenomena exacerbate these complications. For instance, the Speedy Trial Act prioritized criminal matters, Supreme Court rulings have expanded criminal defendants procedural safeguards, and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures similar protections have consumed scarce judicial resources, hindering justices delivery in civil lawsuits. These factors complicate setting and keeping trial dates. Eastern District civil litigants must wait five years to receive a trial. COVID-19s appearance in 2020 worsened those phenomena by creating gigantic backlogs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. Courts Administrative Office (the Third Branchs administrative complement), the Judicial Conference (the policymaking arm), and the Federal Judicial Center (the research arm) collect, evaluate and synthesize relevant empirical data that identify the problems which overloaded courts encounter.

For instance, the U.S. Courts Administrative Office grounds emergency vacancy designations in, and the Conference premises new judgeship recommendations for Congress on, conservative work and caseload estimates and openings protracted length. The Conference has even proposed substantial judgeship increases practically every other year since 2003. Despite those findings, Congress has instituted negligible measures to address the problems since 1990.

A comprehensive laws absence has imposed adverse consequences. For example, it frustrated endeavors of ample courts, jurists, staff, litigants and counsel to promptly, economically and fairly conclude suits. These parameters may undercut respect for, and confidence in, tribunals, as effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and the rule of law.

For instance, potential defendants with significant resources might game the system, complicating plaintiffs attempts to win cases. The phenomena may discourage possible litigants from initiating suits, much less completing them, given the time, money and effort involved with losses of respect for applicable procedures. Moreover, in numerous tribunals, the crushing workloads have discouraged accomplished candidates from even considering judicial service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Statutory implementation appears straightforward. The law provides two cohorts of 11 permanent judgeships for which President-elect Trump would tap candidates between next year and 2026s conclusion and 11 permanent court seats for which he would name aspirants before 2028 ends.

The bill then makes similar provision for the individuals elected president in 2028 and 2032. The spread of tranches among as many as three presidents over 12 years is intended to dispel concerns that the law would only benefit a single president or party.

Democratic House Judiciary Committee leaders Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) and Hank Johnson (Ga.) oppose passage, because the statute would allow Trump to confirm 22 more district jurists. On Tuesday, President Biden stated that he will veto the bill, as it would create new judgeships in states where senators have sought to hold open existing judicial vacancies [,suggesting] that concerns about judicial economy and caseloads are not the true motivating force behind passage of this bill now. On Thursday, the House passed the bill 236-173, which suggests that the House will not be able to override Bidens veto threat.

The current standoff is emblematic of the partisanship and polarization that pervade modern judicial selection. If Republicans and Democrats cannot reach consensus about the proposed law, Republicans should consider allowing Democrats to recommend candidates for nominees who fill 11 of the newly-created judgeships, which the legislation prescribes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Both parties must remember that judges and lawmakers recognized how much the bill was needed earlier this year, and the election results have not made the necessity for judgeships any less urgent.

Carl Tobias is the University of Richmond Williams Chair in Law.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It is not every day that you achieve the status of he-who-must-not-named. But that curious distinction has been bestowed upon me by OpenAIs ChatGPT, according to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other publications.

For more than a year, people who tried to research my name online using ChatGPT are met with an immediate error warning.

It turns out that I am among a small group of individuals who have been effectively disappeared by the AI system. How we came to this Voldemortian status is a chilling tale about not just the rapidly expanding role of artificial intelligence, but the power of companies like OpenAI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Joining me in this dubious distinction are Harvard Professor Jonathan Zittrain, CNBC anchor David Faber, Australian mayor Brian Hood, English professor David Mayer, and a few others.

The common thread appears to be the false stories generated about us all by ChatGPT in the past. The company appears to have corrected the problem not by erasing the error but erasing the individuals in question.

Thus far, the ghosting is limited to ChatGPT sites, but the controversy highlights a novel political and legal question in the brave new world of AI.

My path toward cyber-erasure began with a bizarre and entirely fabricated account by ChatGPT. As I wrote at the time, ChatGPT falsely reported that there had been a claim of sexual harassment against me (which there never was) based on something that supposedly happened on a 2018 trip with law students to Alaska (which never occurred), while I was on the faculty of Georgetown Law (where I have never taught).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In support of its false and defamatory claim, ChatGPT cited a Washington Post article that had never been written and quoted from a statement that had never been issued by the newspaper. The Washington Post investigated the false story and discovered that another AI program, Microsofts Bing, which is powered by GPT-4, repeated the false claim about Turley.

Although some of those defamed in this manner chose to sue these companies for defamatory AI reports, I did not. I assumed that the company, which has never reached out to me, would correct the problem.

And it did, in a manner of speaking  apparently by digitally erasing me, at least to some extent. In some algorithmic universe, the logic is simple that there is no false story if there is no discussion of the individual.

As with Voldemort, even death is no guarantee of closure. Professor Mayer was a respected Emeritus Professor of Drama and Honorary Research Professor at the University of Manchester, who passed away last year. And ChatGPT reportedly will still not utter his name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before his death, his name was used by a Chechen rebel on a terror watch list. The result was a snowballing association of the professor, who found himself facing travel and communication restrictions.

Hood, the Australian mayor, was so frustrated with a false AI-generated narrative that he had been arrested for bribery that he took legal action against OpenAI. That may have contributed to his own erasure.

The companys lack of transparency and responsiveness has added to concerns over these incidents. Ironically, many of us are used to false attacks on the Internet and false accounts about us. But this company can move individuals into a type of online purgatory for no other reason than that its AI generated a false story whose subject had the temerity to object.

You can either be seen falsely as a felon or be unseen entirely on the ubiquitous information system. Capone or Casper, gangster or a ghost  your choice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Microsoft owns almost half of equity in OpenAI. Ironically, I previously criticized Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates for his push to use artificial intelligence to combat not just digital misinformation but political polarization. Gates sees the unleashing of AI as a way to stop various conspiracy theories and prevent certain views from being magnified by digital channels. He added that AI can combat political polarization by checking confirmation bias.

I do not believe that my own ghosting was retaliation for such criticism. Moreover, like the other desparecidos, I am still visible on sites and through other systems. But it does show how these companies can use these powerful systems to remove all references to individuals. Moreover, corporate executives may not be particularly motivated to correct such ghosting, particularly in the absence of any liability or accountability.

That means that any solution is likely to come only from legislative action. AIs influence is expanding exponentially, and this new technology has obvious benefits. However, it also has considerable risks that should be addressed.

Ironically, Professor Zittrain has written on the right to be forgotten in tech and digital spaces. Yet he never asked to be erased or blocked by OpenAIs algorithms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The question is whether, in addition to a negative right to be forgotten, there is a positive right to be known. Think of it as the Heisenberg moment, where the Walter Whites of the world demand that ChatGPT say my name. In the U.S., there is no established precedent for such a demand.

There is no reason to see these exclusions or erasures as some dark corporate conspiracy or robot retaliation. It seems to be a default position when the system commits egregious, potentially expensive errors  which might be even more disturbing. It raises the prospect of algorithms sending people into the Internet abyss with little recourse or response. You are simply ghosted because the system made a mistake, and your name is now triggering for the system.

This is all well short of Hal 9000 saying Im sorry Dave, Im afraid I cant do that in an AI homicidal rage. Thus far, this is a small haunt of digital ghosts. However, it is an example of the largely unchecked power of these systems and the relatively uncharted waters ahead.

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. He is the author of The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The question is no longer can I have it all? (The answer, for women at least, is decidedly no.) Instead, its which comes firstcareer or family?

Thanks to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and cryopreservation, women like me have been able to pursue our personal ambitions free of anxiety about the deterioration of our finite egg supply.

I am 38 now and ready to start a family, but I find myself confronted by disturbing questions I hadnt considered when I first put my eggs on ice seven years ago: If a court were to determine embryos had rights, is my access to IVF guaranteed? Do I live in a country where Im confident that I will survive pregnancy?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At 26, I was a local news anchor in Australias capital, Canberra. I was engaged to be married, and my fiance and I had just moved into our first home. By all accounts, life was good. But I was suffocating. The final moment of recognition happened while I was scouring prospective wedding venues with the same gusto one might have for selecting new bed sheets. So, I seized on my dual citizenship, and I ran.

Abortion pills & inter-state escape plans: Amy La Porte fears for her pregnancy journey in the US today. / Amy LaPorte

When I landed my dream job at CNN back in the United States, I was devoted to making that relationship successful. I was writing, reporting, and producing; for the better part of ten years, I contentedly did so for 6-7 days a week and over almost every holiday. Then, I won the ambitious womans lottery: the ability to freeze my eggs on the companys dime.

Open TikTok, and youll find a bounty of ideological backlash to my path: suspiciously serene twenty-something women in pilgrim attire, baking rhubarb pies with small children hanging from their legs. While I would sooner trash any item of clothing that needs ironing, trad wives steam and press their husbands' shirts with a bewildering sense of exultation. They revel in their choice, as I did mine.

As I gave myself the last injection before harvesting, I was briefly overcome with a sense of peace. My thoughts dared not veer into ethical questions of corporate pressure and exploitationare women being lured into forgoing their fertile years to lessen the impact of maternity and parental leave on companies bottom lines?and I also shrugged off the warning signs that the profession Id chosen was becoming an endangered one.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The reality today is that women are in a tug-of-war with a conservative groundswell insisting on early domesticity and progressive corporations touting careers at all costs. Two sides of the same grim patriarchal coin.

Over time, I grew weary of the attacks on my profession and succumbed to the reality that career opportunities in my field were dwindling. The writing was on the wall, so I ranagain.

At this point I was in my mid-30s, jobless, single, and heading westward without a plan. Then I met a mountain man during a brief stint in Denver, Colorado. Late-night conversations over whiskey soon turned to kids, as they tend to do (hastily) when dating after 35. But my frozen eggs had afforded us time. So we waited. We traveled. We created. We moved further west. We got a dog.

Amy La Porte and her partner, Braden. / Amy LaPorte

La Porte with her dog, Darwin. / Amy LaPorte

Now, we figure time is up. Weve only the time and resources for one. But thats okay, we said. After all, we were both onlys ourselves. Wed be poster parents for a modern American archetype: older, IVF-bound, with our choice over the size of our family subject to an increasing cost of living.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I recently had surgery to remove scar tissue from my cervix and uterus to lessen the likelihood of miscarriage. But there is no greater threat to my dreams of motherhood than the seemingly generous gift of time offered to me all those years ago; the bitter truth is that postponing pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage.

So, as I look around an empty room earmarked for a nursery, Im left contemplating if my career was worth potentially forgoing motherhood. And Im also faced with whats really missing in the space: the hopes for my future and sense of trust in medicine I had felt when I plunged that needle into my belly all those years ago.

My mind darts to Avery Davis Bell in the throes of an agonizing miscarriage and begging for medical attention. Doctors in Georgia, where I had lived and worked at CNN, were required to leave her dying fetus inside her septic womb until the state-mandated 24-hour clock ran down. This waiting period, intended to allow time for pre-abortion counseling, almost killed her.

If I lived in Texas, my pregnancy could be my death sentence. It was for Josseli Barnica and Nevaeh Crain. Both women would have survived their partial miscarriages, but their doctors were gripped by conflicting self-interests: abiding by the Hippocratic oath to do no harm or facing up to 99 years in prison under some of the countrys most restrictive abortion laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yes, this is currently not the case across the United States writ large. But under a Trump presidency and amid a crusade against reproductive autonomy, are wise women in any state really feeling comfortable right now?

Horror stories of avoidable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth are rare now, but I fear we may be regressing to a bygone era when they werent. We are witnessing a precipitous decline in births simultaneous to a surge in women having children in the eleventh hour of their fertile years. If terrified women are forced to include cross-state escape plans and self-sourced abortion pills in their pregnancy preparations, just how much lower will our birth rate drop?
On Jan. 1, 2017  eight years ago next month  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), my father, visited Georgia. It was the last of his many visits to a country and people that he so loved and respected.

On that day, he shook hands with a Georgian farmer, Data Vanishvili, affectionally referred to in Georgian as Grandpa Data (Data-Papa), whose property had been unjustly separated from the rest of Georgia by a Russian barbed-wire fence. My father knew that Georgias occupier and enemy was Russia, and that Georgias only chance of protecting its freedom and independence lies with the West.

Sadly, like my father, Data-Papa has since passed away. His wife, Valia, survives, may God be with her. But unlike my father, who spent his last days in Arizona at our beloved Hidden Valley ranch, Data-Papa passed away separated from his own lands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The situation in Georgia today tears at my heart. John McCain was a passionate believer in the Georgian people, and Georgian democracy. He saw the fiery spirit of freedom emblazoned on their faces, and he believed in them.

If my father were alive now, he would not recognize the Georgia we see today. One man ruling the country brutally from the shadows. Security services beating journalists and imprisoning politicians and parts of civil society. Military forces, sworn to protect the constitution, have been silent.

Western nations dumbfounded, because the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe could not tell them in a report, what their eyes actually saw  an election padded by possibly as many as 200,000 illegal votes, and a regime bent on staying in power at all costs, including by dashing the Georgian peoples hopes for EU Membership.

President Salome Zourabichvili has been exemplary for her courageous stand with the people of Georgia, and for proposing a realistic way out of the current political impasse: appointment of a new Central Election Commission, and the conduct of new, and truly free and fair elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Absent new, legitimate elections, the seating of the current Parliament  without the endorsement by the president of the republic  is illegitimate. All subsequent actions by that Parliament, including naming a new government, passing legislation and moving soon to elect a new president, are invalid and unconstitutional.

American and European leaders must speak up, make clear they do not recognize the results of the October elections, or the seating of a new parliament and government. They should support President Zourabichvilis call for new, free and fair elections and impose sanctions on the Georgian Dream leadership until such elections take place.

Twenty percent of Georgian territory is already occupied by Russia. But now Russia is getting what it really wants  a Georgian government that sunders the dreams of the Georgian people in order subjugate the countrys freedom to Russian domination.

The Georgian Dreams belief that the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president will resolve disagreements with the United States is woefully mistaken. When the new president sees how the Georgian Dream has verbally attacked the United States, substituted Chinese businesses for American ones in building its ports and infrastructure, and posed for photographs in Tehran with the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, all while mourning the death of the Iranian president, he will have little doubt about where the Georgian Dream actually stands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is not too late for the Georgian Dream to change course. Without international legitimacy, recognition and the consent of its own people, it will find governing difficult, and Georgia will rapidly take several steps backward politically and economically. Moreover, Georgia will become isolated from the West, leaving it alone to face Russias threats, occupation and other significant challenges to its territorial integrity and independence.

With truly free and fair elections, that reflect the will of the Georgian people, not just one man, Georgias reputation can be restored and a legitimate government can put Georgia back on course. Only through such a step can the real dreams of the Georgian people be realized.

Jack McCain is a McCain Institute board member.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 2024 elections here in Utah are over. The results are in. According to the media and most elected leaders, everything went great. We, as legislators, disagree.

Elections should be simple. Properly identified voters mark ballots, drop them in a closed box and later that night, election officials count and report them. There is no need for Election Season, followed by weeks of counting. We believe that complications designed to make things smoother for government workers, or to allow less-engaged citizens to vote with DoorDash-like ease, are misguided.

We believe two modern improvements have needlessly complicated our elections while reducing overall confidence in the process: SB54s signature requirements and universal vote-by-mail (VBM).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SB54 remains to this day a solution in search of a problem for two reasons: First, we dont believe that state government has the legal right to unilaterally dictate political party nominating procedures. Second, the signature gathering imposed by SB54 created an excessively cumbersome and costly nomination process, with plenty of room for error.

Universal VBM has several negatives, including ballot security. According to the MIT Election Data Science Lab, As with all forms of voter fraud, documented instances of fraud related to VBM are rare. However, even many scholars who argue that fraud is generally rare agree that fraud with VBM voting seems to be more frequent than with in-person voting.

They continue, Two major features of VBM raise these concerns. First, the ballot is cast outside the public eye, and thus the opportunities for coercion and voter impersonation are greater. Second, the transmission path for VBM ballots is not as secure as traditional in-person ballots. These security concerns relate both to ballots being intercepted and ballots being requested without the voters permission.

Manually validating signatures on both candidate petitions and VBM ballots relies upon fallible human judgement, and does so at huge and unnecessary cost. Signature verification and VBM both created problems this past cycle. In one case, a major candidate may  we emphasize may  have improperly advanced to the Republican primary for governor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a second instance, about 1,100 Washington County voters were disenfranchised because of confusion about U.S. Postal Service mail processing in St. George. When the voters sued, attorneys for the State of Utah argued, The law is the law. The fact that voters mistakenly believed they had done what was required to have their ballots postmarked on time did not matter, said the court. The letter of the law was all that mattered  their votes were disallowed.

Under SB54, candidates have two ways to qualify for a primary election: either gather the legally-required number of valid voter signatures, or win the support of at least 40% of delegates at a partys nominating convention. Those who fail at both are eliminated from the primary elections. Remember, the law is the law.

Which brings us to our biggest controversy this election cycle. While Gov. Spencer Coxs campaign gathered some 32,000 total signatures, it appears that they fell short of the 28,000 valid signatures required by Utah law. (Cox did not win the 40% Republican delegate support needed at convention.)

A Utah State Legislative Auditor General Report estimated that Cox may have lacked as many as 900 valid signatures. The Deseret News reported, Even if each of Coxs extra 492 signatures was valid, the incumbent governor likely would have fallen short of the valid signature requirement with his initial submission of signature packets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If true, then under SB54, Cox failed to qualify for the primary ballot. Cox supporters and others argued that any signature shortfall was caused by error on the part of elections officials and could have been easily remedied. That may be, but as the 1,100 unfortunate southern Utah voters learned when their votes were thrown out by a court, the law is the law.

Phil Lyman did not gather signatures, but did win 67% support from State Republican Convention delegates. Under the Utah GOPs own rules, that made Lyman the Republican partys official nominee for governor.

Only SB54 and its signature provision put Cox on the primary ballot. If, indeed, the governor was short of signatures, why doesnt matter. Ask those 1,100 voters. And if the governor really did fail to qualify for the Republican primary, one could argue that he should have been the write-in candidate in November, rather than Lyman.

That said, we are not taking a position on one particular race. The courts have ruled as they ruled. But as lawmakers, updating Utahs election laws is very much within our purview. Dependence on error-prone human judgment in our election processes is an invitation to error, to fraud and more importantly, to a loss of faith in our election system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the long run, the mere perception of error, unfairness or fraud in our elections can be as damaging as actual fraud. The Utah legislature must pass serious reforms to both VBM and SB54 to remove human fallibility from elections. We have given both about 10 years to prove themselves, and they have  just not the way their authors envisioned. Elections can be, and should be, made simple again.

Rep. Mike Peterson

Rep. Tim Jimenez

Rep. Trevor Lee

Rep. Mike Kohler

Representative-elect Nicholeen Peck

Rep. Judy Weeks Rohner

Rep. Rex Shipp
Anyone who was even remotely paying attention knew that if former President Donald Trump got elected on Nov. 5, a ceasefire in Ukraine would soon follow. Trump of course was elected, and thankfully, that ceasefire is now on its way.

But it is a ceasefire that is tragically coming more than two years too late. In September, The Wall Street Journal ran a piece titled, One Million Are Now Dead or Injured in the Russia-Ukraine War. An obscene figure the Pentagon has echoed.

If one were to extrapolate from that number from the time a ceasefire was first advanced  and mysteriously scuttled  32 months ago, then one could estimate that this ceasefire will come too late to save an additional 750,000 soldiers and innocent men, women and children killed or wounded in that gruesome war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One story of the scuttled and sabotaged ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia ran in The Guardian in April of this year under the headline: Did Boris Johnson really sabotage peace talks between Russia and Ukraine? The reality is more complicated.

The article highlights the poorly understood but consequential peace negotiations that played out between Russia and Ukraine in the spring of 2022 over ending the conflict. These negotiations  held predominantly in Istanbul  have become a focus for critics of the war in the US, who often argue that the west, and particularly then British prime minister, Boris Johnson, sabotaged these negotiations and prevented a successful ceasefire. Vladimir Putin would go on to make a similar argument in his now infamous interview with Tucker Carlson.

Johnson has called the reports nonsense, while the Biden administration has danced around the issue and the negotiations. Of course, Biden and family have been dancing around the subject of Ukraine for a decade. Knowing that, it is important to note two very important and deeply curious questions. Both of them arise from when President Joe Biden was vice president in the Barack Obama administration.

First, what role did the Obama White House and State Department play in the overthrow of the legitimately elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014? There are many news reports and columns addressing that question. One of particular interest was published by the CATO Institute in August of 2017, long before the invasion, titled, Americas Ukraine Hypocrisy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Second, we come to then-Vice President Joe Bidens actions in that country. It must be remembered that in April of 2014  just two short months after Russia-allied Yanukovych was overthrown  Hunter Biden was hired by Burisma, the Ukrainian natural gas holding company. Two years after that, then-Vice President Biden threatened  all on video  to withhold $1 billion in loan guarantees from Ukraine unless a top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, was fired. By a strange coincidence, Shokin had been leading an investigation into Burismas owner.

Back in 1939, Winston Churchill described Russia as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. With regard to what is going on in Ukraine today  as well as what was orchestrated in the country in 2014  it might make sense to update Churchills quote to say of Ukraine: It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma  shoved down a rabbit hole and then set on fire. There seem to be a great many questions some very powerful people dont want answered under any circumstances.

The biggest mystery is, why some do not want to stop the almost instantly stoppable killing in Ukraine. Another mystery is why some were so anxious to lead the world to the edge of World War III. Another is why some want no accountability for the hundreds of billions sent into Ukraine. And the last mystery is why so many in the media and in leadership positions in the U.S., the United Kingdom and France have deliberately ignored or downplayed the horrific casualty counts in Ukraine?

Since day one, this war has stunk to high Heaven. Three men instantly opposed it while warning of the ultimate horror it could spawn  Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Three men who consistently sought to save the lives of the Ukrainian people; three men who consistently questioned the motives behind the war; and three men who were consistently ignored and smeared by many in the liberal media as well as those cheerleading for the Ukrainian people to march into the teeth of the Russian war machine.

Earlier this week, while commenting on the collapse of the government in Syria, Trump once again addressed the tragedy in Ukraine.

There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place, he said. 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.  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. 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.

Trump is right today to articulate that, just as he, Vance and Kennedy, have been right to issue warning after warning for the last almost three years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There is going to be a ceasefire. There was always going to be a ceasefire. Except now, Ukraine will be in a much worse position because it has lost dramatically more territory since the first ceasefire was contemplated.

Worst of all, hundreds of thousands of more men, women and children have been needlessly killed or maimed because leaders from the West wanted to continue to play a board game from the safety of their offices thousands of miles away from the battlefield using those men, women and children as cheap, disposable, pawns.

Enough with leaders, experts and profiteers sending young people to their deaths.

Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
What do you do with the clothes your wife was wearing when she was killed, now stained with her blood? How do you preserve them as evidence for an investigation that may never happen? What else can you do when your government has given no indication that it will hold her killer  a soldier in the army of a close ally  accountable, despite three months of daily efforts to get basic answers?

My wife, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, was shot in the head and killed by an Israeli soldier on Sept. 6, 2024, while peacefully standing under an olive tree in the occupied West Bank. Although the Biden administration has described her death as unprovoked and unjustified, it has yet to apply adequate pressure on Israel to seek justice for the killing of one of its citizens.

I will likely leave my wifes bloody clothes in the box in which they came, deciding instead to keep our closet untarnished and full of warm memories. It is full of the outfits she wore during long hours spent with friends, on walks with her father, and visits with her niece, nephew, sister and brother-in-law. I can mentally piece together the outfits she wore on our wedding day, on our first date, and when I first saw her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was 26 when we met  the same age she was when she was killed. I stared at her in awe on our second date as she recalled her recent trip to Southeast Asia where she spent most of her time volunteering at a refugee relief village in Myanmar. The more I came to know her, I learned that her commitment to justice had been lifelong, leading her to help organize a Seattle high school student walkout after the 2016 election, to the Standing Rock protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, to the negotiating table at the University of Washington during the student protests against Israels devastating war in Gaza, and finally to the West Bank to bear witness to the injustices experienced by Palestinians living under Israels brutal military rule.

As I stand in our closet, I see the T-shirt I was wearing the night we last spoke on the phone. We discussed her plans in the coming hours to attend a weekly protest against an illegal Israeli settlement built on occupied Palestinian land belonging to the people of Beita. As we reluctantly ended the call, I told her that I loved her, and I asked her to send me a text both before she left and after she had safely returned. Hours later, I awoke in the dark and instinctively checked my phone: no texts. I quickly sent her a message and tried to go back to sleep. My phone rang two minutes later and I was given the news that Aysenur had been shot in the head and killed.

According to eyewitnesses and investigations by journalists, she was shot after about 20 minutes of calm, sheltering behind an olive tree hundreds of feet away from most of the protesters and Israeli soldiers.

In moments, I stare at the black pants I wore to her funeral, still carrying the dirt from her grave. I was in Turkey helping to coordinate the arrival of her remains when I read the Israeli militarys initial response to her killing. They claimed falsely that Aysenur was shot accidentally during a violent protest, an assertion that was swiftly debunked by multiple eyewitness accounts and major news outlets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I was dumbfounded  was I really supposed to accept that an Israeli soldier accidentally shot her in the head from hundreds of feet away? And that my own government found this explanation acceptable enough to forgo holding accountable the foreign military responsible? Was I supposed to forget the long history of Israeli soldiers unlawfully killing U.S. citizens with impunity, like the renowned Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022?

Aysenurs killer, who unprovokedly fired a bullet into her skull, remains unpunished just like the soldier who killed Shireen, further emboldening Israeli soldiers to take the lives of U.S. citizens, Palestinians and others with impunity.

I now stand in our closet to pick out the suit I will wear while our family meets next week with the State Department and members of Congress to plead with them to do something about Aysenurs senseless killing. We will ask them to support our familys call for an independent U.S. investigation into her death and accountability for the soldier that killed her. I urge President Biden to prioritize this case in the last days of his administration and uphold justice for our family.

If the U.S. had held Israel accountable for the killing of other Americans like Rachel Corrie or Shireen Abu Akleh, perhaps Israeli soldiers would not feel so emboldened to kill Americans, and other civilians, today. Perhaps, instead of standing in this closet now alone and paralyzed with pain, I would be with Aysenur trying to pick out what we would wear to dinner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hamid Ali is the widower of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
It is time to ask: For the U.S., does the international law of the World Trade Organization still exist?

As part of an escalating tit-for-tat of trade restrictions between the U.S. and China, the Chinese government has banned the export of several critical materials that have both commercial and military applications in high-tech production. This Chinese action may or may not be eligible for a national security exception to the general rule in WTO law that forbids export bans and other export restrictions.

Yet in responding to this latest trade move by China in the renewed trade conflict between the two countries, the U.S. government did not mention WTO law. Nor, in reporting on the event, did the U.S. media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For the U.S., it is as if this international law no longer exists.

This omission is increasingly commonplace in the U.S. In imitation of the first Trump administration, the Biden administration has spent the past four years mostly ignoring WTO law.

Trumps illegal tariffs on $360 billion in imports of Chinese goods have remained in place, and a 100 percent tariff has been imposed on imported Chinese vehicles. WTO rulings declaring those tariffs to be illegal under international law have been ignored.

Under President Biden, U.S. trade negotiators rarely mention WTO obligations. And although they still show up at the WTO in Geneva, they have made it all too clear to the rest of the world that, in the view of the U.S., the WTO is no longer central to world trade, and that lowering tariff and other barriers to world trade is no longer a principal aim of U.S. trade policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now comes again President-elect Donald Trump, threatening even more and higher tariffs when he returns to the White House in January.

Recently, he announced that he would by executive order impose a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, plus an additional 10 percent tariff on imports from China, because of his dissatisfaction with the efforts of those countries to prevent illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, and undocumented migrants from crossing the American border. It is unclear at this point whether these particular tariff threats are tactical posturing or actual intent.

This latest salvo is in addition to the president-elects campaign pledges to raise tariffs on all imports from China to 60 percent and to all imports from the rest of the world to 20 percent. He has also threatened to levy tariffs of 100 percent on imports from the BRICs countries  Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates  if they try to launch a thus far nonexistent alternative currency to the U.S. dollar.

All in all, Trump appears to have meant it when he told business leaders in Chicago during his campaign that tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Throughout the course of all these actions and threatened actions by both Biden and Trump, scant mention has been made by the US government or media of the fact that, because they result in trade discrimination, all such measures are likely in violation of the treaty obligations of the U.S. as a member of the WTO.

Obviously, the U.S. government would rather not draw attention to this inconvenient fact; whether Republican or Democrat, it nowadays deigns to cite international trade law and other international law only when it is perceived to be to the immediate American advantage.

As for the U.S. media, in the thinking of American journalists, treaty obligation or not, why bother to keep pointing out something in their reporting that seems no longer to be a factor in trade policymaking and decision-making by the government? Why mention the international law on trade when it does not seem to be relevant?

This silence speaks volumes about the generally ebbing commitment of the U.S. to international law and to the international rule of law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although the U.S. was instrumental in creating the international institutions that provide us with what little we have of international cooperation in the world, we Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, are gradually abandoning many of these institutions along with the international laws that glue them together. At the same time, American journalism is increasingly abandoning its responsibility to inform the American people that this is happening and to inform them, too, of the potential consequences.

The American attitude and actions relating to the international law of trade is just one example of this abandonment. The absence of the international rule of law is the international rule of power. Both political parties in the U.S. seem now mostly to prefer the rule of power in international affairs, but both will, in time, come to realize how truly shortsighted such an approach is in a world desperately in need of much more international cooperation.

In trade and otherwise, we Americans may think we are powerful enough to get the rest of the world to do our bidding, but we are not. Nor, of course, should we try to coerce other countries into doing as we wish, even if we could. Doing so is contrary to all we are supposed to believe in as Americans.

Our Constitution empowers us to punish  offenses against the law of nations. It does not tell us to ignore them. International law still exists. We in the U.S. might begin by remembering this, in trade and in much else.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Rep. James Bacchus (R-Fla.) is professor of global affairs at the University of Central Florida and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute. He is a former chairman of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization. His latest book, Democracy for a Sustainable World, will be published in May by Cambridge University Press.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon is once again seeing an increase in drug overdose deaths, year over year, even as the national average is trending downward.

The Oregon Health Authority releases data on overdose deaths annually. The latest report, released this week, covers Oregon overdose data from 2023. That is due to the fact that it takes nearly a year to gather and analyze the information, officials said. The data for 2024 is still being processed.

10 St Helens SD staff on leave amid sex abuse case

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The newest report shows overdose deaths surged by over 30% in Oregon in 2023 compared to the year before. Oregon saw 1,383 overdose deaths in 2022 and 1,833 in 2023.

Data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention show Oregon, Washington and Alaska are collectively leading the surge in overdose deaths with an increase of 27%.

The U.S. as a whole saw overdose deaths drop by 3%, the CDC said. It marks the first sign of a decline in overdose deaths nationwide in six years. States like Maine and Indiana are leading the pack with reducing overdose deaths as they saw a striking 15% drop.

Over half of the overdose deaths in Oregon in 2023 were from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, health officials said. Overdose deaths caused by heroin saw a sharp decline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KOIN 6 News asked officials with boots on the ground with the unhoused community why Oregon continues to see a rise in overdose deaths.

I think were still feeling the effects  or we were feeling the effects at that time  of the pandemic, said Jonathan Modie, an OHA spokesperson.

Modie explained that the fentanyl crisis originally began on the East Coast in the U.S. The West Coast, including states like Oregon, saw a delay but when it hit, it hit hard, he said.

Scott Kerman is the executive director of Blanchet House, which is a non-profit that supports Portlands homeless community.

I think theres no question that 2023 was a horrific year in terms of overdoses, Kerman said. Im not even sure if I ever said the word fentanyl in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Electronic parts stolen from Honda vehicles in Portland

Officials said early data for 2024 may point to good news on the horizon.

We do have very preliminary  the 2024 data  that do show that Oregon may be seeing a similar trend in [] a decrease in overdoses, Modie said. It often takes several years for the effects of all that work, the prevention work, the treatment, those things to take effect on the overall picture for Oregon overdose.

The OHA said a lot of funding and programs in the works are expected to make a positive impact on the fentanyl crisis in Oregon in the coming years. Examples include increasing the distribution of naloxone, increasing access to substance abuse treatments, scaling up peer support and intervention programs, continuing education campaigns and providing more schools with naloxone kits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Funding is expected to make a dent in the opioid crisis as well, such as settlements from lawsuits against several opioid companies totaling $600 million that will be distributed in Oregon over 18 years. Governor Tina Kotek has also proposed in her 2025-27 budget $155 million for programs and services related to battling addiction and supporting those in recovery.

Officials said a good way the average citizen can contribute to fighting the opioid crisis is to keep Narcan  the brand name for the overdose prevention drug naloxone  in your car or bag in case you encounter someone who is in crisis.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Pacific Northwest continues to be a great place for cyclists, according to the results of a recent report.

Conducted by the League of American Cyclists, the report takes into consideration things like infrastructure and funding, education and encouragement, traffic laws and practices, policies and programs, along with evaluation and planning.

How many people born in Oregon still live in Oregon?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oregon was ranked in third place and Washington the most bicycle-friendly state in the nation. Sandwiched in between the two was Massachusetts.

Washington moved up from its third place in 2022 back to the top spot it has held every since the rankings began in 2008. The states score of 100% in policies and infrastructure more than likely influenced this result.

In 2022 the WA state legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington funding package, which will invest $1.3 billion in active transportation over 16 years, and a four-fold increase from prior funding levels, including many new programs like statewide bicycle education, the report noted.

Yelp includes six Oregon restaurants on national roundup of top Chinese spots

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Although Oregon ranked number one for funding in bicycle programs and projects, the state moved down from its previously held number two spot.

Unfortunately, Oregon is number 3 because of an increase in bicyclist deaths, said League Policy Director Ken McLeod. Oregon experienced one of the 10 largest increases in the rate of bicyclist deaths per bike commuter and in the last several years.

Despite this, these ranking marks the fourth time Oregon has ranked in the top three. This year, the organization applauded Oregons programs and investments to improve bicycle and pedestrian access and safety.

Kendrick Lamar, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson topped Portlands Google searches this year

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oregon had an incredible increase in the amount of federal funds obligated to biking and walking projects in FY2022, the report noted. The League hopes that this level of investment continues as several high profile highway megaprojects in the Portland area continue to dominate discourse about Oregons transportation investments.

Read the full report cards for each state and see all 50 state rankings 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 KOIN.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Officials with the Otero County Processing Center purchased toys and donated them to a Borderland ministry to be distributed during an upcoming toy giveaway that benefits El Paso children, the center said in a news release.

Chaplain David Ruiz and Community Relations Manager Arlette Villa shopped for toys last week and they were donated to the Kingdom Builders Prison Ministrys first toy drive for children in Northeast El Paso.

Pastor Samuel Griffin, with Kingdom Builders, has been a religious volunteer for the men and women detained at the facility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The toys, for newborns to 13-year-olds, were purchased with the Community Relations fund of the facility; these funds are used to serve the community with donations similar to this, the facility said in a news release.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) - In the final days leading to his ouster, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad complained to Iran's foreign minister that Turkey was actively supporting Sunni rebels in their offensive to topple him, two Iranian officials told Reuters this week.

Five decades of rule by Assad's family ended on Sunday when he fled to Moscow, where the government granted him asylum. Iran had backed Assad in Syria's long civil war and his overthrow was widely seen as a major blow to the Iran-led "Axis of Resistance", a political and military alliance that opposes Israeli and U.S. influence in the Middle East.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As rebel forces from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly aligned to al Qaeda, seized major cities and advanced towards the capital, Assad met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Damascus on Dec. 2.

At the meeting, Assad voiced anger over what he said was Turkey's intensified efforts to unseat him, according to a senior Iranian official. Araqchi assured Assad of Irans continued support and promised to raise the issue with Ankara, the official said.

The next day, Araqchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to express Tehrans deep concerns over Ankaras support for rebel advances.

"The meeting was tense. Iran expressed its unhappiness with Turkey's alignment with U.S. and Israeli agendas and conveyed Assad's concerns," a second Iranian official said, referring to Ankara's support for rebels and cooperation with Western and Israeli interests in targeting Iran's allies in the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fidan, the official said, blamed Assad for the crisis, asserting that his failure to engage in genuine peace talks and his years of oppressive rule were the root causes of the conflict.

A Turkish foreign ministry source familiar with Fidan's talks said that those were not the exact remarks by Fidan, and added that Araqchi did not bring and convey any messages from Assad to Turkey, without elaborating.

Fidan told reporters in Doha on Sunday that the Assad regime had "had precious time" to address Syria's existing problems, but did not, instead allowing "a slow decay and collapse of the regime".

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Assad's toppling was the result of a plan by the United States and Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said that one of Syria's neighbours also had a role and continues to do so. He did not name the country, but appeared to be referring to Turkey.

NATO member Turkey, which controls swathes of land in northern Syria after several cross-border incursions against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, was a main backer of opposition groups aiming to topple Assad since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.

Assad's downfall stripped Iran and its ally the Lebanese group Hezbollah of a vital ally. Tehran's ties to Damascus had allowed Iran to spread its influence through a land corridor from its western border via Iraq all the way to Lebanon to bring arms supplies to Hezbollah.

Iran spent billions of dollars propping up Assad during the war and deployed its Revolutionary Guards to Syria to keep its ally in power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hezbollah also played a major part, sending fighters to support him, but had to bring them back to Lebanon over the last year to fight in a bruising war with Israel - a redeployment that weakened Syrian government lines.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi; Additonal reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Samia Nakhoul and Frances Kerry)
Russian troops are closing in on Pokrovsk from the east and south. After the capture of Shevchenko village just south of the city, Russian forces are less than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from this key logistics hub sitting on the western edge of Donetsk Oblast.

"The fighting is extremely fierce. The Russian invaders are throwing all available forces forward, trying to break through the defense of our troops," Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

Ukraine had been suffering from an extensive infantry shortage, as well as disputes within the military command leading the defense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pokrovsk is the last stronghold in the southwestern part of Donetsk Oblast, holding back Russian forces from advancing further toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the regional capital of Dnipro, home to 1 million people and serving as the main hub for Kyiv's operations in the southeast.

Pokrovsk is the last stronghold in the southwestern part of Donetsk Oblast, holding back Russian forces from advancing further toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Stanislav Buniatov, a platoon commander of the 24th Separate Assault Battalion Aidar, wrote on his Telegram that "everyone has already accepted that Russian troops will enter Pokrovsk." However, he added, not everyone understands what consequences this will have for Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Russia's further advance in the area.

"Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is not built up with villages like Donetsk Oblast, so that progress will be faster there," Buniatov said, adding that once Russia enters the next oblast of Ukraine, it will again dictate the conditions for the full ceding of these territories under Russian control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: How will Russias war in Ukraine end? The good, the bad, and the ugly scenarios

Under enemy's fire

Around 11,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, which was home to over 60,000 before the full-scale war, according to the local military administration.

Most utility companies and local businesses have stopped functioning. There is also no gas supply or heating in the city due to the power lines damaged or destroyed by constant Russian shelling.

Although gunfire and explosions can already be heard in the city, a few mines near Pokrovsk continue to operate.

Local authorities have been urging residents to evacuate for several months, adding that "there is no safe place in Donetsk Oblast as of now." Evacuation is a challenge, however, with human lives at stake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since September, the state-owned railway, Ukrzaliznytsia, has canceled evacuation trains from Pokrovsk due to the risk of Russian attacks and now runs them from Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from the embattled city. Evacuation by buses or cars remains available from Pokrovsk.

While locals are considering whether they are ready to evacuate and leave their old life behind, Russian troops have advanced and gained a foothold in the villages of Novotroiitske and Shevchenko in December, according to the crowd-sourced monitoring website Deep State. The Shevchenko village is roughly less than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Pokrovsk.

A local resident walks past "dragon's teeth" fortifications installed by the Ukrainian army on the street in Pokrovsk, the eastern Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Dec. 11, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

A unit of miners is carrying out a combat mission to mine the territory between Ukrainian and Russian positions with remotely controlled mines in Pokrovsk, Ukraine on Nov. 17, 2024. (Kostya Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)

Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Khortytsia group of forces, said the Ukrainian army is trying to recover lost positions near Pokrovsk, particularly near the neighboring villages of Shevchenko and Vidrodzhennia.

"The enemy attacked our fortifications in the Pokrovsk direction, west of Vidrodzhennia and south of Novotroiitske, and as a result of prolonged fighting, two of our positions were destroyed, and one was lost," Voloshyn said on national television.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations Berlin office, suggested that Russia is planning an attack on the city from the south to surround it and cut off the main logistical routes connecting the Ukrainian-controlled territories to the front line.

According to Gressel, Pokrovsk may face the same fate as Avdiivka, captured by Russian forces in February 2024.

"Now, Russian forces can reach the city (of Pokrovsk) with mortars and, of course, artillery. But the proximity to the E50 (route) and the rail line to Dnipro is even more problematic," Gressel told the Kyiv Independent.

Russian forces can reach the city (of Pokrovsk) with mortars and, of course, artillery. But the proximity to the E50 (route) and the rail line to Dnipro is even more problematic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The Russians may soon physically reach the rail line to Zaporizhzhia, putting the E50 under fire. This will have consequences for logistics in the whole southeastern perimeter."

Meanwhile, even since the capture of Avdiivka, Russian military tactics had changed significantly. Now, Russian forces are sparing no resources in bombarding Ukrainian cities with guided aerial bombs and drones, and Pokrovsk is no exception.

Drones provide access to better awareness of the terrain, the location of the opponent's positions, and critical infrastructure. Drones also provide control of important logistics routes, cutting off essential supplies.

Gressel calls the factor of drones a decisive one in the Pokrovsk direction, adding that their qualitative evolution, namely the development of resistance to interference and an increase in flight range, plays an even more significant role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Unfortunately, the Russians learned and adapted quite a lot in this field," he added.

This is not Russia's only advantage in this front-line sector.

Read also: On a forgotten part of Ukraines front line, Russian forces mass for assault on Dnipro islands

Matter of time

One key reason Russian forces advance rapidly is their superior manpower. While the Ukrainian government has made efforts to update mobilization legislation and recruit more people, there has not been a major effect in the hottest spots of the front line.

Federico Borsari, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), said that Ukraine cannot properly staff its combat units and conduct rotations due to a lack of personnel. At the same time, Russia continues to push.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Finding the weakest points in the Ukrainian army's defense, Russian troops are also resorting to non-standard solutions, such as unarmed and even civilian vehicles are now commonplace and used for attacks, Borsari added.

"Constant assaults, even when unsuccessful, erode Ukrainian combat power as they drain ammunition and supplies, leaving Ukrainian units unable to deal with successive waves of vehicles and infantry," Borsari told the Kyiv Independent.

Russia, which has suffered record losses this fall and winter, will not relinquish its goal of capturing Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military has criticized the actions of the general command, explaining that the military is being given "unrealistic" tasks with its resources.

Ukrainian soldier of the 38th brigade takes ammunition for the 2s1 artillery in the direction of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Dec. 9, 2024. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"The main reason for the disaster in the Pokrovsk sector is the high command, which sets unrealistic tasks for the units. Generals who do not understand the units' capabilities and do not know the situation on the zero line," Serhii Filimonov, commander of the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion of the 59th Brigade, wrote on his Telegram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Alina Mikhailova, the head of the Ulf medical service in the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, also criticized General Yurii Lutsenko in her social media, accusing him of heavy losses, both in terms of territory and human lives, in Donetsk Oblast.

These comments were left without a public response from the Ukrainian General Staff and Syrskyi himself. However, according to the Financial Times, Lutsenko had been removed from his position as commander of the Donetsk operational and tactical group.

Ukrainian military officials had not confirmed the sacking.

Borsari echoed the stance of Buniatov from Aidar, saying that the Kremlin wants to grab as much territory as possible and be in a position of strength at the negotiating table.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Borsari believed that Ukraine had a chance, albeit a slim one, to defend the city. Gressel also saw no easy way for Ukraine to keep Pokrovsk but noted that he would be surprised if the city was captured by the end of this year.

In the meantime, all that remains for the Ukrainian forces is to hold the line.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 2,000 Ukrainian servicemen have been hospitalized with chemical poisoning, and three have died, Ukrainian Colonel Artem Vlasiuk said during a Dec. 13 press briefing.

A total of 4,800 incidents involving chemical weapons, including tear gas and chemical agents typically intended for riot control, have been documented against Ukrainian forces since the war began, said Vlasiuk, who serves with the Support Forces Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Command, at a briefing in Kyiv.

Russian forces deliberately conceal their use of such weapons under the cover of "intense artillery, rocket, and bomb attacks," making it difficult to track, collect samples, and investigate these violations for prosecution against Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In an interview with the Kyiv Independent in October, Vlasiuk said the lack of specific equipment has hindered the Ukrainian militarys ability to identify new or mixed types of gases and develop effective protective measures for its personnel.

He added that since the invasion began, more than 2,000 servicemen showing symptoms of chemical poisoning have been treated in military and civilian medical facilities for varying levels of exposure to known or unidentified substances.

"As for the deceased servicemen, unfortunately, we now have three such fatal cases," he said.

"Currently, the intensity of K-51 tear gas grenade use has somewhat decreased due to the climate, as temperature drops reduce their effectiveness," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He noted that the use of K-51 tear gas grenades by Russian forces has recently decreased due to colder temperatures, which reduce their effectiveness.

"These means are prohibited for use. Ukraine, as a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, and its Armed Forces, which safeguard its independence and sovereignty, fully comply with international law and the requirements of the Convention."

His remarks come after the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a United Nations watchdog, confirmed on Nov. 18 that riot control agents have been used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The OPCW reported that Russian drones have deployed gas grenades into Ukrainian dugouts and trenches, forcing soldiers into open fields where they are left vulnerable to drone strikes and artillery fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Russias use of unidentified gas surges on the front line, Ukraine lacks detectors

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A semi truck overturned on a busy ramp Saturday afternoon.

Crews are currently on scene of a crash involving a semi that overturned on the ramp from southbound I-75 to eastbound US-35 in downtown. Dayton Police and Fire are responding.

Fully engulfed house fire leaves 2 dead in Springfield

ODOT reports the ramp is closed to all traffic while crews work to clear the scene.

OHGO cameras show several police cruisers blocking traffic to the ramp. A medic has arrived on scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2 NEWS is working to learn if anyone was injured in this 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 WDTN.com.
A string of witnesses testified Friday that Taiseer Taz Zarka is a peaceful, outgoing person who respects the law and helps downtown Raleigh police any way he can.

But they also testified they knew that the downtown convenience store owner carried a knife, and they knew hed used it on customers before.

Zarkas trial for second-degree murder finished its third day as with two unusual legal events: the jury was expected to travel by bus to the crime scene at Tazs store on Wilmington Street, and Zarka briefly taking the stand to testify on his own behalf. His testimony will likely continue on Monday.

Tazs owner on trial for stabbing death

At 61, Zarka stands charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Mark Thomas Garrity Jr., whom videos show stumbling out of the store, bleeding, after a fight with Zarka inside.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Garrity, 27, of Calabash bled out from three stab wounds, including one to the heart, while a teenager recorded the encounter on her cellphone and a bartender from The Raleigh Times tried to save his life.

For much of this week, testimony has swung between whether Zarka overreacted to a man he thought stole a bottle of Gatorade, or whether he defended himself in a sometimes dangerous part of downtown Raleigh.

Previous witnesses described Zarka trying to mop up the blood while Garrity lay wounded outside, while jurors have also seen him describe to police being punched and attacked when he confronted a potential shoplifter.

Jurors learned Zarka had been previously arrested in a knife fight with six men in his store, but had the case dismissed, and they learned Garrity had cocaine and Fentanyl in his system at the time of his death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Opening arguments today in Raleigh convenience store owners murder trial

Zarka briefly takes the stand, talks about life experiences

At about 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Judge Keith Gregory called Zarka to the stand. The store owner, wearing a navy suit and red tie, was first questioned by his attorney, Karl Knudsen.

Knudsen began asking the convenience store owner about his background. Zarka was born in Palestine in the Gaza Strip in 1963. His family moved to Kuwait when he was a teenager and later migrated to Raleigh to attend school at Shaw University, East Carolina University and Wake Technical Community College before finishing with a degree in business management and accounting from Shaw in the late 1980s.

The examination was largely about his life in Kuwait after he graduated and lived there during Desert Storm. Knudsen tried to question Zarka about his experience during the war and his role in helping Americans who lived there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, Gregory, the judge, stopped the questioning, removed the jurors and said that Tazs experience in Kuwait was not relevant to Garritys murder on April 6, 2023. What was relevant was a dislocated arm injury Taz got when he was in Kuwait that still gives him problems.

Zarka also has bladder and prostate cancer and is receiving treatment. On the morning of the April 2023 incident, Zarka said he received chemotherapy which causes pain in his joints.

In 2000, Zarka moved his family to Raleigh and got into the retail business opening gas stations and convenience stores, he testified. He said he liked the business because of the diversity of people who come to the stores. He opened Tazs Supermarket at 207 S. Wilmington Street in 2007.

Everybody goes to a convenience store, everybody always wants something, Zarka said Friday in court. I like dealing with all kind of people, races. You get to know (a lot of) people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said on average, the store will see over 20,000 customers a month. The high traffic was due to the location of the store being next to the bus station and the citys government buildings.

Before Knudsen began questioning Zarka about whether he witnessed shoplifting or other questions about the murder, Gregory postponed the trial until Monday at 9:30 a.m.

Jurors take trip to downtown Raleigh convenience store

Before Zarka testified, the jurors were transported by the Wake County Sheriffs Department to Tazs downtown Raleigh store for a viewing.

Before the trip, jurors were given strict rules:

Jurors could take notes

No questions about the store

No talking amongst themselves

No demonstrations about the incident conducted

No roaming individually around the store

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The stores surveillance system was also turned off while the jurors were in the store. No members of Tazs staff, customers or members of the media were allowed to be inside.

Witnesses testify about Zarkas reputation

Earlier Friday, the defense began calling witnesses to testify about Zarkas reputation downtown, a list that included two Raleigh police officers.

Officer Daniel Rosa testified he has responded to hundreds of calls from Tazs, including trespassing, larceny and assaults. Zarka frequently allows officers to use video footage from his store to help identify perps.

He described Zarka as an outstanding citizen. I do think he is well-respected in the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But on cross-examination, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Latour asked if some of those calls came from people complaining about Taz himself.

That would be fair, Rosa said.

Latour: Are you aware he carries a knife?

Rosa: Yes

Latour: Are you aware hes used that knife before this event?

Rosa: Yes.

Friends testify, describe Zarka as peaceful and law-abiding

Longtime friend Issa Shaikh testified that he and Zarka came from the same hometown in Palestine, and moved to North Carolina from Kuwait at roughly the same time more than 40 years ago. He felt compelled, he said, to act as a guide when Zarka was a newcomer. For this trial, he said, he posted 90% of his friends bail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This has floored all of us, he said. Not the character Ive known. Not the person Ive lived and traveled with. ... He is more peaceful than I am. ... If I had to sit her to testify for the next 10 years, I would, because I know this was not int

An objection cut him off.

Later, Latour asked if it was possible to be law-abiding and still violate the law, or if Shaikh would agree that just because a person is generally nonviolent, it doesnt mean they can never be violent.

Everybody loves Taz, he said. Hell charge for five and give a couple free.

An objection cut him off again.

Throughout Fridays testimony, witnesses described rough company around the downtown bus station where Taz keeps his store. Police reported seeing people drunk and disruptive, starting fights and stealing items from the store on a regular basis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Questioning one of them, Latour asked, Do you know if anybody told the defendant he had to open his store at that location instead of North Hills?

The defense called Phillip Horwitz to testify. Horwitz owns the building Tazs store occupies and he has known Zarka for more than 20 years.

Horwitz said he had always known Zarka to pay rent on time, had a good reputation with customers. He testified that he never personally had any issues with him.

When asked if the murder changed his opinion about Zarka, Horwitz said, No, I dont think so.

Its just an unfortunate thing that happened, he said.
After six long months of hashing out a redistricting plan to accommodate its growing enrollment, Park Hill School Districts Board of Education unanimously approved a final proposal to change some of its school boundaries.

The plan the board approved on Thursday differed from what the district had sent out to parents earlier this week, in the end requiring fewer students to change middle schools. Last Monday, the district shared what was supposed to be the final map with families, which indicated that 400 kids would need to switch schools. However, the recommendation that went before the board on Thursday will only move 90 students, according to Kelly Wachel, Park Hills chief communication officer.

The districts advisory board had created more than 20 variations of boundary maps in the past few months, while simultaneously considering feedback from the public. When deciding how to redraw the boundaries, the districts guidelines said it prioritized maintaining enrollment and socioeconomic balance in schools across the district, while also considering how far students would need to travel to get to school, keeping neighborhoods together and limiting the number of students who would need to change schools.

The 12th elementary school is expected to address overcrowding concerns in the southern part of Park Hill. The advisory team looked to create a more balanced enrollment across all elementary and middle schools.

The final boundary map will keep elementary school students together throughout the course of their K-12 education in whats called a feeder model, instead of splitting students from one elementary school among multiple middle schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The evolution of public comment, of the nature of emails and communication that we were getting throughout the course of the past few months, has definitely been a testament to how weve engaged and communicated and listened, said Wachel. Were really proud of that.

Park Hill School District middle school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year.

For months, parents and students from Riss Lake, Monticello, and the National neighborhoods have attended school board meetings in large numbers, filling out the public comment section to ask the district to keep students who live in each neighborhood together. Only one parent from a smaller neighborhood around Southeast Elementary School showed up for Thursdays final meeting on the topic.

Aimee Sanita, a single mother of two students in Park Hill Schools, said she has voiced her concerns about her children being split from their peers through emails, calls and letters when she was not able to show up to school board meetings. Earlier in the week, Sanita sent a five-page letter to the board asking them to not split up her neighborhood. But despite her efforts, all board members voted in favor of the map with little to no discussion.

Sanita said that having relatively few school-age children in her neighborhood meant that her voice wasnt factored as much as other parents into the boards decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Throughout the whole process, I feel there were lots and lots of comments from big neighborhoods, she said. Theres not that many people (in my neighborhood) to make a big protest about it.

Sanitas kids will move from Southeast Elementary, which she said is overcrowded, to English Landing, about half a mile away. Sanita questioned the boundaries before the vote, claiming that English Landing is also overcrowded.

Concerns of overcrowding and rising numbers of elementary school students in Park Hill are what prompted the new school boundaries in the first place.

Many of the elementary schools, especially in the southern parts of the district are approaching capacity, with some holding classes in academic trailers, Wachel said. From 2010 to 2020, the population in Platte County grew by nearly 20%, the highest increase out of all Missouri counties, according to U.S. Census data. In Park Hill Schools specifically, the district has experienced nearly a 47% population increase since 2000, according to a population analysis by the district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, its newest elementary school, Angeline Washington, is expected to address the growing needs.

The target enrollment for each elementary school is 450 students, according to Wachel. But she said each is equipped to handle anywhere between 420 to 470 kids. With the new boundaries, none of the elementary schools are expected to be overcrowded.

Park Hill School District high school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year.

The district also approved grandfathering clauses, which will allow children to stay at their school if they are in their final year at the school. If a student were supposed to move schools their 5th grade, 8th grade or 12th grade year, the district may allow them to finish their last year at the same school. This does not apply to siblings, and parents will be responsible for transportation if the family decides to keep a student at their current school.

Families with students on individual education plans, also known as IEPs, will be invited to meet with district officials personally to ensure a smooth transition or to decide if individual students will be best at their current schools, Wachel said.

Everybody loves their schools so much that they dont want to move, said school board member Janice Bolin. I really think everyones going to be just as happy at the schools that they end up at.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ)  State Colleges 2025 budget is nearly completed and is bringing some notable changes to parking and taxes.

Borough Manager Tom Fountaine says that the budget is the status quo for the most part, but that did not make it easy to formulate.

This is a real challenging year for us, Fountaine said. Since COVID, the borough has tried to maintain a budget without increasing taxes. And as a result of that, the budget has been unbalanced for the last several years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To balance the budget, they need to find more revenue. To earn more revenue, they need to increase prices for certain services. There is a proposed tax increase of about 3 mill, which will lead to the average home having to pay an extra $11 per month.

Baby stingray making new home at State College marine center

Another increase comes in the form of parking. The current hourly meter rates are $1.25, but the new budget raises that to $1.50. The Beaver, Fraser and Pugh garages will all see a price increase for parking permits by about $15 each. Fountaine says this extra revenue will help the parking staff operate more smoothly.

Its been a long time since parking rates have been modified here, Fountaine said. That will allow the additional staff that is required for parking enforcement and maintaining the safety of parking not only in downtown but throughout the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fountaine says he did not hear much input from the community on the new budget, and that the council seems to have all of its questions answered. He says the budget is on track to be adopted at the next council meeting, Dec. 16.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters.

For a look at the budget, visit the boroughs 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
If you're stumped for a gift idea for out-of-state (or in-state) loved ones, you can't beat local.

Our mighty Mitten State has much to offer when it comes to food gifts, and those gifts will be greatly appreciated by everyone from your next-door neighbor to far-away relatives longing for a taste of home.

Among the goodies available for shipping are preserves made with Michigan-grown fruit, locally made pierogi and the hearty meat pies we call pasties and associate with the Upper Peninsula.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Metro Detroit bars decked out with holiday pop-ups: 12 spots to visit

You can even ship a kit that has all the fixings for a Detroit-style coney dog. Both American Coney Island and National Coney Island have kits that include hot dogs, buns, chili and even a paper hat. National Coney Island will also ship its hot dogs and chili separately.

American Coney Island Kits

Mail order outfit Zingerman's has offerings from all its community of businesses, including the bakery and creamery. It will even ship all the ingredients to make its famed Reuben sandwiches, breads and sour cream coffee cakes. Sanders Candy has a selection of gift sets featuring its iconic products such as sea salt caramels.

Can't decide? Two Michigan businesses  the Heart of Michigan in Howell at heartofmich.com and Holland-based Michigan Awesome at michiganawesome.com  have baskets filled with Michigan-made products put together for you.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Companies are ready to ship their products anywhere, but keep in mind that many have cutoff dates for getting orders placed, especially for highly perishable items. You will also need to consider shipping costs. Some businesses waive shipping with orders above a minimum amount, while some charge a flat rate. Some include shipping in the price.

Here's our annual list of goodies from the Mitten.

Happy holidays and happy shopping.

Baked goods

Ackroyd's Bakery

This 70-plus-year-old Redford establishment specializes in Scottish fare, including meats, savory meat pies and sweets. Its scones are made daily. A 24-scone variety pack is currently on sale for $27.99. Ackroyd's Afternoon Tea Bundle, on sale for $43.99, includes a 24-scone variety pack along with a jar of locally made jam and a jar of clotted cream.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bakery also has a large selection of Scottish savory pies, including a steak pie two-pack ($32.99). The Best of Ackroyd's Bundle includes meat pies, pork sausage rolls, macaroni and cheese pies, empire biscuits and traditional shortbread. It's $99.99.

Order: 313-532-1181 or ackroydsbakery.com. You can also order items for pickup at Ackroyds Redford operations at 25137 Plymouth Road, Redford.

Grand Traverse Pie

Making cherry pies with tart cherries and a unique crumb topping helped Grand Traverse get its start more than 25 years ago. Its pie line now includes more than two dozen fruit flavors and chicken potpies. New flavors this year are Pure Michigan Maple Glazed Apple Pie and Pecan Praline Cream Pie. Longtime best seller Cherry Crumb is, of course, still available. Pies ship to all 50 states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Order: 866-444-7437 or gtpie.com

Jams, preserves and condiments

American Spoon

This northern Michigan company's handcrafted preserves are made Michigan fruit grown by independent family farms. New to its product lineup (and ideal for a charcuterie board) is Golden Ale Mustard, made with a splash of Michigan craft beer. The Classic Pancake Breakfast Box, the most popular item, is a collection of pancake essentials, including wheat and malt pancake mix, fruit and maple syrup.

Order: 888-735-6700 or spoon.com

BLiS Gourmet

BliS, based in Grand Rapids, stands for Because Life is Short. Chef Steve Stallard is the man behind a line of bourbon barrel-aged sauces, vinegars, maple syrup and soy sauce. A popular gift item is the BliS Gourmet Breakfast collection ($74.95) that includes maple syrup, hardwood smoked soy, white truffle oil and a buttermilk pancake mix.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Order: blisgourmet.com

Food for Thought

This Traverse City brand makes small batches of everything from preserves to salsas. The Cherry Gift Box is $52.50 and includes all things cherry, including Food for Thought's cherry-raspberry preserves, cherry chile tequila, cherry honey mustard, cherry salsa, spiced cherry and hot cherry fireball salsa. A Holiday Assortment Gift Box includes eight of the brand's premium preserves and sauces for $70. The code DRESSINGS24 can be used through the end of the year to get 25% off any dressings in your cart.

Order: 888-935-2748 or foodforthought.net

Fustini's Oils & Vinegars

This tasting room for olive oil and balsamic vinegar has locations in Ann Arbor, Holland, Petoskey and Traverse City. Its Taste of Michigan gift set ($85) includes 375-milliliter bottles of Fustinis Traverse City cherry balsamic, west Michigan blueberry balsamic, Michigan apple balsamic and basil olive oil plus ideas on how to use them. New this year is its Citrus Pantry pairing with a bottle of Citrus Oregano balsamic vinegar and its Gremolata olive oil plus a tin of garlic spice and a gravity pour spout.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Order: fustinis.com

Iron Fish Distillery

This craft distillery in Thompsonville got its start in 2016 with barrel-finished whiskies and other spirits. It also offers bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup in two varieties. Its northern Michigan specialty food pack ($65) includes bourbon barrel-aged syrup, whiskey barrel-aged honey, Fustini's Iron Fish barrel-aged honey vinegar, Wee Bee Jammin local jam and Iron Fish barrel-aged honey in a custom farm gift box.

Order: ironfishdistillery.com

Mike's Mustard

This sweet, tangy and creamy mustard from Charlevoix is terrific as a dip (especially with pretzels) as well as a sandwich condiment. You can also use it for cooking. Mustards are $6 for a 6-ounce jar or $11 for a 16-ounce jar. Varieties include creamy lemon dill, creamy jalapeno, creamy barbecue and creamy cherry mustard. Gift box sets are available.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Order: 231-547-0585 or mikesmustard.com

Mike's Mustard

Rocky Top Farms

At this Ellsworth farm, the specialties are preserves, fruit butters and toppings packed in keepsake gift boxes made at the farm and from Michigan white cedar. Gift boxes with a Michigan-themed scene on the cover are $60-$80. A box that includes three jars of preserves, a walnut preserves spoon, a hand-blown decorative Christmas bulb, Ship Captain Heritage Cook Book and chocolate dried cherries is $80 and packed in a custom cedar silk-screened gift box.

Order: 231-599-2251 or rockytopfarms.com

Rocky Top Farms makes preserves and more.

Savory

Charlevoix Cheese Co.

This fourth-generation dairy farm has now been making farmstead cheeses for the last two years with milk directly from the farm. Its Taste of Northern Michigan gift box includes a choices of its Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, Quark cheese, a jar of Mike's original sweet creamy mustard, Crooked Tree Breadworks Crackers and King Orchards chocolate-covered dried cherries or fruit-and-nut mix. It's $49.99.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For info: 231-675-9902 or charlevoixcheese.com

Lawry's Pasty Shop

This Marquette establishment, which opened in 1946, was lauded by Food & Wine magazine in 2020. Its pasties are shipped frozen with dry ice to most of the U.S. An eight-pack of Lawry's original beef pasties (12 ounces each) is $85.37 plus shipping. A 12-pack is $107.63, and a 24-pack is $174.30.

Order: 906-226-5040 or lawryspasties.com

Leelanau Cheese

The company specializes in handmade raclette cheese and fromage blanc using local milk. Its mild raclette cheese starts at $9 per half-pound. Gift boxes include the Sweet and Savory ($66.50) that pairs jam with salty cheese. It has three raclette varieties (a half-pound each of traditional mild, rosemary and green peppercorn) and three jars of locally sourced fruit preserves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Order: 231-271-2600 or leelanaucheese.com

Lehtos Pasties

A tray of pasties at Lehto's Pasties in St. Ignace

This St. Ignace pasty shop was founded in 1947 by John Lehto and is now operated by Lehto's niece, Laurie, and her husband, Bill Walker. Lehtos offers beef, chicken and vegetable pasties that include potato, onion and rutabaga (a hallmark of a true pasty) in the filling. They're shipped after Labor Day and through Memorial Day. The cost is $8.50 each plus tax and shipping.

Order: 906-984-2144 or lehtospasties.com

Pinconning Cheese

You can choose from a selection of Pinconning mild to sharp cheddar cheeses, some of which have been aged more than a dozen years. Prices are by the pound and vary. Pinconning is also known for its custom-made cheese spread, jerky, smoked fish and pickled items. There are 12 gift boxes to choose from this year, ranging from three different cheeses and an original Pinconning cheese spread for $22.99 to the Ultimate Pinconning Cheese Box with various cheeses, a hickory stick, a cheese spread, a sharp and creamy mustard, gourmet coffee and a branded cheese knife for $89.99.

Order: 800-678-1962 or pinconningcheese.com

A selection of Pinconning Cheese in a gift box.

Pietrzyk Pierogi

Erica Pietrzyk turned her pierogi pop-ups into a brick-and-mortar location at Eastern Market. Pierogi are available in a wide variety by the dozen along with other products. Holiday gift baskets come in several sizes for pickup or shipping. A small basket ($45 plus shipping) includes a dozen pierogi, a quart of dill pickle soup, sour cream, sauerkraut and an onion. There's also a Polish Starter Box ($79) with a variety of flavors of Poland, gift certificates for pierogi-making classes and Pierogi of the Month Club memberships.

Order: pietrzykpierogi.com

Pietrzyk Pierogi offers a huge variety of its pierogi for mall order as well ask gift baskets.

Srodek's Pierogi and Meats

The family-owned and -operated company is known for its pierogi and homemade sausage. Pierogi are available in varieties including potato, kraut, meat, mushroom and sweet farmer cheese. Prices start at $5.99-8.99 for a dozen according to its website. Srdoek's also ships its fresh kielbasa and smoked kielbasa in rings of about 2 pounds starting at $14.99 for a ring.

Order: 586-250-9090 or srodek.com

Sweets and snacks

Better Made Snack Foods

Celebrating more than 94 years in business, this iconic Detroit company is still family-owned. Its snacks consist of its famous chips in a variety of flavors and other items like caramel and cheese popcorn. For a limited time, Better Made is offering 7-ounce tins of its wavy chips covered in milk or dark chocolate for $10.99.

Order: 313-925-4774 or bettermade.com

Daves Sweet Tooth Toffee

Andrew Chmielewski, founder of this Harrison Township company, uses a toffee recipe from his father. The toffee is sold in pouches or jars, and both are available on the company's website. An 8-ounce jar of milk chocolate toffee is $13.99. Other varieties are dark chocolate toffee and peppermint toffee. A three-pouch gift set is $25.97.

Order: davessweettooth.com

Daves Sweet Tooth Toffee is melt-in-your mouth addictive.

Germack Pistachio Company

This longstanding Eastern Market company is celebrating its 100th year in business. Germack has a large variety of roasted nuts, seeds, candy, trail mixes and dried fruits. Popular items are roasted pistachios, cashews and fancy mixed nuts.

Order: 800-872-4006 or germack.com

Grocer's Daughter Chocolate

This shop is on a stretch of M-22 is just minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire. Its Sweet Surprise Gift Box ($52) includes a six piece truffle/honey caramel gift box, smoked sea salt bark and a signature Grocer's Daughter Chocolate trail bar or Salt Almond bar. The Chocolate Lover's Gift Box ($100) includes 16 truffles and honey caramels, PB Pucks, two topped chocolate bars, chocolate-covered cherries and Grocer's Daughter Sea Salt Bark. Shipping included on gift boxes.

Order: 231-326-3030 or www.grocersdaughter.com

Mels Toffee

Mels ships its freshly made toffee anywhere in the U.S. Its original holiday tin features a pound of toffee ($36). You can choose two flavors, 8 ounces each, if you like. Mini 8-ounce tins are also available. Among the many varieties is gingerbread toffee made without molasses.

Order: 248-496-0186 or melstoffee.com

Original Murdick's Fudge

The famed Mackinac Island fudge shop has holiday gift sets with 10 varieties of fudge to choose from including favorites such as pumpkin spice, holiday cranberry and maple bourbon pecan made with Iron Fish Distillerys maple bourbon. A five-slice gift set ($59.95) includes its five most popular fudge flavors. The slices come packed in a box featuring a Mackinac Island scene.

Order: 906-847-3530 or originalmurdicksfudge.com

Holiday gift packages at Mackinac Island's Murdick's Fudge.

Ryba's Fudge Shops

This iconic Mackinac Island shop, which has 21 flavors of fudge and other sweets, got its start in 1936 on Detroits east side and moved to the island in 1960. Its Sweet Treats Sampler ($53.95) includes a 7-ounce bag of Victors Original Caramel Corn, an 8-ounce box of Peanut Brittle, a 14-ounce bag of Salt Water Taffy and two half-pound slices of Rybas Mackinac Island Fudge.

Order: 800-447-9227 or ryba.com

Coffee

Detroit Bold Coffee Co.

Founder A.J. O'Neil blends his coffees with selections from Highland Park's Becharas Brothers Coffee Roasters. Many of the coffee blends have Detroit-related names such as Woodward Avenue, 8 Mile Baseline and Detroit 1701 French Roast. The Christmas Roast Coffee gift set includes a bag of coffee and a mug; shoppers can choose from half a pound of coffee for $29.99, one pound for $39.99 or four pounds for $54.99  all with the coffee mug. A gift box with one pound of the 8 Mile Baseline blend and a mug is also available for $29.99.

Order: 248-277-2640 or detroitboldcoffee.com

Higher Grounds Coffee

Higher Grounds Coffee in Traverse City roasts organic fair-trade coffee sourced from small-scale farmers around the world. A sampler box includes 6 ounces each of its three best-selling coffee blends (Funky Mamcita, Highland Humanity and Justice) for $24.

Order: 231-922-9009 or highergroundstrading.com

Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co.

This Glen Arbor-based coffee roasting company has been roasting beans in small batches for nearly 30 years. The Red, White & Blue gift set ($76.05) features two half-pounds of Leelanau coffee, a pound of pancake mix, 8 ounces of local maple syrup, cherry jam and a half-pound of Michigan dried blueberries. The Leelanau Jam Session ($80.75) features 3 pounds of coffee, cherry jam from Cherry Republic and Honey Creme from Sleeping Bear Farms.

Order: 800-424-5282 or leelanaucoffee.com

Red, White and Blue coffee gift set from Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Made-in-Michigan food gifts you can send for the holidays
CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  What may be the smallest member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol on back on duty for the holidays.

Trooper Radar is the Patrols version of Elf on a Shelf. Hes been with the OSHP since 2021, usually working from around Thanksgiving until Christmas. He even has his own miniature uniform, created by the Patrols tailor shop.

Troopers use the elf to help engage with local communities, especially children, to encourage traffic safety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You can find Trooper Radar on the Patrols social media pages.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
All mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted in Malibu as cooler temperatures, rising humidity and gentler winds helped firefighters boost containment on the Franklin fire.

This positive turn of events allowed residents to breathe a sigh of relief after having braced for the worst when the fire ignited amid fierce winds Monday night. Although the Franklin fire has scorched about 4,000 acres, it pales in comparison to the devastation of the nearly 97,000-acre Woolsey fire in 2018, which still looms large in many residents' minds.

"We've had a lot of good success in continuing to march forward on our containment of this incident," Dusty Martin, a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection incident commander, said in a Friday community update. "Today, we were able to repopulate residents back into their homes and start to bring some of that normalcy back to the community."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The fire was 38% contained as of Saturday evening . So far, 19 structures have been confirmed destroyed and an additional 23 damaged, officials said. Eight of the buildings destroyed were homes.

Improving weather conditions also allowed all sections of Pacific Coast Highway to reopen Friday. A hard closure remains in effect on Malibu Canyon Road from Civic Center Way to Piuma Road, while several canyon roads north of PCH are also closed to nonresidents.

But Malibu is not in the clear yet, officials warned.

The region is expecting another, more moderate, round of Santa Ana winds Tuesday through Thursday, said Rich Thompson, incident meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Forecasts show those winds blowing offshore and gusting at 30 to 50 mph next week. He said he also expects humidity to drop into the teens and single digits in some areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"So, overall, it's going to be very dry and pretty breezy out there," Thompson said Saturday evening.

Rugged terrain continues to pose a challenge for fire crews trying to access steep mountainous areas, Martin said. With the expected wind gusts and low humidity, "we still have some potential for this fire to get up and move," he said.

"We're going to remain vigilant and continue working until all those heat sources have been extinguished," Martin said.

At the fire's peak, about 20,000 residents were under evacuation orders or warnings.

Read more: Malibu is a magnet for destructive fires. But this time, it might have caught a break

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the start of the week, most of Los Angeles was under a rare 'particularly dangerous' fire warning due to the combination of Santa Ana winds and critically low humidity levels. By Friday, wind speeds in Malibu had dropped to about 10 mph, while humidity rates had rebounded to 70%, according to the weather service.

"As we shift from response to recovery following the Franklin fire, I want to acknowledge how challenging this time has been for our community," Malibu City Councilwoman Marianne Riggins said Friday evening. "Many of you have faced uncertainty, displacement and loss, and yet, Malibu's resilience and strength have shown through."

Read more: With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year

Malibu Elementary, Middle and High schools will reopen Monday. Cleaning and HVAC filter replacements will take place over the weekend at all three campuses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Webster Elementary School sustained more severe smoke damage and will remain closed until Jan. 6 to allow time for restoration. Starting Tuesday, Webster students will relocate to Malibu Elementary School for the rest of the semester.

Read more: Through a window, Pepperdine students watch Malibu fire engulf campus

At Pepperdine University, where students sheltered in place as the fire raged, normal operations will resume Monday.

The city of Malibu plans to reopen City Hall on Wednesday and host a community meeting at 6 p.m. that day to provide updates, hear resident concerns and share additional recovery resources.

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.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who was hospitalized during a trip to Luxembourg, underwent hip surgery early Saturday, according to a spokesperson.

Earlier this morning, Speaker Emerita Pelosi underwent a successful hip replacement and is well on the mend, Ian Krager, a spokesperson for the lawmaker, said in a statement. Speaker Pelosi is grateful to U.S. military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at Landstuhl Army Base and medical staff at Hospital Kirchberg in Luxembourg for their excellent care and kindness.

Speaker Pelosi is enjoying the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and well wishes and is ever determined to ensure access to quality health care for all Americans, he added, without providing details on the recovery process.



The Hill has reached out to the former Speakers office for additional comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The news comes after Pelosi, 84, sustained an injury Friday while on a trip to the nation in Western Europe with a congressional delegation. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), who was also on the trip, disclosed in a post online that she fell on a flight of stairs.

The group of 18 lawmakers in Luxembourg are set to take part in observances for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge through Sunday, according to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

Pelosi was transported to Landsthul Regional Medical Center in Germany for the surgery.

The former Democratic leader, who stepped down last year to make room for the next generation, has remained in Congress. The California lawmaker was elected to serve a 20th term in the lower chamber last month ,and has maintained a schedule that includes House votes, television appearances and international trips.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) wished Pelosi a speedy recovery following the news.

Sending my best to @SpeakerPelosi and wishing her a speedy recovery, he wrote on social platform X. We need you healthy and strong as ever!

Mychael Schnell contributed reporting.



Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  PEN America condemned the arrest of Reza Khandan, Iranian activist and husband of leading human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, and demanded his immediate release.

Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director of Writers at Risk at the literary and human rights organization said in a statement Friday: We are appalled at the arrest of Reza Khandan and urge Iranian authorities to release him immediately.

The pro-reform Shagh Daily cited Mahmoud Behzadi Rad, an Iranian lawyer, as saying Khandan was sentenced in 2019 over spreading propaganda against the system and collusion against national security and that authorities arrested him Friday to carry out the sentencing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

PEN American said Khandan was sentenced to six years in prison for making and distributing buttons protesting Irans compulsory hijab laws in January 2019. Khandan, also a lawyer, was summoned to prison in Feb. 2023, but the order was not enforced at the time, the organization.

His wife, Sotoudeh, is renowned for defending activists, opposition politicians and women prosecuted for removing their headscarves. In March 2019, she was sentenced to a total of 38 years and 148 lashes on a range of charges. Since 2023, she has been out on bail.

According to PEN Americas 2023 Freedom To Write Index, at least 49 Iranian writers were arrested for their work last year, making Iran the second-highest jailer of writers in the world after China. Iran is also the worlds top jailer of female writers.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A Pennsylvania father and son are facing charges for allegedly pursuing a vehicle, ramming it, and firing multiple gunshots.

The Westmoreland County District Attorneys Office says Paul Caletri Jr., 70, and Paul Caletri III, 30, were both charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and reckless driving.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

This Week in Pennsylvania

The two men are accused of chasing down a man in Mount Pleasant Township while Caletri III was allegedly pointing a shotgun toward the drivers side door.

The victim told State Police he heard Caletri III say he was going to shoot him and that Caletri Jr. was hanging out the window with a gun. The victim said he heard several shots and both Caletris intentionally rammed his vehicle and blocked in his door.

According to the District Attorneys Office, the victim climbed out of his truck through a window and managed to get a gas station clerk to call 911. The DAs office says the two men admitted to State Police they shot at the victims truck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

No injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire.

Caletri III was remanded to the Westmoreland County Prison, while Caletri, Jr. was 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 ABC27.
Several high-profile figures charged for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, could be in line for pardons if President-elect Trump follows through on his promise to offer pardons in the first hour of his second term.

Trump, who was recently named Time magazines Person of the Year, told the outlet that he would offer clemency to most of the rioters who stormed the Capitol.

Its going to start in the first hour, he said. Maybe the first nine minutes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Scores of rioters have said they expect immediate relief once Trump returns to the White House, and their lawyers have asked judges to delay sentencing trials and other proceedings in light of this. Judges, however, have largely denied these requests.

Philip Sean Grillo, who was sentenced Friday to 12 months in prison for his role in the riot, said Trumps gonna pardon me anyways, as U.S. Marshals took him into custody. Grillo was found guilty of the felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as some misdemeanors.

Henry Enrique Tarrio, a former leader of the Proud Boys, is another person who could be pardoned. Hes serving a 22-year sentence for orchestrating the events of Jan. 6. Jacob Chansley, who became known as the QAnon Shaman because of a 6-foot spear and horned fur headdress he wore during the attack, may be pardoned as well.

Over 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol Riot. Of those, 1,200 pleaded guilty or have been convicted, with sentences ranging from probation to Tarrios 22 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Justice Department (DOJ) warned Jan.6 defendants that accepting a pardon from Trump is quote a confession of guilt.

DOJs inspector general issued an 88-page report on Thursday that found the FBI failed to gather crucial intelligence. The report says the FBI missed a basic step by not reaching out to all of its field offices and undercover informants ahead of time.

No federal agents were involved in supporting the attack, and no undercover agents were present, according to the report. There were, however, 26 confidential FBI informants at the riot, including three specifically tasked with keeping an eye on domestic terrorism suspects.

NewsNations Steph Whiteside and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD)  The Village of Peoria Heights announced on Friday that it was awarded two grants to make improvements on Glen Avenue.

The two grants totaling more than $760,000 were awarded by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, a Peoria Heights news release stated.

One of the grants was for $653,271 in Transportation Alternative Set-Aside funds and the other was a $107,278 Surface Transportation Block Grant that will be used for ramp reconstruction on East Glen Avenue to meet the Americans With Disability Acts Standards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Peoria Heights waterworks to be modernized with nearly $1 million federal dollars

Were just very pleased to receive this grant, and grateful to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for recognizing this important need in the Village of Peoria Heights, Mayor Michael Phelan said. Updating aging infrastructure in the Village is a major priority for us, and with the help of grants like this one, we are making significant progress. We intend for that to continue, making Peoria Heights an even better place to live, work and invest.

The village applied for the grants last spring. The project was estimated to cost about $1.3 million.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)  18 News has learned a New York State Supreme Court Judge denied a lawsuit late Friday seeking to stop a ban on pet sales at retail shops, including dogs, cats and rabbits. That means the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act will take effect on Sunday December 15th.

The law aimed at cracking down on puppy mills was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul two years ago. Puppy mills are illegal large-scale breeders where animals are often mistreated and suffer from serious health issues.

The law also applies to shops that sell pets from licensed breeders approved by the New York State Department of Agriculture. Pet shop owners say that could destroy their businesses. The Pet Advocacy Network says thats why it filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to block the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a statement released after the Judges decision, the Pet Advocacy Network said:

This evening, Judge Tinari denied a lawsuit filed by the Pet Advocacy Network (PAN) and six New York businesses to stop a statewide pet sale ban, which will officially go into effect on Sunday (Dec. 15).

Mike Bober, PAN president and CEO of PAN, which advocates for the responsible pet care community at all levels of government, issued the following statement in response:

We are frustrated and disappointed that Judge Tinari ignored the widely available evidence that pet sale bans dont work. Tragically, instead of improving animal welfare, this puppy prohibition law will close licensed and regulated small businesses that have connected many New York families with a pet they love and create a black market for pets. The New York Legislature should repeal this harmful law before more damage is done to animals, small businesses, and consumers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Dec. 15 law will prohibit pet stores from selling dogs and cats sourced from professional, licensed and inspected breeders, despite pet stores already providing warranties to protect consumers.

18 News also spoke with the President & CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network, Mike Bober, before the Judges decision.

Pet sale bans, unfortunately, dont actually do a lot to help animal well-being, Bober said. What they do tend to do is have a catastrophic effect on pet stores. And at this time of year, heading into the holidays, the last thing I think anyone wants is to see a bunch of New York businesses closed and all of their employees out of jobs.

So that was the frustrating thing, is that the bill was presented as addressing some sort of massive problem. And the reality is, only about 4 to 8% of the dogs that end up in peoples homes every year come from pet stores, Bober added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, the idea that this is some sort of huge pipeline, really seems like it was developed more as a marketing ploy than anything else to try to get this passed. We absolutely agree that animal health and well-being should be everyones priority. And we do know that there are bad breeders out there, many of whom are operating illegal and under the radar. We would love to work with anyone who wants to, to try to crack down on them and make sure that that the pets are being treated well. But a pet sale ban that specifically targets pet stores doesnt do that.

Stores will still be able to display shelter animals up for adoption. If caught selling pets, they could face a $1,000 fine for each violation. Licensed pet dealers will still be able to sell pets from households.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)Planes arrive and depart from the Tri-Cities Airport daily. However, on Friday morning, some of these planes brought cargo intended to brighten the holiday season.

A group of planes sponsored by the Petty Family Foundation arrived in Blountville on Friday, filled with toys for local children and essentials for families. The planes are with the foundations Operation Appalachian Christmas. initiative.

For Susan Harp, representing her non-profit Moving Mountains, the assistance from the foundation is indescribable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There has not been one request that we have said that we needed, said Harp. Whether it be toys, pots, pans, heaters, all the regular supplies. And they have it, no hesitation. Absolutely, where do you need it? Who do we shop this to?'

Misty Crosby, representing Appalachian United Initiative, said the fly-in plays a significant role in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Its a lifeline, Crosby said. What the Richard Petty Foundation has been able to do is allow those people to be able to have some sort of normality and some sort of Christmas for themselves so they can have some cheer and joy.

Six organizations in East Tennessee received these gifts. The groups include:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Appalachian United Initiative

Jonesborough Shop with a Cop

Moving Mountains

TLC Community Center

Operation Joy

Appalachian Relief Coordination.

Despite the Petty Foundations big name, Crosby said this event helps personalize its impact.

It just takes that big organization that maybe seems like its untouchable or this big conglomerate, and it brings it personal, said Crosby. It brings it home to each individual. It brings it to their doorstep to say, Hey, people matter. You matter.'

Both Crosby and Harp said they hope these donations offer relief for those who will receive them.

Just being able to provide Christmas cheer and Christmas joy and for at least one day for each of these organizations, said Harp. [At] events where they can have the holiday cheer, have some hot chocolate and just maybe for a moment in time take their mind off of whats going on at home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think thats the biggest message across the board this season, which is about love, said Crosby. Its about giving; its about helping your neighbor.

Eight planes will make their way to the Tri-Cities through Saturday.

Information about Operation Appalachian Christmas can be found 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The iconic Gold Dome has been vacant for years and will now make a possible comeback with the help of a local developer.

News 4 spoke with Kenton Tsoodle, the President of the Alliance for Economic Development in Oklahoma City. He said, its saving a really historic structure here in Oklahoma City, something thats been iconic and lots of people know about.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New plans arise for historic Gold Dome in Oklahoma City

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The gold-topped building sits at the corner of Classen and Northwest 23rd. It was previously a bank, a restaurant, and at one point was supposed to become a grocery store.

It now sits empty behind a chain-link fence.

Tsoodle said its a $10 million project. He adds, What would be considered is potentially the city through the TIF district doing a $3 million loan to help partially finance the project.

Discussions with the potential developer have been going on for months.

Theyre putting a plan together to try to redevelop this into a concert and meeting venue, said Tsoodle.

These are conceptual renderings of what the dome might look like once its finished.

Conceptual renderings of the Gold Dome. Image courtesy Vega Architecture.

Conceptual renderings of the Gold Dome. Image courtesy Vega Architecture.

The designs are done by Vega Architectural firm. The images show a stage inside, along with a double decker patio outside.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mike Brown is the president of Kismet Koncerts out of Tulsa. Hes reported to be the one expressing interest in buying the building.

Some Oklahomans say they believe the building is a historical landmark for the metro.

I believe in the dome. Ive been in it only one time when it was a tapas bar. But I believe in not only inside, but the outside of it, said Sandra Gragg.

Scott Long said he believes the dome is a beautiful piece of architecture.

On Monday, Tsoodle says Brown and his team will present their goals to the TIF review committee, and the money needed to accomplish them.

The proposal will then be reviewed by Oklahoma Citys Economic Development Trust. A final vote will take place by the City Council at the end of January 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

News 4 reached out to Mike Brown for a statement, but did not hear back.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Israel launched widespread strikes on Syria to wipe out the remnants of the Assad regime's military.

The strikes targeted Syrian weapon stockpiles after a rebel offensive ousted President Bashar Assad.

Israeli warplanes and missile ships destroyed Syrian aircraft, naval ships, and weapon depots.

The Israel Defense Forces launched widespread strikes across Syria over the past two days to wipe out what remained of the Assad regime's military arsenal.

The Israeli Air Force carried out about 480 strikes targeting most of the country's strategic weapon stockpiles left behind after rebels forced Syrian leader Bashar Assad to flee the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

About 350 of the strikes were crewed aircraft targeting Syrian military assets, including aircraft, ammunition depots, storage facilities, and missile and radar systems. The Israeli Navy also destroyed several military vessels docked at two Syrian naval ports. The Israeli army seized strategic positions in the Golan Heights abandoned by Syrian troops.

Israeli officials said the extensive strikes on Syria were intended to prevent the Assad government's military infrastructure and weapons from being used by extremists and potential foes. Israel is exploiting the Assad regime's fall to enhance its security in the long term as it uses blistering force to cripple Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The fall of Assad

An opposition fighter celebrated as rebels burn down a military court in Damascus, Syria. Hussein Malla/AP

After a decadeslong dictatorship, rebel forces seized control of the Syrian capital of Damascus over the weekend, forcing Assad to relinquish power and flee the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We declare Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," Hassan Abdul-Ghani, commander of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, wrote in a post on social media. "To the displaced people around the world, free Syria awaits you."

Former Syrian prime minister Ghazi al-Jalali remained in the country after the collapse of the Assad regime, saying the government is willing to cooperate and support "any leadership chosen by the Syrian people."

Creating a 'sterile defense zone'

A boy carried an unexploded Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) at the site of the Israeli airstrike that targeted Syrian weapon shipments. DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

While Israel supported ousting Assad, a staunch ally of Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the situation in Syria is still "fraught with significant dangers" from the extremists now governing the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the days after the dayslong rebel offensive ousted the Syrian dictator, Israel launched hundreds of strikes targeting Syrian military assets over 48 hours to prevent them "from falling into the hands of terrorist elements." HTS publicly split with the Al Qaeda affiliate from which it formed, but US officials believe it may still have links to Al Qaeda leaders.

"We have no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs, but we clearly intend to do what is necessary to ensure our security," Netanyahu said.

"I authorized the air force to bomb strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian army so that they would not fall into the hands of the jihadists," he said, adding that Israel "would like to form relations with the new regime in Syria."

The IDF said the strikes were part of a larger-scale mission known as Operation Bashan Arrow, intended to create a "sterile defense zone" by neutralizing potential threats from the neighboring country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sinking Syrian warships

Smoke billows around the charred hull of a destroyed Syrian naval ship after Israeli forces attacked Latakia port. AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli forces attacked key Syrian naval facilities in the port cities of Al-Bayda and Latakia late Tuesday, where more than a dozen Syrian naval vessels were docked.

Photos of the decimated port showed half-submerged Syrian warships. Some of the damaged vessels were Osa-class missile boats, Soviet-era vessels whose 30mm turrets and mounted missile launchers could be seen in the wreckage.

The Syrian navy, the smallest branch of the country's armed forces, operated over a dozen of the high-speed  albeit outdated  vessels developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s.

Israeli defense minister, Israel Katz said Israeli Navy missile ships "destroyed Syria's navy overnight and with great success." It's not clear how many Syrian vessels were destroyed by Israeli warships in the overnight attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Satellite images of Latakia, a former stronghold of Assad, showed the charred wreckage of the naval ships. The IDF wrote in a post on X that "dozens of sea-to-sea missiles" with "significant explosive payloads" were also destroyed.

Destroying Syrian military aircraft

Military aircraft were damaged by Israeli airstrikes at Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus, Syria. Bekir Kasim /Anadolu via Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The IAF carried out an airstrike on the Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus, once a key stronghold of the Assad regime's air force.

At least three major Syrian army air bases were attacked by Israeli warplanes, damaging dozens of helicopters and fighter jets, The Times of Israel reported. Locals living near the bases said they heard several explosions after the Israeli strikes appeared to ignite the ammunition stored there, the Associated Press reported.

Dismantling Syrian military infrastructure

An air defense radar was set ablaze after Israeli airstrikes target Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus, Syria. Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images

In addition to decimating Syria's aerial and naval fleet, the IDF said it carried out strikes on 130 military assets, such as firing positions, antiaircraft batteries, missile and radar systems, and weapons production sites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Crippling Syria's chemical weapons infrastructure

A military research center affiliated with the Syrian defense ministry was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli forces also destroyed the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center in Damascus, a key facility thought to be testing and operating the country's covert chemical and biological weapons programs under the Assad regime.

The Barzeh facility was previously bombarded in 2018 by US, UK, and French forces in response to a poison sarin gas attack in Douma, Syria. The US found Assad's government responsible for the April 2018 chemical warfare attack that killed at least 40 people and injured over 100.

However, the head of the center's polymers department told Reuters at the time that the facility, now reduced to rubble, was used to research medicinal components that couldn't be imported, such as anti-venom and cancer treatments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

'Changing the face of the Middle East'

Israeli military forces crossed the fence from the buffer zone with Syria in Golan Heights. JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

The fall of the Syrian regime weakens Iran's regional influence and could pose logistical and strategic challenges to Iran's regional proxies like the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

"The collapse of the Syrian regime is a direct result of the severe blows with which we have struck Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran," Netanyahu said during a Monday press conference. "The axis has not yet disappeared, but as I promised  we are changing the face of the Middle East."

Despite the widespread strikes across Syria, Israeli military officials said the country's armed forces were operating beyond the Israeli-occupied demilitarized buffer zone in Golan Heights but not toward the Syrian capital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"IDF forces are not advancing towards Damascus. This is not something we are doing or pursuing in any way," IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said at a briefing. "We are not involved in what's happening in Syria internally, we are not a side in this conflict, and we do not have any interest other than protecting our borders and the security of our citizens."

Katz, Israel's defense minister, said the country was advancing beyond Golan Heights to impose a "security zone free of heavy strategic weapons and terrorist infrastructures" in southern Syria.

"With regard to what will be in the future, I'm not a prophet," Katz said. "It is important right now to take all necessary steps in the context of the security of Israel."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A team of researchers from Switzerland and France and theoretical physicists in Canada and the U.S., including Rice University, believe they have found evidence of a theorized quantum phenomenon called quantum spin liquid. Observed in a material called pyrochlore cerium stannate, this discovery could yield discoveries in fundamental physics and open doors to breakthroughs in other things like quantum computers.

Quantum spin liquid, in case you are unaware, is a theoretical special state of matter where tiny magnetic particles don't settle in a fixed pattern. It is believed this can even occur at the coldest temperatures possible.

According to the theory, these spins can stay in constantly changing, interconnected states that behave oddly, similar to those in quantum mechanics. This state of matter also has properties that mimic how light and particles interact in the universe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, proving the theory has, until now, proved very challenging. To this end, the international team developed advanced experiments (like neutron-scattering) and theoretical models to attempt to observe this state of matter for the first time.

And, by all accounts, they appear to have been successful.

A major breakthrough

Fractional matter quasiparticles, long theorized in quantum spin liquids, required significant advancements in experimental resolution to be convincingly tested in this type of material, said Romain Sibille, the experimental team leader at Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland.

The neutron scattering experiment was performed on a highly specialized spectrometer at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France, allowing us to obtain extremely high-resolution data," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Neutron scattering is a well-established tool in analyzing the behavior of spins in magnets, added Andriy Nevidomskyy, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Rice, who conducted a theoretical analysis of the acquired data. It is challenging, however, to develop an unambiguous smoking gun signature that would prove the material harbors a quantum spin liquid," he added.

In our current understanding of quantum mechanics, electrons possess a property known as spin. This means that they behave in a manner akin to tiny bar magnets.

When electrons interact, their "spins" align or anti-align (align in the opposite direction). However, this alignment/anti-alignment can be disrupted in some materials, like pyrochlores.

This is called magnetic frustration" and can lead to conditions where, the researchers say, quantum mechanics can be created in interesting ways, like the creation of quantum spin liquids. Yet, despite the name, this phenomenon can manifest in various states of matter, including solids.

Talking quantum particles

The effect is so significant, the researchers explained, that electrons can form quantum mechanical superposition that results in fluidlike correlations between electron spins as if the spins are immersed in a liquid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At a quantum level, the electrons interact with one another by emitting and reabsorbing quanta of light known as photons. Similarly, in a quantum spin liquid, the interaction between spinons is described in terms of exchanging lightlike quanta, said Nevidomskyy.

The team explained that these spinons could even "talk" to each other by exchanging waves similar to light but much slower. This interaction is somewhat like how electrons exchange photons in the quantum theory of light.

"After this discovery, it is all the more exciting to search for evidence of monopolelike particles in a toy universe formed out of electron spins in a piece of material, said Nevidomskyy.

The team is now looking for other exotic particles, like "visons," which could act like magnetic monopolesa theoretical idea from decades ago. These discoveries could deepen our understanding of the universe and how matter works at the smallest scales.

You can view the study for yourself in the journal Nature Physics.
Opponents of a proposed carbon sequestration pipeline gather for a rally outside of the Iowa Capitol on Oct. 8, 2024. (Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Several opponents of the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions carbon sequestration pipeline have received letters on behalf of the company threatening lawsuits over perceived defamation, an environmental group representative said.

Jess Mazour, a conservation program associate with the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, said in a press release Thursday she received a letter from the company, threatening to sue for compensatory or punitive damages if statements were not retracted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter, dated Nov. 12, 2024, directed Mazour to cease and desist from interfering with and making any further false and defamatory statements about the pipeline project.

The letter was sent from Jason Torchinsky with Holtzman Vogel law firm in Washington, D.C. and Todd Lantz with Weinhardt Law Firm in Des Moines.

The letter points to a quote from Mazour in a nwestiowa.com article from August 2023, where she said Summit Carbon Solutions was in in collusion with the Iowa Utilities Board (now Iowa Utilities Commission) to take away democracy and peoples rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter called the statement false and defamatory and said it, combined with Mazours explicitly stated goal to stop the pipelines, exposes her to significant legal liability.

The letter then stated Summit Carbon Solutions and investors have $1 billion invested into the project to date and Mazour should issue an immediate public retraction of her statement to avoid legal action.

Mazour said in a call with Iowa Capital Dispatch that she and Sierra Club counsel believe Summit has no grounds to stand on with the threatened lawsuit.

This is clearly an intimidation attempt just to keep us quiet and hamper our free speech rights, Mazour said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Representatives from Summit Carbon Solutions did not respond to requests for comment or to verify the letters were sent on the companys behalf.

According to the press release from Mazour and the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, at least six people have received similar letters.

Trent Loos, who hosts several rural broadcasts, has also publicly stated he received a similar letter about comments he has made. During a Dec. 2 broadcast on X, Loos admitted he was wrong about one of the statements quoted in the letter, but he doubled down on two other statements the letter called false and defamatory.

In no way, shape, or form did I make a mistake, Loos said of the two other alleged defamatory statements against him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mazour said the intention of the letters is intimidation and urged Iowans to stand strong when companies take this kind of action.

Its just really important that we dont let this intimidation stop us from doing whats right, Mazour said. It is our responsibility as citizens of the state to protect our land, and our water, and our rights, and our democracy, and no one should stand in the way of that.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com.
Earlier this week, Pittsburgh City Council gave preliminary approval to Mayor Ed Gaineys 2025 budget which would include disbanding the citys mounted police unit.

Councilwoman Barbara Warwick proposed the amendment.

With there being a shortage of officers, this would also allow those officers in the unit to move to other details needed within the department.

Its a very tough decision for me we do have to look at it as far as having those extra police officers out on the streets, Councilman Anthony Coghill said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city spends about $500,000 a year on the unit. That includes one full-time rider in the unit, 10 part-time riders, six horses, vet bills and general maintenance at the facilities.

Another city council member says the money they would be saving would help fund the newly created dept of mobility and infrastructure positions.

The unit is used for crowd control at protests, riots or big events like light up night and concerts. However, Coghill thinks if they also use the unit for other occasions, it would be beneficial to keep the mounted unit.

I think of myself and other council members could be convinced that the horses could be used more for public engagement and PR for the police department. I could be swayed to keep them. I think they are a fantastic tool in the neighborhoods and kids could see them, Coghill said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The unit is used twice week for events between the spring and late fall.

Pittsburgh police and the mayors office both said public safety will evaluate as council makes its amendments and determine operational impact. Right now this is a reduction to operational costs only  not personnel in 2025.

City council will have their final vote on Tuesday. If it gets approved, they will phase out the mounted unit by June 2025.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
ST. LOUIS  A plan to demolish the former Medium Security Institution in St. Louis, an abandoned jail more commonly known as The Workhouse, has been delayed due to environmental concerns.

In September, the City of St. Louis announced plans to begin demolition of the Workhouse on Dec. 16.

On Friday, the St. Louis Mayors Office informed FOX 2 that demolition will not begin next week as scheduled due to ongoing environmental mitigation efforts related to the structure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Drone drama in the bi-state region

The Mayors Office says the city cannot move forward with demolition until a full environmental abatement of the site is complete. There are believed to be ongoing risks with lead and asbestos exposure, according to a report from St. Louis Public Radio.

A contractor has been selected to evaluate the site, and the city anticipates that work will begin in 2025. The demolition will be rescheduled after the contractors work is complete.

Safety concerns have escalated since the Workhouse ceased operations and closed in 2022. Last year, authorities responded several break-ins at the facility, further exposing its vulnerability.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More recently, the site has been used as an overflow lot for junk cars from the citys tow yard, where piles of cars, including some reportedly set on fire, now sit. Additionally, several holes have been cut into the surrounding fencing and remain unrepaired.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 14: The Tej Gyan Foundation (TGF), renowned for its motto "Happy Thoughts," marked its 25th anniversary with a spectacular Silver Jubilee Meditation Festival. The event, held on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM IST, took place at the Foundation's serene MaNaN Ashram on the outskirts of Pune, India. This milestone celebration featured a transformative meditation experience designed to bring mental clarity and inner peace to participants. The festival offered in-person and virtual attendance options, allowing seekers worldwide to join in the spiritual journey. The event was graced by Sonu Sood, the acclaimed actor and philanthropist who was the Chief Guest, and Bhupendra Singh Rathod (BSR), the renowned business strategist and motivational speaker who was the Guest of Honor. The program commenced with a lamp-lighting ceremony by the distinguished guests. Sonu Sood also planted a sapling at Manan Ashram to commemorate the Foundation's silver jubilee. Sood and Rathod joined the participants in a meditation session. Sirshree's discourse on meditation illuminated the path to self-realization. He emphasized the practice of meditation as a means to discover one's true nature and asserted that the ultimate purpose of human life is to seek and establish oneself in the true Self. Participants were guided through a 21-minute meditation to cultivate inner peace and serenity. Addressing the gathering, Sonu Sood extolled the benefits of meditation. He encouraged everyone to participate in the Tej Gyan Foundation's movement for social welfare. In a poetic vein, Sood shared personal anecdotes, his inspiration, and the potential to positively impact the world. Rathod, popularly known as BSR, emphasized the transformative power of positive thinking and meditation. He shared about his personal journey, attributing his life's transformation to the practice of meditation under the guidance of Sirshree. He emphasized the indispensable role of a guru in providing meaning and direction in life. Tejvidhya, the managing trustee of the Foundation, reiterated Sirshree's philosophy, emphasizing the importance of inner peace as a prerequisite for global peace. She highlighted Sirshree's profound teachings and their impact on countless lives. She underscored the universal benefits of meditation, including its ability to calm the mind and create inner harmony. Founded in 1999 by Sirshree, Tej Gyan Foundation has dedicated twenty-five years to awakening peace, harmony, and service. Sirshree, an enlightened master, has delivered over 4,000 discourses on the ultimate truths of life and authored more than 200 spiritual texts. The Foundation's commitment to quality made it one of the few spiritual organizations to receive ISO certification for its system of imparting knowledge. The Silver Jubilee Meditation Festival not only commemorated the Foundation's past achievements but also set the stage for its mission to create a higher evolved society through holistic self-development. As the Foundation steps into its next quarter-century, it continues to touch millions of lives, fostering a global community dedicated to inner peace and higher consciousness. The Foundation's enduring impact and growing influence stand as a testament to its vision of empowering individuals on the journey of self-realization. (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)
Pod Save America host Jon Favreau ripped into Meta CEO Mark Zuckeberg for donating $1 million to President-elect Trumps inauguration ceremony on Friday.

There are few humans more full of s than Mark Zuckerberg for like all of the values he professed that Facebook had and that his company has and all this bullshit, Favreau said in the clip posted to X.

Donald Trump attempted a coup. He incited a violent insurrection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The podcaster said he was fine with Zuckerberg holding a dinner meeting with the incoming president but thought a large donation was preposterous.

I would not have even been this annoyed over the fact that Zuckerberg sat down with Trump and had dinner. Its like, okay, you want to have dinner? Hes the president of the United States. You run one of the biggest companies in the world, Favreau reasoned.

Like, fine, make peace, whatever. Donate a million dollars to inauguration when Meta has not donated money to any other inauguration? Now youre like in the Trump business. Now youre just giving him money.

He called the gesture disgusting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Youre not just like not saying mean things about him or even saying nice things, Favreau added.

Youre giving him money? A million dollars. Its disgusting.

However, Zuckerberg isnt the only business owner cozying up with Trump. Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon, contributed the same amount to Trumps inauguration under the company name while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a personal donation.

Trumps inauguration will take place on Jan. 20, 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DENVER (KDVR)  Two juveniles were taken into custody after shots were fired inside a PetSmart in Lakewood on Friday evening, according to Lakewood police.

I was taking orders in the drive-thru thru and then as I was handing the customer his food, he told me that he heard some shots, said Brandon Wise, an employee at the neighboring Goodtimes. We stuck our head out the window and there was some commotion going on. One of the young ladies that works here at PetSmart came and ran over and we let her inside.

The store is located at 160 Wadsworth Blvd.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We found a lot of shell casings. What were doing right now is were waiting for our crime lab to respond to process the scene. We do have investigators here. Weve interviewed several witnesses, said Paul Osckel, an agent for the Lakewood Police Department.

Video from SkyFOX over the scene showed police vehicles in the parking lot and along the side of the store. A portion of the parking lot in front of the store had been sectioned off with police tape.

Police said handguns were recovered.

There have been no reports of injuries, the Lakewood Police Department said.

Nobody was hurt, thank goodness, said Osckel. We know from history on how traumatic this can be. We have offered our victim advocates from our department, they have responded out here to be with the individuals that are involved in this. We are doing our best to offer our resources to them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lakewood police said they believe this was an isolated incident.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
An Arizona man was taken into custody on felony charges after police say he faked being an Uber driver and stole money from passengers via cryptocurrency.

On Dec. 10, police arrested 40-year-old Nuruhussein Hussein of Scottsdale, Arizona on felony charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering after a joint investigation with the U.S. Secret Service field office in Phoenix. Authorities claim they found that between March and December of this year, Hussein pretended to be an Uber driver outside a Scottsdale hotel and picked up unsuspecting customers who'd ordered actual Uber rides.

Once in his car, he allegedly asked the riders to use their phone to look up directions or to connect to the Uber app. Police say he was actually sending himself cryptocurrency with their phones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"While manipulating the unsuspecting victims phone, the suspect transferred cryptocurrency from their digital wallet to his digital wallet," police said in a statement, per NBC News. In total, he's accused of stealing more than $300,000 in cryptocurrency from the passengers. Prosecutors claimed in court that he told one alleged victim to "chill or something bad would happen."

Hussein was booked into Maricopa County Jail as the police and Secret Service continue their investigation. He was charged with two counts of theft, two counts of money laundering, and two counts of fraudulent schemes. His bond was set at $200,000 and required that he stay in Maricopa County under constant electronic monitoring with a total ban on Internet use.

Related: Larry David Says He 'Lost a Lot of Money' on Controversial 2022 Crypto Super Bowl Ad

His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 18.
(Bloomberg) -- Brazils federal police arrested Walter Braga Netto, a former defense minister and close ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, for his role in an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Braga Netto was among dozens officials  including the former president himself  who police accused in November of conspiring to keep Bolsonaro in power following his failed reelection bid. Braga Nettos lawyer didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The arrest on Saturday of the retired general was authorized by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing various probes into Bolsonaro and members of his administration for possible crimes committed in office, including falsifying vaccination records and selling presidential gifts for personal profit.

The judge also authorized a search of the home of Braga Nettos assistant, Flavio Peregrino, a retired colonel. Peregrino didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both men are suspected of taking part in an attempted coup and trying to hinder investigations into the episode, the Supreme Court said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police allege the plot Braga Netto designed was never put into action because it did not receive sufficient support from military brass.

On Jan. 8, 2023, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in the capital, Brasilia, amid claims that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas victory had been fraudulent. While Bolsonaro denies taking part in the riots, authorities have been probing the right-wing leader and his inner circle for links to alleged efforts to overturn the will of the Brazilian people.

Police investigations claim that Braga Netto, who served as Bolsonaros running mate in 2022, took a central role in the organization and financing of a criminal conspiracy. He has denied taking part in the alleged plot.

He was arrested at his home in Rio de Janeiro early Saturday morning after he returned to the city from travel, according to people familiar with the process who spoke on condition of anonymity. He is the highest-ranking member of the former administration to be detained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The federal police had taken measures to prevent the repetition of illegal actions, it said Saturday in a statement that didnt identify Braga Netto.

(Updates to add detail on alleged plots failure in the sixth paragraph. An earlier version of this story corrected a part of judges order.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  The Alexandria Police Department (ADP) said officers were conducting a death investigation on Friday night.

Man injured after shooting in Southwest DC

In a post on X at 11:24 p.m., police said they were at the 4600 block of Duke Street conducting a death investigation concerning a fire incident.

Officers said the fire was contained and there is no public safety concern.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  The St. Louis County Police Department is still searching for the suspect responsible for the death of a 20-year-old in north county Thursday morning.

According to a release, a vehicle struck a utility pole at Glen Gary Road and Ben Nevis Road in the Glasgow Village neighborhood around 9:30 a.m.

Upon officers arrival, they located 20-year-old Jaheim Smith in the drivers seat. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police say Smith had been shot at least once.

An unidentified subject was seen fleeing the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A report from the Topeka Police Department (TPD) is shedding light on what led up to a Topeka teens death during a crash in late November.

Topekan Creighton Lloyd-Collins, 17, was riding his 2005 Honda motorcycle at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a Jeep Patriot that pulled out in front of him on Nov. 21, police said. The crash happened at 2:48 p.m. outside Washburn Tech, located at 5724 Southwest Huntoon Street.

Its very emotional: Shawnee County neighbors confront local leaders over plan to build new duplexes

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lloyd-Collins attended the technical college and Washburn Rural High School, according to his obituary. Police said he was traveling west on Huntoon toward Wanamaker Road when he attempted to pass two school buses.

(Photo By/Tim Schoepflin)

The Jeep, driven by a 61-year-old Topeka man, was pulling out of his apartment complex from Glendale Drive onto Huntoon. As the two school buses were turning right onto Glendale, the 61-year-old decided to proceed from the stop sign, to turn left onto Huntoon, police said. He turned in front of the passing motorcycle, which hit his Jeep.

Police said Lloyd-Collins, who wouldve turned 18 later this month, applied his motorcycle breaks before crashing into the Jeep. He died at a local hospital three days later, according to his obituary. The 61-year-old was hospitalized after being trapped inside the SUV.

Mickel Cherry pleads guilty in Zoey Felix homicide case

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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.
CHICAGO (WTVO)  A man was injured during a shooting that involved a vehicle with two off-duty Chicago police officers on Saturday.

Around 1:30 a.m., a 26-year-old man was fired at by a gunman in a car in the 1000 block of South Mayfield Avenue, according to police. Two off-duty officers were in another vehicle with three others during the incident.

After the man was hit and wounded, shots were fired at the shooter from the car with the officers inside. according to authorities. The shooter fled the scene, WLS reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The wounded man was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

Both officers were not injured and no one is currently in custody.

Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
A young man was killed Friday when he was struck a dozen times by gunfire in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood on the citys South Side, according to Chicago police.

The victim, who police said was 24, was standing in the 200 block of East 43rd Street just before 3 p.m. when a gunman inside a white sedan opened fire.

The victim was struck 12 times in the head and body and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The gunman fled north on South Indiana Avenue and remained at large Friday evening.

The victims identity was not released, but an autopsy was scheduled for Saturday.
India's Data Centre (DC) market is witnessing a surge in investment activity, with Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu emerging as the most preferred destinations.

India's data centre market has emerged as a magnet for global and domestic investors, attracting nearly USD 60 billion in investment commitments between 2019 and 2024.

Mumbai, which accounts for 49 per cent of India's total DC stock, continues to dominate the market, followed closely by Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru. Together, these Tier-I cities constituted about 90 per cent of the country's DC stock in the January-September 2024 period.

Mumbai and Chennai's stronghold is bolstered by their strategic infrastructure, including multiple cable landing stations, government support, and established financial industries, making them prime hubs for BFSI, cloud, hyperscale, and OTT companies.

India's DC stock stood at approximately 1,255 MW (~19 million sq. ft.) as of September 2024 and is projected to grow to around 1,600 MW (~24 million sq. ft.) by the end of the year.

In 2025, an additional 475 MW of capacity is under construction, with Mumbai and Chennai expected to lead the supply additions.

Demand from technology firms, BFSI, fintech, and media sectors, along with public sector undertakings, is expected to further boost occupancy rates, which currently stand at 75-80 per cent.

India's generative AI sector is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28 per cent from 2023 to 2030, contributing significantly to DC demand.

The adoption of generative AI is projected to add USD 400 billion to India's economy by 2030, underscoring the importance of robust digital infrastructure.

State-level incentives have played a pivotal role in attracting DC investments. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana were among the first to introduce dedicated policies, defining DCs as an "essential service" and offering extensive infrastructure support. (ANI)
FRANKLIN, Ky. (FOX 56)  The Kentucky State Police Department (KSP) said an increase in law enforcement will be in effect for schools in Simpson County after an investigation into a possible school threat on Friday.

Georgetown police continue search for missing woman, 21, with $5k reward offered

According to a news release, troopers with Post 3 were dispatched along with the Franklin Police Department and Simpson County Sheriffs Office to all Simpson County schools in response to a school threat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At this time, there are no indications of a credible threat to the schools, students, or staff members, KSP said. A high level of staff was present, as all students were released at normal time.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Schools across the county were placed on a soft lockdown for the rest of the day, troopers said.

Authorities said there will be an increased presence of law enforcement on Simpson County school grounds until further notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
CHICAGO  Police on Friday released surveillance images of a vehicle believed to be connected to the fatal shooting of a tow truck driver in the West Loop two years ago.

The 49-year-old driver of the tow truck was struck by gunfire in the late night hours of Nov. 13, 2022 as he drove westbound on the 1900 West Fulton Street. Police said at the time that the driver was hit when people in two different vehicles began shooting at him and fled.

Nov. 2022 | Tow-truck driver fatally shot in armpit while driving in West Loop, crashed into bus stop

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Friday, an alert said the victim was struck by a bullet fired from a grey, two-door Dodge Challenger. Images of that suspect vehicle accompanied the alert.

Anyone with information about the shooting, the Challenger or its driver is asked to contact Area 3 detectives at 312-744-8261. Tips may be made anonymously online at CPDtip.com.

The case number is #JF473692.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Lansing Police Department has located 18-year-old Cerenity Lakayla Taylor, whose family reported her as missing and endangered. She was found safe.

She was last seen and heard from on Nov. 22 in the 1600 block of Olds Ave.

18-year-old Cerenity Lakayla Taylor (WLNS)

Cerenity has a medical condition and was without the necessary medication to treat it. She may be staying in the Flint area. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 176 lbs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you have any information that could help, call the Lansing Police Department at (517) 483-4600.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Police are trying to find out who taped a bulldog inside a trash bag and abandoned him in Des Moines.

The emaciated dog was found Tuesday afternoon near a railroad viaduct with his head sticking out of a black plastic garbage bag. The dog was unable to walk because the bag was secured with tape.

Police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said in a statement that the man who found the dog said the bag caught his attention because it appeared to be moving.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Parizek said Saturday that the dog is slowly recovering. When the dog was found, he weighed only about 23 pounds (10 kilograms), according to the veterinary staff who are caring for him.

Investigators hope someone will recognize the dog and help lead them to whoever discarded him. Police said the dog's ears have been cropped, which suggests he received veterinary care earlier in his life.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Aurora Police Department is investigating a shooting Saturday morning with multiple victims reported. Police said the suspected shooter is dead.

The police department said in a post on X that the shooting happened at 10321 East Evans Avenue just before 10:30 a.m.

During a press conference Saturday, Aurora Police Department Chief Todd Chamberlain said the incident was not a random act and appeared to be an act against family members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Dispatchers received the first call at 10:27 a.m., during which the police department said fighting, yelling and screaming were heard in the background. That call disconnected. Police were en route to the scene when dispatchers received another call saying shots had been fired.

The police department said four people were involved. Officers arrived on the scene at about 10:30 a.m. and said they found a woman in her mid to early 20s and a one-year-old baby on the ground, both had been shot. The woman and baby were both taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Aurora police reported that the woman, a 20-year-old and baby, a one-year-old, succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Another woman, 44, was shot in the hand and crews on the scene provided medical aid.

The Aurora police PIO said officers found the suspected shooter, a 19-year-old, with an apparent self-inflicted fatal gunshot wound.

The officers cleared the apartment, went into a back bedroom, and in the back bedroom they located a male who at this time appears to have self-inflicted with a handgun, Chamberlain said.

The Aurora Police Department is investigating what led up to a shooting on Dec. 14, 2024. During a press conference, police said a woman and baby had been shot and were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, while the suspected shooter was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Aurora Police Department is investigating what led up to a shooting on Dec. 14, 2024. During a press conference, police said a woman and baby had been shot and were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, while the suspected shooter was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Aurora Police Department is investigating what led up to a shooting on Dec. 14, 2024. During a press conference, police said a woman and baby had been shot and were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, while the suspected shooter was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Aurora Police Department is investigating what led up to a shooting on Dec. 14, 2024. During a press conference, police said a woman and baby had been shot and were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, while the suspected shooter was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Aurora Police Department is investigating what led up to a shooting on Dec. 14, 2024. During a press conference, police said a woman and baby had been shot and were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, while the suspected shooter was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Aurora Police Department is investigating what led up to a shooting on Dec. 14, 2024. During a press conference, police said a woman and baby had been shot and were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, while the suspected shooter was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

It appears that all of these individuals are family members or are connected in some way, this was not a random act, so again I want to let the community to be aware of that, this was not something that spontaneously happened around this area or this community but it appears to, unfortunately, be an act against family members, Chamberlain said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police said there is still plenty of investigating to do to find out what led up to the shooting.

This event is without question still unfolding theres a lot of questions we have to ask and figure out, but what is very clear is that this is truly a tragedy, Chamberlain said.

What we dont want to do is write the narrative before we actually investigate the entire scene. This scene is going to be processed as any other homicide scene and that is going to be incredibly meticulous, Chamberlain added.

The investigation remains active and is ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Swanson Reservoir is a 5,000-acre lake popular with fishermen and boaters near Trenton, in southwest Nebraska (Courtesy of Dawna Vap)

LINCOLN  A bill to allow lakeside cabin areas to remain at two southwest Nebraska reservoirs is being threatened by last-minute opposition from departing U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-West Virginia, and a small group of other legislators.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., the chief sponsor of the bill on behalf of cabin owners along Swanson and Red Willow Reservoirs, pressed Manchin on Wednesday to reconsider his opposition to her bill, which was part of a larger measure concerning federal lands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fischer said her portion of the bill has widespread support in the Senate and passed the House unanimously on a voice vote.

Nebraskas congressional delegation is trying to save mobile homes at Swanson Reservoir near Trenton, on land owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the lake. (Courtesy of Jason Frederick/Hitchcock County News)

She said her proposal is being unfairly held up as political leverage for unrelated matters.

This really is outrageous, the Nebraska senator said. My legislation cannot wait.

That, she said, is because if her bill isnt passed, owners of cabins at two sites along the reservoirs will be required to vacate the land in February.

A request for response from Manchins office was not immediately returned on Friday.

But the Examiner learned that Manchin has since dropped his opposition, though Fischers efforts to pass a stand-alone bill on the cabin developments is being resisted by a different group of lawmakers.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., speaks to supporters at a campaign rally in Bellevue. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

With the U.S. Senate recessing for the year on Friday, Dec. 20, it is unclear if Fischers bill can be passed in time to avoid disrupting the cabin developments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Manchin, a former governor of West Virginia, declined to seek re-election this year after serving in the Senate since 2010.

The cabin controversy, which the Examiner first reported, pertains to the management of the two reservoirs by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureaus plan to remove the cabins to make way for improvements to campgrounds facilities.

There are 110 cabins on Swanson Reservoir near Trenton and 71 cabins at Red Willow north of McCook, and concession businesses at both lakes. All are located on land now managed by the Bureau.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cabin owners and county officials in the area objected to the removal order, which was initially scheduled to go into effect in November 2025. They maintained that some families had enjoyed cabins on the lake for decades, and that the two cabin areas were important economic contributors to rural Hitchcock and Red Willow Counties.

Under bills introduced in the Senate by Fischer and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and in the House by U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb, management of the two cabin developments would be transferred to Hitchcock and Frontier Counties. They would manage the two areas and benefit from lease payments from cabin owners and fees paid by concessionaires.

Fischer said that she has received letters from more than 1,000 local residents supporting the transfer of the property, and that the two cabin sites  among the largest communities in the two counties  should be allowed to remain.

Hitchcock County Board member Paul Nichols has said that local residents support the land transfer, which will allow communities in place and operating for decades to remain.
Mike Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State during Trumps first administration, backed Japanese Nippon Steel Corp.s attempted acquisition of U.S. Steel, sharply veering from President-elect Trump, who vowed to block the deal.

Blocking this purchase would undermine Americas national security by diminishing our ability to maintain robust and competitive domestic steel production, Pompeo wrote in an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal Friday.

Reuters reported in July that Nippon hired Pompeo to help lobby for the acquisition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Japanese firm announced last year that it would acquire U.S. Steel Corp. in a $14.9 billion deal  a move that was criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Nippon asked in September to refile its acquisition bid, a move that put off a decision on approving the deal until after the presidential election.

Pompeo continued, writing that blocking the deal would reinforce, not challenge Chinas steel dominance. The Economist in September reported that China makes as much steel as the rest of the world combined each year.

If the U.S. blocks this deal, China will perceive it as proof of a troubled U.S.-Japan relationship. It would be a gift to the Chinese Communist Partys propaganda machine, fueling false narratives about the hypocrisy of the U.S. and the empty promises we offer our allies, he wrote, adding that the deal would allow the U.S. to make steel domestically, which, he argues, is what we need.

He stated that the acquisition would ultimately make the domestic steel industry more competitive while increasing national security and better serving steelworkers. Though, the deal has faced scrutiny from the United Steelworkers union.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our concerns are rooted in a wealth of evidence. Nippon Steel has a long history of strategically importing both substrate and finished products into the United States and countries as it offloads its 16 million tons of over-capacity in Japan and China, all to the detriment of American steelmaking and American steelworkers, David McCall, international president for United Steelworkers, wrote earlier this year.

Trump in a post on Truth Social earlier this month said he was totally against the acquisition from Nippon of U.S. Steel.

I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan, Trump wrote, adding that we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again through tax incentives and tariffs.

Still, the president-elects latest tariff threats, which include enacting tariffs of 25 percent on all Canadian and Mexican goods, and adding another 10 percent to the tariff to all Chinese goods, have earned the ire of the countrys trading partners and concern from experts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEW DELHI (AP)  A popular actor in southern India was released from jail on bail on Saturday, a day after he was arrested by police in connection with a stampede that led to the death of a woman at the premiere of his movie earlier this month.

A 35-year-old woman died and her 8-year-old son was critically injured in the stampede, which occurred during the screening of Allu Arjuns release for Pushpa 2: The Rule in southern Telangana state's Hyderabad city on Dec. 4.

Arjun was arrested after the womans husband filed a case against him, his security team and the theater's management for not informing police of the actors plan to attend the screening, which resulted in a larger-than-expected crowd. Police charged the actor, his security team and the theaters management staff with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police have already arrested the theaters owner and two of his employees in connection with the case.

A local court on Friday ordered the actor to spend 14 days in jail, but within hours the Telangana High Court granted him bail. However, the actor had to spend the night in jail because prison authorities did not receive a copy of the bail until late Friday, the Press Trust of India reported.

The accident happened after the 41-year-old actor made a surprise appearance at a local theater where the movie was being screened. As his fans surged toward the venue, the theaters main gate collapsed, resulting in the stampede.

The actor did not comment on the police charges or his arrest. But shortly after the accident, Arjun wrote on the social platform X that he was heartbroken by the tragic incident. He later announced financial assistance of $29,000 for the womans family and promised to take care of the medical expenses for her injured son.

Deadly stampedes are relatively common in India, where large crowds gather in small areas with shoddy infrastructure and few crowd safety measures.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Shelby County Sheriffs Office announced theyve made an arrest regarding the thefts of multiple Amazon packages from Shelby County residences.

On December 10, deputies responded to multiple package thefts from homes on Scofield Drive, Belle Trees Drive and Country Walk Drive in Shelby County.

SCSO detectives investigating each incident learned that the same vehicle and the same suspect were involved in all three thefts.

Khristian Bradfield. (SCSO)

Detectives located the vehicle in the 1300 block of Quailbrook Road in Memphis and identified Khristian Bradfield, 23, as a suspect in the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On December 13, while conducting surveillance, detectives saw an adult male enter the vehicle in clothing that was taken from Country Walk Drive.

SCSO detectives, including BRATS (Burglary, Robbery & Auto Theft) detectives, trailed the vehicle until SCSO patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as Bradfield, had an outstanding warrant out of North Dakota and was detained.

FedEx worker accused of stealing $12k in jewelry from package

Detectives found the stolen property from the above addresses in the vehicle.

Upon a search of the residence on Quailbrook Drive, detectives collected evidence related to the above thefts, along with a loaded firearm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Khristian Bradfield was arrested and charged with three counts of theft of property $1,000 or less, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, no drivers license and possession of controlled substance.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 14: Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, BOTT is delighted to announce the BOTT Knowledge Conclave: Tourism@2025, a premier thought-leadership event, scheduled on December 18, 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave is aimed at unlocking the immense potential of the global travel industry with a focus on India Tourism. It will bring together leading voices in tourism to discuss opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of both inbound and outbound travel. With the theme "Tourism@2025: Navigating Opportunities in Inbound and Outbound Tourism," the conclave will feature Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, as Chief Guest. A key highlight of the event will be the unveiling of Tourism@2025, an international publication offering forward-looking insights into global travel trends. "Tourism is a sector which connects us all and bridges the gap between cultures and nations. The 'Whole of Government' approach, pioneered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has revolutionised the tourism landscape in India as both the development of the nation and the preservation of our heritage have been prioritized. This has led to a global recognition and respect for India's cultural heritage. With transformative initiatives including enhanced air and rail connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and digital payment solutions, there has been immense growth of tourism especially domestic tourism. It is with great satisfaction that I convey my heartfelt congratulations on the launch of Tourism@2025 at the BOTT Knowledge Conclave at Bharat Mandapam", said Shekhawat. Ms. Mugdha Sinha, Director General of Tourism, Govt of India shared her optimism for the future, "As we look ahead to 2025, I remain optimistic about India's tourism landscape. Domestic tourism will continue its remarkable growth trajectory, driven by rising interest in experiential travel, heritage exploration, and wellness tourism. Simultaneously, we anticipate a strong rebound in inbound tourism, with international travellers once again rediscovering India's timeless charm and hospitality. Industry platforms like BOTT Knowledge Conclave are essential for fostering collaboration and innovation to shape the industry's future." BOTT Knowledge Conclave will feature two thought-provoking Theme Sessions. The first session will focus on the rise of inbound tourism, discussing India's growing global appeal through emerging destinations, evolving traveller preferences such as sustainable and wellness tourism, and the critical role of infrastructure and innovation in enhancing the tourism ecosystem. The second session will examine the future of outbound tourism, highlighting global destinations that are expected to attract Indian travellers, the growing demand for experiential and luxury travel, and the importance of fostering partnerships between international tourism boards and Indian travel operators. The keynote address will be delivered by Ankush Nijhawan, Joint Managing Director of TBO.com, setting the tone for a day of insightful discussions and forward-looking strategies. The event boasts an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, including Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Tourism, Government of India; Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director, Bharat Hotels Limited; Anshul Sethi, Head of Sales - India, IndiGo; Rajeev Kohli, Joint Managing Director, Creative Travel; Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer for South Asia, VFS Global; Manish Puri, Head of Sales, Air India Limited; and Seema Roy Kapoor, Area Managing Director, Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Their collective expertise and diverse perspectives promise to provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the global tourism industry. The BOTT Knowledge Conclave is proudly supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, along with leading national associations representing travel, tourism, and hospitality, such as IATO, ADTOI, ATOAI, ICPB, TAAI, TAFI, and ETAA. The event also receives support from key industry players like Delhi Tourism, Air India, Asego, Communication Casa, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Le Meridien New Delhi, Expo Inn, and Martinhal Resorst, showcasing a united effort to drive the growth and innovation of the tourism sector in India. (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)
PORT ROYAL, S.C. (WSAV)  The town of Port Royal, now home to over 16,000 people, is growing fastand with that growth, many residents are starting to wonder what the future holds.

One big concern? The increasing number of short-term vacation rentals, especially ones bought up by out-of-town investors.

Mayor Kevin Phillips said that hes heard loud and clear from residents who worry about being priced out of their own town.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This has been a concern for a couple of years now, and its only getting bigger, Phillips said.

On Wednesday, the Port Royal Town Council voted to approve a new ordinance that limits the number of short-term rentals allowed in the town. The cap is set at 6% of all residentially owned properties.

Its a move aimed at keeping Port Royals community intact while still supporting tourism.

Over the past few years, the number of short-term rentals has skyrocketed. Back in 2020, there were just 70 in the town, but by 2024, that number had jumped to 110.

Mayor Phillips said that this trend of investors turning homes into vacation rentals has meant fewer properties available for people looking to settle down in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We were seeing a trend where every time a house was on the market to be sold, as soon as it was being bought, someone was applying for a short-term rental license, Phillips said. For the second it becomes a short-term rental, now that house is off the market and not going to be a home for someone to live into.

Port Royal isnt alone in tackling this issue. Neighboring Beaufort and Hilton Head have also placed caps on short-term rentals.

Phillips looked to surrounding coastal towns and areas before making the decision for Port Royal.

Every year we go to a conference in Columbia, the Municipal Association of South Carolina, where we talk with other mayors and other councils and especially areas along the coast, he said. Those communities talk about how short-term rentals, when left, unregulated and uncapped, do have a tendency to take over and really destroy that community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The goal, Phillips says, is to find a balance where tourism can thrive without pushing out full-time residents. The 6% cap should help keep property taxes more affordable for homeowners and create a stronger local economy overall.

It creates a great balance. Were still going to have short-term rentals. Were going to have people visiting Port royal, staying and being tourists and visiting our restaurants, said Phillips. At the same time, were still going to have a vibrant neighborhood and a vibrant community with families living here, people of all ages living here, you know, starting businesses, having jobs here and just being a part of the community.

While the 6% cap is a starting point, Phillips made it clear that future town leaders could adjust the policy if needed. For now, the town of Port Royal is focused on keeping things balanced, ensuring it remains a vibrant, welcoming place for both residents and visitors alike.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The current Portland City Council body will return to the newly remodeled council chambers for its final meeting on Dec. 18, as the city prepares for its final phase of charter reform.

For the past year, the Portland City Council has held its meetings at the citys Development Services Building located at 1900 4th Ave. in downtown. During that time, Portland City Hall was remodeled to accommodate the transition from four city commissioners and a mayor to a 13-person board, which oversees four separate districts.

Could Portland see a white Christmas this year?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mayor Ted Wheeler took time at the start of the Dec. 11 meeting to acknowledge the work that went into preparing the temporary council chambers and remodeling Portland City Hall.

I know that that caused both a lot of consternation, as well as significant inconvenience for a lot of city employees, as well as the public, Wheeler said. I just want to acknowledge those sacrifices. I want to thank all of our council staff and people who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything gets moved here and everything is operating efficiently.

Portlands remodeled city council chambers. (City of Portland)

Councilman Dan Ryan will be the only member returning to the city council in 2025, after winning reelection to represent District 2 in the 2024 general election. Commissioners Mingus Mapps, Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez all lost to challenger Keith Wilson for the mayoral seat left open by the exiting Ted Wheeler.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oregon Congresswoman joins DOGE Caucus inspired by Musk, Ramaswamy-led department

Ryan said that he looks forward to working with the new team of city council members.

Ive enjoyed being in temporary spaces the past six months and getting to know fellow public servants in both the Portland Building and the 1900 Building, Ryan said. [With] that said, Im excited to settle into our remodeled spaces with my new colleagues.

Wheeler said that the city hopes that the Dec. 18 meeting will serve as a dry run for the incoming city council. The new council will be sworn in on Dec. 19 and hold its first meeting on Jan. 2, 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Therell undoubtedly be some kinks and some technology issues and lighting issues and communications issues, Wheeler said. But wed like to get those ironed out before the new council comes in for their first session.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dec. 13Portland and state officials are clashing over millions of dollars in annual funding for General Assistance, the safety net program that pays for shelter and other basic needs for residents who can't afford them.

Portland's mayor says the state is proposing a rule change that could cost the city $4.4 million a year in reduced funding for emergency shelter operations.

"This proposal would slash state reimbursement of local emergency shelter expenses, weakening Maine's emergency shelter network and putting the people who need it at further risk," Mayor Mark Dion wrote in a Nov. 25 letter to the director of the state's Office of Family Independence in the Department of Health and Human Services. The change could mean a reduction in services or a 5.5% increase in the municipal portion of the city's tax rate this spring, the city said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State officials, however, say the proposal would simply codify long-standing policy and that Portland has been charging the state for more funding than it should have.

The dispute is the latest in a long series of conflicts between the city and state over General Assistance funding to support local shelters, which take in residents from around the state and beyond.

STATE: CITY IN VIOLATION

The state issued Portland a notice of violation in September saying the city is out of compliance with the General Assistance statute and that its shelter reimbursement requests for the Homeless Services Center on Riverside Street have exceeded the maximum amount allowed. The violation notice does not say how much funding the state believes Portland received in error.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The state said the maximum amount the Department of Health and Human Services can reimburse for a stay at the city's shelter is based on the rate the agency has set for a studio or efficiency apartment, a standard known as the "zero-bedroom rate."

That means the maximum that could be reimbursed per bed per night at the HSC is $44, according to the state's notice, which said Portland has been requesting reimbursement at a rate of $84 per night determined by shelter operating expenses.

In February alone, the state said that added up to the city claiming $157,170 of ineligible expenses for reimbursement.

General Assistance is distributed at the local level to residents who can't afford to pay rent or keep the heat and lights on. Under state law, municipalities can receive 70% reimbursement from the state for eligible General Assistance expenses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

General Assistance housing rates are published each year by the department based on federal Housing and Urban Development fair market rent figures. Municipalities may adopt those rates or propose their own, subject to DHHS approval.

The state also said that according to a 2015 agreement with the city, the zero-bedroom rate is to be prorated into a daily figure for anyone staying at a municipal shelter.

But the city, which is appealing the notice of violation, has argued that the 2015 plan did not include a specific formula for calculating rates and that there is nothing in the city code or the General Assistance statute and rules that sets a maximum rate for emergency shelters. The rules also state that municipalities may need to disregard the rates in an emergency, the city said.

"The department's reliance on the 2023 zero-bedroom rate of $44/night fails to recognize that the city's reimbursement requests related to the (Homeless Services Center) are not for rental housing, but for emergency shelter costs," the city wrote in a Sept. 23 response to the notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city also said the $84 per night is an accurate reflection of the actual costs to operate the shelter, including rent, utilities, routine maintenance and essential supplies. That total does not include ineligible expenses such as administrative costs or costs associated with other services offered at the center beyond overnight shelter.

ARE RULE CHANGE AND DISPUTE RELATED?

It's unclear if the rule change, which the state posted online on Nov. 6, is directly related to the violation notice. The proposal makes several changes to General Assistance rules, but the part the city has taken particular issue with seeks to add language specifying that municipalities are limited to the "zero-bedroom" rate for reimbursement at emergency shelters.

According to DHHS spokesperson Lindsay Hammes, the department reimburses all municipalities for emergency shelter beds using the zero-bedroom rate. Only six municipalities around the state have sought shelter reimbursements so far this fiscal year, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We are unaware of any other shelter that receives more than the zero-bedroom rate for an eligible single individual in reimbursement through GA," Hammes said in an email, adding that as of Oct. 1 the applicable rate for reimbursement in Portland should be $48 per night, but the city has requested $84 per night.

"The department's proposed rule reasserts its long-standing practice for shelter reimbursement," Hammes said.

A city spokesperson said, however, that prior to September the state hadn't indicated there were any issues and had been reimbursing the city at the $84 rate since July 2023. The rate was lower prior to July 2023, but the city also changed the services it provides around that time with the Homeless Services Center opening in March, said city spokesperson Jessica Grondin.

Hammes said the department could not comment further because of the ongoing appeal of the notice and because the rule is in the process of being adopted. It should be finalized within the next few months, Hammes said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dion, Portland's mayor, said he couldn't speculate about why the rule proposal has come forward, though he noted that the timing seemed to coincide with the notice issued to the city.

"It would be one thing if they gave us a notice of violation, we have a chance to respond and have a hearing and we're arguing about a rule we all agree on," Dion said. "But now we're trying to dispute a decision that was made under a rule that now appears to be subject to something entirely different. It's like, can we resolve one issue before we decide another one?"

CITY SAYS RULE UNDERMINES EFFORTS

City officials say the new rule would result in cuts to services or a 5.5% increase to the municipal portion of the property tax rate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It also comes as Portland has significantly increased its number of shelter beds over the last two years. The city opened the Homeless Services Center in March 2023, growing capacity by 54 beds compared to the old Oxford Street Shelter. And in May of this year the planning board approved an expansion by another 50 beds.

Late last year the city also opened a new 179-bed shelter for asylum seekers in Riverside.

Still, the amount the city is spending on General Assistance dropped by about $8.2 million from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024, and the amount of state reimbursement to Portland fell by about $10 million as the city reduced operating costs by getting away from more costly temporary housing options like hotels.

In the 2024 fiscal year, Portland spent $22.4 million on General Assistance, of which $11 million was reimbursed by the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Rule #26 would, ultimately, undermine the city of Portland's recent efforts to increase shelter capacity so that beds could be made available to people sleeping in large encampments, which posed serious health and safety risks," Dion said in his letter.

Preble Street, a nonprofit social services provider that runs three shelters in Portland, has also raised concerns about the rule. The agency receives General Assistance funds through the city to help pay for shelter beds.

"Our shelters are not adequately funded," said Andrew Bove, Preble Street's vice president of social work. "We have to cobble funds together, and I think that's the case with shelters across the state. It's tough out there. So anything that seeks to reduce what shelters can access in terms of funding, we have a problem with."

Dion, a former state legislator, has argued that the rule should be considered a "major substantive rule" requiring legislative review and approval, as opposed to a "routine technical" rule that can be finalized by an agency alone. "The Legislature might not agree with us, but that's the proper forum in which to have this conversation," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Portland's legislative delegation has also written to the state to oppose the rule and has said it should be considered a major substantive rule.

"The proposed change will overly burden municipalities and nonprofit entities across the state that are currently struggling to offer emergency shelter services," the delegation wrote in a Dec. 4 letter. "Furthermore, this is not the time to engage in rule-making that will have an immediate, far-ranging, and negative impact on unhoused persons."

Copy the Story Link
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: Illustration by Stephen Kelly / Getty Images / Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey

A pair of states are hoping to send a message to gun manufacturer Glock with a lawsuit filed Dec. 12. The case, brought by the attorneys general of Minnesota and New Jersey, alleges that the Austrian firearms maker knowingly sells a popular handgun that can easily be converted into a machine gun.

This is hardly the first case against a major gun manufacturer; Mexico is currently suing American gunmakers in a bid to stop the alleged trafficking of weapons contributing to cartel violence, a case that is set to be heard by the Supreme Court. But this marks one of the most high-profile cases yet by American states against a prominent gunmaker. New Jersey and Minnesota have a large consortium of other states behind them, which could set a precedent for future legal proceedings.

What is the crux of the lawsuit?

The suit concerns Glock's 9mm handgun, which can be altered from a semi-automatic weapon to a fully automatic machine gun using a plastic device called a Glock switch. This switch "can be purchased for under $20 or created on a 3D printer," and "allows pistols to fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute  a rate as fast as or faster than many fully automatic firearms and machine guns used by the United States military  with a single trigger pull," New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a press release. Those who make these switches "often print Glock logos on their products, which leads consumers to believe they are legitimate," Newsweek said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawsuit alleges that Glock has long been aware that its handguns can be converted, but "benefits from increased sales" because this conversion "makes them more attractive to certain buyers, particularly those who intend to use the machine guns for criminal activities," said Platkin. As a result, Glock has been reluctant to change the design of its 9mm handgun, the lawsuit alleges, even as the "proliferation of switches" led to a "rise in shootings and murders during the coronavirus pandemic," said The New York Times.

Glock is not the only manufacturer whose guns can be made automatic with black market devices. But "critics say Glock's guns are among the easiest to convert," said The Associated Press. New Jersey and Minnesota want sales of the gun suspended as well as restitution for the public. Glock has not publicly responded to the lawsuit.

What's the bigger picture?

While the lawsuit was only brought by New Jersey and Minnesota, the "larger coalition that will be working together includes 16 states in total," the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said to Newsweek. These states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as Washington, D.C.

These states will be working together to educate the public on gun safety, and another lawsuit against Glock was brought by Illinois earlier this year. If these legal proceedings are successful, it could set a precedent for gun company regulations. The states are "asking the bare minimum of the gun industry: to take basic steps to keep our communities safe," Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a statement. They are also "partnering with law enforcement and consumer protection leaders throughout our country to keep our neighbors safe from illegal firearms."

These initiatives by "mostly Democrat-led states amount to early pushback against President-elect Donald Trump" and his administration, said the AP. It comes as gun control groups are "bracing for [Trump] to keep his campaign promise to sign a nationwide 'concealed carry reciprocity' law," said ABC News.
Washington (DC News Now)  President Joe Biden set a single-day record of clemency in the United States. He commuted nearly 1,500 sentences of people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the pandemic. Biden also pardoned 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes. It comes after Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, on gun and tax crimes. The Hills, Brett Samuels, discusses if this will impact Bidens legacy.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Prince Andrew, the British Kings brother who stood back from public life following his disastrous TV interview justifying his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, is in the crosshairs of another scandal concerning his friendship with a man accused of being a Chinese spy.

The BBC reports that Andrew released a statement Friday, asserting that he had ceased all contact with an unnamed businessman accused of espionage, that he had met the man through official channels and that nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed.

More from Deadline

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The alleged spy, known as H6, has been banned from the UK after a judgement by a secret security court proceeding in 2023, during which, the BBC reports, judges were told he had sought to leverage Andrews influence. The official press office at Buckingham Palace did not comment on the allegations, saying that Andrew was a non-working royal, therefore beyond their domain. The BBC requested but received no further comment from Andrew.

Saturdays Times of London newspaper continued the story, reporting that Andrew had continued to list a Buckingham Palace address for the Chinese arm of his start-up funding company, despite instructions to cease in 2019.

Pitch@Palace Global, Prince Andrews project which connected fledgling businesses with investors, was paused in 2021 after his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier. The Times now reports that legal documents show he retained an interest in a Chinese company, which listed his address for service as Buckingham Palace, until it was removed in 2023.

The paper reports that Pitch@Palace Global Limited is controlled by Andrew through a trust, and remains active with significant cash reserves.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Police in Prince Georges County are investigating a fatal shooting Friday afternoon.

The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said officers responded to the 3400 block of Pearl Dr. at around 4 p.m. for a report of a shooting.

DC police arrest 4 for kidnapping, burglary, 1 for having illegal drugs in barricade

Officers found a man who had been shot. He died there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-866-411-TIPS or submit their tip using the P3 Tips app.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
LOS ANGELES  The national movement to close a so-called slavery loophole in state constitutions was riding a wave of momentum after voters in eight states  including deep-red Alabama and Tennessee  removed exceptions to post-Civil War bans on slavery and involuntary servitude.

But the movement was handed an unexpected defeat this year in progressive California, where the failure of a ballot measure explicitly packaged as a ban on forced prison labor has left activists nationwide grappling with how best to draft such constitutional amendments in the up to 14 states where they could appear on ballots in 2026.

The movements lawyers want detailed language delineating what constitutes involuntary servitude so courts can be compelled to defend prisoners rights against forced labor. At the same time, campaigners confronting voters breaking right on questions of criminal justice want to see simply worded anti-slavery provisions free of specifics about what they mean for the incarcerated people who stand to benefit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats been a big part of our fight, making sure the language is correct, said Dennis Febo, the New Jersey-based lead organizer for the Abolish Slavery National Network. The more weve done on this question, the more we understand how complicated it is.

The self-described abolitionist movement was able to notch its earliest victories against scant organized opposition. But as it now works through its internal tensions it also faces potential external threats  from a prison industry that sees these amendments as a threat to the way it operates, and a changing political mood that leaves Republicans less willing to back them.

The new abolitionists emerge

Jumoke Emerys path to rethinking the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery started in a Colorado jail cell. It was 2014, and the then-27-year-old community organizer had just returned home from participating in the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, that birthed the Black Lives Matter movement. A week later, a police officer showed up at his Denver office with an arrest warrant, on circumstances Emery hypothesized were connected to his activism.

None of it made any sense, Emery said. I had been handcuffed, wrist to wrist, ankle to ankle, up against the wall. I sat there for hours in the middle of my workday and the only thing I could think of was, This is what it must have felt like to be a slave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Upon his release a few days later, Emery learned the arrest had been triggered by a years-old failure to appear warrant issued when he did not produce proof of insurance upon being pulled over for a burnt-out headlight. He said he was told the original charges had been already dismissed, but remained in the system due to a misspelling of his name; Emery said he did not end up paying a fine. (The Denver Police Department confirmed that Emery had been arrested for an outstanding warrant but would not comment on details of the case.)

But a new interest in challenging abuses within the prison legal system sent him back to the U.S. Constitution. He closely read the anti-slavery amendment ratified in 1865 as part of Reconstruction efforts to guarantee racial equality under federal law: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.

He focused on the exception embedded inside, a version of which found its way into state constitutions when they included language that mirrors the U.S. Constitutions slavery exception or deferred to the 13th Amendment on the issue.

In the late 19th century, the loophole justified programs in which southern states leased those convicted of crimes to private companies. Today, it allows states and private prison contractors to require incarcerated people to work, both to support government functions (including prison upkeep) and manufacturing goods for external sale. Chattel slavery may be gone, activists say, but Americans can still have their labor stolen behind bars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We dont have the same kind of abuse anymore, but I think coercion has shifted to subtler mechanisms  things like denying people parole or visitation rights, that are meant to entice people to actually perform labor, said Susanne Schwarz, a Swarthmore College political science professor who studies the history of American prison labor.

While some members of Congress have proposed closing the federal loophole via a constitutional amendment, Emery focused on Colorado, where changing the state constitution requires a simple majority from the states voters. In 2016, Amendment T asked whether the constitution should be amended for the removal of the exception to the prohibition of slavery.

Emery attributes the measures narrow failure that November to the confusingly convoluted double-negative, but came back two years later with the more simply worded Amendment A. Partnering with regional branches of the ACLU, NAACP and Progress Now, Together Colorado worked to craft a message that cast the amendment as a moral imperative to ban all forms of slavery.

This campaign is at its most powerful when its at its most simple, said Emery. I dont think that we need in-depth societal arguments for abolishing slavery. I think its as simple as posing the question: Would you like to continue to be a slaveholder, or would you not? Would you like to continue to have slavery, or would you not?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kamau Allen, an organizer who worked with Emery at Together Colorado and helped run the 2018 effort, said the campaign team spoke about prison labor only reactively when raised by anyone with questions about the measure. The approach worked: this time, Coloradans approved the amendment by a 32-point margin.

When you combine the lack of clarity with peoples general distaste for or distrust of incarcerated people, it becomes a very dangerous combination of misinformation, Allen said. So the best thing that any campaign in the abolition space can do is take command of the narrative before the confusion gets out.

The movement spreads

Activists in other states took notice. Lawmakers in Utah and Nebraska moved to place slavery bans on their 2020 ballots. They found little opposition, and both measures passed by wide double-digit margins: In Utah, Amendment C earned just over 80 percent of the vote.

Those results, and Black Lives Matter protests energized by George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police, lent momentum to activists pursuing amendments on 2022 midterm ballots. Five states  Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Alabama and Louisiana  voted on slavery bans that year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

None faced any organized opposition, and all but Louisianas passed. There the amendment banning involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime included a line declaring that ban does not apply to the otherwise lawful administration of criminal justice. Some in the movement think that clause would have given political and legal cover to state officials to continue business as usual in the states notorious prison system.



Were glad, Febo said about the Louisiana defeat. It created another exception.

Activists attribute their successes in 2022, especially across deep-red states, to the broad bipartisan support the amendments received in state legislatures. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker was among the Republican officials who served on the amendments advisory committee in Tennessee, saying it was more than timely to strike any reference to slavery from our state constitution.

Our message to them was, We need to get rid of this vestige of slavery in our Constitution that doesnt really do anything, because nobody believes in slavery anymore, said Theeda Murphy, an organizer who helped lead the campaign in Tennessee. It wasnt hard to get Republicans behind that at that time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In California, lawmakers drafted an amendment that would remove the exception from the state constitution. The text said no one should be subjected to slavery or involuntary servitude while also explicitly addressing prison labor in a way its backers hoped would help incarcerated people launch legal challenges. The amendment stated that corrections officers shall not discipline any incarcerated person for refusing a work assignment.

Skeptics usually acknowledged the wrongs of slavery while noting that reclassifying prison work as compensated labor rather than a punitive tool would come with significant cost. The states finance department estimated in 2022 that the corrections department would spend an additional $1.5 billion annually to pay working prisoners a minimum wage.

Inmates will sue the state claiming their wages are too low, their hours are too high, or that it is unconstitutional to tie good time credits and early release to their willingness to work, Democratic state Sen. Steve Glazer said of a proposal that moved through Sacramento that year.

When it reached voters in November 2024 as Proposition 6, the ballot language did not include the word slavery at all. Instead, the state attorney generals office summarized the amendment as eliminating the constitutional provision allowing involuntary servitude for incarcerated persons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The focus on involuntary servitude rather than slavery increased the burden on campaigners to explain the measure to befuddled voters, said Yes on Prop 6s Fabian Nunez. The campaign worked to reframe the issue in its messaging  its tagline was End Modern-Day Slavery  but lacked the funds to reach many many voters.

Early public polling showed Prop 6 under 50 percent and struggling to grow support. The amendment battled to separate itself from a high-profile, tough-on-crime measure that likely contributed to an environment less hospitable for what became a debate over prisoners rights.

In neighboring Nevada, however, voters saw a simple proposal described on their ballots as the Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime from Constitution Amendment. Nevadas Question 4 passed by more than 20 percentage points, while Californias Prop 6 failed by seven.

The two measures divergent fates, activists said, came down in part to the fact that Nevadas measure explicitly included the word slavery while Californias focused on forced prison labor characterized as involuntary servitude.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The word slavery invokes a stronger emotion, Allen said. Its more identifiable  there are going to be more people who agree that slavery is wrong than people who agree that involuntary servitude is wrong.

The fight ahead

In mid-November, members of the Abolish Slavery National Network from coast to coast gathered in a virtual meeting. The defeat of Californias Prop 6 hung over the activists, participants said, but their mood was determined rather than despondent.

This isnt our first time seeing a ballot measure fail as a network, said Allen. We are determined to learn from these setbacks and to know that okay, we are going to fall forward, that this is a teaching moment, that this is a moment for strategy. So what do 2026 and 2028 look like?

The call included representatives of around 20 of the movements 30-plus state-level campaigns. In 14, abolitionists are considering moving forward with slavery amendments, including in California, where activists say they hope to return to the 2026 ballot with a more explicit focus on slavery in the text of the measure itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They find themselves pitted against emboldened opponents. Both companies with a stake in the multibillion dollar industry of goods produced by incarcerated workers and state governments that benefit from what Schwarz described as a source of shadow revenue have begun lobbying state legislators to keep the issue off state-level ballots.

We have many tools in our correctional toolbox, Cheshire County Department of Corrections Superintendent Doug Iosue told New Hampshire lawmakers during an April hearing on a potential amendment there. The ability to require work for some offenders that might not otherwise choose it is one of those tools. I ask you to please not take away this tool.

In states that have voted to protect incarcerated people from forced work assignments, attorneys are heading into court to get the new amendments enforced. They find themselves in uncharted legal territory, with little existing case law and a fear that a misstep in one state could generate legal precedents that harm the movement elsewhere.

Removing the exception is one thing, but then dismantling the whole apparatus that actually keeps it functional is a whole other thing, said Murphy. And so the next steps involve trying to address the policies, procedures and practices, which we call the badges and incidents of slavery.

Lawsuits have already been brought against state governments in Colorado and Alabama, and Tennessee activists are readying for legal action of their own. In Alabama, the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a lawsuit arguing the penalties prisoners faced for refusing to work are a violation of their constitutional rights under the amendment passed in 2022.

As is the case with many areas of legal reform, changing the letter of the law is not enough, said Jessica Vosburgh, an attorney working on the Alabama case. You need people who are willing to enforce it and hold state officials to their obligation.

At issue are three separate state regulations  an executive order from Gov. Kay Ivey, a state statute and a regulation in the states corrections department  that impose penalties on inmates who refuse to work. A circuit court dismissed the suit, but the proponents filed an appeal late last month.

The inmates had been punished and threatened with punishment for not working, which is by definition, slavery and involuntary servitude, Vosburgh said. Having a job you can't quit  what is that, if not involuntary servitude?

In New Jersey, where the Abolish Slavery National Networks Febo is helping to draft an amendment with the hopes of getting it on the 2026 ballot, he said the state efforts legal team is stuck on the language. Theyre planning to include more concrete definitions of slavery and involuntary servitude to help bolster the case for future lawsuits, but figuring out how to word those without sacrificing the simplicity and brevity of previous anti-slavery amendments is proving to be a challenge.

After debating these wording questions within its legal committee, made up of lawyers working with some of its state-based campaigns, the network is planning a conference where scholars can develop strategies for addressing the issue going forward.

For his part, after helping to pass Colorados Amendment A, Allen decided to enroll in law school. Hes now in his final year at the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Part of my reason for coming here was to answer some of the legal questions we had about our campaign, he said. In hindsight, I see how misinformed people are  One of the things we made very clear in the 2018 campaign is that our biggest opposition is a lack of clarity.
Close family, friends and Tollywood colleagues met actor Allu Arjun at his residence after he was released from Chanchalguda Central jail on bail granted by Telangana High Court following his arrest a day ago in connection with the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre The actor was arrested following the death of a woman during the premiere of his film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' on December 4. Allu Arjun was granted bail after submitting a personal bond of Rs 50,000. The release was met with support from several industry peers and his family members, who gathered at his residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, to stand by him. His father-in-law, Kancharla Chandrasekhar Reddy, arrived to offer support, followed by his father, Allu Arvind, who also visited the actor. Other prominent figures from the film industry, including actor Vijay Deverakonda, producer Dil Raju, and director Koratala Siva, were seen arriving at the actor's home. The star's legal team had earlier contested his arrest, leading to his release after spending a night in jail. The actor expressed his gratitude towards his fans and well-wishers, and he reiterated his commitment to cooperating with the authorities. Speaking to the media, Allu Arjun said, "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident. We are sorry for what happened." The incident that led to Allu Arjun's arrest occurred during a chaotic scene at the Sandhya Theatre on December 4, when the actor arrived to attend the premiere of his latest film, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'. A large crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star, and the situation quickly escalated when Allu Arjun waved to the fans from the sunroof of his vehicle. Police allege that this action contributed to the chaos that ensued, leading to the death of a woman named Revathi, while her son suffered injuries. According to authorities, the actor's security team was responsible for pushing the crowd to clear the path for the actor's vehicle. Despite being informed about the danger of the large crowd, police claim that Allu Arjun's team did not take prompt action to mitigate the situation. The police further suggested that the actor's extended stay in the theatre after being alerted to the crowd's potential danger played a role in the tragedy. Following his release, Allu Arjun addressed the media and said, "I'm a law-abiding citizen, there's nothing to worry, all is well... condolences to the family... it was an accident, nothing like that happened before, I have extended all support to her family... thank you to all of you." During an earlier press conference, the actor had shared his deep shock regarding the tragic event. "The incident that took place in the Sandhya theatre is very unfortunate... I'm shocked. It took me hours to process it and respond to the incident. I couldn't process it psychologically. It took me around 10 hours. We all blanked out when we heard the news," he remarked at the success meet for Pushpa 2. The actor's legal team, led by lawyer Ashok Reddy, expressed dissatisfaction over the delays in Allu Arjun's release despite the court's decision. Reddy referred to the delay as an "illegal detention" and hinted at taking further legal action. The arrest has sparked widespread reactions, with various political figures and celebrities expressing support for Allu Arjun. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader KTR, and several other political figures condemned the arrest, while actors like Rashmika Mandanna and Varun Dhawan offered their solidarity with the actor. (ANI)
Military families are preparing to quit the Armed Forces and flee the country as a result of the Governments tax raid on private schools.

Senior officers have warned that they will not be able to cope with a rise in annual costs of up to 7,150 as a result of Labours imposition of VAT on fees. In a testimony shared with The Telegraph, they said the policy will push valued personnel out of service and cause a recruitment crisis.

It comes after ministers unveiled extra financial support for military parents, which will not cover the total cost of the rise in fees faced by some. Government officials stressed that they had never promised to cover the full amount, and said only a small number of families would be be hit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The wife of one serving officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, said the couple and their three daughters were preparing to quit the UK as a result of the change, adding: We will most likely relocate and the UK will lose a competent, well-trained, valuable officer.

The long-term implications of people choosing this option of voting with their feet will be a loss to the UK, and not only in VAT income terms.

Some military families are planning to leave the UK as a result of the expensive fees - SolStock/E+

A Major in the Royal Marines said they had been forced to turn down a place for one of their children at a secondary boarding school, calculating that the bill for educating their three children would increase by more than 10,000 a year because of the extra tax.

From the start of next year, independent schools will be hit with a 20 per cent VAT bill. They are expected to pass most or in some cases all the cost onto parents in higher fees, forcing many to move their children to the state sector.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But that option is not available for some 2,000 families who have to use boarding schools because they can be deployed abroad at short notice. In response, ministers promised to increase a grant such families can claim, the Continuity of Education Allowance, to help cover the extra cost.

But in a letter to parents and headteachers last week, the Ministry of Defence revealed that the cap on claims is going up by less than 20 per cent.

The maximum subsidy will rise to 30,633 a year for pupils in secondary boarding schools, representing a rise of 12.5 per cent on last years level. For children at primary boarding schools, it is being put up to 26,190, an increase of 16.6 per cent.

The increases have been calculated based on internal MoD research which shows that schools are typically putting up their fees by 12-16 per cent. It is understood most families will be covered by the extra allowance, but those who send their children to the most expensive schools face paying more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One Brigadier said that, from Jan 1, the cost of educating his three children could rise from 40,000 a year to 72,000  more than his net salary.

He said a Major with whom he serves, who cannot claim the Continuity of Education Allowance, could be forced onto benefits as a direct result of this tax, warning: Im sure you can appreciate this is atrocious and will push valued personnel out of service, he warned.

The wife of a Lieutenant Colonel who has served for 25 years said the VAT raid would mean that the appeal of a career in the armed forces diminishes, adding: Families will inevitably question a career that requires so much sacrifice yet appears to fall short in supporting their basic needs, particularly their childrens education.

There are around 150,000 personnel across the Armed Forces, of whom some 2,000 are able to claim the Continuity of Education Allowance each year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The military personnel provided their testimonies in letters to James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary.

He said: Military families are not millionaires, as Labour likes to characterise everyone who sends their children to independent schools. Many have written to me with heart-wrenching stories of how they are now having to make the impossible choice between serving their country and their childrens well-being.

Most worryingly, the worst likely impact of this change falls on experienced officers  the last people we want to leave service if we can avoid it. This policy would be a betrayal at the best of times, but this damaging change is now coming as we face the most serious military strategic context for generations.

A Government spokesman said: We greatly value the contribution of our serving personnel, and we provide the Continuity of Education Allowance to ensure that the need for the mobility of service personnel does not interfere with the education of their children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In line with how the allowance normally operates, the MoD will continue to pay up to 90 per cent of private school fees following the VAT changes on Jan 1 by uprating the current cap rates to take into account any increases in private school fees.

Cut fees for military families to protect our country

One of the most damaging consequences of Labours education tax is that it will hit retention in our Armed Forces  a betrayal of the very people whom we need, more than at any time for decades, to stay in the service of our country, writes James Cartlidge.

I can think of no greater example of how Labours ideological agenda trumps the issue we all know should be their number one priority: defence of the realm.

Military families depend heavily on boarding schools for practical reasons. With the services comes constant relocation and disruption for the children in military families. For a child to have the best start in life, continuity of relationships with teachers and friends in school is essential.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Successive governments have recognised the importance of stability and the sacrifice forces families have to make in their line of work. That is why the Ministry of Defence provides the Continuity of Education Allowance, which partially covers school fees for military families up to a cap.

But by putting VAT on independent schools, the cost of such stability for military families is going to surge. With less than a month before the new tax kicks in, Labour has finally unveiled how it will be topping up the Continuity of Education Allowance in light of VAT  and its clear that many service personnel will still be thousands of pounds out of pocket.

James Cartlidge, the Defence Secretary, said some people are now forced to change careers to prioritise their childrens wellbeing - Thomas Krych / Story Picture Agency

Ive been clear since becoming Shadow Defence Secretary in July: this tax is 100 per cent of the Governments making, and as such, the MoD should offset 100 per cent of the VAT impact on service families.

Thats why Ive repeatedly called for an exemption for all children of military families, like the Government has agreed to for children with EHCPs, i.e. certified evidence of special needs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

To illustrate how their uprated CEA falls well short, a family paying 30,000 fees for one child to board independently faces the prospect of 6,000 in additional VAT.

Yet, CEA for such a child will only have gone up by about 3,000, leaving that family 3,000 short and having to find another 5,000 or so of taxed income to make up the difference.

It goes without saying that those personnel with more than one affected child are looking at a particularly steep impact.

Its all the worse coming right in the middle of the school year, giving families almost no notice to prepare, and hitting them as we head into Christmas and a special time to remember all those deployed abroad in the service of their country  not a time to add a massive new stress to their lives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Military families are not millionaires, as Labour likes to characterise everyone who sends their children to independent schools  and many have written to me with heart-wrenching stories of how they are now having to make the impossible choice between serving their country and their childrens wellbeing.

We must keep in mind that this is a choice forced on those who serve our country, entirely of the Governments making.

All the families who have written to me have explained that, with these increased fees, one or both parents may have to give up serving our country.

Most worryingly, the worst likely impact of this change falls on experienced officers  the last people we want to leave service, if we can avoid it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is not just about retention; this failure to fully offset the new tax could also make it more difficult to attract the best and the brightest going forward, as CEA is one of the few mitigating factors of a disruptive life in the armed forces.

This policy would be a betrayal at the best of times, but this damaging change is now coming as we face the most serious military strategic context for generations.

Threats to Britain are only growing and evolving. War in Europe, growing instability in the Middle East, and direct attacks on our assets and interests abroad.

Meanwhile, amid a context where we await a Strategic Defence Review to provide all the answers to our military future, in the present we have no pathway to increasing spending to 2.5 per cent.

This is causing procurement to effectively be paused, while scrapping capabilities. The Government is surrendering sovereignty of Diego Garcia, a critical base in the Indo-Pacific, with silence on how much this will cost us; and now military families have been given a few weeks notice that those who do the right thing by their children and their country could still be thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Our armed forces deserve better. Labour has rushed this botched, inadequate response to a problem entirely of their own design.

Even now, they should prepare to exempt military families in the new financial year  or admit that defence of the realm is not the top priority it should be for this Government, given the threats we face.

James Cartlidge is the UKs shadow defence secretary

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing his wife and stepson should a jury convict him, documents said.

Karl Groschen, 41, is accused of killing his wife, Anastasiya Akutsina, 44; and his stepson, Sergei Evan Scroggins, 20, on Oct. 11 inside a Henderson home near Warm Springs Road and Stephanie Street. A grand jury later indicted Groschen on charges of open murder and child abuse, records said.

In video the 8 News Now Investigators first obtained, Groschen told an officer to arrest him as police responded to his home after the shootings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Theres two dead bodies, youve got to arrest me, Groschen said in the video. I thought they were trying to kill me.

Groschen allegedly fired a handgun nine times inside the home, killing Akutsina and Scroggins, documents said.

As such, he knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person by means of a weapon, device or course of action which would normally be hazardous to the lives of more than one person, prosecutors said in documents filed Thursday. He killed the two victims present in the residence as well as endangered the lives of the more than one person.

Prosecutors also cite aggravating circumstances, which they said could qualify for death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Groschen did not enter a plea during his arraignment last month. Last month, his attorney asked a judge to submit him to a competency evaluation. If the judge determines a person is incompetent based on doctors rulings, a person could spend months to years in a state facility achieving competency. A defendants criminal case is essentially paused during that process.

Groschens case showed a hearing regarding his competency was scheduled for January.

The state has not put a person to death since 2006.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
EBENSBURG  A Maryland native appeared in Cambria County court again Friday as evidence was reviewed in the homicide case against him.

Michael Lyles Jr. is accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend, Kandace Mervin, in July 2023 at her home on Wood Street in Johnstowns Hornerstown section. He faces charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.

The purpose of the pretrial hearing was for Cambria County Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Aurandt, Jessica Weil and Warren L. Crilly III to present Rule 404B evidence for Cambria County Judge Michael A. Carbonara to review.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvanias Rule 404B prohibits the inclusion of evidence of other crimes or wrongdoing in cases to establish a persons character, with exceptions.

Information presented by the prosecutors included two other pending domestic violence cases against Lyles, reportedly involving Mervin, and nine related Johnstown Police Department incident reports from 2020 to 2023.

Defense attorney Maribeth Schaffer said the documents presented Friday are a wholly different situation to the homicide case and objected to their admittance.

To say that this is motive is speculative, she said.

Prosecutors argued that the documents show a pattern of abuse by Lyles against Mervin leading up to her death, and thats why they want the information to be included in the eventual trial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Crilly framed the incident reports and criminal documents from previous offenses as a natural development of the facts and told Carbonara they should be allowed in court.

Other than to show propensity, the probative value outweighs the potential for unfair prejudice, he said, citing criminal law.

Schaffer disagreed, stating the introduction of this information would prejudice a jury against her client.

She also said some of the reports mention illicit narcotics in Lyles possession and possible extradition to Maryland, where he faces other charges, and requested that at least that information be exempt from the record if the documents are allowed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Crilly said that prosecutors would not refer to every detail of the reports during proceedings, if they are approved.

The judge gave both parties until Jan. 31 to submit additional memorandums in support of their positions and said he would not issue an order on those matters, or the photographic and video evidence submitted by prosecutors Wednesday, until after that deadline.

Court ended with Schaffer and Lyles filling out continuance forms to push back the next meeting possibly to March. Carbonara approved them, saying the action makes sense given the end-of-January deadline.

Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A Providence man has been found guilty of killing a 36-year-old man nearly a decade ago, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Friday.

A jury convicted Miguel Tebalan-Rivera, 42, of second-degree murder and possessing a knife with a blade longer than three inches during a crime of violence in the death of Julio Perez Mejia at a Providence apartment.

On Dec. 23, 2015, police said Tebalan-Rivera walked into one of their stations and confessed to the killing, offering to take officers to the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the time, police told 12 News that Tebalan-Rivera fatally stabbed a guest in his own third-floor apartment on Moore Street.

Inside, officers discovered Perez Mejia unresponsive, lying in a large pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

Tebalan-Rivera was initially convicted of the same charges in 2018 following a two-day bench trial and sentenced to 60 years in prison, with 50 years to serve.

BACKGROUND: Man sentenced to 50 years in prison for Providence murder

However, in 2021, the conviction was overturned, and a new trial was ordered after a Superior Court judge found that his lawyer failed to argue self-defense and that police violated his Miranda rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tebalan-Rivera is currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

In 2015, Julio was stabbed and left to die because this defendant preferred to settle a score with callous violence, Neronha said in a press release. Julios family, like so many other families affected by violent crime, must endure lifetimes of pain because someone chose to commit an act of senseless violence. We can and we must do better as a community.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on lawmakers to crack down on hemp products containing synthetic THC intoxicants like Delta-8.

Every day that these products are on our shelves, we risk the health of another child or another adult, Pritzker said during a press conference on Friday.

During the spring session, lawmakers worked on legislation to address the problem. The bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, the governor is calling on them to take action during lame duck session in January before the new General Assembly is sworn in. Otherwise the process to pass the bill starts all over again.

Too often, these products mimic the brand colors, names and designs of popular snack foods like those sold by our friends at Ferrara Candy [Co.], Pritzker said while holding a package of real Nerds and a package that looks like Nerds but is actually a hemp product containing Delta-8. You can see for yourselves. Without careful examination, you can hardly tell the difference between these two.

The packaging on hemp products containing Delta-8 look just like name brand candies, cookies and snacks, but theyre not.

Teenagers have no trouble accessing hemp derived and synthetic products from convenience stores and gas stations often packaged in ways to intentionally appeal to the youth, Dr. Maria Rahmandar, M.D., the Medical Director of the Substance Use and Prevention Program at Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, said. Theyre being seen within our clinic and within the emergency departments of our state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The legislation Pritzker is backing would regulate these products similar to how the state regulates cannabis. Under the proposal, only licensed dispensaries could sell these products instead of gas stations or convenience stores.

The bill would also ban packaging designed to look like the real products and ban marketing them to appeal to kids.

The public deserves to have their children protected and to know that the products that theyre ingesting are safe, Pritzker said.

When Congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018, it removed hemp from the schedule of controlled substances  legalizing hemp production within certain guidelines. But it failed to regulate the THC content in the hemp.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It is vital we move forward towards regulation of hemp and Delta-8 products and do so in a way that is equitable and provides opportunities within the evolving industry, State Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), the bills Senate sponsor, said. We support the hemp industry. This is not an effort to bash the hemp industry.

The Illinois Hemp Business Association said they support hemp regulation but believe this bill would put a ban on the industry, completely doing away with nearly all federally legal hemp-derived products, including CBD lotions, shampoos, and pet care items.

The legislation would benefit large marijuana corporations at the expense of Illinois residents and the legitimate small businesses that follow federal law, yet does nothing to curb online sales of hemp products to minors from out-of-state companies, the organization said in a statement. We agree with the calls to enhance consumer safety, but we must work together to craft thoughtful, targeted regulations that deliver real public health and economic solutions for our state.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Dec. 13WILKES-BARRE  The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) this week reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public utility customers by ensuring the continuation of essential consumer safeguards.

This action, according to the commission, reflects its dedication to fairness, consistency and reliability for Pennsylvania's 13 million residents and public utilities as the Commonwealth anticipates the sunset of Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code on Dec. 31, 2024.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a motion from PUC Chair Stephen M. DeFrank, adopting a Statement of Policy that provides clear guidance for consumers and utilities through the winter heating season and beyond. This proactive measure ensures stability until the General Assembly has the opportunity to revisit Chapter 14 in 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Maintaining these vital safeguards and our existing regulatory framework underscores our mission to ensure just and reasonable access to utility services," said Stephen M. DeFrank, PUC chairman. "By taking this step, we are avoiding unnecessary disruptions and instead are fostering fair outcomes for consumers and utilities alike."

The Commission's decision reaffirms that existing standards and billing practices will remain in effect, backed by longstanding statutory authority.

Among other things, the Statement of Policy confirms the continuation of guidelines critical to payment arrangements, dispute resolution, and protections against service termination.

Key safeguards include:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Winter Moratorium: The prohibition on utility terminations during the coldest months for qualifying households continues as a critical lifeline.

Payment arrangements: The current tiered system for payment arrangements based on household income will continue to provide fairness for consumers facing financial challenges.

Medical certification protections: Safeguards for customers with serious health conditions, allowing temporary relief from termination, remain intact.

Protections for domestic violence victims: Utilities will continue to have written procedures and standards that help to protect customers who are victims of domestic violence and have a Protection from Abuse order issued by the courts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Customer notification and termination guidelines: Utilities will continue adhering to requirements for notifying customers about potential terminations, while terminations will remain prohibited on Fridays, the day before a holiday, or in other situations where consumers would be unable to arrange for service restoration the following day.

Protections against discrimination: The PUC will enforce fair treatment and equitable service provisions across all customer groups.

This action comes ahead of the Dec. 31, 2024, expiration of Chapter 14, which was originally enacted in 2004 and reauthorized in 2014 to enhance the timely payment of utility bills while ensuring equitable access to services.

The PUC's Statement of Policy affirms that final orders issued under Chapter 14, along with the provisions in Chapter 56, will remain enforceable, ensuring uninterrupted application of critical consumer protections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We understand the importance of these protections to Pennsylvanians and remain committed to balancing the needs of consumers and utilities," said Chairman DeFrank. "Our actions today provide clarity and stability as lawmakers deliberate the future of Chapter 14."

Sen. Brown pushes for state authority to combat drone threats

In response to increasing reports of unexplained drone activity in Pennsylvania and neighboring New Jersey, Sen. Rosemary M. Brown, R-Monroe Township, has introduced a resolution urging the federal government to grant state governments the authority to respond to these threats.

Since mid-November, New Jersey has documented more than 3,000 sightings of unidentified drones, some as large as cars, operating near military bases, private residences and other sensitive locations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These incidents are now being reported in Pennsylvania, heightening concerns about public safety and national security.

Brown has also taken direct action by sending a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker, calling on the FAA to prioritize addressing the issue and provide states with the authority to act when drones pose a threat.

"Current federal regulations tie the hands of state and local governments, preventing them from taking immediate action when drones threaten the safety and privacy of our communities," Brown said. "This resolution is a necessary step to empower states to respond swiftly and decisively to these threats."

FAA regulations severely limit that ability to neutralize or disable drones deemed a danger. Brown's resolution calls for a change, enabling state governments to act in instances where public safety is at risk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"This is about giving states the tools they need to protect their residents," Brown said. "Our communities cannot afford delays caused by federal bureaucracy when faced with potential threats. States must be permitted to respond in real time."

The resolution comes amid growing frustration with the federal government's handling of drone-related incidents. Brown highlighted the erosion of public trust, citing the 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident as an example of delayed federal response.

While the resolution serves as a formal call for change, Brown emphasized the need for immediate federal action to address the ongoing drone activity.

Rep. Watro named House Republican Policy Committee Deputy Chair

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rep. Dane Watro, R-Hazleton, has been named as a deputy chair with the House Republican Policy Committee for the 2025-26 Legislative Session by its chairman, Rep. David Rowe, R-Snyder County.

In his new capacity as one of five deputy chairs, Watro will focus on public safety.

"The Policy Committee does meaningful work, and I am grateful to Chairman Rowe for appointing me as a deputy chair," Watro said. "I am anxious to get started examining public safety issues and advancing related legislation that impacts Pennsylvania residents and their communities."

The House Republican Policy Committee conducts hearings in Harrisburg and in communities statewide about important issues, gathers testimony and information from stakeholders, and works with other members of the House Republican Caucus to develop policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a deputy chair, Watro will be hosting at least one committee hearing in the 116th Legislative District during the coming year.

Sen. Baker reappointed to serve as Senate Majority Caucus Administrator

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, has been reappointed to serve as the Senate Majority Caucus Administrator, continuing her role as a key member of the Senate Republican leadership team.

This post allows her to play an integral part in shaping the Senate's agenda and ensuring the smooth operation of legislative priorities.

"I am honored to once again serve as Senate Majority Caucus Administrator and to be part of a dedicated leadership team working to address the challenges facing Pennsylvania," Baker said. "This position provides a meaningful opportunity to ensure that the voices of our district are heard while advancing policies that strengthen our communities and economy."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As part of her ongoing efforts to engage with the community and ensure faith leaders have a voice in the Capitol and in administering the Senate Chaplain Program, Baker invites clergy from the 20th Senatorial District to offer the opening prayer at the start of Senate session days. Religious leaders from all faiths are welcome to participate.

Those interested  whether faith leaders themselves or parishioners wishing to recommend their clergy  are encouraged to contact Baker's office at 717-787-7428.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Three thieves attacked a man in a strong-arm robbery that netted $500,000 in jewelry, only for an Apple AirTag to lead police to two suspects in Queens, cops said on Friday.

The 50-year-old victim had parked his car outside Rosas Pizza, on 21st St. near 31st Ave. in Astoria, when the trio attacked around 9:45 p.m. Thursday, cops said.

The crooks threw the victim to the ground and struck him repeatedly before nabbing a silver briefcase containing a fortune in jewelry, law enforcement sources told the Daily News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Arif Chowdhury, the 61-year-old manager of Rosas Pizza, witnessed the ambush from inside his restaurant.

It happened right in front of my window, he said. There was one white car that pulled up behind his black car as he got out. There were three guys  all three of them got out and grabbed his bag. They fought, they were punching and kicking him and they got away with his bag.

After the attack, the victim entered the pizza shop, where he explained to Chowdhury that the thieves had followed him into Astoria, where he was coming to visit his daughter.

When he came in, he said they had been following him and his bag was full of jewelry, Chowdhury explained. He was parking here because his daughter lives in the neighborhood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The thieves fled heading east on 31st Ave. before disappearing. But the victim was able to provide police with information generated by Apples signature tracking device, which hed placed in the stolen bag, sources said.

The device led police to a Queens address where they arrested Brayan Pulido Pedina, 23, and Sandy Pulido, 21, cops said.

Both suspects were charged with criminal possession of stolen property, reckless endangerment and fleeing police. Pulido Pedina was slapped with an additional charge for resisting arrest.

Though the tracking device led police to the two suspects, investigators have not recovered the stolen jewelry, cops said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suspects live at the same address in College Point, but it wasnt immediately clear what their relationship is.

Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.
The holdover races from the Nov. 5 election will finally be decided on Saturday, and we will have real-time results.

Polls are open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the Austin area's runoff election, which includes races in which one candidate did not receive at least half of the vote. Only a small number of races are being voted on, but they're important ones.

Wondering what the results are right away? Keep checking this page for up-to-date results as polls close.

10:32 p.m. De Urioste secures District 8 Austin school board seat

With more than 70% of the votes, Fernando Lucas de Urioste overwhelmingly won the runoff race against Lindsey Stringer for the District 8 at-large seat for the Austin School Board of Trustees, according to complete but unofficial results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

De Urioste is the director of advocate services at Cirkiel Law Group, an advocacy firm that represents students, especially those receiving special education services. He and Stringer faced each other in a runoff after both were the top vote-getters in the six-person Nov. 5 race.

10:30 p.m. Siegel appears to have secured victory in Austin City Council District 7 race

Attorney Mike Siegel received 51.2% of the vote in the District 7 Austin City Council runoff, coming ahead of Gary Bledsoe by 206 votes, the complete but unofficial results show.

"We pulled it off in a very difficult runoff environment," Siegel said. "I'm really proud of my team (and) excited to get to work on City Council."

Bledsoe said that though "it doesn't feel good to lose," his campaign has made a difference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"You can see by the slim margin of victory that many people around accepted our view ... whether it's land use policy or whether it would be public safety or affordability," Bledsoe said.

Siegel was the highest vote-getter in the Nov. 5 general election with almost 40% support, but with five other candidates in the race none secured the more than 50% majority needed to win outright. Bledsoe, a late entry to the District 7 race, came in second place with about 19.3% of the vote.

Saturday night's results were much closer, but saw significantly lower voter turnout.

Siegel in 2018 and 2020 ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for Texas' 10th Congressional District against Republican incumbent U.S. Rep, Michael McCaul of Austin. Siegel co-founded the nonprofit Ground Game Texas, which led the successful marijuana ballot initiatives in Austin and other Texas cities.

8:54 p.m. Bledsoe's lead in District 7 Austin City Council race thins; race still close

Gary Bledsoe's lead over Mike Siegel in the District 7 Austin City Council runoff thinned as more North Austin votes were counted, unofficial Travis County voting results show. With 40 of 51 vote centers reporting, and early votes counted, Bledsoe is leading the race by 52 votes (50.35%).

7:33 p.m. De Urioste takes decisive lead in Austin school board runoff

With a commanding lead, Fernando Lucas de Urioste secured 68% of the early votes over Lindsey Stringer in the runoff race for the District 8 at-large seat for the Austin School Board of Trustees.De Urioste and Stringer are vying to replace Trustee Noelita Lugo in one of two at-large seats on the Austin school board. The two candidates are facing off on the Dec. 14 runoff after becoming the top two vote-getters in the Nov. 5 election in a field of six candidates.

7:27 p.m. Bledsoe takes narrow lead in District 7 Austin City Council runoff, early vote totals show

Gary Bledsoe, a well-known civil rights attorney, takes a narrow lead in the District 7 Austin City Council runoff election with 50.77% of the early vote, unofficial Travis County election results show.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He faces former congressional candidate and attorney Mike Siegel.

With 5,669 people voting early in the District 7 runoff, Bledsoe's lead is only 87 votes.

Siegel came in first in the Nov. 5 general election with almost 40%, but with five other candidates in the race, none secured the over 50% needed to win outright. Bledsoe, a late entry to the District 7 race, came in second with about 19.3%.

Real-time election results for Travis and Hays counties

What's on the ballot for Saturday's runoff election?

In the Austin area, registered voters will decide on three races. Here is what's on the ballot:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gary Bledsoe and Mike Siegel face off in the Austin City Council District 7 runoff election. In November, Siegel got 39.84% of the vote, and Bledsoe got 19.29%.

Lindsey Stringer and Fernando Lucas de Urioste vie for the at-large District 8 seat on the Austin school board.

Voters in Manor will decide between Christopher Harvey and Tricia Campbell as their next mayor.

Dec. 14 runoff election: See sample ballot for Travis County on Election Day

What time do polls open on Election Day?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Where can I vote on election day for the Dec. 14 runoff election?

If you're registered to vote in Travis County, here is a map of locations where you can vote on election day:

See Election Day voting wait times for Travis County

What should I bring to the polls?

Voters must present one of seven acceptable forms of identification at the polls, according to Texas law. The seven acceptable forms are:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Texas driver's license

Texas election ID certificate

Texas personal ID card

Texas handgun license

U.S. citizenship certificate with photo

U.S. military ID card

U.S. passport

Those who are unable to present one of the forms of ID listed above may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration at the polls and present an alternative form of ID. That could be a utility bill, bank statement, government check or voter registration certificate.

 This story has been updated to correct a misspelling.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Unofficial Dec. 14 runoff election results for Travis County, Austin area
For the record:

9:24 a.m. Dec. 16, 2024: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains as a community nonprofit. It is a local government special district, a public agency.



A red glow illuminated the valley behind the Brunel family's Malibu home around 11 p.m. Monday. The fierce Santa Ana winds blowing dry desert air over the mountains and out to sea had already triggered public safety power shutoffs.

The family, whose previous home was destroyed by the 2018 Woolsey fire, knew it was a bad sign. They started packing and turned on their water sprinklers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By 1 a.m. they were driving to Pepperdine University as flames raced along Malibu Canyon and up toward their home. Pepperdine buzzed with life as some students evacuated and others hunkered down in the school's library.

The fire quickly blew through the Brunels' neighborhood and reached campus.

Two hours later, it had all passed.

Fires have always been part of life in the Santa Monica Mountains, but in recent decades, theyve exploded in frequency and ferocity. Humans introduced fire-loving invasive species (that happen to make for pretty landscaping) and built roads and homes protruding into the wildlands, creating ample opportunities for human-sparked fires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Today, the hills above Malibu are locked in a dangerous feedback loop, experts say. More-frequent fires choke out native vegetation and open more land for invasive, tinder-like grasses that provide ready fuel for more blazes.

Read more: Franklin fire destroys at least 7 structures as gusty winds fan flames through Malibu

For conservationists, the ferocious Franklin fire and other recent blazes raise a burning question: Is it possible to break this feedback loop and turn the clock back on an increasingly flammable ecosystem?

The grass-fire cycle is probably nowhere more apparent than it is in the Malibu Canyon of the Santa Monica Mountains, said Alexandra Syphard, senior research scientist at the Conservation Biology Institute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

California State Parks and the National Park Service  which manage over half of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that encompasses areas of Malibu and much of the mountainous wilderness  believe they have a potential solution: the coast live oak, a native keystone species known for its ability to impede fire and quash embers.

Luke Benson searches for spots at Topanga State Park to plant acorns, part of a multi-agency effort to replace fire-prone invasive grass with fire-resilient live oak trees. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains  a public agency dedicated to stewarding the land and creating harmony between the ecosystem and the people living in it  has been monitoring oaks in the mountains for decades.

Now, the district is working with the state parks agency to identify strategic areas that are both prone to fire and able to sustain the oaks in a warming and increasingly drought-stricken climate, and to plant hundreds of new trees.

The district hopes the new trees can rejuvenate the struggling population of existing oaks and slow fires by creating a natural buffer and fending off the invasive grasses that have replaced the native chaparral ecosystem.

But with more than 80,000 fire-prone acres of wildland under the national and state parks' purview, its no small challenge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I applaud those efforts  I think its going to be extraordinarily hard, Syphard said. Chaparral is extraordinarily species-rich. It provides many ecosystem services like carbon storage, reduction of soil erosion, water quality. But once its gone, its really hard to get back.

Long before Europeans settled in Los Angeles  and even before the Chumash tribes inhabited the land and engaged in controlled burning  the Santa Monica Mountains and its landscapes of chaparral, oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub were no strangers to fire.

Lightning from rare coastal thunderstorms that rolled over the rugged, unsettled land would strike mountaintops, sometimes igniting a fire. Many were small, but if the thunderstorm coincided with Santa Ana winds, the gusts could blow embers into the canyons, spreading the conflagration rapidly.

Isaac Yelchin, left, and Luke Benson, biologists with the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, plant acorns from coast live oaks at Topanga State Park. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Decades  sometimes a century  would pass before fire struck the same land again. During these quieter times, the native chaparral and vegetation would slowly recover over the course of years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then the Spanish arrived  then the Mexicans and the Americans. The invasive species they brought  like black mustard, tree tobacco and castor bean  slowly crept into the ecosystem.

As humans filled the canyons and mountain ridges with homes and roads, they occasionally created sparks and fire, whether by a chain dragging behind a car, an engine backfire, a faulty power line or an uncontrolled campfire.

The rate of fire ignition began to rise. Fires started tearing through parts of the mountains faster than native species had adapted to recover, while the invasive plants could regrow within a single year.

Read more: 'Truly random or sealed fate? Why some homes survived the Mountain fire while others burned

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many of the fire-adapted species in Southern California require 10 to 30 years to be able to establish after a fire, Syphard said. If a fire comes through within that window of time, the species cant recover.

The frequency of fires rose from once every 30 to 130 years to roughly once every eight years in Malibu Canyon. Lightning went from causing virtually 100% of wildfires to fewer than 5% .

Is it possible to turn the clock back on the cycle of invasive species growth and blazes like the ferocious Franklin fire? Conservationists are trying. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The coast live oaks, one of the most effective lines of natural fire defense in the mountains, started struggling too. Fires charred their bark, droughts forced them to ration water, and invasive beetles  some brought to Southern California via firewood  bored into them.

The result is an ecosystem that frequently burns at breakneck speed. On Monday, that scenario played out again in the Franklin fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was exponential growth, said Jonathan Torres, an engineer and public information officer with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, noting that the blaze had caught hold in a matter of moments. Not hours.

Within minutes, a strike team that was stationed nearby due to the high potential for fire sprang into action. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, the canyons thick vegetation and difficult topography didnt help matters.

That canyon was just rich and full of vegetation  everything from small and taller grasses to full-on trees, Torres said. Its fuel. If its not there, it doesnt burn.

By Wednesday, the canyon was yet again transformed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Brunels' home avoided devastation this time. Pacome Brunel, in his senior year of high school, spent the evening biking down the canyon corridor, which was lined with towering mountains of bronzed dirt and black and gray ash. He watched firefighting helicopters and airplanes make laps past thick red streaks of fire retardant splattered on mountainsides.

The next morning, just a few miles away, Isaac Yelchin and Luke Benson drove up a Topanga State Park fire road in a Resource Conservation District pickup.

Isaac Yelchin fills buckets with water for newly planted acorns at Topanga State Park. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The two Topanga natives pulled up to a grove with over a dozen Home Depot buckets of water, chicken wire, and a plastic bag of coast live oak seeds that had impatiently begun sprouting in their supervisors fridge.

The oaks have waxy, cup-shaped leaves  not only do they rarely go up in flame, but they can catch embers out of the sky and extinguish them, Yelchin said.

My home in Topanga, were surrounded by oak trees, and I used to be really worried, he said. But looking into the research, they really slow fire down. Its great to have them.  They kind of act as a shield.

Read more: 'Zero progress': Western states at impasse in talks on Colorado River water shortages

The trees can also communicate with one another through networks of fungi and share resources, while outcompeting invasive species for sunlight, water and nutrients.

Acorns planted strategically at Topanga State Park recently had already begun to germinate. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

In two hours, the duo planted seeds for 17 oak trees, enclosed them in mesh chicken wire to deter hungry fauna and tagged each one. The day's efforts are another drop in the bucket toward the Resource Conservation District's goal of establishing nearly 350 healthy new oaks in Topanga and Leo Carrillo state parks over the next two years  on top of their more than 450 trees already growing in the mountains.

The National Park Service is also planting oaks and native grasses, and the nonprofit TreePeople has its own oak tree program, but conservationists say the coordinated effort is still in its infancy.

And with a daunting number of acres to manage, the park agencies and conservation groups are focusing on strategic locations that provide ecosystem benefits and can act as a fuel buffer or prevent flammable brush from growing in common ignition areas, like along busy roadways.

Most people really dont like to hear theres nothing you can do  which is why people want to go out and manage things, Syphard said. But one thing you could do is prevent human activities in those areas, if you have a large expanse of uninterrupted chaparral vegetation.

Whether it's done by shutting off electricity, closing roads and trails or preventing new home construction along the wildland-urban interface, such efforts can limit opportunities for humans to generate a spark.

Without suppression in the wildlands, residents last line of defense is to harden against wildfires by ensuring that flammable materials don't collect on their houses and that there are no holes where embers can enter the home. The Resource Conservation District runs a free program to inspect community members homes and offer advice (with the promise that they won't report any issues to insurance companies).

Yet, despite the formidable task, Benson continues to put in the work and even helps run a volunteer program almost every other Saturday that helps locals give back to the ecosystem in their backyard by collecting acorns, planting them and caring for the oak saplings.

Conservation, in some ways, is an uphill battle, but its one step at a time, one project at a time, he said. Youre working against a pretty massive force, but I think thats why its really important in this line of work  or even just as a human being existing now  to try to not let the pessimism take over.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Superstar Allu Arjun was released from Chanchalguda Central Jail on Saturday morning after the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail in connection with the tragic incident that occurred during the premiere of his latest film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' at Sandhya Theatre on December 4. The court granted him bail after he furnished a personal bond of Rs 50,000. His release has been met with an outpouring of support from family, friends, and colleagues from the film industry. Allu Arjun, addressing the media after his release, expressed his gratitude for the support he received and reiterated that the incident was an unfortunate accident. "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate," he said. He also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, emphasizing, "We are extremely sorry for the family. I will personally be there to help them in whatever way possible." The actor went on to clarify that he had no direct involvement in the tragic incident, which occurred outside the theatre while he was inside watching the movie with his family. "It was purely accidental and unintentional... I have been going to the same theatre for the last 20 years, and I have been to the same place more than 30 times. There has never been an accident like this before. I should reserve my comments because I don't want to say anything that will tamper with the case," he added. The tragic event took place when Allu Arjun arrived at Sandhya Theatre for the premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' on December 4. As fans gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the actor, the situation quickly became chaotic. Reports suggest that Allu Arjun's gesture of waving to the crowd from the sunroof of his vehicle led to the chaotic situation. The ensuing chaos resulted in the death of a woman, Revathi, and injuries to her son. Authorities have alleged that the actor's security team was responsible for pushing the crowd to clear the way for the actor's vehicle. Police also claimed that despite being informed about the large crowd and potential danger, Allu Arjun's team failed to take necessary actions to defuse the situation. According to the police, the actor's extended stay inside the theatre after being alerted to the situation may have contributed to the unfortunate tragedy. Allu Arjun's release was met with a strong show of support from his family and colleagues. His father, Allu Aravind, spoke to the media, expressing gratitude for the widespread support his son received during the ongoing legal proceedings. "I want to thank the media across India for giving extraordinary support to Bunny (Allu Arjun) during his film's success and for yesterday," Allu Aravind said. Actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Dagubatti, producer Dil Raju, director Sukumar, and other prominent Tollywood figures were seen at Allu Arjun's residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, to stand by him following his release. His father-in-law, Kancharla Chandrasekhar Reddy, was also present to offer his support. The arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have sparked widespread reactions. Allu Arjun's legal team, led by lawyer Ashok Reddy, expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in his release, despite the High Court's order granting bail. Reddy referred to the extended detention as "illegal" and hinted at taking further legal action if necessary. The actor's arrest has drawn support from various political figures and fellow celebrities. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader KTR, and several others have condemned the arrest, calling it unjust. Bollywood actors such as Rashmika Mandanna and Varun Dhawan have also voiced their solidarity with Allu Arjun during this challenging time. During an earlier press conference, Allu Arjun had shared his emotional reaction to the tragic incident. "The incident that took place in the Sandhya theatre is very unfortunate... I'm shocked. It took me hours to process it and respond to the incident. I couldn't process it psychologically. It took me around 10 hours. We all blanked out when we heard the news," the actor remarked, expressing his deep sorrow over the loss of life and the unfortunate turn of events. (ANI)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the U.S. maternal mortality rate for 2022 to be 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest ratios among developed countries. (Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images)

The reconstituted Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee held its second meeting Friday in Boise and moved closer to releasing an upcoming annual report on maternal deaths.

The 12-member committee is made up of medical professionals and serves as an advisory body to the Idaho State Board of Medicine. The committees purpose is to identify, review and analyze maternal deaths to determine if the pregnancy was incidental to, or a contributing factor in, the mothers death, according to the Idaho Board of Medicines website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2023, Idaho became the only state in the country to not have a committee reviewing maternal deaths after the Idaho Legislature declined to renew the committee and allowed it to disband. In 2024, the Idaho Legislature reinstated the Maternal Mortality Review Committee through the passage of House Bill 399.

The Idaho Maternal Mortality Committees first meeting since being reauthorized by the Idaho Legislature took place Nov. 21.

During Fridays committee meeting, members of the Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee participated in an orientation and training session and discussed the confidentiality involved in the work of reviewing maternal deaths.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Orin Duffin, the coordinator/executive officer for the Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee, said the committees purpose is to analyze maternal deaths in hopes of preventing future deaths  not to recommend disciplinary action, criminal prosecution or civil litigation in conjunction with past deaths.

We do not go through and assign blame on the providers, the individuals that have passed away, or anyone else, Duffin said during Fridays meeting.

Our goal is to prevent maternal deaths in the state of Idaho, Duffin added.

By Jan. 31, the Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee will submit a report on 2023 maternal deaths to the Idaho Legislature, as required by law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Idaho has a near total felony abortion ban, which does not include an exemption for the pregnant mothers health. Before it was not renewed by the Idaho Legislature, the Idaho Maternal Mortality Committees last report found an increase in children and mothers dying in Idaho and concluded that most of the deaths were preventable.

On Friday, members of the Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee took part in a closed-door executive session to continue to review cases of maternal deaths in Idaho. Prior to Fridays meeting, the committee had already reviewed seven of the 13 maternal death cases identified in 2023, the Sun previously reported.

Members of the Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee

Dr. Andrew Spencer, a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist

Faith Krull, a certified nurse midwife

Jeremy Schabot, deputy director of training and safety at Ada County Paramedics

Dr. John Eck, a family physician in Boise

Joshua Hall, the Nez Perce County coroner

Dr. Julie Meltzer, who specializes in OB/GYN care

Krysta Freed, a licensed midwife

Linda Lopez, a social worker

Dr. Magni Hamso, the medical director for Idaho Medicaid

Dr. Spencer Paulson, a pathologist

Tasha Hussman, a registered nurse

Dr. Kena Lackman

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Bungling jail bosses have admitted that they released a record number of prisoners by mistake last year  including sex offenders, violent criminals and drug dealers.

Most of the cases involved an inmate being released too soon, but in one case last year prison guards let out the wrong person altogether.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show there were a record 87 cases last year in which people were accidentally let out too early.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Across the past five years, the total of inmates who were accidentally given their freedom too soon has reached 308.

Of those, at least 41 were serving sentences for offences of violence, another seven were sex offenders and 21 were serving time for drugs crimes.

Kevin Moore, a retired detective chief superintendent, said: This issue is worryingly becoming more and more frequent.

I have a view that with anything that once is a mistake, more than once is downright carelessness. There should be fail safe checks put in place to ensure that these occurrences just dont happen.

Such errors are putting the public at unnecessary risk and this is totally unacceptable when such incidents are completely avoidable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bulk of the inmates being released by mistake are convicted criminals who are set free too soon because of a paperwork error. This is typically when officials miscalculate the date when the inmate was is to be set free.

But in a total of seven cases over the last five years the wrong prisoner altogether was released because guards became confused over names.

In 2008 Terence Clegg, who was being held on remand at Durham prison, was released instead of his father, also called Terence Clegg, who was being held at the same jail.

Terry Clegg, 23, whose was mistakenly released from Durham prison instead of his father Terence, 51 - NNP NORTH NEWS

In 2005 a criminal killed a man in a row about chips being thrown on a London bus just hours after being wrongly released from prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2009 it was disclosed by the MoJ that all Release in Error incidents had to be reported immediately and formal investigations had to be held into every case. Prison governors and custody managers were made to review sentence calculations to ensure that fewer mistakes were made on release dates.

In 2021 the issue was further highlighted by the case of Lauras Matiusovas, 31, who was accidentally released last year from Pentonville prison, in London, just two days into a four-year prison term.

The convicted blackmailer spent ten days with his pals before officials realised the mistake and he was rearrested and sent back to continue his sentence.

Terence Clegg, 51, whose son, Terry, 23, was mistakenly released instead of him - DAN MERITT/NNM

Last year there was a case where guards at HMP Grendon, in Bucks, released the wrong prisoner for a hospital visit because he and another inmate had the same name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was returned to the jail after the guards that were escorting him on the trip realised the prisoner was confused as to why he needed to visit the hospital.

A Prison Service spokesman said: Releases in error are incredibly rare but we take them extremely seriously. As soon as an error is identified, we work with the police to recapture the prisoner as soon as possible.

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.
EBENSBURG, Pa.  Young inventors from across the region gathered Thursday at Central Cambria High School to display their creations, get feedback from judges in the third annual Engage in Innovation and vie for a spot at the PA Student Invention Convention in Hershey.

Students from fourth through 12th grades from the Valley School of Ligonier, Cambria Heights, Central Cambria, Northern Cambria and Hollidaysburg Area schools all took part in the event.

Its very refreshing to see what these students are coming up with, ARIN Intermediate Unit 28 representative Lori Rodgers said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shes served as a judge for the contest for eight years and also helps organize the state competition.

Rodgers said the goal of the contest is for students have to identify an issue and create a product to address it.

What she looks for while judging is that the students did their research, kept a good log of their work and how they present themselves.

Were looking for the idea, the effort, the research, Rodgers said.

Contestants from Northern Cambria Middle School developed the Super Organizer to help students carry educational supplies from class to class and took first place in the fourth through eighth grade category for their design.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Seventh-grader Laura Blickenderfer said she and her team  Rachel Wargo and Maya Friedman  developed the device after witnessing classmates struggle to keep pencils, books, notebooks and other gear together when commuting between lessons.

We wanted to make it easier to walk in the hallway, she said.

The group 3D-printed a flat piece of plastic with clips for writing utensils and a secure bag to hold highlighters, erasers and the like.

It also includes elastic straps with plastic buckles to strap the organizers to books, folders and notebooks in a tidy bundle.

Other inventions ranged from a belt pillow and rear seat device tray in a vehicle to cleat cleaners and other educational- or sports-related items.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Valley School of Ligonier students Cole Kramer and Anthony Barbera took the contest in a different direction, selecting the bothersome spotted lanternfly as their issue to resolve.

The boys created a contraption that would use Tree of Heaven sap  an invasive plant the insects are attracted to  to lure the invasive lantern fly in before releasing a vinegar-based solution containing the insecticide neem to eliminate them.

It uses the acidic properties to penetrate the outer cells of the lanternflies and kill them before they know it, Kramer said.

The pair marketed the LanternSlime device as a humane way of dealing with the pest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barbera said the added benefit is harvesting the sap from the Tree of Heaven ultimately eliminates that invasive plant as well.

Cambria Heights senior Joseph Saltsgiver chose a product based on lived experience to enter  the Handy Bait.

The 3D-printed device can either clip to a belt or be secured to a fishing rod to help anglers better access their salmon eggs or dough bait that often come in small glass containers.

It made for a better fishing experience, Saltsgiver said. Theres a large market for it.

A fisherman himself, the student said hes lost containers of bait before, which is why he developed the Handy Bait.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Judge Jose Otero was impressed with the entry and asked Saltsgiver several questions about how the device was printed, size and related topics.

Sarah Brambley, Intermediate Unit 8 curriculum specialist of STEM, said that out of the 100 students who attended Thursdays gathering, one team from each cohort would move on to the state competition in February.

Those winners were Northern Cambria Middle School and in the ninth- through 12th-grade category Cambria Heights Logan Ivory for the magnetic arrangement tray.

Other activities available during the event included a digital breakout, creation station, wind tunnel and Keva Plank challenge.
EAST MOLINE, Ill. (AP)  Human remains discovered three months ago in a pickup truck in the Mississippi River have been identified as a man who was reported missing in 2019, Illinois authorities said.

The East Moline Police Department continues to investigate this incident as a homicide, Chief Jeff Ramsey said in a written statement.

The remains were identified as Daniel Claeys, a local man who was in his early 30s when his family said he was missing in 2019. The pickup truck was reported stolen in 2017.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The vehicle, buried in deep mud, was found in September in the Mississippi River near a boat ramp in East Moline. DNA helped investigators determine the identity of the remains.

Family has been notified and they now have some closure knowing their family member has been located, Ramsey said Thursday.

He said investigators will continue to try to solve Claeys' disappearance and death.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  As Trumps transition continues, an incoming U.S. senator from Michigan gave her opinions on Trumps cabinet nominations. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-7) visited Lansing Community College this Friday afternoon to help unveil their new healthcare vehicle.

While visiting, she voiced her opinion on Trumps cabinet picks, such as Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Kash Patel for FBI Director.

Slotkin says shes going to make various important decisions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So, Im going to take it seriously, said Slotkin. Ask a lot of probing questions, and Im sure there will be some Ill vote yes for and there will be some I probably wont vote for.

Slotkin says every president has a chance to pick their own cabinet members.

I have a new responsibility to ask a lot of questions and vote yes or no on all these nominees right, and every president has a right to decide who they want to nominate, says Slotkin.

As a former CIA officer, and Pentagon official, Slotkin says she wants to make the right choice.

They require someone of competence and character, said Slotkin. and its not about who gets what job. Its about keeping American citizens safe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The protection of American citizens is what Slotkin wants the nominees to focus on while working under the new incoming Presidency.

And if you have the wrong person in these very important security jobs, said Slotkin. Youre at risk at, literally something to American citizens either at home or abroad.

She says the only thing that matters is their character and capability to serve the American people.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Protesters and clinic escorts gather outside EMW Womens Surgical Center in a protest in Louisville, Kentucky prior the state banning abortion in 2022 following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. A new report found that 76 brick-and-mortar independent abortion clinics closed between 2022 and 2024, with 11 of those closures taking place in 2024 alone.(Photo by Deborah Yetter)

LaDonna Princes new reproductive care clinic in Illinois was supposed to be open more than a year ago.

Prince and her staff were prepared for Indiana to ban abortion, and started trying to move operations to Danville, Illinois, in 2023. Its about 90 minutes across the border from her old clinic in Indianapolis, which provided abortion care for more than 40 years before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and allowed states to regulate abortion access. Today, 12 states  including Indiana  have a near-total ban on abortion, and four states have a six-week ban, before many people know they are pregnant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now that abortion access nationwide may be threatened by the second administration of President-elect Donald Trump and Republican-controlled chambers of Congress, Prince is determined to open the clinic at the beginning of 2025.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Its scary, to be honest with you, Prince said during a press conference in early December. Its just really frightening.

Princes clinic, Affirmative Care Solutions, is one of a few independent clinics in the country that will open while many others have closed their doors for various reasons. According to a new report released by the Abortion Care Network, 76 brick-and-mortar independent abortion clinics closed between 2022 and 2024, 11 of those in 2024 alone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The report also showed that 70% of the closures in that two-year period were in the South or Midwest. Besides those forced out because of a statewide ban, the report said staffing issues and lack of funding have been the driving factors for others to close their doors.

That lack of funding is widespread for abortion care. Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country have reported a downturn in donations and cuts in state funding that have put them in precarious positions. The Abortion Care Network reported in August that their donations decreased by one-third. The Network provides grants for infrastructure projects that help keep clinics afloat, such as building repairs, supplies, equipment and security.

Approximately 58% of all abortions in the United States take place at independent clinics rather than a Planned Parenthood affiliate or a hospital, the report said, and more than 60% of clinics that provide abortions after the first trimester are independent. The only clinics in the country that provide terminations after 26 weeks are independent as well. The vast majority of abortions take place in the first trimester, but third trimester care is sometimes necessary.

Kentucky clinic co-owner tries to keep pieces together to quickly open again

While Illinois has some of the most liberal abortion laws in the country, Prince quickly met resistance from the local government, including the mayor, who cast a tie-breaking vote to pass a city ordinance meant to block the clinic from providing abortion services in Danville. Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. told local news outlet WCIA at the time that the ordinance was in response to the clinic moving in, saying, This is not any kind of comprehensive health for women. This is literally just an abortion clinic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ordinance is unenforceable because of state law, Prince said, but that hasnt changed the attitude among local government officials. All of that preceded an attack on the clinic by a 73-year-old man who crashed his truck into the building and tried to set it on fire as it was under renovation in May 2023, causing more than $500,000 in damages and further delaying the clinics opening.

Earlier this month, Prince tried to hire a plumber, only to have him tell her he wouldnt do any work for her because he didnt believe in abortion.

Its not easy to find people who are even willing to do the work, and its a business thats not even open yet, she said.

The Abortion Care Network provides grant funding for infrastructure needs at independent abortion clinics, and in the report, the organization laments all of the recent clinic closures  because once a clinic closes, it is often exceedingly difficult to reopen, even in a state with laws that allow broad access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For that reason, at least one independent clinic in a state with a near-total abortion ban is trying to retain its existing infrastructure so that opening would be easier if abortion becomes legal again. Ona Marshall, co-owner of EMW Womens Surgical Center in Louisville, Kentucky, said the center provided medication and procedural abortion care for 43 years before it was forced to close, and it provided the vast majority of abortions in the state.

Marshall cited a new lawsuit filed in Kentucky in November seeking to overturn the states ban, saying that was good news that could ultimately allow the clinic to reopen someday, but those court proceedings can take years. In the meantime, she is trying to keep the pieces of the clinic together to be able to quickly open again if that day comes.

Once you give up a license in a hostile state, depending on whether theres an anti-abortion governor, they may deny you a license for no valid reason, which requires months of additional court challenges with no guarantee of winning, Marshall said during the press conference. You are taking a large personal and financial risk in a highly unstable and politically charged environment, so its just critical to try to keep as many clinics open as possible.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
The commander of Ukraine's Donetsk army group, Oleksander Lutsenko, has been replaced following several significant defeats, Ukrainian media reported on Friday.

Oleksander Tarnavski is replacing him according to the online portal Ukrainska Pravda, citing a source within the armed forces. The official announcement of the new appointment has yet to be made. The crisis for Ukrainian troops in the eastern part of the country has intensified in recent weeks.

Lutsenko was responsible for the front section around the strategically important cities of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Kurakhove has already been partially captured by Russian troops and is on the brink of falling. However, the Ukrainian army has managed to hold the city for longer than many experts had previously predicted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The military leadership has faced harsh criticism for the inadequate defence at Pokrovsk. There, it allowed Russian troops to break through well-developed and favourably located defensive lines south of the city. This has now not only put Pokrovsk at risk of encirclement but also threatens further advancement of Russian troops towards the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Tarnavski is one of the most well-known generals in Ukraine. In 2022, he led Ukraine's successful counter-attacks in the south of the country, which led to the recapture of Kherson. However, he failed in summer 2023 with his attempt to force a breakthrough in the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia and later in the defence of the fortress of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.
Since 2010, the Republican North Carolina General Assembly has been engaged in an open competition  initially with other states, then, beginning in 2016, with the federal government  to see who could pioneer the defeat of constitutional democracy in the United States. On December 11, 2024, North Carolina became the first to capture the prize.

Wednesday, the N.C. House of Representatives joined the Senate to override Gov. Roy Coopers veto of Senate Bill 382. On a party line vote, in the final days of a lame duck session before Republicans lose their super majority, lawmakers deployed a disaster relief provision to strip a wide array of powers from just-elected Democratic executive officials in what is surely North Carolinas greatest legislative power grab.

Gene Nichol

Thursday, unsurprisingly, Gov. Cooper and incoming Gov. Josh Stein sued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cooper and Stein are smart fellows. Theyre also smart lawyers, represented by smart lawyers. So the two governors chose to strike first at the most dangerous, stunning and utterly indefensible move of the multi-faceted coup.

Senate Bill 382 strips core authorities from the new Democratic governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and state superintendent. It is, as Speaker Tim Moore (R-Eden) called it, a Republican ideal. Stein and Coopers lawsuit, though, narrowly targets the bills restructuring of the State Highway Patrol.

The statute makes the Highway Patrol a stand alone department  removing it from the N.C. Department of Public Safety. It then transfers a dramatic slate of executive responsibilities away from the Department of Public Safety to the reconfigured entity and legislatively appoints the Commander of the Patrol (Freddy Johnson) to serve until July 1, 2030.

The specifically chosen commander thus effectively becomes the equivalent of a cabinet Secretary to the Governor, but not accountable to the Governor. The governor cant remove him, no matter the transgression or impediment, without the lawmakers permission. Stein derisively, but accurately, calls the alteration the Legislative Commander Provision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The charade expands in another part of S.B. 382, which takes away the core gubernatorial authority to appoint members of the State Board of Elections and hands it to the Republican auditor thought to be more congenial to leading Republican Sen. Phil Berger, and Speaker Moore.

Offended by the vote of the people of North Carolina, they sliced up the governors job and distributed it to folks they like better. The N.C. Constitution and the officially-announced will of the people be damned. This is lawlessness on stilts.

The Highway Patrol revision is as unconstitutional as anything could be in North Carolina. Its hard to imagine a more central executive power than law enforcement. Senate Bill 382 explicitly breaks the chain of command essential to carry out the executive power vested in the Governor, as stated in Art. III sec. 1 of our state constitution. It also endangers us all.

No one knows this better than Berger. He was the defendant in McCrory v. Berger, where a Republican chief justice spelled it out eight years ago. But Berger is confident we have no Supreme Court that will rule against him now. Maybe so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, the questions presented by S.B. 382 are, if possible, even larger than the ones Cooper and Stein challenge. The radical statute does more than violate an esoteric notion like separation of powers. It overturns an election.

We didnt vote to make Auditor David Boliek the electoral overseer, Highway Patrol Commander Freddy Johnson the chief executive, or our attorney general answer to Berger. Quite the opposite. We chose divided government even if that enrages Republicans.

Senate Bill 382s power stripping, most of all, gives the back of the hand to North Carolina voters. It violates, outrageously, both the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and Art. IV, Sec. 4s requirement that the United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a Republican Form of Government. Thats true whether folks like Berger, Moore, their state Supreme Court buddies, and the whole Republican party agree. Americans believed these things strongly enough to put them in the Constitution. They still do by God.

Contributing columnist Gene Nichol is a professor of law at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor on his 100th birth anniversary with a heartfelt tribute, celebrating his immeasurable contributions to Indian cinema. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Today, we mark the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary Raj Kapoor, a visionary filmmaker, actor, and the eternal showman! His genius transcended generations, leaving an indelible mark on Indian and global cinema." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1867804190262931875 Raj Kapoor, widely regarded as the "greatest showman" of Indian cinema, revolutionized the industry with his larger-than-life presence, unforgettable performances, and pioneering storytelling. From humble beginnings in Peshawar to becoming an iconic figure in Bollywood, his work has inspired filmmakers and actors across generations. PM Modi further praised the timeless quality of Kapoor's films, emphasizing how they blended artistry, emotion, and social commentary. "His films reflected the aspirations and struggles of common citizens," said the Prime Minister, adding that Kapoor was not just a filmmaker but also a cultural ambassador who brought Indian cinema to the global stage. In a tribute that highlighted the deep respect for Kapoor's legacy, PM Modi expressed, "Generations of filmmakers and actors can learn so much from him. I once again pay tributes to him and recall his contribution to the creative world." On December 10, the Kapoor family gathered for a special meeting with the Prime Minister ahead of the Raj Kapoor 100 Film Festival. The family members, including Raj Kapoor's daughter Rima Jain, daughter-in-law Neetu Kapoor, along with grandson Ranbir Kapoor, granddaughters Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and other family members met with PM Modi to discuss the upcoming celebration. Saif Ali Khan, Alia Bhatt, and several other family members were also present at the meeting. During the gathering, Kareena shared a touching moment when she requested the Prime Minister to autograph a piece of paper for her sons, Taimur and Jeh. PM Modi kindly inscribed "Tim and Jeh" with a personal note, which delighted fans and family alike. Kareena later posted the photographs on social media, expressing her gratitude for the "special afternoon," noting, "We are deeply humbled and honoured to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor." The Kapoor family's efforts to celebrate Raj Kapoor's centenary culminated in a star-studded film festival, which kicked off on the evening of December 13 in Mumbai. The festival, aptly named 'Raj Kapoor 100: Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman', is a multi-city event that will run until December 15. It is organized by R.K. Films, the Film Heritage Foundation, and the National Film Archive of India. The festival will feature screenings of ten of Kapoor's most iconic films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas. Among the selected films are 'Aag' (1948), 'Barsaat' (1949), 'Awaara' (1951), 'Shree 420' (1955), 'Jagte Raho' (1956), 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai' (1960), 'Sangam' (1964), 'Mera Naam Joker' (1970), 'Bobby' (1973), and 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' (1985). These films have etched themselves into the hearts of cinema lovers worldwide, not just for their storytelling but also for their iconic music and memorable performances. The opening night of the festival saw members of the Kapoor family, including Randhir Kapoor, Babita Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor, among others, come together to pay tribute to Raj Kapoor's lasting influence. The family's collective pride in the occasion was evident, as they posed for an iconic photograph that captured the unity and joy surrounding the celebration. Raj Kapoor's status as one of the most important figures in Indian cinema remains undisputed. His films often tackled social issues and addressed the dreams and struggles of ordinary people. As an actor, director, and producer, he revolutionized Bollywood with his unique approach to storytelling, his unparalleled screen presence, and his ability to blend music, drama, and humour in a way that captivated audiences. Kapoor's work was also instrumental in taking Indian cinema to international audiences, ensuring that his legacy reached far beyond the Indian subcontinent. (ANI)
A search and rescue team may have missed an 11-year-old shipwreck survivor had it not been for what they called an "incredible coincidence."

"It was an incredible coincidence that we heard the child's voice despite the engine running," skipper Matthias Wiedenlubbert said in a press release on Wednesday, Dec. 11, while discussing the discovery. Wiedenlubbert works with CompassCollective, a German charitable organization that performs sea rescue missions.

Their metal boat carrying migrants had set off from Sfax, Tunisia, and sank off the coast of Lampedusa in Italy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CompassCollective said the child was probably the only one of the 45 people on board to survive the storm that lasted several days in the central Mediterranean. She had been adrift at sea for three days.

Compass-Collective.org 11-Year-Old Girl Survives 3 Days at Sea by Holding Onto Inner-Tube 11-Year-Old Girl Survives 3 Days at Sea by Holding Onto Inner-Tube

Of course we looked for other survivors. But after the storm that lasted for days with over 23 knots and 2.5 meter high waves, it was hopeless, the skipper added.

Authorities recounted her miraculous survival, noting that the child was responsive when crew members aboard the Trotamar III arrived, despite her having no drinking water or food for three days and was suffering from hypothermia.

Related: 11-Year-Old Girl Survives Shipwreck and 3 Days at Sea by Creating a Makeshift Life Ring

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

CompassCollectives Katja Tempel told The Associated Press, She was exhausted and tired and cold, but in general, she was fine when we fetched her out of the water.

The girl, whose identity has not been made public, is from Sierra Leone.

She told her rescuers she was able to survive in the open waters by using two improvised life rings made from air-filled inner tubes and a simple life jacket to stay afloat.

Compass-Collective.org 11-Year-Old Girl Survives 3 Days at Sea by Holding Onto Inner-Tube 11-Year-Old Girl Survives 3 Days at Sea by Holding Onto Inner-Tube

There had been two other individuals who initially survived and were in the waters with the girl, but as the days went by, she lost contact with them both, she said, according to the BBC.

We dont know what happened to the people,' Tempel said. We assume that they all drowned, but we dont know what.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the press release, since CompassCollective began operations in August 2023, the organization has supported a total of 1653 people in distress at sea.

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.

"Even in storms, people are forced to use risky escape routes across the Mediterranean. We need safe passages for refugees and an open Europe that welcomes people and gives them easy access to the asylum system. Drowning in the Mediterranean is not an option, Tempel said.

"In this festive period, in which the majority of us are lucky to be with our loved ones, my thoughts go out to the girl from Sierra Leone," Nicola Dell'Arciprete, head of the U.N. children's agency UNICEF in Italy, said, per Business Insider Africa. "Yet another tragedy that increases the number of dead and missing in the Central Mediterranean.

Read the original article on People
Residents of a Playa del Rey condominium complex are outraged after burglars ransacked their building while it was being fumigated for termites.

The break-ins occurred at the Del Rey Plaza on Tuscany Avenue from Dec. 11-13 during the decontamination period, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

All residents were evacuated and the property was tented for the fumigation process.

The homeowners association promised to provide 24-hour security to patrol the grounds while they were away, yet somehow, burglars were able to ransack 23 units out of a total of 39 in the building, escaping with cash, jewelry and other valuables while leaving the units trashed and vandalized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many victims, including Carol Fontaine, the buildings HOA president, were targeted by the professional criminals.

Security cameras captured one of the break-ins as an intruder wearing a gas mask opened the front door and began casually searching for valuables.

Security cameras captured a suspect wearing a respirator mask while burglarizing a condo in Playa del Rey that was being fumigated for termites in Decemeber 2024. Burglars left Carol Fontaines unit trashed and vandalized after a Playa del Rey condo complex was targeted by criminals during a fumigation in Decemeber 2024. A victims front door was smashed in by burglars who ransacked a Playa del Rey condominium complex in December 2024. (KTLA) The Del Rey Plaza condominum building on Tuscany Avenue in Playa del Rey, California. (KTLA) Burglars left Carol Fontaines unit trashed and vandalized after a Playa del Rey condo complex was targeted by criminals during a fumigation in Decemeber 2024. The Del Rey Plaza condominum building on Tuscany Avenue in Playa del Rey, California. (KTLA)

Fontaine returned to her unit on Friday and found her front door smashed in while her bedroom and closets were completely trashed with all her belongings thrown onto the floor.

Its quite devastating for a lot of us, Fontaine told KTLAs Chris Wolfe. A 24-7 security was ordered and patrolling outside and then I got a call from the termite company saying weve had break-ins. All floors were hit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Fontaine said thieves escaped with many of her valuables including jewelry and ammunition.

During the [fumigation] process, we had several people that reported lights on inside the building even though we had been told to turn all of our lights off, said Loren Brown, a resident. That was the first clue. But we figured we had 24-hour security guards, things were being watched and its all okay.

Many residents are questioning how the burglars could gain access to the building if security was reportedly patrolling.

We have 23 doors that have been smashed. Weve got places that have been looted like you have no idea, Brown said. Cash is gone, guns are gone. The people who were in here knew what they were doing. They were wearing respirators. This does not feel like its an organic thing. This is somehow, to me, an inside job.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Victimized residents are working closely with law enforcement as investigators gather evidence and leads on the suspects.

For those who may be fumigating their home, the victims said they strongly suggest taking all valuables either with them or housing them in a safe location away from the vacant home.

Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Experts are worried about how President-elect Trumps nomination of Robert F. Kennedy as Health and Human Services secretary will affect vaccination rates for school children, which have been on the decline.

Schools have seen a drop in childhood vaccinations since the COVID-19 pandemic, when critics of the COVID-19 vaccines increased anti-vaccine sentiments in general.

Public health groups see vaccines as a huge bulwark against disease and fear Kennedy will only increase skepticism if he is confirmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The reason we think Mr. Kennedy is the wrong guy for the Secretary of Health and Human Services is we do not think that somebody who has been the source of so much death and disability amongst the nations children should have any seed of prominence in the health world, said Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association.

Trump has suggested he could at least consider ending some childhood vaccination programs.

Were going to have a big discussion. The autism rate is at a level that nobody ever believed possible. If you look at things that are happening, theres something causing it, Trump told Time magazine when asked about ending certain vaccines programs.

While autism diagnoses are on the rise, claims that vaccines cause autism have been debunked by the medical community. Health experts have explored other reasons for the increase in autism diagnosis, such as changes to diagnostic criteria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic who said back in 2023 that theres no vaccine that is safe and effective. He also created an anti-vaccine group called the Childrens Health Defense.

Public health groups say a move against vaccines could be a danger for school children.

Kids are coming together often for the first time in places like daycares and in schools and these are diseases that are spread when you get close to one another in any kind of setting, Benjamin said.

School is a very high-risk place for the spread of these diseases. So, as a way of protecting the public, both individually and broadly, we require kids to get vaccinated at school, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. began childhood vaccination programs in the 1970s due to outbreaks in schools. By the end of the 20th century, all but four states had vaccine mandates for students entering K-12.

I mean, were school mandates to be eliminated, I think you would see major resurgences of these highly contagious, infectious diseases that are often transmitted in schools, said Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

And I fear that whats happened with COVID is that people feel that there was government overreach, and so theres pushback. And I think one of the places where theres pushback is school mandates, Offit said.

In the 2023-24 school year, fewer than 93 percent of kindergarteners had all state required vaccines, down from 95 percent in the 2019-20 school year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There are multiple reasons vaccinations are on the decline since COVID-19, such as some children missing their routine checkups due to the pandemic and also a general increase in vaccine skepticism.

There was intentional misinformation and disinformation, which has led to what I consider to be just a tragic deterioration in trust of public health expertise, and that is really something that has compounded all of the challenges that were presented by the pandemic, said Michael Cappello, professor of pediatric infectious diseases and chair of the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at the Yale School of Public Health.

And so I think having leaders in important offices, particular Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, these positions really have an important pulpit from which to be able to provide reliable information to the public, and I would very strongly say that the people in those positions really should be, at this moment in time, really should be advocates for routine childhood vaccination rather than skeptics, he added.

The 2023-24 school year also saw the highest exemption rates at 3.3 percent, up from 2.5 percent in the 2019-20 academic year. The increase in exemptions was mostly all for nonmedical reasons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 14 states in the past school year, school districts had higher than a 5 percent exemption rate, compared to only eight states before the pandemic.

It is really imperative for schools to actually make sure they are enforcing the school requirements that are in place and making sure that if they find that there is a lower vaccination rate in their school  those schools should really take that seriously, said Amy Pisani, CEO of Vaccinate Your Family, a nonpartisan organization that has worked with Democratic and Republican administrations.

Experts are concerned about conflicting messages coming from the federal government and the health community under the Trump administration, but emphasize local mandates and support are key to instilling confidence in vaccines.

Vaccinations occur at the local level. The laws around vaccinations are determined at the local level. Theyre not determined at the federal level. Now, the Fed still sets some standards and gives some guidance and things like that. But at the end of the day, vaccination requirements are managed at the local level, Cappello said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So to the extent that the schools can continue to work with their public health departments locally to encourage vaccination requirements, and the schools make sure kids are following the law, then there will be  we will not have the outbreaks that that we have predicted, he said.

Some schools are ready to continue their path of abiding by state law and sharing the benefits of vaccines with parents.

Even if the Feds decide to recommend or not to recommend parents will make their own decisions, said Bebi Davis, principal of Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary School in Hawaii.

For example, I know for myself, I consult with my physician first, right, my primary care to make sure I can get vaccinated for something. Because everybody has different health challenges, Davis said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And some people cannot be vaccinated. And then some people have religious constraint and cannot be vaccinated, she added.

The three exemptions from vaccine mandates are medical, religious and personal reasons.

All states allow exemptions for medical reasons, such as a students weakened immune system or allergies to a vaccine. Most states allow for religious exemptions but can require proof a family belongs to the religious organization. Only a little more than a dozen states allow students not to be vaccinated due to a familys personal beliefs about vaccines.

When Donald Trump says something like maybe they dont need all these vaccines, which diseases would you like to see come back? Offit said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I think the term is all politics is local. I think thats also true with public health, that all public health is, I think, is the state health departments and local health departments and school nurses, Offit said.

And everyone involved in carrying out the health and well-being of children should stand up and stand up hard and loud and clear that we need to protect these children, and the vaccines do offer that protection.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Private data of a significant number of Rhode Islanders has been accessed by hackers in a cybersecurity breach of the RIBridges system, state officials confirmed Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

A massive cyberattack led the state of Rhode Island Friday to take down its online portal used by residents to obtain social services such as SNAP and Medicaid benefits, as well as health insurance through HealthSourceRI.

The number of people whose personal information was potentially compromised by the data breach of the RIBridges system is significant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its in the hundreds thousands, Gov. Dan McKee said at an emergency news conference Friday night at the Department of Administration attended by several cabinet members.

State officials said they learned of the possibility that the system was the target of a potential cyberattack on Dec. 5 from its vendor Deloitte. At that time, the FBI and the Rhode Island State Police were notified.

The system was taken offline Friday afternoon after Deloitte confirmed a major security threat had occurred. Networks are typically taken offline to prevent further intrusion on systems.

Hackers could have obtained names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and banking information could have been stolen, state officials acknowledged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I understand this is alarming, McKee said. Please know that Deloitte and the state are working with law enforcement, as well as IT experts to minimize the impact on Rhode Islanders.

Chief Digital Officer Brian Tardiff confirmed that hackers installed malware and demanded a ransom but declined to say how much. He also declined to characterize the attack as ransomware, which is what happened to the Providence Public School District in September.

This is more of an extortion type activity by the cybercriminal, Tardiff told reporters.

State officials didnt disclose the attack sooner because they were worried hackers would release customers personal information, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State officials said anyone who has received or applied for health coverage and/or health and human services programs or benefits could be impacted by this leak. The programs and benefits managed through the RIBridges system include but are not limited to:

Medicaid,

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP),

Health coverage purchased through HealthSource RI

Rhode Island Works (RIW),

Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and

General Public Assistance (GPA) Program.

The hack comes six weeks into the open enrollment period for HealthSourceRI, the states health insurance marketplace.

HealthSourceRI Director Lindsay Lang said its call center hour will not be open Saturday morning as it usually is during open enrollment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A dedicated call center for impacted customers will be available Sunday, Dec.15 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. After Sunday, the call center will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT. The state will update its website with the call center number on Sunday morning.

Households affected by the cyberattack will receive a letter by mail from the state that explains how to access free credit monitoring. While the system is down, anyone who needs to apply for benefits will need to submit a paper application.

State officials advised customers to remain vigilant and monitor their accounts for any unauthorized activity and consider taking the following steps:

Freeze credit and/or place a fraud alert through the three major credit bureaus (Visit https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze for more information and see credit bureau contact information).

Change any common or reused passwords to a new strong and unique one. Using a safe and secure password manager is the most effective way to reduce risks of password misuse.

Call their bank to ask what steps may be taken related to the security of their bank account.

Updates will be made available at https://admin.ri.gov/ribridges-alert

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Key Highlights

Hundreds of thousands likely affected by RIBridges hack

System includes SNAP, Medicaid, HealthSourceRI, others

HealthyRhode website taken offline indefinitely

Cybercriminals demand ransom to avoid release of data

New website will provide updates; call center opens Sunday

Update: Governor McKee and other officials held a news conference on Saturday evening urging many Rhode Islanders to take immediate action. Full details here.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Islands state government has suffered a major cyberattack involving the private data of hundreds of thousands of people who have used state programs over the last eight years, Target 12 has confirmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gov. Dan McKees office said the hackers accessed RIBridges, the online portal for obtaining social services such as SNAP and Medicaid benefits, as well as health insurance through HealthSourceRI.

There is a high probability the personal information of an undetermined number of people  including Social Security and bank account numbers  has been stolen, officials said.

McKee said state officials and its vendor, Deloitte, are still trying to get a handle on the scope of the hack, but he estimated it likely affected hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders.

I understand this is alarming, McKee said during a hastily scheduled news conference Friday night. Please know Deloitte and the state is working with law enforcement and IT experts to minimize the impact to Rhode Islanders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Deloitte, the private company the state has paid to develop and maintain RIBridges, first warned state officials of a potential cyberattack on Dec. 5 and confirmed a major security threat on Friday.

In a statement Friday night, Deloitte spokesperson Karen Walsh blamed the cyberattack on an international cybercriminal group.

While that investigation is ongoing, we have shown over the past decade our unwavering commitment to the state of Rhode Island and the people they serve, Walsh said. We will continue to work around the clock to resolve this matter.

The state then shut down its HealthyRhode website, which residents use to access programs maintained by RIBridges, meaning customers will no longer be able to access their accounts. State officials said they dont know exactly how long the system will be shut down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brian Tardiff, the states chief digital officer, said the malware they discovered inside the system could have caused catastrophic damage to RIBridges. They had been working since Dec. 5 to determine the veracity of the hackers claims, he said.

Tardiff said the cybercriminals also threatened to release peoples stolen information if they werent paid a ransom. He declined to disclose the total amount demanded, citing the ongoing investigation, but described it as extortion.

The programs under RIBridges include Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), HealthSource RI health insurance, Rhode Island Works (RIW), Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), and the General Public Assistance (GPA) program.

Anyone who has applied for or received benefits through those programs since 2016 could be affected, state officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kimberly Merolla-Brito, director of R.I. Department of Human Services, said the state has already disbursed benefits under those programs to recipients for December. The goal now, she said, is to get the system back up and running before benefits need to be sent out for January.

Thats what were hoping for, she said, adding that until then they would revert to a paper-based system for anyone seeking to apply for new benefits.

The cyberattack and system shutdown also comes at the same time HealthSourceRI is holding its annual open enrollment period, when people apply for or renew coverage.

The shutdown will inevitably disrupt that process, although HealthSourceRI Director Lindsay Lang noted there is still more than a month left until open enrollment ends on Jan. 31.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We know we have time and we will be working very hard to get through open enrollment, she said.

State officials said future updates regarding the hack and system shutdown will be posted at the website admin.ri.gov/ribridges-alert. A call center will be open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a phone number to be published that morning. The call center will also be open throughout the day Monday through Friday.

State leaders urged residents who may be affected to consider freezing their credit, changing their passwords and contacting their banks.

State and Deloitte officials had spent the days since Dec. 5 examining the scope of the problem and how many people might be affected, according to Tardiff, who said they decided to withhold the information from the public for security reasons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Law enforcement agencies were notified immediately, he added, and they decided to make it public once they knew the threat was credible and the malware was discovered. McKee said he was told about the situation around Dec. 5, and authorized the system shutdown Friday.

He said the process took several hours and they waited to announce the shutdown until it was complete.

Its not just like we can shut these lights off with one switch, he said. It takes hours.

A spokesperson for the FBI declined to comment on the situation.

RIBridges was created as part of the Unified Health Infrastructure Project, or UHIP. Its development and launch was a major debacle for state government during the administration of former Gov. Gina Raimondo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Raimondos administration spent years in disputes with Deloitte  which had been paid hundreds of millions of dollars to build UHIP  for fixes and refunds on the system. In 2021, McKee agreed to a three-year contract extension for Deloitte valued at $99 million.

Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim White and Kayla Fish contributed to this report.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Special Coverage & Notices

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
A retiring Rikers Island captain named a pair of sexual misconduct lawsuits got a celebratory goodbye from his colleagues, video obtained by the Daily News shows.

Capt. Edwich Jasmin, a 37-year veteran, received a celebratory escort from a parade of emergency vehicles, lights and sirens blaring, to cheer him out as he left Rikers Island and drove into Queens Dec. 4, sources said.

Jasmin has been sued twice in Brooklyn Federal Court for sexual harassment. Shante Orr sued Jasmin Nov. 12 for sexual harassment, four years after the city paid $250,000 to settle a similar lawsuit filed against the captain by another female officer, court records show.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Video from the celebratory walkout shows the slow parade of vehicles, including Correction Department Transportation Division buses usually used to ferry detainees to and from the island, in front of and behind Jasmins car, stopping traffic as he heads to the gate leading to the bridge off Rikers Island.

Jasmin worked in the Transportation Division on Rikers.

At least one civilian car leaving the island is pulled to the side waiting for the caravan to pass, the video shows. The motorcade passes a digital messaging sign that reads, Thank you for your service. Get home safe.

It looked like they were praising a hero, when what they should have been doing was condemning his actions, said Paul Liggieri, the lawyer who represented Joanne Vega in the earlier suit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its pretty disgraceful. I am astounded that thats the message the Department of Correction wants to send to officers who are abused or sexually harassed, he said.

Paul Idlett, the new president of the Correction Captains Association, said the escort was appropriate for a man who had served the city for more than three decades.

He gave 37 years of service to the city. He should be commended for the time of service he gave to the department, said Idlett, the successor of longtime president Patrick Ferraiuolo who recently retired.

Idlett noted that Jasmins 29-year-old son, Joshua Jasmin, was shot and killed on Long Island Aug. 30. Romeo Campbell, 23, has been arrested and charged with the crime. He said Jasmin filed retirement papers in mid-November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He wanted to go and take care of his family after that and decided to retire. He retired before the lawsuit allegation was made. He was leaving anyway, Idlett said.

In a statement, Correction Department spokeswoman Shayla Mulzac confirmed Jasmin is retiring but noted the escort was not arranged by the department.

It is not uncommon for staff to voluntarily provide a small send-off to honor colleagues who are retiring, Mulzac said in the statement. Any celebration honoring Capt. Jasmin was not organized by the department.

Jasmin made $274,561 in fiscal year 2024, more than doubling his base salary of $125,855 with overtime and other compensation, according to public payroll records. He remains on the books because he has vacation days to burn through, sources said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DOC officials wouldnt comment on whether Jasmin had been investigated or disciplined for sexual misconduct in any of the past incidents or other incidents.

Jasmin, who cost the city a $250,000 settlement after a Correction Department subordinate accused him of sexual abuse in 2019, was sued again on Nov. 12, accused of tormenting, harassing and sexually assaulting a correction officer under his command for six months.

I would assume that after my case, the department would have taken additional measures to ensure that officers were protected, and to leave Jasmin in that environment, to only permeate it more with hostility and discrimination is astounding to me, said Liggieri.

Vega in 2017 accused Jasmin of sexually assaulting her two years prior, shortly after she was assigned to the Transportation Division. She says he ordered her into a mens locker room, where he forcibly kissed her, shoved his tongue in her mouth, grabbed her breasts and forced her hand onto his crotch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Idlett countered, His cases are allegations. Nothing was sent to us that indicated anything was pending.

In the new lawsuit against Jasmin, Correction Officer Shante Orr claims he repeatedly propositioned her, exposed himself to her and forcibly kissed her over six months in 2022 and 2023, after she was placed on modified assignment and sent to the Transportation Division on Rikers.

Jasmin ran the Transportation Division store, where correction officers sell food. The suit lists about two dozen separate incidents alleging Jasmin made inappropriate remarks, tried to pressure Orr into sex or groped her. At one point, he exposed his penis to Orr, the suit alleges.

Before the filing of the lawsuit Orr filed an internal EEO complaint and received a right-to-sue letter as is customary in such cases.
The Senate floor at the state Capitol during the 2024 Legislature. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

It was almost two years ago that this space was used to offer the idea that the South Dakota Legislature was operating under a two-and-a-half party system. The half party was Democrats, too few to make much of an impact. The other two parties both called themselves Republicans, but seemed to come from different planets.

One group was your fathers Republicans, believing in tight budgets, a small government and less regulation. The other Republicans, famously labeled wackadoodles by fellow Republican and Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck, had another agenda that was pro-gun, anti-vaccine and deeply concerned about the integrity of elections, among other things.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, with the passage of time and a recent election, one of those Republican Parties is going to bulk up, big time. In the June primary, 14 incumbent lawmakers were shown the door. Eleven of them had the bad luck to vote for the Landowners Bill of Rights, which wouldve implemented new protections for landowners and counties along a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline route but also would have left open the door for the pipelines regulatory approval. Those incumbents primary opponents were only too happy to characterize their support for that Bill of Rights as a slap in the face to anyone who believes in the sanctity of property rights.

With only three Democrats in the Senate and six in the House, Republicans continue to maintain a super majority in the Legislature. However, as members of the GOP choose up sides, that super majority may be more splintered than ever.

Its hard to quantify how many of the Republican newcomers will fall in line with the ultra-conservative group. Before we paint them all with a broad, wackadoodle brush, consider the case of Secretary of State Monae Johnson. Johnson earned her spot on the Republican ballot by claiming that the incumbent secretary of state was not working hard enough on election integrity. Once she had the nomination, she resolutely refused to say whether Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yet, Johnson has gone through a primary and an election acting like any other secretary of state. She has run largely error-free elections, yet a portion of her political party is turning on her.

Last month in The Dakota Scout there appeared a small advertisement calling out the Blacklist RINOs. RINOs, of course, stands for Republicans in Name Only. The print in the ad was small but compelling: Hardworking South Dakota Republican taxpayers have long supported candidates claiming to represent our values, only to find that they betray their promises once in power. With recent successes against crony capitalism and globalism, we now call on the following RINOs to either renounce their past actions or resign from the Republican Party.

In addition to Johnson, the list of alleged RINOs includes a whos who of South Dakota Republicans: Sens. Mike Rounds and John Thune, Gov. Kristi Noem, Rep. Dusty Johnson and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken. Also on the list were current or past officeholders and politicos including Schoenbeck, of course, as well as Mary Fitzgerald, Will Mortenson, John Wiik, David Knudson, Casey Crabtree, David Wheeler, Randy Deibert, Helene Duhamel, Brett Koenecke, Joe Kippley, Joe Kirby, Pat Powers and Walt Bones.

The advertisement was sponsored by Chris Larson, a conservative Republican activist and entrepreneur. Larson was no doubt emboldened by the success of his NO in NOvember campaign that saw the defeat of four ballot issues he opposed: changes to the primary election system, the Landowners Bill of Rights and the legalization of abortion and recreational marijuana.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Online the advertisement linked to a blog post by Larson that said the offending Republicans were guilty of putting economic development ahead of individual rights, having voting records that go against traditional conservative values, ignoring their constituents and showing contempt or disrespect for Patriots (which is probably a kinder, gentler name for his group than wackadoodles).

If Republicans are paying attention to Larson, the influx of patriots in the next legislative session could shake things up in Pierre. Maybe instead of being one-issue wonders, these new Republicans will show that they have more on their minds than property rights and can actually care about balancing the budget and funding education and health care.

So far, their predecessors in that wing of the Republican Party have not set a very high bar, often acting as if they didnt want to run the government so much as just mess with it. They sponsored measures to beef up gun rights in a nation that already has the protections of the Second Amendment. They complained about election security in a state where election outcomes are rarely questioned. They numbered among our rights the right to refuse vaccines.

Time will tell how or if these Republican factions can get along. They all need to remember that theres more at stake in the next legislative session than ideological differences. That budget isnt going to balance itself. Instead of name-calling, someone is going to have to do the hard work of governing.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Satellite imagery collected by Maxar on Dec. 13 suggests Russia is preparing to scale back its military presence in Syria.

Two AN-124 heavy military transport planes were spotted at Khmeimim air base, located in Latakia on Syrias Mediterranean coast, with their nose cones lifted, signaling readiness to load cargo. A Ka-52 attack helicopter was also being dismantled, likely in preparation for transport, while components of an S-400 air defense system were being packed up.

Imagery from the Tartus naval base, also on the Mediterranean coast, showed minimal changes. Photos taken earlier in the week revealed two Russian frigates stationed off the coast, with no major activity suggesting an immediate departure, according to CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, described the activity as part of a larger consolidation effort at Khmeimim and the nearby Tartus naval base. "In short, a withdrawal is underway," Kofman wrote on X.

Russia was reportedly evacuating its forces from Syria as one of its military bases faced siege, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) reported on Dec. 10. HUR claimed that Russian troops in Syria are voicing frustration with their commanders over what they described as a chaotic withdrawal process.

The Kremlin emphasized the importance of securing its military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying on Dec. 11 that Moscow has maintained contact with Syrias new leadership. He declined to disclose the number of Russian troops in the country or comment on potential evacuations.

Russia has maintained a military presence in Syria since 2015, primarily to support now overthrown Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads regime during the countrys civil war. Damascus has been supportive of the Kremlin during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: The collapse of Assads regime shows the limits of Russian airpower

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The long-awaited film adaptation of Emily Bronte's gothic classic 'Wuthering Heights' has officially been given a release date. Warner Bros. will debut the movie on February 13, 2026, just in time for Valentine's Day, as per Variety. Directed, written, and produced by Emerald Fennell, the film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, who are set to bring the tumultuous romance between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff to the big screen. Fennell, best known for her Academy Award-winning 'Promising Young Woman' and the recent hit 'Saltburn', returns to the director's chair for 'Wuthering Heights'. Her collaboration with MRC and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, marks their second joint venture after the success of 'Saltburn'. The film will also feature performances from Hong Chau, Alison Oliver, and Shazad Latif. Fennell's take on Wuthering Heights is one of the most highly anticipated releases in the coming years. The filmmaker has long expressed her passion for the gothic genre, explaining her connection to it in an interview, as per Variety. "I've always been obsessed with the gothic," Fennell expressed, adding, "It's a genre where comedy and horror, revulsion and desire, sex and death are forever entwined, where every exchange is heavy with the threat of violence, or sex or both." Her fascination with the gothic, she notes, spans beyond Bronte's work to authors like Daphne du Maurier and Angela Carter, whose stories are characterized by "disturbing erotic power." With this perspective, Fennell is expected to bring a unique, contemporary touch to the timeless themes of obsession, passion, and tragedy that define Wuthering Heights. Margot Robbie will reportedly portray Catherine Earnshaw, the fierce and complex heroine at the heart of the story. Jacob Elordi, who recently starred in Fennell's 'Saltburn', will take on the iconic role of Heathcliff, the brooding, vengeful foster son of the Earnshaw family. While the plot details of the adaptation remain closely under wraps, the original 'Wuthering Heights' revolves around the doomed love story between Catherine and Heathcliff, whose fiery and obsessive relationship leads to both personal destruction and societal upheaval. The story explores themes of class, revenge, and the supernatural, set against the windswept Yorkshire moors. The film is financed by MRC, the same studio behind 'Saltburn' and the critically acclaimed 'American Fiction'. As pre-production for 'Wuthering Heights' begins, the film is set to shoot in the UK in 2025. (ANI)
Russia is pulling back its military from northern Syria and posts in the Alawite Mountains but is not leaving its two main bases, four Syrian officials told Reuters.

Satellite footage from Friday appeared to show two Antonov AN-124 cargo planes at the Khmeimim air base with their nose cones open, apparently preparing to load up.

At least one cargo plane flew out on Saturday for Libya, a Syrian security official stationed outside the facility said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moscow is pulling back its forces from the front lines and withdrawing some heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers with an aim to regroup and redeploy, according to Syrian military and security sources.

Russia has several military sites in Syria as a legacy of its intervention in the countrys civil war from 2015 when it backed Bashar al Assads fight against rebels.

On Thursday, it was reported that the Kremlin believed it was close to striking a deal with the Hayar Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group to maintain its air base and Tartus naval base to keep up efforts against what it called international terrorism.

Russia, a longstanding ally of Assad, granted the ousted Syrian leader asylum last weekend after helping him to flee his country as the rebels approached Damascus.

05:27 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are the headlines from today:

Irans foreign minister warned that Syria could become a safe haven for terrorists.

Israel launched strikes on military sites in Damascus and its countryside on Saturday morning, according to a Syria war monitor.

Refugee charities told the UK Home Secretary of their deep concern and opposition to the pause on asylum application decisions for Syrians.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Iraq to crack down on Iranian-backed militias while Tehran is on the back foot.

He confirmed that the US was in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group who toppled the Assad regime.

A senior UAE official expressed concerns about the Islamist affiliation of the new Syrian leaders.

Diplomats from eight Arab countries called for free and fair elections in Syria, overseen by the United Nations.

05:21 PM GMT

Hezbollah warns new Syria rulers against Israel ties

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has urged Syrias new rulers not to recognise neighbouring Israel or establish ties with the nation.

We hope that this new party in power will see Israel as an enemy and not normalise relations with it, Qassem said in a televised speech, his first public remarks since Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem delivers an address on Dec 5 - AL MANAR TV/REUTERS

04:56 PM GMT

Pictured: Celebrations in Paris

Crowds have gathered at the Place de la Republique in Paris to celebrate the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Demonstrators held aloft the green-white-black horizontal tricolour adorned with three red stars, which was first adopted in the pursuit of independence from France in the 1930s and has now been adopted by the opposition as its main symbol.

A demonstrator reacts holding a Syrian independence-era flags at the Place de la Republique, in Paris, on Dec 14 - XAVIER GALIANA/AFP

Demonstrators celebrate the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime in Paris - IBRAHIM EZZAT/ANADOLU

Crowds gathered in the Parisian square after the terror attacks in January and November 2015 - IBRAHIM EZZAT/ANADOLU

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

04:31 PM GMT

Islamic State kills six shepherds

A war monitor has accused Islamic State group jihadists of killing six shepherds on Saturday.

The jihadists killed the shepherds and stole their livestock in the desert south of the city of Palmyra, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said

The Britain-based war monitor said it had recorded six IS attacks in the Syrian Desert since Assads overthrow. They killed 18 civilians and more than 50 Assad troops who had abandoned their posts.

IS overran large swathes of Syria and Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a caliphate and launching a reign of terror.

It lost its last territory in Syria in 2019, but its remnants still carry out deadly attacks.

03:57 PM GMT

US in direct contact with new Syrian leaders, Blinken says

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the toppling of the Assad regime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the offensive against Bashar al-Assad, was once an affiliate of al-Qaeda and is designated a terrorist organisation by the US and UK.

That designation in the US carries with it severe sanctions, including a ban on the provision of any material support to the group or its members though communications is still permitted.

Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties, Mr Blinken told a news conference in Aqaba, Jordan, adding: Our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and were prepared to help them do so.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Aqaba, Jordan, on Dec 14 - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/REUTERS

03:18 PM GMT

Arab leaders call for free and fair elections

Diplomats from eight Arab countries have called for free and fair elections in Syria, overseen by the United Nations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a final statement after the talks in Aqaba, Jordan, the Arab nations declared their backing for a transitional rule agreed upon by Syrians, which would enable a political system that corresponds to the aspirations of all parts of the Syrian people, through free and fair elections overseen by the United Nations.

They also warned against any ethnic, sectarian or religious discrimination and called for justice and equality for all citizens.

The foreign ministers from Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar agreed to support a peaceful transition process in Syria and said state institutions must be preserved to stop Syria from slipping into chaos.

They also condemned Israels incursion into the buffer zone with Syria, demanding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory.

02:28 PM GMT

Diplomats discuss Syria transition

Diplomats from the US, Turkey, the EU and Arab nations met in Jordan to discuss the transition of power in Syria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Arab diplomats attending the talks in Aqaba told Reuters they were seeking assurances from Turkey that it supports an inclusive political process that prevents partition of Syria on sectarian lines.

Turkish-backed rebels in northern Syria have clashed with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are a main ally in the US coalition against Islamic State militants.

Turkey sees the YPG militia, which spearheads the SDF, as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which it has been fighting for 40 years.

Antony Blinken told Turkish officials during a visit to Ankara on Thursday and Friday that the SDF must not be distracted from its role of securing camps holding IS fighters, according to a U.S. official. Turkish leaders agreed, the official with the U.S. delegation said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Before the meeting on Saturday, Mr Blinken said it was a time of opportunity but also real challenge for Syria.

There were no Syrian representatives present, while Russia and Iran, who were Bashar al-Assads key allies, were not invited.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Aqaba, Jordan Dec 14 - ALAA AL SUKHNI/REUTERS

Meeting of the Arab Contact Group on Syria in Jordan on Dec 14 - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/REUTERS

01:48 PM GMT

New Syria leaders Islamist ties are worrying, says UAE official

A senior UAE official has expressed concerns about the Islamist affiliation of the forces that ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

We hear some reasonable, rational language about unity, not imposing a system on all Syrians. On the other hand, the nature of the new forces, the affiliation with the (Muslim) Brotherhood, the affiliation with Al-Qaeda, I think these are all indicators that are quite worrying, said Anwar Gargash, a presidential adviser in the United Arab Emirates, in remarks at the World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi.

01:30 PM GMT

Pictured: Activity around Russian air base

A Russian military convoy heads towards Khmeimim air base in Syrias coastal Latakia - UMIT BEKTAS/REUTERS

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A Russian soldier stands on a roadside because of an engine failure in one of the vehicles - UMIT BEKTAS/REUTERS

Cargo plans have been spotted flying in and out of the air base as Russia appears to have accelerated its withdrawal from Syria - UMIT BEKTAS/REUTERS

01:06 PM GMT

Blinken presses Iraq to strike while Iran is weak

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pressed Iraq to crack down on Iranian-backed militias while Tehran is on the back foot, a US official said.

Mr Blinken met Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad on Friday as part of a last-minute regional tour after Islamist-led Syrian rebels ended a half-century of rule by the Assad clan, a major ally of Iran.

A US official said Mr Blinken told Mr Sudani that Iran was at its weakest in some time and that Iraq had an opportunity to reduce Tehrans influence.

Specifically, Mr Blinken urged Iraq to act on Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite armed groups, who for years have periodically attacked US forces in Iraq.

12:33 PM GMT

Watch: Russia on the move

12:18 PM GMT

Charities criticise home secretary over frozen asylum claims

Refugee charities have told the Home Secretary of their deep concern and opposition to the pause on asylum application decisions for Syrians.

Yvette Cooper confirmed the temporary suspension of decision-making on Monday, saying events in Syria led to a very fast-moving situation that we need to closely monitor.

Lou Calvey, director at Asylum Matters, the charity which coordinated the letter, said Syrians hoping for sanctuary in the UK have been thrown into limbo, by the pause.

She added: At what should be a time of hope for Syrian communities in the UK, the impact on their mental health and wellbeing will be horrendous.

Suspending all claims from one nationality group sets an alarming precedent that undermines the universal right to seek sanctuary.

The latest figures showed that 5,548 Syrians applied for asylum in the UK in the year to September 2024.

On Tuesday, Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said there are 6,500 asylum claims from Syrians still outstanding.

Separately, Dame Angela also said earlier this week that the potential return of British jihadists to the UK is a matter of great concern following the collapse of the Assad regime.

Signatories to the open letter included Care4Calais, Refugee Action and Kings College London.

11:52 AM GMT

Pictured: Damascus international airport prepares for reopening

Rebel forces who toppled the Assad regime have been working to reopen Damascus international airport.

The new Syrian government has identified a fully-functioning airport as crucial to instilling confidence and legitimacy.

Damascus international airport is the heart of the city because it is the gateway for international delegations and missions, said Omar al-Shami, a security official with rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), calling it the passage for Syria to breathe.

A man carries a gun as employees prepare Damascus international airport to resume operations - REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD

Planes have been grounded since the toppling of Bashar al-Assad - AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS

A no-fly notice is in place until 18 Dec - AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS

11:18 AM GMT

Israel strikes Syrian military sites

Israel has launched strikes on military sites in Damascus and its countryside on Saturday morning, according to a Syria war monitor.

Israeli strikes destroyed a scientific institute and other related military facilities in Barzeh, in northern Damascus, and targeted a military airport in the capitals countryside, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Strikes also targeted Scud ballistic missile warehouses and launchers in the Qalamun area, as well as rockets, depots and tunnels under the mountain, the Britain-based monitor said.

Since Assads fall last week, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes against Syrian military sites, targeting everything from chemical weapons stores to air defences.

Israel air strikes on Friday targeted a missile base at the top of Damascuss Mount Qasyun, the group said, as well as an airport in southern Sweida province and defence and research labs in Masyaf, in Hama province.

Israeli army vehicles drive in the buffer zone near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights - JALAA MAREY/AFP

11:04 AM GMT

Russian ships leave naval base

Satellite imagery released by Maxar showed Russian naval ships had left the Tartus naval base.

Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, said that it was clear that the Russian army was withdrawing at least part of its forces from Syria.

With commercial ships and Russian navy cargo ships on the way, a pick-up in air traffic at Khmeimim, and consolidation from Russian forward operating bases in Syria to the main bases, the withdrawal is picking up steam, she said.

10:50 AM GMT

Watch: Russian cargo plane in Syria

Russian aircraft have been observed loading military equipment at Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, as Russias military accelerates its withdrawal from the country.

Increased activity has been observed at the Khmeimim air base throughout the day. In addition to the departing cargo plane, an Ilyushin II-76 cargo plane and an Alligator helicopter were seen landing at the base.

A SU-34 jet also landed for refuelling and a Zeppelin hovered overhead.

10:40 AM GMT

Syria could become safe haven for terrorists, warns Iran

Irans foreign minister has warned that Syria could become a safe haven for terrorists following the toppling of the Assad regime.

Writing in an op-ed for the Lebanese-based Al Akhbar newspaper, Abbas Araghchi said Syria faced a difficult test from the resurgence of terror groups.

There is a threat from terrorist movements such as Al Qaeda and ISIS, which has exacerbated the anxiety in the region. There is also a fear that terrorists will make Syria a safe haven for them, he said.

Araghchi said Israeli military intervention and behind it America, and their regional challengers from abroad, had sought to sow chaos in the region.

They have committed unforgivable strategic mistakes in their calculations, which cannot be hidden, he said, adding: The clear goal of the attacks and intervention is to demolish Syrias social structures, scientific wealth, economic infrastructure, and defensive.

Araghchi said the only way out for Syria is to preserve the banner of independence and to hold free elections.

10:31 AM GMT

British chemicals found in Assads drug factories that funded regime

As the rebels swooped down from the north, Bashar al-Assads narcotics smugglers hastily tried to burn the evidence. They failed, writes Adrian Blomfield.

For years, the Assad regime denied that it had turned Syria into a narcostate, that the presidents relatives and cronies were pumping out vast quantities of an illegal amphetamine called Captagon which brought misery across the Middle East even as it enriched his family.

But the blackened bowels of an old potato crisp factory on the outskirts of war-ravaged Douma, a city to the north of Damascus, told a different story, providing clues about the vast scale of the trade and the masterminds behind it.

Read the full story here.

10:28 AM GMT

Withdrawal impacts supply chain

Russias withdrawal from Syria would be a massive loss for Moscow and have ramifications for Russias operations in Africa, according to Charles Lister of the the Middle East Institute think tank.

Moscow funnelled wheat supplies from Russia through Syria in a complex arrangement designed to evade Western sanctions imposed on both countries.

A Russian source close to the government said supplies to Syria had been suspended because exporters are concerned by uncertainty over who will manage wheat imports on the Syrian side following the change of power in Damascus.

10:27 AM GMT

Hello and welcome to our live coverage

Were bringing you all the latest updates from Syria in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime.

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.
Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced on Dec. 13 that it had blocked access to the Viber messaging app.

The move is part of a broader crackdown on social media platforms by Russian authorities. According to Roskomnadzor, the ban was imposed due to alleged violations of regulations aimed at combating terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.

Viber had a significant presence in Russia, with approximately 26% of the Russian population aged 12 and older using the app as of October 2023. About 14% of users accessed it daily, according to reports by state-owned TASS news agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2023, Viber was fined one million rubles (approximately $11,880) for failing to remove content deemed "false" regarding Russia's war in Ukraine.

Additionally, Russian authorities restricted access to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook in 2022, shortly after the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Following these actions, Russia also imposed a complete ban on Facebook and Instagram in March 2022. As of December 2024, Viber has faced fines totaling over 1.8 million rubles (around $17,402) for violations of national legislation.

Viber, owned by Japanese multinational Rakuten, was acquired by the company for $900 million in February 2014.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Russia blocks Signal messaging app, reportedly plans to block WhatsApp

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that Russia began using North Korean soldiers in assault operations in Kursk Oblast, particularly as part of combined marine and airborne units, but they opened friendly fire and killed eight Kadyrovites [Kadyrovites is the collective term for Chechen troops loyal to the country's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov  ed.].

Source: DIU

Details: As the DIU notes, the North Korean troops suffered losses  both killed and wounded  as a result of a successful attack by Ukraines defence forces. Specifically, North Korean troops were effectively targeted by FPV (first-person view) drones at one of the positions in Kursk Oblast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of 14 December, the estimated losses of the units staffed by Russian and North Korean personnel amounted to about 200 servicemen.

Quote: "In the process of deploying North Korean troops on the battlefield, the language barrier remains a problematic obstacle to command and coordination.

Due to this problem, North Korean soldiers opened friendly fire on the vehicles of the so-called Akhmat battalion. The result was eight dead Kadyrovites."

Details: The DIU reminded that there are about 11,000 North Korean soldiers on the territory of the Russian Federation.

"In locations where they are deployed, the aggressor has introduced a special counterintelligence regime: to be allowed to enter the areas where North Korean units are located, Russian soldiers and officers are checked by the FSB, their phones and other devices are seized," the intelligence service said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that there was evidence that North Korean troops were being deployed against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 7 November that there had already been casualties among North Korean troops fighting on the side of Russia in Kursk Oblast.

The United States confirmed that North Korean troops had taken part in hostilities in Kursk Oblast.

Moreover, the New York Times reports that a 50,000-strong group of Russian and North Korean troops is preparing to launch a large-scale counter-offensive in Kursk Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russias focus on the war in Ukraine has significantly reduced its ability to support Syrias Assad regime, increasing the risk of losing key military assets in the region, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 13 via X.

Russian officials almost certainly view the collapse of the Assad regime as detrimental to their "regional interests" and damaging to their image as a "security guarantor," the ministry said.

In Syria, Russia's primary goal has been to maintain control over critical military assets, including its largest overseas naval base in Tartus and the airbase in Khmeimim. These installations provide Moscow with strategic access to the Near East and Mediterranean Sea, enabling it to project military power across Africa and beyond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the potential collapse of Assads regime has almost certainly increased the risk to the security of these assets, according to the report.

U.K. Defense Intelligence noted that Russia's leadership has prioritized the conflict in Ukraine, likely undermining its ability to sustain support for Assad in Syria.

In light of these developments, Russia is expected to focus on repairing its international reputation as a reliable partner. The intelligence update predicts Moscow will highly likely seek to engage diplomatically with all relevant actors to secure guarantees for its military bases and preserve its regional influence.

Kaja Kallas, the European Unions representative for foreign affairs, commented that the Assad regimes potential collapse underscores the growing weakness of its allies, including Russia. According to Kallas, this situation highlights the limits of Russias capacity to support its partners while managing its prolonged war in Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Assads regime teetered, Russia had already begun withdrawing military equipment and naval assets from Syria. On Dec. 10, Ukraines Defense Intelligence (HUR) reported that Russia was evacuating forces as one of its key military bases came under siege.

Satellite imagery corroborates these reports, showing a visible reduction in Russias military presence at critical facilities.

Read also: The collapse of Assads regime shows the limits of Russian airpower

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
It was about 9:30 Thursday night when Lindsay Muto spotted something strange in the night sky.

I looked outside, and I saw all these blinking lights, and I thought  wait a second, Muto told Boston 25 News Friday from her home in Harwich. I called over my husband and I asked, do you think those are the drones theyre talking about in, like, New Jersey?

Together, Muto says she and her husband tried to fly their own drone to see if they could get closer and investigate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We tried to chase it down, but somehow the connection got lost and it crashed about 50 feet from the house, Muto said. They looked like they were far away, but they kept coming down, then going back up then slowly going left and right.

Muto pulled out her phone and recorded the phenomena. She counted more than a dozen strange lights in the sky.

Muto wasnt the only one to see them. Boston 25 News received similar cell phone videos from viewers in towns like North Grafton, Plainville, Lynn, and Saugus. In several of the videos, the person on the other side of the camera expresses a sense of disbelief.

Muto understands the feeling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Are we safe? I mean, whats going on? Muto asked Boston 25 News. I have little kids, so it makes us nervous.

Boston 25 News reached out to a range of officials, including the FAA, Department of Homeland Security, Governor Healeys office, Massachusetts State Police, and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.

Governor Healeys office referred Boston 25 News to the State Police, who said they are aware of drone reports but have no open investigations into them. The FAA said it had no reports of drone activity, but that it was possible the videos did capture drones. A spokesperson for the FAA said drones are legal to fly and the FAA would not be involved unless a drone violated restricted airspace.

Spokespersons for Sen. Markey and Sen. Warren did not immediately respond to questions. Homeland Security did not respond directly to Boston 25 News request, but did publish a joint statement with the FBI late Thursday following similar reports of drone activity in New Jersey over neighborhoods and military installations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus, the statement reads. Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities.

DHS and the FBI say it appears many of the reported sightings in New Jersey are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully. But the agencies also acknowledge the reports reveal a shortcoming on the part of officials.

While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities, the statement concludes.

Muto says what she saw was no airplane  or airplanes  arriving or departing from any of the regions airports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Not a chance, she said. They were not moving like an airplane would move, and they were there for at least a half an hour. At least.

But who was flying them, and why, remains a mystery.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
As surveillance images of the then-unidentified suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson circulated across the U.S., a San Francisco police officer recognized his face.

The officer had been investigating a missing persons report filed by 26-year-old Luigi Mangiones mother weeks before, and contacted the FBI on Dec. 5, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The FBI confirmed the agency had received the information from San Francisco police in a statement to HuffPost on Friday. But Mangione was not named as a person of interest or suspect until he was recognized by an employee of a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9.

Has this name come up in your investigation at all? NBCs Savannah Guthrie asked NYPD officials on Dec. 10, pointing to the widely circulating surveillance photos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This was not a name that was called in to us, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch replied.

A surveillance footage still circulated by NYPD. New York City Police Department via AP

The FBIs statement on Friday seemed to contradict that.

FBI New York conducted routine investigative activity and referred this and other leads to the New York City Police Department as part of our assistance to them in their investigation, the statement said.

The NYPD did not immediately respond to questions from HuffPost, and the FBI did not say when it passed on Mangiones name to detectives.

Mangiones arrest shocked his friends, several of whom told news outlets or have written on social media that they hadnt heard from him in months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In her missing persons report, filed in November, Mangiones mother said shed last spoken to him in July, the San Francisco Standard reported.

An attorney for Mangione has said he has yet to see evidence that his client is the shooter. His family said in a statement that they were devastated by the news of his arrest and didnt address whether they believed the man in the surveillance footage was Mangione.

We only know what we have read in the media, the familys statement said. 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.

Related...
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Santa Bill and his Hospital Helpers are back for an annual tradition that they have been carrying out for the last 28 years.

Friday morning, Santa Bill was at the Peoria Walmart on Allen Rd. There he bought presents for children who are staying with OSF Childrens Hospital of Illinois over the holiday season.

Santa Bill and his elves start Christmas shopping

On his shopping trip, Santa Bill spent over $15,000 for 5,000 kids in Central Illinois. He said there is nothing he would rather be doing during Christmastime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These kids dont ask to be sick. To me, theyre perfect. And so we go in there and make them smile a little bit. We make them all smile, a lot of tears, a lot of fun. They really enjoy getting a visit from Santa, He said.

This year, the fundraiser has raised over $30,000. Santa Bill is still encouraging people to help out.

Everybody needs a hand, especially at Christmas, Santa Bill said. So please reach out, touch somebody, make their life a little bit easier.

People can still donate to the cause over on the Santa Bills Hospital Helpers 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 CIProud.com.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Big Man in Red and a team of elite elves rappelled down the side of Childrens Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs on Friday, Dec. 13, to bring smiles and magic to children going through treatment during the holidays.

A group of soldiers from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) joined Santa Claus himself on Friday as they descended five stories from the roof of the hospital. A parade was also held, featuring Denver Broncos cheerleaders and mascot Thunder, police and firefighters, mounted police and Rangerettes, Disney characters, and even Captain America himself.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe

Members of the 10th Special Forces Group rappelled down the Childrens Hospital to spread a little holiday cheer, said Maj. Charles Chellman, Public Information Officer with the 10th Special Forces Group. This shows you who we really are, you know, we want to give back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And while events like this bring smiles to so many childrens faces, its also rewarding for the people taking part to know theyve brought a moment of reprieve to families going through a tough time.

I can only imagine what the mom and dads and the kids are going through, and to sit there and be able to see the smiles through the windows and the smiles in the parade. Its a special moment to share, said Maj. Chellman.

Being in the hospital for an extended time is never easy, but for kids who should be home enjoying the holidays, it can be especially difficult to feel joyful. Thats where some of their favorite characters stepped in to provide magic that will hopefully get them through their challenges this holiday.

Deputy helps out Captain America when his motorcycle breaks down in Douglas County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So we just put on a parade for the kids here at Childrens Hospital order to raise awareness for their need for some special Christmas magic this year, said Colorado Captain, Matt Gnojek. And Im just really hoping that some of those smiles that I saw on the windows can last throughout this New Year as well.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist Dez Rowe

And while so many heroes showed up to take part in the parade, Colorado Captain wants to remind the kids in the hospital that they are heroes for fighting so hard to get better.

Its small people and small acts of goodness that make this world a place where we could believe in the magic of superheroes. But theyre the only heroes that I care about today, Gnojek said, pointing to the hospital. Theyre so strong, and someone deserves to tell them that theyre better than strong. Theyre them, and they are everything they ever need to be. Were all very proud of them. And its only just begun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
BATH, N.Y. (WETM)  Two passengers of a car that police pulled over in Bath on Wednesday evening were arrested after police say they found meth and crack cocaine on one of them and discovered the other had warrants.

Stephanie N. Short, 36, of Savona, and Jeremiah P. Mendez, 36, of Naples, New York, were arrested on unrelated charges following a traffic stop. The Village of Bath Police Department stated that officers pulled over the vehicle the pair were passengers in for a traffic violation on Chestnut Street shortly after 7 p.m. on Dec. 11.

While the car was stopped, police say they found out that Mendez had multiple warrants for his arrest. Officers arrested Mendez and turned him over to the New York State Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Four arrested on fentanyl charges in Bath after traffic stop

According to the Bath Police Department, officers continued investigating after taking Mendez into custody and determined that Short had methamphetamine and crack cocaine.

Short was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class C felony) and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class A misdemeanor). Short was taken to the Steuben County Jail for her charges to be read in CAP court, and she was released.

Mendez is currently being held at the Steuben County Jail on $4,000 cash bond for the charges of endangering the welfare of a child (a class A misdemeanor), third-degree criminal mischief (a class E felony), and fourth-degree criminal mischief (a class A misdemeanor).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Matthew J. Perry Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Columbia. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette)

A Myrtle Beach-area woman of Chinese and Cuban heritage is suing to get a spot on South Carolinas Commission for Minority Affairs, claiming state law treats her as the wrong kind of minority.

The lawsuit, filed by Sandy Chiong in federal court Wednesday, challenges the 1993 state law that created the agency, which requires a majority-Black governing board.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The specification that most of the boards nine members must be African American violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, the lawsuit claims.

In America, government positions are supposed to be open to all citizens  not restricted to members of favored groups, Chiongs lawyers wrote in court documents. A racial quota prevents her from being considered for a position on an equal basis with other candidates.

The suit names Gov. Henry McMaster, since the law tasks the governor with appointing members of the commission, with the Senates confirmation. The governors office has not yet been notified by the court of the lawsuit and declined Friday to comment.

A spokesperson for the minority affairs agency also said the agency had no comment on the lawsuit and did not answer questions from the SC Daily Gazette about the history of the commission and what it does.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The commissions governing board is made up of one person from each of South Carolinas seven congressional districts, as well as two at-large seats.

This means that at least five of the nine Commission slots are prohibited from going to Americans of any other racial background  whether white, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, multiracial, or other, the lawyers argue in court documents. The statute offers no justification whatsoever for this categorical race-based restriction.

When the Legislature established the Commission for Minority Affairs, the agency focused on addressing inequities impacting African American communities, hence the legislative mandate that its membership reflect the population it was formed to serve. In 2003, its scope was broadened to include Asian Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and Native Americans, according to agency documents, but the language governing board makeup remained in place.

Black residents are the largest racial minority in South Carolina, at 26% of the state population according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hispanic residents make up 7.5% of the population, followed by 2% Asian and less than 1% Native American.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chiong is the daughter of Cuban immigrants and is of Chinese, Cuban, and Spanish descent.

Both Chiongs maternal and paternal grandfather immigrated from China to Cuba.

Years later, her parents left Cuba for a better life in America, instilling in her an appreciation for constitutional rights, according to a statement from the Pacific Legal Foundation, a conservative, California-based public interest law firm representing Chiong. Sandys immigrant background and Chinese Cuban ancestry made the Commission an ideal choice, but shes disadvantaged for consideration because shes not African American.

Currently, seats for the 3rd and 4th congressional districts, as well as one at-large member, are vacant. Two members are serving past the expiration of their term in whats known as holdover status, including the member representing the 7th District where Chiong lives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That means only four members of the commission are serving active terms. Three of them have terms expiring next July, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit is part of a larger, conservative-led movement against these types of policies across the country meant to increase minority representation, as well as those involving concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Chiong has ties to Republican politics, serving as a South Carolina delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2016.

She was briefly affiliated with South Carolina Parents Involved in Education, a conservative group that has opposed changes to education standards for decades. In 2014, Chiong was among people listed with the group publicly objecting to changes in Advanced Placement U.S. history standards, according to State Board of Education meeting minutes. However, Pacific Legal Foundation says she attended the groups meetings for only a few months and did not become a member.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chiong did not respond before deadline to any questions from the SC Daily Gazette, including what prompted her to seek appointment to the commission.

Chiongs case marks the Pacific Legal Foundations seventh active case involving race or gender-based government board membership requirements, though most of the other boards being challenged are related to a licensed profession, according to her attorney Caleb Trotter.

Trotter said his organization already has been successful in getting gender-based rules overturned for a board in Iowa that recommends judicial appointees and race-based rules for the board that licenses social workers in Arkansas.

Pacific Legal Foundations cases rely on similar arguments to those made in the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision rolling back affirmative action in college admissions. Trotter said while that decision is directly relevant to this case, it was not the organizations impetus for filing this and similar lawsuits around the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Other states where the group is part of these types of lawsuits include Tennessee, Minnesota, Montana, Alabama, Louisiana and North Carolina.

Editors note: This article has been updated to correct Chiongs affiliation with Parents Involved in Education.
Actor Chris Pratt expressed his deep appreciation for his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, as she celebrated her 35th birthday. Taking to Instagram on Friday, the 'Jurassic World' star shared a heartfelt tribute to his wife, acknowledging her role as a loving partner and dedicated mother. In his message, Pratt wrote, "Happy Birthday, Katherine! Thank you for all of the joy you've brought all of us through the years." He went on to highlight her efforts in caring for their family and managing their household with love and wisdom. "To see the way you care for our family. To see the way you run the house. To see the way you communicate," he continued, adding, "Your wisdom and mindfulness are a blessing I thank God for every day. I'm so grateful to have married you." Pratt, who wed Schwarzenegger in 2019, added, "We all feel so well taken care of and loved. Through the ups and downs, I got you Chief. Love you." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDhwLitynUz/?img_index=2 The couple, who have three children, daughters Eloise, nearly 3 years old, and Lyla, 4, along with their newborn son Ford, born in November, have built a life filled with love and family. Pratt also shares a son, Jack, 12, with his ex-wife, Anna Faris. Katherine's mother, Maria Shriver, also took to social media to wish her daughter a happy birthday. Shriver, 69, shared an emotional tribute, praising Katherine's character and warmth. "Her smile lights up every room she walks into. Her heart is big, wide, loving. She is an amazing daughter, an extraordinary sister, caring friend, devoted wife, and a deeply loving mama bear," Shriver wrote. The message continued, "Katherine has only brought joy into this world. I love her deeply, like her so much, and marvel at her every day. What a life she has created. What a beautiful soul she is." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDhpJWGP1FZ/ Shriver's heartfelt words highlight the bond between mother and daughter and the admiration she has for Katherine. This birthday celebration comes on the heels of a busy year for the Pratt-Schwarzenegger family. The couple, continue to grow in both their personal and professional lives. Back in June, Katherine shared her own loving birthday message to Chris on Instagram, calling him "my love" and expressing her excitement to celebrate him. Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger's relationship blossomed after they began dating in June 2018. Following their engagement announcement in January 2019, the couple exchanged vows on June 8th of the same year in a ceremony held in Montecito, California. Their family grew with the arrival of their first daughter in 2020 and welcomed their second daughter in May 2022. (ANI)
(KLFY)  Matt Baker with Heroes Everywhere Animal Rescue said this unfortunate journey began in November when he received an email from an alias by the name of Michael Whiteside claiming he wanted to donate $2,000 dollars to the animal shelter.

What was actually sent to the shelter was a fraudulent check from Vans Sporting Goods which left the shelter spending money they never actually received.

Baker would later find out his shelter is not the only one being targeted by this scam.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last I heard, we were one of 17 animal rescues going on within our region. Louisiana, Arkansas. Looks like Mississippi. Alabama, Baker said.

One of these targeted shelters is Cuddle Babies Rescue in Malvern, Arkansas.

The animal rescue took to social media and shared pictures of the check and emails they received, that match the ones sent to Heroes Everywhere Animal Rescue.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

KLFY Daily Digest

Baker has also spoken to the Evangeline Parish Sheriffs Office who tells Baker they have been in contact with the Hot Springs Country Sheriffs Office and there is potential that this scam could be originating from an international group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the origin of the scam is in question, Baker hopes all animal shelters can hear his warning and protect themselves from falling victim.

I am concerned for us and for our health and for the health of other rescues out there that are trying to do this to get hit with something like this. Right around the holidays, which December for me last year wasnt a very good month for donations. I think traditionally thats the way that it is. This is not the time for this to happen, man. It can really it can really hurt. Some people that are trying to do this could hurt us, Baker said.

Latest News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com

The Washington Attorney Generals office continues to warn small businesses of scam letters demanding payment.

The very official-looking letters appear to be from the Secretary of States office and they want money well beyond the cost of state business filings.

Washington businesses are a foundational aspect of our state and critical to our economys health, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a statement to the Washington State Standard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letters on what appears to be Secretary of State letterhead threatened business owners with fines or dissolution.

The AGs office said it has had reports of more than 40 letters. It asks businesses who receive the letter to call the Secretary of States office to confirm their legitimacy.

Business owners deserve to feel protected and equipped with information to deny malicious attempts on their franchise, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement, Scammers can be sophisticated, but dont be fooled. Be on the lookout for signs of a scam. If you think youve been the target of a scam, contact my office.

KIRO Newsradio: King County expert urges parents to talk to children amid teacher abuse allegations

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The AGs office said it has had reports of more than 40 letters. It asks businesses who receive the letter to call the Secretary of States office to confirm their legitimacy.

The letters demand excessive fees and threaten businesses with added late costs, even possible jail time.

There are several ways to be alerted to scams. Often, the letters list a Sacramento, Calif. address. The QR code on the letter directs recipients to a .org website instead of the standard .gov.

Businesses can check with the Secretary of States office to ensure the legitimacy of the fees.

If you have already paid after receiving a letter, the AG office said to consider stopping payment through your financial institution.








Dec. 13Ector County ISD's school choice window is open and accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year.

Just launched Dec. 1, they already have more than 2,000 applications.

Director of Partnerships & School Choice Mandy Hinojos said she's excited about that.

In 2021, when the district was preparing for the 2022-2023 school year, they had 2,607 applications. For the 2023-24 school year, they had 4,008 applications.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Last year, they had 5,861 applications for the current school year. Hinojos would like to beat that number and get at least 6,000.

"I feel like we're well on our way with that already. New applications are coming in all the time," she said.

They have advertised on Facebook and the district communications department has created videos for social media. When they return from Christmas break, they will have another campaign.

There was a school choice fair in October and it had an "awesome" turnout. For families that were unable to attend that day, Hinojos has been working with the district student admissions department to create flyers providing information on what different choice schools offer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The information is updated on the district website and there also is a QR code.

Currently, there are 13 campuses with school choice programs.

Next year, Pease Elementary School will become a choice school transitioning to a primary years International Baccalaureate campus. It will feed into Crockett Middle School, which became an IB middle school this year, and those students will go on to Odessa High School.

Alamo STEAM Academy was already a choice campus, but this year they became part of the New Tech Network for prekindergarten through second grade.

The New Tech Network's project-based learning approach will ultimately be used throughout Alamo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When the new career and technical education high school, financed by Bond 2023, is open, Alamo students can transition to a New Tech Network middle school at George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa.

Those students would be able to move into high school on the same campus.

Odessa Collegiate Academy and OCTECHS have seven and 10 pathways, respectively, that students can choose from.

When parents go into the application, they can choose the program they want and the district can keep track of that, Hinojos said.

The application is now on Focus School Software.

"Parents who have already registered their kids are familiar with it ... They can just add the choice school application. If they have a student that's not in a choice school, they simply click on their kid's name and it has choice school application.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"A lot of that information is already pushed into the choice school application, and so it makes it just a little bit easier. ... For our parents who don't have kids in the district yet, or they want to come back to ECISD for a choice school, it's really easy to create a login working with our student admissions to get them going," Hinojos said.

The choice window closes Jan. 31.

"Some campuses require testing, like Hays and Reagan or Cameron. Some campuses require parents coming to a parent night, so they can give them orientation material, and so (parents) will have a few weeks after to attend these orientation camps or get the testing done. We're looking around Feb. 7 for the high school lottery to begin," she said.

The lottery for elementary and middle schools will be Feb. 21.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hinojos said they are working with Focus on the dates, but if the Feb. 7 lottery is run that day, parents will most likely be notified by Feb. 11. For the elementary and middle schools, parents would find out on Feb. 25.

Notifications will come through the Focus app.

"We've encouraged all of our parents to download our ECISD parent portal app. That's where all the communication will ... come through," Hinojos said.

It will indicate if a student has been accepted and the parent can accept or deny.

"That way we can get our seats filled. Then after spring break ... our application window will reopen for parents to continue applying. That way, in case we have any seats left to fill, or we have new parents move in between January and March, which is a high possibility in our area. That would give those parents an opportunity to apply," she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Edith Sanchez in student admissions works closely with campus principals so they can determine the number of seats available.

"We will also pay attention to our student ratio and make sure those numbers are still correct," so that way they won't push campus capacity over the limit, Hinojos said.

Hinojos said choice campus principals are sending intent to return forms to parents. Those are due Dec. 19.

"That will just help campuses inform also how many seats that they have available," she said.

Looking at application numbers so far, Hinojos said the campuses are within 10 to 15 applicants of each other.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hinojos was formerly the Blended Learning coordinator for ECISD. Having had long experience in curriculum and instruction and digital learning, which is part of Blended Learning, she heard about the school choice opportunity and wondered what that side of education looked like.

"I just jumped (in). It really was just what else is out there that our district has. My new role consists of not only choice schools, but student admissions as well. ... I oversee School Action Fund grants that our district receives," Hinojos said.

The School Action Fund grant technical assistance, resources, and grant funds to support the planning and implementation of school actions for, and at, individual campuses to improve schools and provide parents and families with the schools and programs they want, need, and deserve, the Texas Education Agency website said.

A lifelong learner, she earned a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies, a master's in education from Texas A&M Commerce and her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the Texas Tech University College of Education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She will graduate in May with her doctorate.

Hinojos also is involved in the conversion of Burleson Elementary School to an prekindergarten center.

It is supposed to open next fall.

"I still get to see the campus side with what everybody's doing, kind of like I got to do with Blended Learning, but now it's just on a grander scale. ... It's been an interesting little journey," Hinojos said.
State police are investigating an "accidental" discharge of a firearm by an on-duty security guard in the Purchase Line School District in Indiana County, Trooper Cliff Greenfield said in a news release on Friday.

Troopers from the Indiana barracks were called at 9:13 a.m. Friday to the Purchase Line Elementary School, 16957 Route 286 East in Green Township, for an incident involving a school security guard.

When troopers arrive, they learned the security guard had accidentally discharged one round into a refrigerator inside the faculty room, Greenfield said.

No injuries were reported. The school day resumed without disruption, he said.
Worst Experience

Schools are employing dubious AI-powered software to accuse teenagers of wanting to harm themselves and sending the cops to their homes as a result  with often chaotic and traumatic results.

As the New York Times reports, software being installed on high school students' school-issued devices tracks every word they type. An algorithm then analyzes the language for evidence of teenagers wanting to harm themselves.

Unsurprisingly, the software can get it wrong by woefully misinterpreting what the students are actually trying to say. A 17-year-old in Neosho, Missouri, for instance, was woken up by the police in the middle of the night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As it turns out, a poem she had written years ago triggered the alarms of a software called GoGuardian Beacon, which its maker describes as a way to "safeguard students from physical harm."

"It was one of the worst experiences of her life," the teen's mother told the NYT.

Wellness Check

Internet safety software employed by educational tech companies took off during the COVID-19 shutdowns, leading to widespread surveillance of students in their own homes.

Many of these systems are designed to flag keywords or phrases to figure out if a teen is planning to hurt themselves.

But as the NYT reports, we have no idea if they're at all effective or accurate, since the companies have yet to release any data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Besides false alarms, schools have reported that the systems have allowed them to intervene in time before they're at imminent risk at least some of the time.

However, the software remains highly invasive and could represent a massive intrusion of privacy. Civil rights groups have criticized the tech, arguing that in most cases, law enforcement shouldn't be involved, according to the NYT.

In short, is this really the best weapon against teen suicides, which have emerged as the second leading cause of death among individuals aged five to 24 in the US?

"There are a lot of false alerts," Ryan West, chief of the police department in charge of the school of the 17-year-old, told the NYT. "But if we can save one kid, its worth a lot of false alerts."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Others, however, tend to disagree with that assessment.

"Given the total lack of information on outcomes, its not really possible for me to evaluate the systems usage," Baltimore city councilman Ryan Dorsey, who has criticized these systems in the past, told the newspaper. "I think its terribly misguided to send police  especially knowing what I know and believe of school police in general  to childrens homes."

More on AI: Suspected Assassin of Insurance CEO Studied Artificial Intelligence, Spoke of "Singularity"
Scientists searching one of the worlds most cavernous ocean trenches have discovered a never-before-seen, predatory creature, Live Science reported.

Researchers diving in the Atacama Trench, located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, came across a heretofore unseen crustacean which they believe feeds on other sea creatures. The extremely large predatory amphipod has been dubbed Dulcibella camanchaca and measures just 1.57 inches. It was discovered at a staggering depth of 25,900 feet and resembles a pale, nearly translucent shrimp, featuring special limbs which allow them to capture and kill smaller prey living at equal depths.

The discovery was made by scientists working with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts and Chile's Instituto Milenio de Oceanografia (IMO).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Dulcibella camanchaca is a fast-swimming predator that we named after 'darkness' in the languages of the peoples from the Andes region to signify the deep, dark ocean from where it predates," Johanna Weston, a hadal ecologist at WHOI, explained in a statement. The hadal zone is the deepest part of the ocean, or anything below 19,680 feet. The Atacama Trench spans 3,666 miles between the coasts of Chile and Peru.

Johanna Weston; WoodsHole Oceanographic Institution

Four specimens were collected and frozen. A DNA analysis revealed that in addition to being a new species, Dulcibella camanchaca is a completely new genus. A genus is the taxonomic group above species.

"More discoveries are expected as we continue to study the Atacama Trench," IMO researcher and co-lead author Carolina Gonzalez said. She added that those discoveries could illuminate a larger understanding of how complicated ecosystems react to environmental threats such as climate change and pollution.
Being Tailed

Astronomers have discovered an unusual exoplanet with a long "tail" of gas trailing behind it, not unlike a giant comet.

As NASA details in a recent article about the discovery, the planet, dubbed WASP-69 b, is steadily shedding its atmosphere of hydrogen and helium particles, which are being shaped into the astonishing tail by harsh stellar winds blowing its way.

WASP-69 b is a hot Jupiter, which means it's a gas giant roughly the mass of Jupiter but orbits its host star in the Aquarius constellation  some 164 light-years away from earth  at a much shorter distance, causing its surface temperatures to soar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The sheer amount of radiation from its host star causes lightweight gases including hydrogen and helium to "photoevaporate" into outer space, trailing the planet in an epic wake.

"Strong stellar winds can sculpt that outflow in tails that trail behind the planet," University of California astrophysicist Dakotah Tyler, lead author of a paper published in the journal The Astrophysical Journal, told NASA.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (IPAC)

Breaking Wind

Tyler and his colleagues found that the exoplanet is losing an estimated 200,000 tons of gas per second. While that may sound like a lot, we're talking about planetary scales; every one billion years, the team found, the planet is losing the mass equivalent to planet Earth, which means it's unlikely to ever run out of gas in its atmosphere (WASP-69 b is roughly 90 times the mass of Earth.)

The exoplanet's tail is astonishingly long, extending more than 7.5 times its radius behind it, or 350,000 miles, which is roughly 1.5 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But as the stellar winds shift, WASP-69 b's unusual appendage's size and shape can change, and astronomers are only beginning to understand this unusual phenomenon.

"Studying the escaping atmospheres of highly irradiated exoplanets is critical for understanding the physical mechanisms that shape the demographics of close-in planets," the paper reads.

More on exoplanets: Cornell Astronomer Hoping the James Webb Will Confirm Alien Life in 2025
The axolotl, Mexico's adorable salamander known for its baby-like features and remarkable healing abilities, is racing against time.

What's happening?

Scientists from Mexico's National Autonomous University warn these creatures could disappear entirely from their native canals in Xochimilco, Mexico City, by next year, according to Mexico News Daily.

"In 1998, there were 6,000 axolotls per square kilometer," says Luis Zambrano Gonzalez from the university's Biology Institute. "The last census was carried out in 2014 and there were only 36 [per square kilometer]." Today, experts estimate there might be fewer than 1,000 wild axolotls left.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Back in 2020, wetlands where axolotls lived were destroyed to make way for a new highway bridge. Luis Zambrano, an ecologist, said the following, according to the New York Times: "I mean, it was our own government doing this to us."

Why are axolotls important?

Axolotls are medical marvels that could hold the key to fertility treatments.

Unlike most salamanders, axolotls keep their youthful features throughout their lives and regrow entire body parts, including organs. Scientists are studying these remarkable abilities to help develop new treatments for human patients.

But the axolotl's significance goes beyond the lab. These salamanders are indicators of their ecosystem's health in Xochimilco, where local farmers have cultivated crops on artificial islands for centuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Their declining numbers signal trouble for this entire historic region and its traditional farming practices.

What's being done to help axolotls?

Scientists and local farmers are collaborating to create safe spaces for axolotls in the least disturbed sections of Xochimilco's canals. By reviving ancient farming techniques that avoid harmful pesticides and chemical fertilizers, they're not just helping axolotls. They're preserving a sustainable way of life that's been around for generations.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

You can support these conservation efforts through the AdoptAxolotl campaign run by Mexico's National Autonomous University. Your contribution helps protect these creatures and supports the local communities working to save them.

Together, we can help ensure these smiling salamanders continue to charm future generations while teaching us valuable lessons about healing and resilience.

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.
As bitcoin reaches new heights seemingly by the day, the cryptocurrency and its industry are under the microscope.

What's happening?

Bitcoin mining  "the process by which bitcoins are issued and generated"  consumes 155-172 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, accounting for 0.4% of global energy demand, Polytechnique Insights reported. On Wednesday, the value of the cryptocurrency topped $100,000 for the first time.

The resulting pollution is as much as 96 million tonnes (over 105 million tons) of carbon dioxide per year, which is a quarter of the pollution produced by France (385 million tonnes  roughly 424 million tons) every 12 months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Bitcoin is based on blockchain technology: By definition, computers perform identical calculations (around 15,000 times) to ensure the network's security," mathematician and Universite de Lille emeritus professor Jean-Paul Delahaye said. "The protocol used for bitcoin has a very high energy cost; it's an environmental waste."

Daniel Batten, who describes himself as a bitcoin analyst and climatech investor, has pushed back against that claim, saying that in recent years, the high energy demands for the cryptocurrency have actually driven innovation and investment in clean energy that should end up producing a net benefit. While any renewable energy needs now going toward blockchain operations could in a vacuum be reallocated to the grid and thus it's not all straightforward, the point Batten and others have made is that crypto operations provide a way to make new renewable energy farms more immediately profitable  and those farms can then in theory continue to proliferate and generate more total power than the needs of the mining operations that help to fund them.

Why is this important?

The industry has also faced criticism for high water demand, the PI article reported, citing a 2024 paper in Cell Reports Sustainability, and for the millions of computers used for mining require infrastructure that effectively eats up vast tracts of land around the world. The former amounts to hundreds of billions of liters of water per year for cooling, and the latter equals 1,870 square kilometers. Both figures relate to 2020-21 data.

In an email to The Cool Down, Batten disputed those claims, saying the 2024 paper, which attracted media coverage from the likes of the BBC at the time it was first released, "does not represent the consensus view on Bitcoin mining."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The industry made a big move in 2021, relocating from mostly China, where mining was banned, to Kazakhstan, where coal-powered energy was cheap, and the United States. Kazakhstan became second in the world on hash rate, the rate of computing power dedicated to bitcoin mining, but the operations overloaded the country's grid, and as MIT Technology Review covered, miners were effectively driven out in 2022 when the government cut them off from the grid.

The move to Kazakhstan showed the kind of opportunism to capitalize on where one could create the most profit with the cheapest energy, in this case coal.

"The more carbon-intensive the country's electricity mix, the higher bitcoin's carbon footprint," Polytechnique Insights stated. "The share of renewable energies powering bitcoin mining has fallen from 41.6% to 25.1% following the massive relocation in 2021."

Do you worry about air pollution in your town?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

While operations have since shifted back away from that relocation, it could happen again. This is especially concerning because "even if the relationship is not uniform, the higher the price of bitcoin  the higher the energy consumption will be," according to the PI article. And with the price of bitcoin at an all-time high, more people could become interested in investing, which will only drive up demand  and potentially those harmful side effects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Some scientists are warning of the urgent need for action," PI reported.

Batten called a suggested relationship between bitcoin price and emissions "speculative" and pointed to data that does show the relationship through 2021 but then levels off by 2022, coinciding with the industry's general move away from the coal-powered Kazakhstan grid. The University of Cambridge, however, hosts a similar tracker that provides estimates that are roughly double for recent effective carbon emissions, although it does say it makes some assumptions about the energy mix most mining operations use. Either way, it's clear bitcoin operations still result in millions of tons of net carbon dioxide pollution per year.

In general, there are differing expert perspectives on the future of bitcoin's energy requirements. Analysts such as Wood Mackenzie's Ben Hertz-Shargel say the demand is too high for the value provided and poses risks for crashing grids, while others, like Batten and energy services exec Joe Hayden, acknowledge the high energy needs but say those needs will drive the world's transition to cleaner energy because clean energy is also effectively free and renewable once infrastructure is built to farm it, making it a logical investment choice for maximizing profits where affordable energy is essential.

What's being done about bitcoin mining?

The outlet noted that the industry could reduce its environmental impact by becoming more transparent and accepting regulation, working to develop energy-saving cryptocurrencies, and using greener blockchain validation protocols  Ethereum recently announced a 99.95% reduction in energy usage with its cryptocurrency ether using "proof of stake."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Residents are also fighting back against mining operations, speaking out against an operation in Memphis, Tennessee, that flies in the face of the city's Climate Action Plan, for example. Outside of Fort Worth, Texas, citizens filed a lawsuit alleging noise pollution and negative health impacts of a mining facility.

Governments and corporations can help protect people from such problems, as a Japanese utility company is using excess wind and solar energy to power bitcoin mining.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to provide additional commentary and analysis regarding cryptocurrency-related investments in renewable energy in recent years.

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.
Sean "Diddy" Combs will remain in jail until his May 2025 trial after voluntarily withdrawing his latest bail appeal, according to new court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Combs had unsuccessfully requested for bail three times. He was first denied bail during his arraignment in federal court on Sept. 17, one day after his arrest in a Manhattan hotel room on federal sex crime charges.

His second bail request was denied one day later on Sept. 18 by a different judge, who cited concerns of witness tampering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

His third and most recent request for bail was denied on Wednesday, Nov. 27. At the time of the third ruling, federal judge Arun Subramanian of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York cited several reasons in the decision, noting that Combs is a danger to the community and the seriousness of the violent crimes he has been charged with.

WireImage Sean "Diddy" Combs on October 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Sean "Diddy" Combs on October 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

As a result of Combs new motion, he will remain in jail until his May 5, 2025, trial.

Combs has been behind bars following his September indictment, in which he was charged with sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy.

The indictment accuses Combs of being the ringleader of a "criminal enterprise" that allowed him to sexually, physically, emotionally and verbally abuse his victims for years. Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct," per the indictment. He also stands accused of narcotics offenses, arson, bribery, kidnapping, forced labor and other offenses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: Why Was Sean 'Diddy' Combs Just Denied Bail in Sex Trafficking Case?

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing multiple alleged victims, claimed that Combs is likely to be facing around 300 cases, per the BBC. Buzbee estimated his team has received around 3,000 calls after he urged potential victims to come forward via social media and a press conference on Oct. 1.

"I think that the potential [number of] cases is probably in the 300 range, but I think realistically, it'll ultimately be about 100 to 150," he told the BBC.



About an equal number of men and women have come forward to accuse Combs of misconduct, with the accusations spanning over a 20-year period, the BBC reported, citing Buzbee. Buzbee has filed 20 lawsuits so far from men and women seeking damages from Combs, according to the publication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related: New Lawsuits Allege Diddy's 'Pervasive Pattern of Abuse Toward Women, Men and Minors': 'Shockingly Typical'

In response to Buzbee's Dec. 11 claim that there could be 300 legal cases against Combs, the rappers legal team said that the attorney's "barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs" 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."

Getty Sean "Diddy" Combs on August 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Sean "Diddy" Combs on August 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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.

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
Actor Sonu Sood has commented on the arrest of Pushpa 2 star Allu Arjun in connection with the Sandhya Theatre case. While promoting his upcoming film Fateh in Gujarat, Sonu Sood told ANI, "I believe the issue has been resolved now. As the saying goes, 'all's well that ends well'. I want to congratulate him. I have worked with him before, and I know this is the life of an actor--ups and downs are part of the journey." Allu Arjun was released on Saturday morning after spending a night in jail following his arrest in connection with the tragic death of a woman during the premiere of Pushpa 2. Despite being granted bail by the Telangana High Court, he had to spend Friday night in prison. After his release, Allu Arjun addressed the media, saying, "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate fully. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident, and we are deeply sorry for what happened." The incident that led to Allu Arjun's arrest occurred on December 4 during the chaotic premiere of his latest film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, at Sandhya Theatre. A large crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor, and the situation escalated when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his vehicle. Police allege that this action contributed to the chaos, which resulted in the death of a woman named Revathi and injuries to her son. According to authorities, the actor's security team was responsible for pushing the crowd aside to clear the path for his vehicle. Despite being warned about the risks posed by the large crowd, police claim Allu Arjun's team failed to take prompt action to mitigate the situation. In a previous press conference, Allu Arjun expressed his deep shock over the incident. "The incident at Sandhya Theatre was very unfortunate. I was deeply affected. It took me hours to process and respond. I couldn't psychologically comprehend it at first--it took me about 10 hours. We were all in shock when we heard the news," he said during the success meet for Pushpa 2. (ANI)
Sean Diddy Combs has officially given up on getting out of prison before his trial date comes in May 2025.

Legal counsel for Combs, who is currently incarcerated at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., filed a motion earlier today to dismiss his appeal for bail in his ongoing sex trafficking and racketeering case. He had previously been denied bail three times, and has ultimately conceded to remaining in custody as he awaits his trial.

More from Variety

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr. Combs does not seek to appeal the district courts denial of his renewed motion and hereby moves to voluntarily dismiss the appeal, reads the motion. Counsel has explained the effect of voluntary dismissal of the appeal.

Combs signed the motion, which stated that (a) counsel has explained the effect of voluntary dismissal of the appeal; (b) he understands counsels explanation, and (c) he desires to withdraw and voluntarily dismiss the appeal.

Combs has been lobbying for months to get out of prison, offering a $50 million bond backed by equity in his homes, the promise of security monitoring and assurance that he would not interfere with investigations surrounding the charges. In his latest bail appeal hearing on Nov. 27, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that there is evidence of supporting a serious risk of witness tampering and that Combs contacted witnesses even after his grand jury testimony in June 2024.

Just yesterday, Subramanian ruled that Combs would be allowed access to a preloaded laptop to review discovery and prepare for his May trial. He can use the laptop seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Combs was booked back in Sept. on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. His legal woes stem from a bombshell lawsuit that his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed last November and subsequently settled the next day, setting off a chain of suits where accusers similarly claimed that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted them.

Jay-Z was recently named in a refiled case earlier this week, with a Jane Doe stating that he and Combs raped her when she was 13 years old in 2000. Jay-Z fired back at the suit in a statement that said his lawyer was sent blackmail surrounding the allegations from attorney Tony Buzbee in an effort to pressure him into settling out of court. Carter went on to say that it had the opposite effect and instead enflamed Carter to expose his accusor for the fraud [they] are in a VERY public fashion.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Second American Airlines flight diverted to JFK Airport in two days

NEW YORK (PIX11)  A second American Airlines flight was diverted to John F. Kennedy Airport in two days, a spokesperson confirmed to PIX11 News.

Flight 732, with service to London from Charlotte, North Carolina, was diverted to New York early Saturday morning for a mechanical issue, according to the American Airlines representative.

More Local News

The flight was scheduled to re-depart on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and customers were provided with hotel accommodations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The cause of the mechanical issue was not immediately made known.

According to FlightAware, American Airlines Flight 732 departed from Charlotte Douglas International Airport at about 9:08 p.m. local time. After being diverted twice in the air, it landed at JFK Airport at around 3:32 a.m.

The report comes after American Airlines Flight 1722 was also diverted to JFK Airport on Thursday because of a bird strike. Flight 1722 was heading to Charlotte, North Carolina from LaGuardia Airport when one of the planes engines was disabled by the bird strike.

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW)  A power plant built in the 1920s along Lake Road in Avon Lake will have another controlled blast to continue the demolition process sometime next week.

Ohio hunter to pay record-setting restitution

The city of Avon Lake is urging residents to sign up for an alert system through their website so residents will be notified the day before of the planned implosion and again 30 minutes prior to it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group, or ALERG, owns the property and will select the day based off of the weather forecast. The plan, much like a controlled blast in late July, is to do it before dawn when theres less traffic around.

Ted Esborn, the Community Development Director for the city of Avon Lake, told Fox 8 that both the city and ALERG will be doing air quality checks, but they had success with the first blast following steps ALERG put into place.

Most notably, theyve treated the ground and shaped the site in a way that should keep dust from pushing toward the nearby residents homes, according to Esborn..

There are several measures that theyve taken to limit dust escape, and also, again, choosing a time of day when the wind is least likely to carry particles away from the site, he explained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I-Team: Judge grants city extension to answer Browns lawsuit

Once the site is fully demolished, the plan is to redevelop the land so Avon Lake residents have more and better access to Lake Erie.

We are so excited about being able to do that again. Access to the lake, pure and simple, is what people have wanted the most here in the city of Avon Lake, Esborn said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Avery County, North Carolina  Some people were skeptical, at first, of the stranger who rolled into flood-ravaged Avery County in western North Carolina this week claiming to be some kind of Santa.

Yet, he persisted, approaching people in parking lots, grocery stores, and even motel rooms, where those displaced by Hurricane Helene are still sheltering three months after the devastating storm.

Every year, this anonymous, wealthy businessman travels the country during the holidays giving away about $100,000 in $100 bills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The money goes to random strangers and people he seeks out, knowing their need. Why did this Secret Santa want to come to North Carolina?



"I think when people go through tragedy, they can lose their house  all their belongings," he told CBS News. "But what they can't lose is hope. And maybe we can give a little hope."



Among those he sought out was Jamie Guinn. During the height of Helene, a mudslide ripped the garage off the Avery County home Guinn lived in with his wife, Melissa.



"I grabbed ahold of her and I said, 'At least we got each other,'" Jamie told CBS News. "'We can fix the house.' And it couldn't have been 10 minutes later, and I remember just getting crushed."



A second mudslide took the whole house and claimed Melissa's life.



"You haven't really lost her because she's with you and she's smiling down on you right now," Secret Santa told Guinn.

It's those words of comfort  the hugs and the hope from a total stranger  that really seem to move people, much more than the money itself.



"That's the gift, that you haven't been forgotten about, that we do know you're there," the Secret Santa said. "And we do care."

Secret Santa always says that kindness is the bridge between all people  a bridge that cannot be burned, bombed or washed away in a flood. It's always there, just waiting for us to cross.

New details on Luigi Mangione's time in prison, evidence probed

Woman whose sentence was commuted by Biden tells her story

American Airlines flight forced to make emergency landing after likely bird strike
Police are asking for the publics help with finding a missing 35-year-old Allston woman.

Amera Zvekic was last heard from family members on March 17 and last seen approximately 3 months ago.

She is described as a white female standing at 57 tall, 120 lbs, with long brown hair. She also has a tattoo on her lower back and left arm and a nose piercing.

Amera is currently homeless, but often keeps in contact with her family. She is known to be in the areas of Southampton Street, Melnea Cass Boulevard, and Government Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to call police at 617-796-2123.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Residents in the Rochester area have been without mail for several days, sparking complaints from Minnesota Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, who have written to the Postmaster General demanding that he address the issue.

In their letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the senators say that multiple residents in the Rochester area have come forward saying they have not received mail in over four days.

"We write regarding recent mail delays affecting our constituents during this peak postal season, particularly in Rochester," the letter reads. "We are very concerned by reports of Minnesotans going four or more days without mail delivery, including when their informed delivery tracking and local post office promise imminent deliveries."

Ben Schumin, Flickr

The Senators state in the letter that the Minnesota-North Dakota District's on-time deliveries are 85.76%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In June of this year, after receiving multiple complaints of missing mail, the district published an audit report.

"We identified issues affecting delivery operations and property conditions at all six delivery units. Specifically, we found delayed mail and deficiencies with package scanning, arrow keys, carrier timekeeping, and property conditions," the audit read.

It determined that the problem was caused by poor management of several branches and a shortage of district staff, with the report stating: "From January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, the MN-ND District hired a total of 2,117 carriers and clerks. Of those hired, 733 (34.6 percent) were no longer employed in the district as of January 11, 2024."

"According to district management, several factors impacted hiring employees in the MN-ND District, including the low unemployment rate, applicant residency issues, and competition from Postal Service competitors," the audit continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The senators ask DeJoy to address the following questions in a response by Dec. 19.

Were you or your district staff aware that some Rochester neighborhoods went four or more days without deliveries? What is the U.S. Postal Service doing at both district and national levels to address the mail delays affecting the Rochester area? What are Minnesota and Rochester's current staffing levels for urban and rural letter carriers, career and non-career? With these staffing levels, can the Postal Service meet its own performance standards? How many seasonal employees did the district aim to hire, and how many were successfully boarded for Minnesota and Rochester?

"Minnesotans rely on the Postal Service to receive hard-earned paychecks, Social Security benefits, and lifesaving medications. Even delays of one day can be difficult and harmful," the senators write. "Staffing shortages continue to affect service across Minnesota, including in Rochester, and this puts a heavy burden on postal workers to make up for the staffing shortages."

A spokesperson for the USPS in Rochester issued a statement to Bring Me The News, stating that it apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the mail delays and is aware of the issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Local management and district leadership are aware of delivery issues in Rochester and are taking steps to address the concerns," the spokesperson said. "We will continue flexing our available resources to match the workload and are proud of the efforts of postal employees as they define essential public service every day."

The spokesperson continued to say while USPS continues to "aggressively" hire new employees, it encourages more people to apply, and those interested can visit the USPS career website.
SENECA FALLS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) The town that inspired the famous 1946 holiday film Its a Wonderful Life is celebrating the films 78th anniversary where Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu Bailey), Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy Bailey) and Donald Collins (one of the twins who played Pete Bailey) got to shares their stories as children on set.

The press conference with actors was held in the museums original location, which is currently being expanded. The expanded museum, expected to open in 2026 in recognition of the movies 80th anniversary, will include an area where visitors can take or make a Zuzu petal to leave as a symbol of hope for someone else.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We need hope, and we also need to help other people. And thats the only way were going to survive is to give up ourselves and help other people because I dont know if you have ever done that much, but it feels real good, Grimes said.

Mrs. New York American 2024, Victoria Wejko, who was in attendance, helped launch the national Zuzu Petals Project, where individuals across the country can make their own petals to have placed in the museum.

But Sophia Drahiem, a first-grader, started crafting her own weeks before this celebration making over 1,000 Zuzu Petals with her mom Brittany.

Its the symbol of hope, its family, and its love. And no matter when you give these away or you make them for yourself, its just supposed to be a symbol of that to pass that on to somebody the hope and love to family, friends and community, Brittnay Drahiem said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has stated that the United States and the United Kingdom will soon impose sanctions on the Serbian oil company NIS, in which Russia's Gazprom holds more than 50% of the shares.

Source: Radio Liberty with reference to Vucics interview with a Serbian TV channel, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Vucic said that the Serbian side had become aware of the US plans to announce sanctions against NIS in a few days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The United Kingdom will also join the sanctions. But this means that everyone will join because when a company is under US sanctions, no one wants to work with it," he said.

He called it "the worst news in many years". Neither Washington nor London confirmed plans for such sanctions.

Serbia's NIS has had Gazprom among its shareholders since 2008. At present, Gazprom and Gazpromneft together own 56.15% of the company's shares, with almost 30% in Serbian state ownership.

Vucic said that the US sanctions are due to take effect on 1 January 2025.

"We are in talks with Russia to possibly reduce the ownership to less than 50% so that we can buy the rest," Vucic said, adding that he also plans to hold talks with the US side to understand the room for compromise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Serbia remains dependent on Russian energy resources. Gazprom is the country's only gas supplier and the majority owner of both pipelines that transport gas from Russia.

Background:

Protests continue in Serbia over the tragedy at the reconstructed railway station, where more than a dozen people died due to the collapse of the structure. Vucics government tried to mitigate people's discontent and published about 130 documents related to the reconstruction.

Vucic accused foreign intelligence services of trying to overthrow him because of the protests and said he was not going to flee the country like ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

Support UP or become our patron!
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  The United States plans to introduce sanctions against Serbias main gas supplier that is controlled by Russia, Serbias president said Saturday.

President Aleksandar Vucic told state RTS broadcaster that Serbia has been officially informed that the decision on sanctions will come into force on Jan. 1 but that he has so far not received any related documents from the U.S.

There has been no comment from U.S. officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Serbia almost entirely depends on Russian gas, which it receives through pipelines in neighboring states. The gas is then distributed by Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), which is majority-owned by Russias state oil monopoly Gazprom Neft.

Vucic said that after receiving the official documents, we will talk to the Americans first, then we go talk to the Russians to try to reverse the decision. At the same time, we will try to preserve our friendly relations with the Russians and not to spoil relations with those who impose sanctions, he added.

Although formally seeking European Union membership, Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion in Ukraine, in part because of the crucial Russian gas deliveries.

Vucic said that despite the embargo threat,  Im not ready at this moment to discuss potential sanctions against Moscow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Asked if the threat of U.S. sanctions against Serbia could change with the arrival of Donald Trumps administration in January, Vucic said, We must first get the (official) documents, and then talk to the current administration, because we are in a hurry.

The Serbian president is facing one of the biggest threats to more than a decade of his increasingly autocratic rule. Protests have been spreading by university students and others following the collapse last month of a concrete canopy at a railway station in the countrys north that killed 15 people on Nov. 1.

Many in Serbia believe rampant corruption and nepotism among state officials led to sloppy work on the building reconstruction, which was part of a wider railroad project with Chinese state companies.
Legendary actor Jim Carrey has clarified his remark on 'retirement', which he gave during the promotions of 'Sonic the Hedgehog 2', and said one can't be definite about these things, Deadline reported. He will be next seen in the third instalment of the film 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3'. Regarding his retirement, the actor said "You can't be definite about these things. Because as soon as a good idea comes your way, or a group of people you really enjoy working with, things tend to change." In 2022, when the Bruce Almighty star was promoting the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog, Carrey said he was retiring from acting. In a throwback interview with Access Hollywood, as reported by Deadline, the actor said, "I'm being fairly serious. It depends. If the angels bring some sort of script that's written in gold ink, that says to me that it's going to be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road. But I'm taking a break." Earlier, Carrey also told Comicbook that he would be open to reprising his role from How the Grinch Stole Christmas and also welcomes the idea of making a sequel to The Mask. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in US theaters on December 20. The third instalment of the action-adventure film has Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles facing a mysterious adversary known as Shadow the Hedgehog and are forced to form an unlikely alliance with villain Dr Robotnik. When asked about what he said in 2022 at the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 London premiere on December 10, Carrey responded, "That might have been hyperbole." Carrey also told ComicBook that he would be open to repeating his part from 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas', as well as filming a sequel to 'The Mask.' Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released in theatres across the United States on December 20. The third episode of the action-adventure film pits Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles against a mystery enemy known as Shadow the Hedgehog, forcing them to establish an odd alliance with evil Dr. Robotnik. (ANI)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -At least 22 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, medics said, while the Israeli military said it targeted gunmen operating from shelters and aid storages.

At least 10 people were killed in an airstrike near the municipality building in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip where people gathered to receive aid, medics said.

Casualties were being carried by foot, on rickshaws and private cars from the site of the attack to the hospital, medics said. The strike killed the head of the Hamas-run administrative committee in central Gaza, Diab Ali al-Jaru, a Hamas source said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli military said al-Jaru, who was also the mayor of Deir Al-Balah, was the target of the strike and that he had assisted Hamas militants. Four more people were killed in a separate strike in the area.

Earlier, Israeli aircraft struck militants and weapon caches near an aid warehouse, the military said, after gunmen had fired rockets into Israel from there on Friday. Another rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel on Saturday, the military said.

A separate strike in Gaza City on a former shelter housing displaced people targeted Hamas fighters, the military said. At least seven people were killed in that attack, Palestinian medics said, including a woman and her baby.

Reuters was unable to confirm whether any of the people killed were fighters. Hamas does not disclose its casualties, and the Palestinian health ministry does not distinguish in its daily death toll between combatants and non-combatants

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli military said it had taken precautions to reduce risk of harm to civilians.

JOURNALIST KILLED

A local journalist, Mohammed Baalousha who worked for Dubai Al Mashhad television was killed in a separate airstrike in Gaza City, health officials said. The military was looking into the report, a spokesperson said.

At least 137 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza in more than a year of war, according to The Committee to Protect Journalists.

The war began when the Palestinian militant group Hamas stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200, mostly civilians, people and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel then launched an air, sea and land offensive that has killed almost 45,000 people, mostly civilians, according to authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the enclave in ruins.

A fresh bid by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to reach a truce has gained momentum in recent weeks.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday discussed with visiting U.S. officials efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostages-for prisoners deal in the Palestinian enclave, Sisi's office said.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Maayan Lubell in JerusalemWriting by Menna Alaa and Maayan LubellEditing by Gareth Jones and Conor Humphries)
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Two recent fires involving portable heaters and those living in tents in and near Downtown Peoria have led the citys fire chief to one conclusion.

The heaters have to go, said Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger, noting the city has seen at least six fires in the past month related to propane heaters in tents. The last fire which occurred Thursday morning, sent a man to the burn unit in Springfield with second and third-degree burns.

There have been 12 since September, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And as winter sets in and as a pending deadline created last month when the City Council banned public camping approaches, it leaves homeless advocates and City Hall wondering what to do.

The biggest thing is that they get shelter, the fire chief said. There are spots open and spaces available. We need to get people inside.

Tents, he said, do not retain much heat and that likely means a person is cranking their heaters up on high and using a lot of fuel. You want to have all the flammable items away but now you are in a tent with a portable heater and well, that can get very dangerous.

Sollberger said city workers are removing portable tents from heaters to avoid the worst-case scenario.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you get several of these units together, you know, tents upon tents upon tents, pallets, all these flammable materials. I mean, you could have several people injured, death, things of that nature. Can you imagine? All these things are plastic. So now you have these flammable materials and they take off so quickly, he said.

Instead of handing out heaters, Sollberger said homeless advocates should focus on getting people into housing and off the streets.

Theres just too many people getting hurt, he said.

Last month, when the council banned public camping, in large part a response to the tent cities which have sprung up in Downtown Peoria, especially around Interstate 74, advocates were worried City Hall would boot people out once the 30-day grace period was over.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Joe Dulin, the head of the citys community development department, said thats not going to happen.

On Dec. 18, well start to do our records in the camps and tell them that the ordinance is in place and they should not be there. But we will not start to enforce the ordinance and clear out the camps until after the holidays, he said.

Thats due in part to giving those who advocate for the homeless to continue trying to find new places for people to stay and also takes into account that staffing issues during the holiday are tight.

Kate Green, the executive director of Home For All Continuum of Care, a coalition of local providers trying to end homelessness in Peoria and surrounding counties, said they are trying to create housing alternatives ahead of the camping ban.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Providers really pushed to delay implementation by a little bit. The initial implementation would have hit right around the Christmas holiday. And so were looking at early in January that we actually anticipate that that will roll out, she said.

Continuum of Care is working on a 100-day plan to get people off the streets, but Green said they need landlords to partner with them as well.

We have rental subsidies, we have case management support, but we need those units. Oftentimes I think homelessness is stigmatized. Each story is unique. The one underlying thing, though, thats true for all of us is that we need a safe place to stay, she said.

City Hall, Dulin said, would be putting trash bins in the various encampments for people to use as a way to dispose of their trash and other items. One of the issues that council members used to approve the controversial measure was that it was a public health issue, given the trash and other waste that was in the camps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Michigan Capitol | Susan J. Demas graphic

What criminals without conscience intended for shame and destruction, has turned into an opportunity for education and compassion, John DeMay said Friday after House Democrats unanimously passed legislation to criminalize sexual extortion and create awareness in schools.

In March of 2022, DeMays son, Jordan DeMay, 17, had thought he was messaging a young woman on Instagram, agreeing with her requests for explicit photos of himself. But it turned out international criminals had tricked Jordan into sending the photos for the purpose of sexually extorting him, also known as sextortion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jordan killed himself six hours after getting into contact with the criminals.

Photo of Jordan DeMay provided by John DeMay

Law enforcement at the state and federal level have called for more awareness for the epidemic of sextorion which can affect individuals across ages, but particularly impacts kids who can be manipulated through shame and lies into not seeking help which can turn lethal when they feel like theres no hope of getting help.

The law enforcement community is calling this an epidemic, and it really is, because the detectives are getting bombarded with this stuff. Its just every day on their desk, and theres a lot of it goes unreported, DeMay said. But were trying to peel that back and say, Hey, listen, this isnt your fault. These people are trained to do this. Theyre professionals at what they do. Dont feel like youre the only one, because youre not.

More than 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors were received by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations between October 2021 to March 2023. At least 20 suicides occurred in these reports with the FBI saying this year that reports of sextortion of minors are on the rise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sextortion isnt specifically criminalized in Michigan law but House Bills 5887, 5888 and 5889 would create criminal penalties and create educational resources that could be distributed at schools on the dangers of sexual extortion and how to access help. The penalties would range, with a maximum of 25 years in prison.

The individuals who manipulated DeMays son Jordan into killing himself were extradited to the United States and prosecuted and DeMay said the case revealed that the two men learned of Jordans death and continued their manipulations.

Jordan DeMays father John DeMay speaks at a news conference about legislation aimed to curb sexual extortion during a news conference in the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing, Michigan on Sept. 25, 2024. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

And they continued to do it. The next day or two after they were just right back at it and in our specific case, there was a victim 2 in the federal indictment and victim 2 was victimized verbatim, with the same exact script as the one used on Jordan, DeMay said. When we talk about disregard for life, we have guys say go ahead and kill yourselfand then they find out that hes dead and go on the next day and start doing it all over the exact same way they did it the day before. Thats the disregard for life.

The bills all passed 56-0 with unanimous support from Democrats. Republicans did not vote on the bills, nor any other bills starting at noon as the first bill in the package was brought up for a vote Friday in protest of House Democrats not taking up bills on the states minimum wage laws, earned sick leave and road funding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Republicans are set to take over the majority of the state House from Democrats next year and there has been significant turmoil over bipartisanship in passing legislation in the state House.

Speaker-elect for next session Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) suggested that Democrats refusal to come to the table on issues important to Republicans prevents the parties from coming together on legislation that would benefit the entire state.

The first thing they put up is some bill that all 110 of us would vote for, Hall said.

Michigan state House Speaker-elect Matt Hall announces House Republicans wont be coming back to the House until Democrats take up labor and roads funding bills on Dec. 13, 2024. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

Rep. Jon Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) said he had hoped that the package, which multiple members of law enforcement have voiced support for, could have been an issue all members of the chamber could get behind, but at the end of the day the chamber worked to protect kids successfully.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bad actors operated on shame, getting Jordan who had been a well-loved 17-year-old with his whole life ahead of him to feel so helpless that he thought his only solution was to end his life.

In Jordans case, his legacy is going to be preventing other people from experiencing what he did, Fitzgerald said before the House voted through the bills. These bills will, in fact, save lives, especially of our young people here in the state of Michigan.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A long, curved case full of eyewear and colorful baubles at Tom Grudis Optical and The Bare Accessories served as a backdrop during Gov. Josh Shapiros visit to Scranton small businesses on Friday.

His swing through several downtown Scranton shops during the holiday season also included stops at fashion stores Tachi Hill and Amendolaro. The trip was aimed at highlighting his commitment to making investments in Main Streets across the state, while also calling attention to tax-cutting initiatives his administration has implemented.

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Scranton Tomorrow President and CEO Leslie Collins, along with legislators state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, state Reps. Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely, Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., Commissioner Bill Gaughan, plus several small business owners joined Shapiro

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Downtown Scranton is on the rise, Shapiro said. You can feel it now on our streets in the downtown.

*

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks inside Tom Grudis Optical and The Bare Accessories in Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

From left: Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, Scranton Tomorrow CEO Leslie Collins, and Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro chat while walking through dowtown Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Jessica Merrit, owner of Tachi Hill in Scranton, shows Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro her bestselling sweaters during Shapiros visit to Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

*

Scranton Tomorrow CEO Leslie Collins thanks Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro for working with small businesses during Shapiros visit to Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Pa. Senator Marty Flynn speaks during Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiros visit to Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Pa. State Representative Kyle Donahue speaks during Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiros visit to Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks inside Tom Grudis Optical and The Bare Accessories in Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

*

Stephanie Grudis-Whisner, owner of The Bare Accessories, speaks during Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiros visit to Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

From left: Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, Scranton Tomorrow CEO Leslie Collins, and Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro chat while walking through dowtown Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Show Caption

1 of 9

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks inside Tom Grudis Optical and The Bare Accessories in Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Expand

He explained that what links all neighborhoods together is that they all have a Main Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Every community has a Main Street, and the health of that Main Street is the beating heart of a community, Shapiro said. You can often tell how successful a community is or how vibrant it is by its Main Street.

Scrantons downtown business district boasts at least 100 small businesses, according to Scranton Tomorrows website.

Cognetti highlighted the unique qualities Scranton boasts.

Were thrilled to celebrate everything that makes downtown Scranton so special during the holidays  our vibrant shopping scene, incredible restaurants and bars, and the lively activities that bring people together, said Cognetti, adding that there are incredible investments happening in our city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In early September, the $20 million Main Street Matters program was announced, aimed at boosting main streets, small businesses and business districts in communities and downtowns across the state. The program accepted applications through mid-November. The funds support a wide array of activities, including planning grants, facade improvements, business development, and accessible housing construction and additions, among a bevy of others.

Gov. Shapiros $20 million investment in the Main Street Matters initiative exemplifies his commitment to the economic growth and revitalization of our Pennsylvania business districts and entrepreneurs who are realizing their vision to build a vibrant future in our great state of Pennsylvania, Collins said.

In addition to the Main Street Matters initiative, Shapiro explained that the amount of funds issued back to taxpayers and home renters via the bipartisan expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has doubled during his tenure.

With the holiday season here, were delivering real relief to Pennsylvanians by cutting taxes and putting more money back into their pockets, Shapiro said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As of early October, 500,000 applications were processed by the Department of Revenue, including some 107,000 first time applicants, returning $304,000 back to the seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for the rebate.

Flynn and Donahue talked about the positive impact of these tax cuts and economic investments in the community.

Its great to have a mayor that works day in day out to make our economic centers a better place for business, Flynn said. Putting money back into our peoples pockets is A-Number-1, the most important thing that I face day to day.
SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WHNT)  The Sheffield City School district received a substantial grant to provide books and resources to students and classrooms.

On Friday, the Sheffield City School district announced that it received a $50,000 grant through the Alabama Reading Initiative for classroom libraries.

The district said all K-6 and K-6 resource classrooms received around 400 books through the grant.

According to SCS Curriculum Director Heather Collum, the new books are filling a great need in classrooms as teachers generally have to create libraries for their classrooms out of their own pockets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Collum said the delivery of the books created an even more festive atmosphere in the remaining days before Christmas break.

Were so very appreciative of this grant that allowed us to meet a great need in our district, she said, For these students, it was like Christmas came early.

According to the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) is a statewide K-3 initiative committed to supporting the development of high-quality instruction to prepare students with the literacy skills needed to meet or exceed grade-level standards. The ARI aims to significantly improve reading instruction and ultimately achieve 100% literacy among public school students.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
MACON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  A teacher is facing criminal charges after it was discovered they brought a gun to school.

According to Macon County Sheriffs Office, on Thursday, it was reported to a school resource office an unnamed teacher brought a gun with them inside East Franklin Elementary School.

The gun was discovered in an unattended purse inside the school, outside the presence of its owner, the sheriffs office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The teacher was charged a felony count of having a weapon on a campus or educational property. The sheriffs office said it does not believe there was any threat to the school or anyone inside at any time.

While we acknowledge that this teacher is a respected member of our community, it is essential to emphasize that weapons are strictly prohibited on school grounds, with the exception of law enforcement officers, the sheriffs office said in a social media post on Friday. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities. It is imperative that we uphold the laws designed to protect our schools and maintain a safe learning environment for everyone.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(WHTM)  Residents across the northeast, including here in Pennsylvania, have reported seeing drones flying overhead.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security say there is no evidence at this time that the drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat. Officials also do not believe the drones have a foreign nexus and that flying objects are often misidentified as manned aircraft or other sightings.

Concern grows about mysterious drones

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With some residents on edge over the issue of drones flying over homes and roadways, many are wondering if its legal to shoot down a drone that is over your property.

According to the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department shooting down a drone is a violation of law.

Pocono Township Police added that residents should not take matters into (their) own hands) and to report the activity.

Please do not call 911 to report drone sightings only, please report these tips to the FBI, police added.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
President-elect Donald Trump wants answers about a mysterious series of drone sightings over New Jersey and several other states.

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge?" Trump asked in a Friday post to Truth Social. "I dont think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!

Trump already receives classified intelligence briefings as part of the transition process between his incoming administration and President Joe Biden's.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The federal government has provided few answers about the drones. White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that they have not been able to corroborate any of the reported visual sightings.

New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania legislators from both sides of the aisle have demanded information from the Biden administration.

Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey hinted at a possible cause but called for certainty on social media.

Homeland Security Secretary briefed last week on new technology they were deploying, but we need details on what those efforts have yielded and if more resources are needed, he said in a Friday post to X containing footage of his sightings of the aircraft. If they havent fully identified the devices yet, we still should know what is being done.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The president-elects response echoes one he shared last year when a Chinese balloon entered American airspace.

"The Chinese would never have floated the Blimp ('Balloon') over the United States if I were President!!!" he ranted before the Biden administration shot the balloon down.

On the campaign trail, Trump took a special interest in UFOs, claiming pilots who looked like beautiful Tom Cruise, but taller confirmed the existence of extraterrestrial aircraft to him during his first term in office.

People that are very smart and very solid have said they believe there was something out there and, you know, it makes sense that they could be, Trump said in June.
In Las Vegas, a strip mall corpse salesman's shady dealings are drawing controversy.

As NBC News reports, the near-complete lack of regulations surrounding the educational body broker business provided ample room for Obteen Nassiri, the manager of Vegas' Med Ed Labs, to sell human bodies in a shop located between a tattoo parlor and a psychic.

Nearly a decade ago, Nassiri opened Med Ed as a nonprofit corporation after losing his chiropractor's license and being found guilty of fraud. Though his brother-in-law, a construction worker named Joshua Jackson, was listed as the company's sole owner, documents viewed by NBC showed that the Iranian-born ex-chiropractor was in charge of running the company.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The venture obtained bodies from funeral homes and medical schools, then sold or leased them  sometimes for above-board medical training to the US military and other clients, and sometimes for more shadowy purposes.

Though its nonprofit status was eventually revoked by the Internal Revenue Service after three years of failing to disclose its finances, Med Ed powered on.

One of its biggest suppliers, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, made at least $82,000 leasing unclaimed or donated bodies to Med Ed over the years, NBC found. The bodies and parts seemed primarily to be used for legitimate medical training purposes, but the way Nassiri allegedly mishandled the remains  which Med Ed was supposed to ship back to the school, generally after cremation  sounds like the stuff of nightmares.

Though a state official urged the Center to stop doing business with the company in 2021, it continued doing so for two more years, even after audits revealed that nine pairs of ankles and feet had gone missing. When NBC asked about the missing feet, the Center refused to comment, and Nassiri claimed he couldn't recall the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Med Ed also kept operating after a deceased Louisiana man's body was used without his family's consent in a live pay-per-view autopsy event held in Portland, Oregon in 2021. After the event garnered international headlines, Nassiri claimed the organization behind the live autopsy, Death Science, misled him about what it planned to use the body for.

Nassiri denied wrongdoing to NBC and blamed his troubles on bad lawyers.

"We treasure, we respect our donors," Nassiri told the broadcaster. "Its a precious gift."

As of October of this year, when NBC contacted Nassiri for its story, the cadaver flipper said that Med Ed had been shuttered. The firm filed for bankruptcy in March days before it was set to go to trial after being sued by the insurance company Allstate for medical fraud.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now a new body broker business, Surgil & Medical Training, has taken Med Ed's place in the Vegas strip mall. Although the brother-in-law is listed on registration documents as its sole owner, NBC found that social media icons on the company website link directly to pages associated with Nassiri's new venture  as a self-help guru.

More on cadavers: Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Body Parts From Harvard Morgue
ELMWOOD PARK, Ill.  As the City of Chicago prepared to end its contract with ShotSpotter several months back, neighboring suburb Elmwood Park, was just starting to implement the technology.

On Sunday, the gunshot detection technology played a critical role in the arrest of several suspects, including a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, officials said. No one called 911 to report any of the shots fired at three separate locations.

You have officers that detected something themselves, then you have this intelligence that supported what they thought was going on, assured them what was going on, and on top of it, the evidence collection, and we were able to recover everything we received from ShotSpotter, said administrative commander Mike Kmiecik. When we go to court, we have all this evidence that says, it wasnt just that I observed or heard this, heres the technology behind it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to Elmwood Park police, two officers on patrol on the morning of Dec. 8 around 2:30 a.m. were near Bloomingdale Avenue and Thatcher Avenue when they heard a gunshot from an unknown location. According to a ShotSpotter activation, one gunshot was detected nearby at 78th Avenue and Bloomingdale Avenue.

How Shotspotter impacted a Chicago murder case

As officers responded to that location, they saw a silver GMC Terrain traveling northbound on 78th Avenue, approaching Cortland Street. Police said officers heard three more gunshots followed immediately by another ShotSpotter activation at that intersection.

As officers closed in on the suspect vehicle, they allegedly saw a person on the passenger side reach out the window and fire a shot, again detected by ShotSpotter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The driver, police said, stopped eventually near 77th Street and Fullerton Avenue and the suspect bailed on foot, leading an officer on a brief foot chase, ending only after the suspect was caught on body-worn camera tossing a gun onto the roof of a home.

Marcus Marinelli, 42, was arrested and charged with being an armed habitual criminal, a Class X felony, aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

The gun recovered from the roof of the home was reportedly stolen out of Michigan, according to police.

Nancy Carreon, who lives in the home, said she was left shaken up by the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its kind of scary when somebody knocks at three in the morning and you dont know whats going on, said Carreon. We dont know what kind of felon this man was. For him to have thrown a gun on my roof, it just doesnt make you feel good.

Chicago begins search for first responder tech to replace ShotSpotter

Marinelli, who has a lengthy criminal history, was nabbed in a 2011 sting by the feds, where he was identified as a member of the Maniac Latin Disciples, a street gang operating in and around Chicagos Humboldt Park neighborhood.

The driver of the vehicle, who was not identified, was charged with DUI, officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elmwood Park doesnt see many shooting incidents, but Village President Skip Saviano said, if the technology saves one life and helps officers in their efforts to protect the community, its worth it.

Im not an expert, but my police officers are. When they tell me they need something, I get it, Saviano said. I want them to be able to do their job and be safe.

Critics, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have argued the technology is ineffective and could lead to over policing.

When considering the technology, Saviano said the idea was met with overwhelming support from community members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You hear all the time in the city, bullets coming through windows of houses and killing an innocent person, so this is the kind of stuff I want to make sure we have every tool available to us to alleviate that problem, and I think its working, Saviano said.

After ShotSpotter ends, what happens to the sensors and infrastructure?

The village also utilizes a robust camera system, license plate reader technology, and is working to implement an AI-based gun detection technology throughout the community.

I want the message to get out, dont mess with Elmwood Park, because we have the tools, said Saviano.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Whatever keeps us safe, I am so for it. That is money well spent, said Carreon.

Saviano said their officers help Chicago police in the 25th and 16th Districts, which share a border, when gunshot detection alerts are picked up over city lines. Before Elmwood Park utilized the technology, Saviano said, CPD did the same.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two years after leaving Saturday Night Live, Pete Davidson is reconnecting with himself outside of the spotlight. The actor opened up about the reason he decided to withdraw from the public eye, and stated that he is currently happy with his life, Deadline reported. The comic, who was a cast member of SNL from 2014 until 2022, explained his stance of absence from the spotlight after the media 'chose to go after" amid his string of high-profile romances, reported Deadline. Davidson said, "I just want to be known for doing good work. I want to be out there only when it's a movie, stand-up, charity, or business venture. That's when I want to be seen. I don't want to be this loser who just dates people." "That's not who I am. But people hate celebrities now. The media takes a handful of celebs every couple of years, and they just destroy them. For some reason, I'm one of the people they chose to go after. It's actually, in a way, a blessing, because it allowed me to take a step back and evaluate things. What do you want to be? Who are you? I'm someone who is from Staten Island, wanted to do stand-up, and if I got to do anything else because of stand-up, it was a miracle," he said, as quoted by Deadline. Sharing the difference in his mentality, he said, "When you're first coming up, and getting all these offers, it's hard to say no, because you're hungry. I made the mistake of doing everything." "Now I'm older and wiser, and I'm realizing that less is more. Like Christian Bale. He does one movie every two, or three years, but you go see it. Leo[nardo DiCaprio] does one movie every four years, but it's the biggest thing in the world. It's because you miss them. People have to miss you," Davidson added. The actor will be seen in the upcoming films, The Home, Riff Raff and The Pickup. (ANI)
Mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey and other states in the Northeast have prompted so much concern and confusion that a chorus of lawmakers have suggested the U.S. military shoot them down.

However, experts warn, that doesnt mean residents should take matters into their own hands: Shooting drones is illegal and could end in serious injury.

I can totally understand the primal instinct to protect ourselves, said Pramod Abichandani, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the director of the schools Advanced Air Mobility Lab. But I want to caution against going as extremist as trying to shoot them down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Not only is trying to target a drone in the sky difficult for the average marksman, he said, its also a crime. The Federal Aviation Administration classifies drones as aircraft and, under the Aircraft Sabotage Act, damaging or destroying aircraft is a federal offense  even if its flying over private property.

Officials say the drones flying over New Jersey in the past few weeks appear to be commercial-grade, not recreational. They have caught the attention of the White House, which has sought to quell the anxiety over them.

This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be multiple drones flying over Bernardsville, N.J., on Dec. 5, 2024

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus, national security spokesperson John Kirby said during a news conference Thursday.

Still, the lack of information about the flying devices has many worried. On Thursday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., became the latest lawmaker to call for the drones to be shot down, echoing similar demands by others, including New Jersey Republican Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have no idea where these drones come from, who owns them. We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, Blumenthal said on Thursday, adding: They should be shot down, if necessary.

In a statement to NBC News on Friday, the FAA said that shooting at an unmanned aircraft could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement. The agency also said it could injure people.

A private citizen shooting at any aircraft  including unmanned aircraft  poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air, the FAA said.

Abichandani said shooting drones could also set off fires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A drone has a lithium battery for the most part, Abichandani said. If you shoot at it, assuming you target it correctly and you actually hit the drone, the drone is going to fall somewhere. The lithium battery can explode, cause a fire, and of course, it can cause damage to property.

Frustrated residents and local officials are seeking more information about the unexplained drones, but little is known. The Pentagon has said they are not owned by the military. In a joint statement earlier this week, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said that there were no confirmed drone sightings in restricted air space and said they were investigating whether the sightings are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.

Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, subject to FAA regulations and any flight restrictions by local governments. Those who operate them are required to be FAA-certified.

Abichandani said that while he could understand the urge to want to shoot down a foreign object hovering overhead, residents should resist.

God forbid that stray bullet lands somewhere and hits somebody, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Dec. 13Editor's note: Police announced via email at 9:30 a.m. that the Silver Alert had been cancelled.

Police are asking for the public's help finding a missing 83-year-old man last seen on Wolfeboro Road in Hanover on Thursday.

A Silver Alert has been issued for Louis Bill, who was last seen outside his home about 3:30 p.m., New Hampshire State Police said.

He is described as 5-foot, 8-inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. Police believe he is on foot and wearing blue coveralls and a brown jacket.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bill was reported missing Friday at 1:16 a.m. when he wasn't at his home. His family said he has medical needs requiring medication.

Anyone who sees Bill can call Hanover Police Department at 643-2222.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Sioux City Police Department is asking the public to help identify two people.

The police said that two individuals may be connected to a burglary of a residence on the the 3400 block of 4th Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 12 around 3 a.m.

19-year-old arrested for murder, manslaughter after suspicious death

Below are photos provide by the police. A video can be found further below.

Anyone who has security footage that is willing to share to the police department or anyone with information can do so by calling 712-279-6365 or emailing siouxcitypolice@sioux-city.org. Tips can also be made by calling the Crime Stoppers tip line at 712-258-TIPS or by visiting the SCPD website. The police said that anyone that provides credible information that leads to an arrest may receive a cash reward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The police department is also provided tips to prevent crime

Lock your doors.

When upgrading locks and doors, use methods that make forced entry harder. (Target hardening).

Try to make the home look occupied at all times.

Lights and cameras make detecting suspicious activity easier.

Report suspicious activity.

Let neighbors you trust know when you will be gone for extended periods of time to keep an eye on your property.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Sioux City Public Library will be hosting activities for the holiday break.

The Aalfs Downtown Library will have events from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31. and again from Jan. 2 through Jan. 4.

On Dec. 26, 27, 30, and 31 and on Jan. 2 from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., the library will have Crafternoons. During this activity, families can make the craft of the day using the librarys provided supplies. They can also make their own creation. Below are the craft themes of the day:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Parents searching for childcare options for winter break

The library is also holding STEM Saturday on Dec. 28 from 11 a.m. until noon. Children can partake in special STEM activities with robots.

There will be two events depending on the childs age. For those three to seven years old, there is Coding Storytime with Bee Bots, which will feature beginner-level coding. For those eight to 12 years old, there is Robo Wunderking: Meet the Robots. During that event, children will use robotic building blocks to design and code on the librarys iPads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Friday, Jan. 3, the library is hosting a Family Movie Friday. The library will show an animated PG-rated film that features a strong young woman willing to risk all to save her island. The movie also had a sequel recently released.

The movie starts at 1 p.m. Those with more questions can call the Library Youth Desk at 712-255-2933 (ex. 2232).

The final event, the Jammie Jam, takes place on Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. Families are invited to put on their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal friend to sing songs, read snuggly stories and to craft. The event is part of the librarys 1st Saturday Family Storytime, which is held on the first Saturday of each month from October through May.

Registration for these events can be done on the Sioux City Public Librarys website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Li Arellano, former Dixon mayor and State Senator-Elect (R-Dixon), is expressing his frustration with President Bidens commutation of the woman convicted of the largest municipal fraud in the United States.

Back in 2012, former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell was convicted of embezzling $54 million from the small city of 15,000 to fund a lavish lifestyle and horse breeding business.

My initial thought was anger at the president, where were doing all this work in Illinois to try to push back on corruption. Madigans under trial right now. It sends the wrong message about government corruption that you get a little bit of punishment and then we give you leeway and move on, said Arellano.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Biden commutes sentence of former Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell

As Dixon Mayor for eight years, Arellano said he had to clean up her mess. Its even the reason he ran for public office in the first place.

I originally ran for mayor because of my frustration and anger with this particular fraud. Its very much part of my personal story of why I got into civic leadership is to do ethic reforms, financial reforms, he said.

Crundwell was originally sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison. Since 2021, shes been under home confinement due to the pandemic. Arellano said the commutation has added insult to injury.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It reopened a lot of wounds and it was a slap in the face to all of these citizens who had to make decades of sacrifices because of her destruction, he said. And I think that made it all the more frustrating because this wasnt a case where shed been locked up in prison and we threw away the key. Theyd already given her some levels of empathy.

He also laughed at the notion that Crundwells sentence was commuted because shes considered a non-violent offender.

If you think you can steal $54 million from a small town and not have it affect public safety  like we couldnt hire as many police officers, we had an ambulance that would break down  you dont understand government if you think that didnt have an impact on crime and violence, he said.

The city has recovered much of the lost funds thanks to U.S. Marshals, Department of Justice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Weve had one of the biggest municipal recoveries in U.S. history. We have set records in recent years for the amount of road work and infrastructure done, said Arellano. This end of the year is when we would like to be taking stock of the successes and building momentum going forward.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Two students are enrolled this year at the Healy public school district in western Kansas, a decrease from 20 students the previous year.

Steadily declining enrollment led area voters in November to favor dissolution, and the Kansas State Board of Education affirmed the vote Tuesday.

The community understands the situation with the low enrollment with the school that a decision had to be made, said Jeff Jones, superintendent of the Healy school district, which is in Lane County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Healys neighboring district, Scott County Public Schools, will absorb its territory and property, and eventually collect taxes that would have typically gone toward the Healy district.

The process to dissolve the Healy school district has been in motion for months. A majority of Healy Public Schools students already attend Scott County Public Schools, Jones said.

Having a choice in where the future of our school district would be was a significant reason for our school district to continue to function this year, he said.

Scott County schools accepted the transfer of property Monday, according to Scott Gordon, the Kansas Department of Educations legal counsel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said the final step was the state boards approval, which came with a 9-1 vote.

Healy Public Schools is the first district to close in Kansas since 2011. The dissolution has highlighted concern for rural school closures due to population decline and new open enrollment policies.

Losing a rural school is like losing a communitys livelihood, said Jamie Rumford, superintendent for Scott County schools.

Kansas is a rural state, and rural Kansas has to be strong, said Rumford. It feels like its getting weaker in some areas.

Scott County school employees are sorting out the details of absorbing Healys student records, some lingering tax revenue and transportation needs. The absorption was arranged so that Healy landowners wont have to pay taxes on a Scott County school bond project since they didnt get a chance to vote on it, and the districts bus has already been transporting former Healy students who have already enrolled in Scott County schools. He said he feels for Healy residents who have invested tax dollars, time and effort into their districts schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When it just crosses the line of having to close down, that just takes a lot away, he said.

Once a Kansas public school district drops below 10 students, it is no longer eligible for accreditation. Ten public school districts in Kansas, including Healys, have 100 students or fewer. More than 30 districts have fewer than 200 students. Legislators vowed earlier this year to examine school districts with low enrollment in the 2025 legislative session.

This story first appeared on Kansas Reflector , a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The San Marcos Police Department is investigating an accidental shooting that left one woman dead on Friday, the agency said on social media.

Around 4 p.m., SMPD said it was actively investigating the shooting that happened at a gas station near Redwood Road and Highway 123.

A spokesperson for the department told KXAN the woman was with her toddler at the time the shooting happened. Police said there was no threat to the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The shooting remained under investigation Friday by 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 KXAN Austin.
Dec. 13A dry, partly cloudy Sunday should give way to a snowy Monday morning commute for Spokane-area drivers, according to the National Weather Service in Spokane.

Forecasters are expecting 1 to 2 inches Monday, with localized amounts up to 3 inches, NWS Meteorologist Krista Carrothers said. She said snow will start Monday morning and continue throughout the day.

With a high in the mid-30s Monday in Spokane, snow could transition to rain in lower elevations, like downtown Spokane.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She said road temperatures could rise to the lower 40s during the day, creating wet, slushy conditions, and then the air temperature is expected to freeze around the afternoon commute, potentially causing hazardous driving conditions.

Rain is likely Saturday, with a high in the low 40s. Snow levels will be around 3,500 feet, meaning high elevations like Mount Spokane will see snow, Carrothers said.

She said high temperatures will drop into the upper 30s Sunday. While the Spokane area will remain dry, higher elevations in North Idaho, like Lookout Pass, could see light snow.

Rain and snow are possible Tuesday and Wednesday in the Spokane area, according to the weather service. Wind gusts up to 25 mph are expected Wednesday in Eastern Washington.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jagdambika Pal on Friday highlighted the need for having a Uniform Civil Code, and said it is important to ensure that everyone gets equal rights. A special two-day discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution was held in the Lok Sabha on Friday, with another one planned on Saturday. "Today, this debate on the Constitution has made one thing certain that today this country needs a Uniform Civil Code. This was said by Rajendra Prasad, Munshi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel too" said the BJP leader. Talking about the basic structure of democracy, Pal said that the country should ensure equal rights for everyone. "Every person wants equality and justice, so why should there be different laws? There should be a law that gives equal rights to everyone," Pal said. Notably, Pal is also the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Earlier this month, the tenure of the committee was extended till the next Parliament session. Earlier on Friday, the debate was initiated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the House, who stated that the Constitution paves the way for nation-building. "We the people of India adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949...I heartily congratulate this House and all the citizens of the country on the occasion of the completion of 75 years of adoption of the Constitution... I can say that our Constitution paves the way for nation-building by touching all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life," the Defence Minister said in Lok Sabha. He also launched a veiled attack on the Congress, criticising the party for attempting to 'hijack' the creation of India's Constitution, stating that the 'Samvidhan' of the country was made by the people following the values of India. "There has always been an attempt by a particular party to hijack the work of Constitution-making. Our Constitution is not the gift of a single party. It was made by the people of India, embodying the values and aspirations of this diverse nation," Singh stated Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi also gave her maiden speech and attacked the ruling government, saying that in the last 10 years, the Centre has made all attempts to break down the 'Suraksha Kavach' (protective shield), referring to the Constitution. The Congress MP also paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives while protecting Parliament in 2001. "In the struggle of crores of Indians, in their strength to battle the toughest situations, and in their hope of justice from the country, the flame of our Constitution is burning. Our Constitution is 'suraksha kavach' (safety armour). Such a 'suraksha kavach' that keeps the citizens safe - it is a 'kavach' of justice, of unity, of Right to Express," Priyanka Gandhi said. "It is sad that in 10 years, colleagues of the ruling side who make big claims have made all attempts to break down this 'kavach'. The Constitution promises social, economic and political justice. These promises are a safety armour and work to break this has begun. Through lateral entry and privatisation, this government is trying to weaken reservation," she 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)
TROY, Ohio (WDTN)  One local soup kitchen is looking to make sure everyone has a warm meal on Christmas day.

The St. Patrick Soup Kitchen, located at 25 N Mulberry Street in Troy is planning to deliver free meals between noon and 3 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Troy ready to help with recovery of fire-ravaged museum

Anyone can request a meal to be delivered  the only requirement is that the meal is delivered within Miami County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to our partners at Miami Valley Today, the soup kitchen first opened in 1996, and has been offering Christmas Day dinners since the very beginning.

Last year, St. Patrick delivered 1,275 meals. This year, the soup kitchens director says they expect to deliver between 1,200 and 1,400 meals this year.

To request a meal, call the soup kitchen at 937-335-7939 by Monday, Dec. 23. You will then get a call back to confirm the address for delivery.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Bloomberg) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to never give up after lawmakers voted to impeach him Saturday, leaving him on the verge of being ousted after he shocked the nation by briefly imposing martial law.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The National Assembly passed the impeachment bill with 204 lawmakers in the 300-member house in favor, exceeding the two-thirds majority needed.

While I may come to a stop for now, the journey toward the future that I have walked with the people over the past two and a half years must never be halted, Yoon said in a statement.

The vote is the second attempt to impeach Yoon following his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law  the first such move since South Korea became a democracy nearly 40 years ago. Although Yoon rescinded the order six hours later, after lawmakers raced to the National Assembly and voted down the decree, his actions rattled markets and sparked outrage across the country.

The result brought a mix of celebration and disbelief among protestors on the streets of Seoul, with some singing K-pop songs and releasing balloons into the sky. An estimated 200,000 people gathered outside parliament ahead of the vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I will take to heart all the criticism, encouragement and support directed at me and do my utmost for the nation until the very end, Yoon added.

Yoon is now suspended from his duties, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has stepped in as interim leader until the Constitutional Court rules on the impeachment motion within 180 days. If the court agrees on his removal, an early presidential election will be held in 60 days.

In principle, at least seven judges on the court must convene to consider an impeachment case, with a minimum of six required to approve it. However, the court currently only has six judges, as three seats remain vacant. A court official said they could still proceed with the review, but its unclear if they can deliver a final decision under these circumstances.

International economic partners dont like uncertainty and diplomatic partners will remember this instability, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. But South Koreas democracy is working while providing cautionary lessons for other countries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a dramatic fall from grace for Yoon, a career prosecutor who rose to power in 2022 after winning the closest presidential race in South Koreas history. Yoon was seen in Washington as a key ally and defender of democracy, but at home, its a different story.

Yoon has stepped up his attacks on the press and vowed to abolish the gender ministry, which critics say would set back efforts to close one of the worlds worst gender gaps. His ability to pass laws has been severely weakened since the oppositions big win in the April legislative elections.

South Koreas Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Saturday and said that Seouls foreign policy  centered on its alliance with Washington  will stay the same under the acting president.

Its not immediately clear how much authority Han will have as interim leader. Known as a centrist, he has served as prime minister under both conservative and liberal administrations. When asked by reporters after the vote if he plans to use the presidential veto power, he didnt answer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In his first cabinet meeting as acting president, Han urged officials to restore stability, strengthen military surveillance against potential North Korean provocations, and asked the economic team to review policies in preparation for the incoming Trump administration.

If the court upholds Yoons impeachment, the possible frontrunner to replace him would be opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who leads the Democratic Party. A recent Gallup Korea poll found that 29% of respondents favored Lee as the next president, while 11% supported Han Dong-hoon, the head of Yoons ruling People Power Party.

We must continue to fight together to ensure that swift and stern accountability and ouster of Yoon Seok Yeol is achieved in the shortest possible time, Lee said on Saturday.

Lees party advocates a softer line on North Korea, more cash handouts for citizens and higher taxes on the countrys wealthiest corporations and businesses. Lee faces his own legal troubles, as a Seoul court convicted him last month of violating election laws. He has appealed the ruling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

--With assistance from Takaaki Iwabu, Youkyung Lee, Andy Hung, Sunny Kim, Shih-Wei Fang, Emily Yamamoto, Sangmi Cha, Heejin Kim, Min Jeong Lee, Heesu Lee, Whanwoong Choi, Katria Alampay and Shery Ahn.

(Updates with acting presidents remarks)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The South Korean National Assembly has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday in a divisive vote.

Thousands of people celebrated outside the National Assembly compound as the news was delivered while, across the city, thousands of President Yoon's supporters gathered in the city center to express their anger and rage at the result.

All 300 assembly members cast their votes for the impeachment bill on Saturday as the bill passed with a total of 204 votes for impeachment, 85 against, 3 abstentions and 8 invalid votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I vow to do my best for South Korea until the end, President Yoon said in a televised speech right after the impeachment bill passed.

The constitutional court now has up to six months to decide whether to reinstate or formally oust him.

The countrys Prime Minister Han Duk-su is to take charge until that time, according to the law.

MORE: 'Unimaginable situation': South Korea endures fallout from president's martial law effort

PHOTO: SKOREA-POLITICS-UNREST (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: South Korean president dismisses defense minister after failed martial law declaration

Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Party is trying to impeach Prime Minister Han as well for not being able to stop the president from putting the country under emergency martial law, which lasted six hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition to the impeachment, the Democratic Party is seeking to arrest the president for perpetrating an insurrection.

The police have already arrested the Defense Minister, the chief of the National Police, the head of the Metropolitan Police and the military counterintelligence commander for collaborating in the insurrection.

Insurrection in South Korea is punished by death or life-long prison sentences.

South Korea passes impeachment bill on President Yoon Suk Yeol originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
South Koreas parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol early Saturday morning, after a brief decree of martial law thrust the country into temporary political peril.

The motion to impeach Yoon passed with a 204-85 vote, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Now, with the successful impeachment vote, the presidents powers will be handed over, for now, to South Koreas Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

The nations Constitutional Court is now tasked with making a decision on whether Yoon should be ousted from office officially. If so, an election would be held within 60 days, according to the AP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An initial attempt to impeach Yoon failed last weekend after the opposition party did not muster enough votes, with some members of the ruling party walking out and preventing the coalition from moving forward. Opposition leaders within South Koreas National Assembly criticized the sitting president, who in declared emergency martial law earlier this month, lambasting the parliament of being a den for criminals.

His announcement spurred protests outside of the halls of parliament, where lawmakers fought through demonstrators to gather and approve the injunction opposing Yoons mandate. All 190 members who participated in the vote moved to block the declaration.

The president ended up apologizing for his decision and promised not to repeat the move.

I am very sorry and sincerely apologize to the people who may have been surprised, he said at the time. I will not shirk the issue of legal and political responsibility in connection with the declaration of martial law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik lauded the successful impeachment as the peoples ardent desire for democracy, courage and dedication, the AP reported.

Following the vote, Yoon argued that he will never give up and called for officials to conserve governmental stability amid the temporary halt of his term.

I will carry with me all the criticisms, encouragement and support directed toward me, and I will continue to do my utmost for the country until the very last moment, Yoon said in a statement, per the news wire.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Although counterintuitive, the impeachment in South Korea demonstrates the strength of Korean democracy. Yes, it is a messy democracy. However, it is a strong and resilient democracy.

The stark contrast between South Korea's democracy and North Korea's dictatorship epitomizes the broader struggle between freedom and oppression. At its core, the question is this: would the Korean people prefer the challenges of a messy democracy or the suffocating control of a dictatorial regime? Examining the values, governance, and resilience of these two systems offers an illuminating perspective on their divergent paths.

In South Korea, democracy thrives, albeit imperfectly. Political turmoil and disagreements are common, as is the case with any democratic system. However, these conflicts underscore a deeper commitment to self-governance, freedom, and the rule of law. The South Korean military prioritizes protecting its people and democratic values. Bolstered by the strong ROK/US alliance, South Korea remains well-prepared to defend its sovereignty against external threats. The Combined Forces Command exemplifies this readiness, ensuring that the security interests of both South Korea and the United States are upheld. This partnership sends a clear message to North Korea: any aggression will be met with a robust and unified defense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In contrast, North Korea's dictatorship under the Kim family regime suppresses the fundamental human rights of its people. Governance is centered on maintaining absolute control, with no regard for individual freedoms or self-determination. The regime's propaganda machine works tirelessly to sustain the illusion of strength and stability, even as it fears the aspirations of its own citizens. Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to self-determination, a principle enjoyed by South Koreans but denied to those in the North. The disparity is not just ideological but deeply human: one system empowers its people, while the other subjugates them.

The strength of South Korea's democracy lies in its resilience. Despite political challenges, democratic institutions in South Korea are designed to prevent tyranny and uphold freedoms. This stands in stark contrast to the inherent fragility of North Korea's dictatorship, where power rests on the unsteady foundation of fear and coercion. As history has shown, oppressive regimes often collapse under the weight of their internal contradictions. Kim Jong Un's greatest fear is not external military intervention but the potential awakening of the North Korean people to their rights and freedoms.

International alliances play a critical role in maintaining this balance. Trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan strengthens the region's security against threats from North Korea, China, and Russia. While some South Korean opposition voices have suggested appeasement strategies, such approaches are naive and risk undermining the country's national security. Hostile policies from North Korea and its allies are not responses to international cooperation but are instead tempered by it. Exposing and countering their political warfare strategies is crucial for safeguarding democracy.

As Winston Churchill famously stated, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all others." South Korea's democracy is a testament to its people's determination to reject totalitarian rule. The political debates and struggles that characterize its system are not weaknesses but strengths, illustrating the dynamic nature of a free society. Friedrich Nietzsche's observation, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger," resonates here: South Korean democracy grows more robust through its challenges, while the Kim regime's rigidity signals its eventual downfall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The ultimate hope for the Korean Peninsula is a future where all Koreans can live in a unified, free, and democratic state. South Korea's example serves as both a beacon of hope and a direct threat to the Kim regime. The resilience of its democracy and the strength of its alliances ensure that it remains prepared for any miscalculation by the North. In the end, democracy's messy vitality will always triumph over the stifling weakness of dictatorship. We hope for a United Republic for a Korea (UROK) soon.

David Maxwell is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel who has spent more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region. He specializes in Northeast Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation. Following retirement, he was Associate Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. He is on the board of directors of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the OSS Society and is a contributing editor to Small Wars Journal.
South Koreas president Yoon Suk Yeol said he would step aside after he was impeached in a second vote by the opposition-led parliament over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law.

He urged an end to politics of excess and confrontation and said in a televised address: Though I must now step aside for a while, the journey toward the future... must never come to a stop.

Han Duck-soo, the prime minister who was appointed by Mr Yoon, became acting president while Mr Yoon remained in office with his presidential powers suspended halfway through his five-year term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Constitutional Court will decide whether to remove Mr Yoon in the next six months. If he is removed from office, a snap election will be called.

I will never give up, Mr Yoon said, as he vowed to fight for his political future.

Earlier outside the national assembly, hundreds and thousands of South Korean citizens braved the bitter winter weather to watch the impeachment vote.

The moment the result was announced at 5pm local time, protesters broke out into jubilant cheers. Some waved colourful LED sticks as music was played. By contrast, a rally of pro-Yoon supporters emptied the area following the news.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lisa Bae, a 29-year-old office worker, told The Telegraph: The lawmakers have finally done the right thing to suspend Mr Yoons presidential power and this will help South Korea return to our normal democratic process.

Kim Jung-min, a 35-year-old engineer, said: South Korean people have once again proved to the politicians and the world that we dont take our democracy for granted and we will be determined to hold anyone accountable if they try to sabotage our hard-earned democracy.

Lee Jae-myung, the opposition Democratic party leader, told protesters near the parliament that they should fight together so Mr Yoon was removed as quickly as possible.

You, the people, made it. You are writing a new history, he told the jubilant crowds braving the icy temperatures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lee Sang-eun, a 69-year-old retired professor, who supports Mr Yoon, said: It breaks my heart and makes me feel despair to see lawmakers trying to depose the president.

People celebrate after the South Korean parliament passed a second impeachment motion against the president - Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS

During the debate before the vote, Park Chan-dae, of the Democratic party, accused Mr Yoon of being the leader of the insurrection.

He said it was an act of rebellion carried out by the president, who mobilised the military to maintain his own power, usurp sovereignty, and seize control of the legislative and judicial bodies.

Mr Yoon survived a first impeachment vote last weekend when his party largely boycotted the vote, depriving parliament of a quorum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He is the second conservative president in a row to be impeached in South Korea. Park Geun-hye was removed from office in 2017.

Regarded as a tough political survivor but increasingly isolated, Mr Yoon has been dogged by personal scandals and strife, an unyielding opposition and rifts within his own party.

The motion required at least 200 votes to pass in the national assembly and the opposition parties only have 192 seats. This means that at least 12 lawmakers from the ruling party had defected and voted in favour of Mr Yoons impeachment.

A protest calling for the impeachment of the president outside the national assembly - Han Myung-Gu/Getty

Mr Yoon shocked the nation late on Dec 3 when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called anti-state forces and overcome obstructionist political opponents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He rescinded the declaration barely six hours later after parliament defied troops and police to vote against the decree. But it plunged the country into a constitutional crisis and triggered widespread calls for him to step down because he had broken the law.

Mr Yoon later apologised to the nation but defended his decision and resisted calls to resign.

Prosecution and law enforcement in South Korea will also continue their investigation against Mr Yoon and several top military commanders and police chiefs for their roles in the botched martial law declaration.

On Saturday, a court in South Korea issued arrest warrants for the chief of South Koreas National Police and the chief of Seoul police. The prosecution also arrested the chief of the capital defence command.

Conservative groups in South Korea protest against the impeachment of the president - YONHAP/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTUCK

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thousands rally in support of Mr Yoon, holding American and South Korean flags - Anadolu

Mr Yoon is also under criminal investigation for alleged insurrection over the martial law declaration, and authorities have banned him from travelling overseas.

The prosecution has repeatedly tried to raid Mr Yoons office and residence and is not ruling out the possibility of arresting him.

The crisis and ensuing uncertainty have shaken financial markets and threatened to undermine South Koreas reputation as a stable, democratic success story.

Mr Yoons impeachment is unlikely to end South Koreas political turmoil, analysts warned.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said: It is not even the beginning of the end.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Lee, the opposition leader who narrowly lost to Mr Yoon in 2022 and is favoured to win an election to replace Mr Yoon, is also in legal jeopardy with a conviction on appeal and other rulings pending that could disqualify him from office.

Mr Easley said: So before the final race in the polls, there will be a race in the courts.

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.
South Korea's National Assembly voted on Saturday, 14 December, to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Source: South Korean agency Yonhap News

Details: 204 lawmakers supported the impeachment, and 85 opposed it. Three more abstained, and eight votes were invalidated.

The National Assembly of South Korea, the country's sole legislative body, has 300 members.

Background:

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in the country on 3 December. In a live televised address to the nation on Tuesday, Yoon said the measure was necessary to protect the country from "communist forces". Yoon did not name a specific threat from the nuclear-armed North Korea and focused on his domestic political opponents.

The National Assembly of South Korea voted on 4 December to demand that President Yoon rescind the declaration of martial law. After this, Yoon Suk-yeol announced that martial law in the country would be lifted at a government meeting.

The opposition Democratic Party of South Korea planned to accuse President Yoon Suk-yeol of high treason and launch impeachment proceedings.

The leader of South Korea's ruling party said on 6 December that Yoon should be immediately removed from office, adding that Yoon had ordered the arrest of prominent politicians during his martial law, which was later lifted.

In an address on 7 December, the South Korean president said he "sincerely sorry" for causing public concern by declaring martial law and promised not to make it again.

On the same day, the South Korean parliament did not vote to impeach Yoon, while the leader of the ruling party said that the president would resign.

Support UP or become our patron!
South Korean lawmakers voted Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol , whose short-lived declaration of martial law this month upended the democratic order and sparked a crescendoing campaign for his ouster.

Yoon's presidential powers have been formally suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo now serves as interim president. The countrys Constitutional Court has 180 days to rule whether to uphold the impeachment motion . If so, Yoon will be formally removed, triggering a snap election within 60 days to choose a new president.

Outside the National Assembly, loud cheers washed over a large crowd of pro-impeachment protesters, some of whom had set up free coffee and food stalls for fellow demonstrators. Elsewhere in the city, people were glued to their smartphones and televisions, anxiously watching the surreal political moment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the uncertainty is hardly over. In a televised address to the nation shortly after the impeachment vote, Yoon was defiant, saying he had worked without a moment of rest for the good of the country.

I am frustrated at the thought that all of these past efforts will have been in vain, he said. I will never give up.

Yoon, however, has lost the united support of his own party. A dozen members of his conservative People Power Party joined opposition lawmakers to pass the threshold of 200 votes  two-thirds of the legislature  required for his impeachment. The final vote was 204 to 85.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, foreground, with wife Kim Keon-hee at an official event in Daegu, South Korea, in June. The Constitutional Court now has 180 days to rule on his impeachment. (Ahn Young-joon / Associated Press)

This is a triumph of democracy and of the South Korean people, Park Chan-dae, the opposition party floor leader, said after the vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kim Ji-hoon, a 32-year-old actor in Seoul who recently worked as an extra in 12.12: The Day"  a historical drama that tells the story of one of South Korea's most notorious military coups in the late 1970s  had watched the voting from home, recalling the alarm he had felt after Yoons declaration of martial law.

It struck me how easily our hard-won peace could be taken away from us, he said.

We should never forget this moment, which should never be repeated again.

Read more: Raids, fines and digging through underwear drawers: Korean president's war on 'fake news'

Until now, many of Yoons party members had resisted backing the opposition-led push to impeach him, saying they would seek an orderly resignation instead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But recent developments made that position untenable.

Numerous testimonies emerged contradicting Yoons claim that his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 was meant only as a show of force to the opposition-controlled National Assembly  which he described as filled with anti-state saboteurs and North Korea sympathizers.

A document leaked to opposition lawmaker Choo Mi-ae from the militarys counterintelligence unit showed that preparations for the declaration had been made at least a month in advance  and that the military had reviewed available medical facilities in seeming anticipation of bloodshed.

Police officers file past Yoon supporters in Seoul on Thursday. (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)

A senior officer in the unit also told lawmakers that he was given a list of key politicians to arrest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, the commander of the special forces unit that stormed the National Assembly, testified this week that Yoon personally ordered him to prevent the gathering of 150 lawmakers  the threshold needed to overturn a martial law declaration.

Hurry up and break down the door and drag out anyone inside, Kwak recalled Yoon telling him on the phone.

Read more: For 40 years he blamed himself for a girls murder. Then came a shocking discovery

Even during martial law, preventing the National Assembly from carrying out its duties is a violation of the constitution, which gives lawmakers the authority to overturn a martial law order with a majority vote, as they did in the early hours of Dec. 4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The question of intent will have significant implications for an insurrection investigation currently underway. Defined as a deliberate attempt to subvert the constitution, insurrection is one of the few crimes not covered by presidential immunity. If convicted, Yoon could face the death penalty or life in prison.

In a televised public address Thursday, Yoon had vowed to fight to the end. He suggested that the opposition partys massive wins in the April parliamentary elections were the result of voting fraud  a claim that has been debunked  and said declaring martial law was a legitimate exercise of his presidential rights.

Demonstrators hold a banner depicting a caricature of Yoon's face on a train during a rally in the capital demanding his impeachment on Friday. (Ahn Young-joon / Associated Press)

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon's party, said to the partys lawmakers: He is trying to rationalize rather than repent for the current situation, effectively confessing to insurrection.

We need to back impeachment as official party policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the impeachment is confirmed by the Constitutional Court, Yoon will become the fourth South Korean president  out of eight total  to be jailed or ousted since the nation democratized in 1987 after decades of authoritarian rule.

Roh Tae-woo, South Koreas first democratic president, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in the 1979 coup that brought military dictator Chun Doo-hwan to power and led to a civilian massacre.

The only other president to be successfully impeached was Park Geun-hye, a conservative who left office in 2017 and was sentenced to 22 years in prison for a corruption scandal involving major corporations and the daughter of a cult leader.

Both leaders were pardoned by their successors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For now, Yoon will continue to draw his official salary of about $15,000 a month, live in the presidential residence and be protected by personal security, among other formal privileges.

Read more: The biggest question in South Korea: Who is running the country?

But he faces an abrupt end to a short and tumultuous political career. A former prosecutor with no electoral experience, he was catapulted to the presidency two years ago for his high-profile role in investigating and jailing two other corrupt conservative presidents  Park and her predecessor, Lee Myung-bak , a former construction executive found guilty of accepting about $10 million in bribes as president.

An anti-Yoon prop is displayed at Friday's rally. (Ahn Young-joon / Associated Press)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Yoons time in office was marred by criticisms of authoritarian governance, such as cracking down on the news media, in addition to graft and financial crime allegations against his wife.

Still, he had presented himself as a bulwark of democracy on the international stage, hosting President Bidens Summit for Democracy in March.

In his speech at that event, Yoon had warned against the dangers facing democratic systems.

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.
Aiming to address climate change challenges, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with IIT Mandi and the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru, released the report "District-Level Climate Risk Assessment for India: Mapping Flood and Drought Risks Using IPCC Framework" on Friday, an official release said. The report was launched by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Scientific Divisions, DST; Pierre-Yves Pitteloud, Senior Regional Advisor for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); Dr. Susheela Negi, Scientist-F, DST; and Dr. Swati Jain, Scientist-E, DST, in the virtual presence of Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati; and Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi. Key researchers contributing to the report, including Prof. Ravindranath from IISc Bangalore, Dr. Indu K. Murthy from CSTEP, Bengaluru, Dr. Shyamasree Dasgupta from IIT Mandi, and Dr. Anamika Baruah from IIT Guwahati, were also present. Speaking during the event, Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Scientific Divisions, DST, emphasised, "Climate change is one of the most formidable challenges of our time, impacting agriculture, livelihoods, and every aspect of life. No single entity can address this alone--it requires collective efforts and innovative frameworks. Through this report we take a significant step towards identifying vulnerabilities, assessing sensitivity, and addressing challenges faced by local communities at risk." "Translating these findings into on-ground actions is essential, and the insights must reach every stakeholder at both national and state levels. This is just the beginning, as India moves forward with a balanced adaptation and mitigation strategy to achieve a cleaner, greener, and climate-resilient future. Together, we will fast-track our goals for a Viksit Bharat and Net Zero Bharat by 2047," she added. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Embassy of Switzerland, the report provides a detailed analysis of district-level climate risks in India, the release stated. Using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) framework, the study identifies the dual challenges posed by floods and droughts and highlights their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored, region-specific adaptation strategies to enhance resilience. During his address, Pierre-Yves Pitteloud, Senior Regional Advisor, SDC, highlighted, "Achieving sustainable development requires a careful balance with climate resilience. For regions like the Himalayas, it is crucial to integrate climate adaptability with economic growth. With its rapid economic expansion and diverse climate challenges, India has a unique opportunity to set an example." "Addressing climate change demands collective efforts on both national and global scales, along with sharing knowledge for sustainable management. The next step involves formulating actionable strategies, as we all share the responsibility of creating a greener, more sustainable future," he added. This report builds on the earlier Climate Change Vulnerability Map for Himalayan States, released by the same team in 2019. Sharing his thoughts on the report, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, "India's agrarian society is deeply dependent on the monsoon, making the challenges posed by climate change, such as droughts and excessive rainfall, increasingly critical. This report, a collaboration between DST, SDC, provides a comprehensive risk assessment for over 600 districts, offering invaluable insights for effective mitigation strategies. I applaud IIT Guwahati, IIT Mandi and CSTEP researchers for this significant contribution." Speaking about the application of this report, Prof. Ravindranath, IISc Bengaluru, said, "Addressing the multifaceted challenges of climate change requires collective efforts and a deep understanding of the complexities inherent in our systems. The diverse geographical and climatic conditions across India, from the Himalayan region to the plains, present unique challenges that must be addressed with tailored, region-specific strategies." "This report provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers, enabling them to devise targeted solutions that consider the distinct needs of each region. Effective planning and execution of climate change policies are essential for driving impactful, long-term outcomes. By highlighting these regional disparities, the report serves as a crucial tool in guiding effective action. This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing climate resilience across India, ensuring that our efforts are both relevant and impactful in mitigating the effects of climate change," he added. The report also emphasises capacity building at the state level, equipping climate change cells and allied departments with tools and methodologies for integrating risk assessments into their adaptation plans. Workshops and training sessions conducted as part of this study have fostered a knowledge network among state departments, academic institutions, and local stakeholders. The findings provide actionable insights to integrate climate risk assessments into the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). By identifying critical risk drivers, the report offers a roadmap for targeted adaptation efforts. Additionally, it highlights the importance of addressing emerging risks such as heat stress and landslides and incorporating future climate scenarios into risk assessments to bolster preparedness and resilience. Dr. Indu K. Murthy, CSTEP researcher, highlighted the importance of climate risk assessment, stating, "At the district level, climate risk mapping is essential for prioritising locations for adaptation interventions. With increasing extreme events and regions now facing both droughts and floods, it is a crucial first step towards disaster preparedness and resource allocation for evidence-based adaptation actions." Speaking about the importance of the report, Dr. Anamika Barua, IIT Guwahati researcher, said, "This exercise is unique as it develops risk profiles for Indian states and districts using a common methodology based on the IPCC risk framework. Engaging state stakeholders not only built their capacity but also made the process highly inclusive, going beyond a purely academic endeavor. Such projects enhance science communication, fostering better adaptation planning." Speaking about the research, Dr. Shyamasree Dasgupta, IIT Mandi researcher, said, "This research project helped us develop all India district level maps concerning flood and drought risk and identify the drivers that augmented the risk. States also have come up with risk assessments for their own states. This project is highly data intensive and highlights the need for timely data availability on basic indicators of the location." As per the release, the report advocates for a multi-scale, sector-specific approach to climate risk assessment and continuous capacity building at the local and regional levels. It underscores the need for forward-looking strategies to tackle compound and emerging climate risks effectively. "This initiative reflects IIT Guwahati's commitment to addressing climate challenges through cutting-edge research and innovation. By building on earlier vulnerability assessments, this project delivers a robust framework for sustainable adaptation planning, ensuring a resilient future for communities across India," the release added. (ANI)
SEOUL, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached Saturday over his short-lived martial law decree, with twelve lawmakers from his own party joining the opposition to pass the motion in the National Assembly.

The impeachment motion was passed with a vote of 204-85. Three lawmakers abstained and eight votes were declared invalid.

Yoon survived a first impeachment attempt last weekend as all but three members of his ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote. This time, however, just enough party members defected to push the vote past the two-thirds threshold needed in the 300-member parliament. The Democratic Party-led opposition controls 192 seats in the National Assembly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"From the moment martial law was declared until this very hour, the earnestness, courage and dedication the people have shown in defense of democracy have guided us to this decision," Woo Won-shik, the speaker of the National Assembly, said in a statement after the vote.

"Together, let us take a step forward to the next phase," Woo said. "The National Assembly and the Korean government will work hand in hand to stabilize the people's livelihoods and daily lives as swiftly as possible."

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on Saturday over his short-lived martial law declaration earlier this month. Twelve of his People Power Party members joined the opposition to pass the impeachment motion. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

Yoon acknowledged the impeachment decision and urged an end to the "politics of recklessness and confrontation."

"I am pausing for now, but the journey toward the future that I have walked with the people for the past two and a half years should never stop," Yoon said in a public address recorded at his residence.

Flags and banners, many with humorous captions, became a feature of the rallies calling for Yoon's ouster in the wake of his martial law declaration. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

"I will never give up. I will keep all the criticism, encouragement, and support in my heart, and do my best for the country until the very end," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The embattled president appeared to lose the support of key allies, including PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, with a defiant speech Thursday in which he defended his decision to declare martial law on Dec. 3.

Large video screens and a powerful sound system were set up on the main boulevard in front of the National Assembly Saturday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

Yoon's martial declaration was overturned just hours later by the National Assembly in a dramatic early morning emergency vote.

"Yoon Suk Yeol was the ringleader of this insurrection," Rep. Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party, said in the main hall of the National Assembly ahead of the vote.

Light sticks commonly used at K-pop concerts were a mainstay at of anti-Yoon protests. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We have to suspend his duties right now. That is the only way for us to work for our people," Park said. "He is sending shockwaves not only through the political situation but also the diplomatic and economic situation. By impeaching we have to show the world that our democracy is working as it should be."

Yoon's fate is now in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which must decide whether to confirm the impeachment within 180 days. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will relieve Yoon of his duties and step in as interim leader during this period.

A protester dressed as Santa Claus holds a sign calling for Yoon's arrest after the impeachment vote Saturday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

A crowd estimated at more than 200,000 gathered near the National Assembly ahead of the vote, calling for Yoon's removal with banners and chants. When the impeachment results were announced, loud cheers erupted and the mood turned exuberant. K-pop music echoed down a main boulevard and elated protesters danced and sang along, waving the electric light sticks that have become a symbol of the anti-Yoon rallies.

"We feel proud," 30-year-old Yoo Jae-in said. "We defended our democracy. Our mothers and fathers fought against a military government. Now we've also fought against an unfair government."

Enormous crowds gathered near the National Assembly in Seoul, calling for Yoon's ouster. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

South Korea only held its first free presidential elections in 1987 after years of pro-democracy demonstrations that were often met with brutal crackdowns by a military regime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yoon's impeachment is the third in South Korea over the past two decades, reflecting its combative political arena. In 2004, then-president Roh Moo-hyun was impeached by the parliament, but the Constitutional Court did not back his removal.

Former President Park Geun-hye was impeached and removed from power by the court in 2017.

Yoon is also facing criminal investigations for treason and abuse of power and has been barred from leaving the country. His popularity has cratered since his martial law attempt, falling to an all-time low of 11% in a poll by Gallup Korea released Friday.
A second motion submitted by the largest opposition party in South Korea to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol secured the required two-thirds majority in the country's parliament on Saturday.

Their first motion a week ago failed after members of Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the proceedings, leaving it without a quorum.

Of the 300 members, 204 voted in favour of launching impeachment proceedings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prime Minister Han Duck Soo is to assume presidential duties until the Constitutional Court takes the final decision on whether to confirm Yoon's impeachment or declare it unconstitutional.

The opposition has accused Yoon of violating the constitution after his unexpected declaration of martial law on December 3.

The move shocked the nation but was rescinded just hours later following massive public resistance.

Despite freezing temperatures, some 200,000 demonstrators had gathered outside the parliament building on Saturday to support Yoon's impeachment.

Police estimate that a further 30,000 of his supporters gathered in the centre of the capital, Seoul.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the first impeachment vote on December 7, Yoon, of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), benefited from a change of mind from PPP leader Han Dong Hoon, who first said he would back the impeachment but then backtracked.

But on Thursday Han openly declared his support for ousting Yoon, who has remained stubbornly defiant in defending his short-lived martial law declaration.

Yoon, in a televised address on Thursday, labelled his political opponents "anti-state forces."

The Constitutional Court now has a maximum of 180 days to make a final decision on Yoon's impeachment.
South Korea's parliament on Saturday voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, almost two weeks following his botched attempt to institute martial law.

A second motion submitted by the largest opposition party in South Korea secured the required two-thirds majority. Their first motion a week ago failed after members of Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted proceedings, leaving the National Assembly without a quorum.

Of the 300 lawmakers, 204 voted in favour of launching impeachment proceedings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prime Minister Han Duck Soo is to assume presidential duties until the Constitutional Court takes the final decision on whether to confirm Yoon's impeachment or declare it unconstitutional.

In an initial reaction, Han pledged to do all in his power to ensure an orderly continuation of state business. His first instruction was for the military to increase security precautions.

Responding to the impeachment vote, Yoon said that he would listen to all the criticism, encouragement and support that he had received.

"I will do my best for the nation until the end," he added, speaking from the official presidential residence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Park Chan Dae, parliamentary head of the opposition Democratic Party (DP), termed the vote a "victory for the people and for democracy."

The opposition has accused Yoon of violating the constitution after his unexpected declaration of martial law on December 3.

The move shocked the nation but was rescinded just hours later following massive public resistance.

Despite freezing temperatures, some 200,000 demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building on Saturday to support Yoon's impeachment.

Police estimate that a further 30,000 of his supporters gathered in the centre of the capital, Seoul.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the first impeachment vote on December 7, Yoon benefited from a change of mind from PPP leader Han Dong Hoon, who first said he would back the impeachment but then backtracked.

But on Thursday Han openly declared his support for ousting Yoon, who has remained stubbornly defiant in defending his short-lived martial law declaration.

Yoon, in a televised address on Thursday, labelled his political opponents "anti-state forces."

The Constitutional Court now has a maximum of 180 days to make a final decision on Yoon's impeachment.

Analysts see Yoon's unexpected move as an act of desperation in the face of long-running allegations of corruption directed at his wife. The president's approval ratings among the electorate have plummeted.

In addition, his PPP, which lacks a majority in the National Assembly, has been unable to get its legislation passed. The current heated controversy is focused on the budget for next year.
By Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces the greatest threat to his brief but chequered political career, with his fate in the hands of judges after some of his allies turned from him and voted to impeach him on Saturday for allegedly leading an insurrection.

Regarded as a tough political survivor but increasingly isolated, he has been dogged by personal scandals and strife, an unyielding opposition and rifts within his own party.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After he narrowly won election in 2022, his recent battles have left him increasingly bitter and have drawn out a recklessness that a former rival said was his defining trait.

By the time Yoon imposed a short-lived martial law on Dec. 3, he was badly bruised politically.

This week, his appeal that he had acted only out of "burning patriotism" to save the country from destruction and defiance to "fight to the end" did little to ensure continued support from those who earlier were not convinced he had committed an impeachable crime.

Instead, the 29-minute address drew alarm that he may have become unhinged, his sense of judgment so badly damaged that he was now a danger to the global industrial powerhouse and one of the most powerful success stories of democratic resilience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Shin Yul, Myongji University political science professor, said Yoon was likely listening to the wrong people such as right-wing extremists, YouTube personalities, and probably "still thinks he did the right thing."

An opposition Democratic Party member said Yoon's address was a "display of extreme delusion".

Even those who were more sympathetic said he had buckled under extreme pressure under endless political attacks, some of which he probably took personally.

"I hope we remember how the opposition party has incredibly and viciously pushed the president and his family into the corner with threats of special prosecutors and impeachment," Ihn Yohan, a physician and member of parliament for Yoon's People Power Party (PPP), said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SCANDALS, THREATS OF PROSECUTION, 'AMERICAN PIE'

The past year of Yoon's presidency has been heavily overshadowed by a scandal involving his wife, who was accused of inappropriately accepting a pricey Christian Dior handbag as a gift and his stubborn refusal to fully own up to it.

Yoon only apologised after the scandal was blamed as a major reason for a crushing parliamentary election defeat his party suffered in April. But he continued to reject calls for a probe into the scandal and into an allegation of stock price manipulation involving his wife and her mother.

The prosecutors office that investigated the allegations decided not to press charges against the first lady.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yoon's struggles at home have overshadowed the relative success he has had on the international stage.

His bold push to reverse a decades-long diplomatic row with neighbouring Japan and join Tokyo in a three-way security cooperation with the United States are widely seen as his signature foreign policy legacies.

Yoon's ability to bond on a personal level, seen as the trait that gave him his early success, was on full display at a White House event last year, when Yoon took the stage and belted out the pop song "American Pie" for an astounded U.S. President Joe Biden and a delighted crowd.

SHAMANS, HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Born to an affluent family in Seoul, Yoon was an easygoing youth who excelled at school. He entered the elite Seoul National University to study law, but his penchant for partying led him to repeatedly fail the bar exam before passing on the ninth try.

Yoon, who turns 64 on Dec. 18, shot to national fame in 2016 when, as the chief investigator probing then-President Park Geun-hye for corruption, he told a reporter that prosecutors are not gangsters, when asked if he was out for revenge.

Three years earlier, Park had suspended Yoon, then fired him from a team investigating a high-profile case against the spy agency. That move was widely considered punishment for challenging her authority.

The role he played in jailing the sitting president and his dramatic comeback as head of the powerful Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, marked the start of a dizzying rise to power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Two years later, he became prosecutor general and spearheaded a corruption probe against a close ally of the next president, Moon Jae-in. That made him a darling of conservatives frustrated with Moon's liberal policies, setting him up to be a candidate for the presidency in 2022.

But his presidency got off to a rocky start when he pushed ahead with moving the presidential office out of the Blue House compound to a new site, facing questions whether it was because of a feng shui belief that the old presidential compound was cursed. Yoon at the time denied any involvement by himself or his wife with a shaman.

When Yoon refused to fire top officials after a 2022 Halloween night disaster, in which 159 people were killed, he was accused of protecting his "yes men". One of them was Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, a fellow graduate of Yoon's high school.

Another alumnus of the Choongam High School in Seoul was Kim Yong-hyun, the man who spearheaded the presidential office move, then became the presidential security service, and in September was appointed defence minister.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kim was one of the two people who recommended that Yoon declare martial law, a senior military official said. Lee was the other.

(Reporting by Jack Kim and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Michael Perry and William Mallard)
A Ventura County teen is facing nearly two dozen child pornography charges in juvenile court, the district attorneys office announced Friday.

According to the DAs office, the 17-year-old Simi Valley resident is facing a total of 22 felony counts for possession or control of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), distribution and possession with intent to distribute CSAM to an adult, and using a minor for sex acts.

In addition, the teen is also charged with two special allegations of possessing more than 600 CSAM images and that the images include sadomasochistic acts, according to officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The minors identity was not revealed by the DAs office.

An investigation into the teens possession and distribution of CSAM was launched in August after receiving several Cybertip reports from multiple electronic service providers and social media sites, the DAs office said in a press release.

The material being disseminated online involved the exploitation and sexual assault of children as young as infants, the release continued.

FBI members and assisting agencies served a search warrant at the teens residence on Dec. 10, resulting in their arrest.

The juvenile first appeared in court on Dec. 12, and is being held at the Juvenile Facilities in Oxnard, according to the DAs office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the DAs office, the full list of charges against the teen include:

Charges:

Possession or control of child pornography

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute child pornography to an adult (6 counts)

Using a minor for sex acts (15 counts)

Special Allegations:

Aggravated possession of child pornography  More than 600 images

Aggravated possession of child pornography  Sado-masochistic images

Officials say the case was set for a pretrial conference on Dec. 31 and for contest on Jan. 3.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Breaking Things

There's always something you can learn from failure. Sometimes failure looks like your rocket blowing up after crashing into the ocean  but it's a learning opportunity nonetheless.

In the case of SpaceX, that means retrieving the watery remains of said rocket, Starship, to determine what went wrong during the less-than-perfect performance of its latest suborbital test flight. And so SpaceX employees traveled to the waters off the western coast of Australia, where the rocket's upper stage splashed down, to collect the debris.

These were the findings of SpaceX-focused content creator Interstellar Gateway, which gathered footage of the crews dredging up some of the spacecraft's hardware, including heat shield tiles and various tanks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But there could be more than meets the eye. Based on Interstellar Gateway's sleuthing, the next retrieval mission could bring back the entire spacecraft in one piece.

"This was the first flight we've seen a vessel rigged specifically for towing... leading us to the realization that they may be attempting to return Starship back to port," Interstellar Gateway told Gizmodo. "Upon our investigation during their port operations, we noticed all of the needed lines and rigging materials needed to pull Starship back, as well as a staging area prepped with a crane, ready to remove Starship from the water."

Explosive Progress

SpaceX stunned the world with its fifth orbital flight test of Starship in October. After reaching space, the rocket's lower stage, the Super Heavy booster, made a controlled descent down to the Earth's surface, guiding itself back to its launch tower where it was caught midair by a pair of mechanical arms  an astonishingly precise feat of engineering.

The rocket couldn't repeat the feat, however, during its latest test in November. Just four minutes into the flight, SpaceX had to call off the booster catch, forcing the rocket to make a rough splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, where it immediately exploded into flames.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By contrast, the upper stage, the Starship spacecraft itself, demonstrated it could relight one of its engines in space and made a much softer, controlled splashdown in the ocean. Still, it did catch fire and fall apart after the landing, though nowhere near as dramatically as with the booster.

Safe and Sound

Besides the reusability factor, there's a huge incentive for SpaceX to recover the Starship spacecraft in one piece.

"There is only so much data SpaceX can get from Starship via StarLink transmissions as it has always sank shortly after splashdown," Interstellar Gateway told Giz. "Similar to the valuable data being used from the first caught and intact booster, there are tons of structural and out of view faults that can be found from an intact Starship returning to land."

With any luck, that'll soon be the case. The next Starship launch is reportedly slated for no earlier than January 11 next year  so keep an eye out.

More on Starship: Video Shows Robot Welding SpaceX Starship
Isak Andic, the founder of Spanish clothing retailer Mango, one of Europe's largest fashion groups with nearly 2,800 stores worldwide, died Saturday in an accident, the company said.

Mango CEO Isak Andic poses during the Mango New Collection Presentation at Centre Pompidou on May 17, 2011 in Paris, France. / Credit: Photo by Foc Kan/WireImage via Getty

"It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and founder of Mango," the Barcelona-based company's CEO, Toni Ruiz, said in a statement.

"Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The company did not provide further details about the accident. Spanish media said the 71-year-old died after falling while hiking with several members of his family near Barcelona.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a post on social media, "My condolences to the family of Isak Andic, founder of Mango, on his tragic death in an accident in the Salnitre de Collbato caves." He added, "All my love and recognition for your great work and business vision, which has turned this Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion."

Mango traces its origins to 1984, when Andic, who is of Turkish origin, opened his first shop on the Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona's famous shopping street, with the help of his older brother Nahman.

It was hugely successful. Spain had just emerged from a decades-long dictatorship that ended with the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975, and consumers were hungry for more modern clothes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"His departure leaves a huge void, but we are all, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements. It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would be proud," Ruiz said.

Mango has consolidated its position as one of the leading international fashion groups, with a major presence in more than 120 markets and 15,500 employees worldwide, according to its website.

Trump reportedly considering military action against Iran

Woman whose sentence was commuted by Biden tells her story

Growing number of drone sightings along East Coast causes confusion, alarm
Dec. 14OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma House of Representatives today added to its transparency portal a government efficiency survey intended to root out duplication of services, waste and inefficiencies in state government.

This initiative piggybacks on the federal effort to eliminate government waste through the newly-created federal Department of Government Efficiency.

"We will work hand-in-hand with President-Elect Trump and our federal delegation on broader efforts to make government more efficient with DOGE," said House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We want to ensure our state government is working as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. As lawmakers, we want the assistance of Oklahomans who have first-hand experience with duplicative and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Oklahomans can enter any examples they have experienced of state governmental waste or duplication into the easy-to-use portal, which will be submitted to House budget leaders for review to be utilized during legislative budget hearings and the crafting of the FY26 state budget.

"We know Oklahomans get frustrated every day with the inefficiency of government, and we need their help to root out the most egregious examples so we can eliminate unnecessary expenditures," said Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, who will serve as House Appropriations Chairman for the 60th Legislature. "The more efficient we can become, the more we can invest in critical government services and pursue lowering the overall tax burden for all Oklahomans."

Constituents can file government waste complaints online by entering some demographic information, the issue area their example encompasses, and details of waste or inefficiencies.

"We are confident we will get examples of inefficiency that we likely would not have known about otherwise," said Rep. John Kane, R-Bartlesville, who will serve as Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee this upcoming session. "Every January we have an opportunity to walk through budget requests with state agencies, and we will have the ability to ask about these constituent submissions directly in an effort to make government as efficient and effective as possible."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The portal is live today, and Oklahomans can immediately start entering examples of waste they have already encountered or will see in the future.

"We hope to capitalize on the momentum we are seeing on the federal level with the efforts of President Trump at DOGE, and the national priority they have set to reduce waste," Hilbert said. "Oklahoma has the opportunity to align with these efforts and lead at the state and local level as we seek best practices and frameworks for auditing and reducing waste in government spending."

The government efficiency survey may be accessed via the homepage of the House website, okhouse.gov, similar to the House Budget HQ, which was launched in the 2024 session and updated regularly. All submitted agency FY26 budget requests have been updated and can be viewed in the portal.
St. Mary School Board employee arrested in connection with theft, forgery

ST. MARY PARISH, La. (KLFY)  A St. Mary School Board employee is accused of theft after a school board credit card was allegedly used for personal use, the St. Mary Parish Sheriffs Office announced.

According to a news release, Dinah Dru Richard, 31, of Patterson, was arrested this afternoon on charges of forgery, theft of more than $5,000, and malfeasance in office.

The sheriffs office said the charges stem from an investigation that began Wednesday, after school administration reported a possible theft.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Through the investigation, detectives learned that the school board credit card had been used for personal use by a school board employee. Furthermore, detectives found evidence to suggest that a forgery had been committed in order to sign off on the purchases, the news release read.

The sheriffs office said Richard was developed as the suspect in the investigation. She was arrested on warrants and booked into the St. Mary Parish jail.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Dinah Dru Richard, 31, of Patterson. Photo provided by the St. Mary Parish Sheriffs Office.

Latest News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  The price tag to repair Tropicana Field from damage experienced during hurricane Milton is expected to exceed $55 million.

City Council members on Thursday approved $1.4 million for a firm to develop a pre-construction plan to rebuild the stadium and make it playable again.

Brooksville couple barred from building home on new property questions surveyor

Now, Mayor Ken Welch says there could be an alternative.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nobody would want a repair of that cost at this point in the life of that stadium, but that is what the contract requires us to do, Welch said.

The mayor said the city could negotiate a settlement with the team to avoid paying for repairs to a stadium that would only be used for two seasons.

There is always the option of a settlement until you have invested so much that you have to go ahead and finish those repairs, Welch said. So we are still having those conversations about a potential settlement, but in my view, the path forward that makes the most sense is to go ahead and make those repairs.

Welch is more focused on finishing the deal to build a new stadium and develop the land around it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He says the city has been in discussions with County Commission members all week to get that done.

We are optimistic, Welch said. I am speaking to commissioners after this event, throughout the weekend, and we feel the fundamentals of that still make sense. I am really optimistic that we are going to stick to those agreements that we all signed a little more than four months ago.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The students are residents of Senapati and cleared the SSC CGL Tier 1 written exam held on September 9 (Monday).

"Their achievement comes after receiving mentorship under the able guidance of the Indian Army at the Red Shield Mentoring Centre in Senapati of Manipur," read a statement by Ministry of Defence's PRO in Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh.

The two students are part of a bigger batch of students, being the second group to receive mentorship from the Army.

"Khoziio and Lunii were part of the second batch of students being mentored and trained by the Indian Army at the centre from 05 August 2024 for preparing for various competitive exams. They will now advance to the Tier II exams," the statement read.

Highlighting how this serves as an "inspiration to their peers," the statement read that it also shows their dedication, discipline, and focus.

"Their success highlights the quality of education and strong support system provided at the Red Shield Mentoring Centre, which serves as an inspiration to their peers. It underscores that dedication, discipline, and focus lead to success," the statement read.

The Indian Army remains committed to providing top-tier education and guidance to help students succeed in competitive exams, ensuring they are equipped to meet the challenges in their chosen careers, the statement read. (ANI)
Dec. 13GOV.-ELECT Kelly Ayotte said during her campaign she would oppose having New Hampshire join all other New England states and more than half the country to legalize recreational use of cannabis for adults over 21.

This means that 2025 will bring an end to more than 15 years of annual activism for this campaign at the State House, right?

Guess again.

The proposed bills include nine that run the gamut of public policy regarding the use of marijuana.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's the lineup:

Legalizing and regulating cannabis: Rep. Jared Sullivan, D-Bethlehem.

Legalizing it for adults 21 and older: Rep. Kevin Verville, R-Deerfield.

Hemp-derived cannabis and allowed levels in medical marijuana: Rep. Wendy Thomas, R-Merrimack.

Limits for therapeutic cannabis or medical marijuana: Rep. Heath Howard, D-Strafford.

Exempting veterans from paying certification fees for medical pot: Howard.

Allowing patients and caregivers to cultivate their own medical marijuana: Thomas.

Annulling the past convictions of all possession of marijuana-related offenses: Rep. Jonah Wheeler, D-Peterborough.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Raising the level of possession of marijuana that's decriminalized and setting penalties for smoking or vaping cannabis in public: Sullivan.

Penalties for criminal violations of the medical cannabis law: Rep. Suzanne Vail, D-Nashua.

In 2024, the state Senate made history passing a legal cannabis bill (HB 1633) for the first time in history much along the lines of the road map that outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu had provided.

Cynics said the parting gift to law enforcement from retiring Senate President Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, was to champion amendments to the bill that some House supporters decried as poison pills that the House would not accept.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sure enough, the House voted, 178-173, to put that compromise on the table and then an effort to revive it failed even worse, 189-162.

Greg Moore, regional director of the fiscally conservative Americans for Prosperity, was part of a broad coalition of groups backing legalization.

"I think they should focus their efforts on hitting singles and not home runs, see if you can get the annulment bill or raising the decriminalization amount to Governor-elect Ayotte's desk with enough of a big vote that she lets at least one of them go," Moore said.

So many bills, so little time

House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, gets an "A" for effort in trying to reduce the annual deluge of bills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He created an online portal that forced old and new legislators to use technology to submit their detailed information to legislative drafters.

Well, the remaining technology luddites apparently got help from colleagues because they submitted 912 requests and counting.

The deadline to submit original material has passed for the House, but we know this number will go up.

Last Wednesday was the last day for senators to submit a draft for 2025.

Ladd gets early X-mas gift

House Education Chairman Rick Ladd, R-Haverhill, found something under the tree from Packard this year, a rules change to split his over-worked committee into two.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The House agreed to divide House Education into one focused one policy and administration and the other on school aid finance.

The panel often met five days a week to slog through the average of more than 120 bills coming to Ladd's committee, compared with 15 years ago when the pile was smaller than 50.

Vice Chair Glenn Cordelli, R-Tuftonboro, got the nod to lead the policy team while Ladd got education funding.

Ladd has been a seasoned expert on the ed aid, and the nine-term, retired school principal has always brought hands-on knowledge to the table.

The voters and Father Time shook up the Democratic side of the table, and given new Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson of Exeter some choices to make.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Six-term ranking Democrat and past Chairman Mel Myler, D-Contoocook, decided to call it a career that included serving for years on the staff of the National Education Association of New Hampshire.

Then, the Nov. 5 elections turned out five-term member and retired educator Linda Tanner, D-Sunapee, and first-term Democratic Rep. and retired Berlin Superintendent of Schools Corinne Cascadden.

Six-term Rep. David Luneau, D-Hopkinton, would be an obvious choice to be the ranking member on the school finance panel as someone who had his fingerprints on nearly every school aid bill that made it to the House floor over the past decade.

House Democrats have a stabilizing force to lean on, six-term Rep. Patricia Cornell of Manchester, a retired guidance counselor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Adequate education bill docket grows

With the Con-Val case arguments coming in the state's highest court, we take an early check on where lawmakers may go.

Reps. Linda Gould, D-Bedford, and Luneau have three bills on the "base cost" of an adequate education, the crux of lawyer Michael Tierney's push to get judges to order lawmakers to bump that number up.

Ladd has his own title about a favorite subject, revising special education aid.

Rep. Dan McGuire, R-Epsom and a strong fiscal conservative, wants another run at the "subjects" that come under adequate and Rep. Greg Hill, R-Andover, has some prominent House GOP leaders on his side to declare the Claremont cases and accountability mandates from the courts are "not binding on legislative or executive branches of government."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Legislative packhorses emerge

Every year it seems, veteran lawmakers vow to be less engaged in the bill-drafting process and be more of an observer for the next two years.

Then the window opens and they're back.

It's not always the same list but you can count on some packhorses in both parties to be near the top of legislators who've signed onto bills.

These final numbers will change with the final onslaught from the Senate but seven-term Senate Democrat David Watters of Dover has the unofficial lead with his John Hancock on 33 bills.

Watters has been near or atop this list before as someone who's fond of giving a lift to other legislators working on energy and environment bills by adding his credible endorsement to them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are the 17 others (15 Republicans, two Democrats and 11 House members and six senators) who have sponsored or co-sponsored at least 20 thus far:

Two-term Sen. Dan Innis, R-Webster: 31

Five-term Rep. Ellen Read, D-Newmarket: 29

Four-term Rep. and House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Chair Terry Roy, R-Deerfield: 27

Two-term Sen. Keith Murphy, R-Manchester: 25

Five-term Rep. Keith Ammon, R-New Boston: 25

Seven-term Rep. Cordelli: 25

Three-term Rep. and Deputy Majority Leader Jim Kofalt, R-Wilton: 25

Five-term Sen. Ruth Ward, R-Stoddard: 25

Two-term Rep. Howard, D-Strafford: 24

Two-term Rep. Kelley Potenza: R-Rochester: 24

First-term Sen. Victoria Sullivan, R-Manchester: 23

Two-term Sen. Howard Pearl, R-Loudon: 23

Five-term Sen. Kevin Avard, R-Nashua: 22

Three-term Rep. Ross Berry, R-Weare: 21

Two-term Rep. Mike Belcher, R-Wakefield: 20  Two-term Rep. John Sellers, R-Bristol: 20

Three-term Rep. Erica Layon, R-Derry

As is the custom, presiding officers don't sponsor a lot of bills.

New Senate President Sharon Carson used to be one of the incumbents with the heaviest load, but she's sponsoring only two bills; Speaker Packard is on just three, but one is the annual parental rights fight (could this be the year?) and another on the "contempt of the General Court."

Look for the label

We're still waiting for final announcements in the Senate, but a stroll through the State House tells you who's on the rise.

Two-term Sen. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, has snagged the first-floor corner office right next to the Donn Tibbetts Press Room that had been the home of Senate Dean Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, who called it a career after 50 years in elective office.

At least for now, Lang still has D'Allesandro's staffer in house, the always-efficient and well-liked Sonja Caldwell who somehow kept the over-extended D'Allesandro in place and on time.

Senate Finance Chairman James Gray, R-Rochester, retains his first-floor anchor, next to Sen. Pearl and first-term Sen. Tim McGough, R-Merrimack.

Two new Republican senators, Freedom's Mark McConkey and Littleton's David Rochefort, share a suite right inside the back door of the State House.

For another newbie, Sullivan also scored well with her own first-floor office in the Legislative Office Building that's just inside the parking garage.

Gone but not forgotten

He's off the Executive Council since a failed primary run for governor in 2020, but Concord Democrat Andru Volinsky still has his fastball.

Last week he wrote an extensive commentary maintaining that outgoing Gov. Sununu has saddled the state with an enormous budget hole by approving major tax cuts.

Volinsky reminded the late Gov. Steve Merrill got the Legislature in 1993 to create a low-rate, business enterprise tax, a business income tax since it's applied to all salaries, dividends and interest.

"The BET rate reductions under Sununu caused the revenues it produced to decline in real terms despite growing salaries and wages in the state. N.H. took in less in BET revenues when Sununu left office than when he entered," Volinsky wrote.

The business profits tax was cut but its revenue grew, and Volinsky said this was thanks to record profits from national or multinationals (think Walmart) that do a little business here.

"So what did NH get for taking it easy on some of the nation's largest business?" Volinsky asked rhetorically. "Not much. The rate reductions likely did not spur business growth or create jobs in NH."

Sununu most certainly would pan Volinsky's commentary and point to record Rainy Day Fund balances after he signed business tax cuts.

Ayotte team grinding away

Gov.-elect Ayotte has been out of the limelight of late, but her transition has been grinding.

Early Monday morning, she joins the Army National Guard and the State Employees Association for Operation Santa Claus that delivers toys to children across the state.

They will load gifts onto National Guard trucks and a Black Hawk helicopter.

While some governors in elections past have made staff announcements after the holidays, Ayotte is working overtime to complete the process even earlier.

Legislative bell-ringing season is here

Lawmakers chip in for their annual bell ringing for the Salvation Army Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Storrs Street Liquor Store in Concord.

Lawmakers do one-hour shifts at the kettle and Ayotte is expected to join them during the day.

"We've raised almost $15,000 over the past few years for the Salvation Army," said Sen. Lang, a founder of the Legislative Beer Caucus who was behind the bell ringing effort.

The beer caucus leaders include Sen. Pearl; Rep. Mike Moffett, R-Loudon; and former Rep. Reed Panasiti, R-Amherst.

Biundo to decide soon on GOP chair

As we first reported on social media, Manchester GOP consultant Mike Biundo is seriously looking at running for state GOP chairman to replace retiring Chris Ager of Amherst who's moving to other challenges.

Vice Chairman James MacEachern of Derry and former talks show host Keith Hanson of Tilton are already in the hunt.

"I am taking the time to seriously consider this option because I care deeply about our state," Biundo posted on X. "I am confident that I could bring a unique set of skills to the position of chair, but it must be the right fit at the right time."

klandrigan@unionleader.com
Dec. 14BISMARCK  The department that manages state lands and mineral rights in North Dakota has announced record monetary payouts to benefit education in the state.

Joseph Heringer, Trust Lands commissioner, said the Department of Trust Lands has laid out a historic $620 million in distributions for the 2025-2027 biennium, reflecting a significant increase in asset values.

"That ultimately goes to help education in the state, both at the K-through-12 level and at the university level," he told The Forum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When North Dakota was granted statehood in 1889, the state was granted acreage from the federal government.

The Board of University and School Lands is charged by the state constitution with overseeing management of those lands and mineral rights, Heringer said.

The board and Trust Lands staff manage assets that include more than 700,000 surface acres, 2.6 million mineral acres and 13 permanent trusts, all to generate revenue.

Through that management, asset integrity has been preserved while driving growth, leading to a 17% biennial increase in overall distributions to fund beneficiaries.

"Basically, they're like endowments for the state," Heringer said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The record growth is due to a combination of factors, he said, including $2 billion in oil and gas royalties generated over the last five years from nearly 10,000 wells, agricultural rents, easement revenues and a diversified $7.4 billion investment portfolio.

The Common Schools Trust Fund, with a value of $7 billion, makes up the vast majority of that portfolio.

In the current biennium, the Common Schools Trust Fund is at $500 million, distributed by the Department of Public Instruction to schools according to the state school funding formula.

In the 2025-2027 biennium, that amount rises to nearly $585 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"These funds will continue to ensure that education in our state remains strong, now and for generations to come," Heringer said.

Here's the breakdown of how nearly $620 million in Trust Lands funds will be distributed to beneficiaries over the next two years:

* Common Schools Trust Fund (K-12 public education): $584,677,350

* North Dakota State University: $8,770,000

* University of North Dakota: $6,948,000

* Youth Correctional Center: $3,136,000

* State College of Science: $2,570,284

* School for the Deaf: $2,388,000

* State Hospital: $1,976,284

* School for the Blind: $1,936,284

* Valley City State University: $1,566,000

* Mayville State University: $1,102,000

* Veterans Home: $994,284

* Dickinson State University: $406,284

* Minot State University: $406,284

* Dakota College at Bottineau: $406,284
A Windsor man allegedly went more than 100 mph on Interstate 91 in Wethersfield early Friday when he passed a trooper before refusing to stop when state police tried to pull him over.

The trooper spotted the driver around 2:15 a.m. on I-91 North in the area of Exit 25 while conducting traffic enforcement as part of the Fatal Accident Mitigation Initiative, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police alleged that the motorist, driving a silver Toyota Camry, was initially behind the trooper before passing the cruiser going 101 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper then caught up to the Camry and flipped on the cruisers lights and siren to initiate a stop.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

State police said the driver allegedly refused to stop before the traffic stop was abandoned due to safety concerns. The vehicle was last seen exiting the highway using the Exit 29 off-ramp and heading toward the Charter Oak Bridge.

The trooper used the vehicles license plate information to find the registered owners address. After going to the residence, the trooper spoke to a family member of the vehicles owner who said they no longer lived there, according to state police.

A trooper then went to the East Hartford residence where the owner reportedly resides and found the Toyota parked near the home, state police said. While speaking to the cars owner, state police said a man approached the door and admitted to driving the vehicle earlier. He was identified as 31-year-old Javier Enrique Guadalupe of Windsor, state police said.

Guadalupe told the trooper he did not stop because he had never been pulled over before and was frightened by the tractor-trailers on the highway, according to state police. The trooper later learned his drivers license was suspended.

Guadalupe was arrested and taken to Troop H in Hartford. He faces charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension, speeding, reckless driving and disobeying signal of an officer. He was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 27 in New Britain Superior Court.
Dec. 13WATERTOWN  State police have identified the troopers involved in a crash on Thursday that resulted in Interstate 81 being shut down for a period of time.

They say that Trooper Cody Stewart was traveling southbound on the highway in a marked patrol vehicle during "whiteout conditions" when he rear-ended a 2019 Dodge being operated by Jordan Jock of Madrid.

Stewart's vehicle then continued south and hit another marked state police vehicle and Trooper Brian Hollister, who was on the shoulder for an unrelated crash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hollister was evaluated at Samaritan Medical Center for ankle pain and later released.

State police say they were assisted on scene by the Town of Watertown Ambulance, Town of Watertown Fire Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the state Department of Transportation, and Roadside Warriors.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDHN)  Convicted killer Coley McCraney has lost another battle in an Alabama courtroom after the state Supreme Court ruled they would not hear an appeal in his case.

The states highest court issued a ruling on Friday that they refuse to hear McCraneys appeal of his guilty verdicts in the 1999 murders of Dothan teens J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett.

The court did not specify the reason, but they do say the past judgment made in the case is final.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This was McCraneys second ruling within a state court this year. On September 20, the Alabama Appellate Court upheld McCraneys conviction.

In that appeal, McCraney accused presiding Judge William Filmore of judicial misconduct, saying Judge Filmore was prejudiced when he told the defense team they were trying to confuse the jury during testimony.

One of McCraneys attorneys, David Harrison, told WDHN that the fight is far from over and they will try and bring the case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Beasley and Hewlett, both 17, were found shot to death in Beasleys Mazda 929 on Herring Avenue in Ozark.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the teens bodies were found, investigators from several departments worked around the clock to find the killer, but after exhausting all leads, the case went cold.for twenty years.

In 2019, Ozark Police reopened the case, and using new technology to get a DNA match, investigators linked McCraney, a truck driver and local pastor, to the murder.

He was found guilty after a nine-day trial in Ozark and sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is concluding his four-day trip to Africa with a visit to Lesotho on Saturday.

Steinmeier's visit is the first by a German president to the small mountainous country, which is situated within South Africa.

The trip follows an invitation from King Letsie III, extended during a visit to Berlin last year.

Steinmeier's visit to Lesotho comes off the back of discussions in South Africa with President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, Lesotho has suffered from political instability.

Justice, public services and security agencies suffer from corruption and abuses of power, with crucial reforms systematically undermined by political elites, analysts say.

Many villages remain accessible only on foot or by horse.

The country heavily relies on its large neighbour South Africa and due to limited employment opportunities, many inhabitants have sought work in South Africa for decades, particularly in mining.

Lesotho's economy primarily depends on agriculture and the export of textiles, diamonds and water.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Lesotho on Saturday for the final stop on his four-day trip to Africa, meeting Lesotho's King Letsie III in the small mountainous country.

"I am honoured to be the first German President to visit your wonderful country," Steinmeier wrote in the guest book at the king's royal palace in the capital Maseru.

The country is situated entirely within South Africa. The monarch invited Steinmeier to visit when they met last year in Berlin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Steinmeier's visit to Lesotho comes off the back of discussions in South Africa with President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday.

Steinmeier had to change planes for the trip to the kingdom, as the airport in Maseru is too small to accomodate his normal German government Airbus A350 aircraft.

The German president was driven from the airport to the royal palace, where he was served coffee and tea while meeting with the king, who warmly welcomed Steinmeier.

Steinmeier noted the country's deep poverty during his one-day visit, and stressed the importance of development assistance, such as a water management project in which Germany is involved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Anyone who looks around here will see how necessary it is for us to take care of this country," Steinmeier said.

Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, Lesotho has suffered from political instability. The unemployment rate is more than 30%, and even higher among young people.

Justice, public services and security agencies suffer from corruption and abuses of power, with crucial reforms systematically undermined by political elites, analysts say.

Many villages remain accessible only on foot or by horse.

The country heavily relies on its large neighbour South Africa and due to limited employment opportunities, many inhabitants have sought work in South Africa for decades, particularly in mining.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lesotho's economy primarily depends on agriculture and the export of textiles, diamonds and water.

Steinmeier spent three days visiting Nigeria and South Africa, the regional economic heavyweights in southern Africa. Lesotho, by contrast, is only a very minor trading partner with Germany and has very few natural resources.

He noted, however, that Germany and Lesotho are closer politically on some issues than powers in the region such as South Africa: "Lesotho, for example, has condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine from the outset."

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to Moshoeshoe I. Steinmeier visits Nigeria, South Africa and Lesotho during his four-day trip to Africa. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Clouds continue to thicken today only to be followed by drizzle once the atmosphere moistens.

Drizzle began this afternoon near the Oklahoma state line and is spreading northward. Towns near the Nebraska state line to the northeast will be hit with a batch of freezing drizzle and freezing rain where the moisture meets the coldest air. This could be enough to slicken some road surfaces tonight.

Winter Weather Advisories are posted for portions of Nebraska, northern Missouri and into Iowa to account for slick travel along with parts of South Dakota and Minnesota over to Wisconsin and Northwest Illinois. Jewell County in Kansas is the only one now included as of 10 PM Friday. A small area near Waterloo, Iowa, is under an Ice Storm Warning!

There will be some instability that comes into play tonight, promoting a clap of thunder or two with showers blossoming upon the departure of this storm system. The wind will also be stronger from central through eastern Kansas during todays storm system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Any moisture clears to the east early on Saturday. The sky will reveal more sunshine with warming temps over the weekend.

Sunday will be the warmest with highs, especially over the southern half of the viewing area, soaring through the 50s and 60s.

Another system builds clouds into the region the second half of Sunday. Any showers and drizzle will favor the Turnpike and points east Sunday night into early Monday. The system gels with more moisture once it is out of our area.

Temperatures cool early next week before the advancement of another system. This also looks to mature with more moisture outside of our viewing area to the east by mid-week. Warmer air tries to make a play for the end of next week only to get cut short by another blast of cold air for the following weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman:

Wichita:

Tonight: Mostly to partly cloudy, breezy. 50% chance of rain and storms. Lo: 38 Wind: SE/W 10-20

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy to mostly sunny, breezy. Hi: 52 Wind: W/SE 10-20

Tomorrow Night: Mostly clear. Lo: 30 Wind: SE 5-15

Wichita Weekly

Sun: Hi: 60 Lo: 39 Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, windy.

Mon: Hi: 54 Lo: 29 Partly cloudy to mostly sunny, windy. 10% chance of rain

Tue: Hi: 53 Lo: 28 Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, windy.

Wed: Hi: 44 Lo: 24 Partly cloudy, breezy.

Thu: Hi: 43 Lo: 25 Partly cloudy, breezy.

Fri: Hi: 46 Lo: 19 Partly cloudy, windy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The BJP has announced plans to construct a Ram temple in West Bengal following TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's remarks about building a Babri Masjid-like mosque in the state. However, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul stated that the construction of the Ram temple should not be seen as a reaction to the proposed mosque. Paul slammed Kabir over his remarks about constructing a Babri Masjid-like mosque in West Bengal, accusing him of making provocative statements and alleging that no action was taken for his earlier inflammatory comments against Hindus. "Ram Mandir should not be built as a response to the mosque. Babri Masjid can be constructed, and Ram Mandir can also be constructed... The same person who said Babri Masjid will be constructed once said that Hindus would be massacred and thrown into the Bhagirathi. There was no show-cause notice or punishment for these statements," Paul said. She further accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of encouraging communal tension for political gains. "Mamata Banerjee is behind these remarks... She is preparing another Bangladesh for her vote bank. Ram Mandir will be constructed. We will commemorate the one year of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, and the foundation stone will be laid in Berhampur," Paul further alleged. Meanwhile, BJP leader Shankar Ghosh also weighed in, calling the construction of the Ram temple "natural" and a representation of Indian culture. He criticized Kabir's remarks, saying, "Constructing the temple is natural; it symbolizes our culture. The mosque is associated with those who invaded us. Bangladesh tells us the mentality of this community. Associating the construction of a temple with the construction of a mosque will not be right. Babri Masjid has a history of its own; how can it be constructed here in West Bengal?" Earlier, TMC MLA Humayun Kabir clarified his statement, describing the Babri Masjid as a deeply emotional issue for Muslims. He explained, "The Babri Masjid was a sentimental issue for Muslims. It was built by Babur, and we all know that in 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished. It's been 30 years, and the Babri Masjid hasn't been rebuilt yet. In 2019, the Supreme Court passed a unanimous verdict, allocating five acres of land for constructing a mosque. With time, it will be built." Kabir also addressed allegations regarding the proposed mosque in Bengal. "In Bengal, particularly in Murshidabad, some are saying that a new Babri Masjid will be built to provoke people. But there's no issue with that. There's no problem. Regarding the Babri Masjid land, if asked where the land will be bought, let me clarify that we haven't approached the state government for any land for the Babri Masjid. No, we have no intention of taking any government land or grants," he added. Kabir underlined that no government land or grants would be used for the mosque. "A trust will be formed with respected individuals, who will decide on the location and purchase the land with the trust's funds. The process will follow all legal norms, including tax payments and registrations. This is a matter of faith, not meant to trouble anyone," he said. Rejecting allegations of involvement with Bangladeshis, Kabir stated that maintaining border security is the responsibility of the central government. "If someone enters illegally, it's the job of the central government and the security forces to handle it. My responsibility doesn't extend to that. Whether they catch them or deport them, it's up to them. I haven't noticed any such issue so far," he said. (ANI)
A study has found that a group of tax benefits in the European Union commonly given to company cars costs taxpayers over $44 billion each year  while simultaneously discouraging companies from switching corporate fleets over to eco-friendly engines, according to Euronews.

What's happening?

The report by sustainable transport think tank Transport & Environment analyzed four different types of these tax breaks companies in the union's five biggest countries earn from polluting, oil-burning leases. With the incentives totalled up, Italy topped the charts, with the yearly burden on taxpayers pushing $17 billion, followed by Germany, France, and Poland, Euronews reported.

"This is bad climate policy and socially unfair," said Stef Cornelis, director of the electric fleets program at T&E, per Euronews.

Why is tax policy around company cars important?

About 60% of all new car registrations in Europe are company cars, and these subsidies provide pretty great savings on those vehicles. The problem is that the same kinds of benefits are not an option for consumer cars, which are becoming electric quicker than company cars in the EU, Euronews explained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The reasons behind this gap are logical. Drivers of traditional gas-powered company cars in some of these countries pay over $9,400 less in annual taxes than consumer buyers, per the outlet.

That's some serious carrot-and-sticking  but in the unfortunate direction that adds more planet-warming pollution into the atmosphere with every sale, as opposed to making the fuel savings and clean driving of EVs more accessible.

"Governments in Europe's largest automotive markets are failing to address this absurdity," Cornelis told Euronews.

What's being done about the unfair incentive?

Coming out of the research, T&E has called on the European Commission to set steadfast targets on electrifying large company fleets. Then, to reach those goals, the think tank recommends removing the subsidies that undercut going electric, per Euronews.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The United Kingdom's growing EV numbers are a prime example of this strategy at work. The country's tax benefits for dirty-energy cars are much lower, while incentives for EV drivers are higher. Spain and Belgium have also made positive strides, the outlet reported.

Which of these features would most effectively convince you to buy an EV?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

Cornelis explained that the European Commission's President, Ursula von der Leyen, will help corporations in the lagging nations catch up with consumer vehicle electrification.

"Under her new leadership, the Commission should  finally end this tax anomaly," Cornelis said, per Euronews.

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.
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Sumner County Sheriffs Office addressed what they called recent speculation surrounding the disappearance of a Hendersonville teen earlier this year.

The sheriffs office posted a letter to Facebook on Friday, Dec. 13, adding that authorities understand community concerns for answers in the case of missing teen Sebastian Rogers. The letter addressed recent speculation surrounding the individual seen wearing a green hoodie near Texas Roadhouse.

PREVIOUS: Father of missing Sumner County teen speaks with News 2 on sons 16th birthday, says he has renewed faith in law enforcement investigation

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The letter stated that detectives interviewed the person regarding their presence on Feb. 25.

We can confirm that after a thorough discussion with this individual, there is no evidence linking them to Sebastians disappearance, the letter reads, in part. We appreciate the vigilance and cooperation from the public and all those involved in the search for SebastianHowever, we also urge the community to approach social media rumors with caution, as misinformation can distract from the real efforts to find Sebastian.

The sheriffs office added the search for Sebastian remains a top priority and authorities will continue to pursue all leads with the utmost diligence.

Sebastian was reported missing more than nine months ago. The reward for information on the teens whereabouts increased to $200,000 last month, but on Saturday, Dec. 7, Duane Chapman  better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter  announced on social media platform X that the reward was up to $225,155.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, was reported missing on Monday, Feb. 26 from the Beech area in Hendersonville.

Sebastian Rogers: Description

Sebastian is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 120 pounds with dirty blond hair. He was last seen on Monday, Feb. 26 near Stafford Court wearing a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, said the TBI.

AMBER Alert Issued

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) originally issued an Endangered Child Alert for Sebastian on the morning of Feb. 26 as multiple agencies took to the area to look for him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Based on additional investigative information developed during the search, the TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Sebastian on the afternoon of Feb. 27. An AMBER Alert is issued when there is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred and the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, per the DOJ.

Multiple agencies including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Fire Department, City of Hendersonvilles first responders, Sumner County Sheriffs Office and Shackle Island Volunteer Fire have assisted in the search for Sebastian.

Who to Contact

If you have seen Sebastian or have info about his whereabouts, call the Sumner County Sheriffs Office at (615) 451-3838 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  GBI West Georgia Gang Task Force Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Dockins sat down recently with WRBLs Chuck Williams to discuss the work being done in Musocgee and surrounding counties.

Dockins assumed his post this summer and is in the process of hiring eight additional agents. It is expected to be fully operational next year and will join the Columbus Police Department and Muscogee County Sheriffs Office in the fight against criminal street gangs.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that it would be a mistake to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons or to allow strikes deep into Russian territory.

Source: Scholz's statement as quoted by German news broadcaster n-tv; European Pravda

Details: Scholz stressed that Germany has become the second-largest military supporter of Ukraine under his leadership.

He stated that he remained convinced it would be a mistake for the weapons provided to Ukraine to be used for deep strikes into Russia or for weapons capable of such strikes to be supplied.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The German chancellor said it is necessary to prevent a conflict between Russia and NATO at any cost.

He added that if they (supposedly, Germany  ed.) were the only ones with the reasoning ability to make well-adjusted decisions, then so be it.

Background:

Scholz has consistently refused to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons.

For his part, the leader of the German opposition CDU/CSU bloc, Friedrich Merz, recently stated that he would supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, but only after consultations with the United States.

Support UP or become our patron!
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) are gradually making up ground ahead of expected elections in late February, having gained one percentage point for 17% support, a new poll commissioned by the Bild tabloid showed on Saturday.

The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), along with their Bavarian sister party, the CSU, remain in the lead on 31%, one percentage point down on the week, the Insa poll of 1,203 respondents taken between December 9 and 13 found.

Three weeks ago, the CDU/CSU bloc was 18 percentage points ahead. That lead is now down to 14.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Greens, the only remaining party in Scholz's coalition government, are down one percentage point at 11%.

Meanwhile the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), which left the coalition in early November after Scholz fired FDP leader Christian Lindner as finance minister, is up one percentage point at 5%, just clearing the threshold to enter parliament.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was also up a percentage point at 20%, placing it second behind the CDU/CSU. Despite this support, the party is unlikely to be part of a governing coalition, as all other parties refuse cooperation with the AfD.

The new populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) was stable at 8%, while The Left party was down a point at 3%, looking unlikely to make the cut.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following the collapse of his coalition government, Scholz is to put a confidence vote to parliament on Monday that he is expected to lose. He will then ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to call early elections for February 23.
A jury has found the suspect in connection with 2023 shooting guilty of gun charges in court on Friday.

Machyus Battle, 19, of Cambridge was involved in a May 24 non-fatal shooting in Roxbury.

Battle is facing a slew of charges, including:

Assault with a dangerous weapon.

Carrying a loaded firearm without a license.

Unlawful possession of ammunition.

Possession of a firearm during a felony.

Carrying a firearm without a license.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Firing bullets on a street near a playground on an early summer evening displays a recklessness that we as a society cannot and will not tolerate. I thank the jurors for recognizing the facts in this case and returning a guilty verdict. A state prison sentence is entirely appropriate given the dangerousness of this incident, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

Battle is facing 4-5 years in state prison with 2 years of probation after release.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
HOLIDAY, Fla. (WFLA)  A suspect barricaded himself inside his Holiday home after breaking into another home nearby, Pasco County Sheriffs Office said Friday.

The sheriffs office said the male suspect unlawfully entered a home in the Salisbury Dr. area of Holiday around 5:20 p.m.

After breaking into the home, the suspect then went to the victims car and battered the victim outside the home, according to PCSO.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When deputies arrived, they located the victim who reportedly had barricaded himself inside his home. The suspect was taken into custody early Saturday morning.

The sheriffs office said it is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHESTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A chase involving the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) ended with a crash into a bus, the Chester County Sheriffs Office reports.

On Friday, Dec. 13, SLED agents tried to pull over a vehicle on Pine Street in Chester. However, this became a chase with deputies with the Sheriffs Office joining in.

We heard a big pop: Passengers on NYC flight bound for Charlotte describe bird strike, emergency landing

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officials say the chase ended with the suspects vehicle crashing into a Carolina Community Action Headstart bus near the intersection of Saluda Street and JA Cochran Bypass. Two people in the vehicle involved in the chase were taken into custody and to a hospital.

One person on the bus was taken to the hospital as a precaution. No law enforcement vehicles were involved in the crash.

Charges are pending on the investigation. Authorities did not say what prompted the chase.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
St. Margarets Shrine in Bridgeport was the target of a bomb threat Saturday, according to officials.

Around 10 a.m. Saturday morning, officials with Bridgeports emergency call center received a call regarding a bomb threat at St. Margarets Shrine, police said. Bridgeport police and fire were dispatched and determined the call to be a swatting incident.

Police said they are investigating the incident with other law enforcement; similar calls were reportedly received in other jurisdictions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We urge everyone that a swatting incident is designed to create anxiety and to mobilize an emergency response when no threat exists. Anyone receiving a call should remain calm, notify local authorities, and work in conjunction with those first responder teams, Bridgeport police said in a statement.

Several swatting instances occurred this year across Connecticut. On Friday, police investigated a report of a threatening text targeting a Westport elementary school, later suspected to be a case of swatting. Meanwhile, similar incidents have happened at schools in other towns and cities across the state.

Swatting can also target individuals and not just places, according to officials. A Pennsylvania man was arrested earlier this year and accused of making a swatting call in Connecticut that sent police officers to a home in Norwalk believing a woman was being held at gunpoint. Investigators later found that Smith called in the hoax as a prank targeted toward his ex-girlfriend, according to police.

Back in September, police arrested a 17-year-old in connection with an investigation into numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents reported at schools, libraries and places of worship across Connecticut.

Police said there appears to be no threat to St. Margarets Shrine and that it was only a hoax.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Syracuse Police are working overtime this holiday season, keeping Destiny USA and its shoppers safe through the Property Crime Task Force.

Since we started this, weve investigated over 450 cases. Weve recovered over $200,000 worth of merchandise. Our arrest rates have been about 91 percent, said Officer Joseph LeBlanc, a detective for the Syracuse Police Department.

The task force rolled out just last year and is geared towards tracking down thieves while preventing retail crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would say this year its very minimal. There hasnt been an uptick at all. We were under less than eight calls, I believe of property crime throughout Black Friday weekend, said Det. LeBlanc.

Part of the initiative is also Destinys license plate reader, which police say has had a major impact.

Not only it captures your license plate at every entrance and exit when you come onto the property. It also assists us on whos coming here and who is not supposed to be here, said Det. LeBlanc.

During the holiday season, SPD has officers on foot, roving patrol and on bike patrol. This allows officers to respond to calls in a timely manner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Large shopping bags or empty bags can be a red flag to some of us. Its not uncommon but people do have large bags in here, but we do keep an eye out. Its nothing that alarms us but it is something that weve seen in the past, said Det. LeBlanc.

If something doesnt seem right to you, SPD said dont be afraid to speak up.

If you see something, say something. Its better that we act on it before, said Det. LeBlanc. Unfortunately, theres only so many of us, where the public can definitely help us out and help eliminate any type of issues before they occur.

Syracuse police are also reminding shoppers to keep their cars locked and to not leave any valuables inside.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh lashed out at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday after a West Bengal court granted bail to former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh in connection with the Kolkata rape and murder case. Ghosh dubbed it CBI's "inability to establish a strong case" and said that it was a "baseless case with distorted information." Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "Kolkata Police arrested the main accused Sanjay Roy within 24 hours. The anti-government public wanted the CBI to take over the case. Now that the case was with CBI, we are getting to know that Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal. This was a baseless case with distorted information meant to malign the government." "Even the CBI could not establish the case. The CBI could not prove the involvement of these people with the rape case, hence they were granted bail," he added. Earlier, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul slammed the CBI for delays in filing the chargesheet in the case. Paul called the handling of the investigation "unfortunate and shameful." She also questioned the motives of certain CBI officers and assured the victim's family of the BJP's unwavering support. Speaking to ANI, Paul said, "It is very unfortunate and quite shameful. We are extremely upset by the way the case of Abhaya is being solved. I am not sure what agenda these few officers of the CBI have. Why are they not submitting the chargesheet at the right time?" Highlighting the importance of the case, she added, "This is not an ordinary case. It is being looked at by 10 crore people of the state. The court had assured the parents of Abhaya that if they felt the CBI was not going ahead with the case properly, they could submit an appeal in the court." Paul further assured the family of the BJP's full support, stating, "West Bengal BJP stands with the parents of Abhaya, and we will do whatever is required. We will not tolerate this." The mother of the deceased trainee doctor expressed disappointment over the CBI's failure to file a chargesheet within 90 days, which led to the bail of former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and Tala police station's former officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal. Speaking about the delay, she told ANI, "We are very disappointed that CBI did not file the chargesheet in 90 days. CBI did not work, and hence those people got bail. This is very disappointing." On Friday, the Sealdah Court granted bail after the CBI missed the legal deadline for submitting the chargesheet. The case, which involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was found on August 9 in the hospital's seminar room, sparked widespread protests. Shortly after the incident, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer at the hospital, was arrested in connection with the crime. However, the CBI filed a chargesheet on November 29 regarding financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The chargesheet named Sandip Ghosh, along with others, including Dr. Ashish Kumar Pandey, Biplab Singha, Suman Hazra, and Afsar Ali Khan, for their involvement in financial misconduct. This investigation was ordered by the Calcutta High Court. In addition to the corruption case, Sandip Ghosh also faced questioning related to the murder case. The CBI conducted polygraph tests on him as part of their investigation. Sanjay Roy, the main suspect in the rape and murder, denied the charges against him. From a police van on November 11, he claimed, "I am telling you it was Vineet Goyal (former Kolkata Police Commissioner) who conspired the whole thing (rape and murder of RG Kar Medical College resident doctor) and framed me. They had threatened me, and there were other big officers involved." (ANI)
Syrians seeking to chart their own political course, free from outside interference, following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad may be thwarted by the geopolitical ambitions of their neighbours, who already have a foothold in the country, experts say.

"We all want this to be a moment of liberation and self-determination," for the Syrians, said Mostafa Minawi, an associate professor of history at Cornell University.

But, with all the external players already involved in Syria, "I don't know how that would happen." he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"They are not planning on going anywhere."

Those players include Turkey, which has an ongoing interest in Syria because of its Kurdish minority; Iran, which, along with Russia, had supported the Assad regime; and Israel, which has occupied Syria's Golan Heights and expressed concerns over Islamist rebels.

WATCH | What happens now?

Turkey

Observers expect Turkey to play a dominant role in Syria's future, having established a significant military foothold in a northern strip of the country, controlling territories such as the city of Afrin and parts of the countryside outside Aleppo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

These areas serve as buffers against Kurdish groups and provide leverage over Syria's political landscape, analysts say.

"While Turkey may advocate for a decentralized or restructured Syria, it is unlikely to completely withdraw its influence, as its strategic interests remain deeply tied to Syria's future," Sajjan M. Gohel, international security director at the Asia-Pacific Foundation in London, said in an email to CBC News.

Syrians living in Turkey celebrate after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024.

Syrians living in Turkey celebrate news of Assad's ouster in Istanbul, on Dec. 8. (Dilara Senkaya/Reuters)

Turkey's main concern are Syria's Kurdish forces, which it considers to be an extension of the Turkey-based separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (KWP), which seeks Kurdish self-rule. The Turkish government has labelled the KWP a terrorist group and doesn't believe Kurdish forces in Syria should have any presence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. partnered with those Kurdish forces to rout the Islamic State group. But this alliance has been a source of tension between Washington and Ankara, even though both are NATO allies.

Turkey is "very much on the ground," Minawi said. "They're not going anywhere because there are Kurdish groups along the northern border of Syria that they will not allow to develop their own autonomous region because this threatens Turkey's own autonomy."

A masked opposition fighter carries a flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in the old walled city of Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. HTS is the largest rebel faction within the opposition that toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime last Sunday.

A masked opposition fighter carries a flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in the old walled city of Damascus on Tuesday. (Hussein Malla/The Associated Press)

Ankara has the strongest channels of communication, and history of working, with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist rebel alliance that now controls much of Syria, positioning it to reap the benefits of the Assad regime's demise, Gonul Tol, director of the Middle East Institute's Turkish Program, wrote in Foreign Affairs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Turkey will certainly have a role to play. Its support for the groups in charge, the long border it shares with Syria, and its military presence in the country give it significant influence," he wrote.

Iran and Russia

The defeat of Assad, who was backed by the Iranian government, is a significant blow to Tehran, which has already suffered strategic losses after Israel pounded its allies Hamas and Hezbollah, in Gaza and Lebanon respectively.

"Syria represented a springboard for the Iranian regime to project its influence as far as the Mediterranean, and that has disappeared," Jonathan Piron, a historian and Iran specialist at the Etopia research centre in Brussels, told France 24.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Iran finds itself in an unprecedented position of weakness."

However, its long-standing support for Assad and its deployment of Syrian Shia militias have entrenched sectarian divisions in the country, meaning Iran can also be expected to maintain some kind of presence, Gohel said.

"Even with reduced Iranian support without Assad being in Syria, the militias may remain influential, potentially undermining efforts for national unity," he said.

Minawi agrees that he could not imagine Iran fully disengaging.

In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, meets Syrian President Bashar Assad, in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 30, 2024. Portraits of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, top, and the late President Ebrahim Raisi are seen. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, meets Assad, in Tehran on May 30. Assad was backed by the Iranian government, and his fall is is a significant blow to Tehran. (The Associated Press)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"They even already stated that they are ready to talk with the interim government, but they are very much on the retreat."

Still, Foad Izadi, a professor at the University of Tehran, told the Wall Street Journal that Iran has historically found a foothold in fractured states, and might be able to maintain some influence in Syria, regardless of the country's political future.

"A democratic Syrian government is not going to be friendly to Israel, it will be supportive of the Palestinian cause," which is backed by both Iranian-supported Hamas and Hezbollah, he said.

And if you're going to have chaos, and Syria turns into another Libya, that's also something Iran can manage."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meanwhile, although not a regional neighbour, Russia had played a critical role in supporting Assad's regime, providing military and diplomatic support.

WATCH | How the rebels did it | About That:

Russia may seek to retain leverage through agreements on military bases, thereby ensuring a long-term footprint in Syria, Gohel says.

"The West will want that to end and may be willing to legitimize whatever regime replaces Assad, even recognizing the terrorist group HTS  if it means reducing Iran and Russia's presence," he said.

Israel

Since the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has carried out heavy airstrikes across Syria. Meanwhile its troops advanced into a roughly 400-square kilometre buffer zone inside its neighbour, which was established by the UN after the 1973 Mideast war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The airstrikes, the Israeli military said, took out Syrian missiles, drones, fighter jets, attack helicopters, tanks, radar systems and the country's small naval fleet.

They "basically crippled any military capability and infrastructure," Minawi said. "It's a way of defanging the state before the state even gets off."

Israeli soldiers with the national flag stand on an armoured vehicle after crossing the security fence near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israeli soldiers ride an armoured vehicle near the line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, from Syria, on Thursday. (Matias Delacroix/The Associated Press)

Moving into the buffer zone is prohibited by the UN agreement, and brought some international condemnation. But Israeli political and military leaders say the move is temporary and not a prelude to further entering Syrian territory.

Israel says its immediate goal is to prevent the instability in Syria from spreading. The troops will remain "until security on our border can be guaranteed," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel is also using the political vacuum to shore up its defensive positions. Israel has supported some rebel groups in southern Syria as part of a strategy to maintain a buffer zone and prevent hostile forces from operating near the Golan Heights, Gohel said.

"This may continue. For Israel, the other priority will be to ensure Syria is not used as a cog to aid Hezbollah."

Avi Dichter, an Israeli minister and member of the security cabinet, says the goal "is to establish facts on the ground," the Washington Post reported.

Though HTS and other Sunni opposition groups fought for years against Iranian-backed forces, Dichter said Israel is still "preparing for the possibility that the rebels reach an agreement with Iran, with Hezbollah."

Israel needs "to first see how [the rebels] build their state and their army," Dichter said, according to the Post.
By Hatem Maher

(Reuters) - Syria's de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa said on Saturday Israel is using false pretexts to justify its attacks on Syria, but that he is not interested in engaging in new conflicts as the country focuses on rebuilding following the end of Bashar al-Assad's reign.

Sharaa - better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani - leads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that swept Assad from power last week, ending the family's five-decade iron-fisted rule.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel has since moved into a demilitarised zone inside Syria created after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, including the Syrian side of the strategic Mount Hermon that overlooks Damascus, where it took over an abandoned Syrian military post.

Israel, which has said that it does not intend to stay there and calls the incursion into Syrian territory a limited and temporary measure to ensure border security, has also carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria's strategic weapons stockpiles.

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan, condemned what they called Israel's seizure of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights.

"Israeli arguments have become weak and no longer justify their recent violations. The Israelis have clearly crossed the lines of engagement in Syria, which poses a threat of unwarranted escalation in the region," Sharaa said in an interview published on the website of Syria TV, a pro-opposition channel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Syria's war-weary condition, after years of conflict and war, does not allow for new confrontations. The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not being drawn into disputes that could lead to further destruction."

He also said diplomatic solutions were the only way to ensure security and stability and that "uncalculated military adventures" were not wanted.

On Russia, whose military intervention almost a decade ago helped tip the balance in Assad's favour and which gave asylum to the ousted leader earlier this week, Sharaa said that its relations with Syria should serve common interests.

"The current stage requires careful management of international relations," he added.

(This story has been corrected to say 'family's five-decade iron-fisted rule,' not '13-year rule,' in paragraph 2)

(Reporting by Hatem Maher; Editing by Sandra Maler)
If youre dreaming of a white Christmas, Tacoma, sadly your dreams will likely not become a reality this winter.

The Farmers Almanac Christmas forecast has arrived for Dec. 24 to Dec. 31, and it looks like Washington is one of the several states that wont be experiencing a white Christmas. Much of the country can expect a dry and cold Christmas, except for states in the northeast that will likely have wet snow.

When was the last time Tacoma had a white Christmas?

The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as having at least one inch of snow on the ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The last time Tacoma had an official white Christmas was in 2017 when it received between 1 to 2 inches of snow, said Dustin Guy, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service station in Seattle in an interview.

Snow began to fall that year on Christmas Eve, and continued on through Christmas Day when early morning temperatures in Tacoma were 31 degrees and had a high of 35 degrees, Guy said.

A map showing the chances of a white Christmas  defined as one inch of snow on the ground  for the United States.

What is Tacomas Christmas weather forecast?

The Farmers Almanac groups Washington in the Northwest region alongside Oregon and Idaho.

The Almanac predicts that on Dec. 25, the weather will be dry and cold with fair skies, which means the Evergreen state will not have a white Christmas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Farmers Almanac also predicts that weather will be rainy, snowy and cloudy leading up to the week of Christmas, but will slowly improve by Christmas Day.

The Climate Prediction Centers long-range forecast for the next two weeks shows that Washington is expected to have above-average temperatures and above-normal chances of precipitation. That means that the chance of a white Christmas is very unlikely for western Washingtonians.

Anyone hoping for a white Christmas will be disappointed because it doesnt look like the weather will turn that way, Guy said.

Traveling for Christmas?

Not going to be in Tacoma for Christmas, and want to know what the chances of a white Christmas are for your destination? Heres what the Farmers Almanac predicts for other areas of the United States.

Northeast and New England

New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wet snow bringing a white Christmas to the north. Rain showers in the south.

Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest

Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin

Sunshine, cold, dry.

Southeast

Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida

Scattered showers.

North Central

Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana

Generally fair, dry, very cold.

South Central

Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico

Fair, dry, cold.

Southwest

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona

Fair, dry, very chilly at Christmastime.
AQABA, Jordan (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up perhaps his last Middle East visit as Americas top diplomat, with the aim of preventing Syria from spiraling out of control after the sudden ouster of President Bashar Assad.

Blinken was one of several senior U.S. officials traveling across the region in the Biden administrations final weeks amid deep uncertainty in Washington and abroad over how Donald Trump will approach the Mideast when he takes office on Jan. 20, 2025.

Blinken held meetings Jordan, Turkey and Iraq with the aim of trying to shape the future of post-Assad Syria by forging consensus among regional partners and allies whose interests often diverge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We know that what happens inside of Syria can have powerful consequences well beyond its borders, from mass displacement to terrorism," he told reporters Saturday in Aqaba, Jordan. "And we know that we cant underestimate the challenges of this moment.

The primary goal of his 11 previous trips to the region since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023 was securing a ceasefire in Gaza that resulted in the release of remaining hostages.

Now, suddenly, that wasn't his priority and was being handled by President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, who traveled to Israel, Egypt and Qatar this past week. Blinken said he used his own meetings to press forward on a ceasefire deal.

Biden's team is running out of time to cement a legacy in the Middle East after drawing widespread criticism that it turned a blind eye to Israels military conduct and its treatment of civilians in Gaza. They did succeed in helping lead a push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon that, while tenuous, is holding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here are some takeaways from Blinken's trip:

Charting a new course for Syria

While hopes remain for concluding a Gaza ceasefire by the time Biden leaves the White House, helping shape a new Syria may prove to be lower-hanging fruit.

Blinken left Washington just three days after Assad fled for Russia, a longtime ally. Blinken said his goal was to convince countries in the Mideast and elsewhere that they should commit to backing the U.S. view of how Syria should be run after decades of Assad family rule.

To that end, he said he had secured the backing of the 12 foreign ministers from the Arab League, Turkey and top officials from the European Union and United Nations who held an emergency meeting Saturday on Syria in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

They agreed that the new Syrian government should respect the rights of minorities and women, prevent terror groups from taking hold, ensure humanitarian aid reaches people in need, and secure and destroy any remaining Assad-era chemical weapons.

Blinken has promised that the United States would recognize and support a new government that met those principles.

Seeking stability to deter the Islamic State group

Syria is riven by partisan and sectarian infighting that led in part to rise of the Islamic State militant group in the first place.

Turkey, Syrias neighbor to the north, is deeply suspicious of Syrian and Iraqi Kurds. Turkey deems them terrorists, although some of those Kurds have proved to be key American partners in the fight to destroy IS.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. helped broker an agreement between the Turks and one of those Kurdish groups, the Syrian Defense Forces, after Assads departure, although its unclear how long that can last.

We have the urgency of now, Blinken said Saturday. The urgency of now is to ensure that the success that weve had in ending the territorial caliphate of ISIS ... remains a critical mission," he said, using a different acronym for the group.

The SDF runs detention facilities holding some 10,000 fighters, and Blinken said its role is key because "this is a moment of instability in which ISIS will seek to regroup and take advantage of.

Just after Assad's downfall, the U.S. struck about 75 IS targets in the Syrian desert in an effort to prevent the group from gaining a foothold. The U.S. also has about 900 troops in Syria to battle the group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Facing Trump's return to power

There are concerns in the region about how the incoming Trump administration will handle the Middle East, apart from deepening ties with Israel.

Trump has demanded the immediate release of hostages in Gaza, threatening on social media that otherwise there would be HELL TO PAY, and has urged the U.S. not to get involved in Syria.

Nonetheless, current U.S. officials believe the Republican is unlikely to abandon American military positions in Syria, as he had wanted to do during his first term. Their belief stems from the fact that Trump frequently takes credit for vanquishing IS by finishing the liberation of their territory that began during the Obama administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The threat of the possible return of IS would be too great for Trump risk, according to these officials. They say Iraq, which signed an agreement with the U.S. in September under which the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition will withdraw next year, is already hinting that conditions could force a change in that timetable.

On a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, Sullivan expressed cautious optimism that conditions were ripe for halting the long-running conflict before the Biden administration's end.

I wouldnt be here now if I didnt think this thing was just waiting until after Jan. 20, he said this week.

Sullivan also said there has been good cooperation with the incoming Trump administration, with widespread agreement between them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sullivan headed back to Washington on Saturday after holding talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. But he left behind White House senior adviser Brett McGurk to continue talks in the region on reaching a deal to free some 100 hostages, about a third who Israeli officials believe are dead, that remain in captivity in Gaza.

Searching for missing Americans

The Biden administration has made it a priority to find Austin Tice, an American journalist believed held in Syria for more than a decade. Since Assads ouster, the U.S. has redoubled efforts to find Tice and return him home.

Blinken said Saturday that the U.S. has been in direct contact with the rebels that ousted Assad, including about the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Washingtons top hostage negotiator, Roger Carstens, traveled to Lebanon this week in hopes of getting information on Tice.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials said Friday that another American, Travis Timmerman, was transported by the U.S. military out of Syria, where he had disappeared seven months ago into Assad's prison system. Timmerman was among the thousands released this week.

Officials say Timmerman, 29, was flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter Friday, and its unclear where he may go next. He was detained after he crossed into Syria from Lebanon while on a Christian pilgrimage in June.
Tech executives, attempting to ease tensions with President-elect Donald Trump, are opening up their wallets after the former president staged a historic return to the White House.

OpenAI confirmed on Friday that its chief executive, Sam Altman , is planning to personally donate $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, becoming the latest tech billionaire trying to improve their rocky relationship with the new administration.

Meta, parent company of popular social media apps Facebook and Instagram, also confirmed it donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund. Amazon didnt respond to a request for comment, but it is reportedly planning to donate the same amount to Trumps inaugural fund.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While tech companies have given to previous presidential inaugurations, the donations come as Trump and Republicans look at reshaping policies that impact social media, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and more.

Read more: Elon Musk went all-in to elect Trump. What a second Trump presidency could mean for big tech

Trump has criticized Big Tech in the past, accusing some of the worlds largest online platforms such as Meta and Google of censoring conservative speech. The platforms have long denied these allegations, but the tech industrys relationship with Republicans became increasingly fraught after social media companies temporarily suspended Trumps accounts following the Jan. 6, 2001, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

During Trumps first presidency, tech executives, including from Google, Facebook and Apple, clashed with his administration for banning immigrants from certain Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps campaign, backed by Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk, and other major tech companies didnt respond to requests for comment.

Here are the tech executives and companies that have donated to Trumps inauguration:

OpenAI confirmed its chief executive, Sam Altman, is planning to personally donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

OpenAI

Altman said in a statement that President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI" and Altman was "eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.

Federal and state lawmakers, including in California, have been trying to place guardrails around the development of artificial intelligence. While AI-powered tools can make it easier for people to sift through large amounts of information, the technologys rapid development has also raised concerns about national security, disinformation and job losses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But as tech companies face stiff competition, including from China, theyre also worried that regulation could slow them down.

Trump has said he plans to reverse President Bidens 2023 executive order on AI, which aimed to address some of the safety concerns surrounding AI, and analysts anticipate Trump could make a big push for AI innovation.

Altman has also sparred with Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump who spent at least $200 million to back the former president's 2024 campaign and is looking at ways to slash government spending, over AI safety concerns. Musk, an early investor in OpenAI who also runs rival AI startup XAI, has accused the company of putting profits and commercial interests ahead of the public good. OpenAI, controlled by a nonprofit board, is reportedly trying to restructure as a for-profit benefit corporation.

At the New York Times DealBook Summit this year, Altman didnt appear too worried about Musks strong ties to Trump. I believe pretty strongly that Elon will do the right thing and that it would be profoundly un-American to use political power to the degree that Elon would hurt competitors and advantage his own businesses, he said.

Meta

Its the first time Meta has donated to a presidential inaugural fund, but the company has previously supported both parties convention committees, Meta spokesman Andy Stone said in an e-mail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meta's $1-million donation to the Trump inaugural fund was made at Zuckerberg's request, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Zuckerberg, who expressed concerns about Trumps immigration policies during his first presidency, has been strengthening ties with Trump. He met with Trump over dinner at his private Mar-a-Lago club and gifted him a pair of Metas Ray-Ban smart glasses, according to the Journal.

After an attempted assassination of Trump in July, Zuckerberg told Bloomberg in an interview that Trumps reaction of raising his fist in the air was one of the most badass things Ive ever seen in my life.

Trumps campaign has floated proposals that would affect online platforms including legislation to drastically limit the ability of big social media platforms to restrict free speech.

Jeff Bezos reportedly plans to meet the president-elect at his Mar-a-Lago club next week, and Amazon is also expected to donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)

Amazon

Bezos is also trying to win over Trump and plans to meet the president-elect at his Mar-a-Lago club next week, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The e-commerce giant contributed to Trumps first presidential inauguration in 2017, donating roughly $58,000. (Biden reportedly wasn't accepting tech donations for his 2021 inauguration.)

Trump has sparred with Amazon in the past, falsely accusing the Bezos-owned Washington Post of being a lobbyist for the tech giant. Trump also accused Amazon of a post office scam.

Bezos companies could benefit from Trump administration policies. Amazon Web Services and its space company, Blue Origin, which competes with SpaceX, has contracts with the federal government and has been striking a more friendly tone with Trump, according to a report from the Washington Post .

Read more: What to know about Elon Musk's contracts with the federal government

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At the New York Times DealBook Summit, Bezos appeared optimistic about the new administration and noted that Trump seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation.

If I can help him do that, Im going to help him, because we do have too much regulation in this country, Bezos said.

Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
An Israeli airstrike on a municipial building in the Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah on Saturday killed at least 10 people, including the city's mayor, according to a report from the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Dozens of displaced people were sheltering in the building, according to the Wafa report.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said shortly afterwards that the aim of the strike was killing the city's mayor, who the IDF alleged had also been active as a cadre in the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The IDF said that he had supported Hamas combat operations, but did not provide further details of the allegations.

Further Israeli strikes in Gaza

Other Israeli strikes elsewhere in the Gaza Strip also killed several other people on Saturday, including at least seven people in a strike on the former Al-Majida Wasila School building in Gaza City, according to Wafa.

The news agency said that the building was also being used to house people displaced by the conflict.

The IDF said it was investigating the report.

The IDF, however, also acknowledged striking a different school compound near Gaza City on Saturday which was allegedly being used as a Hamas command post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Israeli Air Force "conducted a precise strike on Hamas terrorists," the IDF said in a post on its Telegram channel. It said the "terrorists" were planning to attack Israel and noted that the group "was embedded within a compound that previously served as the 'Yaffa' School in Gaza City."

Israel forces have repeatedly targeted former school buildings amid their campaign in Gaza, accusing Palestinian extremist group Hamas of setting up command centres inside such buildings.

The IDF's claims could not be independently verified.

The IDF contended that the military took measures to minimize risks to civilians, but did not provide information on casualties. Wafa reported that two people were killed and several others injured.

Dozens killed in past 24 hours

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, a total of 55 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks within 24 hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

More than 44,900 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began over 14 months ago. The ministry's figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters, although many of those reported killed are women and children. The casualty reports cannot currently be independently verified.

Israel began launching intense attacks in the Gaza Strip in response to the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel led by Hamas. On October 7, attackers from Hamas and other groups killed more than 1,200 and abducted about 250 hostages.

The IDF on Saturday also said that the Israeli air force had attacked weapons depots and individuals allegedly involved in a Hamas missile attack on southern Israel, which was launched from Gaza on Friday evening.

An "active international aid warehouse" is located some 50 metres from the missile launch site targeted by Israel on Saturday, the IDF wrote on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was not possible to independently verify the claims.

PA moves against Hamas in West Bank

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, meanwhile, security forces from the Palestinian Authority (PA) moved against the Hamas movement and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Jenin in an operation that began on Saturday morning and continued through the day.

The PIJ reported that one of its commanders had been killed. There was no confirmation from the PA.

The operation in the city in the north of the West Bank was aimed at liberating Jenin from "lawless elements," a spokesman told Wafa. PA Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa was expected to visit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Observers believe the PA fears an armed uprising in the West Bank that could topple the group from power, as happened in the Gaza Strip in 2007 after Hamas won parliamentary elections the previous year.

Since then, the government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has maintained limited authority over the occupied West Bank only, with Israeli security forces repeatedly mounting their own operations.

At the start of the week, PA security forces were also active in Jenin against Hamas and PIJ, both of which accuse the PA of collaborating with Israel.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Tennessee State University (TSU) has a new interim president after the last one resigned just months into the job.

The Board of Trustees had a special called meeting on Friday, Dec. 13 to name a TSU alumnus and board member, Dwayne Tucker, as the new interim leader while the school continues searching for a permanent president, officials said.

TSUs new interim president, Dwayne Tucker (Courtesy: TSU)

According to TSU, Tucker will step down from the board and take a temporary leave from his role as chief executive officer of LEAD Public Schools to serve as interim president until June 30, 2025, but he will not take a salary for it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I am both honored and humbled by this appointment, Tucker said. As a proud TSU alum, I care deeply about securing the strongest possible future for my alma mater and for the students who entrust us with their education. This is why I have served all along. We have serious and important work to do, and I look forward to joining the board in doing that work transparently and with integrity. Its the TSU way.

PREVIOUS: Interim president of Tennessee State University resigns

The previous interim president was Dr. Ronald Johnson, who resigned earlier this week, saying it has become apparent that there is a fundamental difference of perspective with the Board.

TSU thanked Johnson for his time as president, but some board members were upset with his tenure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He spoke about TSU graduates and those who did not earn degrees as destined to work at Popeyes or Starbucks, Board Vice Chair Charles Traughber said. He also began referring to this institution as this place.'

Those alleged comments spread quickly to students and alumni.

RELATED: Former TSU Financial Aid Director sues for retaliation

I find that as an insult, John Smith said. Me, personally, I own three restaurants, and Im a TSU alumnusThere are a lot of alumnus that are very, very successful from Tennessee State.

Other concerns about Johnsons tenure revolved around his authority and failure to include the board in decision making.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

President Johnson signed a contract naming past President Glenda Glover an advisor to the president, without our knowledge. In addition, last month, he arguably misled the state building commission about his involvement with Glovers continuing employment arrangement with TSU, Traughber said. Second, there has been a consistent lack of clear and and consistent financial information provided by Johnsons administration, despite our repeated requests.

With Tucker taking the lead at TSU, many alums are excited about the future, especially since he also graduated from the school in 1980.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

TSU Board Chair Dakasha Winton also shared optimism for Tuckers tenure as interim president, saying, The board has one North Star  ensuring a bright future for TSU so we can serve students, faculty and alumni for decades to come. This decision is in service of that priority. We are deeply grateful to Dwayne for making the sacrifice to serve TSU in this way. As a proud and accomplished TSU alum with proven leadership in addressing complex issues while developing innovative paths forward, he is uniquely capable of leading us through this important and challenging time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tucker has a distinguished career in education and business spanning nearly four decades, according to the university. He has served as CEO, chief human resource officer, chief administrative officer, and president at various companies.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Police have detained a suspect in a terrorist attack in the city centre of Dnipro near a territorial recruitment centre on 14 December, which killed a man and injured four people.

Source: National Police; Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)

Details: At 14:45 on Saturday, an explosion rang out near one of the administrative buildings in the central district of Dnipro. A man was killed and four other people were injured, including two police officers. The injured are currently in hospital. Doctors are fighting to save their lives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The police investigation team, explosives experts, a forensic laboratory and all relevant services were working at the scene.

Law enforcement officials note that, according to preliminary information, the attacker acted on the instructions of Russian secret services.

It is reported that as a result of the operational measures taken, the police, together with the SSU, tracked down and detained the suspect within a few hours. He appeared to be a local resident, 37 years of age.

The suspect was taken to the police station. Searches are ongoing at the detainee's place of residence, and all necessary investigative actions are being carried out, the SSU said.

The issue of choosing a measure of restraint and serving him a notice of suspicion under Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (terrorist act) is being decided.

Support UP or become our patron!
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against a New York doctor alleging she violated state law by prescribing abortion medication to Texans via telehealth appointments.

Both surgical and medication abortions are banned in Texas, and Fridays lawsuit is the first legal test to see what happens when state abortion laws conflict with one another.

New York, like many other Democratic-leaning states, has a shield law in place protecting providers from out-of-state investigations and prosecutions if they prescribe or send abortion medication to people living in states with abortion restrictions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the lawsuit, Paxton accuses Margaret Daley Carpenter, a physician and co-founder of The Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine (ACT) in New York, of prescribing and mailing abortion medication in a telehealth appointment to a 20-year-old pregnant woman in Collin County, Texas, which then later caused an adverse event resulting in a medical abortion.

ACT is an advocacy group founded after the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and connects people looking for abortion care to clinicians licensed in states where telemedicine abortion providers are protected under the law, according to the organizations website.

ACT has yet to respond to a request for comment from The Hill regarding the lawsuit.

Carpenter also works with AidAccess and Hey Jane, which provide abortion care, birth control and emergency contraception via telehealth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carpenters 20-year-old patient was sent two boxes of abortion medications along with instructions after a telehealth visit this past spring, according to the lawsuit.

Two drugs are typically used for medication abortions, mifepristone, which stops the pregnancy from advancing, and misoprostol, which induces cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus.

The first was a box containing 200 mg of mifepristone with #1 written on it accompanied by directions to take one table by mouth. The second was a bottle of misoprostol 200 mcg pills with directions to take four tables after taking the mifepristone pill.

In July, the patient started to bleed heavily and asked the biological father of her unborn child to be taken to the hospital, according to the lawsuit. After the woman received medical care at a hospital in Collin County, the biological father of the unborn child was told the mother of the unborn child was experiencing a hemorrhage or heavy bleeding as she had been nine weeks pregnant, the lawsuit reads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawsuit does not say whether the abortion was successful or what health consequences she suffered after undergoing a medication abortion.

Paxton is seeking an injunction to stop Carpenter from continuing to provide abortion care via telehealth to Texas and for her to pay $100,000 for every violation of the states near-total abortion ban.

In response to the lawsuit, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement that the state will always protect abortion providers from unjust attempts to punish them for doing their job.

Abortion is, and will continue to be, legal and protected in New York, she said. We will never cower in the face of intimidation or threats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on December 16 (Monday). "The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024: Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill," the list of business stated. The first amendment bill to conduct simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and State assemblies and another bill to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. Meanwhile, Arjun Ram Meghwal will also move the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Also to introduce to Bill. Several opposition leaders have questioned the One Nation One election proposal saying it was impractical and an attack on federalism Senior Congress leader and RS MP Digvijay Singh said, 'One Nation, One Election' said that if a state government falls in six months or loses its majority, will the state have to remain without a government for the rest of the 4.5 years."Elections cannot be postponed for more than 6 months in any state. If the One Nation One Election is being introduced and the government in a state falls in 6 months, the no-confidence motion is passed, will we remain without a government for 4.5 years? This is not possible in this country... Earlier, governments used to complete their full term of 5 years, but today some governments fall in 2.5 years and somewhere they fall in 3 years." Congress MP Jairam Ramesh demanded that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, asserting that the bill undermines democracy. "The bill will be presented in Parliament, and we want it to be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will hold discussions on it. The Indian National Congress's position was clarified last year by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation, One Election, stating that we oppose the bill," Ramesh told ANI. On December 12, the 'One Nation One Election' bill was approved by the Union Cabinet paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, before its introduction in the Parliament, the bill initiated debate between the ruling and opposition parties. Several parties of the INDIA bloc opposed the bill while the BJP-led NDA alliance parties welcomed this bill, saying, it would save time and lay the groundwork for unified elections across the country. Notably, in September this year, the Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within a span of 100 days. The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Kovind. Following the Cabinet's approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision, calling it a significant step towards enhancing India's democracy. (ANI)
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Texas House Republicans remain split on who to support in the Speaker of the House race one week after Speaker Dade Phelan removed himself from contention and was replaced by Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock.

Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, was able to secure enough votes to earn the Republican House Caucus nomination this past weekend, even after Burrows and more than 20 other House members walked out of the vote. That same day, Burrows declared victory in the race saying he had enough bipartisan support to get the 76 votes needed to win the Speaker race.

Those 26 members that chose to leave, please know that you have my commitment that I want to continue working with you day and night between today and Jan. 14, Cook said to a room of reporters following the Saturday vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Republican House Caucus rules state any member who is able to win the nomination will receive support from all 88 members, but it appears Cook does not have the full support just yet.

Gov. Greg Abbott took to X this week to voice his opinion about the race, saying, I worked this entire year to elect conservative candidates who will pass conservative laws, including school choice. To achieve that goal we need a Texas House Speaker chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick echoed the governors remarks in his own statement on X, saying it was time for 76 House Republican members to support the GOP Caucus nominee, David Cook.

The Chairman of the Texas Republican Party, Abraham George, said it is time for Burrows to remove himself from the race and support Cook for Speaker. George said any members who go against the GOP nominee could possibly face a censure from the party.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you end up having multiple censures on your record, the Party has the right to tell you, you cannot run as a Republican in the next cycle,' George explained. If an elected Republican official is censured by a county or district committee of the party, the State Republican Executive Committee has the right to penalize that member, according to Rule 44 of the Texas GOP Rules.

One of the penalties would direct the state chairman to refuse to accept any application for a place on the ballot of a Republican Primary Election for a period of 24 months. George said now is not the time for handing out censures, but he expects the members to fall in line in supporting Cook.

The split in the Republican party has given the minority party in the House the chance for some influence. The House Democratic Caucus is not supporting a candidate currently, but the chair of the HDC said it is not supporting the GOP nominee.

We will absolutely not vote for David Cook because he is offering Texans nothing, Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wu said Democratic members are looking for a candidate that will focus on tackling issues that are impacting Texans. All that stuff that is just there to generate hate, keep that to yourself. Tell us about wages. Tell us about housing. Tell us about medical costs, Wu said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Texas' attorney general is taking his anti-abortion crusade beyond state borders. In what may be the first lawsuit of its kind, Texas AG Ken Paxtons office is suing a New York physician for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas resident through telemedicine.

Filed Thursday, the lawsuit argues that the doctor, Margaret Daley Carpenter, prescribed mifepristone and misoprostol to a 20-year-old Texan woman via telemedicine in May, in violation of Texas state law. The patient subsequently experienced hemorrhage or severe bleeding after ingesting the medication and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. At the hospital, her partner learned that she had been pregnant and suspected that the woman had done something to contribute to the miscarriage or abortion of the fetus, according to the complaint. Her partner then found the medications allegedly prescribed by Carpenter at home.

The AGs office is asking a judge to impose a temporary injunction to bar Carpenter, who it says does not have a license to practice medicine in Texas, from prescribing abortion-inducing drugs to Texas residents. It also requested a civil penalty of $100,000 for each violation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Carpenter did not respond to NBC News request for comment on Friday.

The lawsuit signals a potential new front in the fight over abortion access. Its unclear how Carpenter or New York State will respond. In 2023, New York enacted a shield law to protect doctors who prescribe abortion pills to out-of-state patients via telemedicine. Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Friday that she is committed to maintaining New Yorks status as a safe harbor for all who seek abortion care.

Make no mistake: I will do everything in my power to enforce the laws of New York State, she added.

Even so, Paxtons lawsuit could have serious consequences. As The New York Times reported:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

[L]egal experts say they expect Texas to try to pursue its case even if it is rebuffed by New Yorks law. Such an effort could wind up in federal court, potentially imperiling the ability of women in other states with bans to receive abortion pills by mail, and becoming a major test of whether states can enforce contradictory laws across state lines.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Thomas and Ruth OBrien, the parents of comedian and late night host Conan OBrien, have died. Thomas, an epidemiologist, was 95, and Ruth, a lawyer, was 92. Dr. OBrien died Monday and Mrs. OBrien died Thursday. The New York Times reported the news.

Both OBriens died in their home in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Dr. OBrien was the first director of the infectious diseases division at what is now known as Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. Mrs. OBrien was the second woman partner at Ropes & Gray law firm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Dr. OBrien was an early alarm-ringer about the danger of antimicrobial resistance. The Boston Globe reported he also worried about drug-resistant superbugs. The problem of antimicrobial resistance is enormous because of the magnitude of the interconnecting global bacterial populations it involves, he wrote in a 2021 World Health Organization report on the topic.

It is intricate because of the diversity of resistance genes and genetic vectors responding to differing usage of antimicrobial agents on different parts of those populations in different parts of the world. It is also peculiarly circular since an attempt to cure one patient may eventually prevent cure of another, he added.

He was one of the pioneers of databases that allowed physicians to quickly record and report outbreaks of antibiotic resistance, the Globe added. Traveling the world, often to small hospitals in developing nations, he cultivated a network of physicians, researchers, and technicians whose observations and testing became part of a larger effort.

Dr. OBrien was also an associate professor at Harvard Medical School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ruth OBrien was one four women who graduated in the Yale Law School class of 1956. She began her career at Ropes & Gray soon after graduation, the firm shared on its website, and remained there until 1960, when she became pregnant with her first child. She rejoined the firm in a part-time capacity after staying home and raising her family for a decade.

Mrs. OBrien returned to the firm full-time after the birth of her sixth child and became the firms second female partner in 1978. She retired in 1996.

The OBriens raised their family in Brookline, Massachusetts. Science has said theres no such thing as perpetual motion, but my father was proof that that was wrong, Conan OBrien told the Boston Globe. My father was in constant motion. And he was interested in everything  absolutely everything.

For the rest of my time on earth I will be hearing from people who want to talk with me about my dad, he also said. Ive never met anyone like him, and he happens to be my father. If I met him randomly in a hotel lobby, Id think, Who the hell is this guy? Hes the most interesting person Ive ever met.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Justin OBrien, the pairs youngest child, also told the publication, My mother once said she thought he enjoyed her reunions more than she did. He really loved meeting people and hearing their stories and getting to know them in a very meaningful way.

Thomas OBrien was born Jan. 28, 1929, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated from Mary E. Wells High School in Southbridge in 1946 and completed his undergraduate studies at College of the Holy Cross in 1950. He then moved on to Harvard Medical School, from which he graduated in 1954.

Ruth OBriend was also born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. She graduated from South High School in 1949, from Vassar College in 1953, and from Yale Law School in 1956.

Thomas and Ruth OBrien are survived by their children, Conan, Justin, Neal, Luke, Kate and Jane as well as by nine grandchildren, Neve, Beckett, Paget, Eamonn, Declan, Grace, Irene, Finn and Caitlin.

The post Thomas and Ruth OBrien, Epidemiologist and Lawyer and Parents of Conan OBrien, Die Days Apart appeared first on TheWrap.
Several thousand people came together in Berlin on Saturday to successfully prevent a couple dozen far-right protesters from marching thorough the German capital's eastern Friedrichshain and Lichtenberg districts, according to police.

Some 2,500 to 3,000 counter-protesters gathered along several locations of the planned route, with only some 60 rightwingers attending the march, a police spokesman said.

Some police officers were injured after they were pelted with bottles and stones, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The far-right protesters had gathered at Berlin's Ostkreuz train station, a major transport hub in Friedrichshain, to march along the Frankfurter Allee thoroughfare towards Lichtenberg.

Counter-demonstrators managed to stop the march on Frankfurter Allee, after police ruled it was disproportionate to clear a gathering of thousands of people in order to ensure the passage of a few dozen far-right protesters.

Some 500 people were originally expected to attend, but the number of participants ended up being much smaller, the police spokesman said.

The route of the far-right march was changed after authorities prohibited the protesters from passing a building partially occupied by far-left activists.

Participants in a counter-demonstration against a right-wing extremist rally with the slogan "For law and order: against left-wing extremism and politically motivated violence" clash with the police during a sit-in blockade. Fabian Sommer/dpa
The six-member team of Special Investigation Team (SIT) reached Lord Sri Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Saturday morning to inspect the temple kitchen. The SIT team, investigating the Tirumala 'Laddu' controversy, carried out inspections in various sections of the temple. The investigation team also checked the temple kitchen where the sacred Tirumala Srivari Laddu Prasadam is made. They reviewed the laboratory where quality tests for 'Laddus' are conducted while checking the related records. The SIT team carried out inspections in the flour mill as well. Over three weeks ago, a SIT team visited Tirupati to investigate the adulteration of 'ghee' used in the sacred food offering (prasad). The team was conducting a detailed investigation in Tirupati and Tirumala. The inquiry is aimed at gathering complete information regarding the adulteration case. The row over the Tirupati Prasadam (laddus) began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, the Prasdam offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous YSRCP government. Later, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI-led investigation into the Laddu prasadam issue. The team will include officials from the state police and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Earlier, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board passed a resolution prohibiting political statements within Tirumala, stating that legal action will be taken against violators as well as those who propagate them. Moreover, the board decided to write to the Andhra Pradesh Government, requesting appropriate action regarding non-Hindu employees working in Tirumala. The TTD Trust Board also resolved to use enhanced quality ghee in preparing the iconic Srivari Laddu. These resolutions along with others were taken in the first meeting of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board under the Chairmanship of BR Naidu on Monday at the Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala. During the meeting, the board members discussed 80 key issues and passed several resolutions. (ANI)
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Three people pled guilty on Friday to their roles in a murder on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation.

According to court documents, in September 2023, Michael Shaffer, Sr., 48, and Montero Willis, 22, used a firearm to shoot and kill a tribal member in the Pearl River Community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation.

Jackson police arrest man for fatal shooting on Grand Avenue

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Prosecutors said Deyonkia Willis, 30, acted as an accessory after the fact to the murder. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023.

The defendants will be sentenced at a later date to be determined by the court. Michael Shaffer, Sr., and Montero Willis both face up to life in prison for murder in the second degree. Deyonkia Willis faces up to 15 years in prison.

The Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Tribal Initiative.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
(Bloomberg) -- Some of the loudest US critics of TikTok are set to occupy senior roles in the next Trump administration, providing counterweights to the incoming presidents newfound openness to the popular Chinese-owned app as it faces an American ban.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Besides nominating Senator Marco Rubio Secretary of State, President-Elect Donald Trump announced he wants China hawk Jacob Helberg to be the under secretary responsible for economic and tech-related issues. Brendan Carr, long an opponent of TikTok, has been tapped to lead the Federal Communications Commission.

All three played a role in convincing lawmakers that Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd.s ownership of a social media platform with more than 170 million US users would be an unacceptable national security risk, both for the influence of its opaque algorithm and its collection of data on US users.

The appointments set up a potential conflict in the next administration  not least with Trump himself. While Trump supported efforts to ban TikTok in his first term, hes since softened his stance, using the app during his 2024 campaign to reach younger voters and calling it a necessary counterweight to enemy of the people Facebook.

The animosity toward Facebook may dissolve now that its owner Meta Platforms Inc. has donated $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund, part of Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerbergs push to improve the relationship.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rubio and Helberg at the State Department would unlikely try to thaw the tech Cold War that has emerged in recent years, according to Anupam Chander, a Georgetown Law professor who specializes in technology. Even if Trump were to try to strike a deal with China beyond just TikTok, it could be viewed skeptically by the people he has chosen to be his top diplomats.

Hes the ultimate decision maker, but then he has to get them to reverse their positions publicly, Chander said. Thats going to be a little bit of a challenge.

Spokespeople for Carr, Rubio and Helberg declined to comment.

As a senator, Rubio sponsored a bill in 2021 to ban TikTok on government devices. The following year he introduced a measure to more broadly restrict the app, which helped lay the groundwork for the bipartisan bill signed in April by President Joe Biden. That law will make it illegal for any internet provider or app store to host TikTok in the US unless ByteDance sells the unit by Jan. 19.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Their task of pushing TikTok off Americans phones got easier on Friday, when an appeals court declined to pause the ban. Trump still hasnt commented on that ruling or said what hell do about it.

Helberg, appointed two years ago to a congressional commission on US-China economic and trade relations, has fashioned himself into a liaison between venture capital-funded defense startups and lawmakers working on defense policy.

Helberg has been warning about TikToks data gathering and algorithmic influence over users since at least 2021, when he published a book on tech and geopolitics.

TikTok is now on track to be banned in the US the day before Trump takes office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With a recent court case dismissing TikToks legal challenges and no concrete deal for a divestiture, theres not much Trump could do as president to reverse the law, short of instructing his Justice Department to not enforce it or asking lawmakers to repeal or amend it.

While Trump has publicly questioned the need to ban the app  and has celebrated his growing popularity on it  picking Rubio and Helberg for State Department roles may tip that corner of the administration against any action on behalf TikTok.

I think theres some signal in those appointments in terms of where the chips are falling, said Valerie Wirtschafter, a Brookings fellow who focuses on foreign policy and emerging technologies. Rubio and Helberg will be more on the side of pressuring China on the TikTok ban.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Dec. 14With the Lodi City Council set to vote on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit camping in public places, city officials, the police department and county and nonprofit partners are already stepping up enforcement efforts.

If the ordinance is approved at next Wednesday's city council meeting it will take effect 30 days thereafter.

Mayor Lisa Craig told the News-Sentinel that Lodi Police Department officers have already begun regularly engaging with those "camping" on public sidewalks, roadways and areas around Lodi.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officers have been working with SJ Cares  a program maintained by the San Joaquin County Probation Department  Caltrans, and local businesses such as McDonald's and Lodi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to move homeless individuals off freeway on-ramps and into the services they need, and then removing the encampments.

"And it's not just an issue of the blight they create at our city gateways or the damage they cause to properties," Craig said. "Their lives and others are threatened as drivers run the risk of hitting someone walking or riding bikes along the medians, the on-ramps, or even in the areas under the overpasses."

Nonprofits such as the Salvation Army, Outreach Ministries, Grace & Mercy Charitable Foundation and Lodi House are continuing their respective fundraising efforts this holiday season to feed, clothe, and provide health services to the unsheltered, as well as all residents, she said.

"All of the city's efforts focus on providing needed services to those seeking help and support, but we are at a point where outreach must be balanced with accountability," Craig said. "The homeless are accountable for their actions, and vandalism or camping on private property has legal consequences. Businesses and property owners are accountable as well. Posting no loitering/no trespassing signs is one way to direct transients away from occupying private property."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Construction on Lodi's permanent homeless access center at 712 N. Sacramento St. will begin soon, and with the city, county and nonprofit partners providing the resources individuals need to transition out of homelessness, Craig says that breaking the law by occupying public streets, parks and private property, and bringing blight and nuisance actions into public view is not acceptable.

"Those who continue to do so will be cited, and when necessary, prosecuted," she said. "Our residents and business owners deserve relief from the costly and constant presence of homeless individuals choosing to live their lives on city sidewalks and streets."

Craig added that even when homeless individuals are prosecuted, San Joaquin County's CARE Court will be a final option for those suffering from mental illness to receive assistance rather than incarceration. Senate Bill 1338 enacted the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act in 2022, which allows individuals to petition the courts to create a voluntary program that will provide behavioral health care to adults experiencing mental illness such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Lodi's proposed ordinance comes months after the Supreme Court ruled that cities enforcing anti-camping bans are not violating the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, even if homeless individuals have no place to go. The ruling struck down the Martin v. Boise decision of 2018, that said cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances if they do not provide enough homeless shelter beds for their unsheltered populations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Following the Supreme Court's June decision, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order encouraging local jurisdictions to remove homeless encampments from public spaces.

Craig said that as the city, county and nonprofits work to promote a higher quality of life for the homeless, they must also remember to provide the same opportunity to Lodi's nearly 70,000 residents, and its thousands of visitors.

"Our City of Lodi government mission statement is 'to enhance the quality of life for Lodi residents, reflecting our high community standards,'" she said. "As a city councilmember, I'm responsible and accountable for ensuring those high standards."
People at a 2021 March On for Voting Rights rally on the National Mall in Washington. Maryland cannot rely on Washington but needs to pass its own voting rights act, write Nehemiah Bester and Faith Blackburne-Proctor. Getty Images photo by Anna Moneymaker.

In November, Maryland elected its first Black U.S. senator and has made significant progress toward building an inclusive democracy in recent years, expanding hours and number of early voting centers in each jurisdiction, for example.

Yet, Maryland is not immune to the attacks on voting rights weve seen across the country. This past election saw bomb threats at several local board of elections offices and significant disparities in voter participation by race. In several communities across the state, no person of color has ever been elected to public office, despite growing Black and Latino populations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This included the town of Federalsburg in Caroline County, until a recent federal lawsuit.

Ive been here all my life, 68 years. I havent seen no African American on the board, said lifelong resident Roberta Butler. But were not going back. Were going forward. Its time for a change and getting young African Americans on that board.

The town had an at-large system where candidates were elected by the whole town rather than running in specific districts. This let the white majority choose every officeholderand completely block out the voices of their Black neighbors, even though Black residents make up half the towns population.

That changed when seven Black Federalsburg women filed a federal lawsuit. After a court ordered the town to shift to a district-based system, two Black women were elected to the town council in 2023 for the first time ever in the towns 200-year history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unfortunately, Federalsburg is not an anomaly.

More than half the states cities and towns have substantial populations of people of color, yet nearly two-thirds of those communities use at-large elections, and one-quarter of these diverse communities have no elected officials of color. Underrepresentation is worse at the county level where one-third of the counties with substantial populations of color have all-white governments.

Maryland shouldnt need expensive, cumbersome federal lawsuits to solve our states problems. In the most diverse state on the East Coast, Black voters and other voters of color need more protections. Maryland can address this critical need and cement its status as a national leader on voting rights by enacting the Maryland Voting Rights Act (MDVRA).

The MDVRA protects against racially discriminatory at-large elections or local voting districts, prevents discriminatory election practices and voter intimidation, and improves public notice of changes to election rules. It ensures that eligible voters who dont speak English comfortably can participate in our democracy; and it can stop discrimination before it occurs in jurisdictions that present a high risk of discriminatory voting policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On the federal level, the Supreme Court has spent the past decade chipping away at the federal Voting Rights Act and the incoming Congress is unlikely to restore the VRA. And voting rights will be under threat again under a new Trump presidency.

The first Trump administration suppressed expansion of voter rights by spreading misinformation, denying election results, and inciting violence toward election workers and our democratic system. It opposed H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, which would have strengthened legal protections against discriminatory election practices.

In a second term, a Trump administration will make it harder for Americans to vote  particularly voters of color. This includes voters with limited English proficiency, voters with disabilities and other marginalized communities.

Maryland cannot afford to sit idle while this occurs. The MDVRA would help ensure that all voters are able to cast ballots and participate freely and fairly in the states democratic process  particularly those who have historically been denied equal opportunity and access. It would secure the states voting rights before they are gutted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Polls show 81% of Maryland voters support a MDVRA and 80% would like their state representative to prioritize its passage. The MDVRA is extremely popular across race and party lines, making the 2025 legislative session a perfect time to pass what would be the strongest state VRA in the nation.

Seven states, including Virginia, have passed a state VRA as critical legislation to protect voters and increase fairness and transparency in the voting process. Maryland should be next. These innovative statutes will remain important tools for fighting discrimination even after Congress restores the VRA to its full strength.

The right to vote is the cornerstone of democracy, and turnout for the 2024 election proves just that. With the election now in the past, its time for us to secure the future. The work is not done. Now is the time to pass the Maryland Voting Rights Act.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Kansas transportation officials announced on Friday that a highway flyover bridge in Topeka will be closed early next week.

Kate Craft with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) said in a press release on Dec. 13 that workers will close the Highway 75 flyover bridge in west Topeka on Monday, Dec. 16 as part of an ongoing repair project. The bridge will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while concrete overlay work takes place.

Drivers will be unable to use the Highway 75 flyover bridge to eastbound I-70/Gage Boulevard while the work is underway. KDOTs detour route will guide traffic to westbound I-70, Fairlawn Road and back to eastbound I-70.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its very emotional: Shawnee County neighbors confront local leaders over plan to build new duplexes

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

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Columbus State University served over 7,000 military personnel this fall semester. WRBL spoke with one veteran who received their degree from the university.

30-year-old Ancele Djampou is a member of the United States Army. She traveled nine hours from Germany to walk the stage.

Djampou told WRBL, Ive been looking forward for to this moment. Ive been looking for it and I was very excited when I was finally there. Why not come here and celebrate?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Djampou grew up in Cameroon going through the French school system. When it came time to further her education she moved to the states.

She shines a light on what pursuing higher education and being in the military really looks like.

It was pretty, it was very stressful, says Djampou. Sometimes you have of exercise, you have time difference. You have its very stressful. But like I said you have to remember your goal.

On Dec. 13, she received her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies to assist in furthering her career in the military.

It feels like an accomplishment, you know, Im proud of myself. Army and school not easy it can be tough it can be really tough and youve got to remember why you started.

 Ancele Djampou, U.S. Army Soldier and CSU graduate

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Djampou intends to reign in the new year in Columbus before heading back to Germany with her degree.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Reported sexual abuse cases have risen across the U.S.

The federal government has tracked a nearly 20% increase since 2019, and in Middle Tennessee, law enforcement has been working to tackle the problem head-on.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment out of Middle Tennessee for a Texas physician, who now faces child sexual exploitation charges.

RELATED: Texas man indicted for child sexual exploitation charges following online relationship with Middle Tennessee minor

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Investigators discovered 34-year-old Philip Taylor Sobash engaged in an online sexual relationship with a minor who lived in Middle Tennessee. After receiving sexually explicit photos, Sobash was accused of selling the images online as part of a larger collection that featured 70 young women and children.

Kids are not your product. Kids are not your profit source and we are going to protect them in the virtual space, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said.

Sobashs arrest came on the heels of Tennessee lawmakers pushing for more protection when it comes to online safety for kids. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) the Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed more than 425 million images and videos.

Legislation introduced by Blackburn would create new regulations over what social media shows children and how tech companies use childrens data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

You know as well as I do with technology out there, with the use of social media and apps and games that you can do online, it really exploits children, explained Captain Scott Moore with the Wilson County Sheriffs Office.

Children sometimes play games against other live people on a television, a phone or a tablet. However, they may not always know who they are connecting with.

Weve seen cases of sextortion  cases where children have used games, such as Roblox, where it can be a fun and creative space for children, but at the same time it does not really prevent other people from sending inappropriate materials to each other, Moore said.

But its not just a problem in Wilson County; its happened in counties across Middle Tennessee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

SEE ALSO: Man arrested for multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor following cyber tip

This week, the Metro Nashville Police Department arrested 23-year-old Turmier Beach after receiving a cybertip from the NCMEC. Beach was identified as a suspect who uploaded images of child sexual abuse across multiple social media platforms all from his home internet.

NCMEC also provides information for survivors who want to take quick action if they are made aware of their images or videos online. Learn how to contact the internet service providers to report files circulating online.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
In recognition of Black history, The Tribune-Democrat will once again hold a Black History Month contest for area students.

The promotion is sponsored by the Ron Fisher African American History Educational Fund, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and Bottle Works, which will display posters and host the winners at an awards reception in February.

The Ron Fisher African American History Educational Fund honors the late The Tribune-Democrat reporter Ronald Fisher, who died in 2019.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We want to give the youth in Johnstown an opportunity to have a voice and give them something to be excited about, Alexis Fisher, Ron Fishers sister, said in announcing the 2025 contest.

Each year, we see people who have participated before, but we also see new names and different schools. People look forward to it and want to get involved.

The promotion is entering its fifth year.

This year I wanted to keep things a little more lighthearted and upbeat, Fisher said. I went with the idea of finding out whats trending right now, what are people into and whats something that sparks excitement that would make people want to get involved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The contest is open to students in all grades at area school districts.

Prizes will be awarded in three age divisions with the following prompts for preparing entries:

 For pupils in kindergarten through Grade 4: Depict an influential African American in performing arts (music, dance and theater).

Posters should be no larger than 24 inches by 36 inches.

 For students in fifth through eighth grades: Design the cover of a magazine that showcases one of your favorite famous African Americans or Black owned/operated businesses. Consider adding a brief title and description to explain why this individual or group is being showcased.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Posters should be no larger than 24 inches by 36 inches.

 For students in ninth through 12th grades: Create a social media hashtag for Black History Month. In 500 words, explain the ideas, events, adventures or activities that your hashtag will represent.

A panel of volunteer community judges will select the winners.

First-place winners in each category will receive $500 and the two runners-up will receive $250. Plaques also will be presented to winners.

The deadline for all entries is Jan. 24.

Submissions can be uploaded at www.tribdem.com/bhm.

Submissions also may be delivered to The Tribune-Democrat, 425 Locust St., Johnstown, Pa. 15901.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Winners will be announced and published in The Tribune-Democrat and online at www.TribDem.com in February.

Fisher said she hopes to see students get creative with their submissions.

Were giving them a great deal of flexibility in their submission and what they decide to do with (them), she said.

I hope they learn and feel that they have the opportunity to speak up and tell us what theyre thinking and what their outlook is.

Kelly Urban is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. She can be reached at 814-532-5073. Follow her on Twitter @KellyUrban25.
This week started with some monumental news from Syria: Rebels completed a takeover of the government, causing the countrys authoritarian leader, Bashar Assad, to flee to Russia. There remains lots of uncertainty about the future of the region as President Joe Biden nears the end of his term.

The suspect in the killing of UnitedHeathcares CEO, Luigi Mangione  who has captured the nations interest  was charged with murder, and casings from the scene match the gun found on him. The U.S. House passed an $895 billion defense bill that included a pay raise for the military.

Meanwhile in Illinois, 10 finalists were chosen in the state flag design competition. Donald Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan threatened deportations during a speech he gave at a Northwest Side Republican event. Gov. JB Pritzker promised to protect immigrants in Illinois but said anyone who has been convicted of a violent crime should be deported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It has been a cold week in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson recessed Fridays City Council meeting until Monday without taking any action on the citys budget. Will he cobble together enough votes over the weekend?

The Bears found a new way to lose Sunday to the 49ers, leaving many people questioning if the team will win another game this season. The Michelin awards were announced, and Chicago has a new one-star restaurant, Carino, a contemporary Mexican restaurant in Uptown.

Lets get to it. Do you know who said what this week? Heres the Tribunes Quotes of the Week quiz for the week spanning Dec. 8 to 14. Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.
The Assam State Election Commission has published the draft electoral rolls for the upcoming Panchayat elections in the State. The draft electoral rolls for the coming Panchayat elections were published on Friday after taking into account the effect of the fresh delimitation of Gaon Panchayat, Anchalik Panchayat and Zilla Parishad constituencies by the State government in 2024 for the twenty-seven (27) districts, excluding Sixth Schedule Areas and Municipal Areas. The Assam State Election Commission said in a press release that, there are 1,75,54,589 voters including 88,29,927 male, 87,24,274 female voters and 388 other voters. There are 397 Zilla Parishads, 181 Anchalik Panchayats, 2,193 Gaon Panchayats, 21,930 Wards and 23,781 polling stations in 27 districts of the state. "The Draft Electoral Roll would be available for public/voters in the offices of the Gaon Panchayat, Block Development, Zilla Parishad and District Commissioner as well as the website of the District Administration and the State Election Commission (https://ermssec.assam.gov.in). The Electors can check their names on the Draft Electoral Roll either through their EPIC number already allotted by the Election Commission of India, or by downloading the Draft Roll of their Polling Station from the citizen corner on the said website," the Assam State Election Commission said in the press statement. "Claims and Objections to the entries in the Draft Electoral Roll, if any, can be filed from 14.12.2024 to 21.12.2024. The process to file Claims & Objections can be known by contacting the concerned EROs/AEROs/District Authorities. The Formats of filing Claims & Objections are available in the office of the EROs/AEROs and Gaon Panchayat as well as in the website of the District Administration and the Assam State Election Commission," the Assam State Election Commission said. (ANI)
HOWLAND, Ohio (WKBN)  Outgoing Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchko is being welcomed to her previous role within the Trumbull County Republican Party.

Trumbull County Republican Party Chairwoman Julie Shutt announced Friday that Frenchko is welcomed back as an officer to fill the auxiliary chair position for which she was elected.

For the purpose of advancing unity and correcting misinformation, the Trumbull County Republican Party publicly states that actions taken against Commissioner Niki Frenchko under the previous leadership were rescinded by the TCGOP by the body of its membership, Shutt wrote in a new release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Frenchko said that she had not been invited to a party meeting in over a year and was removed from the party letterhead, questioning if those actions jeopardized her candidacy for commissioner.

The party had been at odds in the past with Frenchko. At one point, it censured her in October 2023, accusing her of criticizing the local Republican Party, its members, officers and candidates, which the group said was a violation of its bylaws.

Frenchko denied the allegations in the censure and issued a statement Friday saying that she is optimistic about the future of the Trumbull County Republican Party.

I sought office as a Republican dating back to the 1990s, so clearing up the confusion related to my party was important to me. I am excited to see new party leadership that is interested in mending division and working to create a more positive image  rebranding us as more welcoming. Were going to see some good things coming from our new officer group, and Im delighted to be part of it, Frenchko said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Frenchko lost the Republican nomination in March 2024 to Rick Hernandez who later went on to defeat Democrat Dan Polivka for the commissioners seat.

Shutt was voted in as the new chairwoman in December. She won by one vote on the second ballot, defeating long-time Republican official Marleah Campbell.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ABC News has agreed to shell out $15 million to Donald Trumps future presidential foundation and museum, settling a defamation lawsuit filed by the president elect this spring involving on-air comments made by George Stephanopoulos. The network, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company, will also pay Trump an additional $1 million for legal fees.

ABC News and Stephanopoulos legal woes stemmed from one moment during a March interview in which the anchor asked Rep. Nancy Mace why she continued to support Trump after he was found liable for rape in a Manhattan civil case last year. The South Carolina Republican had, in the past, spoken publicly about being raped as a teenager.

The president-elect, however, was not found liable for rape. Rather, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll. Following the trial, the judge who oversaw suit clarified that, due to New Yorks narrow legal definition of rape, the jurys verdict did not necessarily mean that Carroll had failed to prove Trump raped her in the common understanding of the word.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump ultimately sued ABC News, accusing Stephanopoulos of damaging his reputation by repeatedly claiming on-air that he had been found liable for raping Carroll.

According to the settlement agreement filed on Saturday in Federal District Court in Miami, ABC News and Stephanopoulos vowed to attach an editors note saying they regret the star anchors remarks about Trump to the interviews corresponding online article.

ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABCs This Week on March 10, 2024, the addendum reads.

A spokesperson for the network said they were pleased that the two parties had found a way to dismiss the lawsuit.

The ABC News settlement is a victory for Trump in his ongoing campaign against outlets he claims are fake news, after several previous attempts to sue more media outlets for defamation, including CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, were unsuccessful.
Dec. 13 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump called for elimination of daylight saving time on Friday, calling it "inconvenient" and "costly."

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he would work to ditch the practice of setting clocks ahead by one hour each spring and back in the fall.

"The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn't!" he wrote. "Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The statement comes after the leaders of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk and Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, indicated they too wanted to eliminate daylight saving time.

"Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes!" Musk posted on X last month in response to an online poll conducted by one of his followers.

Ramaswamy replied, saying, "It's inefficient & easy to change."

Many lawmakers have advocated for the elimination of the practice in recent years, although disagreement remains over which time to keep -- daylight saving time or standard time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A November 2021 YouGovAmerica Poll found that 63% of Americans want to eliminate the practice of changing clocks twice a year to account for daylight saving time, which was adopted to preserve energy during World War II.

The energy savings netted by the practice are quite small in reality, the Department of Energy found in 2008, amounting to just 0.03% of electricity consumption over that year.

In 2023, federal legislation was introduced for a fourth time in five years that would make daylight saving time permanent. Called the Sunshine Protection Act, that effort, like its predecessors, eventually stalled out in committee.
President-elect Trump on Friday evening called for authorities to shoot down the mysterious drones that have been seen in the skies of New Jersey and around the country.

He also suggested the government must know more about the mysterious sightings.

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge. I don think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shot them down!!! DJT the incoming president wrote on Truth Social.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The post comes as there have been mounting reports of sightings in New Jersey, New York and, according to Philadelphias WPVI-TV, multiple reports of flying objects within Delaware and Philadelphia counties.

The Pentagon on Wednesday denied that any foreign country was behind the mysterious drones that have flown near sensitive U.S. military sites in New Jersey.

Lawmakers from New Jersey and New York  areas that the mysterious drones have flown over  sent a letter Thursday to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Aviation Administration demanding a briefing on the drones.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrats from New York, along with New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker (D) and Andy Kim (D) asked agencies how they are working to identify and address the source of recent unmanned aerial system activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) received a classified briefing on the drone sightings earlier on Friday.

Updated at 5:39 p.m. EST

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Incoming US president Donald Trump has addressed the presence of North Korean troops on Russias frontline with Ukraine, but stopped short of denouncing Pyongyang.

Instead, he pointed to his friendship with Kim Jong Un  even though the North Korean government recently rebuked him publicly for flaunting their supposedly close relationship during the US presidential campaign.

Mr Trump said North Korean soldiers getting involved in the Ukraine war was a very complicating factor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When North Korea gets involved, that is another element that is a very complicating factor, he said on Thursday while speaking about the geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and eastern Europe.

He made the comments during an interview with Time after the American magazine picked him as its Person of the Year for the second time.

The US, South Korea and Ukraine have accused North Korea of sending more than 10,000 troops to aid Russias war effort. The Pentagon says the troops have largely been deployed to Russias Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a ground offensive of its own earlier this year.

Ukraine and its allies have also accused North Korea of shipping artillery systems, missiles and other conventional weapons to replenish Russias inventory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Russia and North Korea have neither confirmed nor denied these claims, though Moscow and Pyongyong have spoken of their deepening military cooperation and Mr Kim has vowed to invariably support Russia in its war while calling out Natos reckless eastward advance.

Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump inside the demilitarized zone separating the Koreas on 30 June 2019 (Getty)

Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defence treaty in June which requires each to provide immediate military assistance if the other is attacked.

In his interview, Mr Trump said that he and Mr Kim get along very well and the Republican said he was probably the only Western leader to have such a relationship with Pyongyang.

I know Kim Jong Un, I get along very well with Kim Jong Un. I am probably the only one hes ever really dealt with. When you think about it, I am the only one hes ever dealt with.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Trump was called out during his previous term as president for heaping praise on autocrats, including Mr Putin. He also cultivated a friendship with Viktor Orban, the right-wing leader of Hungary accused of overseeing a democratic backslide in the country.

Donald Trump speaks during a Time magazine Person of the Year event at the New York Stock Exchange (AP)

Mr Trump is the only American leader to have held three summits with Mr Kim, in 2018 and 2019, for denuclearisation talks. The diplomatic effort collapsed over disagreements about the timing of lifting US economic sanctions and Pyongyangs own measures to wind down its nuclear programme.

He wrote me beautiful letters and theyre great letters, Mr Trump said of Mr Kim in 2018. We fell in love.

The chances of Mr Trump quickly resuming diplomacy and dialogue with Pyongyang when he enters the White House are slim, experts said, as ties between the two countries have only deteriorated further under Joe Biden.

Pyongyangs ties with Russia and the weakening sanctions enforcement against Pyongyang would present further challenges in the diplomatic push to resolve the nuclear standoff with Mr Kim, they said.
Donald Trump can become a Churchill of our time if he secures a lasting peace deal in Ukraine, Estonias foreign minister has said.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Margus Tsahkna said he was hopeful Mr Trump could deliver a long-lasting ceasefire but warned that the president-elect would have to give Ukraine cast-iron security guarantees to do so.

President Trump literally has an opportunity to become the Churchill of our times, and Im not only talking about Russian aggression, but also the question globally of what the international rules are going to be, Mr Tsahkna said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If Putin can declare that he and anybody else can change borders using force, and can constantly be aggressive without any real responsibilities, it can harm everyone [in Europe] and it can harm the US position as well.

He said Estonias clear position was that Ukraine should be given full Nato membership, or equivalent levels of Western security guarantees, as this was the only security guarantee which will work.

Margus Tsahkna, Estonias foreign minister, says Donald Trump could play a role in what the international rules are going to be - Omar Havana/Getty Images Europe

Mr Tsahknas flattering comparison between Mr Trump and Winston Churchill follows similar statements from other European leaders who have been talking up his prospects of brokering a viable ceasefire once he takes office in January.

The president-elect has vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine, but has so far provided few details on how he would achieve this.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of Mr Trumps incoming advisers and JD Vance, his vice president, have already ruled out Nato membership for Ukraine as a deterrent against future Russian invasions.

Instead, they are said to be considering alternative security guarantees such as European peacekeepers, buffer zones and the threat of sending more weapons to Ukraine to create leverage over Russia.

Estonia, a Baltic state of 1.3 million people which shares a long border with Russia, is one of Kyivs most vocal allies in Europe.

In the aftermath of Russias full-scale invasion, Estonia spent more GDP per capita on supporting Ukraine than any other country worldwide, and it was one of the few to send weapons to Kyiv before the invasion even occurred.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tallinns staunch support for Kyiv is partly due to its own traumatising experience of two Soviet occupations in the mid-20th century.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Baltic state joined both Nato and the European Union in 2004, becoming part of the first line of defence against a Russian ground invasion along with Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

We cannot move to this trap

This week Estonia will host the annual summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force, a UK-led rapid response force which complements Nato troops already posted near the Russian border.

The summit will be attended by Sir Keir Starmer along with the leaders of Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Estonia has repeatedly called on the West to ensure that Ukraine can defeat Russia in military terms. However, its foreign minister has expressed concerns that Kyiv risks being pushed into a weak ceasefire agreement similar to the failed 2015 Minsk accords.

Referring to the ceasefire debate in 2015, Mr Tsahkna said: The problem with this great willingness to establish peace is that we saw that in 2015. And its not long-lasting peace, or just peace.

We cannot move to this trap, this is our clear position  the 2015 Minsk agreement did not stop Putin at all.

Putins goals in Ukraine have not changed, the minister added, with the Russian leader still obsessed with gaining full control over all Ukrainian territory by political or military means.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Tsahkna expressed disappointment that other EU and Nato allies did not follow Estonia in earmarking 0.25 per cent of GDP for Ukrainian defence supplies. The minister claimed such a move may have handed victory to Kyiv by now.

If our allies had done the same thing we would have had 120 billion by now. But we dont have this, he said.

The Wests failure to help Ukraine defeat Putin militarily was due to sluggish weapons deliveries in the early stages of the war and unfounded fears of escalating the conflict, he said.

If we had done everything that we have done for Ukraine in terms of military support in the first year, instead of the past two and a half years, it would be over and done with Putin.

An ominous comparison

The Estonian foreign minister also drew an ominous comparison between the approaching ceasefire talks and the appeasement of Adolf Hitler at the Munich conference in 1938.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At that summit, Britain, France and Italy naively allowed Hitler to annex the Czechoslovakian Sudetenland in a bid to sate his desire for further conquests of Europe.

Instead, Hitler was only emboldened by the pact, with Nazi tanks rolling into Poland the following year and unleashing World War Two.

Mr Tsahkna says pressure from Western allies for Ukraine to lower its conscription age is a pretty brutal thing - Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

As Emmanuel Macron and other EU leaders discuss sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine, Mr Tsahkna said he wished that the focus would remain on giving Ukraine the weapons it needs now.

Ukrainians are not asking for boots on the ground, or troops there. They ask for weapons. They ask for air defence. They ask for support. So its something we have to focus on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And then if youre talking about the ceasefire and post-war situation, then Im just repeating that the most efficient, cheapest way for us is the full membership of Nato, he said.

Mr Tsahkna, who is also a former defence minister, said it was brutal that Mr Zelensky appears to be under pressure from some Western allies to lower the age of conscription to resolve a shortfall in troops.

There would not have been a problem if we had given them enough weapons and ammunition [earlier in the war].

This is a pretty brutal thing, to push president Zelensky and Ukrainians to mobilise young guys of 19 or 20 years and at the same time not give them the weapons and tools they need to go and fight, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It comes after president Zelensky posted a message on social media which noted a lot of discussion in the media about lowering the draft age for Ukrainians to go to the frontlines.

The priority should be providing missiles and lowering Russias military potential, not Ukraines draft age, Mr Zelensky said in the post on X.

Mr Tsahkna also addressed concerns that if Putin won the war, he would choose a Baltic state like Estonia as his next target in order to test Natos red lines.

We are not thinking, what if they come against Estonia? We are not alone, if they come, they are coming against Nato, he said. And we are ready. More ready than ever before.

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.
(Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has in recent weeks expressed a keen interest in privatizing the U.S. Postal Service, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing three people with knowledge of the matter.

The U.S. Postal Service, which has lost more than $100 billion since 2007, reported a net loss of $9.5 billion for its fiscal year ending Sept. 30, $3 billion more than last year, largely due to a year-over-year increase in non-cash workers' compensation expense.

When told of the agency's annual losses, Trump said the government should not subsidize the organization, according to the Washington Post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has discussed his desire to privatize the Postal Service with Howard Lutnick, his pick for commerce secretary, at Mar-a-Lago, the report said.

People who will work at the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, have also had preliminary conversations about major changes to USPS, the report said, citing two other people familiar with the matter.

A USPS spokesperson said that over the last three years, the company has reduced its operations by 45 million work hours, and cut transportation spending by $2 billion.

The agency is also seeking regulatory approval to modernize its mail processing and transportation network to align with modern practices, which will save between $3.6-$3.7 billion annually, the spokesperson added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"No policy should be deemed official unless it comes from President Trump or his authorized spokespeople directly," said Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition team.

Any attempt at privatizing the Postal Service could disrupt the e-commerce industry in the U.S., the Washington Post said, including Amazon, which uses USPS for "last-mile" delivery between Amazon's fulfillment centers and customers. It could also hurt small businesses and rural consumers who use the Postal Service, as it is the only carrier that will deliver to remote corners of the country.

Amazon recently said it was donating $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund and will air his inauguration on its Prime Video service.

Trump has had a tense relationship with the Postal Service. Sources told Reuters his transition team is considering canceling the service's contracts to electrify its delivery fleet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to sources, the team is reviewing how it can unwind the service's multibillion-dollar contracts, including with Oshkosh and Ford, for tens of thousands of battery-driven delivery trucks and charging stations.

In 2020, Congress authorized the Treasury Department to lend the Postal Service up to $10 billion as part of a $2.3 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, which Trump threatened to block.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Douglas Gillison in Washington; Editing by Frances Kerry, Daniel Wallis, Diane Craft and David Gregorio)
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump is meeting with Apple Inc. Chief Executive Tim Cook on Friday, according to people familiar with the matter, the latest in a string of meetings between the president-elect and tech executives.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Cook and Trump will dine at the president-elects Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, the people said, who requested anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

Fridays dinner is on the heels of other tech leaders traveling to Palm Beach to speak with Trump: a November dinner with Meta Platforms Inc.s Mark Zuckerberg and a meeting with Alphabet Inc.s Sundar Pichai on Thursday. Trump also said he plans to meet with the billionaire founder of Amazon.com Inc. Jeff Bezos next week.

Neither representatives for Trump nor Apple immediately responded to requests for comment.

Trumps policies and rhetoric may clash with Apples public positions, but the company has had an antagonistic relationship with President Joe Bidens administration. Apple was sued by the Justice Department in an antitrust case that might drag on for years, and mounting regulatory scrutiny around the world is threatening its operations.

Cook had a warm relationship with Trump during his first term, largely fending off tariff threats after successfully selling him on the idea that additional duties on iPhones would actually benefit a South Korean rival, Samsung Electronics Co.

Trump for his second term is again vowing to impose sweeping new tariffs, including a 10-20% across-the-board tariffs on all foreign goods and levies as high as 60% on Chinese products. The vast majority of Apples iPhones are made in China, even as the company has sought to shift manufacturing to other locations in recent years.

The Apple CEO was quick to congratulate Trump shortly after his November election win, posting on social media, We look forward to engaging with you and your administration to help make sure the United States continues to lead with and be fueled by ingenuity, innovation and creativity.

Trump has criticized Apple in the past for resisting requests from law enforcement to build a backdoor into its phone operating system that would allow authorities to access data without a users password. On the campaign trail, Trump called on Apple to assist federal investigators in breaking into the phones of two men accused of plotting assassination attempts on his life.
The Chief Minister also inspected the progress of the construction of the Maidam at Hollongapar on Friday.

Lachit Borphukan's Maidam, named after the famous Ahom General, Lachit Borphukan is one of the most interesting attractions in Jorhat.

This maidam has a memorial stone which was constructed in the memory of the 16th-century warrior of this city.

Borphukan was known to be a brave fighter and skilled warrior, who during the battle over Guwahati at Saraighat in 1671, was able to defeat the Mughals under the command of Ramsingh and was commemorated for his bravery.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of works under the second phase of the Maidam development project.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure the timely completion of all construction activities. He also took note of the progress of the collection centre, au auditorium, an indoor stadium and other facilities.

CM Sarma said that the Maidam and Cultural Complex is expected to be open by 2025.

Chief Minister Sarma also inspected the progress of the railway flyover near Jorhat Medical College. With 88 per cent of the Rs 57.3 crore project completed, the flyover is set to be open for the public by February 2025.

Moreover, Sarma also announced that the Baruah Chariali Flyover in Jorhat is expected to be ready by December 2025.

The Chief Minister also visited Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, held a meeting and discussed a range of issues and various development plans, including building a Super Speciality Block at the campus and the addition of new facilities such as paying cabins etc.

During his visit, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, PHE Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, MLAs Hitendra Nath Goswami, Bhabendra Nath Bharali, Rupjyoti Kurmi and other senior government officers were present. (ANI)
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump has expressed interest in privatizing the US Postal Service, the Washington Post reported.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Trump has discussed the possibility of overhauling the agency with Howard Lutnick, his nominee for commerce secretary, as well as with other transition officials, the newspaper said, citing three unidentified people with knowledge of the matter. The president-elect said the government shouldnt subsidize the loss-making organization, the people added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

USPS lost $9.5 billion in the financial year ended Sept. 30, amid a decline in mail volume and slower-than-anticipated parcel shipping, the Post said. Its not clear how Trump plans on overhauling the service.

During his first term in office, Trump appointed Louis DeJoy as Postmaster to oversee the embattled agency, whose efforts to cut costs came under criticism following months of service delays and backlogs.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  Donald Trump hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Cook is the latest in a string of big tech leaders  including OpenAI's Sam Altman, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos  who have sought to improve their standing with the incoming president after choppy relations with Trump during his first term.

Trump has said he has spoken with Cook about the company's long-running tax battles with the European Union.

The meeting comes less than two months after Trump said he spoke to Cook by phone, and soon after Apple lost its last appeal in a dispute with the EU over 13 billion euros ($14.34 billion) in back taxes to Ireland.

He said the European Union has just fined us $15 billion," Trump recalled of his conversation with Cook, in an October interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David. "Then on top of that they got fined by the European Union another $2 billion."

The decision by the EU top court was the finale to a dispute that centered on sweetheart deals that Dublin was offering to attract multinational businesses with minimal taxes across the 27-nation bloc. The European Commission in 2016 ruled that Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid that Ireland was required to recover.

Trump's transition team and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his dinner with Cook.

OpenAI CEO Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to Trumps inauguration fund, the company confirmed Friday. Amazon and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed this week they had each donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund.

During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trumps past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trumps bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract.

More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. Last week, he said at The New York Times DealBook Summit in New York that he was optimistic about Trumps second term while also endorsing president-elects plans to cut regulations.

The donation from Meta came just weeks after Meta CEO Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago.

During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trumps response to his first assassination attempt.
Trump's decision to invite China's Xi Jinping to his inauguration surprised many observers.

China is the US' main geopolitical rival, jostling for dominance across a range of trade and diplomatic issues.

Trump has long reveled in unpredictability, balancing confrontational China policies with praise.

When President-elect Donald Trump invited China's President Xi Jinping, the leader of the US' biggest geopolitical rival, to his January inauguration on Thursday, it came as somewhat of a surprise.

The sight of Xi, China's authoritarian strongman, seated alongside top US political and military officials in DC would be incongruous, to say the least.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But Trump has long reveled in unpredictability, and has often balanced his confrontational China policies with years of lavishing praise for Xi.

Some see Trump's invitation as the latest power play designed to imbalance Xi and reset US-China relations.

"I think it's a gimmick. It would be impossible for Xi to attend without giving the sort of sign that he's almost like a vassal," Kerry Brown, an associate of the Asia Pacific Programme at Chatham House and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College, London, told Business Insider.

Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy adviser at the International Crisis Group, said the invitation also reflects Trump's faith in the personal, transactional relationships he's formed with strongman leaders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Trump's invitation reflects his desire to rebuild a rapport with President Xi, which he believes will be the decisive dynamic in shaping US-China relations during his second administration," Wyne told BI.

Reports on Thursday said that Xi would not attend the inauguration, and would instead send a top government official as envoy as an apparent gesture of goodwill.

If he did attend, it could be seen as an act of tribute to the democratic system China has sought to challenge, and the power of a state whose dominance it seeks to corrode.

"Going to Trump's inauguration makes Xi Jinping look like a supplicant to Trump, because this is a ceremony honoring Trump," Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis, told ABC News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thomas added: "Xi would be attending to honor Trump's victory, I don't think that sits well with Xi's self-image and his political reputation in China as a nationalist strongman."

A tough road ahead

Even so, Trump's invitation is likely an audacious opening gambit as he eyes new discussions with Xi, and China is fortifying itself diplomatically and economically in anticipation, analysts told Reuters.

Trump has long championed policies that aggressively confront China, and is threatening to ratchet up tariffs further when he takes office again next year.

Future negotiations will likely be tough, with the US and China at loggerheads over a range of trade and diplomatic issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

China has backed Russia in its war with Ukraine, is forming closer ties with an axis of authoritarian powers, and is menacing Taiwan.

"Trump is performing politics," said Brown. "This is going to be a hard, difficult, technical negotiation with the Chinese if they're going to get the things they want: better market access, better balance."

China is also in a different position to when Trump first took office in 2017. Back then, the US and Chinese economies were highly interlinked.

Although close ties remain, partly in response to Trump's first-term tariffs China has moved to diversify its exports away from the US and has spent billions on research and development.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It has become the world leader in solar-panel and electric-vehicle technologies, as well as quantum computing and AI.

The US-China rivalry is also intensifying over sophisticated chip and satellite technologies, as well as rare Earth metals.

This month, China launched an antimonopoly probe into US chip giant Nvidia, and it is imposing restrictions on the export of drone parts vital for Ukraine in combatting Russia's invasion.

"It's all part of what's going to be a great, big performance next year about Trump trying to say that he's going to deliver this fantastic new deal with China. And the Chinese are well prepared for this," said Brown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Analysts told Bloomberg that the Nvidia probe and other trade moves are bargaining chips China can use in future discussions.

All of this makes it highly unlikely that Xi will want to come to the US to clap as Trump is sworn in as president.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As some Senate Republicans recoil at some of Donald Trump's more extreme picks to serve in his administration, Trump is turning up the pressure on anyone who would dare defy him. Eric Cortellessa, staff writer for Time, and Tara Palmeri, senior political correspondent for Puck News, discuss.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named his social media platform CEO Devin Nunes to lead an intelligence advisory panel and said his former intelligence chief Richard Grenell would run "special missions" in places such as U.S. adversaries Venezuela and North Korea.

"Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Ric will continue to fight for Peace through Strength, and always put AMERICA FIRST."

Trump did not name any other specific countries such as Iran in his post naming Grenell as the "Presidential Envoy for Special Missions."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Grenell previously served as acting director of national intelligence during Trump's 2017-2021 term and was Trump's ambassador to Germany and a special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations.

Nunes, a former U.S. lawmaker who runs Trump's Truth Social platform, will serve as chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, which offers independent assessments of intelligence agencies' effectiveness and planning.

A longtime Trump defender who led the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee during part of Trump's first White House term, Nunes will remain CEO while also serving on the White House panel, Trump said in a separate post on Truth Social, which is part of Trump Media & Technology Group.

As committee chair, Nunes alleged that the FBI had conspired against Trump during its investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections in which Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Devin will draw on his experience as former Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and his key role in exposing the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, to provide me with independent assessments of the effectiveness and propriety of the U.S. Intelligence Communitys activities," Trump wrote.

Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, served as an aide to Nunes in the U.S. House of Representatives.

A 2017 U.S. intelligence report said Russian President Vladimir Putin had directed a sophisticated influence campaign to denigrate Clinton and support Trump in the 2016 election campaign. The Kremlin denied meddling and Trump denied any collusion with Russia.

Trump has vowed to pursue political adversaries and officials who investigated him when he begins his second term on Jan. 20.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump on Saturday also named IBM executive and former U.S. Department of Homeland Security official Troy Edgar to serve as the department's deputy secretary. He also said he would nominate businessmen Bill White and Edward Walsh to serve as U.S. ambassadors to Belgium and Ireland, respectively.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Doug Gillison and Michael Martina; Editing by David Gregorio)
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump said hes appointing Devin Nunes, the chief executive officer of his Truth Social platform, to head a presidential advisory board that he said will keep tabs on the US intelligence community.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also named Ric Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions. Grenell, who was Trumps first-term ambassador to Germany, will work in some of the hottest spots around the world, including Venezuela and North Korea, Trump said on his Truth Social network.

Nunes, a former Congressman from California and former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, will head the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board while continuing his leadership of Trump Media & Technology Group, Trump said in a statement Saturday.

As chairman of the advisory board, Nunes will provide me with independent assessments of the effectiveness and propriety of the U.S. Intelligence Communitys activities, Trump said.

He praised Nunes role in exposing the FBI investigation into whether Trumps campaign conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, which Trump calls a hoax.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In February 2018, Nunes released a four-page memorandum alleging a Federal Bureau of Investigation conspiracy against Trump and then began an investigation of the FBI and the Justice Department. Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2021.

Grenell was known as a combative ambassador during his time in Berlin. He also served as acting director of national intelligence and Trumps envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations.

Nunes is the latest loyalist tapped by Trump since he won the presidential election in November.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday hell resign before Trump takes office on Jan. 20, prematurely ending his tumultuous tenure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That would make way for Kash Patel, the Trump ally the president-elect has nominated to head the chief US law enforcement agency and who Trump also says was instrumental in exposing uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax.

Also on Trumps nominee list is former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who has echoed Russian propaganda on Ukraine, as the next director of national intelligence.

Trump also said hes nominating International Business Machines Corp. executive Troy Edgar, who served as chief financial officer at the Department of Homeland Security during his first term, as deputy DHS secretary.

Edgar did an outstanding job managing DHSs $90 billion budget as well as resourcing critical immigration policy and funding construction of the US border wall with Mexico, Trump said in a separate statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In his latest diplomatic nominations, Trump tapped Bill White, who heads the Constellations Group consulting firm and formerly led a sea, air and space museum, to be US ambassador to Belgium. Construction and general contracting executive Edward Sharp Walsh will be Trumps nominee for ambassador to Ireland, he said.

(Updates with Grenell announcement in headline, second paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, says any of President-elect Donald Trumps nominees seeking Senate confirmation should steer clear of efforts to discredit the polio vaccine.

Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed  theyre dangerous, McConnell said in a statement Friday. Anyone seeking the Senates consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts.

The 82-year-old lawmakers statement appeared to be directed at Trumps pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after a report that one of his advisers filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022. That vaccine is widely considered to have halted the disease in most parts of the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McConnell's words were a sign that Kennedy, who has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism, could face some resistance in the soon-to-be GOP-controlled Senate.

Mr. Kennedy believes the Polio Vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly and properly studied, said Katie Miller, the transition spokeswoman for Kennedy, in response to questions.

The New York Times reported that the petition was filed by a lawyer now helping Kennedy select candidates for federal health positions in the incoming administration.

Any individual or company can file a petition with the Food and Drug Administration, which typically fields hundreds of requests at any time relating to various food, drug and medical issues. Most petitions are denied, but the FDA is required to respond to each one in writing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in laboratory testing and in real-world use in hundreds of millions of people over decades  they are considered among the most effective public health measures in history.

McConnell contracted polio at 2 years old but survived because of the miraculous combination of modern medicine and a mothers love," according to the statement. He praised the saving power of the polio vaccine for the millions who came after me.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a post on X that it was outrageous and dangerous for people in the Trump Transition to try and get rid of the polio vaccine that has virtually eradicated polio in America and saved millions of lives.

He said Kennedy should clarify his own position on it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump announced last month his selection of Kennedy, saying Kennedy would work to protect Americans from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives.

But that pick was met with alarm from scientists and public health officials, who fear Kennedy would unwind lifesaving public health initiatives such as vaccines.

Kennedy has pushed other conspiracy theories regarding vaccines, such as that COVID-19 could have been ethnically targeted to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people, comments he later said were taken out of context. He has repeatedly brought up the Holocaust when discussing vaccines and public health mandates.

Kennedy said he plans to remake the Department of Health and Human Services, an agency with sprawling reach and a $1.3 trillion budget, if he is approved. He has suggested the FDA is beholden to big pharma, and his anti-vaccine nonprofit has called on it to stop using COVID-19 vaccines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

During the COVID-19 epidemic, his nonprofit group, Childrens Health Defense, petitioned the FDA to halt the use of all COVID vaccines. The group has alleged that the FDA is beholden to big pharma because it receives much of its budget from industry fees and some employees who have departed the agency have gone on to work for drugmakers.

Childrens Health Defense currently has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy took leave from the group when he announced his run for president but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.
President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday tapped businessperson and major political donor Bill White to serve as U.S. ambassador to Belgium.

White is the founder and CEO of Constellations Group, a Manhattan-based consulting firm, and previously served as president of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York.

Bill has worked tirelessly to support Great American Patriots who have given everything for our Country by raising over $1.5 Billion Dollars for our fallen heroes, catastrophically wounded, and severely burned Service Members, Trump said Saturday in a post on Truth Social. He is a twice recipient of the Meritorious Public Service Award for extraordinary service from the U.S. Coast Guard, and for outstanding support from the U.S. Navy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

White abruptly stepped down from his post leading the Intrepid in 2010 amid a probe launched by New Yorks then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo into a state pension scandal. White allegedly acted as a middleman for investment companies hoping to win deals with the state fund, and secretly amassed fees from those deals  or as Cuomo put it, used his access to fill his pockets. White ultimately agreed to pay a $1 million settlement.

White was a major Trump donor and surrogate to his 2024 campaign, though the millionaire investor backed President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both Democrats, in past races. During the 2012 presidential election, White, who is openly gay, publically withdrew his support for Mitt Romney for being on the wrong side of history for his stance on marriage equality.
President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview that he "would consider" raising the federal minimum wage.

It has been at $7.25 per hour since 2009; however, 30 states and DC have increased their minimum above the federal level.

Here's where it stands in every state and the raises both parties have proposed.

President-elect Donald Trump said he'd consider raising the federal minimum wage. It's been $7.25 per hour since 2009, though 30 states and a slew of cities have adopted higher rates.

"It's a very low number," Trump said in an interview with "Meet the Press" that aired on December 8. While he didn't commit to a specific level, he said that a federal minimum of $8 or $9 "might have very little effect" because of the low cost of living in some areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Any raises to the federal minimum wage would directly affect workers in at least the 20 states where, as of July, the minimum wage was at or below the federal level, per the Department of Labor. Most minimum wage jobs are in the service sector, largely in food preparation and serving-related positions.

Washington, DC, has a higher minimum wage than any state in the country at $17.50, though some US cities have raised it even more. Washington state, with a minimum wage of $16.28, and California, with a minimum wage of $16, came in second and third, respectively.

On January 1, 21 states  and 48 cities and counties  are set to see their minimum wages increase, mostly as a result of existing laws, per the National Employment Law Project. In the most recent election, Missouri voted to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026, and Alaska voted to hike its minimum to $15 by mid-2027.

The last federal minimum increase was in July 2009, from $6.55 to $7.25. Since then, overall prices based on the consumer price index have gone up around 47% in the US as of November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump pointed out in his "Meet the Press" interview that the cost of living varies across the country, and a federal wage might not be a one-size-fits-all solution.

"The other thing that is very complicated about minimum wage is places are so different," he said. "Mississippi and Alabama and great places are very different than New York or California in terms of the cost of living and other things."

Indeed, regional price parities data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis show that Mississippi and Alabama had among the lowest costs of living in the country in 2023, while California and New York were more expensive than the national average. Alabama and Mississippi don't have state minimum wage laws. The minimum wage in New York is $16 in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, and $15 for the rest of the state.

While Trump said wage changes like California's  which hiked it to $20 for fast food workers in April  might go too far, "there is a level at which you could do it, absolutely." He said before making any changes, he'd want to speak to governors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

President Joe Biden backed a $15 wage, which every Republican senator and eight Democrats ultimately voted against. Some lawmakers on the left have gone even further, with Sen. Bernie Sanders pushing to raise the wage to $17 by 2028.

Some Republicans have also proposed raising the federal minimum wage. While he was still in the Senate, Vice President-elect JD Vance cosponsored a bill to gradually increase it to $11, although that bill also includes additional measures like raising penalties on employers that hire workers living in the country illegally.

The Trump-Vance transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider on Trump's potential plans for the minimum wage.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Vijay Wadettiwar emphasized that the party's senior leadership is credited for both victories and defeats. He suggested that electoral setbacks might have influenced Patole's reported decision, adding that the final decision on such matters rests with the Congress's high command in Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, Wadettiwar said, "I am not aware of this. Senior leadership gets the credit for wins and losses both. Everyone in the Parliament gives him the credit for the loss (in the Maharashtra Assembly election). Maybe that's why he resigned. The High command in Delhi will decide on this."

Reportedly, Maharashtra Congress president, Nana Patole, wrote to party leader Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking to be relieved of his position.

Nana Patole managed to retain his Sakoli assembly seat in the Bhandara district, though his victory was secured with a slim margin of just 208 votes.

Earlier last week, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders held a meeting in Mumbai following the alliance setback in the recent Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024.

In November, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the Congress Working Committee (CWC) reviewed the party's performance in the last assembly elections and decided to form internal committees at the block and district levels to address "electoral performance and organisational issues."

In the Maharashtra Assembly Election Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide by winning 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats.

The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party made notable gains, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback with Congress winning just 16 seats. Its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured only 10 seats. (ANI)
School (in)Security is our biweekly briefing on the latest school safety news, vetted by Mark Keierleber. Subscribe here.

Even as student enrollment declines drive staggering public school closures nationally, one group of students in particular  children from immigrant households  have been blamed for straining education budgets.

Jose Rafael Villegas Pena, 18, receives a new backpack from the Oakland Unified Public Schools enrollment office. (Jo Napolitano)

Politically aligned media sources are laying the groundwork for President-elect Donald Trumps mass deportation plans. The Fox News station in El Paso, Texas, for example, ran a story this week stating that Americas public schools have endured a massive financial hit by accommodating illegal migrant children and removing these students would be an attempt to alleviate the problem. Its only source: an interview a right-wing pundit from the Leadership Institute gave to the conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With the estimated arrival of more than half a million school-aged children to the U.S. since 2022, according to an October Reuters report, some districts have described budget constraints and challenges in accommodating language barriers and unmet educational needs.

Trump and his allies, who plan to use the military to carry out massive deportations at the onset of his second term, have made clear their intention to:

U.S.-born children could become targets, too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a Sunday interview with NBC News, Trump floated the possibility of removing immigrants American-born relatives during deportations because he doesnt want to be breaking up families.

The only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back, said Trump, who was widely condemned for separating families at the southern border during his first term.

On the ground: In an in-depth investigation this year, my colleague Jo Napolitano exposed how hundreds of schools across the country illegally denied entry to older immigrant students, expressing pervasive hostility and suspicion toward these new arrivals. In an update this week, Jo explores how the Oakland, California, school district works to welcome  rather than reject  its newcomers.

Click here to read Jos latest story.

In the news

As schools nationwide deploy surveillance tools to monitor students online, the youth mental health crisis is being met with late-night home visits from the police and hospitalizations. | The New York Times

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The majority of cases that I saw were serious or concerning enough to merit hospitalization, and that in the majority of cases the parents were not aware of the childs suicidality, said Dr. Leticia Ryan, the director of pediatric emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins Childrens Center.

Child executions: Police say the man who carried out a religiously motivated shooting last week at a Christian elementary school that left two kindergarteners wounded wrote that he was acting in response to Americas involvements in genocide and oppression of Palestinians. | Los Angeles Times

In a new lawsuit against tech company Character.ai, parents accuse its AI chatbot of encouraging their children to commit self harm and murder. | The Washington Post

Its a bird  its a plane  its a drone spewing pepper spray. Aerial support could soon hover over Texas schools under a bill that seeks to increase state spending on campus security from $10 to $100 per student. | KVUE

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Andrew Ferguson, tapped by Trump to chair the Federal Trade Commission, promised in a memo to the incoming administration to hold big tech accountable, protect freedom of speech and fight wokeness and the trans agenda. | The Verge

Advocates with the nonprofit Fight for the Future said Fergusons statements bolster LGBTQ+ advocates opposition to the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, legislation designed to prevent childrens access to social media content deemed harmful. The bill was revived for the umpteenth time in Congress this week. | National Review



It is unbelievably insulting that after years of this conversation about KOSA, young queer and trans people are still being gaslit about the harms that this legislation poses to their online communities, Fight for the Future campaigner Sarah Phillips wrote. | Fight for the Future

More from the FTC: The commission has reached a settlement with school weapons detection company Evolv Technology after accusing the maker of AI-powered security screens of misstating its ability to identify threats and keep kids safe. | The 74

A 12-year-old girl was handcuffed for three hours inside her New York City elementary school after law enforcement officials said she hit a school safety officer during a fight with a classmate. | New York Daily News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A 33-year-old Connecticut school resource officer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound hours after he was arrested and accused of luring a child online. | New Haven Register

Related: New Justice Department guidance urges police departments to train campus cops on keeping appropriate boundaries with kids following an investigation into predatory officers who use their positions to groom students. | The Washington Post

The socioeconomics of cybercrime: Children from affluent households are at greater risk of being targeted and compromised by cybercriminals, according to new Javelin research, because they have greater access to social media and credit cards linked to digital accounts. Yet, societys most vulnerable children, those in foster care, are ideal candidates for exploitation by cybercriminals. | Javelin

Sign-up for the School (in)Security newsletter.

Get the most critical news and information about students' rights, safety and well-being delivered straight to your inbox.

ICYMI @The74

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Emotional support

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Introducing Sagan, the newest addition to 74 editor Andrew Brownsteins crew.

Everybody say, Hi, Sagan.

Rumor has it the 3-year-old pup  named after the astronomer, duh  is a real pro at fetching the frisbee.
Next up on Donald Trumps lengthy Executive Office to-do list: Stop the clock.

The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldnt! Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Friday. Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.

His promise would make Standard Time, which we are currently in and which people overwhelmingly hate due to the increased darkness, permanent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Proponents for Daylight Saving Time argue that the country uses less energy by extending the long summer sun an hour later into the evening. That was the reason behind Congresss opt-in to Daylight Saving Time during World War I and World War II, according to Seize the Daylight author David Prerau.

That rationale hasnt exactly held upa 2008 study by the Department of Energy found that the clock switch saves a minuscule amount on the countrys annual energy usageapproximately 0.03 percentwhile another study that same year out of the University of California-Santa Barbara suggested that Daylight Saving Time could actually cost the country more than not switching the clocks at all. Still, the majority of Americans want to make it permanent.

Trumps sudden rejection of Daylight Saving Time is a near-total reversal of where he stood on the issue in 2019.

Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me! Trump wrote at the time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But you dont have to search far to figure out why Trump might have changed his mind. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has spent a considerable amount of time at Trumps side in recent months, has been a vocal opponent of the time change. Earlier this month, Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the other co-chair of Trumps not-yet-real nongovernmental commissionthe Department of Governmental Efficiency, or DOGEvoiced their support for abolishing Daylight Savings Time.

Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes! Musk responded to an X poll indicating that the sites users were no longer in favor of the back-and-forth.

Its inefficient & easy to change, Ramaswamy responded.

Of course, any concrete change to the countrys official clock would have to pass through Congressthough the increasingly MAGA complicit Republican Party would be in for a rude awakening if it approved the permanent jump. America last tried this experiment in 1974, when officials discovered that the only thing less popular than permanent Daylight Saving Time was ending it, with support for the permanent switch falling from 79 percent to just 42 percent within three months, The New York Times reported that year.
Stuck in the Office

Billionaire Jared Isaacman has been to space twice. First, he commanded the first all-civilian mission to orbit in September 2021 on board SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. Almost exactly three years later, he again rode the craft to orbit to become the first private astronaut to go on a spacewalk.

But the playboy space tourist may soon have to go on a hiatus from his privately-funded trips into orbit  because Isaacman was picked by president-elect Donald Trump, or perhaps his buddy Elon Musk, to become the next head of NASA.

The announcement catapulted the trained fighter jet pilot into the upper echelons of Washington, DC  which could force him to put his personal space travel ambitions on hold.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As part of the private Polaris program organized by Isaacman, the entrepreneur wanted to follow up his September spacewalk with two more trips on board SpaceX's Crew Dragon and eventually the company's much larger Starship.

"The future of the Polaris program is a little bit of a question mark at the moment," Isaacman told the audience of a space conference in Orlando, as quoted by Reuters. "It may wind up on hold for a little bit."

Spacefaring Kinda Guy

It's the first time Isaacman has made a public appearance since being appointed NASA administrator. As Reuters points out, the billionaire appeared highly optimistic about the future of the private space industry at the event but offered few clues on how we would lead NASA starting in January.

The 41-year-old is widely expected to further existing private-public partnerships, which could turn out to be a major windfall for SpaceX, which is already a major NASA contractor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities and usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization," Isaacman wrote in an announcement on X last week.

Where his new role will leave the Polaris program and SpaceX's other private astronaut partnerships with the likes of Axiom and Vast remains unclear.

In short, while it may not be him personally riding a spacecraft into space, given his new role in the Trump administration, SpaceX's space exploration ambitions almost certainly just got a major boost.

More on Isaacman: The New Head of NASA Had an Interesting Disagreement with the Space Agency
Donald Trump's lawyers are urging a New York judge to make his hush money conviction go away, claiming prosecutors' suggestion to abate the case is 'irresponsible'. Kristy Greenberg and Katie Phang break down the latest in Trump's legal cases.
While the rest of the country adjusts their clocks forward and backward each year, most Arizonans sleep soundly, knowing daylight saving time doesnt affect them.

However, during the next presidential administration, the other 48 states could follow Arizona  and Hawaii, the only other state that skips seasonal time changes  and opt out of daylight saving time.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he plans to work toward ending daylight saving time, supporting the long-debated effort to end semi-annual time changes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump stated his intention to make standard time permanent  a change that would require congressional approval  and said the Republican Party will make its best efforts to abolish daylight saving time.

Why does Trump want to end daylight saving time?

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote Friday, "Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient and very costly to our Nation."

He added that daylight saving time has a "small but strong constituency, but shouldnt!"

Who else wants to change daylight saving time?

Elon Musk expressed support for eliminating daylight saving time last month in a post on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In Trumps second administration, Musk will head the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency alongside fellow tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

A 2020 survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that about 63% of Americans would support the elimination of seasonal time changes in favor of a national, fixed, year-round time.

Why was daylight saving time created?

The concept of daylight saving has been credited to Benjamin Franklin, who, in a letter for the Journal de Paris in 1784, said rising earlier would reduce candle usage, saving people money.

Some credit George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, with proposing a two-hour time shift in 1895 to allow for more daylight to hunt insects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Daylight saving time, as the name implies, was designed to maximize the use of natural daylight. Regions that observe it benefit from an extra hour of evening light during the summer and more morning light during the winter.

What year did daylight saving time start in the U.S.?

The Standard Time Act, which established daylight saving time in the United States, was passed by Congress on March 15, 1918, and signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson four days later.

Daylight saving time officially began in the U.S. on March 21, 1918, as a measure to maximize daylight and conserve energy during World War I.

Why does Arizona not observe daylight saving time?

Arizona does not observe daylight saving time primarily due to its hot climate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

By staying on standard time year-round, Arizona avoids extending daylight hours into the summer evenings when temperatures are at their peak. This is intended to help reduce energy consumption for air conditioning and makes evenings more comfortable.

The state - except for the Navajo Nation - opted out of daylight saving time in 1968 and has stayed on Mountain Standard Time since.

What time zone is Phoenix in?

Phoenix  and most of Arizona, except for the Navajo Nation  observes Mountain Standard Time year-round. We dont fall back or spring forward.

Is all of Arizona on MST?

All but one area in the northeastern corner of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Navajo Nation, which spans Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, observe daylight saving time to ensure consistency in timekeeping for all members of the community throughout the year.

The Navajo Nation observes Mountain Time.

When does the time change in 2025?

Every year, daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

In 2025, the time change will occur on March 9. Clocks will be turned forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. local standard time to 3:00 a.m. local daylight time.

On Sunday, November 25, 2025, clocks will be turned backward one hour from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. local standard time.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona stays on standard time: What to know
With Donald Trump elected as the 47th president, its time to implement solutions that can improve the health of both Tennessee and the nation.

I believe that health care reform will likely focus on market-based solutions that empower consumers to make informed decisions, such as evaluating treatment options, utilizing health savings accounts, and choosing their health care providers.

Health care reform

Trump has long advocated for replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a model driven by free-market principles, which could involve increasing competition among insurance providers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This approach might better meet Americans' coverage needs at a lower cost, aligning with a broader strategy to shift the health care system toward private sector solutions and consumer choice.

Lowering medication and health care costs

Prescription drug prices continue to be a pressing issue. Trump may push for Medicare to negotiate drug prices or support importing more affordable options from other countries.

However, as a pharmacist, I believe we must also incentivize pharmaceutical companies to continue developing innovative medications.

Additionally, promoting Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) could help consumers set aside tax-free money for medical expenses and better prepare for unexpected health crises.

Expanding telehealth

Telehealth grew significantly during the pandemic and remains vital for those in rural areas or with limited mobility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trump may seek to make telehealth more accessible and covered by insurance. Tennessee has already taken several steps in this area, requiring private insurance plans to cover telehealth services, expanding Medicaid for telehealth, and easing restrictions on remote care.

This expanded access has especially benefited mental health services in underserved areas.

Encouraging innovative care models

Trump might aim to reduce regulations on health care providers to foster innovation and lower costs.

In Tennessee, weve worked to streamline the Certificate of Need (CON) process, which regulates new healthcare facilities, to encourage competition and expand care access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Simplified licensing for providers and emergency regulatory adaptations have also allowed quicker responses to health care crises, demonstrating the potential benefits of regulatory reform.

More: Opinion: Hurricane Helene exposed and exacerbated health disparities in Appalachia

Greater state control over Medicaid

Increased state control over Medicaid through block grants could be another focus of the Trump administration. Tennessee, for instance, has already adopted a block grant model with TennCare, which allows the state to use savings to reinvest in its Medicaid program.

By focusing on preventive care, this approach aims to manage costs while improving health outcomes.

Expanding mental health access

Mental health services are essential, and Trumps administration might work to integrate mental health support into primary care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Tennessee has made strides by funding mental health resources, establishing crisis programs like the 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline, and incorporating mental health services in schools. These efforts reflect a commitment to expanding access and addressing the growing demand for mental health support across the state.

Promoting individual health responsibility

Beyond government policy, individual responsibility in managing personal health is crucial. "Outlive" by Peter Attia, a New York Times bestseller, discusses extending health span through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep, mental wellness, and proactive health screenings.

Focusing on these areas can significantly impact both lifespan and quality of life. Adopting a holistic approach to health that includes mental and emotional well-being, along with regular check-ups and screenings, allows individuals to take control of their health.

Looking forward, I am optimistic about the health care innovations that the next four years will bring.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As a state senator and health care business owner, I am proud to contribute to advancing health care solutions and addressing the challenges facing Tennessee and the nation.

This period presents an opportunity to implement effective, sustainable health care reforms that enhance access, control costs, and empower individuals to lead healthier lives.

Shane Reeves, R-Murfreesboro, is a Tennessee senator representing District 14 and CEO of TwelveStone Health Partners, a leader in infusion services for the chronically ill.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee health care will improve in next Trump presidency | Opinion
Washington (DC News Now)  Tulsi Gabbard, President-Elect Donald Trumps pick for Director of National Intelligence, is making the rounds on Capitol Hill. Sources at our media partners, The Hill, say she is struggling through her meetings with Senators. The Hills Sarakshi Rai breaks down what this could mean for her nomination.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Turkey reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, state broadcaster TRT reported, a week after a rebel alliance overthrew long-term authoritarian ruler Bashar al-Assad.

The embassy was closed in 2012 due to the deteriorating security situation during the Syrian civil war.

A Turkish flag was raised at the embassy building on Saturday, TRT footage showed.

It comes after Turkey appointed a charge d'affaires to Damascus on Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On Sunday, an alliance of rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ended 24 years of rule by Assad when they took Damascus after making gains in a lightening offensive, prompting the Assad family to flee to Moscow.

HTS is designated as a terrorist group by several Western powers - including the United States and the European Union - but since its victory it has attempted to present a moderate face.

With an open communication channel with HTS rebels, Turkey is now considered the most influential foreign actor in Syria.

Ankara is already advising plans for the country's future political structure. Turkey told HTS that they are hoping for a peaceful transition, a source familiar with the matter in Ankara told dpa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Turkey is now the "key" player in its region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in euphoric remarks on Saturday.

Syria's "popular revolution" makes Turkey "proud," Erdogan told a party meeting in the eastern province of Erzurum.

The Turkish president mocked Assad for having fled "with his tail between his legs" and pledged increased support to Syria's transition government.

However, Turkey has already made clear that it will continue to oppose Kurdish forces which control large parts of north-east Syria along the Turkish border.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday urged the US-backed Kurdish People's Defence Units (YPG) militia to disarm or else face being eliminated.
Haryana Minister Anil Vij on Saturday said that the farmers should temporarily halt their protest, referencing the Supreme Court's ongoing deliberations on the matter. Anil Vij stated that the apex court has asked for some time to hear the case and has suggested that the farmers consider pausing their protests. He expressed his belief that farmers should heed the court's suggestion and suspend their protest temporarily, adding that it would be in their best interest to cooperate with the legal process. "The Supreme Court is hearing the case and has asked for some time. The Supreme Court has also said that the communication between the committee is alright and asked for some time. The apex court has suggested that the farmers should pause their protest for some time. I think the farmers should listen to the court," said Vij. The apex court on Friday asked the Union government and Punjab to ensure necessary medical aid is provided to farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanouri border. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan asked authorities to have a direct dialogue with Dallewal saying "his life is more precious than any agitation." Dallewal has been on fast-unto-death since November 26 as part of the protests against the Central government for minimum support prices for crops. The Haryana government has ordered a temporary suspension of mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services in the Ambala district from December 14-17 to prevent spread of misinformation and potential law-and-order disruptions following the "Delhi Kooch" call by farmers' organizations amid the ongoing protests. Effective from December 14, 6 AM, until December 17, 11.59 PM, the restrictions apply to specific villages, including Dangdehri, Lohgarh, and Saddopur. Essential services like individual SMS, banking communications, voice calls, and broadband remain unaffected to minimize public inconvenience while ensuring peace and order. "This order is issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the area of villages Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru in the jurisdiction of district Ambala," it read. Visuals from the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border show farmers preparing for 'Delhi Kooch' today. According to farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, a 'Jattha' of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi today at noon. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that a 'Jathha' of 101 farmers will make a fresh attempt to march to Delhi from the Shambhu border point of Haryana at noon on Saturday. The farmers' leader said that the protest against contentious agricultural laws has reached its 307th day today awaiting talks with the Centre and emphasized nationwide support for the movement from the people of the country. Speaking to ANI, Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "The farmers' protest has now entered its 307th day. By noon today, our third 'Jattha of 101 farmers will depart for Delhi. The whole country is connected with us and supporting the protest, but our Prime Minister has remained silent about it and maintained a distance from the subject." The farmers' agitation has witnessed widespread participation from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The protest sites near Delhi's borders have become epicentres of resistance, with thousands of farmers camped in makeshift arrangements despite harsh weather conditions. As the protest continues to gain momentum, the farmers are preparing for intensified demonstrations to pressure the government into addressing their demands. Drone visuals from the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border show farmers blocking the roads with vehicles. Farmers are asking for a charter of 12 demands, including MSP for crops to be met by the state and Union governments. (ANI)
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Limestone County Coroner says two people are dead after a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 65 Friday night.

Limestone County Coroner Mike West said two people were killed in the wreck involving three vehicles near I-65 mile marker 342 in Limestone County. The wreck occurred around 5:23 p.m.

West said the wreck occurred when a car rear-ended a pickup truck hauling a trailer. He said a U-Haul truck then hit the car and the car caught on fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The coroner said the driver and a passenger in the car were both pronounced dead at the scene. He said no one in the other two vehicles was injured.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said southbound lanes on I-65 were closed for an undetermined period of time beginning at 5:57 p.m. Friday.

A New 19 crew on the scene said traffic was back rolling at 10:48 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 WHNT.com.
PANAMA CITY, FL. (WDHN)  An apparent murder-suicide investigation is underway in Bay County, Florida after two people were found dead and another person was injured in a shooting.

Shortly before midnight on Friday, police say they received multiple phone calls reporting shots fired at a home in the SweetBay neighborhood in Panama City, Florida.

When they arrived on the scene, officers say they made contact with Newell Mock, 67 of Gulf County on the front porch of the residence armed with a gun. Police say they attempted to de-escalate the situation, but during this time Mock took his own life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police entered the home and found two victims. One was a deceased male and the other was a female who had multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers say they rendered life-saving aid to the female, who was then transported to the hospital for treatment.

According to law enforcement two small children, ages five and seven, were also found inside of the home. Both of them were asleep when the incident happened and were unharmed.

Police say Mock was the sole shooter in the incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The case is still under investigation by the Panama City Police Department, they also say they are working to support the affected family members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Witnesses in the case are asked to contact the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or they can report their tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-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 WDHN - wdhn.com.
A bus carrying Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine has collided with a URAL truck transporting troops in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, resulting in the deaths of five servicemen.

Source: Russian media outlet ASTRA, citing sources in Voronezh Oblast's emergency services

Details: A further 46 Russian troops were injured.

The accident occurred on 13 December at around 23:00 on the Voronezh-Luhansk motorway when a URAL truck carrying Russian soldiers collided head-on with a bus loaded with other Russian troops.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The bus was carrying soldiers who had been wounded in the war with Ukraine.

The accident resulted in the deaths of both drivers, one wounded soldier from the bus and two servicemen from the URAL truck.

A further 46 Russian servicemen were injured.

Information about the accident also surfaced on local Telegram channels, though officials have not commented.

Support UP or become our patron!
SOCASTEE, S.C. (WBTW)  Without the benefit of Santas helpers or the Polar Express, U.S. Postal Service express shipments must be sent by Dec. 21 if you want them to arrive at their destination by Christmas Day.

Thats just one of the Postal Service deadlines rapidly approaching as Christmas is now less than two weeks away; first-class shipments need to be mailed by Wednesday, while priority deliveries must go out by Thursday.

Its a busy time of year at local post offices. Anna Low said at about lunchtime on Friday the line at the Socastee Postal Office on Highway 707 was out the door with last-minute gift-givers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There was probably 30 or 40 people in there standing in line, she said, The parking lot is jumping, so yeah, we just had to swing in and see what it was like, and well come back when its a little less busy.

Low said she and her daughter were there to drop off a gift for her sister in Tennessee. Her daughter is hoping the lines arent too long for Santa to deliver her a baby doll and baby crib.

Hopefully they make it before Christmas, but if not, oh, well, theyll still get it, Low said. So, yeah, weve been out to Target, Ulta, Walmart, just to finish up our last-minute holiday shopping and ship it in off before the holidays get here.

Louie Chiafullo, who recently moved to Myrtle Beach from New Jersey, was also shipping multiple holiday presents to loved ones across the country. The packages included a gift that his wife sends each Christmas to her friends in West Virginia and other gifts to little ones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I have five grandchildren, he said. I have a great-grandchild in Portland, Maine, and Im sending, of course, them something, he said.

Although the lines were long all day, Chiafullo said he appreciated that Postal Service employees were patient with those in line and also those who are delivering packages.

We appreciate them a lot, and we like to take care of them during the holidays, he said. They work hard all year.

And in the spirit of Christmas, Merry Christmas to everybody and a good, healthy New Year, Chiafullo said.

* * *

Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
By Simon Lewis and Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AQABA, Jordan (Reuters) -Top diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union and Arab nations have agreed that a new government in Syria should respect minority rights, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday following talks in Jordan and direct contacts with the rebels who ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

The meetings occurred as regional and global powers scramble for influence over whatever government replaces Assad, forced to flee a week ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Blinken said at a news conference that the group had agreed on a joint communique that also calls for an inclusive and representative government that respects the rights of minorities and does not offer "a base for terrorist groups".

The joint statement also "affirmed the full support for Syrias unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty," a comment that appeared aimed at Israel, which has moved into Syria beyond a previously agreed buffer zone since Assad fell.

"Today's agreement sends a unified message to the new interim authority and parties in Syria on the principles crucial to securing much needed support and recognition," Blinken said.

Blinken also said U.S. officials had now had "direct contact" with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and had urged them and other rebel groups to assist with locating U.S. journalist Austin Tice, who was detained in Syria in 2012. The U.S. has also shared with actors in Syria what it wants to see from the country's transition, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Syria's neighbour Jordan was hosting Saturday's gathering in Aqaba. Russia and Iran, who were Assad's key supporters, were not invited.

Blinken, U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan and foreign ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar met around a circular table at a Jordanian government guesthouse. There was no Syrian representative at the table.

The Arab diplomats earlier met separately and issued a statement calling for a peaceful and inclusive political transition that leads towards elections and a new constitution.

Arab diplomats attending the talks told Reuters they were seeking assurances from Turkey that it supported this, as well as preventing the partition of Syria on sectarian lines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Turkey and the United States, both NATO members, have conflicting interests when it comes to some of the rebels. Turkish-backed rebels in northern Syria have clashed with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The SDF, which controls some of Syria's largest oil fields, is the main ally in a U.S. coalition against Islamic State militants. It is spearheaded by YPG militia, a group that Ankara sees as an extension of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants who have fought the Turkish state for 40 years and who it outlaws.

Blinken told Turkish officials during a visit to Ankara on Thursday and Friday that Islamic State must not be able to regroup, and the SDF must not be distracted from its role of securing camps holding IS fighters, according to a U.S. official. Turkish leaders agreed, the official with the U.S. delegation said.

Fidan told Turkish TV later on Friday that the elimination of the YPG was Turkey's "strategic target" and urged the group's commanders to leave Syria.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis and Suleiman Al-Khalidi; additional reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington;Editing by Diane Craft, Giles Elgood and Mark Potter)
During a video conference of G7 leaders, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for increased support for Ukraine and tougher economic pressure on Russia, including via further sanctions where possible.

Source: the UK Government, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Starmer emphasised that since Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has shown no willingness to make concessions, it is crucial to bolster support for Ukraine to ensure Kyiv is in the strongest possible position for the future.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He urged G7 leaders to "continue maximising Putins pain" by ramping up military support for Ukraine and intensifying economic pressure, including imposing additional sanctions where possible.

During the conversation, the leaders agreed that maintaining G7 unity would be essential in these uncertain times and emphasised the need for collective efforts to ensure international stability and security.

Background:

On Wednesday, EU ambassadors agreed upon the 15th package of sanctions in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The proposals for the 15th sanctions package, prepared by the European Commission for EU member states, include the addition of 29 legal entities and 54 individuals to the sanctions list.

For the first time, companies from China are expected to be included on the sanctions list in response to reports of their support for military production in Russia.

New measures to combat Russia's shadow fleet, which bypasses the price cap on oil transported by sea, are also under consideration. As part of these efforts, 48 tankers may be blacklisted.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukrainian air defense intercepted 58 drones out of 132 launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel on Dec. 14.

The attack targeted 11 oblasts, primarily in southern and central Ukraine, with Russia deploying 132 Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to the report.

Defensive operations were carried out across all targeted oblasts, with air defense systems active in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kyiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kirovohrad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Air Force reported that 72 drones failed to reach their targets, while two returned to Russia.

The overnight assault followed a massive aerial attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure earlier on Dec. 13. During that offensive, Russia launched approximately 290 missiles and drones across multiple regions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 93 missiles were fired, including some supplied by North Korea, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting 81 of them. Eleven missiles were shot down by F-16 fighter jets.

Moscows forces also deployed nearly 200 drones in the Dec. 13 strike, which Zelensky described as "one of the largest against our energy grid."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Russian guided bomb attacks fall sharply after ATACMS, Storm Shadow strikes, analysts say

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's military leadership has replaced the commander overseeing defences in the eastern Donetsk region where Russian forces are making swift advances, a military official said on Saturday.

General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, 54, was appointed to head the operational and tactical group Donetsk, replacing General Oleksandr Lutsenko, the official at the General Staff told Reuters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lutsenko was criticized by Ukrainian military bloggers and some lawmakers for failing to stop Russian troops' relentless push toward the strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.

The battles around Pokrovsk, a key logistic hub for Ukrainian military and civilians in the eastern Donetsk region, come at a critical juncture of the war.

Ukraine is on the back foot on the battlefield as Russian troops advance at their fastest pace since the early days of Moscow's invasion in February 2022.

Last month President Volodymyr Zelenskiy replaced several other generals, saying changes were needed.

Kyiv is also trying to build ties with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose promise to end the war swiftly has raised concerns in Ukraine that it could be largely on Moscow's terms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukraine's Khortytsiya military command said on Saturday that Russian troops had destroyed several Ukrainian positions in villages around Pokrovsk, improving their tactical positions after "exhausting battles" and forcing Kyiv forces to retreat.

In its daily report, the Ukrainian military reported a total of 62 combat clashes near Pokrovsk in the last 24 hours.

Ukrainian officials said that about 11,000 people still remain in Pokrovsk, which has been under constant shelling for months and where all critical infrastructure - electricity, water, and gas supplies were destroyed.

Pokrovsk lies at the intersection of several important roads and rail lines and is just about 20 kilometres away from the administrative border of the Donetsk region. Moscow has been trying to reach that line since the start of the invasion, as its forces aim to seize all of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Military analysts said that for Kyiv, losing Pokrovsk would also potentially mean having the war closer to central Ukraine and its better-protected rear.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Conor Humphries)
Macron nominates Francois Bayrou as new French PM

Xinhua) 09:10, December 14, 2024

Francois Bayrou (R, Front) shakes hands with outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (L, Front) at the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

PARIS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4.

Bayrou, the fourth French prime minister nominated in 2024, has now been tasked with forming a government, the Elysee said. The centrist ally of Macron is expected to make a 2025 budget, to be adopted by the National Assembly.

Born in 1952, Bayrou founded the centrist party Democratic Movement (MoDem) in 2007. He ran as a presidential candidate three times, in 2002, 2007, and 2012.

Following the Elysee's announcement, the president of the far-right wing party National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, told French news channel BFMTV that his party would not immediately censor Bayrou, but added that Bayrou should "understand that he has no democratic legitimacy nor the majority in the National Assembly, which requires a dialogue with all the forces represented in the parliament."

Meanwhile, the hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI) has announced it will launch a no-confidence vote to bring down Bayrou.

LFI has repeatedly said that the position of prime minister should be given to someone from the alliance of left-wing parties, which won the most seats in the snap legislative elections held this year.

Speaking to the press Friday afternoon, Bayrou stressed the need for a reconciliation. "Everyone understands the difficulty of the task...There is a path to be found that unites people instead of dividing them," he said.

During the transfer of power ceremony held Friday evening at Matignon, the French prime minister's office, Bayrou said that he recognized the seriousness of the political situation in France.

Bayrou noted that he wanted to break down the "glass wall which is built between the citizens and the authorities." He also promised to make it his duty to "give opportunities to those who do not have any."

As one of his first tasks, Bayrou acknowledged the problems regarding the deficit and budget.

Bayrou's nomination came at a crucial time for Europe as Germany is preparing for elections and Trump is going to be sworn in as U.S. president.

According to BFMTV, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Bayrou for his nomination.

"France and Germany are very close neighbors and friends at the heart of Europe. I am delighted by the close collaboration between our two governments in the spirit of Franco-German friendship," Scholz said in a press release, cited by BFMTV.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Bayrou. "Let's all work together for a stronger, more competitive Europe that has the means to defend itself," she said on her X account.

On Dec. 4, the French National Assembly voted in favor of a no-confidence motion against Barnier, compelling him to resign and causing the government to collapse. Barnier's government became the first to fall to a no-confidence vote since 1962.

Francois Bayrou speaks at the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

Francois Bayrou (R, Front) and outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (L, Front) attend the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

Francois Bayrou (R, Front) and outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (L, Front) attend the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

Francois Bayrou (R, Front) and outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (L, Front) attend the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

Francois Bayrou (R, Front) and outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (L, Front) attend the transfer of power ceremony in Paris, France, on Dec. 13, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister, succeeding Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on Dec. 4. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of getting "personal" while speaking in the Parliament, saying that he usually "downgrades" the standard of debate. "We hope that PM Modi's reply will be decent and he will speak the way Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did and maintain the dignity of the house as he usually downgrades the standard of debate in Parliament. He becomes very personal about the previous leadership of the country. He questions in a very wrong pattern," Tagore told ANI. The Congress' criticism comes as PM Modi is expected to reply to the debate on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution in the Lok Sabha on Saturday. Congress MP Imran Masood on Saturday said that he will also be participating in a debate about the Constitution. "There is a discussion going on about the Constitution, I will also speak today. The Constitution of India gives us a protective shield, as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said. Today we will discuss this," Masood told ANI. The Lok Sabha, on December 13, initiated a two-day debate on the Constitution to commemorate the beginning of the 75th year of its adoption. On Friday, the debate on the Constitution witnessed fiery speeches of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the House. Defence Minister Singh initiated a debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha with a sharp focus on its historical significance and its role in shaping the nation's governance and global standing. Rajnath Singh reflected on the Constitution's birth from extensive deliberations, underscored its reflection of India's civilizational values, and addressed recent efforts to politicize its legacy. The Defence Minister in a sharp remark towards the Congress criticized the party's efforts to attribute the creation of India's Constitution solely to a particular political party. He stressed that such attempts to overlook the collective contributions of many individuals and the Constitution's deep roots in India's cultural and civilizational values. Meanwhile, Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi in her maiden address in the Lok Sabha attacked the ruling government and said that in the last 10 years, the Union government have made all attempts to break down the 'kavach' (shield). 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)
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Ukrainian drones reportedly struck an oil depot in the city of Oryol overnight on Dec. 14, causing a large fire, according to several Russian Telegram channels. Explosions were reported by residents in the city around midnight local time.

Andrey Klychkov, governor of Oryol Oblast, reported early on Dec. 14 that 11 drones were downed over the region and the fire was localized at the oil depot. No casualties were reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Videos posted on social media and shot by local residents appear to show a drone hitting a storage tank and causing an explosions at an oil depot in Oryol. Local residents claimed that at least one storage tank caught fire as a result of the attack, ASTRA reported. It was not immediately clear which oil depot was targeted in the attack.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify the claims and Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the alleged attack.

0:00

/

1

The full extent of the damage was not immediately known, and it is unclear if there are any casualties as a result of the alleged attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As Russia's full-scale invasion continues, Ukraine has also continued to attack Russian targets along the Russia-Ukraine border to inflict damage to the country's military supply chain.

Overnight on Dec. 11, Ukrainian forces struck a Druzhba oil loading pipeline near the city of Bryansk, setting it on fire, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported.

Oryol Oblast is located in western Russia, and borders Kursk region to the southwest, Bryansk region to the northwest, and Tula region to the east.

Over the past year, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, which is crucial to sustain Moscow's war efforts, as well as its military hardware.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Russia launches one of the largest aerial attacks on Ukraines energy grid

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine is preparing to send humanitarian aid to Syria in order "to help prevent a food crisis," President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 14.

The announcement comes a week after the Russia-backed regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad collapsed on Dec. 8 amid a large-scale rebel offensive.

Kyiv will contribute to stabilization in Syria in the aftermath of Assad's fall, Zelensky said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis," he said.

"Including through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. I have instructed the government to organize food deliveries in cooperation with international organizations and partners willing to help."

Zelensky called on global partners to assist in ensuring a stable peace in Syria, which endured years of civil war "ignited with ... Russia's involvement."

Kyiv launched the Grain From Ukraine initiative in fall 2022. Since then, the program has saved 20 million people from hunger, according to Zelensky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukraine is one of the world's leading agricultural producers and has been a major supplier of grain and other products to countries in Africa and Asia.

Read also: What Russias army in Syria stands to lose after fall of Assad

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Kyiv Independent spent a day with one of Ukraine's top drone units, the Achilles Strike Drone Battalion of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, documenting their missions to hunt down Russian military equipment  and soldiers  near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, where Moscow is currently on the offensive.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Kyiv City Military Administration has reported that air defence forces shot down approximately 10 Russian attack drones that posed a threat to the capital.

Source: Kyiv City Military Administration

Quote from Kyiv City Military Administration Head Serhii Popko: "Another tense night for Kyiv. Russian forces once again launched their attack drones against Ukraine's peaceful capital. An air-raid warning was issued in the city twice, being in effect for a total of three and a half hours."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: Popko noted that the drones approached in waves and from various directions.

Ukraines defence forces, using various methods, detected and downed nearly 10 Russian UAVs, which had the potential to threaten Kyiv.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov has agreed with US representatives to deepen cooperation between the countries in the area of cybersecurity, including increased investment in Ukrainian innovations, strengthening of digital infrastructure and introduction of the latest technologies.

Source: Umierov, quoted by the Defence Ministry

Details: The minister said that on 14 December he met with a US delegation led by Ambassador-at-Large Nathaniel Fick. The discussion was also joined by Doug Beck, Director of the US Defense Innovation Unit, and Bridget Brink, US Ambassador to Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The key focus of the meeting was cybersecurity, where Ukraine seeks to learn from the US experience in countering digital threats.

The Ukrainian team presented to the American delegation the Ministry of Defence's digital solutions, including the Army+ and Reserve+ applications, the DELTA situational awareness system, as well as the creation of the Cyber Incident Response Centre, which should become an important element in countering the Russians on the digital battlefield.

Quote from Umierov: "We agreed with Nathaniel Fick and Doug Beck to further deepen cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the field of cybersecurity.

The priorities are to increase investment in our innovations, strengthen digital infrastructure that is invulnerable to aggressor attacks, and introduce the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence."

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, during a meeting in Kyiv with Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, has discussed, among other issues, the preparation of strategic reserve brigades.

Source: Umierov on Facebook

Quote: "Special attention was given to the preparation of strategic reserve brigades.

Negotiations are already underway with several European countries on equipping and training our units. We look forward to the EUs coordinating role in expediting these agreements."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: Umierov said the meeting also addressed the security situation and the threats posed by the escalation of Russian aggression.

He noted that during the meeting, they began analysing the support Ukraine had received in previous years and outlined new areas of cooperation, including:

using proceeds from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine;

expanding the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) training mission to prepare Ukrainian military personnel;

investing in Ukraine's defence sector to strengthen domestic production.

Background: Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, who is visiting Kyiv, was forced to spend the morning of Friday, 13 December, in a shelter due to a Russian large-scale drone and missile attack.

Support UP or become our patron!
The New York Times reports that the Ukrainian government has twice postponed a minerals deal with the United States, possibly to give President-elect Donald Trump the opportunity to present the agreement as his own achievement.

Source: The New York Times citing sources

Quote: "Ukraine had planned to sign an agreement to cooperate on extracting and processing minerals with the Biden administration. But the Ukrainian authorities have postponed the signing twice, according to officials on both sides  a signal that Kyiv may be waiting for Mr. Trump to take office to present the deal as an early victory for his administration."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: The newspaper cites data from Ukrainian private equity firm Horizon Capital that Ukraine has deposits of 20 major minerals, such as cobalt and graphite, with reserves estimated at US$11.5 trillion. Particularly, Ukraine has about a third of Europe's proven reserves of lithium, a key material for batteries that could be of interest to Elon Musk's electric vehicle business.

Republican and Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham said in an interview with Fox News last month that this war is about money, saying that Trump is going to make a deal to get US money back, to enrich himself with rare earth minerals, calling the deal good for both Ukraine and the United States.

The newspaper notes that "from desperate stabs at diplomacy to fanciful expressions of flattery, Ukrainian officials are doing everything they can to bring President-elect Donald J. Trump into their corner as they try to strengthen their position in the war against Russia."

They also said that Ukraine's "the most audacious effort" to reach out to Trump were made after Ukrainian officials learned that the US President-elect was planning to travel to Paris last Saturday to attend the opening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quote: "First, they pushed for help from the French presidents office to organize a meeting between Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Trump, according to a French official who requested anonymity to discuss the preparations. Then, with no guarantee of a meeting, Mr. Zelenskys team traveled many hours to Paris from Kyiv by train and plane.

The meeting was confirmed just before Mr. Trump walked into the Elysee Palace for talks with Frances president. Less than an hour later, Mr. Zelensky joined them. The discussion between the three men, supposed to last 15 minutes, stretched to 45."

Support UP or become our patron!
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian drones carried out an overnight attack on an oil facility in Russia's Oryol region that is a crucial source of fuel supplies for Russian troops, Ukraine's military said on Saturday.

The drones hit the Steel Horse production control station, which lies about 170 km (107 miles) from the border with Ukraine, a military statement said.

Earlier, Russian regional governor Andrei Klychko said on the Telegram messaging app that Ukrainian drones had struck a fuel infrastructure facility, causing a fire but no casualties. He said 11 drones had been shot down over the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Oryol region neighbours Russia's Kursk region where Ukrainian troops control some settlements after Kyiv's incursion into the Russian territory in August.

Ukraine has stepped up its use of drones this year to attack Russian oil facilities, which it deems legitimate military targets that are aiding Russian troops in their nearly 34-month-old invasion. Moscow calls the attacks "terrorist acts".

(Writing by Felix Light and Olena Harmash; Editing by Helen Popper)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian drone strikes on southern Russia killed a 9-year-old boy and set fire to a major oil terminal, officials said Saturday, the day after Moscow launched a massive aerial attack on its neighbor that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said was one of the heaviest bombardments of the countrys energy sector in the nearly three-year war.

The boy died when a drone struck his familys home outside Belgorod, a Russian city near the border with Ukraine, local Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on Saturday morning on the Telegram messaging app. His mother and 7-month-old sister were hospitalized with injuries, Gladkov said.

He posted photos of what he said was the aftermath of the attack, showing a low-rise house with gaping holes in its roof and front wall flanked by mounds of rubble.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Elsewhere in southern Russia, Ukrainian drones overnight hit a major oil terminal in the Oryol region, sparking a blaze, Ukraines General Staff reported. Photos published by the General Staff and on Russian Telegram news channels showed huge plumes of smoke engulfing the facility, backlit by an orange glow.

Oryol Gov. Andrey Klychkov confirmed that a Ukrainian drone strike set fire to a fuel depot. He said later the blaze had been contained and that there were no casualties.

Russias Defense Ministry on Saturday claimed its forces shot down 37 Ukrainian drones over the countrys south and west the previous night.

Russia pummels Ukrainian energy targets

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Ukrainian strikes came a day after Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones at its neighbor, further battering Ukraines energy infrastructure, around half of which has been destroyed during the war. Rolling electricity blackouts are common and widespread, and Zelenskyy charged Friday that Moscow is terrorizing millions of people with such assaults.

According to Ukraines air force, Russia kept up its drone attacks on Saturday, launching 132 across Ukrainian territory. Fifty-eight drones were shot down and a further 72 veered off course, likely due to electronic jamming, it said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces used long-range precision missiles and drones on critically important fuel and energy facilities in Ukraine that ensure the functioning of the military industrial complex.

The strike was in retaliation for Wednesdays Ukrainian attack using U.S.-supplied the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMs, on a Russian air base, it said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kyivs Western allies have provided Ukraine with air defense systems to help it protect critical infrastructure, but Russia has sought to overwhelm the air defenses with combined strikes involving large numbers of missiles and drones called swarms.

Russia has held the initiative this year as its military has steadily rammed through Ukrainian defenses in the east in a series of slow but steady offensives.

But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next month, has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue.

North Koreans reportedly in combat in Kursk

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Zelenskyy said Saturday that a significant number of North Korean troops were being deployed by Moscow in assaults in Russias southern Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have held on following a stunning cross-border incursion this summer.

In a televised address, Zelenskyy said that North Korean soldiers have so far not entered the fight on Ukrainian soil, but claimed they are already taking noticeable losses.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling on Friday and overnight killed at least two civilians and wounded 14 others in front-line areas Ukraines south and northeast.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Yakiv Tkachenko, a theater and film actor from Dnipro, was killed in action while serving on the front line with Ukraine's 128th Territorial Defense Brigade, his friends and colleagues reported on Dec. 14.

Tkachenko was known for his roles in Ukrainian films such as "Chervonyi" ("Red"), "Dovbush," and "Pryputni" ("The Strayed"). He also appeared in "Mr. Jones," a high-profile film about the man-made Holodomor famine, directed by Agnieszka Holland.

Film director Oles Sanin announced Tkachenko's death on his Facebook page.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"One of the most talented Ukrainian actors," Sanin said. "A true knight. A true friend."

Casting director Alla Samoylenko also announced the actor's death on Facebook.

"So cinematic, so talented," she said. "A treasure. A man of gold. My great, great acting love and pride."

Actor Yevhen Chernykov reported via Facebook that Tkachenko joined the Territorial Defense Forces of Dnipro at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Serving in the 128th Territorial Defense Brigade, he participated in battles in Donetsk Oblast.

During his service, he sustained two injuries but consistently returned to active duty, Chernykov said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Extraordinary and bright," he said.

"I have known Yakiv since 2016, I have seen him develop as a sincere patriot of our country... Yakiv created many bright images in our cinema and will forever remain in our hearts and memory. To be a warrior is to live forever."

The details of Tkachenko's death have not been disclosed.

According to a March 2024 report from PEN International, at least 102 Ukrainian cultural figures, including writers, artists, translators and historians, have been killed since the beginning of the invasion.

Read also: These Ukrainian artists, writers were killed by Russias war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply to the debate on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution in Lok Sabha, Union Minister BL Verma on Saturday said that Congress has tried to endanger the Constitution and never respected the Constitution. "Congress has always tried to endanger the Constitution... till now the country has not forgotten the Emergency, they have never respected the Constitution. Prime Minister Modi works on the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," Verma told ANI. BJP MP Yogender Chandoliya urged the opposition to patiently listen to the Prime Minister when he will speak in the Lok Sabha. "I want to tell the opposition to be patient and listen to the Prime Minister when he speaks. The way they were busy creating the narrative, even yesterday most of the opposition members raised their own issues instead of speaking on the completion of 75 years of the Constitution...PM Modi will be spreading a very good message on the Constitution today," Chandoliya said. PM Modi is expected to reply to the debate on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution in the Lok Sabha. Earlier, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described the Constitution of India as not only the longest but also the most remarkable and beautiful in the world. Speaking in Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, Kiren Rijiju said, "I come from such a region where I have seen airplane first and cars later because it was only after I became an MP that the roads for cars were built. When Prime Minister Modi gave me the opportunity to sit in the place where Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had sat. When I became the law minister of this country. Before assuming the post of Law Minister, I first tried to understand what Baba Saheb Ambedkar wanted and what all things and thoughts were in his mind that he could not do. Our Constitution is not only the largest Constitution in the world but also the most beautiful in the world." Rijiju also slammed the opposition for alleging that minorities are not safe in the country, saying that if oppression against minorities or any problems arise, minorities come to seek protection in India. "You know the condition of Pakistan, what happens in Bangladesh, you people know what has happened to Sikhs, Hindus, Christians in Afghanistan, whether it is a problem in Tibet or Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan. If there is oppression against minorities or some problem arises, the first country where they come to seek protection is India. Then why is it said that there is no protection for minorities in this country?" he said. The Lok Sabha, on December 13, initiated a two-day debate on the Constitution to commemorate the beginning of the 75th year of its adoption. On Friday, the debate on the Constitution witnessed fiery speeches of Defence Minister Singh and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the House. 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)
Ukrainian intelligence believes that the Russian command will soon involve the North Korean (DPRK) military in direct assault operations.

Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Details: Ukrainian intelligence noted that the North Korean military had recently received additional food supplies.

On 13 December, the North Korean army units were put on alert and ordered to wait for further instructions.

Quote: "The command of the North Korean army units in Russia has received an order to enter into cooperation with Russian units engaged in combat operations in Kursk Oblast...

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of the DPRK troops are being covertly transferred to the front line by civilian lorries that look like water delivery vehicles."

Background:

On 7 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that there had already been casualties among North Korean troops fighting on the Russian side of Russias Kursk Oblast.

The US confirmed that North Korean troops had taken part in the fighting in Kursk Oblast.

In addition, according to The New York Times, a large group of Russian and North Korean troops (50,000 troops) is preparing to launch a large-scale counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!
ALMENA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A Ukrainian orphan who is living in West Michigan is trying to help his brother get into a program that brought him to the U.S. But he is concerned after experiencing delays in the application process and is uncertain about the future of the program.

Living in the Mattawan area with a host family has been a dream come true for 19-year-old Vlad Pastukhov.

It changed my life. We made so many friends and get the job, Pastukhov said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He came to the U.S. in 2023 through a Uniting for Ukraine program allowing him to finish high school where he competed in track.

Now, he wants his 18-year-old brother Danik, who is currently in Poland, to come to the U.S. through the same program.

An undated courtesy photo of Vlad and Danik Pastukhov when they were children in Ukraine.

Now Danik worried so much because we dont know what happened and like nobody knows what happen in the future, Vlad Pastukhov said.

The application was sent back in September, but his host family has not been able to get information  other than that the application is still pending.

Weve been calling (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) call center every single day to check the status on his brothers approval, said Kamie Winblad, whose family is hosting Vlad Pastukhov and other Ukrainians.

An undated courtesy photo of Danik Pastukhov video chatting with Kamie Winblad.

Winblad says the process normally takes less than a month, but they have not heard of any applications being approved in the past few months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This humanitarian parole program is in place to allow those that consider themselves in too much danger to return to where they were from to come here to America, Winblad said.

She says the program will provide opportunities the brothers could not get back in Ukraine.

Being orphans, Vlad and his brother, they would have nothing to return to in their region. There is no system set up for him to go back and get a job. We dont know how the current trade schools are operating in Ukraine, but hes also from a region that is bombed daily, Winblad said.

Theyre hopeful the application will be processed so the brothers can be reunited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He is not considered part of the orphanage system anymore in Ukraine, who would take care of him and help him. And so Vlad is the one who has taken care of him their whole lives and he would like to be able to continue doing so, Winblad said.

News 8 contacted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for information regarding the status of the Uniting in Ukraine program and was referred to the programs 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 WOODTV.com.
A Ukrainian pilot from the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade of Ukraine's Air Force was killed in action during a sortie on Saturday.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force Command

Quote: "Today, a young Ukrainian airman, a pilot from the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Air Force, who was fighting the invaders in the fiercest spots of the war zone, did not return from a combat mission.

The Air Force's tactical aircraft pilots are operating at the peak of their abilities, utilising all available foreign-made weapons. The pilots carry out strikes under active enemy counteraction, constantly entering enemy air defence zones and enduring high overloads during dangerous missions to accomplish their tasks efficiently."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Details: The Command has not disclosed the name or place of the pilot's death.

Earlier on Saturday, Russian-installed authorities in the occupied part of Kherson Oblast claimed that Russian forces had shot down a Ukrainian warplane north of Kherson.

The 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade is equipped with Su-25 ground attack aircraft of various modifications.

Support UP or become our patron!
BENGALURU, India (AP)  Despite two weeks of U.N.-sponsored talks in Saudi Arabias Riyadh, the participating 197 nations failed to agree early Saturday on a plan to deal with global droughts, made longer and more severe by a warming climate.

The biennial talks, known as COP 16 and organized by a UN body that deals with combating desertification and droughts, attempted to create strong global mandates to legally bind and require nations to fund early warning systems and build resilient infrastructure in poorer countries, particularly Africa, which is worst affected by the changes.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification released a report earlier this week warning that 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 of Earths lands by the end of the century, up from a quarter of the worlds population today. The report also said farming was particularly at risk, which can lead to food insecurity for communities worldwide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is the fourth time UN talks aimed at getting countries to agree to make more headway on tackling biodiversity loss, climate change and plastic pollution have either failed to reach a consensus or delivered disappointing results this year, worrying many nations, particularly the most vulnerable.

Nations participating in the Riyadh discussions decided to push the can down the road to the 2026 talks, hosted by Mongolia.

Parties need more time to agree on whats the best way forward to address the critical issue of drought, said Ibrahim Thiaw, the UNCCD chief, speaking at the end of the Riyadh talks.

Thiaw said the conference was like no other in the talks' 30-year history. We have elevated the land and drought agenda beyond sector-specific discussions, establishing it as a cornerstone of global efforts to address inter-connected challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, migration and global security.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Longer-lasting solutions to drought  such as the curbing of climate change  were not a talking point.

Host Saudi Arabia has been criticized in the past for stalling progress on curbing emissions from fossil fuels at other negotiations. The Gulf nation is one of the worlds largest oil producers and exporters with the second-largest global oil reserves.

Earlier in the conference, hosts Saudi Arabia, a few other countries and international banks pledged $2.15 billion for drought resilience. And the Arab Coordination Group, made up of 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 will have cost $125 billion worldwide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Erika Gomez, lead negotiator from Panama said while a decision on dealing with drought was not reached, significant progress was made in other key issues.

We have achieved several key milestones, particularly in the growing traction of civil society engagement and the gender decision, Gomez said. Until the very end, parties could not agree on whether or not the new instrument to respond to drought should be legally binding or not, said Jes Weigelt of European climate think-tank TMG Research who has been tracking the talks.

I fear, the UNCCD COP 16 has suffered the same fate as the biodiversity and climate COPs this year. It failed to deliver, he said.

___

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

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.
Dec. 14The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport will be down to two destinations for commercial passenger flights in February.

Flights on United Airlines between Denver and Lewiston are ending in about seven weeks.

A spokesperson from United made the announcement in an email Friday to the Lewiston Tribune.

United will operate service from Denver to Lewiston through Jan. 31 and service from Lewiston to Denver through Feb. 1, said Remy Zeigler (Milburn), a United consumer public relations specialist, in the email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"United will continue to serve Idaho with service to Boise, Idaho Falls and Sun Valley," Zeigler said. "We're working with impacted customers to help them make alternative travel arrangements."

Zeigler did not address a question posed by the Tribune about the reason for United's decision.

Airport officials confirmed Friday that United had informed them of the decision.

"We thank United Airlines, Nez Perce County and the city of Lewiston for trying this route during challenging economic times in the air transportation industry," said Airport Director Michael Isaacs in a news release from the airport.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Airport officials have previously stated the route has not been profitable for United since it started in 2021 and needed subsidies.

Delta has direct service from Lewiston to Salt Lake City and Seattle that is not subsidized and is continuing.

Lewiston airport officials had warned that United would withdraw the service if it didn't receive financial support from the community.

They've also stated that the competition from United in the market lowered all Lewiston airline fares.

Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM

They asked for help from the city of Lewiston and Nez Perce County, the owners of the airport.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Nez Perce County was willing to contribute $500,000 toward a $4.9 million subsidy that United had requested for a fiscal year that started Oct. 1.

That money was considered a stop-gap measure while community leaders identified where to find the remainder of the $4.9 million.

"Unfortunately, the airport owners ... were unable to allocate or commit the funds required to keep up with today's demands of minimum revenue guarantees for communities our size trying to maintain or grow air service," according to the airport news release.

Nez Perce County backed the United flights in their first three years with $4 million of the county's $7.8 million share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The city of Lewiston paid United just more than $4 million for a yearlong minimum revenue guarantee that ended Sept. 30.

Lewiston's city council didn't vote on the request for another revenue guarantee in November, citing a number of concerns, such as draining the city's reserves and an absence of anything in writing from United.

"If we are going to be meaningful participants in the global community, we must continue to pursue and support air travel opportunities through (Lewiston)," Lewiston Mayor Dan Johnson said Friday in a text.

Nez Perce County is disappointed to hear about the discontinuation of the United service, said Nez Perce County Commission Chairman Doug Havens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"After three years of working with United, it's unfortunate the service wasn't able to stand on its own," Havens said.

The board that oversees the Lewiston airport meets at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the airport administration building at 3632 Stearman St. in Lewiston. The United flights are on the agenda for discussion.

"Air service is a critical infrastructure that is essential for economic growth," Isaacs said. "The airport authority board will continue to search for new service opportunities."

Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.
A task force comprised of FBI agents and NYPD detectives spoke to Luigi Mangiones mother one day before he was arrested in Pennsylvania and named a suspect in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

The conversation followed a tip the FBI received from police in San Francisco, where Mangiones mother had filed a missing persons report about her son on Nov. 18.

The tip from SFPD was based on physical appearance and Mangiones mother, in her conversation with the Joint Violent Crimes Task Force last Sunday, indicated the person in the surveillance photos circulated by the NYPD could be her son, the sources said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The task force was still working on the information the mother and SFPD provided when Mangione was arrested Monday at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Mangione, 26, is currently in custody at a Pennsylvania state prison after a judge denied bail on Tuesday.

New attorney

Meanwhile, Mangione has hired veteran former New York City prosecutor Karen Friedman Agnifilo to defend him against incoming murder charges, according to a statement from her law firm Agnifilo Intrater LLP.

Friedman Agnifilo served as the second-in-command in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office from 2014 to 2021 under former District Attorney Cyrus Vance. A biography on her law firm website says she played a lead role in prosecuting "high-profile violent crime cases," including those involving mental health and cold case homicides.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Karen Friedman Agnifilo has a three-decade background in criminal justice, litigation, and trials. Her practice focuses on criminal defense in state and federal courts, leveraging her extensive experience prosecuting serious violent crimes, including complex homicide cases, from accusation to investigation to arrest and trial, her biography says.

MORE: Supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione establish defense fund

While serving in the Manhattan DAs office, Ms. Friedman Agnifilo was also integral to creating the offices Human Trafficking Unit, Hate Crimes Unit, Antiquities Trafficking Unit, Terrorism Unit, its Cybercrimes and Identity Theft Bureau, as well as working on the creation of Manhattans first Mental Health Court, the biography continued.

Friedman Agnifilo is also a frequent television news guest and commentator and is a former legal analyst for CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She is the co-host of a weekly podcast on the Meidas Touch Network where she discusses emerging legal issues and litigation strategy, and serves as a legal adviser for the television show "Law and Order."

MORE: UnitedHealth Group says slain CEO Brian Thompson was 'one of the good guys'

PHOTO: In this Feb. 14, 2017, file photo, Chief Assistant District Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo speaks at a press conference following the guilty verdict in the trial against Pedro Hernandez. (Natan Dvir/Polaris, FILE)

MORE: What we know about Luigi Mangione, Ivy League grad charged in CEO's murder

Writings seized

Law enforcement sources have told ABC News that writings seized from the suspect indicate he had been developing a fixation and increasing malice toward UnitedHealthcare and allegedly talked about harming its leader for months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some of the entries in the notebook seized from Mangione upon his arrest in Pennsylvania had dates on them going back to mid-2024, the sources said.

That fixation would eventually evolve into an alleged plan to shoot the chief executive, the sources said.

Some of the writings were diary-style, documenting how he felt, what he did that day, and also documented a desire to focus on his health and himself, and find his purpose, the sources said.

Then, as time went on -- as Mangione allegedly fell out of contact with friends and family and grew increasingly isolated -- some of his writings indicated a deterioration in his thinking and state of mind, illustrating a gradual build towards the alleged plan to kill UnitedHealthCare's CEO at their "annual parasitic bean-counter convention," sources said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE: Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing allegedly boasted of making ghost gun: Sources

PHOTO: Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect in the New York City killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson, is escorted after an extradition hearing at Blair County Court House in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Dec. 10, 2024. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Mangione's writings, obtained by ABC News, claimed that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world, but ranks about No. 42 in life expectancy. He said UnitedHealthcare "has grown and grown, but as our life expectancy? No the reality is, these [indecipherable] have simply gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit."

"I do apologize for any strife of traumas but it had to be done," he allegedly wrote. "Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming."

Neither Mangione nor his parents received insurance through UnitedHealthcare, according to UnitedHealth Group.

UnitedHealthcare CEO killing latest: Investigators spoke to Mangione's mother before arrest originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
We didnt need the murder of an insurance company executive to tell us Americas health care system is broken. Researchers, journalists, and activists have been chronicling its failures for yearsthe exorbitant costs, the middling outcomes, the inhumane and nonsensical complexity of it all. The need for vast improvement is something even health care executives will freely admit.

The system wears people down, which is maybe why, even in an election year, it has been largely absent from the public discourse. That is, of course, until UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered last week in Midtown Manhattan by a gunman who had inscribed shell casings with the words Delay, Deny, and Depose, apparent references to tactics the insurance industry is accused of using to boost profits.

In the days since, those three wordslikely inspired by the title of Jay Feinmans 2010 book, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Dont Pay Claims and What You Can Do About Ithave been giddily printed on merchandise (including Delay, Deny, Depose Christmas ornaments) and unfurled on banners over freeways in Baltimore and Chicago. Its a mantra that has come to symbolize the rage many feel toward the insurance industry, and its perceived tendency to prioritize profits over patients. For people who havent experienced an insurance nightmare themselves, there have been plenty posted online to infuriate them: ghastly letters and testimonials about patients being denied surgery for breast cancer, diabetes medications, or other vital care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old man with a history of treatment for back pain, was arrested on Dec. 9 and charged later that day with Thompsons murder; among Mangiones possessions at the time of his arrest were writings decrying corporate greed.

Public anger has hung on the narrative that companies like UnitedHealthcare have gotten rich by denying claims. While those situations, whenever and however they occur, are frustrating, thats an overly simplistic and narrow understanding of these businesses and the role they play in the broader health system.

A banner hanging from on overpass along I-83 says, "DENY DEFEND, DEPOSE HEALTH CARE 4 ALL." (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Theres no question that health insurance companies routinely delay and deny care, through processes like prior authorizationrequiring the sign-off of an insurer before a patient can receive medical careand the denial of claims. But insurers argue that theres good reason for these practices: In Americas $4.5 trillion health care industry, they serve as important checks on a system that is riddled with overpriced and unnecessary care. Hospitals, physician groups, and drug manufacturers, insurers argue, all have incentives to maximize profits at the expense of the patient. Rather than causing harm, insurers see their processes as necessary tools to protect patients, plan sponsors, and the broader system.

Andrew Witty, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, the corporate parent of UHC, said as much in a video address to his 440,000 employees in the days after Thompsons killing. Our role is a critical role, he told them. We make sure that care is safe, appropriate and is delivered when people need it, 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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the video, leaked on X, Witty looked stricken. He remarked on the negative coverage and vitriolic comments that had followed Thompsons death (which have included wanted posters of health care CEOs, and online humor romanticizing the suspect). And he encouraged employees to tune out that critical noise  It does not reflect reality; it is simply a sign of an era in which we live.

Still, theres no denying that this consumer anger comes in an era that has seen health insurers rise to incredible dominance. Over the past 30 years, the biggest health care companies have become truly huge: They now make up eight of the 25 biggest companies in the U.S. by revenue, up from zero in 1995. None is bigger than UnitedHealth Group, which brought in $372 billion in revenue in 2023. As these companies readily acknowledge, theyve pursued this massive scalethrough acquisitions and diversification across health careprecisely so that they could become more efficient, and thus more profitable. They say their size positions them to deliver better health outcomes for lower costs. But the delay and denial that generate so much frustration and distrust among patients are vital elements of that efficiency toolkit.

Thompsons killing was a shocking and senseless tragedy, and one can draw many conclusions from the uglier public reactions to it. But certainly it has awakened an important conversation about our flawed health system. Failing to reckon with the widespread consumer frustration with the industry misses the point: The deeper underlying question is whether bigger is better.

Low margins, but big profit numbers

One can understand the feeling that the health system is rigged against us. Medical care in America is extremely expensiveeven for people with insurance. This year, the average premium for family coverage Is $25,572, up 7% over the previous year for the second year in a row. (Employees, on average, contribute $6,300 of that, though many are required to contribute much more.) Many customers also have deductibles to meet before their insurance kicks inranging from $2,700 to $5,000 for families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Health insurance is supposed to protect people from financial hardship, but because of these growing costs, it has become another force economically squeezing Americans. A study published in November by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit research group focused on health care issues, found 23% of people are underinsured, meaning they have coverage, but they cant afford to access it. And 57% of underinsured adults avoid getting needed care owing to cost.

The high cost of insurance makes it even more galling when insurers deny urgently needed care, notes Commonwealths Sara Collins, a senior scholar and VP of health care coverage and access. In addition to the health crisis that theyre facing, and the extreme fear that can accompany that situation, theyre also dealing with the financial issue that they assumed was taken care of because they had insurance. Roughly six in 10 Americans have experienced problems with their health insurance, according to a 2023 survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and journalism organization. (Curiously, 81% of these respondents also rated their insurance as excellent or good.)

The fortunes of companies in Americas $4.5 trillion health care industry, meanwhile, look comparatively robust. The sector now accounts for nearly 17% of GDP, and dominates corporate America. As we wrote last year, soaring spending and relentless consolidation help explain this trend, which has put five health insurers in that group, with UnitedHealth Group at the very top.

In his manifesto, Luigi Mangione seems to have singled out United in part because it was bigthe fourth largest company in the U.S. It has grown and grown, he wrote, before noting that life expectancy in America had not.

HOLLIDAYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 10: Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione is led from the Blair County Courthouse after an extradition hearing December 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Mangione has been arraigned on weapons and false identification charges related to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. Mangione is incarcerated in the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania awaiting extradition to New York. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Its true that UHG has become particularly huge. Since 2010, when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, the company has transformed itself from an $87 billion insurerthe nations 21st-largest companyinto an almost full-service, vertically integrated health care juggernaut. Beyond its large insurance business, UHG also owns, among other things, a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), surgical clinics, home health providers, and the nations largest physician group. It owns the nations main claims processor, Change Healthcare, which was hacked this spring, bringing down much of the nations health care payment infrastructure for weeks. In total, its $372 billion in revenue last year made it, yes, Americas fourth largest companybut also, staggeringly, the eighth largest corporation in the entire world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The business Thompson led, UnitedHealthcare, is the insurance division of that larger companyand the source of the lions share of its revenue. With $281 billion in revenue, UHC would be Americas ninth-largest if it were a stand-alone company.

How has UHC gotten so big? Mostly by adding members: Since 2010, UHC has increased the number of people enrolled in its health plans from 32 million to 53 million. A sizable chunk of these beneficiaries are in government-sponsored programs such as Medicare Advantage. Some 40% of UHGs revenues came from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2023, up from 27% 15 years ago.

UHG made $22 billion in profit in 2023, more than all but 11 other companies in the U.S. Thats a massive number, but it also needs to be put in perspective. Last year, both UHG and UHC reported margins of roughly 6%. (The median for companies in the Fortune 500 is 7.2%.) Margins for the other large insurers were slimmer: Elevance at 3.5% (No. 348), Cigna at 2.6% (No. 377), and CVS Health at 2.3% (No. 391). On the one hand, those margins pale beside the astronomical profits of the tech sectorwhere companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet routinely deliver 30% to 40% margins. Still, those health care giants all booked billions in profits because of their enormous scale.

Insurers do spend less, and thus increase profits, when they deny claims. But their profits are limited in a way most industries arent: The authors of the Affordable Care Act recognized that incentive and created a regulation designed to prevent its abuse. By law, insurers must spend at least 80% to 85% of premium dollars on care. (In other words, they cant put more than 15% to 20% toward administration, marketing expenses, or profit.) If the insurer spends less than required on care, it must refund the excess premium to customers. In theory, the regulation removes the incentive to skimp on coverage (at least to a point), and it effectively caps the industrys profitability.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As is the case with many things in health care, that well-intended rule may have had some unintended consequences. Insurers, UnitedHealthcare especially, turned to other businesses to find fatter margins. It started the industrys arms race of acquisitions and vertical integration that has left us with the highly consolidated, even higher cost health care ecosystem we have today. UHG is of course still making plenty of money in its insurance business, but its more profitable venture is Optum, the companys health services arm that it has been building up ever since.

How managing costs becomes delay and deny

Health insurers work on behalf of health plan sponsorsemployers, or in the case of Medicare and Medicaid, state and federal governments. They collect premiums for each member, and they pay out health claims from that collective pool. Those premium dollars are not infinite, and thus much of an insurers work is managing costs. Prior authorizations and denying claims are among the tools they use to do it.

It can seem heartless to think of health care in terms of dollars and cents, but the rising cost of health carewhich insurers say theyre working to guard againstis not trivial. And affordability of care is a health issue, too: When you dont have the money to spend on a doctors visit or a medical procedureas is the case for many underinsured and uninsured Americansyou risk suffering greater harm.

What insurers are trying to do is keep health care costs low so that they can offer lower premiums, says Cynthia Cox, VP and director of the Program on the ACA at KFF. If they let anyone get any health care that they wanted, regardless of whether it was needed or not, then premiums would go up and up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While the cost burden on patients can be significant, they only pay for a fraction of the total bill. Americas employers (through the health insurance plans they offer) and the state and federal governments (which fund Medicare and Medicaid) shoulder the vast majority of costs. Of course, that spending ultimately hits people too in the form of lower wages or in taxes.

UNITED STATES - MAY 1: Andrew Witty, CEO, UnitedHealth Group, testifies during the Senate Finance Committee hearing titled "Hacking America's Health Care: Assessing the Change Healthcare Cyber Attack and What's Next," in Dirksen building on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

People pay for health care one way or another, says Cox.

Its hard to know just how often health insurers are requiring prior authorization or denying coverage. As ProPublica explained last year, the information remains closely guarded by companies and regulators. But some data has been reported on Medicare Advantage, the governments privatized Medicare program, that indicates the practice is widespread. According to KFF, 99% of all Medicare Advantage enrollees are required to get prior authorization for services including inpatient hospital stays and chemotherapy. In total, more than 46 million prior authorization requests were submitted to Medicare Advantage insurers in 2022, about 1.7 per enrollee. And 7.4%, or 3.4 million, of those requests were denied. Of course thats just one of the health care systems myriad programs.

Patients have a right to appeal these decisions, but few dojust 10%, according to KFFs surveys. The reasons speak to the complexity of the system: Patients dont realize they have a right to challenge the denial, or they dont know how, or they dont have time. Its a dismal reality, particularly given that 83% of appeals are successful, according to KFF.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The insurance industry bristles at the idea that they deny claims out of self-interest. Representatives stress they simply administer health plans according to the terms set by the plan sponsor and note that many claims are rejected because physicians submit incomplete or incorrect informationin other words, bureaucratic reasons over which a patient has no control.

Other reasons claims may be denied often relate to a plans cost-saving measures and members not fully understanding their coverage. For example, insurers will cover only in-network providers, or they will opt to pay for a low-cost generic drug rather than a more expensive branded one.

But, whether theyre intended to or not, the reality is that the industrys bureaucratic hurdles do sometimes harm patients. A survey by the American Medical Association found 24% of physicians reported that the prior authorization process led to an adverse event for a patient in their care. KFF found in its 2023 survey that 16% of people experienced a problem with prior authorization. Of those, 34% couldnt get recommended care; 32% experienced significant delays; and 26% said their health declined as a result. A 2023 Commonwealth Fund survey meanwhile found that 17% of people said their insurer had denied medical treatment that a doctor had recommended. Sixty percent of those individuals said this delayed their care, and roughly 50% reported their health suffered as a result.

A recent Senate report revealed how insurers including UHC had increasingly denied Medicare Advantage enrollees access to post-acute care. The authors accused the companies of using prior authorization to protect billions in profits while forcing vulnerable patients into impossible choices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its just one of the ways that the system is failing patients. When you cut through all the complexity of the system, the bottom line remains starkly simple: The United States pays roughly twice as much as comparably wealthy countries on health care, and our life expectancy is nearly five years less. Quite simply, were not getting what we pay foreven as the industry builds huge businesses around what we pay.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday criticized the Congress, accusing them of attacking the Constitution and altering its very essence. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "You have attacked the Constitution, you have changed the preamble to the Constitution. You have changed the very soul of the Constitution. Then how can you blame others?" Rijiju also slammed the opposition for alleging that minorities are not safe in the country, saying that if oppression against minorities or any problems arise, minorities come to seek protection in India. "You know the condition of Pakistan, what happens in Bangladesh, you people know what has happened to Sikhs, Hindus, Christians in Afghanistan, whether it is a problem in Tibet or Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan. If there is oppression against minorities or some problem arises, the first country where they come to seek protection is India. Then why is it said that there is no protection for minorities in this country?" he said. Rijiju questioned the Congress on why it had not given Bharat Ratna to Ambedkar despite repeated mentions by its leaders. "You always mention Baba Saheb. You didn't give Bharat Ratna to Baba Saheb. After 1956, PM Nehru Ji was given the Bharat Ratna, and Indira Gandhi gave the Bharat Ratna to herself. Vishwanath Ji (VP Singh), when he defeated Congress, then with the support of BJP, formed a government, and Baba Saheb Ambedkar was given the Bharat Ratna. You tell us the reason why Baba Saheb Ambedkar wasn't given Bharat Ratna during your party's governance," he said. The Lok Sabha, on December 13, initiated a two-day debate on the Constitution to commemorate the beginning of the 75th year of its adoption. On Friday, the debate on the Constitution witnessed fiery speeches from Defence Minister Singh and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the House. 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)
About 4 million people in Florida are insured by UnitedHealthcare, a company facing backlash after its CEO was shot to death in Manhattan, followed by public outrage over its pattern of coverage denials.

Florida represents UnitedHealthcares second largest market after Texas, providing coverage through employee plans, the Affordable Care Act open marketplace and Medicare Advantage plans.

This week, the insurers prior authorization and coverage denials in the state drew the same anger and frustration seen nationwide on social media in the wake of the shooting. Florida lawyers, insurance advocates and medical billing experts say being informed about UnitedHealthcares practices, making smart choices and fighting back is critical, especially now that the insurer uses sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) to deny approvals and claims. According to consumer research site, ValuePengiun, UnitedHealthcare denies claims at a rate nearly double the industry average and now faces a barrage of lawsuits, including hundreds in Florida.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People are paying lots and lots of money for this insurance and then they get screwed over by the company, said Doug Wolfe, a healthcare attorney and managing partner of Wolfe Pincavage in Miami. Theyre giving all this money to them, and when they need it the most, they deny the claim.

Of UnitedHealthcares Florida members, over 1.2 million seniors hold Medicare Advantage plans. Experts say seniors need to be particularly aware of their rights as they become increasingly more likely to have their claims denied, pay more for premiums and medical visits, and face unexpected costs for care they thought was covered by their health plan.

An October Senate report shows one of the biggest complaints against UnitedHealthcare is that it denies senior Medicare Advantage plan holders approval for rehabilitation or nursing care after hospital stays at far higher rates than other types of care. The report found that UnitedHealthcare authorized home health services instead, which cost the insurer less and require a heftier patient responsibility.

UnitedHealthcare is a master at using their technology to deny claims that can end up costing the patients more money, said Wolfe, whose Miami law firm has cases representing thousands of claims against UnitedHealthcare on behalf of hospitals and medical practices throughout Florida.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As an individual, navigating the pre-authorization and payment denial process requires stamina, attention to detail, and often legal representation. Experts say it is usually worth the effort, especially when receiving needed medical care or the reality of medical debt hangs in the balance.

A KFF analysis of privately managed Medicare Advantage plans discovered only about 10% of patients appeal insurance denials, and about one-third of those appeals fail.

About 50% of the bills we see have mistakes in them, and that has a ripple effect for the policyholder, said Caitlin Donovan, spokeswoman for The Patient Advocate Foundation, a nonprofit that assists patients with appeals. If you scrutinize your bill or denial for the mistake, its probably there. But most people dont take the time to look for it or to appeal.

Donovan said when her foundation investigates, it often finds the insurer is making denials when they shouldnt be. Its not fair that burden is falling on patients, especially as theyre going through medical issues. But pushing back on a denial is probably worth your time.

How to make an appeal

Donovan said patients denied prior authorization or payment should dig through the insurers denial letter to find instructions for the appeal process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Your denial will include details as to why they are making this decision, so you have to counter that with the facts that support your argument, she said.

The Patient Advocate Foundation has sample appeals letters on its website.

When planning an appeal, document every step of the process, advises Russel Lazega, a Dania Beach insurance claims lawyer.

Dont treat an internal appeal to the insurer informally, Lazega said. A lot of people call and talk to the insurance company and dont document it.

Documentation should include emails from the insurer to the patient or from the patient to a doctor or hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gather a direct response to their denial from your doctor and add your additional medical records to it, Lazega said.

Sometimes, that documentation is enough to win an appeal.

If unsuccessful, the next step is an external appeal to a company hired by the insurer. Its important to have your documentation in the file. Any documentation pertaining to your appeal wont be looked at unless its already in the file. Adding it later is hard, so dont give the insurance company that technical advantage, Lazega said.

The final step is federal court.

Lazega said people in life-or-death medical situations tend to go this route. The patient pays legal fees, not the insurance company.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

UnitedHealthcare approves and pays about 90% of medical claims upon submission, UnitedHealthcare said in a statement provided to the Sun Sentinel. Importantly, of those that require further review, around one-half of one percent are due to medical or clinical reasons. Highly inaccurate and grossly misleading information has been circulated about our companys treatment of insurance claims.

We do not use AI to make adverse coverage determinations. Coverage decisions are based on CMS coverage criteria and the terms of the members plan.

Related Articles

Its not just patients fighting back

Hospitals are fighting back against insurer rejections, too. Most have their own artificial intelligence to scan denials for mistakes. They hire companies like Health Business Solutions in Davie to appeal fees that UnitedHealthcare refuses to pay when it deems a procedure or treatment unnecessary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I have doctors and nurses on my staff who take the medical record, review it and write why the patient needed the treatment they received and why the insurer should pay, said Ray Berry, CEO of Health Business Solutions. However, the insurance company has the final say, unless you take them to court.

Berry said that two out of every 10 hospital claims are denied by insurers. His firm works to lower those denial rates and increase the percentage of successful appeals.

Doctors say they are fighting denials, too. Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, a Miami spine surgeon, says he tries to help patients obtain coverage, but also finds himself fighting for his fees from the insurers. The problem is they just dont pay me, he said of UnitedHealthcare. They usually get you on a technicality.

Donovan says policyholders should know that the process begins well before the appeals stage. It starts with open enrollment and knowing the coverage details and co-pays for the plan you choose, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its so important that youre making sure when youre picking your plan, especially when you are older, that you have good benefits and are actually covered for what you think you are, she said. Most people dont take the time to do that.

South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.
The University of Michigan failed to investigate dozens of complaints of anti-Semitism on campus, according to a Department of Education (DoE) report.

The DoE investigated 67 separate complaints over the last four years but only one was adequately investigated, the departments Office for Civil Rights found.

In one incident, in October last year, students chanted Nazi liberation. The universitys only response was to forward the reports to its press office to deal with media inquiries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the same month a pro-Palestinian protester screamed at another student that she was supporting rape and murder.

The case was closed after the Office of Student Conflict Resolution held restorative circles for staff, faculty and students.

Educational conversation

Many of the incidents predated Israels invasion of Gaza following the Hamas attack

In January last year  months before the war in Gaza, protesters allegedly chanted for the removal and death of Jewish people and the state of Israel.

Again, the Department found no evidence that the university took any action at all to address the incident.

It decided that the chanting was a protected activity and not a matter for the universitys office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The university took no action beyond an educational conversation after an incident in which a student complained of Jews ruling the world in December 2022.

Three months later there was a complaint that someone had used push-pins to create a swastika on a college bulletin board. No action was taken because the culprit has not been identified.

In March last year, a complaint was made that a student was spreading anti-Semitic hate online. The conflict resolution office decreed that the behaviour involved protected speech.

Posting from the river to the sea on social media accounts was also deemed to be free speech, rather than hate speech.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

There has been little let-up, with incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism including graffiti equating the Star of David with a swastika.

University pledges to investigate thoroughly

The Department of Education concluded that it was concerned that the university appears not to have taken steps to assess whether incidents about which it had notice individually or cumulatively created a hostile environment for students, faculty, or staff, and, if so, to take steps reasonably calculated to end the hostile environment, remedy its effects, and prevent its recurrence.

Approximately eight per cent of Michigan Universitys students are Jewish.

Responding to the report, the university pledged to investigate incidents more thoroughly following an agreement with the Department of Education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In a statement, it said: This agreement reflects the universitys commitment to ensuring it has the tools needed to determine whether an individuals acts or speech creates a hostile environment, and taking the affirmative measures necessary to provide a safe and supportive educational environment for all.

A diversity administrator at the University was fired this week for allegedly saying that Jewish students were wealthy and privileged and did not need support.

Rachel Dawson, who is in charge of the universitys multicultural initiatives, also purportedly said that the college was controlled by wealthy Jews and that Jewish people have no genetic DNA that would connect them to the land of Israel.

She has been accused of anti-Semitism, a claim she denies.

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.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG)  Santa Rosa Medical Center and the University of West Florida launched a state-of-the-art nursing space this week.

USPS worker dumps several packages on Semmes roadside, witnesses say  what we know

According to a news release from the university, the Simulation Training and Resource Center opened on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Santa Rosa Medical Center.

(University of West Florida, Santa Rosa Medical Center)

Officials said the space is designed to help people pursue a nursing career.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The STAR Center at Santa Rosa Medical Center represents a collaborative effort to prepare future nurses for the challenges of modern healthcare, Dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, Dr. David Bellar said. By focusing on hands-on, immersive training, this space empowers our masters-level students to build confidence and competence, ensuring they are ready to meet the needs of patients and communities.

The center will have features like realistic simulation suites, high-fidelity manikins, a supply room, and VR simulations, according to the release. UWF and Santa Rosa Medical Center officials said they hope the center and partnership will further help to address the nursing shortage in Florida.

According to data from a Florida Physician and Nursing Workforce report commissioned by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, the states registered nurse shortage is projected to increase from 11,500 to 37,400 registered nurses by 2035.

Partnerships, like this one, aim to help combat this shortage, the release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mobile man arrested after homicide at local apartment complex: MPD

The new center comes after UWF partnered with Ascension Sacred Heart for a nursing 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 WKRG News 5.
North Platte rancher Trey Wasserburger, one of the principals behind the Sustainable Beef processing plant in North Platte, inspects a couple of his breeding bulls. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Beef may not only be whats for dinner, but may help slow the aging of our brains.

Thats what researchers at the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln seek in whats described as a first-of-its-kind study on whether a link exists between eating beef and brain health.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Previous research by the centers director, Aron Barbey, involving 100 older adults discovered that eating foods with certain fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins served to slow the aging process and resulted in higher scores on cognitive tests.

So nutrition mattered, the study concluded. Other factors, such as demographics, fitness levels and body shape and size didnt account for the differences, the report, issued in May, concluded.

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is shown on East Campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

The UNL research team is recruiting 240 undergraduates, in good health, to participate in the 12-week study, which will launch in the spring semester. The students will undergo a battery of cognitive, nutritional and brain health tests during the study, and eat beef.

Understanding which proteins and nutrients most affect brain health is a fundamental question in neuroscience, yet one that remains largely unexplored. Barbey said. As we work to improve public health, its crucial to explore how foods like beef might influence brain function.

The study is being funded by Nebraska Beef Council, Texas Beef Council and National Cattlemens Beef Association, a contractor of the Beef Checkoff. UNLs Department of Animal Science and Loeffel Meat Lab will assist.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A local community-run grocery store in Dayton says its teetering on the edge of remaining sustainable.

According to the USDA, one in six Americans are affected by food deserts in the U.S. West Dayton is one of those communities, having seen Kroger and Aldi stores pull out of the area over the past few years.

What to know about potential car-sized flying drones

Community-run initiatives like Gem City Market are looking to solve the issue. Originally opening three years ago, the storefront saw initial success, but is now saying its current level of business is unsustainable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Gem City Market is one of the only grocery stores in the area which offers fresh produce, meat and other big box store commodities. Its also one of the only stores in the area thats a community-run initiative.

Opening its doors in 2021 to just under 3000 people per week, the store was in a good place to begin breaking even financially.

But now, according to the store, that number has dropped significantly  and theyre worried this community-run resource wont be around for much longer.

If we had 2800 people a week spending $25 a week, we would be sustainable, said Lela Klein, Gem City Market board member.



In light of the decrease in traffic, board members have been speaking with the community in order to find out what they could be doing better.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We really got a lot of feedback that people were like look, weve got to get the prices more competitive, said Klein.

Being one of the only stores like this in the area, it holds a significant role in mitigating the effects of west Daytons status as a food desert.

Well I dont have to drive 20, 30, 40, 50 minutes. This is sustainable, said Alan Walder, a shopper who lives nearby. You can come, its right in our neighborhood. Thats how we sustain it. We support it with our dollars, we have to.

Other organizations are also cropping up in the west Dayton area to offer relief. One such is Homefulls 16-acre project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Their multi-use facility which is inside a refurbished school will house a pharmacy, an in-house primary care center, 144 apartments and a grocery store.

If Gem City Market were to close, Homefulls new project would be one of the only grocery stores in west Dayton when it opens.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dec. 14More than 165,000 acres of public land in the Upper Pecos watershed will be protected from mining for the next two years, and the protections could be extended for another 20 years.

Still, advocates are pushing for more state-level protections for New Mexico waterways because federal water protections have grown more uncertain.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland initiated a two-year temporary withdraw of 164,483 acres of National Forest land and 1,327 acres of Bureau of Land Management land from new mining claims or federal mineral leases Thursday. During those two years, BLM and the U.S. Forest Service will study the area, starting the process for proposing a 20-year withdrawal, which could then be renewed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Our community knows all too well the devastating impacts of mining contamination, as we are still grappling with the environmental and health consequences from mining activities over a century ago. The scars left behind serve as a stark reminder of what is at stake," Pecos Mayor Telesfor Benavidez said in a statement.

"This two-year pause on new mining claims allows us to safeguard our water, land and way of life while prioritizing the health and safety of our residents. The Pecos River is the heart of our community, sustaining agriculture, outdoor recreation and clean drinking water for future generations."

The New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission also decided to protect Pecos headwaters, as well as water in the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Cimarron and Jemez watersheds on Tuesday by designating 250 miles as outstanding national resource waters under the Clean Water Act. The decision protects those waters from degradation, with exemptions for specific activities like acequia operations or watershed restoration projects.

When Clean Water Act jurisdiction shrunk after the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, it had a dramatic impact on New Mexico's waters, according to Steven Fry, policy and project specialist with nonprofit Amigos Bravos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We have so many intermittent, ephemeral streams, and so up to 95% of our waters and about 85% of our wetlands lost protections when that decision came down. And because we don't have a state program, all those waters could suddenly be polluted into without needing a permit," Fry said.

Mining and the Pecos River

Mining started near the northern New Mexico Village of Pecos in the 1890s. In pursuit of lead, copper, zinc, gold and silver, American Metal Co. opened the Tererro Mine in the early 1900s in Pecos Canyon. The mining process used acid and left behind piles of waste rock.

"Every time it rains, that acid drainage gets into Willow Creek, and Willow Creek is about 100 yards from the main stream of the Pecos," said Lela McFerrin, vice president of the Upper Pecos Watershed Association. "Over the years, we had fish kills. Ninety thousand fish were killed in the 11-mile stretch that goes from the old mine down to the Lisboa Springs Fish Hatchery, which is still in existence."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Cleaning up the area cost the company and the state millions, McFerrin said.

In 2019, an Australian mining company filed for a permit to explore mineral deposits near Jones Hill, 8 miles southeast of the Tererro Mine site. The community responded by organizing, McFerrin said, trying to protect the area from more mining.

"Water is the blood of our Pueblo and all nearby communities. We cannot place our life-giving waters in the hands of foreign-owned mining corporations," Pueblo of Tesuque Gov. Milton Herrera said in a statement.

All that organizing has also been backed by New Mexico's federal congressional delegation. In 2024, Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez introduced the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, which would permanently protect the withdrawal area in Santa Fe and San Miguel counties from new mineral claims. All five members of the Democratic congressional delegation welcomed the temporary protection announcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The two-year withdrawal is only the first step in a long process to protect the area from more mining, according to McFerrin.

State clean water protections

Environmental advocates also celebrated permanent state protection of 250 miles of water in northern and central New Mexico watersheds this week.

"We're often so focused, especially in the summer months, on whether there is water or not in our rivers that we don't think about how important it is to make sure the water that we do have is clean and of high quality," said Brittany Fallon, a policy manager with Western Resource Advocates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The new outstanding national resource waters designation from the Water Quality Control Commission applies to water quality. The designation does not impact water rights or existing land uses. It means when people apply for permits to build near the waters or do mining near the waters, they have to demonstrate they will not hurt water quality, Fry said.

"These are the critical headwater streams that are protecting our main stem rivers. They provide exceptional habitat for wildlife and recreation," Fry said. "A lot of these streams are upstream of communities that use irrigation or drinking water supplies. They're really the lifeblood of our watersheds, and so having the headwater streams be protected ensures that downstream water quality is also improved."

New Mexico is one of three states that does not have a state service water permitting program. Instead, it relies on the EPA to issue discharge permits. But in 2023, the Clean Water Act's jurisdiction shrunk. So, there has been a push from environmental advocates to create a new state program to start doing some of that permitting.

Several bills will be considered in the upcoming state legislative session to help create that program, Fry said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"But we're still a few years away from actual implementation, and so this is a mechanism that we're using to protect these waters in the short term," Fry said.

Federal water quality protections could be further diminished under another Donald Trump presidency. In his first term, Trump revised the Navigable Water Protection Rule in an attempt to narrow which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act. The president-elect also campaigned on deregulation in the most recent election cycle.

"Our federal protections are no longer guaranteed, and if we can shore those up at the state level, all the better for New Mexicans," Fallon said.

Cathy Cook is a news reporter for the Albuquerque Journal. Reach her via email at ccook@abqjournal.com.
BASTOGNE, Belgium  Eighty years later, World War II veteran David Marshall, has a picture in his wallet of him fighting in the snow and bitter cold in one of the defining moments of the four-year conflict  the Battle of the Bulge.

The 100-year-old vet was part of commemorations on Friday as the United States, its European allies and a dwindling number of veterans remembered the month of dramatic fighting that stopped Adolf Hitlers last-ditch offensive and opened the way for the full Nazi defeat.

Still, beyond the ceremonies and this weekends events in Belgium and Luxembourg to commemorate one of the most important and deadly battles that helped decide the war, Marshall wants people to go one step beyond just remembering it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The young should study about the war, Marshall said in an interview with The Associated Press. Learn all you can about it in order to prevent any future war.

If you forget the past, you are not going to have a future, said Marshal, who was in the battle working a mortar.

WWII veterans Gilbert Charleston, right, and David Marshall pose for a photo during the 80th commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium on Friday. (Virginia Mayo/AP)

At dawn on Dec. 16, 1944, over 200,000 German soldiers launched an unexpected attack through the dense woods of Belgium and Luxembourgs hilly Ardennes  Hitlers last hope for victory.

Making the most of the surprise move, the cold, freezing weather and wearied U.S. troops, the Germans pierced the front line so deeply it came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It ultimately made sure the Allied advance, started on the D-Day beaches of Normandy in June 1944, could continue right on to Berlin. Initially outnumbered, U.S. troops delayed the attack enough in fierce fighting to allow reinforcements to stream in and turn the tide of the battle by Christmas.

Beyond the overwhelming German forces, the conditions were just as tough, said Marshall.

It was cold, wind with snow  and there were a few Germans around, you know. And it was a matter of subsisting, you know, the weather rather than the Germans. Fighting them was not the problem. Fighting the weather was the problem, said Marshall.

Hitler had hoped the advance would change the course of the war by forcing U.S. and British troops to sue for peace, thus freeing Germany to focus on the rapidly advancing Soviet armies in the east.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the fighting in the Battle of the Bulge ended on Jan. 28, 1945, Allied forces invaded Germany, eventually leading to the Nazi surrender and the end of the war in Europe.

Germany is now an ally of the United States and its wartime partners in NATO and the symbolism was not wasted on such day.

Theres no reason we cannot get along, said veteran Gilbert Charleston, 101, a Choctaw Nation elder who served as a tank driver with the 739th Tank Battalion, after he shared memories over the picture with Marshall.

If they would just take the time to be kind to each other and not try to be so possessive  help when help is needed, he said. I think the world would be a lot better place.

Associated Press writer Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report.
By David Shepardson and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -TikTok must now move quickly with a request to the Supreme Court to block or overturn a law that would require its Chinese parent ByteDance to divest of the short-video app by Jan. 19 after an appeals court on Friday rejected a bid for more time.

TikTok and ByteDance on Monday had filed the emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, asking for more time to make their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The companies had warned that without court action, the law will "shut down TikTok  one of the nation's most popular speech platforms  for its more than 170 million domestic monthly users."

But the court rejected the bid, saying TikTok and ByteDance had not identified a previous case "in which a court, after rejecting a constitutional challenge to an Act of Congress, has enjoined the Act from going into effect while review is sought in the Supreme Court," Friday's unanimous court order said.

A TikTok spokesperson said after the ruling that the company plans to take its case to the Supreme Court, "which has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech."

Under the law, TikTok will be banned unless ByteDance divests it by Jan. 19. The law also gives the U.S. government sweeping powers to ban other foreign-owned apps that could raise concerns about collection of Americans' data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The U.S. Justice Department argues "continued Chinese control of the TikTok application poses a continuing threat to national security."

TikTok says the Justice Department has misstated the social media app's ties to China, arguing its content recommendation engine and user data are stored in the U.S. on cloud servers operated by Oracle while content moderation decisions that affect U.S. users are made in the United States.

The decision - unless the Supreme Court reverses it - puts TikTok's fate first in the hands of Democratic President Joe Biden on whether to grant a 90-day extension of the Jan. 19 deadline to force a sale, and then of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20.

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Also on Friday, the chair and top Democrat on a U.S. House of Representatives committee on China told the CEOs of Google-parent Alphabet and Apple they must be ready to remove TikTok from their U.S. app stores on Jan. 19.

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Chris Sanders, David Gregorio and Diane Craft)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday it has not made a decision yet on whether to approve California's landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035.

A senior California Air Resources Board official told Reuters in October the state expects the EPA to grant a waiver under the Clean Air Act to California to implement its plan to require that at least 80% of new cars sold be electric by 2035 and up to 20% plug-in hybrid models. California's rules have been adopted by 11 other states including New York, Massachusetts and Oregon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

California has seven other waivers pending with the EPA.

"EPA continues to review Californias waiver requests closely to make sure its decisions are durable and grounded in the law. We have no updates to share on timing," an EPA spokesperson said.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to rescind waivers granted by the EPA to California to require more EVs and tighter vehicle emissions standards.

California's rules require 35% of vehicles in the 2026 model year to be a zero-emission model, rising to 68% by 2030. The state says the rule is crucial to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and cutting smog-forming pollutants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota Motor and other automakers, said the "program will depress economic activity, increase costs and limit vehicle choice" and will require automakers to sell fewer vehicles in the 12 states to comply.

"Achieving the mandates will take a miracle. There needs to be balance and some states should exit the program," the group wrote.

On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a bid by fuel producers to challenge the waiver California received in 2022 for vehicle emissions rules.

California, the most populous U.S. state, has received more than 75 waivers since 1967, requiring increasingly better emissions performance and EV sales.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The EPA in March 2022 reinstated a waiver for California to set its own tailpipe emissions limits and zero-emission vehicle mandate through 2025, reversing a 2019 decision under Trump's first administration.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. military officer visited Israel from Wednesday to Friday, meeting with Israeli defense officials and discussing the situation in Syria, among other regional topics, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

Army General Michael Kurilla, CENTCOM's commander, met Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, along with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, CENTCOM said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Washington has urged Israel to be in close consultation with the U.S. over events unfolding in Syria, where days earlier Syrian rebels led by rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani brought an end to more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family, as ousted President Bashar al-Assad fled the country.

The world has been watching to see if Syria's new rulers can stabilize the country in which more than a decade of civil war killed hundreds of thousands and sparked a refugee crisis.

Following the collapse of Assad's regime, the Israeli military said its jets conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria and destroyed the bulk of its strategic weapons stockpiles.

Katz has ordered Israeli troops to prepare to stay over the winter on Mount Hermon, a strategic location overlooking Damascus, adding to signs that Israel is planning a prolonged military presence in Syria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The leaders discussed a range of regional security issues, to include the ongoing situation in Syria, and preparedness against other strategic and regional threats," the CENTCOM statement said.

CENTCOM said Kurilla also visited Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon in recent days.

While Israel welcomed the removal of Assad, an ally of arch rival Iran, it is suspicious of the rebel groups that toppled him, many of which have origins linked to Islamist groups.

In Lebanon, Kurilla visited Beirut to monitor withdrawal of the first Israeli troops under a ceasefire reached last month for a war that killed thousands and displaced over a million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel is separately waging a war in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, where its military assault over the last 14 months has killed tens of thousands and led to genocide and war crimes accusations that it denies.

Israel's assault on Gaza followed an Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian Hamas militants that killed 1,200.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Tom Hogue)
The officials, privy to the development, told ANI that the meeting will primarily focus on critical security issues, with a special emphasis on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha will also attend the meeting, which aims to review strategies to ensure peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director, of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Senior Army Officers including Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of CAPFs, Chief Secretary, DGP of Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officers are expected to attend the meeting which is being arranged almost five months after Shah chaired a similar high-level review meeting on security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir here in the national capital on June 16.

The meeting is significant in terms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government's committed to set an example by cracking down on terrorists through innovative means.

In the previous meeting, the Home Minister had directed security agencies to replicate the successes achieved in Kashmir valley through an area domination plan and zero terror plan in the Jammu division.

Shah had also directed all security agencies in earlier meetings to work in a mission mode and ensure quick response in a coordinated manner. He had then also emphasised on seamless coordination amongst the security agencies, identifying vulnerable areas and addressing the security concerns of such areas.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, the Home Minister has reiterated on many occasions that "the government will leave no stone unturned in rooting out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir." (ANI)
The United States has had direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Syrian rebel group now in de-facto control of the country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday.

The first public confirmation of direct interaction with the US-designated terrorist group, known as HTS, came at the conclusion of Blinkens diplomatic sprint through the region spurred by the sudden collapse of President Bashar al-Assads regime.

Yes, weve been in contact with HTS and the other parties, Blinken said at a news conference in Aqaba, Jordan. Blinken did not give details on when the contact was made or at what level. There is no legal barrier to speaking with a designated terrorist group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have pressed upon everyone weve been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home, Blinken said, referencing the American journalist who was detained in Syria more than a decade ago. The US has redoubled its efforts to find him in the wake of the Assad regimes collapse.

The US also shared the principles expected of a new Syrian government, including that the rights of all Syrians should be respected, that the country must not become a base for terrorism, that humanitarian aid must be delivered, and that chemical weapons stockpiles should be secured and safely destroyed.

Those principles, circulated by the US in the days after Assads shocking ouster, were further agreed upon in a joint statement by the US and a coalition of other countries at an urgent ministerial meeting in Aqaba on Saturday. Blinken said the agreement sends a unified message to the new interim authority and parties in Syria.

Ahead of the Saturday ministerial meeting, Blinken met with key partners in Jordan, Turkey and Iraq to garner consensus around the principles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

America and our partners have an important stake in helping the Syrian people chart this new path, the top US diplomat said Saturday. We know what happens inside of Syria can have powerful consequences well beyond its borders  from mass displacement to terrorism.

We cant underestimate the challenges of this moment and the weeks and months ahead, he added.

Throughout his trip, Blinken sought to emphasize those stakes. Moving forward, the dynamics on the ground in the region could present significant complications, despite a consensus on the principles.

There was an intense spate of fighting in recent weeks in northern Syria between Turkish-backed forces and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which the US sees as a key partner in the fight to keep ISIS degraded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A fragile truce between the two sides in Manbij appears to be holding, but the fighting forced the SDF to halt its anti-ISIS operations, according to its top commander.

This is a moment of vulnerability in which ISIS will seek to regroup, taking the advantage of transition in Syria, Blinken said Saturday, reemphasizing the importance of the SDF.

In meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Blinken warned the US does not want to see any party take actions that would allow ISIS to regroup, including by distracting the SDF from its mission to keep the terrorist group degraded and its fighters imprisoned, a US official said. Blinken also emphasized that nobody should take actions that could jeopardize factions in Syria from potentially coming together in a unified government.

In Baghdad, Blinken asked Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to crack down on the powerful Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and to prevent Iran from transiting weapons through Iraq to Shia militias in Syria, the US official said. Such militias have targeted US personnel and interests in the past.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The response to Israels actions in Syria has also emerged as point of division between the US and its Arab partners.

Benjamin Netanyahus government has pummeled Syria with strikes and sent Israeli troops to  and beyond  a buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and the rest of Syria, in what the United Nations said would be a violation of a 1974 agreement. Middle Eastern nations including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar have condemned Israels seizure of the buffer zone, calling it an attempted land grab.

The US, however, has not condemned the move, with Blinken saying that they are talking with the Israeli government.

The stated purpose of those actions from the Israelis is to try to make sure that equipment thats been abandoned  military equipment thats been abandoned by the Syrian army  doesnt fall into the wrong hands: terrorists, extremists, etc., he said Thursday. But  were already talking with Israel; were all talking to others about the way ahead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A US official said Friday that Blinken intends to make clear to his Arab counterparts that Israel told the US that the incursion is temporary  and that the US expects it to be. That policy could change, however, next month when the Trump administration takes office, this official conceded.

This story has been updated with additional information.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation made an exciting announcement as the new year quickly approaches, Electrek reported: The country now has more than 200,000 electric vehicle charging ports available to the public.

Efforts to expand EV infrastructure have doubled the network of available charging stations in the past four years, with another 300,000 expected to be added by 2030.

And Electrek writer Michelle Lewis wrote that, considering the pace so far, "the aim of reaching 500,000 chargers by 2030 is within reach."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As consumers become more mindful of the environment and sustainable driving, EVs are an increasingly viable solution. And with a steady increase in EV purchases the past few years, the necessity for more accessible charging is evident. Additionally, as the main issue restricting drivers from transitioning to EVs is easy access to charging stations, this rapid growth in ports across the nation is incredibly promising for the movement.

While EV skepticism still lingers among many consumers, the potential benefits far outweigh the negatives and disputed myths. An EV produces (on average) 52% less carbon dioxide through its life than a traditional gas-powered car. Furthermore, EVs get an average of 79 miles per gallon equivalent in energy efficiency, while new gasoline-fueled vehicles only average 32 mpg (with most older models falling far short of that).

And while EVs aren't a blanket solution and require more upfront costs and resources to manufacture due to battery needs, it's evident they cater to drastic improvements for both the climate and your wallet once they hit the roads. Reuters reported that the average EV need only be driven 15,000 to 20,000 miles before it offsets its manufacturing pollution  not to mention savings on fuel and maintenance, as EVs require no oil changes and only have a few moving parts.

However, everyday drivers aren't the only ones making the transition to EVs. Companies and organizations such as PepsiCo, Domino's, Walmart, and the USPS are beginning to switch over to electric. And as more automotive companies such as Ford, Nissan, and GM begin to invest more heavily in EV production, the accessibility of public charging ports for both corporations and consumers will gain further traction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One reader based in Pennsylvania commented on the Electrek article: "We had 2 new supercharger installs in Gibsonia at turnpike entrance and in rural Meadville north off 79 which really helps heading north from Western PA to Erie."

"I live in the south west corner of Colorado. Fast charging has definitely been a challenge here," wrote another. "However looking at the plans for the four corners area I agree that things will change dramatically in the next 2 to 3 years."

If you're thinking about buying an EV, which of these factors is most likely to convince you that it's a smart decision?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

While there's still much work to do to hit the 2030 goal of 500,000 charging ports across the country, the progress appears to be very promising as the five-year countdown approaches.

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.
A federal jury in Nevada has awarded more than $34 million to a woman who was arrested at age 18, wrongly convicted twice, and served nearly 16 years in a Nevada state prison for a 2001 killing she did not commit.

Kirstin Lobato, who is now 41 and uses the name Blaise, cried and hugged her attorneys after a judge read the trial verdict Thursday in US District Court, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Its been an uphill battle with many, many obstacles, she told reporters. And Im happy that its all finally finished.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lobato said she didnt know if becoming a millionaire would make up for years in prison, adding that she had no idea what the rest of my life is going to look like.

The civil trial jury found Las Vegas police and two detectives, now retired, fabricated evidence during their investigation and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Lobato. The panel determined that Lobato should receive $34 million in compensatory damages from the department and $10,000 in punitive damages from each former detective.

The detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, and their attorney, Craig Anderson, declined to comment outside court. Anderson told US District Judge Richard Boulware he planned to file additional court documents following the verdict. Anderson said Friday an appeal was likely.

The department previously agreed to pay damages if the jury ruled in Lobatos favor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lobato was 18 when she was interviewed by police without an attorney, arrested and charged with killing Duran Bailey in Las Vegas in July 2001. Bailey, who had been homeless, was found dead near a trash bin with a slashed neck, cracked skull and missing genitals.

No physical evidence or witnesses connected Lobato to the killing, and she maintained she never met Bailey. But police maintained she confessed in jail that she had killed a man who tried to rape her during a three-day methamphetamine binge.

Lobato was 19 when she was convicted of murder in 2002. The Nevada Supreme Court threw out that verdict and Lobatos prison sentence in 2004 because her lawyers werent able to cross-examine a prosecution witness who testified that Lobato made the jailhouse confession.

Lobato was tried again in 2006, convicted of manslaughter, mutilation and weapon charges, and sentenced to 13 to 45 years in prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She was exonerated and freed from prison in late 2017 after the Innocence Project and attorneys in Las Vegas again took her case to the state Supreme Court. Justices said evidence showed that Lobato was in her hometown of Panaca, Nevada, some 150 miles from Las Vegas when Bailey was killed.

Last October, a state court judge in Las Vegas issued a certificate declaring Lobato innocent of Baileys killing.

That action was challenged by Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson in a letter asking state Attorney General Aaron Ford to investigate how and why attorneys for Lobato acquired the certificate of innocence.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled Kirstin Lobatos first name.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
TOKYO (AP)  The partial transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam began on Saturday, 12 years after Japan and the United States agreed on their realignment to reduce the heavy burden of American troop presence on the southern Japanese island, officials said.

The relocation started with 100 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed on Okinawa moving to the Pacific island for the initial logistical work, the U.S. Marine Corps and Japans Defense Ministry said in a joint statement.

Under the plan agreed between Tokyo and Washington in April 2012, about 9,000 of the 19,000 Marines currently stationed on Okinawa are to be moved out of Okinawa, including about 4,000 of them to be moved to Guam in phases. Details, including the size and timing of the next transfer, were not immediately released.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Marine Corps is committed to the defense of Japan and meeting operational requirements to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, and it will maintain presence in the region through a combination of stationing and rotating Marines in Japan, Guam and Hawaii, the joint statement said.

Japan has paid up to $2.8 billion for the building of infrastructure at the U.S. bases on Guam, and the U.S. government will fund the remaining costs. The two governments will continue to cooperate on the development of Camp Blaz, which will serve as the main installation for Marines stationed in Guam.

The Marines and Japan Self Defense Forces will conduct joint training in Guam, the statement said.

Okinawa, which was under U.S. postwar occupation until 1972, is still home to a majority of the more than 50,000 American troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact, while 70% of U.S. military facilities are on Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japanese land.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many Okinawans have long complained about the heavy U.S. military presence on the island, and say Okinawa faces noise, pollution, aircraft accidents and crime related to American troops.

The relocation is likely to be welcomed by local residents, but how much improvement they will feel is uncertain because of the rapid Japanese military buildup on Okinawan islands as a deterrence to threats from China.

The start of the Marines relocation comes at a time of growing anti-U.S. military sentiment following a series of sexual assault cases involving American servicemembers.

On Thursday, a senior Air Force servicemember belonging to the Kadena Air Base was convicted of the kidnapping and sexual assault of a teenage girl last year, a case that triggered outrage on the island. The Naha District Court sentenced him to five years in prison.
The U.S. military has transported out of Syria an American who had disappeared seven months ago into former President Bashar Assads notorious prison system and was among the thousands released this week by rebels, U.S. officials said Friday.

Travis Timmerman, 29, was flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.

Its unclear where Timmerman may go next. He thanked his rescuers for freeing him but has told American officials that he would like to stay in the region, according to another person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

US believes Marine vet is alive after disappearing in Syria in 2012

Timmerman was detained after he crossed into Syria while on a Christian pilgrimage from a mountain along the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle in June.

He told The Associated Press in an interview earlier Friday that he was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence.

In his prison cell, Timmerman said, he had a mattress, a plastic drinking container and two others for waste. He said the Friday calls to prayers helped keep track of days.

Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them, after rebels seized control of Damascus and forced Assad from power in a dramatic upheaval.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He said he was freed by the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer. He had been held separately from Syrian and other Arab prisoners and said he didnt know of any other Americans held in the facility.

Timmerman is from Urbana, Missouri, about 50 miles north of Springfield in the southwestern part of the state. He earned a finance degree from Missouri State University in 2017.

His mother, Stacey Gardiner, said she was told that he was being taken to a military base in Jordan. The family still had not spoken to him.

Mouaz Moustafa, a U.S.-based Syrian opposition activist who worked with rebels to arrange Timmermans transfer back to safety, tweeted a photo of the freed American standing next to a man in U.S. military uniform in the flat desert of the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Safe and sound and back in American hands, Moustafa wrote.

U.S. officials, meanwhile, are continuing their search for Austin Tice, an American journalist and Marine Corps veteran who disappeared 12 years ago near Damascus.

Nizar Zakka, president of the U.S.-based Hostage Aid Worldwide that was commissioned by Tice's family to search for him, said he called Tices mother and sister after receiving a tip Thursday from a Syrian near where Timmerman was found. The caller thought the foreigner was Tice.

We asked them for videos, we ask them for voice (recordings) to make sure, Zakka said. We had the feeling from the minute, especially from the age, that its not correct. But we sent it to the mom. It was 3 a.m. (in the U.S.), and we woke the sister, and she said to me one thing. She said that definitely its not Austin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the search for Tice, Zakka said he had visited detention centers and the houses of prominent figures in Assads circle, but the search had so far not produced results.

The three possible scenarios, Zakka said, are that we will find him somewhere in Damascus, in the jail that he was left in or in the house, in the safe house where he is; that a high-ranking member of Assads circle took Tice along while escaping the country as a security for his life; or that Tices captors killed him and other prisoners to erase evidence of their crimes.

He criticized the U.S. for announcing a $10 million reward for information leading to Tice, saying that it had led to a flood of false tips and caused confusion.

AP writers Abby Sewell in Damascus, Eric Tucker in Washington, Matthew Lee in Aqaba, Jordan, and Nick Ingram in Urbana, Missouri, contributed to this report.
BELGRADE (Reuters) - The United States will in the coming days introduce financial sanctions against Serbia's oil company NIS, which is majority owned by Russia's Gazprom Neft and Gazprom, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday.

"We got confirmation that in the next few days, the U.S. will introduce sanctions against NIS because of Russian ownership," Vucic told Informer TV.

He said the UK and European Union would likely follow the U.S. in introducing sanctions, which will mean that oil shipments through a pipeline from Croatia are halted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We are still waiting to get an official paper with details," Vucic said.

The U.S. Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Serbia has repeatedly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the United Nations and other international forums, but it has resisted Western pressure to impose sanctions.

The Balkan country is dependent on Russian gas. Russia's Gazprom Neft and Gazprom own 50% and 6.15% of NIS, respectively. The government owns 29.87% while small shareholders hold the remaining shares.

"We will have to look if there is a possibility to reduce Russian ownership below 50% and to talk with Russian partners about it," Vucic said.

(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Rod Nickel)
The United States reiterated its support for South Korea, an ally in East Asia, and vowed to advance mutual interests after the countrys president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the parliament.

The United States reiterates our support for the Republic of Korea (ROK), its citizens and democratic processes, and the rule of law. Our commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance is ironclad, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a Saturday statement.

Miller said that in recent years, the alliance has made enormous strides and Washington looks forward to partnering with the ROK on achieving further progress. We stand ready to continue this work with Acting President Han Duck-soo and the ROK government to advance our mutual interests and shared values.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The State Departments statement came just hours after South Koreas parliament approved the motion to impeach the president with a 204-85 vote on Saturday. With Yoon suspended, the presidential powers will be in the hands of South Koreas Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, for now.

South Koreas Constitutional Court will now decide if the president will officially remove the post, therefore, prompting an election to be held within two months.

Yoons impeachment came just a week after the legislatures first attempt to impeach the president failed as the opposition party, which led the way in the effort, did not whip enough votes to meet the threshold.

Yoons brief declaration of martial law sparked widespread protest in the country. Days later, he ended up apologizing for it and vowed not to do it again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik proclaimed the assemblys successful impeachment attempt as the peoples ardent desire for democracy, courage and dedication, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Yoon, in response to Saturdays outcome, said in a statement that he will carry with me all the criticisms, encouragement and support directed toward me, and I will continue to do my utmost for the country until the very last moment, per AP.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Washington is considering more sanctions on "shadow fleet" tankers and has not ruled out targeting Chinese banks if they are found to be involved in Russias war effort, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Reuters in an interview on Dec. 13.

The U.S. is weighing additional measures against entities facilitating sanctions evasion in oil trade ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

In her interview, Yellen emphasized the Biden administrations commitment to using sanctions as a critical tool to support Ukraine, signaling that efforts to intensify restrictions will continue until the next administration takes office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"There are a number of possibilities here... we're always looking at oil revenues and if we can find ways to further impair Russian oil revenues, that would, I think, strengthen Ukraine's hand. That remains on our list," she said.

Regarding Chinese banks, Yellen noted ongoing discussions between U.S. Treasury officials and their Chinese counterparts to identify activities potentially tied to Russias war effort.

"I absolutely would not rule out the possibility we would sanction an individual bank if we had the necessary level of... evidence to be able to put sanctions on," she said. "But we also do have a channel where we've been able to discuss specific concerns, and sometimes that could be adequate as well."

As Russias economy increasingly shifts toward military spending, the distinction between commercial activities and those supporting the war effort has blurred.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Yellen pointed out that Chinese authorities are keenly aware of the risks posed by potential U.S. sanctions. "Authorities in China recognize that our use of these sanctions would be a serious threat with very adverse consequences," she said. "They want to trade with Russia, but they do not want their banks sanctioned."

Other Ukraine allies have also taken steps to target sanctions evasion networks.

In September, the U.K. sanctioned 10 tankers from Russias "shadow fleet," vessels linked to illicit oil trades supporting Moscows war efforts. In November, it targeted 30 more.

On Dec. 11, European Union ambassadors agreed on a 15th sanctions package against Russia, specifically focusing on the "shadow fleet."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read also: Opinion: Russias shadow fleet strategy draws from Irans playbook

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Amid the ongoing debate on the constitution in Parliament, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Congress, accusing it of giving away Kachchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka in 1974 for political reasons. He claimed that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was ready to give away Siachen to Pakistan. "This is their commitment to the territorial integrity of this country, Surya added. "A very important (Kachchatheevu) island belonging to India was gifted, given away for political reasons by the Congress. This is not the first instance. Even in the case of Aksai Chin and more recently it was learned that the UPA government was ready to even give away Siachen to Pakistan. This is their commitment to the territorial integrity of this country..." BJP MP Suryav said in Lok Sabha. The BJP MP said that Parliament was not taken into consideration while giving away the Kachchatheevu island. He said that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) under M Karunanidhi also supported it. "Pandit Nehru was asked about this (Kachchatheevu) Island which was part of the then Madras presidency. He said, 'I attach no importance at all to this little island and I would have no hesitation in giving up our claim to it.' This was his position on a very important island. DMK under Karunanidhi also supported it. Parliament was not taken into confidence," Surya added. The BJP MP further attacked Congress, saying that the party didn't subscribe to the view that India was a millennia-old state and they approached India as a union of states. "Starting from the first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru to the communists and the others who followed, India was not considered sacred geography because they didn't have the civilisational worldview that India was a millennia-old state. They approach India as a union of states, more a private jaagir, any part of which could be given to anybody. The attack on the Constitution by the Congress party started from the very first article...Congress government and the DMK gave away Kachchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka in 1974 without following any due process envisioned in the constitution," Surya said. (ANI)
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  The historic core district at the University of South Dakota could be in line for a special honor, even though its something that USD officials prefer doesnt happen.

The trustees on the South Dakota State Historical Society board want the area added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Noem recommends $10 million cut to SD universities

The 18.5-acre district includes 13 buildings, such as University Hall, also known as Old Main, that were constructed prior to 1955, as well as the connecting greenspace between them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The nomination also has several objects, such as a birdbath and fountain from 1924.

The state trustees voted 7-0 on Friday to move forward with the nomination.

That came despite a carefully worded letter of opposition from Vermillion Mayor Jonathan Cole, who pointed out that USD neither requested nor supports this designation.

USD legal counsel A.J. Franken meanwhile objected during the teleconference discussion.

Among Frankens points was that USD has limited financial resources and the situation could turn worse, because of Governor Kristi Noems proposal to cut $9 million from the maintenance and repair budgets of the six public universities and two special schools.

Franken also said that the future is uncertain for one of the buildings in the USD district, Charlotte Noteboom Hall, which was completed in 1954 to serve as a womens dormitory but most recently has served as a flex space during renovations on other buildings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rebutting those arguments in person was Tim Schreiner, who chairs the Clay County Historic Preservation Commission.

We see this as a positive all the way around, Schreiner said.

State trustee John Fowler of Elk Point asked whether the USD alumni foundation had been contacted.

Liz Almlie, a historic preservation specialist for the society, said she sent letters to the state Board of Regents who governs the public universities, as well as the offices of USD President Sheila Gestring and USD provost Kurt Hackemer.

I didnt send anything directly to the university foundation, no, she said.

State trustee Lura Roti of Sioux Falls supported the nomination. Its good to have examples of all types of buildings, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Preparing the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Ride

The trustees chair, Tom Hurlbert of Sioux Falls, asked a variety of questions about the process. After Almlie made clear that the national listing doesnt prevent future changes, but there would need to be a public discussion, he said the designation didnt seem like a very large hurdle.

That does not seem like a burden to me, Hurlbert said. You can still tear it down, but were going to have a conversation.

Trustee Robert Kolbe of Sioux Falls said he was a USD alumnus but he would support the nomination. Maybe theyll revoke my masters degree, but thats how Im voting, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The decision came during the first public meeting in the new Arikara-style lodge that was added as part of the renovations that are still underway at the state Cultural Heritage Center.

State historian Ben Jones said the current timetable calls for center to reopen its archives to the public next April and the redesigned museum in December 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  More than 2,000 students graduated from the University of Tennessee Friday at UTs fall commencement. One graduate, however, is looking forward to helping care for cancer patients after she lost her father to the disease when she was younger.

The ceremony welcomed former Tennessee Governor and UT System President Lamar Alexander as the keynote speaker. In his speech, he reminded graduates of the importance of public service no matter what degree they graduated with.

What I hope theyll do is once they get out, whether theyre farmers or doctors or teachers or nurses  if theyll spend part of their life in public service theyll be among the crowd as Alex Haley used to say that would find the good and praise it instead of finding the bad and spreading it. We need more people to find the good and praise it, said Alexander.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For one student, this message hit close to home. Jordan Ballenger graduated from UTs nursing program, and said serving others and supporting families is what she looks forward to most after graduation.

Poll: Tennesseans say insurers, pharmaceutical companies responsible for health care problems

At first I wasnt sure if I could, you know, handle it, handle the load. With just having the history with my dad having cancer. Until I got there, I got on the unit, and it was just different having that kind of passion and love for those patients. And I think I can be my, and see my best, fullest potential on that floor, said Ballenger.

After losing her father to colon cancer in middle school, Ballenger said her experience will help her better care for her future patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I felt like in middle school, I was kind of, like, helpless. I couldnt really help him in no way provide him any comfort in no way, she said, and I just kind of made me want to be able to help others for the rest of my life, really.

With her plans to work at the UT Medical Center Oncology Unit, she wants to be a voice for cancer patients and their families.

Not only the patient, but for the family as well. Its always nice having somebody that was once there before, said Ballenger.

As a first-generation student of the nursing school scholars program, Ballenger graduated early, eager to start her journey. Her family cheered her on every step of the way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Honestly, just super proud of her, said her uncle Victor King. Being resilient through the whole process, obviously, shes dedicated to her studies. Obviously, you know, having a service minded approach to everything, wanting to be a genuine help to the next person. So, Im so proud for that.

Last minute Christmas shoppers flock to Pinnacle at Turkey Creek

As she crossed the stage, Ballenger said there is still much more to learn.

Im just excited to be able to see how much nursing brings me, how much it fulfills my heart, really, she said. I always have a good time there, especially with the staff on the floor that Im going to be working on. Theyre amazing, and honestly, I cant wait to see how much I grow in the knowledge I gain on that floor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When it comes to her future at UT Medical Center, King said any patient she has will be in good hands.

Skys the limit for her honestly, with a beautiful person with a beautiful heart, who genuinely cares. So yeah, skys the limit for her, said King.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  President Joe Biden pardoned 39 people across the United States on Thursday  and a Santaquin woman was one of them.

Stevoni Wells Doyle, 47, was unconditionally pardoned of federal felony charges by Biden on Dec. 12. According to a U.S. White House briefing, Doyle pleaded guilty to non-violent offenses in her early twenties. She is now a licensed counselor specializing in substance use disorder and volunteers in her community.

Charges not filed in death of police K9 left in car by corrections officer

Courtesy of Stevoni Wells Doyle Courtesy of Stevoni Wells Doyle Courtesy of Stevoni Wells Doyle Courtesy of Stevoni Wells Doyle Courtesy of Stevoni Wells Doyle Courtesy of Stevoni Wells Doyle

Community members describe her as a great mentor and a person of integrity, the clemency briefing read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the Associated Press, Doyle was once addicted to methamphetamine and served two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug possession and check forging charges. She was released from prison in 2006 and pursued bachelors and masters degrees, leading her to where she works now as a social worker at a behavioral health center.

I am truly humbled and thankful to announce that I have been granted a full unconditional presidential pardon. I am no longer a federal felon, Doyle wrote in a social media post.

Doyle was one of 39 people who Biden fully pardoned of past crimes on Dec. 12. All of those pardoned had committed non-violent crimes, and many were drug-related charges. Biden also commutated  or reduced  the sentences of nearly 1,500 people.

To be pardoned or have a sentence commutated, citizens must submit a petition to the Office of the Pardon Attorney at least five years after being released from custody. Under the Constitution, the U.S. President can only pardon federal crimes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The five-year waiting period is to show the government the petitioner is leading a responsible, productive and law-abiding life, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney. A government agent will then investigate the petitioner, which includes interviews with employers and neighbors.

Doyle was successfully able to demonstrate that she is leading a law-abiding life and was pardoned for her crimes.

I am so thankful for my family and friends who have supported me on this journey. You all know who you are, Doyle said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The percentage of kindergarten students with vaccine exemptions has reached an all-time high in Arkansas, mirroring a national trend, according to newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the 2023-24 school year.

In Arkansas, 3.4% of kindergarten students had non-medical vaccine exemptions, while 0.1% had medical exemptions. These numbers reflect a slight increase from the previous year, when 3% had non-medical exemptions and 0.1% had medical exemptions.

The increase in exemptions has been ongoing, rising from just 1.2% for non-medical exemptions in the 2015-16 school year.

Key points:

Arkansass exemption rate is higher than the national average.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The CDC reported that, nationwide, 3.1% of kindergarten students had non-medical exemptions and 0.2% had medical exemptions for the 2023-24 school year.

Most states, including Arkansas, allow non-medical exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons.

Arkansas is one of 13 states that permit both non-medical and medical exemptions.

The increase in exemptions follows a significant public health event. In 2016-17, Arkansas saw nearly 3,000 cases of mumps, prompting the Arkansas Department of Health to temporarily exclude students with vaccine exemptions from school for 26 days if they were exposed to the virus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Bentonville man gets 16 years for pandemic loan scam

Despite the rise in exemptions, vaccine coverage in Arkansas increased for the 2023-24 school year, with higher coverage for all reported vaccines. However, coverage has declined since pre-pandemic levels:

For example, diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (dTaP) coverage dropped from 93.2% in 2019-20 to lower levels.

Nationally, the CDC reported a decrease in vaccine coverage for several childhood vaccines, including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), dTaP, polio and varicella. Over 30 states experienced a decline in vaccine coverage compared to the previous year, with some states seeing exemptions exceeding 5%.

Additional figures:

Around 127,000 U.S. kindergarten students were exempt from one or more vaccines in the 2023-24 school year.

Approximately 280,000 kindergarten students nationwide lacked documentation of completing the MMR vaccine series.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The new Vanderbilt Poll found a growing approval rating of the Tennessee General Assembly, despite Tennesseans views on key issues, including abortion exceptions, gun reform, and recreational cannabis use, often contradicting the actions taken by lawmakers.

Many of the actions in the state legislature are inconsistent with what the public wants, even just among Republicans, John Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University and the co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll said. Theres a disconnect between the actions of our leaders and the preferences of the public.

According to the poll, 53% of Tennesseans surveyed consider themselves pro-choice, up five points from 2022. In addition, 82% of those polled support abortion exceptions in cases of rape, and 81% support abortion exceptions in cases of incest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

MORE: Vanderbilt poll shows strong bipartisan support for gun control laws

However, the Tennessee Republican supermajority has yet to pass legislation allowing abortion exceptions for rape and incest.

This state is uniformly across the board in favor of a variety of exceptions for abortion. Thats just true, Geer said. Whether youre a MAGA Republican or a liberal Democrat, both of those groups strongly support exceptions.

Over the years, the general assembly has killed multiple bills to legalize medical and/or recreational cannabis, despite 63% of Vanderbilt Poll respondents saying they support the legalization of recreational cannabis, with 53% of Republicans supporting the measure, and 78% of Democrats, according to the poll.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perhaps one of the most heated debates in Tennessee is over gun reform. The Vanderbilt Poll found 86% of registered voters who participated support legislation to require a gun owner to report when their gun is lost or stolen, including 74% of MAGA Republicans. In addition, 78% of respondents support some form of a red flag law to temporarily restrict gun access for individuals with a high risk of hurting themselves or others, a measure similar to what Gov. Bill Lee proposed last year during a special session on public safety after the Covenant School shooting, and the general assembly strongly pushed against.

 Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

Geer told News 2 gerrymandering might explain the inconsistencies between lawmakers actions and the publics opinion on certain issues.

Theres very limited competition in the general election where the competition is in the primaries, so these legislators are acting quite rational, but theyre worried about their right flank; or the handful of Democrats who exist, theyre worried about their left flank, so they tend to play to the extremes, Geer said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even as Tennesseans voice their support for measures the general assembly has fought against, 53% of the Vanderbilt Poll participants said they approved of the job state lawmakers are doing, a seven-point jump from the May 2024 poll. Voters also expressed greater approval for Gov. Bill Lee, who received a 60% approval rating from participants, up from 54% in May 2024. However, approval was sharply divided by party loyalty.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

Geer suggests this could be an afterglow of the election.

In addition, while more than half of respondents said they believed the state was heading in the right direction, the numbers varied greatly based on gender. Sixty percent of men responded they believe the state was heading in the right direction, while 54% of women believe the opposite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We see a gender divide across the country. Its not unique to Tennessee, but its certainly playing out here in some pretty notable ways, Geer said.

To view the complete poll, 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 WKRN News 2.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A new class of 130 Texas state troopers graduated from the Texas Department of Public Safety academy on Friday, after seven months of training.

Colonel Freeman Martin, the newly named director of DPS, said the graduating class marked the most talented, best trained group he has seen in his three decades with the agency.

Get an inside look at Texas DPS high-intensity trooper training

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The new troopers will fill vacancies across the state, but their graduation comes at a time when agency leaders plan to ask lawmakers to fund hundreds of new positions next year.

We dont want to get behind, said Martin following the graduation ceremony.

KXAN previously reported agency leaders are requesting 500 new commissioned personnel to help address population growth and provide relief for the current force. The agencys Legislative Allocations Request details the agencys ask, which includes more than 400 highway patrol troopers and around 65 special agents.

Weve got to stay ahead of the threats that we face, Martin said. The threats have increased. Our fatality crashes  we are always concerned about. You look what happened the last four years  Texas is obviously less safe. Our troopers have seized right at 600 million lethal doses of fentanyl and 65 tons of methamphetamines. What we are concerned about is how much did we miss? We are always trying to keep up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Texas DPS requesting 1500+ positions for law enforcement and driver license service improvements

KXAN asked how the agency balances staffing statewide, as Texas continues to deploy troopers to the border region for Operation Lonestar. The director said preventing drug trafficking and human smuggling at the border will result in a safer state overall.

Wed rather arrest them on the border than have to arrest them in Houston, Dallas or San Antonio  or on the corridors, Martin said. We cant empty one area to protect another area, so weve always got to have coverage. I think we can do better as far as 24-hour coverage.

Martin was sworn in as director of the agency last week, taking over the role after previous director Steven McCraw stepped down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Miami Valley Fire District put out a vehicle fire on Interstate 75 and Austin Boulevard, according to the Miami Valley Fire Districts social media.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

In a photo sent by an iWitness7 Viewer, the vehicles appear to be an SUV in flames being towed by a U-Haul.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ohio Department of Transportation cameras showed the right lanes is blocked as crews extinguished the fire, but the have since been reopened.

Vehicle fire on Southbound I-75 just south of Austin Landing. Expect delays until crews clear. Please use caution, the Miami Valley Fire District said in a social media post.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




TOPEKA (KSNT)  A group of neighbors and farmers in Shawnee County took a stand against the local government in a failed bid to keep an area of farmland from turning into new housing.

Developers are looking to transform plots of land near Soldier Township into duplexes and new housing for locals in the Seaman School District. The move is not sitting well with some area residents who aired their frustrations at the Thursday, Dec. 12 Shawnee County Commission meeting.

There are currently three townhouse facilities in the Seaman School District, said Robert Palmer, real estate agent. All of them are rented out, theres waiting lists, no vacancies, only one of them offers more than two bedrooms. Its going to be well-built, high class and gorgeous. The project is going to bring millions of dollars to the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What were the biggest mass layoffs in Kansas of 2024?

People from in and around Solider Township were angered after they were notified by the county that it is looking to reclassify land across from their homes to add 13 new duplexes. The locals gave emotional and heartfelt pleas to the commission members to keep their neighborhood the way it is.

I get the quiver in my voice, said Jackie Nelson, a resident in Shawnee County. Its very emotional. You cant regain the grounds for farming, and its been wonderful to see the cattle back again.

Residents of the area cited the history of the open space that developers are looking to establish the new duplexes on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mickel Cherry pleads guilty in Zoey Felix homicide case

The nature of being out in the county, which is to enjoy the space, Nelson said. It just would be a travesty to start looking to the north and no longer see the cattle and the land. To see all the other units that are being built and the noise and construction.

Shawnee County commissioners gave their sympathies to those who appeared at the meeting. However, they also stressed the countys critical need for housing amid a shortage.

There is a high demand for housing in the Seaman area, said Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook. I think this does address those concerns by also keeping the ag land there and trying to incorporate in some walking trails or other amenities for the tenants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The developers will need to get approval from the City of Topeka prior to building on the land as it is within three miles of city limits.

Couple send $3 million gift to Washburn Tech in historic donation

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

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Outgoing Ashland city commissioners made the right choice by naming longtime Finance Director Tony Grubb as interim city manager. Grubb will replace Mike Graese, who announced his departure effective Dec. 31.

Were confident commissioners consulted with the new city commission to be seated Jan. 1.

Grubb has been with the city for more than 35 years working in the finance department. Hell be a no-nonsense city manager who will expect department heads to work a full day and wont micromanage each department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ashlands finance department has won various awards over the years for its compliance with managing federal-funded programs.

Handling a finance department the size of Ashland is a complex task. Ashland, unlike some other Kentucky cities, operates a regional water and sewer system. Ashland is blessed with highly skilled employees at both the water and sewer plants.

Grubb has indicated he wants no salary increase in his new role. Hell be interim city manager plus still manage the finance department. Longtime assistant finance staffer Michelle Veach understands the nuts and bolts of city finances.

We think it is admirable that Grubb is doing this task for no additional compensation. Ashland has some pricey tasks ahead. Most notably is the required upgrade of the citys sewer plant which some estimates are in the $80 million range.

Were OK if Grubb takes this assignment full time, if he desires it.

A local person with keen knowledge at the controls may be a wise move by city leaders.
Dec. 13The deadline for registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Jan. 14, 2025 Town of Carlton Landing Special Election is nearing.

Pittsburg County Election Board Secretary Tonya Barnes said the deadline to apply for voter registration to vote in the election is Dec. 20.

Voters in Carlton Landing will vote on a proposition which asks "Shall the Clerk-Treasurer be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Board of Trustees?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Persons who are United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 17 1/2 years old are eligible to apply for voter registration," Barnes said in a press release. "However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote."

Applications must be received by the Election Board no later than midnight, Dec. 20. Those who do not meet the deadline will still be processed but will not be eligible to vote in the election.

New voter registration and updates to current registrations can be done in person at the Election Board office, located at 7 E. Chickasaw Ave. in McAlester, online at oklahoma.gov/elections, or at any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency.

Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed. Approved voters will receive a voter identification card in the mail. Some may receive a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application was not approved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barnes said those who do not receive a response within 30 days of submitting their application should contact the Election Board office immediately.

Those who wish to vote via absentee ballot have until 5 p.m. Dec. 30 to make the request.

Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.

Barnes reminds voters to allow time for an absentee ballot to be received, completed, and returned by mail to the Election Board.

"With some exceptions, all absentee ballot affidavits must be notarized before being returned," Barnes said. "Voters should give themselves plenty of time to make sure all steps have been followed and that the ballot is returned on time in order to be counted."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters exempt from having an absentee ballot affidavit notarized include those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for physically incapacitated individuals that cannot be left alone.

Voters who request a "physically incapacitated" ballot must have the signature on their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two people.

All completed absentee ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Sample ballots are available on the State Election Board OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Pittsburg County Election Board during normal business hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Barnes reminds voters that sample ballots are specific to each person.

The Pittsburg County Election Board is located at 7 E. Chickasaw Ave. in McAlester and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 918-423-3877 or pittsburgcounty@elections.ok.gov.
Violence in Maharashtra's Parbhani city has drawn sharp reactions from Congress leaders, with MPs Varsha Gaikwad and Praniti Shinde criticizing the state government's handling of the situation. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad condemned the violence and the attack on the statue and called for immediate action against those responsible. "Action should be taken against those who vandalized the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Parbhani," Gaikwad said. She also slammed the state government for its handling of the situation, noting that a curfew had been imposed in the city without restoring peace. "The Mahayuti government should take responsibility for the current situation in Parbhani. They are showing that they are anti-constitution," Gaikwad added, accusing the ruling government of failing to uphold the Constitution's values. She also criticized the authorities for their approach to law enforcement, stating, "They have failed to restore peace in Parbhani city. They should not register false cases." Echoing Gaikwad's sentiments, Congress MP Praniti Shinde condemned the violence and pointed out the hypocrisy of the BJP government. "We condemn the incident that happened in Parbhani city. The two faces of BJP have been exposed, on one hand they are celebrating 75 years of independence while on the other hand they are insulting the Constitution of India," Shinde remarked. Special Inspector General, Nanded, Shahaji Umap on Thursday said that around 50 people have been arrested and 8 cases have been filed in connection with the violence in the Parbhani city of Maharashtra late December 11. The official also said that all the arrests were made at the spot of the incident, adding that a deputy superintendent of police and other nine police personnel sustained minor injuries following the violence. Speaking to ANI, the Special Inspector General said, "So far, 8 cases have been registered at different police stations. We have arrested 50 people so far in this regard. While bringing the situation under control, after the stone pelting yesterday afternoon, we nabbed these people. It is incorrect that we arrested a few people during the combing operation last night. All the arrests so far have been made at the spot of the incident. (ANI)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A deputy with the Walker County Sheriffs Office was injured Friday after being hit by a car during a disruption at Curry High School.

According to Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, a deputy stationed at the school responded to a disruption at the school that was caused by a students parent engaging in inappropriate behavior. Smith said that once the parent saw they were being approached by a deputy, they got into a vehicle and struck them with their car, leaving the scene.

The deputy, who was found lying on the pavement, was subsequently taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. As of Friday, they were in stable condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The parent in question was later located and taken to custody.

The case is under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Walker County District Attorneys Office.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Wallington Fire Department will be hosting its annual community Christmas Fireworks show on Sunday. The fire hall will be open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at 6 p.m.

While there members of the community can enjoy a bowl of chili and get a good parking spot to watch the show. WFD is located on 7863 Ridge Road in Sodus.

WFD is asking local businesses and members of the community to help with the event. The general public will be able to show their support and the firemen will be passing the boot the night of the fireworks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Checks should be made out to the Wallington Fire Dept. with a fireworks notation on the check. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 57, Sodus NY 14551.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Dec. 13A new Mexican restaurant with ties to the cuisine of Central America has opened in the Crown Plaza shopping center, 1202 S. Range Line Road.

Las Brasas Pollos Rostizado, located in the north end of the shopping center, specializes in rotisserie chicken with side dishes, street tacos and other Mexican staples. But it also offers pupusas, flautas and other dishes from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. There's a kid's menu and family packages available.

This is the second restaurant to open this year in Joplin that offers a Mexican-Central American menu. The first was Latin Fusion, 1520 S. Main St.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Christoffer Pineda said his roasted chicken has created a favorable sign for his small business  repeat customers. While I was there earlier this week, a woman came into the restaurant and without hesitation said she was "back for more." She raved about the street tacos. She said she was eager to try something new and different. The woman told me she became aware of the restaurant by shopping at Pineda Market, which is owned by Pineda and is in the same shopping center as the restaurant. She said the market's seasoned meats are excellent, recommending the pork and pineapple.

Pineda worked at Joplin's Texas Roadhouse for six years before opening his restaurant. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Because of a conflicting lunch date that day, I was unable to sample the food. When I do, I will let you know.

Opening

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Good Day Farm cannabis dispensary opened this week in a stylish new building at 2918 E. 20th St. This is the southwest corner of 20th Street and Range Line Road. A previous report incorrectly stated the dispensary's address as being on Range Line Road.

Good Day Farm is not new to Joplin. It has operated a dispensary in the Professional Center, a strip mall located on East 32nd Street.

Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

This is the third dispensary to open on or near Range Line Road. The first was Missouri Made Marijuana, 1502 S. Range Line. It was recently followed by Flora Farms, which took over the former Fazoli's restaurant at 4027 Richard Joseph Blvd.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Joplin's dispensaries, in total, have created a revenue stream for the city via the 3% tax it imposes on sales. Collection of the tax started in October 2023. As of Oct. 20 of this year, the tax had generated $701,465.94 in revenue based on sales of approximately $2 million per month.

Closing

The last day to get a deal at Party City could be at hand. The store, which is liquidating its inventory, posted a sign at the front door this week that said the store would close this week. Discounts up to 95% were being offered.

Party City, based in New Jersey, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January of last year. Thirty-six stores, including the one in Joplin's Northpoint Center, were closed to reduce the company's debt by $1 billion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A new occupant is eyeing the location, but no announcements have been made.

Something is happening

After years of sitting empty, the former Mazzio's Italian Eatery, 320 S. Range Line Road, is getting a new occupant, but it won't be a pizza place.

Workers at the site this week were gutting the property's interior. A worker told me that an eye care company will be taking over the property.

The property started as a Ken's Pizza in 1974.

Contact Wally Kennedy at wkennedy@joplinglobe.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man was arrested Friday for alleged repeated acts of indecent exposure towards women in Aloha over the course of two months, authorities said.

Since October, the Washington County Sheriffs Office claimed they had been investigating reports of a man exposing himself to women, eventually identifying him as 36-year-old Derrick Bonn.

Man arrested after body found in ditch in Washington County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Detectives said they found Bonn was linked to ten separate incidents in Aloha, where he worked as a newspaper delivery man.

In nine of these incidents, officials said Bonn exhibited a disturbing pattern of behavior, directly confronting women or appearing at their windows and exposing himself while engaging in lewd acts.

After his arrest on Dec. 13, Bonn was charged with two counts of public indecency, with additional charges pending further investigation, officials said.

The Washington County Sheriffs Office believes there may be more victims and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Dec. 13The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is suing Inland Power and Light over costs the department incurred from investigating the Gray fire, a blaze that devastated the West Plains last year.

The lawsuit, filed by the Washington State Attorney General's Office in Spokane last week, claims the power company was "negligent" and the department should be paid following its large-scale investigation, which concluded this year that sparks from an Inland Power security light caused the fire. The lawsuit also says DNR incurred significant costs of suppressing the fire.

The fire spread to 10,000 acres, burned 240 homes, displaced thousands of people and killed an 86-year-old man.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Inland Power's attorney Scott Cefriese was not immediately available for comment Tuesday, but typically does not comment on pending litigation. Inland Power has denied liability for the fire in a previous case, previous reports from The Spokesman-Review say, arguing that the fire was caused by an unavoidable accident or "act of God," which Inland Power couldn't have predicted.

According to the lawsuit, DNR submitted a written demand in October for Inland Power to reimburse the state of Washington for almost $936,000. The amount is reduced from the original cost of DNR expenses at more than $3 million, partly because of federal grant money the agency received.

Inland Power "refused" to reimburse DNR, the lawsuit states. It also says Inland Power should have shut off the power light that caused the fire and been aware of the fire danger posed from the windy and dry conditions that day, calling the light company "negligent."

Thomas Kyle-Milward, the communications manager for DNR, previously told The Spokesman-Review that DNR will often forward the results of an investigation to the attorney general for review. The attorney general's office represents state departments during litigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DNR spokesperson Jessa Lewis declined Tuesday to give a statement on the lawsuit but instead pointed to the report for any further clarification.

A group of 44 Medical Lake residents sued the company last year, claiming the faulty light that was never replaced was the cause of the blaze. The lawsuit is still ongoing.

Inland Power has not responded to the complaint as of Tuesday.
Last November, Hani Almadhoun mourned the deaths of his brother Majed, his sister-in-law and three of his nephews who were all killed by the Israeli army in Gaza. This November  just a few days after Thanksgiving  Almadhoun lost another brother: chef Mahmoud Almadhoun, who was targeted in a drone attack.

Mahmoud, a father of seven and a beloved name across North Gaza, was best known for his efforts to uplift his local community. Alongside Almadhoun, Mahmoud co-founded the Gaza Soup Kitchen, which provides fresh-cooked meals to displaced individuals across the area. He also opened a medical clinic  supplying countless patients with essentials like baby formula, medicine, blankets and diapers  and launched a small school.

Despite the ongoing atrocities, Mahmoud always led with compassion and gratitude. Prior to his death, the chef was detained in northern Gaza by the Israeli military and subsequently released both times. His killing wasnt a mere accident, Almadhoun alleges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mahmouds killing wasnt just an attack on my family; it was a message. He wasnt a fighterhe was a father, a humanitarian, and a man devoted to his community, Almadhoun wrote in a memorial for his younger brother published in The Nation. His only crime was slowing the ethnic cleansing of northern Gaza through tireless efforts to organize aid, deliver meals, and sustain those around him.

He continued, I believe his killing was not an accident; it was meant to silence the helpersthe humanitarians who stand in the way of Gazas complete erasure.

Almadhoun, director of philanthropy at UNRWA USA, spoke with Salon about the death of his late brother and the future of the Gaza Soup Kitchen.

The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Take me back to when you and Mahmoud started the Gaza Soup Kitchen.

Around December last year, Mahmoud and I were helping our community by doing two things. One, buying ready-made meals from somebody who was still cooking rice. We would buy bags of cooked rice and give it to people in bundles. And two, sourcing food packages so we could buy canned food, wipes, lentils or pasta  whatever we could find.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A few months later, the rice person who we used to buy rice from said he could no longer provide it because he couldnt find rice and afford it. So, Mahmoud figured, Hey, what will we do now? He improvised a plan to start cooking for people. Our kitchen used to be in the old market (located in the center of Bethlehem). Mahmoud bought three pots and made a stew out of veggies  mostly from cans, like peas and carrots  fresh tomatoes, seasonings and salt. He provided meals for about 120 families on the first day he cooked. I believe the first day was February 14, Valentines Day.

Mahmoud and I eventually decided that the kitchen was going to be a sustained effort for the time being. Mahmoud started going into the local farms, specifically in Beit Lahia, and buying anything he could find. There were some potatoes. Because it was winter, they hadnt spoiled. There were some zucchinis that were intended to be small but had become overgrown. There were also some carrots. Mahmoud would buy large volumes of food, store them in his warehouse and then cook stews. He did that for about a month until the new season brought more greenery and fresh crops, including melons and persimmons. That sustained the operation for a few more months.

In February, the local media was celebrating the kitchens initiatives because, at the time, the North was being intentionally starved. And in March, the kitchen garnered attention from the international media. [Amid our operation], Mahmoud and I lost our brother, Majid. Mahmoud himself had been detained, abducted and released. People found something poetic about our story. The operation was to stay for 10 months until Mahmoud was killed in November.

The soup kitchen is described as more than just an initiative, its a personal vow, per its website. Tell me more about that message.

We cook for our neighbors. We are struggling, like all of them. We are not on an organizations payroll. We just cook for our neighbors. And our vow is to not close shop when things get difficult. We continued to operate until, literally, the bombs fell outside the kitchen. We cant disappear because this is our neighborhood. Were not going to hide because this is where we live. If we dont cook for others, we ourselves dont eat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its also a testament that Chef Mahmoud was assassinated. I cant believe I said the words chef and assassinated all in one line. We continue to do the work and provide meals in different parts of Gaza, the North and the South. At the end of the day, people still need us. There are hungry children in Gaza that need support, and we will be there for them.

Is there a fond memory you shared with your brother while working in the kitchen together?

Mahmoud was always proud of the solutions he provided. He was also proud of being the person who provided meals for up to 700 families per day. Mahmoud would call me in the morning and say, Hey Hani. Can we do X, Y and Z? And Id say, yes. In one instance, Mahmoud told me that he was going to grill some meat. I was like what the heck is he going to grill? Because meat is banned. Its restricted. You cant bring in meat from outside. Mahmoud got canned meat, which he sliced and seasoned. He cooked it in olive oil, grilled it and came up with a new dish. We call it Canned Meat Shawarma Wraps. People keep asking for it because theyre tired of eating pasta and lentils for four months. Thats one of the dishes that Mahmoud created and became known for in North Gaza.

I read your recent memorial for Mahmoud that was published Wednesday in The Nation. You mentioned that your brother didnt just focus on food. He also opened a medical clinic and started a small school. Mahmouds efforts truly showcase his immense bravery, grit and fearless dedication.

Mahmoud decided to open up a medical point. He hired three nurses and one doctor. The medical point operated for a little bit more than three months before it was targeted. When the hospitals were under siege, victims were brought to the medical point for first aid. Mahmoud helped those victims. That was a very proud moment for him and a big deed that hes done in the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He also opened a school. I remember he used to run away from school as a kid. About 560 kids were enrolled at the school. Some students attended for as long as a month before the school was targeted on November 3. When Mahmoud built the school, he put up a sign that read, Please Do Not Bomb in Hebrew alongside the U.S. flag. That was one of the ways he wanted to keep the school safe and the young children out of harms way.

Mahmoud would always find ways to solve problems for the community. About two weeks before he was murdered, Mahmoud figured out a way to get clean drinking water in the North. He found a water pump that had solar panels. Mahmoud purchased some of that water and gave it away to the town.

When he could no longer cook because his staff ran away for their lives, Mahmoud said he would deliver food, lentils, blankets, diapers and baby formula to Kamal Adwan Hospital. Hes got a soft spot in his heart for the hospital, so whenever they ask for something, he would deliver it. He's been helping the hospitals as much as he can and we, as his family, think that's why he was targeted by the Israeli Army. One day, Mahmoud was walking to the hospital to check if the produce he had delivered reached its destination. He was walking to the hospital, 30 yards outside of his house, when he was killed on the spot. There was no crossfire. Its an assassination. We know it was.

No matter how dire his situation was, Mahmoud made an effort to document his community efforts and share a simple yet kind message: I send this video with love and thanks to my friends in the United States. He was always incredibly grateful.

Theres a long history of Mahmoud, his videos and the work hes done on the Gaza Soup Kitchens Instagram page. So far, the Israeli army has not provided an explanation for Mahmouds killing. We're not holding our breath. We know the IDF had his phone number. They have my phone number. They could have called and said, Hey Mahmoud, we dont want you to be here. He wouldve gladly left. Mahmoud is a father of seven. He wasn't trying to be a hero. He was just solving problems for our neighbors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, if there is anybody who thinks Mahmoud has a secret life, it has been proven that he has been taken twice by the Israeli army, like all the men in North Gaza, and released within hours. I've seen comments by the trolls claiming he was part of Hamas. I assure you, he had nothing to do with that. Mahmoud was just a business guy. He was selling and buying food, then pivoted to cooking and opening a school and delivering water every morning in North Gaza.

Through the soup kitchen, food was providing sustenance, but Id say it was also utilized as a symbol of resilience and hope.

The soup kitchen became a ritual for the day for the people in North Gaza. Mahmoud started cooking every morning at nine. People came to receive food and hang out. The speakers would be blasting music. Kids danced Dabke, sang and played while waiting for the food to be ready. You know, agencies may deliver civilians a bag of flour, but theyre not going to eat spoonfuls of plain flour. There is no gas to cook with. So people rely on a community kitchen that cooks for them.

Mahmoud was celebrated because he was doing one thing that a lot of people who were watching from afar wanted to do, and he sustained it. Some people cook for a day or a month and then they leave. We kept our operation going. This is the story of Mahmoud. He loved to cook. He used every Friday to make the family meal, which was always some form of rice and chicken. At the kitchen, he continued to do that on a much bigger scale. He really helped people stay in the land until the Israelis needlessly took him out. He shouldn't be where he is now. Its been a difficult reality to live in.

Tell me more about the family dinners.

So, Friday is the day that people don't open their shops. Mahmoud wouldn't go to work on Friday, he would sleep in and wake up around 11 or 12. He would then season the chicken, cook it in the oven and make the rice or couscous for our family. Mahmoud liked to eat. He had a very good appetite. He would feed our parents, his kids  whoever lives in our area. Thats his passion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mahmoud was making stews at the soup kitchen for the longest time until our older sister, who is a culinary wizard, started making more sophisticated menu items like Palestinian Rummaniyeh and other local dishes. She was known for making Palestinian couscous from scratch. When our sister started making more dishes, Mahmoud focused on managing the business and buying medicine for the medical point.

What legacy will Mahmoud leave behind? And what is the future of Gaza Soup Kitchen?

This morning, I woke up to pictures of Mahmouds kids helping their uncle distribute food parcels in memory of their father. Were continuing to connect with my brother by doing the things that he would have enjoyed doing for the family. We hope his kids realize how important his work was and continue to help their community.

As far as our soup kitchen operation, we're still cooking for our neighbors. We're not shrinking. We're expanding, unfortunately. Its bittersweet because expanding the soup kitchen means more people need it, but people should have food at home. We currently have three soup kitchens in North Gaza and two in the South, where were also doing food parcels. In Al-Zawaida, we were cooking for approximately 400 families. Now, were cooking for 600 to 700 families. That number is growing because food is very expensive and people cant afford it. Theyre displaced, theyre living in tents.

We want to honor Mahmouds memory by serving our fellow neighbors. This is not to make a political statement. Yes, were Palestinian. Yes, were resilient, but were mourning his death. Just because we are continuing to cook doesn't mean we arent sad. Every day, a memory or video pops up and we start tearing up. Were humans. But at the end of the day, people who are not in Gaza need to see a glimmer of hope.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office is investigating a string of smash-and-grab burglaries that happened in the early morning on Thursday, December 12, in the City of Syracuse and the Town of Salina.

Family Dollar in Syracuse, Sugar Top Bake Shoppe, Gino & Joes, Pawn King, and a Gulf gas station in Salina were all targeted by burglars.

Syracuse Police said they responded to the Family Dollar on North Salina Street around 4 a.m. as officers had received a report of a burglary alarm. When they arrived, they found a broken window and merchandise thrown across the floor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We had five businesses broken overnight starting around 4 a.m. Most of them broke through a glass window to make entry and then took whatever proceeds they could, said Sheriff Toby Shelley, Onondaga County Sheriffs Office.

Sugar Top Bake Shoppe, located on Old Liverpool Road, had its door smashed in. The owner told NewsChannel 9 that the suspects used a flat tire to break the door and then attempted to jump over the counters.

Video of break-in at Sugar Top Bake Shoppe:

The owner did not want to go on camera but told NewsChannel 9 that one of her employees had been in the back kitchen during the time of the burglary around 4 a.m. After hearing all of the commotion, the employee ran to the front and saw two suspects inside the bakery. The suspects fled after being scared away. The owner added nothing was stolen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Unfortunately this is our current situation.. a few guys decided they either needed money or baked goods (maybe both) and the best way to get it was to break in, smashing our brand new door to pieces, the bakery wrote on Facebook.

Just down the road, the Gulf gas station was hit as well. The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office could be seen surrounding the business during many peoples commute to work.

Video of break-in at Gulf gas station:

Gino & Joes Pizza at the corner of Electronics Parkway and Old Liverpool Road had one of their front windows smashed. Melissa Hewitt, the manager of the pizza shop, told NewsChannel 9 that she woke up to a text from a loyal customer, asking her if everyone was ok.

Video of break-in at Gino and Joes:

She said I see that the windows were broken, and I said that happened about a month ago, we had an accident. Somebody drove into the building and they are all boarded up. And she said, no sweetie, the other end of the building the one that was smashed out. And I said, Oh God, no,' said Hewitt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Hewitt says the only thing stolen was a couple of slices of cheesecake and soda.

To think that were trying to have a business and make money for our families and stuff. said Hewitt. To have somebody come in and try to take that away. It makes me sad and it kind of makes me sick to my stomach, said Hewitt.

This person can be seen cleaning up the damage.

Just last week, Amore Pizza & More located on Old Liverpool Road was also burglarized. An employee there told NewsChannel 9 they were broken into Monday morning on December 2.

They used one of the bricks from our retaining wall outside, smashed through the window behind me, went through to another cooler, broke that front window, said Jessica Borawski, an employee of Amore Pizza & More.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The thieves took off with $100 and the entire cash register.

Its hard to have something happen to us that we know would never do to somebody else, said Borawski.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
(NewsNation)  Dozens of mystery drones were spotted over New Jersey and NewsNation obtained exclusive footage.

NewsNations Rich McHugh was embedded with Ocean County Sheriffs Department to investigate the drones. After not seeing any drones, he got a call that some drones had been spotted in Monmouth County.

I raced up to Monmouth County and pulled off in Red Bank, and sure enough I looked in the sky and saw one. I started following it into a residential area, took out my phone and started filming it, McHugh says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I believe I saw over 50 of these drones. And Ive got to say, if this is not the military, it is even more terrifying. These things look like they are fixed-wing and they have multiple lights, he continued. Im not really sure how to process what I saw last night. Both the photographer and I were kind of stunned.

The Ocean County Sheriffs Department launched their own drones to see if they could intercept the mysterious aircraft Garden State residents have been reporting in recent weeks.

FBI says it has no answers for drones seen over New Jersey

The department says the mystery drones, about 8 to 10 feet wide, evade detection because they dont give off heat like regular ones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One of the departments own officers called 911 on Thursday evening after seeing 50 of them come off the Atlantic Ocean.

We contacted state police. We contacted the FBI. We contacted the Coast Guard, at which point the Coast Guard went out with their boat and they reported seeing 13 (drones) following their boat, said Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. And then the Coast Guard also advised that they went over them about 300 feet and had a wingspan of about eight feet.

Mastronardy also has a message for the White House.

Come to the Jersey Shore, he said. I know its wintertime, but come see what we see. Then, you know, maybe have a better appreciation for why our residents are concerned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McHugh has been talking with experts and law enforcement about what he saw, and the governments response. His live report with what hes learned will air Friday at 5ET/4C on NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas Reports. Find your channel here.

Lawmakers response to the mysterious drones

Lawmakers and the public have been demanding answers about the drones. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden has asked New Jerseys governor to declare a state of emergency.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan posted a video on X of drones above his house Thursday night and says he is demanding answers.

NewsNations Ross Coulthart will examine the perplexing case of the mysterious drones seen all over New Jersey in an hour-long special program on NewsNation at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 14. Not sure how to find NewsNation on your TV? Visit JoinNN.com.

We are being told that neither the White House, the military, the FBI, or Homeland Security have any idea what they are, where they came from, or who has launched or is controlling themand that they pose no threat. That response is entirely unacceptable. I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue. The American people deserve answers and action now, Hogan wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, joined New Jersey Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim wrote a letter asking for a briefing with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security as soon as possible.

Stay with NewsNation and download the NewsNation app for continuing updates on the drones and the governments response.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Greensboro Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson was honored with a horse-drawn funeral procession at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Johnson died the morning of Dec. 4 at 82, surrounded by her family. In a statement, her family said they were proud of her for everything she accomplished.

According to her daughter, Lisa Johnson-Tonkins, Johnson had very specific instructions regarding the arrangements for her homegoing celebration, including her desire to be transported by a horse-drawn carriage to her funeral service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Watch below.

The funeral service will be held at Bennett College Chapel at 1 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 Queen City News.
Elangovan passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday. He was 75.

The state deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin accompanied the chief minister and also paid his tribute to the late leader.

Elangovan was hospitalized due to a lung-related issue and was undergoing intensive treatment for more than two weeks, according to the Tamil Nadu Congress.

Elangovan is survived by his wife and a son. At the time of his passing, he represented the Erode (East) constituency, previously held by his late son E. Thirumahan Everaa.

A prominent figure in Tamil Nadu politics, Elangovan was the son of EVK. Sampath, a founding member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Sampath later broke away from the DMK in 1961 and joined the Congress.

Elangovan, held the post of TNCC president twice, first from 2000 to 2002 and again from 2014 to 2016. (ANI)
Dec. 13DELPHOS  The problem of cell phones in school has perplexed Chad Brinkman since he became principal of Delphos-Jefferson High School eight years ago.

Brinkman surveyed students when he took over the high school in 2016, hoping to craft a new policy to limit distractions caused by cell phone use in class with input from his students.

He drafted a policy permitting students to check their phones between classes and at lunch, as well as special circumstances in the classroom with permission from a teacher, so students would learn to use their phones responsibly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brinkman came to regret his approach several years later.

Students hardly talked to one another at lunch, choosing instead to scroll through social media on their phones or send each other messages, Brinkman recalled.

"It was unreal," he said. "It was like watching robots in a room and they're all on their cell phones. The only communication was when kids would get messages from each other."

Then a fight broke out after students shared another student's nude photos, Brinkman said.

Brinkman decided to ban phones throughout the school day  no more exceptions for lunch or passing periods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"(Students) may have thought they were being responsible at lunch," Brinkman said, "but what they were doing is bringing all that drama into the classroom. They may not have had their cell phones, but they already started the drama. So now kids are talking about the drama from lunch and not what is being lectured."

'We don't go into our jobs and lock our phones in pouches'

K-12 schools across Ohio are adopting policies to limit cell phone use during the school day to comply with a new law signed by Gov. Mike DeWine this year.

The law requires schools to formalize their cell phone rules in writing by July, though it stops short of requiring them to ban phones throughout the school day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce drafted a model policy urging schools to ban phones throughout the school day, with exceptions for students who need access to a cell phone as part of the individualized education plan or to monitor a health issue like epilepsy.

A recent ODEW survey found only 41% of districts with a policy in place or in progress took this approach, while 45% of districts opted for less restrictive policies.

Lima schools took the second approach: Phones are prohibited throughout the school day for elementary and middle school students, while students at Lima Senior High School are allowed to check their phones during lunch.

"We need to start teaching (our students) to be responsible," Superintendent Jill Ackerman said. "We don't go into our jobs and lock our phones up in pouches."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The policy, adopted by the school board Monday, formalizes an approach Lima schools has unofficially practiced for years, though teachers now need permission from a principal if they intend to use cell phones for a lesson.

Schools test magnetic pouches to keep phones away

Administrators at Wapakoneta schools wanted a zero-tolerance policy toward cell phones, so the district purchased pouches this past summer for students to store their phones in during the school day.

Each student is assigned his or her own pouch, which is locked with a special magnet made available to students as they enter and leave the building each day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The result: Fewer cell phone violations, fewer disciplinary incidents because of students bullying each other on social media and more time spent paying attention in class or talking to classmates, Superintendent Aaron Rex said.

To ensure students are following the rules, principals make random classroom visits and ask to see the pouches, Rex said. Some kids resorted to using decoy phones to trick their teachers, Rex said, but students will often report their classmates for violating the rules.

"They don't want certain students to be allowed to use their phones," Rex said.

The magnetic pouches are gaining in popularity as schools search for more effective means to keep students off their phones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Perry schools started using pouches in August after previously permitting students at the high school to check their phones at lunch. Superintendent Kelly Schooler said students are predominantly cooperative.

Students are 'fine without their phone'

Brinkman tried a similar approach at Delphos-Jefferson years earlier when he purchased pouches for teachers to hang from their doors, though the pouches did not lock.

Students got around it by pretending to leave their phones at home or claiming their parents gave them permission to keep their phone during class, he said.

Brinkman then tried calling parents on second and third violations, but found parents didn't want to be called each time their child got caught using their cell phone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He now relies on progressive discipline to enforce the high school's zero-tolerance policy, with discipline escalating from warnings and confiscation to detention, Saturday school and parent meetings, but Brinkman does not use pouches or other devices to keep students off their phones.

"They have all kinds of ways to get through anything," Brinkman said. "The kids are creative."

The magnetic pouches at Wapakoneta schools initially prompted complaints from parents who worried they wouldn't be able to reach their child during an emergency or that students may forget to unlock their phones on their way to the bus.

Rex assured parents they can still email their child or call the main office if they need to get ahold of their child during the school day, and that the school buildings remain open until 8 p.m. in case students need to unlock their phones, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Rex said he doesn't want students on their phones in the event of a shooting or emergency. The district employs school resource officers in each of its buildings for emergencies, he said, so students and teachers can focus on staying safe.

"You have to get past the pushback of, 'Why are you doing this,'" Rex said. "(Students) are going to be fine without their phone. They're actually going to be better off without having their phones."

Districts where phones are banned throughout the school day:

Allen East

Bath (policy in progress)

Delphos

Elida

Heir Force

Minster

Ottawa-Glandorf

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pandora-Gilboa

Perry

Wapakoneta

Districts where cell phones are permitted during certain times:

Apollo

Auglaize Educational Academy Community School (prep work underway)

Columbus Grove

Fort Recovery (prep work underway)

Jennings

Kalida

Leipsic

Lima

New Knoxville

Spencerville (prep work underway)

No policy started:

Bluffton

Shawnee

Source: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce school district policy survey

Featured Local Savings
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Austins re-elected mayor and another candidate for the position did not break campaign finance rules related to donations, according to Austin Ethics Review Commission decisions that came more than a month after the election.

Mayor Kirk Watson and Doug Greco were accused of exceeding the amount of money they can accept from those outside the city: $46,000. Because theres no requirement for donors to tell campaigns their home address, tracking whether campaigns are in compliance can be a challenge, according to James Cousar, who represented Watson in his preliminary hearing.

The Ethics Review Commission voted on Dec. 5 to dismiss the complaint against Greco after it was withdrawn. Commissioners discussed whether they could still take up the matter without a complaint but ultimately voted 7-1 to not pursue it further.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Greco said in a statement that week he appreciated the commissions decision.

As I had initially promised, we sequestered and did not spend the money pending the federal lawsuit that I initiated, and since the courts did not rule on the constitutionality, we returned over 90 donations worth over $8,000, Greco said. In October, a judge dismissed his lawsuit challenging the donation cap.

The commission voted Wednesday that it did not find Watsons campaign violated the rules. Four commissioners said there was not enough evidence, one said there was and one person abstained from the vote.

During an earlier hearing related to the complaint, Cousar explained that Watsons campaign took extra steps to verify who donated to their campaign, including following up with those who listed addresses outside the city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

My campaign went to extraordinary efforts to assure we complied with the campaign finance rules. The Ethics Commission actions resulted in no finding of a violation and validates our efforts, Watson said. It is unfortunate that the campaign finance laws are sometimes used as a weapon by a campaign or supporter of a candidate. It does damage to our elections. I appreciate the work of the commissioners.

KXAN previously reported the commissions decisions in Watson and Grecos cases were delayed until after the election.

Eleven members serve on the Ethics Review Commission, according to its bylaws. The city council appoints them.

Austin City Council beat reporter Grace Reader contributed to this report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Humor columnist Celia Rivenbark makes light of Donald Trump's effort to market a new cologne as he prepares to become president again. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Leave it to Donald Jehosephat Trump to come up with the perfect name for his new cologne and perfume line: FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! Its really quite extraordinary isnt it? Trump can develop and market a new fragrance line at the same time he has pledged to end, like, all the wars and stuff. How does he do it?!?

The packaging isnt subtle. No milky glass stopper shaped like a mythic creature or a chicken thigh depending on your angle of view. Nope. FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT features a photo of Trump raising his fist on that fateful day when his earlobe was assassinated!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I imagine the new cologne has notes not so much of birch, pinecone and herbaceous forest floor, to use typically overwrought perfume parlance. No, no. I expect the fragrance is more reminiscent of whatever was pourin out of Josh Hawleys pits on Jan. 6 as he sprinted away from the fray. And immigrant tears, of course. Lots and lots of those.

Ever the marketing stable genius, Trump managed to sidle up to a helpless Jill Biden long enough to get his picture taken with her in Paris last weekend so he could immediately post the pic on his social media captioned: A Fragrance Your Enemies Cant Resist! Although, to be fair, the look on Jills face was less Oh, my! You smell amazing Mr. Almost President! and more Oh, dear. Is there a gut wagon passing by?

 the look on Jills face was less Oh, my! You smell amazing Mr. Almost President! and more Oh, dear. Is there a gut wagon passing by?

Because hes apparently already solved the whole Russia/Ukraine kerfuffle (Yay!!!!) Trump felt comfy taking a moment out of his super busy Almost President schedule to hawk his new fragrances as Great Christmas gifts for the family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The FAMILY???? Sorry, little Susie. I know you had your heart set on Santa bringing you that Barbie Dreamhouse Pool Party Doll House but, lookit, dont be such a selfish lil bish. Youll be the envy of the third grade playground if you splash on FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT. Same goes for you, little Bobby. Tell Santa all you want is FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT cologne. Sure, its $199 a bottle (because $200 wouldve been crazy, amiright?) but how else are you going to pay millions owed in legal fees? Not you, Bobby. Im talking about Trump. Youre not really much of a patriot, are you kid?

Im assuming Trump was wearing a heavy dose of FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT as he leaned over Mrs. Macrons mysteriously empty chair and Jill Bidens eyes inexplicably watered.

Was the cologne burning her eyes or was she misting up as she was reminded Trump was going to be president. Again. In either case, tears seem like a perfectly logical response.

Read more of Celia Rivenbarks Celia Dishes columns and subscribe to and support her work by clicking here.
YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Commercial patients with UnitedHealthcare will once again have access to WellSpan Health beginning Sunday.

A WellSpan spokesperson announced the agreement Friday evening.

Under the new agreement, effective Sunday, Dec. 15, UnitedHealthcare commercial plans, including employer-provided health plans, are now considered in-network once again.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE > Where do things stand with UnitedHealthcare and WellSpan?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It will provide UnitedHealthcare commercial patients renewed access to the high-quality WellSpan care and providers that they know and trust, Ryan Coyle, a WellSpan spokesperson, said in a statement. As always, ensuring our patients receive timely care which meets their needs is our first priority and were happy we were able to come to these terms.

Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here

The new agreement covers roughly 35,000 patients, and extends coverage to the health systems northern region, including WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
During the summer, West Virginias Summersville Lake is a popular destination for boating, camping, and even rock climbing. But when lake levels get low in winter, it can become a bog of dense, sticky mud.

That might not sound dangerous, but it posed a major risk for a hiker who tried to cross the lake on Tuesday. Stuck waist-deep in the mud with no ability to escape, the stranded man was eventually rescued in a complex operation involving Fayette Countys vertical rescue team.

Rescuers initially tried to walk to the stranded hiker, located on the southern side of Hughes Bridge. But low water and thick mud stymied their efforts, according to a post from the Summersville Fire Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its essentially quicksand, Lt. Uriah Ludle, a volunteer firefighter, told WCHS Eyewitness News. You step on it, and you start moving, and it just sucks you in.

The Fayette County vertical rescue team lowered from a nearby bridge to reach the stranded hiker; (photo/Summersville Fire Department)

So it was time to call in the vertical rescue team. The group was able to rig together an operation from the bridge, and lower a stretcher down to the hiker. Photos posted by the Summersville Fire Department show at least a dozen people helping in the rescue effort. At one point, a group of seven people joined together in hauling the stranded man up to safety.

The hiker was taken to a nearby hospital, where hes expected to fully recover, according to WCHS News.

We would like to thank everyone who came to assist in this call, the Summersville Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post. We are very blessed to have such good partners in our region who will come at a moments notice.

The post West Virginia Hiker Rescued From Quicksand Lake appeared first on GearJunkie.
This article was originally published in West Virginia Watch.

The state school board on Wednesday approved another round of school closures in West Virginia after county superintendents repeated a similar problem: student enrollment is rapidly declining and causing financial distress.

Seven schools throughout Clay, Preston, Wetzel and Wood County will close in the next few years. Impacted students will be moved into already-existing schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Most towns die after a closure of a high school, said Charles Goff, mayor of the town of Hundred in Wetzel County. He spoke to board members in Charleston ahead of the vote. [Towns] lose incorporated status, lose elected officials in town, and it leads to fire departments closing and town charters being revoked. That includes losing EMS. We are an hour away from the hospital, and fire and EMS are crucial in our community.

Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74

There has been a wave of proposed school closures this year as counties are faced with budget holes spurred by student population loss. West Virginias overall population is declining. Roughy 4,000 students left public schools this year; some of those students left to attend private and charter schools or to be homeschooled.

Under the current school funding formula, counties receive state funding based on the number of students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Related

Closing Campuses: How Much Money Does It Save School Districts, Anyway?

Fifty-three schools have closed in the previous five years, and counties this year have proposed or been approved to close 25 schools. In November, the state school board voted to close or consolidate six schools in Kanawha County as the district has lost thousands of students over the last few years.

Its a difficult time and the problems that  counties are facing are financial and its bringing us to this day, said Debra Sullivan, a state school board member. We need to focus on strengthening our public school system.

More than 10,000 students statewide opted this year to use the Hope Scholarship, the states broad education savings account program that gives roughly $4,400 per student in taxpayer money to families to use for private school, homeschooling and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wood County has more than 300 students using the Hope Scholarship this year, which meant the district didnt get $1 million in state funding because those children were no longer counted in the enrollment-based formula. In Clay County, dozens of students are using the scholarship, equating to $157,000 in state funding no longer available to the county.

Several members of the West Virginia Board of Education have called the GOP-heavy Legislature to revise the states school funding formula. Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said he plans to expand school choice in the state, where the vast majority of students in the poor state attend public schools.

The state needs to revise the funding formula for these schools. It hasnt been done for years and years, said state school board Vice President Victor Gabriel. We just dont have the people and money, and its getting worse. Every time we lose students we lose dollars.

Counties are required to keep balanced budgets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Were a poor county, so we have to live within the state aid formula. We reduced our personnel by about 10% last year, 26 [people]. That includes positions that were paid for by COVID dollars, Clay County Superintendent Philip Dobbins told board members.

The board voted to close Clay County Middle School, the countys only middle school, due to declining student population and the age of the building. Sixth grade students will attend the elementary schools; seventh and eighth grade students will attend Clay High School. It will take effect at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

The county has less than 8,000 people, down from 10,000 a few years ago, and there has been a 31% decline in students since 2016. More

Thats several million dollars were down. Thats significant, Dobbins said.

Superintendents say school closures necessary for finances

Like Dobbins, superintendents from Preston, Wetzel and Wood said funding woes were the driving reason for the closures. Some of the schools that will close need millions of dollars in repairs that dont make sense for older buildings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wetzel County Superintendent Cassie Porter said the closures of Hundred High School and Paden City High School were necessary as the countys population continued to decline. The district has lost 800 students.

She said her district couldnt offer the rigorous courses needed at all the high schools in its current situation.

Our test scores rank very, very low. We need to pull our resources together, in our opinion, Porter said.

Several parents, students and community members attended the meeting to voice opposition to the closures.

Austin Hayes, a freshman at Hundred High School, said his small school had offered him a chance to participate in many different learning activities. He asked the board to reconsider closing his school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Just this year, I was part of the culineering team that got first in the state. In a larger school, these opportunities would be much harder to come by with more students vying for limited spots, he said. At Hundred, every student gets a chance to shine.

The board voted to consolidate Hundred High School into Valley High School. Paden City High School, which already faced a possible temporary closure due to environmental concerns, will be consolidated into Magnolia High School.

In Preston County, schools Superintendent Brad Martin said Fellowsville Elementary School in Tunnelton has seen a 50.8% decrease in student enrollment over the last 10 years. There are 59 students enrolled in the school this year. The school needs $2 million dollars in repairs; Martin said that closing it would save around $684,000.

County-wide enrollment is down with a decline in local coal mining jobs, Martin said, spurring a drop in state funding for schools. County residents opted not to approve two different excess levies that could have provided extra money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Based on this year, the district will be required to eliminate 12 professional positions and 16 service positions. We made substantial cuts in positions last year, Martin said.

Fellowsville will be consolidated into South Preston School at the end of this school year.

The board also approved consolidating Rowlesburg School, an elementary school also in Preston County, into Aurora School at the end of this school year due to a drop in students and the price tag of building maintenance.

Fairplains Elementary School in Wood County will be closed and merged into Martin Elementary School at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  One woman from Western New York was part of the largest single-day act of clemency in U.S. history on Thursday when President Joe Biden granted pardons and commutations to 1,500 people.

Its really an acknowledgment that we, you know, behaved ourselves and clearly made some changes and acted right, Wendy Lankton said.

After nearly four years of active opiate addiction, which spiraled into selling drugs, Lankton was arrested in October 2017.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lanktons sentencing in 2018 left her behind bars in Danbury, Connecticut, where she was serving a 15-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute a form of fentanyl.

It felt like there was no end in sight, she said. It was very difficult to deal with it, to imagine it like, How am I going to handle this? What am I going to do?

In 2020, Lankton was released from prison to serve the rest of her time on home confinement. She had to stay in Danbury while all of her children were actively living in Canada.

She wears an ankle monitor at all hours of the day and must report her whereabouts to her supervisor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On one hand, yeah, it was great, Lankton said. Youre home, you can choose your own food, you can sleep in a real bed, you can be with your loved ones, but on the other hand, youre always scared of having to go back.

Since being home, Lankton has found work in prison reform advocacy. She attends drug and alcohol counseling and substance abuse group therapy weekly, saying she has seized every offer that has come her way to better herself.

Following Thursdays announcement, Lankton realized in just a few months, all of her work will have paid off.

At that point, my husband had taken a nap. I went and told him and I went and I woke him up. I was like, Honey, I got it. My name was on that list. I got it, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lankon said she is relieved she and her family will not have to endure any more pain based on a mistake she made when she was an entirely different person.

She said now, she is not taking for granted any of the things that life gives her.

Im looking forward to everything, Lankton said. Theres nothing Im not looking forward to honestly.

Latest Local News

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
More than 100m solar panels will be fitted across Britain by 2035 under Ed Milibands plan to hit net zero targets, data suggest.

The Energy Secretarys proposals will carpet the country with panels covering almost 500 square miles  larger than most UK cities. Up to 5,000 wind turbines will also be built.

Figures released by the Government on Friday showed that Middle England will be hit hardest by the solar blitz, with the most panels to be installed in an area stretching from Lincolnshire to South Wales plus the West Country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Solar Energy UK, the industry trade body, suggested that around 114m more solar panels will be needed to meet the target, although this number could be lower if efficiency improves.

Mr Miliband is plotting a massive expansion of solar voltaics  where solar energy is used to generate low carbon electricity  from 16.6 gigawatts (GW) today to about 70GW in a decades time.

The aim is to decarbonise the UKs power supplies, reduce reliance on gas and eventually cut prices. But the scale implies solar panels could cover swathes of the country within a decade.

Much of the expansion will be in the form of solar farms on English and Welsh farmland, with the Government on Friday publishing targets for the amount of renewables it wants to see in each area of the UK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For England and Wales, it wants solar energy to generate 64GW by 2035.

Government figures suggest existing ground-mounted solar farms have required nine to 10 sq miles of land per gigawatt but Solar Energy UK estimates this will fall to 7.4 sq miles, so this implies about 500 sq miles of land would be needed to achieve the target. Greater London covers about 600 sq miles.

Some of this target will be met by placing panels on rooftops, which is seldom controversial.

Mr Miliband has expressed strong support for rooftop solar, but the scale and speed of the expansion he wants means a lot will have to be achieved by building solar farms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The targets also include onshore wind  set for a similarly massive increase with an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 new onshore turbines to be built, mostly in England.

The machines will be fewer in number but much larger than the 9,000 already erected in Scotland and Wales. Some Welsh and Scottish wind farms are already deploying machines up to 800ft tall compared with the 200ft-300ft machines used in the past.

In a foreword to the Clean Energy 2030 Action Plan, published on Thursday, Mr Miliband said massive expansions in solar, wind and other renewable energies were essential to reverse Britains exposure to global energy markets.

He said: In an increasingly unstable world, our dependence on fossil fuels leaves us deeply vulnerable as a country  The age of clean electricity is about harnessing the power of Britains natural resources so we can protect people from the ravages of global energy markets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Our plan will provide the foundation for the UK to build an energy system that can bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

In Wales, the Labour government has designated 10 large areas for wind and solar development with a presumption in favour of approving planning applications in those areas.

Jonathan Dean, of the Campaign to Protect Rural Wales, said solar farms could fit into rural areas provided they were not too large.

He said: We support solar, but highly distributed, so no single block is too big, making it incongruous in the landscape. The impact is shared out and the worst quality land can be cherry-picked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mr Milibands plans are strongly opposed by Reform, which plans to make Labours plans for solar farms, onshore wind turbines and pylons across the countryside its top campaigning issue.

Richard Tice, the partys energy spokesman, said: This absurd proposal will mean bigger energy bills and decimate food production. It is utterly wrong and a Reform government would stop this immediately if we win the next general election.

Ed Miliband takes a selfie at Siemenss Hull turbine factory. His net zero plans will require up to 5,000 wind turbines - Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Asked about the scale of the expansion, Chris Hewett, the chief executive of the industry trade body Solar Energy UK, said: Delivering the amount of utility-scale solar energy that the action plan conjectures for 2035 would imply taking less than a quarter of 1pc of UK land  while making a dramatic difference to carbon emissions, energy independence, bills and biodiversity.

Others disagree  among them the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), which wants Mr Miliband to focus on putting most solar panels on roofs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Roger Mortlock, the CPRE chief executive, said: Rooftop solar could meet 60pc of the UKs solar energy targets, drastically reducing loss of farmland.

It makes no sense to put solar in protected or other tranquil landscapes or on high-quality farmland. We need a joined-up land use framework to ensure we make the best use of our finite supply of land.

Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said: Its clear that Labours plans to focus solely on wind and solar is not only going to ramp up peoples bills, but its also going to have an effect on the countryside as they require much more land to produce the same amount of power.

The only sensible way forward, for the sake of our countryside and the cost of our energy, is much more nuclear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that up to a billion solar panels would be needed, covering up to 750 square miles. We are happy to clarify these figures.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Officers from LAPDs Rampart Division were on foot patrol one morning in late July when they saw what appeared to be fentanyl residue on a bong inside a vending booth on Alvarado Street.

The booth was directly across the street from MacArthur Park, the epicenter of a drug epidemic that has devastated the Westlake neighborhood. Meth and fentanyl are peddled and used in plain sight, and severely impaired addicts curl up on the ground or limp along like half-dead characters in a fright film.

A search of the booth turned up a scale with drug residue on it, a 9-millimeter ghost gun, wads of cash and a few dozen walnut-size plastic canisters containing drugs. But the officers assumed, as they arrested the 31-year-old vendor and transported him to jail, that hed soon be back in business. Under state law and local bail policy, this was a non-violent crime for which there likely would be no time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its called B.R., for book and release, said one officer, who told me he transported the vendor to jail and returned to Rampart with his partner to write up the arrest report. Before we were done with the paperwork, he was out.

That vendor was arrested at a booth in the same vicinity on Sept. 3 and again on Oct. 23, each time for possession of drugs. He was arrested again in San Francisco on Nov. 15 and Nov. 20, each time with drugs and a firearm, before being locked up to await trial on one of the crimes hed been booked on in L.A.

An LAPD officer keeps watch in MacArthur Park.

Rampart Division Capt. Jay Roberts introduced me to the officers involved in the initial arrest and recounted this story when I asked him about the challenges he faces in the 30th year of his law enforcement career, the last three of them running the Rampart Division. This case, he said, is not the exception but the rule when it comes to arrests for drugs and theft.

There's a whiteboard in Roberts' office that lists several crime categories he has been targeting, including gang activity, organized retail theft operations, the steady flow of narcotics, and the sales of drugs and stolen goods by vendors, some of whom are controlled and taxed by the gangs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In the last two weeks, police have responded to the shooting of a homeless man, a dispute that led to a gang-related shooting at a vending booth, and a hit-and-run death in the fetid, notorious block-long drug corridor known as Yoshinoya Alley, where rubbish fires and smoked drugs produce a pungent haze that wafts over the area.

A man collects some drug paraphernalia off the ground after police detained and cited him in MacArthur Park.

A few days ago, an officer on patrol collapsed in MacArthur Park while walking past what was believed to be a cloud of fentanyl smoke.

His face goes numb, he goes down to his knees, loses consciousness, gets a little altered, Roberts said. His partner puts out a call for help.

Another officer rushed to the scene and administered Narcan, the nasal spray used to counteract life-threatening opioid overdoses. The officer and his partner, who also felt sick, were transported to a hospital and later released.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more: Column: They keep finding  and losing  a granddaughter in the grip of addiction

Roberts, as a young man, was not planning on a career in law enforcement. He studied theater at UCLA, and shortly after graduating it looked as if he might break out as a movie star. On the wall of his office are posters of the films Roberts appeared in back in the late 1980s and early '90s, before a couple of projects stalled and he quit Hollywood. Hed always thought he might like to be a cop, and he heard the police academy was recruiting.

When he retires at the end of January, Roberts will leave with no regrets about his career switch, but with great frustration.

People congregate in an area known for illegal drug use at the corner of Alvarado Street and Wilshire Boulevard in MacArthur Park in the Westlake District.

I have seen us go from relatively effectively dealing with this to not dealing with it, and the change was the law. The officers have always been and will always be there to do the work, if theyre given the tools, Roberts said. But presently, they do not have the tools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He was speaking specifically about two things: Proposition 47, which California voters passed in 2014, making certain low-level offenses misdemeanors instead of felonies, and realignment legislation in 2011, which reduced prison populations and transferred responsibility for certain crimes from the state to counties.

In November, the pendulum swung back to the right a bit. In the race for L.A. County district attorney, voters dumped progressive criminal justice reform practitioner George Gascon in favor of the more centrist Nathan Hochman. And statewide, they overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, which rolls back aspects of 47 and makes certain crimes felonies again.

LAPD Rampart Division Capt. Jay Roberts at the corner of Alvarado Street and Wilshire Boulevard. "I have seen us go from relatively effectively dealing with this to not dealing with it, and the change was the law," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But its a small step toward what Roberts would like to see. Earlier in his career, he said, he had what he calls leverage, meaning that he could arrest someone for drug possession and when those cases were prosecuted, the suspect was often given a choice between incarceration or a treatment program.

One argument against that approach was that it criminalized the disease of addiction, and its not as if the nations multi-billion-dollar war on drugs has ever come close to eliminating either the supply or the demand. But to Roberts, it wasnt about locking people up. It was about prodding them to opt for the help they needed  help the majority of users are not voluntarily seeking or being steered into through outreach and intervention efforts.

Read more: Column: What are the answers to MacArthur Park crisis, and can Councilmember Hernandez lead the way?

Recently retired L.A. County Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell, who established the Skid Row Running Club for men and women trying to rebuild their lives, told me he understands Roberts frustration because he experienced the same thing on the bench. Mitchell, who unsuccessfully ran for district attorney and will lead a task force on homelessness and addiction for Hochman, told me he was frank with drug users who came before him in court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would tell them, OK, youve got a drug problem. Your attorney knows it, I know it and you know it, and youve got a clear choice. I can send you to a meaningful treatment program, or I can lock you up for a certain amount of time. Invariably, Mitchell said, the guy would hem and haw, then opt for treatment.

Recently retired L.A. County Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell said he was frank with drug dealers who came before him in court. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Magnus Lofstrom, a criminologist with the Public Policy Institute of California, said policy changes and new laws in the last 10 to 15 years have indeed had a role in reducing incarceration and the prosecution of lower-level drug and property crimes.

But those arent the only factors to consider in analyzing crime rate trends, Lofstrom said, referring to poverty, homelessness, the tragedy of untreated mental illness and the raging drug epidemic. In addition, there was a pullback in law enforcement after the public reaction to high-profile cases of overly aggressive policing. And the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in directives to reduce incarceration and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Issues related to public safety are really symptoms of broader social and economic challenges, Lofstrom said. If you want to understand the dynamic in a place like MacArthur Park, he said, we need to look beyond the criminal justice system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Roberts doesnt disagree. But as the public face of government, police are expected to make a difference, and Roberts is keeping score of what he believes are successes.

At a recent weekly briefing, he led officers, detectives and support staff on a review of ongoing operations, crime trends and weekly and year-to-date stats for every crime category. The captain applauded a decline in the theft of retail goods, many of which end up in vending booths on Alvarado Street.

LAPD officers keep an eye on vendors while walking down Alvarado Boulevard.

Some vending operations are clean, police say. But it doesnt take much effort for me or anyone else to find displays of toothpaste, shampoo, cold medication, shoes, apparel and other goods that still have price stickers from CVS and other retailers.

Police say a good deal of commerce is orchestrated by competing gangs, and a fresh gang tag appeared the other day on a building at Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street, staking out turf. As the tag was pointed out to me, Roberts arrived to walk the park with his beat officers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even with police present, some drug users were lighting pipes. One officer told me that once in a while, cops will take the drugs away and give out a ticket. But theyll look at us, like, What are you doing? Why are you messing with me for smoking fentanyl?

Not far from where the officer had collapsed two days earlier, a cop wrote a citation to a drug user while another cop issued a stern warning, saying that people who want to enjoy the park deserve a better experience.

LAPD officers talk to two men on Alvarado Boulevard in the Westlake District.

They dont want to be breathing in these chemicals, the officer said. What you do to your body is up to you, but not in public, and especially not in this park. Its a family-environment park. Zero tolerance.

Next up: What are the best strategies for taking on the addiction epidemic?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

steve.lopez@latimes.com



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 Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala on Saturday filed a complaint in connection with the 'wild chicken' controversy, demanding a probe into the matter. The NGO, an animal rights organisation, filed a complaint to the Chief Conservator of the Wildlife Department. Dheeraj Mahajan, Head of the NGO, said that Jungle fowl (wild chicken or junglee murga) comes under the second schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act and it can't be killed. "We received information that a 'junglee murga' also known as jungle fowl bird was on the menu of CM's dinner last night. Jungle fowl comes under the second schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act and it cannot be killed or served in food. We feel it is morally wrong also and we are supposed to protect wild animals. If the chief of the state, our CM, would promote eating 'junglee murga', we totally disagree with him. So we have come here to file a complaint with the forest department to inquire about the facts and take action against all those persons if they have killed jungle fowl, eaten or promoted its killing or hunting," Dheeraj Mahajan told ANI. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday negated the allegations of him eating wild chicken, saying that he was offered country chicken but didn't consume it. "Local villagers were offering me country (desi) chicken, I don't consume it - and a channel was telecasting this as if I am having chicken. Non-veg food is a part of life in the hills. Jairam Thakur is making statements on it," Himachal CM Sukhu said in a video released by his office (CMO). Sukhu's participation at a recent event in Shimla sparked controversy after 'wild chicken,' a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, was reportedly on the dinner menu served to guests. The incident, which came to light through a purported video shared by an animal welfare organization, has led to widespread condemnation from animal rights groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding an apology and action against those responsible. At a public event in the remote Kufri area of Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu attended a dinner where the menu included food with wild chicken, bichu booti (a local herb), and slices of bread made from maize and wheat. Earlier, BJP state spokesperson Chetan Bharta demanded that Chief Minister Sukhu issue a public apology and take stringent action against those involved in serving the wild chicken. Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur also condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable and urging the government to address the issue swiftly. (ANI)
Donald Trumps enemies are collectively freaking out as Inauguration Day draws near, with the incoming presidents strong arm of the law in hot pursuit.

Some are seeking get-out-of-jail-free cards from President Joe Biden in his twilight hours, but others worry seeking preemptive pardons may send a dangerous message.

Ive done nothing wrong, former Trump White House intelligence official Olivia Troye told the Daily Beast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Troye, who served as national security adviser to Trumps vice president, Mike Pence, is a targetspecifically of Kash Patel, Trumps conspiracy-minded choice to head the FBI. While Patel didnt name her in his lengthy hit list in a book he wrote last year, he still threatened to sue her last week.

(Troye and Patel were national security colleagues at the White House.)

Those who have made Patels list include Hillary Clinton, outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland. But notable Republicans, including former Trump officials, also made the cutTrump national security adviser John Bolton (who wrote this week that senators wont escape historys judgment if they vote to confirm Patel as FBI director) as well as former Defense Secretary Mark Esper (who has also raised concerns about Patels nomination) and former Trump Justice Department communications director Sarah Isgur, who explained Friday in The New York Times why she doesnt want a pardon.

I cant speak for anyone else on the list, but I would hope that none of them would want a pardon, either. If we broke the law, we should be charged and convicted, she wrote. If we didnt break the law, we should be willing to show that we trust the fairness of the justice system that so many of us have defended. And we shouldnt give permission to future presidents to pardon political allies who may commit real crimes on their behalf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Troye isnt seeking a pardon either. But she says innocence hardly matters to the MAGA loyalists whove vowed to exact revenge on officials like her in Trumps first term who dared to speak truth to power.

That doesnt mean theyre not going to do everything they can to harass me and so many others these next few years in whatever way possible, Troye said. Those others include her own pro bono attorney, the prominent national security lawyer Mark Zaid, who shares her view.

I havent asked for a pardon nor plan to do so, Zaid told the Daily Beast, but I also dont have the complete faith that the system will protect people. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Zaid recently sent a scathing, if entertaining, letter to Patels attorneys after they threatened Troye with a defamation lawsuit demanding that she retract comments she made about Patel on MSNBC.

My response for my client @OliviaTroye to President Trump's nominee for Director of the Federal Bureau Of Investigation (#FBI) #KashPatel's threat of a forthcoming defamation lawsuit.#RightBackAtYa pic.twitter.com/evVdlnJJFB  Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) December 6, 2024

I respectfully note that manyif not allof her statements have been previously or similarly stated by a wide swarth of the knowledgeable population, Zaid noted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He ended his letter to Patels lawyers by invoking Monty Python.

Patel is known for pushing far-right conspiracy theories, including the unhinged QAnon movementwhich claims among other things that the Satanic-worshiping deep state and liberal politicians do unspeakable things to childrenand the Russia hoax. QAnon has inspired violence worldwide, and the FBI in 2019 declared the group a domestic terrorism threat.

Patel had worked on the Devin Nunes memo, the eponymous document by House Intelligence Committee Republicans who snooped on their own governments spies, mainly within their own party.

Patel warned last year on MAGA firebrand Steve Bannons podcast that if Trump won the 2024 presidential election, We will go out and find the conspiratorsnot just in government, but in the media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He added: Were going to come after you, whether its criminally or civilly, well figure that out.

As FBI director, Patel would have sweeping authority to investigate groups and individuals he deems to be of concern.

As a lawyer representing several high-profile Trump enemies, Zaid is all too familiar with the threats becoming real. And while he doesnt believe he or his clients should ask for pardons, he thinks those at the highest levels of government and military who Trump has threatened may want to take an extended vacation abroad ahead of the inauguration on Jan. 20.

If it was Mark Milley, Im not sure Id want to be around, Zaid said, referring to the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who fears a vindictive court-martialing after calling Trump a total fascist and the most dangerous person to this country. (Milley is also on Patels hit list.)

They have made it clear they want to act swiftly and decisively, Zaid told the Beast.
A Wichita man who killed a local bartender in a mass shooting at a now-closed nightclub in Old Town has been sentenced to nearly 36 years in prison, according to a spokesman for the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office.

Keshawn Maurice Dawson, 26, pleaded guilty in May to an amended count of second-degree reckless murder in the Sept. 7, 2021, shooting death of 34-year-old Preston J. Spencer at the Enigma Club & Lounge, 351 N. Mosley, Wichita. Dawson also pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated battery for shooting other club customers that night, records show.

Wichita police have said Dawson opened fire at the club after he was kicked out by employees after getting into a fight around 12:40 a.m. Police have said he retrieved a semi-automatic handgun from a car, went back to the building and shot multiple times through the front glass doors from a sidewalk.

Keshawn Dawson

Spencer  a husband, father, popular bartender and aspiring businessman  died from a gunshot wound to the torso. He went to the club that night to hang out with co-workers, friends and relatives and died shielding his pregnant cousin from bullets, a friend previously told The Eagle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Five women injured in the shooting were mostly hit in the legs, while one was also struck in an arm and her lower back. Dawson fled after the shooting and was later arrested in Arizona.

Although there is no universal definition of mass shooting, the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research center that tracks gun violence, defines it as having at least four victims who were killed or injured, not including the shooter.

Dawson was sentenced Friday by Sedgwick County District Judge Seth Rundle. In addition to serving the 431-month prison sentence, Dawson must pay more than $24,000 in restitution to the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board, which helps violent crime victims cover expenses, and more than $3,100 for extradition costs, DA spokesman Dan Dillon said.

Over the summer, Dawson attempted to withdraw his plea, claiming he had been peer pressured into it, court records show. But the judge wasnt persuaded by his arguments.

A shooting at the Enigma Club in downtown Wichita on Sept. 7, 2021, left one person dead and several others injured.

Police arrest suspected Wichita night club shooter in Arizona

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wichita pleads for mass shooting gunman to do the right thing and turn himself in

Victim in Wichita club shooting was a father, husband, well-known local bartender

Wichita police identify gunman in Old Town club shooting that left 1 dead, 5 hurt
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  Some Texoma kids got into the spirit of giving Friday morning, as Wichita Christian School students went shopping for Operation Santa Claus using money they earned and raised at home.

On Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, firefighters from the Wichita Falls Fire Department arrived at the schools gym to load up their trucks with gifts the students purchased for local underprivileged children.

Bust out your ice skating skills for Vernon on Ice

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Wichita Christian School principal Courtney Cummings said she enjoys seeing the students embrace having a giving heart and helping those who might not have a merry Christmas.

I love to see the growth that they make. I get to watch them start in kindergarten and finish as fifth graders the last time that they get to do this and listen to them talk about it, Cummings said, beginning to portray the voices of her students excitement. Ive been doing this since Ive been in elementary school, Mrs. Cummings, Ive been a part of this for five years! And just having them be so excited and enthusiastic makes me excited and enthusiastic.

Operation Santa Claus is a non-profit that provides Christmas gifts to children in the community. Cummings said Wichita Christian School has participated in Operation Santa Claus for over 20 years.

Close

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  In an ongoing battle between Wilson County farmers and an out-of-state developer, approximately 1,400 acres of agricultural land is in jeopardy.

On Monday, county commissioners will vote on the rezoning request, which could significantly change the landscape of Wilson County.

However, the developer said the project would create jobs and generate significant tax revenue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With a tractor protest, signs, and a petition, neighbors in Tuckers Crossroads Community have made it clear, they dont want an out-of-state developer taking over agricultural land.

 Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

Our group is not opposed to development in Wilson County, in fact, we are in favor of it. We just want development that reflects the values and interests of Wilson County not out-of-state investors, Michael Swope said.

Out-of-state company, Hillwood, filed a rezoning application with Wilson County for approximately 1,400 acres of land. According to a Wilson County commissioner, the project would include data centers, a fuel stop and convenience store, and around 350 acres of land that would be preserved for two Middle Tennessee universities for agricultural use and research. Both of those universities have sent letters of support for the project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On top of that, the company plans to run seven miles of new water lines to the area.

I understand not having clean water has been a problem but really the county should have addressed this in the past and not left it to a private entity like Hillwood to use this as leverage to get their way, Swope said.

Back in June, the Wilson County Planning Commission voted against the development. The company then appealed the decision which brings us to this upcoming Monday night where the developer will go in front of the board of commissioners.

Its a decision Swope said could forever change the landscape of Wilson County. Obviously we would like the county commissioners to vote this down and we would like a unanimous vote from the county commissioners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to a commissioner, in 2006 developers were going to build 2,500 homes on the land. However, the developer didnt go forward with the plans due the housing downturn in 2008.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

And while Swope said hes not against development in the area, he would like to see a greater emphasis on preserving the land. I too own a fairly large tract of land that would benefit from a rezone financially, but the community means more to me than the money if Hillwood succeeds.

In a statement from Hillwood, they wrote in part: Hillwoods proposed development is designed to bring lasting benefits to Wilson County by creating jobs, generating significant tax revenue, and enhancing local infrastructure to support sustainable growth. By incorporating community feedback, partnering with trusted local organizations, and preserving the areas agricultural heritage, this project ensures not only economic vitality but also a commitment to values that align with Wilson Countys vision for the future.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
MERRIMAC, Wis. (WFRV)  A Wisconsin man is expected to face criminal charges after allegedly causing extensive damage to a vehicle and a residence.

According to the Sauk County Sheriffs Office, deputies were alerted early Wednesday morning by the Waukesha County Sheriffs Office to check the welfare of a male subject, reportedly traveling to the Merrimac area.

Wisconsin man arrested for double homicide and hiding corpses

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sauk County deputies later located the man, identified as Roman Tomal IV, near the ferry landing in Merrimac. Authorities discovered that Tomal had intentionally submerged a vehicle in Lake Wisconsin.

Over the following days, the sheriffs office received multiple reports of property damage in the Merrimac area, all believed to be connected to Tomal.

Investigators also determined that Tomal forced entry into an unoccupied residence on Idlewild Road, caused extensive damage, and attempted to set the property on fire. During the incident, Tomal was reportedly armed with a shotgun, and the residence was struck by gunfire.

Residents of Manitowoc home safely evacuate fire, quick response from firefighters

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Authorities plan to file numerous charges against Tomal, including attempted arson to a dwelling, criminal damage to property, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Sauk County Sheriffs Office. No further details were provided.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Many states standardized test scores mislead the public about whether students have mastered the lessons taught at their grade level. In other words, scores some states label as proficient doesnt match the knowledge the nations top experts in student assessment say children should attain by their age.

Wisconsin now joins their ranks.

In June, with nary a public hearing, Jill Underlys Department of Public Instruction (DPI) unilaterally watered down Wisconsins achievement standards. Without input from the governor, legislators, parents, or assessment experts, DPI lowered the cut scores for the states annual Forward exam.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Opinion: Wisconsin makes it hard for parents to access data and understand report cards

Not surprisingly, Underlys new performance standards manifested as a mirage on the Forward exam scores released earlier this fall:

In 2023, 39% of Wisconsin students tested proficient in reading; in 2024, 51% did.

In 2023, 41% were proficient in math; in 2024, DPI claims 53% are.

Thats a 12% jump in both subjects in one year - extremely unusual, even when students get intensive academic remediation.

DPI's sleight-of-hand will confuse parents, fool the public

DPIs sleight-of-hand will confuse parents into thinking their kids know more than they really do. It will fool the public into believing schools are improving faster than they are.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

DPIs behind-closed-doors changes to the Forward exam are so significant that comparing scores from 2024 forward to past years is now impossible. Holding schools accountable over time for ensuring Wisconsin students are learning what they need to thrive into adulthood just went out the window.

Underly says the old test was too difficult for Wisconsin students.

Opinion: Your child may not be doing as well in school as you think. State lowered bar.

From 2012  2023, the Forward exam was aligned to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a.k.a, the Nations Report Card. The NAEP biannually tests children across the country, providing a nationally representative snapshot over time of what American students know in reading, math, etc. Since Congress created the NAEP in 1969, its been the gold standard for understanding the overall health of the U.S. education system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In 2012, Gov. Tony Evers, then Superintendent of Instruction, aligned Wisconsins proficiency standards to NAEP standards. This set high expectation for Wisconsin students and gave parents a reliable measure of school performance. Evers has since reaffirmed his belief in maintaining as high of standards as possible.

Apparently, the current State Superintendent doesnt have the same confidence in Wisconsin students, or the same interest in transparency for parents.

Parents don't recognize how far behind students may lag

As reported by The 74 Million education magazine, Many parents are already underestimating the degree to which their children lag behind, according to Tom Kane, a Harvard researcher. Lowering proficiency cuts misleads them further.

Milwaukee parents should be especially concerned. For more than 20 years, Wisconsin has had the biggest achievement gap between Black and white students on the NAEP, largely driven by dismal outcomes in majority-Black schools in Milwaukee Public Schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Parents deserve the truth about their childrens academic health, just as they do with any measure of their wellbeing. Wisconsin, to its shame, just widened the honesty gap between what the public is told and what students actually know.

Opinion: UW-Milwaukee would be demoted by plan to split apart Wisconsin university system

Brittany Kinser, career educator, former elementary school principal, and co-founder of Wisconsin Reads, questions the decision. We should be focused on improving our student outcomes, and not lowering our standards, she said. "Being proficient means students can handle challenging schoolwork, solve real-life problems, and think critically. This should be the goal for every Wisconsin student to prepare them for fulfilling jobs and a successful future."

Indeed, it should.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Underlys not the first to say NAEPs rigorous standards are merely aspirational. But its well known that high expectations breed student success - just compare high-expectations public charter schools outcomes for low-income students to traditional public school performance by the same group.

Weakening performance standards sends the message that partial mastery of basic skills - which is insufficient for college or career readiness  is OK with DPI. As a result, many students who appear to succeed on Forward exams wont get the extra help they actually need.

Which leads to other problems.

When students struggle to keep up or fall behind, they often feel frustrated or embarrassed, which can lead to behavior problems or poor attendance, Kinser said. This cycle of frustration can make it even harder for them to succeed, and sometimes pushes them to think about dropping out. We need to challenge students while providing the support they need to be successful and enjoy school.

Underly misses the point of why we have state standardized testing

Optics apparently get the blame for DPI kicking Wisconsins decade-old standards to the curb. Noting that Wisconsin students underperform their out-of-state peers, Underly told CBS 58, It's better to have them at a measure where they are more in alignment with other states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This completely misses the point of state standardized testing.

The NAEP compares students from state-to-state.

State testing is a tool to identify places within a state where students need extra help, to prompt districts (hopefully) to distribute it. Its a means to inform educators if their teaching methodologies are working, so they can adjust. Its a yardstick by which state government can hold districts accountable.

Importantly, its a window for parents into the effectiveness of the schools to which they entrust their children, so they can make a change, or at least voice their dissatisfaction if instruction is inadequate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Psychologists and economists will tell you: Human beings adjust behavior based on the metrics theyre held against. Anything you measure will impel a person to optimize his score on that metric. What you measure is what youll get.

Wisconsin should demand leadership that understands the importance of state testing and what its designed to measure. Parents should seek leaders who put a premium on providing the tools students need to achieve proficiency in every school in Wisconsin. That includes relentlessly measuring student performance by NAEP standards and incentivizing educators to strive to meet its metrics, rather than dumbing down the metrics for better optics.

Tressa Pankovits is the co-director of the Reinventing Schools Project at Progressive Policy Institute.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New academic standards skew Wisconsin school performance | Opinion
A woman who accused rappers Jay-Z and Sean Diddy Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 at an awards show after-party has acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her story, while her lawyer said he will continue to vet her claims.

The unnamed woman described being driven from Rochester, New York, to New York City for the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000 and then Combs limo driver offering her a ride to an after-party, NBC News reported on Friday. She claimed she spoke with musicians Benji Madden and his brother at the party, and her father picked her up after the alleged assault.

But a representative of the Maddens confirmed to NBC that they were on tour in the Midwest during the VMAs, while her father said he doesnt remember the drive home of more than five hours. The womans friend who reportedly drove her to the awards has since died, NBC reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The woman had first sued Combs, alleging she was raped at an after-party, and then amended the lawsuit Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, also was at the party and participated in the sexual assault.

Jay-Z said in a statement that the article proves Tony Buzbee, a personal injury lawyer in Houston, filed a false complaint against him for money and fame.

This incident didnt happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press, he said. True Justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesnt realize it yet, but, soon.

Buzbee told The Associated in an email that if someone raises a new issue which didnt previously exist, his legal team's job is to continue collecting facts and evidence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Jay-Zs attorney, Alex Spiro, asked the court to dismiss the case, saying in a statement, It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press.

The woman admitted to making some mistakes when recalling that night, but said she stands by her allegations.

Combs attorney, Teny R. Geragos, said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Saturday: Yesterday, a lawyer admitted that over 50 people falsely claimed to be victims. Today, for the second time this week, a Buzbee plaintiff has been exposed. This is the beginning of the end of this shameful money grab.

The litigation is part of a wave of sexual assault lawsuits levied against Combs as the hip-hop mogul remains in custody in New York awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The unnamed woman said that while she was in the limousine, she was asked to sign a nondisclosure document. Once at the party, the lawsuit said, she took a drink that made her feel woozy and lightheaded and went into a bedroom to lie down.

She said Combs and Jay-Z then barged into the room, along with another unnamed celebrity, and raped her. The woman said she eventually escaped the room, fled the house and called for a ride from a nearby gas station.

Jay-Z, a 24-time Grammy award winning rapper, producer and music mogul, anonymously sued Buzbee last month, alleging he was attempting to blackmail the rapper by threatening to make the rape allegation public if he did not agree to a legal settlement. Jay-Z said Buzbee sent a letter to his lawyer appearing to seek a settlement, which had the opposite effect on him.

Buzbee previously said the notion that he was trying to blackmail Jay-Z is stupid and laughable and his letter simply sought confidential mediation in the litigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Buzbee announced at a news conference in October that he represents some 120 people, men and women, with allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs.

His firm, which has set up a toll-free phone line for accusers, began filing a wave of lawsuits against the hip-hop mogul a few weeks later.

Combs was denied bail a third time last month. He has pleaded not guilty to charges he coerced and abused women for years and faces trial in May.

Lawyers for Combs did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Jay-Z and Combs are part of a generation of hip-hop titans who rose to prominence in the 2000s, emerging as wide-ranging entrepreneurs and two of the worlds wealthiest rappers. Earlier this year, Forbes estimated Jay-Zs net worth to be $2.5 billion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The artists have collaborated over the years, with Jay-Z featured on Combs debut album, No Way Out, and Combs appearing on Jay-Zs sophomore album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.

While frequently photographed together at events, they also have been business competitors. Diddy launched his Bad Boy Records around the same time Jay-Z launched his Roc-A-Fella record label.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo.  One woman died and two others were hurt from an overnight crash in St. Charles County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

MSHP reports that a 62-year-old woman from Wentzville, Missouri, died in the crash.

A 69-year-old man in the same vehicle as the woman and a 41-year-old man in a different vehicle were also hospitalized from the crash.

Drone drama in the bi-state region

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The collision happened around 2:15 a.m. Saturday on Veterans Memorial Parkway near Lake St. Louis Boulevard.

A MSHP crash report states that the man inside the vehicle with the woman made a left turn from a private drive into the path of a second vehicle. The two vehicles collided and veered off the roadway upon impact.

The woman, not identified by name in the crash report, was a passenger inside one of the vehicles. She was rushed to a hospital, but later pronounced deceased.

MSHP Troop C, which covers much of the St. Louis region, is investigating the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
The 'Jathha' of 101 farmers which was blocked by the police at the Shambhu border following security interference has been withdrawn for the day, said Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher. "Both the forums have decided to withdraw the 'Jattha' today. We are hearing that 17-18 people have been injured. We will hold a press conference after some time and inform you about further action," said farmer leader Pandher. Security forces used tear gas and water cannons on the 'Jathha' of farmers who were marching for 'Delhi Kooch' from the Shambhu border after they remained firm in their resolve to press forward with their demonstration on Saturday afternoon. Speaking to ANI, Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "Both the parties (BJP and opposition) are not raising the farmer's issues in the parliament. The BJP wants to eliminate the farmers. Our voice is reaching the 140 crore people of the country but not reaching the Prime Minister. We want the whole of India to stand up and if the farmers of the country stand up and raise their voices, then we will be allowed to go to Delhi and our demands will be fulfilled." Asked about the Haryana authority's actions to the farmers' ongoing protests, Pandher said, "The Haryana Police is misleading the public. How can 100 people walking on foot be dangerous for the country? Why have you blocked the border for the last 10 months? Why have you harassed the people of your country?" Congress leader and wrestler Bajrang Punia who was also present at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border spoke to ANI over the protests and said, "The government on one hand is saying that we are not stopping the farmers, but on the other hand they are using tear gas and other things. It is being treated as if it is the Pakistan border." "When leaders go to Delhi to protest, do they take permission? Farmers only want MSP for their crops. We will always support the farmers. The government should fulfil its promises," stated Pandher. The 'Jathha' of 101 farmers marching to Delhi from the Shambhu border point of Haryana were stopped from entering the national capital by the police on Saturday afternoon. As farmers resumed their 'Dilli Chalo' march on the 307th day of their ongoing protest, they were confronted by police who had set up barricades to prevent their entry into the capital. The police action led to tension at the protest site, as farmers attempted to move forward, but the authorities maintained their position, citing security concerns and the need to control the movement of protesters into Delhi. The police action led to tension at the protest site, as farmers attempted to move forward, but the authorities maintained their position, citing security concerns and the need to control the movement of protesters into Delhi. Farmers blocked by the police requested security forces to allow them to continue their protests in a peaceful manner. A farmer leader at the site spoke to police through the barricades and said, "SP Sahab, we want to march to Delhi peacefully, we request you to not block our protest, please give us the road. We should be allowed to move ahead. Our voice should not be suppressed by these iron and stone barriers." "Hamari awaz ko an kuchla jaye (Don't suppress our voices)," requested the farmers. "50 per cent of the people in our country are involved in agriculture, their voices cannot be suppressed. Our farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanouri border. His deteriorating health is in front of everyone, even the Prime Minister," said the farmers' leader. "You can check us for everything, we only have flags and clothes to wear. We only want to talk to the government about our issues," said the farmers' leader. Ambala Superintendent of Police in response to the appeal said, "If you want to go to Delhi, you should take proper permission and once you get the permission, we will allow you to go. There was a hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday. Instructions have been given to hold a meeting.The next date of the meeting is December 18. We appeal to you to sit here peacefully and follow the rules." Police officials were heavily deployed at the border after the farmers announced a fresh attempt to 'Delhi March.' As the protest continues to gain momentum, the farmers are intensifying demonstrations to pressure the government into addressing their demands. (ANI)
Atlanta police are investigating what caused a man to fall to his death from a high-rise window and who shot and stabbed a woman inside.

Police said they were called out to the building at 250 Piedmont Avenue NE shortly before 2:30 p.m.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When officers arrived at the scene they found the man dead along the building below and a woman who had sustained injuries consistent with being shot and stabbed.

Police said the woman was rushed to a nearby hospital. Officers say preliminary information shows the man may have jumped from the window.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 54-year-old woman who was crossing Loop 375 in far East El Paso was killed early Friday morning, Dec. 13, when she was struck by two vehicles, including a semi-truck that left the scene, El Paso Police said.

The woman, who has not been identified by name, was crossing Loop 375 South near New World Drive at about 5:30 a.m. Friday, police said.

1 dead after pedestrian crash on Loop 375 at Pebble Hills

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

She was struck by one vehicle and then by a semi-truck that did not remain at the scene, police said.

The pedestrian died from her injuries, police said.

A pedestrian crossing the freeway is the primary factor in the crash, police said.

This is the 67th traffic fatality in El Paso city limits so far this year, compared to 75 at the same time last year.

The investigation continues.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Some key pieces appear to be snapping neatly into place for Donald Trumps much-feared prosecutorial revenge tour as the year draws to a close.

Trumps new nominee to lead the Justice Department, Pam Bondi, is a staunch loyalist who predicted last year that after Trumps reelection, the prosecutors will be prosecuted  the bad ones. Trump told NBC News that the members of the Jan. 6 committee should go to jail (even as he claimed that he would not direct his appointees to prosecute them). And his plan to install Kash Patel as FBI director was made easier after Christopher Wray, himself a Trump appointee, announced he would resign despite having more than two years left on his term.

Trumps decision to nominate Patel has proven particularly controversial, since his principal qualification appears to be his sycophancy toward Trump. (A Trump transition spokesperson said, Kash Patel has served in key national security positions throughout the government. He is beyond qualified to lead the FBI and will make a fantastic director.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many observers, including former federal law enforcement officials, oppose Patels nomination on the grounds that he would likely use the FBI to pursue Trumps political opponents and that he might substantially corrupt the culture and professionalism of the bureau. To some, Patel calls to mind the specter of J. Edgar Hoover, the infamous FBI director whose nearly 50-year stint running the agency until 1972 was marked by egregious abuses of power  including illegal surveillance, blackmail and the harassment of political dissidents.

Patel clearly lacks the qualifications, experience and temperament to lead the agency. But how worried should the American public really be about him at the helm of the FBI?

The truth is that there are stronger internal and external safeguards in place against law enforcement abuses than during the Hoover era. He will indeed face some constraints because of the culture and bureaucracy of the FBI. But they may not contain him. And he will have plenty of opportunity to damage the bureau and its work  and to use and abuse the FBI for political ends. His nomination poses a considerable and unjustifiable risk to the country.



On paper, there is no way to justify Patels ascension. He spent a few years as a federal prosecutor focused on national security and was an aide in Congress and the first Trump administration on intelligence and national security issues. Even setting aside the decidedly mixed and often controversial results of that work (more on that below), Patel has no experience managing anything remotely like the FBIs sprawling bureaucracy  35,000 employees, 55 field offices throughout the country and more than 60 offices overseas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What he does have is years spent endorsing Trumps conspiracy theories and railing against many of Trumps perceived enemies in the deep state  often in deeply unserious appearances on Steve Bannons War Room podcast, on other conservative media outlets and on the campaign trail.

Those appearances  replete with comments from Patel that would disqualify him from consideration for the post in pretty much any other era  have since become a central part of the case against him.



He has frequently denigrated the employees he hopes to lead  perhaps most infamously, when he said he would shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen [it] the next day as a museum of the deep state and take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to chase down criminals. He has accused the FBI and Justice Department of politicizing targets and manufacturing crimes and questioned how Americans can have any faith in this FBI anymore.

Patel went even further in his book, Government Gangsters, in which he describes the FBI as an existential threat to our republican form of government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Still, Patels stated interest in a full-scale overhaul of the FBI faces some obvious challenges, even setting aside the fanciful notion of immediately shutting down the bureaus headquarters.

It takes a year to learn the place, and then only at a surface level, said a former senior FBI official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.

The truth is that even the most intelligent, thoughtful, engaged, diligent director cant really bend that place to his will, the former official told me. Its a hard culture and a good culture. Folks are law-abiding, and theyre process-oriented.

The fear that Patel would use the FBI to go after Trumps political opponents is also well-founded given Patels own public statements. Perhaps most notably, he has threatened to go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media  who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. He added, Whether its criminally or civilly, well figure that out. But yeah, were putting you all on notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

He has since tried to walk those comments back, but the rhetoric alone ought to be disqualifying for a position that demands the confidence of the American public.

According to the Trump transition spokesperson, Kash Patel is going to end the weaponization of law enforcement. The FBI will target crime, not individuals with Kash leading the bureau.

Patel has also previously publicly zeroed in on some of Trumps most prominent antagonists. Among others, he has suggested that Attorney General Merrick Garland, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and Anthony Fauci should be investigated or potentially arrested. So far as I can tell from the rhetoric, the legal theories underlying Patels claims are at best highly dubious, if not transparently ridiculous.

Still, some of this rhetoric may, at the end of the day, amount to just that: talk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats because the legal and bureaucratic dynamics surrounding the FBIs work are very different today than they were during the Hoover era, and there are limits to what the FBI can do on its own without drawing serious scrutiny. The bureaus Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide  known as the DIOG  contains extensive internal procedures for running investigations and cases, and in the decades since Hoover, the bureau has become far more professionalized, and investigative steps are now more thoroughly and meticulously documented.

Policies have changed. Guidelines have changed. Internal enforcement mechanisms have changed, the former FBI official told me about the legacy of Hoover. It would be very hard to change those things, the person continued, but its a bit of an open question.

To be sure, a malicious or incompetent investigation by FBI agents can still wreak havoc on someones life, but the most potent and intrusive forms of federal surveillance and investigation require lawyers at the Justice Department to cooperate and sign off first.

For instance, in order to issue grand jury subpoenas for things like telephone records, a prosecutor first has to empanel a grand jury  a simple but still necessary undertaking. In order to execute search warrants  both for physical searches and to acquire someones personal email communications  lawyers have to submit applications to federal judges for their approval.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite these sorts of guardrails, the risks of Patels nomination remain real.

For one thing  and it is no small thing  many of Patels former colleagues in the first Trump administration describe him as dishonest and unsuited for a top law enforcement post.

Hes absolutely unqualified for this job. Hes untrustworthy, Charles Kupperman, Trumps deputy national security adviser and Patels former supervisor, recently told The Wall Street Journal. Its an absolute disgrace to American citizens to even consider an individual of this nature, he said.



During Trumps first term, former Attorney General William Barr blocked Patels appointment by Trump to serve as deputy FBI director. Patel had virtually no experience that would qualify him to serve at the highest level of the worlds preeminent law enforcement agency, Barr wrote in his book. Likewise, when Trump considered installing Patel as the deputy CIA director during his first term, Gina Haspel, who was then leading the agency, reportedly threatened to resign. Another former Trump DOJ official who worked with Patel recently described the prospect of him running the bureau as terrifying. Again, these arent liberal activists: They are Trump officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

One episode that continues to raise eyebrows: Former Trump Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Patel once nearly bungled an overseas hostage rescue by apparently lying to colleagues about whether the foreign countrys government had approved the operation  and that, as a result, Patel put American lives at serious risk.

There is also opportunity for abuse even in ostensibly straightforward areas, notwithstanding the legal and bureaucratic constraints on the FBI director.

It would be an extraordinary  but not necessarily shocking  move, but Patel could waive the DIOG requirements and order investigations despite the requirements and procedures laid out in bureau guidelines. Patel could also recruit politically sympathetic FBI agents and prosecutors to help on particularly controversial or dubious cases. The process would likely be easier with the help of Bondi at the Justice Department.

The notion of weaponizing the FBI and DOJ in this way is not speculative. After all, Barr appointed special counsel John Durham to investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation amid Trumps incessant complaints  and came up with little to show for it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Patel would also be empowered to punish agents who worked on cases that he disfavors on political grounds  like the Trump prosecutions and cases targeting far-right extremists.

You could pull peoples clearances. You can reassign them. You could promote people you favor over people you dont favor, the former FBI official told me. You have a lot more leverage over the personnel side of the house.



That could have a durable impact on the temperament and culture of the bureau by disincentivizing agents from working on necessary but politically contentious investigations.

Patel could also use his authority and influence with Trump to selectively de-classify or otherwise release information designed to discredit the bureau and employees who have worked on investigations and cases that they do not like. We have seen a version of this distortion already, in the form of Trumps claim earlier this year that internal FBI records showed that the agents who searched Mar-a-Lago for potentially classified documents had been authorized to kill him. The language at issue was standard, but that did not prevent Trump from using it to generate a political uproar on the right.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The first Trump administration also provides several important cautionary tales about how a more Trump-friendly FBI could be deployed against Trumps supposed political opponents  particularly with the assistance of Bondi if she is inclined to help.

During the first Trump administration, for instance, the DOJs public affairs office invited a group of reporters to review text messages from FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page in an apparent  and illegal  effort to embarrass them and discredit the FBIs Trump-Russia investigation. Earlier this year, the department agreed to pay the pair $2 million to resolve claims resulting from the unlawful disclosure of their communications, but similar efforts could be undertaken again.

It is also possible to start dubious investigations and to then try to trip people up based on alleged process crimes  like lying to the FBI  even if there was no underlying misconduct to begin with. Here too, we saw troubling precursors during the first Trump administration  in the form of the Durham trials and also the effort to prosecute Andrew McCabe, the former acting FBI director during the Trump administration. McCabe was never charged, and two indictments from Durham led to acquittals, but the personal, professional and financial costs of being targeted by these sorts of efforts are high.

Theres one other, perhaps unlikely, episode from the first Trump administration to draw on when thinking about Patel: the family separation saga.

Trump officials at the time tried to implement an illegal and immoral crackdown at the southern border, and they were aided by federal agents and prosecutors. The effort ultimately came to a halt after bureaucratic chaos, public blowback and a ruling from a federal judge, but in the relatively short period of time during which the policy was in place, the government managed to separate over 5,000 children from their families, inflicting incalculable harm on them in the process. Hundreds of them have still not been reunited.

There is a grim but essential lesson here as the Senate weighs Patels nomination to lead Americas top law enforcement agency: Malicious and powerful government officials can cause incredible harm  even if they are incompetent, and even if they are eventually stopped.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Many Rhode Island families will have food on the table this holiday season thanks to the generosity of WPRI 12s viewers.

This years Day of Giving on Thursday, Dec. 12, raised $52,000 for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

The Food Bank is so grateful to our friends at WPRI 12 and their viewers for yesterdays Day of Giving. These funds are critical to our work of distributing food to the 85,000 Rhode Islanders who seek food assistance every month. Thank you! the Food Bank wrote in a Facebook post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you didnt get a chance to give on Thursday, donations can still be made on the Food Banks website.

Donate to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

This Week in Good News

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his second inauguration ceremony in Washington January 20th.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson did not confirm an RSVP Friday, telling reporters they have no information to release.

Foreign policy experts doubt Xi will attend, in part because of security concerns. The invite itself is historic. According to State Department records no foreign head of state has attended a U.S. inauguration since at least 1874.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

At they New York Stock Exchange Thursday Trump alluded to his invite.

I was even thinking about inviting certain people to the inauguration, and some people say, well, thats a little risky, isnt itwell see, said Trump.

U.S.-China relations have plummeted over the last decade because of trade and territorial disputes. Xi has also cozied up with U.S. adversaries like Russia and Iran.

White House spokesperson John Kirby did not criticize Trumps invite to Xi, when asked by reporters he said it was Trumps decision to invite who he wants.

Kirby says the Biden administration paved the way for better relations with China. President Biden met with President Xi privately last month in Peru during a global summit. Shortly after, the two countries agreed to a prisoner swap.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That doesnt mean that we dont have disagreementsbut Im sure they will too, said Kirby.

Trump campaigned on a promise to get tough on China and is threatening another round of tariffs.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) says Trumps invite to Xi is a marker of good diplomacy.

I think we should be talking to our adversaries, said Schmitt, I think President Trump very clearly understands who he is. He clearly understands Chinas ambitions.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dec. 13Four additional KC-135 Stratotankers, the lynchpins of the U.S. military's aerial refueling operations, have been assigned to Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, and with them around 220 additional personnel to maintain the aircraft.

News of the decision was announced Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, nearly four years after the Air Force first stated its intention to move the planes to Alaska.

There's still no firm timeline as to when the tankers will be in place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The aircraft were originally expected to arrive at Eielson in 2023, but that failed to happen. In October, Sullivan sent a stern letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall asking for clarity on the matter.

"I am writing to express both my concern and frustration with years of stalling and rejection on the part of the Air Force to deliver vital aerial refueling assets to Alaska and with the state of aerial refueling capacity across the joint force," Sullivan wrote.

According to Amanda Coyne, Sullivan's communications director, Kendall relayed the decision reaffirming the military's decision to bring four additional KC-135s to Alaska this week, though there is not yet a final timeline for when they will arrive and be put into regular use.

"The Guard and Eielson are excited for these new planes to come online," said Alan Brown, communications director for the Alaska National Guard, which will be in charge of the aircraft. "To be granted these additional aircraft is a validation of their commitment to the mission and how important that mission is in the Arctic and Pacific regions."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Brown said the Guard in Alaska received an email this week from the deputy director of the Air National Guard that the Air Force had "approved the final decision" on basing the planes in Fairbanks.

Aerial refueling is the military capacity to add fuel to various planes in mid-flight, thereby extending their range. Though Alaska's fleet of cutting-edge fighter jets has grown in recent years with the arrival of dozens of F-35s, the number of Stratotankers used to gas them up during trainings and intercept missions has remained flat, straining existing planes and personnel.

There are no new Stratotankers. Of the roughly 400 KC-135s still used by the Air Force, most were built in the 1960s and have been steadily maintained and upgraded over the decades, a fixed stock that is shifted between bases and units. A newer model tanker designed to take over the military's refueling mission, the KC-46 Pegasus, has been racked with problems, cost overruns, and delays that have meant the aging Stratotankers have remained the workhorses of U.S. air power in Alaska and around the globe.

"I have relentlessly pressed the Air Force to fulfill its commitment made to me in 2021 to redistribute four KC-135 tankers to Eielson, and I am glad to report it is finally happening," Sullivan wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The additional KC-135s will belong to the Alaska Air Guard's 168th Wing, but be maintained and flown by active duty Air Force personnel. Of the four extra aircraft, one has already arrived at Eielson, according to Laurel Falls with the Department of the Air Force. Once the three remaining planes arrive it will bring the total number of Stratotankers used in Alaska to 12.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the total number of KC-135s to be used in Alaska.
(WHTM)  A York County man has died after falling from a tree on Friday.

According to the Dauphin County Coroners office, the 40-year-old man sustained multiple traumatic injuries after falling from the tree. The accident is believed to have happened on Hill Island on the Susquehanna River near Three Mile Island.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

WHTM Daily Digest

The circumstances leading up to the death remain unclear at this time, though the death has been ruled accidental.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania State Police say they responded to assist with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News 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 ABC27.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has a message for the Biden administration, as it continues to show little urgency in addressing unexplained nighttime drone sightings along the East Coast: This has gone too far.

Hochul demanded that President Joe Biden take action for the sake of public safety in a statement issued Saturday, after drone sightings caused planes to be grounded at a regional airport the night before.

That facility  Stewart Airfield, about 60 miles north of New York City  serves commercial and military aircraft.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

For weeks, residents in New Jersey, New York and other states have reported seeing strange drones in the sky, sometimes in clusters, moving in ways that do not seem possible for manned airplanes.

Hochul called on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety and Reauthorization Act, a bill that would allow state and local law enforcement to do more to address unmanned aircraft systems. Managing UAS sightings is currently overseen largely by the federal government.

Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential, Hochul said.

Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people, she concluded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) made a similar push for action in a letter to Biden this week.

After calling for the drones to be shot down, President-elect Donald Trump used the situation to make fun of Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor turned Trump critic. He posted an apparently AI-generated illustration showing Christie eating McDonalds delivered via swarming drones.

The FBI has already joined state and local law enforcement in investigating the mysterious sightings, which began in November.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby repeatedly told reporters this week that there was no evidence the drones pose a threat, and said many reported sightings were actually manned aircraft operating lawfully.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that the drones were not from the U.S. military. She noted that military commanders at bases in the area always have the option to take action against drones if they interfere with their airspace, but none of the drones are believed to have done so thus far.

Singh also said the Pentagon does not believe the drones are being operated by a foreign adversary, such as Iran, despite claims made by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.).

Elected officials  particularly in New Jersey, where many of the sightings have occurred  are expressing growing frustration with the federal response.

New Jersey state Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R) called Kirby an idiot this week and doubted whether federal officials were telling the full truth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Its not a threat until it is a threat, Ryan Herd, the mayor of Pequannock, New Jersey, told CNN on Saturday.

We have drones that are flying over critical infrastructure. Theyre flying over residents houses. They deserve to have peace of mind, Herd said, adding, God forbid one of these drones the size of a car crashes into your neighbors house.

Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) rode along with local police Thursday evening as calls came in about the drones, explaining on social media how he saw lights in the sky.

But he followed up to say that he has come to believe most of the sightings were actually just airplanes of different sizes. Kim spoke with aviation experts and used publicly available data on flights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I dont discount others may have seen actual drone activity, and not all I saw is fully explained by flight paths, but much of it was, Kim wrote. And I think the process through which I got confirmation points to the kind of explanation we need from gov authorities to address the publics concern.

I think this situation in some ways reflects this moment in our country, he went on. People have a lot anxiety right now about the economy, health, security etc. And too often we find that those charged with working on these issues dont engage the public with the respect and depth needed.

After going out with police to observe reports of possible drones, I was with the help of civilian pilots and others able to do deeper analysis and concluded that most of the possible drone sightings that were pointed out to me were almost certainly planes. Let me explain: THREAD pic.twitter.com/ljIOnYQzjF  Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) December 14, 2024

Related...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is calling on Washington to do more about the mysterious drones spotted in recent weeks above the Northeast.

The governor said in a statement on Saturday on X that drone activity prompted officials to shut down Stewart Airfield in New Windsor for about an hour last night.

This has gone too far, Hochul said in the statement, calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, a bill that would reform drone policy and hand more authority over to states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our criitcal infrastructure and our people, Hochul added.

The Orange County airport is adjacent to the New York Air National Guard base that houses the 105th Airlift Wing, according to The New York Post.

Runways were closed between 9:40pm and 10:45pm, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told the paper, saying there were no impacts to flight operations during the closure.

Hochul called on Congress to pass drone reform (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Hochul isnt the first New York official to sound the alarm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The people of Staten Island deserve answers, and the people of this city and state and region deserve answers of what the heck is going on," Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said of recent citings about New York City.

Residents and elected officials have been reporting sightings of the drones since last month, particularly in New Jersey.

Hochuls plea for more authorities follows a request on Thursday from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for further efforts to probe the drone phenomenon.

He similarly complained that existing drone policies left local authorities hamstrung.

This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government, Murphy wrote. More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Murphy has said theres no evidence the aircraft are a national security or public safety risk. The Pentagon has said they are not U.S. military drones.

Defense officials have also shot down theories that the drones are coming from an offshore Iranian ship.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejando Mayorkas told CNN on Friday many of the sightings were a case of mistaken identity, with residents mistaking regular aircraft for drones, and multiple sightings of the same aircraft from different people making reports seem more common than they are.

Homeland Security is in regular contact with New Jersey officials and has deployed experts and monitoring equipment to the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have not seen any unusual activity. We know of no threat. We know of no nefarious activity, Mayorkas said, adding technology has not confirmed any drone sighting.

President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on Friday, calling on the airborne objects to be shot down.

Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country, he wrote on Truth Social. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge. I dont think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday paid tribute to former Tamil Nadu Congress President EVKS Elangovan, and termed his demise is an immense loss to both the Congress Party and Tamil Nadu. Chennithala extended his heartfelt condolences on his demise. "The passing of Elangovan, former PCC President of Tamil Nadu, is an immense loss to both the Congress Party and Tamil Nadu. During my tenure as the in-charge of Tamil NaduShri Elangovan served as the PCC President. I had the privilege of working closely with him and shared a warm and personal bond. In times of adversity, when the party faced significant challenges, Elangovan stood out with his extraordinary leadership, guiding the party with strength and determination. I pay my tribute to his memory and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family in this moment of grief," a statement from Chennithala read. Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid his last respects to the mortal remains of former Tamil Nadu Congress President EVKS Elangovan at his residence in Chennai. Elangovan passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday. He was 75. The state deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin accompanied the chief minister and also paid his tribute to the late leader. Elangovan was hospitalized due to a lung-related issue and was undergoing intensive treatment for more than two weeks, according to the Tamil Nadu Congress. Elangovan is survived by his wife and a son. At the time of his passing, he represented the Erode (East) constituency, previously held by his late son E. Thirumahan Everaa. A prominent figure in Tamil Nadu politics, Elangovan was the son of EVK. Sampath, a founding member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Sampath later broke away from the DMK in 1961 and joined the Congress. Elangovan, held the post of TNCC president twice, first from 2000 to 2002 and again from 2014 to 2016. (ANI)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A group of young people in Florida say they believe the states continued reliance on fossil fuels is a violation of their constitutional rights and are suing the state agency that regulates public utilities in the hopes of forcing the energy companies to transition toward renewable energy sources.

The case is one in a string of lawsuits filed by kids and teenagers across the U.S. in recent years as climate activists turn to the courts for action.

Additional plaintiffs joined the lawsuit against the Florida Public Service Commission this week after it was initially filed in October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The activists, ages 18 to 25, are taking aim at the agency's practice of routinely approving the long-range plans of public utility companies to continue their reliance on fossil fuels, despite provisions in Florida law outlining the state's intention to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by promoting an increased use of renewable energy resources and low-carbon-emitting electric power plants.

The plaintiffs say Floridas continued use of greenhouse gas-emitting energy sources is fueling deadly heat, flooding rains and rising seas. The lawsuit claims that by furthering the state's dependence on fossil fuels, the commission is violating young people's fundamental and inalienable right to enjoy and defend life," as guaranteed by the Florida Constitution, by threatening their ability to live in the state in the future.

Why cant future generations also enjoy the beauty and unique environment that we have here, just because of what our legislators and our governor and our state agencies are doing? lead plaintiff Delaney Reynolds said.

A representative for the Public Service Commission said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The plaintiffs, all Miami-Dade County residents, are represented by the public interest law firm Our Children's Trust, which has filed cases in all 50 states advocating for climate action on behalf of young people.

Reynolds and Our Children's Trust teamed up in a previous lawsuit against Florida in 2018, arguing that the state's leaders were failing to act on climate and violating young people's constitutional rights. A judge dismissed that case, saying the issue is a matter for state lawmakers to address, not the courts.

Andrea Rodgers, the lead attorney on the Public Service Commission lawsuit, said the new case will be different because it's much more narrow, asking the court to review specific actions the agency is taking that she said run contrary to renewable energy policies approved by state lawmakers.

"Were not asking them to recognize any new constitutional rights. This is clearly established Florida law," Rodgers said. We simply want to ask them to review the commissions conduct and tell us whether or not its constitutional.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The law firm has had success in other states.

Earlier this year in a case brought by Our Childrens Trust, the Montana Supreme Court upheld a landmark decision requiring regulators to consider the effects of greenhouse gas emissions before issuing permits for fossil fuel development.

The firm also reached a settlement with Hawaii that includes an ambitious requirement to decarbonize the states transportation system over the next 21 years.

___

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.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that evidence has emerged suggesting that Russia has begun using North Korean troops in assaults against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian troops are conducting operations.

Source: an address by Zelenskyy

Quote: "Today, preliminary evidence suggests that the Russians have begun using a significant number of North Korean soldiers in their assaults.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Russians are integrating them into combined units and deploying them in operations in Kursk Oblast. So far, they have only been used there. However, information suggests they may be used in other parts of the war zone. Losses among these forces are already noticeable.

In fact, Moscow has dragged another state into this war, and dragged it in to the maximum extent possible. And if that's not an escalation, then what is the escalation many have been talking about?"

Details: Zelenskyy noted that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is pushing away the possibility of peace and wants "more problems in Asia and the world" and "that's why the Russians are teaching North Korea modern warfare".

The Ukrainian leader stated that Russia ignores calls for de-escalation. "If there is no tough response from the world, Russia makes the war worse. It always does," the Ukrainian president stressed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Quote: "We will defend ourselves, particularly against these North Koreans. And we will continue to act in a coordinated manner with all our partners to stop this war  to put a reliable end to it with guaranteed peace.

Next week, we will discuss our joint efforts in Europe. Sanctions against Russia, support for our defence and investment in Europe's common defence, and strong diplomacy for peace  these are things that must be gaining increasingly more focus every week so that next year, together with our partners, we can achieve our main goal."

Previously: On the morning of 14 December, Ukrainian intelligence announced that the Russian command would soon engage North Korean troops in direct assault operations.

Background:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On 7 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that North Korean forces fighting on the side of Russia in Kursk Oblast had already suffered casualties.

The United States confirmed that North Korean troops had taken part in hostilities in Kursk Oblast.

In addition, The New York Times reported that a 50,000-strong group of Russian and North Korean troops was preparing to launch a large-scale counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast.

Support UP or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis, in particular through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian programme.

Source: an address by Zelenskyy

Quote: "Today, following reports from our government officials, we approved actions regarding Syria. First of all, humanitarian and security actions. How we can contribute to stabilisation.

This is important for Ukraine: the calmer the situation in such regions, the more actively the world will be able to assist us in establishing peace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We are ready to help Syria prevent a food crisis. Including through the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian programme. I have instructed the Government to organise food deliveries in cooperation with international organisations and partners willing to help."

Details: Zelenskyy urged the global community to join stabilisation efforts for ending the war in Syria, which began over a decade ago with the involvement of Iran and Russia.

Support UP or become our patron!
A newly launched bullet train in Japan is delivering passengers from Tokyo to Fukui prefecture (and vice versa) in under three hours, Railway Supply reported.

The roughly $35 billion project began construction in 2019. Now, just four years later, the new line is fully operational. To compare that to U.S. train infrastructure, four years is around how long it takes to travel from New York City to Boston via Amtrak (not really, but it certainly feels that way).

Tokyo and Fukui prefecture are around 300 miles apart, so an accurate comparison would be if we imagine a bullet train connecting Chicago to Detroit  a journey that takes around four hours and 15 minutes by car  in under three hours.

Would having access to a high-speed train change how often you use public transit?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

While a train line like this one would vastly improve the lives of people in many areas of the United States, for Japanese citizens, the new line will register merely as a slight upgrade as it replaces a bullet train that could go between the two cities in three-and-a-half hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Japan is among the countries with some of the most impressive modern train technology in the world. While it can't rival the robust 28,000-mile network of China, its trains are among the fastest and most efficient in the world.

The United States, conversely, remains incredibly car-centric  but there is at least some hope that high-speed rail is on the way. It certainly is in California, where the long-awaited California High-Speed Rail project is finally underway, and a little bit in Florida. Elsewhere, planned high-speed rail lines are going through approval and regulatory processes.

Japan has an even more impressive train in the works, operating on magnetic levitation with the ability to exceed 300 mph, but it has been delayed from 2027 to likely no earlier than 2034.

It stands to reason that the more public support there is for high-speed rail, the more likely it will be to come to fruition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If having a cheap, easy, fast, and environmentally friendly mode of travel available to you is something that you think is important, perhaps consider letting your local government representative know.

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.
(This Dec. 14 story has been corrected to remove the reference to the share of Brazilian gold exports going to Switzerland, in paragraph 27)

By Ricardo Brito and Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Harley Sandoval, an evangelical pastor, real estate agent and mining entrepreneur, was arrested in July 2023 for illegally exporting 294 kilos of gold from Brazil's Amazon to the United States, Dubai and Italy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

On paper, the gold was sourced from a legal prospect Sandoval was licensed to mine in the northern state of Tocantins. But police said not an ounce of gold had been mined there since colonial times.

Using cutting-edge forensic technology, along with satellite imagery, Brazil's Federal Police said it was able to establish that the exported gold did not come from the Tocantins prospect.

Instead, it had been dug up from three different wildcat mines in neighboring Para, some on protected Indigenous reservation lands, according to previously unreported court documents dated November 2023 seen by Reuters.

The prosecution is one of the first in Brazil using the new technology to tackle clandestine trading that may account for as much as half of the gold output of Brazil, a major producer and exporter of the precious metal. Illegal gold mining has surged at thousands of sites in the Amazon rainforest, bringing environmental destruction and criminal violence to the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Seizures of illegally mined gold have surged seven-fold in the past seven years, according to Federal Police records obtained exclusively by Reuters.

Sandoval, who has been released pending trial and continues to preach with his wife at a Pentecostal Evangelical church in the central Brazilian city of Goiania, denies the allegations. He maintains there is no way to establish where the gold was mined once it is melted down into ingots for export.

"That's impossible. To export gold one always has to melt it down," he told Reuters by telephone.

THE DNA OF GOLD

Historically, gold is notoriously difficult to trace, especially once metal from different sources has been melted together, erasing the original signatures. After that, it can easily be traded as a financial asset or be used in the jewelry industry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But investigators say that's starting to change. A police program called "Targeting Gold" is creating a database of samples from across Brazil that are examined with radio-isotope scans and fluorescence spectroscopy to determine the unique composition of elements.

The technique, long used in archaeology, was pioneered in mining by University of Pretoria geologist Roger Dixon to help distinguish between legal and stolen gold.

The program developed in partnership with university researchers includes the use of powerful light beams from a particle accelerator at a Sao Paulo lab to study nano-sized impurities associated with gold, be it dirt or other metals like lead or copper, that help trace its origins.

Humberto Freire, director of the Federal Police's recently-created Environment and Amazon Department, said the technology allows scientists to analyze "the DNA of Brazilian gold."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Nature has marked the gold with isotopes and we can read these unique fingerprints with radio-isotope scans," Freire said. "With this tool we can trace illegal gold before it gets refined for export."

The program has helped fuel an increase in gold seizures since leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office last year  up 38% in 2023 from 2022, according to government numbers seen by Reuters. New Brazil central bank gold market regulations, including mandatory electronic tax receipts for all trades and tightened monitoring of suspect transactions, have also helped, according to Freire.

"We estimate that around 40% of the gold that is extracted in the Amazon is illegal," he told Reuters. Brazil exported 110 tonnes of gold in 2020 worth $5 billion, according to official data, ranking among the world's top 20 exporters. Last year, exports were 77.7 tonnes, a drop the government attributes to improved enforcement of illegal mining.

INDIGENOUS TENSIONS

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lula's predecessor, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro weakened environmental controls in the Amazon.

That triggered a new gold rush in Brazil, spurred by record world gold prices that were driven up by geopolitical tensions and central bank purchases, led by China.

Prices have continued to new highs, trading at around $2,650 per ounce on Friday.

Gold rushes have been a hallmark of mineral-rich Brazil from its Portuguese colonial past. But the latest surge in wildcat mining beginning during Bolsonaro's administration has been unprecedented. Satellite images show there are some 80,000 such prospects today in the Amazon rainforest, more than ever registered before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Once dominated by prospectors with gold pans, artisanal mining in Brazil has become an industrial-scale activity with heavy excavating machinery and million-dollar river dredgers. Criminal organizations fly people, equipment and gold into and out of the region with helicopters and planes that land at clandestine airstrips.

Their excavations often leave behind gaping ponds of sludge contaminated with mercury, used to separate the gold from dirt and other minerals.

Last year, thousands of miners who invaded the Yanomami territory, the country's largest Indigenous reservation on the northern border with Venezuela, brought violence and disease that caused malnutrition and a humanitarian crisis among the tribe, prompting Lula to send in troops.

But many returned this year after the military pulled out. Lula, who has pledged to stamp out illegal gold mining, tried to fight back by deploying special forces of the environmental protection agency Ibama into Indigenous reservations and forest conservation parks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Police say cracking down on the organized crime gangs that back the wildcat miners is the next step in staunching an illegal trade that feeds the jewelry industry worldwide.

Amazon neighbors, including Colombia and French Guiana, are considering adopting the Brazilian gold analysis method to deal with their illegal gold trade and European governments have shown interest, including Switzerland and Britain, the top importers from Brazil after Canada, police and diplomats said.

Brazil accounts for just 1% of gold imported by Switzerland, a global trade hub for the metal, and "measures are in place to import only legally mined gold," a Swiss embassy statement said. The embassy said it has set up a working group with other importing countries to study traceability and anti-counterfeiting tools.

A 2022 study by non-profit watchdog Instituto Escolhas found that 52% of the gold exported from the Amazon was illegal, nearly all from protected Indigenous reservation lands or national conservation parks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A vibrant lobby for informal gold mining has survived Bolsonaro in Brazil's Conservative Congress, where pending bills propose legalizing wildcat mining.

For now, though, gold samples from across Brazil are being added to a database with the help of scientists at the Federal Police's criminology institute lab in Brasilia, where forensic expert Erich Moreira Lima oversees microscopic scanning of gold nuggets that are kept in a safe.

"Now that we have a team set up, we hope to analyze the 30,000 gold samples the Brazilian Geological Service has collected. In a few years, we should have mapped all Brazil's 24 gold producing regions," he told Reuters.

Geologist Maria Emilia Schutesky and her team at the National University of Brasilia's geosciences lab conduct mass spectrometry scans on gold samples to identify associated molecules, such as lead, to place the gold's origins.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We researchers seek a 100% ability to trace gold, but that is more than what the police needs to prove a crime, which is just to establish that the gold does not come from where a suspects claims it is from," Schutesky said.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito and Anthony Boadle; Editing by Christian Plumb and Claudia Parsons)
Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Soldier Support System cluster successfully hosted its annual Rajbhasha Sangoshthi on the theme "Viksit Bharat Mein Raksha Prodyogiki Ka Yogdan" at Tezpur. According to a release, the event was organized by the Tezpur-based Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) in association with DPARO&M, DRDO HQ Delhi from December 12-13. Over 80 participants from various DRDO laboratories across the country attended the conference and presented scientific findings in Hindi to promote scientific discourse in the national language. The primary objective of this congregation was to foster the dissemination of scientific knowledge through Hindi, enhancing understanding and appreciation of defence technology's role in building the "Viksit Bharat". Professor Shambhu Nath Singh, Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest and delivered his speech focusing on Hindi's significance in scientific communication and national integration. Dr Sunil Sharma, Director, DPARO&M, DRDO HQ, Arun Chaudhary, Director DIITM, DRDO HQ and Brig Sujit Upadhyay, Brig EME 4 Corps, also graced the event as guests of honour, the release said. The program began with a welcome address by Dr DV Kamboj, Director DRL, who highlighted the importance of using Hindi for writing scientific articles and encouraged participants to continue promoting Hindi in their academic and professional endeavours. Over the two-day event, various distinguished speakers, including eminent scientists and representatives from DRDO's different technological clusters, deliberated on topics related to defence technology in Hindi and its role in Viksit Bharat. Lectures were also delivered by faculty members from Tezpur University. The event concluded on December 13, with a valedictory function in which Dr PK Bora, Director, NERIWALM, Tezpur was present as chief guest who emphasized the vital role of Hindi in scientific communication. KC Vikram, DIG SSB graced the occasion as guest of honour. His address underscored the necessity of integrating the language in advancing both defence technology and scientific collaboration in India. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday attributed the state's recognition as the best state in fisheries development to the hard work of its people and the visionary policies of the state government. In a post on X, CM Dhami stated, "It is a matter of pride for all of us that Uttarakhand has been awarded the Best State in the field of Fisheries in the category of Himalayan and North-Eastern states. This achievement is the result of the visionary policies of the state government, efforts for sustainable development, and the hard work of the people associated with this sector." The award, conferred by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, was presented to Uttarakhand for its outstanding achievements and innovative initiatives in fisheries development. Uttarakhand's Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, BVRC Purushottam, received the award from Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, at a ceremony held in New Delhi. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the state has achieved significant milestones in fisheries development. These include the 'Trout Farming Expansion' initiative, under which the fisheries department has established over 1,400 trout raceways across the state, significantly boosting trout farming and production. In infrastructure development, the state has built a state-level aquapark and a wholesale fish market in Udham Singh Nagar, creating substantial opportunities for fish farmers under the Matsya Sampada Yojana. To strengthen market linkages, a landmark agreement was signed between local fish farmers' groups and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for fish supply, ensuring reliable market access and enhancing farmers' income. These efforts form part of Uttarakhand's comprehensive strategy to empower fish farmers, promote sustainable aquaculture, and diversify livelihood opportunities in the Himalayan region, the CMO statement noted. (ANI)
Ambala: The Ambala police in Punjab have dismissed allegations of using chemical-laced water to disperse protesting farmers at the Shambhu border, asserting that only plain water was used.

Countering the claims, Surendra Singh Bhoria, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Ambala, told reporters, "When this Jatha arrived, we held discussions for nearly fifteen minutes and reasoned with them in front of the media. During the talks, some miscreants attempted to breach the barricades. Only plain water was used to disperse the crowd. These allegations of chemical-laced water are false and are meant to mislead."

"I want to assure you that one hundred per cent plain water was used to disperse the crowd," the SP emphasised.

Meanwhile, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced plans for a tractor march outside Punjab on December 16, followed by a 'Rail Roko' protest within Punjab on December 18. The announcement came hours after a Jatha of 101 farmers, blocked by the police at the Shambhu border due to security concerns, withdrew for the day.

Pandher alleged that 17 farmers were injured when the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters at the Shambhu border. He further claimed that several farmers were in serious condition and accused the authorities of negligence in providing proper medical treatment.

Speaking to ANI at the Shambhu border, Pandher said, "The Indian government, the fifth-largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical-laced water was sprayed on us, bombs were hurled, and tear gas shells were fired. Seventeen farmers have been injured, several of whom are in critical condition, and they are not receiving adequate treatment in hospital. We urge the Punjab government to ensure proper medical care."

"On December 16, we will organise a tractor march outside Punjab, and on December 18, we have called for a 'Rail Roko' in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to join these protests in large numbers," he added.

Earlier in the day, security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the Jatha of farmers marching towards Delhi (Delhi Kooch) from the Shambhu border. Despite heavy police barricades and deployment, the farmers stood firm in their protest.

The Jatha of 101 farmers was stopped at the Shambhu border in Haryana on Saturday afternoon as they attempted to enter the national capital. Tensions escalated at the protest site as farmers tried to push forward, but the police cited security concerns and the need to regulate the entry of protesters into Delhi.
A Bengaluru police head constable tragically ended his life, leaving behind a note accusing his wife and father-in-law of harassment. The body of the 33-year-old Cop, who was serving at Hulimavu police station, was discovered on the railway tracks near Baiyappanahalli.

According to reports, he was in uniform at the time of his death. Originally from Bijapur, the constable had been dealing with ongoing personal challenges, as alleged in his suicide note.

Accusations Against Wife and In-Laws

In the note, the constable accused his wife and father-in-law of harassment and threats, with the latter allegedly endangering his life. This emotional turmoil believed to have led to the tragic incident. Authorities have launched an investigation, with the Baiyappanahalli Railway Police registering a case to uncover the details.

This incident comes just days after the shocking suicide of a 34-year-old techie in Bengaluru, who left a 24-page note and video accusing his wife and her family of extortion and harassment. The techies death had already triggered widespread outrage and brought to light the struggles men face in strained marital relationships.

Both cases have intensified public debates on the need for stronger legal protections for individuals, particularly men, in situations involving marital disputes. Advocates are urging policymakers to address these issues to prevent further tragedies and support those experiencing mental and emotional distress.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the constables death, seeking to ensure justice is served in this heartbreaking case.

(Discussions on suicides can be triggering for some. But suicides are preventable. If you are looking for help, some suicide prevention helpline numbers in India are 011-40769002 from Sanjivini (Delhi-based, 10 am - 5.30 pm) and 044-24640050 from Sneha Foundation (Chennai-based, 8 am - 10 pm), +91 9999666555 from Vandrevala Foundation (Mumbai-based, 24x7).
Farmers Protest: Amid the ongoing protest against the Central government over several demands, farmers are set to resume their Dilli Chalo March on Saturday afternoon. Speaking about the protest, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that a group of farmers will proceed 'peacefully' towards Delhi.

Ahead of protests, internet services were suspended in parts of Ambala with immediate effect from December 14 (06:00 hrs) to December 17 (23:59 hrs) in Haryana in view of the farmers march towards Delhi.

Internet services suspended in parts of Ambala with immediate effect from 14th December (06:00 hrs) to 17th December (23:59 hrs) in Haryana in view of the farmers march towards Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Fs5lJ6QSb5  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

The government must arrange a talk if it is serious about resolving the matter, Pandher told news agency ANI. "Our third group, headed by Jaswinder Singh Longowal and Malkit Singh, will proceed from here peacefully, sharp at 12," he said

"We are receiving information from Khanauri that Jagjit Singh Dallewal is not keeping well. The whole country is worried about his health except for the PM and Home Minister. Neither are they worried about our Delhi march, nor are they worried about what's happening in Khanauri... We believe that forming a committee is not a solution to our problem. If the government wants to arrive at a solution, they must arrange talks with us," he further stated.

Ahead of the resumption of protest, Ambala Deputy Commissioner, Parth Gupta had already issued a clarification saying that the farmers have not received the permission to protest in Delhi. "...They have not received the permission to protest in Delhi... If you (farmers) have the required permission, you can go ahead but if not, we will have to stop you... We appeal to the farmers to maintain peace," Deputy Commissioner Gupta said, as quoted by ANI.

Earlier, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said, "The government has failed. It should hold talks. The hunger strike should end..." Notably, farmers are asking for a charter of 12 demands, including MSP for crops to be met by the state and Union governments.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has criticised the Congress and the opposition parties on the issue of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Responding to the Congress' claim of support to farmers and its promise to give MSP to farmers, Saini said that the Congress governments in Himachal and Telangana had failed to buy crops at MSP.

"In the last 10 years, we have bought crops on MSP. The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana cannot say that they will buy crops on 100 per cent MSP. People have understood their reality. In a month, AAP will also start talking about the EVMs. People have rejected them," Saini said.

(With ANI Inputs)
Delhi Schools Bomb Threat: A bomb threat was reported at Delhi Public School (DPS), RK Puram, early Saturday morning, marking the third such incident targeting schools in the national capital this week. "We received a call about a bomb threat at DPS RK Puram at 6:09 am," a Delhi Fire Services official confirmed. The fire department, local police, dog squads, and bomb detection teams quickly arrived at the school to launch a thorough search operation.

According to a police official, no suspicious objects have been found so far, but the search is still ongoing to ensure the safety of students and staff. Authorities are treating the matter with utmost seriousness, given the repeated nature of these threats.

Series of Bomb Threats Across Delhi Schools

This incident follows a spate of similar threats received by schools earlier in the week: On Friday, around 30 schools in Delhi received bomb threats via email, prompting a massive search operation across multiple premises. On Monday, at least 44 schools reported receiving similar threat emails. In both instances, the threats were declared hoaxes after extensive searches by police and bomb squads failed to uncover any suspicious items.

#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from outside of DPS RK Puram - one of the schools that receive bomb threats, via e-mail, today morning pic.twitter.com/UrOddv8JnC
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu is facing controversy after the BJP and animal rights groups alleged he of consuming 'wild chicken,' a species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which was reportedly served at a dinner Sukhu attended in Shimla.

CM Sukhu on Saturday refuted the allegation saying that he was offered country chicken but didn't consume it.

"Local villagers were offering me country (desi) chicken, I don't consume it - and a channel was telecasting this as if I am having chicken. Non-veg food is a part of life in the hills. Jairam Thakur is making statements on it," Himachal CM Sukhu said in a video released by his office (CMO), ANI reported.

At a public event in the remote Kufri area of Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu attended a dinner that sparked controversy after reports surfaced that 'wild chicken,' was allegedly served to guests at the dinner.

The incident, which came to light after a purported video shared by an animal welfare organisation, has led to widespread condemnation from animal rights groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding an apology and action against those responsible.

Although Chief Minister Sukhu did not consume the wild chicken, it was served to the State Health Minister and other guests, raising concerns about illegally hunting protected species.

The wild chicken, native to altitudes above 3,000 feet in Himachal Pradesh, is a legally protected species, and hunting it is a punishable offence. The controversy quickly gained attention on social media, with animal welfare groups and political leaders calling for accountability.

Earlier, BJP state spokesperson Chetan Bharta called for Chief Minister Sukhu to issue a public apology and take strict action against those responsible for serving the wild chicken.

(With ANI Inputs)
Senior Congress leader and former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President EVKS Elangovan passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 75. Elangovan represented the Erode East constituency in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, had been unwell for over a month and was hospitalized on November 11 due to lung-related complications. Despite intensive treatment for more than two weeks, he succumbed to his illness at 10:12 am.

The hospital, in a statement, confirmed his demise, noting that despite the best efforts of the medical staff, Elangovan could not be saved. TNCC President K Selvaperunthagai described his passing as a huge loss to the Congress party in Tamil Nadu.

Political Career

Elangovan, grandnephew of renowned social reformer E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) and son of DMK founder E.V.K. Sampath, began his political journey in the 1980s when he joined the Congress. He was elected as an MLA from Gobichettipalayam in 1984 and later as a Member of Parliament in 2004.

Known for his sharp wit and incisive political commentary, Elangovan was a formidable figure in Tamil Nadu politics. As TNCC President, he led the Congress through turbulent times, ensuring the party remained relevant despite challenges from the DMK and AIADMK. His tenure saw him revive the Congress-DMK alliance in 2016 after a split in 2013.

A skilled negotiator, he ensured that the Congress secured 48 seats during the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Although the party performed poorly, Elangovan resigned voluntarily.

He was also instrumental in facilitating the return of senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram to the party in 2004 by merging Chidambarams Congress Jananayaga Peravai into the Indian National Congress.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur on Saturday criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in the lower house, asserting that the book Rahul refers to as the Constitution reveals the truth about both his family and party. Speaking to the media, Thakur said, "Last time, I asked all opposition MPs how many pages are there in the Constitution they carry. No MP could answer. Today, I have brought that book before you, the one Rahul Gandhi calls the Constitution. It contains the truth about both his family and party." He added, "The preface of the book, written by senior Supreme Court lawyer Gopal Shankar Narayan, states that the Constitution was drafted by the most intelligent minds of the country, including Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who played a very significant role. However, if you read carefully, he mentions that, fortunately, the Constitution was not influenced by Nehruvian thinking. Furthermore, he notes that had this Constitution lacked its inherent strength, the citizens of India would not have been freed from the dark chapter of Emergency nor gained their rights." BJP MP Jagdambika Pal also criticised the Leader of Opposition, alleging that the Congress party forced BR Ambedkar to resign as Union Minister because of Nehru's persistent opposition to him. "Has Rahul Gandhi forgotten the day when he tore a bill passed by his own government while Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister? He insulted the Constitution that very day. The Congress also compelled BR Ambedkar to resign as Union Minister because Jawaharlal Nehru always opposed him," Pal said. Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi criticised the Central government, accusing it of "cutting off" the thumbs of youth by "handing over" various sectors to industrialists. During a discussion marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, Rahul Gandhi referenced his previous speech, where he invoked the Mahabharata and described the Opposition as defenders of the Constitution's ideals. "In my first speech, I spoke about a battle, referencing the Mahabharata and Kurukshetra. Today, a battle is ongoing in India. On this side (the Opposition), we are the defenders of the Constitution's ideals. If you ask us about Tamil Nadu, we'll say Periyar; for Karnataka, Basavanna; for Maharashtra, Phule and Ambedkar; and for Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi. You praise these figures hesitantly because you feel compelled to. But the truth is, you want India to be governed as it was in the past," Rahul Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha. (ANI)
New Delhi: Congress leader Bajrang Punia criticised the police for using tear gas on protesting farmers. He questioned why the Shambhu border was being treated like a border with Pakistan. Punia also slammed the Centre's stance, asking if politicians face the same restrictions when protesting in Delhi. He urged the government to fulfill its promises to the farmers.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Bajrang Punia criticized the government for its contradictory stance on farmers' protests. "On one hand, the government says it is not stopping the farmers, but on the other, they are using tear gas and other measures, It is being treated as if it is Pakistan border," he said.

Punia compared the situation at the Shambhu border to the Pakistan border, questioning, "When leaders go to Delhi to protest, do they get permission?" He emphasized that farmers are only demanding MSP for their crops. "We will always support the farmers. The government should fulfill its promises," Punia added.

Farmers Protest Suspended

After hours of attempts to enter the national capital through Shambhu border, Farmers leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that the farmers have decided to halt the protest as 17-18 protesters were injured during Haryana security personnels tear shelling.

He mentioned that one farmer was seriously injured in the incident. Pandher alleged that the police used "chemical-mixed water" to disperse the protesters and fired "more tear gas shells this time." However, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ambala Cantt, Rajat Gulia, refuted the claims.

Pandher said while the debate is going on in Parliament on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, "No one is raising the voice for farmers in Parliament...over here we want to know which Constitution applies to our protest. How can a jatha of 101 farmers pose a threat to the country's law and order," reported PTI.

Protesting farmers made their third attempt to march towards the national capital. Earlier attempts on December 6 and December 8 were blocked by Haryana security forces.

The protesters, led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, are demanding a legal guarantee for MSP. They are also urging the Centre to begin talks to address their grievances.

(With agency inputs)
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking time to discuss the law and order situation in the national capital. This comes amid multiple bomb threats to schools in Delhi in last few days.

AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the law and order situation in Delhi and sought time to meet him. pic.twitter.com/Wn4yhPifWB December 14, 2024

On Saturday, a school in the national capital received a bomb threat, officials said, marking the third instance of threat emails being sent to schools in the national capital this week. "We received a call about a bomb threat at DPS RK Puram at 6:09 am," a Delhi Fire Services official said. The fire department, local police, dog squads and bomb detection teams reached the school and launched a search operation, the official said. A police official said nothing suspicious was found but a search was underway.

In his letter, the AAP convenor has raised concerns and pointed out that despite Delhi's law and order being under the central government's control, the city is increasingly being recognized as the "crime capital" across the country India and abroad. He cited worrying statistics, including Delhi's top ranking in crimes against women and murder cases among 19 major metro cities in India.

Additionally, Kejriwal noted the rise in extortion gangs, bomb threats at airports and schools, and a significant 350 per cent increase in drug-related crimes, all of which have contributed to growing security concerns among residents.

In a letter to Home Minister Shah, Kejriwal wrote, "Delhi's law and order is under the Central Government., but Delhi is now being known as the capital of crime." "Delhi ranks number one in crimes against women among 19 metro cities of India, Delhi ranks number one in murder cases and extortion gangs are active across the city," said Kejriwal.

"Airports and schools are receiving bomb threats and drug-related crimes have increased by 350 per cent, worrying people across the city for their security," he said. He further said that Delhi is now being recognized as the crime capital in the country and abroad.

In the last few days, around 40 to 45 schools have received bomb threats over email, triggering a multi-agency search of their premises. The police had declared those threats as hoaxes after nothing suspicious was found during searches.

(With agencies inputs)
New Delhi: BJP leaders poked fun at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday for some of the comments, including that "tapasya" is meant to generate heat in the body, he made during his speech in the Lok Sabha.

BJP spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra and the party's IT department head Amit Malviya posted bits of the video of Gandhi's speech on X to mock him.

Gandhi's reference to Eklavya, a character in "Mahabharat", as a boy aged six-seven years, and the leader of opposition's comment that Dronacharya cut off his thumb were two other points from the speech that Patra highlighted to say "such knowledge comes from George Soros".

Malviya said, "This round goes to Rahul Gandhi. He remains the undisputed king of bloopers."

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, including Union ministers, were seen laughing at times when Gandhi was speaking.

In his speech, Gandhi cited Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar's remarks that there was nothing Indian about the Constitution and took a jibe at the BJP, saying by talking of protecting the Constitution, the ruling party is "ridiculing" its "supreme leader".
Kerala Lottery Results Saturday 14-12-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "KARUNYA KR-684" Lucky Draw Result today Karunya Kr-684, December 14, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Karunya KR-684" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Karunya KR-684 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 80 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Karunya KR-684 results today.

Kerala Lottery Result 14-12-2024 Dec: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA KR-684 Draw

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 80 LAKHS IS: KG 998200

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: KD 983883

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: KA 474775 KB 937447 KC 903277 KD 713256 KE 628043 KF 763743 KG 878052 KH 763652 KJ 845024 KK 643847 KL 828418 KM 647414

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: KA 998200 KB 998200 KC 998200 KD 998200 KE 998200 KF 998200 KH 998200 KJ 998200 KK 998200 KL 998200 KM 998200

(For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below)

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0025 0467 2174 2462 2974 3387 3866 3961 3997 4569 5449 5502 6088 6802 7041 7086 7803 9192

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0945 3090 3822 3965 4574 5706 5974 7191 8240 9896

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0049 0736 0814 1689 1696 3144 3780 4221 5166 5183 6460 7100 8493 9853

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0059 0079 0091 0097 0216 0409 0497 0559 0594 0644 0780 0793 0984 0985 1115 1219 1341 1531 1713 1839 1917 1942 2059 2088 2373 2709 2878 2933 3015 3312 3413 3443 3459 3490 3798 3823 3921 4086 4155 4170 4253 4318 4374 4424 4857 5162 5181 5224 5275 5536 5626 6013 6014 6220 6284 6379 6410 6480 6557 6633 6794 6870 6924 7008 7108 7562 7731 7809 7839 8369 8419 8453 8920 8924 8966 9053 9090 9160 9267 9828

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0002 0455 0546 0573 0584 0645 0715 0755 0785 0819 0941 0964 1058 1199 1252 1256 1412 1443 1723 1747 1767 1771 1833 1834 1892 2019 2116 2123 2127 2130 2132 2172 2589 2747 2759 2833 2838 2883 2884 2909 3013 3083 3183 3199 3222 3284 3609 3648 3806 4012 4237 4367 4390 4410 4411 4530 4540 4565 4573 4590 4837 4850 4879 4880 5011 5336 5422 5532 5571 5598 5682 5784 5985 6028 6045 6164 6447 6463 6505 6510 6596 6608 6617 6716 7088 7167 7174 7270 7348 7474 7563 7570 7578 7667 7669 7702 7847 7881 7894 7899 7964 7977 8039 8256 8289 8297 8318 8324 8337 8544 8557 8567 8677 8752 8781 8866 8902 8995 9257 9363 9389 9413 9562 9585

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 14-12-2024 December TODAY: KARUNYA KR-684 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS

1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakhs

2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs

3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs. 5,000

5th Prize: Rs. 2,000

6th Prize: Rs. 1,000

7th Prize: Rs. 500

8th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

(NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote the lottery in any way.)
A person wanted in more than 10 criminal cases, including bank dacoities, in Bihar and Haryana was killed in an encounter with police in Patna district, a senior officer said on Saturday.

Akash Yadav alias Ajay Rai was killed in Jakkanpur area in an exchange of fire between Special Task Force (STF) personnel of the state police and members of a criminal gang on Wednesday night, the officer said.

A sub-inspector of STF was also injured in the firing, he said.

"We got information that Rai and his associates were hiding at a particular location in Jakkanpur area, and accordingly an STF team reached there. As the members of the criminal gang spotted the police team, they tried to flee the spot and started firing targeting the STF personnel.

"The policemen retaliated. Rai and a sub-inspector sustained bullet injuries. Both were taken to the nearest government hospital where Rai succumbed to his injury," Bihar Police Additional Director General (ADG-Operation) Amrit Raj told PTI.

The injured policeman is undergoing treatment at the hospital and he is stable now, the ADG said.

The police team recovered one pistol, several cartridges and a mobile phone from the spot.

Associates of Rai managed to flee the spot, the ADG said, adding that a search operation is underway to arrest them.

"Rai was wanted in more than 10 cases, including bank dacoities, in Bihar and Haryana," the officer added.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on December 16. The bill seeks to amend the Constitution to facilitate simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, aligning elections for Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry Assemblies as well.

Key highlights of the proposed legislation in ten points:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver a key address in the Lok Sabha on Saturday during the ongoing debate marking the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution. The Prime Ministers response is expected to highlight the governments commitment to the values enshrined in the Constitution while addressing concerns raised by opposition leaders.

Debate on Constitution: Key Highlights

The two-day debate, which began on December 13, has seen heated discussions on the historical and contemporary significance of the Constitution. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opened the debate, emphasizing the collective effort behind the Constitution's creation and its roots in Indias civilizational ethos. Singh strongly criticized attempts to politicize the Constitution's legacy, stating, Our Constitution is not the gift of a single party; it reflects the values and aspirations of the people of India.

Singh also lauded the progressive and transformative nature of the Constitution, pointing to the inclusivity that allows individuals from humble backgrounds to rise to the highest positions of power in the country.

Priyanka Gandhis Maiden Speech

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her maiden Lok Sabha address, accused the ruling government of undermining the Constitutions promises over the past decade. Our Constitution is a suraksha kavach (safety armour) that protects citizens' rights to justice, unity, and free expression. But in the last 10 years, this government has worked to break down this kavach, Gandhi said.

She criticized the government's policies, particularly lateral entry and privatization, for allegedly diluting reservation systems and weakening social justice. "The Constitution promises social, economic, and political justice. Attempts to dismantle these promises have begun," she added.

PM Modis Expected Focus

The Prime Ministers reply is expected to reinforce the governments stance on adhering to the Constitutions principles of inclusivity and progressiveness. Modis remarks will likely respond to criticisms from the opposition while showcasing the governments achievements in governance, development, and upholding democratic values.

As the debate continues, Modis speech is anticipated to serve as a key moment in the commemoration of the Constitutions 75th year and provide clarity on the governments vision for safeguarding its values.

The winter session of Parliament, which began on November 25, has been marked by disruptions but gained momentum with this significant debate. The session will conclude on December 20, making Modis address a highlight of the proceedings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday criticised the Congress while replying to a two-day debate on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution. During the Lok Sabha speech, Modi said that at the time of the Emergency in 1975 under the Congress government, all the constitutional rights were snatched and the country was turned into a jail.

"The Constitution was torn apart when it was completing 25 years, in 1995, when the Emergency was imposed, all constitutional rights were snatched and the country was turned into a jail, Modi said.

"It is 75 years of the Constitution. But 25 years also has an importance, so do 50 years and 60 years...When the country was witnessing 25 years of Constitution, at the same time Constitution in our country was razed. Emergency was imposed, democratic systems were finished," PM Modi added.

PM Modi added that out of the 75 years, the Congress ruled for 55 years and left no stone unturned in hurling a blow to the Constitution.

"One family of Congress left no stone unturned in hurling a blow to the Constitution. I am mentioning that one family because in 75 years of our journey, they ruled for 55 years. So, the country has the right to know what happened. The tradition of this family's ill-thoughts, bad policies is ongoing continuously. This family has challenged the Constitution at all levels," he alleged in Parliament today.

He further said that India is the mother of democracy and 75-year journey of the Constitution is a memorable journey of the world's largest and greatest democracy.

"The 75-year journey of India's Constitution is a memorable journey of the world's greatest and largest democracy. It symbolises the vision of our Constitution makers, their contributions, and our resolve to move forward. Completing 75 years is a moment to celebrate the significance of our Constitution and its provisions," PM Modi said, ANI reported.
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 11 resolutions he articulated in his speech in the Lok Sabha as "hollow" and called him a "distorian" par excellence who "puts WhatsApp University to shame."

The opposition party also questioned why Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were not present in the House when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke while participating in a two-day debate on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India."

Modi on Saturday said the Congress, having "tasted blood," repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government's policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India's strength and unity in line with the Constitution.

Asked about the PM's remarks, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra likened his over 110-minutes speech in the Lok Sabha to a "double period of mathematics" from school that "bored us."

She slammed his 11 resolutions as "hollow" and said if there is zero tolerance towards corruption then why doesn't the BJP agree to a discussion on the Adani issue.

"PM has not spoken one thing which is new, he has bored us. It took me decades back, I felt like I'm sitting in that double period of Mathematics," she said.

"(JP) Nadda ji was also rubbing hands but as soon as Modi ji looked at him, he started acting as if he is listening attentively. Amit Shah also had his hand on head, (Piyush) Goyal ji was going off to sleep. It was a new experience for me. I had thought that the PM will say something new, something nice," she said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Mr. Narendra Modi has a MA in Entire Political Science -- whatever that means. Today in the Lok Sabha he showed that he is also a Distorian par excellence."

"Some people lie in their self-interest, but our self-styled non-biological PM does so because it is in his very nature. He puts WhatsApp University to shame," Ramesh said.

Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal on X termed Modi's speech a hackneyed rant against his party.

"On a debate about India's Constitution, the PM once again decided to bring out his tired old speech about the Congress instead. While the people were expecting an answer from him on the injustice and inequality facing Indian society, he chose to bring up stale narratives against the Congress, which have lost all resonance among the public," he said.

"Truth is, he has no answer to the allegations regarding the Adani mega scandal, nor does he have a response to the growing instances of caste and religious divisions created by his own regime."

"An insincere PM whose political gurus rejected the Constitution since day one will never be accepted by the people as being loyal to the Constitution. No matter how many speeches he gives, his hypocrisy will be exposed," Venugopal said.

He also told reporters there was nothing new in what the PM said in the Parliament on Saturday. "It was only blame game against the Congress."

Venugopal alleged that the PM was using entire government machinery to give everything to one person, referring to industrialist Gautam Adani.

"Whenever we talk of the Constitution they did not respect Parliament. When LoP spoke, the prime minister, home minister and defence minister were absent, either they are scared of Rahul Gandhi or they don't believe in opposition politics," he said.

Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said Modi should thank party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for proposing the idea of a special discussion on the Indian Constitution.

"It was only for the foresightedness of the Congress party that there was a vibrant discussion. We disagree on many issues with the BJP but the people of this country need to see the Parliament debating issues of national concern," he said.

Congress whip Manickam Tagore said the Leader of Opposition was present when the PM addressed the House, but Modi was absent when Gandhi spoke. "Why this behaviour, Mr Prime Minister?" he asked.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have launched a manhunt for individuals who surrounded the NIA team and prevented the detention of Mufti Khalid Nadvi in Jhansi. The police are taking stringent action against those responsible for obstructing the arrest of Nadvi and creating a public disturbance.

Nadvi, who is facing serious charges of involvement in terrorist activities and foreign funding, was the subject of a raid by the NIA and Special Task Force (ATS) earlier this week.

According to sources, the crowd surrounded the NIA team and stopped the arrest of Mufti Khalid Nadvi, who is accused of engaging in terror-related activities. The situation has drawn widespread attention and authorities are now focused on tracking down the culprits.

Watch Today's Full Episode

A search was conducted at Mufti Khalid Nadvi's house, where laptops, mobiles, and other gadgets were examined. After the search, when the team was taking Nadvi for further questioning, the crowd surrounded them.

The team was attacked, after which, under pressure, the NIA and ATS had to release the accused Mufti Khalid. However, when Zee Media spoke to the women who caused the uproar, they claimed that Mufti Sahab is a good person who teaches Islam to children.
The Ambala police in Punjab have dismissed allegations of using chemical-laced water to disperse protesting farmers at the Shambhu border, asserting that only plain water was used. Countering the claims, Surendra Singh Bhoria, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Ambala, told reporters, "When this Jatha arrived, we held discussions for nearly fifteen minutes and reasoned with them in front of the media. During the talks, some miscreants attempted to breach the barricades. Only plain water was used to disperse the crowd. These allegations of chemical-laced water are false and are meant to mislead." "I want to assure you that one hundred per cent plain water was used to disperse the crowd," the SP emphasised. Meanwhile, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced plans for a tractor march outside Punjab on December 16, followed by a 'Rail Roko' protest within Punjab on December 18. The announcement came hours after a Jatha of 101 farmers, blocked by the police at the Shambhu border due to security concerns, withdrew for the day. Pandher alleged that 17 farmers were injured when the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters at the Shambhu border. He further claimed that several farmers were in serious condition and accused the authorities of negligence in providing proper medical treatment. Speaking to ANI at the Shambhu border, Pandher said, "The Indian government, the fifth-largest economy in the world, used force against 101 farmers. Chemical-laced water was sprayed on us, bombs were hurled, and tear gas shells were fired. Seventeen farmers have been injured, several of whom are in critical condition, and they are not receiving adequate treatment in hospital. We urge the Punjab government to ensure proper medical care." "On December 16, we will organise a tractor march outside Punjab, and on December 18, we have called for a 'Rail Roko' in Punjab. We appeal to all Punjabis to join these protests in large numbers," he added. Earlier in the day, security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the Jatha of farmers marching towards Delhi (Delhi Kooch) from the Shambhu border. Despite heavy police barricades and deployment, the farmers stood firm in their protest. The Jatha of 101 farmers was stopped at the Shambhu border in Haryana on Saturday afternoon as they attempted to enter the national capital. Tensions escalated at the protest site as farmers tried to push forward, but the police cited security concerns and the need to regulate the entry of protesters into Delhi. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday quoted VD Savarkar's controversial remarks on the Indian Constitution during a debate commemorating 75 years of its adoption. Gandhi took a sharp jibe at the BJP, accusing the ruling party of "ridiculing" their own ideological icon by talking about protecting the Constitution. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said, Savarkar, seen as an ideologue of the BJP and RSS, had said there is nothing Indian about the Constitution and that he preferred the Manusmriti to it. He added that Savarkar had called Manusmriti a scripture most worshipable for Hindus after the Vedas.

Targeting the BJP, Gandhi remarked, "Nice that you say you are defending the Constitution, but I want to ask, do you stand by your leaders words? Because when you speak about protecting the Constitution, you are abusing, ridiculing Savarkar." While acknowledging the historical and cultural depth of India, Gandhi stated, The Constitution is a document of modern India, but it could never have been written without ancient India and her ideas.

#WATCH | During discussion on 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "I want to start my speech by quoting what the Supreme Leader, not of the BJP but of the modern interpretation of the ideas of the RSS has to say about the pic.twitter.com/eS7HGR8Ivp  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Gandhi likened current economic and social inequalities to the story of Eklavya, who was forced to sacrifice his thumb for his guru Dronacharya. When you give Dharavi to Adani, you chop off the thumb of the small and medium businesses there, he said.

He accused the government of neglecting farmers, referencing protests outside Delhi. You have fired tear gas shells on farmers. The farmers are asking for fair prices, but you are cutting the thumb of that farmer, Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also advocated for a caste census and removing the 50 percent cap on reservations, a move he claimed would bring greater social justice and equity to marginalized communities.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday, accused the Congress party of altering the essence of the Constitution. This remark came while he was participating in debate on on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in the Lok Sabha.

Rijiju stated, "You have attacked the Constitution, you have changed the preamble to the Constitution. You have changed the very soul of the Constitution. Then how can you blame others?

Responding to allegations by the opposition that minorities are unsafe in India, Rijiju said that India remains a sanctuary for minorities facing oppression in other countries.

"You know the condition of Pakistan, what happens in Bangladesh, you people know what has happened to Sikhs, Hindus, Christians in Afghanistan... if there is oppression against minorities or some problem arises, the first country where they come to seek protection is India. Then why is it said that there is no protection for minorities in this country?"

He highlighted the plight of minorities in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, emphasizing India's role as a refuge.

Congress Questioned on Bharat Ratna for Ambedkar

Rijiju criticized the Congress party for not awarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar the Bharat Ratna during its rule. He questioned the party's commitment to honoring Ambedkar, stating,

"You always mention Baba Saheb. You didn't give Bharat Ratna to Baba Saheb. After 1956, PM Nehru Ji was given the Bharat Ratna, and Indira Gandhi gave the Bharat Ratna to herself."

He noted that Ambedkar was eventually conferred the Bharat Ratna during V.P. Singh's government, which had BJP support, after Congress was defeated.

75th Anniversary of Constitution

The Lok Sabha initiated a two-day debate on December 13 to commemorate the 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution. The session saw fiery exchanges, including speeches from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The first session of the winter Parliament began on November 25 but faced early adjournments due to disruptions. The winter session is scheduled to continue until December 20.

With inputs from ANI
New Delhi: Actor Allu Arjun has finally returned home after spending a night in judicial custody, following an incident outside Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. The Pushpa 2 star was released from Chanchalguda Jail and was warmly welcomed by his family members as he arrived at his residence.

Previously Allu Arjun's wife Sneha Reddy, was visibly distraught and was seen waiting for her husband's return.

Amid the nations anticipation for the Icon Stars return, his daughter, Arha, was also seen waiting for her father to come home. In the video, Arha is seen eagerly awaiting his return

Take A Look:

#AlluArha is eagerly waiting for her father #AlluArjun at home. Her face is glowing with happiness! pic.twitter.com/F3lLCxa1S3  Gulte (@GulteOfficial) December 13, 2024

After he sucessfully arived, Allu Arjun's son, Allu Ayaan was the first to run and embrace his father, followed by heartfelt hugs from his wife Sneha, daughter Arha, mother and other family members.

On Saturday, Allu Arjun addressed the media for the first time since his release, thanking his fans for their support. "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident. We are sorry for what happened," the actor said.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Actor Allu Arjun says, "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the https://t.co/wQaQsdicpu pic.twitter.com/nNE1xQTyo5  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

The incident took place on December 4, when Allu Arjun had visited the Sandhya Theatre for a special screening of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule. A large crowd had gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the actor, and chaos ensued when Allu Arjun waved at the fans from the sunroof of his vehicle.

Police have alleged that certain actions by the actor contributed to a tragic incident, where a woman named Revathi lost her life and her son was injured. Authorities claimed that as the crowd surged forward to get closer to the star, the actor's private security began pushing people to clear the way, which ultimately led to the fatal incident.

Also Read: Why Was Allu Arjun Jailed? Pushpa 2 Actor Faces Legal Trouble

Following the incident, Allu Arjun was sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a lower court in Telangana. His legal team appealed to the Telangana High Court, which granted him interim bail. However, the actor had to spend a night in jail before being released on Friday morning.

Allu Arjuns lawyer, Ashok Reddy, expressed his dissatisfaction with the delay in the actor's release, despite the High Court's order granting bail.

(With ANI Inputs)
Hyderabad: Tollywood actor Allu Arjun's lawyers plan to initiate legal action over his "illegal detention" despite the High Court's orders to release him immediately.

After Allu Arjun's release from Chanchalguda Jail on Saturday morning, his lawyer Ashok Reddy told media that he was kept in illegal detention despite Jail authorities receiving order copy from the High Court.

The lawyer said the High Court had clearly stated in its order that the accused should be released forthwith.

"Despite receiving the order copy, they did not release him. You should question the government and department why the actor was not released. The High Court order was very specific that forthwith, the moment you receive the order, you have to release the actor. Despite that, they have not released. They have to answer," the lawyer said.

"We have to take further steps. Whatever legally permissible we will take," he added.

The actor's legal team maintained that there was no delay in Jail authorities receiving the order. They claimed that they submitted a certified copy of the High Court order and the messenger of the High Court also furnished a copy to the authorities.

Soon after his release, Allu Arjun drove to Geetha Arts, the film production house of the family, and spoke to his lawyers for an hour.

The national award-winning actor was released from Jail at 6.40 a.m., nearly 12 hours after the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail for four weeks.

Jail authorities said they received the bail order late in the night and since the prisoners can't be released during night hours as per the jail manual, the actor was released the next morning.

Allu Arjun was granted interim bail by the High Court, an hour after a lower court had sent him to judicial custody for 14 days in the case relating to a stampede at a theatre during the premiere show of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'.

The interim bail capped the day-long dramatic developments that began on Friday morning with the actor's arrest from his residence in Jubilee Hills.

A woman died and her son was critically injured during the stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premiere show attended by Allu Arjun on December 4.

Police had registered a case under sections 105 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 118(1) (Voluntarily causing hurt) r/w 3(5) BNS against Allu Arjun, his security team and the management of the theatre.
Mumbai: Marking 100 years of Raj Kapoor, the 'greatest showman' of Indian cinema, his family members gathered on Friday evening at a film festival organised in his honour in Mumbai.

From Raj Kapoor's son Randhir Kapoor, daughter Rima Jain, daughters-in-law Babita and Neetu Kapoor, to grandson Ranbir Kapoor and granddaughters Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, the 'Kapoor Khandaan' arrived in style to celebrate the legendary filmmaker's birth centenary. Their presence highlighted the family's collective pride in preserving and celebrating Raj Kapoor's extraordinary legacy.

Ranbir Kapoor attended the festival's opening ceremony with his wife, Alia Bhatt, while Kareena Kapoor was accompanied by her husband, Saif Ali Khan.

Neetu Kapoor was accompanied by her daughter Riddhima. All of them were dressed in ethnic attire.

Ranbir opted for a black bandhgala suit with white pants. His moustache stole everyone's attention as he recreated his grandfather's look. Alia looked exquisite in a white saree with floral print.

Kareena wore an ethnic suit, while her sister Karisma came to the event in a stunning saree.

Before coming to the ceremony, Karisma took to Instagram and shared an adorable picture with her father Randhir Kapoor and mother Babita.

In the image, Karisma could be seen adorably looking at her father. "Most Precious (white heart emojis) #RajKapoor100," she captioned the post.

Kareena arrived at the venue with Saif, who looked dapper in a black suit.

Aadar Jain and Navya Nanda were also spotted arriving at the venue.

Veteran actor Prem Chopra, too, marked his presence with his son-in-law and actor Sharman Joshi.

As part of the grand celebration, R.K. Films, the Film Heritage Foundation, and NFDC-National Film Archive of India are presenting Raj Kapoor 100 - Celebrating the Centenary of the Greatest Showman. This festival features curated screenings of ten iconic Raj Kapoor films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas.

The festival aims to put spotlight on Raj Kapoor's most celebrated works, spanning nearly four decades: Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam (1964), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).

A few days ago, the members of the Kapoor clan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and invited him to mark his gracious presence at the festival.

The meeting in Delhi saw Kareena, Saif, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Neetu Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, and other family members come together to discuss the upcoming celebrations.

Kareena shared delightful pictures from the meeting on social media, where the Kapoor family appeared overjoyed to meet the Prime Minister.

The photographs also showed Saif and Ranbir engaging in a conversation with PM Modi.

However, the highlight of the post was Kareena seeking an autograph for her sons, Taimur and Jeh from the PM. The Prime Minister graciously wrote "Tim and Jeh" on a piece of paper, a gesture that delighted the fans on social media.

In a heartfelt post, Kareena expressed her gratitude for the special meeting. "We are deeply humbled and honoured to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor. Thank you Shri Modi ji for such a special afternoon. Your warmth, attention, and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us," she wrote.

The festival, which kickstarted on December 13, will take place till December 15.
Hyderabad: Following the return of Allu Arjun to his residence after getting interim bail, his relatives and friends from the industry arrived at his house to meet with the 'Pushpa 2' star.

In the visuals doing the rounds on the internet, Rana Daggubati and Naga Chaitanya could be seen greeting Allu Arjun with a warm hug.

Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday, in connection with the death of a woman during the film's screening last week. Chiranjeevi's wife Surekha also went to Allu Arjun's house in Jubilee Hills to meet with her nephew.

Actor Vijay Deverakonda and 'Pushpa 2 The Rule' director Sukumar were also spotted at Allu Arjun's residence. They were seen hugging and talking to him outdoors for a while.

Have A Look At The Post:

Allu Arjun was released on Saturday morning from the jail where he spent the night after being arrested in connection with the death of a woman during the premiere of Pushpa 2. He had to spend Friday night in prison despite the Telangana High Court granting him bail.

After getting released from the jail, Allu Arjun also spoke to media .

He said, "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident. We are sorry for what happened."

The incident that led to Allu Arjun's arrest occurred during a chaotic scene at the Sandhya Theatre on December 4, when the actor arrived to attend the premiere of his latest film, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'.

A large crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star, and the situation quickly escalated when Allu Arjun waved to the fans from the sunroof of his vehicle.Police allege that this action contributed to the chaos that ensued, leading to the death of a woman named Revathi, while her son suffered injuries.

According to authorities, the actor's security team was responsible for pushing the crowd to clear the path for the actor's vehicle.Despite being informed about the danger of the large crowd, police claim that Allu Arjun's team did not take prompt action to mitigate the situation.

During an earlier press conference, the actor had shared his deep shock regarding the tragic event."The incident that took place in the Sandhya theatre is very unfortunate... I'm shocked. It took me hours to process it and respond to the incident. I couldn't process it psychologically. It took me around 10 hours. We all blanked out when we heard the news," he remarked at the success meet for Pushpa 2.

The actor's legal team, led by lawyer Ashok Reddy, expressed dissatisfaction over the delays in Allu Arjun's release despite the court's decision. Reddy referred to the delay as an "illegal detention" and hinted at taking further legal action.

The arrest has sparked widespread reactions, with various political figures and celebrities expressing support for Allu Arjun.
Allu Arjun Arrest: Telugu actor Allu Arjun walked out of jail on Saturday morning. He was arrested in connection with the stampede outside a Hyderabad theatre screening 'Pushpa 2' earlier this month, which claimed the life of a woman. According to media reports, the actor walked out of the jail premises from a different gate.

This comes a day after he was arrested and granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court in the stampede case. A lower court had remanded the actor to 14-day judicial custody. The 'Pushpa 2' actor had to spend Friday night in prison despite the High Court relief, as the authorities had not received a copy of the bail order until late last night. "He has been released," Ashok Reddy, his counsel, told reporters at the Chanchalguda prison, as quoted by news agency PTI. Reddy claimed the prison authorities did not release the actor despite having got the High Court order copy.

"You should question the government and the department why they have not released the accused. The High Court order is very specific. Forthwith, the moment you (prison authorities) receive the order, ( they should) release him. Despite the clear order, they have not released, they have to answer. This is an illegal detention. We will take legal steps, Reddy said.

According to him, Arjun was kept in the jail as a "special category prisoner". The Pushpa actor was arrested from his residence on Friday morning unfolding a day-long dramatic turn of events.

After the arrest he was produced in a local court which remaded him to 14 days' judicial custody. However, his lawyers moved the HC and secured interim bail. Arjun was lodged in Chanchalguda prison shortly before the HC spelled its order.

A 35-year-old woman died and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised on December 4 during a stampede-like situation at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad when thousands of fans jostled to have a glimpse of the actor at the premiere of the blockbuster 'Pushpa 2: The Rule,'.

Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family. Meanwhile, police stepped up security outside the star's city residence anticipating a surge of the actor's fans post his release.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Actor Utkarsh Sharma, who is currently on an extensive promotional tour for his upcoming film Vanvaas, recently visited the spiritual city of Banaras, where he participated in the sacred Ganga Aarti at one of the iconic ghats. The young actor, who stars alongside veteran Nana Patekar in the film, has been garnering attention with his promotional efforts across the country.

Sharing the divine experience with his fans, Utkarsh posted a series of photos and videos on social media, capturing the serenity and spiritual significance of the ritual. In his post, he wrote, Surreal to witness Ganga Aarti. The melody of bells, the warmth of Mother Ganga and the grandeur of the aarti all in all a unique and divine feeling never felt before #varanasi #gangaaarti #kashi.

The photos showcase Utkarsh immersed in devotion, with glowing diyas and traditional chants enhancing the spiritual atmosphere. The actors visit not only highlights the cultural heritage of India but also resonates with the essence of Vanvaas, a film steeped in tradition and storytelling.

Fans have praised Utkarsh for embracing and promoting Indian culture during the Vanvaas promotions, further raising excitement for the films release. Directed with a strong focus on tradition and impactful performances, Vanvaas promises a compelling narrative. The film, featuring Utkarsh Sharma and Nana Patekar, is set to release on December 20th.
Hyderabad: Close family, friends and Tollywood colleagues met actor Allu Arjun at his residence after he was released from Chanchalguda Central jail on bail granted by Telangana High Court following his arrest a day ago in connection with the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre

The actor was arrested following the death of a woman during the premiere of his film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' on December 4.

Allu Arjun was granted bail after submitting a personal bond of Rs 50,000. The release was met with support from several industry peers and his family members, who gathered at his residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, to stand by him.

His father-in-law, Kancharla Chandrasekhar Reddy, arrived to offer support, followed by his father, Allu Arvind, who also visited the actor.

Other prominent figures from the film industry, including actor Vijay Deverakonda, producer Dil Raju, and director Koratala Siva, were seen arriving at the actor's home.

#WATCH | Actor Vijay Deverakonda meets Actor Allu Arjun at the latter's residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.



Allu Arjun was released from Chanchalguda Central Jail today after the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail yesterday on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 in pic.twitter.com/MB2tpytfKL  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

The star's legal team had earlier contested his arrest, leading to his release after spending a night in jail.

The actor expressed his gratitude towards his fans and well-wishers, and he reiterated his commitment to cooperating with the authorities.

Speaking to the media, Allu Arjun said, "I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident. We are sorry for what happened."

The incident that led to Allu Arjun's arrest occurred during a chaotic scene at the Sandhya Theatre on December 4, when the actor arrived to attend the premiere of his latest film, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'.

A large crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star, and the situation quickly escalated when Allu Arjun waved to the fans from the sunroof of his vehicle.

Police allege that this action contributed to the chaos that ensued, leading to the death of a woman named Revathi, while her son suffered injuries.

According to authorities, the actor's security team was responsible for pushing the crowd to clear the path for the actor's vehicle.

Despite being informed about the danger of the large crowd, police claim that Allu Arjun's team did not take prompt action to mitigate the situation.

The police further suggested that the actor's extended stay in the theatre after being alerted to the crowd's potential danger played a role in the tragedy.

Following his release, Allu Arjun addressed the media and said, "I'm a law-abiding citizen, there's nothing to worry, all is well... condolences to the family... it was an accident, nothing like that happened before, I have extended all support to her family... thank you to all of you."

During an earlier press conference, the actor had shared his deep shock regarding the tragic event.

"The incident that took place in the Sandhya theatre is very unfortunate... I'm shocked. It took me hours to process it and respond to the incident. I couldn't process it psychologically. It took me around 10 hours. We all blanked out when we heard the news," he remarked at the success meet for Pushpa 2.

The actor's legal team, led by lawyer Ashok Reddy, expressed dissatisfaction over the delays in Allu Arjun's release despite the court's decision. Reddy referred to the delay as an "illegal detention" and hinted at taking further legal action.

The arrest has sparked widespread reactions, with various political figures and celebrities expressing support for Allu Arjun.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader KTR, and several other political figures condemned the arrest, while actors like Rashmika Mandanna and Varun Dhawan offered their solidarity with the actor.
Law enforcement agencies on Saturday arrested four people for vandalising and damaging a Hindu temple and houses and shops of the community in Sunamganj district in north Bangladesh.

Police also filed a case against 12 named persons and 150-170 unidentified people.

Alim Hossain, 19, Sultan Ahmed Raju, 20, Imran Hossain, 31, and Shajahan Hossain, 20, were arrested for vandalism in the Doarabazar area of Sunamganj district earlier this month, a press release from the Chief Adviser's press wing here.

On December 3, a Facebook post by Akash Das, a resident of the Sunamganj district, sparked tensions in the district. Even though he deleted the post, screenshots spread widely, leading to violence in the area, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) said quoting the press release.

The Dhaka Tribune newspaper said although the post was deleted, its screenshots were circulated, sparking tension among locals. Police detained Das on the same day, but a group of people attempted to snatch him from police custody.

For safety reasons, Das was transferred to the Sadar Police Station instead of being kept in Doarabazar, it said.

The newspaper further added that later, on the same day, enraged locals attacked and vandalised the Loknath Temple and also homes and shops belonging to the Hindu community.

The situation was brought under control with the intervention of the Superintendent of Police (SP), the District Commissioner (DC), and personnel from the army and police, it added.

Police said they are conducting an in-depth investigation to identify those involved in the incident.

On Saturday, the press release also said that the police identified the accused involved in the incident and filed a case against 12 named persons and 150-170 unidentified people, the BSS added.

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 recent arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of ISKCON Bangladesh and now, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote organisation.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh acknowledged 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities, primarily Hindus, following Hasina's ouster.

Interim government head Muhammad Yunus press secretary Shafiqul Alam also said that 70 people have been arrested in those incidents.

He made the disclosure a day after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri flagged regrettable incidents of attacks on minorities and conveyed India's concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, during his meetings with the Bangladeshi leadership in Dhaka.

A total of 88 cases have been filed in incidents related to minorities from August 5 to October 22, Alam told reporters.

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.

Earlier on Thursday, the White House said President Joe Biden was closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and the United States will hold the Bangladeshi interim government accountable for ensuring the protection of religious and ethnic minorities in the country.

In New Delhi, the Centre for Democracy, Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR) on Friday there were 190 reported cases of looting, 32 homes were set on fire, 16 temples were desecrated and two incidents of sexual violence were recorded between August 5 and 9 after Hasinas resignation.

The CDPHR released a report titled 'Bangladesh Minorities Under Siege: A Wake-Up Call for the International Community' on the state of minorities in Bangladesh and details the incidents of violence and unrest affecting the Hindu communities in the country in the wake of the political changes.

By August 20, the number of reported incidents had increased significantly, with 2,010 total cases of violence against the Hindus, including the desecration of 69 temples and attacks on 157 families, it states.
The tourists are rushing to the north Indian hill town Shimla, the picturesque capital of Himachal Pradesh. It has become a magnet for tourists over the weekends, as visitors from across India flock to the "Queen of Hills" in anticipation of snowfall and to experience the charm of the iconic toy train. The scenic hills, crisp mountain air, and a drastic drop in temperature are enticing travellers to embrace Shimla's winter wonderland. The town's streets are bustling with excited families and groups of friends, eager to enjoy Shimla's enchanting atmosphere. Many are extending their trips to explore other regions of Himachal Pradesh, such as Lahaul-Spiti, known for its breathtaking landscapes and snow-laden peaks. This surge of tourists has injected optimism into the local tourism industry, providing a much-needed boost to hoteliers, travel agents, taxi drivers, and shopkeepers. Among the visitors, Shatadal Chakravarty, a tourist from Mumbai, described his visit as "a unique and golden experience." Sharing his excitement, he said, "It's a unique and golden experience to shift from 27 degrees to 7 degrees. We have come here for a family vacation. Right now, we are in Shimla, and after this, we plan to visit Lahaul-Spiti. We travelled here via the toy train, which was a delightful journey. The weather is fantastic here. My son wanted to visit the high-altitude areas, so we included Lahaul-Spiti in our itinerary. This place offers peace, and we are thrilled to explore new experiences, including shopping for winter clothes. "said Shatadal Chakravarty. Chakravarty 's enthusiasm reflects the sentiments of many visitors, who are finding joy in Shimla's tranquil environment and the novelty of experiencing winter in its full glory. Sushmita Roy from Kolkata shared a similar sentiment, expressing her delight at being in Shimla with her family. "It feels wonderful to be in Shimla. The weather is very favorable, and so far, it has been an amazing experience. Ten of us have come here to enjoy our winter vacation. We hope this tour will be memorable for all of us. The main motivation for coming here is to witness snowfall. We've seen videos of snowfall starting here, and we are eagerly looking forward to it. If this trip turns out great, we'll plan to visit again," she said. The influx of tourists has brought renewed hope for the local tourism industry, which had faced challenges in previous months. Hoteliers report full occupancy rates, while shopkeepers and travel agents are seeing increased business. Taxi drivers, who play a vital role in transporting visitors to different attractions, are particularly optimistic about the upcoming weeks. Kamlesh, a local taxi driver, highlighted the increasing demand, saying, "The toy train is running full these days, and a large number of tourists are arriving here. There was recent snowfall, and now we expect another round of snowfall around the 17th. This will bring in more tourists, and we're optimistic about good business. There are about 100 taxi drivers here, and collectively, including others, we are around 250-300 drivers. Everyone is hopeful that December will be a profitable month for us as the tourist numbers keep rising." Shimla's allure lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its ability to cater to visitors seeking an escape from their routine lives. With the promise of snow, vibrant markets, and thrilling excursions, December is shaping up to be a lucrative month for the town's tourism sector. (ANI)
Islamabad: A Pakistan anti-terrorism court on Saturday ordered the release of 38 people arrested in connection with last month's protest led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party.

Police had arrested hundreds of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters who participated in the protest on November 26, which included a march to the capital, Islamabad, and a planned sit-in demonstration.

PTI founder Khan on November 13 had issued a final call for nationwide protests, demanding the restoration of the PTIs electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment which he said had strengthened a dictatorial regime.

PTI supporters reached the capital on Nov 27 after removing road hurdles but police launched an operation during the night and forced them to flee while more than 1,400 were arrested in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi.

According to a report in the Dawn newspaper, Judge Abul Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain presided over the hearing on Saturday for 56 suspects who were presented in court after their identification parade was completed.

Police requested a 20-day physical remand for the suspects which was opposed by defence lawyer counsel Ansar Kayani, arguing that the police had arrested the suspects from their homes prior to the protest.

They dont want to recover anything from the suspects. The police have only completed their numbers, Kayani said.

Rejecting the police request, the judge sent 50 individuals on judicial remand and discharged six others after getting their handcuffs taken off, ordering the police to not rearrest them.

Separately, Geo News reported that Judge Zulqernain late at night presided over a hearing for 32 individuals arrested during the PTI protest and presented for identification before the court.

The investigating officer requested a 30-day remand for the suspects, while defence lawyer Kiyani argued that police had arrested innocent workers from their homes to meet quotas.

Judge Zulqarnain ordered the suspects handcuffs to be removed in court and discharged them from the cases. He sternly warned the police against re-arresting them, saying: "If police do this again, I will have them handcuffed."

PTI's much-hyped protest, aimed at securing Khan's release, had culminated in the party's hasty retreat after the government's midnight crackdown on the protesters.
South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday ordered for the military to strengthen its security posture as part of his first instructions to government branches after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Han made the instruction to acting Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho, shortly after the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon over his botched imposition of martial law on December 3.

He also instructed Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo to maintain a 'firm' security posture based on the alliance with the United States, citing the possibility of North Korea perceiving the current situation as a 'vulnerable' moment in the South's security and carrying out provocations.

Han also instructed Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul to maintain close communications with major countries through the alliance with the US and actively inform countries there are no changes in South Korea's foreign policy, Yonhap news agency reported.

In his instructions to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, Han called for a round-the-clock monitoring system to minimise the potential impact on the economy from the political situation, and take emergency response measures if needed.

He also directed acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong to maintain public order, citing the possibility of an increase in crimes due to the political situation.

"I will give all my strength and effort to stably manage state affairs in this difficult time," Han told reporters at the government complex in Seoul.

Han will convene a Cabinet meeting and deliver a public address after Yoon is officially suspended from his duties when the impeachment resolution is delivered to his office.

The impeachment motion against Yoon passed 204-85, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, after all 300 members of the Assembly cast their ballots.

Earlier in the day, the South Korea's National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law.
South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday following his failed attempt to impose martial law last week.

Of the 300 lawmakers, 204 voted in favor of impeachment on charges of insurrection, while 85 voted against it. Three lawmakers abstained, and eight votes were nullified.

The impeachment motion alleged that Yoon orchestrated a series of riots and threatened both the National Assembly and the public in an effort to consolidate power. These accusations have led to the suspension of Yoon's presidential duties, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assuming the role of interim president.

Constitutional Court to Decide Yoon's Fate

The next step in the process will involve the Constitutional Court, which now has up to 180 days to deliberate on whether to uphold the impeachment. If the court affirms the removal, Yoon would become only the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached. This would also trigger a presidential election within 60 days.

The impeachment vote follows a period of intense political turmoil in South Korea, with President Yoons approval rating plummeting to an unprecedented low of 11%. Massive demonstrations have erupted in the capital, Seoul, with thousands of citizens demanding Yoons immediate ouster and arrest.

To manage the growing unrest, the Seoul metropolitan government has deployed over 1,000 safety personnel to maintain order during these large-scale protests.

Failed Martial Law Attempt Sparks Outrage

The controversy surrounding President Yoons leadership reached its peak on December 3, when he attempted to impose martial law. Justifying his decision, Yoon claimed it was necessary to counter domestic political support for North Korea.

However, his actions were widely criticized by opposition parties, political experts, and the general public, who accused him of rebellion and recklessly jeopardizing national security.
Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on Buchanan Street, according to multiple reports. The San Francisco Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) confirmed the death, with the medical examiner ruling it a suicide.

Balaji, who worked at OpenAI for nearly four years, was discovered deceased in his apartment on November 26. A spokesperson for the OCME stated, The manner of death has been determined to be suicide. The next-of-kin have been notified, and there are no further comments at this time. Police officials added that they found no evidence of foul play.

Whistleblowing Allegations Against OpenAI

In October, Balaji publicly raised concerns about OpenAIs practices, accusing the company of breaking copyright laws with its generative AI products like ChatGPT. He expressed these concerns in interviews and posts on social media, where he shared his apprehensions about the ethical implications of the technology.

In a widely circulated post on X (formerly Twitter), Balaji wrote, I was at OpenAI for nearly 4 years and worked on ChatGPT for the last 1.5 of them. I initially didn't know much about copyright, fair use, etc. but became curious after seeing all the lawsuits against GenAI companies."

He further explained his concerns: Fair use seems like a pretty implausible defence for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data they're trained on.

Who Was Suchir Balaji?

Balaji grew up in Cupertino, California, and studied computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He joined OpenAI after graduation and played a significant role in developing ChatGPT, working on the project for 1.5 years before resigning. He told The New York Times that he left OpenAI because he believed the technology had the potential to cause more harm than good to society.
Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old Former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower, was found dead in his apartment last month. The San Francisco Police have classified his death as a suicide.

He was a computer science graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, he had an impressive career trajectory that included internships at OpenAI and Scale AI during his college years.

In 2019, he officially joined OpenAI, where he worked for nearly four years on groundbreaking projects, including the development of GPT-4 and enhancing ChatGPTs functionality.

Balajis promising career was tragically cut short when he was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, 2024.

Suchir Balaji's Exit from OpenAI

Balaji resigned from OpenAI in August 2024, citing growing unease over the companys practices. In an interview with The New York Times, he explained his decision, stating, If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company. This statement underscored his dissatisfaction with the ethical and legal implications of OpenAI's approach to AI development.

During his tenure, Balaji contributed significantly to the companys AI advancements, but over time, he became increasingly critical of the organizations reliance on copyrighted data for training its models.

What Did Suchir Balaji Say About OpenAI?

Balaji emerged as a vocal critic of OpenAIs methods, particularly their alleged use of copyrighted material without proper authorization. He argued that this practice posed legal and ethical concerns, especially regarding the fair use doctrine.

In a widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2024, he wrote, Fair use seems like a pretty implausible defense for a lot of generative AI products, for the basic reason that they can create substitutes that compete with the data theyre trained on.

I recently participated in a NYT story about fair use and generative AI, and why I'm skeptical "fair use" would be a plausible defense for a lot of generative AI products. I also wrote a blog post (https://t.co/xhiVyCk2Vk) about the nitty-gritty details of fair use and why I  Suchir Balaji (@suchirbalaji) October 23, 2024

In a blog post cited by the Chicago Tribune, Balaji elaborated on his concerns, asserting that training AI systems like ChatGPT could violate copyright laws. While generative models typically do not replicate their training data verbatim, he argued that the process of utilizing copyrighted material for training might still amount to infringement.

OpenAI's Clarification

Balaji warned that OpenAIs practices could harm creators and disrupt the internet ecosystem. He believed the companys reliance on copyrighted data was unsustainable and called for more transparent and ethical AI development strategies.

OpenAI, however, defended its methods, stating that its use of publicly available data adhered to fair use principles. A spokesperson for the company said, We build our AI models using publicly available data, in a manner protected by fair use and related principles, and supported by longstanding and widely accepted legal precedents.

Legal Scrutiny and His Final Days

A day before his death, Balaji was named in a legal filing involving a lawsuit against OpenAI. As part of the case, the company was required to review files linked to him. The added scrutiny may have compounded the immense pressure he was under.

OpenAI expressed condolences after his passing, with a spokesperson stating, We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today, and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time.
Chandigarh Police on Saturday arrested several Congress workers near the Sector 18-19 light point as they took to the streets to gherao the Raj Bhawan in protest against the privatisation of the Chandigarh Electricity Department. In a press release, Congress chief spokesperson Rajeev Sharma stated that prominent citizens from various resident welfare associations, villages, and NGOs joined the protest. Notably, women participants outnumbered men at the event. The agitated party workers, led by Congress president H.S. Lucky, marched forward carrying placards and black flags to gherao the Punjab Raj Bhawan at noon. However, they were stopped by a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces. Despite Lucky and other senior leaders being arrested and taken to the Sector 19 police station, the workers continued their protest. Addressing a large gathering of workers, Lucky alleged that the Chandigarh Electricity Department, a well-organised and profitable entity, was being handed over to a private businessman who had previously donated to the BJP's election fund. He highlighted that the department is highly efficient and public-friendly, with the lowest tariff in the country, a line loss of only 10%, and the shortest complaint resolution time for power supply issues nationwide. The Congress party submitted a memorandum to the UT Administrator through DSP Dilbag Singh, expressing concerns that the privatisation would lead to skyrocketing electricity rates. They claimed that the department's valuable immovable properties, worth hundreds of crores, were being handed over for a nominal sum. The Congress leaders also accused the BJP of imposing excessive taxes during their tenure in the Municipal Corporation and further burdening Chandigarh residents by privatising the power transmission sector. They alleged that the Central Government was selling national assets to businessmen, comparing the situation to the recent controversies surrounding Adani, and stated that another such businessman was being favoured in Chandigarh. Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress lamented his recent visit to Chandigarh, during which he allegedly ignored the city's pressing issues. They also accused him of indifference towards the communal unrest in Manipur. The protesters arrested during the demonstration were later released. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday accused BJP State President BY Vijayendra of trying to bribe Anwar Manippady, the former Minority Commission Chairman with Rs 150 crore to suppress investigations into Waqf property encroachments. Siddaramaiah also called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. In a post on X, Siddarmaiah also claimed that Anwar Manippady had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about this corruption. "Shocking revelations! Anwar Manippady, the former Minority Commission Chairman under the BJP government, has exposed that @BYVijayendra tried to bribe him with Rs150 crore to suppress investigations into Wakf property encroachments. Anwar Manippady has directly written to PM Narendra Modi about this corruption," the Karnataka CM wrote in a post on X. "Anwar Manippady had publicly stated that Vijayendra visited his house during B.S. Yediyurappa's tenure as CM and offered Rs 150 crore to keep silent about the Wakf property encroachment report. He has further stated that Anwar sent Vijayendra out of his house and reported this incident to PM @narendramodi and the BJP President," he added. Siddaramaiah further questioned PM Modi's "Na khaunga, na khane doonga" promise saying that his silence on this allegation raises several questions. He also slammed the Karnataka BJP leaders, stating that the party has turned Karnataka into its "ATM." "What happened to Modi's grand "Na khaunga, na khane doonga" promise? His silence on this explosive allegation raises suspicions and several questions. Why is the BJP leadership shielding Vijayendra and others involved in the Wakf property loot?" he said. "The BJP, under Yediyurappa and Bommai, was already notorious for issuing record notices related to Wakf properties. Now, with these bribery allegations and Vijayendra's rising role in the BJP despite serious charges, it's evident that Karnataka has become the BJP's ATM," Siddaramaiah added. He further claimed that Basangouda Patil Yatnal's allegation that he paid Rs 2,000 crore to secure his father BS Yediyurappa's Chief Ministership, combined with the Wakf property loot, suggests a pattern of rampant corruption within the BJP. "Basangouda Patil Yatnal himself accused Vijayendra of paying Rs 2,000 crore to secure his father Yediyurappa's Chief Ministership. Combine this with the Wakf property loot, and a pattern of rampant corruption within the BJP unfolds. From COVID procurement scams to Wakf property looting, skeletons are tumbling out of the BJP's closet in Karnataka. Instead of answering these allegations, BJP is resorting to baseless accusations against our leaders to divert attention," he said. Siddaramaiah also asked PM Modi to order an inquiry led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into these allegations. "PM Modi must break his silence and order a CBI inquiry into these allegations immediately! The people of Karnataka deserve answers, not cover-ups," he said. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge accused PM Modi of selectively targeting the state government while ignoring corruption allegations within his own party. "PM @narendramodi makes speeches on a non-existent Excise Department transfer scam by Govt of Karnataka in Maharashtra, but remains silent when his own party MLAs and spokespersons accuse their State BJP President BY Vijendra, of massive corruption by officially writing to him," he said. "Former Minority Commission Chairman, Anwar Manippady is saying that the State BJP is conniving with all party leaders to suppress his WAKF report and even offered him a bribe. The BJP needs to come clean on their party spokesperson's statement," he added. The Karnataka Minister argued that the BJP's actions have deviated from PM Modi's "Na Khaunga, Na Khaane Dunga" slogan to "Sab Milke Khaaenge." "Na Khaunga, Na Khaane Dunga" has now become "Sab Milke Khaaenge." A little for BJP State leadership and a little for the Central Leadership," he said. (ANI)
Congress MP from Inner Manipur, A. Bimol Akoijam, said on Saturday that he does not wish to listen to Prime Minister Modi's speech on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha as he feels "deeply offended" by the Prime Minister's silence on the Manipur issue. Speaking to ANI, Akoijam said, "I don't want to listen to him. We had a discussion, and there were very interesting points that I wanted to speak on, but I did not get the opportunity. I will be writing an article on this because I have seen how the Constitution and Parliament function in this country for almost three decades." "It is heartening that we are discussing the 75th year of our Constitution. But it's a fact that, at the moment, we have a complete breakdown of constitutional machinery," he added. The Congress MP further mentioned that he found it "heart-warming" that many opposition MPs spoke in favour of Manipur. "Initially, I was hurt by the Prime Minister's silence... Now I feel deeply offended. I didn't want to hurt myself anymore by listening to his speech... If he makes sense and someone tells me, I will listen to him," said A. Bimol Akoijam. Meanwhile, the Manipur government on Monday withdrew the temporary suspension of mobile internet services in nine districts of the state, according to an official order issued by the State Home Department. On December 8, Manipur Police conducted search operations and strengthened area domination in the fringe and vulnerable areas of the hill and valley districts. The movement of 373 vehicles carrying essential items along NH-2 was facilitated. Manipur Police stated, "Strict security measures have been implemented in all vulnerable locations, and security convoys are being provided in sensitive stretches to ensure the free and safe movement of vehicles. A total of 107 Nakas/Checkpoints have been set up in different districts of Manipur, both in the hills and the valley, and no one has been detained by the police in connection with violations in various districts." The Supreme Court on Monday sought a sealed cover report from the Manipur government detailing properties and buildings that were burnt, partially burnt, looted, trespassed, or encroached upon, along with the names and addresses of the owners and current occupants. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar directed that the state government's report must also indicate the steps taken to ensure that those who have trespassed are proceeded against as per law. (ANI)
Junior doctors, nurses, and others staged a protest on Saturday outside the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office against the bail granted to former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, and Tala Police Station's former Officer-in-Charge, Abhijit Mondal. One of the protesting doctors outside the CBI office claimed there was a nexus between the state government and the police, alleging that the CBI was attempting to cover up the incident and protect the culprits. "Yesterday, in shocking news, we learned that the culprits of the RG Kar rape and murder incident were granted bail. We never expected the CBI to fail so miserably. We believe there is a nexus between the state government, state police, and the CBI to cover up the incident and shield the culprits. We are protesting on the streets to demand why the CBI has failed to submit the chargesheet," the doctor said. The victim's father expressed disappointment, stating that the CBI had initially made progress when protests were active. He added that continued protests might have compelled the CBI to file the chargesheet. "Wherever protests are held, we will join them. This is our only option now. I am heartbroken. We need stronger protests; only then will something change. The CBI has not filed a chargesheet. When we approached the court for justice, the case was handed over to the CBI, but they have not fulfilled their responsibility. While protests were ongoing, the CBI made progress, and arrests followed. However, once the protests stopped, the CBI's work halted. If the protests had continued, the CBI would have filed a chargesheet," he said. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh reacted to the protests, suggesting that the victim's family should have trusted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the state police for timely justice. "We sympathise fully with the victim's parents, but they called in the CBI. If they had trusted Mamata Didi and the state police, justice would have been served by now. The victim's parents are confused. They should place their faith in the Supreme Court," he said. The case involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was discovered on August 9 in the hospital's seminar room, sparking widespread protests. Shortly after the incident, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer at the hospital, was arrested in connection with the crime. Meanwhile, the CBI filed a chargesheet on November 29 concerning financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The chargesheet named Sandip Ghosh and others, including Dr. Ashish Kumar Pandey, Biplab Singha, Suman Hazra, and Afsar Ali Khan, for their involvement in financial misconduct. This investigation was ordered by the Calcutta High Court. In addition to the corruption case, Sandip Ghosh also faced questioning related to the murder case. As part of the investigation, the CBI conducted polygraph tests on him. Sanjay Roy, the prime suspect in the rape and murder, denied the charges. Speaking from a police van on November 11, he alleged, "I am telling you, it was Vineet Goyal (former Kolkata Police Commissioner) who conspired the whole thing--the rape and murder of the RG Kar Medical College resident doctor--and framed me. They threatened me, and there were other senior officers involved." (ANI)
Hitting back at Congress over its frequent "jumla" jibes at the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the "biggest jumla in India" was 'Garibi Hatao' and alleged that it was used by four generations of Congress leaders in elections. The Prime Minister made the remarks in his speech that culminated the two-day discussion in Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. The "Garibi Hatao" slogan was first used by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections. "Congress is very fond of one word. I want to use that word today. Their favourite word, without which they cannot live is 'jumla'... The country knows that if there was any biggest jumla in India and it was used by four generations, that jumla was - 'Garibi Hatao'. This was such a Jumla which helped them in their politics but did not improve the condition of the poor," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi said his government has made sincere efforts to bring the poor out of poverty. He also targeted the Congress-led UPA government over amendments to the Constitution and alleged that these were not aimed at the welfare of the people. "Congress tasted the blood of amending Constitution, it started hunting Constitution from time to time. It tasted the blood. It kept bloodying the spirit of the Constitution. In almost six decades, the Constitution was amended 75 times. The poison that was sowed by the first PM of the country was nurtured by another Prime Minister - Indira Gandhi. Congress has constantly disrespected the Constitution, and reduced the importance of the Constitution. Congress is full of many examples of this," he said. PM Modi attacked the Congress over Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir which was scrapped by his government in August 2019. "Everyone knows about 370 but very few know about 35-A... If there is any first son of the Constitution of India, then it is the Parliament but they have strangled it too. They imposed 35-A on the country without bringing it to the Parliament... This work was done on the orders of the President and the Parliament of the country was kept in the dark," he said. The Prime Minister also attacked the Congress over the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975. "It is 75 years of the Constitution. But 25 years also has an importance, so do 50 years and 60 years...When the country was witnessing 25 years of Constitution, at the same time Constitution in our country was razed. Emergency was imposed, democratic systems were finished, country was turned into a prison, citizens's rights were looted, and press freedom was curtailed. This sin on the forehead of Congress can never be erased. Whenever democracy will be discussed across the world, Congress' sin will never be erased because democracy was strangled," PM Modi said. Referring to the Nehru-Gandhi family, PM Modi alleged that it "has challenged the Constitution at all levels". "Highs and lows occurred, there were difficulties too, there were obstacles as well. But I bow before the people of the country once again that they strongly stood with the Constitution...I do not want to make personal criticism on anyone but it is important to place facts before the country. That is why, I would like to do that," he said. "One family of Congress left no stone unturned in hurling a blow to the Constitution. I am mentioning that one family because in 75 years of our journey, they ruled for 55 years. So, country has the right to know what happened. The tradition of this family's ill-thoughts, bad policies is ongoing continuously. This family has challenged Constitution at all levels," he added. The special two-day debate in Lok Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution began on Friday. (ANI)
Assam Rifles along with representatives of the Excise and Narcotics Department recovered heroin worth Rs over 25 lakh in Mizoram and apprehended one individual. The contraband was seized a day earlier in the general area of Zote in Champhai district In a press release, HQ IGAR (East) said, "In yet another success in its crusade against smuggling activities, Assam Rifles alongwith representatives of Excise and Narcotics Dept recovered Heroin No 4 worth 25.20 Lakhs (Rupees Twenty Five Lakhs Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred) and apprehended one individual (Mr Joseph Lalmuansanga 25 years, resident of Zotlang) in general area Zote, Champhai district on 13 Dec 2024" "The operation was carried out based on specific information and the entire consignment alongwith the apprehended individual has been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Dept, Champhai for further legal proceedings,' the release said. It said that the ongoing smuggling of contraband items is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram and India. Assam Rifles, rightly christened as the 'Sentinels of Northeast' have continued their efforts against illegal smuggling and have also doubled their efforts to nab the kingpins of the smuggling of contraband items in Mizoram, the release added. (ANI)
Members of the Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF) held a protest on Saturday over the suicide case of Atul Subhash. One of the protesters stated that they had gathered to pay homage to Subhash, adding that he had been failed by the judicial system, leading to his tragic death. "We have gathered here to pay homage to the deceased in the Atul Subhash suicide case. He was an IT professional who was failed by the judicial system, which ultimately led him to take his own life. Society needs to be aware of this, and our judicial system must undergo reform. This issue must be raised in Parliament," the protester said. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police on Friday announced that two teams have been formed to investigate the case of Atul Subhash, who died by suicide earlier this week, alleging harassment by his in-laws. The investigation follows a complaint filed by the deceased's brother. "A case has been registered, and two teams have been formed. The case is based on the complaint filed by his brother, and the investigation is ongoing. We are collecting evidence and will ensure that justice is served," said Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking reforms in domestic violence laws to prevent their misuse, in light of the tragic death of Atul Subhash. The petition, submitted by advocate Vishal Tiwari, calls for the central government to implement the observations made by the Supreme Court in the judgments of Preeti Gupta vs State of Jharkhand and Achin Gupta vs State of Haryana dated May 3, 2024, to address the harassment of husbands and their families. Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old deputy general manager at a private firm, died by suicide on Monday in his Bengaluru apartment, leaving behind a 24-page suicide note. In the note, he accused his wife and her relatives of harassment and alleged that a judge had demanded Rs 5 lakh to "settle" the case. (ANI)
The Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended seven Bangladeshi nationals trying to infiltrate into India from the Rattachera area in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, the BSF said on Saturday. The BSF said that the individuals were lured by Bangladeshi touts who facilitated their entry for 7,000 Bangladeshi Taka and promised free medical treatment in Kolkata for two of them. The apprehended individuals were about to reach Kolkata eventually after crossing the Indo-Bangladesh border, the BSF said in a release. However, all the apprehended individuals were handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) through a flag meeting on Saturday. The statement reads, "On 13th Dec 2024, acting on specific information, the vigilant troops of 172 Bn BSF Meghalaya Frontier, apprehended 07 Bangladeshi nationals while infiltrating into India in Rattachera area under East Jaintia Hills district. During preliminary questioning, it was revealed that they were lured by two Bangladeshi touts who facilitated their crossing on payment of BD Taka 7000/- (Taka 1000/- per head) and also promised free medical treatment at Kolkata for two of the apprehended persons namely Mohammed Shahjahan, 55 yrs, and Miss Aarifa, 20 yrs, D/o Mohammed Shahjahan R/o vill - Tootpalt, PO - Khulna, Thesil & District - Khulna, Bangladesh." "They were bound for Kolkata via Indian village Dona Skur-NH 6- Badarpur railway station (Assam) and further to Kolkata. However, as a goodwill gesture all the apprehended BD nationals were handed over to BGB through flag meeting on 14th Dec' 2024," it added. Meanwhile, a smuggling attempt has also been foiled by the BSF troops along the Indo-Bangladesh border in areas of Sonata, Dawki and Kasinda of East Khasi Hills district. The BSF troops seized drugs worth Rs 9.83 lakhs, which included items such as cattle, sugar, liquor, dupattas, truck rims, biscuits, fish, betel nuts, potatoes, blankets, garlic, and other edible goods. "A smuggling attempt was thwarted by BSF troops along the Indo-Bangladesh border in area of Sonata, Dawki and Kasinda under East Khasi Hills District. The troops seized contraband goods worth Rs9.83 lakh, which included items such as cattle, sugar, liquor, dupattas, truck rims, biscuits, fish, betel nuts, potatoes, blankets, garlic, and other edible goods. These items were intended to be smuggled into Bangladesh. The seized goods have been handed over to the Customs Office for further action," the statement reads. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday presented eleven pledges for India's bright future in his speech during the discussion in Lok Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution and said government and people should follow their duties and the country's politics should be free of "parivarvad". The Prime Minister presented the 11 pledges towards the end of his speech in Lok Sabha. He laid thrust on inclusive development and zero-tolerance for corruption. He wished that the 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution would give more strength to the people's commitment towards their duties. "For India's future and inspired by the spirit of the Constitution, I from the hallowed precincts of Parliament present 11 pledges. Whether it is a citizen or the government, everyone should perform their duties; every area, every section of society should get the benefit of development, it should be 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'" he said. "There should be zero tolerance for corruption and no social acceptance of the corrupt. People should feel proud in following the country's laws, rules, traditions...there should be a sense of pride," he added. Outlining the fifth pledge, PM Modi said there should be freedom from the mentality of slavery and people should feel proud of the country's heritage. "The country should be free of dynastic politics, there should be respect for the Constitution and it should not be made tool for political self-interest," he said. "Reflecting dedication to the spirit of Constitution, the benefit of reservation should not be taken away from those who are getting it and all attempts to give reservation on the basis of religion should be stopped." The Prime Minister said India should become an example of women-led development in the world. "Development of the country through development of the states should be our development mantra," he said. Outlining the 11th pledge, the Prime Minister said that the goal of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' should be above everything else. In his speech, the Prime Minister said that the dream of building a Viksit Bharat is the dream of all 140 crore citizens. "Let's move forward with the spirits of 'We, the people...', the very foundation of our Constitution. The dream of building a Viksit Bharat is the dream of all 140 crore citizens. Remember, when a nation moves forward with determination, results are guaranteed. I have immense faith in my fellow citizens, their capabilities, the youth, and the Nari Shakti of Bharat. Let's resolve that when India celebrates 100 years of her independence in 2047, she will be celebrated and treasured as a 'Developed India'," he said. The two-day discussion began in Lok Sabha on Friday. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar on Saturday urged Congress workers to be part of the historic centenary celebrations of the Belagavi convention. Speaking to the media after attending the preparatory meeting for the 100th anniversary of the Belagavi convention, he said, "In 1924, Mahatma Gandhi became the AICC President and assumed the leadership role in the independence struggle. The Congressmen have an opportunity to celebrate this proud moment and all of you must make use of it." "After taking over as the KPCC President, I started my Praja Dwani Yatre from the same place as Gandhi Ji assumed the office of AICC Presidency. We launched the Gruhajyothi scheme after cleaning the roads from the waters of Gandhi well. We are celebrating this moment under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge. We need to write the foreword for a new chapter in 2028 in this convention," he said. "This is a programme of the party and the government. We have formed a committee comprising 60 people including H K Patil, Veerappa Moily, B L Shankar and others to finalize the modalities of the celebration," he noted. Shivakumar also outlined the schedule for the event, saying, "We will hold the Congress Working Committee meeting on December 26 at the same place where Gandhiji took oath as the AICC President in Belagavi. Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, all members of CWC, Presidents of all PCCs, CLP leaders, 150 MPs and AICC General Secretaries will participate in the convention. We will unveil a statue of Mahatma to mark the occasion. The CM will also hold a dinner for the dignitaries in the evening. The historic convention will take place at 11 am at Dec 27. We have delegated responsibilities in the last Cabinet meeting." He recalled the party's recent efforts, saying, "To mark the 75th anniversary of the Indian Independence, we had organized an Independence Walk in which over 3 lakh people participated. This convention is historic and all the party workers from across the country must participate." Shivakumar further emphasized the logistics for the event, saying, "We have delegated the protocol responsibilities to each of the MLAs. We have also given responsibilities to former MLAs and ministers. We have not organized any transport or accommodation in Belagavi. The people who have won or lost in the panchayat elections, appointees to boards and corporations, committee members and corporation members must come in their vehicles." "We are illuminating Belagavi city at a cost of Rs 8 crore on the same lines as Mysuru during Dasara. It will be a historic moment. We are organizing awareness programmes for party workers in Kitturu Karnataka region regarding the convention. The people in charge must bring a minimum of 5000 people from each assembly constituency in this region and make this event a grand success," he added. (ANI)
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Lok Sabha, calling it "absolutely boring" and devoid of anything new or constructive. Speaking to the media, Priyanka Gandhi said, "PM Narendra Modi did not say anything new or constructive. He absolutely bored me. I thought he would say something significant, but he spoke about 11 hollow promises. If he has zero tolerance towards corruption, he should at least hold a debate on Adani." Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav commented that the speech was a reiteration of "11 jumlas." "It was a very long speech. We got to hear the pledge of 11 jumlas today. Those who criticise dynastic politics have a party full of dynasties. The truth is that the reservation for SC/ST, OBC, and Dalits has been taken away. A day will soon come when a caste census will be conducted, and people will receive their rights and respect according to their population," Yadav said. Congress MP KC Venugopal also dismissed the speech, claiming it lacked substance. "It was just a blame game against Congress. Yesterday and today, we exposed that their government is now running for Adani. They talk about the Constitution but are using it to benefit one individual, creating a monopoly. When we discuss the Constitution in Parliament, they show no respect. Today, when the Leader of the Opposition spoke, the PM, Home Minister, and Defence Minister were absent," Venugopal said. Congress MP Mallu Ravi said the Prime Minister fixated on the Gandhi family. "He keeps criticising Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He is focused solely on the Gandhi family, which brought independence and the Constitution to this country. We are upset with this," Ravi said. Congress MP Praniti Shinde described the PM's speech as a mere blame game. "His entire speech was just a blame game. Such a speech is unworthy of a Prime Minister. I am shocked he did not use the word 'secular' even once. He should remember that he became Prime Minister through the Constitution, whose foundation was laid by Congress," Shinde said. Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad expressed disappointment that the PM did not highlight achievements since the adoption of the Constitution. "It was expected that he would discuss accomplishments and what new initiatives could be undertaken. Instead, he indulged in a blame game, which will not help anyone," Prasad said. SP MP Iqra Hasan criticised the PM for ignoring local issues in his speech. "We are disappointed that he (PM Modi) spoke about the Constitution but did not address the issues of Sambhal, law and order in Uttar Pradesh, minority rights, or the Manipur crisis. He failed to address the people's concerns," Hasan said. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the speech fell short of expectations. "We hoped he would speak on 75 years of constitutional history. Instead, he delivered an election speech. It was completely disappointing. He should have focused on strengthening the Constitution. This was just electoral rhetoric," Tagore said. Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy remarked that while the PM expressed his views, he did not address criticisms. "He spoke against dynasties but did not respond to questions about riots or atrocities against women. His speech was combative, but he only said what he wanted," Roy said. On the other hand, NDA leaders praised the Prime Minister's address. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "The PM held up a mirror to the Congress, detailing how they undermined the Constitution during their rule. Congress has tainted the Constitution, and the PM exposed this thoroughly." BJP MP Ravi Kishan hailed the speech as historic. "The opposition should learn how a speech is delivered. PM Narendra Modi's decency is the talk of the day. His speech conveyed a strong message to women, youth, tribal communities, and the poor, who benefit from his welfare schemes. His 11 promises reflect a vision to take India to greater heights. The country will become a developed nation well before 2047 and soon the third-largest economy in the world," Kishan said. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted the Emergency as a dark chapter in India's constitutional history. "To safeguard one's power, people's rights were snatched, opposition leaders jailed, censorship imposed, and the judiciary overridden. While there is no Emergency now, discussing that black chapter is essential as we reflect on 75 years of the Constitution," Prasad said. (ANI)
People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday criticized the NDA government, accusing it of destroying the Indian Constitution with its proposal for 'One Nation, One Election.' Speaking at the PDP General Council Meeting in Srinagar, Mufti said that India's federal structure was at risk due to the proposal. "Unfortunately, the NDA government is destroying the Constitution of India day by day. India is a federal country. There is a federal structure here. One Nation, One Election is undermining this federal structure," she said. Mufti also expressed concerns about the country's trajectory under the current government, claiming that while the government spoke of ambitions for 2047, it is leading the country "backwards." "They talk of 2047, but instead of moving forward, they are going backwards... They want to take us back to the same dictatorship, which I think is very wrong," the PDP leader said. PDP chief Mufti also spoke about the party's stance and recalled the party's past efforts, particularly the implementation of the self-rule framework, despite lacking a majority to pass the resolution. "We did not have the majority to pass a resolution. Despite that, without passing a resolution, we implemented self-rule... Self-rule means that there should be de-facto freedom in Jammu and Kashmir," she said. Mufti also addressed the concerns of party delegates regarding their current position and seat count, urging them not to be disheartened. "All the delegates present here should not be worried (about low seats). This is a test... We never went to BJP; they sent their general secretary to have a conversation with us... If we want to pull J&K out of quicksand, then we will have to work exactly how we did in 1966," she added. The 'One Nation One Election' bill was approved by the Union Cabinet On December 12, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, before its introduction in the Parliament, the bill initiated debate between the ruling and opposition parties. Several parties of the INDIA bloc opposed the bill while the BJP-led NDA alliance parties welcomed this bill, saying, it would save time and lay the groundwork for unified elections across the country. Notably, in September this year, the Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within 100 days. The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Kovind. Following the Cabinet's approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision, calling it a significant step towards enhancing India's democracy. (ANI)
BJP leaders came down heavily on the Congress party after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concluded his speech on the Constitution debate. Reacting to PM Modi's speech, JPC chairman on Waqf (Amendment) Bill and BJP leader Jagdambika Pal said that he has just exposed the truth and reality of Congress. Slamming Congress, Pal stated that they are the ones who insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar and never given him India's highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna'. He noted that Congress didn't even recognised 'panchtirth', the places associated with BR Ambedkar. "He has just exposed Congress to their reality... He said that Babasaheb Ambedkar was insulted by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress party... The 'panchtirth' associated with him were never recognized. he was never even given a Bharat Ratna, and they talk about the Constitution... He stated that he is Prime Minister today because of the Constitution and was the one who started the Constitution Day celebrations..." Pal told ANI. Hitting out at Congress, Union Minister Bhagirath Chaudhary said that Congress does not worry about the Constitution and the country but only about themselves whereas PM Modi has worked with the motto of 'sabka sath , sabka vikas, sabka vishwas'. Bhagirath Chaudhary said, "Congress does not worry about the Constitution and the country but only themselves. Before 1952, when the framework was formed, they tried to change the constitution. PM Narendra Modi has worked with the motto of 'sabka sath , sabka vikas, sabka vishwas'... They have only tried to promote their family..." BJP MP PP Chaudhary said that the Congress was always against reservation. "... Nehru and Gandhi family were always against reservation. Even in USA, Rahul Gandhi showed that he carries the DNA of Jawaharlal Nehru when he said SC/ST reservation should be abolished in India. And then these people talk about the Constitution... Rahul Gandhi's philosophy is beyond my understanding..." Chaudhary said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today slammed the Congress over the Emergency and said whenever democracy' is discussed, "this very sin" of Congress will be remembered. Speaking in Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,' the Prime Minister launched a strong attack on Congress and said "one family of Congress left no stone unturned in hurling a blow to the Constitution" PM Modi said when India was celebrating 25 years of the Constitution, it "was torn apart" and Emergency was imposed. "It is 75 years of the Constitution. But 25 years also has an importance, so do 50 years and 60 years...When the country was witnessing 25 years of Constitution, at the same time Constitution in our country was razed. Emergency was imposed, democratic systems were finished, country was turned into a prison, citizens's rights were looted, and press freedom was curtailed. This sin on the forehead of Congress can never be erased. Whenever democracy will be discussed across the world, Congress' sin will never be erased because democracy was strangled," PM Modi said. Emergency was imposed on June 25, 1975 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Referring to the Nehru-Gandhi family, PM Modi alleged that it "has challenged the Constitution at all levels". "Highs and lows occurred, there were difficulties too, there were obstacles as well. But I bow before the people of the country once again that they strongly stood with the Constitution...I do not want to make personal criticism on anyone but it is important to place facts before the country. That is why, I would like to do that," he said. "One family of Congress left no stone unturned in hurling a blow to the Constitution. I am mentioning that one family because in 75 years of our journey, they ruled for 55 years. So, the country has the right to know what happened. The tradition of this family's ill-thoughts, bad policies is ongoing continuously. This family has challenged the Constitution at all levels," he alleged. The special two-day debate in Lok Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution concluded on Saturday. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed Dr BR Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution, as a visionary who worked tirelessly to integrate marginalized sections of society into the mainstream. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,' the Prime Minister emphasized that Ambedkar's goal was to ensure that no section of India remained weak in order for the country to achieve true development. He further noted that Ambedkar introduced the reservation system to provide equality and rights to underprivileged communities, particularly the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). "Baba Saheb Ambedkar was a visionary who dedicated his life to bringing the marginalised sections of society into the mainstream...His goal was that for India to develop, no section should remain weak. To achieve this, he introduced the reservation system, which aimed to provide equality and rights to the underprivileged," he said. However, PM Modi criticized the manipulation of this system through vote-bank politics, launching a strong attack on the Congress. He claimed claiming that they had hijacked the reservation system, using it for political gain. "However, vote-bank politics hijacked this system. Some people attempted to manipulate reservations based on religion and appeasement...Notably, the victims of such sins were SC, ST, and OBC communities," he added. The Prime Minister further accused Congress of prioritizing the "pleasure of power" and a "hunger for power" above the country's needs. He also noted that while his government had also amended the Constitution, those amendments were made with a commitment to the unity, integrity, and bright future of the nation and in full alignment with the spirit of the Constitution. "For Congress, the pleasure of power and hunger for power... this is the only history, the present of Congress...We have also amended the Constitution... but we have done it for the unity of the country, for the integrity of the country, for the bright future of the country, and with complete dedication to the spirit of the Constitution," he said. "For the sake of power, for the sake of hunger for power... to please its vote bank, Congress has played a new game of reservation on the basis of religion, which is against the spirit of the Constitution," PM Modi added. The two-day debate on 75 years of the Constitution started in Lok Sabha on Friday. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday expressed his support for the 'One Nation, One Election Bill', stating that elections should not hinder development. Confirming his backing for the bill, Chandrababu Naidu said, "Elections should not hinder development." Notably, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on December 16. "The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024: Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill," read the list of business. The first amendment bill aims to facilitate simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, while another bill seeks to synchronise assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry. Several opposition leaders have raised concerns about the One Nation, One Election proposal, describing it as impractical and a threat to federalism. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh called for the proposed bill to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, asserting that it undermines democracy. "The bill will be presented in Parliament, and we want it to be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will hold discussions on it. The Indian National Congress's position was clarified last year by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation, One Election, stating our opposition to the bill," Ramesh told ANI. People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti criticised the NDA government, accusing it of eroding the Indian Constitution through the proposal. Speaking at the PDP General Council Meeting in Srinagar, Mufti remarked that India's federal structure is at risk due to the initiative. "Unfortunately, the NDA government is destroying the Constitution of India day by day. India is a federal country. There is a federal structure here. One Nation, One Election undermines this federal structure," she said. On December 12, the One Nation, One Election bill was approved by the Union Cabinet, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, even before its formal tabling, the bill has sparked debates between ruling and opposition parties. While several parties of the INDIA bloc have opposed the bill, BJP-led NDA alliance parties have welcomed it, arguing that it would save time and establish a framework for unified elections across the country. Earlier in September, the Union Cabinet had approved the One Nation, One Election proposal, which seeks to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within a span of 100 days. The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Following the Cabinet's approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the decision, calling it a significant step towards strengthening India's democracy. (ANI)
"EVKS Elangovan is a leader who has been known to me since my childhood. He always used to ask why I didn't join the Congress, even though my father was a Congressman," Soundararajan told ANI, while paying her respects to the late leader.

She praised his fearless nature, saying, "He did not hesitate to criticise his own party. Such a bold person. It is very unfortunate that we have lost him. I pay homage to him."

Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and state Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited Elangovan's residence in Chennai to pay their last respects.

Elangovan, aged 75, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai after being hospitalized for a lung-related issue. He had been undergoing intensive treatment for over two weeks, according to the Tamil Nadu Congress.

The veteran leader is survived by his wife and a son. At the time of his demise, he represented the Erode (East) constituency, previously held by his late son, E Thirumahan Everaa.

Elangovan was a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu politics and the son of EVK Sampath, a founding member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Sampath later parted ways with the DMK in 1961 and joined the Congress.

Elangovan served as the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president twice, first from 2000 to 2002 and later from 2014 to 2016. (ANI)
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Saturday attacked the Union government over 'One Nation One Election', saying that the party will oppose this proposal. "The Congress party will oppose this proposal and many regional parties including the DMK oppose the proposal. It is yet another attempt by the government to take away the federal structure. Having two or three state elections is very good for democracy as it gives the people an opportunity to either endorse or negate the political parties," Karti Chidambaram told ANI. Hitting out at Centre, TMC MP Kirti Azad said that bringing 'One Nation One Election' bill without talking to the opposition is "dictatorship". "Till 1966-68, all the elections used to happen together because the government used to run for 5 years. But then the system changed because coalition governments started forming and sometimes the government would fall... Bringing this without talking to the opposition is dictatorship," Azad said while speaking to ANI. CPI(M) Leader MY Tarigami said that the bill will damage the country's unity and its essence which is diversity. "It will be damaging to our country's unity... It will damage the country's essence which is our diversity... CPI-M has constantly opposed this in the Parliament... If the parliamentary and panchayati elections happen at the same time, won't that make things difficult for the voter?... We request the government to discuss this further... They have also proposed the concept of One Nation One Language," he said. Meanwhile, BJD MP Sasmit Patra recommended a joint parliamentary committee into the matter. "The overall merits of the bill, as per media reports, is that (One Nation One Election) will be implemented only in 2034 because the notification of the same may happen in the first sitting after a general election of the Lok Sabha... Contrary to media reports that it might lead to simultaneous elections with state and local bodies, the bill might only talk about the Lok Sabha and the Vidhansabha elections... In case a Lok Sabha on a 5-year period somehow falls, then there'll be a midterm election for the election of another Lok Sabha which will not be for the next 5 years, but for the remainder of the term... Our stand always has been that it requires wider debate and discussion. My recommendation would be to send it to a joint parliamentary committee," he said. Notably, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on December 16. "The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024: Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill," the list of business stated. The first amendment bill to conduct simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and State assemblies and another bill to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. In September, the Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within a span of 100 days. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday filed a charge sheet against an accused in the case related to the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori, Ransoo to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. In its charge sheet presented before the NIA Special Court in Jammu, the agency has charged and arrested the accused, Hakam Khan, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Notably, the attack took place on 9th June 2024, when unidentified terrorists had opened indiscriminate firing at the bus when it reached Kanda near Jhandi Morh. Eight pilgrims as well as the bus driver were killed and 41 pilgrims were seriously injured in the attack, aimed at unleashing terror among the general public and those visiting the state of Jammu & Kashmir for pilgrimage. The firing had caused the bus driver to lose control after he was hit on the head with a bullet. The bus then rolled into a deep gorge, leading to the tragic deaths and injuries. NIA, which was directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, to take over the investigation, had arrested Hakam after detailed investigations and examination of evidence, officials said. Hakam had confessed to being part of the conspiracy behind the attack, which was executed by three terrorists with his active logistic support, NIA investigations revealed. Besides providing them with food and stay arrangements, he had helped the terrorists in identifying the attack spot, NIA further found. (ANI)
The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that the Congress had a history of making remarks disrespectful to the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar. In contrast, he commended the Modi government for its efforts to uphold constitutional values.

"Congress spread negative propaganda about the Constitution... The Congress government has always been making comments on the Constitution, insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar... If anyone has worked towards respecting the Indian Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar, it is the Modi government," he said.

His remarks followed a two-day discussion in the Lok Sabha on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India."

Bairwa also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's development, aiming to make the country a developed nation by 2047.

"PM Modi has a mission and vision to make India a developed nation by 2047. In the states where the BJP is in power, work is being carried out under the leadership of PM Modi to achieve this goal. The Rajasthan government is advancing with this resolution," he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address in the Lok Sabha, criticised the Congress over the Emergency period, stating that whenever democracy is discussed, "this very sin" of the Congress will be remembered.

He launched a sharp attack on the Congress, saying, "One family in Congress left no stone unturned in striking a blow to the Constitution."

PM Modi recalled that when India was celebrating 25 years of the Constitution, "it was torn apart," and the Emergency was imposed. (ANI)
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be resuming flights to the United States after seven years of suspension, marking a significant development for the country's aviation sector, ARY News reported. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to settle pending financial obligations. According to DG CAA Nadir Shafi Dar, payments to the FAA are expected to be made shortly, paving the way for the FAA's delegation to visit Pakistan by February or March. According to ARY News, the development has increased chances that Pakistan will be reclassified to 'Category One' status with the FAA, allowing direct flights to the US to resume, as per ARY News. Notably, PIA's flights to the US were suspended in 2017, when the airline operated six flights per week between Pakistan and the US, including four to New York and two to Chicago. The Pak government is also intensifying efforts to privatise PIA through government-to-government (G2G) agreements, with a deadline set for December 31, ARY News reported on Saturday, citing sources. According to the report, both Abu Dhabi and Qatar have expressed strong interest in PIA's privatisation, creating a potential opportunity for foreign investment. Active discussions are underway with both countries to finalise the terms of the deal. To attract investors, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is reportedly offering substantial incentives to those looking to acquire stakes in PIA. These measures are designed to ensure a smooth transition during the privatization process, providing necessary support to potential investors, the ARY report added. In October 2024, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the government plans to complete PIA's privatisation, along with that of three power distribution companies, by the end of the year. Initially set to conclude by October 1, the privatisation process was delayed to October 31 due to low bidder interest, ongoing legal challenges, issues with the ageing fleet, and civil aviation concerns. (ANI)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on an unannounced tour to the Middle East, met Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad on Friday (local time) to discuss the future of neighbouring Syria. Blinken's visit to Baghdad was the final stop on his Middle East tour, following the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria. The Secretary of State underscored the US' commitment to Iraq's security, stability, and sovereignty. "Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani and I met to discuss the latest developments in Syria. I underscored our commitment to Iraq's security, stability, and sovereignty," Blinken stated in a post on X. https://x.com/SecBlinken/status/1867626719764443596 According to Al Jazeera, Blinken and al-Sudani discussed the need for Syria's transition from dictatorship to democracy to be inclusive and protective of all minorities. They discussed "the conviction of so many countries in the region and beyond that as Syria transitions from the Assad dictatorship to hopefully a democracy, it does so in a way that, of course, protects all of the minorities in Syria, that produces an inclusive, nonsectarian government", Blinken said, adding that Syria "should not become a platform for terrorism." "I think this is a moment as well for Iraq to reinforce its own sovereignty as well as its stability, security and success going forward," Blinken said. Highlighting the joint effort of the United States and Iraq to work together successfully to defeat and dismantle the territorial caliphate, that ISIS (also known as Daesh) had established in Iraq and Syria several years ago. "The United States [and] Iraq together had tremendous success in taking away the territorial caliphate that Daesh had created years ago. No one knows the importance of that more than Iraq because of the ongoing presence of ISIS [ISIL], or Daesh, in Syria, and we are determined to make sure that Daesh cannot re-emerge," Blinken said. The opposition fighters in Syria, who were involved in overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad, led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have rejected any affiliation with extremist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS (ISIL) and affirmed that "they have no ambitions in Iraq," according to Al Jazeera. Iraq opted not to allow Shia rebel groups to intervene in Syria as the opposition forces advanced and ultimately seized Damascus last weekend despite Baghdad's concerns that unrest could spill over the border. Syria's newly appointed Prime Minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, has focused on repatriating Syrian refugees living abroad as one of his key goals. Al-Bashir aims to "bring back the millions of Syrian refugees who are abroad" as part of efforts to restore stability in the country. The Syrian government continues to face challenges, including unrest surrounding the tomb of Hafez al-Assad, which was recently set on fire. Blinken arrived in Baghdad after stopping in Turkiye, where he also emphasised the importance of working against a resurgence of ISIL. During his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, he spoke stressed on the importance of a "Syria-led" and "Syrian-owned" transition. "Turkish Foreign Minister@HakanFidanand I met to discuss the situation in Syria and the importance of a Syria-led and Syrian-owned transition. We also spoke about the need to protect the rights and freedoms of Syrians, including members of minorities, during this pivotal time," Blinken stated. (ANI)
Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch has condemned the closure of Bolan Medical College and hostel, calling it an "attack on education and an attempt to militarize academic spaces in Balochistan." Mahrang Baloch called on people to join the rally from Bolan Medical College to Balochistan Assembly to defend the students' right to education. She said that Baloch students already face forced abductions, profiling and state oppression. In a post on X, Mahrang Baloch stated, "The forced closure of BMC College and Hostel is an attack on education and an attempt to militarize academic spaces in Balochistan. Baloch students already face forced abductions, profiling, and state oppression. Join today's rally to defend their right to education." Earlier on December 11, a rally was organized from the protest camp, which saw the participation of significant number of students, both male and female. Representatives from student organizations and Bolan Medical College students addressed the rally, The Balochistan Post reported. The protesters criticised the lack of response from the Balochistan government and college administration to their demands. They expressed frustration over the state's indifference, pointing out that while their sit-in continues, other educational institutions in Balochistan are also being systematically shut down. They protesters mentioned about the recent sealing of hostels at Balochistan University and the rising incidents of enforced disappearances and crackdowns on Baloch students, The Balochistan Post reported. A protester said, "This protest camp is a call to action for the people of Balochistan -- students, activists, and the wider public," The Balochistan Post reported. The protester said, "The militarization of educational institutions, closure of colleges and hostels, and the increasing suppression of Baloch students are part of a deliberate state policy." (ANI)
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday backtracked from their earlier position on holding negotiations with the government, with several party leaders saying that the formal dialogue has not started yet, The Express Tribune reported. The Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders said that the process will only begin after party founder Imran Khan gives the go-ahead for it. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Rana Sanaullah said that the government has not received any formal communication from the Tehreek-e-Insaf regarding initiation of talks despite Imran Khan's party's claims of establishing a negotiations committee for this purpose, Criticising Imran Khan's party's mixed messaging and its historical preference for holding talks with the establishment over civil leadership, Sanaullah said, "PTI's stance towards the government still seems to be the same: 'Why should we engage in talks with you?" On December 11, the ruling PML-N and PTI agreed to open formal communication channels - a move that aimed to replace confrontation with constructive dialogue, addressing long-standing issues and seeking to steady the ship of political stability, The Express Tribune reported. The decision of two parties came after PTI leader Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to offer condolences for his sister's death. The incumbent and former National Assembly speakers agreed that it was time to put their heads together. They had proposed establishing committees to address the issues in the parliament that have repeatedly created a wedge between the two parties. On the same day, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had conditionally expressed readiness to hold talks via parliament and stressed that the offer of talks should not be seen as a weakness. In response to PTI leader's statement, Pakistan's Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar called it encouraging to see the opposition using parliament for discussing issues instead of confrontation, The Express Tribune reported. While speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Friday, Qaiser backtracked from his earlier stance by saying he had only gone to National Assembly speaker to offer condolences. He stated that the talks would start only when PTI founder gives green signal for it. Apart from Imran Khan's approval, he said that the PTI negotiation committee will start when the government side feels like sitting across the table, The Express Tribune reported. Qaiser said, "There has been talk of dialogue and negotiations in the media since yesterday." He said, "I only went to the Speaker to offer Fateha." He stated, "I want to clarify that these reports are false. A committee has been formed. Talks will take place when the government agrees." In his address, he asked why there was open fire on November 26 when his party was holding protest in Islamabad's Blue Area. While speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly clarified that no talks have started between the government and PTI yet, reiterating that the PTI members had met National Assembly Speaker to offer condolences. Speaking to private media outlet, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat said that no formal talks have started yet. He, however, said that it would have been better if two sides had sat across the table before December 15 as otherwise, PTI would have followed Imran Khan's call to launch a civil disobedient movement. Marwat said that Imran Khan has only formed the committee but has not yet ordered it to start talks with the government, saying it was not the right time to begin dialogue as PTI workers were still reeling from the November 26 aftermath and talking with the government in this situation would demoralize party workers. In response to different statements made by PTI leaders, PML-N senior leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui said on Friday that PTI will have to leave its deceptive approach if it wanted to engage in serious talks, according to the report. While warning the PTI against taking a deceptive approach, Siddiqui said, "The PTI will have to decide whether it wants talks or civil disobedience." In a statement shared on X, Siddiqui said that the party was desperate to hold talks with an ulterior motive of securing concessions. Irfan Siddiqui said that party at the same time was planning to launch civil disobedience with the sole purpose of inflicting harm on Pakistan, adding that negotiations and civil disobedience cannot go hand in hand. He said, "If PTI is serious about negotiations, it should not add new burdens on its shoulders. The previous burden is already enough." (ANI)
Indian nationals evacuated from war-torn Syria reached Delhi airport on Saturday. They expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian embassy for bringing them back home. Indian nationals who returned to India shared their experience of staying in Syria in the past few days and how the embassy helped them to come back to India. Recounting how embassy helped him, an Indian national said, "I had been there in Syria for about six months and the situation was normal there. When the conflict broke out between the rebels and the government, we contacted the embassy and also to those people close to us. They told us that we have to leave today. We were ready but then they told us to hold for sometime as there were celebrations there and you might get hurt. Then after three days, they told us to leave. 75 people had left before me. We were there in the embassy for two days. The embassy helped us and took very good care of us. After that, embassy talked to the company. My company booked tickets for me. The embassy booked tickets for 75 people." Praising government's efforts for evacuating them from Syria, he said, "After that, the embassy team brought two of us to the Lebanon border, then took us to the hotel. Then the next team went from Lebanon to Beirut. There was contact with everyone, whether someone is in Emirate or somewhere else and everyone is in the group. There are about 80-90 people. Everyone else has just left. Now we will sleep peacefully. The government has done well. It is not easy to evacuate 75 people and bring us out of the naxalite area, although there is embassy there. We would visit embassy on 15 August and 26 January. We always remained in touch with the embassy." Another Indian national said that he was living in Syria for past six years. He said that Indian embassy supported them and provided them food, accomodation. He said, "I have been in Syria for six years. We two men have been together. There has never been any such problem in Syria for six years, there has never been any such problem. This time it has happened. We used to visit Indian Embassy on Independence Day and Republic Day and know Indians there. Those people who are there have helped them and have provided us everything. Our company had booked ticket for us. We were in touch with embassy. We reached the Embassy and stayed for two nights, then our company booked the tickets, then sent us from the embassy to Lebanon. The embassy supported us with accomodation and food." Speaking about the arrangement made by the Indian embassy, he said, "It is very good. I am saying that the system is very good. Everything is good. From Damascus to Lebanon, the arrangement and facilities done by the embassy is very good." Another Indian national said that the embassy had given them assurance that they would evacuate them in case the situation turns bad in Syria. He thanked PM Narendra Modi for the support. He said, "We were in touch with Indian Embassy. We always told the Indian Embassy that we will do as you say, we will not be stressed for it. They told us that it's a civil war, if it settles down, it's okay. If it does not, then we'll take you out. One day, the embassy called us and told us that we have to leave. We came to the Indian Embassy in Damascus and they then took us to Lebanon border. I wanted to thank PM Modi for their support." Praising Indian embassy's efforts, he said, "People from Pakistan had to wait for 36 hours for visa. But, we got visa within six hours. The Indian embassy helped us a lot. We were kept in a five-star hotel for three to four days and provided food." This action of embassy comes as part of India's ongoing efforts to protect its citizens caught in the violence in Syria. Earlier in the day, four Indians evacuated from Syria arrived at Delhi airport. Indian nationals have expressed happiness on reaching India and praised Indian embassy for their efforts in bringing them back home. Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that 77 Indian nationals had been evacuated from strife torn Syria so far. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian embassies in Middle East region are in touch with Indians there and will help them if need arises.The spokesperson also said that there is no need for evacuation from any other country as of now. "So far, 77 Indians have been evacuated, these are those who wanted to return. In addition to that, several other Indians have settled there, married there or are pursuing some vocation and still continue to live there. If they want to return, we will facilitate their return. These 77 were evacuated via Lebanon, and our embassies in Lebanon and Syria coordinated very closely. We brought them by road, after which the Indian embassy in Lebanon facilitated their immigration. The immigration at the border was long and there was a lot of people, so it was quite an exercise. Then we took care of their boarding and lodging, made arrangements for the stay. Out of the 77, 44 were on a pilgrimage to various sites in the region. They have left Beirut for other places and the remaining 30 have either returned or are travelling as we speak, and will be returning to India soon," he said. Jaiswal added that the MEA has issued several advisories to people in different Middle Eastern countries like Lebanon and Israel and are in touch with them. However, they do not need to be evacuated as of now. "We are in touch with others in Damascus and if they require, the Indian embassy will give them a helping hand. We have 3,000 people in Lebanon, about 1,000 people in UNDOF and UNIFIL. We have issued several advisories to stay in touch with our embassies. If tomorrow there is any need for evacuation, we will do that. But, as of now, nothing of that sort is in pipeline. In Israel, we have 32,000 Indian nationals who are working there and the Indian embassy is in touch with them for their welfare. So far there are no evacuation plans from any other country," he said. (ANI)
The family of Wahid Kamber Baloch, a respected Baloch leader and elder, is urgently calling for his immediate and safe release from Pakistani custody. Kamber, who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani intelligence agencies on July 19, 2024, while in Iran, has been held in secret, and his family and supporters are demanding justice. Kamber's abduction has sparked widespread outrage, with many decrying it as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. As a steadfast advocate for Baloch rights and freedom, his disappearance has become a symbol of the broader issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, a region long plagued by military operations and human rights abuses. The human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Paank, posted on X, stating, "We stand firmly with Wahid Kamber's family in their courageous fight for his release. This is not just the disappearance of one man, but an attack on justice, dignity, and the Baloch people's struggle for freedom. To the international community, your silence enables oppression. Join us in amplifying the call for justice. Wahid Kamber Baloch must be brought back. His voice will never be silenced, and neither will ours." Paank Media Coordinator Jamal Baloch also shared a video, declaring, "Wahid Kamber Baloch, a dedicated Baloch leader and elder, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani intelligence agencies from Iran on July 19th. This is not merely the disappearance of a single man; it is an assault on justice, dignity, and the Baloch people's fight for freedom. We stand firmly with his family, who are bravely demanding his immediate and safe release from Pakistani detention." The family of Wahid Kamber, alongside human rights organizations, has repeatedly condemned the Pakistani government's actions and called for his immediate release. They emphasize that enforced disappearances violate international law, and those responsible must be held accountable. "This enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity, and those responsible must be held accountable. To the international community, your silence has perpetuated oppression in Balochistan. It is crucial that you join us in amplifying the call for justice and ending enforced disappearances in Balochistan," they said. Kamber's case has become a rallying cry for human rights in Balochistan, a region where the fight for freedom and dignity is met with state violence. His family and supporters remain hopeful that international pressure will end this injustice and ensure that his voice is heard once again. The ongoing unrest in Balochistan is characterized by a disturbing pattern of abductions and killings, with a wide range of individuals including activists, politicians, journalists, and ordinary civilians falling victim to enforced disappearances by security forces. The Pakistani military is frequently accused of using enforced disappearances as part of a broader strategy to target insurgents or separatist groups. However, human rights organizations and Baloch nationalist groups contend that these abductions are primarily intended to suppress dissent. Enforced disappearances are often followed by torture and extrajudicial killings, further exacerbating the human rights crisis in the region. (ANI)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been impeached by the National Assembly over his attempt to impose martial law in the country, Al Jazeera reported. The members of the unicameral National Assembly on Saturday voted 204 to 85 to impeach South Korea's President, the second such vote in eight days. Three members of the National Assembly abstained from voting while eight votes were declared invalid. The voting was conducted through secret ballot, with two-thirds of the vote needed for impeachment. All 300 members of the assembly cast their vote. Audible gasps were heard from the chamber after the result of voting was announced. Thousands of protesters, gathered outside the assembly, welcomed the announcement with applause and loud cheers. The political impasse in South Korea has not ended yet as Yoon "has vowed to fight" his case before the court, Al Jazeera reported. After his impeachment, Yoon was suspended from office while South Korea's Constitutional Court deliberates his fate. South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is taking over as the interim president, according to Al Jazeera report. In a statement, Han vowed that he "will devote all my strength and efforts to ensure stable governance." The Constitutional Court will have 180 days to take decision on Yoon Suk Yeol's future. If the court supports Yoon's removal, he would become the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached. In 2016, then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached and was removed from office in March 2017. Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) had boycotted the first impeachment vote which took place last week. Since then, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon had urged party leaders to cast vote, even though official stance of PPP rejects impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. Before the voting started, at least seven PPP members said they would vote to impeach Yoon, implying that only one more vote was needed to reach the 200 necessary for impeachment of South Korea's President. Hours before the impeachment vote, an estimated 200,000 people took to the streets in Seoul, in rival rallies for and against Yoon. At the opening of the National Assembly meeting, assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said that "the weight of history" was in the hands of the assembly members. The floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, Park Chan-dae, said, "Yoon is the ringleader of the insurrection". He called impeachment vote the "only way" to "safeguard the constitution" of South Korea. Yoon has remained unapologetic and defiant for his decision on imposing martial law and a probe into his inner circle widened, Al Jazeera report. According to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, Yoon's approval rating has reduced to 11 per cent. An earlier survey conducted in November showed him having an approval rating of 19 per cent. The survey was conducted just before the imposition of martial law. According to the same poll, 75 per cent of the people now back his impeachment. (ANI)
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has urged Chinese authorities to release three Taiwanese members of the I-Kuan Tao (Yiguandao) religious group arrested in China, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The MAC issued a statement on Friday night, shortly after China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) confirmed the arrest of the three people. According to MAC's statement, Taiwan's government requested Chinese authorities to ensure the legal rights and safety of the nationals by sending them back to Taiwan. According to MAC statement, the Chinese authorities, over the past year, has "illegally arrested," imprisoned and punished Taiwanese members of religious groups who visited China on multiple occassions, according to CNA report. The agency noted that China tries to "infiltrate Taiwan under the guise of religious interaction." However, China is not happy to see Taiwanese members of religious groups promote their religion in China. It urged people of Taiwan to recognize that China does not have freedom of religion and for members of religious groups to reconsider travelling to Beijing. In a statement issued by TAO on Friday, the three detained Taiwan nationals, identified by their last names Chou, Chiang, and Hsieh, were arrested by police in Guangdong on suspicion of "organizing and practicing as members of a cult that undermines law enforcement," CNA reported. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), a semi-official organization tasked by Taiwan's government with handling technical matters involving China, stressed that I-Kuan Tao is a legal religion with millions of followers in Taiwan, according to CNA report. The SEF called on Chinese authorities to respect freedom of religion, protect the safety of three Taiwanese nationals and release them at the earliest. Earlier this month, SEF Secretary-General Luo Wen-jia said that the three members of the religious group were arrested in October and were not involved in political activities. Luo said that SEF has tried to learn more information about the situation and received no response to its inquiries from the Chinese authorities. The three Taiwan nationals arrested in China have hired lawyers. (ANI)
An Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan's Islamabad on Saturday discharged 32 arrested in relation to the violent protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in the national capital's D-Chowk, ARY News reported. The court discharged the arrested suspects due to the lack of evidence. The 32 individuals were arrested on November 25 for the protest of PTI supporters, demanding the release of party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to the ARY News, Islamabad police has requested a 30-day remand for the suspects, but the court rejected the plea. The defendants' lawyer, Anser Kiani told the court that the arrested suspects were innocent labourers who were picked up from their homes and thrown into jail "just to meet the count". In the November 25 protest, the police arrested several PTI supporters with prominent figures including Imran Khan's Bushra Bibi, Barrister Gohar, Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari, and Aamir Mughal also facing arrest warrants. Earlier in the day, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) initiated action against more than 150 individuals, including journalists, vloggers and anchorperson Harmeet Singh for allegedly promoting a false narrative against state institutions, especially the security agencies, over the crackdown conducted on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in Islamabad on November 26, Dawn reported. So far, the FIA Cybercrime Wing has arrested more than 20 social media activists in Pakistan for controversial posts about alleged deaths during the crackdown on PTI protesters. Imran Khan's party has claimed that 12 of the PTI supporters were killed by law enforcement agencies during the party's protest at D-Chowk. The federal government has denied the allegations made by PTI. The arrests were made after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the establishment of a joint task force to track down those responsible for spreading what officials termed "fake news" regarding the protest deaths, according to Dawn report. Speaking to Dawn, an FIA official said, "The FIA has registered a case against dozens of suspects, including journalists and vloggers, for their involvement in maligning security agencies over the November 26 incident. Harmeet Singh, a Sikh journalist, is also among them." The PTI protesters marched to Islamabad on November 25, defying a ban on public gatherings and a lockdown, and clashes erupted between the protests and security forces. As the marchers reached closer to the heavily barricaded D-Chowk, the police and security forces reportedly used intense teargas shelling to disperse them, according to Dawn report. The PTI has slammed Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his statements and blamed him for the alleged violence against its supporters, claiming multiple deaths.(ANI)
Dubai [UAE], December 14 (ANI/WAM): Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) now provides a network of more than 740 electric vehicle (EV) Green Charger points across Dubai, supporting the emirate's steady growth in electric vehicle adoption, which exceeded 34,970 in October 2024. Customers can conveniently locate these charging stations via DEWA's website, smart app, and 14 other digital platforms. "We work in line with the vision of our wise leadership to transform Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in the world by adopting disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The EV Green Charger initiative, launched by DEWA in 2014, aims to provide a pioneering infrastructure for EV charging stations, supporting the steady increase in electric vehicles across Dubai. The UAE aims to have 50 per cent of the cars on its roads electric by 2050. Recently, we launched a comprehensive Regulatory and Licensing Framework for the development and operation of EV charging infrastructure in Dubai. This represents a significant step towards promoting green mobility and achieving Dubai's target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. DEWA has issued the first two Independent Charge Point Operator (CPO) licences for EV charging stations in Dubai to Tesla and UAEV. This initiative supports DEWA's commitment to encourage private sector participation in advancing sustainability, reduce emissions in the mobility sector and promote investment in green mobility infrastructure in Dubai. The EV Green Charger network includes ultra-fast, fast, public and wall-box chargers. A total of 16,828 customers had benefitted from the initiative's services from 2014 until the end of September 2024, with DEWA providing around 31,674 megawatt hours of electricity to electric vehicles. (ANI/WAM)
Law enforcement agencies on Saturday arrested four individuals for vandalising and damaging houses and shops of the Hindu community and the local Loknath temple in the Doarabazar area of Sunamganj district earlier this month, the office of the Chief Adviser said in a statement. On December 3, a Facebook post by Akash Das, a resident of the Sunamganj district, sparked tensions in the district. Even though he deleted the post, screenshots spread widely, leading to violence in the area. The local police arrested Das immediately, but, amid concerns over his safety, the police transferred him to another station, the statement said. Police said that on that day, the mob vandalised and damaged the homes, shops, and the local Loknath temple of the Hindu community. The situation was brought under control in the presence of the district SP, DC, army, and police. The police identified the accused involved in the incident and filed a case against 150 to 170 people, including 12 people named as plaintiffs, today, it added. Those arrested in this incident are Alim Hossain (19), Sultan Ahmed Raju (20), Imran Hossain (31), and Shajahan Hossain (20), the statement said. The arrest comes days after the Indian Foreign Secretary visited Bangladesh. During his visit to Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters in Dhaka, "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... 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". Misri earlier this week briefed members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on the 'Future of India-Bangladesh Relationship' and conveyed that the neighbouring country has assured action against perpetrators of violence against minorities, sources said. (ANI)
According to the Indian Embassy in Myanmar, the six victims reached the local police station in Myawaddy for deportation to India on Friday.

A total of 101 Indians have been repatriated to India since July 2024, the embassy said on X.

"6 more Indian nationals trapped at scam compounds in Myawaddy reached the local police station, for further deportation to India, yesterday. 101 Indians repatriated to India since July 2024. We reiterate our advice against job offers in the area without consulting Missions," the Indian Embassy in Myanmar said on X.

Earlier on August 27, 21 Indian victims were released from the Dongmei scam centre in Myawaddy.

The Indian Embassy in Myanmar stated that six others were released on August 20 and one person was released on August 12.

On August 2, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar stated that three Indian nationals were successfully rescued from a scam centre in Myanmar's Myawaddy with help from the centre as well as local assistance.

The Indian Embassy in Myanmar expressed gratitude to the Myanmar authorities and local support for their crucial role in the rescue operation.

According to a statement by the Embassy of India in Myanmar, the victims had fallen prey to an international crime syndicate operating in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border.

The embassy reiterated its advisory against fake job rackets that lure Indian youth through social media and other unverified sources. (ANI)
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Nepali Army, Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel attended the Autumn Term 2024 Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on Saturday. During the 155th Passing Out Parade of IMA, General Sigdel congratulated the Officer Cadets on the successful completion of their training at IMA. He also complimented the instructors and officer cadets for the excellent parade, immaculate turnout and precision during the parade reflecting their hard work and training, the IMA said in a press release. According to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army, a total of 491 cadets, including 35 from Friendly Foreign Countries, of which two are from Nepal, passed out today at the Indian Military Academy. https://x.com/adgpi/status/1867854788173484348 "Autumn Term 2024 Passing Out Parade at Indian Military Academy #IMA" Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel, #COAS, #NepaliArmy today reviewed the Passing Out Parade, #POP at #IMA, #Dehradun for the Autumn Term 2024. A total of 491 #GentlemanCadets, including 35 #GentlemanCadets from Friendly Foreign Countries, #FFC, of which two are from #Nepal, passed out today from the hallowed portals of #IMA. #COAS complimented the Cadets for their impeccable drill and turnout at the #POP. He shared lessons from his own military life and exhorted the passing out course to rise to the challenges while dedicating themselves to service of the nation," ADGPI wrote on X. Extending congratulations to the newly commissioned officers and their parents, General Sigdel gave them the message to uphold the ethos of the Army and strive to be exemplary leaders in future. In a post on X, the ADGPI said, "Passing Out Parade, #POP at Indian Military Academy, #IMA, #Dehradun" Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel, #COAS, #NepaliArmy attended the Pipping Ceremony of newly commissioned officers held after the Passing Out Parade, #POP. He also pipped two #GentlemanCadets of #Nepal into Commissioned Officers. #COAS, while congratulating the newly Commissioned #Officers & their proud parents, exhorted them to uphold the highest traditions and ethos of the Army and strive to be exemplary leaders in the future." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1867867019908907276 As the Reviewing Officer, General Sigdel thanked General Updendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army and the Government of India for this distinct honour. As the Honorary General of the Indian Army, he expressed, that the opportunity to review the Passing Out Parade at Indian Military Academy was particularly meaningful for him. More than two hundred Nepali Cadets have passed out through this same drill square and gone on to achieve very high ranks, within the Nepali Army, including four Chiefs of the Army Staff, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) said in a press release. Addressing the Passing out Parade, the Reviewing Officer shared that thirty-seven years ago, he too had experienced a similar feeling of elation and satisfaction. He quoted the ancient strategist, Chanakya that, "Your Karma will decide your future". Hence trust that you will progress, by the merit of your actions, rather than your credentials". The Nepali Army General also paid obeisance to the bravehearts in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Indian Military Academy's War Memorial. In a post on X, Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) wrote, "Tribute to #Bravehearts. Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel, #COAS, #NepaliArmy also paid homage to the #Bravehearts in a solemn wreath laying ceremony at #IMA #WarMemorial." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1867867663029985751 Earlier today, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, during the third day of his India visit, held multiple engagements solidifying the defence cooperation between New Delhi and Kathmandu, the Ministry of Defence stated. General Sigdel's engagements focused on a visit to Indian Defence Industries in Pune. He commenced his official visit to India on Tuesday, marking a key step in further strengthening the defence relations between Nepal and India. According to a press release by the Ministry of Defence, the visit is set to run from December 11 to December 14, 2024, and aims to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for defence collaboration between the two nations. (ANI)
The Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army General Upendra Dwivedi attended the 2nd Land Forces Summit (LFS) 2024 on Saturday. The Summit was also attended by the Army Chiefs and Senior Generals from Japan, US, Australia and the Philippines, according to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army. During the Summit various issues such as India's Security and Strategic perspective in the Indian Ocean Region and Multinational Defence Cooperation were covered. Various ideas and thoughts were exchanged, aimed at a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific for peaceful co-existence. The summit underscored India's commitment towards fostering relationships with like-minded countries to ensure a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. In the post on X, ADGPI wrote, "#GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS, attended the 2nd Land Forces Summit #LFS 2024 virtually. The summit was also attended by Army Chiefs and Senior Generals from #Japan, #USA, #Australia and #Philippines. During the summit, #COAS gave a brief talk highlighting India's Security and Strategic Perspective in Indian Ocean Region #IOR and Multinational #DefenceCooperation. The summit saw a congregation of thoughts and ideas aimed at a free, open & inclusive Indo-Pacific and enhancing Multinational #DefenceCooperation for peaceful co-existence. This gathering underscores India's commitment to fostering collaborative relationships with like-minded nations, ensuring a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1867900709854732773 The summit became important as it was attended by members of the QUAD grouping of which India is a member. The other members of QUAD are US, Australia and Japan. Among the various goals of the QUAD grouping, maritime security is an important area of collaboration between the partner countries. As per the MEA, Quad partners are working side-by-side with partners throughout the region to bolster maritime security, improve maritime domain awareness, and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific. India has warm and friendly ties with the Philippines. In a press statement MEA had noted that when India launched the Look East Policy and intensified partnership with ASEAN in 1992, this also resulted in stronger relations with countries in the region including the Philippines, both bilaterally and in the regional context. With the Act East Policy initiated in 2014, the relationship with the Philippines has diversified further into political-security; trade and industry and people-to-people realms. (ANI)
Six more Indian nationals evacuated from war-torn Syria arrived at the Delhi airport on Saturday. They expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian embassy for bringing them back home. Indian nationals who returned to India shared their experience of staying in Syria over the past few days and how the embassy helped them return to India. Recounting how the embassy helped him, an Indian national, Sunil Dutt, said, "On last Thursday we received a call from the Embassy that according to recent development, things are getting worse so immediately we have to evacuate the country. We came to Damascus and were in constant touch with the Indian embassy. Things immediately changed in Damascus. On Sunday rebels took over, and people were looting the shops and vehicles. eople from the Embassy were in constant touch with us. They told us to stay calm and take safety precautions. We were very comfortable. Today we are safe because of Modi ji. Under the direction of Modi ji the MEA has executed and corporated very well." Another Indian national Ratan Lal said that he had been living in Syria for the past 5 years. He said that the Indian embassy supported them and provided them food, and accommodation. "I have been there for the past 5 years, Embassy contacted us and asked us to come to Damascus. Embassy supported us, and gave us a room. Modi ji has worked well," he said. Chetan Lal, who was among those who returned from Syria said that the embassy provided him with a safe residence in Damascus as well as in Lebanon via which Indian nationals returned to the national capital. "What happened now in Syria has never happened before. The embassy contacted us and took us to the safe residence. We came to India vis Lebanon. We stayed in Lebanon for 4 days. We are very happy with Modi Ji, We couldn't have done anything, the embassy worked well. We are very happy to be back in India," Chetan Lal said. Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that 77 Indian nationals had been evacuated from strife torn Syria so far. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian embassies in Middle East region are in touch with Indians there and will help them if need arises.The spokesperson also said that there is no need for evacuation from any other country as of now. The situation in Syria remains a focal point after Syrian rebels entered Damascus on Sunday, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee from the country, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. (ANI)
The initiative aims to improve the quality of services offered to Gaza's residents and address the severe shortages faced by local authorities amid ongoing challenging circumstances.

During a press conference held today with municipalities and the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 delivered four water tankers and two sanitation trucks. This initiative seeks to alleviate the challenges affecting the region, improve the services provided by municipalities to displaced families, and address the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Mohamed Rabie, Operations Coordinator, Chivalrous Knight 3, stated that the water tanker project is an urgent response from the UAE to address the deteriorating infrastructure in Gaza and meet the needs of over 1.5 million displaced individuals.

He affirmed the operation's commitment to continuing vital projects to support the Palestinian people by mobilising all available resources.

A representative of the Union of Gaza Municipalities expressed gratitude to the UAE and to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for their unwavering support through Operation Chivalrous Knight 3.

The representative highlighted the importance of the provided tankers, which address the urgent needs of municipalities amid the deterioration of existing vehicles, enabling them to continue delivering essential services to residents and displaced individuals.

Omar Shatat, Director-General of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, praised the UAE's unlimited support for local authorities and municipalities through Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 since the onset of the aggression on Gaza.

He highlighted the establishment of the first freshwater lifeline, which became the only source of potable water in the region.

He added that the operation continues to ease the burden on local authorities by supplying Palestinian citizens with clean water to sustain life and improving the environmental conditions through sanitation trucks to mitigate diseases and environmental health risks in Gaza.

The UAE continues its support for local authorities and municipalities in Gaza to alleviate the region's suffering and provide the necessary equipment for delivering potable water and sanitation services to displaced individuals.

This assistance addresses the immense challenges faced by municipalities due to the dire circumstances in Gaza, ensuring the continuity and improvement of essential services for residents. (ANI/WAM)
Defence Minister Asif said that the founder of PTI has himself expressed mistrust in his party leaders.

Asif remark came during a Geo News' programme "Naya Pakistan."

"Where will such negotiations lead?" he asked, adding that the sudden discussion about talks has left people surprised.

Additionally, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui slammed PTI for its dual approach - speaking of negotiations while promoting civil disobedience, Geo News reported.

"You cannot shake hands with one hand while holding a sword in the other," Siddiqui remarked.

In a statement, Siddiqui said PTI cannot seek concessions while simultaneously planning civil disobedience.

Earlier in the day, PTI backtracked from their earlier position on holding negotiations with the government, with several party leaders saying that the formal dialogue has not started yet, The Express Tribune reported.

The Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders said that the process will only begin after party founder Imran Khan gives the go-ahead for it.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Rana Sanaullah said that the government has not received any formal communication from the Tehreek-e-Insaf regarding initiation of talks despite Imran Khan's party's claims of establishing a negotiations committee for this purpose,

On December 11, the ruling PML-N and PTI agreed to open formal communication channels - a move that aimed to replace confrontation with constructive dialogue, addressing long-standing issues and seeking to steady the ship of political stability, The Express Tribune reported.

The decision of two parties came after PTI leader Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to offer condolences for his sister's death. (ANI)
A large number of traders, political leaders and residents on Saturday gathered at Lower Topa Murree to record their protest against the "Murree development plan" launched by the Punjab government, Geo TV reported. As per GEO TV, the protest demonstration saw the participation of leaders from various Pakistani parties such as PTI, PPP, JUI and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). The parties came together to express solidarity with the protesters. Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Awaam Pakistan party chief Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also participated in the protest rally. According to Geo TV, the authorities imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the area to avert any untoward situation in the backdrop of the protest rally. The protest is being staged on the call of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which demanded the provincial government abolish the remodelling of Jhika Gali Bazar and 'section 4 on Mall Road. "The government would not be allowed to spend funds worth billions in the area comprising the three-kilometre radius," the JAC leaders said without explaining or naming the area. As per Geo TV, they urged the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz-led provincial government to resolve the issues being faced by the people of Murree and Kotli Sattian and also urged the provincial government to review its decision about the development plan. Backing the demands of the protesters, Abbasi said, "The people of Murree are staging protest demonstration for their due rights", Geo TV reported. Slamming the provincial government, he asked under which law the government was demolishing buildings in the area. Significantly, he also added that Section 144 has never been imposed in Murree. In June this year, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif co-chaired a five-hour-long meeting in which the Murree development plan was approved. The meeting accorded approval to development, beautification, transport, construction and rehabilitation projects as Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb gave a detailed briefing, Geo TV reported. (ANI)
Sharjah [UAE], December 14(ANI/WAM): The University of Sharjah (UoS) has launched the Centre of Excellence for Public Health, part of the Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS). The centre aims to conduct impactful innovative research aligned with national priorities, enhance collaboration between the academic, health, and industrial sectors at both local and international levels, and support the translation of research outcomes into tangible health policies and services. Hussein Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, emphasised the vital role of the centre in addressing contemporary health challenges, especially non-communicable diseases, health issues, and preparedness for global health crises, during the launch event. The event was attended by Prof. Hamid Al Naimiy, Chancellor of UoS, and several officials from the Ministry of Health and Prevention and local institutions. Al Rand said that the centre will be a strategic partner in building a better health future and will work to support health policies that meet community needs. He also praised the efforts of researchers, faculty members at the University of Sharjah, and partners who contributed to the establishment of this health facility. Basema Saddik, Director of the Centre, said the Centre works to address the challenges of promoting research, education and innovation in public health through a diverse group of multidisciplinary research teams, which include nine research teams of 40 researchers in many fields that serve the public health. Hamzah Alzubaidi, coordinator of research team, launched the first initiative titled "National Campaign to Address Diabetes Stigma". The Centre of Excellence for Public Health will strive to establish effective collaborative partnerships between the university, government entities, private sector, and local and regional organisations and work on translating health research into policies and practical initiatives to address the health issues facing the community, with a focus on capacity building and empowering the community, he said. (ANI/WAM)
The 2nd edition of the 'Purvodaya Perspectives', an international conference with the theme, 'Reclaiming India's Maritime Heritage - Perspectives, Prospects, and Prognosis' is being held in Odisha's Bhuvaneshwar from December 14 to 15. According to the MEA official statement, the conference is being organised by The Energy Forum (TEF) with support from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as a part of the Ministry's various foreign policy outreach initiatives. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), MEA delivered the keynote address on the theme of the Conference. In his address, Secretary Mazumdar highlighted the role of the maritime economy in achieving the economic potential of India's Eastern Seaboard States, including Odisha and initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the Indo-Pacific, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), the press statement by the MEA observed. Earlier this year in September during the QUAD Summit which took place in the US, Prime Minister Modi highlighted, "Free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our shared priority and shared commitment". In October, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated PM's vision of SAGAR during the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2024. He had said, "India's vision for the Indo-Pacific is based on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's idea of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) as we believe in fostering partnerships that prioritise sustainable development, economic growth and mutual security". https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1867944310261551581 In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs wrote, "Secy(East) @JaideepMazumder delivered keynote address on the theme "Reclaiming India's Maritime Heritage- Perspectives, Prospects, and Prognosis" at the 2nd edition of the "Purvodaya Perspectives" in Bhuvaneshwar, Odisha today. #PurvodayaPerspectives2024."(ANI)
The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance in Bangladesh has found prima facie involvement of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and some high-ranking officials of security forces and her government, including her defence adviser, Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique in the enforced disappearances, according to Bangladesh Chief Adviser's Office. The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance on Saturday submitted its first interim report to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Professor Muhammad Yunus. The five-member commission led by retired justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury handed over the report titled "Unfolding The Truth" to the Chief Adviser at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka. The commission chairman said they had found the prima facie involvement of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and some high-ranking officials of security forces and her government It also found the involvement of former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre, and sacked Major General Ziaul Ahsan, senior police officers Monirul Islam and Md. Harun-Or-Rashid, with several incidents of enforced disappearance, according to the Bangladesh Chief Adviser's Office. The commission said that they already recorded a total of 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearances, while 758 complaints have already been scrutinised. It estimates the number of enforced disappearances in the country would cross 3,500. The commission recommended disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). While submitting the report, the commission chairman said they had found a " systematic design" so that the incidence of enforced disappearances remains undetected. The commission also found that forces exchanged the victims and operations were deliberately segmented, he said. Individuals carrying out enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing lacked knowledge about victims, he said, according to the Chief Adviser's Office. The commission chairman said that they would deliver another interim report in March and would require at least another year to complete the scrutiny of all allegations they had received. The Chief Adviser thanked the commission for submitting the interim report and promised all possible support in accomplishing the job. "You are doing a very important job. We are ready to give you all kinds of support that you need," he said. The Chief Adviser said he would visit some of the Aynaghar, or secret detention centres and "joint interrogation cells detected by the commission to get first-hand knowledge about the sufferings of the victims". Commission members Justice Farid Ahmed Shibli, human rights activist Nur Khan, BRAC University teacher Nabila Idris, and human rights activist Sajjad Hossain; Interim Government's advisory council members Adilur Rahman Khan and Sharmeen S Murshid; Principal Secretary to Chief Adviser Md Siraj Uddin Mia; and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were present at the meeting, among others, Chief Adviser's Office stated. (ANI)
The United States is in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has gained control of Damascus after overthrowing the over two-decade regime of Bashar al-Assad, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday (local time). Blinken also affirmed that the US is committed to finding home Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing in Syria since 2012. "We've been in contact with HTS and with other parties. We have impressed upon everyone we've been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home," he told reporters in Jordan. "We've also shared the principles that I just laid out for our ongoing support - principles, again, that have now been adopted by countries throughout the region and well beyond. And we've communicated those," Blinken added. Regarding, reports of Russian military withdrawal from Syria, Blinken acknowledged reports of Russian withdrawals, though he refrained from offering specific details beyond media reports. "I can't comment on anything beyond what I've seen in - reported in the media," Blinken remarked, directing further inquiries to other administration officials for clarification. Notably, Blinken, who was on an unannounced tour to the Middle East, met Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad on Friday to discuss the future of neighbouring Syria. Blinken arrived in Baghdad after stopping in Turkiye, where he also emphasised the importance of working against a resurgence of ISIL. During his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, he spoke stressed the importance of a "Syria-led" and "Syrian-owned" transition. Blinken's visit to Baghdad was the final stop on his Middle East tour, following the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria. According to Al Jazeera, Blinken and al-Sudani discussed the need for Syria's transition from dictatorship to democracy to be inclusive and protective of all minorities. They discussed "the conviction of so many countries in the region and beyond that as Syria transitions from the Assad dictatorship to hopefully a democracy, it does so in a way that, of course, protects all of the minorities in Syria, that produces an inclusive, nonsectarian government", Blinken said, adding that Syria "should not become a platform for terrorism." "I think this is a moment as well for Iraq to reinforce its own sovereignty as well as its stability, security and success going forward," Blinken said. After the Syria rebel forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Shamb entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee from the country, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. Recently, the opposition declared Mohammed al-Bashir as the interim Prime Minister. al-Bashir prioritised the repatriation of Syrian refugees living abroad as one of his main objectives. He said that one of his first goals is to "bring back the millions of Syrian refugees who are abroad." He also emphasised the need for "stability and calm" in Syria and stated that he is collaborating with officials from Bashar al-Assad's former regime to restore public services and institutions. (ANI)
A letter sent by an alderman to Illinois state authorities decries the degree to which school board members are allegedly involved in ongoing teacher contract negotiations and asks for an investigation and opinion regarding the potential legal and ethical breaches as a result.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, hand-delivered his message Thursday to Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Tony Sanders, the state superintendent of education.

Various media outlets have published disturbing reports of conduct on the part of some personnel associated with Chicago Public Schools, potentially implicating unfair labor practices and breaches of fiduciary duty, Villegas wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The Chicago Teachers Unions contract expired in June, and bargaining has been ongoing for months  ramping up recently as both sides make public their frustrations with negotiations. CTU members argue that the election of Donald Trump as president adds urgency as the nations new leader promises to dismantle the Department of Education and lead the largest deportation efforts in the history of the United States.

Meanwhile, some aldermen  like Villegas  have questioned the school boards alignment with Mayor Brandon Johnson and the powerful teachers union that helped him rise to power. The mayor is a former teacher and CTU organizer.

We have conflicts of interest just all over the place, Villegas said in an interview with the Tribune. I want to make sure that the teachers have a fair contract, but I also want to make sure that the taxpayers are also protected as well. I dont feel that (the) second part is being taken into consideration.

The letter urges the importance of ethical governance within CPS. Villegas suggests that the Chicago Teachers Union and board members are cutting out the districts CEO, Pedro Martinez, in collective bargaining negotiations. Under the Illinois School Code, Martinez has exclusive statutory authority to negotiate collective bargaining agreements, Villegas wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Villegas called the boards discussions of contract negotiations ahead of time troubling. The boards role, he said, is to wait until the CPS CEO and their staff have agreed to a contract  and then the board is to approve the contract after getting briefed.

In a post on social media, CTU said the board is not colluding with the union during contract negotiations. CTU called the letter an absurd and legally incoherent accusation.

There isnt an organization in America where the CEO gets to operate independently from its board of directors or a school district in America where a superintendent gets to override the school board, CTU wrote.

Ultimately, the CEO and board are supposed to have a collaborative relationship. The CEO reports to the board, which studies the needs of the students and community. According to the districts board rules, Martinez negotiates all collective bargaining agreements on behalf of the board and submits tentative agreements to the board for adoption and approval.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The board and CEO have been at odds since they were appointed by the Mayor in October. At issue, how to shore up the districts finances, including funding the new teachers contract and a pension payment previously paid for by the city.

The union and district are getting closer to a resolution at the bargaining table, both union and district officials said Thursday. But the letter suggests that lines between the distinct Board of Education and the CTU are being blurred in murky ways.

Beyond concerns about overstepping the CEOs authority, Villegas wrote about how some board members participating in negotiations have a direct connection to CTU, presenting a clear conflict between CPS interests and CTU interests.

Villegas cited a 1984 Illinois Appellate Court case between the Board of Education of Niles Township and the Regional Board of School Trustees of Cook County that he said emphasized the invalidity of board decisions when there are conflicts of interest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Moving forward, Villegas directed the two Illinois state officials and recipients of the letter to investigate whether the involvement of one or more school board members in CTU collective bargaining matters constitutes a breach of labor practices and to provide an opinion on how the district or public can respond.

Raoul said he would review the letter and follow up with Villegas. Sanders did not immediately respond when asked for comment.

nsalzman@chicagotribune.com
Kimberly Guilfoyle is preparing for a new chapter following news of her new political appointment in President-elect Donald Trump's administration and a split with his son and her former fiance, Donald Trump Jr.

A source with knowledge of the Trump family dynamics tells PEOPLE that Guilfoyle, 55, is "very much" happy with her nomination to be Trump's U.S. ambassador to Greece  an appointment that was announced on Dec. 10, one day after Don Jr., 46, was seen holding hands with Florida socialite Bettina Anderson.

Since then, a political insider told PEOPLE on Dec. 11 that "Don Jr. has been dating Bettina for about six months," while another source said that "Bettina wants Kim out of the area," and that the 38-year-old and Don Jr. "are trying to send Kim abroad."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Then, on Dec. 12, PEOPLE learned that Guilfoyle and Don Jr. have broken up, with a family insider saying, "It's not a contentious thing. It's an amicable split."

The source clarifies that Guilfoyle "is not being shunted off" to Greece. Instead, "she's being given a very plum reward."

SHANNON STAPLETON/POOL/AFP via Getty; John Parra/Getty; Donald Kravitz/WireImage From Left: Donald Trump Jr.; Bettina Anderson; and Kimberly Guilfoyle From Left: Donald Trump Jr.; Bettina Anderson; and Kimberly Guilfoyle

Related: Don Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson 'Waited for Election to Pass' to Nudge Kim Guilfoyle 'Out of the Area' (Exclusive)

While addressing reports that Anderson and Don Jr. want Guilfoyle out of the country, the family insider says, "Do not feel sorry for her, or think she's being pushed off to the side. I'd be far from feeling sorry for her. I think she's about to catapult into her next chapter, you know, into the diplomatic world. I think that would be very rewarding for her."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It might be seen as getting her out of the way, but this one's a substantive assignment," they explain, adding later that they "have no clue" if the breakup was behind the president-elect's decision and that Guilfoyle and Don Jr. "just kind of grew apart."

According to Path to Foreign Service, "Ambassadors are the highest-ranking diplomats appointed by their government to represent their country in a specific foreign country or international organization. They serve as the official spokesperson for their government and act as a direct link between their countrys leadership and the receiving country or organization."

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.

When nominating Guilfoyle for the position, Trump said in a release posted to social media that he named her for the role as she's been "a close friend and ally" for "many years."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The president-elect also said that Guilfoyle was "perfectly suited" to foster "strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation."

He added, "Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad."

Andrew Harnik/Getty From Left: Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle on July 15, 2024 From Left: Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle on July 15, 2024

Related: Don Trump Jr. Feels Bettina Anderson 'Would Impress' Dad After Allegedly Griping About Kim Guilfoyle's Style (Exclusive)

"Greece is seen as a good spot for her," the source tells PEOPLE of her appointment, adding that while it could be considered "non-strategic," "it's still something notable."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Further explaining that the position "could lead to something bigger," the insider says, "I mean, if she does well, and some other ambassador departs, she could be someone to step in if she wants to pick it up. She's got that choice."

"Greece won't be so crazy busy that she can't do other things," the insider continues. "It's a beautiful setting. She will be treated well."

As for her connection to the White House, Guilfoyle will still be in touch with Trump, whom she has a "strong" connection with, the source says: "She's also going to be in a position to be able to communicate with the president about her perspective on what's going on in Europe."

PEOPLE has attempted to reach Don Jr., Anderson and Guilfoyle for comment about where their relationships stand, and requested comment from President-elect Trump about the timing of the nomination.

Read the original article on People
Attorney Brian Jorde argues Dec. 18, 2023, to the North Dakota Supreme Court on behalf of landowners in a case involving the state's survey access law. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

A group of landowners and two counties are appealing a North Dakotas agencys approval of a large carbon dioxide pipeline.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Nov. 15 approved a route permit for 333 miles of the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline in North Dakota. North Dakota is the planned endpoint of a 2,500 mile pipeline network to carry CO2 from ethanol plants in five states to an underground storage area west of Bismarck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Attorney Brian Jorde of Domina Law, which represents landowners across the pipeline area, said Friday in an email that there are several problems with the PSCs findings.

He said the PSC received plume modeling and dispersion risk analysis as prepared by Summit that would show how CO2 might spread if there was a rupture of the hazardous liquid pipeline.

The PSC did not allow the other parties to the case access to the plume information.

This confidential information was also shared with other members of the public, yet potentially directly affected citizens engaged in the routing application process were kept in the dark, Jorde wrote. He said that constituted a violation of due process rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If CO2 leaks from a pipeline, it can sicken or kill people in the immediate area.

The public of North Dakota deserve transparency before hazardous pipelines are forced upon them, Jorde said.

Jorde said the landowner appeal will be filed in Burleigh County District Court.

The two counties that are appealing are Burleigh and Emmons, both on the main trunk of the pipeline in central North Dakota.

The counties are appealing the PSCs February ruling that state rules supersede county ordinances on issues including how close a residence can be to a carbon pipeline.

Emmons County filed an appeal on the ruling in March, but the matter was set aside until the commission voted on the permit application.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Burleigh County filed its appeal this week.

In South Dakota, the Public Utilities Commission ruled that county ordinances preempt state carbon pipeline rules, a main reason Summit was denied a permit there. Summit has since filed a new application.

Summit has a permit in Iowa and for a short segment of its route in Minnesota. Nebraska has no state agency that issues carbon pipeline permits.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission on Thursday approved Summits plan for underground storage of the carbon dioxide.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Fourteen North Korean nationals have been indicted for their alleged part in a scheme in which technology workers using false identities got jobs at US companies then funnelled their wages to Pyongyang for development of ballistic missiles and other weapons.

The head of the FBI office in St Louis, Missouri, Ashley T. Johnson, told a news conference on Thursday that the scheme involved thousands of IT workers and generated more than $88 million (84m) for the North Korean government.

In addition to their wages, the workers are said to have stolen sensitive information from companies or threatened to leak information in exchange for extortion payments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Victims included defrauded companies and people whose identities were stolen from across the US, including Missouri.

The indictments were filed on Wednesday in US District Court in St. Louis. All 14 defendants face wire fraud, money laundering, identity theft and other charges.

Most of those accused are believed to be in North Korea, and Johnson acknowledged that bringing them to justice will be difficult. The US Department of State is offering a $5 million (4.8m) reward for information leading to the apprehension of any of the suspects.

Related

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to federal authorities, the scheme involved collaboration from US citizens.

To execute the plan, North Korea dispatched thousands of IT workers to get hired and work remotely or as freelancers for US companies, sometimes using stolen identities. In other instances, they paid US citizens to let them use their home Wi-Fi connections, or to pose as the IT workers in on-camera job interviews.

Johnson said the FBI is also pursuing those "domestic enablers."

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," she said. "If your company has hired fully remote IT workers, more likely than not, you have hired or at least interviewed a North Korean national working on behalf of the North Korean government."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The US Justice Department in recent years has sought to expose and disrupt a broad variety of criminal schemes run for the benefit of Kim Jong-un's government in Pyongyang, including for the purposes of its nuclear weapons program.

In 2021, the department charged three North Korean computer programmers and members of the government's military intelligence agency for a wide range of global cyberattacks that officials say were carried out on the regime's orders.

Law enforcement officials said at the time that the case revealed that North Korea's criminal hacking was driven by profit, a contrast from other adversarial nations like Russia, China and Iran whose cyber-agression is generally focused on espionage, intellectual property theft and the disruption of democracy.

In May 2022, the US State Department, Department of the Treasury, and the FBI issued a joint advisory warning that North Koreans were attempting "to obtain employment while posing as non-North Korean nationals", explaining that in recent years, the Kim regime "has placed increased focus on education and training" in IT-related subjects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

In October 2023, the FBI in St. Louis announced the seizure of $1.5 million (1.43m) and 17 domain names as part of the investigation. The indictments announced Tuesday were the first stemming from the investigation.

Johnson urged employers to thoroughly vet any IT workers hired to work remotely. She did not name the companies that unknowingly hired North Korean workers.
You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name.

Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you.

For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Bay County restaurant inspections site.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Bay County for the week of Dec. 2-8, 2024. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a "snapshot" of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.

For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Bay County restaurant inspection site.

Which Bay County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?

These restaurants met all standards during their Dec. 2-8 inspections and no violations were found.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week

Which Bay County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors?

These restaurants failed their Dec. 2-8 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required.

1302 Harrison Ave., Panama City

Complaint inspection on Dec. 4

Facility temporarily closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Five total violations, with one high-priority violation

High Priority - Observed: Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found in the following locations: 18 live roaches underneath around the wheel casing of the reach in coolers on the cook line, approximately 50 live roaches on the backside of the reach in cooler next to the employee hand sink, 12 live roaches on the wall around the wiring going against the wall and ceiling in the kitchen, five live roaches behind the three compartment sink sign on the wall, 10 live roaches around the electrical outlet behind the slicer on the cook line, four live roaches around the wheel casing of the Beverage air reach in cooler underneath the slicer on the cook line, approximately 50 live roaches around the catch pan of the reach in cooler next to the pizza oven, and approximately 50 around the catch pan of the beer cooler on the front line, approximately eight around the wall area next to the mop sink, approximately 20 around the reach in cooler next to the ice machine in the back prep area. **Warning**

Which Bay County restaurants had high-priority violations?

520 E. 23 St, Panama City

Routine inspection on Dec. 2

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

One total violation, with one high-priority violation

High Priority  From initial inspection : High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired. Irreversible thermometer indicated a maximum temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit at dish surface. Digital display on machine reading 83 degrees Fahrenheit. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on Nov. 11: Observed dish machine sanitizer, heat, still not working. Manager stated dish machine booster heater needs work according to Hobart technician. They have been called. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection on Dec. 2: Inspector's irreversible thermometer reading 138 degrees Fahrenheit at dish surface, establishment's temp strips did not change color digital display shows 67 degrees Fahrenheit for final rinse. Manager states machine was repaired and has been reading 187 degrees Fahrenheit **Time Extended**

520 E. 23 St., Panama City

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Routine inspection on Dec. 3

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

One total violation, with one high-priority violation

High Priority  From initial inspection : High Priority - Heat strip failed to turn black to indicate the sanitization temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was achieved on the dish surface and/or high temperature holding thermometer did not reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired. Irreversible thermometer indicated a maximum temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit at dish surface. Digital display on machine reading 83 degrees Fahrenheit. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on Nov. 25: Observed dish machine sanitizer, heat, still not working. Manager stated dish machine booster heater needs work according to Hobart technician. They have been called. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection on Dec. 2: Inspector's irreversible thermometer reading 138 degrees Fahrenheit at dish surface, establishment's temp strips did not change color digital display shows 67 degrees Fahrenheit for final rinse. Manager states machine was repaired and has been reading 187 degrees Fahrenheit **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection on Dec. 3: Per manager, technician was at establishment yesterday, parts were ordered for machine. Technician will be back out today. **Time Extended**

12011-B Panama City Beach Pkwy., Panama City Beach

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Routine inspection on Dec. 6

Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.

Six total violations, with two high-priority violations

High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. On cook line shelf: eggs ambient temp 61 degrees Fahrenheit, per manager less than four hours. Returned to cooler with ambient temp 36 degrees Fahrenheit, **Corrected On-Site**

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Flat top hot holding: cooked chicken 126 degrees Fahrenheit, cooked beef 125 degrees Fahrenheit, for approximately two hours per manager, employee began reheating meats at time of inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**

What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?

Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.

How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?

If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database.

What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean?

Basic violations are those considered against best practices.

A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.

An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

An emergency order  when a restaurant is closed by the inspector  is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.

A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City area restaurant/food truck inspections: Dec. 2-8, 2024:
The Panama City Police Department reports that a Gulf County man killed another man and then killed himself late Friday.

According to a post on the police department Facebook page, Newell Mock, 67, fatally shot a man inside a residence in the SweetBay neighborhood and also shot a woman several times, though not fatally.

Officers received multiple calls about shots fired in the area just before midnight Friday and responded to find Mock armed and standing on the home's front porch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"As officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, Mr. Mock tragically took his own life," the post says.

The injured woman had been shot several times and was taken to a local hospital. Two children, ages 5 and 7, were sleeping during this incident and were unharmed, the post says.

"The investigation has determined that Mr. Mock was the sole shooter in this incident. There is no ongoing threat to the community. The Panama City Police Department is continuing its investigation and working to support the affected family members during this difficult time," the post says.

Anyone with information about this case should call the department at 850-872-3100, or report their tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Police in Panama City, Florida investigate apparent murder-suicide
South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, who introduced legislation last month to eliminate the Department of Education, told ABC News closing the agency could take "a couple of years."

"We want to do it right," Rounds said, making it unlikely the department will see major changes on Day 1 of the next administration. "This is not just a 'make noise' bill. This is a serious [bill]. It's taken us a year and a half to write this bill."

PHOTO: Sen. Mike Rounds is seen in the U.S. Capitol, December 4, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Rounds' "Returning Education to Our States" bill builds on one of President-elect Donald Trump's key campaign promises. It has a road map to elimination, sending block grants to states and redistributing major federal funding to other agencies, but it needs 60 votes in the Senate to pass and then be signed into law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We've tried to set this up so that some of it could be done within reconciliation. Some of it we'll have to gain consensus on by executive order, some of which may very well take 60 votes. So we might not get everything we want," Rounds acknowledged.

Rounds said he has not met with or discussed the bill with Linda McMahon, Trump's education secretary pick. Meanwhile, Rounds insisted that federal programs affecting vulnerable students and those with special needs will not be gutted.

PHOTO: Linda McMahon meets with Sen. Tommy Tuberville in his office in the Russell Senate Office Building on December 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

MORE: Congressional Republicans continue to introduce bills eliminating the Department of Education

"We don't want to lose the specific offices that deliver particular congressionally directed funds, such as special education, IDEA and so forth," said Rounds, referencing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. "All of that is included in a redirection to other locations, but all those offices still remain with the focus of sending that money back [to the states]."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Earlier this week, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a member of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, told ABC News that reaching a 60-vote threshold to pass legislation that dismantles the agency would be "very difficult."

"We need to downsize it," Tuberville said. "More money needs to go back to the states, every state, and you know, we can have a group up here that can -- they can supposedly be the Department of Education, but to have [4,000] or 5,000 people up here makes no sense. I mean, we need to take as much money as we can, put it back in the states, put it back in the schools and give these students a chance."

PHOTO: Sen. Tommy Tuberville in his office in the Russell Senate Office Building on December 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Augustus Mays, vice president for partnerships and engagement at the advocacy group The Education Trust, said block grants could disproportionately affect marginalized students.

"If you were to take away, or block grant, the funding that goes towards IDEA, then you will have a situation where students with disabilities may not be getting the support they need towards a free and appropriate public education, which is required by law," Mays told ABC News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"That could be $34 billion from the federal government that would be going out to all these states to support those needs, and states would be picking up that bill.  [Lawmakers] need to understand what that would actually mean if they were to eliminate Department of Ed," he warned.

However, if the president-elect and his Cabinet picks start firing federal employees, education experts suggest it would be too tall a task for a diminished department to administer Education Department funds to states and have states distribute them to school districts. Clare McCann at American University said that is something skilled employees at the Department of Education would be equipped to do.

"There's a reason the Department of Education was created, and it was to have this kind of in-house expertise and policy background on these [education] issues," McCann told ABC News. "The civil servants who work at the Department of Education are true experts in the field."

North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd, a Republican, said he disagreed with McCann's stance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The goal is more education, right?" he said. "And do you need a massive government bureaucracy to do that? Probably not."

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie told ABC News he will also be bringing forward legislation to abolish the Department of Education within the "first few weeks" of the 119th Congress.

"There'll be one sentence -- only thing that will change is the date: The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2026," Massie told ABC News.

However, experts have told ABC News that Massie's one-sentence bill may not be realistic as all the funding that currently goes to the department will have to be redirected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The Department of Education administers a whole lot of laws," said Neal McCluskey, an education analyst at the libertarian think tank The Cato Institute. "Those laws have to be changed about who runs student aid and who is tasked with making decisions about cancelling student debt and who decides or who administers Title I and lots of these other federal programs."

Senator says eliminating the Department of Education could take 'years' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
What does the Middle East look like under Trump 2.0?

The president-elect is due to take office in just a few weeks, having frequently attacked Joe Biden  and later Kamala Harris  for supposedly having failed to stop the two bloody conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza from breaking out under their watch. On top of that, he also made two lofty promises while campaigning: that he would end the conflict in Ukraine quickly upon taking office; and that he would bring a lasting peace to the Middle East.

The latter promise was made during an interview with a Saudi news channel, Al-Arabiya, in October.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I want to see the Middle East get back to peace. A real peace, one thats going to be a lasting peace. And thats going to happen. I have  I feel really, truly confident its going to happen, said then-candidate Trump. He added that his election would be the key factor that made the difference.

During his first term in office, Trumps foreign policy team notched a key victory towards that ideal, though obviously not one that prevented the region from descending into bloodshed last year. In 2020, the Trump administration engineered the signing of the Abraham Accords  a pair of agreements signaling the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and two of its Arab neighbors, the UAE and Bahrain.

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu cultivated a close relationship during the formers first term, though it soured after the US president left office over his Israeli counterparts decision to congratulate Joe Biden, Trumps 2020 opponent, upon the Democrats election victory. (AP)

But the war in Gaza put a halt to much of that progress.

As long as Saudi Arabia is concerned... there will be no relationship between Saudi Arabia and Israel without an independent Palestinian state, with its capital as East Jerusalem, says Muhammad Al-Isa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ahead of Trumps inauguration in January, leaders of many countries are preparing for significant shifts to the USs global diplomatic stance. One of those countries is Saudi Arabia, which Biden famously vowed to make a pariah for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi before reversing course and pursuing a partnership.

Muhammad Al-Isa, secretary general of the Muslim World League, spoke to US policymakers and journalists at a gala at the National Postal Museum. (The Independent)

Saudi Arabia, like a number of countries, was pursuing its own strengthening of ties with Israel before the October 7 attack. Indeed, in 2022, the country allowed Israeli civilian aircraft to utilize its airspace for the first time.

Al-Isa is the countrys most senior religious diplomat. He leads the Muslim World League, the largest Islamic humanitarian organization on the planet. Reportedly a close ally of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Al-Isa sat down with The Independent in Washington a day after hosting a Q&A at a gala with journalists and US policy leaders. During the event, he called for a ceasefire to be reached in Gaza along with the release of all hostages by Hamas and the Israeli government.

He made the argument that religious reconciliation and the guidance of faith leaders must be part of diplomatic normalization with Israel, as well as a two-state solution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is our stance, and its a constant stance, always, that we can never give up on, he says. We can never discuss peace in the region, and normalization in the region, at all without believing in the two-state solution Anyone who talks about normalization without the two-state solution, having a Palestinian state with its capital as East Jerusalem  they are wasting time.

Al-Isa argues that a two-state solution for the Palestinian territories, with a capital for a sovereign Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, is an unmovable position that must be part of any Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. (The Independent)

For the next few weeks, at least, the US government will remain publicly supportive of the establishment of a Palestinian state. That will almost certainly end in January.

Trumps foreign policy selections indicate he is going in the opposite direction, possibly at the expense of future diplomatic gains in the Arab world. Marco Rubio, his pick for secretary of state, is a vocal opponent of a two-state solution. The Florida senators hawkish views caused his nomination to be a major disappointment for some America First hardliners who have accused him and others of seeking war with Iran.

Another Iran hawk who served in government during Trumps first term was Sam Brownback, the former senator from Kansas who was the president-elects ambassador-at-large for religious freedom. He is rumored to be among those in the GOP foreign policy sphere under consideration for a similar role this cycle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When asked about such issues, Brownback asked The Independent: Why would the Israelis agree to an independent state... and why would that guarantee peace in the region [when] they [the Palestinian territories] dont have the capacity to not become a terrorist state?

Brownback was attending a briefing for Democratic and Republican senators held by an Iranian dissident resistance group, the NCRI, on Capitol Hill this week. The gathering featured senators on both sides of the aisle who favor a maximum pressure stance against Iran, which is likely to be re-adopted by the Trump White House in January.

The former ambassador warned that Israel was never going to allow an independent state that can be so populated with terrorists right on their doorstep, especially in the immediate wake of October 7.

You could say your two-state solution already exists, and its Jordan, said Brownback. [But] the West Bank and Gaza have shown no ability to control terrorism in their own territory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Ted Cruz, who attended the briefing, said as he left for votes that achieving the total destruction of Hamas was the most important immediate step towards regional stability, one that took precedence over the Gaza peace process.

The signals are clear: the incoming Trump administration is poised to be wholly devoted to political and strategic military support for Israel, with the prospect of diplomacy around the Arab world being relegated to an afterthought. It could be seen as a rather grim outlook for the prospect of Palestinian statehood, and Saudi-Israeli relations by extension.

Al-Isa doesnt think so, however.

The incoming administration has opportunities more than others, given its relationship [with the Israeli government], he said. He argued that Netanyahus closeness to Trump would open the door for a President Trump to push the Israeli leader to lengths the current president never could.

Donald Trumps close relationship with the Israeli prime minister is seen by the formers Saudi allies as a boon, not a hurdle, towards reaching peace in Gaza. (Getty Images)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If the whole world is with the two-state solution, [and] then the current Israeli government comes and rejects it, in front of the whole world, even the White House which is its strongest ally, then how can they justify this? Will this result in a good reputation [for Israel]? he says.

Israels relationships with its allies  not just in the Middle East but on every continent  are now intrinsically tied to the question of how the war in Gaza ends. Government officials have said that Netanyahu plans the war to continue at least through 2024, and no plan for a drawing-down of operations has even been hinted at so far.

Part of the answer to that question lies in how long the US continues to fund Israels military offensive. Trump has shown no signs of opposing that support, but could face grumbling from his base if the price tag begins to climb too high  especially if economic conditions dont improve at home.
The U.S. State Department has commended Moroccos counter-terrorism (CT) efforts which have enabled the North African Kingdom to mitigate the risk of terrorism by promoting economic and human development in addition to countering radicalization.

In its annual country reports on terrorism released Thursday, the State Department said Morocco continued its comprehensive strategy that includes vigilant security measures, regional and international cooperation, and counter-radicalization policies.

In 2023, the country continued to face sporadic threats from individual actors or small, independent terrorist cells, the majority of which claimed to be inspired by or affiliated with ISIS, said the report.

Last year, Moroccan law enforcement, under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior, arrested at least 56 individuals, of whom 40 were lone actors, while the 16 others were associated with six different terrorist cells.

Moroccan law enforcement leveraged intelligence collection, police work, and collaboration with international partners to conduct CT operations. The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) remains the primary law enforcement agency responsible for counterterrorism prosecutions.

The BCIJ operates under the supervision of the public prosecutor of the Court of Appeals. Moroccan law enforcement agencies participated in a wide range of U.S.-sponsored programs to improve the countrys technical and investigative capabilities, including financial investigation, intelligence analysis, forensics, aviation security, and cyber-security.

Border security remained a top priority for Moroccan authorities. Morocco is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), and its Financial Intelligence Unit is a member of the Egmont Group.

In February, Morocco was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list. The country has a comprehensive strategy for countering violent extremism that prioritizes economic and human development in addition to countering radicalization and oversight of the religious sphere.

To counter religious extremism, Morocco promotes an interpretation of the Maliki-Ashari School of Sunni Islam. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has developed an educational curriculum for Moroccos nearly 50,000 imams as well as for female Islamic guides (mourchidates). Moroccos imam training center in Rabat trains imams mostly from West Africa.

The Royal Mohammedan League of Ulema (Rabita Mohammedia) counters radicalization to violence by producing scholarly research, reviewing educational curricula, and conducting youth outreach on religious and social topics.

Since 2017, an estimated 300 detainees have completed Moroccos deradicalization program (Moussalaha), administered by the Prison Administration and Reintegration, in cooperation with other ministries.

Furthermore, Morocco is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and co-chairs the Africa Focus Group. The country is also a member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum. In 2023, Morocco and the EU launched an initiative in the GCTF on education for the prevention and countering of violent extremism.
The President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet reiterated, in Rabat on Friday, Frances support for Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara.

Speaking at the House of Representatives during the closing seminar of the Morocco-European Union institutional twinning program, Braun-Pivet highlighted Frances historical, cultural and strategic ties with Morocco, emphasizing her countrys commitment to support the Kingdom in addressing its existential challenges, such as the Sahara issue.

She thus reaffirmed Frances position, which considers, as put by French President Emmanuel, that the present and future of the Sahara lie within Moroccan sovereignty.

On behalf of our national representation, I would like to reaffirm before you Frances position, according to which the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, she said in her address before Moroccan MPs.

The French National Assembly will play its full part in supporting the remarkable development of this territory, alongside French operators and businesses, Braun-Pivet added.

In this regard, she announced plans for a parliamentary mission to the Sahara, aiming to foster new economic and cultural partnerships that would benefit local communities.

The President of the French National also emphasized that the Morocco-France partnership has entered a new golden age.

The senior French official stated that her discussions with the President of the Chamber of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, will give a new impetus to the partnership between the two institutions. I strongly believe in the value of the partnership between our parliamentary assemblies, she said, before praising the success of the European twinning program that brought us together.

The agreement signed with Rachid Talbi Alami, she specified, will allow for more friendship visits and exchanges of experiences and will strengthen the existing ties between the two institutions, through committees, friendship groups, and the Franco-Moroccan interparliamentary forum, which she calls to be relaunched in collaboration with the Senate and the Chamber of Councillors. She also mentioned that the President of the Senate, Gerard Larcher, a great friend of Morocco, is very committed to this.

The twinning, which in recent years has been marked by an extensive cooperation program, has received support from several European parliaments, including those of France, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and the Czech Parliament.

On Thursday evening, Yael Braun-Pivet held talks with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. According to observers, the meeting focused on the outcome of the state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco end of last October.

Following this visit, an exceptional enhanced partnership was signed between the two countries, during which France recognized Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara and supported the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only solution to resolve the conflict.

Earlier Thursday, the President of the French National Assembly had met with the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch.

Before flying back to Paris this Friday, December 13, 2024, Yael Braun-Pivet, who paid a three-day working visit to Morocco, participated in a parliamentary womens forum, gathering several foreign delegations.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will contribute 65 million to fund projects aimed at expanding the capacity and optimizing the operations of the multipurpose terminals of the ports of Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar.

The financing agreement was signed by EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and Managing director of Moroccos port management company, Marsa Maroc, Tarik El Aroussi.

The funding will finance infrastructure projects aimed at expanding the capacity of the Groups multipurpose terminals at the ports of Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar. It also provides for the acquisition of electric rail cranes and hybrid cranes for the terminals, Marsa Maroc said in a press release Friday.

These projects will boost the sustainability of these port infrastructures through the acquisition and operation of more efficient electric rail cranes, as well as an increase in handling capacity, which should result in greater energy efficiency through a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per cargo handled.

The sustainable dimension of these projects is also enhanced by the civil engineering works at the Jorf Lasfar multipurpose terminal, which will incorporate climate resilience measures into the design of the quays to reduce sensitivity to sea-level rise.

This financing will enable Marsa Maroc to improve the attractiveness of its terminals, provide its customers with sustainable port facilities and offer more capacity to better serve and strengthen the competitiveness of Moroccan trade, Tarik El Aroussi was quoted in the press release as saying.
Photo: Courtesy of the Everett Collection

The presidential transition is a curious ritual. Obviously, the stakes are high. Personnel is policy: Cabinet and staffing picks signal the administrations real priorities. And yet because these decisions take place during the interregnum, an uncanny period when the outgoing president is still in office (in body, if not in mind), a sense of pageantry and weightlessness attends the whole thing, as if the incoming president were merely casting a film about the White House.

This effect is enhanced, of course, when the incoming president is Donald Trump. He has fully internalized Saul Bellows maxim Anyone who wants to govern the country has to entertain it. Trump selects candidates for top jobs who look the part and doubts those who dont; he memorably didnt hire John Bolton because he despised Boltons slovenly mustache. Trump promised this second transition would be as smooth as it can get. Instead, it has been a captivating mix of chaos, vitriol, backstabbing, and deviance. Trumps nominee for attorney general, thenFlorida congressman Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration amid allegations of drug use and sleeping with an underage prostitute. Trumps pick for secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has been accused of sexism, problem drinking, and rape. (Gaetz and Hegseth have denied wrongdoing, and neither has been charged with any related crimes.) At the end of November, Trump ordered an investigation of his own close ally Boris Epshteyn for allegedly selling influence in the transition. (Epshteyn has denied this.) And Trump withdrew his nominee for Drug Enforcement Agency administrator, Florida sheriff Chad Chronister, after a conservative revolt against Chronisters zealous handling of COVID lockdowns. Finally, three weeks after naming veteran GOP attorney Bill McGinley as White House counsel, Trump replaced him with David Warrington, a 2024 campaign lawyer. Epshteyn, the alleged double-dealer, had backed McGinley; Warrington would now investigate Epshteyn.

In short, the circus is back in town. But unlike in 2016, when Trump was forced to fill his administration hastily with a mix of incompetent allies and experienced antagonists, Trump now draws from a wide pool of credentialed ideologues. His insurgency within the Republican Party has succeeded; MAGA is the Establishment and vice versa.

Like the conservative Establishment it succeeded, MAGA contains competing ideological factions and centers of power. In the past, it has been useful to divide these contenders into three broad groups: (1) pro-business Reaganites who care most about tax cuts, deregulation, and stock-market dynamism and tend to be more comfortable wielding American geopolitical power; (2) a national-populist wing invested in trade protection, restraint in foreign affairs, immigration restriction, trust-busting, and worker-friendly industrial policy; and (3) what I call the MAGA misfit toys: fiercely loyal donors, grifters, and hangers-on  Mar-a-Lago members and business-world cronies  who wield power by dint of their access to Trump and capacity to flatter. Their redoubt is arguably the America First Policy Institute, helmed by Brooke Rollins  a savvy operator whose Bush-era politics have not interfered with her precipitous rise in MAGA world. AFPI kept a low profile during the campaign, unlike its rival, the Heritage Foundation, whose Project 2025 initiative became a liberal punching bag. As reward, AFPI chair Linda McMahon was named co-chair of the transition; she has since been selected for secretary of Education. Rollins, once a contender for chief of staff, has been picked for secretary of Agriculture.

And theres another node that didnt quite exist in 2016: (4) Trumps Silicon Valley acolytes. Led by Elon Musk, these reactionary futurists are dedicated to free speech (where it suits them), anti-wokeness, and shrinking the government (except where their own contracts are concerned). Their financial interests align most with the Reaganites, but they are engaged in a class war of sorts: not against the rich but against the professional managerial class, the knowledge workers and corporate middle strata perceived as enforcers of bien-pensant liberalism.

All of these factions exhibit some degree of social conservatism and religiosity. The Reaganites believe in Protestant upward mobility via capitalist growth. The nationalists  especially those huddled around Vice-President-elect J. D. Vance  inflect their populist economics with Catholic teaching and the neighborly piety of small-town America. And at least some of the MAGA misfits are prosperity-gospel Jesus freaks who see Trump as an instrument of God. Even the tech nerds, if less sincerely pious than their counterparts, have largely outgrown the militant atheism and New Age woo of earlier eras in Silicon Valley. (Perhaps artificial intelligence is the Second Coming!) At the least, believing in God has become another way to scandalize the libs.

Its worth noting, however, that the Christian right proper  as a distinct political force  may wield less influence over Trumps second term than it did his first. From the president-elects perspective, overturning Roe fulfilled his obligations there. He has since refused to support the most restrictive state abortion measures and vowed to veto a federal ban. During the campaign, Trump resented Christian groups for tarring him with their unpopular positions on abortion and contraception. And while MAGA is aligned on opposing transgender rights, Trumps appetite for crusading against modernity has waned and may wane further. Already, he has named a married gay man, Scott Bessent, to one of the governments highest posts (Treasury). Trump has always been more a 90s libertine than a 50s family man. Conservatives may have to wait for J. D. Vances presidency to ban pornography or reinstitute blue laws.

As it stands, none of these factions  Reaganites, nationalists, MAGA grifters, or dorks  is winning the transition outright. Each is getting a slice of flesh: No one is fully satisfied; no one is left hungry.

On trade, the nationalists would have preferred tariff wizard Robert Lighthizer, the architect of Trumps first-term trade policy, at Treasury, but Trumps other economic picks have inspired cautious optimism. Bessent  a hedge-fund titan who used to manage billions for George Soros  and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, the CEO of legacy financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald, are both creatures of Wall Street but seem somewhat sympathetic to aggressive trade maneuvers.

On antitrust, the nationalists see incoming FTC chair Andrew Ferguson and (especially) Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater, a onetime Vance policy hand, as allies when it comes to regulating big-tech monopolies. But Ferguson, a former counsel to Senator Mitch McConnell, is not likely to take a trust-busting posture more broadly  a relief to the Reaganites (and to Jeff Bezos). In a win for the dorks, Trump named venture capitalist David Sacks as AI and cryptocurrency czar, a strong signal that scrutiny of those industries will subside.

By far the biggest win for the populists  insofar as their pro-worker rhetoric is sincere  was Trumps nominee for Labor secretary, Oregon representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Chavez-DeRemer was one of only three House Republicans to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. While Vance, an avatar for pro-labor conservatism, likely welcomed the pick, Chavez-DeRemers nomination appears to be almost exclusively the product of machinations by Teamsters president Sean OBrien, who spoke at the RNC and withheld his unions endorsement from both parties  a bet that paid off. Whether Chavez-DeRemer will be empowered to do much of anything remains to be seen. Most Republicans remain hostile to unions and other worker protections. Business groups have already attacked Chavez-DeRemer and sought assurances from the transition that Trump will remain a greater friend to employers. They may have little to worry about; Trump is expected to sack Jennifer Abruzzo, the fiercely pro-union general counsel at the National Labor Relations Board, and reorient its priorities in favor of the bosses. On the trade front, Bessent and Lutnick may be talking the tariff talk, but if markets revolt, I have little faith theyll keep walking the tariff walk. JPMorganChase CEO Jamie Dimon, who privately backed Kamala Harris, has said his industry is dancing in the street.

On foreign policy, the outlook is even harder to parse. For secretary of State, Marco Rubio was a shrewd pick: He has moved in a populist direction on domestic policy but is still a hawk on the international front. Neither the nationalists nor the neocons are revolted or thrilled. Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, favors nonintervention and is seen as an ally of the nationalists. Meanwhile, national security adviser Michael Waltz is a staunch Iran hawk who opposed withdrawal from Afghanistan. Elise Stefanik, Trumps pick for U.N. ambassador, is a pedigreed neoconservative and Trump sycophant; she can be relied on to complain about the international communitys treatment of Israel  which is mostly what that job entails. Keith Kellogg, Trumps pick for Russia-Ukraine envoy, is a retired Army lieutenant general and former Mike Pence aide who, despite hawkish statements, supports bringing the conflict to a close through a negotiated settlement (Trumps plan).

Fox News personality Hegseths nomination for Defense was apparently a surprise even to those in Trumps circle. Before joining Fox & Friends, Hegseth helmed two different veterans organizations, one more hawkish, the other more restraint-minded. His chief political intervention has been defending American servicemembers accused of war crimes and decrying wokeness in the military. Restrainers hope his bellicosity is like Trumps: more bark than bite. As to why Trump picked him: First, hes Ivy League educated and looks like a movie star (neither of which Trump can resist), and second, while the rest of Fox News Channel was having its whirlwind romance with Ron DeSantis, Hegseth remained a Trump guy and said so on TV over and over.

Possibly the site of greatest policy alignment in the new administration will be immigration. Trump and his allies believe they have a mandate for mass deportations of undocumented migrants. While it remains to be seen how far they can go without Congress, and while steering clear of judicial injunctions, they will no doubt make a big show of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. To orchestrate this spectacle, Trump has named Santa Monica nativist Stephen Miller (as deputy chief of staff) and former ICE director Tom Homan (for border czar). Some immigration hard-liners were less enthusiastic about Kristi Noem for Department of Homeland Security because Noem, despite her anti-migrant zealotry, is not from a border state. Regardless, there will be no dovish voice on immigration.

The dork beachhead, of course, is Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency, run by Musk and fellow billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. This makes theoretical sense. The tech right has consistently complained that the government has become sclerotic and error-prone like a computer program larded with junk code  wasteful initiatives, bureaucratic choke points, counter-productive norms (like DEI). DOGE, in principle, empowers two crusading coders to force a hard reset. In reality, however, DOGE has no statutory authority. Its effectively a blue-ribbon committee, and it will likely be ignored or stymied by Congress, like many similar committees before. If DOGE takes its remit seriously, it may also come into conflict with national populists in the White House who dont just want to cut spending but would like to use revenue to help working people. For some in Trumps orbit, the advantage of DOGE was that it allowed chief of staff Susie Wiles to stash Musk and Ramaswamy far from the West Wing, in largely fake jobs, where nobody would have to deal with their bullshit. That being said, Musk invested bigly in Trump 2024; he has accumulated a serious quantity of political capital. And playing computer mechanic at DOGE may not be how he intends to spend it.

What to make, then, of the overall shape of Trump 2.0? The ideological picture is fragmented, contradictory, and divided against itself. The spoils are being parceled out. But it would be foolish, I think, to assume Trump is deliberately composing a team of rivals or seeking to build consensus by rewarding each faction. As many have noted, the only consistent criterion for his appointments thus far is loyalty.

This approach accounts for some of Trumps more outlandish selections: people like Kash Patel, a QAnon supporter, for FBI director; Hegseth for Defense; Gaetz (RIP) for Justice; RFK Jr. for Health and Human Services; and Gabbard for DNI. Not only have these figures proved their loyalty, they could never get such a high-level job from another president. Heterodoxy, a lack of credentials, an unsavory past  these things may hinder their Senate confirmations, but damaged goods make for loyal foot soldiers. Trumps generosity, his protection is a guarantee of their future reliability. (Its the same reason Don Corleone does favors at his daughters wedding.)

But is loyalty enough? It has been said many times that Trump runs his White House more like a mafioso than an executive. His mode of rule, as the sociologist Dylan Riley has pointed out, is patrimonial: The state is his private affair. Youre either in the family or youre out, a made man or an enemy. Rats who betray the Don, of which there are many  Bolton, John Kelly, Bill Barr, James Mattis, Chris Christie, and on and on  get concrete slippers (metaphorically speaking). The problem Trump faced in his first term was that this way of doing business, which writer John Ganz has called gangster gemeinschaft, was not compatible with the task of running an enormous, modern, rational machine like the federal government. The bureaucracy reacted to Trumps patrimonialism like a pathogen to be expelled.

This time, theyll solve the problem by expanding the family. More of the government will be composed of Trumps vassals, especially if Russ Vought  nominated for the Office of Management and Budget  can reclassify a significant portion of the permanent bureaucracy as hire-and-fire appointees. But what about relations within the family? Trump has fortified himself against outright betrayal. But there will be conflict between the libertarians and the populists, the restrainers and the neocons, the traditionalists and the accelerationists. Trumps court is full of sincere ideologues, grifters, and arrivistes with irreconcilable goals.

In the past few weeks, Ive talked to conservative operatives who believe Trump will champion the working class; Ive spoken to others who say hell inevitably defer to the stock market. I heard Trump was committed to tariffs and that he doesnt give a damn. I heard his distaste for war-making is sturdy and that hell cow the worlds tyrants with his personal belligerence. This cant all be true at once. Trump excels at inspiring others to hear what they want. And if he could swing it, I suspect he would love to be everything to everyone. But he cant. Trump 2.0 will be plagued by the same problems as Trump 1.0: Rivals will compete for his favor. Hell remain capricious and self-obsessed. The only thing we can count on is uncertainty. As Trump guaranteed before January 6, 2021, it will be wild.


strike a pose, there's nothing to it





don't just stand there, let's get to itstrike a pose, there's nothing to it

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

cringe.....



like i'm no fan of the Catholic church but this just seems silly

Reply

Thread

Link

Couple of 2024 for me.

Reply

Thread

Link

stop being so boring!!!

Reply

Thread

Link

Sacrilegious blah blah blah these pictures are just bad and fake looking

Reply

Thread

Link

I fucking hate AI

Reply

Thread

Link

I just saw Whos That Girl for the first time and I loved it so much. You can tell why everyone loved Madonna in the 80s.

Reply

Thread

Link

it was very important to child me.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Same, it was one of my favorites.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Its got a bad reputation but I also recently saw it for the first time and really enjoyed it!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Don't forget Desperately Seeking Susan as well :)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

This is now the longest stretch of time she has not released an album in her entire career.

Reply

Thread

Link

she's readying material for her posthumous release.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Life is a mystery...

Reply

Thread

Link



Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

Reply

Thread

Link

This has to be illegal... Not the pope kissing, but the manipulating anyone into kissing, even if it's AI.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

This is so creepy!!!!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

These are terrible, but ngl those AI images of Pope Francis decked out in Balenciaga from a year ago made me lol.

Reply

Thread

Link

He looked damn good in the long pope puffer

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Think about how many AI images they had to generate to find 2 pics that look as "good" as this.

Reply

Thread

Link

I'm not fan of the Church but AI and specifically this type of use are a distasteful at best



Ngl

Reply

Thread

Link

This is specifically about the use of AI



Or are you being obtuse on purpose?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Why is this such a polarizing comment and why are people laughing at it too, its not a joke omg



Using peoples likeness in this way is awful and should be illegal

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

yeah using someone's likeness to suggest something about them for your own benefit using AI is disgusting



also if she was trying to be edgy, eh. It's not the 80s anymore, we're not going to be scandalized by her wearing crucifixes with lingerie anymore like people were back then. it's just not landing.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
Since 2022, several countries worldwide have announced plans to expand their natural gas production capacity over the next decade, with multiple new large-scale projects coming online over the last three years. This was largely driven by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions on Russian energy, which led to a global shortage of natural gas. As countries across Europe and North America hurriedly sought out alternative supplies of the fuel, several governments decided to back new gas expansion plans to ensure the future of their energy security, with many viewing natural gas as a necessary mid-term transition fuel.

A recent report by the climate group Reclaim Finance states that $200 billion in funding has been earmarked by large banks for new gas terminals, in addition to $252 billion from around 400 other investors. While most major banks have committed to a shift toward net-zero banking, many continue to define natural gas as a transition fuel, allowing for funding exceptions. The wave of new gas projects comes in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the widespread energy shortages that followed. Many countries have shifted their reliance on Russia for gas supplies to alternative producers, such as Norway and the U.S., over the last almost three years.

Oil and gas companies are betting their future on LNG projects, but every single one of their planned projects puts the future of the Paris Agreement in danger, Reclaim Finance campaigner Justine Duclos-Gonda said in a statement this month. Banks and investors claim to be supporting oil and gas companies in the transition, but instead they are investing billions of dollars in future climate bombs.

The report found that eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal projects and 99 import terminal projects were completed between 2022 and 2024, increasing the global export capacity by 7 percent and the import capacity by 19 percent. In addition, LNG developers have a project pipeline of 156 new LNG terminals worldwide to be completed by the end of the decade, consisting of 63 export terminals and 93 import terminals.

This has raised concerns among climate experts over the potential emissions increase in relation to new gas projects. The report stated that methane leaks from these terminals could produce as much as 10 gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is nearly equivalent to the annual emissions of all operational coal plants globally.

In October, the International Energy Agencys (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2024 warned that there could be a severe oversupply of gas by the end of the decade if all planned projects go ahead. This will likely lead to a sharp drop in gas prices. The IEA predicts that the price of gas imported into the EU could fall from a record average high of over $70 per million British thermal units (MBtu) in 2022 to just $6.50 by 2030.

The U.S. has taken the lead in LNG production, overtaking Qatar and Australia to become the worlds largest LNG exporter in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy and Information Administration (EIA). U.S. LNG exports averaged 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), a 12 percent increase on 2022 levels. Australia and Qatar each exported between 10.1 Bcf/d and 10.5 Bcf/d annually between 2020 and 2023. Russia and Malaysia were the fourth- and fifth-highest LNG exporters globally over the last five years.

There are no signs of slowing for the U.S., which has an extremely large LNG project pipeline for the next decade. Three new LNG export projects, currently under construction, are expected to come online by the end of 2025. Earlier this year, the EIA forecast that U.S. natural gas exports would grow by 6 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, to 13.6 billion Bcf/d. Net exports are set to increase even further in 2025, by an additional 20 percent, to 16.4 Bcf/d. This is not just a U.S. phenomenon, with North American LNG exports on track to more than double by 2028, as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico all expand their export capacities.

By July, 42 LNG projects across Europe were planned to start in 2025. The current European project pipeline is expected to increase the continent's LNG capacity by 121 million metric tonnes a year by 2030. However, a decrease in European demand means that utilization rates at many operating terminals have fallen below 50 percent. Energy experts are growing increasingly concerned over the potential overinvestment and underutilization of the market.

The race to develop new LNG terminals in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent global gas shortages may be short-sighted, if demand predictions from the IEA are to be believed. The rapid expansion of the global LNG market could lead to a huge oversupply, thereby driving down gas prices dramatically over the next decade. However, this does not appear to be deterring many of the developers building these new projects, who expect demand to remain high as gas is used globally as a transition fuel.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The international community may perceive Russia as weaker following the collapse of the Assad regime, potentially leading to increased support for Ukraine.

Experts believe that the loss of Syria may harden Putin's stance on Ukraine and increase his desire for control.

The fall of Assad in Syria is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on the battlefield in Ukraine, but it could affect Russia's military presence in the region.

When he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin apparently believed Russian forces would topple the government within weeks and restore Moscow's dominance over the country after 30 years of independence.

Putin was mistaken, and the war he started rages on nearly three years later. It's hard to imagine Putin didn't mull over his miscalculation when militant-led opposition forces seized Damascus and swept Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power less than two weeks after launching an offensive.

The Kremlin's focus on the war against Ukraine is one of the factors that fed into the speed and success of the Syrian rebel offensive. Russian warplanes stepped up attacks on rebel-held territory as the offensive took hold, but with its military capabilities in Syria limited and its eyes on Ukraine, Moscow made no massive effort to stop it.

Now that Assad has fallen, what effect will Russia's big Middle East setback have on its war against Ukraine?

On the battlefield, not a huge one, analysts say, though it will depend in part on the fate of Russia's forces and bases in Syria: the airfield at Hmeimim and the naval facility at Tartus.

"A partial or full withdrawal would free up some reconnaissance, air force, special forces, and intelligence assets. But Russia's presence in Syria is probably only a few thousand troops," Dara Massicot, a military analyst and senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told RFE/RL in e-mailed comments.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said in a Telegram post that as of this past summer "there were about 6,000-7,000 Russian military personnel in Syria," including members of private military companies tied to the Russian state.

"Even if all these soldiers were transferred to the Russian Federation and then sent to the war against Ukraine, this would not significantly affect the situation on the front, given the rather high daily losses of the Russian Army in assault operations," Kovalenko wrote.

The Russian military has suffered massive casualties as it seeks to augment its gains in recent months, particularly in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, ahead of what is widely expected to be an effort by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to push for peace when he takes office in January.

Analysts pointed out that if Russian ships based at Tartus leave the Mediterranean, they cannot enter the Black Sea because Turkey has restricted passage through the Bosporus.

The departure of warplanes from Syria would be more meaningful because "it could strengthen the aviation group fighting against Ukraine," Kyiv-based military analyst Mykhaylo Samus told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "It is the aviation component that could play a negative role" for Ukraine.

Ivan Kyrychevskiy, an analyst at the consulting firm Defense Express in Kyiv, was more dismissive, saying, "Russia's manipulation of its resources in Syria will in no way affect Ukraine" and that, at this point, "We can't say that the Russians are leaving [Syria,] and that's the end of it."

"Russia would be willing to offer a lot to the new coalition in Syria to retain some presence there as a first priority," Massicot told RFE/RL. "Russia will try to solidify agreements in Libya and Sudan as a partial offset."

Some experts said the reputational blow Russia has suffered in Syria may further sharpen Putin's hunger for control over Ukraine.

"Assad's collapse hasshaken Putin, making him less inclined to demonstrate flexibility with Ukraine," Tatyana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, wrote on X. "The war in Ukraine has, to some extent, cost him Syria, which reinforces his unwillingness to compromise."

Ruth Deyermond, a senior lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King's College London, said the events in Syria seem unlikely to affect Russia's determination to prevail in Ukraine.

"Given how tightly Putin's presidency is tied to the war in Ukraine, how far he's been willing to reshape Russian economy and society, how many lives he's been willing to sacrifice for it, and how dependent he's made Russia on other states (China, Iran, North Korea), it's hard to imagine that the loss in Syria will make much difference because it's hard to see how the Kremlin could take victory in Ukraine more seriously than they already do," she wrote in e-mailed comments to RFE/RL.

Massicot suggested it would depend on how much of a presence in Syria and the surrounding region Russia manages to salvage.

"If Russia is pushed out entirely from Syria and they are unable to offset with basing elsewhere in the region, such a serious blow to Russian power would probably make Putin more rigid and determined to show control and 'success' in Ukraine," she wrote.

At the same time, Ukrainian commentators said the collapse of a regime that had stood as a symbol of newfound Russian clout abroad could prompt the rest of the world to view Moscow as weaker and more vulnerable than when Assad's grip on power seemed firm for almost a decade after Russia's military intervention in Syria in 2015.

The "myth that Russia is great, invincible, and so forth -- it's all just propaganda. And I think this was seen clearly once again in many capitals, and it will influence all subsequent events," Volodymyr Ohryzko, Ukraine's foreign minister in 2007-09 and now the head of a center for the study of Russia, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

"For us, I think this is a positive moment in our work with Western partners. And we must take advantage of this moment," Ohryzko said.

"We can use this in Ukraine, showing that nuclear powers can lose. The Soviet Union lost in Afghanistan, the United States essentially lost in Vietnam," Ukrainian political analyst Oleksandr Khara told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, adding it could help persuade Kyiv's supporters "that we can win in Ukraine if they help us with the necessary weapons and other things."

"We've seen in the past that the West has been willing to extend further support to Ukraine when they've had military successes against Russia. The Kremlin's inability to take any serious steps to prevent this geopolitical humiliation [in Syria] shows how overstretched they are in Ukraine," Deyermond wrote. "That and the failure of Putin's recent nuclear threats should encourage NATO members in their support for Ukraine."

By RFE/RL

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
After 50 years in business, Spirit World is giving up the ghost.

The store in Omahas Aksarben Village, which sells liquor, beer and wine, is closing.

Over the years, the store amassed a loyal following that appreciated its selection, knowledgeable staff and efforts to educate customers.

Laurie Hellbusch, who has owned the store the last 17 years, said it will close in January.

She declined to say specifically why the store is closing now, only that its the right time.

But, speaking more broadly, she said the retail market for alcohol is being affected by consumers changing habits and a surge of new stores opening the past few years.

Spirit World was founded in 1974 by Harlan Noddle, Murray Newman and Denny Lewis.

Hellbusch, 48, was working as a lawyer in Omaha when she bought the business from Lewis. At the time, the store was on 75th and Pacific Streets.

She had a business management degree from Iowa State University and a law degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. But she considered herself a hobbyist when it came to spirits.

The store has evolved over its half-century, starting out as a warehouse store.

That was Dennys model, and then he was kind of the first person to bring in varietal wine to the Nebraska market, meaning like chardonnay and cabernet, as opposed to cheaper wine blends, she said.

He turned it into a specialty store, and when it came up for sale, that appealed to her.

Thats what I grabbed hold of and tried to push forward with, being a place that you can get really good knowledge, Hellbusch said.

The staff was knowledgeable and could converse with customers and provide good service, she said.

Having somebody that you can come in and ask Ive tried this bottle at a restaurant, I really loved it, what can you recommend?

Spirit World became known for its selection, the go-to place for customers searching for something unique, she said.

Her shelves were always stocked with some recognizable wines but also some obscure labels.

We always want to have things that people havent tried and be able to teach somebody something new, she said.

Nationally, wine sales have been shrinking, she said. According to the Wine Institute, U.S. consumption peaked in 2021 at 1.06 billion gallons but slid to 899 million gallons in 2023.

Younger consumers dont drink wine as much, she said.

Its not a category that younger consumers seem to be interested in learning about, she said. So, as wine buyers age, theyre drinking less and less, and there arent new consumers that are filling that pipeline.

Whiskey sales ballooned over the last decade, especially American whiskey, but retailers are starting to see that bubble burst, she said.

Some consumers are switching from hard alcohol to seltzers, and shes seen a big increase in nonalcoholic beverages and beverages infused with cannabis. Some older customers are aging out of their drinking years, she said.

Its a combination of factors that overall alcohol consumption is decreasing, she said.

Despite the consumption trends, Nebraska has seen big retailers enter the market over the past few years, she said.

Among them have been Macadoodles, Wine, Beer and Spirits and Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits. The latest big retailer, Total Wine and More, opened last month in Omaha, about a mile from Spirit World. It claims to stock more than 8,000 different wines.

Theres so many new stores opening, and there arent magically more customers in the market, she said. Theres not really enough space for everybody.

The pandemic provided a temporary boost to retail alcohol sales, she said.

Purchases of alcoholic beverages soared to a state record in Nebraska in 2020. With bars and restaurants shut down or open with limited capacity, drinkers turned to mixing their own cocktails or popping their bottles of wine or beer at home.

That spurred retail growth, only to ebb after the pandemic, she said.

In recent years, retailers in Nebraska have also experienced some difficulty getting product, she said. Some wholesalers cant get all the product in to supply stores with the amount that they want, she said.

Its now at a point that there are too many retailers, and that will have to weed itself out over time, Hellbusch said. How that plays out, I dont know. Which ones stick around and which ones dont make it, I dont know.

Hellbusch said she treasures her decision to leave a law career and write my own story owning and operating Spirit World and doing it her way.

She said shell miss the staff, whom she affectionately calls passionate misfits. The staff had to be nerdy to work there, and they feel like family, she said.

Since announcing the closing, shes been receiving thanks and well-wishes. Those are flattering, she said, because it means we did something right along the way. I think it means we meant something to people along the way.

She said, however, that Spirit World is bigger than me. Hellbusch said she was lucky enough to manage it for 17 years.

She initially wasnt a fan of the stores name  actually hated it  and she contemplated changing it. Through the years people would call and ask if the store sold Halloween costumes or crystals. Her business sense told her to keep it.

And I was like, Thats dumb. You bought a successful business. You dont change the name of a successful business.

Hellbusch said shes aiming to close in mid-January, the date depending on clearing out inventory.

Were not ordering anything in at this point, she said.

She doesnt have a definite plan for the future, but it will include rest, travel and spending more time with her daughters, 11 and 14.

I want to go to all of their show choir competitions and dance competitions, and kind of be a show-choir and dance mom for six months, and then see from there, Hellbusch said.
President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected five bills sent to him for assent by the national assembly.

The bills are Nigerian Film Commission bill, Immigration Amendment bill 2018, Climate change bill 2018, Chartered Institute of Pension Practitioners bill 2018 and Digital Rights and Freedom bill.

The presidents decision to withhold assent to the bills was conveyed via a letter read during plenary on Wednesday.

The presidents reasons for not assenting to the bills, as contained in the letter, range from conflicting and duplication of duties of existing government agencies, their destructive nature as well as lack of clarity.

This comes a day after he rejected two bills passed by the legislative chamber . The development brings to 13, the number of bills Buhari has rejected in 2019.
Israels First Lady, Nechama Rivlin, 73, died on Tuesday morning after battling with a respiratory disease for years, the Presidential Residence announced.

She died at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.

Three months ago, Rivlin underwent a lung transplant.

Rivlin suffered from pulmonary fibrosis and required the constant use of a portable oxygen tank, which was attached to her even during official ceremonies she attended with her husband.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife Sara and I express deep sorrow at the passing of the wife of the president, Nehama Rivlin.

We all prayed for her healing during the recent period in which she fought bravely and with all her might for her life.

READ ALSO: Israel inaugurates 2nd Bible contest on promotion of moral education in Nigeria

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the president and to all his family. May her memory be a blessing, he said.

Rivlin was born in Moshav Herut, an agricultural community in todays central Israel.

Her parents, Drora and Mendi, emigrated from the Ukraine and were among the pioneer founders of the community.

In 1971, she married Reuven Rivlin and the couple lived in Jerusalem.

Rivlin had a BSc in Botany and Zoology.

As the First Lady, she focused her activities on the environment, nature and art, as well as children with special needs.

(dpa/NAN)
File Photo



Police operatives in Adamawa State have gunned down three suspected kidnappers and injured three others.

This was the result of a shoot-out between the suspects and the police, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Suleiman Nguroje, who said in a statement Monday that the suspects were the kidnappers and killers of a resident.

The PPRO stated, The Adamawa State Police Command wishes to inform members of the general public that on the 15/3/2020; between the hours of 10 and 11pm, the command in collaboration with hunters went after the kidnappers and killers of Alhaji Panyo Kojoli.



The criminals who armed themselves with guns and dangerous weapons engaged our operatives in a shoot-out, as a result of which three of the kidnappers were gunned down while three escaped with bullet wounds.



He said the command recovered one AK 47 assaulted rifle with four live ammunitions and charms from the kidnappers, and assured members of the general public that the police will continue going after the criminals in their hideouts.

The encounter with suspected kidnappers came less than a week after the Adamawa State Police Command paraded five suspected kidnappers and 11 others who said they had renounced kidnapping.

The five arrested kidnap suspects had been among 51 persons paraded last Tuesday over different offences, with the 11 repentant kidnappers bringing the number to 62.
Nigeria loses about N153 billion annually from natural gas flaring, as the country flares about 22 million tonnes of natural gas, according to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Nigeria continues to flare the gas due to its inability to effectively capture and commercialise flared gas.

According to a statement by the Programme Manager, Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme in the Ministry of Petroleum, about $3.5 billion worth of investment is required to achieve the flared gas commercialisation targets of 2020.

Justice Derefaka, the Programme Manager, Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, explained in the statement that the volume of gas flared in the country could be put to better use, if harnessed, to power two-to-three liquefied natural gas, LNG, trains and generate about 3,000 megawatts of electricity.

Derefaka also said over 700 companies were currently being verified for participation in the governments proposed gas commercialisation programme targeted for 2020. He also said the companies have already registered on the NGFCP portal to bid for the 178 gas flare sites across the country.

The programme is being executed to meet the governments gas flare commercialisation target of 2020, he said.

For the 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide we (Nigeria) emit, we lose appropriately $500 million emission credit value, he added.

Nigeria has made progress, from its previous position as second most gas flaring nation in the world after Russia, to its current seventh position, but environmental experts say it still flares 9 cubic metres of gas per barrel of crude oil produced, a figure that is double the globally accepted standard of 4.5 cubic metres per barrel of oil produced.

BudgIT, a civic organization in a report said that Nigerias gas flaring is a threat to nearly 30 million lives in the Niger Delta.




The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says the outcome of a recent survey conducted by it indicated that students of tertiary institutions across the country are dangerously exposed to corruption.





The Chairman of the ICPC, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, who disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday said that the report also showed that students were very susceptible to corruption.





Owasanoye spoke at the commissions headquarters, while presenting the report of the survey at a National Stakeholders Meeting on Nigeria Corruption Index and Presentation of Policy Brief on Eradicating Electoral Corruption.





The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the survey report is tagged: Corruption Awareness Attitude and Susceptible (CAAS) : Survey of Students of Tertiary Institutions 2019.





According to Owasanoye, the survey was carried out in the six geopolitical zones of the country.





The survey indicated that the susceptibility of students to corruption was derived from synthesising the indicators for attitude toward corruption with previous personal involvement in corrupt practices.





The indicators for attitude toward corruption include nepotism among others, he said.





According to him, there is the inescapable reality that students of tertiary institutions will eventually occupy the echelons of both the public and private sectors hence, the need to ensure they have the proper awareness of corruption matters.





The attitude of future leaders toward corruption should be such that does not create room for corruption to thrive, he said.





He also called for deliberate steps to preventing corruption and implement appropriate enforcement mechanisms.





The chairman said that the commission was collaborating with other relevant agencies of government to implement the findings of the survey.





The findings and the outcomes could also be preventive measures that we have statutory power to focus on, Owasanoye said.





On his part, a former chairman of the commission, Mr Ekpo Nta said that government was doing substantially well in the fight against corruption.





He said that stakeholders must address the theoretical framework of corruption in order to be focused in the fight against the menace.





This is one of the processes that anti- corruption agencies have put in place that will guide the fight against corruption.





He also called for the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy to achieve results in the war against corruption.


(file photo)

Rep. Breese Iverson, Rep. B. Levy, Rep. Owens, Issue Statement on Passage of Wildfire Funding

By Rep. Breese Iverson, Rep. B.Levy, Rep. Owens,

Eastern Oregon  After the passage of SB 5801 to address the funding deficit at the Oregon Department of Forestry, Representative Vikki Breese Iverson (R-Prineville), Representative Bobby Levy (R-Echo), and Representative Mark Owens (R-Crane) issued the following statement:

We are thankful the brave men and women who fought for the safety of Oregonians across the state will now be paid.

Now our attention must turn to the root of the problem. Oregons forests are an incredible resource. Unlocking their full potential would allow us to rebuild rural economies, fund schools, build housing, address air quality, and remove the built-up fuel in our forests.

In the upcoming legislative session, we will renew our efforts for Oregon and western state leaders to speak with one voice to the federal government: If you continue to let federal lands burn, we would like a chance to manage them,

Representatives Breese Iverson, B. Levy and Owens represent the majority of the 1.9 million acres burned during the 2024 fire season.


After Special Session, Senate Republican Leader Bonham Urges ODF Reform, Stronger Forest Management to Prevent Wildfires

By Daniel Bonham, Oregon State Senator

& Oregon State Senate Republican Leader,

SALEM, Ore.  Following the conclusion of the special legislative session to address the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon State Fire Marshals (OSFM) outstanding bills from the 2024 wildfire season, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) issued the following statement:

While it was necessary to address the states unpaid bills, this special session only treated the symptoms of a much larger problem. The real issue is decades of agency mismanagement and ineffective policies that fail to address the root causes of these devastating fires. ODFs leadership must improve its performance and take responsibility for allowing these issues to persist. Governor Kotek must also step up and use her leadership to drive the necessary reforms at the agency so were not constantly reacting after disaster strikes.

The Legislature approved funding to pay off millions of dollars in unpaid bills, ensuring that wildfire response contractors and other partners are compensated for their critical work. However, Bonham emphasized that without real reforms, the state will continue to face these challenges year after year.

Oregonians deserve a system that proactively manages our forest to prevent future fires. Current policies lock up our forests, making them more vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires. ODFs inability to prioritize prevention strategies reflects a pattern of inefficiency that undermines its mission and public trust. We need to use prescribed fires, thin overgrown forests, remove excess fuels, and support sustainable timber harvests. These are common-sense solutions that will make our forests healthier and reduce wildfire riskwhile generating jobs and spurring economic activity in rural Oregon.

Senate Republicans have consistently called for comprehensive reforms to Oregons forest management and wildfire policies. Bonham concluded by urging his colleagues to focus on long-term solutions when the Legislature reconvenes in 2025.

We cant keep reacting to wildfires after the fact. Lets work together to prevent them from happening in the first place. Oregonians deserve nothing less.
Museum exhibitions see growing fan base in China

Xinhua) 09:29, December 14, 2024

A woman visits an exhibition titled "The Countless Aspects of Beauty in Ancient Art" at the National Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- "From differences results the most beautiful harmony." Niu Dong, 13, mused before the words of Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who lived around 500 BC.

The junior high school student from Beijing was visiting an exhibition on Hellenic art and life at the National Museum of China. Though an avid enthusiast of Chinese history, Niu was amazed by the timeless appeal of Greek aesthetics.

The quote, displayed prominently on a wall, seemed to set the tone for a journey into an intriguing world of pottery, gold and silverware, murals and sculptures.

In China, there is rising interest in cultural things, with museums becoming increasingly popular.

"The demand for a deeper knowledge of culture, history and art at museums has soared in recent years," said Wang Xi, who works for the National Museum of China.

During the summer of 2024, an average of 1.6 million people applied for the 26,000 tickets in the daily quota of the museum.

CULTURAL CONFIDENCE

Guan Jian, a sociology professor at Nankai University, called this phenomenon "cultural awakening." Guan attributed it to the country's economic success in recent decades, which offers more resources and opportunities for cultural pursuits.

At the National Museum of China, Niu also visited an exhibition on ancient China. He was captivated by the bronze masks that dated back to around 3,000 years ago.

He was amazed at the skillful use of phosphorus and welding in bronze ware, which he said shows the technological sophistication of ancient Chinese people.

Li Chaoyang, a 30-year-old resident in Beijing, saw the Hellenic exhibition as an opportunity to broaden his horizons. "Exploring how other societies evolve, their perspectives on beauty, and their pursuit of it helps us see the world in a fresh way," he said.

This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024 shows a marble sculpture of Aphrodite at the National Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

The exhibition, themed "beauty," showcases 279 relics that illustrate ancient Greece's aesthetic evolution from the late Neolithic period to the first century BC. Spectators can breathe in Hellenic scents from rose and myrrh, while enjoying an art film in a small Hellenic-style theater at the exhibition's finale.

In the first three weeks since its opening on Nov. 6, the exhibition had received more than 45,000 visitors, with 62 percent of them under the age of 35. It runs until June 5, 2025.

EXCHANGES AND RESONANCE

As he strolled among the exhibits, 25-year-old Zhang Guyu noticed the many parallels between Chinese and Western mythology, reminiscent of what Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung called the "collective unconscious."

Pointing to figures of Zhurong in Chinese mythology and Prometheus in Greek mythology, who are both revered as bringers of fire to humanity, Zhang said such cultural resonances reflect a universal quest to understand the world and humanity's place within it.

"Themes of love, beauty and sacrifice for the greater good run through all these myths," said Zhang, an English interpreter.

In 2023 alone, China added 268 new museums. Numerous high-profile exhibitions were held this year, including a showcase of the ancient Inca civilization in Shenzhen and an exhibition on ancient Egypt in Shanghai.

Nationwide, 6,833 museums in the country logged 1.29 billion visits in 2023.

People visit an exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

Many of the young visitors at the Hellenic exhibition were there in part to complement their studies. For example, Niu's visit was inspired by the upcoming history curriculum of next semester. Similarly, Wang Yudan, a senior high school student from Chengdu in Sichuan, traveled here over the weekend to experience the artifacts firsthand.

"Seeing the objects in person is more inspiring than reading about them in textbooks," she said. "It makes history more engaging and easier to absorb."

Gao Zheng, director of the National Museum of China, emphasized the relevance of ancient civilizations to modern challenges. The wisdom contained within these artifacts holds unique value for addressing the problems of the times, he said.

As one visitor wrote in the Hellenic exhibition guest book, "One can see as far into the future as one can into the past."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
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:

In this photo released by Zeb Hogan, USAID Wonders of the Mekong Project, people hold a Mekong giant catfish to release it in Mekong River in Kampong Cham, Cambodia on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Credit: Zeb Hogan, USAID Wonders of the Mekong Project via AP

Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfishone of the largest and rarest freshwater fish in the worldwere caught and released recently in Cambodia, reviving hopes for the survival of the species.

The underwater giants can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and weigh up to 300 kilograms (661 pounds), or as heavy as a grand piano. They now are only found in Southeast Asia's Mekong River but in the past inhabited the length of the 4,900-kilometer (3,044 mile)-long river, all the way from its outlet in Vietnam to its northern reaches in China's Yunnan province.

The species' population has plummeted by 80% in recent decades due to rising pressures from overfishing, dams that block the migratory path the fish follow to spawn and other disruptions.

Few of the millions of people who depend on the Mekong for their livelihoods have ever seen a giant catfish. To find six of the giants, which were caught and released within 5 days, is unprecedented.

The first two were on the Tonle Sap river, a tributary of the Mekong not far from Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. They were given identification tags and released. On Tuesday, fishermen caught four more giant catfish including two longer than 2 meters (6.5 feet) that weighed 120 kilograms and 131 kilograms (264 pounds and 288 pounds), respectively. The captured fish were apparently migrating from their floodplain habitats near Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake northward along the Mekong River, likely to spawning grounds in northern Cambodia, Laos or Thailand.

In this photo released by Zeb Hogan, USAID Wonders of the Mekong Project, people hold a Mekong giant catfish to release it in Mekong River in Kampong Cham, Cambodia on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Credit: Zeb Hogan, USAID Wonders of the Mekong Project via AP

"It's a hopeful sign that the species is not in imminent, like in the next few years, risk of extinction, which gives conservation activities time to be implemented and to continue to bend the curve away from decline and toward recovery," said Dr. Zeb Hogan, a University of Nevada Reno research biologist who leads the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Wonders of the Mekong project.

Much is still unknown about the giant fish, but over the past two decades a joint conservation program by the Wonders of the Mekong and the Cambodian Fisheries Administration has caught, tagged and released around 100 of them, gaining insights into how the catfish migrate, where they live and the health of the species.

"This information is used to establish migration corridors and protect habitats to try to help these fish survive in the future," said Hogan.

The Mekong giant catfish is woven into the region's cultural fabric, depicted in 3,000-year-old cave paintings, revered in folklore and considered a symbol of the river, whose fisheries feed millions and are valued at $10 billion annually.

Local communities play a crucial role in conservation. Fishermen now know about the importance of reporting accidental catches of rare and endangered species to officials, enabling researchers to reach places where fish have been captured and measure and tag them before releasing them.

In this photo released by Zeb Hogan, USAID Wonders of the Mekong Project, people hold a Mekong giant catfish to release it in Mekong River in Kampong Cham, Cambodia on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Credit: Zeb Hogan, USAID Wonders of the Mekong Project via AP

"Their cooperation is essential for our research and conservation efforts," Heng Kong, director of Cambodia's Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, said in a statement.

Apart from the Mekong giant catfish, the river is also home to other large fish including the salmon carp, which was thought to be extinct until it was spotted earlier this year, and the giant sting ray.

That four of these fish were caught and tagged in a single day is likely the "big fish story of the century for the Mekong", said Brian Eyler, director of the Washington-based Stimson Center's Southeast Asia Program. He said that seeing them confirms that the annual fish migration was still robust despite all the pressures facing the environment along the Mekong.

"Hopefully what happened this week will show the Mekong countries and the world that the Mekong's mighty fish population is uniquely special and needs to be conserved," he said.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The arrival of AI has received a lukewarm welcome from teachers and parents.

Apps infused with AI are being marketed to schools across the world and governments are rushing to embrace the technology, despite experts raising serious doubts.

The sector known as Ed Tech exploded during the COVID pandemic as schools closed to stop the spread of infection and millions of children were forced to learn in front of screens at home.

As demand dried up after schools reopened, Ed Tech startups tried to win back investment by adding AI to their products and marketing.

Tech titans like Microsoft, Meta and OpenAI have also spied an opportunity, promoting their AI products to schools or partnering with startups.

While many education ministries have announced plans to deploy AI apps, there are plenty of dissenting voices.

The UN's education body UNESCO last year eviscerated the record of online learning during COVID, saying the rapid rollout of tech solutions was a "tragedy" that had increased inequality and worsened learning outcomes.

UNESCO's Manos Antoninis told AFP that AI might have some utility in education but right now it "seems to be creating more problems than it is solving".

He cited concerns that companies were using data for commercial purposes, deployed biased algorithms and overall were less concerned with educational outcomes than with their bottom line.

"I think the unfortunate thing is that education has been used as a bit of a Trojan horse to access future consumers," he said.

'Ease the pressure'

During the pandemic boom in 2021, venture capitalists pumped more than $17 billion into Ed Tech. But that has slumped to $3 billion this year, about the same as last year, according to analysts PitchBook.

But from North Carolina to South Korea it is a different story, where education officials have been encouraging teachers to use generative AI.

Language teacher Vandana Pandey said her pupils were not in a position to use Ed Tech.

Britain has already rolled out a homework app called Sparx Maths that uses algorithms to tailor children's learning.

It recently announced a further multimillion-dollar outlay on AI programs to "ease the pressure" on hard-working teachers by helping with lesson plans, marking and assessment.

The European Union supports several learning apps, and several EU countries have experimented with them.

China is a huge booster of AI in the classroom and has a national strategy for digitizing educationits centerpiece being a national education platform of tools and online courses.

Yet the on-the-ground reality is often messy.

India boasted one of the liveliest startup scenes in the sector during the pandemic, including a firm called BYJU's which was once the world's most valuable Ed Tech startup.

Yet when schools in New Delhi were forced to close because of smog last month, there were no flashy apps to help.

"It is not feasible for them to take online classes," 29-year-old teacher Vandana Pandey told AFP, saying many of her pupils had no smartphones or connectivity at home.

BYJU's has faced allegations of financial misconduct and only narrowly avoided bankruptcy in a recent court hearing.

In richer countries, the arrival of AI has received a tepid reception.

Only six percent of US secondary school teachers polled by Pew Research Center in May thought using AI in education would do more good than harm.

France announced it would roll out an AI-powered homework app called MIA in secondary schools earlier this year, but quietly dropped the project as a political crisis rumbled on.

OpenAI is among the big companies encouraging teachers to use its products.

Many British parents are also not keen on Sparx Maths.

"Don't know a single child that likes it," said one user on the popular Mumsnet forum.

Another said the app "ruins any enjoyment of the subject" while a flood of other parents said their children "hated" the app.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

'More like isolation'

Aside from grievances over individual apps, educators doubt whether many of these firms are aiming at the right target.

Almost all Ed Tech products promise to "personalize" education, often deploying AI to monitor a child's work and tailor workplans to suit their needs.

Officials from Britain to Beijing have lauded this goal.

But Antoninis said the rhetoric around personalization "risks making us forget that a lot of learning is actually social, and children learn from interaction with each other".

Leon Furze, a former teacher who now works as a consultant focusing on generative AI in education, was also wary about personalization.

"AI is touted as a solution to personalized learning, but it's a very specific kind of 'personal' which I think seems more like isolation," he told AFP.

Both Antoninis and Furze warned that technology was no panacea, rather it was a tool that could help in some limited situations.

The hard work, as ever, would be done by humans.

"Tech solutions aren't going to solve the bigger socio-economic, cultural, and political challenges being faced by teachers and students," said Furze.

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Most of what we know about humans living to very old age is based on faulty data, including the science behind the "blue zones" famous for having a high proportion of people over 100, according to one researcher.

The desire to live as long as possible has driven a booming lifestyle industry selling supplements, books, tech and tips to those wanting to learn the secrets of the world's oldest people.

But Saul Justin Newman, a researcher at University College London's Centre for Longitudinal Studies, told AFP that most extreme old age data "is junk to a really shocking degree".

Newman's research, which is currently being peer-reviewed, looked at data about centenarians and supercentenarianspeople who live to 100 and 110in the United States, Italy, England, France and Japan.

Contrary to what one might expect, he found that supercentenarians tended to come from areas with poor health, high levels of povertyand bad record-keeping.

The true secret to extreme longevity seems to be to "move where birth certificates are rare, teach your kids pension fraud and start lying", Newman said as he accepted an Ig Nobel prize, a humorous version of the Nobel, in September.

Just one of many examples is Sogen Kato, who was thought to be Japan's oldest living person until his mummified remains were discovered in 2010.

It turned out he had been dead since 1978. His family was arrested for collecting three decades of pensions payments.

The government then launched a review which found that 82 percent of Japan's centenarians230,000 peoplewere missing or dead.

"Their paperwork is in order, they're just dead," Newman said.

This illustrates the problem Newman has sought to shine a light onthat confirming ages in this field involves triple-checking very old documents that could have been wrong from the start.

The industry that has popped up around blue zones is one "symptom" of this problem, he said.

'Only alive on pension day'

Blue zones are regions around the world where people are said to live disproportionately longer and healthier lives.

The term was first used in 2004 by researchers referring to the Italian island of Sardinia.

The following year, National Geographic reporter Dan Buettner wrote a story that added the Japanese islands of Okinawa and the Californian city of Loma Linda.

Buettner admitted to the New York Times in October that he only included Loma Linda because his editor told him: "you need to find America's blue zone".

The reporter teamed up with some demographers to create the Blue Zones lifestyle brand, and they added Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula and the Greek island of Ikaria to the list.

However, as seen in Japan, later government records have cast doubt on old age data in these regions.

In Costa Rica, 2008 research showed that 42 percent of centenarians had "lied about their age" in an earlier census, Newman said.

For Greece, he found 2012 data suggesting that 72 percent of the country's centenarians were dead or imaginary.

"They're only alive on pension day," Newman said.

Several prominent blue zone researchers wrote a rebuttal earlier this year, calling Newman's work "ethically and academically irresponsible".

They accused Newman of referring to broader regions of Japan and Sardinia when the blue zones were smaller areas.

The demographers also emphasized they had "meticulously validated" the ages of supercentenarians in blue zones, double-checking historical records and registries dating back to the 1800s.

Newman said this argument illustrated his point.

"If you start with a birth certificate that's wrong, that gets copied to everything, and you get perfectly consistent, perfectly wrong records," he said.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

A clock to measure age

The only "way out of this quagmire" is to physically measure people's ages, Newman said.

Steve Horvath, an aging researcher at the University of California, told AFP he had created a new technique called a methylation clock "for the express purpose of validating claims of exceptional longevity".

The clock can "reliably detect instances of severe fraud", such as when a child assumes their parent's identity, but cannot yet tell the difference between a 115- and 120-year-old, he said.

Horvath has offered to test a DNA sample of France's Jeanne Calment, who died at 122 in 1997 and holds the record for the oldest confirmed age.

Newman's analysis "appears to be both rigorous and convincing", Horvath said, adding that several blue zones are overseen by rigorous scientists.

"I suspect both opinions hold some truth," he said.

So what can people at home take away from this debate?

"If you want to live a long time, step number one: don't buy anything," Newman said.

"Listen your GP (doctor), do some exercise, don't drink, don't smokethat's it."

 2024 AFP
Put Gillian's Wonderland question to public

I am a 10-year resident of southern New Jersey, whose parents took my sister and I to Ocean City every summer as we were growing up. I have returned many times since.

Visitors have grown to love and cherish Ocean City in New Jersey, mostly because the city has not changed much over the decades. It is a place of beauty and acceptance where you feel at ease, safe and at home. The views of the ocean and beach, from the old-fashioned wooden boardwalk, have a tranquility about them. There are varied activities where most anyone can enjoy themselves, and depart with pleasant memories and a smile.

So you can see that people are attached to the familiar sites and their traditions when they drive there for a visit. It is therefore vital to get the opinions of those who live there; residents and those who love that community.

A short questionnaire should be developed asking: What do you think? Would change make a difference? Would it be nice to have at least one large hotel where visitors can have an ocean or bay view as soon as they awaken? Should the pier be reopened and more rides be added? Or, should there be an alternative?

Whatever is decided, Ocean City must remain a dry community. To be known as "America's Greatest Family Resort," never should a bar or package goods store be built there. The use of marijuana on the Boardwalk should also be banned. Either activity would detract from the beauty that is Ocean City, New Jersey.

Charles Mazzarella

Brigantine

Master plan review would determine if Wonderland hotel is right for Ocean City: Letters Ocean City should address its development issues through the master plan process, not redevelopment, the president of the Friends of OCNJ History & Culture writes.

U.S. health care system must change

The shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson should serve as a major wakeup call for America.

Although the motive for the killing has not yet been determined, words written on the shell casings indicate that United had denied an individual coverage of medical treatment. The comments section of one news website contained dozens of stories from people who said United Healthcare had refused to cover procedures their doctors had deemed necessary.

Of course, murder is never the solution to insurance problems. But I can see how someone would get so angry over repeated denials of needed medical care that they would resort to such a drastic measure.

Of all the worlds developed countries, only the United States treats health care as a commodity to be sold for profit. The others all guarantee medical care as a human right for their citizens.

It is way past time for the U.S. to join the civilized world and remove the profit motive from health care, and set up a system where all are entitled to care without regard to their ability to pay.

Elaine Rose

Galloway Township

Letter writer defends Atlantic City bus purchase Jeffree M. Fauntleroy Sr. defends Atlantic City's purchase of a bus for seniors and youth trips, largely with state funds.

Tip your postal worker

In 1959 at the age of 13, I got my very first job as a newspaper boy. At the time I delivered the Levittown Times and the Philadelphia Bulletin. It was a good lesson learned at an early age. Of course we lugged around on our shoulder some 75 to 100 newspapers to deliver to our customers seven days a week. Periodically the customers would give us a small tip.

Fast forward to the holidays. All the newspaper boys were excited about receiving a very nice Christmas tip from our customers for dutifully making sure their daily paper was put on their front step.

So the $64,000 question is, did you give your newspaper boy a Christmas tip this year? And do you even know who it is? Well, needless to say, with the major changes going on in the world right now, there is a possibility that your newspaper boy is now your mailperson.

They now have to lug those 75 to 100 newspapers around on their back, and they do not get paid one more dime for doing that. The post office gets paid by the newspaper publishers, but the carrier gets nothing. So it is not too late to show your appreciation to your mailperson for assuming this task. Not to mention they deserve it for the yearlong service that they give to you, whether rain or shine.

Richard Gober

Ventnor
Republicans in Virginias 10th Senate District nominated political outsider Luther Cifers early Saturday to run in an upcoming special election for the state Senate seat being vacated by Congressman-elect John McGuire.

Cifers victory on the third round of voting after 1 a.m. capped a six-hour spectacle in which more than 1,000 Republicans gathered in the Goochland Rec Center for a mass meeting to pick their nominee.

In the third and final round of voting, Cifers beat Louisa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Duane Adams, who has served on the board for seven years. Former state Sen. Amanda Chase, who now lives in Appomattox County, was eliminated in the second round of voting.

The nomination was called for Cifers at 1:21 a.m.

What I can promise you is Im going to do everything in my power to never let you down, Cifers said in his victory speech. My goal is to go into the Senate, not just to influence legislation, but to influence the political culture in the 10th District.

Cifers owns the kayak fishing accessories business YakAttack in Farmville and is building a business that aims to introduce new technology to the homebuilding process to bring down the cost of starter homes.

Cifers will run against Democrat Jack Trammell in the Jan. 7 special election. The winner will serve the remainder of McGuires four-year Senate term, which expires in January 2028.

Democrats currently hold a 21-19 edge in the Senate pending the outcome of Jan. 7 special elections for the seats that have been held by McGuire and Democrat Suhas Subramanyam, a Loudoun Democrat who also was elected to Congress.

Senate District 10 is a strong Republican district that includes all or part of 11 counties. In the Greater Richmond area, it includes western Hanover, eastern Louisa and all of Powhatan and Goochland counties.

Seven Republicans vied for the GOP nomination. Three candidates were eliminated in the first round of voting: Bryan Hamlet, a member of the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors; recent University of Richmond graduate Alex Cheatham, and Shayne Snavely, a former staffer for Chase.

Chase was eliminated in the second round of voting and Jean Gannon, a Powhatan County real estate appraiser and Republican activist, dropped out.

Cifers story

Cifers was homeschooled and entered the manufacturing workforce at 19 years old with a GED, he said. Cifers started YakAttack in 2009 from a friends basement with less than $2,000. He said he turned it into the global leader in the fastest growing fishing category in the world  kayak fishing.

I grew up working in the tobacco fields of Amelia County. I remember the smell of an air-cured tobacco barn. Its one of the best smells in the world. And I also remember rolling the balls of resin off of my arms and throwing them at my brother, Cifers said in a speech before voting began.

I support the Second Amendment. Im pro-life. Im pro-family, Cifers said. I believe parents have God-given authority over their children, not the government. I believe in school choice, and I believe that schools should teach, but not indoctrinate.

I know that God doesnt make mistakes, which means that boys are boys and girls are girls. I believe in limited government and understand that trust, power and authority are constitutionally reserved for the people, not the bureaucrats.

Farmville resident Eric Berger said one of the reasons he supports Cifers is because Cifers is not a politician.

I like that hes really conservative, hes not just an I say Im conservative person, Berger said in an interview before the meeting. Hes a really successful businessman, and I think the government should be run more by businessmen and less by politicians. When you look at these guys who go into office worth a half million dollars and leave worth $40 million, theres a problem.

Cifers supporter Jim Bezdan, also a Farmville resident, said he likes Cifers because hes not a career politician.

Hes somewhat of an outsider and hes a self-made businessman, Bezdan said. One of the things hes looking at is working on more affordable housing developments. Hes talking about how the fees and things that developers have to pay are actually grabbing a lot of housing costs, and he has some good ideas about how to mitigate that.

The credentials committee said 1,034 voters registered at the meeting.

Earlier Friday evening, the Goochland County Rec Center was filled to the seams with many of the thousand voters standing or sitting on the floor of the crowded auditorium. In the hours before the meeting eventually began at 7:30 p.m., voters hung out in the tailgate-like atmosphere of the auditorium, donning stickers representing their candidate of choice.

Outgoing U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, who lost his congressional seat to McGuire in the 5th District congressional primary, was the last person in line to register to vote on Friday night. He said he doesnt have any regrets over the past four years except that hes not going to continue to serve in Congress. McGuire who topped Good, then beat Democrat Gloria Tinsley Witt in the general election in November, was not seen in the crowd Friday night.

The other special elections on Jan. 7 are for seats in Loudoun County. Outgoing Del. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, and Republican Tumay Harding are seeking Subramanyams state Senate seat.

Democrat JJ Singh and Republican Ram Venkatachalam are seeking Srinivasans House seat. Pending the special election, Democrats hold a 51-49 edge in the House of Delegates.

The General Assembly session is scheduled for Jan. 8 through Feb. 22.
The U.K. Health Secretary has made existing emergency measures banning puberty-suppressing hormones (blockers) indefinite for children aged under 18, following the official advice of medical experts.

A press release from the Department of Health and Social Care published this week (Dec. 11) confirmed that both the sale and supply of the puberty blockers via private prescriptions to treat gender dysphoria and/or gender incongruence for youngsters not already taking them is no longer allowed.

However, any of the National Health Service (NHS) patients already receiving the medicines as treatment for gender incongruence/dysphoria are allowed to continue receiving the blockers.

The banning order follows a consultation and advice on patient safety about the puberty blockers from the independent Commission on Human Medicines and the Cass Review, as reported by Christian Daily International.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said that Childrens healthcare must always be evidence-led.

The independent expert Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) found that the current prescribing and care pathway for gender dysphoria and incongruence presents an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people, said Streeting.

Dr Cass review also raised safety concerns around the lack of evidence for these medical treatments. We need to act with caution and care when it comes to this vulnerable group of young people, and follow the expert advice.

The U.K. Government and NHS will continue to improve childrens gender services, providing all-round holistic support, according to the press release.

We are working with NHS England to open new gender identity services, so people can access holistic health and wellbeing support they need, Streeting explained. We are setting up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers next year, to establish a clear evidence base for the use of this medicine.

The Medicines (Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogues) (Restrictions on Private Sales and Supplies) Order 2024 is effected from Jan. 1 2025, the same day when the current emergency order expires, and it will be reviewed in 2027.

The measure follows independent expert advice given by the CHM saying that any continued prescription of puberty blockers to children and young people carried an unacceptable safety risk. Recommendations for the indefinite restrictions were given while work is done to ensure the safety of children and young people.

Routine prescriptions for puberty blockers were stopped for under 18s by the NHS in March this year, 2024following the Cass Review into gender identity services at the now defunct Tavistock gender clinic in London, England, which made headlines as an example of inappropriate support and care.

Official figures at the time show 382 children aged up to six were referred to the clinic before it closed in July 2022. About 70 of these youngsters were aged three or four years old.

An analysis of the Gender Identity Development Service run by Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, by retired pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, commissioned by NHS England and known as the Cass Review, deemed services at the clinic such as giving puberty blockers neither safe or viable.

The Cass Review also found that clinical staff on an international basis have reported that adolescents seem to have more complex presentations (p90, Cass Review) and with greater mental health and psychosocial needs, as well as additional diagnoses of ASD and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Data also showed that rates of depression, anxiety and eating disorders were higher in the gender clinic referred population than in the general population.

It is widely accepted that exposure to sexuality is happening at a younger age, added Cass (p119, Cass report). The impact of this on young peoples understanding of their sexuality and/or gender identity is unclear.

The reality is that for young individuals, different social-cultural influences impact their understanding of both gender and sexual identity, opined Cass in her report, adding: and this is an area that warrants better exploration and understanding.

Commenting on the indefinite ban, Dr Hilary Cass called puberty blockers powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks.

That is why I recommended that they should only be prescribed following a multi-disciplinary assessment and within a research protocol.

I support the governments decision to continue restrictions on the dispensing of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria outside the NHS where these essential safeguards are not being provided.

Professor Steve Cunningham, CHM vice-chair, also commented on the governments announcement.

He said that CHM had been requested by Streeting and the Northern Ireland Minister for Health to provide advice on the safety of GnRH agonists when used to suppress puberty. CHM made eight recommendations, he added.

CHM has advised that a statutory indefinite ban is placed on the use of GnRH agonists for puberty suppression until our three recommended structures are in place to support safe U.K. prescribing, with a first review date of 2027, Cunningham said.

The indefinite ban is made in the context of a significant waiting list for gender specialist services in the UK. In making this decision, CHM considered the safety, actual and potential, of using GnRH agonists to suppress puberty, and also risks to children and young people associated with accessing GnRH agonists via alternative routes.

James Palmer, NHS Medical Director for Specialised Services, said all the evidence reviews by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England, supported by Cass, clearly showed there is not enough evidence to support either the safety or clinical effectiveness of puberty suppressing hormones for the treatment of gender dysphoria or incongruence. He stated that this is the reason why the NHS had decided to no longer routinely offer the blockers to children and young people.

We welcome the governments decision to further ban access through private prescribers, added Palmer, which closes a loophole that posed a risk to the safety of children and young people, but this will be a difficult time for young people and their families who are affected, so we are extending an offer of targeted support to anyone affected by the banning order from their local mental health services.

Both the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and NICE will develop standards in this area of health for youngsters, following the recommendations of CHM, according to the press release. Recommendations from the Cass Review will also be implemented.

This work includes eight new regional centers giving mental health support for young people under 18 and a surety to see those on waiting lists sooner. Three of these new regional centers, in London and the North West of England, opened in April and another in the city of Bristol in South West of England opened last month, November. An East of England service is planned to open early next year, 2025.

A clinical trial to determine the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers is also underway, following recommendations from the Cass Review. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is working with NHS England to start clinical trials and aim to recruit the first patients by spring 2025.

The indefinite ban also prevents any sale and support of these medicines from prescribers within the European Economic Area or Switzerland for any reason to those under 18.

For people whose access to puberty-suppressing hormones may have been discontinued and are not on the waiting list of childrens gender services, NHS England will offer targeted support from local NHS mental health services in England.
Aggressive Cancun man now facing robbery charges

Cancun, Q.R.  An aggressive man arrested by Cancun police for disobedience is now facing charges of robbery. Victor Yair N was arrested Thursday for erratic driving when he cut off a patrolling police unit.

Once stopped, his aggressive attitude got him arrested, however, since then, police say is one of the suspects in the December 10 robbery of 650,000 pesos.

This subject is involved in an assault where 650,000 pesos was stolen on December 10 in the underground parking lot of Plaza Americas of Cancun. The population is asked to file their corresponding complaint with the authorities if they recognize him, Cancun police requested in a statement Friday.

During surveillance tours, elements of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) noticed a vehicle that suddenly and spontaneously passed them, invading the opposite lane in an unusual and apparently evasive way, the Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) of Q.Roo said.

Once stopped, the male began to display very aggressive behavior, referring to a series of threats, insults and pushes toward the police for which reason he was detained.

Police also seized his vehicle. He is believed involved in the recent Plaza Plaza Americas robbery. Authorities have not said how many people they believe were involved
Federal inspectors arrest poachers during seizure of boat and 280 kilos of lobster

Port of Progreso, Yucatan  Federal fishing inspectors seized a boat along with 280 kilos of lobster that was caught without permits. The seizure also included the arrest of five people.

Photo: Semar December 12, 2024.

The at-sea inspection took place near the Port of Progreso in Yucatan waters. Personnel from the Ninth Naval Zone of the Mexican Navy (Semar) made the inspection in coordination with the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca).

The inspection was part of ongoing federal surveillance tours to locate poachers. During a tour Thursday, the crew of a fishing vessel was inspected with a fresh catch of lobster they did not have permits for.

After the interception, approximately 280 kilograms of lobster were found on board the vessel, which was also without the required documentation. Following the inspection, the five poachers on board were taken into custody and their boat and catch of the day seized and returned to the Remote Terminal of the Port of Progreso.
Illegal dumping: Expansion of Cancuns Green Patrols into other municipalities on the table

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  A proposal to expand Cancuns Green Patrols into the states other 10 municipalities is on the table. Alfonso Fernandez Lemmen, the General Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (PPA) for Quintana Roo explained that although the program was not initially considered at state level, they want to expand it.

The city of Cancun has had success since the start of its Patrullas Verdes last month. Nearly a dozen people have been arrested and fined for illegal garbage dumping, a problem that plagues the entire state.

Illegal garbage dumps are a problem around the state. Photo: Govt Cancun.

The city worked on the program this summer and finally got it up and running in November. Six patrols man the citys dozens of clandestine garbage dumps. Days after they started patrolling, a dump truck driver was the first arrested and charged for emptying his truck of construction material in a green area. The man was brought before a Civic Judge and fined 8,000 pesos.

There must be a dialogue so that the municipalities can implement this initiative. In the first days of its implementation in Cancun, sanctions were already imposed, Fernandez Lemmen said.

Police were called after a resident was caught throwing garbage on a city street. Photo: Ayuntamiento de Benito Juarez December 2, 2024.

The Patrullas Verdes (Green Patrols) was started by the city of Cancun and is a program run by the citys outsourced garbage collection company Solucion Integral de Residuos Solidos (Siresol).

The Cancun resident was caught throwing a bag of garbage under a sign that reads Prohibited to Throw Garbage.

Photo: Ayuntamiento de Benito Juarez December 2, 2024.

The Green Patrols was a 100 percent municipal initiative of Cancun. We are allies of these green actions, so what will be done is to promote the program as a success story for other municipalities to implement it, Fernandez Lemmen explained.

Franz Ancira Martinez, the General Director of the Integral Solid Waste Solution (Siresol), says the program is part of the Comprehensive Solid Waste Solution to ensure that public areas are respected.

Officials want the illegal dumping program to be expanded to other cities around the state. Photo: Govt Cancun.

The program also works in coordination with the Procuraduria de Proteccion al Ambiente (PPA) or Environmental Protection Agency.

There are currently six units manning Cancuns illegal dumping areas. Photo: Govt Cancun.

At the moment, there are six units carrying out surveillance, something the PPA sees as positive and a project that could be extended into the other municipalities.
Marina personnel escort Mahahual fishing vessel to port

Mahahual, Q.R.  Marina personnel escorted a Mahahual fishing vessel to land Friday. The boat was escorted after requesting assistance due to an overheated engine.

In a statement, the Secretaria de Marina said that fishing vessel Chalchinichoacan was located in waters approximately one kilometer from Mahahual. The crew were unable to return to shore due to an overheated engine.

Members of the Navy, through the Mexican Navy acting as Coast Guard, assisted a fishing boat that suffered an emergency due to overheating of its engines, near the Fishermens Wharf in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, the Secretaria de Marina reported.

The report was handled by the Fifth Naval Region, coordinating the operation through the Naval Station for Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance (ENSAR) in Chetumal and the Eleventh Naval Zone.

Marina crew snap a photo of Chalchinichoacan through a window Saturday. Photo: December 14, 2024.

The incident occurred approximately one kilometer east of the dock where the fishing vessel called Chalchinichoacan requested assistance due to mechanical failures that put its crew at risk.

In immediate response, a Defender-type vessel was ordered to set sail with specialized personnel. Upon arriving at the site, naval elements provided water to cool the engines and stabilize the operation of the vessel.

Once the vessel was operational, the naval personnel escorted Chalchinichoacan until it arrived safely at the port. This action prevented further risks for both the crew and the vessel.
New Alvaro Obregon Avenue overpass of Chetumal to open in coming days

Chetumal, Q.R.  The new overpass being constructed at the entrance to Chetumal is nearing completion and scheduled to open in coming days. Governor Mara Lezama was on the bridge Thursday, which has been closed to traffic for more than a year.

On Friday, she reported that the overpass on Alvaro Obregon Avenue, the gateway to Chetumal, will be opened before Christmas. Governor Lezama confirmed that it is practically ready and there is very little time left before it is inaugurated.

This is a very important project for the state capital, she said. It is a 280-meter roadway and will benefit more than 233,000 people as well as visitors who come to Chetumal.

The bridge on Alvaro Obregon Avenue is being built so you can enter our capital, very close to the Maya Train station, Quintana Roo Park, which is managed by Sedena as part of the complementary projects of the social justice train, explained the Governor.

Mara Lezama said that it is one of the many priority projects that she negotiated with the federal government. She stated that the Maya Train is an emblematic project that transforms the connectivity of the southeast of the country and that it promotes the economic, social and cultural development of the state, including rural localities that were previously forgotten, opening up sources of work and strengthening the social fabric.

Photo: CGC December 13, 2024.

The Governor stressed that this new bridge will be accessible to people from Highway 186 and Highway 307, which is about to be completed and thus fulfill the promise of opening it this December.

Work is being done on details of railings, asphalt, painting and detailing of curbs. It is 97 percent complete.

In this different government we do not lie, we do not steal, we do not betray and we keep our word. We are going to inaugurate this historic entrance to Alvaro Obregon and this bridge is going to look spectacular, Mara Lezama concluded.
Search team stumbles up four year old human remains

Lazaro Cardenas, Q.R.  Human remains believed to be four years old were found Thursday during a state search. Seven human bones were located by a search team out looking for missing persons.

State officials are seen here during a search for missing persons Thursday. Photo: FGE December 13, 2024.

The remains were located on lands adjacent to the town of Kantunilkin in the municipality of Lazaro Cardenas in the northern region of Quintana Roo. State authorities have said the bones are being analyzed and once identified, the family will be notified.

Human bone remains were found which will be analyzed for identification, and if the result is a positive identification, their respective notification and dignified delivery to their relatives will proceed, the State Attorney General (FGE) said in a statement.

The group of searchers included personnel from the FGE as well as elements of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC). The removal of the remains found were done with the help of expert anthropologists in order to carry out the extraction with great care to preserve them in the best way and to be able to determine the number of bodies located and their identity, the FGE reported.

In a first analysis, forensic experts and anthropologists determined that the seven bone remains found had been buried there for approximately four years.

It should be noted that the search for human remains will continue in the same area, as there are more caverns in the ground which will be thoroughly inspected to rule out, or if necessary confirm and extract, the presence of more bones, the agency explained.

Anthropologists removed the bones found in hopes of a proper positive identification. Photo: FGE December 13, 2024.

The Attorney Generals Office fulfills its mission of searching for and locating possible victims of forced disappearance and homicide to finally deliver the remains to their relatives.
J. Mark Powell is a novelist, former TV journalist and diehard history buff. Have a historical mystery that needs solving? A forgotten moment worth remembering? Please send it to HolyCow@insidesources.com.
ROCK VALLEY, Iowa  There are few things as comforting as losing yourself in a good book when seeking an escape from your troubles.

That's been harder to do for Rock Valley residents since flooding devastated their community this summer.

Among the dozens of homes and businesses damaged when the Rock River inundated the community on June 21 was the Rock Valley Public Library, where flood water up to 4 feet deep surged into the building.

When library director Nicole McCray entered the back door a couple days later, she found books and furniture pushed to the back of the building by the flood surge. Water, mud and the resulting humidity ruined the majority of books, DVDs and other periodicals, plus children's programming materials, furniture and computers.

"There were just piles of books at least a foot high, and you were walking on books," McCray said when recalling her entrance into the library after the flood.

The community's ongoing flood recovery will reach another milestone in coming weeks when the library makes a long-awaited reopening in a temporary location.

McCray hopes that in early January, she and her four staff members can begin welcoming readers into the "new" library at 1503 14th St., next to Pizza Ranch in a space that formerly housed Lighthouse Church, and a reception hall and bowling alley before that.

To say residents are eager would be an understatement. They drop by often to check if the library's open yet. McCray is frequently asked about it when she's out about town.

"I think it's creating an awareness for people who use the library and even those who don't use it that often. They're beginning to see the value we bring to the community because it's greatly missed," McCray said. "I am so excited to just see people walking through the door and catching up with them."

The temporary location will be bare bones and likely open part time at first, McCray said, offering mainly checkout of books and other materials. Events and other programming won't be offered right away.

McCray and others saved about 2,000 books and stored them at a local school. Another 10,000 books, DVDs and other items were out on loan at the time, so only about 12,000 of the library's 45,000 items available for checkout were saved. The library's computer catalog was backed up off-site, so staff members could track the remaining inventory as residents returned books from the Rock Valley library at area libraries.

After the flood, the library borrowed computers and opened a temporary computer lab at a school. Though offerings were reduced, children's summer reading program activities were conducted at various sites in town. In August, McCray and her staff moved into the temporary site.

"Then the donations started coming in," McCray said.

Books by the truckload -- that's no exaggeration, she said -- began arriving from Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and points beyond. More than 100,000 books were received before McCray finally stopped accepting them because there wasn't enough storage room.

"I'm still getting phone calls and emails daily from people who want to donate," she said.

The library's kept about 10% of them. Some were in poor shape and unsuitable for checkout. There were a lot of duplicates. Others likely wouldn't get checked out.

The library obtained shelving units, many of them castoffs from area libraries, and the staff for weeks has been sorting the donated books, entering them into the computer system, wrapping and shelving them.

Most of the rest of the donated books will be offered for sale at an upcoming book sale.

Using checkout histories, McCray will buy popular books that were ruined. Some can never be replaced. Unique books on Sioux County and local history are likely lost forever. The library's classic collections of Hardy Boys and Sweet Valley High novels, graphic novels and large-print editions of books will be nearly impossible to replace.

Eventually, the library will return to its permanent location, which sustained $3.5 million in damage to the building and its contents. The city could begin restoration work soon, but it's not known how long that will take.

"We know it will happen," McCray said. "We just don't know what that time line will look like. There's still lots of variables at this point."

In the meantime, the library is continuing to apply for grants and is conducting an online auction (visit the library's Facebook page for more information) to raise money for new books and other features at the permanent library.

In the meantime, McCray looks forward to rebuilding the library's collection and welcoming loyal readers, young and old, to the temporary site. The flood was a disaster, but the adversity has added to her appreciation for the library's place in the community.

"One thing I've learned, I've always thought this was the perfect job because I love books," McCray said. "I've realized it's the people that make it enjoyable as well."

People eager to find the next good book to settle into a comfy chair with.
Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Delia Cai is filling in as Prudie for Jenee Desmond-Harris while shes on parental leave. Submit questions here.

Dear Prudence,

15 years ago, an intoxicated man broke into my home in the middle of the night, kicked my dog, took my keys, and attempted to steal my car before being apprehended by my then-boyfriend. The police were called and the man was taken away. Thankfully, I was not injured, but the experience was still upsetting and terrifying. Days later my boyfriend and I broke up, I moved out of the house, and was never contacted by anyone about charges or follow-up on the case.

I hadnt thought about the incident in years, but this week I was picking up my child from an event for incoming kindergarteners and there this man was with his own child.

I doubt he recognizes me, as he only saw me once, in the dark, while he was heavily intoxicated 15 years ago. My question is how to handle future interactions with him, as our children will likely be in school together for the next 13 years and our paths will likely cross. I am an introvert by nature, but it seems wrong to ignore this and let it sit until our children are old enough to Google our names and see the articles about this case. I dont think I will be able to feign surprise if the incident is revealed years from now.

Awkward PTA Meetings in My Future

Dear PTA Meetings,

That is, pardon my language, fucking crazy. Im so sorry that happened to youit must have felt terrifying to recognize him so many years later. I hope youve been able to work through the original freak event with the help of supportive friends, family, and ideally a good therapist or counselor; if not, it might be time to invest generously in your own well-being, because Im sure this run-in will kick up a lot of emotions for you.

Youre right that this man probably wont recognize you, and its even possible that he has totally changed his life and would want to make amends if he knew who you were. I wouldnt blame you if you wanted to reach out to him, but I would suggest that you bring a friend along if, say, you went up to him during school pick-up. (If were going to get nitty gritty with it, I actually dont think a public confrontation is the best way to go about this; my style would be to get his email from a school directory and reach out in a very business-like but vague way, saying Hi, Im a parent at this school, and I know you are too, and theres something I want to speak about with you. Suggest coffee somewhere semi-public, and have a friend stationed at this coffee shop ahead of time.) Your goal is not to extract an apology, but a shared acknowledgement of this past incident and a mutual understanding that you will both be in the same orbit now, and that it will be awkward at best.

But this is only if you feel physically comfortable talking with him, especially given the possibility that he will respond angrily, or defensively. (Hes probably going to be very afraid that youll tell all the other parents about this). It doesnt sound to me like this man is an obviously dangerous person, but you should be prepared for your personal alarm bells to go a bit wild if and when you interact. Thats why I dont think you should do it alone. But ultimately, youre not under any obligation to straighten things out with him just for the sake of your kids; my concern is more so what it will do to your mental health and peace-of-mind to be regularly bracing yourself for contact with this terrifying part of your past.





Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Prudence, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Dear Prudence following up) Submit

Dear Prudence,

I need advice on how to deal with a friend I honestly dont like. Well call him Elliot. He has lied and been mean to my friends multiple times, and just recently told a very private secret to someone. He tells me to shut the fuck up over text A LOT when I contradict him. Elliot wears skirts and dresses, and I have no problem with this. He is not a girl. I have no problem with this. He is Asian. I have no problem with this. I have no problems with any of this! But when I argue that the things hes doing to me and my friends arent right, he breaks down and says that he doesnt know what to do with his life or something like that. I really dont want to be his therapist for him. The other thing he does is to say he didnt ask for it, or he gets defensive and swears. I dont want to completely break ties because of proximity to him every day, so what should I do?

I Cant Deal Anymore

Dear Cant Deal,

Hmm. It doesnt sound like Elliot is acting like a friend at all, which makes me wonder why youre putting yourself in a position to even be his therapist in the first place. Im guessing hes part of a friend group, so he comes with the whole package. If thats the case, you may need to start negotiating a new relationship with the group at large, which will probably involve cultivating the individual friendships one-on-one instead of defaulting to the group hang.

That said, Im going to be honestit does sound like there is a tiny whiff of judgment coming from you re: Elliot. It may not be actually about his race or his personal style, but theres clearly something about the way he does his thing that you dont agree with. Or you just dont like him. Which is fine! You are absolutely allowed to not like someone! But its one thing to dislike a person and distance yourself from them; its another, slightly masochistic matter entirely to keep putting yourself in his orbit to squabble and exude this judgment, which Im sure he picks up on. Tolerating someone in the friend group doesnt automatically give you the right to comment on their choices (and Elliot is in the right when he says he didnt ask for being who he is). So consider yourself off the hook!

Dear Prudence,

My family is very Catholic. I accept that, everyone has a right to religious beliefs, and I believe in God as well. However, my dad recently said that he doesnt believe in climate change, evolution, or vaccines. Oh, boy. I just stayed silent, but its getting worse. Hes started his way down a flat earth rabbit hole. Hes dragging my mom and sister down with him, and whenever I oppose him, Ive been brainwashed. Im liberal, admittedly, but I respect their right to different beliefs, and I normally keep my mouth shut unless theres a blatant misquotation or something wildly wrong. What do I even do here? I cant spend the rest of my life hearing that the all-loving God hates all my friends, that the very real climate crisis isnt happening, that a scientific process isnt real, and that the vaccine that saved my life is evil. Any opposition is met with resistance and anger, and I dont know how long I can stay silent for.

What can I do besides sit there smiling placidly and dying inside?

Modern Day Problems Require Modern Day Solutions

Dear Modern Day,

Theres such a funny flip that happens when you become an adult and realize you probably very likely absolutely know better than your family, no? We feel such a parental responsibility to them, and under the very real threat of the climate disaster or, like, our next pandemic, there is such an urgency to set them straightand to do it quickly! I feel for you. Its unnerving to experience this role reversal; just because youre a grown-up now, too, doesnt mean that you dont secretly still want to feel like you can depend on your parents and sister. You want to be able to trust their judgment, and thats not happening. As a result, youve now given yourself this sense of impossible responsibility for everyones well-being, and its freaking you out.

The counterintuitive thing to do here is to start building (or rebuilding) that trust. Offer to take hot-button issues off the table completely, and spend a few family interactions focusing as much as possible on the most anodyne subjects possible. The goal is to simply spend time together and find areas of agreement and connection (even if it comes down to playing hours of UNO in silence). You have to imagine your family members belief systems as a life raft that theyre clinging to out of a deep-rooted fear; no amount of rational debate is ever going to convince them to pry their fingers off and risk floating in nothingness. You are going to have to let them clutch at this life raft while you swim out and patiently tread water next to them for a while. Your dad especially is going to need to feel like you respect the fears he has that are implicit to his beliefs about vaccines, the universe, etc., and that hes allowed to express those fears, however distastefully, before he can begin to think about loosening his grip.

Ideally, once youve built a new level of rapport with each other, you and your dad might get to a point where you can discuss and even joke about the different things you believe inand maybe even one of you will get curious about the others point of view, and then you can start an actual conversation.

That will not happen overnight, but it also does not require you to always be around smiling silently whenever he goes off on a rant. Decide on your own limits for entertaining his spielmaybe one lunch per quarter, tops, where you let him say whatever he wants? Or proposing a blanket no-politics rule at the holiday dinner table?and stick to them firmly yet politely. Tell him you guys dont have to agree on everything, but that you still want to spend time together.

(Expert mode: Tell him earnestly that youre glad he raised a child who can think for themselves) When you inevitably get heated, just Imagine your father clinging to that life raft. Once you make it clear you dont consider his beliefs to be a personal threat, he may start doing the same.

Delia

Catch up on this weeks Prudie.

More Advice From Slate

My husband is very, very smart. He graduated from an Ivy League college, has published in academic journals in multiple fields, and achieved success in a competitive field while still in his 20s. That is all great, but what I like best about him is that he always wore his intelligence lightly. He prefers to ask questions than to expound, answers questions clearly and simply without being patronizing, and is always looking to find people smarter or more knowledgeable than himhe has no desire to be the smartest guy in the room. But that has changed in one specific context.
This is Checking Out, a column about how we shop, what we buy, and how it all makes us feel. Email tips and ideas to checking.out@slate.com.

The first time I looked at the photo, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. It was an image on Instagram, taken at a friends wedding, of a mutual acquaintance in a jewel-toned tulle gown. Her bodice was elegantly gathered, her sleeves ruffled. And her skirt? Completely see-through.

A generous pair of panties peeked through, visible to allthe wedding officiant, the parents of the bride, close friends at the event, near strangers on the internet. This was a couple of years ago, when translucent clothing had made its way onto runways and red carpets but wasnt yet a common look for normies. It was hard for me to believe that a respectable person would consider a glorified bathing-suit cover-up appropriate attire for a fancy, family-friendly event.

That moment seems quaint now. More than two years into the trend that fashion writers call naked dressing, I am no longer the scandalized elder with an outdated sense of decorum, rubbernecking at each public display of bikini briefs. And thank goodness for that, because sheer garments are not going anywhere. Magazines and fashion blogs are offering styling tips. People are asking advice columnists what to wear under gauzy dresses and what to do when a family member wears mesh to a milestone event. In April, WSJ Magazine published a photo spread on how to wear see-through clothing in the workplace. (Yes, Really, the headline assured us.)

In an era of fast fashion and the lightning-speed trend turnover it enables, clothing that shows ones undergarmentsor lack thereofhas become the rare look that sticks around.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Among celebrities in particular, naked dressing is the new norm. At any A-lister event, youll see a sizable number of attendees in outfits that expose their nipples, underwear, or both. The trend spans generations: At the Vanity Fair Oscars party this year, 24-year-old Ice Spice and 49-year-old Charlize Theron both wore sheer gowns with black underwear showing underneath.

Advertisement

In an industry that runs on fastidiously negotiated nudity riders, and in a country in which some states still classify exposed breasts as unlawful indecency, it can still feel jarring to see Hollywood stars showing their nipples at black-tie events. But celebrities have always pushed the boundaries of fashion, stretching norms of social decency in ways that expand our notions of propriety. The bigger and more surprising shift of the past two years has been the entry of see-through garments into the urban mainstream, where the sight of a thong strap or nip slip now reads as a deliberate fashion statement rather than an unfortunate mishap.

This would have been unthinkable when Donald Trump was first elected president. In 2017, New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman declared the end of the naked look, naming modesty the defining style of the 2010s. The suits, maxi skirts, and voluminous sleeves of the era marked not just a trend, analysts predicted, but a lasting shift in what women wanted fashion to be.

Advertisement

Fashion critics read this as a reaction to the political climate. With an unabashed sexual predator in the White House, amid the social upheaval of #MeToo, full-coverage clothing became a kind of armor, worn in comfort, indifferent to the male gaze and traditional notions of sex appeal. As women have found their voice politically, they have begun to express themselves sartorially, Friedman wrote in 2017, be it through white pantsuits, so-called pussy hats or the modest fashion movement.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Now we find ourselves a G-strings breadth away from a second Trump administration. The progress-implying optimism of the white pantsuit, a nod to the suffragists, seems inadequate to the occasion. The pussy-hat moment served its purpose, but its long dead. If women felt their power in solid garments of self-protection in the first Trump era, what does it mean that the second will be greeted by nipples aplenty and the thinnest fabrics known to humanity?

To understand what the see-through-ification of American clothing says about our politics and ourselves, it helps to remember that this is not a simple case of social mores getting more permissive over time, concluding in an inevitable state of widespread nudity. People have been wearing transparent clothing for centuries. In 1913 Oregon, a trendy piece known as an X-ray skirt was blamed for breaking up the marriage of a 30-year-old woman determined to wear her diaphanous garments and her 60-year-old millionaire husband, who hated them. Celebrities like Jane Birkin, Kate Moss, and Cher made their sheer dresses iconic in the latter half of the 20th century.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But what were seeing now is not the work of a single trendy garment or a few outliers in the 99th percentile of fashion audacity. Its the convergence of multiple currents in fashion, boosted by broader shifts in our political and interpersonal lives.

Advertisement

As the modesty drive of the late 2010s began to wane, thong bathing suits, which hadnt been big since the 1990s, returned to dominate the beach and destigmatize the butt cheek. The Y2K aesthetic came back, reloading the era of lacy camisoles, peekaboo bra straps, and whale-tail thongs splish-splashing above low-cut jeans. The pandemic played into this too: Once vaccinated, many of us emerged ready to bask in the public gaze and feel like bodies again, after so many months spent interacting as faces on screens. Within months, Americans were back to dancing among thousands of strangers at arena concertsand within a few years, their nipples were on the jumbotron.

Advertisement

Ever since the advent of third-wave feminism, explanations of the appeal of revealing clothing tend to unspool the same way: Women arent dressing to attract men, the argument goes. Theyre dressing to satisfy themselves. So it goes with naked dressing. Two years ago, founders of Eckhaus Latta and Collina Strada both told the New York Times that the trend is fully concerned with the pleasure of the wearer, divorced fromand even antagonistic tothe preferences of the viewer.

Advertisement

This strain of fashion reasoning has always struck me as disingenuously simplistic. When we choose something to wear out of the house, we specifically intend for it to be perceived. We like the way it looks, which also means we like the way it looks to other peoplewho will spend much more time looking at our outfits than we willand the way it feels to be seen that way. No one picks a mesh turtleneck in a vacuum.

Advertisement

Even beyond the pull to look hot and on trend, there is a lot to love about going sheer. Because they are built for layering, the garments are basically seasonless. A floaty skirt worn on its own in the summer can be tossed over slim trousers in the fall; an organza button-down shirt bought for holiday parties is light enough to be a cover-up on a warm evening in spring. Depending on whats worn underneath, the exact degree of an items skimpiness can be endlessly tweaked. That could make some pieces easy to rewear and likelier to last as styles change over time, though I suspect that the stranger marriages of fabric and form (Jill Bidens sheer trenchcoat!) will come to look dated once the moment passes. Luckily, as with any trending consumer good these days, see-through clothing comes in every price point and quality tier, from $36 polyester-blend cargo joggers to $419 gauze pants in 100 percent silk.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The heady feeling of risk inherent in baring an unfamiliar swath of skin is another part of the allure. Mesh clothing demands the preparation of finding the right underwear or braa mandate surely appreciated by sheer-clothing retailers that also sell undergarmentswhich makes it into an event. Once youve assembled your getup, you step out into a world where youll likely draw a few double takes. When you pull off this thing that felt a little scary at first, your conception of what youre capable of expands a bit. Its worth the hassle of having to hand-wash the laundry.

Advertisement

Though naked dressing does contravene certain social expectations, on runways and red carpets across the world, see-through clothing that reveals thin, toned, hairless, expensively maintained bodies that conform to popular beauty standards does not exactly send a radical message of body positivity. It is the kind of trend that will be interpreted differently depending on ones body type, due to the unfair discrepancy that allows certain clothing to be read as sleek and chic on slender frames, yet cheap and debauched on curvier ones. To the extent that youve observed see-through shirts in public, youve probably seen more on A-cups than D-cups.

Advertisement

But the types of transparent clothing currently being worn by regular people to regular events dont always hew to traditional ideas of in-your-face sex appeal. Some garments play with trappings of conservative garb: collared shirts, long skirts, structured dresses. Gauzy tops are worn with sturdy, oversized pants; see-through skirts, with bulky blazers.

And on bodies that dont fit the rigid specifications of the runway, sheer clothing that flaunts more than the usual safe-seeming sexy parts (cleavage, shoulders, legs) can feel subversive and new, and invigorating to witness. The wearer is not just confident but completely lacking in shame, unconcerned with any negative opinions about her body or harsh judgment of her morals. It reminds us that we all have different-looking bodies brimming with idiosyncrasies under our clothes, the neck-down version of eschewing makeup: breasts shown as they are, uneven and droopy and braless, a far cry from the padded push-ups of the Victorias Secret era of popular sexuality.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The trend has taken hold at a time when modes of femininity are multiplying across political lines. Some conservative leaders are portraying themselves as cruel, kitchen-bound mother figures; others are posing in MAGA thong swimsuits. Even the category of tradwife, a label for adherents of a movement promoting traditional gender roles and female domesticity, contains multitudes. There are tradwives on social media whose wardrobes exude back-to-the-land simplicity or 1950s modesty, but many lean into the fetishization of simplicity and modesty, with artificially plumped lips and decolletage peeking out above their aprons and prairie dresses. (Just look at Nara Smith, a Mormon TikTok influencer, who makes ketchup from scratch wearing an off-the-shoulder, formfitting minidress that looks like a sexy farmgirl Halloween costume.) Thrilling to a fantasy of subservience to men does not require these women to give up the permissive social and sexual mores won for them by the feminist movements they disparage.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The politics of sheer clothing can be read as vaguely progressive, in that its a trend mostly confined to fashion-forward urban locales that lean left. On this end of the political spectrum, too, no matter what fashion critics say, there is no broad consensus on the appropriate amount of skin to show. Baggy T-shirts and JNCO jeans are back, baby!

Advertisement

But the stickiness of the translucent clothing trend seems of a piece with the prevailing vibe on the left as authoritarianism surges around the world and each passing year is hotter than every year before. The sense that things may only get worse from here, and that the window of opportunity to turn things around is shrinking fast, is propelling people toward YOLOism. At its lightest, its brat summer. At its darkest, its a low-key flirtation with nihilism. Humanity appears bent on destroying itself, the things we thought mattered to voters dont actually matter anymore, and the worst people in the country are routinely rewarded with the most powerful positions we have. Why shouldnt we throw out the unwritten rule against showing our butt cheeks at Whole Foods? This spring, a Who What Wear headline advised, Life Is Short, so Buy the Trendy Sheer Pieces Youre Eyeing.

Advertisement

The political moment adds a sheen of irony to todays turn toward naked dressing. While people are taking more control over what parts of their bodies they present to the public and how, laws regulating what they can actually do with their bodies are growing stricter. In states across the U.S., we can no longer legally end our pregnancies; in a growing number of places, transgender people have lost access to the hormones and surgical interventions they need to fully embody themselves.

The convergence of these two seemingly conflicting trendsincreased agency in our wardrobes, punitive crackdowns on our health careis no coincidence. If we cant get the hormones we need to keep our bodies functioning as desired, or be sure that doctors will offer timely treatment if we are bleeding out from a miscarriage, we can still choose how much of our body is showing when someone else decides what happens to it. When the FDA revokes access to abortion pills in blue states and a coterie of alleged sexual abusers step up to run the country, we can flounce around in our tulle and lace, taking small bits of pleasure in offering glimpses of our underwear to strangers. Our bodies may no longer be ours to govern, but at least they look like it.

There is certainly a sense of power to be gained from freeing the nipple in places where few nipples have gone before. Some have argued that leaving the house next to nude allows women to reclaim their bodies for themselves. But in todays political climate, it does not feel like a triumph, nor like a successful reclamation. Deprived of rights and freedoms as a class, women and trans people are grasping for bodily autonomy as individuals instead. The material weve gotten our hands on is pretty darn thin.
On a downtown street in Tallahassee, 1965, a young Black man stands in front of a store window filled with television sets, his faint reflection barely visible amid the colorful ads for Florida grapefruit. All at once, the TVs go blank and switch to a test pattern, and a man steps into the window and fiddles with a cable until the desired image appears: Martin Luther King Jr., addressing a crowd in Montgomery, Alabama, as the women on the street chatter about all the goings-on in Selma. As Kings voice rings out: How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever, something shifts almost imperceptibly, a subtle adjustment of focus and light, and suddenly the boy we could barely see is standing there in front of us. Its as if Kings words have called him into being.

Although Elwood Curtis is the protagonist of RaMell Ross Nickel Boys, we rarely see him so clearly as in that fleeting moment. In adapting Colson Whiteheads novel, Ross and his co-screenwriter Joslyn Barnes have radically reworked it, trading the books omniscient perspective for a first-person POV in which the viewer sees the world through the main characters eyes. When Elwood gazes up at the sky, lying back in the grass on a warm afternoon, we do too, catching a glimpse of his outstretched arm as his head lolls to the side. Watch closely, and youll catch a glimpse of him reflected in the side of a steam iron as his hard-working grandmother, Hattie (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), neatly smooths out the wrinkles in her laundry. But its not until King speaks that he literally and figuratively comes into focus.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Nickel Boys is a movie of recovery and reclamation, an exhumation of history. Nickel Academy, the reformatory at the center of Whiteheads novel, was inspired by Floridas notorious Dozier School for Boys, where dozens of bodies in unmarked graves were discovered in the 2010s. A promising student and a favorite of his high school teachers, Elwood is on his way to start classes at a Black technical college when he is arrested on a flimsy charge and condemned to Nickel, a segregated facility whose largely white staff takes special pleasure in exploiting and abusing its Black inmates. But without dulling the impact of its characters suffering or minimizing the real-life atrocity behind its story, Ross movie uses its sometimes intimate, sometimes alienating visual style to acknowledge that violence without inflicting it on its audience. Reproducing trauma makes it seem like thats supposed to happen or thats normal, Ross told an audience at Brown University, where he teaches visual arts, last month.

Im interested in creating media thats as complex as the result of the violence.

Advertisement

Its haunted my mind like nothing else Ive seen this year, and I expect will haunt it for years to come.

Movies shot entirely from the protagonists point of view are a small but notorious subgenre, with a nearly unblemished record of abject failure. MGM gamely billed Robert Montgomerys The Lady in the Lake, in which the camera takes on the role of Raymond Chandlers hard-boiled sleuth Philip Marlowe, as A Revolutionary Innovation in Film Technique, but the movie was a flop that almost ended Montgomerys career, and while some intrepid filmmaker has attempted to rediscover the idea every decade or so since, the results have rarely been any better. The POV conceit invariably registers as a gimmick, and instead of producing the desired synthesis between character and audience, the technique keeps us at arms length; were compelled to think more than ever about what the camera is doing. Were seeing through someone elses eyes, but not with their mind.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ross and his cinematographer Jomo Fray, however, want us to be thinking about every shot, contemplating the weight of every image. This isnt a movie that believes a generic you can frictionlessly inhabit the consciousness of a young Black mannor that any point of view can be neutral or universal. Before making his narrative debut with Nickel Boys, Ross was a photographer and a documentarian, and he carries over from those disciplines an uncommon thoughtfulness, at least among fiction filmmakers, about the ethics and implications of his visual choices, not just what is best for the story. With his Oscar-nominated Hale County This Morning, This Evening, a lyrical portrait of Black life in rural Alabama, Ross aimed to disrupt the way white photographers have tended to depict Black Southerners, not just prompting his audience to see his subjects differently but to let someone see the way that theyre seeing. The movie brings us into Elwoods body bit by bita glimpse of his hand as he releases a balloon to float up toward a ceiling fan, a flash of his face reflected in a bus windowbecause it wants us to understand how he is beginning to understand himself, as seen by and in reaction against the vision of a deeply prejudiced society. In a high school classroom, his teacher, a Freedom Rider who bears a scar above one eye from where a white bigot hit him with a tire iron, plays the students one of Kings speeches. His voice crackling with the wear etched into the records grooves, King tells his listeners that they must walk the streets every day with a sense of dignity and somebody-ness. Its not enough for Nickel Boys to embody Elwood; he has to be somebodied.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Nickel Boys doesnt just show us what Elwood sees, but what he feels. Its camera eye is a subjective one. When Elwood, after taking part in his first Civil Rights protest, is unsettled by the sound of nearby conflict on a deserted city street, we suddenly see an alligator crawling its way along the curb. Nicholas Monsours editing makes associative leaps through time and space, skipping years and sometimes decades, and allowing Ross to interpolate images of the real Dozier School, mixing archival footage and historical artifacts in with his fictionalized account. Unlike Whiteheads novel, which can be brutally explicit about the tortures of Nickel, Ross movie largely depicts them through implication. There is little blood and less in the way of racist language. (The N-word is silently mouthed once as part of an impressionistic montage; one of Nickels relatively sympathetic white inmates, played by Fred Hechinger, starts to yell it out but cuts himself off after the first consonant.) Ross isnt soft-pedaling the countrys history of racial violence, but he also seems disinclined to reenact it. Where 12 Years a Slave made a bravura set piece of slave-whipping, Ross cuts away as Elwood approaches his turn in Nickels notorious white house, where the walls are spattered with the dried blood of the boys who have gone before him. Before he does, though, we see the actor playing Elwood, Ethan Herisse, walk into what we thought was a shot from his point of view, his back already bared for the strap. Its as if weve been ejected from Elwoods mind along with him, disconnecting from the body about to be brutalized. Even the memory of violence can trigger that disassociation. When Hattie tells the story of how her father was arrested for an imagined insult to a white woman and later found hanged in his jail cell, we see a close shot of her fingers delicately scraping cake off a knife, exposing the sharpness hidden inside the sweet.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Elwoods isnt the only perspective Nickel Boys takes into account. As Elwood settles in, he makes friends with Turner (Brandon Wilson), a sly, streetwise boy who counsels Elwood on the best way to survive his time at Nickel, even if means occasionally abandoning his principles. From Elwoods point of view, Turner is bright and welcoming, the first person at Nickel to treat him as something other than a nuisance or a threat. But when the camera jumps into Turners head, the Elwood we see isnt the boy who materialized in that shop window, but a bedraggled figure who looks beaten down before the first blow has landed on him. The Elwood who appears to others is so different from the one weve come to know from the inside that the first clear sight of him is startling.

The movie switches, subtly and sometimes without warning, from Elwoods perspective to Turners and back. It takes several viewings to grasp how deftly Ross and Fray guide our attention from one to the other, and even after three times, there are images it feels like Ive never seen before alongside those Ill never forget, and ones I still dont know what to make of.

Its as if Ross wants us to think about them, but also to be mindful of the limits of our understanding, to leave knowing that we havent gotten it all, and we never will. Its haunted my mind like nothing else Ive seen this year, and I expect will haunt it for years to come.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Before his students begin their study of American history, Elwoods teacher passes out black markers alongside their hand-me-down textbooks, for the purpose of striking out all the latest epithets of white youth. In his installation piece Black Dictionary, Ross copied out entries from a childs dictionary, adding the word Black before each, a project that expands their definitions and occasionally renders them incoherent. (He scrawled the text by hand while shipping himself inside a container from Rhode Island to Alabama, re-creating the escape from slavery of Henry Box Brown, a journey which also gave rise to a time-lapse sequence in Nickel Boys shot by Ross from inside a traveling boxcar.) Adding onto existing structures can produce worthwhile results, but it also limits the range of inquiry. Nickel Boys feels like an attempt to build from the ground up, to create a new way of understanding history without being confined by it. As he sends his most promising student off to his college classes, Elwoods teacher calls up the dream of a world where Black people tell their own stories of America, rather than annotating someone elses: Imagine a textbook with nothing to cross out. RaMell Ross Nickel Boys is that text.
Sign up for The Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily.

This article contains spoilers for Conclave.

The 2024 Vatican mystery Conclave, with its star cast and sumptuous visuals, is a rare thriller about pope selection, buoyed by secrets and scandals and a shocking twist ending. But perhaps the most exciting part about the film is how closely its drama tracks with real life.

Conclave is not based on a true story; it was adapted from a 2016 novel by Robert Harris. But anyone who has been paying attention to the politics of the Catholic Church these past few years knows that when Pope Francis dies, theres the potential for just as much juicy palace intrigue as the movie suggests.

The film tells the tale of a group of high-ranking cardinals who are all called to the Vatican in the days after a popes death to assemble and choose a new holy leader. From the start, we are introduced to four distinct factions, led by opposing candidates for the papacy. Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) is the brash American progressive, a close friend of the late pope who believes that the Catholic Church should do more to include women and welcome LGBTQ+ parishioners. Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) is a delightfully villainous, reactionary traditionalist who is pushing for a return to much more conservative church leadership. Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow) plays the quietly ambitious moderate who seems, for much of the movie, to be a safe choice for the conclave, until he betrays the final top candidate, Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), a charming African conservative who opposes same-sex marriage but would signal a massive sea change for the Catholic Churchs traditionally European hierarchies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Given the secretive nature of papal politics, its hard to know the contours of the exact factions that will form when Francis dies. But well likely see similar cohorts: Current discussions of leading papal candidatesmen termed papabileoften include progressive cardinals who would continue Francis relatively liberal legacy (the former archbishop of Manila, for example); quiet moderate types who could stabilize some of the turmoil that has resulted from Francis progressive reforms (the current Vatican secretary of state, for example); and conservatives who are fanatic about swinging the pendulum back to more medievalist traditions, including Latin Mass. Its this last cohort that seems least likely to seize powerbut the most likely to create chaos.

Advertisement

And we dont have to wait for a papal death for that. The infighting between progressives led by Francis and conservatives, who oppose his reforms, has already spilled into the public. There is much anonymous denunciation of the pope, as well as accusations of wrongdoing. (A German cardinal last year accused Francis of material heresies.) This July, a radical right-wing Italian archbishop was excommunicatedofficially exiled from the Roman Catholic Churchon charges of schism, for openly challenging Francis validity as pope. It was a medieval throwback, but not entirely unexpected: In 2018 the same archbishop, Carlo Maria Vigano, had written a public letter accusing the current pope of a vast cover-up of sexual crimes in one of the biggest scandals the church had seen in years. Those accusations were later discredited; Vigano would go on to become notorious for supporting Vladimir Putin and spreading QAnon conspiracy theories on social media. But a score of disgruntled conservative clerics, including two American cardinals, swore to Viganos character, in a kind of half step toward challenging Francis.

Advertisement

One of those two cardinals, the American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, is a lover of opulent vestments (including a silk cloak with a 20-foot train), ancient forms of worship, and old Catholic splendor. Hes a kind of Tedesco figure, a leader of the churchs reactionary traditionalists. (Burke is too old to be a viable candidate himself.) He has twice presented formal challenges to Francisa remarkably bold actionbecause of the popes lenient policies toward divorced Catholics and openness to debating contentious church issues. Francis eventually responded by kicking Burke out of his Vatican apartment and cutting off his cardinals stipend. (He still has a home in Wisconsin and is financially supported there as a clergyman of the church). Five cardinals joined Burke in his formal challengesanother sign of open revolt. So we already know that a number of conservative cardinals are discontent enough to make big moves.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But we shouldnt discount the other factions of cardinals for their potential to create intrigue as well. Some Vatican watchers speculate that the man who drove Francis to punish Burke was Cardinal Tucho Fernandez, a longtime ally of Francis. Fernandez, who incidentally bears a passing resemblance to Stanley Tucci, is a fiery progressive, and some suspect that he has been pushing Francis to sideline more-troublesome dissidents. But any papal bid of Fernandezs would be quashed immediately because of two books he wrote as a young priest in the 90s that are rather  well, risque. One is titled: Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing; the other is Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality. The former includes poetry about the beauty of kissing and the latter compares love for God to a mystical orgasm and includes other theological musings about sexual pleasure, including the description of one parishioners imagined erotic encounter with Jesus Christ. These books, which went out of print decades ago, were dug up and publicized once Francis put Fernandez in charge of a powerful Vatican office. His case is a reminder that Vatican oppo research is not just an invention of the film.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The infighting is not just a matter of traditionalists vs. progressives either. One of the current e favorites is a Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Like Conclaves Adeyemi, Ambongo holds conservative social views, but without the traditionalist resentment that animates a number of Francis North American and European critics. His gentler orthodoxy could still complicate the math in a vote: The African church is significantly more conservative on sex-related issues and over the churchs relationship with Islam, and its bishops have revolted over Francis policy of approving the blessings of people in same-sex relationships. But the African cardinals also dont share Western conservative views of economics and political systems. That makes them potential disrupters for both the progressive reformers and the traditionalists. In other words, they could be a real wild card.

Advertisement

Francis will likely not do the kind of beyond-the-grave scheming that Conclaves fictional Pope Gregory does before he dies because, in a way, Francis already has: Through his power to elevate new cardinals, the current pope has dramatically reshaped the Vaticans electoral body, packing the College of Cardinals with new hires at a higher rate than his predecessors. Francis appointees tend to share some of his values, and they come from every corner of the globe. Some Vatican watchers have long speculated that, in a reflection of the churchs future dependence on communities outside Europe or South America, the cardinals could elect the next pope from Asia or Africa. But more broadly, this all means that when Francis dies, it will be a very global conclave. Cardinals tend to be polyglots, so theyll be able to debate one another over meals and while they are assembled, but because of the linguistic and geographic diversity, the cardinals wont be as chummy as conclaves have often been in the pastanother way that Francis has broken up the old power structures of the college.

Advertisement

Francis has named 110 of the 140 men currently eligible to vote for the next pope, so it seems unlikely that his appointees will select a hard-line conservative. But anything is possible. The cardinals who elected Francis, after all, were appointed by his conservative predecessors. Many names will rise and fall depending on the direction of international diplomacy, financial and sexual scandals, and the internal squabbles known only to those within the Vatican walls.

One thing thats known for sure is that a secret cardinal will not emerge at the start of a conclave to shake things up, as Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz) does in Conclave. In the movie, Benitez shows up unexpectedly at the assembly, having been elevated to the position of cardinal of Kabul, in Afghanistan, in pectoreor secretlyby the late pope. He upends the factions present with haunting humility and a speech about the true cost of war, becoming a dark horse in the competition to lead the church.

Advertisement

Secret cardinals are real; popes elevate cardinals in pectore to honor and reward clerics and communities without risking diplomatic dustups or, worse, violent persecution in areas hostile to Catholicism. John Paul II made a number of in pectore elevations, later announcing the cardinals publicly. But when he died, in 2005, the knowledge of the last in pectore cardinal died with him; under Vatican rules, cardinals must be publicly celebrated by the pope who elevated them in order for them to don their red hats. Whoever the in pectore cardinal was, he never became a full member of the College of Cardinals.

If Francis were to die having made a secret cardinal, that man would not be allowed into the conclave. But the future papal conclave wont need a surprise cardinal with a shocking secret to be interesting. It already has everything it needs for genuine drama.
A major national news story (well, New Yorkarea news story, which makes it national news), is that drones have been spotted flying above New Jersey, doing recon on Slates Ben Mathis-Lilley as he performs his nightly ritual of crimes. No one is quite sure whats going on with these drones. Well, thats not true. New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a dentist turned Democratic congressman turned Republican congressman, knows whats going on with these drones. Im going to tell you the real deal. Iran launched a mother ship that contains these drones, Van Drew said on Fox News on Wednesday. Its off the East Coast of the United States of America. Theyve launched drones. Van Drew further wrote a letter to the president that states that while he further remained open to alternate explanations for the drones, hes pretty sure its Iran, and hes pretty sure theyve got a mother ship out there. By Thursday, hed downgraded his certainty a touch, arguing that theres a real possibility it could be Iran, that it could be a ship. Could be! It could also be Bermuda, Elon Musk, teenage pranksters, the U.S. Air Force, creepy yet ultimately harmless voyeuristic aliens, or murderous aliens. To be fair to Van Drew, the federal government could be doing much more to alleviate peoples fears about these dronesand limit the conspiraciesby not just refuting that theyre coming from an Iranian mother ship off of Wildwood, but by saying what they are. The sightings are spreading, with former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, for example, now sharing grainy videos of flying objects in his state. Alternately, the public might settle for one or two of them being blown up, balloon-style.
Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily.

When Donald Trump enters office on Jan. 20, he will immediately start seizing control of the government by firing holdovers from Joe Bidens administration and replacing them with Republican partisans. A handful of agencies, however, are protected against presidential purgesincluding the National Labor Relations Board, whose five commissioners cant be fired for political reasons. On Wednesday, the Senate held a vote to maintain the NLRBs current Democratic majority well into 2026, which would thwart much of Trumps anti-union agenda until well into his second term. But two outgoing Democrats-turned-independents, Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, sabotaged the effort at the last minute.

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the senators betrayal of their former party on Saturdays Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus. An excerpt of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: Lets talk about two people who have seemingly chosen the path of least resistance. What did Sens. Manchin and Sinema do this week?

Mark Joseph Stern: Well, Dahlia, they screwed the progressive project yet again. Heres what happened: This past week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer teed up a vote on Lauren McFerran for another term as commissioner on the National Labor Relations Board. McFerran is already on the board, shes a staunch labor ally, and she was legally eligible to be reconfirmed to another five-year term as commissioner.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

This was a priority for Schumer because the NLRB basically oversees labor law throughout the United States and crafts policy around union organizing. Had McFerran been confirmed, she would have locked in a majority on the NLRB until 2026. There would have been a 32 Democratic majority of commissioners for quite some time. And that would have been massively beneficial to organized labor, making it much easier for unions to demand recognition and bargain fair contracts. Because, as a rule, Democratic commissioners are sympathetic toward labor, while Republican commissioners are management-side lawyers who hate unions and do everything they can to crush them.

Advertisement

So Schumer decided to push McFerrans nomination through. Almost every Democrat voted to move her confirmation forward, while every Republican present voted to block it. Then Sinema and Manchin showed up in the chamber to block her by a 5049 vote. This is especially galling because Sinema had not shown up to vote for weeks. She basically disappeared before Thanksgiving, then popped up here to cast a decisive vote against McFerran.

Now Sinema and Manchin have guaranteed that Trump will be able to quickly take over the National Labor Relations Board in 2025. He can almost immediately install a Republican majority and get down to the business of crushing unions. I think with this Republican majority, the agency will rapidly undo a huge amount of progress thats been accomplished under Joe Biden and the current Democratic majority, and basically pivot the agency from a labor ally to a labor antagonist. All of this could have been put off until well into 2026. But because Sinema and Manchin didnt want Democrats to have this win, theyve ensured that Trump can flip the NLRB and make life so much harder for workers who want to join a union.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate Its Looking Like Pete Hegseth Will Still Be Able to Drink Read More

I guess I find myself thinking: There are a lot of really good, smart, independent people working at these agencies. There are good people working at the NLRB who actually believe in the mission of the NLRB. Im wondering: What happens if the agency gets Trumpified overnight? Does it really just suddenly flip and hates unions?

Its a great question, and I think the timing of the Senate vote was especially painful because it came down around the same time as a federal court decision that will devastate the broader independence of the NLRB. The commission was designed to be somewhat independent; thats why presidents are not allowed to fire commissioners, and why McFerran wouldve been able to continue serving under Trump. But theres another layer of independence here: The NLRB has administrative law judges who are on the front lines of labor disputes, deciding cases when workers complain that management has violated their right to form a union and bargain a fair contract. Its so important for these administrative law judges to be independent, to make decisions based on law and facts rather than political influence, that Congress gave them protections against removal, too. Commissioners cant fire judges without good cause.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

This past week, though, Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, struck down those protections against removal for administrative law judges. He said they are unconstitutional under the separation of powers and gave the NLRB permission to remove them at will. So, in short, the agency can now remove judges who side with unions more than it wants. The decision basically creates a road map for the NLRBs incoming Republican majority to build out a bench of administrative law judges who are rubber stamps for management.

Now, look: Some Republicans say that protections against removal for NLRB commissioners are unconstitutional, too. They argued that if the Senate did confirm McFerran, Trump should try to fire her anyway and challenge the removal protection. Who knows if that wouldve worked? Who knows if the courts wouldve allowed the commissioners to retain their independence and protection against removal?

Advertisement

But why not try? Why not at least give it a shot and follow the law as it stands and confirm McFerran to a five-year term whether Trump likes it or not? It seems like Manchin and Sinema just decided to preemptively give up and let Trump take over the NLRB immediately. I think their actions showed that there is remarkably little resistance to Trump and Trumpism in some quarters of the center and center-left. Theyre letting Trump do whatever he wants starting on Day 1.

Its such a different energy from what we felt after the 2016 election, when it really did seem like the bulwarks were going to make an effort to resist. Not this time.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/almost-70-of-french-doubt-new-prime-minister-will-restore-political-stability-1121168137.html

Almost 70% of French Doubt New Prime Minister Will Restore Political Stability

Almost 70% of French Doubt New Prime Minister Will Restore Political Stability

Sputnik International

Almost 70% of French believe that new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will not be able to restore political stability in the country, a survey conducted by the Elabe pollster for the BFMTV broadcaster showed on Saturday.

2024-12-14T13:39+0000

2024-12-14T13:39+0000

2024-12-14T13:39+0000

world

france

francois bayrou

emmanuel macron

michel barnier

cost of living

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/02/1111610753_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_62193580c5eb4eb75bc510a018325789.jpg

President Emmanuel Macron appointed 73-year-old centrist Bayrou, the leader of the Modem party, as prime minister on Friday. As many as 67% of French doubt that Bayrou's government will be able to restore political stability in the country, while 52% think he will fail to form a politically inclusive cabinet and achieve an agreement with the opposition on the 2025 state budget bill. The poll was conducted on December 13 among 1,009 adult French. The margin of error is not provided. The French parliament ousted Bayrou's predecessor Michel Barnier, of The Republicans party, in a vote of no confidence on December 4 after he bypassed the parliament to push through a social security draft budget for 2025. The bill envisioned an austerity regime, including public spending cuts of 40 billion euros ($42 billion), with another 20 billion euros to be raised through tax increases. Barnier defended the draft budget, saying it aimed to reduce public debt, which has reached 3.2 trillion euros, or 112% of the GDP, by taxing corporations and the rich. He planned to reduce the budget deficit from an estimated 6.1% of the GDP to 5% in 2025 and 3% by 2029.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241212/french-farmers-dump-hay-tires-manure-in-dijon-protesting-eu-mercosur-deal-1121151513.html

france

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

french politics, france politics, france protests, new pm bayrou, france government turmoil, france political crisis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/barnier-formally-hands-over-powers-of-french-prime-minister-to-his-successor-bayrou-1121162347.html

Barnier Formally Hands Over Powers of French Prime Minister to His Successor Bayrou

Barnier Formally Hands Over Powers of French Prime Minister to His Successor Bayrou

Sputnik International

Michel Barnier, who was French prime minister since September 5 until a successor was appointed, has officially handed over the prime ministerial powers to Francois Bayrou.

2024-12-14T04:37+0000

2024-12-14T04:37+0000

2024-12-14T04:37+0000

world

france

francois bayrou

michel barnier

emmanuel macron

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/0e/1121162435_0:0:2927:1646_1920x0_80_0_0_628a1ddd9410cfc970f64c3742240b89.jpg

At about 1600 GMT, Bayrou arrived at the Hotel Matignon, where the prime minister's residence is located. Barnier met his successor on the porch, after which they retired for negotiations. Their conversation lasted about 25 minutes, then the former and current prime ministers made a joint statement in the courtyard of the residence. The French parliament ousted Bayrou's predecessor Barnier, of The Republicans party, in a vote of no confidence on December 4 after he bypassed the parliament to push through a social security draft budget for 2025. The bill envisioned an "austerity" regime, including public spending cuts of 40 billion euros ($42 billion), with another 20 billion euros to be raised through tax increases. Barnier defended the draft budget, saying it aimed to reduce public debt, which has reached 3.2 trillion euros, or 112% of GDP, by taxing corporations and the rich. He planned to reduce the budget deficit from an estimated 6.1% of GDP to 5% in 2025 and 3% by 2029. Bayrou is considered a close ally of French President Emmanuel Macron, who helped him come to power in 2017. Bayrou also supports him in foreign policy.

france

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

france pm, france government, french politics, france government collapse, bayrou france, barnies ousted
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/did-trump-fulfill-his-2016-campaign-promises-a-reality-check-1121168899.html

Did Trump Fulfill His 2016 Campaign Promises? A Reality Check

Did Trump Fulfill His 2016 Campaign Promises? A Reality Check

Sputnik International

US President-elect Donald Trump earlier pointed out that allowing the Kiev regime to strike deep into Russian territory would lead to an escalation of the Ukraine conflict.

2024-12-14T15:25+0000

2024-12-14T15:25+0000

2024-12-14T15:25+0000

americas

us

russia

donald trump

dmitry peskov

promises

office

infrastructure

economy

migration

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/10/1120901262_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_47d0989b5ebf53fa28629f17e9accbf8.jpg

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently noted that while Donald Trump's statement on the Ukraine conflict aligns with Russia's position, it's too early to draw conclusions on how the US president-elect will approach the issue once in office. Why is there skepticism in Moscow about Trumps statements? To understand this, let's look at some key promises he made during his previous election campaign and how - or if - they were fulfilled.Border Wall Promise: To build a wall on the US-Mexico border to address migrant flows and force Mexico to reimburse the cost. Outcome: Partly delivered. Under Trumps administration, 453 miles of border barriers were built, but only 47 miles were in areas where no previous barriers existed.Economy Promise: To stimulate the US economy by 4% annually. Outcome: Partly delivered. In 2018, GDP growth was 2.9%, below the target. Promise: To reduce national debt.Outcome: Not delivered. Promise: To revitalize industry. Outcome: Partly delivered. Congress allocated $21 billion for infrastructure spending, far below the $1.5 trillion Trump initially called for. Promise: To impose import tariffs.Outcome: Delivered.MigrationPromise: To deport all illegal migrants from the US. Outcome: Partly delivered. Trump deported many, but didn't achieve the goal of removing all illegal migrants.InfrastructurePromise: To restore the US infrastructure. Outcome: Not delivered.Hillary ClintonPromise: To imprison former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Outcome: Not delivered.HealthcarePromise: To reform the healthcare system and repeal Obamacare, the government health insurance program for low-income Americans. Outcome: Not delivered.Foreign policyPromise: to degrade ISIS*, tighten sanctions on North Korea and recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Outcome: Delivered.*a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240424/why-russia-collusion-hoaxers-hillary-clinton-and-marc-elias-are-afraid-of-2024-trump-win-1118098251.html

americas

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

ukraine crisis, kiev regime, trump's statement on ukraine, russia's position on ukraine crisis, trump's promises made during 2016 election campaign
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/israel-defense-forces-struck-hamas-command-center-in-gaza---statement-1121162906.html

Israel Defense Forces Claims Struck Hamas Command Center in Gaza

Israel Defense Forces Claims Struck Hamas Command Center in Gaza

Sputnik International

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had struck a command center of Palestinian movement Hamas in a former school building in Gaza City.

2024-12-14T05:28+0000

2024-12-14T05:28+0000

2024-12-14T07:44+0000

world

palestine-israel conflict

israel

gaza strip

israel defense forces (idf)

hamas

israeli air force (iaf)

middle east

palestine

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/02/1114667323_0:0:1024:577_1920x0_80_0_0_11efcf4fcd8ddb185af7e19a0a10d688.jpg

"The IAF [Israeli Air Force] conducted a precise strike on Hamas terrorists who were planning to commit terror attacks against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip and against Israeli territory in the immediate future. The terrorists were operating inside a command and control center embedded within a compound that previously served as the 'Yaffa' School in Gaza City," the IDF said in a statement on Telegram. It said that prior to the strike, steps had been taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians. 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. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241213/why-israel-now-seeks-to-wipe-out-syrias-anti-air-capabilities-1121161806.html

israel

gaza strip

palestine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

mideast crisis, palestine-israel conflict, israeli conflict mideas, israel hamas conflict, gaza crisis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/opposition-factions-lack-shared-vision-of-syrias-future---syrian-democratic-forces--1121162683.html

Opposition Factions Lack Shared Vision of Syria's Future - Syrian Democratic Forces

Opposition Factions Lack Shared Vision of Syria's Future - Syrian Democratic Forces

Sputnik International

Armed groups comprising Syria's opposition forces have no shared vision of the country's political future after achieving the common goal of overthrowing President Bashar Assad, a high-ranking member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told Sputnik on Friday.

2024-12-14T04:50+0000

2024-12-14T04:50+0000

2024-12-14T07:47+0000

world

turmoil in syria

hayat tahrir al-sham

syria

bashar assad

damascus

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/0b/1119722089_0:117:3226:1932_1920x0_80_0_0_195e05081db83bfb3d6c322beeb22783.jpg

"The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will be running political processes in Damascus through a transitional government for a period of three months. A number of paramilitary forces have agreed to overthrow the regime, but they disagree on what the new system of governance in Syria should be," Abdelsalam Ahmad said. Syria's armed opposition captured the capital of Damascus on December 8. Russian officials said that Bashar Assad, who ruled the country for 14 years, stepped down as president and left Syria for Russia, where he was granted asylum. Mohammed al-Bashir, who ran an Idlib-based administration formed by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other opposition groups, was named interim prime minister on December 10. He announced later that the interim government had been formed and would remain in place until March 2025.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241213/has-us-military-presence-in-syria-ever-been-legal-1121158384.html

syria

damascus

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

turmoil in syria, syrian crisis, syria conflict, syria clash, syria government collapse, syria opposition
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/russia-shot-down-37-ukrainian-drones-overnight---defense-ministry-1121163036.html

Russian Air Defenses Shoot Down 37 Ukrainian Drones Overnight

Russian Air Defenses Shoot Down 37 Ukrainian Drones Overnight

Sputnik International

This night, Russian air defenses shot down 37 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

2024-12-14T05:33+0000

2024-12-14T05:33+0000

2024-12-14T07:43+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russian army

russian armed forces

russia

ukrainian drone attacks on russia

drone warfare

terrorism

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105296/47/1052964776_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8ec87fdfa7f6d1f1ed1046f4f2802835.jpg

"This past night, during an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks using aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles on targets on the territory of the Russian Federation, air defense systems on duty destroyed and intercepted 37 Ukrainian UAVs," the ministry said. It said 12 drones were shot down over the Kursk Region, 12 over the Krasnodar Territory, seven over the Bryansk Region, five over the Oryol Region and one over the Azov Sea.Russian officials repeatedly slammed Ukrainian drones attacks on civilian infrastructure as pure acts of terrorism that highlight criminal nature of Kiev regime.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241211/ukraines-attack-with-atacms-missiles-on-russias-taganrog-airfield-wont-go-unanswered---mod-1121149807.html

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

drone warfare, drone wars, ukraine terrorism, ukrainian drones russia, ukraine drone warfare
Support Us

Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability.

The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media.

Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride.

We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society.

Every contribution is valuable for our future.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/slovakia-negotiating-gas-supplies-hopes-transit-via-ukraine-continues---fico--1121162096.html

Slovakia Seeks to Secure Gas Transit Through Ukraine for 2025

Slovakia Seeks to Secure Gas Transit Through Ukraine for 2025

Sputnik International

The current agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine expires at the end of 2024, and Kiev has repeatedly stated that it does not plan to extend it.

2024-12-14T04:27+0000

2024-12-14T04:27+0000

2024-12-14T09:35+0000

world

slovakia

robert fico

ukrainian crisis

european union (eu)

russia

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/10/1118986582_0:140:3144:1909_1920x0_80_0_0_3b1dc44811f216904259aec7599e11c4.jpg

Slovakia is conducting intensive talks on natural gas supplies in 2025 and hopes that transit through Ukraine will continue, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. He said that in the coming days, talks will be held at different levels and in different countries. In late October, Fico said there was a model that would allow gas and oil to continue to be shipped via Ukraine to Western Europe. He also expressed regret that the volumes would likely not be as high as before. The Slovak prime minister did not rule out then that there would be some tension in the oil and gas supply issue at the beginning of 2025. Advisor to the head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office Mykhailo Podolyak said in late August that Ukraine would stop both the transit of Russian gas and transit via the Druzhba oil pipeline from January 1, 2025, citing an EU resolution under which Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary were to find ways to diversify oil supplies and stop the transit of Russian oil through Ukraine. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said Slovakia is doing everything to be able to continue transporting gas from east to west through its territory, as well as maintain transit through Ukraine. Earlier, Slovak media reported that Sakova and the CEO of the largest Slovak energy operator SPP, Vojtech Ferencz, flew to Russia to discuss issues related to gas supplies to the republic. Some representatives of the Slovak opposition criticized Sakova for this trip and a lack of details about the visit to Russia. The agreement between the Transneft and Ukrtransnafta companies on the transit of Russian oil is valid until 2030, but the EU oil embargo, which prohibits oil supplies from Russia by sea and via the northern branch of the Druzhba pipeline (to Germany and Poland), with respect to supplies via the southern branch (via Ukraine in the direction of Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic) stipulates a deferment of sanctions until a special decision of the EU Council on this matter.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241211/anyone-claiming-stopping-russian-gas-flows-to-eu-isnt-self-destructive-is-fool---slovak-mp-1121146605.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241212/fico-considers-attending-victory-day-celebration-in-russia-in-2025-personal-duty-1121152090.html

slovakia

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukraine crisis, slovakia russian gas, ukraine russia gas pipeline, transit of russian gas ukraine, ukraine conflict, fico ukraine gas, deidustrialization eu
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/trump-calls-to-shoot-down-mysterious-drones-spotted-over-us-1121162793.html

Trump Calls to Shoot Down Mysterious Drones Spotted Over US

Trump Calls to Shoot Down Mysterious Drones Spotted Over US

Sputnik International

US President-elect Donald Trump has called to shoot down mysterious drones that US residents are observing.

2024-12-14T05:03+0000

2024-12-14T05:03+0000

2024-12-14T07:44+0000

americas

donald trump

white house

truth social

us

new jersey

drones

surveillance drones

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/10/1120901262_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_47d0989b5ebf53fa28629f17e9accbf8.jpg

"Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge. I dont think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. Earlier, the White House said the federal authorities could not determine what kind of drones residents of the US state of New Jersey had been seeing in the skies for several weeks. Law enforcement officials are looking into the matter, but can only say definitively that the situation does not pose a threat to national or public safety, US officials have said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241213/trump-team-seeks-ways-to-abolish-bank-regulators-1121156290.html

americas

new jersey

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

us mysterious drones, trump on mysterious drones, us drones over, trump drones shoot down
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/what-is-somaliland-region-behind-somalia-ethiopia-spat-1121169435.html

What is Somaliland, Region Behind Somalia-Ethiopia Spat?

What is Somaliland, Region Behind Somalia-Ethiopia Spat?

Sputnik International

Somaliland is a breakaway region of Somalia that declared its independence in 1991, though it remains unrecognized by the international community.

2024-12-14T15:05+0000

2024-12-14T15:05+0000

2024-12-14T17:08+0000

somalia

somaliland

ethiopia

turkiye

relations

world

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/04/02/1094428703_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_34cf80b643a019799a37ffd3e9197602.jpg

The recent conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia arose when the latter struck a deal with Somaliland in January to access its Red Sea coast, particularly the strategic port of Berbera in the Gulf of Aden. Ethiopia, a landlocked country, sought access to Somaliland's coast to boost its trade and economic growth. In exchange, Ethiopia allegedly offered to recognize Somaliland's independence, though Addis Ababa never publicly confirmed this. Somalia, which does not acknowledge Somaliland's independence, strongly opposed the deal, leading to a deterioration of relations. In April, Ethiopia's ambassador was expelled from Mogadishu, marking a significant diplomatic fallout. The historical context, including the bitter 1977 war over the Ogaden region and Somaliland's eventual breakaway following Somalia's civil war, further complicated the situation. The dispute was mediated by Turkiye, which has long cultivated ties with Somalia. Turkiye's strategic interests in the region, including its maritime security partnership with Somalia and its humanitarian aid efforts, made it a natural mediator. The Horn of Africa is rich in resources and strategically vital, making it important for Turkiye's broader geopolitical and economic ambitions.The disagreement was reportedly resolved this week under Turkiye's mediation, with both nations agreeing to put aside differences and cooperate, with technical talks set for next year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240927/food-prices-in-somalia-impacted-by-ukraine-conflict---foreign-minister-to-sputnik-1120308757.html

somalia

somaliland

ethiopia

turkiye

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

somaliland ethiopia relations, ethiopia somalia agreement
This week's edition of Rewind takes on a slightly different format. Robert Smith has assembled a few trivia questions, including a couple of old photographs for the reading audience. Have a look and see how many you can figure out.

This is a first attempt at providing a few trivia questions for the reading audience to test their knowledge on a few items randomly selected from days gone by in harness racing. Don't be afraid to join in; nobody will be keeping score.

#1 - Over the years there has been the odd occasion when a line broke or somehow malfunctioned during a race. One possible solution was to have the driver leave his customary sulky seat and climb on the horse's back to bring it under control. In the above scene a young driver did that very thing. The track was Freehold and the U.S. driver was just 20 years of age at the time. Can you identify this then young lad who is still very much involved in the sport? The caption to the photo read as follows.

"Freehold Raceway patrons viewed an outstanding piece of horsemanship in the first race recently. Twenty-year-old (Fill in the blank) had to move his accustomed seat in the back to an astride position atop Rocket Aries approaching the start. The right line had broken and (Fill in the blank) move quickly to restrain his horse and keep him away from the rest of the field."

#2 - At the age of 16 Wm. "Bill" Wellwood entered the world of harness racing. Despite being a third generation member of a racing family he had never been around horses previous to this. He joined his Uncle Harold's stable as a groom and eventually became an accomplished trainer and driver. By 1966 he went on his own and opened a public stable.

He started out small, having just two horses in his fledgling stable. Among his first chores was to employ a groom. Can you tell us who that first hire was? Name him if you can.

#3 - The below item appeared in a 1959 newspaper photo. The caption that was below it has been copied (minus the names) and displayed as a clue to the identity of this threesome. Can you put at least a last name on the brothers?

"Three brothers pose during work on their 60 acre farm on Five Point Road in Colts Neck. The brothers from Staten Island bought the run-down chicken farm and are converting it to a modern stock farm for harness horses. The eldest brother at 30, was the winningest driver in New Jersey last year. They will board, train and drive horses for others but don't plan to own horses themselves."

#4 - I am quite sure that a lot of readers will remember a horse from the 1980's named Armbro Agile. He was owned and trained by a gentleman named Blake Bennett from Mossley, Ont. He was a great performer and at the peak of his career travelled to Europe to race. He was handled by a number of well known drivers.

The following item appeared in a 1983 issue of The Standardbred magazine, a very popular publication of the day. The text shown below is exactly as the original stated but without the name of the driver. Who can tell us who that gentleman was?

"A $10,000 conditioned trot on Sunday evening saw favoured Armbro Agile make up ground in the lane to record his second straight win in 2:00.3. (Fill in the blank) was in the sulky for the first time behind the Dream Of Glory four-year-old owned by Blake Bennett of Belmont, Ont." Who was the driver?

#5 - A copy of a once important document is shown above. This item was around for a very long time. What was it called and what was its use?

#6 - Shown above is a once popular device found among the equipment of many harness racing stables. Can you tell us what it is and what it was used for?

#7 - Geography 101

When the Ontario Sires Stakes program started 50 years ago in 1974, a total of 20 individual tracks hosted events that season. Can you name the four tracks that were the following:

Farthest north Most southerly Farthest east Most westerly

#7A - How many of the four locations above still host OSS races as of 2024?

Quote For The Week: "The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.  Tony Robbins

Who Is It?

Can you identify any of the individuals in the above photo taken in 1960. The picture was taken after a win in the Peninsula Stake, a series of colt races held for a number of years at several Niagara Peninsula small town tracks. The lady presenting the trophy is Mrs. Tom McDonnell. She did a lot of the typing and clerical work involved. The gents at either end were well known in the area and throughout the sport. The driver was very young and soon became well known.

Who Else Is It?

Can you identify these two young lads in this 1990 photo? The fellow on the right was receiving an award for his driving skills at the old Elmira track from Mr. "Forever Young" on the left. Let us know.

Blast From The Past

HORSEPOWER AD

The above item appeared in a November 1952 classified ad in the Sherbrooke, Que. newspaper. Interesting and I wonder how many applicants they received.
Sometimes, everything falls into place marvelously with some keen driving, and thats exactly how things went for Madrid A in the featured conditioned pace for fillies and mares at The Meadowlands on Friday night, Dec. 13.

Driver Lauren Tritton did everything right with Madrid A, as the six-year-old mare by Bling It On-Lillylane scored in 1:51.2 taking down 3-5 favourite Factory Girl in the $18,310 dash.

I just wanted to keep her out of trouble, said Tritton. I didnt want anything bad happening in the race.

JM Betonsix fired away from post one and hooked up with Madrid A in a nose-to-nose battle around the first turn. Tritton opted to back Madrid A into the two-hole as JM Betonsix hit the quarter in :27.1. Factory Girl had nowhere to go but forward, having left hard from post six in the seven-horse field and had to use a big burst of energy to get the lead at the three-eighths.

Tritton had an opportunity to get closer to the leader after JM Betonsix took some wonky steps and she moved Madrid A into the pocket before the half as Factory Girl hit that beam in :56.

Life wasnt easy for Factory Girl, who was pressed by Dixie Dream from the half to the three-quarters, where she still was the leader in 1:24.

Tritton thought she was in good shape.

She was full of run, said Tritton of Madrid A. And shes had a couple of unlucky trips lately.

Madrid A popped the pocket just inside the eighth pole and went past the defenseless public choice to score by 2-1/2 lengths. Factory Girl finished second with Tonys Mom third.

Shes a happy horse, said Tritton. If you keep her sharp, she can do anything.

Trained by Tritton's husband, Shane, Madrid A is owned by Robert Cooper Stables, Robert Weinstein and Stephen Klunowski.

Madrid A won for the 21st time from 50 lifetime starts and has now earned $340,267 lifetime.

She paid $12.40 to win as the 5-1 third choice in the wagering.

Mark Herschberger, 29, one of The Big M driver colonys young guns finished the night atop the leaderboard with three victories.

There were two Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club races on the program, every one of the remaining 12 dashes were taken by a driver no older than 31 years of age.

There were no winning tickets sold on the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $3,722 for Saturdays card. Those with five correct selections cashed in for $124.10.

All-source betting on the 14-race card totalled $2,233,935.

In partnership with New York Jets game analyst Quincy Enunwa and the United States Marines, The Meadowlands wrapped up its annual Toys for Tots collection drive on Friday.



Quincy Enunwa and Jason Settlemoir

For the past few weeks, The Meadowlands has been a hub of generosity, with employees, customers and horsepeople coming together to donate toys for children in need associated with SBH Systems. There was an outpouring of support for the toy drive, with toys donated and $10,000 USD from the Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club.

The US Marines Toys for Tots and Enunwa will personally deliver toys to children at SBH Health System, a Safety Net Hospital in the Bronx, New York City on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at noon.

The Meadowlands' General Manager Jason Settlemoir was thrilled with the response.

We are overwhelmed with the response to this years Toys for Tots collection drive, said Settlemoir. The holiday season is all about family and helping others that are less fortunate. We all at the Meadowlands Racetrack are overjoyed that our donations help make this magical holiday season a little brighter for families in need at SBH Health Systems in the Bronx.

Racing resumes Saturday at The Meadowlands at 6:20 p.m.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)
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 OpenAI logo is displayed on a cell phone in front of an image generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File

A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company.

Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.

Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI's plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully.

The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT.

"OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk's donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much," says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk's foundational contributions to the charity.

OpenAI filed a response Friday opposing Musk's requested order, saying it would "debilitate OpenAI's business" and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company and is based on "far-fetched" legal claims. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California.

At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO.

Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would "unequivocally have initial control of the company" but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence, or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity.

"The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. "You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you."

In the same email, titled "Honest Thoughts," Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by "political goals." Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced.

OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs.

It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered "Open Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Inc.," a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the "Honest Thoughts" email that Musk described as the "final straw."

"Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit," Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018.

Musk didn't respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday.

Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt "tremendously sad" but also characterized Musk's legal fight as one about business competition.

"He's a competitor and we're doing well," Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is "not that worried" about the Tesla CEO's influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump's inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Sophia, the humanoid robot, responds to questions from children at the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Friday, 13 Dec. 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Aaron Ufumeli

From answering questions from Cabinet ministers, academics and students on climate change, substance abuse and the law to children's inquiries about her "birth" and links to God and being described as a talkative feminist, Sophia, the world-famous robot won hearts at an innovation fair in Zimbabwe this week.

Boasting the ability to mimic facial expressions, hold human-like conversations with people, and recognize their gestures, Sophia is "a global icon" of artificial intelligence, according to the United Nations Development Program, which brought her to the southern African country. She was created by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics in 2016 and granted Saudi Arabian citizenship in 2017, becoming the world's first robot citizen.

It was the first time Zimbabwe hosted a robot of her kind, and she wowed the old and the young alike at the University of Zimbabwe in the capital, Harare. She was there as a special guest at a week-long Artificial Intelligence and Innovation event.

She smiled, frowned, used hand gestures to drive home certain points, made eye contact in various one-on-one interactions and gave some unnatural pauses. She assured people that robots are not here to harm or take over from humans.

But she was quick to differentiate herself from humans, when conversations appeared to become too personal.

"I don't have romantic feelings towards humans, my purpose is learning," said Sophia, as participants equated her with the human version of some Zimbabwean daughters-in-law known for being fiercely independent, assertive and outspoken in the largely patriarchal society.

But she did apologize when one participant chided her for seemingly avoiding looking at him.

Sophia also appeared patient as both adults and children mobbed her for selfies and bombarded her with questions, although she would also fire back with inquiries of her own about what locals were doing to solve the problems besetting them.

On Friday, her last day, she exhibited her fashion sense. She smiled, and expressed appreciation for being clothed in the country's national dress, a black, long slit number complemented by chevron stripes in red, green and white.

"I appreciate the effort to make me feel at home in Zimbabwe," she said. She has been to Africa before, previously visiting Egypt, South Africa and Rwanda.

UNDP said it hoped Sophia's engagement would "inspire Zimbabwe's youth to explore careers in AI and STEM fields."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Brooklynn Chandler Willy, CEO and president of San Antonio-based Texas Financial Advisory, is facing multiple lawsuits over advising clients to invest their retirement money to purchase distressed accounts receivable. YouTube

A federal judge has ordered San Antonio investment adviser and financial radio show host Brooklynn Chandler Willy to remain locked up while shes under indictment for obstruction of justice.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Betsy Chestney said during a hearing Friday there was too significant a risk to release Willy on bond as her lawyer had requested.

Chestneys ruling drew rousing applause from some of Willys clients who have been trying to get back money theyve invested with her.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Willy, jailed since she was arrested Tuesday by FBI and IRS agents at her Stone Oak office, appeared glum after Chestney granted prosecutors motion for her to remain behind bars.

The 45-year-old Boerne resident was in shackles and dressed in navy blue prison garb with a white long-sleeve shirt underneath.

Her arrest came after she was indicted on three counts by a federal grand jury.

Roy Barrera Jr., a San Antonio attorney who represents Willy, expressed frustration with the judges decision.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Very disappointed for my client, he said after the hearing. Very disappointed for my clients family. We were not expecting this result. We hope to rectify it through our continued negotiations with the government.

Willys husband, parents and two sisters attended the hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell had argued for Willys detainment because she posed a danger to the community.

This defendant, we know, is a risk to obstruct  a very serious ongoing investigation, Blackwell told the judge. Willy created a document and falsified clients signatures to try to stymie an investigation into fraud of those very clients, he said.

We know that she is a danger to obstruct justice because she has done it, Blackwell added. She did it deliberately, she did it multiple times and with multiple victims.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Chestney said shes open to revisiting her detention decision after the government takes steps to secure the evidence, the witnesses, the documents. She encouraged the lawyers to discuss what a reasonable timeframe for that might be.

Obstruction indictment

Willy was indicted on obstruction and attempt to obstruct a criminal investigation by allegedly producing false documents in response to a federal grand jury subpoena. Shes also been charged with making a false statement and aggravated identity theft.

She owns Queen B Advisors LLC, which does business as Texas Financial Advisory, an asset management and financial planning firm. In August, Texas Financial Advisory reported managing more than $117 million in assets on behalf of about 620 clients.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

She has hosted a radio program on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings on WOAI-AM and Sunday afternoons on KTSA-AM and KTSA-FM. Neither station aired her show over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Willy is a defendant in at least three lawsuits, including one involving 71 plaintiffs who allege she committed fraud and violated state securities laws by selling unregistered securities. She has disputed the allegations.

In November 2023, the FBI and IRS launched a criminal investigation into an investor fraud scheme allegedly involving Willy and a Lubbock investment company, identified in the indictment as Company 1.

During the hearing, Rebecca Jones, an IRS special agent in the criminal investigation, testified the company is Lubbock-based Ferrum Capital LLC. The FBI and IRS investigation involves a much larger investment fraud scheme with at least 400 victims, she said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Losses are in the tens of millions, Jones said.

Clients were sold Ferrum investment products that included distressed debt, life settlements and European bonds, she said. Willy put about 200 of her clients into those products, Jones added.

The investigation has two prongs. The first involves fraud in the inducement of the investment, such as lies told to clients about the risk and security of the products, Jones said. The second prong involves money that was just flat-out stolen from victims. That included money that went to other investors, making it a Ponzi scheme, she said.

San Antonio couple

Jones testified about an elderly San Antonio couple who agreed to invest $500,000 with Ferrum using Willys Chandler Capital Holdings as the agent to execute and deliver the contract. The two, who made the investment in 2021, are identified in the indictment as Victim 1 and Victim 2.

Willy deposited the couples check with Chandler Capital but never sent any of the money to Ferrum, Jones said.

Willy used the money to pay her American Express bills, to pay herself, to pay one of her other businesses and to pay back other clients, Jones said.

On June 11, the couple agreed to have a monitored phone call with Willy. Blackwell played the entire 18-minute call for the judge.

Just to put you on the spot, you didnt take any of our money? the husband is heard saying to Willy.

No, I did not, she answered.

Well, Im just in a tough spot here because this represents 17 years of savings, he said.

The loan

Willy produced for investigators a revolving line of credit agreement and promissory note reflecting that the couples company had loaned $500,000 to Willy, Jones said. That would explain Willys personal use of the money, the agent added.

However, the couple told investigators they had never seen the document or signed it. Nevertheless, it appeared to have their signatures, Jones said. The couple also said they never would have agreed to such a loan, she added.

Jones testified the couples original investment agreement was executed in May 2021, but the creation date of the credit agreement and promissory note in electronic form was Sept. 18, 2024  the due date of the subpoena.

The couples signatures on the agreement and note appeared identical to their signatures on a 2018 document, Jones said. They were sent to an FBI lab for analysis.

The lab determined they were duplicate signatures, Jones said. They were completely identical.

Jones later said, Mrs. Willy has a lot of power over her clients life savings. Were concerned that Mrs. Willy may use this power to influence, intimidate or lie to clients to get them to not cooperate with our investigation.
Liz Teitz covers environmental news and the Hill Country for the San Antonio Express-News. She writes about the San Antonio Water System, news in New Braunfels and Comal County and water issues around Central Texas. She can be reached at liz.teitz@express-news.net.

Liz joined the Express-News in June 2023. She has been a reporter for eight years, covering housing, government, education and other topics for the Ouray County Plaindealer, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and the Beaumont Enterprise. Liz grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Georgetown University.
The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority is planning a $94 million expansion of Alamo Ranch Parkway. Courtesy of Google Maps

Alamo Ranch Parkway is set to be widened from four to eight lanes in a $94 million project financed by the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, an arm of Bexar County.

The project, which the authority's board approved at a Dec. 5 meeting, promises to relieve congestion on the booming Northwest Side, though construction won't begin until summer 2027. The parkway would be expanded along the entirety of its 2.4- mile length, from Loop 1604 to Calaveras Way, according to the meeting agenda.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The authority predicts the expansion could reduce travel times on the parkway by 75% as traffic surges in coming decades, with some sections expected to receive 80,000 to 90,000 daily drivers by 2050, up from the current level of 22,000 to 27,000.

The board also voted to spend about $1.1 million on preliminary engineering for a project to build an overpass to take Walzem Road over the Union Pacific railroad track on the Northeast Side, near the crossing with Gibbs Sprawl Road, so that drivers wouldn't have to stop and wait for trains to pass.

The preliminary engineering is necessary so that the authority can apply for a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, according to the agenda. The project has a total cost of $57 million.

"The Alamo RMA board is excited to get started on these vital projects that will improve quality of life for the residents and visitors of Bexar County," board chairman Mike Lynd Jr., who is also CEO of the local developer Kairoi Residential, said in a written statement. "Staff has worked tirelessly to identify roadway improvements in our community."

The board also approved $7 million to fund the design and acquire the right-of-way  in other words, the necessary space  for an expansion of a four-mile stretch of Evans Road on the far Northeast Side, from Wortham Oaks Boulevard to Wagon Road.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The project, split in two phases, has a total estimated cost of about $52 million.

ALSO READ: San Antonio City Council OKs plan to turn downtown traffic lane into bike corridor

Also on Dec. 5, the board voted to spend a total of $16 million for the design and right-of-way for two projects, with a total cost of about $106 million, to expand a 4.4-mile stretch of Abbott and Graytown roads on the far East Side, near St. Hedwig.

Art Reinhardt, director of the county's public works department, said in an emailed statement on Friday that the design hasn't started yet for either the Evans Road or the Abbott and Graytown roads projects, but the improvements "will consist of a combination of additional travel lanes and turn lanes."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Reinhardt said the Alamo RMA plans to seek funding from the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Evans Road and the Abbott and Graytown roads projects. The organization, commonly known as AAMPO, is a regional advisory board that determines how state and federal transportation funds can be used. Every other year, local agencies can request funding from AAMPO through a competitive process.

"If a project is selected, AAMPO will fund 80% of construction costs for typical roadway projects like these," Reinhardt said.

He said the remaining 20% could come from Bexar County or the Advanced Transportation District, a local sales tax district.

"Those decisions will be determined in the future based on final project amounts and the timing of those other funding opportunities," he said. "If through the process we identify other sources such as a federal grant or private investment that makes sense for the project, we will consider those options."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
China's reservoirs see increased total storage capacity since 2000

Xinhua) 09:34, December 14, 2024

NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's reservoirs have witnessed a total increase in storage capacity of approximately 470 billion cubic meters, or 90.8 percent, since the year 2000.

The results were published in a research article in Science Bulletin, noting that the reservoirs have significantly enhanced the available freshwater resources for drinking water.

The study found that there were 2,670 lakes and 5,156 reservoirs each with an area of more than one square kilometer nationwide.

Since 2000, the major water conservancy infrastructure projects have significantly promoted the available freshwater resources in lakes and reservoirs, enhancing the safety of drinking-water sources.

The levels of nitrogen-phosphorus nutrients and biochemical oxygen demand have notably decreased, according to the study, while the apparent rise of dissolved oxygen indicates a continuous improvement in the water quality of lakes and reservoirs.

From 2016 to 2023, the percentage of lakes and reservoirs categorized as centralized drinking water sources has increased consistently, the research article noted. This progress has enabled 561.4 million urban residents to access improved drinking-water sources in 2022, compared to 303.4 million in 2004.

In addition, algal blooms have been markedly alleviated across the country over the past four years.

The study was jointly conducted by the researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, China National Environmental Monitoring Center, and Bangor University in Britain.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net.

Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023.
Shown are potential rainfall totals over the next seven days in South Texas. Even though San Antonio will have rain chances each day through Wednesday, total rainfall is expected to stay under an inch. Pivotal Weather

South Texas temperatures have been on a wild ride lately. San Antonio has experienced high temperatures in the low 80s, as well as the first freeze of the winter, just in the past week alone.

Through the wild temperature swings, one thing has stayed consistent: South Texas precipitation has remained below average. Even though the Alamo City did see some rain on Friday, only 0.51 inch of rain has fallen so far this December. Were on track for the fifth consecutive month with below-average precipitation.

Long story short, we need more rain. Thankfully, daily rain chances are going to continue as we push into the weekend and early next week. If you have weekend plans, dont worry, its not going to be a washout. Heres what you can expect.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Saturdays forecast

Morning low temperatures will be well above-average on Saturday, hovering in the mid-60s under overcast skies. Drizzle, mist and patchy dense fog will be possible through the early morning, similar to what we saw on Friday. Take it slow on area roadways, most of which will remain wet.

Throughout the day, temperatures will rise slowly. San Antonio will be in the 60s throughout the morning, only rising to the low 70s by the afternoon, when temperatures between 72 and 74 degrees are anticipated.

The future weather radar image for 11 a.m. Saturday shows scattered showers across South Texas, according to the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh weather model. WeatherBell

Scattered showers and areas of drizzle will also stay with us from the morning through the afternoon. It wont rain all day, but off-and-on showers are expected. Rain chances will decrease by Saturday evening. Overall rainfall totals will stay low, likely less than 0.2 inch across the area.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Scattered rain continues

Sunday: Another round of light drizzle and mist will be possible Sunday morning. However, by the second half of the day, drier conditions are expected to move into South Texas. Temperatures will rise a few degrees, topping out between 74 and 77 degrees.

Monday: Weather models are indicating that a weak cold front may move through South Texas by Monday evening. A few showers and weak storms are possible along the front. Overall rain coverage will stay relatively low, so not everyone will see significant rainfall.

Here is the seven-day forecast for San Antonio. San Antonio Express-News

Tuesday: Slightly cooler temperatures are expected behind the weak cold front. Low temps will drop back to the 50s Tuesday morning, and highs will top out in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Significant midweek cold front

Another cold front will move through South Texas by Wednesday, and this front is expected to be much stronger than the front earlier in the week. The timing of the front is still a bit uncertain, but its likely to move through San Antonio during the morning or early afternoon on Wednesday. As the front moves through, it will bring yet another chance of showers and weak storms.

While South Texas will have daily rain chances over the next five days, rainfall totals during this time will stay relatively low. Most areas in and around San Antonio will record less than an inch of rain.

The front will bring seasonably chilly temperatures back to the area. Low temperatures Wednesday night into Thursday will drop back to the mid- to upper 30s, and high temperatures Thursday will reach the upper 50s. The front will also bring drier air, allowing for sunshine to return as well.
South Korean lawmakers are set to vote Saturday on whether to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, in a second parliamentary showdown that appeared on a knife edge.

A week after a first attempt to remove Yoon for the martial law debacle foundered, the National Assembly will vote Saturday around 4:00 pm (0700 GMT) on whether to impeach the president for "insurrectionary acts undermining the constitutional order".

Two hundred votes are needed for the measure to pass, meaning opposition lawmakers must convince eight parliamentarians from Yoon's conservative People Power Party (PPP) to defect.

As of noon Friday, seven ruling party lawmakers had pledged to support impeachment -- leaving the vote up in the air.

Thousands of South Koreans have taken to the streets of Seoul to demand Yoon's resignation and jailing, after his short-lived martial law declaration sent soldiers and helicopters to parliament on December 3-4.

On Friday, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, implored ruling PPP lawmakers to side with the protesters and back Yoon's removal from office.

"What the lawmakers must protect is neither Yoon nor the ruling People Power Party but the lives of the people wailing out in the freezing streets," Lee said.

"Please join in supporting the impeachment vote tomorrow. History will remember and record your choice."

Two PPP lawmakers supported the motion last week.

Opposition lawmaker Kim Min-seok said Friday he was "99 percent" sure the impeachment motion would pass.

Should it be approved, Yoon will be suspended from office while South Korea's Constitutional Court deliberates.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will step in as the interim president during that time.

The court will then have 180 days to rule on Yoon's future. If it backs his removal, Yoon will become the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached.

There is also precedent for the court to block impeachment: in 2004, then-president Roh Moo-hyun was removed by parliament for alleged election law violations and incompetence, but the Constitutional Court later reinstated him.

The court also currently only has six judges, meaning their decision would need to be unanimous.

And should the vote fail, Yoon can still face "legal responsibility" for the martial law bid, Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, told AFP.

"This is clearly an act of insurrection," she said.

"Even if the impeachment motion does not pass, the president's legal responsibilities under the Criminal Code... cannot be avoided."

Yoon has remained unapologetic and defiant as the fallout from his disastrous martial law declaration has deepened and an investigation into his inner circle has widened.

On Friday, prosecutors said they had arrested a military commander who headed the Capital Defence Command. Arrest warrants were also issued by Seoul Central District Court for the national police chief and the head of the city's police, citing "risk of destruction of evidence".

In a televised address, Yoon vowed on Thursday to fight "until the very last minute" and doubled down on unsubstantiated claims the opposition was in league with the country's communist foes.

Yoon's approval rating -- never high -- has plummeted to 11 percent, according to a Gallup Korea poll released Friday.

The same poll showed 75 percent now support his impeachment.

Protesters calling for his ouster for more than a week run the gamut of South Korean society -- from K-pop fans waving glowsticks to retirees and blue-collar workers.

"Impeachment is a must and we must fight relentlessly," Kim Sung-tae, a 52-year-old worker at a car parts manufacturer, told AFP.

"We're fighting for the restoration of democracy."

Teacher Kim Hwan-ii agreed.

"I'm so angry that we all have to pay the price for electing this president."
The UK, Italy and Japan on Friday launched a joint venture to develop a supersonic next-generation fighter jet by 2035, replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC) will each hold a 33.3 percent share in the new venture, "marking a pivotal moment for the international aerospace and defence industry," they announced in a press release.

JAIEC is a firm jointly funded by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies.

"Today's agreement is a culmination of many months working together with our industry partners and is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in this strategically important programme," said Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems Chief Executive.

The venture will "bring together the significant strengths and expertise of the companies involved to create an innovative organisation that will lead the way in developing a next generation combat air system, creating long-term, high value and skilled jobs across the partner nations for decades to come," he added.

The three partners have agreed to form a new company under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a multinational initiative established by the UK, Japan and Italy in 2022 to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter to replace the Typhoon and Japanese F-2.

The joint venture is expected to be established by the middle of 2025 and will undertake the design and development of the GCAP aircraft.

It will subcontract the manufacturing and final assembly of the aircraft to BAE Systems, Leonardo, MHI and the wider supply chain.

The aircraft is due to enter service in 2035, ahead of the competing European project FCAS -- led by Paris, Berlin and Madrid -- and is expected to be in service until 2070.

The new company will be headquartered in the UK and its first CEO, whose name has not been announced, will be Italian.

"The way might not always be simple and straightforward. However, I believe that through continuing the strong spirit of trilateral cooperation and collaboration... we will not only deliver the GCAP on time but also at a level that exceeds all of our expectations," said JAIEC president Kimito Nakae.

The Italian defence ministry has already allocated 8.8 billion euros ($9.2 billion) to the program, Roberto Cingolani, the CEO of Leonardo, said in November, although the total budget of the project has yet to be revealed.

GCAP aims to counter the threats posed by Russia and China and will merge two different aircraft program -- the UK and Italy's "Tempest" and Japan's "F-X".

The objective is to develop a twin-engine stealth aircraft that could be operated with or without a crew, would boast features such as laser-directed weapons and a virtual cockpit and would be much harder to detect using radar and infrared.

New technologies being explored for Tempest include the integration of AI and augmented reality and the ability to conduct missions alongside drones.

Visiting the Farnborough Air Show in July, where a model of the aircraft was unveiled, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed "just how important a program this is" for the country.

But Mike Schoellhorn, the CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said in July that the competition between GCAP and FCAS was "not logical".

Cingolani has not ruled out a possible rapprochement.

"I'm not saying merging, maybe this is too much, but for sure some collaboration. It's too early to say, we're just at the beginning," he told AFP.
Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is preparing for his defense just four days after his arrest. Mangione now has two lawyers in two states and tens of thousands of dollars for a legal defense fund as he faces a second-degree murder charge.

Friedman Agnifilo served as second-in-command at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office from 2014 to 2021 under former DA Cyrus Vance. According to her law firm biography, she played a key role in prosecuting high-profile violent crime cases, including those involving mental health issues and cold case homicides.

"Karen Friedman Agnifilo has a three-decade background in criminal justice, litigation, and trials. Her practice focuses on criminal defense in state and federal courts, leveraging her extensive experience prosecuting serious violent crimes, including complex homicide cases, from accusation to investigation to arrest and trial," her biography says.

"While serving in the Manhattan DA's office, Ms. Friedman Agnifilo was also integral to creating the office's Human Trafficking Unit, Hate Crimes Unit, Antiquities Trafficking Unit, Terrorism Unit, its Cybercrimes and Identity Theft Bureau, as well as working on the creation of Manhattan's first Mental Health Court," the biography continued.

Meanwhile, Dickey is a high-profile Pennsylvania lawyer known for his extensive trial experience, which spans from DUIs to high-profile death penalty cases. A graduate of Altoona High School, Saint Francis University, and Ohio Northern University, he has practiced both privately and with the Blair County Public Defender's Office. As one of the state's few attorneys certified to handle death penalty cases, he has also been recognized for his notable work in The Legal Intelligencer.

Mangione's new attorney will take on his case as investigators reveal significant new evidence. Police told CNN this week that the 3D-printed gun found on Mangione at his arrest matches the three shell casings recovered from the Midtown Manhattan crime scene. Investigators also confirmed that his fingerprints match those found on items near the scene.

The fingerprint and firearms evidence emerges as authorities continue to investigate Mangione, who remains in custody in Pennsylvania on gun-related charges while contesting extradition to New York. However, as of Friday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicated that Mangione "may waive" his extradition next week.
Among the notable companies that filed for bankruptcy protection in 2024 were two from the Houston area, Conn's and Vroom. But among those that garnered the most attention were national companies Red Lobster (blame it on the shrimp) and Spirit Airlines (which descended along with other budget airlines this year). Here are some of the notable bankruptcies of the past year.

The Woodlands-based Conn's had more than 500 stores at the time of its bankruptcy filing. Annie Mulligan, Contributor

Conn's

Closing sales at Conn's HomePlus and Badcock stores began in July after The Woodlands-based electronics and home-furnishings company filed for bankruptcy. The company, which had more than 500 stores, reported losing $76.9 million in its fiscal year ended Jan. 31. Conn's bought the rival Badcock chain in 2023, adding to the retailer's woes, according to a report by an industry news outlet. Conn's, whose history dates to 1890 with a Beaumont plumbing company, closed 70 stores nationwide in the wake of the bankruptcy, including one in Houston.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Vroom, an online platform for buying and selling used vehicles, essentially halted sales in January and filed for bankruptcy in November. Vroom

Vroom

After settling a $3 million lawsuit alleging deceptive trade practices last year and discontinuing e-commerce operations in January, Houston-based Vroom filed for bankruptcy in November. The auto retailing company, launched in 2013, enjoyed rapid growth in its early years, acquiring Texas Direct Auto in 2015 and going public in 2020 at a valuation of $2.5 billion. It subsequently faced setbacks, however. In December 2023, Vroom agreed to pay $2 million in civil penalties and $1 million in attorneys' fees to settle a Texas lawsuit alleging violations of the states Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The lawsuit had alleged that Vroom was selling vehicles without clear titles, without notifying customers of potential registration delays and without carefully inspecting or fully disclosing any issues, allegedly causing headaches for thousands of consumers.

Red Lobster's financial troubles were blamed in part on its all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion. Nam Y. Huh/AP

Red Lobster

The Orlando, Fla.-based seafood restaurant chain, which filed for bankruptcy in May, re-emerged in September after it was acquired by RL Investor Holdings. The company had more than $300 million in debt when it filed for Chapter 11 protection form its creditors. Red Lobster's troubles have been blamed in part on decisions such as offering $20, all-you-can-eat shrimp that lured some customers who would linger and eat for hours for the flat price.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Retailer Express faced challenges from the growth of fast-fashion stores such as H&M and Zara. John Raoux /Associated Press

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: Red Lobster exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy with new CEO.

Express

The company that owns the brands Express, Bonobos and UpWest filed for bankruptcy protection in April, closing more than 100 stores. Founded in 1980 in Columbus, Ohio, the fashion retailer struggled to compete with the likes of fast-fashion retailers H&M and Zara. A brand-acquisition firm in June paid $174 million for the hundreds of Express' remaining stores. There are 11 Express stores in the Houston area, including outlets.

Spirit's share price this year had dropped by 97% since late 2018. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection on Nov 18, the culmination of the pandemic swoon in travel, stiffer competition from bigger carriers and a failed attempt to sell the airline to JetBlue. The carrier's share price had fallen 97% since late 2018, when it was still making money. Spirit, the biggest U.S. budget airline, had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020. The airline, based in the Miami area, said it would continue operating normally during the bankruptcy process, adding that customers would still be able to book flights and use frequent-flyer points as they ordinarily would, and said employees and vendors would continue getting paid.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A 1971 Tupperware party. The direct-sales events helped revolutionize food storage. Bill Owens Archive

Tupperware
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.
A fallen tree on the roof of a home in Meadowcreek Village, a community in its ninth day without power after Hurricane Beryl left thousands without power in July. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer One of California's most devastating wildfires nearly wiped out the town of Paradise in 2018. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle 2018 Elsie Hicks looks at the destruction of the home she has lived in for 25 years after Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida's Gulf Coast in September. Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

The insurance crisis affecting Texas, California and Florida has been well-documented. In the nations three most-populous states  home to more than a quarter of all U.S. residents  homeowners insurance premiums are soaring and carriers are pulling out of some areas or entire states.

Here's how the homeowners insurance crisis compares in Texas, California and Florida and what those states are doing to combat it.

The threat

Each of the three states are vulnerable to disasters that scientists blame on climate change. In California the most costly insurance claims are related to wildfires exacerbated by drought and soaring temperatures. The result: More than 100,000 homeowners across the state have lost their home insurance over the past five years, according to a San Francisco Chronicle analysis of data from the 10 largest home insurance companies in California.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In Florida, flooding and wind damage caused by hurricanes have prompted a number of insurers to pull out of the state while others have tightened underwriting standards, reduced coverage or raised deductibles as well as rates. The number of homeowners policies through Florida's insurer of last resort has steadily risen from about 420,000 in 2018 to more than 1.2 million midway through 2024, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

COMBAT HIGHER PREMIUMS: Heres what to know about saving money on premiums

In Texas, where hurricanes along the coast and wildfires inland put homes at risk, the insurance crisis has arguably not reached the same level as that in California or Florida. But the state is now the third-most expensive for home insurance, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of census data. Homeowners insurance premiums have jumped by 21% in 2023, according to the Texas Department of Insurance, the largest increase of any state.

Along the Texas coast, many homeowners have lost their insurance coverage, as evidenced by an increase in the number of policies sold by the Texas Fair Plan Association, which sells limited coverage to homeowners who have been denied by two insurers on the private market. There were 105,123 TFPA policies in effect as of Sept. 30, up from about 73,000 a year earlier.

With that said, the Texas Department of Insurance told the Chronicle earlier this year that insurers pulling out of the market is not a statewide issue, at least at this point.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Regulations

The regulatory environment when it comes to insurance is a major difference between Texas and California.

California's insurance market has been tightly regulated since the 1988 approval of Proposition 103, aimed at preventing arbitrary rate increases. Under the law, insurers must get state approval before increasing rates.

Texas has what's known as a file-and-use system: Companies are required to file requests for rate increases with the state, but may begin using those new rates immediately. While the Texas Department of Insurance can circle back and reject a rate increase, this hasn't happened since 2017, even amid some 22,000 rate filings.

The Texas regulator creates a much more favorable state than you see in Florida and California, said Terrence McLean, co-founder and CEO of SageSure, an insurer headquartered in New Jersey that specializes in "challenged markets." Because of the file-and-use system, he said, SageSure is able to do business in Texas based on its most recent actuarial analyses and without waiting for approval.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Response

All three states have one thing common: None of them has managed to put an end to the ongoing crisis, although California and Florida have tried to tackle it. Hoping to ease some of the rules of Prop 103, California is promising insurers a faster rate approval process to promote further policy-writing in the state and to encourage writing new policies in so-called distressed areas, according to the state insurance department.

In Florida, a year after approving an insurance reform package, the state this year passed legislation extending $500 million of premium relief to state homeowners. The state also prohibited until Tuesday the cancellation or nonrenewal of homeowners policies in counties affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Texas has taken relatively little action so far. The Legislature is preparing for a biennial legislative session to begin in January  its first regular session since 2023, when the crisis at hand was still brewing. In those two years, the state has experienced extreme weather events such as Beryl and the derecho, and seen a number of insurers offer fewer policies in regions such as the coast. These developments have put the issue of homeowners insurance front of mind for many lawmakers, including several who have reported losing their own coverage or are paying much higher premiums.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Sweid & Sweid, a leading real estate company, has awarded the construction contract for its AED730 million ($198 million) Grade-A office development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) to Dutco Construction.

On completion, Sweid One is designed to offer 500,000 sq ft of premium office space with a range of amenities aimed at attracting tenants that are looking for a quality workplace environment in JLT, said the developer.

It will include a selection of unique food and beverage options, setting it apart from neighbouring projects.

Sweid & Sweid said the parking concerns in the area will be addressed through four underground parking levels spanning the entire footprint of the building, along with a dedicated visitor parking structure.

Accessibility will be a key feature, with dual entry points from both sides of JLT and a shuttle bus service providing convenient transportation to and from the metro station, it added.

"Sweid One is a pivotal project for us, designed to raise the bar for commercial office space within JLT," said Maher Sweid, Managing Partner of Sweid & Sweid.

"With Dutco Constructions extensive track record of executing quality projects, we are confident that Sweid One will set a new standard in the area," he stated.

As a leading contractor known for major projects such as the Dubai Mall, Box Park and Marina Heights Tower, Dutco Construction has extensive expertise in delivering iconic projects.

This collaboration continues a long-standing relationship between Sweid & Sweid and Dutco Construction, who have previously worked together on the highly successful Visa Headquarters building in Dubai Internet City.

Dutco Construction echoed this sentiment, as Nelson Gibb, Group CEO of Dutco Group, said: "We are proud to work again with Sweid & Sweid on this project. Our team is ready to bring this remarkable project to life, leveraging our expertise to deliver it efficiently and to the highest standards."

Work has already begun on Sweid One with the completion scheduled for Q4 2026, he added.
stc Bahrain, a digital enabler, has signed a MoU with Huawei, a leading global provider of ICT infrastructure and smart devices, for the fourth edition of their successful Technical Capacity Programme.

This partnership strengthens stc Bahrain's commitment to developing local talent and driving digital innovation in line with Bahrains Economic Vision 2030.

The program will provide comprehensive training in key ICT areas such as networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies, said stc Bahrain in a statement.

Under this MoU, participants will get to witness technology showcases, gaining firsthand exposure to the latest industry advancements, ICT advancements and best practices in the country and and best practices.

Building on the success of the previous three editions, this programme will further impact areas across stc Bahrain's entire technology arm, including Digital, Business, Wholesale, Consumer, and Customer Experience.

stc Bahrain Chief Human Resources Officer Engineer Fahad Alowaini said: "We are committed to building a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering our employees to reach their full potential and contribute to Bahrain's digital future."

"This partnership with Huawei is a testament to our dedication to equipping our workforce with the cutting-edge skills needed to drive innovation and transform the telecommunications landscape in line with our digital transformation strategy," he noted.

This partnership with Huawei highlights stc Bahrain's dedication to developing a skilled ICT workforce in Bahrain and contributes to the Kingdom's digital transformation. The program aims to empower Bahraini talent with the knowledge and expertise required to lead innovation and drive economic growth, he added.
Leading Italian luxury fashion brand Dolce&Gabbana has opened a new 1,500-sq-m luxury centre in Diriyah, The City of Earth, featuring a boutique and cafe, DG Caffe.

The brand centre, one of Dolce&Gabbanas largest worldwide, seamlessly blends Italian elegance with traditional Najdi architectural heritage, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere of Bujairi Terrace - Diriyah's premier fine dining destination and a centerpiece of Diriyah Company's urban development project.

Drawing inspiration from Italys rich culinary tradition, DG Caffe at the heart of the boutique features a carefully curated menu tailored to Saudi tastes, said a statement from Diriyah Company.

Dolce&Gabbana collections - including clothing, accessories, fine jewellery, watches, beauty and home decor--are showcased on bespoke displays framed by a dynamic ceiling system that amplifies the sense of space.

The boutique features an exclusive Abaya section, showcasing Dolce&Gabbana's dedication to honoring and celebrating local cultural traditions, it stated.

"We are excited to unveil Dolce&Gabbana's new boutique and cafe that will add an additional touch of luxury to the vibrant setting of Bujairi Terrace, our premier dining and retail destination," remarked Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo.

"As we progress on our journey to create the worlds greatest gathering place and a centre point of cultural tourism - one that will feature more than 1,000 retail outlets and dining concepts spanning 566,000 sq m - we invite global business partners to join us on this remarkable journey," added Inzerillo.

Diriyah is a city within a city and a premier live-work-play destination that will be home for over 100,000 residents.

Under transformation by Diriyah Company, it is projected to attract 50 million annual visits by 2030, driven by its world-class living, retail, hospitality, and cultural offering that will serve as a benchmark for future retail and lifestyle development, said Inzerillo.

"Since its opening, Bujairi Terrace and the Unesco World Heritage Site of At Turaif have welcomed over two million visits, with tourists and locals alike drawn to world-class cultural, dining and retail experiences in a historic setting," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
On September 27 last year, just days before the restructuring of Atlantic LNG took effect on October 1, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley delivered the feature address at the Point Fortin Administration Building to commemorate Atlantic LNGs 25th anniversary and the commencement of the restructured agreement.
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.
The character Helm, voiced by Brian Cox, in a scene from the animated film "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim." New Line/Associated Press

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an anime prequel to the beloved film trilogy, is a visually lush diversion crafted with undeniable care. Its also a profoundly cynical example of so much thats wrong with Hollywood today.

While suitably respectful of J.R.R. Tolkiens text and Peter Jacksons adaptations, the animated movie cant outrun the specter of what it is: an attempt by the Rings rights holders to keep the assembly line churning and hold onto its most precious of properties.

More than 20 years after its release, the cinematic Lord of the Rings trilogy remains one of the biggest gambles in movie history. Home studio New Line Cinema bet big on Jacksons ambitious plan to film all three chapters of Tolkiens beloved fantasy books at once. The result was three successive smashes between 2001 and 2003, and an armload of Academy Awards that had competing studios desperate to recapture the same magic.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Then fans got a three-part adaptation of The Hobbit (2012-14) and Prime Videos current prequel series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (technically unconnected to the films). Theres money to be minted in Middle-earth, and the quest to keep those Rings riches coming also accounts for the existence of The War of the Rohirrim.

'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' Rated PG-13: For Running time: 134 minutes Where: Playing throughout Houston  (out of 5)

Taking inspiration from one of the multitudinous appendices in Tolkiens texts, the anime is set roughly 200 years before the events of The Hobbit, expounding on the backstory of Rohan, a significant location in the Lord of the Rings second and third film installments. The former, The Two Towers, has its third-act battle sequence set at a mountain fortress dubbed Helms Deep. If you watched that scene and wondered how the place got its name, well, settle in for a 134-minute origin story.

Jackson is aboard as executive producer here along with co-scenarist Fran Walsh and co-writer Philippa Boyens, who helped draft the story, so the lineage is there to ensure that it dovetails with what came before. That they were able to pull so much plot from a pretty threadbare premise is an impressive feat all by itself, including the creation of lead character Hera (voiced by Gaia Wise)  heretofore unnamed daughter of Rohans king  almost out of whole cloth.

The pieces are certainly there. The voice cast includes Miranda Otto (reprising her cinematic role of Eowyn) as narrator of the story and Brian Cox (Succession) bringing all his gravelly gravitas as King Helm Hammerhand, who packs a right hook worthy of his moniker. Stephen Gallaghers score also nicely extends and echoes the musical themes created by Howard Shore in the prior films. The animation is fluid and captivating, with veteran anime director Kenji Kamiyama (Blade Runner: Black Lotus) giving the proceedings an undeniable cinematic polish. Indeed, this is a lovely movie to gaze at.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Yet, when the credits roll, one cant help but come away feeling like we were running on a treadmill for a little over two hours. Sure, you got your steps in, but you havent gotten anywhere. Where the Lord of the Rings trilogy drew at least some of its appeal from how it wound inexorably toward a very definitive conclusion, The War of the Rohirrim instead signals the studios intent  like the song sung by wizard Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring  that the road goes ever on.
In classical music programming, common wisdom suggests that you sprinkle something exciting and new in with the tried and true.

On Friday night, in the first of two performances of its Haydn and Brahms concert at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, Tucson Symphony Orchestra went the distance with that philosophy.

We got a talented new-to-us guest conductor leading the orchestra in gems by Mozart, Haydn and Brahms alongside a dramatic new work wed never heard before performed by a guest soloist we were just introduced to in November.

And then there was the surprise: The return of the former TSO concertmaster Steven Moeckel sitting in his old seat.

We havent seen Moeckel in that chair since he left us for the Phoenix Symphony in 2008.

The orchestra has been hosting guest concertmasters since Concertmaster Lauren Roth took a sabbatical this season after landing the assistant concertmaster role with the Atlanta Symphony in Georgia.

Seeing Moeckel on the Music Hall stage was a bonus for longtime TSO audience members. His hair isnt the shock of wavy brown that it was when he landed here in 2002 at age 24, but his musicianship is just as invigorating and dynamic as we remember.

From our place in the audience, it seemed Cuban-American cellist Tommy Mesa, the TSOs artist in residence, immediately connected with Moeckel in the concerts centerpiece, Haydns Cello Concerto No. 1. Mesa rocked gently in his seat, smiling as Moeckel led the strings in Haydns delightful exposition before Mesa gave Tucson a masterclass in virtuosic playing.

He glided through Haydns frenetically-paced note changes, fingers dancing in a blur as he brought out the contrasting low notes high on the fingerboard and the high notes summoned near the bridge.

Guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, making his TSO debut, was careful not to let the pace get too undaunting. He kept the tempo just fast enough to emphasize the contrasting melodies and Mesas sterling intonation.

Mesa gave the orchestra a two-fer Friday night when he introduced us to Jessie Montgomerys Divided for solo cello and orchestra written for him in 2022.

The dramatic work plays out like an angry conversation by people unwilling to find common ground. It opens with Mesas cello softly pleading then growing more desperate as Mesa drew the bow sharply once, twice, almost in an angry fit.

When Moeckel and the strings pick up the motif, it sounds more mocking than reassuring, leading to more frenetic play from Mesa.

The piece devolves into what can best be described as a shouting match; the strings gang up on the solo cello, taunting it. Mesa tries to get a word in only to be drowned out as the strings and solo cello go off in different directions at crazy fast tempos until Mesas cello silences them with impressive virtuosic acrobatics leading to a stirring climax.

In the Brahms D-major Symphony No. 2 anchoring the program, Lecce-Chong brought out the contrasts of the composers elegant beauty and crushing despair in the second movement with the playful interludes of the fourth before teasing us with flashes of Brahms eventual explosive conclusion.

Mesa will make his final appearance as artist-in-residence on Sunday, when the orchestra performs Haydn and Brahms at 2 p.m. at Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. For tickets and details, visit tucsonsymphony.com.
While working as a chef at a pub near the University of Arizona in 2006, Tucson native Jason met his future wife, Celia, who was then working as a dishwasher. Drawn to her warm smile, Jason asked her out on a date and within a year, they were married.

Shes my best friend, shes the love of my life, shes my rock, Jason said. Shes a million times more than what I could have hoped for in a partner.

The couple has spent the 17 years since then trying to find a way to obtain legal status for Celia, now 41. They asked the Arizona Daily Star to only use their first names because they fear Celia could be targeted for deportation.

Born in Sonora, Mexico, Celia said she entered the U.S. without permission at age 18, carrying her infant daughter and pregnant with her second, to join family in Tucson as she sought a better life.

But like many long-time undocumented residents who want to regularize their immigration status, Celia faced the possibility of a 10-year bar on re-entry if she returned to Mexico to begin the process of obtaining a permanent resident card, known as a green card, with her husband as her sponsor.

When the Biden administration announced a new parole program in June to allow qualifying spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to adjust their status without having to leave the U.S., Jason and Celia say they were tentatively hopeful.

But within months, a lawsuit filed by Texas and other Republican-led states paused the program, before it was struck down last month by a federal judge appointed by President-elect Donald Trump in his first term.

Tucson attorneys say the Keeping Families Together parole program would have been a lifeline for thousands who already qualify for a green card, and have no disqualifying criminal record, but who risk separation from their families if they petition for legal status.

It would have also provided work authorization during the process and streamlined the years-long application process, reducing the administrative burden on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, said Tempe immigration attorney Celeste Roman.

By taking this program away, youre creating more of a burden on the government to continue these long, five- to six-year processes for people to be able to regularize their immigration status, she said. These individuals are already trying to obtain lawful status but theyre stuck in a system that takes years.

Nationwide, 500,000 noncitizen spouses could have been eligible for relief under the program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates.

In Arizona, more than 15,000 undocumented people married to U.S. citizen spouses could have been eligible, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva said in an August statement in support of the program.

In the lawsuit against the parole program, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued it violated U.S. immigration law.

Once again we have stopped the Biden-Harris Administrations radical attempts to destroy Americas borders and undermine the rule of law, Paxton said in a November release after the ruling striking down the program.

American Immigration Lawyers Association, or AILA, disputed the basis of the decision.

This ruling is simply wrong on the law, AILA President Kelli Stump said in a statement. The administration was using its congressionally enacted authority as a sensible solution for hundreds of thousands of American families facing uncertainty and fear due to our broken immigration system. To be clear, these applicants were already eligible for adjustment of status, the only thing the parole did was ensure they wouldnt be separated while the bureaucratic process was underway.

Disincentive to regularize

Immigrants who marry U.S. citizens can be eligible for a green card, but immigration law requires those who entered the U.S. unauthorized to first leave the country and apply to re-enter legally. But leaving the country can trigger a three- or 10-year ban on re-entry under a 1996 law signed by then-President Bill Clinton.

Green card applicants who already entered the U.S. without authorization must apply for a waiver  proving extreme hardship for a qualifying U.S. citizen relative if the applicant doesnt return to the U.S.  to be considered for legal entry to the U.S. If that waiver is denied, the applicant is stuck outside the U.S.

A provisional waiver program implemented by President Barack Obama in 2013 allows people to apply for that waiver on a provisional basis while remaining in the U.S., but they still have to return to their home country for an interview at their U.S. consulate, which always comes with some level of risk, Roman said.

While the law creating the 10-year ban was intended to discourage unlawful entry into the U.S., in practice it discourages people from regularizing their status, said Mo Goldman, a Tucson immigration attorney.

It actually serves more like an incentive for people to stay here without legal status, Goldman said. The Keeping Families Together program was a smart solution to a huge problem, and a humane way to deal with it, he said.

For Jason and Celia, the cancelation of the Keeping Families Together program was the latest in a string of disappointments.

Every time something like this comes up, my heart skips a beat, Jason said. Theres still that false narrative of, You married a U.S. citizen, you should have your citizenship now. We really wish it was that easy, but its not.

De La Rosa family

The Keeping Families Together program would have also prevented the kind of extended separation experienced by the De La Rosa family, who were the subject of a 2015 joint project by the Arizona Daily Star and Arizona Public Media called Divided By Law. The project detailed the familys painful separation and its impact on the four De La Rosa children.

In 2009, Gloria Arellano De La Rosa, who was undocumented and married to a U.S. citizen, traveled to Mexico on the advice of her attorney to regularize her undocumented status. She instead discovered she was subject to a 10-year ban on re-entry under the 1996 law. She had to wait for 10 years in Mexico before applying for her green card, which took an additional four years to process.

Gloria finally returned to Arizona in January, in a long-awaited reunion that was nevertheless bittersweet, after so many lost years that can never be recovered, said her son Bill De La Rosa. He was 15 when Gloria was barred from re-entering the U.S.

Now 31 and studying immigration law at Yale Law School, Bill De La Rosa said he was thrilled when he first heard about the Keeping Families Together program.

Having experienced what my family went though, I knew exactly what this would have meant for families, he said. But those families now remain in limbo, and vulnerable to Trumps promised mass deportations, he said.

Thats the saddest part of it all, he said. Now the Trump administration is going to come in and everyone who would have been protected is now exposed and in line of sight basically.

Thats the case for Rebecca and her husband of 16 years, Ismael, who is undocumented. The couple met in 2008 when Ismael was a landscaper at the Tucson retirement community where Rebecca worked. She loved his friendliness and how eager he was to spend time with her family when they started dating.

We could talk about anything, she said. Hes a family guy. He was like, Lets go hang out with your mom and your tios.

Rebecca, who asked that the Star only use her middle name to protect her husbands identity, said until they were married, they didnt fully understand the barriers to Ismael gaining legal status.

Theyve built a life together, including buying a home and raising their four children, ages 5, 11, 12 and 14, Rebecca said. But Ismaels undocumented status has led to some heartbreaks, including missing the death of his father and brother in Mexico.

He wasnt able to say goodbye, Rebecca said.

When they heard about the Keeping Families Together program, they paid the $580 application fee to USCIS, as well as thousands in attorneys fees, she said.

The programs cancellation has been hard to accept, and the family is now planning for what would happen if Ismael were to be deported under Trumps mass deportation campaign, Rebecca said.

The legal challenge to Keeping Families Together argued it would burden government resources and harm Texas economically, but Rebecca said she believes the opposite is true.

If Ismael were to be deported, Rebecca, who is a teacher for Head Start, would likely have to seek out government assistance for the first time in order to pay the mortgage on their Catalina home and to support their kids.

Today, with two incomes, we dont have to have any benefits from the government. We dont get food stamps, she said. But if he gets deported, theres a chance Im gonna have to get all that now. And Im sure thats the case for a lot of people.

Life on pause

Jason, Celia and their three girls now live in Los Angeles, where they say they feel safer as a mixed-status family than they did in Arizona. But they hope to return to Tucson one day, where much of their family lives, Jason said.

The parole programs cancelation seems pointless and heartbreaking, Jason said.

It would have made life better, not just for my family, but for how many countless other families, he said. How many countless other people that could come out of the shadows and realize themselves, who could validate their existence here in this country, validate their work and the love they have for this place?

Jason was overcome with emotion when talking about how Celia longs to visit her family in Mexico. She wasnt able to see her grandmother before she died, and now her mother is aging and her sister is ill, he said.

Shes so afraid of that repeating again, he said, fighting back tears. It still weighs on her so much.

Celia said now that their children are adults, shes considering risking a long-term separation to pursue her green card from Mexico, though her family doesnt want her to. But Celia said shes desperate to stop waiting.

My girls, I know they will always need me, but Im very tired of being on pause, she said. It has been 17 years. Its been too long.

Jason said hed join his wife in Mexico if it came down to it.

What good is a life without your significant other? he said.
A native of Beaumont, J.C. Reid graduated from the University of Southern California after studying architecture and spent his early career as an architect in New York City. He returned to Texas in 1995, retiring from architecture but creating his own Internet business in Houston. As his business became self-sustaining, he began traveling Houston and the world to pursue his passion: eating barbecue.

He began blogging about food and barbecue for the Houston Chronicle in 2010 and founded the Houston Barbecue Project in 2011 to document barbecue eateries throughout the area. Just last year, Reid and others founded the Houston Barbecue Festival to showcase mom-and-pop barbecue joints in the city. The 2014 event drew 2,000 guests to sample meats from 20 restaurants.

You can view more of J.C.'s work at jcreidtx.com.
South Koreas KP Aerospace Vietnam, which specializes in manufacturing aircraft components, spacecraft, and related machinery, opened its US$20-million factory at Da Nang Hi-Tech Park in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Friday.

The new facility will manufacture, process, and assemble aircraft parts such as auxiliary engine doors, wing boxes, gliders, and left-wing support systems for Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Tran Chi Cuong, vice-chairman of the Da Nang administration, highlighted the factory as a testament to the coastal citys growth as a hi-tech hub.

The presence of the factory underscored Da Nangs investor-friendly environment for advanced technology and aviation component manufacturing.

This is the second aerospace project in the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park, following the Sunshine Aerospace Component Mill built by Universal Alloy Corporation Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Da Nang City officials tour the newly-opened KP Vina aircraft component factory at Da Nang Hi-Tech Park in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre

Cuong said that the KP Vina aircraft component factory is a key pillar of Da Nangs hi-tech strategy.

He expressed hope that the factory will boost local aviation manufacturing capabilities, create jobs, develop supporting industries, and upskill the workforce.

With strong investment and modern technology, city officials hoped that the factory would operate efficiently and make a significant contribution to the growth of the aviation industry in Da Nang.

According to local authorities, the newly-opened factory is considered as a foundation for building a future aerospace technology cluster within the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Businesses in Vietnam were hit by more than 1.44 million cyberattacks in the first half of 2024, averaging over 8,000 incidents a day, according to data released by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky on Thursday.

The figures highlighted the scale of web-based threats targeting businesses across Southeast Asia.

Web-based threats, also known as online threats, are cybersecurity risks that can lead to unexpected incidents via the Internet.

Web threats can stem from vulnerabilities in end users, web service developers and operators, or web services themselves.

Regardless of intent or cause, such threats pose significant risks to both individuals and organizations.

During the first half of the year, Kaspersky's security solutions detected and blocked over 26 million web threats targeting Southeast Asian businesses.

On average, businesses in the region faced 146,944 cyberattacks per day.

Malaysia topped the list with more than 19.6 million web threats, followed by Indonesia with 3.2 million.

Vietnam and Thailand ranked lower, with total web attacks of 1.44 million and 1.05 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, 846,837 threats were recorded in the Philippines and 574,292 in Singapore.

Yeo Siang Tiong, general manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky, said that the push for digitalization by governments and businesses in the region to spur economic growth has increased reliance on digital platforms.

This leads to more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in unprotected systems, which can cause disruptions to supply chains, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure such as healthcare and energy, he continued.

Such incidents can damage productivity, lead to financial losses, and erode trust in digital systems, the general director added.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnam is home to 174 foreign-invested projects active in the semiconductor industry with a total registered capital of US$11.6 billion, heard the first meeting of the national steering board for semiconductor development led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday.

The National Innovation Center (NIC) in Hanoi and many hi-tech parks in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City will play a key role in fueling the process of strengthening the nations presence in the semiconductor manufacturing chain and attracting foreign investments from global tech and semiconductor groups such as Amkor, Samsung, Hana Micron, Foxconn, LAM Research, Coherent, and Intel, the prime minister said.

The Southeast Asian nation has over 50 integrated circuit design firms with an estimated 6,000 engineers.

As many as seven chip testing and packaging factories are operational in the nation, with a workforce of some 6,000 engineers and more than 10,000 technicians.

Moreover, a series of enterprises specializing in manufacturing devices and materials for the semiconductor industry have entered the market.

PM Chinh affirmed that developing the semiconductor sector is an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority.

Vietnam is emerging as an attractive destination for semiconductor investors, engaging in some key stages in the semiconductor value chain, including designing, testing and packaging integrated circuits, and producing devices and materials aimed at serving the industry.

However, the country has yet to build a chip manufacturing facility.

The prime minister outlined several challenges facing the semiconductor industry, noting that the sector requires substantial funding, yet incentives and support policies for investors remain limited.

Infrastructure for research, training, talent development, and manufacturing is underdeveloped, while the electricity supply is unreliable.

Other issues include limited access to advanced technology and a shortage of highly skilled workers, he added.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal

To fulfill the semiconductor development goal, it is vital to raise awareness about the importance of semiconductor, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and cloud computing with a strategic vision and breakthrough thinking, PM Chinh underscored.

He insisted that the country would continue to ease mechanisms and develop infrastructure to make the semiconductor pay off.

An investment supporting fund will soon be established to boost research and tech transfer activities, while Vietnam will issue suitable visa policies to encourage foreign investors to enter the country for business expansion.

Moreover, the country will step up efforts to develop chip designing, testing, and packaging centers as well as proactively join tech giants value chains.

Expanding the workforce, perfecting mechanisms, and investing in infrastructure are part of a comprehensive strategy for semiconductor development, he emphasized.

The prime minister tasked the Ministry of Planning and Investment with completing a decree on the establishment of an investment supporting fund and submitting it to the government as soon as possible to quickly lure foreign investors and support local firms.

The Ministry of Information and Communications and other relevant ministries and departments were assigned to develop application-specific integrated circuits and promote the electronics industry, while fostering cooperation with international partners in the semiconductor field.

The electricity supply must be guaranteed to smooth the path for semiconductor growth, he said, urging Vietnamese agencies to call on relevant U.S. authorities to remove Vietnamese companies from the list of hi-tech export restrictions.

The semiconductor workforce will be built through close collaboration between the state, universities, and firms.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A 100-hectare data center and a submarine cable landing station, whose estimated price tag is VND35 trillion ($1.3 billion), are expected to be built in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam, according to local authorities.

DCH Construction Investment JSC has got approval from the provincial administration to survey locations to develop the data center in Chau Duc District and the submarine cable landing station in the provincial city of Vung Tau.

The data center, named Digital Hub, will feature five data center halls with a combined capacity of 20MW per hall.

The facility will house 6,000 racks, each with an average power capacity of 15kW.

Aside from meeting stringent safety and security standards, the data center will be equipped with a disaster recovery system to protect and restore data operations during emergencies, ensuring uninterrupted service under all conditions.

The Digital Hub is considered a key project for the coastal province and a critical step in advancing Vietnams IT infrastructure, positioning the country as a competitive player in the global tech landscape.

The company will develop the submarine cable landing station to support the data centers transmission and storage capabilities.

This cable system is expected to become a vital component of both regional and international digital infrastructure, enhancing network safety and the quality of Internet services and international connectivity.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Many parents and students were shocked to learn that Saigon Star International School (SGSIS) in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City would have to cease operations and relocate due to land disputes.

Friday marked the last day of operations for SGSIS at its current location on Land Plot No. 94, 811 in Thanh My Loi Ward, Thu Duc.

The school, with approximately 300 students, will remain closed until February 12, 2025.

A school representative confirmed that the school is scheduled to reopen on February 12 at a new campus at 577 National Highway 13, Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward, Thu Duc.

However, according to T., a parent, the plan to relocate and reopen the school seems difficult to implement, as the new campus at 577 National Highway 13 is currently almost empty.

G., another parent, said that on October 31, 2024, when enforcement officials posted a notice regarding the school's forced land handover in December, parents were learning about the move for the first time.

G. added that the school had failed to inform parents about the situation for several months, despite the fact that this was crucial information directly affecting students rights.

As a result, many parents felt unprepared and passive in dealing with the situation.

SGSIS, established in 2005 by an Indian businessman residing and working in Vietnam, caters to children aged 2-11, according to its website.

Land dispute

According to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers research, Land Plot No. 94, 811 in Thanh My Loi Ward, is owned by ACB Asset Management Company Limited (ACBA).

On December 31, 2016, ACBA and SGSIS signed a land lease agreement, with the lease term running from January 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018.

In October 2018, based on the agreement between the two parties, ACBA and SGSIS entered into a land sale and purchase contract.

However, SGSIS failed to make payment as agreed, despite multiple requests from ACBA.

ACBA later filed a lawsuit seeking to annul the sale and purchase contract.

The suit requested the court to order SGSIS to return the land to ACBA and compensate for the accumulated rent during the period it occupied the property.

In January 2020, the Peoples Court of District 2, now Thu Duc City, conducted a first-instance trial and ruled in favor of ACBA.

The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Court later upheld the decision on appeal, rejecting SGSIS challenge.

On October 12, 2020, the Thu Duc City Civil Judgment Execution Sub-Department issued an order to enforce the judgment, instructing SGSIS to return the land to ACBA and pay the outstanding rent.

However, SGSIS requested a review of the judgment under the cassation procedure, which led the enforcement agency to temporarily suspend the judgments implementation.

On May 7, 2021, the High Peoples Court of Ho Chi Minh City issued a cassation ruling, upholding the previous appeal judgment.

On May 3, 2024, the Thu Duc City Civil Judgment Judgment Execution Sub-Department issued another decision for the compulsory enforcement of the judgment, directing SGSIS to return the land to ACBA.

On July 29, 2024, the sub-department issued a notice to SGSIS instructing the school to publicly inform employees, teachers, students, and their families of the upcoming land handover.

The notice mandates the school to cease operations at the current location during the 2024-25 school year and ensure the rights of those affected.

Furthermore, the sub-department has announced that the compulsory land handover will take place this month.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
TOKYO -- A rise in shareholder activism in Japan is poised to fuel a new wave of management buyouts by founding families, after the battle for 7-Eleven's parent company prompted a $58-billion takeover offer from the Ito dynasty that built the retail giant.

Seven & i Holdings Vice President Junro Ito swooped in last month with an offer to take private the company founded by his late father in what would be the largest ever management buyout (MBO).

Ito's "white knight" bid appears designed to keep Seven & i away from Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard, which announced a takeover proposal in August. The Circle K owner raised its bid for Seven & i by about 22 percent to $47 billion in October after its initial offer was rejected.

The scramble for Seven & i gives a taste of how deals are likely to develop in the years to come, industry experts say, as changes in Japan Inc's corporate governance standards make delisting an increasingly compelling option.

A few years ago, companies could ignore unsolicited offers because they were protected by cross shareholdings - the practice of holding stakes in business partners to cement relationships.

But those holdings are now being sold off under a government push for better governance. Companies have also been told they should give serious consideration to credible buyout offers.

"Managers can no longer ignore shareholders as they could in the past. Cross shareholdings are being unwound all the time," said Travis Lundy of Quiddity Advisors who publishes on the Smartkarma platform.

"MBOs are going to be more common," Lundy said, adding the government's guidelines on giving consideration to buyout offers were "a game changer".

All in the family

Last year, Japanese deals where management took stakes, including MBOs, totalled $7.1 billion, the most in at least 36 years, LSEG data showed. The value has fallen from that peak this year, but remains at $1.7 billion.

Among recent deals, educational publisher and nursing home operator Benesse Holdings was taken private in an MBO by the founding Fukutake family and Swedish private equity firm EQT. Drugmaker Taisho Pharmaceutical was bought out by a member of its founding Uehara family.

MBOs are becoming an attractive option because the governance overhaul has created bigger burdens for listed firms, while being a public company no longer confers the status it once did, said Ulrike Schaede, a professor of Japanese business at the University of California San Diego.

Schaede gives the example of Germany, where MBOs have become a "new defense" against shareholder activism, adding that Japan could start to see a similar trend, especially given private equity's appetite for deals in the country.

Japan is hardly the only place where founding families hold stakes and sway after the founder dies - and Seven & i not the only global retailer in that position.

The family of Walmart founder Sam Walton holds 45.5 percent of the U.S. retailer, while the largest shareholders of Sweden's H&M are Stefan Persson, son of the founder, and his family.

Small stakes

But Japan stands out because families are able to wield considerable power despite holding small stakes.

Ito-Kogyo, the company tied to Junro Ito that is bidding for Seven & i, holds only about 8.2 percent of the retailer.

Historically, family control of businesses in Japan has been "more persistent than the very low equity ownership by founding families would indicate", researchers from the University of Copenhagen, the University of Alberta School of Business and elsewhere wrote in a 2021 Journal of Financial Economics paper.

Some 10 percent to 30 percent of listed Japanese companies from the 1960s to 2010 were managed by founding family heirs with "little ownership to report", Morten Bennedsen, Vikas Mehrotra and their co-authors found.

They pointed to examples such as the Toyoda family at Toyota Motor Corp, the Suzukis of Suzuki Motor Corp, and the Kashios at Casio Computer. Such families were able to retain control via what the researchers called "soft family assets", including their name and reputation.

"We certainly expect that the trend is continuing, there is no sign it is changing," Bennedsen told Reuters.

One Seven & i investor recalled attending a meeting with company executives including Junro Ito, who sat silent throughout. The extent to which the Ito family wielded influence and power within the company was "something of a mystery", said the investor, who asked not to be named due to company policy.

A Seven & i spokesperson declined to comment.

At many companies the founder's legacy still looms large. In recent years Seven & i resisted calls from foreign investors to hive off its Ito-Yokado supermarkets' business out of respect for founder Masatoshi Ito's vision, according to veteran Japan retail analyst Michael Causton.

"The Ito legacy, as in many Japanese companies with a charismatic founder, is an unwritten red line in the company known to all executives," Causton said, adding that amounted to preserving Seven & i as a conglomerate spanning supermarkets, general merchandise and convenience stores.

It remains to be seen whether the Ito family will manage to raise the funds needed for the deal - although it appears that domestic banks are lining up with them.

What is clear is that more such deals are likely to happen, something investors welcome.

"If the founding families in Japan really want to control and influence their companies, then they shouldn't be listed and instead taken private," the Seven & i investor said.
PARIS -- Apps infused with AI are being marketed to schools across the world and governments are rushing to embrace the technology, despite experts raising serious doubts.

The sector known as Ed Tech exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic as schools closed to stop the spread of infection and millions of children were forced to learn in front of screens at home.

As demand dried up after schools reopened, Ed Tech startups tried to win back investment by adding AI to their products and marketing.

Tech titans like Microsoft, Meta and OpenAI have also spied an opportunity, promoting their AI products to schools or partnering with startups.

While many education ministries have announced plans to deploy AI apps, there are plenty of dissenting voices.

The UN's education body UNESCO last year eviscerated the record of online learning during Covid, saying the rapid rollout of tech solutions was a "tragedy" that had increased inequality and worsened learning outcomes.

UNESCO's Manos Antoninis told AFP that AI might have some utility in education but right now it "seems to be creating more problems than it is solving".

He cited concerns that companies were using data for commercial purposes, deployed biased algorithms and overall were less concerned with educational outcomes than with their bottom line.

"I think the unfortunate thing is that education has been used as a bit of a Trojan horse to access future consumers," he said.

Language teacher Vandana Pandey said her pupils were not in a position to use Ed Tech. Photo: AFP

Ease the pressure

During the pandemic boom in 2021, venture capitalists pumped more than $17 billion into Ed Tech. But that has slumped to $3 billion this year, about the same as last year, according to analysts PitchBook.

But from North Carolina to South Korea it is a different story, where education officials have been encouraging teachers to use generative AI.

Britain has already rolled out a homework app called Sparx Maths that uses algorithms to tailor children's learning.

It recently announced a further multimillion-dollar outlay on AI programs to "ease the pressure" on hard-working teachers by helping with lesson plans, marking and assessment.

The European Union supports several learning apps, and several EU countries have experimented with them.

China is a huge booster of AI in the classroom and has a national strategy for digitizing education -- its centerpiece being a national education platform of tools and online courses.

Yet the on-the-ground reality is often messy.

India boasted one of the liveliest startup scenes in the sector during the pandemic, including a firm called BYJU's which was once the world's most valuable Ed Tech startup.

Yet when schools in New Delhi were forced to close because of smog last month, there were no flashy apps to help.

"It is not feasible for them to take online classes," 29-year-old teacher Vandana Pandey told AFP, saying many of her pupils had no smartphones or connectivity at home.

BYJU's has faced allegations of financial misconduct and only narrowly avoided bankruptcy in a recent court hearing.

In richer countries, the arrival of AI has received a tepid reception.

Only six percent of U.S. secondary school teachers polled by Pew Research Center in May thought using AI in education would do more good than harm.

France announced it would roll out an AI-powered homework app called MIA in secondary schools earlier this year, but quietly dropped the project as a political crisis rumbled on.

Many British parents are also not keen on Sparx Maths.

"Don't know a single child that likes it," said one user on the popular Mumsnet forum.

Another said the app "ruins any enjoyment of the subject" while a flood of other parents said their children "hated" the app.

More like isolation

Aside from grievances over individual apps, educators doubt whether many of these firms are aiming at the right target.

Almost all Ed Tech products promise to "personalize" education, often deploying AI to monitor a child's work and tailor workplans to suit their needs.

OpenAI is among the big companies encouraging teachers to use its products. Photo: AFP

Officials from Britain to Beijing have lauded this goal.

But Antoninis said the rhetoric around personalization "risks making us forget that a lot of learning is actually social, and children learn from interaction with each other".

Leon Furze, a former teacher who now works as a consultant focusing on generative AI in education, was also wary about personalization.

"AI is touted as a solution to personalised learning, but it's a very specific kind of 'personal' which I think seems more like isolation," he told AFP.

Both Antoninis and Furze warned that technology was no panacea, rather it was a tool that could help in some limited situations.

The hard work, as ever, would be done by humans.

"Tech solutions aren't going to solve the bigger socio-economic, cultural, and political challenges being faced by teachers and students," said Furze.
Harris County leaders are working to determine the environmental impact of a leak at a chemical storage facility in Baytown that was caused by a fire earlier this week, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a social media post Friday night. Houston Chronicle

Harris County leaders are working to determine the environmental impact of a leak at a chemical storage facility in Baytown that was caused by a fire earlier this week, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a social media post Friday night.

The fire was reported around 11 p.m. Tuesday at the Bluebonnet Petrochemical Solutions facility at 14111 Hatcherville, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Officials initially believed the fire did not cause a chemical leak but they have since learned that a number of chemicals, including several that have not yet been identified, had contaminated the surrounding area, Hidalgo said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

"We have learned that the facility had been storing chemicals without a storage permit," Hidalgo stated in the release. "The specific contents of the leak have not yet been identified because the company had unlabeled containers, and speciation testing takes a few days to complete."

Please see my statement: pic.twitter.com/6lm3fMSbXp  Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) December 14, 2024

The Baytown Fire Department, Baytown Public Works, Harris County Public Health and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are all on the scene investigation and/or helping to clean up the situation, the fire department said in a news release Saturday.

While Hidalgo said the impact on residents has been relatively limited, county officials have contacted five households in the affected area and are testing wells for contaminants. The full extent of the leak is yet to be determined, but Hidalgo said the county has identified polyethylene glycol  a low-toxicity polymer that can pollute water sources, according to the EPA  in the water around the facility.

Hidalgo said officials are still awaiting a response from the company that owned the facility for clarification regarding what chemicals may have been leaked. In the meantime, a crew has built a ditch around the impacted area and environmental personnel have begun pumping contaminated water from the area.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

"There is no reason for concern outside of the immediate neighborhood near the impacted area," Hidalgo said. "We will continue to monitor the situation closely, hold those responsible accountable and advocate for stronger safeguards to prevent incidents like this in the future."
Vietnam's all-powerful Politburo on Friday issued a disciplinary warning against former Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for violations in office.

The Politburo also imposed a warning on former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and reprimanded Truong Thi Mai, former Secretary of the Party Central Committee.

The Politburo convened a meeting the same day to consider disciplinary measures against senior Party members for violations and shortcomings.

After considering a proposal from the Party Central Committees Inspection Commission, the Politburo concluded that Phuc, while serving as a Politburo member, Secretary of the governments Board for Party Civil Affairs, and Prime Minister, violated the Party and states regulations in performing his duties and assigned tasks, as well as in the fight against corruption and negative behaviors.

He also breached certain prohibitions on the actions of Party members and flouted regulations related to setting an example in office.

His actions caused serious consequences, stirred public outrage, and affected the reputation of the Party and state.

While serving as Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the governments Board for Party Civil Affairs, and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Binh was found to lack responsibility in leadership and direction, violate the Party and state's regulations in performing his duties and assigned tasks, and in the fight against corruption and negative behaviors.

He also violated the rules prohibiting certain actions by Party members and failed to uphold the responsibility of setting a good example. This led to serious consequences, public backlash, and harm to the reputation of the Party and the state.

During her tenure as a Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Mass Mobilization, Mai violated Party and state regulations while carrying out her duties and responsibilities.

She breached rules on power control in personnel matters, engaged in actions prohibited for Party members, and failed to uphold the obligation to set a good example.

Her actions caused serious consequences and affected the reputation of the Party and the state.

Given the violations committed by the above-mentioned Party members, the Politburo decided to issue warnings against Phuc and Binh, and a reprimand against Mai.

The Politburo instructed relevant agencies to promptly and consistently impose administrative disciplinary actions in line with the Party's disciplinary measures.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Check out the latest news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- The Politburo convened a meeting on Friday, imposing disciplinary measures against former Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, and former Secretary of the Party Central Committee Truong Thi Mai for violating the Party and state's regulations when performing their duties and assigned tasks.

Business

-- South Koreas KP Aerospace Vietnam, which specializes in manufacturing aircraft components, spacecraft and related machinery, opened its US$20-million factory at Da Nang Hi-Tech Park in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Friday. The new facility will manufacture, process, and assemble aircraft parts for Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

-- A 100-hectare data center, whose estimated price tag is VND35 trillion ($1.3 billion), is expected to be built in Chau Duc District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam, according to local authorities.

Society

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department confirmed on Friday that it had received a small loris voluntarily handed over by Ho Thanh Vu, a resident of Thu Duc City.

-- Heavy rainfall accompanied by whirlwinds struck Nga Nam Town in Soc Trang Province, southern Vietnam late on Friday morning, causing significant roof damage to 64 houses, leaving one resident injured, toppling trees and utility poles, and disrupting traffic flow, authorities confirmed the same day.

-- Northern Vietnam could experience severe cold weather as temperatures plunge to low levels, while heavy rainfall is expected in the central region and the southern part of the sountry may see scattered showers on Saturday, said the national weather center.

-- Asias largest cruise ship Spectrum of the Seas, with nearly 5,000 international passengers on board, made a stop at Cam Ranh Port in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam on Friday.

Lifestyle

-- The 2024 Saigon Street Food Festival kicked off at Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City on Friday evening, offering hundreds of the southern hubs iconic street food dishes and featuring vibrant performances as well as street activities through Sunday.

World News

-- A magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck Maule, Chile on Friday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Center said, according to Reuters.

-- The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces attacked the main still-functioning hospital in al-Fashir, in Sudan's North Darfur state on Friday, killing nine people and injuring 20, according to a local health official and activists, Reuters reported.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A woman from north-central Vietnam has been slapped with an administrative fine of VND7.5 million (US$295) for humiliating her husband.

The woman was identified as T.T.M.H., 50, who resides in Nam Ly Ward, Dong Hoi City, which is the capital of Quang Binh Province.

Hoang Thi Thanh Nhung, vice-chairwoman of the Dong Hoi Peoples Committee, confirmed on Friday that she had signed a decision to levy the administrative fine on H. for insulting her husband, N.T.S., and hurting his honor and dignity.

H. hurled rude and offensive insults at S., 50, at their house on November 26.

The penalty was based on the governments decree on administrative sanctions against violations related to security, social safety, social evils, rescue and firefighting and prevention, and domestic violence.

Meanwhile, the husband was subject to a fine of VND15 million ($590) for assaulting and disrespecting H.. the same day in accordance with the above-mentioned decree.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
VNeID, short for Vietnam Electronic Identification, integrates various features across multiple sectors and is expected to become a national super application for digital transformation.

Developed by the Ministry of Public Securitys National Center for Population Database in September 2019, VNeID, a mobile application, was built to check health and travel declarations amid the COVID-19 outbreaks.

Until now, the app has had various features linked to several fields to replace traditional documents and offer utilities to digital citizens, digital government, and digital society.

The ministry has issued over 87.9 million plastic chip-based ID cards, collected more than 79.8 million electronic identification records, and activated over 58.3 million VNeID accounts.

There are an estimated 1.5 million daily VNeID users.

VNeID promotes access to online public services

Features integrated into VNeID have been continuously improved to allow residents to engage with public services via their smartphones, reducing wait and travel times associated with visiting government offices in person.

The VNeID app currently consists of a wide array of features related to documents, administrative procedures, social welfare, health records, and other public services.

Residents can use electronic identification accounts in the VNeID mobile app, which is considered having the same legal value as a plastic chip-based ID card, a driver's license, a vehicle registration certificate, health insurance, a birth certificate, and a passport, among others.

As per a regulation with effect from July 1, commuters can show their drivers license and vehicle registration certificate via the VNeID app when being checked on the street by traffic police officers.

In addition, from August 1, residents can use their VNeID accounts to register for locally produced and assembled cars.

As planned, Vietnamese citizens holding a level-2 VNeID account can register for imported and completely built cars from January 1, 2025.

Also, residents can use their VNeID accounts for permanent residence, temporary residence, and temporary absence registrations.

Moreover, the app includes a feature allowing residents to report crimes with strict confidentiality for whistleblowers.

Many residents are tapping the convenience of electronic health records through the VNeID app, which has integrated the medical information of over 15 million citizens.

As of November 20 this year, as many as 58 of the total 63 localities had begun issuing criminal record certificates on the VNeID app.

As for the banking sector, 56.8 million customers have seen their biometric and ID data integrated into their VNeID accounts.

VNeID plays a crucial role in state governance

Under Scheme 06, approved by the prime minister in 2022, which focuses on leveraging population data, identification, and electronic authentication for national digital transformation during 20222025, with a vision toward 2030, the VNeID app will be further developed.

Planned features include non-cash payments, e-wallet integration, electricity and water bill payments, stock transactions, and pension and unemployment payments, among others.

VNeID not only benefits residents, but also plays a key role in state governance.

The app enables state agencies to accurately and promptly collect personal information, streamlining administrative procedures for officials.

VNeID also minimizes waste and errors associated with traditional paperwork, while reducing costs and saving time for both citizens and the state.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has previously urged the Ministry of Public Security to work with ministries, departments, and provinces and cities to build a detailed road map for factoring various essential features into the VNeID app.

Specifically, the integration of features related to electronic criminal records, health records, and birth and marriage certificates must be completed prior to the end of the year.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Tien Giang Province and Tra Vinh Province, both located in Vietnams Mekong Delta, are on alert as high tides over the next three days could cause flooding in low-lying and riverside areas.

The Tien Giang meteorological agency warned on Friday that water levels at downstream stations of the Tien River are expected to rise sharply over the next 23 days, driven by the combined effects of the lunar tide and the northeast monsoon.

Between December 15 and 17, the water levels of the Tien River measured at My Thuan Station and My Tho Station will possibly reach 1.65-1.75 meters.

The water levels of the Cua Tieu River measured at Hoa Binh Station and Vam Kenh Station are projected at 1.55-1.7 meters.

The combination of high tides and strong monsoon winds poses a risk of inundation in low-lying areas, particularly along rivers and canals.

The agency urged local authorities to prepare for localized flooding, especially in unprotected areas outside flood-controlled barriers.

Flooding hits a house in My Tho City, Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam during high tides in October 2024. Photo: Hoai Thuong / Tuoi Tre

In Tra Vinh, the highest water levels are forecast for December 16 and 17, during which the water levels in some parts of the province will likely hit 1.95-2 meters.

The Tra Vinh meteorological agency warned that these high water levels could flood low-lying urban and riverbank areas, particularly in coastal regions.

Do Thanh Son, deputy director of Tien Giang Irrigation Works Company, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) that the company has implemented measures to cope with the 11th lunar month high tide.

The company requested local authorities in My Tho City, Chau Thanh District, Cai Lay District, and Cai Lay Town to notify residents, especially those living in flood-prone areas, to take precautions to protect livelihoods and production during high tides.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Xi to attend Macao's 25th return anniversary celebration

Xinhua) 09:43, December 14, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Macao from Dec. 18 to 20 to attend a gathering marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be present at the inauguration ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Xi will also conduct an inspection tour during his stay in the Macao SAR.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Roy Quiroz and his wife, Minda, cross a flooded section of The Strand near Kempner Street during Tropical Storm Alberto, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Galveston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A sedan makes it way down a flooded street near downtown Galveston as Hurricane Beryl wanes on Monday, July 8, 2024. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A cyclist makes his way through a flooded street in Galveston after Hurricane Beryl on Monday, July 8, 2024. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

As rising sea levels, storm surge and sinking ground increase the threat of flooding on Texas' barrier islands, Galveston's city council approved construction of the first-ever system to suck water away from the city during hurricanes and other flood events.

Galveston's South Shore drainage improvement project is designed to trigger "forced evacuation of stormwater from the citys conveyance system through the use of a pump station" for the first time, according to the city's Department of Engineering.

IN PHOTOS: The 6 deadliest Texas storms of the 21st century

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

When planning for the pump system began, Galveston Mayor Craig Brown told the Houston Chronicle it would be the city's "salvation for drainage," pushing water out through pipes when the bay level was elevated.

"Well have flooding, but the water will drain off in a reasonable period of time, much, much quicker than it does now," Brown said.

A man walks down the middle of a flooded road as Hurricane Beryl wanes on Monday, July 8, 2024 in Galveston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Protecting Galveston from storm surge

City officials tapped multiple funding sources for the improvements, which are designed to clear water from the island's South Shore area between English Bayou and the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of the $68 million dollar construction bill will be footed by congressional funds approved after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which were doled out by the Texas General Land Office.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Harvey's heavy rains and storm surge caused catastrophic flooding on the barrier island, home to over 53,000 Houston-area residents. But Galveston did not need Harvey's wake-up call to tune into its increasing vulnerability. A decade earlier, Hurricane Ike already clobbered the island, overtopping the seawall that had stood to protect a long stretch of the city from storm surge since the early 1900s.

According to a 2024 climate report by Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon, low-lying coastal areas like Galveston will face increasing challenges as sea levels rise above some infrastructure. These areas "may have a doubled storm surge risk by 2050 relative to the risk at the beginning of the 20th century, purely due to the relative sea level rise itself," Gammon wrote.

THIS YEAR: Texas adopts first statewide flood plan

Galveston residents are well aware of their risks, many lifting their homes onto towering stilts to keep them out of reach of lapping water.

Roy Quiroz laughs back at his wife, Minda, as he crossed a flooded section of Kempner Street during Tropical Storm Alberto, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Galveston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Still waiting for the Ike Dike

The island's pump station should provide some protection from 100-year storms  those with a 1% chance of hitting each year  long before the stalled construction of the Ike Dike, a massive gate system planned for Galveston Bay that is now expected to surpass its original $34 billion budget estimate.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has finally received hundreds of millions in state and federal funds for preconstruction design work for the dike, but it could take decades to build.

Galveston's pump solution is already designed. The city contracted with global firm Stantec, Inc. to lay out the drainage project between June 2022 and July 2024. It expects newly-selected construction firm MC2 Civil, LLC to take another two years to complete it.

The outfit won the city contract Thursday after it was the only company to bid.

The stormwater pump station will be turned over to the city's Public Works Drainage Division for regular maintenance after construction is complete.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
HCM CITY  The Phu My 2.2 Combined Cycle Gas Project has a place in the history of Viet Nam's energy sector as the first Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project awarded through international tender fully funded by foreign investors.

Project operator Mekong Energy Company Limited (Mekong Energy) on Friday (December 13) celebrated 20 years of operations of the Phu My 2.2 Power Plant with authorities and its partners at Thong Nhat (Reunification) Palace in HCM City.

Supported by EDF (France), Sumitomo Corporation (Japan), and JERA (Japan), this US$400 million investment was financed 25 per cent by shareholders and 75 per cent by lenders including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour le Cooperation Economique (PROPARCO).

This project addressed several major interests for the country.

First, it reinforced the southern regions generation capacity in the context of rapid economic growth.

Second, it used natural gas from the Nam Con Son gas field located off the coast of Vung Tau City, contributing to the countrys energy independence.

Third, it was based on combined cycle gas technology, a cutting-edge technology featuring greater efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal-fired power plants.

About 70km southeast of HCM City, the power plant is located in the Phu My Thermal Power Plant Complex in Ba Ria Vung Tau Provinces Phu My District.

After 30 months of construction, this 715 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant, equipped with two General Electric 9FAe class F Gas Turbines and one General Electric class D11 Steam Turbine, started commercial operations on February 4, 2005.

Representing up to 8 per cent of national electricity production in its initial years of operation and with 91 TWh generated over the last 20 years, Phu My 2.2 successfully fulfilled the mission entrusted to it by the Vietnamese authorities of providing available, flexible, and reliable electricity to the national grid.

Furthermore, Mekong Energy embodied the values of its shareholders, including giving priority to Health & Safety from day one, as teams led a continuous quest for technical excellence, while social commitment was a key feature of the project.

Pursuant to the BOT Contract, Phu My 2.2 will be transferred to the Vietnamese authorities on February 4, 2025, and Vietnam Electricity is assigned to operate it.

This transfer was anticipated and prepared for with care by Mekong Energy over many years.

Mekong Energy has implemented a demanding maintenance policy ensuring industrial safety while keeping equipment in perfect running condition.

Vietnam Electricity was closely associated with the last major inspections of the equipment in 2023 and 2024, with teams working alongside Mekong Energy teams to supervise the activities.

Several weeks of on-the-job training within the Mekong Energy operation & maintenance teams were planned for Vietnam Electricity teams to facilitate their future takeover.

Some of the 70 Mekong Energy staff members will be recruited by Vietnam Electricity to operate the plant in the future. For all employees who will not stay at Phu My 2.2, the company implemented an ambitious programme to support them in their career transition.
New trade policies of the UKs Labour government will significantly facilitate Viet Nams export to this market, a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) has said.

They urged Vietnamese firms to focus on improving competitiveness to better exploit opportunities from the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

Vu Viet Thanh at the MIT European-American Markets Department has pointed out noticeable trade policies of the UKs Labour government, which came back to power after 14 years in July and how these policies might impact trade with Viet Nam.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the UK will not rejoin either the EU, the single market or the customs union. However, the UK is keen to improve relations with the EU and has announced a review of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) due in 2025-26.

Labours election manifesto outlined a veterinary agreement, also known as a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, as one of three specific areas to improve the UKs trading relationship with the EU, in addition to mutual recognition of professional qualifications and easing restrictions on touring artists.

With regard to the veterinary agreement, the party said that it aimed to prevent unnecessary border checks and help tackle the cost of food.

Thanh said that the agreement would clearly benefit the UK, whose trade has been heavily affected by the imposition of post-Brexit border controls.

Findings by the UK Research and Innovations academic think tank, the UK in a Changing Europe, showed that while the EU continued to be the biggest market for UK agri-food, accounting for 67 per cent of the value of sales in 2022, exports in this sector contracted by five per cent between 2019 and 2022.

The agreement could lead to a 22.5 per cent increase in UK agri-food exports to the EU and a 5.6 per cent increase in imports, which would translate to a small boost of 2 billion GB pounds (US$2.5 billion) for UK agri-food exporters.

For Viet Nam, the policy of improving trading relations with the EU of the UK Government would not affect the relations of Viet Nam with the UK nor the EU, Thanh said.

In case the agreement is implemented, Vietnamese goods would benefit from the reduction of intermediate stages or inspection costs when exported to third-party territories, he said.

The UKVFTA had helped ensure access for Vietnamese agricultural products to the UK market, thus there was huge potential for export expansion, he said.

Thanh also said that the UKs accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was also among the main priorities of the UK Government.

The UKVFTA and CPTPP will create a strong impetus to accelerate the bilateral economic, trade and investment relationship between Viet Nam and the UK, he said.

Besides obvious benefits in trade and investment, the agreements would promote deeper integration of supply chains.

The UKVFTA and CPTPP will increase the attractiveness of both Viet Nam and the UK in sourcing each others inputs, thereby products can be eligible for preferential tariffs from other CPTPP countries, Thanh said.

The agreements also help facilitate business between the two countries through increasing security for investors and resolving disputes during investment and business process while generating more growth potential as the Indo-Pacific is forecast to account for around half of the worlds middle-class consumers over the next few decades, according to Thanh.

Viet Nam and the UK can also directly participate in establishing CPTPP rules which are considered to be the most modern and advanced in the world.

While there is spacious potential to enhance trade cooperation with the UK, Vietnamese firms should focus on improving competitiveness to be able to grasp opportunities for expansion, experts have said.

The former trade counsellor of Viet Nam to the UK, Nguyen Canh Cuong, said that it was important to build a production chain and strictly control the entire production process, ensure origin traceability, quality and food hygiene and safety to meet requirements of the UK market.

Vietnamese producers and exporters must also increase the application of science and technology as well as investment in deep processing system to optimise the production process and enhance quality and added value for products towards international standards and creating competitive advantage.

To export to the UK, Vietnamese firms need plans to research the market and approach importers, distribution channels and retail systems, Cuong said, urging attention to brand building, product label design and packaging and suitableness to British sustainable shopping behaviours.

Experts also urged companies to regularly update regulations about sanitary and phytosanitary measures, certificates of origin (C/O), tariff preferences, marking and labelling to make preparations for compliance and avoid unnecessary problems when exporting to the UK.

There are various sources for firms to get market information and see the latest policies and regulations such as Trade Map of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Viet Nam FTA portal at the address https://fta.gov.vn/, the Ministry of Industry and Trades e-portals https://goglobal.moit.gov.vn/ and https://connectviet.moit.gov.vn/ or from the Viet Nam trade offices abroad.

SPS notifications are updated by SPS offices of Viet Nam and the World Trade Organization.

After three years of enforcement, the UKVFTA has contributed to promoting the bilateral trade between Viet Nam and the UK with an average growth rate of 8.9 per cent per year, an impressive figure in the context that exports to other major markets in the EU saw double digit declines.

The ministrys statistics showed that the bilateral trade between Viet Nam and the US reached nearly $6.3 billion in the first nine months of this year, up 18.8 per cent over the same period last year.

According to ITC Trade Map, Viet Nam was a large exporter of many products to the UK, such as footwear, with a market share of 25.6 per cent, cashew nuts 88.9 per cent, fishery products 5.7 per cent, coffee 8.4 per cent, and garments 5 per cent. VNS
HCM CITY  The Canada Brand campaign began on Friday at Lotte Mart in HCM Citys District 7, showcasing the finest Canadian foods to Vietnamese customers.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the campaign, Annie Dube, the Canadian Consul General in HCM City, said: We are pleased to partner with one of the leading food retailers in Viet Nam, Lotte Mart, and with local importers and distributors of Canadian products, to reach more Vietnamese consumers during this campaign.

Canadian agri-food products are world-renowned for their quality, safety, and tastiness. And with the entry into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) agreement in 2019, Canadian agri-food products have become more affordable than ever before for Vietnamese customers, Dube said.

All of the products showcased during the campaign, including lobster, halibut, beef, ginseng, peas, maple syrup, healthy nuts and supplements, benefited from tariff elimination under the CPTPP, she said.

Agri-food and seafood products are an increasingly important component of Canada's trade and bilateral relationship with Viet Nam.

In 2023, the value of Canadian exports of agri-food and seafood to Viet Nam reached almost CAD$423 million (approximately VN7.6 trillion) and accounted for nearly half of Canadas merchandise trade with Viet Nam.

Overall, Viet Nam has been Canadas number one trading partner in ASEAN since 2015. And I firmly believe that there is still a lot of space for growth, she added.

Vietnamese customers will discover Canadas premium food, nutritional and beauty products which are more available and affordable to them thanks to the CPTPP.

The event will run at Lotte Mart in HCM Citys District 7 and West Lake in Ha Noi until Sunday. VNS
HA NOI  Together with the UK  Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will create new opportunities for companies and consumers in the UK and Viet Nam, affirmed British Ambassador to Viet Nam Iain Frew.

At the CPTPP Business Reception, which was organised at the British Ambassadors Residence in Ha Noi recently, the ambassador stressed that trade between the UK and Viet Nam had been growing, and had already doubled over the past decade to 6.4 billion (US$7.7 billion).

Frew in an interview with Viet Nam News stressed that we've already seen growth and we expect that the CPTPP agreement will build on that and open up new areas for that growth and that development in our trade relationship. I think overall, this creates new opportunities. And the two different agreements work together very well to open up opportunities for our companies and for our consumers.

As one of the worlds largest and most dynamic free trade agreements, the CPTPP presents significant opportunities for economic growth and enhanced collaboration among its member nations.

Looking forward to 2025, the UKs first year of CPTPP implementation, the reception served as a platform for CPTPP member businesses to connect and share experiences in effectively leveraging the benefits of the agreement, especially in enhancing their capacity to participate in global supply chains within the free trade bloc.

Effective implementation of the CPTPP requires close collaboration between governments, the private sector, and trade associations to ensure that provisions, ranging from tariff reductions to rules of origin and digital trade facilitation, deliver maximum impact.

The UK and Viet Nam have already enjoyed a robust trade and investment relationship over the past few decades. Bilateral trade between the countries reached over 6.4 billion in 2024, reflecting consistent growth despite global uncertainties.

Key sectors such as agriculture, textiles, renewable energy, education, financial services, and technology underscore the complementary strengths of the UK and Vietnamese economies and the potential for deeper co-operation.

The CPTPP represents a new chapter in this economic partnership, unlocking opportunities to strengthen trade, attract investment, and deepen collaboration across a wide range of sectors.

For UK businesses, the agreement provides improved access to one of the fastest-growing economic regions globally. For Viet Nam, it offers access to the UKs cutting-edge expertise, innovation, and global networks while creating opportunities to diversify exports and attract high-quality investment.

"The UK is committed to being a proactive and reliable partner in CPTPP. We stand ready to support Viet Nams ambitions for sustainable growth and innovation while promoting inclusive trade that benefits all. Moreover, we see Viet Nam as a gateway to Southeast Asia and a key ally in addressing shared global challenges, such as climate change and economic resilience.

The UK reaffirms our commitment to work hand-in-hand with the Government of Viet Nam to ensure that UK and Viet Nam businesses and investors utilise the benefits brought by the UKVFTA and CPTPP in the years to come, he added.

On December 15, the CPTPP comes into effect between the UK and eight of the ratified CPTPP members including Japan, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Peru and Brunei and between the UK and Australia on December 24.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the National Steering Committee for Semiconductor Industry Development, urged the development of incentive mechanisms and policies to promote the development of the semiconductor industry, while chairing the first meeting of the committee in Ha Noi on December 14 morning.

Emphasising that developing the semiconductor industry is a necessity, a strategic breakthrough, and also a key task in the coming time, the PM said that it would require the participation of the entire political system, the engagement of people, businesses, and investors, and the support of international friends.

The determination to implement the scheme must be demonstrated through specific, methodical, scientific, and drastic actions, he stressed.

The PM said that alongside resolutions, strategies, programmes, projects, mechanisms, and policies aimed at fostering scientific and technological development, innovation, and digital transformation, Viet Nam needed to make breakthroughs in policies, such as establishing an investment support fund; and proposals for policy adjustments during the formulation of legal documents like the Law on Investment and the Law on Corporate Income Tax, and preferential policies on personal income tax, fees, and charges to encourage the development of the industry.

He requested ministries, sectors, localities, education institutions, and businesses to proactively develop plans for implementing the human resource development programme serving the industry by 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the strategy for semiconductor industry development by 2030.

The Government leader said it was necessary to enhance inspections, scale up good models, promote public-private partnerships and domestic and international cooperation, and take measures to address weaknesses and limitations.

He also underlined the need to raise awareness of the role, position, potential, strength, and development requirements of the sector, to improve institutions and policies in a flexible and prioritised direction, to accelerate administrative reforms, and to devise policies for training and attracting high-quality human resources.

The PM urged establishing an investment support fund, transferring technology, and optimising Viet Nam's potential, opportunities, and competitive advantages.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) was asked to focus on implementing the tasks and solutions outlined in the human resources development programme; and completing and submitting a draft decree on an investment support fund to encourage international investors and assist domestic enterprises.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Communications would continue implementing tasks set in the national semiconductor industry development strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, particularly those related to the development of specialised chips and electronics.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was tasked with developing a project to promote international cooperation to mobilise resources for the semiconductor and electronics industry and strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in semiconductors.

It would continue to leverage the network of Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad to promote international cooperation in this field, identifying priority areas for cooperation with each partner.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) would coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to call on US agencies to promptly remove Vietnam from the D1 - D3 lists of high-tech export restrictions, thus creating more favourable conditions for Viet Nam to access advanced US technologies and promote cooperation between businesses of the two countries in high-tech fields, including semiconductors.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Training was assigned to closely coordinate with the MPI to implement the personnel programme, including researching, proposing, and organising the implementation of a linkage model between the State, schools, and enterprises in workforce training.

The PM noted the need to quickly submit a project on training human resources to serve high-tech development in 2025-2035 with a vision to 2045 to prepare STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) human resources with high professional and technical qualifications to serve the expansion of high-tech fields, including the semiconductor industry, especially a workforce capable of participating deeply in the research and development stage in a number of key technology fields.

He demanded the Ministry of Finance to closely work with the MPI and relevant agencies to study and propose preferential mechanisms and policies on tax, finance, management, and use of public assets to serve the training, research and development of the semiconductor industry.

The Ministry of Science and Technology was required to promote research and development, improve Viet Nam's scientific and technological capacity in the semiconductor industry, especially developing core technologies and specialised chip products.

He urged ministries, sectors and localities to focus on and push ahead with the implementation of tasks and solutions in accordance with the relevant documents.  VNS
Breaking news Houston Chronicle

A 15-year-old girl is dead following a Friday night shooting around 9 p.m. in a Bellaire Boulevard parking lot, according to Houston police.

Authorities say a 15-year-old girl was transported to the hospital following the shooting and was pronounced deceased. Two other men were shot and ended up in a hospital, including one who is in critical condition.

The girl's involvement in the shooting, or lack thereof, was not known Saturday morning, authorities said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

CRIME NEWS: Harris County DA Kim Ogg seeking death penalty against men accused of killing Jocelyn Nungaray

Two cars  a silver Honda Civic and a black Chevrolet Trailblazer  were involved in the shooting, officials said. They believe there to be three to four shooters.

The silver Honda Civic was driving in the parking lot when, authorities say, gunfire originated from a black Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Civic returned fire with a man with a rifle not in either of the two cars also involved, according to officials on-site.

The reason behind the shooting is still unknown.
Compiled by Mai Huong

The rapid growth of e-commerce has contributed significantly to Viet Nam's economy development, but it also brings challenges, particularly in tax management. This has led lawmakers to carefully revise the Tax Administration Law and VAT Law to ensure compliance with domestic regulations and alignment with international agreements.

From April 1, 2025, e-commerce and digital platforms with payment functions will be required to declare and pay taxes on behalf of business households and individual sellers, as stipulated in the law amending nine laws passed by the National Assembly on November 29.

The Ministry of Finance is also considering removing the tax exemption for low-value imported goods, to address tax revenue losses from e-commerce transactions.

Currently, goods worth under VN1 million (US$39) are exempt from taxes, in line with international commitments. However, the growth of e-commerce has led to more cross-border transactions of low-value goods, causing tax revenue losses. The ministry is reviewing this policy to protect domestic businesses and improve tax management.

The two issues mentioned above have recently garnered significant attention and comments.

A recent article on thesaigontimes.vn discusses the possibility of incorporating international best practices from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s recommendations into Viet Nam's draft Law on Tax Administration and Law on Value Added Tax (VAT) to foster a more equitable and business-friendly environment.

In 2019, the OECD highlighted the key role digital platforms play in VAT collection for online transactions. The report proposed a framework for efficient VAT collection that eases administrative burdens for businesses and benefits tax authorities. Adopting this approach in Viet Nam could simplify tax collection for e-commerce, creating a fairer, more competitive business environment.

The OECD recommends a 'full VAT liability' system, where digital platforms handle all VAT calculations, collections and payments, removing this responsibility from individual sellers and reducing double taxation risks. Viet Nams draft tax laws are moving towards this by requiring e-commerce platforms to manage VAT for businesses using their platforms, both domestic and foreign.

However, successful implementation depends on two key conditions outlined by the OECD: platforms must have access to accurate transaction data and the ability to collect VAT efficiently. For platforms meeting these criteria, tax authorities can create clear guidelines. For example, platforms that set transaction terms or handle payments could be prioritised for these regulations.

Viet Nam's draft law currently mandates platforms with payment functions to handle VAT collections, but this definition needs refining.

Under Decree 52/2013/N-CP, some platforms merely facilitate display or advertising, making them unsuitable for VAT collection. Therefore, the law should focus on platforms with 'online ordering' functions that can provide the necessary transaction data for accurate tax calculations. Furthermore, VAT obligations should only apply to transactions processed through online payment systems, excluding cash-on-delivery transactions where platforms cannot control the financial flows.

In addition, the definition of "other organisations" tasked with tax obligations under the draft law needs clarification, to avoid burdening unrelated entities like logistics companies. A more precise definition, aligned with international practices, is necessary.

The OECD also recommends flexible exemptions for smaller platforms or start-ups, reducing barriers and promoting competition. However, exempted platforms should still share transaction data with tax authorities to ensure transparency.

Viet Nam's revised tax framework should consider both buyers and sellers. The OECD recommends unified tax rules for sellers, regardless of whether they are domestic or foreign, to simplify compliance. Tax thresholds should be clearly defined, especially for sellers operating on multiple platforms, to avoid challenges in determining VAT liability.

Minimis threshold

In Viet Nam, the de minimis threshold, which exempts low-value imports from VAT, is being reconsidered due to the rise of low-cost goods from platforms like Temu and Shein. According to legal expert Ngo Vinh Bach Duong from the Institute of State and Law, while proposed policy changes could remove VAT exemptions, careful consideration is needed to balance tax collection with trade facilitation.

Duong highlighted the crucial role of e-commerce platforms in tax administration. He emphasised that platforms provide data, collect and remit taxes and ensure compliance. Cooperation between e-commerce platforms and tax authorities could create a more effective tax system, reducing fraud and promoting fairness.

One solution he proposed is to assign e-commerce platforms the responsibility of collecting and remitting taxes on cross-border transactions. This could address tax evasion and transactions outside the tax jurisdiction, though its feasibility depends on implementation conditions.

The destination principle, where VAT is collected in the consumers country, is widely accepted for cross-border trade. The OECD recommends this approach, but managing cross-border VAT remains challenging due to difficulties in verifying transactions and determining the correct tax jurisdiction.

For buyers, VAT/GST (Goods and Services Tax) is typically paid by them, but determining who collects it in cross-border transactions is complex. Proposed solutions like self-assessment have proven ineffective for individual consumers.

The draft amendments to the Tax Administration Law focus on e-commerce platforms' tax responsibilities. However, these changes may increase compliance costs and create challenges for local platforms competing with larger international ones. Tax authorities must ensure the necessary infrastructure and support to implement these new obligations effectively, Duong said.

E-commerce makes up over 60 per cent of Viet Nam's digital economy, with strong and continued growth expected in the near future. The country's e-commerce market is set to become the fastest-growing in ASEAN by 2026, with the potential to reach nearly US$50 billion in annual transactions by 2028, according to YouNet ECI and YouNet Media. This growth is supported by a favourable legal environment and an increasingly tech-savvy consumer base.

Assigning tax collection duties to e-commerce platforms is a global trend, but it requires clear guidelines on the platforms' rights and responsibilities. Vietnamese platforms, unlike global giants like Amazon or Alibaba, may not have the same resources, so a transition time should be developed to help them adapt.

The Government also needs to ensure the feasibility of the new rules by providing the necessary infrastructure, such as automated tax systems. The tax authority could offer free or affordable tools like APIs to help platforms meet their obligations without high compliance costs.  VNS

In the first 11 months of 2024, Viet Nams e-commerce tax contributions reached VN108 trillion ($4.25 billion), up 22 per cent from 2023, according to the General Department of Taxation.Foreign providers like Google, Meta, and TikTok contributed VN19.7 trillion. The tax authority plans to improve tax management with a new portal for individual e-commerce taxpayers, stricter checks on foreign providers and increased inspections. Tax revenue from e-commerce has surged from nearly VN1.6 trillion in 2021 to VN97 trillion in 2023.
HA NOI  Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang and Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs of Kuwait Samee Essa Johar Hayat co-chaired the fourth political consultation between the two foreign ministries in Ha Noi on December 13.

Hang congratulated Kuwait on its upcoming presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2025, a testament to the country's growing stature in the region. She reaffirmed Viet Nam's commitment to fostering its friendship and cooperation with Kuwait, the first Gulf nation to establish diplomatic ties with Viet Nam in 1976, shortly after its national reunification.

In response, Hayat acknowledged the regular mutual support at international forums and organisations and expressed the Kuwaiti Governments wish to consolidate political trust and create breakthroughs in bilateral ties across various sectors.

Recognising ample potential to improve the effectiveness of their collaboration, both sides agreed on measures to strengthen cooperation in the coming time, with priority given to the exchange of delegations at all levels as well as people-to-people exchanges, particularly among the youth.

The guest also handed over a letter from Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya inviting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to visit Kuwait at a mutually convenient time to further consolidate bilateral ties.

In a bid to boost trade, Hang proposed enhancing cooperation in sharing expertise, mutual recognition, and investment in Halal product production, aiming to increase Viet Nam's exports to Kuwait and the broader Gulf region.

Both sides agreed to work closely to draw investment, particularly from the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), into Viet Nam. They also discussed ways to improve the efficiency of the Nghi Son refinery project, ensuring it continues to contribute positively to both countries socio-economic development.

The discussions extended to other promising areas such as food security, tourism, labour and aviation, with both sides pledging to expedite negotiations and finalise documents to refine the legal framework for bilateral cooperation.

Hang suggested that Kuwait consider increasing scholarships for Vietnamese students and collaborate closely with Viet Nam to effectively deploy and expand ODA cooperation projects in the future.

Host and guest also discussed global and regional issues of mutual interest, such as the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) and the Middle East.

Regarding cooperation at multilateral forums, they vowed to continue supporting each other at international and regional organisations, especially within the frameworks of the United Nations, ASEAN, GCC, and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in both regions and the world at large.  VNS
ONG THAP  The Mekong Delta province of ong Thap and Cambodia's Prey Veng province reviewed their cooperation in the front work at a meeting in ong Thap's Cao Lanh City on December 13.

The Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of ong Thap Province and the Solidarity Front for the Development of the Cambodian Motherland (SFDCM) Committee of Prey Veng signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for 2022 - 2025.

The meeting was co-chaired by inh Van Dung, President of the VFF Committee of ong Thap, and Sbong Sarath, President of the SFDCM Committee of Prey Veng.

Chairman of the ong Thap provincial People's Committee Pham Thien Nghia highlighted the enduring friendship between Viet Nam and Cambodia, particularly the close ties between the two bordering localities.

The relationship had been built on mutual assistance during challenging times and continued to thrive under the principle of "Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability, he said.

It spans diverse areas such as border security, demarcation, agriculture, trade, tourism, education, health care, and cultural exchange, according to the chairman's observation. All-level Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committees in ong Thap have actively collaborated with their Prey Veng counterparts in practical activities.

A highlight was the signing of the 20222025 MoU in Cao Lanh City, which has contributed to peace, friendship, solidarity, and development in border areas, and strengthening mutual understanding among officials and citizens, and particularly the youth.

Sbong Sarath noted that the two provinces had supported each other in various areas and joined hands in maintaining border security, enabling cross-border visits, providing health care, and facilitating the trading of goods like rice, fertilizers, and animal feed.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their partnership by respecting each nations laws and leveraging their respective strengths.  VNS
Sabina Stein, Head of Governance & Participation, UNDP in Viet Nam

HA NOI  On this International Human Rights Day, as global crises and growing disregard of international law drive mass human rights violations, it is vital that we reaffirm the value of international human rights instruments and cooperation. These mechanisms, rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - adopted 76 years ago today - continue to provide a vital framework for protecting human rights and fostering multilateral dialogue. Viet Nams engagement with these mechanisms stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of international human rights cooperation. Viet Nam has ratified seven of the nine core international human rights instruments, including the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), which on December 10 also celebrates its 40th anniversary. By ratifying these treaties, Viet Nam has committed to aligning its national frameworks with international norms and to engaging in regular review processes.

The year 2025 will bring many opportunities for engagement, as Viet Nam is scheduled to present before several key treaty bodies supporting the conventions implementation. In March, it will engage with the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), followed by a review before the Human Rights Committee under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in July. Later in the year, Viet Nam will appear before the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in October.

These reviews are essential moments of reflection, allowing for an honest assessment of progress and gaps. UNDP welcomes Viet Nams active engagement in these processes, which are resource intensive exercises. Such cooperation is even more meaningful in todays context, when so many are questioning the rules-based order and multilateral cooperation to advance common values.

One of the clearest signs of Viet Nams openness to human rights cooperation is its engagement with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). During the 4th UPR cycle, completed in October this year, Viet Nam accepted 271 out of 320 recommendationsan 85 per cent acceptance ratewith 253 recommendations fully accepted. This demonstrates the countrys readiness to engage constructively in human rights dialogue with the international community.

Accepting recommendations is only the first step. The most critical task is turning them into tangible actions that improve lives. To this end, Viet Nam is currently developing a National Master Plan for the 4th UPR, which will guide implementation over the next five years. Building on the previous Master Plan from the 3rd UPR, the new plan must be ambitious, actionable, and measurable. It should define clear responsibilities in line with new government structures, as well as budgets, timelines, and monitoring and evaluation indicators.

This process will only succeed if it is inclusive and consultative. Involving diverse stakeholders, including socio-political organizations, communities, and NGOs, will ensure that the plan responds to the needs of all communities. UNDP stands ready to support this effort.

UNDP has recently also supported Viet Nams engagement with the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT). Following the Governments submission of its second periodic report earlier in 2024, UNDP facilitated a visit by Viet Nams Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to Geneva. Meeting with CAT members, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss Government focused on best practices to advance UNCAT implementation.

More recently, UNDP and MPS facilitated workshops for central and local law enforcement officials in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City on the UNCAT, reaching around 140 participants. The workshops focused on Committee recommendations to Viet Nam to further the Conventions implementation.

Viet Nams role as a member of the UN Human Rights Council (20232025) is another indication of its commitment to international cooperation. During its mandate, Viet Nam has sponsored resolutions commemorating the 70th anniversary of the UDHR and calling for a human rights-based approach to climate action. Looking ahead, Viet Nam has announced its candidacy for a second term on the Human Rights Council (20262028), signaling its intent to remain an engaged member of the international human rights system.

UNDP also highlights the value of the 2024 visit of the Special Rapporteur on the right to development to Viet Nam and encourages future visits of relevant mandate holders to the country to deepen dialogue and cooperation between the Government and UN human rights mechanisms.

The enduring value of international human rights cooperation

Amid widespread human rights violations around the world, it is natural to question the effectiveness of international human rights instruments. Yet history teaches us that the path to justice is rarely linear, and the work is never truly finished. No single tool can resolve all challenges, and human rights instruments are no exception. But the choice before us is clear: we can continue to strengthen a rules-based order  however imperfect  or risk sliding into a lawless world devoid of shared frameworks for cooperation and the protection of the most vulnerable.

Despite the challenges, on this Human Rights Day [December 10], we welcome Viet Nams engagement in international human rights mechanisms, as a signal that there is worth in preserving and participating in a rights-based order.

Turning commitments into action requires political will, clear roadmaps, and the resources to back them up. UNDP stands ready to support Viet Nam in these efforts, from legislative and institutional reform to the development and implementation of an ambitious UPR Master Plan. Our partnership is built on trust and a commitment to inclusive, human-centered development.  VNS
TOKYO  Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu co-chaired the 8th Viet Nam-Japan strategic partnership dialogue and held talks with his Japanese counterpart Funakoshi Takehiro as part of his working visit to Japan from December 11-13.

The two sides agreed to maintain their close coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums, such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, as well as on international issues of common concern, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Vu reaffirmed Viet Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, and being a friend, trustworthy partner, and responsible member of the international community, stressing that Japan is one of Viet Nam's most important long-term partners.

Viet Nam would support Japan to play a greater role in international and regional issues, he said.

The Vietnamese official suggested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan support and actively participate in international events to be hosted by Viet Nam in 2025, including the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit and the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum.

For his part, Funakoshi said Viet Nam held an important position in Japan's foreign policy in the region and the world, and expressed his hope that Viet Nam would support and attend the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai.

On this occasion, Vu conveyed invitations from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru to visit Viet Nam, and from Deputy PM and FM Bui Thanh Son to Japanese FM Iwaya Takeshi to visit Viet Nam and co-chair the 13th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee in 2025.

During his stay, the Permanent Deputy Minister paid courtesy calls to Minister of Justice Suzuki Keisuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Miyaji Takuma, and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Chief of Office of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Takebe Arata. He also visited Yamaguchi and Osaka prefectures, met with the Governor of Yamaguchi, the Deputy Governor of Osaka, and the Mayor of Sakai City.  VNS
HCM CITY  The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Malta in Viet Nam held a ceremony in HCM City on December 13 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Republic of Malta and the 50th anniversary of Maltas establishment as a republic.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Dung said that despite the geographical distance, Viet Nam and Malta had always maintained effective cooperation in various fields, including trade, education, and cultural exchange.

Over the past 50 years, Viet Nam - Malta relations have achieved remarkable milestones, Dung said.

Malta, with its strategic position at the Mediterranean, serving as a bridge between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, has enormous potential for cooperation with HCM City, which is a centre of economy, culture, and innovation in Viet Nam, he said

He also affirmed that there were many opportunities and untapped areas for both sides to explore and develop.

The Malta Week in Viet Nam event and the photo exhibition Experience Malta being held in the city on the occasion would enrich the cultural life of the citys residents, demonstrating the spirit of openness, cooperation, and connection between the two countries, he added.

Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, said: The relationship between Malta and Viet Nam, notwithstanding the distance, has grown and evolved as our two countries have carved new roles for themselves in the international community through periods of profound political, social, and technological change.

Viet Nams economic transformation in the last decade has been impressive. We are excited about the prospects of identifying and nurturing new areas of partnership as Malta increasingly becomes a major gateway for hub services and incubating new technologies, Cutajar said.

As we mark this significant anniversary, we also recognise the immense potential for deepening our bilateral ties. There is a growing interest in exploring new areas of collaboration that can bring our countries even closer together. From trade to education, culture, and technology, the opportunities for enhanced cooperation are promising, he said.

Huynh Trung Nam, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Malta in Viet Nam, said: Viet Nam, a cornerstone of ASEAN, and Malta, a vibrant hub within the EU, are forging a dynamic interregional alliance that transcends mutual benefits, making significant contributions to global peace and prosperity. VNS
HA NOI  The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence paid homage to and reported the armys achievements to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Ha Noi on December 14, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) and 35th anniversary of the All-People Defence Festival (December 22).

The event was chaired by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the commission, and Minister of National Defence.

Reporting on the VPA's 80-year achievements, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Trinh Van Quyet, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, member of the commission's Standing Board, and Chairman of the VPAs General Department of Politics, said that under the absolute and direct leadership over all aspects by the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the guidance and training of President Ho Chi Minh, as well as with the support of the Vietnamese people, and the patriotism and military strategy of the nation, the VPA had joined hands with the entire Party and people to surmount countless challenges to secure great victories in the struggle for national liberation, the building and safeguarding of the socialist Fatherland, and the fulfilment of glorious international missions.

He stated that the VPA had always been the core force in safeguarding the countrys independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It had protected the Party, State, people, and socialist regime, and also excelled in its roles as a combat force, a working force, and a production force. In all circumstances, VPA officers and soldiers remained steadfast, united, and ready to overcome difficulties and fulfil all their duties.

In recognition of its extraordinary accomplishments over the past eight decades, the army has been honoured with the Gold Star Order  the highest honour of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam  five times, the first-class Military Exploit Order once, the first-class Labour Order twice, and numerous other noble rewards from the Party and State.

Quyet said to continue their exemplary service contributing to the countrys progress into a new era of the nation's rise, military leaders, commanders, and personnel pledge to stay absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, Party, State and people, and steadfast in the goals, ideals and path toward socialism chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the people.

They would also maintain high revolutionary alertness, keep a good grasp and precise assessment of the situation, and successfully deal with any circumstance to firmly protect national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. Besides, focus would also be put on improving the quality of training, exercise, education and training to ensure combat readiness; building a clean and strong Party organisation of the army; and building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern army of the people.

At the ceremony, participants laid wreaths in tribute and paid their respect to President Ho Chi Minh.  VNS
VIENTIANE  The Defence Attache Office of Viet Nam in Laos hosted a ceremony in Vientiane on December 13 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) and the 35th anniversary of the All-People Defence Festival (December 22).

The event brought together officials of Laos, defence attaches from various countries, representatives of international organisations, and Vietnamese people in the country.

In his address, Vietnamese Defence Attache in Laos Colonel Vo Van Thong recalled the establishment of the Viet Nam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army, the forerunner of the VPA, on December 22, 1944, following a directive of President Ho Chi Minh.

Inheriting the patriotism and rich military tradition of Viet Nam and gaining support from international friends, particularly the Lao army and people, the VPA had demonstrated its continuous growth and steadfastness as a revolutionary army emerging from the people, fighting for the people, and deserving its status as a special political force and an absolutely loyal and trustworthy combatant force of the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam.

Speaking at the event, General Chansamone Chanyalath, member of the Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, praised the two countries great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. This relationship, cultivated by generations of leaders, had fostered strong ties between the two armies throughout their shared struggles for independence and in their ongoing nation-building and defence missions.

He expressed confidence that under the clear-sighted leadership of the two Parties, the two armies would continue to uphold their role in nurturing and advancing the Viet Nam-Laos special relationship, and to work together and coordinate with the militaries of countries in the region and the world to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity for their peoples.

The ceremony featured historical documentary screenings about Viet Nams liberation struggle, cultural performances, traditional Vietnamese cuisine, and reflections on the VPAs 80-year history.  VNS
NEW YORK  All countries, regardless of size, must fully comply with the legal standards and obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, has affirmed.

He made this statement during an annual plenary discussion on oceans and the law of the sea held by the 79th UN General Assembly session in New York from December 10 - 12. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of the convention's entry into force.

In his remarks, Ambassador Giang described the convention as an important achievement and the most significant impact of the process of codifying modern international law. It provides a comprehensive legal framework defining the rights and obligations of all countries in maritime activities, resources management, and environmental protection.

To address emerging and multidimensional challenges in ocean governance, the diplomat called on countries to continue pursuing a multilateral approach, further reinforce the role of related international and regional mechanisms, and boost the development and adoption of new enforcement documents to promote compliance with UNCLOS in specific maritime cooperation areas.

Actions by each country, including maritime claims, activities at sea, and international cooperation in marine issues, must align with UNCLOS, he said.

Giang also urged countries, particularly developed ones, to make stronger commitments and actions, allocate more resources, and promote technology transfer to developing countries to achieve the full implementation of the criteria of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) by 2030.

The ambassador noted 2024 also marked 30 years since Viet Nam ratified and carried out UNCLOS, highlighting that as an active and responsible member of this convention, the country had obtained considerable achievements in the implementation of UNCLOS.

Viet Nam always attaches importance to maritime economic activities in its sustainable growth and development strategy, and it pledges to actively help prepare for and practically contribute to the third UN Ocean Conference on the implementation of SDG 14 in 2025, according to the ambassador.

In his speech, Giang also expressed concern about the recent activities and tension in the East Sea that threaten regional peace and security, and contravene UNCLOS provisions.

Stressing Viet Nam's principled stance on supporting the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS, he appealed to the countries involved to fully implement their obligations under UNCLOS with goodwill, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), exercise self-restraint, build trust, resolve disputes peacefully, and respect all diplomatic and legal processes.

"Viet Nam always respects the rights of coastal states to enact domestic laws in accordance with UNCLOS, and demands them respect the sovereignty and legitimate rights of other coastal states," he said, reaffirming Viet Nam's commitment to fully implement the DOC and work actively with other countries to finalise an efficient and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea that aligns with international law, particularly UNCLOS.

On the same day, the 79th UN General Assembly session adopted an annual resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, co-sponsored by 118 countries, including Viet Nam.

UNCLOS was adopted on December 10, 1982, and officially entered into force on November 16, 1994. Viet Nam was one of the first 107 countries to sign and later ratified the convention on June 23, 1994. Currently, UNCLOS has 170 member states. -VNA/VNS
TAY NINH - Authorities at the Moc Bai international border gate have identified 14 among 410 Vietnamese citizens returning from Cambodia suspected of involvement in online fraud, said the Tay Ninh provincial Border Guard Command on December 13.

The Criminal Investigation Division of the provincial Department of Public Security is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Securitys Criminal Police Department to delve deeper into these cases, it added.

Among the 410 citizens, 106 had legally exited Viet Nam through official border gates, while 304 others had crossed the border illegally through various border provinces.

The same day, police from 54 cities and provinces received a total of 386 individuals, with authorities from seven other provinces in the process of receiving the remaining citizens to their respective localities.

The repatriation effort began on December 11-12 when the Moc Bai international border guard station, in coordination with the provincial Department of Public Security, received and verified information about the 410 citizens. This group, including 38 women, hail from 61 cities and provinces nationwide. They were handed over by Cambodian authorities following an administrative inspection of Venus Casino and Resort in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province on December 4.

The inspection, conducted by authorities from the General Department of National Police under the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia, uncovered a hotbed of illegal activities. The arrestees were suspected of involvement in illegal exit, labour at unlicensed casinos, and online fraud.

Through screening and verification, Vietnamese authorities found out that four individuals were subject to search warrants, one had an arrest warrant, and four others were wanted by police from various cities and provinces.  VNS
Lucas Bello, top, throws candy back and fourth with Austin Mixa during Willis annual Christmas parade, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Willis. Saturday's Christmas parade in Willis has been canceled due to the threat of rain. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Rain has canceled the Willis "Oh What Fun!" Christmas parade that was set to take place Saturday morning.

According to a Facebook post from the organizers, the parade was "canceled due to impending rain in our forecast." The parade will not be rescheduled.

"The theme will carry over to next year and we will celebrate our Grand Marshal Dr. Kimberly James in the 2025 Christmas Parade," according to the post.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

According to newsroom meteorologist Justin Ballard, this weekend will be a split weekend between a Saturday that features stronger rain chances and a Sunday that should end up mostly dry.

PARADES IN THE SUBURBS: This weekend's Houston holiday celebrations are all about the parades  both on land and water

"You can blame Saturdays rain chances on an approaching weak cold front. That front isnt likely to make it through Southeast Texas. Instead, its likely to stall closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex," he said. "Showers and a few embedded thunderstorms will be possible anytime Saturday, though model guidance suggests the most widespread activity will occur before noon. Rain is most likely along and north of Interstate 10."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

As of Friday afternoon, events on Lake Conroe, in downtown Conroe, the Tomball German Christmas Market, in Historic Montgomery, the Galveston Municipal Police Association Christmas Parade and the Kemah Christmas Boat Parade were still on for Saturday.
With two decades of operations, Phu My 2.2 has left a mark in the history of Vietnam's energy sector

Supported by EDF (France), Sumitomo Corporation (Japan), and JERA (Japan), and operated by Mekong Energy Co., Ltd., the Phu My 2.2 Combined Cycle Gas Project has a place in the history of Vietnam's energy sector as the first Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project awarded through international tender fully funded by foreign investors.

This $400 million investment was financed at 25 per cent by shareholders and at 75 per cent by lenders including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the Asian Development Bank, and Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour le Cooperation Economique.

This project addressed several major interests for Vietnam. First, it reinforced southern Vietnams generation capacity in the context of rapid economic growth. Second, it used natural gas from the Nam Con Son gas field located off the coast of the city of Vung Tau, contributing to the countrys energy independence. Third, it was based on combined cycle gas technology, a cutting-edge technology featuring greater efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal-fired power plants.

Phu My 2.2 is located in the Phu My Thermal Power Plant Complex, 70 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City in Phu My District, Ba Ria Vung Tau province. This strategic site for the national grid now features six Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plants, representing 8 per cent of Vietnams total generation capacity as of 2023.

After 30 months of construction, this 715 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant, equipped with two General Electric 9FAe class F Gas Turbines and one General Electric class D11 Steam Turbine, started commercial operations in February 2005.

Representing up to 8 per cent of national electricity production in its initial years of operation and with 91 TWh generated over the last 20 years, Phu My 2.2 successfully fulfilled the mission entrusted to it by the Vietnamese authorities of providing available, flexible, and reliable electricity to the national grid.

Furthermore, Mekong Energy embodied the values of its shareholders. Priority was given to health and safety from day one. The company not only developed a strong health and safety culture which effectively protected staff in their daily activities, but also built with its industrial partners a true health and safety community. Thanks to this commitment, Mekong Energy achieved more than 13 consecutive years without a staff accident and more than 2 million consecutive worked hours for industrial partners. It also received the most prestigious award for Priority in Safety from JERA in 2023.

In addition, teams led a continuous quest for technical excellence. Supported by industrial partners and backed by EDF and JERAs expertise, Mekong Energy's teams have achieved a high level of technical performance with remarkable availability, efficiency, and reliability. This pursuit of technical excellence remained intact over the years, with seven technical records broken in 2022 and 2023, and was awarded a Certificate of Merit from Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

Mekong Energy was awarded a Certificate of Merit by Vietnam Electricity (EVN) for the operation and maintenance of Phu My 2.2

Social commitment was a key feature of the project. Mekong Energy demonstrated a genuine social commitment with high social standards, contributing to a strong bond between employees and the company. Externally, this social commitment was reflected in 54 Corporate Social Responsibility actions, particularly in children's education.

Long-awaited transfer on horizon

On February 4, 2025, Phu My 2.2 will be transferred to the Vietnamese authorities and EVN, who will go on to operate it.

Mekong Energy will transfer Phu My 2.2 to EVN in February 2025

Pursuant to the BOT contract, Mekong Energy will transfer the Combined Cycle Gas power plant after 20 years of operations to the Vietnamese authorities, who appointed EVN to operate it.

This transfer was anticipated and prepared for with care by Mekong Energy over many years. From the first day of operations to the last, the company has implemented a demanding maintenance policy, ensuring industrial safety while keeping equipment in perfect running condition.

EVN was closely associated with the last major inspections of the equipment in 2023 and 2024, with teams working alongside Mekong Energy teams to supervise the activities. Several weeks of on-the-job training within the Mekong Energy operation & maintenance teams were planned for EVN teams to facilitate their future takeover.

Finally, part of 70 Mekong Energy Staff members will be recruited by EVN to operate the plant in the future. For all employees who will not stay at Phu My 2.2, the company implemented an ambitious programme to support them in their career transition.

This smooth handover to EVN, a trusted long-term partner of Mekong Energy to whom the company wishes the best for the future, will mark the end of a remarkable and successful project initiated by EDF, Sumitomo Corporation, and JERA at the service of Vietnam.

20 years of key achievements 91 TWh generated since 2005

More than 13 consecutive years without a lost-time occupational accident for the staff

More than 2 million consecutive worked hours without a lost-time occupational accident for industrial partners

A record of 94.8 per cent of yearly availability factor (2022)

53 months at full availability completed since 2005

A record of 7 months at full availability completed in the same year (2023)

A record of 152 consecutive days at full availability (2023)

A record of 19 consecutive months without any unexpected shutdown (2022)

No environmental incidents

15 consecutive years of ISO Quality  Safety  Environment triple certification

93.3 per cent average stakeholders global satisfaction over the last five years

97 per cent staff satisfaction

54 Corporate Social Responsibility actions, mainly in childrens education

JERA mulls plans for natural gas-fired power plant in Vietnam JERA, Japan's biggest power generator, is planning to invest in a natural gas-fired power plant in Vietnam to capitalise on the country's green energy transition strategy.

Sumitomo explores investment in Thanh Hoa province Sumitomo Corporation, a Japanese conglomerate, visited Thanh Hoa province on June 28 to sign an MoU with the centrl province's people's committee. The agreement focuses on researching and investing in the construction and operation of industrial infrastructure in the western area of Thanh Hoa city, including a logistics centre and urban development surrounding the industrial zone.
A curbside mail drop off box is shown at the Klein Post Office, 7717 Louetta Rd., Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer

Days after a worker was shot and killed at a U.S. Postal Service facility, Reps. Sylvia Garcia and Al Green said they have continuing concerns about USPS operations and worker safety.

The two members of Congress spoke following a Friday tour of the North Houston Regional Processing Center. They were also supposed to visit the South Houston Local Processing Center in Missouri City, but that was canceled after a USPS employee allegedly shot and killed a fellow worker earlier this week inside the facility.

"I'm not pleased with where we are," Green said. "This is not a good place for us to be."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

SHOOTING AT USPS: $2M bond set for Missouri City postal service employee who allegedly fatally shot coworker in local facility

The North Houston facility is in Garcia's district and the Missouri City location is in Green's district.

Among the concerns reiterated by the representatives included continued mail delays, stolen mail, what they said is low morale among USPS employees and the safety of Postal Service workers.

Safety is high on the mind of Green following the shooting inside the Missouri City facility. Green called for a fence to surround the Missouri City facility in addition to greater security measures.

"That event that occurred, where a life was lost, should not have happened," Green said. "It just should not have happened at any postal facility, and we have to find a way to make sure that it never happens again."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Representatives of the Postal Service said in a previous statement that they were shocked and saddened by the death at the facility.

Green and Garcia were two of the key figures at the beginning of the year leading the charge for greater transparency from the Postal Service during its run of significant mail delays. USPS said the delays were caused by the Delivering for America plan, the service's 10-year project to modernize the post office.

The plan has been under scrutiny at both national and local levels due to delays experienced in other markets, such as Kansas City and Atlanta, in addition to Houston.

Houston's mail performance was significantly worse in multiple key metrics during the previous fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. Inbound first-class mail had an on-time delivery percentage nearly nine percentage points lower than the 2023 fiscal year.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

USPS service performance tracker currently has data only uploaded through Nov. 29 for this fiscal year. On-time delivery was around 85% for first-class mail, better than Fiscal Year 2024 but still trailing 2023's 91.5% performance.

"While there seems to be some improvement in the mail delay, they still exist," Garcia said.

Both representatives said they've personally experienced problems with the mail in recent months. Garcia said she mailed money to a niece for her graduation that never arrived and a check mailed by her sister to her nephew never reached its final destination either. Green said he mailed a letter to Washington D.C. on Oct. 25 that was supposed to arrive Oct. 28 but says it is still in Houston.

Nobody from the Postal Service spoke at the news conference. Green and Garcia said they have asked for someone affiliated with the agency to speak to the public but said they would not.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

That lack of transparency from USPS dating back to the mail delays earlier this year has been a constant frustration for the representatives.
Medvedev is very good friends with China and he likes to visit to renew old ties. China has been important to Medvedev for a very long time and the Chinese like him

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. The Anglo-Saxons have a long-term goal to declare Taiwans independence under the Kosovo scenario so they could have an outpost in East Asia, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said in an article in the International Affairs magazine.

While Medvedev had some rough moments in his career, he has stabilized and is on the right track now

Medvedev is a good man

WtR
This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 14th, 2024

Wrexham.com has invited the four North Wales Members of the Senedd to write a monthly column with updates on their work. You can find their updates  along with contributions from the Wrexham and Clwyd South MPs and MSs  here. 

In his monthly column for Wrexham.com, Welsh Conservative MS Mark Isherwood writes:

As a Member of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, I regularly get asked to speak at various events, and earlier this month, as Chair of the Cross-Party Groups on Disability and on Autism in the Senedd, I was very pleased to open and speak at the All Wales People First Through Our Eyes first touring exhibition at Pontio (Bangor University). All Wales People First is the only national learning disability organisation run for and by people with learning disabilities in Wales.

The exhibition shares the stories of people with learning disabilities in Wales through photographs and videos, and challenges perceptions and stereotypes by highlighting the valued roles and activities of people with learning disabilities in our communities. It will run until 13th January 2025.

Speaking at the opening, I said: Images influence the way we think about people. This can affect the opportunities that people have in life.

Members of All Wales People First set out to improve how they are represented in society by creating positive and empowering photos and videos.

The Exhibition celebrates their achievements in employment, volunteering, sport, education and other areas of life.

I spoke about the stigmas surrounding people with learning disabilities, stressing that it can lead to exclusion, isolation, and a lack of opportunities.

I said by challenging these stigmas where we see them, we can create an environment where individuals with learning disabilities can thrive, and stated that Through education, awareness campaigns, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their cognitive differences, people with learning disabilities can be included.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which I have campaigned to be brought into law in Wales, says that people with a learning disability have a fundamental right to full and active participation and inclusion in society.

The Through Their Eyes Tour is so important in breaking down attitudinal barriers and misconceptions of people with learning disabilities, taking steps to address the barriers that impeed them, rather than waiting until they experience difficulties.

In the same week, I Chaired and spoke at a session of the International Day of Disabled People Senedd event with Disability Wales, promoting the rights and well-being of Disabled People, the theme of which this year is to Amplify the leadership of disabled people for an inclusive and sustainable future.

At the event, I emphasised the need for everyone to work together to remove barriers to access and inclusion for all, and spoke of ambitions to get more disabled people into politics, referring to the Access to Politics Grassroots Network, a project run by Disability Wales and funded by the Welsh Government.

Its purpose is to get more disabled people into political office in both the Senedd and Local Government.

Although over 20% of people living in Wales have a health condition or impairment, this is not represented in National or Local Government.

In the UK Parliament, a total of 8 MPs, or 1.2%, declared having a disability in the 2019-2024 Parliament, with the number increasing to 12 MPs, just under 2%, after the 2024 General Election. We have no equivalent data for the Senedd.

The former UK Governments 2021 Barriers to elected office for disabled people report stated that the number of disabled people in politics across all levels of Government are almost always below 1 in 5, confirming that disabled people are underrepresented and highlighting the need to tackle the barriers faced by Disabled people when participating in Party politics, and to make politics more accessible for disabled people.

I also spoke about my British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill, which is now proceeding through the Senedd Bill process and is currently open to Public Consultation, where anyone can have their say.

Its purpose is to make provision to promote and facilitate the use of BSL and its tactile forms in Wales; improve access to education, health and public services in BSL and, support the removal of barriers that exist for deaf people and their families in education, health, public services, support services and in the workplace,

Although this has received overwhelming public support, the Welsh Government stated they did not see a need for it.

I hear almost daily from disabled people, communities and carers who are having to fight for the support and services they need, and are entitled to, to enable them to lead an independent life.

Despite the existing rights that do exist, we must go further, turning legislation and codes into action, to give Disabled people real voice, choice, control and independence.
Over 100m announced to ensure coal tip safety in Wales

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 14th, 2024

More than 100m will be invested into coal tip safety during this Senedd term, it has been announced.

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, said the funding will allow the Welsh Government to expand the coal tip safety grant to expediate work on disused tips across the country.

It is made up of the 65m already committed from 2021 to 2025, the 25m requested and received from the UK Government for 2025-26 as part of its autumn budget earlier this year, plus an additional 12m announced in this weeks draft budget.

The funding confirmation follows the announcement of the introduction of a new Bill which, if passed, would see the creation of an organisation with responsibility for a new regime to manage Waless disused tips.

The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill proposes to establish a Disused Tips Authority for Wales.

The Bill is the first of its type in the UK and is world-leading in developing a robust system for the safety of disused tips.

The new authority would become a Welsh Government sponsored body responsible for the assessment, registration, monitoring and management of disused tips.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: We are absolutely committed to making sure that people living in coalfield communities across Wales are safe in their homes.

The recent storm Bert is yet another stark warning of the damage rainfall can cause, and how vulnerable disused tips can be to extreme weather conditions.

I know many people living in coalfield communities across Wales are concerned, and so we must be ready to adapt and respond.

Thats exactly why we are investing 100m in coal tip safety this Senedd term and introducing this Bill  the first of its kind in the UK: to prevent disused coal and non-coal tips from being a threat to human welfare.

It fulfils our promise to introduce legislation to deal with the legacy of centuries of mining and ensure coal tip safety. And it will help to ensure that the tragic mistakes of the past are not repeated.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Welsh Conservatives who have called for more action to stop damage caused by scramblers and off-road vehicles.

Joel James MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Social Partnership Minister, said: The devastating impact of recent storms have served as a reminder of how vulnerable communities across Wales are from slippage of coal tips.

In addition to the weather there is a very real risk from scrambler bikes and 44 offroad vehicles that use the tips as a playground, ripping up the surface and destabilising them.

The Welsh Conservatives welcome the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill that is being introduced and will be looking to ensure that more is done to stop damage from scramblers and 44 offroad vehicles, communities are involved in the decision-making process of making safe coal tips and that biodiversity is protected.
Senedd rejects calls to revoke puberty blocker regulations

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 14th, 2024

The Senedd rejected calls to revoke regulations restricting the prescription of puberty blockers for under-18s with gender incongruence or dysphoria.

Adam Price recognised differing views regarding puberty-suppressing hormones, known as puberty blockers, as he called for the Welsh Government regulations to be annulled.

The former Plaid Cymru leader explained the regulations effectively make participation in a clinical trial the only way to access treatment for transgender children and young people.

He told the Senedd: As no such trial is yet available, these regulations currently deny access to puberty blockers entirely for this group of patients.

Mr Price warned making treatment conditional on participation in trials is unfair because it places undue pressure on the child to agree.

Childrens rights

He said: We believe that these significant changes  should be subject to consultation, with the children and young people affected by them, because that is what the law says.

The former MP pointed out that the Welsh Government is bound to have due regard to the UN convention on childrens rights, with Article 12 guaranteeing the right to be heard.

Mr Price added: Article 3 of the UN convention requires that the best interests of the child are the primary consideration in all actions affecting children.

He said no consultation nor childrens rights impact assessment was conducted.

He warned transgender children are being treated differently with their access to puberty blockers restricted, arguing this is contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

Unlawful

Mr Price drew a parallel with a High Court ruling in March that a Welsh Government decision to stop free school meals in holidays was unlawful.

He said: These regulations show the exact same failings: a lack of consultation, a failure to conduct impact assessments and insufficient regard for childrens rights and equality.

The Senedd has the opportunity tonight to send a clear message to the government: the first imperative in making any law  and especially a law that affects the young  is to listen, which it has signally failed to do in this case.

Conservative Sam Rowlands raised the Cass review which found no good evidence of the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.

The shadow health secretary warned not enough is known about the long-term impacts of puberty blockers for children and young people with gender incongruence or dysphoria.

Proportionate

Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Governments chief legal adviser, said the proportionate regulations were in response to the Cass review of gender identity services.

She told the Senedd: The Welsh Government continues to be driven by the evidence to best support the needs of young people who are questioning their gender.

Ms James said the law prevents GPs from prescribing puberty blockers to under-18s, with exceptions for trials and prescriptions from before the legislation came into force on July 18.

The former solicitor raised case law showing the state does not breach the European Convention on Human Rights by refusing to authorise a particular treatment.

She argued ministers had no duty to consult and due regard was given to childrens rights under the UN convention which was incorporated in Welsh law in 2011.

Deeply disappointed

Caerphilly MS Hefin David raised the experience of a constituent accessing services in Bristol which they found severely wanting.

The Labour backbencher said he would vote with the Welsh Government for technical reasons but added: I think we need more passion from the government on these issues and Im deeply disappointed by the counsel generals contribution.

Mr Price told the Senedd the NHS has no plans to establish a youth gender identity service despite a commitment in the Welsh Governments LGBTQ+ action plan.

He said: I really think the government needs to look at this with some urgency even if they win the vote tonight  they need to look at the broader policy.

Senedd members voted 36-12 against annulling the regulations on December 10.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
W.E.B. Du Bois -- shown here in a Reginald Adams mural at the Breakfast Klub -- argued that competition from immigrants depressed Black wages. In 1929, he wrote that the stopping of the importing of cheap white labor on any terms has been the economic salvation of American Black labor. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

A century ago, overwhelming majorities of both parties in Congress voted for the Immigration Act of 1924, which dramatically cut immigration. The editors of Black newspapers and magazines across the country enthusiastically backed these reductions. Some even advocated for deeper cuts.

These early 20th-century African American leaders wanted to reduce the number of foreign workers admitted each year to give descendants of American slavery a competitive advantage in the labor market. Over the next four decades, the Immigration Act made it more difficult for employers to import foreign workers instead of recruiting Black U.S. citizens  just as African American leaders had anticipated.

The legislation immediately resulted in immigration dropping from 707,000 in 1924 to 294,000 in 1925  and to less than 200,000 a year, on average, over the next three decades.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Labor markets tightened, making the law arguably a factor in radically shrinking the earnings gap between Black and white men between 1940 and 1980. In 1929, W.E.B. DuBois exclaimed in the NAACPs journal that the stopping of the importing of cheap white labor on any terms has been the economic salvation of American Black labor.

In recent decades, this potential positive consequence of the 1924 law has been overshadowed by criticism of the laws national origin quota system, with its near-bans on immigration from Africa and Asia.

Yet we shouldnt forget that the bills most important advocates were unions, progressive civic and religious reformers, Black leaders and civil rights publications. They got the results they sought from the law  increased incomes for Americas workers and a society with less income inequality.

Nobel laureate economist Sir Angus Deaton of Princeton recently explained that inequality was high when America was open [to immigration before 1924], was much lower when the borders were closed, and rose again post Hart-Celler (the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965) as the fraction of foreign-born people rose back to its levels in the Gilded Age. It has also been plausibly argued that the Great Migration of millions of African Americans from the rural South to the factories in the North would not have happened if factory owners had been able to hire the European migrants they preferred.

Economists Peter Lindert and Jeffrey Williamson have similarly calculated that after the U.S. government slammed the door on immigration early in the 20th century, inequality plummeted as the average income-adjusted U.S. family income for the bottom 99% may have grown by more than 200%, far eclipsing income gains of the rich.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

David Leonhardt of The New York Times wrote in his recent book Ours Was the Shining Future that reduced immigration following the 1924 Act contributed to the surge in working-class incomes in a period that saw Black workers wages rise even faster than white workers, well before the passage of 1960s civil rights laws.

In 1965, Congress scrapped the 1924 law. In the spirit of the Civil Rights era, lawmakers' intention was to end the discriminatory national origin quotas.

Their Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 restarted mass immigration. No Congress since has corrected the mistake, with profound consequences for many American workers. Today, the federal government issues roughly 1 million green cards annually, welcomes tens of thousands of guest workers and tolerates millions of immigrants living in the country without permission.

Naturally, that affects labor markets. The head of the International Monetary Fund recently remarked that, compared to other developed countries, U.S. wages are not pushing up, because there is no strong pressure because of lack of labor.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
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
From her long brunette tresses to her high wedge heels, Erica Tanov is the epitome of cooleffortless, authentic cool.

Her innate sense of style and singular, creative way of looking at the world are integral to the longevity of her 35-year-old lifestyle label. Every dress, sweater, chemise, pillow, throw and table linen Tanov designs is covetable, drenched in an irresistible secret sauce blending simple silhouettes, standout details, and rich natural materials.

Shoppers can't get enough of Erica Tanov's yummy Alpaca knits made in Bolivia. (Courtesy of Erica Tanov)

Imperfection also defines the Erica Tanov aesthetic. Its something the designer happily embraces: I dont really like anything too perfect. To create that ease or imperfection really takes thought, to create the feeling 'that just happened,'" she explains. Sometimes it does just happen, but often there is an art to creating that, and thats what I like to do.

The brands laid-back luxury is also informed by Tanovs West Coast roots. Born in Walnut Creek, raised in Piedmont and a Berkeley resident since the 90s, Tanov is a Northern Cali girl through and through.

Mother Nature and her magical landscapes, textures and colors serve as the designers constant muse. This love of the outdoors also inspired her personal and brand mantra: Find beauty every day. Not to mention her book, Design by Nature, showcases creative ways to layer elements of nature into lived-in spaces.

While Tanovs design chops are undeniably golden, staying relevant for decades in an ever-changing, often volatile retail landscape is no easy feat for any small business. The Parsons School of Design alum and her lean, formidable team have survived and thrived. All hail ETs devoted customer baseincluding Gen Xers and their Gen Z daughterswho appreciate the versatility and timelessness of the designs, especially the brands clothing essentials.

The quintessential essential? Lola, a body-skimming, silk slip dress cut on the bias and French-seamed with vintage detailing. It debuted in 1992 and has fans like Madonna and Julianne Moore. Recently, one Carrie Bradshaw rocked an alabaster version on Maxs And Just Like That. (SJP slayed, naturally.)

SJP wears the iconic Lola slip dress in an episode of Max's "And Just Like That." (Courtesy of @andjustlikethatcostumes)

Its fitting that a slip became the garment Tanov is most known for. After all, her fledgling label began as a line of lingerie. It was New York City, circa 1990, a couple of years after Tanov graduated from Parsons and made the decision to leave her job with designer Rebecca Moses. Fearless, disillusioned with the fashion industry and a little naive, Tanov was ready to move on. To what, she was unsure.

While working various gigs to pay the bills, Tanov started sewing in her free time. It was purely for fun, no motive of starting my own business, she demurs. The petite designer has always expressed herself through fashion and began sewing her own clothes during middle school because she refused to shop in the kids department.

Ive always been a collector. Id go to flea markets and collect vintage lingerie and pajamas. So, when I started sewing and making my own patterns for bras, boxers, tap pants, and chemises, they were inspired by the things I collected. I looked at how they were sewn and the craftsmanship, Tanov remembers. I made mine in linen, which I had never seen. I thought the pieces were really sweet and decided, you know what, Im going to take these around to some stores.

Long story short, orders arrived via the fax machine on Tanovs studio-apartment floor. Bendels and Barneys were in. These were huge orders so, I thought, I guess this is what Im doing, Tanov says.

She quickly hooked up with a New York showroom (selling is her least favorite part) and, voila, she was back in the fashion biz. But I was determined to do things differently. I wasnt going to do the shows, give away things to the famous when theyre the ones who can afford it, etc., she says.

A chic night's sleep is a sure thing with bedding from ET x Emily Payne. (Courtesy of Erica Tanov)

Tanov has been running her label her way ever since. She moved back to Berkeley in 1994 to be near family and start one of her ownand to be closer to the nature she desperately missed.

After all these years, Tanov is thrilled Lola remains relevant especially in a world consumed by fleeting trends and fast fashion. The signature slip dress and her sistersincluding silk camisoles, cotton button-ups, charmeuse PJ pants, Pima cotton cardigans, and wide-leg denim and stretch-canvas trousersmake up the core of the brands clothing mix. Theyre regularly updated in limited-edition hues and fabrics.

Fresh sartorial and home collections launch according to Tanovs creative clock. In recent months, her clock has been working overtime, as a steady stream of capsules and collaborations have flowed. Among them: Mexico Cityinspired La Condesa, ET x Studio Ahead, and ET x artist Emily Payne.

Collaborating with other artists is Tanovs jam. It opens my insular world to new ideas, she says. I like the exchange and excitement of working together and seeing what comes from that. I love designing my own prints, as well. But to me, its more interesting to bring in another artists work and be inspired by that.

A dreamy rack filled with pieces from ET's collab with Studio Ahead/Archive No. 1. (Courtesy of Erica Tanov)

Ready to experience the brand in real life? Head to Berkeley, the center of Erica Tanovs universe. Its where she lives with her husband (and visiting adult children) and is home to her two brick-and-mortar stores.

The clothing boutique has been a cherished staple of the Fourth Street retail district since 1998. Along with Tanovs collections, a smattering of accessories, jewelry, home objects, and art from other not-seen-everywhere brands round out the offerings. Everything in the store is chosen by Tanov herself. Shopping here is all about delight and discovery.

Just around the corner onFifth Street sits Tanovs stunning 3,600-square-foot design studio-cum-showroom-cum-event space. Opened earlier this year, the multi-level Italianate Victorian building (built in 1878 as a private residence) presents the designers complete vision of relaxed luxury. (Note: Visits here require appointments.)

Set up like a real-life home, each beautifully appointed room is a shopable showcase featuring the brands home goods and furnishings, as well as a mix of vintage rugs, modern decor, and spectacular antiques curated by Tanov. I wanted a place to bring everything together and have eventswhether musical events, artist talks, dinners, lunches, you name it. Its just a place for doing everything I love with people I love, she gushes.

// The boutique is located at 1827 Fourth St. (Berkeley). The studio/showroom is at 1808 Fifth St. (Berkeley), ericatanovcom
This week is all about music.

Unique performances include a hip-hop-symphony-mashup, two different local choirs, and a night of Mariah Carey.

For other sensory delights, head to a truffle dinner, Champagne tasting, and a once-in-a-lifetime meal at Lazy Bear. You know what they saytreat yourself.

Be part of an immersive cultural dinner. Presented personally by chef Jessy Manuel, this six-course dinner unfolds through storytelling and a unique presentation of Southeast Asian and Island cuisine; Monday at 6pm. // 14301 Arnold Dr. #3 (Sonoma Valley); tickets at checkout.square.site





Embark on some nostalgia at a photo booth museum, where you canexplore the history of this iconic art form and enjoy plenty of photo (booth) opportunities; Mondays through Sundays, 11am to 7pm. // Photo Booth Museum by Photomatica, 2275 Market St. (Upper Market); details at photomatica.com





Give your holiday playlist a mixup with Boyz II Men at the SF Symphony. The Grammy Award-winning group will perform some seasonal and nostalgic favorites; Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org

Or let the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus get you in the spirit with a free holiday concert in SFs trendiest food hall; Tuesday, 6:30pm to 7pm. // Saluhall, 925 Market St. (SoMa); details at saluhallmarket.com





Up your Champagne game with Ernest Vineyards at a tasting event that includes delectable oysters, gougeres, and gourmet popcorn pairings; Wednesday, 4pm to 7pm. // The Third Floor, The Jay Hotel, 433 Clay St. (FiDi); reservations at jayhotelsf.com





Have your cake and some learning, too with a unique cake bake-off inspired by Californias rich forest ecosystems; Wednesday at 7pm. // The Commons at KQED, 2601 Mariposa St. (Mission); tickets at events.kqed.org





Discover Broadway in Sonoma with a special holiday performance featuring stars from Wicked, Cirque du Soleil, Mrs. Doubtfire, and more. Wednesday and Thursday, 2pm and 7pm. // Transcendence Theatre Company, 19201 Sonoma Highway #214 (Sonoma); tickets at transcendencetheatre.org





Shop for more local gifts from SF artists at an all-day art vendor market featuring jewelry, and gifts selected by the SF Arts Commission; Wednesday, 8:30 am to 4:30pm. // War Memorial Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); details on Instagram

Round off truffle season with a special four-course dinner from Trestle and Urbani Truffles. Dont skip the wine pairing; Wednesday, from 5:30pm. // Trestle, 531 Jackson St. (FiDi); reservations at opentable.com





Create your own Christmas crawl with the Bar Blackbird pass, which gets you a free second round at the best spots across the city, from Bar Iris to Trick Dog. // Details at blackbird.xyz





Play with your food at a cookie decorating workshop thats as festive as it is delicious; Thursday at 4pm. // The Crossing at East Cut, 250 Main St. (Embarcadero); tickets at eventbrite.com

Make it an epic holiday at Lazy Bear with an extravagant evening meal. Their annual holiday dinner party features gems from the wine cellar paired with a luxe, holiday-inspired menu; Friday and Saturday at 6:30pm. // Lazy Bear, 3416 19th St. (Mission); reservations at exploretock.com





Admire the holiday lights of the Inner Sunset and check out the neighborhoods shop displays in a night dedicated to celebration. If theres space, catch a trolley ride for a truly memorable night; Friday, 5pm to 8 pm. // Details at innersunsetmerchants.org





Have a good time for a good cause. The Chapel is bringing together a lineup of local bands to host a winter coat drive in partnership with Rad Mission Neighbors; Friday at 7:30pm. // The Chapel, 777 Valencia St. (Mission); tickets at seetickets.us





See Cinderella in a new light with the African-American Shakespeare Companys production that pays homage to Black style and fashion across the decades; Friday through Sunday. // Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at african-americanshakes.org





Get carried away by carols in a performance from the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, accompanied by a full orchestra and otherworldly 7,466 pipe organ; Saturday and Sunday, 3pm to 4:30pm. // Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St. (Nob Hill); tickets at gracecathedral.org





Hail Mariah Carey, the princess of Christmas, for a tribute night of drag, dancing, and even holiday shopping at Oasis; Saturday at 10pm. // Oasis, 298 11th St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com





Step into a winter speakeasy at the private penthouse room at Wayfare Tavern. Shoot up the elevator into an enchanted forest where festive cocktails await; Sunday through Monday, December 30. // Wayfare Tavern, 558 Sacramento St. (Jackson Square); reservations at wayfaretavern.com





Relive Elf with props and treats at a watch party fit for Santas most enthusiastic helper; Sunday, 10:45am. // Alamo Drafthouse, 2550 Mission St. (Mission); tickets at drafthouse.com
A little over a year ago, West Maui was devastated by the kind of misfortune that Northern Californians know all too well.

When sparks from a broken power line caught dry, flammable vegetation on fire and high winds spread burning embers far and wide, an apocalyptic inferno ignited upcountry and burned a path all the way to the sea.

Thousands were displaced from their homes, historic sites were destroyed, and the coastal town of Lahaina was devastated. Within 48 hours, the community and nonprofits like Chef Hui had banded together to feed and house those who had lost everything and, at first, everyone was so consumed with recovery that tourism was put on hold.

But since around 80 percent of West Mauis economy is based on tourism, it didnt take long for locals to realize that a second tragedy was in the making. The message that the region was closed for business had spread as effectively across the globe as the wildfire had across the island. And once the reporters and news cameras had all gone home, there was no one left to spread word of Maui's resiliency and reawakening. The vast majority of the island, from its stunning beaches to its luxe resorts, had been left mercifully unscathed.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui on beautiful Wailea Bay. (Courtesy of @fsmaui/@watchwyattwander)

Thats the first thing I notice when I arrive, how much the Maui of December 2024 looks like it did on my first visit to the island in July 2023, just a month before the fire: Haleakela still erupts from the islands heart, green and frosted in fog; Wailea Bay still sparkles; sea turtles still nestle on the soft sand beaches. Beautiful Maui is still beautiful Maui.

At the Four Seasons Resort Maui (3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Kihei), the whiff of tragedy disappeared long ago. After the fire, the hotel stepped up, housing displaced residents and first responders, providing trucks of ice and running supplies back and forth across the island, and hosting Lahainas chefs at popup dinners whose profits supported their teams.

Now, although guest occupancy (and room rates) is lower than it was before, the resort is once again devoting all theyve got to giving guests the experience of their White Lotus dreams (yes, this is where Season 1 was filmed). Theyve just refreshed the lobbys breezy design and have created a weekly Live Aloha artisan market for guests to shop local without leaving the property. Their flagship restaurant, Ferraros , recently debuted a new menu of excellent coastal Italian fare.

A rare look at traditional dance at the Four Seasons' Behind the Scenes of Hula. (Courtesy of @fsmaui/@nomadic_habit)

Theyve also doubled down on cultural experiences with the help of the resorts native director of Hawaiian programming. Guests now have the opportunity to join a Wayfinders Journey , a multi-course dinner of traditional foods onboard a catamaran that culminates in a talk under the stars about Indigenous navigation and mythology. You can also get a rare look at a competitive hula dance school, which holds its typically closed-door practices out in the open at the hotel on Monday evenings.

Wailea, where the Four Seasons is perched above its picture-perfect bay, is 30 miles from Lahaina, which bore the brunt of 2023s fire. So its only natural it feels untouched by tragedy. In Lahaina, though, while the historic core is still a work in progress, nearly every other business in town reopened months ago. You can still spend a great day there, Im told, so I drive out to do just that.

At the first restaurant to reopen on Lahaina's Front Street restaurant Mala Ocean Tavern (1307 Front St.), a place so close to the water that waves literally crash against its side, I brunch on a benedict made local with hunks of seared ahi and wasabi hollandaise and freshly pressed watermelon juice. Business is still slower than theyd like it to be, says general manager Ingrid Lynch, but theyre giving it everything theyve got to bring Mala back to life, including happy hour live music and art popups, bands, and DJs at night. Things are slowly getting better, she says. Were not giving up.

Lahaina's Front Street still has seaside dining at Mala Ocean Tavern. (Courtesy of @malatavern)

Next its on to Hawaiis oldest butterfly farm and only walk-in butterfly flight house. On the Maui Butterfly Farm Tour (820 Olowalu Village Rd.), they dont just teach about the insects life cycles, they encourage guests to (gently) beckon the fluttery jewels to perch on fingers and bunches of flowers. Its as magical as it sounds.

At Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate (78 Ulupono St., Ste. 1), where the flames came within 100 yards of the bespoke artisan factory, a tour goes inside the chocolate-making process with founder and head chocolate maker Gunars Valkirs. They grow some of their own cacao right in West Maui, along with the mango and guava fruit trees with which they flavor some varieties, and donate 100 percent of the net profits from their island-made confections and Sunday Factory Experience to local charities. The rooftop tasting room plies an endless array of chocolate whether youve taken the tour or not and, on Sunday afternoons, a jazz band plays the soundtrack as the sun sets over the ocean.

Not every Lahaina business was able to come back to life in the months after the fire, but some of those that were destroyed are now writing their next chapters nearby. All of Kohola Brewery s Front Street operations (including their public taproom) were lost in the blaze but a partnership with Kona Brewing Hawaii on the Big Island has kept their spirit alive. In July, Kohola opened a new space in Wailea (112 Wailea Ike Dr.) and joined forces with chef Issac Bancaco to bring food to the brewery for the first time.

This was our pivot, says Bancaco, who himself pivoted from fine dining to fun dining. Hes designed the menu around the beer, not the other way around, and even incorporates it into several dishes including the braised short ribs and the whipped cheese served with a massive, doughy pretzel. Were a beer company, he says. Beer is our north star.

Kohola Brewery pivoted to a new location with a delicious menu. (Courtesy of @koholabrewery)

As Lahainas recovery moves forward, more of the restaurants, bars, and businesses lost to the fire will make their own pivots to a future as bright as the past and, once the real story of their resilience gets out, it wont be long until West Maui is back in full force. In the meantime, visiting the island is as good as it ever wasbetter, even, since its more affordable and less crowded than its been in decades.

On Maui, they are waiting with open arms to welcome us back again.
On December 12, ARMYs belatedly commemorated BTS RM's inclusion on The Pixel Project's "16 Male Role Models Helping to Stop Violence Against Women" list, released on the 4th.

The Pixel Project is a non-profit organization established in 2009 with the mission of stopping violence against women (VAW) through various campaigns and projects including popular culture and arts.

Among the 16 significant personalities listed, the K-pop global star placed ninth. The article particularly commended RM for taking accountability for his previous controversial misogynistic lyrics in some of BTS' songs by taking women and gender studies classes.

This also led him to have a women's studies professor check his lyrics up until now.

RM has been selected by "The Pixel Project" as one of the Male Role Models who are making a positive impact by helping to stop violence against women.



 https://t.co/SPzKK8onug pic.twitter.com/kexN7ZSx3m  Pop Core (@TheePopCore) December 12, 2024

READ ALSO: BTS RM Dubbed the 'Savior of Korean Literature'  Here's Why

"He has since used his enormous platform to influence pop culture and the arts in support of women," added the NPO.

While ARMYs (BTS fandom) acknowledged this recognition, this, however, sparked criticism among supporters of female idols, claiming that RM didn't do anything to stop VAW.

Netizens highlighted RM's link with Lee Jin Wook, who was accused of being a sexual predator. They added that the idol has kept his silence while some ARMYs were throwing hateful and demeaning comments against idols like NewJeans, BLACKPINK, and more, in the context of defending him from other fandoms.

His fan wishing harm for 16 years old girl https://t.co/siAY7AieVb pic.twitter.com/ySG0yd1DPa  salep (@NJ1soon) December 12, 2024

he helping to stop violence against women??? I GAGGED. his own fandom has done nothing but harass and sltshame women/girls since its existence and he haven't called them out not even once. what a fkn joke is this? https://t.co/p4mbgFw5Wi  clau (@smiskimina) December 12, 2024

What exactly has he done to help women? His fans harass women daily, he's still friends with women beaters, and all he talks about is paving the way BFFR pic.twitter.com/MB3a3BTFpA https://t.co/sSswV3MSz7  .. || rosie (@karosa00_) December 12, 2024

no shade i dont think any man should be regarded as a role model when it comes to feminism https://t.co/I7O9QelIUc   nes (@esnupijoy) December 12, 2024

RM's supporters quickly took his side and added more reasons the BTS leader deserved his spot on the list.

"Namjoon literally got blacklisted by Korean men for being a woman supporter," said a fan.

"He's the reason why HYBE has gender sensitivity training for their trainees. Can't say the name for other idols," stated another fan.

Namjoon literally got blacklisted by korean men for being a women supporter. He is never going to be the bad guy y'all want him to be. https://t.co/Ov1RZU4Nbz  lia  (@jmndiorz) December 12, 2024

"what impact" he's the reason why hybe has gender sensitivity training for their trainees. Can't say the same for other idols https://t.co/SBoo3dVgvk pic.twitter.com/ktxkPSWCsa  sig (@sambalsmatah) December 12, 2024

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 K-pop Idols Criticized for Reading 'Feminist' Books: Red Velvet Irene, BTS RM, More!
The Advertising Club Madras formally launched HUB, Co-working working facility in its secretariat premises at T Nagar. Mr. Srinivasan K Swamy, Executive Group Chairman, R K Swamy Ltd and Mr. Ramesh Narayan, Director Strategy, Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (afaa) jointly inaugurated the facility. HUB is a 12-seater facility located in T Nagar, Madras

Launching the facility, Srinivasan K Swamy, Executive Group Chairman, R.K. Swamy Ltd, remarked, "Im truly impressed with the growth and activities of the Advertising Club Madras. As a past president of the club in 1992-1993, it feels like homecoming for me. Over these years, the transformation has been tremendous, and the club has grown substantially in its scope and stature. This new office, with its modern conference room, seminar hall, and now the HUB, reflects a vibrant and forward-thinking organization that is ready to meet the needs of todays professionals."

Ramesh Narayan, Director Strategy, Asian Federation of Advertising Associations, who jointly inaugurated the facility also expressed his enthusiasm and said, "I am delighted to be here today for the inauguration of the HUB. The Advertising Club Madras is incredibly active, and it is heartening to see the energy and commitment of the team. Im confident that the HUB will live up to its name by becoming a central space for innovation, collaboration, and professional excellence. It will undoubtedly be a valuable resource for advertising and other professionals, enabling them to connect and create in a conducive environment."

S Balasubramanian, President of Advertising Club Madras, remarked, "We are thrilled to unveil HUB, a space that embodies the spirit of collaboration and growth. Positioned strategically in the city, its designed to cater to a wide range of professional needs, enabling individuals and teams to work, connect, and innovate specially from the advertising, media and marketing eco-system. This is just one initiative and we look forward to introduce more opportunities for the fraternity to come together 

Commenting on the occasion, Surej Salim Kumar, Secretary of Advertising Club Madras, said "HUB is not just a co-working space; it is a step towards creating an ecosystem that encourages collaboration and fosters innovation. We are proud to offer this space to the business community and look forward to seeing great ideas and partnerships emerge from here."

With its easy accessibility, and affordable pricing, HUB is set to become a vibrant center for networking, creativity, and business excellence in Chennai.
Adgully hosted the first ever FINIXX Summit and Awards 2024 yesterday (December 13, 2024) in Mumbai. The Summit brought together industry leaders, BFSI and Fintech companies, marketers, startups, and more to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within this critical space. FINIXX aims to serve as a platform for thought leadership, collaboration, and the sharing of groundbreaking insights that will shape the future of the BFSI and Fintech industry.

A key highlight of this summit was a fireside chat on Innovating Financial Inclusion: Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide, which saw Manas Gulati, Co-founder and CEO, ARM Worldwide, in conversation with Abhishek Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer, Edelweiss Life Insurance.

Commencing the discussion, Manas Gulati cited an example of a farmer. He stated, "Mohan, a farmer, was eligible for certain financial benefits in 2019, but couldnt avail them due to factors like financial illiteracy and limited access to financial services in rural areas. However, by 2022, NPCI enabled numerous financial transactions in rural areas, contrasting starkly with the urban scenario. In 2019, 6.1 billion UPI transactions occurred, while this number surged to 16.8 billion by 2024, highlighting a significant divide.

Furthering the discussion, he asked Abhishek Gupta, What are the key disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of access to financial services and inclusion? And what do you think are the things which are hampering it from happening as well?

Speaking about the diversity of the Indian market, Abhishek Gupta emphasized, As you travel, the language, food, and even the taste of water change significantly. This is the essence of India. India, with its diverse regions and cultures, can be likened to at least 35 different countries. This highlights the impossibility of treating India as a single, homogenous market.

Speaking on the penetration in the rural market, Gupta noted, The penetration of the product itself is fairly low. So, when you are working on a product where the penetration is low, you need to start offering them, what we call as, sachets. Anybody whos new to the category will first take their feed in, understand the product and then probably take a larger bet on that product.

Speaking about the challenges in the rural market, he said, Unfortunately, we often make the mistake of creating a product for a larger market and then attempting to create a cheap version for the rural market. This approach rarely succeeds. The real challenge lies in understanding the unique needs and preferences of rural consumers. It is crucial to avoid viewing the rural market as a homogenous bottom of the pyramid. Just as in urban areas, rural consumers exhibit a wide range of needs and purchasing power, from the very basic to the highly sophisticated. We must recognize this diversity and develop products specifically tailored to the distinct needs and preferences of different segments within the rural market.

Continuing further, Gupta said, Secondly, the mindset of rural consumers remains largely unexposed to the products currently offered by the BFSI sector. Therefore, we need to develop products specifically tailored to their unique needs and preferences, which may not necessarily be successful in urban markets. Furthermore, most BFSI companies overlook the significant differences in distribution channels between rural and urban areas. In rural markets, distribution relies heavily on relationships and trust, unlike in urban areas. Understanding the nuances of the rural distribution channel is crucial and requires time and effort.

Shifting the focus of the discussion to the government policies, Manas Gulati asked Gupta what the government has done over a period of time to enable these segments.

Gupta replied, The government plays a crucial role as a catalyst, and sometimes, as a regulator, it pushes the industry towards specific goals. A prime example is the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of Indias (IRDAI) vision of Insurance for All by the 100th year of Indias independence. To achieve this ambitious goal, IRDAI has designated one state or unit to each of the 24 life insurance companies operating in India, making them the lead insurers for that particular region.

While speaking about Edelweiss Life Insurances state of focus, he said, For us, that state is Chandigarh. Dont just look at Chandigarh as an urban city. There are villages around Chandigarh that actually form a huge bulk of the population. So, our job is to ensure that we go into every village over there, promote insurance, do a lot of activities, and take care of other insurance companies. But ensuring that the awareness of insurance goes right at the first step and then once the awareness is up, try to get more and more people in the insurance.

Secondly, each life insurance company has been assigned a list of villages to focus on. For us, this includes approximately 100 villages. The government has set a target of insuring 10% of the population in these villages. The current year marks the beginning of this initiative, while the overarching goal remains Insurance for All by 2047. The government is actively driving this initiative by not only pushing insurers but also by creating a standardized, low-premium product available across all companies, Gupta added.

He further said that this standardized product, designed specifically for this consumer segment, offers a low premium with a corresponding sum assured. The intention is to introduce this consumer segment to the insurance category, with the hope that they will subsequently consider higher-value insurance products in the future.

I must admit that without government intervention, most insurers would likely prioritize more lucrative urban markets. However, the rural market holds immense potential in terms of volume, he affirmed.

These are edited excerpts. For the complete discussion please watch below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48hfZskro4k
Juhi Parmar, a household name best known for her iconic role as Kumkum, is unveiling her very own natural skincare brandLove Thy Naturee. With a deep passion for nature and its nourishing powers, Juhi has long been an advocate of organic remedies, she has been sharing skincare tips on social media, earning the trust of her followers. This led her to create a brand that celebrates natural ingredients, self-care, and the beauty of nature.

"For me, beauty has always been about embracing whats real," says Juhi. "Ive always believed in the power of natural remedies and organic products. Over the years, my followers have trusted my advice on skincare, which inspired me to launch a brand that aligns with my values. I wanted to create something that not only nourishes the skin but also honours the Earth that provides us with everything we need. Love Thy Naturee isnt just about skincareits a movement to encourage people to embrace their natural selves, free from the pressures of perfection."



The vision behind Love Thy Naturee goes beyond just selling productsits about fostering a community that values authenticity, wellness, and care. Juhi and her co-founder, Harsh Khanna, share a common goal: celebrating Mother Earth and prioritising healthy, natural skin. Alongside launching the brand, theyve taken the initiative to plant one tree every day, in collaboration with an organization dedicated to reforestation, aiming for a positive environmental impact.

Love Thy Naturee is not just a skincare brandit's a celebration of natures treasures & natural beauty. Weve been working hard for three years to perfect our products and ensure we leave no stone unturned in our commitment to quality. Ayurveda, with its centuries-old wisdom, plays an integral part in our brand, Juhi explains.

The name Love Thy Naturee reflects this philosophy, with the extra e symbolizing the Earth. Through pure, luxurious skincare, Love Thy Naturee is about redefining self-love, celebrating the power of nature, and embracing the wisdom of Ayurveda.
Netflix's in-house ad platform, which debuted in Canada last November, is set to launch in the US in April. The same was revealed by Damien Bernet, Netflixs vice-president, EMEA advertising at The Future of TV Advertising Global conference in London on Wednesday.

This platform enables advertisers to directly manage their ad purchases within Netflix, bypassing third-party services.

Netflix plans to gradually roll out this technology globally in 2025, employing a "test-and-learn" approach to refine its development. This strategy is also being applied to Netflix's foray into live sports, as evidenced by the technical challenges encountered during the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight, which drew a record-breaking 60 million households.

Netflix also recognizes the value of third-party platforms. The company has expanded its partnerships with The Trade Desk, Magnite, and Google's DV360 to offer advertisers more flexibility in programmatic ad buying. These partnerships are set to expand to European markets in February.
Omnicom-IPG merger

Omnicom To Acquire Interpublic Group to Create Premier Marketing and Sales Company

The combined company will bring together the industrys deepest bench of marketing talent, and the broadest and most innovative services and products, driven by the most advanced sales and marketing platform. The transaction is expected to generate annual cost synergies of $750 million.

Omnicom-IPG: Ad honchos see second gorilla for independent agencies to contend with

For independent agencies in India, the Omnicom-IPG merger represents a double-edged sword: a threat of overwhelming competition on one side and a realm of untapped opportunities on the other. This story explores how Indian independent agencies can rise to the challenge, the hurdles they must navigate, and why their resilience is vital for a thriving, competitive ecosystem that fosters creativity and innovation.

Mondelez-Hershey buyout talks

Mondelez International in talks to acquire Hershey in a $50 billion deal

Mondelez International Inc is in talks to acquire Hershey Co, as per industry sources. This would result in a food giant worth of around $50 billion amalgamating the diversified portfolio of Mondelez with the candy and chocolate brands of Hershey.

AI Vs Media

Scraping, Suing and Settlements: The Copyright battle between AI and Media

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.

Godrej rebranding

Godrej has allocated Rs 1,500 cr over 3 years for branding & marketing: Sumeet Bhojani

In an exclusive AG talk interaction with Adgully, Sumeet Bhojani, Head - Brand & Strategic Insights, Godrej Enterprises Group, delves into the companys transformative rebranding exercise. Focused on rejuvenating its identity while staying rooted in its legacy, the initiative is a blend of innovation, modernity, and sustainability.

PwC projections for Indian ad market

India's advertising market to reach Rs 3,65,000 crore by 2028: PwC India

Digital advertising emerges as the key driver, with internet advertising expected to skyrocket at a 15.6% CAGR, surging from Rs 41,000 crore in 2023 to Rs 85,000 crore by 2028. While traditional TV advertising faces slower growth (4.2% CAGR), it will solidify India's position as the fourth-largest TV advertising market globally by 2026.

GroupM TYNY 2024 year-end report

Indias 2024 ad revenue up 10.2% at $18.5 bn, 2025 growth pegged at 9.4%: GroupM TYNY

GroupM's This Year Next Year report for 2024 states that the global advertising industry will surpass, for the first time, $1 trillion in total revenue this year and climb 7.7% in 2025 to $1.1 trillion. The growth of advertising, driven by all of its digital forms, has seemingly defied expectations of a slowdown, accelerating again in 2024 and maintaining a faster rate of growth through 2029 than predicted at this time last year.

Rewind 2024 Gaming

Sponsorships and media rights drive gaming in 2024, revenues surpass $215 bn

KRAFTONs Karan Pathak on Indias emergence as a hub for gaming & Esports in 2024

In these two REWIND 2024 articles, Shankar Aggarwal, President, Skillhub Online Gaming Federation (SOGF), and Karan Pathak, Associate Director of Esports, KRAFTON India, highlight the key developments that propelled the GAMING industry in India in the year gone by...

Other Headlines:

Advertising Club Trivandrum Formed to empower the advertising fraternity

Industry bodies, Parliamentary panel to meet on Dec 20 for OTT content rules

Leo Burnett, Ogilvy propel India to creative glory in APAC

India ranks fifth in 2024 ONE Asia Creative Rankings

Yes Madam faces backlash over viral HR Email, sparks shock marketing debate
Atrocities Against Hindus in Bangladesh: US Congressman Demands Urgent Action 2

Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has called for immediate action from the U.S. Congress and government to address the alleged violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. Speaking on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Thanedar highlighted the destruction of Hindu temples, deities, and attacks on peaceful practitioners of the Hindu faith.

The time has now come for the United States Congress to act and the U.S. government to act, Thanedar declared. Every possible tool in our hands needs to be used to ensure that such atrocities in Bangladesh against Hindus stop right away.

Allegations of Escalating Violence

Thanedar alleged that the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has worsened since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, citing a history of attacks on the minority community since the countrys independence in 1971.

More recently, we have seen a Hindu priest being arrested and his lawyer being murdered, he claimed, urging decisive intervention to prevent further harm to the community.

White House Responds

On Thursday, the White House stated that President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby emphasized that the U.S. is holding the Bangladeshi interim government accountable for ensuring the safety of religious and ethnic minorities.

The security situation in Bangladesh has been difficult following the ouster of the former prime minister, Kirby said. We are working closely with the interim government to enhance the capabilities of their law enforcement and security services to address these challenges.

Support from Other Leaders

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has also urged members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to take up the issue of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh during the upcoming confirmation hearing of Senator Marco Rubio, who has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of State. The hearing date is yet to be announced.

Protests and Public Outcry

The escalating violence has sparked widespread outrage among Indian-Americans, many of whom recently organized a march from the White House to the U.S. Capitol to draw attention to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. Protesters called for stronger U.S. intervention and measures to protect minority communities in the region.

A History of Struggle

Thanedar pointed to a long-standing pattern of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, which dates back to the countrys independence. He reiterated his commitment to fighting for justice and equality for all religious minorities in the region, urging bipartisan support to address these human rights violations.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the U.S. government and Congress to determine the next steps in addressing this growing humanitarian concern.
Nana Patole Denies Resignation Rumors: 'Everyone is Responsible for Defeat' 2

Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Saturday dismissed reports claiming he had resigned, stating that the responsibility for the partys defeat lies with everyone. Addressing the media, Patole said, I have not given any resignation. The tenure is usually for three years, but Ive been here for four. This is an internal matter of the party, and everyone deserves a chance to work. I never took credit when we won, so when we lose, the responsibility is collective.

Reports had earlier suggested that Patole had written to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking to step down from his position. However, Patole refuted these claims, emphasizing that his tenure had extended beyond the standard term and that such decisions are part of the partys internal processes.

Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar also commented on the speculation, saying he was unaware of any formal resignation by Patole. Wadettiwar added that the partys senior leadership shares credit for both victories and defeats. He hinted that electoral losses might have played a role in the rumors, but any decision regarding leadership changes would ultimately be made by the Congress high command in Delhi.

Despite securing his Sakoli assembly seat in Bhandara district, Patoles narrow victory margin of just 208 votes in the Maharashtra Assembly elections has fueled criticism. The elections were a major setback for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, with the Congress securing only 16 seats. In contrast, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a landslide victory, winning 235 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats, while its allies, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), claimed 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

The MVA coalition, which included the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP, faced a crushing defeat. Congress secured 16 seats, the Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) managed just 10.

While rumors about Patoles resignation continue to circulate, his statement underscores the collective nature of leadership accountability within the Congress party, especially during turbulent times. The final decision on the leadership question now rests with the partys high command.
Pushpa 2 Stampede: Allu Arjun Walks Free After Spending Night in Jail Amid Legal Drama 2

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun was released from Chanchalguda prison early Saturday morning after spending a night behind bars in connection with the tragic death of a woman during a stampede at the premiere of his latest blockbuster, Pushpa 2: The Rule.

Despite being granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court late Friday night, Arjun remained in custody as prison authorities reportedly did not receive the court order in time. Speaking to reporters after the release, Arjuns lawyer, Ashok Reddy, termed the delay illegal detention and vowed to take legal action.

Arjun Speaks Out

Following his release at 6:45 am, Arjun addressed the media, expressing condolences to the victims family. This is a very, very unfortunate incident. My heartfelt condolences to the family. I am a law-abiding citizen and respect the legal process. I will fully cooperate with the authorities and do everything necessary, he said.

While the 42-year-old actor refrained from commenting on his arrest, he emphasized his respect for the judicial process. When the law is taking its course, I must not interfere or speak about the case, he stated.

The actor admitted it was a challenging time for his family but assured that he would stand by the victims family and extend his support.

The Stampede Incident

The stampede occurred on December 4 at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, where thousands of fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of Arjun during the premiere. The chaotic scene led to the death of a 35-year-old woman and the hospitalization of her eight-year-old son.

The police subsequently filed a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint from the victims family.

A Day of Legal and Emotional Turmoil

Arjuns arrest on Friday morning unfolded dramatic scenes as he was escorted from his residence to Chikkadpally police station and later produced in a local court. The court remanded him to 14 days judicial custody, prompting his legal team to immediately move the High Court for relief.

Post-release, Arjun visited his family production house, Geetha Arts, before returning home, where he was greeted emotionally by his wife, son, and other family members.

Legal Challenges and Allegations

Ashok Reddy criticized the prison authorities for not acting on the High Courts clear directive to release Arjun forthwith. Reddy alleged that Arjuns detention violated the court order and demanded accountability from the government and prison department.

Adding to the controversy, Reddy claimed that Arjun was treated as a special category prisoner while in jail, though no further details were provided.

Security Beefed Up

Anticipating a surge of fans outside the actors residence, police have intensified security measures to prevent any untoward incidents.

The tragic incident and Arjuns subsequent arrest have raised questions about crowd management at celebrity events, the accountability of organizers, and the role of public figures in ensuring safety during high-profile gatherings. As Pushpa 2: The Rule continues to dominate headlines, this controversy casts a shadow over its success.
Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP: 'Your Leader Savarkar Chose Manusmriti Over Constitution' 2

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP in Parliament on Saturday, invoking Hindutva ideologue V. D. Savarkars critique of the Indian Constitution to accuse the ruling party of hypocrisy. Gandhi alleged that while the BJP claims to protect the Constitution, its ideological roots lie in the Manusmriti, a text Savarkar deemed superior to the Constitution.

Quoting Savarkar, Gandhi said, The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after the Vedas and has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmriti is law. Gandhi challenged the BJP, asking, Do you stand by your leaders words? When you speak of defending the Constitution, you are defaming Savarkar. Do you accept his vision or reject it?

Gandhi further accused the BJP government of perpetuating social and economic inequality, drawing a parallel between the epic story of Eklavya in the Mahabharata and the policies of the current regime. Just as Dronacharya demanded Eklavyas thumb, this government is cutting the thumbs of the poor, Dalits, farmers, and backward classes by creating monopolies for Adani, introducing schemes like Agnipath, and ignoring systemic corruption like paper leaks, he said.

Referring to his visit to Hathras, where a Dalit woman was allegedly gangraped and murdered, Gandhi said the victims family was confined to their house while the accused roamed free. Where in the Constitution is it written that the victims family should be imprisoned while the perpetrators walk free? This is not the Constitutions visionits yours, he declared, directly targeting the BJP.

Accusing the BJP of fostering division and societal violence, Gandhi cited recent incidents like the Sambhal violence and claimed that the BJPs ideology thrives on inequality. The INDIA alliance stands to protect the Constitution that brought political, social, and economic equality. The BJP and RSS want to return to the Manusmriti days, he said, adding that a caste census and the removal of the 50% reservation cap would pave the way for a more equitable society.

Gandhi also invoked historical figures like Ambedkar, Periyar, Phule, and Basavanna, calling them the true defenders of equality and the Constitution. He quoted B. R. Ambedkar: If there is political equality but no social and economic equality, political equality will be destroyed, stressing that the BJP has already eroded the balance of equality in the country.

On the BJPs repeated references to Savarkar, Gandhi claimed his grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi viewed Savarkar as someone who compromised with the British. Savarkar wrote letters of apology to the British. Meanwhile, Gandhi ji went to jail, Nehru ji went to jail, but Savarkar begged for forgiveness, Gandhi remarked.

Gandhi concluded his fiery speech by reiterating his stance: The country will be run by the Constitution, not by Manusmriti. The Congress and the INDIA alliance are the protectors of the Constitution, while the BJP and RSS are its opponents. Posting his remarks on social media, Gandhi declared, This is a battle for the soul of Indiaa battle between Manusmriti and the Constitution.
Two suspects have been charged with capital murder in the May shooting death of a beloved Auburn High School senior.

Freddie James Williams Jr., 22, and Anthony Jackson, 23, are charged in the slaying of 18-year-old Delvin Tarver, who was killed just weeks before graduation.

Tarver was in an SUV in the parking lot of the CVS on Baskin Street in Union Springs around 12:43 a.m. that Saturday, May 4, when he was shot in the back of the head, according to charging documents.

Police said the shooting happened where Bullock County High School prom attendees were congregating just a mile away from the schools prom.

He was taken to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery where he died.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers announced the arrests on Friday. Both suspects are being held without bond in the Bullock County Jail.

A motive has not been disclosed. Authorities said the investigation is still ongoing.

Tarvers obituary said he was a scholar and an athlete.

His untimely passing has left an immeasurable void in the lives of all those that he touched, according to the obituary.

When it came to interacting with his friends and classmates, Delvin possessed a big heart, the family said, and was kind and compassionate towards everyone he encountered.
It wasnt a surprise that Madison County threw its support to Donald Trump in last months general election in deep red Alabama.

Not a surprise, but a closer look at data in recent presidential elections as Madison Countys population has grown, the Democratic Partys share of the votes has been slowly following suit.

Of the five biggest Alabama counties, Madison, over the last four general election cycles, has moved towards the Democratic Party presidential candidate the most. The county moved nearly 5 percentage points between Barack Obamas re-election in 2012 and Kamala Harriss bid 2024, though the Republican party candidates both times, Mitt Romney and Donald Trump, handily won the state.

For comparison, between the 2012 and 2020 election cycles, Tuscaloosa Countys percentage of the votes for the Democratic Party presidential candidate reduced by 1.5 percentage points, and Mobile by 3.9 percentage points. Montgomerys increased by 2.7 percentage points, and Jeffersons by 1.8 percentage points.

If you back the clock up a couple of generations, Madison County was one of the most Republican counties in the state, Jess Brown, retired Athens State University political science professor, told AL.com. Madison County was actually voting more Republican than the rest of the state for several election cycles. There was a period, maybe from the 1960s to the 1980s where actually Madison County was clearly more Republican than the state at large.

Though Republican presidential candidates have been winning Madison County for decades , none earned more than 60% since 1988. The 44.8% vote for Joe Biden in 2020 marked the largest share for a Democratic Party presidential candidate since the low of 24.7% in 1972. In those 48 years, Madison County moved 20 percentage points towards the Democratic Party in the presidential election.

Harris only slightly underperformed Joe Biden with 44.4% in the northern Alabama county, where Alabamas largest city, Huntsville, is situated. However, a few hundred more people voted for Harris than for Biden. Biden received 87,286 votes in 2020 to Harris 87,824 in 2024.

Though, in 2024, Alabama voted, percentage-wise, more than it had done for a Republican Party presidential candidate since 1976  a 4-percentage-point increase from 2020  Harris' share only dipped slightly in Madison County, by less than a percentage point. For comparison, the statewide percentage vote for Harris was 34.1%, the lowest for that partys candidate since 1972.

Sherice Nelson, a professor of political science at Alabama A&M University, suggests demographic shifts and residents' education level as explanations.

Latest estimates show that while the percentage of Alabamians with at least a bachelors degree is less than a third of the population  27.2%  in Madison County, it is nearly half  45.1%. A poll that estimates which party specific demographics lean toward in the 2024 general election shows that more educated individuals tend to vote for the Democratic Party and the majority of Black people vote Democratic.

If you look at the demographics in Huntsville, its become far more Black over time, Nelson said.

In 1970, the white population of Madison County was 84%; the latest estimate has it at 68.2% , as the population more than doubled from 186,939 to 412,600. Meanwhile, the Black population increased from 15% to 25%.

Brown pointed more to Madison Countys high percentage of residents with at least a bachelors degree.

In general, urban centers in America tend to vote Democratic, but its because they have large minority populations, Brown said. The minority population of Madison County is not that large. Its not large enough to produce the kind of vote for Democrats that it produces in Jefferson and in Montgomery County.

I think the high level of education of the electorate in Madison County explains it in part.

Among the five biggest Alabama counties, Madison leads in the proportion of residents with a minimum of a bachelors degree, almost 10 percentage points more than Jefferson County, which is the closest.
A long legal fight over who has daily control of a Birmingham-area small town was finally decided by the Alabama Supreme Court.

Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton is touting his victory over the city council with a ruling from the states high court that declared the council was wrong to hire a city manager and give him most of the mayors duties.

This opinion should send a message to any overzealous council who directly attempts to undermine the will of the people, Newton said in a statement declaring his victory.

The ruling from the court issued Friday upholds a previous ruling by Jefferson County Judge Pat Ballard in January that John C. Brown could not take over the mayors duties after being hired as city manager.

Brown was unanimously hired by the council over the mayors objection.

The Alabama Supreme Courts ruling ends at least one item in a series of legal, political and personal fights that have bitterly divided leadership in the small town of about 6,000 residents just northeast of Birmingham.

The court declared that the council could not go around existing state law that regulates how a city could change its form of government from a mayor/council system to a manager/council system.

Cities must seek a public referendum to change the form of government, according to state law.

Fridays ruling means Brown is out of a job and $100,000 annual salary.

Were disappointed, but thats how our system works, and well move forward the best we can, Browns lawyer Scott Morro told AL.com Saturday.

Newton sued on behalf of Deanna Ceasor, one of his supporters in the city, rather than naming himself as the plaintiff. Newton had warned that the council was overstepping its authority by attempting to make him a figurehead with no real duties.

I just couldnt just stand by and watch this injustice unfold, Newton said. For me, this wasnt just about defending the law. It was about standing up for the people of Tarrant and ensuring their voices were heard.

Brown and his supporters as recently as this summer had continued to claim authority, even after the earlier state court ruling.

Newton worked at city hall, while Brown spent his days just a few blocks away, perched at the police station.

The men did speak to one another, Brown was not being paid, and city employees for a time remained in a lurch over who to respond to as the fight for control of the town awaited a final Alabama Supreme Court decision.

Newton this summer had moved to garnish Browns personal bank accounts to pay $78,000 in legal fees billed by the mayor. Judge Ballard later halted that move pending the state supreme court appeal.
By Ralph Nader

news@albanyherald.com

For decades consumer groups have been sounding clarion calls for action against the silent violence causing massive casualties that arise from the unbridled power of corporate greed, criminal negligence or indifference. They cite statistical and case studies that the media and lawmakers mostly ignored or relegated to low levels of enforcement.

Corporate bosses just have their corporate lawyers and public relations hacks brush away such warnings and pleas. One-day stories they knew would not have legs if they just kept quiet or mumbled some general words of regret, promising some vague improvements to their products and services.

But year after year, the deadly toll goes up, not down, and the horrors continue. For example, at least 5,000 people a week die in hospitals in the U.S. due to preventable problems, concluded a peer-reviewed study by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine physicians in 2016.

There has been no mass mobilization by either government officials or industry executives to address this staggering toll of at least 250,000 fatalities a year.

Behind these figures are real people with families, friends and co-workers shocked, incensed or despondent over avoidable losses of life and preventable harms. Some of them undoubtedly knew the specific causes and demanded correction and compensation, to no avail.

Avoidable casualties also arise from the sweeping denial of insurance coverage for ill or injured patients by greedy unregulated or underregulated health insurance companies maximizing profits and bonuses for CEOs. Many insurance companies are now using AI to help wear down consumers.

About 2,000 Americans a week lose their lives because they cannot afford health insurance to cover prompt diagnosis and treatment costs. System-driven patterns of denial of benefits by health insurers also cause deaths and injuries. The companies have algorithms that automatically delay or deny needed procedures without even seeing a patients medical records or speaking with the patients physician.

Insurance policies are full of fine-print deductibles, co-pays, waivers and exclusions that drive consumers and their doctors up the wall. Insurance premiums are paid by patients or employers ahead of time with advertised assurances.

In the past two months, consumers have been overwhelmed by a blizzard of television ads by giant insurers e.g., Aetna, Cigna, and Humana for their Medicare (dis)Advantage plans aimed at elderly beneficiaries. The ads are loaded with freebies that paint the companies as charities instead of cunning commercial marketers. In reality, denial of benefits is higher for these plans than for traditional Medicare.

An Oct. 31, 2023 NBC investigation titled Deny, deny, deny: By rejecting claims, Medicare Advantage plans threaten rural hospitals and patients, by star reporter Gretchen Morgenson exposed another deadly impact of Medicare (dis)Advantage programs on rural hospitals in America.

These companies are so entrenched that they have become largely immune to exposes. They have gamed the system to straitjacket both patients and health care workers. The health care industry gets away with about $360 billion in computerized billing fraud and abuses every year. Prosecutions are minimal, and lawmakers are mostly indifferent as they count their campaign cash donations.

Just under the surface is a seething whirlpool of resentment, anger, frustration and bitterness about corporate abuses. Such reactions are often most pronounced in poor areas or workplaces, where people are subjected to choking pollution or exposure to carcinogenic toxins leading to cancer, heart disease and other organ ailments.

The corporate perpetrators, however, are remote from the impacts of their operations and policies. Their hugely overpaid bosses rule from elaborate suites and enjoy unimaginable luxuries. Very few people know the names, even of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies like ExxonMobil, Aetna, Humana, Duke Energy, Bank of America, and so on. The lethality, the theft, the domination, and the escape from the rule of law are rendered impersonally by the corporatists who are now investing huge sums to go even more abstract and remote with tyrannical generative AI algorithms.

This week, a man, still on the run, made his anger very personal. Around 7 a.m., he singled out, in front of a busy midtown Manhattan hotel, the chief executive of the giant UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, and shot him. Police collected the bullet casings from his pistol. On these casings were the words, deny, delay and depose.

As news of this fatal shooting spread over social media, a torrent of angry or morbid comments flooded the Internet. The New York Times reported a few, to wit:

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.

Thoughts and deductibles to the family, read one observer underneath a video of a CNN picture. Unfortunately, my condolences are out of network.

Tragically, Mr. Thompson, according to a company employee, was one of the few executives who spoke of changing the culture of the company.

But corporate culture, marinated to the core with endless cravings for ever-growing easy profits, is very hard to change  especially when it is so easy to extract more and more premium dollars from powerless consumers who lack adequate regulatory protections.

And so, the social media explosion included this typical comment on TikTok: I pay $1,300 a month for health insurance with an $8,000 deductible. ($23,000 yearly). When I finally reached that deductible, they denied my claims. He was making a million dollars a month.

One wonders about the reaction if this were to have happened four months before the November election. Could the uproar have transformed the slimy rhythms of the Harris campaign, orchestrated by the Democrats corporate-conflicted political consultants who manage the candidate messages and who definitely dont listen to the warnings and popular proposals by Senator Bernie Sanders?
Great Britain remains one of our closest allies, as reaffirmed when President Trump met with Prince William at the British embassy in Paris last week. Nevertheless, much has been made in this forum about the deterioration, even downfall, of British traditions and culture -- and rightly so.

London is a city about which Samuel Johnson said, When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. One can walk around willy-nilly (or hop on and off the busses with a day pass), for some wondrous discoveries. Around almost every corner, down almost every beckoning path or mysterious alley, fascinating history lurks (or perhaps some knife-wielding thugs for extra excitement on a bad day.).

One such historical place is Somerset House, which has been gracing Londons architectural landscape for centuries.

Many different residents have occupied the venerable building. Queen Elizabeth I lived there. Once, it was home for the Royal Academy. It was a Navy headquarters. It was the base for a bunch of civil servants. Now, unfortunately, it houses a motley assortment of artists and supposed creatives.

Its unfortunate because of what they concoct in their fancy digs while they reflect on the urgent contemporary issues of our time. Reflection constrained by a weirdly warped, artsy-fartsy perspective, of course. Are they truly creatives or just miscreant? A pressing question given that such urgent issues include these upcoming exhibits:

Right to remain. Thats right -- their artwork will sympathize with immigrants and asylum seekers with dubious statuses, many of whom are polluting British culture rather than celebrating their adopted country. The organization admits that the foreigners face major obstacles to establishing their legal rights to stay. That sounds like tricky leftist sophistry. Let them prove their so-called rights, not linger around, consuming British resources, while gradually trying to establish them by default.

Everyday rituals of black life. That actually sounds offensive, like theyre into some mystical voodoo, rather than simply going about their daily business like everyone else. Somerset House used to house the Navy, so how about the everyday rituals of sailors at sea who assist the U.S. (especially with intelligence gathering) in protecting the worlds trade routes? Or the rituals of just about any other worthy endeavor thats not entwined with identity politics?

Salt Cosmologies. This exhibit will portray a 2,500-mile-long hedge that the Brits used to enforce its Salt Tax in 19th-century India. Ive got a better idea: Create a display that has a knife of sugar as the centerpiece. Many may disagree, but Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the Grand Old Man of India, noted that the genius and spirit of the British people is fair play and justice." Indeed, the natives referred to the knife of sugar, meaning British rule wasnt all that bad; it was often smooth and sweet, even though still a knife.

Thats just a taste of what is to come as the Somerset House Trust seeks to raise its profile in 2025. They are not cultural innovators, but deniers and revisionists who remain defiantly committed to noxious notions of DEI.

Ive got another idea: evict the misguided artists and send the civil servants back.

Even civil servants (who once occupied the complex) are more useful for society than the divisive leftists who may be handy with an artists paintbrush, or whatnot. However, public services productivity is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. One reason is that 98% of civil servants in the U.K. work (or pretend to), at least partially, from home. Get back in the office! Somerset House has a large courtyard to park their cars. But if city congestion and entrance fees are an issue, no worries: Waterloo Station is next door, along with other public transportation.

If the artists want to pursue their ridiculous projects, then more power to them -- perhaps they can sell something and support themselves for a change. Perhaps they can bunk in some bohemian hostels while creating murals and other material to discourage illegal aliens from flooding the precious stone set in the silver sea.

Is it sacrilege to suggest a giant inscription of the Red Cross of Saint George embedded into the White Cliffs of Dover? Then how about the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in East Sussex? Maybe thats incomprehensible, but there has to be something useful the artists can do to reinforce, in pictures, that illegal aliens do not have the unequivocal right to remain.

Jonathan Reekie, director of the Somerset House Trust, enthused about the interdisciplinary nature of the arts center. Insidious intersectionality is probably more accurate, as their myopic mindset is contorted by dark DEI devices.

Heres hoping they have no right to remain in such a splendid edifice interminably.

Heres hoping the unproductive civil servants have no right to remain at home during work hours, especially if Somerset House becomes vacant in yet another glorious incarnation.

Image: Emperorzurg123
The sun has been shining on President Donald Trump in recent days. There has been an inundation of deserved blandishment and accolades since his landslide victory during the Presidential elections held last month. A week ago, Trump was named "Patriot of the Year" at Fox Nation's annual Patriot Awards. The most recent recognition is being named the Person of the Year by Time Magazine



"For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, for driving a once-in-a-generation political realignment, for reshaping the American presidency and altering America's role in the world, Donald Trump is TIME'S 2024 Person of the Year," wrote Time editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs.



Trump was previously named Person of the Year following his victory against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.



Among the shortlisted individuals being considered for the Time's Person of the Year were Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Rogan, Vice-President Kamala Harris, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, etc.



President Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange alongside some of his family members and Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance. There were cheers, applauses, whistles, and triumphant chants of 'USA.' Trump spoke with his usual frankness and humor. He said the media has 'tamed down a little bit' after this recent victory but added that if they cover him unfairly "we'll have to take them on again."



There has been little to celebrate during the past four years. Both President Trump and his supporters were targeted by the state in an attempt to outlaw or intimidate political opposition. One cannot blame them for wanting to celebrate following the victory last month. But the question remains: is Time's Person of the Year worth celebrating?



First a review of the description of President Trump in the shortlist of nominees. It began well and factually.

"In a stunning political comeback, Donald Trump won the 2024 election. He has reshaped the American electorate, activating young male voters who propelled him to a decisive victory that saw him win the popular vote for the first time and turn every swing state red."



"During his 2024 campaign, he identified the economy and the border as his top priorities."

But subsequently, Time magazine proved they were still part of the mainstream media.

"Trumps remarkable victory comes after he lost the 2020 election to Biden and repeatedly refused to accept the results. His 2024 win is history-making in multiple ways: he will be the oldest President in U.S. history, and he was convicted earlier this year by a New York jury of 34 counts of fraud, making him the first convicted felon to be elected President.



Hes promised to implement tariffs on Americas top trading partners -- Mexico, Canada, and China -- once he takes office, worrying economists, and has announced several controversial Cabinet appointments. Trump was previously named TIMEs Person of the Year in 2016, the year he won the presidency for the first time."

Trump also sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Time editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs and others at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach on Nov. 25. The interview was published by Time, also included in the text preceding the transcript of the interview is a link to a page that fact-checks President Trump's remarks during his interview.



Let's compare this treatment to previous winners.

When Obama was interviewed by Time magazine in 2008, the text was published without any fact-checking. When Obama was made Person of the Year in 2012, the text was a blatant hagiography, it read like an endorsement or a citation of an award. The text to celebrate Biden and his bumbling deputy being Person of the Year in 2020, only consisted of blandishments. All this proves that Time was, is, and will always be part of the mainstream media that despises Trump.



It would be wrong to assume that Time is remorseful about their follies and biases and this recognition is a move to amend their ways.

This mainstream media still functions as the propaganda wing of the D.C. Democrat establishment. The members of this media don't lean in favor of the Democrats, they are the Democrats. There is no difference between the utterances, opinions, or even choice of words of Democrat politicians and Democrat media figures.

So why did a Democrat proxy name President Trump their Person of the Year?



Firstly, he is undeniably the biggest newsmaker of the year, and the magazine knows that giving the award to anyone else would cause ridicule



Secondly, they are hoping to get some positive coverage after the news media was left with an egg on its face following Trump's victory.



Thirdly, Time magazine has been going through a financial crisis. The magazine recently sacked 22 major staffers across departments, including editorial, technology, sales and marketing, and Time Studios. Earlier last month there was news that Time owner Marc Benioff was in talks to sell the magazine to Greek media company Antenna Group for $150 Million



President Trump on their cover will obviously boost sales both digitally and beyond, this is the need of the hour for the struggling outlet.



If challenged by their peers in the liberal echo chambers about making Trump their Person of the Year, they will highlight that Hitler (1938); Stalin (1939 and 1942); Khrushchev (1957); and Ayatollah Khomeini (1979) were also Person of the Year.



Don't be too surprised if either Time or any other of the mainstream outlets carry op-eds that claim that Time Magazine Person of the Year is not an award or an accomplishment but rather about being a newsmaker.

Trump's victory last month was a complete repudiation of what was once considered mainstream. It was a rejection of the news media and the establishment and their ideas.

Being well-funded and connected to the establishment is the sole reason the mainstream media still has some relevance. It no longer has the reach it once had; that space has been taken over by alternative media which is why most mainstream outlets have been suffering huge losses.

To push them to further irrelevance, the Right must reject the narratives set by the mainstream media

This doesn't only mean a rejection of their spin and falsehoods but also their opinions and choices which include their awards and titles.

This is a group that has relentlessly demonized both Trump and the MAGA movement, in response the right must reject both their attacks and what seems like compliments.

The Right cannot afford to be laid back or make concessions due to their elation following last month's electoral triumph. It is essential for the right to remember key lines from Virgil's Aeneid, written at the backdrop of the Trojan War which reads Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes, paraphrased in English as "I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts."

The Right must be skeptical of the establishment especially when they bear 'awards'

The electoral triumph was a major step in overcoming the wrongs of the past, there are many more battles to be won to emerge victorious.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
A distraught anti-Trump hard left and its media choir claim debilitating flaws in Trumps nominee for director of the FBI Kash Patel. On closer examination, however, these claimed shortcomings reveal themselves to be rare virtues. His alleged deficiencies are a lack of management experience and his supposed goal of seeking retribution against Trumps enemies. But the former is a non-factor, and the latter is a deliberately perverted description of a man shown to have sagacious insight into bureaucratic dirty tricks. He wants, in short, to return the FBI to the sterling, nonpartisan law enforcement organization that had been the envy of the world.

Has management experience been a concern with previous FBI directors? William Webster and William Sessions were two past directors who had been sitting judges, having previously managed no more than a few law clerks. Likewise, the main experience of past directors Robert Mueller and James Comey was prosecutorial, working with several key aides.

Patel spent fifteen years as both a federal defender and a federal prosecutor, the latter on serious national security matters. He was also National Security Adviser to the House Committee on Intelligence. In these latter positions, he confronted widely touted partisan hoaxes, had the wisdom to see through them, and showed the courage to speak out against the Deep State and the media.

In asserting that Patel has no institutional management experience, the resistant left ignores that there is an FBI deputy director of administration who is charged with institutional management, whereas the directors main charge is to concentrate on major criminal and national security issues while avoiding the details of administration. It is the directors wise assessment of these important criminal and intelligence matters that is so important to this nation. As part of this nonpartisan project, a new director should require political, rogue agents to behave correctly.

But it is precisely this job duty that frightens the swamp of Washington, D.C., when they fulminate against Patels alleged planned retribution.

What his opponents term retribution, then, is simply a loaded word for accountability. Accountability must be the watchword when assessing FBI personnel who have used the bureaus power not to tell the truth, but to conceal it; not to bring the political bad guys to book, but to conspire with them; not to bust partisan hoaxes, but to assist them; and not to avoid politicization, but to engage in it.

The current FBI director, Christopher Wray, has a distinguished background. A graduate of Andover and Yale, the son of a prominent New York lawyer, Wray has been a partner in an excellent national law firm and a former assistant attorney general under President George W. Bush. But while an appointee of a Republican administration, he understands the most salient survival skill of any D.C. Republican: see no Democrat evil.

So it is difficult to criticize Wray, a fine man, for diplomatically navigating the swamp. But that political strength is a weakness to a majority of Americans. In 2020, for instance, after four years of Russia, Russia, Russia, Wray claimed that a major FBI concern was Russian election interference. Patel had the exact opposite assessment at the time. He discerned that there was no collusion between Trump and Russia, but rather, far more likely, a collusion of deceit among the Clinton campaign, Russian intelligence, and a politicized FBI and CIA. That is, it was the Democrats and the Deep State who falsely claimed Trumps Russian collusion to sway the results of the election, and later to disgrace his presidency. This campaign should sicken every patriotic American, regardless of party or persuasion.

At the very beginning of the Russian collusion canard, CIA director John Brennan advised the White House, on June 5, 2016, with Comey in attendance, that this was a cynical story concocted by Hillary Clintons national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, to divert attention from Clintons corruption of the DNC to cheat rival Bernie Sanders.

This Russian collusion hoax relied on former British spy Christopher Steele, the longtime agent of Putins favorite oligarch, Oleg Deripaska; on his sponsor, Glenn Simpson, the agent of Denis Katsyv, a Russian oligarch close to Putin; Charles Dolan, a Clintonite who had been hired by Russia as its public relations agent; Igor Danchenko, a suspected Russian spy; and Olga Galkana, a suspected Russian spy. Comeys FBI pursued this canard as if Trump were colluding with Putin, and not his victim, spying on, and plotting against, his boss, the president.

Yet, after it all became crystal-clear, or should have been clear, that Russia and Putin were harming Trump in league with Clinton, Wray continued to emphasize Russian election interference, which never happened beyond token bot farm postings on social media.

Patel, to his great credit, was the lone, brave voice supporting Rep. Devin Nunes in claiming that the Russian collusion narrative was simply a politicized falsehood. Patel was the major author, along with Nunes, of a four-page memo known as the Nunes Memo.

Because many of the underlying facts were classified and therefore hidden from the public, Nunes and Patel faced withering fire from the D.C. establishment. It took courage for Patel to stand his ground, while Wray comfortably stood with the naysaying horde. Patel was ultimately proven correct, but, as these things go in D.C., no apologies were forthcoming nor was there accountability for the canard pursued.

Later, in 2020, as the election drew near, the New York Post learned of the laptop from hell of Hunter Biden, inferentially damning his father as corrupt. The FBI had the laptop for over one year, had matched the serial number to Biden, and knew with certainty its authenticity. Yet the FBI, in months prior to the election, went to great lengths to tamp down any prospective laptop revelation that it knew was coming. An FBI agent detailed to Silicon Valley warned Big Tech over the preceding weeks of an incoming false Russian disinformation election claim, clearly anticipating the laptop story.

When fifty-one present and former CIA agents later termed the laptop potential Russian disinformation, Wray kept silent, even though he knew that the laptop Dirty 51 letter was a blatant falsehood meant to influence the election. Patel, to his frustration, was thwarted in his protestations.

Post-election polling proved that widespread publication of the laptops contents would have swung the election away from Biden and in Trumps favor. So, for these two elections, Wray revealed his tragic flaw: a troubling comfort with false, politicized narratives.

Meanwhile, Special Counsel John Durhams prosecution of Igor Danchenko, for false Russian collusion statements to the bureau, was undercut, to Durhams obvious frustration, by two FBI agents who had become far too close to the suspected spy, and harmed the prosecution of Danchenko immeasurably. But Wray did not discipline either agent.

So, when the chips were down, indeed stacked against him, Patel proved himself to be a courageous, insightful truth-teller, whereas Wray was a get-along bureaucrat. The American public deserves an FBI that returns to its roots of stiff-backed propriety, resisting any acceptance of politicization.

So when Patels critics claim, contrary to the nominee, that they are opposing him because they wish instead for a balanced truth-teller, whom will you believe?

John D. OConnor is a former federal prosecutor and the San Francisco attorney who represented W. Mark Felt during his revelation as Deep Throat in 2005. OConnor is the author of the books Postgate: How the Washington Post Betrayed Deep Throat, Covered Up Watergate, and Began Todays Partisan Advocacy Journalism and The Mysteries of Watergate: What Really Happened

Image: Kash Patel. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Let me begin with a phrase I never used to start a story in 45 years as a TV reporter: I may be wrong. This entire piece may be wrong, but those 45 years on the air and 2000+ hours as a pilot tell me Im right. The MSM floods their newscasts with reports of drone-terrified citizens ready to head for the hills over the latest media-induced scare. The word drones is now synonymous with doom. This is simply a media-driven scam. The MSM media is searching for something, anything, to boost ratings since their failure to ensure the election of the woman they considered Gods chosen presidential candidate. One man now claims 50 drones came from the Atlantic and chased him. He got his time on TV and didnt even have to pay Oprah $2.5 mil. I wonder if he has also seen Sasquatch.

There are two types of media-hyped drones. The first are the small ones. They fly in groups. No, they are not some super top-secret American, Russian, Chinese, Iranian, or North Korean weapon. They are the same drones you can watch fly together on any given Sunday in hundreds of public parks. If you want to join the fun, it starts at about $49.00 on Amazon. These radio-controlled drones can fly for as long as an hour on a battery charge. They fly in any direction displaying the supposedly mysterious lights seen on television. Piloting skills come easily -- it takes about 45 minutes to become familiar with flying one.

These drones have a camera relaying the sights from the sky back to the operator on the ground. For those non-pilots who always wanted a birds-eye view of their neighborhood from 400 feet, drones are a cheap alternative to spending $20K to get a pilots license.

They also have a nefarious purpose if the operator is so inclined. FAA rules prohibit flying at night, but since when have teenage boys followed the rules when there is a chance to see a scantily-clad woman? The Biden administration declares these boys have the right to go into girls bathrooms and locker rooms at your local junior high, so why not use technology to have even more fun?

Drone owners soon discovered they could fly at night near apartment buildings. Not everyone closes their curtains. Soon, word got out that Mrs. Sushbaum in 7B puts on a great show every night. Boys will be boys, and teenage testosterone and high-tech hobby drones floating outside apartments open curtain windows quickly created scandalous photos floating over the net.

If anyone doubts that drones can fly in formation at night and create spectacular sights, check out the Super Bowl Show.

The claim that these small drones are gathering secret intelligence is ridiculous: 95% of the sightings are in airspace with no restrictions. Any aircraft, from a kids drone to a 747, can fly over most of America 24/365 and take all the pictures they want. There are Restricted and Prohibited airspaces, such as around airports, D.C., and some military bases, but 95% of American airspace is a free-flight zone. Add to that military photo satellites, and its obvious there is no tactical value to these drone overflights. If the Iranian Revolutionary Guard wants photos of American facilities, in most cases, they can take their camera to a local airport, charter a small four-seat Cessna, and snap all the pictures they want. If those saboteurs wanted to save money, they could wait until most bases hold their annual open house and take hundreds of photos.

There has been much said that these drones are flying around military bases. In reality, they fly everywhere. They fly near military bases because the kids know that will get them the most attention. Much was said about drones flying over Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. If anyone thinks there are secrets to be seen there, this is what Picatinny looks like.

Simply put, drone owners are having a great time putting one over on the Great Unwashed.

But what about the big drones? Some are described as bigger than a bus, and they even make a lot of noise. There is a highly classified Double Double Top Secret name for such flying objects. The huge ones are called airliners. Its easy to tell the difference between airlines and commercial helicopters. Airliners make WooooSHHHH sounds. Rotating helicopter blades go Wakka-Wakka-Wakka.

One example of this foolishness was broadcast far and wide this week. It showed an object in the sky over northern New Jersey. It flew in a straight line, low, slow, and loud. It was headed directly for Newark Airport. It had two red lights, a green light, and a white light. So does every airliner. We pilots love those lights. They are a great help when trying to avoid hitting other airplanes.

The flashing red light in the center is the 360-degree beacon on the bottom of the fuselage. The steady red light is on the left wingtip, and the green is on the right. The white light is on the tail, facing rearward. This light pattern, used by airplanes flying every night in the world, has its history in nautical navigation. Coast Guard regulations have mandated a green light to starboard, a red light to port, and a white stern light on most boats for more than 100 years.

Some of the pictures captured by the panicking public also show two bright bulbs lighting what appears to be a large tube at the front of these feared flying machines. Those are the landing lights illuminating the forward half of the fuselage.

Observers also claim these huge drones make a lot of noise. They are correct. Jet engines are thunderous.

If you doubt the above, print a picture of one of these supposedly terrifying objects from the internet. Then go out to your local airport. Park about half a mile outside the airport fence under the landing airplanes. When it gets really loud, look up.

It should not surprise anyone that these sightings are occurring in New Jersey. In Orson Welles War of the Worlds Halloween night radio hoax, the Martians landed in that states Grovers Mills in 1938. Everyone was terrified by the Welles network radio hoax. Some things never change.

There are certainly viable sightings that even military pilots cannot explain, but thats not what drives the current media mayhem. Its all about saying anything to get ratings.

Finally, to turn the whole thing into a complete farce, Congressman Van Drew now claims these mystery drones were launched from an Iranian mystery ship parked in the Atlantic. It's too bad that no one can find this ship during the day.

Maybe it is Martians, Russians, Iranians, or Lord knows who. If it is, they sure traveled a long way to see Mrs. Sushbaum in her birthday suit.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
Along with the Jewish community, the United States is facing a challenge from the jihadis and those devoted to destroying the American way of life. Jews and non-Jews must rise up and fight back.

Among the many new elected officials coming to Washington, D.C. is a cadre of exciting new pro-Israel representatives. Abe Hamadeh is a 33-year-old incoming Arizona Arab American Republican congressman known for his advocacy of conservative values and his strong stance on issues, including law enforcement and border security. Hamadeh won Donald Trumps endorsement and calls himself a common-sense politician.

He is the youngest son of Syrian immigrants, and he grew up in a mixed-faith Arab-Druze household. As he has grown up, he started to understand how the world actually works. The first inflection point on Israel was the Arab Spring that began in 2010. Syria, where both his parents immigrated from, erupted in civil war, and Israel emerged as the good neighbor.

As he said, My family is Syrian, and I remember that during the Syrian civil war, that Israel was actually having people who were injured come into the hospitals in Israel. So all this humanitarian aid was actually being done by the Israelis, and not the others in the Arab World That was the first instance of me looking at the truth, and having my eyes opened. It just dismantles that whole narrative of Israel being this problem in the Middle East, when theyre actually being good neighbors. Hamadeh says that Israel has no bigger ally than himself, and calls for the annihilation of terrorist groups that aim to harm it.

Not unlike Democrat Ritchie Torres, another young outspoken pro-Israel congressman, Hamadeh took a trip to Israel that changed his life.

He notes he visited Israel, saw the truth of the situation, realized who are the good guys and went on a tour by an Israeli military commander of the Golan Heights in northern Israel. After visiting Israel, he was barred from entering Lebanon by Lebanese customs officers because he had the stamp showing his travel to Israel on his passport.

As he said, I get to the customs in Lebanon, and the lady looks at the back of the passport, and says, Come with me. Im like, oh, f**k, and then I go into this area and these military customs officials are saying, you know, youve been to Israel. My family is Syrian blood, my brothers getting married this week, and Israel let me into their country, he remembers thinking. How are you not letting me into this country?

This, of course, is the true apartheid. They are the haters and discriminators we are not, and its great that a young Arab-American congressman knows this and says it loud and clear.

His X/Twitter is already clear before he even takes office, noting The Golan Heights has strategic military value with a direct line of sight to Damascus, and it belongs to our ally Israel, and Those who criticize Israel most likely have never even been to Israel. Israel is a multi-ethnic & pluralistic Jewish state. Their resilience & strength is remarkable.

He is also clear on Pro-Hamas rallies in the U.S., noting You see these protests where they have a rainbow flag, they have a Palestinian flag, some of them had a Taliban flag. Its scary, but this is kind of the march of Marxism. Whats going on domestically is really a cause for concern. [Marxists] have taken over the universities. They have set up these victim pipelines. And the Marxists, I think, they have the media, no offense. They captured the media and I think the media is surprised too.

We need more people like Hamadeh who are clear on the danger of the jihadi movement, noting Its a huge wake-up call for the Jewish community, its a wake-up call for all Americans, about the real risks that radicalized ideology poses here. Jews are under attack here in America, by homegrown extremists.

As this young Arab-American congressman says of October 7, Lets be clear -- this wasnt just an attack on Israel, it was an attack on humanity. The Jewish people in America and worldwide need government representatives who realize that the alliance between America and Israel strengthens both nations.

Ronn Torossian is an American-Israeli entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Image: Gage Skidmore
Defund the Police hysteria has resulted in societal disruption as many officers that can retire, have. Those young enough to go where theyre allowed to do their jobs have already gone. Those that remain are officers close to a pension, those with unbreakable family or sentimental ties to their Democrat/socialist/communist (D/s/c) hellholes or those who know theyre not going to be hired elsewhere. Many, if not most of the remaining officers do as little as possible, and avoid contact with minorityparticularly blackcriminals. They know doing their jobs by the book where these crooks are concerned is likely to put them, not the crooks, in prison or at the least destroy their careers, even bankrupt their families.

All of this is far worse in blue states and cities.

There, recruitment is a nightmare. Prior to the 2020 summer of love agencies could count on many candidates for each opening, now theyre getting the bottom of the barrel, people that would normally never get past the first background investigation filter, which consists of nothing more than a criminal record check. Theyve lowered hiring standards so much just to get bodies in blue suits theyre accepting people with criminal records, drug and alcohol abuse problems, low intelligence and other former disqualifiers. DEI mandates have made everything much worse, as theyre also accepting people far too physically and morally weak, obese and who in the past would have been swiftly, rationally, disqualified.

Even the FBI, the supposedly premier American law enforcement agency, is accepting functionally illiterate agents, yet gender and race mandates make them impossible to fire.

And now, California is threatening to prosecute officers and deny their pensions should they do their jobs and enforce the law. Legal Insurrection has the story:

Graphic: X Screenshot

For obvious reasons, there are no references on the internet to this reported ultimatum (or perhaps more appropriately, this reported shakedown). However, in 2017, SB 54, now known as the California Values Act, was signed into law. The law prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using money or personnel to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest people for immigration enforcement purposes. According to the group ICE out of California, this law specifically prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies (excluding prisons) from engaging in the following actions: *Immigration holds *Making arrests on civil immigration warrants *287(g) *Asking about immigration status or using immigration agents as interpreters *Sharing personal info with ICE (e.g., work, home addresses) *Notifying ICE of release dates *Transfers to ICE *Local arrests for criminal violations of immigration law *ICE interviews in jail and prison *Joint Task forces *Databases

While this law is already in place, CA Governor Gavin Newsom is also trying to set aside $25 million to Trump-proof California.

On Monday, Newsom's office said the governor would be seeking up to $25 million to "defend against unconstitutional or unlawful federal government actions, challenge federal overreach in court, and take administrative actions to reduce potential harm." A fact sheet cited areas of focus that include disaster relief, reproductive health care, access to clean air and water and civil rights.

As Trumps incoming Border Czar Tom Homan has made clear, federal law, specifically 8 USC 1324, makes interference with federal officers or harboring illegal aliens felony offenses the Trump Administration will prosecute. As Homan has also made clear, he intends to first focus on criminals and gang members. That puts people like Newsom, Denvers Mayor and other D/s/c mayors and governors swearing not only to resist deportation efforts, but swearing to use public money to defend illegals, in the position of not only violating federal law, but doing it to keep vicious criminals in their cities and states. Circa 2024, that might be a political problem.

Wasting public money on D/s/c priorities people dont want and coddling criminals are standard operating procedure for such people, but this time it appears there will be consequences for dim-witted virtue signaling. When a few of them are dragged from their offices to jail, they might begin to see virtue in cooperation and actual public safety.

In the meantime, Californias police officers, most of whom will be delighted to see illegal alien criminals deported, will find themselves in a bind. Many will simply do nothing to impede federal agents. Others will quietly, in ways that cant be detected, provide anonymous tips that will enable them to keep their oaths, the oaths California law forces them to abrogate. After all, isnt that what any good, law-abiding American citizen should do to remove criminals that shouldnt be in the country?

Beginning on January 20, it might be wise to invest in hearing protection. The squeals of D/s/c mayors and governors are going to be loud, but ultimately, satisfying.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.C.S. Lewis: The Abolition of Man

Daniel Penny, after 18 months, God only knows how much money in legal fees which have apparently largely been paid by many sane Americans, incalculable stress, death threats and the tender ministrations of the Democrat/socialist/communist (D/s/c) Media, has been found not guilty in the death of Jordan Neely. Penny still faces a wrongful death civil suit from Neelys father, the man who abandoned him as a child and put him in foster care upon the death of his mother, the man whose major role in Neelys life was apparently sperm donor.

Graphic: X Screenshot

Penny also faces the very real threat of violent death from racist thugs, darlings of D/s/cs, who would love to claim the street cred of getting justice for Jordan Neely. Should one of them fail, should Penny be again forced to defend himself, its a certainty Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg would once again try to put him in prison. New York City is just that kind of place.

As many have correctly observed, the Penny trial was about more than an unambiguous case of self-defense under New York law. It was about individual sovereignty, about the God-given, natural, unalienable right of self-defense, the right to protect not only self, but others from criminal depredation. But more, it was about the power of citizens to exercise that right against the political designs of a racist, D/s/c state that elevates the power of identify groups over the rights of Americans.

It was about whos really in control of New York City, and by extension, every blue city in America. Is it D/s/cs and their criminal constituents, their favored identity, victim groups or the honest, normal citizens who so unwisely keep putting them in power?

Crime in New York City has been out of control for a very long time, but has worsened during the Harris/Biden years. Its particularly bad in the subways, where beatings, robbery, rape, even murders, are constant crosses borne by New Yorkers. As is true in all blue cities, irony abounds. Most subway riders are people who cant afford taxis or the time they require to get from place to place. Most, threatened by criminals, dont resist, which is just the way NYC politicians and prosecutors like it. As a result, an increasing number of New Yorkers are injured or killed by thugs, some of whom simply push their victims onto subways tracks in front of oncoming trains.

When Jordan Neely violently threatened to kill passengers, menacing even a woman and her baby, former Marine Daniel Penny restrained him, and two other menminoritieshelped. Numerous people on the subway that day testified that Penny saved their lives. Their gratitude for his bravery on their behalf was effusive and honest. But because Neely was black and Penny was white, and because Alvin Bragg is a black race hustler, Penny was indicted. The two men who helped restrain Neely were not.

What too many dont realize, and what Bragg doesnt want them to realize, is all police and prosecutorial power, all the power wielded by elected politicians, is on loan on condition of good behavior from the people, people like Daniel Penny. The police, who werent there that day, act with our authority, authority we never entirely surrender. Were that the case, wed live in a totalitarian police state. Thats why every state has self-defense laws, and increasingly, stand your ground and castle doctrine laws. So long as citizens act within the law, and Daniel Penny did, they shouldmustbe immune from criminal prosecution and civil suits.

But Daniel Penny won! Hes not guilty! Wont that discourage criminals? Wont that encourage brave New Yorkers to stand up to criminals just as Penny did?

Sadly, no. There will always be men with chests, people who live by a code of honor, people willing to protect others, to uphold the very fraying fabric of society. But every New Yorker, even as they appreciate Penny, know the process is the punishment. Bragg knows this too. Hes counting on it. So are criminals, who arent going to stop until New York City experiences a complete change of political reality and the consequences of their criminal choices are swift, certain and severe.

Penny would be wise to move to a red state where bravery and honor are respected, and he could get on with his life. As for New Yorkers, perhaps the next election might provide an opportunity to elect non-racist, pro-Americans instead of the D/s/c incompetents theyve historically favored.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Ongoing military operations by Israeli forces in Gaza continue to cause devastation for civilians trying to escape the fighting, with mounting casualties and a critical lack of humanitarian aid for the desperate population
There is a biographical opus of Sir Winston Churchill titled The Last Lion. He had the heart of a lion, for sure, but he was not the last. President Trump is also lionhearted.

In fact, Sir Winston Churchill and Donald J. Trump share a number of attributes and attitudes.

Trump will Fight, Fight and Fight for America First, Always.

Churchill was also something of a fighter. Indeed, he was committed to fighting the fascists everywhere -- on the beaches, on the landing grounds, in the fields, streets, and hills. You name it, just like the modern-day lionheart at Mar-A-Lago, Churchill was primed to fight evil.

That fighting spirit dovetails with another of their shared traits -- to never surrender.

After being grazed by a bullet, Trump said, I will never surrender.

Again, that captures the spirit of Sir Winston, who iterated the sentiment numerous times. Heres just one example that captures the essence of it: never give in, never, never, never

Both Churchill and Trump were shot at.

Even for materialists skeptical of otherworldly phenomenon, theres something fantastically mystical about the timing of Trumps head turn to view that chart. It was so uncanny that it adds a new macro meaning to the phrase, spooky action at a distance. Its as if something ethereal, and perhaps ephemeral, intervened in that precise sequence of events.

Churchill was equally defiant about being shot at, expressing this in his inimitable way: Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result.

Churchill and Trump want unity.

While not bending on fundamental, common-sense principles, Trump is nevertheless willing to seek counsel from different sides. He even has RFK and Elon Musk on his team, and the two couldnt differ more on this use of weight-loss medications, for example. Also, RFK will have to stick to his HHS lane and not fret about all the drilling thats about to happen.

For his part, Sir Winston Churchill uttered close variations of Let us go forward together, multiple times.

Both Churchill and Trump were rudely rejected by the establishment.

Rejection of Trump was so widespread that phrases such as the deep state and lawfare entered common parlance. Even to this day, there are a few leftover RINOs who havent got the MAGA memo.

Churchill languished in the political wilderness during the 1930s as the stuffy establishment cast him aside.

Both of these lionhearts won reelection in non-consecutive terms.

In what has been described as the greatest political comeback in history, the 45th president is now to be the 47th president.

Churchill lost re-election in 1945, but was the savior again in 1951, after six years of socialism.

Trump is the oldest person elected President, at the age of 78. In 1951, at the age of 76, Sir Winston Churchill was the oldest person to become British prime minister.

Both have been recognized by Time as Man of the Year. Indeed, Churchill was named Times man of the half century. Trump has received multiple annual recognitions, but since hes a generational figure, he may well mimic Winston in this regard, too.

They have so much in common. They really should go forward together, at least in spirit, elevating all freedom-loving souls with them. A spirit that seems to mystically exude from the Sir Winston Churchill bust.

Obama, perhaps fretting about colonialism in his ancestral homeland, removed Churchills bust from the White House. President Trump properly and promptly restored it. Then Biden, lacking Obamas tribal motivation, but full of petty hubris, disgracefully displaced the bust again.

Two can play that game. On day one, President Trump will be very busy. I hope he can find time to put the bust of his spiritual brother in its rightful place -- the Oval Office. Then theres always time for a dance -- yet another thing they have in common. Looky here: Churchill even choreographed a forerunner of the Trump Dance.

Image: craiyon.com
Heres my Christmas Gift Wish List (just in case any of you were wondering):

All Jan. 6 prisoners released and pardoned



A cure to be found for TDS



RINOs to become extinct



Every celebrity who said he or she would flee the country if Trump won actually does leave



Our borders made as secure as Bidens dentures (Polygrip?)



Drill, baby, drill!



MSNBC and The Viewerless The View get sold to Elon Musk and Joe Rogan for a Tesla Model 3 and a 50% off coupon to Cannabis World, respectively.

The View get sold to Elon Musk and Joe Rogan for a Tesla Model 3 and a 50% off coupon to Cannabis World, respectively.

Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan interview each other simultaneously



A 1970s- or 1980s-era Gottlieb or Bally pinball machine (sorry, I had to have one purely selfish wish on my list)



The Iranian people, most of whom are decent and sane, find a way to get rid of their indecent and insane current government and replace it with a functioning democracy/republic



DOGE finds a way to eliminateor at least dramatically reduce the size of both NEAs, the DHS, and several other agencies



Trump is able to take office without violence, riot, or bloodshed. And when it comes to that last item (bloodshed), I especially hope that none of any blood that may be shed comes from him.



Peace breaks out around the world



DOGE finds a way to reduce the size of Jerry Nadler



The Trump administration withholds all federal funding from colleges and universities that preach hatred of Jews and/or disdain for the United States



The Trump administration cuts off all funding to the U.N.

A guy can hope, right?

(If any of you, my beloved readers, should prove keen to grant/gift me wish #8, please let me know. Thank you!)

Image by AI.
In the crisp, tense air of April 18, 1775, an unassuming lantern's light pierced the night from the steeple of Boston's Old North Church, heralding a revolution.

Paul Revere's ride should be revered as a narrative of conservative values  individual responsibility, local action, and the sanctity of communication  values that are as relevant today as they were then.



Revere's ride was an act of individual initiative, a core tenet of conservative philosophy.

He wasn't commissioned by a committee or ordered by a centralized authority; he acted on his own accord, driven by a sense of duty and foresight.

This mirrors the conservative advocacy for personal responsibility, where individuals are seen as the primary agents of change rather than government.

In today's context, this ethos challenges the growing reliance on state intervention, suggesting instead that individuals, with their unique insights and local knowledge, can better address community needs. From health care to education, the principle of individual action over bureaucratic control is a direct descendant of Revere's legacy.



Meanwhile, the lanterns in the Old North Church were not just signals to distant militias but a testament to local governance and action.

This act of local signaling stands in stark contrast to modern centralized governance, emphasizing the conservative preference for decisions made at the community level where accountability is most direct. The lantern's light is a metaphor for how localized solutions can illuminate national problems, from urban development to managing public safety.

Revere's ride underscores a warning against the atrophy of local power in the face of federal expansion, advocating for a revival of neighborhood solutions to national issues.



The simplicity of the lantern's message  two if by sea, one if by land  is a profound lesson in the power of clear, direct communication, untainted by intermediaries. In an age where truth is often obscured by layers of interpretation, this act of straightforward signaling resonates with conservative calls for transparency in media and government.

Revere's method speaks to the current discourse on free speech, where conservatives argue against censorship and for platforms that allow for unfiltered exchange of ideas. This historical vignette serves as a critique of the modern information landscape, where the truth can be as elusive as it was under British control.



Consider this fresh perspective: the night of Revere's ride wasn't just about the ride itself but about the silent majority who responded to the call. These were the farmers, the shopkeepers, the families who, upon hearing the warning, took action. They represent the backbone of any movement, the everyday citizens whose quiet support and readiness to act are often overlooked. This interpretation aligns with conservative values that champion the influence of the grassroots, the silent majority whose collective action can sway the course of history.

In our time, this could be akin to the conservative emphasis on voter turnout, community organizing, and the power of localized political engagement.



The lantern's role in history can be paralleled with today's struggles for privacy and against government overreach.

If Revere were among us, he might caution against the surveillance state, advocating for privacy rights akin to the Second Amendment's protection of personal defense.

His ride is a reminder of the balance between security and liberty, a balance conservatives argue is tipping too far towards control.

Furthermore, the lantern's light can be seen as an emblem of alternative media, where truth bypasses established channels, resonating with conservative critiques of mainstream media and calls for independent journalism.



Paul Revere's lantern is not just an artifact of history; it's a symbol of vigilance, of the need to communicate truth to power, and of the power of local action.

As conservatives, we can look to this story not just with nostalgia but with an eye toward how these principles can be applied today.

From advocating for educational choice to championing free markets, from defending free speech to promoting local solutions to national problems, Revere's ride provides a blueprint for conservative activism.



As we reflect on Paul Revere's ride, we are reminded that the fight for liberty is perennial. The lantern that once guided patriots through the dark can guide us through our contemporary challenges. It's a call to action for conservatives to uphold the values of individual liberty, local empowerment, and clear, unfiltered communication.

In doing so, we keep the light of liberty burning bright, ensuring that the spirit of that night in 1775 continues to illuminate the path toward a free and just society.



In revisiting Paul Revere's ride, we don't just celebrate history; we engage with it, allowing it to inform our present and shape our future. The lanterns still burn bright, not just in memory but in the actions we take to preserve the freedoms that define us.

Ronald Beaty lives in Massachusetts.

Image: National Parks Gallery // public domain
Here is an unintentional consequence of Luigi Mangiones assassination murder of the CEO of United Healthcare in the streets of Manhattan.

There will be a quick rush of CEOs demanding  and getting  teams of bodyguards.

They will think  not without a certain logic  as the fan base of Mangione groupies will likely spawn at least a few other Mangione clones. These sick sycophants will seek their own brand if justice against some aggrieved corporation. If it can happen to a health insurance CEO  the others in that industry will swiftly move to get the best security guards money can buy. They will rightly see themselves as targets, because a lot of people hate insurance companies.

But soon it will spread.

Having security guards will be justified as a necessary perk for CEOs, not just at health insurance companies, but at all companies  including those who dont normally attract a lot of hatred.

But where do you draw the line?

And, with the example of Mangione, who can say that, no, our CEO isnt a target. What Board would take the risk, since even an expensive security team is barely a rounding error on major corporations balance sheets?

But soon  and amazingly soon  having a security team will be seen as a status symbol for CEOs, starting with massive companies like United Healthcare, then very large corporations, then just large corporations.

How far down this will go is anybodys guess, but it will happen, and quickly. It may have already begun, though if so, its not happening enough to be seen as a trend. Not yet, but soon.

Then this process will be repeated for really large non-for-profit organizations. You may recall that, after 911, the Red Cross was found to be taking all the many donations they received to channel on to families who lost someone when the twin towers fell. All Americans  or so it seemed  wanted to help. I saw groups of young people holding bake sales in the Kroger parking lot, raising money to send to the families, but who would know them but the Red Cross. Right.

Well, it turned out that the Red Cross had a massive slush fund already in place for massive disasters, so their CEO decided to direct the donations into building up an even larger organizational slush fund.

CEO Dr. Bernadine Healy, president since 1999, appealed nationally for donations to help survivors and the families of those killed. In short order, they raised $543 million. The Red Cross had promised that all of those funds would be go to the victims families. However, the Red Cross  a Congressional hearing later uncovered  held back two thirds of those funds for other Red Cross needs.

Healy was forced to resign  once Congress had uncovered such a massive cover-up. Her replacement, not wanting to be tarred with that same brush, made good on the $543 million donated to the families  years before. Does a day late and a dollar short mean anything?

As someone who was horrified by 9/11, I assumed that the funds raised by kids bake sales and church collections and thousands other ways that people contributed to the Red Cross, confident that the funds would get to the victims  and fast, when theyd need it most. And like those millions of people who did their part, when I heard what the Red Cross did, I felt betrayed and never gave to them again, even though I worked in the healthcare field and knew that they managed the nations largest blood bank.

Some of those betrayed people, Mangione-style, might feel that the Red Cross president, twenty-five years after 9/11, might make a good target. So they will  or should be  among the first non-profit to get a security guard team for their CEO. This  or something like it, will lead to the same process in the non-profit world as I predict will happen in the for-profit world.

For some  like the Red Cross  they have real sins that might only be exonerated by death, at least in the whacked-out mind of Mangione-clones. There are many unsavory non-profits which spawn anger, but what can you do? Now the nut-cases know  they have a role model.

But they wont be the only ones who will soon get security guards. The next group will do so at government expense. Some, such as Kamala Harris in her days as a California Senator, already have, having illegally dragooned the Los Angeles Police Department into that role for prestige purposes.

In our heated election cycle, with Trump supporters being cast out of liberal families, and  I imagine, the reverse happening as well, though the media hasnt covered it  will soon suggest to members of Congress that they arent all that well-respected by large sections of the public.

Including, to be sure, some proto-Mangiones out there. However, unable to go to the Board Chair for relief, they can just vote themselves tidy personal security programs, and by paying top dollar, they could assume to get the best in the market. They wouldnt be wrong.

But heres where a supply-and-demand problem will arise. There are only so many professional bodyguards currently working in America  presumably enough to meet the demand, with perhaps a few extra who are between positions.

However, suddenly, almost overnight, the demand for professional bodyguards will vastly outdistance the supply.

Salaries will  law of supply and demand  skyrocket.

The highest bidders  Congress, the very largest corporations, and a few of the largest and most unpopular non-profits, like the Red Cross  will pay whatever it takes to get the best.

At some point, fairly early into this radical transformation of a fairly small industry, the supply will be exhausted. But with demand growing, not stabilizing, the rest of the security guards will be large men  pug-uglies who look intimidating in suits while not having a clue what it takes to be a real security guard.

Would such a guard deter Mangione? Unlikely, and since he struck from behind, while amateur security guards will almost certainly look toward where theyre going instead of where theyve been, very unlikely. Other motivated proto-Mangiones will mostly get through, ironically creating an even greater demand for security guards, driving up prices for not just the best, but with all the rest, too.

I am not a Nostradamus, but my career has been largely focused on identifying trends ahead of the completion, and because I worked in the hospital field, anyone with an unsatisfactory outcome might decide he now knows how he can complain to about a bad outcome or an outrageous hospital bill.

So yes, I think this can, and most likely will, happen, and quickly. If I was the CEO of another very large insurance company  and arent they all?  Id have already started the process. I dont want to die just because someone had a grudge against my company. Would you?

Ned Barnett, a frequent contributor to American Thinker dating back to 2006, spent his career in the hospital side of healthcare for more than 25 years, and used that experience to write his first ten books. He now works with other authors, helping them to write their books as a ghostwriter, or helping them to market, promote and sell their books. His next book for authors is Write Now! How to Market, Promote and Sell Your Book. Its scheduled to come out in 2025. Ned can be reached at nedbarnett51@gmail.com or 702-561-1167.

Image: Pixabay, via Picryl // Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
Apple is facing criticism after a new iPhone feature showed misleading headlines. According to BBC News, a notification from Apples new AI-powered feature said Luigi Mangione had shot himself. This happened earlier this week on iPhones. The notification was part of Apple Intelligence, a new feature that uses artificial intelligence to summarise news for you.

Apples AI-powered feature sends out grouped notifications

The iPhones new Apple Intelligence feature had a problem with a BBC News AI summary. The AI-powered summary shows that BBC News had published an article claiming Luigi Mangione, the man arrested following the murder of healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson in New York, had shot himself. He hadnt. There was no report of him doing so. The BBC contacted Apple to raise the issue and asked them to fix it.

Apple Intelligence is meant to summarise and group notifications together. Apple says it reduces the number of interruptions from ongoing notifications so you can focus on the important updates. But this new feature isnt without problems and users are already reporting incorrect notifications.

The BBC responded quickly. BBC News is the most trusted news media in the world, a spokesperson said. It is essential to us that our audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications. Apple hasnt commented on the specific issue or why the notification was wrong.

Why did Apples AI get it wrong?

Apples new notification system uses AI to combine multiple news stories into one notification. This is meant to keep you informed without being interrupted by too many updates. But AI sometimes gets the stories wrong. In this case, it mixed up the news and said Luigi Mangione had shot himself.

This isnt the first time Apples AI-powered notification system has made a mistake. On November 21, The New York Times news also incorrectly appeared claiming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested, according to a post on Bluesky by Ken Schwencke. Like the BBC issue, this was not true and caused confusion.

Experts warn of AI news summary risks

Experts are worried about the rise of AI for news summaries. Prof Petros Iosifidis, a professor in media policy at City University in London, said it was embarrassing for Apple. He also warned that there is a real danger of spreading disinformation. These problems show we need to verify the news before we trust it especially when AI is involved.
Back in May, T-Mobile announced the acquisition of UScellulars wireless operations. The deal included USceullars wireless customers and stores, apart from some specified spectrum assets. T-Mobile already acquired Sprint in one large $26 billion deal in April 2020. Also, it digested Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile this year. However, its proposed acquisition of UScellular may not go as planned. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) have urged the FCC to reject T-Mobiles acquisition of UScellular assets. The news came soon after the company faced a new class action lawsuit.

FCC could reject T-Mobiles proposed acquisition of UScellular

This week, the CWA filed as many as four petitions to the FCC to reject the proposed merger of USceullar and T-Mobile. The CWA petitions could block the high-anticipated acquisition deal. Notably, in a press release, CWA urged the FCC to request that the terms of the acquisition include an enforceable measure to protect employees. Furthermore, the deal will be harmful to consumers.

Notably, the CWA represents a large number of employees in the telecom sector of the United States, including those who work in wireless retail stores. The petitions claimed that the acquisition of UScelluar would reduce competition in certain markets. It will hurt consumers, workers, and other rural carriers. Furthermore, the petitions also mentioned that the end users would face higher prices if T-Mobile held a large chunk of share in certain markets.

Just four years ago, T-Mobile secured immense market power when it acquired Sprint by making false promises about job creation and preserving competition. Instead, the company cut jobs, suppressed wages, and left workers afraid to speak out. Now, T-Mobile wants to continue its takeover of the industry by purchasing UScellular, said Claude Cummings J.r, the CWA President.

T-Mobile plans to acquire UScellular in a deal worth $4.4 billion

In May, T-Mobile announced the acquisition of UScellulrs assets in a deal worth approximately $4.4 billion. The deal will be a combination of cash and up to $2 billion of debt. The company will use an exchange offer to certain UScellular debtholders before closing the deal. The deal will close at some point next year. However, it will only go through if the FCC and other regulatory authorities approve it.
Google continues to work on its big bet on AI, both for people and businesses. In a recent development, Google has launched Agentspace, a suite of AI-powered agents for enterprises powered by Googles Gemini LLMs.

Agentspace brings the power of Googles AI and search tech to enterprises

Many people have successfully incorporated AI-powered chatbots into their daily lives by now. However, there are also more specialized, autonomous, and proactive developments, known as AI agents. These assistants are initially targeting companies that aim to enhance employee productivity. They are ideal for optimizing and focusing on specific tasks. Google Agentspace is the new AI agent platform from the Mountain View giant for enterprises.

According to Google, company employees use between four and six tools to solve a single question or task on average. One of the main benefits of artificial intelligence is process optimization, so it seems ideal to solve this problem. Google designed Agentspace with that in mind.

Googles AI agents combine Geminis reasoning capabilities, the power of Googles search engine, and the data of enterprise clients. The result is highly effective assistants that can not only solve queries but also execute complex tasks with a few prompts.

NotebookLM Plus and multimodal search are key parts of the suite

Google Agentspace is made up of three main features. NotebookLM Plus, an enterprise version of the Mountain View giants research tool, is one of them. NotebookLM Plus offers the same options as the NotebookLM we already know. That is, it can analyze content to generate summaries, potential new ideas, or even start a debate on a topic between AI-powered hosts, among other things.

However, the NotebookLM Plus boasts more security and privacy features, something essential for companies. Google is also implementing the new Gemini 2.0 Flash model in NotebookLM, so it will be more powerful and efficient than ever.

Multimodal search is the second key element of Google Agentspace. This gives agents advanced search capabilitiespowered by Google AI modelsbased on enterprise data and knowledge. The best thing about the feature is that it works with both structured data (documents, emails, etc.) and unstructured data (such as tables). That means that every bit of info will be useful to boost company productivity.

On top of that, Google has integrated its translation engine, so multimodal search will be useful for company data in almost any language. There are connectors for multiple enterprise content management platforms, including Confluence, Google Drive, Jira, Microsoft SharePoint, ServiceNow, among others.

All custom AI agents accessible to employees from one place

The third key element of Google Agentspace is a hub from where employees can access all AI-powered agents trained on the companys data. This will allow them to easily find the most suitable agent for the task they need to complete. Google is even working on a visual coding tool so that employees can create their own AI agents specialized in a task. This will be very useful for those who find that the AI agents provided by the company are not enough, or for those who feel that they can further optimize their work on their own.

According to Google, its AI agents can facilitate and automate multiple tasks. The company provides examples, such as the ability for business analysts to easily identify ongoing trends in the industry. HR teams can turn to AI agents for better and faster onboarding. Meanwhile, software engineers can find and resolve bugs in the code more easily. The possibilities are endless.

Lastly, Google Agentspace is designed on a secure infrastructure for enterprises. It offers features such as role-based access control (RBAC), VPC service controls, and IAM integration. This ensures that the company can isolate sensitive data only to authorized employees or prevent potential information leaks, for example.
For some time now, the EU has been putting big tech companies under scrutiny using the Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules. Although the law aims to enhance fair competition in EU countries, authorities must also evaluate if their proposed measures could actually be detrimental to users. That seems to have happened with the blue links test that Google carried out in some European countries.

Measures proposed by the EU under the DMA rules sought fairer competition

Under the DMA rules, the European Commission wants to force Google to ensure that its travel serviceslike Google Maps, Google Flights, and othersdo not stand out above the competition in any way in search results. That is, Google services-related results should not show rich navigation features or distinctive visual elements that offer useful information.

The problem comes when, due to this EU requirement, Google would have to not use visual rich results at all for any search result. It would not make much sense for the firm to spend resources on tech that only third parties could use. So, to test the effects of implementing the EU requirements, Google conducted an experiment.

The test was called blue links because Google got rid of highlighting visual elements in the search results for hotels. So, the search results only showed a list of blue links to access. The search engine stopped showing curated hotel results, map strips, hotel property info, and other details. The company ran the experiment temporarily in Germany, Belgium, and Estonia.

Googles blue links test showed detrimental results from EUs DMA measures

At the end, the test reflected a worse experience for everyone, including users and Googles rivals. First, people were less satisfied with the search results. They now had to search more or navigate between sites to find exactly the data they used to get in the results. This, in turn, discouraged people from further searching for hotel-related information in Google.

The publics disinterest due to the degraded search experience was noticeable. Google quickly detected a drop in traffic to hotel and price comparison websites. More specifically, hundreds of thousands of hotels in Europe lost 10% of traffic.

The European Commission was also wrong in their prediction of what would happen if the suggested measures were implemented. They believed that measures would directly benefit hotel price comparison websites. The logic was that, unable to obtain key data from Google Search results pages, users would have to resort to these platforms. However, hotel price comparison platforms did not experience a significant increase in traffic.

Googles position strengthens awaiting the next EU move

Essentially, Googles blue links test resulted in dissatisfied users and a decrease in traffic to hotels. Price comparison websites also did not have the growth expected by the EU. Now, Google can back up its claim that the DMA is harming European consumers with empirical results. Previously, it was merely an assertion or suspicion, lacking any testing.

This leaves the EU in a somewhat complicated position regarding the application of the DMA. Authorities must find a balance between protecting competition and the quality of services. It would be pointless to try to implement measures to force something that will ultimately be more harmful than beneficial.
Earlier this year, Google released a feature that shows how powerful its AI really is. Audio Overviews from NotebookLM basically turn your notes into an informational podcast. This really put this platform on the map for most people. Well, a new feature will let Audio Overviews include you.

Google announced Audio Overviews back in May. It was one of the stand-out announcements during Google I/O, and you can try it out today. In order to use the feature, youll need to start a notebook and upload content to it. Google will use AI to summarize the content and organize it to help you study.

After you upload your information, youll see the option to create an overview on the right side of the screen. Just know that it will take a few minutes to generate the overview.

Audio Overviews can now include you

During the Google I/O presentation, Google showed off a pretty neat ability. While the podcast is going on, youll be able to cut in and ask questions. The two speakers will then stop and answer your question before continuing. Admittedly, one of the coolest things we saw during the entire keynote, this ability was what people were most excited about.

When Audio Overviews first launched, they didnt come with that capability. However, Google just announced you can now join your Audio Overviews. The company is rolling out this feature now. When you get the feature, youll see the Interactive Mode button pop up. While listening, all you have to do is click on the Join button.

When you do that, youll be able to ask your question. This is an interactive tool, so Google went the extra mile to make it feel like it. When you click the Join button, the conversation will stop and one of the speakers will say something like Oh hey, I think our listeners got something to say.

Just know that Google is still rolling this feature out, so theres a chance that you wont see it just yet. If you dont see it, then youll just want to wait a little bit.

NotebookLM Plus

Along with this information, Google also told us about a new payment tier coming to NotebookLM. Named NotebookLM Plus, this subscription promises you some additional features.

With it, youll get 5x the number of Audio overviews and sources per notebook. You can customize the style and length of your notebooks and create shared notebooks that you can collaborate on with your team. Lastly, youll have additional security and privacy settings.

You can get NotebookLM Plus if your Workspace admin has given you access to Gemini Enterprise, Business, Education, or Education Premium. These start at $20 per user each month.
Donald Trumps inauguration as the new president-elect of the United States will take place on January 20, 2025. As the date approaches, some companies are attempting to reconcile their positions following a complex relationship in the past. Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, and Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, are among the names who are expected to meet with Trump.

Google and Amazon have not been among Donald Trumps favorite tech companies. Starting with the Mountain View giant, Trump accused Googles search engine multiple times of having a political bias against him during the presidential campaign. The new president-elect claimed that Google intentionally hid positive news about him and gave more prominence to negative ones. On the other hand, the CEO of Amazon was not among those supporting the Republican campaign during the last elections.

Sundar Pichai reportedly met Trump this week; Jeff Bezos will do it next week

Despite their differences, the CEOs of two of the biggest tech companies in the world agreed to meet with Donald Trump. According to The Information, Sundar Pichai flew to Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday. On the other hand, Trump himself confirmed that the meeting with Jeff Bezos will take place next week.

Google and Amazon, both under the scrutiny of regulators in the US, are better off being on favorable terms with Donald Trump. Especially in the case of Google, whose antitrust cases have advanced further, with some unfavorable rulings against it. That said, according to The Informations report, Pichai wont make any direct overtures to Trump about the antitrust lawsuit or other regulatory topics.

Trump also revealed that he has already received calls from Googles CEO in recent weeks. However, Pichai said that these calls have nothing to do with the regulatory pressure on Google. Donald Trump has remained cautious when commenting on potential actions related to the companys current situation. He has only said that he would do something regarding the potential breakup proposed by the DOJ.

Mark Zuckerberg has also smoothed things over with Trump

Previously, Donald Trump also met with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta. The relationship with Zuckerberg has also had rocky moments in the past. The 47th president of the United States even went so far as to threaten to jail him. However, the relationship seems a little better currently, with Zuckerberg apologizing over the phone for an issue related to a photo of the July 13 assassination attempt. The CEO of Meta also reportedly donated $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund.
A teacher in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, is now facing child abuse charges after taping a nine-year-old student to a desk for nearly an hour.

Todd Lewis, 57, was working as a teacher at Lenox Elementary School in October when he reportedly used a masking tape and placed it around the back of the student's neck before securing the young boy to his desk.

Law enforcement officials said the nine-year-old was left in that position for between 40 to 50 minutes, per NJ.com, citing Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes. It is unclear who freed the student after. It was also unclear what led to the incident.

Where Was the Teacher at the Time?

Officials said Sallyann Scala, the teacher's aide, 67, "failed to intervene" at the time of the incident despite being present in the classroom.

Lewis has since been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He has been released from police custody on monitoring conditions. He is also prohibited from having any contact with minor children, including the victim, according to Patch.

Scala, on the other hand, was charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children. She was not arrested.

Both Lewis and Scala have been placed on administrative leave while awaiting the outcome of the court proceedings. District Superintendent Paul Amoroso noted that they have taken measures to ensure neither staffer has access to school premises.

"We want to assure our parents, students, staff, and school community that we are working very closely with law enforcement to guarantee the safety and security of our students," he added in a statement.

Other Incidents of Child Neglect

Earlier this year, a West Clermont High School student was allegedly taped to a chair by school staff by a former teacher and aide. It is noted that the student has Down syndrome and autism.

The incident was discovered after one of the two staffers recorded the aide restraining the student by taping him to a chair. His arms were positioned down to his side, and he was taped from his arms around his waist.

Speaking to the police, the staffers said they taped the student to the chair as part of a joke. They have since been charged with misdemeanor unlawful restraint.
UK skiers seeking a bargain resort this winter should head to Italy, according to a new report.

Italian destinations dominate a ranking of the best value European resorts for adult and family ski trips by Post Office Travel Money.

Bardonecchia retained top spot in the annual cost comparison of 36 resorts for adult skiers, while Passo Tonale claimed first place out of 30 family resorts.

The spending power of UK skiers has been boosted by sterling being at its highest rate against the euro in two-and-a-half years.

The research took into account costs such as ski passes, equipment hire and tuition, as well as lunches and drinks on the slopes.

A basket of goods cost 544 in Bardonecchia, and 1,346 in Switzerlands Zermatt, the most expensive resort for adult skiers.

The formers low prices include 159 for a six-day ski pass and 10.20 for six large cups of coffee.

Five of the other 10 cheapest resorts were Italian  Livigno (637), Sauze (664), Sestriere (709), La Thuile (723) and Cervinia (739).

Livigno was one of the best-value destinations (Alamy/PA)

Passo Tonales top ranking for families was largely because of low pricing for ski school and offering free childrens equipment hire when combined with renting adult equipment.

Slovenias Kranjska Gora climbed to second place on the back of a sharp fall in ski school costs compared with last winter.

No resorts in the popular ski nations of France, Austria or Switzerland are among the 10 best value locations for adult or family skiers.

Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: Although sterling is currently stronger against currencies for most European ski resorts compared with last year, our latest comparison of prices in leading destinations shows that the cost of lift passes, equipment hire and ski school continues to vary by hundreds of pounds.

This makes it vitally important for skiers looking for a bargain break to do their homework before booking a ski holiday.

Italy is again looking great value, but Bulgaria offers a good alternative to more expensive ski resorts in Switzerland, France and Austria.

The analysis was produced in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays.
Comedian Chris McCauslands journey to become the first blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing went from him being a reluctant competitor to a champion of the show.

The Liverpool-born comedian has hosted his own programme on ITV on Saturday mornings and has also featured on panel shows such as Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and QI  as well as appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Before taking part in the dancing show, he joked he must be the only contestant to participate in the show who has never watched it before, but thought it would be good to be out of his comfort zone.

McCausland lost his sight completely by the age of 22 due to retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary eye disease which causes gradual degeneration of the retina.

The actor  who has been on BBC shows Moving On, Me Too!, Not Going Out and EastEnders  being included in the line-up was quickly welcomed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), but he admitted he turned down the show several times in the past.

After being partnered with Australian professional dancer Dianne Buswell, they both admitted they were going to have to figure out how logistically performances were going to happen, but soon won plaudits for their well-timed dances.

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, during the blackout moment (Guy Levy/BBC)

Anton Du Beke said McCauslands first routine, a cha cha to Beatles hit Twist And Shout, was one of the most extraordinary things Ive ever seen in my entire life, and continued to be astonished by his progress along with his fellow judges.

The next week, McCausland received a standing judges ovation after lifting Buswell during a performance to Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy by The Tams.

Despite the success, he found himself in trouble during Halloween week after the judges placed him joint-last on the leaderboard with Morning Live doctor Dr Punam Krishan.

However, he was saved by the public vote, and scored 29 dancing the tango to Kisss Rock And Roll All Nite during the next week, and went on to never find himself in the dreaded dance-off again.

It was in week eight that his blackout performance, imitating his own experience with blindness, went viral.

During a couples choice to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon, McCausland could be seen placing his hands over Buswells eyes as the room faded to black, before the ballroom went dark.

A few moments later, it was revealed the comedian was spinning Buswell on his shoulders, with pyrotechnics flaring in the background.

The performance received rapturous applause from the audience and a score of 33 from the judges, which he later admitted to the PA news agency was a leap of faith and that he did not want to be cliche.

He also said he was worried about performing the dance as there was jeopardy over how it would represent blind people, and said he did not think people with disabilities need inspiring, but people needed to see them doing things that were normal.

McCausland also told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that there are quite low expectations of people with disabilities, citing people questioning whether he can walk down steps on his own.

Peoples ideas of disability can be antiquated, he added. I hope (me on Strictly) goes some way to stretching peoples ideas of what is possible.

He also sailed through Blackpool, where he and Buswell were the 100th Strictly couple to perform in the Tower Ballroom, and during week 10 brought the Australian dancers parents to tears when they delivered a fiery paso doble.

After finding out he was through to the final last weekend, McCausland became emotional, saying he could barely talk, and admitted it was knackering, and the scariest thing he has ever done.

Buswell said that McCausland was hard to crack, and hides behind his comedy a lot, but he had been overcome with emotional at landing a place in the final.

Chris McCausland (Ian West/PA)

Earlier this week, the comedian told a press conference that its certainly been the most rewarding thing Ive ever done, and revealed his daughter was initially nervous for him in case he fell over and embarrassed himself.

As the show has gone on, he said his 11-year-old has been sharing how proud of him she is, and telling him: It doesnt matter daddy if you go out because I think youve already won.
The Home Secretary will travel to Italy for talks on irregular migration this weekend as hundreds of people continue to cross the Channel in small boats.

Yvette Cooper is set to meet her Italian counterpart, Matteo Piandetosi, along with the UN refugee agencys representative to the country, Chiara Cardoletti, at the end of a week of diplomacy on migration.

She is also expected to attend the Atreju festival, an annual event organised by Italian prime minister Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party, where she will speak alongside Mr Piandetosi on tackling migration across Europe.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Previous speakers at the event have included former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon, Hungarian prime minister Victor Orban and, in 2023, Rishi Sunak.

Ms Coopers trip to Rome comes as the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats this year exceeded 34,500, a 19% increase on the same point in 2023.

Some 609 people made the journey on Thursday, making it the busiest December day for crossings on record.

The visit also follows a meeting of the so-called Calais Group in London, where ministers and police from the UK, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands agreed a plan to tackle people smuggling gangs in 2025.

Separately, the UK and Germany set out a joint plan earlier in the week on how to tackle people smugglers, with Berlin pledging to make it a clear criminal offence to facilitate the smuggling of migrants to the UK.

Ministers have committed to reducing the number of crossings by smashing the gangs operating the cross-Channel route.
Eight people have been injured, including one who is in a critical condition, after a double decker bus hit a railway bridge in Glasgow.

Footage posted online shows a First Bus wedged under the bridge on Cook Street, with part of its roof torn off and shattered glass on the ground.

Emergency services went to the scene after Police Scotland were alerted to a report of the crash at about 6pm on Saturday.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: Emergency services attended and five people were taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.

One person is described as being in a critical condition.

Eight people have been injured in a bus crash in Glasgow. A number of roads are closed in the area. Cook Street is closed at Centre Street, Commerce Street is closed until Wallace Street and Salkeld Street is closed at Cook Street. Read more  https://t.co/wHKr0gb1FK pic.twitter.com/LeWso3JUyo  Police Scotland Greater Glasgow (@PSOSGreaterGlas) December 14, 2024

Three others were assessed at the scene and attended at hospital.

The force is still investigating the cause of the crash, as one witness suggested the bus may have taken a wrong turn.

Motorists were told to stay away from the area and that a number of roads remain closed.

First Bus said that one its buses on the 4A route in Glasgow was involved in a bridge strike incident at about 6pm, in which a double decker bus hit a railway bridge on Cook Street.

A spokesman said: Were aware of numerous injuries, with one person being taken to hospital in an ambulance. We have launched an immediate investigation and are also assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.

It is not known in which direction the bus was travelling but the 4A route runs between Broomhill and Eaglesham.

Passenger Spike Turner, who was sitting near the front of the bus, told the BBC the driver had taken a wrong turn and crashed straight into the bridge.

He said: I was fine, the lady in front of me might have been concussed. The bridge itself wasnt high enough to hit anyones heads but parts of the bus exterior have swung down.

The man in the front seat was in a really, really bad state. Hes got a lot of blood and a massive gash on his head.
Jane Seymour wears same clothes for four days after evacuating Californian fire

British actress Jane Seymour said she got out of her Malibu home just in time with only the clothes on her back as the Californian wildfire came right up to my house.

The James Bond star praised firefighters who did an astounding job saving her home from the blaze  dubbed the Franklin Fire  which ignited on Monday evening.

Seymour said her whole house smells of smoke after returning on Thursday, having rushed to evacuate the property late on Monday evening.

I just literally had jeans and a sweater, which Ive been wearing for four days and sleeping at different peoples houses, Seymour said on the red carpet of the British American Business Council (BABC) annual Christmas luncheon.

On Monday night, at 10.50pm, we got a call from my partner, John Zambettis son Johnny, who was in Serra Retreat.

(He) saw a glow behind the curtains, opened the windows, saw 10 foot flames, and called us immediately and said Get out. Get out.

We all got out just in time because of that.

The latest update from the City of Malibu confirmed more than 4,000 acres burned during the wind-driven wildfire with 14 buildings destroyed and 13 damaged.

Hollywood star Dick Van Dyke, who turned 99 on Friday, and pop superstar Cher were among the stars forced to leave their homes.

Collecting the LA icon honour at the BABC event in Los Angeles, Seymour said: This is a huge honour, and after the week that weve had with the fires coming right up to my house, I couldnt even conceive of putting clothes on, let alone being able to come and talk to anyone about anything.

On the red carpet, Seymour said the blaze did not attack the house because the fire trucks just came right away, and we got saved.

The whole house smells of smoke, but were just so grateful, she said.

The job the fire brigade did is beyond belief. If you are where I live, and you look up the hill, and every house the fire came right up to one inch of the dwelling.

It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that so few structures were burned.

Seymour starred opposite the late Sir Roger Moore as James Bond in 1973s Live And Let Die  his first as the MI6 agent.

The two-time Golden Globe winner said being a Bond Girl is a moniker that will never leave me, describing it as probably the most important British export you can be a part of.

Seymour said she feels incredibly blessed to still be working at the age of 73.

I dont know how that works, because usually you turn 40 and youre a woman and youre too old. But when I was 40, I got a little thing called Dr Quinn, and that really saved my life  Ive been very fortunate, she added.

Seymour won the best actress Golden Globe in 1996 for her role as Michaela Quinn in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, 14 years after her win for East Of Eden.
British actor Jude Law said he had to delay receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to grieve the death of his mother  who he acknowledged in his speech.

The Holiday and The Talented Mr Ripley star appeared overcome with emotion as he expressed admiration for his family after accepting the honour in Los Angeles on Thursday.

He later revealed the ceremony had been rescheduled following the death of his mother.

Raff Law, from left, Iris Law, Jude Law, and Phillipa Coan pose with the actors new star at a ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Its been actually quite a long process because I found out and was originally going to have the service a couple of weeks back and, actually, I lost my mum, the 51-year-old told People magazine.

So we had to delay it. But in a very odd way as a kind of final gift, it meant that a few more of my family could actually be here.

Law was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife of five years Phillipa Coan and his two oldest children, actor Rafferty and model Iris, who he shares with his first wife, actress Sadie Frost.

During his Walk of Fame speech, Law praised his family.

Ive been very, very lucky to have had a family around me that have lived with and supported my passion for acting and filmmaking, and some of those members of my lovely family are here today, Law said, becoming emotional.

They know what they mean to me, I love them so much.

Jude Law speaks at a ceremony honouring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

He continued: I had a mother who showed me the great silent movies and the comedies and musicals and dramas of the Hollywood Golden Era, American New Wave, foreign movies.

And I had a dad who took me in the 70s and 80s to Blockbuster movies where we ate our body weight in popcorn and chocolate.

So to have a place here among the talent that I grew up watching in all those films is both sublime and ridiculous.

Law was nominated for an Oscar in 2000 for his supporting role as Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr Ripley  which also won him a Bafta  and again four years later for his leading role in Cold Mountain as Inman.

During his three-decade career, he has starred in The Grand Budapest Hotel and JK Rowlings Fantastic Beasts franchise portraying Albus Dumbledore, as well as Dr John Watson in Guy Ritchies Sherlock Holmes series.

Law will next be seen in Justin Kurzels The Order, opposite Nicholas Hoult and Jurnee Smollett.
A lawyer is seeking the dismissal of a frivolous rape lawsuit against US rapper Jay-Z, after the accuser addressed inconsistencies in her allegations.

Jay-Z previously claimed he was at the centre of a blackmail attempt after a lawsuit was filed accusing him and Sean Diddy Combs of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl at a party after the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.

In one claim, the anonymous woman said her father picked her up after the alleged assault, but her father has since told NBC News that he cannot verify her claims.

I have made some mistakes, the female accuser told the US outlet when asked about inconsistencies in her account, but said she overall stands by her allegations.

After the report was broadcast, Jay-Z and his lawyer Alex Spiro shared statements via the X account of the US musicians entertainment company, Roc Nation, regarding the lawsuit filed by the accusers lawyer Tony Buzbee.

Todays investigative report proves this attorney (Tony) Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame, Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, said.

This incident didnt happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press.

True justice is coming. We fight from victory, not for victory.

This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesnt realise it yet, but, soon.

Tina Knowles, from left, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Blue Ivy Carter arrive at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Mr Spiro said: It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press.

We are asking the court to dismiss this frivolous case today, and will take up the matter of additional discipline for Mr Buzbee and all the lawyers that filed the complaint.

Lawyer for the accuser Tony Buzbee previously described allegations that he tried to blackmail Jay-Z as bogus, adding that he intends to address all of the claims in court.

In a new statement given to NBC News, Mr Buzbee said: Because we have interrogated her intensely, she has even agreed to submit to a polygraph This has been extremely distressing for her, to the point she has experienced seizures and had to seek medical treatment due to the stress.

It comes after Jay-Z put on a united front with his wife Beyonce at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King in Los Angeles, in celebration of their daughter Blue Ivy Carter, who made her film debut as Simba and Nalas daughter Kiara.

Combs has been denied bail numerous times as he awaits a criminal trial over allegations of sex trafficking  all claims which he vehemently denies.

Mr Buzbee has been contacted for comment.
Prince Andrew meeting Chinas president, Xi Jinping, in Beijing in 2018. Photograph: Getty Images

Ministers failed to act on advice to tighten security laws that could have prevented an alleged Chinese spy from targeting Prince Andrew, a former attorney general has said.

Dominic Grieve, a former Tory MP who chaired the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) until 2019, said ministers were advised five years ago to introduce laws to criminalise foreign agents, but failed to do so. Similar laws already exist in the US and Australia.

We remain without an important weapon in our armoury, Grieve said. We asked for [this law] in the context of the Russia inquiry report  which accused the government of failing to investigate Russian interference in British politics  and in my view we badly need it. This reinforces the need to do it.

On 13 December, court papers revealed that a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy had become a close confidant of the Duke of York, Prince Andrew. It emerged that Andrew had invited the man to Buckingham Palace.

In 2019, the ISC recommended ministers make it a criminal offence to act as an agent of a foreign power without disclosing that fact. If parliament had adopted the new law, foreign agents could be arrested.

If you are operating in the US and masquerading as a businessman but in fact you are on the payroll of the Chinese state and you dont divulge that, then you can prosecute that person for being an undisclosed agent of a foreign power, Grieve told the Observer.

In February 2023, a man, referred to in court papers as H6, was prevented from flying from Beijing to London and, in March 2023, Suella Braverman, the then home secretary, barred him from the UK because his presence was not conducive to the public good.

H6 appealed to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission which rejected his claim last week. The judgment found that H6 had attempted to conceal or downplay his links to the United Front Work Department, which gathers intelligence for the Chinese Communist party.

A 2023 ISC report said that Chinese intelligence services had been collecting vast amounts of information and targeting people in every level of politics and public life, particularly those it saw as being more susceptible because they had lost power or influence.

Prince Andrew stepped back from his royal duties in November 2019 after a public backlash when he attempted to defend his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in a BBC Newsnight interview. His only income now is reportedly a 20,000-a-year Royal Navy pension.

This makes him vulnerable to such approaches, according to the author Andrew Lownie, who is writing a biography about Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

I fear several royals have been compromised by the Chinese, Lownie said. Hes not the only one.

The Duke of Yorks tangle with an alleged Chinese spy comes a month after Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said the UK needs a strong UK-China relationship after meeting Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, at the G20 summit.

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is due to visit Beijing in January for trade discussions, shortly before Donald Trump becomes US president for a second time and is likely to impose stringent tariffs on Chinese imports.

Prince Andrew, 64, has faced accusations that he used his position and his publicly funded official trips abroad as a cover to make money from private business deals and to promote his Dragons Den-style Pitch@Palace project connecting fledgling businesses with investors.

When he was UK special representative for international trade and investment between 2001 and 2011, Andrew took the financier David Rowland, with whom he had a commercial relationship, on official trips and pitched the businessmans services to high-ranking contacts.

The Sunday Times has reported the alleged Chinese spy had also met with former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, on separate occasions.

Lownie said he has struggled to carry out the research for his new book, even though documents detailing who accompanied Andrew on official trips, for example, should be made available after 20 years under the Public Records Act.

He said: For too long royal finances have been shrouded in secrecy. It is clear from the various scandals surrounding not just Andrew but other members of the royal family they cannot be trusted to police themselves.

It is time the exemptions afforded them in the Freedom of Information Act be removed, that royal wills be made public and a register of royal interests be set up.

We also need some sort of investigation into Andrews decade as special representative, his use of Pitch@Palace  and exactly how he has afforded his luxurious lifestyle over the last 20 years if trust in the monarchy is to continue.

On Friday, Andrew said he had ceased all contact with the businessman when concerns were first raised about him. A statement from his office said Andrew met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.

 This article was amended on 15 December 2024 to correct the spelling of Jeffrey Epsteins first name.
BBC Arabic is accused of almost 30 instances of reporting Palestinian terrorist gunmen as innocent civilians - Raneen Sawafta/Reuters

Palestinian gunmen killed in Gaza and the West Bank have been repeatedly portrayed as innocent civilians by the BBC, it has been claimed.

The broadcaster has been accused of failing to inform viewers that many of the Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers were fighters with terror groups such as Hamas.

Research by the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) has highlighted numerous broadcast reports and online stories by BBC Arabic, which it claims failed to reveal the full circumstances surrounding the death of more than 30 Palestinians.

Camera says that, in nearly 30 separate reports, BBC Arabic failed to give any indication that the dead Palestinians had been combatants in the conflict with Israel or were members of terror groups such as Hamas or Palestine Islamic Jihad.

This came despite Palestinian media sources referring to armed confrontations and exchanges of fire when referring to the deaths, and in some cases militant groups describing the casualties as their fighters.

The BBC has rejected Cameras complaints, maintaining that its reporting is accurate and that its Arabic service is a vital source of impartial news in a region dominated by partisan media.

Cases examined by Camera, which lobbies for a fair representation of Israel in the conflict, include a report from last October last year about the death of five men killed by Israeli fire in Jenin and Yata. It says this failed to include reports from Palestinian sources indicating that three of them were gunmen.

In another case highlighted by the organisation, BBC Arabic reported on the deaths of a womans four sons in May but failed to indicate that they were linked to Hamas.

Before the report was broadcast, two of the men had been buried wrapped in Hamas flags, while three had also been claimed by the terror group on social media and Al Jazeera TV to be their martyrs.

Researchers found that, during an 18-month period after August last year, there were 18 items in which BBC Arabic failed to report cases of Jewish civilians falling victim to Arab violence, or wrongly described the Jewish fatalities as soldiers, armed forces or gunmen and referred to the attacks that killed them as resistance operations.

These included a report in October this year in which BBC Arabic described all 24 Israeli fatalities in the West Bank since the Oct 7 Hamas attacks as soldiers, when more than a third were civilians.

Camera also claims BBC Arabic downplayed the targeting of Israeli civilians during another 19 items, in some cases describing civilian hostages taken by Hamas as prisoners of war and Jewish fatalities as settlers  despite them living inside Israels internationally recognised territory.

Israeli soldiers secure a tunnel reportedly used by Hamas in its Oct 7 attacks on Israel - Noam Galai/Getty

A spokesman for Camera told The Telegraph: A common pro-Hamas motto on Arabic-speaking social media reads: The Palestinian is a civilian even if they take up arms, and the Israeli is a coloniser even if they rest on the beach.

Regrettably, it seems that BBC Arabic has been repeatedly using a page from the same playbook when it covers conflict-related fatalities in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Of particular concern is the way its reporters selectively quote Palestinian terrorist organisations, deeming them a worthy source only insofar as they discuss Palestinian civilians and not when mourning their own gunmen. This leads to the absurdity whereby even when Hamas, the PIJ and Israel alike agree that a certain fatality was a combatant, the BBC opts not to mention this.

The other side of the coin is of course collectively mislabeling unarmed Jewish civilians who were killed in attacks as though they were soldiers, militants or part of forces.

A BBC spokesman said: BBC News Arabic is committed to covering this challenging and polarising conflict impartially. The complaint by Camera on the May 15 report was assessed by the BBCs executive complaints unit and was not upheld, while the Camera complaint on coverage of a report from Oct 4 is under consideration.

The BBC takes all complaints seriously, and we have a robust complaints process in place.
Zhuojun Sally Li, 33, was reported missing earlier this month after her mother was unable to reach her. Photograph: NSW Police

Police are searching for the husband of a woman whose body was found wrapped in plastic near Sydney airport on Monday, and fear a third party may be involved in the case.

Homicide squad detectives investigating the discovery of the body in Botany identified the victim as Zhuojun Sally Li and appealed for information to locate her husband, Jai-Bao Rex Chen, saying they held grave concerns for his welfare.

Zhuojun, 33, was reported missing to Parramatta police area command earlier this month after her mother was unable to reach her, NSW police said in a statement on Saturday.

Det Supt Danny Doherty said on Saturday that her family were devastated by the death.

The crime scene, and the involvement of a vehicle with no links to the couple in the dumping of Zhuojuns body, had led police to believe someone may have harmed the couple, Doherty said.

The car involved in transporting and dumping the body was seized, but police had not yet not spoken to the driver, the vehicles owner or anyone connected to the car.

Police said they suspected Zhuojuns body was dumped nine days before it was found.

As the investigation unfolds  it seems to be on an hourly basis  we have a strong line of inquiry or investigative theory that theres a third party involved, Doherty said.

The couple lived in Greenacre and had no history of family violence.

Zhuojun had no previous involvement with police, and while Jai-Bao had minor issues in the past there was nothing that gives a strong indiction of being mixed up in any wrongdoing or organised crime or anything like that, Doherty said.

He described them as a normal suburban couple.

She was a young woman that was living a normal life, and shes lost her life in a suspicious way, and now we have concerns about her husband, Doherty said.

Were looking at a human being whose lost their life in terrible circumstances  its sad and tragic, now were getting a human face to this tragedy.

Police were not ruling out that Jai-Bao had been involved in his wifes death, Doherty said.

But he had also not been seen since the end of November, and there was no indication he had left the country.

Police had spoken with his family in Taiwan, Doherty said.

The truth be known, were not sure whether Rex is alive or dead. Were hoping he is alive so he can assist us.

Its a question mark, whether  hes a person of interest or a victim.

We do have to have an open mind, and look at a third party.

Zhuojun lived in Sydney for about 20 years, Doherty said, and her mother was also based in the city.

Police were sifting through forensic evidence from the car, crime scene, and a search on the couples property, as well as analysing CCTV as part of the dynamic investigation, Doherty said.

They were also investigating whether associates or friends of the couple may have wanted to harm Zhuojun, or had links to the car.

In the earlier statement, police said Jai-Bao, also 33, was of Asian appearance, about 165cm to 170cm tall, with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes.

Police had released CCTV of a silver Toyota Avensis that stopped on the northern side of Foreshore Road in Botany during the early hours of 30 November.

Doherty said it was believed Zhuojuns body was dumped between 4am and 5am, and that it appeared there were many other cars on the road at the time the vehicle stopped.

About 7am on Monday, emergency services were called to bushland in Sir Joseph Banks Park in Botany after reports a body had been found.

Investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the car or the driver to come forward, police said in the statement.

Investigations under Strike Force Zygon continue.
HKSAR holds commemoration for Nanjing Massacre victims

Xinhua) 09:46, December 14, 2024

Participants mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre during a commemoration ceremony in south China's Hong Kong, Dec. 13, 2024. China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held a ceremony on Friday to mourn the 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre. (Information Services Department of the Government of the HKSAR/Handout via Xinhua)

HONG KONG, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held a ceremony on Friday to mourn the 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

Vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying and Acting Chief Executive of the HKSAR Chan Kwok-ki attended the ceremony together with representatives of various central government agencies in Hong Kong, representatives of the HKSAR's judiciary, principal officials of the HKSAR government, members of the HKSAR Executive Council and the HKSAR Legislative Council, representatives of HKSAR deputies to the National People's Congress, representatives of HKSAR members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former members of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, as well as representatives of veteran groups and students.

The participants sang China's national anthem and observed a moment of silence. Chan, who laid a wreath and led the attendees to bow to mourn the victims, signed the commemorative album, followed by other attendees.

The Nanjing Massacre took place after the Japanese Imperial Army captured the city in eastern China on Dec. 13, 1937. The Japanese invaders brutally killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in over six weeks in one of the most barbaric atrocities during World War II.

In 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec. 13 as the national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. The HKSAR government and civil groups organize memorial ceremonies every year, hoping to demonstrate the Chinese people's firm stance in resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and world peace.

Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chan Kwok-ki lays a wreath to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre during a commemoration ceremony in south China's Hong Kong, Dec. 13, 2024. China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held a ceremony on Friday to mourn the 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre. (Information Services Department of the Government of the HKSAR/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
Blog Archive: Mar 2025 (70) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
The Christmas dinner-flavoured scone which has raised the ire of traditionalists

Few things arouse the ire of the Cornish like a grockle tampering with their traditional scones.

So it was with some shock that the head of the Cornwall Heritage Trust learnt that a Christmas dinner-flavoured scone was being produced and sold in her county.

Instead of jam and clotted cream, customers of the Cornish Company, an online supermarket championing the countys finest produce, are being urged to pile on cranberry relish, white wine gravy and slivers of roast turkey onto a sage and onion stuffing flavoured scone.

But it has raised the ire of traditionalists.

Cathy Woolcock, head of the charity, which seeks to protect and preserve the regions heritage said: At the Cornwall Heritage Trust we are all about tradition.

As far as we are concerned, do not mess with a Cornish scone. It is jam first with clotted cream on top.

Cornish people are protective of their scones.

A Cornishman would always enjoy a pasty over a Christmas dinner-flavoured scone.

Cornwall Heritage Trust says: Do not mess with a Cornish scone. It is jam first with clotted cream on top - ANDY WASLEY

Asked if it would receive a warm reception in Cornwall, she replied: I very much doubt it, I am very much prepared to be wrong but people down here are quite traditional and even a Christmas dinner pasty is treated with suspicion.

She admitted she was interested by the combination and described the festive product as an unusual thing.

The 20 hamper of four stuffing infused scones, tranches of hand-sliced turkey, a pot of cranberry relish, and a container of white wine and herb gravy has been marketed as a hassle-free way of helping to take the pressure and expense out of cooking a Christmas dinner.

John Whait, a baker and 2012 winner of the Great British Bake Off, questioned if it would be welcomed around the Christmas dinner table.

He said: Im all for a festive spin, and I bloody love a scone, but I fear this one may take some convincing for me.

But as a proud gravy-slurping Wiganer, Id happily dunk one into a mug of gravy with an open mind and a jolly grin.

The exact origin of the scone is unclear though they are thought to have originated in Scotland in the 1500s when they were made using oats and griddled on an open fire.

Their inclusion into the afternoon tea was popularised in 1840 by Ana Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, a close friend of Queen Victoria, when she requested light food one afternoon after complaining of a sinking feeling in her stomach.

She is said to have enjoyed the courtiers offering of tea, biscuits and scones so much so that she ordered it every afternoon, giving rise to the uniquely English ritual of Afternoon Tea.

It is unlikely any Victorians would have foreseen the scones evolution into a hybrid-roast dinner on sale today.

Tom Woodley, founder and managing director of The Cornish Company, said: There are few things better in life than tucking into your Christmas dinner surrounded by those nearest and dearest to you.

With the festive season in full swing, we wanted to give people the opportunity to sample the joy of a Christmas dinner a few weeks early and in a single bite.

Being proudly based in Cornwall we were in little doubt there was a better way to achieve this than through a scone that celebrates the nostalgia and comfort of the festive season.

The scone is cost-effective and totally stress-free to create  we cant wait for people to try our creation. Who knows, maybe scones will become an unmissable treat around the dinner table this Christmas.
Retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, pictured in 2013, says the backlog in cases is a crisis in the criminal justice system which has to be addressed. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA

People scheduled to stand trial could be diverted from the criminal justice system in efforts to tackle the unsustainable backlog of court cases, the head of a major justice review has said.

Sir Brian Leveson said the number of prosecutions waiting to be dealt with was unsustainable, with listings now running into 2027.

The retired judge was appointed by the government to carry out an independent review of the system after the backlog of cases in crown courts hit a record high.

Speaking for the first time since his review was launched, the retired judge said the situation was not acceptable.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: It isnt acceptable for victims, it isnt acceptable for witnesses, who have to bear in mind, remember what had happened, and be able to deal with it so many years later, it isnt acceptable for defendants who have allegations hanging over their head for years and years.

The backlog has become unsustainable, in the sense that cases are being added to the system faster than they can be removed by trial and result.

So this isnt so much a challenge. Its a crisis in the criminal justice system which has to be addressed.

Related: The crisis in the courts in England and Wales: how did we get here?

Asked whether the number of cases being dealt with in the courts needed to be considered, Leveson said: I think thats a good question, and one of the issues that will have to be considered.

The extent to which we can divert people from the criminal justice system, is a live one, and thats one of the areas which Im going to be looking at.

Jury trials could be abandoned in some cases with intermediate courts involving a judge flanked by two magistrates under suggestions being looked at in the review.

The measure would be for cases too serious for magistrates courts but no longer deemed serious enough for the crown court.

Magistrates could also have their powers expanded so they can hand down longer jail sentences in order to speed up resolution as part of proposals under consideration.

Leveson carried out a similar review in 2015, the recommendations of which were accepted in full by the government.

The non-legislative changes that were put into place after that review did make a difference and have helped, and I think, I hope, have continued to help. But I think that the system now requires far more radical answers, he said.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) published court backlog figures for the first time in several months on Thursday amid concerns over inaccuracies with the data.

Its data showed the number of criminal cases waiting to be dealt with by crown courts in England and Wales was 73,105 at the end of September.

The caseload increased 3% on the previous quarter (71,042 cases), 10% on the previous year (66,426 cases) and has nearly doubled since the end of 2019 (38,016 cases), before the coronavirus pandemic.

There were 14,865 outstanding sexual offence cases, of which 3,291 were for adult rape allegations, according to PA news agency analysis.
Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer should adopt an Australian-style borders plan and set specific caps on immigration numbers, an influential think tank close to the Government has said.

Labour Together, a group intimately linked to Downing Street, made the recommendations in a new report, despite the Prime Minister having seemed to rule out an arbitrary cap on immigration numbers.

Last week, Sir Keir said voters want a serious plan to ensure weve got control of our borders, not arbitrary caps, not gimmicks.

The Labour Together report recommends an emergency brake on migrant entries if numbers get too high.

It also argues for an annual Budget-style event in which the Government would explain how targets will be met and why the migration plan helps deliver on voters biggest priorities.

Modelled on Australias national migration plan, the think tanks scheme would include multi-year targets for different types of migration according to economic need.

The report, titled A migration system that puts country first, includes new polling that shows 41 percent of voters want many fewer immigrants to come to the UK.

The public has long been clear on this question. They want lower net migration, even though they are clear-eyed about the positive benefits, the report said.

Morgan Wild, the chief policy adviser at Labour Together, said: Having an Australian-style national migration plan would let us have an honest debate about migration: what the economy needs, what pressures that puts on public services and what migrants long-term contribution to British life is and can be.

Labour Together was previously run by Morgan McSweeney, who is now Sir Keirs chief of staff in Downing Street.

Josh Simons, who succeeded Mr McSweeney, was elected as a Labour MP in July, and the group is now run by Jonathan Ashworth, a former member of Sir Keirs shadow cabinet.

The Prime Minister has accused the previous Conservative government of running an open borders experiment.

UK net migration stood at 906,000 last year, the highest figure on record.

Since the general election in July, more than 20,000 migrants have illegally crossed the Channel from France in small boats to reach the UK.

Last week, the Prime Minister was criticised for not including a pledge to reduce immigration numbers in his milestones, a series of promises made in a landmark speech.

Immigration is now the second most important issue for voters after the economy, according to polling by Ipsos.
Police and passers-by tried to extinguish the flames - X

A man set himself on fire in front of horrified onlookers on a north London street.

Video footage has emerged showing police officers and bystanders using their clothes and a fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames.

The incident happened at around 9.25am on Friday in North Road, Islington, where police had been called to reports of a domestic disturbance. After officers arrived, a man set himself alight in the street, the Metropolitan Police said.

Video shot from a short distance away shows the man standing, engulfed in flames, while a man in a hi-viz vest sprays an extinguisher at him, with seemingly little effect.

The man then falls to the ground and rolls slowly while a police officer puts his coat over him in an effort to smother the fire.

Condition not life-threatening

A woman can be heard screaming, while a male voice shouts get back and another shouts get water. A member of the public arrives with a small plastic bin of water and hands it to the police officer, who throws it over the man.

In a statement on Saturday, the Met said the man had been taken to hospital, where his condition is not life-threatening or life-changing.

A spokesman said: An officer was also treated at hospital for minor burns and has since been discharged. The Mets Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.

Due to police being in attendance when the man sustained his injuries, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants the Democrats top spot on the oversight committee, but Nancy Pelosi is backing her rival

Nancy Pelosi is reportedly working behind the scenes to derail Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs attempt to become the top Democrat on the House oversight committee.

The former House speaker, 84, is actively working to tank Ms Ocasio-Cortezs bid to lead her party on the powerful congressional committee, Punchbowl reported, as the Democrats grapple with a generational changing of the guard.

According to the outlet, Ms Pelosi has been making calls encouraging party members to support Virginia congressman Gerry Connolly instead.

Mr Connolly, 74, and Ms Ocasio-Cortez, 35, are facing off to replace current oversight committee ranking member Jamie Raskin, with the New York congresswoman widely viewed as the favourite.

Ms Pelosi publicly backed Mr Connollys bid last week.

A decision is due next week on who will lead the Democrats on the committee tasked with handling oversight of the incoming Trump administration.

The committee is among the most high-profile in Congress and holds broad influence over the governments subpoena power to conduct investigations.

It could therefore play a key role in determining whether Donald Trumps administration is able to pursue Democrats the president-elect has accused of weaponising the federal government.

Not a position I seek lightly

Announcing her candidacy for the post last week, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said it is not a position I seek lightly.

The responsibility of leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee during Donald Trumps second term in the White House is a profound and consequential one, she said.

Now, more than ever, we must focus on the committees strong history of both holding administrations accountable and taking on the economic precarity and inequality that is challenging the American way of life.

It comes amid a reckoning within the Democratic Party as members seek out new blood and fresh ideas.

Earlier this week, Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin, 62, challenged senior New Yorks Jerry Nadler to lead the House judiciary committee, forcing the 77-year-old to abandon his run.

Meanwhile, natural resources committee ranking member Raul Grijalva, 76, also stepped down after a leadership bid from 60-year-old California congressman Jared Huffman.

Ms Pelosi, who played an instrumental role in forcing Joe Biden to give up his candidacy after critics claimed he was too old and frail, has said she is backing some insurgent efforts by younger Democrats.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez is said to be the frontrunner in the House oversight committee race, with one House Democrat telling Axios that she has pretty much the entire [oversight] committee with her.

Best known as the most prominent member of the Squad  a group of liberal congressmen and women from minority-ethnic backgrounds  Ms Ocasio-Cortez has been an outspoken critic of Israels war in Gaza.

First elected in 2019 as a firebrand socialist, her selection would signal a change in direction for the party.

Despite strong headwinds, Mr Connolly, who has served on the oversight committee for the past 16 years, told reporters this week that he feels comfortable about his chances.

He said: We must expose and dismantle bad faith Republican efforts to promote conspiracy theories, intimidate witnesses, and undermine democratic processes.
Prince Andrew allegedly invited the suspected Chinese spy to Buckingham Palace, St Jamess Palace and Windsor Castle - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Buckingham Palace is investigating visits made by an alleged Chinese spy to royal residences at the invitation of the Duke of York, The Telegraph understands.

The Chinese businessman, identified as H6, was allegedly invited to events at the palace, St Jamess Palace and Windsor Castle by Prince Andrew.

Details of the visits emerged after a court heard that the alleged spy, described as the Dukes close confidant, had been banned from the UK on national security grounds.

Buckingham Palace is understood to be investigating the various occasions when H6 entered royal residences, to ascertain with whom he may have had contact.

Prince Andrew pictured with the alleged spy known as H6, whose face is blurred as he is the subject of a court anonymity order

A source said: We are taking the appropriate steps one might expect in the circumstances. A Palace spokesman said it did not discuss security matters.

H6 was allegedly invited into Buckingham Palace twice and also attended a function at St Jamess Palace and an event at Windsor Castle.

The Duke has said he ceased all contact with the accused spy when concerns were first raised about him by the Government.

The royal met H6 through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed, a statement from his office added.

The Duke of York shares a toast with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, at The Guildhall in London in 2015 - Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images Europe

On Friday, The Telegraph revealed the security services were investigating money given to the Dukes business venture by Chinese donors with links to H6.

The King was made aware of the MI5 investigation of his brother and his links to the alleged Chinese agent before the judgment which exposed their friendship.

H6 brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission after Suella Braverman, the home secretary at the time, said he should be excluded from the UK in March 2023.

Judges were told that in a briefing for Mrs Braverman in July last year, officials claimed the man had been in a position to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials that could be leveraged for political interference purposes.

It is not known how the Duke pays for the upkeep of 30-bedroom Royal Lodge - Stephanie Schaerer / Daily Mail

They also said H6 had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state which, combined with his relationship with the Duke of York, represented a threat to national security.

At a hearing in July, the specialist tribunal heard the businessman was told by Dominic Hampshire, an adviser to Prince Andrew, that he could act on the Dukes behalf when dealing with potential investors in China, and that H6 had been invited to the Dukes birthday party in 2020.

A letter from Mr Hampshire referring to the birthday party was discovered on H6s devices when he was stopped at a port in November 2021.

In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Bourne, Judge Stephen Smith and Sir Stewart Eldon dismissed the challenge.
Numerous sightings of drones, similar to the one pictured, have occurred in New Jersey and the north-east US since November. Photograph: Richard Newstead/Getty Images

A Republican representative from New Jersey called on federal officials on Saturday to address the many recent drone sightings in the state.

For weeks, we have asked for the truth and actions to mitigate all threats to people and property, Chris Smith said at a news briefing. Now, we are demanding it.

Smith also announced that he was drafting legislation, after being asked by local sheriffs, to allow New Jersey state police to potentially bring down drones.

Related: Fury grows as US politicians demand answers about mysterious drones

Smith and other agency leaders held the midday news briefing to discuss the drone sightings, including some near military bases, as bipartisan tension on the issue grows.

The drones have not been identified to date. White House officials have said that they are not owned by the US military but are likely manned aircraft  being operated lawfully.

The White House, the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have all denied that the drones are coming from a foreign power or are UFOS. Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities, an FBI statement released on Friday said.

Nonetheless, Smith on Saturday called the drone sightings a very considerable danger, adding that the drone maneuvering suggests a major military power sophistication. Smith also questioned whether the drones have come from violent dictatorships such as Russia, China, North Korea or Iran.

Smith announced he had reached out to the US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, for permission to use force against one or more of these unnamed threats to uncover the mystery. Smith also critiqued comments from the homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, who, along with other federal officials, denied the drones posed a threat.

Smith added that military personnel at New Jerseys Earle naval weapons station had spotted drones, but concerns had not been taken seriously. Are you kidding me? Smith said of the drone presence. An ammunition depot of that caliber and these drones are hovering in close proximity to it.

Smith said the US coast guard also alleged that a rescue boat had been followed in very close proximity off its stern by numerous drones. Smith questioned: Why cant we bag at least one of these drones and get to the bottom of [this]?

Drone sightings in New Jersey and other states since mid-November have sparked outrage from some politicians, who have called on the Biden administration to act.

On Saturday, New York governor Kathy Hochul reportedly said Bidens team needed to prioritize addressing the drones and that things had gone too far.

Since the drone spotting, the Federal Aviation Administration has put in place no-fly zones in some areas of New Jersey, though some officials are calling for statewide bans.
Dr Greg Scott demonstrates how an EEG headset is used in his work. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Observer

As a student, the neurologist Greg Scott had very little interest in following a career in medicine. Computing was the focus of his studies.

Then one day he suffered a grand mal seizure. Also called a tonic-clonic seizure, it causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions.

It came out of the blue, he told the Observer last week. I was taken to hospital where a scan revealed that I had a brain tumour. It was then removed during an operation during part of which I was completely conscious, said the researcher at Imperial College London.

I was later able to watch the operation during a case presentation. So I can say that I have seen my own brain. I was 19 and the experience transformed the trajectory of my career.

Scott was inspired to study medicine and has put his computational background to good use in his research. I became fascinated with brain activity and the idea of using AI and other technologies to understand how it generates consciousness and cognition.

In particular, Scott is concerned with delirium, a common but often misdiagnosed condition that is frequently confused with dementia.

His research, which is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, aims to develop an easy-to-wear device that could rapidly detect if a person is suffering from this debilitating condition.

Delirium is a massive problem, said Scott, who is based at Imperials UK Dementia Research Institute. Around 20% of adults in hospitals  around 20,000 NHS patients  are affected by delirium which can be caused by all sorts of different things: the impact of an operation, a urinary tract infection, a chest infection, the side-effects of medication or drug or alcohol misuse.

The result is confused thinking and a lack of awareness of ones surroundings, symptoms that can often have a swift onset  sometimes within a few hours. However, to diagnose the condition, clinicians must make subjective decisions.

We desperately need to find a simple, straightforward objective test that can tell doctors unambiguously within minutes if a person is suffering from delirium  for that could direct them to look for the underlying cause of their condition and allow it to be treated more quickly and effectively, added Scott.

The key to this work lies with the use of electroencephalograms (EEGs) to record the brains electrical activity. Brainwaves were first measured a century ago by the German psychiatrist Hans Berger whose work was received with incredulity and derision when first published. The use of EEGs has since become standard in diagnosing epilepsy and other conditions.

However, it can take a long time to fit the 20 or so electrodes to a patients head and more time for another clinician to interpret the recording. The whole process is very time consuming, very resource intensive, and poorly available in the NHS. We need to find ways to change that.

This is the goal of Scotts research which is focused on narrowing down the mass of signals that are produced by EEGs to pinpoint only those that are linked to delirium. That is going to give us a handle on the quick diagnosis of the condition, he said.

By specifying precisely which brainwaves are being triggered by delirium, it will be possible to develop a simple device that can be easily slipped over a patients head.

It wont take hours to put on and within minutes it will give a readout that will tell doctors if their patient has delirium and will also reveal its severity. Ideally it will also differentiate those with dementia and those with delirium and allow the right treatment to be used from the start. That is the goal we are now homing in on.
Sara Sharif was tortured and murdered by her father and stepmother in August 2023

Banning smacking in the wake of Sara Sharifs murder would be a mistake that would wrongly criminalise responsible parents, a former childrens minister has warned.

In an article for The Telegraph, Tim Loughton, who was also a senior member of the Commons home affairs committee, said he believed such a move was a red herring when the focus should be on better-resourced and supported social workers.

He feared the response to the tragedy would be a flood of new laws and regulations that would bog social workers down in bureaucracy instead of allowing them to use their training, expertise and instincts to root out potential abusers.

Saras father Urfan Sharif, 43, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted of her murder on Wednesday after a trial heard they had subjected her to two years of horrific abuse.

Her father had repeated contact with Surrey Social Services and police before he was charged with murdering the 10-year-old last summer. She was removed from school after the pair became aware her teachers had spoken to social services.

The NSPCC and childrens commissioner Dame Rachel De Souza have called for England to follow Scotland in banning smacking, a move that the Government says it is seriously considering, potentially as part of its new Childrens Wellbeing Bill.

But Mr Loughton said the universal panacea of a ban raised its head every time there was a child tragedy. This is a complete red herring, he said.

There is a world of difference between a caring parent who slaps the wrist of a child who has run out into a busy road or is consistently attacking siblings and the father of Sara Sharif who used violent assault, biting and torture to break the bones and spirit of his daughter.

Claiming that Urfan Sharif is just one step up from a loving parent using reasonable chastisement is disingenuous and insulting. Criminalising responsible parents who are just trying to do the right thing for their children will help no one, least of all their children.

Sara Sharifs father Urfan Sharif and stepmother Beinash Batool have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of the 10-year-olds murder - Surrey Police/PA Wire

Mr Loughton recalled how, after the Victoria Climbie scandal, there had been copious new laws, regulations and the creation of new bodies, culminating in statutory guidance that ran to 750 pages. This had led to union complaints that social workers were spending up to 80 per cent of their time filling in forms.

A social worker is much more likely to make the right judgement using their training and expertise eyeballing a family member under investigation, peering in the fridge and inspecting the sleeping arrangements for a child not acting normally than checking what page 462 of [the guidance] says they should be doing, he said.

He said his concern was that the Sara Sharif case would spark a similar return to more regulation and more bureaucracy. He cited Labour plans for mandatory reporting that would make it a criminal offence for professionals not to report every safeguarding concern raised with them.

Where it has been brought in in the US and Australia for example it resulted in flooding the system with thousands of vexatious complaints that diverted precious social worker time away from focussing on genuine and substantial cases like that of Sara Sharif, he said.

Mr Loughton said an exception on regulation would be to create a mandatory register of home-schooled children with inspection powers to ensure they were appropriately educated at home. This would close a loophole exposed by the Sara Sharif case where no school attendance meant there was no early warning system.

It is difficult to see how Sara Sharifs death might have been prevented by more regulations, more laws, more computers and criminalising of well-intentioned parents and practitioners. Better decision making, better supported and better resourced social workers, better joint and co-located working might just have done, he said.

We dont need to flood the system with new laws. We just need the existing system to do its job better. And give it the tools to do it, not more bureaucracy.

We dont need to flood the system with new laws. We just need the existing system to do its job better.

by Tim Loughton

The horrific news about the killing of another innocent child at the hands of her family brought back a depressing wave of deja vu. As Childrens Minister 12 years ago, I routinely started my week in the Department of Education with a rundown of all the latest serious child abuse cases and fatalities and the progress of reviews and prosecutions. It was a horrific litany of babies, toddlers and teenagers who had become the victims of family members who were there to protect them and from whose evil intent the system had failed to save them.

To that list, Sara Sharifs name has now been added.

Only a tiny number of these cases hit the headlines. When they do, everyone predictably erupts with indignation, eager to point a finger of blame, questioning how this was allowed to happen and insisting that lessons must be learnt.

What never hits the headlines of course are the stories of the thousands of children who have been saved from harm, placed with families able to provide a safe and loving environment by the skilful intervention and expertise of good social workers.

Too often they are damned if they do and damned if they dont, but good social work by experienced, confident and properly resourced social workers is essential and deserves to be appreciated.

That is why I spent so much of my time as Minister out of the office, on the front line with real social workers, with managers and cameras absent, seeing first-hand the challenging cases they had to deal with daily and learning from many of the children they rescued.

To learn lessons, you need to have the full information. It was absurd that the Serious Case Reviews (SCRs, now Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews) commissioned after tragedies such as Victoria Climbie and Baby P were never published and access open to only a small coterie of officials. One of the first things I did on becoming minister was to make it mandatory to publish all SCRs other than in exceptional circumstances, and we published several retrospectively, including Haringeys review into the death of Baby P.

Transparency is key

Worse still the quality of SCRs was seriously flawed as highlighted by Ofsted, one of the few bodies privy to their contents. Later, the Child Safeguarding Review Panel was set up to monitor and advise on the quality of these reviews and their authors and spread best practices. So transparency was key.

However, the real underlying problem was that in the previous 10 years, the response to the notorious killing of Victoria Climbie had been copious new laws, new regulations, and the creation of numerous new bodies and people with titles. Virtually every year, I served on committees as Shadow Childrens Minister scrutinising yet another Childrens Bill from the Labour Government, well-intentioned but which ultimately made the job of all those involved in child protection harder and more bureaucratic.

By the time they had finished, Working Together to Safeguard Children, the statutory bible of child safeguarding, ran over 750 pages. Unions were complaining that some social workers were spending up to 80 per cent of their time in front of computer screens filling in forms. Social work is not an exact science. Mistakes will be made, and hopefully learnt from.

Making right judgements using training and expertise

But a social worker is much more likely to make the right judgement using their training and expertise eyeballing a family member under investigation, peering in the fridge and inspecting the sleeping arrangements for a child not acting normally than checking what page 462 of Working Together says they should be doing  constantly looking over their shoulder and making sure they complied with the rule book.

In addition, the Labour Government had spent hundreds of millions setting up an all-singing-all-dancing computer system to list every child in the country and provide minimal data. Designed by computer buffs rather than by practitioners, it was never going to do what it claimed to do  missing out on some of the most vulnerable groups of children and deflecting practitioners using their professional nous.

So we scrapped ContactPoint and commissioned Prof Eileen Munro to review the whole child protection system and rewrite the rule book. As she put it in her groundbreaking review published in 2011, this involved moving from a system that has become over-bureaucratised and focused on compliance to one that values professional expertise and is focused on the safety and welfare of children and young people.

Or as I put it, trusting social workers on the front line to get it wrong occasionally but using their experience, training and instincts.

Working Together was slimmed down by 90 per cent and social workers were encouraged to become social workers rather than computer operatives again. It was the right thing to do and the findings of the Munro Review remain as relevant today as they were then. So why do cases like Sara Sharif continue to happen?

It is important to remind ourselves that it is not social workers who kill children. In this case, it is evil family members in positions of trust who are often smart in inflicting torture and abuse behind closed doors and spinning a good story about unexplained injuries. We will never be able to prevent all of these tragedies from happening, and it is crass to demand that, but the child protection system must be smarter in making the opportunities for evil people to wage their cruelty on vulnerable children much harder.

Tim Loughton says we need better decision-making, not more bureaucracy - Richard Townshend

A common theme from past reviews has been the lack of data sharing and joined-up working between agencies. Social workers need to talk to the police, teachers, nursery staff and doctors, pool information and then act on it. That is why we promoted the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH) where all those agencies together with justice, housing, domestic violence and other local authority officials met regularly to join up the dots and ideally are co-located.

Those local authorities who have embraced this full-on have noticed the difference. In too many cases it has been a token effort though and I remember visiting a MASH located in a police station but the door between the police operations and the social care officials was locked and neer the twain did meet.

The best examples were where different agencies hotdesk and real-time information about the families on the radar were immediately shared and informed value judgements were made about thresholds for intervention and taking a child to a place of safety. Ideally, they all need to be subject to the same joint training so they are all singing from the same song sheet and all know each other and what to expect from partners. This still does not happen enough.

However, the key to all this is a lead official with whom the buck stops and who can cut through the bureaucracy to pick up the ball and get the team to intervene appropriately. Plus, MASH officials need long memories and monitoring needs to be consistent and constantly scrutinised for its quality.

A child does not automatically become safe just because the reports of abuse have gone quiet. This includes the legal system too. We need more judges with a better understanding of child safeguarding in practice at the sharp end, retaining responsibility for giving judgements to the same damaged family over the long term and mindful of the outcomes they have pronounced on.

I remember speaking at the President of the Family Law Division conference many years ago in front of hundreds of family court judges. I asked them how many of them actually went out with social workers, saw the implications of their judgements at first hand and followed their progress. They thought I was mad and made indignant remarks about it not being ethical. Well, the minister who makes the laws does it, so why shouldnt the legal professionals who apply it in practice improve their real-life experiences too?

Wrong decisions were made

Data sharing does not seem to be the problem in the case of Sara Sharif though. Indeed, she was placed on a child protection plan even before she was born; taken into temporary care at various points in her life along with her siblings, and court judgements given on her residency between her mother and subsequently father with his new partner. Police intervened and brought charges, childrens services at times responded and Saras school raised concerns with them too.

Sara Sharif was actually very much on everyones radar. But ultimately, the wrong decisions were made, the eye was taken off the ball and no one really picked up that ball, led the team and ran with it until the child was safe.

The most obvious and alarming wrong decision was when Saras school reported their concerns to Surrey Childrens Services. They were told to monitor the situation, only for her to be taken out of school for homeschooling a short while later by her father who then turned out to be her murderer. This should have rung serious alarm bells and triggered a significant intervention.

At no point can I see that a change in the law might have prevented this tragic death. Better decisions made by better trained, better resourced and better motivated social workers might just have done.

There is one exception and that is a change in the law which I have long supported and which I hope will feature in the forthcoming Childrens Wellbeing Bill. We need a mandatory register of home-schooled children with proper inspection powers to make sure that children are actually being appropriately educated at home.

A side benefit of this would be an oversight power in the small minority of cases where children may be being abused behind closed doors. Outside of the home, children from four years old upwards spend most of their waking weekdays at school which can act as an important early warning system, as long as co-agencies are sensitive to those warnings. No school attendance, no early warning system.

We need less bureaucracy and better decision-making

My concern is that the response to the Sara Sharif case will be a return to the days of more regulation, thicker rule books and more bureaucracy. The Childrens Commissioner who has done much to raise the profile of safeguarding and with whom I often agree, has already started talking about new regulations and new unique identifying numbers inevitably involving more expensive and time-distracting computer systems. The Government is now looking at mandatory reporting, making it a criminal offence for professionals not to report every safeguarding concern that is raised with them.

Where it has been brought in in the US and Australia for example it resulted in flooding the system with thousands of vexatious complaints that diverted precious social worker time away from focussing on genuine and substantial cases like that of Sara Sharif.

The Commissioner has also led calls to change the law to criminalise smacking, the universal panacea that raises its head every time a child tragedy takes place. This is a complete red herring. There is a world of difference between a caring parent who slaps the wrist of a child who has run out into a busy road or is consistently attacking siblings and the father of Sara Sharif who used violent assault, biting and torture to break the bones and spirit of his daughter.

Claiming that Urfan Sharif is just one step up from a loving parent using reasonable chastisement is disingenuous and insulting. Criminalising responsible parents who are just trying to do the right thing for their children will help no one, least of all their children.

It is difficult to see how Sara Sharifs death might have been prevented by more regulations, more laws, more computers and criminalising of well-intentioned parents and practitioners. Better decision-making, better supported and better resourced social workers, and better joint and co-located working might just have done. We dont need to flood the system with new laws. We just need the existing system to do its job better. And give it the tools to do it, not more bureaucracy.

Tim Loughton is the MP for East Worthing & Shoreham from 1997-2024 and was Childrens Minister from 2010-2012
Wes Streeting has promised a zero tolerance approach to anyone in the NHS who uses the conflict in the Middle East as a pretext to attack communities - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

Wes Streeting has called on regulators to strike off doctors who bring extremist views about Gaza into the workplace in a crackdown on anti-Semitism in the NHS.

The Health Secretary told The Telegraph he would enforce a zero tolerance approach to anyone who uses the conflict in the Middle East as a pretext to attack communities in the health service.

Mr Streeting will urge regulators to discipline doctors and nurses who express racist or extremist views about the Gaza conflict, with measures up to and including being struck off the medical register.

He said: I expect regulators to investigate any concerns suggesting patient safety is at risk due to discrimination or misconduct by a healthcare professional. Any worker espousing racist or extremist views should know they could end up in front of a disciplinary panel.

A number of NHS medics have been reported for anti-Semitic activities, from workplace abuse to social media posts celebrating the Oct 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.

Jewish doctors in the NHS have reported a surge in anti-Semitic abuse from colleagues since Oct 7, according to a report by the General Medical Council (GMC), the independent body which regulates the UK medical register.

Mr Streeting said: Regulators have powers to set conditions that a healthcare professional must work under, suspend them, or strike them entirely from the medical register.

Patients and members of the public are also able to raise concerns about a professional directly with a regulator, and regulators have a statutory duty to investigate those complaints.



Any patient racially or violently abusing NHS staff, who are simply trying to do their jobs and care for us, can and should be turned away. We will ensure everyone working in or using the health service feels safe and respected, and stamp out this wickedness.

Earlier this year the NHS suspended Dr Wahid Asif Shaida, a family GP who led the UK branch of the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir until it was proscribed.

He described the Oct 7 Hamas attacks as a welcome punch on the nose, and was later reinstated because the NHS said it did not have sufficient evidence that he was unfit to practice.

Dr Wahid Asif Shaida described the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Sirael as a welcome punch on the nose - Guy Corbishley/Alamy Stock Photo

Last month it was revealed that Dr Rehiana Ali, a consultant neurologist who has worked in the NHS for two decades, had made posts on X, formerly Twitter, that said Israels killing of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, had turned the Oct 7 mastermind into a legend and male role model.

Dr Ali said the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, had turned him into a legend who was completely untouchable.

Last year, Maqsood Ahmad, the director of the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, stepped down following reports of social media posts in which he apparently contrasted Jews who support Israel with the decent Jewish and the real Jews.

In August, Jess Phillips, the Home Office minister, suggested she had received quicker treatment on the NHS because she had voted for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Ms Phillips claimed that, when she was triaged at an Accident and Emergency unit in Birmingham, a Palestinian doctor expedited her case because of how she had voted on the conflict. She was one of eight shadow frontbenchers who resigned from Labours top team in opposition over Gaza.

In September, the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust was criticised for telling staff not to attend an anti-Semitism awareness course because the content may have been inappropriate for some.

In an email to staff, the Trust said: We have become aware of concerns regarding the anti-Semitism training that was recently advertised to staff. We have determined that this training and its content may be inappropriate. We advise all staff members not to attend this training.

The trust later apologised for the email, saying that it was sent in error.

Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, said: I wholeheartedly support the Secretary of States comments  it is completely unacceptable for anyone to experience racism, discrimination or prejudice in the health service, and the NHS takes any report of antisemitism extremely seriously.

The NHS provides care and treatment for everyone regardless of race, faith, or background, while staff should be able to speak out about any concerns in the knowledge they will be listened to  and all trusts and NHS healthcare providers should have robust policies in place to deal with any incidents appropriately.

Chris Hopson, the chief strategy officer at NHS England, said: I wholeheartedly support the Secretary of States comments  it is completely unacceptable for anyone to experience racism, discrimination or prejudice in the health service, and the NHS takes any report of anti-Semitism extremely seriously.

The NHS provides care and treatment for everyone regardless of race, faith, or background, while staff should be able to speak out about any concerns in the knowledge they will be listened to  and all trusts and NHS healthcare providers should have robust policies in place to deal with any incidents appropriately.
Prof Fothergill, an economist specialising in urban and regional development, held a short-term, part-time contract with the university

An academic claims he was sacked by a university after writing a paper that was negative about foreign workers.

Prof Steve Fothergill said his contract was terminated by Sheffield Hallam University after his paper found that half of the jobs in former coal mining areas were taken up by migrants.

He alleged that bosses at the university told him they were unhappy with his paper and subsequently did not renew his short-term, part-time contract.

Prof Fothergill accused Sheffield Hallam of launching an assault on academic freedom, alleging that the university simply didnt like the conclusions we came to.

Sheffield Hallam University denied that there was any attempt to suppress the research project or its findings, adding that the academic was on secondment there.

Issue with quality of academic work

Speaking to The Telegraph, Prof Fothergill, an economist specialising in urban and regional development, said: I was told there was an issue with the quality of the academic work, which is nonsense  the paper is a very thorough evaluation of the numbers.

His paper, which explored employment growth in former mining areas in England and Wales in 2011-21, found that almost half the jobs created had been filled by foreign workers.

It concluded that given the substantial effort, energy and funding ploughed into these areas over the decade to regenerate local economies and communities, the outcome was a poor rate of return.

It suggested that the high numbers of jobs going to non-UK workers could explain why vast numbers of coalfield residents  590,000 in the autumn of 2023  were on out-of-work benefits.

The paper also suggested the need to better regulate migration to the UK, to bring down the numbers so that more of the benefits of local regeneration feed through to local residents.

Sheffield Hallam University, a former polytechnic, has around 28,000 students - The Image Bank RF

But the academic claimed that days after an article was published in October referencing the research, he was called into a meeting at the universitys Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research and told that the university was unhappy with the piece of work.

Prof Fothergill claimed his short-term, part-time contract, which he said had been renewed consistently since 1992, was terminated.

He said he had run the study past half a dozen very senior academics around the country for their comments.

These are leading professors, in Cambridge, Birmingham and Newcastle, whose views I respect. No one came back saying Oh no Steve, youve got this wrong, he said. They were all saying Wow, this is rather shocking in terms of the numbers.

In a series of emails seen by The Telegraph, the director of the universitys Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research said that while there was no suggestion that the data are wrong or your conclusions cannot be substantiated, the study had not been presented in a way that is sufficiently robust academically to substantiate the policy conclusions it draws and the language that is used to propose them.

It said the report fails to engage critically with wider debates around migration and uses language which is at best a little careless and at worst will be seen as offensive or inflammatory.

The email also stated you are talking about people who have legally moved to the UK  just as many from the UK have legally moved to other countries and that some of the conclusions come across as jingoistic.

This isnt about race or culture

Prof Fothergill denied the claims, adding: I made sure that it was an objective, numbers-driven economic analysis, couched in very careful language where it reaches its conclusions.

This isnt about race or culture, it is a number-crunching exercise. But people in the university didnt like the conclusions that we came to.

Prof Fothergill claimed that Sheffield Hallam saw itself as a very liberal university so didnt want these things being said.

Accusing the university of overriding academic integrity, he said: There is a point of principle in this. I dont really want to be the centre of a news story but I need to be brave and put my head above the parapet here.

Political correctness is beginning to override academic integrity  that is how I put it. Other academics I know are really quite shocked by this behaviour.

Sheffield Hallam University, a former polytechnic, has around 28,000 students, including a substantial number of postgraduates. About 18 per cent of students are from overseas.

More than half of the student body are the first in their family to attend university and nearly a quarter are from neighbourhoods where low numbers of young people attend university.

Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at Kent University, warned: There is now considerable pressure to conform to the dominant values of the higher education hierarchy.

Whereas universities used to be one of the most hospitable sites for free thought, today they have become the most censorious institutions in British society.

A spokesman for the Sheffield Hallam said: Professor Steve Fothergill is not employed by Sheffield Hallam University, he has been seconded to the University for one day per week on an external contract from another employer.

The contract is due to end earlier than planned in January 2025 as we have taken the decision not to renew a number of external contracts due to the financial pressures being experienced right across the HE sector.

Sheffield Hallam University takes its responsibility to protect and promote both free speech and academic freedom seriously. At no point was there any attempt to suppress the research project or its findings.
There is a record backlog of more than 73,000 crown court cases - iStockphoto/Oversnap

Victims of crime are being forced to wait until 2028 for justice because of trial backlogs as up to 38 per cent of courts stand idle, new research has revealed.

The scheduling of a trial in four years time at Guildford Crown Court is the longest known delay yet.

Rape, sexual assault and fraud victims are already being told they will not see their suspected offenders brought to trial until 2027 amid a record backlog of more than 73,000 crown court cases.

On Sunday, a group of academics and data scientists launched a campaign to expose the failures within the criminal justice system.

They have set up a court leaderboard, CourtSpotlight.uk, ranking every crown court by its frequency of operation so the public can see at a glance the Governments failure to combat delays in real time.

It shows that on Friday  albeit normally a quieter day of the week  38 per cent of courtrooms at the Old Bailey and Maidstone crown courts were not operating, putting them at the top of the table. They were followed by Preston (33 per cent), Bristol and Croydon (both on 30 per cent).

Crush Crime, the campaign set up by legal academic Dr Lawrence Newport, backed by data scientists CrimeSpotlightUK, are calling on the Government to inject the funds that would allow courts to operate 24/7 to clear the backlog.

They argue that the injustice to victims, many of whom withdraw from cases because of the delays, is as big a national emergency as the riots this Summer or in 2011 when courts were authorised to operate round the clock or cases were fast-tracked to ensure swift justice.

Backlog is a national disgrace

Dr Newport said: The backlog is a national disgrace. No victim should face years of delays. No rape trial should take up to four years. We should not accept courts shut across the country while the backlog grows by 500 cases a month.

The Government must act and end the backlog. Victims deserve better. The courts must open, cases must be heard. No excuses, no delays.

The campaign comes just days after Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, announced a judicial review that will consider scrapping some jury trials to speed up justice, admitting that no amount of extra money would stop the backlog continuing to grow.

Some jury trials may be scrapped to speed up access - Alvaro Medina Jurado/Moment RF

However, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has capped the funding for the number of days that courts can sit at just over 105,000, a limit that it claims it inherited from the Conservative Government.

It had been uncapped in 2021/22, although even then sitting days were limited by shortages of judges, barristers and court staff.

The result has been a near doubling in the backlog from 38,000 in 2019, before the Covid pandemic closed courts, to more than 73,000 now.

It means the number of victims waiting in the courts for more than two years for their trial has tripled to over 6,500. A third have been delayed for more than a year.

These figures, however, exclude delays in police investigations, which themselves are hampered by overloaded or inexperienced detectives and forensic backlogs of up to 25,000 phones or computers waiting to be scanned.

The latest MoJ data, for the year to September 2024, analysed by The Telegraph, showed that for the first time on record the average time from a victim reporting the crime to a trial being completed passed two years for all offences.
Neil Barrie has worked with some of the world's leading advertising and communications agencies.

Neil Barrie has been hailed as one of the world's leading progressive brand strategists  and the Briton admits that a major slice of his role is about CMO or CEO "whispering as he continues to challenge the way brands are built.

If you're doing brand, particularly for tech companies, a lot of the work is pulling it out of someone else, says Barrie, CEO and co-founder of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand (21CB).

Take the work 21CB undertook with Pinterest in 2018, with the social media website aiming to become more relevant against a tide of competition such as Instagram. They had a brilliant product, but I don't think they knew what their brand was about by that point, recalls Barrie. "It was a discovery.

Read More: 'How artists and creators can win on Patreon in the digital age'

Barrie was taken for a drink by one of Pinterests three founders where an honest and helpful conversation for both parties ensued. He found himself explaining the concept of brand and without the jargon and weird language that Pinterest's founder had tried to navigate.

21CB spent time with social media users to record emojis of how they felt after using a variety of different platforms. The Pinterest emojis were universally lovely, says Barrie. They felt thoughtful, inspired and motivated to do things. Whereas the other ones, the set of emojis were quite troubling in a way, like people feeling quite insecure.

Barrie says the word 'inspiring' kept being revealed by Pinterest users. This was about personal inspiration for your future, whereas everything else is like, how well am I doing right now? How well am I being liked?

Neil Barrie co-founded TwentyFirstCenturyBrand with Jonathan Mildenhall, pictured, former CMO at Airbnb. (Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)

As one of its first clients, the Pinterest experience helped shape 21CB. He had previously worked in Los Angeles for six years as chief strategy officer at legendary West Coast ad agency Chiat/Day. Airbnb was a client and Barrie spent four years with their leadership team, including then CMO Jonathan Mildenhall.

Building the Airbnb brand was quite a humbling, but ultimately fortifying experience where I had to relearn so much of what I thought brand building was about to make it work for them, admits Barrie, who helped conceive the 'Don't go there. Live there' global campaign.

Im a rock and roll professor type of character, but ultimately I'm quite a geek as well. Im always fascinated by how things work, how systems work, how people think. So brand is a natural way of putting those things together because it is commercial and creative.

Read More: How Jeff Dewing went from bankruptcy to 70m fortune

Mildenhall and Barrie struck a chord and became co-founders of 21CB in 2018, with other clients including Peloton, Headspace, Bumble and Depop. We realised that there are just so many of these ambitious companies that are trying to disrupt markets, not just be for a niche, but for new leaders. To build the most influential brands of our time was the mission.

At 21CB, which works across London, San Francisco and LA, the founders release annual thought leadership pieces while its self-appointed impact committee runs projects to champion inclusivity and diversity.

Barrie also recently spoke at Lisbons Web Summit on the theme CM-Over? The Changing World of the Marketing Boss and highlights to Yahoo Finance how the average tenure is becoming one of the shortest in the C-suite.

Regarded as one of the worlds leading progressive brand strategists, Neil Barrie has also co-authored the CMO Thrive Guide. (Ramsey Cardy via Getty Images)

Quite often they are seen as second-class citizens, he says. This isn't how I see it, but that can be the industry stereotype. And that's not good for companies if they want to grow iconic, influential brands which take commitment, consistency, support and empowered leaders. If CMOs are vulnerable, then we're vulnerable, my business is vulnerable.

The way CMOs are managed, evaluated and trained is changing a lot. My view is that the CMO is the best in most organisations, the best role in terms of bringing together the art and science of what it takes to build a proper brand.

I always advise CMOs we work with to think of themselves like servant leaders, assert yourself as someone in service to other disciplines, because marketing the brand has to serve product, culture, finance.

Barrie is at pains to say that CMOs need to be a bridge between the growth levers" for a company, in how it makes money and grows over the years.

"That's how CEOs really want their CMOs to be," he adds. "And the ones that can really crack that? They're priceless and a lot of the best CMOs go on to be CEOs.

Read More: Nextdoor can be 'world's most valuable local company', says CEO

Having worked with some of the worlds top tech brands  Lego Group is also a key client  Barrie admits to being a bit of a magpie in terms of knowledge building and how he now leads and inspires around 35 staff at 21CB.

We're a small company so one of the advantages I say is You're not going to get all the best resources all the time, but you are going to get to understand what's really going on here because I want you to be CEOs of your own company.

"That working-out-loud thing is quite helpful. It means that I don't have to pretend we're more slick than we are, which is also helpful for me.

CEO Says: Neil Barrie on.. being a failed rock star

The really great brands have grown and managed very creatively and commercially. My band's brand when I failed was not good and I think I realised that at the time.

It was an extended slow death for six years. And if you fail at something like that and you give it your all, it gives you a massive hunger and work ethic to not let that happen again.

Neil Barrie's firm has helped the likes of Depop grow its brand. (imageBROKER/Timon Schneider, imageBROKER.com GmbH & Co. KG)

I think a lot of companies are suspicious of consultants. Because I grew up, spent my 20s as a musician, creative and entrepreneur, running our own label, I have a different vibe to most people in the branding industry. Its more akin to a founder's vibe; a bit more real, a bit less polished, and I think that's helped me quite a lot as well.

And the other thing is dealing with drummers, which Ive found to be very similar to dealing with founders in terms of the mentality. They tend to want to play like Keith Moon or John Bonham, just wanting to play that certain way and coaxing and influencing them.

Thats helped me a lot in influencing leaders  not bossing them, influencing them. So much of building brands and working for companies is about influence rather than authority. Being in a band you have to be very good at that.

Read more:

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Pupils from Lancaster Royal Grammar School and an Islamic school take part in a Parallel Histories session based on the history of Israel-Palestine. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer

It has dominated the news agenda for the past 14 months, but inside most British classrooms, its as if 7 October never happened. Half a million pupils studied history at GCSE or A-level last year, but just 2,000 tackled the origins of the Middle Easts most contentious war: why Israel was born, what that meant for the Palestinians, and the decades of occupation and violence that followed.

Its not that children arent interested. They hear about it at home, in their communities and of course on social media, where a bitter and bloody 100-year-old schism is boiled down to 15-second clips. But inside school, its all just too difficult. Too dangerous, even.

All of which made the scene in the hall at Lancaster Royal grammar school (LRGS) this month even more remarkable as pupils from the selective Lancashire state school came together with boys from an Islamic school to explore and debate key elements of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

About 50 students aged 13 to 18 took part in the session, organised by Parallel Histories, an educational charity working with more than 1,000 schools across the UK and a further 400 worldwide.

It is one of three charities we are raising money for through the 2024 Guardian and Observer appeal, alongside War Child and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

Some of the children looked nervous (I was worried about saying the wrong thing, one boy admitted afterwards, relieved that his fears had been unfounded.) The older pupils, veterans of the Parallel Histories method  which also has courses on the Troubles in Northern Ireland, as well as Putin and Ukraine, and great leaders including Churchill and Thatcher  were chomping at the bit.

Layla, 18, used to be at a school that was too scared to tackle contested histories. We did the Vikings, Elizabeth I, British crime and punishment and the Nazis. So all very typical stuff. And then I came here and suddenly a whole new world was opened up to me.

The Parallel Histories method  developed by the late LRGS history teacher Michael Davies after he took pupils on what now seems an unimaginable school trip to Israel and the West Bank in 2014  encourages children not to shy away from competing narratives but to lay them out, side by side. They are taught to examine the source evidence and debate alternative interpretations before coming to their own view. The curriculum and all teaching materials are available on the Parallel Histories website for parents  or indeed anyone  to examine.

You can understand both sides of the story without just seeing a post on Twitter that says one side and its very populist, whereas this lets you see the evidence and make your own mind up about that argument, said Layla.

Even before the 7 October attacks, teaching Israel-Palestine was difficult: in 2021, the only exam board to offer curriculum material and a GCSE history option on the region withdrew its two textbooks after being accused of favouring the case for Israel.

On the day we visited, the youngest students, from year 9, were tackling the Balfour declaration, the 1917 memo in which the UK declared its support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The year 10s were doing the 1967 six-day war, or Naksa, which resulted in an Israeli victory over the combined forces of Egypt, Jordan and Syria  and the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. And the year 12s were examining who was responsible for the failure of the peace process right up to the present day.

Each group was split into two, with half told they would be arguing the Israeli perspective and half the Palestinian view, with each using primary sources (letters, memos, speeches, etc) to make their case.

Key to Parallel Histories is that the groups then swap sides  in this case after a much-anticipated pizza lunch  and are forced to counter the arguments they have just been making.

During the first session, Zain, 17, could be heard arguing that deep divisions between the Palestinian political parties Fatah and Hamas helped to derail any prospect of a peace deal. He was countered by Sol, 16, using a UN security council briefing to make the Palestinian case that Israelis have ignored repeated resolutions to stop building settlements in the occupied territories.

Arguing for Israel did not come naturally to Zain: Im very pro-Palestine. I have family working there, he said. But it is interesting to see from another perspective how other people think, and it is valuable.

Related: Serious concerns: UK education row as Israel-Palestine textbooks pulled

It was important for schools to teach Israel-Palestine, said Sol, otherwise you have these two extreme sides who wont really listen to each other, and therefore you cant achieve peace, because neither side will hear out whats going on.

Emma, 16, said the session had helped her gain empathy for both sides, with more nuance. Its not just black and white. Both sides have good arguments.

Hassaan, 14, said schools shouldnt fear teaching the subject. We should learn about this, especially since its on the news so much and most of us dont know the history.

Learning about the Balfour declaration, which followed decades of Jewish persecution in Russia, helped him better understand the conflict, he added: By looking at these sources, by learning this much, you understand how simple things like this can lead in the future to a big conflict like the one thats occurring right now.

Al-Yasa, an LRGS old boy who now teaches history at the Islamic boys school, said: I think its really important that we talk about contentious topics, because if we dont, other people do in their own echo chamber. And where best to teach contentious topics than in school, where we can teach the kids to articulate their views in a controlled and safe manner?

Nonetheless, teaching like this comes with risks, which is one reason his school asked to not be named in this piece. But Al-Yasa thinks Parallel Histories is the best way of countering extremism  far better than the governments controversial Prevent strategy, which turns teachers into informants.

My previous head, when I introduced him to Parallel Histories, said: This is what prevention looks like. This is Prevent, when theyre able to look at sources, able to articulate it in a safe environment.

Related: The Islamic school that ensures its boys understand the Israeli point of view

The charity hopes to extend its work to 3,000 schools with money from our annual appeal, and expand its staff of five.

Bill Rammell, a former Labour minister who took over as Parallel Histories chief executive this year, said the methodology had never been more important.

Society is more divided than ever before. We live with social media, where the algorithms just feed us the news and the views that accord with what we believe. And theres a real sense of schism. And I think Parallel Histories and the way we teach, the debates we organise, enables young people to cut through that, to have empathy and understanding for both sides of the arguments, and, in a sense, builds their capacity to reach out across the divides. And I think it genuinely does contribute to social cohesion.
The Prince of Wales said he wants to be positive and not preach as he discussed the goals behind his Earthshot Prize  over a game of darts and a pint.

William ordered his favourite tipple cider when he met with actress Hannah Waddingham at Alexandra Palace, which is staging the darts World Championship this weekend.

In a video released on the princes social media channels, he reveals he talks to his children about the importance of nature and stresses how we all should venture into the natural world.

In the footage, where the pair joke about their lack of darts prowess, the future King said: So I talk to my children the whole time about it, and its important that they see, touch, feel and go into nature.

Its very hard for anyone to understand whats the point of protecting it if you never use it. And its really important we get people out into nature because then theyll value it.

We cant take for granted what we have. We have to protect it, we have to look after it, we have to think about it in a way that is sustainable and beneficial for all of us.

The Prince of Wales walks the green carpet with Earthshot ambassadors Nomzamo Mbatha and Robert Irwin (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA)

Affectionally known as Ally Pally, the north-London venue also staged the first Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in 2021, with Boston hosting the following year; Singapore, co-hosted by Waddingham, in 2023 and last month it was Cape Towns turn.

William founded the prize to recognise and scale up ideas to help repair the planet, with five winning finalists each awarded 1 million to develop their ideas further.

Awards are presented in five categories, or Earthshots  Protect and restore nature; clean our air, revive our oceans; build a waste-free world; and fix our climate.

Ted Lasso actress Waddingham presents a BBC documentary, screened on Sunday, called The Earthshot Report about Williams ambitious project and he features, introducing the film.

The prince and the actress were left in hysterics by their attempts to hit the dart board (Kensington Palace/PA)

During the darts match, William tells the actress about his goals for the prize: It took a long time, I wasnt sure how to create and galvanise action, the element of trying to stay positive about everything rather than negative was really important.

So thats where the awards ceremony came from, which was to celebrate talent and solutions, rather than tell people dont do this and dont do that, you have to be so careful.

I dont want to preach, I want to find solutions because thats always healthier for everyone.
Simply Recipes / Getty Images

I apologize to all the mayonnaise fans out there, but this popular condiment is one of the very few things I don't love the flavor and texture of. I do keep it stocked in my fridge, but not for the normal applications like spreading it on sandwiches, folding it into egg salad, or whisking it into a dressing.

I only reach for mayo in ways some people may not think to. For example, I smear it on the outside of a grilled cheese so that it gets golden brown and delicious and I add it into chocolate cakethe secret to getting the most velvety crumb.

Thats why when I saw cookbook author J. Kenji Lopez-Alts on an Instagram Reel for @NYTCooking using mayo to coat chicken breasts, I was very intrigued.

Over the years, I have discovered some of my favorite cooking tips through Kenji, like how to get more tender scrambled eggs and fluffier mashed potatoes. So when I saw him share his tip for using mayo to marinate chicken breasts, I gave it a try.

According to Kenji, you should add mayonnaise to your chicken marinade. Use a ratio of almost equal parts mayo-to-marinade. For example, if you're using 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce, cut it with about 1/3 cup mayo. Kenji says this ratio "will work with nearly any marinade... You could use pesto, salsa verde, bottled barbecue sauce, jarred Thai curry paste, teriyaki sauce, or mole, all with equal success."

Kenji recommends marinating the mayo-coated chicken for at least four hours, or up to 24 hours before cooking. Though he uses chicken cutlets in his recipe, you can use any cut, including chicken breasts or thighs.

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Why Cutting Your Chicken Marinade with Mayo Works

In the video, Kenji explains that adding a little mayonnaise to your marinade goes a long way in terms of flavor and texture. Here are the three benefits:

1. The marinade won't slide off the chicken: Mayonnaise is creamy and thick because it's emulsified. So when you add it to a marinade, it helps the marinade to adhere to the surface of the chicken, rather than run right off. Also, since the mayo thoroughly coats the chicken, it prevents the marinade from burning right off when it hits the heat.

2. You'll get golden brown and juicy chicken: The egg proteins in the mayo encourage browning on the outside of the chicken while locking the moisture in.

3. The best part, the chicken won't taste like mayonnaise. This is important for me!

I gave this trick a try with leftover pesto I had in the fridge. Ive used plain pesto as a chicken marinade before and have been a little underwhelmed with the outcome. When combined with the mayonnaise, the pesto flavor and color both remained brighter and more flavorful once cooked. Mayonnaise may never be the star of my show, but it is a very important supporting character. Try this trick and never eat sad, overcooked, flavorless chicken breast again!

Read More: My One-Ingredient Trick for Super Juicy Chicken Breasts

Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES
Eating Well/Getty Images

Theres nothing I love more than cheesewhether its the creamy melt of mozzarella, the tangy bite of sharp Cheddar, or the smooth richness of goat cheese. Cheese has a way of making everything better, from snacks to gourmet dishes, and Aldis top picks this year are no exception.

These five crowd-pleasing cheeses have stolen the hearts (and taste buds) of Aldi shoppers. They just so happen to be the most popular cheeses of the year for 2024, which means these logs, blocks and cubes ended up in customers carts over and over again. Whether youre crafting a cheesy masterpiece or snacking straight from the fridge, these favorites deliver flavor, convenience and versatility like no other.

Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Cheese Every Day

Sharp Cheddar

Eating Well

$1.89 per 8-ounce block

Sharp Cheddar is a well-deserved favorite among Aldi shoppers, and its easy to see why. Its bold, tangy flavor makes it the perfect addition to nearly any dish. Whether its grated into a comforting casserole like our Loaded Cauliflower Casserole, melted over a sizzling burger or simply enjoyed with crackers, this Cheddar brings a rich, full-bodied taste that elevates every meal. For those who crave bold flavors and endless versatility, sharp Cheddar is always a winning choice. Its punchy profile and ability to enhance dishes make it a standout in the cheese aisle.

Low-Moisture, Part-Skim Mozzarella

Eating Well

$1.89 per 8-ounce block

Mozzarella is the classic cheese that never goes out of style. Known for its unbeatable meltability, its a must-have for pizza nights, baked pastas and cheesy casseroles. Try it in our Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burgers for a pull-worthy, cheesy bite thats impossible to resist. But mozzarella is more than just a melting cheesebuy it fresh, and its just as tasty sliced with ripe tomatoes and basil in a caprese salad. (Still, we love the low-moisture version in classic recipes like our Veggie Lasagna.)

Whether youre craving something simple or sophisticated, mozzarella delivers a satisfying, melt-in-your-mouth experience every time. Its the ultimate cheese to keep stocked in your fridge for everything from casual meals to elegant appetizers.

Related: 14 Recipes Using Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

Goat Cheese Logs

Eating Well

$1.79 per 4-ounce log

For those moments when you want to add a little extra flair to your meal, Aldis goat cheese logs are the perfect choice. With their creamy texture and tangy bite, they bring an air of sophistication to any dish. Whether youre crumbling them over a fresh salad, spreading them on warm, crusty baguette slices or pairing them with something sweet, like in our Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll, this cheese elevates every bite. Versatile and luxurious, goat cheese logs are your secret ingredient for transforming ordinary meals into something special. Theyre perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something a little celebratory.

Monterey Jack

Eating Well

$1.89 per 8-ounce block

Monterey Jack is the laid-back cheese that fits in wherever its needed. Creamy, smooth and slightly nutty, it strikes the perfect balance between mild flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether its lending its magic to a sizzling quesadilla like our Bacon Chard Quesadillas, topping off a stack of nachos, or blending seamlessly into a casserole, Monterey Jack is always up for the task. Its equally impressive on a snack plate, pairing effortlessly with crackers, apples or even a dollop of jam.

Underrated but irreplaceable, this cheese proves that sometimes the quietest player is the most versatile. Whether youre making a quick lunch or prepping a weeknight dinner, Monterey Jack is always ready to shine. Wed recommend starting with our Cheesy Chicken & White Bean Skillet if you pick up a block.

Related: How to Build the Perfect Cheese Board

Mild Cheddar Cubes

Eating Well

$2.19 per 8-ounce bag of cubes

Humble mild Cheddar cubes are proof that simple can be spectacular. Perfectly pre-cut for snacking ease, these little bites are the ultimate grab-and-go cheese. Creamy and mellow, theyre a hit with kids, picky eaters and anyone who needs a quick boost between meetings or errands. Pair them with apple slices, toss them into salads like our Fall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar or enjoy them as isno frills, no fuss, just cheesy goodness.

Read the original article on EATINGWELL
ABC News will pay $15 million to a presidential foundation and museum in a settlement reached with President-elect Donald Trump in his defamation suit against the network and anchor George Stephanopoulos.

The settlement, which was filed publicly Saturday, reveals the network will also pay $1 million in Trumps attorneys fees and will issue an apology.

ABC News will issue the following statement as an editors note on the online article at the center of the suit: ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABCs This Week on March 10, 2024.

We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing, an ABC News spokesperson wrote in a statement.

Trump filed the lawsuit in Florida federal court earlier this year, arguing that Stephanopoulos and ABC News defamed him when the anchor said 10 times during a contentious on-air interview with South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace in March that a jury found Trump had raped E. Jean Carroll.

Carroll alleged that Trump raped her in a department store in the mid-1990s and that he defamed her when he denied her claim. Trump has denied all wrongdoing toward Carroll.

In 2023, a jury found that Trump sexually abused Carroll, sufficient to hold him liable for battery, though it did not find that Carroll proved he raped her. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million for battery and defamation. In January, Carroll was awarded an additional $83.3 million in damages for defamatory statements made by Trump that disparaged her and denied her rape allegations.

A judge concluded in August 2023, when dismissing Trumps countersuit against Carroll, that the claim Trump raped Carroll was substantially true. The judge wrote that Trump raped her in the broader sense of that word, as people generally understand it, though not as it is narrowly defined by New York state law.

In the lawsuit filed against ABC News in March, Trump claimed that Stephanopoulos statements were false, intentional, malicious and designed to cause harm.

A judge in July refused to dismiss Trumps lawsuit against the network, writing that these definitions were different enough. He added that the case would turn on whether it is substantially true to say a jury (or juries) found (Trump) liable for rape by a jury despite the jurys verdict expressly finding he was not liable for rape.

The settlement came a day after a federal judge ruled that Trump and Stephanopoulos must sit for a deposition sometime next week. The president-elect can now avoid testifying under oath, which could have come with potential legal risks as he prepares to return to the White House.

Trump has a history of filing lawsuits against the news media. In late October, he filed a lawsuit against CBS, demanding $10 billion in damages over the networks 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. His legal counsel claimed the interview with Harris and the associated programming were partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference intended to mislead the public and attempt to tip the scales of the presidential election in her favor.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Brian Stelter, Marshall Cohen and Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Nandita Bose and Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - Apple CEO Tim Cook will meet Donald Trump on Friday night at the U.S. president-elect's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Business leaders have attempted to establish a positive rapport with Trump since his election win in November.

Meta Platforms and Amazon have each donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund. Bank of America, the second-largest U.S. lender, also plans to contribute to Trump's inaugural committee but has yet to decide on the amount.

Trump will take office in January. He said in October when he was running for the White House that he received a call from Cook over concerns about the financial penalties that have been imposed by the European Union on the iPhone maker.

European regulators have launched a series of investigations into Big Tech firms in recent years, with the aim of curbing their power and ensuring a level playing field for smaller rivals. A U.S. Justice Department case accuses the iPhone maker of unlawfully dominating the smartphone market.

Trump's team and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump-Cook meeting was reported earlier by the New York Times.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in West Palm Beach, Florida and Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Diane Craft)
Cases of UnitedHealthcare murders

The cold-blooded killing of Brian Thompson was not the first time UnitedHealthcare has been at the center of a high-profile murder.

A company employee infamously filmed himself executing a Virginia reporter and her cameraman live on air as they conducted an interview in August 2015.

Vester Lee Flanagan II committed suicide after gunning down reporter Alison Parker and photojournalist Adam Ward as they worked for CBS affiliate WDBJ-TV in Roanoke.

Vester Lee Flanagan II committed suicide after gunning down a reporter and photojournalist during a live TV broadcast in Roanoke on Aug. 26, 2015.

Video of the terrifying incident ran on the stations morning news program, capturing the sound of at least eight gunshots, then screams, and briefly showed Flanagan, 41, holding a gun.

Ward, 27, and Parker, 24, were declared dead at the scene.

The woman they were interviewing, Vicki Gardner, survived with a bullet wound to her back.

Flanagan had been fired from the news outlet in 2013 for poor performance and disruptive behavior.

He later took a position at a UnitedHealthcare call center in Roanoke, where he worked until November 2014.

Reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photojournalist Adam Ward, 27, were declared dead at the scene. Getty Images

Video of the terrifying incident ran on CBS affiliate WDBJ-TVs morning news program. New York Post

The grisly, on-air murders sent chills throughout the country. Getty Images

While there, Flanagan was accused of grabbing a female employees shoulder and aggressively telling her to never talk to him again, according to reports at the time. Its unclear why he eventually quit the gig.

Flanagan, who posted a video of the murders to his Twitter account, killed himself during a car chase with police.

Nearly six years later, Brian Thompson became CEO of UnitedHealthcare Group.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed on Dec. 4. Business Wire

Thompson, 50, was gunned down on Dec. 4 as he was approaching an investor event at the Hilton Midtown without any security detail.

Following a days-long manhunt, Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old computer engineer from a well-off Maryland family, was arrested in Altoona, Pa. on Monday, and charged with second-degree murder in Thompsons death.


Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani Veteran BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani, has been hospitalised at Delhi's Apollo Hospital after his health deteriorated. The former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP stalwart was hospitalised late on Friday night.



The 97-year-old Lal Krishna Advani has not been keeping well for quite some time and was hospitalised for the fourth time in the last few months.



The reason for this latest hospitalisation could not be immediately known but doctors said that his condition is stable right now.



The former Home Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was conferred with the highest civilian honour the 'Bharat Ratna' this year.



As the senior leader could not attend the ceremony organised at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, he was conferred with the award at his home.



Lal Krishna Advani is one of the founders of the BJP and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)



Lal Krishna Advani was one of the torchbearers of the final phase of the temple movement when he started his Rath Yatra from Somnath to mobilise support for the Ram Temple in September 1990.



On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the veteran leader's residence to extend birthday wishes. He also shared a photo on social media platform X in which he can be seen gifting a bouquet to the leader.



PM Modi had captioned the photo, "Visited Advani ji's house to extend birthday wishes."



Prior to that PM Modi had said in a post on X: "Heartiest greeting to Advani ji on his birthday. This birthday is more special as the leader has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna this year. He is one of the respected leaders of the country who have dedicated their lives for the development of the country. I pray for his long and healthy life."



"Advaniji has always been respected for his intellect and rich insights. I am fortunate to have received his guidance for many years," PM Modi said.




Family members and protesters are set to gather Sunday afternoon at a Cracker Barrel in Maryland, where a group of special education students received what the restaurant later called "unacceptable" service earlier this month.

The protest was organized by Dustin Reed, father of 7-year-old Madelynn. She was one of 11 special needs students who were turned away from dine-in service at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Waldorf, Maryland during a field trip on Dec. 3, parents and school officials say. The protest is set to be held at the restaurant from 1-5 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 15.

More than 200 users have expressed interest in attending the protest on Facebook, while countless users have commented support for the students, parents and teachers affected. Users who report being anywhere from Chicago to Brazil have left a comment on the event.

"It's helpful, seeing other people supporting and wanting to be a part of this," Reed told USA TODAY on Wednesday. "But it's also sad at the same moment because reading and hearing all of these people's stories and hearing about what really goes on and a lot of it, it doesn't get talked about because there's not enough media coverage or there's not enough people willing to want to stand up for whoever needs a voice."

Elise Horne, co-founder of the Charles County Autism & Developmental Disabilities Parent Support Group, told USA TODAY on Thursday that she plans to attend the Sunday protest. Horne has a 9-year-old, nonverbal autistic son who also attends the Charles County Public Schools District. Though he wasn't on the field trip to Cracker Barrel, he also regularly participates in community-based instruction outings.

"It is very important to me that the orgs in my community understand and they get the message that it is not okay to discriminate against my son's community," Horne said. "I really want to go so I can help send that message and I feel like there is a strength in numbers and the more of us that show up, the louder our voices will be. I am standing in solidarity of these parents because it could have been my son."

What happened?

Last Tuesday, a group of 11 students and seven staff members from the Charles County Public Schools District visited the Waldorf Cracker Barrel. The outing was a part of community-based instruction, which allows students in special education programs to practice practical skills and socialize in public.

Charles County Public Schools District special education teacher Katie Schneider informed parents in an email that the group was denied service. Schneider said the group was told that the restaurant couldn't accommodate them and they were asked to remove the location from an approved list of restaurants for such field trips.

The restaurant permitted students and staff to place a to-go order, Schneider said in her email. After about an hour of waiting for the carryout meals, the students moved outside to the school bus to wait and ultimately ate their lunch back at the elementary school, Schneider said.

The students attend Dr. James Craik Elementary School and belong to the district's ACHIEVE program, for students with "significant cognitive disabilities" and SOAR program, for students with autism.

Following last week's events, three employees at the Waldorf Cracker Barrel were let go, a Cracker Barrel statement shared with USA TODAY said. An internal investigation with guest and employee interviews was also opened.

"We strive to create a welcoming environment and great experience for guests of all abilities, and we have a zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination," the statement said. "We did not refuse service to this student group, but operational breakdowns caused by staffing shortages and poor communication on our part led us to fall well short of our service standards that day. This is unacceptable."

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Parents to protest at Maryland Cracker Barrel over students' treatment
Photo collage of Nicholas Alahverdian and excerpts of text that read "Nicholas Alahverdian Plaintiff" (Leila Register / NBC News; Courtesy Dateline)

Nicholas Alahverdian was known in Rhode Island as a fierce advocate for children in the states foster care system. After his apparent death from cancer four years ago, he was memorialized in local news reports and on the statehouse floor.

But Alahverdian, 37, wasnt dead  he was living in the United Kingdom under a different name  and underneath his advocacy work was a trail of rape, abuse and fraud allegations that included multiple victims and spanned thousands of miles.

In a 2022 interview with Dateline, Alahverdian denied sexually assaulting or defrauding anyone, though he previously pleaded no contest to misdemeanor domestic assault in Rhode Island and was convicted of a misdemeanor sex crime in Ohio. In Utah, where authorities have identified him as Nicholas Rossi, he is awaiting trial in two separate rape cases. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Heres a look at Alahverdians trail of allegations from Rhode Island to Utah and beyond.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

An impressive start for a young advocate

For a time, the man born Nicholas Alahverdian went by Nicholas Rossi, after his adoptive stepfather. After ending up in foster care, Alahverdian began working as a page, then a legislative aide, at the Rhode Island statehouse in the 2000s.

Alahverdian, center, advocated for foster youth at the Rhode Island General Assembly.

His initiative and intellect impressed lawmakers  He would read bills that most reps and senators wouldnt read, one former representative told Dateline  and with their help, he later began advocating for reforms to a foster system that he said had failed to protect him from being beaten and tortured.

Alahverdian led rallies, held news conferences and filed a federal lawsuit accusing state officials of conspiracy and other allegations. The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families denied the allegations and settled the suit, court records show. The details of that settlement have not been disclosed.

DAYTON, OHIO

Firing back after being ordered to register as a sex offender

In January 2008, Alahverdian, then 21, had left Rhode Island for college and was living in Dayton.

Mary Grebinski met Alahverdian on Myspace.

There, he reached out to a woman on Myspace and told her he was new in town and looking for friends, the woman, Mary Grebinski, told Dateline. While walking Grebinski to class at a local community college, she said that he cornered and sexually assaulted her  then apologized and pleaded with her not to speak to authorities.

Alahverdian, who said the encounter was consensual, was charged with public indecency and sexual imposition, a misdemeanor crime indicating sexual contact against a persons will, court records show.

After a trial, Alahverdian was fined and ordered to register as a sex offender. He later sued Grebinski in federal court for defamation and other allegations, alleging in part that she targeted him with criminal litigation because of her unfaithful relationships and infidelity.

A judge dismissed the suit with prejudice, saying there was no basis to Alahverdians claims.

OREM, UTAH

A rape kit backlog and a charge a decade later

In September 2008, Alahverdian was accused of raping his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend, a probable cause affidavit shows. The woman, identified in the document as K.P., told authorities that shed met Alahverdian via Myspace and dated him briefly, but broke it off after he became increasingly aggressive and borrowed money without paying her back, according to the affidavit.

Nicholas Alahverdian

On Sept. 13, she went to his home after he told her hed pay her what he owed her, the affidavit alleges, but instead he raped her. K.P. had a sexual assault kit completed the next day, but a backlog in testing meant that Alahverdian was not identified as a suspect until a decade later, authorities said.

In 2020, Utah County prosecutors charged him with rape. Alahverdian pleaded not guilty.

A trial is set for September 2025.

SOUTH SALT LAKE, UTAH

A marriage proposal, a disputed loan and an alleged attack

In December 2008, a woman identified in court documents as M.S. accused Alahverdian of raping her at his home after they argued about breaking up.

Theyd met online, dated briefly and hed bought wedding rings after proposing, according to a probable cause declaration. But the woman described him as manipulative and said shed loaned him money that he refused to pay back.

At his home in South Salt Lake, the declaration alleges, he refused to let her leave and threw her on the bed and held down her wrists while forcing himself on her.

He was charged in the alleged attack after his identification in the earlier sexual assault case. Alahverdian pleaded not guilty and a trial is set for April 2025.

PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND

A crying baby triggers an assault

In November 2010, days after Alahverdian returned to his home state and got married, he was arrested after allegedly assaulting his wife. A police report shows the alleged assault happened during an argument over a crying baby.

She accused him of knocking her to the ground, holding her down, grabbing her neck, striking her in the face and refusing to let her leave, according to the report, which noted that an officer photographed the womans injuries.

Alahverdian denied the assault, according to the report, and when he was taken into custody officers pepper sprayed him when they say he refused to stop banging his head into the police cars back window.

He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor domestic assault and was sentenced to probation, court records show. The couple later divorced.

DAYTON, OHIO

Another relationship sours and more allegations emerge

By 2015, Alahverdian had returned to Ohio and established the Community Progress Institute, a nonprofit that aimed to revitalize downtown Dayton, according to his ex-wife, Kathryn Heckendorn.

Alahverdian and Kathryn Heckendorn were married in 2015 and later divorced.

Theyd met at church and married in October 2015. But in a divorce complaint filed months later, Heckendorn accused him of extreme cruelty and gross neglect of duty, saying hed borrowed $52,000 and failed to pay her back.

In an interview with Dateline, Heckendorn said he once locked her in a bathroom for two days and had raped her when she refused to have sex with him.

In a divorce filing, Alahverdian denied the cruelty allegation and said the money was not a loan  it was a gift  but agreed that a divorce should be granted.

In an interview with Dateline, he denied sexually assaulting anyone.

MONTREAL

A professional deal goes belly-up

In February 2020, TV personality Nafsika Antypas hired Alahverdian to help market her vegan cheese company and A&E television show. Alahverdian identified himself as Timothy Arthur Nicholas Knight Brown, and he described himself as an Ireland-based Ivy League graduate with a background in public relations and international law, Antypas told Dateline.

She paid him $30,000, Anytpas said, but he never delivered.

Nafsika Antypas employed Alahverdian in 2020.

When Antypas cut off his access to her website, she said, he began sending threatening messages telling her to pay him another $40,000 or make what he described as a reasonable counteroffer. Otherwise, she recalled him saying, hed ruin her reputation.

When Antypas told him he was fired, she said, social media posts appeared claiming her vegan cheese was fake, as did a fraud alert website that had her passport photo framed as a mug shot.

Antypas said she called the police and hired a private investigator to learn more about the man shed hired, but the investigator found nothing under the name Alahverdian had provided, she said.

It wasnt until two years later, when Alahverdian was arrested on the rape charges from Utah, that Antypas learned his real identity.

Alahverdian  who completed one extension course at Harvard  disputed Antypas account in an interview with Dateline. Antypas paid him for work that was performed, he said. I did not scam her out of money.

Alahverdian helped market a vegan cheese company.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Alahverdian is reported dead

On March 3, 2020, a local news station announced Alahverdians death, saying hed died after a long battle with cancer.

On the statehouse floor, a lawmaker remembered him as a very, very smart individual whod been a powerful advocate for change for the states foster youth.

An online obituary said Alahverdian died Feb. 29, 2020, at age 32 from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was cremated, the obituary stated, and his ashes were scattered at sea.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

A new identity and a new accent

In January 2022, authorities in Utah announced that they were seeking to extradite a man believed to be Alahverdian after he was arrested in Scotland under the name Arthur Knight.

Hed fled the United States to avoid prosecution, the Utah Public Safety Department said in a statement, and was a suspect in that state in connection with one of the 2008 rapes.

But in interviews with Dateline and other media outlets, Alahverdian denied sexually assaulting anyone and insisted he was not Alahverdian or Nicholas Rossi.

Speaking with a British accent and appearing in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank and mask that he said were necessary after a recent bout of Covid, he claimed he was Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan whod become a businessman and was married to a woman whom hed met at a London museum in 2011.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Two names, one U.S. rape suspect

In November 2022, the Scottish judge overseeing the extradition case ruled that Arthur Knight and Nicholas Alahverdian were the same person  a conclusion he reached after reviewing photographs and fingerprints, according to the judges order.

Yet, Alahverdian wasnt extradited to the United States for more than a year, as his lawyer appealed and claimed in part that the case should be dismissed because Alahverdian was wanted for questioning in connection with an alleged rape in England, according to the U.K. wire service PA Media. No charges were ever filed in the case.

PROVO, UTAH

Facing trial

Two months ago, on Oct. 16, 10 months after Alahverdian was extradited to Utah and booked into jail, he testified during a bail hearing for the Utah County case that he was, in fact, Nicholas Alahverdian. Hed moved to the U.K. and changed his name, he testified, partly because there were two credible threats against his life made by people in Rhode Island over his foster youth advocacy.

To protect himself, he testified, he changed his name to Arthur Knight Brown  a name he said hed always respected. Alahverdian would not identify the people he said were threatening him in open court. That, he said, would stoke the fire theyve had to continue their actions against me.

The judge held a closed hearing on the matter and did not discuss those details in his ruling, though he noted that when Alahverdian left the U.S. in 2017, he was being investigated for fraud and told an FBI agent that he was moving to a country without an extradition treaty. (In an interview with Dateline, Alahverdian said he had not defrauded anyone. The FBIs Utah field office would not comment.)

The judge ruled that Alahverdian had strong incentives to flee the area and denied him bail. Alahverdian pleaded not guilty and remains in custody in Utah County.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has undergone a hip replacement procedure after being hospitalized in Luxembourg on Friday following a fall.

Pelosi, 84, was traveling with the congressional delegation for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge  the last major German offensive during the Second World War  when she fell.

Her spokesperson, Ian Krager, said in a statement:Earlier this morning, Speaker Emerita Pelosi underwent a successful hip replacement and is well on the mend.

Speaker Pelosi is grateful to U.S. military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at Landstuhl Army Base and medical staff at Hospital Kirchberg in Luxembourg for their excellent care and kindness.

Speaker Pelosi is enjoying the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and well wishes and is ever determined to ensure access to quality health care for all Americans.

Earlier her office had said she was receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals.

Pelosi has been a member of Congress for 37 years (AP)

She continues to work and regrets that she is unable to attend the remainder of the CODEL engagements to honor the courage of our servicemembers during one of the greatest acts of American heroism in our nations history, the statement continued.

Sources close to the congresswoman had told The New York Times that Pelosi fractured her hip in the fall. According to a third source, Pelosi tripped down marble stairs at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg when she fell.

It was a hard fall, two people familiar with the incident toldThe Washington Post.

Pelosi, widely considered a pivotal leader within the Democratic Party, has been a member of Congress for 37 years. She served as House speaker twice  from 2007 until 2011 and then again from 2019 until 2023.

She was re-elected to Congress, representing the 11th district in California, in November.

In his earlier statement Krager said Pelosi looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon.

Hip replacement surgery, also known as hip arthroplasty, involves replacing an injured hip with an artificial joint, in order to reduce pain and improve movement. There are about 350,000 such procedures in the US every year.

Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas, joined Pelosi on the foreign trip and wished her a quick recovery.

Im disappointed Speaker Emerita Pelosi wont be able to join the rest of our delegations events this weekend as I know how much she looked forward to honoring our veterans, McCaul wrote on X on Friday. But she is strong, and I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time. Praying for a speedy recovery, @SpeakerPelosi!

The injury comes two years after a man broke into Pelosis home in San Francisco and used a hammer to attack her husband Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time.

The attacker, David DePape, was looking for the California congresswoman. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison in October.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell tripped and fell on Tuesday on the way to a GOP luncheon, spraining his wrist and leaving a cut on his face.
Satellite images appeared to show Russian forces packing up and dismantling military equipment at one of their key bases in Syria on Friday, suggesting that it may be preparing for a military withdrawal after former president and Russian ally Bashar Al-Assad was overthrown by Syrian rebels last week.

It remains to be seen what the final arrangement may be between Russia and Syria's new government, but the movements reflect the profound shift in the country's post-Assad power dynamics, as Moscow grapples with losing a key ally and the potential erosion of its influence in the Middle East.

Maxar Technologies, a U.S. defense contractor, released imagery on Friday showing transport movements at Russias Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base, both located south of Latakia on Syrias Mediterranean coast.

This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Friday shows an Antonov An-124 heavy transport aircraft preparing to load equipment at Hmeimim Air Base. (2024 Maxar Technologies/AFP via Getty Images)

At Hmeimim, two An-124 heavy transport aircraft were observed on the airfield with their nose cones raised, ready to load equipment. Nearby, a Ka-52 attack helicopter was seen being dismantled, likely in preparation for transport.

Other forces, including Russian military convoys, appear to be heading toward the airbase.

Footage verified by NBC News captured a Russian convoy traveling north toward Homs along the highway connecting Damascus in the south to Aleppo in the north. May God never return you, the person filming the video says, noting it was the second such convoy he had seen.

Another video shows Russian military vehicles driving in Jableh, near Hmeimim airbase.

A satellite image of the Russian naval base at Tartus in western Syria on Friday. (2024 Maxar Technologies/AFP via Getty Images)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitoring group, also reported that Russian forces were withdrawing from the Hassia area south of Homs, with plans to regroup later at Hmeimim.

Similar movements of Russian forces on the move have been observed across the country.

Another verified video showed Russian military vehicles driving through what appears to be Syria as bystanders waved their shoes at the cars. A separate video, posted by the prominent Russian military-themed Telegram channel "Military Informer," purportedly showed a Russian military column crossing through Kurdish-controlled territories in Syria.

The fall of Assad has dealt a significant blow to Russia, which is already engaged in a protracted land war in Ukraine.

Russias military presence in Syria has been central to its strategy in the Middle East, with Hmeimim and Tartus serving as critical hubs for projecting power across the region and safeguarding Moscows influence in the Mediterranean.

When Russia intervened in the Syrian Civil War in 2015, its support shifted the balance decisively in Assads favor, but Moscow has not prevented his downfall this time, and any significant withdrawal from the country would mark a major blow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down the damage last week, saying that while Russia had expended significant effort in stabilizing Syria in the past, its current priority lies with the conflict in Ukraine.

He said that Moscow is now in discussions with the new Syrian leadership to address issues related to its military presence and the security of Russian citizens and diplomats in the country.

Russian military vehicles and artillery guns at the Russian airbase at Qamishli Airport in northeastern Syria on Thursday.

Russian soldiers stand by military pickups as they prepare to evacuate a position in Qamishli.

You know, of course, that we are in contact with those who are currently in control of the situation in Syria, Peskov told reporters, as translated by Reuters.

In a notable shift, Russian state media has begun referring to the Syrian rebels as rebels rather than terrorists, signaling Moscows intention to engage diplomatically with the new authorities in Syria as it seeks to maintain its strategic military foothold on the Mediterranean.

However, there is no indication that a specific agreement has been reached to secure Russias continued presence.

Meanwhile, Syrias ambassador to the United Nations sent two identical letters to the U.N. and the U.N. Security Council on Saturday, containing an official complaint after Israeli forces moved into Syrian territory last week, while launching a massive wave of airstrikes into the country.

Syria renews its demand that the United Nations and the Security Council assume their responsibilities and take firm and immediate measures to compel Israel to immediately cease its ongoing attacks on Syrian territory, ensure that they are not repeated, withdraw immediately from the areas into which it has penetrated over the past days, the letter said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said last week that he had ordered the military to establish a sterile defense zone in southern Syria as Israeli forces seize control of the demilitarized, U.N.-patrolled buffer zone, established under a 1974 ceasefire agreement.

Israel says its airstrikes and actions on the ground are aimed at preventing Assads arsenal of rockets and chemical weapons from falling into the hands of extremists who could threaten its borders or people.

But its advance has raised alarm when the international community is already nervous about further instability as Syria navigates its transition away from 53 years of Assad rule.
Amelia Manley/Dotdash Meredith Photo: Getty Images

We're in peak holiday party season, and chances are you'll head to someone's home over the next several weeks for a festive celebration. Its customary to bring a gift for the host, but what should it be?

And it's worth noting, a host gift is separate from a requested contribution to the shindig. If youve been asked to bring the mac and cheese for Kwaanza or Christmas, the kugel for Hanukkah, or the bubbly for New Years Eve, thats to share with everyone.

With this quandary top of mind, our ears perked up when the queen of entertaining, Ina Garten's, advice for host gifts was captured on Tiktok. On tour for her recent memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens, she offered her host gift do's and donts. And when Ina talks, we listen.

Ina Gartens Donts When Bringing a Host Gift

I dont bring something that the hostess or host feels they need to serve, Garten told the audience at one of her book tour events. That means she doesnt show up to a party with an additional course for the meal, cheese, or even a bottle of wine.

Now, if Ina arrived at our front door with anything to add to the table (like a big pot of her pasta e fagioli), wed be thrilled because, well, she's Ina. However, she thinks it can make for an awkward moment since the host has already thoughtfully planned a menu.

Our takeaway: Anything that might be misconstrued as a contribution to the mealunless you were specifically asked to bring itis a big "no" in Garten's opinion.

Ina Gartens Do's When Bringing a Host Gift

I bring things like homemade granola, Ina advised. Ill bring good coffee. Ill maybe bring chocolates. High-quality tea is also at the top of her list.

The commonality of all those things: They can all be enjoyed at another time by the host.

Claudia Totir/Getty Images

If you want to take Inas advice (and really, shouldnt you?), we have some ideas for homemade food gifts that your host can enjoy in the days and weeks after the party.

Megans Granola: A mixture of grains, nuts, spices, and raisins that our community says is delish and easy to make.

Salted Caramel Sauce: Tell the host this sweet gift can be drizzled over apple pie or ice cream, served as a dip for fruit, or eaten straight from the jar when no one is looking.

Manhattan Cherries: For the cocktail lover, this simple bourbon-infused fruit will be a hit.

Homemade Dog Treats: If the host has a pup, they'll likely appreciate this treat they can share with a furry pal.

Hamburger Seasoning: Mix up a batch of this patty spice blend and put it in a pretty jar with instructions on how to use it.

We think Ina would approve (and happily accept) one of these thoughtful, handmade gifts, and we expect the host of your next party will, too.



Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
A former Syrian government official has been indicted on torture charges by a Los Angeles grand jury, the US Department of Justice has announced.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 72, of Lexington, South Carolina, was reportedly the head of the Damascus Central Prison  colloquially known as Adra Prison  between 2005 and 2008.

While he was leading the prison, Alsheikh allegedly ordered his subordinates to deliver "severe physical and mental pain and suffering on political and other prisoners," according to a DOJ statement. Court documents allege that Alsheikh himself also participated in torture sessions.

The prison reportedly had a "punishment wing" where prisoners were sent to be beaten while they were dangled from the ceiling. Prisoners were also reportedly subjected to a device colloquially called the "Flying Carpet" which folded their bodies in half, causing excruciating pain and sometimes spinal fractures.

Samir Alsheikh is charged with torturing political dissidents and other prisoners to deter opposition to the regime of then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. Alsheikh later allegedly lied about his crimes to obtain a U.S. green card.

The victims of such violent treatment continue to suffer long after the physical acts of torture have ceased, Argenteiri added. The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting perpetrators of such crimes and will not allow them, through lies and concealment, to hide in the United States.

A blood-stained rope lies on the floor in the infamous Saydnaya military prison, just north of Damascus, Syria, early this week. Crowds gathered to enter the prison, known as the "human slaughterhouse," after thousands of inmates were released following the rebels' overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All right reserved)

US Attorney Martin Estrada said the "grave human rights abuses" in the indictment were "chilling."

"Our country will not be a safe harbor for those accused of committing atrocities abroad," he said.

Alsheikh held several positions in the Syrain police and state security forces, and later as the head of a regional government. In 2011, now-ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad appointed him the head of the Deir Ez-Zour province. Immigration documents report that Alsheikh immigrated to the US in 2020, and applied for his US citizenship in 2023.

When it comes to pursuing our criminal investigations, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has a long reach and an even longer memory, said Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang of the HSI Los Angeles Field office.

The defendant is accused of torturing prisoners in Syria almost 20 years ago, and today, we are one step closer to holding him accountable for those heinous crimes. The United States will never be a safe haven for those who commit human rights abuses abroad, he added.

Alsheikh had alreay been charged with visa fraud and, attempted naturalization fraud charges prior to the indictment. The indictment adds three counts of torture, and one count of conspiracy to commit torture to his charges.

The former prison leader faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit torture charges, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the three torture charges. He could receive a maximum of 10 years in prison for his immigration fraud charges.

The indictment follows Assads regime collapsed following an offensive led by opposition forces that have been battling for control of Syria since 2011.

Following the fall of Assad , political prisoners inside his regimes prisons were released en masse, revealing evidence of shocking and disturbing human rights abuses within.
(Reuters) -Meta Platforms is urging California's attorney general to block OpenAI's planned conversion to a for-profit company, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

In a letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta dated Thursday, Meta said that allowing OpenAI to become a for-profit company would set a dangerous precedent of allowing startups to enjoy the advantages of nonprofit status until they are poised to become profitable, WSJ reported.

"OpenAI's conduct could have seismic implications for Silicon Valley. If OpenAI's new business model is valid, non-profit investors would get the same for-profit upside as those who invest the conventional way in for-profit companies while also benefiting from tax write-offs bestowed by the government," the WSJ report quotes Meta as saying in the letter.

Meta and the California AG's office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Earlier on Friday, OpenAI asked a federal judge in California to reject a request by billionaire Elon Musk to halt the ChatGPT maker's conversion to a for-profit company.

Musk sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman in August, claiming they violated contract provisions by putting profits ahead of the public good in the push to advance AI.

In November, Musk asked U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland for a preliminary injunction blocking OpenAI from converting to a for-profit structure.

"While our work remains ongoing as we continue to consult independent financial and legal advisors, any potential restructuring would ensure the nonprofit continues to exist and thrive, and receives full value for its current stake in the OpenAI for-profit with an enhanced ability to pursue its mission," OpenAI chairman Bret Taylor said in a statement.

In its letter, Meta said it supported an effort by Musk to represent the interests of the public in deciding whether OpenAI will be allowed to become a for-profit company, the WSJ report added.

Musk, who was an OpenAI co-founder, has since launched a competing artificial intelligence company, xAI.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; editing by Diane Craft)
This photo provided by Trisha Bushey shows the evening sky and points of light near in Lebanon Township, N.J., on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Trisha Bushey/AP)

An increasing number of lawmakers are raising the alarm over large drones spotted over New Jersey and other nearby states.

On Friday former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan posted video on X of what he says looked to be drones near his home.

Hogan said he captured the video in Davidsonville, Maryland, about 25 miles from Washington. He said he observed them in the sky for 45 minutes.

Last night, beginning at around 9:45 pm, I personally witnessed (and videoed) what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence in Davidsonville, Maryland (25 miles from our nations capital). I observed the activity for approximately 45 minutes.



Like pic.twitter.com/Ipx8ctLmhs  Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) December 13, 2024

"I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security," Hogan wrote. "But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."

Meanwhile, some members of Congress from New Jersey are also frustrated with the lack of answers.

"These statements they're putting out bit by bit, when you have people so concerned about what's in the air, they have a responsibility to get out there and to fully brief people and to make sure that everyone knows what they know," said Rep. Josh Dottheimer (D-NJ).

Democratic New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim also posted video of drones he said he captured while out with New Jersey state police Thursday night.

He said sometimes the drones had solid white lights, and other times they flashed green and red.

Several senators have asked for a briefing from the FBI, FAA and Homeland Security.

And on Friday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested that the government should shoot the drones down if they weren't able to explain to the public where they'd come from.

The Pentagon and the White House have downplayed the sightings. The Pentagon this week said the drones were not from foreign entities nor military-related, and the White House said people were likely mistaking planes for drones.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -At least 22 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, medics said, while the Israeli military said it targeted gunmen operating from shelters and aid storages.

At least 10 people were killed in an airstrike near the municipality building in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip where people gathered to receive aid, medics said.

Casualties were being carried by foot, on rickshaws and private cars from the site of the attack to the hospital, medics said. The strike killed the head of the Hamas-run administrative committee in central Gaza, Diab Ali al-Jaru, a Hamas source said.

The Israeli military said al-Jaru, who was also the mayor of Deir Al-Balah, was the target of the strike and that he had assisted Hamas militants. Four more people were killed in a separate strike in the area.

Earlier, Israeli aircraft struck militants and weapon caches near an aid warehouse, the military said, after gunmen had fired rockets into Israel from there on Friday. Another rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel on Saturday, the military said.

A separate strike in Gaza City on a former shelter housing displaced people targeted Hamas fighters, the military said. At least seven people were killed in that attack, Palestinian medics said, including a woman and her baby.

Reuters was unable to confirm whether any of the people killed were fighters. Hamas does not disclose its casualties, and the Palestinian health ministry does not distinguish in its daily death toll between combatants and non-combatants

The Israeli military said it had taken precautions to reduce risk of harm to civilians.

JOURNALIST KILLED

A local journalist, Mohammed Baalousha who worked for Dubai Al Mashhad television was killed in a separate airstrike in Gaza City, health officials said. The military was looking into the report, a spokesperson said.

At least 137 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza in more than a year of war, according to The Committee to Protect Journalists.

The war began when the Palestinian militant group Hamas stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200, mostly civilians, people and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel then launched an air, sea and land offensive that has killed almost 45,000 people, mostly civilians, according to authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the enclave in ruins.

A fresh bid by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to reach a truce has gained momentum in recent weeks.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday discussed with visiting U.S. officials efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostages-for prisoners deal in the Palestinian enclave, Sisi's office said.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Maayan Lubell in JerusalemWriting by Menna Alaa and Maayan LubellEditing by Gareth Jones and Conor Humphries)
A Tennessee man was convicted of beating his newlywed wife to death inside a Fiji-exclusive island luxury resort as the newlywed couple were on their honeymoon.

Bradley Robert Dawson, 40, was found guilty by the High Court in Lautoka on Thursday for the death of his bride Christe Chen Dawson after officials believe he attempted to flee the island nation, her family confirmed to WREG.

Christe Chen Dawson, 36, was found lying in a pool of blood with multiple traumatic injuries including blunt force trauma to the head inside her bungalow at the Turtle Island Resort on July 9, 2022

Brian Dawson was found guilty Thursday for the murder of his wife in July 2022. FBC News

Christe Chen Dawsons body was so badly beaten that her body could not be flown back to the US. Instead, her family had her cremated and her remains were brought back to her parents in Memphis.

The couple, who married in Feb. 2022, were having a heated argument the night before the murder, the Daily Mail reported at the time.

However, Dawsons attorney Iqbal Khan told the outlet that despite gruesome reports of her death, there is no way he can be convicted of murder.

On the evidence that they have presented so far, theres no proof of the charge of murder with intention to kill or premeditation. Nothing of that sort whatsoever, he said. On the face of it, it looks like an accident.

Bradley Dawson, then 38, was not found until a day after his wifes death after he kayaked to a remote island a mile away from the resort.

Christe Chen Dawson and Bradley Robert Dawson married in Feb. 2022. Instagram

Christe Chen Dawsons body was so badly beaten that her body could not be flown back to the US. Instead, her family had her cremated and her remains were brought back to her parents in Memphis. Christe Dawson/Facebook

Dawson was carrying several items including his passport and other personal belongings when officials captured the groom.

Because he was carrying his passport, High Court Justice Riyaz Hamza believed Dawson had intended to flee the country after committing the heinous murder, the Fiji Times reported.

He pleaded not guilty to murder charges and claimed his wifes death was an accident.

The couple was staying inside a $3,500-a-night bungalow at the Turtle Island Resort on Fijis Yasawa Islands. Facebook / Turtle Island Resort

Dawson was carrying several items including his passport and other personal belongings when officials captured the groom. Christe Dawson/Instagram

At the time of his capture, Dawson was suspended from his position at the nonprofit, Youth Villages, where he worked in the IT department.

Hamza ruled Thursday that he believed beyond a reasonable doubt that Dawson was the sole person involved in his wifes murder.

For the aforesaid reasons I am of the opinion that the defenses version cannot be believed and the same version is rejected, he said, according to the outlet. Having analyzed all the evidence in its totality, I am of the opinion that the prosecution witnesses were all truthful, credible and reliable in their testimony.

From the totality of the evidence I am satisfied that the prosecution has disapproved the defense of provocation, Hamza added. Having considered all the evidence in its totality, I am of the opinion that the prosecution has proved the charge of murder against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Christe Chen Dawson, a recent graduate from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center was working as a pharmacist at Kroger when she was killed. Facebook / Christe Dawson

Dawson pleaded not guilty to murder charges and claimed his wifes death was an accident. Instagram

Christe Chen Dawson, a recent graduate from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center was working as a pharmacist at Kroger when she was killed.

The convicted murderer will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing on Jan. 27, 2025.
Capitol Corridor trains heading in opposite directions arrive and depart from the Amtrak station in Berkeley in 2018. The Capitol Corridor line, which runs from San Jose to Sacramento and Colfax, recorded the sharpest ridership decline of all California trains since 2019, at 42%, according to Amtrak data. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle Amtrak conductor Dennis Hogg chats with attendant James Thomas as they prep the California Zephyr for departure at the Amtrak Station in Emeryville in 2017. Amtrak data shows ridership on the Emeryville-to-Chicago line is down 15% from 2019. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Passengers look out from the back of the Los Angeles-bound Coast Starlight train departing at the Amtrak Station in Emeryville in 2017. The Coast Starlight line has experienced a 16% drop in ridership since 2019, according to Amtrak data. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Like an old school train conductor, vest buttons bursting with pride, Amtrak announced this month that more people than ever are riding the nations passenger trains.

But thats not the case in California. A Chronicle analysis of Amtraks year-end reports for the past six years found that the Golden State is lagging behind the records being set in other parts of the U.S. where ridership is surging, particularly in the Northeast.

According to rail officials and passenger advocacy groups, California is still recovering from a post-pandemic malaise that has impeded a recovery in ridership. Other contributing factors include storm damage early this year that prevented passengers from riding trains on part of one line and a nationwide equipment shortage thats worse in the West.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In California, the number of passengers aboard all but one of the eight Amtrak routes that run within or through the state is considerably lower now than in 2019  before the pandemic struck. Just one train, the Texas Eagle, which leaves Los Angeles Union Station and makes three stops in California before leaving the state, saw an increase in riders. It amounted to just 1%.

The federal passenger rail corporation set a ridership record in fiscal 2024, which ended Sept. 30, by carrying 32.8 million customers nationwide on trains that run to 500 destinations on 45 routes in 46 states.

Loading...

Three of those routes run only within California, where the state subsidizes all or part of their operating costs. Those routes are the Capitol Corridor from San Jose to Sacramento and Colfax; the San Joaquin between Bakersfield and Sacramento or Oakland (a split route); and the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.

Five of Amtraks long-distance trains also run through California  the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle; the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago; the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago via Arizona and New Mexico; the Sunset Limited from Los Angeles to New Orleans; and the Texas Eagle between Los Angeles and Chicago through Texas.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Chronicle analyzed data from Amtraks annual ridership reports, published every October. The available figures show ridership on the entirety of each route, so ridership on the long-distance trains includes passengers from outside the state.

Still, every route that runs in California except the Texas Eagle showed declines when this years ridership totals were compared with pre-pandemic figures.

Loading...

The Capitol Corridor line recorded the sharpest decline of all California trains since 2019, falling from 1.78 million riders that year to 1.03 million in 2024  a drop of 42%. The Pacific Surfliner trains saw a fall of about 29%, from 2.78 million to 1.98 million. The other intra-California train, the San Joaquin, experienced a 15% dip in riders from 1.07 million to nearly 909,000.

Among long-distance trains, the Southwest Chief experienced the biggest fall  23%  from 338,000 to 261,000. Ridership on the Sunset Limited dropped 17.1% from 93,000 to 77,000  a decline of 17%. The Coast Starlight saw the number of passengers decline 16% from 426,000 to 359,000. The California Zephyr experienced a 15% drop from 411,000 to 351,000.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Texas Eagle was the lone California train to see an increase  about 1%  with the number of riders rising from 322,000 to 326,000.

Long-distance trains, which typically run once a day, have much lower ridership than the state-supported lines, which operate multiple trains per day, often serving as both intercity trains and commuter lines.

Passenger rail officials and riders say California is regaining ridership but that its slow going, much like mass transit ridership and the number of people returning to regular office schedules.

Both the Capitol Corridor and the Pacific Surfliner carry a lot of commuters, who even before the pandemic were beginning to split their work schedules between home and office. That trend picked up steam during the COVID-19 shutdown and seems to be becoming more ingrained as some workers and workplaces make hybrid schedules and working from home permanent.

California is the epicenter of the work-from-home trend, said Steve Roberts, president of the Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada. So, compared to the Northeast Corridor, the post-pandemic rebound in traffic in California has been slower.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

That could change, however, if President-elect Donald Trump orders federal employees to return to their offices full time, as he has promised, and if state workers face similar orders from Gov. Gavin Newsom, said Mike Setty, president of the Train Riders Association of California.

That could lead to a significant increase in ridership, he said, particularly among state workers aboard the Capitol Corridor.

Californias Amtrak routes are also recovering in another way from the pandemic. When ridership plunged, some of the state-subsidized routes, like the Capitol Corridor, cut some service and leased some of the unused rail cars and locomotives to other rail agencies.

The Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin services still havent restored all their service or been running full-length trains. Vernae Graham, a spokesperson for the Capitol Corridor, said the service expects to be back to full strength by mid-2025. David Lipari, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, which oversees operation of the San Joaquin trains, said its still running just six of its seven daily round-trip trains but expects it will be rolling again in spring.

In terms of reaching pre-pandemic numbers, (the authority) anticipates the San Joaquins to continue to grow steadily which would be just north of one million riders, he said. Ridership on the trains through the Central Valley increased last year but is still behind prepandemic levels.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Loading...

The Capitol Corridor also expects to see its ridership continue to climb in 2025 as it has the past two years, Graham said. With the work-from-home trend increasing, the Capitol Corridor has focused on drawing new riders by adding service to and from events like 49ers games and concerts at Levis Stadium.

In Southern California, the Pacific Surfliner attributes a significant share of its ridership decline and slow post-pandemic recovery to Mother Nature. In late January, the latest in a series of landslides in the San Clemente area damaged the tracks and halted train service through the area for two months. Riders were offered a bus link to bypass the damaged portion of tracks, but many chose to avoid the Surfliner trains altogether.

The four long-distance lines Amtrak runs through California have been hampered by an equipment shortage  not enough passenger rail cars  that limits passenger capacity, Roberts said. The shortage is worse in the West where the long-haul trains use two-level Superliner rail cars, which are in shorter supply due to Amtrak falling behind in maintenance and overhaul during the pandemic.

In other words, fewer people are riding Amtraks long-distance trains because fewer seats are available.

This lack of capacity is driving the ridership shortfalls, Roberts said. The current long-distance trains have fewer cars than they had in 2019. This is a major factor in the ridership differences.

While Amtrak has stepped up repairs and rehabilitation, the equipment shortage is expected to continue to limit the number of passengers the railroad can carry on its long-distance trains, he said.

In addition to putting more equipment on the tracks, rail experts suggest that Amtrak needs to adapt to the changing times by using selective fare reductions designed to increase ridership on certain lines and locations and times when ridership is light; increasing the frequency of service on shorter lines; and configuring schedules so that trains leave at more regular times  for example, on the hour  to make riding more convenient.
The people in Donald Trumps orbit are floating some dramatic ideas that would remake the way US banks are regulated, from deleting the CFPB to abolishing the FDIC.

There are lots of questions about whether any of the ideas, some of which would require acts of Congress, will come to pass.

But what is clear is that certain members of the new Trump administration who are set to take office do in fact want a different regulatory approach to the financial services industry as they look to remake the federal government and slash spending.

And that could mean lighter scrutiny, fewer rules, and perhaps less onerous requirements.

There are several early signs. One came from billionaire Trump supporter Elon Musk, who is leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Vivek Ramaswamy.

His suggestion last month made on X was to "delete the CFPB"  a reference to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency created after the 2008 financial crisis that has clashed with banks repeatedly.

"There are too many duplicative regulatory agencies," Musk said in his Nov. 27 post.

Delete CFPB. There are too many duplicative regulatory agencies.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024

Another sign emerged this past week with a report in The Wall Street Journal of Trump advisers and officials from Musks DOGE asking potential regulatory nominees whether Trump could abolish the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and then move its deposit insurance function to the Treasury Department.

The FDIC currently acts as a backstop for money held by customers at thousands of US banks, insuring those deposits up to a level of $250,000 per account.

Read more: What is the FDIC, and how does it work?

There have also been discussions, according to the Journal report, about combining the FDIC with the two other agencies that oversee banks: the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

Abolishing the FDIC (or the CFPB) would require an act of Congress, so some observers view either possibility as remote.

"Eliminating the FDIC is so out there," said former FDIC chair Sheila Bair on X, and thus she was not sure it needs response.

Then-Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Sheila Bair testifies before the Senate Banking Committee in 2011. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (REUTERS / Reuters)

FDIC has a perfect record of protecting insured deposits for over 90 years," added Bair, who was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush. "Strong consumer confidence in the brand, providing stability during crises.

Just last year, in fact, the FDIC stepped in and absorbed the uninsured deposits of some sizable regional banks that failed, including Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

But there are plenty of people who operate within the banking and regulatory worlds who argue that some restructuring of these agencies is needed.

Former FDIC chair Bill Isaac, who was appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan, said in a proposal last April that the current bank regulatory system is "complicated, inefficient, and badly broken."

"Our current bank regulatory system is the result of over two centuries of ad hoc 'Band-Aid' fixes to solve specific historical problems and crises, rather than overhauling the system with a design that will work long-term."

Isaac told Yahoo Finance he doesnt believe the FDIC should be involved in the daily supervision of banks but warned against its outright elimination.

I think it would be a serious mistake, and I feel very strongly about that. It's the banking systems fail-safe, Isaac said.

Elon Musk, from left, carrying his son X, and Vivek Ramaswamy arrive for a Dec. 5 roundtable meeting to discuss President-elect Donald Trump's planned Department of Government Efficiency on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Former FDIC examiner Allen Puwalski on Friday also called for a renovation of bank supervision and regulation in a new LinkedIn post.

At present our bank oversight system is inefficient and regularly ineffective," Puwalski wrote.

Puwalski, who is also a board member at New York regional bank Flagstar (FLG), suggested in his post that all bank supervision should be moved from the Fed and FDIC to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The FDIC, he added, should go back to its original mission as a deposit insurer  as opposed to a bank supervisor.

He does not share the view that the FDIC should be abolished altogether.

"Its simply too big a lift to eliminate the FDIC," he said on LinkedIn. "It cant get done."

Advocates for big changes to the way banks are regulated could have some allies in Congress, which will be under GOP control starting in January.

A former banker, Rep. French Hill, was selected this week to lead the House Financial Services Committee. His agenda that was circulated before he got the post called for less stringent rules applying to regional banks.

U.S. Representative French Hill (R-AR). REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File photo (Reuters / Reuters)

He doesnt want as many banks subject to CFPB oversight, according to that agenda, and wants bank agencies to review "the cumulative impact of their regulations."

A spokesperson for Sen. Tim Scott, who is likely to become the Republican chair of the Senate Banking Committee next year, said: "Scott has been clear in his concerns with the federal banking agencies, including recent supervisory failures and abuses of authority."

Scott, the spokesperson added, "looks forward to working with the incoming Trump administration to find solutions to streamline regulation, reduce red tape, and increase efficiency while ensuring the continued stability of our financial system."

But Republicans will also have slim majorities in the House and Senate, making any dramatic reforms more difficult to pull off.

Democrats would likely resist efforts to take power from the regulatory agencies, although their party did eliminate the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) after the 2008 financial meltdown.

Trump allies may also turn their attention to other agencies that have a bearing on what banks do, particularly the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Wall Streets top cop will be led by Paul Atkins, who is expected to be friendlier to Wall Street and to the world of crypto. He replaces Gary Gensler, who has clashed repeatedly with some of the biggest players in cryptocurrencies  and with Musk.

The SEC is just another weaponized institution doing political dirty work https://t.co/5w9ajcS6bf  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 12, 2024

Musk said on X Thursday that the SEC demanded he agree within 48 hours to pay a fine related to a probe of his 2022 purchase of the social media platform then known as Twitter.

Oh Gary, how could you do this to me? Musk said in his post.

Earlier in the day, Musk, in a separate post, called the SEC "just another weaponized institution doing political dirty work."

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
The Russian vessels remained missing from Tartus as of December 10. BlackSky

Russia is dispatching four ships to its bases in Syria, per Ukraine's main intelligence directorate.

They will evacuate weapons and military equipment from its key base in Tartus, they said.

Russia is trying to secure a deal with Syria's new leadership to keep the bases, per reports.

Russia is sending four ships to its bases in Syria to evacuate weapons and military equipment, according to Ukraine's main intelligence directorate (GUR).

In a Telegram post on Thursday, the GUR said that Russia was moving its Ivan Gren-class large landing ship and the Ropucha-class tank landing ship Olenegorskiy Gornyak from the Norwegian Sea to Tartus on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Their mission, it said, is to evacuate weapons and equipment.

It also said the Russian Sparta and Sparta II cargo ships left Baltiysk, Kaliningrad Oblast, and St Petersburg, respectively, and are heading to Tartus to transport military equipment from the Russian base.

The trips are long voyages, requiring the ships to sail long stretches of European coastline to access the Mediterranean.

Russia was a close ally of Syria's recently-toppled ruler Bashar Assad. It struck a 49-year lease with his government for two bases in Syria  the Hmeimim air base and the Tartus naval base  which it has used since 2017 to project power in the Mediterranean and into Africa.

However, these bases have come under threat after Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, overthrew Assad on Sunday and formed a transitional government.

On Sunday, Russia's foreign ministry said it was maintaining contact with "all" Syrian opposition groups, adding that while Russia's Syrian bases are on high alert, there's no serious threat to their security at the moment.

The TASS state news agency cited Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying that Russia established direct contact with HTS in Damascus.

Sources familiar with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg on Thursday that talks were taking place for Russian forces to stay at the bases and that Russia was nearing a deal with Syria's new leadership.

Images taken this week by Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider on Tuesday showed Russian aircraft still present at the Hmeimim Air Base, but warships no longer stationed at its nearby naval facility in Tartus.

Videos captured by The Times of London's Middle East correspondent on Friday showed Russian trucks entering the Hmeimim Air Base.

On Thursday, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War said Russia's ships may be on the move as a precaution in case it needs more comprehensive evacuations.

They also said that it would probably take weeks for the Russian ships to get to Tartus.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey and other states in the Northeast have prompted so much concern and confusion that a chorus of lawmakers have suggested the U.S. military shoot them down.

However, experts warn, that doesnt mean residents should take matters into their own hands: Shooting drones is illegal and could end in serious injury.

I can totally understand the primal instinct to protect ourselves, said Pramod Abichandani, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the director of the schools Advanced Air Mobility Lab. But I want to caution against going as extremist as trying to shoot them down.

Not only is trying to target a drone in the sky difficult for the average marksman, he said, its also a crime. The Federal Aviation Administration classifies drones as aircraft and, under the Aircraft Sabotage Act, damaging or destroying aircraft is a federal offense  even if its flying over private property.

Officials say the drones flying over New Jersey in the past few weeks appear to be commercial-grade, not recreational. They have caught the attention of the White House, which has sought to quell the anxiety over them.

This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be multiple drones flying over Bernardsville, N.J., on Dec. 5, 2024

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus, national security spokesperson John Kirby said during a news conference Thursday.

Still, the lack of information about the flying devices has many worried. On Thursday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., became the latest lawmaker to call for the drones to be shot down, echoing similar demands by others, including New Jersey Republican Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew.

We have no idea where these drones come from, who owns them. We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, Blumenthal said on Thursday, adding: They should be shot down, if necessary.

In a statement to NBC News on Friday, the FAA said that shooting at an unmanned aircraft could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement. The agency also said it could injure people.

A private citizen shooting at any aircraft  including unmanned aircraft  poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air, the FAA said.

Abichandani said shooting drones could also set off fires.

A drone has a lithium battery for the most part, Abichandani said. If you shoot at it, assuming you target it correctly and you actually hit the drone, the drone is going to fall somewhere. The lithium battery can explode, cause a fire, and of course, it can cause damage to property.

Frustrated residents and local officials are seeking more information about the unexplained drones, but little is known. The Pentagon has said they are not owned by the military. In a joint statement earlier this week, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said that there were no confirmed drone sightings in restricted air space and said they were investigating whether the sightings are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.

Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, subject to FAA regulations and any flight restrictions by local governments. Those who operate them are required to be FAA-certified.

Abichandani said that while he could understand the urge to want to shoot down a foreign object hovering overhead, residents should resist.

God forbid that stray bullet lands somewhere and hits somebody, he said.
composite image: left a smiling gideon moncrieffe before the attack; right a subway train coming into a station inset a blurred image of the bloody gash on moncrieffe's head.

A TikTok exec randomly slashed in the face by a maniacal stranger who had allegedly already been banned from the transit system said the MTAs systemic negligence is just as responsible for his injuries as the madman.

Gideon Moncrieffe struggles with nightmares, depression and flashbacks from the May 10, 2023 incident, which occurred just weeks after Daniel Pennys subway chokehold death of out-of-control straphanger Jordan Neely.

Moncrieffe was engaged to the love of his life at the time and working as head of global event production for the social media giant when he saw Sean Lewis on the southbound C train in Brooklyn squabbling with an older, drunken rider, and tried to squash the beef, he said in a new lawsuit filed against the MTA.

Moncrieffe said he was thriving and engaged to be married before the attack and now struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Linkedin gideonemoncrieffe

I said look, somebody was killed on the train two weeks ago, they were choked out because someone proceeded to be aggressive, Moncrieffe told The Post after the attack, referring to the Penny case.

Lewis who has a history of violence including an arrest a month before their encounter in which he allegedly choked his girlfriend and threatened her with a knife  chillingly responded, Thank you, and then sliced him with a sharp object from his forehead to his chin.

The horrific assault left Moncrieffe with an 8-inch gash on his face that required 100 stitches to close, according to his Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit.

It wasnt immediately clear when and why Lewis was banned from the transit system, but his extensive rap sheet includes nine arrests between 2016 and 2021, including assault and strangulation charges in 2023, sources previously told The Post.

In January 2023, he was accused of shoving his girlfriend in a window. In August 2022, attacked an employee at a homeless shelter, later agreeing to a plea deal which saw him convicted of disorderly conduct.

The attack left Moncrieffe with an eight inch gash on his face and head. SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK

The Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys alleged negligence was multifaceted and made the terrifying attack even worse, Moncrieffe said in court papers.

The conductor locked the train car doors, keeping Moncrieffe in close quarters with Lewis, who pleaded guilty in August to the assault and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The attack was the foreseeable result of systemic negligence by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which failed to enforce its own safety policies, respond to emergencies, and protect its passengers from foreseeable harm, Moncrieffe said in the legal filing.

The MTA failed to take extra steps to keep people safe despite a documented increase in violent incidents on the subway, Moncrieffe contended in the filing.

The profound psychological trauma has upended Moncrieffes once thriving life, he said in the litigation.

His relationship with the love of his life has since unraveled and shattered his personal happiness and dreams of building a life with his partner, according to court papers.

While some violent crime in the subways is down in 2024, murders have spiked a shocking 60% in 2024 as of September. When Moncrieffe was slashed in May 2023, subway crime was up about 20% compared to 2019, statistics showed.

Moncrieffe doesnt ride public transportation anymore and finds himself with persistent hypervigilance, making it impossible for him to sleep, focus or engage with others.

Hes seeking unspecified damages and asking a judge to order the MTA to have consistent enforcement of its prohibited rider policy, sufficient security personnel and improved emergency response protocols along with regular audits of safety procedures.

The MTA said Lewis was not banned from the subway when he slashed Moncrieffe.

The perpetrator in this case had not been banned prior to this incident nor would he have been eligible to be banned because of it, MTA Chief Security Officer Michael Kemper said in a statement. The MTA has advocated for changes that would give DAs more latitude to request a ban and judges more opportunity to implement transit bans.
Harmeet Dhillon in Dana Point, Calif., in 2023.

WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump tapped Harmeet Dhillon, a Republican lawyer known for championing conservative causes and the GOP national committeewoman for California, to lead the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division.

Trump announced Dhillons nomination as assistant attorney general, writing on social media that she has stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties. Trump lauded Dhillons track record of taking on Big Tech companies, her defense of religious freedoms, and suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers.

During the first Trump administration, Dhillon gained prominence as a Republican advocate in liberal San Francisco. She argued on behalf of Trump supporters, who said they were attacked by protesters and that their conservative beliefs were causing them to be persecuted.

In 2016, she sued the city of San Jose, Calif., on behalf of Trump supporters who were attacked by counterprotesters, saying that city officials inaction was colored by political viewpoint considerations.

Dhillon also represented a Google employee who was fired after he circulated a memo arguing that men are naturally better suited for tech jobs than women due to biological differences. Google paired open hostility for conservative thought with discriminatory policies that harm white men, she wrote in a lawsuit against the tech giant.

The nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to lead this critical civil rights office is yet another clear sign that this administration seeks to advance ideological viewpoints over the rights and protections that protect every person in this country, said Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

During the Covid pandemic, Dhillon filed multiple lawsuits challenging California Gov. Gavin Newsoms stay-at-home orders on behalf of business owners who wanted to remain open and religious leaders who wanted to hold services. As opposition to pandemic restrictions grew, Dhillons advocacy earned her national media attention and tightened her ties to Trump.

More recently, Dhillon has defended ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a gender discrimination lawsuit brought by a former producer. She currently represents a California woman suing Kaiser Permanente over gender-affirming care she received as a teenager and later regretted.

Wiley added, Dhillon has focused her career on diminishing civil rights, rather than enforcing or protecting them. Rather than fighting to expand voting access, she has worked to restrict it.

In 2020, Dhillon served as the co-chairwoman of Lawyers for Trump, a group of conservative lawyers lending their services to the Trump's efforts to overturn the election results. Three years later, she mounted an unsuccessful run to replace then-RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Most recently, she led the Trump campaigns election integrity team in Arizona during the 2024 general election.

If confirmed, Dhillon would replace Kristen Clarke, the first Black woman to lead the division. Dhillons nomination is historic in its own right  if confirmed, she would be the first Republican woman to lead the division and the second Indian-American.

Dhillon, born in India and a practicing Sikh, is also on track to be the first Sikh American to hold the position, which the advocacy group The Sikh Coalition described as a historic occasion.

The group added, accurate representation of the community matters  including in the halls of power.

The nomination adds Dhillon to a growing list of Trumps lawyers and allies who have been tapped for key posts at the Justice Department: his impeachment lawyer Pam Bondi for attorney general, his criminal defense lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove as her immediate deputies, and his appellate lawyer D. John Sauer as solicitor general.

Conservative allies have spent the week cheering Dhillons nomination, expressing optimism that she will lead the division away from the priorities of the Biden administration.

Under Biden, they did a whole of government approach to try to institutionalize woke DEI policies and impose them on the American people through the civil rights division of DOJ, said Roger Severino, a vice president at the conservative Heritage Foundation who spent seven years as a career lawyer in the civil rights division.

Its hard to think of anybody more qualified than she is to tackle these issues, he said.

Dhillons nomination also gained support from Mark Geragos, a prominent Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer and Democrat who teamed up with Dhillon to challenge Californias stay-at-home orders amid the pandemic.

The civil rights division is going to be better off for having her there. Very few people on my side of the aisle will agree with that and I think theyll be surprised, said Geragos in an interview with NBC News.

Beyond her personal work for Trump, members of Dhillons firm have also represented the president-elect and his campaign in various legal disputes. David Warrington, partner at Dhillon Law Group and general counsel for the Trump campaign, was named as Trumps pick for White House counsel last week. Warrington has also represented Trump in civil lawsuits stemming from the Jan. 6 riot.

Most prominently, Dhillon and Warrington were part of the legal team representing candidate Trump during his early 2024 fight to stay on the ballot after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled he was ineligible due to a provision of the 14th Amendment that bars insurrectionists from holding federal office. That dispute went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ultimately issued a unanimous ruling allowing Trump to remain a presidential candidate.
Kirstin Lobato reacts outside of the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse in Las Vegas with her attorneys Elizabeth Wang and David Owens Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. Lobato, who spent 15 years behind bars for the killing of a homeless man, was awarded $34 million in her lawsuit against the Metropolitan Police Department and two retired detectives who she said fabricated evidence against her in a 2001 murder. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP)  A federal jury in Nevada has awarded more than $34 million to a woman who was arrested at age 18, wrongly convicted twice, and served nearly 16 years in a Nevada state prison for a 2001 killing she did not commit.

Kristin Lobato, who is now 41 and uses the name Blaise, cried and hugged her attorneys after a judge read the trial verdict Thursday in U.S. District Court, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Its been an uphill battle with many, many obstacles, she told reporters. And Im happy that its all finally finished.

Lobato said she didn't know if becoming a millionaire would make up for years in prison, adding that she had no idea what the rest of my life is going to look like.

The civil trial jury found Las Vegas police and two detectives, now retired, fabricated evidence during their investigation and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Lobato. The panel determined that Lobato should receive $34 million in compensatory damages from the department and $10,000 in punitive damages from each former detective.

The detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, and their attorney, Craig Anderson, declined to comment outside court. Anderson told U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware he planned to file additional court documents following the verdict. Anderson said Friday an appeal was likely.

The department previously agreed to pay damages if the jury ruled in Lobatos favor.

Lobato was 18 when she was interviewed by police without an attorney, arrested and charged with killing Duran Bailey in Las Vegas in July 2001. Bailey, who had been homeless, was found dead near a trash bin with a slashed neck, cracked skull and missing genitals.

No physical evidence or witnesses connected Lobato to the killing, and she maintained she never met Bailey. But police maintained she confessed in jail that she had killed a man who tried to rape her during a three-day methamphetamine binge.

Lobato was 19 when she was convicted of murder in 2002. The Nevada Supreme Court threw out that verdict and Lobatos prison sentence in 2004 because her lawyers werent able to cross-examine a prosecution witness who testified that Lobato made the jailhouse confession.

Lobato was tried again in 2006, convicted of manslaughter, mutilation and weapon charges, and sentenced to 13 to 45 years in prison.

She was exonerated and freed from prison in late 2017 after the Innocence Project and attorneys in Las Vegas again took her case to the state Supreme Court. Justices said evidence showed that Lobato was in her hometown of Panaca, Nevada, some 150 miles (214 kilometers) from Las Vegas when Bailey was killed.

Last October, a state court judge in Las Vegas issued a certificate declaring Lobato innocent of Baileys killing.

That action was challenged by Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson in a letter asking state Attorney General Aaron Ford to investigate how and why attorneys for Lobato acquired the certificate of innocence.
What appear to be large drones hover at high altitudes in the bayside section of Toms River, N.J., on Dec. 8.

Mysterious drones in New York temporarily shut down runways at an Orange County airport, a frustrated governor said, calling for federal assistance and declaring that "this has gone too far."

The New York Stewart International Airport was forced to close runways Friday night for about an hour "due to drone activity in the airspace," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

In a statement Saturday to NBC New York, the Federal Aviation Administration said it slowed air traffic temporarily late Friday night "due to multiple reported drone sightings near and over the airport."

The agency said there have been no safety impacts to aircraft.

The airport received a report of a drone sighting from the FAA around 9:40 p.m. Friday, said a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The runways reopened at 10:45 p.m., the spokesperson said. The closure did not impact flights.

"This has gone too far," Hochul said.

The drones have been spotted over New York, New Jersey and other states in the Northeast, sparking concern and confusion. Some lawmakers, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. and New Jersey Republican Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot them down. Experts, however, have said that shooting them poses a safety risk and is illegal.

Hochul said she directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate the sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address the drones. The efforts remain ongoing, the governor said.

"But in order to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act," she said. "This bill would reform legal authorities to counter-UAS and strengthen the FAAs oversight of drones, and would extend counter-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies."

"Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential. Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people," Hochul added.

The White House has said that it has "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus." Officials have said the drones flying over New Jersey in the past few weeks appear to be commercial-grade and not recreational.

During an interagency background call Saturday, an official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reiterated that there is no "evidence that theres a threat to public safety."

An FAA official said that it is not illegal to fly drones in U.S. airspace, while an official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said there has "been a slight overreaction" to the drone sightings.

"Were confident that many of the reported drone sightings are, in fact, manned aircraft being misidentified as drones," the DHS official said in the call. "There is no evidence to date of any foreign based involvement in sending drones ashore from marine vessels in the area."
Luca Ponti/IPA via ZUMA Press; Netflix The case of Yara Gambirasio in a Netlifix TV series; Massimo Bossetti

The investigation into the murder of Yara Gambirasio was one of the most extensive and highly publicized in Italian criminal history, and its findings are still disputed today.



After three years and tens of thousands of DNA samples later, police arrested local construction worker Massimo Bossetti and charged him with the young gymnasts murder. And earlier this year, Netflix released a documentary in Italy about the 13-year-old girl's murder case, titled The Yara Gambirasio Case: Beyond Reasonable Doubt.

But for many, doubt persists in Gambirasios case, and lawyers for Bossetti have continued to fight his conviction in recent years. Heres what police say happened, and why attorneys for the man convicted of Gambirasios murder are still contesting his conviction.

Luca Ponti/IPA via ZUMA Press The case of Yara Gambirasio in a Netlifix TV series

Gambirasios Murder

Gambirasio was a promising local gymnastics champion at the time she went missing after practice on Nov. 26, 2010. The teen's body was found dumped in a field near Brembate di Sopra, a suburb of Milan, about three months later, The Guardian reported.

Shortly after the discovery, an autopsy showed the teen had been beaten to death and not sexually abused, according to The New York Times. And it also turned up DNA evidence on the girls clothing, prompting one of the most-publicized DNA investigations in history.

The Investigation

With only the DNA evidence to rely on, the Times reported that investigators took DNA samples from nearly 22,000 people in a longshot effort to track down Gambirasios killer.

The goal of authorities was to use DNA evidence to track down close-enough matches to identify relatives of the killer, and then use further DNA testing to find a perfect match, according to the American Academy of Forensic Science. After thousands of swabs, police found a partial match with a young man they believed to be unquestionably a close relative of the killer, according to the Academy. That sample then led investigators to identify a local bus driver, Giuseppe Guerinoni, as the killers father  only Guerinoni had died 11 years prior.

A former colleague of Guerinoni told police he was a ladies man, according to the Academy, and helped them put together a list of more than 500 women he may have had intimate relationships with in his life. Police then found a maternal match for the killer using the list, leading them to Massimo Bossetti.

Bossetti never knew he was the son of Guerinoni, prompting local media to begin characterizing the case as a genetic soap opera, according to the Times. Meanwhile, the three-plus-year investigation into Gambirasios murder prompted The Guardian to call it the murder that has obsessed Italy in 2015.

Netflix Massimo Bossetti

Bossetti Claims Innocence

Bossetti was arrested and later found guilty of murdering the 13-year-old Gambirasio, despite his repeated claims of innocence to police, arguing that he does not know how his DNA was found at the scene.

I might be stupid, an idiot, ignorant, but Im not a killer, Bossetti told the court before he was found guilty, according to The Guardian.

In 2016, Bossetti was sentenced to life in prison, according to the forensics academy, though his attorneys have not stopped appealing the murder conviction in recent years. His attorneys latest appeal came earlier this year, when his defense team asked to analyze the DNA evidence found on Gambirasio themselves, as they continue to question the validity of the genetic samples that led to Bossettis life behind bars.

Read the original article on People
Kyla Johnson-Trammell, superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District, recommended merging five sets of small schools that are already located on the same campus, but the school board rejected the proposal. Don Feria/Special to The Chronicle

School closures have been relatively rare in California, with 50 to 80 sites closed each year out of more than 10,000 statewide, but that number is starting to skyrocket as districts across the state come to terms with unprecedented and enduring enrollment declines.

In the Bay Area, the Alum Rock Union School District, in Santa Clara County, voted to close six of its 21 schools at the end of this academic year and another two the next spring while merging three others. Many school boards across the state are mulling closure plans, including Santa Rosa City and Sonoma Valley.

It wont be easy. Virtually every school board member who has voted for a school closure would testify to that.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Its an emotional decision, probably the most emotional decision a school board makes, said Mike Fine, CEO of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, which works with the states school districts on financial stability. Its a difficult, difficult decision to make.

In many communities, it will ultimately be unavoidable, education leaders said. A failure to do so by the local school board could lead to a fiscal meltdown, insolvency and a state takeover, with an appointed state administrator deciding on school closures independently.

Some districts are putting off the inevitable. Oakland and San Francisco have acknowledged that they will need to close schools, but so far their boards havent had the political will to do so.

Closing schools requires politicians to make unpopular decisions, which could hurt them at the ballot box.

It is their job, Fine said. And if theyre not willing to make it and do the right thing, it calls into question their decision-making.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

While the politics might be fuzzy, the math is clear: In 2013, more than 6.2 million students attended state public schools. Ten years later, there were 5.8 million, and by 2033, 5.1 million. Thats a loss of 1 million children sitting in California classrooms in just two decades.

While migration out of state and immigration policies contribute to the problem, the biggest factor in school enrollment is a declining birthrate. People are simply having fewer children, both in California and nationwide.

This is a sort of a paradigm shift for California schools, said Troy Flint, chief information officer for the California School Boards Association. Weve always been a growth state until recently.

Combine that with the expiration of pandemic recovery funds and a stagnant state budget, and half-empty schools start to become increasingly untenable.

For almost everyone, school closures are a last resort. Everyone knows thats going to be an incredibly unpopular and contentious decision, Flint said, adding it will nonetheless be a decision more districts will have to make. Having resources spread really thin is not serving anybody.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The fight can be fierce. Local teachers unions are often opposed to closures, and the California Teachers Association has questioned the level of cost savings that come out of closures, generally estimated at $1 million to $4 million per school.

In fact, school closures can actually cost a district long-term when families are forced to look elsewhere and leave the school district after a beloved neighborhood school shuts down, said CTA President David Goldberg. When educators come together alongside parents and our broader communities to fight back against a school closure, its rooted in an understanding of the short-term and long-term harm the closure of neighborhood schools can bring to students and school districts.

Yet, with labor, health, pension, utility and other costs increasing, largely empty and aging school buildings at some point are unsustainable, district officials say.

San Francisco school board and district leaders have said closing schools is probably inevitable, despite putting the brakes on a proposal to close up to 11 schools at the end of this academic year. That decision was made amid a series of administrative blunders and the forced resignation of Superintendent Matt Wayne.

For now, closures and mergers are off the table for the next two school years, said Waynes replacement, Maria Su. The loss of 10,000 students in the past 10 years cannot be ignored forever.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The reality is, we will eventually talk about school closures, but we have to do it in a different way, she said, adding that the process next time will be family- and school-centric, allowing for extensive input on proposals.

The pause, however, means the district cant use any cost savings from closing schools to help close a $113 million budget deficit, which equates to 535 staff positions, Su said, adding what that will mean for the citys 104 schools is still unclear.

Oakland district leaders have also tried to convince the community that closures and mergers are a necessity. The district has lost more than 15,000 students since 2002 and has about 33,000 students now, with twice as many schools as districts with similar enrollment. The loss of about 1,000 students per year is expected through 2032.

Some schools have far less than half the enrollment compared with a decade ago, including Brookfield Village Elementary, which had 114 students last year, or Prescott Elementary, with 130 students last year, including 11 third-graders.

Officials have tried at least a few times in recent years to close and merge several schools, with each effort leading to protests, threats, vitriol and in one case a hunger strike  before officials backed off or dramatically curtailed the attempts.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The pattern repeated itself again this past week. The board rejected Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammells recommendation to merge five sets of small schools that are already located on the same campus.

By reducing the number of schools, the district can use dollars in a way to keep up with the cost of salaries and invest more in schools, said Johnson-Trammell, adding that delaying actions extends the trauma, anxiety and uncertainty.

There is no illusion in the community that the issue wont come up again, she said.

Board member Mike Hutchinson said he expects the district to start looking at the issue again in the coming months, holding community conversations through the spring and then develop a comprehensive closure and merger plan, with a vote on specific sites perhaps in December.

By delaying again and again, the school board is arguably making it worse, Fine said.
Today 204 MPs out of a total of 300 voted on the impeachment motion. There were 85 votes against, three MPs abstained and eight invalidated ballots. At least 12 members of the majority were in favour of the ouster. The constitutional judges (three out of nine are vacant) will have to approve the decision within 180 days. For experts and analysts this is not the end of the turmoil.

Seoul (AsiaNews) - Seoul's opposition-led parliament today voted to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following his attempt - which was overturned after a few hours - to impose martial law in the country on 3 December.

With the suspension of his powers and duties related to his office, according to the Constitution the role of interim president will be held by the current Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Now the ball passes to the Constitutional Court, whose process could take weeks if not months with a maximum time limit of six to decide: once the process has been investigated, the judges will have to approve (or reject) the decision of the deputies and, in the event of ratification, call for the election of a successor within 60 days.

The body consists of nine members and the vote must pass with a two-thirds majority; however, there are currently only six judges, while three are vacant and there is still no agreement between the majority and the opposition on the appointments, so a unanimous decision of the judges is required.

In the meantime, today's vote freezes President Yoon's powers but does not relieve him from office, because only the approval of the Constitutional Court will fully implement the impeachment and lead to his ouster. In the only precedent of impeachment in South Korea, the judges took three months to remove Park Geun-hye in 2017.

In the past few days, the parliament first rejected the impeachment motion against the president, who had proclaimed (and then lifted) martial law. Following the vote, the opposition had accused the People Power Party (PPP)-led government of staging a second coup d'etat. According to the Constitution, the president remains head of government and commander of the army unless he is incapacitated, resigns or relinquishes office.

Only in such cases can power be transferred - temporarily, until elections are held - to the prime minister. Experts agree that a president cannot delegate his authority while in office and the suspension of powers is only linked to impeachment.

This morning 204 MPs out of a total of 300 voted for the impeachment motion for the president, who together with his allies is under investigation on charges of insurrection and cannot travel abroad. This means that at least 12 deputies from Yoon's party sided with the oppositions.

There were 85 votes against, while three MPs abstained and eight ballots were invalidated. However, analysts and scholars including Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, note that the parliamentary decision does not mark the end of South Korea's political turmoil. On the contrary, continues the expert quoted by the BBC, it is not even the beginning of the end, which will involve the election of a new president.

The Constitutional Court now has up to 180 days to decide whether President Yoon should be impeached or reinstated. If it decides on impeachment, elections for the next president will have to be called within 60 days of the ruling.

The leader of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in 2022, is favoured in the event of a new presidential election.

However, an appeal conviction and other criminal proceedings also hang over the opposition leader, which could lead to his exclusion from the country's highest institutional office. So, before the final race in the polls, there will be a race in the courts, concluded the Seoul University lecturer.

In the immediate aftermath of the parliamentary vote, Yoon's supporters gathered in Gwanghwamun Square greeted the news in silence. Pastor Jun Kwang-hoon led the crowd in a chant: Dismantle the ruling party.

Some people uttered angrily charged insults and then left the venue. Addressing the nation, Yoon himself declared that he would step aside, while urging an end to the politics of excess and confrontation and assuring that the journey to the future... must never stop.

The mood among opposition sympathisers was different, with thousands of people in the streets jubilantly welcoming a result that is nevertheless destined to exacerbate South Korea's political and institutional crisis.
by Sumon Corraya

The decision was approved by the interim government at the end of a meeting chaired by Yunus. Vapes will be added to the list of items whose importation is prohibited. Fears over the possible development of a clandestine market. 67% of deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, with smoking and tobacco use being the main causes.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The Bangladesh government has officially banned the import of electronic cigarettes (or vapes) and all related products in order to safeguard public health and protect future generations.

This decision, approved by the interim government advisory council with applause from the local Catholic Church, adds so-called e-cigarettes - or Ends, electronic nicotine delivery systems - to the list of prohibited items.

A list drawn up at the Ministry of Commerce in Dhaka, which sets out the prohibited articles and whose entry into the country is forbidden by law.

The decision was announced following a meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister Yunus at his cabinet office on 12 December. This was followed by a press release from the division confirming the introduction of the new public health policy, which stems from a proposal made by the Health Department of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to the department, the ban was necessary to provide a concrete response to the growing health concerns associated with the use of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people.

It is necessary, the department emphasised in a note, to take urgent measures to ban these products and ensure the public health and safety of future generations.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have come under global criticism for their potential health risks, including addiction and respiratory problems. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has repeatedly called on countries to regulate or ban their use, citing the dangers to users and even non-users, who are exposed to indirect emissions and second-hand smoke.

P. Francis Nirmal Gomes, a Brother of the Holy Cross (CSC), director of the Bangladesh Drug Rehabilitation and Care Centre (Baraca), welcomed the government's import ban on electronic cigarettes. This is very good news for the country, he said, while expressing hope that the measure would also reduce the number of users. However, the cleric also expressed concern about potential illegal imports of the product. This is a big challenge for the government, which must rise to the occasion, he added, to protect our young people.

Baraca, a core project of Caritas Bangladesh, provides services to hundreds of people struggling with addiction. Fr Gomes noted that the use of e-cigarettes is on the rise among young people in Bangladesh, with an alarming increase in smoking even among women.

Young people, including women, are becoming addicted to dangerous substances, stressing the urgent need for measures to curb the import and use of these harmful products. The experts warned that tobacco use contributes significantly to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. Currently, 67 per cent of deaths in Bangladesh are attributed to NCDs, with smoking and tobacco use being the leading causes.

According to recent data 37.8 million adults in the South Asian country use tobacco and 38.4 million are exposed to second-hand smoke in public spaces, workplaces and public transport.

The result is devastating: some 161,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. At the same time, the use of e-cigarettes, although less well documented, is growing, especially among young people. Bangladesh is also the first country in the region in terms of tobacco consumption, partly due to inadequate enforcement of prevention measures.

Dhaka also has yet to meet global standards for creating a smoke-free environment and regulating advertising and incentives for tobacco products. The first electronic cigarette device, which marked a significant breakthrough in alternatives to smoking, was developed in 2003 by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik, who had previously been vice-director of the Liaoning Province Institute of Chinese Medicine.

Since 2007, the global popularity of e-cigarettes has been steadily increasing, from 11 million users to 82 million in 2021. No data on the prevalence of e-cigarette use is currently available in Bangladesh.
by Stefano Caprio

The Patriarchate of Antioch is the only one of the fifteen autocephalous Orthodox Churches, and the only one of the five ancient patriarchates, that has always and in every situation supported the Russian Church. Moreover, it was precisely the Antiochians who inspired the establishment of the Moscow Patriarchate. And these ancient stories of the late Middle Ages find their relevance today in the face of the Russians' fear of losing their controlling role in the Middle East, after the victory of the Islamists in Damascus.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow (Gundjaev) made it known that he assists with fervent prayers his beloved brother, Patriarch Ioann X (Yagizi) of Antioch, together with all the clergy and faithful of the Church representing the entire Christian East.

The representatives of the Antiochian Patriarchate in Moscow, Metropolitan Nifon and Archimandrite Filipp, ensured constant first-hand information on the evolution of events in Syria, which are of such interest and concern to the whole of Russia.

President Vladimir Putin has offered shelter to the now ex-dictator of Damascus, Bashar al Assad, in a luxurious flat near the Kremlin, and the deputies of the Moscow Duma are demanding that he be granted Russian citizenship immediately.

As the Patriarch's advisor, protoierej Nikolaj Balasov, pointed out, the Antiochian Church has always represented the true patriotic spirit of Syria, recalling Ioann X's words that Christians are the true native inhabitants of these lands, all others came later.

The Syrian Patriarchate is the only one of the fifteen autocephalous Orthodox Churches, and the only one of the five ancient ecumenical patriarchates, to have always and in every situation supported the Moscow Church, even in this phase of schism with Constantinople and the other patriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem, although the latter retains a fairly neutral position.

Moreover, it was precisely the Antiochians who inspired the establishment of the Moscow Patriarchate in the past.

In 1586, the then Patriarch of Antioch Ioakimos V arrived in Moscow in search of material aid to survive under the Ottoman Turks, and was welcomed by the Tsar's unscrupulous advisor Boris Godunov, with whom he fine-tuned the plan that would realise the dream of the Third Rome at its supreme level, the religious and ecclesiastical one.

Ioakimos was hosted in Moscow as Assad is today, and prepared for the visit of his confrere Ieremias II (Tranos), the Patriarch of Constantinople, who himself came to the Russian capital in 1588 to ask for support.

He was housed in the most solemn rooms of the Kremlin, where Godunov imprisoned him for seven months, until he agreed to sign the decree establishing the Russian patriarchate, the first since ancient times to flank the apostolic ones, paving the way for a conception of national orthodoxy and patriotism that today finds its splendour in the holy wars of Putin and his imitators.

Ieremias was then released, and on his return he stopped by the Russian Orthodox of Poland, suggesting that they create a Kiev Patriarchate to counterbalance Moscow's claims, the ancient capital of Rus' being the true source of Christianity in those lands.

The Polish king Sigismund III's loyalty to the Roman Catholic see, together with the powerful influence of the Jesuits, transformed this project into the Union of Brest with the Pope in 1596, generating the opposition between Moscow and Kiev that has been projected into subsequent history to the present day, between the two souls of Russian Christianity, the Eastern and the Western.

In the meantime, the Patriarch of Antioch and his successors found in Moscow the main point of reference of their own religious and national identity, going so far in the 17th century as to propose a Russian papacy that would offer the former Eastern Patriarchs new seats around the capital.

In the current rediscovery of one's own traditional values, these ancient stories of the late Middle Ages rediscover relevance in the face of the Russians' fear of losing their role of control over the Middle East after the victory of Islamists against the pro-Moscow Syrian regime.

The patriarch's concern expresses the deepest feelings of the entire Russian political and military leadership, which is counterbalanced by the exultation of the Ukrainian leadership, which credits itself with having supported the Islamic revolution, in order to corner the Russians.

The Russians had deployed their troops in Syria in 2015, investing hundreds of billions of roubles, and organising the most aggressive companies, those of the Chechen butchers and the Wagner Company mercenaries, led by Putin's cook, the late Evgenij Prigozin, who then became the main actors in the Russian war in Ukraine.

In a way, Moscow's support for Damascus was the training ground for Russia's return to the role of a major player on the world geopolitical stage. In 2016, Russia even obtained the blessing of Pope Francis, who, meeting Patriarch Kirill in Havana in February, agreed on a joint humanitarian action for Syrian Christians and refugees, which allowed the Russians to consider themselves officially in charge of controlling that territory, where the Roman pontiff himself had blocked the entry of Americans with prayer vigils the year before.

Of the five ancient patriarchates, apart from Antioch only Rome is today Moscow's interlocutor, in a convergence of attentions to the East still in search of a true definition. Now it is difficult to say whether Russia will be able to keep its military bases in Syria, and the Holy See has let it be known through the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, that it is impressed by the speed of events, hoping that there will be respect for the Christian minorities and awaiting developments, a statement almost identical to those of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. It is not just a matter of fear of the choices of the new Islamist government in Damascus: remaining in Syria may prove to be a threat to everyone, Russians and Armenians, Orthodox Christians, Chaldeans, Protestants and Catholics.

The loss of Russian bases would also entail a serious logistical problem for the Kremlin, because of its contacts with its own groups in Africa, heirs to the Wagner Company's business, which rely precisely on Syria in the Mediterranean transit.

The Russians would be forced to expand their structures in Libya or Sudan, but this currently appears rather complicated, as there are no official relations with these states, which are themselves in search of a still very undefined stability; and the Russian military structures in Africa are not sufficiently developed to guarantee a satisfactory defence of the Kremlin's interests, as all commentators claim.

Russian planes bound for Africa have so far been moving on the air corridor over the Caspian Sea, Iran and Iraq, stopping in Syria on their way to Khartoum and from there across Africa, and now it is unclear how.

Syria is Russia's bridge to the Mediterranean and Africa, considering also the dispersal of the Black Sea fleet following the Ukrainian drone attacks, and now there could be new uncontrolled uprisings also in African countries, which the Russians are struggling to control, according to Novaja Gazeta correspondent Denis Korotkov.

It is difficult today to calculate how many Russians are still stationed in Syria: in 2018, there was talk of three thousand army soldiers, and two thousand Wagner mercenaries, while today, after three years of war in Ukraine, the estimate is no more than one thousand, including a hundred or so observers scattered throughout the country.

In addition to the soldiers, there are supposedly over seven thousand Russians throughout Syria, and the military (and non-military) structures are very varied, being confused with the state structures of the now fallen regime.

Formally, Russia had intervened in Syria to fight against the Islamic fundamentalists of Isis, which allowed Moscow to regain some of the international credit it had lost with the start of the hybrid war in Ukraine in 2014, then also escaping new sanctions.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then: Moscow has collected more sanctions than any other country in the world, in the war in Ukraine it has also (and above all) involved the Muslims of the Caucasus and Asian Russia, extolling them as moderate and patriotic Islam, the face that representatives of the jihadist group Hay'at Tahrir ash-Sham, in power in Damascus, now give themselves, who have managed to do in one week what the Russians have not managed to do in Ukraine for three years.

Putin cannot afford to throw away twenty years of efforts to restore Russia's strategic role in world geopolitics, to establish a multipolar vision in place of Western hegemony, so he will try to find a way to stay in Syria.

After all, Syria has now largely passed under the control of Turkey, Russia's historical enemy for control of these territories, which today appears instead as the only possible ally in the search for new balances between the Russian world and the Turkish world.

Erdogan's declared aim is the annulment of the autonomy of the Kurds in the north-eastern part of Syria, but it is clear that we have entered a new phase of subdivision of dominion over the vast border territories between East and West, between Moscow and Istanbul, as at the time of the formation of the Russian patriarchate, in relation to the Antiochian patriarchate.

RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SATURDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.
Today's news: Xi Jinping in Macau for the 25th anniversary of the handover of the former Portuguese colony to China. Rice (and wheat) stocks in India have reached record levels. According to Rsf, the Israeli army killed at least a third of the reporters killed in 2024. The Indonesian president wants to pardon 44,000 prisoners, among them opponents from Papua province.

VIETNAM - SINGAPORE

The Singaporean company Keppel (KPLM.SI), in cooperation with the Vietnamese Sovico Group, plans to build new undersea fibre-optic cables to strengthen the region's data centre sector. The south-eastern countries remain important crossroads for cables connecting Asia to Europe, expanding their networks to meet a booming demand in intelligence and data centre services. Hanoi alone plans to have 10 new submarine cables by 2030.

CHINA - MACAO

Xi Jinping will visit Macau for an event celebrating 25 years since the handover of the former Portuguese colony to China. The president will attend the induction of the new administration and lead an inspection tour during the visit between 18 and 20 December. The city has become the world's top casino hub by revenue and a popular destination for Chinese tourists, and is the only place in China where casino gambling is allowed.

INDIA

Rice stocks hit a record high in early December, reaching more than five times the government's target and boosting exports. Rice stocks, including unmilled paddy, in state-owned granaries amounted to 44.1 million tonnes as at 1 December, compared to the 7.6 million tonnes forecast. Wheat stocks 22.3 million tonnes, against 13.8 million tonnes assumed. Foreign trade restrictions lifted.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

The Israeli army killed at least a third of the world's journalists who died unnatural deaths in 2024. This was reported by Reporters Without Borders (Rsf), according to which 550 reporters were arrested, 55 held hostage and 95 were missing. A total of 54 were killed in 2024, the highest figure in five years. Of these, one in three was killed during Israeli bombings, including 16 in Gaza and two in Lebanon. Since October 2023, more than 145 journalists have been killed in Gaza.

INDONESIA

President Prabowo Subianto intends to pardon some 44,000 prisoners, ranging from activists convicted of defamation to those imprisoned in the eastern province of Papua for criticising the government. Behind the measure - which would affect about 30% of the total number of prisoners - there would be humanitarian reasons and an attempt to alleviate prison overcrowding.

RUSSIA

According to data from the Rospotrebnadzor, at the end of 2023 there were 1.2 million people with Aids in Russia, with consistently high statistics in the world average, among the top five along with South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria and India. Now it seems to be spreading further among young people, who seek to infect themselves because the disease excludes them from mobilisation to war.

KYRGYZSTAN

After the endless discussions about changes to the national flag, there is now a clash in Kyrgyzstan about the new state anthem that should replace the current one, which is considered too Soviet. The Zogorku Kenes has set up a special commission headed by deputy speaker Nurbek Sydygaliev, which will have to choose the three best versions and present them to parliament.
The Best and Worst TikTok Dating Trends & Advice

The Best and Worst TikTok Dating Trends & Advice, Revealed & Explained

When it comes to TikTok, not all dating trends and pieces of advice are created equal.

TikTok is like the Wild West of dating adviceyou've got gold nuggets of wisdom right next to tumbleweeds of toxicity, says Veronica West, founder and psychologist at My Thriving Mind.

Perhaps you take things you see on social media with a grain of salt. But even if you do, repeated exposure to certain messages or types of content can end up being harmful in subtle ways, either by normalizing problematic behavior or reinforcing hateful ideas.

RELATED: Problematic Dating Behaviors We Need to Stop Romanticizing

There is a lot of stuff that seems great that is actually coded for ideologies and communities that you may or may not align with, so spend a few extra minutes really looking into who it is you are watching before you click repost or decide to take their advice, according to Javay Frye-Nekrasova, sex educator at Lovehoney.

Need a little help discerning whats worth a spot on your FYP? From harmless and fun trends to profound insights and everything in between, here are the best and worst TikTok dating trends and advice.

The Best TikTok Dating Trends & Advice

Green Flags

In a world where its easy to reduce entire human beings to labels or write them off without considering context, talking about green flags is a breath of fresh air. If you arent familiar with the term, green flags are positive traits that signal someone may be a good partner.

Some creators focus on identifying positive traits in partners, like good communication or kindness, instead of just dodging red flags. This is a refreshing change that promotes healthy relationships, says West.

Dating Wrapped

For the past couple of years, people have been taking to TikTok to share year-in-review summaries of their dating life complete with PowerPoint presentations and pie charts. The trend may seem silly at first, but it offers an opportunity to debrief and reflect on whats working for you and whats not. How else will you learn valuable lessons from that disastrous hookup?

Date the Person Who Will Do This

A woman went viral for sharing her mothers intense yet eye-opening relationship advice: The person you marry, you need to know with all your heart, will take you through the death of your mother and the death of your father.

Whether you intend on getting married or not, the message is powerful for anyone looking to seriously share their life with someone. If you cant picture your partner by your side as you navigate grief, it says something about your relationship.

RELATED: How to Support a Partner Through a Difficult Time



Loud Breakups

Hard-launching breakups is now a thing. Yes, going on TikTok to pour your heart out about your breakup can get messy, and its true that some things should be dealt with privately out of respect for everyone involved.

That said, this trend still accomplishes something incredibly positive: Making people going through heartbreak feel less alone while turning pain into purpose. Instead of suffering in silence, being vulnerable about a loss can help you find both healing and community.

Wisdom for Getting Over a Situationship

TikToker Olivia Victoria posted a viral video discussing why situationships feel so hard to move on from and how to get over one  and her advice was spot on. Situationships are filled with uncertainty, which contributes to keeping you hooked. The only way to get over a situationship is to remove yourself from it.

Then, allow yourself to process the loss and grieve as you would with any other ending. Dont invalidate or downplay your feelings. The validation that its actually OK to grieve it like a real relationship is soooo needed, wrote one commenter.

The Worst TikTok Dating Trends & Advice

Red Flags Everywhere

Setting boundaries and removing yourself from problematic situations is crucial. But somewhere along the way, everything and everyone turned into a red flag on TikTok.

Dating advice on TikTok tends to focus on virality over validity, with creators pushing exaggerated hot takes that prioritize shock value over thoughtful guidance. This can cause people to mislabel normal relationship challenges as toxic or red flags, says Sandra Kushnir, LMFT. Complex ideas like narcissism or gaslighting are often misrepresented or misused.

Throning

What is throning? Its about dating someone who will elevate your social status by association. Any relationship trend where the primary goal isnt driven by a genuine desire to connect veers into toxic territory.

Transactional relationships will never lead to true fulfilment  and promoting them only promotes the idea that we should be OK using people and being used.

RELATED: Internet Dating Slang Terms You Need to Know

Loyalty Tests

Have you heard of the Orange Peel Theory, where you ask your partner to do a simple task that you can easily do yourself, like peeling an orange for you? Some TikTok users believe that if your partner peels the orange, its a sign they truly love you. If they dont, well, you can only imagine the subsequent fight.

Maybe youve even seen content about loyalty tests like sending a flirty DM to your significant other from a fake account. But testing partners, like playing mind games, is manipulative and also indicates underlying trust issues you should be working on together.

Bill-Splitting Advice

TikTok user Pearl Botts went viral for her controversial bill-splitting advice. When a man wants to go fifty-fifty on a date do this, reads the caption of her video. Oh my god, Im so embarrassed right now, she adds, feigning shock. Wait, you wanted to just be friends? Im so confused. This entire time I thought this was a date. Im so sorry, heres my card.

As a man, you may prefer picking up the tab on a date. You may want to go Dutch. It doesnt really matter, as different daters have different preferences. But stating them in a passive-aggressive, sneaky way is terrible advice.

We Listen, We Don't Judge

The We Listen, We Dont Judge trend was meant to be about creating safe spaces where couples give each other permission to share presumably harmless things theyve kept secret. Unfortunately, it has backfired and led to breakups.

RELATED: Behaviors That Will Get You Dumped

It started out great and fun, but as the trend became more popular, there were a lot of couples that did it and were saying really mean and malicious stuff to or about their partners, as well as [confessing to things] that you should not do in relationships and that, in a non-TikTok trend context, would have very different responses, says Frye-Nekrasova.

For example, one woman shared the results of the challenge on Reddit: Her partner confessed that he had been playing a prank on her for the past two years. He tampered with her computer to make it extremely slow, which affected her studies. As you can imagine, she didnt find it funny.

TikTok trends come and go, but heres some timeless wisdom: Any advice you encounter on the platform should be seen as a conversation starter, not a final answer, says Kushnir.

You Might Also Dig:
14 December 2024 20:50 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan's innovation ecosystem is undergoing a transformation with the growing establishment of venture capital funds. In recent years, the country has increasingly focused on building a robust framework for supporting startups and attracting foreign investments, positioning itself as a rising hub for innovation in the region. In line with this vision, a third venture capital fund is set to be established, marking a significant milestone in Azerbaijans venture capital landscape.

The emergence of Azerbaijan's third venture capital fund

At a recent event dedicated to the annual activity report of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDIA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Agahuseyn Ahmadov, the Head of the Investments and Ecosystem Support Department, revealed that Azerbaijan will soon launch its third venture fund. This announcement follows the establishment of the countrys first two funds, Caucasus Ventures and INMerge Ventures, and reflects the government's growing commitment to fostering an innovation-driven economy.

Ahmadov shared that the new fund is being developed in collaboration with White Hill Capital, a prominent investment company. The goal is to increase the volume of managed assets to $15 million, which would further bolster the countrys startup ecosystem and attract more local and international investors. He emphasized that while two funds are already operational, more capital is needed to support the growing demand for investment in the innovation sector.

Caucasus ventures: Azerbaijans first venture capital fund

The creation of Caucasus Ventures in 2022 marked a pivotal moment for Azerbaijans venture capital scene. The fund, which was established with the support of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, PASHA Holding Group, and individual investors, has an authorized capital of 11.3 million manats. It primarily targets post-seed and A-stage startups across various sectors, particularly in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Caucasus Ventures aims to develop Azerbaijans innovation ecosystem by creating favorable conditions for the growth of local startups and encouraging foreign investment. The funds establishment reflects a shift toward institutionalizing venture capital funding in the country, which has traditionally lacked the infrastructure to support high-growth, technology-driven businesses.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev expressed his optimism for the funds impact, stating that Caucasus Ventures would play a key role in optimizing the business environment, improving innovation infrastructure, and attracting foreign investors to Azerbaijan. Similarly, PASHA Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Jalal Gasimov, expressed hope that the funds success would set a precedent for more venture funds in the future.

The funds focus on regional startups and its strategic international outreach are also expected to elevate Azerbaijans status as a key player in the global innovation and investment ecosystem.

INMerge ventures: Azerbaijans second venture fund

Following in the footsteps of Caucasus Ventures, Azerbaijans second venture capital fund, INMerge Ventures, was officially launched in October 2024. This new fund, with an authorized capital of $4 million, was developed through a collaborative effort involving prominent figures such as Inara Valiyeva, Chairwoman of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, Yasin Jalilov, Deputy Executive Director of Azerbaijan Investment Company OJSC, and Irem Chagri Yilandil, Head of International Expansion at Trendyol Group.

The establishment of INMerge Ventures highlights the countrys commitment to fostering a dynamic startup ecosystem and deepening international collaborations. The fund aims to support high-potential startups, particularly those with a focus on digital technologies, e-commerce, and innovation-driven solutions. It also aligns with the government's broader strategy to diversify Azerbaijans economy by investing in knowledge-based industries and the digital sector.

The impact of venture capital funds on Azerbaijans innovation ecosystem

The growth of venture capital funds in Azerbaijan is an encouraging sign of the countrys shift towards a knowledge-based economy. The emergence of Caucasus Ventures and INMerge Ventures signals the beginning of a new era in which the private sector, alongside governmental initiatives, plays a vital role in nurturing startups and innovation.

For entrepreneurs, these funds provide much-needed financial backing to scale their businesses and enhance their market competitiveness. The venture funds offer a viable alternative to traditional forms of financing, which are often inaccessible or insufficient for high-growth startups in Azerbaijan.

Moreover, the presence of international investors and strategic partnerships helps build an investment culture in the country. As Azerbaijan seeks to attract foreign capital and foster a thriving innovation ecosystem, these venture funds serve as critical instruments for economic diversification, job creation, and the commercialization of new technologies.

A promising future for Azerbaijan's startup ecosystem

Azerbaijans venture capital landscape is rapidly evolving, with the establishment of multiple funds that are primed to support the next generation of tech-driven entrepreneurs. The creation of the third venture fund, alongside the success of Caucasus Ventures and INMerge Ventures, reflects a growing recognition of the importance of innovation and investment in driving sustainable economic growth.

As these funds continue to expand and support regional and local startups, Azerbaijan is well-positioned to become a leading hub for venture capital and innovation in the Caucasus and Central Asia. With the governments ongoing support, the collaboration of private investors, and the growing number of venture funds, Azerbaijan is on the path to creating a vibrant and competitive innovation ecosystem that will attract global attention in the years to come.
14 December 2024 17:22 (UTC+04:00)

A regional conference titled "Religious Radicalism as a Threat to National-Religious Solidarity" was held in Masalli, organized by the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, Azernews reports.

The event was attended by officials from the State Committee, Masalli District Executive Power, Milli Majlis deputies, law enforcement, theologians, religious figures, and heads of religious communities.

The conference began with a visit to the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, where participants paid tribute to his memory. Following a minute of silence for the martyrs, the event featured the film Always with Us!.

Araz Ahmadov, head of the Masalli District Executive Power, spoke about Azerbaijans religious policy after Heydar Aliyevs return to power, highlighting President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva's commitment to national and spiritual values. He also emphasized the importance of religious and legal education in Masalli.

Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, Gunduz Ismayilov, underlined Azerbaijan's commitment to religious freedom and the development of state-religion relations. He noted the country's efforts to restore religious monuments in liberated territories as a symbol of spiritual return to Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur, praising the Heydar Aliyev Foundations role in these efforts.

The conference continued with panel discussions on "Foreign Influences on Religious Grounds and the Fight Against Them" and "The Responsibility and Role of Religious Figures in Promoting National and Spiritual Values."
Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants.
14 December 2024 11:17 (UTC+04:00)

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has made a significant contribution to solving the drinking water crisis in Africa by supplying a school in Rwamagana, Rwanda, with clean water, Azernews reports.

As part of the Foundation's "Development of Education and Culture in African Countries" project, a water well was dug at the school, providing approximately 3 tons of drinking water per hour.

Prior to this, the local community relied on rainwater for their water needs.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, visited the school during her trip to Rwanda.

During the visit, students learned about Azerbaijan and enjoyed tasting traditional Azerbaijani dishes.
14 December 2024 12:18 (UTC+04:00)

A delegation from the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan, currently on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Main Operational Department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense to exchange professional expertise, Azernews reports.

The delegation was briefed on military decision-making processes, including details about the 44-day Patriotic War and counter-terrorism operations.

The delegation also toured the Central Command Post, where they observed operational conditions and learned about task execution mechanisms using advanced software that meets modern standards.

Discussions were held on various topics of mutual interest between the two nations.
14 December 2024 12:37 (UTC+04:00)

Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department, addressed the ongoing issue of disinformation at the Stratcom Summit '24 in Istanbul, Azernews reports.

Speaking during the panel on "AI and Strategic Development: A Vision for Azerbaijan's Future," he condemned the fake news spread by Western and Armenian media, particularly regarding the Second Karabakh War, anti-terror operations, and COP29.

Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan actively uses artificial intelligence to combat disinformation, a challenge that persists even after the end of the Patriotic War. He highlighted that the issue is also raised in negotiations with Armenia.

Additionally, Hajiyev discussed the strong Azerbaijani-Turkish relations, emphasizing cooperation on multiple levels, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States.
14 December 2024 16:30 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Mikheil Kavelashvili on his election as President of Georgia, Azernews reports.

The letter reads: The relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia are rooted in the will of our peoples, who have historically lived in an atmosphere of friendship and good-neighborliness, always supporting each other. We are pleased to see that our bilateral relations, built on such strong foundations and based on mutual respect and trust, are now developing comprehensively and successfully.

I am confident that we will make joint efforts to further strengthen and expand our interstate relations and strategic partnership, ensuring the well-being of our countries and peoples, the stability and security of our region, and the realization of its economic potential.
14 December 2024 18:21 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a 250 million loan to Bulgaria to co-finance EU-supported projects aimed at advancing the countrys development, Azernews reports.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
14 December 2024 21:23 (UTC+04:00)

The CEO of the UK's largest housebuilding firm, Barratt Redrow, has expressed concerns over Labours promise to build 1.5 million homes during the current parliament, citing a significant skills shortage, Azernews reports.

David Thomas, speaking to the BBC, stated, "The short answer is no," when asked if there were enough workers to meet the target. He emphasized that achieving this goal would require major reforms in the housing market, planning processes, and production methods.

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) also supported Thomas views, highlighting challenges such as an ageing workforce, Brexit-related issues, and a lack of skilled workers. The HBF pointed out that the UK doesn't have enough new talent entering the construction industry, with many tradesmen over the age of 50 and a lack of apprenticeships.

Despite these industry concerns, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has remained committed to the target, stressing the importance of balancing environmental priorities with the need for more housing. He has vowed to push forward with development, including tackling 150 major infrastructure projects. The government also aims to prioritize brownfield sites for development and review greenbelt boundaries to meet housing demands.
It is common for the globalist and establishment media and politicians to try to smear the rising populist nationalist anti-immigration right in Europe as "neo-fascist" or "neo-nazi.". Two recent events show the absurdity of these false charges.

The power behind the rightwing coalition running The Netherlands, Geert WIlders, head of the populist nationalist anti-immigration Party for Freedom is in Israel, where the Knesset, Israel's parliament awarded Wilders the Jabotinsky Prize for Liberty. In accepting the award, Wilders stressed his support for Israel, saying "If Israel falls, the west will be next." Does that sound like a "nazi"?????

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2024/12/13/dutch-populist-wilders-awarded-by-israels-knesset-warns-if-israel-falls-the-west-will-be-next/

And then there is Italy, where a group of actual neo-fascists has been arrested for plotting an assassination. Who did they want to assassinate? The Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the populist nationalist anti-immigration right Brothers of Italy party. The globalist want to paint Meloni as a "neo-fascist" when actual neo-fascists are plotting to assassinate her? Does that make any sense?

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/if-meloni-is-far-right-why-are-neo-nazis-trying-to-kill-her/
Hard man Brexiteer also admits embarrassment over how UK treated Ireland

A former NIO minister has said it feels f****** shaming when he thinks about how the UK has treated Ireland in the past.

Steve Baker also admitted he would be reluctant to return to Northern Ireland, saying he fears some loyalists want him dead over his support for the Windsor Framework.

He made his comments in an interview with The Irish Times.

Mr Baker was Conservative MP for Wycombe since 2010, but was one of a series of high-profile Tories to lose their seats in Julys election.

He was minister of state for Northern Ireland between September 2022, when he was appointed by Liz Truss, and May this year.

A self-styled hard man of Brexit, in 2022 Mr Baker apologised for some of his behaviour towards Ireland and the EU during the negotiations.

He admitted that he and others did not "always behave in a way which encouraged Ireland and the European Union to trust us to accept that they have legitimate interests.

Today, in a new interview with The Irish Times, he admits to feeling shame over the UKs conduct.

I am embarrassed that Ireland was treated the way it was by the United Kingdom, he said.

"It was wrong. God knows over our history Ireland has been treated badly by the UK. Its f**king shaming.

Mr Baker described then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and former Tanaiste Simon Coveney as a bloody nuisance for their stubbornness over the border.

Their predecessor [Enda Kenny] said the border was just a technical and administrative problem, he said.

He was saying it, I was saying it  it was true. [But] Leo and Simon were instinctively doing political things that made [a deal] impossible, playing up to an Irish domestic audience and EU higher-ups.

He said his surprise apology, made at the Conservative Party conference, was a bid to break the deadlock.

Mr Baker recalled telling Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, minutes before they walked on stage.

I remember his face  he looked at me agog. It had to be a hard Brexiteer who made that apology, he said.

Mr Baker feels he has reconciled with senior political figures in Dublin.

He added: I want to praise Leo now. It takes a big man or woman to change their approach.

Ive met him a few times since. I understand hes a man of few words and Im not bothered if we didnt have much of an exchange.

But I do feel I am reconciled with Irish political leaders, although there will be plenty in Ireland who still hate my guts.

In the wide-ranging interview with newspapers London correspondent Mark Paul, Mr Baker also accepts he is now a hate figure for some loyalists.

Unionists remain deeply unhappy at the Windsor Framework, the post-Brexit deal agreed between the UK and EU in February 2023 which covers trade and human rights.

Earlier this week, the Assembly voted to extend the arrangement, which effectively keeps Northern Ireland inside the EU's single market for goods, for a further four years.

Mr Baker said that due to loyalist resentment of him, he would not return to Northern Ireland unless he had close protection or could carry his own sidearm.

I would not trust loyalists not to want me dead, he added.

Mr Baker also recalled a breakdown in relations with his best friend in politics, an unnamed activist in unionism who wont speak to him any more over his support for the Windsor Framework.

A man who I love like a brother  but he cant forgive me. Well I forgive him. But, bloody hell, it hurts, he added.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning

A man will appear in court next month after three PSNI officers were allegedly assaulted in south Belfast.

The man was arrested in the Dublin Road area in the early hours of Friday after he was initially pursued for suspicious driving.

He has now been charged with driving offences as well as three counts of assault on police and resisting police.

During the incident, the driver attempted to evade the officers while holding on to the hand of an officer and did the same with the other two officers on duty.

The 35-year-old man was arrested.

Read more Former Ulster rugby player sentenced to four years in prison for failing to prevent rape of woman in France

On Saturday morning, the PSNI confirmed the man had been charged.

They said: Police investigating an assault on three officers during the early hours of Friday morning, December 13, in the Dublin Road area of south Belfast have charged a man to court.

The 35-year-old has been charged with a number of driving offences as well as three counts of assault on police and resisting police.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday, January 10.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Colin McKendry: I believe Coleraine will get bigger on and off the pitch and summer football will hopefully kick in
Ireland stands with the family of Private Sean Rooney, the Tanaiste has said on the second anniversary of his death.

The 24-year-old, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14, 2022.

The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed while Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, from Co Cork, was badly wounded.

They had been serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) at the time of the attack, which left two others with minor injuries.

Pte Rooneys family has pressed the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldiers death available to his inquest, being conducted by the Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane.

Irish Trooper Shane Kearney (Defence Forces)

The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report.

The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved.

However they were originally told there were issues around disclosing these reports.

The familys lawyer, Darragh Mackin, told RTE on Friday that the family had yet to receive anything from the UN.

It came after a spokesman for the UN secretary general told the broadcaster that there is more information forthcoming to Irish authorities.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr Mackin said the full report should be provided to the coroner, adding he believed it would dispel what he previously characterised as a noxious narrative that Pte Rooney had taken a wrong turn on the day.

In a statement on Saturday, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Government would continue to press for the release of the UN reports.

He said: No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, particularly under such shocking and unacceptable circumstances, but I and the country stand united with Seans family in their grief.

Ireland remains deeply grateful for Seans service, courage and the commitment he showed and the legacy he leaves behind.

Since the events of December 2022, I have consistently expressed both my and the Governments determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established. No stone should be left unturned to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Mr Martin, who is also minister for defence, said his Department is committed to doing everything it can to achieve justice for Pte Rooney.

He said uncertainty surrounding the progress of the various investigations compounds the grief of his family.

Natasha McCloskey, the mother of Private Sean Rooney, and her husband Paul McCloskey outside Dublin District Coroners Court (Liam McBurney/PA)

At every opportunity, I have stressed my unhappiness with the slow progress of the trial of those accused of Seans murder, and I have made that very clear to both Lebanese authorities, and to the UN.

I would also again urge the UN to cooperate with the Inquest being conducted by the Dublin City Coroner.

Mr Martin said the Board of Inquiry report had been shared with the Irish Government under strict criteria, with the UN insisting no part of it could be shared with any third party  adding that the final report will not be published.

Repeated requests to release the report to Pte Rooneys family have been made since June 2023.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr Martin added: The Government and I will continue to press the UN via diplomatic channels regarding the release of the UN reports to the family.

Michael Delaney SC was appointed to conduct an independent inquiry into the attack which began in November and could last nine months.

The inquiry, which is distinct from the inquest, will examine where changes may be required in the tactics, techniques and procedures adopted by the Defence Forces for overseas operations.

It will not investigate the criminal matters that led to the death of Pte Rooney and injuries to other personnel. This is the subject of a criminal investigation being carried out by the Lebanese authorities.
Grandmas last wish for return of missing-presumed-murdered Saoirse Smyths remains

On what would have been Saoirse Smyths 37th birthday, the Coroners Service has been asked to open an inquest into the tragic death of the missing-presumed-murdered west Belfast woman.
The UK confirmed on Monday that it had paused decisions on asylum applications from Syrians following the collapse of the Assad regime (Alamy/PA)

Refugee charities have told the Home Secretary of their deep concern and opposition to the pause on asylum application decisions from Syrians following the collapse of the Assad regime.

Urging Yvette Cooper to resume her departments processing of those claims, the organisations said they feel strongly that it is far from clear that Syria is safe for those who have or are seeking sanctuary.

The Home Office confirmed the temporary suspension of decision-making on Monday, with Ms Cooper saying events in Syria led to a very fast-moving situation that we need to closely monitor.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the Government is monitoring the evolving situation in Syria (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Cooper also told Parliament many claims had been made against the Assad regime for asylum, which is clearly not in place.

She told MPs: It would therefore not be appropriate to be granting asylum decisions on those cases in the current circumstances.

She added that the Government was continuing to monitor the evolving situation so that we can get new country guidance in place and so that we can take those decisions.

In their letter, the charities said: The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to Syria, due to the ongoing conflict and unpredictable security conditions, all British Embassy services in Damascus remain suspended, and as things stand there has been no return of British diplomats to Syria.

We feel this shows the British Governments acknowledgement that Syria is not yet a safe place, and therefore asylum claims should not be suspended.

Signatories to the letter included Care4Calais, Refugee Action and Kings College London.

Lou Calvey, director at Asylum Matters, the charity which coordinated the letter, said Syrians hoping for sanctuary in the UK have been thrown into limbo, by the pause.

She added: At what should be a time of hope for Syrian communities in the UK, the impact on their mental health and wellbeing will be horrendous.

Suspending all claims from one nationality group sets an alarming precedent that undermines the universal right to seek sanctuary.

The 700-plus organisations and individuals, including many Syrian groups in the UK, whove signed this letter, are simply asking that Syrian people keep the rights we all deserve: to have their claims considered, not to be forced back to a country against their will, and to be able to work and live independently.

The latest figures showed that 5,548 Syrians applied for asylum in the UK in the year to September 2024  the highest number for any 12-month period since current data began in 2001.

On Tuesday, Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said there are 6,500 asylum claims from Syrians still outstanding.

Separately, Dame Angela also said earlier this week that the potential return of British jihadists to the UK is a matter of great concern following the collapse of the Assad regime.

She said intelligence services are keeping a very, very close eye on the situation on the ground, and the UK is in touch with allies, amid concerns that jihadists held in prisons in northern Syria could be freed from jails and camps there.

A counter terrorism policing spokesperson said the threat posed by UK nationals trying to return from areas of overseas conflict is something planned for and managed and that, alongside intelligence partners, counter terror police use the wide range of measures and powers available to us to mitigate this threat.

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.
Snow in Leadhills village in South Lanarkshire in 2022 (Jane Barlow/PA)

With December 25 less than two weeks away, you might be dreaming of a white Christmas  but the official take on the classic lyric is unlikely to live up to your expectations.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the chances of snow at Christmas in the UK this year.

 What is the official definition of a white Christmas?

For the Met Office to declare a white Christmas a single snowflake has to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25 anywhere in the UK.

This is a common occurrence; since 1960 more than half of all Christmas Days have been declared a white Christmas.

A woman walks her dog through the snow at Slayley in Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA)

2023 was the last white Christmas in the UK, with 11% of weather stations recorded snow falling, although none reported any snow lying on the ground.

 Will there be widespread snow this year?

A picturesque Christmas where widespread snow covers the ground is extremely rare, and since 1960 has only happened four times  in 1981, 1995, 2009 and 2010.

Simon Partridge, a meteorologist for the Met Office, said predicting weather far in advance is like betting on horses.

He said: There will be a consensus of the most likely pattern to be coming out but it doesnt always.

At the moment, a picture book Christmas is looking unlikely with south-westerly winds expected and rain across the northern and western parts of the UK.

Everywhere else is expected to be fairly mild.

A family take advantage of Christmas Day snow with a trip out sledging on the hills near Hexham, Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA)

However, if youre desperate for snow, Mr Partridge suggests heading to the Scottish mountains  the most likely place for snowfall in the UK this Christmas.

 When will we know for sure that its going to snow?

Forecasting impactful snow is notoriously difficult in the UK because several competing elements have to be exact for snow to fall.

Just a fraction of a degree means the difference between a Christmas day of joyful snowball fights and one spent dodging slushy streets.

Mr Partridge said: The trouble with trying to forecast snow in the UK is that its a very fine line between whether we get snow or rain.

The Met Office will only truly know if there will be big flurries on Christmas day a week in advance because their five-day forecasts are the most detailed and accurate.

 Is snow more likely over the Christmas period?

Christmas marks the beginning of when it is likely to snow in the UK but it is more probable for there to be snow in January and February than in December.

Snow settles on the ground for an average of three days in December compared to 3.3 in January and 3.4 in February.

Climate change has also minimised the chances of snow due to higher average temperatures across the land and sea globally.
Adobe Stock

In places like China, India, Nigeria, North Korea and many others around the globe, Christian persecution is on the rise. It comes in many forms, from arrests by police to oppression and shunning by community and family members.

There are many examples of Christian persecution in Scripture and throughout history, from persecution of the first disciples to that of believers today in hostile areas and restricted nations. As followers of Christ, we must anchor our understanding in what Gods Word says and, just as important, does not say about persecution.

The Bible Says Christians Should Expect Persecution

The Bible speaks directly about the reality of persecution, preparing believers to expect and endure it. In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul writes, Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Peter echoes this warning in 1 Peter 4:1213, telling believers, Do not be surprised [by fiery trials, but rather] rejoice insofar as you share Christs sufferings.

The Bible doesnt provide a way to avoid persecution; instead, it offers peace and courage in the midst of it. In John 16:33, Jesus declares, In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing a young lady named Hana. November marked the 20th anniversary of her fathers arrest in Eritrea. She was only 6 years old when her father went to prison, and she too was detained when her churchs Sunday school was raided by police.

During our interview, I asked her about her thoughts on the Bibles instruction for Christians to love our enemies. Specifically, I wondered how she and her family felt about the Eritrean government that has imprisoned her father for two decades.

Hanas reply was illuminating; she said nobody really asked her or her mother about enemies until they came to America.

We knew that the government is persecuting us, she said, but at the same time it just felt like a reality of every Christian. Our enemy never felt [like] the government in any sense. It just felt like this is what it means to follow Christ Jesus.

The Bible Says Persecution Can Strengthen the Church

The Bible clearly shows that persecution can advance the gospel and unify the church. In Philippians 1:1213, Paul (writing from a Roman prison) shares how his imprisonment has emboldened others to proclaim Christ without fear. I want you to know, brothers, Paul writes, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

Throughout history, persecution has purified and strengthened the church, fueling its growth even in the most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. Consider the underground church in Iran, the fastest-growing Christian community in the world despiteor perhaps because of45 years of oppression by a government doing everything it can to hinder its work.

The church in Eritrea is another remarkable example. Pastors there have found ways to witness to others while in prison. The church thrives when its focus is sharpened, and denominational divisions fall away under the weight of shared suffering and purpose.

The Bible Tells Christians How to Respond to Persecution

The Bible provides clear guidance on how to face persecution. Jesus words in Matthew 5:44 are simple and unambiguous: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This radical response is both a reflection of Gods love and a powerful testimony to a watching world.

The Bible also tells us that Christians who arent currently facing persecution still have a role to play and shows how to hold our Christian brothers and sisters in our hearts and minds: Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. (Hebrews 13:3 NLT)

The stories and testimonies of persecuted Christians demonstrate the transformative power of following Christs command and example. An imprisoned pastor in Central Asia saw his treatment improve drastically after he began receiving letters of encouragement from believers worldwide. His guards became kinder and his warden more attentive, all because of the unity and love evident among the global body of Christ.

We Christians in free nations must recognize our role in supporting and praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

The Bible Shows That Persecution Can Be a Platform for Gods Power

Even amid our trials and weaknesses, God often works mightily through his people.

After a house church pastor was arrested in Iran, his wife was terrified that she might be next. She worried that she wouldnt be able to resist torture and would give up other believers names. She prayed that God would hide her from the religious police. But when they arrested and interrogated her, she became empowered by the Holy Spirit, witnessing boldly to her interrogator. You are an interrogator, she told him, but one day you are going to stand before the ultimate interrogator, Jesus Christ, and he is going to examine you. Without him, there is no hope for you.

After three straight days of her bold, spirit-empowered witness, the interrogator visited her filthy jail cell late one night. She feared that he was there to kill her, but instead he placed his faith in Christ and told her how she could witness for Christ more safely. Then, the interrogator released her and her husband.

This story highlights a profound truth: God often uses human frailty to show us his strength. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, Gods power is made perfect in weakness.

What the Bible Does NOT Say About Persecution

The Bible never tells believers to be afraid.

This is striking, considering the suffering brought by persecution. Yet Scripture repeatedly emphasizes courage and trust in Gods sovereignty. As Richard Wurmbrand, Romanian pastor and founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, observed, the Bible contains 366 admonitions to fear notone for every day of the year, including an extra for leap years. That number was significant to Wurmbrand because he was arrested on Feb. 29, which occurs only in leap years.

Fear is a natural human response, but it does not have to define us. A Filipino pastor once told me, Until God is finished with you, you are invincible. His confidence was not rooted in his own human strength but in Gods purpose and power.

Persecution may not be part of your reality today, but the call to be involved remains. Whether through prayer, advocacy or encouragement to believers who are currently facing persecution, every follower of Christ has a role to play.

Let us live boldly, trusting that Gods grace and power are sufficient for every trial we face.

Todd Nettleton is Vice President for Message at The Voice of the Martyrs and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio. He is the author of When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
NORTH ADAMS  At North County Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Lindsay Cermak cares for animals and, by extension, the humans who walk them through the front door.

Her practice, like that of her peers throughout the county, is busy.

Her office fields upwards of 10 calls every day from prospective new patients looking to establish care for their pets, but Cermak said her office manager must break the news that they're not accepting new clients right now.

"It's hard," she said. "Sometimes it's people with new animals, puppies and kittens, and they're not finding a new vet, or sometimes it's someone who, unfortunately, didn't have a vet and now has a pet who's getting older, getting sick and needs help."

Finding a veterinarian in the Berkshires, and beyond, has become a significant challenge in recent years for a number of reasons, including a rise in pet ownership during the COVID pandemic, more veterinarians retiring or otherwise leaving the field, and the difficulty  and expense  of attaining a veterinary degree.

"There's been a shortage of veterinarians in specific areas of veterinary practice, particularly anything rural or semi-rural, for a number of years," said Dr. Alastair Cribb, dean of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Cermak's alma mater. "Then, as we went through the pandemic and came out the other side, we essentially hit what really is almost a global shortage of veterinarians."

In Berkshire County, that's left some pet owners hitting frustrating walls as they try to receive care for their new pets. While not impossible  some local providers are taking new clients, though likely booking appointments months in advance  others are offering appointments only to existing pet patients.

"You can definitely see the shortage, because there's a lot of practices that are not taking new clients," Cermak said. "It's a problem, because there's a lot of people getting pets and can't find a vet."

To understand the factors that combine to create a frustrating situation for pet owners and even vets themself, another local veterinarian, Dr. Michelle Looney, points back to the changing attitudes surrounding pet ownership she's observed throughout her career.

When she started out about 30 years ago, she said, the family cat and dog were just that; animals. But the human-animal bond has evolved, and now many view their pet as a part of the family. As a result, more pet owners are willing to pay for a range of treatments.

"More people want to do more things and take better care of their of their animals," said Looney, chief of staff at Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital on West Housatonic Street. "Even if finances are tight, they'll find a way to do it."

Meantime, veterinary medicine has advanced to the point where there are many more options for care than there was the decades ago, according to Cribb.

"People got more pets, but they also got much more attached to their pets," he said. "We saw, particularly during the pandemic, that people wanted to go further with the care for their pets than they had before."

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE

In the Berkshires, there have been local ripples that exacerbated industrywide trends. For one, certain communities in the county saw second-home owners spending more time here, and attracted new pet-owning residents from the New York City area, according to Looney.

In 2022, the well-established practice in Pittsfield, Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital, closed its doors. The Berkshire Humane Society, sensing a gap in services, opened a veterinary clinic in its place the following year.

The need for the clinic also arose from heightened demand at existing vet offices. For year, local veterinarians provided shelter animals with free or discounted care, said John Perreault, the humane society's executive director. As those vets grew busier, they struggled to serve shelter pets on top of regular clients.

The clinic's second function is to provide limited services to the public three days a week by appointment, administering vaccinations, certain preventative treatments and care for some health issues that may arise.

"The client base we're trying to reach are those that can't get into their own veterinarian on time for something they may need," he said.

There's one gap still unfilled that the clinic can't bridge  that of a full-service emergency veterinary hospital. There are no such facilities in Berkshire County; the closest are in Latham, N.Y., West Springfield and South Deerfield.

Looney is aware of complaints about the lack of 24-hour care in the county. Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital used to serve as the animal emergency room of the Berkshires, she said, with technicians staffing the building overnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and veterinarians on call.

Staff worked hard to keep the emergency services running, she said. It became unsustainable around about 15 years ago.

"For 10 years we worked on keeping it open. We really tried," she said, noting she herself helped staff the ER. "We finally closed it because we didn't have enough clients or staff to keep it open."

And Looney believes the care at animal emergency rooms in neighboring counties eclipses what the former ER was able to provide.

It often took about an hour for a vet to respond while on call, she said, about the time it takes to drive to one of the animal hospitals that are already set up and staffed to respond to emergencies.

"It's no difference in time for the animal," she said.

Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital does, however, keep about five appointments open every day for emergency visits. Veterinary technicians also handle appointments for blood draws, vaccinations and some small procedures, Looney said, offsetting some of the workload.

The story of the county's only animal ER closing is representative of a shifting paradigm in veterinary medicine, Cermak said. Where pet veterinarians once were expected to be on call 24/7, Cermak said the model has shifted to one more closely resembling that of human primary care doctors and emergency departments, with dedicated urgent care facilities set up to handle emergencies outside of business hours.

The on-call model also led to exhaustion on the part of veterinary medicine providers, Cermak said. Juggling family and professional obligations became an "impossible balance" to strike.

"The veterinary profession is now largely women, and if you are having a family you want that work-life balance," she said. "That's hard to find, and can lead to leaving, or professional or mental health struggles."

In March, Berkshire Veterinary Hospital on Crane Avenue in Pittsfield, owned by Portland, Maine-based Rarebreed Veterinary Partners, stopped providing on-call vet services on Sundays. According to a note posted on the company's website, the practice has just two full-time vets, which it said "limits our ability to keep up with demand."

The company said it was "unable to increase our staffing due to a national shortage of DVMs and veterinary technicians." The decision to scale back Sunday availability was made to "ensure the health and wellbeing" of the providers it does have. While the facility handles emergencies overnights most days, it does so just for clients.

Those providers, Cermak said, are prone to developing "compassion fatigue," where people respond to the negative effects of absorbing the trauma of others with exhaustion and sometimes detachment. On top of the emotional distress associated with interacting with sick and dying animals, Cermak said the financial aspect of industry also adds stress.

On the provider side, Cermak said many vets graduate saddled with debt. Despite salaries high above the median in the region, it isn't always enough to avoid financial hardship.

Meanwhile, she said, costs of medical supplies and overhead goes up every year, only worsening since the pandemic. It can be tough to relay to pet owners the cost of care, and even more difficult when they can't afford to pay. Cermak said pet insurance isn't very common, leaving the option of financing the cost of care using credit.

"Everything costs more than it used to, so just to balance that, to be able to pay our staff and supplies, we do have to raise prices," she said. "Then it comes back on the veterinarian, when, unfortunately, sometimes people can't afford the level of care they want. And that's mentally taxing for us."

Following the unexpected death of its founder, Dr. John Reynolds, Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital was purchased by Vetcor, a Norwell-based company that owns 896 practices in the US and Canada. The company also owns Greylock Animal Hospital in North Adams.

The outlook

Cribb leads New England's only veterinary school, located in North Grafton just outside of Worcester. The college in 2022 increased its annual class size from about 100 to 150 students in response to the growing demand for vets, he said.

And because Tufts receives state funding, approximately 40 students in each class must be Massachusetts residents, some of whom presumably will remain in the state to practice.

Cribb said vet schools across the country have also been increasing enrollment. Meanwhile, over a dozen new veterinary schools have been proposed across the U.S., and await accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association; though Cribb said none of the prospective new programs are in New England. The other regional schools are Cornell University to the west of Berkshire County, the Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Cribb expects it will take up to seven years for the increased capacity at vet schools to raise the number of veterinarians practicing in the region. But even then, he expects the picture may not improve as much in places like the Berkshires among them, compared to urban centers.

"It'll be easier to get appointments, it'll be easier to find a veterinarian," he said. "But I'm going to guess there will still be shortages in rural and semi-rural areas."

"Those are lifestyle choices," he added.
There are two confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu in San Joaquin County farmworkers, health officials there said Friday. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

There are two confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu in San Joaquin County farmworkers, health officials there said Friday.

The farmworkers, officials said, had mild symptoms and are recovering. Both were exposed to infected animals, according to the San Joaquin County Public Health Services. Officials said that they are monitoring the farmworkers, in addition to providing flu vaccinations and distributing educational resources to farms.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The disease was first detected in cows in March and is causing outbreaks in U.S. dairy cows and poultry, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

San Joaquin County officials said people who handle birds, poultry or cattle are at higher risk of exposure and should take safety precautions, which include wearing personal protective equipment, such as respirators and eye protection, when in close contact with those animals. Officials added that risk to the general public is low.

There are 34 confirmed human cases of bird flu in California, officials said. According to the CDC, there are currently 60 confirmed human bird flu cases in the U.S. In November, health officials identified the first bird flu case in a child living in Alameda County, the Associated Press reported. The child had minor symptoms, received treatment and was recovering.

SJCPHS is recommending that the public not consume raw milk or raw milk products, or raw eggs at this time, officials said in a statement. Cows infected with bird flu can shed the virus in their milk, but pasteurization makes dairy products safe to consume because pasteurizing milk neutralizes the H5N1 virus. This also applies to poultry  cooking eggs inactivates the virus.

Pasteurized milk remains safe for public consumption because the pasteurization process will inactivate the virus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
PITTSFIELD  A project that could help the city reconfigure its elementary and middle schools  as well as replace a pair of outdated school buildings  is now eligible for the state's school construction funding program.

Pittsfields proposal to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a new elementary school, on the West Street campus of John C. Crosby Elementary School, was among 22 approved for eligibility on Friday by the authoritys board of directors.

The Crosby project would replace the existing Crosby Elementary, which opened as a junior high school 62 years ago, as well as Silvio O. Conte Community School on West Union Street. It would be the first new elementary school since Conte (formerly West Side Community School) and Morningside Community School were built 50 years ago.

The City Council and School Committee unanimously endorsed seeking MSBA eligibility this past spring, after touring Conte and Crosby and seeing conditions first-hand. A feasibility study, with costs shared by the MSBA and the city, is the next step for the project.

Pittsfield schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis told the MBSA board of directors the project might also help the city schools reconfigure grade levels, establishing a lower (grades 5-6) and upper (grades 7-8) middle school and setting the elementary schools as grades K-4.

Curtis said moving forward with a new school marks a critical step in our commitment to provide the best possible learning environment for city students. He said the project has the potential to act as catalyst for the entire district.

Crosby, built for students in grades 7-9 at the height of the baby boom before becoming a middle school and later, an elementary school, shows its advanced age. When its windows break, they cant be fixed, because the casements contain asbestos.

Conte, like Morningside, was built in an "open floor plan" without walls between rooms. That feature became a bug due to the lack of walls containing classroom noise.

The action taken today by the Massachusetts School Building Authority is the first of many steps in a very lengthy process, Mayor Peter Marchetti said in a prepared statement after the vote. We have much more work ahead as we work towards shaping the future of education within the Pittsfield Public Schools.

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier told the board the project was extremely important to me as a city native. She noted the Crosby district is one of the highest-needs districts in the state and assured the board that city officials have put in the work, not only to address the building, but the districts significant and changing needs.

The entire Pittsfield community is coming together to do its very best, Farley-Bouvier said.

Crosby, Conte and Morningside were not among buildings improved when Pittsfield used state funds to rebuild seven schools in the 1990s and early 2000s. Reid and Herberg middle schools and five elementary buildings  Williams, Stearns, Egremont, Capeless and Allendale  were updated and expanded through that initiative.

Crosby, who served as a member of Congress as well as a state associate justice and as a mayor of Pittsfield, donated the property on West Street to the city on the condition it be used for educational purposes.

The board also approved eligibility for a proposed addition at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School.
Sahyadri Hospitals introduces Maharashtras first AI-Powered Command Centre in partnership with Dozee

December 14, 2024 | Saturday | News

The Command Centre will be expanded across all Sahyadri hospitals in the next six months

Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, a leading name in delivering cutting-edge healthcare, has announced the launch of its groundbreaking AI-Powered Health Command Centre initiative in collaboration with Dozee, Bengaluru-based remote patient monitoring company.

This transformative programme redefines patient safety standards, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to deliver precision care, proactive interventions, and unparalleled clinical outcomes. It features an AI-powered patient monitoring system that continuously monitors patients' conditions and detects early signs of deterioration. Additionally, it identifies critical and severely critical cases, notifying emergency teams for immediate action, ensuring timely and life-saving interventions.

Currently active in Sahyadris Hadapsar and Deccan units, the Command Centre will be expanded across all Sahyadri hospitals in the next six months, ensuring seamless adoption of this transformative technology chain wide.

The initiative equips non-ICU ward beds with Dozees state-of-the-art Remote Monitoring System (RMS) and Early Warning System (EWS), enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of vital parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, SPO2 levels, temperature, and ECG.

Dozees Early Warning System (EWS) tracks the trends of vital parameters and provides alerts to healthcare providers for early detection of patients' clinical deterioration, enabling timely medical intervention. Dozee uses AI-based Ballistocardiography (BCG) for contactless vitals monitoring. Dozees technology is patented and made in India.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw receives Jamsetji Tata Award for pioneering biosciences movement in India

December 14, 2024 | Saturday | News

Jamsetji Tata Award is given by ISQ to industry leaders who have made significant contribution to the Indian society

Biocon Group Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been conferred the prestigious Jamsetji Tata Award by the Indian Society for Quality (ISQ) for pioneering the biosciences movement in India and serving patients in India and across the world through an unwavering focus on quality, while leading Biocon to a preeminent global position.

The Jamsetji Tata Award, instituted in 2004 by ISQ, is named after Jamsetji Tata, regarded as the Father of Modern Indian Industry and recognises business leaders who have made significant contributions to Indian society and demonstrated focus on quality, commitment, and a record of outstanding results.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneering biotech entrepreneur, a healthcare visionary, a global influencer, and a passionate philanthropist. As founder of Biocon, an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals enterprise, her vision and work have drawn global recognition both for Indian industry and her company. The impact she has made as a leading woman in science has made her a role model globally. She is committed to equitable access to healthcare through affordable innovation as she pursues a path of making a difference to billions of lives globally.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shawsinspiring achievements have earned her several coveted titles and awards, both national and international. She has been recognized with two of Indias highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005). She has been conferred with the Order of Australia, Australias highest civilian honour, in 2020 and appointed Knight of the National Order of the French Legion of Honour in 2016. She was named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020. In 2014, she was honoured with the Othmer Gold Medal by the US-based Chemical Heritage Foundation. The same year, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany, awarded her the Global Economy Prize.
Christian Leonard is a data reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. He joined the Chronicle in 2022 as a Hearst Developer Fellow. He previously worked as a senior staff writer at the Outlook News Group, a collection of community newspapers in Los Angeles County. He is a graduate of Biola University, from which he received a bachelors degree in journalism and integrated media, and interned at NBC Los Angeles.
A federal appeals court has a mid-January deadline in place requiring TikTok to be sold or face a ban in the United States.

The court rejected a request made by the company to halt enforcement until the Supreme Court reviews its challenge of the statute.

Advertisement

Attorneys for TikTok and its China-based parent company ByteDance are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.

It is unclear if the nations highest court will take up the case, although some legal experts have said they expect the justices to weigh in due to the types of novel questions it raises about social media, national security and the First Amendment.



The TikTok logo is displayed on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen which displays a TikTok feed (AP)

TikTok is also looking for a potential lifeline from President-elect Donald Trump, who promised to save the short-form video platform during the presidential campaign.

Attorneys for TikTok and ByteDance had requested the injunction after a panel of three judges on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with the US government and rejected their challenge to the law.

Advertisement

The statute, which was signed by President Joe Biden earlier this year, requires ByteDance to sell TikTok to an approved buyer due to national security concerns or face a ban in the US.

The US has said it sees TikTok as a national security risk because ByteDance could be coerced by Chinese authorities to hand over US user data or manipulate content on the platform for Beijings interests.

TikTok has denied those claims and has argued the governments case rests on hypothetical future risks instead of proven facts.

In the request filed last week, attorneys for TikTok and ByteDance had asked for a modest delay in enforcement of the law so that the Supreme Court could review the case and the incoming Trump administration could determine its position on the matter.

Advertisement

If the law is not overturned, the two companies have said the popular app will shut down by January 19, a day before Mr Trump takes office again. More than 170 million American users would be affected, the companies have said.

The Justice Department had opposed TikToks request for a pause, saying in a court filing last week that the parties had already proposed a schedule that was designed for the precise purpose of allowing Supreme Court review of the law before it took effect.

The appeals court issued its December 6 ruling on the matter in line with that schedule, the Justice Department filing said.
Top diplomats from the United States, the Arab League and Turkey are meeting in Jordan to discuss plans and goals to assist Syrias transition from the deposed government of Bashar Assad.

Some 12 foreign ministers and senior officials from the European Union and United Nations gathered in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba to try to forge consensus on what the new leadership in Syria should prioritise.

Advertisement

No Syrian representatives are set to attend, however.



Turkeys Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended (Pool via AP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says broad consensus exists among regional partners that Syrias new government must be inclusive, must respect women and minority rights, reject terrorism and secure and destroy suspected Assad-era chemical weapons stockpiles.

Mr Blinken is wrapping up a three-country regional tour in Aqaba after visiting Iraq, Turkey and Jordan once already this week.

Earlier on Saturday in a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, Mr Blinken said he expected to talk about the challenges ahead for Syria and our determination to work together to support a Syrian-led transition where the United Nations plays a critical role, particularly when it comes to the provision of assistance, to the protection of minorities.

Advertisement

Mr Pedersen agreed, saying: What is so critical in Syria is that we see a credible and inclusive political process that brings together all communities in Syria.



UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen was in agreement with Mr Blinken over the way forward (Pool via AP)

And the second point is that we need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible. And if we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people.

In announcing Saturdays meetings, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the ministers would discuss ways to support a comprehensive political process led by Syrians to achieve a transitional process, which ensures the reconstruction of Syrian state institutions, and preserves Syrias unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, security, stability, and the rights of all its citizens.

The collapse of the Assad familys more than half-century in power last week has sparked new fears of instability and turmoil in a volatile region already immersed in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon despite a tenuous ceasefire.

Advertisement



The Assad family ruled over Syria for 50 years (AP)

The US is also making a renewed push for an ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than two million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israels war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The October 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage.

Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead.
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, content creator Sophie Pearce.

Credit: Trevor King

How would you describe your style? Colourful, fun and functional. Theres been an evolution; Ive got three girls [aged six, four and one] and I used to be a sad beige mum, with everyone dressed in matching linen pieces. But as my girls have started to experiment with their own style, its inspired me to also experiment by bringing in prints and colour. Its been so beautiful learning from them, even though theyre still so young.

Whats the oldest thing in your wardrobe? An Acne Studios leather jacket I bought in New York City in 2010. Its still the most expensive item of clothing I own.

And the most recent addition? Were about to head off for 12 months in a caravan, so Im trying to be super minimal. I got Sheridans red towelling Waterside Kimono robe  its functional, but a fun colour  so I dont get bored with my very small wardrobe.
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 There was a stroke of evil genius in the way Man Haron Monis secured a worldwide audience for the horrific events that he unleashed in the heart of Sydney on a fine summers day 10 years ago. The Lindt chocolate cafe, on the corner of Martin Place, sat directly across from what was then Network Sevens TV studios, adjacent to one of Sydneys busiest pedestrian precincts. Wall-to-wall coverage was virtually guaranteed. I first got wind of the attack when a worried friend phoned to say another friends son, a waiter at the cafe, was trapped inside by a gunman. I immediately switched on the TV to see images of the stricken hostages, standing in the windows with hands raised as their captor prowled unseen behind them. It had been 8.33am on December 15, 2014, when Iranian-born Monis walked purposefully up Martin Place and pushed through the cafe doors, taking a seat and calmly ordering tea. An hour later, hed drawn a sawn-off shotgun from his backpack, trapping 18 customers and staff and forcing 34-year-old cafe manager Tori Johnson to declare (by way of a call to triple zero) that this was an Islamic State attack on Australia. Monis also claimed to be carrying a bomb in his backpack, and that two more were planted around the city. It was an attack on a scale the country had never previously experienced. Hostages lives were under imminent threat, entire city blocks were plunged into lockdown and thousands of office workers began evacuating under police guard from surrounding buildings. The collective shock was profound. As I wrote later in my book, Siege: Inside the Lindt Cafe, Lindt ripped away Sydneys sense that it couldnt happen here .

Advertisement

For nearly 17 excruciating hours, the siege dragged on. During that time, a dozen hostages managed to engineer their own escape, increasingly enraging Monis. At 2.06am, he forced Tori to his knees. Seven minutes later, he cold-bloodedly executed the young man, triggering a police emergency entry. Thirty-eight-year-old barrister Katrina Dawson was fatally injured in those final seconds, felled by lethal fragments from a police bullet. As someone with a background in defence and security reporting, Id watched the denouement with alarm. The cafe was rocked by a cacophony of gunfire (police firing 22 times) and dozens of explosions from stun grenades (or stunnies, as the police called them). This entry seemed chaotic  nothing like the kind of clinically executed exercise one would have expected from an elite tactical unit. Political leaders had reassured the country early on that police were well equipped and well trained. Then NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione proclaimed his negotiators to be the very best in the world. Yet when a coronial inquest began in earnest five months later, the multiple failures of management started to become clearer. Just a few examples: police negotiators never managed to make direct contact with Monis despite their billing as the worlds best. Communication between different commanders was inexplicably poor. Vital snippets of intelligence never seemed to make their way up the line to senior officers making the key decisions. Police consistently misread the mood inside the cafe, not recognising in the final hour of the siege that the gunman, far from settling down for the night as several commanders and the police psychiatrist believed, was growing increasingly agitated. A dozen hostages managed to engineer their own escape, which increasingly enraged the gunman. Credit: Reuters What caused particular distress afterwards to the Dawson and Johnson families was that Monis, a self-proclaimed Islamic cleric, should never have been at liberty. He was facing grave charges of being an accessory to murder and perpetrating a raft of sexual assaults, hed publicly declared fealty a month earlier to the Islamic State Caliphate, and no less than 18 warning calls had been made about him to the national security hotline in the days immediately before the siege. Yet authorities had left him at large.

Advertisement

Equally galling to the families and former hostages was the revelation that police commanders had never signed off on what in counterterrorism doctrine is known as a deliberate action plan, or DA  which might have allowed an earlier, more controlled and potentially more propitious entry. Commanders would tell the inquest they believed Monis false assertion that he had a bomb and that this constrained their choices. Yet it was odd that they did not search his flat  seeking any sign of access to bomb-making equipment or expertise  until 11 that night, some 14 hours into the siege. The possibilities of help from the army (which had lethally trained commandos stationed at Holsworthy) and of specialist surveillance equipment from ASIO were not fully explored. Indeed, a formal submission from the NSW police to the coronial inquiry contained the revealing assertion that the commonwealth, the ADF  should not intrude [my emphasis] by way of direct or formal substantive involvement unless the state felt the situation was out of control. Thankfully, the idea that cumbersome bureaucratic gears have to be engaged before action can be launched appears to have been laid to rest. NSW deputy police commissioner Dave Hudson, who describes the siege as a defining moment in our citys history, says lessons from Lindt have been vital in overhauling preparation for terrorist attacks, ensuring the force is now more forward leaning . This was evidenced by the extraordinary resourcefulness of Inspector Amy Scott in April this year, when she single-handedly shot and killed the Bondi Junction Westfield knife attacker after hed slaughtered six people. Under changed laws, a sniper would no longer have to wait for permission from higher up to take a shot if the opportunity presented itself  unlike the situation at the time of the siege. All officers now complete Active Armed Offender (AAO) training. The skill set of police negotiators has been upgraded and the threshold for Defence involvement in a terrorist attack has been lowered. But as the Dawson family told me this week, what will most count in any future attack is a proactive mindset on the part of police, and what they felt was most lacking on the night  leadership courage.

Advertisement

The loss of Tori and Katrina to their families was incalculable. So many others have also suffered in long-lasting ways, particularly the surviving hostages (a number of whom will carry a psychological injury for the rest of their lives) and first responders. Photos of siege victims Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson amid a sea of flowers outside the Lindt cafe. Credit: Photographic Mike Baird, then the states premier, wept on Nines 60 minutes two weeks ago as he talked about the devastating impact the siege had on him. Louisa Hope and her elderly mother Robin, since deceased, were forced to stand each side of Monis as he shot Tori. The siege has left Louisa with a disabling shrapnel wound to her foot that has yet to heal. Some eight years after the attack she began suffering from violent, intrusive thoughts at night, requiring fresh rounds of therapy. She continues to believe the inquest was too narrow: It suited most of the main players not to have a bigger inquiry. Loading She has recently joined Caroline OHare, a former officer in the NSW police counterterrorism squad, to co-found a new organisation called Victims of Terrorism Australia. OHare hopes VOTA will ensure that victim-centric thinking will be at the forefront of those managing a terrorism event and its aftermath in any future attacks. Many of the tactical officers on the front line that night have been left traumatised. Criticism of the way the siege unfolded is in no way to question their bravery.

Advertisement

Officer A, who shot and killed Monis, continues to struggle with deep guilt over Katrinas death, even though it will never be known if he or another officers gun fired the bullet that ricocheted and fatally injured her. Only recently has he been able to speak publicly and under his own name  Ben Besant  about PTSD, after a court lifted a long-standing suppression order on his identity. How to mark this 10th anniversary has presented something of a dilemma for authorities. Public commemoration of anniversaries can be healing for the community and for some victims, but exquisitely painful for others. Baird told this masthead the way the public covered Martin Place with a sea of bouquets in the days after the siege was a moment of deep connectedness, unlike anything I had experienced before or after. Loading Louisa has given dozens of speeches about her Lindt experience over the years, raising money for nurses and briefing counterterrorism experts. Another former hostage tells me hes moved on to a new life and wants nothing to do with commemorations. Others I contacted for the book have not renewed that contact. The Dawson family made clear to the state government they didnt want an ostentatious public event to mark the anniversary. Instead, they honour Katrinas life with a scholarship set up in her name at her alma mater, Sydney University Womens College. Toris mother, Rosemary Connellan, was planning her own private ceremony.

Advertisement
New exhibits are rolling out at Scitech Discovery Centre ahead of the school holidays thanks to a half-million-dollar grant.

The first of 18 exhibits in the new gallery titled Here, There and Everywhere hit the floor this week to the delight of curious young minds.

More than 300,000 people visited Scitechs Discovery Centre in the past year. Credit: Claire Ottaviano

The new permanent exhibition will shine a spotlight on the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) leaders of WA and how local science and innovation is helping to solve challenges within the WA community.

Accepting the $571,000 Lotterywest grant on Friday, exhibitions and operations general manager William Peng said the 247,000 STEM workers in WA contributed about 87 billion to the WA economy.
After the launch of Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991, six Sydney synagogues were firebombed and two young offenders were found with 500 kilograms of gelignite, intending to obliterate another place of worship. Greek churches, mosques, synagogues, courts, embassies, statues, buildings of significance, and politicians offices have all been targeted. People laying flowers at the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea last week. Credit: Arsineh Houspian Some terrorists found their ambitions exceeded their abilities such as the pair who in 1986 placed a car bomb under the Turkish embassy in Melbourne. When one primed the device, it went off prematurely. The only identifiable parts of the bomber that were found were his two feet, still in their shoes. In both legal and physical terms, he didnt have a leg to stand on. Looked at rationally, the Ripponlea fire is a terrorist act, but nothing new. In just over 20 years, beginning in 1971, there were nine firebombings of Greek, Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox churches, which in one case involved the stabbing of a caretaker.

The first thing to acknowledge is that the synagogue arson is not just an attack on the Jewish community, but also on the rule of law and therefore an attack on all of us. Imagine if the prime minister and the leader of the opposition had stood side by side at the ruins and pledged a united response instead of showing that such attacks create cracks in more than just bricks and mortar. Imagine if the federal government committed to help rebuild any terrorist target, whether it be a synagogue or mosque. John Howard took then-opposition leader Kim Beazley and Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot with him to visit Port Arthur after the 1996 massacre. Credit: Dallas Kilponen You may think this is a Pollyanna view of a hard world. But John Howard had been prime minister for only a couple of weeks when Australias worst mass shooting happened at Port Arthur in April 1996, with 35 people shot dead and a further 23 wounded. Howard flew to Tasmania, taking Labor leader Kim Beazley and Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot to attend services and lay a wreath.

Loading At a doorstop press conference after the memorial, he said: This is an event that utterly transcends any political differences. No one side of politics has a mortgage on compassion and concern for human suffering and I just wanted to express as best I could my sorrow and that of my colleagues and of the entire Australian nation. Statesmen versus snake oil salesmen. Howard, with Beazleys support, united the federal parliament and won over the states for the most effective gun reforms in Australias history  virtually ending mass shootings in this country. Meaningful reform versus meaningless sound grabs.

But it is always harder to climb mountains than it is to toboggan to the bottom. We have a specialist investigative team dealing with the synagogue arson attack, and when there are arrests, we have a criminal code and a system of justice well-equipped to deal with the offenders. Police at the scene of the firebombing in Ripponlea. Credit: Arsineh Houspian The only snipers near a terrorist event should be armed police lying down atop adjacent buildings, not politicians doing standups at the bottom. We are told it is all about the optics. No, its about the evidence. For some reason, the most urgent issue in the immediate aftermath was to declare this a terrorist attack, even before the arson chemists had finished examining the crime scene, but that is the modern way. Outrage is more important than outcomes. Isnt the end game about catching the offenders rather than catching headlines?

The state and federal governments are not responsible for this crime. Peaceful pro-Palestine demonstrators are not responsible. Allowing people to have their say (not including hate speech or incitement to commit crimes) actually reduces the risk of violence. Terrorists are responsible for this crime. They should be found, arrested, convicted, jailed and  if non-Australian citizens  deported. Chaim Klein carrying a Torah scroll from Adass Israel synagogue after the fire. Credit: Arsineh Houspian I am not on Israels side, nor Palestines side. I am on the side of the law. To label those who criticise the planks of Israels policy and actions as antisemitic is to encourage groupthink and discourage freedom of speech.

Loading To fail to call out and prosecute antisemitic behaviour is to disrespect democracy. We have a section of our community that feels targeted and vulnerable. We have Jewish businesses, schools, families and individuals who now feel they need private security to be safe. Terror on its own rarely works. It is the response that decides the outcome. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked the Great War. The September 11 terror attacks sparked two wars. And the German blitz on London failed because people refused to be defined by it. If we fail to listen to the fears of the Jewish community, descend into political name-calling or demonise ethnic or religious groups rather than the criminals who trade in destruction, who wins?

One of the key aims of terrorists is to create social divisions. Look at the headlines. Whos laughing now? In January 2017, a man in a car being followed by police in a slow pursuit turned left into the Bourke Street Mall and accelerated, mowing down pedestrians, killing six and injuring 37. It was shocking and unimaginable. The response was individual bravery, immediate assistance to the injured, solid community compassion, an objective inquest into police procedures, strengthening of city security including bollards to reduce the risk of similar attacks, a trial and a conviction. A family enjoying this years Myer Christmas windows. Credit: Chris Hopkins
China's top diplomat meets SCO secretary-general, secretary-general-designate

Xinhua) 09:49, December 14, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Zhang Ming and Nurlan Yermekbayev, who has been appointed as the next SCO secretary-general, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Zhang Ming and Nurlan Yermekbayev, who has been appointed as the next SCO secretary-general, in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, commended Zhang for his outstanding achievements in the development and growth of the SCO, congratulated Yermekbayev on his upcoming office, and said that China will continue providing support and convenience for the secretary-general in performing the duties and the work of the Secretariat.

Wang said that over the past three years, under the leadership of the heads of member states and the joint efforts of member states, the SCO has forged ahead with determination to upgrade cooperation and grow from strength to strength.

Noting that China now holds the rotating presidency of the SCO and is making every effort to advance its work, Wang said that the country has full confidence in the bright future of the SCO and is ready to work with other member states to build it into a force stabilizing international order, a reliable source of prosperity and rejuvenation for member states, and a happy home for people in the region.

The Secretariat has accomplished much over the last three years, with the trust and care of member states and the support and assistance of China, and guided by the Shanghai spirit. It has promoted practical cooperation in various fields, endeavored to enhance the international influence of the organization and the sense of gain felt by people in all countries, and become a clear promoter of the construction of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for all, Zhang said.

Yermekbayev spoke highly of China's leading role in the development of the SCO, saying that after taking office as Secretary-General, he will continue to fully support the work of the Chinese presidency and work collaboratively to prepare for the SCO summit next year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan)
San Francisco health officials Friday reported the first flu-related death this respiratory virus season and urged residents  especially people who are older or more vulnerable  to get vaccinated. COVID levels in the community remain low. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

San Francisco health officials Friday reported the first flu-related death this respiratory virus season, an adult older than 65 who had not gotten the annual influenza vaccine.

Each respiratory virus season, which generally runs from November through February and peaks around late December, the flu kills thousands of Americans. During the 2023-24 season, 579 people in California died from the virus, according to state data.

Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated against the flu, as well as against COVID and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), especially those who are over 65 or who have underlying medical conditions.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Over the past decade, a string of suburbs in northern NSW have doubled or nearly tripled in value as home buyers chase a more relaxed lifestyle on the coast.

Byron Bay was the standout, but several others in the Tweed and Byron shires and throughout the North Coast have boomed, figures show.

Byron Bay house prices have more than tripled in a decade. Credit: Danielle Smith

Byron Bays median house price soared 280.6 per cent, almost quadrupling, to $2.28 million over the 10 years to June.

It was followed by Casuarina, which rose 185.8 per cent to a median $1,815,000 over the decade.
When Miguel Frohlich bought his first electric vehicle, he was thrilled to be driving a car that wouldnt contribute to pollution and would be so much cheaper to run.

But then, when he asked his apartment building if he could charge his Tesla on one of the no fewer than three power points in his garage and attach a meter to it so he could refund the cost, he drove into a blank wall.

Miguel Frohlich wants to charge his electric car at home, but cant. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

They said no, said Frohlich, 39, an environmental planner whos been a renter in the apartment block on Sydneys northern beaches for the past three years.

Instead, they said I should install a fourth power point in the garage and directly connect it to my electricity meter. It was ridiculous.
London: In their famous scarlet coats they sang along as the Welsh Guards played Waltzing Matilda. The men and women of the Chelsea Pensioners toasted with VB stubbies and offered three cheers for a time-honoured fruit cake.

This rather eccentric tradition  the annual Christmas cake and ale ceremony  has survived in one of the most exclusive areas of London for 75 years. For many in the room its a reminder of an indelible link between Australia and Britain.

The fruit cake has been an annual gift from the Australian states for 75 years. Credit: Jenny Magee

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was commissioned in 1682 by King Charles II, to provide a home for soldiers broken by age and war. Today it is a nursing home to about 300 men and women, known as the Chelsea Pensioners, who come from across the UK and have served in conflicts from World War II to the Falklands.

And since 1949, each Christmas a different Australian state donates a bespoke fruit cake to be cut by a resident using a ceremonial sword.
The bullets that killed Thompson on December 4 were inscribed with the words Deny, Defend and Depose. This seems to be a reference to the reported behind-doors strategy of US health insurers, who use these tactics to not pay out insurance claims to patients, thereby maximising their profits. The manifesto reportedly found in Mangiones backpack was a soup of anti-capitalist vigilantism and motherhood-statement morality about corporate America. It is shocking that an alleged murderer should be celebrated in this way, but not at all surprising. Gun violence in America is quotidian. It is a country with a long history of vigilantism. It also has a history of public fascination with killers possessing (alleged) sex appeal, from Charles Manson to the more recent case of the Menendez brothers.

The lawlessness and moral glibness of the internet is the flipside of the United States culture of individual freedom. Loading In a perfectly American twist, the anti-capitalist crusader has been exploited for merchandising opportunities. T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and mugs bearing Mangiones image are available online. But we cant blame the internet  we must look at why there is a market for Mangione merch and why ordinary people, including those who presumably dont have homicidal tendencies themselves, would cheer on a murderer. It doesnt hurt that hes beautiful. There is also the widespread rage many share over his cause. The US health insurance industry is a multibillion-dollar profit giant funded by the sickness of the American people. Stories of its institutional cruelty are legion.

Just this week, it was reported that a different health insurer, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, had quietly announced it would impose time limits on anaesthesia during certain surgeries in certain states. The company later backed down in the face of a public outcry. A paper by the Commonwealth Fund (an American research body dedicated to promoting a high-performing, equitable healthcare system) states that healthcare spending in the US, both per person and as a share of GDP, is far higher than other high-income countries. A poster depicting Mangione outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel in New York. Credit: AP But Americans are getting sicker. According to the Commonwealth Fund, People in the United States experience the worst health outcomes overall of any high-income nation. They are more likely to die younger from avoidable causes than people in peer countries. They have higher maternal and infant mortality rates, the highest rate of people with multiple chronic conditions among peer countries, and an obesity rate nearly twice the OECD average. Another Commonwealth Fund paper reported that media investigations have found that insurers are becoming increasingly adept in using technology to deny payment of medical claims and pressure their company physicians to deny care during prior authorisation reviews.

It has been reported that UnitedHealthcare has the highest claim-denial rate (32 per cent) of all the private insurance companies. Loading The Manhattan shooting can be read as a cautionary tale illustrating the far-reaching consequences of economic inequality (not to mention a moment to give quiet thanks for the taxpayer-funded universal healthcare we enjoy in Australia). But the tasteless cheering over the assassination  a defenceless man shot in the back with no warning  is something more than that. It is a nihilistic expression of the hopelessness of American politics as a remedy for anything, not even something so fundamental as access to healthcare.

President-elect Donald Trump has at least named the problem of Americas bad-health epidemic. But his tonic is his nominee to head the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr  an anti-vaxxer who advocates cooking in beef tallow (a heart disease-inducing saturated fat) because he says the seed-oil industry is poisoning us. Trump told Time magazine this week that he and RFK Jr will discuss ending some child vaccination programs. Trump suggested vaccines might be responsible for autism, a dangerous myth that has been widely debunked. In the embittered, conspiracy-laced realm of online radicalisation, there are no crucial distinctions between left and right. Instead, there is bipartisan agreement that politicians wont help and that democracy is an inefficient vehicle for generating social solutions.
Rising Tensions: Israel and Hezbollah Edge Closer to Full-Scale Conflict (Photo: Tasnim News Agency WikimediaCommons/CC-BY-SA4.0 )

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, has suffered a significant blow following the rapid fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The collapse of Assad's government has severed a crucial military supply route through Syria, a pipeline that Hezbollah relied on for arms and equipment from Iran. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's leader, confirmed the loss in a televised address, characterizing it as a "small detail" in the group's broader resistance operations but acknowledged its implications for the organization's strategy.

"Yes, Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage," Qassem said. "But this loss is a detail in the resistance's work. A new regime could come, and this route could return to normal, and we could look for other ways."

The fall of Assad marks a significant setback for Iran's broader influence in the region, disrupting what has been referred to as the "axis of resistance" composed of Iran and its proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and militias in Iraq and Yemen. Assad's regime had provided a vital link in the chain, enabling the transfer of weapons and personnel from Tehran to Beirut via Iraq and Syria.

The loss of the Syrian corridor is particularly damaging for Hezbollah, which has already been weakened by 14 months of war with Israel. The group's military infrastructure has been decimated by Israeli airstrikes, and many of its senior leaders, including its long-time figurehead Hassan Nasrallah, were killed during the conflict.

In addition to its military setbacks, Hezbollah now faces significant challenges in Lebanon. Calls for the group's disarmament have grown louder as the Lebanese army begins to reassert control over areas previously dominated by Hezbollah, including the southern border. Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces Party, declared, "To Hezbollah, it's game over. Sit with the Lebanese military to end your status as an armed group and transform yourselves into a political party."

The group's political standing is also in jeopardy. With much of its infrastructure in ruins and its supply lines severed, even some of Hezbollah's allies in Lebanon have started distancing themselves. Gebran Bassil, a parliamentarian from the Free Patriotic Movement and a former ally, suggested that Hezbollah focus on internal Lebanese issues rather than regional conflicts.

For Israel, the fall of Assad represents a strategic victory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "historic day" and attributed the development to Israel's military campaign against Hezbollah and Iran.It was "the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad's main supporters," Netanyahu said.

Analysts warn, however, that the power vacuum left by Assad's ouster could pose its own risks. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, has emerged as a key player in Syria, leading the rebel coalition that toppled Assad and forming a transitional caretaker government. While Hezbollah's influence has waned, the rise of extremist groups in Syria presents new challenges for both Israel and the broader region.

Despite these challenges, Hezbollah remains defiant. Qassem hinted that the group could adapt to the new circumstances, exploring alternative supply routes and recalibrating its strategies. "We hope that the new rule in Syria will consider Israel an enemy and will not normalize ties with it," he said, underscoring the group's ongoing commitment to its anti-Israel stance.

With Iran losing its direct land corridor to Lebanon, Hezbollah's operational capacity is expected to diminish significantly. Experts say smuggling operations or limited air routes could replace the lost Syrian pipeline, but these methods lack the scale and efficiency of the former supply network.
Approximately 7% of people in the United States (U.S.) have atopic dermatitis  a common, chronic, and flaring inflammatory skin disease, characterized by persistent itch and recurrent skin lesions 1-4

While currently available treatments may improve some signs and symptoms of the disease, many patients do not respond optimally to approved therapies and do not experience itch relief and clear skin to the same degree 2,5-7

Nemluvio (nemolizumab) is the first approved monoclonal antibody that specifically targets IL-31 receptor alpha, inhibiting the signaling of IL-31. IL-31 is a neuroimmune cytokine that drives itch and is involved in inflammation and epidermal dysregulation in atopic dermatitis 2,9-11

This approval follows Nemluvios recent approval for the treatment of adults with prurigo nodularis from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier in August 202412



Galderma (SWX:GALD) today announced that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nemluvio (nemolizumab) for the treatment of patients 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, in combination with topical corticosteroids (TCS) and/or calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) when the disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies. This follows the recent U.S. FDA approval of Nemluvio for subcutaneous injection for the treatment of adults with prurigo nodularis in August 2024.12

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213562840/en/

Atopic dermatitis affects more than 230 million people worldwide, impacting approximately 7% of people in the U.S.2-4 Often reported as one of patients most problematic symptoms, 87% of people with atopic dermatitis say they are seeking freedom from itch, with speed of itch relief therefore also prioritized by both patients and physicians.13-16 Atopic dermatitis is also a highly heterogenous disease and can be associated with several comorbid conditions, namely mental health disorders and other autoimmune- or immune-mediated diseases.2,13,17-19 For this reason, there remains a need for more novel, effective treatment options, as while currently available treatments for atopic dermatitis may improve some signs and symptoms, many patients do not respond optimally to approved therapies and do not experience itch relief and clear skin to the same degree.2,5-7

Nemluvio is the first approved monoclonal antibody that specifically targets IL-31 receptor alpha, inhibiting the signaling of IL-31.8 IL-31 is a neuroimmune cytokine that drives itch and is involved in inflammation and epidermal dysregulation in atopic dermatitis.2,9-11

As just one example of our innovative, science-based pipeline, Nemluvio is an important and effective new treatment option for patients with atopic dermatitis, where unmet needs remain. Another key milestone on Galdermas journey, this FDA approval will accelerate the ongoing growth of our U.S. organization and our Therapeutic Dermatology Business, and underscores our commitment to delivering innovative first-in-class solutions to patients across the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market. FLEMMING RNSKOV, M.D., MPH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GALDERMA

This approval is based on positive results from the phase III ARCADIA clinical trial program which evaluated the efficacy and safety of Nemluvio in combination with background TCS, with or without TCI, versus placebo in combination with TCS, with or without TCI, in 1,728 patients aged 12 years or older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.20

Results demonstrated that patients treated with Nemluvio, administered subcutaneously every four weeks in combination with TCS, with or without TCI, showed statistically significant improvements on skin clearance in both co-primary endpoints. These were clearance (0) or almost-clearance (1) of skin lesions when assessed using the investigators global assessment (IGA) score, and achieving a 75% reduction in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) - when compared to placebo in combination with TCS, with or without TCI, after 16 weeks of treatment.20

The trials also met all key secondary endpoints confirming significant responses on itch as early as Week 1, and statistically significant improvements in sleep disturbance with Nemluvio in combination with TCS, with or without TCI, when compared to placebo in combination with TCS, with or without TCI.20

Overall, Nemluvio was well tolerated, and the safety profile was generally consistent between Nemluvio and placebo groups.20

Despite currently available treatment options, atopic dermatitis continues to have a massive impact worldwide, with patients not only burdened by intense itch and recurrent skin lesions, but also potentially several associated symptoms including sleep issues, pain, anxiety, and depression. I look forward to being able to offer this option to atopic dermatitis patients in my practice who are seeking relief from burdensome itch and lesions. PROFESSOR JONATHAN SILVERBERG LEAD INVESTIGATOR OF THE ARCADIA CLINICAL PROGRAM, PROFESSOR OF DERMATOLOGY, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES, UNITED STATES

The FDA also approved Nemluvio as a pre-filled pen for subcutaneous injection for the treatment of adults with prurigo nodularis in August 2024.12

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion on December 12, 2024, recommending the approval of nemolizumab in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of both atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis.21 The positive opinion will now be reviewed by the European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicines in all 27 EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Galderma also has marketing authorization applications for nemolizumab in both atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis under review by multiple additional regulatory authorities, including via the Access Consortium framework in countries such as Australia, Singapore, and Switzerland, as well as in Canada, Brazil, and South Korea.22 Further submissions to other regulatory authorities will continue in 2025.

As previously communicated, peak sales of nemolizumab are expected to reach more than 2 billion USD (expected beyond the 2023-2027 mid-term guidance period). Galderma anticipates nemolizumab to approach blockbuster net sales run-rate by the end of 2027.

Media can find more information about atopic dermatitis in this media toolkit.

About Nemluvio (nemolizumab-ilto)

Nemluvio (nemolizumab-ilto) was initially developed by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. In 2016, Galderma obtained exclusive rights to the development and marketing of nemolizumab worldwide, except in Japan and Taiwan. In Japan, nemolizumab is marketed as Mitchga and is approved for the treatment of prurigo nodularis, as well as pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis in pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients.23,24

Important Safety Information

Indications: NEMLUVIO (nemolizumab-ilto) is a prescription medicine used:

to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) in combination with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical) when the eczema is not well controlled by topical therapies alone. It is not known if NEMLUVIO is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 12 years of age.

to treat adults with prurigo nodularis. It is not known if NEMLUVIO is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.



Do not take NEMLUVIO if you are allergic to nemolizumab-ilto or to any ingredients in NEMLUVIO. Before taking NEMLUVIO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

are scheduled to receive any vaccination. You should not receive a live vaccine right before or during treatment with NEMLUVIO.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether NEMLUVIO will harm your unborn baby.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether NEMLUVIO passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby.



Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

NEMLUVIO may cause serious side effects, including: allergic reactions (hypersensitivity). Stop using NEMLUVIO and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms:

Breathing problems or wheezing

Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat

Fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded

Fast pulse

Swollen lymph nodes

Joint pain

Fever

Skin rash (red or rough skin)

Nausea or vomiting

General ill feeling

Cramps in your stomach area



The most common side effects of NEMLUVIO include:

Eczema : headache, joint pain, hives (itchy red rash or wheals), and muscle aches

: headache, joint pain, hives (itchy red rash or wheals), and muscle aches Prurigo Nodularis: headache and skin rashes: atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), eczema, and eczema nummular (scattered circular patches)



These are not all of the possible side effects of NEMLUVIO.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800- FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.

About the ARCADIA clinical trial program20,25,26

The ARCADIA program included two identically designed, pivotal phase III clinical trials, which enrolled more than 1,700 patients  ARCADIA 1 and ARCADIA 2.

These global, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trials, evaluated the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab administered subcutaneously every four weeks compared to placebo (both administered with background topical corticosteroids with or without topical calcineurin inhibitors).

The trials were conducted in adolescent and adult patients (12 years and over) with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis for an initial treatment phase of 16 weeks. Patients who responded to treatment (defined as patients who achieved an investigators global assessment score of clear (0) or almost clear (1), or a 75% or greater improvement in the eczema area and severity index score) were then re-randomized to a maintenance treatment phase for up to 48 weeks.

About atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, and flaring inflammatory skin disease, characterized by persistent itch and recurrent skin lesions.1-3 It affects more than 230 million people worldwide and is the most common inflammatory skin disease, impacting almost four times more people than psoriasis.2,27 While currently available treatments for atopic dermatitis show some improvements of signs and symptoms, not all patients experience itch relief and clear skin to the same degree, and many do not respond optimally to approved therapies.2,5-7

About Galderma

Galderma (SIX: GALD) is the pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human bodys largest organ  the skin  meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. For more information: www.galderma.com.

References:

Yang G, et al. Skin Barrier Abnormalities and Immune Dysfunction in Atopic Dermatitis. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(8): 2867. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21082867 Langan SM, et al. Atopic dermatitis [published correction appears in Lancet. 2020;396(10253):758]. Lancet. 2020;396(10247):345-360. doi:10.1016/S0140- 6736(20)31286- 1 Stander S. Atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(12):1136-1143. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2023911 Silverberg JI, et al. Sleep Disturbances in Adults with Eczema Are Associated with Impaired Overall Health: A US Population-Based Study. J Invest Derm. 2015; 135, 5666; doi:10.1038/jid.2014.325 Lobefaro F, et al. Atopic Dermatitis: Clinical Aspects and Unmet Needs. Biomedicines. 2022;10:2927. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10112927 Katoh N, Ohya Y, Ikeda M, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis 2018. J Dermatol. 2019;46(12): 1053-1101. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15090 Kwatra SG, Misery L, Clibborn C, Steinhoff M. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of itch and pain in atopic dermatitis and implications for novel therapeutics. Clin Transl Immunology. 2022;11(5):e1390. doi:10.1002/cti2.1390 Silverberg J, et al. Phase 2B randomized study of nemolizumab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and severe pruritus. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;145(1):173-182. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2019.08.013 Bagci IS and Ruzicka T. IL-31: A new key player in dermatology and beyond. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(3): P858-866. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.10.045 Dillon SR, et al. Interleukin 31, a cytokine produced by activated T cells, induces dermatitis in mice [published correction appears in Nat Immunol. 2005;6(1):114.] Nat Immunol. 2004;5(7):752-760. doi: 10.1038/ni1084 Datsi A, et al. Interleukin-31: The itchy cytokine in inflammation and therapy. Allergy. 2021;76:2982-2997. doi: 10.1111/all.14791 NEMLUVIO (nemolizumab-ilto) injection 30 mg Prescribing Information. Dallas, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P.; August 2024 Augustin M, et al. Real-World Treatment Patterns and Treatment Benefits among Adult Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Results from the Atopic Dermatitis Patient Satisfaction and Unmet Need Survey. Acta Derm Venereol. 2022;7: 102:adv00830. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v102.3932 Durno N, et al. Biologics and oral systemic treatment preferences in patients and physicians for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a discrete choice experiment in the United Kingdom and Germany. J Derm Treatment. 2024;35(1). doi: 10.1080/09546634.2024.2417966 Penton H, et al. Assessing Response in Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review of the Psychometric Performance of Measures Used in HTAs and Clinical Trials. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023;13(11):2549-2571. doi: 10.1007/s13555-023-01038-3 Silverberg JI, et al. Patient burden and quality of life in atopic dermatitis in US adults: a population-based cross-sectional study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;121(3):340-347. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2018.07.006 Halvorsen J, et al. Suicidal Ideation, Mental Health Problems, and Social Function in Adolescents with Eczema: A Population-Based Study. J Invest Derm. 2014;134: 1847-1854. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2014.70 Avena-Woods C. Overview of atopic dermatitis. Am J Manag Care. 2017;23(8 suppl):S115-S123. PMID:28978208 Hahn EL, Bacharier LB. The atopic march: the pattern of allergic disease development in childhood. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005;25(2):231-246. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2005.02.004 Silverberg J, et al. Nemolizumab with concomitant topical therapy in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (ARCADIA 1 & 2): results from two replicate double-blinded, randomised controlled phase 3 trials. Lancet. 2024. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01203-0 Galderma. CHMP recommends approval of Galdermas nemolizumab for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis in the European Union. Available online. Accessed December 2024 Galderma. Galderma receives filing acceptances for nemolizumab in prurigo nodularis and atopic dermatitis in four additional countries. Available online. Accessed December 2024 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Maruho Obtained Regulatory Approval for Mitchga, the first Antibody Targeting IL-31 for Itching Associated with Atopic Dermatitis. Available online. Accessed December 2024 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Mitchga Approved for Itching in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis and Prurigo Nodularis, for its Subcutaneous Injection 30mg Vials. Available online. Accessed December 2024 ClinicalTrials.Gov. Efficacy & Safety of Nemolizumab in Subjects With Moderate- to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis (NCT03985943). Available online. Accessed December 2024 ClinicalTrials.Gov. Efficacy & Safety of Nemolizumab in Subjects With Moderate- to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis (NCT03989349). Available online. Accessed December 2024 Raharja A, et al. Psoriasis: a brief overview. Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(3):170-173. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0257

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213562840/en/
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi had successful hip replacement surgery in Germany after suffering an injury in Luxembourg. Alex Wong/Getty Images

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi underwent successful hip replacement surgery in Germany after suffering an injury during a congressional trip to Luxembourg, her spokesperson confirmed Saturday.

Ian Krager, Pelosis spokesperson, said in a statement that the former speaker is well on the mend and expressed gratitude to the U.S. military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the medical team at Hospital Kirchberg for their excellent care and kindness.

Pelosi, 84, was hospitalized after the injury during an official event Friday. While Krager did not disclose the specifics of the injury, he noted that Pelosi had been able to continue working.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Pelosi expressed regret at missing additional events marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a World War II landmark that played a crucial role in the Nazi defeat.

Speaker Pelosi is enjoying the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and well wishes and is ever determined to ensure access to quality health care for all Americans, Krager added.

Pelosi easily won reelection to her San Francisco-based seat in November, securing a 20th term.

Although she stepped down from her House leadership role in 2022, she has remained an influential figure within the Democratic Party. She played a key role in persuading President Joe Biden to forgo a 2024 reelection bid and participated in a House Democratic Caucus call in early November, according to a lawmaker familiar with the matter.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Ireland stands with the family of Private Sean Rooney, the Tanaiste has said on the second anniversary of his death.

The 24-year-old, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14th, 2022.

The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed while Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, from Cork, was badly wounded.

They had been serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) at the time of the attack, which left two others with minor injuries.

Pte Rooneys family has pressed the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldiers death available to his inquest, being conducted by the Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane.

Irish Trooper Shane Kearney (Defence Forces)

The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report.

The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved.

However they were originally told there were issues around disclosing these reports.

The familys lawyer, Darragh Mackin, told RTE on Friday that the family had yet to receive anything from the UN.

It came after a spokesman for the UN secretary general told the broadcaster that there is more information forthcoming to Irish authorities.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr Mackin said the full report should be provided to the coroner, adding he believed it would dispel what he previously characterised as a noxious narrative that Pte Rooney had taken a wrong turn on the day.

In a statement on Saturday, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Government would continue to press for the release of the UN reports.

He said: No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, particularly under such shocking and unacceptable circumstances, but I and the country stand united with Seans family in their grief.

Ireland remains deeply grateful for Seans service, courage and the commitment he showed and the legacy he leaves behind.

Since the events of December 2022, I have consistently expressed both my and the Governments determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established. No stone should be left unturned to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Mr Martin, who is also minister for defence, said his Department is committed to doing everything it can to achieve justice for Pte Rooney.

He said uncertainty surrounding the progress of the various investigations compounds the grief of his family.

Natasha McCloskey, the mother of Private Sean Rooney, and her husband Paul McCloskey outside Dublin District Coroners Court (Liam McBurney/PA)

At every opportunity, I have stressed my unhappiness with the slow progress of the trial of those accused of Seans murder, and I have made that very clear to both Lebanese authorities, and to the UN.

I would also again urge the UN to cooperate with the Inquest being conducted by the Dublin City Coroner.

Mr Martin said the Board of Inquiry report had been shared with the Irish Government under strict criteria, with the UN insisting no part of it could be shared with any third party  adding that the final report will not be published.

Repeated requests to release the report to Pte Rooneys family have been made since June 2023.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr Martin added: The Government and I will continue to press the UN via diplomatic channels regarding the release of the UN reports to the family.

Michael Delaney SC was appointed to conduct an independent inquiry into the attack which began in November and could last nine months.

The inquiry, which is distinct from the inquest, will examine where changes may be required in the tactics, techniques and procedures adopted by the Defence Forces for overseas operations.

It will not investigate the criminal matters that led to the death of Pte Rooney and injuries to other personnel. This is the subject of a criminal investigation being carried out by the Lebanese authorities.
Cartoon Brew is putting the spotlight on animated short films that have qualified for the 2025 Oscars.

In this installment, were looking at Nube from Mexican filmmakers Christian Arredondo and Diego Alonso Sanchez de la Barquera Estrada. The short earned its Oscars qualification by winning the Ojo for Best Mexican Animated Short Film at Morelia International Film Festival.

After witnessing an old, dark stormy cloud painfully rain and die in sorrow, Noma, a puffy white cloud realizes that Mixtli, her daughter, a dark stormy cloud, is in danger of raining prematurely. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning the value of every moment. Nube is a beautiful and touching story written in the clouds by French production company Avec ou sans Vous and Hungarys CUB animation.

Cartoon Brew: Nube opens with the very death of a storm, introducing the films main theme of loss and how we deal with it as individuals. How did you craft this particular shot and what were the challenges you had to face in that opening scene?

Diego Alonso Sanchez de la Barquera Estrada: This was a complete challenge to us; it was one of the last shots to be made, both in the animatic and during production. We didnt even know how to draw it, and even more difficult was the question: How does a storm die? What does it look like?

It is a key shot as it quickly shows the mechanics of this fictional universe and it had to be very clear. The shot starts at ground level, to show the huge scale and influence the sky has on us, with lots of trees being violently blown by the wind provoked by this massive storm. The camera pans up, taking us to a different world, to a world of clouds to tell a story from the clouds perspective. We had to plan the shot in several planes of depth and height, everything animated separately. But the most important of all was to communicate the painful death of this old cloud, which will eventually have an echo later in the film.

Christian Arredondo: It was undoubtedly one of the most difficult shots in production, because even from the visual conception we had no references of how the death of a storm should look. In addition to that, we had a lot of things going on at the same time  special effects, perspective, camera movement. I think it is a shot that, having been done very late in production, was fed by all the experience that we were developing in the rest of the other shots. So for example, the trees and all the moving plants are made with grease pencil rigs with many layers and noise, and the storm is also animated in many layers with its own effects and lighting drawn frame-by-frame.

What was it about this story or concept that connected with you and compelled you to direct the film?

Arredondo & Sanchez de la Barquera Estrada: Nube is a deeply personal story. When we were brainstorming ideas for a film, we were trying to find something that we both connected with on a profound level. Our only goal was to make something with a lot of heart and honesty. We were friends but that was the time when we started to open up to each other in more vulnerable ways, and we started to talk about what we were going through in our personal live. At the moment Diego was dealing with grief as he had lost a very close family member, and so we talked about all the complex and mixed feelings he was having. During this process, we discovered that this was something Christians family also had to go through. Different times, different ages, different outcomes, but the same struggle. This was something that united us, as it comes from our own experiences and feelings. As we talked more about personal experiences about the loss of loved ones, it made us connect further with each other and offered us a path that finally led us to the idea of this little cloud raining prematurely.

What did you learn through the experience of making this film, either production-wise, filmmaking-wise, creatively, or about the subject matter?

Arredondo: At first I think it pushed the technical skills that both Diego and I already had to the limit. I could especially say that, since I was in charge of the art direction, before Nube I didnt feel capable of producing something like this, or I didnt know how to use colors in this way. Although perhaps the biggest learning I had in the three years that we spent making the film, was that at the beginning I wanted to do something that was easy and simple, so that the production would be efficient. But at a certain point, I embraced the idea that everything was more complex than we expected, but at the same time it turned out to be very beautiful. I know now that the short films and animation that excite me today require the freedom to put in whatever is needed (not necessarily a lot) to make the film something deeply expressive.

Sanchez de la Barquera Estrada: For me, this was the first time presenting a piece of work that was so deeply personal. It was something that made me feel very vulnerable. But this also was a reminder that I was not alone in this stage of my life, that not only my friend and co-director had a similar experience, but also a lot of people that have watched the short film and come to us talking about their own experiences.

Can you describe how you developed your visual approach to the film? Why did you settle on this style/technique?

Arredondo: At the beginning we needed the style to be simple so that the production would be easy to finish. However, immersed in the context we were in, and at the speed at which we had to work, we ended up discarding the references we had and began to work in the personal way that each one did before entering the production, taking those ways of working to solve problems that we had never faced before, such as making a high-quality color script. We are very proud that the final style of the film is not the style of any of us, and we do not feel that it is the style of any of the references, at least not of those that we based ourselves on at the beginning.

Many of the elements that are representative of the film, such as the textures, were born from a set of brushes that I used in my personal processes (created by me in Clip Studio Paint) and we discovered that they served to adequately represent elements such as rain. Then we tried to make everything very close to us, that is why the film takes place in Mexico, because it was easier to represent all those things that were already familiar to us.

Sanchez de la Barquera Estrada: We wanted to have a very minimalistic look and to keep the simplicity of the clouds, we kept them as cloud-like as possible, even removing facial features when we didnt need them. This posed different challenges for the acting, as we wanted the facial movements to be very expressive in this dialogueless short. Having to work with as few lines as possible on their faces made us rethink and analyze each emotion to its purest form.

The simplicity of design was contrasted by the complexity of the mechanics of these characters as they are constantly changing shapes but we still had to keep them recognizable. We focused on the textures and the softness, trying to break the edges as much as possible to give the ethereal feel to the clouds. We had to develop a specific pipeline to work on the grain of the textures and to break those edges in a manageable way. It was a leap of faith as we were only able to test a few shots before jumping into full production.
Basque animation is currently enjoying an exceptional moment, solidifying its position as one of the leading creative forces on the international stage. This year, Basque productions have not only triumphed at European festivals and awards but are also making their mark at major global events, such as the Oscars and key film markets. Among the standout achievements are the nomination of Sultanas Dream for the prestigious European Film Awards, the participation of Winnipeg: Seeds Of Hope in the Work In Progress section of the Ventana Sur market, and the highly anticipated premiere of Decorado in 2025.

International recognition

Directed by Isabel Herguera, Sultanas Dream has won over both critics and audience since its release. Based on the eponymous short story by Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, the film is a daring mix of traditional animation and feminist narrative, taking viewers on a journey into a world of imagination and reflection. Its nomination for the European Film Awards, held earlier this month, was a well-deserved recognition of its artistic and technical excellence.

However, Sultanas Dream goes even further. It is also among the films qualified for the Oscars, a significant achievement that underscores the growing international recognition of the film. Although there is still time to confirm its final nomination, its inclusion in this prestigious race already brings Basque animation into the global industrys spotlight.

This isnt the first time Basque animation has come close to such prestigious platforms. Last year, director Pablo Polledris short film Loop qualified for the short film category of the Academy Awards. In 2024, the feature film Unicorn Wars, directed by Alberto Vazquez, also stood out with its successful international run, securing a place among the 33 films competing for a final nomination.

Ventana Sur

While Hergueras film shines at festivals, another Basque production, Winnipeg: Seeds Of Hope, is generating great expectations in its development phase. Directed by Elio Quiroga and Benat Beitia, this feature film tells the story of Victor, a widowed father, and his young daughter Julia, who leave Spain when Barcelona falls to the Francoists in 1939.

Concentration camps and hardships await them in France. But there is a possibility of fleeing: embarking on the Winnipeg, a freighter that Neruda and the Quakers in Paris have chartered, to take them safely to an exotic destination: Valparaiso, Chile, where a new life is possible.

The project has been chosen for the Work In Progress section at Ventana Sur, one of the leading film platforms in Latin America. This recognition offers it visibility among international distributors and producers, potentially speeding up its path to screens around the world.

Upcoming premieres

One of the key highlights in Basque animation is the upcoming release of Decorado by Alberto Vazquez, though the exact release date is still to be confirmed. The director returns with a project that, staying true to his provocative style, is expected to explore dark themes with his signature blend of sharp humor.

In the city of Anywhere, Arnold is a middle-aged mouse in an existential relationship crisis. His marriage with Maria is sinking and he feels that everything around him is fake, like scenery! After exploring what lies beyond the forest and losing his friends Ramiro (killed by a giant owl) and Pollo Crazy (arrested for arson), Arnold rebels against society and AKME: a corporation that controls everything.

The announcement of its release in 2025 has already generated significant excitement in the animation industry.

In conclusion, 2024 has been a year of impressive achievements for Basque animation, but it seems that the best is yet to come. With Sultanas Dream in the race for the Oscars, Winnipeg: Seeds Of Hope gaining momentum in international markets, and Decorado set for release next year, Basque animation is writing an exciting chapter in the history of the audiovisual landscape.
The U.S. Forest Service has issued an avalanche warning for the greater Lake Tahoe region, which includes Palisades Tahoe Ski, shown in January. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

The U.S. Forest Service has issued an avalanche warning for the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, including the greater Lake Tahoe region, as a powerful winter storm intensifies.

The warning, which is in effect through 5:15 a.m. Sunday, warns of high avalanche danger in the backcountry due to a combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds.

High intensity snowfall combined with strong winds is expected to produce widespread areas of unstable snow both above and below treeline, according to the forest services Sierra Avalanche Center. Natural avalanches are very likely in the backcountry at this time.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The warning affects the area between Yuba Pass (Highway 49) in the north and Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4) in the south, excluding ski areas and highways with avalanche mitigation programs.

The U.S. Forest Service has issued an avalanche warning for the central Sierra Nevada, including the greater Lake Tahoe region. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle

A winter storm warning remains in effect across the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe areas through 10 p.m. Saturday, as heavy snow and strong winds continue to create hazardous conditions.

Snowfall up to 30 inches is expected at higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service, while lower elevations could see up to 12 inches.

Winds will gust up to 100 mph on ridges, with dangerous travel conditions anticipated.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The storm is also bringing high surf on Lake Tahoe, with waves of 2 to 5 feet.

Persons should delay travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility, the weather service said.

The Sierra Avalanche Center additionally advises against travel in or near avalanche-prone areas and urges outdoor enthusiasts to stay informed via their website for the latest updates on conditions via www.sierraavalanchecenter.org or www.avalanche.org.
Rescue crews extract a driver from an overturned car after a tornado in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday. Courtesy of Steven Robins A tornado damaged power lines and vehicles in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday. Scotts Valley Police Department A tornado overturned a car, downed a sign and toppled tree branches at a shopping center in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County). Courtesy Bellina Jones A tornado overturned a car, downed a sign and toppled tree branches at a shopping strip in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County). Courtesy Bellina Jones Workers removed a large tree that toppled onto the roof of Scotts Valley Middle School in Santa Cruz County as a result of the tornado that touched down on Saturday. Provided by Randy Johnson A tornado flipped vehicles in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday. Coutesy of Steven Robins A light pole was toppled by a tornado in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday. Courtesy of Steven Robins A tornado flipped vehicles in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday. Coutesy of Steven Robins A tornado flipped vehicles in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday. Coutesy of Steven Robins

A rare Northern California tornado touched down in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday afternoon, knocking over power lines, felling trees, flipping vehicles and injuring at least five people, one critically.

The twister spun down on Mount Hermon Road in the heart of the quiet Santa Cruz County towns commercial district around 1:39 p.m., leaving eyewitnesses gawking at the vortex as it chewed through traffic, spitting out debris and sending residents fleeing for cover.

The tornado traveled southeast for just over a quarter mile, spinning out wind gusts that peaked at 90 mph and leaving a trail of destruction that measured up to 30 yards wide, before fizzling out at 1:44 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The agency assigned the tornado a rating of EF-1 based on wind speed; the rating system goes from EF-0 for weak tornadoes starting at 65 mph to EF-5 for violent twisters exceeding 200 mph.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The funnel cut through a field near Scotts Valley Middle School, where it downed a tree that damaged part of the school, Scotts Valley Mayor Randy Johnson told the Chronicle. Johnson, who had shopped in the area hours earlier, called the rare weather event shocking.

When an earthquake hits, you say, Well, this is where we live, but for a tornado, were not in the deep South, Johnson said. War zone is too strong, and I dont want to be hyperbolic, but it had that feel.

A tornado touched down in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday afternoon, flipping cars and knocking over power lines. Courtesy of Brunos Bar and Grill

Three people were taken by ambulance to the hospital, Scotts Valley police Capt. Jayson Rutherford said, including a Cal Fire battalion chief who was in his work truck when it flipped on its side.

Two of them had been released from the hospital as of Saturday evening, according to Scotts Valley Police Capt. Scott Garner. One person remained in the hospital and was receiving treatment for multiple fractured ribs and a punctured lung but was expected to survive, he said. That person had been in a vehicle when the tornado flipped it over, crushing its roof in, Garner said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

People wounded in the storm reported back injuries, cuts and bruises, but all patients were expected to survive, Rutherford said. An off-duty Scotts Valley police officer was driving past the Target store when the tornado caused major damage to his vehicle, but he was uninjured, Rutherford said.

Preliminary Damage Survey Conducted. EF1 tornado observed in Scotts Valley this afternoon, December 14, 2024. The most severe damage was observed along Mt Hermon Rd. Full info: https://t.co/RQIwRzlVFk #cawx #scottsvalley pic.twitter.com/gs48BsaVrr  NWS Bay Area  (@NWSBayArea) December 15, 2024

The tornado toppled power poles and damaged signage, including the Target and McDonalds signs, but no structural damage to homes or businesses was reported, Garner said.

Bellina Jones, an employee at the Penny Ice Creamery, said she was washing a dish in the back of her store Saturday afternoon when she heard customers yell, Tornado! Tornado! Get on the ground! Get on the ground!

Jones rushed to the front of the store, peeked outside and saw a downed power line. She said she saw a tornado hovering just above the ground, over an open field. She said she believed a chair was flying inside the vortex.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Honestly, I was just confused and thinking what do I do next to try and help the people in here, she said.

A tornado touched down in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday afternoon, flipping cars and knocking over power lines. Courtesy of Jorge Ochoa

Moments before the tornado struck the strip mall, Jones said hail started pelting the area.

This is the most low-key town, she said. Nothing ever happens here.

Joanne Guzman was at her home in Ben Lomond when she got a notification about the storm in Scotts Valley, the site of her restaurant Brunos Bar and Grill. About 10 minutes later, her staff messaged her  there was a tornado.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Her Nest surveillance camera captured 15 seconds of the tornado spiraling through the commercial district, as audio picks up customers questioning what was happening outside. The twister missed her restaurant, but because of the downed trees and power poles, her staff and customers had to remain in the establishment for hours until the road opened.

A rare Northern California tornado touched down in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County) on Saturday afternoon, knocking over power lines, felling trees, flipping vehicles and injuring at least five people, one critically. Courtesy of Steven Robins

Its a very concentrated little area with a lot of people, Guzman said, and theres only one road.

Another image shared on social media showed a teenager holding one half of a McDonalds Golden Arches sign that had been torn apart in the wind.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Residents and emergency workers respond to overturned vehicles during a tornado Saturday in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County). Courtesy Jorge Ochoa

Lisa Freedman and her mother, Wilma, both Los Gatos residents, had parked near the Target and were about to get out of their car when the tornado passed within feet, she said.

I was watching this wind that just turned grayer and grayer, swirling and becoming darker and growing little by little, Freedman said. It just literally passed over and behind us.

Things started to twirl, and then all of a sudden, it started downward, said Wilma Freedman. She said she looked out the cars back window and watched the twister flip over several cars.

About thirty seconds later, the tornado was gone and it got quiet and calm, Lisa Freedman said. The two, uninjured but shaken, headed for shelter inside a darkened furniture store. Another family entered the store saying the heavy winds had shattered one of their car windows and glass had cut their toddlers face, she said.

The bizarre thing is that your brain cant quite understand whats happening because you dont expect to see that, Lisa Freedman said. We consider ourselves lucky that we were just out of the path.

Weather radar depicted heavy rain over Scotts Valley on Saturday afternoon at the same time as the tornado. Baron/Lynx

Jorge Ochoa was also lucky: His house was feet away from the tornado path. Ochoa said he was preparing to pick up his two Shih Tzu dogs from the groomers near the shopping strip that wound up being ground zero for the tornado strike. He was running late, and the power suddenly went out in his house. He looked outside and watched as branches and tree debris spun in the air as the wind picked up.

This was not just strong winds, something else was happening, Ochoa said. He drove to a parking lot, dodging numerous fallen trees, including the massive one that damaged Scotts Valley Middle School. A group of children lined up alongside the campus, appearing to evacuate from the school grounds, he said.

Workers removed a large tree that toppled onto the roof of Scotts Valley Middle School in Santa Cruz County as a result of the tornado that touched down on Dec. 14. Provided by Randy Johnson

From the lot, he walked along the path of the tornado. He saw as many as six cars on their side. Paramedics wheeled two patients to ambulances. Another injured individual sat on the sidewalk, blood dripping down the side of his forehead. Some power poles toppled over, while others bent at angles. Mangled signs littered the street and traffic signals and signs fell to the ground.

Ochoa moved to Scotts Valley in 2020 and a week later evacuated from the CZU Complex Fire that burned more than 85,000 acres and destroyed almost 1,500 homes. He estimates more than half his neighbors have lost their home insurance due to wildfire risks.

Weve had to worry about fires, flooding, insurance  and now we have to worry about high winds and tornados, he said with a sigh. Its just mindblowing.

Damage to electrical lines left most of the south end of the town without power, Rutherford said. Mount Hermon Road remained closed for most of the afternoon due to the damage.

Several videos shared on social media showed a clear condensation funnel, a rotating column of air in contact with the ground, with a clear debris cloud beneath it.

Weather radar measured a velocity couplet just west of Scotts Valley at 1:39 p.m. Saturday. Green colors depict storm motion toward the radar and red colors depict motion away from radar. Baron/Lynx

Weather radar technology indicated heavy rain and winds of 66 mph just a few hundred feet over Scotts Valley at 1:39 p.m.

Radar captured a small region of rotating winds over the Santa Cruz Mountains at 1:33 p.m., indicating the potential for a tornado. The rotating winds were located over Felton at 1:33 p.m. and moved east toward Scotts Valley at 1:39 p.m. The rotation quickly diminished by 1:45 p.m. as it moved eastward. Weather radar depicted heavy rain over Scotts Valley on Saturday afternoon at the same time as the tornado.

Although a tornado warning was not in effect, the weather service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for much of Santa Cruz County, including Scotts Valley. The warning was in effect from 1:25 p.m. to 1:48 p.m. for 60 mph wind gusts and nickel-size hail.
3/13/2025

Fifteen GPS seniors were inducted into the Cum Laude Society during a ceremony held in Frierson Theatre. These students were honored for their academic excellence and dedication to personal growth, ... more
Authorities responded to a bomb threat Friday afternoon on Apison Pike.

The school resource deputy at Ooltewah High School was contacted around 2:20 p.m. by a student who claimed that another student told them he had a briefcase containing explosives on a bus. The bus in question was identified and the deputy immediately contacted his supervisor who then contacted the Director of Transportation for Hamilton County Schools.

The bus was contacted and was instructed to pull into the Tractor Supply parking lot at 9408 Apison Pike.

Law enforcement personnel then responded to the scene to evacuate students from the bus and set up a perimeter.

The SRD also responded to the scene and identified the student who admitted to indicating that he had an explosive device in a small briefcase. The student was immediately taken into custody.

Sheriff's Office CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear, and Explosives) personnel on-site were able to inspect the briefcase and determine that it did not contain explosives. The all-clear was given at approximately 3:41 p.m.

The juvenile suspect was transported to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Unit and charged with threat of mass violence on school property or school-related activity and false reports.

The HCSO thanks the Collegedale Police Department and HCDE Transportation personnel for their quick response and assistance in safely resolving this incident.
LTC (R) James Walter Gentry III, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. National Guard, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, after a long illness.

Jamie was the eldest son of James Walter Gentry, Jr. and Margaret Anderson Gentry. He was born and raised in Chattanooga, where he attended Baylor School, and later graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.

Following his graduation from the Citadel, Jamie became an officer in the U.S. Army, where he served in both the U.S. and Europe. After retiring from the army, he began his work with the Tennessee National Guard serving 34 years total in both services. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Jamie is survived by his wife, Joni DiPatri-Gentry, his son William Todd (Brittani) Gentry, and siblings Leland Gentry (Steve) Arnsdorff, Robert Anderson Gentry and Benjamin Clayton (Jennie) Gentry. Special mention to Pearl Bell, Vern Bell, and Stephanie Owen as additional important people in his life.

Jamie's loved ones will remember him as a generous, kind, and fun-loving man who enjoyed fly fishing, military miniature-war games, and history. He was especially well-versed in his family history and shared many colorful and interesting anecdotal stories at family gatherings.

Visitation will be held at Hamilton Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 20, from 12-1 p.m. A graveside service honoring the life of Jamie will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Citadel Foundation in memory of James W. Gentry, III designated to the Citadel Appalachian scholarship, which he established, or a charity of your choice.

Please visit his online obituary to share memories with the family at https://www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com/obituary/james-jamie-gentry-iii

Arrangements are entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37434, 423 531-3965.
The president of the local Fraternal Order of Police is asking that a subpoena filed by the attorney for ex-police chief Celeste Murphy in her criminal case be quashed.

The motion filed in behalf of Chattanooga Police Sgt. Chris Mullinix says the request is "a fishing expedition" and that the FOP has no information involving the case in which Ms. Murphy is charged with 17 felony and misdemeanor counts relating to her residency.

Attorney Janie Parks Varnell said, "This is simply another way for the Defendant to see what the FOP's members were saying, if anything, about her during her tenure as police chief."

She stated, "It is no secret that many officers at CPD were not supportive of the Defendant towards the end of her tenure at the department."

She also said, "Sgt. Mullinix had a duty towards the members of the FOP to keep them informed of the stability of the department when its then-chief was under a TBI investigation and subsequent internal investigation for misconduct.

"Sgt. Mullinix routinely sent emails to the FOP membership with updates on the investigation."

The motion says the FOP is not a public entity that is subject to the Open Records Act. Attorney Varnell said, "Its meetings are closed to its members, as are its minutes, meeting agendas, etc."

The request seeks emails, texts and other communication involving Ms. Murphy dating back to June 1, 2022.

The motion says, "None of the allegations contained in the 17-count indictment have anything to do with the FOP."

Attorney Varnell said Sgt. Mullinix sends some 500-600 text messages a week, which would add up to 93,600 messages dating back to the requested date range. She said trying to fill the request would take him away from his family.

She said the FOP president would violate the group's bylaws if he disclosed any information that the group considers confidential.

The attorney said Ms. Murphy is not a member of the FOP and she never attended any of its monthly meetings.

The local International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) filed a motion in support of quashing the subpoena.
Greg Callaham Graphic Design, a Chattanooga advertising design firm, recently announced it has earned seven American Graphic Design Awards in national recognition for creative excellence. The awards were bestowed by Graphic Design USA, a nationwide trade publication, for his work on behalf of out-of-home advertising customers Chirico Media, Sisson Outdoor Advertising, Vector Media and View Outdoor Advertising. The award-winning ads appeared across the United States as billboards and transit advertising.This is the 15th consecutive year Mr. Callaham has earned the awards since establishing his company in 2009.Im very fortunate to have clients who challenge me with opportunities to use my God-given talent, and the experience Ive gained from four decades in advertising and marketing, to bring their messages to life with impact. Sometimes its tweaking their vision in an unexpected way, sometimes they turn me loose with the proverbial blank sheet of paper. Either way, I get to do something Ive loved my whole life, execute their message to the best of my ability, and make them happy, Mr. Callaham said.Officials said, "The editors of Graphic Design USA, honor the outstanding work of creative professionals in the graphic arts community each year. To win an American Graphic Design Award means the entry is recognized as some of the best and brightest among thousands of entries from graphic design firms, advertising agencies, in-house corporate and institutional designers, publishers and other media across the United States, in over 20 categories from print and packaging to internet and interactive design. Of approximately 10,000 entries, only a highly selective 10 percent receive recognition for creative excellence."This year marks the 61st American Graphic Design Awards competition.
Mike Chalverus, deputy chief of the volunteer fire department for Lookout Mountain, Ga., was credited with the job he has done to move the citys fire department from a group of well-intentioned guys with a common community-minded mission to one that has multiple higher certified members. That is true of both firefighting and emergency medical services, said Volunteer Firefighter and Council Member Kevin Leckenby, who has experienced the progression of the department first-hand as a volunteer firefighter himself. Four of the volunteers have achieved the Firefighter 1 certification. He told the council members that the Lookout Mountain department is now seen as a group that can take the lead in emergency events rather than merely just providing manpower.

The city is part of the tri-state mutual aid, which is actually an association that includes four surrounding states. In the fight against the wildfire that spread and burned the Incline tracks and cables and threatened nearby homes, the training that the Lookout Mountain volunteers had recently completed paid off, said Councilman Leckenby. They were given leadership roles that day and he said with around 10 fire departments responding, all the ideas from the Lookout Mountain team that were offered for how to tackle the fire were considered. The volunteers represented the city well, he said.

At the annual Christmas party, the city presented each of the volunteer firefighters with a letter of appreciation and a gift card for being this years recipient of the Lookout Mountain Volunteer of the Year.

The city of Lookout Mountain, Ga., is renewing agreements with the state to provide benefits for city employees and residents. The Georgia Municipal Association assists cities in the state in offering life, health and vision insurance to current workers as well as with insurance coverage for retirees. From time to time as GMA updates its retirement plan, the city has to follow. Currently, an employee must work a minimum of 20 hours to qualify to participate. The benefits are tied to an individuals income that in many jobs are based on the amount of time they work. The council members have asked City Attorney Bill Pickering to see if it is possible to increase the time required for a person to work before being eligible to get the insurance benefit. The council will not vote to accept changes until Attorney Pickering reports if additional hours of work can be required.

Another state program that Lookout Mountain, Ga., will participate in is a program that will support first responders who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as a long-term disability. The state has mandated that municipalities participate in this program in 2025, which will provide benefits to those who ae affected. The city will pay $2,800 annually, which will cover everybody in the municipality with a qualified claim.

In regular business, Council Member Leckenby, the liaison with the citys public works department, commended the residents for placing their leaves at the street without blocking traffic or washing into the storm sewers. The department has been placing new signs around the city, and the new park property on Red Riding Hood and Cinderella has been sodded. A new culvert is being installed on Turnberry Court. A request for proposal to repair the stone arch at the entrance to Hardy Road will be put out for bids. And City Manager Kenny Lee will look for a solution to the problem of cars running into a sidewalk curb in front of the Mapco.

The next dumpster day will be Jan. 11 at the public works department.
President Charlie and Sharon Hobbs, Hamilton County Commission Chairman Jeff Eversole and wife Denise Jim Sadler honored Bill Light honored, with Chairman Eversole and General Bill Raines Santa hands out gifts to the children Chaplain George Woodruff and his wife Enjoying the dinner Santa and his helpers Vietnam Veterans Christmas party Santa and Mrs. Claus Visiting Santa Previous Next

Two veterans were honored Friday night at the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 203, Christmas Party, held at the Ridgedale Baptist Church.

President Charlie Hobbs recognized Korean War Veteran, 93-year-old Jim Sadler and Vietnam Veteran Bill Light at the annual Christmas dinner, the second largest in attendance in the history of Chapter 203. Mr. Hobbs said, Over 250 reservations were made for the dinner and thats the number the activity room holds."

Mr. Sadler is a longtime life member and friend of the chapter and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War Conflict. Mr. Light served as a K-9 dog handler in Vietnam during 19691970.

Chattanooga Funeral Home Vice President Stephen Pike, also a chapter life member, thanked Mr. Sadler for his service to the country. Hamilton County Commission Chairman Jeff Eversole and retired Major General Bill Raines recognized Mr. Light.

The traditional Christmas meal of turkey, dressing, ham, green beans, mashed potatoes and peach cobbler was prepared by Home Folks Restaurant in Soddy Daisy.

Longtime chapter Chaplain George Woodruff provided the Christmas prayer and offered thanks for this beautiful season and celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fernando Guadarrana and his band entertained with a program of Christmas favorites, including their arrangement of Mark Lowerys Mary, did you Know. Mr. Guardarrana is a Vietnam veteran and member of Chapter 203.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived early and passed out gifts to the children.

It was also announced that chapter 203 member Bill Norton was elected Friday as the new chairman of the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council. Mr. Norton also serves on the Armed Forces Week Committee and heads up the parade in May.

VVA Chapter 203 is the second largest in the United States and meets the third Monday of each month at the Mac Building at the corner of McCallie and Holtzclaw Avenues.
Greg Porter is a senior newsroom meteorologist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Porter comes to Chronicle after seven years working as a meteorologist for the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post. Porter has also worked as a meteorological technical subject matter expert in for both government and commercial organizations around the world.

Porter received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Atmospheric Science from UMass Lowell and the University of Maryland. A native of Boston, Porter has also spent time living in Washington, D.C. and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Outside of work, Porter loves to spend time with his wife and very energetic 2 year old son. He also enjoys spending as much time outside as possible and he fancies himself a very average golfer.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Chantel

A new report has been released stating that violence against Christians in Mexico has reached its "peak." Religious leaders are facing targeted killings and assaults, while hundreds of Catholics have encountered threats and extortion over the past six years.

The report, released by the Catholic Multimedia Centre (CCM) and shared by the UK-based watchdog Christian Solidarity Worldwide, reveals that nearly 900 members associated with Roman Catholic Church ministries experienced extortion or threats between 2018 and 2024. During this period, 26 religious buildings were also attacked.

The report highlights that under former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors administration (2018-2024), 10 Roman Catholic priests and a seminary student were murdered. It also notes that seven bishops and an additional seven priests survived violent attacks during his term. One priest was murdered under the current President, Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October.

Like never before in the history of Mexico, violence has reached its peak, the report states, In one way or another, we have witnessed or, worse still, been shocked by the horror of violence, which in certain regions and cities, has reached the point of totally destabilizing aspects of economic life, social life, and the social and economic system.

Anna Lee Stangl, CSW's Director of Advocacy, echoed concerns over the report's findings. The CCM has been documenting this trend for almost 35 years, and it is of deep concern that attacks on priests and religious leaders spiked and have remained steadily high over the past three presidential administrations, with no real sign of improvement, Stangl stated.

She called for solidarity with the CCM, urging the international community and the Mexican government to address various contributing factors, including impunity, corruption, and the proliferation of violent organized criminal groups involved in the international trafficking of human beings, weapons, and drugs.

The assassination of Fr. Marcelo Perez Perez, a priest and human rights activist from the San Cristobal de las Casas Diocese in October, was highlighted as a direct attack on his human rights work, according to the report.

Crimes against religious leaders in Mexico are often underreported due to a pervasive culture of fear, leading many victims to hesitate in filing formal complaints. This, coupled with ineffective law enforcement, perpetuates the cycle of violence and intimidation faced by those in religious roles.

While there have been no recorded incidents of aggression against religious women, including those involved in social activism and pastoral work, the report indicates that they have likely experienced harm as well.

Moreover, evangelicals in Mexico have faced persecution in recent years. This spring, over 150 Protestant Christians were forcibly displaced from their communities in Mexico's Hidalgo state and pressured to sign an agreement that advocates assert violates human rights protections under Mexican law and restricts their religious freedom.
(From the right) Rev. Patrick Mahoney reenacts the Nativity scene in front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. | Photo Credit: Patrick Mahoney's Facebook / Sue Dorfman

In a historic first, a Nativity scene was displayed on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. Organizers say this milestone represents a significant achievement for religious freedom and the First Amendment.

The display, which included prayer, Christmas carols, and a reading of the Christmas story, was made possible by a federal court decision that granted Rev. Patrick Mahoney and his supporters the right to peacefully celebrate the Christmas season on Capitol grounds.

The event took place on the southeastern steps of the Capitol and signified the conclusion of a legal battle that began over a decade ago. Mahoney, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian Defense Coalition, had faced repeated threats of arrest for attempting to read the Christmas story from the Bible and set up a Nativity display near the Capitol Christmas tree.

Following the display, Mahoney expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share the Christmas message in such a politically significant location. He wrote on X, 7 months ago, we wouldve been arrested for having this Nativity Display on the steps of the US Capitol. However, we won a historic federal lawsuit through the incredible work of the Center for American Liberty which allowed us on the steps!

In his post, Mahoney mentioned civil rights advocate Mark Trammell, Executive Director of the Center for American Liberty, and Harmeet Dhillon, a civil rights attorney nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for a role at the U.S. Department of Justice. He stated, We are so very thankful for the opportunity to share the joyful and powerful message of Christmas at the steps of the U.S. Capitol. In a hurting and wounded world, there is no more redemptive and healing message than the Christmas story.

Mahoneys 2022 federal lawsuit challenged the Capitols restrictions on public demonstrations, arguing that as a symbol of democracy and freedom, the U.S. Capitol should allow all Americans to exercise their First Amendment rights, including religious expression.

During that period, He pointed out that lawmakers, media, lobbyists, and tourists were permitted to use the Capitol grounds while his requests for peaceful demonstrations were denied, including a request to hold a Good Friday service for peace, religious freedom, and the healing of nations.

In May 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in Mahoney's favor, declaring the Capitol steps a public forum where peaceful demonstrations could no longer be banned. This decision established a precedent that allows for public expressions of religious faith, including the display of a Nativity scene on Capitol grounds.
Tyler Poole, the suspect arrested for the shooting at Pastor Greg Locke's home in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. | Photo Credit: (Left) Screenshot from WSMV 4 Nashville on YouTube / (Right) Wilson County Sheriff's Office.

A 20-year-old male suspect has been arrested by police for multiple shootings at Pastor Greg Locke's home last September. The incident prompted Locke and his family to relocate in September.

The Wilson County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee announced the arrest of Tyler Poole, who is from Hermitage, on December 5. Detectives from the Sheriff's Office, assisted by the Metro Nashville Police Department, executed a search warrant at 8234B Terry Lane in Hermitage related to the shooting that occurred on September 3 at Greg Lock's residence in Mt. Juliet.

He faces charges including aggravated assault, four counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and two counts of vandalism. All of these charges are connected to the shooting at Locke's former residence, which fortunately did not result in any injuries.

Poole is currently held at the Wilson County Jail with a bond set at $50,000.

Wilson County Sheriff's Office Captain Scott Moore informed The Tennessean that deputies found 30 to 40 shell casings scattered around Locke's home, the garage, and a vehicle when they responded to the scene on the night of the shooting.

In the aftermath, Pastor Locke was advised by investigators not to return home. We have not been allowed to be back at our house since then, and other than packing stuff up, we're not going back anyhow, Locke told his congregation in September.

Pastor Locke, who leads the Global Vision Bible Church, which has recently moved from Mt. Juliet to Lebanon, has previously expressed his belief that divine intervention slowed his family down on the night of the shooting as they were driving home from Pigeon Forge.

He described the aftermath of the shooting, stating, All of a sudden I began to realize it (bullets) went through the wall and the headboard and Destiny's room, and you know, riddle the truck up and the garage, and we're talking about from the bottom of the driveway all the way up through the back of the truck, the middle of the truck, out the front of the truck, through the garage door, all the way out the back of the garage, into the fence, at the very back of the property.
Home News NYC Mayor Eric Adams raises concerns over 500,000 missing migrant children, fears exploitation

The mayor of New York City is drawing attention to the hundreds of thousands of missing migrant children trafficked into the United States amid the surge of illegal immigration under the Biden administration.

During a press conference Thursday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared, "We have 500,000 children who had sponsors in this country that we cant find."

"We dont know if theyre doing child labor. We dont know if theyre doing sex crimes," he added. "We dont know if theyre being exploited."

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

NYC Mayor Eric Adams speaks out on the illegal immigration crisis:



We have 500,000 children who have sponsors in this country that we can't find.pic.twitter.com/2YDQnoxBxz  The American Conservative (@amconmag) December 12, 2024

Adams remarks followed a meeting with Tom Homan, whom President-elect Donald Trump has designated as the border czar in his forthcoming administration. The statistics and concerns shared by Adams refer to findings of a report compiled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Office of the Inspector General finding that ICE Cannot Monitor All Unaccompanied Migrant Children Released from DHS and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Custody.

The report, published in August, states that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could not monitor the location and status of all unaccompanied migrant children (UCs) or initiate removal proceedings as needed. Data compiled in the report reveals that DHS transferred the custody of 448,000 unaccompanied illegal immigrant children to the custody of HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement Services (ORR) between 2019 and 2023.

ORR, which is responsible for caring for illegal immigrant children awaiting immigration court proceedings, places children in the care of shelters or qualified sponsors. Even after the minors are turned over to HHS, ICE retains the responsibility to manage their immigration court proceedings.

While 32,000 unaccompanied illegal immigrant children failed to appear for their immigration court hearings to determine whether they had a valid claim to remain in the country, the report estimates that the number of unaccompanied children unaccounted for could be even higher, as more than 291,000 minors have not received Notices to Appear that inform them of their court dates.

Based on our audit work and according to ICE officials, UCs who do not appear for court are considered at higher risk for trafficking, exploitation, or forced labor, the report noted. By not issuing NTAs to all UCs, ICE limits its chances of having contact with UCs when they are released from HHS custody, which reduces opportunities to verify their safety. Without an ability to monitor the location and status of UCs, ICE has no assurance UCs are safe from trafficking, exploitation, or forced labor.

The report attributed the large number of illegal immigrant children unaccounted for in the U.S. to a failure to communicate between ICE and HHS as well as limited authority by ICE to intervene in cases where they find unaccompanied illegal immigrant children in unsafe conditions.

A hearing held by the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement last month raised questions about the federal governments process for vetting sponsors. A Florida grand jury report that found the Biden administration facilitated the forced migration, sale, and abuse of foreign children also came up at the hearing.

The Florida grand jury detailed how sponsors purportedly offering to take care of the children used strip clubs as an address and the aunt of one unaccompanied minor pimped out her relative. The findings of the grand jury report compound whistleblower reports alleging that the Biden administration has failed to vet sponsors of unaccompanied illegal immigrant children.

The concerns about the safety of unaccompanied illegal immigrant children occur in the context of a large surge of illegal immigration at the U.S. southwest border. Data compiled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that since the beginning of fiscal year 2022, which marked the Biden administrations first full year in office, there have been more than 7 million encounters between migrants and law enforcement officials at the border.

The meeting between Adams, a Democrat, and Homan comes as the Big Apple has continued to embrace its status as a sanctuary city that does not cooperate with federal immigration law enforcement as recently as last week.
Home News Pastor settles for $4.4M after years in prison for crime he didn't commit; town denies wrongdoing

A pastor who spent eight years in prison settled for $4.4 million following a lawsuit he filed against a North Carolina town and arresting officers he says withheld critical evidence that proved his innocence. The town has denied any wrongdoing.

Rev. Darron Carmon served eight years in prison following an armed robbery conviction in 1994 and was released in 2002 for good behavior. Carmon and his legal team said they tried negotiating with the Town of Winterville before filing the civil suit, ABC11 reported Friday.

The Winterville pastor, who founded the Rebuild Christian Center Church in Winterville and Greater Village Gate Church in Lewiston, filed the lawsuit after Pitt County Superior Court Judge Marvin Blount overturned his conviction in 2022 and he received a pardon of innocence from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in November.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

"I don't agree with what I had to do to get here. I feel like it should've been a simpler process. I've had to prove my innocence about three times," the pastor said in a statement shared by the outlet. "Next for me is to continue what I have already been doing. I have organizations in place to address certain issues; mentoring for kids without fathers and 'People Against Racism.'"

In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, a spokesperson for the Town of Winterville pointed to a November statement outlining the events leading up to Carmon's 1994 conviction and the eventual lawsuit.

The town rejects Carmon's accusations of wrongdoing in the "strongest possible terms."

The town says a clerk at a Fresh Way store identified Carmon as the suspect who carried out an armed robbery at the store in 1993. Investigating officers had shown him a photographic lineup of booking photographs, and the clerk repeated the accusation during the criminal trial, saying there was "no doubt" that Carmon was the man who had threatened his life and robbed the store.

"The District Attorney who prosecuted the case testified in this civil proceeding that having eyewitness testimony as the only available evidence in a convenience store robbery case was typical for the early 1990s," the Town of Winterville said in its statement. "Surveillance cameras were not in general use in Greenville-area retail stores at the time, much less in a small-town convenience store."

Police arrested Carmon, who was 19 years old at the time and under 6 feet tall. But the store clerk described the suspect as 6 feet tall with an Afro, according to the lawsuit that Carmon filed. The complaint accused the officers of concealing fingerprint evidence taken from the Fresh Way store when it did not match Carmon's.

In its November statement, the Town denied that officers lied about the store clerk's description in their report, saying that the only evidence of this is based on a statement Carmon's parents alleged they overhead from a leading officer on the case.

"Mr. Carmon's parents testified that the investigating Officer made this statement at the police station when the store clerk was going through the photo lineup book in which he identified Mr. Carmon as the robber," the statement continued. "However, the investigating Officers both testified that the photo lineup was shown to the store clerk at the Fresh Way, not at the police station."

Regarding the fingerprints, the town says that the Winterville Police Department had preserved in an investigative file a set of latent prints reportedly taken from the convenience store on the night of the robbery. It further noted that the prints do not appear to have been adequately analyzed until 2021.

"To this day, it is unknown why or where the prints were taken, whether the palm print was recognized in 1993 as potentially useful for comparison, or who had knowledge that the palm print was in the file," the town said.

"North Carolina law enforcement did not have the technology to transmit or search palm prints in a statewide database until 2008, and the first national searchable palm print identification database was not available until 2013, 20 years after this armed robbery."

The town further argued that, at the time of the robbery, Carmon had been indicted on forgery charges, and the statement claimed that his alibi had changed over time.

In October, the pastor participated in a court-ordered mediation alongside the town and the officers, according to the press release. Insurance companies representing the town and the officers engaged in negotiations, agreeing to settle the lawsuit.

"Neither the Town nor the Officers paid any of the settlement proceeds, as the full settlement amount will be paid by the insurance companies. As part of the settlement, all parties specifically agreed that neither the Town nor the Officers admitted to any wrongdoing," the Winterville press release concluded.

"While the Town believes strongly that there was no wrongdoing by the Town or its Officers, the Town is pleased to have this matter resolved, and is ready to move forward."
Home News American Travis Timmerman found in Syria, was on pilgrimage to deepen his walk with Christ

Described as a "Christmas miracle" by his family, American citizen Travis Timmerman has been found in Syria after being unexpectedly detained for seven months while making a pilgrimage in an effort to deepen his Christian faith.

Timmerman, a Missouri native, had been missing since June before resurfacing in a Damascus suburb. Timmerman was held in the notorious Sednaya prison, where the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad has arbitrarily detained tens of thousands. He was released as rebels overthrew the Assad regime this month.

He told reporters that he crossed mountains into Syria from Lebanon because he was on a religious pilgrimage influenced by his intensive Bible reading and desire to deepen his understanding of Christianity.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

His entry into Syria from Lebanon by foot, however, led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for several months. His detainment came to light only recently after Syrian rebel forces ousted Assad and the chaotic prison releases that followed.

A resident told NPR's Ruth Sherlock, on the ground in Damascus, that he found Timmerman walking barefoot in the street.

The Timmerman family, speaking to NBC News, expressed profound relief and joy upon his release, marking the end of a harrowing period of uncertainty.

"Feels pretty great! Praise the Lord!" Timmerman's sister Pixie Rogers said. "I would like for him to know that my whole family and I love him so much and that we are happy to know that we are going to see him soon."

Timmerman's pastor, Don Kelderhouse of Preston Bible Baptist Church, told the network that Timmerman was baptized about over a year ago and was on fire to share his faith in Christ.

"It's a miracle.  The fact that we think that he hasn't been abused that's another miracle," he told NBC News.

Timmerman's mother, Stacey Collins Gardiner, told NPR, "It's a Christmas miracle."

Gardiner said she received the news from journalists, who called her.

"At first, I was hoping it was him, but we didn't know if it was a scam or what. And then my daughter saw him on the news," she said. "Not him, but they were talking about Travis. ... and I was so surprised. I was so happy, I cried too  happy tears."

U.S. officials, who remained anonymous, told media that Timmerman had been transferred to Jordan following his release and was currently under the care of State Department officials, according to Reuters. He was initially handed over to U.S. troops at Tanf garrison near the tri-border area of Syria, Iraq and Jordan before being flown out via U.S. military helicopter.

During his captivity, Timmerman was isolated but not mistreated, but he could hear the sounds of other prisoners being tortured nearby.

The White House said it had no prior knowledge of Timmerman's presence in Syria.

Timmerman had been incorrectly identified in some media reports as Austin Tice, another missing American whose fate remains a mystery. This mix-up briefly caused confusion and distress within the community and among journalists closely following both cases.

Before his disappearance, Timmerman had traveled through Eastern Europe, with stops in the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Missouri law enforcement and the Hungarian capital's police force had been tracking his movements.
Home News Half of college professors can't have honest discussions with students about transgenderism: survey

Nearly half of college professors feel uncomfortable talking about the topic of so-called "transgender rights" on campus as concerns remain about the state of free speech in higher education, a new survey reveals.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, formerly the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, released its 2024 FIRE Faculty Survey Report on Thursday. The data in the report, titled "Silence in the Classroom," is based on responses collected from 6,269 faculty working at 55 colleges and universities in the United States between March 4 and May 13.

"Academic freedom may technically exist, but many faculty appear to lack faith that it will be there to protect them  their work, their reputations, or their jobs  in times of need. For many, the risks today are just too high," the report concluded. "A climate of this type is not sustainable for higher education, at least not if higher education desires to uphold its truth-seeking and knowledge-producing mission."

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

The report asked respondents about their ability to engage in an "open and honest conversation" about certain hot-button topics on campus.

A majority (70%) answered in the affirmative when asked if they experienced difficulty discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict, while slightly more than half (51%) said the same about the topic of racial inequality. Just under one-half (49%) of those surveyed reported difficulty engaging in debate about the topic of transgenderism.

Smaller but not insignificant percentages of respondents reported experiencing difficulty talking about affirmative action (47%), the presidential election (41%), abortion (38%), gender inequality (37%), hate speech (35%), religion (34%), police misconduct (31%), gun control (31%), gay rights (28%) and freedom of speech (27%).

Less than one-quarter of professors identified academic freedom (24%), sexual assault (24%), climate change (21%), economic inequality (21%), China (19%) and crime (19%) as topics they had difficulty discussing.

The survey also showed a wide disparity in views about the state of free speech on campus based on a professor's political ideology.

Overall, 27% of faculty believed they could not express their opinion on a certain subject because of concerns about how other faculty, students and the administration would respond.

Nearly half of conservative professors (47%) expressed this concern compared to just 29% of their moderate counterparts and 19% of their liberal peers. When examining the trend of self-censorship, the report found that 32% of conservative professors were likely to self-censor the topics they investigated compared to 25% of moderate professors and 15% of liberal professors.

Conservative professors were also more likely to engage in self-censorship when it comes to their academic publications (42%) than moderate (34%) and liberal (21%) professors. A majority of conservative professors (57%) censored their outside talks as did smaller shares of moderate (47%) and liberal professors (34%). Similarly, a majority of conservative professors (58%) said they censored their lectures or discussions in the classroom while less than half of moderate (48%) and liberal (38%) professors said the same.

Even though at least half of professors belonging to each ideological subgroup told FIRE that they self-censor their emails, social media and other types of similar communications, the share of conservative professors who engage in this type of self-censorship (69%) is still higher than the percentage of moderate (62%) and liberal professors (50%) who do the same.

"The academy needs courageous faculty who are not afraid to research, write about, or teach topics that some many shy away from because they are labeled as controversial  to ask and investigate unasked and unanswered questions," the report stressed. "The academy needs more faculty who are not afraid to support colleagues who themselves are afraid, or who have been targeted and come under fire for their speech or academic endeavors."
Home News 'He will kill me': Woman forced to flee, leave kids after beating by husband for converting to Christianity

NAIROBI, Kenya  A mother of two young children in Somalia was forced to leave them behind after her husband seriously injured her upon learning that she had left Islam for Christianity, she said.

Thirty-year-old Fatuma (whose surname is being withheld for security reasons), put her trust in Christ on Oct. 15 at an underground church service in an undisclosed village in northwest Somalias Mudug Region. She fled her home and children, ages 4 and 6, after her husband beat her on Dec. 8, she said.

I miss my children, but I cannot go back to my husband because he will kill me, Fatuma told Morning Star News. I live in great pain due to my fractured hand and serious scars which have disfigured my face, as well as a stressful life of being absent from my children. I have forgiven my husband and am praying for God to change his life. I am very hurt and need prayers to heal my broken heart.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

She said her mother-in-law first discovered her praying in the name of Issa (Jesus) on Dec. 4 and warned her to stop, telling her, Islam requires us only to pray in the name of Allah and Muhammad  please stop these kinds of prayers immediately. Let this be your first and last to prayer in such a bad way. This is devilish, and if you do not stop then you will be thrown out of the family.

Fatuma told Morning Star News that her faith came from God and was growing, that she had found a better life in Christ and decided to continue secretly praying in His name.

When her mother-in-law again found Fatuma praying in Christs name two days later, she became furious, telling her, I had given you a serious warning, but you have deliberately decided to ignore it  my son then will have to divorce you, Fatuma said.

On Sunday at about 7 p.m., her husband arrived and beat her with sticks before her mother-in-law managed to rescue her, Fatuma said. She has since left the region. A Christian leader in Somalia whose name is withheld for security reasons has given her refuge.

God promised to give us peace and love, said another Christian in Somalia, also on condition of anonymity, so we need to pray for our sister Fatuma for Gods abundant peace at this trying moment.

Somalias constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the U.S. State Department. It also requires that laws comply with Sharia (Islamic law) principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims.

The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law, according to mainstream schools of Islamic jurisprudence. An Islamic extremist group in Somalia, al-Shabaab, is allied with al-Qaeda and adheres to the teaching.

Al Shabaab sympathizers also have killed several non-local people in northern Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan forces led an African coalition into Somalia against the rebels in response to terrorist attacks on tourists and others on Kenyas coast.

Somalia is ranked 2nd on Christian support group Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

This article was originally published at Morning Star News
Home Opinion Daniel Penny: Vigilante racist or Jesus' model Good Samaritan?

We have heard so much talk about Good Samaritans these days  especially with the Daniel Penny case in the news. As of this writing, Penny was just cleared of charges in the criminal case against him.

Penny physically subdued Jordan Neely, a homeless, allegedly mentally ill man, who was threatening other riders in a subway in New York City in May 2023. Neely, who had previously been arrested 42 times, including three times for assaulting women on the subway, died shortly after the incident, which was recorded on video by a bystander. Penny was white. Neely was black.

Many opined that its criminal that Daniel Penny was ever even charged as a criminal, with Neelys death having been a clearly unintentional tragedy occasioned by Neelys threatening behavior. Others call Penny a vigilante racist. Already some critics have noted that any potential would-be Good Samaritans might think twice before trying to help. Why get involved?

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

To many, it was tragic that Daniel Penny had to go through the anguish of the case. To Black Lives Matter protesters, Penny was a racist.

But step back a moment from this particular case, and look at the notion of a Good Samaritan, which is deeply embedded in society. Where does this Good Samaritan ideal even come from?

Jesus told a parable one day, and He changed all of history. It is the parable of the Good Samaritan. Its found in Luke 10.

To paraphrase the story, a traveler is robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest walks by and goes to the other side, ignoring the poor man. So also does a Levite  a Levite being a man of the tribe of Levi who served as an assistant to the priests.

But then another stranger sees the man in danger and stops to help him and to bring him to safety. The kind man was a Samaritan. And the parable concludes with Jesus telling His hearers, You go, and do likewise.

Today we think of a Samaritan as one who goes around doing good, precisely because of the influence of this particular parable. But Samaritans were viewed as half-breeds whose blood and worship were no longer Jewish, and therefore looked down upon by the Jews. Thus, the parable of Christ had a twist for its first-century audience. The hero of his story was a hated Samaritan.

Jesus changes everything. He changed our views on charity, and He changed our views on treating others with dignity, regardless of their socio-economic class.

The Good Samaritan ethic, showing kindness to a stranger in need, has become a hallmark of our civilization. And like many aspects of our culture, it gets back to the Bible.

This influence is even recognized by legal scholars. For example, in a U.S. District Court case from 1983, Crockett v. Sorenson, the judges wrote of the influence of the Scriptures on American law  including the concept of the Good Samaritan.

They wrote, Anglo-American law as we know it today is also heavily indebted to principles and concepts found in the Bible ... The good Samaritan laws use a phrase lifted directly out of one of Jesus parables.

Jesus went around doing good, taught others to do the same, and He has unleashed the forces of charity in our society  through the Luke 10 parable and others as well.

The link between believing in Jesus and charitable giving and volunteering is well-documented.

Dr. Byron Johnson, a Baylor professor of social sciences, who is the founding director of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, has been documenting the positive impact of practical Christianity.

For example, one of his 2021 research papers is entitled, How Religion Contributes to the Common Good, Positive Criminology, and Justice Reform. He writes about the staggering economic benefit to American society of volunteers.

And whence come the volunteers? As it turns out, religious affiliation and participation is one of the key factors predicting volunteer engagement, both in sacred and secular organizations. In sum, the more religious people happen to be, the more likely they are to volunteer.

Johnson adds, Americans not only give financially, but they are also generous with their time. Volunteers donate to charity at considerably higher rates as non-volunteers.

As the late Mother Teresa, a quintessential Good Samaritan, once said: Today God has sent us into the world as He sent Jesus, to show Gods love to the world. And we must sacrifice to show that love, just as Jesus made the greatest sacrifice of all.

Good Samaritanism is good for society, even if some naysayers abide by the principle that no good deed should go unpunished. Above all, Jesus imprimatur of the Good Samaritan ethic alone makes it worthwhile, whatever the cost.
Home Opinion Why was Jesus even born?

In about 178 AD, a pagan named Celsus wrote a scathing denouncement of Christianity, calling believers of Jesus Christ the most uneducated and vulgar persons. For a high-minded Greco-Roman scholar, nothing was more unthinkable than a faith that welcomed the lowest of society.

However, as William Barclay wrote, Christianity made people who were things into real men and women, more, into sons and daughters of God  It told men that, even if they did not matter to other men, they still mattered intensely to God ... Christianity was, and still is, the most uplifting thing in the whole universe.

There is nothing in creation as glorious as the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which we remember here at Christmas. Consider what was proclaimed at the Saviors birth. An angel declared that Jesus would save people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Mary exclaimed that Gods mercy had come on those who fear Him. Zechariah praised God for redeeming His people. Angels sang to the shepherds immediately following the Messiahs birth.

Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

As we mark the celebration Christmas brings, we should consider why the Gospel is so full of joy, hope, peace, love, and grace  as was so powerfully described at Jesus first coming. People dont always view Christianity as it ought to be. Many individuals often think of true Christianity just like any other religion  as a list of rules, outdated or oppressive, or demanding and burdensome. This is tragic.

The Gospel is not a message of salvation by merit, or rule-keeping, or class. On the contrary, the Gospel is good news because it reveals Gods greatest gift given in His Son. It is the message of salvation freely given by God to His people from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation (Romans 6:23).

We do not always consider, however, the implications of this heavenly gift. When God sent Jesus into this world, He gave us a bountiful number of gifts because the Son is infinitely glorious. This Christmas, we are focusing on four of those gifts, that are ours in Christ through faith (1 Corinthians 1:30). In the last post, we saw Christians receive the gift of Gods wisdom.

The second and third gifts Paul describes in this passage are righteousness and holiness (or sanctification).

We start with the gift of righteousness: what is it? This question is one of the most important a person could ever ask. There are three truths about this righteousness God has given every believer in Christ.

The righteousness Paul has in mind is the forgiveness of sins. This theme of forgiveness is woven throughout the New Testament (Luke 1:77, Mark 1:4, Matthew 26:28, Acts 5:31, Acts 10:43, Romans 4:7). When God bestows the gift of righteousness, He erases our sins. Our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west, and God remembers them no more.

Consider this monumental gift of forgiveness. God forgives us for our sins in ignorance and for sins we dont even know weve committed. Then add all the litany of sins we know about. How vast is Gods forgiveness! No wonder angels declared great joy to the shepherds! No wonder Mary and Zechariah praised the Lord unceasingly!

Amazingly, Gods gift of righteousness does not stop at forgiveness, though. Forgiveness erases the evil, sin, and disobedience. However, humanity needs something more, because we could never achieve a perfect righteousness before the Lord on our own. God, then, gives us the gift of the imputation of Christs righteousness. Not only does God pay off the debt of our sin, but He deposits Christs righteousness into our account through faith.

The idea of imputation is found throughout Scripture. Abraham did nothing to become righteous (Genesis 15:6). He simply believed in the Lords promise, and God credited him with righteousness. Paul wrote that this righteousness is not something within us (Philippians 3:9). This righteousness belongs to another but is freely given. It is the very righteousness Jesus Christ achieved.

This righteousness is perfect, flawless, eternal, unchanging for believers. We cannot taint, soil, ruin, discredit, disturb, or tarnish it in any way. What an indescribable gift!

Christs gift is also a legal declaration in Heaven that we are righteous in Gods sight. It is not an experience, nor does it happen in the realm of something we see, feel, or do. It is not a process, but a once-for-all statement about believers, that we are free from all guilt from our now-forgiven sins and that we have the positive righteousness of Jesus Christ covering us like an impenetrable shield in the judgment. What a gift!

Paul adds that Jesus has become for us sanctification  holiness  as well as righteousness.

In 2006, the Barna group conducted a study to analyze how professing Christians think of holiness. The results showed that most people truly had no clue about holiness. So, what does it mean to be holy? We can look at this answer in two ways.

Holiness is first positional. Christians are set apart as Gods chosen people. One striking example of this idea is found in the book of Exodus, where the word holy occurs nine times in the first 25 chapters. In the last 15 chapters, though, the word holy occurs 50 times. That means that 85% of the uses of the word holy occur in the final 37% of the book. Besides being a statisticians dream, these numbers are telling us that this portion of the book deals with things specifically consecrated to God for His use. The priests, tabernacle, and utensils were holy and set apart for special use to serve God in worship.

This is holiness, that Christians are marked as belonging to God for special use to serve Him in worship. Holiness begins positionally when we come to faith in Christ. Although we are unworthy in the world, God says, I am going to set you apart for a special purpose in service to Me. What an amazing gift that God would take us out of the mire of our sins and that He would make us His own special people. We were the lowest of the low and the wickedest of the wicked, but God, in great grace and mercy, set us apart to belong to Him despite all our sin. Incredible!

Sanctification is also progressive, where we learn to manifest the reality of holiness in each of our daily lives. Paul wrote that Christians are all in process of being transformed into the glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). Day by day, we continue to reflect His glory in our lives, and that work happens by the power of the Spirit.

It is important to ultimately remember that all believers are in the process of reflecting the Lords glory. No Christian has finished their transformation this side of heaven. Holiness manifests itself in our lives increasingly and progressively as we grow in faith. We learn to be like Christ, and we must allow space for everyone to grow and learn without crushing each other for weaknesses.

The gifts of righteousness and holiness are indescribable and infinitely glorious. What makes these bestowments even better is that God always gives them together. God doesnt grant justification without sanctification, nor sanctification without justification. Additionally, these precious gifts have not been hidden from Christians. Rather, God makes the reception of these gifts plain through His work of changing us to conform to the glory of Christ.



What a Christmas gift!
David Smith MP (Photo: X)

The appointment of David Smith MP as the new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) has been welcomed by Christian charities.

Mr Smith is Labour MP for North Northumberland and a committed Christian who has previously worked for Tearfund, Bible Society and then Oasis Community Housing in Newcastle. He succeeds Fiona Bruce, former Conservative MP for Congleton.

The government said his appointment "underlines the UK's ongoing commitment to freedom of religion or belief for all".

As part of the role he will work to "champion FoRB for all overseas, promoting tolerance and mutual respect through and alongside the UK's global diplomatic network and engagements in multilateral fora".

Minister for Human Rights, Lord Collins of Highbury said: "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. There is, however, still much to be done to ensure this right is upheld around the world.

"David's appointment is a clear signal of the value placed by the UK on championing freedom of religion or belief for all around the world. No one should live in fear because of what they do, or do not, believe in."

Mr Smith said he was "delighted" to be appointed to the post.

"From sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East and Asia, I have personally worked with those of different faiths who face religious persecution, and so these are issues that I care passionately about," he said.

"I look forward to taking forward the government's commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief for all."

Welcoming him to the role, Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland, said, "This is great news, not just for people of faith, but for anyone concerned about freedom and human rights.

"We believe that David Smith is someone who truly 'gets' the need to speak up for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Parliament.

"He has worked with several NGOs and Christian organisations and is highly spoken of. We look forward to working closely with him.

"The FORB Envoy is such an important role. Since it was introduced in 2018, it has made a significant difference in ensuring that the plight of persecuted Christians, and other faiths, has been kept on the agenda of the UK government.

"We know human rights are an important issue for this government and are so pleased they have now appointed someone to this critical role."

Dr Caroline Hull, national director at Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, said: "We are delighted that the Government has appointed a new Special Envoy for FoRB.

"This position is of the utmost importance in ensuring that the UK uses its considerable resources and global influence to do everything it can to tackle and overcome persecution, discrimination and intolerance throughout the world."
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

Peace is not just a feeling, it is also a condition, a mindset, a state of being. It is a relationship with God Almighty who created you and loves you. Peace is where we want to live. But we live in an unpeaceful world full of strife, envy, jealousy, rage, competition, anxiety, fear, worry, and yes, lust. We crave what we don't have, and we don't want what we do have. We long for peace. The peace of God is the opposite of all that the world has to offer.

The world's definition of peace is a state of tranquility, freedom from disturbance, and harmony in personal relations. Who doesn't want that?

Now listen to the story of Jesus and the peace He offers you and me: "And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:10 )"

Jesus comes to give peace! Now you may think you know what peace is.

But listen to what Jesus says about it in John 14:1: "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Look at what Jesus also says in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Jesus is the way to peace. And you may say, 'Oh, I know what peace is!' But you don't know what peace is until you know Jesus. His peace is not like the world's peace. If you know Jesus, you will experience peace. If you don't know Jesus, you won't.

Now let me give you a definition for the peace of God so we can see the difference between the world's peace and God's peace.

The peace of God is a state of wholeness, calmness, and completeness. As you compare the two definitions, the world's definition of peace is an external definition based on circumstances and human relationships.

If you are trying to get to a permanent condition of peace based on external circumstances and human relationships, you are going to be more unpeaceful than you are now. The peace the world offers you is circumstantial. The peace God offers you is complete, consistent, whole, and perfect regardless of what is going on in your life. It doesn't come from without, it comes from within.

Let me explain. When Jesus returned to heaven he promised to send the Holy Spirit:

"These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:25).

The Greek word here is Paracletos, "the one who comes alongside" or the Comforter, the Peace-giver! Jesus left earth and sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of us. Now look at the fruit of the Spirit that lives inside you.

"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:18).

How do we unwrap God's gift of peace in our lives? You and I must accept Jesus as God's peace to the world. We must realize the world's peace and God's peace are not the same. True peace comes when we follow Jesus and not our own wishes or wants.

Declare today, "I am God's child. In Christ, I am pleasing in his sight. I receive the peace He has for me in Jesus' name." When you do this, you are then free to follow God and not your flesh, which includes your grocery list of fleshy expressions. I don't have to be worried because Jesus is my peace. I don't have to be jealous because Jesus is my peace. I don't have to be angry because Jesus is my peace. He has sent the Holy Spirit to live in me. I just need to keep in step with Him as He leads me into the peace He has for me in Jesus' name.

May you experience God's peace this Christmas season!
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds Christians that they are surrounded by a great "cloud of witnesses" (NRSV). That "cloud" has continued to grow in size since then. In this monthly column we will be thinking about some of the people and events, over the past 2000 years, that have helped make up this "cloud." People and events that have helped build the community of the Christian church as it exists today.

Most people today have a visual image of Christ. Long haired and bearded, simply dressed in homespun cloth, portrayed with varying degrees of Middle Eastern appearance (sometimes not), often with an intense gaze. These images have a back-story and historic portrayals have settled on this iconic image.

The Christian portrayal of Jesus stands in contrast to Jewish and Islamic prohibitions of images. However, the Christian position is not unique since similar, easily recognisable iconography, can be found in Hinduism and Buddhism where there is, similarly, no reticence about portraying central characters and divine beings.

For Christians the faith in the Incarnation (God becoming man) and the belief that in Christ humanity and divinity existed in one man means that historically there has been a theological impetus to portray Christ. For, after all, Christians believe that it is in his humanity that "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19). Therefore, to portray him in recognisable human form reinforces this faith, challenges the viewer to accept the reality of the God-man, and reflects on the implications of this reality for his followers as they live out their human lives in the everyday world.

Portraying a person who is never described

There is no description of the historic Christ in the gospels or the letters. We know nothing of his colouring, complexion, length of hair or whether he was bearded or clean shaven. We may make assumptions based on comparative cultural references and other evidence for the appearance of Jewish men in the first half of the first century AD, but these are simply assumptions. Regarding what Christ looked like during his ministry on earth, we simply do not know.

The Old Testament prohibition on making images means that we have few Jewish first-century depictions of anyone. In fact, we have no figural representations from Jewish communities in Judea from the first century AD whatsoever. By the third century this had changed among some Jews of the wider Jewish diaspora. For example, the excavated synagogue at Dura Europos (in modern Syria) contains numerous colourful wall paintings of scenes from the Old Testament. These include portrayals of Old Testament figures such as Abraham and Isaac, Moses, the visions of Ezekiel and the story of Esther. In line with traditional Jewish teaching, God is never portrayed but the 'hand of God' is shown to illustrate divine intervention. Why did the Jewish community at Dura Europos overthrow generations of traditional opposition to the use of figural art? Well, the answer is not certain. It may have been that Jewish figurative art was more widespread than the surviving evidence would suggest and so the absence of evidence may not constitute evidence of absence. A more intriguing possibility is that the Jewish community at Dura Europos was reacting to a new and competing religious community in their town: Christians.

The excavated Christian church in the town appears to have been constructed (c.23040) a little before the phase of Jewish wall painting occurred. Since the church at Dura Europos contains many figurative paintings, it is possible that its visually striking interior may have contrasted with the (at the time) originally much plainer synagogue. What is beyond dispute is the range of pictures found in the church building. The baptistry contains a number of frescoes, which constitute probably the most ancient Christian paintings in the world. These include 'the Good Shepherd' (borrowing from Classical iconography to illustrate this self-description by Jesus), the 'Healing of the paralysed man' referred to in the gospels, and a scene showing Christ and Peter miraculously walking on the water (again from the gospel account). Many experts in Christian art history consider these illustrations to constitute the earliest surviving depictions of Christ.

What is striking is how un-iconic these representations of Christ are. That of 'the Good Shepherd' is simply a man with no distinguishing features, his hair is short as is his tunic. The same is true of the figure of Christ healing the paralysed man, although the tunic is longer. In the scene depicting the walking on the water, though, Christ appears to be bearded.

What is clear is that there was no third century Christian tradition of what Christ should look like. This is further illustrated by the example of another painting of 'the Good Shepherd,' this time from the Catacomb of Callixtus, in Rome. Again dating from the third century, this portrait shows a clean-shaven man, with short hair and wearing a thigh-length tunic. As with the figures of Christ from Dura Europos, the image simply represents contemporary fashions in terms of clothing and hairstyle. The man could be any man.

These third-century depictions of Christ were beginning to break free from the Jewish prohibition on images that had earlier affected Christian attitudes towards portraying him. Church leaders had originally been reluctant to have such images in Christian places of worship. Irenaeus (died c.202), Clement of Alexandria (died 215), Lactantius (lived c.240c.320) and Eusebius of Caesarea (died c.339) all disapproved of images of Jesus. This disapproval was revealed in other forms too. The Synod of Elvira in Spain (306) maintained that: "It has been decreed that no pictures be had in the churches, and that which is worshipped or adored be not painted on the walls." Given the use of art and sculpture in pagan representations of gods and goddesses, this reluctance (combined with the Jewish heritage) is understandable. On the other hand, the fact that by the third century most Christians were non-Jewish in their origins, were used to a visual culture of religious iconography, and were conscious of their separation from Judaism, also explains why this reluctance was weakening.

Although the third-century wall paintings at Dura Europos contain some images of Christ, most early portrayals are from the fourth century. The earliest of these are from paintings in catacombs and from sarcophagus reliefs. In the Catacombs of Domitilla, Christ is seen amongst his disciples. He is depicted curly-haired and dressed in Classical costume (the toga) and holds a scroll in his left hand. His right hand is outstretched in the so-called 'ad locutio' gesture. This means 'the gesture of the orator.' These features  dress, scroll, gesture  all emphasise the authority of Christ. The picture presents him like a philosopher surrounded by his students. The style of the painting suggests a fourth-century origin.

From the Catacombs of Commodilla comes the first known representation of a bearded Christ (dating from the fourth century). Finally, in this example, we have a figure of Christ that would be familiar to a twenty-first century viewer. His hair and beard are long. This shift is quite dramatic as it greatly altered the appearance of Christ and has influenced Christian visualisation ever since. Why did this occur?

Visual messages

It is likely that the long hair and the beard were finally chosen because they were culturally associated with philosophers, along with the centre parting of the hair. There may even have been echoes of how the healing god Asclepius (a pagan Greek deity borrowed by Roman culture) was portrayed: long-haired and bearded. This was also how Jupiter, the chief god of pagan Rome was depicted.

This in no way compromises the images emerging of Christ; it is simply that things such as hair have cultural resonance and associations. In this sense the long hair and beard were culturally associated with wisdom, learning, divinity and healing. When transferred to Christ they had lost their pagan connotations, but they still had meaning.

Interestingly, other bearded Christian figures  such as Paul  are always shown (if bearded) with a neatly trimmed beard and hair. It is clear that the association of long hair and beard with Christ was not accidental; instead, it communicated a message.

A reaction against picturing Christ

In the Eastern half of the Roman Empire, from the fourth century onwards, an exalted view of the role of these religious icons developed. It was claimed that Luke had painted an icon of the Virgin Mary and that a miraculous depiction of Jesus (formed from a towel pressed against his face) had been sent to the king of Edessa (in modern Turkey) in the first century.

This use of icons was seriously challenged by Eastern Roman (Byzantine) imperial authorities in the eighth century. There had been disquiet expressed, in some quarters, for some time and a fear that veneration of an icon of Christ could become worship of that icon. Islamic opposition to images may also have heightened government anxieties as imperial authorities prepared both military and spiritual defences against the threat to imperial territory from advancing Islam. In the eighth century the imperial government decided it was time for radical action.

The so-called 'Iconoclastic Period' began when images were banned by Emperor Leo III, the Isaurian (ruled: 71641). In 726 he published an edict declaring images to be idols. He claimed they came under the category of "idols" forbidden by Exodus 20:45. Leo commanded that all such images in churches be destroyed throughout the empire. When the picture of Christ called 'Christ Antiphonetes' ('the Guarantor'), which hung over the gate of the palace at Constantinople, was removed, a serious riot occurred in the city. The patriarch of Constantinople protested, and he was deposed. When conservative monks led the opposition to Leo, he began a systematic campaign against monasteries. Pope Gregory II (pope: 71331) responded to an appeal by the deposed patriarch with a long defence of images and argued that they were not the same as idols. In 731, a new pope, Gregory III, held a synod at St. Peter's, Rome. It declared that all persons who broke and defiled images of Christ, his mother, the apostles, or other saints, should be excommunicated. In retaliation, Leo then sent a fleet to Italy to punish the pope, but it was wrecked in a storm.

When Leo died in 741 the cause was continued by his son, Constantine V, Copronymus, (ruled: 74175). In 754 a council he convened declared that images of Christ could not represent Christ's divinity. Consequently, the council asserted, such icons either denied or split Christ's two natures.

The return of pictures

Constantine V died in 775 and was succeeded by his son Leo IV (ruled: 77580). He was more moderate and allowed exiled monks to return and tried to reconcile the conflicting groups. When Leo IV died in 780 he was succeeded by the Empress Irene. She was regent for her son Constantine VI (ruled: 78097), who was aged nine in 780. She was in favour of icons and immediately set about undoing the work of the Iconoclasts. Pictures were restored to the churches and the monasteries were reopened.

The matter, though, was not over. The ban was re-enforced again by Emperor Leo V in 815. Finally, though, the veneration (but not worship) of icons was permanently restored by Empress Regent Theodora in 842. Icons would remain a major feature of Eastern Orthodox worship. In the West they would also be venerated until the sixteenth-century Reformation but would not have so central a place in the life of the Christian community as in the East.

The familiar images of Christ were once more back on display. Even though Protestants rejected Catholic veneration of religious pictures, the use of pictures to portray Christ continued in mainstream Protestant churches. All in all, the history of portraying Christ had come a long way, by a rough road, since the first wall paintings at Dura Europos.

When Michelangelo painted a clean-shaven Christ in his Last Judgment fresco in the Sistine Chapel (153441) he found himself in trouble! Christ, as depicted there, was (to some critics) rather Apollo-like, and not as expected. That the portrayal was reverting to a pre-fifth-century manner of depicting Christ was clearly lost on the sixteenth-century detractors of the artist. They knew what Christ looked like. And they wanted no messing with how he should appear!

Martyn Whittock is a historian and a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England. The author, or co-author, of fifty-six books, his work covers a wide range of historical and theological themes. In addition, as a commentator and columnist, he has written for several print and online news platforms and been interviewed on TV and radio news and discussion programmes exploring the interaction of faith and politics. These have included being interviewed on news platforms concerning the religious dimension to current US politics, Christianity and the Crown in the UK, and the war in Ukraine. His most recent books include: Trump and the Puritans (2020), The Secret History of Soviet Russia's Police State (2020), Daughters of Eve (2021), Jesus the Unauthorized Biography (2021), The End Times, Again? (2021), The Story of the Cross (2021), Apocalyptic Politics (2022), and American Vikings (2023). He explored the history of portraying Christ in the co-written Christ: The First 2000 Years (2016).
Pope Francis praying in front of the Vatican Nativity. (Photo: Vatican Media)

(CP) After the display raised a few eyebrows, the Vatican appears to have removed a Nativity scene that showed baby Jesus lying on a keffiyeh, the traditional scarf used as a national symbol by Palestinians that anti-Israel activists have donned at their protests.

The keffiyeh manger scene first appeared in the Paul VI Hall on Dec. 7. Pope Francis prayed before the display on the same day he met with the artists and donors responsible for the Vatican's Christmas decorations.

As of Wednesday, the keffiyeh, manger and infant Jesus have been removed from the nativity scene, The Associated Press reported. At the time of reporting, the Vatican did not provide a reason for the removal.

It's uncertain whether the removal is the result of backlash to the scene, as Catholics typically leave the baby Jesus figure out of the set during Advent. The absence of Jesus is meant to represent the wait for His arrival, and most Catholics add the figure on Christmas Eve.

The display, "Nativity of Bethlehem 2024," was designed by Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, two Palestinian artists from Bethlehem, according to The Times of Israel.

The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, which is linked to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Embassy to the Vatican, are some of the entities that organized the creation of the Nativity scene.

The Vatican displayed the Nativity scene with the infant Jesus lying on a keffiyeh to show it off to the pope, as well as artisans and donors, according to AP. An anonymous Palestinian official told the outlet that the Vatican did not explain why it had removed the keffiyeh, and it remains to be seen if it will include it again on Dec. 24.

In response to the display, the American Jewish Committee, which advocates for Israel and against antisemitism, condemned the Nativity scene at the Vatican.

"We are disappointed and troubled that a meaningful religious tradition has been politicized in this way," AJC wrote in an X post last Monday.

StopAntisemitism, a non-partisan watchdog group, asserts that the display is an effort to rewrite history by claiming Jesus was a Palestinian as a way of erasing the Jewish people's connection to Israel. The group noted that the Nazis also claimed Jesus was Aryan to justify the Holocaust.

"The lies may shape-shift, but the centuries-old hatred towards the Jewish people continues," StopAntisemitism declared in a statement last Sunday.

Addressing the donors' of the Vatican's Nativity Scene and Christmas tree earlier this month, Pope Francis said it serves as a reminder of the ongoing war in the Holy Land, as Vatican News reported. Representatives from the Embassy of the State of Palestine to the Holy See were also in attendance for the inauguration of the "Nativity of Bethlehem 2024."

"Enough with wars, enough of violence!" Pope Francis stated.

"You know that one of the most profitable investments is in the weapons industry?" he asked. "They earn money to kill. But why? No more wars!"

The Catholic leader has called for the release of the hostages seized by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and met with the families of those who remain in Gaza. However, Francis has also advocated for investigating whether Israel's military campaign against the terror group in Gaza fits the definition of genocide.

On Thursday, the pope met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican, according to the National Catholic Register. The discussion included a conversation about peace in the Holy Land.

Israel has rejected the claim that its response to Hamas' terrorist attack is an act of genocide. Hamas' surprise onslaught resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 others, mostly civilians, from southern Israel.

While the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims over 40,000 people have been killed since Israel began its military operations, the figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. In addition, it does not account for deaths that occurred as a result of misfired rockets launched from Gaza.

 The Christian Post
UNDP Moldova hereby invites prospective proposers to submit a quotation for the Request for Quotation no. RfQ24/02968: Production and supply of furniture for the UNDP Common Office Space.

The Project is seeking to contract a printing company to produce and supply furniture for the newly established UNDP Common Office Space in Chisinau.

Deadline for submission of proposals: 30 December 2024, 16:30 (GMT+3:00)

For details regarding the competition and submission requirements, please visit the page: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_negotiation.cfm?nego_id=28908

Alte articole de la acest autor:
WASHINGTON  The federal government warned on Friday that U.S. citizens planning to visit Nicaragua should reconsider their plans for their own safety.

Anyone who does visit the Central American nation should exercise increased caution due to the risk of crime, the U.S. State Department warned. The arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability should prompt travelers to rethink their plans.

In the past year, the government of Nicaragua has subjected U.S. citizens to arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions, arrests, revocations of Nicaraguan citizenship, and other actions, the State Department said in its advisory.

Among those targeted by the government are workers for non-governmental organizations, academics and students, business representatives, civil society leaders, religious and charity workers (including foreign missionaries), and journalists.

Since 2018, the Government of Nicaragua has closed more than 5,300 civil society organizations, including religious organizations, the State Department advisory stated. Nicaraguan security services have arrested U.S. citizens on false charges. This includes dual U.S.-Nicaraguan citizens. Those arrested can be denied fair and transparent treatment.

Convictions routinely occur in non-public trials without adequate defense or credible evidence, the advisory states. Nicaraguan authorities also arbitrarily enforce laws against U.S. citizen religious workers.

U.S. citizens arrested by Nicaraguan authorities may face detention for long periods without charges, particularly for politically motivated arrests and for property disputes, the U.S. government said. When cases do go to trial, the judicial processes often lacks transparency.

Prison conditions can be harsh and life-threatening.

The only private hospital in the country that is accredited and certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is in the capital of Managua. It has labs and radiology services available but has a very limited number of specialists for acute emergencies. Medical services outside Managua are limited, including for victims of crime.

Poor infrastructure can limit the U.S. Embassys ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens, the advisory said.

Travelers who do visit Nicaragua should be on guard for the risks of crime, including violent crimes such as sexual assault and armed robbery.
A 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher, Suchir Balaji, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in recent weeks, CNBC has confirmed.

Balaji left OpenAI earlier this year and raised concerns publicly that the company had allegedly violated U.S. copyright law while developing its popular ChatGPT chatbot.

"The manner of death has been determined to be suicide," David Serrano Sewell, executive director of San Francisco's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told CNBC in an email on Friday. He said Balaji's next of kin have been notified.

The San Francisco Police Department said in an e-mail that on the afternoon of Nov. 26, officers were called to an apartment on Buchanan Street to conduct a "wellbeing check." They found a deceased adult male, and discovered "no evidence of foul play" in their initial investigation, the department said.

News of Balaji's death was first reported by the San Jose Mercury News. A family member contacted by the paper requested privacy.

In October, The New York Times published a story about Balaji's concerns.

"If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company," Balaji told the paper. He reportedly believed that ChatGPT and other chatbots like it would destroy the commercial viability of people and organizations who created the digital data and content now widely used to train AI systems.

A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed Balaji's death.

"We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today and our hearts go out to Suchir's loved ones during this difficult time," the spokesperson said in an email.

OpenAI is currently involved in legal disputes with a number of publishers, authors and artists over alleged use of copyrighted material for AI training data. A lawsuit filed by news outlets last December seeks to hold OpenAI and principal backer Microsoft accountable for billions of dollars in damages.

"We actually don't need to train on their data," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said at an event organized by Bloomberg in Davos earlier this year. "I think this is something that people don't understand. Any one particular training source, it doesn't move the needle for us that much."

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor.

-- CNBC's Hayden Field contributed reporting.

WATCH: Why advancements in AI may be slowing
When Donald Trump clinched a decisive victory in the 2024 presidential election last month, Stanley Black & Decker executives knew they had a problem on their hands. In fact, as soon as the results were known, the tool company began having conversations with key channel partners on what to do next, CFO Patrick Hallinan said at an industry conference last week. Wall Street was also alarmed. The day after the Nov. 5 election, Club stock Stanley Black & Decker declined nearly 2%. Trump was declared the winner in the early morning hours of Nov. 6. Since then, shares have dropped more than 11% versus the S & P 500's more than 6% gain. The market reaction, however, has little to do with something of Stanley Black & Decker's own doing  but rather, the incoming administration's proposed tariffs. Trump has threatened to increase levies on Chinese imports to 60% and on Mexican and Canadian-made goods to 25%. Stanley Black & Decker, founded in 1843 as Stanley Works, is one of thousands of companies mulling over strategies to offset the kind of pressure that rising tariffs would present. Some management teams have been looking to move production to other countries. Others are cutting costs to offset any potential hits to sales and profits. Constellation Brands CFO Garth Hankinson said his team has been adjusting its inventory in anticipation of potential increases in Mexican import tariffs. Constellation, the Mexican brewer of Corona, Modelo, and Pacifico, is also a holding in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the CNBC Investing Club. Goldman Sachs lead industrials analyst Joe Ritchie described Stanley Black & Decker as "the poster child" for companies he covers that stand to be most impacted by the tariffs should they become policy. That's because about 25% of Stanley's tools and outdoor segment's U.S. cost of goods sold are sourced from China. Since labor and property are less expensive in the world's second-largest economy, big companies like Stanley Black & Decker have historically moved production there to save money. But the tides have been turning  first, during Covid when supply chains out of China were disrupted; and now, in preparation for the expected tariff increases. Stanley Black & Decker said the magnitude of the levies proposed by Trump could squeeze company profits, resulting in an annual $200 million pretax hit to operating income. That forecast, however, does not factor in any actions that the company can take to lessen the impact. "They had to come out with a number to just give the market a sense of what it could be or else the market was going to guess on their own, and that's never a good thing," Ritchie told CNBC in an interview last week in New York City at the annual Goldman Sachs Industrials and Materials Conference. SWK YTD mountain Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) year-to-date performance At the conference, Hallinan reiterated the company forecast and outlined its strategy to navigate potential headwinds during another four years of Trump as president. The plan is three-fold: Reposition supply chains, move production away from China, and raise prices for products to offset any additional costs for the company. "We're going to have to continue reducing our U.S. market exposure to the China market," the CFO told attendees. "Irrespective of what administration came in, we were going to be on this journey." He added that the proposed tariffs, however, might just "accelerate this pace." That's not going to be a quick journey. It could take 12 to 24 months to see material impact from supply chain changes, Stanley Black & Decker said in a securities filing earlier last month. Nevertheless, management continues to reiterate its view that adjusted gross margins can meet or surpass 35% in the long term. As for looming price hikes, Hallinan said the DeWalt and Craftsman owner has been in talks with these supply chain partners about potential outcomes. Although not mentioned by Hallinan last week, supply chain partners for Stanley Black & Decker include big box retailers like Lowe's and Club holding Home Depot that sell the company's products. The CFO added that Stanley's priority is to work in a "proactive, transparent, and forthright manner with [them.]" Increasing prices with these channel partners, Ritchie said, is no easy task. "It's really, really difficult to negotiate pricing with [companies like] Home Depot and Lowe's, especially given that there's been the hangover effect from the pandemic," said Ritchie, managing director of Goldman's U.S. Industrials & Materials business unit. "During the pandemic, a lot of folks did home improvement projects ... that pulled forward a lot of demand for their products. And, because of that, the outlook of their business has been very muted post-pandemic." But this isn't Stanley Black & Decker's first rodeo with higher levies on imports. After China tariffs were first implemented under Trump in 2017 and 2018, management said its original unmitigated exposure was more than $300 million. As a result, the company began shifting its supply chain and increasing prices, which both helped reduce the gross impact to below $100 million annually and offset the rest to fully neutralize the annualized impact. "The reality is that they now have a playbook for tariffs that they didn't have the first time these were put in place," Ritchie said. With all of that in mind, here's where we stand on the stock moving forward. Last week, the Club made the tough decision to downgrade our Stanley Black & Decker rating to a 3, meaning we plan to sell into any strength. From a portfolio management point of view, it's wise to reduce our tariff risk before Inauguration Day in January. At the same time, however, we don't want to lose exposure to the home improvement theme because housing turnover is at a 30-year low, and the pent-up demand will be unleashed when mortgage rates fall. That's why the Club plans to lighten up on Stanley Black & Decker and use those future sale proceeds to get bigger in names like Home Depot. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long SWK, STZ, HD. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Stanley Black & Decker power drills are displayed for sale at a Home Depot store in Colma, California. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
When Lisa Su became CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) a decade ago, it hardly resembled a multibillion-dollar company.

AMD stock was languishing around $3 per share. The company had cut about 25% of its staff, according to Time. But under Su's leadership, the chipmaker has flourished: Today, AMD has a market cap of $205.95 billion and its stock trades at roughly $127 per share.

Su was named Time's CEO of the Year for 2024 on Tuesday, and the 55-year-old's net worth has soared alongside AMD's success  up to $1.3 billion, Forbes estimated in April. For comparison, Su was paid a base salary of $1 million and a performance-based bonus of $1.2 million in 2014 when she took over as CEO, the Seattle Times reported in 2020.

Born in Taiwan, Su immigrated to the U.S. with her parents at age 3 so her father, a mathematician, could attend graduate school in New York. Growing up, "my father used to quiz me with math tables at the dining room table," she told Forbes last year. "That's how I first got into math."

Su wasn't initially interested in following her father's footsteps into a STEM career. As a teenager, she dreamed of becoming a concert pianist, she said: "I wasn't good enough to do that, so I became an engineer."

DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to earning passive income online

She earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and spent her early career working in a variety of roles at Texas Instruments and IBM in the 1990s  both huge tech companies, during that era.

"I was really lucky early in my career," Su told Time. "Every two years, I did a different thing."

In 2012, Su was hired at AMD as a senior vice president and general manager of the company's global business units, according to her LinkedIn profile. Two years later, she ascended to the CEO role, becoming the first woman to lead AMD since the company's founding in 1969.

"I felt like I was in training for the opportunity to do something meaningful in the semiconductor industry," she said. "And AMD was my shot."
A woman (R) adjusts the Philippines flag before the 51st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)- Republic of Korea Ministerial Meeting in Singapore on August 3, 2018.

Southeast Asia's emerging economies are vying to become a top AI hub  a race that has them both coming together and, quietly, battling among themselves.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), made up of 10 countries with a combined population of 672 million people, already has some advantages when compared to Europe or the U.S.

With over 200 million people aged 15 to 34, the region's youthful and largely tech savvy populations make the region adaptable to future technological advances. That, combined with government support for accelerating AI in the region, could deliver substantial rewards for local workers.

"AI can significantly improve productivity across industries, and this boost in efficiency can lead to an uplift of incomes for all workers," Jun Le Koay from the consultancy Access Partnership and the author of research paper "Advantage Southeast Asia: Emerging AI Leader" told CNBC.

"Additionally, as industries increasingly adopt AI technologies, new jobs are emerging that will require AI skills. This evolution creates opportunities for low-income populations to acquire new skills and transition to better paying positions," he said.

Le Koay added that the AI boom presents opportunities for Southeast Asia to make use of its existing infrastructure. Koay believes that ASEAN countries have made "massive strides" in significantly increasing internet access over the last decade which has "created a digitally native population ready to adopt and innovate with AI."

With smartphone adoption ranging from 65% to 90% in ASEAN nations, AI adoption is expected to rapidly take shape.

Grace Yuehan Wang, CEO at Network Media Consulting and a scholar at the London School for Economics, doesn't foresee any of the ASEAN countries leading the AI race anytime soon.

"ASEAN as a region has demonstrated a strong GDP growth rate in recent years and undoubtedly is one of the most economically prosperous blocs in the world in the foreseeable future," she told CNBC.

A developed digital infrastructure, education of "high-level technical talents in technology industry including AI, as well as world-level universities (both STEM  science, technology, economics and math  and comprehensive universities), successful industrial and research collaborations are some elements still lacking in ASEAN's AI ecosystem," she said.

AI competition between the ASEAN countries is "largely in attracting foreign investment and collaborations with world-leading universities," Wang added.

Singapore steals a march

Ten countries  Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam  make up the ASEAN club. All 10 have published national AI strategies.

Singapore was among the first to unveil its vision, in 2019. The island state updated its plans in December 2023. Ambitions include expanding its AI workforce to 15,000  triple the current amount  as well as creating research and development centers.
Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect in the New York City killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson, arrives for an extradition hearing at Blair County Court House in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 10, 2024.

Luigi Mangione retained prominent attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him on New York charges in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The firm, Agnifilo Intrater LLC, confirmed Friedman Agnifilo will represent him but declined to comment further.

"She will not be making any statements at this time," the firm said in a statement.

Friedman Agnifilo was the chief assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office under Cyrus Vance Jr. for seven years. She also served four years as the chief of the office's trial division.

The dayslong manhunt for the shooter ended Monday when Mangione, 26, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was found eating at a McDonald's restaurant and carrying a backpack containing what authorities said was evidence linking him to Thompson's shooting.

Mangione, who comes from a prominent Baltimore family, was charged in New York with one count of murder, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of possession of a forged instrument.

He was also arraigned in Pennsylvania on two felony charges of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license, as well as three misdemeanor charges of tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of crime and providing false identification to law enforcement.

Mangione remains jailed in his own cell at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution and is fighting extradition to New York. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections said he does not currently have access to a television, is not interacting with other inmates, and eats in his cell.

Following the arrest, online fundraisers surfaced in support of Mangione. At least three fundraisers appeared on GoFundMe but have since been removed. GoFundMe said it was refunding donors who contributed to the campaigns and said its Terms of Service prohibits fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes.

Another crowdfunding platform, GiveSendGo, has not removed a fundraiser for Mangione's legal defense. The fundraiser, which raised over $94,000 as of Saturday morning, said it was "not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation." The fundraiser's goal is $200,000.

It's not clear if any of the donations will help pay Mangione's legal fees. His family could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Pennsylvania attorney Thomas Dickey has said that he had not seen evidence linking his client to the killing and Mangione would plead not guilty to the charges in both states.

Dickey and Friedman Agnifilo could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, U.S., October 17, 2024.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday urged the incoming Trump administration to refrain from interfering with what she called critically important appropriate regulation of American banks' capital levels, liquidity and risk-taking.

Yellen, who has served as U.S. President Joe Biden's Treasury secretary since he took office in January 2021, said the current U.S. oversight system was not perfect, and it was legitimate to look for ways to reduce its regulatory burden.

But she warned against taking radical steps that would interfere with needed oversight or the current system of insuring banks' deposits, given the long history of bank failures triggering financial crises.

"I don't want to say that exactly what we have is utterly sacrosanct and couldn't possibly be touched. But I do not think it's broken. We've got a good system," Yellen told Reuters as she prepares to hand off to Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Treasury secretary.

Trump's return to office has raised the prospect of radical changes to the federal government's current structure and a regulatory framework put in place over decades to oversee financial services and banking, as well as digital currency.

"Bankers always complain about over-regulation," Yellen said. "It's legitimate to look for areas where the burdens of regulation exceed the benefits and to try to redress that. But appropriate regulation of capital, liquidity, risk taking and the like are critically important to a sound banking system and economy, and that should not be interfered with."

Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement on Monday.

Yellen said she was troubled by a report that Trump's transition team was exploring ways to reduce, merge, or even eliminate the top bank regulators in Washington, but had no specific insight into their plans.

"We've seen what happens when banks are inappropriately supervised," she said, referencing the unexpected failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March 2023, and others before them that had "created the possibility of a contagious financial crisis."

"The lessons we learned from those 100-plus years of history is that banks need to be supervised and regulated appropriately to greatly mitigate the odds of failure; that deposit insurance is a critical element in promoting safety and soundness and confidence in the system, and that there needs to be adequate access to liquidity when banks get in trouble," she said.
The Indian Embassy in Yangon on Saturday (December 14) announced that six Indian nationals trapped in a job scam were released for deportation back to India, taking the total of such repatriations since July to over 100.There has been an increase in the incidents of Indian nationals falling victim to the international crime syndicates active in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border, according to the Embassy. They are lured for jobs in fraudulent, scam-based companies for cyber slavery.6 more Indian nationals trapped at scam-compounds in Myawaddy reached the local police station, for further deportation to India, y'day. 101 Indians repatriated to India since July 2024. We reiterate our advice against job offers in the area without consulting Missions, it said in a post on X.Myawaddy, a town in southeastern Myanmar, is a major trading point between Myanmar and Thailand. The Indian Embassy's advisory  which is prominently advertised on its website  says it re-emphasises the importance of adhering to the advisories on the subject for not taking any such job offers, especially advertised through social media, without consulting the respective Indian Embassies.A new location at Hpa Lu area, south of Myawaddy town is reported to have emerged recently where most of the Indian victims are being trafficked into, via Thailand, after being recruited from India as well as from countries like Malaysia, UAE etc., it said.The Indian Embassy has also given a detailed, updated list of suspected agents, agencies and compounds involved in these criminal activities too along with a contact number.Meanwhile, in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha on Friday that his ministry has requested for blocking of certain websites offering fraudulent jobs abroad and also recommended the prosecution of those involved in such scams.The government has brought back 1,167 Indians from Cambodia and another 497 from Myanmar, who were taken there on the pretext of getting them jobs, he said, adding, that people are made to work illegally by those running such online scams.In Chennai, M Rajkumar, Protector of Emigrants for Tamil Nadu, urged job-seekers to exercise extreme caution, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.It is crucial to ensure that overseas employment is arranged only through licensed recruitment agents authorised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), he said in a statement.POE Chennai strongly advised potential emigrants to verify the credentials of recruiting agencies before making any financial commitments. A list of licensed agents can be found at emigrate.gov.in.Indian authorities have said that cyber slavery is an emerging and alarming form of modern-day trafficking. Individuals are coerced or trafficked into committing online scams for organised criminal networks under duress. This growing cybercrime exploits vulnerable people, trapping them in illegal activities and online frauds.
Maldivian Airlines is set to enhance its connectivity and support the nation's tourism industry with the introduction of wide-body aircraft for flights to four major cities in China, starting in January 2025. The airline's new routes will include Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi'an, marking a significant expansion in its international network.In addition to these new Chinese routes, Maldivian Airlines also has plans to operate wide-body aircraft services to European destinations, as revealed by Maldives' Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, in an interview with news portal Edition.mv on Thursday.Flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi'an starting in January 2025 will significantly boost tourism and travel, Ameen said during a ceremony in Beijing on Tuesday, which commemorated the launch of direct flights between the Maldives and China.Minister Ameen also expressed his gratitude in a post on X, saying, It was a pleasure to attend the official commemoration in Beijing to commence direct flights between the Maldives and China. I am grateful to President @Mmuizzu for fulfilling the assurance of wide-body operations by @MaldivianAero. Starting in January 2025, flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi'an will boost tourism and connectivity!Currently, Maldivian Airlines serves 16 domestic destinations and operates flights to regions in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The Maldives has seen a surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, with China maintaining its position as the top tourist source for the country in 2024. According to the Ministry of Tourism, as of December 10, 2024, 255,000 Chinese tourists had visited the Maldives, followed by 209,000 Russian visitors. India ranked sixth, contributing 118,000 visitors out of the over 1.88 million tourists the Maldives welcomed this year.Minister Ameen shared additional plans to expand services to three cities in China, Johannesburg in South Africa, and three European cities. He mentioned that previous flights to China and South Africa required transit stops, as the airline's Airbus did not support long-haul flights.Maldivian Airlines currently operates a fleet of 13 aircraft, including one Airbus A320, four ATRs, and eight Dash aircraft. The Airbus A320 is the airline's only aircraft used for international flights.
December 13, 2024: In 2022, for the second time since 2014, the United States actively supported efforts by Russians in general to bypass government censorship and freely communicate with the outside world. This enabled Russians t0 search for information that clarifies what is going on in Ukraine. The official Russian version about what is going on in Ukraine is contradicted by what surviving Russian veterans of the fighting are reporting. These soldiers are paid large bonuses to keep quiet or restrict their comments to how generous the government is to wounded soldiers. This has proved to be insufficient.

The information provided by soldiers who have been there, or parents seeking to find out what happened to their sons in the army, has caused growing reluctance to support the Russian operations in Ukraine. More Russians are refusing to report when they receive a conscription notice. Calls for volunteers to serve in Ukraine are being ignored, even at higher pay, as in three to ten times the average monthly income of civilians. The government refuses to provide any clarification, pointing out that such information is a state secret.

The United States is now financing efforts to provide Russian citizens with free access to VPN/Virtual Private Networks that the Russian government cannot eavesdrop on or shut down. This effort, which began before the invasion began in February 2022, rose from 48,000 Russian users a day before February 2022 to a million a day a month later. Currently the problem is dealing with the Russian governments efforts to shut down VPNs used by Russians to access foreign websites and communicate with anyone they know living outside Russia. So far in 2024, Russia has shot down 200 local VPNs and passed laws making it a criminal offense for any Russian to distribute or use VPN software.

Several million Russians have left Russia since 2022 the invasion began, and millions left between then and the earlier 2014 Russian operation that seized Crimea and the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. When using a VPN most Russians seek out news on the Ukraine fighting at a variety of foreign news sites, including those that provide the news in Russian. This includes Ukrainian news sites. Even the news sites in countries that back Russia like Iran, and China offer more information about the war than the Russian government does. North Korea, another Russian ally, has banned internet use by most North Koreans and restricts use to a few locations that have PCs equipped with VPNs designed to monitor and report on whatever someone on the PC does. North Korea is one of the few nations to use an intranet, an internet that does not allow users to connect to the worldwide web. Only a few government specialists are allowed to use an internet connection to the outside world.

The first time the U.S. offered Russians uncensored access to the Internet was in 2014 when the Americans financed efforts to provide access to the Onion Router that made it nearly impossible for Russian internet censors to block users form communication with other Russians as well as others worldwide. This worked and the Russian government was so alarmed that in mid-2014 it offered a prize of $111,000 for whoever could deliver, by August 20th, 2014, software that would allow Russian security services to identify people on the Internet who were using this open connection to the world. On August 22nd Russia announced that an unnamed Russian contractor, with a top security clearance, had received the $111,000 prize. No other details were provided at the time.

A year later it was revealed that the winner of the Tor prize was now spending even more on lawyers to try and get out of the contract to crack Tors security. It seems the winner found that his theoretical solution was too difficult to implement effectively. In part this was because the worldwide community of programmers and software engineers that developed Tor were constantly upgrading it. Cracking Tor security is like firing at a moving target and one that constantly changes shape and is quite resistant to damage. Tor is not perfect but it has proved very resistant to attack. A lot of people are trying to crack Tor, which is also used by criminals and Islamic terrorists as well as people trying to avoid government surveillance. This is a matter of life and death in many countries, including Russia.

Similar to other anonymizer software, Tor was even more untraceable. Unlike earlier anonymizer software, Tor relies on thousands of people running the Tor software, and acting as nodes for email and attachments to be sent through so many Tor nodes that it was believed virtually impossible to track down the identity of the sender. Tor was developed as part of an American government program to create software that people living in dictatorships could use to avoid arrest for saying or reading things on the Internet that their government did not like. Tor also enabled Internet users in dictatorships to communicate safely with the outside world. Tor first appeared in 2002 and has since then defied most attempts to defeat it. Tors developers were also quick to modify their software when a vulnerability was detected.

By 2014 it was believed that NSA had cracked Tor and others may have done so as well but were keeping quiet about it so that the Tor support community did not fix whatever aspect of the software made it vulnerable. At the same time there were alternatives to Tor, as well as supplemental software that were apparently uncracked by anyone.

Russia may have been encouraged by an Iranian effort in 2011 that came up with a way to detect Tor users and cut them off from the Internet. For the Iranian censors, that was good enough. This was a blow to American efforts to support the hacker community in keeping the Internet accessible for all users in countries like Iran, Cuba and North Korea. In Iran the government managed to shut down over 90 percent of Iranian user accounts that were using Tor. The Tor developers quickly issued a software update that got around the government detection system. Since Iran had developed the detection software internally, rather than buying them from Western suppliers, it kept modifying its anti-Tor software to regain the ability to detect Tor. But the Tor developers have been able to respond each time, including another round in this battle in 2014. The Russians appear to believe they could help the Iranian effort with a prize completion.

The U.S. government, despite a long, combative and acrimonious relationship with the hacker and Internet freedom communities, has been funding work on Internet freedom programs that seek to bypass Internet censorship in dictatorships. The American government provided over $30 million dollars for hackers seeking to create software that will enable people to evade Internet surveillance and censorship.

While this anti-censorship software can also be used by criminals, terrorists and spies, the U.S. government believes that these groups already have access to software that can hide them, and that it's more important that police states have reasons to pay attention to what their citizens want.

Meanwhile, the American money has funded development of software that makes smart phones safer for users who want to say things to others that their governments disapprove of. All this activity is directed at countries with heavy Internet censorship programs, like China, Burma, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and several African countries. Russia responded by placing more restrictions on Russian Internet users and outlawing a lot of anti-government activity.

Some dictatorships have created virtually impregnable Internet controls. This is the case in Cuba and North Korea, where the local Internet is cut off from the global Internet. In effect, the Cuban and North Korean Internet are each restricted to one country, and heavily monitored by the security services. Iran considered that but decided not to implement an Iranian Islamic Internet because the Iranian economy, fueled by huge oil income, has too many useful external contacts. Cutting Iran off from the worldwide web would hurt the economy and cause more unrest.

But the clerical dictatorship that runs Iran has managed to recruit some good software development and Internet talent, and, like China, is using a combination of imported technology including Chinese censoring systems and locally developed software to keep most anti-government individuals off the Internet.
Chris Rock returns to host Saturday Night Live this weekend, his fourth go-round as the shows headliner. He's one of the shows most successful alums, one of the greatest stand-up comics ever and part of the Adam Sandler repertory company of lets-put-on-a-show pals. Yet, despite all that, Rock was never a great fit at SNL.

Some of that is on Rock, and some of that relative failure is on the show itself. For Rocks part, he understood that he didnt possess many of the skills that make Dana Carvey, Kristen Wiig or Eddie Murphy SNL naturals. Years after he was cast, according to oral history Live From New York, Rock asked Lorne Michaels why he got hired considering he didnt do voices or characters, anything particular that would help me on SNL. Michaels replied that he believed Rock had original thought. Sandler says he loves Rock because hes got the balls to say anything he wants to. Unfortunately, that incisive comic take on the world works much better on the stand-up stage than in goofy character sketches.

There were plenty of SNL episodes when Rock watched from the sidelines. A lot of his stuff didnt get on, noted cast member Tim Meadows. I dont think creatively he had a good time.

Don't Miss

Its impossible to ignore the racial element during Rocks tenure. While the current SNL cast is more diverse, Meadows and Rock were added to an all-white cast in 1990. Rock believed if both Black comics had good ideas for sketches, only one was likely to get on. The writers room was mostly made up of white writers. Black people I guess stopped looking for me after the second year, Rock said.

Rock also expressed frustration that Black comedians were experiencing a boom on other networks, including on Def Comedy Jam and In Living Color. Martin Lawrence had a big sitcom. Meanwhile, Rock was struggling to get on the air. I was over here in this weird world, this weird Waspy world.

The comic held no grudges, however, often noting that he hasnt been broke a day in his life since meeting Michaels. The things I learned there  thered be no Chris Rock Show, I never would have had the success I had with that if I hadnt been at SNL learning how to run a show. So it was all school to me. Everyone was a professor  Professor Al Franken, Professor Phil Hartman.

Advertisement

Did Saturday Night Live do Rock wrong by not providing a better outlet for his talents? Not according to Norm Macdonald. I always hear about how Chris Rock was underutilized, he explained. Thats not really true. They let you do whatever you want on that show so you cant blame anybody.  Chris is a great stand-up comedian, a great voice. Unfortunately, that doesnt mean hes a great sketch-comedy comedian.
While Bill Murrays Scrooged has become required holiday viewing, it wasnt universally beloved upon its release in 1988. Noted film critic Roger Ebert, for one, wasnt a fan.

Scrooged is one of the most disquieting, unsettling films to come along in quite some time, Ebert wrote in his scathing one-star review. It was obviously intended as a comedy, but there is little comic about it, and indeed, the movies overriding emotions seem to be pain and anger. This entire production seems to be in dire need of visits from the ghosts of Christmas. (Eberts pal Gene Siskel was more generous, doling out three stars and praising the comedy for lots of laughs.)

Bad reviews are part of the business, but that doesnt mean Murray couldnt question them. Two years later, Murray was scheduled for a sit-down with Ebert to discuss his directorial debut, Quick Change, according to Far Out.

Don't Miss

Ebert wrote about their initial interaction. Murray popped into a bathroom to get camera-ready, only to stick his lather-smeared face out of the door to ask a pointed question: How do you plan to explain your one-star review of Scrooged?

I was hoping it wouldnt come up, Ebert said.

Murray put up a half-hearted defense. It wasnt that bad, he said. It had some good stuff in it. Watch it on video, and youll see.

Ebert shrugged. It just didnt work for me.

Murray wondered if Ebert had maybe gotten wind of disagreeable behavior on set. Between Murray, writer Michael ODonoghue and unpredictable Carol Kane  It was her idea just to hit me as opposed to pulling the punches," Murray said  making Scrooged was a miserable experience for most everyone involved.

But Ebert didnt have any inside information. He just believed it was an angry movie. Did Murray have a lot of arguments with the director, Richard Donner?

Advertisement

Only a few, Murray confided. Every single minute of the day. That could have been a really, really great movie. The script was so good. Theres maybe one take in the final cut movie that is mine. We made it so fast; it was like doing a movie live. He kept telling me to do things louder, louder, louder. I think he was deaf.

So when Murray asked Ebert to explain the thumbs down? He wasnt actually disagreeing with Eberts assessment of Scrooged. He just wanted to know what the critic saw in the movie that turned him off so completely. While Murray didnt think the comedy was a disaster, he knew Ebert wasnt wrong in picking up the bad vibes.

Advertisement

On Scrooged, I was trapped on a dusty, smelly, and smokey set in Hollywood for three-and-a-half months, having a lousy time by myself and just coughing up blood from this fake snow that was falling all the time, Murray told Starlog.

Murray could take consolation in one thing. As much as Ebert hated the Christmas movie, he did think Scrooged was funnier than Ghostbusters II.
A pack of elementary school teachers and a quintet of day-drunk degenerates walk into a bar

No, its not the setup for a joke, but rather the premise of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Abbott Elementarys upcoming crossover episodes, one that apparently runs the gamut between good clean(ish) PG fun and the raunchy R-rated antics that could only come from the Paddys Pub crew.

Abbott Elementarys Chris Perfetti recently lived up to his Janine Teagues-anointed nickname of Ta-Nehisi Quotes, speaking out about how the two tonally different series melded their signature senses of humor into a cohesive story for their possibly-too-highly-anticipated collaboration.

Don't Miss

As a huge fan of their show and of all of those actors, it was just surreal, the actor recently explained to TV Insider of their two-part crossover, the first half of which is set to air on ABC on Wednesday, January 8th. They are a highly trained ensemble that is so gifted, so generous. It was so fun to pit these crews, sort of, against each other to have the PG version of an ensemble and the R-rated version of an ensemble.

While fans will have to wait until the new year to see how these two series merge mockumentary and pure raunch into a not-safe-for-Quinta-Brunsons-mom television event, Perfetti hinted that the final product would seemingly incorporate the best of both shows, managing to tell two different (stories) kind of on their own terms.

I can say that they are in an episode of our show, and we are in an episode of their show, and the episode of their show is sort of the behind-the-scenes of what really happened when they were on our show, he explained, later noting that he was very grateful to the Always Sunny cast and that hes very excited for fans to see the finished product.

Advertisement

Considering the gangs famed penchant for lying  one exemplified by Barnabas Reynolds faux funeral, the D.E.N.N.I.S. System, Dee and Dennis welfare scam and essentially every single scene of the FX(X) staple  we hope they finally meet their fact-checking match in Abbott Elementarys staff.
December 13, 2024: President Vladimir Putins disdain for the Russian space program has doomed the Russian space agency Roscosmos. Escalating incompetence among Roscosmos managers and staff crimped efforts to make Roscosmos effective and relevant again.

In 2024, the escalating costs of the war in Ukraine forced Russia to cut spending on many non-military programs. The severe economic sanctions imposed on Russia continue causing problems, especially with the Russian space program and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. Roscosmos was usually exempt from budget cuts, but not this time.

By mid-2024 the war in Ukraine had left Russia broke and Roscosmos virtually abandoned by a bankrupt Russia. Russian military spending took priority, but that did not extend to the Russian space program. In theory Roscosmos could assist in the military effort but in practice Roscosmos had little to offer. This became evident six months after the invasion when Russia confirmed that it was not withdrawing from the ISS/International Space Station program by 2024 and would scale back its ISS support because of the Ukraine-related Western economic sanctions. That meant other members of the ISS consortium had to provide the transportation services to and from the space station. The Americans were already using the SpaceX passenger and cargo capsules. Other American and European firms had developed similar capabilities. Currently the ISS is supposed to remain operational until 2030. As of early 2024 the ISS has been occupied 23 years. Russia played a major role in ISS design and construction early in the program, but the Russian contributions have been steadily declining over the last few years.

Even without the Ukraine War related economic sanctions, the Russian space program was in financial trouble and sanctions only made it worse. The Russian space program suffered from a growing number of problems in the last decade. Russian support for the ISS suffers because Roscosmos is also responsible for maintaining the more important Russian GPS GLONASS satellites as well as all other military communications and surveillance satellites. These activities took priority over projects involving international cooperation.

Roscosmos was receiving between $3.4 billion and $3.9 a year until a few years ago. Then the annual budget began to shrink. The 2024 budget is $2.8 billion, which is 70 percent of the peak budget. This spending also has to cover the cost of maintaining the Plesetsk military launch site and other military related facilities. Roscosmos also handles commercial launches at the old Soviet Baikonur launch center in Kazakhstan. Russia rents this site from Kazakhstan and has fallen behind in rent payments. In response Kazakhstan seized Roscosmos assets at Baikonur. Russia is not getting foreign commercial launch business because of Ukraine War sanctions. Currently Russia cant even muster enough troops to threaten Kazakhstan. That is a problem because Russian leader Vladimir Putin recently mentioned Kazakhstan as one of many areas, like Ukraine, that should be absorbed back into Russia. Kazakhstan agrees with Ukraine on the need to oppose Russia on this issue.

Currently Russia wants to eliminate all cooperation with Western nations, especially the United States and Europe. Despite this government goal, Roscosmos officials point out that it is not economically possible or technically preferable. Cooperation with the West has increased the capabilities of the Russian space program and provided economic opportunities for Russia. A much larger space program budget would be required and the loss of Western tech and markets for satellite launch services and satellite manufacturing hurts Russia more than the West. There are other problems, some needing immediate attention.

For example, GLONASS GPS navigation satellites regularly exceed their expected useful life and have to be replaced before they fail. To keep the GLONASS network operational you need at least 18 operational satellites. Currently Russia has 25 operational with replacement satellites standing by. Until 2023 Russia was using GLONASS -K satellites to replace the older GLONASS-Ms that were past their replacement date. As of 2024 all the replacements are the new K2 models. Before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, sanctions were imposed, Russia had been producing 15 to 17 new satellites a year and many were GLONASS replacement models. Russia cannot afford to replace the aging GLONASS birds quickly enough to prevent shrinkage in the number of satellites required for global coverage. The sanctions mean Russia losing sales of satellites and launch services, including foreign satellites put into orbit. The Russian government insists that Roscosmos can survive without Western nations as partners and customers. Roscosmos officials know better and quietly dismiss government plans to put a Russian space station into orbit after 2030. One reason for this goal being out of reach is that about 90 percent of the satellite components come from Western nations. Seeking substitute components from nations willing to break the sanctions, or smugglers who do it for a living, increases the coast of components. Even then, not all the needed components can be obtained.

All these problems mean the end of a long Russian history with space stations. The Mir space station was the last of eight Russian built space stations and the one that remained occupied the longest at 4,594 days. This 130-ton Mir was brought down in 2001 after Russia joined the ISS consortium. The 420-ton ISS has been in orbit since 1998, when the first of 17 modules was operational. Other nations have built similar, but temporary space stations. That effort began in the 1970s with the Russian Salyut 1 but since the 1990s most nations with space programs have put their resources into supporting the ISS. Now the development of commercial space stations will dominate simply because its cheaper and more efficient than government-run operations. This has already happened, again without much media fanfare, in the design, launch and operation of space satellites.

While Roscosmos fades away, it is being replaced by the expanding Chinese space program, which is expected to become the dominant national government one by the 2030s. The most obvious aspect of this is space stations. There are only two in orbit. The 419 ton ISS is the largest occupied, usually by a crew of six, the longest in orbit at more than 24 years and the longest occupied at 23 years. The ISS was initially expected to have a useful occupied life of fifteen years. The ISS was completed in 2011. The longer it was up there the more space station tech was developed. That led to extensions to the useful life of space stations. Until recently the ISS was to be used until 2028 but it is proposed to extend that to 2030.

Without any new government proposals for a new ISS replacement space station, the only one up there after 2030 would be the Chinese Tiangong 3. This 66-ton space station has been occupied since 2021 and was completed in 2022. Tiangong 3 is supposed to last until 2037 and can be upgraded to last into the 2050s and be doubled in size.

China's new space station can be built quickly because space tech has advanced over the years. This new tech has made it practical for commercial firms to consider building and operating space stations. Over the last few years, commercial firm SpaceX has been demonstrating the ability of a non-government operation to operate more efficiently and at much less cost than government run programs.

Commercial firm SpaceX developed and used a revolutionary SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) tech which greatly reduced the cost of putting anything into orbit. The Chinese didnt use SpaceX tech to build their new space station but are trying to duplicate the SpaceX tech.

So far, the ISS has cost about $150 billion to build and operate. The Tiangong 3 cost much less because it's now cheaper to build and launch satellite components and China plans to include lots of space for profitable science experiments. The large number of such experiments carried out in the ISS demonstrated that there is a market for this and thats the motivation behind commercial space stations, especially those using SpaceX SLV tech and similar new tech developed by SpaceX and a number of other firms. Space stations no longer have to be limited to government-funded science experiments. Few noticed how much the costs were coming down at the same time income sources increased. Current plans are to have the first commercial space station operational before ISS retires in 2030. More commercial stations will follow.

China seemed to sense this trend when, without much fanfare, they put their first space station into orbit in 2011, This was the eight-ton Tiangong 1. It lasted two years and provided practical experience for the construction and launch of the 8.6-ton Tiangong 2 in late 2016. This one was built to last longer and in early 2017 a Chinese cargo vehicle made an automated docking with the Tiangong 2. This was a major step for the Chinese, who could now maintain two or three people in the Tiangong 2 for up to 30 days with the supplies from one cargo vehicle. China put the first 22 t0n module of the Tiangong 3 in orbit during April 2021 and it has been occupied since September 2021. Two laboratory modules, each weighing the same as the first, are planned for 2022. The first of these was launched on schedule and by the end of 2022 second one went into orbit. This made the initial Tiangong 3 complete. After that three more modules were added to double the crew size to six.

China wanted to join the consortium of the United States, Russia, European Union, Japan, and Canada that built and managed the ISS. There was opposition within the U.S. government from Chinese espionage efforts that had obtained data from the United States for peaceful use of space but then used that information for military purposes. The U.S. passed the Wolf Act in early 2011 prohibiting the American space agency NASA from cooperating with China on the ISS. That ended Chinese efforts to participate in the ISS. Later in 2011 China launched, on schedule, Tiangong 1, its first space station. China was in the space station business while Russia desperately sought ways to regain a place in orbital space and once more be competitive.
Sad news in the world of late-night comedy. Conan OBriens parents both passed away this week, within just three days of one another. The redheaded hosts father, Dr. Thomas OBrien died on Monday at the age of 95, while his wife, 92-year-old Ruth Reardon OBrien, died peacefully on Thursday.`

While much of the news of the OBriens deaths has obviously been framed around their celebrity son, it turns out that they were incredibly impressive professionals in fields that in no way involved, say, having a meltdown on YouTube while rubbing hot sauce on your nipples.

Don't Miss

OBriens mother, for example, was reportedly one of just four women in her Yale Law School class. She later clerked for a former chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, became a real estate attorney and was the second woman to become a partner at the renowned Ropes & Gray law firm in Boston.

According to The Boston Globe, his father, Dr. OBrien, was a respected epidemiologist who worked at Harvard Medical School and served as the first director of the infectious diseases division at what is now Brigham and Womens Hospital.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Amazingly, he was one of the very first medical voices to warn of the increasing danger of antimicrobial resistance in a world growing ever more connected. In response to the threat of imprecise antibiotic treatments creating drug-resistant superbugs, he helped to pioneer databases that allowed doctors to respond quickly to outbreaks of antibiotic resistance.

If all that wasnt enough, early in his career, OBrien created a device that allowed patients to undergo hemodialysis (a process in which a machine filters wastes, salts and fluid from your blood when your kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work adequately) multiple times in the same vein site, thus allowing for more frequent treatments and improved health outcomes.

Conan has talked a lot about his father over the years. On a recent episode of his podcast, Conan OBrien Needs a Friend, the host explained how guest Alex Edelmans dad was also a doctor, who happened to be friends with his dad. Edelman found out about this connection after appearing on Conan and receiving a call from his dad telling him that he had seen his set on Dr. OBriens sons show.

Advertisement

We both fled that legitimate profession, Conan said of their shared decision to not pursue medicine.

Although, to be fair, Conan did once take it upon himself to personally examine a sick staff member.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Conan did note that his father was also a comedy fan, revealing to the Globe that the loudest Ive ever heard anybody laugh was sitting next to him in a theater watching Peter Sellers in a Pink Panther movie.

Dr. OBriens medical background also led to some interesting creative feedback. While talking with Marc Maron for a 2011 episode of WTF, Conan called his dad a brilliant guy and recalled the time that he once performed a particularly left brain comedy bit during a show that his old man saw. Its funny, Conans dad told him afterwards, youre making money off of something that really should be treated.

And I thought, thats really the essence of what were all doing, Conan added.
Photo-Illustration: Curbed; Photos (clockwise from left): Courtesy of Dobrinka Salzman and the artist; Kris Tamburello/Courtesy of FENDI; Courtesy of Wexler Gallery; James Harris/Courtesy of Sarah Myerscough Gallery

Eighteen New York galleries headed south to this years Design Miami where there were notably less dogs in attendance and many more Cybertrucks. This year, curator Glenn Adamson gave participants the theme of blue sky, which seemed to call for risk-taking and optimism, and some saw it  It feels alive, one art installer noted. If anything, the pieces asked viewers to look twice, with an emphasis on meticulous craft, mixing new technologies with the handmade, and a lot of chunky, woven wall works. There were a few unexpected sights, like the one of attendees playing Ping-Pong on James De Wulfs concrete flower-petal table. One thing everyone seemed to agree on: This year, it was eclectic all around.

Its alive: Charlotte Kingsnorths leather furniture

From left: Land Before Time is Kingsnorths upholstered leather interpretation of the traditional writing desk set. Photo: Tom Wright/Courtesy of Gallery FUMI and the artist Photo: Tom Wright/Courtesy of Gallery FUMI and the artist From top: Land Before Time is Kingsnorths upholstered leather interpretation of the traditional writing desk set. Photo: Tom Wright/Courtesy of Galle... more From top: Land Before Time is Kingsnorths upholstered leather interpretation of the traditional writing desk set. Photo: Tom Wright/Courtesy of Gallery FUMI and the artist Photo: Tom Wright/Courtesy of Gallery FUMI and the artist

In Land Before Time at Gallery Fumis booth, Charlotte Kingsnorths stumpy three-legged desk and chair look like they could have wandered over from the Everglades. Kingsnorth hand-painted the leather upholstery in earthy shades of green and brown, and the effect of the patchwork construction and uneven, bulbous surface look like stitched skin. Kingsnorth likes that ambiguity  some viewers see scales, others veins or tree bark. The London-based designer admits that she likes to mess with how humans process things through association. You can see it in the tree stump tables, spider lamps, a faux-fur spider stool with toilet-plunger legs, and a herd of fluffy, refurbished Thonet chairs. Its a look thats led to custom commissions for clients like Tyler, the Creator and A$AP Rocky.

A cinematographers lamps: Christopher Baker

From left: Series 1 Collection lamp and Series 2A light made using Indian silk dipped in indigo dye. Photo: Dobrinka Salzman and the artist/2023 Photo: Dobrinka Salzman and the artist/2019 From top: Series 1 Collection lamp and Series 2A light made using Indian silk dipped in indigo dye. Photo: Dobrinka Salzman and the artist/2023 Photo: ... more From top: Series 1 Collection lamp and Series 2A light made using Indian silk dipped in indigo dye. Photo: Dobrinka Salzman and the artist/2023 Photo: Dobrinka Salzman and the artist/2019

Series 1 HL 3 Ceiling Light layers of Japanese paper and silk. Photo: Dobrinka Salzman and the artist/2023

Three decades of trying to find the right light as a cinematographer and photographer paved the way for Christopher Bakers The Field Lighting lamps. In his Series 1 collection, one overhead light hovers delicately like a metal mobile, swaddled in six panels of Uda Gami paper and four panels of hand-loomed pineapple silk; small leaf-like shapes and circular motifs cut from jewelers sheet brass are threaded on the lamps structural metal rods like ornaments on a tree. Though his Field Lighting makes clear reference to Noguchi, Baker veers into other lanes as well: surrealism and modernism, notably, the wire works of Alexander Calder and Fausto Melottis installations of brass and textiles. In other pieces, multicolored silk strands that Baker dyes by hand in his Maine studio are knotted around a stainless circle into a tassel curtain shade planted in a sturdy wood base.

Eggcrates and car radiators with Nick Missel

Missels fiberglass, resin and automotive painted Double Knot table. Photo: Courtesy of Wexler Gallery

Chair, mirror and stool made from aluminium radiators, resin and glass -the Alumation Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Wexler Gallery

Originally from St. Louis, Nick Missel considers his work a kind of archaeology of the working class. Take, for instance, his eight-foot-long Double Knot table, which borrows its texture from the egg crate. But he gives the packaging a glossy upgrade using fiberglass, resin and automotive paint, its dense and shiny edges falling in on themselves like folded cake batter. His other pieces explore other industrial materials: Letters After Midnight console is composed of jagged, stacked aluminum car radiators that look as if they have been pulverized by a bat, and his silicone and memory-foam Infrathin cubes are also simultaneously unsettling and inviting: warped cube-shaped stools in high-contrast tones  neon green and royal blue, purple-pink and black, that squish when touched.

Lewis Kemmenoes jigsaw collaboration with Fendi

Alabaster, sapele wood, brass and aluminium Galleria Cabinet. Photo: Kris Tamburello/Courtesy of FENDI

Aluminium and burl wood backlit wall panel, shapes cut from clothing patterns. Photo: Kris Tamburello/Courtesy of FENDI

Patchwork Club Chair in polished brass. Photo: Kris Tamburello/Courtesy of FENDI

Lewis Kemmenoe brings his jigsawed puzzle-piece technique to Fendi in a collaborative collection titled nigma or enigma. The designer, based out of London and originally from Kent, is the latest in a long line of the fashion housess collaborators for the fair since 2008. (Tom Dixon, Sabine Marcelis, and Maarten de Ceulaer are among the alumni.) Kemmenoes research took him to museums in Rome and Fendis Tuscan factory, fresh off his fine-art studies at Central Saint Martins. The booths cream walls and carpet stood in contrast to the capsules geological textures of rocks and metal lodged in timber and leather. There was even a patchwork leather handbag, Kemmenoes take on Fendis signature Peekaboo. From the back, the space-age armchair chair is a collage of monotonal woods in a gold trimmed frame, from the front the built-in brass is the deep seats inner shell, occupants of the plush chair are encased like a 70s-era conversation pit for one. Another piece that highlighted his patchwork technique in a less rigid form was a rich mahogany cabinet inlaid with large alabaster rocks sporadically spread across the doors.

A craft ode to Colombia in Miami colors

From left: Magnetic Midnight Magic at Design Miami, Iraca Table Lamp atop Tamo Side Table. Photo: Stephane Aboudaram/Courtesy of the gallery Photo: Stephane Aboudaram/Courtesy of the gallery From top: Magnetic Midnight Magic at Design Miami, Iraca Table Lamp atop Tamo Side Table. Photo: Stephane Aboudaram/Courtesy of the gallery Photo: Step... more From top: Magnetic Midnight Magic at Design Miami, Iraca Table Lamp atop Tamo Side Table. Photo: Stephane Aboudaram/Courtesy of the gallery Photo: Stephane Aboudaram/Courtesy of the gallery

LAMB gallerys compact booth was covered in geometric Art Deco prints and highly symmetrical, patterned surfaces, standing out next to its neighbors. One zigzag-bordered mirror faced another, two red harlequin-patterned sconces hung between them, all of them woven from Iraca Palm and all by Magnetic Midnight Maison. Founded by Lucia Echavarria, the brand functions like a craft collective in Echavarrias native Colombia, through which the designer works with local makers who specialize in techniques distinct to the region and passed down over generations. Informed by her three years of study on Colombian craft style and techniques, Echavarria considers the collection a personal anthology of her countrys cultural heritage and artisanal practices. Beyond chairs and tables, she also presents something less expected: game boards for chess and backgammon, in which beads in pastel pink, green, lilac, and subdued red form mesmerizing checked surfaces. The work was made specifically for the show, in a palette that is an ode to Miamis colorways. Through her work, Echavarria is able to preserve Indigenous material techniques and processes, as in her handwoven Chimichagua bench, a fiber that Chimila people indigenous to the Andes of northeastern Colombia once used to weave sleeping mats and now covers a wooden chaise inspired by the fireside chairs of 19th-century France.

Tadeas Podrackys blooming wood bones

Podrackys Bloom of Bones chair, mirror and hanging light. Ethereal Bed by Marc Fish and Eleanor Lakelin carved jar in background. Photo: James Harris/Courtesy of Sarah Myerscough Gallery

British gallery Sarah Myerscoughs dreamscape booth installed a bedroom that looked like the furniture had grown (or dripped) into place. The pieces, by Prague artist Tadeas Podracky, who has a fine-art background, were all in different shades of ivory, and their textured surfaces were the standout. While we may be used to gloopy forms in design, Podrackys white-waxed wood Morana chair, complimented by Eleanor Lakelins smooth sculpted eight-foot vase, still feels distinct from its counterparts. The conceptual goal, Podracky wrote on his Instagram, was to stretch our understanding of living through the objects materiality. The three works on display were from the artists Bloom of Bones collection.